Reflections from the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage, Congress
▪ SEE PAGE 9
RINGING FAITH
Olympic bell to ring inside newly rebuilt Notre Dame Cathedral at every Mass ▪ SEE PAGE 14
Celebrating 60 years of The Texas Catholic Herald
Proclaiming the Good News to the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston since 1964
Opening Mass marks back to school for thousands of Catholic students, teachers
BY JO ANN ZUÑIGA AND REBECCA TORRELLAS Texas Catholic Herald
HOUSTON — Daniel Cardinal DiNardo blessed a crowd of about 1,000 Catholic school teachers, principals and administrators when he celebrated Mass on Aug. 9 to kick off the start of back to school. The Mass at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in downtown Houston drew together many from the largest private primary school system in Texas with an award ceremony afterward.
New superintendent of Catholic Schools Mazie McCoy, Ed.D., with more than 20 years in Catholic education, including as principal and assistant superintendent, succeeded Debra Haney, Ed.D., who retired at the end of June.
“I am truly humbled by this responsibility
See SCHOOLS, page 4
Little Tex says
A relic encounter St. John Paul II relic to visit parishes and schools in Houston in late September
▪ SEE PAGE 3
FAITH AND RESILIENCE
Ukrainian people resonate with Bishop Dell’Oro during summer visit to war-torn nation
BY FATHER ROMAN OLIINYK AND HERALD STAFF
UKRAINE — Russian forces began their full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022. Today the war continues, and since then, at least 30,000 civilians have been killed, 3.7 million are internally displaced, and 6.5 million have fled Ukraine, and according to reports, the country has sustained nearly $500 billion in damages.
For Palm Sunday 2022 and 2024, Daniel Cardinal DiNardo requested that a second collection be held at parishes throughout the Archdiocese of GalvestonHouston to support the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) amid the outbreak of war in Ukraine. Collecting more than $803,000, the Archdiocese was the largest donor to the Metropolitan Humanitarian
HEALING THE WOUNDS OF WAR
Aid Fund of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, established by Archbishop Borys Gudziak of the Archeparchy of Philadelphia of the UGCC. With the funds raised, the UGCC created a vast network of shelters, programs and chaplaincy programs throughout the Ukraine to assist in providing supplies and caring for spiritual needs to those impacted by the war.
Archbishop Gudziak invited Galveston-Houston Auxiliary Bishop Italo Dell’Oro, CRS, to visit Ukraine from June 26 to July 2. He was joined by Sister Donna Markham, OP, past president and CEO of Catholic Charities USA, Charles Walsh, a close collaborator of Sister Markham, and Deacon Ed Shoener, president of the Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministries. They were hosted at the Ukrainian Catholic University (UCU) in Lviv, which is located less than
See UKRAINE, page 10
SEPTEMBER 10, 2024 VOL. 61, NO. 6
PHOTO BY THE UKRAINIAN GREEK CATHOLIC CHURCH Bishop Italo Dell’Oro, CRS, second from right, visits a cemetery near a Kyivarea parish, where he prayed with families who lost loved ones during the war. He also met with women from the parish and the parish’s priests, who spoke about how they support each other and other widows and mothers of soldiers who died in conflict, as well as dealing with the related trauma.
PHOTO BY JAMES RAMOS/HERALD
Two young students watch Snappy the Turtle look out a classroom window during a recent Friday school day at St. Theresa Catholic School in Memorial Park. More than 17,000 students, with their teachers and staff, returned to the classroom at the 56 Catholic schools around the Archdiocese in August.
Pope sets off on longest trip of his pontificate: An 11-day trip in Asia
Papal visit includes Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste and Singapore
ROME (CNS) — Traveling on an ITA Airways plane, Pope Francis set off on the longest foreign trip of his papacy.
The plane carrying the pope, top Vatican officials and about 75 journalists took off from Rome’s Fiumicino airport on Sept. 2 on what was scheduled to be a 13-hour flight to Jakarta, Indonesia, the first stop on the pope’s four-nation apostolic visit.
The 87-year-old pope was expected to cover more than 20,000 miles during his visit from Sept. 2 to 13 to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste and Singapore.
Luis Cardinal Tagle, pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization and a member of the papal entourage, told Fides, his dicastery’s news agency, that the pope is not trying to set a record or prove a point about his stamina. Rather, he said, subjecting himself to the rigors of such a long trip “is an act of humility before the Lord who calls us — an act of humility and obedience to the mission.”
Pope Francis “wants to encourage Catholics in all the contexts in which they find themselves,”the cardinal said in the interview. “Asia is home to two-thirds of the world’s population. The majority of these people are poor. And there are many Baptisms among the poor. Pope Francis knows that there are many poor in those areas, and among the poor, there is an attraction to the figure of Jesus and to the Gospel, even in the midst of war, persecution and conflict.”
Interreligious dialogue, care for creation and the fair treatment of immigrants were expected to be issues the pope touches on in each of the four countries. He is also likely to call on local Catholics to pick up the missionary mantle, building on the work of the missionaries who first shared the faith and, in many cases, built networks of schools and hospitals.
Indonesia is a predominantly Muslim nation, and Catholics account for only about 3% of the population. Almost all the people of Papua New Guinea are
Christian and about 30% of them are Catholic. Timor-Leste is the only nation on the itinerary where Catholics are the majority; the Vatican estimates that 96% of the population belongs to the Church. In Singapore, Buddhists make up the largest religious group — about 31% — followed by 20% of the population claiming no religious belief; Christians account for almost 19% of the population and Muslims about 15%.
Archbishop Paul R. Gallagher, the Vatican foreign minister, told the Italian magazine L’Espresso that the trip “incarnates” Pope Francis’ constant call for Catholics to go out to the “peripheries.”
St. Mary’s Seminary 9845 Memorial Dr. Houston, TX 77024
The trip to Asia and Oceania, he said,
Community of Sant’Egidio and Jesuit Refugee Service.
At left, Pope Francis blesses a man as he meets migrants, refugees, orphans, the elderly and the sick at the apostolic nunciature in Jakarta, Indonesia, Sept. 3. The pope began his 11 day trip to Asia in Indonesia.
does so “certainly from a geographical point of view, but also in light of the great cultural and religious diversity of the countries he will visit. From this perspective, the trip represents the concern and closeness of the Holy Father to everyone — Catholics and nonCatholics — based on the conviction that we are “fratelli tutti” — all brothers and sisters.
Care for Creation was expected to be another big theme of the visit, he said, particularly because all four countries are island nations exposed to the dangers of rising sea levels. In fact, Indonesia is building a new capital city to replace Jakarta, which is known as “the fastestsinking megacity on the planet.” †
You make the ministry of our future Priests possible.
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To read more about our seminarians and how you can support them, visit www.smseminary.com.
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Above, Pope Francis greets a group of children who are orphaned and the Dominican sisters who care for them as they clap during a meeting at the apostolic nunciature in Jakarta, Indonesia, Sept. 3. The people the pope met are assisted by the
THE FIRST WORD
St. John Paul II relic to visit Houston
HOUSTON (CNS) — A collaboration between the Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary, the Scanlan Foundation and the St. Serra Apostolate for Vocations of North Houston will bring the relic of the blood of St. John Paul II to five parishes and three Catholic schools in the Archdiocese from Sept. 25 to Sept. 28.
Miraculously, the blood is still liquid, and the firstclass relic is displayed in a reliquary inspired by the book of Gospels that was on the Polish saint’s casket.
When the pope died April 2, 2005, crowds in St. Peter’s Square chanted “santo subito” (“sainthood now”). The Vatican heard, and the sainthood cause for the jet-setting pontiff who helped bring down European communism was put on the fast track; he was beatified in 2011. A Pole and former actor shaped by World War II and the Cold War, Karol Cardinal Wojtyla of Krakow was the first nonItalian pope in 455 years. In his 26-year pontificate, he evangelized on trips to 129 countries, upheld traditional Church doctrine against dissent, connected with the world’s youth, and named more than 450 new saints.
He also modeled Christian values by forgiving his would-be assassin and living an increasingly frail old age in public. He was canonized in 2014.
Organizers have encouraged visitors to arrive early as attendance may be unpredictable, and lines may close early to ensure that those in line venerate the relic.
For more information, contact the St. Serra Apostolate for Vocations of North Houston at scnh.vocations@gmail. com or visit the website at serraclub.clubexpress.com/ nhoustonjp2relic. †
RELIC TOUR SCHEDULE
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 25
St. John Vianney, 625 Nottingham Oaks Trail, Houston - 281-497-1500
• Veneration from 2 to 8 p.m.
THURSDAY, SEPT. 26
Ascension Chinese Mission, 4605 Jetty Ln., Houston - 281-575-8855
• Veneration from 2 to 8 p.m.
FRIDAY, SEPT. 27
Christ the Good Shepherd, 18511 Klein Church Rd., Spring - 281-376-6831
• Veneration from 2 to 8 p.m.
SATURDAY, SEPT. 28
St. Matthias the Apostle, 302 S. Magnolia Blvd., Magnolia - 281-356-2000
• Veneration from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
SATURDAY, SEPT. 28
Holy Family, 1510 5th St., Missouri City 281-499-9688
• Veneration from 4 to 5:30 p.m., with vigil Mass at 5:30 p.m. and veneration resuming after Mass until 9:30 p.m.
BRIEFS
Registration open for gold, silver anniversary Masses
HOUSTON — The 2024 Wedding Anniversary Jubilee Masses honoring couples celebrating their Silver (25th) and Gold (50th) Anniversary of marriage in the Catholic Church are open for registration.
The Gold Anniversary Mass is set for Sunday, Sept. 22, at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, located at 1111 St. Joseph Pkwy. in downtown Houston, at 3 p.m. Couples are eligible to receive a special recognition whether they attend the ceremony or not. The Silver Anniversary Mass is set for Sunday, Nov. 17, also at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart at 3 p.m.
Registration, which is $40 per couple, includes an Archdiocesan certificate of each anniversary, a special issue worship aid and a commemorative pin.
For more information and to register, visit www.archgh. org/familylife. †
Blue Mass set for Sept. 29
HOUSTON — Blue Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 29, at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, located at 1111 St. Joseph Pkwy. in downtown Houston. The color guard line up will be at 10:45 a.m. Daniel Cardinal DiNardo will be the celebrant.
The annual Mass is celebrated on behalf of civilian and classified law enforcement employees, police officers, their families and public supporters.
Officers are encouraged to wear dress uniforms without the hat. Agencies are encouraged to bring equipment for the public to see and to be blessed after the Mass. For more information, email Scott Underwood at sunderwood@archgh.org or call 713-741-8744. †
Annual Red Mass set for Oct. 23
HOUSTON — The annual Red Mass for members of the legal profession will be celebrated at 6:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 23, at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, located at 1111 St. Joseph Pkwy. in downtown Houston.
The Mass will be immediately followed by a ticketed dinner at the Cathedral Centre. Archbishop Jerome Listecki of Milwaukee will serve as the dinner speaker. For more information, visit www.archgh.org/redmass. †
FEAST OF THE
OF THE CROSS
September 14
O hail the cross our only hope, in this passiontide grant increase of grace to believers and remove the sins of the guilty.
PHOTO AND STORY BY JAMES RAMOS/HERALD
Sisters with the Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary take a photo with a relic of St. John Paul II, a reliquary with his blood, in 2017 at the Catholic Charismatic Center in Houston. The relic will visit five parishes and three Catholic schools in the Archdiocese, offering Catholics a chance to view and venerate the relic of the Polish pontiff.
LOCAL
Around the Archdiocese
Parishes around the Archdiocese are gearing up for fall events – find a festival near you. ▪ SEE PAGES 18-19
Schools embrace a new year to ‘pray without ceasing’
SCHOOLS, from page 1
and look forward to continuing the great work begun by Dr. Haney’s leadership with a focus on STREAM (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Arts and Math) synergy, continued student growth and the formation of disciples who will transform the world,” McCoy said.
Enrollment is slightly up this year with more than 17,000 students, almost pre-pandemic levels in the 56 Catholic schools within the Archdiocese. However, there are still available spaces in many schools, she said, encouraging parents to visit www.choosecatholicschools.org for enrollment and tuition assistance information.
McCoy added, “I look forward to collaborating with the Catholic Schools Office leadership team and the Archdiocesan Advisory School Council to develop our strategic plan based on national standards and benchmarks for effective Catholic elementary and secondary schools.”
This year’s theme will be “Pray Without Ceasing” in support of the Pope’s Year of Prayer with a focus on mission.
St. Paul affirmed the significance of prayer and wrote in one of his epistles, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thes 5:16-18).
