About Our Lady of Sorrows · Houston, Texas
Our Lady of Sorrows is a Catholic parish serving the Kashmere Street / Liberty Road neighborhood of Houston's historic Fifth Ward. Founded in 1936 by the Oblates of Mary Immaculate (O.M.I.) and rooted in Houston's Mexican-American Catholic community, it grew from a wooden chapel into a brick-and-tile church that today offers Mass in both English and Spanish. It is part of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston and is currently administered by Fr. David W. Garnier. The parish describes itself as 'a welcoming Catholic community called by God to live out the message of Christ in love and service to all people,' with active liturgical, faith-formation, social-justice, and youth ministries.
- Established
- 1936
- Patron
- Our Lady of Sorrows (the Blessed Virgin Mary in her Seven Sorrows)
- Rector
- Rev. David W. Garnier (Administrator)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
Why belong here
Our Lady of Sorrows is a small, bilingual Catholic family in Houston's Fifth Ward where everyone is greeted by name. Sunday Mass is offered in both English and Spanish, the parish runs an active faith-formation program for children and adults (including RCIA), and members can serve in dozens of ministries — from choir, lectors, and Eucharistic Adoration to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, altar servers, youth ministry, men's and women's groups, and the annual parish bazaar. It is a deeply historic community, founded in 1936 by the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, that still lives out its call to 'love Christ and love others.'
Mass times at Our Lady of Sorrows
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:45 PM – 4:45 PM
- Weekdays by appointment only
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Adoration on Fridays after the 9:00 AM daily Mass, 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM
History of Our Lady of Sorrows
Our Lady of Sorrows was established in 1936 in Houston's Fifth Ward as a mission of Our Lady of Guadalupe parish. The parish history, excerpted from the 1947 centennial publication of the Diocese of Galveston and a 1970 Diocese of Galveston-Houston publication, traces a community that grew from a wooden chapel into the brick-and-tile church that stands at 3006 Kashmere Street today.
- 1936 — Liberty Road area separated from Our Lady of Guadalupe; Father Caldwell, O.M.I., builds the first wooden chapel.
- 1942 — Present brick-and-tile church (300-seat) completed under Father Santos, O.M.I., in February.
- 1942–1946 — Father J. P. Delaney, O.M.I., serves as first pastor; church debt paid; funds raised for a parish school that was never built.
- 1947 — Property purchased in the 7500 block of Hirsch Road (Bonita Gardens).
- 1948 — Our Lady of St. John Chapel built by Father John L. Busch, O.M.I.
- 1949 — Present rectory built under Father C. Conaty, O.M.I.
- Feb 17, 1963 — Parish hall and CCD center dedicated under Father B. Wagner, O.M.I.
- Sept 23, 1966 — Father John L. Busch, O.M.I., appointed pastor.
- 1969 — Interior of the church completely remodeled.
- 1976–1977 — Congregation of Holy Cross (C.S.C.) assumes the parish apostolate from the Oblates.
Parish Staff
The parish staff is intentionally small and very approachable. Fr. David Garnier serves as Pastor / Administrator, and Deacon Humberto Carrasco assists as Pastoral Assistant and Director of Religious Education. Office staff support the parish through the office at 3006 Kashmere Street and the parish email, [email protected].
- Rev. David W. Garnier — Pastor / Administrator
- Dcn. Humberto Carrasco — Deacon; Director of Religious Education; Pastoral Assistant
- Oralia Guerrero — Staff (Quinceañera coordinator, 832-858-9561)
- Berenice Alejandre — Staff
- Parish Office — reachable at 713-673-5600 and [email protected]
Faith Formation
Faith formation at Our Lady of Sorrows is described by the parish as 'a vital element of the Catholic life,' offered to children and adults alike. The program supports parents as the primary educators of their children, teaching the essentials of the Catholic message, tradition, doctrine, and heritage. Registration for the 2026 Faith Formation year is open, with in-person registration in late July/August and classes beginning August 23.
