A focus on the Eucharist carries Catholics in faith through the year
▪ SEE PAGES 8 & 9
JUBILEE YEAR BEGINS
10 things you need to know as the “Pilgrims of Hope” Jubilee Year of 2025 kicks off this month
▪ SEE PAGES 10 & 11
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Jesus is the path and destination for Jubilee pilgrims, pope says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis called on Catholics to focus their Holy Year 2025 pilgrimages on Jesus Christ, who is both the path and destination for Christian hope.
At his general audience Dec. 18, the pope began a new series of talks on “Jesus Christ our hope,” which he announced will be the theme for his weekly catechesis throughout the Jubilee Year, which is set to begin with the opening of the Holy Door in St. Peter’s Basilica Dec. 24.
Jesus “is the destination of our pilgrimage, and He Himself is the way, the path to be traveled,” he said in the Vatican audience hall. Walking across the stage
to his seat rather than using a wheelchair as he had previously done, Pope Francis stopped to pray before a relic of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, the 19th-century French saint who was the subject of an apostolic exhortation published by the pope in 2023.
After aides read the genealogy of Jesus from St. Matthew’s Gospel in various languages, the pope explained that “the genealogy is a literary genre that is suitable for conveying a very important message: No one gives life to him- or herself but receives it as a gift for others.”
Unlike the genealogies in the See VATICAN, page 2
Little Tex says
Éclairs for Thérèse Bake a tribute to the Little Flower with this chocolate and rose éclair recipe
▪ SEE PAGE 7
MINISTRY
‘La
Morenita’ carries light of Christ in Advent
BY JO ANN ZUÑIGA Herald Correspondent
HOUSTON — The beating of drums and feathered swirling of costumed Azteca and matachin dancers praised Jesus Christ and His human tabernacle, Mother Mary as the Virgen de Guadalupe among local Advent and Christmas celebrations.
The Archdiocesan procession began Dec. 7 at Discovery Green in downtown Houston at 7 a.m. from McKinney and LaBranch streets, winding its way to the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, 1111 St. Joseph Pkwy., on a rainy, blustery day.
Auxiliary Bishop Italo Dell’Oro, CRS, presided over the 9 a.m. Mass with Father Jeffrey Bame concelebrating. Afterward, groups of dancers and musicians from various Catholic churches across the Archdiocese performed across the street
CNS PHOTO/LOLA GOMEZ
The Christmas tree is seen with a red and white candy cane pattern in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican Dec. 7. According to the Vatican, a small Italian mountain town of Ledro in the province of Trento donated this year’s Christmas tree, a 95-foot red pine, to adorn St. Peter’s Square a tradition that began with St. John Paul II in 1982. Also seen under the Vatican Obelisk is this year’s Nativity scene, which depicts Mary and Joseph under a mud and thatch hut. Mary is shown holding a lily until Christmas Eve, when a statue of baby Jesus is added.
GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST
See GUADALUPE, page 5
OUR CATHOLIC FAITH ALIVE
CNS PHOTO/VATICAN MEDIA
Pope Francis blesses a baby playing Jesus after greeting people portraying Mary and Joseph in a living Nativity scene at Rome’s Basilica of St. Mary Major Dec. 14.
A Shepherd’s Message
By Daniel Cardinal DiNardo
“Promise fills the sky with light, Stars, and angels dance in flight; Joy of heaven shall now unbind Chains of evil from mankind. Love and joy their power shall break, And for a newborn prince’s sake, Never since the world began Such a light such dark did span.”
— Ralph Vaughan Williams, “Hodie,” Musical Cantata for Christmas, 1954
Darkness and chains of evil seem to be the way many people today describe our current world situation of war, hunger and wicked deeds. Perhaps they might look at the times 2,000 years ago and find analogous perils of violence and human malice. The simple stanza above from Vaughan Williams’ beautiful Christmas cantata, “Hodie,” which means “Today!,” summarizes in a succinct chorale the history and sad plight of human beings.
But the chorale is positive, even joyful: its opening word is “Promise.”The promise is the word of God the Father, who, through many dark ages and seemingly crooked paths, was always guiding the Jewish people towards fulfillment, a completion that would bring an end to chains
El Cardenal Daniel DiNardo comparte su columna en línea en español. Visite www.archgh.org para leer su artículo en línea.
of oppression, sin and darkness. In the last days, God has sent His SON, the Word Made Flesh, whose coming makes joy arise everywhere and, if possible, even makes the angels “dance.”
Joy and Love, the gifts of the Infant Christ, break the power base of evil, of discord, of separation! Once the power base is broken, the ongoing work and formation of bringing such joy and love to the surrounding world begins. It spans the entire cosmos! Never since the world began had there been such light shining in the world. The light on the face of the Infant Christ melts human beings once they see it. They are renewed. Hope is aroused.
If you want some empirical proof of this fact, look at the face of the Virgin Mary, pay attention to her words of beautiful obedience, and listen to her voice singing that extravagant Magnificat.
We are to become disciples of Hope. Pope Francis is opening a Holy Year on Christmas Eve, and the theme of the year is HOPE. I know that we in this Archdiocese will be attentive to such a call and invitation!
Merry Christmas! †
Old Testament, which mention only male figures, St. Matthew includes five women in Jesus’ lineage, Pope Francis noted. Four of the women are united “by being foreigners to the people of Israel,” the pope said, highlighting Jesus’ mission to embrace both Jews and Gentiles. The mention of Mary in the genealogy “marks a new beginning,” Pope Francis said, “because in her story it is no longer the human creature who is the protagonist of generation, but God Himself.”
In St. Matthew’s Gospel, the genealogy typically describes lineage by stating that a male figure “became the father of” a son. However, when it
St. Mary’s Seminary 9845 Memorial Dr. Houston, TX 77024
comes to Mary, the wording shifts: “Of her was born Jesus who is called the Messiah.”
Through His lineage to David, Jesus
is destined to be the Messiah of Israel, but because He is also descended from Abraham and foreign women, He will become the “light of the Gentiles” and “savior of the world,” Pope Francis said, citing Scripture.
“Brothers and sisters, let us awaken in ourselves the grateful memory toward our ancestors,” he said, “and above all, let us give thanks to God who, through Mother Church, has begotten us to eternal life, the life of Jesus, our hope.”
In his greeting to pilgrims after his main talk, Pope Francis briefly reflected on his Dec. 15 day trip to the French island of Corsica to close a theology conference on popular religiosity.
“The recent trip in Corsica, where I was so warmly welcomed, particularly struck me for the fervor of the people” who do not treat faith as a “private matter,” he said, as well as “for the number of children present, a great joy and a great hope.” †
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TCH PUBLISHING SCHEDULE
Issue date: January 14, 2025
Deadline: Noon on December 24
Issue date: January 28, 2025
Deadline: Noon on January 7, 2025 Editorial
VATICAN, from page 1
CNS PHOTO/PABLO ESPARZA
Pope Francis greets actors portraying Mary, Jesus and Joseph in a living Nativity scene at Rome’s Basilica of St. Mary Major Dec. 14.
VATICAN NEWS
THE FIRST WORD
ON THIS HOLY NIGHT THE ANCIENT PROMISE IS FULFILLED
An Christmas reflection from St. John Paul II
“Dum medium silentium teneret omnia...”– “While earth was rapt in silence and night only half through its course, your almighty Word, O Lord, came down from His royal throne” (Antiphon to the Magnificat, Dec. 26).
On this holy night, the ancient promise is fulfilled: the time of waiting has ended and the Virgin gives birth to the Messiah. Jesus is born for a humanity searching for freedom and peace; He is born for everyone burdened by sin, in need of salvation and yearning for hope.
On this night, God answers the ceaseless cry of the people: Come, Lord, save us! His eternal Word of love has taken on our mortal flesh. “Your Word, O Lord, came down from His royal throne”. The Word has entered into time: Emmanuel, God-with-us, is born.
In cathedrals and great basilicas, as well as in the smallest and remotest churches throughout the world, Christians joyfully lift up their song: “Today is born our Savior” (Responsorial Psalm).
Mary “gave birth to her first-born Son and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger” (Lk 2:7). This is the icon of Christmas: a tiny newborn child, whom the hands of a woman wrap in poor cloths and lay in a manger. Who could imagine that this little human being is the “Son of the Most High” (Lk 1:32)? Only she, His Mother, knows the truth and guards its mystery.
On this night, we, too, can “join” in her gaze and so recognize in this Child the human face of God. We, too — the men and women of the third millennium — are able to encounter Christ and gaze upon Him through the eyes of Mary. Christmas night thus becomes a school of faith and of life.
In tonight’s second reading, the Apostle Paul helps us to understand the Christ-event that we celebrate on this radiant night. He writes: “The grace of God has appeared,
offering salvation to all men” (Titus 2:11).
The “grace of God” appearing in Jesus is God’s merciful love, which dominates the entire history of salvation and guides it to its definitive fulfillment. The self-revelation of God who “humbled Himself to come among us as a man” (Preface of Advent, I) is the anticipation, here on earth, of His glorious “appearing” at the end of time (cf. Titus 2:13).
But there is more. The historical event that we are experiencing in mystery is the “way” given to us as a means of encountering the glorious Christ. By His incarnation, Jesus teaches us, as the Apostle observes, “to reject godless ways and worldly desires, and live temperately, justly and devoutly in this age as we await our blessed hope” (Titus 2:12-13).
EMBRACING
CHRISTMAS
The Child laid in a lowly manger: this is God’s sign. The centuries and the millennia pass, but the sign remains, and it remains valid for us, too — the men and women of the third millennium.
It is a sign of hope for the whole human family, a sign of peace for those suffering from conflicts of every kind, a sign of freedom for the poor and oppressed, a sign of mercy for those caught up in the vicious circle of sin; a sign of love and consolation for those who feel lonely and abandoned. A small and fragile sign, a humble and quiet sign, but one filled with the power of God who, out of love, became man. †
— An excerpt from the Dec. 24, 2002 Midnight Mass homily given by St. John Paul II.
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PASTORAL APPOINTMENT
Effective November 27
Father Julio Cesar Leal Martinez
Parochial Vicar - St. Juan Diego Catholic Church, Pasadena
BRIEFS
Archdiocesan Mass celebrates the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.
HOUSTON — The Archdiocese will honor the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and remember his call to achieve peace through service to one another at its annual Mass at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, 1111 St. Joseph Pkwy., in Houston.
Catholics from all 10 counties of the Archdiocese will celebrate King’s legacy at the 40th annual Archdiocesan Mass honoring his birthday, which will be celebrated by Daniel Cardinal DiNardo as principal celebrant and Deacon Will Hunter of St. Ignatius of Loyola as homilist. A reception will follow in the Cathedral Centre. †
Archdiocesan young adult pilgrimage to Rome, Assisi celebrates Jubilee year
HOUSTON — Pope Francis has declared that 2025 will be a Jubilee year, and all young adults, ages 18 to 39, are welcome to register for the Archdiocesan pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi to participate. The Office of Young Adult and Campus Ministry is partnering with Verso Ministries to offer a pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi for the Jubilee from July 27 to Aug. 6, 2025.
