About St. Anthony - Elmendorf · Elmendorf, Texas
St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church is a historic parish in the small community of Elmendorf in southern Bexar County, Texas, sharing ministry with Our Lady of Perpetual Help Mission in nearby Saspamco. The parish traces its roots to a Catholic community established in 1854 at St. James Church in Graytown, with St. Anthony itself dedicated in 1896, and it now ministers to a growing, bilingual (English/Spanish) congregation under the Archdiocese of San Antonio. The parish is served by one pastor for both sanctuaries, supported by three permanent deacons, parish staff, and a wide array of lay ministries including the Knights of Columbus, Catholic Daughters, Guadalupanas, Men's Club, and Altar Societies. Its mission statement — 'Rooted in Franciscan humility and the resilience of our Polish heritage, we are united by the Holy Eucharist to serve God as one family' — reflects both its devotional patron (St. Anthony of Padua) and the heritage of its Polish-born pastor who most recently completed major facility projects.
- Established
- 1896
- Patron
- St. Anthony of Padua
- Rector
- Rev. Fidèle Okitembo Dikete
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of San Antonio (Metropolitan Archdiocese of San Antonio)
Why belong here
St. Anthony's welcomes everyone — lifelong parishioners, new residents, and travelers passing through — with one of the most historically rooted Catholic communities in southern Bexar County, anchored by a 1896 sanctuary and a mission church (Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Saspamco) built in 1923. Worship is offered in both English and Spanish, with a Saturday Vigil Mass, three Sunday Masses, a weekday Mass Tuesday through Friday, a Friday First Saturday Mass with Chaplet, and a full devotional life that includes weekly Confession, Eucharistic Adoration on Thursdays and on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays, novenas to St. Anthony and Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and First Friday Devotion. Parishioners can get involved through more than a dozen active ministries — Knights of Columbus 8036, Catholic Daughters, Guadalupanas, Men's Club, Altar Society, Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Choir, Ushers, Sacristans, Altar Servers, Baptism Preparation, Youth Ministry, and St. Vincent de Paul–style outreach — making it easy to find a way to serve.
Mass times at St. Anthony - Elmendorf
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 4:00 PM – 4:50 PM (before the 5:00 PM Vigil Mass)
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Thursday – after the 8:00 AM Mass
- 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Parish History
St. Anthony's parish traces its roots to 1854, when a Catholic community was established at St. James Church in Graytown (later renamed Our Lady of Guadalupe). The first pastor on record, Father C. Jaillets, was assigned in 1872 to serve the mission churches from Graytown. Father Emilio Chapolard oversaw the construction and 1896 dedication of the very first church in Elmendorf. Since then, three churches have stood on the holy ground; the present sanctuary was begun in 1973 and dedicated by Bishop Patrick F. Flores on March 3, 1974. Four religious orders — Claretians, Mexican Josephites, Redemptorists, and Augustinians — shaped the parish before diocesan/archdiocesan priests took over in 1993.
- 1854 – Catholic community founded at St. James, Graytown
- 1872 – Father C. Jaillets, first pastor listed
- 1896 – First church in Elmendorf dedicated
- 1905–1916 – Claretian Fathers serve the parish
- 1921–1962 – Redemptorist Fathers entrusted with St. Anthony and its missions
- 1922 – Second church built by Fr. Matthias J. Justen
- 1923 – Our Lady of Perpetual Help Mission built in Saspamco
- 1962–1993 – Augustinian Fathers lead the parish
- 1969 – New rectory dedicated (Fr. Peter Parra)
- 1974 – Present church dedicated by Bishop Patrick F. Flores
- 2021 – 125th Jubilee celebrated; closing Mass with Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller
Mass & Worship Schedule
St. Anthony offers a full weekly schedule of Masses in English and Spanish at its main church on Kilowatt Road, plus a Sunday Mass at the OLPH Mission in Saspamco. Weekday Masses are celebrated Tuesday through Friday at 8:00 AM, with a Monday Communion Service at the same hour. The parish observes additional devotions throughout the week, including novenas, Eucharistic Adoration, First Friday Devotion, and the First Saturday Mass with Chaplet.
