About Sacred Heart · Sinton, Texas
Sacred Heart Catholic Church is a historic parish in Sinton, Texas — the seat of San Patricio County — serving the local Catholic community from its current church building at 906 E. Sinton Street since 1962. Established as a parish in 1916, though a Catholic community has worshipped in Sinton since 1896, it is part of the Diocese of Corpus Christi and also cares for St. Paul Mission in nearby Sinton. Today the parish of roughly 450 registered families is led by Father Paul Rajareegam with Deacon Solomon Willis, offering weekend Masses in English, daily Mass Monday–Friday, Saturday confessions, Thursday adoration, and a range of ministries including religious education for about 470 students.
- Established
- 1916
- Patron
- Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Rector
- Father Paul Rajareegam
- Diocese
- Diocese of Corpus Christi
Why belong here
Sacred Heart is a century-old but still-growing rural parish with about 450 registered families and roughly 470 students in religious education, where — in the words of pastor Father Paul Rajareegam — 'the church is always full.' Members serve together through the Altar Society, Sacred Heart Youth Group, Quilters, lectors, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, altar servers, and choirs, while Deacon Solomon Willis assists the pastor with Mass, baptisms, funerals, and pastoral care. As the mother church of the area, it also reaches beyond its walls by caring for St. Paul Mission in Sinton.
Mass times at Sacred Heart
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM (also by request or appointment)
Adoration times
- Thursday 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM, ending with Benediction
Parish History
Sacred Heart traces its roots to 1896, when Father B. J. Donada of San Patricio hoped to bring a Catholic mission to Sinton. The first church was reported complete in November 1897, and Father Donada celebrated Mass there on Oct. 16, 1898 — the earliest recorded use of the name Sacred Heart. Sacred Heart remained a mission of St. Patrick in San Patricio until January 1916, when Bishop Paul Nussbaum, with the help of the Passionist Order and Pope Pius X, assigned Father Martin Ford as its first resident pastor. The parish moved to four acres donated by the Odem family in 1924 and opened a parochial school that fall, with Incarnate Word Sisters instructing 10 boys and 12 girls. A new church was built in 1940 under Father A. J. Ordner and dedicated by Coadjutor Bishop Mariano Garriga. In 1962, Father Frank Gronotte oversaw construction of the present $200,000 church, with Auxiliary Bishop Adolph Marx blessing and dedicating it on May 16, 1962. Sacred Heart marked its centennial in 2016 with Bishop Mulvey presiding.
- Catholic community in Sinton since 1896
- Parish established 1916 under Bishop Paul Nussbaum
- First pastor Father Martin Ford (Passionist)
- Current church built 1962; cornerstone laid March 2, 1962
Clergy & Staff
Sacred Heart is led by Father Paul Rajareegam, who presides at Masses, baptisms, and funerals and works closely with Deacon Solomon (Sol) Willis. Parish staff listed in diocesan directories include Gloria Luna, David Wendel, and Gilbert Silva.
- Father Paul Rajareegam — Pastor
- Deacon Solomon (Sol) Willis
- Gloria Luna, David Wendel, Gilbert Silva — parish staff
Parish Ministries & Organizations
Sacred Heart offers the usual liturgical ministries along with several parish organizations. Father Paul has noted that the parish has grown from 250 to 450 registered families and from 200 to 470 students in religious education.
- Lectors
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Altar Servers
- Choirs
- Religious Education (K–Confirmation and youth)
- Altar Society
- Sacred Heart Youth Group
- Quilters
Sacraments & Pastoral Care
Father Paul and Deacon Solomon Willis assist parishioners with the celebration of the Mass, baptisms, and funerals, and other sacraments are available on request. Confessions are heard Saturday afternoons and by appointment, with Anointing of the Sick offered as needed.
- Baptism
- Funerals
- Confession (Saturday and by appointment)
- Anointing of the Sick
St. Paul Mission
Sacred Heart Parish also serves Saint Paul Catholic Mission in Sinton, which hosts the 7:30 AM Sunday Mass in English. The mission extends the parish's reach within the local community.
- Sunday 7:30 AM Mass at Saint Paul Mission
Visit, Contact & Office Hours
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office by phone or email during office hours; the parish is located in Sinton, the seat of San Patricio County, in the Diocese of Corpus Christi.
- Address: 906 E. Sinton Street, Sinton, TX 78387
- Phone: (361) 364-1768
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 12:00 noon
- Diocese of Corpus Christi
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father B. J. Donada1896–1916
Pastor of San Patricio; cared for Sinton as a mission, oversaw construction of the first Sinton church (1897) and celebrated the first recorded Mass under the name Sacred Heart on Oct. 16, 1898.
- Father Martin Ford1916–1920
Passionist priest recruited by Bishop Paul Nussbaum; first resident pastor when Sacred Heart was established as a parish in 1916.
- Father David Buckley1920–1923
Succeeded Father Ford; oversaw move of the parish plant to four acres donated by the Odem family in 1924 and the opening of the parochial school that fall; reassigned to George West in 1923.
- Father Daniel Lanigan1923–
Named pastor in 1923 when Father Buckley was sent to George West.
- Father A. J. Ordnerpre-1940
Built a new church that was dedicated May 12, 1940 by Coadjutor Bishop Mariano Garriga.
- Father Frank Gronotte1953–
Pastored Sacred Heart for many years; directed construction of the current $200,000 church, cornerstone laid March 2, 1962.
- Father Paul Rajareegampresent
Current pastor; led the parish's 2016 centennial celebration; presided over growth in religious education (200 to 470 students) and registered families (250 to 450).