About Resurrection · Memphis, Tennessee
Catholic Church of the Resurrection is a vibrant, multicultural Roman Catholic parish in the Hickory Hill neighborhood of Memphis, Tennessee, established in 1973 and belonging to the Diocese of Memphis. The parish is rooted in Word, Sacrament, and Mission, offering Mass in both English and Spanish with three Sunday Masses (including two in Spanish), daily morning weekday Mass, and Eucharistic Adoration. Its staff, lay ministers, and parishioners come from countries including Mexico, Italy, the Philippines, El Salvador, Guatemala, Colombia, and Vietnam, and the parish is widely recognized for its diversity and bilingual ministry. From its campus at 5475 Newberry Avenue it serves roughly 800–1,400 registered households and runs faith-formation, youth, Hispanic ministry, Knights of Columbus, music, and outreach programs.
- Established
- 1973
- Patron
- The Resurrection of the Lord
- Rector
- Rev. Robert D. Favazza
- Diocese
- Diocese of Memphis (Roman Catholic)
Why belong here
Resurrection is a genuinely multicultural parish where English- and Spanish-speaking Catholics from Mexico, Italy, the Philippines, El Salvador, Guatemala, Colombia, Vietnam, and beyond worship side by side — a real expression of the 'catholic' (universal) Church in Memphis's Hickory Hill neighborhood. The parish offers daily Mass, three bilingual Sunday Masses (including two in Spanish), weekly Reconciliation, and First-Friday Eucharistic Adoration, supported by an unusually wide range of lay ministries (PRE, OCIA/RCIA in both languages, youth group, Young Adults, Knights of Columbus, Ladies Auxiliary, music in both languages, and Hispanic Ministry). Bilingual pastor Fr. Robbie Favazza and parochial vicar Fr. Enrique Granados-García make sacramental and pastoral care accessible in English and Spanish, and ministries such as Cursillo and Ministerio Valentino extend faith formation beyond Sunday Mass.
Mass times at Resurrection
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Thursday 5:15 PM – 6:15 PM (during PRE / catechetical season)
- Friday 6:00 PM – 6:45 PM (ENG/ESP)
- Saturday 3:15 PM – 3:45 PM (English/Spanish)
Adoration times
- First Friday of the Month: Adoration 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM (with 7:00 PM youth-group Holy Hour; earlier directory listed 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM followed by 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM)
- Friday weekly: Adoration 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
About Resurrection Catholic Church
Catholic Church of the Resurrection is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Memphis, established in 1973 and rooted in the Hickory Hill community of southeast Memphis. The parish describes its identity as 'a vibrant, multicultural Catholic parish rooted in Word, Sacrament, and Mission.' Its mission is to proclaim and live the Good News through retreats, missions, special projects, and a welcoming, inclusive worship space that breaks down barriers of language, culture, and country of origin.
- Established 1973
- Diocese of Memphis, Central Deanery
- 5475 Newberry Avenue, Memphis, TN 38115
- Parish phone: 901-794-8970
- Office hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is led by Pastor Rev. Robert D. Favazza with Parochial Vicar Rev. Enrique Granados-García and a team of deacons, supported by an office manager, religious education director, youth director, music directors (English and Spanish), OCIA/RCIA coordinators (English and Spanish), website manager, and communications coordinator. The bilingual staff reflects the parish's multicultural character.
- Rev. Robert D. Favazza — Pastor
- Rev. Enrique Granados-García — Parochial Vicar
- Deacon Mike Ferguson
- Deacon Sergio Fuentes
- Deacon Justin G. Mitchell
- Evelyn Williams — Office Manager & Finance/Bookkeeper (ext. 222)
- Berta Gonzalez — Secretary / Office Assistant (ext. 221, Spanish-speaking)
- Leticia Gonzalez — Director of Religious Education (ext. 223)
- Karley Rodriguez — Youth Director
- Rick Neal, Jr. — Music Director (English)
- Benny Jacquez — Music Director (Spanish)
- Wendy Vazquez — OCIA (English)
- Felipe Cortez — OCIA (Spanish)
- Sergio Ali — Website Manager
- Grecia Vazquez — Communications
Our Pastor — Rev. Robert D. Favazza
Rev. Robert D. Favazza serves as Pastor of Resurrection, installed by Bishop David P. Talley on Sunday, December 18, 2022. A native Memphian, he attended Germantown High School and the University of Memphis before discerning a call to the priesthood. His previous diocesan assignments include St. Mary's in Jackson, TN; Church of the Ascension (Memphis); Holy Rosary; and St. Philip the Apostle in Somerville, TN. Through these assignments he developed fluency in Spanish and is widely called upon for bilingual ministry across the Diocese of Memphis. He currently serves as Spiritual Director of the diocesan Cursillo Movement and of Ministerio Valentino, a Hispanic marriage-retreat and follow-up ministry. Outside of ministry he enjoys reading, traveling, music, and visiting his cat Gaby and friends.
- Installed December 18, 2022
- Ordained June 6, 2009
- Birthday: July 25
- Bilingual English/Spanish
- Spiritual Director, Cursillo Movement
- Spiritual Director, Ministerio Valentino
Sacraments
Resurrection prepares and celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments. Baptisms, weddings, RCIA/OCIA, First Communion, and Confirmation are scheduled through the parish office. Sacramental preparation is offered bilingually, and Marriage preparation is coordinated with Fr. Robbie Favazza, who is bilingual.
