St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church sits along De Zavala Road on the northwest side of San Antonio, a parish formed in 1980 and shaped by a steady line of pastors who have left their mark on a sanctuary that was deliberately designed in the round. Today, with a pastor who cleared the parish's outstanding debt and a Sunday afternoon Mass in Spanish serving a growing Hispanic community, the parish draws on its patron's love of simplicity to anchor a wide range of ministries, from a Kids Day Out program for toddlers to ACTS retreats that have marked generations of parishioners. The 2026 Jubilee Year, honoring the 800th anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi's passing, is being celebrated throughout the parish's adult faith formation offerings this fall.
Mass Times, the Spanish Mass, and the Livestream
The weekly Mass schedule is built around a Saturday vigil and three Sunday Masses in English, plus a Sunday afternoon Mass in Spanish. On Saturday, the Sacrament of Reconciliation is heard from 3:30 to 5:00 PM in the church, followed by the 5:00 PM vigil Mass. Sunday brings a full morning of worship: 8:30 AM Mass, 11:15 AM Mass (livestreamed on YouTube), 1:30 PM Misa en Español (also livestreamed), and a 5:00 PM Mass. Weekday Mass is celebrated Monday through Friday at 10:00 AM and is also livestreamed.
For those unable to attend in person, the 11:15 AM English Mass, the 1:30 PM Spanish Mass, and the weekday 10:00 AM Mass are broadcast on the parish's YouTube channel. Daily readings are available in English and Spanish through the USCCB links in the liturgy menu. Reconciliation is offered every Saturday afternoon before the vigil Mass, and Anointing of the Sick is available by request through the parish office for anyone anticipating surgery, suffering a chronic illness, or approaching the end of life.
The Sanctuary Built in the Round
The current worship space was constructed and dedicated in October 2001, when weekly Mass attendance had grown to about 1,800. With input from parishioners, the building was intentionally designed as a "church in the round" to reflect the communal aspect of Catholic liturgy. Octagonal shapes appear throughout the worship space, a quiet reminder of the eighth day, eternity. The earlier sanctuary, where the parish first celebrated Mass in 1984 under founding pastor Fr. Robert (Bob) Kownacki, now serves as Henke Hall. Other buildings on the campus include an administration building, a Parish Hall, an education building, athletic fields, and the San Damiano Building, a two-story structure completed in 2009 that provides meeting space for parish youth gatherings, ACTS retreats, Bible study, and sacramental preparation classes.
Four Decades on De Zavala Road
St. Francis of Assisi Parish traces its roots to December 1979, when Archbishop Patrick Flores authorized its formation. One hundred people living within the new parish boundaries celebrated the community's first Mass at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Over the next four years, Masses were celebrated in a variety of locations, and religious education classes met in parishioners' homes. Construction on a permanent church building began in 1983, and on Ash Wednesday of 1984 the first liturgy was held in what is now Henke Hall.
During the 1980s the parish grew in size. Members planned and led through the Pastoral Council, Richard McGarry and Tom Franklin served as the parish's first permanent deacons, and programs such as OCIA, the choir, ministry to shut-ins, engaged couple direction, and the RENEW program took root. By 1991, when Fr. James Henke was named pastor, the parish's spiritual identity was taking shape. That year brought the first fall picnic, the formation of the St. Vincent de Paul ministry, the first women's ACTS retreat, and the beginning of Small Church Communities (SCCs). New construction in 1993 and 1994 added an administration building, a Parish Hall, an education building, and athletic fields. In 1997, Sr. Frances Briseno joined St. Francis as its first pastoral associate.
The early 2000s brought physical expansion and pastoral transitions. Sr. Rose Kruppa became the parish's second pastoral associate in 2009, and on January 30, 2010, the parish celebrated its 30th anniversary with a "Pearl of Great Price" theme. That June, Fr. Larry Christian succeeded Fr. Jim as pastor. Under Fr. Larry's leadership, the parish started a Young Adult Ministry in early 2016 to give adults in their twenties and thirties a way to participate in the life of the parish. When Fr. Larry received a new assignment later that year, Fr. Tony Vilano became pastor in June 2016.
