Sts. Simon and Jude

Who We Are

Sts. Simon & Jude is the first Catholic parish in The Woodlands, erected on August 8, 1979 by Bishop John Markovsky of the then-Diocese of Galveston–Houston and planted by Monsignor Charles C. Domec at the request of Bishop Joseph A. Fiorenza. From 425 founding families worshipping at Interfaith of The Woodlands and Knox Junior High School, the parish has grown into a multi-thousand-family community served by dozens of ministries, bilingual Masses and perpetual Eucharistic Adoration. Father Patrick Garrett currently serves as pastor.

History of the Parish

The community began with the Decree of Erection on August 8, 1979, broke ground on October 19, 1980 and gathered for its first regular weekend Masses inside the new church August 29–30, 1981. Auxiliary Bishop John McCarthy formally dedicated the church; the Family Center followed in 1989 and the Youth Ministry building in 1996. By its 20th anniversary the parish had grown to more than 3,900 families, and in October 2019 it celebrated 40 years with a service, fall festival and feast day Mass.

• 1979 – Decree of Erection by Bishop John Markovsky; first Masses begin
• October 19, 1980 – Groundbreaking on the 8.2-acre Glen Loch campus
• August 29–30, 1981 – First Masses in the new church; formal dedication by Auxiliary Bishop John McCarthy
• 1981 – Rectory construction begins
• 1989 – Family Center dedicated
• 1996 – Youth Ministry building dedicated
• 1999 (20th anniversary) – More than 3,900 families and 37+ ministries
• October 2019 – 40th anniversary celebration (service, fall festival, feast day Mass)

Patron Saints Simon and Jude

Parishioners honor Saints Simon and Jude on their Feast Day, October 28. Simon the Zealot and Jude Thaddeus were apostles called by Jesus to 'make disciples of all nations.' Tradition holds that both traveled together to preach the Gospel and that they were martyred on the same day in Beirut. Jude—often invoked as patron of hopeless or desperate cases—was nicknamed 'Thaddeus' to distinguish him from Judas Iscariot; Simon's nickname 'the Zealot' likewise identified him apart from Simon Peter.

Devotions and Special Services

Beyond the Sunday and weekday schedule, the parish maintains a year-round calendar of monthly devotional services: the First Friday Healing Mass with anointing for physical, emotional and spiritual healing; the monthly Communal First Saturdays devotion in reparation through Confession, Communion, Rosary and meditation; the weekly Missionaries of Rosa Mystica prayers; and ongoing Divine Mercy, Holy Name, and Santo Niño (Visiting Holy Child) devotions.

• First Friday Healing Mass – 7:00 PM
• Communal First Saturdays – monthly reparation
• Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help
• Divine Mercy Chaplet
• Rosary Group and Rosary Makers
• Missionaries of Rosa Mystica (Monday evening)
• Visiting Holy Child (Santo Niño)

Sacraments and Faith Formation

Faith Formation for children and adults is home-based and supported by the parish staff. First Reconciliation and First Communion are prepared in 2nd grade and above (baptized, prior-year Faith Formation, retreat and service project; contact Yolanda Villarreal, 281-367-9885 ext. 115). OCIC is available for unbaptized children 7+ (contact Sonya Thibert), and RCIA welcomes adults into the Church. The parish also coordinates Wedding Coordination, Anointing of the Sick, and Funeral Liturgy Support.

• Baptism Preparation
• First Reconciliation / First Communion (home-based curriculum)
• Confirmation (archdiocesan preparation)
• RCIA (adults) and OCIC (children 7+)
• Wedding Coordination and Marriage preparation
• Anointing of the Sick (First Friday Healing Mass and on request)
• Funeral Liturgy Support and Funeral Reception Team

Parish Ministries and Organizations

The parish organizes its ministries into liturgical, hospitality, pastoral/care, outreach, formation, communities, youth, organizational and vocational streams. With more than 80 named ministries spanning spiritual life, service, support, study, scouting, music, arts and facilities, parishioners of every age and language can find a place to serve. Major organizational partners include the Knights of Columbus, Regnum Christi (with Challenge/Conquest/Encuentro youth programs), Marian Servants, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Missionary Families of Christ, Disciples of Jesus and Mary, and the Bread of Life Catholic Homeschool Group.