- Baptism — by appointment (call 901-794-8970); Wendy Vazquez assists Spanish-speaking families (901-303-1109)
- First Communion & Confirmation — through the PRE program and OCIA/RCIA
- Reconciliation — see weekly schedule above
- Marriage — couples meet with Fr. Robbie Favazza through the parish office (English/Spanish)
- Anointing of the Sick — by appointment
- Holy Orders — referrals via parish and diocese
Faith Formation & Religious Education (PRE)
Parish Religious Education (PRE) is the parish's catechetical program for children and youth not enrolled in Catholic school, directed by Leticia Gonzalez ([email protected], ext. 223). PRE is offered in English and Spanish. During PRE season, Thursday-evening Reconciliation is added for PRE students. Adult faith formation is provided through OCIA/RCIA in both languages.
- Director of Religious Education: Leticia Gonzalez
- PRE runs in English and Spanish
- OCIA / RCIA (English): Wendy Vazquez
- OCIA / RCIA (Spanish): Felipe Cortez
- PRE-season Reconciliation: Thursdays 5:15–6:15 PM
Ministries & Groups
The parish's ministries reflect its bilingual, multicultural character. Lay faithful can join youth, young adult, family, fraternal, liturgical, and Hispanic apostolates, including Cursillo and Ministerio Valentino. Liturgical music is led by two music directors — one English, one Spanish — for the bilingual weekend Masses.
- Youth Group (Director: Karley Rodriguez)
- Young Adults
- Knights of Columbus
- Ladies Auxiliary
- Hispanic Ministry (Hispanos Parroquiales)
- Music Ministry — English (Rick Neal, Jr.)
- Music Ministry — Spanish (Benny Jacquez)
- Cursillo Movement — Fr. Favazza, Spiritual Director
- Ministerio Valentino — Hispanic marriage ministry
Información en Español
Una parte significativa de la vida parroquial se ofrece en español. La misa dominical se celebra en español a las 8:00 AM y 12:00 PM, y la vigilia del sábado a las 6:00 PM. También hay misa en español los viernes a las 7:00 PM. La Reconciliación se ofrece bilingüe los sábados 3:15–3:45 PM. Para registrarse, información sacramental o ayuda en español, comuníquese con la oficina al 901-794-8970 (pregunte por Berta González). El Párroco, Padre Robert D. Favazza, es bilingüe y celebra los sacramentos y consultas en inglés y español.
- Misa en español: viernes 7:00 PM; domingo 8:00 AM y 12:00 PM; sábado 6:00 PM
- Reconciliación bilingüe: jueves 5:15–6:15 PM (durante PRE), viernes 6:00–6:45 PM, sábados 3:15–3:45 PM
- Ayuda en español: Berta González ([email protected], ext. 221)
- RCIA/OCIA en español: Felipe Cortez
- Director de Música en español: Benny Jacquez
- Padre Robbie Favazza, párroco bilingüe
Parish Identity & Community
Resurrection is well known in the Diocese of Memphis for its diversity. Staff, lay ministers, and parishioners come from countries including Mexico, Italy, the Philippines, El Salvador, Guatemala, Colombia, and Vietnam. The parish frames this as a living expression of what 'catholic' (universal) means in southeast Memphis — an inclusive worship space where skin color, language, and country of origin do not divide the community.
- Multicultural identity rooted in 1973 founding
- Parishioners from Mexico, Italy, Philippines, El Salvador, Guatemala, Colombia, Vietnam and elsewhere
- Bilingual Mass schedule (English and Spanish)
- Vision: 'bring down silos based on skin color, language, and country of origin'
50th Anniversary (Golden Jubilee, 2023)
On Sunday, September 17, 2023, Catholic Church of the Resurrection celebrated its Golden Jubilee. Bishop David P. Talley of the Diocese of Memphis was the principal celebrant of a 1:00 PM Mass at 5475 Newberry Avenue, joined by Bishop Emeritus J. Terry Steib, S.V.D.; pastor Fr. Robbie Favazza; associate pastor Fr. Enrique Granados-García; and past priests who had served at Resurrection. The Rosary was prayed in church at 12:00 noon before Mass, and a reception with food followed.
- Date: Sunday, September 17, 2023
- 1:00 PM Holy Mass; Rosary at 12:00 noon
- Celebrant: Bishop David P. Talley
- Concelebrants included Bishop Emeritus J. Terry Steib, S.V.D.
- Pastor: Fr. Robert D. Favazza
- Associate Pastor: Fr. Enrique Granados-García
Visiting & Contact
Visitors are warmly welcomed at Resurrection. The parish office is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and the staff is bilingual. New parishioners are encouraged to register by calling 901-794-8970; sacramental appointments and marriage preparation are scheduled through the office.
- Address: 5475 Newberry Avenue, Memphis, TN 38115-3651
- Phone: 901-794-8970
- Fax: 901-794-8806
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.resurrectionmemphis.net
- Office hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Bilingual staff; Spanish-speaking assistance available (Berta Gonzalez, ext. 221)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Robert D. FavazzaInstalled December 18, 2022 – present
Current pastor; installed by Bishop David P. Talley. Native Memphian; serves as Spiritual Director of the Cursillo Movement and Ministerio Valentino.
- Rev. Enrique Granados-García2020 – present (as of 2023 anniversary)
Parochial Vicar / Associate Pastor; previously at St. Paul the Apostle, Memphis; ordained October 31, 2009.
- Bishop Emeritus J. Terry Steib, S.V.D.
Past priest who served at Resurrection; served as Bishop of Memphis 1993–2016; returned to concelebrate the 50th Anniversary Mass in September 2023.
- Earlier pastors of Church of the Resurrection (1973 onward)1973 – 2022
The parish's founding pastors and successors through 2022 are not listed by name on the parish's current website. Their names appear in anniversary jubilee materials not available online in full text. The 50th Anniversary celebration on September 17, 2023 invited 'past priests who served there,' indicating a succession of pastors over 50 years that has not been publicly enumerated online.