Saint John Catholic School

Saint John Catholic School is an elementary school in North Charleston, SC, located on St. John Avenue. It serves as the school of a diverse Catholic parish community, and Karen Durand serves as principal. The parish offers Confession Tuesday through Friday from 11:30 AM to 12:10 PM and Daily Adoration Tuesday through Friday from 11:30 AM to 12:15 PM. Father Rafael Ghattas, known as Father Rafa, serves as pastor; he holds a Master of Theology from St. Mary Seminary in Houston, Texas, worked as a mechanical engineer in France and SC before entering the priesthood, and previously served four years at St. Gregory the Great in Bluffton, one of the largest Catholic parishes in SC. He was installed as pastor of St. John on July 31, 2025, surrounded by clergy and community.

The parish's ministry life is carried by named coordinators: Flavia Feltner as office manager and coordinator of music ministry, Bill New with lectors, Lisa McLeod with altar servers, Jim Whiteman with ushers, Red McDowell with volunteers, and Elizabeth Hackett with the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults. Sister Trudy Edgington serves as catechist and religious formation coordinator and as president of the Women's Guild. The parish describes itself as a family grounded in Christ's love, and it invites members of the community to reach out for help or to be connected with the right ministry or person. Offerings of treasure, time, and talent are received as gifts shared within the community of faith.

Saint John Catholic School and its parish share an address on St. John Avenue in North Charleston, within the 29405 ZIP code.

Services:

• Catholic Faith Programs
• Lenten Series
• Parish Events
• Religious Education
• School Support