St. Vincent de Paul (1580-1660) was born in Ranquine, Gascony, France, and was the son of a peasant farmer. After studying under the Franciscans at Dax, he was ordained in 1600, subsequently attending the University of Toulouse. In 1605, he was traveling by sea when his ship was captured by Barbary pirates. Taken into slavery, after two hard years, Vincent escaped to France in 1607. Under the spiritual guidance of Cardinal Pierre de Berulle, Vincent devoted his life to charitable works and was appointed a parish priest in Clichy, France.
Back in Paris, he established confraternities of men and women working to bring charity to the poor and to care for the vast numbers of the sick. His chief source of charitable donations and concerns came from wealthy noblewomen who provided funds for the creations of hospitals and homes for orphaned and founding children. To advance his efforts, Vincent founded the Congregation of the Missions, called the Lazarists or Vincentians, a society of priests with the task of missionary labor and the training of clergy. They were particularly charged with preaching among the poor people in the country. In 1633, along with St. Louise de Marillac, he also established the Sisters of charity, the first congregation of women caring for the sick and the poor outside the confines of the convent.
Appointed in 1643 to the Council of the conscience by queen Anne of Austria, regent for King Louis XIV, Vincent organized relief efforts for the many unfortunate victims wounded during the Wars of the Fronde that plagued France from 1648-1653. Vincent died in Paris on September 27, 1600, and was canonized by Pope Clement XII in 1737. Pope Leo XIII declared him the patron saint of charitable works and organization dedicated to serve the poor. Feast day is September 27th.
The parish of St. Vincent de Paul was established by a decree signed by Archbishop Lucey on October 19, 1961 comprising of territories taken from three existing parishes (St. Gabriel’s in San Antonio; Our Lady of Grace in La Coste; and St. Louis in Castroville. Located in a 13-acre tract donated by builder Ray Ellison in the Valley Hi Subdivision, the church building was not completed until years later.
Until then, Reverend Joseh P. Petsch, appointed pastor of the new parish, began celebrating daily Mass in his home, and then arranged for Mass to be held at the Royal Gate Elementary School, which affectionately became known as the Royal Gate Cathedra. An organ donated by the Salvation Army was used at these Sunday celebrations. One year later, in 1962, a multipurpose Parish Center was completed. Mass was celebrated there until the church was finally built. The parish grew from 355 families to 600 families’ within that short time.
Fr. Petsch started a four-grade school with some lay teacher and himself as Principal. The high cost of operation as well as the inability to find teachers led to the school closing in 1968. At that time, tuition was $6.00 a month for one child, $10.00 for two, and $13.00 for three, plus $2.00 registration fee.
The new church became a reality with its dedication by the late Archbishop Francis F. Furey on September 26, 1971. Fr. Petsch served the parish until the following year. Reverend (now bishop) Thomas J. Flanagan, DD, assumed the role of pastor and served the parish from 1972 to 1985. It was during his term that, in 1974, the Rectory was completed. By 1981, the parish had grown to 3,000 families and covered a widespread geographical area. The parish of St. Vincent de Paul then gave birth to three other parishes: Divine Providence, Resurrection of the Lord, and St. Rose of Lima.
In October 1985, Archbishop Patrick Flores, DD, appointed Fr. Enda McKenna as pastor. By this time, the parish was already serving over 2,000 families. Fr. Enda was assisted by two deacons, Rev. Mr. Robert Powers and Rev. Mr. Richard Bemerich, who also served as Coordinator f the St. Vince de Paul Society’s Friendship House. On September 27-28, 1986, the parish celebrated, in liturgy and festival, its Silver Jubilee-25 years of ministry.
In 1989, the parish welcomed a new Parochial Vicar, Rev. Jose L. DE la Rosa who, In June 1992, was appointed pastor by Archbishop Flores. Under his guidance, a chapel was added to the property, and building improvements were made to the church such as the altar, tabernacle, center crucifix, limited edition portrait print of Our Lady of Guadalupe, baptismal font, tiled floor, handrails, and a new air conditioning system. The original statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe was moved from the church to the front of the Chapel.
