COURAGE AND COMPASSION TO SERVE
Firefighters Mass honors fallen first responders
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Two Catholic school teachers earn life-changing awards
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St. Anthony of Padua in The Woodlands opens doors to largest parish reliquary in Archdiocese
THE WOODLANDS — On Nov. 1, the Solemnity of All Saints, St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in The Woodlands will open the doors of Our Lady of the Angels Chapel to one of the largest reliquaries in the Archdiocese, with 180 relics, at from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
BY ELIZABETH MORALES Texas Catholic Herald
with Jesus and the saints, such as bones and other body fragments, their personal belongings or items touched to their bodies or tombs.
The relics, usually housed in glass cases on the chapel’s walls, will be displayed inside the chapel throughout the day and labeled for visitors to identify and venerate.
With relics from the Holy Family, the 12 Apostles, the first martyrs, Fathers of the Church and many more, the special day is an opportunity to be surrounded with physical objects directly associated
The chapel opened in 2022 with 28 relics during the aftermath of the pandemic and has accumulated over six times the number of relics in less than three years.
Jerry Trzeciak, director of Kolbe Prison Ministries North and St. Anthony of Padua parishioner, chaired the effort with his wife Jean in August 2019 to raise $7 million to build the chapel.
Launched in November 2019, the parish raised half of the amount
Maronite saint known for monastic simplicity, healings
BY ANNETTE BAIRD Herald Correspondent
HOUSTON — For the first time in the Archdiocese, there will be an encounter of Catholics from Eastern and Western traditions to celebrate the life and legacy of St. Charbel Mahklouf, the first Maronite saint inscribed on the Latin rite calendar.
The gathering, to be held at the CoCathedral of the Sacred Heart, 1111 St. Joseph Pkwy., on Nov. 22 — a significant date in the celebration of St. Charbel, has been years in the making. The Maronite community of Our Lady of the Cedars in southwest Houston had always hoped to offer an opportunity for Catholics
See
page 5
HOUSTON (OSV News) — It seems unusual that our Church liturgical calendar schedules two major celebrations on days that are back-to-back. But that is precisely the situation with the solemnity of All Saints, a liturgical feast, and the Commemoration of the Faithful Departed (All Souls), a liturgical observance.
All Saints is a Churchwide holy day of obligation and normally celebrated on Nov. 1. If the first day of November falls on a Saturday or Monday, at least in the U.S., the obligation to attend Mass is abrogated, as it is in the Archdiocese of GalvestonHouston. All Souls’ Day takes place on Nov. 2, unless it falls on a Sunday, then the celebration is held on Nov. 3.
During these early November celebrations, those of us still living (the “church militant”) unite our hearts with, and in a special way remember,
By Archbishop Joe S. Vásquez
In this message, Archbishop Joe S. Vásquez reflects on how the saints of the Church impact and inspire the lives of Catholics today.
How do the lives of the saints illuminate the universal call to holiness for every baptized person, especially in today’s culture?
The Church teaches us that we, the baptized, are called to holiness. Holiness is not just for priests, religious, sisters or monks; every baptized person is called by virtue of their Baptism to be holy. No matter your state in life, all of us have a responsibility to become like Jesus Christ. By God’s grace, we are to walk with and to live a life in Christ.
How can the saints help us deepen our relationship with Jesus Christ and our commitment to living the Gospel?
When the Catholic Church canonizes certain men and women, we believe they are saints with God in heaven, and they are to be an inspiration for us. We can read and learn about their lives and be inspired: How can I live this way?
For example, how can I live like St. Thérèse of Lisieux?
How do I give myself over to living a simple life of daily prayer and loving those around me?
Her simple way, also called the Little Way, becomes a path for us to grow in holiness — everyday acts of love help us to serve others as Christ did. The saints give us inspiration, but they’re also interceding for us in heaven; they’re praying for each of us that we too may attain sanctity and one day join them in the heavenly kingdom.
What role do patron saints play in guiding parishes, families and individuals in rediscovering their relevance in modern times?
Even though many of the saints lived centuries ago, they are still a source of daily inspiration for us. We discover a connection with them.
For example, St. Laurence, a deacon of the Church, cared for and served the poor, calling them “the treasure of the Church.” He is a source of encouragement to deacons and those who provide for the poor. Parishioners can turn to their own patron saints, follow their example, and ask for their intercession. For example, husbands and wives can follow the example of Sts. Louis and Zélie Martin by being faithful spouses and encouraging a religious
POPE LEO: NEW SAINTS SHOW COURAGE TO DEFEND FAITH, HELP THOSE IN NEED ► SEE RELATED STORY ON PAGE 12
vocation in their children. Louis and Zélie were parents of five nuns, including St. Thérèse of Lisieux.
Although some saints were called to live an extraordinary way of life, holiness can also be ordinary. Consider the Holy Family in Nazareth. For 30 years, Jesus lived a “quiet” life, yet He sanctified every moment by the fact that He was the Son of God. Many of us are called to do the same. We are called to unite ourselves daily to Christ and become more like Him by going to work, providing for our families, instructing our children in the Catholic faith, participating in Mass, receiving the Sacraments, caring for the poor through Catholic Charities, San José Clinic and Society of St. Vincent de Paul or other ministries. By His grace and our union with Him, our ordinary lives become sanctified and set apart, pleasing to God.
How can two of the Church’s newest saints, St. Carlo Acutis and St. Pier Giorgio Frassati, inspire us as Catholics today?
After canonizing these two young men of the 20th and 21st centuries, Pope Leo XIV said, “Sts. Pier Giorgio Frassati and Carlo Acutis are an invitation to all of us, especially young people, not to squander our lives, but to direct them upward and make them masterpieces.” These men lived ordinary lives. They found God in simple, ordinary acts, such as taking care of the poor or devoting themselves to the Eucharist.
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St. Frassati lived his faith in public, serving others in society and in political life. He enjoyed the outdoors and nature. St. Acutis found Jesus in his family, friends, school and parish community, drawing them all to the Blessed Sacrament: “The Eucharist is my highway to heaven,” he said. Both also grew in holiness and found faith by uniting their suffering with the Cross of Jesus Christ. They knew that their suffering could lead them to deeper love for Him and growth in holiness. These two saints are powerful and excellent examples of inspiration for all people, both young and old. God continues to call all of us to become holy. †
Nearly 60 men are currently in formation at St. Mary’s Seminary in Houston to become the next generations of priests. These men spend anywhere from 5 to 7 years preparing for their Ordination to the Priesthood.
To read more about our seminarians and how you can support them, visit www.smseminary.com.
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St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Church in Spring set up an altar shrine in 2024 for Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, a Catholic tradition that honors and prays for the souls of loved ones who have died. Parish officials said the altar grows every year, and featured four levels with pictures, sacred images, and marigold flowers, all grouped around a statue of the Divine Mercy Jesus. Dia de los Muertos is traditionally observed Nov. 1 to 2.
HISTORY, from page 1
the faithful departed, whether they be in heaven (“church triumphant”) or in purgatory (“church suffering”).
All Saints’ Day, which began most likely as All Martyrs’ Day, can be traced to the earliest Christians. By the third century, the followers of Christ were annually honoring their brothers and sisters who had given their lives (martyred) while witnessing for and defending Jesus Christ. Typically, on the anniversary of a martyr’s death, those living would gather to remember and offer prayers at the tomb or place where the deceased had died.
Tombs were sometimes decorated, and altars were built over the tombs. According to Church historian Henry Chadwick, “From the third century the anniversary of a martyr’s death, called his ‘birthday,’ was commemorated at his grave by a celebration.”
The belief among the first Christians, which continues today, is that believers who died defending Christ were borne by angels to heaven and are face-to-face with the living God, in the presence of the beatific vision.
In those first centuries, especially during the savage reign of the Roman Emperor Diocletian (r. 284-305), there were more and more Christians who accepted death at the hands of the Romans rather than deny Christ, rather than worship false gods or the personage of the emperor.
Additionally, others who had publicly confessed their Christian faith (confessors) and somehow survived the Romans were also honored.
Thus, the number of martyrs and confessors became greater than the opportunities to give each one an anniversary celebration, and the need for a common feast day was recognized. The history of the feast reveals a great deal about the Church’s understanding of the communion of saints. The communion of saints is the Church, both the living and the dead.
Today, All Saints’ Day is a solemnity and (usually) holy day of obligation on which the universal Church honors the martyrs, the saints and the confessors, including all known and unknown, all who have gained the reward of heaven.
All Saints’ Day was not always a solemnity observed by the universal Church, and is not celebrated everywhere on Nov. 1. The feast originated in the earliest centuries of the Church, when Christians commemorated the many martyrs who died at the hands of their Roman persecutors.
ALL SAINTS’ AND ALL SOULS’ DAYS
The Commemoration of the Faithful Departed, or All Souls’ Day, evolved onto the Church calendar long after All Saints’ Day. Sometime between 998 and 1030, St. Odilo, the abbot at the Benedictine monastery in Cluny, France, encouraged all the monks to pray for the souls of those who had died, those awaiting the joys of heaven.
He instituted this commemoration on the day after All Saints’ Day, and soon other religious orders and churches began, on that same date, to annually remember all who had died.
Remembering and praying for the faithful departed is tied directly to our belief in purgatory. On All Souls’ Day, the universal Church prays for all those in purgatory, people who were much like us, whose offense may have been less than ours. By pleading for them, we are inspired to lead purer lives.
On that day, and during the entire month of November, we remember our departed brethren as we go to the cemetery where they are buried, attain indulgences for them, give alms, do some good work, ask for Masses to be said in remembrance, all on behalf of those close to us and to others we may have neglected during the year.
