Texas Catholic Herald - March 24, 2026

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

WHO IS THIS MAN OF THE SHROUD?

SPIRITUALITY

What Palm Sunday means

BY D.D. EMMONS Special to the Herald

GALVESTON (OSV News) — It is a time of despair, perplexity and contradiction. The very people who applaud Christ’s entrance into Jerusalem that morning, shouting out “Hosanna” and words of adoration, will, within a week, be crying, “Crucify Him.”

They will go from acclaiming Him as the new King of Israel to urging His life be traded in favor of a convicted criminal; they will first praise Him and then mock Him. Even friends entering Jerusalem at His side will desert Jesus.

HOUSTON — A mysterious linen cloth believed by many Christians to be the burial shroud of Jesus Christ will be the focus of a public lecture and temporary exhibit at the University of St. Thomas later this month, offering Catholics a chance to explore one of Christianity’s most studied and debated relics as Holy Week begins.

Father Andrew Dalton, LC, an international speaker and scholar on the Shroud of Turin, will present “Who is the Man of the Shroud?” at 7 p.m. March 30 in Jones Hall on the university’s campus, located at 3800 Montrose Blvd. in Houston. The lecture coincides with Holy Week and will be paired with a traveling exhibit organized by Othonia, a global nonprofit dedicated to education and research related to the shroud.

The event is free and open to the public. The exhibit will be open throughout the day on March 30 in Doherty Library

All this discord will take place during one week beginning on what we call Palm Sunday, which falls on March 29 this year. As we read in the Gospels, Jesus went to

PALM SUNDAY, page 5

Justice and faith in Sunnyside

New SVdP conference forms to fight local issues

SUNNYSIDE — On Feb. 28, Catholics from across the Archdiocese met in Sunnyside at St. Francis Xavier Parish to commission its newly reestablished St. Vincent de Paul Society (SVdP) conference. The commissioning marked the launch of a new parish initiative to provide emergency housing and utility assistance to neighbors in this rapidly gentrifying community, located in south Houston.

The commissioning service took place during the parish’s 5 p.m. Mass, representing a significant step in St. Francis Xavier’s expanding commitment to the surrounding historically Black, under-resourced neighborhood. As HOLY

Texas Catholic Herald

PAUL HARING/CNS PHOTO

Pope Francis touches the case holding the Shroud of Turin after praying before the cloth in 2015 at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Turin, Italy.

HERALD FILE PHOTO

At center, Father Andrew Dalton, LC, discusses the Shroud of Turin with (left) Amy Auzenne, Archdiocesan director of the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis, and (right) Jim Barrette, Archdiocesan secretariat director of Pastoral and Educational Ministries, at a 2022 preview exhibit of the Shroud of Turin at the National Museum of Funeral History. Father Dalton will present on the Shroud of Turin at the University of St. Thomas on March 30.

A Shepherd’s Message

By Archbishop Joe S. Vásquez

In January of last year, I received a call from the Apostolic Nuncio telling me that Pope Francis had appointed me the Archbishop of Galveston-Houston. At the time, I had been serving for 15 years in the Diocese of Austin. I thought eventually that I would retire in Austin and had already begun preparing for my funeral. Then the Nuncio called. It was a complete shock. God never ceases to surprise us. He is never boring; complacency is never God’s way. He truly is a God of surprises.

Returning to this Archdiocese, where I once served as an auxiliary bishop, has been a profound grace. I am grateful for the warm welcome, prayers and support I have received. I have appreciated seeing many familiar faces and meeting new ones. I have witnessed how much this local Church has grown and changed. God continues to bless the Archdiocese of GalvestonHouston.

I am thankful for the pastoral leadership of Archbishop Joseph A. Fiorenza and Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, whose faithful service has been a blessing to this growing and diverse Archdiocese. The fruits of their care are evident in our parishes, schools and ministries. I am indebted to each one of them for their many years of faithful service.

In reflecting on this year, I would like to share some of the ways God has blessed this local Church, specifically in the areas of families, youth and vocations. As I visit the different parishes, I am pleased when I hear babies crying during Mass and when parents come with their children to church. This is a sign that we are growing and families are present. Furthermore, this past fall, we celebrated the 50th wedding anniversary of 135 couples and the 25th anniversary of 140 couples. They witness to the beauty of Sacramental Marriage and their fidelity to one another. We have new families and families that have been together for many years.

These marriages produce good families. These families also form young people in our Church, which keep our Church alive. We have the most Catholic schools of any diocese in Texas, and we continue to increase our student population. At the Archdiocesan Youth Conference in the summer of 2025, we had over 2,300 participants. We have more than 120 members on the Archdiocesan Youth

St. Mary’s Seminary 9845 Memorial Dr. Houston, TX 77024

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

Council who help organize events to help their peers encounter Jesus Christ. In our parishes and college campuses, we have over 70 young adult groups that gather to strengthen their faith, foster unity and become intentional disciples. These examples remind us that the Church remains a true home for the young.

Finally, many of our youth are choosing to discern vocations to the priesthood and religious life. I am grateful to Father Richard McNeillie, Vocations director, for his tireless efforts to promote vocations and for the work of many of our priests and religious sisters throughout the Archdiocese. We have over 60 men studying for the priesthood and more than 30 applicants for the fall of 2026. In 2026 alone, I have celebrated three different masses and blessings for convents of religious sisters. Two of them were for new chapels and residences, and one of them was for a new building. Vocations to the priesthood and religious life are increasing. Many young men and women desire to give their lives to Christ and to serve His Church. We need all of them and more. We must never tire of praying for vocations and promoting them among our families and young people. Vocations come from families and from the youth who are engaged in their faith.

“Returning

to this Archdiocese, where I once served as an auxiliary bishop, has been a profound grace.

”

It is fitting that I returned to the Archdiocese during the Jubilee Year of Hope. Over the past year, I have witnessed many signs of hope in the faith, generosity and devotion of our people. Recently, the Archdiocese celebrated the Rite of Election for nearly 3,000 children, youth and adults who are preparing to receive the Easter Sacraments and will be welcomed into full communion in the Church. They encountered Jesus Christ in our Church and desire to follow Him.

As Pope Leo XIV has reminded us, while the Jubilee may have drawn to a close, the hope it has given us does not end, for we remain pilgrims of hope. As we approach the sacred days of Holy Week, I entrust this local Church to Our Lady of Guadalupe and to the protection of St. Joseph. I ask for your continued prayers as together we follow Christ, the Good Shepherd, trusting that He who has begun this good work among us will bring it to completion. †

You make the ministry of our future Priests possible.

Nearly 60 men are currently in formation at St. Mary’s Seminary in Houston to become the next generations of priests. These men spend anywhere from 5 to 7 years preparing for their Ordination to the Priesthood.

To read more about our seminarians and how you can support them, visit www.smseminary.com.

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EDITORIAL

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THE FIRST WORD

A Lenten Culinary Tour: Meatless meals from around the globe

During the Lenten season, our series continues that features different easy-to-make meatless recipes from around the world.

Though often eaten as an appetizer in Guatemala, tostadas are also great served as a snack or a fast meal on a busy night. Toppings are spread across three tortillas, leaving room to play with any additions you may want.

As we abstain from eating meat on Fridays during Lent, journey with us around the world and incorporate these Lenten recipes into your meatless Fridays. Give the money you saved each week by not eating meat — about $3 per person per meal — to your CRS Rice Bowl to feed those in need around the world.

For more information and other free recipes, visit www.crsricebowl.org/recipe. †

Guatemala: Tostadas

INGREDIENTS

Guacamole:

• 3-5 large avocados, halved and pitted

• 1/2 onion, finely diced

• Juice of 2 limes

• 1 teaspoon dried oregano

• Salt and pepper to taste

Tostadas:

• 12 corn tortillas

• Oil for frying (canola or olive)

• Prepared guacamole (see above)

• 1 jar red salsa

• 1 can refried beans

• 10 ounces of queso seco (crumbling cheese), or any cheese, grated

• Chopped cilantro

METHOD

Into a large bowl, scoop the avocado from its shell. Mash it with a fork to desired consistency. Stir in onion, lime juice and oregano. Salt and pepper to taste.

IN BRIEF

In a large skillet on medium-high heat, pour a half inch of oil. When the oil is hot, add the tortillas in a single layer and fry until crispy. Transfer to a plate with a paper towel to drain excess oil. Once the tortillas have cooled, spread three tortillas with guacamole, three with refried beans and three with salsa. Garnish with freshly crumbled or grated cheese and cilantro then serve while warm.

Embracing Our Faith: Lenten guidelines

Archdiocesan Chrism Mass set for March 31

HOUSTON — Every year during Holy Week, the faithful of the Archdiocese are invited to gather for the celebration of the Chrism Mass — one of the most solemn and significant events of the liturgical year.

This year, the Chrism Mass will take place on Tuesday, March 31, at 7 p.m. at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in downtown Houston. All are invited to attend. Hundreds of priests from the Archdiocese are expected to concelebrate the Mass, during which they will also renew their promises, as all the oils used in sacramental ministry throughout the Archdiocese are blessed and the Sacred Chrism is consecrated.

These are subsequently sent to parishes and will be used in the upcoming year for the celebration of the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Orders and the Anointing of the Sick. For more about Chrism Mass, visit www.archgh.org. †

Young adult mission trip to NYC set for August

HOUSTON — The Office of Young Adult & Campus Ministry, in collaboration with the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers, is hosting a young adults’ mission trip experience to New York City (NYC) in August 2026.

The mission trip, set for Aug. 8 to 15, costs $1,150, with a $250 deposit to register, not including airfare. The trip includes an on-site introduction to cultural, economic and spiritual realities from local NYC faith leaders; learning from and assisting at the NYC Catholic Worker Houses; exploring cross-cultural and immigrant concerns; meeting with faith-based immigration and community redevelopment initiatives; and a free day in NYC.

The registration deadline is April 15. To learn more and to register, visit www.archgh.org/yamission. †

Annual priests vs. seminarians basketball game set for April 17

HOUSTON — The ninth annual Priests vs. Seminarians Basketball Game is set for 7 p.m. on Friday, April 17, at Rice University’s Tudor Fieldhouse, located at 6100 Main St. in Houston near the Texas Medical Center.

Lent continues through Good Friday, April 3, which is a day of fast and abstinence. Abstinence from meat is obligatory for all who have reached their 14th year. Fridays in Lent are days of abstinence.

