About St. Patrick · Corpus Christi, Texas
St. Patrick Catholic Church is a welcoming parish of approximately 1,650 families located at 3350 S. Alameda Street in Corpus Christi, Texas, within the Diocese of Corpus Christi. Founded in 1944 as the parish named by papal instruction when the new Corpus Christi Cathedral was dedicated, it grew out of the southward expansion of post-war Corpus Christi and today operates a Blue Ribbon Catholic school (PreK3–6) serving around 285 students, a Religious Education program of about 325 students, and an active OCIA (adult sacramental formation) ministry. The parish mission is 'To proclaim the Gospel of Christ to our local community in word, deed, and truth,' lived out in daily and Sunday Masses, weekly confession, faith formation for children and youth, and a deep tradition of Catholic education that has earned three U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon awards (1985, 1996, 2006).
- Established
- 1944
- Patron
- St. Patrick
- Rector
- Rev. Charles Andrew Silvas (Parochial Administrator, assigned July 2026)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Corpus Christi
Why belong here
St. Patrick's is a vibrant, multi-generational parish that has served south Corpus Christi since 1944, offering daily and Sunday Masses, weekly confession, a Blue Ribbon Catholic elementary school, a robust Religious Education program using the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, active youth ministry for grades 6–12, a two-year Confirmation preparation for high-schoolers, and OCIA classes for adults seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church. With about 1,650 registered families, three decades of Blue Ribbon recognition, and a clergy team rooted in the parish's own history, St. Patrick's combines the warmth of a long-established South Texas Catholic community with a real commitment to faith formation at every age.
Mass times at St. Patrick
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 4:45 p.m. – 5:20 p.m.
- Saturday: 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Also by individual appointment with a priest.
- Communal celebrations of the Sacrament are held during Advent and Lent.
Welcome & Parish Mission
St. Patrick Catholic Church describes itself as 'a welcoming Catholic community called by God to live out the message of Christ in love and service to all people.' Its stated mission is to proclaim the Gospel of Christ to the local community in word, deed, and truth. The parish invites visitors to find a home through its year-round ministries and events.
- Parish mission: To proclaim the Gospel of Christ to our local community in word, deed, and truth.
- Approximately 1,650 registered families.
- Tagline on the parish website: 'Loving Christ, Loving Others.'
Our History
Founded in March 1944 as the Diocese of Corpus Christi was expanding southward, St. Patrick's first celebrated Mass in a rectory living room and grew within a year into a 400-seat church. A Catholic school staffed by the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament opened in 1950, and the present sanctuary was dedicated on St. Patrick's Day 1957. Successive pastors built the parish hall (1966), adapted the altar for Vatican II, expanded the school library, renovated old convent spaces for Religious Education, and built an open-air pavilion. After Msgr. Roger Smith's quarter-century pastorate, Fr. Charles Andrew Silvas was assigned as Parochial Administrator in July 2026.
- Founded late March 1944 by Father C. R. Mullen (later Msgr. Mullen).
- First 150 families / 600 individuals.
- Original rectory was the former home of Mr. and Mrs. Sam Knebel.
- First church built May 1945, $60,000, seating 400.
- School opened March 1950 with the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament.
- Present sanctuary dedicated March 17, 1957.
- Parish hall built in 1966.
- Msgr. Mullen died in 1962; Msgr. E. J. Miller succeeded him.
- Msgr. Patrick G. Higgins appointed 1982; Msgr. Robert E. Freeman in 1994.
- Msgr. Roger R. Smith appointed pastor January 2000; retired 2025.
- Fr. Charles Andrew Silvas assigned as Parochial Administrator July 2026.
Why St. Patrick's?
The parish sits in south Corpus Christi on S. Alameda Street and serves roughly 1,650 families with daily and Sunday Masses, weekly confession, a Catholic elementary school, and faith formation for every age from PreK3 through adult OCIA. Long-tenured pastors — including Msgr. Roger Smith, a St. Patrick school alumnus — have shaped a stable, multi-generational Catholic community. St. Patrick School's three Blue Ribbon awards (1985, 1996, 2006) reflect the parish's strong commitment to Catholic education, and the Religious Education program brings the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd to its youngest learners.
- Three Blue Ribbon School of Excellence awards (1985, 1996, 2006).
