A Catholic Parish on Wyoming Avenue in Reno
St. Albert the Great Catholic Church sits at 1250 Wyoming Avenue on the western side of Reno, Nevada, in the Diocese of Reno. The parish is known for its daily Mass schedule, a Saturday evening Mass in Spanish, a monthly Filipino Mass, and Wednesday Eucharistic Adoration that runs through the afternoon and early evening. On the same grounds are St. Albert the Great Catholic School, a K-8 elementary, and the St. Albert the Great Child Development Center, which serves children from three months old through pre-kindergarten. The parish grounds host an unusually wide range of ministries, from the Knights of Columbus and the Legion of Mary to St. Al's GALS, a women's service group, and a diocesan Scouting America troop.
The mission statement at the heart of the parish reads simply: "We, the people of St. Albert the Great parish, are called to know, love, and serve God through prayer, service, living the Gospel, and celebrating the Eucharist." Four values flow from that mission - encouraging lifelong faith formation, supporting personal and communal prayer and the sacramental life of the Church centered on the Eucharist, respecting life from conception to natural death, and promoting stewardship as a way of life.
Mass Schedule: English Every Day, Spanish on Saturday Evening
Sunday Mass at St. Albert the Great is offered three times each week: 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM, and 5:00 PM, all in English. On the third Sunday of each month, a Filipino Mass is added at 12:00 PM. Weekday Masses follow a steady rhythm: Monday at 8:00 AM, Tuesday at 8:00 AM, Wednesday at 10:30 AM, Thursday at 8:00 AM, and Friday at 10:30 AM. On Saturday, the parish offers two Masses: 4:00 PM in English and 6:00 PM in Spanish. A bilingual bulletin is published each week in print and as a PDF, with Mass intentions, parish news, and the readings in both English and Spanish.
The parish observes the Holy Days of Obligation of the Latin Rite: the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God on January 1, the Ascension on the Sunday in the sixth week of Easter, the Assumption on August 15, All Saints on November 1, the Immaculate Conception on December 8, and Christmas on December 25. On First Fridays the parish gathers for a 10:30 AM Mass followed by a Holy Hour with Adoration and Healing.
Reconciliation on Wednesdays and Saturdays
The Sacrament of Penance is celebrated every Wednesday from 5:00 to 5:45 PM and every Saturday from 2:30 to 3:45 PM in the church. The parish welcomes those returning to the sacrament after a long absence. A Community Penance Service is hosted on the parish grounds each Lent in cooperation with the Diocese of Reno. Anyone wishing to celebrate the sacrament privately outside the regular hours may call the parish office.
Wednesday Eucharistic Adoration
Every Wednesday, the Blessed Sacrament is exposed for adoration from 11:00 AM until 8:00 PM. Parishioners sign up online for weekly hours or to serve as substitutes. Visitors are invited to spend a quiet Holy Hour in the chapel, practice Lectio Divina, or pray the Rosary. The parish asks for genuflection before the Blessed Sacrament and silence in the chapel.
The Seven Sacraments at St. Albert's
The seven sacraments of the Catholic Church form the backbone of parish life at St. Albert the Great.
Baptism. Infant baptisms are celebrated during any of the weekend Masses. Parents and godparents attend a preparation class held on the third Saturday of each month in the parish gathering room - English at 10:00 AM and Spanish at 11:00 AM. The class is led by Janet Lanham, the Infant and Child Baptism Coordinator. Children over the age of seven receive baptismal preparation through the parish school or the Religious Education Program. Adults enter the waters of baptism through the OCIA process, with reception at the Easter Vigil. Godparents must be confirmed, practicing Catholics at least sixteen years old, and may not be the parent of the one being baptized. There is usually one godparent, though two - one male and one female - is traditional. A baptized non-Catholic may serve as an official Christian witness together with a Catholic godparent.
Eucharist. First Holy Communion is celebrated each spring with parish children in second grade or above, prepared through the parish school or the Religious Education Program. Teenagers and adults who have been baptized Catholics but have never received First Communion prepare through OCIA. Gluten-free hosts containing less than twenty parts per million of gluten are available; parishioners with celiac disease are asked to notify the sacristan before Mass.
Confirmation. Confirmation at St. Albert's is led by Confirmation Coordinator Robert Hamon. Candidates must have a sponsor who meets the same qualifications as a godparent - a fully initiated, practicing Catholic at least sixteen years of age. High school-aged teens and adults who have not yet been confirmed prepare through OCIA.
Penance. See the Reconciliation schedule above.
Anointing of the Sick. The sacrament may be received by anyone struggling with illness, not only those near death. It is celebrated communally when possible and may be received within Mass. The parish asks anyone facing serious illness or surgery to call the parish office so a priest can come.
