About St. Paul · Flowood, Mississippi
St. Paul Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Flowood, Mississippi, founded on June 1, 1978 by Bishop Joseph B. Brunini of the Diocese of Jackson to serve the Catholics of Rankin County. Today it is the spiritual home of more than 800 families in North Rankin County, including the cities of Flowood and Brandon and surrounding communities. The parish worships in a distinctive modernistic church designed by the late Sam Mockbee of the architectural firm Goodman & Mockbee, and its mission is summarized as 'Live as the Body of Christ' through Hospitality, Prayer, Ministry, and Discipleship. St. Paul offers daily and weekend Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, a robust Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program, a Life Teen-based youth group, RCIA, a Women's Ministry, the Knights of Columbus, and the St. Paul Early Learning Center.
- Established
- 1978
- Patron
- St. Paul the Apostle
- Rector
- Rev. Gerry (Gerard) Hurley
- Diocese
- Diocese of Jackson, Mississippi
Why belong here
St. Paul offers the full rhythm of Catholic parish life in a warm, family-sized setting — daily Mass, weekly Eucharistic Adoration three days a week, a Saturday Vigil Mass, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation every Saturday afternoon. The parish invests deeply in faith formation across every age, from the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd atrium for children 3 years through 6th grade, to the Life Teen-based 'Big Deal' youth group for grades 7–12, RCIA for adults, parish-wide small groups, and an Adult Religious Ed class. Add in the St. Paul Women's Ministry, the Knights of Columbus, and the on-campus Early Learning Center, and St. Paul makes it easy to find both a liturgical home and a community of companions on the journey of faith.
Mass times at St. Paul
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30–4:00 pm
- Or by appointment
Adoration times
- Monday after the 10:00 am Mass
- Wednesday after the 12:00 noon Mass
- Friday after the 10:00 am Mass
About St. Paul Catholic Church
St. Paul Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Flowood, Mississippi, in the Diocese of Jackson. Founded on June 1, 1978, it now serves more than 800 families across North Rankin County, including Flowood and Brandon. The parish's stated mission is to 'Live as the Body of Christ,' lived out through four commitments: Hospitality, Prayer, Ministry, and Discipleship.
- Mission: Live as the Body of Christ
- Four pillars: Hospitality, Prayer, Ministry, Discipleship
- 800+ registered families in North Rankin County
- Part of the Diocese of Jackson
History of the Parish
Bishop Joseph B. Brunini established St. Paul on June 1, 1978 to serve Catholics in Rankin County. Founding pastor Father Edward Tarsi said the first Mass in a trailer on the grounds of St. Mark United Methodist Church. The parish moved through a temporary Grant's Ferry Road structure before breaking ground on its permanent home on July 12, 1982, and dedicating the modernistic church designed by Sam Mockbee (Goodman & Mockbee) on June 19, 1984. A Family Life Center followed in 2003, designed by JH&H Architects and dedicated by Bishop Joseph Latino on July 11, 2004.
- 1978 — Parish established June 1 by Bishop Joseph B. Brunini
- 1978 — Father Edward Tarsi named first pastor
- 1980 — 10 acres purchased on Highway 25
- 1982 — Groundbreaking on Lakeland Drive property
- 1984 — Permanent church dedicated; designed by Sam Mockbee of Goodman & Mockbee
- 1990 — St. Paul Learning Center built
- 2003 — Family Life Center completed
- 2004 — Family Life Center dedicated by Bishop Joseph Latino
About Father Gerry Hurley
Father Gerry Hurley was born January 25, 1952 in Cork City, Ireland. Influenced by the priests around him, he answered the call to the priesthood, graduated from Carlow College, and was ordained on June 12, 1976. He later earned a Master of Science from Mississippi State University in 1993. After visiting U.S. dioceses, he decided to make Mississippi his home and has served the Diocese of Jackson his entire priestly career at parishes including St. Paul Vicksburg, St. Joseph Greenville, St. Richard Jackson, St. Joseph Starkville, Annunciation Columbus, and St. Jude Pearl, and as Diocesan Youth Director, before coming to St. Paul Flowood. The parish recently celebrated his 50th anniversary of ordination.
Mass & Worship Schedule
St. Paul offers Mass every day of the week. The Saturday Vigil and two Sunday Masses anchor the weekend, with a Friday Healing Mass on the First Friday of each month. Weekday Mass is celebrated Monday through Friday, with one morning and one evening option across the week.
- Saturday Vigil — 4:30 pm
- Sunday — 8:00 am and 10:30 am
- Monday — 10:00 am
- Tuesday — 5:00 pm
- Wednesday — 12:00 noon
- Thursday — 5:00 pm
- Friday — 10:00 am
- First Friday — Healing Mass
Faith Formation & Religious Education
St. Paul's faith formation programs serve every age. The flagship program for children, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, meets Sunday mornings in a child-sized Atrium and is led by adult catechists who 'journey with the children in discovering the awe and wonder of a loving relationship with the Good Shepherd Jesus.' Two-year preparation tracks lead to First Communion (typically grades 1–2, using the 'Signs of Grace' program) and Confirmation (typically grades 10–11). An Adult Religious Ed class meets Sunday mornings at 9:15 am in the Family Life Center front lounge on informal topics of Catholic faith.
