Texas Catholic Herald - Oct. 13, 2020

OCTOBER 13, 2020 • ARCHGH.ORG/TCH

texas catholic herald

PANDEMIC EDUCATION

A VOICE FOR OTHERS

Catholic schools adjust to multi-learning environments ▪ SEE PAGE 10

Lifelong Catholic leads renowned African-American theater. ▪ SEE PAGE 18

OCTOBER 13, 2020

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

A ROSARY FOR AMERICA

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VOL. 57, NO. 8

FAITHFUL CITIZENSHIP

Called to be ‘peacemakers’ ahead of the 2020 election New web series focuses on forming consciences, voting and dialogue

BY BRIDGET RICHARDSON Herald Correspondent

PHOTO BY JAMES RAMOS/HERALD

Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, joined by Father Eurel Manzano, rector of St. Mary’s Seminary; Father Matthew Suniga, priest-secretary to Cardinal DiNardo; Father Italo Dell’Oro, CRS, vicar for clergy and director of the Secretariat of Clergy Formation & Chaplaincy Services; and Father Richard McNeillie, director of the Office of Vocations, prays the Rosary at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Houston on Oct. 7, the Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary. Cardinal DiNardo joined bishops around the U.S. in praying the Rosary for the United States ahead of the November election.

Parishes host COVID-19 testing

When the starting line begins at home Annual Steps for Students 5K race goes virtual in 2021

LIFE IN THE PANDEMIC

BY JO ANN ZUÑIGA Texas Catholic Herald

PHOTO BY JAMES RAMOS/HERALD

Medical personnel from the Houston Health Department administer a coronavirus (COVID-19) test to an individual during drive-through testing in the parking lot of Assumption Catholic Church in Houston on Oct. 7.

See CORONAVIRUS, page 6

A SHEPHERD’S MESSAGE † 2

See PEACEMAKERS, page 5

RUNNING FOR GOOD

BY JAMES RAMOS Texas Catholic Herald HOUSTON — Maybe a COVID test is like confession — it’s uncomfortable, it doesn’t take long, someone cares that you might be unwell and need help, and you know yourself better when you’re through.

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, several parishes throughout the Archdiocese have stepped up to host pop-up COVID-19 testing in coordination with the Harris County Public Health and City of Houston Health departments.

At Assumption Catholic Church near Houston’s Northside community, cars lined up for COVID-19 testing when the parish parking lot became a local testing center. The parish was one of dozens of free COVID-19 testing sites around Galveston-Houston.

Reports suggest that COVID-19 has a disproportionately heavy impact on the Hispanic and Latino population. Data released in July by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and

HOUSTON — In His Sermon on the Mount in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus calls us to live as peacemakers saying, “Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God” (Mt 5:9).

The Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston and the University of St. Thomas will co-host a webinar series titled “Blessed are the Peacemakers” that addresses the role of Catholics in the current political climate and election season.

Julie Fritsch, director of the Office of

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ESPAÑOL † 16 - 17

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HOUSTON — The annual Steps for Students 5K fundraiser, which usually draws thousands of participants to downtown Houston, will be going virtual Feb. 20, 2021, to keep Catholic school students and staff safe.

“We are adapting to COVID-19 restrictions. Mayor Sylvester Turner is not granting permits to close streets for events through the end of the year, so we decided to launch a virtual 5k,” said Steps Race Director Suraiya Culp.

See STEPS, page 7

MILESTONES † 19

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A Shepherd’s Message

By Daniel Cardinal DiNardo

On Oct. 4, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, Pope Francis published another encyclical, this one titled “Fratelli Tutti” (Dear Brothers and Sisters). It is from the beginning of an address by St. Francis himself on human fraternity. The pope wants to write about human friendship and social relationships. He wants us to acknowledge, love and respect “other” human persons and to do so for the common good.

This present encyclical follows on and synthesizes the Holy Father’s many social writings in recent years, especially “Evangelii Gaudium” (The Joy of the Gospel) and Laudato Si’, his encyclical on the environment. The Holy Father is very preoccupied by our world that it is falling away from solidarity, civil and national harmony and into a cultural descent towards ideologies of contempt for those who are different from us, and into extreme nationalisms. The global present is paralyzed and needs a rebirth of the sense of the human person as a moral agent, not as a commodity.

This long and complex document by our Holy Father is worth our reading. I would like to offer a few words about Chapter Two of the encyclical, which gives a key for interpreting the rest. It is a meditation on, and an explanation of the Parable of the Good Samaritan.

The parable speaks to an age-old question about human relationships and our responsibility. From the beginning, the Scriptures remind us of being “our brother’s keeper,” and they become more insistent and specific as the Old Testament emerges with examples of loving the stranger, the immigrant and the nations that are not Jewish. In Jesus’ parable, however, the question about who is my neighbor will become a question of universal care and responsibility: the neighbor is anyone in need!

The pope reminds us that though we may be developed societies, we

OCTOBER 13, 2020

“Under the guise of being politically correct or ideologically fashionable, we look at those who suffer without touching them.”

THE ARCHDIOCESE OF GALVESTON-HOUSTON Publishing since 1964 (USPS 936-480) 713-652-8215 • Fax: 713-659-3444 tch@archgh.org • archgh.org/tch

El Cardenal Daniel DiNardo comparte su columna en línea en español. Visite www.archgh.org para leer su artículo en línea.

A CLOSER LOOK ► WWW.ARCHGH.ORG/FRATELLI READ THE POPE’S NEW ENCYCLICAL ‘FRATELLI TUTTI’ AND FIND OTHER RESOURCES ONLINE are still “illiterate” when it comes to our relationships with our brothers and sisters. Assaults on the streets happen, and we take no notice or are easily disturbed that our “time” is taken away from us. We have become accustomed to turning our look away from the frail, the wounded and the most vulnerable, especially as these persons on the margins make their presence felt in our most developed countries.

Pope Francis reminds us of the eloquence of this parable. We are faced with a basic decision “to rebuild our wounded world.

In the face of so much pain and suffering, our only course is to imitate the Good Samaritan.”

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Failing to act decisively makes us one of the robbers or one of those who passed by the wounded on the other side of the road. There is no abstract moralizing in the parable.

The pope continues: “It speaks to us of an essential and often forgotten aspect of our common humanity: we were created for a fulfillment that can only be found in love.” (Paragraph 66) The Holy Father’s analysis continues and broadens as he looks at every line of the parable, drawing larger circles of interpretation.

Indeed he finally notes that globalized society has a very effective way of shifting its gaze. Under the guise of being politically correct or ideologically fashionable, WE LOOK AT THOSE WHO SUFFER WITHOUT TOUCHING THEM. That line is a fulcrum of the chapter and a key point for the Holy Father’s understanding of dialogue and encounter that we see throughout the encyclical. We must start anew to actually see and encounter “another.”

It certainly must begin with each of us personally, but the method needs to broaden and cover social settings and cultural understandings.

The Holy Father wants us to think and act, to be converted to a space where borders of any kind are not the last word. The last word is “encounter.”

I hope that you will obtain a copy of this encyclical and read and meditate upon its understanding of human friendship and solidarity, founded upon Christ, the cornerstone. †

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Circulation 713-652-4408 Advertising ads@archgh.org • 713-652-4407 Daniel Cardinal DiNardo Archbishop, President & Publisher Jonah Dycus Communications Director & Executive Editor Rebecca Torrellas Managing Editor James Ramos Designer & Reporter Catherine Viola Graphic Designer & Advertising Manager Holly Beretto, Kerry McGuire, Bridget Richardson and Jo Ann Zuñiga Contributors The Texas Catholic Herald, an awardwinning member of The Catholic Media Association of the United States and Canada, is published semi-monthly on Tuesdays, except for one issue in June, July and August by The Texas Catholic Herald Publishing Co., Inc., 1700 San Jacinto St., Houston, Texas 77002.

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THE FIRST WORD ALL YOU PETS, BLESS THE LORD!

PASTORAL APPOINTMENT Effective September 23 Father Jerzy Mordalski, SCJ

Parochial Vicar - Our Lady of Guadalupe, Houston

IN BRIEF Celebrating Love: Wedding Jubilee Mass to be streamed online

PHOTOS COURTESY OF MICHAEL LEW/ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL CATHOLIC CHURCH AND CHRIST OUR LIGHT CATHOLIC CHURCH

At left, Father Wayne Wilkerson, Bishop Emeritus Edmond Carmody of Corpus Christi and Deacon Lu Hill lead a pet blessing service at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Houston Oct. 4. At right, Father Elias Lopez, pastor of Christ Our Light Catholic Church in Navasota, blesses a dog during a pet blessing service.

No better time than ‘meow’: Parishes celebrate the feast of St. Francis of Assisi with annual pet blessing

BY CHRISTINE SUBERVIE Special to the Herald HOUSTON — From poodles to parakeets, spiders to snakes, and everything in between – Father Wayne Wilkerson, pastor of St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, has blessed them all. With social distancing guidelines in place, parishes across the Archdiocese still honored the feast of St. Francis of Assisi with annual pet blessings.

Father Wilkerson joined Bishop Emeritus Edmond Carmody of the Diocese of Corpus Christi and Deacon Lu Hill in blessing parishioners’ pets on Oct. 4 at the parochial school’s athletic field in the Galleria. There, Father Wilkerson and Bishop Carmody then went around to each animal for an individual blessing and a sprinkle of holy water. Some critters were less enthused about the holy water part, but perhaps by divine intervention, all were well behaved.

A lover of animals, Father Wilkerson joyfully anticipates this gathering of the parish community each year.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for all in our parish and our community to come together and celebrate our furry and feathered companions who bring us such comfort and joy,” he said.

He and his dachshund Gretel visited St. Michael Catholic School on the previous Friday afternoon as a special treat and to invite all the children to attend with their pets to commemorate St. Francis of Assisi.

Father Wilkerson said that during this difficult time, when many are facing hardships and uncertainties due to the pandemic, it’s important to celebrate the faith and all that God has given. Honoring and blessing His creatures provided the perfect opportunity. †

Putting Faith Into Action

FAITHFUL CITIZENSHIP FAITHFULCITIZENSHIP.ORG

Political Engagement and our Baptismal Call

The U.S. Catholic bishops remind Catholics about the call to participate in political life. “In the Catholic tradition,” they write, “responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation” (no. 13). The U.S. bishops also lift up different issues of different moral weight and urgency. Some issues they mention include: “protecting the unborn, refugees and immigrant families; fighting racism and religious intolerance; aiding those impacted by poverty and conflict; preserving the family; and caring for our common home.”

Visit FaithfulCitizenship.org today to read statements from the bishops, along with a new letter, watch new videos, learn more about the issues and access other great resources. †

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HOUSTON — On Sunday, Oct. 18, couples who are celebrating their 25th and 50th wedding anniversaries will celebrate their unions with a Mass streamed online.