- About 285 students in the Catholic school; about 325 in Religious Education.
- OCIA (adult sacramental preparation) classes meet Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. in Our Lady of Knock Hall.
- Religious Education classes meet Sunday mornings 9:05–10:15 a.m.
Mass & Sacrament Schedule
The parish celebrates Sunday Mass at 8:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and 5:30 p.m., with a Saturday Vigil Mass at 5:30 p.m. Daily Mass is offered Monday through Wednesday and Friday at 5:30 p.m., and on Thursday at 8:45 a.m. Confessions are heard three weekday afternoons and Saturday afternoons, with additional communal celebrations during Advent and Lent.
- Saturday Vigil: 5:30 p.m.
- Sunday: 8:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 5:30 p.m.
- Weekday Mass Mon/Tue/Wed/Fri: 5:30 p.m.; Thursday: 8:45 a.m.
- Confessions: Mon/Wed/Fri 4:45–5:20 p.m.; Sat 4:00–5:00 p.m.
- Holy Days: 7:00, 8:30 a.m., 12:05 p.m. & 5:30 p.m.
- Ash Wednesday: 6:30, 8:30 a.m., 12:05 p.m. & 5:30 p.m.
Clergy & Parish Staff
Rev. Charles Andrew Silvas serves as Parochial Administrator, assigned in July 2026 after ordinations at Corpus Christi Cathedral in 2022 and parish assignments at Sts. Cyril and Methodius, St. John Paul II Academy, St. Martin of Tours, and the Texas A&M–Kingsville Newman Center. Msgr. Douglas Courville, retired Judicial Vicar for the Diocese of Corpus Christi, was assigned to the parish in July 2025 and continues to assist at the parish even after stepping back in June 2026. Additional clergy include Rev. Jim and Deacons Larry Rodriguez, Hector, and Craig. Lay staff support the parish office, Religious Education, OCIA, and youth ministry.
- Rev. Charles Andrew Silvas – Parochial Administrator (assigned July 2026).
- Msgr. Douglas Courville – Parochial clergy (assigned July 2025; resigned parish role June 2026, still assisting).
- Rev. Jim – Parochial clergy.
- Deacon Larry Rodriguez, Deacon Hector, Deacon Craig – Deacons.
- Susie Garza – Director of Religious Education & OCIA Coordinator.
- DeNeise Thomson – Youth Ministry / Adult Religious Education (361.244.0929).
- Additional staff: Rodriguez, Del Rio, Evelyn, Adrienne, Salinas, Mary, Yvonne, Theresa 'Terri' Hand, Cavazos, Rangel, Burton (Parishioner & Data Mgmt).
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The Religious Education program serves about 325 students with classes meeting Sunday mornings from 9:05 to 10:15 a.m. Children in PreK3 through 6th grade learn through the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, a Montessori-style atrium with handmade materials that helps children 'fall in love with God.' Grades 7 and 8 continue with a more traditional Religious Education track focused on Bible (7th grade: The Story of Jesus; 8th grade: The History of the Church) and the Order of Christian Initiation for Children (OCIC) for sacramental preparation. Sacramental preparation for First Communion and First Reconciliation is offered alongside these grade-level classes.
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (PreK3–6th).
- Religious Education (7th–8th) including OCIC sacramental prep.
- Adult Religious Education Sundays 9:05–10:15 a.m. in the teacher's workroom.
- Office: 361.855.7567.
Youth Ministry & Confirmation
St. Patrick's offers Youth Ministry for both middle school (MSYG) and high school (HSYG) students, with age-appropriate activities, faith discussion, fellowship, and service. Confirmation preparation is a two-year program beginning in 9th grade, with the sacrament typically celebrated in the spring of 10th grade; students are also expected to attend LifeTeen Sunday evenings as part of their formation.
- MSYG – Middle School Youth Group.
- HSYG – High School Youth Group (incl. LifeTeen Sunday evenings).
- Confirmation – two-year process, 9th–10th grade.
- Contact: DeNeise Thomson, 361.244.0929.
