Ascension, Assumption: What’s the difference?
BY CATHERINE ODELL Special to the Herald
HOUSTON (OSV News) — What’s the Ascension? What’s the Assumption? What’s the difference? The meaning of these two great feasts is sometimes a bit blurry.
As we reach the mid-point of May with its upcoming Solemnity of the Ascension, it can be easy to confuse the two.
The Solemnity of the Ascension
The Ascension celebrates the Ascension of Jesus into heaven and is currently celebrated in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston on the Seventh Sunday of Easter, which is May 17.
Toward the end of the fourth century, St. Augustine referred to its observance as universal and long-standing. In the
first Christian centuries, however, the Ascension may have been celebrated together with the Resurrection and Pentecost — three great feasts rolled into one.
The Ascension of Jesus to the right hand of God the Father is verified in Scripture. Mark, ending his Gospel with Christ’s commissioning of His disciples, says, “after speaking to them, the Lord Jesus was taken up into heaven and took His seat at God’s right hand” (16:19). In John 20:17, Jesus warns Mary Magdalene, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Rather, go to my brothers and tell them: ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” Tradition suggests that Jesus ascended into heaven at Mount Olivet near Jerusalem.
Theological understanding of the
See MEANING, page 7
SPIRITUALITY
At St. Thomas High School, mothers and sons share journeys to Catholicism
BY JAMES RAMOS Texas Catholic Herald
HOUSTON — As Keegan Cardona received his First Communion this Easter, the moment marked more than a Sacrament. For the 16-year-old sophomore at St. Thomas High School, it clarified a sense of purpose that had been quietly forming for years.
“After receiving my first Holy Communion, my vision, life and relationship with God became clear with purpose and meaning,” Cardona said.
A Houston native and parishioner of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Cardona was among the nearly 3,000 who entered the Catholic Church after completing the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, known as OCIA. His journey at St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Houston unfolded alongside his mother, Laura
See FAITH, page 4
EDUCATION
Vanderpool leads UST with faith, listening
and hope
BY JAMES RAMOS Texas Catholic Herald
HOUSTON — When Sinda Vanderpool, Ph.D., stepped into the role of president of the University of St. Thomas (UST) this summer, she began not with declarations or sweeping changes, but by listening.
“In my first six months, a lot of what I’ve done has just been listening and being present with faculty and staff and students, hearing their ideas and what they want to see in the future,” Vanderpool said. “That really builds the bridge of friendship and solidarity with each other.”
A Houston native and graduate of Lamar High School, Vanderpool brings more than two decades of leadership experience in Catholic and Christian See VANDERPOOL, page 6
PHOTO BY JAMES RAMOS/HERALD
Vietnamese Catholics offer flowers to the Blessed Mother at Our Lady of La Vang Catholic Church in Houston during a Marian festival May 2. Hundreds of Catholics also joined a procession around the church grounds, while praying the Rosary. SEE MORE ON PAGES 9 AND 12.
A Shepherd’s Message
By Archbishop Joe S. Vásquez
In this message, Archbishop Joe S. Vásquez shares the reflection given by His Holiness Pope Leo XIV at an April 11 Rosary prayer vigil for peace at St. Peter’s Basilica.
Dear brothers and sisters,
Your prayer is an expression of that faith which, according to the words of Jesus, moves mountains (Mt 17:20). Thank you for accepting this invitation to gather here at the tomb of St. Peter and in so many other places around the world to pray for peace. War divides; hope unites. Arrogance tramples upon others; love lifts up. Idolatry blinds us; the living God enlightens. My dearest friends, all it takes is a little faith, a mere “crumb” of faith, in order to face this dramatic hour in history together — as humanity and alongside humanity.
Prayer is not a refuge in which to hide from our responsibilities, nor an anesthetic to numb the pain provoked by so much injustice. Rather, it is the most selfless, universal and transformative response to death: we are a people who are already risen! Within each of us, within every human being, the interior Teacher teaches peace, urges us toward encounter and inspires us to make supplication. Let us rise from the rubble! Nothing can confine us to a predetermined fate, not even in this world where there never seem to be enough graves, for people continue to crucify one another and eliminate life, with no regard to justice and mercy.
Prayer teaches us how to act. In prayer, our limited human possibilities are joined to the infinite possibilities of God. Thoughts, words and deeds then break the demonic cycle of evil and are placed at the service of the Kingdom of God. A kingdom in which there is no sword, no drone, no vengeance, no trivialization of evil, no unjust profit, but only dignity, understanding and forgiveness. It is here that we find a bulwark against that delusion of omnipotence that surrounds us and is becoming increasingly unpredictable and aggressive.
“Let us turn to a Kingdom of peace that is built up day by day.”
by drop, or fabric woven stitch by stitch. These are the slow rhythms of life, a sign of God’s patience. We must not allow ourselves to be overwhelmed by the pace of a world that does not know what it is chasing. Rather, we must return to serving the rhythm of life, the harmony of creation and healing its wounds. As Pope Francis taught us, “There is also a need for peacemakers, men and women prepared to work boldly and creatively to initiate processes of healing and renewed encounter” (Encyclical Letter Fratelli Tutti, 225). There is, indeed, “an ‘architecture’ of peace, to which different institutions of society contribute, each according to its own area of expertise, but there is also an ‘art’ of peace that involves us.”
Dear brothers and sisters, let us return home having made a commitment to pray without ceasing and without growing weary, a commitment to a profound conversion of heart. The Church is a great people at the service of reconciliation and peace. She advances without hesitation, even when rejecting the logic of war may lead to misunderstanding and scorn. She proclaims the Gospel of peace and instills obedience to God rather than any human authority, especially when the inherent dignity of other human beings is threatened by continuous violations of international law.
“Throughout the world, it is to be hoped that every community becomes a ‘house of peace,’ where one learns how to defuse hostility through dialogue, where justice is practiced and forgiveness is cherished. Now more than ever, we must show that peace is not a utopia” (Message for the LIX World Day of Peace, 1 January 2026).
Let us, therefore, unite the moral and spiritual strength of the millions and billions of men and women, young and old, who today choose to believe in peace, caring for the wounds and repairing the damage left behind by the madness of war. I receive countless letters from children in areas of conflict. In reading them, one perceives, through the lens of innocence, all the horror and inhumanity of actions that some adults boast of with pride. Let us listen to the voices of children!
Dear brothers and sisters, there are certainly binding responsibilities that fall to the leaders of nations. To them we cry out: Stop! It is time for peace! Sit at the table of dialogue and mediation, not at the table where rearmament is planned, and deadly actions are decided! Yet there is a no less significant responsibility that falls to all of us — men and women from all over the world. We are an immense multitude that rejects war not only in word, but also in deed. Prayer calls us to leave behind whatever violence remains in our hearts and minds. Let us turn to a kingdom of peace that is built up day by day — in our homes, schools, neighborhoods, and civil and religious communities. A kingdom that counters polemics and resignation through friendship and a culture of encounter. Let us believe once again in love, moderation and good politics. We must form ourselves and get personally involved, each following our own calling. Everyone has a place in the mosaic of peace!
Brothers and sisters of every language, people and nation: we are one family that weeps, hopes and rises again. “No more war, a journey with no return; no more war, a vicious cycle of grief and violence,” said St. John Paul II in a February 1991 prayer for peace. For this reason, we raise our prayer to Him:
Lord Jesus, you conquered death without weapons or violence: you shattered its power with the strength of peace.
Grant us your peace, as you did to the women filled with doubt on Easter morning, as you did to the disciples who were hiding in fear.
Send forth your Spirit, the breath that gives life and reconciles, that turns adversaries and enemies into brothers and sisters.
The Rosary, like other ancient forms of prayer, has united us this evening in its steady rhythm built on repetition. Peace gains ground in the same way: word by word, deed by deed, just as a rock is hollowed out drop
Inspire in us to trust in Mary, your mother, who stood at the foot of your cross with a broken heart, firm in the faith that you would rise again.
May the madness of war cease and the Earth be cared for and cultivated by those who still know how to bring forth, protect and love life. Hear us, Lord of life!
Archbishop Vásquez: During the month of May, we turn our hearts in a special way to Mary, our blessed mother, who always leads us closer to her Son. Praying the Rosary invites us to slow down, reflect on the mysteries of Christ’s life and allow Mary to walk with us in faith, hope and trust.
Let us join Our Blessed Mother in praying to her Son, the Prince of Peace, to grant us the peace only he gives and bring an end to war, violence, injustice and dissension in our world. †
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THE FIRST WORD
PHOTO BY JONAH DYCUS/ HERALD
Elizabeth Morales, media relations specialist for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston’s Office of Communications interviews a priest with Marcus Norwood, media technician coordinator also with the Office of Communications, for a video project for the Archdiocese.
CCC collection helps bring Christ to the world through media
HOUSTON — During the weekend of May 16 to 17, parishes across the Archdiocese will take up the annual collection for the U.S. bishops’ Catholic Communication Campaign (CCC). Through this collection, the faithful help the Church share the Gospel message and connect people with Christ through media such as websites, social media, television, radio and print, both locally and nationwide.
The CCC furthers the Church’s mission of evangelization by supporting media initiatives in television, radio, digital platforms and print. An annual collection is taken up in dioceses, with half of the proceeds forwarded to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). These funds are distributed as grants through the CCC subcommittee, while the remaining portion is used by dioceses to fund local communication efforts.
In the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, the support enables the Archdiocesan Office of Communications to produce multimedia projects, including social media, online newsletters, videos and other media, that bring the Gospel message to the faithful throughout 10 counties that comprise the fifth-largest diocese in the U.S.
Because of this support, the bishops of the United States are able to engage millions of people each day through social media, video, and other digital platforms.
Some of the other projects supported by the Catholic Communication Campaign include: Daily Mass readings and related resources on the U.S. bishops’ website, which reach hundreds of millions of people each year and are increasingly shared across digital platforms to support prayer and formation:
bible.usccb.org.
In-depth coverage of Pope Leo XIV, his ministry and travels by the Catholic News Service bureau in Rome, providing trusted Catholic journalism to audiences in the United States and beyond, which provides content for the Texas Catholic Herald, its digital newsletter The Digest — and the USCCB’s website and video productions.
CCC funding has also made possible media campaigns on marriage, family life, service and reconciliation, reaching millions through radio and television.