Celebrated by Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, the celebration provides an opportunity for every couple who married in 1970 and in 1995 to remember the Sacrament of Matrimony.

Cardinal DiNardo said that, in the Catholic imagination, the structure of marriage is taken up into the love of God and the love of Jesus, His Son, which is why we call it a Sacrament.

“Marriage is lifelong,” he said. “It’s meant for us to stay in loving union with each other.”

The joint Mass will be celebrated at 2 p.m. at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart and attendance is by pre-registration only. The Mass will be livestreamed online at www.archgh.org/live. †

Annual Red Mass for legal professions set for Oct. 29

HOUSTON — The 2020 Red Mass for members of the legal professions is set for Thursday, Oct. 29 at 6:15 p.m. at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, located at 1111 St. Joseph Pkwy. in Houston.

Due to COVID-19, the Mass will be livestreamed at www.archgh.org for those unable to attend in person. In addition, there will be no dinner event following the Mass this year.

For more information about the 2020 Red Mass, call 713-652-4426. †

DSF annual appeal to support Archdiocesan ministries continues

HOUSTON — This year the theme of the annual Diocesan Services Fund (DSF) appeal is “Bring Your Greatest Gifts to The Lord.”

The annual campaign to support more than 60 Archdiocese-wide ministries is under way and the local Church is asking parishioners to continue their generous giving to DSF. The fund supports a variety of ministries, such as those forming youth in Catholic faith; providing support and preparation for clergy; teaching, evangelizing, worshipping, and outreach to the incarcerated, aging, poor and sick; and programming to strengthen Christian families, among many others.

A full list of all ministries supported can be found at www.archgh.org/dsf. The Archdiocese counts on DSF funds to help meet the needs of people struggling throughout our region.

To make a pledge online, visit www.archgh.org/dsf. For more, call 713-652-4417. †

Catholic Charities food pantries continue help during pandemic HOUSTON — Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston continues to serve people in need during the COVID-19 pandemic through all of its programs. Food pantries are open for drive-through food distribution at three locations: Guadalupe Center in Houston; Mamie George Community Center in Richmond; Beacon of Hope Center in Galveston.

The Mamie George Community Center is a super distribution site in coordination with the Houston Food Bank. Distribution is every other Saturday, Sept. 26, and Oct. 10 and 24, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

For hours and other information, call the COVID Assistance Line at 713-874-6521. †

4 TEXAS CATHOLIC HERALD

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SUGAR LAND SCHOOL RECEIVES DOUBLE THE HONOR

OCTOBER 13, 2020

▪ SEE PAGE 19

St. Theresa Catholic School in Sugar Land named a Blue Ribbon and Cardinal Newman Honor Roll School in the same year.

The human dignity of a political opponent

BY JULIE FRITSCH Special to the Herald At a recent lecture for Catholic university students, a young woman asked how to dialogue with people who disagree with the Church on important issues like abortion.

The student recounted a conversation with a friend who, on learning she was pro-life, bluntly informed her, “In that case, I don’t think we can be friends anymore.” Many of us have similar experiences.

A year ago, a Catholic friend posted on social media that she could not be friends with anyone who voted for the opposite party because of the “evil” and “racist” beliefs of that party. Familiar with her politics, I knew I would likely be voting for the party she found so offensive.

Despite my efforts at dialogue, my friend couldn’t accept that my different views didn’t render me suspect both as a friend

and as a person, and the friendship disintegrated.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Christ tells us, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Mt 5:9) Archbishop Desmond Tutu, in the fight against South African apartheid, instructed, “If you want peace, you don’t talk to your friends, you talk to your enemies.” Yet in our current political climate, we often avoid talking to those with whom we disagree, preferring instead to speak about them with those whose views more closely resemble our own.

Moreover, the “enemy” of which the Archbishop speaks may count as anyone who disagrees with us. This is often the case even among Catholics, and even when we know the person with different views shares our faith or is a kind and generous individual in mutual interactions.

Ironically, our negative reactions to a caricature and therefore to something those with different views are sometimes less than the human person they are. based on our deep interest in protecting Certainly, some persons view abortion human dignity. For instance, those as a positive good and some people hold focused on the evils of abortion rightly racist views. Yet is it realistic that all or recognize the practice as an affront to even most persons who vote for a given the human dignity of the unborn and political party hold these views? If we the dignity of the family. Others may be truly believe the answer is “yes,” it is focused on important issues such as the worth challenging ourselves to engage plight of refugees fleeing social unrest respectfully in dialogue with persons of or the needs of children growing up in different views. In my experience, we poverty. often share more than we anticipate and While the two groups might make can find much common ground. different voting decisions, each decision, Such conversations require deep assuming a properly formed conscience humility. Humility is not a trait highly and consideration of all issues, can favored in our culture, yet it remains be morally licit. (For more on ethical essential to us as Catholics. The U.S. considerations in voting, see the U.S. Bishops in Faithful Citizenship advised Bishops’ document Forming Consciences that “Christ’s love and compassion for Faithful Citizenship at www. should challenge us to serve as models faithfulcitizenship.org) If this is the case, of civil dialogue, especially in a context where and how does the hostility arise? where discourse is eroding at all levels Part of our trouble stems from our of society… our participation [in politics] tendency to make assumptions based on should help transform the party to limited information. which we belong; we should not let the This natural phenomenon — necessary party transform us.” We quickly defend in a world where we are ourselves where we have overloaded with information been misunderstood or — nonetheless causes us to maligned, yet we are often FAITHFUL presume things about others, slow to recognize where we especially our opponents, CITIZENSHIP have made assumptions and which may not be based in harsh judgments against reality. another.

A common situation might To be sure, it is much occur as follows: a friend easier to insist on our point advises you that he intends of view, particularly when to vote for the Republican our views come from deeply candidate. Based on this held moral convictions. In limited information, you might assume such cases, maintaining one’s moral your friend is, 1) in favor of limiting or convictions is essential. At the same banning abortion, 2) in favor of reduced time, as Catholics, we are called to be taxes, 3) in favor of strict immigration peacemakers. This does not mean we controls, in addition to numerous other should ever compromise the essentials of positions.Your friend may indeed hold all our faith. It does mean that, as we work these views. It is more likely, of course, for the dignity of the oppressed (whoever that his views are more nuanced, a fact and wherever they may be), we must also you cannot know without engaging him recognize and respect the dignity of the in discussion. person before us with whom we disagree.

Often, we quickly move beyond St. Francis taught us to “seek not so much assumptions about political positions to be understood as to understand.” As an toward value judgments about those exercise during this election season and supposed positions, and, correspondingly, beyond, it is worth examining our own about the person we believe holds them. reactions to determine how charitably In the above example, a person on the we respond to others. If a statement opposing side might assume (probably or opinion by an opponent could be wrongly) that your friend is against interpreted in more than one way, are we equal rights for women, is unconcerned willing to offer the benefit of the doubt? about the poor, and/or is xenophobic or When we find ourselves getting angry racist, all based solely on his choice of over a political or social issue, can we candidate. reach out and seek clarification?

In the case of our pro-life university Are we willing to recognize and respect student, her friend likely made similar the human dignity of an opponent, even assumptions about her views based on where we strongly disagree with the stereotypes, most if not all of which were prudence or morality of his stance on an false. issue? Such practices are a challenge for The danger of such assumptions is us all. Yet it remains our duty as Christ’s that, in our concern for protecting human followers to promote charity among our dignity of the unborn, of the refugee fellow citizens. In this way, we can seek to and any number of others, we can fail to be peacemakers and receive Our Lord’s recognize the same human dignity in our challenge and promise to be children of political or ideological opponent.

God. † When we blindly assume that all Editor’s Note: This story originally persons voting for the opposing party appeared in Sebastian’s Point on Aug. 20, do so for morally illegitimate reasons 2020. Reprinted with permission. (“this person votes Democrat; they must be okay with killing babies,” “this Julie K. Fritsch, J.D., is the director person votes Republican; they must be of the Archdiocesan Office of Pro-Life a racist”), we are reducing that person to Activities.

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‘Catholics have a special responsibility,’ leaders say PEACEMAKERS, from page 1 Pro-Life Activities in the Archdiocese, said in a time of division for the nation, Catholics have a special responsibility.

“Initially, we must form ourselves to make prudent and moral voting decisions according to the teachings of our faith,” she said.“We have an additional obligation to reach out to those who make different decisions to discover the reasons they decide as they do and attempt to find common ground. The goal of dialogue is not necessarily to change minds or to win a point but to understand the other. This understanding, in turn, makes it possible for us to see and to respect the humanity of others, even when we hold different views about politics.”

The series will be on four Tuesdays in October, focusing on faithful citizenship issues and the call as Catholics to be active in the political sphere.

Each Tuesday includes a session at both 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. and will feature a brief 15- to 20-minute talk. The rest of the sessions are: • Oct. 13: Catholic Social Teaching in American Political Life • Oct. 20: How to Disagree with Charity • Oct. 27: Dialogue with Peace and Love Following the talk, participants will have the opportunity for a facilitated small group discussion, followed by a large group Q&A. Small group discussions will be available in English and Spanish.

This series is for young adult and adult Catholics who are interested in what the Church teaches on this topic, those who are frustrated with the increasing hostility in the news and social media, and those who want a safe place to discuss these issues with charity for the other, Fritsch said.

Adrián Alberto Herrera, associate director in the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis with the Archdiocese, previously hosted a five-week webinar with Father Antonio Ortiz, parochial vicar at Prince of Peace, on faithful citizenship.

Herrera said the event proved to be successful, with more than 300 participants and several hearts and minds enlightened.

“At first, a good number of participants came with the understanding that only one issue was all that matters, but after the third week, participants were able to expand their understanding of what the U.S. bishops have called us to consider when casting our vote,” Herrera said. “Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation and half-truths in social media, some by mistake, but others are well-intentioned to deceive the public.

It has been a blessing and a challenge to correct misinformation. Another regrettable misunderstanding is to use selective parts from Church doctrine to advance partisan political interests or validate ideological biases. You have to read the document in its entirety and prayerfully.”

“As Catholic Christians we belong to Christ before we are Americans and definitely before we identify ourselves with any political party.”

ADRIÁN ALBERTO HERRERA

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR AT THE OFFICE OF EVANGELIZATION AND CATECHESIS

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops document “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship” is available at faithfulcitizenship.org in both English and Spanish.

This document is the guide for Catholics trying to form their conscience to vote according to Church teaching.

“First, as Catholic Christians we belong to Christ before we are

Respond online at www.census.gov

Americans and definitely before we identify ourselves with any political party,” Herrera said. “This is obviously counter-cultural for some Catholics perhaps because party affiliation is so ingrained in our culture. Nevertheless, the Gospel calls our attention to all the issues and principles laid out in the U.S. bishops’ document.”

