About St. Leo · Tacoma, Washington
St. Leo the Great Parish is a historic Catholic community in Tacoma's Hilltop neighborhood, founded in 1879 by missionary priest Father J.B.A. Brondel. For more than a century it was shaped by the Jesuit tradition — first welcoming the Society of Jesus in 1911 and, from 1970 onward, deliberately nurtured by the Oregon Province Jesuits as an urban faith community committed to social justice. Today St. Leo continues that identity under Archdiocese of Seattle leadership, anchored in the Eucharist, enriched by its diversity (including a celebrated Native American Mass), and home to major outreach ministries such as the St. Leo Food Connection and the on-site Tahoma Center, which houses Catholic Community Services programs.
- Established
- 1879
- Patron
- St. Leo the Great
- Rector
- Rev. Michael E. Radermacher
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Seattle
Why belong here
St. Leo is an intentional Catholic community rooted in Ignatian Spirituality that practices a 'radical hospitality' — explicitly seeking to be poor with the poor. Members find vibrant liturgy (including a celebrated fourth-Sunday Native American Mass), lifelong faith formation for children and adults, a respected Young Adult Fellowship, and a deep bench of social-justice ministries. Parishioners can plug into the St. Leo Food Connection (the second-largest food bank in Pierce County), the Emergency Services / L'Honey program, Eco-Justice, faith formation in English and Spanish, OCIA (Becoming Catholic), music ministry, and homebound visitation — making it a parish where belonging and service go hand in hand.
Mass times at St. Leo
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 PM – 4:30 PM
- Saturday 4:00 PM – 4:40 PM (per Archdiocese of Seattle listing)
Adoration times
- Friday 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM (weekly Adoration)
- Tuesday evenings during Lent 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM (Lenten Confession & Adoration)
About St. Leo Parish
St. Leo describes itself as 'a Catholic community centered in the Eucharist, enriched by diversity, committed to Gospel values, and continually seeking to be Christ's servant presence in the world.' Its SPIRIT statement commits the parish to a 'radical hospitality rooted in Ignatian Spirituality,' to seeking to be 'poor with the poor,' and to remaining 'humble in the light of the Spirit' so that all are welcomed and belong 'at the table.' Listed VALUES include respect for diversity, vibrant liturgy, lived commitment to peace, justice, service, and non-violence, lifelong faith formation, Ignatian Spirituality ('finding God in all things'), recognition of brokenness, and stewardship of Creation.
- Mission: Catholic community centered in the Eucharist, enriched by diversity, committed to Gospel values, Christ's servant presence.
- Spirit: Radical hospitality rooted in Ignatian Spirituality.
- Values: diversity, vibrant liturgy, peace/justice/service, lifelong faith formation, Ignatian Spirituality, stewardship of Creation.
History of St. Leo Parish
St. Leo was founded in 1879 by Father J.B.A. Brondel and grew rapidly under Belgian-born Father Peter Hylebos, who built successive churches in 1883 and 1901. The 2,200-seat 1901 church burned in 1919; the basement was restored as a worship space and remains the parish's sanctuary today. The Jesuit tradition began in 1911 under Father John Cunningham, S.J., and the Jesuits opened a primary school and a boys' high school in 1912. In 1970 the Oregon Province Jesuits recommitted to shaping St. Leo as an urban faith community working for social justice. In the 1980s Father Pat Carroll, S.J. led the renovation of the former school into the Tahoma Center in partnership with Catholic Community Services. The Jesuits withdrew from St. Leo in 2024, and the parish is now part of Parish Family 35 under Partners in the Gospel.
- 1879: Founded by Fr. J.B.A. Brondel; congregation of 18.
- 1880s: Fr. Peter Hylebos appointed first pastor; second church built in 1883.
- 1901: Third church (2,200 seats) built at S. 13th & Yakima.
- 1911: Jesuit tradition begins with Fr. John Cunningham, S.J.
- 1912: Parish primary school and boys' high school open.
- 1919: Third church destroyed by fire; basement restored as worship space.
- 1970: Oregon Province Jesuits commit to St. Leo as an urban social-justice parish.
- 1974: Girls' high school closes; 1976 grade school closes.
- 1980s: Tahoma Center created under Fr. Pat Carroll, S.J., housing CCS programs.
- 2024: Jesuits withdraw; parish joins Parish Family 35 with St. Charles Borromeo.