We also light candles, and in some parishes, the faithful display pictures of their deceased loved ones in the church or inscribe their names in a special prayer book. Church bells are sometimes rung to remind everyone to pray for the poor souls in purgatory.
In his final celebration of All Souls’ Day in 2024, Pope Francis joined mourners at a cemetery on the southern outskirts of Rome where he concelebrated Mass for All Souls and made a special visit to a section of the cemetery dedicated to the remains of the unborn.
Second Collection for Retired Priests set for Nov. 8 and 9
HOUSTON — For many priests who have dedicated their lives to answering God’s call to serve His flock, transitioning into retirement can bring uncertainty.
To ensure the continued support of the clergy who have ministered to many church communities, the Second Collection for Retired Priests will be held Nov. 8 and 9 in parishes across the Archdiocese. The fund supports the care of priests throughout the Archdiocese who have given their lives in service to the Church. †
HOUSTON — The Office for Young Adult and Campus Ministry will host the next Café Catholica Lite at St. Thomas Aquinas, located at 12627 W Bellfort Ave. in Sugar Land, on Thursday, Nov. 20, from 7 to 8:45 p.m.
The talk titled “The Sheer Joy of Evangelizing: How to Win Souls Without Losing Yours” will be given by Michael Gormley, mission evangelist with Paradisus Dei. The talk will explore practical ways to share the Gospel with others while staying rooted in prayer, peace and a balanced spiritual 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, contact the Office for Young Adult and Campus Ministry at yacm@archgh.org or 713-741-8778 or visit www. archgh.org/cafecatholica. †
HOUSTON — On Sunday, Nov. 23, at 3 p.m., the Archdiocesan Choir will perform its 16th annual In Memoria concert at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart.
$25 tickets, with discounted prices for seniors and students, are available for purchase online at www.archgh. org/in-memoria.
Priests and religious sisters and brothers who served in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston and died in the past year will be remembered during the performance. The evening will conclude with a moving homage to Pope Francis, who died on April 21. †
By D.D. Emmons
The late pope then left a bouquet of white roses at the entrance to the garden where stuffed animals, toys, pinwheels and pots of white chrysanthemums in the shape of a heart stood in contrast to the candles and flowers on other graves. The grave markers have only one date on them. † –
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“Let us pray that believers in different religious traditions might work together to defend and promote peace, justice and human fraternity. May religions not be used as weapons or walls, but rather lived as bridges and prophecy: making the dream of the common good credible, accompanying life, sustaining hope and being the yeast of unity in a fragmented world.”
Pope Leo XIV
by January 2020, then the pandemic closed everything down in March 2020. With the only building that remained open on the parish campus being the Adoration chapel, contributions to the capital funds dropped to zero.
“That Friday morning in August 2020, I lay prostrate on the chapel floor and surrendered everything to God and turned it over to Him,” said Trzeciak, who was at his Eucharistic Holy Hour that he has held since 1997.
Trzeciak said he felt the Lord encouraged him to use the resources he received, and he realized the parish already had seven relics from saints whose intercession he could call upon.
He also thought of Father Carlos Martins, director of the Treasures of the Church Ministry, whom he decided to call and request a couple more relics from. Father Martins told Trzeciak about the parish’s plan to expand the reliquary and that if the parish builds it, “they will come” — Father Martins was referring to the relics. He also told Trzeciak it is important that whatever is created allows an intimate relationship with the saints.
He also emphasized that the relics are not a gift for their parish alone, but they are a gift for the greater Church.
Father Martins was able to send the
parish 20 relics, instead, and then the parish introduced the new saints virtually every week to the congregation, plus the seven they already had. This lasted 27 weeks. The parish raised the remaining $3 to $4 million within the 27 weeks.
The chapel opened in December 2022, and soon more relics were donated to the reliquary through different individuals and an organization. All the relics were carefully placed inside the new glass shelving towards the front of the chapel.
In 2024, when the arm of St. Jude, through the Treasures of the Church Ministry, visited the parish, Father Martins was able to see the reliquaries that he and Trzeciak had discussed years prior.
This led to the parish receiving an additional 100 more relics from the Treasures of the Church ministry and a separate project for the chapel to build more glass shelving in the back of the chapel to house the new relics.
With the help of donors, the parish opened the back portion of the chapel in June 2025, encasing the new relics.
“Some of our relics travel to the prisons for Kolbe Prison Retreats, and some relics travel downtown to be used in the diocese’s exorcist ministry,” said Mary Batey, St. Anthony of Padua director of communications.
The parish also loans out relics to neighboring parishes for their feast day
When: Nov. 1 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Our Lady of the Angels Chapel at St. Anthony of Padua Parish 8715 Kuykendahl Rd. Spring, TX 77382
Phone: 281-419-8700
Web: www.ap.church/saints
celebrations, Batey said.
For those interested in visiting the chapel to see or venerate the relics, a directory categorizes the relics in groupings, such as by early Church martyrs, popes, Marian saints, founders of religious orders, and more, to assist with understanding the many relics at the chapel.
The parish is also hosting an All Saints’ Day Festival on the same day, Nov. 1, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the piazza and Sheltz Hall. One of the parish’s largest events, the festival features live music, food trucks, saint-themed carnival games, crafts and activities, a vendor market and door prizes and more.
To learn more about the reliquary at the Our Lady of the Angels Chapel, visit www.ap.church/saints. †
CHARBEL, from page 1
across the Archdiocese to come together to celebrate St. Charbel in the Maronite tradition.
“For us, it is very important to promote our Liturgy, especially after Pope Leo’s address to the Eastern Churches about the importance of preserving our Eastern rites and traditions,” said Father Edward Hanna, associate pastor at Our Lady of the Cedars. “It is also important, especially as St. Charbel is famous in the Latino community, for the Western Church to connect with us.”
Bishop Elias Zaidan of the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles, one of two eparchies in the U.S., will be the principal celebrant of the Maronite Liturgy, along with Father Milad Yaghi, who founded Our Lady of the Cedars 36 years ago and serves as pastor.
Father Hanna and Father Jeffrey Bame, rector of the Co-Cathedral, will concelebrate the Mass with other priests from the Archdiocese. Daniel Cardinal DiNardo and Auxiliary Bishop Italo Dell’Oro, CRS, are also expected to attend.
“It’s very important to see and hear the Maronite Mass for all of us Catholics, who have only been exposed to the Latin rites,” Father Bame said. “We can all fall into the trap of thinking that the Latin rites are the only rites, but it is always fruitful to encounter our Eastern brothers and sisters.”
Though the Eastern Church has many saints, Father Hanna said St. Charbel represents the spirit of the Maronite Church.
“He is a modern figure who represents spirituality, solitude, hermitage and detachment,” Father Hanna said. “Pope
St. Charbel Makhlouf is depicted in a mosaic at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City.
at the Co-Cathedral
Leo in his address to the Eastern Church reminded us of the importance of detachment and the simplicity of life — and we see how important that is today in a world that’s in a rush.”
The approximately 90-minute Mass will start at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, followed by a luncheon of Lebanese food and presentations about the spiritual life and legacy of St. Charbel at the Cathedral Centre, located at 1701 San Jacinto St.
“The unique thing about the Maronite Church is that it is a natural bridge between East and West,” Father Bame said. “The Maronites have long bridged and stayed in contact with the Latin Church, and they have openness to the Latin rites.”
Father Bame said they have always wanted to have this celebration, but there were logistical challenges in settling on an appropriate month to hold the event on the 22nd day. The 22nd of every month is when pilgrims from around the world gather at the hermitage and tomb of St. Charbel for prayer, processions and a Mass.
While there is much similarity to the Latin Mass, there are subtle differences in the Liturgy. The Maronite Church has a Syriac tradition, with unique prayers, some of which are spoken in Syriac. The consecration also is in Syriac.
solidarity,” Father Hanna said.
Pope Leo XIV is expected to visit Lebanon for three days, Nov. 30 to Dec. 2, during his first apostolic journey, which also includes Turkey, the Vatican said.
Catholic clergy in Lebanon welcome Pope Leo’s call for hope and peace for both their country and the wider Middle East, struggling from years of conflict and destruction. They also see the visit as undergirding support for Christians buffeted by regional events, according to OSV News
Located in southwest Houston, Our Lady of the Cedars has grown considerably since its founding in the early 1990s. The initial community of about 250 families raised enough funds to buy an approximately 5.2 acres in 1992 at 11935 West Bellfort Ave. More fundraising resulted in a community center, completed in 1996, and a church building, dedicated in 2003.
Today, there are 1,000 registered families, the majority of them of Lebanese descent, with a mix of immigrants of
St. Charbel, born in 1828 as Youssef Antoun Makhlouf, displayed an extraordinary devotion to prayer and silence from a young age. He entered the monastery of Our Lady of Mayfouq at the age of 23 and took the name Charbel after a second-century martyr of the Church of Antioch.
After 16 years of monastic life, he moved to the Hermitage of Sts. Peter and Paul, where he spent the rest of his life as a hermit. He died in 1898 after suffering from a stroke. After his death, mysterious lights were seen around his tomb, and countless miracles began to be reported. St. Charbel was beatified in 1965 by St. Paul VI and canonized in 1977.
Miracles continued, the most famous of which was that of Nohad El Shami, who was said to have been healed from paralysis on Jan. 22, 1993. She said St. Charbel asked her to visit the hermitage on the 22nd of every month thereafter to see the miracle and return to the faith. Since then, St. Charbel has become the most revered saint in the Maronite Church and has a worldwide following within the Catholic Church, especially in Latin America, and among Christians of other faiths and non-Christians. †
different Christian faiths from across the Middle East.
“It’s very important to celebrate St. Charbel, because in our region of the Middle East, where Muslims and Christians live together, he is everyone’s saint,” Father Hanna said.
