LEADING
Once again, locals take top leadership spots with the Knights of Peter Claver ▪
LUNAR LIONS
Asian Catholics ring in the Lunar New Year with special Masses and events
▪ SEE PAGE 9
Proclaiming the Good News to the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston since 1964
HOUSTON — At two separate Masses, Daniel Cardinal DiNardo ordained 45 new permanent deacons — 23 on Feb. 17 and another 22 on Feb. 18 — at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart after they “were found worthy” by their pastors and parishes.
Cardinal DiNardo thanked the men of diverse backgrounds, including a convert from Islam to Christianity, a NASA engineer, a Vietnamese refugee, and a mission worker in Latin America, for their continuing service and thanked their wives and families.
On Feb. 18, Auxiliary Bishop Italo Dell’Oro, CRS, joined Cardinal DiNardo to concelebrate the Mass, alongside Bishop José Elías Rauda Gutiérrez, O.F.M., of El Salvador who also concelebrated the Mass on Saturday because he personally knew one of the deacons ordained that day.
After more than six years of discernment, study and pastoral counseling at St. Mary’s Seminary, these men and their wives will share their lives with the ministry of the Word, Liturgy and Charity — the three pillars of a deacon’s vocation — at their parishes and Archdiocesan ministries.
In his homily, Cardinal
DiNardo told the deacons, “You are to be a living, breathing image of the Gospel — all four of them.”
He reminded all the new deacons and the filled CoCathedral of more than 1,500 each day that they are “as Jesus who came not to be served but to serve. Jesus is ransomed for His crooked people, and we are all crooked.”
Cardinal DiNardo added, “May Jesus the Servant help you all.”
At one point, Cardinal DiNardo asked the deacons to applaud their wives and family who walked with them along their journey to the diaconate, a moment which drew tender glances of affection and appreciation.
At the conclusion of each Mass, following the group photo,
8,000-plus head downtown for annual race, raise funds for Catholic schools
BY JO ANN ZUÑIGA Texas Catholic HeraldHOUSTON — The Steps for Students 5K Run/Walk sprinted into success as runners raced from the starting line in downtown Houston Feb. 11 and others, including parents with little ones, took a brisk stroll in chilly temperatures.
Adding to the party atmosphere among the crowd of more than 8,000, colorful confetti blasted up and swirled around. Continuing the Lunar New Year celebration, three sparkling red, white and black lion dancers joined costumed school mascots. Toro the Bull from the Houston Texans, Howdy from the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, and Hugo the Armadillo from sponsoring company Reliant brought their own brand of fun antics.
Catholic School Superintendent Dr. Debra Haney welcomed participants as
See STEPS FOR STUDENTS, page 6
‘IF TODAY YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, HARDEN NOT YOUR HEARTS’
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Tradition is a source of inspiration for seeking out new paths to take with Jesus and for avoiding the traps of stagnation or impromptu experimentation, Pope Francis said.
“Jesus is himself the way, and therefore, both in the liturgical journey (of Lent) and in the journey of the synod, the church does nothing other than enter ever more deeply and fully into the mystery of Christ the savior,” the pope said in his message for Lent, which began Feb. 22 for Latin-rite Catholics.
Released by the Vatican Feb. 17, the text of the pope’s message focused on seeing Lenten penance and the synodal experience both as arduous journeys that lead to the wondrous experience of Christ’s divine light and splendor.
“Lenten penance is a commitment, sustained by grace, to overcoming our lack of faith and our resistance to following Jesus on the way of the cross,” he said.
The Gospel accounts of the transfiguration of Christ offer an illustration of this, he said.
Jesus led three of his disciples to Mount Tabor to pray after they failed to understand and accept the reality of his coming passion and death on the cross. On the mountaintop they witnessed his face shine “like the sun” and his clothes become “white as light,” and they heard a voice from a cloud proclaiming Jesus as the “beloved Son” of God.
“The disciples’ experience on Mount Tabor was further enriched when, alongside the transfigured Jesus, Moses and Elijah appeared, signifying respectively the law and the prophets,” the pope said.
“The newness of Christ is at the same time the fulfillment of the ancient covenant and promises; it is inseparable from God’s history with
his people and discloses its deeper meaning,” he said. “In a similar way, the synodal journey is rooted in the church’s tradition and at the same time open to newness.”
Therefore, he said, “tradition is a source of inspiration for seeking new paths and for avoiding the opposed temptations of immobility and improvised experimentation.”
“To deepen our knowledge of the Master, to fully understand and embrace the mystery of his salvation, accomplished in total self-giving inspired by love, we must allow ourselves to be taken aside by him and to detach ourselves from mediocrity and vanity,” the pope said.
“We need to set out on the journey, an uphill path that, like a mountain trek, requires effort, sacrifice and concentration,” he said. “These requisites are also important for the synodal journey which, as a church, we are committed to making.”
“During any strenuous mountain trek, we must keep our eyes firmly fixed on the path; yet the panorama that opens up at the end amazes us and rewards us by its grandeur,” Pope Francis wrote.
In the same way, “the synodal process may often seem arduous, and at times we may become discouraged,” he said, “yet what awaits us at the end is undoubtedly something wondrous and amazing, which will help us to understand better God’s will and our mission in the service of his kingdom,” the pope said. †
HACIENDA HEIGHTS, California
— Los Angeles Archbishop José H. Gomez was among the crowd of people praying in the parking lot of St. John Vianney Church in Hacienda Heights Feb. 20 that seemed to expand with each Joyful Mystery of the rosary.
After appearing alongside Los Angeles County’s sheriff at a press conference, Archbishop Gomez made a visit to the suburban parish to pray with a community still in shock over the murder of their neighbor, Auxiliary Bishop David O’Connell. Archbishop Gomez had called Bishop O’Connell a “peacemaker,” who was known to work in LA’s inner city for decades.
“We believe that Bishop Dave has received his recompense for his life and his ministry,” Archbishop Gomez said after leading a Rosary and the Divine Mercy chaplet. “We know that he is in heaven. Let us ask for his intercession, because he will continue to stay very
close to us, just as he stayed close to so many people during his life.”
About 150 people attended the prayer service held in front of a small outdoor shrine to Our Lady of Guadalupe, the second night of a novena for Bishop O’Connell organized by local faithful.
But much had changed in the 24 hours since the mourners had last seen each other. That afternoon, law enforcement had announced the arrest of the husband of O’Connell’s housekeeper, 65-year-old Carlos Medina, in the bishop’s shooting death.
In a message from Houston, Daniel Cardinal DiNardo extended his “sincere condolences and sorrow” to Archbishop Gomez and said: “be assured of my closeness in prayer to you and the local Church of Los Angeles.”
“May God grant Bishop O’Connell quick entrance into heavenly glory, and richly reward him for the dedicated and faithful service he gave to the Church as a priest and a bishop,” he said. “May he rest in the eternal embrace of the God he served so well. †
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With the start of Lent, we’re excited to bring you again a series that features different easy-to-make meatless recipes from around the world during the Lenten season.
This week, Catholic Relief Service’s (CRS) Rice Bowl program highlights a popular dish from Hondruas, a Central American country home to 9.4 million people.
Bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Nicaragua, Honduras also borders the Gulf of Fonseca on the Pacific Ocean between
El Salvador and Nicaragua.
Ever since Hurricane Mitch devastated the country in 1998 with $2 billion in damage, the changing climate has had an impact on lands in Honduras, but farmers are learning new techniques to water their crops, protect the natural resources and and keep their families healthy.
Packed with bean-based protein, this stew is especially convenient for meat-free Fridays in Lent and features the crunchy texture of chayote squash. It is an opportunity for families to
experience new cultures through new ingredients and flavors.
As we abstain from eating meat on Fridays during Lent, journey with us around the world and incorporate these Lenten recipes into your meatless Fridays. Give the money you saved each week by not eating meat — about $3 per person per meal — to your CRS Rice Bowl to feed those in need around the world. For more information and other free recipes, including videos, visit www. crsricebowl.org/recipe. †
30 MINUTES
helped families overcome the challenges nutrition. Turn in your
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 3 15-oz cans of red beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 cups of water
• 1 vegetable bouillon cube
• 1 yellow chili, seeded and minced
• 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced
• 1 15-oz can diced tomatoes with liquid
• Juice of 1 lime
• 2 chayote (or summer) squashes, peeled, seeded and cubed
• Fresh cilantro
• 4 cups of cooked white rice
Sauté onion, bell pepper and garlic in oil until translucent. Add beans, water and bouillon, and heat thoroughly. Add yellow chili, jalapeño, tomatoes, lime juice and chayote, and simmer on low for about an hour. Add cilantro and serve over rice.
Effective Feb. 25
Father Wayne Ly
Parochial Vicar, St. Ignatius of Loyola, Spring
Effective March 1
Father Maitthew Masihah, CRS Parochial Vicar, Christ the King
Effective March 6
Father Karl Davis, O.M.I. Chaplain and Director, St. Mary’s Chapel and Catholic Student Center at Rice University
Bishop Rizzotto Golf Classic set for March 2 at Wildcat Golf Club
HOUSTON — The 19th Annual Bishop Rizzotto Memorial Golf Tournament, which supports the retired priests, religious and elders of St. Dominic Village, is set for Thursday, March 2. Registration is at 11 a.m. The tournament is at the Wildcat Golf Club, 12000 Almeda Rd., in Houston. All proceeds directly benefit the residents of St. Dominic Village. Price per player is $250.
To register to play or sponsor-a-priest, visit www. stdominicvillage.org. For sponsorship opportunities, contact Kimberly Elliott at 713-741-8722 or email kelliott@stdominicvillage.org. †
Caritas Day set for March 4
HOUSTON — Pre-registration is open to participate in the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart’s 11th-annual day of service known as Caritas Day, set for Saturday, March 4.
The day begins at 8 a.m. with a Mass, after which volunteers will disperse to either the Cathedral Centre, 1701 San Jacinto in downtown Houston, or to nearby service agencies to work on projects, many of which are family friendly.
You must pre-register to attend Caritas Day. To register, visit www.sacredhearthouston.org/caritasday. †
HOUSTON — The Office for Young Adult and Campus Ministry will host the next Café Catholica Lite at St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Church, 7810 Cypresswood Dr. in Spring, on Thursday, March 16, from 7 to 8:45 p.m.
www.crsricebowl.org
For Texas residents send $15 yearly, for residents outside of Texas, send $20 yearly; and for residents outside of the U.S., send $35 yearly.
