About St. Michael the Archangel · Garland, Texas
St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Dallas serving Garland, Texas, and the surrounding communities east of Dallas. Established on May 29, 1980 by Bishop Thomas Tschoepe, the parish worships at 950 Trails Parkway and has grown to roughly 2,000 registered families with more than 40 ministries and organizations. Under the pastoral leadership of Father Joseph A. Mehan, Jr. (pastor since 2008) and parochial vicar Father Martin Mwangi, the parish celebrates five weekend Masses (all in English), daily Mass, perpetual-style Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament Monday through Friday, and a busy Faith Formation program for children, youth, and adults.
- Established
- 1980
- Patron
- St. Michael the Archangel
- Rector
- Rev. Joseph A. Mehan, Jr.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Dallas
Why belong here
St. Michael the Archangel is a large, diverse, family-friendly Catholic parish in the Diocese of Dallas with more than 40 active ministries and organizations, five Sunday Masses (with the 10:30 am Mass livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube), and a robust faith formation program for children and youth. The parish offers daily Mass, perpetual-style weekday Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in its new chapel, a St. Vincent de Paul food pantry open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 9 to 11:30 am, OCIA for adults, Knights of Columbus Council 11862, and groups for every age and stage of life from ACTS retreats to a Craft Group and Young-at-Heart seniors. New families are warmly invited to register online or by using the paper forms available at each entrance of the church.
Mass times at St. Michael the Archangel
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Thursday at 5:00 PM
- Saturday at 4:00 PM
- By appointment — call the parish office at (972) 279-6581 ext. 101
Adoration times
- Monday through Friday, 8:45 AM – 4:30 PM in the New Chapel (limited seating)
- Monday-Saturday 8:00 AM Daily Mass is livestreamed on the parish Facebook page
Parish History
Founded on May 29, 1980 by Bishop Thomas Tschoepe of the Diocese of Dallas, St. Michael the Archangel began with weekend Masses at a VFW hall in Garland before moving into a chapel converted from the garage of the newly purchased rectory in September 1980. Ground was broken on October 18, 1981 for the permanent church at 950 Trails Parkway, which was dedicated on August 7, 1982. A parish hall followed, dedicated October 1, 1989, and in 2021 a new chapel and the Margaret Francis Memorial Annex (dedicated to Faith Formation) were added. The 2004 installation of a pipe organ — funded largely through Father James R. Sharp's personal fundraising — remains one of the parish's most distinctive accomplishments.
- Established May 29, 1980 by Bishop Thomas Tschoepe
- First Mass within parish boundaries: September 5, 1980 (garage-chapel of the Trails rectory)
- Church groundbreaking: October 18, 1981; dedication August 7, 1982
- Parish hall groundbreaking: August 14, 1988; dedication October 1, 1989
- Pipe organ installed: 2004 (Father Sharp fundraising campaign)
- 25th Anniversary Mass: May 1, 2005
- New chapel and Margaret Francis Memorial Annex dedicated: 2021
Meet the Clergy
The parish is currently served by a team of three priests and one permanent deacon, along with a strong lay staff. The current pastor, Rev. Joseph A. Mehan, Jr., has served since 2008 and leads a community of roughly 2,000 registered families. The parochial vicar is Rev. Martin Mwangi, with Rev. Joseph Nedumankuzhiyil serving in residence. Permanent Deacon Andrew M. Pena assists with liturgy, preaching, and parish life.
- Rev. Joseph A. Mehan, Jr. — Pastor (since 2008)
- Rev. Martin Mwangi — Parochial Vicar
- Rev. Joseph Nedumankuzhiyil — Priest-in-Residence
- Deacon Andrew M. Pena — Permanent Deacon
Pastoral Staff & Office
The pastoral team includes general manager / bulletin editor Mary Gaines, marriage and family life / safe environment coordinator Diane Salazar, parish catechetical leader Casey Hennigan-Williams, assistant catechetical leader Georgina Salinas, director of music Erin Nguyen, director of youth ministry (middle school, high school, OCIA HS) Josh Rochon, baptism / administrative assistant Melania Rodriguez, and parish accountant Nancy Doyle. The parish office is open Monday–Thursday 8:30 AM–4:00 PM and Friday 8:30 AM–2:00 PM, closed for lunch 12:00 noon–1:00 PM and on weekends.
