About Our Lady of Lavang Catholic Church · Houston, Texas
Our Lady of Lavang Catholic Church (Giáo Xứ Đức Mẹ Lavang) is a Vietnamese Catholic parish in northwest Houston, Texas, founded in 1985 and recognized as one of the largest Vietnamese Catholic communities in the United States. It is located at 12320 Old Foltin Road and is staffed by Dominican friars (Order of Preachers) under the Vicariate of St. Vincent Liem. The parish serves the spiritual, cultural, and educational life of the Greater Houston Vietnamese Catholic community while welcoming all who wish to join in, and is especially known for its distinctive Vietnamese-inspired architecture and its annual July Freedom Mass pilgrimage.
- Established
- 1985 (community); February 1, 1986 (parish)
- Patron
- Our Lady of Lavang (Đức Mẹ Lavang) — the Vietnamese title of the Blessed Virgin Mary commemorating the 1798 apparition at La Vang, central Vietnam
- Rector
- Rev. Joseph Nghi Dinh, O.P. (Giuse Đinh Văn Nghị, O.P.) — appointed Pastor effective August 1, per Archdiocese of Galveston–Houston pastoral appointments; current pastor as of mid-2025.
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Galveston–Houston (pastoral care entrusted to the Dominican Order of Preachers, Vicariate of St. Vincent Liem)
Why belong here
Our Lady of Lavang is a thriving Vietnamese Catholic community that combines reverent liturgy in Vietnamese with rich cultural and devotional life. Weekday and Sunday Masses are offered in Vietnamese, with confession before Mass and daily Eucharistic Adoration from 3:00–5:30 p.m., plus special devotions such as the Divine Mercy Mass on the first Friday and the Our Lady of Fatima Mass on the 13th of each month. The parish runs a year-round Faith Formation program for grades 1–10, active sodalities (Catholic Mothers' Association, Sacred Heart Alliance, Dominican Laity, Legion of Mary, and TNTT Eucharistic Youth Movement), scouting troops, and a Lavang Education Center (Trường Lavang) — and welcomes all who wish to join in.
Mass times at Our Lady of Lavang Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday and Saturday: 20 minutes before Mass
- Weekday evenings: 5:45 PM – 5:55 PM (per Discover Mass listing)
- Saturday evening: 5:40 PM – 5:50 PM (per Discover Mass listing)
- Sunday mornings: 6:40, 8:40, and 10:40 AM, and 5:40 PM (per Discover Mass listing)
Adoration times
- Monday – Friday: 3:00 PM – 5:30 PM
- First Thursday of the month: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM (after the 8:30 AM Mass)
- First Friday of the month: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM (after the 8:30 AM Mass)
Parish History and Heritage
Our Lady of Lavang traces its origins to the Vietnamese Catholic community that worshipped at St. Monica parish in Houston in 1985. The Hội Các Bà Mẹ Công Giáo was founded on May 12, 1985, the Lavang community was dedicated on December 21, 1985, and the parish was canonically erected on February 1, 1986 — the first Vietnamese Catholic parish in the Archdiocese of Galveston–Houston. After years of planning and fundraising, the current 1,100-seat sanctuary was dedicated on December 9, 2001. The parish is pastored by Dominican friars of the Vicariate of St. Vincent Liem.
- 1985 — community founded under St. Monica parish
- Dec 21, 1985 — first Lavang church dedicated
- Feb 1, 1986 — parish canonically established
- Dec 9, 2001 — current sanctuary dedicated
- Feb 15, 2009 — Vicariate of St. Vincent Liem (Dominicans) formally assumes pastoral responsibility
Clergy and Parish Staff
The parish is staffed by Dominican friars (Order of Preachers). The current pastor is Fr. Joseph Nghi Dinh, O.P., supported by two parochial vicars, a permanent deacon, Dominican sisters, and a lay parish secretary. The Faith Formation program is directed by Sr. Francesca Bùi Thanh Bình, O.P.
- Pastor: Rev. Joseph Nghi Dinh, O.P. (Giuse Đinh Văn Nghị)
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Joseph Trần Trung Liêm, O.P.
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Dominic Nguyễn Trinh Quang, O.P.
- Deacon Joseph Tôn Thất Ytri
- Sr. Francesca Bùi Thanh Bình, O.P. — Director of Religious Education
- Ryan Hoạt Lưu — Parish Secretary
Faith Formation and Religious Education (Ban Giáo Lý)
The parish offers a systematic Vietnamese-language faith formation program for children in Grades 1 through 10 (ages 7 through 16+). The program includes Sacramental Preparation for First Eucharist, First Reconciliation, and Confirmation, alongside instruction in the Holy Trinity, the sacraments, Catholic doctrine, prayer, and Scripture. The program is directed by Sr. Francesca Bùi Thanh Bình, O.P. (713-330-6891, [email protected]).
