Texas Catholic Herald - Dec. 9, 2025

FIFTY YEARS OF FAITH

Pair of Masses bring Year of Hope to a close ▪ SEE PAGE 3

▪ SEE PAGE 2 DEC. 28 MASSES CLOSE JUBILEE YEAR

Mass honors faith of Vietnamese Catholics in face of crises, war

▪ SEE PAGE 6

Sharing Christmas joy through generosity

BY KERRY MCGUIRE Herald Correspondent

HOUSTON — Thousands of children, youth and seniors across the Archdiocese will experience the joy of Christmas because of Catholic Charities’ Share Your Blessings campaign. Celebrating 30 years of service, the program provides gifts for families and individuals facing financial hardship, offering hope and compassion at the heart of the season.

“Catholic Charities strives to ensure that every person is treated with dignity,” said Hope Gassett, interim manager

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

See BLESSINGS, page 10 MINISTRY MY SOUL PROCLAIMS THE GREATNESS OF THE LORD

SPIRITUALITY

Cardinal

DiNardo reflects on 1,700th anniversary of the Nicene Creed

Special to the Herald

PHILADELPHIA — On Nov. 13, the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia hosted a special evening of ecumenical dialogue and reflection on the Nicene Creed at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Philadelphia. The gathering brought together Church leaders, theologians, clergy and faithful for prayer, study and conversation, marking the 1,700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea.

Part of the evening included addresses and a panel discussion with Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, Archbishop emeritus of Galveston-Houston, and Archdeacon John Chryssavgis of the Ecumenical

See NICAEA, page 7

This painting, titled “Windsock Visitation,” created by Oblate Brother Mickey

Elizabeth. In the beginning of the Gospel of Luke, God reveals His great plan of salvation, not

Mary and Elizabeth.

The Magnificat: A perfect prayer for Advent

BY KENNETH CRAYCRAFT Special to the Herald

HOUSTON (OSV News) — Anyone who says evening prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours regularly recites the Magnificat from the first chapter of the Gospel of Luke.

Named for its first word in Latin, this canticle is one of only four places in the Gospels where the Blessed Mother’s words are recorded. And the Magnificat contains more words than the other three passages combined.

The rarity and brevity of Mary’s words, however, should not diminish their importance. Indeed, the Magnificat is among the most theologically powerful

EMBRACING ADVENT

speeches in the entirety of the New Testament. Given its place in the narrative of the birth of Our Lord, the commencement of Advent is the perfect time for meditating on Our Lady’s words.

A newly pregnant Mary travels to visit her cousin Elizabeth, who is pregnant with John the Baptist. When Mary greets Elizabeth, John leaps in his mother’s womb, prompting Elizabeth’s own contribution to the Christian liturgical tradition.

“Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb,” said Mary’s cousin (Lk 1:42). “Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled” (Lk 1:45). This elicits Mary’s response, that begins,“Magnificat anima mea Dominum”: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior. For He has looked upon His handmaid’s lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed.”

ECHOING THE PROPHET ISAIAH Mary’s pregnancy represents our own

See MAGNIFICAT, page 4

CNS PHOTO/COURTESY OBLATE BROTHER MICKEY MCGRATH

McGrath, depicts the joyful encounter in St. Luke’s Gospel between Mary and

with a loud declaration, but in the quiet, patient waiting of

A Shepherd’s Message

By Archbishop Joe S. Vásquez

Arzobispo Vásquez comparte su mensaje en línea en español. Visite www.archgh.org para leer su artículo en línea.

“Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight His paths.”

- Matthew 3:3 -

Dear brothers and sisters,

We will celebrate Gaudete Sunday on Dec. 14. As we reach the halfway point of Advent, we are reminded that this season is a gift, a sacred time of waiting and preparation for the coming of Christ. Advent often passes quickly amid the busyness of our lives, but these remaining days offer us a beautiful opportunity to pause, reflect and grow in love and hope. The Lord invites us to prepare our hearts so that we may welcome Him with joy at Christmas and look forward to His coming again.

Advent calls us to watchfulness and prayer. These spiritual practices help us recognize God’s presence in the ordinary moments of our daily lives. When we take time to pray, to listen, and to be attentive, we begin to see the many ways the Lord is near: through His Word, in the Eucharist, and in the faces of those around us. This awareness deepens our gratitude for the gift of salvation and strengthens our hope in Christ, who is our light in the darkness.

In a world filled with distractions, we must be intentional about creating space for God. Simple steps can make a profound difference: setting aside time each day for prayer, reading Scripture, attending Mass or spending quiet moments before the Blessed Sacrament. We can also practice gratitude by reflecting on the blessings in our lives and through acts of kindness with others. These acts of love and watchfulness prepare our hearts to celebrate the birth of Jesus with true joy.

During Advent, let us also turn to the Blessed Mother, who teaches us how to wait with faith and humility. Praying the Rosary or reflecting on the mysteries of Mary’s life can help us draw closer to her Son and embrace the hope that Advent brings.

May this Advent be a time of renewal for each of us, a season to draw closer to Christ, to love more deeply, and to live with joyful anticipation of His coming. Let us embrace these remaining days with hope and faith, trusting that the Lord is with us and will never fail to fulfill His promises.

In these final weeks of Advent, know that I am praying for all of you in the Archdiocese of GalvestonHouston, especially those who are marginalized, experience loneliness or in need. May the peace of Christ fill your hearts and homes this Advent and Christmas season. †

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice!”

- Philippians 4:4 -

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St. Mary Cathedral Basilica, Galveston

THE FIRST WORD

O Antiphons

The Roman Catholic Church has been singing the “O Antiphons” since at least the eighth century. They are the antiphons that accompany the Magnificat canticle of Evening Prayer from Dec. 17 to 23. They are a magnificent theology that uses ancient biblical imagery drawn from the messianic hopes of the Old Testament to proclaim the coming Christ as the fulfillment not only of Old Testament hopes, but present ones as well. Their repeated use of the imperative “Come!” embodies the longing of all for the Divine Messiah.

DECEMBER 17

O Wisdom of our God Most High, guiding creation with power and love: come to teach us the path of knowledge!

DECEMBER 18

O Leader of the House of Israel, giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai: come to rescue us with your mighty power!

DECEMBER 19

O Root of Jesse’s stem, sign of God’s love for all His people: come to save us without delay!

DECEMBER 20

O Key of David, opening the gates of God’s eternal Kingdom: come and free the prisoners of darkness!

DECEMBER 21

O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice: come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death.

DECEMBER 22

O King of all nations and keystone of the Church: come and save man, whom you formed from the dust!

DECEMBER 23

O Emmanuel, our King and Giver of Law: come to save us, Lord our God!

For resources on how to celebrate the Advent season, including prayers, reflections and more, visit www.archgh.org/advent.

CHRISTMAS AT THE CATHEDRALS

ST. MARY CATHEDRAL BASILICA

2011 Church St., Galveston • 409-762-9646

▪ THURSDAY, DEC. 25 — CHRISTMAS

Midnight English Mass

Archbishop Joe S. Vásquez, celebrant

12:30 p.m. English Mass

Bishop Italo Dell’Oro, CRS, celebrant

Jubilee Pilgrim Sites

The Cathedral Basilica and Co-Cathedral are Jubilee Pilgrim sites. Learn more at www.archgh.org/jubilee2025.

CO-CATHEDRAL OF THE SACRED HEART

1111 St. Joseph Pkwy., Houston • 713-659-1561

▪ WEDNESDAY, DEC. 24 — CHRISTMAS EVE

4 p.m. English Mass

Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, celebrant

6:15 p.m. English Mass

8:30 p.m. Spanish Mass

Bishop Italo Dell’Oro, CRS, celebrant

▪ THURSDAY, DEC. 25 — CHRISTMAS DAY

Midnight English Mass

Bishop Italo Dell’Oro, CRS, celebrant

9 a.m. Vietnamese Mass

11 a.m. Spanish Mass

Want to

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PASTORAL APPOINTMENTS

Effective Dec. 1

Father Luis Armas Parochial Vicar - St. Ignatius of Loyola, Spring

Father Rafael Becerra Parochial Vicar - St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Houston

Father Jeremy J. Morais, M.S. Parochial Vicar - Mary Queen, Friendswood

IN BRIEF

Retirement Fund for Religious Collection set for Dec. 13 to 14

HOUSTON — The annual Retirement Fund for Religious collection is scheduled in parishes throughout the Archdiocese from Dec. 13 to 14.

The funds from the collection provide financial assistance for retirement needs for women and men religious who have selflessly served for decades without significant financial compensation, including several within communities in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.

As healthcare costs escalate, numerous U.S. religious communities face a substantial gap between their elderly members’ needs and the financial resources available for their care. Many religious orders currently experience insufficient retirement savings. To address the deficit in retirement funding among U.S. religious orders, the Catholic bishops of the U.S. initiated the collection in 1988.

For more information, visit www.retiredreligious.org. †

Dec. 28 Masses to close Jubilee Year

GALVESTON — A pair of Masses celebrated on Dec. 28 at the two pilgrim sites in the Archdiocese of GalvestonHouston will bring the Jubilee Year: Pilgrims of Hope to a close in the Archdiocese.

Archbishop Joe S. Vásquez will celebrate the Jubilee Closing Mass at 11 a.m. on Dec. 28 at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, located at 1111 St. Joseph Pkwy. in Houston. Later that day, Auxiliary Bishop Italo Dell’Oro, CRS, will celebrate another Jubilee Closing Mass at 12:30 p.m. on Dec. 28 at St. Mary Cathedral Basilica, located at 2011 Church St. in Galveston.

For more information about the Jubilee Year, including special indulgence and pilgrim site guides, visit www.archgh. org/jubilee2025. †

Registration for Feb. 14 race continues

HOUSTON — Registration is open for the 21st Annual Steps for Students 5K Run/Walk, held Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in downtown Houston. The event raises funds and awareness for the network of Catholic schools in the Archdiocese.

The event will start with Mass at 7 a.m., followed by the presentation of the David Guite Spirit Award. The timed 5K race will begin at 8:30 a.m. and a post-race party will follow at the Catholic School Village in the Archbishop Joseph A. Fiorenza Plaza. To register, visit www.steps4students.org. †

LOCAL

Galveston churches, chapel open for tours Dec. 27

Visitors can see historic architecture and art during docent-led tours. ▪ SEE PAGE 18

Mary’s canticle echoes Isaiah’s prophecy

liturgical experience in the season of Advent. The Lord has arrived in her womb, yet she awaits the fulfillment of His appearance.