“Communication is not only the transmission of information, but it is also the creation of a culture, of human and digital environments that become spaces for dialogue and discussion,” Pope Leo XIV said.“In looking at how technology is developing, this mission becomes ever more necessary.” †
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IN BRIEF
Café Catholica Lite returns May 21
HOUSTON — The Office for Young Adult and Campus Ministry will host the next Café Catholica Lite at Mary Queen Catholic Church, located at 606 Cedarwood Dr. in Friendswood, on Thursday, May 21, from 7 to 8:45 p.m.
The talk titled “Discerning the Vocation of Marriage: How It Can Save You!” will be given by Joseph Mastrangelo, owner of Zelie Beans Coffee. The talk will explore how discerning marriage is not only about recognizing God’s call, but also about discovering the person who will help you grow in holiness and prepare for eternal life. The night will include snacks, the presentation, Q&A and prayer.
The Café Catholica program helps young adults ages 18 to 39 encounter Christ and His Church. For more information, visit www.archgh.org/cafecatholica. †
Priesthood ordinations set for June 6
HOUSTON — Catholics across the Archdiocese are invited to attend the ordinations of priests.
The priestly ordination is set for Saturday, June 6, at 10 a.m. Archbishop Joe S. Vásquez will ordain Deacon James Schnitzler, Deacon Joshua Svajda, Deacon Mitchell Schumann and Deacon Thomas Vu to the priesthood. The ordinations will both take place at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, located at 1111 St. Joseph Parkway in downtown Houston and will be livestreamed online at www. archgh.org/live. †
AYC registration opens
HOUSTON — The 2026 Archdiocesan Youth Conference (AYC), set for July 31 to Aug. 2 at the Hilton Americas Hotel, gathers participants both youth and adults from all over the local Church. This year’s theme is “Peace Be With You All.” Major presenters include Father David Michael Moses, Alex Gotay Jr. and Katie Villarreal, and emcees Dunn Estacio and Leilani Borbon Costa.
To register, contact your parish’s youth ministry leaders, and for more information, visit archgh.swoogo.com/ ayc2026. †
Catholic Charities’ food distributions continue in Galveston, Harris and Fort Bend counties
HOUSTON — Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston continues offering food assistance at three locations.
In Houston, the Guadalupe Center Market (326 S Jensen St.) hosts its next monthly community food fair on Saturday, May 23, from 8 to 11 a.m. Pre-qualified clients may visit by appointment only on Tuesdays, by drive-through only, from 9 a.m. to noon; Wednesdays, by walk-up only from 9 a.m. to noon; Fridays, from 11 a.m. to noon for people without homes. The next distribution for pre-registered seniors, held on the third Tuesday of every month, is on May 19 from 9 a.m. to noon. Call 713-251-6919 for more information.
The Beacon of Hope Isle Market in Galveston (4700 Broadway, Ste. B-101) is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. To make an appointment, which is preferred, call 409-762-2064. Drive-through distributions, held in partnership with the Galveston County Food Bank, are on the fourth Wednesday of every month, starting at 9 a.m. Call 409-762-2064 for more information.
In Fort Bend County, the Mamie George Community Center (1111 Collins Rd., Richmond) hosts client-choice food distributions by appointment only on Mondays, from noon to 2:30 p.m., and on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. To make an appointment or for more information, call 281-202-6200. Drive-through distributions are held on Tuesdays, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., and Thursdays, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. The next monthly Saturday community food fair is set for May 30, from 9:30 a.m. to noon. For general information, visit www.catholiccharities.org/ food or call 713-526-4611. †
LOCAL
without arms, pilot defies every limitation
a powerful message of faith and
Friendships grew with faith, leading families to the Church
Cardona, and with the encouragement of classmates and mentors at St. Thomas.
Though baptized Methodist, Cardona grew up in a household where prayer was familiar.
“I always prayed before dinner and when going to bed,” he said. “My father and grandmother are Catholic and taught me the basic Catholic teachings and the Our Father and Hail Mary prayers.”
Time at St. Thomas led him to ask deeper questions.
“St. Thomas taught me more about the Catholic traditions and faith, which made me question my understanding and seek a relationship with God,” he said.
After a year at the school, Cardona said he knew it was time to take the next step.
“Being at St. Thomas for a year and learning more about the Catholic faith inspired me to seek God and His salvation,” he said.
Throughout the process, he relied on mentors, including his grandmother, his sponsor, Tate Erb, and two catechetical leaders: Allan DeLeon, of the St. Thomas theology faculty, and Chris Hart, director of youth and young adult ministry at St. Michael the Archangel.
Cardona’s story reflects a broader trend at St. Thomas. In 2025, 18 students from the school were fully initiated into the Catholic Church. In 2026, 11 students and one staff member entered the Church. In addition, five parents of St. Thomas students who participated in OCIA over the past two years were received into the Church through adult faith formation at local parishes.
A FAMILY JOURNEY
For Laura Cardona, entering the Church alongside her son Keegan created a shared experience neither had anticipated.
“Sharing this journey created a unique bond between us as we explored our faith together,” she said. “It led to deeper and more meaningful conversations about faith and life that we may never have had otherwise.”
The most meaningful moments came from seeing her son mature spiritually.
“Watching him mature spiritually and seeing him move from just learning about God to forming a personal relationship
with God,” Laura said. “Witnessing him profess his faith and claim his own place in the Church gives me an incredible sense of peace knowing he is entrusting his future in God and living for a higher purpose.”
That growth reshaped family life.
“It shifted our family from a routine of praying at mealtime and bedtime to truly understanding God and recognizing his love and presence in our daily lives,” she said. “Joining the Catholic community has provided a sense of belonging and allows us to continue to learn, grow and deepen our relationship with God together.”
She said the decision has already inspired Keegan’s younger brother to pursue OCIA.
“This has been a blessing to our entire family,” she said. “No matter what challenges my son may face in life, I know he has the Church and his relationship with God to guide him.”
FRIENDSHIP AS WITNESS
Serving as Cardona’s sponsor was Tate
Erb, also 16, a sophomore at St. Thomas High School and a parishioner of St. Helen Parish in Pearland. Like Cardona, Erb said faith formation at St. Thomas extends beyond theology classes.
“When he asked me to sponsor him, I had to take a couple of moments and do some real self-reflecting,” Erb said. “I realized that somebody I had been such close friends with truly believed that I had a big enough impact on his spiritual life to choose me as his sponsor.”
The request changed how he viewed his own role.
“It made me realize how even when not discussing religion, the impact our words and actions have on those around us can show how Jesus works through us,” he said.
Erb said patience was one of the hardest lessons.
“It was really difficult for me to wait for the day to come, especially seeing how excited Keegan was,” he said. “Yet I had to accept that it would come in due time when both God and Keegan were ready to be united.”
The experience encouraged him to speak more openly about faith.
“If my words or actions encourage even one more person to change their life and hand it over to God, it would be worth any amount of criticism I may take,” Erb said.
A MOTHER AND SON ENTER TOGETHER
Similar to Cardona, Erb’s faith journey also intersected closely with his family. His mother, Karen Erb, entered the Catholic Church at Easter 2025, completing OCIA alongside her son Tate.
“I always felt this pull to be more of a part of it,” she said, describing her upbringing surrounded by Catholic family life, years in Catholic education and teaching at St. Helen Catholic School in Pearland.
When Tate told her about the OCIA program at St. Thomas, she asked to join as well.
“When Tate came home and told me about the OCIA program at St. Thomas, I asked him, ‘Can I do it too?’” she said. “What a blessing.”
She said the process felt welcoming and personal.
“I felt so welcomed and encouraged, like never before,” she said. “It was awesome to come home from my classes and discuss what I was learning with Tate.”
The Easter Vigil in 2025 remains a defining moment.
“Definitely what stands out the most is Tate being there for me when I was confirmed and the Easter Vigil Mass when Tate was baptized, received First Communion and was confirmed,” she said.
She described the moment as healing as well as joyful.
“Tate being baptized was not only a blessing for him, but also for me,” she said. “I had to wipe away tears.”
She also recalled the reverence
“Witnessing Keegan profess his faith and claim his own place in the Church gives me an incredible sense of peace knowing he is entrusting his future in God and living for a higher purpose.”
LAURA CARDONA
on witnessing her son Keegan Cardona’s faith journey to the Catholic Church
her son showed when receiving Communion.
“It was important for him to kneel and have it placed directly into his mouth because it is the body of Christ and so very sacred,” she said.
She expressed gratitude to St. Thomas and St. Michael the Archangel Parish.
“They made this attainable for me,” she said. “I will always be grateful to the people involved.”
FAITH SHAPING DAILY LIFE
For Cardona, the process brought both challenge and assurance.
“The hardest part of the process was wondering if I was able to fully commit, understand and accept Christ into my life,” he said. “The most joyful part of the process is knowing I always have Christ by my side.”
He said that awareness now shapes his daily routine.
“I feel protected always knowing God is watching over me, and every day I continue to deepen my relationship with God,” he said.
Cardona chose St. Sebastian as his Confirmation saint, citing his own life as an athlete, and also pointed to St. José Sánchez del Río as an inspiration.
Looking ahead, Cardona hopes to pass the experience forward.
“I’m looking forward to continuing to grow my relationship with God and someday becoming a sponsor and encouraging someone else to grow in their faith,” he said.
For Erb, walking alongside his friend and his mother has given new meaning to daily life.
“Many days that I often had trouble getting through have now gained a new purpose,” he said. “I realize that in the end, I am doing God’s will.”
In the last two years, St. Thomas High School has witnessed the journey of more than 30 students, such as Keegan and Tate, and family members, like their mothers, as well as staff members, enter the Church in full initiation through faith formation with their home parishes. Taken together, they point to faith not only taught, but shared and lived, often beginning with one question and unfolding across friendships, families and generations. †
TATE ERB (LEFT) AND KEEGAN CARDONA (RIGHT)
New UST president seeks to grow school’s national impact
higher education. She previously served as president and vice chancellor of St. Mary’s University, a Catholic liberal arts institution in Calgary, and held academic leadership roles at Baylor University.
She holds a Ph.D. in French literature from Princeton University and a bachelor’s degree from Davidson College.
Vanderpool said she is drawn to UST’s identity as a Catholic university that fully embraces the integration of faith and reason.
“I love the fact that we are a Catholic university, and unapologetically so,” she said. “We guide students not just in that, but it is because of their faith.”
Vanderpool was formally installed as the UST’s 10th president and its first woman leader during an Inauguration Mass celebrated by Archbishop Joe S. Vásquez on Nov. 20, 2025 at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in downtown Houston.
“We pray that the Holy Spirit will guide and lead Dr. Vanderpool and the entire university community in the years ahead,” Archbishop Vásquez, a 1980 graduate of UST, said during the Liturgy.
