ANNUAL REPORT
Youth, priest and worship ministry
draw focus in 2024
▪ SEE CENTER
A SHEPHERD’S MESSAGE
Cardinal DiNardo reflects on the Lenten season
▪ SEE PAGE 2
STEPS FOR STUDENTS
MARKS BANNER YEAR
Race celebrates Catholic education, legacy
▪ SEE PAGE 4 & 5
BY ERIN O’LEARY Special to the Herald
Lent gets its name from a word meaning “springtime,” the time of year when the hours of daylight are lengthening and the sun is bringing back its warmth and light.
The Lenten season, indeed all of springtime, is a time of hope: We deepen our relationship with Christ through our Lenten disciplines and look to His crucifixion, death and resurrection to overcome the darkness that can cause us to struggle and despair.
Some days, we may not feel the love of God that is always present, but we can rely on hope to move us forward in faith, especially in the 2025 Jubilee Year, in which Pope Francis gave the theme “Pilgrims of Hope.” Exercise hope this Lent and find renewal for the coming Easter season, where we celebrate Christ’s joyful resurrection.
Hope is a theological virtue, a gift from God that helps us act as His children. Received at Baptism, hope gives us confidence and inspiration as we look forward to heaven and salvation. Hope allows us to move forward in faith even in the most doubtful or difficult times. Hope can help us feel secure even in the midst of our own failings or the injustices we see in the world around us.
St. Thomas Aquinas said, “Hope denotes a movement or a stretching forth of the appetite toward an arduous good.” In other words, we are reaching for the goodness of God when we exercise hope — even when it isn’t
See LENT, page 8
Iconic CRS cardboard box brings change worldwide
HOUSTON — As Catholic Relief Services‘ (CRS) Rice Bowl program celebrates its 50th year of funding hunger and poverty alleviation efforts around the world, this Lent, calling on Catholics across the country to show their love for sisters and brothers around the world by participating in the annual Lenten project.
The program, which is supported by more than 12,000 Catholic parishes and schools across the U.S., has raised more than $350 million since its inception.
“For half a century, CRS Rice Bowl has been a pillar of our work,” said Sean Callahan, CRS president and CEO. “It has given hope to millions of our sisters and brothers experiencing hunger. We are humbled by the generous support that Catholics across the U.S. have shown for CRS Rice Bowl and for
PRESENT! 40 MEN OF SERVICE AND CHARITY ORDAINED TO PERMANENT DIACONATE Cardinal DiNardo ordains 40 men to the Permanent Diaconate in service of the Church ▪ SEE PAGES 6 & 7
By Daniel Cardinal DiNardo
OF
El Cardenal Daniel DiNardo comparte su columna en línea en español. Visite www.archgh.org para leer su artículo en línea.
“I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.” – Romans 7:14-15
St. Paul could make statements, like the one quoted above, that were at once blunt and yet precise, particularly about the human condition. What makes his comments about the human condition even more startling is that he draws on himself and his experience to make them. He also views the totality of his experiences as being under Christ Jesus. Our disordered state is now renewed and recreated by God through the Death and Resurrection of His well-beloved Son.
St. Paul uses the weakness and disordered condition of himself and all human beings as foils for the overwhelming gift that comes from the liberating freedom of knowing, loving and living in Christ Jesus. The letters of St. Paul are not optimistic about us, at least in the current understanding of that word, but they are very full of hope. His Christianity is not a kind of self-help or motivational course in human improvement. What St. Paul celebrates is the achievement in us of the loving-kindness of the Father, through His eternal Son, obedient until death and now exalted in glory.
The remarks in the above paragraph were those I made in my Lenten letter to all readers 15 years ago. However good or bad they were, St. Paul is ALWAYS good and a tremendous model and champion for us in the upcoming
season of Lent and Easter, 90 days. The good news is that Lent is approaching next week. The bad news is that Lent is approaching next week.
In these, my last few reflections as your Archbishop before I retire on March 25, I want to emphasize how wonderful Lent really is in our Archdiocese, especially the presence of almost 2,000 Catechumens and Candidates this year.
They are a direct wake-up call for all members to get in shape so that these new Catholics-to-be will find a welcoming, forgiven and forgiving Church, steeped in the Gospels and Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist, “excessively” generous in charity (as a model for all the Catechumens to follow), joyous for the 40 days of fast — the Fridays of Abstinence (no meat), and ready for any prayer asked of them!
These past 21 years as chief shepherd here have been magnificent, grace-filled, challenging and humorous. You have been a faithful flock. My thanks goes out to all priests, deacons, religious, faithful, catechumens, seekers and all people of good will. May the Lord Jesus continue to fill your hearts. In our sometimes gravely dysfunctional world, please serve as persons of purity of heart. That will make you really attractive to all as little lights of the Great Light, Jesus! †
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RICE BOWL, from page 1
their global family.”
In 1975, the CRS Rice Bowl began in Allentown, Pennsylvania, as a response to the devastating drought and famine affecting families in the Sahel region of Africa. “Operation Rice Bowl,” as it was known then, was adopted in 1976 under the guidance of CRS in preparation for 41st International Eucharistic Congress. The bishops in the U.S. voted for it to be the official program of CRS in 1977.
Sadly, the issue of hunger is just as relevant now as it was in 1975. Since 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic, hunger levels have remained high. In some parts of the world, the levels are increasing. Despite efforts to combat this rise, the world is still far off track to achieve the United Nations’ Zero Hunger goal.
According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, more than 580 million people could be chronically undernourished in 2030 — just five years away — if the trajectory is left unchecked. Elevated hunger levels are quickly becoming the new normal, causing long-term and generational harm to children, families and communities.
“This increase in hunger that we’re seeing is devastating,” Callahan said. “Families have to wait for hours in line for just one sack of rice or one container of water that might only last them the night. CRS Rice Bowl donations enable us to help during these emergency moments, as well as set up long-term help and development.”
More than 340 million people around the world are currently facing some level of food insecurity, with nearly 2 million facing catastrophic hunger — primarily in Gaza and Sudan. Many of these food crises involve overlapping issues, such as conflict or climate change, that increase
year after year.
“One of my greatest joys is to serve as chairman of CRS’ board,” said Archbishop Nelson Pérez of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. “I’ve witnessed CRS work around the globe to alleviate the burdens of poverty and hunger. Their mission is critical to millions.”
In celebration of CRS Rice Bowl’s 50th anniversary, supporters are invited to join CRS for a night of prayer and reflection on Thursday, March 20. The event will feature inspiring stories from CRS’ work around the world and will be an opportunity for supporters to come together to pray for an end to world hunger. Supporters are also invited to visit crsricebowl. org and share a Lenten prayer intention on the new interactive global map.
“As we enter the Lenten season, CRS is proud to mark this milestone and bolster support for CRS Rice Bowl,” Callahan said. “We are more committed than ever to our work dedicated to ending global hunger and poverty. I have seen the wonderous work that CRS can accomplish because of the strength and generosity of our supporters. Through CRS Rice Bowl, they have lifted up millions over the past 50 years, and I know they will be by our side for another 50 as we tackle global food security together.”
As always, direct donations to CRS are accepted online at crsricebowl.org and by phone or by mail. †
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Father Joseph White Priest Secretary - Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
Tickets now on sale for annual priests vs. seminarians basketball game
HOUSTON — The eighth annual Priests vs. Seminarians Basketball Game is set for 7 p.m. on April 4 at Rice University’s Tudor Fieldhouse, located at 6100 Main St. in Houston near the Texas Medical Center.
The seminarians’ Saints will face off against the priests’ Martyrs. Tickets range from $4 to $95, with all proceeds benefiting the seminarians at St. Mary’s Seminary. Tickets are limited, and the event is expected to sell out.
To purchase tickets and learn more, visit the website at www.houstonvocations.com/events. †
Black and Indian missions collection to be held in March 8, 9
HOUSTON — Since 1884, proceeds from the Black and Indian Missions Collection (BIM) are distributed as grants to dioceses supporting and strengthening evangelization programs, which would otherwise be in danger of disappearing among the Black, American Indian, Eskimo and Aleute communities of the U.S.
The BIM collection is taken up in most parishes on the first weekend in Lent, March 8 and 9. For more information, visit blackandindianmission.org. †
HOUSTON — African Descent Youth Day (ADYD) is set for Saturday, March 8, at St. Monica Catholic Church, located at 8421 W. Montgomery Rd., Houston, from 11 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.
This one-day event is designed provide a forum for middle and high school teens to discern, reflect, fellowship and celebrate the love of Christ with their peers.
Cost is $15 per person. For more information, contact Tim Colbert, director of the Office of Adolescent Catechesis and Evangelization, at tcolbert@archgh.org. †
HOUSTON — The 21st Annual Bishop Rizzotto Memorial Golf Tournament, which supports the retired priests, religious and elders of St. Dominic Village, is set for Monday, March 17. Registration is at 11 a.m., and shotgun at 12 p.m. The tournament is at the Wildcat Golf Club, 12000 Almeda Rd., in Houston. All proceeds directly benefit the residents of St. Dominic Village. Price per player is $375.
