About St. Maximilian Kolbe · Houston, Texas
St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Community is an English-language parish of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston located at 10135 West Road in northwest Houston, Texas. Founded in July 1983, the parish grew from about 175 families meeting at a public elementary school to a thriving community that today celebrates Mass in a church dedicated in May 2010. The parish draws its identity from its patron, St. Maximilian Kolbe, the Polish Franciscan martyr who volunteered to die in place of another prisoner at Auschwitz, and frames its mission around prayer, sacrament, faith formation, and charity.
- Established
- 1983
- Patron
- St. Maximilian Kolbe
- Rector
- Rev. Lawrence Jozwiak
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
Why belong here
St. Maximilian Kolbe is a community-oriented parish that lives out its four-fold mission of prayer, sacrament, faith formation, and charity. Weekday and Sunday Masses in English, daily Eucharistic Adoration in the Immaculata Chapel (roughly 24 hours a day, six days a week), and regular Confession times make sacramental life easily accessible. Families are served by a robust youth faith-formation program (Preschool through Confirmation), the Kolbe Kids Early Childhood Program (18 months through Pre-K4), small-group retreats like the W.A.T.Ch. Retreat, and ministries such as the annual Novena to St. Maximilian Kolbe and a Traveling Chalice vocations devotion — all grounded in a parish history that goes back more than 40 years in northwest Houston.
Mass times at St. Maximilian Kolbe
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday: 5:30 pm – 6:20 pm (in the Church)
- Friday: after the 8:30 am Mass
- Saturday: 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm (in the Church) or by appointment (281-955-7324)
Adoration times
- Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in the Immaculata Chapel — Sunday after the 12 Noon Mass (about 1:15 pm) through Saturday 8:00 am, available roughly 24 hours a day, six days a week
Parish Identity & Mission
St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Community describes itself as a Christian community of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston that, 'embracing our many and diverse gifts, we are united in Christ Jesus.' Inspired by the example of its patron — the Polish Franciscan priest who gave his life for another prisoner at Auschwitz — the parish organizes its life around four pillars: prayer, sacrament, faith formation, and charity. The Parish Mission Statement was developed through an early 'Becoming a People' small-group process and a Parish Convention, and it remains the guiding document for the parish's programs and priorities.
History of St. Maximilian Kolbe
The community was formed in July 1983 with about 175 families, gathering first at Post Elementary School and then Emmott Elementary. The first permanent church was dedicated on November 1, 1987 by Bishop Joseph A. Fiorenza, and a new, larger church was dedicated in May 2010. Along the way the parish welcomed multiple pastors, ordained several permanent deacons, established its Mother's Day Out program, built the Gajowniczek education building, and launched signature community events including the annual Fall Festival.
- July 1983 — Parish formed; first Mass at Post Elementary School with ~175 families
- 1983 — Father Pat Meister named founding pastor
- 1985 — Parish grows to ~500 families and moves to Emmott Elementary
- November 1986 — Construction begins on permanent church
- November 1, 1987 — Bishop Joseph A. Fiorenza dedicates the first church
- June 1989 — Father Adam McClosky becomes second pastor; first Fall Festival held in October
- 1990 — Deacon Carl Williford ordained and assigned to the parish
- 1994 — Deacon Ron Fraser ordained; serves in diaconal and administrative roles
- August 1997 — Mother's Day Out program established
- November 1997 — Gajowniczek education building dedicated
- January 1999 — Deacon Auburn Higgins ordained
- July 1999 — Father John Francis Ulm becomes third pastor
- May 2010 — New, larger church dedicated
- 2016 — Parish Windows & Art Book published
Clergy, Deacons & Staff
The parish is currently served by Pastor Rev. Lawrence Jozwiak (appointed by the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston) together with parochial vicars Rev. Michael Pham, C.R.M. and Rev. Ignatius M. Dang Hoang, CMC, and several permanent deacons. Earlier pastor Rev. John Kha Tran is listed on parish directories. Two deacons — Steve Klak and Dennis Hayes — serve as spiritual directors of the parish's W.A.T.Ch. Retreat weekends. The Director of Evangelization & Catechesis is Molly Smith, and Janice Burns serves as Infant Baptism Coordinator / Faith Formation Assistant. Melinda Garza directs the Kolbe Kids Early Childhood Program.
- Rev. Lawrence Jozwiak — Pastor
- Rev. Michael Pham, C.R.M. — Parochial Vicar
- Rev. Ignatius M. Dang Hoang, CMC — Parochial Vicar
- Deacon Steve Klak — Spiritual Director, W.A.T.Ch. Retreat
- Deacon Dennis Hayes — Spiritual Director, W.A.T.Ch. Retreat
- Molly Smith — Director of Evangelization & Catechesis (x103)
- Janice Burns — Infant Baptism Coordinator / Faith Formation Assistant (x109)
- Melinda Garza — Kolbe Kids ECP Director
- Steven Hafernik — staff contact referenced on the parish website
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish's Youth Faith Formation program is designed 'to bring the Good News of God's love to all children and their families and to call them to commit their lives to Christ.' Classes are offered for Preschool through High School Confirmation and use the framework implemented by the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. Sacrament preparation is offered separately from Faith Formation classes and has its own registration, meeting times, and fees.
