OCTOBER 13, 2026 • ARCHGH.ORG/TCH
RECOGNIZING EXCELLENCE
Groundbreaking signals new opportunities in North Houston
Pair of Catholic school teachers win Kinder Award ▪ SEE PAGES 10
OCTOBER 13, 2026
texas catholic herald 1
A PLACE OF HOPE
▪ SEE PAGE 20
Proclaiming the Good News to the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston since 1964
VOL. 63, NO. 8
A SHEPHERD’S MESSAGE
THE SISTER AND THE STEER
Embracing the gift of the Rosary BY ARCHBISHOP JOE S. VÁSQUEZ Archbishop of Galveston-Houston Some of my earliest memories of the Rosary come from my family. My father often spoke about growing up at home, where family members gathered each evening to pray the Rosary with my greatgrandmother. The Rosary was simply part of family life. Later in life, I witnessed the power of the Rosary in an even deeper way. When my brother died at a young age in a work-related accident 38 years ago, my parents turned to the Rosary for strength and consolation. Every night before going to sleep, they prayed. Even when I was already in the seminary, my parents would
A SHEPHERD’S MESSAGE
PHOTO ANTHONY NATOLI/FRASSATI CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL.
Sister Scholastica Niemann, O.P., principal of Frassati Catholic High School in Spring, leads a Texas longhorn as part of the school’s agricultural program, which brings students hands-on experiences with livestock and farming practices. The school recently opened its Frassati Farm. SEE STORY ON PAGE 9.
See SHEPHERD, page 2
Priests draw inspiration from Blessed Sheen’s beatification ST. LOUIS — The jawbone drew almost as much attention as the man. As thousands of bishops, BY JAMES RAMOS priests, religious and lay Texas Catholic Herald Catholics looked on inside The Dome at America’s Center, a reliquary containing the mandible of newly beatified Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen was carried through the Liturgy. For Father Ricardo Arriola, the symbolism was impossible to miss. The relic recalled the voice that carried Archbishop Sheen’s message of faith to audiences around the world. “It reminds me that as a priest, my voice does not belong entirely to me,” Father Arriola said. The moment was among the most memorable of a Sept. 24 beatification Mass that officially declared Archbishop Sheen, the celebrated preacher, author
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THE MIRACLE BEHIND THE BEATIFICATION
Born without a pulse, 16-year-old James Fulton Engstrom’s miraculous recovery helped pave Blessed Sheen’s path to beatification. ▪ SEE PAGE 5 and television evangelist, among the Church’s blessed. The historic celebration drew nearly 90 bishops, about 1,000 priests, 1,600 religious and almost 250 deacons. Among them were three priests from the Archdiocese: Father Arriola, pastor of Shrine of the True Cross in Dickinson; Father Tom Lam, pastor of Epiphany of the Lord Parish in Katy; and Father Victor Perez, pastor of St. Joseph and St. Stephen parishes.
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See SHEEN, page 4
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PHOTO BY JAMES RAMOS/HERALD
A major relic of Blessed Fulton J. Sheen, his lower jaw, is displayed following the Sept. 24 Beatification Mass at The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis. The relic, chosen because it symbolizes the voice that preached the Gospel to millions through radio, television and the written word, was presented during the historic Liturgy attended by more than 50,000 faithful. Pilgrims from across the U.S., including dozens from the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, joined nearly 1,000 priests, scores of bishops and religious in celebrating the beatification.
| AROUND THE ARCHDIOCESE † 18 - 19
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A Shepherd’s Message By Archbishop Joe S. Vásquez
Arzobispo Vásquez comparte su mensaje en línea en español. Visite www.archgh.org para leer su artículo en línea.
THE ARCHDIOCESE OF GALVESTON-HOUSTON
PUBLISHING SINCE 1964
SHEPHERD, from page 1
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gather us together and say, “Let’s pray the Rosary.” Their witness taught me something important: that we sometimes think prayer changes God, but in reality, prayer changes us. Prayer is not primarily about getting God to do something for us. Through prayer, we grow in our awareness of God’s presence, our dependence on Him, and our need for His mercy and guidance. The Church dedicates the month of October to the Holy Rosary. The Rosary is one of the Church’s most beloved prayers because it helps us deepen our faith in Christ and find peace in the midst of life’s joys and sorrows. The feast of Our Lady of the Rosary on Oct. 7 has its origins in an important moment in Christian history. Following the Victory of the Battle of Lepanto in 1571, St. Pius V gave thanks for the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary after Christians throughout Europe had been called to pray the Rosary. Since then, the Church has continued to recognize the power of this prayer and its ability to unite the faithful in times of difficulty and uncertainty. The Rosary is one of the Church’s great sacramentals. According to tradition, Our Lady entrusted this devotion to St. Dominic, and through the work of the Dominican Order, it spread throughout the Church. Over the centuries, Catholics have come to cherish the Rosary as a beautiful way of contemplating the mysteries of salvation. What makes the Rosary so powerful is that it helps us focus on the life of Jesus Christ. Through the Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and Luminous ARCHBISHOP Mysteries, we reflect on the JOE S. VÁSQUEZ events through which God brought about the salvation of the world through His Son. Mary is present throughout these mysteries, but the focus ultimately remains on her Son and God’s saving work in history. Among all the mysteries of the Rosary, I have always been especially drawn to the Joyful Mysteries. They invite us to contemplate the mystery of the Incarnation, the moment when God entered human history and changed it forever through Jesus Christ. Some people see the Rosary as simply repeating prayers. Yet the repetition serves a deeper purpose. The familiar words of the Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be help quiet our minds so that we can focus more fully on the mystery before us. For example, when we pray the Nativity, we are not merely recalling that Jesus was born in Bethlehem. We are invited to reflect on what it means that the Son of God became man, that He entered our world as a vulnerable baby, and that Mary and
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Pope Leo XIV prays the Rosary for peace during an evening prayer vigil in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican. Pope Leo has renewed his request to for a global Rosary for peace in October.
Joseph welcomed and cared for Him. We contemplate how God reveals His love for humanity through the Holy Family. The prayers create space for meditation. They allow God’s grace to deepen our understanding of the mysteries of Christ’s life, death and resurrection. The Rosary is not simply about getting through a set of prayers. It is about drawing closer to Christ. One of the greatest challenges many people face today is finding time for prayer. We live busy lives and are often pulled in many directions. Yet prayer cannot become an afterthought. Some may find prayer easier in the morning to begin the day. Others may find evening prayer more fruitful after work is finished and the household has grown quiet. Families may choose to gather and pray the Rosary after dinner or before bed. There are also many opportunities to pray with others. I remember as a pastor how parishioners would gather together before or after Mass, or come to church in the evening on a weekday to pray the Rosary. Those moments are important because they remind us that we are not alone. We pray in communion with one another and with countless generations of Catholics who have prayed these same words. Today, the Rosary continues to be an important part of my spiritual life. It remains one of the prayers I most enjoy because it consoles me and allows me to express gratitude to Christ and the Blessed Mother. As we celebrate the Month of the Rosary, may we rediscover this beautiful prayer. In a world filled with noise and distractions, the Rosary offers a path to peace, reflection and a deeper encounter with the Lord. Through the intercession of Our Lady, may we be drawn ever closer to her Son, Jesus Christ. †
A SHEPHERD’S MESSAGE
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OCTOBER 13, 2026 • ARCHGH.ORG/TCH
THE FIRST WORD World Mission Sunday collection set for Oct. 18 helps missions worldwide
ALL SOULS DAY
HOUSTON — On the weekend of Oct. 18, parishes in the Archdiocese will take up the World Mission Sunday Collection and celebrate its 100 anniversary. In 1926, Pope Pius XI instituted Mission Sunday for the whole Church, with the first worldwide Mission Sunday collection taking place in October 1927. The Mission Sunday collection is always taken on the second-to-last Sunday of October. This World Mission Sunday, on Oct. 18, Catholics can reflect on the common call to missionary discipleship and give generously to support the missionary efforts of the Church in the 1,124 areas that are too young, too poor or persecuted. Learn more about World Mission Sunday online at www.archgh.org/worldmissionsunday. †
Oct. 20 White Mass honors healthcare professionals
HOUSTON — The annual White Mass, honoring those who work in healthcare, will be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, 1111 St. Joseph Pkwy. in downtown Houston. Archbishop Joe S. Vásquez will be the celebrant. A reception with speaker Dr. Caitlyn Trader, S.T.D., seminary professor and bioethicist, will follow at the Cathedral Centre. She will speak on “The Ethics of AI in Medicine.” Pre-registration for the dinner reception is recommended and is available at arch.swoogo.com/ whitemass2026. †
HERALD FILE PHOTO
Faithful invited to All Souls Day Masses at Catholic Cemeteries DICKINSON — “It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins,” one of the prayers for the dead from 2 Maccabees 12:46 recites. Praying for the souls of the departed to be blessed with eternal life in heaven is the main point of All Souls Day, which always falls on Nov. 2. This year, Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston will celebrate All Souls Day Masses with four Masses at three different cemeteries. Mount Olivet Cemetery and Mausoleum, 7801 Gulf Fwy. at Hughes Rd. in Dickinson, will host two Masses. Monsignor James B. Anderson, pastor of Queen of Peace Catholic Church in La Marque, will celebrate the first Mass at 10 a.m. Then at 7 p.m., Father Ricardo Arriola, pastor of Shrine of the True Cross in Dickinson, will celebrate an evening candlelight Mass.
Father Jude Ezuma, pastor of Holy Family Parish of Galveston-Bolivar, will celebrate a 10 a.m. Mass at Calvary Cemetery and Mausoleum, located at 2506 65th St. in Galveston. Father Julian Gerosa, CRS, pastor of Christ the King Catholic Church, is set to celebrate a 10 a.m. Mass at Holy Cross Cemetery and Mausoleum, located at 3502 N Main St. in Houston. All Souls’ Day was first instituted at a French monastery in Cluny in 993 AD and quickly spread throughout the Christian world. It was St. Odilo, the abbot of Cluny in France, who, in the 10th century, proposed that the day after All Saints’ Day be set aside to honor the departed, particularly those whose souls were still in purgatory. On All Souls Day, the souls of the faithful departed are commemorated. For more, call 281-337-1641. †
YOUR PARISH NEEDS YOUR VOICE.