Vanderpool said she found inspiration in Ex Corde Ecclesiae, the Church’s apostolic constitution on Catholic universities. She also points to the mission inherited from the Congregation of St. Basil, founded in post-revolutionary France, and its guiding values of goodness, discipline and knowledge.
“When you think about the heart of the Church, that’s really what it is,” she said. “It’s been a joy to be at a place that just solidly puts its finger on the heart of the Church and living out goodness, discipline and knowledge. Really, what else do we need as human beings except those things?”
After her appointment in July 2025, Vanderpool hosted a series of listening sessions with students, faculty and staff. The process, she said, has shaped her early leadership and affirmed what makes UST distinctive: small class sizes, close mentoring relationships and a faith-centered community in the heart of a major city.
PHOTO BY JAMES RAMOS/HERALD
Sinda Vanderpool, Ph.D., the 10th president of the University of St. Thomas in Houston, is seen outside of Link-Lee Mansion at the school’s Montrose campus. Vanderpool is the first woman to lead the university in the school’s 77-year history.
“There’s nothing like the human-tohuman interaction and mentoring that comes from those kinds of environments,” she said. “Every student can be known and cared for in a really personalized way.”
As the first woman to lead UST in its 77-year history, Vanderpool said she approaches the role with humility, gratitude and hope.
“I wouldn’t have had this opportunity were it not for women who came before me and opened up this space,” she said. “I enter it with a spirit of gratitude and also hope. I do hope that in the way that I lead, I’m able to open up spaces for women who may come after me in the future.”
Vanderpool is one of at least three women currently serving as presidents of Catholic universities in the American South.
She also hopes her leadership reflects the Church’s call to synodality, especially Pope Francis’ emphasis on walking together and Pope Leo XIV’s early focus on dialogue, healing and peace.
“I really see the role of a university as helping students on their path to growth and walking alongside them to help them be their best selves,”Vanderpool said. “We are called to be salt and light to the earth, and we want to be a beacon of hope for the world.”
That sense of walking together, she said, is visible in stories she encounters across campus. Vanderpool shared the example of a senior softball player and nursing student whose teammates and the wider UST community rallied around her after the death of her mother.
“Those kinds of students really inspire me,” she said, finding the students’ experience a good example of walking with each other in life.
Looking ahead, Vanderpool said she sees UST uniquely positioned for national impact, with one of the strongest core curricula in the country and growing momentum in athletics, accreditation
IN BRIEF
UST men’s D-III basketball caps historic season
HOUSTON — The University of St. Thomas men’s basketball team capped a historic season with national recognition and a narrow postseason loss. Head coach Anthony Medina was named the 2026 NABC Division III national coach of the year after leading the Celts to a school-record 29-2 season, which included a perfect 16-0 regular season in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference and the school’s longest 26-game winning streak on record.
UST’s run ended with a 63-59 loss to Christopher Newport University in the NCAA Division III Elite Eight, marking the program’s first appearances in the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight during the March Madness tournament. †
and graduate education. She also said she hopes to recruit more students from outside the Houston area while continuing to serve the local Church.
“If every single person felt proud of the fact that there’s a great Catholic university in your Archdiocese, think about the impact that would have,” she said. “Whether or not they end up taking a class here or sending their son or daughter here, it’s such an asset to the diocese.”
Scripture has sustained Vanderpool during her first months as president, particularly the story of Queen Esther.
“For such a time as this,” she said, referring to Esth 4:14. “I do feel that so many of the past experiences I’ve been able to have prepared me for this opportunity to lead and serve in this place.”
As she continues her first year, Vanderpool said joy has been the defining mark of her experience.
“Every single day, I’ve just absolutely loved it,” she said. “The University of St. Thomas has tremendous potential to shine very brightly and to make a huge difference.”
For Vanderpool, that light is rooted in faith, knowledge and the shared hope of a community moving forward together.
Founded in 1947 by the Basilian Fathers at the request of Bishop Christopher Byrne, UST is the only Catholic university in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. Rooted in the Catholic liberal arts tradition, UST saw 3,934 students enrolled in 2026, including 3,140 undergraduates and 794 graduate students, with 546 students expected to graduate May 10 at NRG Arena. †
Ascension or Assumption: We are heaven-bound
MEANING, from page 1
Ascension of Jesus evolved over the centuries. Originally, it was seen as God’s action on behalf of Jesus — a vindication over Christ’s enemies and over death. Eventually, it was understood that Jesus — as God — ascended on His own power to heaven and glory. The Ascension marked the end of the Lord’s visible ministry on earth. Jesus had to ascend, as He told His grieving disciples, in order to send them the Holy Spirit.
Vivid and colorful celebrations once taught the great lessons of the feast. In England, banners depicting Christ as a lion led prayerful processions in which a hideous dragon banner representing Satan was ignominiously relegated to the procession’s end.
On Ascension Day, in some medieval churches, an image of Christ was hoisted above the altar through openings in the church roof. Meanwhile, a picture of the devil plunged from the rafters to present the feast day’s doctrine dramatically.
The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated on Aug. 15 around the world. The Church teaches that God took Mary’s body and soul to heaven, sparing her body from corruption in recognition of her immaculate conception and her motherhood of the Son of God. Mary was, after all, “full of grace.” Scripture referred
to her as the “highly favored daughter” (Lk 1:28).
Almost nothing is known for certain about the death and burial of the Lord’s mother, and the question remains open of whether Mary died before or after was assumed. Scripture does not refer at all to Mary’s post-Resurrection life. The Catechism of the Catholic Church describes Mary’s assumption as taking place “when the course of her earthly life was finished” (No. 966). Early Church fathers expressed different views about whether Mary had died or was “taken up” before actual death.
Whether she was assumed into heaven, however, appears not to have been a subject of debate. Two cities, Jerusalem and Ephesus, claimed that she lived and died there. News of her empty grave and assumption began to circulate right after her death. Some reports say that she died about three years after Jesus’ resurrection; others speculate that it was about 15 years after Jesus died and rose.
At the fifth-century Council of Chalcedon, Emperor Marcian asked to have and protect Mary’s remains. St. Juvenal, bishop of Jerusalem, told the emperor that although Mary died in the presence of all the apostles, her tomb was later found empty by St. Thomas. The apostles concluded that her body was taken up to heaven. †
Catherine Odell contributes to OSV News from Indiana.
SOLEMNITY OF THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD MAY 17
SOLEMNITY OF THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY AUGUST 15
People of Faith. Helping People in Need.
We invite you to celebrate and honor Mary, Mother of God and all mothers, including your own, by making a special gift to the Month of Mary campaign. Your gift of $25 will provide a week of food, diapers, formula or baby food to a struggling mom. In May, honor Blessed Mother Mary and all mothers and help a needy mom care for her children.
Pope Leo XIV: In the Rosary, we are never alone
In his 2025 World Youth Day message, Pope Leo XIV encouraged young people to pray the Rosary.
By embracing Jesus through Mary, “a mother full of affection and understanding” in the Rosary, “in every situation of our life, we will experience that we are never alone, for as children we are always loved, forgiven and encouraged by God,” he said.
In Angola, at a shrine to Our Lady of Muxima, Pope Leo XIV said on April 19 that the Rosary is “an ancient and simple devotion that originated in the Church as a form of prayer for everyone.”
“For a long time now, [the Blessed Mother] has quietly worked to keep the heart of the Church alive and beating,” he continued. “Her heart contains a multitude of hearts: yours and those of many people who love, pray, celebrate, weep and sometimes — even when unable to come in person — entrust their requests and petitions to letters and postal messages... [Our
Praying the Rosary
1. Make the Sign of the Cross
2. Holding the Crucifix, say the Apostles’ Creed
3. On the first bead, say 1 Our Father
4. Say 3 Hail Marys on the 3 following beads
5. Say the Glory Be
Lady] welcomes everyone, listens to everyone and prays for everyone.”
“Praying the Rosary, then, commits us to loving every person with a mother’s heart — concretely and generously — and
to dedicating ourselves to the good of one another, especially the poorest,” he said. “A mother loves all her children in the same way and with her whole heart, even though each one is different.” †
6. For each of the 5 decades, announce the Mystery, then say the Our Father
7. While on each of the 10 beads of the decade, next say 10 Hail Marys while meditating on the Mystery. Then say a Glory Be. After each decade, the Fatima Prayer and the Sub Tuum Praesidum may be said.
8. After saying the 5 decades, say the Hail, Holy Queen, then The Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel may be said, followed by this:
V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Together: Let us pray, O God, whose Only Begotten Son, by his life, Death, and Resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life, grant, we beseech thee, that while meditating on these mysteries of the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
9. Conclude the Rosary with the Sign of the Cross.
Hail Holy Queen
Glory Be
Hail Mary
Our Father
The Apostles Creed
Hail Mary on each bead
First mystery
Glory Be
Fatima Prayer
Next mystery, then Our Father
theThe Mysteries of the Rosary
The Joyful Mysteries
Traditionally prayed on Mondays and Saturdays
1. The Annunciation of the Lord to Mary
2. The Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth
3. The Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ
4. The Presentation of our Lord
5. Finding Jesus in the Temple
The Sorrowful Mysteries
Traditionally prayed on Tuesdays and Fridays
1. The Agony in the Garden
2. The Scourging at the Pillar
3. The Crowning with Thorns
4. The Carrying of the Cross
5. The Crucifixion and Death
The Glorious Mysteries
Traditionally prayed on Wednesdays and Sundays
1. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ
2. The Ascension of Jesus to Heaven
3. The Descent of the Holy Ghost
4. The Assumption of Mary into Heaven
5. Mary is Crowned as Queen of Heaven and Earth
The Luminous Mysteries
Traditionally prayed on Thursdays
1. The Baptism in the Jordan
2. The Wedding at Cana
3. The Proclamation of the Kingdom
4. The Transfiguration
5. The Institution of the Eucharist
The Prayers of the Rosary
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.
The Our Father
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
The Hail Mary
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
The Glory Be (The Doxology)
Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
The Hail Holy Queen (The Salve Regina)
Hail, holy Queen, mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To you we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to you we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.
Turn, then, most gracious advocate, your eyes of mercy toward us; and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
The Fatima Prayer
O My Jesus, forgive us our sins; save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls to heaven, especially those most in need of Thy mercy. Amen.
The Sub Tuum Praesidium
We fly to your protection, O holy Mother of God; despise not our petitions in our necessities, but ever deliver us from all danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin.
The Prayer to St. Michael the
Archangel
St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray: and you, O prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, cast down to hell Satan and the other evil spirits, who prowl through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.