Planning is also gearing up for one of the biggest Archdiocesan fundraisers for Catholic education to support schools and student tuition. Steps for Students 5K Run/Walk, which has raised up to $1 million annually for tuition assistance, technology and other school programs, will celebrate its 20th anniversary on
Above, Daniel Cardinal DiNardo celebrates a Mass to mark the opening of the Catholic school year with more than a thousand Catholic school teachers, staff and faculty at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart on Aug. 9.
Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, in downtown Houston.
Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic School principal, Irazema Ortiz, said her students already have their first two classrooms of 100% registered to participate in Steps.
“With this year being Steps’ 20th anniversary, it’s going to be an even bigger party than ever,” she said, noting that more than 200 students, staff and their families have already registered for their school team.
After the back-to-school Mass, McCoy and Cardinal DiNardo presented special
The Holy Name Passionist Retreat Center (Center) seeks a full-time CEO/Director whose purpose is to serve as the general business and facility manager. Responsibilities include but are not limited to the financial and operational management, employee relations, marketing, development while providing a welcoming and hospitable environment to retreatants and visitors of the Center. The CEO/Director will be expected to represent the Archdiocese to financial partners and financial institutions, benefactors, foundation executives, auditors and public officials etc.
Suitable candidates must be an active Catholic in full communion with the Catholic Church, a visionary leader and energetic advocate for the ministry and charism of the St. Paul of the Cross Passionists.
Suitable candidates will email cover letter, resume, and salary requirements to bbricarell@gmail.com with Holy Name Passionist Retreat CEO/Director on the subject line. Full job description available at: holynameretreatcenter.com/careers
awards in the Co-Cathedral, including the Archdiocesan Leadership Award given to St. Cecilia Catholic School Principal Jeff Matthews.
The Sts. Peter and Paul Award, given for excellent teamwork between church pastor and principal, was earned by Father Justin Cormie and Principal Miguel Sanchez of Our Lady of Fatima in Galena Park. Staff and students are grieving as Sanchez, 38, died on Friday, Aug. 30.
“The loss of Miguel Sanchez leaves a huge void in our Catholic school system,” McCoy said. “He was a dedicated administrator, an influential mentor, and a friend to all. He loved his Catholic faith and Our Lady of Fatima – Galena Park Catholic School. Miguel will truly be missed, but his legacy will live on due to the many contributions he made to our Catholic schools.”
The Catholic Impact Award, which acknowledges a school for its outreach efforts and extraordinary service to
ARCHDIOCESAN LEADERSHIP AWARD
Principal Jeff Matthews
St. Cecilia Catholic School
STS. PETER & PAUL AWARD
Father Justin Cormie and Principal Miguel Sanchez
Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School - Galena Park
CATHOLIC IMPACT AWARD
St. John Paul II School
others, went to St. John Paul II Catholic School. One of their community projects includes third graders adopting seminarians and providing them with personal cards, prayers and other gifts to support them in their vocations.
The Sally Landram Excellence in Education Award, which is given in thanks to the John W. and Alida Considine Foundation to honor former superintendent and Catholic education advocate Sally Landram. The award comes with $1,500; this year, it was earned by teacher Lisa Sansbury of Christ the Redeemer Catholic School (CtRCS).
“I am blessed to be a Catholic educator in the Archdiocese of GalvestonHouston,” Sansbury said. “It’s really just a
See SCHOOLS, next page
SALLY LANDRAM EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION AWARD
Lisa Sansbury Christ the Redeemer Catholic School
PHOTOS BY JAMES RAMOS/HERALD
blessing [to receive this award]. It’s God’s work, it’s not my work. It is a faith-filled heart that has brought me here alongside educators to support our parish and school community as we go forth ‘making disciples of all nations.’”
Beyond her classroom duties, Sansbury leads several school initiatives, including the gardening club in care for creation and her innovative approach to integrating STEM education (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) efforts, making learning both exciting and relevant for her students.
“Everything she takes on is driven by a passion and commitment that profoundly shapes our students,” said CtRCS Principal Dan Courtney. “Rooted in Catholic social teaching on Care for Creation and Stewardship of the Earth, her love for God’s Earth inspires initiatives like recycling programs, our gardening club, and student service projects, passing down these vital virtues to her students.”
Several schools will also be celebrating major milestones and anniversaries over the next year, including St. Francis de Sales, which will celebrate 60 years with a special gathering on Saturday, Sept. 14.
St. Francis de Sales pastor, Father Joseph Son Thanh Phan, and school principal, Anne Quatrini, will begin prayer with Mass at 5 p.m., followed by a celebration at the school pavilion after Mass.
The high schools around the Archdiocese have also started their new school year. The latest Incarnate Word Academy (IWA) STEM programming includes a robotics course and an all-
female FTC Robotics Competition Team named “Women of the Wires.”
“We are celebrating our 151st year as the first Catholic high school in Houston. At Incarnate Word, we continue to challenge ourselves to be first, out front in our thinking and planning,”
IWA Principal Cathy Stephen said. “This priority thinking allows us to focus on every student as an individual among the sisterhood of our entire student body.”
Focused on the future, IWA’s College Counseling Center continues to offer a welcoming space where students can explore colleges and universities. In addition, their partnership with Lone Star College allows the school to offer dual credit courses.
Strake Jesuit College Preparatory has added new English electives this year: religion and literature, speculative fiction, finding poetry in your Spotify playlist, big books, sports and literature, and the narrative ancestry of Star Wars.
The school is also opening a brand-new dedicated esports room this semester that will include 12 gaming computers and several consoles.
St. Pius X High School launched a new school-sponsored device program to enhance technology in the classroom and provide every student and faculty member with equal tools and resources. The program also creates more opportunities for student-teacher connections and
academic growth through project-based learning with technology.
“This year promises to be an extraordinary journey of growth, discovery and achievement for our students,” Rachel Ware, principal at St. Pius X High School, said. “With new opportunities, innovative initiatives and a supportive community, we are poised to make this one of the most exciting and impactful years yet.” †
SCHOOLS, from previous page
ST. ROSE OF LIMA STRAKE JESUIT
SACRED HEART - CONROE
ST. THOMAS MORE
Head to class and then to Mass? New Catholic college freshman reflects on journey to the Catholic Church
BY NIKKI POMER AND JAMES RAMOS Texas Catholic Herald
HOUSTON — What’s it like to be a new freshman on a college campus and a new Catholic?
Ask Ben To, who just started his freshman year at the University of Houston. To attended Strake Jesuit College Preparatory and was among the more than 2,300 people who chose to step forward in faith and become Catholic by joining the Church earlier this year.
On his journey, To was accompanied by then-fellow student and graduate Toby Arayath as he entered the Catholic Church when he was baptized at St. Theresa Parish in Sugar Land at Easter.
To said his journey to the Catholic Church was marked by teachers and family who helped guide him along the way.
The 18-year-old said he grew up in a Buddhist household and was introduced to the Catholic faith by an aunt when he was eight years old. His aunt would bring him to Mass every time he visited her family. At Mass, he’d notice the loving community at the Church and soon wanted to learn more about the Christian faith, choosing to attend Christian camps like Camp Cho-Yeh in Livingston, eventually attending Strake Jesuit. Throughout his time at Strake Jesuit and Cho-Yeh, To said he was touched by Christ’s profound love and felt a clear call to draw closer to Him.
Ben credits the high school’s theology department for guiding him as he came to know God and the Catholic Church, particularly Gabriela Karaszewski, a theology teacher who previously served as the director of the Archdiocesan Office of Young Adult and Campus Ministry.
“Karaszewski helped me along the way by teaching me about the Sacraments. Her class widened my eyes for the Church and helped me grow closer to the Lord,” he said. Karaszewski is now a theology teacher at St. Agnes Academy and director of campus ministry.
During his senior year, he took a theology elective called “Praying with St. Ignatius of Loyola,” where students worked through the spiritual exercises, familiarized themselves with the basic principles of Ignatian Spirituality, and engaged with the exercises on a personal and spiritual level.
Throughout his time at Strake Jesuit, To said he always looked up to St. Ignatius, the founder of the Society of Jesus.
“Taking a prayer class at school that uses his spiritual exercises has been extremely fruitful for my spiritual life,” To said.
walked with him.
“Someone who had a large impact was my sponsor, Toby,” To said. “I met Toby in middle school but did not get to know him until I entered Jesuit. Throughout my time at Jesuit, Toby invited me to Mass, prayer groups, and a group doing Exodus 90. Through these experiences, Toby has helped me strengthen my faith and devotion to God.”
Arayath stood right next to him as he received the Sacrament of Confirmation, as To chose his classmate to be his Confirmation sponsor.
But with everything going on in a young high school student’s life, why would a teenager join the Catholic Church?
After being exposed to the Sacraments for several years through his aunt and at Strake Jesuit, To said he knew it was time for a change in his life.
During his junior year, To joined the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Sugar Land. He admitted that one of the hardest things about RCIA and joining the Church was staying committed to the Sunday RCIA sessions after seeing his friends and family spend time together without him. Still, he knew this was where God was calling him, so he prioritized it.
Throughout his process, Arayath
Upon entering the Church and receiving the Sacraments, To describes feeling nervous initially, but that nervousness quickly turned into feelings of enlightenment and fulfillment. “During my Baptism, I was extremely nervous at first, but after stepping out of the baptismal font, I felt cleansed and like I had been reborn. During Confirmation, I felt enlightened and smelled nothing but the chrism oil. Finally, after my First Communion, I felt fulfilled, as I have wanted to receive the Eucharist since I began my walk with Christ years ago.”
Now pursuing his first semester at the University of Houston, To said he now sees himself living a life for Christ.
“I’ve developed a larger appreciation for Communion,” he said. “That is what I look forward to every time I go to Mass. I look forward to evangelizing and showing what Christ can do to one’s life by sharing my experiences. [I hope to bring] others towards the Church and show that anyone can start their own journey with Christ.” †
PHOTOS COURTESY OF STRAKE JESUIT COLLEGE PREPARATORY
Ben To, a Strake Jesuit College Preparatory graduate, receives the Sacraments of Initiation as classmate and Confirmation sponsor Toby Arayath looks on at Easter Vigil Mass earlier this year at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Sugar Land. To is now a freshman at the University of Houston.
BEN TO
Hundreds of Houston-area deacons serving as ladders to heavenly Liturgy
BY JO ANN ZUÑIGA Texas Catholic Herald
HOUSTON — More than 400 local deacons and their wives attended the annual Diaconate Convocation on Aug. 3, reflecting an updated report that the Archdiocese is among the top four U.S. dioceses with the most deacons.
Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, to whom the deacons ultimately report to, in addition to their church pastors, celebrated a closing Mass for the deacons and their families attending the convocation.
“The ministry of the deacon is defined by his closeness to the people of God in works of charity. To share in people’s joys and sorrows, to bring them to the altar and to make them known in the local Church gathered,” Cardinal DiNardo told the crowd.
Deacon Phillip Jackson, director of the Archdiocesan Office of the Permanent Diaconate, told the overflowing auditorium at St. Mary’s Seminary that there are a total of 423 permanent deacons with the Archdiocese. But of those, only 235 are active, and 188 are retired, he said.
An estimated 19,855 of the world’s 50,450 permanent deacons, or nearly 40%, serve in the U.S., according to a recent study conducted for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA).
The local convocation’s keynote
speaker, Adam Brill, Archdiocesan director of the Office of Worship, focused on the importance of ordained deacons serving in the Mass and in the community both inside and outside parishes.
He described the image of a deacon having “one foot in the world, but also one foot in the hierarchical life of the Church.” Most deacons continue working in their individual professions yet also volunteer many hours in their religious vocations, counseling parishioners, teaching catechism and other community service.
Brill asked the deacons, “What is your liturgical role? Are you serving as a
ladder or a hurdle?”
Deacons can celebrate Baptisms, marriages, and funerals should they take place outside of Mass, but they cannot consecrate the hosts or anoint the sick, which only priests can do.
As an example, Brill pointed out the importance of reciting the correct Liturgy rather than taking too much creative license as previously happened when baptisms were wrongly recited in the plural “We baptize you in the name of the Father...” rather than the correct singular “I baptize you in the name...”
He explained, “You wouldn’t sing the Happy Birthday song with the wrong
name, would you?”
Brill quoted Father Aidan Kavanagh, OSB, author of the “Elements of Rite,” describing the deacon as “a server of servers, cantor of cantors, reader of readers.”
Father Kavanaugh added in his writings, “Given the service (diakonia) emphasis of his office and ministry, the deacon is the most profoundly Christic of the three major ministries.” This implies that it is not the bishop or presbyter who are liturgically “another Christ” but the deacon.