Name: ________________________________________________________
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The speaker is PJ Lozano from Ablaze Ministries, and his talk will be “Missionary Purpose: Finding Your Own Calcutta.” The night will include light snacks, the talk, a Q&A and communal prayer. The talk will be available to view online as well at www.archgh.org/cafecatholica.
The Café Catholica program seeks to help young adults ages 18 to 39 encounter Christ and His Church. All young adults are invited to Café Catholica Lite throughout the year. For more, contact the Office for Young Adult and Campus Ministry at yacm@archgh.org or 713-741-8778. †
DSF annual appeal to support Archdiocesan ministries continues
HOUSTON — This year, the theme of the annual Diocesan Services Fund (DSF) appeal is “God is the Strength of My Heart.” The annual campaign to support 64 Archdiocese-wide ministries is under way and the local Church is asking parishioners to continue their generous giving to DSF.
The fund supports a variety of ministries, such as those forming youth in Catholic faith; providing support and preparation for clergy; teaching, evangelizing, worshipping and outreach to the incarcerated, aging, poor and sick; and programming to strengthen Christian families, among many others.
A full list of the ministries supported can be found at www.archgh.org/dsf. The Archdiocese counts on DSF funds to help meet the needs of people in our region. To pledge online, visit www.archgh.org/dsf.
For more information about DSF and the ministries it supports, call 713-652-4417. †
DIACONATE, from page 1
Cardinal DiNardo shared a quiet moment with the deacons before they were sent off to find their wives, families and loved ones. An intimate, striking moment, Cardinal DiNardo encouraged them personally, sharing his appreciation for their vocation to the permanent diaconate.
POPE TO DEACONS: ‘BE SENTINELS’
In a June 2021 message to the deacons of Rome, Pope Francis encouraged the deacons at the Vatican and around the world to “be sentinels.”
“I expect you to be sentinels: not only to know how to spot the poor and the distant ... but to help the Christian community to recognize Jesus in the poor and the distant, as He knocks on our doors through them,” he said. “It is also a catechetical and prophetic dimension of the sentinelprophet-catechist who knows how to see beyond and help others to see beyond and to see the poor who are far away. You can make your own beautiful image at the end of the Gospels when Jesus asks His disciples from afar: “Have you nothing to eat?” And the beloved disciple recognizes Him and says: ‘It is the Lord!’”
The pope also asked deacons to be humble.
“It is even sadder to see a deacon wanting to put himself at the center of the world, or at the center of the Liturgy, or at the center of the Church,” he said. “Be humble. Let all the good you do be a secret between you and God. And so it will bear fruit.”
Pope Francis also said he expected the
Know a deacon ordained recently? View a free photo slideshow online at WWW.ARCHGH.ORG/DEACON23 and see more from the Ordination Masses.
deacons to be good spouses, fathers and grandfathers.
“This will give hope and consolation to couples who are going through difficult times and who will find in your genuine simplicity an outstretched hand,” he said. “Doing everything with joy, without complaining: it is a testimony that is worth more than many sermons. And out with the complaints.”
At the Co-Cathedral after the Mass, many deacons moved through the crowded co-cathedral and began to give their first blessings as newly ordained permanent deacons. They blessed Rosaries, family members and even unborn babies.
Father Miguel Solorzano, pastor at St. Bartholomew Church in Katy, congratulated his newly ordained Deacon Sam Habibi, a convert from Islam to Christianity, whose wife Milly is originally from Peru.
Deacon Habibi served and preached at Masses on Feb. 19, as did many newly ordained deacons at their individual parishes.
The ordinations were livestreamed and can still be viewed at www.archgh. org/live. †
they streamed into the streets after the 7 a.m. sunrise Mass at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart.
“Steps for Students is a truly family event in which everyone can participate,” Haney said from a stage near runners by the starting line. They warmed up while awaiting the 8:30 a.m. air horn blast signaling the beginning of the run.
Haney was joined by Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, who thanked all those supporting Steps “for your energy and effort to continue to grow this event” and support Catholic schools.
In his prayer and blessing to the crowd, Cardinal DiNardo said, “We ask You, God, to pour forth your blessings upon our runners and walkers for Steps for Students… rooted in the steps of Jesus.”
He highlighted that the top 10 individual fundraisers — including priests, teachers, principals and students — brought in more than $134,000 altogether. But the top solo team, St. Ambrose Catholic School, raised more than $120,000 and won the 5K’s David Guite Spirit Award, the highest honor given by the Steps for Students race committee.
The award is named in memory of Guite, a strong advocate for Catholic education, former principal of Our Lady of Fatima at Galena Park and founding member 18 years ago of the Steps for Students event. The award each year recognizes the school that engages the
students, families, and parish community to celebrate education of mind, heart and spirit.
Incarnate Word Academy once again won the President’s Cup, given to the high school with the highest percentage of their enrollment registered for the race. The traveling trophy will stay at IWA until next year’s race to add friendly high school competition to the race.
St. Thomas High School had several
of their track team members run the sanctioned 5K, with their coach Nathan Labus congratulating them with fist bumps as they crossed the finish line. But the overall win as the top male finisher of the race went to Strait Jesuit College Preparatory student Jackson Jamison with 16:18 overall best time, an average of 5:15 per mile. The top female finisher once again was Casey Timme, a St. Martha Catholic school parent, beating her time last year with a current 18:52, about a six-minute mile.
A post-race party with tents carried on the celebration in the parking lot on Fannin behind the downtown Chancery.
Forty-nine Catholic schools were represented in the Catholic School Village, creatively decorating each of their booths.
St. Theresa Catholic School in Houston won the “Village Leader” award for its Mardi Gras theme outfitting its booth in purple, green and gold, complete with beads and masks.
Those cooking at their booths, including Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic School, drew long lines for hungry kids and families to enjoy pancakes, sausage, breakfast tacos and other giveaway treats among the piles of bananas and bottles of water.
Guadalupe Radio, KSHJ AM 1430, broadcast live from its tent in the Village with host Tim Motte kicking off the 8 a.m. show interviewing Cardinal DiNardo. Throughout the morning, Motte also interviewed student runners, priests like Father T.J. Dolce, Father Richard “Luke” Millette and Father Richard McNeillie, wearing shorts and running shoes, and religious sisters who ran in their habits.
A touching radio interview came from a family who are parishioners of tornado-damaged St. Hyacinth Catholic Church in Deer Park who nonetheless showed up at the 5K in support of Catholic education. Anna Butler and husband Mickey walked the course with their son Michael Butler, a coach at Resurrection Catholic School, while his wife April Felan-Butler ran the 5K with other St. Hyacinth parishioners.
“We’re here supporting our
Catholic schools and also representing St. Hyacinth. Our faith continues as we rebuild. All glory to God,” Anna Butler told Motte and the radio audience.
Steps for Students committee co-chairs Román and Diana Dávila Martinez, themselves Ivy League graduates, steered the event to success.
“Many thanks to our incredible underwriting sponsors who make race day possible. It is through their contributions that all race day expenses are covered so schools can keep all the monies they raise!” Román Martinez said.
Schools can use the funds for computers and other equipment as well as academic enrichment programs for students and staff continuing education training.
“This year, we surpassed our underwriting goal. We have many great sponsors that have supported us for years. This year we had a lot of new sponsors joining our Steps family. All monies not allocated go directly to tuition assistance to help children receive a Catholic education,” he said.
Diana Dávila Martinez added, “Steps for Students is a wonderful testimony to the incredible support that exists in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston for Catholic education. It has truly become a beautiful tradition and celebration of community for our schools and churches.”
This year’s new presenting sponsor Gilbert Andrew Garcia of Garcia Hamilton & Associates money management firm first donated $25,000. But they surprised the crowd with an announcement from the stage on race day: Garcia’s wife Dee Dee said they were donating an additional $50,000, which helped surpass the event’s underwriting goal of $200,000.
Schools have until Feb. 28 to collect additional funds for the run, and donors can contribute through the website www. steps4students.org.
Besides the funds, the Garcias also devoted their time and talent to the Catholic schools where their children attended from Corpus Christi Catholic School to St. Thomas and St. Agnes High Schools.
Gilbert Garcia said, “I’ve done everything at the schools from coaching soccer, wearing the mascot outfit, serving as gala auctioneer and announcing at the track and field meets for the Greater Houston Catholic Athletic Association.”
Among the Steps for Students runners and supporters were the ever-popular “Rally Nuns,” the Dominican Sisters of Mary Immaculate Province, many who teach at Catholic schools. For the past 18 years, they have run in the race, but they gained national recognition cheering on the Houston Astros during the World Series.
“When students see their own teachers running or rallying, it brings unity, which always a beautiful sight to embrace,” said Sister Mary Magdalene Nguyen, director of the local order’s mission office.
Next year’s Steps for Students 5K Run/Walk is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024. For more information, www.steps4students.
HOUSTON — The top two national positions in the Knights of Peter Claver Inc., the nation’s largest African American Catholic lay organization, are again claimed by Knights from the Archdiocese.
In July of 2022, Christopher Pichon, Ed.D., of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Houston was elected the 18th Supreme Knight and CEO, which is the top officer of the order. Pichon is also the assistant superintendent of operational vitality for the Catholic Schools Office of the Archdiocese. Reginald C. Auzenne of St. Phillip Neri Catholic Church in Houston is the 18th Supreme Navigator over the Meritorious Fourth Degree of the Order, the highest-ranking national officer of that division.
Auzenne, who is also the Grand Knight of Council 63 at Queen of Peace Catholic Church in La Marque, said the two roles were “a great acknowledgment to the leadership that Houston has developed.”
Pichon’s efforts are focused on revitalizing the Knights of Peter Claver, which was founded in 1909 by four priests of the Catholic order of Josephites,
including a native from Poland and three black Catholic laymen in Mobile, Alabama. The Knights were named after St. Peter Claver, according to the Knights’ history.
Inspired by the acroynm “RISE,” Pichon plans a “reimagining the 21st Century health, viability and systems of the order;” improving the “inclusiveness of all members, regardless of age;” efforts to “reignite Spiritual works of mercy;” and “raise brand awareness and reputation of an eminent organization.”
Pichon said he hopes to lower the average age of the Order down from 71 to 55 and below, by “engaging more of the youth, the younger adults in the organization,” involving them in decision-making and other appealing activities. The order also has groups determining what the organization needs to do to remain “viable for the next 100 years,” he said.
A fourth-generation Knight, Pichon had a non-traditional journey to becoming Supreme Knight. Though both of his parents were in the Knights of Peter Claver and Ladies Auxiliary at St. Francis Xavier, he didn’t become a member until adulthood.
