About Sacred Heart · Warner Robins, Georgia
Sacred Heart Catholic Church is a large, active parish in Warner Robins, Georgia, in the Macon Deanery of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Savannah. Founded in 1945 by Rev. Harold Gaudin, S.J., it grew alongside the city of Warner Robins and nearby Robins Air Force Base into a community of over 1,500 families (more than 4,000 people). Today's parish is led by Father Stephen Pontzer (pastor since 2019) and offers Mass in English and Spanish, a parish school (Sacred Heart Catholic School, opened 1955), extensive youth ministry (Life Teen and EDGE), religious education K4–8, OCIA/RCIA, adult faith formation, a Christian Service Center, Eucharistic adoration, and confession several times a week. Its current worship space was dedicated by Bishop J. Kevin Boland on March 3, 2007, and stained-glass windows have been progressively added ever since.
- Established
- 1945
- Patron
- Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Rector
- Father Stephen Pontzer
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Savannah (Macon Deanery)
Why belong here
Sacred Heart offers the full rhythm of a large, welcoming Catholic life: multiple weekend Masses in English and Spanish, daily Mass Monday–Friday, weekly confession, Eucharistic adoration, and a bilingual Holy Day schedule. It runs a parish school (K4) rooted in the Presentation Sisters' tradition, a robust Religious Education program (K4–8), Confirmation prep, Life Teen and EDGE youth ministry, OCIA for adults, and adult formation opportunities including Cursillo, Antioch retreats, small-group faith-sharing, and Wednesday Formation. Its Christian Service Center (in a dedicated facility since 1994) and ministries to the homebound and nursing-home residents make it a place where parishioners are formed in faith and sent out in service.
Mass times at Sacred Heart
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00–4:30 PM
- Sunday 1:00–2:00 PM
- Or by appointment
Adoration times
- Weekday Eucharistic Adoration: Contact the Parish Office for schedule
- Eucharistic Adoration for Parishioners: Contact the Adoration ministry leader or Parish Office for access
Welcome & Mission
Sacred Heart Parish seeks to live its Catholic tradition and to build a community of faith through worship, education, stewardship, Christian service, and evangelization in order to share God's love for all people. The parish describes itself as 'a welcoming Catholic community' and greets visitors and parishioners in both English and Spanish.
- Mission: Worship, education, stewardship, Christian service, evangelization
- Pastoral motto shared on the website: 'Loving Christ, Loving Others'
- Bilingual welcome (English and Spanish)
History of Sacred Heart Parish
Sacred Heart's story began at the USO Hall in Warner Robins, where the first Masses used an altar built from stacked Coke crates and boards. The parish was officially founded September 23, 1945, with Rev. Harold Gaudin, S.J. as founding pastor. The original 'Parish Hall' building served as church, offices, social hall, and rectory, seating about 200. The parish grew alongside the city and Robins Air Force Base.
- 1945 — Parish founded by Rev. Harold Gaudin, S.J.
- 1955 — Sacred Heart School opens
- 1956 — Presentation Sisters arrive from Ireland to staff the school
- 1962 — Second sanctuary dedicated (Feb 8); seats 500
- 1977 — First rectory dedicated (June 26)
- 1989 — Rosary Garden built for the Marian Year
- 1993 — Parish Activity Center opens
- 1994 — Christian Service Center moves to dedicated facility
- 1999 — New rectory and new convent built
- 2003 — Adjacent property purchased
- 2005 — Construction begins (November)
- 2007 — New church dedicated March 3 by Bishop J. Kevin Boland
- 2017 — Rosary Garden relocated
- 2020 — 75th anniversary celebrated
Building God's Church (The 2007 Sanctuary)
After years of negotiation, the parish acquired adjacent property in 2003 and broke ground in November 2005. Construction took just over 15 months and the new church was dedicated by Bishop J. Kevin Boland on March 3, 2007. Stained-glass windows were excluded from the original plan due to budget, but they continue to be installed throughout the building. The guiding design theme was 'We are a pilgrim people on a journey to God through His Son and His Sacraments.'
- Adjacent property purchased: September 2003
- Construction began: November 2005
- Dedication: March 3, 2007 by Bishop J. Kevin Boland
- Stained-glass installation ongoing since 2007
- Design theme: 'We are a pilgrim people on a journey to God through His Son and His Sacraments'
Pastor & Staff
Father Stephen Pontzer, ordained in 2007, has served as pastor of Sacred Heart since 2019. Born in Ashtabula, Ohio and raised in Athens, Georgia, he shares a love of God's Creation with parishioners and invokes his patron Saints Hubert and Maria Goretti. Father Fred Nijem, who served 28 years as pastor and led the transition into the 2007 church, holds the title Pastor Emeritus. The parish maintains separate 'Clergy' and 'Lay Staff' listings on its website.
- Pastor: Father Stephen Pontzer (since 2019)
- Pastor Emeritus: Father Fred Nijem (28 years)
- Website lists dedicated Clergy and Lay Staff pages
- Office: (478) 923-0124
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Religious Education serves children from K4 through 8th grade, with classes running August through early May. First Communion & Reconciliation preparation and Confirmation preparation are coordinated within the RE program and follow the RE-CCD calendar published in the bulletin. Catechists and aides are recruited annually. A Children's Liturgy of the Word proclaims the Sunday readings at an age-appropriate level for K–1st graders during the 9:00 AM Mass — no registration required.
