About Sacred Heart · Vidalia, Georgia
Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Vidalia, Georgia, is a warm, vibrant, bi-lingual parish serving 230 active families from diverse backgrounds. Part of the Diocese of Savannah, it offers three weekend Masses in English and Spanish and is committed to living the Gospel through worship, prayer, education, service, and stewardship. The parish community welcomes visitors and new residents with open arms and offers a rich array of ministries and sacramental life.
- Established
- 1959
- Patron
- Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Diocese
- Diocese of Savannah
Why belong here
Join a welcoming, bi-lingual community that celebrates Mass in both English and Spanish, offers vibrant ministries including CCD, youth group, and prison ministry, and is deeply committed to service and stewardship. With a rich history of growth and outreach, Sacred Heart invites you to live the Gospel through worship, prayer, and community.
Mass times at Sacred Heart
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- 4:00pm Saturday
History
Sacred Heart Parish began in 1959 with Masses held in the Toombs County Courtroom. The first church building was dedicated in 1961, and the parish moved to a new location in 1979. In 1984, it transitioned from a GlenMary mission to a Diocese of Savannah parish. Over the decades, it has grown significantly, added Spanish Masses, expanded ministries, and built a new Catholic Center with a playground, parish hall, and CCD wing. The parish has also been deeply involved in prison ministry and community outreach.
Ministries
- CCD
- Youth Group
- Men's Club
- Women's Guild
- Choir
- Altar Society
- Legion of Mary
- Knights of Columbus
- Cursillo Movement
- Prison Ministry
Faith Formation
CCD classes were taught by lay ministers starting in 1972. The classes grew to the point that the rectory was used as a classroom. A new CCD wing was added in 1993. The parish also offers the Cursillo movement, with nearly 100 members having completed weekends since 1980.
Worship
The parish offers three weekend Masses: Saturday Vigil at 5:00pm (English), Sunday at 8:30am (Spanish), 11:00am (English), and 1:00pm (Spanish). Confession is offered Saturday at 4:00pm. The parish also offers a Pro-Life Holy Hour on Wednesday evenings, initiated by Fr. Mark Ross in 1996.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Del Holmes1967
First 'Pastor of Sacred Heart Catholic Church'; also chaplain of Georgia State Prison.
- Fr. Francis Schenk1969
- Fr. Clem Borchers1971
Also chaplain of Georgia State Prison; died saving a religious brother's life; never occupied the rectory he helped design.
- Fr. John Jennings1979
Reassigned to Boston in June 1979.
- Fr. Marquardt1979
Succeeded Fr. Jennings; later succeeded by Fr. Frank Korzinek.
- Fr. Frank Korzinek1979
Succeeded Fr. Marquardt; died of cancer in 1980.
- Fr. John Loftus1984
Acting Pastor; oversaw transition from GlenMary mission to Diocese of Savannah parish.
- Fr. Frank Higgins1985
First Diocesan Pastor; organized parish office, placed new pews, and began third Spanish Mass.
- Fr. Frank Patterson1988
Created Parish Hall; paved parking lots.
- Fr. Raul Perez1993
Pastor who ministered to growing Hispanic community; continued Spanish Mass.
- Fr. Juan Lopez1994
Pastor who moved tabernacle to main multi-purpose room; added new CCD wing.
- Fr. Mark Ross1996
Started Pro-Life Holy Hour; refurbished Catholic Center; added new altar and ambo.
- Fr. Raul Perez2003
Arrived as pastor; relocated sacristy, confessional, and other areas.