In 1999, he volunteered to drive local youth members to a junior national
convention in Washington, D.C., where they also did a Black college and history tour. During that trip, he learned more about the Order from Council 138 Knights Sam Lewis, who was the Junior Knight Commander at the time, and his Assistant Junior Knight Commanders Walter Lewis and Otis Bias. With Pichon working in the field of education, he joined to continue positively influencing young people at St. Francis Xavier.
After serving as assistant commander for some years, Pichon was encouraged to step up as junior knight commander. In that time, the Pichon family was starting to build their family’s legacy within the order. Gracious Lady Sonya Pichon, wife of Pichon of 33 years, served as Jr. Daughter Counselor for Court 138 and later served as Texas State directress. With two children serving on the Jr. Texas State Board, in 2006, Christopher Aaron Pichon II and Cambrian Pichon became the first brother-sister duo to be Junior Texas State Presidents for the Jr. Knights and Jr. Daughters. Sadly, a tragedy hit the Pichon family on Sept. 18, 2006, when 14-year-old Christopher II died from an unknown heart condition.
Chris Pichon said that the challenge, tragedy and hardship “drew us closer as a family.”
“It was a tremendous learning curve because we had to develop a different kind of skill set,” he said. “We had to develop the skill set of being able to endure while focusing on what is best for the entire family and not always what was best for us as individuals.”
Their son was then the second child that Chris and Sonya Pichon had lost. Their daughter Brittany had died shortly after birth.
In 2008, Pichon’s youngest son Cortney became the Jr. Texas State President and Pichon became the Texas State Conference Junior Knight director. After serving as state director for six years, Pichon then joined the national board as director general of the Junior Knights in 2014.
During his ascent, Pichon has showcased his knowledge of the organization and experience with youth as an educator, Auzenne said.
Cortney Pichon, who holds several titles, including national emerging leader chair, Senior Texas State financial secretary and newly elected Grand Knight for Council 138, said he’s “super proud” of his father’s accomplishments. The election confirmed what the family already knew:“that he was the best person for the job to revitalize the organization,” according to Cortney.
Despite a vibrant membership — there
Founded in 1909 by four priests of the Catholic order of Josephites, the Knights of Peter Claver were named after St. Peter Claver, according to the Knights’ history. The Jesuit missionary, born in Spain in the 1500s, was known to minister to blacks on slave ships in South America.
The first Knights of Peter Claver in Houston was organized at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in 1916 by parishioner Albert E. Woodley, who moved to Houston from New Orleans and became the first Grand Knight in Texas.
The organization’s model was based on other Catholic fraternal orders, such as the Knights of Columbus, which at the time did not allow black members in all of their councils. Their main purposes remain promoting civic and social justice, contributing to charity, awarding scholarships and nurturing relationships with the community, youth and family.
are more than 14,000 members worldwide — Pichon said he understands that the crisis happening in the Black Catholic churches, the decline of parishioners, ultimately affects KPC as well.
“We need to build our parishes back up, especially with our youth and young adults,” Pichon said. “They’re the ones that are seeking their spiritual guidance and spiritual growth in other areas, and some don’t see Catholicism doing it for them.”
Recruiting younger members is also a struggle that Auzenne is experiencing within the fourth-degree division.
Auzenne said a committee was focused on galvanizing leaders to engage and grow younger members.
“A younger makeup gives us new ideas and fresh beginnings,” he said. “We look forward to being able to share our wisdom and to help cultivate our young members so that we can start to grow as a fourth-degree division and we can move forward.”
For the first time in the organization’s history, all three divisions — the Knights, the Ladies Auxiliary and Junior divisions — will meet this summer at the 107th annual national convention in New Orleans for a Claver family Mass and other joint events.
“When we come together as a true family,” Pichon said, “that is what makes us truly a powerful, phenomenal organization.” †
HOUSTON — Accompanied by a reverberating drumbeat from nearby thumping drums and a clashing cymbal, a trio of dancing lions coursed their way through crowded tables.
At one point, a yellow lion, its eyes blinking and body shivering with Pixar-esque realism, stopped its dance to greet a young girl wearing a shiny red cheongsam dress and “eat” her hóngbao, the red envelope synonymous with the Lunar New Year in most Asian cultures.
The colorful, if even sparkling, lion gleefully responded to her paper gift (which usually contains fresh, new paper dollar bills in varying denominations) with an eager shimmy and dance.
The parish’s annual event, finally back in full swing after quieter celebrations during the COVID-19 pandemic, ushered in the Lunar New Year with a vibrant Jan. 22 celebration at Ascension Chinese Mission in Houston that marked the arrival of the Year of the Rabbit.
The gathering also celebrated the diaconate ordination anniversary of Deacon Paul Kiang, who was ordained to the permanent diaconate 20 years ago.
With quick punches, kicks and fierce sweepings of wooden sticks, young catechism students showed off their sharp martial arts and kung fu skills during a special exhibition.
Less than two miles away, parishioners at Christ the Incarnate Word Catholic Church, which, like Ascension, sits in the heart of Houston’s Asiatown community, held a series of Masses to welcome the Year of the Cat for Lunar New Year.
Known as Tet in Vietnamese, the Masses prayed for peace in the New Year, the repose of the soul of grandparents and familial ancestors and for sanctifying daily work. Led by Father Thu Ngoc Nguyen, Christ the Incarnate Word is one of more than nine Catholic communities with growing Vietnamese populations that also celebrate Tet.
With many immigrants and their descendants making their homes in the Archdiocese in the 70s and 80s, today, more than 590,000 people in the HoustonThe Woodlands-Sugar Land metropolitan area identified as Asian, according to data from the 2020 Census. Of that roughly half-million, more than 150,000 reported as Vietnamese, comprising the largest Vietnamese community outside of California.
More than 90,000 identify as Catholic, according to estimates from the several Asian ethnic ministries that serve Vietnamese, Filipino, Chinese, Korean, Indian and Indonesian Catholics.
Among the many that serve in leadership, catechist and ministry volunteer roles in parishes and schools, Grace Kwong has long celebrated Chinese New Year with her family, who hails from Hong Kong.
Now a mother of two, Kwong said it was “so special” to bring her own children to the celebration at Ascension.
“We really missed it during the pandemic,” she said, “so being able to attend and have fellowship with parishioners and friends at an event that
celebrates our culture within our faith community was so memorable.”
‘UNITED FREELY’
For Kwong, her Catholic faith and her Hong Kong heritage go hand in hand.
“Over the years, I have really come to appreciate more and more my unique identity of being a Chinese Catholic in America,” she said. “To be united freely in worship, faith, language, heritage and cultural celebrations is a reality I do not take for granted.”
She also sees this come to life in her role as assistant principal at St. Francis de Sales Catholic School, also near Houston’s Asiatown neighborhood in southwest Houston.
She continued: “To be able to do all those things that embody my identity at its core at work and invite an entire school community to join in is probably one of the rarest opportunities out there. I am so beyond blessed to be part of the St. Francis de Sales community that treasures and celebrates these parts of my identity that are most special to me.”
She and her husband both speak Cantonese, a language the two have emphasized in teaching to their son and daughter, alongside their Chinese cultural traditions that accompany the Lunar New Year.
‘We have made extra effort in recent years now with the new generation to make sure the traditions of family dinner, gathering and exchanges of lucky red packets get passed on to our children while also honoring our family members who have passed away,” she said.
She said she also realized the blessing of having her entire mom’s side of the family ending up in Houston, allowing gatherings for Lunar New Year to include nearly everyone — grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and siblings alike — in attendance.”
Father Shuxin “Roger” Zhang, pastor of Ascension Mission, was also available to hand out the lucky red envelopes, as well as celebrate Mass and preside over a special prayer ceremony after the Jan. 22 Mass. A few days later, at St. Francis de Sales Catholic School, two more dancing lions also visited the school to perform and help students welcome the Lunar New Year.
also joined their prayers for their ancestors with those around the U.S. who were praying for the victims of a tragic shooting in Monterey Park, California, in east Los Angeles, that claimed the lives of 11 people on the eve of Lunar New Year on Jan. 21. A man fired into a crowded dance ballroom and also wounded at least 10 others. The tragedy has marred Lunar New Year celebrations in a community that’s predominantly Asian. A Mass was celebrated the next day at a Catholic parish just a half mile away from where
the shooting took place, especially for those who died.
A few days later, Pope Francis shared his sadness after learning of the shooting in a telegram message from Pietro Cardinal Parolin, Vatican secretary of State, to Archbishop José Gomez of Los Angeles, who wrote: “His Holiness joins the entire community in commending the souls of those who died to almighty God’s loving mercy, and he implores the divine gifts of healing and consolation upon the injured and bereaved.” †
Ash Wednesday
Good Friday
Ages 18-59
How do we fast?
Ages 14+
When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal
Am I excused from fasting and abstinence?
Those that are excused from fast and abstinence outside the age limits include the physically or mentally ill including individuals suffering from chronic illnesses such as diabetes Also excluded are pregnant or nursing women.
For more information on fasting and abstinence, visit www.archgh.org/lent.
For more information on fasting and abstinence, visit usccb org
HOUSTON — More than 140 consecrated women and men gathered as the Archdiocese celebrated the 27th World Day for Consecrated Life Mass at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in downtown Houston. The Mass was celebrated by Daniel Cardinal DiNardo.
The participants represented 18 of the 60 Congregations of men and women serving in the Archdiocese.
Movements that have consecrated women were also represented, as were consecrated virgins. The founding congregations of these women and men began many of the parishes and social services in the Archdiocese during its 175 years of promoting God’s mission.
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OK – SUITABLE FOR OLDER CHILDREN
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• Till (PG-13)
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• 80 for Brady (PG-13)
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• Missing (PG-13)
L – LIMITED MATURE AUDIENCE
• Knock at the Cabin (R)
• Plane (R)
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• Magic Mike’s Last Dance (R)
World Day for Consecrated Life, celebrated Feb. 2, theVatican Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life invited all in Consecrated Life to celebrate their commitment to concecrated life and exercise responsibility for one another through mutual listening, excluding no one.
In the beginning days of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, many missionaries came from Canada, Mexico and Europe. Today, the Archdiocese has experienced growth in groups of missionaries that come from Africa, Asia and Latin America
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with renewed energy to serve the poor and abandoned. As they serve the growing immigrant population, they invigorate the goal that no one be excluded or feel excluded from this journey.
The Mass was followed by a reception sponsored by the Serrans from District 10.
In his Feb. 2 message for World Day for Consecrated Life at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, Pope Francis said to all consecrated men and women that “all together we are members of the Church, and the Church has been on a mission since the first day, sent by the Risen Lord, and will be until the end, with the strength of his Spirit.”