OCIA – Order of Christian Initiation for Adults
OCIA (formerly called RCIA) is the parish's process for initiating adults into the Catholic Church through the Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation. It follows the ancient practice of the early Church, restored by the Second Vatican Council as the normal way adults prepare for baptism. Classes meet on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. in Our Lady of Knock Hall, beginning in August and continuing until each candidate is recommended by the OCIA Team to a priest. The four periods of OCIA are Inquiry, Catechumenate, Purification and Enlightenment, and Mystagogy. Coordinator: Susie Garza, 361.855.7391.
- Coordinator: Susie Garza.
- Class times: Wednesdays 7:00 p.m. in Our Lady of Knock Hall.
- Four periods: Inquiry, Catechumenate, Purification & Enlightenment, Mystagogy.
- For unbaptized seekers (Catechumens) and baptized Christians seeking full communion (Candidates).
St. Patrick Catholic School
Established in 1950, St. Patrick School is a parish elementary school within the Diocese of Corpus Christi serving approximately 280–285 students in PreK3 through sixth grade. The school is accredited by the Texas Catholic Schools Conference Education Department (under the Texas Education Association) and holds membership in the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA). It has been named a U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon School of Excellence three times — in 1985, 1996, and 2006. Students participate in formal Art, Music, Computer Applications, Guidance, and Spanish programs, along with Physical Education and competitive athletics (basketball, volleyball, track), and many serve as altar servers, musicians, and gift-bearers at parish Masses.
- Grades PreK3–6, approximately 285 students.
- Accredited by TCCED/TEA; member of NCEA.
- Blue Ribbon School of Excellence: 1985, 1996, 2006.
- Athletics: basketball, volleyball, track.
- STREAM competitions in Science, Technology, Reading/wRiting, Engineering, Arts, Math.
- School phone: 361.852.1211.
- Website: https://www.stpatrickschoolcc.org/
Sacraments at St. Patrick's
Beyond Mass and Confession, the parish prepares the faithful for the Anointing of the Sick, Marriage, Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, and Holy Orders. Marriage arrangements are made with one of the priests at least six months in advance, with weddings permitted any weekday and Saturdays no later than 2:30 p.m. Anointing of the Sick is available on request — when a loved one is hospitalized, the chaplain should be called to schedule. Sacramental preparation for children runs through the Religious Education office.
- Anointing of the Sick – on request; hospital chaplain to schedule.
- Marriage – 6 months' notice; weekdays or Saturdays by 2:30 p.m.
- Baptism / First Communion / First Reconciliation – via Religious Education office (361.855.7567).
- Confirmation – two-year high school program.
- Holy Orders – discernment information on the parish website.
Visiting & Getting Involved
The parish welcomes visitors to Masses throughout the week and offers many ways to become involved — Youth Ministry, Religious Education, OCIA, altar serving, school choirs and music ministry, and parish activities in the parish hall and open-air pavilion built under Msgr. Freeman's pastorate. Visitors can find directions, Mass times, online giving, and Religious Education information from the parish homepage, and can contact the parish office at 361.855.7391 for more information about getting involved.
- Parish office: 361.855.7391.
- School office: 361.852.1211.
- Online giving linked from the parish homepage.
- Current bulletin linked from the website.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Msgr. C. R. Mullen1944–1962
Founding pastor, commissioned by Bishop Ledvina; oversaw the first Masses in the rectory, the 1945 church, the 1950 school, and the 1957 sanctuary. Served until his death in 1962.
- Msgr. E. J. Miller1962–1982
Built the present parish hall in 1966 and remodeled the altar area to conform to Vatican II liturgical revisions.
- Msgr. Patrick G. Higgins1982–1994
Continued Catholic education and fostered programs for parish renewal.
- Msgr. Robert E. Freeman1994–2000
Added a library to the school, renovated old convent spaces for Religious Education classrooms and offices, and built an open-air pavilion.
- Msgr. Roger R. Smith2000–2025
St. Patrick's alumnus (grades 1–8) and member of the first First Communion class in the present church; retired in 2025 after nearly 50 years as a priest; celebrated his 50th anniversary Mass at St. Patrick in June 2026.
- Rev. Charles Andrew Silvas2026–present
Assigned July 2026 as Parochial Administrator; ordained 2022; native of Corpus Christi; previously served at Sts. Cyril and Methodius, St. John Paul II Academy, St. Martin of Tours, and the Newman Center at Texas A&M–Kingsville.