To register to play or sponsor-a-priest, visit www. stdominicvillage.org. For sponsorship opportunities, contact Rosalyn Lillie at 713-741-8722 or email rlillie@ stdominicvillage.org. †
The Astros host Catholic Family Night at Daikin Park on March 29. ▪ SEE PAGE 9
HOUSTON — A misty February morning greeted thousands as they arrived in downtown Houston for the 20th annual Steps for Students 5K Run/Walk on Feb. 8.
A day that began in faith, with a Sunrise Mass at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, came alive as families from Catholic schools across the Archdiocese lined up at the race starting line.
Runners and walkers tightened shoelaces, and parents prepped their strollers to charge down San Jacinto Street. After a blessing from Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, the ringing of the Co-Cathedral’s bells, a blast from the starting air horn, and the release of confetti officially sent the crowd on their way with timed runners at 8:30 a.m. and walkers afterward.
The course, which started by the Downtown Chancery and ended near the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, featured a nine-block straight dash to open the race. A quick turn on Walker Street brought runners under several skybridges, then winding further through downtown after a turn on Leeland Street, the course either continued straight for the family mile walk or split down Leeland and crossed over I-59 on a bridge into the East End’s trendy East downtown neighborhoods colored with bright graffiti and urban art.
After once again dashing over 59 for the final mile, runners then zipped through Midtown, crossing under the 45 overpass. A quick turn back onto St. Joseph brought racers back to the Co-Cathedral, where they ran to the finish line. A variety of cheerleaders, waiting near the end, welcomed participants as they crossed
the finish line. Thousands received race medals, each especially commemorating the race’s 20th anniversary.
By mid-morning, the sun burst through the overcast sky to warm up runners and walkers, including families, some pushing strollers and other little ones in wagons.
Race-goers then took to the tailgating party at the Catholic School Village that stayed in full swing throughout the morning with tents and booths from many of the schools decked out in varying themes.
Each year, schools compete for a variety of awards in the Catholic School Village. This year’s winners included Corpus Christi School, which won “Steps Superstar;” Our Lady of Guadalupe School, which won “Best Bites;” Incarnate Word Academy won “Cleverly Creative;” St. Thomas More School won “Steps Spirit;” and St. Anne School in Tomball won “School Spirit.”
Iconic Houston teams and mascots, including Howdy
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from the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Toro of the Houston Texan and Hugo, the Reliant Energy armadillo, joined Catholic school mascots and the Houston Astros in providing entertainment.
Ahead of the race, Catholic Schools Superintendent Mazie McCoy, Ed.D., joined Cardinal DiNardo and Auxiliary Bishop Italo Dell’Oro, CRS, in greeting the racers from the starting stage.
“Each year, we come together as one community bonded together by our Catholic faith to celebrate the gift of Catholic education,” she said. “It is not a Catholic school’s event, but a Catholic community event. Thank you so much for being here to share witness to the transformative gift of Catholic education.”
By the end of the morning, more than 10,375 were registered for the event this year, including hundreds of Catholic school families, students, teachers, staff, supporters, dozens of clergy, women religious and more. Funds raised at Steps for Students are allocated to the schools for tuition assistance, scholarships and other school needs.
St. Mary Catholic School in League City won the David Guite Spirit Award, the highest honor given by the Steps for Students race committee and in memory of David Guite, a strong advocate for Catholic education and founding member of the Steps for Students event. St. Peter Catholic High School won the President’s Cup, a foot-and-a-half tall silver-hued metal trophy recognizing the high school with the largest percentage of participation in Steps for Students based on enrollment.
Next year, organizers are set to celebrate the love of Catholic education as the next race is set for Feb. 14, 2026. To learn more about Steps for Students, and to support a school near you, visit www.steps4students.org. †
Herald Staff Report
HOUSTON — Forty men from 30 area churches were ordained as permanent deacons, including two medical doctors, a pair of brothers and a deacon who works for NASA.
Daniel Cardinal DiNardo ordained two groups of deacons at separate Masses on the evening of Feb. 14 and the morning of Feb. 15 at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in downtown Houston.
“I beg and ask you to be deacons of service and of charity,” Cardinal DiNardo said in his homily.
“‘The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve,’” he reminded the congregation, with more than 2,550 attending both of the Masses altogether. He also reflected on how these 40 men comprised the final ordination of his time as the ordinary of the Archdiocese.
He encouraged them to remain close to the Blessed Mother, offering a prayer to the Virgin Mary for deacons that said: “Teacher of that service, which is hidden, who by your everyday and ordinary life filled with love knew how to cooperate with the salvific plan of God in an exemplary fashion, make deacons good and faithful servants by teaching them the joy of serving the Church with an ardent love.”
Among the 40 new deacons, Dr. Jon Nguyen of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish,
off of 290 in Houston, works as an emergency room surgeon while his wife is a dentist, and they’re raising three children. “Given a choice, I would have been happy staying a choir member, but God had other plans,” Nguyen said.
His older brother, Dr. Minh Nguyen of St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish, had his own spiritual journey and was also ordained on Feb. 14. Jon Nguyen said, “We didn’t realize we were in the same program until our first day of class together at St.
Mary’s Seminary.”
Minh Nguyen said the experience has brought his family a lot closer, especially his relationship with his wife.
“We talked to each other more, and during the whole process, she audited every single class with me. So everywhere I go, she is a part of it,” he said.
He said the only thing that his wife didn’t share with him was to take the exam, “But she got to pray for me to get past the exam.”
“But we have spent time, and we’re able to share through our reflection between us a lot more,” he said. “The people around me, my grown-up children, see that, and they’re supporting it.”
Dr. Brad Snyder, a medical doctor now a newly ordained deacon, serves at Christ the Redeemer Parish. Despite being a busy bariatric surgeon in the Cypress area, married with six children, Deacon Snyder said a years-long yearning to become a deacon finally came to fruition.
“I had a longing to go deeper in my faith, and this is where it led me,” he said, so both he and his wife began the six years of classes, pastoral training and ministry programs.
Snyder said going through his formation changed the dynamic of his marriage and family.
“My wife Michelle has journeyed this entire six years; she’s been on all the formation with me,” he said. “But also on a deeper level, understanding our marriage better, that original vocation we both had, the gift of our children, just more appreciation, more gratitude for what God has done for us, and just seeing in light of His love.”
When discussing his journey, Steven Stich, program manager for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, said it was a discernment process each year, each day, and each class.
“(My wife) Sherry and I committed each and every semester to follow God’s will, to listen to the Holy Spirit in our journey,” he said.
Stich said his complex job for NASA — launching crew members into space — would often make him think about how six years of formation and his path to permanent diaconate were all going to work out.
“Every single time, God cleared the way. God made a path for me to continue with formation and to be at a Saturday event or a class on Monday night or something else,” he said. “And so as each one of those things happened time and time again, to me, that was the clear signal that Sherry and I are on the right path.” †
easy. Hope is also a form of trust in and surrendering to our loving God. We have faith in His goodness, and we trust His guidance for our lives and future. And, while hope is a gift, it is also an active choice we make to stretch toward God’s goodness.
This stretching exercise can take many forms as we live the days of Lent through prayer, fasting and almsgiving.
PRAY WITH HOPE
The season of Lent calls us to deepen our prayer lives. St. Padre Pio’s famous phrase, “Pray, hope and don’t worry,” is a reminder that prayer can give us comfort when we place our hope in God. Prayer shows our reliance on God as well as our confidence in God. Along with praying traditional Catholic prayers, it is helpful to pray with God’s word. This Lent, renew your prayer life by reflecting on these hope-filled Scripture passages:
• “We who have taken refuge might be strongly encouraged to hold fast to the hope that lies before us. This we have as an anchor of the soul, sure and firm.”Heb 6:18–19
• “Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer.” - Rom 12:12
• “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” - Rom 15:13
• “Let us hold unwaveringly to our
confession that gives us hope, for he who made the promise is trustworthy.” - Heb 10:23.
Another way to deepen our faith this Lent is to learn and recite the Act of Hope. Consider God’s mercy as you reflect on Christ’s death and resurrection and find hope in the promise of salvation: “O my God, relying on your infinite mercy and promises, I hope to obtain pardon of my sins, the help of your grace, and life everlasting, through the merits of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Redeemer. Amen.”
During Lent, Catholics are called to days of fasting from food and abstinence from meat as we refocus our discipleship. The goal of fasting is to improve our relationship with Christ as we experience sacrifice in honor of His sacrifice for us. Fasting can help us feel connected with Christ and solidarity with the poor. Many Catholics also traditionally “give up” something for Lent. Here are some ideas to make your Lenten sacrifice a hopebuilding exercise.
Refrain from negative or hopeless comments; try saying things only in
positive ways. Avoid watching television or movies with negative messages or dialogue. Give away items that are burdening you with clutter; find new homes for them with a charity donation. Trade the time you usually spend on screens or sports viewing to take walks with family or friends. Skip buying desserts or treats and use the money you save to purchase flowers for someone who needs a day-brightener.
As you fast, consider Pope Francis’ April 2017 TED Talk in which he addressed misconceptions around hope. “Feeling hopeful does not mean to be optimistically naive and ignore the tragedy humanity is facing,” he said. “Hope is the virtue of a heart that doesn’t lock itself into darkness, that doesn’t dwell on the past, (that) does not simply get by in the present, but is able to see a tomorrow.”
