Monsignor James Golasinski
Rev. Msgr. James Golasinski, Pastor 1989–2013
Born and raised in Houston, Texas (August 17, 1933), he grew up near St. Joseph parish. He and his brother Donald both attended St. Mary’s Seminary and were ordained for the diocese of Galveston. Msgr. Golasinski was ordained a priest on May 24, 1958. After ordination, he studied at the Catholic University of America, Washington DC, and graduated with an M.S. in Education. He returned to Houston to serve as the diocese's Director of Education before leaving in the 1960s to work as a missionary in Korea, where he served for more than 10 years. Health concerns forced him to return to Houston.
In 1977, he became the founding pastor of the Korean community’s St. Andrew Kim parish. He was assigned to Annunciation as an Associate Pastor.
He would fly to New Orleans to celebrate Mass in Korean, and then fly to San Antonio to celebrate Mass in Korean. He did this every Sunday until he became Pastor of Annunciation. Msgr. Golasinski would provide aid and comfort to Msgr. de la Torre until his death in 1989.
Msgr. James Golasinski was born in Houston, Texas, on August 17, 1933, and grew up near St. Joseph Parish. He and his brother, Donald, both attended St. Mary’s Seminary and were ordained priests for the Diocese of Galveston. Msgr. Golasinski was ordained on May 24, 1958.
After ordination, he continued his studies at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., where he earned a Master of Science in Education. Returning to Houston, he served as Director of Education for the diocese before discerning a missionary calling to Korea. He served there for more than ten years until health concerns brought him back home.
In 1977, Msgr. Golasinski became the founding pastor of St. Andrew Kim Parish, established to serve Houston’s growing Korean Catholic community. He was assigned to Annunciation as an Associate Pastor. Every Sunday, he would fly to New Orleans to celebrate Mass in Korean, and then fly to San Antonio to celebrate Mass in Korean. He did this every week until 1989, when he was appointed the Pastor of Annunciation.
Msgr. Golasinski provided aid and comfort to Msgr. de la Torre until his death in 1989. He continues to serve Annunciation by celebrating Mass, hearing confessions, hosting a bible study, and teaching some OCIA classes.
Notable events while serving as Pastor
1990 - Repainted interiors of church
1994 - Project Mercy Pro-Life Apostolate was started
2000 - Houston Astros moved to Minute Maid Park
September 13, 2008 - Hurricane Ike hit Galveston and Houston/ The high winds blew the copper roof off the nave area of Annunciation and caused considerable damage to the interior due to water getting in through the damaged roof.
2009 - Reparied significant foundation problems. The North and South walls were stabilized, a void under the floor was corrected, and the leaning steeple was brought to near plumb. The Cross on the top of the steeple was regilded, the exterior of the church was painted, protective glass was installed over the stained glass windows from the exterior of the church.
Talking Heads of Atascocita
Podcast hosted by Amy Bridwell & Msgr. Golasinski