This pilgrimage offers an opportunity to explore the rich history of Rome, walk through the holy doors for the Jubilee year, attend the canonization Mass for Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati, participate in Adoration and Mass with Pope Francis, and visit the home of Sts. Francis and Clare of Assisi. Cost for the trip is $3,881 per person (flights not included). A deposit of $500 is due upon registration. The remaining payments can be spaced out. All payments are due to Verso Ministries by March 31, 2025.
Spaces are limited on this trip. For more information or to register, visit www.archgh.org/yapilgrimage. †
Café Catholica Lite set for Jan. 30, 2025
HOUSTON — The Office for Young Adult and Campus Ministry will host the next Café Catholica Lite at St. Faustina Parish, located at 28102 FM 1093 in Fulshear, on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, from 7 to 8:45 p.m.
The talk titled “Why Love Hurts: Discerning Love Beyond Experiences” will be given by Father Kingsley Nwoko, STL, Th.D., administrator at St. Albert of Trapani Church. He will share his insights on discerning the vocation of marriage and growing in love as a virtue. The night will include snacks, a presentation, Q&A and prayer.
The Café Catholica program helps young adults ages 18 to 39 encounter Christ and His Church. For more information, contact the Office for Young Adult and Campus Ministry at yacm@archgh.org or 713-741-8778 or visit www. archgh.org/cafecatholica. †
Registration for Feb. 8 race continues
HOUSTON — Registration is open for the 20th Annual Steps for Students 5K Run/Walk, held Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in downtown Houston. The event raises funds and awareness for the network of Catholic schools in the Archdiocese.
The event will start with Mass at 7 a.m., followed by the presentation of the David Guite Spirit Award. The timed 5K race will begin at 8:30 a.m.; a post-race party will follow the event along with the Catholic School Village. To register, visit www.steps4students.org. †
OSV NEWS PHOTO/DEBBIE HILL
A Palestinian Christian prays in the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, West Bank, Dec. 17, 2023. The church is built on what is believed to be the site where Jesus was born.
LOCAL
Concert series fills underground Houston cistern with sacred sounds
The Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart’s Schola Cantorum brings sacred sounds to Houston cistern. ▪
Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock.
The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear.
The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:
“Glory
to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom
His favor rests.”
— Luke 2:8-14
HONORING LA VIRGEN DE GUADALUPE
GUADALUPE, from page 1
from the Co-Cathedral at the Archbishop Joseph Fiorenza Plaza.
“We celebrate La Morenita (Spanish for brown-skinned) as the casita sagrada (sacred house) for the light of Jesus Christ,” said Patricia Morales, president of the Archdiocese’s Association of Guadalupanos.
Jesus Coronado of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Manvel was among the hundreds of dancers participating in the procession. Wearing a feathered headdress, Coronado said, “We [honor] our Mother and her Son with music and dancing.”
This Marian tradition honors the time starting Dec. 9, 1531, on a hill near a rural village just outside Mexico City, when the Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe, appeared to a humble peasant Juan Diego on his way to Mass to celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary. She appeared to him several times through Dec. 12, asking him to convince the bishop to build a church on that hill honoring her Son.
She arranged roses within the native’s cloak and told him this would be the sign that he should present to the bishop. When Juan Diego opened the cloak or tilma to show the flowers, the bishop was presented with a miraculous imprinted image of Our Lady of Guadalupe that still exists and is exhibited in Mexico City.
Parishes around the Archdiocese and the world celebrated the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, including Houston’s historic Our Lady of Guadalupe Church on Navigation in the East End. Drawing thousands of pilgrims over two days, the church celebrated with multiple Masses on Wednesday, Dec. 11, and Thursday, Dec. 12, including a midnight Mass at the church’s outdoor plaza. Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Rosenberg also hosted a series of Masses and events to honor the parish’s namesake.
As the holiday season progressed, parishes also re-enacted Spanish posadas and nativity plays of Mary and Joseph traveling to Bethlehem for the census that eventually led to the birth of Christ. Among those events, Sacred Heart Church in Conroe hosted a live nativity on Dec. 20 that included a posada and treats. †
OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE - HOUSTON
PRINCE OF PEACE
ST. ROSE OF LIMA
CO-CATHEDRAL OF THE SACRED HEART
CO-CATHEDRAL OF THE SACRED HEART
Retired clergy find care, community of faith at Fiorenza Priest Retirement residence
BY KERRY MCGUIRE Herald Correspondent
HOUSTON — For many priests and deacons who have dedicated their lives to answering God’s call to serve His flock, transitioning into retirement can bring uncertainty. At the Archbishop Joseph A. Fiorenza Priest Retirement Residence, these committed servants of Christ find not only a home but a community that honors their lifetime of service and focuses on nurturing their spiritual and pastoral hearts.
Leading the ministry is John Descant, director of Clergy Pastoral Outreach of the Archdiocese, who, with his team, oversees the care and well-being of the retired priests residing at the residence, which is located at St. Dominic Village in the Texas Medical Center. Supported by the Diocesan Services Fund (DSF), the ministry provides independent, assisted living and nursing care while ensuring the retired clergy and lay residents receive the physical, emotional and spiritual support they need.
“I encourage the faithful in the Archdiocese to donate to the annual DSF appeal, as many ministries like ours depend on it to fulfill Christ’s call to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked and welcome strangers,” Descant said. “We can’t fulfill Christ’s directive without the DSF. The Fiorenza Priest Retirement Residence and Pastoral Clergy Outreach need this support and prayers.”
organizations. The clergy remains engaged through visits, phone calls, mailings and other activities, which ensures their well-being and creates a secure, healthy and hopeful environment.
meaning for her and her family.
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
DIOCESAN SERVICES FUND
Descant’s team, which includes a secretary, elder care specialist, and driver and aide, ensures the retired clergy stay connected to the Archdiocese and receive the necessary care.
“My team works daily with the clergy who live here, helping with their needs, such as doctor visits, taking them to the store, helping them get things they need for their ministry to parishes, convents, or people across the street at St. Dominic’s,” he said.
the ministry helps maintain a strong connection with the Archdiocese through regular communication, special events and partnerships with community
Gloria Portillo, secretary of the Fiorenza Priest Retirement Residence, is part of Descant’s team and experiences firsthand the joys and challenges the retired clergy face. With eight years of experience in the Archdiocesan Office of Aging Ministry, she has developed a deep understanding of their needs and life journeys.
Portillo considers her work with the retired clergy a blessing and deeply appreciates their enduring commitment to the Archdiocese.
“Working with the retired priests and deacons has made me realize they are just as human as the rest of us,” she said. “They are still fully committed to offering all the help they can to us and being a source of communication through Christ.”
One of Portillo’s most memorable experiences was when Archbishop
“It was an amazing blessing to have Archbishop Fiorenza with my family,” said Portillo.“It was a small gathering, yet you could feel the presence of the Holy Spirit. The way he spoke and opened up to us was something I will remember forever.”
Portillo finds it beautiful to witness the faithful in the Archdiocese giving back to the retired clergy, honoring their years of selfless service and care. She takes joy in seeing the priests laugh and engage with former parishioners and other visitors who regularly come to the facility.
“I am inspired each day to work here and serve our retired priests and others living in the nursing home,” Portillo said. “Sometimes they need a little bit of light. Even though they’re retired, they still need to see more people from their previous communities actively engaging with them from time to time.”
As the Fiorenza Priest Retirement Residence facility approaches its 10-year anniversary, maintaining the buildings and replacing essential furnishings — such as mattresses, power lift recliners and chairs — have become a priority. Descant stressed that the annual DSF appeal plays a crucial role in supporting these efforts, funding trips for the priests, covering administrative needs, and essentials for celebrating the Liturgy and Sacraments.
In addition to supporting the DSF,
This video series brings to life the ministry featured in these stories. Hear from people personally impacted by God’s grace through these DSF ministries.
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Portillo encouraged the faithful in the Archdiocese to stay connected through regular visits to the retired clergy. Simple gestures, like writing a card or letter or sharing a meal, remind the priests that they are remembered and valued.
“They need to know they are still remembered and can remain active — not just within a parish, but also within their families and homes,” Portillo said. “After all they’ve given to our Archdiocese, it’s important that we give something back.”
To learn more about the Archbishop Joseph A. Fiorenza Priest Retirement Residence and Clergy Pastoral Outreach, call 713-440-3436 or visit the website at www.archgh.org/clergyoutreach.
To donate to the DSF, which supports over 60 ministries, go to www.archgh. org/DSF. Every dollar donated to the DSF directly supports these ministries, including direct services and education, which rely on this vital funding. †
HERALD FILE PHOTO
Priests who live at the Archbishop Joseph A. Fiorenza Priest Retirement residence are among those benefiting from the Clergy Pastoral Outreach Ministry of the Archdiocese.
A NEW YEAR’S RECIPE
Chocolate & Rose Éclairs
BY BROTHER ANDREW CORRIENTE, OFM
Special to the Herald
Clear the kitchen, this one’s a little complicated! On St. Thérèse of Lisieux’s deathbed, it’s said she longed for a chocolate éclair. This recipe uses a creamy pastry cream that would be easy for the dying soon-to-be saint to eat. It will be topped with a thick chocolate glaze to satiate her sweet tooth.
The éclair will be decorated with edible rose petals because of her love of roses. This recipe is a perfect finish to the Jan. 1 end of Christmas Octave because Jan. 2 is St. Thérèse’s birthday! Other suggested dates include May 17, her canonization day, and Oct. 1, her feast day. For recipe pictures and more tips, visit www.archgh.org/holidayrecipes. † –
Brother Andrew Corriente is a Capuchin Franciscan friar in formation for the priesthood. He is the winner of the fifth season of ABC’s “The Great American Baking Show: Holiday Edition.”
PREPARATION AND INGREDIENTS
CHOUX PASTRY (CREAM
PUFF DOUGH)
Preheat oven to 425°F. Line baking tray with parchment paper. Draw 13 5’’ long lines spacing them about 2’’ apart. Flip the parchment over so that the markings are underneath but still visible. Fit a piping bag with a 1’’ coupler or cut a 1’’ hole in a piping bag. Place bag in a tall glass, folding ¼ - ½ of the bag over the glass itself; this’ll help you fill the bag with the dough better.
• 135 grams whole milk
• 135 grams water
• 120 grams unsalted butter (cut into 1/2’’ cubes) *cold is fine
• 3/4 tsp sugar
• 1/4 tsp fine sea salt
Bring to a boil in saucepan on high heat
• 155 grams bread flour
Once boiling reduce heat to low and add all the flour. Use a wooden spoon to stir the mixture vigorously for two minutes until crust forms at the bottom of pan. Transfer to a bowl in a stand mixer with a paddle attachment and beat on medium speed for one minute
• 225 grams eggs (4-5 eggs) *It’s crucial to get the right amount of eggs in weight; this part can ruin the whole pastry. Whisk eggs in a separate bowl then slowly pour it into mixer that’s running on medium speed. Beat until it’s completely mixed together. Scrape the bowl and mix again for 30 seconds to ensure it’s all mixed. When you lift your spatula a “V” shape should form. Fill the pastry bag with the dough (best to fill the bag only ½ to 2/3 so it’s easier to control). Lift the bag up and gently shake it to encourage the batter to reach down to the tip. Twist the top of the bag to seal the bag). Use the line markings to pipe your éclairs.