According to the U.S. bishops, fasting is obligatory for all who have completed their 18th year and have not yet reached their 60th year. Fasting allows a person to eat one full meal. Two smaller meals may be taken, not to equal one full meal. Through works of fasting, prayer and abstinence, we heed the Prophet Joel’s exhortation to “return to God with our whole heart” (2:12). Lent is a penitential season and practices such as daily Mass, reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, works of charity and justice and acts of self-denial are highly encouraged. For more resources, including prayer guides, videos and links to stories, visit www.archgh.org/lent.

Save some trees and get the Texas Catholic Herald sent straight to your inbox with The Digest, our free email newsletter. For free features, exclusive content and more, sign up at WWW.ARCHGH.ORG/TCHDIGEST.

The seminarians’ Saints will face off against the priests’ Martyrs. All proceeds benefit St. Mary’s Seminary. Tickets went on sale Saturday, Feb. 21. For more information, visit www.houstonvocations.com/events or email vocations@ archgh.org. †

Catholic Family Night at the Astros

HOUSTON — The Houston Astros will take on the St. Louis Cardinals for Catholic Family Night at Daikin Park in downtown Houston on Saturday, April 18.

A portion of tickets sold supports the Steps for Students Tuition Assistance Fund, benefiting Catholic schools in the Archdiocese. Seats are in special reserved sections, and ticket prices range from $37.75 to $79.49. Tickets must be purchased by April 14 at 11:59 p.m. For group sales of 20 tickets or more, call 713-259-8316 or email broussard@astros.com.

For more information, visit www.gofevo.com/event/ CatholicFamily2. †

LOCAL

Exhibits explore the ‘most

and will feature a life-size replica of the shroud, detailed interpretive panels and replicas of weapons associated with the Passion of Jesus. Visitors are invited to examine the history, scientific study and biblical connections of the cloth, which bears the faint image of a man marked by wounds described in the Gospel accounts of the crucifixion.

Father Dalton said the shroud invites both belief and investigation.

“I want, like Jesus with St. Thomas the skeptic, to say, come, press and probe,” Dalton said. “Study the shroud. Ask the questions. But do not be unbelieving, but believe.”

A priest of the Legionaries of Christ, Father Dalton teaches theology at the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum in Rome and is known for bridging scientific observation and

Fridays? Let a nearby parish help! ▪ SEE PAGE 19

theological reflection. A published author, he teaches Synoptic Gospels as well as biblical Greek and Hebrew.

The Shroud of Turin has long stood at the intersection of faith and science, an

The Galveston-Houston Knights of Columbus congratulate the 2026 Clergy of the Year award recipients, who were nominated by Knights across the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.

approach central to St. Thomas’ mission, university officials said. The linen cloth shows the image of a man who appears to have suffered scourging, crucifixion wounds and a pierce to the side, aligning with biblical descriptions of Jesus’ death.

Nora Creech, a University of St. Thomas alumna and director of Othonia for North America, said hosting the exhibit and lecture on campus brings her academic and professional work together.

“The Shroud sits at the intersection of faith and science, and learning about it speaks directly to a culture that often sees those two in conflict,” Creech said. “This event creates space for dialogue, study and reflection.”

PERMANENT

SHROUD EXHIBIT IN

HOUSTON

For those unable to attend the lecture or one-day exhibit at St. Thomas, those in the Archdiocese can still encounter the shroud through a permanent exhibition at the National Museum of Funeral History, located at 415 Barren Springs Dr. in north Houston.

There, visitors enter a cavelike space featuring a lifesize sculpture of the shroud’s body image, created by Italian artist Luigi Enzo Mattei. Cast in dark bronze-colored resin, the statue depicts the wounds in the wrists, feet and side, rendered with restraint rather than overt gore.

Mounted nearby is a 14-foot-long certified linen reproduction of the Shroud of Turin, one of only seven authorized replicas produced from flax grown in Bergamo, Italy. The replica was created during the coronavirus pandemic in November 2020 and gifted to the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston by the Archdiocese of Turin.

The museum exhibit also challenges common artistic depictions of the Crucifixion. Two back-lit, life-size photonegative images from official shroud studies allow visitors to examine details up close.

When the exhibit opened in 2023,

WANT TO GO?

SHROUD OF TURIN LECTURE

When: 7 p.m. Monday, March 30 Where: Jones Hall, University of St. Thomas (1100 Sul Ross St., Houston) Register: www.othonia.org

SHROUD OF TURIN EXHIBIT

When: All day, Monday, March 30 Where: Doherty Library at UST (1100 W. Main St., Houston) Cost: Free and open to the public Register: www.othonia.org

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF FUNERAL HISTORY SHROUD OF TURIN EXHIBIT

Where: 415 Barren Springs Dr., Houston Tickets: $12 - $15, group rates available Website: www.nmfh.org

Daniel Cardinal DiNardo blessed the display and reflected on its impact.

“The Shroud of Turin has led many to contemplate more deeply the central mysteries of the Christian faith,” Cardinal DiNardo said, “principally the historical reality of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection.”

The Shroud of Turin has been venerated for centuries as a relic of Jesus’ passion and resurrection. While its authenticity remains a topic of scientific debate, the shroud holds deep devotional significance to many Catholics and has inspired pilgrimages and extensive research.

It is housed in the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Turin, and due to its fragile condition, it is only occasionally displayed to the public during special events. The last few times the shroud was on display were in 2020 and again in 2025 for the Jubilee Year of Hope. In 2020, Pope Francis said, “I too join your prayer, turning my gaze to the Man of the Shroud. In His face, we also see the faces of many sick brothers and sisters, especially those more alone and less well cared for. But also all the victims of wars and violence, slavery and persecution.”

In January, Pope Leo XIV viewed a digital exhibition and display of the Shroud of Turin, the first of its kind ever endorsed by the Archbishop of Turin.

Registration for the March 30 lecture is available through Othonia’s website at www.othonia.org. To learn more about the permanent exhibit at the National Museum of Funeral History, visit www. nmfh.org. †

Most Rev. Italo Dell’Oro

Bishop of Galveston-Houston

PHOTO BY JAMES RAMOS/HERALD

Shroud

Pope Benedict XVI: Jesus is the ‘King of Peace’

Jerusalem to join with throngs of other Jews to celebrate the Passover feast as had been prescribed in the Old Testament books of Exodus and Deuteronomy.

FROM HOSANNA TO THE CROSS

According to the Gospel of St. John, Jesus and many of His followers journeyed the less than two miles from Bethany on that Sunday, arriving outside Jerusalem. As was the custom, pilgrims who had already arrived in the city went out to greet newly arriving groups; some had never seen Jesus but had heard about the miracles attributed to Him and were caught up in the excitement.

Those arriving with and greeting Jesus were large in number, as explained by John’s Gospel: “When the great crowd … heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, they took palm branches and went out to meet Him, and cried out: ‘Hosanna! / Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, (even) the king of Israel’” (12:12-13).

This adulation was not lost on the Pharisees who were present. They said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” He said in reply, “I tell you, if they keep silent, the stones will cry out” (Lk 19:3940). The Pharisees reported the events back to the Jewish high council, the Sanhedrin, which regarded Jesus’ evergrowing popularity as a threat to their cozy relationship with the Romans. They were, in fact, planning to murder Him.

A KING OF PEACE, NOT POWER

Previously, Our Lord had deliberately avoided popular acclaim, even fled, but this, upon entering Jerusalem, He accepts.

Yet his actions are different from what the people expected. He doesn’t present Himself as a rival to Caesar; He is not the political messiah or the warrior king the multitude had clamored for. Instead of entering Jerusalem on a war horse or chariot, He enters on a donkey, a sign of peace; and not just any donkey, but one on which no one had ever sat, the prerogative of a king. Seeing Him on the donkey, the Jews surging around Him recalled the words of the Prophet Zechariah 500 years earlier:

“Exult greatly, O daughter Zion! / Shout for joy, O daughter Jerusalem! / Behold: your king is coming to you; /a just savior is He, / Humble, and riding on a donkey, / on a colt, the foal of a donkey. / He shall banish the chariot from Ephraim / and the horse from Jerusalem” (Zec 9:910).

Pope Benedict XVI said these Old Testament words as they related to Jesus: “He is a king who destroys the weapons of war, a king of peace and a king of simplicity, a king of the poor. … Jesus is not building on violence; He is not instigating a military revolt against Rome.”

JOY SHADOWED BY SUFFERING

Riding on the borrowed donkey, Jesus made His humble entrance into the city as crowds scattered garments before Him and waved palm branches. This joyful scene already carries the shadow of what is to come, as the one hailed as king will soon be crucified like a criminal.

St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090–1153) reflected on this dramatic reversal, noting the contrast between shouts of “Hosanna” and cries of “Crucify Him,” between green branches and the cross. Those who once

honored Him as king would soon declare, “We have no king but Caesar.”

Palms were symbols of life among the nomadic tribes, who, when crossing the desert, rejoiced at seeing the palm tree as it indicated an oasis with life-giving water was near.

Palms have long been a sign of victory, success and glory. Victorious armies or leaders returning from the battlefield or a long military campaign were welcomed by the populace, jubilantly waving palm branches. Despite Jesus’ peaceful manner, when the Jews waved the palms at Him and spread their clothing over which He rode, they were affording Him the honors of a conquering hero and simultaneously defying the Roman occupiers.

PALM SUNDAY FROM THE

BEGINNING TO TODAY

On Palm Sunday, we still go out to meet Him, carry the blessed palms, joyfully sing out our Hosanna, and join in His triumphant entrance into Jerusalem. But soon joy turns to somberness as, clutching our palm, we hear the narrative of Christ’s passion.

We realize, once again, that His triumph, His true victory, will come through the cross. We know, as Jesus did, how Holy Week will end. We know that joy will turn to sorrow and back to joy. We know that through the horror of His suffering, followed by the glory of His resurrection, good will trump evil and life will trump death.

The palms we take home and put in a special place serve to remind us that Palm Sunday is not lost to the ages but that by Christ’s victory, we, too, can achieve everlasting life.

Soon after the resurrection, Christians sought to visit and reenact the events of Christ’s passion, including His entry into Jerusalem. These practices became possible after religious persecution ended in the fourth century.

A Spanish pilgrim named Eigera described Palm Sunday processions in Jerusalem, noting how believers gathered outside the city and walked through the gates carrying palm branches. Modern Palm Sunday processions echo what she witnessed 17 centuries ago.

