About Saint Francis of Assisi · Frisco, Texas
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church is a vibrant, diverse Catholic parish in Frisco, Texas, located at 8000 Eldorado Parkway in the Diocese of Dallas. With a current parish roster exceeding 30,000 members, St. Francis is the only operational Catholic church in the city of Frisco, offering a robust schedule of weekend Masses in both English and Spanish, plus a Latin Ad Orientem Mass. The parish operates an on-site coffee shop called Gubbio's, an extensive Faith Formation program for K–12 youth, OCIA (formerly RCIA), youth ministry, and a wide range of ministries led by four priests and six deacons.
- Established
- 1964
- Patron
- Saint Francis of Assisi
- Rector
- Fr. Rudy Garcia
- Diocese
- Diocese of Dallas
Why belong here
St. Francis of Assisi offers one of the most liturgically rich parish experiences in North Texas: weekend Mass in English, Spanish, and a Latin Novus Ordo Ad Orientem Mass, a dedicated sensory-friendly Mass each first and third Sunday, and youth-led and young-adult-led Masses. Add to that a deep formation program (Origin Kids K–5, Origin Youth for middle and high school, OCIA, and Adult Confirmation), the parish-run Gubbio's coffee shop behind the chapel, ongoing Bible studies and capital campaign fellowship, and six deacons alongside four priests — and you have a parish large enough to serve every need yet rooted in the story of its founding migrant farmworker community.
Mass times at Saint Francis of Assisi
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 11:00 am – 12:00 pm in the Chapel (suspended until Sept. 8 for summer)
- Thursday 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm in the Chapel
- Friday 9:00 am – 10:00 am in the Chapel (suspended until Sept. 8 for summer)
- Friday 9:15 am – 10:00 am in the Chapel (listed on updated schedule)
- Saturday 9:15 am – 10:15 am in the Chapel
Adoration times
- Thursday 9:15 am – 6:45 pm in the Chapel
Our Story
The parish's story begins in 1964 with Spanish-speaking migrant farm workers celebrating Mass in Juan Garza's farmhouse at Eldorado Parkway and Preston Road. Father Wilfred Defevere of St. Michael, McKinney, served as celebrant; on the other Sundays, parishioners took a rented school bus the 15 miles to St. Michael's. By 2008 Monsignor Larry Pichard was installed as pastor, shepherding growth that led to a $21.8 million church-and-chapel complex dedicated on December 7, 2013 by Bishop Kevin J. Farrell. The parish now exceeds 30,000 registered members and remains the only operational Catholic church in Frisco.
- 1964 — First Mass celebrated in Juan Garza farmhouse (corner of Eldorado Pkwy. & Preston Rd.)
- 2008 (December) — Monsignor Larry Pichard installed as pastor
- December 7, 2013 — Bishop Kevin J. Farrell dedicates new sanctuary and chapel
- 2013 dedication attendees included Fr. Holmberg, Fr. Clohety, Msgr. Pichard, Fr. Webb, Fr. Ascencio, Dcn. Gregg Kahrs, and Dcn. John Carlisle
- Current pastor: Fr. Rudy Garcia
Clergy & Staff
St. Francis is served by four priests and six deacons, with a large lay staff organized into several ministries.
- Fr. Rudy Garcia — Pastor
- Fr. Joe Lee — Parochial Vicar
- Fr. Barth Onyeka Nwafor — Parochial Vicar
- Fr. Robert Brawanski — Parochial Vicar
- Deacons: Martín Armendaríz, Francisco Gomez, Henry Wiechman, Alex Barbieri, Saul Vazquez, Michael Hastings
- Administration: Deacon Alex Barbieri (Senior Director of Operations & Mission Advancement); Kathleen Hastings (Finance & Business Director); Tim Truss (Young Adult Coordinator); Maria Diaz (Communications/Marketing & New Parishioner Experience Manager); Norma Wilkins (Receptionist); Kevin Murphy (Gubbio's Manager); Chris Moen (Bookkeeper)
- Sacraments & Liturgy: Kristie Gates (Liturgy Director); Donelle Wiechman (Sacraments Manager); Jon Zellhart (Music Director); Cole Austin (Associate Organist); Gabriela Garcia (Liturgy Assistant); Elisa Cucco (Sacraments Coordinator)
- Continuing Formation & Outreach: Deacon Henry Wiechman (Director); Jennifer Alameda (Manager of Christian Initiation); Terry Bannerman (Ministry & Safe Environment Manager)
- Faith Formation: Alec Banda (Youth & Faith Formation Director, K–12); Marijose Garza (Youth Ministry Director, 6–12); Megan Bacak (Youth Ministry Coordinator); Symphony Sanchez & King Castillo (Children's Ministry Coordinators, English & Spanish); Lauren Hartsock (Little Friends Preschool Director)
- Facilities: Mike Brown (Facilities Director); Stetson Mcgahey (Facilities Technician); Isaac Rocha (A/V Specialist)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Parish children and teens are served by the 'Origin' family of programs running during the school year. K–5th 'Origin Kids' meets Sundays 12:30–1:45 pm or Wednesdays 5:45–7:00 pm; 'Origin Youth' Middle School meets Sundays 5:45–7:00 pm and High School 7:30–9:00 pm in the Great Hall.
