About St. Vincent De Paul · Houston, Texas
St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church is a large, historically significant parish in southwest Houston, Texas, located at 6800 Buffalo Speedway in the 77025 zip code. The parish belongs to the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston and traces the patron of its name back to Bishop Jean Marie Odin's original 1841 Catholic foundation in the city, which later burned down in 1894; the present parish was re-established in 1939 by Bishop Christopher Byrne. Today St. Vincent de Paul serves a diverse community with seven Sunday Masses (six in English, one in Spanish), daily Mass in Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel, near-perpetual Eucharistic Adoration, a parish school dating to 1940, an active Society of St. Vincent de Paul conference, faith formation for all ages, and large-scale ministries of outreach, marriage preparation, and youth ministry under Pastor Fr. Sean Horrigan.
- Established
- 1939
- Patron
- St. Vincent de Paul (conceived in the 1841 founding by Bishop Odin; founder of the Vincentian order after whom it is named)
- Rector
- Fr. Sean Horrigan
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
Why belong here
St. Vincent de Paul is a large, multigenerational Catholic parish in southwest Houston that combines the stability of a 1939-founded community with deep, real devotions — weekday Eucharistic Adoration, the parish-wide Divine Mercy celebration, a long-running St. Jude novena, and a Spanish Mass alongside six English Sunday Masses. It runs its own K-8 Catholic school (since 1940), an active Society of St. Vincent de Paul conference serving zip codes 77005, 77025, 77030, 77045, 77081, and 77401, and ministries for every age — CCE and Edge youth programs, Life Teen, Walking With Purpose women's Bible study, Jovenes de Luz bilingual young adults, 40+ Catholic Singles, RCIA/OCIA for adults and children, and a vibrant music program. The recently built Our Lady of Lourdes daily-Mass chapel and the new Education Building (dedicated 2024) make this a parish where families can pray, learn, and serve side-by-side, three blocks south of the TX-288 / Holcombe corridor.
Mass times at St. Vincent De Paul
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday: 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
- Saturday: 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM
Adoration times
- Monday 7:00 AM through Saturday 8:00 AM (perpetual weekday Adoration in the Adoration Chapel; adorers must be registered to receive the entrance code)
About St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church
St. Vincent de Paul is a large Catholic community within the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, located at 6800 Buffalo Speedway, Houston, TX 77025, on a multi-acre campus at the southwest corner of Buffalo Speedway and Holcombe Boulevard. The parish's stated mission is to 'invite others to join us in our prayer as the Body of Christ as we teach the Truth of the Gospel to all and share our time and treasures with others in service and justice.' The community is committed to passing on a life of moral values to future generations, respecting the dignity of every human life, daring to step out in faith, fiercely holding onto truth and graciously inviting others to join us.
- Mass celebrated seven times on Sundays (six English, one Spanish) plus a Saturday Vigil and weekday Masses in Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel
- Sacramental coverage: Baptism, First Reconciliation/Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, Anointing, Confession (twice weekly)
- One of the largest parish campuses in southwest Houston, including a school, gymnasium/cafeteria, Boy Scout House, Education Building (2024), Lourdes Chapel (2020), and parish pavilion
- Office hours: Monday-Thursday 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM; Friday (June-July) 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM; Parish offices are in the Apostolic Center on the Holcombe Blvd. side
History
The first Catholic church in Houston, founded by Bishop Jean Marie Odin in 1841, was named after St. Vincent de Paul — founder of the Vincentian order that sponsored Bishop Odin's work. That early parish, later a German-language congregation, burned on October 15, 1894 and was not rebuilt; its community transferred to Annunciation Church. The present St. Vincent de Paul parish was established in 1939 by Bishop Christopher Byrne, with construction beginning in 1940 under founding pastor Fr. Michael Leahy. Successive pastors expanded the school, the campus, the worship spaces, and the devotions of the parish — most recently completing the Lourdes Chapel (2020) and the new Education Building (2024) under Msgr. Bill Young, with leadership passing in July 2025 to Fr. Sean Horrigan.