Marriage. Weddings are scheduled at least six months in advance and require a four-session marriage preparation class. Engaged couples are encouraged to attend a Catholic Engaged Encounter weekend retreat offered in the Diocese of Reno. For Your Marriage, an initiative of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, is recommended as a year-round resource for couples at every stage.
Holy Orders. The parish supports men discerning a call to the Permanent Diaconate, the Priesthood, or the Episcopacy.
Becoming Catholic through OCIA
Adults who wish to become Catholic - unbaptized, baptized in another Christian tradition, or baptized Catholics who have not yet received Confirmation and First Communion - journey through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults. OCIA sessions are held on Wednesday evenings. The team is led by Karen McClenahan, and parish members serve as sponsors and team members on the journey. Participants meet weekly during the period of inquiry, formation, and purification, using the Bible, the Sacred Liturgy, and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Adults preparing for baptism are received into the Church at the Easter Vigil.
St. Albert the Great Catholic School (K-8)
St. Albert the Great Catholic School is the parish elementary school, serving students from kindergarten through eighth grade. It is located at 1255 St. Albert's Drive, immediately adjacent to the church, and operates on a schedule of 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM on school days. The principal is Dr. Susan Kehoe, and a faculty and staff provide the academic program rooted in the Diocese of Reno's curriculum standards. The school's office can be reached at the parish phone number.
The Child Development Center
St. Albert the Great Child Development Center, established in 1997, serves children from three months old through pre-kindergarten. The center is located at 1259 St. Alberts Drive and operates Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The program is play-based and follows the developmentally appropriate practice guidelines of the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Children are guided through pre-math, science, art, music, language, creative expression, dramatic play, and large- and small-motor skill activities, with attention to social and emotional growth. The center meets the regulations of Washoe County Social Services, the Reno Fire Department, and the Washoe County Health Department. The director is Kristin Mareno, with Jen Peapealalo as Program Director and Debbie Hamon as Assistant Director.
Religious Education for Children
Children in the parish who do not attend St. Albert's Catholic School receive faith formation through the parish Religious Education Program, often called CCD. The program is designed to help every baptized person realize that they are loved by God and called to a profound relationship of love with Him and others. Classes prepare children for First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation. The program is led by the parish priests and a team of catechists; inquiries may be directed to religious.ed@stalbertreno.org.
Youth Ministry and Confirmation
Youth Ministry at St. Albert's is led by Mike Kelly, who also serves as the Confirmation Director. Activities are open to the middle school and high school youth of the parish, with Confirmation preparation offered for those who have completed the required formation. The Confirmation Coordinator, Robert Hamon, organizes the two-year Confirmation program and helps match each candidate with a sponsor who meets the same qualifications as a godparent.
The Hispanic Ministry
The Hispanic Ministry at St. Albert's serves Spanish-speaking parishioners through the 6:00 PM Saturday Mass in Spanish, a Bible study on the second and fourth Tuesdays at 6:30 PM, a baptism class on the third Saturday of each month at 11:00 AM, the celebration of quinceañeras, and the annual celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Martha Sandoval and Mario Felipe lead the ministry and serve as Parish Council Representatives. Their core group includes Letty Corral, Claudia Cervantes, Verónica Sandoval, Beatriz Uribe, Michael Pham, Jr. García, Betty Zúñiga, Fidencio Amador, Rossy Mercado, Alberto Silva, Alejandra Silva, Marco Horta, Yeny Portillo, and Mary Rodríguez. Music is led by Antonio and Marcos Horta and their family. The Hispanic Ministry also supports the parish through lectors, ushers, and eucharistic ministers.
Filipino Ministry
The Filipino Ministry gathers for Mass in Filipino on the third Sunday of each month at 12:00 PM. The Mass brings together Filipino-American parishioners from across the parish and is one of several intercultural communities within St. Albert the Great.
St. Al's GALS: Giving and Loving Service
St. Al's GALS is the women's service and fellowship group of the parish. Founded by Karen McClenahan and led by co-presidents Karen McClenahan and Carla Mischel, the group supports other ministries across the parish and the Diocese of Reno. Projects have included baking more than four hundred cookies for the University of Nevada, Reno Newman Center students, preparing dinner for visiting priests who came for the Advent Penance Service, and teaching crafts at the Christmas Around the World parish event. GALS members support Real Choices of Nevada and the parish Respect Life efforts as part of their service.
Men's Groups: That Man is You and the Knights of Columbus
That Man is You is a men's fellowship program rooted in the spirituality of St. Joseph. The Knights of Columbus Council 7322 meets at the parish and sponsors the parish's Scouting America troop. The Knights gather on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 PM in the parish gathering room.