- Mary Gaines — General Manager / Media & Bulletin Editor (ext. 101)
- Diane Salazar — Marriage/Family Life & Safe Environment Coordinator (ext. 107)
- Casey Hennigan-Williams — Parish Catechetical Leader (ext. 108)
- Georgina Salinas — Assistant Parish Catechetical Leader (ext. 109)
- Erin Nguyen — Director of Music / Children's Choir (ext. 112)
- Josh Rochon — Director of Youth Ministry — Middle School & High School, OCIA(HS) (ext. 110)
- Melania Rodriguez — Administrative Assistant / Baptisms (ext. 103)
- Nancy Doyle — Parish Accountant
Mass & Sacrament Schedule
St. Michael's offers five weekend Masses — Saturday at 5:30 PM and Sunday at 8:30, 10:30, 12:30 and 5:00 PM — all celebrated in English. The 10:30 AM Sunday Mass is livestreamed on the parish Facebook page and YouTube channel. Daily Mass is Monday through Saturday at 8:00 AM (also livestreamed Mon–Sat on Facebook), with an additional Thursday evening Mass at 6:30 PM in the chapel and a 6:30 PM Mass on each First Friday. Reconciliation is heard Thursday at 5:00 PM, Saturday at 4:00 PM, or by appointment through the parish office. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is held in the New Chapel Monday through Friday from 8:45 AM to 4:30 PM.
- Saturday Vigil: 5:30 PM (English)
- Sunday: 8:30 / 10:30 (livestreamed) / 12:30 / 5:00 PM
- Mon–Sat Daily Mass: 8:00 AM (livestreamed Mon–Sat on Facebook)
- Thursday Evening Mass: 6:30 PM in the chapel
- First Friday Mass: 6:30 PM
- Confessions: Thursday 5:00 PM, Saturday 4:00 PM, or by appointment
- Adoration: Mon–Fri 8:45 AM – 4:30 PM in the New Chapel
Holy Days, Triduum & Special Masses
The parish observes the liturgical year with special Masses for Holy Days and the full Easter Triduum. A typical recent schedule listed Ash Wednesday, Holy Thursday at 7:00 PM, Good Friday at 3:00 PM, the Holy Saturday Easter Vigil at 8:00 PM, and Easter Sunday at 8:30, 10:30, and 12:30 AM (no evening Mass). Bulletins and the website carry updates or changes.
- Holy Thursday: 7:00 PM
- Good Friday: 3:00 PM
- Holy Saturday Easter Vigil: 8:00 PM
- Easter Sunday: 8:30, 10:30, 12:30 AM (no evening Mass)
Faith Formation & Sacramental Preparation (PreK – 6th Grade)
The Faith Formation office, led by Parish Catechetical Leader Casey Hennigan-Williams and assistant Georgina Salinas, runs year-round catechesis for children age 3 through 6th grade, with a two-year sacramental track preparing children for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist (typically beginning in 1st grade, with reception of sacraments in 2nd grade). PreK and kindergarten programs gently introduce the Catholic faith through Sunday Bible readings, arts and crafts, music, and basic prayers (Sign of the Cross, Our Father, Hail Mary, Grace Before Meals). The 2021 Margaret Francis Memorial Annex is dedicated to this department and houses its classrooms.
- PreK (3- and 4-year-olds) and kindergarten faith formation
- Continuing catechesis in 1st – 6th grades
- First Reconciliation / First Eucharist — two-year preparation
- Confirmation preparation begins in 7th grade through the Youth Ministry office
- Diocesan policy: only a parent or legal guardian may enroll a minor child
Youth Ministry — Impact & The Cornerstone
St. Michael's runs a comprehensive youth ministry led by Josh Rochon, Director of Youth Ministry for Middle School, High School, and OCIA(HS). The Impact High School Youth Ministry serves 9th–12th graders with a Monday evening gathering that pairs a 30-minute faith-based lesson with an hour of fellowship, plus retreats, leadership formation, and Confirmation preparation for grades 7–12. Young Adult Ministry (The Cornerstone) hosts evenings of Adoration with Praise & Worship for adults in their 20s and 30s.
- Impact High School Youth Ministry (9th–12th grade) — Mondays in the Youth Room
- St. Michael Confirmation Program (7th–12th grade)
- OCIA for High School (OCIA HS)
- Young Adult Ministry (The Cornerstone): Adoration nights with Praise & Worship
Adult Faith Formation & Spiritual Life
Adults can deepen their faith through the parish's Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA, formerly RCIA), a Thursday-morning Bible Study in room 220 led by Bernadette Bechtel, ACTS retreats for men and women, the Adoration commitment in the chapel, and daily Mass. The parish also maintains a Rosary Makers Guild that handcrafts cord rosaries for distribution to missions, hospitals, prisons, adoration chapels, Faith Formation programs, retreats, and sidewalk counselors.