Bake at 425°F for 10 mins then 375°F for 25 mins (Tip: Do not open the oven no matter how tempting, this will cause your pastry to collapse!) When done, pierce two holes at the bottom with a small paring knife. Bake again at 375°F for 7-10 mins to crisp the éclair.
GANACHE TOPPING
• 320 grams finely chopped bittersweet chocolate (Use a bittersweet chocolate that you love; something that is not too sweet, and you can have more of)
• 320 grams heavy cream
Place chocolate a large bowl. Then, put heavy cream in a saucepan and heat over medium heat. Wait until the mixture forms bubbles all over. Remove from the heat and immediately pour it on top of the chocolate. Tap the bowl gently against the surface and let sit for one minute. Using a
flexible spatula, stir the mixture until it’s a thick, glossy chocolate mixture.
CHOCOLATE “MOUSSE”
• 250 grams ganache
Set aside 250 grams of the made ganache in a separate bowl.
• 500 grams heavy cream
• 2 tbs sugar
• ¼ tsp fine sea salt
Whip this in a stand mixer until it forms stiff peaks. When you lift the whisk up, you should see a peak of cream form at the end. The peak should remain standing up stiff when you flip the whisk upside down. Add 1/3 of the heavy cream into the ganache and using a flexible spatula, mix until most of the cream is incorporated. Add another 1/3 and this time fold the cream in; gently scoop the mixture from the side toward the middle bottom then lift up folding that mixture onto the top. Do this until there are no more white streaks of cream. Fold in the last 1/3 mixture. Do this until there are no more white streaks of cream.
ASSEMBLY
Using a sharp serrated knife, cut the éclairs in half lengthwise, making sure to keep the tops next to the correct éclair. Gently dip the top half into ganache, allow the ganache to drip, then use the edge of the bowl to swipe off extra. Place it next to its appropriate bottom half, repeating until you’ve done them all. Prep a piping bag with a 1’’ tip or a star tip of your choosing. Place “mousse” into piping bag, lifting the bag up and gently shake it up and down to encourage the batter to reach the tip. Twist the top of the bag to seal the bag and pipe the mousse into the éclair bottoms. When you pipe, place your dominant hand at the top your pastry and your non-dominant hand at the piping tip. Use your dominant hand to squeeze the bag and your non-dominant steady it
Decorate with edible rose petals for Thérèse of Lisieux, which can be plucked from your garden or purchased online or at most supermarkets. Place the tops and the bottoms in the fridge for 15-20 minutes to firm up (do dishes and pray while you’re waiting for this).
Once cold, add the tops to the bottoms, and with God’s blessing, you’ll have a treat for yourself and St. Thérèse!
BR. ANDREW’S PRO TIPS: Using a scale helps you be more accurate. Don’t skimp on the bread flour. Read the recipe carefully and twice. Take your time... and it’s okay if you mess up! †
2024: A YEAR in REVIEW
A look back at some of the biggest stories of 2024
HOUSTON — As 2024 comes to a close, we bring to a close a historical year in Houston, from a glorious solar eclipse to destructive storms. In the Archdiocese, we honored some of Houston’s iconic civil rights leaders, welcomed Mazie McCoy as our new superintendent of Catholic Schools and embraced the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage and Congress.
Here are these and other stories that made 2024 a year to remember.
Archdiocese taps new Catholic schools, CFO leadership
At the end of January, two new leaders were chosen as superintendent of Catholic Schools and as chief financial officer of the Archdiocese.
On Jan. 29, Daniel Cardinal DiNardo named Mazie McCoy, Ed.D., as the next superintendent of Catholic schools. McCoy has more than 30 years of educational experience and previously served as principal of St. Mary of the Purification Catholic School from 2003-2014 and Corpus Christi Catholic School from 2014-2022.
McCoy succeeded Superintendent Debra Haney, Ed.D., who retired at the end of June.
Then, on Feb. 1, Cardinal DiNardo
appointed Rose Michalec to serve as chief financial officer of the Archdiocese. Michalec has served as controller for the Archdiocese since 2013. She has more than 30 years of experience in accounting and finance. She holds a BBA in accounting from the University
of Houston and is a certified public accountant.
It wasn’t a full eclipse, but it was still enthralling
Though the Archdiocese did not fall in the path of totality of what was dubbed “the Great American Eclipse” on April 8, God seemed to part the cloudy skies in time for many Catholics in the Archdiocese to witness the partial phenomenon and students to conduct science experiments, Archdiocesan school officials said.
St Peter Catholic Career & Technical High School offers students their choice of Academic Career & Technical Pathway in Business, Construction, Education, and Information Technology
Admissions applications are being accepted for next school year
From Huntsville to Galveston and everywhere in between, hundreds of thousands donned eclipse glasses and stared at the (cloudy) heavens, hoping to see the deep partial eclipse when the moon covered more than 90% of the sun.
A partial eclipse was visible throughout all 48 contiguous U.S. states, while a total solar eclipse was visible along a narrow track stretching from Texas to Maine.
Samuel Karff of Congregation Beth Israel and the late Archbishop Joseph A. Fiorenza, was a champion of civil rights and a bold preacher of God’s love in action. Together, Archbishop Fiorenza, Rabbi Karff and Rev. Lawson were known as “The Three Amigos.”
Houston Catholic groups provide aid after derecho, hurricane slashes region
Financial Aid is available to qualifying families Individual family tours of the school are available by appointment
Archbishop Fiorenza Plaza opened, dedicated
In a special rite, Cardinal DiNardo sprinkled holy water during a dedication ceremony for the new Archbishop Joseph A. Fiorenza Plaza at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart on April 13 in Houston to officially open the new plaza, which provides a gathering space for parishioners and events at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart.
The statue, which sits at the center of the plaza, was originally located by the old Sacred Heart Co-Cathedral off Pierce Street. The 1930s zinc-based statue was fully restored to its original form.
On May 16, a strong line of sudden thunderstorms, dubbed a “derecho,” brought lightning, hurricane-force winds and floods, knocking out power for almost 2.5 million homes, businesses and parishes in the Archdiocese. The 100-mph winds shredded homes and businesses in a 70-mile span of the region. The storms, which caused the Archdiocese to postpone four adult confirmation Masses because of the widespread destruction and power outages, claimed at least eight lives.
Less than two months later, Hurricane Beryl brought close to a foot of rain to Greater Houston in under 12 hours when it made landfall near Matagorda on July 8.
Built as a sacred space in downtown Houston for Houstonians, Catholic and non-Catholic alike, the dedication and blessing officially opened the new plaza and brought to fruition a vision of the late Archbishop Fiorenza who died in 2022.
Archdiocese honors Houston civil rights icon Rev. Lawson
Cardinal DiNardo spoke at the May 24 funeral in honor of Houston icon Reverend William “Bill” Alexander Lawson Jr., who died May 14 at the age of 95.
The second-named storm of the 2024 hurricane season caused transformers to explode, leaving over 3 million homes and businesses without power. Catholic aid organizations in the Archdiocese — including Catholic Charities, the Knights of Columbus, and the Society of St. Vincent De Paul — overcame power outages to bring aid to those hardest hit and offer long-term support. The hurricane cut a damaging path through eastern Texas and left at least eight people dead.
Texas Catholic Herald carries 60-year legacy of Catholic media into the future
On May 14, the Texas Catholic Herald marked its 60th anniversary — to the day, the first issue was printed on May 14, 1964 — of reporting on Catholic information and evangelization in Texas and beyond. The
The founder of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church in Houston’s Third Ward, along with the late Rabbi
PHOTO BY JAMES RAMOS/HERALD
At left, Daniel Cardinal DiNardo sprinkles holy water during a dedication ceremony for the new Archbishop Joseph A. Fiorenza Plaza at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart on April 13 in Houston. At right, Cardinal DiNardo lays his hands on Father Viet Nguyen during a June 1 presbyteral ordination Mass in Houston.
REV. BILL LAWSON
Herald reported news from the Vatican, Galveston Island to as far as Tyler, Beaumont and Victoria.
The Texas Catholic Herald derives its name in part from a Catholic newspaper that began publishing in Galveston almost 150 years ago. The Texas Catholic was published in 1876 by the Church and printed by Shaw and Blaylock of East Strand St. in Galveston, according to records.
Once the largest weekly newspaper in Texas, the TCH was originally printed on press machines located in the basement of the Downtown Chancery. Today, the publication is still printed on Texas press machines, just now in full-color and with a lineup of digital offerings online and on social media. The anniversary prompted the return of the newspaper’s cowboy mascot, Little Tex.
National Eucharistic Pilgrimage, Congress inspires thousands in Texas and beyond
In an epic celebration of both Corpus Christi Sunday and the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage, a June 2 procession was the culmination of a series of events in the Archdiocese that drew thousands of Catholics from Houston and all over the world — some coming from as far as Canada and New York — to celebrate and embrace Jesus in the Eucharist. Throughout the four-day visit, families with children, men and women religious, couples and people from a cross-section of Galveston-Houston’s diverse faith communities turned out to encounter the pilgrimage.
2024 BY THE NUMBERS
3 MEN ORDAINED TO THE PRIESTHOOD
3 ARCHDIOCESAN PARISHES THAT HOSTED THE NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC PILGRIMAGE
2,080 ADULTS CONFIRMED AT EPIPHANY AND PENTECOST
3 PERPETUAL PILGRIMS FROM GALVESTON-HOUSTON WHO WALKED NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC PILRIMAGE
including St. Laurence in Sugar Land, the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart and Holy Family Parish’s St. Mary Cathedral Basilica in Galveston, and the University of St. Thomas for special events of prayer, testimony and Eucharistic Adoration and processions.
Rice University Ph.D. student Mackenzie Warrens walked alongside fellow Houstonian Camille Anigbogu on the St. Juan Diego Route towards their final destination: the National Eucharistic Congress, held in Indianapolis July 17 to 21. There, they joined some 60,000 congress participants — representing 50 U.S. states, 17 countries, and various Eastern and Western churches and speaking over 40 languages — for the five-day congress with its impact sessions, breakout sessions, special events, revival nights with Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction and beautifully celebrated reverent Masses.
The St. Juan Diego Route of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage, which began its journey to Indianapolis at the Texas border city of Brownsville, arrived in the Archdiocese, where it visited three Archdiocesan parishes,
In Indiana, they also reunited with Chima Adiole, another Houstonian, who walked in the western St. Junipero Serra route that began in California. More than 500 pilgrims from at least 62 Archdiocesan parishes attended the congress, including some 20 chancery staff, five seminarians, 20-plus priests and many deacons and women religious.