Yet 93% of permanent deacons are married, with many of the wives working in ministries with their husbands, and 4% are widowers, with the remaining few percent never married.
However, the CARA report also pointed out, “As is the case with priests in the U.S., there are not enough new permanent deacons being ordained to make up for the numbers who are retiring from active ministry and dying each year.”
Upcoming workshops for deacons include learning the changes to the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA), formerly called Rite of Christian Initiation (RCIA), scheduled for Oct. 14 and 16. For deacons learning to chant the Gospel, training is set for Oct. 18 and 19.
The next diaconate ordinations are set for Feb. 14 and Feb. 15, 2025, at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in downtown Houston. †
PHOTO COURTESY OF ABRAHAM SALAS OF LIFE & LENS MEDIA
A crowd of more than 400 deacons and their wives listen to Daniel Cardinal DiNardo at their annual Archdiocesan Diaconate Convocation Aug. 3 in the overflowing auditorium at St. Mary’s Seminary.
Answering the Call: A mission of compassion and grace inside Texas prisons
BY KERRY MCGUIRE Herald Correspondent
HOUSTON — When Deacon Alvin Lovelady first heard the steel doors of the men’s prison unit slam shut behind him, a chill ran down his spine.
It was during an early formation assignment for the Permanent Diaconate program, serving with the Archdiocese’s Correctional Ministries. Within just two hours among the incarcerated men, he felt a profound calling by the Holy Spirit to dedicate his life to serving within the Texas prison system.
Fifteen years later, Deacon Lovelady now serves as the director of the Office of Correctional Ministries. With a team of clergy and volunteers, they are committed to regularly visiting inmates with a mission of compassion and grace. They provide the Sacraments and pastoral care to nearly 17,000 Catholic inmates across federal, state and county facilities in the Archdiocese. Additionally, their efforts extend to supporting victims of crime, as well as the families of inmates and law enforcement personnel.
Deacon Lovelady’s perspective has evolved from his earlier belief that “If you do the crime, you do the time” to a more merciful understanding.
“With each visit, I began to realize there are circumstances and reasons for everything,” Deacon Lovelady said. “It’s not my responsibility to judge but to help bring Christ to those in need, regardless of their situation. This is a responsibility for all of us, no matter where we are in life.”
Tony VanDerbur, executive director of Christian New Creation, a Catholic nonprofit transitional living program with facilities for men coming out of
The Archdiocese’s Correctional Ministries is committed to regularly visiting inmates providing the Sacraments and pastoral care to nearly 17,000 Catholic inmates across federal, state and county facilities in the Archdiocese.
Texas Department of Criminal Justice that collaborates with the Correctional Ministries, has a personal experience that reflects the profound impact this mission of redemption and support can have on inmates’ lives. His path took a challenging turn after receiving a threeyear prison sentence, which tested his faith in God and led him to question his beliefs.
During his time in prison, VanDerbur was encouraged by a Correctional Ministries volunteer to join Isaiah House, a program offering housing, job placement and spiritual guidance to inmates. Initially hesitant, he accepted the invitation and became deeply committed to the program, which significantly
enhanced his spiritual life and paved the way for his current work with the ministry. He said his prison experience enables him to connect more deeply with those he serves.
“Because I had gone to prison, I was better able to reflect with the men on the challenges they face and fears we experience,” VanDerbur said. “When you don’t have family around or the things you’re used to, you can more easily give yourself over to God and work through it.”
VanDerbur said it is important for the inmates to realize that they are truly forgiven by God and encouraged to growon their spiritual journey by being patient and entrusting total control to Him.
The 2024 Diocesan Services Fund theme is “We are the Lord’s.” DSF operates in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston each year to help the Church carry out the ministries of teaching and sanctifying. DSF brings the needed financial resources to carry out 64 ministries.
DSF IN ACTION
This new video series brings to life the ministry featured in this story. Hear from people personally impacted by God’s grace through these DSF ministries.
SCAN TO WATCH OR VISIT ARCHGH.ORG/ DSFINACTION
“When you allow God to be in the pilot’s seat, everything will go right,”VanDerbur said. “If you try to take control, He’ll let you have the controls and see how far you get. One of the most important things we share with the men is that they can depend on God and expect that their problems, too, shall come to pass.”
VanDerbur is actively involved with Kolbe Ministries, which brings the love of Jesus into prisons and teaches the fullness of the Catholic Church’s truth. This mission includes a three-day retreat in prison, followed by ongoing Catholic formation. Local volunteers provide training materials, literature and videos to educate and support inmates interested in deepening their faith.
“Kolbe Retreats have a rebounding effect in that the men understand what they’re getting when they get out of prison: love, community and fellowship,” VanDerbur said. “Those are the most important things because many of the men, when they fall from grace, feel like they can never be forgiven.”
He also said celebrating Mass and the Sacraments helps the inmates understand the Catholic faith more deeply, especially the significance of the Eucharist.
“As the men grow in their faith and celebrate Mass, the Eucharist becomes part of them,” VanDerbur said. “They
See CORRECTIONAL, page 12
HERALD FILE PHOTO
On pilgrimage with Jesus through Texas and beyond
Editor’s note: ‘Revival Begins Here,’ is a monthly series featuring reflections by three Perpetual Pilgrims from Houston who walkd on the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage this past summer.
From May 18 to July 16, I had the awesome and life-changing privilege to accompany Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament on the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage from Brownsville to Indianapolis.
The same Jesus who walked through Galilee and Judea and traversed Jerusalem and Jericho, I was able to help bring through Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky and Indiana. He just looked different, miraculously hidden for us under sacramental appearances.
This was the first national Eucharistic pilgrimage, not just in the history of U.S. Catholicism but in the history of the Catholic Church as a whole.
‘WALK WITH ONE’
Learn more about the next step of the Eucharistic Congress online at archgh.org/revival
It’s amazing how the Holy Spirit worked in so many different people to dream it, organize it and help it succeed. Groups of young people and religious walked and drove with Jesus in the monstrance from the four corners of the U.S. — the Pacific and Atlantic, and the northern and southern borders — before converging at the first National Eucharistic Congress in 83 years.
I walked the route dedicated to St. Juan Diego, which set out from the tip of Texas on Pentecost weekend. I couldn’t have asked for a better patron — St. Juan Diego’s extreme humility inspired me throughout the pilgrimage. He used to walk 15 miles each day to attend Mass. He lived off Jesus in the Eucharist.
From St. Juan Diego, I learned to do the same. Without receiving Jesus in the Eucharist daily and spending time with Him in Adoration while walking in procession or driving with Jesus exposed in the Blessed Sacrament, it would have been impossible for me to complete this arduous two-month-long journey.
As I walked with my fellow pilgrims, chaplains and so many others whom we
met along the way, I kept thinking of the lyrics of the hymn Servant Song: “We are pilgrims on a journey / We are brothers on the road / We are here to help each other / Walk the mile and bear the load.”
I learned what it meant to be Simon of Cyrene at the service of Jesus by helping others to carry their heavy crosses, like the loss of loved ones to suicide, divorce and illness.
For a few miles at a time, I sought to carry the burden with them as they found solace in walking with our Lord. At the same time, many wonderful people cheered me up and helped me carry my load, especially when I was exhausted.
I saw the best of the South on display as they welcomed Jesus. He was serenaded by mariachi in the Rio Grande Valley and New Orleans jazz around Jackson Square in the French Quarter.
He blessed the oceans of the world when a priest carried him in a monstrance into the Gulf of Mexico in Mississippi. Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament moved through the rolling hills of the Alabama countryside, greeted the immigrant communities of northern Georgia, and visited Nashville’s Broadway Street in the company of over 150 young Dominican sisters.
On the Fourth of July, Jesus walked through the stunningly serene meadows of Kentucky as pilgrims sang patriotic hymns. On the way, Jesus blessed many places that have been marred by the effects of the Civil War and racism.
Jesus desires to come to us all,
whether we’re rich, poor, Catholic, nonbeliever or lapsed. In the span of a week of our journey, Jesus interacted with the homeless, a felon and a billionaire. It reminded me that Jesus doesn’t discriminate or care about our worldly status: He simply wants our hearts. He wants every heart.
Arriving at St. John the Evangelist in downtown Indianapolis after 60 days of traveling was the most joyful experience of my life. My teammates and I wept with joy and then cheered for the members of the other routes as they each arrived.
Walking into the 10th National Eucharistic Congress to the applause
of 50,000 was so joyful because, in the crowd, I saw the smiling faces of many I’d met along the Juan Diego route. It made me dream about what it could be like to enter Heaven: with a great cloud of witnesses — angels, saints and hopefully all my family and friends — there to welcome me and to hear Jesus say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant” (Mt 25:21).
Life with Christ is an adventure. The Church is a pilgrim Church on earth. And I had the privilege to live that in a special way this summer.Yet our joint pilgrimage continues, together with the Eucharistic Lord, not toward Indianapolis but the heavenly Jerusalem. I hope to be able to share that journey with you. †
Camille Anigbogu, a Houstonian working as a music director and musician, attends Sacred Heart Parish in Richmond.
Visit the Relic of the Blood of St. John Paul II
Local Veneration of the Blessed Relic of Blood:
• Sept. 25, 2-8 p.m. St. John Vianney, Houston
• Sept. 26, 2-8 p.m. Ascension Chinese Mission, Houston
• Sept. 27, 2-8 p.m. Christ the Good Shepherd, Spring
• Sept. 28, 8 a.m.-12 p.m. St. Matthias, Magnolia
• Sept. 28, Holy Family, Missouri City
4-5:30 p.m. Veneration
5:30 p.m. Vigil Mass
6:30-9 p.m. Veneration
For information contact: St. Serra Apostolate for Vocations of North Houston SerraClub ClubExpress com/NHoustonJP2Relic SCNH.Vocations@gmail.com
We give thanks to the Sisters from the Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary for bringing the relic to so many hearts. www.PiercedHearts.org And thanks to our underwriter: The Scanlan Foundation
by CAMILLE ANIGBOGU
PHOTO BY ISSY MARTIN-DYE
Pilgrims walk the St. Juan Diego Route of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage in a procession that passed the Tennesee State Capitol through downtown Nashville. Three Houstonians walked on the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage, including Camille Anigbogu.
PHOTO BY TOM MCCARTHY/OSV NEWS AND RILEY GRIEF/DIOCESE OF OWENSBORO
At left, Camille Anigbogu, one of the three perpetual pilgrims from Houston who walked the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage, receives communion from Bishop Daniel Flores in Brownsville on May 19, at the start of the pilgrimage. At right, Anigbogu carries the processional cross through Franklin, Kentucky.
‘With
the grace of God ... Ukraine will
50 miles from Ukraine’s western border with Poland. Bishop Dell’Oro said he was honored to be part of the delegation visiting Ukraine.
“The generosity of American Catholics is being utilized very well, as I was able to learn during my trip,” he said.
BISHOP DELL’ORO CONCELEBRATES DIVINE LITURGY
Shortly after their arrival on June 26, the delegation visited the Stradch Pilgrimage Center near Lviv. The Stradch Center is dedicated to the UGCC priest, Father Mykola Kondrad, who was murdered by Soviet soldiers on his way to administer the Holy Sacraments of Penance and the Eucharist on June 26, 1941, accompanied by cantor Volodymyr Pryima.
Father Konrad and Pryima were among the 26 Ukrainian-Catholic martyred for the faith who were beatified by St. John Paul II during his visit to Ukraine on June 27, 2001. The cantor, Pryima, was the only layman beatified. He was also proclaimed protector of the laity for the Ukrainian Catholics.
Twenty-three years later, during Bishop Dell’Oro’s trip, more than 10,000 Ukrainian Catholics gathered to attend an outdoor Divine Liturgy. The Divine Liturgy was presided by the head of the UGCC, His Beatitude Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk. Sixteen other bishops concelebrated the Liturgy, including Bishop Dell’Oro.
At the Liturgy, Archbishop Shevchuk expressed his gratitude to the faithful of the Galveston-Houston Archdiocese and the American faithful for their support and solidarity.
“Be sure that Ukrainians are grateful, they will remember you forever, especially in their prayers, because without worldwide support for us, it would be impossible to withstand the enemy, who is bigger and stronger than we are,” Archbishop Shevchuk said. “But with grace of God and solidarity of the universal Catholic church we are invincible. Ukraine is tired but unbroken, we are wounded, but we are resilient and be sure that Ukraine will prevail.”