So, too, we live under the lordship of Christ, while we wait in hopeful expectation of His return. And John the Baptist, who will become the voice from the desert proclaiming the coming of the savior, has already made his presence felt to Elizabeth. The incarnational details of the scene draw our minds to the God who became flesh so that we may become like God.

Echoing the hopeful words of the prophet Isaiah, the Magnificat could be called a primer on the Church’s doctrine of solidarity. Here, at the commencement of the Blessed Virgin’s mysterious and wonderful gestation of Our Lord, she proclaims that this birth will upset the order of things. God calls lowly Mary as the exemplar of humility and selfless service. And in that humble submission, her soul is exalted. The last has been made first. Considering all these things, the Magnificat may be the perfect Advent prayer.

“A voice proclaims: In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord!” says the prophet Isaiah. “Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God” (Is 40:3). From the disorder of wilderness will come the order of restoration. “Every valley shall be lifted up,” the prophet continues, “every mountain and hill made low.” The rugged and rough shall be made smooth and plain. And having made all things level, the Lord “like a shepherd He feeds His

flock; in His arms He gathers the lambs, carrying them in His bosom, leading the ewes with care” (Is 40:11).

Isaiah’s prophecy of God’s mercy echoes through from age to age until it finds its renewed articulation in Mary’s canticle, in which the Lord “has helped Israel His servant, remembering his mercy” (LK 1:54). God “has … lifted up the lowly,” Our Lady proclaims (Lk 1:52). “The hungry he has filled with good things” (Lk 1:53). Like

Isaiah, Mary’s prophetic voice puts the poor and hungry in the center of theological consideration. To those whom mercy has been denied, mercy now has come.

A SONG FOR A FALLEN WORLD

Some commentators have suggested that the Magnificat may be a traditional early Christian hymn, put in the mouth of Mary as a kind of early creedal confession. Part of the explanation for this theory is that the hymn makes no direct reference to Mary’s pregnancy or the expectation of the coming of the Savior. The broader message, these scholars contend, makes it more likely that the hymn came later and was retroactively put into the mouth of Our Lady.

While the theory has some merit, I believe that it misses the overall messianic tone of the canticle. The song is not simply about the Blessed Mother’s pregnancy, but rather about what that pregnancy means to a fallen world. Just as the birth of Christ is about much more than a baby in a feeding trough, so the Magnificat accounts for the expansive indeed, eternal — message of the Incarnation. A lowly birth to a lowly woman ushers in the magnificent fulfillment of God’s offer and promise of salvation. This puts the Magnificat squarely in the context of the Incarnation, which has commenced in Mary’s womb. †

Kenneth Craycraft is a professor of moral theology at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary and School of Theology in Cincinnati.

Our senior sisters, brothers, and religious order priests need your help. Decades of caring for others with little or no pay have left many communities without sufficient retirement savings. Over 20,500 elderly religious depend on the Retirement Fund for Religious for health care, medication, and daily living expenses. Your gift helps ensure they receive the care they deserve. Please give back to those who have given a lifetime.

OSV NEWS PHOTO/COURTESY NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART

Mary and Elizabeth are depicted in the 15th-century oil painting by Piero di Cosimo titled “The Visitation with St. Nicholas and St. Anthony Abbot.”

Biscochitos: An enchanting Christmas treat from the Southwest perfect for Santa’s plate

BY NANCY WIECHEC Special to the Herald

For this recipe, we take our flavors from our eastern neighbor: New Mexico. With stunning deserts, sprawling red mesas, snowcapped peaks and vibrant sunsets, New Mexico is known as the Land of Enchantment. The Southwest state also observes a rich cultural heritage that is just as colorful. The descendants of ancient Pueblo people, Spanish colonizers, and Mexican and American inhabitants contribute to its diversity.

The Spanish influence is significant. About 75% of New Mexicans are Christian, and a third of the population is Catholic. At Christmastime, cities large and small are set alight with seasonal trimmings and customs.

“Las Posadas,” the reenactment of Mary’s and Joseph’s search for shelter before Christ’s birth, is part of the celebrations, a reflection of many Mexican traditions in New Mexico and Texas.

From Albuquerque to Mesilla, Santa Fe to

Taos, luminarias or “farolitos” (lanterns) light the way for the Holy Family.

Las Posadas processions finish with a spread of traditional culinary treats. Cider, hot chocolate and cookies are among the offerings. Sure to be present are biscochitos, New Mexico’s state cookie. The rich shortbreads made with lard, spiked with anise seed and dusted in cinnamon sugar are ubiquitous during Christmas in New Mexico. Families often bake them in large batches. These cookies are more than a sweet indulgence; they are a symbol of hospitality and heritage, with recipes passed down between families.

Could these be a delicious alternative for Santa’s Christmas Eve cookie plate?

Suitable for any holiday party dessert tray to be enjoyed on their own or dipped into a cafecito, hot cocoa or even yogurt or ice cream, this recipe is an amalgamation of several recipes that produce a delightful cookie. Not well known beyond New Mexico, biscochitos add an uncommon delicacy to any Christmas feast. †

BISCOCHITOS

METHOD

1. In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Stir in the crushed anise seed.

2. In a separate mixing bowl, beat the lard and sugar together until light and fluffy, about five minutes. Mix in the egg, vanilla and bourbon until combined. Add the flour mixture and mix on low speed until dough looks like pea-sized crumbs. Add the orange juice and mix just until the dough comes together. Divide the dough into three equal-sized balls. Wrap each ball in plastic wrap and refrigerate for an hour.

3. Preheat oven to 350 F degrees.

4. Mix together the topping sugar and cinnamon in a small shallow bowl.

5. Take one ball at a time from the fridge. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Using 2-inch cookie cutter(s), cut out shapes and place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Repeat rolling and cutting with scraps and the remaining dough.

6. Bake cookies for 10 to 12 minutes until barely golden. Let cookies cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes. They are likely to break if you handle the cookies before letting them cool a bit. One cookie at a time, dip the tops in the cinnamon sugar and then place on a rack to cool completely.

7. Cookies will keep in a sealed container for up to a week.

Note: Lard, rendered pork fat, is a traditional ingredient in biscochitos. Vegetable shortening is a suitable substitute if lard is hard to find or if you’d like ovovegetarian cookies.

CNS PHOTO/NANCY WIECHEC

New Mexican biscochitos are rich shortbreads made with lard, spiked with anise and dusted in cinnamon sugar. Bakers will find these suitable for any holiday party dessert tray to be enjoyed on their own or dipped into a cafecito, hot cocoa or even yogurt or ice cream.

‘God Gave You Hope’: Mass honors the 50-year faith journey of Galveston-Houston Vietnamese Catholics

BY ELIZABETH MORALES Texas Catholic Herald

HOUSTON — On Nov. 27, more than a 1,200 Vietnamese Catholics from around the Archdiocese attended a special Mass at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in downtown Houston.

The celebration marked 50 years since the first Vietnamese Catholic refugees arrived in the Archdiocese in 1975, following the fall of Saigon and the end of the Vietnam War.

The event began with a solemn liturgical procession around the cocathedral in honor of Our Lady of La Vang and the Vietnamese Martyrs followed by Mass presided by Archbishop Joe S. Vásquez. A large reliquary containing several relics of the Vietnamese Martyrs, a group of 117 Catholics, 96 Vietnamese, 11 Spanish, and 10 French who were canonized by then-pope St. John Paul II in 1988, was also processed through the streets of downtown Houston.

At least 20 priests, many Vietnamese themselves, concelebrated the Mass with assistance by deacons, religious and seminarians. Many other lay Catholic groups also attended, including the Vietnamese EucharisticYouth Movement.

“We express gratitude to God for the 50 years that the Vietnamese Catholics have been celebrating Mass at the CoCathedral of the Sacred Heart. It is important to remember your history, where you came from, and how you came to be where you are. You are here today not by chance or luck. No, you are here because God brought you here. He gave you hope,” Archbishop Vásquez said.

The first Vietnamese person was baptized at the co-cathedral in 1975, according to sacramental records, he said. In 1981, Monsignor Phillipe Le Xuan Thuong was assigned to the cocathedral, and under his leadership the Vietnamese Catholic community grew and organized.

After Mass, exhibits at the co-

a statue of Our Lady of La Vang. To watch the 19-minute documentary about the Vietnamese Catholic

cathedral’s campus drew visitors to view relics and the history of the Vietnamese Martyrs, information on the mass Exodus after the fall of Saigon, and the 50-year faith journey of Vietnamese Catholics in the Archdiocese. There was a special screening of a documentary featuring local Vietnamese Catholics who arrived in the U.S. as refugees, capturing their experience as an immigrant faith community living in the Archdiocese.

“I came to this country as a refugee from Vietnam in 1975 after the fall of Saigon of South Vietnam to the communist, and I first landed in Fort Chaffee, Arkansas,” said Father Phero Chu Ngọc Thành, a retired priest in the Archdiocese. “I remember there were about 20,000 Vietnamese refugees when I came to Fort Chaffee [in Arkansas], and at least half of that population were Catholics.”

Fort Chaffee served as a major resettlement center for more than 50,000 Vietnamese, Laotian, and Cambodian refugees in 1975 who were relocated across the country, including Houston.

Father Dat Hoang, pastor at St.

Faustina Catholic Church, said the early days in the Archdiocese were super challenging. He was among the refugees who left Vietnam by boat in 1988 for Thailand as a 12-year-old, leaving his family and home to pursue his vocation to the priesthood.

“It was hard to communicate without parents around. It was very lonely, challenging and difficult,” he said. “But we were not alone. I noticed that a lot of Vietnamese friends and just the community in general came here with little knowledge of the language, a completely different culture, but everybody was just persevering and working hard, and the thing that brought a lot of consolation and joy to the heart was I couldn’t wait for the weekend to be able to go to Mass in Vietnamese. It was our source of consolation and strength, and I thank God for the faith.”

After the fall of Saigon, an exodus of families fled Vietnam, and the Ford administration began planning how to respond to the humanitarian crisis.

The U.S. State Department and U.S. bishops identified Houston as an ideal location to accept Vietnamese refugees due to its job market and a large Catholic community.

Embraced under the leadership of Bishop John L. Morkovsky, who immediately heard the urgent call to help these families, the Vietnamese Catholic community grew into a vibrant, faith-filled ministry that contributes profoundly to the life of the local Church.

Father Steven Tran, parochial vicar at the Co-Cathedral, published a special magazine to highlight the community’s first years of resettlement in the U.S., the founding of Vietnamese parishes and ministries in the Archdiocese, rise of vocations, youth programs, cultural traditions and the community’s growth into one of the largest Vietnamese Catholic populations in the U.S.

