About St. Bartholomew the Apostle · Katy, Texas
St. Bartholomew the Apostle Catholic Church is a large, diverse Roman Catholic parish in Katy, Texas, within the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. Established on September 1, 1965 by Coadjutor Bishop John L. Morkovsky as a mission outpost of Sacred Heart in Brookshire, it has grown into one of the largest parishes in the Katy area. The parish offers Mass in English, Spanish, and Latin (Novus Ordo ad orientem, plus the Extraordinary Form twice monthly), perpetual Eucharistic Adoration, a Catholic school (CCE/Youth Faith Formation), and an extensive Hispanic ministry. Its mission statement, 'a diverse community that inspires holiness, faith, and love for Jesus Christ' through prayerful adoration and service, captures its identity as a sacramental, multicultural parish serving west Houston's Katy community.
- Established
- 1965
- Patron
- St. Bartholomew the Apostle
- Rector
- Rev. Miguel Angel Solorzano
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
Why belong here
St. Bartholomew the Apostle is one of the most spiritually rich parishes in the Katy area, distinguished by its perpetual Eucharistic Adoration in the Mater Dei Chapel (open from Sunday 6 pm through Saturday noon) and a full daily Mass schedule that includes English, Spanish, and a Latin Novus Ordo ad orientem on Thursdays. With an active Hispanic community celebrating Our Lady of Guadalupe, a bilingual spiritual direction ministry, Saint Vincent de Paul food pantry, free ESL classes for immigrants, and a robust faith-formation program spanning children's catechism (CCE), youth ministry, and adult Confirmation, the parish offers something for every age and stage. Its 1,000-seat Romanesque church — modeled on old St. Peter's Basilica — provides a beautiful setting for liturgies that include a twice-monthly Extraordinary Form Latin Mass alongside its regular schedule.
Mass times at St. Bartholomew the Apostle
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday–Friday: 8:00 AM to 8:20 AM (before daily Mass)
- Tuesday: 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM
- Thursday: 6:00 AM to 6:20 AM (before Latin Mass)
- Thursday: 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM
- Friday: 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM (First Friday only)
- Saturday: 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM
- 1st Saturday: 8:00 AM to 8:20 AM (before Healing Mass)
- By appointment: 281-391-4758 or [email protected]
Adoration times
- Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration in the Mater Dei Chapel: open from 6:00 PM Sunday until noon Saturday
Parish History
St. Bartholomew the Apostle was established September 1, 1965, when Coadjutor Bishop John L. Morkovsky elevated Sacred Heart Mission in Brookshire to a full parish and appointed Fr. Lawrence D. Simons as its first pastor. Forty-seven founding families gathered at the Katy VFW Hall on September 9, 1965, and the first Mass in Katy was celebrated there on September 12. The parish took its name on May 5, 1966, and the first church on 11th Street and Sherwood Drive was dedicated September 24, 1967. Growth was so rapid that a new Romanesque church (modeled on the original St. Peter's Basilica) was built and dedicated on May 1, 1999. The parish has since helped plant Epiphany of the Lord (1981) and St. Edith Stein (1999) parishes, and today serves a large, multicultural community with perpetual Eucharistic Adoration, a twice-monthly Traditional Latin Mass, and an extensive Hispanic ministry.
- Founded September 1, 1965 from Sacred Heart Mission, Brookshire
- Original church dedicated September 24, 1967 (capacity 360)
- Current church opened May 1, 1999 (capacity ~1,000, Romanesque, modeled on old St. Peter's Basilica)
- Designed by Ray & Hollington Architects; built by E. E. Reed Construction
- Perpetual Adoration began September 29, 1993
- Groundbreaking for new church May 17, 1998; tornado damaged Religious Ed building October 18, 1998
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish's faith-formation office coordinates Children's Catechism Classes (CCE) for grades 1–5, a Youth Ministry program for grades 6–12, Teen Confirmation (grades 9–12), and Adult Confirmation for those 18 and older who are completing their sacraments. Bilingual adult catechesis is offered in English and Spanish (coordinated by Carlos Barquin in Spanish and Bobbie & Rick in English). The parish also partners with the Archdiocese to host Formation Toward Christian Ministry (FTCM) courses, taught by Archdiocesan instructors, with classes beginning August 17 at 7:00 PM in the FLC. Sacramental preparation includes a baptism class for parents of infants and young children.
- CCE (Children's Catechism, grades 1–5) – contact Cindy Smolik
- Youth Ministry (grades 6–12) – Youth Coordinator: [email protected]
- Teen Confirmation (grades 9–12)
- Adult Confirmation (18+) and RCIA-style adult catechesis
- FTCM (Formation Toward Christian Ministry) courses
- Baptism class for parents
Spiritual Direction
Free spiritual direction is available to parishioners seeking to deepen their relationship with God. The ministry is offered in both English and Spanish by trained directors faithful to the Magisterium. Charlotte Sacco serves as the Spiritual Direction Coordinator.
- Available in English and Spanish
- Coordinator: Charlotte Sacco
- Free for parishioners
Liturgical Ministries
Lay faithful serve the parish liturgy as Altar Servers, Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Ushers, Music Ministry singers/cantors/instrumentalists, and Art & Environment volunteers who decorate the church with flowers and plants. Children's Liturgy of the Word is offered during Mass, and the parish's Music Ministry supports a rich repertoire including the twice-monthly Extraordinary Form Latin Mass.