OPEN NOW THROUGH OCT. 25 LEARN MORE AT WWW.ARCHGH.ORG
All parishioners in the Archdiocese are invited to participate in the Disciple Maker Index, a confidential, anonymous survey that helps pastors and parish leaders better understand their community’s faith life. The survey gathers feedback on missionary discipleship, Mass, preaching and parish life. Results will help leaders identify priorities and strengthen parish efforts to help people grow in faith. THE SURVEY IS OPEN NOW THROUGH OCT. 25. LEARN MORE AT WWW.ARCHGH.ORG.
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Oct. 21 Red Mass unites law communities HOUSTON — The annual Red Mass for members of the legal profession will be celebrated at 6:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 21, at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, located at 1111 St. Joseph Pkwy. in downtown Houston. Archbishop Joe S. Vásquez will be the celebrant, and Father Luke Millette, J.C.L., will be the homilist. The Mass will be followed by a ticketed dinner at the Cathedral Centre with speaker Professor O. Carter Snead from the University of Notre Dame. Registration opens soon. For more information, visit www.archgh.org/redmass. †
Café Catholica Lite returns Nov. 12
HOUSTON — The Office for Young Adult and Campus Ministry will host the next Café Catholica Lite at Christ the Redeemer, located at 11507 Huffmeister Rd., Houston, on Thursday, Nov. 12, from 7 to 8:45 p.m. The talk titled “Living a Flourishing Life: Keeping Body, Mind, and Soul Healthy & Strong” will be given by David Thies, a counselor with Gratia Plena. 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. †
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POPE’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR OCTOBER
FOR MENTAL HEALTH MINISTRY Save some trees and get the Texas Catholic Herald sent straight to your inbox with The Digest, our free email newsletter. For free features, exclusive content and more, sign up at WWW.ARCHGH.ORG/TCHDIGEST.
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Let us pray that the mental health ministry be established throughout the Church, helping to overcome the stigma and discrimination of persons with mental illnesses. – Pope Leo XIV –
SCAN TO PRAY WITH POPE LEO XIV
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Around the Archdiocese calendar
Looking for some weekend plans? Check out the Around the Archdiocese calendar which lists festivals, concerts, retreats and other events held around the Archdiocese. ▪ SEE PAGES 18 & 19
Prayer, preaching and holiness define Bl. Sheen’s lasting priestly legacy SHEEN, from page 1 Though each arrived in St. Louis with a different story, all three left with the same conviction: Blessed Fulton Sheen still has something to teach priests and the lay faithful nearly half a century after his death. For Father Arriola, that lesson begins with communication. “What has always inspired me most about Blessed Fulton Sheen is his ability to communicate the truths of the Catholic faith with clarity, beauty and conviction,” he said. “He never seemed to believe that Catholicism needed to be watered down in order to reach people.” At a time when many wonder how the Church can reach younger generations, Father Arriola sees Blessed Fulton Sheen as a model of faithful and effective evangelization. “He showed that you could be completely faithful to the Church and, at the same time, speak in a way that was engaging, intelligent and even humorous,” Father Arriola said. Yet the Dickinson pastor believes the future saint’s success was rooted in something deeper than charisma or communication skills. One of the lessons that continues to
spoke to ordinary people about God.” Father Perez described the weekend as a significant moment for priests in the U.S. Seeing an American bishop known for his preaching and evangelization elevated to the altar offered encouragement at a time when the Church continues seeking new ways to proclaim the Gospel. “He spoke to the common man,” Father Perez said. “Every human needs Jesus.” The gathering of so many clergy from around the country also left an impression. Concelebrating alongside Father Arriola, Father Perez found himself thinking about the fraternity shared by priests. He recently revisited several of Blessed Fulton Sheen’s works, including “The Priest Is Not His Own” and the archbishop’s autobiography. One reflection remained with him PHOTO BY JAMES RAMOS/HERALD after the trip. James Fulton Engstrom, who was stillborn for 61 minutes and whose miraculous recovery is attributed to “It helped me appreciate brother Blessed Fulton J. Sheen, carries a major relic of Blessed Sheen in procession with his family during the priests and the relationship that we have Beatification Mass on Sept. 24 at the Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis. in the priesthood,” Father Perez said. shape his priesthood is Blessed Fulton reminds me that beauty, reverence, good More than anything, the experience Sheen’s commitment to making a daily communication and orthodoxy do not strengthened a personal hope. Holy Hour before the Blessed Sacrament. compete with one another. They belong “I just pray that I can be like him and “Before we can preach Christ, teach together.” be a good preacher,” Father Perez said. Christ or bring Christ to others, we have That emphasis on prayer took on new The beatification Mass itself featured to spend time with Christ ourselves,” significance during the beatification several memorable moments. Pilgrims Father Arriola said. “His example Mass. applauded as a portrait of Blessed Fulton “The Church is now holding him Sheen was unveiled, depicting him before us not simply as a gifted holding a piece of chalk, a reference to communicator or famous bishop, but his Emmy Award-winning television as a model of holiness,” program “Life Is Worth Father Arriola said. “For Living.” During the priests especially, I think Liturgy, James Fulton his life is a reminder that Engstrom, whose recovery effectiveness in ministry from stillbirth was ultimately flows from recognized by the Vatican holiness.” as the miracle attributed Across the dome, to Archbishop Sheen’s Father Lam reflected intercession, joined his on a relationship with family in presenting the Archbishop Sheen that relic used during the began long before the Mass. beatification. Yet for the priests “I began reading from Galveston-Houston, Fulton Sheen’s books the day’s significance when I was discerning the extended beyond the BLESSED priesthood,” Father Lam pageantry. FULTON J. SHEEN said. Again and again, their The books became reflections returned to the formative reading as he considered his same themes that marked Blessed Fulton vocation. Sheen’s life: prayer, missionary zeal, “Blessed Fulton Sheen is so eloquent fidelity to the Church and a willingness yet so personal in his explanation of the to bring the Gospel into contemporary faith and his relationship with Jesus,” culture without compromising its Father Lam said. “You can experience his message. love for Jesus in watching his videos and For Father Arriola, that may be the reading his books.” most enduring lesson of all. Father Lam said the new blessed’s “Fulton Sheen used the most modern concern for the poor and missionary means of communication available to spirit continue to influence his ministry him to preach an ancient Gospel,” Father today. Arriola said. “Today the platforms are “He teaches us to love the poor no different, but the mission is exactly the matter our position in life,” Father Lam same.” said. “Jesus loves the poor, and so should Radio gave way to television.Television we in imitation of Him.” gave way to podcasts, livestreams and That missionary focus inspired Father social media. The tools have changed, Lam while he was in seminary, where but the challenge has not.Long after he served as chairman of the mission the stadium transitioned for its next big committee in part because of Blessed event, the Houston priests returned home Fulton Sheen’s example. carrying the same reminder they found For Father Perez, the beatification in Blessed Fulton Sheen’s witness: Before felt personal, pastoral and distinctly speaking to the world about Christ, spend American. time with Christ first. “It was amazing, just beautiful,” Father That’s where the real work begins, Perez said. “Blessed Sheen really inspires said Father Arriola. † me. He used real-world examples and – OSV News contributed to this report.
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Not Just a TV Star: Why Blessed Sheen’s missionary spirit still speaks to today’s Church BY JAMES RAMOS Texas Catholic Herald PEORIA, Illinois — For Meris Bridger, standing in front of the baptismal font in a quiet central Illinois parish offered a striking, quiet contrast to the crowd of nearly 50,000 pilgrims gathered in St. Louis just a day earlier. Bridger, associate director of campus ministry and a sophomore theology teacher at St. Agnes Academy in Houston, had just attended the historic September 24 beatification Mass for Blessed Fulton J. Sheen inside The Dome at America’s Center. The following morning, she and her husband, Brandon, set out on a personal pilgrimage three hours north to Peoria and El Paso, Illinois, the small town where Sheen was born, baptized and ordained. “It was quiet and small and just ordinary,” Bridger recalled of visiting Sheen’s birthplace. “We prayed for all of our pilgrimage intentions at the place of his birth and in front of the baptismal font in his home parish.” Bridger’s connection to the celebrated archbishop began in her classroom, while pulling together materials on holy men and women to introduce to her high school students. Discovering that a Catholic bishop had won an Emmy Award immediately caught her attention. “I watched a few of his videos and was so inspired by his ability to command the room with simple yet direct teachings,” Bridger said. She connected Sheen’s humble origins with his groundbreaking media career, offering a compelling lesson for her students back in Houston. She views his early adoption of radio and television not as a historical footnote, but as a direct challenge to the current digital generation. “Young people today can, in the
OSV NEWS PHOTO BY MARGARET MURRAY
Bishop Louis Tylka of the Diocese of Peoria offers a Sept. 25 Mass of Thanksgiving following the beatification of Blessed Fulton J. Sheen, celebrated at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Peoria, Illinois, where the blessed is buried. Thousands flocked to Peoria to visit his tomb.
footsteps of Blessed Sheen, use their technology and social media platforms for the purpose of evangelization,” she said. That focus on active mission resonates across the broader Church. Sara Garcia, Southwest regional director of diocesan relations for The Pontifical Mission Societies, also attended the beatification in St. Louis and emphasizes that Sheen’s administrative work was central to his identity. Long before he was a household name on television, Sheen served 16 years — from 1950 to 1966 — as national director of The Pontifical Mission Societies in the U.S., encouraging American Catholics to support worldwide missionary efforts through prayer and sacrifice. “Most people remember him as the television archbishop, the radio star and the riveting writer, but at heart he
MIRACLE BABY AT CENTER OF BEATIFICATION NOW 16 ST. LOUIS (OSV News) — Sixteen years ago, doctors spent 61 minutes trying to revive a newborn boy who had been delivered without a detectable pulse. As medical staff prepared to declare the infant dead, Bonnie Engstrom prayed for the intercession of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. The baby eventually took a breath, and his heart rate stabilized. That child, James Fulton Engstrom, turned 16 on Sept. 16 and is now a healthy teenager. His recovery was later recognized by the Vatican as the miracle attributed to Sheen’s intercession, paving the way for the archbishop’s beatification. Speaking before the Sept. 24 beatification Mass in St. Louis, Engstrom described the celebration as “a foretaste of heaven.” “When I’m in my seat, and I look out, I just feel like it’s going to be a foretaste of heaven, where we are all going to be worshipping God together and celebrating the Church as a whole,” she said. Engstrom said she and her husband had already entrusted their son to Sheen’s patronage before his birth and had planned to give him the middle name Fulton. “It was just a very natural thing in that moment — the hardest hour of my life so far — for us to naturally fall back on calling for his help,” she said. The family has remained connected to
Sheen’s cause for more than a decade as the Church examined the circumstances surrounding James’ recovery. Throughout the process, Engstrom said she relied on a simple prayer. “From Day 1, there were times the only prayer I could pray was, JAMES FULTON ‘Jesus, I trust in you,’” ENGSTROM Engstrom said. “Whatever that outcome was going to be.” Today, the family works to keep James grounded despite his unique place in Church history. Engstrom described her son as a typical teenager and said the family has tried to shield him from the attention surrounding the miracle. “He’s a delightful young man, but he’s still just a teenage boy and needs to be given the space and the grace,” Engstrom said. “We didn’t ask for any of this, and we are very honored to be part of it.” James and his family participated in the beatification Mass, where they presented the relic used during the Liturgy, marking the culmination of a journey that began in a hospital delivery room 16 years earlier. †
was a missionary,” Garcia said. “What makes him an enduring example is that he gave us a timeless model of holiness, creativity and generosity. He showed that the mission of the Church isn’t somebody else’s job — some go out into the world, some pray, some teach, some give and everyone takes part.” †
Who is Blessed Fulton J. Sheen?
Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen was born in El Paso, Illinois, in 1895 and ordained a priest for the Diocese of Peoria in 1919. After studying at The Catholic University of America and the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium, he taught philosophy and religion at Catholic University for more than two decades. Known for his ability to explain the Catholic faith with clarity and humor, Sheen first gained a national audience through the radio program “The Catholic Hour” before becoming one of America’s most recognizable religious figures through the Emmy Award-winning television show “Life Is Worth Living.” A prolific author, he wrote more than 60 books and became a leading voice for evangelization, Marian devotion and mission outreach. In 1950, he was named national director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, now The Pontifical Mission Societies USA. Named an auxiliary bishop of New York in 1951 and bishop of Rochester in 1966, he later received the title of archbishop from then-pope St. Paul VI. He continued preaching and leading retreats until his death in 1979. The Diocese of Peoria opened his cause for canonization in 2002. Pope Benedict XVI declared him Venerable in 2012, and Pope Francis approved a miracle attributed to his intercession in 2019. With his beatification on Sept. 24, 2026, Blessed Fulton Sheen became one of the American blesseds recognized by the Catholic Church. †
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‘Community of Missionary Disciples’ arise from Hispanic Ministry Conference BY JO ANN ZUÑIGA Texas Catholic Herald HOUSTON — Thalia Romero, who previously worked for the Archdiocesan Hispanic Ministry, spoke at its annual conference Sept. 19 as associate director of the Office of Young Adult and Campus Ministry on how to form young Catholics into leaders. “We guide young adult groups on how to build bridges in both the English and Spanish communities. We have monthly meetings to network at St. Dominic’s Chancery for young adults and, at times, events led by young adult teams,” Romero said. “We have formation, ‘Apostles on Mission,’ a mentorship program and a five-week basic formation in the spring to create young adult leadership plus annual retreats,” she added. Her talk dovetailed perfectly with the title and goal of this year’s Hispanic Ministry Conference, “A Community of Missionary Disciples.” Auxiliary Bishop Italo Dell’Oro, CRS, was among the more than 150 pastors, deacons and parishioners who attended workshops in English and Spanish on pastoral priorities in the community. Those topics ranged from knowing the legal rights of immigrant parishioners and U.S. citizens being detained by government officials to training pastoral
PHOTO BY THE OFFICE OF HISPANIC MINISTRY
Participants gather for Mass at Warren Chapel during the Archdiocesan Hispanic Ministry Conference on Sept. 19 at St. Dominic Center in Houston. More than 150 clergy, parish leaders and parishioners attended the annual event, which featured English- and Spanish-language workshops focused on pastoral ministry, evangelization, leadership formation and outreach as part of this year’s theme, “A Community of Missionary Disciples.”
visitors for patients in area hospitals through the Catholic Chaplain Corps. Keynote speakers included Dr. Dora Tobar, director of Hispanic Ministry in the Diocese of Austin, exploring the National Pastoral Plan for Hispanic/ Latino Ministry from the U.S. Conference of Bishops as well as insight from Father Richard Hinkley into the “Magnifica Humanitas” (Magnificent Humans), the first encyclical by Pope Leo XIV. Father Hinkley, dean of the School of Theology of the University of St. Thomas and coordinator of Spiritual Formation
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at St. Mary’s Seminary, delved into the opening line of the encyclical, “Humanity, created by God in all its grandeur, is today facing a pivotal choice: either to construct a new Tower of Babel or to build the city in which God and humanity dwell together.” Father Hinkley pointed out that mankind’s freedom and privacy now need to be safeguarded from the relentlessness of artificial intelligence, robotics and digitalization, much of which is in the technological marketplace rather than guided by government.
He highlighted the encyclical warning, “humanity is indeed called to transcend itself — not through technological selfdeification but through divine grace, love and union with God.” Tobar, in her keynote, said, “This conference is a good opportunity for us to reflect together on key elements to transform fragmented communities and join leaders from different parishes together for them to take back to their individual community.” She points out that the pastoral plan reviewed takes up to five or six generations, as it did with German, Polish and other cultures who still wanted to be served in their language. “Hispanics want to celebrate their faith in their own lovely culture, but we want to integrate in sharing the same God, the same faith, our same Sacraments,” Tobar said. Lazaro Contreras, director of the Office of Hispanic Ministry with the Archdiocese, said, “Our conference is open to all — Hispanics and nonHispanics alike — in English and Spanish tracks.” “We also focused on bringing pastoral care to the periphery in addition to vocations and stewardship,” Contreras said. “Our duties include creating awareness to discern how to implement our ministries to assist our faithful in their communities.” †
ANNAI VELANKANNI FEAST CELEBRATED IN HOUSTON
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The Houston Tamil Catholic Community celebrated its annual Annai Velankanni Feast on Sept. 6 at Our Lady of Czestochowa Catholic Church, concluding a nine-day novena honoring Our Lady of Good Health, also known as Annai Velankanni. Father Sahaya Stanly Francis, chaplain for the Tamil Ministry of the Archdiocese, celebrated the feast-day Mass with concelebrating priests and blessed a new Annai Velankanni statue and palanquin before the Liturgy. Following Mass, families and children joined a prayerful procession as the statue was carried through the parish grounds. The annual celebration highlights a Marian devotion rooted in the shrine of Our Lady of Good Health in Velankanni, Tamil Nadu, India, an important pilgrimage destination for Catholics. Organizers said the feast provides an opportunity for Tamil Catholic families to share their faith and cultural heritage with younger generations and the wider Church. The celebration concluded with cultural performances by children and community members, followed by a fellowship meal.
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SVdP conference helps neighbors fight poverty BY ELIZABETH MORALES Texas Catholic Herald
systemic-change programs designed to address underlying causes of financial instability and help families achieve greater self-sufficiency. HOUSTON — Since reopening in June, the “When people are in crisis, they’re turning Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) to the Church for that relief, for that hope, and conference at St. Francis Xavier (SFX) Catholic if there’s no Society of St. Vincent de Paul Church has been helping Sunnyside residents there, then that means we need to start one,” facing eviction, utility shutoffs and food Senegal said. insecurity, responding to needs that local Conference members also direct residents volunteers say continue to grow. to local food distributions and agencies that More than 75% of requests received by the assist with applications for government and Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Galvestonnonprofit programs. Houston involve rental assistance, according For Linda Wallace, a Vincentian at St. to SVdP Executive Director Val Senegal. Francis Xavier, the ministry is as much about “We have over 75% of calls that come to accompaniment as assistance. She recalled the society seeking rental assistance because helping a woman seeking food resources who housing is absorbing wages, and no one also wanted to know whether she could attend should experience homelessness,” Senegal Mass at the parish. said. The SFX conference provides emergency “People are looking for a community that’s financial assistance and connects families caring, a community where people look out for with community resources aimed at helping each other,” Wallace said. “It’s a chance for us them remain housed and stable. to put our faith into action. It gives me an Erica Smith, president of the SFX opportunity to be part of a solution.” conference, said people have needed Wallace said conference members assistance with food, utilities and rent. intentionally refer to those they serve as More than 50 St. Vincent de Paul “neighbors.” conferences operate in parishes across the “We don’t look at them as clients. We don’t Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. Their look at them as people in need,” Wallace said. volunteer members, known as Vincentians, assist individuals andV8families Poster WMS26 copy.pdf experiencing 1 12/5/26 5:25 PM “We look at them as neighbors.” For more information about the Society of financial hardship while seeking long-term St. Vincent de Paul of Galveston-Houston, visit solutions to poverty. In addition to emergency www.svdphouston.org. † aid, conferences may connect neighbors with
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“Let us be charitable about the missions, remembering that the Lord who said: ‘Go teach all nations’ is the same Lord who bewailed: ‘I have mercy on the multitudes.‘”
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8 TEXAS CATHOLIC HERALD LOCAL
Catholic Charities seeks donations, volunteers for annual Christmas gift program HOUSTON — With less than 50 days until the first Sunday of Advent, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese is seeking donations and volunteers for its annual Share Your Blessings Christmas program, which provided gifts to 2,051 children and 130 seniors in 2025. The program helps families and older adults receive Christmas gifts they might otherwise be unable to afford. Distribution for the 2026 program is scheduled from Nov. 30 through Dec. 17 by appointment. Applications are expected to open in mid-October, with most appointments reserved for individuals and families already participating in Catholic Charities programs. Catholic Charities is requesting donations for children of all ages, from toddlers to teenagers, as well as gifts for low-income seniors. Parishes, schools and community organizations are encouraged to hold toy drives and deliver donations to the Catholic Charities warehouse at 1000 S Loop West, Suite 150, Houston, 77054. Volunteers are needed to help organize, package and distribute gifts. To donation lists and volunteer information, visit catholiccharities.org/syb. †
ARCHGH.ORG/TCH • OCTOBER 13, 2026
St. Martha mission team serves students in Colombia
PHOTO COURTESY OF ST. MARTHA ON MISSION
BLUE MASS HONORS, BLESSES LAW ENFORCEMENT
Eleventh-grade students at the Conviventia God is Love School in Cartagena, Colombia, show pure joy as St. Martha On Mission mentors them in a chemistry review class.
PHOTO COURTESY OF HARRIS COUNTY CONSTABLE PRECINCT 4
Auxiliary Bishop Italo Dell’Oro, CRS, presided over the annual Blue Mass on Sept. 27 at the CoCathedral of the Sacred Heart, seen with Mass attendees. The Mass honored and prayed with law enforcement officers, civilian and classified law enforcement employees, their families and supporters.
