A BRIEF HISTORY OF ST. BENEDICT'S PARISH
by Ms. Catherine Green, St. Benedict’s Parishione
In June 1963 Bishop Wendelin J. Nold determined that there was an immediate need for a new parish in the Southwest area. The Bishop assigned the task to Father Thomas Donovan as pastor and Father Joseph Broussard as his assistant. Pending the construction of a Church, Father Donovan arranged for Sunday Mass to be celebrated at Montgomery Elementary school. Morning Mass was celebrated at the rectory. In 1964 father Donovan had reached his goal of having a Church, parish hall and school constructed. A junior/ senior high school was opened for area students. Children attending area public schools were able to attend the St. Benedict religious education classes provided.
Father remained as pastor until 1968, when he was moved to another parish. Following as pastor was Joseph Fiorenza. He was instrumental in integrating Hispanics, African American and Anglos in our parish life. He served in our parish for three years and as a result, our parish flourished with an increase of many new families. At that time the parish had no idea that Father Fiorenza would become the Bishop of the Galveston-Houston Diocese and then the Archbishop.
Father Bill Pickard joined the parish as pastor in 1972. He was the first at pastor at St. Benedict's to start a Spanish Mass on a weekly basis. His leadership and gentleness inspired parishioners to volunteer for various Ministries in the Church. Father Bill served as our pastor for twelve years. Father Mario Arroyo served as our assistant pastor.
Father John Morfin joined our parish as pastor in 1984. He is remembered fondly as the priest who brought the parish into the computer age. Our religious education program, under our various pastors, has had many capable directors, to name a few: Sister Jackie, Sister Rosalie, Mrs. Brenda Wade, Deacon Frank Laugerman and today Mrs. Adela Tijerina. Last but not least, the parish was paid off in 1986 under the leadership of Father Morfin. A new pipe organ was installed in time for our 25th anniversary in 1986.
In July of 1995 Father Nicolas Pasadilla became St. Benedict's 6th pastor and Father Tin Pham was his assistant. Our many ministries continued except for the parish council which ceased to function. Father served successfully for three years.
Bishop Fiorenza in concert with the Spiritan Fathers from Africa, permitted the appointment of Father Kitira Gabriel as St. Benedict's 7th pastor and Father Gregory and Father Benoit Mukamba as his assistant respectively. Father's tenure at St. Benedicts was four years. Father Kitira led Bible study classes which were much needed and were very well attended. Father led several members of our parish on a pilgrimage to Italy in 2001.
Our present pastor of St. Benedict's is Father Benoit Mukamba since 2002. His assistant is Father Renatus Assenga. Under their religious guidance we are now preparing to build a new sanctuary. Our parish has an ongoing capital campaign. Our religious education programs are as strong as ever and our parish is completely integrated and our ministries have grown to over 40 functioning ministries.
Since St. Benedict's inception in 1963 to 2006, we have had:
Baptisms: 6,096 people
First Communion: 6,058
Confirmation 1,820
Marriages 860
Priests/Religious: 0
We must pay close attention to the fact that as many youth as we have had in our parish we have never had any vocations to the Priesthood or religious life coming from our parish. Looking on the figures above, every one of us is challenged. Where are we going to get ministers if not from our families. If your child expresses a desire towards a particular vocation as a priest or religious it is your responsibility to help this child find a way to see his or her dream realized.
We thank God for having blessed us with very loving and capable priests.