GIVE ALMS WITH HOPE
“It is in giving that we receive,” according to the Prayer of St. Francis. Almsgiving can seem the easiest of Lenten disciplines. Most of our parishes have opportunities to donate funds to missions or the poor, and these are
we exercise our hope this Lent by giving our love in time as well as in treasure.
This Lent, consider volunteering time at your parish during one of their Lenten activities or help clean or decorate the church in preparation for Holy Week. Write cards to family and friends expressing ways they help you feel more hopeful and thanking them for their support. At Mass, introduce yourself to one new person each week of Lent and show them God’s love by sitting with them during the Liturgy. Actively watch for someone each day who needs an extra helping hand in your family, in your neighborhood, at work or at school. Write down the names of those you encounter who need an extra dose of love and support. Pray for them and check in with them during Lent to show your care.
St. Bonaventure stated, “Three things are necessary to everyone: truth that brings understanding, love of Christ which brings compassion and endurance of hope which brings perseverance.” While Lent is traditionally the season to renew and refocus our discipleship through deeper experiences of prayer, fasting and almsgiving, it is important to remember that Christians are also called
This Lent, let us work to become more understanding, compassionate and faithful through developing a habit of
Erin O’Leary is a religious educator in Minnesota who writes for OSV News.
Dear brothers and sisters,
On Jan. 20, Pope Francis accepted my resignation from the pastoral governance of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston and has appointed Bishop Joe S. Vásquez, Bishop of Austin, Texas, as my successor. As I stated on that day, I am delighted by the appointment of Bishop Vásquez as our next Archbishop and I’m grateful to the Holy Father for naming an experienced, prayerful and humble Shepherd to lead this local Church.
On the Feast of the Holy Family in December of last year, I celebrated a “Jubilee of Hope” Opening Mass at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Houston; Auxiliary Bishop Italo Dell’Oro, CRS, celebrated a “Jubilee of Hope” Opening Mass at St. Mary Cathedral Basilica in Galveston later that day.
Pope Francis stated in his February 2022 letter announcing the Jubilee 2025: “We must fan the flame of hope that has been given us and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart and far-sighted vision. The forthcoming Jubilee can contribute greatly to restoring a climate of hope and trust as a prelude to the renewal and rebirth that we so urgently desire.”
The Jubilee Year offers us opportunities to experience various jubilee events at the Vatican and in our own Archdiocese, and I encourage all the faithful to participate.
Beyond such opportunities, numerous ministries continue to serve the people of Galveston-Houston. For example, the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council engages the diverse faithful of the Archdiocese and addresses significant pastoral needs and concerns through investigation, reflection and feedback. Through these actions, this representative body of the laity, religious and clergy assists in the articulation of a vision and proposes long term plans to develop the faith community.
The Catholic Chaplain Corps (CCC) provides sacramental and pastoral care to the patients, families and staff of hospitals and institutions of the Texas Medical Center, plus other hospitals,
nursing homes and inpatient hospices throughout the Archdiocese. In addition to its exemplary staff of Priests and Lay Chaplains, the CCC equips and supports Catholic laypersons to serve as Pastoral Visitors, who address spiritual and emotional needs through empathic listening, intercessory prayer and relevant scripture.
The Office of Pro-Life Activities strives to support the dignity of all human life from conception to natural death. The office works to educate and to advocate for society’s most vulnerable on issues of abortion, euthanasia, capital punishment and Catholic bioethics. The Office strives to bring God’s loving mercy to men and women in need of support and healing through the Gabriel Project (pregnancy assistance), Project Rachel (healing after abortion), and Jerome’s Hope (miscarriage and infant loss) apostolates.
These are just a few examples of the service and formation taking place in our local Church. On behalf of the many ministries in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston which depend on your support, thank you for your kind contributions and generosity of spirit. As your shepherd, I am constantly encouraged by your great generosity, your trust, and your fervor for the faith. Therefore, in the spirit of transparency, I am pleased to share with you the Archdiocesan financial statements for the fiscal year which ended June 30, 2024. If you are interested, the audited financials of the chancery office of the Archdiocese can be found in their entirety at www.archgh.org/accounting.
Once again, thank you for your continued prayers and support of this local Church, and be assured of my prayers for you and your family.
With every good wish in the Lord, I remain
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Daniel Cardinal DiNardo Apostolic Administrator of Galveston-Houston
6,524 infant baptisms
13,539 celebrated their first communion
6,599 child baptisms*
9,098 youths and adults were confirmed *ages 1-7
801 adult baptisms
3 priests ordained
2,706 couples were married
3 transitional deacons ordained
HOUSTON — In the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, ministries extended their care and dedication to the faithful by offering programs, conferences and presentations to reach people in the pews and in the margins.
In the heart of the Archdiocese is a strong foundation of unwavering support and commitment to its priests and youth. Priests are the leaders of the Archdiocese, and the youth are its future.
The empowerment of youth ministry leaders plays a crucial role in fostering adolescents’ faith and spiritual growth, ultimately guiding the young Church into a full, active and conscious participation in Christ’s mission.
Tim Colbert, director of OACE in the Archdiocese, emphasizes the significance of evangelizing and discipling each generation of youth for the present and future of the Church.
“OACE’s mission is to provide formation, leadership and resources in Comprehensive Youth Ministry so our parish leaders have the tools necessary to form our Catholic adolescents into lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ,” Colbert said.
More than 1,600 youth attended the Archdiocesan Youth Conference (AYC), which is the largest evangelizing event for older adolescents and is hosted by the Office of Adolescent Catechesis and Evangelization (OACE).
The ministry emphasizes the significance of faith formation programs, retreats and events like AYC in facilitating profound encounters with the love and mercy of Jesus Christ for adolescents. Through such initiatives, OACE empowers parish leaders to cultivate lifelong discipleship among Catholic youth, thereby ensuring the vitality of the Church’s mission for generations to come.
Colbert said the Archdiocesan Youth Council also plays a vital role in guiding OACE to meet the needs of each new generation.
“The Archdiocesan Youth Council provides insights into the adolescent experience today and how the young Church may be evangelized,” Colbert said. “They provide leadership for various Archdiocesan-wide programs, develop themes and prayer experiences, and offer insights into the adolescent experience during regular meetings with OACE leadership and an annual meeting with His Eminence Daniel Cardinal DiNardo.”
The Ministry to Priests guides them through the intricacies of their calling while ensuring they remain in good spiritual, mental and physical health along the journey.
“If our priests are happy, healthy and leading holy lives, they are better prepared to support and care for the people in the pews,” said Father Thomas “Tom” Rafferty, the ministry’s director. “My number one priority is to support them as a fellow priest as they navigate through life’s daily challenges and issues, very much like those faced by the people they serve every day.”
Father Rafferty said the ministry offers regular opportunities for confession, spiritual direction, and retreats to help priests deepen their faith and maintain their spiritual health, including a bi-annual Convocation Week event held in Galveston in May.
The ministry also organizes workshops and seminars and provides additional resources to enhance the priests’ pastoral skills and address everyday challenges or complex issues faced in their roles. This includes helping newly ordained and international priests become better
acquainted with each other and assimilated into the presbyterium of the Archdiocese. Additionally, the ministry creates a supportive community where priests can connect, share experiences, and find encouragement through hospitality and fraternity with one another.
“In my role as director of the Ministry to Priests, it’s important to be mindful of the priests’ needs, to inspire them, to lend an ear, and to reach out to those in need, either with a phone call or in-person visit,” Father Rafferty said. “I want my brother priests to know they have someone in their corner to look after their overall spiritual health and pastoral care. I will even come to their parish to celebrate Mass for them if they are sick, need a vacation or just have to be away from the parish for personal or work reasons.”
Some have said that because Father Rafferty grew up in the Greater Heights neighborhood and has lived here his entire life, he knows Houston — and Houston knows him. His vast network of resources available for priests includes medical professionals that he personally knows and can recommend if a priest gets sick or
431 priests supported by the Clergy Formation Office
38,089 PreK through 8th grade students in religious education
427 deacons supported by the Permanent Diaconate Office
15,427 high school students in religious education
requires a medical specialist. He also has experience with many resources, offering assistance with accounting, bookkeeping and other administrative tasks to successfully operate a parish.
Despite the geographical distance, Father Rafferty said he makes a point to visit with priests in parishes located in rural areas and on the outskirts of the Archdiocese to check on their needs and to get to know them better.
“Staying connected with each other is paramount for all priests in the Archdiocese, especially those outside of Harris County,” Father Rafferty said. “We priests are a support network, always watching out for one another. If a priest comes across another priest in need, I want them to know they can reach out to me anytime, and I will contact them.”
Father Rafferty also likes to remind the priests of the importance of selfcare, with the understanding that taking a day for themselves is acceptable.
In his role as director, Father Rafferty said he maintains an open line of communication with Cardinal DiNardo to pro-vide a general report on how well the priests are doing across the Archdiocese. This gives him
389 sisters and religious women serve in the Archdiocese
12,575 students in Catholic lower schools
46 Archdiocesen seminarians in formation
5,760 students in Catholic high schools
the opportunity to discuss emerging or evolving situations that require attention, as well as offer suggestions for instances where direct outreach from the cardinal to a priest may be warranted.
