About Ascension Chinese Mission · Houston, Texas
Ascension Chinese Mission (美華天主堂) is a Catholic mission parish of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, located at 4605 Jetty Lane in Houston's Chinatown District (southwest Houston, 77072). Although founded to serve Chinese Catholics in the Houston area, the parish welcomes worshippers of all cultures and celebrates Mass in English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, and Tagalog. It is one of the ethnic mission churches recognized by the Archdiocese and is presently led by Fr. Shuxin (Roger) Zhang, with two deacons and a vibrant faith-formation, youth, young adult, and liturgical ministry program. In recent years the community has outgrown its current facilities and is in the middle of a multi-million-dollar capital campaign to build a new Activity Center and Education Center.
- Established
- 1972 (missionary work began); 1988 (canonical establishment as Ascension Chinese Mission); 1991 (moved to current Jetty Lane address)
- Patron
- The Ascension of the Lord (parish name)
- Rector
- Fr. Shuxin (Roger) Zhang (張漱昕)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
Why belong here
Ascension Chinese Mission is a small but close-knit Catholic community where Chinese cultural heritage and Catholic faith come together. Visitors and newcomers consistently describe it as 'close-knit,' and the parish is bilingual and multicultural — worshipping in English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, and Tagalog. It offers the full sacramental life of the Church (Mass, Reconciliation, Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Matrimony, Anointing of the Sick), strong faith formation for children, youth and adults in three languages, and lively ministries like AYAM (Ascension Young Adult Ministry) and Heart Voice. If you are a Chinese Catholic in the Houston area — or simply looking for a welcoming, multilingual parish in the Chinatown / southwest Houston area — Ascension is built for you.
Mass times at Ascension Chinese Mission
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- First Fridays 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
- Sundays 8:30 AM (per parish website)
- Saturdays 4:30 PM (per parish website / catholicmasstime listing)
- Sundays 8:00–8:45 AM and 10:00–10:45 AM (per catholicmasstime listing)
Adoration times
- Every Friday of the month, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
- First Friday — English
- Second Friday — Cantonese
- Third Friday — Mandarin
- Fourth Friday — Tagalog
- Fifth Friday — Vietnamese
About Ascension Chinese Mission
Ascension Chinese Mission (美華天主堂) is a Chinese mission parish of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, located in Houston's Chinatown District. The parish describes itself as 'Chinese by race and Catholic by religious belief,' a community of Catholics who have immigrated to the United States from all over the world and come together through shared culture and faith. While its primary identity is Chinese Catholic, the mission explicitly welcomes people of all cultures. The parish website publishes content in both English and Chinese (Simplified and Traditional).
- 美華天主堂 — official Chinese name
- Located at 4605 Jetty Lane, Houston, TX 77072
- One of the Mission Churches of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
- Welcomes people of all cultures
- Bilingual website (English and Chinese)
Mission Statement 使命宣言
In its own words, the mission statement declares that the parishioners are Chinese Catholics from around the world, united by shared culture and faith, and striving — through Sunday Eucharist, the sacraments, prayer, and active participation — to live a more meaningful Christian life and to be a true family of God's children. The parish aims to help every faithful fulfill their baptismal promises and follow Christ as a genuine disciple, becoming the living Body of Christ, a community of love, and a family of God's children.
- Strives to build a more meaningful life on Earth, enriched by Chinese culture and tradition and the Gospel of Jesus
- Seeks to live as the living Body of Christ, a community of love, and a family of God's children
History of the Parish
The community traces its roots to 1972, when Fr. Francis Chang, S.J., came to Houston at Bishop John Morkovsky's invitation. By 1976 a Chinese Mass was celebrated every Sunday at St. Ambrose Parish, later moving to Strake Jesuit High School. In 1988, Bishop Joseph A. Fiorenza granted the community canonical status as 'Ascension Chinese Mission' as it moved to a rented commercial unit on Corporate Drive. In the Spring of 1991 the parish moved to its present permanent home at 4605 Jetty Lane. Fr. Francis Chang died in 1998, Fr. Louis Zee was installed as pastor on July 30, 2000, and Fr. Roger Shuxin Zhang succeeded him in 2016. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020, the mission continues to grow.