Bishop Dell’Oro said he was very moved by Archbishop Shevchuk’s acknowledgment of the people of the Archdiocese and of the U.S.
REHABILITATING LIMBS AND LIVES
The delegation then visited the Superhumans Rehabilitation Center in Lviv, one of three centers in Ukraine that provides full-cycle care to patients, offering plastic and reconstructive surgery, prosthetic services and physical and psychological rehabilitation.
The group had an opportunity to visit with Sashko, an 11-year-old boy from Kharkiv. The second-largest city in Ukraine with approximately 1.5 million people, Kharkiv has been under heavy bombing by the Russian military since March 2022. Sashko was in a store with his sister when a rocket hit the building. His sister died, and he lost his right leg.
At Superhumans, Sashko had to learn to walk using his prosthetic leg under the watchful and loving gaze of his mother. During an early training session, always supervised by his assistant, he fell.
The assistant encouragingly said, “So, you just experienced your first time falling!” to which the boy promptly replied: “I experienced my first time getting up!” Around 60,000 Ukrainians
prevail’
LVIV, Ukraine (OSV News) — A Ukrainian Catholic University (UCU) student and all but one member of her immediate family were among those killed in a Sept. 4 strike by Russia on the western Ukrainian city of Lviv.
Seven residents died after Russia fired hypersonic missiles on targets in Lviv. Although Russia’s defense ministry alleged it had aimed at military facilities, Lviv mayor Andriy Sadovy said the attack had hit more than 50 civilian buildings, including homes, schools and medical facilities.
Among the seven slain — whose ages ranged from 7 to 55 — was 18-year-old Daryna Bazilevich, called Daria by friends and family, a sophomore at UCU in Lviv; her mother, Evgenia; and her two sisters, Emilia and Yaryna, ages 7 and 21 respectively.
The family’s father and sole survivor, Yaroslav, remained in critical condition. Photographs posted on social media by Ukraine’s Center for Strategic Communication and Information Security and by the university showed him emerging from the rubble dazed and bloodied.
UCU posted a tribute to Bazilevich that included a recent photo of the entire family gathered on the school’s campus, with the student holding a
have received amputations during the war. Every month, 70 to 100 people receive prosthetics at the center.
“Throughout my trip, I continually witnessed great perseverance and resilience in the people of Ukraine,” Bishop Dell’Oro said.
The delegation also met the Commission on the Pastoral Healthcare of the UGCC, which coordinates the Church’s response to the impact of the war in Ukraine.
The commission, led by Sister Sevastiana Karavatska, oversees 165 hospital chaplains who serve the faithful all over Ukraine. The commission trains priests and religious to assist people who suffered from traumatic war experiences such as PTSD, moral
bouquet of sunflowers, Ukraine’s national flower.
Bazilevich was studying Ukraine’s culture and history, which she wanted to “tell about ... to the world,” said the university, quoting the young woman’s scholarship application essay.
While calling for prayers “for the souls of the innocently murdered,” the university also invited all to a Sept. 4 memorial Liturgy at the school’s church, St. Sophia of the Wisdom of God.
That same day, another UCU student was laid to rest, having been killed in action while battling invading Russian forces, university president Metropolitan Archbishop Borys A. Gudziak of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia said, speaking to OSV News in Odesa, Ukraine.
A number of UCU students have been killed since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Lviv is a city located only 40 miles from the border with NATO-member Poland. The attack so close to Poland prompted the government in Warsaw to scramble fighter jets to the Ukrainian border area. †
remorse, depression, addictions and others issues. More than 1,000 priests and religious completed their training, with 2,000 more expected to finish in the near future.
UNDERSTANDING THE WAR’S IMPACTS TO CLERGY, FAMILIES
That night, the delegation traveled seven hours by train to Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital. They met with Father Lyubomyr Yavorskyy, who, like almost all of the UGCC priests, is married and has children.
He coordinates the work of the “Mudra Sprava – Good Deeds” Foundation. The foundation has helped evacuate 6,000 people from the frontlines, provided 27,000 food kits, and continues to help with
rehabilitation and humanitarian projects.
The group then met with Father Rostyslav Vysochan, vice-deputy of the UGCC Chaplaincy Department, which has 55 priests serving as army chaplains for periods of two to four months.
To a question about his family, Father Vysochan paused and then went on to describe how, of the three loyalties that they have to the Church, their family and the country, at this time, Church and country go together, while the family is left behind, causing great personal stress to him and the other chaplains.
They also visited the Three Holy Saints Parish in Brobary, near Kyiv. They prayed at the cemetery with families who lost
Russian strike kills Ukrainian Catholic University student and her family in Lviv on Sept. 4
Above, Bishop (at left,) vice-deputy who leads 55 Father Vysochan leaving his own the war, who
Bishop Dell’Oro walks with Father Rostyslav Vysochan, vice-deputy of the UGCC Chaplaincy Department, 55 priests who serve as army chaplains in Ukraine. Vysochan told Bishop Dell’Oro about the difficulties of own family behind to minister to soldiers fighting in who are also away from their families.
SCAN TO HEAR A MESSAGE FROM ARCHBISHOP SHEVCHUK AND TO GIVE TO THE HEALING OF WOUNDS OF THE WAR IN UKRAINE FUND
PHOTOS BY OSV NEWS/REUTERS AND UKRAINIAN GREEK CATHOLIC CHURCH
At left: A church is destroyed by a Russian attack in Ukraine’s Donetsk region Feb. 13.
At far left: Bishop Italo Dell’Oro and Father Roman Oliinyk, at left of Bishop Dell’Oro, concelebrate Divine Liturgy at the Stradch Pilgrimage Center near Lviv on June 26. The Divine Liturgy was presided by the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, His Beatitude Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk. Sixteen other bishops concelebrated the Liturgy, including Bishop Dell’Oro.
Below, at far left: Bishop Dell’Oro meets with the (at top) Mariupol Mayor Vadym Boychenko and Archbishop Borys Andrij Gudziak and and (below) Archbishop Shevchuk of Ukraine.
“But with grace of God and solidarity of the universal Catholic church we are invincible. Ukraine is tired but unbroken. We are wounded, but we are resilient and be sure that Ukraine will prevail.”
MAJOR ARCHBISHOP SVIATOSLAV
SHEVCHUK
Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church
loved ones during the war. The women and their parish priest spoke about the support services they offer to each other and to other widows and mothers of fallen soldiers and those dealing with their traumas of war.
“Their grief was quite palpable, together with their deep hope for the war to end,” Bishop Dell’Oro said. “The visit to the cemetery was very moving.”
Bishop Dell’Oro then concelebrated a Mass at the Roman Latin Catholic Cathedral of Kyiv with Auxiliary Bishop Oleksiy Jazlovetskiy and met with the ordinary of the Kyiv-Zhytomyr Diocese, Bishop Vitalii Kryvytskyi, who reported on the humanitarian activities of his diocese.
Feb. 24, 2022.
After their visit with Caritas Ukraine, the group boarded the train and returned to Lviv.
The following day, June 30, they met again with Archbishop Shevchuk. He shared that two priests, Father Ivan Levitsky, C.Ss.R, and Father Bohdan Geleta, C.Ss.R, whom the Russians had imprisoned for almost 2 years, were released that day.
“We are grateful to the Holy Father and the Catholics around the world for their prayers and support,” Archbishop Shevchuk said. “Please continue praying for the prisoners of the war in Ukraine. There are still 28,000 Ukrainian civilians held in Russian captivity.”
He expressed pride in the bishops and priests remaining with their parishioners during the war.
“I admire their exceptional service. I visited the city of Kharkiv 10 days ago. They are in an extremely difficult humanitarian situation,” Archbishop Shevchuk said. “We are grateful for the world’s solidarity and support. We admire our people who opened their hearts and houses to accommodate all internally displaced people.”
Later that morning, the delegation, accompanied by Archbishop Gudziak, met with Lviv city mayor, Andriy Sadoviy, who illustrated “Unbroken,” the city project of a medical village that provides free surgical and burns units and extensive physical and mental therapy to the victims of war.
During the meeting, the delegation was surprised with visit by Mariupol Mayor Vadym Boychenko. Bishop Dell’Oro said the mayor barely repressed his grieving anger at the destruction of the port city two years ago when over 22,000 people were killed and 350,000 were forced to flee by the invading Russian army, with many in the Russian-speaking neighborhoods of the city powerfully reiterated his strong resolve to “return to Mariupol.”
Boychenck asked Bishop Dell’Oro for a blessing. Archbishop Gudziak said that both mayors are Catholics.
A HEART TO LISTEN
Above, second from left, rescuers work at a children’s hospital in Kyiv July 8, after it was severely damaged by Russian missile strikes. The attack came less than a week after Bishop Dell’Oro visited Ukraine.
Above, at top: Bishop Dell’Oro meets with people who received prosthetics, including Oleh Tsunovskyy (fifth from left) and Ruslana Danylkina (second from right), at the Superhumans Rehabilitation Center in Lviv. Bishop Dell’Oro said he was inspired by their courage.
Above: An 11-year-old Kharkiv boy named Sashko, whose sister was killed in a Russian bombing attack, learns to walk with a new prosthetic leg at the Superhumans Center, which is led by CEO Olena Rudneva, seen at left. Sashko lost his leg in the same attack that killed his sister.
BRINGING NEEDED AID TO MILLIONS
On June 28, the U.S. delegation met with Tetiana Stawnychy, the president of Caritas Ukraine (a Catholic humanitarian charity of the UGCC), one of the largest recipients of help from the Metropolitan Humanitarian Aid Fund for Ukraine. Stawnychy said millions Ukrainians were forced to leave their homes, escaping the war.
Caritas Ukraine organized an emergency response, mobilizing the support of donors from all over the world, that provided food, water, shelter and medicine to those in need.
Caritas Ukraine has a network of 46 branches in Ukraine that provide a different range of services. It has offered one of the largest outreach services, helping people in need, regardless of their religious beliefs, nationality or social status. Caritas has provided over 5 million services to over 3 million beneficiaries since the war began on
— Russia has destroyed at least 660 religious sites representing several faith confessions. Clergy and faithful of various denominations have been expelled, detained, tortured and, in some cases, killed.
A MESSAGE FROM TEXAS, U.S.
The July 2 end of Bishop Dell’Oro’s visit to Ukraine, which he called a “cathartic and spiritual experience” that also coincided with the third anniversary of his episcopal ordination, was marked by another unique encounter.
He was invited to attend the start of the UGCC bishops’ Synod at the Zarvanytsia Shrine, a Marian shrine in a small village a hundred miles southeast of Lviv.
Bishop Dell’Oro was at the introductory prayers, Service and Divine Liturgy, and at the beginning of the Synod meeting, together with over 50 bishops of the UGCC and the papal nuncio. Archbishop Shevchuk thanked Bishop Dell’Oro for his visit and invited him to offer a comment to the Ukrainian bishops.
In his short address, Bishop Dell’Oro expressed Cardinal DiNardo’s prayerful support and that of the faithful of Galveston-Houston and also shared the
YOUR IMPACT
The Healing of Wounds of the War in Ukraine Fund supports the healing of physical, emotional, and spiritual wounds inflicted by the criminal Russian invasion.
In 2022 and 2023, the Archdiocese contributed $806,349 to the Metropolia Humanitarian Aid Fund. Between 2023 and 2024, The Archdiocese contributed $884,984 to the Healing of Wounds of the War in Ukraine Fund. To learn more, visit www.archgh.org/ healingwoundsofwar. To donate to the fund, visit www.archgh.org/secondcollections and select “Ukraine Relief Fund.”
story of Sashko, the 11-year-old boy at Superhumans.
On July 1, a conference on “Collective Resilience, Healing and Growth,” sponsored by the Healing of Wounds of the War in Ukraine Fund, was held at UCU in Lviv.
The conference featured a video message from Olena Zelenska, the First Lady of Ukraine. Oleksandra Matviichuk, a Nobel Peace Prize co-winner from Ukraine in 2022, also talked about the importance of disclosure of crimes against civilians in Ukraine.
Before the conference, Bishop Dell’Oro met with Myroslav Marynovich, formerly a UCU vice-rector. Marynovich is a former dissident who spent 10 years in jail during the Soviet Union regime.
During the conversation, Marynovich shared what Bishop Dell’Oro quickly understood, and saw, to be at the heart of the Ukrainian people’s resilience and determination to ensure that victory be the end of the war — in addition to the clear understanding that Ukraine is not Russia and that Ukrainians are not Russians — it is the enduring memory of the Soviet rule that ended in 1991 that leads the Ukrainian people to say “never again.”