On September 27, 2001, the parish celebrated its Ruby Jubilee-40 years of service. Bishop Flanagan presided over the liturgical celebration and a memorable dinner after it gave honor to all the four pastors since 1961. There were 2,677 registered families by 2002.
On December 29, 2004, Pope John Paul II appointed Most Reverend Jose H. Gomez, S.T.D., to succeed Archbishop Patrick F. Flores, who retired, having served as Archbishop of San Antonio since 1979. He was installed on February 15, 2005. In 2007, a group of religious sisters managed the religious education and youth ministry programs. They were called to open a school in Mexico one year later. In June 2009, Fr. Jose L. De La Rosa was chosen as the new pastor for Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Selma, Texas. Rev. Agustin Estrada was appointed Administrator Pro-Tem and assigned to St. Vincent de Paul Parish effective June 1, 2009.
On October 14, 2010, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Bishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller, MSpS to succeed Archbishop Jose Gomez, who was assigned to lead the Los Angeles Archdiocese. Archbishop Gustavo was installed November 23, 2010. In San Antonio, he inherits an Archdiocese with 702,547 members and 173 parishes and mission congregations spread across much of south Texas.
The parish community of St. Vincent de Paul was growing rapidly as more property in the areas was developed and many families were moving to Texas. Parish participation increased with standing room only in the Spanish Mass, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament was moved from the chapel to the Church. The number of classes doubled for children who preferred Spanish religious education and for youth who needed to prepare for the sacraments of the Eucharist and Confirmation. With the growth in parish families has come more active participation in both new and established lay ministries and groups, open to the Holy Spirit. By June 2011, there were 3,375 registered families with a total of 11, 620 parishioners: 5,600 adults and 6,020 children.
On June 4, 2011, Ed Garcia, long time parishioner, was ordained as Deacon and was assigned to our parish assisting Fr. Agustin and semi-retired Deacon Leo Longoria. A new office in the Parish Center was designed for Project Gabriel, a non-profit volunteer group helping any mother, regardless of religious denomination, who has chosen life for her unborn child and who lacks support.
Opened in 2011, the Rosary Walk is an inspired addition to our grounds. Presented in a garden setting with a walkway and benches, it is a quiet place for reflection and prayer; for inner peace and devotion.
The parish celebrated its 50th Anniversary on Sunday, September 25, 2011, with an outdoor Mass for 1,200 people. This was quite an undertaking and a great example of lay ministries and other parishioners working together in service to the Lord. Archbishop Gustavo celebrated the following day a special Mass along with Father Agustin to consecrate the new altar installed earlier in the year. Around the Altar and upon consecrated ground, the Holy Spirit brings a nexus with the Kingdom of God. After the joyous ceremony for the Consecration of the Altar, a reception was held in the Parish Center. Our families were able to meet and share with Archbishop Gustavo.
A New Chapter
On July 1, 2018 the Archdiocese of San Antonio and through the support of Archbishop Gustavo Garcia, M.Sp.S. entrusts the care of this local community to the leadership of the Congregation of the Missionaries of the Holy Spirit.
2018 - Fr. Hugo Maese, M.Sp.S. was assigned pastor and Fr. Armando Hernandez, M.Sp.S. as parochial vicar.
2019 - Fr. Gerardo Ciscneros, MSpS was assigned as parochial vicar
2021 - Fr. Joel Quezada, M.Sp.S. was assigned as parochial vicar.
2023 - Fr. Roberto Saldivar, M.Sp.S was appointed Administrator.
On July 1, 2024, the Missionaries of the Holy Spirit were reassigned by their order, and our parish became an Archdiocesan parish again.
Parish Mission Statement
We, the faith community of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, Archdiocese of San Antonio, strongly embrace the charism of our patron by serving those in need. We call upon the Holy Spirit to empower us to follow the example of our Lord to spread the Good News. We are a community that is welcoming, supportive and enabling to all in every phase of our life. Our mission is to be disciples in spreading the Good News through evangelization, education, and worship.