Every day of the congress began with most attendees joining in beautifully and reverently celebrated Eucharistic Liturgies in
1,170+ PRIESTS WHO CONCELEBRATED MASSES AT THE NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS
16:32 WINNING 5K RACE TIME AT STEPS FOR STUDENTS
62+ PARISHES REPRESENTED IN LOCAL PILGRIMS AT THE NAT’L EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS
2,364 CANDIDATES AND CATECHUMENS WHO JOINED OR ENTERED THE CHURCH AT EASTER
the stadium and convention center. Other morning and evening Masses were held at nearby sites in different languages, such as Spanish, Vietnamese and Tagalog, or in different forms, such as the Byzantine rite or the older usage of the Roman rite.
Auxiliary Bishop Italo Dell’Oro, CRS, concelebrated a July 18 Mass presided by Bishop Bohdan Danylo of the Ukrainian Eparchy of St. Josaphat in Parma, Ohio, and Archbishop Borys A. Gudziak of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy. Cardinal DiNardo, who gave an address during a special workshop, and Bishop Dell’Oro also concelebrated a July 20 Holy Qurbana, the Syro-Malabar form of the Eucharistic Liturgy, prayed in English, which was presided by
The highlight came July 20 as tens of thousands of Catholics, including hundreds from GalvestonHouston, followed behind a truck-pulled, flower-rimmed float carrying the Blessed Sacrament for a mile-long Eucharistic procession that ended at the iconic Indiana World War Memorial Plaza.
As pilgrims, including many from GalvestonHouston bearing banners, flags and rosaries, made their way into the plaza’s park, many knelt on the grass or the sidewalks. There, people knelt, wept or raised their arms, or simply sat, or stood, and contemplated the Blessed Sacrament. †
Bishop Mar Joy Allapat of St. Thomas Eparchy of Chicago, with Archbishop Gudziak as homilist.
10 things to know about Jubilee 2025, the Holy Year that begins Dec. 24
BY MARIA WIERING
Special to the Herald
VATICAN CITY (OSV News) — Signs around the Eternal City declare “Roma si trasforma” — “Rome is transformed” as an explanation for the ubiquitous infrastructure projects underway, including the restoration of iconic landmarks, sculptures and monuments, ahead of Jubilee 2025, a Holy Year that begins Christmas Eve.
While the metropolis is seizing the opportunity for renewal, that is ultimately the Jubilee’s expectation for the entire Church.
“For everyone, may the Jubilee be a moment of genuine, personal encounter with the Lord Jesus, the ‘door’ ... of our salvation, whom the Church is charged to proclaim always, everywhere and to all as ‘our hope,’” Pope Francis wrote in the document that officially declared the year. Here are 10 things to know about the upcoming Jubilee Year:
1A Jubilee year, also known as a “holy year,” is a special year in the life of the Church currently celebrated every 25 years. The most recent ordinary Jubilee was in 2000, with Pope Francis calling for an Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy in 2015-2016. Jubilee years have been held at regular intervals in the Catholic Church since 1300, but they trace their roots to the Jewish tradition of marking a Jubilee year every 50 years.
According to the Vatican, these years
in Jewish history were “intended to be marked as a time to re-establish a proper relationship with God, with one another, and with all of creation, and involved the forgiveness of debts, the return of misappropriated land, and a fallow period for the fields.”
2
The Jubilee 2025 opens Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, at 7 p.m., with the rite of the opening of the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican immediately before Pope Francis celebrates midnight Mass. Holy Doors will also be opened at Rome’s three other major basilicas: St. John Lateran on Dec. 29, St. Mary Major on Jan. 1, and St. Paul’s Outside the Walls on Jan. 5.
A Holy Door will also be opened Dec. 26 at Rebibbia Prison, a Roman prison Pope Francis has visited twice before to celebrate Mass and wash inmates’ feet on Holy Thursday.
The doors represent the passage to salvation Jesus opened to humanity. In 1423, Pope Martin V opened the Holy Door in the Basilica of St. John Lateran — the Diocese of Rome’s cathedral — for the first time for a Jubilee. For the Holy Year of 1500, Pope Alexander VI opened Holy Doors at Rome’s four main basilicas. At the end of a holy year, the Holy Doors are formally closed and then bricked over by masons.
3
The theme of the Holy Year is “Pilgrims of Hope.”The papal bull, issued May 9, that introduced the coming Jubilee Year is titled “Spes Non
Confundit,” or “Hope does not disappoint,” drawn from Romans 5:5.“Everyone knows what it is to hope,” Pope Francis wrote. “In the heart of each person, hope dwells as the desire and expectation of good things to come, despite our not knowing what the future may bring.
“Even so, uncertainty about the future may at times give rise to conflicting feelings, ranging from confident trust to apprehensiveness, from serenity to anxiety, from firm conviction to hesitation and doubt,”he continued.“Often, we come across people who are discouraged, pessimistic and cynical about the future, as if nothing could possibly bring them happiness. For all of us, may the Jubilee be an opportunity to be renewed in hope. God’s word helps us find reasons for that hope.”
Pope Francis also hopes the year draws Catholics toward patience, which he described as a “virtue closely linked to hope,” yet can feel elusive in “our fastpaced world, we are used to wanting everything now.”
4
Drawing on their Jewish roots, Jubilee years emphasize the Sacrament of Reconciliation and restoring relationships with God. They also provide an opportunity for a special Jubilee indulgence, which can remove the residual effects of sin through the grace of Christ.
5
The year calls Christians to action. Pope Francis called for “signs of hope” in the JubileeYear, including the desire for peace in the world, openness to life and responsible parenthood, and closeness to prisoners, the poor, the sick, the young, the elderly, migrants and people “in difficult situations.” Pope Francis has called on affluent countries to forgive the debts of countries that would never be able to repay them and address “ecological debt,” which he described as “connected to commercial imbalances with effects on the environment and the disproportionate use of natural resources by certain countries over long periods of time.”
6
Expect an influx of pilgrims in the Eternal City in Italy. Tourism officials project 35 million visitors in 2025, nearly triple its 13 million visitors in 2023.
Pilgrimages are a “fundamental” part of Jubilee events, Pope Francis said in “Spes Non Confundit:” “Setting out on a journey is traditionally associated with our human quest for meaning in life. A pilgrimage on foot is a great aid for rediscovering the value of silence, effort and simplicity of life.”
He noted that Jubilee pilgrims are likely to visit Rome’s Christian catacombs and its seven pilgrim churches — the basilicas of St. Peter, St. Mary Major, St. John Lateran, St. Paul Outside the Walls, St. Lawrence, Holy Cross and St. Sebastian — destinations St. Philip Neri
popularized in the 16th century with a 15mile walk. Twelve other Roman churches, including the Sanctuary of Divine Love in southeast Rome, are designated “Jubilee churches” intended as gathering spots for pilgrims during the Jubilee.
7
Major events are happening in Rome, including Jubilee gatherings with Liturgies, speakers and papal audiences to celebrate different groups within the Church.
The first is the Jubilee of the World of Communications Jan. 24 to 26, followed by the Jubilee of the Armed Forces, Police and Security Personnel Feb. 8 to 9. The Jubilee also includes gatherings for artists (Feb. 15 to 18), deacons (Feb. 21 to 23) and even marching bands (May 10 to 11). Some of these special gatherings will coincide with major canonizations, such as the canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis during the Jubilee of Teenagers April 25 to 27, and the canonization of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati during the Jubilee of Young People July 28 to Aug. 3.
Expect some events to highlight the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, from which Christians received the Nicene Creed. This year, despite different liturgical calendars, the dates for celebrating Easter align in the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church, leading some, including Pope Francis, to call for a “decisive step forward towards unity around a common date for Easter,” which was discussed in 325 at the Council of Nicaea.
8
Expect Rome to sparkle and shine. Many famous sites and artworks in Rome and at the Vatican have been cleaned or restored for the Jubilee, much to the chagrin of many tourists in 2024, who found major monuments obscured by fencing, scaffolding and tarps. Many of those projects are expected to be completed with a fresh-face reveal in time for the Jubilee. In October, St. Peter’s Basilica revealed its newly restored baldacchino, designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini in the 1600s, after 10 months of work. Also receiving cleaning or restoration are Michelangelo’s Pietà, Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers in Piazza Navona, and Bernini’s angels on the Ponte Sant’Angelo.
9
While many Jubilee events will take place in Rome and at the Vatican, it’s a celebration for the whole Church. On Dec. 29, local bishops are expected to open the HolyYear locally with Masses at their cathedrals and cocathedrals. Catholics are encouraged to make pilgrimages to their cathedral and other sites during the year.
While Pope Francis encouraged bishops to designate Holy Doors for their own cathedrals during the Jubilee Year of Mercy in 2015, there will only be Holy Doors at the Vatican and in Rome this year and not in each diocese.
10
The Jubilee Year concludes with the closing of the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica Jan. 6, 2026, on the feast of the Epiphany. However, the Holy Doors at Rome’s other major basilicas will close Dec. 28, 2025, the same day dioceses are expected to end local celebrations of the Holy Year.
The Jubilee Year also looks ahead to 2033, when the Church will mark the 2,000th anniversary of Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection, which Pope Francis called “another fundamental celebration for all Christians.” †
PILGRIMS OF HOPE: JUBILEE 2025
7 ways to celebrate Jubilee 2025 without leaving Texas
HOUSTON (OSV News) — As many as 35 million visitors are expected in Rome in 2025. Many of them will be pilgrims for the upcoming Jubilee, a holy year the Church celebrates every quarter-century. While numerous events are planned in Rome and at the Vatican to mark the Jubilee 2025, this Holy Year is for the whole Church.
Here are some ways to celebrate without traveling farther than a trip downtown or to Galveston Island.
1. GO TO RECONCILIATION
Reconciliation and righting relationships are at the heart of the Church’s holy years, making the Sacrament of Reconciliation a key component of this year. In the papal bull announcing the year, Pope Francis called the Sacrament of Reconciliation “the essential starting point of any true journey of conversion.” Call your parish or visit its website to learn about confession resources and times.
2. READ THE JUBILEE DOCUMENT
Issued in May, “Spes Non Confundit” is the papal bull of indiction Pope Francis promulgated for the 2025 Jubilee Year. With the Holy Year’s theme being “Pilgrims of Hope,” it includes a scriptural reflection on hope, as well as an explanation of the meaning of a Jubilee year; ideas and encouragement for Christians living out the Holy Year; appeals for accompaniment, mercy and charity for various people in need; and some of the key events and anniversaries the Holy Year will observe. Find a link
to the document online at archgh.org/ jubilee2025.
3. MAKE A PILGRIMAGE
In “Spes Non Confundit,” Pope Francis counts among the Jubilee Year’s “pilgrims of hope”those“who, though unable to visit the City of the Apostles Peter and Paul, will celebrate it in their local churches.” “Pilgrimage is, of course, a fundamental element of every Jubilee event,” he wrote. “Setting out on a journey is traditionally associated with our human quest for meaning in life. A pilgrimage on foot is a great aid for rediscovering the value of silence, effort and simplicity of life.”