Fr. Tony brought a warm and welcoming spirit, quickly becoming a beloved shepherd to the community. He introduced a new Sunday Mass at 1:30 PM in Spanish to better serve the growing Hispanic population. Under his leadership and with the support of the Finance Council, the parish successfully paid off its outstanding debt, a milestone in the parish's history. His leadership has emphasized pastoral care, inclusivity, spiritual growth, and community outreach, and the parish continues to journey toward its mission to know, love, and serve Christ under his devoted guidance.
The parish's mission statement, formed in 1980, expresses that calling: "We, the parish family of St. Francis of Assisi, formed in 1980, are gifted with wisdom, productivity and vitality. We are Sacramental people journeying toward our Christian mission to know, love and serve Christ. To better know, love and serve Christ, we strive to emulate our patron, St. Francis of Assisi, by focusing our greater concern on the building of our people, giving our time, talent and treasures, in reaching out to others, and promoting peace and harmony within God's creation."
Becoming Catholic through OCIA
The parish welcomes those who wish to become Catholic, return to the faith, or complete their sacraments through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, now called OCIA (the updated name for what was previously known as RCIA). OCIA serves adults who have never been baptized and wish to be baptized in the Catholic Church; adults baptized in another Christian denomination who now wish to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church; and adults baptized Catholic but who have not received the Sacraments of First Eucharist and Confirmation. Adults already confirmed only need to take part in Adult Confirmation classes, which are coordinated through Deacon Scott Sowell at AdultConfirmation@sfasat.org.
OCIA meets on Sunday afternoons from 12:30 to 1:30 PM, following the 11:15 AM Mass. Participants are encouraged to attend the 11:15 AM Mass each week to grow familiar with the parish's celebration of the Eucharist. After Mass, the OCIA group gathers in the second-floor meeting room of the San Damiano Building, the two-story building at the entrance to the parish campus from Indian Woods Street. Inquiries are handled by Larry Perry at ocia@sfasat.org.
A parallel process exists for children. The Catechumenate for Children prepares young people age 7 and older who have not been baptized to receive the Sacraments of Initiation, ordinarily Baptism, Confirmation, and First Holy Communion at the Easter Vigil, through a two-year process of weekly catechetical formation and participation in the liturgical rites of the catechumenate. Children younger than 7 who are not yet baptized follow the Church's practice for infants and young children.
The Seven Sacraments at the Parish
Baptism is celebrated for children ages 6 and under after submission of required documents and completion of a baptism class, normally held on the second Thursday of each month. Parents and sponsors are required to attend, and Deacon Johnny Flores organizes the classes. Godparents must be living in accordance with the Catholic Faith, at least 16 years of age, confirmed, having received the Eucharist, and (if married) married through the Catholic Church. At least one sponsor is required; there can be no more than two, and if there are two they must be one male and one female. A baptized non-Catholic Christian may serve as a witness together with a Catholic sponsor. Children age 7 or older who need baptism should contact Larry Perry at lperry@sfasat.org or (210) 492-4600 ext. 211.
Eucharist (First Communion) is prepared through the parish's Sacramental Preparation program, a home-based program in which parents, guided by the formation team, prepare their children. Children ordinarily need to be at least in second grade and in their second consecutive year of faith formation to enroll.
Confirmation for baptized teens ordinarily takes place during high school, typically between the 10th and 12th grades, according to parish policy. Matrimony is prepared through a variety of marriage enrichment opportunities intended to strengthen Christ-centered marriages with a Catholic understanding of the Sacrament of Marriage. Couples preparing for marriage can connect with Marriage Sponsor Couples through Ray and Cecilia Bruce at (210) 492-4130. Anointing of the Sick is available upon request for individuals anticipating major surgery, suffering a major chronic illness, or just before the time of death. The sacrament is scheduled through the parish office at (210) 492-4600.
Faith Formation from Atrium to High School
The parish's faith formation programs are designed to meet children and teens at every stage. Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a Montessori-style program that opens registration each July for the Level 1 Atrium, serving children ages 3 through those entering Kindergarten. Through prayer, Scripture, and hands-on learning, children grow in their relationship with God in a peaceful, faith-filled environment. Children entering 1st grade and above are directed to Elementary Faith Formation.