“It’s reassuring for priests to know that the cardinal and Ministry to Priests are deeply invested and supportive of them, that they don’t carry their burdens alone,” Father Rafferty said. “We care about them as individuals, about their spiritual and mental health and satisfaction in living out their lifelong vocation to serve the people of God.”
The Catholic Church places great importance on sacred Liturgy as the central act of worship, where the faithful have a personal encounter with God and participate in the mysteries of their faith.
The Office of Worship in the Archdiocese has a mission to ensure that the sacred Liturgy remains the primary source of spiritual growth, development of the Church, and encounters with Christ for all faithful.
To fulfill this mission, the Office of Worship serves as a resource center that provides ministry formation opportunities, liturgical materials and guidelines, and parish consultations that support the entire life of faith. The ministry also promotes divine worship and liturgical music in line with Church directives, assists in preparing enriching liturgical celebrations, and fosters sacred art and architecture for worship.
According to the director of the Office of Worship, Adam Brill, assisting parishes with forming their liturgical ministers encourages well-celebrated Liturgies where the faithful can experience an intimate encounter with Christ. “The largest benefit of the Office of Worship is that we help with all the behind-the-scenes details — the ins and
outs of Liturgy — to avoid any confusion caused by rubrics and options,” said Brill. “This allows the clergy of our Archdiocese, especially our episcopal leaders, to be less concerned about these details, but rather, to lead us in prayer with devotion and joy.”
Brill said the Office of Worship conducts workshops offering comprehensive formation and continuing education opportunities to parish liturgical ministers in English and Spanish. Additionally, dedicated support is extended to those guiding the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults in their respective parishes.
Karina Herrera-Inzunza, who has been involved with the Office of Worship for close to 30 years, first attended training for choirs, lectors and other liturgical roles and remains a devoted volunteer.
“If we want to serve God and our Church, we cannot just give halfway,” said Herrera-Inzunza. “In order to give our very best to the Lord, we need to be properly trained and informed. The Office of Worship is key in instructing our liturgical ministers, which I feel is of utmost importance so every minister in every parish is properly trained.”
Brill said to support the growing needs of the faithful in the Archdiocese, the ministry would like to expand and enrich its programs and services.
“Due to the vast geographic size of our Archdiocese and multicultural demographics, we have found there is a need for more support and formation opportunities on the ground regionally rather than more centralized programs,” Brill said. “We are hoping to develop more online and hybrid programs to allow us to be present more effectively in individual communities rather than expecting them to come to us.”
The Archdiocese continues to help parishes and their schools in need of rebuilding, repairs and maintenance.
St. Joseph Parish in Baytown, which is also home to St. Joseph Regional School led by Sister Maureen Nwajiobi and Father Thuc Nguyen, is in the process of replacing the church’s HVAC
1,662 attended the Archdiocesan Youth Conference
2,650 young adults are served by local campus ministry centers
2,594 youth attended retreats at Camp Kappe
1,900 young adults attended Café Catholica and Café Catholica Lite programs
chiller system and completing church sanctuary renovations for mold and mildew remediation.
The parish and school continue to host Mass in the parish’s activity center as renovations continue to take place. The parish also was able to repaint and renew the exterior of its rectory.
Nearby, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, also in Baytown, a grant enabled the parish to restore its own parish hall from termite damage. The hall serves as the parish’s food pantry to serve those in the Baytown area with food insecurity.
Several parishes, including Our Lady of Sorrows in the Greater Fifth Ward, St. Jerome in Houston, St. Philip Neri in Houston and Christ Our Light in Navasota, received grants to help replace aging air conditioning and HVAC systems. Prolonged summer heat waves strained the HVAC systems in place, leading to increased energy costs and system breakdowns.
Another grant supported CROSS Academy schools, such as the St. Christopher School in Houston’s Park Place neighborhood, which replaced its own HVAC system as an Archdiocesan task force examines CROSS Academy campuses for repair assessments. †
1,603 attended the Office of Aging‘s Senior Senate meetings
1,000 young adults attended Vigilia Pastoral
759 receive the Office of Aging newsletter
301 registrants for the Parish Engagement Conference
For the Years Ended June 30, 2024 and 2023
Pray for the following priests whose anniversaries of death are during the month of March.
March 1, 1874 Rev. William McSweeney
March 1, 2013 Msgr. Albert J. Beck
March 2, 2003 Rev. Joseph R. Murphy, SSJ
March 3, 1947 Rev. John Casserly
March 5, 1918 Rev. J.L. Bussant
March 6, 1992 Rev. Marius Zadinski, OCARM
March 7, 1933 Rev. John E. Kalas
March 8, 1976 Msgr. Francis Klinkacek
March 8, 1983 Rev. Lawrence J. MacLellan, SSJ
March 10, 1987 Rev. Joel Gromowski, CP
March 11, 2010 Rev. Hubert J. Kealy
March 12, 1886 Rev. Augustine d’Asti, OFM
March 12, 1979 Rev. Alois J. Pavelka
March 13, 1996 Msgr. John L. Fos
March 14, 1861 Rev. Jacques S. Valois
March 14, 1994 Rev. Thomas J. Sheehy, SCJ
March 14, 2008 Rev. Jerome Burnet, OMI
March 15, 1898 Bishop Peter Dufal, CSC
March 15, 1921 Rev. T.A. Billy
March 15, 1924 Rev. Claude C. Clair
March 16, 1929 Rev. William J. Skocek
March 16, 1991 Rev. Marion L. Polker
March 17, 1916 Rev. William Marr, CSC
March 18, 1992 Rev. John R. Feidler
March 18, 2003 Rev. Gabriel Akemu, MSP
March 18, 2013 Rev. Robert D. Carlson
March 20, 2001 Rev. D. Richard Toye, SJ
March 21, 1922 Rev. Wenceslaus Demel
March 21, 1932 Rev. P.M. Lennartz
March 21, 1955 Rev. Thomas P. O’Rourke, CSB
March 21, 2009 Rev. Gerald Donovan, OP
March 23, 1934 Rev. Bernard Lee
March 24, 1990 Bishop John L. Morkovsky
March 24, 1996 Rev. Sofronio A. Aranda
March 25, 1941 Msgr. Ignatius J. Szymanski
March 25, 1978 Rev. Richard J. Jeffery, CSB
March 26, 1880 Rev. Lawrence Glynn
March 27, 1930 Rev. J.H. Kelly
March 27, 1942 Rev. Kasper Kacer
March 27, 2000 Rev. John E. McManus, CSB
March 28, 2008 Msgr. William L. Broussard
March 31, 1988 Bishop Vincent M. Harris
March 31, 1994 Rev. Richard J. Allard, CSB
Father James Joseph Gaunt, CSB
HOUSTON — Father James Joseph Gaunt, CSB, died on Feb. 8 at St. Dominic Village. He was 90.
He was a member of the Congregation of St. Basil (Basilian Fathers) for 70 years and a priest for 60 years. He was a high school teacher at St. Thomas High School, then served as its principal from 1976 to 1981. He taught science at the University of St. Thomas from 1985 to 1990, after which he served the Basilian Fathers as novice master until 1993. He then became pastor at Sacred Heart parish in Manvel until 2007.
A funeral Mass was held on Thursday, Feb. 13, at St. Anne Church in Houston. Interment is at the Basilian plot in Forest Park Cemetery Lawndale. †
HOUSTON — Magnify will be held Saturday, March 22, from noon to 8:15 p.m. at St. Mary’s Seminary, located at 9845 Memorial Dr. in Houston.
Open to young adults, the day includes a keynote speaker, small group discussions, workshops, Mass, and time for social activities. This is a bilingual event with offerings available in English and Spanish.
The cost is $55 if registered by March 17, or $65 at the door. For more information and to register, visit www.archgh.org/magnify. †
HOUSTON — The Houston Astros will take on the New York Mets for Catholic Family Night at Daikin Park in downtown Houston on Saturday, March 29, during the first homestand and Opening Week. The game starts at 6:10 p.m. A portion of every ticket purchased will support Steps for Students tuition assistance fund benefiting Catholic schools in the Archdiocese. To purchase tickets, visit www.archgh.org/astros25. Tickets are currently on sale. †
Catholic Charities’ food assistance continues in three counties
HOUSTON — Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston continues offering food assistance at several locations.
In Houston, walk-up food distributions at the Guadalupe Center (326 S. Jensen St.) are Tuesdays for seniors, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. No appointment is necessary. Call 713-251-6919 for more information.
The Beacon of Hope Isle Market in Galveston (4700 Broadway, Suite B-101) is open for appointments Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. To make an appointment, which is required, call 409-762-2064. Emergency pre-packaged food bags are available on Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 409-762-2064 for more information. In Fort Bend County, the Mamie George Community Center (1111 Collins Rd., Richmond) is available for in-person shopping by appointment only. Hours are Monday noon to 2:30 p.m. and Tuesday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Clients already registered with a food pantry in the Houston Food Bank system may make an appointment for drive-through distribution on Tuesday from 3 to 6 p.m. and Thursday from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. For help, call 281-202-6200. For more information, including the latest dates and hours, visit www.catholiccharities.org/ food or call 713-526-4611.