During the Soviet regime, churches and their institutions were closed or destroyed, priests and faithful were displaced, persecuted and either imprisoned or even killed.
Since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 — declared a genocide in two major human rights reports by the New Lines Institute and the Raoul Wallenberg Center for Human Rights
“Sashko is beloved by all the other patients because, to an environment where the grownups struggle to relearn basic human skills, such as walking and using one hand only, and to acknowledge their physical and spiritual wounds as well, he brings the joy of his cheerful smile and an outstanding determination in the therapeutic process,” Bishop Dell’Oro said.
Yet, more than that, he said Sashko’s very attitude, as noted in his remarkable comment upon experiencing his first fall and “getting up,” offered a clear image of the resilience seen in most of the people that Bishop Dell’Oro encountered during his intense weeklong visit to Ukraine.
Bishop Dell’Oro also said he prayed in support of his brother UGCC bishops to continue being shepherds who unceasingly motivate their people to learn and practice “getting up,” even amid the horrible experience of war.
The next day, on July 3, Bishop Dell’Oro returned to Houston.
The Archdiocese is a leading supporter of the “Healing of Wounds of the War in Ukraine Fund” managed by UGCC Philadelphia Archeparchy. Cardinal DiNardo was one of seven U.S. cardinals who pledged to continue to help Ukraine heal and recover from the ongoing conflict via the fund. †
Father Roman Oliinyk of the Philadelphia Archeparchy, who helps to manage the Healing of Wounds of the War in Ukraine Fund, accompanied the delegation during the trip. Before coming to the US in 2021, Father Oliinyk served at the Curia of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Kyiv and Lviv for 12 years.
understand that the Body and the Blood of Christ are truly present. When the priest calls the Holy Spirit down ‘like the dewfall,’ they fully grasp that this becomes an important part of their lives.”
Deacon Lovelady is deeply grateful for volunteers like VanDerbur, who dedicate their time to serving inmates while also deepening their own faith. He emphasizes that, as a recipient of the Diocesan Services Fund (DSF) along with over 60 other ministries, the support from this fund and the work of volunteers are crucial for Correctional Ministries to extend its reach to 23 prisons, 10 county jails and four federal facilities.
He invites adults interested in serving in the ministry to consider reaching out to learn more about this opportunity.
VanDerbur said that when inmates experience the love and dedication of volunteers who spend time away from their families to be with them, it profoundly changes their perspective on serving others, prioritizing their needs, and restoring family connections.
“The changes that I see in the men are that they’re now becoming fathers, husbands and sons to their families,” VanDerbur said. “Anyone can fall and come out of grace, but when you volunteer, you’re giving a piece of yourself to someone you don’t even know. Then,
the person you’re serving has to reflect on why someone would do something for me when I’ve done things that I shouldn’t have done.”
VanDerbur admited that sometimes he shudders when he hears the metal clanking of prison doors, which reminds him of his own time served.
This personal connection brings to mind the lessons of St. Maximilian Kolbe, who gave up his life so that someone else could be with their family and survive the Holocaust. VanDerbur said that volunteering is a powerful way to step up, help others and be the hands and feet of Christ.
“When I see the men walking in white through those halls, and I begin to share the faith with them, they’re so amazed that we would come in and take our time to be with them,” VanDerbur said. “This is so important because it reminds us of what Christ is all about. It shows that we need to be there for everyone and make life in here better for them.”
To learn more about the Correctional Ministries, go to www.archgh.org/ correctionalministries/. To donate to the Archdiocese’s DSF annual appeal, go to www.archgh.org/DSF.
The DSF supports 64 ministries, whether direct service or education, which require this critical funding to remain in operation. Out of each gift given to DSF, 100% of every dollar goes directly to supporting these ministries. †
PARISH ENGAGEMENT CONFERENCE DRAWS NEARLY 300
Almost 300 communications, stewardship and parish ministry leaders attend the 2024 Parish Engagement Conference at St. Anne Catholic Church in Houston on Aug. 8. A collaboration between the Archdiocesan Offices of Communications and Development, the conference featured more than 20 workshops in English and Spanish aimed at inviting parishioners into a deeper participation in parish life.
IN BRIEF
‘Proclaim’ conference set for Oct. 25 to 26
SPRING — Catholics across the Archdiocese are invited to the biannual Proclaim Conference, which will be held on Friday, Oct. 25, from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Saturday, Oct. 26, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., March 27 at 7 p.m. at St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Church, located at 7810 Cypresswood Dr. in Spring.
Hosted by the Archdiocesan Secretariat for Pastoral and Educational Ministries, the conference is open to ministry leaders, catechists, Catholic school teachers, volunteers and parishioners from across the Archdiocese for two days of faith formation, practical ministry skills, inspiration and networking with peers from the region. Offered with programming in English, Spanish and Vietnamese, the event includes time for communal prayer, including Vigil Mass on Saturday. Daniel Cardinal DiNardo and Auxiliary Bishop Italo Dell’Oro, CRS, will preside over Masses during the conference. New this year is an optional $20 Friday trivia night at 6 p.m. that also includes dinner, which is open to the public.
$65 two-day full conference passes and $45 single day passes that include lunch. A $45 virtual registration is also available. Prices increase after Sept. 30. To register, view the schedule and speaker line up and find more information, visit www.archgh.org/proclaim. †
Meet your local campus ministers
Father Tucker Redding, SJ, Chaplain and Director
Rice University Catholic Student Center 713-526-3809 | tredding@archgh.org www.ricecatholics.wordpress.com
Mimi Tran, Campus Minister
Rice University Catholic Student Center 713-526-3809 | mtran@archgh.org www.ricecatholics.wordpress.com
Mary Impelman, Campus Minister Rice University Catholic Student Center 713-526-3809 | mimpelman@archgh.org www.ricecatholics.wordpress.com
Doris M. Barrow, III, Campus Minister Texas Southern University Catholic Newman Center
Carl Erickson, Campus Minister Galveston Newman Center: Serving UTMB/Galveston College, Texas A&M University, and College of the Mainland 409-740-3797 | cerickson@archgh.org archgh.org/galvestonnewman
Simon Powell, Campus Minister
Sam Houston State University Catholic Student Center 936-291-2620 | spowell@archgh.org shsu-catholic.org
Father Quang Nguyen, SCJ, Chaplain and Director
University of Houston Catholic Newman Center 713-748-2529 | qnguyen@archgh.org uhcatholic.org
Salisha Miller, Campus Minister University of Houston Catholic Newman Center 713-748-2529 | smiller@archgh.org uhcatholic.org
Father Eduardo Rivera, C.S.B., Chaplain and Director University of St. Thomas 713-525-3589 | riverae1@stthom.edu stthom.edu/campusministry
Pat Gunning, Campus Minister University of St. Thomas 713-525-3589 | gunninp@stthom.edu stthom.edu/campusministry
Abi Bielstein, Campus Ministry Coordinator University of St. Thomas 713-525-3513 | abielst@stthom.edu stthom.edu/campusministry
The Office of Young Adult and Campus Ministry seeks to provide a home for young adults within the Catholic Church and accompany young adults in their journey with Christ through their late teens, 20s and 30s.
The Office brings a Catholic presence to the colleges and universities located within the Archdiocese.
Through empowering Catholic Newman Centers, we seek to create environments where Catholic students can find community, encounter Christ in prayer and be formed as disciples of Jesus.
We also seek to evangelize the entire academic community and invite others into the joy, fulfillment and truth of living the Gospel.
For more information, contact the Office of Young Adult and Campus Ministry at 713-741-8778, yacm@archgh.org, or visit to www.archgh.org/yacm
YOUNG ADULT & CAMPUS MINISTRY OFFICE STAFF
Angela Pometto, Director
Thalia Romero, Associate Director
Neil Albaña, Associate Director
Monica Castillo, Administrative Assistant
PHOTO BY JAMES RAMOS/HERALD
COLUMNISTS
‘Maria the Catechist’ shows the true spirit of catechism
With upcoming USCCB invititation to celebrate Catechetical Sunday on Sept. 15, when I reflect on Pope Francis’ words to catechists, inviting them to “be” catechists rather than merely “do” the catechetical work, my mother immediately comes to mind.
After discovering that she had been called by God to that ministry from the moment her soul was created, she gave herself to it completely, and she found the fullness of life. You might think that I am exaggerating, but I assure you that I am not. My mother discovered her call to be a catechist when she took me and my brother to catechism classes, as they were called in Mexico City at the time. By the end of that year, she had answered God’s call and had begun a journey that had lasted 42 years so far. She gave herself whole heartedly to her newly discovered vocation to the point that she became known as “Maria the Catechist” in the neighborhood. She
by MIGUEL VENCES
became known by the ministry she exercised, and it truly became a part of her identity. She loved “her kids” and constantly looked for ideas to teach them and even little gifts for them. Whenever she spoke excitedly about “her kids,” she did not mean me and my brother. She became the most loving and lovable person in the neighborhood. Every year, a few of her catechism students ask her to become their “madrina” (First Communion sponsor, which in Mexico is like a second mother).
Whenever we walked to the market, to the church, or took the bus near our home, she was always greeted with a kiss and a hug by everyone who ever was her catechism student and their
Embracing rituals
As the summer sun begins to wane and the school year begins, we find ourselves transitioning back into the rhythm of daily routines. This change can be both challenging and refreshing, as it invites us to rediscover the beauty and importance of the rituals that ground our lives.
As creatures of habit, we thrive on the structure and comfort that routines provide, especially when those routines are infused with our faith.
Rituals are more than just repeated actions; they are systematized series of interactions that help us connect to something beyond ourselves and allow us to return time and time again. We have plenty of rituals in our daily lives, like how we prepare for the day or how we greet family and friends. If you think you don’t have any rituals, I recommend you take a look at how you may take for
parents. It always took a while to get anywhere with her.
One late night, my parents, brother and I were walking home from the bus station. We were met by two growling and menacing street dogs that made my father pick up rocks and me hide behind my mother. As they approached us, showing their teeth, they suddenly stopped growling and instead wagged their tails as they approached “Maria the Catechist” to greet her. I still remember my father’s exasperation: “I can’t believe that even the street dogs know you!”
More than a few times, I came home from school to find “Cirus,” one of the young homeless men with mental health struggles who roamed the neighborhood, sitting at the dinner table eating, recently showered, and wearing my brother’s clothes. He used to call my mother “Mom,” which was a source of infinite embarrassment for me at the time because, if we had the same mom,
that made me “his brother.” My friends did not miss the opportunity to tease me about it.
The root word, “catechesis,” is from a Greek word meaning “to echo or resound.” Catechesis is the act of resounding or bringing the Church’s teachings to the world. I truly believe that “Maria the Catechist” — my mom — is a living example of “being” a catechist.”
This ministry of teaching in the name of the Church has a profound dignity, which is why catechists are formally commissioned by the Church. It is only fitting that we set aside a day to highlight this ministry, to honor those who have answered the Lord’s call to be catechists and to inspire many others to do so. †
Miguel A. Vences is an associate director with the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis.
and renewing our faith as we return to routine
by ADAM BRILL
granted certain repetitive aspects of your life.
These rituals can lead to acting on autopilot without much attention to the details, but if we approach them with passion we can find appreciation for how the rituals create a stable foundation amidst the tumult of our lives.
Rituals are a safe haven when our world is in flux; they are a place where we can be at ease, and they provide order to the mundane. Rituals can, and are, elevated by our faith. Whether it’s the simple act of blessing ourselves with holy water as we enter the church or the communal celebration of the Eucharist. These
sacred rituals draw us closer to the divine and reinforce our identity as members of the mystical body of Christ. As we return back to the same pew that we have to sit in each Sunday, let us reassess what rituals we can include throughout our day to make Christ the center of our lives, some of which may have fallen to the wayside in the summer.
Can we incorporate prayers at the beginning or end of the day? Are there any sacramental, sacred signs that prepare us to receive the grace of the Sacraments that we can surround ourselves with?
With holy water — we could consider keeping a small bottle of holy water in our homes to bless our children each day as they leave for school. Wearing a blessed medal or carrying a rosary in a backpack are other tangible ways to
keep the faith close, even in the midst of busy days.
Can we seek God’s blessing, like through blessings at important times in life, or engage the Sacraments of Penance and Eucharist more?
As we embark on this new school year, let us recommit to the rituals that sustain us, engage more deeply in our parish communities, and embrace the sacramentals that draw us closer to God.
May these practices strengthen our resolve and bring us peace, knowing that we are never alone on this journey. Together, as a community of faith, let us welcome the school year with open hearts, ready to follow God’s will for our lives. †
Adam Brill is the director of the Office of Worship.