By the ninth century, the procession with blessed palms had expanded beyond Jerusalem, and during the Middle Ages, it became widespread throughout Europe.

In the 17th century, Christians were not only processing into church with palms but, during Mass, holding the palms while the passion was being read.

By the ninth century, Palm Sunday processions spread throughout Europe. Over time, customs evolved, including varied forms of blessing palms and processing before Mass. Most typical was the blessing of the people and the palms

at a place outside the church and then processing in.

In 1955, the Church standardized and simplified the different entrances used on Palm Sunday: either an organized procession that begins somewhere outside the church, a solemn procession starting inside the church, or no procession at all. The church calls this day Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord. †

D.D. Emmons writes for OSV News from Pennsylvania.

PALM SUNDAY,

PHOTO BY JAMES RAMOS/HERALD

Woven palms, one in the shape of a cross with an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, are seen outside Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Houston before a recent Palm Sunday Mass.

New conference in Sunnyside tackles area’s critical needs

XAVIER, from page 1

gentrification accelerates and economic conditions soften, housing instability has increased, with rents rising faster than household incomes.

“Houston is facing a growing poverty crisis, with alarming rates of hunger and evictions, and the community surrounding St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church is especially vulnerable,” said Father Michael L. Thompson, SSJ, pastor of the parish. “In recent months, we have witnessed an inspiring labor of love, as Catholics from across Houston have banded together and taken collective action to ensure that our neighbors can meet their most basic needs.”

The reestablished SVdP conference at St. Francis Xavier Church aims to provide emergency financial assistance to individuals and families facing eviction, utility shutoffs, and other urgent financial hardships.

Through prayer, service and personal accompaniment, conference members are committed to offering compassionate, practical support. Official operations are expected to begin in April, with funding supported through donations and grants.

Representatives from SVdP conferences around the Archdiocese attended the commissioning service in a show of solidarity and support. These experienced Vincentians, who are engaged in similar efforts across the city, have played a vital role in mentoring the new conference members, guiding them through the extensive training required to conduct confidential home visits and responsibly distribute emergency aid.

“On a day when news of war weighed heavily on the world, it felt especially meaningful to see Houstonians gather in faith to support neighbors and friends in need. The moment was truly inspiring. We are striving to lead by example while following our faith,” said Linda Wallace, who serves on the parish’s communications team. “The meeting ... was truly wonderful. It’s rare to see such a diverse group of people learning together and growing together in ways that deepen both love and mutual respect. Vincentians from across Houston came out to support St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, and they thoroughly enjoyed the Mass and commissioning ceremony for our new

conference of the SVdP.”

Val Senegal, executive director of SVdP of Galveston-Houston, said, “This occasion is the fruit of silent prayer and a seed planted back in 2023. It stands as a testament that God hears every prayer and answers in His perfect time. What we are witnessing... is not only the commissioning of a conference, but the fulfillment of grace that has been quietly growing for years.”

Bob Miller, SVdP regional director, said, “The reestablishment of this vital conference is also a powerful sign of hope for the Sunnyside community. The Vincentians at St. Francis Xavier have demonstrated extraordinary dedication in preparing for this ministry and are now well equipped to serve neighbors with compassion, accountability and respect for their dignity.”

Through home visits, Vincentians build personal relationships with those they serve — listening to their stories, responding to immediate crises, and offering encouragement and hope. The newly commissioned conference will collaborate closely with existing Vincentian networks across Houston to ensure effective outreach and responsible

“Sunnyside is a community that is sustained by decent folks whose strength, generosity and grit define the community far more than its challenges.”

ERICA SMITH

President,

St. Francis Xavier SVdP Conference

stewardship of resources.

“Sunnyside is a community that is sustained by decent folks whose strength, generosity and grit define the community far more than its challenges,” said Erica Smith, president of the St. Francis Xavier SVdP conference. “With the support and guidance of our fellow Vincentians across the City, we are preparing to respond to the critical needs by offering not only financial assistance, but also understanding, prayer and hope.” †

PHOTO COURTESY OF ST. FRANCIS XAVIER PARISH

FRANCIS

TEXAS SACRED ARTS SOCIETY

The Texas Sacred Arts Society has as its mission to inspire and evangelize through beauty.

The Society exists to lift up living Roman Catholic creators - poets, authors, visual artists and musicians - whose work reveal the splendor of God’s presence in our world.

Our Executive Director, Elizabeth Kimes, looks forward to collaborating with sacred artists and the community to support them in their work and foster a deeper appreciation for the good, the true, and the beautiful that draw hearts closer to Jesus Christ.

INFO@TEXASSACREDARTSSOCIETY.ORG

ARCHGH.ORG/ARCHDIOCESAN-CHOIR

Volunteers unite for service, prayer at co-cathedral’s Caritas Day

BY REBECCA TORRELLAS

Texas Catholic Herald

HOUSTON — The Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart hosted its annual Caritas Day on Feb. 21. Close to 250 volunteers came to participate in the Lenten service event.

After morning Mass, volunteers broke for their pre-selected service projects. Some of the projects included serving brunch and hosting Bingo for residents of Angela’s House; assembling 500 ham and turkey sandwiches, 250 lunches, and 1,000 shelf-stable lunches for the homeless; and assembling gift baskets out of baby bathtubs for women experiencing an unexpected pregnancy.

Caritas Day aims to answer the call to serve brothers and sisters in Christ, according to Jordyn Woods, coordinator of Communications and Outreach of the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart.

“We feed the hungry, serve mothers in crisis pregnancies, provide support for men and women recently released from prison, and more,” she said. “By serving others, we love one another as Christ loves us. By partnering with local agencies, we can help support and build on the good work already happening in our community.”

Woods said the co-cathedral is dedicated to supporting families in their domestic church, and this day of services gives families the opportunity to live out the Corporal Works of Mercy while the co-cathedral takes care of the logistics.

“Families just need to select a service project and show up!” she said. “This day serves to help further conversations that are happening in their homes, as an introduction to local charitable agencies they can continue

working with and to strengthen the Catholic culture.”

Woods said Caritas Day serves as a reminder that serving others is not reserved only for those with “extra time” or for students completing required service hours.

“By coming together as one, we are reminded that this is what we are all called to do,” she said. The event also provides an opportunity for partner agencies, such as Catholic Charities, to tell the wider community about what they do, how they serve their clients and how to get involved in volunteering. This year, Catholic Charities had volunteers assemble emergency feminine hygiene bags for Catholic Charities to distribute to their clients.

The Knights of Columbus Houston Council #803 served donuts and coffee, and the Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court of Our Lady of Victory #234 provided lunch.

After lunch, Father Jeff Bame, rector of the co-cathedral, gave the Parish Lenten Mission talk titled “The Tribunal of Mercy,” which he said was “about ways to make confession more fruitful.” He shared how the confessional is not a therapy couch but a courtroom: The penitent is called to approach the courtroom of their own accord to plead guilty to their sins, not to defend themselves. There is no jury of their peers, but a judge who is a priest — the judge does seek to condemn, but desires to show clemency. The Lord’s perfect justice is one with His mercy — He hears confessions of guilt, contrition and desire for change.

The day ended with Mass. Since Caritas Day and the Parish Lenten Mission were comprised of members from the parish’s three-language community, the Novus Ordo Mass was in Latin with trilingual readings. †

PHOTOS BY AMARIS BOBBIO-TARCO

Volunteers assemble 500 ham and turkey sandwiches for the homeless during Caritas Day.

Caritas Day participants assemble emergency feminine hygiene bags for Catholic Charities to distribute to their clients.

Caritas Day participants put together 1,000 shelfstable lunches for the homeless.

Catholic

therapist shares 'Journey of the Beloved' in Lenten retreat for deacons' wives, widows

BY JO ANN ZUÑIGA Herald Correspondent

HOUSTON — The purpose of Lent is not to severely discipline oneself but to grow as “God’s beloved,” a Catholic therapist told more than 50 deacons’ wives and widows at a Feb. 28 retreat.

“How do temptations keep us from loving and living more fully?” speaker Maureen Bacchi, LCSW, asked the group at St. Mary’s Seminary. “Jesus shows us how our hunger for attention, approval and belonging robs us of better living.”

“Go to the Scriptures for your hungers,” she urged.

The Lenten season, lasting until Holy Week and Easter, helps us to fight temptations in the desert by asking for God’s grace to victoriously wrestle with our true and false selves, Bacchi explained.

“Rather than focusing only on original sin, we should focus on our original

blessing of life! You are God’s beloved — experience it as truth. Know it in your heart,” she said.

Although life’s hardships and pain may make people doubt if God is around, Bacchi counseled to pray for God’s wisdom. She shared personal trials of her family that included mental illness.

“We are not in charge. We are not in control. We ask God to give us the grace to respond as Jesus would — love is more powerful than suffering,” she said.

The counselor added, “I accept this pain, but it will not keep me from loving.”

To guide people in dealing with their suffering, Bacchi asked the group to recite together “A Prayer for All Who Carry Their Cross.” In part, the prayer asks, “Help me to not get lost in my own self-concerns, but that I may find in these trials a way to greater virtue, a call to prayer and a path to trust in You alone.”

Bacchi reiterated, “Remember suffering ends, but love is eternal.” †

Expand and deepen our hearts . . .

Please pray for all victims of violence everywhere and their families. Pray for those being executed in Texas and their families: April 30: James Broadnax

OBITUARY

Barbara A. Joseph

HOUSTON — Barbara A. Joseph, who was the administrative assistant of the Office of Development and Stewardship for over 35 years, died Feb. 24. She was 76 years old.

A funeral Mass was celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Italo Dell'Oro, CRS, on March 5 at St. Benedict the Abbot Catholic Church in Houston. Interment is in Garden of Memory Cemetery in Opelousas, Louisiana. †

IN MEMORIA

We pray for the following clergy whose anniversaries of death are during the month of April.