- 1972 — Fr. Francis Chang, S.J. arrives in Houston
- 1976 — Weekly Chinese Mass begins at St. Ambrose Parish
- 1988 — Canonical status as 'Ascension Chinese Mission' granted by Bishop Joseph A. Fiorenza
- 1991 — Moves to permanent home at 4605 Jetty Lane
- 1998 — Fr. Francis Chang, S.J. returns to the Lord
- 2000 — Fr. Louis Zee installed as second pastor
- 2016 — Fr. Louis retires; Fr. Roger Shuxin Zhang installed as current pastor
Clergy & Staff
The parish is pastored by Fr. Shuxin (Roger) Zhang and is assisted by two permanent deacons. Parishioners and outside inquiries are directed to the pastor's email for most sacramental needs, with additional staff contacts for Religious Education, First Communion, and Confirmation preparation.
- Pastor: Fr. Shuxin (Roger) Zhang (張漱昕) — [email protected]
- Deacon: Dcn. Paul Kiang (江智鍾) — [email protected]
- Deacon: Dcn. Benny Chang (張弘俊) — [email protected]
- Reconciliation & First Communion coordinator: Elizabeth Yang
- Confirmation coordinator: Michelle Thai
Sacraments & Liturgies
Ascension Chinese Mission celebrates the full sacramental life of the Catholic Church. Parish staff coordinates the preparation and celebration of each sacrament with the families and individuals involved.
- Baptism, Holy Matrimony, Holy Orders, Anointing of the Sick, and Eucharistic Adoration — contact Fr. Roger
- Reconciliation and First Communion — contact Elizabeth Yang
- Confirmation — contact Michelle Thai
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish maintains a robust Faith Formation program that follows the catechetical standards of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. Programs serve children, youth, and adults — including those preparing to enter the Church through RCIA — and are offered in English, Cantonese, and Mandarin so families can grow in faith in their heart language.
- CCE (Children's Catechesis) — grades 1–5
- Youth Ministry & Confirmation — grades 6–12
- RCIC (Rite of Christian Initiation for Children)
- Adult Faith Formation
- Parent Formation
- Catechist qualifications: Baptized & Confirmed Catholic, 18+, Safe Haven certified, registered parishioner
RCIA — Becoming Catholic
The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) welcomes inquirers and catechumens preparing for the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and First Eucharist at the Easter Vigil. Sessions are offered in three languages, and the parish walks each inquirer through the Period of Evangelization, the Rite of Acceptance, the Rite of Election, the Period of Purification and Enlightenment during Lent, the celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil, and the Post-Baptismal Catechesis (Mystagogy) extending through Pentecost.
- English RCIA — Sundays 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
- Cantonese RCIA — Sundays 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
- Mandarin RCIA — Sundays 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
- Contacts: Dcn. Paul Kiang, Damon Lai, Bonnie Lee
Youth Ministry (Grades 6–12)
Youth Ministry develops and forms Ascension's teenagers into Catholic disciples through prayer, catechesis, community, activities, and service. Core Team volunteers meet regularly through the school year, and the ministry is always looking for adult volunteers willing to walk alongside the parish's young people.
- Open to youth in grades 6 through 12
- Core Team meetings August through May, plus beginning, mid-year, and end-of-year events
- Volunteers: Baptized & Confirmed Catholic, 18+, Safe Haven certified, registered parishioner
Ascension Young Adult Ministry (AYAM / 美华青年团)
AYAM gathers the parish's young adults (ages 18–40, per its ministries page; the young-adult page lists 18–39) to make new friends, worship together, learn together, and pray together. All are welcome — single, engaged, married, and parents. The group hosts an annual Young Adult Camping Trip and a January Young Adult Event, and draws inspiration from Pope Francis's Christus Vivit.
