About St. Bartholomew · San Manuel, Arizona
St. Bartholomew Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in San Manuel, Arizona, in the Diocese of Tucson. Founded in 1954, it serves the historic copper-mining community of San Manuel with weekday and Sunday Mass, faith formation, and outreach including a Knights of Columbus council. The parish is currently shepherded by Father Bala Kommathoti, who also pastors Blessed Sacrament Parish in Mammoth, making the two churches a 'tri-community' with nearby St. Helen Parish in Oracle. The parish church stands at 609 W Park Place in San Manuel.
- Established
- 1954
- Patron
- St. Bartholomew (the Apostle)
- Rector
- Father Bala Kommathoti (Fr. Bala)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Tucson
Why belong here
St. Bartholomew offers a close-knit Catholic community in the San Manuel/Pinal County area with daily and Sunday Mass, the Sacrament of Reconciliation on Saturdays, faith-formation classes, and a Knights of Columbus council that anchors outreach. The parish is also intentional about walking with families beyond Sunday worship — the website highlights immigration resources and 'Step by Step Family Preparedness' for parishioners. As part of the tri-community of parishes (with St. Helen in Oracle and Blessed Sacrament in Mammoth), it shares a pastor, bulletins, and ministries, making it easy to plug in even in a small-town setting.
Mass times at St. Bartholomew
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 7:15 PM (after 6:00 PM Mass), and by appointment (520-349-1696)
Parish Office
The parish office is open limited hours during the week and is the main point of contact for sacramental needs, faith formation registration, and general parish business.
- Address: 609 W Park Place, San Manuel, AZ 85631
- Phone: (520) 385-4156
- Office Hours: Monday & Tuesday 8:00 AM–12:00 PM; Wednesday 9:00–11:00 AM
- Email: [email protected]
Faith Formation & Education
The parish maintains an Education page dedicated to faith formation for parishioners of all ages. Father Bala also teaches Level I and Level II Religious Education Certification courses through the Diocese of Tucson, meaning St. Bartholomew parishioners have a direct connection to diocesan-wide catechist formation.
- Parish Education / Religious Education program
- Diocesan Level I & II Faith Formation Certification courses taught by Fr. Bala
Father Bala's Korner
The parish website features 'Father Bala's Korner,' a recurring section where the pastor shares homilies, reflections, and updates with parishioners, including embedded YouTube videos of his talks and messages.
- Homilies and pastoral reflections
- Video messages from Father Bala
Tri-Community Parish Life
St. Bartholomew shares pastoral ministry with two neighboring parishes — St. Helen in Oracle and Blessed Sacrament in Mammoth — under the care of a single priest, Father Bala Kommathoti. The three communities publish a joint Tri-Community Bulletin, which keeps parishioners informed about shared Mass schedules, devotions, and parish events across the three towns.
- St. Bartholomew (San Manuel)
- St. Helen (Oracle)
- Blessed Sacrament (Mammoth)
- Shared Tri-Community Bulletin
Parish Feast Day & Celebrations
The parish celebrates its patron, St. Bartholomew the Apostle, on August 24. The most recent public celebration documented on the parish website was on August 24, 2023, when Father Bala was joined by visiting priest Father Showri Raju Narra, a friend from India.
- Feast of St. Bartholomew — August 24
- Father Bala marked his 22nd Priestly Ordination Anniversary on March 13, 2024 (ordained 2002)
Outreach & Community Support
The parish website links parishioners to practical family resources in addition to spiritual ones, including immigration preparedness materials. The local Knights of Columbus council is also part of the parish's broader community life, supporting funerals and charitable works in the San Manuel area.
- Immigration Resources: Step by Step Family Preparedness
- Knights of Columbus Council #5542 (San Manuel area)
- Diocese of Tucson-wide appeals and 'A Message from Bishop Weisenburger'
Online Giving
The parish offers online giving through its website. The homepage currently reads 'Donations are now active,' with a 'Donate here' button for parishioners and visitors who wish to support St. Bartholomew financially.
- Online donations active through the parish website
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Bala Kommathotiat least 2022 – present
Ordained March 13, 2002, in the Diocese of Guntur, India; arrived in the Diocese of Tucson in September 2015. Has served St. Margaret Mary, St. Peter and St. Paul, and St. Francis Cabrini parishes, and is currently pastor of the tri-community grouping of St. Bartholomew (San Manuel), Blessed Sacrament (Mammoth), and St. Helen (Oracle). Also serves as Spiritual Director for the Charismatic Diocesan Ministry group 'Alive in Christ,' for Vine of Grace Retreat Ministry, and for Rachel's Vineyard, and teaches Level I & II Faith Formation courses for the Diocese.