April 1, 1874

April 1, 1950

Rev. Matthew Sarry

Bishop Christopher E. Byrne

April 2, 1965 Rev. Terenciano Montero, OMI

April 3, 1996

April 3, 2013

April 4, 1983

Msgr. William L. Tinney

Rev. Henry C. Rachunek

Rev. John Hannaher, SVD

April 5, 1850 Rev. John A. Jacobs

April 5, 1926

April 5, 1992

April 6, 1989

Rev. John J. Gallagher

Msgr. John E. Kukral

Rev. Eugene Heyck, CSB

April 7, 1991 Rev. George A. Harcar, CSSp

April 7, 1995 Rev. Francis E. Monaghan, CSB

April 7, 2009

April 8, 1912

April 8, 1980

Msgr. T. Joseph Culver

Rev. Claude M. Thion

Rev. Eugene J. Farrell, SSJ

April 9, 1890 Rev. Victor Gury

April 9, 2002

Rev. Christopher Bang Le, CSSR

April 10, 1892 Rev. James Giraudon

April 12, 1931 Rev. Simon Spinneweber

April 15, 1935 Rev. Otto Bauer

April 16, 1867 Bishop John Timon, CM

April 16, 1947 Rev. William Roach

April 16, 1994 Rev. Edward Rehkopf, SJ

April 18, 2003 Rev. Francis Strafalace, SCJ

April 18, 2019 Rev. William Kelly

April 19, 1958 Msgr. Jacob Schnetzer

April 19, 2013 Msgr. Donald J. Fruge

April 21, 2024 Rev. Michael Van Cleve

April 24, 1976 Rev. Edward G. Lee, CSB

April 26, 1916 Rev. Peter Bienemann

April 26, 2007 Rev. Isaac O. Francis

April 27, 1900 Rev. Antoine Borias

April 30, 1992 Msgr. Dexter L. George

April 30, 2016 Rev. J. Donald Schwarting

The Archdiocese has open positions in our Schools, Parishes and the Chancery.

St. Thomas High School names John Rynd as first lay president

Special to the Herald

HOUSTON — In February, St. Thomas High School (STHS) appointed John T. Rynd as its new president. He has previously served as the school’s interim leader since Jan. 1, 2025.

A graduate, parent and trusted member of the St. Thomas community, Rynd is expected to continue to provide a steady, missioncentered leadership while strengthening alignment across the school’s academic, spiritual and operational priorities. The school said his appointment reflected the school’s board of directors’ strong confidence in his vision, leadership and commitment to the Basilian tradition.

to deliver an exceptional experience for our students, steward our resources and guide the continued development of our campus. The board is confident that under his leadership, St. Thomas will continue to flourish.”

“John embodies the heart and future of St. Thomas,” said Chris Malloy, chairman of the board of directors. “He brings exceptional leadership and a lifelong devotion to our Basilian charism. Just as importantly, he understands what it takes

The school said that as president, Rynd will continue advancing St. Thomas’ strategic priorities: embracing the school’s Basilian identity, elevating the student life, ensuring financial stewardship, amplifying the school’s voice across Houston’s Catholic community, and guiding campus and facility development. His leadership marks an important milestone as St. Thomas embraces a model of strong lay leadership while honoring the traditions that define its mission.

“STHS has shaped generations of young men, including my father, my own sons and myself,” said Rynd, who graduated from the school in 1975. “It is a profound honor to serve as president

and to help guide this extraordinary institution into its next chapter. Our mission is timeless, and our future is bright.”

With Rynd’s permanent appointment, the school said it reaffirms its commitment to faith, academic excellence, and the formation of leaders who will serve the Church and society.

IN BRIEF

Founded in 1900 and entrusted to the Basilian Fathers, STHS is a Catholic, college preparatory school in Houston dedicated to developing young men of faith, integrity and service. Rooted in the Basilian tradition, St. Thomas forms leaders committed to academic excellence, spiritual growth and lifelong brotherhood. †

Rodeo celebrations continue at Catholic schools

AT RIGHT: Cecil “CJ” Cook, a third-grade student at St. Edward School in Spring, won a blue ribbon for his bee art entry, seen above, in the 2026 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Creativity Contest. His winning drawing, which was on display at the Rodeo, earned him a visit from a RODEOHOUSTON representative who presented him with his recognition and grounds passes for the Rodeo.

and an

BELOW: St. Joseph School brought the Rodeo celebration to Baytown for Go Texan Day, many sporting stick ponies for a pintsized riding showcase.

JOHN T. RYND

ST. EDWARD

ST. ROSE OF LIMA

ST. JOSEPH - BAYTOWN

AT LEFT: St. Rose of Lima School students speak during a Go Texan Day celebration at the Garden Oaks-area school. The event featured line dancing

exhibition of students’ art entries for the Rodeo’s Creativity Contest.

St. Ambrose students win at science, history contests

HOUSTON — On Jan. 23, 14 students from St. Ambrose School competed at the Archdiocesan STREAM Synergy Fair at St. Mary Magdalene School in Humble. Two students won their grade-level categories: eighth-graders Alberto Garza and Jackson Kohl won first place with their project, “The Chemistry of Soda.” Seventh-grader Noah Zamora won second place for his project, “The Movement of Robotics.”

Then on Feb. 7, fifth-grade and juniorhigh students from St. Ambrose were recognized across multiple categories at the 2026 Houston Regional History Fair, held in association with Texas History Day and National History Day, at the Young Women’s College Preparatory Academy. Fifth graders competed in the historical poster category, while junior-high students earned awards in exhibits, documentaries, websites and historical papers.

First-place winners included Ayden G., a seventh grader, for an individual exhibit titled “A Safer Game: The Reform Movement Behind Baseball’s Protective Netting;” Sarah M. and Addyson S., seventh graders, for a group exhibit, “Ellis Island: Gateway to a New Life and a Revolution in American Immigration;” Madeleine C., a seventh grader, for an individual documentary, “Amber Alerts: How Tragedy Sparked a Revolution in Child Protection;” and Mallory R., a seventh grader, for a historical paper, “Revolution, Reaction, and Reform in

Revolutionary France.”

Among fifth graders, Adelaide O. earned first place for an individual poster, “Culper Spy Ring,” while Eli C., Travis C. and Austin F. took first place for a group poster, “Life of George Washington.”

Second-place awards were earned by Emily S., a seventh grader, for a historical paper titled “How the Paradise Fire Sparked Reform in Wildfire Laws,” and Savana C. and Vincent T., fifth graders, for a group poster, “Women in the American Revolution.”

Third-place honors went to Sofia B. and Marina H., seventh graders, for a group documentary, “How Did the Promises of the Declaration of Independence Later Inspire the Fight for Equality?” and Sebastian B., Wyatt K. and Javier M., fifth graders, for a group poster, “Foreign Aid: Aiding the American Cause.”

St. Ambrose Principal Raul Saldivar said the history fair’s results, along with the students’ “successful comeback” at the STREAM fair, reflected the school’s project-based learning initiative, which strengthens critical thinking skills, collaboration and communication, meaningful problem-solving abilities, and creativity and ownership of their learning.

Several winning students will advance to compete at the Texas History Day Fair, scheduled for Saturday, April 4, at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin. †

YOUTH

Listening Hearts: Supporting teen mental health through faith, family

As a youth minister, one of my greatest joys is witnessing the growth of the young people I get to serve and minister to. The teenage years are filled with discoveries of new friendships, developing talents, deep questions and moments that begin shaping who they will become. We celebrate their accomplishments at school, their involvement in parish life, and the many ways they begin to find their place in the world.

At the same time, adolescence can also be a season of navigating new emotions and pressures. High school students today often balance academic demands, social expectations, and the constant presence of digital culture, and I notice that many teens are increasingly open about struggles with stress, anxiety, and loneliness. For some families, especially in cultures where conversations about mental health have not always been common, these experiences can be difficult to recognize or discuss.

This is where the gift of faith and community becomes so powerful. When families, parishes, and youth ministry

by

JOSSELYN ALVAREZ

walk together, young people discover that they are not alone in life’s challenges. The Church has always accompanied the next generation with compassion and hope, reminding them that Christ walks with them in every moment. By creating spaces of trust, prayer and open conversation, we help our teens grow not only in faith, but in emotional and spiritual strength as well.

High school is a time of rapid change. Teens are navigating academic pressure, social expectations, identity development and constant exposure to social media. While these challenges have always existed in some form, today’s digital culture amplifies comparison, isolation and unrealistic expectations.

Many teens also feel pressure to appear “fine.”They may worry about disappointing their parents, being misunderstood by peers or being

judged if they speak about their struggles. As a result, some young people suffer quietly.

Parents and grandparents should not feel discouraged by this reality. Instead, it can be an invitation to grow closer to the young people in our lives. When families create an environment where emotions can be expressed openly and without shame, teens are far more likely to seek help when they need it.

Youth ministry plays a critical role in supporting teens beyond the classroom and home. Parish youth ministry programs often become places where teens experience belonging, mentorship and spiritual encouragement. A trusted youth minister or volunteer can sometimes be the adult who notices changes in behavior or opens a conversation that a teen has been afraid to start.

Healthy youth ministries create spaces where young people can talk honestly about life. Prayer nights, small group discussions, retreats and service projects allow teens to build friendships rooted in faith while learning that their struggles do not define them.

Faith also provides an anchor during difficult moments. The Church reminds us that suffering does not isolate us from God. In fact, Christ enters into our suffering and walks with us through it. When teens learn that prayer, the Sacraments and community support are sources of strength, they begin to see that faith can sustain them through life’s challenges.

Supporting a teenager’s mental health does not require having all the answers. What matters most is presence, patience and openness.

Here are a few ways families can journey with teens:

1. Create space for conversation. Simple moments like car rides, shared meals or evening walks can open the door for meaningful dialogue. Rather than asking only about grades or

activities, try asking how they are feeling or what has been weighing on their mind.

2. Normalize talking about mental health.

Just as we care for physical health, emotional and mental well-being deserve attention. Let teens know that feeling anxious, overwhelmed or sad at times is part of being human, and that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

3. Stay connected to parish life.

Encourage participation in youth ministry events, retreats and service opportunities. These environments help teens develop friendships and find mentors who reinforce positive values and faith.

4. Know when to seek support. If you notice significant changes in mood, behavior, sleep patterns or academic performance, consider reaching out to a counselor, school advisor or trusted pastoral leader. Early support can make a tremendous difference.

The teenage years are filled with both beauty and complexity. While the challenges young people face today can feel daunting, they do not face them alone. Families, parishes, schools and youth ministers all play a role in forming a community of care.

Our greatest gift to teens is reminding them that their lives have meaning and that they are deeply loved by their families, by their community and by God. When we listen patiently, speak with compassion and walk beside them in faith, we help young people discover something essential: no matter how difficult the journey becomes, they are never alone. †

Josselyn Alvarez is a youth ministry coordinator at St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church in Houston.