To learn more about Our Lady of the Cedars and St. Charbel, visit ourladyofthecedars.net. †
FATHER JEFFREY BAME
Rector, Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart
“This event is a call to live together and show we are one church, and we are on one journey together, living in
• Visit the two Archdiocesan Pilgrim Sites
- Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Downtown Houston - St. Mary Cathedral Basilica, Galveston Island
BY KERRY MCGUIRE Herald Correspondent
HOUSTON — Every time the Church gathers, whether for Sunday Mass in a parish or a major Liturgical celebration with the archbishop, the faithful lift their voices and cry out with joy to the Lord. In those moments, worship, prayer and music are more than ritual; they are an encounter with Christ and a bond of unity with one another.
Guided by the Office of Worship, liturgical celebrations in the Archdiocese are prepared with reverence and care so the faithful may enter more deeply into the mystery of God’s presence. The ministry is one of more than 60 ministries supported by the Diocesan Services Fund (DSF).
Dan Girardot, D.Min., associate director for Liturgical Music, directs the Archdiocesan Choir and leads music ministry formation to assist parishes. He said the DSF theme for the 2025 annual appeal, “Cry out with joy to the Lord,” reflects how liturgical music gives voice to the prayer of the Church, and brings alive sung prayer in parishes, Archdiocesan gatherings and other settings where the faithful gather in worship.
“The joy of active singing, listening and praying through beautiful music in the Liturgy, the source and summit of our Christian life, is the greatest cry of joy we can offer to the Lord,” Girardot said.
PHOTO BY JAMES RAMOS/HERALD
At left, Dan Girardot, D.Min., associate director for Liturgical Music, directs the Archdiocesan Choir during a recent Mass at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Houston. The Archdiocesan Choir, led by Girardot, sings at the major Archdiocesan events at the downtown Co-Cathedral.
He said the Liturgy offers a path and a guide for Christian life, expressed most beautifully in song as the Church joins the angels and the saints in giving glory to God.
“Just before the Holy, Holy, Holy in Mass, we hear the priest inviting us
to join the choir of Saints and angels, singing forever to God’s glory,” said Girardot. “Every time we come to the Liturgy, we are singing with these clouds of witnesses.”
The Office of Worship staff and volunteers assist with the preparation of other Archdiocesan Liturgical celebrations, including the Chrism Mass, Transitional Diaconate Ordination, Permanent Diaconate Ordination, Episcopal Installation and Ordination and Consecration of Virgins. Other Masses include the Red Mass for the legal profession, the Blue Mass for first responders, and the White Mass for healthcare workers.
The Archdiocese also remembers the souls of the priests, deacons and religious who have died with the In Memoria concert on Sunday, Nov. 23, at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. This year’s event will feature the Archdiocesan Choir and orchestra with participation from the Archdiocesan Catholic Schools Chorus and a special remembrance of Pope Francis.
Through these celebrations and ongoing formation efforts, the ministry also strengthens parish life by hosting workshops and training sessions in English and Spanish for musicians, cantors and other liturgical ministers.
According to Adam Brill, director of the Office of Worship, this level of support for major Archdiocesan celebrations and support for parishes is possible through the generosity of the faithful who give to the annual DSF appeal.
“The funds from DSF are integral to the Office of Worship’s success,” Brill said. “They provide not only the dayto-day support for staffing and resources needed to serve parishes, but also the funding required for large Archdiocesan Liturgies, covering music, decorations and other essential elements.”
Brill said the Office of Worship also uses DSF to support parishes with limited resources, particularly those without a liturgist on staff, ensuring they can celebrate the Liturgy with the same reverence and care as larger parishes.
During Girardot’s time with the Office of Worship, he witnessed people of all
needed financial resources to carry out 64 ministries.
This video series brings to life the ministry featured in this story. Hear from people personally impacted by God’s grace through these DSF ministries.
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“The joy of active singing, listening and praying through beautiful music in the Liturgy, the source and summit of our Christian life, is the greatest cry of joy we can offer to the Lord.”
DAN GIRARDOT, D.MIN. Associate Director for Liturgical Music, Office of Worship
ages discovering the joy of celebrating Liturgies with the archbishop. He said teachers are now eager to bring their students to these celebrations, having seen how much they inspire the children.
“I’ve seen new cantors, new organists and even children step forward with excitement, and it’s wonderful to witness,” Girardot said. “I am very grateful to the archbishop, staff in the Office of Worship and Chancery, music directors and people in the pews. I also thank those who give to DSF, because it makes all the difference for our ministry.”
Discover more about the Office of Worship by visiting archgh.org/worship. To support DSF, which funds the Office of Worship along with more than 60 ministries across the Archdiocese, visit www.archgh.org/dsf. DSF supports ministries of direct service and education that rely on this critical funding, and 100% of every gift goes directly to these ministries. †
THURSDA Y, DECEMBER 4 , 202 5 | 7PM
THE ADMISSIONS APPLIC ATION DEADL INE IS JANUARY 15, 202 6
At Strake Jesuit, we have been successfully building Men for Others for over 60 years. A key to that success is the Jesuit ideal of cura personalis — the care for the individual.
This core value translates into a personal care and attention for each Jesuit student. It also means that we concern ourselves with the education of the whole person. Students at Jesuit learn much more than math and science — they learn about community service, about their faith, and about their responsibilities to the world around them.
At Strake Jesuit College Preparatory, we do much more than prepare our students for college — we prepare them for life as men of God and Men for Others. Learn all about Strake Jesuit at our annual Open House. Don’t miss your chance to get a tour of the campus, hear from school leaders, learn about life at Jesuit from the student perspective, ask questions about your favorite subjects or extra-curricular activities, and more! To register or to learn more, visit www.strakejesuit.org/openhouse
Pray for the following clergy whose anniversaries of death are during the month of November.
Nov. 1, 1915 Rev. Anthony Truchard
Nov. 1, 1950 Msgr. Thomas A. Carney
Nov. 1, 1977 Rev. Joseph I. Reardon, OP
Nov. 3, 2013 Rev. Joseph Konkel, OP
Nov. 4, 1967 Rev. Henry T. Schroeder
Nov. 4, 2015 Rev. Gabre Tinsaye Adhana
Nov. 5, 2019
Msgr. Edward Randall
Nov. 7, 1957 Rev. Frederick Hardy
Nov. 8, 1907 Rev. Anthony Kripajitis
Nov. 9, 2021 Rev. Roosevelt Martin
Nov. 10, 1940 Rev. Daniel Leahy
Nov. 10, 1967 Rev. William A. Sheehan,CSB
Nov. 10, 2015 Rev. Nils F. Thompson, OFM
Nov. 13, 2024
Nov. 14, 1983
Msgr. Jack Dinkins
Msgr. Augustine O’Connell
Nov. 14, 2003 Rev. Richard J. Schiefen, CSB
Nov. 17, 1963
Msgr. James T. Fleming
Nov. 17, 1969 Msgr. John J. Ruddy
Nov. 17, 1982 Msgr. Anton J. Frank
Nov. 17, 1989 Msgr. Teodoro de la Torre
Nov. 18, 1957 Msgr. Marius S. Chataignon
Nov. 18, 1987 Msgr. John Roach
Nov. 18, 2015 Rev. Joseph Kalladan
Nov. 19, 1913 Rev. Thomas Hennessy
Nov. 19, 1966 Rev. George B. Black
Nov. 20, 1967 Rev. Edward J. Sullivan,CSB
Nov. 20, 2006 Rev. David J. Cardenas
Nov. 21, 2013 Rev. Blas Herrador
Nov. 22, 1969 Rev. Lawrence Sampson
Nov. 22, 1985 Rev. Francis Knobloch
Nov. 22, 2002 Rev. John J. Ward, OMI
Nov. 23, 1935 Rev. Patrick J. Walsh, SSJ
Nov. 23, 2004 Msgr. Thomas A. Donovan
Nov. 24, 1992 Rev. Lionel LaCasse, MS
Nov. 25, 1858 Rev. Edward Clare
Nov. 25, 1933 Msgr. George T. Walsh
Nov. 25, 1982 Msgr. John D. Connolly
Nov. 25, 1992 Rev. Joseph G. Alvarez
Nov. 25, 2007 Msgr. William P. Robertson
Nov. 25, 2018 Rev. William Sheehan, CSB
Nov. 26, 1934 Rev. Henry F. Rops
Nov. 27, 1967 Rev. Francis Duffy, OMI
Nov. 27, 2009 Msgr. Lawrence Lee
Nov. 27, 2024 Rev. James Ramsey
Nov. 28, 2002 Rev. Daniel McKenna, OMI
Nov. 28, 2014 Rev. Antonio T.J. Martinez SJ
Nov. 29, 1934 Rev. Paul Puigserver, TOR
Nov. 30, 1941 Rev. Joseph F. Hanek
Nov. 30, 1947 Rev. Narcise P. Denis, SSJ
Catholic Charities hosts fall coat drive
HOUSTON — Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston is collecting new and gently used coats for men, women and children to help families in need for the coming cold winter months.
Catholic Charities is accepting donations at three locations through Dec. 12.
• Catholic Charities Central Office, located at 2900 Louisiana St. in Houston.
• Mamie George Community Center, located at 1111 Collins Rd. in Richmond.
• Beacon of Hope Center, located at 4700 Broadway Ave. Suite B-101 in Galveston Drop-offs are accepted from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.
Catholic Charities, which serves people in Harris, Fort Bend and Galveston counties, is a United Way agency and one of the Archdiocese’s social services groups, founded in 1943. †
HOUSTON — Father Gary A. Rickles, who served in numerous parishes in the Archdiocese, died on Oct. 3. He was 77.