Our downtown location has temporarily relocated. We are NOW OPEN at 2409 Austin Street (two streets behind our San Jacinto Street building) We will re-open our main location as soon as possible. Order by phone or email 713-659-4709 or sacco@saccos.com
WORLD Olympic bell will ring inside newly rebuilt Notre Dame Cathedral during every Mass
PARIS (OSV News) — During the Paris Olympic Games, track and field champions rang the bronze bell located close to the finish line at Saint-Denis’ Stade de France. In December, that same bell will ring in the newly reopened Notre Dame Cathedral during the most sacred part of the Mass.
“We were contacted a few months ago by the Paris Organizing Committee to see if we would be interested in this bell for Notre Dame,” the cathedral’s rectorarchpriest, Father Olivier Ribadeau Dumas, told OSV News. “And we accepted this proposal.”
The bell, weighing 1,103 lbs., was made for the occasion of the Olympic Games by the Cornille Havard foundry, dubbed “the last bell makers of France,” located in Normandy at Villedieu-les-Poêles, a small French commune, some 24 miles northeast of famous Mont Saint-Michel.
The foundry produces bells for France’s largest churches and cathedrals. In 2013, it produced nine new bells for Notre Dame to mark the cathedral’s 850th anniversary. Installed in Notre Dame’s north tower, their role was to ring for the cathedral’s daily services. The same company was responsible for the restoration of eight of these nine bells after they had been damaged during the fire of April 15, 2019.
The cathedral’s largest bell, known as “le bourdon Emmanuel,” is located in the south tower. It dates back to the time of King Louis XIV, at the end of the 17th
century, and it rings for historic events, as it did at the end of both World Wars. Emmanuel was not affected by the fire in April 2019, and on special occasions, it continued to be operated manually as the electrical system overcame renovation.
“It has rung several times since the fire, at Easter and Christmas, and for special occasions such as the death of Pope Benedict XVI,” Father Ribadeau
Dumas told OSV News.
“The Olympic Games bell is not destined to join those of two cathedral towers,” Father Ribadeau Dumas explained. “It will join two other bells, newly cast by the same company, which will be placed inside the cathedral, in the gallery, not far from the organ. These three bells will ring together during Mass at the moment of the consecration. They will replace the bells that were used for this purpose at the crossing of the transepts before the fire completely destroyed that site.”
Father Ribadeau Dumas confirmed that the cathedral bells did not ring during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, contrary to what media reports stated. He did not wish to go back over the moments of the controversial ceremony, where “The Last Supper” was parodied. “What is important is that these
two weeks of Games have been a strong moment of fraternity and unity,” he insisted. “This fraternity is very precious.”
“These Games have celebrated life, and … relationships,” Father Ribadeau Dumas said. “Thomas Bach, president of the IOC (International Olympic Committee), spoke Aug. 4, on the square in front of Notre Dame, about the links that can be created between sport and religion. That is what we need to remember,” he emphasized.
“The unity created by what was experienced in Paris during this period is important, and we need to emphasize what forges bonds,” Notre Dame’s rector told OSV News. “We will try to do the same when we host the Paralympic Games, which will show the strength of life at the heart of vulnerability.” The Paralympic Games in Paris take place from Aug. 28 to Sept. 8.
Father Ribadeau Dumas said instead of focusing on the negative comments, he preferred to salute the choreography of hundreds of ballet dancers and firemen who were deployed at another part of the opening ceremony, on the quays and rooftops of Paris.
“This sequence honored the carpenters, and the stone sculptors, who brought Notre Dame back to life. It spoke of the strong spirit of fraternity and unity that also prevailed during the Notre Dame restoration project. It was magnificent,” he said.
“Now, we must remember that Notre Dame is not just a piece of heritage,” the rector said, months before the highly anticipated reopening of the cathedral Dec. 8.
“It is, first and foremost, a spiritual place of worship. We are not, of course, going to erase the cultural dimension from the Notre Dame project. But we are now looking forward to the time when the Catholic faithful will be able to enter as worship resumes there. That is what matters most.” †
Keynote Speaker Archbishop
OSV PHOTO
Gold medalists on the U.S. women’s 4x400-meter relay team take turns Aug. 10, ringing the bell that was specially cast for the Olympics by France’s Cornille Havard foundry in Normandy. The Olympic bell will be placed inside the newly restored Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris during every Mass once the cathedral officially reopens in December.
NATION
‘You
could see the
(OSV News) — Bishop Mark J. Seitz of El Paso, Texas, recently spoke with OSV News following his return from the 10th Meeting of Bishops and Migration Pastoral Agents of North America, Central America and the Caribbean, which took place Aug. 19 to 23 in Panama.
The gathering — which focused on the theme “Walking with the migrant and the refugee” — included a Mass with Michael Cardinal Czerny, prefect of the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, and a pastoral visit to the Darien Gap. The remote region, located on the border between Colombia and Panama, has become a major and deadly migration route as thousands navigate its rugged, dense terrain while also battling crime and disease.
This interview has been edited for clarity and length.
OSV News: What was your overall experience at the migration meeting?
Bishop Seitz: I’ve certainly met with some of these bishops in the past, and we had a meeting last year in El Salvador. It was a bigger group this time, with something like 22 bishops on hand.
The opportunity to meet and to reflect on these issues and to talk about what kind of pastoral letter we might write was very worthwhile — even though we ended up without having (completed) a pastoral letter because we realized that the project is going to take a lot more work.
Certainly, the most moving part of the week was when I had the opportunity to go with a small group down to the Darien Gap. So many of our immigrants that have passed through El Paso had to pass through there to arrive (at the U.S.-Mexico border), with immigrants from Venezuela and Ecuador being the primary groups.
OSV News: The Darien Gap has proven to be one of the world’s most difficult and deadliest migration routes. How did you get there, and what was it like seeing a portion of it in person?
Bishop Seitz: The Panamanian government actually offered to take us down to the Darien Gap. They flew us down in a small military plane, and we landed on an airstrip in the Darien in a place called Meteti.
There were about eight of us (bishops) in total. Our group included Michael Cardinal Czerny, prefect of the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human
Development; Álvaro Cardinal Ramazzini
Imeri, Bishop of Huehuetenango (Guatemala); Archbishop José Domingo Ulloa Mendieta of Panama; and Bishop Pedro Joaquin Hernández Cantarero of the Apostolic Vicariate of Darien.
Regarding the Darien Gap itself, I’d seen pictures and some videos, but it’s not the same as being there. The northern part of it that we saw seemed to be a mixture of pasture land and forest or jungle. We went by car farther south from Meteti to a place called Lajas Blancas.
We arrived at a little spot on the river where a bit of rustic community has sprung up. They have some little stores that provide just necessities. There is a Red Cross (station) — a very rustic place with a metal roof but no walls where people can spend the night. There is also a place to park buses that will ultimately take those who can pay the $60 a person from that spot north to the northern border of Panama.
We walked down to the river, which is fairly wide and rapidly flowing, and we saw these narrow boats that seemed to be just put together by hand, just about as wide as a canoe. They have a little outboard motor on them so that they can go upstream, and each boat takes about 15 people.
And one after another, these boats were depositing people who had made the trek through the most rugged part of the Darien to this outpost. A lot of them were unsteady on their legs and needed a little help getting out of the boat. I saw the feet of a number of them; they’re bloodied and blistered. And the children seemed — some of the babies seemed kind of listless.
PASTORAL SUPPORT FOR VICTIMS OF CLERGY SEXUAL ABUSE
“The main purpose of a Sacramental marriage is to help get one another into Heaven.” - St. John Paul II retreatcentercrc.org/marriage El Paso’s Bishop Seitz at the
OSV NEWS PHOTO
Bishop Mark J. Seitz of El Paso watches as migrants disembark at Lajas Blancas, Panama, amid their journey through that nation’s Darién Gap, during pastoral visit amid the 10th Meeting of Bishops and Migration Pastoral Agents of North America, Central America and the Caribbean, which took place Aug. 19-23 in Panama.
You could see the suffering on their faces, and it was very moving. Many of them asked me to bless them. I wanted to do something more, but I didn’t know what I could do for them. So you feel that kind of frustration.
sexually violated on the way; many of them have been kidnapped and beaten. Even kids are being kidnapped now in Mexico, especially in northern Mexico.
One of the things that we’re supporting with the fund that we created in El Paso is to be able to assist with psychological services for those particularly traumatized by their experience. We have set up a medical clinic that features such services.
The bishop of the Darien told us they haven’t been able to set up any charitable services operated by the Church in outposts where refugees are passing through since he only has 11 priests in this whole region, which is the largest region of Panama. There are little towns with mostly Indigenous people there, and they’re doing their best just to serve those.
I was thinking that maybe we can find some funding to build a little chapel at one or two of these locations — because for people who do have this journey, their faith is all they have in a certain way, but their faith is powerful, and it’s the only thing that really gets them through. So, we as a Church certainly want to let them know that the Lord is with them in these circumstances, and we want to remind them that we love and care for them as children of God. †
November 1-3, 2024 at the Christian Renewal Center
In a continuing effort to provide pastoral care to victims of sexual abuse by clergy or Church personnel, Daniel Cardinal DiNardo would like to remind the faithful of the Archdiocese of the availability of the Victims Assistance Coordinator. Anyone who has been the victim of sexual abuse by clergy or Church personnel is encouraged to call Diane Vines at 713654-5799. Please keep in daily prayers the healing of victims of abuse and all who suffer in any way.
MUNDO CATÓLICO
Encuesta diocesana de la USCCB revela cómo las parroquias en todo el país responden a
(OSV News) — Este 21 de agosto, el Subcomité de Asuntos Hispanos de la Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de los Estados Unidos (USCCB, por sus siglas en inglés), dio a conocer los resultados de una encuesta a las diócesis y arquidiócesis de las 14 regiones episcopales. Estos resultados muestran cómo la pastoral hispana ha tomado gran fuerza en todo el país, y que en la mayoría de las diócesis hay una respuesta pastoral parroquial para la comunidad hispana.
OSV News habló con Alejandro Aguilera-Titus, subdirector de Asuntos Hispanos del Secretariado de Diversidad Cultural en la Iglesia, quien explicó que el objetivo de esta iniciativa “era poder determinar una base sólida de información sobre el estado de la pastoral hispana a nivel parroquial y hacer esto en este momento para ver cuál es la correcta respuesta de la Iglesia”.
Así mismo el subdirector afirmó que era importante ver cómo se empieza la implementación del Plan Pastoral Nacional para el Ministerio Hispano/ Latino, que fue aprobado por los obispos de EE.UU. en junio del 2023, y “ver cómo esa pastoral parroquial va a desarrollarse en los años que tenemos delante de nosotros”.
La encuesta, que se llevó a cabo desde el pasado mes de abril hasta agosto, incluyó tres preguntas sobre el número de parroquias en cada diócesis, el número de parroquias que ofrecían Misa en español, y el número de parroquias con presencia o ministerio hispano/latino sin una Misa celebrada en español. “Era muy importante saber cuál es el punto de salida, cuál es el número de parroquias que ya tienen una Misa dominical en español, que es el signo por excelencia que nosotros vemos de que la comunidad hispana ha sido bienvenida como comunidad en una parroquia”, explicó Aguilera-Titus. “En las comunidades donde ya la Misa en español está establecida también surgen muchos otros ministerios”. Al comité se mostró complacido al
la presencia hispana
Una reciente encuesta de el Subcomité de Asuntos Hispanos de la Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de los Estados Unidos muestra cómo la pastoral hispana ha tomado gran fuerza en todo el país, y que en la mayoría de las diócesis hay una respuesta pastoral parroquial para la comunidad hispana.
saber que casi el 30% de las parroquias en el país tienen esa Misa dominical en español establecida, dijo.
Un comunicado de prensa de la USCCB sobre esta encuesta, publicado el 21 de agosto, indicó que se completaron 175 encuestas, lo que representa el 100% de las arquidiócesis católicas latinas en los Estados Unidos. Éstas reportaron un total de 16.279 parroquias, de las cuales 4.479 ofrecían la Misa dominical en español.
Así mismo, los hallazgos de la encuesta revelan que 2.760 parroquias tienen presencia o ministerio hispano/ latino, pero actualmente no ofrecen Misa en español y que “el 99% de las diócesis encuestadas tienen varias parroquias que ofrecen Misa en español”, según el comunicado.
“Estamos hablando de que prácticamente la presencia hispana está presente en todo el país, en las 175
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diócesis (católicas latinas) del país” y que en la mayoría de esas diócesis “hay una respuesta o una pastoral parroquial significativa”, dijo Aguilera-Titus, para quien estos datos reflejan la actual realidad demográfica del país.