Fritsch said the “Blessed are the Peacemakers” series will try to address the increasing divisions over politics, which exist even among Catholics.

In addition to evaluating Church teaching, sessions will seek to promote understanding among those with different views as well as attitudes of charity and humility toward the other, to which Catholics are called by Christ.

To register for the 1 p.m. session, visit https://bit.ly/2Gbc93X, and for the 7 p.m. session, register at https://bit.ly/3kUpvk8.

For more information, contact the Office for Young Adult and Campus Ministry yacm@archgh.org or the Office of Pro-Life Activities at 713-741-8778. †

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There will be no dinner event following the Mass this year.

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OCTOBER 13, 2020

Pope: In the pandemic, ‘the Lord carries the cross with us’ CORONAVIRUS, from page 1 Prevention said that Hispanic and Latino residents are three times as likely to be infected by the virus and are nearly twice as likely to die from it.

“I want to assure our Hispanic and Latino community that when you arrive at a county testing site to be tested, no one will ask about your immigration status or insurance. Our focus is exclusively on keeping everyone safe and healthy,” Judge Hidalgo said in a July statement.

“Testing is not a treatment or a cure, but it is a key tool to help us understand the spread of the virus in our community and to help inform community members who feel they may have COVID-19.”

Some of the other parishes that have served as pop-up testing locations during the pandemic include St. Philip of Jesus Catholic Church, Holy Ghost Catholic Church, St. Leo the Great Catholic Church. Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Houston was scheduled to host a mobile testing site Oct. 10.

In May, the Vietnamese Culture and Science Association of Houston coordinated testing at Vietnamese Martyrs Catholic Church in Houston to serve vulnerable Vietnamese-speaking populations.

Parishes have also offered needed

community services by providing relief through rent assistance and groceries while also distributing masks.

Continuing his series of talks on “healing the world,” Pope Francis said in his Sept. 30 general audience that Christ came to heal both the physical and “social” ailments that plague the world and gave the “necessary gifts to love and heal as He did, in order to take care of everyone without distinction of race, language or nation.”

The COVID-19 pandemic, the pope said, exposed the world’s “physical, social and spiritual vulnerabilities” and “laid bare the great inequality that reigns in the world: the inequality of opportunity, of goods, of access to health care, technology, education.”

Earlier that month, the pope also reminded the elderly that they need not be afraid of suffering because Christ is always there to help them carry that cross.

With God’s grace, their situation, which was made even more difficult and risky because of the COVID-19 pandemic and strict protocols for containing its spread, can be “an experience of purification,” he said. “We are not afraid of suffering; the Lord carries the cross with us.” † – Catholic News Service contributed to this story.

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IN BRIEF Guidelines remain as parishes increase capacity to 50%

HOUSTON - Almost four months after reopening parishes following the statemandated closure, Daniel Cardinal DiNardo continued the second step in the phased reopening of parishes in the Archdiocese in a late September announcement Parishes were permitted to expand to 50% capacity provided they, and parishioners, observe health guidelines set by the State of Texas when attending Mass.

These include at least the following:

Wash hands often and for 20 seconds

Cover mouth and nose with a mask or cover when around others

Keep a safe social distance and avoid gathering after Masses

Avoid close contact; Share a ‘Sign of Peace’ from a distance

Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or sleeve

Stay at home if feeling sick

For more information, visit www.archgh.org/healthupdates

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Virtual race marks new step for annual 5K run STEPS, from page 1

FILE PHOTO BY JAMES RAMOS/HERALD

To keep the feeling of community, each Catholic school will receive a “race in a box” with spirit items such as banners to hold its own 5K while keeping socially distant.

“Plus, each Steps registrant will receive a race shirt and a medal to commemorate the event as an added incentive,” Culp said.

Daniel Cardinal DiNardo and Catholic Schools Office Superintendent Debra Haney will record videos to cheer on the schools and encourage other supporters.

Haney said, “I am really excited about the new experience for our schools and look forward to seeing how the schools use their creativity and ingenuity to make this event fun and engaging for their communities. Our schools have a real opportunity to involve their entire parish and school communities, as well as their alumni and former staff members; this could be the best Steps for Students we’ve ever had in terms of participation and engagement.”

Culp said other organizations are conducting virtual races, including a pending Thanksgiving race and a Fourth of July race this past summer that netted more than usual as a virtual event.

For the logistics, registrants will need to download an app called RaceJoy, an interactive race experience, said Steps

Racers reach the finish line at the 2020 Steps for Students race in February. In 2021, the race will start and end at home as the annual event goes virtual.

race timer Richard Littrell.

“Runners and spectators can download the app, fill out a profile for registration and hit start whenever they’re ready to run,” Littrell said.

The app automatically times and stops when the 5K mark is reached, he said.

“You can include your custom cheer like the ‘Rocky” movie theme or have the kids yell out ‘Go, Mom!’ It’s all on your phone, watch or headphones,” Littrell said.“It’s easy but engaging and exciting.”

“Technically, anyone around the world can register for the virtual event. So we can reach out to school alumni and family members outside of Houston, which opens up a lot of opportunity,” he said.

Diana Skouby, a parent with a 13-yearold attending St. Edward Catholic School in Spring, said she is excited about helping to coordinate the virtual Steps

for Students 5K for their school.

“I agree this is best because of health concerns. We’re discussing hosting our 5K on our track we have around the soccer field and keep runners socially distant,” Skouby said.

“Our pastor and principal are also very active with Steps. For the kick-off, we may have parents with pom-poms and posters saying ‘Register Today’ at drop-off and pick-up points,” she said.

Funds raised from Steps for Students help Catholic schools purchase new computers, pay for faculty and student events, and tuition assistance. St. Edward raised $18,000 and has set a $20,000 goal for 2021, she said.

“I’m a product of Catholic schools from pre-K to my master’s degree, so we’re very supportive. The Archdiocese does a lot of the legwork for you with sponsors and T-shirts. You just register and show up,” Skouby said.

STEPS FOR STUDENTS Registration opened Oct. 7. Race fee increases to $20 on Oct. 26 or after 1,000 people register with the $15 pre-sale special pricing. Register online today at www.steps4students.org.

“In fact, I just recently walked a virtual race from my old high school in Long Island. I wore school colors, walked and posted my time. When we first moved to Houston in 2016, I was amazed and motivated by Steps for Students,”she said.

“It was heartwarming to see thousands of people supporting Catholic education.”

She and her husband, David Skouby, who is discerning in the Archdiocese’s diaconate program, will again be helping as volunteers.

Overall, Steps raised more than $980,000 during the 15th annual event last February, said Julie Eberle, Archdiocese associate director of development-special events.

Registration this year opened on Oct. 7, and the first 1,000 people who register before the end of October will only pay $15, Eberle said. The price goes up to $20 after October.

For more information on registration and to donate to Steps for Students, visit www.steps4students.org. †

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October 13, 2020

Restoring marriages, relationships to protect, nurture the Domestic Church

By Kerry McGuire Herald Correspondent HOUSTON — Central social institutions are marriage and family that should be supported and strengthened, and not undermined, according to the U.S. Catholic Bishops. This includes restoring marriages and healing broken relationships to protect and nurture the domestic Church.

“Strong marriages and family life are especially important in our world today when the life of the family is increasingly threatened by contrary ideologies,” said Father Luke Millette, judicial vicar for the Metropolitan Tribunal’s Judicial Affairs of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.

“In our role as a Marriage Tribunal, we seek to strengthen family structures and repair relationships so that those who come to us might hopefully, through the grace of God, be able to be restored more fully to full and active participation within the community of the faithful, which is the Church.”

Quest for justice The Tribunal serves the faithful in many ways in its quest for justice.

However, Father Millette said most of its work focuses on the investigation of requests by those who have divorced to determine if their former marriages fulfilled the Church’s theological and canonical understanding of marriage.

The demand for annulments dramatically increased between 2015

and 2019 after Pope Francis streamlined the annulment petition processes and gave local bishops more opportunities to assume the role of judge in their dioceses.

Consequently, in 2020 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, cases are down substantially from previous years.

“The biggest impact this year has been in our caseload, which has been cut in half due to the difficultly of case sponsors accessing files onsite and meeting with clients in-person on a regular basis versus on Zoom,” said Anne Bryant, J.C.L., director of the Tribunal.

“In addition, many people have a lot on their plates right now with helping to educate their children and working at home themselves or searching for a job if they no longer have one. On the bright side, this has enabled us to ‘catch up’ on the cases that were left over from 2019 and move the 2020 cases more quickly.” pandemic’s silver linings Father Millette agrees the biggest challenge currently is implementing the changes necessary to keep the Tribunal moving forward during these times of COVID-19. He has found silver linings.

“We have had to become creative and think outside of the box to continue moving forward with our case workload without causing significant delays to the process,” he said. “The biggest blessing has been the chance to implement some new changes that will add more pastoral tools for assisting the people of God.

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The Metropolitan Tribunal is supported by the Diocesan Services Fund. The 2020 DSF theme draws from an important meaning of the Catholic faith: “Bring Your Greatest Gift to the Lord.”

DSF operates in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston each year to help the Church carry out the ministries of teaching and sanctifying. Of the 60-plus programs under its umbrella, DSF brings the needed financial resources to carry out these ministries.

One of these is adding the process for a ‘Petrine Privilege,’ which is the ability to gain a dissolution of a prior marriage from Rome in certain circumstances when one of the previous spouses was not baptized.”

Bryant believes the pandemic has helped people to reprioritize their values.

“Protecting and nurturing human life can take many forms, and the rise of COVID-19 has made us more aware of those that are living in poverty, even more so because of job loss,” said Bryant. “We also have identified the generous spirit of those who are helping others, such as assisting those that have suffered through an abortion or some other kind of abuse, and now want to find completeness and marry through the Church. Hopefully, through our ministry of teaching and healing, we are able to bring new life to those who come to us.”

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matters. This includes assisting agencies and institutions of the Archdiocese with information on policy or programs. The ministry also serves as a tribunal of second instance appeals for six other dioceses in its Province.

“The Tribunal has many different types of areas it serves, and we work with helping all of the people of God, both lay and cleric,” said Bryant. “As defined in Canon Law, the Tribunal serves as a means of delineating responsibilities and protecting rights as they are authentically proclaimed and legitimately codified in Church Law.” generosity serves others As one of 60 ministries supported by the Diocesan Services Fund (DSF), the Tribunal relies heavily on the funds provided through the generous support of the faithful each year.

“In December of 2015, Daniel Cardinal DiNardo reduced the fee for formal cases and eliminated fees for any other type of nullity or dissolution petition, so everyone that needs assistance with their marriage can seek the services of the Tribunal for free,” said Bryant. “Thus, DSF funds the majority of the Tribunal expenses.