Vietnamese archbishop calls faithful to act with urgency at Marian Days at Our Lady of La Vang
BY JAMES RAMOS Texas Catholic Herald
HOUSTON — Thousands of Vietnamese Catholic pilgrims gathered at Our Lady of La Vang Parish in northwest Houston during Marian Days, filling the shrine grounds with prayer, song and reflection as organizers marked the 40th anniversary of the festival with a message centered on urgency, peace and personal conversion.
Gathered for a massive, three-day Marian festival that featured special prayers, youth events and speakers from May 1 to May 3, hundreds attended outdoor Masses and prayed the Rosary while joining a long Marian procession to honor Mary, Queen of Peace.
A bright statue of the Blessed Mother as Our Lady of La Vang, surrounded by flowers, followed the procession, with other floats covered with flowers honoring the Holy Family.
Presiding at the opening Mass, Archbishop Emeritus Joseph Nguyen Chí Linh, former archbishop of the Archdiocese of Hue in Vietnam, addressed a world he described as wounded by violence and division.
“The world is going through fierce moments of war, deceit and anger,” Archbishop Linh said, inviting the faithful to ask the Virgin Mary to restore peace and to extend her protection to Vietnam, which he said continues to face economic and spiritual hardship.
He also urged worshipers to look inward, asking Mary to bring peace to families and to individual lives marked by mistakes and setbacks.
Before the penitential rite, the bishop called the milestone gathering a “very meaningful pilgrimage” and encouraged attendees to allow the experience to change them.
“Through that, our lives will change,” he said. “We will feel life is more meaningful, and we will feel happier.”
Marian Days at Our Lady of La Vang draws Vietnamese Catholics from across the Archdiocese and beyond, along with visitors from other cultures drawn by the devotion’s history.
La Vang holds special significance for Vietnamese Catholics, rooted in reported Marian apparitions during a time of persecution more than two centuries ago.
Throughout the weekend, pilgrims moved through processions, confessions and communal prayers.
In his homily, Archbishop Linh placed devotion to Mary within a global Catholic context, noting that nearly every nation has its own Marian title.
“In our Vietnam, we have Our Lady of La Vang,” he said, alongside other Marian devotions worldwide, including Guadalupe in Mexico and Lourdes in France. Though Mary is one, he said, each representation reflects how she responds to the specific needs of a people.
One of the defining qualities that draws believers to Mary, Archbishop
PHOTO BY JAMES RAMOS/HERALD
friendships, where unresolved conflicts persist because individuals refuse to accept responsibility.
Archbishop Linh also extended the reflection to global conflicts, citing wars in Ukraine, Gaza and parts of Africa as signs of moral and spiritual decline.
“Humans see the tragedies in the world but do not improve their own thinking,” he said, describing a world still shaped by exploitation and the pursuit of power.
Against that reality, Marian Days offered a call to action rather than escape.
Linh said, is her readiness to act. Citing the Gospel phrase “Mary set out in haste,” he emphasized that for Mary, helping others is an urgent task that cannot be postponed.
“That is also a very significant message for our lives,” he said.
While many recognize suffering around them, Archbishop Linh said, they often lack the urgency to respond, leaving the poor, the addicted and the neglected unchanged. That same hesitation, he added, exists within families and
Archbishop Linh urged pilgrims not only to pray, but to return to their daily lives with renewed resolve to act quickly in service, reconciliation and justice.
“As we hear the reminders of Mary echoing from La Vang, from Fatima, from Lourdes,” he said, “let us allow Mary’s words to settle in our souls.”
For many in attendance, Marian Days served as both a reunion and a moment of recommitment, framed by faith, memory and the challenge to move forward without delay. †
Marian Days celebration at Our Lady of La Vang Parish in northwest Houston.
Faith, fellowship mark annual Caritas Circle Mass in Houston
HOUSTON — Archbishop Joe S. Vásquez celebrated an annual Mass for members of the Caritas Circle, an exclusive, faith-based group of philanthropic community leaders who help people in need through their support of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of GalvestonHouston.
After the Mass at the Burguières Family Chapel of the Sacred Heart on the Duchesne Academy campus, the group moved to a mission-filled brunch and fellowship at The Houstonian.
In his final remarks, Archbishop Vásquez thanked Caritas Circle members for their faithful support of Catholic Charities’ ministry.
Caritas Circle members enable Catholic Charities to provide care for the poor and vulnerable through services that offer relief and stability, including assistance with food, utilities, rent support, counseling, legal services and more. †
Office of Aging brings resources, faith and support to seniors
LA MARQUE — A Senior Resource Fair, sponsored by the Office of Aging, was held May 2 at Queen of Peace Catholic Church in La Marque.
Over 20 exhibitors set up displays and handed out educational materials to attendees aged 50 and older. Five presenters in English and five in Spanish delivered 30-minute presentations on educational topics, and 10 ministry angels helped with registration, food and drink preparation, oversight of the presenter rooms, and handing out information.
Exhibitors offered a wide range of services in health, aging in place and senior living, end-of-life and funeral planning, caregiving, grandparents, retreats, education and much more, both in English and Spanish.
“There was an atmosphere of joy and appreciation, and it seemed that everyone involved enjoyed being part of the event,” said Kristine Kerlin, director of the Office of Aging. “As a first event in this area of town, it was very well received, and some people even talked about holding a fair at their parish.” †
Catholic Charities expands access to mental health services, now accepting select insurance plans
HOUSTON — Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston has expanded access to mental health services by opening its counseling clinic to the public and accepting select insurance plans, the agency announced April 28.
The clinic now accepts Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, Cigna and Optum, helping reduce financial barriers for individuals and families seeking counseling for issues including stress, trauma, parenting challenges and major life transitions. Services are available to people of all faiths and backgrounds.
In addition to insurance, Catholic Charities offers counseling through a slidingscale fee structure based on household income, along with limited no-cost options supported by grant funding.
“We believe that cost should not create a barrier for families and individuals who could benefit from the help of a licensed counselor,” said Jenifer Santos, director of the counseling and behavioral health clinic for Catholic Charities.
The clinic is staffed by bilingual, licensed therapists with specialized training in trauma, children’s mental health and maternal mental health. Catholic Charities recently added play therapy, an evidence-based treatment that helps children express emotions and develop coping skills through structured play.
Virtual and in-person appointments are available. More information is available at catholiccharities.org/counseling. †
PHOTO COURTESY OF CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF GALVESTON-HOUSTON
Gathered for brunch following the Mass, Caritas Circle members with Archbishop Joe S. Vásquez (from left) included Carol and John Kafka, Lisa and David Doherty, and Stan Marek.
CARITAS CIRCLE
EDUCATION
HOUSTON — Organizers of a new Catholic high school in southeast Houston have launched a national search for the school’s founding president.
Carlo Acutis Catholic High School is in development to serve families in the Bay Area Deanery, a region in Southeast Houston with no Catholic high school within roughly 60 miles. School leaders said population growth and demand for Catholic secondary education prompted the effort.
The founding president is expected to serve as chief executive and work with the board of directors on fundraising, community engagement and strategic planning as the school moves toward opening, especially in a region of Houston that has seen major growth in the Archdiocese but lacks options for families seeking Catholic secondary
CIRCLE
education.
A dedicated group, supported by the Archdiocese, conducted a comprehensive feasibility study that revealed an overwhelming enthusiasm: 97% of survey respondents expressed strong approval, and parishes are encouraging the effort.
With Archdiocesan approvals secured — from Daniel Cardinal DiNardo in 2024 and Archbishop Joe S. Vásquez in 2025 — the project has continued to advance.
Now as a registered nonprofit, the school is fueled by grassroots generosity, especially with a current $1 million matching challenge and significant commitments.
The school is named for St. Carlo Acutis, the first Millennial saint and a patron of youth canonized in 2025 known for his use of technology to evangelize.
Leaders said Carlo Catholic’s mission is “to make disciples of Jesus through a robust education rooted in the Catholic faith and sacred tradition and centered in the Eucharist.”
This is underpinned by three pillars: “Forming Disciples, Developing Scholars and Building Community.”
the world with truth, responsibility and Gospel courage.
Officials said Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, Reconciliation, Rosaries, retreats and campus ministry will nurture lifelong faith, vocations, and draw young hearts closer to Jesus.
Leaders also said students will pursue excellence in a robust curriculum that imparts wisdom, knowledge and understanding, equipping them to engage
OF DEVELOPMENT & STEWARDSHIP OFFICE HOUSTON – The 15th annual Cardinal’s Circle Dinner was held April 29 at the Junior League of Houston, beginning with Mass at St. Mary’s Seminary Chapel celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Italo Dell’Oro (second from left). The Mass was concelebrated by pastors from the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston’s eight CROSS Academies and a retired priest who is a member of the Cardinal’s Circle. About 125 people attended the event.
The program featured a presentation by Manrique Campos (center, with his brother Angel and mother, Rosalina Campos), an 18-year-old senior at St. Thomas High School, who received a standing ovation after sharing how Catholic education shaped his faith, character and future. Archdiocesan Superintendent of Catholic Schools Mazie McCoy, Ed.D., (at left) provided an update on archdiocesan schools, highlighting the impact of the Texas Education Freedom Accounts and the continued value of Catholic education in local communities.
Tom Macrini, founder of the Cardinal’s Circle, spoke about the importance of sustaining Catholic education and supporting the CROSS Academies. †
Through a phased $50-million campaign, scholarships and ongoing stewardship, Carlo Acutis Catholic High School leaders said the school plans to be accessible to families who desire this formation for their children.
The school’s goal is for the community to flourish as students, families, faculty and staff unite in fellowship, cultivate virtue, respect human dignity and journey together toward sanctity as one body in Christ, leaders said.
Learn more at www.CarloCatholic. org. †
MARIAN CELEBRATIONS AROUND THE ARCHDIOCESE
Chancery
• Donor Relationship and Development and Stewardship Events Officer
• Executive Director, Camp Kappe - School of Environmental Education
• Facilities Manager, Groundskeeper - Catholic Cemeteries, Mt. Olivet
• Administrative Assistant
Parishes
• Faith Formation • Liturgy
• Music Director • Secretary
• Accounting • Business Manager
• Youth Ministry • Childcare
• Communications
• Facilities and Maintenance
• Administrative Assistant
• Part-time positions
ST. FRANCIS DE SALES
HOLY ROSARY - MIDTOWN
ST. ANDREW - CHANNELVIEW
SHRINE OF THE TRUE CROSS - DICKINSON
FRASSATI CATHOLIC - SPRING
ST. JOHN XXIII - KATY
COLUMNISTS
Which Approach: Inspiring or imposing?