Course Dates, Time and Locations:
Two Locations: Tuesdays, 10 am– 1pm at St. Anthony Padua in The Woodlands 7801 Bay Branch Dr., The Woodlands TX 77382
Dates: August 20, Sept 10, Oct 1 and 22, 2024
Thursdays, 10 am 1 pm St. Dominic Village in the Texas Med Center 2403 Holcomb Blvd, Houston TX 77021
Dates: Aug 22, Sept 12, Oct 3 & 24, 2024
For information on registration for our next training course which begins Fall 2024
Contact us at: 713-747-8445
Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston (archgh.org)
In Advent of 2011, the U.S. began using the third English translation edition of the Order of the Mass. What was your experience of this transition? Perhaps it was a bit strange to be praying phrases like “and with your Spirit,”“Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof,” or “through my most grievous fault.” However, from our current perspective, those responses are commonplace. One danger we have with these prayers that are repeated so frequently is that they become so habitual that the intentionality behind them is lost. Each and every word is chosen for a reason to guide us into the mystery of God’s action unfolding right in front of us.
Starting this Lent, we have another opportunity to intentionally hear God speak to us anew as the new translation of the Order of Christian Initiation of
by MATT KIERNAN
Adults (OCIA) will be used. You may notice this translation in the upcoming Rite of Sending at your parish, the Rite of Election with the bishop, the scrutinies and even the Easter Vigil.
One question you may have is, what if I am not involved in the ministry of initiation?
How does this impact me? The ministry of initiation is the responsibility of all the baptized, so your example and participation are important even if you don’t realize it. Yet, if you still feel disconnected, we can return to the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, which expresses the nature of Lent in this way, “the two elements which are
especially characteristic of Lent — the recalling of Baptism or the preparation for it, and penance” (SC, 109). The Lenten journey embodies a baptismal character, and this is something in which we can all participate. The new OCIA translation also can help us to do so.
As an example, the first scrutiny, which is celebrated on the third Sunday of Lent, has an intercession that prays, “That we ourselves, in preparation for the Paschal Feasts, may correct our minds, raise our hearts and perform works of charity.”The second scrutiny echoes this with an intercession that goes, “That all of us, by the example of our conduct, may become in Christ a light for the world.” Likewise, the third scrutiny also has an intercession for the baptized that says, “That we ourselves, as the Paschal Solemnities draw near, may be strengthened in the hope of rising
During this month when we celebrate love, we often look only at the love that we share with one another and forget that each one of us is actually caught up in the greatest love story of all time — the love that created us, formed us, brought us into being and sustains us throughout our lifetime, the love of God. God shows us in so many ways how much we are loved if we keep our eyes and hearts open to see. God tells us in Scripture how much we are loved:
“I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love, I have drawn you to myself.” (Jer 31:3)
“You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you.” (Songs 4:7)
MOVIE RATINGS By OSV News
A-I – SUITABLE FOR ALL
• Paddington in Peru (PG)
A-II – SUITABLE FOR OLDER CHILDREN
• Dog Man (PG)
A-III – ADULTS AND ADOLESCENTS
• A Complete Unknown (R)
• Back in Action (PG-13)
• Captain America: Brave New World (PG-13)
• Flight Risk (R)
• I’m Still Here (PG-13)
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.” (Jn 15:9)
“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing.” (Zeph 3:17)
“I will be your God throughout your lifetime — until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.” (Is 46:4)
We are the beloved of God — God calls us beautiful, draws us to Himself, loves us like He loves the Father, quiets us with love, dances and exults over us in love, and is with us our whole life long.
by KRISTINE KERLIN
God manifests His love for us in nature and the beautiful environment He has given us to enjoy, “The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display His craftsmanship. Day after day, they continue to speak; night after night, they make Him known.” (Ps 19:1-2)
Welcome the new day, give thanks for the gift of life and let God love you through the night. Just as we are made in the image of God, so too is each and every person we meet. “So, God created human beings in His own image. In the image of God, He created them; male and female, He created them.” (Gen 1:27)
Loving one another is not just the
again with Christ.”
What would our Lent look like if we reflected on those intercessions? What in my mind needs to be corrected to follow Jesus? Is my example a light for the world? Do I truly live in the hope of the resurrection? An intentional Lent in that fashion would uncover, then heal all that is weak, defective, or sinful and bring out, then strengthen that which is upright, strong, and good. This is the purpose of the elect, but the opportunity exists for us as well. I pray that you have a fruitful Lent growing in your appreciation of Baptism and that this new OCIA translation gives you the foundation to be the disciple that our Lord is calling you to. †
Matt Kiernan is the associate director for Sacrament Preparation for the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis.
• Love Hurts (R)
• You’re Cordially Invited (R)
L – LIMITED MATURE AUDIENCE
• Better Man (R)
• Wolf Man (R)
O – MORALLY OFFENSIVE
• Den of Thieves 2: Pantera (R)
• Heart Eyes (R)
• Nosferatu (R)
• One of Them Days (R)
▶ For full movie reviews, visit www. osvnews.com/category/reviews
grand gestures of chocolates, roses and dinners out. Seeing God in one another and showing love often means listening. How can we truly see God in another person if we do not give people our attention and seek to understand who they are? Compassion, kindness and appreciation are all things that nurture and grow love. The next time you see someone, look and listen with the eyes of love.
Let’s discover together all the ways that God is loving us — each and every day!
“So, we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” (1 Jn 4:16) †
Kristine Kerlin is the director of the Office of Aging.
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What are you doing for Lent? Who are you doing it for?
Growing up, my primary association with Lent was having to give something up. We’ve all been there, right? As I grew older, I was introduced to the practice of adding something as well, like adding a particular prayer to my daily routine.
When I was in college, I grew a great deal in my faith and became very active at St. Mary’s Catholic Center at Texas A&M University. My newfound zeal for my faith led to a desire to amp up my Lenten practices. One year, I committed to a strict fast, eating only bread and water, for multiple days of the week. I don’t remember how long I lasted, but it definitely was not for all of Lent. Looking back, I realize that not only was I trying to take on too much, too fast (no
pun intended), but I wasn’t really doing it for the right reasons. I felt like I had something to prove and taking on a major Lenten practice was a badge of honor. It was more about me than it was about God.
Our faith is always about growing in our relationship with Jesus Christ, and Lent is an opportunity to do that in a particular way. Throughout Lent, we follow Christ all the way to the cross. We are reminded that He died and rose again for our sake. And so, we ask ourselves, what might I give in return? How might I grow closer to the one who will stop at nothing to draw nearer to me? This is the context in which we should discern, with God, what practices we want to take on for Lent.
Traditionally, Lent is a time of prayer,
by REV. TUCKER REDDING, SJ
fasting and almsgiving. Here are different ways that we might think of these practices:
Prayer: How do we communicate with God now, and how might that communication improve, either in quantity or quality? If we don’t make much time for prayer now, this is a great time to try out new practices. What kind of prayer speaks to you? If you already pray regularly, what might enhance that prayer?
Fasting: This might be what we are most familiar with: giving something up. This doesn’t need to be drastic or a form of torture, but it also shouldn’t be arbitrary. This is a chance to look at our attachments. Is there anything that I need to be willing to let go of for the sake of my relationship with God, others and myself? What might help me to be a
better person? A better Christian? Almsgiving: Our faith is never just about ourselves and God. Love of God and love of neighbor cannot be separated. Almsgiving is a chance to focus on those in need in our community. This could be a monetary gift to those in need. Perhaps if we save money from fasting from something, the proceeds could be donated to a good cause. We shouldn’t just think of this in terms of money. How can we serve? How can we draw nearer to Christ in the poor and vulnerable among us by volunteering? Whatever we choose to do this Lent, let it be focused on growing closer to Christ. It is not about perfection but about progress, not about proving ourselves but about responding to God’s infinite love. In all that we do, let it be for the greater glory of God. †
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Catholics cannot confine their faith to the Liturgy but must fully engage and dialogue with the culture that surrounds them, said the cardinal responsible for the Church’s engagement with the world of culture.
“We cannot close the Christian experience in a kind of parenthesis that is only the Liturgy,” José Cardinal Tolentino de Mendonça, prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education, told Catholic News Service (CNS) Feb. 14. “Culture cannot be at the margins of faith. We must live in culture, accompany it, inhabit it, seeking to build a unity with what we believe.”
Ahead of the Jubilee for Artists and the World of Culture, the cardinal told CNS that Catholics can often attend Mass on Sunday and then return to consuming secular culture in their ordinary lives “without building a bond between them” or developing “a unity of all aspects of life.”
“But the important thing is that Christianity and Catholic culture help to form mature people who are not afraid of life, who are capable of being serene judges, who are capable of creating dialogue,” he said.
The Jubilee for Artists and the World of Culture was scheduled to take place at the Vatican Feb. 15 to 18. However, Pope Francis’ meeting with artists and other figures from the cultural realm at the Vatican and his visit to the Cinecittà movie studios in Rome were canceled when he was admitted to the hospital on
Feb. 14 with bronchitis.
