About St. Gregory the Great · San Antonio, Texas
St. Gregory the Great is a bilingual Catholic parish and school in the Balcones Heights area of north-central San Antonio, Texas, belonging to the Archdiocese of San Antonio. Founded in 1955 by Msgr. Michael J. Holden and the 635 founding families who split off from nearby St. Mary Magdalen, it has served the growing Catholic community north of downtown for 70 years, with weekend Masses in both English and Spanish, a parish school, an active St. Vincent de Paul food pantry, daily Eucharistic Adoration, and dozens of lay ministries. The parish motto is "Where Everybody is Somebody," and the community continues to be bilingual, multigenerational, and outreach-oriented.
- Established
- 1955
- Patron
- St. Gregory the Great (Pope Gregory I, Doctor of the Church)
- Rector
- Fr. Richard Samour
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of San Antonio
Why belong here
St. Gregory the Great is a genuinely bilingual parish (English and Spanish Masses every weekend), with daily 8:15 AM Mass, seven days of Eucharistic Adoration, and a parish school that has shaped Catholic families for 70 years. Outreach is a real focus — the St. Vincent de Paul Conference distributed 37,648 pounds of food to 3,867 individuals in a recent year, runs a pantry twice a week out of Mary's House, and provides Easter baskets, school supplies, Angel Tree gifts, and Thanksgiving and Christmas meals to hundreds of children. With active youth (Life Teen/Edge), OCIA, ministries for every age, and the motto "Where Everybody is Somebody," newcomers and long-time parishioners alike are warmly welcomed.
Mass times at St. Gregory the Great
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Friday 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM (in the Church, two bilingual priests)
- Saturday 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM (before Vigil Mass)
- By appointment — call the parish office
Adoration times
- Monday 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Tuesday 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Wednesday 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Thursday 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Friday 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Adoration Chapel), resumes in the church until 6:00 PM
- Saturday 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Chapel), 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM (Church, before Vigil Mass)
About the Parish
St. Gregory the Great is a bilingual parish of the Archdiocese of San Antonio, located at 700 Dewhurst Road in the Balcones Heights area of north-central San Antonio (ZIP 78213). Founded in 1955, it was created to serve the growing Catholic community north of downtown and continues today as a parish with both a Catholic school and an active network of lay ministries, including a strong Spanish-language component. Its mission statement invites everyone to 'join the mission' and live out His Love.
- Parish motto: 'Where Everybody is Somebody'
- Welcome in English and Spanish on the home page
- Parish office: 700 Dewhurst Rd, San Antonio, TX 78213
- Office hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (closed 12:30–1:30 PM for lunch)
History
The parish was carved out of St. Mary Magdalen in the early 1950s to relieve overcrowding there. Msgr. Michael J. Holden accepted responsibility for building the new church-and-school parish in 1954, working with Msgr. John L. Morkovosky. Eleven and a half acres were purchased at Dewhurst Road and Beryl Drive. By June 1955 a temporary church and 12 classrooms stood ready, and on June 12, 1955 Archbishop Robert E. Lucey offered a Solemn Mass and dedicated the buildings. The parish began with 635 registered families, and the school opened September 6, 1955 with 465 children.
- 1952: Three Presentation Sisters arrive in San Antonio to establish the new school
- 1954: Msgr. Michael J. Holden takes responsibility for the new parish
- June 12, 1955: Archbishop Robert E. Lucey blesses the temporary church and school
- September 6, 1955: Catholic school opens with 465 children and 6 Presentation Sisters
- February 21, 1965: Construction begins on the present church
- October 31, 2013: Pope Francis declares Nano Nagle Venerable
- August 9, 2025: Parish and school celebrate 70th Anniversary with Bishop Janek
Founding Pastor and Pastor Succession
The founding pastor, Fr. Michael J. Holden, was elevated to the title of Monsignor in 1959. The parish has since been served by a line of pastors, including several monsignors and one bishop-to-be (Msgr. Charles Grahmann, who later led the Diocese of Dallas and became Archbishop).
- Msgr. Michael J. Holden — founding pastor (with Msgr. John L. Morkovosky); Monsignor 1959
- Msgr. James Boyle
- Msgr. Charles Grahmann — later Bishop of Dallas / Archbishop
- Msgr. Stanley Petru
- Msgr. Michael O'Gorman
- Fr. Rudy Carrola
- Fr. Miguel Moreno (per 2024–25 school handbook)
- Fr. Richard Samour — current pastor
Clergy & Staff
The parish is staffed by a pastor and five deacons (several with their wives listed as part of their ministry team), plus a lay staff that runs the office, faith formation, and finances.
- Pastor: Fr. Richard Samour — [email protected]
- Deacon Fred & Delma Campos Jr. — [email protected]
- Deacon Joe Lopez — 210-342-5271
- Deacon Carlos & Margaret Cerna — 210-342-5271
- Deacon John & Linda Trevino — 210-342-5271
- Deacon Choon-Bernard Chan and Kiang-Maria Koh
- Office Manager: Ezekiel O'Campo — ext. 321
- Director of Faith Formation: Gloria Silva — 210-342-3826
- Bookkeeper: Noelia Saavedra
- Receptionist / Data Entry: Martha G. Guajardo — ext. 300
- Custodian: Martita Tamayo
Faith Formation
Faith Formation offers catechesis for children, youth, adults, and families as a lifelong process. Sunday morning classes (11:15 AM – 1:00 PM, September through April) cover Pre-K through 12th grade, with sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation, plus a Good Friday Youth Passion Play.
