About St. Mary, Our Lady of the Lake · Lago Vista, Texas
St. Mary, Our Lady of the Lake is a Catholic parish of the Diocese of Austin serving the North Lake Shore area of Lago Vista, Texas. Founded in 1970 from a humble beginning of just ten families gathered for Mass on the Bar K campgrounds, the parish has grown into a community of more than 400 families gathered around weekend and daily Masses, Adoration, a Religious Education program, the Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent de Paul, and a wide range of liturgical and pastoral ministries. The parish is currently pastored by Rev. Edward Koharchik (Fr. Ed), who previously served as music director at St. Cecilia's in Houston before entering seminary and later pastoring St. Vincent de Paul in northwest Austin.
- Established
- 1970
- Patron
- Mary, Our Lady of the Lake (the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title Our Lady of the Lake)
- Rector
- Rev. Edward Koharchik (Fr. Ed)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Austin
Why belong here
St. Mary, Our Lady of the Lake offers the full rhythm of Catholic life on the North Lake Shore of Lago Vista: Saturday Vigil Mass, two Sunday Masses, four weekday noon Masses, weekly Wednesday Adoration and Benediction, regular Confession times, Rosary before Mass, First Saturday Anointing of the Sick, and a year-round Religious Education program for K–12. A wide range of ministries — liturgical (altar servers, lectors, EMHC, sacristans, ushers, music, arts & environment) and pastoral (Prayer Network, Bereavement Lunches, EMHC to the Homebound, Prayer Shawl) — give parishioners concrete ways to serve, while organizations like the Knights of Columbus Council 10463 and St. Vincent de Paul anchor fellowship and outreach.
Mass times at St. Mary, Our Lady of the Lake
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM
- Anytime by appointment with Father Ed
Adoration times
- Wednesday 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM (Adoration and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, immediately following the noon Mass)
Parish History
St. Mary, Our Lady of the Lake was born on December 6, 1970, when Msgr. Joseph Schmitt celebrated the first Mass in a small building on the Bar K campgrounds for ten founding families, at the request of Bishop Louis Reicher and National Resort Communities. From that humble origin the parish grew to more than 400 families serving the North Lake Shore area of Lago Vista, including Jonestown and Point Venture. Major milestones include the 1981 dedication by Bishop Vincent Harris with carillon bells honoring Bishop Reicher, the 2000–2001 sanctuary doubling, and the 'Cherishing Our Past, Building Our Future' campaign under Fr. Don Loftin that expanded the Parish Activity Center, enlarged the narthex, and built the new ministry center.
- First Mass: December 6, 1970 at Bar K campgrounds
- Original church groundbreaking: February 11, 1981
- Church dedication: September 27, 1981 by Bishop Vincent Harris
- Carillon bells presented in honor of Bishop Reicher by the A.J. and Sadie Henck Foundation
- Sanctuary doubled and rededicated November 4, 2001 by Bishop Gregory Aymond
- Parish Activity Center built in 1991 (architect John Nil)
- Rectory purchased under 'Our Faith, Our Legacy' campaign
- Grew from 10 founding families to over 400 families
Devotions
Beyond Mass and Adoration, the parish maintains a steady devotional life. The Rosary is prayed on Saturdays and before the 11:00 AM Sunday Mass, with parish organizations taking turns leading it weekly. Adoration and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament is held every Wednesday following the noon Mass until 1:30 PM. Knights of Columbus Council 10463 gathers at 6:30 PM on the second Wednesday for a Rosary and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in the church before their monthly meeting.
- Weekly Rosary (Saturdays and before Sunday 11:00 AM Mass)
- Wednesday Adoration & Benediction (12:30–1:30 PM)
- Second Wednesday Rosary & Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament (6:30 PM) before KofC meeting
Sacraments
St. Mary, Our Lady of the Lake celebrates the full range of Catholic sacraments. Baptisms are celebrated on the third Sunday of the month following the 11:00 AM Mass, with classes by appointment. Confession is offered weekly and by appointment. Anointing of the Sick is offered the first Saturday of each month after the 4:00 PM Mass, and at any time by appointment for the seriously ill, elderly, those facing or recovering from surgery, or expectant mothers. Couples preparing for marriage are asked to contact the parish office at least six months before the planned wedding.
- Baptism — third Sunday of the month following 11:00 AM Mass; classes by appointment
- Reconciliation — Wed 4–5 PM, Sat 3–3:45 PM, or by appointment
- Anointing of the Sick — first Saturday after 4:00 PM Mass, or by appointment
- Marriage — contact parish office at least six months in advance
- Mass Intentions — $5.00 suggested donation; one intention per Mass
Liturgical Ministries
Parishioners serve the parish's worship life through an established set of liturgical ministries, each led by a point of contact. First Communicants can become altar servers; lectors proclaim the Word; extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion distribute the Eucharist; sacristans prepare the altar and sanctuary; ushers welcome the assembly and handle collections; cantors and musicians lead music; and Arts & Environment designs the church to follow the liturgical calendar.
