About Santa Catalina · Tucson, Arizona
Santa Catalina Roman Catholic Parish is a Redemptorist-staffed Catholic parish located in the Catalina area north of Tucson, Arizona, at 14380 N. Oracle Road. Founded in 1981, it is one of the larger parishes in the Diocese of Tucson and serves a bilingual English-and-Spanish community with five weekend Masses plus a daily Mass. The parish is currently pastored by Fr. Huy Vu, C.Ss.R., a Redemptorist priest, and the community is described in its own mission statement as 'pilgrims of hope, rooted in the Eucharist, guided by the Holy Spirit, and committed to walking with one another—especially those most in need of mercy and belonging.' It is shaped by the Redemptorist charism of St. Alphonsus Liguori and a special devotion to Our Mother of Perpetual Help.
- Established
- 1981
- Patron
- St. Catherine of Alexandria (Saint Catherine / Santa Catalina)
- Rector
- Fr. Huy Vu, C.Ss.R.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Tucson
Why belong here
Santa Catalina offers a full Catholic life: five weekend Masses (including a bilingual Sunday Mass and a Saturday Vigil), a daily Mass, weekly Eucharistic Adoration with Benediction, and frequent Reconciliation. The parish is staffed by the Redemptorists and grounds its identity in the Eucharist, devotion to Our Mother of Perpetual Help, and a wide-reaching ministry network that includes St. Vincent de Paul, the Casa Alitas refugee ministry, GriefShare, Prison Ministry, RCIA, Religious Education, Marriage and Funeral support, and Hispanic Ministry—so whether you speak English or Spanish there is a place to belong and to serve.
Mass times at Santa Catalina
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Weekdays (Monday–Friday): 7:30–7:45 AM
- Wednesdays: 8:45 AM – 10:00 AM (per parish schedule)
- Saturdays: 3:00–3:45 PM (also listed 2:30–3:30 PM per third-party sources)
- Anytime by appointment
Adoration times
- Wednesdays: 8:30 AM – 8:30 PM (Eucharistic Adoration, with Benediction at 10:45 AM)
History of Santa Catalina Parish
Santa Catalina Parish was established in 1981 in the Catalina area just north of Tucson, as growth in the Catalina foothills and Pinal County foothills created the need for a new Catholic community. From early on the parish became associated with the Redemptorists (Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer), whose charism of preaching mercy and serving the most abandoned still shapes parish life today. Through the 2010s the parish was served by diocesan and Redemptorist clergy together—including Rev. Lawrence E. Sanders and Deacon William Krueger—and continues today under the spiritual guidance of the Redemptorists and a team of assisting priests and deacons.
- Established 1981 in Catalina, north of Tucson, within the Diocese of Tucson
- Listed at 14380 N. Oracle Rd., 85739 in official diocesan directories
- Currently staffed by the Redemptorists
- Past leadership includes Rev. Lawrence E. Sanders with Deacon William Krueger
- Current pastor Fr. Huy Vu, C.Ss.R. broke ground on the first parish rectory
Mission, Vision & Redemptorist Charism
The parish's Mission statement reads: 'As members of God's Faith Community at Santa Catalina Parish, we commit our lives to being the voice, hands, and spirit of Christ, as our way of continuing God's call to love and peace.' The parish's Vision and Purpose grow directly out of the Redemptorist charism and the spirituality of St. Alphonsus Liguori, calling the community to proclaim the message of mercy and plentiful redemption, follow Christ the Redeemer, build a welcoming community, serve the poor and the most abandoned, and be evangelized by those they serve—under the guidance of the Eucharist and devotion to Our Mother of Perpetual Help.
- Mission: to be the voice, hands, and spirit of Christ continuing God's call to love and peace
- Vision: pilgrims of hope rooted in the Eucharist and guided by the Holy Spirit
- Inspired by St. Alphonsus Liguori and the spirituality of the Redemptorists
- Devotion to Our Mother of Perpetual Help as a central pillar of parish life
Meet the Pastor — Fr. Huy Vu, C.Ss.R.
