About St. Leonard · San Antonio, Texas
St. Leonard Catholic Church is a bilingual Roman Catholic parish located on the south side of San Antonio, Texas, at 8510 S. Zarzamora Street in the 78224 ZIP code. Founded on September 15, 1959, the parish belongs to the Metropolitan Archdiocese of San Antonio and serves a community that worships in both English and Spanish. The parish describes itself as 'a welcoming Catholic Community called by God to live out the message of Christ in love and service to all people,' and it offers daily and Sunday Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults), Faith Formation for children and youth, and sacramental preparation for marriage and baptism.
- Established
- 1959
- Patron
- St. Leonard (of Noblac / of Limoges)
- Rector
- Rev. Brian E. Garcia
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of San Antonio (Metropolitan)
Why belong here
St. Leonard is a bilingual south-side San Antonio parish that warmly welcomes both English- and Spanish-speaking Catholics, offering three Sunday Masses (including two in Spanish), weekday Mass Tuesday through Friday, and a robust sacramental life with Eucharistic Adoration, Holy Hour, Confessions, and the Divine Mercy Chaplet. Families find a clear path for raising children in the faith through the parish's Faith Formation program (offered in English and Español) and adults can journey toward full initiation through OCIA. With a long history dating to 1959, an active parish office, and a mission centered on love and service, St. Leonard offers a genuine community in which to believe, belong, and become a disciple of Christ.
Mass times at St. Leonard
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Thursday 5:00 PM (Jueves 5:00 p.m.)
- Saturday 4:30 PM – 5:15 PM
Adoration times
- Tuesday 9:30 AM – 10:00 AM (Adoración)
- Wednesday 9:30 AM – 10:00 AM
- Thursday 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM (Holy Hour / Hora Santa)
About St. Leonard Catholic Church
St. Leonard Catholic Church is a bilingual Roman Catholic parish in the Archdiocese of San Antonio, located at 8510 S. Zarzamora Street on the city's south side. The parish community is described as 'a welcoming Catholic Community called by God to live out the message of Christ in love and service to all people,' and it warmly serves both English- and Spanish-speaking families in the 78224 ZIP code. The parish was founded in 1959 and continues today as an active community of worship, formation, and service.
- Bilingual parish — English and Español
- Archdiocese of San Antonio
- Founded September 15, 1959
Parish Staff and Leadership
The parish is led by Pastor Rev. Brian E. Garcia and Deacon Rev. Mr. Charles R. (Rusty) Gamez. The lay staff coordinates the parish office, sacramental preparation, religious education, and finances.
- Rev. Brian E. Garcia — Pastor
- Rev. Mr. Charles R. (Rusty) Gamez — Deacon
- Sr. Blanca E. Hinojosa — Faith Formation Director (Ext. 108), [email protected]
- Ileana Serda — Office Coordinator (Ext. 101), [email protected]
- Jessica Perez — Bookkeeper (Ext. 102), [email protected]
Faith Formation (Religious Education)
St. Leonard's Faith Formation program teaches students how to nurture their relationship with Christ and strengthen their morals, with classes offered in both English and Español. Drawing on the National Directory for Catechesis, the parish aims to link liturgy and catechesis, encourage respect for diverse cultural and ethnic groups, and foster both interior prayer and a lived sense of community. Teen and adult faith growth is also a focus, leading toward sacramental awareness.
- Faith Formation classes in English and Español
- Sacramental preparation for First Communion and Confirmation
- Emphasis on linking liturgy, prayer, and real-life application of faith
OCIA — Order of Christian Initiation of Adults
OCIA (formerly known as RCIA) is the parish's process for adults and older children seeking full initiation into the Roman Catholic Church, or baptized Christians from other denominations seeking full communion. It includes study, faith-sharing, formation, and specific liturgical rites. Fr. Brian E. Garcia coordinates OCIA, Marriage Preparation, and Baptisms.
- Process for non-baptized adults seeking Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist
- Process for baptized Christians from other denominations seeking full communion
- Marked by regular ritual acts and progressive formation
Sacraments at St. Leonard
The parish prepares the faithful for the sacraments of Baptism, Marriage, Confirmation, First Eucharist, and Reconciliation. Couples should contact the parish office for marriage preparation, and parents should reach out to begin baptismal preparation.
- Baptism (preparation required)
- Marriage (preparation required)
- Confirmation and First Eucharist (via Faith Formation or OCIA)
- Reconciliation (Thursday 5 PM and Saturday 4:30–5:15 PM)
Parish Office, Bulletin, and Communication
Parishioners are encouraged to stay informed through the weekly bulletin (available on the parish website) and the parish calendar for events and any schedule changes. The parish office is open during the week to answer questions about sacraments, Faith Formation, and parish life.
- Office hours: Monday 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM; Tuesday–Friday 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM; Friday 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Weekly Bulletin published on stleonardsa.org
- General inquiries: [email protected]
Our Mission and Parish Life
St. Leonard's mission is to be 'a welcoming Catholic Community called by God to live out the message of Christ in love and service to all people.' Beyond the celebration of the sacraments, the parish offers many ways to belong — through worship, formation, sacramental preparation, devotions, and the parish office that keeps the community connected week to week.
- Welcome and inclusion of English- and Spanish-speaking Catholics
- Faith Formation, OCIA, and sacramental preparation as core parish life
- Eucharistic Adoration, Holy Hour, and Divine Mercy devotion