In a world where many young and old alike walk with heavy hearts — burdened by loss, uncertainty or silent despair — the radiant joy of Easter does not ignore human sorrow but meets it on the road, just as the risen Christ did with the bewildered disciples on the road to Emmaus (cf. Lk. 24:23-35). This powerful encounter reminds us that Christ walks alongside us in our daily struggles, offering inspiring explanations and ultimately leading us to profound hope and joy found in the Eucharist — the source and summit of Christian life (CCC#1324).
From our early Church Fathers, this story finds its home in the Holy Mass, encompassing the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. It is also recognized as a living model for liturgical catechesis. St. Cyril of Jerusalem, one of the key figures in the fourth century, developed this concept and strongly highlighted the intrinsic connection between catechesis and Liturgy — teaching that faith formation must lead to sacramental encounter. Today, however, many young people
attend Mass out of obligation and with no interest at all, often because they do not see the connection between classroom teaching and the Liturgy. As St. John Paul II stated, “Sacramental life [Liturgy] is impoverished and very soon turns into hollow ritualism if it is not based on serious knowledge of the meaning of the Sacraments, and catechesis becomes intellectualized if it fails to come alive in the Sacramental practice [Liturgy]” (Catechesi Tradendae, 23). When faith formation consists of merely explanations, it leaves participants disengaged, missing the opportunity to encounter Christ personally.
Therefore, let us aim to ensure that our lessons do not end in the classroom but lead learners to the liturgical celebration, where authentic and loving encounters with the risen Christ take place — rekindling hope, restoring vision and uplifting hearts.
Notice how the risen Christ inspired the disciples by listening attentively, explaining patiently, and revealing the truth carefully using the Scriptures. This
by SR. MARIA GORETTI THUY NGUYEN, OP
contextualized, inspirational approach, rather than a decontextualized one merely imposed on the disciples, moved the disciples to open their hearts and invite even a stranger (the risen Christ) to dine with them, foreshadowing the Eucharistic encounter.
Therefore, catechesis must consistently point to the central questions of faith: Who is Jesus Christ? How do we come to know and love Him? How does He teach us to live a moral life? And how are we called to become His missionary disciples? Before ascending into heaven, Christ entrusted His followers with a Great Mission mandate: to make Him known to the ends of the earth (cf. Mk 16:15).
As St. Augustine beautifully affirms in his homily: “How did the Lord will to make Himself known? By the breaking
of the Bread.” It is in the Eucharist that we, like the disciples, truly recognize the risen Christ.
As catechetical leaders and catechists, we are called to follow this model — catechizing through the lens of liturgical catechesis, thereby bridging the gap between classroom teachings and liturgical celebration. Even simple lessons, such as those on guardian angels, can be connected to the Holy Mass, illustrating that as we take part in the Liturgy, our guardian angels — our constant companions — join us in worshiping God with the heavenly host and the entire Church.
By embracing the transformative power of the Liturgy, we ensure that every effort in catechesis is brought to life in liturgical celebration. In this way, we invite others into a deeper, more personal encounter with Christ — one that renews hearts and uplifts spirits. †
Sister Maria Goretti Thuy Nguyen, OP, is an associate director with the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis.
Summer opportunities for youth at risk
The end of the school year can be an exciting time for youth — the break from academics, the joy of sleeping late, summer sports, time with friends, family vacations and possibly even a summer job. However, for youth who are at risk, the summer months can be especially challenging. With fewer structured activities, limited family supervision and support, and increased exposure to negative peer influences, many young people face greater risks during this time.
Often referred to as the “Summer Spike,” juvenile crime and detention rates tend to rise during the summer months as youth find themselves without opportunities, activities or supervised plans.
School provides a sense of routine for most teens, offering structure, expectations and support. During the summer, that routine is interrupted, and if no alternative plans or activities are in place, youth may have increased opportunities to make poor choices. This is especially true for at-risk youth. The daily school schedule not only provides structure and supervision but also ensures access to meals, a safe
MAY 17
First Reading: Acts 1:1-11
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 47:2-3, 6-9
Second Reading: Eph 1:17-23 Gospel: Mt 28:16-20
by RANDY ADAMS
environment and engaging activities that support healthy development.
With many youth home alone or caring for younger siblings, a lack of parental support or guidance can lead them to seek acceptance and direction from peers who may not have their best interests at heart.
These peer influences can encourage participation in risky behaviors. In addition, many alternative summer programs and job opportunities have been eliminated or placed on hold due to funding cuts, leaving limited options for positive engagement.
So, what can you do to help? As parents, grandparents, family members and parishioners, we are all called by our baptismal vows to serve the Body of Christ. With that call in mind, here are several ways individuals and parish communities can help support youth during the summer months:
• Enhance parish summer
MAY 24
First Reading: Acts 2:1-11
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 104:1, 24, 29-31, 34
Second Reading: 1 Cor 12:3-7, 12-13 Gospel: Jn 20:19-23
programming. Parishes can explore opportunities such as open gym nights, youth room gatherings, game nights or movie nights. These activities can help youth avoid boredom and provide positive, supervised social environments. Youth also appreciate opportunities to use their skills and talents in meaningful ways to help others.
• Offer service opportunities. Parishes can invite youth to assist with Vacation Bible School, St. Vincent de Paul food pantries, or general parish and community service projects.
• Develop mentoring and social ministry programs. Following all safe environment guidelines, parishes can foster meaningful relationships between youth and senior parishioners. These mentoring opportunities offer valuable social interaction, accompaniment and mutual enrichment.
• Partner with local businesses. Encourage businesses in your community to provide summer job opportunities for youth. These
experiences help young people learn responsibility, develop job skills and understand the value of service and financial responsibility.
• Support youth through scholarships. Parishes and individuals can offer financial assistance to help youth attend summer camps, conferences, and enrichment programs — including the Archdiocesan Youth Conference — where they can grow in faith, confidence and life skills.
If we work together, we can help reduce the “Summer Spike” and ensure that all young people have opportunities for safe, positive and enriching summer experiences that foster confidence, empathy and discipleship.
If you know a young person who is currently involved in the juvenile justice system or a youth at risk who needs assistance, please contact Special Youth Services at 713-741-8739. †
Randy Adams is the director of Special Youth Services.
WORLD Papal trip puts spotlight on local injustices, joy of Christian faith, pope says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Leo XIV wanted his journey to Africa to highlight the serious injustices continuing there and propose a message of peace to a world marred by conflict and violations of international law.
“At the same time, the apostolic journey gave people in Africa a chance to make their voices heard and to express the joy of being God’s people,” he said.
As had been customary by his predecessors, Pope Leo used his first general audience after his April 13 to 23 trip to four nations in Africa to tell people about the purpose of his visit and what struck him most about his travels.
Addressing thousands of people in St. Peter’s Square on April 29, Pope Leo said in English that his time there “was meant to offer the world a message of peace at a moment marked by conflicts and frequent violations of international law.”
“Along with the call for peace, I also denounced the grave injustices that exist in those countries that are so rich in natural resources, urging the international community to overcome
neo-colonial attitudes and engage in authentic collaboration,” he said.
On his journey, the pope visited Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea.
“From the very beginning of my pontificate, I have thought about a journey in Africa,” he said in his main address in Italian. “I thank the Lord for granting me the opportunity to undertake it, as shepherd, to meet and encourage the people of God.”
In Algeria, a predominantly Muslim country, the pope said he wanted to “show the world that it is possible to live together as brothers and sisters, even of different religions, when we recognize ourselves as children of the same merciful Father.”
The northern African country is also the birthplace of his “spiritual father,” St. Augustine, and by “revisiting the roots of my spiritual identity,” it offered a way to highlight his legacy, he said. “He is a master in the search for God and for truth. A testimony that is more important than ever today for Christians and for every person.”
The other three countries were predominantly Christian, he said, and “I, therefore, found myself immersed in an atmosphere of celebration of the faith.”
It was also a bit similar to “what happened to Jesus with the crowds in Galilee: He saw them thirsting and hungry for justice and proclaimed to
them: ‘Blessed are the poor, blessed are the meek, blessed are the peacemakers,’” the pope said, “and, recognizing their faith, (Jesus) said, ‘You are the salt of the earth and the light of the world.’”
In Cameroon, he told the crowds in St. Peter’s Square, he reinforced the call to work together for reconciliation and peace.
Like the rest of the continent, Cameroon is rich in natural and human resources, he said, but there needs to be: “a fair distribution of wealth”; more opportunities for young people; an end to “endemic corruption”; the promotion of integral and sustainable development; and a stop to “the various forms of neocolonialism with far-sighted international cooperation.”
In Equatorial Guinea, he said, the people “have weathered the vicissitudes of their history” and “renewed with great enthusiasm their determination to walk together towards a future of hope.”
“I cannot forget what happened in the prison in Bata,” he said, saying he “had never seen anything like it.”
“The prisoners sang at the top of their voices a song of thanksgiving to God and to the pope, asking him to pray ‘for their sins and their freedom,’” and then “they prayed the ‘Our Father’ with me in the pouring rain. A genuine sign of the Kingdom of God!”
Remarking on Angola overcoming its troubled period of civil war, the pope said, “God has guided and purified the Church, increasingly converting her in the service of the Gospel, human promotion, reconciliation and peace. A free Church for a free people!”
Seeing the joy and unity of the different generations and vocations of the Catholic faithful, the pope said he witnessed “the foundation of a hope that withstands the disappointments caused by ideologies and the empty promises of the powerful.”
“This hope demands concrete commitment, and the Church has the responsibility, with the witness and courageous proclamation of the Word of God, to recognize the rights of all and to promote their actual respect,” he added.
Whenever a pope visits a country, it is a chance for the people to have their voices heard and for Catholics to “express the joy of being God’s people and the hope for a better future, of dignity for each and every one,” he said. “I am happy to have given them this opportunity, and at the same time I thank the Lord for what they have given me, an inestimable treasure for my heart and my ministry.” †
POPE LEO XIV’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR MAY 2026
+ That everyone might have food +
Let us pray that everyone, from large producers to small consumers, be committed to avoid wasting food, and to ensure that everyone has access to quality food.
OSV NEWS PHOTO
Pope Leo XIV visits St. Paul Catholic Hospital, in Douala, Cameroon, April 17.
Born without arms, this pilot soars on wings of faith
(OSV News) — Jessica Cox, an author, speaker, wife, pilot and martial arts black belt, has tremendous balance.
Cox understands the need for balance quite well, and it’s not simply due to her demanding schedule or even her degree in psychology.