COLUMNISTS

Revisiting Mary’s ‘Yes’: Art vs. reality

On March 25, exactly nine months before the observance of the Nativity of the Lord at Christmas, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord. Even as Lent begins to draw to a close on the threshold of Holy Week, we pause our Lenten fasts and once again sing Gloria as we celebrate this great feast. The story coming from the first chapter of the Gospel of Luke is in many ways a familiar one.

We remember Gabriel coming to Mary and sharing with her the news that she would give birth to the Son of God. In part, because of its familiarity, I think we can be in danger of overlooking some key elements of the story that can have important implications for the message we take from it.

The first point is that in verse 30, Gabriel says, “Do not be afraid, Mary.” This echoes similar messages from Gabriel to Zechariah in verse 13 and to the shepherds in the field in 2:10. The very fact that each time an angel appears to a person in these first chapters of Luke, the angel needs to tell the people not to be afraid emphasizes the fact that they were, in fact, troubled and fearful. With no disrespect to the generations of talented visual artists

by BRIAN GARCIALUENSE

who have sought to depict this event, I feel that most often our image of these angels is not nearly terrifying enough. This is a messenger from the Creator of all beings who, though pure spirit, somehow is made physically visible and breaks into what was otherwise an ordinary day. I have no idea what this angel actually looked like, but I do not think it was a beautiful woman with long hair, a flowing robe, and large feathery wings. Surely it was more disturbing than that.

And yet, despite the terror of the moment, Mary takes the words “Do not be afraid” to heart and engages with the angel, and even dares to ask, “How can this be?” My other criticism of much religious artwork, therefore, is that it presents Mary as too docile. Her engagement seems, in my opinion, to be steely strong and not weakly passive. Her choice to say “yes” to the angel represents a similar “yes” to that which her Son makes that night in

the garden of Gethsemane. It is a “yes” that comes from confidence and trust. It is a “yes” that understands that the consequences are not fully clear and are potentially wrought with difficulties. But, since “nothing will be impossible for God,” it is a “yes” nonetheless. Therefore, I imagine a much stronger, faith-filled and more determined young woman than is often a part of our collective imagery.

Mary’s assent to the angel’s message, “May it be done to me according to your word,” marks a turning point in human history. Mary is often called the new Eve. Genesis 3 tells a story of The Fall. At its heart, this is a story of how Eve and Adam fail to trust that God’s commands are not arbitrary but in their best interests.

They choose to try to become like gods themselves instead of remaining in right relationship with God and so suffer separation from God as a result. Humanity enters into a disordered state. Here, Mary chooses to accept a message bordering on the unimaginable and chooses trust and willingness. Mary is the new Eve because she is given a fundamental choice and, in full freedom, chooses relationship and humility. This

A New Commissioning for Healing: Welcoming the new order of Anointing of the Sick

As the Church continues its process of reforming the ritual books that guide our liturgical life, we have recently received a newly translated ritual book, the “Order of the Anointing of the Sick and their Pastoral Care.”

Soon this book will be promulgated to enrich our ministry to those who are ill or elderly. The books became available for use on Feb. 11, which is the World Day of the Sick, honoring Our Lady of Lourdes. However, the book is required for all celebrations beginning Easter Sunday, April 5.

Jesus’ healing ministry is at the heart of his establishment of the Church. He touched the sick, forgave sins and restored hope. The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is not reserved only for the moment of death; it is for anyone facing serious illness, advanced age or the frailty that comes with suffering. Through anointing with oil, prayer and the laying on of hands, Christ himself strengthens body and soul, unites our pain to His cross and pours out peace and courage.

MARCH 29

First Reading: Is 50:4-7

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 22:8-9, 17-20, 23-24

Second Reading: Phil 2:6-11 Gospel: Mt 26:14-27:66

by ADAM BRILL

The new ritual text deepens this encounter in beautiful ways. It offers clearer guidance for clergy to help them in their ministry of walking with the sick. Prayers composed for the sick and dying are presented with fresh pastoral warmth. The book reminds us that healing is always something God desires, strengthening our souls, even when a cure for a physical ailment is not found.

How can we engage the Church’s teaching on sickness and grow closer to Jesus the Healer?

Talk openly about illness, aging and death instead of pushing those topics to the margins. When someone is seriously ill, ask your priest about Anointing early, not as a last resort, but as a source of strength. Gather to pray with a sick or elderly person.

Volunteer for the parish’s sick and homebound ministry. There you can bring Holy Communion, pray with the elderly or simply listen with compassion. Reflect on how your sufferings, however small, as they can be united to Christ’s own sufferings.

The new ritual invites us to see every visit to the sick as an act of love that makes Jesus present. So this is an opportunity for us to remember that no one suffers alone. The whole Church surrounds the sick with prayer and hope.

As we prepare for its arrival, let us open our hearts to the Lord who says, “I am with you always.” May this new ritual help every family and parish experience Christ’s tender mercy more deeply. Together, let us walk in hope with those who carry the cross of illness, confident that the Risen Lord brings light, peace and eternal life. †

Adam Brill is the director of the Office of Worship.

choice is the opposite choice of Eve’s. It is a critical step in the process of God’s victory over sin and death that flowed from The Fall. Eve’s choice brings about separation from God, and Mary’s leads to reconciliation.

We could benefit from spending some time reflecting on Mary as strong, confident, willing to question, but ultimately willing to choose trust in God and God’s message. God does great things through Mary because of her “yes.”This Annunciation, let us pray that we might be more like this image of Mary, that we might have the confidence to face scary moments, trusting in God’s call, so that God can accomplish great things with and through us. †

Brian Garcia-Luense is an associate director with the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis.

APRIL 5

First Reading: Acts 10:34, 37-43

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23

Second Reading: Col 3:1-4

Gospel: Jn 20:1-9

APRIL 12

First Reading: Acts 2:42-47

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24

Second Reading: 1 Ptr 1:3-9

Gospel: Jn 20:19-31

Pope’s visit to show that Christianity is asset, not danger, for Algeria, bishop says

(OSV News) — As Pope Leo XIV prepares to visit Algeria as the first stop of his apostolic trip to Africa on April 13 to 23, Bishop Michel Guillaud of Constantine-Hippone said the Holy Father’s presence will demonstrate that Christianity “is an asset and not a danger” to Algeria.

The birthplace of St. Augustine is the first stop of his trip and “overjoyed” with the fact that the pontiff is coming, with the Vatican releasing a detailed itinerary of the first African journey of the pontiff on March 16.

“The Holy Father has already visited Algeria twice, in 2003 and 2014, when he was prior general of the Order of St. Augustine,” Bishop Guillard said. “He is not coming primarily on a personal pilgrimage in the footsteps of St. Augustine, but to meet the Algerian people and to support his Church, drawing on the strong bond between them through the figure of Augustine.”

Algeria is 99% Sunni Muslim, and the Catholic Church counts just 8,740 members, about 0.019% of the population, out of more than 45 million people, according to the 2025 edition of the Annuario Pontificio, the Vatican’s

annual yearbook.

The Algerian Church leader said the deep connection to St. Augustine that unites the pope with the nation, the daily realities faced by Christians who are “one in a thousand,” and their hopes for a future in a place where Christianity “does not exist primarily through the presence of a priest, but through the presence of Christians.”

Bishop Guillaud, originally from Lyon,

Chancery

• Donor Relationship and Development and Stewardship Events Officer

• Administrative Assistants

• Facilities Manager, Groundskeeper - Catholic Cemeteries, Mt. Olivet

• Development Coordinator

• Junior High Catechesis

• Associate Director - Office of Aging (Bilingual Spanish)

Parishes

• Faith Formation • Liturgy

• Music Director • Secretary

• Accounting

• Business Manager

• Youth Ministry • Childcare

• Communications

• Facilities and Maintenance

• Administrative Assistant

• Part-time positions

OSV NEWS PHOTO

Pope Leo XIV receives a copy of a painting of St. Augustine called “An Unlikely Aquilegia: North African Saint of Hippo” from Michele R. Pistone, founder and faculty director of the Mother Cabrini Institute on Immigration at Villanova University, during an audience at the Vatican Oct. 2, 2025. Father Joseph L. Farrell, prior general of the Augustinian order, looks on.

France, became a parish priest in Algeria in 2006. He was named administrator of the Diocese of Constantine-Hippone in 2024 and appointed bishop in July 2025.

Reflecting on the May 8, 2025, election of Pope Leo to the Chair of Peter, he said: “When Pope Leo was elected, one of his first statements was: ‘I am the son of St. Augustine.’ All of Algeria trembled ... since then, they have been waiting for him,” the bishop said.

“Algerians know that popes are not only concerned with their flock, but also with peace, justice and reconciliation for all. If the Holy Father is coming to Algeria, it is because he believes that everyone has a part to play in building the Kingdom of God, including the Muslim Algerian people. The hope of the Church in Algeria is that the Algerian people will grow in the conviction that Christians are not a threat, but that their presence and what inspires them can be good news for everyone,” the bishop emphasized.

On April 14, the pope will travel 310 miles from Algiers to celebrate Mass in the Basilica of Hippo, in the city now called Annaba. St. Augustine was the bishop of Hippo from 396 to 430, the year of his death. Annaba is a familiar place for local Muslims who travel to Annaba every year to visit — be it families, tourists, school groups and university students — to discover the place and the man whose memory it preserves.

“Every year, we organize ‘Augustinian Days’ in Hippo, attended by both Muslims and Christians,” Bishop Guillaud told OSV News. “The three speakers this year were Algerian and expressed how

much the bishop of Hippo was a source of inspiration for them. Augustine was, in his life as in his thinking, a seeker of truth, a builder of unity, a person who scrutinized the world with intelligence and faith. He propels us forward by telling us to love in everything we do, to sing the ‘alleluia of the road’ even when we are going through trials, and to walk with perseverance and confidence.”

Asked about the daily realities faced by Christians and their hopes for a future, the bishop first highlighted the number of Christians in a Muslim-majority country: “(of) 47 million inhabitants, Catholics are perhaps one in a thousand,” he said. “Every day we are questioned about not being Muslim. It takes a great deal of effort to join a Christian community in a country of 2.5 million square kilometers (919,595 square miles), and some have to travel several hours by road to do so.”

