Regina Caeli Formally Erected as a Parish in Houston

With great joy, the Houston apostolate of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter announces the formal establishment of Regina Caeli Parish, effective as of August 15, 2013. The installation of Rev. Charles Van Vliet, FSSP, as founding pastor and the official opening Mass of the parish took place that evening, at the Solemn Mass of the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Prior to the installation of Rev. Van Vliet, a letter was read from His Eminence, Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston, acknowledging the formal erection of the personal parish. Msgr. Daniel Scheel, Episcopal Vicar of the Western Vicariate, graciously represented His Eminence in the installation ceremony.

The Fraternity is very grateful to His Eminence for his support and generosity. Cardinal DiNardo extended an informal welcome to the FSSP in December 2009, and in September 2011, Fr. Van Vliet arrived in Houston. On Feb. 21, 2012, the Presbyteral Council of the Catholic Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston approved, on the recommendation of His Eminence, the establishment of the personal parish.

Regina Caeli Parish is the only parish in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston in over 40 years to offer exclusively the Traditional Rite to the faithful. The parish is in the process of development in northwest Houston, on forty acres donated for that purpose.

What follows are images of the installation and first Mass of the parish. In your kindness, please keep in your prayers Fr. Van Vliet and the parishioners of Regina Caeli as they continue construction of their new parish home.

Installation of Fr. Charles Van Vliet, FSSP, as Pastor

Solemn Mass of the Assumption

After Installation and Assumption Mass Dinner