About St. Jerome · Waco, Texas
St. Jerome Catholic Church is a Latin-Rite parish of the Diocese of Austin serving the Hewitt–Woodway area on the west side of Waco, Texas. Founded on November 11, 1982 by Bishop Vincent Harris, the parish was built around a devotion to Scripture rooted in its patron, the 4th-century Doctor of the Church who translated the Bible into Latin. Today, under Father James Ekeocha, St. Jerome offers a robust sacramental and formation life including daily Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, OCIA, faith formation for children and teens, a faith-based preschool (Little Lions Learning Center), and a youth group for ages 13–17.
- Established
- 1982
- Patron
- St. Jerome (4th-century priest and Doctor of the Church who translated the Bible from Greek and Hebrew into Latin)
- Rector
- Rev. James Ekeocha
- Diocese
- Diocese of Austin
Why belong here
St. Jerome is a life-giving, multicultural Catholic community whose vision is to create an environment where people can experience Christ's love and saving presence. The parish offers a full sacramental life—daily and Sunday Mass, multiple confession times, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, First Friday Vespers with Benediction, and First Saturday Mass at the outdoor Grotto. It supports families at every stage, from Little Lions (a Parents Day Out for children under 5) and Little Lions Learning Center (a faith-based preschool), through faith formation and First Communion preparation (Nourish), into a Confirmation-focused Youth Group for ages 13–17, and adult OCIA for those entering the Church. Newcomers are warmly welcomed via a parish registration form and can serve in liturgical roles like lector, Eucharistic minister, usher, altar server, sacristan, or the Audio Visual and Welcome teams.
Mass times at St. Jerome
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Wednesday 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM (additional weekly time)
- Saturday 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
- Friday 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM (during Lent)
- Special Mercy Week / Triduum times posted on the parish's Lent-Triduum page
Adoration times
- Wednesday 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM (held in the Chapel)
- First Friday 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM (First Friday Eucharistic Adoration)
- First Friday 6:00 PM – 6:30 PM (Vespers with Benediction)
- Lent Fridays 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Parish History
St. Jerome Parish was canonically erected on November 11, 1982 by the Most Reverend Vincent Harris, Bishop of Austin, to serve the Hewitt–Woodway area. The first pastor, Monsignor Edward Jordan, gathered the community in the old Knights of Columbus Hall while construction of the permanent church began in 1983. The building committee chose an old-traditional design based on the Santa Maria Novella Church in Florence, Italy, with geometric stained-glass windows representing the six days of creation. The parish's name honors the 4th-century priest who translated the Bible into Latin, and Monsignor Jordan's vision was to make Scripture the centerpiece of parish life.
- Founded November 11, 1982 by Bishop Vincent Harris
- First pastor: Monsignor Edward Jordan (1982–1987)
- Father Bill Brooks (1987–1999): added chapel, bronzed doors, Brooks Hall
- Father Don Loftin (May 1999–2005): purchased adjoining property, Facilities Planning Committee
- Father Rakshaganathan 'Raj' Selvaraj (Sept 1, 2005–): added preschool, grounds improvements
- Current pastor: Rev. James Ekeocha
Becoming Catholic (OCIA)
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) at St. Jerome is the formal process by which adults enter the Catholic Church. Candidates meet weekly to listen to, question, and discuss Catholic doctrine and practice, supported by catechists and sponsors. The parish invites inquirers to join and walk the journey of faith together.
- Weekly meetings for adults exploring Catholicism
- Catechists and sponsors walk with candidates
- Open to unbaptized, baptized Christians, and Catholics seeking full initiation
Faith & Family Life Ministry
The Family Ministers at St. Jerome support parents in passing on the faith through a 'Pathways' program that begins with a family visit and continues through the SEEK and ROOT modules in the first year of formation. The 'Nourish' first Communion program in the second year combines three at-church sessions for parents and teens, ten at-home family meetings, and an at-church mini retreat.