A diversity of languages spoken — and those include English, Portuguese, Arabic, French, Berber — provides challenges for Christian gatherings in the North African country.

“Sunday is a working day, so we have to meet on the weekend, on Friday or Saturday. We do not have a priest in every parish, and Christians must learn that a community does not begin with the presence of a priest, but with Christians. Our communities are not very large. They rarely exceed fifty people, more often gathering 15 to 30, which gives them a character that is both more austere and more familiar.”

The bishop underlined that the main task of Catholic priests in Algeria is “to support Christians and maintain fraternal ties with Muslims.”

“When Christians are of Algerian origin, it comes as a shock.The authorities tolerate it, respecting the conscience of the country’s citizens, but society struggles to accept it. These new Christians often have to remain very discreet in their family, social and professional environments. And evangelical communities composed solely of Algerians struggle to be recognized.

The pope’s visit, he highlighted, is “To show that difference is not a danger, that unity can coexist with differences, whereas too much emphasis on unanimity stifles freedom. If society becomes more accepting of difference, this will benefit everyone.”

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.

Tributes salute Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen’s anticipated beatification

PEORIA, Ill. (OSV News) — Catholics in the U.S. are sharing their gratitude for Venerable Fulton J. Sheen following the announcement Feb. 9 that the Vatican has permitted the cause of the late American archbishop and televangelist to proceed to beatification, the final step before canonization.

Bishop Louis Tylka of Peoria, Illinois, was the first to share the news with the world that the beatification of “one of the greatest voices of evangelization in the Church and the world in the 20th century” was no longer on hold after six years.

“I have long admired his lifelong commitment to serve the Church as a priest, rooted in his deep devotion to the Blessed Mother and the Eucharist,” Bishop Tylka said of Archbishop Sheen in his Feb. 9 statement. “As he journeyed through the different stages of his life, his ability to share the Gospel and truly relate to people drew countless souls into an encounter with Jesus — one that transformed not only his life, but more importantly, the lives of those he touched.”

Bishop Tylka said diocesan officials are working with the Vatican’s Dicastery of the Causes of to determine details for the upcoming ceremony, including date and place, which “will be released soon” at the website celebratesheen.com.

Once dubbed “God’s microphone,” Archbishop Sheen is remembered as one of the most influential and innovative evangelists in American history. Archbishop Sheen was ordained for the Diocese of Peoria in 1919, and his remains are now enshrined in its Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception after previously being entombed in New York City.

Fulton J. Sheen Foundation, told OSV News that no allegations against the archbishop were raised in the process.

In New York, where Archbishop Sheen served as an auxiliary bishop and lived until his death at 84 in 1979, Archbishop Ronald A. Hicks said the Archdiocese of New York was

His beatification was given a green light originally in 2019, but just two weeks before the scheduled ceremony, the Holy See paused the process, apparently to ensure that Archbishop Sheen was free of allegations of mishandling clergy sex abuse cases between 1966-69 when he was bishop of the Diocese of Rochester, New York. After the diocese’s nearly six-year bankruptcy case concluded in September with a $256.35 million settlement for survivors of clergy abuse, Monsignor Jason Gray, executive director of the Archbishop

the Propagation of the Faith, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of New York, Bishop of Rochester, or prolific author of classic works of spiritual reading, Archbishop Sheen always strove to bring people closer to Jesus and His Church.”

He added, “We look forward to calling him Blessed Fulton J. Sheen, and, please God, someday soon seeing him raised to the altars as a saint.”

The Pontifical Mission Societies (TPMS) in the U.S. celebrated the news of Archbishop Sheen’s beatification finally

moving ahead. On social media, it noted that Archbishop Sheen “helped shape the missionary soul of the U.S. Church.”

“Through his prophetic use of media, he invited millions to pray for, support, and love the missions he championed,” TPMS USA said. “His legacy lives on in every mission chapel where the Eucharist is celebrated, in every child formed in a mission school, and in every young Church strengthened through your prayers and generosity.” Archbishop Sheen was the national director of TPMS from 1950-66. During that time, the archbishop’s TV show “Life is Worth Living” made millions of dollars in advertising, all of which he gave to the missions.

Lay Catholics and clergy alike shared and celebrated the news on social media, with some institutions highlighting their connections to the archbishop.

In the Feb. 9 announcement, Bishop Tylka explained that beatification is “the first major step to sainthood, granting a deceased person the title ‘Blessed’ and allowing limited public veneration (like in a region) after proving heroic virtue and one verified miracle.” †

The cause of the late Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, the famed media evangelist, mission promoter and author, to proceed to beatification has been permitted by the Vatican. He is pictured in an undated photo speaking during a television broadcast.

STATE In new pastoral message, El Paso bishop calls for end to mass deportations

EL PASO (OSV News) — Bishop Mark J. Seitz of El Paso, Texas, called for an end to mass deportation and redoubled efforts to show solidarity with those affected by that policy in a new pastoral message released March 15.

In the message, which Bishop Seitz directed to be read in all parish churches and chapels during the Sunday Masses on the day of release, Bishop Seitz said the diocese will “redouble our ministries with those in the downtown courthouse, in the detention centers, in Ciudad Juarez and with families in our parishes.”

“We will continue to celebrate your contributions to our community, to defend your human dignity, and to work to end racism and make immigration reform a reality,” the message said.

In an interview with OSV News, Bishop Seitz said the message was an effort “to speak to the people of our community, particularly those who are living in fear right now,” which he said even includes “those who have legal documents, who we’ve seen arrested and detained, even deported.”

The message comes after some news reports indicated the White House and top Republican officials have told members of their party on the ballot in November to avoid discussing “mass deportations” on the campaign trail, as polls show U.S. President Donald J. Trump’s immigration policy has become

unpopular among most U.S. adults.

At his recent State of the Union address, President Trump, who has made hardline immigration policies a cornerstone of his agenda, spoke about border security rather than deportation.

Asked if the shift in rhetoric corresponds to any changes in El Paso,

Bishop Seitz said they have observed “a pause on many of their activities” but “we’re very concerned that this is perhaps only a pause and not an end to this kind of action.”

The pastoral message expressed solidarity with those who have been adversely affected by the policy of mass deportations, those who have faced immigration enforcement actions outside of their court proceedings, and those who have died in detention facilities in the area.

“Mass deportations will not make our communities safer,” Bishop Seitz wrote. “They separate families, divide neighbors and threaten our economic well-being. While we do need significant immigration reforms, it is an injustice to make families, children and the vulnerable pay the price of our inaction. Policies, laws and borders must always be at the service of human dignity, genuine community security and human flourishing.”

Bishop Seitz called “the current national campaign of mass detention and deportations” a “grave moral evil, one which must be opposed, with prayer, peaceful action and acts of solidarity with those affected.”

“In these acts, we touch the wounds of Jesus Christ, and in this solidarity,

we carry forward the hope of the resurrection. God is on the side of justice, and as we journey towards Easter, we know that God is fashioning a new humanity that reflects God’s blessings for all people,” he wrote.

Conditions at the Camp East Montana detention facility were among the points of concern Seitz raised in his message. The facility has been the subject of reports of overcrowding and medical neglect, and deaths, including one ruled a homicide.

Bishop Seitz told OSV News that providing religious support and access to the Sacraments is another concern about the facility.

“We were only able to celebrate one Mass a week for around 100 people,” he said, estimating that 70% of detainees there identify as Catholic.

“Non-Catholics coming to the Mass too,” he said. “They all need God at that moment, right? So what percentage is that out of 3,000 people? We haven’t been able to begin to provide fundamental, necessary services to people who are experiencing the worst moment of their lives.”

Bishop Seitz added in his message that he is “blessed with many friendships with our local law enforcement and immigration enforcement agents. Their work to keep our community safe is vital.”

“But the death of those in immigration detention is unacceptable. An unjust immigration system that leads to deadly outcomes is destructive of our shared humanity. No one has to obey an immoral order,” he said. “I implore all involved to carefully discern the moral requirements of the Gospel at this moment with integrity and honesty. When we take off our masks and encounter each other as neighbors, we can reclaim our common dignity. I promise the pastoral support of our priests, chaplains and myself as you navigate the demands of conscience with sincerity. You are also in my prayers.”

Catholic social teaching on immigration balances three interrelated principles — the right of persons to migrate to sustain their lives and those of their families, the right of a country to regulate its borders and control immigration, and a nation’s duty to regulate its borders with justice and mercy. †

APOYO PASTORAL A VÍCTIMAS DE ABUSO SEXUAL DEL CLERO

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

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.

OSV NEWS PHOTO/BOB ROLLER

Bishop Mark J. Seitz of El Paso, Texas, leads a prayer vigil at Sacred Heart Church in El Paso, March 24, 2025, following a rally and march against mass deportations by the U.S. government. Sacco Family Owned and Operated

MUNDO CATÓLICO

Salud mental sin miedo: jóvenes católicos hablan de emociones y fe

MIAMI (OSV News) — Los jóvenes de hoy se enfrentan a situaciones emocionales que les generan incertidumbre e inseguridad y de las que muchos se avergüenzan de hablar, especialmente cuando se trata de la salud mental.

Para abordar ese tema, jóvenes y jóvenes adultos de 12 diócesis del sureste de los Estados Unidos se reunieron durante varias semanas para elaborar “Mente, alma y corazón: Hablemos de la salud mental sin miedo”, el “Libro de la Pascua” de este año que será utilizado durante la Pascua del 2026.

El proyecto del Libro de la Pascua se ha realizado desde 1980 por los jóvenes de la Pastoral Juvenil del Instituto Pastoral del Sureste, SEPI, la rama educativa de la Oficina Regional de los Obispos del Sureste de EE.UU. para el Ministerio Hispano, que abarca las 30 diócesis que comprenden la región del sureste del país.

El tema de la salud mental fue elegido por los mismos jóvenes, quienes compartieron sus inquietudes sobre el aumento de crisis de ansiedad y ataques de pánico entre los jóvenes.

Este libro no viene a dar una clase de salud mental, viene a abrir espacios de escucha “para que los jóvenes puedan identificar sus emociones, puedan abrir espacios de diálogo con respecto a lo que están sintiendo”, dijo Gabriella

FOTO DE OSV NEWS/ROCÍO GRANADOS, LA VOZ CATÓLICA

Gabriella Escalante, coordinadora de la Pastoral Juvenil del del Instituto Pastoral del Sureste (SEPI), muestra el Libro de la Pascua, “Mente, alma y corazón: Hablemos de la salud mental sin miedo”, realizado por los jóvenes de la Pastoral Juvenil. Jóvenes y jóvenes adultos de 12 diócesis del sureste de los Estados Unidos eligieron el tema y se reunieron durante varias semanas para elaborar este libro bilingüe que está siendo utilizado por los jóvenes durante la Cuaresma.