- 1841 — Original Houston parish of St. Vincent de Paul founded by Bishop Odin
- 1894 (Oct 15) — German-language St. Vincent de Paul church burns down, parishioners transfer to Annunciation
- 1939 — Present parish established by Bishop Byrne
- 1940 — Construction begins under Fr. Michael Leahy; school opens with 165 children and four Sisters of the Incarnate Word
- 1941 — Msgr. John D. Connolly becomes second pastor
- 1950 — Devotion to St. Jude and acquisition of 5 additional acres
- 1953 (Christmas Day) — New church dedicated
- 1956 — New rectory
- 1958 — Gymnasium, cafeteria, and primary school addition
- 1985 — Msgr. James A. Jamail appointed fifth pastor by Bishop Joseph Fiorenza
- 2002 — Msgr. Jamail dies; Fr. John Weyer becomes sixth pastor
- 2008 — Fr. Weyer dies
- 2009 (January) — Msgr. Bill Young appointed seventh pastor
- 2019 (January) — Ground broken for Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel
- 2020 (February) — Lourdes Chapel dedicated
- 2024 (Jan) — Students begin classes in new Education Building
- 2024 (April 6) — Cardinal Daniel DiNardo dedicates the Education Building
- 2025 (June 1) — Msgr. Bill Young retires
- 2025 (July 1) — Fr. Sean Horrigan installed as eighth pastor
Faith Formation and Religious Education
The Faith Formation staff at St. Vincent de Paul focus on forming the entire parish community in the Catholic faith, with programs for children, youth, and adults. Sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion follows a two-year 'Under Thy Roof' CCE track; older children use an RCIA-adapted-for-children program, and adults use RCIA (now called OCIA for children) or Adult Confirmation preparation. Vacation Bible School is offered annually.
- CCE (Continuing Catholic Education) for PreK3 through 5th grade
- EDGE middle school youth ministry (6th-8th grade)
- Life Teen and Confirmation Prep for high school students
- Adult Bible Studies and various Faith Formation programs
- RCIA / OCIA for adults becoming Catholic
- Adult Confirmation preparation
- Director of Faith Formation/Evangelization: Laura Rivera ([email protected], 713-663-3528)
- CCE/Sacramental Coordinator: Kim Muncy ([email protected], 713-663-3509)
- Faith Formation Administrative Assistant: Stacy Wong
St. Vincent de Paul School
St. Vincent de Paul Parish School, the parish's Catholic elementary school, has operated continuously since 1940 — when Msgr. John D. Connolly opened it with 165 children in four temporary classrooms staffed by four Sisters of the Incarnate Word. The permanent two-story school was completed in 1948 and additional facilities followed (gymnasium/cafeteria/primary addition in 1958). The school's longtime cafeteria and gymnasium were updated under Msgr. Bill Young, and the parish's new Education Building — funded through the Building Bright Futures campaign and dedicated by Cardinal Daniel DiNardo on April 6, 2024 — was occupied by students in January 2024.
- Opened 1940 by Msgr. John D. Connolly
- Two-story school building completed 1948
- Gymnasium, cafeteria, and adjoining primary building 1958
- Cafeteria and gym updates under Msgr. Young
- New Educational Building dedicated April 6, 2024 by Cardinal DiNardo
- Students moved in January 2024
Parish Ministries and Outreach
Beyond faith formation and the school, St. Vincent de Paul maintains a wide array of parish ministries serving the spiritual, family, and outreach needs of the community. The parish's Society of St. Vincent de Paul conference is one of its most active ministries, helping families in zip codes 77005, 77025, 77030, 77045, 77081 and 77401 with rent, utilities, food, and other necessities. Walking With Purpose provides women's Bible study, while Jovenes de Luz serves Spanish/bilingual young adults and a 40+ Catholic Singles group sponsors monthly community dinners.
