Texas Catholic Herald - November 8, 2022 by Texas Catholic Herald

NOVEMBER 8, 2022 • ARCHGH.ORG/TCH

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LETTERS FROM UVALDE

Fine arts teachers gather for first-ever workshop and development day

Pope Francis responds to handwritten letters from Uvalde students ▪ SEE PAGE 16

▪ SEE PAGE 12

Proclaiming the Good News to the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston since 1964

NOVEMBER 8, 2022

‘AM I NOT HERE, I, WHO AM YOUR MOTHER?’

VOL. 59, NO. 10

MINISTRIES

Conference brings light to disability issues in the Church BY JAMES RAMOS Texas Catholic Herald SPRING — Disability ministry leaders, advocates, family members and more gathered at St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Church in Spring for the National Catholic Partnership on Disability’s (NCPD) annual conference. NCPD Director Charleen Katra, who previously served as an associate director for the ministry for people with disabilities of the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis for the Archdiocese, said the goal of the conference was to raise awareness about disability issues in the Church, but more importantly to train Church communities on how to “create See DISABILITY, page 6

PHOTOS BY JAMES RAMOS/HERALD

Wearing traditional costumes reflecting Aztec ancestry and influences, dancers with the ‘Danza Azteca’ group from Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Houston join in a procession honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe in 2019. The lively festival returns to the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston on Dec. 4.

Our Lady of Guadalupe festival celebrates 50-year anniversary in Houston Dec. 4 event set to be the largest celebration for ‘La Morenita’ ever, officials say BY JO ANN ZUÑIGA Texas Catholic Herald

way to Mass in what is now Mexico City. “For our 50th anniversary of celebrating Our Lady and her son Jesus, we are going greater and bigger being back at the convention center and downtown with more public involvement,” said Priscella Marquez of the Archdiocesan Association of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which organizes the event. The procession will start at 8:30 a.m. in front of the downtown See GUADALUPE, page 4

THE FIRST WORD † 3

Holy Rosary parish in Midtown to salute veterans with Mass, celebration BY ANNETTE BAIRD Herald Correspondent

VIVA OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE

HOUSTON — The large downtown Houston parade celebrating the Virgen de Guadalupe Festival is returning full force on Dec. 4, the first since the pandemic, with dancers, drummers, and Mass at the George R. Brown Convention Center. While last year’s celebration was a scaled-down version, this year marks Houston’s 50-year anniversary of commemorating the Virgin Mary appearing as Our Lady of Guadalupe in 1531 to a humble peasant on his

PARISHES

A tile mosaic at St. Juan Diego Catholic Church in Pasadena depicts St. Juan Diego unveiling the tilma with the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe adorned in red roses.

COLUMNISTS † 13 - 14

ESPAÑOL † 17 |

HOUSTON – The pastor of Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Father Peter Damian Harris, OP, is introducing Veterans Day celebrations to honor veterans of all stripes and to reach out to the many local homeless veterans. It is the first time for the Midtown parish to host a Mass specifically for veterans and their families on Veterans Day, and long overdue, according to Father Harris. He said the need to provide more support for veterans in the Houston area, whether it’s financial, medical or spiritual, is pressing and is especially close to home given the number of homeless veterans who hang out around

MILESTONES † 20

See VETERANS, page 5

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Showing love, mercy are key to entering heaven, pope says on All Souls’ Day VATICAN CITY (CNS) — As Christians await their death and the final judgment of God, the Gospel tells them what they must do to be welcomed into heaven: love others because God is love, Pope Francis said. In life, “we are in the waiting room of the world,” hoping to hear Jesus say, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father,” the pope said during a Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on Nov. 2, the feast of All Souls. Pope Francis celebrated the Mass with special prayers for the nine cardinals and 148 archbishops and bishops from around the world who died between Oct. 30, 2021, and Oct. 17 this year, including 14 bishops from the U.S. — Among them retired Bishop George A. Sheltz and Archbishop Emeritus Joseph A. Fiorenza — and four from Canada. After the Mass, the pope visited the Vatican’s Teutonic Cemetery, a medieval cemetery now reserved mainly for German-speaking priests and members of religious orders. The Gospel reading at the Mass was St. Matthew’s description of the last judgment when those who fed the hungry, welcomed the stranger and visited the prisoner are welcomed into God’s kingdom, and those who neglected to care for others are sent into “the eternal fire.” While praying for those who have died, he said, the feast day also is a call to “nurture our expectation of heaven” and question whether one’s strongest desires are for union with God or for earthly status and pleasures that will pass away. “The best careers, the greatest achievements, the most prestigious titles and accolades, the accumulated riches and earthly gains — all will vanish in a moment,” the pope said. But the Gospel of Matthew makes clear what will last; he said: love and care for others, especially the poor and those usually discarded by society. And, he said, the Gospel also explains that God’s final judgment is not like a civil court where the judge or jury sifts through every piece of

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Pope Francis uses holy water to bless the tombs of those buried in the Vatican’s Teutonic Cemetery, a medieval cemetery now reserved mainly for German-speaking priests and members of religious orders, during a visit on Nov. 2, the feast of All Souls.

evidence and weighs them all carefully. In the divine tribunal, the only thing that counts “is mercy toward the poor and discarded: ‘Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me,’” the pope said. “The Most High is in the least, He who inhabits the heavens dwells among the most insignificant to the world.” Jesus’s measure is “a love beyond our measures, and his standard of judgment is gratuitousness,” he said. “So, to prepare ourselves, we know what to do: love those who are on His priority list, those who can give us nothing back, those who do not attract us” and do so without expecting repayment. Too often, Pope Francis said, instead of living the Gospel, people try to water down the words of Jesus. “Let’s face it, we have gotten pretty good at compromising with the Gospel,” saying, “’Feeding the hungry, yes, but the issue of hunger is complex, and I certainly can’t solve it!’” or

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“’Welcoming migrants, yes, but it is a complicated issue, it concerns politics,’” the pope said. With few objections, “we make life a compromise with the Gospel.” “From simple disciples of the Master, we become teachers of complexity, who argue a lot and do little, who seek answers more in front of the computer than in front of the crucifix, on the internet rather than in the eyes of our brothers and sisters,” he said. Believers become experts “who comment, debate and expound theories, but do not know even one poor person by name, have not visited a sick person for months, have never fed or clothed someone (and) have never befriended someone in need.” The Gospel teaches people how to live while awaiting death and God’s judgment — “loving because He is love,” Pope Francis said. God “waits for us among the poor and wounded of the world. And he is waiting to be caressed not with words but with deeds.” †

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Daniel Cardinal DiNardo Archbishop, President & Publisher Jonah Dycus Communications Director & Executive Editor Rebecca Torrellas Managing Editor James Ramos Designer & Multimedia Journalist Catherine Viola Graphic Designer & Ad Manager Annette Baird and Jo Ann Zuñiga Contributors

The Texas Catholic Herald, an awardwinning member of The Catholic Media Association, is published semi-monthly on Tuesdays, with one issue in June, July and August by The Texas Catholic Herald Publishing Co., Inc., 1700 San Jacinto St., Houston, TX 77002. Periodical postage paid at Houston, TX and other distribution points. Postmaster: Send address changes to P.O. Box 907, Houston, TX 77001 Subscription rate: $15 per year; $20 outside Texas; $35 out of U.S. TCH publishing schedule Issue date: November 22 Deadline: Noon on November 1 Issue date: December 13 Deadline: Noon on November 15

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THE FIRST WORD PASTORAL APPOINTMENTS

RAISING THE FAITH

Effective Oct. 10 Father Anthony Osas Onaiwu, C.R.S. Interim Administrator – Assumption Effective Oct. 15 Father Thomas Frank, SSJ Pastor – St. Peter Claver Effective Oct. 18 Father Giulio Veronesi, C.R.S. Parochial Vicar – Assumption Effective Oct. 24 Father Augustine Adetola Parochial Vicar – St. Peter Claver

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE SISTERS OF THE INCARNATE WORD AND BLESSED SACRAMENT

The Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament came to Texas in 1852 and established Incarnate Word Academy, the oldest Catholic High School in Houston.

Congregation to celebrate 150 years of history in Archdiocese HOUSTON — From their French roots that began in Lyon, France, in 1625, Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament came to Texas in 1852, invited by Bishop Jean-Marie Odin, C.M., the first bishop of Texas. His goal was to invite religious women to teach the Catholic faith to the growing Texas population. The sisters joyfully answered the call. A small band of sisters made the journey in faith to the great unknown, Texas, knowing they would not be returning to their homeland. Their first foundation was in Brownsville, then Victoria, and the third foundation in Houston, arriving in 1873. Their mission, to spread the love and devotion to Jesus, the Incarnate Word of God, through education has remained steadfast, though it has been expressed in different ways through the years as they shared the talents that God has given them. They served tirelessly in educating youth in the Archdiocese and in the Dioceses of Austin and Beaumont. They opened and served in eight parish elementary schools in

Houston and established Incarnate Word Academy, the oldest Catholic High School in Houston, which is located in downtown Houston. In those days, streets were not even paved. It was before streetcars. The school and the sisters shared the facilities, so the sisters lived above the store, so to speak. Later, in 1932, the sisters built a new motherhouse on what was considered “prairie land” on Bissonnet Street in Bellaire. In 1945, the sisters were invited to serve at Bishop Byrne High School in Port Arthur, Texas. In 1954, Marian High School was established at the request of Bishop Wendelin Nold and in honor of the Marian year. Though both schools are no longer in existence, the sisters have many fond memories and lasting friendships with former students. In the 1980s, the sisters moved to their current motherhouse

on a property down from the Texas Medical Center. Over the years, the sisters responded to the call of bishops and pastors to extend their Catholic school ministry to other cities beyond Houston, to schools in Beaumont, Port Arthur, Baytown, Hitchcock, Bryan, Temple, La Grange and Conroe. Responding to the call of the Second Vatican Council in the early 1960s, the sisters opened a mission in Guatemala and served in other church ministries such as religious education, social services, aging ministry, pastoral care, ministry, hospital ministry, retreat ministry on both the parish and diocesan leadership level. As the Incarnate Word sisters prepare to celebrate their 150-year anniversary in 2023, they proudly look back at their contribution to helping shape the 175 years of the proud history of the Archdiocese. †

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Effective Dec. 27 Father Manuel “Trey” Crespo, MS Parochial Vicar – Mary Queen, Friendswood

IN BRIEF Catechists invited for ‘Proclaim 2022’ conference

HOUSTON — All ministry leaders, catechists, volunteers, core team members and Catholic faithful are invited to attend “Proclaim 2022: I Will Love,” a conference hosted by the Secretariat for Pastoral and Educational Ministries of the Archdiocese. The event offers two days for ministry leaders and volunteers to grow deeper in the knowledge of the faith, hone practical ministry skills, and meet and network with other leaders from around the Archdiocese. The multilingual conference (English, Spanish and Vietnamese) will be held at St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Church, located at 7810 Cypresswood Dr. in Spring Nov. 11 to Nov. 12. The weekend conference includes keynote speakers, breakout sessions, networking opportunities, and time for communal prayer. Main speakers include Daniel Cardinal DiNardo and Mike Patin, with workshop sessions with leaders like Lia Raquel Garcia and Father Francis Toan Vu, SJ, and nearly 40 others from around the Archdiocese and beyond. The workshops will explore a variety of topics including youth ministry, catechesis and faith formation, family life ministries, Liturgy and worship, Catholic schools, young adult and campus ministry and pro-life ministry topics, as well as how to live the Catholic faith. $50 registration includes both days of programming. To view the conference schedule or to register, visit www. archgh.org/proclaim. For more information call 713-7418723 or email proclaim@archgh.org. †

