About St. Brendan · Stephenville, Texas
St. Brendan Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Stephenville, Texas, in the Diocese of Fort Worth. Founded in 1958 as a mission and elevated to full parish status in 1960, it serves both the broader Erath County community and the students of Tarleton State University through a dedicated Catholic Campus Ministry. The parish offers daily and weekend Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, sacramental preparation, adult OCIA, religious education, men's and women's groups, and ongoing Bible study, all rooted in the dedication of the small group of Catholic pioneers who first envisioned a church in Stephenville in the 1950s.
- Established
- 1958
- Patron
- St. Brendan (the Navigator)
- Rector
- Fr. Ed Hopkins (Pastoral Administrator)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Fort Worth
Why belong here
St. Brendan offers a warm, welcoming home for both longtime area residents and newcomers — including the many Tarleton State University students it serves through Catholic Campus Ministry. The parish combines the rhythms of a traditional Catholic community (daily Mass, all-day Thursday Eucharistic Adoration, weekday rosaries, confession twice weekly) with active faith formation for children and adults, plus student-oriented small groups, Bible studies, and shared meals. Whether you are a multi-generational Erath County family, a young adult discerning your faith, or a first-time visitor, the parish explicitly invites you to attend any Mass and "say hello when you do."
Mass times at St. Brendan
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 – 4:30 PM
- Wednesday 5:00 – 6:00 PM
- Or by appointment — call the parish office
Adoration times
- Thursday — all day, beginning after the 8:00 AM Mass and concluding at 7:00 PM (a minimum of two people must be present at all times; sign-up sheets are at the side entrance of the church)
Parish History
St. Brendan traces its origins to the 1950s, when Professor Emil A. Blanchard of Tarleton State University rallied local Catholics and petitioned Bishop Thomas K. Gorman for a parish in Stephenville. Pallottine fathers from St. Stephen in Weatherford began celebrating Mass in places like the basement of the city library. With $10,000 raised jointly by local faithful and the Catholic Church Extension Society, the church was dedicated on April 13, 1958, as a mission, and on February 11, 1960, it was elevated to full parish status with Father Alphonse Hayes as its first pastor.
- 1958 — Dedicated as a mission of St. Stephen, Weatherford
- 1960 — Full parish status; Father Alphonse Hayes named first pastor
- 1967 — Priest's residence added (now the parish office)
- 1977 — Original Newman Hall built (now Religious Education building)
- 1980 — Church remodeled for more seating and a cry room
- 1996 — Second Newman Hall built (the one still in use today)
Mass & Worship Schedule
The parish offers a robust weekly schedule combining traditional Sunday worship with daily Mass and student-friendly evening services. Weekday rosaries are prayed both on campus at midday and at the church in the evening, and coffee and fellowship follow Mass on Mondays and Fridays.
- Saturday Vigil Mass — 5:00 PM
- Sunday Masses — 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM
- Monday, Thursday, Friday — 8:00 AM (coffee & fellowship Mon & Fri)
- Wednesday — 6:30 PM (student-friendly evening Mass)
Sacramental Life
Confession is offered twice weekly and by appointment, while weekday Mass, rosary, and Eucharistic Adoration sustain ongoing prayer life. The parish is approaching its 70th anniversary and preparing to build a larger church to accommodate growing numbers.
- Confession — Saturday 3:30–4:30 PM and Wednesday 5:00–6:00 PM (or by appointment)
- Eucharistic Adoration — all day Thursday, after 8:00 AM Mass until 7:00 PM
- Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation — through Religious Education and OCIA
Faith Formation & Religious Education
St. Brendan offers religious education for children on Wednesday evenings in the Religious Education Building, alongside a full Adult OCIA (formerly RCIA) process for those seeking initiation into the Catholic Church. Janet Jackson coordinates Religious Education and Judy Hearn coordinates OCIA.
- Children's Religious Education (CCD) — Wednesdays, 6:00–7:15 PM, Religious Education Building
- Adult OCIA — Sundays, 3:15–4:45 PM, Newman Hall
Catholic Campus Ministry (Tarleton State University)
A defining dimension of St. Brendan is its Catholic Campus Ministry, which serves Tarleton State University and Ranger College students. Coordinated by Nathan Mena and supported by a student leadership team, the ministry cultivates faith, fellowship, and authentic Catholic friendships both on and off campus. Many students are first-generation college students or come from low-income families, and the ministry works to make retreats, conferences, and meals accessible to all.
- Nathan Mena — Coordinator of Campus Ministry (817-919-6875)
- Student Meals — 1st & 3rd Sundays after the 5:00 PM Mass, and 2nd & 4th Wednesdays after the 6:30 PM daily Mass
- Men's Group — Thursday 6:30 PM
- Women's Group — Thursday 7:30 PM
- On-campus Rosary — 12:15 PM weekdays
- Support areas include meals/supplies and conferences/retreats
Bible Study & Small Groups
Ongoing Scripture study is offered in both English and Spanish, alongside parish small groups that meet throughout the week. These gatherings are a primary way newcomers and students plug into parish life beyond Sunday Mass.
- English Bible Study
- Spanish Bible Study
- Men's Group — Thursday 6:30 PM
- Women's Group — Thursday 7:30 PM
Devotions & Prayer Life
Beyond the Mass schedule, the parish sustains a steady rhythm of Eucharistic Adoration and the rosary. All-day Thursday Adoration is a particular centerpiece, requiring at least two people present at all times; sign-up sheets are at the side entrance.
- All-day Thursday Eucharistic Adoration (after 8:00 AM Mass until 7:00 PM)
- Weekday Rosary on Campus — 12:15 PM
- Weekday Rosary at St. Brendan — 6:00 PM
Parish Staff & Leadership
St. Brendan is led by Fr. Ed Hopkins as Pastoral Administrator, supported by a lean staff of parish and campus ministry personnel. Fr. Hopkins was ordained on May 20, 2023, served a year as Parochial Vicar at St. Jude Catholic Church, and was then assigned to St. Brendan.
- Fr. Ed Hopkins — Pastoral Administrator (ordained 2023; previously Parochial Vicar at St. Jude)
- Nathan Mena — Coordinator of Campus Ministry
- Mary Hall — Business Coordinator
- Judy Hearn — OCIA
- Janet Jackson — Religious Education
- Mike Huxen — Building Maintenance
- Safe Environment Coordinator
Visit, Contact & Practical Info
The parish office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Visitors and newcomers are warmly welcomed at any Mass, and the parish encourages attendees to "say hello when you do."
- Address: 1444 W Washington St., Stephenville, TX 76401
- Phone: (254) 965-5693
- Emergency after-hours line: (972) 943-4882
- Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- Diocese: Diocese of Fort Worth
Future: A New Church & Campus
With its original 1958 building approaching 70 years old and weekend Masses regularly at standing-room-only capacity, St. Brendan has announced plans for a capital campaign to build an entirely new church and campus. The effort is designed to serve the next generation of parishioners and Tarleton State students as both the parish and university continue to grow.
- Capital campaign launched to build a new church and campus
- Driven by standing-room-only weekend Masses and growth at Tarleton State University
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Pallottine fathers from St. Stephen, Weatherfordpre-1958
Served the mission community in Stephenville, celebrating Mass in places like the basement of the city library.
- Father Alphonse Hayes1960
First pastor after St. Brendan was elevated to full parish status on February 11, 1960.