- Saturday Vigil: 5:00 PM
- Sunday: 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM (English); 1:30 PM (Spanish)
- Sunday at OLPH Saspamco: 11:30 AM
- Monday: 8:00 AM Communion Service
- Tue–Fri: 8:00 AM Mass
- First Saturday: 8:30 AM Chaplet, 9:00 AM Mass
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is led by its pastor, supported by three permanent deacons, a Director of Religious Education/Youth Minister, and a bookkeeper/facility-use coordinator. Office hours run Monday–Thursday 9:00 AM–5:00 PM (closed noon–1:00 PM for lunch) and Friday 9:00 AM–2:00 PM.
- Rev. Fidèle Okitembo Dikete — Pastor ([email protected])
- Deacon Michael R. Vrzalik (Mike) — 210-316-0429
- Deacon Zafirin (Zeke) Moczygemba — 210-381-2358
- Deacon Mark O'Toole
- Dan Chavarría — Religious Education / Youth Minister ([email protected])
- Marie Ortiz — Bookkeeper / Facility Use Coordinator (hablo español)
- Office: (210) 635-8539 — [email protected]
Parish Pastoral & Finance Councils
Two councils share responsibility for the spiritual and temporal life of the parish. The Parish Pastoral Council is involved in most activities and programs affecting the liturgical and spiritual life of St. Anthony. The Finance Council advises the pastor on financial matters, monitors all income and expenses, and approves the annual parish budget.
- Parish Pastoral Council — guides liturgical and spiritual life of the parish
- Finance Council — advises pastor on finances; approves annual budget
Parish Organizations & Societies
St. Anthony's is supported by a robust network of lay organizations — both spiritual and social — that meet regularly on parish grounds. These groups offer fellowship, faith formation, and stewardship of the parish facilities.
- Altar Society – St. Anthony (quarterly Sundays at 9:00 AM; contact Marilyn Thompson)
- Altar Society – Our Lady of Perpetual Help (contact Jenny Garcia)
- Men's Club (3rd Wednesday, 7:00 PM; contact Dennis Winkler)
- Guadalupanas (4th Thursday, 6:30 PM; contact Elizabeth Campbell)
- Knights of Columbus Council 8036 (2nd Wednesday, 7:00 PM; Grand Knight David Martinez)
- Catholic Daughters of the Americas (2nd Thursday, 6:30 PM; contact Ellie Factor)
Liturgical Ministries
Many hands are needed to prepare for the celebration of the Eucharist. From the music that lifts spirits to the ushers who welcome at the door, every role is a vital part of the parish's collective prayer. Full training is provided for all liturgical roles.
- Altar Servers – boys and girls Grade 3 and up (Dcn. Mike Vrzalik)
- Lectors – proclaimers of the Word (Janet Vrzalik)
- Eucharistic Ministers (Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion)
- Sacristans – Robert Heimer, Archie Wiatrek, Edmundo Ortiz, Osbaldo 'Ozzy' Montoya
- Ushers – hospitality and collections
- Choir / Music Ministry – cantors and instrumentalists
Faith Formation & Youth Ministry
Faith formation is described by the parish as 'a vital element of the Catholic life,' helping parishioners grow in knowledge and understanding of the faith in Jesus Christ and His Church. The two-year preparation program for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion is offered for children, and youth ministry serves the parish's young people.
- Director of Religious Education / Youth Minister: Dan Chavarría
- Two-year First Reconciliation / First Communion preparation
- Ongoing faith formation for children, youth, and adults
- Contact: [email protected] or 210-663-5245
Outreach & Social Justice
The parish lives out the corporal works of mercy through ministries that visit the homebound, serve the poor, and volunteer at food pantries — including the parish's own St. Anthony Ministry of the Poor and the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Ushers, greeters, and food-pantry volunteers are invited to share their time.
- St. Anthony Ministry of the Poor
- St. Vincent de Paul Society
- Visits to the homebound and infirmed
- Food pantry volunteering
Sacraments
Information about celebrating the seven sacraments at St. Anthony is available through the parish office. Parents preparing for the baptism of an infant or young child begin with the Baptism Preparation ministry, led by the parish deacons. Couples preparing for marriage, families preparing children for First Communion and Confirmation, and those seeking Anointing of the Sick are asked to contact the office in advance.
