A Parish on North Main Street
Christ the King Catholic Church stands on North Main Street in the near-north side of the city, a few miles north of downtown Houston. The parish describes itself in plain words: "We, the children of God, claimed in Baptism and Profession of Faith, are members of the Roman Catholic Church as the Parish of Christ the King." Its mission is to realize the Kingdom of God as the Body of Christ, to spread the Gospel Message, and to live the Paschal Mystery through the Sacramental life of the Church. As part of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, the parish joins a long Catholic tradition on the Gulf Coast while speaking two languages in its pews every week.
Mass Every Day, in English and Spanish
Mass is offered every day of the week, and most Masses are celebrated in both English and Spanish. On weekdays the schedule is simple: an 8:30 AM Mass in English and a 6:00 PM Mass in Spanish. Saturday brings an English Vigil Mass at 5:00 PM and a Spanish Mass at 6:30 PM. Sunday is the busiest day, with six Masses that fill the morning and afternoon: English at 7:15 AM and 10:30 AM, Spanish at 8:30 AM, 12:30 PM, 2:30 PM, and 6:00 PM. For visitors who cannot attend in person, the parish streams Mass online through its Facebook page.
Confession, Exposition, and a Midweek Pause
Reconciliation is heard on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM (the Spanish-language slot) and on Saturday afternoons from 4:30 PM to 5:00 PM, before the Vigil Masses. The Wednesday evening hour is held in Spanish, and other times are available by appointment through the parish office. Every Wednesday morning the Blessed Sacrament is exposed for adoration following the 8:30 AM Mass and remains on the altar until 5:50 PM, when the day closes in Benediction. The parish extends the same invitation to everyone: "Come as you are, stay as long as you wish. You are always welcome in the presence of the Lord."
The Seven Sacraments
Christ the King celebrates all seven sacraments of the Catholic Church and offers formation for each one.
Baptism. Spanish Baptisms are celebrated every Saturday at 9:00 AM, and the last Saturday of each month is reserved for English Baptisms. Private Baptisms are not available. Parents attend a Baptism preparation class before the date is scheduled, and godparents must be practicing Catholics at least 16 years old who have received Eucharist and Confirmation. Adults preparing for Baptism are welcomed through the OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults) program.
Reconciliation. Preparation is rooted in an examination of conscience measured against the Ten Commandments and Catholic teaching. The sacrament is offered weekly on Wednesday and Saturday, with appointments available for those who need a different time.
Eucharist. Children prepare for First Holy Communion through the parish Faith Formation program. Baptized Catholics who have made their First Communion and are in a state of grace are invited to receive; those who cannot receive Holy Communion are encouraged to come forward for a blessing with arms crossed over the chest.
Confirmation. Young Catholics in at least the eighth grade, after completing faith formation, classes, retreats, and community service, are typically confirmed each spring. Adults who have not been confirmed can prepare through OCIA.
Matrimony. Couples begin preparation at least six months before their intended wedding day. At least one party must be a registered parishioner, and the process includes meetings with a priest or deacon, a marriage inventory, and an in-person marriage preparation course or retreat.
Anointing of the Sick. The sacrament is offered to anyone seriously ill, facing surgery, or dealing with the effects of aging. Priests and deacons are also willing to bring anointing during hospital visits or to the homebound.
Holy Orders. The parish supports men discerning a call to the diaconate or priesthood and points them toward seminary or diaconal formation.
Faith Formation for Every Age
Faith formation is described as a lifelong journey. Children receive religious education through the CCE (Catecismo) program, where catechists walk them through Scripture, the sacraments, and Catholic teaching. Teenagers gather as the CTK Youth Group, meeting under the guidance of the parish youth minister and connecting through an Instagram presence. Adults can grow through monthly Adult Catechism Classes held on Thursday evenings at 7:00 PM in the Blue Room, a small room next to the chapel. These classes are conducted in English and invite everyone, regardless of background, to explore the Catholic faith, ask questions, and dig into Catholic teaching. The parish also shares a YouTube channel of recorded lessons and a Facebook group for faith formation so that learning can continue at home.
Ministries that Build the Parish
Ministries at Christ the King are organized around a single idea: "every gift comes from God and is meant to be shared." Liturgical service is at the center. Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist assist at Mass and bring Holy Communion to the homebound, with separate English and Spanish teams. Lectors proclaim the Word of God in both languages. Ushers greet and guide parishioners at every Mass. The Liturgy Committee, guided by Fr. Maitthew Masihah, prepares and evaluates the parish liturgies so the community can fully and consciously participate. The Altar Society cares for the vessels, vestments, and sanctuary, while altar servers assist the clergy at the altar, carrying sacred vessels and ringing the bell.
Beyond the sanctuary, parish life is shaped by several councils and committees. The Pastoral Council works alongside the pastor on vision and unity, while the Finance Council, made up of parishioners with backgrounds in finance, civil law, business development, and construction and engineering, oversees the parish's financial health and stewardship. The Building and Grounds Committee keeps the church, school, and rectory safe and welcoming.
Faith-based community groups also have a home here. Movimiento Familiar Cristiano offers a space for Hispanic families to grow together in faith, and Prime Seniors gathers the older members of the parish under Toni Garcia for fellowship and service.
Reaching Beyond the Church Doors
The parish runs a Food Pantry program led by coordinator Connie Lara, whose stated mission is "to live out a core principle of the Catholic Church to take care of the poor and respect the dignity of every individual and family served." Each year the parish hosts a Fall Festival on a weekend in October, opening the grounds for family fun with food from local vendors and parishioners, live music, raffle drawings, and activities for children.
Every ministry volunteer, in keeping with the policies of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, completes Safe Haven training through the Catholic Mutual Group so that children and families can grow in faith within a safe environment.
Clergy, Deacons, and Staff
The parish is shepherded by three priests of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (the Redemptorists, indicated by the initials "CRS" after their names). Father Julian Gerosa serves as Pastor, Father Maitthew Masihah as Vicar, and Father Varghese Arattukulam as Priest in Residence. Deacon Tomas Cano assists at Mass and also serves as Director of Religious Education. Martha Lara is the parish Youth Minister, and Toni Garcia leads the Prime Seniors group. Behind the scenes, the parish office is staffed by a bookkeeper, a records and baptisms coordinator, an office coordinator, and a janitorial and housekeeping team that keeps the building running.
Giving, Bulletins, and Staying Connected
Online giving is available through ParishSoft, and a separate link directs parishioners to the Archdiocesan DSF (Diocese Support Fund) appeal. A weekly parish bulletin is posted online, with a full archive extending back more than a year. The Disciple Maker Index survey is offered periodically as a way for parishioners to help shape the parish's missionary direction, with results reviewed by parish leadership.
From the earliest morning Mass to the last Wednesday Benediction, from the Saturday baptisms to the fall festival on the lawn, Christ the King Catholic Church keeps a steady rhythm of prayer, formation, and service for the families and neighbors of North Main Street.