About St. Peter the Apostle · Mineola, Texas
St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church is a bilingual English/Spanish Roman Catholic parish serving Mineola, Texas, and the surrounding Wood County area. Originally established as a mission of St. Theresa of the Infant Jesus in Gladewater and long served by the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette, the community was elevated from mission to full parish status in 1997 and belongs to the Diocese of Tyler. Today it offers daily Mass, weekend Masses in both English and Spanish, Eucharistic Adoration, and a network of lay organizations including the Knights of Columbus, Legion of Mary, Ladies Guild, Cursillo, and Hispanic prayer groups. The parish is pastored by Rev. Nelson Muñoz (installed 2024) and supported by Deacon William Faber and a small parish staff.
- Established
- 1934
- Patron
- St. Peter the Apostle
- Rector
- Rev. Nelson Muñoz (2024–present)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Tyler
Why belong here
St. Peter the Apostle offers a small, bilingual Catholic community where daily Mass, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, and frequent opportunities for Confession are part of the rhythm of parish life. With both English and Spanish Masses each weekend, ministries such as the Legion of Mary, Knights of Columbus, Ladies Guild, Cursillo, Cenáculo de la Divina Misericordia, and Grupo de Oración, plus faith formation through CCD and OCIA, there is a place for families, adults, youth, and Spanish-speaking parishioners alike. As the only Catholic parish in Mineola, it is the spiritual home for Catholics across Wood County who want to worship, be formed, and serve together.
Mass times at St. Peter the Apostle
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday: 5:00 PM – 5:50 PM
- Saturday: 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM
- By appointment (contact the Parish Office)
Adoration times
- Friday: 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM (1st through 4th Fridays of the month, with Benediction at 6:00 PM)
History of St. Peter the Apostle
Catholic life in Mineola dates to 1934, when Rev. Leon Augustine first ministered to the small community. For decades the local church functioned as a mission of St. Theresa of the Infant Jesus in Gladewater, with the assigned priest traveling in for weekly Mass. After Bishop Thomas K. Gorman dedicated the present church on May 2, 1965 — a building designed by its pastor Rev. Louis Van Dane, M.S. — the community continued to grow. In 1987 the parish became part of the newly created Diocese of Tyler, and on June 15, 1997, it was formally elevated from mission to parish status. A succession of La Salette, diocesan, and missionary priests have shepherded the parish through these changes; today it is pastored by Rev. Nelson Muñoz.
- 1934 – First priest assigned to Mineola mission (Rev. Leon Augustine).
- May 2, 1965 – Solemn Dedication of the new 5,000 sq ft church by Bishop Thomas K. Gorman.
- 1987 – Becomes part of the newly erected Diocese of Tyler.
- June 15, 1997 – Rectory blessed and parish elevated from mission to full parish status.
- 2024 – Rev. Nelson Muñoz installed as current pastor.
Mass & Worship Schedule
St. Peter the Apostle offers a generous weekly schedule of Masses in both English and Spanish, along with Eucharistic Adoration and frequent opportunities for Confession. The parish chapel opens the week with Tuesday morning Mass and closes on Saturday with the Vigil Mass for Sunday, while Sunday features both an English Mass and a Spanish Mass.
- Saturday Vigil: 4:30 PM (English)
- Sunday: 9:00 AM (English) and 12:00 PM (Spanish)
- Weekdays: Tuesday 8:00 AM, Wednesday 6:00 PM, Thursday 8:00 AM, Friday 8:00 AM
- First Saturday: 9:00 AM
- Holy Rosary before Sunday Mass (8:30 AM English, 11:25 AM Spanish)
Clergy & Parish Staff
The parish is shepherded by a small team of clergy and lay staff. Rev. Nelson Muñoz became pastor in 2024, succeeding Rev. Lawrence Love who served from 2016 to 2024. Deacon William Faber assists with liturgical and pastoral ministry. Office and formation staff include a Parish Secretary, Parish Bookkeeper, and Director of Religious Education.
- Rev. Nelson Muñoz — Pastor (2024–present)
- Rev. Lawrence Love — Pastor (2016–2024)
- Deacon William Faber
- Parish Secretary: Angela Garcia / Zaira Melchor
- Parish Bookkeeper: Troy Robinson
- Director of Religious Education: Elaine Lewis
Ministries & Lay Organizations
A wide range of lay-led ministries serves both English- and Spanish-speaking parishioners. Faith-sharing groups meet weekly in the parish hall, while service organizations support parish life through fundraising, hospitality, and outreach. Two long-standing groups are the Knights of Columbus and the Ladies Guild; the Legion of Mary meets in both languages.
- Knights of Columbus — John Mone (First Sunday Breakfast after 9:00 AM Mass)
- Ladies Guild — Dianne Hester
- Legion of Mary (English) — Patty Mone, Tuesdays 3:15 PM
- Legión de María (Español) — Alicia Flores, Wednesdays 7:00 PM
- Sociedad de San José — Sergio Zurita, Mondays 7:00 PM
- Cenáculo de la Divina Misericordia — Rolando Ortega, Tuesdays 6:30 PM
- Grupo de Oración — Celia Ortega
- Cursillistas — Miguel Flores / Ana Mata
- Coro Hispano (Hispanic Choir) — Wednesdays 7:30 PM
- Altar Servers — under Fr. Love
- Finance Council — Ro McGowan
- Pastoral Council
- Ethics and Integrity — Elaine Lewis
Faith Formation & OCIA
Faith formation at St. Peter the Apostle is led by Director of Religious Education Elaine Lewis. Children over catechetical age (over 7) are enrolled in CCD classes, while adults seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church — whether unbaptized, baptized in another Christian tradition, or baptized Catholic but uncatechized — are welcomed into OCIA (the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults), which combines catechesis with spiritual formation over several months leading to the Easter Vigil.