- Pathways Program – initial family visit and onboarding
- SEEK and ROOT modules – first year of formation
- Nourish – first Holy Communion preparation
- RCIA adapted for Children (ages 7–17)
Youth Group Ministry
St. Jerome's Youth Group is open to teens ages 13–17 and meets twice a week throughout the year (except Holy Week). The ministry focuses on peer faith-sharing, prayer, service, and a Catholic Christian lifestyle that points to eternal life, in preparation for and follow-up to the Sacrament of Confirmation.
- Ages 13–17
- Sundays 6:10 PM – 8:30 PM
- Wednesdays 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
- Confirmation preparation embedded in the program
- Friends always welcome
Little Lions Learning Center & Parents Day Out
Little Lions Learning Center (LLLC) is the parish's faith-based preschool, originally licensed in 2008, supporting the cognitive, social, emotional, physical, and spiritual development of young children through play-based learning in a secure, nurturing environment. The Little Lions Parents Day Out (PDO) program serves families with children under 5 on Wednesdays and Fridays.
- Faith-based preschool (toddler through Pre-K and school age)
- Low student-to-teacher ratio for individualized attention
- Little Lions PDO: Wednesdays and Fridays, 9:30 AM – 2:30 PM
- Located at 9820 Chapel Rd, phone (254) 666-6222
Parish Leadership & Staff
Pastor Father James Ekeocha leads the parish together with a Parish Leadership Team that includes ordained, staff, and volunteer members. Two deacons assist with ministry, and key staff coordinate worship, formation, and operations.
- Father James Ekeocha – Pastor
- Deacon Greg George
- Deacon Aaron Wentworth
- Mary Coleman
- Daniel Self
- Betsy Wechter (Faith Formation contact)
- Mark Falsone
- Linda Smith
Liturgical Ministries & Service Opportunities
Parishioners can join the Worship Coordinator's 'Ministry Scheduler Pro' to serve in one of several liturgical roles, or get involved in the parish's active Women's Society, formation, and outreach programs. The parish lists a 'That Man Is You' men's program and parish-wide evangelization efforts among its supporting opportunities.
- Altar Servers
- Audio Visual Team
- Eucharistic Ministers
- Lectors
- Ushers
- Sacristans
- Welcome Committee
- Women's Society
- That Man Is You
Facilities & Devotional Spaces
The St. Jerome campus includes the main church (modeled on Santa Maria Novella in Florence), the Ave Maria Chapel (site of the Monday evening Mass and Wednesday Adoration), Brooks Hall, and an outdoor Grotto used for the First Saturday 7:30 AM Mass when weather permits. Large bronzed entry doors mark the main entrance, and the sanctuary features geometric stained glass depicting the six days of creation.
- Main church with geometric stained-glass creation windows
- Ave Maria Chapel – Monday 6 PM Mass and Wednesday Adoration
- Brooks Hall
- Outdoor Grotto – First Saturday Mass
Visiting & Contact
St. Jerome warmly invites newcomers to register as parishioners and join the community. The parish office is reachable by phone and email, and directions are available directly from the parish website.
- Address: 9820 Chapel Rd, Waco, TX 76712
- Phone: 254-666-7722
- New Parishioner Registration Form available on the website
- Live-streamed Sunday 11:00 AM Mass on Facebook and YouTube
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Monsignor Edward Jordan1982–1987
Founding pastor appointed by Bishop Vincent Harris; led parish from the old Knights of Columbus Hall and supervised construction of the current church campus.
- Father Bill Brooks1987–1999
Expanded the sanctuary to include the chapel area around the tabernacle, added the large bronzed entry doors, and built Brooks Hall.
- Father Don LoftinMay 1999–September 1, 2005
A Waco native; worked with parish groups to purchase adjoining property and established a Facilities Planning Committee for master planning.
- Father Rakshaganathan (Raj) SelvarajSeptember 1, 2005–
A native of India and former interim administrator; oversaw growth including the addition of the parish preschool and grounds improvements.
- Rev. James Ekeochapresent
Current pastor; leads the Parish Leadership Team.