- Children's Religious Education / Catechesis (K–6th grade)
- First Reconciliation and First Communion preparation
- Confirmation preparation
- RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) — contact Fr. David
- Adult Education classes with Fr. David
- CCD Center on the parish campus (dedicated 1963)
Parish Ministries & Organizations
The parish life page emphasizes that 'the heart of a parish is the Eucharist, but the parish family is the body that makes it a unique and vibrant community.' Our Lady of Sorrows offers liturgical, social-justice, and fellowship ministries, and welcomes ideas for new ministries from parishioners.
- Liturgical: Choir, Lectors, Altar Servers (grades 3+), Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Eucharistic Adoration, Ushers
- Formation & Spiritual: Adult Education, RCIA, Quinceañera preparation
- Service & Outreach: St. Vincent de Paul Society, visiting the homebound, food-pantry volunteering, serving the poor
- Community Life: Youth Ministry, Men's and Women's groups, Altar Society, annual Parish Bazaar
- Parish Leadership: Finance Council, Pastoral Council, Offertory Counters
St. Vincent de Paul Society
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul at Our Lady of Sorrows is organized as a parish 'Conference' — typically six to ten parishioner-members including a President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Its purpose is to bear witness to the love of Christ by helping individuals and families temporarily unable to meet their living expenses, while respecting the dignity and confidentiality of those served.
- Parish-based Conference with officers (President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer)
- Direct economic assistance to neighbors in need
- Confidential, dignity-respecting home visitations typical of SVdP method
Baptism, Marriage & Quinceañera
The parish prepares families for the Sacraments of Initiation and for the culturally rich celebration of Quinceañera. Baptism classes are offered every two months, and Quinceañera preparation classes are held during the Lent preceding the young woman's fifteenth birthday.
- Baptism Preparation — classes every 2 months; call the parish office at 713-673-5600
- Quinceañera — contact Oralia Guerrero at 832-858-9561; Lenten classes
- Marriage — contact the parish office
- First Reconciliation, First Communion, Confirmation — through Faith Formation
Parish Life & Community
Beyond the sacraments, Our Lady of Sorrows nurtures community through the weekly bulletin (kept online for those who misplace their copy), the parish calendar of events and Masses, the annual parish bazaar, and a variety of men's, women's, and youth groups. The parish's mission is summarized in its tagline: 'Loving Christ, Loving Others.'
- Weekly bulletin (online archive on the website)
- Parish calendar of events and special services
- Annual Parish Bazaar
- Men's and Women's groups
- Youth Ministry
- Welcoming atmosphere — pastor personally invites visitors to introduce themselves
Contact & Visit
Parishioners and visitors are warmly invited to call, email, or visit the parish office. The website lists a directions link for first-time visitors, and live-streamed Mass is available for the homebound on Sunday mornings.
- Address: 3006 Kashmere Street, Houston, TX 77026
- Phone: 713-673-5600
- Email: [email protected]
- Live-streamed Sunday Mass at 8:00 AM (Spanish) and 10:30 AM (English)
- Online Contact Form on the website
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Caldwell, O.M.I.1936
Oblate of Mary Immaculate; built the original wooden chapel on Liberty Road for the Latin American families of the Fifth Ward.
- Father Santos, O.M.I.1936–1942
Succeeded Father Caldwell; began and largely completed the present brick-and-tile church (finished February 1942). Transferred to Del Rio in June 1942.
- Father J. P. Delaney, O.M.I.1942–onwards
First official pastor of the parish (1942–1946 documented); paid off the church debt and raised funds for a parish school that was never built.
- Father C. Conaty, O.M.I.1949
Built the present rectory while serving as pastor.
- Father B. Wagner, O.M.I.early 1960s
Built the present parish hall and CCD center, dedicated February 17, 1963.
- Father John L. Busch, O.M.I.appointed September 23, 1966
Appointed pastor in 1966; oversaw the complete interior remodel of the church in 1969.