Cardinal Tolentino, an artist in his own right who has published more than a dozen collections of poetry, was scheduled to celebrate Mass for the Jubilee in St. Peter’s Basilica Feb. 16.
Also included in the Jubilee schedule is a meeting of directors from some of the world’s most prominent museums, including the Louvre in Paris and the National Gallery in Washington, to reflect on the promotion and transmission of religious and artistic heritage. The Jubilee is expected to bring artists, writers,
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Church needs you and turns to you.”
During the Holy Year 2000, St. John Paul II called for a revival of the “fruitful alliance” between the Church and art, and Pope Francis met with artists in the Sistine Chapel in 2023 to mark the 50th anniversary of the inauguration of the contemporary art section in the Vatican Museums.
The cardinal emphasized that the ongoing relationship could result in new forms of spiritual and religious expression, but he warned against religious art becoming merely a museum relic admired only for its aesthetic value rather than as a living expression of faith.
“In modernity, the beauty of Christianity and its expressions are somewhat ‘the beauty of the dead,’” he said. “It is in the museum because it is not in life.”
musicians and cultural figures from more than 100 countries to the Vatican.
Despite having a close relationship with artists for hundreds of years, for much of the modern period, there has been a “reciprocal mistrust” between the world of arts and culture and the Catholic Church, he said. Many artists feared the Church wanted to impose rigid standards, while many in the Church wanted to distance themselves from artists producing work that could be seen as overly provocative.
That changed, he said, when St. Paul VI met with artists in the Sistine Chapel at the close of the Second Vatican Council in 1965 and, as pope, told them: “The
However, “the word of God and the Christian experience must remain alive, must bring forth questions, must challenge people with a concrete experience of conversion and transformation,” he noted. For this reason, the cardinal said, the Jubilee aims to reinforce the living dialogue between the Church and artists, ensuring that faith and art continue to inspire and challenge each other in meaningful ways.
“Theology, just as philosophy, is fundamental, but it only reaches a certain point, which is silence, because, after all of the words, God remains a mystery. After all the explanations and all the theology that can be written, God remains as a question,” he said. “What is the human discipline that inhabits questions and silence? Art.” †
Pope appoints religious sister to run Vatican City State
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Franciscan Sister of the Eucharist Raffaella Petrini, secretary-general of the office governing Vatican City State, will become president of the office March 1, the Vatican confirmed.
On an Italian television program in January, Pope Francis announced that Sister Petrini would succeed Fernando Cardinal Alzaga. The Vatican announcement Feb. 15 said Sister Petrini’s appointment would take effect March 1, the day Cardinal Vérgez turns 80 and is required to step down.
Sister Petrini, 56, was born in Rome and made her perpetual vows with the U.S.-based Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist in 2007. The Vatican governor’s office oversees departments as diverse as the Vatican Museums, post office and police force. †
Tuscan bishop laments passage of right-to-die law in Italy, calls it ‘defeat for everyone’
SIENA, Italy (OSV News) — The Regional Council of Tuscany, including jewel Italian cities like Florence and Siena, has approved Italy’s first law regulating medically assisted suicide, making Tuscany the first region to do so in Italy.
Augusto Cardinal Lojudice, head of the Tuscan bishops’ conference, responded by calling the law a “defeat for everyone” and urged chaplains, religious groups, and volunteers to continue offering hope and care for the sick and dying. The law passed on Feb. 11, follows a 2019 ruling by Italy’s Constitutional Court that effectively legalized assisted suicide but called for a legal framework, which has been delayed by parliament. The law allows doctors to refuse participation on moral grounds and sets guidelines for handling requests. Pro-life advocates criticized it harshly, warning it could push vulnerable individuals toward “state-sponsored death” rather than compassionate care. Bishops echoed the criticism, urging lawmakers to focus on palliative care instead. †
(OSV News) — For every disciple to truly become “the salt of the earth and the light of the world” — that is the goal of “I Am the 73rd,” an evangelization initiative of El Sembrador-Nueva Evangelización, a Catholic network also known as ESNE.
For 33 days, those who participate in this encounter with Jesus will travel a path that will lead them to consecrate themselves to Him.
“During this time, one reads and meditates over the four Gospels, prays a daily Rosary, observes Wednesday as a day of fast, and participates in five virtual formation sessions. At the end of this preparation, one participates in a Holy Mass of consecration,” ESNE explains on its website. The Los Angeles-based media apostolate also operates a radio station and broadcasts across the southwestern U.S., Mexico and Spain. It often transmits Masses, prayers and devotional content.
OSV News spoke with Rosie Sayes, executive director of content for ESNE TV, about this initiative — which is available in Spanish and English — and how it has changed the lives of many Catholics who have consecrated themselves to Jesus Christ.
Sayes said that “Yo Soy el 73/I Am the 73rd” is for anyone “who is hungry to get to know Jesus better.” She added that although the initiative already existed before the COVID-19 pandemic, it was during the pandemic lockdowns, amid moments of trial and uncertainty, that many faithful sought to become part of a community of faith like “I Am the 73rd.” Since then, she said, this consecration has taken on more strength, conquering hearts and saving souls.
This project, as Sayes explained, was born from the heart of Noel Diaz, layman and founder of the El Sembrador apostolate. “He is looking for new ways to evangelize, for people to have this encounter, and one of the ways he felt it was needed was by making people fall in
love even more through the Word of God,” Sayes said.
She also explained that Diaz “has always said that you cannot love what you do not know,” and that is why this Catholic project, which develops its activities through Zoom, focuses on knowing the Word to be able to love the Son of God deeply and genuinely.
The name of this evangelizing project, its website explains, comes from a passage in the Gospel according to St. Luke, “in which our Lord Jesus Christ sends out 72 disciples to go ‘ahead of Him in pairs to every town and place He intended to visit’” (Lk 10:1). The project’s name signifies “the need of being the 73(rd) disciple to continue the evangelical mission that Jesus entrusted to the Church.”
“Unfortunately, most of us Catholics are not in the habit of encountering Jesus Christ in the reading of His Word,” reads a Spanish-language statement shared with OSV News. “I Am 73rd aims to bring every Catholic to an encounter through the Holy Scriptures.”
The statement also reads, “We are witnessing many conversions and life transformations through this evangelization project. There is a great hunger and urgency for God in the midst of this world wounded by violence, corruption, perversions and abuses of power.”
Following the consecration to Jesus, participants commit to living “conformed to the heart of Jesus” and become “living testimonies of (Jesus’) mercy,” according to the project’s webpage. Participants can join communities — currently located in California, México and El Salvador — and continue to receive ongoing faith formation.
One of the examples of lives transformed by this evangelization project are Ruth Castro and her husband, Francisco, who are parishioners of St. Anthony’s Church in Upland, California,
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“Let us follow the example of St. Francis of Assisi and take care of our common home.” – Pope Francis
In a continuing effort to provide pastoral care to victims of sexual abuse by clergy or Church personnel, Daniel Cardinal DiNardo would like to remind the faithful of the Archdiocese of the availability of the Victims Assistance Coordinator. Anyone who has been the victim of sexual abuse by clergy or Church personnel is encouraged to call Diane Vines at 713654-5799. Please keep in daily prayers the healing of victims of abuse and all who suffer in any way.
and both are consecrated to Jesus through the “I Am the 73rd” initiative.
“I had previously been invited to consecrations and things like that. I had never accepted to go to any, but in 2022, I called the ESNE radio station because I heard they were going to give catechism classes. They told me, ‘We don’t have
catechism; you’re mistaken,’” recalls Ruth, who is a catechist and server in her parish.
But they gave her a phone number and told her, “Send a message on WhatsApp, and they will answer you.” So, she reached out to that number. “They put me in a group, and it turns out that this group was a Zoom group, and they had already started the classes. So, when I joined, it was already the second or third day of the course,” said Ruth, who is grateful for the happy misunderstanding that made her consecrate herself to Jesus. She added that she tried to share her testimony with everyone she meets, hoping to lead more souls to salvation.
“In October 2022, we were consecrated together, but (Ruth) had already taken the class; she just waited for me,” Francisco said.
Francisco also shared how this consecration radically changed his life. “Before, I heard in the talks, ‘You cannot give what you don’t have,’” he recalled, and while completing the program, he understood what it meant.
“Now I do have something to give!” he said. “Before, I didn’t have God because I didn’t get involved in anything, but now I know about Him, I know His ways, and now I want to walk with Him.” †
Las nuevas políticas de inmigración corren el riesgo de devolver a los migrantes a Estados fallidos y zonas de guerra
(OSV News) — Como parte de los veloces y radicales cambios en la política de inmigración, la administración Trump está tratando de poner fin o restringir severamente dos formas de estatus de inmigración que se han concedido a cientos de miles de personas que escapan de la guerra, los desastres, la violencia y las crisis humanitarias: el Estatus de Protección Temporal y el permiso de permanencia temporal (“parole”) humanitario.
Ambos ofrecen protección temporal frente a la deportación. El TPS, como se conoce al Estatus de Protección Temporal que se concede a quienes proceden de países designados por el Departamento de Seguridad Nacional que atraviesan crisis, suele proporcionar autorización para trabajar. El “parole” humanitario, en cambio, suele concederse caso por caso y, a diferencia del TPS, no garantiza la autorización de trabajo.