- Summer Intensive for Grades 1–8 (Mon–Fri, 9 am–Noon, June 1–12, 2026)
- Summer Intensive for High School (Sun/Tue/Thu, 6:30–8:30 pm, July 7–30, 2026)
- Summer Homeschool for Grades K–8 (June–August)
- Fall–Spring Sunday Session for Preschool–Grade 12, 2:30–4 pm (Sept–April)
- Fall–Spring Thursday Session for Preschool–Grade 8, 6:30–8 pm (Sept–April)
- Fall–Spring Homeschool for Grades K–8 (Sept–May)
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd — Levels I & II (Fridays)
Kolbe Kids Early Childhood Program
Kolbe Kids is the parish's early-childhood program for children ages 18 months through Pre-K4. Families can choose a 2-day program (Tuesday and Thursday) or a 4-day program (Monday through Thursday), running 9:00 am – 1:30 pm. The program follows the Cy-Fair ISD school calendar; the 2026–2027 school year runs August 17 through May 20. Melinda Garza is the program director.
- Ages 18 months – Pre-K4
- 2-day (Tue/Thu) and 4-day (Mon–Thu) options
- Hours: 9:00 am – 1:30 pm
- Phone: 281-970-0979
- Director: Melinda Garza
Devotions & Spiritual Life
Beyond daily and Sunday Mass, the parish offers a rich devotional life. Eucharistic Adoration runs almost continuously in the Immaculata Chapel (six days a week, roughly 24 hours). Parishioners are invited to pray a 9-day Novena to St. Maximilian Kolbe, host the Traveling Chalice to spend a week praying for vocations, and join in the Holy Rosary & Evening Prayer (Wednesdays) and the Divine Mercy Chaplet (Fridays). Fr. Lawrence administers the Anointing of the Sick on the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes during the Tuesday 6:30 pm Mass.
- Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament — Immaculata Chapel, ~24 hours/day, 6 days/week
- 9-day Novena to St. Maximilian Kolbe
- Traveling Chalice vocations devotion
- Holy Rosary & Evening Prayer — Wed 6:30–7:10 pm
- Divine Mercy Chaplet — Fri 3:00–3:30 pm
- Anointing of the Sick — Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, 6:30 pm Tuesday Mass
W.A.T.Ch. Retreat
The parish offers W.A.T.Ch. (Women's And Total Commitment to Christ / Men's And Total Commitment to Christ) Retreat weekends as a way for parishioners to step back from daily life and grow in faith together. The Women's W.A.T.Ch. Retreat is held July 18–19 and the Men's W.A.T.Ch. Retreat July 25–26. Deacons Steve Klak and Dennis Hayes serve as spiritual directors.
- Women's W.A.T.Ch. Retreat — July 18–19
- Men's W.A.T.Ch. Retreat — July 25–26
- Spiritual Directors: Deacon Steve Klak and Deacon Dennis Hayes
Sacraments
The parish prepares parishioners for the sacraments of initiation and healing. Infant Baptism is coordinated through Janice Burns in the parish office. Children preparing for First Reconciliation and First Communion do so through the parish's Faith Formation program, with sacrament-preparation classes requiring separate registration. Youth Confirmation is prepared for through the High School Faith Formation track. The Anointing of the Sick is offered on the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes and is available to those whose health is seriously impaired by illness or age or who are preparing for serious surgery. RCIA / 'Becoming Catholic' is referenced as an active pathway into the Church.
- Infant Baptism — contact Janice Burns
- First Reconciliation / First Communion — separate sacrament-prep registration
- Confirmation — through High School Faith Formation
- Anointing of the Sick — offered on Our Lady of Lourdes feast day and on request
- Marriage — contact the parish office
- RCIA / Becoming Catholic
Contact & Visit
Parishioners and visitors can reach St. Maximilian Kolbe at the parish office (281-955-7324, fax 281-955-7328) or by email at [email protected]. The Kolbe Kids / Mother's Day Out program has its own line at 281-970-0979. Office hours are Monday–Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. The church is at 10135 West Road, Houston, Texas 77064, in the northwest Houston / Jersey Village area.
- Address: 10135 West Road, Houston, TX 77064
- Office: 281-955-7324 | Fax: 281-955-7328
- Kolbe Kids / MDO: 281-970-0979
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Mon–Fri, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Website: https://www.stmaximilian.org
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Pat Meister1983 (founding)
First pastor of St. Maximilian Kolbe; led the community from its first Mass at Post Elementary.
- Father Adam McCloskyJune 1989 –
Second pastor; welcomed as the parish grew past 700 families; oversaw expansion of Pastoral Council and first Fall Festival.
- Father John Francis UlmJuly 1999 –
Third pastor; succeeded Fr. McClosky.
- Rev. John Kha Tran
Listed as pastor on parish directories in recent years.
- Rev. Lawrence JozwiakEffective July 1 (recent appointment)
Appointed Pastor of St. Maximilian Kolbe by the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.