“This celebration truly has been a labor of love, prepared over many months with the dedication of countless individuals, ministries and collaborators,” Father Tran said. “Our hope has been to honor not only the sacrifices of our ancestors, but also the grace, perseverance and unity that have sustained our community through five decades.”

Today, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, at least 2.3 million Vietnamese Americans live in the U.S., with more than 310,000 residing in Texas. More

“This event is an expression of gratitude to God, who has guided our people through persecution and exile, to our ancestors in the faith, who handed down perseverance and devotion, and to the local Church, which welcomed our community with generosity and compassion.”

Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart

than half call the Houston metropolitan area home, the most out of any other major metropolitan area outside of California.

The Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) at Georgetown University reported that 700,000 of the population are Catholic, and Archdiocesan ministry officials estimate there are at least 36,000 Vietnamese Catholics in the Archdiocese, many who are parishioners at the 10 parishes with clergy and ministry leaders dedicated to serving them and their families.

While only Vietnamese Catholics make up only just over 2% of the Archdiocese’s 1.7 million Catholics, they comprised 4% of all men ordained to the priesthood in the U.S. in 2022, a 2022 CARA survey said.

Several Vietnamese women religious congregrations also continue leading ministries in the Archdiocese, including the Lovers of the Holy Cross and the Dominican Sisters of Mary Immaculate Province, among others.

“This event is an expression of gratitude to God, who has guided our people through persecution and exile, to our ancestors in the faith, who handed down perseverance and devotion, and to the local Church, which welcomed our community with generosity and compassion,” Father Tran said. †

PHOTO BY HUNG L. TRUONG PHOTOGRAPHY

At left, Vietnamese Catholic youth process with a reliquary of the Vietnamese Martyrs during a procession at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Houston on Nov. 26, remembering the 50th anniversary of the arrival of Vietnamese refugees to the U.S. At right, Archbishop Joe S. Vásquez delivers the homily near

community, visit www.archgh.org/ata-videos.

Patriarchate and Executive Director of the Huffington Ecumenical Institute. Archbishop Borys Gudziak served as moderator.

Also among the bishops present were Bishop Paul Chomnycky of Stamford; Bishop Venedykt Aleksiychuk of St. Nicholas in Chicago; Auxiliary Bishop Keith J. Chylinski of the Archeparchy of Philadelphia; and Galveston-Houston Auxiliary Bishop Italo Dell’Oro, CRS, who visited Ukraine in 2024.

The evening included vespers according to the Byzantine Rite, celebrated by Archbishop Borys Gudziak.

In their talks, Cardinal DiNardo and Archdeacon Chryssavgis described the historical setting of the Council of Nicaea. Convened only a few years after the end of severe persecutions, the council gathered bishops who had once preached in hiding and who suddenly found themselves summoned by Emperor Constantine to address theological divisions that threatened the unity of the empire. The emperor, they said, sought peace in his realm and recognized that the debates within the Christian community had become too consequential to ignore.

Reflecting on the enduring impact of the Council, Cardinal DiNardo noted his pastoral perspective: “I’ve come ... as a pastor, as someone who knows and loves the Fathers of the Church — for they are with us and they are living memory.”

Archdeacon Chryssavgis said, “1,700 years ago, a group of bishops gathered in a modest church in Nicaea to speak about God. They could not in their

wildest dreams have imagined that their words would echo across continents and centuries.”

Both speakers emphasized that the central question before the bishops at Nicaea was both simple and profound: “Who is Jesus?”

Cardinal DiNardo compared the council’s task to examining Jesus’ “ID card”: How is He one of us? How is He God? He explained that these discussions grew from the growing number of catechumens and the need for clear teaching on the identity and closeness of Christ. “I give credit to those monks who tried to help people understand who the Lord was,” Cardinal DiNardo said.

The debate of the Council 1,700 years ago centered on the Greek term homoousios — “of one essence” — which expressed the Church’s conviction that

Christ is of the same essence as the Father. The presenters also noted that the council addressed practical ecclesial matters, including the establishment of a common date for the celebration of Easter.

“From our point of view, the most important issue is the doctrine on Jesus Christ — one in being, one in essence with the Father. But the bishops also discussed the date of Easter. Is there anything more central for Christians than Easter?” Cardinal DiNardo said in a separate interview. “Nicaea still lives in us today, if for no other reason than the creed they formulated — that same creed we recite every Sunday. “People may not realize it, but the beauty, the debates, and the intrigue of that council are embedded in every word we say on Sunday,” he said.

The Archdiocese of GalvestonHouston was the largest supporter of the fund that supported medical and spiritual relief efforts in Ukraine. This didn’t surprise Cardinal DiNardo.   “Among Catholics in Southeast Texas, almost half are immigrants from South America,” he said. “They know what it is to live under oppression. So when they read about the horrors happening in Ukraine, our people responded with great generosity and compassion. It was Palm Sunday, and I am happy that they were attentive and responded so well.”

Archdeacon Chryssavgis said that the significance of Nicaea lies not only in the past but in its continuing influence: We are not simply recalling a distant historical event or ancient bishops’ assembly from 1,700 years ago, he said. “We are speaking first and foremost of an experience that shaped the conscience of the early Christian world and the structure of the early Christian Church — an experience that continues to inform how Christian believers think, how they worship and how they relate to one another, both in the Church and the broader society.”

He also said 2025 marked the 60th anniversary of the Lifting of the Anathemas in 1965, when St. Paul VI and Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras mutually revoked the excommunications that separated East and West since the 11th century. The evening concluded with an invitation to reflect on the future. The 1,700th anniversary of Nicaea, Archdeacon Chryssavgis said, is not merely a commemoration but an opportunity to imagine Christian unity anew.

DEGREES

Doctorate (Psy.D.) in Clinical Psychology (onsite, APA Accredited*)

Doctorate (Ph.D.) in Counselor Education & Supervision (online/hybrid)

MS in Counseling (online/hybrid, CACREP Accredited**)

MS in Psychology (100% online, no GRE required, 3 concentrations)

Spiritual Direction Certificate (Journey of Faith, Online/Hybrid)

“Unity is crucial for us today,” said Cardinal DiNardo. †

NICAEA, from page 1

PHOTO COURTESY OF UKRAINIAN CATHOLIC ARCHEPARCHY OF PHILADELPHIA

Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, second from left, listens as Archbishop Borys Gudziak, at right, speaks during a panel event in Philadereflecting on the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea.

Catholic middle school students encouraged to create poems about Our Lady of Guadalupe

BY JO ANN ZUÑIGA Herald Correspondent

HOUSTON — Published Catholic poets are visiting middle school classes in the Archdiocese to share how students can successfully compete in the Catholic Literary Arts (CLA) contest, with this year’s theme focusing on the patroness of the Americas.

CLA president and founder Sarah Cortez, a published author, said the organization also has developed “lesson plans” on its website www. catholicliteraryarts.org. Those plans can help teachers and students dive into ageappropriate poems and develop their own creativity, along with instructions on submitting poetry for the 2026 Archdiocesan Middle School Sacred Poetry Contest.

“It’s a big investment of our time and energy, but it’s worth it to develop very robust, strong writing skills for our students,” Cortez said.

She previously visited and taught five middle school classes of about 80 sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students for a day at St. Anne Catholic School in Tomball at the invitation of Silvia Gonzalez, St. Anne’s curriculum director.

“We discussed how we perceive and what we believe,” Cortez said. “I asked

them to think of their favorite places to be, like on the soccer or baseball field, standing in line at a buffet, or watching the sun set in their backyard. Then they realized that Jesus is with them at all those places.”

Gonzalez said she invited CLA to St. Anne in Tomball “because this contest provides students with an opportunity to deepen their understanding of faith while developing critical academic skills.”

The instructor said the poet’s brainstorming sessions with each of the

ART COURTESY OF CATHOLIC LITERARY ARTS

The Catholic Literary Arts Middle School Sacred Poetry Contest opened earlier this year with the theme highlighting Our Lady of Guadalupe. The deadline is Feb. 20, 2026. The artist of the drawing is Betsy Farr.

classes and the use of visual imagery guided students to make connections with poetry and their everyday lives while discovering their own authentic voices.

“Her visit was an excellent way to kick off the writing process and help students develop new skills. Afterward, our teachers continued guiding students as they refined and completed their poems,” Gonzalez said.

The CLA Middle School Sacred Poetry Contest opened earlier this year for submissions on Nov. 1 and ending with the latest deadline Feb. 20, 2026, with this year’s theme highlighting Our Lady of Guadalupe. Her feast day is Dec. 12, commemorating her appearances to Juan Diego en route to Mass in Mexico in 1531, as she asked for a church to be built there on the hillside. As proof to the bishop, she arranged roses on Juan Diego’s tilma or cloak, which he opened in front of Church officials who saw the miraculous image of Our Lady of Guadalupe imprinted on the tilma.

Tamara Nicholl-Smith, a published Catholic poet who visited St. Mary’s Catholic School in League City and True Cross Catholic School in Dickinson, said, “The students were very responsive! It’s so important to pay attention to children’s creativity.”

Nicholl-Smith said her newest book, “Saints of Sleeping and Waking,” will be published by Wiseblood Books in 2027, her first full-length collection of poems after being featured in anthologies and journals.

“I wrote my first poem when I was nine years old, and it was published in the school magazine, so the seeds were planted,” she said.“That’s why we all need to nourish and confirm our children’s efforts.”

Mazie McCoy, Ed.D., superintendent of Catholic schools, said she is deeply grateful that middle school students in the Catholic schools of the Archdiocese have the opportunity to participate in the Sacred Poetry Contest. “This initiative not only inspires their creativity but also challenges them to reflect on their Godgiven talents, instilling confidence and a sense of purpose,” she said. “Thank you to Sarah Cortez and the Catholic Literary Arts organization for partnering with our schools and making this meaningful experience possible.” †

Processions proclaim Jesus as Christ the King

KATY — Hundreds of parishioners at St. Bartholomew the Apostle Catholic Church in Katy marked the Nov. 23 Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, by joining a Eucharistic procession, honoring the day with a public display of their faith as they walked from the parish to Katy City Hall, a three-mile roundtrip.

“In 1925, the pope established this big solemnity, and we’re very happy to celebrate this day,” said Father Miguel Solorzano, pastor of St. Bartholomew. “It was established during a time of difficulties in some countries, like Mexico, where there was religious persecution. The Cristeros used to cry out, ‘Viva Cristo Rey!’ while they were being martyred, so this festivity resounds especially with them and with all of us today. We recognize Jesus as the ruler of the whole universe.”

