About Holy Name · Houston, Texas
Holy Name Catholic Church is a bilingual (English and Spanish) Roman Catholic parish located in the historic Northside neighborhood of Houston, Texas, at 1920 Marion Street. Founded in 1920, it is part of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston and celebrated its centennial in September 2020. The parish describes itself as a welcoming Catholic community called to live out the message of Christ in love and service to all people, with a mission to proclaim the Gospel of Christ to the local community in word, deed, and truth.
- Established
- 1920
- Patron
- Holy Name of Jesus
- Rector
- Rev. Cocou Cyriaque Sounou, SVD
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
Why belong here
Holy Name offers a deeply bilingual, multi-cultural parish home in Houston's Northside where the message of Christ is lived in worship, formation, and outreach to the community. Members can attend daily and weekend Mass in English or Spanish, join a thriving faith-formation program for children and youth (Pre-K through 12th grade) and adults, take part in the Legion of Mary, and gather for Friday Eucharistic Adoration, a daily Rosary, and a First-Friday Healing Mass. The parish also runs social outreach for those struggling in the community and celebrates together through World Food Festivals and Fall Festivals — making it a true neighborhood parish rooted in over a century of faith.
Mass times at Holy Name
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. (Bilingual)
- Weekdays by appointment
Adoration times
- Friday Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament: 9:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
About Holy Name Catholic Church
Holy Name Catholic Church is a bilingual Roman Catholic parish in Houston's historic Northside, founded in 1920. Part of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, it serves a growing multi-cultural neighborhood with Mass and ministry in both English and Spanish. The parish mission is 'To proclaim the Gospel of Christ to our local community in word, deed, and truth,' and it welcomes anyone — first-time visitor or long-time member — to register and join parish life. Office contact: 713-222-1255 / [email protected].
Parish History & Centennial
Founded in 1920, Holy Name has served the Houston Northside for more than a century. On September 13, 2020 the parish celebrated its Centennial Mass with Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, followed by a Centennial Dinner/Dance Gala on September 19, 2020, under the theme 'Celebrating our Past, Committed to Our Future.' The centennial committee gathered parishioner stories, photos, and memorabilia. As a permanent memorial, the parish sold engraved Legacy Bricks ($250 each) for installation at the main church entrance, with options to honor family names, Bible verses, birthdays, anniversaries, confirmations, military service, or loved ones.
- Founded 1920
- Centennial celebrated September 2020
- Cardinal DiNardo presided at Centennial Mass, September 13, 2020
- Centennial Dinner/Dance Gala, September 19, 2020
- Legacy Brick Program ($250 personalized pavers at main entrance)
Devotions & Other Services
Daily Rosary is prayed every Tuesday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., a brief devotion that gathers parishioners at the start of the day. The First Friday of each month is marked by a 7:00 p.m. Healing Mass, an evening service for those seeking physical, emotional, or spiritual healing through the intercession of the saints.
- Daily Rosary: Tue–Sat, 8:00–8:30 a.m.
- First Friday Healing Mass: 7:00 p.m.
Sacraments
Holy Name prepares children, youth, and adults for the Catholic sacraments. Baptism, First Eucharist, Confirmation, and Marriage Preparation are coordinated by parish staff; RCIA-style processes are also offered for children, youth, and adults who have not yet received the sacraments.
- Baptism (pre-baptismal class, $25 registration)
- First Eucharist/First Reconciliation preparation
- Confirmation (Youth & Adult)
- Marriage Preparation with Deacon Ferdinand & Lissie De Jesus
- R.C.I.A. for Children & Youth (ages 7–17, two-year process)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish runs a full catechetical program for every age group under the direction of DRE Alicia Avilés and Adult Formation Director Minnie Martinez. Children are served from Pre-K through 8th Grade in the Systematic Program; older children (7–17) prepare for First Eucharist in the Sacraments Program; high school youth prepare for Confirmation over two years; and adults seeking Confirmation are served by the Adult Formation office.
- Systematic CCE Program: Pre-Kinder – 8th Grade
- Sacraments Program (First Eucharist prep), ages 7–17, two years
- Confirmation Program, grades 9–12, two years of catechesis
- Adult Confirmation (ages 18+) — contact Minnie Martinez, 832-623-6180
- R.C.I.A. for Children & Youth
Legion of Mary
An active Legion of Mary praesidium meets at Holy Name, focused on the Works of Mercy and Marian devotion. The Legion visits the sick, evangelizes door-to-door, brings Holy Communion, encourages fallen-away Catholics to return to the practice of their faith, teaches religious education classes, brings the Pilgrim Virgin statue of the Blessed Mother into parishioners' homes, promotes Enthronement of the Sacred Heart, and engages in prison ministry — all under the patronage of Mary.
- Works of Mercy: visiting the sick, door-to-door evangelization
- Distribution of Catholic literature and church bulletins
- Encouraging fallen-away Catholics to return
- Bringing Pilgrim Virgin statue into homes (Rosary devotion)
- Enthronement of the Sacred Heart in homes
- Prison ministry
- Contact: Claudia Torres, 281-780-5784
Marriage Preparation
Couples preparing for marriage at Holy Name work with Deacons Ferdinand and Lissie De Jesus through the parish's Marriage Prep program. The parish emphasizes that all members of the parish community — engaged couples, married couples, and families — are welcome to participate in this ministry.
- Director: Deacon Ferdinand & Lissie De Jesus
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: (713) 222-1255 ext. 203
Parish Outreach & Community Life
The parish describes itself as active in social outreach for those struggling in the community, and gathers the neighborhood through annual cultural celebrations. World Food Festivals and Fall Festivals are signature parish events that bring together the bilingual, multi-cultural Northside community.
- Social outreach to those struggling in the community
- World Food Festival (annual)
- Fall Festival (annual)
- Parish Registration Form for new members (available at the parish office)
Clergy & Staff
Holy Name is pastored by Rev. Cocou Cyriaque Sounou, SVD, of the Society of the Divine Word missionary congregation. The parish is supported by two deacons serving marriage preparation, a parish secretary, and directors of religious education and adult formation. Members of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) — an international missionary congregation — have served the parish in recent pastoral appointments.
- Rev. Cocou Cyriaque Sounou, SVD — Pastor ([email protected])
- Deacon Ferdinand & Lissie De Jesus — Marriage Prep ([email protected])
- Esmeralda Ramirez — Parish Secretary ([email protected])
- Alicia Avilés — DRE Director, Faith Formation ([email protected], 832-623-6180)
- Minnie Martinez — Adult Formation Director ([email protected])
Visit, Directions & Contact
Holy Name Catholic Church is located at 1920 Marion Street, Houston, TX 77009, in the historic Northside. The parish can be reached by phone at 713-222-1255 or by email at [email protected]. Registration forms for new members are available at the church entrance, the parish office, or online. The Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston chancery is located nearby at 1917 Cochran Street, open Monday–Friday 9 a.m.–12 p.m. and 1 p.m.–5 p.m.
- Address: 1920 Marion St, Houston, TX 77009
- Phone: 713-222-1255
- Email: [email protected]
- Sunday Masses live-streamed at 8:00 a.m. (Spanish) and 10:00 a.m. (English)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Cocou Cyriaque Sounou, SVD
Current pastor; appointed by the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. A member of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) missionary congregation. Replaced an earlier SVD pastor.
- Rev. Anil Thomas, SVD
Listed as Pastor of Holy Name in an earlier Archdiocese pastoral appointment announcement (before Fr. Sounou's appointment as Administrator effective June 11).