We would not be able to carry out our mission without the support of the DSF and generous people of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.”

Father Millette said the Tribunal and other ministries in the Archdiocese that impact the lives of thousands of Catholics every year would not be possible without the DSF and those that serve at the parish level to support their missions.

“Every person who approaches the Tribunal is assisted by a case sponsor at their parish, each of whom generously volunteers free of charge to guide people through this process,” he said.

“Our ministry is just as dependent on the invisible support of everyone who donates to DSF and funds this important mission to the families around us. While no one else may ever know what they have sacrificially given for others, God sees and knows and will bless them for it abundantly.” †

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texas catholic herald

9

one sunday for the world

World Mission Sunday set for Oct. 18 HOUSTON — World Mission Sunday, as it offers each of us an opportunity to which is set for Oct. 18, joins all Catholics support the life-giving presence of the of the world into one community of faith. Church among the poor and marginalized At Mass that Sunday, we recommit in more than 1,111 mission dioceses. ourselves to our common vocation, through Baptism, to be missionaries, A Scriptural Reflection through prayer, participation in the For many decades, the Church has Eucharist, and by giving generously to the recognized the work of its missions and collection for the Society for petitioned on their behalf on the Propagation of the Faith.

World Mission Sunday.

In his message for World We again thank God for His WORLD Mission Sunday this year, mercy on all missionaries and Pope Francis asks us to the people they serve around MISSION respond to our baptismal call the world. From the earliest SUNDAY to mission by saying, “Here I days of the Church, those who Am, Send Me,” which is this believe in Jesus as the Son of year’s World Mission Sunday God and our Redeemer have theme. gone to the ends of the earth This is the mission that to spread the Good News. all Christians have received, St. Paul reassured these and God gives us the grace to live it out believers, telling them,“We give thanks to wherever we may be.

God always for all of you, remembering Every parish in the world can you in our prayers, unceasingly calling to participate, united, in this special mind your work of faith and labor of love Eucharistic celebration.

Every and endurance in hope of our Lord Jesus parishioner is a missionary, sharing our Christ.… love for Christ’s Gospel with one another, For our Gospel did not come to you in supporting the Church most in need. word alone, but also in power and in the In a world where so much divides us, Holy Spirit” (1 Thes 1:2-3, 5). Just as the World Mission Sunday rejoices in our Holy Spirit guided the efforts of Paul and unity as missionaries by our Baptism, the other faithful disciples who set out

20 20

“In a world where so much divides us, World Mission Sunday rejoices in our unity as missionaries by our Baptism.” to reveal the love and sacrifice of Christ, the Spirit does the same 2,000 years later. Jesus came to claim us for Himself with life everlasting. And He has not yet finished His work of evangelization.

The faith that is so precious to us needs to be shared with people of many lands.

In these trying times, we all have many demands made on us. Yet we need to recognize the essential nature of our lives as Catholics.

In the Gospel reading for Oct. 18, some try to set a trap for Jesus by asking whether or not they should pay taxes to the Romans. But they are themselves carrying coins with Caesar’s image; they have already made their own decisions.

T h e So c ie Ty f o r Th e P r o Pa g aT io n o f Th e fa i Th

Here I am, send me

La S o c i eda d Pa r a La P r o Pa g a c i ó n d e L a fe

aquí me tIenes, mándame a mI

WMS20-poster-F.indd 1

Our Lord says, “Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God” (Mt 22:21).

In fact, everything, every shred of our universe, belongs to God our Creator. We must decide how to use the gifts God has granted us to honor Him and serve His people. As His followers, Jesus wants us to let those around us and around the whole world know Him and His incomparable blessings. Day by day, let us do our share.

Each day, and on this World Mission Sunday most especially, let us answer the Lord’s call to mission, “Here I am, send me,” as we share our belief in Christ in word and witness, in prayer and sacrifice.

Let us pray for missionaries and for those with whom they share our faith in Christ. Let us celebrate the work of the Church’s many faithful and generous missionaries by regularly supporting their efforts, especially on this World Mission Sunday. Our prayers and sacrifices on this Sunday, combined with those offered in churches and chapels around the globe, join us to the efforts of missionaries who proclaim the Word and serve the poor day in and day out.

For more information, visit www. archgh.org/missions. †

missio.org

3/12/20 1:40 PM

10 Texas Catholic Herald

October 13, 2020

EDUCATION

Learning during a pandemic: Catholic schools adjust to multi-learning environments

By Rebecca Torrellas Texas Catholic Herald HOUSTON —The school bell’s familiar sound welcomed thousands of Catholic school students across the Archdiocese despite stringent COVID-19 pandemic guidelines in place. About two months into the school year, Archdiocesan Catholic Schools have adjusted to the current normal way of teaching.

Forty-six Catholic schools and 11 high schools have been teaching in-person, online or a hybrid of both since the start of their fall semesters.

Debra Haney, superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Archdiocese, said the schools are doing well, “and there are certainly many ways that they are working to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus in our schools.”

Haney said she’s proud of the way principals and staff have handled the situation, even receiving an email from a doctor that was singing the praises of one of the principals and her team for their efforts.

“There have certainly been challenges, but they have been addressed and our principals have been warriors out there taking care of business,” she said.

Kendall Shamas, principal at St. Anne Catholic School in Tomball, said the school has been instructing in-person and virtually, with a majority of students in the building.

“We are providing synchronous and asynchronous instruction for our Virtual Crusaders,” she said. “This supports all of our learners, face to face and Virtual Crusaders (students learning online), as they have resources and recordings to refer back to if needed.”

Shamas said the students are adjusting well to the modified instruction.

“When I visit the classrooms and see them online they are all smiles. Our parents are very supportive and that has helped with our students adjusting to a new way of learning,” she said.

Shamas said the students are not only learning academically, they are learning life lessons.

“They are developing grit,” she said.

“Through all of this, students are learning perseverance and resilience, which are important to long-term success.”

To Shamas, the biggest challenge other than the logistics of safely opening up the school following all of the recommended protocols was ensuring that their Virtual

Crusaders were getting the very best Catholic education possible.

“We are all committed to them. Not only are they included throughout most of the school day, our teachers have set aside 30 minutes of planning each day to meet with our Virtual Crusaders and their parents to ensure they have that one on one time with their teachers as well,” she said.

Danielle Aleman, director of Advancement at St. Anne Catholic School in Houston, said they began the school year with the entire campus distance learning. After Labor Day, students who opted for on-campus, face-to-face learning, returned to campus.

“Approximately 30% of our student population is currently distance learning for the first quarter,” she said.

Aleman said that despite the challenges brought upon by COVID-19, the students embraced the excitement of a new school year through the teachers’ efforts of encouraging community and collaboration whether at learning in school or at home.

“St. Anne’s biggest challenge has been remaining physically apart,” she said.

“Our community thrives on togetherness and personal interactions. COVID-19 has posed physical challenges, but the St. Anne community remains committed to exploring ways in which we pray together, learn together and play together.”

Aleman said that while in-person and on-campus learning is the school’s optimal learning environment, the health and safety of the school’s community is the top priority.

“St. Anne approached the new year with a solid return to learning plan, consistent communication with parents

Photo courtesy of St. Anne Catholic School in Tomball

Students at St. Anne Catholic School in Tomball wear face masks and face shields while praying in their school campus during their school day.

and measurable assessments, all of which ensures that our community continues teaching and learning in goodness, discipline and knowledge throughout the pandemic and beyond,” she said. Haney said there is not a final date when all schools will be back to fully to in-person instruction, although she said they are hoping it will be in mid-October.

“Some students, due to individual health concerns, may stay remote all year,” she said. †

12 seniors named National Merit semifinalists HOUSTON — Twelve high school seniors in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston were named semifinalists in the 66th annual National Merit Scholarship program, based on scores on last year’s Preliminary SAT collegeentrance tests.

As semifinalists, these high school seniors are in the running for 7,600 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $30 million offered next spring.

The students recognized are Kaitlyn J. Giveon from Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart; Luke B. Parmenter of St. John XXIII College Preparatory; Olivia N. Lee and Elizabeth A. Athaide of St. Agnes Academy; Zachary V. Bryant, Dylan J. Michaels, Noah J, Mims and Zachary J. Voltz of St. Thomas High School; and Ethan Gadbois, Eishan N. Naik, Jacob Nguyen and Andrew S. Thampoe of

Strake Jesuit College Preparatory.

These students are among a select 16,000 students from across the country.

More than 90% are expected to be named finalists, and roughly half will be earn scholarships. Of the 1.5 million teens in 21,000 high schools who took the preliminary SAT exam in 2018 across the U.S., these students are in the 1% of the highest scorers.

To be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the finalist level of the competition. This includes submitting a detailed scholarship application with information about their academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership capabilities, and honors and awards received.

Finalists will be named in February 2021. †

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texas catholic herald

11

YOUTH

Wisdom of Generations: Keeping the teachings of predecessors

When you think of youth ministry, what comes to mind? Who are the youth ministry leaders and volunteers?

For many, the image of young adults in their 20s and 30s ministering to and with young people comes to mind. In practice, however, there is a broad range of ministry leaders and volunteers from their 20s to their 60s and beyond. This broad age range is critical to a healthy, comprehensive youth ministry.

Pope Francis said: “When intergenerational relationships exist, a collective memory is present in communities, as each generation takes up the teachings of its predecessors and in turn bequeaths a legacy to its successors. In this way, they provide frames of reference for firmly establishing a new society. As the old saying goes: ‘If the young had knowledge and the old strength, there would be nothing they could not accomplish.’”

(Pope Francis, Christus Vivit, 191) Our society has changed dramatically over the last 50 to 60 years.

One of the most important changes has been, for many, the loss of the interaction of the extended family.

Certainly, in my family, that is the case.

When I was growing up, all of my extended family lived within 20 minutes of each other. We often saw our aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents.

Today, my wife and I have our brothers and sisters in Maine, Massachusetts, Florida, Arizona and Tennessee. The impact on our children is the loss of those intergenerational family experiences.

In this process, our children have lost,

by

TIM COLBERT

†

in many respects, the story of our family and the wisdom of the generations.

If this has been your experience as well, COVID-19 has certainly taught us a lesson, we can and should find new ways to stay connected. I stay connected with my 5- and 6-year old grandchildren through Facetime. We play together, I read them books, we have dinner

together, etc.

Technology has been a true blessing for me as a way to be continually involved in their lives.

In many ways, we have the same experience in our parish communities.

Although the generations are not separated by distance, so much of our ministry is “specialized” and segregated.

The blog Effective Ministry references recent studies that show the deterioration of intergenerational relationships and the ongoing disaffiliation of young people from our churches.

“The assumption from most of the research material was that now more than ever, generations need one another.