He continued: “And in the People of God, sent to bring the Gospel to all humanity, you consecrated persons have a specific role, that derives from the particular gift you have received: a gift that gives your witness a special character and value, for the very fact that you are fully dedicated to God and to his Kingdom, in poverty, virginity and obedience.”
He reminded the consecrated men and women of their mission: “If each person is a mission in the Church, then each and every one of you is a mission with a grace of your own, as a consecrated person.” †
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Dear brothers and sisters, In 1847, with the founding of what was then the Diocese of Galveston, God filled Bishop Jean Marie Odin, the first bishop in Texas, with the strength to face the challenges of preaching the Gospel and bringing the sacraments to those living in the frontier land of Texas. Accompanying Bishop Odin were the Ursuline Sisters who made it their mission to educate Catholic children and to form them in the faith. Together, they built upon the foundation laid by Franciscan missionaries and others who had been ministering in Texas since the 17th century.
While we celebrate and honor our past, the work of this local Church continues. Today, the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston continues to preach the Good News of Jesus Christ to a flock of more than 1.7 million faithful in ten counties. My hope is that this milestone provided us a time to reflect on our history and look ahead to the journey that awaits. During the past year this local Church helped to serve thousands of people spiritually and physically with love and compassion. As we now look to the future, we are called to respond with the same generosity of spirit which motivated Bishop Odin and the Ursuline Sisters to lay the foundations of faith in a missionary land one hundred and seventy-five years ago.
In the coming year we will have the opportunity to participate in the ongoing National Eucharistic Revival, the annual Diocesan Services Fund (DSF), and the closing celebration of our one-hundred and seventy-fifth anniversary. I encourage you to be attentive to your parish as we look forward to sharing more information about local plans and opportunities involving all these initiatives throughout the coming year.
Lastly, on behalf of the many ministries in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston which depend on your support, thank you for your kind contributions and generosity of spirit. As your shepherd, I am constantly encouraged by your great generosity, your trust, and your fervor for the faith. Therefore, in the spirit of transparency, I am pleased to share with you the Archdiocesan financial statements for the fiscal year which ended June 30, 2022. If you are interested, the audited financials of the chancery office of the Archdiocese can be found in their entirety at www.archgh.org/accounting.
Once again, thank you for your continued prayers and support of this local Church, and be assured of my ongoing prayers for you and your family.
With every good wish in the Lord, I remain
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Daniel Cardinal DiNardo Archbishop of Galveston-Houston
5,866 3,156
1,506
3
priests & 3 transitional Deacons
8,237 7,043 1,000
2,718
HOUSTON — In the Archdiocese of GalvestonHouston, ministries welcomed the faithful back from the restricted limitations of the pandemic by restarting in-person programs, conferences and presentations, bringing people back into the church and the Archdiocesan community.
In the summer of 2021, Galveston-Houston parishes were offered access to Flocknote through the Archdiocese to facilitate stronger communication with parishioners using texts and email. Flocknote is a messaging software that helps parishes reach their members at a moment’s notice, resulting in higher engagement and a more connected church community. Currently, there are more than 100 of the Archdiocesan 154 parishes using the diocesan Flocknote — including approximately 245,000 diocesan members who can receive messaging and updates directly from their parishes.
More than 30 parishes in Galveston-Houston had been using the communications platform prior to the Archdiocese starting diocesan Flocknote.
“We’ve been using Flocknote since shortly after it was created back in 2010,” said Father Sean Horrigan, pastor at Christ the Redeemer Church. “We were seeking a way to centralize our communication with parishioners so that there was a common look and ‘feel,’ you might say, to our messaging. Previously we had various departments from the parish and ministry groups and organizations distributing their own messages, whether by email, a mail service, or on social media.
“We wanted to have one common ‘CtR message’ that each group could customize but that you still knew represented the parish.”
Father Horrigan said the greatest benefit of Flocknote is the opportunity to “empower our ministry and group leaders to ‘own’ their communications” and give them the ability to send dynamic and visually compelling messages that are also simple to create.
“It also gives our parishioners flexibility to receive information that is pertinent to them and their family and filter out that which is not,” he said. “For example, a retired couple doesn’t need to know that registration for the Youth Ministry retreat is taking place next week, but a young family with four children does. The retired couple, however, might very well be interested in an upcoming funeral planning workshop. Both families can elect to receive news and updates that
pertain to them at their stage in life while all the while still receiving general communication that applies to everyone. It’s really the best of both worlds and makes our communication so much more efficient.”
By essentially letting parishioners sort the type of messages they receive from their parish, Father Horrigan said Christ the Redeemer has seen a spike of engagement and involvement with all their ministries, particularly Bible Studies and other faith formation offerings.
“We often hear from parishioners, ‘I never knew we had so much going on at the parish.’ We didn’t increase the number of programs or ministries — we just made it easier to discover what is out there via Flocknote,” Father Horrigan said.
St. Laurence Church in Sugar Land started using Flocknote in 2020.
“When we started out, we had just under 7,000 contacts,” said Sharon Ehrenkranz, director of Parish Life at St. Laurence Catholic Church in Sugar Land. “Now, we have over 14,000 members in our flock who receive the parish-wide communications.”
The parish has about 40 ministries/groups currently using Flocknote, including those working in faith formation and Adoration.
399 419 26,450 10,952
Like Christ the Redeemer, Ehrenkranz said St. Laurence routinely experiences a huge bump in activity (online registrations, phone calls, etc.) in the hours after their Wednesday Flocknote goes out — “proving beyond just analytics of measuring clicks and openings” the actual effectiveness of Flocknote to reach their flock.
“Flocknote has enhanced the way we communicate with our parishioners,” she said. “In addition to regular e-announcements, Flocknote has been an effective way to survey parishioners. It’s user-friendly, the Flocknote staff is super helpful and we’re so grateful to the Archdiocese for signing on, making this service free to the parishes.”
Father Horrigan agrees, saying Flocknote makes communicating easy and allows his church to reach thousands of our parishioners every month in a way “that meets them where they are,” he said. “That might be via text, or via email, or a parish-wide blast, but they can control what they want to see and who they want to see it.”
“It was also a great tool for us to communicate during Hurricane Harvey, the ice storm of 2021, or most especially, the pandemic,” the pastor added. “It gave us a way to stay in touch with immediate information and 43
5,311 10,510
PHOTO BY JAMES RAMOS/HERALD Father Sean Horrigan, pastor of Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church in Houston, elevates the chalice during a Mass at the northwest Houston parish. Home to more than 7,000 families, parish leaders use Flocknote to communicate with their parishioners and ministries.let everyone know we were here for them and how we could assist them.”
Father Horrigan said Flocknote ultimately allows Christ the Redeemer Church “to bring the Good News to our parishioners in the 21st century. It creates an opportunity for encounter that extends the same message today as Jesus did long ago, namely, ‘Come and see.’”
The Office of Aging Ministry continues to compassionately serve as the primary aging resource within the Archdiocese, providing consultation to and resources for its offices, parishes, families and senior groups.
Verna Patout, a Baby Boomer and retiree of the Archdiocese, reached out to the Office of Aging as she began exploring her plans for retirement.
She said from her personal experience, the Office of Aging is one of the most important ministries in the Archdiocese.
“The Office of Aging is a place that I trust, where people young and old are treated with respect and given information that can be life-altering,” said Patout. “Making a wrong decision about your future or missing a deadline required by the government can have repercussions that follow you literally for the rest of your life. If there is any wisdom or advice that I could impart to people, it would be that it is never too early to make connections with the Office of Aging.”
Patout said obtaining information for an elderly person that is overwhelmed by the process is an act of compassion and a learning experience for the caretaker for their own future needs.
“With a growing population of people living longer, this ministry not only deals with imparting knowledge to navigate government systems, but also information about other resources that are needed by the elderly,” said Patout.
The Office of Young Adult and Campus Ministry (YACM) in the Archdiocese seeks to provide a home for all young adults within the Catholic Church in their late teens, 20s and 30s. The ministry serves about 7,000 young adults through programs and services provided at five college campuses and more than 60 parishes across the Archdiocese.
Angie Pometto, director of YACM, said recent surveys show that when young people go off to college, a high percentage stop practicing their faith. But they may not realize how the Campus Ministry staff
can support these students as they grow in their faith and discern their vocation during this integral and challenging time of their lives.
“If they can remain faithful in college, there’s a high likelihood that they will remain active into their young adult years and seek God’s will when deciding on careers, where to live, and vocations to marriage, priesthood or religious life,” she said.
Pometto said the five campus ministry centers have a long and rich history of supporting students, some for more than six decades. The Rice University Newman Center was founded first in 1959, followed by the Galveston Newman Center (1960), University of Houston Newman Center (1961), Texas Southern University Newman Center (1967), and Sam Houston State Catholic Student Center (1986).
After the complete deterioration of two classroom ceilings prompted school leaders to shutter them completely for a school year, a recent grant helped St. Augustine Catholic School officials to reopen them with new, improved ceilings and floors.
At the start of the 2022 fall semester, St. Augustine
school parents and students were greeted with bright and high ceiling tiles and attractive wood-like floors in several classrooms in the elementary school wing.
A new learning center, available to all classes at the southeast Houston school, also was renovated and received new furniture that offers students flexible and collaborative learning environments, according to Erica Paras, interim school principal at St. Augustine. On a recent weekday afternoon, Paras watched firstgrade students eagerly use the new learning center.
Paras also said many of the classrooms, which already featured one-to-one ratios of laptops or tablets, also received new smartboards, which allowed teachers to quickly pull up classroom instructions or write notes for student homework assignments.
Father Paul Foltyn, parish pastor at St. Augustine, said he was thrilled to see the students embrace the renovations, as well as offer both teachers and their students’ parents an improved and more comfortable classroom.
Other grants also helped parishes, such as St. Philip Neri Catholic Church in Houston and St. Pius V Church in Pasadena and some five other parishes to receive renovations ranging from fire alarm maintenance, rectory and electrical repairs or roof replacements, as well as air conditioning improvements. †
seniors participated in Senior Senates
806 63 education and referrals for families with older adults
125 youth attended retreats at Camp Kappe
1,313 1,440
youth attended the School of Environmental Education
3,912 2,388 134 114 young adults attended Vigilia Pastoral *
young adults attended an inperson retreat
attended Young Adult Day (Day of Service)
PHOTO BY JAMES RAMOS/HERALD Erica Paras, interim principal at St. Augustine Catholic School, helps a group of first-grade students with classwork in a new learning center classroom at the southeast Houston school. A recent grant helped the school renovate classrooms and receive new furniture, offering school students collaborative and flexible learning environments.For the Years Ended June 30, 2022 and 2021
The Chancery Office of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston financial statements include the following entities: Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
Catholic Herald St. Mary Seminary
CREOLE, Louisiana — John Fred ‘T-Boy’ Boudreaux, father of Reneé Nuñez, assistant superintendent of Academic Excellence, died Jan. 22. He was 78 years old.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Jan. 26 at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church. Burial is in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Creole, Louisiana. †
HOUSTON — Cruz Reyes Hinojosa Sr., father of Sarah Romero, associate general counsel for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, died Feb. 4. He was 89 years old.
