About Saint Peter [Syro-Malankara] · Stafford, Texas
St. Peter's Syro-Malankara Catholic Church (SPMCC) is a Syro-Malankara Catholic parish serving the Houston, Texas metropolitan area from its location in Stafford, TX, in Fort Bend County. Established as a mission in 1985, it belongs to the Eparchy of St. Mary, Queen of Peace (the Syro-Malankara Catholic eparchy for the United States and Canada, erected by Pope Francis in 2015). The parish celebrates the Holy Qurbono (Mass) primarily in Malayalam in the age-old Malankara liturgical tradition, with one Sunday Mass every other week celebrated in English, and ministers to the Kerala-origin Catholic community of greater Houston through worship, faith formation, and charitable outreach.
- Established
- 1985
- Patron
- Saint Peter (the Apostle)
- Rector
- Rev. Fr. Binny Philip Nedumpurath
- Diocese
- Eparchy of St. Mary, Queen of Peace (Syro-Malankara Catholic Eparchy in USA and Canada)
Why belong here
St. Peter's is a warm, dynamic Syro-Malankara Catholic parish where members joyfully serve God through the ancient Malankara liturgical tradition. The community gathers for Holy Qurbono in Malayalam (with one English Mass every other Sunday), offers Eucharistic Adoration on First Fridays, and runs robust youth (MCYM), women's (Women's Forum), catechism, and charitable (Malankara Catholic Charities Houston) ministries. As Vicar Fr. Binny Philip writes, the parish aims 'to live faith, create a welcoming parish, and make a difference in lives' — making the world 'more human and more holy.'
Mass times at Saint Peter [Syro-Malankara]
Weekly Mass schedule
Adoration times
- First Friday 6:30 PM (followed by Holy Mass)
Parish Identity and Eparchy
St. Peter's Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, Houston (SPMCC) is a parish of the Eparchy of St. Mary, Queen of Peace, which is the Syro-Malankara Catholic eparchy covering the United States and Canada. The eparchy was erected by Pope Francis on December 18, 2015 (announced January 4, 2016) from what had been an apostolic exarchate; it was officially inaugurated on January 23, 2016 with Bishop Thomas Mar Eusebius as the first bishop, followed by Bishop Philipos Mar Stephanos as the second bishop on October 28, 2017. St. Peter's is one of 16 parishes in the eparchy, which numbers around 11,500 faithful served by Malankara Catholic priests and religious sisters (Daughters of Mary and Bethany).
History
St. Peter's was established as a mission in 1985 to serve Syro-Malankara Catholic families who had settled in the Houston metropolitan area, part of the broader migration of St. Thomas Christians from Kerala, India. Over nearly four decades the community has grown into a full parish within the North American Syro-Malankara Catholic structure, maintaining the liturgical and cultural patrimony of the Malankara Catholic Church.
- Mission established 1985
- Part of the Eparchy of St. Mary, Queen of Peace since the eparchy's 2015/2016 erection
Vicar and Clergy
The parish is currently served by Vicar Rev. Fr. Binny Philip Nedumpurath, who leads the worship, sacramental, and pastoral life of the community. In his vicar's message on the parish website, Fr. Binny Philip writes that the parish strives to 'live faith, create a welcoming parish, and make a difference in lives,' inspired by the words of St. Paul in Romans 12:12-13: 'Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.'
- Rev. Fr. Binny Philip Nedumpurath — Vicar / Pastor
Mass and Worship Schedule
St. Peter's celebrates the Holy Qurbono in the Syro-Malankara tradition primarily in Malayalam, with one Sunday Mass every other week celebrated in English. The Sunday gathering begins with Morning Prayers at 10:00 AM, preceded by Sunday School (Catechism) at 8:30 AM, with Holy Qurbono at 10:30 AM. Weekday Holy Masses are celebrated on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday at 9:00 AM. On the First Friday of each month, Eucharistic Adoration is held at 6:30 PM followed by Holy Mass.