Father Rickles served as parochial vicar at St. Helen in Pearland and St. John Vianney parishes. As pastor, he served at St. John of the Cross, St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception in La Porte, St. Mary of the Miraculous Medal in Texas City and Sacred Heart in Crosby parishes.
A funeral Mass was held Oct. 11 at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in La Porte. Interment is in Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery. †
Luis Torres
MEXICO — Luis Torres, father of Bety Torres, executive administrative assistant for the Office of the Bishop and Chancellor, died Oct. 9. He was 66 years old.
All funeral services were held in Mexico. †
Maria ‘Gloria’ Ybarra
HOUSTON — Maria Ybarra, the evening receptionist at Morkovsky Hall at St. Dominic Chancery, died Sept. 27. She was 74 years old.
Ybarra worked for the Archdiocese for over 23 years.
A funeral Mass was held Oct. 7 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. †
For more information, contact Flavie Romay 713 464 0211 Ext 22 | fromay@passionist.org
www.holynameretreatcenter.com/spiritual-direction
HOUSTON — Twelve Houston-area school teachers were recently honored with the annual Kinder Excellence in Teaching Award (KETA) and a gift of $30,000 each from Kinder Foundation. Among them were two educators from a pair of Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese.
A total of $360,000 was granted to 12 teachers from the following schools: Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Galveston–Houston; KIPP Texas Public Schools – Houston; Teach For America Houston; and YES Prep Public Schools.
The 2025 Kinder Excellence in Teaching Award winners from Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Galveston –Houston are: Charlotte Gutierrez, a thirdgrade classroom teacher at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic School in Houston;
and Jacob Hernandez, an 11th-grade AP English Language Arts and 12th-grade English IV teacher at Cristo Rey Jesuit College Preparatory School of Houston.
The pair of announcements came at two separate school gatherings at their
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respective campuses.
Recipients were nominated by their school’s leadership, have taught at the same network or school for at least three years, are positive motivators to students and faculty, and have led students to measurable academic growth.
“The Kinder Excellence in Teaching Awards shine a spotlight on outstanding Houston educators who dedicate their time and talent to their students, classroom and school community,” said Nancy Kinder, president and CEO of Kinder Foundation. “This year’s 12 honorees will undoubtedly continue to inspire and empower their students and colleagues to reach their full potential.”
Since 2001, KETA has granted over $5.3 million to 323 teachers. The award
has a transformational impact on the lives of the educators who earn it.
In the past, teachers have used the award money in various ways to help improve the quality of life for themselves, their families, their students and their communities.
KETA was established in honor of Edna C. Kinder, the mother of Kinder Foundation Chairman Rich Kinder, who spent many years teaching special education in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
The Kinder Foundation, a family foundation established in 1997 by Rich and Nancy Kinder of Houston, provides transformational grants that impact urban green space, education and quality of life. Learn more at www. kinderfoundation.org. †
Catholic schools provide more than academics. They form students in faith, discipline and virtue, preparing them as the saints of tomorrow. Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFAs) empower parents by ensuring school funding will follow your child.
Beginning in 2026, TEFAs will be available to all families, with priority for students with disabilities and low-income households. Scan the QR code to learn more online or visit the website at choosecatholicschools.org/tefa.
As a 25-year-old youth minister living in a non-Catholic environment, I find that practicing the Catholic faith can be challenging. However, it’s far from impossible, especially when you focus on making friends who share your values. Building relationships with like-minded individuals can provide support and encouragement on your journey, helping you stay rooted in your faith while navigating a diverse landscape. While many people get caught up in creating the perfect image for social media or engaging in immoral activity, we as Catholics find our strength and purpose anchored in our relationship with Christ.
Incorporating saints as friends in our daily lives can be incredibly enriching, especially for adolescents. Saints can serve as relatable role models who faced challenges and remained steadfast in their faith. You can turn to them for guidance during tough times, whether you’re dealing with academic pressure, social dynamics, or cultural
by ALEJANDRO IBARRA
and societal pressures.
Pray to your favorite saints for their intercession, asking for their support and inspiration. Share their stories with friends to foster a sense of community and encourage one another. Their experiences can help you navigate moral dilemmas, reminding you to act with courage, kindness and integrity in your everyday decisions.
Applying the concept of WWJD (What Would Jesus Do) in daily life encourages thoughtful decision-making and compassionate actions. Before reacting to situations, take a moment to reflect on how Jesus might respond. Practicing empathy, serving others and choosing kindness are key ways to live out this principle. Additionally, seeking guidance through prayer and standing up for
“Embracing the journey of friendship allows you to understand your beliefs better and appreciate the diverse perspectives of those around you.”
what’s right can help you manifest Jesus’s teachings in your interactions. By incorporating these values into your daily routine, you can positively impact those around you and cultivate a life of integrity and compassion.
Just like the Apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians while he was in prison, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”This powerful message teaches us that by relying on Christ for strength and guidance, we can accomplish anything, especially when forming Catholic friendships. Paul expressed gratitude to the Philippians for their support and shared insights on finding contentment, regardless of his circumstances.
For youth, in a non-Catholic environment, this verse reminds you that you’re not alone in your struggles. You have access to Christ’s divine strength to help you uphold your values and principles even when it’s tough. With faith, you can navigate challenges and stay true to your Catholic identity, showcasing resilience and purpose in a world that may not fully understand you.
Parents, grandparents and ministry leaders can help youth to embrace this journey of friendship with fellow
Catholics, as it can be a source of support and encouragement in their faith. To find more Christ-like friends, consider encouraging them to participate in local youth groups, prayer meetings, or service projects that resonate with their Catholic beliefs. Seek out events where they can connect with others who share their values, and don’t hesitate to initiate conversations about faith or works of service. Engaging in discussions about your experiences and beliefs can help forge deeper connections with your teens, ultimately helping them to find lasting friendships that uplift and inspire them.
Building friendships while practicing Catholicism in a non-Catholic environment can be challenging, but the rewards are incredibly fulfilling! These relationships not only provide support and companionship, but they also help you grow as a person and deepen your faith. Embracing the journey of friendship allows you to understand your beliefs better and appreciate the diverse perspectives of those around you. †
Ibarra is a youth minister
Autumn is a season of change — quiet transition and reflection. As the sun sets earlier and grows more golden and leaves change color and fall, we are reminded of the autumn of our own lives — the time when youthful energy begins to soften into wisdom, and external ambitions give way to inner contemplation.
This season invites us inward, to tend to the soul’s inner garden. As we slow down and reflect, we are invited into deeper communion with God, trusting in His transforming work within us. In embracing autumn, we find beauty in letting go and strength in stillness, making space for the Spirit’s gentle renewal.
In a digital age, when everything happens so quickly, almost instantaneously, autumn reminds us of “natural” time, the time of seasons and day and night. Much to our dismay, many of the difficult things in our lives, such as injury, sickness and grief, move slowly in natural time. It is in these times
by KRISTINE KERLIN
that, if we accept the invitation, we can be drawn deeper into our spiritual journey and relationship with God. Moving from doing into a place of being is a rite of passage into the elder years of our lives.
Our Catholic faith embraces the blessing of growing older. Aging is truly a blessing of years. The United States Catholic Conference of Bishops, in their document “The Blessings of Age,” say it this way, “We reiterate that aging is a gift to the entire faith community. When that community reflects the contributions of all — the old as well as the young — it will truly proclaim the ageless Christ present among us.”
Our pope, Leo XIV, at World Day for the Elderly and Grandparents this year, said it this way: “The life of the Church and the world can only be understood in light of the passage of generations.
When I was in school in Guatemala, English class was a subject I rarely paid attention to because I thought I would never use it. So I felt very unprepared for the call to do just that years later, as a religious sister.
On Dec. 3, 2001, Rose Mary Badami, foundress of Magnificat Houses — a ministry to the homeless, mentally ill and those who are released from prison — invited my religious community to serve in Houston. It was a terrifying moment for me, due to not knowing any English, but I was willing to embrace the opportunity to serve in a new environment and culture.
Mother Antonia told Badami that we would come, but that no one spoke English. Badami, who was an entrepreneur, said it was fine and that we should just come with smiles on our faces. However, we were to discover that it was not-so-fine.
At first, we were asked to teach an art class, but due to our lack of English, we could not communicate efficiently with our residents. The only way we could teach them was through hand gestures. Even though our residents were obedient and tried to cooperate, it was not very adequate.
I remember one time a resident called me and asked if we could meet to talk. As he began to share his emotions with me, I tried so hard to really pay attention
by SISTER MARIA MAGDALENA CORTEZ
“As seasoned adults, may we embrace this season, the autumn of our lives, as a spiritual journey, a time to grow closer to our God in the fullness of life until we meet God face to face in our true homeland of heaven.”
Embracing the elderly helps us to understand that life is more than just the present moment.”
And before him, St. John Paul II wrote, “Arriving at an older age is to be considered a privilege: not simply because not everyone has the good fortune to reach this stage in life, but also, and above all, because this period provides real possibilities for better evaluating the past, for knowing and living more deeply the Paschal Mystery, for becoming an example in the Church for the whole people of God.”
And Scripture, in Isaiah 46:4, tells us: “Even to your old age I am He, even when you turn gray I will carry you. I
God’s language is love
and understand what he was saying to me; however, I just could not understand a word.
I felt sad because I was unable to understand him, and all I could do was just pat his hand and pray for him. The resident appreciated my listening and told me, “Thank you.” However, this was the moment when I resolved that I must learn English. I believed that in order to serve them appropriately and build better relationships with them, I must know their language.
Another challenge arose one day when I was serving in the soup kitchen, Loaves and Fishes. As I was serving, it was very difficult to communicate with the people who were coming to eat. I wanted to have a conversation with the people, but I could not.