CARTAGENA, Colombia — St. Martha On Mission, a mission program of St. Martha Catholic Church in Kingwood, went on a mission trip this summer to Cartagena, Colombia. The group mentored students at Conviventia God is Love School. Over 1,000 students participated in projects including robotics, magic milk in chemistry, Hot Wheels and static electricity in physics, galaxy art and snap electrical circuits. Students of all ages also learned where oil comes from and were introduced to planets and the moon. They played an English Wheel of Fortune to practice pronunciation and spelling, and practiced
solving problems using critical thinking. The band played worship music in the outdoor auditorium. Hundreds of parents visited in the afternoon to see displays of what the students had created, showing off their efforts from a week of projects, learning and fun. It was a time of joy in a community filled with daily struggles to put food on the table, with houses sometimes built only with wood slats and dirt floors. To learn more about mission trip opportunities, visit www. stmarthaonmission.com or email terry. stierman@conviventia.org. †
QUEEN OF PEACE IN LA MARQUE CELEBRATES 75TH ANNIVERSARY
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Queen of Peace Catholic Church in La Marque marked its 75th Anniversary with a Mass of Thanksgiving and celebration on Saturday, Aug. 22, which was celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Italo Dell’Oro, with Bishop Brendan Cahill, bishop-elect of the Diocese of Joliet, Ill., concelebrating. Others attending included, from left to right, were Deacon Steve Mistretta; Deacon George Silva of Queen of Peace Catholic Church in La Marque; Ben Mazzara Acolyte; Father Douglas Guthrie, pastor, St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church; Father Chacko Puthumayil, retired pastor at Queen of Peace Catholic Church in La Marque; Monsignor James Anderson, pastor at Queen of Peace Catholic Church in La Marque; Deacon Raymundo Luna; Father Sean Horrigan, pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church; Father Richard Hinkley, Division Dean of the School of Theology of the University of St. Thomas and Coordinator of Spiritual Formation at St. Mary’s Seminary, Father Paul Chovanec, retired.
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OCTOBER 13, 2026 • ARCHGH.ORG/TCH
EDUCATION
From chickens to show livestock, Frassati Farm gives students hands-on lessons beyond the classroom BY ELIZABETH MORALES Texas Catholic Herald SPRING — Chickens, donkeys and future rodeo livestock are becoming as familiar to students at Frassati Catholic High School as textbooks and laptops, thanks to a rapidly expanding agricultural science program that is giving students hands-on experience in farming, animal care and stewardship of creation. What began in fall 2023 as a small project caring for newly hatched chickens in a biology class has grown into Frassati Farm, a campus agricultural program that now includes dozens of animals, two academic courses and a student-led 4-H club. “I never imagined in three short years we would be this far, and I can’t wait to see where it goes in the future,” said Shayla Mullee, agricultural science teacher at Frassati Catholic. “I have always prayed, ‘Let the program grow as You see fit,’ and the path keeps opening up with little to no obstacles, so I know we are on the right path.” Mullee, a former high school librarian with a family background in ranching and farming, first helped biology students care for newly hatched chicks as a handson learning experience. The project quickly captured student interest and caught the attention of school leadership. The school’s first agriculture elective, Introduction to Agriculture, was added in fall 2024. Since then, the curriculum has expanded to include Introduction to Horticulture, offering students additional opportunities to study plant science, agriculture and environmental stewardship. “The fruits of the agriculture program are unmistakable,” said Tim Lienhard, director of advancement. “With each new year, we find opportunities unfold in front of us. Whether it’s generous donors stepping forward to provide for the program, the addition of new animals, or the expansion of our curriculum, the program has a life of its own.” As the program continued to grow, school leaders developed a dedicated five-year plan that includes additional electives, expanded livestock opportunities and new facilities to support student projects. This school year, students are preparing to raise and show animals at the 2027 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. New show pens expected to be completed this fall will house incoming livestock, including pigs and turkeys. Today, Frassati Farm is home to 43 animals, including 38 chickens, three miniature donkeys and two cats. Located beside the academic building, the farm serves as a living classroom where students help care for animals and work on agricultural and horticultural projects throughout the year. The program’s growth has also extended beyond the classroom. In 2025, students established the school’s own 4-H club with 15 members. The organization has since grown to 25 students, many of whom are interested in livestock
PHOTO BY ANTHONY NATOLI/FRASSATI CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL.
At left, a student at Frassati Catholic High School greets a Texas longhorn during a September visit by Gornick Ranch to the Spring campus. At right, school leaders and students recently completed construction of Frassati Farm, which supports the school’s agricultural science program and student-led 4-H club.
competitions and agricultural leadership opportunities. School officials estimate that about 90 students enroll annually in Introduction to Agriculture, while more than 70 students are expected to take Introduction to Horticulture during the 2026-27 school year. For many students, the experience offers something increasingly difficult to find in urban and suburban environments. “Living in Houston, students do not always have easy access to outdoor experiences like hiking or spending time in open natural spaces that make it easy to connect with nature,” said Susan Albert, director of operations. “One of the things I especially like about agriculture is that it calls students out of themselves. If you are caring for an animal, something is depending on you. You have to be responsible, consistent and attentive. There is a real formation piece in that.” Mullee said students and alumni frequently share how the program has helped them develop practical skills, reduce stress and discover new interests. Through caring for animals, tending gardens and learning how food is produced, students gain experiences that extend beyond traditional classroom instruction. Support from the broader community has also fueled the program’s development. Donations of materials, equipment and resources regularly arrive after parishioners and supporters learn about the farm’s mission. For Sister Scholastica Niemann, O.P., principal of Frassati Catholic, the program’s value extends well beyond agriculture. “Caring for living animals, tending to growing things — what a great remedy to the anxiety and frenzy of this world,”Sister Niemann said. “This program allows our students to slow down and connect, not to the virtual world, but to the real world.” †
10 TEXAS CATHOLIC HERALD EDUCATION
ARCHGH.ORG/TCH • OCTOBER 13, 2026
Kinder awards honor two Catholic school teachers for classroom excellence Special to the Herald
in their abilities. A Houston native and graduate of Challenge Early College HOUSTON — Two Catholic school High School, Aguilera earned degrees educators in the Archdiocese were from Houston Community College and among 12 Houston-area teachers Vanderbilt University before completing recognized this year with the prestigious the University of Notre Dame’s Alliance Kinder Excellence in Teaching Awards for Catholic Education program. (KETA), each receiving a $30,000 award In addition to teaching, Aguilera serves in recognition of their impact on students as math department chair and retreat and school communities. leader, mentoring fellow educators The 2026 honorees from Catholic and supporting students’ academic and schools are Maria Aguilera, spiritual formation. School math department chair and leaders praised her calm calculus teacher at Cristo Rey leadership, deep faith and Jesuit College Preparatory commitment to excellence, School of Houston, and Erin saying her influence extends Smith, English Language well beyond the classroom. Arts teacher at St. Augustine At St. Augustine Catholic Catholic School. School, Smith brings more than Presented annually by three decades of educational Kinder Foundation, KETA experience to her role teaching celebrates exemplary educators English Language Arts for MARIA across Houston-area school grades six through eight. AGUILERA systems. This year marks the Throughout her career, she program’s 25th anniversary. has taught reading, English Since its founding, KETA has and social studies while also awarded more than $5.6 million mentoring students through to 335 teachers who have programs such as Academic demonstrated excellence in Decathlon and Student Council. education and a commitment to Smith earned a bachelor’s student success. degree in elementary education “For 25 years, the Kinder from Oakland University and Excellence in Teaching Awards later completed a master’s have been about recognizing degree in educational ERIN SMITH outstanding teachers who are leadership. Colleagues describe changing outcomes for their her classroom as a place where students. We’re honored to celebrate curiosity, creativity and meaningful this milestone alongside the educators relationships encourage students to who have earned it,” said Nancy Kinder, grow in confidence and reach their full president and CEO of Kinder Foundation. potential. Unlike many educator recognition KETA was established in honor programs, teachers do not apply for of Edna C. Kinder, mother of Kinder the award. Instead, school leaders Foundation Chairman Rich Kinder, confidentially nominate outstanding who taught special education for many educators based on measurable academic years in Missouri. The foundation was results and contributions to their school established in 1997 by Rich and Nancy communities. Winners often learn they Kinder and supports initiatives focused have been selected through surprise on education, urban green space and presentations attended by students, quality of life. colleagues and family members. For Aguilera and Smith, the recognition At Cristo Rey Jesuit, Aguilera is highlights not only their dedication known for helping students embrace as educators but also the vital role challenging concepts in pre-calculus and Catholic schools play in forming students AP calculus while building confidence academically, spiritually and personally. †
CSO ANNUAL REPORT 2025-26 TO VIEW THE 2025-26 CATHOLIC SCHOOLS ANNUAL REPORT, SCAN THE QR CODE AT RIGHT.
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EDUCATION
OCTOBER 13, 2026 • ARCHGH.ORG/TCH
texas catholic herald 11
St. Catherine’s Montessori marks 60 years with anniversary Mass SPECIAL TO THE HERALD HOUSTON — St. Catherine’s Montessori marked its 60th anniversary with a Mass of Thanksgiving on Sept. 18, celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Italo Dell’Oro, CRS. The anniversary Mass brought together students, families, faculty, alums, Dominican Sisters and members of the school community to commemorate the school’s founding in 1966 and its development as a Catholic Montessori school. St. Catherine’s was founded by Dominican Sisters Edna Ann Hebert, O.P., and Shirley Owens, O.P., who sought to combine the Montessori educational method with the Catholic faith. The school began with 43 children in its primary program and now serves nearly 300 students from infancy through adolescence. During her remarks before the Mass, Denise Stasio, a member of the St. Catherine’s board and Dominican Family, reflected on the people who have shaped the school over the past six decades. “The true story of St. Catherine’s is found in the children who walk through the doors, the guides (teachers) who see their potential, the parents who entrust us with their children and the alumni who carry what they learned here into the world,” she said.
PHOTO COURTESY OF ST. CATHERINE’S MONTESSORI
St. Catherine’s Montessori celebrates 60 years with a special Mass of Thanksgiving celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Italo Dell’Oro, CRS, on Sept. 18.
Bishop Dell’Oro, who is from Italy, noted the connection between the school’s namesake, St. Catherine of Siena, and Maria Montessori, the Italian educator whose method forms the basis of the school’s educational program. The bishop addressed students during the celebration, offering particular encouragement to the school’s adolescents. He urged them to continue learning about themselves, other people and the world around them.
