About Saint Paul the Apostle · Del City, Oklahoma
St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Del City, Oklahoma, within the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City. Founded in 1956, it is the largest church in Del City and serves the eastern Oklahoma City metro area from its campus on South Sunnylane Road. The parish offers daily and weekend Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, Reconciliation, a full Religious Education program from Pre-K through grade 12, a Youth Ministry for grades 6–12, OCIA/RCIA for adults and children, a choir, Knights of Columbus council, Ladies Group, and outreach such as a parish charity hotline and Meals on Wheels. The parish's motto — 'Sancte Paule, Ora Pro Nobis' — reflects its devotion to its patron, Saint Paul the Apostle.
- Established
- 1956
- Patron
- Saint Paul the Apostle
- Rector
- Rev. Joseph Sundar Raju Pudota
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Oklahoma City (Metropolitan Archdiocese)
Why belong here
St. Paul the Apostle is a long-established parish community — the largest church in Del City — with a clear rhythm of daily and weekly prayer: daily Mass Tuesday through Friday, two Sunday Masses, Saturday Vigil, weekly Saturday confessions, and Wednesday Eucharistic Adoration followed by Our Lady of Perpetual Help devotions and Benediction. Members find opportunities to serve in liturgical roles (Eucharistic Minister, Lector, Altar Server, Usher/Greeter, choir at the 11:15 Mass), in faith formation (Religious Education Pre-K–12, Youth Group grades 6–12, Becoming Catholic/OCIA), and in outreach through the Knights of Columbus, Ladies Group, Meals on Wheels, Prayer Chain, and the parish Charity Help Hotline.
Mass times at Saint Paul the Apostle
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
- By appointment (call the parish office at 405-677-4873)
Adoration times
- Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament)
- Wednesday: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM (Special Prayer Time with Adoration, Our Lady of Perpetual Help prayers, and Benediction)
Parish History & Identity
St. Paul the Apostle Parish was founded in 1956 in the newly developed community of Del City, Oklahoma, originally under the name St. Francis Xavier. The parish quickly outgrew its first home — a small brick building at 22nd and McCracken — and by 1966 had grown to 340 families, prompting the move to the current ten-acre Sunnylane Road campus. The name was changed to St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in 1967 under Father Ernest Flusche, and the parish has been continuously served by a succession of pastors since then. It is the largest church in Del City and remains a center of Catholic life in the eastern Oklahoma City metro area.
Clergy & Staff
The parish is currently served by Rev. Joseph Sundar Raju Pudota as pastor and Deacon John J. Page, who can be reached at [email protected] or 405-819-9148. Parish office staff include Angie Poole ([email protected]). Kristen Danner serves as Director of Religious Education ([email protected], 405-601-1651) and Michelle Hill is the Music Director (405-924-5200).
- Pastor: Rev. Joseph Sundar Raju Pudota ([email protected]) — 405-677-4873
- Deacon: John J. Page ([email protected]) — 405-819-9148
- Parish Office: Angie Poole — [email protected]
- Director of Religious Education: Kristen Danner — [email protected]
- Music Director: Michelle Hill
Faith Formation & Religious Education
St. Paul the Apostle offers a full Religious Education program for young people from Pre-K through grade 12, including preparation for the Sacraments of Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation. Classes use the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City-approved curricula, including Chosen, Theology of the Body, Be My Disciples, Finding God, Circle of Grace, and Confirmed in the Spirit. Religious Education is intended to supplement the formation that begins at home, and parents are expected to participate, attend weekend Mass with their children, and accompany students to class.
- Open to Pre-K through grade 12
- Sacramental prep: Reconciliation, First Eucharist, Confirmation
- Director of Religious Education: Kristen Danner
- Non-refundable registration fee per student; financial hardship accommodations available
- Non-discrimination policy stated by parish
Youth Ministry
The Youth Group is open to all students in grades 6 through 12 and meets every Sunday from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM in the Parish Hall, with supper included. It is led by Shari McGurk (405-474-8218) and Kristen Danner.
