About Our Lady of Sorrows · China, Texas
Our Lady of Sorrows is a small Roman Catholic parish in the community of China, Texas, situated along Highway 90 West between Beaumont and Houston. Founded in 1918 and a member of the Diocese of Beaumont, the parish serves the rural faithful of eastern Jefferson County and beyond, with weekend Masses in English and weekday Masses Tuesday through Friday. The current church building, dedicated in 1935, is decorated with seven bells, seven windows facing the highway, and seven outdoor stations of the Cross that together represent the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Mother.
- Established
- 1918
- Patron
- Our Lady of Sorrows (the Blessed Virgin Mary)
- Rector
- Rev. Polycarp Otieno, FMH
- Diocese
- Diocese of Beaumont
Why belong here
Our Lady of Sorrows is a close-knit parish where every member's involvement matters — the bulletin actively invites parishioners to become Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Altar Servers, Choir members, or members of the Evangelization team. The parish welcomes new families with simple census forms, runs OCIA classes for adults exploring the Catholic faith, hosts a Children's Mass for families, and gathers the community in devotions like the weekly Rosary Prayer Group and Wednesday Eucharistic Adoration. Its small size makes it easy to be known by name, and the parish's deep Marian identity offers a rich devotional life rooted in a tradition stretching back to its 1918 founding.
Mass times at Our Lady of Sorrows
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00–3:45 PM
Adoration times
- Wednesday 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM
About Our Lady of Sorrows Parish
Our Lady of Sorrows is a small Catholic parish rooted in China, Texas, founded in 1918 and now part of the Diocese of Beaumont. The current church building was dedicated in 1935, and its design deliberately echoes the parish's Marian identity — there are seven bells, seven windows facing the highway, and seven outdoor stations of the Cross representing the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Mother. The parish welcomes visitors and new members and invites them to register through census forms available in the church or under the Forms tab of the website.
- Founded in 1918
- Current church dedicated in 1935
- Seven bells, seven windows, and seven outdoor stations symbolize the Seven Sorrows
- Part of the Diocese of Beaumont
- Census/registration forms available for new parishioners
The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Mother
The parish's identity is built around the Seven Sorrows of Mary, which the church building itself was designed to teach. These seven moments from the life of the Blessed Mother are commemorated in the bells, windows, and outdoor stations surrounding the church.
- The prophecy of Simeon
- The flight into Egypt
- The loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple
- Mary meets Jesus on the way to Calvary
- Jesus dies on the Cross
- Mary receives the dead body of Jesus in her arms
- Jesus is placed in the tomb
Liturgical Ministries
The parish actively invites parishioners to take part in the liturgy. Whether you feel called to proclaim the Word, distribute Holy Communion, serve at the altar, share your musical gifts in the Choir, or join the Evangelization team, there is a place to serve. The bulletin regularly reminds the community: 'The best way to grow our faith is by getting involved. We need you!'
- Lectors
- Eucharistic Ministers
- Altar Servers
- Choir
- Evangelization Team
Faith Formation & OCIA
For adults who wish to join the Catholic Church or learn more about the faith, Our Lady of Sorrows offers OCIA classes — the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults, formerly known as RCIA. Anyone interested is encouraged to call the parish office at 409-752-3571. The parish also supports family faith formation through the monthly Children's Mass and the distribution of Magnifikid missalettes to help children follow the liturgy.
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults) for inquirers and catechumens
- Monthly Children's Mass
- Magnifikid missalette program for children
- Vacation Bible School (VBS)
Devotions and Prayer Life
Devotional life at Our Lady of Sorrows centers on Marian prayer and Eucharistic Adoration. A Rosary Prayer Group of parishioners gathers every Wednesday at 5:30 PM in the church, and the Rosary is also prayed before each weekend Mass. Wednesday morning Adoration follows the 8:00 AM Mass and runs until 10:00 AM, giving the parish a regular weekly hour of Eucharistic devotion.
- Rosary Prayer Group — Wednesdays at 5:30 PM in the Church
- Rosary prayed before Saturday and Sunday Mass
- Wednesday Eucharistic Adoration, 8:30–10:00 AM
Sacraments
The parish prepares parishioners for the sacraments of initiation and life events. Baptisms are scheduled through the parish office and require Baptism Classes. Weddings follow the Diocese of Beaumont's policy, which requires couples to meet with the pastor at least six months before the anticipated wedding and to consult him before setting a final date.
- Baptism: by appointment; Baptism Classes required
- Marriage: meet with pastor at least six months in advance
- OCIA for adults entering the Church
Parish Life and Community
Beyond the sanctuary, Our Lady of Sorrows fosters community through social gatherings and outreach. A First Wednesday Adult Social brings parishioners together (with a summer break returning in September). The parish participates in the Diocese of Beaumont's Appeal for Catholic Ministries (ACM), formerly the Bishop's Faith Appeal, with the current year's theme of 'Planting Seeds of Faith.' The bulletin also directs parishioners in need of bereavement support to Catholic Charities' adult Grief Support Group, held Wednesdays from 6:00–7:30 PM at 2780 Eastex Freeway.
- First Wednesday Adult Social (on summer break, returns in September)
- Participation in the Appeal for Catholic Ministries (ACM)
- Referral to Catholic Charities adult Grief Support Group (Wednesdays 6:00–7:30 PM)
- VBS celebration as a parish-wide event
Visiting Our Lady of Sorrows
Visitors are warmly welcomed at Our Lady of Sorrows. The parish office is open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM and on Friday from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM. The church is located at 245 W. Hwy 90 in China, Texas, along the highway that runs between Beaumont and Houston. Newcomers who wish to join the parish family can pick up a Census form in the church or download one from the Forms tab of the parish website.
- Office hours: Mon–Thu 8:00 AM–4:00 PM; Fri 8:00 AM–12:00 PM
- Located at 245 W. Hwy 90 (US-90), China, TX
- Census forms available in the church or on the website
- Facebook: facebook.com/oloscatholicchurch
- Instagram: ourladyofsorrowscatholicchurch
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Very Rev. Luong Q. Tran, J.V.
Listed as a former pastor on older parish directories; no longer serving at OLOS.