“When we learn about God, we learn about our neighbor,” Bishop Dell’Oro said. He also encouraged parents and other adults present to have “great patience with the young people entrusted to your care.” The Gospel reading for the Mass was the account of Mary’s Visitation to Elizabeth. Bishop Dell’Oro connected the reading with the theme of responding to others through action.
He referenced Mary’s response to Elizabeth and her proclamation of God’s greatness in the Magnificat. He described Mary as “the greatest influencer in history,” pointing to her example of sharing the Good News with others. The themes of the Mass also reflected the school’s Catholic and Montessori traditions. St. Catherine’s incorporates the Dominican pillars of prayer, study, community and service into its educational program. The school’s Montessori program begins with the infant community and continues through high school. Its educational approach emphasizes observation, individualized learning and allowing students to develop independence and responsibility. Head of School Lina Delgado thanked the bishop, priests and deacons, Dominican Sisters of Houston, members of the Dominican Family, the Catholic Schools Office, parents, benefactors and other members of the school community for participating in the anniversary celebration. “Your presence and prayer made this milestone even more meaningful as we gave thanks for the many blessings God has bestowed upon St. Catherine’s Montessori over the past 60 years,” Delgado said. †
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12 TEXAS CATHOLIC HERALD
ARCHGH.ORG/TCH • OCTOBER 13, 2026
COLUMNISTS The Cost of Convenience: What slavery teaches us about the future of AI Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, has been widely touted as a warning against the dangers of artificial intelligence (AI). It is certainly that. But at its core, the document is a defense of human dignity and a reclaiming of humanity’s unique role within creation. Pope Leo argues that AI is merely the latest in a long line of technologies and social upheavals that challenge human dignity. Beginning with the Industrial Revolution, rapid technological advancement has uprooted traditional ways of life across the globe through faster communication, transportation and information sharing. Pointedly, in paragraph 176, the pope reflects on the devastating effects of the Transatlantic slave trade — a practice unprecedented in its global disruption. He offers a straightforward acknowledgment of the Church’s own complicity in this moral evil and asks for forgiveness. The pope goes on to stress that “the memory of past complicity and blindness in the face of the injustice of slavery becomes a call to vigilance. What we have learned must be translated into
discernment and responsibility in the future” (par. 177). Many benefited immensely from the enslavement of African peoples across the Americas. Unpaid labor built vast fortunes and lowered the cost of everyday goods. Yet the whole world continues to pay for that “cheap” sugar and cotton through a brutal legacy that wounds human dignity and solidarity all these centuries later. Pope Leo warns that technological systems, like chattel slavery before them, hold the power to dehumanize both user and worker. While a powerful few profit by feeding the market’s appetite for speed and convenience, vulnerable people often bear the invisible costs — enduring exploitative working conditions, algorithmic bias and the erosion of authentic human connection. We see this tension playing out in our own backyard. Across Texas, communities are actively debating the toll massive new AI data centers are taking on our shared power grid and water supply. Yet we must also consider those living in places where such public
debate is nonexistent, and natural resources are routinely extracted to fuel tech infrastructure elsewhere. If we remain blind to these hidden human and environmental costs for by the sake of efficiency, AMY we risk repeating the AUZENNE moral apathy that blinded past generations. Technology is not inherently bad. When guided by virtue, human ingenuity has yielded incredible good — improving health outcomes, curing diseases, expanding access to education and breaking down language barriers. Just as we can choose to use technology in ways that isolate and exploit, we can also choose to harness it to elevate human flourishing and bring us closer together. It is not too late to choose that higher path. Each of us holds the power to discern our relationship with technology
“ True progress is measured not by technical capacity alone, but by how faithfully a tool honors the dignity of the human person.” and demand that it serve the common good. True progress is measured not by technical capacity alone, but by how faithfully a tool honors the dignity of the human person. As we integrate these powerful new tools into daily life, we must ask ourselves a crucial, guiding question: What kind of person — and what kind of community — is being formed by using technology in this way? St. Carlo Acutis, pray for us! † Amy Auzenne is the director of the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis.
Finding Jesus in the drive-thru I think I was a typical teenage boy. I loved sports, was very competitive, couldn’t sit still, craved authenticity and couldn’t stomach hypocrisy… and I was not interested in religion. But then at 15, I had a major conversion experience, where God, using a group of teenage boys on a baseball field, revealed Himself to me for who He is: love! After this life-changing discovery, I experienced a deep thirst to know this God who from all eternity had known me and loved me. At a certain point, I even began hitchhiking to daily Mass to be close to my new Friend. Little by little, I discovered that this God who is love was calling me to be like Him, and to love in return; and that I could love Him in every neighbor I encountered throughout my day, in my parents, siblings, classmates, teachers, co-workers and even the clients at McDonald’s. One day, at a meeting with other teens who wanted to live the Gospel radically, we challenged one another to try and see Christ in every neighbor we encountered during the week (Mt 25:40). The next day, I was scheduled to work at McDonald’s. When I arrived, my boss asked if I could work a double shift. I was excited at the prospect of the overtime pay, until I stepped into the drive-thru area and saw the unending
OCTOBER 18 OCTOBER 25
line of cars snaking through the parking lot and down the block. How would I survive 10 hours of this? All of a sudden, I remembered the challenge. There was Christ in every one of the people in those cars! by I couldn’t repeat like a BOB CUMMINGS robot, “Welcome to McDonald’s. Do you want to super-size it?” This was Jesus! I remember throwing open the window, offering my best smile, asking each customer how their day was going. And I still remember the smiles I received in return, the brief conversations, the joy that became contagious. That 10-hour shift flew by. At the end of it, I was happy but exhausted. Arriving home, I was ready to collapse into bed, but first I knelt to say night prayers. And then, as I closed my eyes to pray, I unexpectedly burst into tears, overcome by emotion and divine consolation. I felt as if I was being enveloped, almost crushed by God’s immense love for me. At first, I couldn’t understand. I hadn’t been in Adoration all day; I’d been working… at McDonald’s! Then I remembered the phrase from Scripture, “Whoever loves
First Reading: Is 45:1, 4-6 First Reading: Ex 22:20-26
me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him” (Jn 14:21). No, I hadn’t been adoring Jesus in the Eucharist, but I had been loving Him intensely all day in each and every neighbor; and Jesus, who never lets us outdo Him in generosity, in turn, showered me with His love and revealed to me the Father’s immense love for me. I was 16. Years later, at 20, I felt Jesus’ call to leave everything and follow Him, and two things became immediately clear to me. First, He was calling me to generate His presence together with others in a community modeled on the love of the Holy Trinity. Second, I was to witness
Resp. Psalm: Ps 96:1, 3-5, 7-10 Resp. Psalm: Ps 18:2-4, 47, 51
that love and bring it into the heart of the world, just as He had revealed Himself to me on that baseball field and at McDonald’s. I believe I found both of these callings as a consecrated layman in the Work of Mary (Focolare Movement). For the past 40 years, I have lived in Focolare communities around the world, striving to witness the Gospel to all those I meet and across diverse careers ranging from banking to Church ministry. †
Bob Cummings is an associate director with the Office of Vocations.
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.
Second Reading: 1 Thess 1:1-5 Second Reading: 1 Thess 1:5-10
Gospel: Mt 22:15-21 Gospel: Mt 22:34-40
COLUMNISTS
OCTOBER 13, 2026 • ARCHGH.ORG/TCH
texas catholic herald 13
Resuscitating Humanity: A mission of life, compassion and empathy To resuscitate is to restore breath, to revive what is fading, to respond with urgency when life is in danger. Perhaps this is an image the Church needs as we observe Respect Life Month and World Mission Month this October. We live in a world more connected than perhaps any generation before us. Yet, we can remain remarkably distant from one another. We see suffering almost instantaneously on our phones and computer screens. We encounter stories of war, poverty, starvation, violence, loneliness, racism, displacement and human vulnerability. Yet the sheer volume of suffering can sometimes make it easier to scroll past rather than draw near. His Holiness Pope Leo XIV has called attention to this danger through a word that deserves greater attention in our Catholic vocabulary: empathy. Speaking about human compassion and empathy, Pope Leo warns against allowing indifference to take root in the human heart. He calls us to recover the
capacity to see the suffering of another person and to allow that encounter to move us toward solidarity. This is where Respect Life Month and the missionary vocation of the Church meet. At the foundation of our Catholic understanding of life is a profound truth: every human person is created in the image and likeness of God (Gn 1:26–27). Each person is unique and unrepeatable. Each human life is wonderfully made (Ps 139:14). From the moment of conception until natural death, no person is accidental, disposable or beyond the reach of God’s love. Imagine what it means to say that God knows and loves each of us personally — not anonymously as one among billions but with a love so intimate that we can speak of being loved as though we were the only person on earth (Lk 12:7). And if God loves the person before me that way, how can I remain indifferent to his or her life?
That question changes Respect Life from simply an observance into a way of encountering the world. Empathy allows us to see. Compassion moves us closer. Love calls us by to act. DORIS M. This is the pattern we BARROW III continually encounter in Jesus. Christ notices those whom others overlook. He hears the cry others ignore. He touches those others avoid. He sits with those others reject. God does not save humanity from a distance. In Jesus Christ, God draws near. Our homes, neighborhoods, parishes, workplaces and college campuses are mission territories. In campus ministry, I am continually reminded that mission often begins by noticing the person directly in front of us: the student who feels invisible, the young mother
frightened about her future, the person struggling financially, or the student quietly wondering whether anyone truly sees them. Our world does not simply need more information about suffering. It needs hearts capable of being moved by another person’s existence and humanity. Respect Life Month reminds us that life possesses dignity: every life. Mission Month reminds us what we must do: go forth. Perhaps our mission, then, is nothing less than the resuscitation of humanity — to bring the life and love of Jesus Christ wherever indifference has caused the human heart to grow cold. One person. One encounter. One life at a time. † Doris M. Barrow III is the director of Campus Ministry at the Texas Southern University Catholic Newman Center.
