About St. Rose of Lima · San Antonio, Texas
St. Rose of Lima is a bilingual Roman Catholic parish in the Archdiocese of San Antonio, Texas, serving the far west-side Marbach Road community. Established on September 29, 1981, by decree of Archbishop Patrick F. Flores, the parish was carved from the western sections of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church and has grown from 350 founding families to more than 4,000 today. The current church building was dedicated on December 4, 2005, by Archbishop Jose H. Gomez and is one of the largest parish churches in the archdiocese. A Perpetual Adoration Chapel was inaugurated on the parish's patronal feast, August 23, 2024, deepening its devotion to the Eucharist and to its patron saint.
- Established
- 1981
- Patron
- Saint Rose of Lima
- Rector
- Fr. Victor Valdez
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of San Antonio
Why belong here
St. Rose of Lima is a large, bilingual parish where Mass is offered in both English and Spanish several times a day, making it easy for any Catholic family on San Antonio's west side to find a home liturgy. Its ministries reach well beyond the sanctuary: the St. Vincent de Paul Society food pantry serves hundreds of local families each year, the Music Ministry fields multiple English and Spanish (Mariachi) choirs, and a robust Religious Education program covers children, youth (Life Teen), and adults (OCIA). With 24-hour Perpetual Adoration, daily noon Mass, a large event hall available for rent, and a thriving school of ministries, the parish combines reverent worship with active service to its neighbors.
Mass times at St. Rose of Lima
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday – Thursday: 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM
- Wednesday Evening: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
- There is no Reconciliation on Fridays
Adoration times
- Perpetual Adoration in the Chapel: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Adoration in the Church prior to weekday Masses: 11:00 AM
- Wednesday Evening: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM (Community Adoration, Rosary, and Evening Prayer in the Perpetual Adoration Chapel)
- Benediction every 1st Friday of the month after the noon Mass
History & Identity
St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church was established as a parish of the Archdiocese of San Antonio on September 29, 1981, by decree of Archbishop Patrick F. Flores, DD. It was created from the western sections of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church and began with about 350 families. The present-day church building was dedicated on December 4, 2005, by Archbishop Jose H. Gomez, STD, and is one of the largest parish churches in the archdiocese, frequently hosting archdiocesan liturgical celebrations. The parish continues to mark milestones that strengthen its identity — most recently, on August 23, 2024 (the Feast of Saint Rose of Lima), the parish inaugurated its Perpetual Adoration Chapel.
- Founded September 29, 1981 by Archbishop Patrick F. Flores
- Original 350 families; today well over 4,000 families
- Current church dedicated December 4, 2005 by Archbishop Jose H. Gomez
- Perpetual Adoration Chapel inaugurated August 23, 2024
- Designated Jubilee Year of Hope 2025 pilgrimage site
Parish Mission & Patron
The parish's published purpose and mission states: 'Our sacred purpose at St. Rose of Lima Parish is to love and know Christ, to practice His teachings as revealed to His bride the Church in Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition. As Christ loves His bride, we will love one another in word and deed, perform works of mercy and live out compassionate forgiveness. We will welcome all to the house of our Father, and as a community of faith we will joyfully assist one another in attaining the promises of eternal life through our sharing as members of the One Body and the Sacramental Life.'
- Patron: Saint Rose of Lima
- Feast Day: August 23
Clergy & Staff
The parish is shepherded by Pastor Fr. Victor Valdez, assisted by Fr. Bibin Abraham, and served by a sizeable diaconate of seven deacons. Religious education is led by two sisters, while a wider staff manages parish operations, music, liturgy, and facilities.
- Fr. Victor Valdez — Pastor ([email protected])
- Fr. Bibin Abraham ([email protected])
- Deacon José Berrios
- Deacon Alvaro Casas, Jr.
- Deacon John Gearhart
- Deacon Rey Jasso
- Deacon Antonio Lira
- Deacon John Lawson
- Deacon Ricardo Villarreal
- Sister Abigail Toledo — Director of Religious Education
- Sister Leticia Carranza Martinez — Religious Education Coordinator
- Justin Vela — Youth Minister
- Miguel Alcántar — Director of Music
- Ricardo Lazo-Freymann — Business Manager
- Maria Martinez — Receptionist
- Connie Varela — Office Asst./Bulletin Editor
- Eloise Cortez-Lara — Event Coordinator
- Art Herrera — IT/Media-Parish Photographer
- Maintenance: Victoria Ramirez, Leonor Rodriguez, Norma Soto, Carlos Ybarra
Music Ministry
Under Director Miguel Alcántar, the Music Ministry provides liturgical music for the parish's diverse weekend and Spanish-language Masses. Multiple choirs rehearse on different evenings so that English and Spanish liturgies, children's Masses, and youth events are all musically supported.
