About Oaks of St. Francis
In 2013, a group of dedicated Catholics came together with the vision to create a Catholic Retreat Center for the northern end of the Diocese of Victoria. While the diocese provides for retreats at its beautiful Spiritual Renewal Center in McFaddin, it is over a hundred miles from the parishes and schools of Colorado County. Therefore, most retreats were being hosted at the Cathedral Oaks Retreat Center south of Weimar, a facility then owned by the Crossroads District of the Methodist Church. Because of the availability of dates and the desire for a more “Catholic” facility, a group of men inspired by the Holy Spirit came together in search of a place and funding to build such a facility.
At the same time, this group recognized that the Diocese of Victoria also lacked a retirement facility for its priests, and the only options were to go to the Galveston-Houston or San Antonio Dioceses. It became clear that these two needs could be met in a way that added economy of scale to each other as well as an opportunity for continued ministry for the priests if they would so choose.
In 2019, the group formed Perpetual Help Ministries, an independent non-profit organization with a twofold focus on the spiritual life of area Catholics and the care of retired priests from South and Central Texas.
In 2022, at a time when the Crossroads District was looking for a possible future operator of the Cathedral Oaks Retreat Center, a group of Methodist and Catholic church members and ministers came together in a spirit of ecumenicism to form a 501(C)3 non-profit organization to operate Cathedral Oaks – Cathedral Oaks Worship & Retreat Center. The Board of the new Cathedral Oaks Worship & Retreat Center was comprised of Methodist members who were familiar with Cathedral Oaks and Catholic members who were a part of Perpetual Help Ministries. Among the top priorities for Perpetual Help Ministries was the desire to build a small community for priests who desired to enjoy their retirement in a rural setting.
The new Cathedral Oaks Worship & Retreat Center donated 13+ acres on the back of its 101-acre property to Perpetual Help Ministries for the construction of the priest retirement homes, and the name The Oaks of St Francis was chosen.
That same year, Perpetual Help Ministries and Cathedral Oaks Worship & Retreat Center launched a $11.5 million capital campaign to fund upgrades and improvements to the Cathedral Oaks as well as the construction of the first phase of living facilities for the priests at Oaks of St. Francis.
About Perpetual Help Ministries
Perpetual Help Ministries is an independent 501(C)3 non-profit organization. As an expression of our Catholic faith, our mission is to provide spaces for spiritual reflection, personal growth and rest in the midst of life’s journey. Perpetual Help Ministries owns, operates and continues to spearhead the construction of The Oaks of St Francis. We will provide updates on its progress on this website.
We ask that you prayerfully consider supporting this deserving ministry through monetary or in-kind donations. If you are so moved, please contact us at 979-732-7033 or by clicking the button below
Perpetual Help Ministries Board of Directors
James Edmiston
Eamon McCourt
Deacon Andy Nunmaker, President
Deacon Rusty Theut
Stan Theut
Deacon Doug Tromblee
David Zapalac
“When we embarked on our journey to build the Priests’ Retirement Community, we were Catholics who wanted to honor and care for those who served us so well as priests and pastors of our parishes. This opportunity to build the Priests’ Retirement Community at the Cathedral Oaks Worship & Retreat Center adds a level of excitement and joy to this work that we could have hardly imagined. This location will add a level of purpose and engagement that will add years of life, youth and ministry for those who choose to live here.”
Deacon Andrew “Andy” Nunmaker
President, Perpetual Help Ministries
Board member, Cathedral Oaks Worship & Retreat Center