About St. Pius X · Corpus Christi, Texas
St. Pius X Catholic Church and School is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Corpus Christi, serving the south side of Corpus Christi, Texas from its campus at 5620 Gollihar Road. The parish traces its origins to 1963 and today counts roughly 1,600 registered families served through more than 30 ministries, an on-site Catholic school (PK3 through grade 5), and a full sacramental and faith-formation program. Worship is offered in English and Vietnamese, with a Vietnamese Mass celebrated every Sunday evening. The parish is pastored by Very Rev. Paul A. Hesse, who also serves as Vicar General of the Diocese of Corpus Christi and Dean of the Corpus Christi Southside Deanery, and who himself grew up at St. Pius X before being ordained in 1991.
- Established
- 1963
- Patron
- St. Pius X (Pope St. Pius X)
- Rector
- Very Rev. Paul A. Hesse
- Diocese
- Diocese of Corpus Christi
Why belong here
St. Pius X is a multi-generational south-side Corpus Christi parish of about 1,600 families that takes seriously both worship and works of mercy: five Sunday Masses (including a weekly Vietnamese Mass), daily Mass Monday–Friday, First Friday Healing Mass with Anointing of the Sick, weekly Confession, Eucharistic Adoration, and a robust Rosary tradition. Faith formation is offered at every age — a PK3–5 Catholic school, K–5 CCD, a two-year Confirmation program, RCIA, a youth ministry running EDGE (middle school) and Life Teen (high school), plus Vacation Bible School — while community life is supported by the Catholic Daughters of the Americas (Court Angels of Mary #2460), the 33-year-old Men's Club, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, and an Acts of Charity ministry. For a Catholic family looking for sound Eucharistic worship, a Catholic school on campus, and an active faith community in south Corpus Christi, St. Pius X offers all three in one place.
Mass times at St. Pius X
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Thursday 7:00 p.m. – 7:50 p.m.
- Saturday 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
About St. Pius X Catholic Church and School
St. Pius X is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Corpus Christi, located on the south side of Corpus Christi, Texas. Founded in 1963, the parish today serves approximately 1,600 registered families through more than 30 ministries and an on-site Catholic school (PK3 through Grade 5). The parish's mission statement, repeated on its website, emphasizes 'sound Eucharistic worship' and a 'caring spiritual family,' and the website invites newcomers to register by placing a registration form in the Sunday collection or bringing it to the parish office. Fr. Paul A. Hesse signs the welcome letter on the home page — a particularly personal touch because Fr. Paul himself grew up at St. Pius X and attended the parish school in the 1970s.
- Diocese: Diocese of Corpus Christi
- Founded: 1963
- Families served: ~1,600
- More than 30 active ministries
- Vietnamese Mass celebrated every Sunday evening
- On-site Catholic school PK3–5
History of the Parish
St. Pius X Parish was established in 1963 on the growing south side of Corpus Christi and quickly grew to support both a worshipping community and a school. The parish school opened in the fall of 1966 with 209 students in eight classrooms covering grades 1–8, led by Sister Aloysius Young, IWBS, with four Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament sisters and four lay teachers. The school celebrated its 50th anniversary in August 2016, and several decades later the parish's current pastor, Fr. Paul A. Hesse, is himself a St. Pius X School alumnus who credits his years there with helping him become both a good student and a good priest.
- 1963 — Parish established (per GCatholic)
- 1966 — St. Pius X Catholic School opens with 209 students, grades 1–8, principal Sister Aloysius Young, IWBS
- 2016 — School marks 50th anniversary with Mass at the church and a celebration in the parish Youth Center
- 33 years — Men's Club has been part of parish ministry
Clergy and Parish Staff
The parish is led by Very Rev. Paul A. Hesse, who serves not only as pastor of St. Pius X but also as Vicar General of the Diocese of Corpus Christi and Dean of the Corpus Christi Southside Deanery. He is assisted by Parochial Vicar Rev. Kurian Joseph, MST, and four permanent deacons: Deacon Mark Arnold, Deacon Loni Lugo, Deacon Brian Iber, and Deacon Sal Alvarado. The lay staff includes Mary Maldonado (Director of Religious Education), Brandon Lutz (Director of Youth Ministry), a Parish Secretary, and a maintenance and housekeeping team (Ernie Pena, Joe Vasquez, and Yolanda Villarreal).
- Very Rev. Paul A. Hesse — Pastor (ordained 1991)
- Rev. Kurian Joseph, MST — Parochial Vicar
- Deacon Mark Arnold — Parish Deacon
- Deacon Loni Lugo — Parish Deacon
- Deacon Brian Iber — Parish Deacon
- Deacon Sal Alvarado — Parish Deacon
- Mary Maldonado — Director of Religious Education ([email protected])
- Brandon Lutz — Director of Youth Ministry ([email protected])
Devotions and Other Services
Beyond Mass and Confession, the parish sustains a regular devotional life centered on the Blessed Sacrament, the sick, and Our Lady. The Rosary is prayed publicly each Sunday before the 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. Masses, and the Anointing of the Sick is offered both on request and at the First Friday Healing Mass. A First Saturday Mass is also scheduled each month.
- Rosary — Sundays 7:30 a.m. (before the 8:00 a.m. Mass) and 9:25 a.m. (before the 10:00 a.m. Mass)
- Anointing of the Sick — on request, or at the First Friday 5:30 p.m. Mass
- First Saturday Mass — 8:15 a.m.