Escalante, coordinadora de la Pastoral Juvenil del SEPI, en una entrevista con La Voz Católica, el periódico en español de la Arquidiócesis de Miami.

El libro tampoco ofrece tratamiento psicológico; solo reconoce esta realidad

Peregrinación de 13 Días a Los Santuarios Marianos

Lisboa Fátima Santiago de Compostela Ávila Zaragoza Lourdes Barcelona

14 – 26 de Septiembre de 2026

$4,690.00 por persona desde Houston

Incluye: Transporte Aéreo De Ida Y Vuelta Desde Houston, Hoteles De Primera Clase, Ocupación Doble, 2 Comidas Al Día: Desayuno Y Cena, Visitas Turísticas Diarias, Guías Bilingües, Impuestos Aeroportuarios, Recargos Por Combustible, Que Están Sujetos A Cambios, Y Propinas A Conductores Y Guías.

Director Espiritual: P. Jhon Florez

y la necesidad de prestarle atención a este tema y “darles herramientas y ofrecerles oportunidades para que los jóvenes expresen su vulnerabilidad sin vergüenza”, dijo la hermana Ondina Cortés, directora de formación del SEPI.

Para Gaby Girón, psicóloga y mentora católica, es muy importante hablar sobre las emociones “y no se habla lo suficiente porque no tenemos las herramientas para expresar esas emociones”.

Actualmente, el problema emocional que está afectando más a los jóvenes es la enorme “presión social de las redes sociales, porque la comparación es muy fuerte. Ellos están constantemente comparándose con los cinco segundos que alguien publique en Instagram o en Snapchat”, dijo Girón, quien enseña manejo de emociones, de comunicación y sobre la teología del cuerpo a los jóvenes adultos de la pastoral juvenil del SEPI.

Esa fuerte comparación interna lastima la autoestima del joven “y si no creció con técnicas de socialización y de compartir (en persona) es difícil comunicar, y estamos viendo mucha tristeza que nos está hablando”, dijo Girón.

Como Iglesia, tenemos que empezar a hablar sobre la salud mental “romper tabúes, porque mucha gente necesita escuchar”, agregó la especialista. Girón, quien escribió un capítulo del

Libro de la Pascua sobre las emociones y su importancia, dijo que “muchas personas piensan que por ser católicos no podemos sentir ni expresar ciertas cosas porque deberíamos de confiar o deberíamos de estar supercontentos todo el tiempo”.

“Las emociones son válidas y hay que expresarlas y saber comunicarlas”, dijo al respecto. El problema es que muchas veces no sabemos qué estamos sintiendo y a la pregunta de “¿cómo estás?”, la respuesta automática es “Bien”. “¿Y qué pasa?, el 90% del tiempo no es cierto. Entonces no hay una coherencia”, explicó Girón.

Es importante identificar lo que se siente. “Tomarnos el tiempo conscientemente y decir: ‘Espérate, ¿realmente estoy bien?’”, dijo Girón.

“Cuando empiezas a crear conciencia, empiezas a ver que Jesús y Dios pusieron sentimientos y emociones por una razón. Empiezas a tomarte el tiempo de conocerte y qué bonito que cuando te conoces puedes donarte mejor”, dijo Girón.

Otro hecho es que “siempre nos enfocamos en lo negativo. ‘Mamá, saqué una B. ¿Por qué no sacaste una A?’ ‘Mamá, aquí tengo la A, pues es lo único que tienes que hacer’. No hay un reconocimiento del joven, del niño o del adulto, porque ahora ya todos hemos crecido con estas heridas”, dijo Girón. †

Peregrinación De Europa

Del Este De 12 Días

Polonia República Checa Austria Hungría

Del 14 Al 25 De Junio De 2026

$4,690.00 por persona desde Houston

Incluye: Transporte aéreo de ida y vuelta desde Houston, hoteles de primera clase, ocupación doble, 2 comidas al día - desayuno y cena, visitas turísticas diarias, impuesto de aeropuerto, entradas, propinas para conductores y guías, y recargos por combustibleque están sujetos a cambios.

Para más información favor de llamar a: Mike Maltez 713-298-8589 Ana Maltez 713-269-8589 Correo electrónico: mmaltez23@yahoo.com

Varsovia

Mike Maltez

Nuestra Señora de Fátima

WITHIN THE ARTS

(OSV News) — It’s not your parents’ children’s Bible. Although — teases its publisher, Word on Fire Votive — if they buy it as a gift, they may try to keep it for themselves.

“The Story of All Stories: A Story Bible for Young Catholics” is the new children’s Bible parents and grandparents are buying for little ones, but find themselves captivated by its combination of alluring art and engaging storytelling.

“It was something that a lot of Catholic parents had been asking me for when I came on as editor of the Votive imprint,” said Haley Stewart, who oversees the youth books division of Bishop Robert E. Barron’s Word on Fire evangelization organization, based in Elk Grove, Illinois.

“A lot of them were saying, ‘We want a really beautiful children’s Bible, because there’s nothing on the market that’s really captured our children’s imagination.’ And I have four kids, and I felt the same,” recalled Stewart. “So we began a conversation within the team at Word on Fire, and started to get excited about what we could create. And we knew pretty much immediately that Emily was the person we wanted.”

After Chapman told Stewart“no”twice, Stewart resorted to a secret weapon: showing her the work of artist Diana Renzina, who would illustrate the Bible.

“As soon as I saw that, I knew I had to say yes — because I knew I was going to want that Bible in my house for my children,” said Chapman. “And if the writing was anything less than what I would have liked it to be, I was going to be kicking myself for the rest of my life. I said ‘yes’ as a mother.”

Renzina, a mostly self-taught Latvian artist, works in a style that fuses her favorite folkloric inspirations with enchanting and vivid drawings on practically every page of “The Story of All Stories,” which was published in October.

Testament stories point to Jesus, Mary and the Sacraments as well as quotes from saints, popes and Church Fathers.

“It tells children the story of the Bible as one whole,” explained Chapman. “Most children’s Bibles are collections of random stories from the Bible, and they help kids to know a lot of the highlights, but they don’t help them to see the whole picture.”

That whole picture is, of course, nothing less than salvation.

Designed for ages 7 to 13, the narrative style and tone are accessible yet not oversimplified, and importantly, theologically accurate.

“We could not include every single story in the Bible, but we wanted it to have a fullness to it,” Chapman said.

Ultimately, the division is almost evenly half and half between the Old Testament and New Testament. An audiobook version, which is read by actor Jonathan Roumie who portrays Jesus in “The Chosen,” is also available.

Chapman, however, took some convincing; her children were 1, 2 and 4 at the time, and she had sworn off any such huge, time-consuming undertakings.

Emily is Emily Stimpson Chapman — best-selling Catholic author of over a dozen books, journalist, essayist and mother of three. Stewart was eager to cast Chapman as her chief storyteller for the new project, which would read like a storybook.

“She has this way of blending fresh illustrations with ancient and mystical qualities in the way that she handles form, color and texture,” said Nicolas Fredrickson, Word on Fire’s brand director. “She conveys feelings of transcendence in these vibrant, exciting scenes. She consistently tells these deep mysterious stories through her work.”

That cohesion in both art and story is critical in a hardcover volume that runs 496 pages and covers Biblical events from Genesis to Revelation. Each chapter features main points and key connections — Biblical typology showing how Old

With more than 400 five-star reviews on Amazon, the family imprimatur seems solidly assured. But both prelates and priests have also endorsed “The Story of All Stories.” Bishop Erik Varden of Trondheim, Norway, who recently preached Pope Leo XIV’s Lenten retreat, said it was “like a portable cathedral.” †

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• Hoppers (PG)

• Project Hail Mary (PG-13)

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AROUND THE ARCHDIOCESE

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

MARCH 27

FISH FRY, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., St. Rose of Lima (3600 Brinkman, Houston). Plates include fried catfish, hush puppies, French fries, cole slaw and iced tea. Cost: $13/plate. Dine in or pick up. Pre-order online. stroselima.org.

MARCH 29

DINNER AND BAKE SALE, 10:30 a.m., St. Wenceslaus (407 Third St., Beasley). Sunday dinner and bake sale. Cost: $15/plate.

APRIL 1

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

APRIL 3

WAY OF THE CROSS, 10:15 a.m., University of St. Thomas (3802 Yoakum, Houston). 2.2-mile walking procession starts at the Chapel of St. Basil, continuing through Midtown to Downtown with stops at Holy Rosary, Catholic Charities, ending at the Co-Cathedral of Sacred Heart. secretarycltx@gmail.com.

APRIL 3-12

DIVINE MERCY NOVENA AND CHAPLET, Mary Queen (606 Cedarwood Dr., Friendswood). Novena and Chaplet begin on Good Friday, April 3, in the St. Joseph Chapel after the parish’s 3 p.m. Stations of the Cross. Each remaining day of the Novena, April 4 to 11, continues at 3 p.m. in the St. Joseph Chapel, including Easter Sunday. On Divine Mercy Sunday, April 12, at 3 p.m., prayers will include Divine Mercy Chaplet, Adoration and Benediction in the St. Joseph Chapel.

APRIL 12

MUSICAL/CHOIR PERFORMANCE, 2 p.m., St. Hyacinth (2921 Center St., Deer Park). “Easter Cantata,” the

LENTEN FISH FRYS

FRIDAYS OF LENT

CHRIST THE KING, noon to 6 p.m. (4419 N Main St., Houston). Plates include fried fish, Spanish rice, French fries, cole slaw and hush puppies. Cost: $15/plate. Drinks and desserts sold separately at an additional cost. ctkcc.org.

CORPUS CHRISTI, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. (9900 Stella Link Rd., Houston). Knights of Columbus Council 12385 host a fish fry that includes fried or baked fish, French fries, hush puppies, cole slaw, dessert, ice tea, lemonade and coffee. Cost: $13/adults and $7/kids. 713-858-3291; paulsobieski@att.net.

HOLY ROSARY, 7 to 9 p.m. (1416 George St., Rosenberg). Fish fry, with Stations of the Cross before the meal beginning at 6:30 p.m. Cost: $15/plate.

