About Santa Cruz · Buda, Texas
Santa Cruz Catholic Church is a vibrant bilingual (English and Spanish) parish of the Diocese of Austin situated on Main Street in Buda, Texas, about 14 miles south of Austin just off Interstate 35 at exit 221. Founded in 1941 by Father Alfredo F. Mendez to serve the Mexican-American community of the area, the parish has grown to more than 3,750 registered families who worship at the present 1,000-seat church built in 2001. Today Santa Cruz offers Mass in both English and Spanish every Sunday, a parish school serving Pre-K through 8th grade, a religious education program, a robust music ministry, perpetual adoration, and outreach through the St. Vincent de Paul Conference and a food bank.
- Established
- 1941
- Patron
- The Holy Cross (Santa Cruz — the parish's name directly invokes the Holy Cross; founding by the Congregation of Holy Cross, CSC, reinforces the connection)
- Rector
- Rev. Jesse Martinez
- Diocese
- Diocese of Austin (San Marcos Deanery)
Why belong here
Santa Cruz is a large, growing, genuinely bilingual Catholic community in the heart of Buda that has been shaped since 1941 by a spirit of welcome to newcomers and a deep commitment to outreach. The parish offers a rich sacramental and devotional life — five weekend Masses (with two celebrated in Spanish), weekday Masses, daily perpetual adoration from 5 AM to 11 PM, regular confession, a school, religious education for children and adults (OCIA/RCIA), multiple choirs, liturgical ministries, and the St. Vincent de Paul Conference with its food bank and assistance for those in need. Whether you are a lifelong Catholic, returning after time away, or just beginning to explore the faith, Santa Cruz invites you in as one of their own.
Mass times at Santa Cruz
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday: 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM
- Thursday: 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM
- Saturday: 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM
Adoration times
- Sun-Sat 5:00 AM to 11:00 PM (Perpetual Adoration)
Parish History and Heritage
Santa Cruz was founded in 1941 by Father Alfredo F. Mendez, CSC, of the Congregation of Holy Cross, with the original church dedicated on December 14, 1941 to thirty-five families. After decades as a mission under San Jose in Austin and San Francisco Javier in Creedmoor, Santa Cruz became a full parish of the Diocese of Austin in 1987. The current church was dedicated in 2001 and the parish now numbers more than 3,990 families.
- Founded 1941 by Father Alfredo F. Mendez, CSC (Congregation of Holy Cross)
- Original church dedicated December 14, 1941 — thirty-five founding families
- Served as a mission under San Jose (Austin) and San Francisco Javier (Creedmoor)
- Became a parish of the Diocese of Austin in 1987 under Father Richard S. Teall, CSC
- Current 1,000-seat church dedicated February 11, 2001 under Msgr. Joseph Deane
- Our Lady of San Juan Chapel built using stone, beams, bell and cross from the original 1941 church
Clergy and Pastoral Staff
Santa Cruz is currently served by its pastor, Rev. Jesse Martinez (since 2020), and parochial vicar Rev. Chris Haberberger (from 2026). The parish has had a clear pastoral succession from its founding by Holy Cross priests through its transition to diocesan clergy, with a published list of pastors on the parish website.
- Pastor: Rev. Jesse Martinez (2020-present)
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Chris Haberberger (2026-present)
- Full published list of past pastors from 1941 to present on the parish website
Faith Formation and School
Santa Cruz operates a parish school (Pre-K through 8th grade) and offers Religious Education for children as well as the OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, formerly RCIA) process for adults seeking baptism, Confirmation, or full communion with the Catholic Church.
- Santa Cruz Catholic School — Pre-K through 8th grade, opened August 2007 (School Office 512-312-2137)
- Religious Education Office (512-295-1163)
- OCIA & Adult Sacramental Formation for entering Catholics or completing sacraments
Music Ministry
Sacred music is described by the parish as 'essential and transformative' to its worship, with choirs supporting every Sunday Mass in both English and Spanish. Rehearsals, warm-ups and seasonal commitments are clearly published.