Archdiocesan African Cultural Heritage Festival to be held Nov. 20

HOUSTON — The Third Annual Archdiocesan African Cultural Heritage Festival is set for Nov. 20 with a Mass at 3 p.m. celebrated by Daniel Cardinal DiNardo. The Mass will be followed by a festival that will include cultural expressions through music and dance. There will be booths for vendors, and various foods from different African countries and cultures will be available as well. The event, sponsored by the African Catholics and Catholics of African Descent in the Archdiocese, will be held at St. Cyril of Alexandria Catholic Church, located at 10503 Westheimer Rd. in Houston. There is no cost to attend. For more information, call Dr. Che Anu at 832-570-2024 or Chuk Amaliri at 832-244-1950. †

THE HOLY FATHER’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR NOVEMBER PRAYER INTENTION: FOR CHILDREN WHO SUFFER

“Let us pray for children who are suffering, especially for those who are homeless, orphans, and victims of war. May they be guaranteed access to education and may they have the opportunity to experience family affection.” - Pope Francis

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Christmas play written by local priest set for December debut “Right Angles,” written by Father Nicholas Divine, C.P., will premiere at the University of St. Thomas. ▪ SEE PAGE 18

Faith flourishes in Guadalupe devotion, celebrations GUADALUPE, from page 1 Chancery, 1700 San Jacinto St., with a blessing from Auxiliary Bishop Italo Dell’Oro, CRS. Various Catholic church groups will have their Matachine dancers dressed in Aztec feather headdresses and other colorful costumes swirl through downtown arriving at the George R. Brown Convention Center, 1001 Avenida de las Americas. A Rosary is scheduled there at 11:30 a.m. while Mass begins at noon with Daniel Cardinal DiNardo as celebrant and Bishop Dell’Oro as concelebrant. Then traditional dances and serenades will be performed starting at 2 p.m. Lazaro Contreras, director of the Archdiocese Office of Hispanic Ministry, said, “As the Patroness of the Americas, Our Lady of Guadalupe is a symbol of love and understanding, a unifying presence for all of us in the Americas.” “This event helps families pass on faith and cultural values to younger family members, helping them nurture their spirituality. It also helps others learn more about Our Lady, whom Jesus gave to us as our mother as well,” he said. The tradition honors the time on Dec. 9, 1531, on a hill of Tepeyac near a village in Mexico when now St. Juan Diego was stopped by the appearance of a brown-skinned woman bathed in light and speaking in his indigenous tongue of Nahuatl. She requested a church to be built on that site to manifest the love of Jesus and hear the petitions of the faithful. At her bidding, he visited Bishop Juan de Zumarraga, who doubted the story. But Juan Diego met with the Virgin Mary again on Dec. 12, now the official feast day, and she arranged roses within his cloak picked from the hill where only cactus had been growing before. She told him to present the flowers as a gift to the bishop. When Juan Diego opened his cloak or tilma, the roses tumbled out, and the image of the Virgin Mary was miraculously traced on the coat, which still exists today. Realizing Juan Diego had told him the truth, the bishop began the Basilica of the Virgin of Guadalupe, which led to massive conversions of indigenous to Catholicism. The shrine remains one of the most visited Catholic pilgrimage sites in the world. Individual parishes will also be

PHOTOS BY JAMES RAMOS/HERALD

Clockwise, from top left: Father William C. Bueche, C.Ss.R., receives the torch during the 24th annual International Relay Run of the Antorcha Guadalupana, an annual processional that sees a lit torch and images of Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Juan Diego, run from Mexico City, through Texas, and ending at St. Patrick’s Cathedral New York City on the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The torch procession visited several Houston-area parishes, including Our Lady of Guadalupe in Rosenberg and Christ the King in Houston. At right, a statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Houston is adorned with flowers. At left, a group of matachines dancers perform during the annual Our Lady of Guadalupe Festival in 2019. The next celebration is set for Dec. 4.

celebrating at their churches on Dec. 12, including Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 2405 Navigation Blvd. Church staff member Rosario “Rosie” Martinez said parishioners will begin decorating for the festival on Sunday afternoon, Dec. 11, to prepare for a Dec. 12 midnight Mass in the church plaza. Then a morning Mass Dec. 12 will begin with the traditional song Las Mananitas with a Mariachi starting at 5 a.m. and Mass at 6 a.m.

A RUN FOR OUR LADY For the 24th time, the International Relay Run of the Antorcha Guadalupana passed through the Archdiocese. In the final days of October, the procession, which features a lit torch run alongside two large images of Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Juan Diego, visited several Houston-area parishes, including Holy Ghost and Christ the King in Houston, Our Lady of Guadalupe in Rosenberg and others. The torch and the images were received at each parish with special prayers, Masses, and matachines and danzante performances. Crowds of faithful turned out to venerate the images and pray for the

intercession of Our Lady and St. Juan Diego. On sidewalks and country roads, as well as city thoroughfares, Catholic devotees carried the torch following the images, which were transported in a trailer with massive windows from parish to parish. The 81-day relay began at the Basilica de Guadalupe in Mexico City in September, and runs through Texas, and ends at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City in time for the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Dec. 12. Some 7,000 relay runners carry the torch. After visiting Holy Ghost, the torch was then run to Beaumont, where it will continue its journey to New York City. †

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Veterans Day events include Mass, Rosary VETERANS, from page 1

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the church. “It’s important to recognize their selfless service to keep this country safe and their contribution to world peace,” Father Harris said. “They are a very vital part of this country, and I think they should be recognized.” Having been born and raised in Jamaica where veterans are celebrated every year on Nov. 11, or what is often referred to as “Poppy Day,” Father Harris wanted to do something equally celebratory at Holy Rosary, where he has served as pastor for the past 18 months and before that as associate pastor. “It’s one way to evangelize,” Father Harris said. Under Father Harris’s leadership, Holy Rosary’s Vocation Ministry team, led by Celia Clay, OP, organized the events for veterans, which includes an appearance by Sister Deirdre “DeDe” Byrne, POSC, who is coming from Washington D.C. to talk about her military experiences and spiritual journey. Currently, Sister Byrne is the superior of the D.C. Little Workers of the Sacred Hearts house near Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., where the sisters run a pro-bono physical therapy clinic and diabetic eye clinic, retirement home for her elderly sisters as well as a music school pre-school children. Clay, also a veteran as a retired major having served 23 years in public health in the Texas Air National Guard and the U.S. Air Force, is sensitive to the needs of veterans. “This is a group of people that need to be part of something larger than themselves,” she said. “For many, their faith has been tested. When they leave the armed forces, they are looking

NOV. 11 - VETERANS DAY CELEBRATION

5:15 P.M. - Veteran’s Day Mass, Guest Homilist and Main Celebrant, Fr. Ian Bordenave, O.P. followed by a reception 7 P.M. - “Rosary for the Nation” led by Sister Deirdre “Dede” Byrne, POSC 7:30 to 8:30 P.M. - “Veterans & Vocations” presentation by Sr. Deirdre “Dede” Byrne, POSC PHONE: 713-529-4854

CNS PHOTO

U.S. Marine veteran Tom Dicks, right, and U.S. Navy veteran Bob Egan salute during a memorial service marking the 55th anniversary of the death of Maryknoll Father Vincent R. Capodanno at Fort Wadsworth in Staten Island, N.Y., Sept. 4, 2022. Father Capodanno, a native of Staten Island, was killed while ministering as a U.S. Navy chaplain to wounded Marines on a battlefield in Vietnam. A biopic of Father Capodanno’s life will be screened at Holy Rosary Parish in Houston on Nov. 18 during a series of events honoring veterans.

for a way to live that out, and they are welcome here.” Both Father Harris and Clay want to provide a welcoming environment for veterans and their families and will continue to do what they can for veterans in the area, whether it’s providing bus tickets or helping with utilities and food. A recent 2021 report by the Coalition for the Homeless of Houston said that one third of surveyed sheltered homeless were veterans, and estimated between 1,200 to 1,400 homeless veterans were in Texas. “We are in discussion with other faith

IN BRIEF Catholic Charities’ food distributions continue at three locations

HOUSTON — Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston offers food assistance at three locations. In Houston, client choice food distributions are on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Guadalupe Center, located at 326 S. Jensen St. Appointments required, for appointments, call 713-874-6781 on Mondays and Fridays. Only registered clients will be permitted; no walk-up registrations. Food fairs are set for Oct. 22 and Nov. 12 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. In Galveston, the Beacon of Hope Center, located at 4700 Broadway, Suite F-103, hosts drive-thru distributions on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month, starting at 9 a.m. No appointments required. Call 409-762-2064 for more information. In Fort Bend County, The Mamie George Community Center, located at 1111 Collins Rd. in Richmond, hosts both drive-thru food distributions and in-person shopping. Drive-thru distributions, in partnership with the Houston Food Bank, are on Tuesdays, from 5 to 7 p.m., and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Register by texting “HFBPS” to 855-788-3663, then select “Catholic Charities — Richmond.” Clients should visit by appointment only on Mondays, 12 to 2 p.m.; Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The Center also hosts monthly food fairs, with the next one set for Oct. 29, 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. For help, call 281-202-6200. For more, visit www.catholiccharities.org/food or call the Catholic Charities COVID Assistance Line at 713-874-6521. †

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groups to collaborate and do what we can to better serve them,” Father Harris said. “We are just starting out, and this is a new idea.” Following the Nov. 11 Mass, Sister Byrne will lead a “Rosary for the Nation,” also known as a patriotic Rosary. She will go on to talk about her experiences as a medical officer in the

U.S. Army — she retired in 2009 with the rank of colonel after 29 years of service, which led her to become a missionary sister with Little Workers of the Sacred Heart in Washington D.C., her missionary work and her encounters with Mother Theresa. Sister Byrne met Mother Teresa for the first time in 1989 and again in 1997 when she was assigned to look after Mother Teresa, who was in Washington D.C., for several days to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor. At the time, Sister Byrne was still discerning and took to heart Mother Teresa’s advice to “keep your eyes on the Cross.” Of her 29 years of military service, which included rotations with the Army in Afghanistan and at Walter Reed National Medical Center, Sister Byrne said she fell in love with the soldiers. “They are brave, and they have sacrificed their life and their family time to defend us,” she said. †

