About San Luis Rey · Laredo, Texas
San Luis Rey Church is a bilingual Catholic parish in central Laredo, Texas, in the Diocese of Laredo. Since November 1958 it has been entrusted to the Salesians of Don Bosco (Salesians West Province), and it remains an active, multi-generational Hispanic parish with a full schedule of Spanish- and English-language Masses, religious education, and quinceañera celebrations. Address: 3502 Sanders Ave., Laredo, TX 78040. Parish office: 956-723-6587 / 956-791-8039; CCD (religious education) office: 956-722-3323.
- Established
- 1958
- Patron
- St. Louis IX, King of France (San Luis Rey de Francia)
- Rector
- Fr. Luis Oyarzo, SDB
- Diocese
- Diocese of Laredo
Why belong here
San Luis Rey offers one of the most complete bilingual liturgical schedules in the Diocese of Laredo, with at least seven Sunday Masses in Spanish and English, a Saturday vigil, and daily Masses Monday through Saturday. The parish runs a robust CCD / catechetical program (First Communion and Confirmation) and welcomes families for baptisms, weddings, and quinceañeras, while the Salesian priests and brothers maintain a strong youth and family ministry in the heart of Laredo.
Mass times at San Luis Rey
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday: 6:00 – 6:25 PM (Martes 6:00 – 6:25 pm)
- Thursday: 6:00 – 6:25 PM (Jueves 6:00 – 6:25 pm)
- Saturday: 10:00 AM (Sábado 10:00 am)
History & Salesian Identity
San Luis Rey Church was established in November 1958 when the Salesians of Don Bosco (Salesians West Province) were given pastoral care of the parish within the Diocese of Laredo. The Salesians — a religious congregation founded by St. John Bosco and known for their work with young people — have staffed the parish continuously since its founding more than six decades ago. The parish's Spanish-language welcome statement explicitly identifies it as a Salesian community and invokes Mary Help of Christians (María Auxiliadora) alongside the patron of the parish.
- Founded November 1958
- Pastored by the Salesians of Don Bosco, Salesian West Province
- Diocese of Laredo
- Welcomes the community in the name of Mary Help of Christians and St. Louis, King of France
Clergy & Parish Staff
Parish leadership is provided by two Salesian priests, supported by two deacons, a Salesian brother in residence, and lay staff in the parish and religious education offices. Office hours are Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–12:00 PM and 1:00–6:00 PM.
- Fr. Luis Oyarzo, SDB — Parish Administrator
- Fr. Ramon Zarate, SDB — Associate Pastor / Parochial Vicar
- Deacon Enrique Peñuñuri
- Deacon José Rodriguez
- Brother Ernie Martinez, SDB — Salesian In-Residence
- Gina Garcia — Office Manager
- Sylvia Martinez — Secretary
- Laura Torres — Parish Data Manager
- Adriana Cantu — Director of Religious Education
- Ari Gonzalez — Youth Minister
Sacraments
San Luis Rey prepares and celebrates all the usual parish sacraments, with bilingual requirements and registration forms for families.
- Baptism: 2nd and 4th Saturday at 11:30 AM; parents must complete the requirements form and submit documentation to the parish office before a date is reserved.
- Marriage: Friday or Saturday at 4:00 or 6:30 PM; appointment required with a parish priest; marriage requirements form available.
- Quinceañera Mass: Saturday 4:00 or 6:30 PM; celebration subject to availability; must be enrolled in Confirmation I.
- First Communion and Confirmation: handled through the CCD program.
Faith Formation & Religious Education (CCD / Catequesis)
The parish runs a sizeable bilingual catechetical program under a separate CCD office, with year-round office hours and class sessions on weekday evenings and on weekends. First Communion is taught in two-year tracks; Confirmation is also a two-year track with sessions on Saturday and Sunday.
- CCD Office Hours: Wednesday & Thursday 6:00–8:30 PM; Saturday 9:00 AM–1:00 PM; Sunday 9:00 AM–2:00 PM
- CCD Phone: (956) 722-3323; Email: [email protected]
- Wednesday 7:00–8:30 PM: First Communion Yr 1 & Yr 2
- Thursday 7:00–8:30 PM: First Communion Yr 1 & Yr 2
- Saturday 9:00–10:30 AM: First Communion Yr 1
- Saturday 11:00 AM–12:30 PM: First Communion Yr 1; Confirmation Yr 1
- Sunday 9:00–10:30 AM: First Communion Yr 2; Confirmation Yr 1
- Sunday 11:00 AM–1:40 PM: Confirmation Yr 1 & Yr 2
- Director of Religious Education: Adriana Cantu
Youth Ministry & Lay Groups
San Luis Rey maintains an active youth ministry and lay devotional groups consistent with its Salesian charism. The Sunday 5:00 PM English Mass is specifically identified as a Youth Mass.
- Youth Minister: Ari Gonzalez
- Santo Rosario Grupo Hombres (Men's Rosary Group) — 7:00 PM
- Santo Rosario Grupo Mujeres (Women's Rosary Group) — 7:00 PM
- Sunday 5:00 PM English Mass — Youth Mass
Contact & Visit
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish by phone, visit the office in person during posted office hours, or send correspondence by email. The parish is registered in GCatholic's directory as Church ID 34173 within the Diocese of Laredo.
- Address: 3502 Sanders Ave., Laredo, TX 78040
- Parish Office Phone: 956-723-6587 / 956-791-8039
- CCD Office Phone: 956-722-3323
- Office Hours: Monday–Friday 9:00 AM–12:00 PM and 1:00–6:00 PM
- Diocesan parish page: dioceseoflaredo.org/cpt_parishes/san-luis-rey-church/