About Sacred Heart of Jesus · Von Ormy, Texas
Sacred Heart of Jesus is a bilingual Roman Catholic parish serving the small community of Von Ormy, Texas, in the Metropolitan Archdiocese of San Antonio. The parish traces its modern founding to 1935, when local families—including Ernest and [Mrs.] Ruiz, who donated the land—banded together with donated money, materials, and hard manual labor to build a stone church whose stones were hauled by horse from the Medina River. The original sanctuary was torn down in 1955 for the construction/widening of U.S. Route 81 (today's Interstate 35), and the current church at 13466 IH-35 South was built in its place in the 1960s. Today the parish celebrates Mass in English and Spanish each week and is led by Rev. Msgr. James Janish as Administrator.
- Established
- 1935
- Patron
- Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Rector
- Rev. Msgr. James Janish (Administrator)
- Diocese
- Metropolitan Archdiocese of San Antonio
Why belong here
Sacred Heart of Jesus offers a true bilingual parish home in Von Ormy, with weekly Mass in both English and Spanish, a long-standing sacramental life reaching back nearly a century, and a tight-knit community that built its church with its own hands. Active faith formation for children (First Communion, Confirmation, Baptism prep), a Music Ministry, and an Altar Society give parishioners of every age a way to serve. Whether you come to worship, to enroll your children in religious education, or simply to pray at the historic site where the original 1935 stone church once stood, you will find a small, devoted Catholic family rooted in South Texas tradition.
Mass times at Sacred Heart of Jesus
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- By appointment only — call the church office at (210) 622-3457 (Sacramento de Reconciliación se ofrece con cita previa en base a la disponibilidad del Sacerdote)
Welcome to Sacred Heart of Jesus
The parish's home page greets visitors with the bilingual invitation 'United in Hope, Joined in Faith' and immediately lists Mass and Confession information for both English- and Spanish-speaking parishioners. The site is intentionally simple, pointing visitors to the church office for appointments, sacraments, and general inquiries.
- United in Hope, Joined in Faith (bilingual parish motto)
- Bilingual welcome to English and Spanish-speaking parishioners
Parish History
Catholic life in Von Ormy stretches back to the 1830s. Bishops confirmed local families as early as 1916 (Bishop Shaw confirmed 127 people), but the community had no resident priest for nearly two decades afterward. In January 1935—with the land donated by Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Ruiz, money and materials from many parishioners, and stone hauled on horseback from the Medina—the first Sacred Heart of Jesus Church opened its doors. The original stone sanctuary was razed in 1955 for the widening of the Laredo Highway (U.S. 81, now IH-35), and the present church was built nearby on the IH-35 South access road in the 1960s. A statue of Jesus and a small historical marker stand on the site of the original church.
- Canonical foundation date: June 9, 1935
- Land donated by Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Ruiz
- Stone hauled by horse from the Medina River by parishioners
- Original church torn down 1955 for highway widening
- Current church built in the 1960s on IH-35 South
- Parish sacramental records survive from July 1866
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish runs a Faith Formation program for the children of Von Ormy, directed by Zoila Cisneros. Sacramental preparation for First Communion and Confirmation each takes place over a two-year span, ensuring that children are properly catechized before receiving the Eucharist and the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
- Faith Formation Director: Zoila Cisneros, tel. 210-884-2944
- First Communion preparation begins in 2nd grade; sacraments (Eucharist and Reconciliation) received at end of 3rd grade
- Confirmation is a two-year formation process for older students
- Registration fee: $30.00 per child
Music Ministry
Sacred Heart maintains a Music Ministry that supports the parish's bilingual Mass schedule, leading worship at both English and Spanish celebrations. (Contact details are listed on the parish website.)
- Music Ministry
Altar Society
The Altar Society is one of the parish's longest-standing lay groups, traditionally responsible for the care of the altar, the sanctuary linens, flowers, and the many small details that make the liturgy beautiful.
- Altar Society
Sacraments
The parish offers the full range of Catholic sacraments. Baptism is celebrated by appointment after parents and godparents complete a monthly training course; First Communion and Confirmation each follow a two-year catechumenate; the Anointing of the Sick is available for those who are ill or elderly; and Marriage is prepared with the parish priest. Reconciliation is available by appointment. Children over the age of seven who have not been baptized must first enter the Religious Education program.
- Baptism — by appointment; training held once a month
- First Communion — 2nd and 3rd grade two-year program
- Confirmation — two-year formation process
- Anointing of the Sick
- Marriage (Matrimonio)
- Confession — by appointment
Contact & Visiting
Visitors and parishioners can reach the church office at (210) 622-3457 or (210) 622-3282. The parish email is [email protected]. The church sits on the IH-35 South access road in Von Ormy, easily reached via exit 141; turn right off the access road and the church is on the left.
- Office phone: (210) 622-3457
- Alternate line: (210) 622-3282
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 13466 IH-35 South, Von Ormy, TX 78073
- Directions: IH-35 South, exit 141, turn right, church on left