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Bishop Cahill: ‘See humanity with the eyes of Jesus’ DISABILITY, from page 1 a welcoming and hospitable” campus, parish, school and diocese, especially in light of the recent Synod. “You want to do more than just include someone,” she said. “You want to help create a home for the person with a disability, in the Church, to where they move from just being included. We want to move people from inclusion to belonging in the Church.” With the human spirit built for connection, she said, “we want to help those who serve in disability ministry and even more so those who desire to do so, to not only learn best practices and have tools and resources.” Katra said the recent Synod efforts have helped bring new issues to light, some that both the Church community and its leadership have overlooked in the past. “I don’t need to tell somebody with a PHOTO BY JAMES RAMOS/HERALD disability what they need. They can tell Toni Flagg, at left, interprets a keynote address by Bishop Brendan J. Cahill during the 2022 National me,” she said. “They can tell the Church, and they have. Through the Synod and Catholic Partnership on Disability conference at St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Church in Spring on Oct. all the surveys and virtual meetings that 21. Flagg, who attends St. Dominic Deaf Parish with her husband Deacon Bruce Flagg, and Father Len we had over the last several months, that Broniak, C.Ss.R, the chaplain and deaf ministry program director, were sign language interpreters during the conference. was a resounding message.” Describing other issues, Katra said the Beatitudes. But also, we’re invited attitudinal barriers are often harder to to picture ourselves as Jesus facing the remove than physical ones. crowds. That God became human to teach “People with disabilities and their us to become God. To teach us to become families want to feel a sense of belonging His presence in the world in which we in the Church, and they do not feel like live. In a way, as we read the Scriptures they have been on many occasions,” and acknowledge that Jesus became fully Katra said. human, we come to realize that Part of the conference’s we are called to look at the programming included a world with the same eyes that sensory-friendly celebration Jesus had for humanity.” of the Mass, which featured He reminded the attendees subdued lighting and music, to make a daily conscious softer or fewer instruments effort to see the light of Christ and spoken Mass parts and shining in other people and in other shortened segments for themselves as well. people with processing delays, Drawing from St. John Paul MELISSA ALVAREZ as well as an American Sign II, Bishop Cahill said to look Language interpreter and beyond the evil things in the Assistant Director, Ministry for CHARLEEN assistive listening devices and world, to “see what’s positive in Persons with Disabilities KATRA large print Missals. others,” and to “maintain a love The sensory-friendly Mass of God for them.” was a new experience for Bishop Brendan “Do we know how to make room for J. Cahill of Victoria, who was a keynote our brothers and sisters?” he asked. “We living it in a dignified way.” speaker at the conference. live in such a busy world; life is always This inspired and motivated Katra. His address reflected on several moving. Do we also make time for All the documents and teaching he Vatican documents and Church teachings others?” St. John Paul II gave a vision for referenced showed that the Church from the Second Vatican Council and the Second Vatican Council, he said, for “really saw beyond themselves and other Church leaders. the Church to continue to make room for could appreciate and embrace through Bishop Cahill applauded those others and “to respect the dignity of every empathy and compassion, the needs of attending the conference, saying, “You human person created by God.” others that were greater than my own or are the best of humanity.” Bishop Cahill emphasized a line from myself.” “We are trying to see humanity with a document from Vatican II: “without any Everyone knows someone who is the eyes of Jesus,”he said.“With Scripture, exceptions.” affected by a disability, she said. She often we picture ourselves in the crowd. He said, “Everyone should look on compared it to the story of the Good We might picture ourselves as the woman his neighbor, without any exceptions, Samaritan: “Are you the person stopping with a hemorrhage. We might picture as another self, bearing in mind, above and offering to help? Or are you galloping ourselves as the crowds at the Mount of all, his life and the means necessary for on by your house because you have no time?” She tempered her challenge with the Our downtown location is reality that everyone has different roles throughout the day that affect what temporarily closed due to fire. everyone can do, but she said, “Gospel Our other location IS OPEN values always equal full inclusion, and beyond that, full belonging. Still, someone slowed down.” Sacco Family Owned and Operated The conference featured several Since 1956 2950 Chimney Rock Road breakout workshops and roundtable (in the Uptown/Galleria area) discussions, as well as a virtual registration option. More than 100 people We will re-open our main location as soon as possible. were registered to attend, including attendees from the East and West coasts. Order by phone or email American Sign Language interpreters from the St. Dominic Deaf Parish in 713-659-4709 or sacco@saccos.com Houston also interpreted the keynote Shop online at www.saccos.com addresses and Mass. Part of the efforts of the NCPD is to

“This conference is very important because we are advocates for people that don’t have a voice, that need that support, and to spread the word, to proclaim God’s word and network within our own community.”

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SYNOD REPORT AND RESOURCES To read the final Synod report, visit WWW.ARCHGH.ORG/SYNOD or scan the QR code above with your phone’s camera. encourage and increase sensory-friendly Masses in the Church, a ministry that’s starting to grow both in GalvestonHouston and across the country. “Parishes are starting to see and understand this is a real need,” Katra said. “If you want to accompany people, if you want to be a synodal Church, offering a sensory-friendly Mass is as equally, if not more important, for Catholic identity than, again, the importance of adapting catechetical programs and other events and programs in a parish to make them physically accessible and adapted to the various needs of diverse learners.” Katra recognized that many people with disabilities are among the marginalized populations that Pope Francis has consistently preached about during his papacy, especially during the Synod. “It’s important not only to the Church but to God,” she said. She also noted how she wished that both Church members and Church leaders knew how much the other was trying to move the Church forward. “Oftentimes, maybe one doesn’t see what the other is doing, and I think there are great efforts being done on both sides of the fence, and I’m always trying to encourage and get that message out to people, especially to the families, the Church leadership is really coming to trainings because I know because I’m on this side helping directing some of this. But the needs are real,” she said. Melissa Alvarez, assistant director of the Ministry with Persons with Disabilities for the Archdiocese, said the conference gave ministry leaders and Church members the chance to meet each other and know where their needs are and how to help each other. “This conference is very important because we are advocates for people that don’t have a voice, that need that support, and to spread the word, to proclaim God’s word and network within our own community,” she said. With communities continuing to respond to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, she said many parishes and schools are seeing families struggle with achieving a healthy balance in life, especially families with children with special needs. “The parents’ hands are full from taking care of their children’s daily needs, let alone trying to remain active in faith formation,” Alvarez said. “I’ve encountered that a lot and that probably has to do with the repercussion of [the pandemic]... We’re going to see that wave of more emotional needs, more different needs, that now are not just disability, but more mental health issues and needs.” She said the Archdiocesan Ministry with Persons with Disabilities offers resources to local parishes and parishioners online at www.archgh.org/ mpwd. For more information on the NCPD, visit ncpd.org. †

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Bishop Dell’Oro confirms 19 in prison for the first time since COVID-19 BY REBECCA TORRELLAS Texas Catholic Herald HUNTSVILLE — On Sunday, Oct. 16, Auxiliary Bishop Italo Dell’Oro, CRS, confirmed 19 men at the TDCJ Wynne Prison Unit, some of whom have been waiting for Confirmation since before March 2020, when all TDCJ units were closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Paperwork and approval delays also hampered efforts to confirm the men. Between the Office of Worship, the bishop’s office and Robert Sarlay, certified volunteer chaplain assistant at the Wynne unit, the event was able to be rescheduled. According to Sarlay, the men spent two years in preparatory study to learn what the Sacrament of Confirmation was about and what their responsibilities would be as confirmed men in the faith. Bishop Dell’Oro was accompanied by three deacons of the Archdiocese: Deacon Alvin Lovelady, who is the director of Correctional Ministries; Deacon Dennis Hayes; and Deacon Richard Lopez. Inside the chapel were 161 of their brothers in faith, men in white at the Wynne Unit, to show their support and

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE OFFICE OF CORRECTIONAL MINISTRIES

Auxiliary Bishop Italo Dell’Oro confirmed 19 men at the TDCJ Wynne Prison Unit, some of whom had been waiting for Confirmation since before the COVID-19 pandemic.

pray with the candidates. In addition to the clergy and participants, eight civilian visitors showed their support for the men being confirmed. The Wynne Catholic Choir provided the lead in the singing and chant responses of the whole congregation. After the proclamation of the Gospel by Deacon Hayes, the bishop addressed the

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candidates and gave further instructions about Confirmation and going forward with faith and hope. He then called forward each candidate, accompanied by the candidate’s sponsor to receive the sacred chrism, thereby receiving the fullness of the Holy Spirit and being confirmed in their faith. In his homily, Bishop Dell’Oro told the men he was humbled to be there with Christ in prison, his gratitude to them and all involved in helping him be there for this first Confirmation as a bishop in a prison. Bishop Dell’Oro later said before leaving the prison, “I want to do more of these.” Sarlay said, “The Mass offered by Bishop Italo was especially spiritual with full chanting, responses by the men in attendance, incense and Holy Communion given to the congregation at large.” Deacon Lovelady added, “His homily to the men was so humbling and sincere, his gratitude to them and all involved in helping him be there for this first Confirmation as a bishop in a prison was... let’s just say I’m glad for my job and the fact that I get to witness these great moments when men and the Holy Spirit work together to bring us and others closer to Christ.”

The 2022 Diocesan Services Fund theme draws from 1 Corinthians: “All For the Glory of God.” DSF operates in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston each year to help the Church carry out the ministries of teaching and sanctifying. DSF brings the needed financial resources to carry out 60-plus ministries. For Deacon Lovelady, it was “Mission Accomplished” in the sense that it had taken so long to get this completed. “Everyone has worked around and through all the obstacles that have popped up over this long time of preparation and by the grace of God we were able to get Bishop Italo there. It was divine intervention to say the least,” he said. “For the men it was a dream come true. Many of them had decided it was not meant for them to complete their journey they had set out on seemingly so long ago.” Deacon Lovelady said some of the men had completed RCIA just prior to the pandemic and were waiting then on being confirmed. Some had transferred during the pandemic to the unit and were also waiting on Confirmation. “It was all truly the hard work of many people coming together for a just cause,” he said. “I do believe everything happened the way it did because Bishop Italo Dell’Oro was supposed to be the one who confirmed these men. I think if you ask him, he will say it was all in God’s hands and he was just happy to be part of God’s work.” †

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Ladies Auxiliary of Peter Claver deliver care packages to the Magnificat House BY EBONI GRAHAM Special to the Herald HOUSTON — For women reintegrating into society from prison, economic mobility might prove challenging. To help alleviate some of those barriers, the women of the Ladies Auxiliary division of the Knights of Peter Claver donated care packages to the Magnificat House in Houston on Oct. 6. “Many women are just trying to start over,” said Rose Ellis, the newly elected State Deputy of Texas, KPCLA. “We provided a few items of need to do that. All women need to feel someone cares and have a sister in Christ to watch their back. I believe that the people we help will one day help our sisters tomorrow.” The donated care packages included personal hygiene products, rain gear, bedding accessories, clothing and other essential care items. The service project, Women Helping Women prison ministry, was attended by Supreme Lady Michaela LeBlanc and a host of other Claver women from local courts around the Houston area. The concept of this project came after Ellis, a member of the Ladies Auxiliary at St. Mary of the Purification Catholic Church in Houston, had a discussion with various ladies in the organization that saw a need in the community of women that have been neglected and penalized after leaving domestic abuse situations. “Women Helping Women prison ministry was developed to let our sisters in Christ know we all have experienced difficulties, and they are not alone in their struggles,” she said.

The Knights of Peter Claver Inc. and Ladies Auxiliary is the largest predominantly Black Cath olic lay organization in the U.S. Originally founded on Nov. 7, 1909, in Mobile, Alabama, the Knights of Peter Claver was formed to allow men of color membership in a Catholic fraternal society. The Ladies Auxiliary was authorized in August 1922 and recognized as a Division of the National Council in Galveston in 1926. Headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, the Knights of Peter Claver is comprised of over 18,000 Catholic family members. The councils (for men) and courts (for women) meet on a monthly basis to plan and organize service projects and other varying events. The junior divisions consist of youth ages 7 to 18. The Missionary Sisters of the Holy Eucharist, who are intake workers at the Magnificat House, and Greg Lueb, a director at Magnificat House, helped the organization with the coordination of the delivery of the care packages and gave a mini tour to the members of the Knights of Peter Claver and Ladies Auxiliary onsite. Founded in 1968 by Rose Mary Badami, the Magnificat House provides mental health support and spiritual guidance to men and women as they rebuild their lives in community. Of the 10 houses that Lueb oversees, two of the houses are designed for women, the Morning Star and the Marian House. It was a pleasure having the women of the Knights of Peter Claver and Ladies Auxiliary at the Magnificat House, said

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Supreme Lady Michaela LeBlanc of the Ladies Auxiliary division of the Knights of Peter Claver, and Angela Duplechain, Junior Daughter Counselor of Court 138 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, attend Mass at the University of Houston Catholic Newman Center. LeBlanc, who resides in Los Angeles, California, was in town for several outreach projects, of which included meeting with representatives from the University of Houston Newman Center and Texas Southern University, and participating in the Women Helping Women prison ministry project at the Magnificat House.