While traditional pilgrimage routes to Rome and in Rome itself are expected to be well-trod during the Holy Year, Catholics can also make pilgrimages to their own parishes or cathedrals for prayer, confession or Mass.
4. PRAY THE JUBILEE PRAYER
Pope Francis has issued a special Jubilee prayer. At 139 words in English, the prayer is easily incorporated into the daily prayers of an individual or a family. Among its stanzas is the phrase, “May the grace of the Jubilee reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope, a yearning for the treasures of heaven.” The prayer can be found online at archgh.org/jubilee2025.
5. PERFORM WORKS OF MERCY
In “Spes Non Confundit,” Pope Francis asks Catholics “to be tangible signs of hope for those of our brothers and sisters who experience hardships of any kind.” He specifically mentions prisoners, a
The Dinner Party
Saturday, February 8
tickets & information
www.catholicliteraryarts.org/the-dinner-party
Featuring
Mark Brumley
President & CEO, Ignatius Press
Dinner at 6 pm
Cathedral High School’s Pope Benedict XVI Hall 7726 Westview Drive
JUBILEE OF HOPE OPENING MASSES
SUNDAY, DEC. 29 AT 11 A.M.
Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart
1111 St. Joseph Pkwy., Houston
Celebrant: Daniel Cardinal DiNardo
SUNDAY, DEC. 29 AT 12:30 P.M.
St. Mary Cathedral Basilica 2011 Church St., Galveston
Celebrant: Auxiliary Bishop Italo Dell’Oro, CRS
group he has highlighted by designating a Jubilee Holy Door at Rome’s Rebibbia Prison.
He also mentions signs of hope are needed by the sick, the young, migrants, the elderly and grandparents, and the poor. The Holy Year should inspire Catholics to increase their exercise of the corporal works of mercy — feeding the hungry, giving water to the thirsty, clothing the naked, sheltering the homeless, visiting the sick, visiting the imprisoned and burying the dead.
Consider volunteering at your parish assistance ministries, your local soup kitchen and food pantry, or praying for those in prisons. Contact the Archdiocesan Correctional Ministries at 713-741-8732 to learn how you can support those in incarceration.
6. REVIEW THE RESOURCES
The Vatican, the USCCB and the Archdiocese have online resources with
information about the Church’s global and local celebrations of the Jubilee. They include information about the Jewish roots of Jubilee years, their history in the Catholic Church, and how to spiritually prepare to receive the Jubilee Indulgence.
The Vatican website (iubilaeum2025. va) includes a video of a choir performing “Pilgrims of Hope,” the Jubilee’s official hymn. With text written by Monsignor Pierangelo Sequeri, an Italian theologian and musicologist, the refrain focuses on the theme of hope: “Like a flame, my hope is burning, may my song arise to you: Source of life that has no ending, on life’s path I trust in you.”
Other resources can be found online at archgh.org/jubilee2025.
7. PRACTICE HOPE
In “Spes Non Confundit,” Pope Francis underscores that the hope the Jubilee offers is for the universal Church. “In the heart of each person, hope dwells as the desire and expectation of good things to come, despite our not knowing what the future may bring,” he wrote.
Hope, he said, comes from Christ, and Christians deepen their hope through prayer, the Sacraments and growing in virtue. “For everyone, may the Jubilee be a moment of genuine, personal encounter with the Lord Jesus, the ‘door’ (cf. Jn 10:7.9) of our salvation, whom the Church is charged to proclaim always, everywhere and to all as ‘our hope’ (1 Tim 1:1),” he wrote. †
Sister Jean Marie Guokas, C.V.I.
HOUSTON — Sister Jean Marie Guokas, C.V.I., who celebrated her celebrated her Diamond Jubilee, 75 years of professing vows as a member of the Congregation of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament, died on Saturday, Nov. 23. She was 94 years old.
She entered the Congregation of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament on June 6, 1946, at the age of 15, and made her perpetual profession of vows on Aug. 15, 1952.
Sister Guokas began her ministry as an elementary and high school teacher in several schools throughout the Archdiocese, including serving as principal at Incarnate Word Academy from 1964 to 1978. She served as the general superior of her congregation from 1986 to 1994. After her congregational service, she was the director of religious education at St. Mary Parish in La Porte and for 14 years at St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Houston until her retirement in 2011.
A funeral Mass was held on Saturday, Nov. 30, at Villa de Matel Chapel. Interment is in Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery. †
Sister Dympna Lyons, C.V.I.
HOUSTON — Sister Dympna Lyons, C.V.I., a member of the Congregation of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament, died on Wednesday, Dec. 11. She was 94 years old.
She served for 25 years as an elementary teacher and principal in the dioceses of Austin, Beaumont and in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. During the next 27 years, she served as a director of religious education, hospital chaplain and pastoral minister at St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Houston.
A funeral Mass was held on Wednesday, Dec. 18, at Villa de Matel Chapel. Interment is in Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery. †
Father James Ramsey
HOUSTON — Father James Ramsey died on Wednesday, Nov. 27. He was 80 years old.
Ordained a priest on April 7, 1984, Father Ramsey served as pastor for the parishes of St. Nicholas, St. Philip Neri, St. Michael in Needville, and Sts. Cyril and Methodius in Damon. He was also pastor of Our Lady of Walsingham. He retired on April 30, 2012.
A Requiem Mass followed by a reception was held on Dec. 20 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Walsingham. †
Monsignor Daniel Scheel
HOUSTON — Monsignor Daniel Scheel died on Sunday, Dec. 1. He was 80 years old.
Ordained a priest on Dec. 19, 1969, Monsignor Scheel served as parochial vicar of Holy Family Parish in Wharton, parochial vicar of Holy Rosary Parish in Rosenberg, on the staff of the Office of the Tribunal, parochial vicar of St. Patrick Parish in Galveston, vice-officialis of the Office of the Tribunal, parochial vicar of St. Augustine Parish, chancellor of the Archdiocese and pastor of St. Jerome Parish in Houston. He also served as the vicar forane of the Northwest Deanery and as the episcopal vicar of the Western Vicariate. Monsignor Scheel retired on Aug. 4, 2021.
A funeral Mass was held on Dec. 11 at St. Jerome Catholic Church in Houston. Interment is in Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery. †
IN MEMORIA
Pray for the following priests whose anniversaries of death are during the month of January.
Jan. 1, 1945
Jan. 1, 1959
Jan. 1, 1973
Jan. 1, 1976
Jan. 1, 2019
Jan. 1, 2022
Jan. 2, 2013
Jan. 3, 2006
Jan. 3, 2012
Jan. 4, 1999
Jan. 5, 1955
Jan. 5, 1955
Jan. 5, 1994
Jan. 5, 2019
Msgr. J.S. Murphy
Rev. Joseph L. Willett, CSB
Rev. C. Laumer Schoppe
Rev. Wilfred C. Sharpe, CSB
Rev. Serafin Cejudo
Rev. John McGinnis
Rev. Joseph Shannon, CSB
Rev. Charles E. Burns
Rev. John Broussard, CSB
Rev. Marvin A. Hebert
Msgr. E.A. Kelly
Rev. Bertrand Abell, CP
Rev. Charles V. Patronella
Rev. Frank Fabj
Jan. 6, 2020 Rev. Jose Mandadan
Jan. 7, 1975
Jan. 7, 1997
Jan. 12, 1878
Jan. 12, 1969
Rev. Hugh J. Haffey, CSB
Rev. Sylvester Posluszny
Rev. Rudolph Krc
Rev. Carl M. Allnoch, CSB
Jan. 16, 1976 Rev. T.W. Kappe
Jan. 16, 1981
Msgr. Francis H. Connor
Jan. 16, 2003 Rev. Donald McNally, OMI
Jan. 16, 2015
IN BRIEF
Msgr. P. Le-Xuan-Thuong
Jan. 16, 2005 Rev. William P. Somerville
Jan. 17, 2004 Rev. Gerard Joubert, OP
Jan. 17, 2011 Msgr. Eugene Cargill
Jan. 17, 2021 Most Rev. Vincent Rizzotto
Jan. 18, 1975 Rev. David Max
Jan. 18, 2005 Rev. Walter Kaelin,cp
Jan. 19, 1955 Rev. Cornelius P. Sullivan
Jan. 19, 1996 Msgr. Edward S. Missenda
Jan. 19, 1997 Rev. Mark That Tran
Jan. 19, 1997 Rev. James F. Wilson, CSB
Jan. 21, 1918 Bishop Nicholas A. Gallagher
Jan. 22, 2006 Rev. Charles A. Christopher CSB
Jan. 24, 1926 Msgr. James M. Kirwin
Jan. 25, 1967 Rev. John D. Sheehy, CSB
Jan. 25, 1976 Msgr. Timothy T. Cronin
Jan. 25, 1978 Rev. Harold C. Perry, CSB
Jan. 25, 2002 Rev. Gary F. Wanzong
Jan. 26, 1882 Rev. James Miller
Jan. 28, 1917 Rev. Clement Lowrey
Jan. 29, 2000 Rev. Robert E. Lamb, CSB
Jan. 30, 1929 Rev. M. Heintzelmann
Jan. 30, 1993 Rev. J. Jesus Medrano, OSA
Jan. 31, 1969 Rev. Finan Glynn, OCARM
Prince of Peace hosts Eucharistic Revival conference on Jan. 18
HOUSTON — As part of a series of events inspired by the National Eucharistic Revival, Prince of Peace Parish, located at 19222 TX 249 in northwest Houston, is hosting a Eucharistic conference on Jan. 18.
Called “SENT,” an acronym for “Summon the faithful, empower their spirit, nurture their faith and transform the world,” the one-day conference begins with a bilingual Mass at 9 a.m. celebrated by Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, followed by two keynote addresses by Bishop Brendan J. Cahill of the Diocese of Victoria and Father Victor Perez, pastor of St. Joseph and St. Stephen Parishes in Houston, who is one of two Eucharistic Preachers in the Archdiocese.
A variety of breakout sessions are set to be presented in English and Spanish. The conference is scheduled to conclude by 4 p.m. Father Tom Ponzini, pastor of Prince of Peace, said the “SENT” name of the conference is about building a community focused on promoting spiritual growth and worship for parishioners, faith formation, especially about the True Presence, and responding “to the universal call to a life of evangelization and service.”
The deadline for $15 early registration is Jan. 5. On Jan. 6, registration increases to $20. Registration includes breakfast snacks and lunch and all conference programming.
To register and see the full schedule, including session titles and topics, visit www. pophouston.org/sent. †
EDUCATION
IN ACADEMICS
IWA senior chosen to participate in national U.S. senate youth program
HOUSTON — Incarnate Word Academy (IWA) senior Bella Garza is one of two Texas students chosen to participate in the United States Senate Youth Program, a educational experience for outstanding high school students.