- Sunday: 8:30 AM Sunday School • 10:00 AM Morning Prayers • 10:30 AM Holy Qurbono (every other week in English)
- Wednesday: 9:00 AM Holy Mass
- Friday: 9:00 AM Holy Mass
- Saturday: 9:00 AM Holy Mass
- First Friday: 6:30 PM Adoration & Holy Mass
Parish Council
The Parish Council (Pastoral Council) leads the temporal and pastoral affairs of the parish and includes a President, Secretary, Treasurer, Joint Secretary, Joint Treasurer, Auditor, and committee members, as well as the principal of Catechism and the President of the Women's Forum and MCYM. The council provides lay governance in collaboration with the Vicar.
- Nijo Alex — President, MCYM
- Salu Samuel — Joint Treasurer / Pastoral Council Member
- Siby Thomas — Principal, Catechism
- Thomas A George — Secretary
- Geevarghese George, Jeswin Mathew, Jerry T George, Nisha M Smith, Rhea Varghese, Neha Alex — Committee / Pastoral Council Members
MCYM — Malankara Catholic Youth Movement
The MCYM is a national Syro-Malankara Catholic youth organization with the spiritual patron St. Francis of Assisi (feast day October 4, observed as MCYM Day). The Houston chapter of MCYM at St. Peter's has around 72 active youth aged 15–35 and meets monthly for spiritual sessions, adoration, fellowship, and service. English-language Adoration and Holy Mass are offered on the third Friday of each month, in addition to a robust calendar of retreats, blood drives, food drives, MCYM Day activities, and an annual camp (e.g., SPARK 2022 at Denton).
- Monthly meetings and spiritual sessions
- English Adoration & Holy Mass on 3rd Friday
- Way of the Cross during Lent
- Youth retreats and annual MCYM Camp
- Two annual blood drives and a food drive
- Volunteering at the Houston Food Bank
- MCYM Friendsgiving, Christmas potluck, bake sales, car wash fundraisers
Women's Forum
The Women's Forum empowers the women of the parish — all women over age 35 are members — through spiritual, charitable, and social activities. Modeled on the patroness Mother Mary, the Forum supports family and community life, with most members working in healthcare.
- Monthly prayer meetings with rosary and intercessory prayers
- Spiritual sessions, Bible readings, choir, and liturgical Q&A
- Charity activities: medical help, nursing education support
- Hospitality for the pastor, visiting priests, and guests
- Fundraisers (auctions, food/pickle sales) and Christmas tree 'Santa's surprise'
- Annual talks on parenting, health awareness, and International Women's Day celebration
Malankara Catholic Charities Houston (MCCH)
MCCH is the non-profit charitable arm of St. Peter's Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, dedicated to sharing 'God's care to everyone, regardless of their belief' and building 'a society based on faith, love and hope.' The organization empowers local youth for philanthropic service to the marginalized and impoverished.
- Educational support (including nursing and professional courses)
- Housing and relocation assistance
- Medical support for patients in financial need
- Orphanage and mentally-challenged-facility support (food and medicine)
- Youth empowerment through volunteer and community outreach
Sunday School / Catechism
Catechism classes for the parish's children take place on Sunday mornings at 8:30 AM (listed as 8:45 a.m. on the eparchy site), before the principal Sunday liturgy. The Principal of Catechism on the Parish Council is Siby Thomas.
- Sunday 8:30 AM Sunday School / Catechism
- Principal of Catechism: Siby Thomas ([email protected])
Contact and Location
St. Peter's Syro-Malankara Catholic Church is located in Stafford, Texas, in the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area. The parish office can be reached by phone and email, and the community maintains a presence on Facebook.
- Address: 3135 5th Street, Stafford, TX 77477
- Phone: 281-886-2013
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://www.spmcc.org/
- Facebook: linked from spmcc.org