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd — Sundays 9:15–10:15 am, ages 3 yrs–6th grade
- First Communion Preparation — 'Signs of Grace,' two-year program (grades 1–2)
- Confirmation Preparation — two-year program (grades 10–11)
- Adult Religious Ed — Sundays 9:15 am, Family Life Center
- Children's Liturgy of the Word (during Sunday Mass)
Youth Ministry: Big Deal Youth Group
The 'Big Deal' Youth Group, based on the Life Teen program, is the parish's ministry for students in grades 7–12. It meets Wednesday evenings from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, typically including a meal, games, worship, large-group fellowship, and small-group discussions. The group also hosts trips, retreats, and seasonal events (such as kayak trips to Chunky, MS). Director Hannah Berry can be reached at [email protected].
- Big Deal Youth Group — Wednesdays 6:00–8:00 pm
- Open to students in 7th–12th grade
- Life Teen-based program
- Active on Instagram and YouTube
- Diocesan Protection of Children lesson held annually
RCIA — Becoming Catholic
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the parish's pathway for adults — both baptized and unbaptized — seeking full communion with the Catholic Church. The class meets Tuesday evenings from Fall through Easter, includes a shared meal, and walks inquirers through four steps: Period of Inquiry, Rite of Acceptance, Rite of Election, and Initiation/Mystagogia at the Easter Vigil.
- Tuesday evenings, Fall through Easter
- Includes a shared meal
- Contact: LeighAnn Mangum, [email protected], 601-992-9547
Parish Ministries & Organizations
Beyond faith formation, St. Paul parishioners serve and grow through a range of lay ministries and parish organizations. The parish emphasizes shared stewardship — 'the more people we have involved [in ministry], the fewer times any one person has to serve, and the richer our Liturgies become.'
- St. Paul Women's Ministry (open to women 18+)
- Knights of Columbus
- Small Groups (parish-wide and home-based; e.g. Lenten '40 Days of Decrease')
- Music Ministry (Alan Black, Director)
- Liturgy Ministry (Cecilia Carlton)
- Parish Pastoral Council
- Maintenance & Grounds (Jose Castro)
St. Paul Early Learning Center
St. Paul Early Learning Center is a full-time daycare and preschool located on the parish campus at 5969 Hwy 25, Flowood, MS 39232 (adjacent to the church). Operating on weekdays, it serves children from 8 weeks through 4 years old. The Center grew out of the original 1990 St. Paul Learning Center and is staffed by Director Wendi Murray and Assistant Director Susan Irby.
- Full-time daycare and preschool
- Ages 8 weeks to 4 years
- Director: Wendi Murray
- Assistant Director: Susan Irby
- Phone: 601-992-2876
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: saintpaullearningcenter.com
Contact & Office Information
The parish office is open Tuesday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Staff members maintain direct email addresses for parish programs including Music/Communications, Youth/Young Adults, Religious Education, Liturgy, Finance, and Maintenance.
- Parish Office: 5971 Hwy 25, Flowood, MS 39232
- Phone: 601-992-9547
- Fax: 601-992-9972
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Tuesday–Friday, 8:00 am–4:00 pm
- Early Learning Center: 5969 Hwy 25, Flowood, MS 39232 — 601-992-2876
Diocese of Jackson
St. Paul is one of more than a dozen parishes in the Metro Jackson area of the Diocese of Jackson, Mississippi. The diocesan offices are located at 237 E Amite Street, Jackson, MS 39225.
- Diocese of Jackson — 237 E Amite Street, Jackson, MS 39225
- Diocesan phone: 601-969-1880
- Diocesan website: jacksondiocese.org
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Edward Tarsi1978–1985
Founding pastor; native Mississippian appointed August 1, 1978; served 7 years.
- Rev. Edward Balser1985–1998
Native Mississippian appointed September 20, 1985; served 12 years.
- Rev. Brian Carroll1998–2010
Native of Ireland; appointed January 15, 1998; served 12 years. On August 22, 2002 he celebrated the 40th anniversary of his priestly ordination and instituted Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at St. Paul.
- Rev. Patrick (Pat) Smith2003
Appointed associate pastor on December 20, 2003.
- Rev. Gerard (Gerry) Hurley2010–present
Native of Cork City, Ireland; succeeded Father Carroll on February 1, 2010. Ordained June 12, 1976; came to Mississippi in 1976; holds a Master of Science from Mississippi State University (1993). Recently celebrated his 50th ordination anniversary.