About Sts. Peter and Paul · Pearl River, Louisiana
Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church is a Catholic parish in Pearl River, Louisiana, belonging to the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Catholic life in Pearl River dates to 1903, when the first Mass was celebrated at the home of Nora Crawford; a mission church dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul was blessed in 1904 and served by Benedictine monks from St. Joseph Abbey for decades. The parish was formally canonically erected on June 6, 1970, when Archbishop Philip M. Hannan assigned its first resident pastor. Today it offers Mass in English on Sundays, a Saturday Vigil, and several weekday Masses, with confession before the Vigil and on Wednesday evenings, and First Friday Eucharistic Adoration. The parish is pastored by Fr. Carol L. Shirima, who has served as Administrator since October 2020.
- Established
- 1904 (mission church); parish formally erected 1970
- Patron
- Saints Peter and Paul
- Rector
- Fr. Carol L. Shirima (Parish Administrator)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of New Orleans
Why belong here
Sts. Peter and Paul offers a parish family with deep roots in Pearl River (Catholic worship here since 1903) and the stability of a long succession of resident pastors. Worshippers will find a full schedule of Masses — Saturday Vigil and three Sunday Masses, plus weekday Masses on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Wednesday evening — along with regular Confession and First Friday Eucharistic Adoration. The parish has strong parish life through its Pastoral and Finance Councils, a school history, active parish organizations, and a tradition of pilgrimage and pro-life witness that has sent its youth to the March for Life in Washington, D.C.
Mass times at Sts. Peter and Paul
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday: 6:00 PM to 6:15 PM (or by request)
- Saturday: 4:00 PM to 4:45 PM
Adoration times
- First Fridays: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM (Eucharistic Adoration)
Parish History
Catholic life in Pearl River began on July 5, 1903, with a mission-circuit Mass at the home of Nora Crawford. A mission church was dedicated in honor of Saints Peter and Paul on June 5, 1904, served by Benedictine monks from St. Joseph Abbey. In 1921 the church was moved to Nelson Road and became known as "The Old Green Church." After decades of monthly Masses, the Catholic population outgrew the building, and Archbishop Joseph Rummel dedicated a new church at Highway 41 Spur and St. Mary Drive on November 23, 1958. The parish was formally erected on June 6, 1970.
- 1903 — first Mass at Nora Crawford's home
- 1904 — mission church dedicated by Abbot Paul Schauble, O.S.B.
- 1921 — church moved to Nelson Road ("The Old Green Church")
- March 2, 1958 — groundbreaking for the new church
- July 6, 1958 — cornerstone laid
- November 23, 1958 — new church dedicated by Archbishop Rummel
- January 1970 — first resident pastor, Fr. Maur Robira, O.S.B.
- June 6, 1970 — parish canonically erected by Archbishop Hannan
Sacraments and Liturgy
The parish's Sacraments & Liturgy page links to the seven Catholic sacraments — Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation (Confession), Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Marriage. Adult initiation is supported through RCIA, which begins each September and concludes after Easter, with Baptism or reception into the Church typically celebrated at the Easter Vigil.
- Baptism (infant and adult/RCIA)
- Confirmation
- Eucharist
- Reconciliation (Confession)
- Anointing of the Sick
- Marriage
- Holy Orders / Religious Life
Baptism at Sts. Peter and Paul
Infant Baptism is treated as a serious parental responsibility: a seminar is required of all parents before the Baptism of their child, held by appointment with the pastor or a deacon. Baptisms are celebrated after the 10:30 a.m. Mass on the third Sunday of each month, except during Lent, or by special arrangement. Adult Baptism follows RCIA and typically takes place at the Easter Vigil.
- Baptismal seminar required for parents
- Infant Baptisms: 3rd Sunday of the month after 10:30 a.m. Mass
- Adult RCIA: September through Easter
- Easter Vigil: typical occasion for adult Baptism or reception into the Church
Holy Orders and Religious Life
The parish invites men and women considering vocations to speak with the pastor, who can assist in discernment and direct them to a fitting religious community. The parish also describes the restored permanent diaconate, open to married and single men in the Archdiocese of New Orleans, with formation classes beginning every one or two years.
- Priesthood discernment — speak with the pastor
- Permanent Diaconate — Archdiocese of New Orleans formation program
- Religious Life (brothers, sisters, consecrated life)
Parish Councils
Two councils assist the pastor in leading the parish, both mandated or framed by Canon Law and Archdiocese of New Orleans policy.
- Parish Finance Council — advises the pastor on parish finances and administration (Canon Law 537)
- Parish Pastoral Council — advisory body; 4 elected and 4 appointed members; elections held in May
- Pastor/Parish Administrator serves as ex-officio member
Pastoral Council Elections
The Pastoral Council page documents the parish's election process for the 2019 council, including candidate qualifications and an election timeline running from mid-November through late December.