Father Solorzano said the significance of the Solemnity of Christ the King can be seen in the readings for the Mass as it recalled the story of King David being anointed king of Israel in the first reading from 2 Samuel, foreshadowing the kingship of Jesus Christ, and in the Gospel of Luke, the redemption of the good thief, who received salvation from Jesus, while hanging next to him on the cross.

The solemnity is celebrated on the very last Sunday of the liturgical year, with the following weekend beginning a new liturgical year as the first Sunday of Advent.

The celebration began with Mass, and all in attendance were invited to join

the Eucharistic procession that would begin after Mass. From the narthex of the church building, attendees traveled on foot several blocks to the front of Katy City Hall, where everyone stopped for a brief moment of prayer, then journeyed back to the parish and closed with benediction inside the church.

Families and parishioners of all ages and ethnicities walked in the procession, carrying lit candles helping to light the way, creating a scenic view

group of young girls in the procession, said the event helps show Christ to the community.

Typically, girls scatter flower petals ahead of the procession, but this year they carried candles as the sun set on the group that evening.

“It’s a great way for the girls to be able to participate in the procession,” she said.

Neumann said the procession brings the love for Christ, the Eucharist and the Church to the city of Katy.

“For me, it’s a way to show outwardly a devotion that I feel inwardly,” she said.

David Robson, who serves on the parish’s liturgical committee and trains altar servers for Masses and the procession, said the procession helps parishioners live out their faith.

“One year, we were coming up on this feast, and we read the document establishing the feast, and it talks about processions and different external acts of devotion, and we’re always trying to discern how God is calling us as a parish to live out our faith,” he said.

of the crowd worshiping Jesus in the Eucharist as they passed through neighborhood streets, with residents onlooking and taking pictures from their front yards.

Songs were sung in English and Spanish, and prayers were recited as Father Jose Kumblolickal, parochial vicar of the parish, carried the monstrance with the Blessed Sacrament to lead the procession.

Ali Neumann, who helped organize a

Robson said the procession for Christ the King Solemnity is a way for the parish to bring Christ out into the streets so people can see Him, encourage each other and show their faith in God.

Other Catholic communities around the Archdiocese also celebrated the Solemnity of Christ the King with Eucharistic processions, including St. Mary’s Seminary and St. Rose of Lima Parish in Houston and the Church of the Annunciation in downtown Houston. †

PHOTO BY MARCUS NORWOOD/OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS

Nov. 23. Hosted by St. Bartholomew

Programs help clients ‘see God’s love all around’

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for volunteer services for Catholic Charities. “Through the Share Your Blessings campaign, children and seniors from all backgrounds receive gifts they might otherwise go without. The program also gives parents the opportunity to select presents for their children at no cost.”

Supported by the Diocesan Services Fund (DSF), the Share Your Blessings campaign reflects the 2025 annual campaign theme, “Cry out with joy to the Lord,” by caring for families who might otherwise face the holidays with uncertainty. Last year, over 5,300 gifts were distributed through the program, thanks to the generosity of supporters, including parishes, Catholic schools, and other community partners. This year’s goal is 6,000 gifts.

Gassett said her connection to the program is deeply personal, shaped by memories of her own childhood Christmases and the awareness that many children today experience the season differently.

“The thought of how grand my Christmases always were, and the thought of a child not receiving any toys really tugs my heart,” Gassett said. “This has become a personal mission for me. We can’t do it without the generosity of those giving money, gifts or time.”

This effort fills her heart with joy each year, supported by many hands working

Volunteers sort through donated Christmas gifts during a recent Catholic Charities Share Your Blessings gift drive. Last year, the annual program distributed more than 5,300 gifts to children and seniors of all backgrounds throughout the Archdiocese.

quietly behind the scenes to make the drive successful. Volunteers from across the area help sort, wrap and prepare gifts for distribution, including groups from Strake Jesuit College Preparatory, Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart, the Rice Catholic Student Center, the Astros Foundation and Volunteer Houston.

“Our volunteers love being part of this work because they can help families choose gifts that are just like the ones they would place under their own trees,” Gassett said.

Gassett said parish involvement continues to grow, with churches from as far as Fulshear, Galveston and Chambers County sending volunteers and organizing toy drives. Corporate partners such as the Houston Young Lawyers Association also support the campaign by contributing hundreds of gifts.

The 2025 Diocesan Services Fund theme is “Cry Out with Joy 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. DSF brings the needed financial resources to carry out 64 ministries.

DSF IN ACTION

This video series brings to life the ministry featured in this story. Hear from people personally impacted by God’s grace through these DSF ministries.

Whether through a monetary donation, a small gift card or a simple toy like a basketball or doll, Gassett said every contribution makes a difference. Even small efforts can have an impact and touch the hearts of families who receive the gifts.

“The recipients know that they are loved and remembered on Christmas morning,” Gassett said. “Thinking about that little extra joy that we can provide really fills my heart.”

As one of the seniors who received a gift through Share Your Blessings, 84-year-old Carolyn Doris said the experience made a meaningful difference in her Christmas season. She first learned about the program through the Mamie George Community Center and said receiving a gift made her feel appreciated, knowing no one would be forgotten at Christmas.

Doris said the soft green blanket she received reminded her that they were blessed by someone’s love, even though neither the givers nor the recipients knew each other.

“Someone wanted to share God’s blessing of giving His Son to the world as an example of how we should all share,” Doris said. “My heart was so full of gratitude and thankfulness. We did not know who they were, and they did not know who received this gift.”

SCAN TO WATCH OR VISIT ARCHGH.ORG/ DSF-IN-ACTION

Doris said the kindness she experienced deepened her gratitude for the staff and donors who make the program possible. She described the senior community as a place filled with love, where they feel like family and are continually reminded of God’s care.

“I see God’s love all around me at Catholic Charities in the staff and all the people who received and those who gave these blessings,” Doris said. “You have no idea how you touched so many. This is the only Christmas for some of my friends here.”

Community distributions will take place on Dec. 13 at the Mamie George Community Center in Richmond and the Beacon of Hope Center in Galveston. Houston-area families can schedule appointments to select gender- and ageappropriate toys or visit St. Nick’s Place, a pop-up holiday market inside Catholic Charities’ warehouse on the South Loop near NRG Stadium.

Toy donations can be delivered to any Catholic Charities location in Houston, Galveston or Fort Bend counties. Gifts and gift cards may also be purchased and delivered through the Amazon wish list at www. catholiccharities.org/syb. For more information, contact shareyourblessings@ catholiccharities.org or call 713-526-4611.

To contribute to the 2025 Annual DSF Appeal, which supports the Share Your Blessings campaign and more than 63 ministries requiring critical funding, visit archgh.org/dsf. Every dollar donated to the DSF directly supports vital ministries that provide education and formation opportunities or deliver much-needed direct service to those in the Archdiocese. †

FILE PHOTO BY JAMES RAMOS/HERALD

Celebrating 100 Years of Grace: A century of faith at St. Anne Parish in Houston

Special to the Herald

HOUSTON — One of the oldest and largest churches in the Archdiocese, St. Anne Catholic Church in Houston, celebrates its 100th anniversary.

Under the direction of the Basilian Fathers, it has been providing spiritual leadership and guidance to the Upper Kirby, River Oaks and Montrose areas within Houston since 1925.

A JOURNEY ROOTED IN FAITH

On Sept. 19, 1924, Bishop Christopher E. Byrne asked Father John J. O’Reilly to find a suitable location for a new church that would accommodate the city’s westward growth. The new parish would be named for St. Anne, the mother of the Blessed Virgin.

Father O’Reilly enlisted the help of Selma Rankin from Annunciation Church, and they started talking to people in the neighborhood about the proposed church. From those early endeavors, St. Anne Parish was formed by five founding families: those of Henry and Selma Rankin, Henry and Hila Wedelich, Charles and Beulah Lambert, J. Emmet and Ida Belle Nolen, and Jack and Quo Vadis Burke. In 1925, St. Anne Church began with modest gatherings in an old farmhouse in the intersection of two dirt roads, McDuffie Street and Westheimer Road, and quickly blossomed into a vibrant parish.

In May of 1928, Bishop Byrne asked the Basilian Fathers to take charge of the growing parish. The new St. Anne Parish was the first Basilian church in Texas, there being only seven in the world at the time. Father John J. Glavin, CSB, was named as the first Basilian pastor. Membership at St. Anne had grown to 216 families by 1928, and leadership believed that the original location would not be suitable for a permanent church. A proposal was made to purchase 9.51 acres on the corner of Shepherd and Westheimer, the present-day site of St. Anne Parish. Plans included moving the first church (farmhouse) to the new location, the construction of a new temporary church, and a convent. The second, temporary church would be used as a church hall following the completion of a larger, third church.

At a cost of $21,000, the new St. Anne Hall (the second church) was completed in October 1929, just in time for the Wall Street crash. In 2008, Preservation Houston presented St. Anne with a Good Brick award for the restoration of the hall, which currently serves as St. Anne School’s administrative offices, choir room, and art studio.

A year after the construction of the new hall, the first section of the school building was completed. The school, comprising seven classrooms and a kitchen, was staffed by the Congregation of Divine Providence from Our Lady of the Lake Convent in San Antonio. The school opened on Sept. 8, 1930. There were 155 students enrolled from first

through seventh grades in the first year. By 1940, there were 412 students and 13 teaching sisters.

Ground was broken for the third church on Nov. 22, 1938. Four months later, the cornerstone was laid down. Included in the cornerstone were: a Bible, copies of the encyclical of Pope Leo XIII on Capital and Labor, the Magna Carta, the U.S. Constitution, the Declaration of Independence and the Gettysburg Address, a St. Anne Devotional, and a list of all the priests and nuns who had served at St. Anne. On Dec. 10, 1939, the new church was dedicated.

In honor of the first Franciscan mission in Texas, the architecture is of the colonial style used in the Spanish missions of the Southwest. The church commemorates the introduction of Christianity into Texas and the history of Catholicism throughout the ages. The original intent was to reproduce St. Anne de Beaupre in Canada and incorporate some characteristics of the chapel at the Villa de Matel in Houston, also designed by Maurice Sullivan.

A LIVING, GROWING COMMUNITY

The 1975 parish census showed only a 12% Hispanic population. Nevertheless, in 1975, Father Richard Jeffrey began celebrating Mass in Spanish at 4 p.m. on Sunday. St. Anne was the first nonSpanish-speaking church in the city to have a Spanish Mass. By 1979, the community had Hispanic Eucharistic ministers, lectors and hospitality hosts. Every Friday evening, the families came together in the gymnasium to watch movies.