Alongside surrendering discipleship and disciple-making to professional ministers, over time, church programs have become so radically age-segregated there’s now often little intergenerational contact, broad disciple-making interaction or intentional cross engagement within our faith

COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR St. Edward Catholic Community

2601 Spring-Stuebner Rd., Spring, TX 77389 | www.saintedward.org Full-Time Position; reports to the Pastor Primary Function: The Communications Coordinator is responsible for and accountable to the Business Manager and Principal for the planning, integration, and execution of all parish and school communication.

• Embodies the principles of the Parish Mission Statement: We, the members of Saint Edward the Confessor Catholic Community, are called through our Baptism to build up the Kingdom of God by being one in Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit by welcoming and loving others through worship, education, service and evangelization.

• Sets an example for families by attending Mass and participating in Catholic Sacraments.

Major Position Responsibilities/Activities: • Develop and communicate parish mission and vision to parish and community.

• Develop and manage social media, Flocknote and website accounts.

• Coordinate and review weekly bulletin.

• Coordinate with all departments the communication plan of the parish.

• Work with parish ministries to communicate events, activities, and vision.

• Promote and advertise all parish activities.

• Attend Parish Staff meetings and retreats as scheduled.

• Maintain communication with parish staff; accept additional projects as needed.

Position Specifications/Requirements 1. Skills, Knowledge and/or Abilities: Communication, Administration and Theology.

2. Education, Training and/or Experience: • Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communication, or related field with 3 to 5 years’ experience.

• Submit all Diocesan Ethics Policy forms and background check; Safe Haven certified; Person of high moral integrity; Practicing Catholic with an active prayer life.

• Commitment to continuing professional education.

Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume to Kathy Psencik at kpsencik@saintedward.org

communities. I think the main hindrance has been the lack of understanding that intergenerational relationships are crucial to spiritual growth and maturation. If leaders understood how important intergenerational experiences are for growth and development, they would pour enormous amounts of energy into creating these experiences.”

(Effective Ministry Blog, 2016) As I indicated previously, it is important to have a multi-generational team serving alongside our young people.

It is equally important that we have frequent cross-generational experiences in our prayer and worship, in our service outreach, and in our faith formation. The consequences of missing the mark on this kind of engagement is a loss of the wisdom and experience across the generations.

Our young people need to interact with faithful disciples from older generations in order to put into context where we have come from as they

explore where they are going. At the same time, older generations benefit from understanding the adolescents’ experience of faith, their questions and their concerns.

“Meaningful, purposeful relationships between young and old result in a dual win: they help youth develop their own sense of self-worth and meaning while enriching the lives of older adults who contribute to the well-being of upcoming generations.” (Stanford Center on Longevity, 2016) Whether it is in our families or our parish communities, the regular interactions across the generations provide vital experiences of faith, tradition, family values, and mutual respect.

May our mother Mary be our guide as we continue to grow in our experiences of the wisdom of all generations. † Timothy E. Colbert is the director of the Office of Adolescent Catechesis and Evangelization.

12 Texas Catholic Herald

October 13, 2020

columnists Missionaries worldwide: ‘We are still here’ World Mission Sunday, Oct. 18, is fast approaching. This annual celebration of prayer and financial support for the missionary work of the Catholic Church (“Here I Am, Send Me”) will take place amid a worldwide pandemic. Despite the devastating losses and frustrating limits that the COVID-19 virus brings, our faith reminds us that we still have significant tasks to undertake as members of the universal Church.

Pope Francis uplifts us in his World Mission Sunday 2020 message: “We realize that we are on the same boat, all of us fragile and disoriented, but at the same time, important and needed, all of us called to row together.”

The priests, sisters, Church leaders and laity serving in mission lands carry on bravely.

“We know something about challenges,” Croatian Sister Veronica said from the Solomon Islands. She joined other missionaries worldwide on a video created by the Pontifical Mission by Societies of Australia.

“The world has changed, HILDA and everything seems OCHOA uncertain. But one thing is certain: We will not leave.”

On YouTube: #WeAreStillhere MissioMalta/Eng FULL, missionaries from various cultural backgrounds repeat a similar message, “we are here for the people.”

In many rural and isolated areas

†

Director, Office of Young Adult Ministry, Pastoral Juvenil, & Campus Ministry The Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, led by Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, is a multicultural Church with active members from every continent of the world. We pray and celebrate in over 14 languages in 146 parishes and we participate in activities of social justice, support the good works of persons in other countries, prepare our children and young people to be responsible members of the community — and we do all this in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Summary: The Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston is seeking eligible candidates for the position of Director, Office of Young Adult Ministry, Pastoral Juvenil and Campus Ministry. This position reports directly to the Secretariat Director for Pastoral and Educational Ministry and provides leadership in the on-going formation of Catholic young adults in their twenties and thirties, both single and married, in a diverse multilingual intercultural setting by providing training, support, and resources for those responsible for this ministry in parishes and in college/university campus ministry centers. Supervises, assists, and supports campus ministry directors. This position is responsible for developing and implementing a vision and long-range plan for young adult ministry on the Archdiocesan level, in the parishes and on college/university campuses. Along with facilitating Archdiocesan gatherings of young adults for continuing growth in faith, adult relationships, vocational discernment and other areas of need and interest through the activities of the appropriate leadership structures.

Education/Experience Requirements: Master’s Degree. Pastoral Theology or related field. Minimum of 4 years pastoral ministry to/with young adults. Supervisory experience as well as knowledge of parish and church structures. Campus ministry experience is desirable. Bilingual - English/Spanish is a plus. This person must be a practicing Catholic in good standing.

Interested qualified candidates should submit a cover letter with resume and salary requirements via email to resume@archgh.org Please indicate job title on subject line.

Young Adult and Campus Ministry | Chancery at St. Dominic Center 2403 Holcombe Blvd. | Houston, Texas 77021

Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston

around the world, Catholic hospitals and schools are the only providers of health care and education. In Africa alone, Catholics are operating more than 7,000 hospitals, 2,000 homes for the elderly and 45,000 primary schools caring for 19 million children. Cardinal Luis Tagle, prefect for the Congregation for the Evangelization of the Peoples, which oversees the Pontifical Mission Societies, explains, “In her task of evangelization, the Church is often on the front lines of major threats to human well-being.”

The pope calls upon us, Catholic parishes and dioceses around the world, to respond with prayers and financial contributions on World Mission Sunday.

Masses and collections offered on the weekend of Oct. 18 will assist churches, schools, seminaries, shelters and healthcare facilities in the places in the world where the Church does not stand on its own due to poverty or conflict.

The pandemic is exacerbating the hardships.

The early pandemic health restrictions gave us a glimpse of what life is like without the chance to gather for Church services and Sacraments. In some places in the world, that reality continues. In whatever way possible this Mission Sunday, may we take some time to reflect on the struggles facing our brothers and sisters around the world and our common need for God and for each other?

We are all invited to offer a contribution designated for the Society for the Propagation of the Faith through the second collection on World Mission Sunday. As Pope Francis emphasizes, “The mission that God entrusts to each of us leads us from fear and introspection to a renewed realization that we can only find ourselves when we give ourselves to others.” † Hilda Ochoa is the director of the Office of Missions.

In October —and always— the Rosary is a hope for all times In the month of October, nothing is more noble and pleasing to God than to awake in us the love for our Blessed Mother through praying the Rosary.

The Rosary has often been misconstrued by many as focusing on Mary; and that when we pray the Rosary, we are worshiping Mary, which we should not do because worship belongs to God alone.

As a matter of fact, when we pray the Rosary and meditate on the mysteries of the Rosary, we are imitating Christ’s obedience to His Father’s will, according to the example of the Blessed Mother.

As Abbot Louis de Blois, O.S.B., a Flemish monk and mystical writer better known as Blosius, said, “The Rosary, with meditation on the life and passion of Christ, is certainly most pleasing to our Lord and His blessed Mother and is a very successful means of obtaining all graces; we can say it for ourselves as well as for those who have been recommended to our prayers and for the whole Church. Let us turn, then, to the holy Rosary in all our needs, and we shall infallibly obtain the graces we ask for from God to attain our salvation.”

It’s no wonder then why St. John Paul II announced to the whole world on Oct. 16, 1978, just days after his election as pope, that the Rosary is his favorite devotional prayer.

The devotion to the by SR. MARIA Rosary is noteworthy.

Let us embrace the GORETTI Rosary as the precious THUY treasure it has been for NGUYEN our Church for eight centuries and fervently pray it every day.

Pray with hope that we will obtain the graces for peace in the world, peace in every family and peace in every human’s heart, as well as for an end to the pandemic and for the emotional and spiritual healing for all. Our world needs millions of Catholics praying the Rosary now! †

†

Sister Maria Goretti Nguyen, OP, is an associate director with the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis.

sunday mass readings Oct. 18

First Reading: Is 45:1,4-6

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 96:1,3-5,7-10

Second Reading: 1 Thes 1:1-5

Gospel: Mt 2:15-21

Oct. 25

First Reading: Ex 22:20-26

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 18:2-4,47,51

Second Reading: 1 Thes 1:5-10

Gospel: Mt 22:34-40

Did you know the Texas Catholic Herald online?

Serving our readers at home and online from around the world, many of our stories are available digitally for free. Visit www.archgh.org/tch to read.

cOlumnists

October 13, 2020 • archgh.org/tch

texas catholic herald

13

Quarantine provides an opportunity for intentional kindness Working at Chick-Fil-A in Sawyer Heights, life is not easy. The lines lap the restaurant — whether they seem quick or slow — and yet people still wait for their chicken meal six days a week.

One evening after work, on my jog at Hermann Park, I had a conversation with my favorite popsicle guy while I was stretching. As conversations go, we talked about his start-up in selling hand-crafted popsicles, our lives and hobbies. I told him about how I was let go from the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston — thankfully Chick-Fil-A hired me — and he spoke about how his business is slow with less people at the park. When I told him which location I worked at, he immediately knew and commented on how crazy those lines are. Truthfully, all I thought to say was, “oh yeah, we love you guys!”Then, we parted, and I began my run.

During my runs, I take my struggles and blessings to prayer, and that interaction stuck out to me. Gradually, I began thinking about the lasting impressions that I leave on any-andeveryone that I share my paths with.

Even in the quickest interactions — lasting only a few seconds — that smile through the facemask or a joyous greeting shares how much we all matter to one another.

In reflecting on the pandemic, Pope Francis invites us to, “rediscover the concreteness of little things, small gestures of attention we can offer those close to us, our family, our friends. We must understand that in small things lies our treasure.”When we seek to live

freely, these opportunities for intentional kindness radiate those simple gestures and reveal the bountiful treasure in these moments that Pope Francis asks us to revitalize.