It’s because she was born without arms.
A devout Catholic, Cox has experienced life as a step-by-step journey with the Lord Jesus from her earliest years. And as she continues that journey, Cox has a message for the world: “Strengthen your faith.”
“Faith will prevail,” she told OSV News “Faith will conquer it all.”
That faith was instilled in her at an early age, thanks to her “very Catholic” Filipino mother and her Southern Baptist father, she said.
“They had this interfaith relationship that gave me the foundation,” said Cox, a native of Sierra Vista, Arizona.
The couple leaned on their belief in Jesus Christ when, in 1983, “to the surprise of everyone, I came out into the world without both arms,” she said.
“It was stunning to everyone, even in the operating room during a normal C-section,” she said. “Nothing was awry; it was just a procedure. And yet I came out and stunned the world, because the sonograms never showed any indication of a difference in my development, until the day of my birth.”
Cox admits that her parents were bewildered as to why their daughter had been born with what’s technically known as a limb reduction defect, which, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, impacts one in every 1,852 babies born in the U.S.
“I think my mom had a very difficult time, and even struggled in her own faith as to why God would allow this to happen,” she said. “She didn’t know what was in store for me, and they really questioned their faith at the time. It rocked their world.”
Even as she began to navigate the world — with her strong, agile feet doing the work of the hands and arms that had never developed, and determined not to use prosthetics — Cox recalled that she herself battled “a significant amount of anger” as she grew up realizing “it was only me who was different,” since “my parents had arms, my best friend in school had arms, my brother and sister had arms.”
“I commend my parents for dealing with that, because I was just finding
myself in the world and understanding things,” she said.
And, Cox said, “because I had that foundation of faith, I then turned to God, saying, ‘Why am I different?’”
At age five, she even took her request to the parish priest, asking “for him to pray for me to have arms.”
Cox said she was “given all the support” needed from her parents. Through the family’s faith and her own, she experienced a transformation.
“I started praying the Rosary at the age of six,” Cox said. “My mom and my aunt had a traveling prayer group that went from house to house. And without any prompting, I joined in. I grabbed hold of the rosary between my toes and started to follow along.”
Cox said the Rosary, which she described as “this beautiful prayer,” was “part of my development.”
As she continued in her Catholic upbringing, receiving her Sacraments, “I found myself recognizing this faith was something so tremendous — such a blessing and more, even beyond a blessing.”
By age 14, she’d earned her first black belt in the International Taekwon-Do Federation, and continued her martial arts, becoming the first armless person to score a black belt in the ATA Martial Arts club (formerly the American Taekwondo
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.
Association) while studying psychology at the University of Arizona.
Another horizon opened up for Cox just two months after graduation, following a talk she gave at the local Rotary Club.
“A pilot came up to me and said, ‘How would you like to fly?’” Cox said. “My dad was with me at the time, and he has always been an aviation enthusiast. He jumped in for me and said, ‘She would love to.’ And at that point, I guess I was committed by association with my dad, and then went forward.”
Aviation “aligned really well” as Cox, who as a child had found commercial
flights “unsettling,” began developing her public speaking career after graduation.
“It was like, ‘Well, I need to go out there and speak, and I need to be not just telling people to be fearless, but living it out in my own life,’” she said.
She flew as a passenger in a singleengine plane shortly thereafter, and “could see myself flying this plane by myself and becoming a pilot.”
Cox did just that, although it took, as her official bio states, “three states, four airplanes, three flight instructors and three years to find the right aircraft,”which proved to be a 1946 415-C model Ercoupe.
In 2008, she received her light-sport pilot certificate, and in 2011, she set the Guinness World Record as the first person certified to fly an airplane with only their feet.
Other accomplishments have followed, including two goodwill ambassadorships — one for Humanity and Inclusion, which supports millions of persons with disabilities in 60 countries amid conflict, natural disasters, poverty and exclusion; and a second for the Flight School Association of North America. Cox was awarded an honorary doctorate in 2023.
She wrote the book, “Disarm Your Limits,” published in 2015, and has been the subject of an award-winning documentary, “Right Footed,” which is also the name of the nonprofit foundation she created.
Cox even found time to marry, tying the knot with her husband in 2012.
She’s traveled to 28 countries, and she now plans to build “The Impossible Airplane,” a four-seat RV-10 with custom controls that can notch 200 miles per hour. Being in flight is a place of “absolute trust” and “surrender to God,” where “faith shines through,” said Cox. †
OSV NEWS PHOTO
Jessica Cox, who was born without arms, poses outside her plane at Marana Regional Airport in Arizona March 18. Cox, a Catholic, is the world’s first armless airplane pilot and first armless black belt in the American Taekwondo Association.
STATE Appeals court narrowly upholds Texas law on Ten Commandments in public schools
(OSV News) — A federal appeals court on April 21 narrowly upheld a Texas law requiring public school classrooms to display the Ten Commandments.
In a 9-8 ruling, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reversed lower court decisions that found the law violated the First Amendment.
The ruling rejected arguments that the law established a religion, arguing that it “requires no religious exercise or observance.”
“Students are neither catechized on the Commandments nor taught to adopt them,” it said. “Nor are teachers commanded to proselytize students who ask about the displays or contradict students who disagree with them.”
Previously, in 2024, a federal judge struck down a similar Louisiana law as unconstitutional. In 2025, the Texas law was partially blocked from enforcement.
Supporters of such laws often argue that the Ten Commandments have historical and cultural significance, while opponents argue they are an unconstitutional display of faith in a public setting, with some noting even different Christian groups use different translations of the Ten Commandments, in effect favoring certain Christian churches over others.
Catholics and Lutherans use a numbering of the Ten Commandments established by St. Augustine of Hippo (A.D. 354-430), who is among the saints who hold the title of doctor of the church. Conversely, the Orthodox and most Protestant denominations follow a numbering of the commandments set out by the early Christian scholar Origen of Alexandria (A.D. 185-254).
The law, SB 10, requires the display to be at least 16 to 20 inches and located in “a
IN BRIEF
A monument of the Ten Commandments is pictured in front of a church in Uvalde, Texas, June 1, 2022. Texas can require public schools to display the Ten Commandments in classrooms, a U.S. appeals court ruled April 21.
conspicuous place in each classroom of the school.” The law requires the version of the Ten Commandments typically used by Protestants.
The majority opinion acknowledged “detailed scriptural arguments” for why S.B. 10’s version of the Commandments “aligns better with Protestant, Catholic, or Jewish traditions,”and arguments for why the law’s“rendition of Scripture ... conflicts with Jewish and Catholic articulations of the Decalogue.”
“Not being a court of ministers, bishops
or rabbis, we have no business opining on these matters and no competence to do so,” it said.
However, the dissenting opinion in the case argued that“The Supreme Court long ago held that a statute nearly identical to S.B. 10 violates the Establishment Clause,” referring to its rejection of a similar Kentucky law in its 1980 ruling in Stone v. Graham.
The dissent also argued that the law risked creating the “subtle coercive pressure” to participate in religious
Marian Conference to make historic return
SAN ANTONIO — Pilgrim Center of Hope announced the return of its Marian Conference on Friday and Saturday, July 24 to 25, at the Boeing Center at Tech Port in San Antonio, marking the U.S.’s 250th anniversary under the patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The conference will feature nationally known speakers at the Boeing Center in San Antonio’s Tech Port, built on land formerly occupied by Kelly Air Force Base.
Speakers will include the chaplain of the only Church-approved Marian apparition site in the U.S., Our Lady of Champion, as well as Franciscan Friar of the Renewal Father Jeremiah Myriam Shryock, whose books include “Mary and the Interior Life.” He is slated to present on “Becoming Another Mary for Jesus” and “The Rosary: A Spiritual Masterpiece.”
Featured speakers also include former SiriusXM radio host and founder of Rosary Army apostolate Greg Willits,
Ethics and Public Policy Center fellow Noelle Mering, theologian Dr. Leonora Butau, and others.
San Antonio Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller, M.Sp.S., will preside at Saturday morning Mass. Opportunities to receive the healing Sacrament of Reconciliation and participate in a Eucharistic Adoration service will also be available.
San Antonio was formerly the home of Marian Conferences that attracted thousands from various faiths, organized in the 1990s by the Marian Center of San Antonio and Pilgrim Center of Hope, a Catholic non-profit. Speakers varied from Trinity Baptist Church pastor Buckner Fanning, to former NFL manager and Ronald McDonald House founder Jim Murray, to award-winning singer and actress Lola Falana. The conferences ended after the Jubilee Year 2000 introduced new ministry opportunities for the organizing committee.
However, according to co-director Mary Jane Fox, upon noticing increased interest in Pilgrim Center of Hope’s media content about the Blessed Virgin Mary over the last several years, the organization decided during the 2025 Jubilee (themed by Pope Francis, “Pilgrims of Hope”) to revive the Marian Conference under the title “Mother of Hope” beginning in 2026.
“The Blessed Virgin Mary helps us draw closer to Jesus in a way no other person can,” Fox remarked. “All are welcome. This conference will forever be a part of history.”
Music, vendors, and two exhibitions — about the Virgin Mary and the Shroud of Turin, respectively — are set to provide attendees with further “opportunities to receive spiritual tools and live with hope,” Fox added.
Details and registration are available at MotherOfHopeConference.com or by calling Pilgrim Center of Hope at 210521-3377. †
practice in public schools that the high court has long rejected, arguing “As ‘commandments,’” that religious scripture risked sending a “coercive” message. In a footnote providing an example, it cited a hypothetical Catholic student viewing the Protestant version of the Ten Commandments as a “theological error” that they are being forced either to acquiesce to, or speak up about and so be marked as different.
A group of plaintiffs, comprised of both religious and nonreligious families, represented by organizations including the American Civil Liberties Union and Americans United for Separation of Church and State, had sued over the Texas law, arguing it violated the First Amendment.
In an April 21 statement, those organizations said they are “extremely disappointed” in the ruling.
“The Court’s ruling goes against fundamental First Amendment principles and binding U.S. Supreme Court authority,” they argued. “The First Amendment safeguards the separation of church and state, and the freedom of families to choose how, when, and if to provide their children with religious instruction. This decision tramples those rights. We anticipate asking the Supreme Court to reverse this decision and uphold the religious-freedom rights of children and parents.”
But Kelly Shackelford, president, CEO, and chief counsel for First Liberty Institute, argued in a statement that, “The Ten Commandments have been a part of our nation’s history and tradition; banning them from schools because they are religious is not justified by the Constitution and would undermine a comprehensive education for America’s students.”