- Altar Servers (contact: Tina Manley)
- Lectors (contact: Jim & Laura Carr)
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (contact: Jim & Laura Carr)
- Weekend Sacristans / Weekday Sacristans (contact: Steve Owen)
- Ushers / Ministers of Hospitality (contact: Colleen Low / [email protected])
- Music (contact: Father Ed)
- Arts & Environment (contact: Wanda Thornton)
Pastoral Care & Outreach
Pastoral Care ministries extend the parish's reach beyond Sunday Mass. The Prayer Network collects and distributes prayer requests; the Prayer Shawl Ministry creates prayerful shawls for those in need; Bereavement Lunches lovingly serves a buffet in the Parish Activity Center after funerals and memorial services; and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion bring the Eucharist to Catholics who are homebound due to age, illness, or injury.
- Prayer Network (contact: Tina Manley, 512-267-2644)
- Prayer Shawl Ministry
- Bereavement Lunches (contact: Lisa Bulot, [email protected])
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion to the Homebound (contact: Norma Moreno, [email protected])
Parish Organizations & Fellowship
The parish hosts two long-standing Catholic organizations along with several lay groups. Knights of Columbus Council 10463 meets the second Wednesday of each month at 7:00 PM in the Parish Activity Center, preceded by Rosary and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at 6:30 PM in the church and followed by a meal and fellowship. The St. Vincent de Paul Society conducts its monthly meeting and a Giving Tree program. The Christ Child Society, Parish Advisory Councils, Scholarship Ministry, and a Walk and Talk exercise/fellowship group (led by parishioner Mary Dolch) round out parish life.
- Knights of Columbus Council 10463 — 2nd Wednesday, 7:00 PM in Parish Activity Center
- St. Vincent de Paul Society — monthly meeting and Giving Tree Program
- Christ Child Society
- Parish Advisory Councils
- Scholarship Ministry
- Walk and Talk group (exercise & fellowship, led by Mary Dolch)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish runs a K–12 Religious Education program for the 2025–2026 year, with Rebecca Morales serving as Director of Religious Education for K–6 and Michael Urtado as DRE for grades 7–12. In-person classes are planned to begin September 14, 2025, with catechists, co-teachers and substitutes needed. Sacramental Preparation (First Communion, Confirmation) follows a separate calendar, and registration is available in person, by downloadable form, or online through the parish website.
- Religious Education (K–6) — Rebecca Morales, Director
- Religious Education (7–12) — Michael Urtado, DRE
- Sacramental Preparation (First Communion, Confirmation)
- In-person classes begin September 14, 2025
- Catechist and substitute volunteers needed
- Registration via parish office, downloaded form, or online form
Parish Office & Staff
Parish operations are led by Pastor Rev. Edward Koharchik, Parish Administrator Christina 'Tina' Manley (also a contact for altar servers and the Prayer Network), Business Administrator Greg Behrens ([email protected]), and Secretary ([email protected]). Office hours are Monday–Thursday 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM and Friday 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
- Pastor: Rev. Edward Koharchik ([email protected])
- Parish Administrator: Christina 'Tina' Manley
- Business Administrator: Greg Behrens ([email protected])
- Secretary / general office: [email protected]
- Office hours: Mon–Thu 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Fri 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Parish mailing address: 6100 Lohman Ford Road, Lago Vista, TX 78645
Visiting & Getting Involved
New members are warmly welcomed. Registration can be done at the parish office during the week or by filling out a registration card found in the church narthex and giving it to an usher during Mass. The parish keeps a Ministry Brochure and Ministry Interest Form on the website for those looking to get involved, and hosts a Ministry Fair for newcomers. Bulletin announcements need to be submitted at least two weeks before the desired Sunday. The parish also runs an annual Catholic Summer Camp (registration at stmaryourlady.org/csc).
- Register in person at the parish office or by narthex registration card
- Ministry Brochure and Ministry Interest Form available online
- Annual Ministry Fair for newcomers
- Catholic Summer Camp — annual youth program
- Bulletin submission deadline: two weeks before desired Sunday
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Msgr. Joseph Schmitt1970–2011
Founding pastor; at the time of founding he was Chaplain of Seton Hospital; first Mass celebrated December 6, 1970 on Bar K campgrounds; presided at the 1981 dedication.
- Rev. Don Loftin2011–2018
Transferred from St. Jerome's Parish in Waco; led diocesan capital campaign 'Our Faith, Our Legacy' which funded purchase of the rectory, and 'Cherishing Our Past, Building Our Future' which doubled the Parish Activity Center, expanded the narthex, and built the new ministry center/office building. Retired June 30, 2018 after 24 years in the priesthood; resides at St. John Paul II priests' residence in Georgetown and still visits the parish.
- Rev. Rakshaganathan Selvaraj (Fr. Raj)2018–2021
Transferred from St. Jerome's in Waco; originally from Chennai, India; founded orphanage and elder-care facilities in India; welcomed Tamil-speaking Indian community to Masses at the parish. Transferred after three years to St. Anthony's in Bryan to serve the Indian community at Texas A&M.
- Rev. Edward Koharchik (Fr. Ed)2021–present
Current pastor. Grew up in Pennsylvania; served as music director at St. Cecilia's in Houston before entering seminary; previously pastored St. Vincent de Paul in northwest Austin; led renovation of the church during his tenure.