A Funeral Mass was held at Blessed Sacrament Church on Feb. 14. †
POLAND — Edmund Kubisa, father of Father Jan Kubisa, chaplain at the Port of Houston, has died. Funeral services were held in Poland. †
HOUSTON — Dominic Canh The Nguyen, father of Sister Maria Goretti Thuy Nguyen, O.P., associate director in the Office of Catechesis and Evangelization, died Jan. 18. He was 73 years old.
The funeral was held in Wichita, Kansas. Interment is in Earthman Resthaven Cemetery in Houston. †
CROSBY — Monsignor Fred O’Connor, a retired priest of the Archdiocese, died Jan. 17. He was 94 years old.
For over 70 years in priestly ministry, Monsignor O’Connor served in many parishes throughout the Archdiocese as pastor, including St. Mary of the Purification Parish in Houston, Sacred Heart Parish in Conroe, St. Jude Thaddeus Parish in the Highlands, St. Nicholas Church in Houston and in Sacred Heart Church in Crosby. He also served as prison chaplain throughout his priestly ministry.
A funeral Mass was held Jan. 24 at Sacred Heart Church in Crosby. Interment is in Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery. †
Suzanne Reynolds
HOUSTON — Suzanne Reynolds, mother of Father Stephen “Bart” Reynolds, pastor of Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, died Jan. 18. She was 85 years old.
She was a member of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre, the Knights of Malta, St. Anne Guild and the Charity Guild of Catholic Women. She also served on the Board of Directors of the University of St. Thomas.
A funeral Mass was held at Jan. 26 at St. Anne Catholic Church. Interment is in Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery. †
Pray for the following priests whose anniversaries of death are during the month of March.
March 1, 1874 Rev. William McSweeney
March 1, 2013 Msgr. Albert J. Beck
March 2, 2003 Rev. Joseph R. Murphy, SSJ
March 3, 1947 Rev. John Casserly
March 5, 1918 Rev. J.L. Bussant
March 6, 1992 Rev. Marius Zadinski, OCARM
March 7, 1933 Rev. John E. Kalas
March 8, 1976 Msgr. Francis Klinkacek
March 8, 1983 Rev. Lawrence J. MacLellan, SSJ
March 10, 1987 Rev. Joel Gromowski, CP
March 11, 2010 Rev. Hubert J. Kealy
March 12, 1886 Rev. Augustine d’Asti, OFM
March 12, 1979 Rev. Alois J. Pavelka
March 13, 1996 Msgr. John L. Fos
March 14, 1861 Rev. Jacques S. Valois
March 14, 1994 Rev. Thomas J. Sheehy, SCJ
March 14, 2008 Rev. Jerome Burnet, OMI
March 15, 1898 Bishop Peter Dufal, CSC
March 15, 1921 Rev. T.A. Billy
March 15, 1924 Rev. Claude C. Clair
March 16, 1929 Rev. William J. Skocek
March 16, 1991 Rev. Marion L. Polker
March 17, 1916 Rev. William Marr, CSC
March 18, 1992 Rev. John R. Feidler
March 18, 2003 Rev. Gabriel Akemu, MSP
March 18, 2013 Rev. Robert D. Carlson
March 20, 2001 Rev. D. Richard Toye, SJ
March 21, 1922 Rev. Wenceslaus Demel
March 21, 1932 Rev. P.M. Lennartz
March 21, 1955 Rev. Thomas P. O’Rourke, CSB
March 21, 2009 Rev. Gerald Donovan, OP
March 23, 1934 Rev. Bernard Lee
March 24, 1990 Bishop John L. Morkovsky
March 24, 1996 Rev. Sofronio A. Aranda
March 25, 1941 Msgr. Ignatius J. Szymanski
March 25, 1978 Rev. Richard J. Jeffery, CSB
March 26, 1880 Rev. Lawrence Glynn
March 27, 1930 Rev. J.H. Kelly
March 27, 1942 Rev. Kasper Kacer
March 27, 2000 Rev. John E. McManus, CSB
March 28, 2008 Msgr. William L. Broussard
March 31, 1988 Bishop Vincent M. Harris
March 31, 1994 Rev. Richard J. Allard, CSB
March 7: Gary Green
March 9: Arthur Brown Jr.
March 29: Anibal Canales Jr.
When was the last time you went to confession? Has it been a while? The Sacrament of Penance, also known as reconciliation or confession, may seem intimidating for many, but with some simple preparation, it can be a peaceful healing encounter with Christ and His Church. Take this guide with you to confession as a way of reflection and rediscover the Sacrament of Penance.
Reconciliation is a Sacrament instituted by Jesus Christ in His love and mercy to offer sinners forgiveness for offenses committed against God. At the same time, sinners reconcile with the Church because it is also wounded by our sins.
Every time we sin, we hurt ourselves, other people and God. In Reconciliation, we acknowledge our sins before God and His Church. We express our sorrow in a meaningful way, receive the forgiveness of Christ and His Church, make reparation for what we have done, and resolve to do better in the future.
THE FOUR PARTS OF CONFESSION
• CONTRITION: a sincere sorrow for having offended God, and the most important act of the penitent. There can be no forgiveness of sin if we do not have sorrow and a firm resolve not to repeat our sin.
• CONFESSION: confronting our sins in a profound way to God by speaking about them — aloud — to the priest.
• PENANCE: an important part of our healing is the “penance” the priest imposes in reparation for our sins.
• ABSOLUTION: the priest says the words by which “God, the Father of Mercies” reconciles a sinner to Himself through the merits of the Cross.
Adapted from Examination of Conscience based on the Ten Commandments Take a moment to reflect on how sin has damaged your relationships.
▪ Have I treated people, events, or things as more important than God?
▪ Have my words, actively or passively, put down God, the Church, or people?
▪ Do I ‘keep Holy the Sabbath’? Do I go to Mass every Sunday (or Saturday Vigil) and on Holy Days of Obligation, as is possible? Do I avoid, when possible, work that impedes worship to God, joy for the Lord’s Day, and proper relaxation of mind and body? Do I look for ways to spend time with family or in service on Sunday?
▪ Do I show my parents due respect? Do I seek to maintain good communication with my parents where possible? Do I criticize them for lacking skills I think they should have?
▪ Have I harmed another through physical, verbal, or emotional means, including gossip or manipulation of any kind?
▪ Have I respected the physical and sexual dignity of others and of myself?
▪ Have I taken or wasted time or resources that belonged to another?
▪ How do I protect and care for God’s creation, including my family, the environment and those around me?
▪ If it has been a while, let the priest know and he can help guide you through the steps for a good confession.
1. Priest gives a blessing or greeting.
2. Make the Sign of the Cross and say, “Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. My last confession was [length of time] ago.”
3. Confess all of your sins to the priest. (If you are unsure or uneasy, tell him and ask for help.)
4. Say, “I am sorry for these and all of my sins.”
5. The priest gives a penance and offers advice to help you be a better Catholic.
6. Say an Act of Contrition, expressing your sorrow for your sins. The priest, acting in the person of Christ, then absolves you from your sins.
God, I am heartily sorry for having offended you, and I detest all my sins because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell; but most of all because they offend you, my God, who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of your grace to confess my sins, do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.
Full descriptions for each open position are available online: www.archgh.org/ employment
Office of Aging: Associate Director
Legal Department: Legal Counsel
Office of the Permanent Diaconate: Director of Field Education
Evangelization & Catechesis: Associate Director of Sacramental Preparation, English/Spanish
Associate Director of Catechetical Leaders and Catechist Formation in English/Spanish
St. Dominic Center: Part-Time Weekend Receptionist
St. Dominic Village Retirement Home: Support Specialist to Retired Priests
Interested candidates may send a cover letter, with salary requirement, and resume to resume@archgh.org with the job title on the subject line.
*Submissions that do not include the salary requirement will not be moved forward for consideration.
HOUSTON — The Archdiocesan Spelling Bee for elementary and middle school was held at St. Anne Catholic School in Houston on Jan. 20.
The winners of the elementary school spelling bee are, first place, Jairua Reyes, third grader at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic School in Richwood, and second place, Hudson Ho, third grader at St. Laurence Catholic School in Sugar Land.
Middle school winners are, first place, Valentina Gunn, eighth grader at St. Cecilia Catholic School; second place, James Curtin, seventh grader at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School in The Woodlands; and third place Thomas Hayes, seventh grader at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School.
The middle school Spelling Bee champions will advance to the 2023 Scripps Regional Spelling Bee competition hosted by Houston Community College on March 25. †
Growing up, I always knew Lent was coming when my mom would stock up on tortillas and cheese for quesadillas which we ate on Fridays. Plus, she would check in with us to see if we were giving any sweets or snacks up to be sure not to buy them and tempt us throughout the season. Often times preparing for Lent only includes figuring out what we’re going to give up and what meals we can have on Fridays. The Fasting part. We forget, though, that there are three pillars to the Lenten season: Fasting, Praying and Almsgiving. So how can we prepare for prayer and almsgiving?
Giving money can easily be tied into the fasting part of Lent. Depending on what one decides to fast from, the money that would have been spent to buy said item can be saved and donated. Planning ahead, you can decide to set aside or save up a certain amount of money throughout Lent and then donate it all at Easter.
Another way to incorporate almsgiving into fasting if not giving up a purchased item would be the classic jar
by ALYSSA VIJILmethod, where one puts a quarter or whatever amount is decided upon into the jar whenever a mistake is made. Doing so as a family can help each other stay accountable in each person’s Lenten journey. Whichever method you go with, think about it ahead of time and plan for it now to really get the most out of this important pillar of Lent.
The second pillar, prayer, may seem easier (or harder, depending on where you’re at) to prepare for. Start with the basics, and if you’re not going to Mass every Sunday, make a plan to attend as many Sundays as possible. If you’re already there, see what you can do to manage a schedule that would allow you to go once or twice during the week. Another option could be watching a livestream of the Mass during the week and praying over the readings.