Mercy in action One of the greatest gifts we can offer another person is the reminder that they are seen, valued and loved. In my work with Special Youth Services, I have met countless young people across our community who face challenges many of us can hardly imagine. Some are navigating difficult family situations, foster care, housing instability or a variety of other circumstances that make them feel abandoned and overlooked. However, a simple act of kindness can become an even more powerful reminder of God’s presence during these times. At Special Youth Services, we witness this reality through many service initiatives. However, two in particular come to mind as tangible expressions of the Catholic Church in action: Hope Bags and Go Bags. While the contents of these bags vary, their purpose is the same: to share dignity, encouragement and compassion with youth who need to know that they are not alone. Hope Bags focus on the Spiritual Works of Mercy. Through handwritten letters, prayers, words of encouragement and artwork, volunteers help bring comfort to young people who may be struggling with doubt, fear or loneliness. Although we also include snacks and puzzles inside these decorated paper
sacks, we consistently hear from the youth that the handwritten letters are the most treasured items. A simple note saying, “You are loved,” or “We are praying for you,” can have a lasting impact on a young by person who desperately MONICA needs hope. RAMON Go Bags connect closely with the Corporal Works of Mercy by helping provide essential items like toiletries and school supplies that support a young person’s daily needs and well-being upon returning home. These practical gifts remind young people that their dignity matters and that their community cares about their future. Together, these projects demonstrate an important truth about our Catholic faith: mercy is both spiritual and practical. The Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy are not separate paths; they work hand in hand, meeting both the material and emotional needs of those we serve. Perhaps the most beautiful aspect of these projects is that they invite people of all ages to participate. Children,
A-II – SUITABLE FOR OLDER CHILDREN • American Martyr: The Stanley Rother Story (NR) • Coyote vs. Acme (PG) • Forgotten Island (PG)
A-III – ADULTS AND ADOLESCENTS • Heart of the Beast (PG-13) • Insidious: Out of the Further (PG-13) • Practical Magic 2 (PG-13) • The Dog Stars (R) • The End of Oak Street (PG-13)
Bags and/or Go Bags, or get more information about these and other service opportunities through Special Youth Services, please contact our office. Together, we can continue building a culture of mercy, one small act of kindness at a time. † Monica Ramon is an associate director of Special Youth Services.
Annual
Red Mass & DINNER Wednesday, October 21, 2026 Annual Red Mass
Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart – 6:15 p.m. 1111 St. Joseph Pkwy., Houston Most Rev. Joe Vásquez, Main Celebrant and Very Rev. Luke Millette, J.C.L. Homilist
Optional Dinner Following Mass
MOVIE RATINGS By OSV News A-I – SUITABLE FOR ALL • Adore Him: He Is Here (G)
youth, families, parish groups, Catholic schools and individual volunteers can all play a role in bringing hope to another child. Through these acts, participants discover that they are becoming the hands and feet of Christ. As Catholics, we often look for ways to put our faith into practice. Hope Bags and Go Bags provide one meaningful opportunity to do just that. If you would like to donate materials, create Hope
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Cathedral Centre – 7:30 p.m. Cathedral Centre, 1701 San Jacinto, Houston
Dinner Speaker: O. Carter Snead, Professor of Law, University of Notre Dame
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14 TEXAS CATHOLIC HERALD
ARCHGH.ORG/TCH • OCTOBER 13, 2026
WORLD
Vatican meeting on ‘Amoris Laetitia’ to focus on listening, not past debates, officials say (OSV News) — A decade after the release of “Amoris Laetitia” (“The Joy of Love”) sparked both praise and criticism, Vatican officials say an upcoming meeting on the document will focus on listening to pastoral experiences rather than rehashing old disputes. “We will not try to erase differences to arrive at a consensus: Even a divergence that is better understood can be a fruit of listening,” Jesuit Father Giacomo Costa, a consultant to the General Secretariat of the Synod, said in prepared remarks at a Vatican press conference Oct. 2. “Ten years later, the question is not what ‘Amoris Laetitia’ says, but what we have learned by trying to live it,” he added. In March, Pope Leo XIV convened the heads of national bishops’ conferences worldwide as well as the heads of Eastern Catholic Churches to the Oct. 7 to 14 meeting titled “Ten Years After ‘Amoris Laetitia’: Proclaiming the Gospel With Families Today.” According to Gabriella Gambino, undersecretary of the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life, an estimated 200 participants, including bishops, a number of families and theological experts, will attend the meeting. “They are families that we tried to
distribute by geographic area so as to have representation from all continental areas,” Gambino, the coordinator of families for the meeting, told journalists. “And substantially they represent the underlying themes of the meeting’s thematic framework.” According to a document released by the dicastery, that thematic framework is structured around five themes, including discerning the realities and challenges facing families today, listening to young people discerning the vocation to marriage, accompanying couples through the decisive early years of married life, walking with families in complex situations, and embracing conjugal and family love as an impetus for mission. Pope Francis promulgated the apostolic exhortation following two synods of bishops on the family in 2014 and 2015. It was published in April 2016 and addressed the hopes and challenges of love, marriage and family life. However, the document’s eighth chapter, which focused on couples in irregular situations, drew some pushback over the possibility of sacraments for divorced and civilly remarried Catholics. Responding to a question about those disagreements, including mixed
reactions or objections from bishops’ conferences in Africa and elsewhere, Father Costa, who oversees the meeting’s methodology, denied that local dioceses were expected to adopt a uniform directive from the Vatican. “It is not a logic of something preestablished by Rome that arrives from above where you simply have to obey; here we are churches that are each trying to proclaim the Gospel in the situation and conditions that they can,” he said. “Its reception is an important phase. But it is precisely a creativity that is born, so you cannot say, ‘Well, the families in Africa are bad, the others are good because they applied it.’ Everyone has made a journey. Now let us recount these journeys to one another, and from here we move forward,” the Jesuit priest explained. Describing the upcoming meeting as an “exchange of gifts” among local churches, Father Costa confirmed that Pope Leo intends to participate as much as possible at the eight-day meeting, barring prior commitments. “Regarding the pope’s presence, clearly he does as he pleases, but we can reasonably imagine that he will be present especially during the plenary sessions, the discussions and the presentations of
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the discussion summaries — essentially the afternoons,” he explained. “I imagine that on one day or another he might have fixed engagements he cannot miss — substantially, not only at the beginning and the end, but as far as possible alongside the commitments he must carry out, also in all moments of debate on the meeting’s final report,” Father Costa added. Gambino told journalists that major pastoral concerns expected to be discussed include secularization and declines in sacramental marriages. Citing ad limina data, the dicastery undersecretary noted that religious marriages fell 45% in Poland over the past five years, while in Australia they dropped from 88% in 1970 to 16% in 2024. She also said that it was important to note that the Church’s objective “is not, so to speak, to ensure that texts are slavishly applied in every reality, because each reality presents characteristics so heterogeneous compared to others.” “The central question is how to transmit the faith today in families, and in what way do families succeed in building up the Church? Because without families, the Church cannot reinvigorate its Christian roots,” Gambino added. †
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Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston: Care Manager Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston: Care Manager
Are You a Nurse Looking to Make a Meaningful Difference?
Are You a Nurse Looking to Make a Meaningful Difference?
Do you have a nursing background, a love for your Catholic faith, and a desire to support the health and well-being of our priests? The Archdiocese is seeking a compassionate and mission-driven nurse for a unique position dedicated to providing healthcare navigation, advocacy, and personal support to active and retired clergy. This role does not involve hands-on clinical care but uses your nursing knowledge and experience to help priests access appropriate care, understand their healthcare needs, and establish and achieve healthier living goals. This is a wonderful opportunity to combine your professional experience with your Catholic faith while serving those who have devoted their lives to serving others. Please submit your résumé to REC@metacareusa.com. For more information, scan the QR Code
texas catholic herald 15
OCTOBER 13, 2026 • ARCHGH.ORG/TCH
NATION
In the footsteps of history: Trekking California’s ‘El Camino Real’ (OSV News) — Long before the era of winding asphalt roads and cruising American cars, California’s longest highway, U.S. Route 101, had another name: “El Camino Real” — The Royal Road — christened to honor the Spanish monarchs who financed expeditions to the region as they sought to expand their impressive empire. The 21 Catholic mission churches Spain planted from San Diego to Sonoma, beginning in 1769 and ending in 1823, are all located on or near Route 101 and collectively represent one of the largest impacts of St. Francis of Assisi and his religious order on the U.S. So during the Jubilee Year of St. Francis, proclaimed by Pope Leo XIV and concluding Jan. 10, 2027, California’s Historic Mission Trail holds obvious spiritual significance. But those who devotedly trek, study and preserve it also want potential pilgrims to know this: The invitation to visit has no expiration date. Christian Clifford, author of “Pilgrimage: In Search of the Real California Missions,” recently conducted a small sample survey to determine just why people walk California’s El Camino Real.