Estudios recientes han indicado que más del 42% de los católicos estadounidenses se autoidentifican como hispanos y más de la mitad de todos los católicos en EE.UU. menores de 30 años son hispanos. Pero a pesar de que los católicos latinos han representado gran parte del crecimiento de la Iglesia estadounidense durante décadas, los datos muestran que estos católicos también están abandonando la Iglesia en altas tasas, según un informe de 2023 del Pew Research Center.
Aguilera-Titus explicó que en 20162017, en el marco del proceso del V Encuentro, se realizó una encuesta que arrojó que 4.485 parroquias tenían algún tipo de pastoral hispana, aunque no especificaba datos sobre la Misa dominical en español. Esta nueva encuesta indica que 4.479 parroquias tienen Misa dominical en español y que además casi 3.000 parroquias tienen algún tipo de pastoral o presencia hispana pero
no tienen una Misa dominical en español. “Estamos hablando de que ha habido un crecimiento significativo en la respuesta que la Iglesia está dando a nivel parroquial”, concluyó.
“Se ha avanzado mucho en la conciencia que existe sobre la presencia hispana en el país y en la respuesta que se ha dado a nivel parroquial”, aseguró Aguilera-Titus, pero también esta encuesta muestra que todavía quedan miles de parroquias en donde esa presencia hispana tiene que ser reconocida con más precisión y tiene que darse una respuesta pastoral adecuada a esa presencia”.
Aguilera-Titus anticipa que, en el contexto del nuevo plan pastoral para el ministerio hispano y su implementación, el número de parroquias con Misa dominical en español y “con ministerios desarrollados y bien organizados” va a crecer a través de los años. “Va a ser muy interesante cómo cada año vamos a ver cómo esa respuesta a nivel parroquial se va dando”.
Cabe recalcar que esta encuesta examinó las parroquias que sirven a hispanos/latinos en las diocesis de Estados Unidos, pero clarificó que “varias diocesis informaron tener misiones o ministerios que sirven a hispanos/latinos ministerios o ubicaciones extraordinarias que no se identifican como parroquias” y que esta encuesta no disminuye esos significativos esfuerzos para servir a la comunidad.
El obispo Oscar Cantú de la Diócesis de San José, y presidente del Subcomité de Asuntos Hispanos, recibió con beneplácito los resultados de la encuesta publicada el 21 de agosto y dijo que este tipo de estudios son esenciales para entender y abordar la respuesta de la Iglesia a las comunidades hispanas/latinas.
“Existen obstáculos comunes que enfrentan las diócesis cuando participan en el ministerio hispano/ latino, como sacerdotes bilingües o recursos limitados”, dijo el obispo, según el comunicado de prensa de la USCCB. “Esta encuesta ayuda a medir nuestro trabajo y determinar cómo podemos continuar sirviendo a esta próspera parte de nuestra Iglesia y la importancia del ministerio continuo para las necesidades de nuestros hermanos y hermanas de habla hispana”. †
APOYO PASTORAL A VÍCTIMAS DE ABUSO SEXUAL DEL CLERO
En un continuo esfuerzo por facilitar atención pastoral a las victimas de abuso sexual del clero o del personal de la Iglesia, el Cardenal DiNardo gustaría recordar a los fieles de la Arquidiócesis la disponibilidad del Coordinador de Ayuda a Víctimas. Si alguien ha sido victim de abuso sexual del clero o del personal de la Iglesia, se les anima llamar a la Diane Vines al 713-654-5799. Por favor rece por la sanación de las víctimas del abuso y por todos los que sufren de alguna manera.
FOTO DE OSV NEWS
WITHIN THE ARTS
New picture book ‘Princesses of Heaven’ invites young readers on ‘journey to holiness’
(OSV News) — Once upon a time, it was assumed that every little girl wanted to be a princess.
Modern aspirations may have since expanded somewhat — but every little Catholic girl will nonetheless find heroic inspiration in “Princesses of Heaven: The Flowers,” an engaging new children’s (ages 3 to 8) picture book by artist and author Fabiola Garza, published by Word on Fire Spark.
If nestled among secular volumes on a bookstore shelf, the sophisticated design and presentation of “Princesses of Heaven” could easily and readily compete — and that’s no coincidence because Garza’s daytime job is as a character artist for the Disney Design Group, where her concepts and illustrations inspire a variety of merchandise for Disney Theme Parks.
Garza’s varied assignments might include designing the exterior of a purse bedecked with animated characters from the 1973 classic “Robin Hood” or a keepsake from the 2023 musical comedy adventure “Wish.” Those secular talents are readily transferable to telling the spiritually feisty tales of the six saints featured in “Princesses of Heaven”: St. Joan of Arc, St. Josephine Bakhita, St. Kateri Tekakwitha, St. Narcisa de Jesús, St. Lucy Yi Zhenmei and St. Thérèse of Lisieux.
“I knew I wanted to start with Joan,” said Garza, a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Orlando, Florida, “just because she’s so iconic and so epic, and her story is so extraordinary.”
Garza’s initial task was prayer.
“But I also asked the saint in question, ‘How would you like to be portrayed? What would be the best way to write your story for little girls?’ It is my own interpretation,” she told OSV News, “with my own imagination, and what I think would be whimsical and wonderful for a little girl.”
Choosing which saints to include was a process guided by several considerations.
“I wanted the grouping of these saints to be a good combination of different personalities; charisms; types of stories; types of adventures,” explained Garza, “and then also, some different places around the world — which I think is really great, since the Catholic faith is universal and encompasses the whole world.”
The result is that, in the book’s colorful and inviting pages, readers visit France, Italy, North America, Ecuador and China.
“I tried to get as much variety — on every level — as I could, so that no matter what, a little girl sitting down and reading the book could connect to a saint on many different levels, and find someone that she could find a little bit of kinship with. But also,” Garza said, “just so she can feel like she’s meeting new friends — and that these saints are her friends. That’s something that was very important to me.”
Readers might be reminded of Disney princesses — who share some of the same courageous and daring traits as the saints — but Garza says that’s not her intent. Rather, she sees the saints as a
“wonderful addition” to the childhood of young readers.
“I wasn’t trying to find a way for them to parallel the existing princesses, or replace them. It was more like a really wonderful way to set the fairy tale in a sort of different perspective — that ‘happily ever after’ is happily ever after with God,” said Garza.
“I think if you start trying to see whom could they be if they were part of the Disney princess world, then I think you could definitely find ways in which they could possibly connect and ways they can
have similar qualities and personalities — which I think is really fun,” Garza reflected. “But I also like thinking of them as not a replacement, but as something to just deepen their view of what a beautiful life — or a princess — could possibly be.”
Garza also hopes the book’s positive themes will counter some of the unfortunate social messages young girls can absorb about their worth.
“I think for so many little girls, when we’re little, we start trying to make ourselves worthy of others. We start placing our worth on things — whether
it’s our looks, or wanting boys to like us, or our grades, or how good we are at sports,” noted Garza. “I really wanted to set the foundation for little girls that their worth is intrinsic — because they are daughters of God.”
As both author and illustrator — twin creative tasks she also applied to “The Story of St. John Paul II: A Boy Who Became Pope” (Pauline Books) — Garza is able to conceive a project from start to finish.
“I love to be able to do both. I love writing — it’s a different kind of paintbrush,” she observed. “I love doing the research. That’s a very spiritual experience for me as well because I get to really dive deep into the writings of saints — their thoughts; letters; whatever was said of them.”
On the final pages of “Princesses of Heaven,” the question is asked, “Princess, what is your path to Heaven?” It’s an invitation for readers, despite their young age, to discern.
“I want a little girl to know that her path is her own; that it’s okay if her path looks different from somebody else. That as long as she is faithful to God and saying yes to God, that it’s her very own adventure,” Garza emphasized. “And she doesn’t have to see these saints as far-off figures — but as friends who are helping her become a saint.” †
MOVIE RATINGS By OSV News
A-I – SUITABLE FOR ALL
• Despicable Me 4 (PG)
A-II – SUITABLE FOR OLDER CHILDREN
• Harold and the Purple Crayon (PG)
A-III – ADULTS AND ADOLESCENTS
• AfrAId (PG-13)
• Horizon: An American Saga –Chapter 1
• Fly Me to the Moon (PG-13)
• It Ends With Us (PG-13)
• Trap (PG-13)
• The Convert (NR)
• Twisters (PG-13)
L – LIMITED MATURE AUDIENCE
• Alien: Romulus (R)
• Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F. (R)
• Longlegs (R)
O – MORALLY OFFENSIVE
• Blink Twice (R)
• Deadpool & Wolverine (R)
• Maxxxine (R)
• The Crow (R)
OSV NEWS PHOTO
Author and illustrator Fabiola Garza brings the stories of inspiring saints to life in “Princesses of Heaven: The Flowers,” published by Word on Fire Spark.
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SEPTEMBER 10
WOMEN’S SPEAKER SERIES, 7 p.m., Holy Rosary (3617 Milam St., Houston). University of Dallas campus minister Shelby Ponikiewski speaks about “Infertility: Childless Marriage is Still Good, Valid and Holy.”
INTRODUCTION MEETING, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Mother of Perpetual Help Retreat Center (3617 Milam St., Houston). Marian Servants of the Incarnate Wisdom host annual “Taste and See” event, which includes praise and worship, a group presentation and light refreshments. Register: marianservantshouston.org.
SEPTEMBER 13
SUPER BINGO, 7 p.m., St. Francis of Assisi (5102 Dabney St., Houston). Ten games of Bingo. Cost: $20 pre-sale; $25 at the door. ewagnerw@ gmail.com.
SEPTEMBER 13-14
SEMINAR, Friday 6:30 to 9 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to noon, St. Laurence Ave Maria Center, Marian Hall (3103 Sweetwater Blvd., Sugar Land). St. Laurence in Sugar Land hosts “The Call to Discipleship: A Live Seminar” with Dr. Edward Sri, popular author and speaker who will discuss discipleship with Jesus. Cost: $40.
SEPTEMBER 14
SPAGHETTI DINNER, 5 to 8 p.m., St. Theresa Church Community Center (705 St. Theresa Blvd., Sugar Land). Sugar Land Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court St. Theresa of Lisieux #2211 host a spaghetti dinner with $12 plates with homemade meat sauce, salad, bread, dessert and drink. Tickets available at door. Raffle.
SEPTEMBER 15
FESTIVAL, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Our Lady of Sorrows (3006 Kashmere St., Houston). Festival begins with 10 a.m. Mass followed by Marian procession and festival at noon, with live music, food, games and a raffle. 713-673-5600; ourladyhouston.org.
BAZAAR, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., St. Cyril and Methodius (603 Parrott Ave., Damon). Music starts at 10 a.m. with the M&M Playboys. $15 barbecue beef and sausage plates with all the trimmings, with service at 10:30 a.m. Auction begins at 1 p.m. in the pavilion. Event features games, face painting, Bingo, pastries, silent auction, homemaker’s market and more.
BAZAAR, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., St. Peter the Apostle (6220 La Salette Dr., Houston). Barbecue dinner, music, Bingo, prizes, games, raffle, kids’ games and more. 713-747-7800.
Parent” speaks about “Raising Children with Disabilities: Suffering and Joy.”
SEPTEMBER 18-19
RETREAT, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Cameron Retreat Center at St. Dominic (2403 Holcombe Blvd., Houston). Family Life Ministry hosts formation for Ministers of Consolation teaching how to accompany grieving people in the light of Christ’s love and receive tools and resources to start a parish comfort group. 281-741-8710; aaranda@archgh.org.
SEPTEMBER 20-22
MEN’S AA GATHERING, Friday 6 p.m. to Sunday 12:30 p.m., Holy Name Passionist Retreat Center (430 Bunker Hill Rd., Houston). Alcoholics Anonymous men’s retreat is a three-day 12-Step study weekend for men working 12-step programs, providing an opportunity to grow spiritually and participate with others. Cost: $265; $250 for 65 and older. registrar.holyname@passionist.org; holynameretreatcenter.com.
SEPTEMBER 21
DANCE, 8 p.m. to 1 a.m., St. Martin de Porres (12606 Crosby Lynchburg Rd., Barrett). A birthday and anniversary dance honors special guests. Honorees may reserve tables for eight for $120 each. Cost: $15 pre sale/$20 door. stmartinbarrett.org.
“Al-Anon” is a three-day 12-Step study 12-step programs, providing an opportunity
to
and submit to the TCH
SEPTEMBER 28-29
, Monday, 6:30 to 8:15 p.m.; Tuesday,
An evening of prayer, group sharing, and dinner with parish priests for young men ages 14 – 18.
