We Give Thanks to God for Graces Received

Our Beginnings

In 1965, the late Humberto Cardinal Medeiros, the second Bishop of the Brownsville Diocese, and later the Archbishop of Boston, Massachusetts, invited the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary (SS.CC.) to minister in the Rio Grande Valley.  Fr. Regis Kwiatkowski, ss.cc., became the first pastor of Our Lady Queen of Peace. Many families worked with Fr. Regis to make the Christian community what it is today.  In 1968, Frs. Matthias Shanley, ss.cc., and Harold Waters, ss.cc., joined the parish community. Indeed, throughout the course of our parish history, over a dozen SS.CC. priests have nourished and shepherded our faith community. 

Our Growth

The early days of the parish were a time of spiritual growth. 

Masses were celebrated in various locations including a nearby abandoned building, a cafeteria and a former dance hall. Routinely, outdoor liturgies and the sacrament of reconciliation took place at the homes of parishioners. The priests presided at liturgies in thirteen surrounding colonias which eventually became part of the parish. Laity began fuller participation in the sacramental life of the church. Rosaries and devotional processions took place.At Christmastime Posadas were organized in locations provided by the city. CCD classes were given in many accessible locations.

After Fr. Regis suffered a heart attack in 1971, Fr. Michael Annunziato, ss.cc., was asked to leave his ministry in Japan to become pastor.  In 1973, a new rectory and CCD center was built.  During the 70s active involvement of the laity increased.  A parish board was formed to work with the pastor, social and fundraising events were organized by dedicated parishioners to nourish the parish life and a committee to help oversee construction of the new church was formed. 

Today

Since the groundbreaking for the new church in July1982, Queen of Peace has continued to grow. Our community has an enrollment of 2500 families.  More parishioners are active as lay ministers: deacons, eucharistic ministers, lectors, CCD coordinators, teachers, musicians and charismatic renewal movement leaders. Through God’s loving providence, our families come closer to God and to each other.

SSCC's that ministered at QOP and gathered for the mortgage burning celebration a few years ago. Left to Right Fr. Alphonsus McHugh,ss.cc., Fr. Bill Davis, ss.cc., Bishop Raymundo J. Peña,, Fr. Matthias Shanley, ss.cc., ( now pastor at QOP) Fr. Tom McElroy, ss.cc., and Fr. Bill Penderghest. All the SSCC's have served the parish community.