Now, Rafferty, 50, is serving as the spiritual leader for nearly 3,500 families who worship at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, located at 7801 Bay Branch Drive in The Woodlands.

St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic School — which will initially accommodate about 260 students in preschool through eighth grades — is slated to open for its first school year Aug. 17.

Parishioners of St. Anthony of Padua parish will kick off a pledge drive in mid-April to raise money for the construction of their first church building.