About St. Jude · San Antonio, Texas
St. Jude Catholic Church is a bilingual (English/Spanish) Roman Catholic parish located at 130 S. San Augustine Avenue on San Antonio's historic Westside, in the 78237 ZIP code. It belongs to the Metropolitan Archdiocese of San Antonio and was founded in 1934 by Franciscan friars as the parish of Santa Augusta, later taking the name of St. Jude Thaddeus, patron of impossible causes. The parish is pastorally led by Fr. Julio Valladares, with Fr. Shiby Thomas as parochial vicar, two deacons, and a staff that includes liturgy, ministry and faith-formation coordinators. St. Jude is well known in the barrio as an actively outgoing community — "an Church on the move," in the words of its own website — serving a majority-Hispanic congregation through extensive Spanish-language ministries alongside English Masses and programs.
- Established
- 1934
- Patron
- St. Jude Thaddeus (Apostle, patron of impossible causes)
- Rector
- Fr. Julio Valladanes (Parish Administrator / Pastor)
- Diocese
- Metropolitan Archdiocese of San Antonio
Why belong here
St. Jude is a welcoming bilingual parish where almost every ministry has a Spanish counterpart, so Mexican-American families, longtime Westside residents and English-speaking newcomers all find a place at the same altar. The parish runs a wide network of lay movements — youth ministry, matachines, couples, women's, men's, prayer, and Marian groups — and offers daily Mass plus Saturday confessions, making it easy to weave prayer into a busy week. Rooted in the Westside since 1934 and proud of its Franciscan heritage, St. Jude carries the barrio's faith forward while remaining open to anyone who walks in.
Mass times at St. Jude
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM (or by appointment)
- Thursday 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
About St. Jude Parish
St. Jude Catholic Church is a bilingual Roman Catholic parish on the Westside of San Antonio, in the Archdiocese of San Antonio. Founded in 1934 by the Franciscan Order, it began life as Santa Augusta parish and later took the name St. Jude Thaddeus — the apostle and patron of impossible causes — which remains its spiritual identity today. The parish describes itself as a community called by God to live out the message of Christ in love and service to all people, with an active, outgoing ("Church on the move") spirit.
Our History
The parish was established in 1934 by Franciscans to serve Mexican-American families on San Antonio's Westside. Generations of growth, the construction of a new church, and the dedication of that building in the early 2000s shaped St. Jude into the parish it is today. The Franciscan heritage is preserved in the church's St. Francis of Assisi stained-glass window, and the salvaged cornerstone of the original building still greets visitors with the inscription "There are no strangers here, only friends we haven't met."
- Founded 1934 by the Franciscan Order (OFM) as Santa Augusta parish.
- Adopted the patronage of St. Jude Thaddeus, apostle and patron of impossible causes.
- St. Mary's University's Center for Catholic Studies has studied the parish under the Westside Parish Project ("Founding and Development of Santa Augusta/St. Jude Parish," Rev. Robert Wright, OMI).
- Present church dedicated in the early 2000s under former pastor Fr. Mike Slattery.
Clergy & Staff
Pastoral leadership is shared by the pastor, a parochial vicar, two deacons, and a lay staff that coordinates liturgy, ministry and faith formation. Office staff can be reached through the parish office at (210) 432-8044 during weekday business hours.
- Fr. Julio Valladares — Pastor / Parish Administrator ([email protected])
- Fr. Shiby Thomas — Parochial Vicar ([email protected])
- Deacon Rick Moreno
- Deacon Erick Cruz ([email protected])
- Ana Ramirez — Bookkeeper
- Lisa Martinez — Ministry Coordinator / Co-Director of Religious Education
- Yolanda Olson — Liturgy Coordinator
Ministries & Groups
The parish's website describes its community as an "Iglesia en salida" — a Church going forth in the spirit of Pope Francis — and organizes its life around an extensive network of Spanish-language ministries with new English offerings being added. Each movement is open to parishioners seeking to live a particular charism, from youth and family life to prayer and Marian devotion.
- Ministerio de Jóvenes "Jóvenes tras las huellas de Jesús"
- Ministerio de Matrimonios "St. Jude Matrimonial"
- Ministerio de Mujeres "Mujeres en Manos de María"
- Ministerio de Hombres "Hombres renovados en el Espíritu Santo"
- Ministerio de Oración "Cristo Rey"
- Movimiento Sacerdotal Mariano (prayer ministry)
- Love Strong — couples ministry (English)
- Matachines
- Coros (parish choirs)
Sacraments
Information about celebrating the sacraments at St. Jude (baptism, confirmation, matrimony, and reconciliation) is published on the parish website under the Sacraments menu. Reconciliation is offered Saturday 4:30–5:30 PM and Thursday 5:00–6:30 PM, or by appointment with one of the priests.
- Baptism
- Confirmation
- Eucharist (Mass, see schedule)
- Matrimony
- Reconciliation (Confession)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation is coordinated through the parish office by the Co-Director of Religious Education (Co-DRE) Lisa Martinez, working alongside the priests, deacons and ministry leaders. Families preparing for First Communion, Confirmation, or adult initiation are encouraged to contact the parish office for current program schedules.
Liturgy, Music & Devotions
Liturgy is coordinated by Yolanda Olson and animated by the parish choirs (Coros) and the Matachines, who bring traditional Westside cultural and devotional expression to the Masses. Spanish-language Marian and prayer movements such as Movimiento Sacerdotal Mariano and Ministerio "Cristo Rey" extend liturgical life into the week with devotional prayer gatherings.
Parish Office & Visit
The parish office serves visitors and parishioners in person and by phone during weekday hours. The church is located at 130 S. San Augustine Ave. on the Westside, accessible from US Hwy 90 via N. General McMullen, Buena Vista, and San Augustine.
- Address: 130 S. San Augustine Ave., San Antonio, TX 78237
- Phone: (210) 432-8044
- Office Hours: Mon–Thu 9:00 AM–12:30 PM and 1:30–5:00 PM; Fri 9:00 AM–12:00 PM (closed Sat–Sun)
- Directions: Hwy 90 exit → north on N. General McMullen → left on Buena Vista → right on San Augustine
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Founding Franciscan pastors1934–
Parish established on the Westside by the Franciscan Order (Order of Friars Minor) as Santa Augusta parish.
- Fr. Mike Slattery
Former pastor associated with the dedication of the current church building in the early 2000s.