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul (helpline 713-664-5350, [email protected]); Conference covers zip codes 77005, 77025, 77030, 77045, 77081, 77401
- Marriage & Wedding preparation (Burt Martin, Wedding Director; Allyson Martin, Assistant Wedding Director)
- Walking With Purpose (women's Bible study) — founded by Allyson Martin
- Jovenes de Luz Spanish/bilingual young adults (Thursdays, 7-9 PM, Room 205)
- 40+ Catholic Singles — monthly community dinners (e.g., Adair Kitchen on Buffalo Speedway)
- Music Ministry (Director of Music: Chris Popelka)
- Sacramental Coordination (Kelly Hermann, 713-663-3564)
- Nursery Coordinator: Paula Archuleta
- Nursery/Children's Programming
- Games fellowship — Mah Jongg, Mexican Train, MFC Room 202
Clergy and Staff
St. Vincent de Paul is staffed by a pastor, two parochial vicars, four permanent deacons, and a large lay-staff team spanning faith formation, liturgy, music, administration, communications, facilities, and development. Fr. Sean Horrigan, ordained May 16, 1998, became the parish's eighth pastor on July 1, 2025. Fr. Hubert (Hai) Dao, ordained June 7, 2025, and Fr. Aneesh Philip, O.S.H. (ordained December 28, 2020 in the Syro-Malabar rite) serve as parochial vicars. The four permanent deacons — Dcn. Daniel Pagnano, Dcn. Burt Martin, Dcn. Gerardo Cedillo, and Dcn. Gustavo 'Gus' Camacho del Rio — assist at liturgies, in marriage preparation, and in parish counseling.
- Fr. Sean Horrigan — Pastor ([email protected])
- Fr. Hubert (Hai) Dao — Parochial Vicar ([email protected])
- Fr. Aneesh Philip, O.S.H. — Parochial Vicar ([email protected])
- Dcn. Daniel Pagnano — ordained Feb 3, 2007; retired business manager deacon
- Dcn. Burt Martin — ordained Feb 20, 2021; also Director of Parish & Family Life Ministries
- Dcn. Gerardo Cedillo — ordained Feb 14, 2025
- Dcn. Gustavo 'Gus' Camacho del Rio — ordained Feb 11, 2011
- Laura Rivera — Director of Faith Formation/Evangelization
- Kim Muncy — CCE/Sacramental Coordinator
- Stacy Wong — Faith Formation Administrative Assistant
- Peter T. Nguyen — Liturgy Coordinator
- Chris Popelka — Director of Music
- Nora Flores-Peña — Parish Business Manager
- Louis Bui — Director of IT
- Susan Martin — Accounting Manager
- Eric Tovilla — Director of Campus Operations (Parish & School)
- Eduardo Karaszewski — Development Manager
Sacraments and Sacramental Preparation
Sacramental preparation at St. Vincent de Paul covers Baptism, First Reconciliation and First Communion, Confirmation, Matrimony, Anointing of the Sick, and Reconciliation. Infants and children up to age 6 are baptized through a Pre-Baptism class required of parents (and encouraged for godparents); children ages 7-12 follow a special RCIA-adapted program. First Reconciliation and First Communion follow the second year of CCE (with two-year 'Under Thy Roof' tracks for second-grade children). High-school Confirmation uses the Life Teen program; adults go through Adult Confirmation preparation.
- Infant Baptism (under age 7) — contact Kelly Hermann at 713-663-3564 / [email protected]
- Baptism ages 7-12 — children's RCIA program; contact Kim Muncy (grades 3-5) or the Church office (grades 6-12)
- First Reconciliation/Communion children — second year of CCE or Catholic school enrollment
- First Reconciliation/Communion adults — RCIA or Adult Confirmation; contact Laura Rivera
- Confirmation teens — Life Teen with retreats; Adult Confirmation available
- Matrimony — full marriage preparation, Wedding Director: Burt Martin and Brenda Martin, Assistant Wedding Director: Allyson Martin
- Anointing of the Sick / homebound Communion — available by appointment with [email protected]
Devotions
The parish's distinctive devotions center on the Eucharist, the Divine Mercy, and St. Jude — each with a specific origin story at the parish. Perpetual weekday Eucharistic Adoration was revived by Fr. John Weyer and is anchored in a dedicated Adoration Chapel on the campus. The annual Divine Mercy celebration runs over several days leading up to Divine Mercy Sunday, with talks, novena, and a closing Mass, exposition, and Benediction in the Lourdes Chapel. The St. Jude devotion has been honored since 1950 with a weekly Mass, chapel area, and a yearly novena.