“We applaud the Fifth Circuit for upholding the Constitution,” he added. Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, a Republican, wrote in a post on X that the ruling was “a great day for those who believe in the Word of God.” The bill was among his legislative priorities, he added in his post.
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill also celebrated the ruling on social media, arguing, “Our law clearly was always constitutional, and I am grateful that the Fifth Circuit has now definitively agreed with us.”
Legal scholars previously told OSV News the case is likely to eventually reach the U.S. Supreme Court. †
OSV NEWS PHOTO/SHANNON STAPLETON, REUTERS
Pope accepts resignation of bishop of Laredo, names Tyler priest as successor
WASHINGTON (OSV News) — Pope Leo XIV has named a new bishop for the Diocese of Laredo, marking the first episcopal succession in a diocese created by St. John Paul II.
On May 1, the pope accepted the resignation of Bishop James A. Tamayo, who has led the diocese from its 2000 inception, and named as his successor Father John Jairo Gomez, vicar general of the Diocese of Tyler.
The resignation and appointment were publicized in Washington on May 1 by Christophe Cardinal Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the U.S.
The 76-year-old Bishop Tamayo had submitted his resignation upon turning 75 as required by canon law.
He previously served as an auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of GalvestonHouston. St. John Paul II appointed Bishop Tamayo as an auxiliary bishop for the Diocese of Galveston-Houston on Jan. 26, 1993. He was consecrated at the Sam Houston Coliseum in Houston by Archbishop Joseph A. Fiorenza on March 10, 1993. As auxiliary bishop, Bishop Tamayo served as vicar general of the diocese and episcopal vicar for
IN BRIEF
the Hispanic ministry. He stayed in the Archdiocese until 2000, when he was assigned to found the Diocese of Laredo on July 3, 2000, when portions of the Diocese of Corpus Christi and the Archdiocese of San Antonio were combined.
Bishop-designate Gomez was born in Colombia and ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Tyler on May 23, 2009. He served as vicar general and moderator of the curia for the Diocese of Tyler from 2015 to 2023 and has also been serving in the role again since 2025.
Bishop J. Gregory Kelly of Tyler expressed gratitude to Pope Leo for his appointment of Bishop-designate Gomez, who “will be a devoted and joyful shepherd for the priests and people of Laredo.”
He said the newly named bishop’s experience — as a judicial vicar and vicar general and in parish ministry — and his commitment to Hispanic ministry will serve him well as the second bishop of Laredo.
Bishop Kelly also said that Bishopdesignate Gomez had helped him immensely “over this last year” as Tyler’s
Bishop Gracida, emeritus of Corpus Christi, dies at 102
CORPUS CHRISTI (OSV News) — A Texas bishop emeritus, whose long life included multiple air missions during the Second World War, as well as a career in architecture, has died at the age of 102.
Bishop René Henry Gracida “passed away on the morning of May 1,” according to South Texas Catholic, the official news outlet of the Diocese of Corpus Christi.
The late bishop, born in 1923 in New Orleans, had led the diocese from 1983 until his 1997 retirement. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced, said the news outlet.
“We are deeply grateful for his faithful service as our shepherd for 14 years,” said Bishop Mario A. Avilés, the diocese’s current bishop, in a statement included in the outlet’s article. South Texas Catholic quoted Monsignor Lawrence
new bishop, and he“will miss his presence and ministry.”
John Jairo Gomez was born Dec. 15,
1975. He received his master’s of Divinity from the University of St. Thomas in Houston in 2009 and a licentiate in canon law from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome in 2012. He was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Tyler on May 23, 2009.
After ordination, he was pastor at Holy Cross Parish in Pittsburgh, Texas (2012-2017); at Christ the King Parish in Kilgore (2017-2018); and at St. Charles Parish in Frankston (2018-2020). His diocesan assignments have included judicial vicar (2014-2015); member of the diocesan presbyteral council (2014 to present); member of the diocesan college of consultors (2015 to present); member of the diocesan review board (2017 to present); and diocesan director of the Pontifical Mission Societies (2017 to present).
He served as vicar general and moderator of the curia for the Diocese of Tyler from 2015 to 2023 and has also been serving in the role again from 2025 to the present.
The Diocese of Laredo covers nearly 11,000 square miles and has a Catholic population of nearly 345,000. †
White, who had served as a dean and finance committee member under the late bishop, who advocated for ending gang violence in Corpus Christi.
“I remember him standing up against the gangs on the West Side of Corpus Christi, writing a pastoral letter and organizing town hall meetings to end the violence,” said the monsignor.
Longtime diocesan chancery staffer Jill Hundley recalled the bishop as “a gentleman, very spiritual, but also very determined.” She added, “We were blessed to have him for so many years.” †
CNS PHOTO
Bishop James A. Tamayo of Laredo is seen during a Catholic Home Mission visit to St. Francis of Assisi Parish in El Paso Sept. 25, 2019.
BISHOP RENÉ HENRY GRACIDA
MUNDO CATÓLICO
‘La Vida Como Viene’: Video podcast del CELAM aborda las adicciones desde una mirada pastoral
(OSV News) — A través de 10 episodios del video podcast “La Vida Como Viene”, que fue lanzado por el Consejo Episcopal Latinoamericano y Caribeño (CELAM), líderes católicos en la región buscan analizar el tema de las adicciones y “abrazar la realidad de nuestros barrios populares y territorios postergados”, abordando “conversaciones profundas sobre el dolor, la esperanza y la recuperación frente al consumo problemático” .
Esta iniciativa de la Pastoral Latinoamericana de Acompañamiento y Prevención de las Adicciones (PLAPA) en su primer episodio, llamado “Una mirada pastoral sobre las adicciones”, presenta a dos de sus conductores: el padre José María (Pepe) Di Paola, presidente Federación Familia Grande Hogar de Cristo y al padre Carlos “Charly” Olivero, coordinador de la Pastoral Latinoamericana de Acompañamiento y Prevención de las Adicciones del CELAM.
Ambos presbíteros reconocidos referentes por su trabajo pastoral contra las adicciones y el trabajo territorial en barrios populares, conocidos como villas, en Argentina. Otros episodios también incluyen la voz de Adriana Arias, coordinadora de la Fundación Domus en Colombia, con amplia experiencia en acompañamiento comunitario y prevención, quien --junto con los sacerdotes, conduce los diálogos de este podcast que pone en el centro el valor y la dignidad de cada persona.
Así, sumándose a los esfuerzos de la Iglesia en Latinoamérica y el Caribe, “La Vida Como Viene” aborda la compleja realidad de las adicciones desde una mirada integral, comunitaria y humana.
A lo largo de los siete episodios ya publicados, están
presentes voces del CELAM, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Paraguay, Brasil, Venezuela, entre otras naciones latinoamericanas; que buscan analizar las adicciones no solo desde el punto de vista clínico sino también desde una mirada pastoral que promueve “un camino de fe, comunidad y vínculos que sanan”, según el primer episodio que ya cuenta con más de 1.400 vistas en su canal de YouTube del CELAM.
Según ADN Celam, “Cada capítulo surge del trabajo territorial y se sostiene en el diálogo entre fe, acompañamiento pastoral y responsabilidad social, con el objetivo de fortalecer las respuestas comunitarias frente a las adicciones en la región”.
Los capítulos incluyen temas cómo la complejidad y la mirada integral de la problemática de las adicciones (al verlas no como un problema aislado, sino una compleja realidad que requiere una respuesta profunda), la importancia vital de los vínculos afectivos y la construcción de un sentido de pertenencia “para regenerar el tejido social y devolver la esperanza a quienes se sienten desamparados”, el rol de los profesionales en los procesos de recuperación, el valor del acompañamiento de pares, así como la importancia de la fe en el acompañamiento y la recuperación de adicciones.
“La Iglesia es madre y en ese sentido puede ofrecer una amorosidad que muchos otros modelos no pueden ofrecer”, expresó, en un audio compartido, el padre Benjamín Ossandón, director de la Pastoral Nacional de Alcoholismo y Drogadicción de Chile. En el primer episodio de “La Vida Como Viene”, el sacerdote explicó que los modelos terapéuticos tradicionales carecen de “la semilla sanadora del Evangelio”, que son el eje de la respuesta de la Iglesia a este flagelo.
“La Iglesia está llamada a ser esa familia grande que previene a largo plazo fortaleciendo las familias, generando ambientes de escucha, de contención y de construcción de proyectos reales de vida para los niños, adolescentes y jóvenes”, agregó el padre Ossandón.
Durante la conversación, también se narra cómo “Hogar de Cristo” como respuesta de la Iglesia en Argentina se hizo eco en otras parroquias y conformó esta federación, la cual “agrupa a los Centros Barriales que tienen como finalidad dar respuesta integral a situaciones de vulnerabilidad social y/o
FOTO DE OSV NEWS/CORTESÍA CELAM
El video podcast “La Vida Como Viene”, una iniciativa de la Pastoral Latinoamericana de Acompañamiento y Prevención de las Adicciones del CELAM, es una propuesta comunicativa que se suma a los esfuerzos pastorales de la Iglesia en Latinoamérica y el Caribe para abordar “la compleja realidad de las adicciones desde una mirada integral, comunitaria y humana” y busca compartir “conversaciones profundas sobre el dolor, la esperanza y la recuperación frente al consumo problemático”.
consumos problemáticos de sustancias psicoactivas, poniendo en primer lugar a la persona y sus cualidades”, dice su sitio web.
“El Hogar de Cristo lo pensamos como una respuesta a los chicos adictos al ‘paco’ (pasta base de cocaína) en nuestras barriadas, pensamos que iba a ser un dispositivo para nuestra parroquia no más y después fue creciendo como un grano de mostaza”, afirmó el padre Di Paola.
Según un informe publicado por la Organización Panamericana de Salud “en la Región de las Américas, los trastornos por uso de drogas representan una carga creciente de mortalidad y discapacidad” y “se estima que más de 145.000 muertes fueron atribuibles al consumo de drogas en 2021, reflejando el impacto del aumento del consumo de opioides, estimulantes y otras sustancias en varios países de la Región”.
Como cita un artículo de Vatican News, el padre Olivero jugó un papel clave impulsando y articulando la creación de la Pastoral Latinoamericana de Acompañamiento y Prevención de Adicciones que nació “como fruto de un encuentro convocado por CELAM en forma virtual en febrero de 2023, en el que participaron referentes de más de 40 organizaciones eclesiales de 13 países de continente” con el objetivo de “abordar de manera global las problemáticas del consumo en las zonas más vulnerables de nuestra América Latina y el Caribe”.