• Liturgical: Altar Servers, EMHC, Lectors, Sacristans, Ushers, Music Ministry, Arts & Environment
• Pastoral/Care: Stephen Ministry, Adopt-a-Grandparent, Butterflies (Widow), Divorce Recovery, Rainbow & Roses (Grief), Hands with Heart, EMHC Visitation, Caregivers of the Memory-Challenged, Transportation Ministry
• Outreach: St. Vincent de Paul, Angel Tree, Blood Drive, Habitat for Humanity, Guatemala Ministry, Loaves & Fishes, Prison Ministry, Respect Life, Cross Catholic Outreach, Guardian Angel Closet, Red Cross Shelter Operation
• Formation: Faith Formation, SSJ University, Why Catholic? Small Communities, Blessed Is She, Walking with a Purpose, That Man Is You (TMIY), Bible Study (Spanish), Adult Scripture Studies
• Youth/Family: Youth Ministry, Challenge (girls), Conquest (boys), Encuentro (grades 9–12), Emerging Young Adults, American Heritage Girls #204, Boy Scouts #204, Cub Scouts #204
• Organizations: Knights of Columbus, Regnum Christi, Marian Servants, Missionary Families of Christ, Disciples of Jesus and Mary, Bread of Life Catholic Homeschool Group, Divine Mercy Homeschool Co-Op/Academy, Social Single Seniors, International Friends, Filipino American Council, Hispanic Council

Communities and Small Groups

The parish's 'Communities' program offers small faith groups across men, women, co-ed, family, Spanish-speaking, support, young adult, and large community tracks, plus youth groups and outside organizations. Examples include Blessed Is She, Walking with a Purpose, Caregivers of the Memory-Challenged, Why Catholic? Small Communities, Emerging Young Adults, and the Sunday Morning Study Group. A Small Communities Coordinator helps newcomers start or join a community.

Get Involved

Sts. Simon & Jude encourages involvement in four main streams: Liturgical (serving at Mass), Hospitality (welcoming and connecting), Pastoral (care and compassion), and Outreach (supporting those in need). The parish Safe Haven training and background check are required for all ministry volunteers. Sign-ups and full listings are available at ssjwoodlands.com/ssj-getinvolved and ssjwoodlands.com/ssj-azlists.

Counseling and Parish Support

Through a partnership with MyParishCounseling, the parish offers parishioners free counseling referrals and resources as part of Fr. Pat Garrett's pastoral outreach. Stephen Ministry, Spiritual Directors, the Spiritual Support line, and the parish Funeral Services and Funeral Reception Team round out pastoral care offerings.

Facilities and Campus

The 8.2-acre Glen Loch campus includes the main church, Family Center (1989), Youth Ministry building (1996), rectory, adoration chapel and Domec Hall (used for the Wednesday Night Meal following the 6:30 PM Mass). Garden Ministry / Diggers@SSJ and the Facilities Project Committee help maintain grounds, while the Parking Team directs traffic on busy weekends.

Stewardship, Councils and Commissions

Parish ministries, organizations and groups fall under five commission areas (Worship, Formation, Community, Service, Stewardship/Pastoral Care). Each commission is represented on the Parish Pastoral Council by one or two parishioners and a staff liaison working with Fr. Pat. The Stewardship Council, Family Council, Finance Council, Filipino American Council and Hispanic Council shepherd specific parish life. Parish Office Support and Money Counters round out the vocational/acministrative teams.

Visiting, Livestream and Feast Day

First-time visitors are welcomed by Greeters and the Welcoming Ministry. The parish livestreams three Sunday Masses (9:30 AM English Traditional, 11:30 AM English Children's, and 2:00 PM Spanish) at ssjwoodlands.com/live-stream. The annual Feast Day of Sts. Simon and Jude (October 28) is marked each year with Mass and festivities, including the 40th-anniversary celebration in October 2019.