About Saint Mark · El Paso, Texas
St. Mark Catholic Church is a large, young, bilingual parish on the east side of El Paso, Texas, in the Diocese of El Paso. Founded in July 1992 by Bishop Raymundo Peña, it has grown into one of the largest congregations in the diocese, with more than 2,500 registered families and nearly 4,000 children in its religious formation program. The parish offers an extensive Mass schedule in both English and Spanish every day of the week and is known as a missionary community rooted in the border region's preferential option for the poor.
- Established
- 1992
- Patron
- St. Mark the Evangelist
- Rector
- Rev. Jose A. Morales
- Diocese
- Diocese of El Paso
Why belong here
St. Mark welcomes newcomers as a missionary community shaped by its borderland setting, offering one of the most extensive bilingual Mass schedules in the Diocese of El Paso — seven Sunday Masses plus daily Masses in English and Spanish. A robust religious formation program serves nearly 4,000 children, and the parish offers concrete ways to get involved through Hospitality, Music, Multimedia, Youth, Altar Servers, Seeds of Faith, the Nuevo Amanecer ministry, and a thriving OCIA process for adults seeking sacraments. For families looking for an active, multi-generational Catholic parish on the east side of El Paso, St. Mark combines long-established programs with the energy of a younger community.
Mass times at Saint Mark
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM (in the church)
- By appointment through the parish office
About St. Mark Catholic Church
St. Mark Catholic Church is a bilingual Roman Catholic parish on the east side of El Paso, Texas, in the Diocese of El Paso. Founded in July 1992, it has grown from a small mission community meeting in a rectory living room and a local elementary school into one of the largest parishes in the diocese. The parish describes itself as a 'missionary community' whose mission is to foster the reign of God in the border area by proclaiming the Good News, celebrating the saving acts of God in liturgy, and standing in solidarity with the poor and the earth.
- Founded July 1992 by Bishop Raymundo Peña
- Diocese of El Paso
- More than 2,500 registered families
- Nearly 4,000 children in the religious formation program
Parish History
The parish was established in July 1992 by Most Reverend Raymundo Peña, then the Bishop of El Paso. Its earliest Sunday Masses were celebrated in the rectory's living room and at Benito Martinez Elementary School. By July 1996 a multipurpose building had been built and blessed by Bishop Armando Ochoa; it housed the offices, classrooms, and a temporary sanctuary. The new sanctuary was dedicated on April 21, 2004, and a Catechetical Center was added in 2011.
- 1992 — Parish established by Bishop Raymundo Peña
- 1996 — Multipurpose building completed and blessed by Bishop Armando Ochoa
- 2003 — Sanctuary groundbreaking (January 12)
- 2004 — New church dedicated (April 21)
- 2010 — Bishop Ochoa breaks ground for the Catechetical Center (August)
- 2011 — Catechetical Center and remodeled offices blessed (September 3)
Sacraments
St. Mark celebrates the full range of Catholic sacraments, with preparation programs for children, teens, and adults. Baptism is celebrated monthly (except during Lent), the parish runs a two-year First Communion program and a two-year Confirmation program for teens (with a separate Adult Confirmation track), and children aged 7 and older are prepared through the OCIA process.
- Baptism — 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month
- First Communion — two-year program (FHC I, FHC II)
- Confirmation — usually at age 16; teen and adult tracks
- OCIA — for children 7+ and adults seeking initiation
- Matrimony and Anointing of the Sick by appointment
Religious Formation & Faith Education
The Office of Religious Formation is one of the largest catechetical programs in the Diocese of El Paso, serving nearly 4,000 children each year. It is open Monday through Thursday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and can be reached at (915) 300-2801 or [email protected]. Registrations for the catechetical year are taken on a rolling basis, with overflow placed on a waiting list.
- First Holy Communion I & II programs
- Confirmation Program I & II (two-year process)
- Special Needs Ministry
- VIRTUS safe-environment training for parents and candidates
- Quarterly parent meetings and annual retreats
Parish Ministries
St. Mark lists its ministries on a dedicated 'Parish Ministries' page and invites parishioners to choose where they'd like to serve when they register. Both liturgical and social-service ministries are offered, with bilingual leadership across programs.
- Altar Servers
- Hospitality Ministry
- Liturgical Ministries
- Music Ministry
- Multimedia Ministry
- Youth Ministry
- Seeds of Faith (children's liturgy for ages 5–10)
- Ministerio Nuevo Amanecer (2nd & 4th Wednesdays, 6:30–8:30 PM)
- Tepeyac
- Volunteering
I'm New Here — Visiting St. Mark
First-time visitors are greeted by Hospitality Ministers at the church entrance, who will welcome them and help them find their way. The parish reminds visitors that there is no need to feel self-conscious about postures or responses — most people simply follow along with the congregation. Children of all ages are welcome at every Mass, and children's liturgy is offered at the 11:00 AM English and 1:00 PM Spanish Sunday Masses.
- Hospitality Ministers greet at the door
- Seeds of Faith children's liturgy at 11:00 AM English and 1:00 PM Spanish Masses
- Confession available Saturday 4:00–5:00 PM
- New parishioner registration form available online
Stay Connected — the myParish App
St. Mark promotes the myParish app as its central information hub. By texting APP to 88202, parishioners can download the app for daily readings, Scripture reflections, Mass and confession times, the parish bulletin, weekly announcements, ministry activities, and contact information — in both English and Spanish.
- Daily readings and prayer guide
- Mass and confession schedule
- Parish bulletin and announcements
- Ministry directory and contact info
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Leo Rivero1992–2011
First pastor; oversaw construction of the multipurpose center, the church, and the Catechetical Center.
- Rev. Raul Trigueros2011–2014
Second pastor.
- Msgr. Arturo Bañuelas2014–2022
Third pastor; assigned by Bishop Mark J. Seitz in June 2014 (effective 2015). Retired in July 2022 after more than 46 years of priestly ministry.
- Rev. Jose A. Morales2022–present
Fourth pastor; assigned in June 2022, effective July 15, 2022.