“I found that those who did the survey did it for religious and spiritual reasons, number one,” he said. That was followed by those seeking greater appreciation of California history and an athletic challenge. “I didn’t ask for religious beliefs,” explained Clifford, “but I think it’s safe to assume plenty of people are doing it to search for more; something beyond themselves.” He also discovered “not many people” have actually walked the full 800-plus mile route, which he has. “It was way harder than I anticipated,” he admitted of his 2020 trek. “So I got a lot of blisters and sunburns, and I ran out of water a few times. But I learned along the way.” He credits his success in part to members of the California Mission Walkers — a group of historians, hikers, religious pilgrims and enthusiasts who either walk or plan to walk the El Camino Real. Founded in 2013, the organization has over 2,800 members and supports more than 150 people currently walking the trail. “They gave recommendations on
different things to do,” Clifford said. “I wasn’t prepared, but I ended up doing the entire, roughly 800 miles, from Mission San Diego to Mission Sonoma, over a 45day period.” “I did bits and pieces because I’m married and we have a child,” he added. That piecemeal approach nonetheless confirms there’s no one way to walk the Camino. It just starts with a step. As the Mission Walkers’ website notes, “This 800-mile pilgrimage can be walked in one continuous thru-hike (which takes 55-60 days), or it can be walked in segments for a week (or a weekend) at a time over a year or more.” Naomi Torres, former National Park Service superintendent of the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail and keynote speaker for the Mission Walkers’ 2026 Conference, said that however hikers choose to approach their walk, they will encounter both beauty and connections. “The Mission Walkers are walking on city streets (and) along highways, where cars are zooming by, but they’re also walking in some of the most beautiful places,” she told OSV News. “This act of walking is connecting with the land, in a
world where there’s so much technology and so much coming at us.” And, Torres emphasized, they are literally following in the historical footsteps of others. “Humans have been doing these paths of pilgrimage — paths of understanding — for, I’m sure, millennia, all over the world,”Torres said. Anyone who accepts the El Camino Real challenge may want to adopt the motto of St. Junípero Serra (1713-1784), a Spanish Franciscan friar and missionary often called the “Apostle of California” and credited with establishing eight of the eventual 21 missions. St. Junípero, it is said, embraced the credo “siempre adelante!” — always forward! — as he planted churches and converted the native population. His legacy has encountered controversy owing to modern assessments of Spanish colonialism’s impact upon indigenous peoples; activists have toppled St. Junípero statues and also objected to his 2015 canonization by Pope Francis. “The historical record really shows that he was a good, holy man,” Clifford asserts. †
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16 TEXAS CATHOLIC HERALD
ARCHGH.ORG/TCH • OCTOBER 13, 2026
MUNDO CATÓLICO
El arzobispo Vásquez invita a los fieles a participar en la próxima encuesta y a convertirse en discípulos de la Iglesia local HOUSTON — Desde que regresó a de octubre, la encuesta del Índice de Galveston-Houston la primavera del año Formadores de Discípulos (DMI) estará pasado, el arzobispo Joe S. Vásquez ha disponible para que participen todos disfrutado mucho de los ratos que ha los fieles de la archidiócesis. El DMI es dedicado a reencontrarse con personas y una encuesta de 95 preguntas elaborada lugares que le son familiares de su etapa por CLI para evaluar el crecimiento como obispo auxiliar (2002-2010). Ahora, espiritual individual y la participación como arzobispo, valora igualmente los parroquial. El objetivo de la encuesta es encuentros y conversaciones con las identificar los retos y las oportunidades personas a las que conoce por primera de las parroquias, así como validar u vez. orientar las prioridades y los planes “Me he dado cuenta de lo mucho que actuales de las parroquias, centrándose ha crecido y cambiado la arquidiócesis en en la evangelización. los últimos 15 años”, afirmó el arzobispo “La encuesta DMI es importante Vásquez. “Sigo estando profundamente porque ofrece a la Arquidiócesis la agradecido al arzobispo (Joseph) oportunidad de escuchar atentamente Fiorenza y al cardenal (Daniel) DiNardo a los fieles y evaluar la eficacia con la por su liderazgo pastoral, que ha sido que nuestras parroquias ayudan a las una bendición para esta Iglesia local, que personas a encontrarse con Jesucristo, continúa creciendo en tamaño a crecer como discípulos y y diversidad. Ellos guiaron la a vivir su fe en el mundo”, ÍNDICE DE arquidiócesis con gran esmero afirmó el padre Norbert y espero hacer lo mismo.” Maduzia, párroco de la FORMADORES Teniendo eso en cuenta, el iglesia católica de San arzobispo Vásquez ha invitado DE DISCÍPULOS Ignacio de Loyola en Spring. al Instituto de Liderazgo “La encuesta no se limita a Católico (CLI) a colaborar en evaluar los programas, las la evaluación de la Iglesia en preferencias o la satisfacción Galveston-Houston. Gracias al con la parroquia. Nos invita apoyo de sus propios donantes, a examinar más a fondo la el CLI ofrece una iniciativa totalmente vida espiritual de nuestra gente: dónde financiada para que las diócesis puedan se nutren, dónde encuentran obstáculos evaluarse a sí mismas tras una transición y dónde la Iglesia podría acompañarlos episcopal. más fielmente”. “Creo que las orientaciones El padre Maduzia cree que los proporcionadas por la CLI ayudarán resultados de la encuesta del DMI pueden a toda la arquidiócesis —nuestras ayudar a cada parroquia a identificar parroquias, colegios, ministerios y en qué aspectos está formando bien a curia— a continuar con nuestra misión los discípulos y en cuáles las personas de proclamar la Buena Nueva y el amor necesitan un mejor acompañamiento, de Cristo”, afirmó el arzobispo Vásquez. formación y oportunidades para un “Que el Espíritu Santo nos bendiga y siga mayor compromiso. guiándonos en esta misión.” “Como cada parroquia tiene su Desde el 27 de septiembre al 25 propia historia, cultura, dones y retos,
“Como cada parroquia tiene su propia historia, cultura, dones y retos, las iniciativas que surjan no deben ser una solución única para todos.” PADRE NORBERT MADUZIA
Párroco, San Ignacio de Loyola - Spring las iniciativas que surjan no deben ser una solución única para todos”, afirmó el padre Maduzia, añadiendo que la encuesta puede ayudar a las parroquias a establecer objetivos basados en su realidad particular: “que fortalezcan la relación de las personas con Jesucristo, profundicen su participación en la oración y en la vida sacramental, formen líderes, fomenten un mayor sentido de pertenencia y capaciten a los feligreses para que compartan su fe con confianza”. La Dra. Julie Joubert Guillory, de la iglesia de Santa Mónica en Houston, es una de las personas de contacto de la parroquia (PPOC) para la encuesta del DMI. Cada una de las 146 parroquias de Galveston-Houston contará con una PPOC que colaborará con el CLI para facilitar la encuesta. La Dra. Guillory afirmó que este proceso puede servir de guía a la Arquidiócesis a la hora de elaborar un índice de programas disponibles para ayudar a las parroquias en sus iniciativas de alcance comunitario. “Como diócesis con un nuevo obispo, es importante que nuestros dirigentes diocesanos conozcan cómo funciona cada parroquia”, afirmó Guillory. “Somos culturalmente diferentes de muchas otras parroquias, y la encuesta ayudará a los dirigentes a determinar el apoyo y la asistencia que necesitamos para continuar nuestro fiel compromiso de fomento del catolicismo en nuestra comunidad”. “La labor del arzobispo Joe es guiarnos para acercarnos más a Jesús. Esta es también la labor que se ha confiado a nuestros párrocos”, afirmó Wayne Wang, presidente del Consejo Parroquial de la Misión China de la Ascensión. “La encuesta ayudará tanto al arzobispo Joe como a nuestros párrocos a conocer la
situación de nuestras parroquias y les permitirá ver cómo tanto la archidiócesis como cada parroquia pueden acercarse más a Cristo… Es una oportunidad para que cada parroquia y cada uno de nosotros reflexionemos sobre nuestro camino de fe y sobre adónde nos guía el Señor como sus discípulos”. Por su experiencia como párroco durante muchos años, el padre Maduzia afirmó que ha aprendido que un buen liderazgo pastoral comienza por saber escuchar. “Antes de reestructurar la vida parroquial, debemos acoger a la comunidad que se nos ha confiado; antes de tomar decisiones por las personas, debemos escuchar sus experiencias, esperanzas, dificultades y encuentros con Dios”, afirmó. “El DMI nos ofrece una valiosa oportunidad para hacer precisamente eso”. El padre Maduzia anima a todos los católicos de Galveston-Houston a participar en la encuesta del DMI “porque un discernimiento pastoral honesto requiere algo más que suposiciones”, señaló. “Las experiencias y reflexiones de los fieles ayudarán a identificar tanto los aspectos positivos sobre los que podemos construir como las áreas que requieren una mayor atención. Una amplia participación proporcionará a los párrocos y a los responsables de la arquidiócesis una imagen más clara y fiable de nuestra Iglesia local”. Desde la perspectiva de un feligrés, Wang se hace eco de esa valoración y afirma que la encuesta del DMI“no es tanto calificaciones como una oportunidad para compartir con sinceridad en qué punto se encuentran los feligreses en su fe, cómo es su comunidad y cómo están utilizando y compartiendo los dones que han recibido del Señor”. El padre Maduzia afirmó que el DMI puede ayudar a nuestras comunidades a ser más conscientes de su razón de ser: “formar personas moldeadas por Cristo, enviadas por Cristo y preparadas para llevar a Cristo a sus familias, lugares de trabajo y comunidades”. “Si comenzamos este proceso con honestidad, humildad y apertura al Espíritu Santo”, dijo,“puede dar grandes frutos para el futuro de nuestra Iglesia local”. La encuesta del DMI está programada para comenzar el 27 de septiembre. Para obtener más información, póngase en contacto con la oficina de su parroquia o visite archgh.org. †
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.
texas catholic herald 17
OCTOBER 13, 2026 • ARCHGH.ORG/TCH
WITHIN THE ARTS
The Sound of a Legacy: Organ builder Martin Pasi’s lasting gift to the co-cathedral Special to the Herald HOUSTON — Every time the pipe organ at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart accompanies a hymn, supports a choir anthem or fills the church during a major Liturgy, it serves as a reminder of the craftsmanship of Martin Pasi. Pasi, the internationally respected organ builder who designed and built the cocathedral’s landmark Opus 19 pipe organ, died Sept. 6 at age 73. While Pasi’s instruments can be found throughout the U.S. and abroad, few have become as closely associated with the liturgical life of a local Church as the organ he created for the Archdiocese. “The organ that he designed and installed for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston changed the liturgical and musical life of our community,” said Crista Miller, DMA, director of music at the co-cathedral. “It has lent reverence and grandeur to the great celebrations of the Church while accompanying the daily rhythm of prayer.” The relationship between the Archdiocese and Pasi began before construction of the co-cathedral was complete. In 2006, an organ committee commissioned by Archbishop Joseph A. Fiorenza, Daniel Cardinal DiNardo and Auxiliary Bishop Vincent M. Rizzotto began searching for a builder capable of creating an instrument worthy of the new co-cathedral.
The challenge was unusual. The co-cathedral’s prominent resurrection window divided the choir loft, requiring a builder to design an organ that could function across two separate spaces. Pasi proposed an innovative solution that preserved the responsiveness of a traditional mechanicalaction organ while adapting to the cathedral’s unique architecture. His design ultimately became Opus 19, an instrument that blends French, German, Italian and Mexican Catholic musical traditions while incorporating groundbreaking engineering. “One of Martin’s remarkable gifts was his ability to experiment without sacrificing the extraordinary refinement of his craftsmanship,” Miller said. Since its installation, Opus 19 has gained recognition far beyond Houston. Organists from across the U.S. and around the world have traveled to the co-cathedral to perform and study the instrument. Students from local universities regularly visit the organ, and it has been featured during national music conventions and on national broadcast programs such as Minnesota Public Radio’s Pipedreams. The instrument has also influenced the design of other church organs across the country. Committees planning major organ projects often visit the co-cathedral to hear Opus 19 in action during Liturgy, using the experience to
HERALD FILE PHOTO
Martin Pasi's Opus 19 organ, with its 5,499 pipes, is seen in the choir loft of the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Houston.
help guide decisions for their own communities, Miller said. Among those visitors were representatives from Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Cincinnati and monks from St. John’s Abbey in Minnesota, both of whom later commissioned instruments of their own.