St. Catherine of Siena, a lay member of the by Dominican Order in the MATTHEW 14th Century, may help us with learning how to live LESTER freely for these intentional moments. In a beautiful discussion on her ideas of freedom, Father Paul Murray summarizes her view: “In this age, as in every age, freedom is not free until it opens itself up to a vision or a cause or a belief beyond itself. Freedom is not free until it serves.”

(Murray p. 38) See, when we are concerned with ourselves, many people throughout history and I will guarantee receiving pleasure, for sure, but will it amount to freedom? Instead, seeking to love and serve others in this isolating time is what people like St. Catherine of Siena seem to be nudging us towards.

“When we do this,” they seem to be saying, “we allow love to enter and radiate through us in those quick, yet intentional moments.” Ultimately, presenting ourselves as an intentional gift in these quick and simple interactions serves not only them but us, too.

Approaching people intentionally does not have to be with parades and fireworks.

The cri de cœur (our most inner desire of the heart) is to be loved and cared for.

If we center our life around love, then freedom and intentionality will flow blissfully into our interactions — blooming flowers in people who are

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Education/experience requirements Qualified candidates must possess a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. The possession of Texas State education certification is a plus. If the degree is not in education, the candidate must have at least 12 hours of education credits. The ideal candidate should also have a minor in one or more of the following: Biology, Life Science, Environmental Education, Natural Resources, Wild Life Management, Forestry, or outdoor education experience. Consideration will be given to candidates with background in a regular classroom, outdoor education, and camp experience as well as course work or experience in child development, learning theory, environmental education and individualized instruction.

Please note that classroom instruction and activities are primarily outdoors in a various weather conditions and include hiking and other outdoor recreational activities.

Suitable candidates should send a cover letter, resume, and salary requirements to Human Resources at resume@archgh.org with Instructor/Summer Programming Team Member in the subject line.

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During these difficult and trying times, priests of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston will be offering spiritual reflection videos on Scriptures of the day to help us stand firm in faith and hope.

New videos in English and Spanish will be posted on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Find the videos at www.archgh.org/messagesofhope, and on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Audio of the reflections are also available on our podcast channel via your favorite podcast app.

14 TEXAS CATHOLIC HERALD

OCTOBER 13, 2020

WORLD

True change requires input of everyone, not just the powerful, pope says VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The world will not overcome the current crisis if only big businesses, financial institutions and the powerful have a voice, Pope Francis said.

“Everyone must be listened to.

Everyone — those on the top, those on the bottom,” he said Sept. 23 during his weekly general audience.

“Getting out of this crisis does not mean brushing a coat of paint over the current situation,” he said.

“Overcoming a crisis means changing.

And true change comes about with everyone, all the people,” who make up a community, he said to applause.

“Either together or it will not work,” he said at the audience, which was held in the San Damaso courtyard of the Apostolic Palace.

He continued his series of talks on “healing the world” by reflecting on the “principle of subsidiarity,” which emerged in church teaching in Pope Pius XI’s 1931 encyclical “Quadragesimo Anno” on the reconstruction of the social order.

Subsidiarity has been explained as

balancing the many necessary levels of society — government, business, family, associations, etc. — and seeking the allocation of resources by higher levels of society to support engagement and decision-making by the lower levels.

Pope Francis said the principle works both ways: from top to bottom and from the bottom to the top, with all levels working in a cooperative, not competitive way, leading to greater unity and working for the common good.

Unfortunately, he said, not everyone has the possibility, the right, the resources or the courage to take on their responsibility in helping heal the world.

“Many people cannot participate in the reconstruction of the common good because they are marginalized, excluded or ignored; certain social groups do not succeed in making a contribution because they are economically or socially suffocated,” he said.

In some places, people are not free to express their own faith or values and could even go to prison if they did and, especially in Western nations, “many

Join us for the

7th Annual Fishers of Men ~ Virtual Program ~ Tuesday, Nov. 10, 7:00 p.m.

Larry Massey, Jr., Honoree

Fr. Bill Casey, CFM,

CNS PHOTO

Pope Francis greets people attending his general audience in the San Damaso courtyard at the Vatican Sept. 23.

people repress their own ethical or religious convictions.”

“Unfortunately, this injustice happens often in those places where huge economic and geopolitical interests are concentrated, such as, for example, certain extractive activities in some areas of the planet”and where the voices of indigenous peoples, their culture and worldviews are not taken into consideration.

“Today, this lack of respect for the principle of subsidiarity has spread like a virus,” the pope said.

“The largest financial companies are listened to rather than the people or the ones who really move the economy,” he said. “Multinational businesses are listened to more than social movements.”

Also, when it comes to finding a vaccine for the coronavirus, he added, “the large pharmaceutical companies are listened to more than the health care workers employed on the front lines in hospitals or in refugee camps.”

To sum it up, he said, “the powerful are listened to more than the weak. And this is not the way. It is not the human way; it is not the way Jesus taught.”

The pope recalled “the spontaneous gesture of applauding for doctors and nurses” during the lockdown in Italy and other countries, as a sign of encouragement and hope.

“Let’s extend this applause to every member of the social body for their precious contribution, no matter how small,” and make sure they are listened to, consulted and given a chance to do something, he said.

“Let’s applaud those this culture characterizes as the rejected: the elderly, children, persons with disability, workers, all those who dedicate themselves to service,” he said, and let them collaborate to overcome this crisis.

People should not be content just with applauding, though, he said. “Let’s encourage ourselves to dream big ... seeking the ideals of justice and social love that are born of hope” rather than trying to reconstruct a past that was “unjust and already ill.”

At the end of the audience, Pope Francis blessed a large bell that was commissioned by the “Yes to Life” Foundation in Poland.

The bell, called “The voice of the unborn,” was to be used at events recognizing the value of human life from its moment of conception to its natural end, the pope said in remarks to visitors from Poland.

May the tolling of the bell “reawaken the consciences of lawmakers and all people of goodwill in Poland and the world,” he said. †

Keynote speaker

To register, visit www.grnonline.com/houstonfishers For more information, call 832-786-4500 or email Tim@GRNonline.com

CIRCULATION Need to change an address?

Have questions about subscriptions or circulation?

Call 713-652-4408 or email RVASQUEZ@ARCHGH.ORG for assistance. Visit ARCHGH.ORG/TCH for more information.

OCTOBER 13, 2020 • ARCHGH.ORG/TCH

texas catholic herald

15

STATE & NATION

Initiative to help mothers in need continues despite pandemic

BY JENNIFER CARR ALLMON Special to the Herald AUSTIN — For the last six months, comments about the year 2020 have been a punchline for the “unprecedented” times we are experiencing.

Back before COVID-19 changed the world, the USCCB launched “Walking with Moms” in Need to dedicate 2020 as a year of service where Catholic parishes and communities “walk in the shoes” of local pregnant and parenting women in need. The website for this initiative has a plethora of resources for parishes to more actively engage in supporting pregnant and parenting moms.

The Parish Inventory Tool helps parish leaders identify local resources for pregnancy assistance such as pregnancy help centers, maternity homes, social service agencies, hospitals

and especially Catholic programs and resources. It also asks parishes to begin thinking about how these resources are communicated and advertised to those who are most in need of support. I encourage parish leaders to use these resources to join in this important effort.

Catholics in Texas have long worked to support women and families in need.

We see expectant mothers and fathers who, for a multitude of reasons, worry and fear they will not be able to provide for their children.

Following our Lord Jesus Christ, Catholics are moved to compassion and action. We minister to new families because Christ calls us to love our

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neighbors, especially the most vulnerable.

There are 36 Catholic pregnancy care centers funded by the Texas Pregnancy Care Network, which is funded by the State of Texas Alternatives to Abortion program. Today we submitted comments to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission in support of the services provided in this program.

These services include counseling and mentoring, care coordination for perinatal services, educational materials, referrals to county and social service programs, life skills classes, material items and support groups. This program gives parents the support needed to give every baby the welcome that a human person deserves. It is the epitome of “walking with moms in need.” ​This is also a good time to remember that October is Respect Life month and the 2021-2022 theme is “Live the Gospel of Life.”

It explores how Jesus becoming man and redeeming us through His humanity reveals the dignity of all human life. As

the Church celebrates the 25th anniversary of Pope St. John Paul II’s prophetic encyclical, The Gospel of Life, this year’s Respect Life Resources call on us to reflect on the following questions: Do I talk about and act towards others as I would talk about and treat Jesus Himself?

Do I inform myself of the Church’s teachings and engage in the civic arena as first a follower of Christ?

Do I support and advocate for laws and policies that protect and defend human life?

Do I help pregnant and parenting mothers in need?

Am I ready to support a loved one nearing death?

Visit www.respectlife.org for more resources to use throughout the year on this topic. † Jennifer Carr Allmon is the executive director of the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops.

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ST. MARY BASILICA RENOVATION CONTINUES

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Heroes of Hope ?

PHOTO BY CATHERINE VIOLA/HERALD

A window at St. Mary Cathedral Basilica in Galveston undergoes renovation on August 6, 2020.

St. Mary has endured many storms since 1847. The interior of the church was renovated after Hurricane Ike in 2008 and reopened in 2014. The current project addresses needed exterior and structural repairs and restoration of the St. Mary, Star of the Sea statue. Additional repairs involving the Cathedral Basilica have been identified and will be completed pending funding.

To donate, visit www.archgh.org/restorestmary or call 713-652-4418.

For just 66 cents a day, you can bring relief to struggling families in the Greater Houston area. Supporting Catholic Charities as a Hero of Hope monthly donor is easy and will ensure that we can continue to help those who are suffering.

Make a monthly gift.

CatholicCharities.org/heroes 2900 Louisiana Street • Houston, Texas 77006

16 TEXAS CATHOLIC HERALD

OCTOBER 13, 2020

MUNDO CATÓLICO

Conferencia hispana se enfoca en la familia POR REBECCA TORRELLAS Texas Catholic Herald HOUSTON — Como muchos eventos este año por causa de la pandemia, la Conferencia Anual de Ministerio Hispano se llevó acabo en linea.

El evento virtual, llamado “Familia, Símbolo de Paz y Amor: Iglesia doméstica, donde habita Dios,” estaba dirijido a los lideres parroquiales, grupos laicos, sacerdotes, diáconos, comunidades religiosas, jóvenes adultos y a todos aquellos que se encuentran llevando a cabo el cuidado pastoral de los Hispanos Católicos.

La conferencia ofreció talleres de formación y recursos donde los participantes obtuvieron herramientas que les ayudarán en el acompañamiento y trabajo pastoral que desempeñan en su comunidad parroquial, institución, o grupo. El evento fue bilingüe e incluyó talleres en inglés y español en las áreas de inclusión y diversidad, liderazgo, misión y discipulado, vocaciones, pastoral con jóvenes adolescentes, evangelización, salud mental y espiritual.