- K–12th Grade Faith Formation — Sundays 11:15 AM – 1:00 PM (Sept.–April)
- OCIA for Children — for unbaptized children preparing for the sacraments
- Director of Faith Formation: Gloria Silva — 210-342-3826, [email protected]
Adult Faith Formation (OCIA) and Bible Study
The parish runs an Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) process for adults seeking baptism, those baptized in another Christian tradition wanting to enter into full communion, and Catholics who have not yet received Eucharist or Confirmation. Classes meet on Tuesdays (6:30–8:00 PM in the St. Joseph Room). A Young Adult Bible Study for ages 18–35 meets Mondays at 6:00 PM in the Church Office Meeting Room II.
- OCIA — Tuesdays 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM, St. Joseph conference room; Coordinator: Jose Sandoval, 210-912-6288
- Young Adult Bible Study — Mondays 6:00 PM; Coordinators: Victoria Lozano & Miguel Quiroga
Youth Ministry (Life Teen & Edge)
St. Gregory runs the Life Teen (high school) and Edge (middle school) programs, providing a Catholic community where youth can encounter Jesus and grow in faith. Activities include small-group faith sharing, retreats, service projects, and year-round field trips.
- Life Teen — for high school students; meets 1st and 3rd Sundays at 1:15 PM
- Edge — for middle school students; catechist-led small groups and social events
- Director: Gloria A. Silva, 210-342-3826
St. Gregory the Great Catholic School
The parish school opened in 1955 with 465 students taught by six Presentation Sisters from Ireland, and today serves students from 18 months through 8th grade. Fully accredited through the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops Education Department (TCCB ED) and recognized by the Texas Education Agency, the school is led by Principal Ana Cortez and emphasizes academic excellence, a strong Catholic identity, and access for all learners. The Presentation Sisters' foundress, Nano Nagle ('The Lady of the Lantern'), was declared Venerable by Pope Francis in 2013.
- Principal: Mrs. Ana Cortez
- Serving students from 18 months through 8th grade since 1955
- Accredited by TCCB ED and recognized by the Texas Education Agency
- Founded by the Presentation Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary (founded by Nano Nagle)
- Annual back-to-school celebration and backpack blessing each August
St. Vincent de Paul Outreach & Mary's House
The parish St. Vincent de Paul Conference helps neighbors in need within the parish area through a twice-weekly food pantry and emergency financial assistance for rent, utilities, and referrals. Operations are based at Mary's House, the parish senior center. In a recent year the conference distributed 37,648 pounds of food to 3,867 individuals, along with Easter baskets, school supplies, Angel Tree gifts to 550+ children, and 180+ Thanksgiving and Christmas turkey dinners.
- Pantry Hours: Thursday 10 AM – 12 PM and Saturday 10 AM – 12 PM
- Location: Mary's House (Senior Center), 720 Beryl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78213
- Phone: 210-308-8743 (leave a message)
- Meetings: 1st and 3rd Thursday
- Ministry Contact: Gilbert Segura, 210-725-4674
Hispanic Ministries (Spanish Choir & Guadalupanas)
The parish actively supports Hispanic Catholic life in San Antonio. The Spanish Choir has led music at the 12:00 PM Spanish Mass for over 35 years and was the benefactor of the statues of Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Juan Diego in the church foyer; they continue to fundraise for the December 12 Guadalupe celebration (Las Mañanitas). The Society of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Guadalupanas) is a women's ministry fostering Hispanic membership and spirituality.
- Spanish Choir — serves the 12:00 PM Spanish Mass; over 35 years of ministry
- Society of Our Lady of Guadalupe — meets 3rd Wednesday at 6:30 PM, Mary's House; Contact: Monica Flores, 210-853-7026
Other Ministries & Organizations
Parishioners serve in a wide range of lay ministries and Catholic organizations that span every age and interest, from ushers greeting worshippers at Mass to prayer, men's, and family groups.
- Ushers — arrive early, greet parishioners, manage collections and Communion lines
- Fishers of Men — men's ministry
- Legion of Mary — prayer and volunteer service; meets every other Saturday 7:00–9:00 AM at Mary's House; Contact: Delma Campos, 210-240-7757
- Knights of Columbus — men's fraternal service and social organization
- Holy Name Society — men's fellowship and service
Sacraments
St. Gregory the Great prepares parishioners for all the major sacraments, with particular care for the Anointing of the Sick, which the parish asks families to request promptly rather than waiting until the last moment. Marriage, baptism, First Communion, Reconciliation, and Confirmation are all supported through the Faith Formation office or the parish office.
- Anointing of the Sick / Last Rites — call parish office as soon as possible after hospital admission
- Marriage preparation — by appointment through the parish office
- Baptism, First Reconciliation, First Communion, Confirmation — coordinated through Faith Formation (Gloria Silva, 210-342-3826)
Visiting & Getting Involved
The parish openly welcomes visitors and newcomers, with a bilingual home page and the motto 'Where Everybody is Somebody.' Teens gather after the 4:00 PM Sunday Mass on the 2nd Sunday of each month. Online giving and a calendar of parish events are available on the website.
- Teens gathering — 2nd Sunday of each month after 4:00 PM Mass
- Online Giving available via the parish website
- Parish events calendar at stgregorys.net/calendar
- Office closed on holidays and Holy Days of Obligation
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Msgr. Michael J. Holden1955–(early)
Founding pastor; worked with Msgr. John L. Morkovosky; elevated to Monsignor in 1959
- Msgr. James Boyle
- Msgr. Charles Grahmann
Later became Bishop of Dallas and then Archbishop
- Msgr. Stanley Petru
- Msgr. Michael O'Gorman
- Fr. Rudy Carrola
- Fr. Miguel Moreno
Listed as pastor in 2024–25 school handbook
- Fr. Richard Samourpresent
Current pastor per parish staff page