About St. Elizabeth Ann Seton · Odessa, Texas
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is a Roman Catholic parish in northeast Odessa, Texas, in the Diocese of San Angelo. Established on August 1, 1982 by Bishop Joseph A. Fiorenza, it was one of the two largest parish foundations in the diocese during Fiorenza's tenure. Today the parish serves more than 1,000 registered families — described by the parish itself as a diverse blend of Anglo, Hispanic, and Asian Catholics — on a spacious campus that includes a 1,100-seat church, the Office and Education Building, the Hollice & Sylvia Clark Youth Building, the Molina Fellowship Pavilion, and a courtyard fountain. Its mission is 'To know Jesus and live the Gospel through Word and Sacrament, Fellowship, and Service.'
- Established
- 1982
- Patron
- St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
- Rector
- Father Francis Onyekozuru
- Diocese
- Diocese of San Angelo
Why belong here
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is one of the larger and most established parishes in Odessa, with more than 1,000 registered families across Anglo, Hispanic, and Asian Catholic communities. The parish offers bilingual Mass on Sundays (1:00 PM with Spanish choir) and Thursdays (5:30 PM), a separate Youth Building with weekly youth nights and middle-school programming, and a robust OCIA/RCIA process for adults entering the Church. Its expansive northeast-Odessa campus — including a 1,100-seat church, courtyard, and dedicated youth facilities — makes it a natural spiritual home for families in the Grandview/University corridor and the Mission Dorado area.
Mass times at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
- Thursday 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM (right after the 12:10 PM Mass)
- Saturday 4:00 PM to 4:45 PM
Adoration times
- Tuesday 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
- Saturday 4:00 PM to 4:55 PM
About St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is a Roman Catholic parish of the Diocese of San Angelo serving northeast Odessa, Texas. Founded on August 1, 1982, it has grown to more than 1,000 registered families representing a blend of Anglo, Hispanic, and Asian Catholics. The parish mission is 'To know Jesus and live the Gospel through Word and Sacrament, Fellowship, and Service.' Each of the five parishes in Odessa has its own boundaries, and St. Elizabeth's covers everything east of Andrews Highway north of 52nd Street, east of Grandview north of University, and north of Business 20 beginning at John Ben Shepherd (including Mission Dorado).
- Mission Statement: To know Jesus and live the Gospel through Word and Sacrament, Fellowship, and Service.
- Parish boundaries: east of Andrews Highway north of 52nd Street; east of Grandview north of University; north of Business 20 from John Ben Shepherd, including Mission Dorado.
- Registration forms are available in the church foyer or by mail to 7601 N. Grandview Ave., Odessa, TX 79765.
- Office Hours: Monday–Thursday 8:00 AM–12:00 PM and 1:00–4:00 PM; Friday 8:00 AM–12:00 PM.
Parish History
Bishop Joseph A. Fiorenza established the parish on August 1, 1982 and named Fr. James P. Bridges as founding pastor. Masses were first celebrated at Blanton Elementary School, then at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church for three years, before the new church on North Grandview was ready for its first Mass on Christmas Day 1985 and dedicated by Bishop Michael D. Pfeifer, OMI in May 1986. The parish grew quickly, adding the Family Center in 1990 and, under second pastor Fr. Mark J. Woodruff (from July 1, 1996), the Office and Education Building in 1999 and a unifying courtyard fountain.
Building the Campus: 2007–2018
After the Office and Education Building debt was paid in 2007, the parish turned to youth and building capacity. The Hollice & Sylvia Clark Youth Building and the Molina Fellowship Pavilion opened in 2011, and in 2012 an anonymous donor retired the remaining million-dollar youth-building debt. The 'Making Room for All' capital campaign launched in July 2016; for about eighty weekends Mass was held in the Family Center (the 'Chapel of the Risen Lord'). Bishop Michael J. Sis dedicated the expanded 1,100-seat church on January 14, 2018.
- Family Center completed 1990 (parlor, hall, kitchen — now Celebration Hall).
- Office and Education Building completed August 1999; courtyard and fountain finished alongside it.
- Hollice & Sylvia Clark Youth Building and Molina Fellowship Pavilion completed 2011.
- Church expansion broke ground July 2016 under Bishop Michael J. Sis; expanded church dedicated January 14, 2018 (capacity 1,100).
Clergy & Staff
Father Francis Onyekozuru has served as Pastor since July 1, 2023. He is assisted by two deacons — Deacon Gary Brooks (Pastoral Associate and RCIA/OCIA Coordinator, also active in Men's Bible Study, Retreats, Youth and Prison Ministry) and Deacon Orlando Mendoza — together with a parish staff that includes a Business Manager, Director of Religious Education & Youth Ministry (Brian Richards), Elementary Religious Education (Mary E. Garcia), Pastoral Office Assistant, Receptionist, Business Office Assistant, Nursery Providers, and Maintenance personnel.
- Pastor: Father Francis Onyekozuru (since July 1, 2023).
- Deacon Gary Brooks — Pastoral Associate, OCIA/RCIA Coordinator; Men's Bible Study, Retreats, Youth and Prison Ministry.
- Deacon Orlando Mendoza.
- Brian Richards — Director of Religious Education, Jr./High School Youth Ministry.
- Mary E. Garcia — Elementary Religious Education.
- Fr. Joe Barbieri — Parochial Administrator, July 1, 2021–2023.