- Eucharistic Adoration (Monday 7 AM – Saturday 8 AM)
- Divine Mercy Sunday multi-day celebration (novena, chaplet, talks, exposition, Benediction)
- St. Jude weekly Mass and yearly novena (since 1950)
- Sacred Heart of Jesus devotion
- Marian devotion through Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel
Facilities and Campus
The St. Vincent de Paul campus at 6800 Buffalo Speedway includes a main Church (built 1953 and extensively restored), Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel (dedicated February 2020, in which daily Mass and adoration are celebrated), the two-story parish school (1948) and adjoining primary building (1958), the gymnasium/cafeteria complex, the Boy Scout House (1949), the new Educational Building (dedicated April 6, 2024 by Cardinal DiNardo), and the Apostolic Center which houses the parish offices. A new pavilion on the campus was completed in time to host Msgr. Bill Young's June 1, 2025 retirement celebration.
- Main Church (built 1953)
- Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel (dedicated Feb 2020)
- St. Vincent de Paul School (two-story, 1948)
- Adoration Chapel
- Gymnasium / Cafeteria / Primary School addition (1958, updated under Msgr. Young)
- Boy Scout House (1949)
- Education Building (Jan 2024 classes; dedicated April 6, 2024)
- Apostolic Center (parish offices, Holcombe side)
- Parish Pavilion (celebrated Msgr. Young's 2025 retirement)
Getting Involved
St. Vincent de Paul invites parishioners to participate through ministries and councils; the parish hosts regular events such as the Cafe Catholica Summer Series (organized by the Archdiocesan Office of Young Adult & Campus Ministry) and 40+ Catholic Singles community dinners. Newcomers can register for weekly email updates and the parish weekly bulletin (in partnership with Diocesan).
- Sign up for the weekly email and bulletin at svdp-houston.org
- Register for Eucharistic Adoration via [email protected]
- Join the Society of St. Vincent de Paul conference at svdp77025.org
- Volunteer in Faith Formation, Music, Liturgy, Youth Ministry, or Parish & Family Life
- Contact [email protected] for priest appointments
Visit, Contact, and Logistics
Parish offices are in the Apostolic Center on the Holcombe Blvd. side of the property. The main phone line is (713) 667-9111, with individual staff extensions listed on the parish website. The fax line is (713) 667-3453. Weekend Mass attendees enter via the ADA-approved Buffalo Speedway entrance to the church.
- Address: 6800 Buffalo Speedway, Houston, TX 77025
- Main: 713-667-9111 / Fax: 713-667-3453
- Parish office hours: Monday-Thursday 9 AM-4 PM; Friday (June-July) 9 AM-3 PM
- ADA-approved Buffalo Speedway entrance to church
- Free campus parking on parish grounds
- Cafe Catholica Summer Series (held at the parish) — Confession 5:15 PM, Mass 6:15 PM, dinner 7:15 PM, speaker 8:15 PM
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Michael Leahy1940-1941
Founding pastor of the present parish; began construction in 1940, dedicated the church, celebrated first Mass; retired due to ill health at summer's end 1941.
- Msgr. John D. Connolly1941 - late 1950s/early 1960s
Second pastor; came from St. Joseph's; opened the school in 1940 (165 children, four Sisters of the Incarnate Word), organized Scouts and Legion of Mary; oversaw completion of two-story school (1948), Boy Scout House (1949), new church (Christmas Day 1953), new rectory (1956) and gymnasium/cafeteria/primary school addition (1958).
- Msgr. Dexter George
Succeeded Msgr. John D. Connolly after his retirement.
- Fr. Laurence Connolly
Served as pastor after Msgr. George.
- Msgr. James A. Jamail1985-2002 (died 2002)
Fifth pastor, appointed by Bishop Joseph Fiorenza; led a 15-year program that built five new campus buildings and culminated in the restoration of the main church; died in office in 2002.
- Fr. John Weyer2002-2008 (died December 2008)
Sixth pastor; introduced wide-spread devotion to Divine Mercy and renewed weekday Eucharistic Adoration; began the campaign later completed for facilities.
- Msgr. Bill YoungJanuary 2009 - June 1, 2025
Seventh pastor; completed the capital campaign for cafeteria/gym updates and the ADA-approved Buffalo Speedway entrance; shepherded the building and dedication of Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel (ground broken January 2019, dedicated February 2020); oversaw Building Bright Futures capital campaign that funded the new Education Building (dedicated by Cardinal DiNardo April 6, 2024); retired on June 1, 2025, with celebration under the new parish pavilion.
- Fr. Sean HorriganJuly 1, 2025 - present
Current pastor; assigned by Cardinal Daniel DiNardo before the Cardinal's own retirement.