Elementary Faith Formation provides a small-group environment where children in kindergarten through 5th grade learn the Catholic faith guided by catechists and an accredited curriculum. Classes meet weekly from September through May. Sacramental Preparation for Reconciliation and First Communion is a home-based program; children must be at least in second grade and in their second consecutive year of faith formation to enroll. A Home-School Faith Formation option is also available for elementary families who cannot attend weekly classes, and Second Saturdays for homeschool families offer an optional gathering for prayer, lessons, faith sharing, and fellowship. Linsey Serwer coordinates all of these programs at lserwer@sfasat.org.
Middle School Faith Formation, called EDGE, is created specifically for 6th through 8th grade students and leads them closer to Christ and His Church. An EDGE Night consists of prayer, games, skits, large-group catechesis, and small-group discussions, and it gathers on Tuesdays at 7:00 PM in the St. JP II Room. High school juniors and seniors, along with adults, serve as Core Members. An additional EDGE class is offered Sunday mornings from 10:00 to 11:00 AM for middle school teens whose school or extracurricular schedules make Tuesday nights difficult. Jordan Lux directs youth ministry at jlux@sfasat.org.
Life Teen is the high school faith formation component, leading teens deeper into their Catholic faith through catechesis, community, and service. Vacation Bible School offers children 4-years-old through 8th grade a five-day, fun-filled, faith experience, with music, games, crafts, and fellowship.
Kids Day Out
Kids Day Out (KDO) is the parish's early childhood program, designed and dedicated to meet the needs of parents and the children of the St. Francis community. Available for children between 18 months and 5 years old, the program enriches the child's growth in a positive, loving, Catholic atmosphere. In a peer setting, educational, recreational, musical, religious, and quiet-time activities are conducted under the supervision of caring teachers and helpers. The program runs Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM. The registration fee is $100, with a daily rate of $30. The director, Rosie Chavez, can be reached at (210) 262-9399.
Music That Lifts the Assembly
Music Ministry at St. Francis is built around a network of choirs that serve every weekend liturgy, with a special place for the Spanish-language Mass. The Music Director, Mark Schuenemann, welcomes adults, teens, and children, including a youth choir, to sing, with no formal training required, only a willing heart and a joyful spirit. Choir openings include the Saturday 5:00 PM choir, the Sunday 8:30 AM choir, the Sunday 11:15 AM choir, the Domingo 1:30 PM Coro en Español, the Sunday 5:00 PM Life Teen choir, and the Handbell Choir. Singers interested in joining can sign up through the music ministry page or reach out to Mark directly at mark@sfasat.org. The music ministry also provides music for funerals at the church and creates a free worship aid for the family.
Funerals and the Order of Christian Funerals
Funeral planning at St. Francis follows the Order of Christian Funerals and is rooted in the Church's belief "not only in the immortality of the soul but also in the resurrection of the body." The parish encourages families to reach out before a loved one's death, both to ease stress and to give musicians and staff time to prepare. The funeral rite is divided into three parts: the Vigil Service (often held at the funeral home during visitation), the Funeral Liturgy (preferably celebrated at Mass), and the Rite of Committal at the place of burial or interment.
Eulogies are typically encouraged during the visitation or at the Vigil Service rather than at Mass itself. Music at funerals must always have ties to Sacred Scripture or the Paschal Mystery, so secular songs are not permitted in the liturgy. The parish offers a Funeral Worship Aid template that families can use to put together a printed worship aid for the Mass.
The parish holds that cremation is permitted, while continuing to express a preference for corporeal burial. Cremated remains should be buried in a grave, entombed in a mausoleum, or placed in a columbarium; scattering, keeping ashes at home, or other means of disposition are not considered reverent in Catholic practice. In Lieu of Flowers donations can be directed to the parish, or to a designated charity such as Mobile Loaves and Fishes or the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, either by check or through the online giving portal. The parish maintains a public list of recent funerals and obituaries and invites those interested to subscribe for updates.