SEPTEMBER 22
BAZAAR, 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., St. Gregory the Great (10500 Nold Dr., Houston). Event includes raffles, food, drinks, music/bands, games, rides and more.
SEPTEMBER 24
WOMEN’S SPEAKER SERIES, 7 p.m., Holy Rosary (3617 Milam St., Houston). Dr. Jessie DiCarlo, a physician who specializes in adult and child psychiatry, speaks about “Women’s Mental Health: Before, During and Post-Partum.”
SEPTEMBER 25
RELIC TOUR, 2 to 8 p.m., St. John Vianney (625 Nottingham Oaks Trail, Houston). Venerate Relic of the Blood of St. John Paul II. SCNH. Vocations@gmail.com; SerraClub.ClubExpress. com/NHoustonJP2Relic.
SEPTEMBER 26
RELIC TOUR, 2 to 8 p.m., Ascension Chinese Mission (4605 Jetty Ln., Houston). Venerate Relic of the Blood of St. John Paul II. SCNH. Vocations@gmail.com; SerraClub.ClubExpress. com/NHoustonJP2Relic.
SEPTEMBER 27
RELIC TOUR, 2 to 8 p.m., Christ the Good Shepherd (18511 Klein Church Rd., Spring). Venerate Relic of the Blood of St. John Paul II. SCNH.Vocations@gmail.com; SerraClub. ClubExpress.com/NHoustonJP2Relic.
SEPTEMBER 28
FESTIVAL, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., St. Jerome (8825 Kempwood Dr., Houston). Event includes live music with “Grupo Zenzio,” food, petting zoo, includes display of Astros Championship baseball trophies and visit by Astros Shooting Stars. Free entry. stjeromehou.org.
RELIC TOUR, 8 a.m. to noon, St. Matthias the Apostle (302 S. Magnolia Blvd., Magnolia). Venerate Relic of the Blood of St. John Paul II. SCNH.Vocations@gmail.com; SerraClub. ClubExpress.com/NHoustonJP2Relic.
RELIC TOUR, Saturday 4 to 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 to 9 p.m., Holy Family (1510 5th St., Missouri City). Venerate Relic of the Blood of St. John Paul II. SCNH.Vocations@gmail.com; SerraClub. ClubExpress.com/NHoustonJP2Relic.
BAZAAR, Saturday noon to 10 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., St. Christopher (8150 Park Place Blvd., Houston). 100th Annual Bazaar includes games, music, food, drinks, family fun and a raffle. Free entry. 713-645-6614; dtorres@ stchristopherhouston.org.
SEPTEMBER 29
BAZAAR, 10:30 a.m., Sealy Columbus Club Hall (1310 US Hwy 90 West, Sealy). Immaculate Conception in Sealy hosts a bazaar with $15 barbecue plates for dine-in, to-go and drivethru. Live auction at 1 p.m.
BARBECUE FUN DAY, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., St. Phillip Neri (10960 Martin Luther King Blvd., Houston). Event features $15 chicken and sausage barbecue and $20 brisket plates with music and Bingo. 713-734-0320.
SEPTEMBER 30
PRESENTATION, 6 p.m., Christ the Redeemer (11507 Huffmeister Rd., Houston). “Called to Faithful Citizenship” features speaker Rhonda Sepulveda from Catholic Charities talking about forming consciences; teaching those entrusted to care; contributing to civil and respectful public dialogue; and shaping political choices in the coming election in light of Catholic teaching. ctrcc.com.
MOVIE SCREENING, 6 p.m., University of Houston Student Center Theater (4455 University Dr. #103/203, Houston). The University of Houston Catholic Newman Center hosts a free screening of “Love God’s Will,” a film about Father Ryan Staiwaisz. Dinner served at 6 p.m., with movie at 7 p.m. followed by a panel discussion. uhcatholic.org.
GOLF TOURNAMENT, 9 a.m., South Shore Harbour Country Club (4300 South Shore Blvd., League City). Charity golf tournament benefits St. Paul the Apostle in Nassau Bay. Cost: $125 per golfer, breakfast, lunch and prizes included. 832-4280163; stpaulcatholic.org.
OCTOBER 2
HOLY HOUR, 7 to 8 p.m., Sacred Heart (507 S 4th St., Richmond). Vocation Adoration Hour on the first Wednesday of the month to pray for vocations with Sacraments of Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick. 281-342-3609; sacredhrt.com.
OCTOBER 4-6
WOMEN’S RETREAT, Friday 6 p.m. to Sunday 12:30 p.m., Holy Name Passionist Retreat Center (430
Bunker Hill Rd., Houston). “Jubilant Pilgrims: Prepare, Pray, Profess, Praise” is a three-day day women’s retreat with Mass, Reconciliation, conferences and prayer. Parish groups, mother/ daughters (16+) and individuals welcome. Cost: $265. registrar.holyname@passionist.org.
OCTOBER 5
PRAYER MEETING, 11 a.m. to noon, Emmaus Spirituality Center (12211 Memorial Dr., Houston). A contemplative prayer meeting is held every first Saturday of the month to practice silent prayer. Cost: Free. emmausspiritualitycenter.com.
OCTOBER 5-6
FESTIVAL, Saturday noon to 9 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., St. Ignatius of Loyola (7810 Cypresswood Dr., Spring). Parish festival includes food, games, Bingo, shopping, live and silent auctions, raffle tickets and more. silcc.org/fall-festival.
FESTIVAL, Saturday noon to 10 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., St. Edith Stein (3311 N. Fry Rd., Katy). Founder’s Day Festival celebrates 25 years with live music, international food and drinks, silent auction, raffle, country store, inflatables and more. stedithstein.org.
OCTOBER 6
CZECH FESTIVAL, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Crosby Fairgrounds (14900 FM 2100, Crosby). Sacred Heart in Crosby hosts event with barbecue dinner, games, snacks, caricatures and a live auction. shcrosby.org/czech-fest-news.
FESTIVAL, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Queen of Peace (1224 Cedar Dr., La Marque). Event includes games, food, a live auction, silent auction, a raffle, music and folklore dancers. Free admission. queenofpeacelamarque.org.
WORKSHOP, 1 to 3:30 p.m., Emmaus Spirituality Center (12211 Memorial Dr., Houston). Maureen Bacchi presents “Culture’s Challenging Voice
OCTOBER 11-13
MEN’S RETREAT, Friday 6 p.m. to Sunday 12:30 p.m., Holy Name Passionist Retreat Center (430 Bunker Hill Rd., Houston). “Jubilant Pilgrims: Prepare, Pray, Profess, Praise” is a three-day day retreat that includes Mass, Reconciliation, conferences and time for private prayer. Parish groups, father/sons (16+) and individuals are welcomed. $265. registrar.holyname@ passionist.org.
OCTOBER 12-13
BAZAAR, 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, St. Martin de Porres (12606 Crosby Lynchburg Rd., Barrett). Event includes Sunday entertainment with Keyun & Zydeco Masters at 12:30 p.m. and Step Rideau & Zydeco Outlaws at 4:30 p.m. Cost: $5 gate fee, $20 kids’ games fee. Food and drinks for sale. stmartinbarrett.org.
BAZAAR, Saturday 5 to 10 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., St. Laurence (3100 Sweetwater Blvd., Sugar Land). Event includes a corn maze, half court hoops, nine-hole mini golf, carnival games, giant games, Bingo, cake walk, kids’ games and more. stlaurence.org/parish-bazaar.
FESTIVAL, Saturday 3 to 8 p.m. and Sunday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Christ the King (4419 N Main St., Houston). Event includes food booths, kids’ games, raffle and live entertainment featuring Abraham Salas on Sunday from 4 to 6 p.m. Food and drink tickets are $1. 713-869-1449; ctkcc.org.
OCTOBER 13
BAZAAR, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., St. Stanislaus Kostka (1511 Hwy. 90 South, Anderson). The 70th annual homecoming and bazaar includes a barbecue dinner at 11 a.m., games, booths, kids’ games, homemade items in country store, live auction, free 150-year history books, 1917 church open for viewing, live Polish music and dancing with Brian Marshall and the Texas Paradise Band. 936-873-2291; saintstans.org.
“Rejoice
St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Church Spring, TX
MILESTONES
Four profess vows with CCVI
OF THE SISTERS OF CHARITY OF THE
Sister Minh Ngoc Tran, Sister Maruca Ramirez Lopez, Sister My Ngoc Nguyen and Sister Noella Alice Kashemwa Nshobole, made their First Profession of Vows with the Sisters of
Aug. 3.
HOUSTON — Sister Maruca Ramirez Lopez, Sister My Ngoc Nguyen, Sister Minh Ngoc Tran and Sister Noella Alice Kashemwa Nshobole made their First Profession of Vows with the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, Houston (CCVI), on Saturday, Aug. 3, at the Villa de Matel. They vowed to God chastity, poverty and obedience according to the constitutions of the congregation. CCVI sisters, family members and friends from many countries attended the beautiful Eucharistic celebration, which was celebrated by Father Trung Nguyen and concelebrated by five other priests. Sister Celeste Trahan, CCVI congregational leader, received their vows. †
Houston sister professes perpetual vows
NASHVILLE — A sister of the Dominican Sisters of Saint Cecilia Congregation in Nashville, Tennessee, professed perpetual vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience on July 25. Among those who made their Perpetual Profession was Sister Mary Laura Hebert, O.P., a former parishioner of Prince of Peace Catholic Community in the Archdiocese.
The Mass for the Rite of Perpetual Religious Profession was celebrated at the Cathedral of the Incarnation in Nashville. and Father Victor Perez, pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Houston, concelebrated. †
COURTESY OF THE DOMINICAN SISTERS OF ST. CECILIA Prince of Peace Catholic Church former parishioner Sister Mary Laura, O.P., made her perpetual profession of vows as a Dominican Sister of Saint Cecilia Congregation on July 25.
St.
Faustina
celebrates a decade since its founding
on Aug. 17. To mark the milestone, Daniel Cardinal
celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving at St. Faustina Parish. A celebration followed.
St. Hyacinth rededicated after tornado repairs
Texas Catholic Herald earns six international media awards for design, reporting, photography
Little Tex says congrats!
ATLANTA — The Texas Catholic Herald took one first-place award and six Catholic Media Awards overall at the 2024 Catholic Media Conference, which took place June 18 to 21 at the Marriott Buckhead Hotel in Atlanta.
The conference, sponsored by the Catholic Media Association (CMA), is a chance for Catholic communications professionals, journalists, public relations experts, videographers and digital media specialists to showcase their work.
A photograph by James Ramos won first place in the “priesthood, religious life or diaconate” photography category, which featured Deacon Carlos Hernandez of St.
Faustina Parish in Fulshear kiss his stole that was handed to him by Deacon Rey Croson, also of St. Faustina, during a Mass of Ordination to the Permanent Diaconate at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in 2023.
Judges said the photo had “excellent composition capturing emotion.”
The 2022 Archdiocesan annual report earned a second-place award, with judges describing the publication as “nicely organized, easy to follow and a good read.”
A series of stories by Ramos, Rebecca Torrellas and Jo Ann Zuñiga that reported on the priesthood, religious life and the diaconate won a third-place award, with judges noting
that the coverage was a “combination of well-written and illustrated articles [that] provide guidance for all.”
Also, other photography by Ramos earned a pair of second-place awards and third-place recognition for coverage of Easter celebrations in the Archdiocese, World Youth Day in Lisbon and Catholic students celebrating Go Texan Day. Judges said the photos featured “nice candid, evocative portraits of those involved.”
The CMA awards program allows Catholic journalists, authors, publishers and media professionals to showcase their work from the previous year among their peers in the U.S. and Canada. †
PHOTO
PHOTO COURTESY
INCARNATE WORD, HOUSTON
Charity of the Incarnate Word, Houston at the Conventual Chapel of the Immaculate Conception at the Villa de Matel on Saturday,
PHOTOS COURTESY OF ST. FAUSTINA CATHOLIC CHURCH IN FULSHEAR
St. Faustina Catholic Church in Fulshear celebrated its 10-year anniversary
DiNardo
PHOTO COURTESY OF ST. HYACINTH CATHOLIC CHURCH IN DEER PARK
Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, along with Father Reginald Samuels, St. Hyacinth pastor, and parishioners, rededicated St. Hyacinth Catholic Church’s new parish office and education building Sunday, Aug. 11, when renovations were completed after a devastating tornado in January 2023 badly damaged the Deer Park-area church complex.