Legion of Mary
The Legion of Mary meets every Tuesday at 2:30 PM in the parish gathering room. Members participate in the Legion's program of prayer, apostolic work, and visitation, including the Respect Life Rosary prayed on the first Saturday of each month. Teresa Sinocruz serves as the current president.
Liturgy and Music
Nina Weaver serves as Director of Liturgy and Music, coordinating the Sunday liturgies and the parish's music program. Worship ministries at the parish include Lector, Sacristan, Altar Server, Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, Usher, Choir Member, and Welcome Minister. Those interested in serving in any of these ministries may contact the parish office to sign up.
Ministries that Support Life
The Respect Life Ministry supports a culture of life from conception to natural death. The ministry works closely with Real Choices of Nevada, which provides confidential, no-cost pregnancy testing, limited obstetrical ultrasounds, options consultations, abortion information, parenting classes and education, support for men, and abortion recovery referrals. The FertilityCare Center of Reno offers the Creighton Model FertilityCare System and NaProTechnology to couples seeking help understanding their fertility. Project Rachel, the diocese's post-abortion healing ministry, offers a confidential help line and non-judgmental support. Denis Dolan leads the Respect Life Ministry at the parish.
Walking with Moms in Need
Walking with Moms in Need is a parish-based outreach to pregnant women and new mothers in difficult circumstances. Volunteers connect mothers with practical resources, parish support, and confidential help through the Real Choices of Nevada network and parish ministries.
Bereavement, Marriage Support, and Quinceañeras
The Bereavement Ministry meets on the second Thursday of each month and provides comfort to parishioners who have lost a loved one. Members learn how to be present to those in grief and accompany the bereaved with practical support. The ministry is led by Ruth Longcore. Marriage Enrichment resources point couples to For Your Marriage, a United States Conference of Catholic Bishops initiative. A Divorce Recovery program is offered through Shirley Russell, who can be reached through the parish office. Quinceañeras are coordinated by Claudia Cervantes and Mary Rodriguez as part of the Hispanic Ministry.
Scouting at the Parish
Scouting America Troop 7322 is sponsored by St. Albert the Great Parish and supports Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, and Venture Crew 7322. The troop is open to boys and girls from kindergarten through college age. Scouts have helped with landscaping at the parish grounds and have earned the Ad Altare Dei religious emblem, the Catholic Scouting religious award. The Scouting Master is Russ Fromherz.
Safe Environment and Protecting God's Children
The parish follows the Diocese of Reno's Safe Environment Requirements, in compliance with the Dallas Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. All employees and volunteers who work with minors must complete VIRTUS Protecting God's Children training and a background check before beginning service. Elda Juarez administers the program at the parish. Volunteers under 18 complete the Healthy Relationships for Teens 2.0 module in lieu of the adult awareness session.
Mass Intentions
Parishioners may request a Mass for the living, the deceased, in thanksgiving, for an anniversary, for a birthday, for healing, or for a special intention. Requests should be submitted at least two weeks in advance, with a customary donation of ten dollars. Requests may be made online, by email, by phone during office hours, or in person at the parish office. The intention is published in the bulletin and announced at the Mass by the celebrant.
The Catholic Services Appeal and Online Giving
Online Giving is available through the parish's giving portal, allowing one-time and recurring gifts, scheduled contributions, and credit card rewards. The parish also participates in the Diocese of Reno's Catholic Services Appeal, the annual diocesan campaign that funds ministries across northern Nevada. Once the parish reaches its goal, the parish receives a dollar-for-dollar rebate on any gifts above the goal. Stock transfers, IRA gifts, donor-advised fund gifts, and employer matching programs are also welcome.
The Patron: St. Albert the Great
The parish takes its name from St. Albert the Great, also known as Albertus Magnus, a 13th-century Dominican bishop, philosopher, and theologian. Born around 1206 in Lauingen, Bavaria, he was the instructor of St. Thomas Aquinas and became Bishop of Regensburg in 1260. He earned the affectionate nickname "Boots the Bishop" for walking across his large diocese in keeping with Dominican humility, refusing to ride a horse. He resigned his bishopric in 1263 and died on November 15, 1280. He was canonized and proclaimed a Doctor of the Church in 1931 by Pope Pius XI. The patron saint of scientists, students, philosophers, and school children, his feast day is November 15.
Getting in Touch
The parish office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM and is closed on Saturday and Sunday. The address is 1250 Wyoming Avenue, Reno, NV 89503, and the parish phone number is (775) 747-0722. General inquiries may be sent to church@stalbertreno.org. The Religious Education office shares the same address and phone number, with email directed to religious.ed@stalbertreno.org. St. Albert the Great is part of the Diocese of Reno, led by Bishop Daniel Mueggenborg, and shares in the wider Catholic life of northern Nevada.