Each student selected also receives a $10,000 college scholarship. Selected students demonstrate extraordinary leadership qualities, stellar academics and a desire to participate in the American democratic process.
The 63rd annual U.S. Senate Youth Program will be held in Washington, D.C., on March 1 to 8, 2025. During that week, Garza will hear major policy addresses by U.S. senators, cabinet members, officials from the Departments of State and Defense and directors of other federal agencies, as well as usually participate in meetings with the U.S. president and a justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. During her visit, Garza may also have the chance to meet with Texas U.S. senators during a reception.
The Senate Youth Program, established in 1962, supports students who plan to pursue careers in public service. Students are nominated by their high school principal or student council advisors. The highly selective program includes students who are leaders with strong communication and interpersonal skills and the initiative to respond to group needs.
Garza is IWA’s student body president and is a National Merit Commended Scholar. Known for its outstanding Young Leaders Program, IWA is the president school for the Texas Association of Student Councils, with Garza serving as the state leader. †
PRINCIPALS ATTEND ANNUAL LEADERSHIP RETREAT
OF THE
Principals of Catholic schools around the Archdiocese gathered for their annual leadership retreat, “Catholic Schools Leadership Retreat Houston,” on Dec. 4 at Mary Queen Catholic Church in Friendswood. The event featured presentations by Father Clark Sample and Father Ricardo Arriola. The retreat culminated in a Mass celebrated by Daniel Cardinal DiNardo.
BELLA GARZA
PHOTO COURTESY
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS OFFICE
YOUTH
How to help teens navigate stress, manage expectation during Christmas
As Christmas approaches, the excitement of the season fills our homes, schools and communities. The sounds of holiday music, the sparkle of decorations and the anticipation of family gatherings are all part of the season’s festivities. However, amidst the joy and festivity, Christmas can also bring a unique set of challenges for teens. Parents play a crucial role in helping their teens navigate these pressures, balancing the joys of the season with the need for mental and emotional well-being.
For teens, the holiday season can be a time of mixed emotions. Many teens feel a heightened expectation to participate in gift exchanges, social gatherings and family traditions, which can sometimes be overwhelming. Additionally, the holidays may amplify any existing stressors, like academic pressure or concerns about family finances. Teens may worry about being able to afford gifts or feel self-conscious about their family’s financial situation if they see peers receiving extravagant presents. For some teens, Christmas can also bring feelings of sadness or loneliness, especially if they’re dealing with family separations, losses or strained
by
relationships.
While it’s impossible to eliminate all holiday pressures, there are ways to help your teen manage them more effectively. Open, honest communication and gentle guidance can help them find balance and meaning during the season. First, set realistic goals around gift-giving. Talk openly about your family’s budget and help them understand that the true spirit of Christmas isn’t about material gifts but about love and generosity. This can relieve financial stress and allow them to focus on the joy of giving from the heart rather than meeting social standards.
Second, carve out time for relaxation and downtime. The holiday season is packed with activities, from school concerts to family gatherings. It’s easy for teens to feel overwhelmed with a full schedule. Help your teen prioritize downtime, and suggest activities that
help them relax, like reading a book, going for a walk, or spending quiet time with family. Make it clear that it’s okay to say no to certain events or obligations if they’re feeling stretched too thin.
Third, encourage them to take time for prayer and reflection. Christmas is a time to celebrate Christ’s birth, not a time to be overwhelmed by the rush of holiday activities and expectations. Encourage them to spend a few minutes in prayer each day, reflecting on what they’re thankful for and asking for peace and guidance.
Fourth, emphasize peace of imperfection. Many teens feel pressured to make every holiday experience “perfect,” whether it’s finding the right gift, creating the ideal social media post, or meeting everyone’s expectations. Remind your teen that perfection isn’t the goal of Christmas — peace is. Encourage them to let go of unrealistic standards and instead embrace the season as it is, with its imperfections.
Fifth and final, intentionally cultivate quiet family moments. Sometimes, the most meaningful moments during Christmas are the simplest ones: baking cookies together, attending Christmas
Mass, or having a quiet family dinner. Create intentional family traditions that prioritize quality time over quantity of gifts and activities. These moments reinforce the message that Christmas is about connection, love and celebrating Christ’s arrival, not meeting external expectations.
For Catholic families, Christmas is not just a holiday; it’s a holy season that celebrates and remembers the birth of Jesus Christ and the great love of God the Father for all of us, His adopted children. This sacred aspect can serve as a grounding force, helping teens focus on their faith as a source of peace and resilience. By creating a supportive, faith-centered environment, parents can help their teens approach the season with joy, balance and a deeper appreciation for what truly matters. Seek to make this holiday season a time of faith, growth, connection and lasting memories that will support your teen’s mental health well into the new year. †
Brian Henritze is an associate director in the Office of Adolescent Catechesis and Evangelization.
BRIAN HENRITZE
COLUMNISTS
Born for greatness
Around the world, across countries, among churches and neighborhoods, and within many homes, the spirit of Christmas is once again alive. What a beautiful reminder! Although Christmas has become increasingly linked with consumerism, we need to pause and focus on the hidden treasure that surpasses most materialistic aspects of the season.
While meditating on the Gospel of Christ the King Sunday a few weeks ago, this particular verse, “… For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth” (Jn 18:37) visually spoke to me. All at once, the incarnation of Christ and its connection to His Paschal Mystery became more transparent to me than in previous years. Obviously, Jesus’ birth foreshadowed His death. According to Jewish traditions, myrrh was for embalming, and swaddling clothes was for wrapping a corpse.
At that point during my meditation, my heart sank as I felt both grief and gratitude: grief, for all those years I only
by SISTER MARIA GORETTI NGUYEN, OP
focused on the joyful aspect of Christmas; gratitude, for God now unfolding the true meaning of Christmas — Jesus’ gift of self to humankind.
The first Christmas was the event that changed the course of human history. God became man in the person of Jesus to dwell among us, to accompany us in our everyday situations, to comfort us, and ultimately to die for our sins. What an unconditional and sacrificial love!
This sentiment powerfully resonates in Michael W. Smith’s song, Above All, originally written by Lenny LeBlanc and Paul Baloche.
Some lyrics of the song, reprinted here with permission, include:
Above all powers
Above all kings
Above all nature and all created things
“The first Christmas was the event that changed the course of human history.”
Above all wisdom and all the ways of man
You were here before the world began
Crucified
Laid behind the stone
You lived to die
Rejected and alone
Like a rose trampled on the ground
You took the fall
And thought of me
Above all
Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, who later became Pope Benedict XVI, affirmed the greatness of Jesus’ life was to testify to the truth, which cost Him His life.
Indeed, Jesus is a total gift of self to the world. The Divine took the initiative to
What is consecrated virginity?
come into the world and embrace it. Even though Jesus’ life was full of adversaries from the moment of His conception to His last breath, He did not lose heart, for He knew the purpose of His birth/life.
Similarly, God has a purpose for each of our lives. “For I know well the plans I have in mind for you — oracle of the Lord — plans for your welfare and not for woe, so as to give you a future of hope” (Jer 29:11).
As you view the nativity scene this Christmas, be cognizant of your purpose in life. You were born for mission; for greatness. Take some quiet time to meditate and pray that you renew a sense of hope and love for God, yourself and others. By doing so, you will live in a world of greater serenity and trust and as Pilgrims of Hope in the spirit of our upcoming Jubilee Year 2025. †
Sister Maria Goretti Nguyen, OP, is an associate director with the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis.
Fabiana Toro is a candidate for the lesser-known vocation of consecrated virginity. This vocation is only open to women candidates and is one of the oldest forms of consecrated life in the Catholic Church.
Since the beginning of the Church, some women have desired to imitate the lifestyle of the Blessed Virgin Mary by devoting themselves to God as virgins, Brides of Christ, and/or spiritual mothers.
There are more than 4,000 consecrated virgins throughout the world and about 300 in the U.S. Their lifestyle is similar to religious sisters, with the exception of living at home rather than in community. Instead, they live within the context of their family and parish. They serve in occupations to which they feel called (such as a teacher, doctor, etc.). They are responsible for their own finances and healthcare. Although they do not formally profess vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, they make a lifelong commitment to God and His Church. Once consecrated, the Church declares them “Brides of Christ,” setting them apart as Consecrated Virgins for Christ.
We asked Toro, who has begun the preparation process for the vocation this year, to share with us about her discernment:
Q: What did the discernment process of pursuing this vocation look
like for you? What means were helpful in choosing to officially begin the preparation process?
Toro: My discernment process didn’t initially begin with a call to consecrated virginity. It started as a more general discernment for religious life. After attending a retreat one weekend, I felt called by God to explore whether I had a religious vocation. From there, my journey unfolded through different stages: meeting with people, attending “comeand-see” weekends at various communities and participating in events that helped me grow spiritually.
As I continued this path, with guidance from others, my heart gradually opened to the possibility of being a consecrated virgin. At first, the idea was daunting, as it is a vocation very different from what we are used to seeing. I wasn’t sure if it was something I could pursue. But over time, God showed me that I could trust Him — and it was this trust that gave me the courage to speak with someone who then guided me to the religious vicar, where I began discerning the vocation more concretely.
It is my trust in God’s plan for my life that gives me both the courage and the motivation to keep moving forward. He is my strength, my guide, my everything.
Q: What specific people, places, circumstances or events helped you to
make your final decision to pursue the vocation?
Toro: After reaching out to the religious vicar, I began attending informational sessions while continuing to pray and discern with both my spiritual director and the vicar.
These small, steady steps over time helped us confirm that God was calling me to this vocation.
Q: Can you tell us more about what the formation process looks like?
Toro: There are both canonical and national guidelines. Each diocese has its own process for the preparation of vocation of consecrated virginity. Some dioceses have yet to establish a formal process. The Archdiocese of GalvestonHouston, however, is blessed to have four consecrated virgins and a number of women discerning their vocation. The process can also vary for each individual discerner, depending on her unique background and circumstances. An initial step in the process is meeting with other consecrated virgins to gain insight into the vocation. During this time, the discerner also continues to meet with the religious vicar. Based on these meetings and ongoing discernment, the seeker may submit a formal application. The application process requires personal and professional information, letters of recommendation, a spiritual autobiography and relevant documents
to provide a comprehensive background of the discerner.
The completed application is submitted to Daniel Cardinal DiNardo. He determines if the discerner may begin formation. The period of formation is focused on deepening spiritual growth and further discernment in keeping with canonical and national requirements. When the period of formation is completed, the candidate may request the rite of consecration from the bishop. †
Writers Fabiana Toro and Maria McCain are both discerning their call to this vocation.
WORLD
Vatican chooses prisons as starting point for Jubilee art projects
VATICAN CITY (CNS)
— José Cardinal Tolentino de Mendonça, an award-winning poet, believes art can heal people, including prisoners, and can help them find the right path forward.
The cardinal, prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education, presented some of the Vatican’s contemporary art projects for the Holy Year 2025 and explained the choice to begin in Rome’s Rebibbia prison, where Pope Francis is scheduled to open a Holy Door on Dec. 26.
