About Saint John · North Charleston, South Carolina
Saint John Catholic Church is a small, diverse Catholic parish in North Charleston, South Carolina, founded in 1929 and part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charleston. The parish serves about 215 households with a worship space seating 155, and is led by pastor Fr. Rafael Boshra Ghattas and Deacon Robert Jones. Its mission is to live and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ through worship, fellowship, service, and formation, and it is home to Saint John Catholic School (K4–Grade 8), a faith-based, inclusive learning community in the Catholic tradition.
- Established
- 1929
- Patron
- Saint John
- Rector
- Rev. Rafael Boshra Ghattas
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Charleston
Why belong here
Saint John is a warm, intimate parish where nearly every member of the 215 registered households can find a way to serve and be known. The parish offers weekday and Sunday Mass, daily adoration, regular confession, sacramental preparation (Baptism, Marriage, OCIA), a full school (K4–Grade 8), a Food Pantry, Women's Guild, Music Ministry, and many liturgical roles (Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Altar Servers, Ushers, Sacristans, Gift Bearers). Whether you are a lifelong Catholic or just exploring the faith, the small size and active ministry life make it easy to belong and grow in Christ here.
Mass times at Saint John
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 11:30 AM – 12:10 PM (parish website)
- Thursday 11:30 AM – 12:10 PM (parish website)
- Friday 11:30 AM – 12:10 PM (parish website)
- Saturday 3:00 PM – 3:30 PM (parish website; diocesan directory lists 3:30–4:30 PM)
Adoration times
- Tuesday 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM
- Wednesday 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM
- Thursday 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM
- Friday 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM
About Saint John Catholic Church
Saint John Catholic Church is a small, diverse Catholic community in North Charleston, South Carolina, founded in 1929 and belonging to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charleston (Charleston Deanery). The parish worships in a sanctuary that seats 155 and serves about 215 registered households. Its self-described mission is to live and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ through worship, fellowship, service, and formation — to love the Lord with all heart, soul, and mind, and to love neighbor as self.
- Founded 1929
- Diocese of Charleston — Charleston Deanery
- Pastor: Fr. Rafael Boshra Ghattas
- Deacon: Robert (Bob) Jones
- Office Manager & Music Coordinator: Flavia Feltner
- Approx. 215 households; 155 seats
Parish Staff & Ministry Leaders
The parish is led by Pastor Fr. Rafael Ghattas and Deacon Bob Jones, supported by an office manager / music coordinator and a team of lay ministry leaders who coordinate each parish ministry. Each coordinator serves as the contact point for parishioners interested in getting involved in a particular ministry.
- Fr. Rafael Ghattas — Pastor ([email protected])
- Deacon Bob Jones — Deacon
- Mrs. Karen Durand — Principal, Saint John Catholic School ([email protected])
- Mrs. Flavia Feltner — Office Manager, Coordinator of Music Ministry
- Mr. Bill New — Coordinator of Lectors
- Mrs. Lisa McLeod — Coordinator of Altar Servers
- Mr. Jim Whiteman — Coordinator of Ushers
- Ms. Red McDowell — Coordinator of Volunteers
- Ms. Elizabeth Hackett — OCIA coordinator
- Sr. Trudy Edgington — Catechist & Religious Formation; President, Women's Guild
- Madeline Mauro — Website Coordinator
Liturgical Ministries
Liturgical ministries allow parishioners to serve at the heart of parish worship, helping the community pray together at the celebration of the Eucharist. Each role is coordinated by a designated parishioner who can be contacted through the parish office.
- Altar Servers — assist the priest at the altar during Mass (Lisa McLeod)
- Ushers & Greeters — welcome parishioners, assist seating and the offertory (Jim Whiteman)
- Eucharistic Ministers — share the Body and Blood of Christ and bring Communion to the sick and homebound
- Lectors — proclaim the Word of God (Bill New)
- Sacristans — care for the altar, prepare vessels, and clean up after Mass
- Gift Bearers — present the bread and wine during the Preparation of the Gifts
- Music Ministry — lead the congregation in song through choir or instruments (Flavia Feltner)
Parish Life & Service Ministries
Beyond the sanctuary, Saint John parishioners generously give their treasure, time, and talents to care for those in need and support the Church's mission. A range of parish-life and service ministries invite members to share fellowship, serve the community, and help run the parish.
