history highlights
St. Benedict the Abbot Parish began during the Second Vatican Council in June of 1963. Bishop W. J. Nold formed the Parish to care for the spiritual needs of the new, growing Southwest Houston area. It was cut off from Corpus Christi Parish and has as its neighbors, Corpus Christi, St. Thomas More, St. Peters and St. Phillip Neri. This new beginning allowed the Parish to implement reforms of the Council, yet it was able to keep the traditions of our Catholic heritage.
Today, one of Faith, Hope and Love, St. Benedict the Abbot Church is unique in that it is a multi-cultural parish, with various ethnic families registered and supporting the parish. Over the years we have flourish and grown in the spirit, and continue to grow in our mission for unity and love for each other, as well as for the parish.
When founded, we had about 300 families, today we have grown to over 1500 registered families.
All the parishioners, past and present, deserve high commendation for their ideals, talents, and hard work in volunteering their services to the parish.
1963
1964
June 4th--Most Rev. W. J. Nold announced that the new parish of St. Benedict the Abbot would be established in Southwest Houston. The first pastor was Rev. Thomas A. Donovan.
May 22nd--Groundbreaking ceremonies for the new parish facilities. This was Phase 1 of a long range building plan beginning with a temporary church, administrative offices and eight classrooms, estimated cost $275,000. The temporary church would be used as an activities hall, gymnasium and cafeteria for a school to be built.
June 23rd--The first Masses were celebrated at Montgomery Elementary School. Daily Masses were celebrated in the rectory on Goulburn.
Masses continued to be held at Montgomery Elementary School as work on the new facilities progressed.
October 1st--The first CCD and Bible classes began.
During the first year, 214 Baptisms and 2 funerals were recorded.
October 7th--The parish’s First Festival was held on the church grounds.
December 8th--The first Mass, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception were celebrated in the new building.
1965
1967
February 14th--The buildings were dedicated by Bishop John L. Morkovsky with Rev. Charles Schoppe serving as Master of Ceremonies.
March 5th-10th--The parish had its first Mission, conducted by Rev. George LeBlanc of the Paulist Fathers.
June, Fr. Donovan, Fr. Dan Warden, and Msgr. Bernard Ganter officiated at the dedication of St. Benedict Jr./Sr. High School.
September, the school opened under the direction of the Sisters of Divine Providence of San Antonio. Sr. Emily Rabalais as principal and teacher and Sr. Margit Maria Nagy and Mrs. Rose Plumb, teachers.
The school year began with 61 students in the 7th and 8th grades. An additional grade would be added each year.
1969
1970
April 18th-20th--First Annual Spring Fair was held on the church grounds.
October, Fr. Joseph Fiorenza succeeds Fr. Donovan as the 2nd pastor of St. Benedict.
May--St. Benedict Jr./Sr. High School closed due to multiple negative factors.
1971
1972
The rectory and parish offices were moved from Goulburn to Grapevine Street.
February--Fr. William A. Pickard becomes the 3rd pastor at St. Benedict.
1973
1974
August 26th--The first weekly Spanish Mass was celebrated. Until then, the Spanish Mass was celebrated once a month.
The southern territory of the parish was separated to form the new community of St. Mark the Evangelist Parish.
1975
1983
May 21st--The First Ecumenical Worship Service was held at St. Benedict. Many Hiram Clarke-Almeda area churches seeking unity among Christians participated.
June--St. Benedict was designated as a Red Cross Shelter, due to flooding that hit the area, June 9-10th. About 60 area residents sought shelter, and on June 18th, 422 families were aided by the American Red Cross at the shelter.
St. Benedict was instrumental in securing the Policing Community Center that services the Hiram Clarke area.
1984
1985
June--Fr. John Morfin becomes St. Benedict’s 4th pastor.
Artistic Stations of the Cross were painted by parishioner, Mr. Elliott Guillory.
November--the parish offices were moved from the rectory to the office building. New CCE offices were also constructed at this time.
