About Saint Monica · Edmond, Oklahoma
St. Monica Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in west Edmond, Oklahoma, belonging to the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City. Founded in 1993, it has grown from 174 registered families to roughly 1,200 families and serves a culturally diverse community that includes Hispanic, Nigerian, Korean, Vietnamese, and Japanese parishioners. The parish is widely known in the archdiocese as the home of Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration (24 hours a day, 7 days a week) and as a Total Stewardship Parish that has tithed 10% of its weekly collection to charitable works since its founding. It is currently preparing to open St. Monica Catholic Academy in Fall 2026.
- Established
- 1993
- Patron
- St. Monica
- Rector
- Rev. Stephen V. Hamilton, S.T.L.
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Oklahoma City
Why belong here
St. Monica offers a vibrant, multi-cultural Catholic community in west Edmond with active faith formation for every age — from children's catechesis and OCIA for adults, to youth discipleship groups for middle and high schoolers, Totus Tuus, marriage preparation, and Bible study. Worship is centered on the Eucharist, including a Sunday Spanish Mass and Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration (24 hours a day, 7 days a week), the only parish in the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City with this devotion. Parishioners give generously through a Total Stewardship model that has tithed 10% of the weekly collection to charitable works since 1993, and the parish is preparing to open St. Monica Catholic Academy in Fall 2026 — making it an exciting time to join the community.
Mass times at Saint Monica
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday 4:15 p.m.
- Wednesday 4:15 p.m.
- Thursday 4:15 p.m.
- Saturday 3:00 p.m.
Adoration times
- Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (begun August 27, 2000; the only parish in the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City with this devotion)
History of St. Monica Parish
St. Monica was established on May 21, 1993 by Archbishop Eusebius Beltran with Father Anthony B. Taylor as founding pastor. The first Masses were celebrated September 4–5, 1993 in the cafeteria of Washington Irving Elementary School before the community outgrew the space and moved to Santa Fe High School. The Parish Center was dedicated September 23, 1994, the Worship Center on July 14, 2000, and Perpetual Adoration began August 27, 2000 — the only parish in the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City with this devotion. The parish has grown from 174 families to about 1,200 families, with a culturally diverse community that includes Hispanic, Nigerian, Korean, Vietnamese, and Japanese parishioners.
- Founded May 21, 1993 by Archbishop Eusebius Beltran
- First pastor: Rev. Anthony B. Taylor (1993–2003)
- Second pastor: Rev. Timothy D. Luschen (June 24, 2003)
- Third pastor: Rev. Ray Ackerman (June 15, 2010)
- Current pastor: Rev. Stephen V. Hamilton, S.T.L.
- Groundbreaking for Parish Center: December 5, 1993
- Parish Center dedicated: September 23, 1994
- Worship Center dedicated: July 14, 2000
- Perpetual Adoration began: August 27, 2000
- First Spanish Mass: September 5, 2004
- St. Monica Clinic at Kenya Africa Mission completed: 2003
Pastor and Staff
St. Monica is led by Father Stephen V. Hamilton, S.T.L., as pastor, with Father Balireddy Ponnapati serving as Parochial Vicar. Two deacons — Deacon Jorge Pereira (also serving in Evangelization) and Deacon Jose Serrano — assist with parish life. A lay staff handles faith formation, music, facilities, and administration.
- Fr. Stephen V. Hamilton — Pastor (office: 405-359-2700; rectory: 405-330-2699)
- Fr. Balireddy Ponnapati — Parochial Vicar (405-359-2700)
- Deacon Jorge Pereira — Deacon / Evangelization (405-359-2700)
- Deacon Jose Serrano (405-359-2700)
- Jackie Bubenik — Facility / Maintenance Director
- Mary Joy Nolan — Music Director
- Ryan Delgado — Coordinator of Youth Formation
- Adriana Adamson — Coordinator of Children's Formation
- Sagrario Godinez — Evangelization Assistant
- Stacy Sample — Office Manager / Bulletin
Faith Formation and Religious Education
The parish describes faith formation as a life-long journey, with opportunities at every stage: Bible study, adult and teen Discipleship, youth and children's programs, Totus Tuus, marriage preparation, First Communion preparation, and OCIA. Children's and youth formation are coordinated by Adriana Adamson and Ryan Delgado respectively.
- Children's Faith Formation (Adriana Adamson, Coordinator)
- First Communion Preparation
- RCIC — Rite of Christian Initiation of Children (4th grade–~15 years old)
- Totus Tuus summer program
- Adult Discipleship groups
- Bible Study
OCIA — Becoming Catholic
Adults interested in the Catholic faith are welcomed through OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, formerly RCIA). Classes meet every Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. in a temporary classroom building in the back parking lot, beginning each September and continuing through Easter. Baptized Christians and unbaptized adults may both participate, with Catholic facilitators guiding them through the catechumenate.