- Grades 6–12
- Sundays 6:30–8:00 PM in the Parish Hall
- Supper provided
Becoming Catholic — OCIA / RCIA
Adults and children interested in becoming Catholic participate in the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA), the current name for what was formerly RCIA. Inquiries are directed to Deacon John Page at 405-819-9148. The parish also publishes an RCIA for Children calendar.
- Adult and child inquiry classes available
- Contact: Deacon John Page, 405-819-9148
Adult Faith Formation
The parish maintains an Adult Faith Formation ministry that complements its youth programs and supports the lifelong spiritual growth of parishioners. Specific current programs and study series are listed on the parish website's Faith Formation page.
Liturgical Ministries
St. Paul the Apostle invites parishioners to participate in the Mass through a wide range of liturgical ministries. Orientation and training are provided for most roles. Schedules for Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Altar Servers, and Ushers/Greeters are published on the website (the most recent published schedules cover early 2026).
- Eucharistic Minister (incl. Communion to Homebound)
- Lector
- Altar Server
- Usher/Greeter
- Offertory Gift Bearer
- Choir — practice Sundays at 10:00 AM before the 11:15 AM Mass
- Music Director: Michelle Hill
Parish Organizations & Outreach
Beyond the liturgy, the parish supports several lay organizations and outreach efforts that build community and serve those in need. The Knights of Columbus and the Ladies Group host regular fundraisers (including bingo nights, garage sales, and taco dinners). The parish operates a Charity Help Hotline, participates in Meals on Wheels, maintains a Prayer Chain, and provides funeral meals to grieving families.
- Knights of Columbus (Dustin Hughes, 405-501-9250) — bingo, taco dinners, service projects
- Ladies Group (Linda Odland, 405-760-7613) — annual garage sale
- Meals on Wheels (Mary Baumann, 405-799-3969)
- Prayer Chain (Dona Brown, 405-650-8292)
- Funeral Meals (Adrian Lewis, 405-834-2007)
- Social Activities (Kirsten Stalford, 405-802-5747)
- St. Paul Parish Charity Help Hotline — 405-670-6105
- Safe Environment (Victoria Bement, 405-397-6207)
Parish Governance
The parish is guided by a Parish Council chaired by Tony Mussatto with Kathleen Archer as Vice Chairperson, and a Finance Committee chaired by Doneen Jones. Membership and contact information for these bodies is published in the parish bulletin.
- Parish Council Chair: Tony Mussatto
- Parish Council Vice Chair: Kathleen Archer
- Finance Committee Chair: Doneen Jones
Contact, Location & Visiting
St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church is located at 3901 S. Sunnylane Road in Del City, Oklahoma. The parish office can be reached at (405) 677-4873 or [email protected]. Office hours run Tuesday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM (some bulletin periods list 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM). The Religious Education Office can be reached at the same number.
- Address: 3901 S. Sunnylane Rd., Del City, OK 73115-3655
- Phone: (405) 677-4873
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Tuesday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Communications & Bulletins
The parish publishes a weekly bulletin (available on the website, with archived issues dating back several years), maintains an active Facebook page, and uses Flocknote for electronic parish communications. Online giving is available through the parish website.
- Weekly Bulletin (with PDF archives)
- Flocknote email/text parish messaging
- Facebook page
- Online Giving portal
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Bernard Havlik1956 (founding)
First pastor; purchased original property at 22nd and McCracken.
- Father Charles Stathamby 1961
Moved/converted a barracks into the new parish church.
- Father Ernest Fluscheby 1967
Officially renamed the parish St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church.
- Father John Scheller1968–1978
- Father John Paul Page1978–June 1981
New parish rectory built in 1979; died in office June 1981.
- Father Stephen CudeJune 1981–June 1982
- Father Franklin Wrigley1982–1985
Planned and began building the parish hall.
- Father Paul Mollan1985–1994
Parish hall completed September 1985; Religious Education Center with eight classrooms completed 1993.
- Father Kenneth Kulinski1994–2005
Expanded the parish hall; took a medical retirement in 2005.
- Father Lowell Stieferman2005–2010
- Rev. Maurus P. Jaeb, O.S.B.June 15, 2010–
First Benedictine monk of St. Gregory's Abbey, Shawnee to serve as pastor.