- Origin Kids (K–5th) — Sundays 12:30–1:45 pm or Wednesdays 5:45–7:00 pm
- Origin Youth: Middle School (6th–8th) — Sundays 5:45–7:00 pm
- Origin Youth: High School (9th–12th) — Sundays 7:30–9:00 pm
- First Reconciliation & First Communion preparation for 2nd–5th graders
- Confirmation preparation begins in 8th grade (Diocese of Dallas policy)
- Adult volunteers welcomed
- Coordinator team: Alec Banda (Director), Marijose Garza (Youth), Megan Bacak (Youth Coordinator), Symphony Sanchez & King Castillo (Children's), Eduardo Rangel (Youth & Family), Gabby Ortega (Assistant)
Becoming Catholic — OCIA
St. Francis runs the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (formerly RCIA) — renamed OCIA following the U.S. Bishops' November 2021 vote to use the more precise English rendering of the Latin rite. OCIA is a process of study, faith sharing, and liturgical rites preparing unbaptized adults for Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist, or welcoming baptized Christians into full communion. OCIA Adapted for Children serves children ages 7 and older who are unbaptized or baptized in another denomination.
- Director of Continuing Formation & Outreach: Deacon Henry Wiechman
- Manager of Christian Initiation: Jennifer Alameda
- Registration for 2025–2026 session is closed; 2026–2027 session begins September 2026
- OCIA Adapted for Children — registration opens June 2026
- Adult Confirmation track also offered for already-baptized Catholics
Youth Confirmation & Sacraments
Confirmation preparation for teens in 8th–12th grade is structured around Sunday Youth Nights and a Milestone journey completed at home with parents and a sponsor. Teens 'Come Forward' at a Youth Night to begin preparation, then complete a first milestone at home before receiving Confirmation (and First Communion, if applicable) at the next available Spring or Fall date.
- Eligibility: 8th–12th graders in the Diocese of Dallas
- Middle School Youth Night: Sundays 5:45–7:00 pm
- High School Youth Night: Sundays 7:30–9:00 pm
- 9 total Milestones completed at home after Coming Forward
- Required parent sessions offered May 13, August 12, and August 23/24
- High School Mission Trip and Youth Conference mentioned
Liturgy & Music
The parish's liturgy team supports multiple weekend Masses in different languages and styles, including the parish's distinctive Sunday 11:30 am Ad Orientem Mass using the Novus Ordo in Latin.
- Liturgy Director: Kristie Gates
- Music Director: Jon Zellhart
- Associate Organist: Cole Austin
- Liturgy Assistant: Gabriela Garcia
- Sacraments Manager: Donelle Wiechman
- Sacraments Coordinator: Elisa Cucco
Gubbio's Coffee Shop & Fellowship
Gubbio's is the parish's own coffee shop, located behind the chapel in the Great Hall foyer. It is described as an intentional gathering place for fellowship with the faith community, serving coffee, tea, and more.
- Manager: Kevin Murphy
- Lead Assistant Manager: Chyanne Echeverria
- Open during parish events in the Great Hall foyer
Continuing Formation & Outreach
Adult formation, Bible studies, and outreach initiatives are coordinated through the Continuing Formation team under Deacon Henry Wiechman. The parish also runs Bible study classes beginning January 2026 and an active capital campaign called 'I Am With You Always.'
- Director: Deacon Henry Wiechman
- Bible Study classes launching January 2026
- 'I Am With You Always' Capital Campaign in progress
- Young Adult Ministry coordinated by Tim Truss
- Safe Environment program managed by Terry Bannerman
Little Friends Preschool
St. Francis of Assisi operates a parish preschool, Little Friends, on its campus under Director Lauren Hartsock — providing faith-based early-childhood education to parish families and the wider Frisco community.
- Director: Lauren Hartsock
- Faith-based preschool on parish campus
Contact & Visiting Information
Parish offices are at 8000 Eldorado Parkway. Summer office hours run Monday–Thursday 9:00 am – 2:00 pm (closed Friday); regular hours are Monday–Thursday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm and Friday 9:00 am – 12:00 pm. The parish publishes a bulletin, Flocknote newsletter, and active social channels for staying connected.
- Address: 8000 Eldorado Pkwy, Frisco, TX 75033
- Phone: (972) 712-2645
- Email (receptionist): [email protected]
- Flocknote signup: text STFOA to 84576
- Facebook: facebook.com/stfoafrisco
- Mass intentions can be requested through the office
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Wilfred Defevere1964 (monthly)
Pastor of St. Michael the Archangel, McKinney, who came to the Garza farmhouse to celebrate monthly Mass for the Spanish-speaking farmworker community.
- Monsignor Larry PichardDecember 2008 onward
Pastor at the time of the new church and chapel dedication in December 2013; shepherded major construction project and rapid parish growth.
- Fr. Rudy Garcia
Current pastor; also commissioned a Missionary of Mercy during Pope Francis's Jubilee of Mercy.