Reaching Out: St. Vincent de Paul, Mobile Loaves and Fishes, Habitat
Outreach is woven into the parish's identity. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, formed in 1991, serves neighbors in need through prayer and direct assistance. The parish partners with Mobile Loaves and Fishes, a local organization that provides meals to people experiencing homelessness; many parishioners have volunteered with this ministry over the years. The parish also supports Habitat for Humanity of San Antonio, joining the broader ecumenical effort to build affordable housing. Pilgrim's Pantry helps address food insecurity in the area. Grief Support, led by Miriam Flores, provides support and coping mechanisms to those who have experienced the loss of a loved one.
ACTS Retreats
The ACTS Retreat ministry, Adoration, Community, Theology, and Service, is a foundational part of parish life for men, women, and teens. Retreats are designed to facilitate the personal spiritual growth of adult lay Catholics. ACTS Core is instrumental in selecting retreat directors and maintaining continuity in the format of ACTS retreats at the parish. Separate retreats are offered for men, women, and teens, with Spanish-language retreats offered alongside English retreats throughout the year.
Ministries for Every Age and Stage
Beyond the formal faith formation programs, the parish hosts a wide range of ministries that meet regularly for socials, meetings, service projects, and events. The Mom's Ministry walks alongside mothers as they build the domestic church. The Men's Club organizes service projects and events like the BBQ Plate Sale. The Women's Council gathers for fellowship and service. The Knights of Columbus and Ladies Auxiliary provide additional fraternal and service opportunities. The Quilting Piece-makers share faith and friendship over quilting projects, while Health and Wellness supports parishioners through hikes, tai chi, and healthy cooking presentations. Our Common Home focuses on service and education in the spirit of St. Francis and Pope Francis's encyclical Laudato Si', encouraging recycling at parish events and planting wildflowers to support butterflies on parish grounds.
Liturgical ministries include Altar Servers (open to all ages 7 and up who have made their First Communion), Altar Care, Altar Linen Care, Lectors, Communion Ministers, Hospitality Ministers, Children's Liturgy of the Word, Mass Coordinators, and Liturgical Environment. American Sign Language interpretation is offered at the Sunday 11:15 AM Mass, with Virginia Getz coordinating interpreters and inviting all parishioners to learn some signs to pray alongside the deaf community. Spiritual Direction is available through trained parishioners and pastoral staff.
Councils that guide parish life include the Finance Council and Pastoral Council. Small Church Communities meet regularly to study weekly Scripture readings, share faith, and discuss God's invitations to service. Bible Study small groups meet weekly for facilitated Scripture study. Additional adult groups include Centering Prayer, Catechism, Coffee, and Discussion (a weekly gathering around Fr. Mike Schmitz's "Catechism in a Year" podcast), Gathering in the Spirit, the Women's Gathering, and Young Adult Ministry for adults roughly 20 to 35 years of age.
The Spanish-language life of the parish is supported by a Spanish Mass Coordinator, Spanish Spiritual Direction, and the Spanish Mass Choir under Cesar Garcia. A Spanish-language Adult Faith Formation page makes the parish's adult programs accessible to Spanish-speaking parishioners, with the same retreats, OCIA process, Bible study, Catechism discussion, Centering Prayer, grief support, marriage enrichment, Small Church Communities, Gathering in the Spirit, Women's Gathering, and Young Adult Ministry offered as in English.
Joining the Parish and Staying Connected
Becoming a parishioner is a simple matter of registering with the parish office at 4201 De Zavala Rd., San Antonio, TX 78249. Office hours are Monday through Thursday from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and Friday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The main phone line is (210) 492-4600.
Online giving is available through the parish's secure giving portal. Those wishing to follow along at home can subscribe to the weekly email push or watch livestreams on YouTube. The bulletin is published online, and a calendar of events keeps parishioners informed of what's coming up. Facebook, Instagram, and X offer additional ways to stay connected with parish life.
From its origins with one hundred souls celebrating Mass at a neighboring parish to its current life as a multilingual, multigenerational community with a debt-free campus and a sanctuary built in the round, St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church continues to journey toward its Christian mission to know, love, and serve Christ.