I was so frustrated that I prayed to Jesus, “Why are you not helping me to understand and speak English? You chose for me to come to Houston to help your poor, but I am unable to because I cannot speak their language.” I believe Jesus just smiled at me, because after that conversation with Him, I felt at peace.
have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save.”
As seasoned adults, may we embrace this season, the autumn of our lives, as a spiritual journey, a time to grow closer to our God in the fullness of life until we meet God face to face in our true homeland of heaven.
May we all create a community of love where our elders are seen and heard, valued and loved. †
Kristine Kerlin is the director of the Office of Aging Ministry.
“Witnessing both the hope and the heartbreak of their journeys has deepened my understanding of my own journey. It reminds me that transformation is not always immediate or linear – whether it is in learning a new language or transforming our way of life.”
I began to study English at Houston Community College, and I tried my best to learn. Some of the ways that helped me were by listening to children’s stories in English, like Cinderella, The Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, and stories about saints like St. Teresa of Calcutta and many others.
Learning a new language and a new culture has been a challenge, but God has always helped me. I have been at Magnificat Houses for almost 24 years, serving in admissions, and we currently serve 100 homeless people across our different houses.
To be at Magnificat Houses has been a true blessing. Many of the people we serve have made great changes in their lives, but others, unfortunately, go back to their old ways. Witnessing both the hope and the heartbreak of their journeys has deepened my understanding of my own journey. It reminds me that transformation is not
always immediate or linear — whether it is in learning a new language or transforming our way of life.
God does not always call the prepared, but he prepares us on the way. Looking back, I see that this has been a mysterious call, full of unexpected twists and turns, each one shaping me into the servant I am becoming. What once felt impossible has now become my greatest gift: to speak the language of the people I serve, not just with words, but with presence, patience and love. †
Sister Maria Magdalena Cortez, MSME, who works at the Magnficat Houses in Houston, shared her story as part of the “Flourishing Sisterhood” project, an initiative of the Loyola Institute for Ministry in New Orleans. To learn more about the institute and this project, visit www.cnh.loyno.edu/lim.
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Holiness flourishes in those who serve the weakest, and Christians should defend the truths of the faith, no matter the cost, Pope Leo XIV said, highlighting key traits of the new saints he proclaimed.
Meeting with visitors from different countries who were in Rome for the Oct. 19 canonization of seven new saints, Pope Leo said, “the men and women we proclaimed saints yesterday are shining signs of hope for all of us, because they offered their lives in love for Christ and for their brothers and sisters.”
“I hope you return to your homelands with hearts filled with gratitude and an ardent desire to imitate the new saints,”he told the visitors in the Paul VI Audience Hall Oct. 20.
Speaking about St. Peter To Rot, a martyred lay catechist from Papua New Guinea who was arrested in 1945 during the Japanese occupation in World War II and was killed by lethal injection while in prison, the pope said he offers “an inspiring example of steadfastness and fortitude in preaching the truths of the Gospel when confronted by difficulties and challenges, even threats to our lives.”
On Oct. 19, Pope Leo XIV canonized:
• St. Bartolo Longo
• St. Maria Troncatti
• St. Vincenza Maria Poloni
• St. José Gregorio Hernández
• St. María Carmen Rendiles
• St. Ignatius Choukrallah Maloyan
• St. Peter To Rot
as “the doctor of the poor,” and he was killed in an accident in 1919 on his way to helping a patient.
Following their example, the pope said, the faithful should be motivated by the two saints’ trust in God, who “was present in their lives and transformed them” from being “a normal person, like any one of us, into a lamp that illuminated everyone with a new light in their daily lives.”
“Although he was an ordinary catechist, he showed extraordinary apostolate in secret, because his pastoral work was prohibited by the occupying forces,” he said. The saint also “firmly defended the sanctity of marriage and even confronted some powerful people” who supported the practice of polygamy.
“May the example of St. Peter To Rot encourage us to defend the truths of the faith, even at the cost of personal sacrifice, and to rely always on God in
Turning to St. Ignatius Maloyan, the Armenian Catholic archbishop of Mardin who was executed in Turkey in 1915, the pope prayed that his intercession would “renew the fervor of believers and bring fruits of reconciliation and peace for all.”
Looking to Venezuela’s first two saints — St. Maria Rendiles Martínez and St. José Gregorio Hernández Cisneros, who were canonized Oct. 19 — the pope said they were “people very similar to ourselves, who lived facing problems
St. Rendiles, the founder of the Congregation of the Servants of Jesus, was born in Caracas in 1903 and died in 1977. St. Hernández was born in 1864 and became a Third Order Franciscan.
A Venezuelan doctor, he became known
Their acts of charity should also be an inspiration, he added, because charity points to “the true meaning of life and asks us to build it through service, whether to the sick, the poor, or the little ones.”
Pope Leo also highlighted the outstanding traits of: St. Vincenza Maria Poloni, founder of the Sisters of Mercy of Verona, Italy, who lived from 1802-1855; St. Maria Troncatti, a Salesian sister born in Italy in 1883, sent as a missionary to Ecuador in 1922 and killed in a plane crash in 1969; and St. Bartolo Longo, an Italian lawyer born in 1841. He had been a militant opponent of the Church and involved in the occult, but converted, dedicating himself to charity and to building the Pontifical Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of the Rosary of Pompei. He died in 1926.
St. Poloni “bears witness to Jesus’ compassion for the sick and marginalized,” he said, encouraging the faithful “to persevere in daily service to the most fragile: it is precisely there that holiness of life flourishes!”
Looking at St. Longo, the pope “wholeheartedly” recommended that priests, religious, families and young people pray the saint’s prayer to Our Lady of the Rosary. “By contemplating the mysteries of Christ through Mary’s eyes, we assimilate the Gospel and learn to put it into practice day by day.” †
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.
AUSTIN (OSV News) — A Catholic comedian who had multiple live show dates scheduled from October through January for a national tour announced she had canceled the appearances.
In the Facebook post on Oct. 15, Jen Fulwiler said her teenage daughter had been diagnosed with brain cancer, days after undergoing brain surgery.
Fulwiler sought continued prayers from her more than 198,000 followers on Facebook. She said Lane, who is 19, would be starting radiation and chemotherapy soon. She wrote in the post that her family of six children would “be juggling” the three-hour distance between their home in Austin and Dallas for Lane’s treatment.
In announcing the cancellation, Fulwiler also apologized to her fans for “the inconvenience this causes” and told them they could receive refunds from wherever they bought the tickets to her show.
In an Oct. 6 podcast of The Jen Fulwiler Show, the comedian made a plea for prayers and announced to
her audience that her daughter, a college sophomore, would have been undergoing the surgery on the same day the podcast aired. She asked them to seek Our Lady of Champion’s intercession. Champion, Wisconsin, is the first and only approved Marian apparition location in the U.S.
The podcast episode had no show opening music, and she mentioned that Kaitlyn — her producer who sometimes interacts with her on-air — was not with her.
Fulwiler said in the episode her daughter was handling her medical trial “incredibly,” stating, “She is the most impressive person I’ve, maybe, ever met.”
“On a scale of one to 10, for people who’ve found out that their headaches were a brain tumor and they’re heading in for brain surgery very soon, she’s a 10, in terms of her reaction,” she said.
A GoFundMe page has collected more than $87,000, with a goal of $110,000. Nine days after the surgery, Fulwiler posted on Facebook and encouraged her fans to interact with the post.
“Lane has a lot of time to pass in the hospital, and she will read the comments to this post. Would you kindly leave a comment saying something encouraging to her?” she asked.
And as a comedian would do, Fulwiler kept her sense of humor, ending the post with, “Sorry for the dreary update. On a positive note, the milkshakes at the hospital are very good.”
Fulwiler, a Catholic convert who regularly describes herself as formerly “a lifetime atheist” before converting to the faith, is a standup comedian who tours regularly, a podcast host, and a bestselling author, with several comedy sketches on social media that have gone viral, garnering millions of views. †
ST. PAUL, Minn. (OSV News) — A production that has captivated crowds in cathedrals across Europe will make its U.S. debut at the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis in late October.
Held indoors, the Luminiscence production will feature a 360-degree video projection onto the basilica’s walls as narration provides the church’s history in Minneapolis. Accompanying the projection and narration will be a live choir, organ and instrumental music.
As the basilica looks to 2026, when it will celebrate the 100th anniversary of its designation as the first U.S. basilica, Father Daniel Griffith said excitement is building for Luminiscence’s kickoff event in the U.S.
“At a moment when many are searching for deeper meaning, this immersive storytelling experience offers a unique path to reflection, connection and a renewed sense of
community,” he said.
Luminiscence’s visuals are displayed through a process called video mapping: Imagery is projected onto the basilica’s walls, floor and ceiling so the projected visuals align with the space’s contours and highlight the architecture.
According to organizers, there will be three types of musical performances as part of the production: a live choir and orchestra version, a live choir version, and a recorded music version. The music will include selections from Bach, Beethoven, Debussy, Grieg, Faure, Schubert, Vivaldi, Verdi, Smetana, Moussorgsky and Saint-Saëns, among others, organizers said.
Luminiscence’s opening night at the basilica is Oct. 31 runs runs through mid-February. Each production runs just under an hour, according to organizers. To learn more, visit mary.org. †
OSV NEWS PHOTO
Luminiscence, an immersive concertstorytelling event, will make its U.S. debut Oct. 31 inside the Basilica of St Mary in Minneapolis. The French production, which has sold out across Europe, blends live music, narration unique to each cathedral and projection mapping on sacred architecture.
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HOUSTON — In a powerful testament to enduring faith and family legacy, the Ingrando Family marked the 125th anniversary of a sacred vow with a special Mass at St. Thomas High School this September.
The annual celebration honors the Blessed Mother and commemorates the victims and survivors of the 1900 Galveston hurricane — a tradition born from a prayerful promise made in the face of tragedy.