- Food Pantry — sort and distribute food to families in need
- Women's Guild — fellowship and service through parish projects (President: Sr. Trudy Edgington)
- Grounds & Maintenance — care for the church and parish grounds
- Counters — record weekly offertory contributions
- Office Volunteers — assist with phones, bulletins, and clerical work (Red McDowell)
- Photo Galleries — browse photos from parish liturgies, ministries, and events
Faith Formation & OCIA
Faith formation at Saint John is supported through catechists, the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA), and free digital formation via FORMED.org. OCIA is the Church's formal process for adults and older children exploring the Catholic faith, culminating in reception of the sacraments at the Easter Vigil.
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults) — coordinator: Elizabeth Hackett
- OCIA begins in fall, runs about 9 months, meets weekly for prayer, study, and discussion
- Open to the unbaptized, Christians baptized in another tradition, and baptized Catholics seeking First Communion/Confirmation
- No cost to participate; sponsors walk with candidates in prayer
- Religious Formation / Catechist: Sr. Trudy Edgington
- FORMED.org — free Catholic movies, studies, eBooks, and talks for parishioners
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd offered at the parish school
Sacraments
Saint John prepares parishioners for the Church's seven sacraments, with online registration forms available for Baptism and Marriage. Couples wishing to marry at St. John are asked to contact the parish office at least six months before their desired wedding date, allowing time for instruction, preparation, and scheduling.
- Baptism — online registration form on parish website
- Marriage — contact parish at least six months in advance; marriage described as a covenant ordered to the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of children (CCC 1601)
- First Confession, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation preparation
- OCIA for adults and older children
Saint John Catholic School
Saint John Catholic School is a ministry of Saint John Catholic Church serving students K4 through Grade 8 from across the Charleston Tri-County area. The school welcomes children of all faiths, talents, and abilities and is known for its small class sizes, individualized instruction, and inclusive learning community. The principal is Mrs. Karen Durand.
- Grades K4–8 (approximately 61 students)
- Inclusive Catholic tradition; small class sizes for individualized instruction
- STREAM curriculum: Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Arts, Math
- Certified Green Steps school (Environmental Education Association of South Carolina)
- First Steps 4K provider — K4 program offered 8:00 AM – 2:30 PM (extended care 6:30 AM – 5:30 PM)
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd; weekly Mass; Prayer Buddies; Virtue=Strength monthly focus
- School phone: (843) 744-3901; address: 3921 St. Johns Avenue, North Charleston, SC 29405
- Website: https://www.saintjohnschoolsc.org/
Our Life, Our Faith — Catholic Teaching & Identity
The parish 'Our Life, Our Faith' page presents Catholic teaching and identity as something lived in community. It frames the Catholic Faith as centered on Jesus Christ, professed in the Creed, celebrated in the sacraments, and lived out in prayer, service, and daily witness. Catechism of the Catholic Church, Sacred Scripture, and living Tradition are presented as the sure guides for understanding what Catholics believe and how they are called to live. The page also highlights the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope.
- Catholic Faith — centered on Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit
- Catechism of the Catholic Church, Sacred Scripture, and Tradition
- Documents of the Second Vatican Council
- Code of Canon Law
- Seasonal Liturgies — Advent, Lent, Holy Week
- 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope
- Virtues, works of mercy, commandments, and Beatitudes
Contact & Visit
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office by phone or email, send a message through the website contact form (with options for general inquiry, Mass intentions, office appointment, sacramental needs, prayer request, or photos), or visit in person at the church on Saint Johns Avenue.
- Address: 3921 Saint Johns Avenue, North Charleston, SC 29405
- Phone: 843-321-8403
- Email: [email protected]
- Website contact form with categorized reasons (General Inquiry, Mass Intentions, Office Appointment, Sacramental Needs, Prayer Request, Photos)
- Follow on Facebook for parish events and announcements