Researching podcasts and taking advantage of an incentive to follow along with something like the Bible in a year or catechism in a year would be great places for prayer during Lent as well. Taking time, like Jesus, to just retreat into quiet is always a good idea as well. Deciding to set your alarm five minutes earlier for some quiet meditation and enjoying the peace and tranquility of a morning can do wonders for your spiritual health as well as mental and physical health. It is something to be considered, especially now, so you have a plan.
Fasting, what to give up for Lent this year? Always a tough question unless you go with the simple chocolate or sweets option. Maybe this is the year you really challenge yourself, though. Really take the time right now to plan how you could sacrifice something that brings you closer to our Lord.
One year, I decided I was fasting from my shoe fashion and chose only one pair of shoes to wear for the entirety of Lent. It took a lot of planning to decide which
shoes would be acceptable for all the events I would have. Work appropriate, of course, but also any other gatherings like baby showers and sports games. It really was a sacrifice that forced me to think of the Lord every morning I put those shoes on and brought to my attention the reason behind doing so. Taking the time now to plan ahead what you will do for Lent can help deepen the meaning of the season and really allow yourself to get everything you can from it. Being able to know ahead of time and work with your family and friends to hold each other accountable as well grows a community that is centered around God and is more intimate than any other community you might have. I pray you will have a holy and fulfilling Lent. †
Alyssa Vijil is a parishioner and the former youth and young adult minister at St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Church in Spring.
The Lenten season begins this year on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 22. Taking the cross of ashes on our foreheads reminds us of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus and our own. We are asked to pray more fervently, to fast periodically, and to give to those in need in the midst of devastating violence and poverty.
Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the official overseas relief and development arm of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to 130 countries, provides us a way to extend our Lenten practices to reach around the world.
Following the three traditional pillars of Lent, CRS Rice Bowl Lenten program allows us to put our faith into action through a calendar with daily activities and a small box (Rice Bowl) for almsgiving.
There are also prayers, videos, meatless recipes, and other resources for use in homes, schools, parish religious education programs and universities. The materials, presented in both English
by HILDA OCHOA †
and Spanish, also include a video of Timothy Cardinal Dolan explaining the basic question, “What is Lent?” This program and all its resources, if not available at your parish, can be accessed and downloaded for use at www. crsricebowl.org.
Furthermore, the “Stories of Hope” highlight interviews from families in the recipient countries of Honduras, Kenya and the Philippines. These videos take us on virtual mission trips, offering a glimpse of the everyday joys and struggles of those living in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, increasing our appreciation and understanding of the world and its people. We learn how CRS’ programs through our Lenten alms are impacting the lives of our sisters and brothers near
In the last 130 years, at least seven different popes have made a deliberate and concerted effort to build a body of magisterial teaching around important social issues. This body of teaching goes collectively by the name Catholic Social Teaching (CST). CST attempts to outline fundamental principles grounded in Natural Moral Law, Biblical Revelation, and the Tradition of the Church. These fundamental principles are then applied to concrete social issues of the present day. It is important to note that Church teaching focuses on identifying issues and articulating the desired outcomes without naming a specific way to achieve those outcomes. This gives individuals both the freedom and the responsibility to determine the best course of action based on our faith when we encounter these issues in our lives.
When considering the issue of caring for the earth, Pope Francis notes in his encyclical letter Laudato Si, that this one earth is our common home. Grounded in the notion of the fundamental dignity of the human person and the virtue of solidarity, Pope Francis reminds us that what each of us does individually and as part of larger collectives necessarily has an impact on other people. We have a responsibility, therefore, to take seriously the impact our choices have on the state of the environment. This includes the pollution of the ground, air, and water. This includes also the humangenerated changes to the climate. As Catholics, we each have a moral
by BRIAN GARCIALUENSE †responsibility to evaluate our actions and choices, particularly in light of how these things negatively impact other people, especially the poor and vulnerable. Mother Church reminds us that we must look after our common home for the sake of everyone today and for generations to come.
It is important to note that every Catholic individual has both a moral responsibility to make daily choices, even if they are inconvenient or hard, that take into account the effects of our choices, and we have a responsibility to work to bring about changes to systems that have for too long allowed the pollution of the environment in ways obvious and not to the detriment of the human family. Each of us is called constantly to make choices that can and should be connected to our faith. While we should also advocate for large-scale systemic change, let us not underestimate or undervalue our daily and smaller choices, both for their immediate effect and the witness they give.
How far do we choose to live from where we work and study? When we carry out our daily activities, do we
See GARCIA-LUENSE, page 16
and far.
The CRS Rice Bowl program is designed so that 75% of the contributions will be distributed to worldwide food programs while 25% remains in each U.S. diocese for hunger and poverty alleviation efforts by supporting entities like parish St. Vincent de Paul programs that help those experiencing hunger in our own country. As an example, for their participation in the CRS Rice Bowl program, St. Justin Martyr Parish in the Archdiocese received a grant to support their outreach efforts to the needy in their community.
Other Archdiocesan parishes received grants for their social concerns projects as well. All are encouraged to expand their participation in the 2023 Catholic Rice Bowl program and benefit from this opportunity.
During the six-week Lenten period, the CRS encourages the practice of reciting the Stations of the Cross while
reflecting on those suffering today. At crsricebowl.org “Resources,” we can find a recorded version to be used personally or with groups. We are invited to reach out in compassion like Veronica. Like Simon, we can help others carry the heavy cross of hunger through our donations.
These Lenten practices deepen our appreciation for our blessings and help us better understand the interconnectedness of our world.
We learn that by working together, we can make a difference. We can spend our life making the world a better place for all. When we come to the celebration of Easter on April 9, we can more fully rejoice with the resurrected Jesus, who offers each of us the promise of eternal life. †
Hilda Ochoa is the director of the Office of Mission.
If you were to die today, what is one parting message or gift you would give to those you love? In my younger years, at the end of my weekly long-distance phone conversation with my parents, my father would always pose the question: “Is there anything that you need?”
My response would kiddingly be: “I could use $10,000.” Over the years, as I developed a growing clarity of what really matters and what does not, my spiritual eyes opened to recognize that my parents had already given me the gifts of life that truly mattered. Their Catholic faith provided for me their legacy, which was the formation of character grounded in a loving personal relationship with Jesus Christ, faithfulness to commitments, integrity of word and deeds, and a hospitable presence to all people, especially the poor.
In this Lenten season, it offers pause for reflection on the last words and deeds of Jesus that He gifted His disciples, those whom He loved. Beginning in chapter 13 of St. John’s Gospel, observe Jesus washing His disciples’ feet and His accompanying words to be loving servants to each other. Hear His words of encouragement to help guide them through this time of trial and His promise of sending an advocate, the Holy Spirit, to console them and remind them of everything He
by MARK CIESIELSKIhas said and done. And then view Jesus’s greatest act of love — the willing sacrifice of His life to open the gateway to an eternal union in the life of the Trinity.
There is a maxim that I have heard repeated from my most memorable mentors in life: Each person gives his or her heart and life for someone or something.
One of the blessings of aging is the unveiling of the illusion that something material is what makes us happy. So many of the seniors whom I have the privilege of encountering daily in this ministry give witness to this.
Through their generosity, deeply rooted in their Catholic faith and personal relationship with Christ, they reach out to those home alone. They provide caregiving or respite care for loved ones or community members. They make thousands of Rosaries to dispense through the Office of Aging. They volunteer to put labels on the hundreds of bottles that will be filled and blessed with the holy oils at the Holy Week Chrism Mass. They offer
See CIESIELSKI, page 17
Unsurprisingly, nightclubs and bars are full of young adults on a Saturday night. It is unusual to think that just a few miles from Downtown and Midtown Houston, at late hours, there would be nearly 700 young adults praising our Lord in Eucharistic Adoration.
These young adults had the choice to go out for a fun night dancing or singing praise and worship with fellow Catholics in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, and they chose to be at church Jan. 21. What a sign of hope for our Church!
The Vigilia Pastoral is an annual Eucharistic vigil hosted by the Office of Young Adult and Campus Ministry. The event is planned by leaders from 19 Hispanic young adult groups from around the Archdiocese. Preparations for the Vigilia Pastoral began last September, and even then, I could see the excitement of the young adult leaders who were ready to get their groups involved, especially after returning the event to its normal schedule of running from 5:30 p.m. on Saturday through 6 a.m. on Sunday.
After seeing all the work that went into this event, it was emotional, healing and joy-filled to see all 19 young adult
groups come together to praise our Lord all night long. It is mind-blowing that nothing could stop these young adults from getting to the Charismatic Center.
Marco Ibarra, coordinator for the Agua Viva Group based at the Charismatic Center, shared an inspiring story of his experience at Vigilia. He came to Houston in May of 2019 and didn’t care to go to church. His life became work, and he got wrapped in bad habits. As he says, “I got lost in the everyday world that is said to be happiness, but it isn’t.”
by THALÍA ROMEROIn October 2019, he received bad news and just needed to go to church. He asked his cousin to take him to church, and that is when, after a long time, he went to Adoration at Queen of Peace Church. His cousin invited him to the Vigilia Pastoral, but he was consumed with work and gave any excuse he could. Although Ibarra was physically drained, something told him to go, and he asked for a ride to the Catholic Charismatic
Center that, to his surprise, was only 11 minutes away from his house. He said he instantly felt welcomed when he arrived. He said his life changed that night. He encountered our Lord, truly present in the Eucharist. His cousin invited him, but he knew that it was God who was inviting him. It was God who wanted him to return.
During the homily, Father Jorge Alvarado encouraged the young adults to go out and make a change: “With all of you present here, you can change the world by spreading the joy of Christ’s love to others!”
Of the many beautiful moments at the Vigilia Pastoral, the most moving moment was during the repositioning of the Blessed Sacrament. The young people were invited to come down from their seats to the front of the altar to be blessed. We all experienced the beauty of community at the foot of the altar with the Lord. Personally, witnessing the young people singing with tears of joy in their eyes and their hands raised gave
make use of less impactful forms of transportation if they are available to us? Do we make choices about using as many reusables versus disposable items in our life? Do we recycle things that cannot be reused? Do we go out of our way, and perhaps pay more, to purchase things made from recycled materials? Do we use the most energy-efficient appliances in our homes, not only in order to save money on utilities but because it is part of how we choose to live out our Catholic sensibilities?
Do we prioritize the purchase of locally produced food so that the energy expended on transportation and long-term refrigeration is minimized? Do we try to ensure as much organic waste as possible is composted instead of buried in
me the chills. It was a moment filled with the Holy Spirit, which led them to an intimacy with the Lord and allowed them to live the Eucharist more intensely. For a moment, the life of each young adult stopped before the Lord, offering Him their worries and anxieties and delivering them with that peace that only He can give us.
