About St. Thomas Aquinas · Sugar Land, Texas
St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church is a diverse, Christ-centered parish in Sugar Land, Texas, belonging to the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. Formally established on December 10, 1978 by Bishop John Morkovsky, the parish serves the growing Fort Bend County community with weekend and daily Mass, Eucharistic Adoration in the Divine Mercy Chapel, a full sacramental life, youth and adult faith formation, and a Catholic school community. Its current pastor is Fr. Jaison Thomas, MSFS (Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales), assisted by Parochial Vicar Fr. Joseph Arulraj, MSFS, and Deacon Anthony Olsovsky.
- Established
- 1978
- Patron
- St. Thomas Aquinas
- Rector
- Fr. Jaison Thomas, MSFS
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
Why belong here
St. Thomas Aquinas offers a full sacramental and devotional life on a single, spacious Sugar Land campus: three Sunday Masses plus a Saturday Vigil, daily Mass, weekly Eucharistic Adoration in the Divine Mercy Chapel (Mon–Thu 9:00 am–8:00 pm, Fri 9:00 am–6:00 pm), a full confession schedule, the First Friday Devotion to the Sacred Heart, and a Wednesday Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Families are served by an Early Childhood Center (six weeks through Kindergarten), a Continuing Christian Education (CCE) program for K–5, First Holy Communion preparation in 2nd grade, a two-year Confirmation program beginning in 10th grade, EDGE middle-school and Life Teen high-school youth ministry, and adult OCIA and Bible study. The parish's mission statement — a diverse, Christ-centered community empowered by the Holy Spirit and strengthened by the Word and the Sacraments to proclaim the Good News — is lived out through more than a dozen liturgical and pastoral ministries.
Mass times at St. Thomas Aquinas
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday – Friday: by request following the 8:00 am Daily Mass
- Wednesday: 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
- Saturday: 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
- First Friday: 6:00 pm – 6:45 pm
Adoration times
- Divine Mercy Chapel — Monday: 9:00 am – 8:00 pm
- Divine Mercy Chapel — Tuesday: 9:00 am – 8:00 pm
- Divine Mercy Chapel — Wednesday: 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
- Divine Mercy Chapel — Thursday: 9:00 am – 8:00 pm
- Divine Mercy Chapel — Friday: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
- First Friday Devotion: Adoration & Confessions 6:00 pm, Mass 7:00 pm, Anointing of the Sick after Mass
Parish History
St. Thomas Aquinas was formally established on December 10, 1978 by Bishop John Morkovsky of the (then) Diocese of Galveston-Houston. Its founding pastor, Dominican priest Fr. William J. Aldridge, was succeeded by another Dominican, Fr. Kevin C. Thissen, who served 22 years and at whose initiative the present Sanctuary was built; Bishop Joseph A. Fiorenza dedicated the new Sanctuary on November 21, 1993. Fr. Thissen died in June 2005 and was followed by diocesan priest Fr. Joseph K. Kalladan (2005–2014), Fr. Santy Kurian, MSFS (2014–2020), and Fr. Joseph Pottemmel (appointed July 4, 2020). The current pastor is Fr. Jaison Thomas, MSFS, with Fr. Joseph Arulraj, MSFS, as parochial vicar.
- Founded December 10, 1978 by Bishop John Morkovsky
- Sanctuary dedicated November 21, 1993 by Bishop Joseph A. Fiorenza
- First two pastors (Aldridge and Thissen) were Dominicans
- Aldridge Hall and the Thissen Center are named for them
- Under Fr. Kalladan the parish doubled its land and retired all debt by 2014
- Current leadership is MSFS (Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales)
Devotions
The parish keeps a steady rhythm of traditional Catholic devotions. The Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help is prayed Wednesday mornings during the 8:00 am Daily Mass. The First Friday Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus begins at 6:00 pm with Adoration and Confession, continues with Mass at 7:00 pm, and concludes with the Anointing of the Sick for those in need of healing and spiritual strength.
- Wednesday Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help — during 8:00 am Mass
- First Friday Devotion to the Sacred Heart — Adoration/Confession 6:00 pm, Mass 7:00 pm, Anointing after Mass
Clergy & Staff
The parish is led by pastor Fr. Jaison Thomas, MSFS, and parochial vicar Fr. Joseph Arulraj, MSFS — both members of the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales — with Deacon Anthony Olsovsky assisting in liturgy, weddings and funerals. Lay staff include a Parish Secretary (Leticia Cordova), Business Manager, Bookkeeper, Wedding & Funeral Coordinator, Director of Communications / Audio-Visual Administrator, Director of Music Ministry, CCE Coordinator, Facility Maintenance, and Director of Youth Ministry (Chazz Sheffield).
- Fr. Jaison Thomas, MSFS — Pastor ([email protected])
- Fr. Joseph Arulraj, MSFS — Parochial Vicar ([email protected])
- Dcn. Anthony Olsovsky — Wedding & Funeral Coordinator ([email protected])
- Leticia Cordova — Parish Secretary ([email protected])
- Chazz Sheffield — Director of Youth Ministry
- Alexandra Pasculado — Director of Communications & AV Administrator ([email protected])
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation at St. Thomas Aquinas spans the whole life of the parish. Children in grades K–5 are catechized through the Continuing Christian Education (CCE) program; First Holy Communion (with First Reconciliation) is celebrated in 2nd grade. Confirmation is a two-year high-school program beginning in 10th grade. The parish also runs an Early Childhood Center for children six weeks through Kindergarten and an after-school program for children up to age 12.