- Lenten additions — 6:30 a.m. weekday Mass during Lent
Faith Formation and Religious Education (CCD)
The parish's Religious Education / Faith Formation program walks children and their parents through the essential traditions and doctrines of the Catholic faith with a special emphasis on participation in the Mass and respect for others. Classes for grades K–5 meet Wednesday evenings, while older students preparing for the Sacraments of Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation follow a two-year track; parent participation is required for all three sacraments. A summer Vacation Bible School is also offered each June.
- K–5 CCD — Wednesday evenings, 6:00–7:00 p.m.
- RCIC — Sacramental preparation for children ages 8–12, Wednesday 6:00–7:00 p.m.
- Confirmation I & II — Sunday evenings, 6:30–8:30 p.m.
- First Reconciliation / First Holy Communion — typically a two-year program beginning in 1st grade
- Confirmation — two-year program beginning in 9th grade; reception usually at the end of 10th grade
- Vacation Bible School — June 15–19, 2026, 8:00–11:30 a.m., $30 per child
Becoming Catholic — RCIA
The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) is the parish's formal process for welcoming new members into the Catholic Church. Restored by the Second Vatican Council as the normal way adults prepare for baptism, RCIA proceeds through inquiry, the Rite of Initiation, the Catechumenate, the Rite of Election, the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil, and the period of Mystagogy. A team of sponsors walks with inquirers, catechumens, and candidates throughout the journey.
- Pre-Catechumenate / Period of Inquiry
- Rite of Initiation
- Catechumenate
- Rite of Election (catechumens received by the bishop)
- Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil — Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation
- Mystagogy — post-Easter reflection and formation
Youth Ministry — EDGE and Life Teen
St. Pius X Youth Ministry accompanies middle school and high school youth closer to Christ through prayer, learning, fellowship, and fun. The parish runs two parallel programs — EDGE for middle schoolers and Life Teen for high schoolers — both supported by a team of adult volunteers who serve as small-group leaders, retreat team members, music team members, photographers, and meal/snack providers. A summer rec schedule and an annual Summer Lock-In are also offered.
- EDGE — middle school youth ministry
- Life Teen — high school youth ministry
- Director of Youth Ministry — Brandon Lutz ([email protected])
- Summer Rec Time — Tuesdays and Thursdays 1:00–3:00 p.m.
- Summer Lock-In — June 19, 2026, 7:00 p.m.–7:00 a.m.
- Volunteer opportunities: small-group leader, retreat team, music team, photography, social media, meal/snack, setup/cleanup
St. Pius X Catholic School
Sharing the parish campus at 5620 Gollihar Road, St. Pius X Catholic School has served south-side Corpus Christi families since 1966, when it opened with 209 students in grades 1–8. Today the school serves PK3 through Grade 5 and is a key part of the parish's outreach to young families. The 50th anniversary of the school was celebrated in August 2016, and alumni are invited back for periodic reunion events.
- Grades served: PK3 through 5
- Opened: Fall 1966 with 209 students
- Original principal: Sister Aloysius Young, IWBS
- 50th anniversary celebrated August 2016 with Mass at the parish church
- School website: stpiusxschoolcc.org (also reachable via stpiusxschoolcc.edlioschool.com)
Parish Ministries and Organizations
In addition to liturgical and formation ministries, the parish supports a wide range of parish-life and service organizations. The Acts of Charity ministry coordinates the corporal works of mercy locally; the Catholic Daughters of the Americas (Court Angels of Mary #2460) serve as the parish women's organization; the Men's Club has been part of the parish for 33 years and provides labor for maintenance and grounds projects; and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion serve at Mass and bring Communion to the sick and shut-ins.
- Acts of Charity — prayer quilts, cards and phone calls to the homebound, volunteer opportunities
- Catholic Daughters of the Americas — Court Angels of Mary #2460; meets 6:00 p.m. on the third Monday of the month (except July & August)
- Men's Club — meets every 3rd Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. (dinner at 6:30 p.m.); open to Catholic men 18+ who are registered parishioners
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion — about 35 ministers rotate weekly; ~7 ministers needed per Mass
- Rosary leaders (Sundays before 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. Masses)
Sacraments at St. Pius X
St. Pius X prepares parishioners for and celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments. Baptism, First Eucharist, First Reconciliation, and Confirmation are coordinated through the Religious Education office and (for Confirmation) the Youth Ministry office. Marriages are scheduled only by appointment and with at least six months' notice, and are celebrated on weekdays at any time and on Saturdays no later than 2:00 p.m. The Anointing of the Sick is offered on request or at the First Friday Healing Mass.
- Baptism
- First Reconciliation and First Holy Eucharist (two-year preparation)
- Confirmation (two-year preparation, beginning in 9th grade)
- Matrimony — by appointment only, six months' notice required
- Anointing of the Sick — on request, or at the First Friday Healing Mass
Contact, Location, and Newcomers
The parish office is open Monday–Friday at the church campus. The mailing address, phone, and email listed on the parish website and the Diocese of Corpus Christi priest directory are consistent, and Fr. Paul's contact information is the parish main line. Newcomers are invited to register by submitting a registration form (available on the 'Newcomers' page of the website) in the Sunday collection or by bringing it to the parish office. The clergy are also glad to make a home or hospital visit on request.
- Address — 5620 Gollihar Rd., Corpus Christi, TX 78412
- Phone — (361) 993-4053
- Fax — (361) 992-0352
- Parish email — [email protected]
- Director of Religious Education — [email protected]
- Director of Youth Ministry — [email protected]
- Diocesan deanery — Corpus Christi Southside Deanery
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Very Rev. Paul A. HesseCurrent pastor
Diocesan Vicar General and Dean of the Corpus Christi Southside Deanery; ordained 1991; grew up at St. Pius X Parish and attended St. Pius X School grades 1–6 in the 1970s.