El video podcast “La Vida Como Viene” recoge testimonios, reúne voces expertas y explora la respuesta articulada y organizada de la Iglesia ante los desafíos del flagelo del abuso de sustancias, así como la importancia de los vínculos afectivos que se desarrollan en la familia y cómo la comunidad puede abrazar y hacer parte de ella a todos los que buscan una salida del oscuro mundo de las adicciones. †
APOYO PASTORAL A VÍCTIMAS DE ABUSO SEXUAL DEL CLERO
En un continuo esfuerzo por facilitar atención pastoral a las victimas de abuso sexual del clero o del personal de la Iglesia, el Arzobispo Joe Vásquez gustaría recordar a los fieles de la Arquidiócesis la disponibilidad del Coordinador de Ayuda a Víctimas. Si alguien ha sido victim de abuso sexual del clero o del personal de la Iglesia, se les anima llamar a la Diane Vines al 713-654-5799. Por favor rece por la sanación de las víctimas del abuso y por todos los que sufren de alguna manera.
WITHIN THE ARTS
Archbishop Gudziak: Late iconographer tried ‘to show God to others’
PHILADELPHIA (OSV News) — An acclaimed female iconographer whose work adorns more than 80 churches in the U.S., including a national shrine, is being remembered for her lifelong mission to bring others to the Lord through sacred art.
Christine Dochwat died March 26 at the age of 91 in Jeffersonville, Pennsylvania, with Metropolitan Archbishop Borys A. Gudziak of Philadelphia presiding at her April 7 funeral Liturgy.
In a statement provided to OSV News, the archbishop described Dochwat as “an artist of monumental achievement, of personal humility and great integrity.”
Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, released an April 2 message of condolence, saying he had learned of Dochwat’s passing with “great sadness.”
He recalled Dochwat as “a sincere believer who devotedly loved her Church and lived according to its teachings.”
Among the churches housing Dochwat’s best-known works are the Byzantine Rite Chapel in the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, which Archbishop Gudziak described as “one of the most popular chapels” at the site, with more than 15 million people estimated to have visited.
A highly prolific artist, Dochwat also created 56 icons for the iconostasis, or icon screen, at Philadelphia’s Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, along with another 60 mosaics on the cathedral’s walls, all of which were “produced in a matter of six or seven years,” said Archbishop Gudziak.
Dochwat’s work is also housed at the
OSV NEWS PHOTO/HALYNA VASYLYTSIA, UKRAINIAN CATHOLIC ARCHEPARCHY OF PHILADELPHIA Iconographer Christine Dochwat is seen receiving the Order of Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky, the highest honor of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, from Metropolitan Archbishop Borys A. Gudziak at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Philadelphia, Nov. 14, 2021.
cathedral’s Treasury of Faith Museum, as well as at St. Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Kyiv.
Several Missionary Sisters of the Mother of God, who oversee the Treasury of Faith Museum, recalled to OSV News seeing Dochwat perched on scaffolding in the large cathedral, installing her work.
Archbishop Gudziak said Dochwat’s “relationship with the Lord translated through icons,” and “spreads God’s
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blessings to all who come and pray to the Lord before his images.”
Even as a child, said the archbishop, Dochwat pursued the beauty of the divine amid the horrors of evil.
Born in 1934 in Ukraine’s Ternopil region, she “confronted the Russian communist invasion as a five-year-old,” and at the age of seven, “the Nazis came, and the Holocaust surrounded her,”
Archbishop Gudziak said.
With her father arrested by the Soviets and sent to Siberia, Dochwat, then 10, fled with her mother and sister, spending three years as a refugee in postwar Germany before the family, then destitute, arrived in the U.S. in 1947.
Settling in Philadelphia, Dochwat built a new life, attending a Catholic academy operated by the Basilian Sisters and later completing studies at the Ringling
MOVIE RATINGS By OSV News
A-I – SUITABLE FOR ALL
• David (PG)
A-II – SUITABLE FOR OLDER CHILDREN
• Project Hail Mary (PG-13)
• The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (PG)
A-III – ADULTS AND ADOLESCENTS
• Michael (PG-13)
• Reminders of Him (PG-13)
• The Devil Wears Prada 2 (PG-13)
• You, Me & Tuscany (PG-13)
College of Arts and Design in Sarasota, Florida, and the now-closed University of the Arts in Philadelphia.
As a young woman in her mid-20s, she began “to depict the divine” and “the scenes of our salvation,” becoming “one of the first iconographers in North America to live fully off of her sacred creativity,” said Archbishop Gudziak.
He noted that Dochwat eschewed “a life of comfort and consumption” in a “booming” postwar America, and instead “chose a particular type of asceticism.”
“She dedicated herself to art,” he said, recalling that Dochwat heeded a childhood pastor’s exhortation to “look for God everywhere” — and then “felt the vocation not only to look for God everywhere herself, but to actually try to show God to others.”
The archbishop stressed that Dochwat’s “icons were not severe, focusing on the sinfulness of man.”
Rather, he said, “they were gentle, tender, radiating the love of God, divine mercy, beauty — the beauty of God, the beauty of the spiritual life — and inviting people into an encounter with the Lord.”
Major Archbishop Sviatoslav recalled that, as Dochwat often said, “she would return in her thoughts to her native land and run through the wheat fields,” with those “vivid memories” inspiring her “to create true masterpieces of painting.”
In November 2021, Archbishop Gudziak presented Dochwat with the Order of Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky, the Ukrainian Catholic Church’s highest honor.
The archbishop told OSV News that Dochwat had described the moment as marking “the happiest day of her life.”
At the same time, Dochwat was known for her humility and for keeping her eyes ever on the Lord.
The Archeparchy of Philadelphia prefaced its March 27 announcement of her death with one of Dochwat’s quotes: “What matters most to me is that my work may inspire people to pray. When people pray before an icon, it is no longer my work — it is God’s action.” †
L – LIMITED MATURE AUDIENCE
• Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man (R)
• The Drama (R)
• Lee Cronin’s The Mummy (R)
O – MORALLY OFFENSIVE
• Ready or Not 2: Here I Come (R)
• The Bride! (R)
• The Sheep Detectives (PG)
▶ For full movie reviews, visit www.osvnews.com/category/reviews
AROUND THE ARCHDIOCESE
To see more listings in the Around the Archdiocese or to find the latest updates, visit www.archgh.org/ata.
MAY 13
MASS FOR FEAST OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA, 8:30 to 11 a.m., Holy Name Passionist Retreat Center Chapel (430 Bunker Hill Rd., Houston). Confession at 8 a.m., Rosary at 8:30 a.m., Holy Mass at 9 a.m. Register: holynameretreatcenter. com/events.
MAY 15-17
CATHOLIC WOMEN’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 prayer. Parish groups, Mothers/Daughters (16+) and individuals are welcomed. Cost: $265. Register: holynameretreatcenter.com/catholic-retreats.
COUPLES RETREAT, 8 p.m. Friday to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Holy Name Passionist Retreat Center (430 Bunker Hill Rd., Houston). Three-day retreat for couples looking to deepen their communication and reflect on their Sacrament. Cost: $200. HoustonME.org.
MAY 16
COUPLES SEMINAR, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., St. Angela Merici (9009 Sienna Ranch Rd., Missouri City). Features a seminar with EWTN’s Johnette Benkovic Williams and Jack Williams, titled “Marriage: Its Roots and Its Fruits,” exploring the Sacrament of Matrimony and how couples can grow in love and holiness. Cost: $75/person
(lunch included). adultff@stamericigh.com; stamericigh.com/couples.
MASS FOR FEAST OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA, 8 a.m., Annunciation (1618 Texas Ave., Houston). Mass at Annunciation, followed by a Rosary Procession around Discovery Green Park and concludes with a complimentary brunch at the parish. Free entry. RSVP Requested: rosarycenter@acchtx.org.
MAY 17
FESTIVAL, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sacred Heart (704 Old Montgomery Rd., Conroe). Event includes live music, dancing, food, games and raffle. Free entry. Stewardshipcouncil@shconroe.org; 936756-8186; shconroe.org.
MAY 22
GAME NIGHT, 7 to 10 p.m., St. Francis of Assisi (5102 Dabney St., Houston). Ten Bingo games. Cost: $20 pre-sale; $25 at the door. ewagnerw@ gmail.com; stfrancisofhouston.org.
FISH FRY, 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., St. Philip Neri (10960 Martin Luther King Blvd., Houston). Event includes fried or stewed fish, homemade potato salad, corn on the cob, green beans. Free entry. Cost: $15, includes two sides. Cake and soda are extra. 713-882-1134; khchjh4@yahoo.com.
MAY 22-24
ENGAGED COUPLES RETREAT, 4 p.m. Friday to 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Holy Name Passionist Retreat Center (430 Bunker Hill Rd., Houston). Three-day retreat, hosted by Father Kingsley Nwoko, STL, Th.D., includes private room with private restroom, meals and access to
online preparation material through Lumina School of Love. Cost: $530/couple. Register: holynameretreatcenter.com/catholic-retreats.
MAY 22-25
YOUNG ADULT RETREAT, Spiritual Renewal Center, Victoria (718 Gussie Schmidt Rd., Victoria). Event includes guided meditations, prayer sessions, Scripture readings, and silence and solitude. Cost: $185/college or non-working; $225/working. Scholarships available. ayam@ascensionchinesemission.org; ascensionchinesemission.org/young-adultretreat.
MAY 30
LADIES LUNCHEON, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Houston Saengerhalle (1703 Heights Blvd. Houston). Marian Daughters of Annunciation Catholic Church, Hail Holy Queen sponsors luncheon event with speakers, including Princess MariaAnna Galitzine, granddaughter of Blessed Karl of Austria. Cost: $40/adults; $20/youth 12 and up. $40/adults, $20/youth 12 & up. mariandaughters@acchtx.org; annunciationcc. org/apostolate/mariandaughters.
JUNE 3
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.
JUNE 5-7
FESTIVAL, 11 a.m. Friday, 9 a.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. Sunday, Our Lady Star of the Sea (1401
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Fidelity St., Houston). Knights of Peter Claver #139 host three-day festival. Friday Fish Fry all day with Bingo at 6 p.m. Pre-order by email. Saturday includes raffle, a Zydeco breakfast dance with Curtis Poullard and the Creole Zydeco Band. Breakfast is free. Food will also be sold at 11 a.m. Sunday includes music with Step Rideau and the Zydeco Outlaws. Cost: $25/weekend pass or $15 donation at the door, both Saturday and Sunday. 832-925-8111; olsoshoustontx@gmail.com.