ROSENBERG, 5 to 7 p.m., Fort Bend Columbus Hall (2007 Kay Cee Dr., Rosenberg). Sponsored by Fort Bend Knights of Columbus Council 2801, dinners include fried fish, hush puppies, French fries, brown beans and cole slaw. Catholic Daughters of America 1476 is selling homemade desserts. Cost: $14/Inside All-YouCan-Eat; $13/Drive. 281-232-8691; kc2801.com.

OUR LADY STAR OF THE SEA, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (1401 Fidelity St., Houston). Fish dinners, crawfish etouffee dinners or both together. 713-6749206.

Easter story by Tom Fettke and Thomas Grassi, features full choir, orchestration and narration. sthyacinth.org/events.

APRIL 14

LUNCHEON, Junior League of Houston (1811 Briar Oaks Ln., Houston). Santa Maria Hostel hosts annual R.I.S.E. luncheon fundraiser benefiting its mission to empower women and their families to lead healthy, successful, productive and self-fulfilling lives. Cost: $300/ ticket. bwilson@santamariahostel.org. Register: santamariahostel.org.

APRIL 10-12

AA MEN’S RETREAT, 6 p.m. Friday to 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Holy Name Passionist Retreat Center (430 Bunker Hill Rd., Houston). Three-day 12step study weekend for those working 12-step programs. Cost: $265/person and $250/65 and older. registrar.holyname@passionist.org; holynameretreatcenter.com/catholic-weekendretreats.

APRIL 17-19

CATHOLIC MEN’S RETREAT , 6 p.m. Friday to 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Holy Name Passionist Retreat Center (430 Bunker Hill Rd., Houston). Threeday retreat includes Mass, Reconciliation, conferences and time for private prayer for parish groups, father/sons (16+) and individuals. Cost: $265/person. registrar.holyname@ passionist.org; holynameretreatcenter.com/ catholic-weekend-retreats.

APRIL 25

CRAWFISH BOIL AND FISH FRY, 3 to 10 p.m., Fort Bend Columbus Hall & Park (2007 Kay Cee Dr., Rosenberg). Fort Bend Knights of Columbus 2801 host event with live music by Horizon. Presale tickets only. Cost: $40/adult; $10/child (ages 6-12); Children under age 6 are free. kc2801.com/crawfish-boil.

LADIES BRUNCH, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., St. Hyacinth (2921 Center St., Deer Park). Catholic Daughters of the Americas hosts a brunch with guest speaker

SACRED HEART, 4:30 to 7 p.m. (109 N Frazier St., Conroe). Knights of Columbus sponsors a fish fry. Cost: $12/adult, $7/kids, $10/fish taco plate. steveeggert@gmail.com.

SACRED HEART, 4 to 7 p.m. (507 S Fourth St., Richmond). Plates include fried or grilled fish, green beans, cole slaw, hush puppies and French fries. $1 desserts by the slice. Dine-in or drive-thru. Stations of the Cross at 3 and 7 p.m. in the church. 281-342-3609; sacredhrt.com.

ST. ANNE DE BEAUPRE, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (2810 Link Rd., Houston). Fish dinner includes fish, potato salad, green beans, bread and cake. Cost: $15/ plate. Call-in/Walk-in/Delivery with five or more dinners. 832-296-0770; 713-208-9230.

ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST, lunch: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., dinner: 5 to 7 p.m. (800 W. Baker Rd., Baytown). Catered by Catfish on Wheels. Cost: $13/plate.

ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL, 5 to 7 p.m. (1801 Sage Rd., Houston). St. Michael Knights of Columbus, Council #14700 serves fried fish, fried shrimp, French fries, mac-n-cheese, cole slaw and hush puppies. Cost: $15/fish, $18/fish and shrimp and $20/shrimp. kofc14700.org.

ST. PHILIP NERI, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (10960 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Houston). Fish dinners, fried or stewed fish, two sides (French fries, homemade potato salad, green beans, corn on the cob). Desserts and drinks sold separately. Dine in or to go. 713-882-1134; khchjh4@yahoo.com.

Mitchell Contreras speaking on estate planning, with a fashion show by Cato Fashions, lunch from La Madeleine Bakery & Cafe, and a photo op with mothers and grandmothers.

APRIL 25-26

GARAGE SALE, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, St. Theresa (705 St. Theresa Blvd., Sugar Land). Sales include includes religious items, jewelry, fine china, vintage/ antique items, furniture, toys, household goods, sports equipment, holiday decorations, home improvement, lamps, luggage, books, electronics, office supplies, kitchen items, lawn & garden items, pet items, albums, cassettes, CDs, DVDs, VHS tapes and more. Free entry.

APRIL 26

SPRINGFEST, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., St. Joseph (101 Elmore St., New Waverly). Event includes fajita meal followed by a live auction, a silent auction and kids’ games, including a train ride, bounce house and carnival games. st-josephtx.org.

MAY 1

GALA, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., Lone Star Flight Museum (11551 Aerospace Ave., Houston). True Cross Catholic School’s evening gala celebrates the school’s 80th anniversary with dinner and live and silent auctions among historic aircraft. Cost: $150/person. Sponsorships available. 281-3375212; truecrossschool.org/80.

MAY 3

SPRING FESTIVAL, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., St. Rose of Lima (3600 Brinkman, Houston). Event includes live music, dancing, food and a raffle. Tickets can be purchased at the door. parishinfo@stroselima. org.

MAY 2-3

BAZAAR, 7 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, St. Matthias (302 FM 1774, Magnolia). Event begins Saturday with a barn dance, music provided by The Lonely Road Band, food and craft booths. Sunday includes games, inflatables, live and silent auction, food options including a barbecue dinner and live music. Free entry. 281-

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

356-2000; www.st-matthias.net/bazaar.

BAZAAR, 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, St. Francis de Sales (8200 Roos Rd., Houston). Event begins Saturday with live music and crawfish sold by the pound. Sunday, event includes many ethnic foods and drinks, kids’ games, Bingo, live auction at 3 p.m. with live music before and after. Free entry. susank@sfdshouston.org; 713-774-7475; sfds-houston.org.

MAY 11

GOLF TOURNAMENT, 8 a.m., Windrose Golf Club (6235 Pine Lakes Blvd., Spring). Knights of Columbus Council #10720 at St. Maximilian Kolbe hosts event benefiting the 28 programs that they support or execute. Sponsorships start at $200. Cost: $135/player, $500/team. ejlran@ hotmail.com; 832-721-4562.

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

MILESTONES

Charity Guild awards nearly $790,000 to Houston-area childrens’ groups

HOUSTON — On Feb. 10, The Charity Guild of Catholic Women celebrated its annual Children’s Charities grant ceremony, awarding a total of $789,830 in grants to 53 non-profit organizations across the greater Houston area which provide food, safe housing, affordable health care, clothing, educational support, mental health assistance and recreational or enrichment programs for children, regardless of race or creed.

Grant money is funded from the proceeds of the volunteer-run Charity Guild Shop located in the Montrose neighborhood. The partnership of volunteers, consigners, customers and the community makes this possible.

The Charity Guild was originally founded in 1922 to support what is now the San José Clinic. Over the past 30 years, it has awarded over $10 million to 223 Houston-area charities, helping numerous organizations expand their reach and provide critical services to children and families in need.

Among the organizations awarded grants this year are The Periwinkle Foundation, which provides a community of healing for children with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses through camps, arts, and survivor programs; Barclay’s Bookshelf, which will provide children in Title One schools with brand new books to support literacy and foster a love of reading; All

Ears! Listening and Language Center, which will use its grant to assist children who are deaf and hard of hearing reach their full potential through educational support, advanced hearing technology and specialized speech therapy; and Cy-Fair Helping Hands, which will use their grant to support their mission of providing shelter for families with children, feeding hungry families and assisting Cy-Fair ISD students with school-related expenses.

Other grant recipients include Girls on the Run, Project One Day, Teen and Family Services, Be an Angel, Cardinal’s Circle CROSS Academies, Blessings in a Backpack Inc., Second Servings, and Houston Furniture Bank, to name just a few.

Additionally, grants were awarded to 16 Catholic Schools in the greater Houston area, which will be used for tuition assistance, educational materials, and supplies such as lunch tables and printers.

With more than 600 volunteer members from parishes throughout the Archdiocese, the Charity Guild of Catholic Women, one of the oldest non-profit organizations in the Greater Houston area, is very proud of its 103 years of service to the community and looks forward to continuing to assist children in need.

For more information about the Charity Guild, visit charityguildshop.org. †

HOUSTON — Sister Hannah O’Donoghue, Sister Celeste Trahan and Sister Rosanne Popp, M.D., will speak at the CHRISTUS Foundation for HealthCare’s 22nd annual spring luncheon on Tuesday, March 24, at River Oaks Country Club, 1600 River Oaks Blvd.

The Spring Luncheon honors community leaders and raises funds for the CHRISTUS Foundation’s primary healthcare and social service programs. Co-chaired by Reagan Fibbe, Emily Dunn Harris and Lindsey Harris, M.D., the event benefits CHRISTUS St. Mary’s Clinic, and honors associates who have been with CHRISTUS Foundation for HealthCare since its creation 20 years ago.

“We are deeply grateful for the incredible generosity of our supporters,” said Richard Torres, CHRISTUS Foundation president and executive director. “Their compassion and commitment are transforming lives and supporting the reliable and accessible care CHRISTUS St. Mary’s Clinic provides to the uninsured of Houston’s East End and beyond.”

Sisters O’Donoghue, Trahan and Popp, who are members of the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word–Houston, will share stories about the impact their congregation has made on healthcare in Galveston-Houston, including many medical firsts for the area.

Arriving in Galveston in 1866, the original three sisters administered care during the cholera epidemic through St. Mary’s Infirmary and eventually expanded to Houston with the city’s first hospital, St. Joseph’s. Since selling St. Joseph’s in 2005, the Sisters’ mission has continued through the CHRISTUS Foundation’s

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CHARITY GUILD OF CATHOLIC WOMEN

The Charity Guild of Catholic Women has awarded a total of $789,830 in grants to 53 non-profit organizations across the greater Houston area.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CHRISTUS FOUNDATION Pictured, from left to right, Sister Hannah O’Donoghue, Sister Celeste Trahan and Sister Rosanne Popp, M.D.