While at the prison to open the door and celebrate Mass, the pope also will see the fruit of a collaboration between the Italian contemporary artist Marinella Senatore and some 60 men and women serving time at Rebibbia.
Titled “Io Contengo Moltitudini” (“I Contain Multitudes”), the work is a structure more than 19 feet tall that resembles the baroque “luminaria,” a tower supporting a bonfire or fireworks. Shooting out from the main structure are rays on which phrases about hope are written in a variety of languages and dialects.
Senatore told reporters at the Vatican on Dec. 17 that this was the first time she ever asked a group to
After a news conference at the Vatican Dec. 17 to present the Dicastery for Culture and Education’s Jubilee 2025 contemporary art projects, participants pose for a photo. From the left are Marinella Senatore, an artist; Giovanni Russo, head of the Department of Prison Administration for the Italian Ministry of Justice; José Cardinal Tolentino de Mendonça, prefect of the dicastery; Cristiana Perrella, project curator; and Davide Rampello, artistic curator.
write phrases important to them and no one submitted a quotation from a poet, author, song or other person.
The structure was to be installed in the square in front of the Rebibbia prison church on Dec. 21 and stay there until mid-February. Pope Francis will see the work when he visits on Dec. 26, but it will also be accessible to the guards, the inmates, and their family members
during visiting hours.
In collaboration with the Jubilee for Artists Feb. 15 to 18, 2025, the dicastery also is commissioning artists to create installations at other prisons in Italy and around the world.
The first project, which the cardinal would not provide many details about, will be installed at Rome’s Regina Coeli prison, located less than a mile from the Vatican. The Chinese artist Yan PeiMing already has spent two days visiting prisoners and staff, said Cristiana Perrella, the project curator.
IN BRIEF
Cardinal Tolentino said the works will be placed outside the prisons so they can be seen not only by prisoners and staff but also by the public.
“The objective is to encourage and support experiences that help the detainees live their time in prison as a rehabilitation, a preparation for returning to society,” he said. “At the same time, and just as urgently, it has the aim of converting the spiritual and cultural views, the hearts and thoughts of society regarding prisons so people see them as places of rehabilitation and not simply punishment.”
Giovanni Russo, head of the Department of Prison Administration for the Italian Ministry of Justice, told reporters at the Vatican that much of the daily life, rhythms and rules in a prison — rules that are important for the safety of the inmates and the guards — can erode a prisoner’s culture, discourage reflection, view individuality as a problem and create obstacles to the search for beauty.
And while the prisoners at Rebibbia worked on the project together, Russo said, “There also was a very powerful process of valuing individuality. Each prisoner who was called to write, to risk contributing his or her own message or idea, was basically given the right to be a person who is different from the others. And this is the sense of humanity that this project accomplished.” †
Jesus’ Crown of Thorns returns to Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris
PARIS (OSV News) — On Dec. 13, the Crown of Thorns was returned to Notre Dame, marking a deeply moving moment for Parisians and pilgrims alike.
The relic, which survived the devastating 2019 fire, had been stored at the Louvre since the blaze. The return procession, attended by over 400 members of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre, saw the crown — held by a knight in full regalia — walk from the Louvre to Notre Dame, drawing crowds of onlookers, including Bénédicte de Villers, a Catholic who was granted entry to witness the ceremony.
The crown, acquired by King Louis IX in 1239, was originally housed at Sainte-Chapelle before being moved to Notre Dame in 1806. Once inside the cathedral, it was placed on the new altar, designed by Sylvain Dubuisson.
The reliquary, an altarpiece of marble and cedar wood, evokes the crown’s Byzantine history with its gilded bronze thorns and intricate design. Archbishop Laurent Ulrich led a prayer service, reflecting on the significance of the relic during Advent and the Passion. From Jan. 10, 2025, the crown will be displayed every Friday, offering visitors a chance to venerate it in its new, radiant setting — symbolizing Notre Dame’s rebirth as a cathedral of light. †
In a continuing effort to provide pastoral care to victims of sexual abuse by clergy or
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.
A mother’s prayer leads her son to move from a military career to the priesthood
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (OSV News) —
A few days after Lucia Herman had her first child, Danny, she and her husband brought their infant son to Mass. Like Hannah, the mother of the prophet Samuel, Herman was so grateful to God for the gift of this new life.
“I presented him to God. I remember saying, ‘Here is your child. Thank you. Help me become the mother that you want me to be so he can be the person that you have created him to be,’” she said.
Thirty years later, Herman was in Mass at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in Knoxville, Tennessee, alongside her husband, Deacon Joe Herman. This time, their son was at the altar, being ordained as a priest for the Diocese of Knoxville on June 8.
And Herman played no small role in her son’s journey to the priesthood.
She raised him and her two other children in the faith despite many challenges. Herman had grown up in southern Arizona, an area where many more people shared her faith. When the family moved to Mountain City in northeast Tennessee, she found herself living in a place in which Catholics were an extremely small minority. There was no Catholic church in their town. They
had to drive to North Carolina just to attend Mass: “People used to say that we were not Christian because we were Catholic,” she said.
Father Tom Vos, a priest who was trying to build a church in Mountain City, noticed Herman’s commitment to the faith.
“I remember Father Tom coming to our front door saying, ‘OK, Lucia. It’s up to you,’” she recalled. The priest told her that if she wanted her kids to learn about the Catholic faith, she would have to start teaching them.
She and a few other parents started teaching religious education classes from home to prepare their children to receive the Sacraments. She joined other families in the effort to raise funds to build a church. They began by converting a storefront into a chapel. Father Herman said one of his first memories as a child was hanging a crucifix up on a pegboard in this temporary space.
As Herman raised her three children, she always made sure that prayer was part of their lives. “Prayer is a lot more than just words,” she said. “It’s an ongoing conversation with God.”
Prayer is what led Father Danny Herman away from a military career and into the seminary.
Father Herman initially wanted to go into the medical field. He was studying pre-med in college when he met a recruiter and decided to become a naval aviator instead. He trained in the Navy’s flight school for three years.
He began to realize that he was searching for joy and satisfaction in acquiring things and obtaining notoriety.
“I gained more satisfaction from people’s opinion of me rather than what I was actually doing,” he said. He realized that he was unhappy.
He was a few months away from
“getting his wings” and committing the next eight years of his life to be a naval aviator when he realized that, although he was successful in his training, he knew that there was something more he was supposed to do.
“I heard a voice in my heart just saying, ‘You’re not meant for this. I made you for something else.’ And I knew it was God through a life of prayer with family, and I knew that this was a discerning moment,” Father Herman said.
His commanding officer, a man of faith, was supportive of his decision.
“He recognized that I wasn’t running away from anything,” Father Herman said. “He told me, ‘I think you’re running towards something.’”
Herman said she understood God’s message to her, too: “Well, there you are, Lucia. You wanted a priest. I’m asking for your son.”
Father Herman is now serving as associate pastor at the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral Parish in Knoxville.
“I see the greatness of God in my children,” Lucia Herman said. “When they were conceived, when they were in my womb; what a beautiful thing. … My children are my happiness; they are God’s graces. What better way than to return my eldest to Him?” †
MOVIE RATINGS By OSV News
A-I – SUITABLE FOR ALL
• The Wild Robot (PG)
A-II – SUITABLE FOR OLDER CHILDREN
• Lost on a Mountain in Maine (PG)
• Mary (NR)
• Moana 2 (PG)
• Radiating Joy: The Michelle Duppong Story (NR)
• The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (PG)
• The Carpenter (PG-13)
• The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim (PG-13)
• Wicked (PG)
A-III – ADULTS AND ADOLESCENTS
• Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin. (PG-13)
• Here (PG-13)
• Red One (PG-13)
• Venom: The Last Dance (PG-13)
L – LIMITED MATURE AUDIENCE
• Gladiator II (R)
• Heretic (R)
O – MORALLY OFFENSIVE
• Kraven the Hunter (R)
• Y2K (R)
osvnews.com/category/reviews
OSV NEWS PHOTO
Lucia Herman and her son Father Danny Herman are seen at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in Knoxville, Tenn.
MUNDO CATÓLICO
En medio de los preparativos para la Navidad y el Jubileo, preparen sus corazones, dice el Papa
ROMA (CNS) — Con la ciudad de Roma presentando numerosas obras viales y grandes proyectos de construcción antes de la apertura del Año Santo 2025, el Papa Francisco aprovechó las interrupciones causadas por dichas obras como una oportunidad para alentar a las personas a hacer algo de renovación espiritual antes del jubileo.
En una tarde nublada con amenaza de lluvia, el 8 de diciembre, fiesta de la Inmaculada Concepción, el Papa Francisco se dirigió al centro de Roma para continuar la tradición de rezar ante una estatua de María en lo alto de una columna cerca de la Plaza de España.
Ese día, al amanecer, los bomberos de Roma subieron casi 90 pies (más de 27 metros) utilizando un camión y una escalera para colocar un anillo de flores blancas en el brazo extendido de María y ramos a sus pies, continuando una tradición romana que comenzó en 1949.
El Papa Francisco llevó su propia cesta
de rosas blancas atadas con una cinta vaticana amarilla y blanca y, como es su costumbre, recitó una oración a María en lugar de pronunciar un discurso ante los miles de romanos, visitantes y turistas.
“Madre, Madre Inmaculada, hoy es tu fiesta y nosotros nos reunimos en torno a ti. Las flores que te ofrecemos quieren expresar nuestro amor y nuestra gratitud”, rezó el Papa Francisco. “Pero tú ves y agradeces, sobre todo, esas flores escondidas que son las oraciones, los suspiros, también las lágrimas, especialmente las lágrimas de los pequeños y los pobres. Míralas Madre”.
El Papa Francisco dijo que María sabe que las obras para el Jubileo 2025 están causando “no pocos disgustos, y eso es signo de que Roma está viva, se renueva y busca adaptarse a las exigencias, para ser más acogedora y más funcional”.
El alcalde de Roma, Roberto Gualtieri, estaba presente en la celebración de la Inmaculada Concepción. Gualtieri se
ha visto acosado por las críticas sobre cómo los grandes proyectos jubilares, la mayoría de los cuales aún están incompletos, han congestionado el tráfico y decepcionado a los turistas que esperaban ver lugares de interés pero que los encontraron cubiertos de andamios.
Dirigiéndose a María, dijo que su “mirada de madre” ve más allá del caos de la construcción. “Y me parece escuchar tu voz que con sabiduría nos dice: “Hijos míos, están bien estas obras, pero estén atentos, ¡no se olviden de las obras del alma!”.
“’El verdadero Jubileo no está fuera’”, la imaginó diciendo, “está dentro: dentro de sus corazones, dentro de las relaciones familiares y sociales. Está dentro de quien necesita trabajar para preparar el camino al Señor que viene’”.
Y, añadió el Papa, “es una buena oportunidad para hacer una buena confusión y pedir perdón por todos los pecados. Dios perdona todo, perdona siempre, siempre”.