Their first fundraising efforts began in 1979 through dances and dinners sponsored by Hispanic women. The

budget for their activities depended on the revenue generated by these events. Hispanic community and ministries at St. Anne have continued to grow, enriching the parish with a loving appreciation for God’s gift of life and an authentic and enduring devotion to Mary, the Mother of God, through their celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Procesión de la Virgen Dolores, Pastorela, and Via Crucis.   St. Anne Catholic School, recognized with the National Blue Ribbon Award in 2006 and 2022, continues to nurture students academically, spiritually, culturally, physically and interpersonally in a Catholic environment. The school

continues educating students from Pre-K3 through eighth grade, with a current enrollment of 530 students from 56 different zip codes. Today, St. Anne is a diverse and growing parish community. From Baptisms and weddings to OCIA classes, community outreach and celebration, the parish continues to be a place where faith is nurtured and lived out. The St. Anne Catholic Community has expanded its ministries to serve the needs of today’s world — embracing youth ministry, adult faith formation, community and outreach, all while maintaining a deep love for tradition and the Sacraments. †

PHOTO COURTESY OF ST. ANNE CATHOLIC CHURCH

When membership at St. Anne had grown to 216 families by 1928, a proposal was made to purchase 9.5 acres on the corner of Shepherd and Westheimer streets, the present-day site of St. Anne Catholic Church.

SUPPORTING OTHERS

PHOTO BY JOHNNY THAN

PHOTOGRAPHY

Catholic Charities Wine and Dine dinner honored Archbishop Emeritus Daniel Cardinal DiNardo (center), with co-chairs (from left) Will Cravens, Kirk Pfeffer, Larry Massey and Paul Layne. The event set records in fundraising and attendance.

Raising a glass for good to toast Cardinal DiNardo: ‘Wine & Dine’ advances Catholic Charities’ mission

HOUSTON — Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston hosted its signature fundraising event, Wine & Dine 2025, with a two-fold purpose: to raise money to serve struggling low-income families and to honor Archbishop Emeritus Daniel Cardinal DiNardo for his legacy of leadership and compassion.

The evening raised a record-breaking $790,000 thanks to inspired leadership by honorary co-chairs Will Cravens, Paul Layne, Larry Massey, and Kirk Pfeffer. The theme was “La Dolce Vita,” in celebration of the Cardinal’s Italian heritage.

The sold-out crowd enjoyed a four-course, Italian-inspired dinner, thoughtfully curated by master sommelier Brandon Kerne and award-winning executive chef Ryan Bouillet. Soprano Priscilla Salisbury, winner of Best Female Singer in the inaugural Catholic Music Awards 2025 in Rome, performed a collection of beloved Italian songs as a surprise for the guests. Lisa Malosky served as the evening’s emcee.

“Honoring Cardinal DiNardo this year was especially meaningful because of his steadfast leadership and compassion, which have strengthened our mission for many years,” said Cynthia Nunes Colbert, MSW, president and CEO of Catholic Charities. “His commitment to serving the most vulnerable mirrors the heart of what we do at Catholic Charities, and we are profoundly grateful for his constant support.”

David Harvey Jr. and Stan Marek were presenting sponsors to support Catholic Charities in its mission to care for the poor and vulnerable through services that offer relief and stability. †

At Red Mass, Archbishop Vásquez calls legal community to cherish, protect all human life

BY JAMES RAMOS Texas Catholic Herald

HOUSTON — Ahead of the upcoming legislative year and in the middle of early voting for the mid-term elections, Archbishop Joe S. Vásquez celebrated the annual Red Mass at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Houston on Oct. 30.

Wearing their traditional black judicial robes, several judges from a number of local district courts attended the Mass alongside many members of the Houston-area legal community.

In his homily at the annual Mass, which lifts up the legal community of Galveston-Houston in prayer, Archbishop Vásquez invoked God’s blessings on judges, attorneys and law professionals in attendance.

“Human life must be cherished in all stages, from conception until natural death; the sanctity of life must always be protected,” he said. “The stronger our relationship with God, the more clearly we will realize the dignity God has bestowed on all persons. We also cannot ignore the suffering of the elderly, the poor, the sick, the incarcerated, the migrant and the refugee. They possess

human dignity, and they must always be treated with utmost respect.”

He also reflected on the U.S.’s upcoming 250th anniversary, urging unity and adherence to the Declaration of Independence’s principles that all are created equally with “inalienable rights,” including life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

“These rights come from God,” he said. “We must do all we can to protect and ensure that all will benefit from them.”

He also prayed for the each attendee: “May God grant you in the legal profession the integrity, wisdom and courage you need to fulfill the responsibilities of creating a more just society which protects the dignity of each person in the Gospel.”

Archbishop Vásquez underscored Jesus’ commandment of love and the Eucharist as the Sacrament of charity. Father Luke Millette, judicial vicar for the Metropolitan Tribunal of the Archdiocese, concelebrated the Mass alongside a number of other priests.

Daniel Cardinal DiNardo attended the Mass in choir, and also joined Archbishop Vásquez in a panel during a reception that followed the Mass. †

PHOTO BY JAMES RAMOS/HERALD

Archbishop Joe S. Vásquez celebrated the annual Red Mass at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart on Oct. 30. The annual Mass unites members of the legal and legislative community of Houston, which included several local judges and lawyers from the Houston area.

YOUTH

Anchoring the Family in Advent: Intention, tradition and the waiting heart

Advent always seems to sneak up on us. The calendar flips past Thanksgiving, and before we know it, Christmas lights are twinkling, and the noise of the season drowns out its quiet promise. As a parent, I’ve often wished I had more tools to help my children at each stage, especially teens, truly enter into Advent; not just wait for Christmas, but to prepare their hearts for it.

Over the years, I’ve learned that preparations for Advent don’t have to require elaborate plans, just simple, intentional pauses that draw our families back to the infant Christ.

Some of my most meaningful memories reach back to my own childhood. Each year, my mother and grandmother gathered us in the kitchen to bake Christmas cookies. We’d roll dough, sneak tastes and fill the air with flour and laughter. It wasn’t just baking, it was tradition, anticipation and togetherness.

That time of waiting and watching cookies golden, with the sweet smell in the air, mirrored the spiritual waiting of Advent itself. Those hours around the kitchen table together taught us to make room for each other and the joyful coming of our Lord. I am so grateful to have such a loving mother who carried this tradition into her grandchildren’s

by SARAH KENNEPOHL

lives today. Their laughter keeps hope alive in the tradition, and they look forward to it year after year.  I also remember my father making time to climb into the attic after dinner to bring down the Christmas decorations. It wasn’t the lights or the ornaments that meant the most; it was the intentionality. What sweet memories with my mama hanging ornaments so delicately and us sisters dancing around to Christmas carols! As a child, that small act spoke louder than any perfectly dressed tree: love makes time for what matters. I’ve carried that lesson into parenthood: children don’t need perfection; they need our presence, our consistency and our willingness to pause with them.

When my sisters and I were small, we’d lie on the floor under the sparkling tree lights, replaying the story of Jesus’ birth with our little nativity set or reading Christmas books together. Those moments of wonder taught us that tradition, intention and symbols are the holy reminders of hope and waiting for

“When we make space ... our homes become small Nazareths: places where the Lord can once again be born among us.”

When I first began setting an Advent wreath on our own kitchen table, my pre-teens and teens were less than enthused. Lighting candles and reading Scripture before dinner seemed like one more “mom thing.” But over time, it became a rhythm of our home. Now, they remind me when I forget to light the next candle. It’s a small thing, a circle of greenery and light, but it has become an anchor, marking time with purpose and drawing us closer to what the season is about: Christ’s coming into our everyday lives.

If I could offer parents and grandparents a few tools to try at home with their youth, I would begin with the Advent wreath. Allow your children or teens to take the lead in lighting the candles and reading the Scripture each

week. Giving them ownership of the prayer invites deeper connection and meaning. Another simple idea is a Reverse Advent Calendar: each day, add an item for donation to a local shelter or parish outreach. It’s a beautiful way to help young people link the season of waiting with the act of giving.

Finally, create Silent Night moments: choose one evening a week to turn off screens, light candles and spend time together reflecting on where you’ve seen Christ’s presence throughout the week. These small, intentional practices can transform the home into a place of Advent peace and anticipation.

Advent invites us to slow down to remember that God enters the ordinary. He comes to kitchens filled with laughter and cookies. He is amongst the dusty attic boxes. He is with us in the living room among the twinkling lights of the tree.

When we make space through intention, tradition and prayer, our homes become small Nazareths: places where the Lord can once again be born among us. †

Jesus.

Sarah Kennepohl is the junior high faith formation director at Mary Queen Catholic Church in Friendswood.

COLUMNIST

The fight against racism continues

Earlier this year, during a July 2025 address to the faithful, Pope Leo XVI adamantly stated that, “It is time to stop the race of hatred. Our humanity is at stake.” In addition to all of this, we have the U.S. bishops stating that “the Church cannot remain silent about the racial injustices in society and its own structures.” Our Catholic leaders, time and time again, remind the Catholic faithful of our responsibility to fight and put an end to racism in the Church and society.

In the 1979 pastoral letter on racism, “Brothers and Sisters to Us,” the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) wrote that the sin of racism as “more than a disregard for the words of Jesus” — namely, his command to treat others the way you would have them treat you (Mt 7:12) — but as a “denial of the truth of the dignity of each human being revealed by the mystery of the Incarnation.”  We must be reminded, over and over, of the dignity of the human person.

In March 2023, the United Nations observed the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The Holy See, represented by Archbishop Gabriel Giordano Caccia who addressed the United Nations Assembly, reiterated the Holy See’s

by FATHER REGINALD SAMUELS

strong condemnation of racism: Holy See states that racism “should be countered by promoting a culture of solidarity and authentic human fraternity.”

Archbishop Caccia continued: “Only the recognition of human dignity can make possible the common and personal growth of everyone and every society. To stimulate this kind of growth, it is necessary in particular to ensure conditions of equal opportunity for men and women and guarantee an objective of equality between all human beings.”

In November 2022, the late pontiff, Pope Francis, spoke to a group of American journalists regarding the various issues that are at the forefront of American society. Pope Francis said, “Racism is an intolerable sin against God. The Church, the pastors and lay people must continue fighting to eradicate it and for a more just world.”

The late pope said of the events in the U.S. over the last decade: “We cannot close our eyes to any form of racism or exclusion, while pretending to defend the sacredness of every human life.”

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“Now is the time to promote a culture of solidarity and authentic human fraternity.”

Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, in June of 2020, issued a statement regarding racism in our Church, community, and country: “Plainly stated, for it is plain to see, we in America have a plank in our eye with regard to racism. This is a tough but necessary reality to confront because we cannot address a problem until we acknowledge it. This includes us as members of the Catholic Church.”