Lueb. “Please know you are always welcome,” he added. The Women Helping Women service project is being duplicated in Beaumont (the Melton Center), San Antonio (the Newly Empowered Women), Austin and Waco. LeBlanc, who resides in Los Angeles, California, was in town for several

outreach projects, activities and events. One of the outreach missions included meeting with representatives from the University of Houston Newman Center and Texas Southern University. The order is a member of the International Alliance Catholic Knights. For more information, visit www.kofpc. org. †

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Catholic student battles brain tumor with medical care, faith, helping children BY JO ANN ZUÑIGA Texas Catholic Herald

HOUSTON — Dealing with a nonmalignant but golf ball-sized brain tumor since she was eight years old, Cecilia Treviño, now 12, has worked for the past three years to make other pediatric patients smile. “When I was in the hospital, I received toys, and it really helped me forget for a little while what I was going through. So I wanted to help other kids,” Ceci said. Her parents, Jorge and Melissa Treviño, said they discussed her possible toy donation project with her doctor at Texas Children’s Hospital, Dr. Frank Y. Lin, who thought it was a great idea. Now her website, CeciCares.org, is officially a 501C3 nonprofit organization. She has seen her wish list grow from distributing 350 new toys in the first year, then doubling to 700 in the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic. This past Christmas, her foundation was able to donate more than 6,000 new toys and $600 in gift cards to pediatric patients at Texas Children’s Hospital campuses in the Texas Medical Center, The Woodlands and Katy, as well as Memorial Hermann Children’s Hospital and The Sunshine Kids. Ceci said,“I want them to know they’re

not alone. I feel like I’ve grown up and gotten stronger and now have more faith. I know that God is going to be there for us.” Strong words for a seventh grader at St. Theresa Catholic School at Memorial Park. But it’s been a long journey. Back on Feb. 6, 2018, Ceci started vomiting and having headaches. Her parents thought she had caught the flu and took her to her pediatrician and an urgent care clinic. When she began seeing double vision, her pediatrician recommended an MRI. The scan at Texas Children’s revealed a pilocytic astrocytoma, a tumor benign at the time. But the size at 1.7 inches was big enough to block the fourth ventricle of her lower brain, filling it with cerebrospinal fluid. “The sheer mass of the tumor was backing up fluid like a kinked hose plugging up the flow. The pressure was too high,” Lin explained. So within that same month, Ceci was wheeled into an operating room for an eight-hour emergency surgery to remove the tumor. “She’s our little hero,” said her mother, Mrs. Treviño. “She surprised us all with how positive she stayed. She gave us the strength to continue to go through this. Our family has grown closer.” Even though the cure rate for this

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE TREVIÑO FAMILY

Above, St. Theresa Catholic school student Cecilia Trevino, in center, seen with her parents Melissa and Jorge Treviño, started a toy drive fundraiser for pediatric patients. Herself having to deal with multiple surgeries and treatment for a brain tumor, Ceci created her foundation CeciCares.org to bring smiles to hospitalized children at local Texas Children’s Hospital campuses, Memorial Hermann Children’s Hospital and The Sunshine Kids. Below, Cecila Trevino plays golf during a recent tournament.

type of tumor is higher than 90%, Ceci is not in the clear yet. Lin is monitoring remnants of the tumor on sensitive areas on top of Ceci’s brain stem and nodules intertwined on her spinal cord. They are slowly growing and may need future intervention, whether additional surgery, chemotherapy, or other targeted treatment. But he is impressed with Ceci’s positive attitude and perseverance. “To find such a child who can face unimaginable challenges and turn a dark experience to bring joy to others is amazing,” Lin said. Her brave and generous spirit has also caught the attention of the media, with both the Houston Chronicle and Channel 13 ABC news interviewing Ceci, her family and medical staff recently. Ceci’s hospital case is not keeping her from being active — she plays on the school’s volleyball team and just started cheerleading this year. St. Theresa’s director of athletics, Scott Sugalski, said, “Ceci has always had such a caring heart, and I am so proud of all of her accomplishments.” Plus, she remains an avid golfer with the South Texas Professional Golf Association children’s program called the Little Linksters. Playing golf is good for Ceci’s physical therapy, boosting hand-eye coordination, according to Lin. This type of brain tumor can have long-term effects on balance, strength and coordination but not fertility or life expectancy, he said. Mr. Treviño credits the toy project’s success to their Church family support, her Catholic school support, hospital staff and their network of work and friends — he calls them all “Team Ceci.” “We wouldn’t have made it without them. Faith is really important for us and our growth,” he said. Mr. Treviño listed several spiritual advisors, including Father Paul English, formerly with St. Anne’s Catholic Church

on Westheimer, where the Trevinos are parishioners and now a chaplain at the University of St. Thomas. He also named Father Phil Lloyd, pastor at St. Theresa Catholic Church and School, and Deacon Tom Piotrowski, Ceci’s theology teacher at St. Theresa, as all helping to guide the family through tough times. The community turned out again at a recent fundraiser at Sylvia’s Enchilada Kitchen, 6401 Woodway, on Oct. 22, where about 150 people paid $50 each for dinner and three games of Loteria, Mexican bingo, to win prizes and to bid on live and silent auction items. They raised about $9,000 for not only more toys but for baby items and gift cards for teen patients to include them in the overall toy drive project. The foundation places a small sticker on each toy, stating it is a gift from CeciCares.org. Her mother said, “A couple of months ago, Ceci and I were coming home from golf practice, and her dad shared a photo that a parent had sent to our foundation. It showed how happy their child was to receive one of our toys. We looked at this picture, and we both just started crying.” Her father added, “We are all called to be saints, but Ceci is well on her way.” For more information or to donate to the project, visit www.CeciCares.org. †

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ONE IN PRAYER

The Diocesan Services Fund is a way in which the Archdiocese, as one family, as the Body of Christ, comes together. Your gift to the DSF is a rich contribution to spreading the Good News. H.E. Daniel Cardinal DiNardo ARCHBISHOP OF GALVESTON-HOUSTON

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE ASIAN MASS COMMITTEE

Auxiliary Bishop Italo Dell’Oro, CRS, celebrated the annual Archdiocesan Asian Mass on Oct. 30 at Christ the Incarnate Word Catholic Church in Houston.

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Asian cultures unite in faith at the 26th annual Asian Mass

HOUSTON — Auxiliary Bishop Italo Dell’Oro, CRS, celebrated the 26th annual Asian Mass on Oct. 30 at Christ the Incarnate Word Catholic Church in Houston. The annual Mass is visually stunning, featuring several Asian communities represented both in Houston and the Catholic Church, including Burmese, Chinese, Filipino, Indian, Indonesian, Korean and Vietnamese Catholics. Officials said the annual celebration reflects the Archdiocese as “diverse and rich in culture but united as one through faith in Jesus Christ.” This year was Bishop Dell’Oro’s second time to preside over the Mass. The Mass also included the Knights of Columbus and a procession of representatives from each community in attendance. Attendees were encouraged to wear their heritage’s traditional clothing. †

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EDUCATION

‘Cultivating a sense of beauty’: Fine arts unite at first-ever music, art teacher workshop series at Co-Cathedral BY JAMES RAMOS Texas Catholic Herald HOUSTON — Inspired to continue Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart’s mission of being a spiritual home to everyone within the Archdiocese, CoCathedral leaders collaborated with the Catholic Schools Office to host the firstever group of workshops for fine arts teachers of Catholic schools from around the Archdiocese. Art and music teachers joined other educators, like band directors, orchestra leaders and music leaders, for the daylong event held at the Co-Cathedral and the Cathedral Centre in downtown Houston. Music teacher workshops covered a variety of topics as well, led by Crista Miller, director of music at the CoCathedral and cathedral organist, Patrick Schneider, assistant choir director, and other Co-Cathedral music staff leaders. Crista Miller said music and art teachers often become “islands” at their schools, noting that they are usually teaching a broad range of ages and classes by themselves. The day was an effort to end such isolation, she said. A pre-workshop survey helped organizers prepare session discussion topics, as well as find out how the teachers can learn from and support each other. Art teachers attended sessions led by digital artist Paul Latino and Al Sauls, a traditional painter, that were personally inspiring to the teachers while emphasizing the importance of viewing, learning about, and producing sacred art with their students in Catholic schools, according to Laura Rolo, director of instruction and professional development at the Catholic Schools Office for the Archdiocese. Officials estimated nearly 75 educators attended the workshops that day. Latino and Sauls showed the attendees how they created their artwork, with Sauls doing a live painting demonstration and displaying a work-inprogress, officials said. The art teachers

PHOTO BY CRISTA MILLER/CO-CATHEDRAL OF THE SACRED HEART

At top, music educators from Catholic schools around the Archdiocese rehearse music before a Mass on Oct. 10 at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. Above, Megan Miller, a music teacher and orchestra director at St. Mary Catholic School in League City, was one of nearly 75 educators attended a recent continuing education and development day for art and music teachers hosted by the Catholic Schools Office and the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Houston.

also had the chance to paint during the workshop, with some attendees saying it had been a long time since they had created their own artwork themselves. The day culminated with daily Mass, which featured worship and music led by the music teachers in attendance,