- Mark Omara — Music Director & Organist, 10:30 AM Choir
- Romulo Osorio — Music Director for 5 PM Vigil, 8 AM Spanish, 1 PM Spanish, and 5 PM Sunday Masses
- 10:30 AM Choir season runs mid-August through mid-June, rehearsing Wednesdays 7:00–8:30 PM
- 5 PM Vigil and 5 PM Sunday Choirs rehearse at 4 PM before Mass
- 8 AM Spanish Choir and 1 PM Spanish Choir rehearse one hour before each Mass
Liturgical Ministries
The lay faithful are invited to serve in every part of the liturgy through Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Ushers/Greeters, Altar Servers, Lectors and the Music Ministry. All volunteers in ministry must complete EIM (Ethics and Integrity in Ministry) compliance through the Diocese of Austin.
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Ushers / Greeters (hospitality ministry)
- Altar Servers
- Lectors (proclamation of the Word)
- Music Ministry
- Liturgical Ministry Scheduler on parish website
- EIM (Ethics and Integrity in Ministry) compliance required
Youth Ministry
Santa Cruz has an active Youth Ministry with an Associate Director on staff supporting the parish's youth group activities.
- Jesca Rodriguez — Associate Director of Youth Ministry
- Phone: (512) 295-1164
- Email: YMsantacruzcc.org
Outreach and Support Services
Santa Cruz runs a robust outreach apostolate through the St. Vincent de Paul Conference (home visits, food bank, Thanksgiving breakfast, Angel Tree Christmas giving) and a Mental Wellness Ministry that connects parishioners with Christian-based counseling providers.
- St. Vincent de Paul Conference — meets 9:15 AM on 2nd Saturday and 6:00 PM on 4th Monday
- Santa Cruz Food Bank — bi-monthly Saturday 8:00–9:00 AM distribution
- Need rent or utility assistance in Buda? Call 512-415-4012
- Mental Wellness Ministry — individual and group counseling by Christian practitioners
Visiting and Contact
Santa Cruz is located at 1100 Main Street in Buda, TX, about 14 miles south of Austin — take I-35 South to exit 221. All are welcome at Mass; the parish office is open Monday-Thursday 8 AM to 5 PM and Friday 8 AM to 3 PM.
- 1100 Main Street, Buda, TX 78610
- Church Office: 512-312-2520
- Religious Education Office: 512-295-1163
- School Office: 512-312-2137
- Office hours: Mon-Thu 8 AM – 5 PM; Fri 8 AM – 3 PM
- Sunday 10:30 AM Mass livestreamed at santacruzcc.org/livestream
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Alfredo J. Mendez, CSC1941-1948
Founder of the parish; built the original church dedicated December 14, 1941
- Thomas J. Culhane, CSC1941-1945
Early Holy Cross pastor while Santa Cruz was a mission
- P. F. Muller, CSC1945-1948
Holy Cross priest
- Elmer Vincente Rupp, CSC1948-1951
First of two terms as mission pastor
- J. C. Atwood, CSC1948-1951
Holy Cross priest
- Joseph Houser, CSC1948-1957
Holy Cross priest
- Elmer Vincente Rupp, CSC1957-1976
Returned for a long second tenure
- John J. "Jack" Haley, CSC1976-1984
Holy Cross priest
- John P. "Jack" Keefe, CSC1984-1987
Holy Cross priest
- Richard S. Teall, CSC1987-1999
First resident pastor when Santa Cruz became a parish of the Diocese of Austin in 1987
- Msgr. Joseph Deane1999-2009
Oversaw construction of the new 1,000-seat church, dedicated February 11, 2001
- Kirby Garner2009-2016
Previously served as Associate Pastor 2008-2009
- David Leibham2016-2020
- Jesse Martinez2020-present
Current pastor