In 2018, the USCCB issued a pastoral letter called “Open Wide Our Hearts,” which condemns the sin of racism and vows to use the Church to combat it.

In the message, the bishops wrote: “There have been many times when the Church has failed to live as Christ taught — to love our brothers and sisters. Acts of racism have been committed by leaders and members of the Catholic Church — by bishops, clergy, religious, laity — and her institutions. Consequently, we all need to take responsibility for correcting the injustices of racism and healing the harms it has caused.”

The Catholic bishops went on to state in the pastoral letter: “The roots of racism have extended deeply into the soul of our society. Racism can only end if we contend with the policies and

DECEMBER 14

First Reading: Is 35:1-6, 10

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 146:6-10

Second Reading: Jms 5:7-10 Gospel: Mt 11:2-11

WANT TO GO?

MLK MASS OF REMEMBRANCE

When: Sunday, Jan. 18 at 3 p.m.

Where: Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart 1700 St. Joseph Pkwy., Houston

institutional barriers that perpetuate and preserve the inequality — economic and social — that we still see all around us.”

On Jan. 18, 2026, at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, the Church of Galveston-Houston will celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for the 41st time. The Church will use this moment in time to rededicate itself to the fight for racial justice.

Acknowledgment of the sin of racism, prayer and action are the true reasons we commemorate the life of Dr. King.   We must acknowledge that we do not live in a post-racial society. Now is the time to promote a culture of solidarity and authentic human fraternity and continue to move to action to bring an end to racism and start the healing that is needed in our community, country and our Church. Our humanity depends on it. †

Father Reginald Samuels is the vicar for the Ministry for Catholics of African Descent and pastor of St. Laurence Catholic Church in Sugar Land.

DECEMBER 21

First Reading: Is 7:10-14

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 24:1-6

Second Reading: Rom 1:1-7 Gospel: Mt 1:18-24

POPE LEO XIV’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR DECEMBER 2025

+ For Christians in areas of conflict + Let us pray that Christians living in areas of war or conflict, especially in the Middle East, might be seeds of peace, reconciliation and hope.

Find multilingual immigration guides, resources and referral information for local communities

Youth, ministry leaders embrace Pope Leo’s message of hope after unique digital meeting

INDIANAPOLIS (OSV News) — Pope Leo XIV encouraged American youth in a unique digital discussion Nov. 21, telling them that they were not only the “future of the church,” but “the present,” saying “your voices, your ideas, your faith matter right now.”

He spoke in response to questions from students in a 45-minute virtual dialogue at the National Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis with an estimated crowd of 16,000 young people ages 14 to 18.

Katie Prejean McGrady, host of her show on SiriusXM’s The Catholic Channel, moderated the discussion at Lucas Oil Stadium in which Pope Leo fielded questions from five high school students: Mia Smothers from the Archdiocese of Baltimore; Ezequiel Ponce from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles; Christopher Pantelakis from the Archdiocese of Las Vegas; Micah Alcisto from the Diocese of Honolulu; and Elise Wing from the Archdiocese of Dubuque, Iowa.

The questions touched on themes of technology use, artificial intelligence, forgiveness, hope and the Church’s future. The students developed them in meetings with other students and organizers, and they were sent to the pope in advance.

Elise Wing, who had asked the Holy Father about the future of the church, told reporters following the event that “walking up on that stage felt like history.” Wing said it was an honor that the pope “said our names,” and she found his response to her “personable and so profound.”

“He gave us so much hope for the future and for the Church and the coming ages,” she said.

Ezequiel Ponce, who asked Pope Leo

for advice about perseverance in prayer amid difficult times, said he thought the pope “gave an incredible answer,” like “he was speaking directly to me.” He said he was sure the pope’s response “definitely resonated” with others.

The pope told Ponce, “Jesus does not just understand our struggles from a distance. He actually wants us to hand them to Him, because He loves us. And that kind of trust starts when we have a real relationship.” The Holy Father encouraged Eucharistic adoration and daily prayer, saying Jesus “often speaks to us gently in stillness.”

“Scripture says that faithful friends are like a strong shelter and a treasure,” he added, “I hope you are forming friendships like that, even during this conference, friendships rooted in faith, rooted in love for Jesus; whether it is a trusted adult or close friend, it’s important to speak honestly about what you feel, what you think, what you experience.”

Angela Pometto, director of the Office of Young Adult and Campus Ministries for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, said the fact that the digital encounter happened said a lot about Pope Leo.

“It says that he knows the importance of investing in young people, even if it’s just the gift of his time.

I’m sure his schedule in Rome is very full, but he made time to encounter the young people at NCYC in this way,” she said.

“It was also beautiful how they included several young people in the process, both in discerning what questions to ask the Holy Father and in asking the questions.

In a very real way, that was a moment of allowing the young people to be protagonists who are playing a leading role in the story. That was a beautiful opportunity for those young people.

In that process, I think that the pope is leading by example, and as Church leaders, we need to seek ways to make similar opportunities available to our young people.”

Pometto, who last saw Pope Leo XIV in Rome during the Jubilee of Young People this past summer when she led some 70 young adults on a pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi, watched the livestream from the Archdiocese’s St. Dominic Center Chancery near the Texas Medical Center in Houston, where Tim Colbert, director of the Office of Adolescent Catechesis and Evangelization also viewed the papal address.

“The Holy Father has spent much of his service to the Church outside of the U.S.,” Colbert said, “but he displayed a firm grasp of the challenges and joys of our young people today. Quite impressive. No doubt he will inspire many vocations through his grasp of our young people’s lives, his obvious care and compassion for them, and the wisdom he shares with them.” † – James Ramos contributed to this report.

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NATION & STATE

Pope Leo names Brownsville’s Bishop Avilés to lead Corpus Christi Diocese

BY JAMES RAMOS/HERALD

CORPUS CHRISTI (OSV News)

— Pope Leo XIV has accepted the resignation of Bishop W. Michael Mulvey, 76, from the pastoral governance of the Diocese of Corpus Christi, Texas, and appointed Bishop Mario A. Avilés, currently auxiliary bishop of Brownsville, Texas, as his successor.

The resignation and appointment were announced in Washington on Dec. 1 by Christophe Cardinal Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the U.S.

Archbishop Joe S. Vásquez, Metropolitan Archbishop of the Archdiocese Galveston-Houston, welcomed the new appointment.

“For the past seven years, I have known Bishop Avilés as a faithful brother bishop in Texas during his service as Auxiliary Bishop of Brownsville. He is a man of prayer and pastoral charity, and I am confident he will serve the people of Corpus Christi well as their shepherd,” he said. “I also express my appreciation to Bishop Michael Mulvey for his more than 15 years of devoted pastoral leadership.”

Bishop Mulvey said the diocese welcomed his successor “with open hearts and deep prayer.”

“As we begin the holy season of Advent, a time of hope and joy, we are reminded that Christ continues to guide and shepherd His Church. This is a moment of grace for the Diocese of Corpus Christi,” he said in a statement.

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“We live on the same planet, and must care for it together.”

-

Pope Leo XIV

PASTORAL SUPPORT FOR VICTIMS OF CLERGY SEXUAL ABUSE

In a continuing effort to provide pastoral care to victims of sexual abuse by clergy or Church personnel, Archbishop Joe Vásquez would like to remind the faithful of the Archdiocese of the availability of the Victims Assistance Coordinator. Anyone who has been the victim of sexual abuse by clergy or Church personnel is encouraged to call Diane Vines at 713-654-5799. Please keep in daily prayers the healing of victims of abuse and all who suffer in any way.

Brownsville Bishop Daniel E. Flores received the news “with joy and thanksgiving,” saying the appointment “calls Bishop Mario to offer his many gifts for the glory of God and good of the people in the Diocese of Corpus Christi.”

“The Diocese of Brownsville will greatly miss Bishop Mario’s wise counsel and good judgment, his joyful presence in our parish communities, and his administrative skills in the service of our diocesan offices and Catholic Schools,”

IN BRIEF

Bishop Flores said in a statement. “Yet at the same time we share in the special joy of the Diocese of Corpus Christi at the news of Bishop Mario’s appointment.”

He noted the Diocese of Corpus Christi “has over the years generously shared” her clergy to serve as bishops in Brownsville, including the first bishop of Brownsville, Bishop Adolph Marx. Bishop Flores added that both he and the late Bishop Raymundo J. Peña of Brownsville began their priestly ministry in Corpus Christi.

“Now, by God’s providence, a moment has arrived for the Diocese of Brownsville to share of her clergy for service to the people of the Diocese of Corpus Christi,” Bishop Flores said and asked the faithful to pray for Bishop Avilés “as he prepares to take up his new mission of service in Corpus Christi.”

Bishop Avilés was born in Mexico City on Sept. 16, 1969. After attending the Universidad Panamericana in Mexico City, he obtained a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and theology from the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum in Rome and a master of divinity from Holy Apostles College and Seminary in Cromwell, Connecticut.

He was ordained a priest on July 21, 1998, for the Confederation of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri.

Bishop Avilés served nearly two decades in parish ministry in Pharr and Hidalgo, Texas, and later held leadership roles within the Oratory Academy and Oratory Athenaeum in Pharr and the Confederation of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri, where he was procurator general between 2012 and 2018.

Pope Francis appointed him auxiliary bishop of Brownsville in 2017, and he was ordained a bishop the following year.

The Diocese of Corpus Christi is comprised of 10,951 square miles in the state of Texas and has a total population of 582,684, of which 209,726, are Catholic. †

Coadjutor archbishop welcomed in New Orleans

COADJUTOR ARCHBISHOP JAMES CHECCHIO

NEW ORLEANS, La. — Archbishop Emeritus Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, Archbishop Joe S. Vásquez and Bishop Italo Dell’Oro trekked to New Orleans, La., to welcome Coadjutor Archbishop James Checchio at a Mass of Welcome on Nov. 18 at St. Louis Cathedral.

Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond, archbishop of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, served as celebrant, and Christophe Cardinal Pierre, the apostolic nuncio to the U.S., presented Coadjutor Archbishop Checchio with an Apostolic Mandate from Pope Leo XIV.

“I am so grateful to be joining this historic archdiocese to join my voice to yours and praise our Father and hopefully add to your good and charitable works that you do for so many,” Coadjutor Archbishop Checchio said. “Together we are so privileged to write the next chapter of this archdiocese in history.”

Coadjutor Archbishop Checchio is a native of Camden, New Jersey, and was named the Bishop of the Diocese of Metuchen by Pope Francis on March 8, 2016. He was ordained and installed as the fifth bishop of Metuchen on May 3, 2016. He was appointed coadjutor archbishop of New Orleans on Sept. 24 by Pope Leo XIV.