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including nine different instruments — two saxophones, a violin, a drum kit and more — all played by the teachers. “It was a diverse orchestra,” Crista Miller said. Especially with musicians, she said, “If you demonstrate passion in front of a group of people, a lot of the mechanics and logistics take care of themselves. If we’re inspired, we’re good in front of others. And the best way I know to do that is to make music myself and to have an experience where we’re going to make music.” The music for that Mass featured a polyphony, which is a type of harmonized singing that was rehearsed just five minutes before Mass. “It was a reminder that they’re capable of doing [challenging work],” Schneider said. “If you’re working with kids all the time, you might always think of music taking a long time to ‘bake’ before it’s ready to go. But these teachers are all accomplished musicians themselves, and they’re capable of probably more than what they get to do with their kids every day.” Crista Miller found that the needs of the teachers varied, with some just starting their music programs and others

needing help with music for Liturgy and Mass. Megan Miller, a music teacher and orchestra director at St. Mary Catholic School in League City, said she was thrilled to meet and learn from other music education peers. That day Megan Miller encountered the Co-Cathedral as a spiritual home for herself and the other educators, both during the Mass and during the workshops. She said those sessions were helpful in offering new ideas and other concrete ways, such as a unified music curriculum for Catholic schools, to teach music in her own classroom. “The effort showed how we can be cultivating a Catholic identity into our music programs (at Catholic schools),” she said. The workshop was a reassurance from the Archdiocese that what they were doing was important, valued and a reminder that “what we’re doing is at a high level,” she said. And especially after the COVID-19 pandemic splintered choirs and churches around the world in 2020, Megan Miller said she sees her students are excited to gather for any kind of music. “We are cultivating a sense of beauty in the kids and how it connects to God, and that sacred music is one of the best ways to pray and connect with God,” she said. She said she also enjoyed preparing the music for the Mass. “In that environment, with the beautiful acoustics and under Crista Miller and Patrick Schneider’s direction, and just with other skilled and trained musicians in that beautiful place was just amazing,” she said. At the encouragement of Father Jeff Bame, rector and pastor of the CoCathedral, Crista Miller said the CoCathedral was exploring additional ways to bring Catholic school students to the Co-Cathedral to experience music in a new and unique way, blending both the visual artistry and the science behind the Co-Cathedral’s Pasi Op. 19 organ and music. Crista Miller said the music department at the Co-Cathedral was looking forward to the upcoming Advent season, which would kick off a series of events that are open to the public, such as Sung Vespers for the first Sunday of Advent on Nov. 27 at 4:30 p.m. before the 5:30 p.m. Mass at the Co-Cathedral. Then a “Lessons and Carols” event will feature the Co-Cathedral’s Cor Jesu and Schola Cantorum choirs on Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. On Dec. 21 at 7 p.m., the same choirs will host their annual Christmas concert, also at the Co-Cathedral. In addition, the Co-Cathedral hosts a continuing series of First Friday organ recitals, featuring local university Organ students playing the Pasi Op. 19 organ following the 12:10 p.m. daily Mass from 12:45 to 1:15 p.m., with the next recitals set for Dec. 2 and Jan. 6, 2023. For more information about the CoCathedral’s upcoming events, visit www. sacredhearthouston.org/music-2 or email musicoffice@sacredhearthouston.org. †

NOVEMBER 8, 2022 • ARCHGH.ORG/TCH

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YOUTH Holy souls of purgatory Have you ever thought about death? Most people, especially the healthy and youthful ones, do not like to consider their mortality. There is, however, a longstanding tradition in the Church that exhorts us, “Memento mori”/“Remember you must die!” Don’t get me wrong, however. I’m not referring to a morbid fascination with death but to a healthy and holy meditation on this inevitable reality that awaits us. For every person who embraces the grace of salvation in Jesus Christ, death is but a step toward eternal life. Prayerful consideration of death can change the way we live our lives and how we relate to the dead. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that all who die in a state of sanctifying grace are assured eternal salvation. The souls in purgatory are holy because they are saved, and eternal life awaits them with certitude, even as their love of God, ever so real, is still imperfect. God is pure light, and in Him, there is no darkness whatsoever (1 Jn 1:5). Every one of us inevitably falls short of Christ’s command to be perfect as the heavenly Father is perfect (Mt

5:48). When we come to the throne of judgment, every darkness of sin within us will be exposed to His light. Every shadow of our ungodly attachments must be by expelled from our souls. SR. THERESA This process of MARIE CHAU purification is a lifelong NGUYEN, OP project of striving for holiness, and what is not achieved in this life — the remainder of the process — will be completed after death. Purgatory is thus the state of those who have received redemption but are yet still in preparation for the full vision of God in heaven. As gold is refined in fire (1 Cor 3:13-15), the fires of purgatory burn away all that is not of God: unremitted venial sin, attachments to sinful ways, our bad habits and selfish inclinations. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI describes the fires of purgatory in Spes Salvi as Christ Himself, whose gaze melts away all falsehood “as it burns us, transforms and frees us, allowing us to become

†

truly ourselves.” The pain of this transformation “is a blessed pain, in which the holy power of His love sears through us like a flame, enabling us to become totally ourselves and thus totally of God” (no. 47). Purgatory is, therefore, that place where the good work God has begun in each of us is brought to perfection (Phil 1:16) and where our souls are clothed with celestial wedding garments worthy of an eternal banquet (Mt 22:12). God so graciously prepares us for what “eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor has yet entered the human heart.” In addition to affirming the existence of purgatory, the Council of Trent solemnly taught that the suffrages of the faithful assist the souls of the faithful departed through offerings of prayer, alms, indulgences, and in a special way, the holy sacrifice of the Mass. The awesomeness of the Church’s teaching on purgatory lies in the superabundance of God’s mercy, and eternal wisdom manifested therein. The fact of purgatory and the communion we maintain with the faithful departed bespeak the fact that while death may wreak a disintegration of life, it does

not have the final say. For even in death, “the souls of the just belong to God” (Wisdom 3:1), and the faith and familial bonds from our earthly existence endure. This profound hope-filled belonging is possible because love is stronger than death. We belong to God, who is love and whose justice is meted out in mercy. In Him, we also belong to one another through the bonds established in our common faith in Jesus Christ. This bond is so strong that it supersedes death, allowing our prayer for one another to transcend the limits of time and space and extend into eternity. Holy Mother Church reminds us of these bonds of communion and exhorts us in a special way throughout the month of November to remember all those who have died. Let us commit ourselves to this spiritual work of mercy in praying for the faithful departed. † Sister Theresa Marie Chau Nguyen, OP, is an assistant professor of undergraduate theology at the University of St. Thomas.

14 TEXAS CATHOLIC HERALD

ARCHGH.ORG/TCH • NOVEMBER 8, 2022

COLUMNISTS Venerable Henriette Delille: An unlikely nun On Oct. 15, 1851, in the city of New Orleans, Henriette Delille professed her vows as a religious sister. Although the walk to St. Mary’s Chapel was only a few blocks, her journey to religious life had been a long one. Henriette was a femme de couleur libre (“free woman of color”), the daughter of a free Black mother and a White father. At the age of 15, Henriette entered into a common-law marriage and gave birth to two sons, whom both died as infants. Her husband left her soon after the death of their second son, and she was so poor that she could not pay for the baby’s burial. In her grief, Henriette turned to God and found both her Savior and her calling to religious life. But in 1830’s New Orleans, the only Black faces in convents were the enslaved women that worked as servants there. Firmly

convinced of her vocation, Henriette persevered through years of rejection to eventually found the Sisters of the Holy Family, a religious community for Black women. That community celebrated its 180th anniversary this year. Venerable Henriette Delille is one of six Black American Catholics whose lives are being considered for canonization. What spiritual lessons can we learn from this unlikely nun? Start now. Henriette did not wait for permission from someone more powerful or influential to begin doing what God asked of her. Beginning in 1836, she and her small community educated enslaved people, nursed the sick and provided for the poor. By the time the Sisters of the Holy Family were formally recognized in 1842, they had already touched hundreds of people through their works of mercy. Keep going. Henriette was determined

to honor her vocation to religious life, despite the tremendous odds against her. She courageously declared her “yes” to God with this simple prayer: I believe in God. I hope in God. I love. I want to live and die for God. We see by the fruits of this prayer in AMY the lives of the many AUZENNE Holy Family sisters active in ministry today. Be reconciled. Henriette’s witness of holiness is set against the terrible racism she endured within the institutional Church. In that way, her story reflects the experiences of many people alive today who have endured racial discrimination in our local parishes, schools and institutions. For healing to occur, these stories must be

†

told and received in a spirit of reconciliation. In our current climate of racial reckoning, the Church must lead – not follow — in the crucial work of racial justice. Thanks to the cause for her canonization, the story of Venerable Henriette Delille has spread far beyond the New Orleans neighborhood where she lived and toiled with her sisters. Her story reminds us that saints are a gift to the entire Church, making us aware that holiness exists in every time and place. The trials of the saints are also our trials; their triumphs are our triumphs, and their heavenly home is ours, as well. Venerable Henriette Delille, pray for us! † Amy Auzenne, MSW, MACE, is the director of the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis.

Forming disciples on the college campus All across the country right now, high school seniors are spending hours filling out college applications. Many of them are answering essay questions about why they want to attend a particular college. Some may be attracted to a university’s academic offerings, while others might think their dream college has a good party scene. Probably very few are writing about the university’s Catholic student center. College is an important time in a young adult’s life. Those years are pivotal for many people and often shape the rest of their lives. Whether they are considering going somewhere local for college or somewhere across the world, the opportunities available to those young adults to practice their Catholic faith can have a profound impact on their present and future faith lives. In our Archdiocese, we believe it is important to create environments where Catholic college students can find community, encounter Christ in prayer and the Sacraments, and be formed as disciples of Jesus. We also seek to evangelize the entire academic community at our university campuses and invite others into the joy, fulfillment and truth of living the Gospel. Many years ago, I attended Rice University as an undergraduate. I was blessed to be served by wonderful Catholic campus ministers who faithfully witnessed the Gospel and provided me with multiple opportunities through which to practice my Catholic faith. They encouraged me to learn how to serve others through peer ministry

and service to my community. In fact, when another student and I suggested a new idea for a small group, they supported us in developing that vision. During my senior year in college, I started by Freshman Fellowship, an MARY opportunity for incoming IMPELMAN Rice freshmen to gather for faith-sharing and fellowship. I and three other upperclassmen facilitated weekly meetings to encourage Catholic freshmen in their faith as they adjusted to college life. Recently, I had the opportunity to join the staff at the Rice Catholic Student Center as a new campus minister. Not only was it exciting to become a campus minister at a university I attended myself, but it was also a blessing to learn that Freshman Fellowship continues to be a part of the ministry here. Year after year, upper-level students have stepped up to lead the small group to help incoming first-year students grow in their faith life. This group is an important resource for Catholic freshmen because many other things compete for a young adult’s attention during their first year in college. Providing a nurturing community of like-minded freshmen helps them stay connected to their Catholic faith and encourages them to become better disciples of Jesus.

†

No matter your current age or young adults have the resources situation, you can play an important role available to them to live out their in our ministry to support Catholic Catholic faith and grow in their spiritual college students. First, we ask for your lives. These years often not only shape prayers for these young adults during their future careers but also impact their such an important period of their lives. faith lives for years to come. † Please pray for them as they transition from high school to college — pray that Mary Impelman serves as a campus they can find a Catholic community minister at the Rice University Catholic within their university environment and Student Center. that they take advantage of the opportunities available to strengthen their faith. We also ask for your prayers for those of us who minister to them. These young adults are the future of our Catholic Church, and we ask for prayers for wisdom as we seek to evangelize this generation. Second, we ask that you support our efforts by contributing to the 2022 Diocesan Services Fund. This year, Daniel Cardinal DiNardo has chosen to highlight the Archdiocese’s Office of Young Adults and Campus Ministry. Our Catholic Student Center at Rice University, along with other student centers throughout the Archdiocese, is supported by this fund. Finally, if you happen to be a high Archdiocesan Office school student or the parent of a high 713-741-8732 school student currently applying to colleges, I encourage you to consider archgh.org/correctionalministries and look into the Catholic resources available at their dream college. Is there a Catholic student center nearby the university? Where are the closest places available for them to attend Mass? Are there Catholic campus ministry services available at that particular university? College is not only about classes and parties, but it also should be a time when

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SUNDAY MASS READINGS NOVEMBER 13

First Reading: Mal 3:19-20

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 98:5-9

Second Reading: 2 Thess 3:7-12

Gospel: Lk 21:5-19

NOVEMBER 20

First Reading: 2 Sam 5:1-3

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 122:1-5

Second Reading: Col 1:12-20

Gospel: Lk 23:35-43

NOVEMBER 8, 2022 • ARCHGH.ORG/DIGITALEDITIONS

texas catholic herald

WORLD

Enlarge the tent: Synod document sees desire for greater inclusion VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Around the world, listening sessions for the Synod of Bishops gave many participants a sense of finally being listened to, but they also raised questions about how to promote greater inclusion in the Catholic Church while staying true to Church teaching. Two of the issues raised most often in reports sent to the Vatican were the need to respect and value the contributions women make to the Church and the need to face “the impact of a lack of trust and credibility resulting from the abuse crisis,” according to the working document for the synod’s continental stage. Titled “Enlarge the Space of Your Tent” — the Lord’s command to the people of Israel in the Book of Isaiah — the document said,“This is how many reports envision the Church: an expansive, but not homogeneous dwelling, capable of sheltering all, but open, letting in and out, and moving toward embracing the Father and all of humanity.” The document released Oct. 27 is the result of a group reflection on the syntheses of synod discussions submitted by 112 of the world’s 114 bishops’ conference, all 15 Eastern churches, 17 of the 23 dicasteries of the Roman Curia, the men’s and women’s international unions of superiors general, dozens of Catholic associations and more than 1,000 individuals, it said. The general secretariat of the synod chose an international group of laity, religious, priests and bishops to read the submissions, pray about them and then draft a document that would help participants in the next phase reflect on the faith, hopes and concerns witnessed to in the reports. The document was approved by the cardinals and bishops belonging to the synod’s general council. What emerged from the reports, it said, “is a profound re-appropriation of the common dignity of all the baptized.