One hundred twenty-five years ago, Jeanice Netzel’s great-grandfather, Ignacio “Nash” Ingrando, gathered his frightened family in their Houston home that terrible night on Sept. 8, 1900, as what is now considered a Category 4 storm that shredded Galveston Island and raked Houston. Desperate, he turned to the Blessed Mother and prayed: “Oh, Blessed Mother, if you save my family, I’ll have a Mass said in your honor every year.”
Little did Sicilian-born Ingrando know that the words he spoke in a moment of fear would still resonate more than a century later, carried in the prayers of five generations of his own family.
“That night changed everything,” said Jeanice Netzel. “It all ties back to the Virgin Mary and my great-grandfather’s covenant with God. He prayed that if our family was spared, we would hold a Mass in her honor every year.”
The storm, which devastated Galveston and reshaped the region’s history, also marked a turning point for the Ingrando family. Their vow to honor the Blessed Mother, which also coincided with the Sept. 8 feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, has been faithfully upheld for over a century. This year’s milestone gathering drew a larger crowd than ever
to why we’re here.”
The celebration has become a spiritual anchor for the family, much like Christmas or Easter. “We just always went,” said Jeanice Netzel. “Even as a child, I remember going with my mom, my aunts and cousins. It’s always been part of our lives.”
Father Murphy said the Mass is a living embodiment of the Church’s mission.
“It’s a gathering of family, a meal of celebration and faith,” he said. “Every time we celebrate Mass, it’s not just the community around the altar — it’s the communion of saints, the lived history of our faith.”
before, held in the school’s auditorium.
“It was so special to see all the family there,” said Jeanice Netzel.
Father James Murphy, CSB, vice president of mission at St. Thomas, has celebrated the Mass for the family more than a dozen times.
“To gather every year to remember a family’s promise of faith and hope is remarkable,” he said. “This family has been celebrating this Mass for 6% of the history of the Church. That’s pretty impressive.”
The Mass reflects the Basilian Fathers’
mission of responding to local needs with compassion and service.
“We’ve always tried to do what needs to be done, where it needs to be done,” Father Murphy said. “During the hurricane, the Basilian community helped raise funds and support relief efforts. That spirit continues today.” According to a diocesan ledger reviewed by Archives and Herald staff, the Basilian Fathers in Toronto donated to the 1900 Hurricane relief efforts.
The Ingrando family’s connection to St. Thomas began in the early 2000s when Jeanice Netzel’s husband, Mike, joined the school’s staff.
“We started small with a private Mass,” she said, some years simply joining a scheduled Mass at a parish, then going out for lunch after. Through the years, the family’s Mass would move from room to room and church to church. Many priests have also stepped in to celebrate the Mass, also becoming part of the family’s extended community and celebration, she said.
then in St. Therese’s room, and now in the auditorium. It’s always centered around the Mass and how important our faith is
He also noted the spiritual growth he’s witnessed over the years. “Watching little ones become teenagers, teenagers become adults and get married and bring their loved ones into this tradition — it’s the Church writ small and writ large,” he said. “Someone has always stepped up to keep that prayer of faith alive.”
The family’s commitment is evident not only in their attendance but in their storytelling. “They have a family website to keep the story alive,” Father Murphy said. “It’s delightful to see older members pass it on and younger ones embrace it.”
Jeanice Netzel said it’s inspiring to see the younger generations participate in the annual celebration, whether at Mass, such as serving as lectors or altar servers, or beyond. For this milestone year, Jordan Adamo created a logo for the Mass, which incorporated the family’s Sicilian heritage.
As the Ingrando family continues to honor their ancestor’s vow, their annual Mass stands as a beacon of hope, resilience and devotion — proof that
conocido por la simplicidad monástica, las curaciones
POR ANNETTE BAIRD
Corresponsal del Herald
HOUSTON — Por primera vez en la Arquidiócesis, habrá un encuentro de católicos de tradiciones orientales y occidentales para celebrar la vida y el legado de San Charbel Mahklouf, el primer santo maronita inscrito en el calendario de rito latino.
El evento, que se celebrará en la Concatedral del Sagrado Corazón, ubicada en 1111 St. Joseph Pkwy., el 22 de noviembre —fecha significativa en la celebración de San Charbel—, se ha estado preparando durante años. La comunidad maronita de Nuestra Señora de los Cedros, en el suroeste de Houston, siempre ha deseado brindar una oportunidad para que los católicos de toda la Arquidiócesis se reúnan para celebrar a San Charbel según la tradición maronita.
“Sinceramente, para nosotros es muy importante promover nuestra liturgia, especialmente después del discurso del Papa León a las Iglesias Orientales sobre la importancia de preservar nuestros ritos y tradiciones orientales”, dijo el Pastor asistente de Nuestra Señora de los Cedros, Padre Edward Hanna. También es importante, especialmente porque San Charbel es famoso en la comunidad latina, que la Iglesia Occidental conecte con nosotros.
El obispo Elías Zaidan, de la Eparquía de Nuestra Señora del Líbano de Los Ángeles, una de las dos eparquías maronitas de Estados Unidos, será el celebrante principal de la Liturgia Maronita, junto con el pastor Milad Yaghi, fundador de Nuestra Señora de los Cedros hace 36 años, y el padre Hanna. El padre Jeffrey Bame, rector de la concatedral, también será celebrante, junto con otros sacerdotes de la Arquidiócesis. También asistirán el obispo auxiliar Italo Dell’Oro, CRS, y el cardenal Daniel DiNardo.
“Es muy importante ver y escuchar la
FOTO DEL CNS/GREGORY
Se ven velas votivas con la imagen del san libanés Charbel Makhlouf en la Catedral Maronita de Nuestra Señora del Líbano en Brooklyn, Nueva York. Una Misa especial en la Concatedral del Sagrado Corazón el 22 de noviembre celebrará al popular santo y unirá a la comunidad maronita de Nuestra Señora de los Cedros y a los católicos de rito latino de la Arquidiócesis.
Misa Maronita para todos los católicos, que solo hemos estado expuestos a los ritos latinos”, dijo el padre Bame. Es decir, todos podemos caer en la trampa de pensar que los ritos latinos son los únicos, pero siempre es fructífero encontrarnos con nuestros hermanos y hermanas orientales.
Aunque la Iglesia Oriental tiene muchos santos, el Padre Hanna dijo que San Charbel representa el espíritu de la Iglesia Maronita.
“Es una figura moderna que representa la espiritualidad, la soledad, y el desapego”, dijo el Padre Hanna. “El Papa León, en su discurso a la Iglesia Oriental, nos recordó la importancia del desapego y la sencillez de la vida, y vemos cuán importantes son hoy en día en un mundo ajetreado”.
La misa, de aproximadamente 90 minutos, comenzará a las 10:30 a.m. del sábado, seguida de un almuerzo con comida libanesa y presentaciones sobre la vida espiritual y el legado de San Charbel en el Centro de la Catedral, 1701 San Jacinto. «Lo singular de la Iglesia Maronita es que constituye un puente natural entre Oriente y Occidente», dijo el Padre Bame. «Los maronitas han tendido puentes y se han mantenido en contacto con la Iglesia latina desde hace mucho tiempo, y son receptivos
San Charbel, nacido en 1828 como Youssef Antoun Makhlouf, mostró una extraordinaria devoción a la oración y al silencio desde muy joven. Ingresó en el monasterio de Nuestra Señora de Mayfouq a los 23 años y tomó el nombre de Charbel en honor a un mártir del siglo II de la Iglesia de Antioquía. Tras 16 años de vida monástica, se trasladó a la Ermita de San Pedro y San Pablo, donde pasó el resto de su vida como eremita. Murió en 1898 tras sufrir un derrame cerebral. Tras su muerte, se vieron luces misteriosas alrededor de su tumba y comenzaron a reportarse innumerables milagros. San Charbel fue beatificado en 1965 por el Papa Pablo VI y canonizado en 1977. Los milagros continuaron, el más famoso de los cuales fue el de Nohad El Shami, quien afirmó haber sido curada de una parálisis el 22 de enero de 1993. Afirmó que San Charbel le pidió que visitara la ermita el 22 de cada mes a partir de entonces para presenciar el milagro y volver a la fe.
Desde entonces, San Charbel se ha convertido en el santo más venerado de la Iglesia maronita y cuenta con seguidores en todo el mundo dentro de la Iglesia católica, especialmente en Latinoamérica, y entre cristianos de otras confesiones y no cristianos. †
a los ritos latinos». El padre Bame comentó que siempre habían querido celebrar esta celebración, pero que hubo dificultades logísticas para encontrar el mes apropiado para el día 22. El 22 de cada mes, peregrinos de todo el mundo se reúnen en la ermita y tumba de San Charbel para orar, realizar procesiones y celebrar una misa.
Si bien hay mucha similitud con la misa en latín, existen sutiles diferencias en la liturgia. La Iglesia Maronita tiene una tradición siríaca, con oraciones únicas, algunas de las cuales se dicen en siríaco. La consagración también se realiza en siríaco.
“Este evento es un llamado a vivir juntos y a demostrar que somos una sola iglesia, que estamos en un mismo camino juntos, viviendo en solidaridad”, dijo el padre Hanna.
Ubicada en el suroeste de Houston, Nuestra Señora de los Cedros ha crecido considerablemente desde su fundación a principios de la década de 1990. La comunidad inicial, de unas 25 familias, recaudó fondos suficientes para comprar un terreno de aproximadamente 5.2 acres en 1992, en 11935 West Bellfort. La recaudación de fondos dio como resultado un centro comunitario, finalizado en 1996, y una iglesia, inaugurada en 2003. Hoy en día, hay 1000 familias registradas, la mayoría de ascendencia libanesa, con una mezcla de inmigrantes de diferentes confesiones cristianas de todo Oriente Medio.