- OCIA — Order of Christian Initiation of Adults
- Bible Study — Thursday mornings 10:30 AM, room 220
- ACTS Men's and Women's Retreats
- Rosary Makers Guild — meets 3rd Thursday of the month, 7 PM, room 220 (Jan–Oct)
- Bible Study, Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion formation
Outreach & Charity
St. Michael the Archangel reaches beyond its walls through an active food pantry, respect-life initiatives, support for those discerning vocations, and a devoted St. Vincent de Paul conference. The parish Food Pantry is open on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM, and donation drives, the Alzheimer's support ministry, the Grief Ministry, and the Divorce Ministry offer practical help to families in difficulty.
- St. Michael Food Pantry — Thu, Fri, Sat 9–11:30 AM
- St. Vincent de Paul Conference (214-373-2339)
- Respect Life Ministry
- Vocations Ministry
- Grief Ministry & Divorce Ministry
- Alzheimer's Support Ministry
- Homebound Ministry (Communion visits)
Community & Fellowship
Beyond outreach, St. Michael's runs more than two dozen fellowship and parish-life groups, including the Knights of Columbus Council 11862, the Men of St. Michael, the Sisterhood of Grace, the Young-at-Heart seniors group, the Craft Group, the Altar Society, Game Day, and the Community Social Events Group. The parish hall is also available for rental through the parish office.
- Knights of Columbus Council 11862
- Men of St. Michael
- Sisterhood of Grace
- Young-at-Heart (seniors)
- Altar Society, Craft Group, Game Day, Community Social Events
- Parish Hall Rental coordinated through Mary Gaines
Music & Liturgical Arts
Music ministry under director Erin Nguyen includes the parish's adult Music Ministry and a Children's Choir. The 2004 pipe organ — a parish landmark raised through the efforts of Father James R. Sharp — anchors the Sunday and holy day liturgies. Ushers, Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, and Altar Servers (contact: Laura Fowler) round out the liturgical team that makes Sunday Mass happen.
- Director of Music: Erin Nguyen (ext. 112)
- Adult Music Ministry
- Children's Choir
- Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers, Ushers, Altar Servers
- Pipe organ (installed 2004)
Getting Involved & Safe Environment
Mini brochures describing all ministries are available in the Narthex; the parish encourages parishioners to drop by, learn about each ministry, and sign up where they feel called. Many ministries do not require Safe Environment clearance, but those working with children and vulnerable adults do. Safe Environment Coordinator Diane Salazar (ext. 19, [email protected]) handles all clearances. Youth (ages 13–17) wanting to volunteer at parish events must complete a Parental Consent and Release form, a Code of Conduct form, and a behavior expectations sheet, which are available in the Narthex.
- Ministries brochures located in the Narthex
- Safe Environment Coordinator: Diane Salazar (ext. 19)
- Youth volunteer ages 13–17 (Parental Consent + Code of Conduct required)
- Adult catechist, catechist aide, and hall monitor volunteers needed annually
Visit Us: Location & Office
St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church is located at 950 Trails Parkway, Garland, Texas 75043, in the Diocese of Dallas. Driving directions from Dallas: take I-30 East to Northwest Drive, exit and turn left, then turn right onto Trails Parkway — the church is on the right. From Rockwall, take I-30 West and follow the same Northwest Drive exit. The parish office phone is (972) 279-6581, fax available, and email is [email protected].
- Address: 950 Trails Parkway, Garland, TX 75043
- Phone: (972) 279-6581
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Mon–Thu 8:30 AM – 4 PM; Fri 8:30 AM – 2 PM; closed 12–1 PM and weekends
- Website: https://stmichaelgarland.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Saintmichaelgarland
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Robert J. Curran1980 (founding pastor)
Appointed founding pastor by Bishop Thomas Tschoepe; oversaw construction and 1982 dedication of the church.
- Msgr. Leon Duesman
Pastor; one of the pastors who led the parish in the 1980s-90s.
- Rev. James R. Sharp
Served as Parochial Vicar, later as Priest-in-Charge; raised funds that led to the 2004 installation of a pipe organ. Ordained a Catholic priest in April 1984 under the pastoral provision.
- Rev. Peter Chinnappan
Served as Pastoral Administrator.
- Rev. Joseph A. Mehan, Jr.since 2008
Current pastor; leads the parish of roughly 2,000 registered families.