- Baptism – contact Dcn. Mike Vrzalik (210-316-0429) or Dcn. Zeke Moczygemba (210-381-2358)
- First Reconciliation & First Holy Communion – two-year program
- Confirmation – coordinated through the Archdiocese of San Antonio
- Matrimony – contact the parish office
- Anointing of the Sick – by appointment
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Mission – Saspamco
St. Anthony's current mission church, Our Lady of Perpetual Help (OLPH), is located in the community of Saspamco and was built in 1923 — the same era that Father Matthias J. Justen built the second church at St. Anthony. The mission shares the pastor and ministries of the parish and offers a Sunday Mass at 11:30 AM. Recent improvements have included conversion of the OLPH hall into a small chapel more conducive to celebrating Holy Mass.
- Address: 169 County Rd 151, Floresville, TX 78114
- Sunday Mass: 11:30 AM
- Built in 1923 as St. Anthony's mission church
- Shared pastor and ministries with St. Anthony
Visit, Contact & Getting Involved
Parishioners and visitors are warmly welcomed. The parish maintains a current website (stanthony-olph.org) and a legacy site (stanthonyelmendorf.com) with up-to-date bulletins and a parish calendar, plus an active Facebook presence. The parish bulletin and online calendar are the best ways to stay informed about upcoming events, ministries, and Mass schedules.
- Parish office: 16505 Kilowatt Rd., Elmendorf, TX 78112
- Phone: (210) 635-8539
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Mon–Thu 9 AM–5 PM (closed 12–1 PM); Fri 9 AM–2 PM
- Websites: stanthonyelmendorf.com and stanthony-olph.org
- Facebook: facebook.com/StAnthonyandOLPH
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father C. Jaillets1872–
First pastor listed in parish records; served mission churches from Graytown including St. Anthony's in Elmendorf.
- Father Emilio Chapolard1865–1905 (approx.)
Pastor at Graytown for 40 years; oversaw construction and 1896 dedication of the first church in Elmendorf.
- Claretian Fathers1905–1916
From San Antonio; first religious order to staff the parish.
- Mexican Josephite Fathers1916–1921
Placed in charge by Bishop Shaw.
- Redemptorist Fathers1921–1962
From Our Lady of Perpetual Help, San Antonio; served over 40 years; Fr. Matthias J. Justen built the second church in 1922.
- Father Gordon Travis1920s–1930s (Redemptorist era)
Made provisions for the Parish Hall.
- Augustinian Fathers1962–February 1993
Invited by Archbishop Lucey; led parish for almost 31 years.
- Father Herman Valladares1962 (early Augustinian era)
Augustinian; commuted from St. Benedict's until a rectory was built.
- Father Peter Parra1960s (Augustinian era)
Built and dedicated the new rectory on February 2, 1969.
- Father Severiano Fernandez1973–1978 (approx.)
Began construction of present church (dedicated March 3, 1974 by Bishop Patrick F. Flores); built and blessed the Parish Hall on May 20, 1978.
- Father Henry Martinez1984–1988 (approx.)
Initiated and finished concrete parking lot (April 5, 1984); remodeled church; remodeled the Religious Education Building in 1986.
- Father Maximiliano PastranaJune 1990 – February 1993
Last Augustinian pastor.
- Father William McNamaraFebruary 1993 – June 2012
Native of Ireland; served 17 years; completed electrical renovations, A/C, storage building, parking, sidewalks, and hall breezeway.
- Father Andrew KafaraJune 2012 – 2019
Native of Poland; built new rectory, completed foundation/roof repairs, Parish Hall and Office renovations, and began conversion of OLPH hall to a chapel.
- Father Anthony MaleJuly 2019 – 2025
Native of India; installed St. Anthony and Holy Spirit tile mosaics, painted church interior, redid sanctuary floor.
- Father Fidèle Okitembo DiketeJuly 2025 – present
Native of Kananga, DR Congo (b. Sept. 18, 1970); current pastor.