CNS PHOTO

Mario Cardinal Grech, center, secretary-general of the Synod of Bishops, speaks at a news conference at the Vatican Oct. 27 to present the document for the continental phase of the Synod on synodality. Also pictured are Italian Jesuit Father Giacomo Costa, adviser to the secretary-general of the synod, and Anna Rowlands, professor of Catholic social thought and practice at Durham University in the United Kingdom.

This is the authentic pillar of a synodal Church and the theological foundation of a unity capable of resisting the push toward homogenization. This enables us to continue to promote and make good use of the variety of charisms that the Spirit with unpredictable abundance pours out on the faithful.” Those who most often feel unwelcome in the Church or undervalued, it said, include: women, young people, people with disabilities, the poor, those who are divorced and civilly remarried, single parents, those in polygamous marriages and members of the LGBTQ communities. Responding to experiences of exclusion and discrimination shared by Catholics with disabilities, the document said that “in spite of its own teachings, the Church is in danger of imitating the way society casts them aside.” Reflecting the central place of the Eucharist in the life of the Church, it

IN BRIEF Caritas, UNESCO look at how to promote women in leadership VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Promoting women in leadership and decision-making is essential for building a more just society and is a key priority for both Caritas Internationalis and UNESCO, the two groups said. “Poverty, violence and lack of access to education and basic services create a culture that excludes women in society and perpetuates cultural, political and institutional barriers,” they said in press materials for the conference held Oct. 27 to 28 at UNESCO headquarters in Paris. “Our work shows that women’s empowerment, education and participation

in leadership and decision making at all levels make a concrete contribution to removing these barriers and facilitate a culture of encounter in which women’s experiences and expertise are valued and heard,” they said. In partnership with the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to UNESCO and under the patronage of UNESCO, Caritas Internationalis organized the conference “The Full Face of Humanity: Women in Leadership for a Just Society.” “Caritas, the Holy See and UNESCO recognize that achieving the flourishing of the ‘full face of humanity’ requires collaboration, commitment and action from men and women at all levels, in all countries,” the joint press release said. †

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said most submissions included a call for greater participation by all Catholics in the Liturgy, working to ensure that it is less “concentrated on the celebrant,” involves more young people and women, including in preaching, and is more reflective of local cultures. At the same time, the document also noted that in several reports, including that from the United States, some participants in the local listening sessions “lamented” Pope Francis’s decision to limit celebrations of the Latin-rite Mass according to the rite used before the Second Vatican Council. “The quality of homilies is almost unanimously reported as a problem,” it said. But the document also highlighted a common desire to find solutions to various forms of “sacramental deprivation,” including for people in remote towns and villages without a priest, as well as for civilly remarried Catholics and those in

polygamous marriages. While the reports were not “against priests or the ministerial priesthood,” the document said, many of them cited “clericalism” as an obstacle to being a “synodal Church,” one where all the baptized share responsibility for the life of the community and for its mission of spreading the Gospel. “Clericalism is seen as a form of spiritual impoverishment, a deprivation of the true goods of ordained ministry, and a culture that isolates clergy and harms the laity,” it said. Clericalism produces “rigidity, attachment to legalistic power and an exercise of authority that is power rather than service.” In synod listening sessions around the world, participants noted that women are the majority of Catholics regularly attending the Liturgy and staffing most paid and volunteer parish activities, yet it is mostly men who make the decisions in the Church. “Many reports ask that the Church continue its discernment in relation to a range of specific questions: the active role of women in the governing structures of Church bodies, the possibility for women with adequate training to preach in parish settings, and a female diaconate,” the document said. “Much greater diversity of opinion was expressed on the subject of priestly ordination for women, which some reports call for, while others consider a closed issue.” Between January and March, smaller groups of Church representatives are to meet on a continental or regional level, organized by bishops’ conferences. The groups are to include bishops, priests, religious and laypeople to read the document, pray about it and discuss which issues raised in it are most important and urgent for Catholics in their region to address in order to increase participation, a sense of communion and a commitment to missionary outreach. †

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16 TEXAS CATHOLIC HERALD

ARCHGH.ORG/TCH • NOVEMBER 8, 2022

STATE & NATION

Pope Francis responds to handwritten letters from Uvalde students

Sacred Heart Catholic School students share sorrows and hopes, asking Pope Francis to pray for their friends, family and community

UVALDE — The Vatican responded to letters written by the children of Uvalde, Texas, after they were personally delivered by the Catholic Extension’s chancellor, Blase Cardinal Cupich, following the May 2022 shooting at Robb Elementary School that killed 19 fourth graders and two teachers. The letters come from students at Sacred Heart Catholic school in Uvalde, many of whom transferred to Sacred Heart from Robb Elementary through scholarships provided by Catholic Extension, which also facilitated the letter-writing project. Among those who penned letters to the pope are students who were shot and

survived, as well as students who lost family and friends during the massacre on May 24. The letters showcase, in the children’s own words, the heartbreak and trauma they have endured — but also the hope that they still have. One letter-writer, Noah, was shot and is recovering. He received one of Catholic Extension’s scholarships to attend Sacred Heart and told the pope he now feels “safe and loved” in his new school. Sister Maria Luisa Aldape, STJ, Sacred Heart’s school librarian and minister at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, shared the handwritten letters to Pope Francis on the children’s behalf,

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saying, “We have invited the children to write to you and share with you their pain and their hopes for the future. Some bear the scars on their flesh and all in their hearts.” In response, the Holy Father has pledged his prayers for these children, their families and all those harmed by the violence in Uvalde. The letter from the Vatican reads, “His Holiness will remember the students, their families and all of those suffering from the recent act of violence in Uvalde.” The Vatican letter continues, “Commending each of them to the protection of Mary, Mother of the Church, His Holiness imparts his blessing.” “We thank His Holiness for keeping the suffering children and families of Uvalde, Texas, in his prayers, especially those who lost loved ones in this senseless act of violence,” said Father Jack Wall, president of Catholic Extension. “These letters written by Sacred Heath Catholic

school students symbolize their pain and hopes for their future as they continue to grieve the loss of life and innocence that struck their community.” Catholic Extension, a Chicago-based nonprofit whose mission is to build vibrant and transformative Catholic faith communities in the poorest regions of the U.S., helped build Sacred Heart’s church and school in the early 1900s. Today, Catholic Extension has provided financial assistance for more than 30 Robb Elementary students who were closest to the tragedy to attend Sacred Heart Catholic School. Catholic Extension continues working with Catholic leaders in Uvalde to respond to the needs of this devastated community, including ongoing mental health services and scholarships at Sacred Heart School. For more information on ways to support the Catholic Church and children in Uvalde, visit catholicextension.org/uvalde. †

IN BRIEF Priest from Buffalo, New York, is on slow path to sainthood

WASHINGTON (CNS) — For the world-renowned emblems of the Catholic faith, such as St. Teresa of Kolkata, elevation to sainthood comes fairly quickly following their deaths. For many others, the sainthood cause is a slow process that sometimes lurches to a stop. One example is Venerable Nelson Baker, the Buffalo, New York, priest who died in 1936 and is the only Civil War veteran with a sainthood cause. Father Baker, who served at St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Buffalo after his ordination in 1876, was beloved in his lifetime for his charitable efforts for the poor, including serving thousands of meals during the depths of the Great Depression. Dubbed by local newspapers as “the padre of the poor,” he built the Basilica of Our Lady of Victory in Lackawanna, New York, an orphanage, a maternity hospital, a trade school and a home for infant care. The charitable work he began exists today as OLV Charities. Our Lady of Victory institutions include Homes of Charity, Baker Victory Services and Our Lady of Victory Elementary School. Born in 1842, Father Baker entered the priesthood after operating a successful feed and grain business with a partner. Before that, he served in the 74th Infantry of the New York State Militia, a unit that organized in the summer of 1863 and was stationed in Central Pennsylvania, although it didn’t see combat. †

Summit explores role of ethics in development of artificial intelligence

WASHINGTON (CNS) — Universities around the world are taking steps alongside major technology companies to explore ways to bolster ethics education in the artificial intelligence field in line with an initiative supported by the Vatican. The effort seeks to help those already working or aspiring to work in the tech fields understand that the development of artificial intelligence, or AI, should benefit humanity rather than pose uncontrollable challenges to human life. Participants at a global summit at the University of Notre Dame on Oct. 25 to 26 explored ways to encompass ethics education in coursework, with speakers calling for widespread integration in both technical and non-technical curricula. Casey Fiesler, associate professor of information science at the University of Colorado, told in-person and online attendees in a session that the long-held view that ethical topics are a “specialization” within technology education must be put aside. “We should not be teaching ethics in the context of computing so that it is completely separate from everything else that we are doing,” Fiesler said in calling for a culture shift in higher education that can reach across society. The Vatican’s role stems from its involvement in the “Rome Call for AI Ethics,” which calls for ethical principles and guidelines to be used in AI development so that products that are developed, sold and used actually promote the good of all humanity. †

NOVEMBER 8, 2022 • ARCHGH.ORG/DIGITALEDITIONS

texas catholic herald

MUNDO CATÓLICO Papa: La tristeza puede ser ‘alarma’ para la vida CIUDAD DEL VATICANO (CNS) — Los sentimientos de desolación y tristeza no son signos de pruebas que puedan desanimar a los cristianos, pueden ser signos indispensables que señalan peligros en el camino hacia la felicidad, dijo el papa Francisco. Aunque muchos consideran que la tristeza es “un mal que hay que evitar”, los cristianos deberían verla como un tipo de “alarma indispensable para la vida, que nos invita a explorar paisajes más ricos y fértiles que la fugacidad y el escapismo no permiten”, dijo el papa el 26 de octubre durante su audiencia general semanal. La tristeza “es indispensable para nuestra salud”, dijo. “Nos protege de dañarnos a nosotros mismos y a los demás. Sería mucho más grave y peligroso si no sintiéramos esto”. El papa continuó su serie de charlas para la audiencia sobre el discernimiento espiritual, reflexionando sobre la desolación y el papel que juega en la vida cristiana. Recordando las palabras de San Ignacio de Loyola, el papa Francisco definió la desolación como la “oscuridad del alma” y la “inquietud de diversas agitaciones y tentaciones” que llevan a uno a volverse “perezoso, tibio, triste, como separado de su o su creador y

