About St. Thomas the Apostle · Canyon Lake, Texas
St. Thomas the Apostle is a Roman Catholic parish in Canyon Lake, Texas, situated on 180 St. Thomas Drive in the Texas Hill Country. Founded on May 21, 1967 according to GCatholic, the parish is part of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of San Antonio and serves Canyon Lake and surrounding communities in Comal County. Under the pastoral leadership of Fr. Dennis A. Jarzombek and Deacons Richard Cordell and Todd Fredrickson, the parish offers daily and weekend Masses in English, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, Saturday confessions, and a robust Religious Education / Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program for children. With multiple Sunday Masses, weekday services, faith formation for all ages, and a wide array of ministries, the parish presents itself as a place 'to believe, belong, and become.'
- Established
- 1967
- Patron
- St. Thomas the Apostle
- Rector
- Fr. Dennis A. Jarzombek
- Diocese
- Metropolitan Archdiocese of San Antonio
Why belong here
St. Thomas the Apostle offers the full rhythm of Catholic parish life: three Sunday Masses (8:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m., and 5:30 p.m.), a Saturday Vigil Mass at 4:00 p.m., daily Mass or Communion Services Monday through Friday, and Saturday confessions. The parish nurtures families through Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for children in PreK–6 plus middle and high school faith formation, while adults can join the Thursday morning Lectionary Study, the Adults in Christ Formation Series, or the OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) process. Add in daily Eucharistic Adoration, a busy bulletin, and a wide menu of ministries and groups, and it is an accessible community to belong to in the Canyon Lake area.
Mass times at St. Thomas the Apostle
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 2:30 PM to 3:45 PM (heard by Fr. Dennis Jarzombek), and by appointment
Adoration times
- Monday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Tuesday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Wednesday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Thursday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Friday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (First Fridays until 7:00 PM)
Faith Formation and Religious Education
St. Thomas the Apostle runs a comprehensive Religious Education program for children in PreK through high school, anchored in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for the younger levels. Middle school and high school students deepen their knowledge of the Catholic faith and actively participate in the sacramental life of the Church. First Penance/First Eucharist and Confirmation are coordinated, multi-step preparations requiring family involvement, registered-parishioner status, and required meetings plus retreats.
- PreK–6: Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
- Middle School and High School faith formation
- First Penance / First Eucharist family study + monthly meetings + retreat
- Confirmation: two-year commitment combining individual, family, and group study with monthly meetings
- Children must be registered parishioners of St. Thomas the Apostle
Adult Faith Formation and OCIA
Adults have several ongoing formation options. The Adult Lectionary Study meets every Thursday at 9:30 a.m. in the RE Building to discuss the upcoming Sunday's readings. The Adults in Christ Formation Series offers seasonal sessions (fall, Advent, Lent, summer) — dates posted in the bulletin. Beginning September 2025, an Adult Faith Formation series featuring Dr. Brant Pitre ('The Mass Readings Explained,' Augustine Institute) meets Sundays 3:30–5:15 p.m. in Rooms 103-104. The parish also runs the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA, formerly RCIA), the formal process for adults seeking Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist, or baptized Christians entering full communion with the Catholic Church.
- Thursday Adult Lectionary Study — 9:30 a.m., RE Building
- Adults in Christ Formation Series (seasonal)
- Dr. Brant Pitre — 'The Mass Readings Explained' (Sundays 3:30–5:15 p.m., Rooms 103-104, starting Sept 2025)
- OCIA inquiries: Deacon Rich Cordell, 830-964-3497, [email protected]
Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA)
Following the November 2021 USCCB decision, the parish renamed its initiation process from RCIA to OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults). The Order is centered on fostering a deep relationship with Jesus and the Church He founded, walking candidates through distinct stages over a suitable period: the Rite of Entrance to the Catechumenate, the Rite of Sending (parish level), the Rite of Election (at the cathedral with the bishop), scrutinies, and the Rites of Initiation. It is intended both for the unbaptized and for already-baptized Christians or Catholics completing sacraments.
- For persons in need of Baptism
- For Christians baptized in another tradition seeking to become Catholic
- For Catholics seeking First Communion and/or Confirmation
- Contact: Deacon Rich Cordell, 830-964-3497, [email protected]
Parish Staff and Clergy
The parish is led by Fr. Dennis A. Jarzombek as Pastor, with Deacons Richard Cordell and Todd Fredrickson assisting in pastoral ministry. A secular staff supports faith formation, music, administration, facilities, and the bulletin.
- Fr. Dennis A. Jarzombek — Pastor ([email protected], Ext. 1)
- Deacon Richard Cordell ([email protected], Ext. 2)
- Deacon Todd Fredrickson (Ext. 2)
- Mary Marchetti — Religious Education Director ([email protected], 830-515-3780, Ext. 4)
- Griselda Tan — Music Coordinator (Ext. 8)
- Alejandra Campos — Parish Secretary ([email protected], Ext. 5, 830-964-3497)
- Misty John — Bookkeeper ([email protected], Ext. 6)
- John Perez — Fellowship Hall Coordinator ([email protected], Ext. 7)
- Chris Hanly — Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
- Shirley Pilus — Bulletin Editor ([email protected]; deadline 11 days before Sunday Mass)
- Bertha Nunez — Custodian
- Leslie Halm — Maintenance
Music and Liturgy
Liturgical music at St. Thomas is coordinated by Griselda Tan, Music Coordinator (Ext. 8). Together with the Adult Faith Formation series, the parish emphasizes a Scripture-and-sacrament-centered liturgical life rooted in the Sunday Lectionary and the Order of the Mass.
- Music Coordinator: Griselda Tan (Ext. 8)
- Weekly bulletin published for the Sunday Mass
Ministries and Volunteer Opportunities
The parish frames its ministries around stewardship of time and talent, quoting 1 Corinthians 12:4-6: 'There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit.' Opportunities include faith formation catechesis, music ministry, the Fellowship Hall, the bulletin, and the Parish Capital Campaign. The parish invites parishioners to share their gifts in service to the community.
- Religious Education / Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
- Music Ministry
- Fellowship Hall (coordinator: John Perez)
- Bulletin team (editor: Shirley Pilus)
- Parish Capital Campaign
Office, Contact, and Visit Information
Parishioners and visitors can reach the office at 830-964-3497 during published hours, or use the 24-hour emergency line 830-964-2574 for pastoral emergencies after 5 p.m. The parish mailing address is 180 St. Thomas Drive, Canyon Lake, TX 78133-4131, and the general email is [email protected]. Office hours are Monday–Thursday 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m., and Friday 9:00 a.m. to noon.
- Parish office: 830-964-3497
- Emergency after 5 p.m.: 830-964-2574
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Mon–Thu 9 AM–noon & 1–4 PM; Fri 9 AM–noon
- Address: 180 St. Thomas Drive, Canyon Lake, TX 78133-4131
About the Parish and Diocese
St. Thomas the Apostle is a parish of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of San Antonio, in the Texas Hill Country near Canyon Lake. It describes itself as 'a fellowship of believers, made in God's image and called as disciples of Christ to share the Good News with everyone through learning, listening, praying and working together actively to reach out to our local communities' — a place 'to believe, belong, and become.' It was canonically established on May 21, 1967.
- Diocese: Archdiocese of San Antonio
- Rite: Roman-Latin
- Established: May 21, 1967 (GCatholic)
- Parish self-description: 'a place to believe, belong, and become'