Regina Caeli Catholic Church

THE CHALLENGE

In September 2011, a generous donor gifted 40 acres of undeveloped land in Houston, Texas, to the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, seeking to establish a legacy of beauty, reverence and prayer for the faithful in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. That same month, the soon-to-be-established parish’s pastor celebrated the first Traditional Latin Mass in the archdiocese. The fledgling community, just 120 families, placed its hopes under the patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary and named itself Regina Caeli. St. Athanasius Chapel opened in 2016 on the parish’s property, and from there, Regina Caeli Catholic Parish flourished. Today, more than 780 families call the parish home, served by three priests who celebrate 24 Masses and hear 21 hours of confessions weekly. But with such extraordinary growth came an urgent challenge: the parish had outgrown its chapel. Masses were standing room only, with families struggling to sit together. Some left for other parishes, and others hesitated to join. The need for a larger, permanent sacred home became undeniable — not only to accommodate the faithful but to preserve and foster the parish’s rich liturgical and communal life.

THE VISION

The goal: to construct a permanent church that would reflect deep reverence for the Traditional Latin Mass and provide the space needed for a growing community. The new church will increase seating capacity with features that elevate both function and beauty, including:

• A 14,500-square-foot sanctuary.
• A distinct Spanish façade with bell tower and inviting narthex.
• Dedicated baptistry and two devotional side altars.
• Four confessionals to support the parish’s sacramental life.
• Balcony seating for 100 with space for the schola and elevator access.
• A large cry room for families with young children.
• Covered walkways and a welcoming courtyard between the church and St. Athanasius Hall.
• Expanded sacristy and restrooms on both floors.

THE SOLUTION

To bring this vision to life, Regina Caeli Catholic Parish partnered with the Steier Group to launch the Building a Sacred Home Capital Campaign with a spirit of prayerful determination and strategic leadership. Together, they began with a comprehensive planning study, built a clear case for support and implemented a capital campaign plan rooted in personal outreach and parish-wide engagement. The campaign team focused on telling the story of Regina Caeli — its unique liturgical witness, rapid growth, and urgent need — with clarity and conviction. Parish priests and lay leaders worked hand-in-hand to ensure that every family felt invited to participate, regardless of financial capacity. The campaign emphasized spiritual ownership, sacrificial giving and a collective call to build something truly worthy of God. With the Steier Group’s guidance, Regina Caeli launched a campaign that inspired generosity, strengthened unity and reaffirmed the parish’s mission. Through faith, planning, and perseverance, Regina Caeli Catholic Parish is on the path to building a true spiritual home for generations to come.