Señor”. “Nadie quiere estar desolado, triste”, dijo. “A todos nos gustaría una vida siempre alegre, alegre y plena. Pero esto, además de no ser posible, tampoco sería bueno para nosotros. En efecto, el cambio de una vida orientada hacia el vicio puede partir de una situación de tristeza, de remordimiento por lo que uno ha hecho”. “A veces la tristeza es un semáforo: ‘Para. Para. Está en rojo. Para’”, dijo el papa. Sin embargo, para los hombres y mujeres que buscan hacer el bien, la desolación también puede ser un obstáculo “con el que el tentador (el diablo) trata de desanimarnos” y puede llevar a abandonar “el trabajo, el estudio, la oración” u otros compromisos. “Desgraciadamente, algunas personas deciden abandonar la vida de oración, o la elección que han hecho -matrimonio o vida religiosa- impulsadas por la desolación, sin antes detenerse a considerar este estado de ánimo, y sobre todo sin la ayuda de un guía”, él dijo. Pero una “regla sabia” de discernimiento, dijo, es“no hagas cambios donde estés desolado”, sino espera hasta que la tristeza aguda haya pasado. Si bien los momentos de tristeza son “una experiencia común a la vida espiritual”, el papa dijo que el camino del

FOTO DE CNS

Papa Francisco saluda a la gente mientras se dirige a su audiencia general semanal en el Vaticano el 26 de octubre.

bien “es estrecho y cuesta arriba” y animó a los cristianos, especialmente a aquellos que “quieren servir al Señor, a no dejarse desviar por la desolación”. “Si sabemos atravesar la soledad y la

desolación con apertura y conciencia, podemos salir fortalecidos en términos humanos y espirituales”, dijo el papa Francisco. “Ningún juicio está fuera de nuestro alcance”. †

EN BREVE

Papa: Pensar que eres más santo que otros, es forma de auto-adoración CIUDAD DEL VATICANO (CNS) — La “arrogancia espiritual” (pensar que uno es más santo o mejor que los demás) es una tentación que todos enfrentan y es una forma de autoadoración, dijo el papa Francisco. “Donde hay demasiado ‘yo’, hay muy poco Dios”, dijo el papa a unas 35,000 personas reunidas en la Plaza de San Pedro el 23 de octubre para rezar el Ángelus. Hablando de la parábola del Evangelio sobre el fariseo y el cobrador de impuestos, el papa dijo que la lección que Jesús estaba tratando de enseñar era que, para acercarse a

Dios, las personas deben mirar dentro de sí mismas y ser conscientes de sus propias necesidades y fallas. “En efecto, en la humildad nos volvemos capaces de llevar a Dios lo que realmente somos, sin pretensiones: las heridas, los pecados y las miserias que pesan sobre nuestro corazón, e invocar su misericordia para que nos sane, nos restaure y resucite, nos levante”, dijo el papa. En el relato evangélico, el cobrador de impuestos “pide perdón, y el Señor lo levanta”, dijo el papa, mientras que “el fariseo se exalta, seguro de sí mismo, convencido de que está bien”.

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Pero no sólo se alaba a sí mismo y enumera todo el bien que hace, el fariseo expresa su desdén por los demás. “Esto es lo que hace la arrogancia espiritual”, dijo el papa. Algunos pueden preguntarse: “’Padre, ¿por qué nos habla de arrogancia espiritual?’ Porque todos corremos el riesgo de caer en esta trampa que te lleva a creerte justo y a juzgar a los demás”. “Esto es arrogancia espiritual: ‘Estoy bien, soy mejor que los demás: este hace esto, aquél hace aquello’”, dijo. Tal pensamiento significa que “adoras tu propio ego y borras a Dios”.

Después de rezar el Ángelus, el papa Francisco invitó a dos jóvenes portugueses a la ventana de su estudio con vista a la Plaza de San Pedro. Mientras uno sostenía una tableta, el papa se convirtió en la primera persona en registrarse como peregrino para la Jornada Mundial de la Juventud de 2023, que se llevará a cabo del 1 al 6 de agosto en Lisboa, la capital portuguesa. Se aseguró de que el joven y la mujer que estaban con él se inscribieran a continuación. †

APOYO PASTORAL A VÍCTIMAS DE ABUSO SEXUAL DEL CLERO En un continuo esfuerzo por facilitar atención pastoral a las victimas de abuso sexual del clero o del personal de la Iglesia, el Cardenal DiNardo gustaría recordar a los fieles de la Arquidiócesis la disponibilidad del Coordinador de Ayuda a Víctimas. Si alguien ha sido victim de abuso sexual del clero o del personal de la Iglesia, se les anima llamar a la Diane Vines al 713-654-5799. Por favor rece por la sanación de las víctimas del abuso y por todos los que sufren de alguna manera.

18 TEXAS CATHOLIC HERALD

ARCHGH.ORG/TCH • NOVEMBER 8, 2022

WITHIN THE ARTS Catholic-based comedy to debut before Christmas BY REBECCA TORRELLAS Texas Catholic Herald HOUSTON — Some of the most famous writers in the world were inspired by their life experiences to create their films, songs and other works of art. For Father Nicholas Divine, C.P., director of ministry at Holy Name Passionist Retreat Center, his play “Right Angles” is a snapshot of his childhood. It is set to premiere on stage from Dec. 16 to 18 at the University of St. Thomas’ Jones Hall. The family-friendly comedy is based on actual events and actual dialogue that he heard and treasured from childhood through young adulthood in the Polish American neighborhood in Holyoke, Massachusetts, “where the Mater Dolorosa Church was the center of our lives.” “Life experiences are authentic and more interesting than fiction,” he said. “To say that the play is‘semi-autobiographical’ is a tempered statement.” Some of the names have been changed to help the playwright communicate well the 33 “hidden” or subtle catechetical teachings within this Christmas comedy play, such as the names of the three principal women characters who “travel” through the play and bear the same initials as the Three Kings. While the lone novice near Sacramento, Father Divine’s novice master, Father James Strommer, C.P., took him to a local community theater to celebrate the halfway point of his novitiate year, which is 366 days. Though the actors tried their best, the plot was difficult to follow and

unenjoyable. Half of the audience left by intermission. Father Strommer and Father Divine remained until the end of that play to show support for the unpaid but determined actors. On the drive back to the Passionist Monastery, Father Strommer told him, “Nicholas, even you could write a play as bad.” “So, Father Strommer challenged me under holy obedience that since I was the lone novice that year, I should spend my daily 30-minute recreation time writing a play which I submitted for publication in the summer of 2018,” Father Divine said. “Right Angles” depicts what can happen when one feels necessary or pressured by popular social trends or a need “to keep up with the Joneses” and the cost of compromising or abandoning ethnic and family traditions treasured for generations. The strong matriarch of an eccentric immigrant family, who has the reputation for being and doing things “right,” second guesses herself as she hosts the annual “Wigilia,” the traditional meatless 13-course Polish Christmas Eve supper. Things go terribly “wrong” at one of the most reverent times of the year. Though not a musical, the play includes original compositions and arrangements by Gonzalo Ramos, the play’s music director from All Saints Catholic Church in the Heights. Eric Domuret, the director of “Right Angles” and founder of a nonprofit theater company devoted to the advancement of young people in the arts, Apprentice Productions, attends Cathedral of Our Lady of Walsingham. It was during Father Divine’s talk at Walsingham that he and Domuret

MOVIE RATINGS By The Catholic Review A – SUITABLE FOR ALL AUDIENCES

L – LIMITED MATURE AUDIENCE

• Heart of a Missionary (NR)

• Barbarian (R) • Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul (R)

T – MATURE TEENS • • • •

Lifemark (PG-13) Mother Teresa: No Greater Love (NR) Slaves and Kings (NR) Till (PG-13)

M – MATURE VIEWERS • Black Adam (PG-13) • Ticket to Paradise (PG-13)

“Life experiences are authentic and more interesting than fiction. To say that the play is ‘semi-autobiographical’ is a tempered statement.” FATHER NICHOLAS DIVINE, C.P. Writer of ‘Right Angles’ play and director of ministry at Holy Name Passionist Retreat Center connected, finding a lot in common with each other. Domuret, who has directed numerous plays in the Houston area, said “Right Angles” is an authentic representation of Polish American Culture. “I only know of one other playwright that has written about the Polish American experience,” he said. “My family is a Polish family from Chicago, so there is a lot of familiarity for me in this play that I do not usually find in other plays.” Domuret said the play is unique in that the principal characters are strong married family women who love their husbands and are filled with gratitude for their family life, noting that too few plays are written where middle-aged women are the principal characters. The cast are all local professional actors in the Houston Area. The cast includes Rachel Brownhill, Jonathan Gonzalez, Seth

Ramsey, Sofia Uribe, Adrianna Brasher and Ariana Warren. “They get to be the first actors to bring this story and these characters to life,” he said. “Many of the actors I have worked with before, some I know simply by virtue of being in the Houston Theatre Industry. Others I am having the pleasure of working with for the first time.” The faith-based play infuses the theology of human flourishing of Jacques Maritain, a French philosopher and theologian. A known agnostic who converted to Catholicism in 1906 serves as the basis for the moral message of the play. Maritain, who authored over 60 books, was responsible for the Thomistic revival of the early 20th Century. “While affirming the dignity of the human person made in the image and likeness of God, Maritain’s theology of human flourishing stresses the common good and understands that both joy and sorrow, humor and suffering are fundamental and unavoidable in our human lives,” Father Divine said. The play is completely funded through a grassroots effort of generous donations and volunteer work from family, friends and parishioners from around the Archdiocese and retreatants of Holy Name Passionist Retreat Center. It is produced through Apprentice Productions, a non-profit theater company dedicated to the training and advancement of young people interested in acting and in all the facets of theater and show production. Tickets are currently on sale at www. ApprenticeProductions.com at $17 for general admission and $20 for premium. The shows are Dec. 16 at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 17 at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m., and Dec. 18 at 2:30 p.m. †

Need Help?

U – UNSUITABLE FOR ALL • Bros (R) • Halloween Ends (R) • Hellraiser (R)

If you or a loved one is in need of help this season, contact our Archdiocesan social services listed below:

For more Catholic movie and television reviews, visit www. catholicreview.org/movie-reviews.

Catholic Charities

Food, clothing, emergency financial assistance, counseling, immigration assistance, veterans assistance, disaster recovery, refugees services, senior services and more.

catholiccharities.org/need-help or 713-526-4611

Society of St. Vincent de Paul

PASTORAL SUPPORT FOR VICTIMS OF CLERGY SEXUAL ABUSE 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.

Home visits, food network, disaster relief, clothing and furniture.

svdphouston.org/get-help or 713-741-8234

San José Clinic

Primary and specialty health care services, counseling and mental health services, dental and vision.



sanjoseclinic.org or 713-228-941

NOVEMBER 8, 2022 • ARCHGH.ORG/DIGITALEDITIONS

AROUND Editor’s Note: Contact event organizers for the latest updates. For deadline details and more listings, visit WWW.ARCHGH.ORG/ATA.