“El año pasado tuvimos por primera vez la experiencia de tener la conferencia anual en dos idiomas; ya sea bilingüe o con talleres completamente en inglés”, dijo Lazaro Contreras, director de Oficina de Ministerio Hispano de la Arquidiocesis. “Esta nueva forma la implementamos con la idea de ser más inclusivos como líderes hispanos y abrir las puertas a tantas personas que dan acompañamiento al pueblo Hispano y que su idioma principal no es el español”. Él dijo que otra razón es que es una forma de incluir a aquellos hispanos latinos de muchas generaciones en este país que su idioma de preferencia es el inglés.

“Ellos también son parte integral de la pastoral hispana”, Contreras dijo.

“También es sobre ser gente-puente

FOTO POR REBECCA TORRELLAS

Diácono Arturo Monterrubio, Esperanza Monterrubio, Lázaro Contreras, José Dionicio Vázquez, Thalía Romero y diácono Eddy Valbuena hablan durante la Conferencia Anual de Ministerio Hispano, que se llevó acabo en linea por la pandemia de COVID-19.

donde interactuamos y trabajamos pastoralmente juntos donde nos une un servicio particular que es el ministerio hispano”. Él agregó que tambien es una oportunidad para dar a conocer la riqueza y espiritualidad hispana a los líderes que acompañan o desean acompañar al Pueblo Hispano Católico.

La conferencia anual anteriormente era una asamblea de delegados parroquiales de ministerio hispano.

Esa reunión inició hace más de 35 años. Debido al enfoque dedicado al V Encuentro de Pastoral Hispana Latina en Estados Unidos, se dejaron de llevar a cabo la conferencia por tres años.

“Al finalizar el compromiso en este importante proceso fue que reactivamos la conferencia anual y le dimos el título de ‘conferencia’ ya que queríamos hacerla a mayor escala, mayor participación de

personas y proveer más recursos como más talleres e integrar el idioma inglés, etc.”, Contreras dijo.

Cada miércoles, los participantes oyeron de conferencistas, incluyendo al Doctor Ricardo Medina de la Oficina de el Ministerio Familiar de la Arquidiócesis; Sandra Willett, LPC, de Catholic Charities; y el Padre Kingsley Nwoko, vicario parroquial de St. Anthony of Padua en The Woodlands. El Padre Vicente Agila, pastor de Our Lady of Fatima en Galena Park, y Lucía Báez Luzondo, JD, de la arquidiócesis de Atlanta fueron los conferencistas principales.

Luzondo, quien su tema fue “Familia, Símbolo de Paz y Amor: Iglesia doméstica, donde habita Dios”, dijo que una pareja, que su maxima creacion, es donde comienza la familia, que es símbolo de la Trinidad: padre, madre e hijos son como el Padre, Hijo y Espíritu Santo.

“Por eso, la familia es el reflejo más perfecto del amor de Diós”, dijo ella.

“Entender esto es algo muy hermoso porque entonces entendemos la importancia, no solo del hombre y la mujer, sino de ese plan de Dios para el hombre y la mujer que tienen como llamado vocaciónal la familia humana.”

Ella dijo que la unión de hombre y mujer da punto de partida para la venida de nueva vida en nuevos seres humanos.

“Si estas vivo es porque Dios tuvo en su corazón y en su voluntad de crearte para que tu tuvieras esa vocación — esa misión de vida tan única y tan irrepetible como eres tu de ser ese canal de amor y paz que es el Señor”, dijo Luzondo.

Ahora que la conferencia a terminado, Contreras da gracias por tantas personas que se enlazaron cada miércoles de septiembre en una conferencia que tuvo que mudarse a ser virtual.

“Al principio teníamos dudas porque era algo nuevo pero en realidad se facilitó más”, él dijo. “Los costos y la logística disminuyeron. El año pasado llegamos a capacidad en el auditorio de St. Dominic con más de 335 personas.

En esta ocasión superamos ese número y llegamos alrededor de 400 personas inscritas participando.”

Contreras dijo que es bueno recalcar que a nivel virtual los números de participantes pueden ser más altos ya que pueden percatar que algunas familias o parejas se enlazaron, etc.

“Básicamente podemos considerarlo 400 hogares donde varias personas estaban juntas y no solo individuos”, él dijo. “Algo que ayudó mucho fue que hemos tenido webinars/conferencias en línea desde finales de marzo cuando inició la pandemia. No hemos dejado de dar recursos por este medio, y la gente también ha estado haciendo diferentes tipos de esfuerzos para acoplarse a esta nueva realidad en referencia a la evangelización y formación de fe.” †

FOTO DE CNS

La portada de L’Osservatore Romano, el periódico del Vaticano, muestra al papa Francisco con su última encíclica, “Fratelli Tutti, sobre la fraternidad y la amistad social”, en el Vaticano el 4 de octubre.

La fecha límite del Censo de los Estados Unidos es el 31 de octubre. www.census.gov

OCTOBER 13, 2020 • ARCHGH.ORG/TCH

texas catholic herald

17

Misioneros alreadedor del mundo dicen ‘Seguimos aquí’ El 18 de octubre, el Domingo Mundial de las Misiones, se acerca rápidamente. Esta celebración anual de oración y apoyo financiero para la obra misionera de la Iglesia (“Aquí Me Tienes, Mándame a Mi”) tendrá lugar en medio de una pandemia mundial.

A pesar de las pérdidas devastadoras y los límites frustrantes que trae el virus COVID-19, nuestra fe nos recuerda que todavía tenemos una labor de suma importancia que emprender como miembros de la Iglesia universal.

El Papa Francisco nos exhorta en su mensaje del Domingo Mundial de las Misiones 2020: “Nos damos cuenta de que estamos en el mismo barco, todos frágiles y desorientados, pero a la vez importantes y necesitados, todos llamados a remar juntos”.

Los sacerdotes, hermanas, líderes de la Iglesia y laicos que sirven en tierras de misión continúan su labor con valentía.

“Sabemos bien lo que son los desafíos”, expresa la croata Sor Verónica desde las Islas Salomón. Se une a otros misioneros de todo el mundo en un video creado por las Obras Misionales

Pontificias de Australia y traducida por la OMP en España. “El mundo ha cambiado y todo parece incierto. Pero una cosa es segura. No nos iremos”.

En YouTube #SeguimosAquí – Obras por Misionales Pontificas, HILDA misioneros de diversos orígenes culturales OCHOA repiten un mensaje similar, “estamos aquí para la gente”.

En muchas áreas rurales y aisladas de todo el mundo, los hospitales y escuelas católicos son los únicos proveedores de atención médica y educación.

Tan solo en África, los católicos están operando más de 7,000 hospitales, 2,000 hogares para ancianos y 45,000 escuelas primarias que atienden a 19 millones de niños. El cardenal Luis Tagle, prefecto de la Congregación para la Evangelización de los Pueblos que supervisa las Obras Misionales Pontificias explica, “en su tarea de evangelización, la

†

Iglesia a menudo se encuentra al frente para lidiar contra las principales amenazas del bienestar humano”.

El papa nos pide, a los feligreses de las parroquias y diócesis católicas de todo el mundo, que respondamos con oraciones y contribuciones financieras a través de la segunda colecta de la misa del Domingo Mundial de las Misiones.

Las misas y colectas que se ofrecen el fin de semana del 18 de octubre ayudarán a las iglesias, escuelas, seminarios, refugios e instalaciones de atención médica en los lugares del mundo donde la Iglesia no se sostiene por sí misma debido a la pobreza o los conflictos. íY la pandemia está agravando las dificultades!

Las primeras restricciones de salud pandémicas nos mostraron cómo es la vida sin tener la oportunidad de reunirnos para celebrar la Eucaristía y los Sacramentos de la Iglesia.

En algunos lugares del mundo, esa

20 20

realidad continúa. De cualquier manera posible este Domingo de las Misiones, ¿podríamos tomar unos momentos para reflexionar sobre las luchas que enfrentan nuestros hermanos y hermanas en todo el mundo y nuestra necesidad común de Dios y de los demás?

Todos estamos invitados a ofrecer una contribución designada para la Sociedad para la Propagación de la Fe a través de la segunda colecta durante la celebración de la Eucaristía el 18 de octubre. Como subraya el Papa Francisco, “La misión que Dios nos confía a cada uno de nosotros nos lleva del miedo y la introspección a una renovada conciencia de que solo podemos encontrarnos a nosotros mismos cuando nos entregamos a los demás”. † Hilda Ochoa es la directora de la Oficina de Misiones.

The SocieT y for The ProPagaTion of The faiTh

Here I am, send me

La Sociedad Para La ProPagación de La fe

aquí me tIenes, mándame a mI

WMS20-poster-F.indd 1

Durante estos tiempos difíciles, los sacerdotes de la Arquidiócesis de Galveston-Houston ofrecerán videos de reflexión espiritual sobre las Escrituras del día para ayudarnos a mantenernos firmes en la fe y la esperanza.

Los nuevos videos en inglés y español se publicarán los domingos, lunes, miércoles y viernes.

Encontrarán los videos en www.archgh.org/ messagesofhope, y en Facebook, Twitter y YouTube. El audio de los reflejos también estárá disponible en nuestro canal de podcast a través de su aplicación de podcast favorita.

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.



missio.org

3/12/20 1:40 PM

18 TEXAS CATHOLIC HERALD

OCTOBER 13, 2020

WITHIN THE ARTS Catholic upbringing helps Eileen J. Morris tell contemporary stories

BY HOLLY BERETTO Herald Correspondent HOUSTON — She wanted to be a nun.

Eileen J. Morris, artistic director for Houston’s Ensemble Theatre, harbored that fantasy, fed by movies such as “The Sound of Music” and “The Trouble With Angels.”

“I loved being around people, I loved the diversity of people,” she said. “I thought that, by being a nun, I could help them.”

God, it would seem, had other plans.

Morris grew up outside of Chicago on a rambling 10-acre farm. Her parents moved north from Houston, looking to shed some of the racism they encountered in the South. They settled in Chicago in the 1950s and then decamped to the country, raising Morris and her three siblings in Pembroke, Illinois.

Morris’ father was Baptist, but her mother was Catholic, and her parents made certain the children were raised in the Catholic faith and educated in Catholic schools. Morris and her siblings attended Catholic school for a decade.

“I think about what a sacrifice that was for my parents, to have four kids in Catholic school, the kind of commitment to make that happen,” she said. She and her family helped clean the church to offset the cost of tuition.

Morris said that the rhythms of PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE ENSEMBLE THEATER Catholic school life in the 1960s and Pictured is the cast of “School Girls or the African Mean Girls Play” singing the Bobby Brown song, “Mr. Telephone Man.” Houston’s Ensemble Theatre, 1970s, daily Mass, women religious in led by Artistic Director Eileen J. Morris, a Catholic, was founded in 1976 to tell stories about the Black experience in America and give opportunities to the classroom, how the faith underscored Black artists. Today, it is one of the most renowned African-American theaters in the country. everything, gave her insights into the woman she would grow up to be.