- Grades 1–10 systematic catechesis
- First Eucharist preparation
- First Reconciliation preparation
- Confirmation preparation (Grade 10)
Parish Sodalities and Organizations (Hội Đoàn)
Our Lady of Lavang has a strong tradition of lay organizations rooted in Vietnamese Catholic spirituality. Several sodalities were founded in the parish's earliest years and remain active, providing formation, service, and fellowship for parishioners of every age.
- Hội Các Bà Mẹ Công Giáo (Catholic Mothers' Association) — founded May 12, 1985; patroness changed to Mary, Mother of God on January 1
- Liên Minh Thánh Tâm (Sacred Heart Alliance) — founded July 20, 1987; eight toán (sections); ~107 active members in 2012–14 cycle
- Huynh Đoàn Đa Minh (Dominican Laity) — over 200 members; monthly meetings on the second Sunday
- Hội Legio Mariae (Legion of Mary) — hospital/elderly visits, youth work, catechumenate instruction
- Thiếu Nhi Thánh Thể Lavang (TNTT / Vietnamese Eucharistic Youth Movement)
- Boy Scouts Troop 495 and Girl Scouts Troop 3005
Marian Devotions and Pilgrimage (Đại Hội Đức Mẹ Lavang)
Devotion to Our Lady of Lavang — the Vietnamese title of Mary commemorating the 1798 apparition at La Vang, central Vietnam — is the heart of the parish's spiritual identity. Each year near the U.S. Independence Day holiday, the parish hosts the three-day Đại Hội Đức Mẹ Lavang (Freedom Mass Pilgrimage), which includes a Marian procession with floats honoring the Holy Family, Sacred Heart, Divine Mercy, and the relics of the 117 Vietnamese Martyrs, concluding with a Mass celebrated by a visiting bishop. The 2025 pilgrimage marked 50 years since the fall of Saigon with the theme 'Mother Mary was a Refugee.'
- Annual 3-day pilgrimage near July 4 (Freedom Mass)
- Marian procession with relics of the 117 Vietnamese Martyrs
- First Friday — Divine Mercy Mass at 2:30 PM
- 13th of each month — Our Lady of Fatima Mass at 12:00 PM
- Hội Chợ — autumn fundraising festival with Vietnamese entertainment
Sacraments and Parish Registration
Baptisms are celebrated on the first Sunday of the month after the 11:00 AM Mass. Sacramental preparation for First Eucharist, First Reconciliation, and Confirmation is offered through the Faith Formation program. Newly married couples are asked to register as a separate family with the parish office, and all new residents are asked to register as soon as possible in keeping with Canon Law.
- Baptism: first Sunday of the month after the 11:00 AM Mass
- First Eucharist / Reconciliation / Confirmation via Ban Giáo Lý
- Marriage: contact the parish office for preparation
- Parish registration: required for all new residents (Canon Law)
Architecture and Campus
The 2001 sanctuary was designed as a deliberate cultural statement, blending Catholic worship with Vietnamese and East Asian architectural traditions. The 1,100-seat worship space is dominated by multi-tiered, pagoda-like red roofs topped by a cross, with dragons along the rooflines, Chinese-style clay tiles, and tiger statues flanking the front entrance. Inside, a 27-foot painted window of Our Lady of Lavang is a central visual focus.
- 1,100-seat sanctuary dedicated December 9, 2001
- Multi-tiered pagoda-like red roofs topped by a cross
- Dragon-tipped rooflines and Chinese-style clay roof tiles
- Tiger statues at the church entrance
- 27-foot painted window of Our Lady of Lavang
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Joseph Nghi Dinh, O.P. (Giuse Đinh Văn Nghị)2025–present (Pastor)
Current pastor; appointment announced by the Archdiocese of Galveston–Houston effective August 1, 2025.
- Rev. Thien-An Tran, O.P.Appointed Pastor (early 2020s); previously Parochial Vicar
Featured in the Texas Catholic Herald speaking about Vietnamese devotion to Our Lady of Lavang.
- Rev. John B. Nguyễn Đức Vượng, O.P.Listed as pastor in earlier period
Served as Spiritual Director of the Liên Minh Thánh Tâm (Sacred Heart Alliance) and was pastor of the parish at the time of its 2012–2014 term records.
- Rev. Dominic Huy The Trinh, O.P.Listed as Pastor (mid-2010s parish roster)
Vietnamese Dominican who served the parish; later transferred to Our Lady of Lourdes.
- Rev. Vincent Nguyễn Hữu Dụ, O.P.1987 (founding spiritual director)
Founding Spiritual Director of the Liên Minh Thánh Tâm (Sacred Heart Alliance) established July 20, 1987.
- Rev. Joseph Phạm Văn Tuynh (Giuse)1985–1986
Spiritual director of the Hội Các Bà Mẹ Công Giáo at founding; led the community when it was elevated to parish status on Feb 1, 1986.