Fr. Huy Vu is a Redemptorist (C.Ss.R.) priest and the current pastor of Santa Catalina. In his introduction on the parish website he describes himself as 'a Redemptorist priest who loves walking with people through the joys and messiness of life,' and says he hopes the parish 'feels like a place where you can be real—with God, with others, and with yourself.' He preaches and writes in a way he describes as 'honest, hopeful, and rooted in everyday life,' regularly drawing on Scripture, story, struggle, and laughter. His ministry emphases are mercy, community, and the Eucharist as real, transformative encounters that change how people live and love.
- Redemptorist priest
- Pastor's bilingual (English and Spanish) welcome message is posted on the parish website
- Broke ground for the first parish rectory at Santa Catalina
Sacraments
Santa Catalina prepares parishioners for every sacrament of the Catholic Church. Children's sacraments (First Reconciliation, First Communion, Confirmation) are coordinated through the Religious Education program, while adults enter the Church through the R.C.I.A. Couples are asked to contact the parish office well in advance of their wedding for marriage preparation. The Anointing of the Sick is offered the first weekend of every month at all Masses, as well as by appointment, and a dedicated Funeral Ministry walks families through Catholic burial practices.
- Baptism (infant/child preparation)
- First Reconciliation & First Communion via RE
- Confirmation preparation (annual Confirmation program)
- Marriage preparation
- Anointing of the Sick — first weekend of the month or by appointment
- R.C.I.A. — Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
- Funeral Ministry (Madeline Rugama)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish runs a year-round Religious Education program for children, including sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation, as well as a Vacation Bible School week each summer. Adult faith formation is offered through RCIA, Bible studies, Men's and Women's fellowship, and small groups—reflecting the parish's stated commitment to 'deepen our spiritual and personal lives' as disciples of Christ.
- Student Religious Education (RE Coordinator: Katharine Lopez)
- Confirmation preparation (annual program)
- Vacation Bible School (summer)
- R.C.I.A. (Coordinator: Rogene Small — [email protected])
- Sunday Scripture Bible Study (Leland Bracy)
- Matthew Bible Study (Rogene Small)
Music & Liturgical Ministries
The parish's liturgical life is supported by a Music Director (Rouzbeh Tebyanian) and a Liturgy coordinator (Sophie Zvonar), together with a Liturgical Ministries team that includes ushers, lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, altar servers, and sacristans. Arts & Environment cares for the Church's visual environment for the seasons of the liturgical year.
- Music Director: Rouzbeh Tebyanian
- Liturgy Coordinator: Sophie Zvonar
- Arts & Environment (Maria Cartagena)
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, lectors, altar servers, ushers
Outreach & Charity
Outreach is central to Santa Catalina's identity as a Redemptorist parish 'serving the most abandoned.' A Social Awareness & Justice Ministry (SAJM) coordinates many of these works—including St. Vincent de Paul, Casa Alitas (refugee and immigrant services), Casa Maria, the Poor Box Program, Snack Pack, Prison Ministry, Refugee Ministry, Prayer Shawl Ministry, and Mental Health Ministry. Parishioners can volunteer or contribute through the Outreach Ministry and the Martha's Kitchen hospitality network.
- St. Vincent de Paul Conference (Dennis Blackall — [email protected])
- Casa Alitas (Ida Androwich)
- Casa Maria (Al Crawford)
- Refugee Ministry (Judy Lynch)
- Prison Ministry (Deb Auclair)
- Martha's Kitchen (Madeline Rugama)
- Snack Pack Program (Mariallyn Ozark)
- Local Immersion Ministry (Don Fore)
- Dress a Girl Around the World
- Dignity of Human Life (Dave Stevens)
- Caring For God's Creation
- Mental Health Ministry
Parish Groups & Fellowship
A wide range of parish groups meet weekly or monthly for faith, service, and fellowship. The Knights of Columbus serve as a Catholic men's fraternal organization; Stephen Ministry provides one-on-one lay pastoral care; GriefShare offers a structured 13-week grief support program. Spanish-language and family-friendly groups include the Society of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Spanish Prayer Group, Wings for Teens, and the Sassy Solos singles group.
