St Catherine of Siena Catholic Church
Port Arthur TX

OUR MISSION

WE ARE CALLED

To be a parish family of caring, loving children of God To make ourselves and others aware that faith and hope in God will make a difference in ourselves and our community To share our service and love of God

ACCORDINGLY, WE CHOOSE

To celebrate the Good News To participate and encourage others in teaching/learning ministries To reach out to others to help them meet their spiritual, social, and material needs To be stewards of our time, talent, and treasure within our parish and our diocese

Our service and Love of God

 

https://www.stccpa.com/  

 

St. Catherine of Siena Parish was established to serve the Griffing Park and Pear Ridge communities of Port Arthur on July 24, 1952. Father Frank Schanzer was appointed the first Pastor of the new parish founded in 1953 and named in honor of St. Catherine of Siena. Groundbreaking for the first building was held on the feast of St. Catherine, April 29, 1953. The first Sunday mass was celebrated on May 16, 1954. The Ladies of the Altar Society were formed in 1953 and were organized into eight groups named after the Apostles. During the same year, the Ushers were also organized.

In 1956 the first Parish Mission was held and a troop of Junior Catholic Daughters of America was established for girls ages 12-18. The Diocesan Council of Catholic Men in the Diocese of Galveston was started in 1957. Two years later, in 1959, the men of the parish erected St. Francis Hall, a building designed to hold meetings of various organizations.

The Holy Name Society was organized in 1960 followed shortly thereafter by the establishment of the C.Y.O. On February 5, 1961 a ground breaking ceremony was held for St. Catherine School. On September 1966, St. Catherine Parish became part of the newly formed Diocese of Beaumont. A brick rectory was built to house parish offices in 1967.

In 1970, Monsignor H.A. Drouhilet became the second Pastor of St. Catherine Church. During his tenure, first remodeling of the Church was completed and included the addition of stained glass windows. From 1978 to 1980, Monsignor George Rabroker served as Pastor. It was during this time that a parish hall was constructed and named in honor of Monsignor Drouilhet. The 7,700 square foot building included a basketball court and is used for parish dinners, athletic events and other parish functions. Father Richard DeStefano was Pastor for one year followed by Father Patillo who served as Pastor from 1981 to 1983.

In 1983 Monsignor Kenneth Greig became Pastor for the next ten years. He along with his assistant, Father Ed Mazzu put all Vatican II reforms in the building into effect. Revered Joseph J. Romero became Pastor in 1993 serving until 2004. It was during this time that the Perpetual Adoration Chapel was established. Father Kevin Badeaux served as Parochial Administrator from 2004 to 2006. Revered Duc Q. Duong became Pastor March 31, 2006. Under Father Duc the Church underwent extensive renovations to make repairs caused by Hurricane Rita in September 2005. Renovations were completed in the Fall of 2006 giving us the beautiful Church we have today.

In July 2013, Father David Placette became Pastor of St. Catherine Church. During his time at St. Catherine Church, he put new Stations of the Cross and statues back in the Church. He also had marble benches placed outside the Church and adoration chapel. Father David also had several raffles and started Cajun Night to raise funds to get the Church out of debt. Father David took a medical retirement on January 31, 2016, leaving the Parish in good financial shape.

On Februrary 1, 2016, Monsignor Dan Malain was appointed Parish Administrator for St. Catherine Church and served in this capacity until August 1, 2016.

On August 1, 2016, Father Rodel Faller was appointed Pastor of St. Catherine Church.

On July 1, 2021, Father Tino Barrera was appointed Pastor of St. Catherine of Siena Church.