About St. Mary Magdalene · Flint, Texas
St. Mary Magdalene is a Roman Catholic parish in Flint, Texas (south Tyler area), in the Diocese of Tyler. Founded on Palm Sunday, April 5, 1998, the parish has grown from a small mission church into a thriving bilingual (English/Spanish) community served by a Food Pantry and Soup Kitchen that feeds 40–80 families each week, a robust Faith Formation and Youth Ministry, and a wide range of adult and family small groups. The parish is currently led by V. Rev. James Rowland, JCL, VF, who succeeded founding pastor Fr. Timothy Kelly, and in May 2023 the congregation dedicated a striking new Romanesque-style church — built as 'the gem of East Texas' — replacing the original 220-seat worship space that had simply outgrown the community.
- Established
- 1998
- Patron
- St. Mary Magdalene
- Rector
- V. Rev. James Rowland, JCL, VF
- Diocese
- Diocese of Tyler
Why belong here
St. Mary Magdalene is a warm, growing, bilingual parish where newcomers are invited to 'walk with Jesus' alongside a diverse mix of East Texas families. It pairs the reverent beauty of a brand-new Romanesque church and traditional liturgy (with three Sunday Masses — including a Spanish Mass at 1 PM — daily Mass, adoration on Thursdays, and Saturday confessions) with vigorous outreach: a parish-run Food Pantry and Soup Kitchen that feeds 40–80 families a week, an active Knights of Columbus and Catholic Daughters council, plus children's, middle-school, and high-school faith formation, OCIA (RCIA), Mom's Circle, men's and women's Bible studies, and a young-adult ministry. It's a good fit for families, young adults, retirees, and Spanish-speaking Catholics looking for an engaged, traditional, charity-minded community just south of Tyler.
Mass times at St. Mary Magdalene
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM
- Fridays 5:00 PM – 5:45 PM
Adoration times
- Thursdays 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM (with Rosary at 9:30 AM)
About St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church
St. Mary Magdalene is a Roman Catholic parish in Flint, Texas (south of Tyler), founded on Palm Sunday, April 5, 1998, and entrusted to the care of the Diocese of Tyler. The parish describes itself as 'A Home for All God's People,' a diverse, bilingual family committed to knowing the faith, living by truth and love, and serving the needs of others. Its mission is carried out through daily and Sunday Mass, Confession, Adoration, faith formation for every age, youth ministry, a parish-run Food Pantry and Soup Kitchen, and a wide range of small groups and apostolates.
- Founded: Palm Sunday, April 5, 1998
- Diocese: Diocese of Tyler (Bishop Joseph Strickland at time of new-church dedication, 2023)
- Pastor: V. Rev. James Rowland, JCL, VF
- Motto: 'A Home for All God's People'
History & the New Church Building
From its 1998 founding as a mission church, St. Mary Magdalene was shepherded by Father Timothy Kelly, who set the parish's pastoral and architectural trajectory. By 2015, with the original 220-seat worship space overflowing, Father Kelly and the parish council launched the 'Gate of Mercy, Throne of Grace' capital campaign with Walsh & Associates, ultimately raising $3,691,750. Construction of the new Romanesque-style church — begun around 2015 and delayed by weather and COVID-19 — was completed under Father James Rowland, who succeeded Father Kelly as pastor. The new church was dedicated by Bishop Joseph Strickland on May 7, 2023, with Father Kelly present among the concelebrants. The original building now serves as a parish hall.
- 1998 — Founded as a mission parish on Palm Sunday
- 2015 — Fundraising and design work begin for a new, larger church
- 2022 — Construction essentially complete after pandemic-era delays
- May 7, 2023 — Dedication Mass celebrated by Bishop Joseph Strickland
- Capital campaign total: $3,691,750 (goal $2,000,000; ≈7.18× annual offertory)
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is led by pastor V. Rev. James Rowland, JCL, VF. Father Timothy Kelly, the founding pastor, is honored as Pastor Emeritus and remains connected to the community. Three lay staff members coordinate the parish office, faith formation, and youth ministry.
- V. Rev. James Rowland, JCL, VF — Pastor (ext. 106, [email protected])
- Fr. Timothy Kelly — Founding Pastor / Pastor Emeritus
- Chris Porche — Director of Faith and Sacramental Formation (ext. 102, [email protected])
- Sonia Escobedo — Office Manager / Youth Minister (ext. 104, [email protected])
- Alejandra Martinez — Parish Secretary & Infant Baptism Coordinator ([email protected])
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish runs a comprehensive, year-round Faith Formation program for children, youth, and adults. Children's Faith Formation (K–5) meets Wednesdays with a shared meal at 5:15 PM; middle-schoolers (6th–8th) use the EDGE Life Teen program; high-schoolers gather Sundays at the Youth House; and adults are served by OCIA, Bible studies, and several small faith-sharing groups.
- Children's Faith Formation K–5 (Wednesdays, beginning Sept 9, 2026); meal served 5:15–5:50 PM
- EDGE Middle School Youth (6th–8th): Wednesdays 5:30–7 PM at the Youth House (10716 CR 1299)
- High School Youth: Sundays 5:30–7 PM at the Youth House
- OCIA / RCIA — Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (English and Spanish)
- Sacramental Preparation: Reconciliation, First Communion, Confirmation
- Director: Chris Porche
Adult Faith Formation & Small Groups
Adult Faith Formation is described by the parish as 'the continual commitment by adult Catholics to strengthen their discipleship in Jesus Christ through ongoing catechesis, prayer, sacrament, and service.' Whatever the season of life, there is a small group — and the parish offers to help start a new one if needed.
