About Prince of Peace · San Antonio, Texas
Prince of Peace Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in the Archdiocese of San Antonio, Texas, located at 7893 N. Grissom Road in the northwest side of the city (ZIP 78251). The parish describes itself as "A Community United in Faith, Bringing God's Love to the World" and ministers to a diverse, bilingual (English/Spanish) congregation with daily and Sunday Masses, perpetual adoration, a faith formation program (PreK–5th grade), youth group, marriage and family life ministries, and outreach groups such as St. Vincent de Paul and Knights of Columbus. It is currently staffed by the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales (MSFS / Fransalians), with Fr. Jomon Joseph, MSFS as pastor and Fr. Donatien Egamwana Balikene as parochial vicar.
- Established
- 1980
- Patron
- Prince of Peace (Jesus Christ, as 'Prince of Peace')
- Rector
- Father Jomon Joseph, MSFS
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of San Antonio
Why belong here
Prince of Peace is a bilingual (English/Spanish), large-suburban parish that takes its missionary identity seriously: the parish mission states it is 'A Community United in Faith, Bringing God's Love to the World,' and its vision calls every parishioner to become 'a joyful missionary of Jesus Christ and his Gospel.' Practical reasons to belong include a full weekly Mass schedule (six weekend Masses including a Spanish Mass at 2:30 PM Sunday), a robust perpetual adoration chapel with weekday hours, weekly Confession on Tuesdays and Saturdays, monthly First-Saturday (Mary), First-Friday (Sacred Heart), and First-Wednesday (Healing Mass) devotions, an active St. Vincent de Paul and Knights of Columbus outreach, a PreK–5 faith formation program plus OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) for adults and children, a weekly youth group, and marriage/family ministries that include a 'That Man is You' program, marriage prep, and convalidation. The annual Fall Fest and parish mission trip to El Salvador give members tangible ways to live out their faith together as a community.
Mass times at Prince of Peace
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesdays: 4:00 PM – 6:30 PM
- Saturdays: 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Adoration times
- Weekday Mornings (Mon–Thu): after the 8:15 AM Mass — 8:45 AM – 12:00 PM (noon)
- Weekday Afternoons/Evenings: after the 12:00 PM noon Mass — 12:30 PM – 8:30 PM
- Fridays: 8:45 AM – 12:00 PM noon only (no evening adoration)
- Closed on parish holidays and Holy Days of Obligation
About Prince of Peace Catholic Church
Prince of Peace Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in the Archdiocese of San Antonio, Texas, located at 7893 N. Grissom Road on the far-northwest side of the city (ZIP 78251). The parish describes itself as 'A Community United in Faith, Bringing God's Love to the World,' and its vision is that every parishioner experience God's love through the liturgy and sacraments, ministry participation, prayer, and parish family life, so that each one becomes a joyful missionary of Jesus Christ and his Gospel. It is currently staffed by the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales (MSFS / Fransalians), and serves a bilingual (English/Spanish) congregation in one of the fastest-growing parts of Bexar County.
- Parish Mission: A Community United in Faith, Bringing God's Love to the World
- Parish Vision: Every parishioner becomes a joyful missionary of Jesus Christ
- Jurisdiction: Archdiocese of San Antonio
- Rite: Roman-Latin
- Religious institute staffing the parish: Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales (MSFS)
History
According to GCatholic's parish record, Prince of Peace was canonically erected in April 1980 (listed as 1980.04). The parish grew along with the rapid development of the far-northwest side of San Antonio, building its permanent campus on Grissom Road (FM 471) west of Bandera Road. A parish booklet, 'Prince of Peace: Celebrating 25 [Years of] History,' records the parish's mission: 'We, the members of Prince of Peace Parish, are a community of Christ who gather together in Eucharist to find community, renewal, and empowerment to carry out the work of Jesus. We celebrate in the diversity of our parish community.' Today the parish runs an annual Fall Fest community festival (2025 edition set for October 4, 2025) and a current 'Legacy Capital Campaign' for the future of its faith and facilities.
- Canonically erected: April 1980
- Founding mission statement (from 25-year history): 'a community of Christ who gather together in Eucharist… we celebrate in the diversity of our parish community.'
- Annual community festival: Fall Fest (first Saturday of October)
- Current capital effort: Legacy Capital Campaign
Monthly Devotions
Prince of Peace keeps the traditional 'First Wednesday / First Friday / First Saturday' rhythm of Catholic devotion. On every First Wednesday, the parish gathers for 6:00 PM Adoration followed by a 7:00 PM Healing Mass. On every First Saturday, a 7:00 AM hour of Adoration and Rosary precedes an 8:00 AM Mass in honor of Mary. On every First Friday, the noon Mass is offered as a Sacred Heart of Jesus Mass with Consecration before the Mass begins.