“Es muy importante celebrar a San Charbel, porque en nuestra región del Medio Oriente, donde conviven musulmanes y cristianos, es el santo de todos”, dijo el padre Hanna. †
Join us as we remember and pray for the priests and women and men religious who have served in our Archdiocese and died this year.
FIND THEIR STORIES AND OTHER RESOURCES ONLINE AT ARCHGH.ORG/OBITUARIES
En la fiesta de San Francisco de Asís, mejor conocido como ‘il poverello d’Assisi’, Papa León XIV publicó su primera exhortación apostólica titulada “Dilexi Te” [Te he amado], donde el tema central es el servicio a los pobres. En esta exhortación apostólica, publicada el 4 de octubre, el Papa León XIV explica que el Papa Francisco se disponía a publicar esta carta al momento de su fallecimiento y él completó su obra, añadiendo reflexiones propias y mezclándolas con las palabras de su “amado predecesor”.
Desde el comienzo de esta exhortación, es notable el esmero que hace Papa León XIV en fundamentar sus enseñanzas con respaldo bíblico y autoridad histórica. Comienza conectando su lección fundamental — que para amar a Dios, debemos amar a los pobres—. En todo el documento, es sobresaliente la gran cantidad de fuentes que el Papa León XIV utilizó para transmitir que sus enseñanzas no son nuevas, sino que surgen de una tradición continua. Aquí, utiliza las propias palabras de Jesús para transmitir su mensaje: «Cada vez que lo hicieron con el más pequeño de mis hermanos, lo hicieron conmigo» (Mt 25,40).
Esta exhortación está dividida en cinco capítulos y nos habla sobre el servicio que debemos prestar a los pobres, en quienes el amor de Cristo se hace carne. En el primer capítulo, Papa Leo XIV exhorta a todos los creyentes a prestar atención y escuchar el grito de los pobres, ya que el escuchar el grito del pobre, estamos llamados a identificarnos con el corazón de Dios, “En el rostro herido de los pobres encontramos impreso el sufrimiento de los inocentes y, por tanto, el mismo sufrimiento de Cristo” (n.9).
En el capítulo II, Papa León XIV indica que Dios es tan grande y misericordioso, que tiene una preferencia por los pobres y nos pide a nosotros como Iglesia abogar por aquellos que son débiles, discriminados y oprimidos. No solo abogar por ellos, sino una Iglesia que camina con los pobres, “Al contrario, cuando des un banquete, invita a los pobres, a los lisiados, a los paralíticos, a los ciegos. ¡Feliz de ti, porque ellos no tienen cómo retribuirte!» (Lc 14,12-14).
En el tercer capítulo, la exhortación se enfoca en cómo la Iglesia debe ser una Iglesia para los pobres y recuerda que los ministros de la Iglesia, tanto clérigos como laicos, nunca deben descuidar la atención y el cuidado de los pobres, y menos aún acumular bienes en beneficio propio. El Papa León XIV recurre a la historia de la Iglesia y menciona ciertos padres de la Iglesia como San Ignacio de Antioquia, San
Agustín, San Juan Crisóstomo, entre otros, y las órdenes mendicantes como San Francisco de Asís para recordarnos cómo la Iglesia primitiva cuidaba de los pobres. Consecuentemente, Papa León XIV dedica un buen espacio a la importancia de acompañar a los migrantes y precisa que la Iglesia, como madre, camina con los que caminan, que cuando el mundo ve una amenaza, ella ve hijos: «Estaba de paso y me alojaron» (Mt 25,35).
por ADRIAN ALBERTO HERRERA
En el cuarto capítulo, Papa León XIV indica que la sociedad se ha acelerado debido a las transformaciones sociales y tecnológicas que representan un reto para el ser humano, en especial donde los marginados y los pobres son sujetos de una inteligencia específica, indispensable para la Iglesia. Se señala que hay que seguir denunciando la dictadura de una economía que mata. “Este desequilibrio proviene de ideologías que defienden la autonomía absoluta de los mercados y la especulación financiera. De ahí que nieguen el derecho de control de los Estados, encargados de velar por el bien común” (n.92). Y que la Iglesia debe comprometerse cada vez más para resolver las causas estructurales de la pobreza.
En el último capítulo, se recalca que el cuidado de los pobres forma parte de la gran Tradición de la Iglesia. El amor a los pobres es un elemento esencial que lleva la marca del corazón de la Iglesia, que no se les puede tratar como un problema social, ya que los pobres son una “cuestión familiar”, son de los “nuestros”. Papa León XIV señala que los pobres justamente son quienes nos evangelizan: “Los pobres, en el silencio de su misma condición, nos colocan frente a la realidad de nuestra debilidad” (n. 109).
Finalmente, los pobres están en el centro de la Iglesia, porque Cristo mismo se hizo pobre entre nosotros, “y la Iglesia, si quiere ser de Cristo, debe ser la Iglesia de las Bienaventuranzas, una Iglesia que hace espacio a los pequeños y camina pobre con los pobres, un lugar en el que los pobres tienen un sitio privilegiado” (cf. St 2,2-4), «tocan la carne sufriente de Cristo». †
Adrian Alberto Herrera es actualmente Director Asociado para la Oficina de Evangelización y Catequesis en la Arquidiócesis de Galveston-Houston.
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.
BY REBECCA TORRELLAS Texas Catholic Herald
HOUSTON — Music, especially sacred music, can guide or accompany a life’s journey.
For Priscilla Salisbury, who recently took home a Catholic Music Award for Best Female Singer (English) in Rome for her recorded performance of “Rejoice Greatly,” music has carried her throughout her life, all the way from Mexico to Houston and Puerto Rico and now to Rome.
Also nominated for Best New Artist (English), she was recognized among other Catholic artists from more than 40 countries who submitted over 1,400 songs in 19 separate categories in Italian, Spanish, English and Portuguese languages.
“I felt immense gratitude and humility, and it was an honor to see sacred music celebrated on a global stage,” Salisbury said. To celebrate her win, Salisbury will host a Christmas concert at 7 p.m. Dec. 4 at Villa de Matel, located at 6510 Lawndale St., Houston.
“This concert is my way of saying thank you — an evening of gratitude and sacred music, shared with the hope of inspiring others through song,” she said.
Salisbury said her best friend from middle school encouraged her to enter the awards the night of the deadline. A few months later, she learned she had been nominated — and later, that she was a finalist in two categories.
Born in Mexico and raised in Houston, her win is a culmination of a long journey inspired by music, according to Salisbury. She said she discovered her passion at an early age, singing for her neighbors, family and friends.
“My favorite song was ‘Part of Your World’ from Disney’s ‘The Little Mermaid,’” she said. “I was always part of the school and church choirs.”
When her family moved to the U.S. between fifth and sixth grade, the Spanish choir at Salisbury’s parish became her home away from home.
“It gave me a sense of belonging during those formative years,” she said. “I was very shy and quiet, often afraid
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SALISBURY
to say something wrong in English, but singing gave me confidence. When I began cantoring at the Spanish Mass, I saw how my voice — carrying the message of God — could bring comfort and hope to others. At that moment, I felt I was God’s instrument.”
For Salisbury, witnessing that impact was transformative. She then realized her true calling to inspire and comfort others through sacred music, just as it had did for her during that time in her life.
Her passion continued as a teenager. She was fascinated by singing competitions — American Idol had become a phenomenon, and Objetivo Fama in Puerto Rico was one of the most prominent shows for Spanish-speaking artists. Objetivo Fama was filmed there and televised across the U.S. After a fellow parish choir member pushed her to try out, she was selected and ultimately made it to the final 20 contestants representing Houston in Puerto Rico.
“It was an incredible experience — intense, exciting and eye-opening,” she said. “When I returned home, I began my formal studies in voice at the University of Houston (UH), determined to continue growing as an artist.”
Salisbury earned her bachelor’s degree in music from UH and her master’s in opera performance from the
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University of Texas at Austin. In 2022, she earned a master’s in sacred music from the University of St. Thomas in Houston.
“My parents have always been incredibly supportive of my vocation,” she said. “They are both educators and instilled in me a deep respect for education and faith.”
At first, Salisbury followed in her parents’ footsteps, becoming an educator. As an adjunct professor of vocal studies, she has taught at Lone Star College’s music department for six semesters and at Texas Southern University.
Now her skills take her throughout the Archdiocese as she cantors for Masses and other events at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Houston, St. Mary’s Seminary and St. Anne, St. Cecilia and St. Bartholomew parishes. She also records the Sunday Responsorial Psalm in Spanish for her YouTube channel, www. youtube.com/@priscillasalisbury9659, at St. Joseph Parish in Houston.
“In a way, I sing for the entire Archdiocese — it’s a beautiful ministry that allows me to reach both local and global communities,” she said.
While not an official member of the Archdiocesan Choir, Salisbury often collaborates with them as a soloist.
“One of the highlights was performing as the soloist in Dan Forrest’s ‘Requiem for the Living’ at the inaugural Sacred Music Choral Festival in 2023,” she said.
Crista Miller, DMA, director of music at the Co-Cathedral, said, “It’s always a joy to see former musicians from CoCathedral Music continuing to grow and share their gifts with the wider Church.”
Miller said she remembers fondly Salisbury’s time with them as an undergraduate: “It’s wonderful to see her dedication to sacred music bearing fruit in this recognition.”
Salisbury added, “I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to my parents, family, friends and mentors — especially Laura Johnson, Larry Massey, David Magallanes and Brady Knapp — for their unwavering support throughout my journey.”