El Papa Francisco agradeció a María la sugerencia “porque, sin quererlo, corremos el riesgo de ser presas totalmente de la organización, de todas las cosas por hacer”, con el riesgo de que se sofoque “la gracia del Año Santo, que es un tiempo de renacimiento espiritual, de perdón y de liberación social”.
También pidió a la gente que rezara por el alcalde,“que tiene tanto que hacer”.
Con el lema “Peregrinos de esperanza”, el Papa tiene previsto inaugurar el Año Santo en la Basílica de San Pedro antes de la Misa del 24 de diciembre. También abrirá una Puerta Santa en la cárcel Rebibbia de Roma el 26 de diciembre. La Puerta Santa de la Basílica de San Juan de Letrán se abrirá el 29 de diciembre; la de la Basílica de Santa María la Mayor, el 1 de enero; y la de San Pablo Extramuros, el 5 de enero.
El Papa Francisco dio las gracias a María “porque todavía, en este tiempo pobre de esperanza, nos das a Jesús, ¡nuestra esperanza! ¡Gracias Madre!”
Cuando el automóvil del Papa se acercaba a la Plaza de España, una mujer saltó la barrera metálica de la calle, provocando la reacción de los guardias de seguridad. Formaba parte de un grupo de mujeres que querían que el Papa condenara las corridas de toros y habían interrumpido otros servicios.
De regreso al Vaticano, el Papa Francisco se detuvo en el nuevo Museo del Corso de Roma, en el Palacio Cipolla, para contemplar la Crucifixión Blanca de Marc Chagall, que se expone allí hasta el 27 de enero. La oficina de prensa del Vaticano dijo que es una obra “particularmente querida” por el Papa. †
WITHIN THE ARTS
Where sound and light dance for Christmas: Co-Cathedral choir brings sacred music underground to Houston’s cistern
BY JAMES RAMOS Texas Catholic Herald
HOUSTON — Since Dec. 14, the CoCathedral of the Sacred Heart’s Schola Cantorum, a group of singers focused on Gregorian chant, have been hosting a series of Christmas-themed concerts in the Cistern at Buffalo Bayou Park.
Located at 105-B Sabine St. just outside of downtown Houston, the 87,500-square-foot cistern is a former drinking water reservoir built in 1926 for the city of Houston. Restored and opened in 2016, the Cistern now hosts art installations and other events, such as the “Voices of Light: Choral Performances in the Cistern” with the Schola Cantorum.
Led by Crista Miller, DMA, the Schola Cantorum features a myriad of seven voices each night, who Miller said will “paint with sound” as the Cistern is illuminated with a unique light show at each of the three 20-minute performances held each night at 7 p.m., 7:45 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
Several of the 12 nights are sold out, with limited tickets available for few remaining dates. Tickets are $25 per person, and no children under nine are permitted.
The choir’s voices are paired with vibrant lighting designs crafted live during the concert that uniquely reflect each song. The underground Cistern becomes a shimmering canvas gem of colorful light, like how sunlight dances as it shines through a stained glass window.
The show features several songs or chants, some more than a thousand years old, like “Cum Erubuerint” by Hildegard von Bingen, and newer pieces, such as a song written by Miller in 2022 just to be sung in the Cistern. The shows featuring the men’s choir will include a song called “Northern Lights,” which will, in turn, reflect the effervescent voices and ethereal lights moving throughout the cavernous Cistern.
Churches and cathedrals have long been known for their reverberation, which is the movement of sound in a space after the original sound, often an organ or a voice, has stopped. Miller said the Cistern has a 15-second reverb, twice as long as the reverb in the Co-Cathedral, which lasts for seven seconds.
“I don’t think I’ve ever heard anything
like it,” Miller said. “You can actually physically sense [the sound] traveling, and depending on where we stand, we can manipulate what the listener is hearing. It’s very much painting with sound.”
She said the music chosen “is really beautiful,” and the text and sounds are “engaging and compelling,” for anyone, Catholic or not, and the listeners don’t have to know the music is sacred to find it inspiring.
“We just lay down the platform [with our voices and songs], and what God intends will happen,” Miller said. “What we do is a gift. These are more than just pretty songs, they were written by people who were reaching out to others and to God.”
In the Cistern, a quarter-mile, six-footwide walking path surrounds the glasslike water that stands at the bottom of some 221 columns that tower 25 feet over the water. The water gives a mirrored reflection of the columns and ceiling, giving the illusion that there is a 25foot well of water beneath the columns instead of the actual 10 inches of water. Sometimes, when a drop of water falls from the ceiling, a small ripple forms and moves across the water.
Outside of the “Voice of Light” choir performances, the Cistern also hosts a winter art light and sound installation called “Cistern Illuminated,” which is on view through Jan. 26, 2025, with multiple showings per day with tickets ranging
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.
from $12 to $15. Because many shows have low availability or are already sold out, Miller suggested interested visitors should contact the Buffalo Bayou Partnership at info@buffalobayou.org or 713-752-0314 to request more showings in January in 2025. To purchase tickets and for parking and other helpful information, visit buffalobayou.org. †
WANT TO GO?
VOICES OF LIGHT: CISTERN CHORAL PERFORMACES at Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern 105-B Sabine St., Houston
Remaining dates:
• Dec. 29, 30 and Jan. 2, 4, 5
• Three 20-minute showings each night at 7 p.m., 7:45 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
Tickets: $25 per person. No children under 9 are permitted. To buy tickets and for more information, visit www.buffalobayou.org/tours.
Note: Many shows have low availability or may already be sold out. If tickets are sold out, contact the Buffalo Bayou Partnership at 713-752-0314 or email info@ buffalobayou.org to request more showings in January in 2025.
PHOTO BY THE SCHOLA CANTORUM
Led by Crista Miller, DMA, past and current members of the Schola Cantorum are seen in Houston’s underground cistern during a past performance.
AROUND THE ARCHDIOCESE
► FOR SUBMISSION DETAILS AND MORE LISTINGS, VISIT WWW.ARCHGH.ORG/ATA.
JAN. 8, 2025
ADORATION HOUR, 7 to 8 p.m., Sacred Heart (507 S 4th St., Richmond). Adoration Hour on the first Wednesday of the month to pray for vocations. Confession and Anointing of the Sick available.
JAN. 10-12, 2025
CATHOLIC MEN’S RETREAT, Friday 6 p.m. to Sunday 12:30 p.m., Holy Name Passionist Retreat Center (430 Bunker Hill Rd., Houston). Threeday retreat includes Mass, Reconciliation, conferences and prayer. Open to parish groups, father/sons (16+) and individuals. Cost: $265. registrar.holyname@passionist.org.
JAN. 15, 2025
BUSINESS MEETING, 9:30 a.m. to noon, Mary Queen (606 Cedarwood Dr., Friendswood). Bay Area Deanery Catholic Council of Women hosts a meeting with speaker John Hinojosa of Loving Choice Pregnancy Center, with light breakfast, baby shower drive and raffle. Baby items collected benefit Loving Choice and Deanery Gabriel Projects (diapers, wipes, toiletries and 6 to 9 or larger baby clothes). 713-412-8559.
JAN. 17-19, 2025
CATHOLIC MEN’S RETREAT, Friday 6 p.m. to Sunday 12:30 p.m., Holy Name Passionist Retreat Center (430 Bunker Hill Rd., Houston). Threeday retreat includes Mass, Reconciliation, conferences and prayer. Open to parish groups, father/sons (16+) and individuals. Cost: $265. registrar.holyname@passionist.org.
JAN. 18, 2025
EUCHARISTIC CONFERENCE, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Prince of Peace (19222 Tomball Pkwy., Houston). A bilingual conference focused on being sent for the Eucharistic Revival “Year of Mission.” Daniel Cardinal DiNardo will celebrate the Opening Mass. with keynotes by Bishop Brendan J. Cahill of Victoria and Father Victor Perez of Houston and other breakout sessions. Cost: $15-$20 includes breakfast and lunch. Early registration through Jan. 5. 832-808-7060; SENT@ pophouston.org; pophouston.org/sent.
JAN. 20, 2025
HUMAN TRAFFICKING NIGHT OF AWARENESS, 6 p.m., Christ the Redeemer (11507 Huffmeister Rd., Houston). Faith-based national nonprofit Street Grace teaches how to recognize warning signs of child sexual abuse and exploitation, report suspicious activity and get involved. Local law enforcement and House representative will update on progress being made at the Capitol. 281-469-5533; kerry.chu@ ctrcc.com; ctrcc.com.
JAN. 24-26, 2025
CATHOLIC MEN’S RETREAT, Friday 6 p.m. to Sunday 12:30 p.m., Holy Name Passionist Retreat Center (430 Bunker Hill Rd., Houston). Threeday retreat includes Mass, Reconciliation, conferences and time for prayer. Open to parish groups, father/sons (16+) and individuals. Cost: $265. registrar.holyname@ passionist.org.
JAN. 29-FEB. 1, 2025
GARAGE SALE, Jan. 29 (4 to 7 p.m., $25 admission), and Jan. 30 to Feb. 1 (8 a.m. to 4 p.m., free
admission). St. Ignatius of Loyola (7810 Cypresswood Dr., Spring). Sales of furniture, household items, clothing, jewelry, baby items, toys, books and other items benefit the St. Ignatius Outreach Ministry. Rain or shine. garagesale@silcc.org. Cost: $25 pre-sale access Wednesday, Jan. 29; GarageSale@silcc.org; silcc.org/yearly-projects.
JAN. 31-FEB. 2, 2025
AA (ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS) MEN’S RETREAT, Friday 6 p.m. to Sunday 12:30 p.m., Holy Name Passionist Retreat Center (430 Bunker Hill Rd., Houston). Three-day 12-Step study weekend for men working 12-step programs, offers an opportunity to grow spiritually and participate with others. Cost: $265, or $250 for 65 and older. registrar.holyname@passionist.org.
FEB. 2, 2025
SPAGHETTI DINNER AND FUNDRAISER, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Guardian Angel Parish Hall (5610 Demel St., Wallis). $12 spaghetti plates with homemade meat sauce, salad, green beans and garlic bread. Homemade desserts for donation. Raffle, cake live auction and silent auction. 281-224-0477.
FEB. 7-9, 2025
AA (ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS) WOMEN’S RETREAT, Friday 6 p.m. to Sunday 12:30 p.m., Holy Name Passionist Retreat Center (430 Bunker Hill Rd., Houston). Three-day 12-Step study weekend for women working 12-step programs, providing an opportunity to grow spiritually and participate with others. Cost: $265, or $250 for 65 and older. registrar.holyname@ passionist.org.
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FEB. 8, 2025
GALA, 6 p.m., Cathedral High School (7726 Westview Dr., Houston). Catholic Literary Arts gala features Mark Brumbley of Ignatius Press. and benefits Fearless Catholic Writing Camp scholarships. Ticket and table prices: catholicliteraryarts.org/the-dinner-party. 713331-9342; cathla.org@gmail.com.
