About St. Clara of Assisi · Dallas, Texas
Santa Clara of Assisi Catholic Parish is a bilingual (Spanish/English) Roman Catholic parish located in the Oak Cliff / West Dallas neighborhood of Dallas, Texas, serving the Diocese of Dallas. The parish operates a parish school, Santa Clara of Assisi Catholic Academy (PK-8), and offers one of the most extensive Spanish-language Mass schedules in the Diocese, including a Saturday vigil Mass in the Neocatechumenal Way tradition. Pastoral life is centered on the Eucharist and the formation of disciples, with active groups such as the Legion of Mary, Camino Neocatecumenal, Guadalupanas, Disciples of Christ, and a robust OCIA (RICA) process for adults and children seeking initiation into the Catholic faith.
- Patron
- St. Clare of Assisi
- Rector
- Rev. Ignacio Olvera (Pastoral Administrator, appointed May 2024 by Bishop Edward Burns)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Dallas
Why belong here
Santa Clara of Assisi is one of the most bilingual parishes in the Diocese of Dallas, with daily Mass offered in Spanish and English-Mass celebrated throughout the week, making it a spiritual home for both English- and Spanish-speaking families in Oak Cliff. The parish runs the parish-supported Santa Clara of Assisi Catholic Academy (PK-8), giving families an integrated Catholic school and faith-formation path. Active movements — Camino Neocatecumenal, Legion of Mary, Disciples of Christ, Guadalupanas, Renacer, and Salmo 46 — along with a full OCIA (RICA) process for adults seeking Baptism, Communion, or Confirmation, make it a place where newcomers can plug in quickly and grow in faith.
Mass times at St. Clara of Assisi
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday – Friday: 6:00 PM – 6:45 PM (Bilingual / by appointment by calling the office)
Adoration times
- Every Thursday: 7:45 PM – 8:45 PM (Holy Hour / Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament)
- Every Third Thursday of the month: 7:45 PM (Thu) – 7:00 AM (Fri) all-night Adoration
Parish Identity & Patron Saint
Santa Clara of Assisi Catholic Parish is dedicated to St. Clare of Assisi (1194–1253), the foundress of the Order of Poor Ladies (Poor Clares). The feast of St. Clare is celebrated by the universal Church on August 11, the date of her death. St. Clare is the patron saint of television (declared by Pope Pius XII in 1958), people with eye disorders, embroiderers, and — in modern extension — computers and computer screens. The parish displays her words on its homepage: 'Mírate cada día en el espejo de la pobreza, la humildad y la caridad de Cristo, y observa en Él tu rostro' ('Look in the mirror of Christ's poverty, humility and charity each day, and see in Him your face').
- Patron: St. Clare of Assisi (Santa Clara de Asís)
- Feast Day: August 11
- St. Clare of Assisi: foundress of the Poor Clares, patroness of television, embroiderers, and computer users
Clergy & Pastoral Leadership
In May 2024, Bishop Edward Burns of the Diocese of Dallas appointed Fr. Ignacio Olvera as Pastoral Administrator of Santa Clara of Assisi Parish. Fr. Olvera previously served as Parochial Vicar at St. Patrick Catholic Church and Saint Cecilia Catholic Church and as Chaplain at Cristo Rey Dallas College Prep, and is the founder of the Faith Fitness young-adult ministry. Earlier bulletins identified Fr. Paolo Capra as Pastor and Fr. Artemio Patiño as Parochial Vicar. The parish continues to welcome all under the new pastoral leadership.
Santa Clara of Assisi Catholic Academy (Parish School)
The parish supports Santa Clara of Assisi Catholic Academy, a PreK-8 bilingual Catholic school located on the parish campus at 4550 West Davis Street. The school's mission statement reads 'Two Languages, One Faith,' and its stated mottos align with St. Clare's call: 'Love God. Serve God.' The academy reports a 100% Catholic high-school acceptance rate, a 16:1 student-teacher ratio, and serves approximately 150–157 students. The school shares phone lines and a campus with the parish, allowing children to grow in Catholic identity from PreK through sacramental preparation.
- Grades: PreK-8; enrollment ~157; student-teacher ratio 16:1
- Location: 4550 W. Davis Street, Dallas, TX 75211
- Phone: (214) 333-9423 · Fax: (214) 333-2556
- Website: https://santaclaraacademy.org/
- Mission: bilingual Catholic identity with 100% Catholic HS acceptance
Faith Formation & OCIA/RICA
Faith formation for children, youth, and adults is anchored in the parish's Catequesis (Catechism) program and the OCIA process (Rito de Iniciación Cristiana para Adultos — known as RICA in Spanish). The parish welcomes adults who were never baptized, baptized in another tradition, or baptized Catholic but missing First Communion or Confirmation, as well as children ages 7–17 who have not yet been baptized. The OCIA journey is described as 'a personal journey accompanied by others in the Santa Clara community' that prepares catechumens and candidates to receive the sacraments.
Parish Ministries & Movements
Santa Clara is supported by an unusually large number of lay movements and pastoral groups, reflecting its bilingual and growth-oriented identity. The Camino Neocatechumenal (Neocatechumenal Way) animates an entire Saturday-evening Mass. Legion of Mary (Legión de María) meets regularly for prayer and apostolic service, with active and auxiliary branches. Disciples of Christ, Guadalupanas, Ministros y Lectores, Renacer, Salmo 46, Adoradores, and the Divina Misericordia group round out a robust ministry network.
- Camino Neocatechumenal (Neocatechumenal Way)
- Legión de María (Legion of Mary)
- Pastoral de Bautismos / Matrimonial / Enfermos / Escatológica
- Guadalupanas, Disciples of Christ, Adoradores
- Renacer, Salmo 46, Divina Misericordia, Ministros y Lectores
Faith Fitness Young-Adult Ministry
Founded by Fr. Ignacio Olvera, Faith Fitness is a young-adult ministry that integrates physical wellness with Catholic spiritual life. The ministry celebrated its 5-year anniversary in 2024, the same year Fr. Olvera was appointed Pastoral Administrator of Santa Clara of Assisi; he now serves in an advisory role with Faith Fitness while continuing his parish ministry.
- Founded by Fr. Ignacio Olvera
- 5-year anniversary celebrated in 2024
- Aims to create spaces where young adults encounter God, grow in community, and discern vocation
Office, Contact & Practical Information
Parish office hours are Monday through Thursday 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM and 1:30 PM to 5:30 PM (closed for lunch 12:30–1:30 PM), and Friday 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. The parish can be reached at (214) 337-3936 or via email at [email protected]. The mailing address is 4550 West Davis Street, Dallas, TX 75211, with the school office at 321 Calumet Ave., Dallas, TX 75211-3515. The parish is registered with the Texas Secretary of State as a Domestic Nonprofit Corporation.
- Office: Mon–Thu 9 AM–12:30 PM & 1:30–5:30 PM; Fri 9 AM–1 PM
- Address: 4550 W. Davis Street, Dallas, TX 75211
- Phone: (214) 337-3936 · Fax: (214) 333-9148
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://santaclaracatholicchurch.org/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Paolo Capra
Listed as Pastor in parish bulletins from 2021.
- Rev. Ignacio Olvera2024–present
Appointed Pastoral Administrator by Bishop Edward Burns in May 2024.