- Fr. Bhaskar Mendem — Parochial Vicar, from July 1, 2021.
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish runs a year-round religious education program. The 2026–2027 registration opens June 22, 2026, with classes beginning Sunday, September 6 and Wednesday, September 9 in the Education Building and Youth Building. Two-year tracks are required for First Eucharist, First Reconciliation, and Confirmation, with First Reconciliation celebrated mid-year and First Eucharist in May. Adults and high-school-age catechumens work through the OCIA (RCIA) program coordinated by Deacon Gary Brooks.
- Children typically begin in 1st grade; First Eucharist preparation is for 2nd grade and up.
- High School Confirmation: two years of religious education required (Youth Director, 432-367-4668).
- Adult Confirmation: classes offered periodically in conjunction with OCIA.
- OCIA / Sacraments: contact the parish office at 432-367-4657.
Youth Ministry
St. Elizabeth's is one of the few parishes in the area with a separate building dedicated to youth activities. The Hollice & Sylvia Clark Youth Building hosts weekly Youth Nights for grades 9–12 on Wednesdays (doors open 6:45 PM, events 7:00–9:00 PM) structured around four pillars: Lesson, Community, Activity, and Service. Middle School Mondays serve grades 6–8 from 7:00–8:30 PM. The parish also runs a Youth Prison Ministry through Deacon Gary Brooks.
- High School Youth Nights: Wednesdays, 7:00–9:00 PM in the Youth Center (doors open 6:45 PM).
- Middle School Mondays: grades 6–8, 7:00–8:30 PM in the Youth Center.
- Four pillars: Lesson, Community, Activity, Service.
- Youth Prison Ministry through Deacon Gary Brooks.
Sacraments
The parish prepares the faithful for all seven sacraments. Infant Baptism is arranged through the parish office; anyone over age 7 who wishes to be baptized is directed to the Religious Education office. First Eucharist and First Reconciliation require two years of religious education, with First Reconciliation celebrated mid-year and First Eucharist in May. Confirmation likewise requires two years of formation for high-school students, with adult Confirmation classes offered alongside OCIA. The parish also prepares couples for Marriage, offers the Anointing of the Sick, and supports vocations to Holy Orders.
- Baptism: contact parish office; ages 7+ go through Religious Education.
- First Reconciliation (mid-year) and First Eucharist (May) — two-year prep for grades 2+.
- Confirmation: two-year track for high schoolers; adult track via OCIA.
- Marriage, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders also prepared for.
Ministries & Groups
Parishioners are invited to serve through Liturgical Ministries (Altar Servers, Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Ushers), Music Ministries (including the Spanish Choir that supports the 1:00 PM bilingual Mass), the Knights of Columbus, the Immaculate Embrace group, the Volunteer Collection counters, and the parish Nursery. Those interested are asked to call the office at (432) 367-4657; CCD teachers may email [email protected] and prospective altar servers may email resumes to the same address.
- Liturgical Ministries: Altar Servers, Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Ushers.
- Music Ministries, including Spanish Choir.
- Knights of Columbus.
- Immaculate Embrace.
- Nursery and Volunteer Collection counters.
- Contact: office (432) 367-4657; [email protected] for CCD teachers.
Campus & Facilities
The 7601 N. Grandview campus includes the expanded 1,100-seat church (dedicated 2018), the Office and Education Building (1999), the Family Center/Celebration Hall (1990), the Hollice & Sylvia Clark Youth Building and Molina Fellowship Pavilion (2011), and a central courtyard with the parish's signature fountain. The original 550-seat church was enlarged through the 'Making Room for All' capital campaign of 2016–2018.
- Church (1,100 seats) — dedicated January 14, 2018.
- Office and Education Building — August 1999.
- Family Center / Celebration Hall (parlor, hall, kitchen) — 1990.
- Hollice & Sylvia Clark Youth Building & Molina Fellowship Pavilion — 2011.
- Central courtyard with fountain.
Plan Your Visit
Visitors and newcomers are warmly welcomed. The parish is at 7601 North Grandview Avenue, Odessa, Texas 79765 (near Ratliff Stadium). Mass is offered throughout the week, with the bilingual 1:00 PM Sunday Mass supported by a Spanish Choir. Newcomers living within parish boundaries are automatically considered members; those preferring another parish should register there. Registration forms are available in the church foyer or by mail.
- Address: 7601 N. Grandview Ave., Odessa, TX 79765.
- Phone: (432) 367-4657.
- Email: [email protected].
- Office Hours: Mon–Thu 8:00 AM–12:00 PM, 1:00–4:00 PM; Fri 8:00 AM–12:00 PM.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. James P. Bridges1982–1996
Founding pastor; led the parish from Blanton Elementary School through St. Barnabas Episcopal into the new church on Christmas Day 1985 and the 1990 Family Center.
- Fr. Mark J. Woodruff1996–
Second pastor; oversaw the 1999 Office and Education Building and the courtyard with its fountain.
- Fr. Joe Barbieri2021–2023
Parochial Administrator from July 1, 2021, serving with Fr. Bhaskar Mendem as Parochial Vicar.
- Fr. Bhaskar Mendem2021–
Parochial Vicar alongside Fr. Barbieri from July 1, 2021.
- Father Francis Onyekozuru2023–present
Current Pastor, beginning July 1, 2023.