- Altar Servers
- Lectors
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Ushers
- Music Ministry (singers, cantors, instrumentalists)
- Art and Environment
Pastoral Care & Outreach
St. Bartholomew reaches beyond its walls through the Saint Vincent de Paul Society (food pantry, rent and utility assistance), Food Distribution on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, the Handy Men Ministry (home repairs for elderly parishioners), Hospital Visits (coordinated by Father Biju), Nursing Home Visits (Sister Lucy), the Homebound Ministry, and a Funeral Reception Committee that provides luncheons after funerals. The parish also offers free ESL classes for immigrants and supports the Living Water prayer group (started by Deacon Bill Hamilton).
- Saint Vincent de Paul Society food pantry and bill assistance
- Food Distribution (Tue/Thu afternoons)
- Handy Men Ministry
- Hospital & Nursing Home visits
- Homebound Ministry
- Funeral Reception Committee
- ESL classes for immigrants
- Living Water prayer group
Parish Leadership & Staff
St. Bartholomew is led by Pastor Rev. Miguel Angel Solorzano (since August 2022), with a team of parochial vicars, deacons, and religious sisters. The Director of Catechesis and Evangelization is Cindy Smolik (346-387-6211), and the parish maintains separate English and Spanish catechetical registries, with Nellie Aguilera handling sacramental records in Spanish (281-391-0839). Lay leadership is provided through the Parish Pastoral Council, Finance Council (chaired by Shirley Glueck), and the Facilities and Grounds Maintenance Committee (chaired by Kevin Beck).
- Pastor: Rev. Miguel Angel Solorzano
- Director of Catechesis & Evangelization: Cindy Smolik
- Sacramental Registry (Spanish): Nellie Aguilera
- Finance Council Chair: Shirley Glueck
- Facilities Chair: Kevin Beck
- Head Receptionist: Elida Villareal
Hispanic Ministry
The Hispanic community of St. Bartholomew is one of the most active in the parish. Spanish Masses have been celebrated at St. Bartholomew since 1987, originally by Fr. Jose H. Gomez, a priest of the Opus Dei Personal Prelature (later Auxiliary Bishop of Denver and now Archbishop of Los Angeles). The community celebrates the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe with a play and dance, and cooks breakfast tacos for fellowship every second Sunday of the month. Adult catechesis in Spanish is led by Carlos Barquin, and spiritual direction is available in Spanish.
- Spanish Mass since 1987
- Our Lady of Guadalupe celebration with play and dance
- Second-Sunday breakfast fellowship
- Spanish adult catechesis (Carlos Barquin)
- Spanish spiritual direction
Safe Environment & Volunteering
All adult volunteers aged 18 and over must complete Safe Haven / Safe Environment training (formerly VIRTUS), a one-hour online course required by the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. The parish encourages involvement across its many ministries and provides 'Office Angels' opportunities for those with limited time.
- Safe Haven training required within one month of beginning volunteer service
- Online one-hour course
- Office Angels (flexible clerical help)
- Pastoral & Finance Councils
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Lawrence D. Simons1965–1967
First pastor; also oversaw Sacred Heart in Brookshire. Suggested the name St. Bartholomew (had previously been pastor of a parish of the same name in Montana in 1952). 1923–2005.
- Fr. Anthony T. OrlandoJune 1967 – July 1967
Administrator of Sacred Heart and St. Bartholomew for one month. d. July 1, 1993.
- Msgr. Charles C. Domec1967–1979
Second pastor of both St. Bartholomew and Sacred Heart. Oversaw building of rectory in Katy (1974). 1931–2013.
- Fr. John-Vincent Rouse1979–1982
First parochial vicar of the parish.
- Msgr. Milam E. Klaas (Kleas)1979–1990
Third pastor; first pastor of St. Bartholomew alone after Sacred Heart received its own pastor.
- Fr. Kenneth E. Milkuk1982–1985
Second parochial vicar; then interim pastor of St. Catherine of Siena, Houston. 1927–2016.
- Fr. Edward W. Abell1990–1991+
Fourth pastor (assigned June 1, 1990). Underwent heart surgery early in his tenure. 1934–2014.
- Msgr. Lawrence 'Larry' F. Lee1990–1994 (in residence); 1994–2007 (assisting)
Priest in residence during Fr. Ed's surgery; assisted with Sunday Masses until January 30, 2007. ACSW. 1915–2009.
- Fr. Alberto (Albert) A. Maullon Jr.1991–
Fifth pastor; oversaw preschool founding, perpetual Adoration (1993), and construction/dedication of the current church (1999).
- Fr. Jose H. Gomez1987–2001
Opus Dei priest who celebrated Spanish Masses at St. Bartholomew. Later Auxiliary Bishop of Denver, then Archbishop of Los Angeles.
- Fr. Michael Barrett1987–
Opus Dei priest assisting with Spanish Masses.
- Rev. Miguel Angel Solorzano2022–present
Current pastor (since August 2022 per LinkedIn profile).