Jesuit Identity & Ignatian Spirituality
More than a century of Jesuit presence shaped St. Leo into a parish of intentional discipleship rooted in the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. The parish continues to host SEEL Puget Sound (Spiritual Exercises in Everyday Life), a modern lay adaptation of the Exercises directed locally by Mary Gorman. Even after the Jesuits' formal withdrawal in 2024, the parish explicitly identifies Ignatian Spirituality — especially 'finding God in all things' — as a core value.
- Jesuits at St. Leo: 1911–2024.
- Oregon Province Jesuits' 1970 commitment to urban social-justice ministry.
- SEEL Puget Sound: lay-adapted Spiritual Exercises, directed by Mary Gorman (253-651-2027).
Sacraments
Sacramental preparation is coordinated by parish staff. Abby Diaz directs Baptism, First Reconciliation/Communion, and Hispanic Ministries sacramental prep; Marianne Manning coordinates Weddings, Funerals, and Liturgy; Candyce Ochoa oversees Adult Confirmation and OCIA (Becoming Catholic). Anointing of the Sick is offered on Thursdays following the 12:10 PM Mass.
- Baptism: infant & child programs; Abby Diaz, ext. 106.
- First Reconciliation & First Communion: 2nd-grade, one-year preparation.
- OCIA / Becoming Catholic: Wednesday evenings, Candyce Ochoa.
- Marriage & Funerals: Marianne Manning.
- Anointing of the Sick: Thursdays 12:45 PM.
- Reconciliation: Saturdays 4:00–4:30 PM.
Faith Formation & Religious Education
St. Leo offers children's faith formation from 1st through 5th grade (fall through late spring), sacramental prep for First Reconciliation and First Communion (typically in 2nd grade), and bilingual (English/Spanish) faith formation through Hispanic Ministries. Adult formation includes OCIA, Bible Study, Adult Confirmation, and the SEEL Spiritual Exercises.
- Children's Faith Formation (grades 1–5): Abby Diaz, ext. 106.
- First Reconciliation & First Communion: one-year prep.
- Bilingual faith formation (English & Spanish).
- OCIA / Becoming Catholic — Wednesdays.
- Bible Study — Mon 7 PM, Tue 10 AM, Wed 9:30 AM.
- Lectio Divina — Fri 1 PM.
St. Leo Food Connection
Founded in 1982 in a Hilltop garage, the St. Leo Food Connection is the second-largest food bank in Pierce County and one of the largest in Washington State. With the motto 'fighting hunger in Pierce County since 1982,' it distributed food through more than 131,000 client visits in 2017, requires no proof of need, and serves all Pierce County residents. It also runs job-training in warehouse, driving, customer relations, and computer skills, and partners in advocacy for low-income individuals and families.
- Hours (1323 S. Yakima, Tacoma): Tue 11:30–5:30, Wed 11:30–3:30, Thu 11:30–5:30, Fri 11:30–3:30, Sat 10:00–1:30.
- Springbrook Mobile Food Bank — Lakewood, Saturdays (~125–150 households).
- Children's Feeding: After-School Meals, Break Bags, Backpack Project, Summer Meals.
- Backpack Project: weekend food for 1,100+ children.
- Fundraisers: Wheels to Meals (July bike ride), Annual Hunger Ball (October), Annual Fundraising Breakfast (early spring).
- Director: Dawn Whitman (253-999-2142); Volunteer Coordinator: Tecora Miller.
Social Justice, Emergency Services & Eco-Justice
Through its Faith & Justice ministries, St. Leo continues its founding Jesuit commitment to social justice. Emergency Services (formerly Supportive Services) provides advocacy, referrals, in-kind support, and limited financial aid for employment, housing stabilization, ID procurement, and medical/prescription help; the L'Honey program and Eco-Justice round out the parish's outreach portfolio. The parish also maintains a Voter Corner for civic engagement.
- Pastoral Assistant for Justice Initiatives: Rick Samyn, ext. 102.
- Supportive interventions: employment, home stability, ID, medical aid.
- Walk-in services: clothing, hygiene items, one-time transit assistance.
- L'Honey Program; Eco-Justice Ministry; Voter Corner.
Tahoma Center & Catholic Community Services
Housed in the former St. Leo High School building on the parish campus, the Tahoma Center is a hub of more than 25 social-service programs operated by Catholic Community Services. It includes the Hospitality Kitchen (serving ~949 meals a day), the Kids' Place Child Care and Early Learning Center, the Neighborhood Clinic, the St. Leo Food Connection, a free public telephone, foster-care programs, a domestic-violence program, and the Suited for Success clothing program.