- Adult Choir (SABT) — Miguel Alcántar, Director; rehearses Tuesdays 6:00 PM in the Church; covers Sat 4 PM, Sun 8 AM & 12 Noon
- Children's Choir — rehearses Thursdays 6:30 PM; sings at Christmas Eve Mass and Sat 4 PM every 4th Saturday
- Spanish Choir (Mariachi) — Gil Hernandez, Director; rehearses 3rd & 4th Tuesdays 6:00 PM in the parish meeting room; sings at 10 AM Sunday Mass (live streamed)
- Youth Worship Choir — Mario Hernandez, Director; rehearses Mondays 5:30–6:20 PM; sings at worship services, candlelight retreats, and the Holy Hour every last Wednesday
- Contact: (210) 675-1920 Ext 105; [email protected]
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Religious Education is open to everyone from age four through adulthood and is staffed by Sister Abigail Toledo and Sister Leticia Carranza Martinez. Classes begin the first week of September (coinciding with the Northside ISD calendar), with registration opening each spring after spring break. The parish also runs the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) for adults seeking full communion with the Catholic Church, and offers Advent and Lent courses, Bible study, small groups, and prayer groups for adult spiritual growth.
- Preschool (ages 4–5): Sunday mornings at 8:00 AM and 12:00 PM
- OCIA (formerly RCIA) for unbaptized, non-Catholic, and Catholic adults with questions about the faith
- Adult Bible study, small group discussion, and prayer groups
- Special courses and missions offered during Advent and Lent
Youth Ministry
St. Rose of Lima is dedicated to the well-being of its youth and uses the 'Life Teen' program as the backbone of its middle and high school ministry. Life Nights are held on Wednesdays at 7:00 PM in the Parish Hall, and additional worship opportunities (such as the Holy Hour led by the Youth Worship Choir on the last Wednesday of each month) keep teens engaged beyond the classroom.
- Life Teen program for Middle and High School
- Life Nights: Wednesdays at 7:00 PM in the Parish Hall
- Volunteer sign-up available on the parish website
St. Vincent de Paul Society & Food Pantry
The St. Vincent de Paul Conference at St. Rose of Lima is one of more than 50 conferences in Catholic parishes across Southwest Texas, and its main ministry is the parish SVDP Food Pantry, located in the Church Hall. More than 40 Vincentians keep it running, taking inventory, ordering food from the San Antonio Food Bank and local grocers, picking up donations, stocking shelves, preparing food bags, interviewing neighbors, working with utility companies and Bexar County agencies, data input, financial reporting, and planning fundraisers. In 2024 the pantry provided 840 families with regular food and utility assistance, and at Thanksgiving and Christmas it distributes turkeys, vouchers, gift cards, and Angel Tree toys for children — all donated by parish members.
- Conference meets 2nd & 4th Thursdays at 6:30 PM (1st = business; 2nd = spiritual growth)
- Food Pantry hours: Mondays 8 AM–Noon, Wednesday evenings 6–8 PM, Fridays 8 AM–Noon
- Joining requires archdiocesan online training (including background check) and Ozanam orientation
- Contact / volunteer sign-up form available on the parish website
Outreach Ministry
Through the Outreach Ministry, parishioners and community members come together in monthly conversations and smaller group dialogues to identify the issues affecting local families — especially the poor, children, the elderly, and the lowly — and to organize sustainable responses. The ministry pairs listening with concrete action, including advocacy meetings with elected and public officials on behalf of the community. Those who work with vulnerable populations must complete Virtus training and a background check.
- Monthly general conversations with the parish community
- Targeted small-group conversations on pressing local issues
- Training in compassionate, non-judgmental listening
- Volunteer and snack-sponsorship sign-up form on the parish website
- Contact: Jesus Sebastian at (210) 538-4114
Venue & Celebration Hall
Beyond its liturgical and charitable mission, St. Rose of Lima operates a Venue & Celebration Hall that can be reserved for parish and community events, supporting the parish's outreach to the broader west-side San Antonio community.
- Venue & Celebration Hall available for rental
- Event Coordinator: Eloise Cortez-Lara
- Parish office hours: Mon–Fri 9 AM–5 PM
Visit, Contact & Office Hours
Parishioners and visitors can reach St. Rose of Lima by phone at (210) 675-1920 (fax 210-675-6067) or by email at [email protected], with the pastor reachable at [email protected] and Fr. Bibin at [email protected]. The parish is located at 9883 Marbach Road, San Antonio, TX 78245, in the North Urban Deanery of the Archdiocese of San Antonio. As a Jubilee 2025 pilgrimage site, public visiting hours are Monday–Friday 9 AM–8 PM, Saturday 3–7 PM, and Sunday 8 AM–4 PM.
- Address: 9883 Marbach Road, San Antonio, TX 78245
- Phone: (210) 675-1920; Fax: (210) 675-6067
- Email: [email protected]
- Parish Office: Mon–Fri 9 AM–5 PM
- Religious Education Office: Mon–Thu 4–7 PM; Sun 9 AM–1 PM
- Deanery: North Urban (Archdiocese of San Antonio)