- Ages 18–39 / 18–40 (per parish pages)
- Open to single, engaged, married, and parents
- Annual Young Adult Camping Trip
- January Young Adult Event
Music Ministry & Chinese Mass Choir
The Music Ministry supports the liturgical life of the parish, with a particular focus on the Chinese Mass Choir. Vocalists and instrumentalists are welcome to join and share their gifts at the Chinese-language Masses.
- Chinese Mass Choir
- Vocalists and instrumentalists welcome
Bible Study & Sharing
Bible Study and Bible Sharing groups meet regularly at the parish in three languages, allowing parishioners to grow in familiarity with Scripture in their preferred language.
- Mandarin Bible Study
- Cantonese Bible Study
- English Bible Study / Bible Sharing
Heart Voice 心聲 — Parish Newsletter
Heart Voice (心聲) is the parish's bilingual newsletter/booklet, sharing reflections, parish news, and spiritual content with the community. A current issue (e.g., April 2026) is published on the parish website, and an archive of past issues is also available.
- Bilingual parish newsletter (English and Chinese)
- Current issue and archive of past issues available on the website
Capital Campaign & Building Project
Since May 2023, Ascension Chinese Mission has been pursuing a major campus expansion to serve its growing community. The total project cost is approximately $7.7 million, covering design, renovation of the existing Activity Center, construction of a new building, a retention pond, a covered walkway, furnishings, fixtures, lighting, contractor and architect fees, and other standard fees. The Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston holds about $2.5 million in savings for Ascension, has approved the project, and granted a $3 million line of credit; a recent Goodwill survey of parishioners yielded about $1.5 million in pledges — for a total of roughly $7 million in available payment power and a remaining balance of approximately $0.7 million. The architect is Merriman Holt Architects (selected through the Building Committee's vetting and interview process with the Archdiocese). The project includes a new Education Center on the field between the church building and the garden and a new Activity Center; the existing Activity Center's skeletal structure will be retained and renovated, and an enclosed playground is planned between the new Activity Center and the new Education Center.
- Total project cost: $7.7 million
- Archdiocese savings earmarked: $2.5 million
- Archdiocese line of credit: $3 million
- Parishioner pledges (Goodwill survey): $1.5 million
- Architect: Merriman Holt Architects
- Capital Campaign Committee and Building Committee formed in 2023
- Includes new Activity Center, new Education Center, enclosed playground, covered walkway, retention pond
Parish Identity, Logo & Symbolism
The parish logo and identity are rooted in the name 'Ascension.' The English 'A' is rendered as a triangle, evoking both the letter and the upward movement of Christ's Ascension. Within and around the triangle is the scriptural inscription from Matthew 5:14 — 'You are the light (of the world)' — reflecting the parish's self-understanding as a light to the Chinese Catholic community in Houston.
- Triangular 'A' symbol of Ascension
- Scripture: 'You are the light (of the world)' — Matthew 5:14
- Chinese name 美華天主堂 reflects both Chinese heritage and Catholic identity
Stay Connected
The parish encourages parishioners and visitors to sign up for Flocknote messaging alerts to receive timely parish announcements (堂區公告). Pastors, deacons, and ministry leaders are reachable by email through the addresses published on the parish website.
- Flocknote alerts — parish announcements in English and Chinese
- Pastor: [email protected]
- Deacons: [email protected]; [email protected]
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Francis Chang, S.J.1972 – 2000
Founder; came to Houston in 1972 at the invitation of Bishop John Morkovsky; established weekly Chinese Mass by 1976; oversaw canonical establishment of the mission in 1988 and the move to the current Jetty Lane address in 1991; returned to the Lord in 1998.
- Fr. Louis Zee2000 – 2016 (installed July 30, 2000)
Second pastor; served sixteen years until retirement in 2016; continued to celebrate liturgy for the community after retirement.
- Fr. Shuxin (Roger) Zhang (張漱昕)2016 – present
Current pastor; arrived in 2016; leads the parish's ministries, capital campaign, and ongoing growth.