Una orden ejecutiva del 20 de enero del presidente Donald Trump puso fin a todos los programas categóricos de parole humanitario, incluidos los programas para los cubanos, haitianos, nicaragüenses y venezolanos, quienes enfrentan emergencias humanitarias, represión, violencia e inestabilidad política.
“Viajaron (a Estados Unidos) confiando en una promesa de nuestro gobierno de que estarían protegidos si seguían las reglas”, dijo a OSV News J. Kevin Appleby, investigador principal de políticas y comunicaciones del Centro de Estudios Migratorios de Nueva York. “Y ahora la administración Trump ha cambiado esas reglas”.
“Ciertamente con la libertad condicional humanitaria, donde invitamos a estos inmigrantes a entrar legalmente y son esencialmente legales, les estamos sacando la alfombra de debajo de los pies”, dijo Appleby, quien se desempeñó como director de política migratoria y asuntos públicos de la Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de Estados Unidos de 1998 a 2016.
El secretario de Estado de la administración Trump, Marco Rubio, confirmó las difíciles condiciones a las que
FOTO DE OSV NEWS
Refugiados Ucranianos que buscan asilo en Estados Unidos hacen fila el 22 de abril de 2022 para abordar un autobús en Tijuana, México.
se enfrentan los cubanos cuando anunció el restablecimiento de una “política dura de Estados Unidos hacia Cuba” el 31 de enero, señalando que Cuba sigue en la lista de Estados patrocinadores del terrorismo del Departamento de Estado. Rubio dijo que el régimen proporciona “alimentos, vivienda y atención médica a asesinos, fabricantes de bombas y secuestradores extranjeros”, mientras que los cubanos — sometidos a opresión y vigilancia — “pasan hambre y carecen de acceso a medicinas básicas”.
Con la terminación oficial el 1 de febrero de la designación de TPS para Venezuela, unos 348.000 venezolanos en EE.UU. se enfrentan ahora a la deportación de vuelta a la nación sudamericana. Su protección finaliza el 7 de abril.
Appleby dijo que el TPS y la retirada de la libertad condicional “violan todos los principios de la democracia que hemos desarrollado a lo largo de los años”.
Pero Andrew R. Arthur, investigador
SEXUAL DEL CLERO
En un continuo esfuerzo por facilitar atención pastoral a las victimas de abuso sexual del clero o del personal de la Iglesia, el Cardenal DiNardo gustaría recordar a los fieles de la Arquidiócesis la disponibilidad del Coordinador de Ayuda a Víctimas. Si alguien ha sido victim de abuso sexual del clero o del personal de la Iglesia, se les anima llamar a la Diane Vines al 713-654-5799. Por favor rece por la sanación de las víctimas del abuso y por todos los que sufren de alguna manera.
residente en derecho y política en el Centro de Estudios de Inmigración de Washington, no estuvo de acuerdo y dijo a OSV News que los programas en sí eran una extralimitación del poder ejecutivo.
“Sólo el Congreso tiene autoridad para permitir que la gente se traslade a Estados Unidos o se reasiente en Estados Unidos”, dijo Arthur. “La libertad condicional (o parole humanitario) en sí es una autoridad muy limitada, no una autoridad categórica. Y se abusó de ella en este caso concreto”.
“Si se trata de buenos programas, (y) se trata de personas necesitadas y merecedoras, la única forma de conseguir que el Congreso actúe ahora es crear una fecha de finalización para estos programas”, dijo. De lo contrario, continuó, “no se haría nada en absoluto con respecto a su situación (de las personas con el permiso de parole humanitario)”.
Arthur, que es católico, añadió: “Confío en que el Congreso haga lo correcto. Espero que los obispos (católicos estadounidenses) también lo hagan”.
También aclaró que “la autoridad que dio el Congreso” respecto al paro está dirigida al secretario de Seguridad Nacional. Dijo que, si bien “hay restricciones con respecto a la concesión del parole”, no hay “ninguna restricción con respecto a ponerle fin”.
Sin embargo, en el caso del programa del parole humanitario para cubanos, haitianos, nicaragüenses y venezolanos — también conocido como el programa CHNV — “todas estas son naciones... que son Estados fallidos”, dijo Appleby. “Básicamente está enviando a personas que tienen una solicitud de asilo justificada de vuelta a sus perseguidores y a posibles daños”.
Appleby dijo que los esfuerzos para eliminar las protecciones clave a la inmigración no tuvieron “en cuenta los derechos humanos o la vida de las personas”, y no mostraron “ninguna empatía por su situación”.
La orden ejecutiva de Trump del 20 de enero también puso en pausa el programa Unidos por Ucrania, también conocido como U4U, lanzado en abril de 2022 para conceder libertad condicional humanitaria a ucranianos calificados e investigados que escapaban de la invasión a gran escala de Rusia.
Los beneficiarios de U4U fueron patrocinados por residentes privados de EE.UU. que los apoyaron financieramente durante su período de libertad condicional. En marzo de 2024, más de 187.000 ucranianos habían llegado a Estados Unidos a través del programa U4U, mientras que otros 350.000 habían sido acogidos principalmente a través de visados temporales.
La administración Biden también había designado a Ucrania para el TPS, y había ampliado ese estatus el 15 de enero hasta el 19 de octubre de 2026.
Durante una rueda de prensa online el 4 de febrero con varios patrocinadores de U4U, el arzobispo metropolitano Borys A. Gudziak, de la Arquidiócesis Católica Ucraniana de Filadelfia, dijo que, aunque 2 millones de migrantes ucranianos en todo el mundo han regresado a su nación desde la invasión rusa de febrero de 2022, “hay millones y millones que no tienen adónde ir” a pesar de querer repatriarse.
“Sus pueblos han sido arrasados, sus ciudades están bajo ocupación” rusa, afirmó el arzobispo Gudziak, que también preside el Comité de Justicia Doméstica y Desarrollo Humano de la Conferencia de los Obispos Católicos de Estados Unidos. Junto con numerosas comunidades religiosas, la Iglesia greco-católica ucraniana “se ha extinguido en todos los lugares donde hay ocupación rusa”, afirmó, añadiendo que sacerdotes y fieles católicos han sido “secuestrados, torturados y asesinados”.
La patrocinadora de U4U, Angela Boelens, dijo durante la convocatoria de prensa que los participantes ucranianos que conoce están “aterrorizados” por la pausa del programa.
“Y es realmente desgarrador, porque estas familias estaban en un estado de trauma cuando llegaron aquí a los EE.UU.”, dijo Boelens.
“Los niños están muy asustados”, añadió.
Durante la rueda de prensa, el arzobispo Gudziak y los patrocinadores participantes de U4U dijeron que el programa también era muy eficaz y rentable, ya que los inmigrantes ucranianos reforzaban la mano de obra local y se ofrecían como voluntarios para ayudar a sus comunidades de adopción.
“Esto es amor, servicio y generosidad que brota a raudales”, dijo el arzobispo. “Esto es lo mejor de Estados Unidos”. †
Contact parishes for latest information. FRIDAYS OF LENT
SACRED HEART FAMILY LIFE CENTER, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. (602 S. Third St., Richmond). $12 plate includes fried or grilled fish, green beans, coleslaw, French fries and hush puppies. Desserts are also available. Dine in, carry out or drive thru. 281342-3609; kathy@sacredhrt.com.
CHRIST THE KING (4419 N. Main St., Houston). $15 plate includes fried fish, rice, French fries, cole slaw and hush puppies. Drinks and desserts sold separately. ctkcc.org.
ST. IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA, 5 to 7 p.m. (7810 Cypresswood Dr., Spring). St. Ignatius of Loyola KofC #10861 hosts a fish fry with $14 plates with two pieces of fish and three sides, $12 plates for one piece of fish and sides, or a $10 child’s plate of one piece of fish and two sides. $5 gumbo is also available. silcc.org/lent-holyweek-schedule.
ST. PHILIP OF NERI, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (10960 Martin Luther King Blvd., Houston). $15 plates include four pieces fried fish, two sides, slice of bread; three pieces of stewed fish in tomato sauce over rice, two sides, slice of bread; or two pieces of stewed fish, one piece of fried fish, two sides, slice of bread. More will be available. Phone orders welcome 281-974-1722. Yard sale all items $2. 713-882-1134.
► FOR SUBMISSION DETAILS AND MORE LISTINGS, VISIT WWW.ARCHGH.ORG/ATA.
FEB. 27
DINNER & PROGRAM, 6 to 10 p.m., Safari Ranch Texas (11627 FM 1464, Richmond). Benefiting Catholic Charities in Fort Bend County, “Mission of Love” features the work of Catholic Charities in Fort Bend County. RSVP: 281-202-6208; sbaker@catholiccharities.org.
FEB. 28
CHOCOLATE FEAST, 7 p.m., St. Rose of Lima (3600 Brinkman, Houston). St. Rose of Lima’s Altar Guild hosts a “Chocoholic Feast” with light dinner, decadent dessert, games and silent auction. parishinfo@stroselima.org; stroselima.org.