Our mission is to care for young adults and create a home for them in the Church. As members of the Body of Christ, we are to inspire, support and invite all these young people to encounter the real presence of Christ in their lives. With the experience of what was lived in the Vigilia Pastoral, there is hope for our Church, and I am sure that we are doing our part to spread and restore that knowledge and love of the Eucharist to the young people who are thirsting for God. †
Thalía Romero is an associate with the Office of Young Adult and Campus Ministry.
landfills where they generate enormous amounts of potent greenhouse gases?
All of these questions and many more that we face in our daily life are opportunities to engage our faith and spread the Gospel. They can easily get lost in the shuffle of busy lives or disconnected from our faith. I know that some people are constrained by external factors, such as budgets, in some of the choices they make. Still, perhaps as we get closer to Lent, we might consider some of the above and choose to do one new thing or one thing differently to better live out our Catholic values in relationship to the environment. †
Brian Garcia-Luense is an associate director with the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis.
JERUSALEM (OSV News) — A series of deadly raids by Israeli authorities in the West Bank and attacks on Jewish civilians in the first month of the new year have made the goal of a lasting peace in the Holy Land seemingly unattainable.
The Jan. 26 raid in the West Bank city of Jenin, which resulted in the deaths of 10 Palestinians, including an elderly woman, as well as the shooting to death of seven people near a synagogue in Jerusalem by a Palestinian gunman, prompted a heartfelt appeal by Pope Francis for both sides to lay down their arms.
“The spiral of death that increases day after day does nothing other than close the few glimpses of trust that exist between the two peoples,” the pope said during his Sunday Angelus address Jan. 29.
“From the beginning of the year, dozens of Palestinians have been killed during firefights with the Israeli army. I appeal to the two governments and to the international community so that, immediately and without delay, other paths might be found that include dialogue and a sincere search for peace,” he said.
In a joint statement, two leaders of the Custodia Terrae Sanctae, the Franciscans who serve the Holy Land, strongly condemned the trend of “growing succession of serious acts of hatred and violence against the Christian community” that have transformed the Christian quarter “into a battlefield.”
By Feb. 2, at least five incidents had marred the quiet lives of those living in Jerusalem. Custodia leaders said a radical Jewish man entered the Church of the Flagellation in the Old city of Jerusalem, which is the first stop on the Via Dolorosa, and smashed a statue of Jesus.
In January, a Christian cemetery was vandalized, while a “death to Christians” message was graffitied onto the walls of a monastery in the Armenian quarter. Tourists were also attacked by religious Jews near the Monastery of St. Saviour at the New Gate, where the headquarters of the Custody of the Holy Land.
Both sides view the conflict in very different ways. The Israeli government views its actions as a legitimate defense against “terrorists” in the region that seek to destroy the Jewish state, while Palestine considers Israel’s frequent incursions in Palestinian territories as an “illegal
CIESIELSKI, from page 15
their talents in fundraising efforts for their parishes. They provide sponsorship for youth retreats and conferences. And when their physical abilities are diminished, they pray. They pray in thanksgiving that God has blessed them with another day of life. They pray for their children’s and grandchildren’s physical and spiritual well-being. And they pray for peace in the world! That is their
occupation.”
Yet both sides wholeheartedly agree with Pope Francis’ assessment: The sense of trust between the two sides is at its breaking point.
“I believe that this is a very central element,” Ambassador Raphael Schutz, Israeli ambassador to the Holy See, told OSV News on Feb. 9. “It’s very difficult to build peace when there is no trust.”
His counterpart, Ambassador Issa Kassissieh, Palestinian ambassador to the Holy See, also agreed with the pope, noting that “unfortunately, the situation is deteriorating more and more.”
“We see an escalation of the situation on the ground rather than seeing deescalation on the ground,” Kassissieh said in a Zoom call from Jerusalem with OSV News on Feb. 14.
However, both ambassadors offered contrasting views as to how the conflict reached this point.
Citing the synagogue attack, as well as a Feb. 11 attack that killed two Israeli boys and a young man in Jerusalem, Schutz said violence against Israel by Palestinians is part of a “culture of hate” and claimed that the Palestinians allegedly celebrated in the streets “and were bragging about this ‘act of heroism,’ as they called it.”
The Israeli ambassador to the Holy See also said that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas “doesn’t condemn such attacks.” He said that there was a time where he felt hopeful for a peaceful future in the Holy Land after the signing of the Oslo Accords, a historic series of agreements that saw the establishment of the Palestinian Authority, as well as the Palestine Liberation Organization’s recognition of the state of Israel.
“Back in ‘93, I was not only happy, I was also very much optimistic about the future. And right now, I must confess that I am less optimistic, especially because of the lack of trust,” Schutz said.
For his part, Kassissieh told OSV News that such attacks by individuals against Israeli citizens are “unacceptable.” However, he added, it also is important to look at “the roots of such incidents.
Yet, despite the grim prospect of peace in the Holy Land and a two-state solution, both ambassadors said that not all hope is lost. Kassissieh expressed his hope that Israel will one day “look at us not as a threat, but as partners for the future, for generations to come.” †
— James Ramos contributed to this report.
legacy of sacrificial love — one deeply rooted in and united with Christ’s redemptive grace.
So today, I invite you to take a few minutes to pause and reflect on Jesus’s final words and actions in St. John’s Gospel. And ponder how you might more deeply share Christ’s love with others. †
Mark Ciesielski is the director of the Office of Aging.
Each of 509 guests with special needs, many wearing prom dresses or suits and ties, approached the red carpet to await an introduction at their Night to Shine.
Bryce White, an elegantly dressed 25-year-old DJ, announced each guest’s name with enthusiasm. He shared something unique about the person, glancing at note cards for information.
“Courtney is going to bring some color into our lives because she loves to color!” Bryce exclaimed, describing one guest. “Stephanie is undefeated at Uno!” he enthused about another guest. Chad “plays second base in baseball. Welcome, Chad!” One man clutched stuffed toy characters “SpongeBob SquarePants” and “Patrick” as he made his way down the red carpet on Feb. 10 at The Bend XPO events center.
White’s enthusiasm never ebbed during the two hours it took to introduce everyone — some walked steadily across the red carpet, others with assistance and some used wheelchairs. A few demonstrated their dance moves. They were pumped up for Night to Shine, a free prom for persons with special needs ages
14 and older, held around the world the Friday before Valentine’s Day. The local event draws people from throughout the Quad-City region.
Our Lady of the River Parish in LeClaire, Iowa, and Bettendorf Christian Church in Bettendorf, Iowa, hosted the Quad Cities Night to Shine, sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation. The two faith communities were among 622 churches in 46 countries that celebrated nearly 100,000 “Kings and Queens” at Night to Shine events this year, the Tim Tebow
BENEFITING
WILDCAT
OSV NEWS
Quad Cities Night to Shine guest
Selah Bucciferro, left, takes a walk on the red carpet with her sister, Amy, at The Bend XPO events center in East Moline, Ill., Feb. 10. Night to Shine, a free prom for persons with special needs ages 14 and older, drew more than 500 guests to the church-hosted event in the Quad Cities region of Iowa and Illinois. The event is held around the world the Friday before Valentine’s Day.
Foundation reported.
It was the first in-person Quad Cities Night to Shine since 2020. The 2021 event was virtual, and the 2022 event was a hybrid, drive-through experience because of the pandemic, said Jennifer Hildebrand of the LeClaire parish, a Night to Shine leader from the start in 2017.
Some 776 volunteers participated in roles such as buddies partnered with guests, check-in assistants, coat checkers, crowning assistants, food service helpers, decorators, parking lot workers, red carpet cheering team, photographers, limo drivers, hair stylists and shoe shiners. Many came from parishes in the Diocese of Davenport, Iowa.
“The sense of community was palpable,” Hildebrand said. It began with the personalized red carpet introduction, continued through dinner, dancing, friendship building and the crowning of 500 kings and queens, and ended with the train dance. “The MC who started the ‘train’ got the people going. There were wheelchairs in that line.That was pretty fun to watch,” she told The Catholic Messenger, Davenport’s diocesan newspaper.
White, a first-time Night to Shine volunteer, has plenty of experience with persons with special needs. His 16-yearold brother has Down syndrome and White feels especially blessed that they are siblings. Their bond inspired White to serve as a teacher’s assistant to students with special needs in high school. He also worked with an individual with autism.
The coolest part of Night to Shine, White said later, was watching 500 guests cross the red carpet and seeing all of the volunteers affirming the guests that “they are made in the image of God and
we’re here to celebrate them.” He enjoyed seeing guests’ faces light up when he announced their names.
In the ballroom, Ray Shovlain, head coach for men’s basketball at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, bonded with his buddy, Bobby. “We’ve talked quite a bit but we haven’t danced yet Bobby,” Shovlain said. He and his basketball team try to volunteer every year at Night to Shine. “It’s a great experience for our guys.”
Shovlain takes to heart advice from his late mother: “To whom much is given, much is expected.” It is all about reaching out to others to make the world better and in the process, making yourself better, Shovlain added.
St. Ambrose basketball players Will Spriggs, Nathan Moeller and Max Steiner volunteered as buddies. Spriggs, a junior majoring in business and marketing, said he enjoyed “seeing everyone come together in a big community. Everyone is having a good time.”
Deacon Bob Shaw of St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Davenport smiled as he watched the soon-to-be crowned kings and queens dancing to their heart’s content. His buddy, Nathan, was in the midst of it. Nathan loves to draw, likes the White Sox and the Chiefs and loves to dance, Deacon Shaw said.
Lauren Koster, a freshman at Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois, was among her college’s softball team members volunteering at Night to Shine.
“We were looking for a way to give back to the community,” said Koster, paired up with guest Colin. She has a special place in her heart for people with special needs. During high school, she assisted students with special needs in a PE class. Her inspiration grew from personal tragedy. Her 4-year-old brother died of leukemia when she was 2 years old. Now she is studying for a career as an oncology nurse.
Just before the crowning of the kings and queens, Deacon Matt Levy of Our Lady of the River was on stage to share some brief words. The deacon, who, along with his wife, Lisa, volunteered as buddies, summed up the essence of the evening: “We know we serve the King of the Universe, and by doing so, we serve the kings and queens of the Quad Cities area.” †
In a continuing effort to provide pastoral care to victims of sexual abuse by clergy or Church personnel, Daniel Cardinal DiNardo would like to remind the faithful of the Archdiocese of the availability of the Victims Assistance Coordinator. Anyone who has been the victim of sexual abuse by clergy or Church personnel is encouraged to call Diane Vines at 713-654-5799. Please keep in daily prayers the healing of victims of abuse and all who suffer in any way.