- CCE — Continuing Christian Education for K–5
- First Holy Communion & Reconciliation — 2nd grade
- Confirmation — two-year program, begins in 10th grade
- Early Childhood Center — six weeks through Kindergarten
- After-school program — up to age 12
Youth Ministry
The STA Youth Ministry brings together all middle- and high-school teens (grades 6–12) for faith, fellowship and service. Middle-schoolers participate in the EDGE program, while high-schoolers participate in Life Teen, both of which continue to grow weekly under Director of Youth Ministry Chazz Sheffield. The parish also prepares Confirmation candidates and takes part in the Archdiocesan Youth Conference.
- EDGE — middle-school youth program
- Life Teen — high-school youth program
- Confirmation preparation (begins 10th grade)
- Archdiocesan Youth Conference participation
Adult Faith Formation
Adults grow in faith through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) — a process of conversion, prayer, study and fellowship leading to full initiation into the Catholic Church (available for both adults and children) — and a parish Adult Bible Study that explores Scripture through guided discussion and reflection. Adult formation contacts: Scott Sabol (Adult OCIA); Blanca Plasencia (Children's OCIA / CCE, [email protected]).
- OCIA — Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (and Children)
- Adult Bible Study — guided Scripture discussion and reflection
- Contact: Scott Sabol (Adult OCIA)
- Contact: Blanca Plasencia (Children's OCIA / CCE)
Sacraments
The parish celebrates all seven sacraments. Holy Matrimony preparation begins 6–9 months in advance with Deacon Anthony Olsovsky and an initial interview with Fr. Joseph, MSFS, using the FOCCUS instrument, followed by either an Engaged Encounter Weekend or five sessions with a Sponsor Couple. Anointing of the Sick is offered to anyone impaired by sickness or old age, or before surgery, and may be requested at any time. Sacramental certificates (Baptism, Confirmation, etc.) can be requested online; please allow at least two weeks.
- Holy Matrimony — begin 6–9 months ahead; FOCCUS + Engaged Encounter or Sponsor Couple
- Anointing of the Sick — on request at any time
- Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation — through parish faith-formation programs
- Sacramental Record Request — online form, two-week processing
Music & Liturgical Ministries
Liturgical life is supported by a Director of Music Ministry and a team of liturgical ministers. The parish also operates an Audio/Visual Ministry under the Director of Communications / AV Administrator and welcomes volunteers across liturgical roles. Engagement opportunities include serving as lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, ushers, altar servers, and choir members.
- Director of Music Ministry on staff
- Audio/Visual Ministry ([email protected])
- Liturgical Ministries — lector, EMHC, usher, altar server, choir
Get Involved
Beyond liturgical service, parishioners can join the parish's volunteer network — including wedding and funeral ministry, faith-formation catechists, youth ministry leaders, and parish-office support. Online giving is available through Pushpay (pushpay.com/g/stasugarland). New parishioners are encouraged to stop by the parish office (behind the Sanctuary) to register with parish secretary Leticia Cordova.
- Register as a parishioner with Leticia Cordova ([email protected])
- Online giving via Pushpay — pushpay.com/g/stasugarland
- Volunteer sign-ups through the Ministries page
Visit & Contact
St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church is located at 12627 W. Bellfort Ave., Sugar Land, TX 77478, with parish phone (281) 240-6721 and email [email protected]. Office hours are Monday–Thursday 7:30 am–5:00 pm (closed 12:00–1:00 pm for lunch) and Friday 7:30 am–12:00 pm; the office is closed Saturday and Sunday.
- Address: 12627 W. Bellfort Ave., Sugar Land, TX 77478
- Phone: (281) 240-6721
- Office hours: Mon–Thu 7:30 am–5:00 pm, Fri 7:30 am–12:00 pm
- Capital campaign included improved parking and traffic flow
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. William J. Aldridge, O.P.1978–c.1983
Founding pastor; Dominican. Aldridge Hall on the parish campus is named for him.
- Rev. Kevin C. Thissen, O.P.c.1983–June 2005
Dominican; served 22 years; pastor at the 1993 Sanctuary dedication. The Thissen Center is named in his honor.
- Rev. Joseph K. Kalladan2005–June 2014
Diocesan priest; served nine years; oversaw purchase of eleven additional acres and retired the parish debt.
- Fr. Santy Kurian, MSFSJuly 1, 2014 – 2020
Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales; launched the 2018 St. Thomas Aquinas Cares Capital Campaign; later assigned to St. Bartholomew the Apostle, Katy.
- Fr. Joseph Pottemmelappointed July 4, 2020
Appointed pastor by Cardinal DiNardo, alongside parochial vicar Fr. Mathew Thayil.
- Fr. Jaison Thomas, MSFSpresent
Current pastor (Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales).