About Sts. Peter and Paul · Tucson, Arizona
Saints Peter & Paul Roman Catholic Parish is a large, active parish in central Tucson, Arizona, within the Diocese of Tucson. Founded in 1930, it serves approximately 2,275 registered families with a full schedule of daily and Sunday Masses, an on-site Catholic school, faith formation for all ages, and outreach ministries to those in need. The parish describes itself as a diverse, committed community with religious, educational, and service programs spanning every stage of life.
- Established
- 1930
- Patron
- Saints Peter and Paul (Apostles)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Tucson
Why belong here
Sts. Peter & Paul is a large, multigenerational Catholic community in the heart of Tucson that runs the full span of parish life: five Sunday Masses (including a Teen Mass on Sunday evenings), a daily Mass schedule, Saturday confessions, a parish school, OCIA for those becoming Catholic, faith formation for all ages, and outreach such as Walking with Moms for expectant mothers. With more than 2,275 registered families, it offers plenty of ministries to join, a long-running Catholic school, and a pastor and deacon who welcome prayer requests from parishioners.
Mass times at Sts. Peter and Paul
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
- Saturday 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Adoration times
- Friday 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM (per third-party listing)
About the Parish
Saints Peter & Paul Roman Catholic Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in central Tucson, Arizona, within the Diocese of Tucson. Founded in 1930, it is a community of approximately 2,275 registered families and describes itself as active, diverse, and committed, with religious and educational programs for all ages and many outreach efforts to those in need. The parish welcomes prayer requests, which its priests remember at Mass.
- Founded 1930
- Approximately 2,275 registered families
- Located in central Tucson, Diocese of Tucson
- Welcomes new parishioners and prayer requests
History
Sts. Peter & Paul was established in 1930 during the early years of the Diocese of Tucson. In 1931, the parish opened its own parochial school — the second Catholic school in the diocese — under founding pastor Father Joseph Patterson, even amid the hardships of the Great Depression. To overcome the distance families faced getting to the new school, Father Patterson bought school buses so children could attend; the school soon began to thrive. The parish has since grown into a multigenerational community of more than 2,000 families.
- 1930 — Parish founded
- 1931 — Parochial school opened, second in the diocese, under Father Joseph Patterson
- Patterson bought school buses to transport students during the Depression
- Today: ~2,275 registered families and growing ministries
Sacraments
The parish prepares Catholics for the full range of sacraments. Parents begin Baptism preparations by contacting the Parish Office, with baptisms typically scheduled on a set Sunday each month. Engaged couples are asked to call the parish at least six months in advance so the parish can help them prepare for marriage. The OCIA program welcomes those interested in becoming Catholic.
- Baptism — contact Parish Office to begin preparation
- Marriage — call Parish Office at least 6 months in advance
- Anointing of the Sick — Hospital Chaplain reaches the on-call priest
- Eucharist — daily, Sunday, and Saturday Vigil Masses
- Confession — Saturdays 10:30–11:30 AM and 3:30–5:00 PM
Faith Formation & Becoming Catholic
The parish runs Faith Formation programs for all ages and invites those interested in the Catholic faith to join its OCIA (formerly RCIA) 'Becoming Catholic' process. A Flocknote newsletter signup keeps parishioners connected to daily reflections, Mass times, and parish news.
- Faith Formation programs for all ages
- OCIA / Becoming Catholic program
- Flocknote Daily Reflections newsletter signup
Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic School
Opened in 1931 as the second parochial school in the Diocese of Tucson, Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic School remains an integral part of the parish mission. The school's website is linked from the parish homepage for families seeking a Catholic education in central Tucson.
- Parish school founded 1931
- Second parochial school established in the Diocese of Tucson
- Transported students via buses purchased by Father Patterson during the Depression
- Linked from parish website under /school
Outreach & Service
The parish describes itself as a community that 'reaches out in a variety of ways to those in need of assistance.' Its signature listed outreach is Walking with Moms, a ministry supporting expectant mothers. A standing 'Get Involved' / Volunteer Application on the parish website invites parishioners to serve.
- Walking with Moms — outreach for expectant mothers
- Get Involved / Volunteer Application
- Pastoral care via priests and deacon (prayer requests remembered at Mass)
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish staff directory highlights Deacon Dan Flanagan, to whom parishioners are invited to email questions. The parish priests remember parishioner prayer requests at Mass; for urgent hospital or sacramental emergencies, the parish directs families to the Hospital Chaplain who can reach the on-call priest for the parish. Fr. Ricky's 'Corner' is a regular feature on the parish website.
- Deacon Dan Flanagan (contact for parish questions)
- Parish priests (prayer requests remembered at Mass)
- Hospital Chaplain (urgent anointing requests)
- Fr. Ricky's Corner (regular parish blog/feature)
Visit & Contact
Sts. Peter & Paul is located at 1946 E. Lee Street, Tucson, AZ 85719, situated between Campbell Avenue and Norris Avenues in central Tucson. The parish office can be reached at (520) 327-6015 or by email at [email protected], and directions are available through the parish website at sspp-parish.org.
- Address: 1946 E. Lee St., Tucson, AZ 85719
- Phone: (520) 327-6015
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://www.sspp-parish.org/
- Between Campbell Ave. and Norris Ave.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Joseph Pattersoncirca 1930s
Founding-era pastor who, during the Great Depression, opened the parish school in 1931 (the second parochial school in the diocese) and bought buses so children could attend.