HOUSTON — Cuarenta y cinco hombres de diversas procedencias, desde un ingeniero de la NASA hasta un refugiado vietnamita y un trabajador misionero en América Latina, fueron ordenados diáconos permanentes de la Archidiócesis los días 17 y 18 de febrero.
Daniel Cardenal DiNardo ordenó los primeros 23 diáconos el viernes y los 22 restantes el sábado por la mañana, ambos en la Co-Catedral del Sagrado Corazón en el centro de Houston.
Después de más de seis años de discernimiento, estudio y asesoramiento pastoral en el Seminario de Santa María, estos hombres y sus esposas están listos para dedicar sus vidas a este ministerio de la liturgia, la palabra y la caridad en sus parroquias.
El diácono Phillip Jackson, director de la Oficina del Diaconado Permanente de la Archidiócesis, dijo de la Clase de 2023: “Estamos muy entusiasmados con la calidad y la espiritualidad de los hombres que se ordenan.”
Y añadió: “Somos un diaconado que está envejeciendo y siempre acogemos a jóvenes y a sus familias para que disciernan sobre la posibilidad de hacerse diáconos. Que el Espíritu Santo los guíe”.
Tim North, un miembro de la parroquia Shrine of the True Cross en Dickinson, dijo que su párroco le aconsejó que dejara su proceso de discernimiento en manos de Dios.
“Mi oración se convirtió en: ‘Señor, te entrego mi vida, guíame a donde quieras, ayúdame a ver las puertas que abres y dame la fortaleza para entrar por ellas. Y... María, por favor, ayúdame’”, dijo este veterano de las Fuerzas Aéreas que ahora trabaja como ingeniero en el programa de la Estación Espacial de la NASA.
“Tengo que reconocer el mérito de mi mujer, Robin, que ha estado ahí en todo momento, organizando y coordinando las cosas en casa y con nuestra familia. Ha sido mi mejor crítica y mi más leal apoyo”, afirmó North.
Paul Nguyen de la Iglesia Católica Nuestra Señora de Lourdes en Houston coincidió en la necesidad de contar con el apoyo de familiares y amigos.
“Necesité muchas oraciones y apoyo,
no sólo de mi familia, sino también de mis amigos. Este apoyo y estas oraciones me dieron el valor y la fuerza para caminar hasta el final del trayecto”, dijo Nguyen.
Y tuvo un largo trayecto, que comenzó en una escuela primaria católica de Go Cong, Vietnam del Sur, dirigida principalmente por las Hermanas de San Pablo de Chartres. Aunque Nguyen creció en el seno de una familia acomodada, muchos de sus compañeros eran niños huérfanos cuyos padres habían sido asesinados o la familia los había abandonado.
“Fue mi primera experiencia con gente que vive en la pobreza. Con los otros niños, comía alimentos donados y experimentaba algunos de los otros aspectos de sus vidas”, dijo Nguyen. A los 16 años escapó del régimen comunista, fue a un campo de refugiados y finalmente llegó a Estados Unidos.
“Como adolescente que llegó a este país sin sus padres, las tentaciones eran muchas y era difícil no meterse en líos sin orientación. Creo que el Espíritu Santo guio mi conciencia para tomar las decisiones correctas en esos momentos difíciles”, dijo Nguyen.
Todas esas experiencias le ayudan ahora en su ministerio de servir a los jóvenes que están en centros de detención de menores. “Rezo para que Dios me utilice para ayudar a nuestros hermanos y hermanas en centros de detención de
menores mientras continúo mi ministerio allí”, dijo.
Leonel Mejía, de la iglesia católica de Santa Cecilia, también viajó lejos, realizando más de 30 viajes misioneros a la zona maya de Quiché, en Guatemala. Aunque su lengua materna es el español, ya que creció en El Salvador, en Centroamérica, eligió tomar todos sus cursos académicos del diaconado en inglés.
“Ha sido una tarea difícil. Sobreviví los
tres primeros años del diaconado gracias a la educación que recibí en los colegios jesuitas”, afirmó.
Pero sabe cuál será la meta final después de la ordenación.
“Quiero servir a Dios para llevar consuelo a los necesitados, en hospitales, cárceles, la Casa Juan Diego (albergue para inmigrantes), la iglesia, las calles”, dijo Mejía, pidiendo oraciones por los nuevos diáconos y el pueblo al que servirán. †
El Miércoles de Ceniza es el 22 de febrero, y la Cuaresma continúa hasta el Viernes Santo, 7 de abril. Tanto el Miércoles de Ceniza como el Viernes Santo son días de ayuno y abstinencia. La abstinencia de carne es obligatoria para todos los que han cumplido 14 años. Los viernes de Cuaresma son días de abstinencia. Según los obispos de los Estados Unidos, el ayuno es obligatorio para todos los que han cumplido sus 18 años y aún no han cumplido los 60 años.
El ayuno permite a una persona
comer una comida completa. Se pueden tomar dos comidas más pequeñas, para no equivaler a una comida completa. A través de obras de ayuno, oración y abstinencia, prestamos atención a la exhortación del profeta Joel de “convertíos a mí con todo vuestro corazón” (2:12). La Cuaresma es un tiempo penitencial y prácticas como la Misa diaria, la recepción del Sacramento de la Reconciliación, las obras de caridad y justicia y los actos de abnegación son altamente alentados.
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.
Editor’s Note: Contact event organizers for the latest updates. For deadline details and more listings, visit WWW.ARCHGH.ORG/ATA.
MARCH 2
GOLF TOURNAMENT, 11 a.m., Wildcat Golf Club (12000 Almeda Rd., Houston). Tournament supports St. Dominic Village and celebrates the memory and legacy of Bishop Rizzotto. www. stdominicvillage.org/events.
MARCH 3
WORKSHOP, 1 p.m., Emmaus Spirituality Center (12211 Memorial Dr., Houston). Drawing upon Corinne Ware’s book, “Discover Your Spiritual Type,” this workshop will explore the four general spiritualities and their related prayer forms, as well as spiritual direction. Cost: $40. info@emmausspiritualitycenter.com; 281-2419678; www.emmausspiritualitycenter.com.
MARCH 4
COUPLES RETREAT, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at St. Dominic Center Auditorium (2401 Holcombe Blvd., Houston). Family Life Ministry hosts a couples retreat for married couples and individuals to rekindle love by participating in a day of praise, talks, reflection and conversation. Cost: $35/ person; $60/couple, includes breakfast, lunch and all materials. www.archgh.org/familylife.
MARCH 5
TURKEY AND DRESSING DINNER, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Sealy Columbus Hall (310 Hwy 90 West, Sealy). $12 plates include turkey, dressing with gravy, green beans, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, hot roll and tea. Sliced desserts, $10 cakes and $15 cheese rolls also available. Dine-in, take home or drive thru. CDA homemade goods, silent and live auctions and drawing at 1 p.m. 281-220-9084.
MARCH 6-8
LENTEN PARISH MISSION, St. Edward (2601 Spring Stuebner Rd., Houston). Mission sessions by Bishop Brendan Cahill of Victoria, Monday to Wednesday, 9:30 to 11 a.m. or 7 to 8:30 p.m. Daily Mass will be offered preceeding morning mission session at 8:30 a.m. Free, open to the public. www.saintedward.org/parishmission.
MARCH 8
BUS TRIP TO THE HOUSTON LIVESTOCK SHOW & FAIRGROUNDS, 8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m., St. Bernadette (15500 El Camino Real, Houston). Bay Area Council of Catholic Women host a bus trip
for men and women 55 years and older. Cost: $15. Food and rides on your own, no concert. Info or to RSVP by March 6: 713-254-2815; sbalfour2009@gmail.com.
MARCH 11
ST JOSEPH’S ALTAR, 6:30 p.m., St. Ignatius Loyola Christus Center (7810 Cypresswood Dr., Spring). Feast begins after 5:15 p.m. Mass with traditional children’s procession of saints to the dining area. Meal includes Sicilian pasta dinner. Homemade Italian cookies and cannoli by the St Joseph’s Altar Guild available for purchase. Multi-item raffle drawing concludes the night. Free, open to the public. stjosephaltarguild@ silcc.org; 713-825-4576 or 713-269-4239.
MARCH 19
ST JOSEPH’S ALTAR, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Christ the Redeemer (11507 Huffmeister Rd., Houston). Spaghetti dinner ($10/adults; $5/children). Various Italian desserts and baked goods will be on sale.
MARCH 25
CATHOLIC WOMENS CONFERENCE, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., St. Mary’s Seminary (9845 Memorial Dr., Houston). Talks focused on Mary, the Eucharist, and celebrating the 175th anniversary of the Archdiocese. Keynote speakers include the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, Lisa May and Kim Brown. Register: www.ghcw.org.
MARCH 30
CONCERT, 7 p.m., Sacred Heart (704 Old Montgomery Rd., Conroe). “The Stories I Tell Myself” tour featuring Matt Maher and Mission House. Tickets on sale for $50 (VIP), $35 (Preferred), and $25 (General Admission). Purchase: www.shconroe.org.
APRIL 14
ANNIVERSARY GALA, The Post Oak Hotel (1600 W Loop South, Houston). Benefiting Incarnate Word Academy, the event includes cocktail reception, seated dinner, special tribute, with silent and live auctions. Tables from $5,000 to $150,000; Individual tickets: $500. krizzo@ incarnateword.org; 713-227-3637 ext. 105
APRIL 15
GALA AND AUCTION, 7 p.m., St. John XXIII College Preparatory (1800 W. Grand Parkway N., Katy). Buy tickets for “Off to the Races,” online at sj23lions.org/giving/advancement-programs/ gala--auction.
E-mail the event details (see below) to tch@archgh.org for possible inclusion in Around the Archdiocese. There is no charge for listings but space is limited
• Include the name of your event along with date, time, location (with full address) and a brief description of your event
• If the event is for charity, include the benefiting group or organization; Include the cost for tickets or note that it’s free
• Name, phone and/or e-mail address of the contact person that you want readers to call/e-mail with questions
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• Name, phone and e-mail address of the media contact person for verification
• Please write “Around the Archdiocese” in the subject line of the email to tch@archgh.org
Please note that due to space and other factors, we cannot guarantee placement or frequency in Around the Archdiocese, but we will do our best to get your event into the section.
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