PHOTOS: Dedication of Mary Queen Catholic Church
April 24, 2012
Daniel Cardinal DiNardo dedicated a new, 37,438 square-foot church for the Mary Queen Catholic parish community in Friendswood, April 21. 
Photos by Jenny Faber/Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
The Mass was concelebrated by LaSalette Father Skip Negley, pastor of the parish; LaSalette Father Benny Thadathilkunnel, pariochial vicar at Mary Queen; Bishop-elect George A. Sheltz; and Retired Auxiliary Bishop Vincent M. Rizzotto.
The LaSalette Missionaries have staffed Mary Queen since its founding as a mission in 1966. In 1970, the parish had reached 290 families. Today, it serves more than 2,100 families.
Cardinal DiNardo receives the keys and plans for the new building, which he then presented to Father Negly. The new church seats about 1,600.
During the Mass, the cardinal blessed the baptismal font and sprinkled the church and the faithful with the waters of baptism asBishop Rizzotto and Bishop-elect Sheltz look on.
The mural behind the altar depicts families being fed by Jesus on a hillside. The people portrayed represent real parishioners at Mary Queen who posed for the artist who painted the mural.
After Mass, Cardinal DiNardo congratulated Father John Zabelskas, M.S., the founding pastor of Mary Queen, who was in attendance at the dedication liturgy, along with other former pastors and associates.
Parishioners visited with the cardinal after the liturgy.