Archbishop Aymond remains the current archbishop of New Orleans, and the appointment as coadjutor archbishop confers on Bishop Checchio the right of succession for the Archdiocese of New Orleans. †

PHOTO

Auxiliary Bishop Mario A. Avilés of Brownsville, Texas, speaks during a rally at the Texas Capitol during Catholic Advocacy Day in Austin in 2019. Pope Leo XIV has accepted the resignation of Bishop Michael Mulvey, 76, of Corpus Christi, Texas, and appointed Bishop Avilés as his successor. The appointment was publicized in Washington Dec. 1.

MUNDO CATÓLICO

El Papa León les dice a estudiantes de EEUU que su voz, sus ideas y su fe importan

CIUDAD DEL VATICANO (CNS) — El Papa León XIV instó a los estudiantes de secundaria estadounidenses a ser “conscientes” o “intencionales” del tiempo que pasan frente a las pantallas, del tiempo que dedican a la oración y de su participación en su parroquia local.

“Uno de mis héroes personales, uno de mis santos favoritos, es San Agustín de Hipona”, dijo el Papa a 16.000 jóvenes católicos reunidos en Indianápolis. “Buscó la felicidad por todas partes, pero nada le satisfacía hasta que abrió su corazón a Dios. Por eso escribió: ‘Señor, nos creaste para ti, y nuestro corazón está inquieto, hasta que descanse en ti’”.

A través de una conexión en directo, el Papa León habló durante casi una hora el 21 de noviembre con los participantes en la National Catholic Youth Conference (Conferencia Nacional de la Juventud Católica, conocida como NCYC por sus siglas en inglés), celebrada en el Lucas Oil Stadium de Indianápolis.

El Santo Padre respondió a las preguntas de cinco estudiantes de secundaria: Mia Smothers, de la Arquidiócesis de Baltimore; Ezequiel Ponce, de la Arquidiócesis de Los Ángeles; Christopher Pantelakis, de la Arquidiócesis de las Vegas; Micah Alcisto, de la Diócesis de Honolulu; y Elise Wing, de la Arquidiócesis de Dubuque, Iowa.

Las preguntas se elaboraron en reuniones con otros estudiantes y adultos y se enviaron al Papa con antelación.

El Papa León respondió a una pregunta y un comentario de Katie Prejean McGrady, quien moderó el evento. Ella mencionó que le había regalado al Papa un par de calcetines hacía algún tiempo y dijo que quería saber qué palabra utiliza como palabra inicial cuando jugaba al Wordle cada día.

“Solo quiero decir que solo uso calcetines blancos (white sox) y que uso una palabra diferente para Wordle cada día, así que no hay una palabra inicial fija”, dijo el Papa, antes de pasar a las preguntas de los jóvenes adolescentes.

Pantelakis pidió consejos al Papa sobre cómo equilibrar el uso de los teléfonos inteligentes y las redes sociales con “establecer conexiones de fe fuera de la tecnología”.

El Papa León animó a los estudiantes a seguir el ejemplo de San Carlo Acutis, quien utilizó la tecnología para difundir la devoción eucarística, pero limitó su

tiempo en Internet y se aseguró de asistir a Misa, dedicar tiempo a la adoración eucarística y servir a los pobres.

“Sean conscientes del tiempo que pasan frente a la pantalla”, dijo el Papa a los jóvenes. “Asegúrense de que la tecnología sirva a su vida y no al revés”.

Alcisto pidió consejos sobre el uso de ChatGPT y otras formas de inteligencia artificial. Aunque el Papa León ha seguido presionando a los desarrolladores de inteligencia artificial (IA) y a los gobiernos para que formulen directrices éticas e incluyan controles para proteger a los jóvenes, dijo a los estudiantes de secundaria que “la seguridad no se trata solo de reglas. Sino también Se trata de educación y de responsabilidad personal. Los filtros y las directrices ayudarte, pero no pueden tomar decisiones por ti. Solo tú puedes hacerlo”.

“Usar la IA de forma responsable significa usarla de manera que los ayude a crecer, nunca de manera que los distraigan de su dignidad o de tu llamada a la santidad”, dijo el Papa. “La IA puede procesar información rápidamente, pero no puede sustituir a la inteligencia humana. ¡Y no le pidas que haga tu tarea!”.

La IA, dijo, “no juzgará entre lo que es verdaderamente correcto e incorrecto. Y no se maravillará auténticamente ante la belleza, la belleza de la creación de Dios. Así que sean prudentes. Sean

sabios. Tengan cuidado de que su uso de la IA no limite su verdadero crecimiento humano”.

“Úsenla de tal manera que, si desapareciera mañana, seguirían

sabiendo cómo pensar, cómo crear, cómo actuar por su cuenta, cómo formar amistades auténticas”, dijo el Papa. Y “recuerden, la IA nunca podrá sustituir el don único que eres para el mundo”. En respuesta a Wing, que preguntó sobre el futuro de la Iglesia, el Papa León dijo a los jóvenes que ellos son una parte importante de su presente. “Sus voces, sus ideas, su fe importan ahora mismo, y la Iglesia los necesita”, dijo.

Pero, mirando hacia el futuro, les pidió que se preguntaran: “¿Qué puedo ofrecer a la Iglesia para el futuro? ¿Cómo puedo ayudar a otros a conocer a Cristo? ¿Cómo puedo construir la paz y la amistad a mi alrededor?”.

Smothers le preguntó al Papa si alguna vez le resultaba difícil aceptar la misericordia de Dios.

El Papa León XIV saluda a los 16.000 adolescentes reunidos en la National Catholic Youth Conference (Conferencia Nacional de la Juventud Católica, conocida como NCYC por sus siglas en inglés) en Indianápolis mientras participa en una sesión de preguntas y respuestas transmitida en directo desde el Vaticano el 21 de noviembre de 2025. Peregrinación

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 Arzobispo Joe Vásquez 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.

“Todos luchamos con esto a veces”, respondió el Papa. “La verdad es que ninguno de nosotros es perfecto”.

Pero, añadió, también es cierto que Dios siempre perdona.

“Puede que nos cueste perdonar, pero el corazón de Dios es diferente”, dijo el Papa León a los adolescentes. “Dios nunca deja de invitarnos a volver.” †

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FOTO DE CNS

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Mike Maltez

WITHIN THE ARTS

Pope Leo asks big names in film to continue to challenge, inspire, give hope

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Meeting an international cast of film directors and actors, Pope Leo XIV spoke about the power of cinema to help people “contemplate and understand life, to recount its greatness and fragility and to portray the longing for infinity.”

Sitting in the front row of the Vatican’s frescoed Clementine Hall Nov. 15 were, among others: directors Gus Van Sant and Spike Lee and actors Monica Bellucci, Cate Blanchett, Viggo Mortensen and Sergio Castellitto, who played the traditionalist Goffredo Cardinal Tedesco in the 2024 film “Conclave.”

Pope Leo asked the directors and actors to “defend slowness when it serves a purpose, silence when it speaks and difference when evocative.”

“Beauty is not just a means of escape,” he told them;“it is above all an invocation.”

“When cinema is authentic, it does not merely console, but challenges,” he said. “It articulates the questions that dwell within us, and sometimes, even provokes tears that we did not know we needed to express.”

Pope Leo acknowledged the challenges facing cinema with the closing of theaters and the increasing release of films directly to streaming services.

The theaters, like all public cultural spaces, are important to a community, he said.

But even more, the pope said,“entering a cinema is like crossing a threshold. In the darkness and silence, vision becomes sharper, the heart opens up and the mind becomes receptive to things not yet imagined.”

At a time when people are almost

constantly in front of screens, he said, cinema offers more. “It is a sensory journey in which light pierces the darkness and words meet silence. As the plot unfolds, our mind is educated, our imagination broadens and even pain can find new meaning.”

People need “witnesses of hope, beauty and truth,” Pope Leo said, telling the directors and actors that they can be those witnesses.

“Good cinema and those who create and star in it have the power to recover the authenticity of imagery in order to safeguard and promote human dignity,” he said.

Being authentic, the pope said, means not being afraid “to confront the world’s wounds. Violence, poverty, exile, loneliness, addiction and forgotten wars are issues that need to be acknowledged and narrated.”

December

December

“Good cinema does not exploit pain,” he said said. “It recognizes and explores it.”

“Giving voice to the complex, contradictory and sometimes dark feelings that dwell in the human heart

IN BRIEF

is an act of love,” he told them. “Art must not shy away from the mystery of frailty; it must engage with it and know how to remain before it.”

Coming to the Vatican during the Jubilee of Hope, he said, the directors and actors join millions of pilgrims who have made the journey over the past year.

“Your journey is not measured in kilometers but in images, words, emotions, shared memories and collective desires,” the pope told them. “You navigate this pilgrimage into the mystery of human experience with a penetrating gaze that is capable of recognizing beauty even in the depths of pain, and of discerning hope in the tragedy of violence and war.”

The pope prayed that their work would “never lose its capacity to amaze and even continue to offer us a glimpse, however small, of the mystery of God.” †

Galveston churches open for tours on Dec. 27

GALVESTON — Need post-Christmas Day plans? On Saturday, Dec. 27, five historic Galveston sites will open for guided tours from 9 a.m. to noon, including four churches that make up part of Holy Family Parish of Galveston and Bolivar, and the Ursuline Chapel. Thirty-minute tours will highlight the unique architecture, history and art at each location.

Tours will be led at St. Mary Cathedral Basilica, the mother church of Texas and a Jubilee pilgrim site built in 1848; Holy Rosary, which has served Galveston’s Black Catholic community since the late 1800s; St. Patrick, an 1877 Gothic-style church designed by Nicholas Clayton; Sacred Heart, built in 1904 and known for its striking white exterior; and the Ursuline Chapel, located at Holy Family Parish Life Center on 25th Street, featuring the original 1891 ornate chapel doors.

Visitors may start at any location. All sites are within a 3.7-mile radius and less than a five-minute drive apart. Tours are self-paced and self-driven. For addresses and details, visit www.holyfamilygb.com or call 409-762-9646. †

MOVIE RATINGS By OSV News

A-I – SUITABLE FOR ALL

• Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie (G)

A-II – SUITABLE FOR OLDER CHILDREN

• Predator: Badlands (PG-13)

• Soul on Fire (PG)

• Zootopia 2 (PG)

A-III – ADULTS AND ADOLESCENTS

• After the Hunt (R)

• Blue Moon (R)

• Chainsaw Man - The Movie: Reze Arc (R)

• John Candy: I Like Me (PG-13)

• Now You See Me: Now You Don’t (PG-13)

• Nuremberg (PG-13)

• Rental Family (PG-13)

• Roofman (R)

• Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere (PG-13)

• Wicked: For Good (PG)

L – LIMITED MATURE AUDIENCE

• Bugonia (R)

• Regretting You (PG-13)

O – MORALLY OFFENSIVE

• The Carpenter’s Son (R)

• The Running Man (R)

▶ For full movie reviews, visit www.osvnews.com/category/reviews

CNS PHOTO

Pope Leo XIV greets Australian actor Cate Blanchett during a meeting with film directors and actors in the Clementine Hall of the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican Nov. 15.

