About St. Alphonsus · Ocean Springs, Mississippi
St. Alphonsus Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, on the Gulf Coast. Belonging to the Diocese of Biloxi, the parish is described on its website as 'a Catholic community, called to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ' that welcomes all to join its worship, witness, and service. With a school, perpetual adoration chapel, and a wide range of lay ministries, St. Alphonsus has served the Ocean Springs area since the early 1870s and continues to offer Mass in both English and Spanish.
- Established
- 1871
- Patron
- St. Alphonsus Liguori (Alphonsus Maria de Liguori, Bishop and Doctor of the Church)
- Rector
- Father Michael E. Snyder, V.F.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Biloxi
Why belong here
St. Alphonsus is a long-standing Gulf Coast parish with a full sacramental life — daily Mass, a Spanish-language Sunday Mass, perpetual Eucharistic adoration in a 24-hour chapel, Saturday confessions, and a Catholic elementary school. Its active lay groups — Knights of Columbus Council 5654, the Ladies Auxiliary, Altar Society, St. Vincent de Paul Conference, Lay Carmelites, Walking with Moms, and Bereavement Committee — give parishioners concrete ways to serve neighbors in Ocean Springs. The parish also welcomes newcomers through RCIA, continuing adult faith formation, Bible studies, and the New Wine three-year ministry program.
Mass times at St. Alphonsus
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm (or by appointment; call the parish office at 228-875-5419)
Adoration times
- 24-hour Adoration in the weekday Chapel (added in 1980 by Msgr. James J. Hannon) — parishioners are encouraged to pray before the Blessed Sacrament at any hour of the day or night
Parish History
St. Alphonsus traces its roots to French Catholic settlers in 1699, but the formal parish was established by the Diocese of Biloxi in 1872, with Fr. J.J. Finn as the first resident priest in 1871. A new church was dedicated on the Sunday before February 25, 1874, built at a cost of about $1,500. The present church, school (old section), and rectory were all constructed during Fr. Deignan's long pastorate (1944–1965). The weekday chapel with 24-hour adoration was added in 1980 by Msgr. James J. Hannon. Hurricane Camille (1969) destroyed the original sisters' convent and Cabrini retirement home on the beach, prompting the building of the newer convent on Jackson Avenue in 1970.
- 1699 — French settlers arrive in Ocean Springs with a chaplain
- 1857 — Fr. Greinon of Pass Christian visits; writes bishop about neglected Catholics
- 1871 — Fr. J.J. Finn named first resident priest
- 1872 — Parish formally established by the diocese
- 1874 — New church dedicated, cost ~$1,500
- 1944–1965 — Fr. Deignan builds present church, school, and rectory
- 1965 — Msgr. Gregory Kennedy succeeds Fr. Deignan
- 1969 — Hurricane Camille destroys old convent and Cabrini retirement home
- 1970 — Msgr. Eamon Mullen succeeds; new convent built on Jackson Avenue
- 1972 — Parish Hall/Cafeteria built
- 1980 — Msgr. James J. Hannon adds weekday chapel with 24-hour adoration
- 1989 — Fr. Bernard Farrell succeeds Msgr. Hannon
- 2002 — Fr. Henry McInerney succeeds Fr. Farrell
- 2014 — Fr. Mike (Michael E.) Snyder, V.F. appointed current pastor
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is led by Very Reverend Michael E. Snyder, V.F., and supported by a permanent deacon, parish secretary, faith formation director, and maintenance staff. Other named leaders coordinate ministries such as Walking with Moms and the Lay Carmelites.
- Father Michael E. Snyder, V.F. — Pastor
- Deacon Jim Gunkel — Permanent Deacon
- Shannon Williams — Director of Bookstore, Marriage Prep Classes and Faith Formation
- Jane Sema — Parish Secretary
- Robert Sema — Maintenance
- Jenny Gordon — Walking with Moms
- Mocky vanThiel, Margaret Miller, Eleanor Hartzog — Lay Carmelites
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The Faith Formation office aims to help the faithful of all ages grow in human and Christian maturity. Programs include preparation classes for all sacraments, elementary and high-school religious education (RE), and a Catholic elementary school (PK1–6th Grade).
- RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) — interactive classroom; meets Wednesdays 6:00–7:30 pm in the Parish Hall (contact Jammie, 228-806-2641)
- Continuing Catholic Formation — discussion-based continuing education for confirmed adults, Wednesdays 6:00–7:30 pm
- New Wine — three-year ministry formation program; classes meet 6:00 pm on scheduled Mondays in the Parish Hall Meeting Room; participants receive a Diocesan Certificate
- Bible Studies and other studies — Sundays 10:15–11:15 am in the Parish Hall
- RE Classes for elementary age children
- RE Classes for high school age children
- Support of St. Patrick Catholic High School
Sacraments
Preparation classes are offered for all sacraments. The parish follows the Bishop of Biloxi's calendar for Confirmation. Adults interested in becoming Catholic attend RCIA. Marriage preparation is coordinated through Shannon Williams, Director of Marriage Prep Classes.