- Quest — Women's Scripture Study (Thursdays 10 AM)
- Cursillo de Cristiandad
- Men of St. Joseph (Tuesdays 7 PM)
- St. Monica 'Mighty Mothers' Women's Prayer Group (Mondays 6:30 PM)
- Mom's Circle Ministry
- Men's Prayer Group (Thursdays 8 AM)
- Women's Bible Study (Tuesdays 6:30 PM)
- Young Adult Ministry
Youth Ministry (Middle & High School)
SMM Youth Ministry meets at the Youth House (10716 CR 1299, Flint, TX 75762) and is designed so that 'every child, teen, and young adult feels Seen, Heard, and Empowered to be true disciples.' Middle school uses the EDGE Life Teen curriculum; high school programming is tailored annually after prayer and discernment. Parents and adult mentors support the ministry by providing meals and snacks, joining as core team or occasional volunteers, praying for an assigned student, or donating items from the Amazon Wish List.
- Middle School (EDGE): Wednesdays 5:30–7 PM
- High School: Sundays 5:30–7 PM
- Sacramental Request Form available for Reconciliation, First Communion, Confirmation
- Youth Minister: Sonia Escobedo ([email protected])
- Text YMSUMMER2026 to 84567 for summer activity updates
Parish Ministries, Outreach & Service
St. Mary Magdalene lives its mission to 'serve the needs of others' through a robust portfolio of lay ministries — both spiritual and corporal works of mercy — most visibly through the parish Food Pantry and Soup Kitchen that feeds 40–80 families weekly. Knights of Columbus and Catholic Daughters provide fraternal and parish service; the Sick & Homebound Ministry, Gabriel Project, and Safety & Security Team round out the care for the community.
- Food Pantry & Soup Kitchen (Wednesdays 9:30–11:30 AM)
- Knights of Columbus
- Catholic Daughters of the Americas
- Gabriel Project (pro-life support for expectant mothers)
- Sick & Homebound Ministry
- Liturgical Ministries (Sacred Linens, Flowers, etc.)
- Safety & Security Team
- Young Adult Ministry
Sacraments
All seven sacraments are celebrated or prepared for at St. Mary Magdalene. Infant Baptism is coordinated through the Parish Secretary; older children prepare through the Faith Formation program; adults enter through OCIA. Couples should contact the parish office for marriage preparation, and the Sick & Homebound Ministry coordinates Anointing of the Sick and communion visits for the elderly and homebound.
- Baptism (infant & adult via OCIA)
- First Reconciliation & First Communion (children)
- Confirmation (teen and adult)
- Eucharist (daily, Sunday, and Vigil Masses)
- Confession / Reconciliation (Sat 2:30–4:30 PM, Fri 5:00–5:45 PM)
- Anointing of the Sick (through Sick & Homebound Ministry)
- Matrimony (contact the parish office)
- Holy Orders — vocational support via the Diocese of Tyler
Architecture & the New Romanesque Church
The current church was designed in a Romanesque style deliberately meant to look 'old and traditional,' modeled on ancient Roman churches of more than two centuries ago. Father Timothy Kelly set the bones, shape, proportions, and size; Father James Rowland refined the interior. The result, in Bishop Joseph Strickland's words, is 'breathtaking, like a bit of Rome transplanted into East Texas.' Notable furnishings include a handmade marble altar and ambo by Ruslana's Ecclesiastical designs, a restored historic crucifix, and a late-1800s baptismal font decorated with mosaics by local East Texas artist Cassie Edmonds.
- Architectural style: Romanesque / ancient Roman revival
- Seating: more than 440 (over 2× the old 220-seat capacity)
- Handmade marble altar and ambo (Ruslana's Ecclesiastical designs)
- Restored historic crucifix
- Late-19th-century baptismal font with mosaics by Cassie Edmonds
- Dedicated May 7, 2023 by Bishop Joseph Strickland
Parish Life, Fellowship & Community
Beyond the sacraments, St. Mary Magdalene cultivates a true parish-family atmosphere with coffee-and-donuts socials, lock-ins, pool parties, Senior Lunch Bunch, and games like Bunco, Pokeno, and Mahjong. The parish's stated goal is to be 'A Home for All God's People,' where every member is invited to share their gifts and talents.
- Coffee & Donuts fellowship after Sunday Masses
- Senior Lunch Bunch
- Bunco, Pokeno, Mahjong nights
- Pool parties and youth lock-ins
- Parish registration available online and in the church lobby
Stewardship & Financial Transparency
St. Mary Magdalene publicly posts annual financial reports on its website — an unusual degree of transparency for a parish. Reports are available for fiscal years 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 (Annual Report), and 2024. The parish also partnered with Walsh & Associates for the 'Gate of Mercy, Throne of Grace' capital campaign that raised $3,691,750 against a $2,000,000 goal to fund construction of the new church.
- Annual financial reports posted for 2018–2024
- Capital campaign goal: $2,000,000
- Capital campaign total raised: $3,691,750 (≈7.18× annual offertory)
- Online giving available via the parish website
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Timothy Kelly1998–c. 2015–2018
Founding pastor; established St. Mary Magdalene as a mission parish on Palm Sunday, April 5, 1998; set the architectural vision, style, bones, shape, proportions and size of the new church; initiated fundraising and design work; led the 'Gate of Mercy, Throne of Grace' capital campaign with Walsh & Associates that raised $3,691,750 against a $2M goal; attended the May 7, 2023 dedication Mass as pastor emeritus.
- V. Rev. James Rowland, JCL, VFc. 2018–present
Current pastor; succeeded Fr. Kelly as the second pastor of St. Mary Magdalene; refined the interior appearance of the new church; oversaw construction from roughly 2015–2023 through pandemic delays; celebrated the May 7, 2023 dedication alongside Bishop Joseph Strickland; holds a J.C.L. (Canon Law) and the designation VF (Vicar Forane).