Ursuline Chapel

AROUND THE ARCHDIOCESE

For the latest updates about listings in the Around the Archdiocese, contact event organizers and visit www.archgh.org/ata.

DEC. 9

PRAYER SERVICE, 11 a.m., Mother of Perpetual Help Retreat Center (3417 W Little York Rd., Houston). Marian Servants of the Incarnate Wisdom hosts Marian consecration. info@ marianservantshouston.org; 832-322-4541.

DEC. 12

MASS AND LUNCHEON, 9:30 a.m., St. Mary’s Seminary (9845 Memorial Dr., Houston). Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women hosts annual Advent Mass, celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Italo Dell’Oro, CRS, at 11 a.m. followed by a luncheon honoring and supporting Archdiocesan port ministries. ghcw.org; ghaccwboard@gmail.com.

MASS AND DINNER, 6:30 p.m., Church of the Annunciation (1618 Texas Ave., Houston). Latin Mass for Our Lady of Guadalupe followed by a candlelit procession. After Mass, the Knights of Columbus #17060 will dedicate a new permanent mural of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a gift meant to inspire prayer and devotion in the Mother Church of Houston. An enchilada dinner reception hosted by the Marian Daughters follows at 8 p.m. in the Foley House. Free. info@ acchtx.org.

DEC. 13

PRESENTATION, 8 a.m. to noon, St. Michael the Archangel (1801 Sage Rd., Houston). Scott Hahn will explore lessons from the life of St. Joseph and the Holy Family. Cost: $20. Registration: bit. ly/scotthahn2025.

DEC. 13-14

CHRISTMAS COOKIE CRAWL, 8 a.m., St. Helen (2209 Old Alvin Rd., Pearland). Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court #2330 host cookie crawl featuring hundreds of homemade cookies sold by the pound. kaylin.olson@olsonresources. com; 713-875-1463.

DEC. 16

ADVENT MISSION, 7 p.m., St. Anthony of Padua (7801 Bay Branch Dr., The Woodlands). “The Vigil Project: Advent Way of The Star Tour” is a onenight Advent mission experience of Scripture, music, art and Eucharistic encounter. Free will offering. music@ap.church.

DEC. 20

LIVE NATIVITY, 4 to 7 p.m., Sacred Heart (109 N Frazier St., Conroe). Event features a live nativity outside the church on the corner of Frazier St. and FM 2854 with live animals, prayer and music. Children’s activities and light refreshments also available. Cost: Free. the99SH@gmail.com.

DEC. 21

CHRISTMAS CONCERT, 2 p.m., University of St. Thomas St. Basil Chapel (1018 West Alabama St., Houston). The brand new Cor Mundi Chamber Choir under Artistic Director Daniel Knaggs presents a collection of compositions and carols celebrating the Christ Child. Cost: $45 General, $20 Student. info@cormundi.org.

Having an Event?

Share it with thousands of print and digital readers. Scan the QR code to fill out the form and send your event to Around the Archdiocese. Learn more at ARCHGH.ORG/ATA

DEC. 23

SIMBANG GABI CULMINATION MASS, 6:30 p.m.,

St. Helen (2209 Old Alvin Rd., Pearland). Archbishop Joe S. Vásquez celebrates Archdiocesan celebration of the Filipino Simbang Gabi novena of Advent Masses.

JAN. 7, 2026

ADORATION HOUR, 7 to 8 p.m., Sacred Heart (507 S Fourth St., Richmond). Adoration Hour on the first Wednesday of the month prays for vocations with Confession and Anointing of the Sick available.

JAN. 13, 2026

HUMAN TRAFFICKING NIGHT OF AWARENESS, 6:30 p.m., Christ the Redeemer (11507 Huffmeister Rd., Houston). Faith-based national non-profit, Street Grace, will present how to recognize warning signs of child sexual abuse and exploitation, report suspicious activity and get involved. Free entry. 281-469-5533; kerry.chu@ ctrcc.com.

JAN. 21, 2026

PRESENTATION AND BABY SUPPLY DRIVE, 9:30 to noon, Mary Queen (606 Cedarwood Dr., Friendswood). The Bay Area Deanery Council of Catholic Women host a baby supply drive (diapers, wipes, toiletries, gift cards) and a presentation by Deacon Scott and Terri Ryan on “The Dignity of Procreation,” which includes discussions on infertility and the Church’s teaching on In vitro Fertilization.” Event includes refreshments and raffle. 713-412-8559.

JAN. 28-31, 2026

GARAGE SALE, St. Ignatius of Loyola (7810 Cypresswood Dr., Spring). Jan. 28: presale 1 to 7 p.m. ($25 admission); Jan. 29 to 30: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (free entry); and Jan 31: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (free entry). Sales of household items and décor, clothing, jewelry, baby items, toys, books, tools and more benefit the St. Ignatius Outreach Ministry. Rain or shine. garagesale@silcc.org. •••

For additional listings, visit WWW.ARCHGH.ORG/ATA

IN BRIEF

Filipino ‘Simbang Gabi’ Christmas tradition returns Dec. 11

HOUSTON — On Dec. 11, some of the 50,000 Filipino Catholics in the Archdiocese will begin celebrating Simbang Gabi, a beloved Filipino Christmas tradition that consists of a novena of Masses held in anticipation of the Nativity and to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary.

In the Philippines, Simbang Gabi (“Mass at Dawn”) Masses are traditionally held in the early hours of the morning, but in Houston, the Masses are celebrated at night to allow more faithful to attend.

This year, 34 parishes are hosting a Simbang Gabi Mass, with six parishes hosting daily Masses during the entirety of the novena, starting on Dec. 11. St. Francis de Sales Parish near Chinatown is hosting a Tagalog/English daily Mass at 7:30 p.m. from Dec. 11 to 19. From Dec. 15 to 23, Notre Dame Parish, also near Chinatown, is hosting a 5 a.m. daily Mass and Corpus Christi Parish off Stella Link Road will host their daily Mass at 5:30 a.m. Sacred Heart Parish in Manvel will host daily Masses, at varying times, also from Dec. 15 to 23. St. John Neumann Parish in north Houston will host a daily Mass at 5:30 a.m. from Dec. 16 to 24.

Starting Dec. 15, individual Masses are celebrated at many parishes across the Archdiocese. The final concluding Mass, also known as the Grand Culmination Mass, will be celebrated by Archbishop Joe S. Vásquez on Dec. 23 at 6:30 p.m. at St. Helen Catholic Church, located at 2209 Old Alvin Rd. in Pearland. A dinner reception and cultural entertainment follow the Mass. Traditional attire is welcomed.

For more information and to view Mass times and schedules, which are often preceded by traditional Filipino carols, visit www.archgh.org/simbanggabi. †

PHOTO AND STORY BY JAMES RAMOS/HERALD

MILESTONES

HOUSTON’S

CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY

Archbishop Vásquez welcomes UST’s new president at inaugration Mass

HOUSTON — Archbishop Joe S. Vásquez celebrated an Inauguration Mass for the newly installed president of the University of St. Thomas (UST), Sinda Vanderpool, Ph.D., at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart on Nov. 20 in Houston.

The event also marked the 203rd anniversary of the Basilian Fathers’ founding in France, highlighting a moment of continuity and renewal that linked the Basilian legacy that shaped UST’s past with the leadership that will guide its future.

“We pray that the Holy Spirit will guide and lead Dr. Vanderpool and the entire university community in the years ahead,” Archbishop Vásquez, who is a 1980 graduate of UST, said. Vanderpool is UST’s 10th president and the first woman to assume the role. Officials and dignitaries attending included former UST president, Archbishop Emeritus J. Michael Miller, CSB, the consuls general of Ukraine and Israel, and the regional director from the U.S. Department of State.

chancellor of St. Mary’s University in Calgary and at Baylor University. After her appointment as UST president in July, she hosted listening sessions with students, staff and faculty to help her understand UST’s community. A scholar of French literature with a Ph.D. from Princeton University and a B.A. from Davidson College, she said she plans to strengthen UST’s Catholic mission, expand academic and athletic excellence, build out student housing, increase community engagement and broaden access and opportunity for all students.

At the Mass, she compared herself to an orchestra conductor, with the whole community aligned for success.

“I celebrate the leaders who have come before me to lay the groundwork of dedication and sacrifice for the mission of this university,” Vanderpool said. “Thank you for entrusting me with this next phase of leadership for the University of St. Thomas.”

CENTENNIAL

Dominican sister celebrates her 100th birthday

HOUSTON — On Nov. 15, Sister Marie Bordages, O.P., was honored with a special Mass to celebrate her 100th birthday. Afterwards, the festivities continued with a celebratory dinner at St. Dominic Villa. Sister Bordages is the third sister in the community to reach this milestone, following her older sister, Sister Raphael Bordages.

SISTER MARIE BORDAGES, O.P.

Sister Bordages grew up in Beaumont, one of 13 siblings, six of whom entered religious life. She attended St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica School, graduating in 1943, and joined the Dominican Sisters of Houston shortly thereafter. She taught in Catholic schools throughout Texas and California during her long ministerial career. After retiring, she continued to serve as a driver and receptionist for her community as well as a volunteer at the Dominican Sisters’ summer camp.

Vanderpool, who grew up in Houston, brings more than 20 years of leadership in Catholic and Christian higher education, having served as president and vice-

Founded in 1947 by the Basilian Fathers at the behest of Bishop Christopher Byrne, UST is the only Catholic university in the Archdiocese. Focused on Catholic liberal arts, the university has an enrollment of more than 3,700 students from 30 states and 61 countries. †

Sister Bordages is also well known for her famous orange marmalade, which was sold at the motherhouse for many years.

Sister Bordages currently lives at St. Dominic Villa on the sisters’ motherhouse grounds. She enjoys participating in community activities and is an avid sports fan, especially football and baseball. †

SINDA VANDERPOOL

PHOTO BY JAMES RAMOS/HERALD

Archbishop Joe S. Vásquez greets Sinda Vanderpool, Ph.D., after celebrating her installation Mass at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart on Nov. 20 in Houston. Vanderpool is the University of St. Thomas’ 10th president and the first woman in the role.