- Applications available at church entrances or online (Nov 11)
- Application deadline (Nov 26, 4:00 p.m.)
- Candidate bios in bulletin (Dec 9)
- Elections at all Masses (Dec 15–16) and through the Church Office (Dec 17, 4:00 p.m.)
- Results announced at all Masses (Dec 22–23)
Buildings, Land, and Parish School
The parish campus sits on land donated by Herbert P. Berrigan at Highway 41 Spur and St. Mary Drive. Over the decades the parish has acquired adjacent property, renovated the sanctuary, added Parish Hall classrooms, a detached pre-K building (1985), and a free-standing library (1986), and built the long-awaited church restrooms. The home purchased July 17, 2003, on the corner of St. Mary Drive and Highway 41 Spur became St. Anthony Hall. The parish school operated from January 1977 to May 1987.
- Original 1958 church on Berrigan-donated land at Highway 41 Spur & St. Mary Drive
- Parish Hall with classrooms (used as rectory and school)
- Detached pre-K building (1985) and free-standing library (1986)
- St. Anthony Hall (purchased July 17, 2003)
- Sts. Peter and Paul School — opened January 1977, closed May 1987
- Church restrooms completed under Fr. Thomas M. McCann III
Pro-Life Mission and Outreach
Pro-life witness has been a recurring theme of parish life. Under Fr. Jerry Daniels, the parish partnered with St. Tammany Right to Life to continue pro-life support, and "The Jazz It Up for Life Soiree" helped fund a complete parking-lot renovation. Under Fr. Burnick (Bernie) Terrebonne, fundraising at "Sts. Peter & Paul's Summer Soiree" sent parish youth to the 2017 and 2018 Marches for Life in Washington, D.C.
- Partnership with St. Tammany Right to Life
- "Sts. Peter & Paul's Summer Soiree" fundraiser
- "Jazz It Up for Life Soiree" fundraiser
- Youth trips to the March for Life (2017, 2018)
Contact and Visit
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office by phone or email, and bulletins are posted on the parish website. The parish's Office of Child and Youth Protection is referenced on the official site.
- Address: 66192 St. Mary Drive, Pearl River, LA 70452
- Phone: (985) 863-7935
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://sppcprla.com/
- Weekly bulletins posted on the parish website
- Office of Child and Youth Protection
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Maur Robira, O.S.B.January 1970 – June 1970
First resident pastor; first recorded baptism of Robert Ellis Craddock, March 28, 1970
- Fr. Jean F. VillereJune 1970 – January 1973
Second pastor; first recorded funeral (Clementine D. Brewin, Aug 8, 1970) and first recorded wedding (Tommy Cooper and Zandra Gail Frierson, Aug 12, 1970)
- Fr. John V. Ralph
Fourth pastor (dates not listed on history page)
- Fr. Adrian B. HallAugust 10, 1975 – June 1982
Fifth pastor; added Saturday Vigil Mass, Sunday 10:30 a.m. Mass, weekday Masses; major sanctuary renovation, added side chapel and vestibule; oversaw opening of parish school (Jan 1977)
- Fr. William O'Brien
Sixth pastor
- Fr. Michael B. FraserMarch 23, 1985 – July 1995
Seventh pastor; began weekly parish bulletin; built detached pre-K building (1985) and free-standing library (1986); oversaw closing of school (May 1987)
- Fr. Bac-Hai Viet TranJuly 5, 1995 – July 2007
Eighth pastor
- Fr. Thomas M. McCann IIIJuly 14, 2007 – July 15, 2011 (as Parochial Administrator; later ninth pastor)
Ninth pastor; built the long-awaited restroom in the church; paid down St. Anthony Hall debt from $75,000 to $15,532 in one year; launched "Nibbles and Bits" town-hall meetings
- Fr. Ray A. Hymel, Jr.
Tenth pastor
- Fr. Burnick (Bernie) TerrebonneJuly 2013 – November 30, 2017
Eleventh pastor; organized youth trips to the March for Life in Washington, D.C. (2017 and 2018); retired for health reasons
- Fr. Warren CooperDecember 1, 2017 – December 31, 2017
Administrator (temporary)
- Fr. Jerry DanielsJanuary 1, 2018 – June 30, 2019
Twelfth pastor; renovated parish parking lot (funds from "Jazz It Up for Life Soiree"); continued pro-life partnership with St. Tammany Right to Life
- Fr. Travis John ClarkJuly 1, 2019 – October 1, 2020
Thirteenth pastor; started "Coffee and Conversations" home gatherings; removed from ministry after Sept 30, 2020 arrest; later pleaded guilty to felony obscenity
- Fr. Carol L. ShirimaOctober 11, 2020 – July 1 (listed)
Administrator; Spiritan priest; appointed after the parish's reconsecration