About St. Philip the Apostle · Corpus Christi, Texas
St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church is a Roman-Latin rite parish of the Diocese of Corpus Christi, located in the Southside of Corpus Christi, Texas, at 3513 Cimarron Boulevard (also listed as Cimarron Road). Founded in 1982, the parish serves the growing residential communities along Cimarron and Saratoga with a steady schedule of daily and Sunday Masses, Eucharistic Adoration, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and a wide range of parish ministries including faith formation for children, youth, and adults. The current pastor is Father John Xaviour, and the parish is supported by Permanent Deacons including Deacon Bill Larsen and Deacon Narciso Ortiz.
- Established
- 1982
- Patron
- St. Philip the Apostle
- Rector
- Rev. John Xaviour
- Diocese
- Diocese of Corpus Christi
Why belong here
St. Philip the Apostle offers a full schedule of Masses — three on Sunday plus a Saturday Vigil — daily Mass Monday through Friday, and a Monday-evening block of Eucharistic Adoration ending in Benediction. The parish invests in every age group, with an Altar Server Ministry, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Middle School Ministry, and High School Ministry for the young, and OCIA (formerly RCIA) for adults seeking full communion with the Catholic Church. Practical ministries such as the Funeral Ministry and Adult Faith Formation, along with Adult Faith Coordinator Deacon Narciso Ortiz and OCIA leader Deacon Bill Larsen, make it easy for newcomers to plug into the life of the parish.
Mass times at St. Philip the Apostle
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 4:00 PM – 4:50 PM
- Sunday: 8:30 AM – 8:50 AM
- Sunday: 11:00 AM – 11:20 AM
- Sunday: 4:30 PM – 4:50 PM
- Monday: 6:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Adoration times
- Monday: 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM (ends with Benediction)
Parish Identity and History
St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church was established in 1982 as a parish of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Corpus Christi. The parish is a Latin-rite community rooted in the south side of Corpus Christi, Texas, and takes its name from the Apostle Philip, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. From its founding, the parish has grown alongside the surrounding residential neighborhoods along Cimarron Boulevard and Saratoga, developing a full sacramental life and a broad range of formation ministries.
- Founded: 1982
- Diocese: Corpus Christi
- Patron: St. Philip the Apostle
- Rite: Roman-Latin
Clergy and Staff
St. Philip the Apostle is led by Father John Xaviour as pastor, with the support of two permanent deacons. Deacon Bill Larsen coordinates the OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) ministry, and Deacon Narciso Ortiz serves as Adult Faith and Ministry Coordinator. The parish office is staffed by Sarah Polasek as Administrative Assistant.
- Pastor: Rev. John Xaviour (ordained April 30, 1998)
- Deacon Bill Larsen — OCIA Ministry Leader ([email protected])
- Deacon Narciso Ortiz — Adult Faith / Ministry Coordinator (ext. 231; [email protected])
- Administrative Assistant: Sarah Polasek
Becoming Catholic — OCIA
Adults seeking full communion with the Catholic Church, and baptized Catholics who need First Eucharist or Confirmation, are welcomed through the parish's OCIA process (formerly called RCIA). Classes begin in the Fall on Thursday evenings. Inquiries are handled through the parish office by Deacon Bill Larsen.
- OCIA classes begin each Fall on Thursday evenings
- Contact: parish office (361) 991-5146 or Deacon Bill Larsen
Children, Youth, and Adult Faith Formation
Faith formation at St. Philip's spans every age and stage. The parish operates a recognized Catechesis of the Good Shepherd atrium for young children, alongside an Altar Server Ministry that welcomes youth into liturgical service. Middle School and High School Ministries engage older teens, while Adult Faith Formation, coordinated by Deacon Narciso Ortiz, supports ongoing growth for parishioners of every background.
- Altar Server Ministry
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (listed with CGSUSA)
- Middle School Ministry
- High School Ministry
- Adult Faith Formation (Coordinator: Deacon Narciso Ortiz)
Liturgy and Music
Liturgical celebrations at St. Philip's follow the Roman-Latin rite. Incense may be used at the 11:30 AM and 5:00 PM Sunday Masses. To extend its reach, the parish live-streams the 9:00 AM and 11:30 AM Sunday Masses on Facebook and YouTube, allowing homebound parishioners and those traveling to remain connected to the parish's worship.
- Incense used at 11:30 AM and 5:00 PM Sunday Masses
- Live-streamed Sunday Masses via Facebook and YouTube
Funeral Ministry
The Funeral Ministry assists with the practical and pastoral preparation for Funeral Masses and Memorial Masses celebrated at the parish. A team of three or four volunteers is typically assigned to each service, setting up the sacristy and the church and offering support to grieving families. Most Funeral Masses take place on a weekday morning, occasionally on a Saturday morning.
- Sets up sacristy and church for each Funeral or Memorial Mass
- Team of 3–4 volunteers assigned per service
- Most Funeral Masses: weekday or Saturday morning
Visit, Location, and Contact
St. Philip the Apostle is located at 3513 Cimarron Blvd. in Corpus Christi, Texas 78414. Visitors coming from I-37 South can take SPID, exit right onto Staples, continue several miles to Saratoga, turn left, then right onto Cimarron; the church is on the right. The parish office can be reached at (361) 991-5146 or by email at [email protected]. The parish has recently completed sanctuary renovations.
- Address: 3513 Cimarron Blvd., Corpus Christi, TX 78414
- Phone: (361) 991-5146
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.stphilipcc.com/
- Directions: I-37 South → SPID → Staples → Saratoga → Cimarron (church on right)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Eduardo Gonzálezapproximately 12 years (until retirement, farewell gathering on Sept. 29)
Long-time pastor who previously led the diocesan radio project 'Sintonía' and served as rector of the Corpus Christi Cathedral; retired after more than four decades of priesthood.
- Rev. John Xaviourcurrent pastor
Ordained April 30, 1998; serves as pastor of St. Philip the Apostle Parish per the Diocese of Corpus Christi priests directory.