- Baptism — see Calendar page for Baptism Class schedule
- Confirmation — preparation begins in 9th grade (age 14–15); young adults confirmed at 17–18
- Reconciliation — Saturday 2:45–3:45 pm or by appointment
- Eucharist / First Communion
- Matrimony — Marriage Prep Classes directed by Shannon Williams
- Anointing of the Sick
- RCIA for adults becoming Catholic
Parish Ministries & Groups
St. Alphonsus has a wide array of lay ministries, from traditional service and devotional groups to outreach to mothers in need. Many coordinators are listed on the parish's 'Our Clergy / Our Staff / Our Support' pages.
- Knights of Columbus — Council 5654 (Grand Knight listed; contact Jeff Ryan, [email protected])
- Columbus Club of Ocean Springs — hall rentals via [email protected]
- Ladies Auxiliary
- Altar Society
- St. Vincent de Paul Conference — helps with utilities and food pantry
- Lay Carmelites
- Walking with Moms
- Bereavement Committee
- Altar Servers, Lectors, Ushers
- Faith Formation Teachers/Aides
- Our Lady of Perpetual Help Book and Gift Store (Director: Shannon Williams)
St. Alphonsus School
St. Alphonsus operates a Catholic elementary school serving PK1 through 6th grade on the parish campus on Jackson Avenue. The school has marked several major milestones, including its 100th Anniversary in 1983, AA accreditation in 1981, the U.S. Department of Education 'Blue Ribbon Award' in 2004, and its 125th Anniversary in 2010. A new school library and gymnasium were added in 1999.
- PK1 through 6th Grade
- AA accreditation (1981)
- 100th Anniversary (1983)
- Blue Ribbon Award (2004)
- 125th Anniversary (2010)
- New school library and gymnasium (1999)
Visiting St. Alphonsus
The parish welcomes visitors, vacationers, and those searching for a new church home. The 'I'm New' page offers practical answers about Mass, confession, parking, becoming Catholic, and meeting the priest.
- Address: 502 Jackson Avenue, Ocean Springs, MS 39564
- Main Entrance on Calhoun Avenue
- Parking available on street, in the school parking lot, or around the church grounds
- Parish Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 am – 3:00 pm
- Phone: 228-875-5419
- To become Catholic, visit the RCIA page or call the parish office
- Contact form on the website goes directly to the priest
Facilities & Hurricane History
The parish campus has grown significantly since the 1960s. The 1972 Parish Hall/Cafeteria housed a small library until the present-day school library opened in 1999. The newer convent (built 1970 north of the school on Jackson Avenue) has served as the Religious Education Center for the Hispanic Community and is presently occupied by Notre Dame ACE students.
- Present church built under Fr. Deignan (1944–1965)
- School (old section) and rectory built under Fr. Deignan
- Older sisters' convent (Marinate) and Cabrini retirement home on beach — destroyed by Hurricane Camille, August 1969
- Newer convent built 1970 on Jackson Avenue
- Parish Hall/Cafeteria built 1972 (with small library)
- New school library and gymnasium added 1999
- Weekday chapel with 24-hour adoration added 1980
Parish Registration
The parish encourages families to register as parishioners. The registration form invites families to indicate interest in particular ministries and to share any special needs or family situations with the parish office.
- Altar Server
- Altar Society
- Bereavement Committee
- Faith Formation Teacher/Aide
- Knights of Columbus
- Lector
- St. Vincent de Paul
- Usher
- Other
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Georget (of Biloxi)1850s
Visiting priest who bought lumber for a plain 50'x25' church and was entrusted with Ocean Springs as a mission by the bishop.
- Fr. J.J. Finn1871
First resident priest in Ocean Springs, arriving to a damaged church with no rectory.
- Fr. Cavalier (of Biloxi)1873–1874
Pushed forward the new church building; on Feb. 25, 1874 reported the new church had been dedicated the previous Sunday at a cost of about $1,500.
- Fr. Oberti
Listed among late-19th-century pastors who served at St. Alphonsus.
- Fr. Meerchaert
Listed among late-19th-century pastors.
- Fr. Van Queckelberge
Died of yellow fever during the epidemic while serving here.
- Fr. Peters
Late-19th-century pastor.
- Fr. Oberfield
Late-19th-century pastor.
- Fr. Bohmert
Late-19th-century pastor.
- Fr. Deignan1944–1965
Built the present church, school (old section), and rectory. Died 1965 and is buried in Evergreen Cemetery.
- Msgr. Gregory Kennedy1965–1970
Succeeded Fr. Deignan; buried in Evergreen Cemetery.
- Msgr. Eamon Mullen1970
Succeeded Msgr. Kennedy.
- Msgr. James J. Hannon1970–1989
In 1980 added the weekday chapel with 24-hour adoration between the rectory and church. Died March 16, 2008; buried in Evergreen Cemetery.
- Fr. Bernard Farrell1989–2002
Succeeded Msgr. Hannon.
- Fr. Henry McInerney2002–2014
Succeeded Fr. Farrell.
- Fr. Mike Snyder2014–present
Current pastor; Very Reverend Michael E. Snyder, V.F.