About St. Kateri Tekakwitha · Tucson, Arizona
St. Kateri Tekakwitha Mission Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in South Tucson, Arizona, that has served a predominantly Native American community — primarily Tohono O'odham and Yaqui (Pascua Yaqui) — since 1984. The parish is staffed by the Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity (S.T.), a religious congregation founded by Father Thomas Judge, and it functions as the hub for a network of five mission chapels across the Tucson area. Named after St. Kateri Tekakwitha, the 17th-century Mohawk-Algonquin woman known as the "Lily of the Mohawks" and the first Native American Catholic saint, the parish provides bilingual (English/Spanish) Mass, faith formation, youth ministry, and traditional Catholic sacraments in a culturally rooted setting.
- Established
- 1984
- Patron
- St. Kateri Tekakwitha
- Rector
- Rev. Seraphim Molina, S.T.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Tucson
Why belong here
St. Kateri Tekakwitha is one of the few parishes in southern Arizona with a deliberate mission to Native American Catholics — primarily Yaqui and Tohono O'odham families — and it carries that identity into every aspect of parish life, from Mass to faith formation. As the hub parish for five mission chapels (Cristo Rey, Señor de los Milagros, San Ignacio de Loyola, Santa Rosa de Lima, and San Martín de Porres), it offers a tightly connected Catholic community where bilingual (English and Spanish) worship, lay-led devotion, and Sacramental preparation are all available in one place.
Mass times at St. Kateri Tekakwitha
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM (inside St. Kateri Church)
- By appointment — call 520-622-5363
About St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish
St. Kateri Tekakwitha Mission Parish is a Roman Catholic parish at 507 W. 29th Street in South Tucson, Arizona, founded in 1984 by the Diocese of Tucson. It is staffed by the Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity (S.T.) and serves a community that is predominantly Native American — particularly Yaqui (Pascua Yaqui) and Tohono O'odham — alongside other Catholics from across the Tucson area. From its campus the parish directs five mission chapels: Cristo Rey, Capilla del Señor de los Milagros, San Ignacio de Loyola, Santa Rosa de Lima, and San Martin de Porres. Mass is offered in both English and Spanish, and the parish's mission is rooted in the centuries-old Yaqui tradition of lay-led Catholic devotion.
- Parish name: St. Kateri Tekakwitha (also called St. Kateri Tekakwitha Indian Mission)
- Address: 507 W. 29th Street, South Tucson, AZ 85713
- Diocese of Tucson
- Religious order: Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity (S.T.)
- Corner of 29th Street and 11th Avenue
History and Heritage
The parish was established in 1984 to serve the Native American Catholic community of South Tucson, an area with deep Yaqui and Tohono O'odham roots. From the beginning it was entrusted to the Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity, who had been running an urban Native American ministry in Tucson since 1981. The community embraces the Yaqui people's centuries-old system of lay religious leadership, in which laypeople with special titles lead prayer, song, devotions, and visits to the sick. Continuous sacramental records for the parish and its mission chapels have been preserved from 1984 onward.
- Founded 1984 by the Diocese of Tucson
- Served by Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity since 1984
- Urban Native American ministry program in Tucson since 1981
- Yaqui (Yoem) and Tohono O'odham community heritage
- Records held by diocese and referenced in Marquette University archives
Mission Churches Under St. Kateri's Care
St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish is the hub parish for a network of five mission chapels across Tucson and Pima County. These missions extend the parish's sacramental and pastoral reach to Yaqui and other Native American communities in neighborhoods that would otherwise be without easy access to a Catholic church.
- Cristo Rey — 7500 S. Camino Benem, Tucson
- Capilla del Señor de los Milagros — Tucson
- San Ignacio de Loyola Mission — 785 W. Sahuaro St, Tucson
- Santa Rosa de Lima Mission — 2015 N. Calle Central, Tucson (also site of baptism classes)
- San Martin de Porres Mission — 418 W. 39th St, Tucson
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Religious Education classes are offered for children at all the mission churches under the parish's care, with registration for the 2024–25 academic year open through the parish office. Adults who have not yet received the sacraments can complete registration in person at the office or via the online form on the parish website. Baptism preparation classes are held Saturday mornings at the Santa Rosa de Lima mission chapel.
- Religious Education for children (registration for 2024–25 open)
- Adult Sacramental Preparation (online registration form available)
- Baptism preparation classes — Saturdays at 10 AM at Santa Rosa de Lima
- Three preparation classes required for parents and godparents
- Online baptismal preparation course available for families unable to attend in person
Youth Ministry
St. Kateri Tekakwitha recently launched a Youth Ministry Program aimed at deepening the Catholic faith of young people in the parish in a fun and welcoming environment. The program combines service projects, social events, and group discussions about Catholic identity. Families and teens interested in joining can find more information on the Youth Ministry page of the parish website or by calling the parish office.
- Service opportunities
- Social events
- Faith-based discussion groups
- Contact: parish office at 520-622-5363 or the website's Youth Ministry page
Sacraments and Pastoral Care
Beyond Mass and confession, the parish offers the full range of Catholic sacraments and accompanying pastoral care. Quinceañera celebrations are supported for young women who are registered parishioners and have received (or will receive by the celebration date) the Sacrament of Confirmation. The Anointing of the Sick and Communion visits to the homebound are available by calling the parish, and funeral Mass and burial services are arranged through the parish office.
- Baptism (infant and family preparation)
- First Communion and Confirmation (via Religious Education)
- Marriage — contact parish office
- Quinceañera — must be registered and confirmed; schedule six months in advance
- Anointing of the Sick — call 520-622-5363
- Homebound Communion visits — call 520-622-5363
- Funeral Mass and burial — request form at parish office
Parish Staff and Leadership
The parish is led by Rev. Seraphim Molina, S.T., a Missionary Servant of the Most Holy Trinity who has served the community for approximately twelve years. Fr. Seraphim also serves as Director of the Shrine of Saint Joseph in Tucson and is recognized regionally for his focus on evangelizing the Native American community. The parish office is staffed Monday through Friday, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
- Pastor: Rev. Seraphim Molina, S.T.
- Religious order: Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity
- Office hours: Monday–Friday, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Office phone: 520-622-5363
- Fax: 520-792-0230
Visiting and Contact Information
St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish sits on the corner of 29th Street and 11th Avenue in South Tucson. Visitors are welcome at any of the daily or Sunday Masses, and the parish office is happy to answer questions in person or by phone. Sunday Mass can also be joined online via the live-stream on the parish's Facebook page.
- Address: 507 W. 29th Street, South Tucson, AZ 85713
- Phone: 520-622-5363
- Fax: 520-792-0230
- Office hours: Monday–Friday, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Website: http://stkateritucson.org/
- Live-streamed Sunday Mass on Facebook
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Seraphim Molina, S.T.approximately 2013–present
Missionary Servant of the Most Holy Trinity; pastor for approximately 12 years; focus on evangelizing the Native American community in the Tucson area.