- First Wednesday Healing Mass — 6:00 PM Adoration, 7:00 PM Mass
- First Saturday Mass in Honor of Mary — 7:00 AM Adoration & Rosary, 8:00 AM Mass
- First Friday Sacred Heart of Jesus Mass & Consecration — 12:00 PM Mass
Clergy and Staff
The parish is currently led by Fr. Jomon Joseph, MSFS, as Pastor, and Fr. Donatien Egamwana Balikene as Parochial Vicar (effective July 1, 2022). Fr. Jo came to the United States in 2019 after fifteen years of ministry in East Africa and also serves on the board of Living Waters International. Fr. Donatien was born November 11, 1978, in the Democratic Republic of Congo and was ordained to the priesthood on February 14, 2010, at the Diocese of Budjala; he is devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Rosary. The parish team also includes five deacons and a full lay staff (Office Manager, Bookkeeper, Ministry Coordinator, Director of Faith Formation, Elementary Faith Formation coordinator, KDO Director, Sacramental Records Coordinator, Assistant Faith Formation Coordinator, and custodial / maintenance).
- Pastor: Fr. Jomon Joseph, MSFS
- Parochial Vicar: Fr. Donatien Egamwana Balikene (since July 1, 2022)
- Deacons: Daniel Piment, Leo Fuentes, Robert Correa, Roel Quiroga, Tim McCarthy
- Office Manager: Diana Sanchez
- Bookkeeper: Yolanda Flores
- Ministry Coordinator & KDO Director: Tabetha Coronado
- Director of Faith Formation: Barbara Forde
- Elementary Faith Formation: Rosemary Hernandez
- Sacramental Records Coordinator: Jennifer Trevino
- Assistant Faith Formation Coordinator: Daniel Pimental
- Custodial/Maintenance: Martha Gamboa, Armando Bermea
Faith Formation and Sacraments
The Office of Faith Formation at Prince of Peace Catholic Church exists 'to help community members learn, prepare them to enter into the faith and enrich their lives as they walk in the path of Our Lord.' Elementary classes run from Pre-K (4 years old) through fifth grade, with sessions held on Sunday mornings and a Spanish-language session in the early afternoon. First Eucharist requires two years of preparation beginning in 1st grade, with the sacrament received in 2nd grade, and parent participation is required at meetings and a retreat. For children age 7 and older who have not been baptized or who have not received First Eucharist, the parish runs an OCIA-adapted process on Wednesday evenings, with parents expected to also attend the adult OCIA sessions. Confirmation preparation is also offered; high-school juniors and seniors without a year of Confirmation prep are placed into the Wednesday-evening OCIA track with their parents.
- Elementary Faith Formation: PreK–5th grade, Sunday sessions (9:30–10:30 AM, 11:30 AM–12:30 PM, and 1:30–2:30 PM in Spanish)
- First Eucharist: two years of preparation beginning in 1st grade; sacrament received in 2nd grade; parent participation required
- OCIA Adapted for Children: Wednesday evenings for ages 7+; parents attend adult sessions
- Confirmation: dedicated preparation year; juniors/seniors without it join Wednesday OCIA
- Maximum absences allowed: 3 per sacramental preparation year
- RCIA for adults: see parish Adult Faith Formation page
Youth and Family
The parish runs a weekly Youth Group for all middle- and high-school students, meeting Tuesdays 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM (usually in the parish hall), with food provided. The group's stated mission is to lead 'teenagers and their families into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ and his Church.' The parish also runs a Kids Day Out (KDO) program directed by Tabetha Coronado. Marriage and family-life ministries include Surviving Divorce, That Man is You, Married Couples Retreat, Marriage Prep, Marriage Convalidation, Baptism Prep, and Quinceañera Prep.
- Youth Group — Tuesdays 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM in the parish hall
- Kids Day Out (KDO) program
- That Man is You men's program
- Married Couples Retreat
- Marriage Prep & Convalidation
- Quinceañera Prep
Parish Life and Outreach Ministries
The parish organizes its ministries under three main headings: Marriage & Family Life, Parish Life, and Outreach. Parish Life groups include Arts & Crafts, Bible Study, a Charismatic Prayer Group, the Divine Mercy Prayer Group, First Friday Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a Men's Prayer Group, a Sunday Liturgy Study Group, the Rosary Guild, and a Young Adults ministry. Outreach ministries include the El Salvador Mission Ministry, Guadalupanos, the Our Lady of Grace's Garden Ministry, the Knights of Columbus, the Columbiettes, the St. Vincent de Paul conference, CYO (Catholic Youth Organization), and the Prince of Peace Retreat Ministry.
- Parish Life: Arts & Crafts, Bible Study, Charismatic Prayer Group, Divine Mercy Prayer Group, First Friday Sacred Heart Devotion, Men's Prayer Group, Sunday Liturgy Study, Rosary Guild, Young Adults
- Outreach: El Salvador Mission Ministry, Guadalupanos, Our Lady of Grace's Garden Ministry, Knights of Columbus, Columbiettes, St. Vincent de Paul, CYO, Prince of Peace Retreat Ministry
- St. Vincent de Paul: handles food/financial assistance inquiries (those who do not qualify are referred to Catholic Charities)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Jomon Joseph, MSFScurrent (as of parish website)
Missionary of St. Francis de Sales (MSFS / Fransalian); came to the U.S. in 2019 after fifteen years of ministry in East Africa; also serves on the board of Living Waters International.
- Father Donatien Egamwana Balikenesince July 1, 2022
Parochial Vicar; born November 11, 1978, in the Democratic Republic of Congo; ordained to the priesthood on February 14, 2010, at the Diocese of Budjala.