1986
1988
June--Our Parish loan was paid off.
A new pipe organ was installed in time for this special anniversary.
St. Benedict celebrated its 25th Anniversary.
1990
1995
Fr. Stephen J. Payne succeeded Fr. Morfin as St. Benedict’s 5th pastor.
May 20th—The parish held it first Annual Trail Ride & Crawfish Boil Festival. This large scale event becomes a permanent part of the parish tradition.
July, Fr. Nicolas O. Pasadilla, St. Benedict’s 6th pastor is appointed.
1997
1998
Due to internal problems, St. Benedict’s Parish Council in operation since the parish was founded, ceased to function.
July, Fr. Pasadilla was succeeded by Fr. Kitira Gabriel, C.S.Sp. as St. Benedict’s 7th pastor.
2002
2003
May, Fr. Benoit Mukamba, C.S.Sp. is appointed St. Benedict’s 8th pastor.
March 8th—Sponsored a Youth Empowerment Day —for all youths from Grade 7th through 12th.
2004 -- Parish Council is re-established.
September 13th, 20th, 27th -- Hosted a Community Workshop Series with the Metropolitan Organization, "Building Relationships within our Community."
2005
July - Second Annual Picnic -- Families and friend enjoyed volleyball, soccer, baseball and more. Good food and fellowship.
October 29-30 -- Annual Carnival held on church grounds.
2006 - Consolation Committee established.
March 2006 -- Website for St. Benedict's Parish finalized and goes online.
July 11th -- Celebrated the Feast of Our Patron Saint, St. Benedict the Abbot. History of the parish were presented and a Power Point viewing at the Reception in the Parish Hall.
September 9th -- Health Fair on church grounds by Texas Medical Students & Health Professionals. Free immunizations, various free medical tests, etc.
October 15th-- Family and friends picnic on the church grounds, celebrating accomplishments on "Reconstruction for the Lord", and "Our Children's Pennies From Heaven Fundraiser."
December 2nd & 3rd, 16th & 17th-- Parish-wide Planning Study began--Feasibility Study on building a new church.
2007
October 6th & 7th -- Annual Carnival and Raffle-- Food, games, entertainment, live band, and much more.
2008
June 14, 2008-- Celebrated its 45th Anniversary. Celebration began with a Mass in the sanctuary and commenced outside under a tent with a host of activities, including special presentations, music, games and a delicious barbecue lunch. Special gifts and recognition were given to the visiting priests and deacons, and to our very own pastor, Fr. Benoit Mukamba. A joyous time was had by all.
October 4th & 5th -- Annual Carnival and Raffle--Food, games, entertainment, live band and loads of fun.
November 3rd, 4th & 5th -- Hosted a Mission (Spanish) --"Responding to the Spirit in the Year of Saint Paul."
2009
March -- Building fund Proposal presented to parishioners for commitment to the challenge of building a new church.
May 2nd -- Hosted the Cince de Mayo Festival for the first time.
June 27th -- Hosted a community-wide Prayer Breakfast in the Parish Hall.
October 3rd & 4th, Annual Carnival & Raffle--Good food, entertainment, games, live band, and much more.
2010
June 26th-- Prayer Breakfast "Brothers & Sisters in Christ Breaking Bread Together"
August 7th -- "Farewell Celebration" for outgoing pastor, Fr. Benoit Mukamba
August 16th, Fr. Joseph Q. Huy Dinh, C.S.Sp. is appointed St. Benedict’s 9th pastor.
Throughout the years, St. Benedict the Abbot Catholic Church has experience triumphs and downfalls. Our Patron, St. Benedict the Abbot, is a great saint, a good example. He organized Religious Life which was to preserve, to teach, and to hand on the total treasury of man’s mind and of divine revelation. His life, his motto, “Work and Pray,” resulted in his being called “Father of the West” by Pope Paul VI centuries after his death. We adopt his motto, and under his patronage, we continue to thrive and care for the spiritual needs of all in the parish and community.