She found theater in grade school, and great to have him as a role model.”

“I feel called to entertain, to educate, it would be a lifelong love of hers. But, She’d find another in George Hawkins, to show how art can enrich people’s as an African-American child, she wasn’t founder of the Ensemble Theatre, whom lives,” she said. “It’s important that we, as cast as Cinderella or Snow White. she met after graduating college and people, tell each other stories and learn “Those parts weren’t open coming to Houston. Hawkins from them.” to a little chocolate girl who wanted a way to tell stories When Morris recalls her Catholic lived in a Black community,” about the Black experience in upbringing — she and her mother now she recalled. “So, I was always America and give opportunities reside in Acres Homes and Morris still looking for ways to express to Black artists and founded attends Mass — she’s struck by the way myself.” the Ensemble Theatre in 1976. the rituals of the liturgical year and the At Bishop McNamara High In the early days of the Order of the Mass stand out. However, she School in Kankakee, Illinois, theater, he’d pack sets and finds that those rituals offer a foundation she was a co-founder of the costumes into the trunk of his for her to approach the plays she selects school’s first Afro-American car and take them to wherever for her theater company to produce.

Club, which sought to provide a performance was to be. Today, “We all have rituals in life. Look at EILEEN J. MORRIS a space for the school’s Black the theater is one of the most August Wilson’s ‘Two Trains Running.’ It’s ARTISTIC DIRECTOR AT THE ENSEMBLE EILEEN J. students to embrace their renowned African-American set in a diner, and there is a ritual to the THEATRE OF HOUSTON MORRIS heritage, and also share that theaters in the country. rhythm of the day there. Who comes in culture with the whole student For Morris, who started and orders the same meal or takes his body. working at the Ensemble in coffee the same way; how the waiters company was one of the first in the city “It was a chance for us to have our 1982, Hawkins was a kindred spirit. In know their regulars. There’s a connection to embrace online programming, hosting voices heard,” she said. “And Sam Hall, meeting him, she knew she had at last in those rituals. It’s the same thing when virtual sessions of staged readings and our biology teacher, was our club sponsor. found the ministry she was supposed to I think of the Mass and how it connects discussions.

He was also African-American, so it was embrace. those who celebrate it.”

The Ensemble’s BOLD Online Series Morris isn’t shy about sharing that will continue the programming until the her art is her ministry, and she wants company can host its regular esason audiences to be changed by it. She again. In October, they are hosting master

By Catholic News Service said she often heard from non-Black classes hosted by Jasmine Guy, famous A-II – ADULTS AND ADOLESCENTS L – LIMITED ADULT AUDIENCE audiences some form of “Oh, that was for her role as Whitley Gilbert-Wayne • Fatima (PG-13) • Antebellum (R) so good!” when they see one of the on the NBC late 1980s show “A Different • Pray: The Story of Patrick Peyton (PG) • Get Duked! (R) company’s plays.

World.” Other offerings are also available • The Personal History of David • Infidel (R) “Why wouldn’t it be?” she said, at www.ensemblehouston.com Copperfield (PG) • The Devil All the Time (R) laughing. “But still, part of my heart sings Online or in-person, nothing is going • Us (R) when I hear things like that because to keep Morris from sharing art.

A-III – ADULTS I know we are telling stories that are “We are all called in different ways,” • Bill & Ted Face the Music (PG-13) O – MORALLY OFFENSIVE universal. They come from the prism she explained. “But at the heart of it all, • Mulan (PG-13) • The Boys in the Band (R) of African-American life, but they are it’s about how do you include others, and • Tenet (PG-13) • Kajillionaire (R) universal. They are about family, about how do I share the gifts I have? My art • The 24th (NR) • The Broken Hearts Gallery (PG-13) love, about traditions.” is my ministry. And it is so important • The New Mutants (PG-13) The pandemic forced the Ensemble that we share these stories about being to seek out new traditions, and Morris’ human together.” †

‘My art is my ministry’

“I know we are telling stories that are universal. They come from the prism of AfricanAmerican life, but they are universal. They are about family, about love, about traditions.”

MOVIE RATINGS

OCTOBER 13, 2020 • ARCHGH.ORG/TCH

texas catholic herald

MILESTONES

19

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St. Theresa Catholic School in Sugar Land awarded two distinctions in same year

SUGAR LAND — Students at St. Theresa Catholic School in Sugar Land had two more reasons to cheer when the community made history by being one of only two schools in the Archdiocese to achieve both Blue Ribbon status and the distinction of being a Cardinal Newman Honor Roll School in the same year.

St. John Paul II Catholic School in west Houston is the only other school in the Archdiocese to have achieved the honor.

St. Theresa’s headmaster, Dr. Mark Newcomb, offered gratitude to his staff and school families and credited their support for the community’s

achievement.

“Our aim is to be an authentic combination of fidelity to Church teaching and academic excellence,” he said.

Each year, The U.S. Department of Education publishes a list of schools across the country that have achieved the designation of exemplary & high performing. These campuses are called Blue Ribbon Schools.

The Cardinal Newman Catholic Education Honor Roll is a national program that recognizes schools committed to a strong Catholic identity. †

Houston physicist named to lifetime post with Pontifical Academy of Sciences HOUSTON — Rice University Physicist José Onuchic has been appointed to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences by Pope Francis.

Onuchic, the first Rice faculty member to be named to the academy, is the Harry C. and Olga K. Wiess Chair of Physics and a professor of physics and astronomy, of chemistry and of biosciences, and codirector of the National Science Foundationbacked Center for Theoretical Biological Physics. Onuchic is expected to contribute to the academy’s biennial plenary sessions and participate in scientific meetings of relevance to his research. Onuchic spoke at the most recent plenary in 2018.

The academy has operated under its present name since 1936 but has its roots in the Academy of the Lynxes, founded in Rome in 1603. According to the Vatican, it was the first exclusively scientific academy in the world, with Galileo Galilei as an early member.

According to the Vatican, the nondenominational academy’s aim “is to promote the progress of the mathematical, physical and natural sciences and the study of [related] epistemological problems.”

A letter to Onuchic noted the academy’s 80 members are chosen on the basis of their original scientific studies and their moral personality, “without any ethnic or religious discrimination.” Members are

nominated for life by the pope.

“I grew up in a Catholic family, so anyone with that background is going to be greatly honored by being chosen,” Onuchic said.

“This academy advises the Church on JOSÉ major scientific issues ONUCHIC and knowledge and their benefits to society. Topics include, for example, health, climate change, energy, the impacts of poverty and genetic engineering,” he said.

“In this regard, the academy serves an important function, considering that almost any comment that comes from the Vatican has an impact on more than just the Catholic community.”

Onuchic joined Rice in 2011 with a grant from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas. He integrates biochemical and biological models from the molecular level and above to find new ways to treat disease. Onuchic’s studies incorporate his breakthrough work on protein folding and energy landscapes. Onuchic joins a growing list of Houston Catholics serving on Vatican organizatoins. †

LOCAL CATHOLIC NEWS.

WHERE YOU WANT IT. WHEN YOU WANT IT.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CATHOLIC SCHOOLS OFFICE

St. Theresa Catholic School in Sugar Land has earned both Blue Ribbon status and the distinction of being a Cardinal Newman Honor Roll School in the same year.

AROUND THE ARCHDIOCESE Editor’s Note: Contact event organizers for the latest updates and information.

View additional listings or updates online at www.archgh.org/ata.

OCT. 23 – 25

RACHEL’S VINEYARD RETREAT, Office of Pro-Life Activities hosts a post-abortion healing treat as part of the Project Rachel ministry. All inquiries and registrations are confidential.

Register: 713-741-8728 or 713-440-3443; jkfritsch@archgh.org.

SHEPHERDED BEYOND MY FEARS RETREAT, at Christian Renewal Center (1515 Hughes Rd., Dickinson). Office of Young Adult & Campus Ministry and Office for Vocations offers an in-person retreat for young adults in their 20s and 30s. Cost: $75. Limited capacity, register ASAP: www.archgh.org/yacm. yacm@archgh. org; 713-741-8778.

OCT. 26

CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT, at Willowfork Country Club (21055 Westheimer Pkwy., Katy).

Knights of Columbus Council 6527 hosts20th annual charity golf tournament benefitting seminarians. Register: www.kofc6527.org/golf Info: 713-562-2932, golf@kofc6527.org.

TUITION ASSISTANCE GOLF TOURNAMENT, at Sugar Creek Country Club (420 Sugar Creek Blvd., Sugar Land) St. Laurence Catholic

School hosts 25th annual tournament. 9 a.m. shotgun start. Player fees begin at $200.

Sponsorships available. Register: https:// one.bidpal.net/slcsgolf2020. Info: kgoff@ stlaurence.org.

NOV. 6

CRUSADER OPEN GOLF TOURNAMENT, 11:30 a.m. at Clubs of Kingwood (1700 Lake Kingwood Trl., Kingwood). St. Martha Catholic School hosts the 25th anniversary Crusader Open Golf Tournament, a four-person scramble on Forest Course, with 11:20 a.m. lunch at 12:30 p.m. shotgun start. Registration includes giveaways, prizes. Proceeds benefit St. Martha students. $175 per person or $675 for four. 281-3585523 ext. 330; borchc@stmarthacs.org; www. one.bidpal.net/smcsco20.

NOV. 15

SILENT DISCERNMENT RETREAT FOR YOUNG ADULTS, Opportunity to set aside some time of silence to listen to the voice of God in your life. For ages 18-40. Learn more about the St. Ignatius’ Discernment of Spirits following Fr. Gallagher’s book “The Discernment of Spirits.” Lunch and opportunities for spiritual direction are included. $40 registration fee; space limited. Registration deadline is Nov. 9.

For more information, please visit: http://www. houstonvocations.com/silentretreat Register: https://cvent.me/BNOeRW

AROUND THE ARCHDIOCESE

WWW.ARCHGH.ORG/DIGITALEDITIONS

Email event details to TCH@ARCHGH.ORG for possible inclusion in the Around the Archdiocese section.

There is no charge for listings but space is limited.

Visit WWW.ARCHGH.ORG/ATA for more information on how to submit events.

20 TEXAS CATHOLIC HERALD

OCTOBER 13, 2020

Thank you for continuing to SUPPORT YOUR PARISH

Come Holy Spirit!

As Catholics, we believe that all we have is a gift from God. Our response in faith is to offer these gifts back to God in gratitude. With gifts of prayer, we pray for our nation, Church and our parishes. With gifts of treasure, we support our parishes even when we cannot be there in person.

Make a gift to your parish online at WWW.ARCHGH.ORG/PARISHOFFERTORY.

www.archgh.org/parishoffertory