The parish of St. Francis de Sales is a perfect composite or example of the city of Houston and our neighborhood. It is a gathering place and home for people of many cultures and diverse backgrounds.
On Sunday, July 15th in 1962 Fr. Albert Beck with approximately 800 families gathered at Sharpstown Country Club to celebrate their first Mass as the parish family of St. Francis de Sales officially established on July 1st, 1962 by Very Reverend Wendelin J. Nold, Bishop of the Diocese of Galveston-Houston.
St. Francis de Sales parish was planned to be situated in the very heart of Sharpstown and designated to serve the new and rapidly developing neighborhoods of Southwest Houston. The historian of the parish and founding parish member recalls that beyond the boundaries of the new parish were “vast fields of farm and ranch land”. Very soon under the leadership of the Pastor, Fr. Beck and enthusiastic parishioners, St. Francis de Sales quickly grew as a vibrant faith home to newly arrived Houstonians. Many young and mature families who were purchasing new homes in the newly developed neighborhoods comprised the parish roster.
Fr. Beck immediately focused on the faith education of the children of the parish. The plans for the church complex included a day school which would also provide space for CCE classes already in full swing with a teeming enrollment. The Dominican Sisters, with Sr. Justin, O.P. as first principal, were invited to teach at St. Francis de Sales Catholic School. The Dominican Sisters and trained lay catechists began then the legacy of faith education for all children of the parish that continues even now.
The very early years of St. Francis de Sales parish coincided with Vatican II and the realization in the universal church of the necessity for lay participation. Fr. Beck answered this realization and encouraged the faithful to take their newly recognized positions in the church seriously. Liturgy has always been the focus and inspiring tradition at St. Francis de Sales, therefore parishioners were encouraged to receive formal training and formation. The parishioners developed a deep love for the prayer of the Church. Empowered by all the pastors of the parish over the years, many who were formed for lay leadership in the early years of St. Francis de Sales still serve today in leadership roles in the Archdiocese.
In 1972, Fr. Beck was reassigned to All Saints Church as pastor. He was succeeded by Msgr. Vincent Rizzotto, who initiated the plans and construction of a new church on the corner of Roos and Mary Bates that was completed in 1980. In 1982 Msgr. Rizzotto became the pastor of St. Cecilia’s Church and Msgr.Jack Dinkins was assigned to St. Francis De Sales until 1990 when Msgr. William Pickard arrived as Pastor. Fr. Joseph Limanni was assigned in 2000. Fr. Wayne Wilkerson followed in October of 2006 and realized the plan for renovating our church. Our present pastor, Fr. Joseph Son Thanh Phan, came to us in July of 2014. The parish continues to thrive and grow in unity as many cultures join together unified as one family in worship, sharing in the glorious beauty of our newly renovated church.
When the fiftieth anniversary of the parish grew near Pastor, Fr. Wayne Wilkerson, having listened to the requests of many members of the parish initiated the plans for the renovation of the church and at the advice of the Archdiocese began the development of a “master plan” for the future growth of the parish. A committee was formed and town hall meetings were scheduled to give the opportunity for all members of the parish to share their vision for an updated worship space that would reflect not only the traditions of the Catholic faith but also the spirituality of the diverse cultures and communities now present in the parish of St. Francis De Sales. The “master plan” would become the compilation of information shared by the parish committee as well as parishioner’s input. The Capital Campaign to raise the funds began in February of 2011. The renovation project and new construction began in September of 2011.
On December 22, 2012, Fr. Wayne Wilkerson, parishioners, and guests attended the celebration of the dedication of the newly renovated and enlarged Church and chapel at a Mass of Dedication with Daniel Cardinal DiNardo officiating.
St. Francis de Sales parish has experienced many changes and challenges since it’s beginning over fifty years ago It is the faith home to many who come from various diverse backgrounds which brought about the opportunity to celebrate liturgy in Spanish and Vietnamese each week, as well as English. Additionally the Filipino and African Heritage families meet regularly and generously contribute their support in all activities of the parish. Children of the day school and CCE students from all these family backgrounds continue the legacy of faith formation. They gather together on Sunday for Liturgy of the Word.
It has recently been said that Houston is the most diverse city in the country and some time ago a parishioner expressed it this way: “The parish of St. Francis de Sales is a perfect composite or example of the city of Houston and our neighborhood. It is a gathering place and home for people of many cultures and diverse backgrounds." Another joined in the conversation and said, “ I am an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and I am always in awe as I look into the faith filled eyes of the people and the faces of many nations and every age in the Communion procession on Sunday. Through this experience I have come to realize that we are truly united in a universal Church. Christ is truly present in the world and in each of us. We are the Body of Christ.”
With joy and humble gratitude to Almighty God we congratulate each and every parish member, past and present and express our deepest appreciation for the love and life in Christ we have shared these 50 plus years! We invite you to come join our family celebration and see how you can become part of our parish family. All are welcome here.
St. Francis De Sales pray for us! Amen.