For more information and to hear Salisbury sing or to follow her work and ministry on social media, visit www. priscillasalisbury.com. †
For the latest updates about listings in the Around the Archdiocese, contact event organizers and visit www.archgh.org/ata.
OCT. 30
GRIEF SUPPORT, 6 to 7:30 p.m., St. Michael the Archangel (1801 Sage Rd., Houston). Kristine Kerlin, Office of Aging Ministry director, offers guidance and resources for those experiencing loss. Free to attend. 713-621-4370; business@ stmichaelchurch.net.
NOV. 1
FESTIVAL, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., St. Anthony of Padua Piazza (7801 Bay Branch Dr., The Woodlands). All Saints’ Day event includes games, saint-themed crafts and activities, food trucks, live music, door prizes and local Catholic vendors. Saint costumes are encouraged. ap.churchcenter.com/home.
NOV. 1-2
MARKET, Saturday, 2 to 7 p.m., and Sunday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., St. Anne (2140 Westheimer Rd., Houston). Handcrafted goods from the artisans who created them. Free, open to the public. Refreshments available. saintanne.org/newsevents/718-st-anne-market-5.
NOV. 5
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.
NOV. 6
TACO TASTING, 6 p.m., St. Arnold Brewing Co. (200 Lyons Ave., Houston). University of St. Thomas’ annual Two Saints and a Taco Tasting features a diverse selection of tacos as participating restaurants compete for the best taco award ranked by celebrity judges and attendees. Early bird tickets (until Oct. 31): $50. General Admission (Nov. 1 to 6): $75. matejat@ stthom.edu; 713-525-3542; one.bidpal.net/ twosaints2025.
HOLY HOUR, 5 to 8 p.m., Holy Name Passionist Retreat Center (430 Bunker Hill Rd., Houston). Praying for vocations: Confessions English and
Share your event with thousands of print and digital readers. Scan the QR code to fill out the form and send your event to Around the Archdiocese. Learn more at ARCHGH.ORG/ATA .
Spanish at 5 p.m., Anointing of the Sick at 6:30 p.m., Adoration at 7 p.m. fromay@passionist.org.
NOV. 7
VETERANS DAY DINNER, 6 p.m., St. Rose of Lima, Parish Hall (3600 Brinkman, Houston). St. Rose of Lima Men’s Club hosts its annual Veteran’s Day Dinner, which includes drinks, dinner and speaker. Free entry. RSVP: noah_denson@comcast.net, 713-6929123; parishinfo@stroselima.org; stroselima.org/ schedule-and-events.
NOV. 7-8
MARKET, Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., St. Michael (100 Oak Dr. S, Lake Jackson). Mums and Mistletoe Market features 50-plus vendors offering handcrafted jewelry, artisan clothing, leather goods and unique art. Also available are cheese soup, chicken salad croissants and desserts. Free entry. wosmlj@ yahoo.com.
NOV. 8
FASHION SHOW AND LUNCHEON, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Golfcrest Country Club (2509 Country Club Dr., Pearland). Catholic Daughters of St. Helen #2330 host the “Pumpkin Spice Soirée Fashion Show and Ladies Luncheon” with silent auction, raffle and wine pull. Cost: $40. 281-685-2746.
CHILI COOK OFF, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sts. Simon and Jude (26777 Glen Loch Dr., The Woodlands). Council 14512 (St. Edward-Spring) hosts chili cook off fundraiser with other local KofC councils and teams, with proceeds benefiting the American Wheelchair Mission, a nonprofit.
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Event includes DJ music, games, food, drinks, raffles, silent auction and desserts. Admission: $5 for five samples from 20-plus cooking teams best chili recipes and door prize entries. 832871-6625; johnedwards7662@sbcglobal.net.
CRAFT SHOW, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., St. Hyacinth (2921 Center St., Deer Park). Catholic Daughters of America Court Our Lady of St. Hyacinth #2361 host market with several local vendors for early holiday shopping, free parking and admission, food court and hourly door prize drawings. Free entry. st.hyacinthcdacraftshow@gmail.com.
FESTIVAL, noon to 5 p.m., Epiphany of the Lord Catholic School (20910 Highland Knolls Dr., Katy). Event includes inflatables, petting zoo, face painting, pumpkin smash, games and food. Free entry. epiphanycatholic.school/fallfestival; 832-391-6500.
NOV. 8-9
FESTIVAL, Saturday, noon to 10 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., St. Edith Stein (3311 N Fry Rd., Katy). Event features raffle, silent auction, fire station visit at 3 p.m. on Saturday, international foods, including Filipino and African cuisine, hamburgers, barbecue and funnel cakes from the Knights of Columbus, with live music, games, inflatables and treats. stedithstein.org/festival.
NOV. 9
BAZAAR, noon to 5 p.m., St. Joseph (1907 Carolina St., Baytown). Event includes a raffle, live and silent auctions, kids’ games and activities, live music, food booths, a plant booth and performances by the school children. Free entry. 281-420-3588; stjosephbaytown.org.
FESTIVAL, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., St. Frances Cabrini (10727 Hartsook St., Houston). Event includes musical entertainment with the TJ Funk band, Compañia Folklorica Alegria Mexicana and others, and raffle, silent auction, Bingo, food and game booths, and kids’ games. 713-9465768; cabrinihouston.org/fall-festival.
NOV. 14
PRESENTATION, 6:30 to 8 p.m., Holy Name Retreat Center (430 Bunker Hill Rd., Houston). Flavie Romay, Passionist spiritual direction program director, explores spiritual direction and
how it nurtures a deeper relationship with God. holynameretreatcenter.com/spiritualdirection-event.
NOV. 15
DINNER, 6 p.m., The Revaire (7122 Old Katy Rd., Houston). Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston hosts a wine dinner honoring Daniel Cardinal DiNardo with four gourmet courses with Italian wines. Tickets: $500; tables and sponsorships start at $5,000. nrivera@catholiccharities.org; 713-874-6629. catholiccharities.org/wineanddine.
NOV. 15-16
CENTENNIAL HOMECOMING MASSES, St. Anne (2140 Westheimer Rd., Houston). Each Mass honors a group or a Sacrament, followed by a reception. Saturday at 5:15 p.m. - For anyone who married at St. Anne; Sunday at 7:30 a.m. - For anyone who received Baptism, Reconciliation, First Communion, Confirmation and/or Holy Orders at St. Anne; 9 a.m. - For anyone who has attended St. Anne Catholic School; 11 a.m. - St. Anne Liturgical ministries; 12:45 p.m. - St. Anne Hispanic ministries; 5 p.m. - St. Anne RCIA/OCIA. 713-526-3276; saintanne.org/news-events/680centennial-anniversary.
MARKET, Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., St. Michael Archangel (1801 Sage Rd., Houston). Catholic Daughters of America Court Queen of All Apostles #2258 host market with 40 vendors, silent auction, “buy now” options and 40-item raffle. Free entry. gtrejsek@att.net.
BAZAAR, Saturday noon to 6 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Our Lady Star of the Sea (1401 Fidelity St., Houston). Bazaar features Bingo from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, and live music from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday with Step Rideau & Zydeco Outlaws and homemade boudin, gumbo, barbecue dinners, sweets, brisket, chicken, sausage and fried chicken wings. Cost: $5 admission fee on Sunday. 713-674-9206.
NOV. 16
BAZAAR, 10:30 a.m., St. Wenceslaus (407 Third St., Beasley). Event includes pastries, silent auction, music and raffle. Food available for dine-in and drive-thru. lynnellstieber@att.net; 281-451-6492.
20
MARKET, 1 to 7 p.m., St. Laurence Ave Maria Center (3103 Sweetwater Blvd., Sugar Land). The Shop ‘til U Drop Charity Holiday Market features over 60 vendors selling seasonal gifts, home décor, toys, jewelry and food items. Free entry. Silent auction and door prizes. Food, drinks and desserts are available for purchase. 713-5162042; ladyntx4937@gmail.com.
For additional listings, visit WWW.ARCHGH.ORG/ATA
HOUSTON — On Oct. 3, nearly 200 community leaders, clergy and friends of the University of St. Thomas (UST) gathered on Academic Mall of the Montrose-area campus for the annual Faithful Citizenship Dinner, hosted by the Donald S. Nesti, CSSp Center for Faith & Culture. This year’s celebration honored the Archdiocese and officially welcomed Archbishop Joe S. Vásquez — a 1980 graduate of UST — back to his alma mater.
With the university’s iconic Chapel of St. Basil as the backdrop, the evening served as both a recognition of the Archdiocese’s long-standing commitment to Houston and a powerful symbol of new beginnings.
“As we welcome a new pope, a new archbishop and a new president to UST, we recognize the hand of providence guiding us into a hopeful future,” said Sinda Vanderpool, Ph.D., UST’s newly appointed president. “There is no better way to celebrate than through the mission of the Center for Faith & Culture, which
brings faith and community together in service of the common good.”
Founded in 1847, the Archdiocese has been a cornerstone of the region, responding to the needs of the poor,
providing education, creating schools and leading disaster relief efforts for generations.
“At a time when so much is in flux, people search for something solid they
can count on,” Kevin Stuart, Ph.D., director of the Nesti Center for Faith & Culture, said. “For well over a century, the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston has been that rock for our community and the whole region. We were so pleased to honor their work and welcome home the new archbishop.”
One of UST’s Centers of Excellence, the Nesti Center for Faith & Culture forms faithful citizens through its flagship Master’s in Faith and Culture, a first-ofits-kind Master’s in Catholic Women’s a Gender Studies, a research project on religion in American life, as well as lectures, symposia and international study opportunities. †
December 7, 2025 • 1 - 3:30 pm
Mass will be celebrated at 11:30 am, prior to Open House 4500 Memorial Dr. • Houston, Texas 77007
Welcoming 6th, 7th, and 8th grade boys