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) — contact the parish office to register
- CCD / Faith Formation classes for catechetical-age children
- Baptism preparation classes for parents and godparents
- First Sunday Faith Formation calendar published in the weekly bulletin
Sacraments
The parish website's 'Our Faith' page provides detailed instructions for receiving the Sacraments. Baptism is offered for infants through age 7 with required preparation classes for both parents and godparents; older children enroll in CCD. Confession is offered weekly as listed above and by appointment. The Anointing of the Sick is available in sacramental emergencies.
- Baptism — application form, state birth certificate, parish good-standing letter if non-parishioner, Baptism class
- Confession (Penance) — Wed 5:00 PM, Sat 2:30 PM, or by appointment
- Anointing of the Sick — emergency line (903) 224-6222
- OCIA — adult initiation process
Devotions & Marian Life
Devotional life at the parish centers on the Eucharist, the Rosary, and Marian pilgrimage. The Holy Rosary is prayed before every Sunday Mass and every Saturday Vigil Mass, with weekly Luminous Mysteries recited on Thursdays. The Pilgrim Statue of Our Lady of Fatima is signed out to parishioners for one- or two-week home visits, taking the prayer life of the parish into neighborhood homes.
- Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament with Benediction — 1st–4th Fridays
- Holy Rosary before Sunday Mass (English and Spanish)
- Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary — Thursdays 5:30 PM
- Pilgrim Statue of Our Lady of Fatima — home visits (sign up in vestibule)
- Cenáculo de la Divina Misericordia — Spanish-language Divine Mercy devotion
Outreach & Community
Beyond the parish walls, St. Peter the Apostle works with Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Tyler to assist local families in need of nutritious meals. Parishioners are encouraged to contact the office if they — or someone they know — would benefit from assistance, making the parish a concrete point of contact for food and family support in the Mineola area.
- Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Tyler — meal assistance partnership
- Pilgrim Statue home visitation program
- Knights of Columbus First Sunday Breakfast fundraiser
- Cenáculo de la Divina Misericordia parish raffle (annual fundraiser)
Our Lady of Wisdom Library
The parish operates a small lending library named Our Lady of Wisdom Library, stocked with religious and prayer items suitable for a home prayer altar. The library is open after Sunday Masses; for other times, parishioners may contact Jeanne at 214-769-7540 to arrange visits.
- Open after Sunday Masses
- Contact: Jeanne at 214-769-7540 for alternate hours
- Spanish-language services noted: La Biblioteca de Nuestra Señora de la Sabiduría
Bulletin & Communications
A weekly bulletin (published as a PDF on the parish website) carries the Mass schedule, weekly intentions, ministry news, second-collections schedule, financial report, and announcements in both English and Spanish. Second collections support causes such as the Holy Land, Easter Flowers, Care of Priests, and the parish Maintenance Fund.
- Weekly bulletin PDF on saintpetermineola.org/images/bulletins/
- Bilingual (English and Spanish) announcements
- Second Collections: Holy Land, Easter Flowers, Care of Priests, Maintenance Fund
- Monthly finance statement published in bulletin
Visiting & Contact Information
Parishioners and visitors may reach the office by phone, email, or in person during office hours. Sacramental emergencies are handled through a separate 24-hour line. The mailing address uses P.O. Box 1022, while the physical address for visits is on Meadowbrook Drive.
- Address: 203 Meadowbrook Drive, Mineola, TX 75773
- Mailing: P.O. Box 1022, Mineola, TX 75773
- Phone: (903) 569-3665
- Emergency / Sacramental line: (903) 788-1212 or (903) 224-6222
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Leon Augustine1934–1943
First priest assigned to the Mineola mission.
- Rev. John McCallum1943–1951
- Rev. John Kiernan, S.S.J.1954–1955
St. Joseph's Society of the Sacred Heart (Josephites).
- Rev. Thomas Brophy, S.S.J.1955–1960
Josephite.
- Rev. L. L. Myers1960
- Rev. Timothy Holland, S.S.J.1960–1961
Josephite.
- Rev. Louis Van Dane, M.S.1961–1967
Missionary of La Salette; designed and supervised construction of the 1965 church building.
- Rev. R. W. Cagnon, M.S.1968–1971
Missionary of La Salette.
- Rev. Paul F. Owens, M.S.1971–1973
Missionary of La Salette.
- Rev. Thomas Nolan, M.S.1974
Missionary of La Salette.
- Rev. John Rohrman, M.S.1975–1983
Missionary of La Salette.
- Rev. Henry Lenz, M.S.1984–1995
Missionary of La Salette; oversaw the 1987 transition to the new Diocese of Tyler.
- Rev. Dan Gonzalez1996–1997
- Rev. Bernard Boteju1997–2002
Pastored the parish soon after its 1997 elevation to full parish status.
- Rev. J. Felix Chirapurathel2002–2005
- Rev. Efren Nano2005–2016
- Rev. Lawrence Love2016–2024
- Rev. Nelson Muñoz2024–present
Current pastor.