- Religious Education (K4–8th grade), August–May
- First Communion & Reconciliation preparation
- Confirmation preparation
- Children's Liturgy of the Word during 9:00 AM Sunday Mass (K–1st)
- Catechist and aide recruitment each year
Youth Ministry: Life Teen & EDGE
Sacred Heart Life Teen/EDGE mission is to lead youth disciples closer to Christ — to KNOW Jesus through Eucharistic celebrations, formation nights, Scripture study, and conferences; to LOVE Jesus through retreats and fellowship; and to SERVE Jesus through community service. Life Teen (Grades 9–12) and EDGE (Grades 6–8) meet together every Wednesday from 6:00–8:00 PM in the Parish Activity Center (PAC), August through May. EDGE is the LifeTeen-based middle school program offering fun faith formation, social activities, and service opportunities.
- Life Teen (Grades 9–12) — Wednesdays 6:00–8:00 PM @ PAC
- EDGE (Grades 6–8) — same Wednesday evenings
- Antioch weekend retreat for high schoolers (January); alumni serve on the God Squad
- Vacation Bible School — weeklong summer program
- Mission: KNOW, LOVE, SERVE Jesus
Adult Faith Formation & OCIA
Adults are formed through several programs. OCIA (the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, formerly RCIA) guides adults journeying into the Catholic Church from September to Easter, with sponsors needed to walk with candidates. Cursillo is an official three-day renewal weekend to come to know oneself and God more deeply. Wednesday Formation begins with Mass at 6:00 PM, followed by light snacks and formation at 7:00 PM; it is also offered in Spanish. Small 'Faith, Food, & Fellowship' groups meet each Sunday 10:15–11:30 AM, September–May, to discuss a chosen book. A Lunch & Learn Bible Study meets periodically on Thursdays during lunchtime in blocks of approximately 10 weeks.
- OCIA (formerly RCIA) — September to Easter
- Cursillo — three-day renewal weekend
- Wednesday Formation — 6:00 PM Mass, 7:00 PM formation (also in Spanish)
- Faith, Food, & Fellowship small groups — Sundays 10:15–11:30 AM
- Lunch & Learn Bible Study — Thursdays, ~10-week blocks
Liturgical Ministries
Liturgical life at Sacred Heart is supported by lay parishioners in several roles. Altar Servers assist and support the priest and deacon at liturgies. Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist are appointed by the Pastor, must be at least 18 and in sacramental unity with the Church, and distribute Holy Communion at Mass along with set-up and clean-up. An Adoration ministry coordinates both weekday and parishioner Eucharistic adoration, and a 'Feast for Priests' ministry provides a weekly meal for the parish priests so they can better serve the community.
- Altar Servers
- Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist (18+, appointed by Pastor)
- Eucharistic Adoration ministry
- Feast for Priests (weekly meal ministry)
- Nursery
Outreach & Service
The Christian Service Center — housed in a dedicated facility since January 1994 — coordinates the parish's outreach projects. Ministry to the homebound and to permanent residents of nursing homes brings Holy Communion and pastoral care to those who cannot attend Mass. The parish also supports sacramental preparation for marriage and baptism through its Sacramental Prep program.
- Christian Service Center (dedicated facility since January 1994)
- Homebound ministry
- Nursing-home ministry
- Sacramental preparation (Baptismal prep, Marriage prep)
Sacred Heart Catholic School
Sacred Heart Catholic School, which began in September 1955 and was originally staffed by the Presentation Sisters who arrived from Ireland in 1956, continues today under the motto 'where every child shines.' The school carries on the Presentation Sisters' tradition of forming students in faith, service, self-discipline, and academic excellence, and operates pre-K through 8th grade with the pre-K housed in the Parish Activity Center. It is accredited through the Diocese of Savannah and uses the parish's main address at 300 South Davis Drive.
- School opened: September 1955
- Presentation Sisters arrived from Ireland: 1956
- Motto: 'where every child shines'
- Phone: (478) 923-9668
- Address: 300 S Davis Dr, Warner Robins, GA 31088
- Accredited by the Diocese of Savannah
Visit, Contact & Office Information
The parish office is open Monday through Thursday, 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM, and closed Friday through Sunday. The mailing address is 300 South Davis Drive, Warner Robins, GA 31088 (note: GCatholic lists 251 S Davis Dr — the canonical mailing address used by the parish in publications is 300 South Davis Drive, Suite 300). Mass is livestreamed on the parish Facebook page for those who cannot attend in person.
- Address: 300 South Davis Drive, Warner Robins, GA 31088
- Phone: (478) 923-0124
- Office Hours: Mon–Thu 9:30 AM–4:00 PM
- Closed Fri–Sun
- Mass livestreamed on parish Facebook
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Harold Gaudin, S.J.1945 (founding)
Founding pastor; celebrated the first Mass on September 23, 1945 in what is now called the Parish Hall.
- Father Fred Nijem
Served as pastor for 28 years and led the transition into the new 2007 church. Now Pastor Emeritus.
- Father Stephen Pontzer2019–present
Ordained in 2007; born in Ashtabula, OH, raised in Athens, GA. Invokes patron Saints Hubert and Maria Goretti.