- Sunday mornings 8:30–9:45 a.m., September through Easter
- Open to unbaptized adults and baptized Christians from other traditions
- Contact: Deacon Jorge Pereira through the Parish Office (405-359-2700)
- Sponsors accompany candidates through formation
Youth and Teen Discipleship
St. Monica uses a relational discipleship model for students in 6th through 12th grade. Youth meet weekly for prayer, fellowship, ongoing intellectual study, and service. High school disciples prepare for Confirmation or continue in post-confirmation formation; middle schoolers also gather on Wednesday evenings for Bible Study focused on the upcoming weekend's readings and Catholic apologetics.
- Middle School Youth (6th–8th grade) — weekly meetings
- Wednesday evening Bible Study and apologetics for junior/senior students
- High School Discipleship (9th–12th grade)
- Confirmation preparation
- Post-confirmation groups for college-bound teens
- Coordinator: Ryan Delgado
Sacred Music
The Ministry of Sacred Music at St. Monica welcomes beginners and those with no experience to gain basic music skills in good company. Trained volunteer cantors serve the liturgy, and the group gathers for a once-a-month fellowship after rehearsal. Music is led by Director Mary Joy Nolan.
- Choir and cantor program
- Open to beginners and experienced singers
- Monthly fellowship after rehearsal
- Music Director: Mary Joy Nolan
Knights of Columbus Council 11237
The parish's Knights of Columbus council — one of the most active in the area — supports St. Monica through pancake breakfasts, Lenten fish dinners, Eucharistic Adoration, and family activities. The council was established January 10, 1994 with Ed Domeier as the founding Grand Knight; current Grand Knight is Terry Handley. Catholic men 18 and older are invited to join.
- Established January 10, 1994 — Ed Domeier, founding Grand Knight
- Current Grand Knight: Terry Handley (210-393-9955)
- Hosts monthly pancake breakfasts and Lenten fish dinners
- Supports Perpetual Adoration and pro-life initiatives
- Established the Monument for the Unborn (2002)
Outreach and Charity
St. Monica is a Total Stewardship Parish, with parishioners pledging Time, Talent, and Treasure. Since its founding, the parish has tithed 10% of its weekly collection to social ministries locally and abroad, supporting missions like the Karima / Kenya Africa Mission (where the St. Monica Clinic was built in 2003). The parish also hosts the annual Edmond Community Thanksgiving Dinner and supports a St. Vincent de Paul ministry that provides financial assistance.
- Total Stewardship Parish — 10% of weekly collection to charity since 1993
- St. Vincent de Paul Ministry — phone 405-341-8128
- Karima / Kenya Africa Mission adopted by the parish
- Edmond Community Thanksgiving Dinner (200+ volunteers serving 2,000+)
- Altar Society
- Parish Pastoral Council and 30+ committees
St. Monica Catholic Academy
St. Monica is launching St. Monica Catholic Academy in Fall 2026, opening with PreK4 through Grade 2 and adding a grade level each year through Grade 12. The inaugural headmaster is Dr. Richard Meloche. The parish is hiring teaching staff for the inaugural academic year and has hosted a community Meet & Greet for prospective families.
- Opening Fall 2026 with PreK4–Grade 2
- Adds one grade per year through Grade 12
- Inaugural Headmaster: Dr. Richard Meloche
- Open House and Meet & Greets for prospective families
- Teaching positions posted via archokc.schoolspring.com
Visit, Contact, and Getting Involved
St. Monica welcomes visitors and new parishioners, asking only that they 'come and experience the true presence of Christ.' The parish office is open Monday–Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and is located in the Parish Hall. The community emphasizes that 'no matter your charism, there is an opportunity to serve, form relationships and have fun' through ministries, formation, and parish life.
- Parish Office: 2001 N. Western Avenue, Edmond, OK 73012-3447
- Phone: (405) 359-2700 | Rectory: (405) 330-2699 | Fax: (405) 341-0023
- Office hours: Monday–Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Online Giving available
- Weekly bulletin published
- Homilies archive available online
- YouTube channel for homilies and updates
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Anthony B. Taylor1993 – June 24, 2003
Founding pastor; installed by Archbishop Eusebius Beltran. Led the parish from 174 families and meetings in a school cafeteria to the construction of the Parish Center, Worship Center, and major ministries.
- Rev. Timothy D. LuschenJune 24, 2003 – June 15, 2010
Succeeded Fr. Taylor in 2003.
- Rev. Ray AckermanJune 15, 2010 – present era
Became pastor June 15, 2010.
- Rev. Stephen V. Hamilton, S.T.L.current
Current pastor; leads the parish as it prepares to open St. Monica Catholic Academy in Fall 2026.