FEB. 28-MARCH 1
CONFERENCE, Annunciation (1618 Texas Ave., Houston). Matthew Leonard will lay out the practical steps to achieve union with God through deep prayer even in the midst of this busy, distracting world. Cost: $75 regular admission, $50 for college students. acchtx.org.
MARCH 1
FORMATION PROGRAM, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., St. Dominic Chancery (2403 Holcombe Blvd., Houston). Hosted by Father Kingsley Nwoko,
“Discovering Love with Clarity” is a four-part formation series for single people, dating and engaged couples that explores the meaning of love and discernment toward the vocation of marriage held on four Saturday sessions: March 1, 15, April 5 and May 3. Cost: $40. Register by Feb. 24. archgh.org/discoverlove; 713-7418778; yacm@archgh.org.
CONFERENCE , 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., St. Laurence (3100 Sweetwater Blvd., Sugar Land). Heart of Worship is an all-day spiritual event with talks, music, Mass, Eucharistic Adoration with Procession and dinner. This year’s speakers are Sonja Corbitt and Father Dat Hoang. Cost: $50, includes all programming and dinner. stlaurence.org/how.
PUERI CANTORES , 4:45 p.m., Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart (1111 St. Joseph Pkwy., Houston). Houston Regional Catholic Youth Choral Festival and Mass celebrated by Daniel Cardinal DiNardo. Thirteen children’s and youth choirs and a total of 215 young singers from different parishes and schools around the Archdiocese and neighboring dioceses will participate. Singers will rehearse all day to sing for the Mass. The Mass is open to the public.
CHILI FEST FUNDRAISER , 6 to 9:30 p.m., St. Francis de Sales Catholic School (8100 Roos Rd., Houston). Enjoy chili and pie tastings, Texas wine and beer, live music, two-step dance lessons and a silent auction in support of Catholic education. Cost: $45 per person; tickets: sfdsschool.org.
MARCH 6-7
TRAINING, St. Dominic Chancery (2403 Holcombe Blvd., Houston). The Office of Family Life invites those who feel a called to serve and accompany people that are grieving the loss of loved ones to participate in a two-day training designed to grow deeper in knowledge of the faith, equip you with tools, resources and practical guidance to walk with others through their grief. Cost: $150. familylifehouston@ archgh.org.
MARCH 7-9
RETREAT, Friday 6 p.m. to Sunday 1 p.m., LTT Retreat Center (20303 Kermier Rd., Waller). Silent weekend retreat based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, led by Father Jon Budke, LC, with Mass, reconciliation, spiritual direction and personalized formation. Open to all men. Cost: $285-$300. 210-452-9161; escorcia@dfwetc.com.
MARCH 8-9
BAKE SALE, Saturday from 3 to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., St. Katherine Drexel (800 FM 1488, Hempstead). Catholic Daughters of the Americas Mary, Mother of God Court #2084, host a bake sale and resale boutique. www.skdcc.com
MARCH 12
ADORATION HOUR, 7 to 8 p.m., Sacred Heart (507 S 4th St., Richmond). Adoration Hour on the first Wednesday of the month to pray for vocations. Confession and Anointing of the Sick available.
MARCH 13
NETWORKING GROUP, 10 a.m., Holy Family (1510 Fifth St., Missouri City). Talk by Father Orrin Halepeska called “Finding God in All Moments of Ministry” shares insights on how God is present in both moments of joy and struggle, emphasizing His constant presence in our ministry work. Free and open to the public. RSVP: coniperez@sbcglobal.net; starons@ stbchurch.org.
MARCH 15
ST. JOSEPH’S ALTAR, 6:30 p.m., at St. Ignatius of Loyola (7810 Cypresswood Dr., Spring). Feast begins immediately following 5:15 p.m. Mass with traditional children’s procession of the saints. Event features complete Sicilian pasta dinner and multi-item raffle. Homemade Italian cookies and cannoli available for purchase. Free and open to the public. stjosephaltarguild@silcc.org; 713-825-4576.
ROSARY PROCESSION, 8 a.m., Annunciation (1618 Texas Ave., Houston). Holy Mass, followed by the Divine Mercy Chaplet, a light breakfast and a Rosary procession around Discovery Green. annunciationcc.org.
MARCH 17
GOLF, 12 p.m., Wildcat Golf Course (12000 Almeda Rd., Houston). 21st annual Bishop Rizzotto Golf Classic benefits St. Dominic Village. Sponsorship opportunities and individual golfer option available. 713-7418722; rlillie@stdominicvillage.org.
MARCH 21-22
WORKSHOP, Friday from 7 to 9 p.m., and Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Emmaus Spirituality Center (12211 Memorial Dr., Houston). This retreat will deal with the dynamics and healing of anger, fear, guilt, shame and grief so they become drives for new life rather than emotions we wish would disappear. Cost: $75 for both days. emmausspiritualitycenter.com; info@ emmausspiritualitycenter.com.
MARCH 22
GALA, 6 p.m., Ashton Gardens West Houston (18002 Clay Rd., Houston). Epiphany of the Lord Catholic School hosts gala with cocktail hour, dinner, wine pull, silent and live auctions, and dancing. Cost: $125 a ticket. epiphanycatholic. school/support/gala.
LENTEN DAY OF REFLECTION, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., St. Jerome (2749 Hollister Rd., Houston). The St. Maximilian Kolbe Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order and Emmaus Spirituality Center host a Lenten Day of Reflection.
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Cost: $20 and due by March 15. Register at stmaxkolbeofsfraternity.org; 713-299-0224.
MARCH 23
ST. JOSEPH ALTAR, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Christ the Redeemer (11507 Huffmeister, Houston). Spaghetti dinner for $10 for adults and $5 for children. Various Italian desserts and baked goods on sale. Open to the public.
MARCH 29
GALA, 6 to 11 p.m., The Westin Houston, Memorial City (945 Gessner Rd., Houston). Event, “A Night in Tuscany,” includes dinner, silent and live auctions and more to benefit St. Pius X High School Foundation. Tickets and table prices vary. gala@stpiusx.org; stpiusx.org/ gala.
MARCH 30
ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION, noon to 6 p.m., St. John the Evangelist (800 W. Baker Rd., Baytown). Jubilee of Hope “50 Years of Faith & Fellowship: Celebrating the past and embracing the future” features barbecue plates, street food, sweet shop, Bingo, raffle tickets, silent auction, children’s games, music, car show and more. Free entry, cost varies per item. 281-837-8180, office@stjohnbaytown.org.
APRIL 2
ADORATION HOUR, 7 to 8 p.m., Sacred Heart (507 S 4th St., Richmond). Adoration Hour on the first Wednesday of the month to pray for vocations. Confession and Anointing of the Sick available.
For additional listings, visit WWW.ARCHGH.ORG/ATA
HOUSTON — Sister Cecilia Lich Thanh Tran, CCVI, celebrated her perpetual profession of religious vows in the Conventual Chapel of the Immaculate Conception at the Villa De Matel Convent in Houston on Feb. 1, with Auxiliary Bishop Italo Dell’Oro, C.R.S., presiding. Sister Celeste Trahan, congregational leader of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, Houston, received her profession of final vows of chastity, poverty and obedience and presented Sister Tran with a gold ring as a symbol of her permanent bond to God and the congregation.
Sister Trahan prayed the ring would be a reminder to Sister Tran that neither death nor life, nor things present, nor things to come, not anything at all, can ever separate her from the love of Christ Jesus.
After the ritual of perpetual profession, Sister Tran was welcomed as a member of the congregation with these words, “May you live in joy among us, one with us in mind and
heart for mission, faithful bearer of the Gospel of God’s love, sharing all things in common with us now and in the future.” †
HOUSTON — The Society of St.Vincent de Paul (SVdP Houston) announced that Val Senegal will become its executive director on April 1. After a six-month national search, the executive search committee and board of directors selected one of their own to lead SVdP Houston into the future while adapting to a changing world.
Senegal will step into the role after serving as SVdP Houston’s chief program officer. Her guidance enabled the organization to successfully expand the Underserved Communities Initiative and enhance the Systemic Change Initiative: Getting Ahead programs. Before joining SVdP Houston, she spent 20 years addressing education, health and social disparities to improve the lives of vulnerable populations in at-risk and distressed communities.
Senegal succeeds Ann Schorno, who has served as SVdP Houston’s top executive for 15 years. Schorno will remain with SVdP Houston until May 31 to support Senegal during the transition.
“I cannot thank Ann enough for her 15 years of tireless leadership and dedication to the society,” said Gerardo Rivera, board president of SVdP Houston. “Under her guidance, the impact of SVdP Houston in the Archdiocese more than doubled.”
Rivera said he is excited that Senegal has accepted the opportunity to continue her service to the society.
“Val exemplifies leadership, empowerment and a commitment to positive change,” he said. “The board looks forward to working with Val and supporting her in this new role.”
Senegal’s career began with two years of service in AmeriCorps. She brings two decades of experience working with local and national nonprofit organizations that address disparities and serve vulnerable populations, namely the University of Houston: Research Centers in Minority Institutions, Hearts of Hope: Sexual Trauma Center, United Way, National Area Health Education Centers, Junior League, and Jack & Jill of America Inc. †
