About Saint Anthony of Padua · Ray City, Georgia
Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Church is a multicultural Roman Catholic parish serving Ray City and the surrounding rural communities of Berrien County in south Georgia. It belongs to the Diocese of Savannah (Valdosta-Brunswick Deanery) and offers Mass in both English and Spanish, with a large and growing Latino population alongside African American, white and Asian American families. The parish is currently led by Parochial Administrator Rev. Joey Buencamino, supported by two permanent deacons and a small parish staff. Its current church building was dedicated on May 21, 2016 by Bishop Gregory J. Hartmayer, the joyful culmination of a years-long building project aided by the Catholic Extension Society.
- Established
- 2016
- Patron
- Saint Anthony of Padua
- Rector
- Rev. Joey Buencamino (Parochial Administrator)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Savannah (Valdosta-Brunswick Deanery)
Why belong here
St. Anthony of Padua is a warm, multicultural Catholic community in rural south Georgia where families of many backgrounds worship together as one parish. It offers daily and Sunday Mass in both English and Spanish, weekday and First-Friday Eucharistic Adoration, Sunday confessions between Masses, and ongoing faith formation for children and adults through CCD and RCIA. With its modest size, the parish emphasizes personal pastoral care, stewardship of time, talent and treasure, and a shared mission of unity rooted in the Eucharist.
Mass times at Saint Anthony of Padua
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday 11:45 AM – 12:15 PM (between the 10:30 AM and 12:30 PM Masses)
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Monday through Thursday: following the 9:30 AM Mass until 3:00 PM (close of business)
- First Friday of the month: 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM (followed by a Healing Mass at 7:00 PM)
About St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church
St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church — also known as Iglesia Católica de San Antonio de Padua — is a multicultural Roman Catholic parish in Ray City, Georgia, serving the rural south-Georgia community of Berrien County. The parish belongs to the Diocese of Savannah and is identified by the diocese as part of the Valdosta-Brunswick Deanery. Its current church building was dedicated by Bishop Gregory J. Hartmayer on May 21, 2016, with strong support from the Catholic Extension Society. Today the parish intentionally gathers African American, Latino, white and Asian American families into one faith community under the Eucharist.
- Diocese of Savannah (Valdosta-Brunswick Deanery)
- Berrien County, south Georgia
- Church dedicated May 21, 2016 by Bishop Gregory J. Hartmayer
- Built with the support of the Catholic Extension Society
Parish Mission & Goal
St. Anthony of Padua describes itself with a clear written mission: "Led by the Holy Spirit, rooted in the Eucharist, St. Anthony of Padua is a multicultural faith community setting an example that unity is possible in diverse situations. We pray for God's help to grow in sharing our time, talent, and treasure more effectively in a committed effort of prayer, education, service and the pastoral care of all our parishioners." This mission shapes everything from the bilingual Mass schedule to faith formation and stewardship appeals.
- Rooted in the Eucharist
- Multicultural unity in diversity
- Stewardship of time, talent and treasure
- Prayer, education, service, pastoral care
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is currently led by Parochial Administrator Rev. Joey Buencamino and is served by two permanent deacons, Steven Mancuso and Ray Brown. The parish staff includes bookkeeper Jeanne Christiano and secretary Rita Henkels. Office hours are Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM (closed Tuesdays and Fridays).
- Rev. Joey Buencamino — Parochial Administrator
- Deacon Steven Mancuso
- Deacon Ray Brown
- Jeanne Christiano — Bookkeeper
- Rita Henkels — Secretary
- Office hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Sacraments
St. Anthony of Padua prepares parishioners for the sacraments of initiation and matrimony through formation classes scheduled between the Sunday Masses. The parish publishes requirements on its Sacraments page for Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation and Matrimony, with the priest reserving the right to request additional information.
- Baptism — meet with priest or deacon 3 months in advance; sponsor letter for godparents; copy of birth certificate
- First Communion — Baptism certificate plus 2 years of Religious Faith Formation
- Confirmation — Baptism certificate plus 2 years of Religious Faith Formation; conferred by the bishop
- Matrimony — meet with the priest at least 1 year in advance; recent birth certificate; two witnesses per party
- All sacraments subject to priest's approval
Faith Formation, CCD & RCIA
Faith formation for children, teens and adults is a central ministry at St. Anthony of Padua. CCD (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine) classes begin each September and meet between the Sunday Masses. The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) meets on Sundays in an Education Room between Masses; books and materials are provided free of charge, and the parish asks prospective catechumens to call the church office to reserve a seat. Two consecutive years of Religious Faith Formation are required for both First Communion and Confirmation.
- CCD classes for children and teens — begin in September, meet between Sunday Masses
- RCIA for adults — Sundays in an Education Room between Masses; free books and materials
- Two years of formation required for First Communion and Confirmation
Hispanic Ministry & Spanish-Language Resources
Spanish-speaking parishioners are an integral and growing part of the parish, served by a weekly Spanish Sunday Mass at 12:30 PM and by the Diocese of Savannah's Hispanic Ministry Office. The Hispanic Ministry live-streams Spanish Masses on its Facebook page on Saturdays at 7:00 PM and Sundays at 8:00 AM and 1:00 PM, broadcast from San Joseph the Worker Catholic Church in Bainbridge, GA.
- Spanish Sunday Mass at 12:30 PM in Ray City
- Diocesan Hispanic Ministry Facebook live-streams (facebook.com/MHSavannah)
- Saturday 7:00 PM and Sunday 8:00 AM & 1:00 PM broadcasts from Bainbridge
Capital Campaign & Building Fund
After the 2016 dedication of the new church, the parish launched a Building Fund / Capital Campaign under the banner "One Community United in Faith." Campaign materials, signed by Fr. Kevin O'Keefe as Pastor, report a total construction cost of $2.6 million, with $700,000 paid out of pocket and a 2021 New Church fundraising goal of $200,000. Donations are accepted by mail at the parish office.
- Total construction cost: $2.6 million
- Out-of-pocket construction: $700,000
- 2021 New Church goal: $200,000
- Campaign theme: 'One Community United in Faith'
- Mail donations to: St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 2530 Garner Rd., Ray City, GA 31645
Contact & Visit
Parishioners and visitors can reach St. Anthony of Padua by phone, email, or in person during office hours. The church is located at 2530 Garner Road in Ray City, Georgia, and the parish maintains both a Facebook page and an Instagram account (@santonyga) for updates and livestream information.
- Address: 2530 Garner Road, Ray City, GA 31645
- Phone: (229) 455-5554
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Facebook: St. Anthony of Padua Catholic (facebook.com/anthonyofpaduaga)
- Instagram: @santonyga
- Website: anthonyofpaduaga.org
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Kevin O'Keefe
Listed as 'Pastor' on the parish Capital Campaign page for the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 Building Fund appeals; oversaw the 2016 church dedication era.
- Rev. Joey Buencamino
Current Parochial Administrator per the About-Us page.