- Knights of Columbus (Carlos Sanchez)
- Stephen Ministry (Judy Rossman)
- GriefShare (weekly, 13-week program; via griefshare.org and parish office)
- Hispanic Ministry / Society of Our Lady of Guadalupe / Spanish Prayer Group (Laura Gallegos)
- Sassy Solos singles ministry
- Wings for Teens Ministry
- Men's Fellowship Group / Sr. Jose Women's Ministry
- Arts & Crafts Group / Quilters Ministry / Book Bunch
- Homebound Ministry / Funeral Ministry
Support & Recovery
The parish hosts or points parishioners to several recovery and support resources, in keeping with its mission to walk with those most in need of mercy and belonging. Help-line resources listed on the parish website include the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, Pregnancy Crisis Help, and the Diocese of Tucson Safe Environment / Report Abuse page.
- AA Meetings (Art W.) and Al-Anon Meetings (Judy S.) — held on parish grounds
- GriefShare — 13-week structured grief support group
- Pregnancy Crisis Help referral
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
- Diocese of Tucson Report Abuse / Safe Environment resources
- Mental Health Ministry (Leslie Fore)
Parish Staff & Office
Pastoral and administrative staff, as listed on the parish website and bulletins, include the pastor (Fr. Huy Vu, C.Ss.R.), the liturgy coordinator, the music director, the Hispanic Ministry coordinator, the Religious Education coordinator, the funeral ministry coordinator, the office administrator, and maintenance. Office hours are Monday–Thursday 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM (closed for lunch 12:00–12:30 PM), with Sunday office hours 7:30–10:30 AM.
- Pastor — Fr. Huy Vu, C.Ss.R.
- Bulletin — Leslie Fore & Christopher Auclair
- Compliance — Donna Opsatnick
- Funeral Ministry — Madeline Rugama
- Hispanic Ministry — Laura Gallegos
- Liturgy — Sophie Zvonar
- Maintenance — David Geer
- Music Director — Rouzbeh Tebyanian
- Office Admin — Donna Opsatnick
- RE Coordinator — Katharine Lopez
- Webmaster — Christopher Auclair
Getting Involved
Parishioners and visitors can register as parishioners, sign up to volunteer in one of more than thirty ministries, give online, and subscribe to the weekly bulletin (English and Spanish) directly through the parish website. The 'New Parishioner Registration Form', 'Volunteering/Joining a Ministry', and 'On-Line Giving' links are all available on the Registrations / Applications page.
- New Parishioner Registration Form
- Volunteering / Joining a Ministry
- Student Religious Education Registration
- Confirmation Registration
- Vacation Bible School Registration
- Online Giving via OSV Hub
- Liguorian Magazine subscription
- Stations of the Cross booklets
- Bulletin available in English and Spanish
Visiting & Contact
Santa Catalina is located at 14380 N. Oracle Road, Tucson (Catalina), AZ 85739, in the foothills north of central Tucson. The parish campus is wheelchair accessible with a private parking lot, and office hours are posted on the parish website and weekly bulletin. Weekly bulletins are available for download in English (downloads/read-ready/print-ready) and Spanish.
- Address: 14380 N. Oracle Rd., Tucson, AZ 85739-9599
- Phone: (520) 825-9611
- Fax: (520) 825-9866
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: santacatalinaparish.org
- Wheelchair accessible, private parking lot
- Bulletin available in English and Spanish
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Lawrence E. Sanders
Listed with Deacon William Krueger in the diocesan directory as pastor/pastoral leader of Santa Catalina (founded 1981).
- Fr. Brian Johnson
Currently assists at the parish alongside Fr. Huy Vu; also pastor of the Redemptorist-served Our Lady of the Desert Church.
- Fr. Huy Vu, C.Ss.R.
Current pastor; broke ground for the first parish rectory; leads the parish under the Redemptorist charism.