NOV. 10

NIGHT OF PRAISE, 7 p.m., Sacred Heart (704 Old Montgomery Rd., Conroe). Features singer/ songwriter Cody Carnes, Woodlands Worship and Sam McCabe. miraclecitycollective.com

NOV. 11

VETERANS DAY CELEBRATIONS, 5:15 to 8:45 p.m., Holy Rosary (3617 Milam St., Houston). Veterans Day Mass begins at 5:15 p.m. with veteran and Dominican priest Father Ian Bordenave, OP, as celebrant and homilist, followed by a reception. At 7:15 p.m., Retired U.S. Army Colonel, Sister Dierdre Byrne, POSC, will lead a Rosary for the nation. Rosaries will be available. At 7:45 p.m., Sister Byrne speaks about her vocation story.

NOV. 11 - 12

SEMINAR ON THE EUCHARIST, Friday, Nov. 11: 6:30 to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at St. Laurence - Ave Maria Parish Life Center (3103 Sweetwater Blvd., Sugar Land). “Feast of Faith: The Transforming Power of the Eucharist,” with Marcellino D’Ambrosio includes four talks. Cost: $20 per person. Register: stlaurence.org/ feast. 281-265-5774; jfrato@stlaurence.org

NOV. 12

FESTIVAL, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., St. Luke the Evangelist (11011 Hall Rd., Houston). Features food, DJ music, craft sale, raffle and kids activities. Free admission. fallfest@ stlukescatholic.com GALA, 6 to 11 p.m., Frassati Catholic High School (22151 Frassati Way). Blue & Gray Gala will celebrate 10 years of Frassati Catholic. Cost of ticket is $150, or $1,100 for a table for eight. 832-616-3231; m.hill@frassaticatholic.org CRAFT SHOW, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., St. Hyacinth (2921 Center St., Deer Park). Catholic Daughters Court #2361 is sponsoring craft show featuring vendors for holiday shopping, jewelry, soaps, food and more. Free admission, rain or shine. cda2361craftshow@gmail.com

NOV. 12-13

BAZAAR, St. Peter Claver (6005 N Wayside Dr., Houston). From Saturday, 12 to 8 p.m., music

texas catholic herald

THE ARCHDIOCESE round the

is by A Jose Deio Lace Cruz. se Sunday, 12 to 4 p.m. is ArchJ, dand Jamming Step Rideau and the Zydeco Outlaws from 4 to 8 p.m. The event also features Bingo in English and Spanish, family entertainment, and Creole and Mexican food. Free admission.

NOV. 13

FESTIVAL, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Holy Family (7122 Whiting Rock St., Baytown). Features games, music, silent auction, Sweet Treats booth, international food (Creole, BBQ, burgers, Caribbean and Hispanic) and raffle tickets at $5 each. 281-426-8448

NOV. 17

HOLIDAY MARKET, 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., St. Laurence Ave Maria Parish Life Center (3013 Sweetwater Blvd., Sugar Land, 77479). Hosted by the St. Laurence Ladies Guild, the Shop Til U Drop Charity Holiday Market features over 70 vendors, selling seasonal gifts, home décor, toys, jewelry, food items and more. Admission is free. Food, drinks and desserts are available for purchase. All proceeds benefit charity. stlaurence.org/shop-til-u-drop

NOV. 18

PRESENTATION AND MOVIE, 7 p.m., Holy Rosary (3617 Milam St., Houston). The church will host a veteran vocation series with Lay Dominicans Wendy Clark, OP, and retired Major Celia Clay, OP, as they present the inspiring stories of military chaplains, Father Emil Kaupan (Korean War Veteran) and Father Vincent Capodanno, M.M. (Vietnam War Veteran). After the presentation, the EWTN movie “Called & Chosen” about Father Capodanno’s life will be shown.

NOV. 19

DINNER, 6 p.m., The Revaire (7122 Old Katy Rd., Houston). Wine & Dine dinner benefits Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese features a curated four-course dinner with sommelierselected wine pairings from around the world. Event also includes welcome reception at 6 p.m., wine pull, mystery wine game during dinner and live auction with one-of-a-kind luxury items. DAY OF REFLECTION, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., St. Hyacinth (2921 Center St., Deer Park). Day of Reflection is to help identify topics of concern to African Americans and African Catholics within the

How to submit events for Around the Archdiocese 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.

Around the Archdiocese

• 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 • Website address for your organization (if you have one) • 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.

Archdiocese in preparation for the NBC Congress XIII July 2023 meeting. Lunch will be provided. archgh.cventevents.com/ DayOfReflection

NOV. 20

HERITAGE MASS AND FESTIVAL, 3 p.m., St. Cyril of Alexandria (10503 Westheimer Rd., Houston). Third annual Archdiocesan African Cultural Heritage Festival includes Mass celebrated by Daniel Cardinal DiNardo and entertainment and cultural display. 832-570-2024 BAZAAR, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., St. Augustine (5560 Laurel Creek Way, Houston). Event features raffle, food and fellowship with live music by El Rifle. No entry fee and open to the public. 713-946-8968

NOV. 21

GOLF TOURNAMENT, 10 a.m., Willow Fork Country Club (21055 Westheimer Pkwy., Katy). Epiphany of the Lord Catholic Church ACTS Ministry sponsors third annual golf tournament fundraiser with 10 a.m. shotgun start with prizes and meals. Cost: $150 per golfer and $550 per foursome. Register: epiphanycatholic.

org/epiphany-golf-tournament. Sponsorships: 713-502-1564

DEC. 3

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., St. Jerome Catholic School (2749 Hollister Rd., Houston). Holiday shopping at the parish activity center with local vendors, breakfast plates at $15, pictures with Santa, hot chocolate bar, raffles and kids crafts. No entry fee, and all items a la carte. lvinasco@ stjeromecs.org; 713-468-7946

DEC. 9

MASS & LUNCHEON WITH CARDINAL, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Houston Port-Seafarer’s Center (9750 High Level Rd., Houston). The Galveston-Houston Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women host annual event to support the Seafarer’s Ministry. Cost: $35/person. Testimony by Port Chaplain, Father Jan Kubis, at 10:15 a.m., Mass at 11 a.m. celebrated by Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, 12 p.m. lunch. www.ghcw.org/seafarers ••• To find additional listings online, visit the website at WWW.ARCHGH.ORG/ATA.

20 TEXAS CATHOLIC HERALD

MILESTONES

ARCHGH.ORG/TCH • NOVEMBER 8, 2022

Do you have a photo you’d like to share? To submit a photo of a place, group or event that you would like to see in the Herald, email it to tch@archgh.org

Charity Guild of Catholic Women concludes year of celebrating centennial anniversary HOUSTON — Daniel Cardinal DiNardo celebrated with President Elizabeth Jordan and other members of the Charity Guild of Catholic Women at their 100th anniversary centennial ball last month at the Ballroom at Bayou Place in Houston. Founded in 1922, the guild now has nearly 600 members from 64 parishes in the Archdiocese. Kate Carroll first answered the call of Monsignor George T. Walsh of Annunciation Church a century ago. He noticed the alarmingly high infant mortality rate among his immigrant parishioners and was determined to provide health care for these babies and their mothers. Thus, what is now known as the San José Clinic was born. The women provided seed money to establish the clinic and volunteered there. They held fundraisers and sewed layettes for the babies. In 1952, they opened their consignment store to generate a more reliable income to subsidize the clinic. The Charity Guild continues its support of the clinic, but the impact has expanded in the Houston community as its resale shop has grown in size and reputation. Since 1996, the Charity Guild of Catholic Women has granted more

than $6.4 million to over 160 non-profit organizations in the greater Houston area with proceeds from the volunteerrun Charity Guild Shop. The organization’s volunteerism is dedicated to benefit children in the greater Houston area who might otherwise lack access to enough food, safe and acceptable housing, affordable healthcare, adequate clothing, satisfactory education, supportive recreation and enrichment services, and restorative and psychological assistance. This past year the Charity Guild awarded $547,599 to 48 Houstonarea non-profit organizations to fund programs that help children in need. In the current year, the guild is on track to increase grants to a total of $657,500 to 54 agencies. The Charity Guild concluded a year of celebrating this anniversary with a Mass of Thanksgiving on Oct. 30 at The Church of the Annunciation, the parish where their mission began. Guild Chaplain Father James Murphy, CSB, presided at the Mass attended by over 300 members, family and friends. President Elizabeth Jordan said of all the guild members: “This has been

Rosenberg church renovated, restored, re-dedicated

ROSENBERG — Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Rosenberg celebrated a Mass of Dedication on Oct. 16. The church, built in 1953, had been undergoing a renovation and restoration project that took nearly two years. The project remedied water issues that had been plaguing the structure for years and also worked to restore it while maintaining its historical integrity and ensuring that it would stand for many more generations. Due to the extensive work

done on the church, it was decided that a “rededication” of the church was appropriate. Daniel Cardinal DiNardo presided over the Mass of Dedication which was concelebrated by Father Orrin Halepeska, pastor of Holy Rosary, Father Vipin George, parochial vicar of Holy Rosary, and Father William Bartniski, retired former pastor of Holy Rosary. The Mass was followed up by a reception and celebration at the Parish Hall. †

PHOTO BY JEFF GRASS

Pictured are (front row, left to right) Peter Greene, Carolyn Greene, Natalie Fleming, Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, Charity Guild President Elizabeth Jordan, Michael Madrid and Mollie Delouche. Back row are Sam Falcona, Kathleen Falcona, Aileen Reilly, Kathy Archer and Bill Archer.

an incredible season of celebration as we wrapped up our centennial year. Our hearts are full of love and gratitude for our past and for each other. As we begin our second century, we will continue

to strive for excellence honoring our mission of sanctification our members and rendering assistance to children in need in the Greater Houston Area. As we like to say, ‘It’s all for the children!’” †

Two Saints & a Taco event raises nearly $100,000 for UST alumni fund HOUSTON — With cantina lights strewn across the campus academic mall from tree to tree, the University of St. Thomas (UST) morphed its Montrose campus into a fun and festive tacotasting extravaganza for the 11th Annual Two Saints and a Taco Tasting on Friday, Oct. 14. Tented taco vendors faced off in friendly competition, doling out their culinary creations — including a waffle tortilla and purple salsa — as alumni and friends gathered with the purpose of raising some serious funds for student scholarships. More than 400 fundraising partygoers sipped on beer and sangria while the Amin Safari Band filled the air with high-energy Flamenco and Latin-fusion melodies. Guests, including sponsors and underwriters, nibbled their way through eight competing restaurants — all vying to win the Best Taco Trophy, decided on by celebrity judges, and the People’s Choice Award. The event raised nearly $100,000 for student scholarships awarded by the Alumni Association. Participating restaurants were Berryhill, Chilosos, Chuy’s, Escalante’s, Gordo Ninos, Liberty Taco, Moon Rooster and Velvet Taco. Celebrity judges were Eric Sandler, CultureMap’s food editor; Katie Stone, CEO of Houston Restaurant Weeks; Marco Torres, a freelance photographer and taco journalist, based in Houston; and Ralph Palmer, local beer blogger, co-owner of the Craft BBQ

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. THOMAS

The Amin Safari Band filled the air with highenergy Flamenco and Latin-fusion melodies at the University of St. Thomas’ Two Saints & a Taco event on the Montrose campus.

concept Deckle & Hide, and co-host of the Beer, Blood, and the Bayou podcast. The purple tent lights and signature purple “lean sauce” of Gordo Ninos won over the judges and the crowd. At the event, the university celebrated its Rev. Vincent J. Guinan Distinguished Alumna/Alumnus of the Year awardee Cynthia Colbert Riley. †