- Hospitality Kitchen: breakfast outreach; ~949 lunches/day.
- Kids' Place Child Care & Early Learning Center.
- Neighborhood Clinic; Foster Care; Domestic Violence services.
- Suited for Success workplace clothing program.
- Free public telephone for community-resource access.
Hispanic Ministries
St. Leo's Hispanic Ministries serve Spanish-speaking parishioners with Bautismo (infant baptism), 1st Communion, sacramental preparation, and faith formation, coordinated by Abby Diaz across both parish campuses (St. Leo and St. Charles Borromeo). Program information is available in Spanish by phone at 253-272-5136 ext. 106.
- Pastoral Assistant: Abby Diaz, [email protected] / [email protected], ext. 106/118.
- Bilingual baptism retreats for parents and godparents.
- Spanish-language sacramental preparation and faith formation.
Music & Liturgical Ministries
Music ministry is directed by Jina Darnell. The parish emphasizes 'vibrant liturgies reflecting the Spirit working through the people,' with live-streamed Sunday Mass, weekday Mass, Adoration, and special services including Tenebrae and Native American Stations of the Cross.
- Music Director: Jina Darnell, ext. 115, [email protected].
- Live-streamed Sunday 10:00 AM Mass.
- Friday Adoration 9:30 AM–4:00 PM.
Homebound & Pastoral Care
St. Leo's pastoral-care reach extends beyond the parish walls. Lynda Sandschulte (Safe Environment & Homebound Ministry) coordinates visits to parishioners who can no longer attend Mass, and a parish Prayerline (Mary Ann Seiwerath, 253-241-6290) lifts up intentions in communal prayer.
- Homebound Ministry: Lynda Sandschulte.
- Prayerline: Mary Ann Seiwerath, 253-241-6290, [email protected].
- Anointing of the Sick: Thursdays 12:45 PM.
Staff & Parish Leadership
St. Leo is part of Parish Family 35 with St. Charles Borromeo under Partners in the Gospel. Pastor Fr. Michael Radermacher leads the family, with Parochial Vicar Fr. Marc Powell. Deacon Eric Paige serves as Director of Pastoral Ministries/Chief of Staff, supported by Deacons Tom O'Loughlin and Jim Nazzal. Lay staff coordinate faith formation, Hispanic ministries, OCIA, music, social ministries, food banking, communications, finances, and facilities. As of 2026 the staff share a unified @charles-leo.org email domain, with the older @stleoparish.org addresses still forwarding.
- Pastor: Fr. Michael Radermacher, [email protected].
- Parochial Vicar: Fr. Marc Powell.
- Deacons: Eric Paige (Chief of Staff/Dir. Pastoral Ministries), Tom O'Loughlin, Jim Nazzal.
- Pastoral Associate for Faith Formation: Amy Orm.
- Hispanic Ministries / Faith Formation: Abby Diaz, ext. 106/118.
- Weddings, Funerals, Liturgy: Marianne Manning, ext. 112.
- OCIA / Young Adults / Adult Confirmation: Candyce Ochoa, ext. 110.
- Social Ministries & Facilities: Rick Samyn, ext. 102.
- Food Connection Director: Dawn Whitman (253-361-9943).
- Music Director: Jina Darnell, ext. 115.
- Operations: Shanon Koenen, ext. 109.
- Bookkeeper: Judith Lamptey, ext. 107.
- Safe Environment & Homebound: Lynda Sandschulte.
- Office Administrator / Social Media: Angelie Ashford-White, ext. 103.
- Custodian: Johnnie Mariano, ext. 105.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father J.B.A. Brondel1879
Missionary priest who founded St. Leo with a congregation of 18.
- Father Peter Hylebosfrom 1880
Belgian-born first resident pastor; built the second (1883) and third (1901) churches; recruited the Sisters of Saint Francis who founded St. Joseph's Hospital.
- Father John Cunningham, S.J.from 1911
Began the Jesuit tradition at St. Leo; opened the parish primary school and high school in 1912.
- Father Pat Carroll, S.J.1980s
Led the collaboration with Catholic Community Services to renovate the former school building into the Tahoma Center (Hospitality Kitchen, Neighborhood Clinic, St. Leo Food Connection).