That relationship with St. John’s Abbey eventually grew into a new chapter of Pasi’s life. In 2023, he relocated his workshop from Washington state to the abbey in Collegeville, Minnesota, helping establish St. John’s Abbey Organ Builders. There, he passed on decades of knowledge and craftsmanship to a new generation of organ builders. The move reflected a lifelong commitment not only to building instruments but also to preserving the tradition behind them. For the Archdiocese, however, Pasi’s most visible legacy remains in the co-cathedral loft. Nearly two decades after the organ project began, Opus 19 continues to accompany Archdiocesan Liturgies, ordinations, concerts and daily Masses, serving tens of thousands of worshippers each year. Its pipes may stand silent between services, but its influence continues to resonate throughout the Church’s prayer. “What Martin created here has served not only the worship of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, but organists, students, builders and church communities throughout the country,” Miller said. As Catholics gather at the co-cathedral to celebrate the Eucharist, many may never know the name of the man behind the instrument above them. Yet each time Opus 19 fills the sacred space with music, it continues the work Pasi dedicated his life to carrying out: giving glory to God through beauty. †
18 TEXAS CATHOLIC HERALD
ARCHGH.ORG/TCH • OCTOBER 13, 2026
AROUND THE ARCHDIOCESE
To see more listings in the Around the Archdiocese or to find the latest updates, visit www.archgh.org/ata.
OCT. 14
GALA, 5:15 p.m., Holy Rosary (3617 Milam St., Houston). Parish hosts a music gala with dinner, performances by parish musicians and a presentation by Patrick McGuire on the role of sacred music in Catholic worship. Tickets: $225. music@hrcchtx.org; holyrosarycatholic.org.
OCT. 15-18
RETREAT, 5 p.m., Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center (3417 W Little York Rd., Houston). St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church provides transportation for women ages 21 and older to attend this weekend of prayer, fellowship and spiritual renewal. Thursday, 5:30 p.m. drop-off. Cost: $275; financial assistance is available upon request. 713-692-9123; parishinfo@ stroselima.org; stroselima.org/acts. GARAGE SALE, Thursday, 4 to 7 p.m.; Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and Saturday, 8 to 10:30 a.m. at St. John the Baptist (110 E South St., Alvin). Parishwide garage sale benefiting the DSF fund. A $5 early-bird fee applies Thursday. Free admission Friday and Saturday. 281-468-7052.
OCT. 16-18
BAZAAR, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sacred Heart of Jesus (6502 County Rd. 48, Manvel). Event includes Bingo at the Knights of Columbus on Friday, a live auction and dinner in the Parish Hall on Saturday, and bazaar festivities on Sunday, including carnival games, inflatables, raffle, silent auction, food, market booths, snow cones, desserts and more. Free entry. egraham@sacredheartmanvel.org;
sacredheartmanvel.org.
OCT. 17
FESTIVAL, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Christ the Good Shepherd (18511 Klein Church Rd., Spring). Event includes food, drinks, games, inflatables, live music, bake sale, silent auction and raffle. Free entry. 281-376-6831; cgscc.church/fallfestival. FESTIVAL, noon to 10 p.m., St. Joseph (1505 Kane St., Houston). Event includes carnival games, food, music and community fellowship. Free entry. admin@saintjoseph.org; fallfestival.webflow.io. GOLF TOURNAMENT, 1 p.m., Walden Country Club (18100 Walden Forest Dr., Humble). St. Philip the Apostle Knights of Columbus #9794 hosts golf tournament. Cost: $600/team; $150/single player. 713-560-7314; frank.campisi@cam-tech.com. YOUNG ADULT RETREAT, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Cameron Retreat Center (2405 Holcombe Blvd., Houston). Focolare Movement's day of reflection, fellowship and prayer inspired by Blessed Chiara Luce Badano. Cost: $20. 646285-5551; youngadults.tx@focolare.us; linktr. ee/focolare.ya.houston. MASS, ROSARY PROCESSION AND BRUNCH, 8 a.m., Church of the Annunciation (1618 Texas Ave., Houston). Mass in honor of Our Lady of the Rosary followed by an outdoor Rosary procession around Discovery Green led by the Annunciation Rosary Center and brunch at Foley House. Free entry. 713-222-2289; communications@acchtx. org; annunciationcc.org.
OCT. 17-18
FESTIVAL, 7 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday, St. Thomas the Apostle (1323 16th St., Huntsville). Parish festival features barbecue, Mexican food and other refreshments, bingo, a silent auction, cake walk, plant sale, sweet shop, country store, games and inflatables. Bingo will be held Saturday evening. Free entry. 409-6580626; gabel.lf.bd@gmail.com. BAZAAR, 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, Holy Family (7724 Whiting Rock St., Baytown). Event features a raffle, plenty of food, games, a sweets booth and silent auction. Free entry. 281-456-8448; hfrcc7122@sbcglobal.net.
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OCT. 18
BAZAAR, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., St. Katharine Drexel (800 FM 1488, Hempstead). Event features barbecue and ethnic foods, desserts, raffle, live and silent auctions, games, drinks and more. Free entry. 979-826-2275; info@skdcc.com; skdcc.com. BAZAAR, 7:30 a.m., Guardian Angel (5610 Demel St., Wallis). Event begins with 7:30 and 9:30 a.m. Thanksgiving Masses, then food service at 10:30 a.m., including barbecue beef, chicken and sausage with homemade dressing and all the trimmings, Czech kolaches and desserts. Auction begins at 1 p.m. under the pavilion. Activities include dancing and music all day, a drawing, games, booths and kids’ games. 979-478-6532; gacwallis@gmail.com; guardianangelwallis.org. BAZAAR, 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Sacred Heart (507 S 4th St., Richmond). Event includes turkey dinner, raffle, live music, food booths, live and silent auctions, games, homemade crafts and desserts, and a kids’ midway. Free entry. 281342-3609; kelly@sacredhrt.com; sacredhrt.com. FESTIVAL, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., St. Anne (1111 S Cherry St., Tomball). Event features food, games, and live and silent auctions. Free entry. 713851-7851; stannebazaar@stanne-tomball.org. FESTIVAL, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Shrine of the True Cross (300 FM 517 Rd. E, Dickinson). “Blast into Space” with Orbit, the Astros mascot, and inperson space heroes. Event features live music, food, live and silent auctions, games and vendors. Free entry. kathy@truecrosschurch. org; truecrosschurch.org. FESTIVAL, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., St. Anne (2140 Westheimer Rd., Houston). Event includes Vintage Values sale, a plant sale, raffle and more. Free entry. 713-526-3276; saintanne.org/ news-events/773-fall-festival-raffle-2026.
OCT. 21
MEETING, 9:30 a.m., St. Bernadette (15500 El Camino Real, Houston). The Bay Area Deanery Council of Catholic Women hosts a business meeting followed by filling 100 gift bags for seafarers who are away from home for months at a time. sbalfour2009@gmail.com.
OCT. 23
FESTIVAL, 3:30 to 8 p.m., St. Ambrose Catholic School (4213 Mangum Rd., Houston). Event includes food, games, activities and fall festivities. 713-686-6990; info@sashornets.org; sashornets.org.
OCT. 23-24
FESTIVAL, Sts. Simon & Jude (26777 Glen Loch Dr., The Woodlands). The weekend begins Friday from 6 to 10 p.m. with Oktoberfest Bingo and BBQ Night with Bingo, which includes a barbecue dinner, live and silent auctions, a kids’ raffle and photo booth. Adult tickets: $35, including a barbecue meal and 10 Bingo cards; Kids tickets: $10, including a hot dog dinner. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., features carnival swings, a trackless train, inflatables, games, face painting, kids’ games, trunk-or-treat, cake walk, rummage sale, food, live music and more. Free entry. 281-367-9885; villarrealr@ssjwoodlands. com.
OCT. 23-25
MEN'S RETREAT, 6 p.m. Friday to 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Holy Name Passionist Retreat Center (430 Bunker Hill Rd., Houston). Three-day retreat includes Mass, Reconciliation, conferences and private prayer. Parish groups, fathers and sons ages 16 and older, and individuals welcome. Cost: $280. holynameretreatcenter.com/ catholic-retreats.
OCT. 24-25
BAZAAR, 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, St. Vincent de Paul (6800 Buffalo Speedway, Houston). Event includes spaghetti dinner and Bingo on Saturday, and food and entertainment on Sunday. Free entry.bazaar@ svdp-edu.org; svdp-houston.org/bazaar. SILENT AUCTION, 6 p.m. Saturday, and 4 p.m. Sunday, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (6646 Addicks Satsuma Rd., Houston). Browse and bid in the
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AROUND THE ARCHDIOCESE
OCTOBER 13, 2026 • ARCHGH.ORG/TCH parish festival silent auction. Free event. 281380-0534; text SEASfest2026 to 44834.
OCT. 25
BAZAAR, 10:30 a.m., Heritage Hall (508 E Bernard St., West Columbia). Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Sweeny and St. John the Apostle in West Columbia parishes host event featuring turkey and all the trimmings, tea and dessert for $15/ plate, with dine-in and drive-through options. Activities include kids’ games, pastry booth, live and silent auctions, raffle, face painting, country store and Mexican food. 979-548-2020; olphsja@gmail.com. FESTIVAL, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sts. Peter and Paul (936 S Front St., Bellville). Event features barbecue, games, a raffle and auction. Free entry. cynthia.luongo@sysppic.org; stsppbellvilletx.org. BAZAAR, 11 a.m., Needville Columbus Club Hall (13631 Highway 36, Needville). Hosted by St. Michael Catholic Church, event features a $15 barbecue dinner featuring beef, sausage and fried chicken with trimmings, along with polka music by Texas Sound Check, an auction and games for all ages. Free entry. 979-7934477; stmichaelschurch@consolidated.net; needvillecatholic.com. FESTIVAL, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Corpus Christi (9900 Stella Link Rd., Houston). Event includes food booths, kids’ activities, plant booth, silent auction, live DJ music and raffle. Free entry. 713-858-3291; paulsobieski@att.net; ccparishhouston.org.
OCT. 29
RETREAT, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Emmaus Spirituality Center (10245 Kempwood Dr., Ste E #1023, Houston). “Coming Home to Our Senses” features Father Hung Pham for a day of prayer and reflection exploring how senses help the faithful encounter God and recognize themselves as God’s beloved through sacred rituals, quiet reflection and spiritual conversation. Retreat includes the Examen and Mass. Cost: $50, including lunch. 281-241-
9678; info@emmausspiritualitycenter.com; emmausspiritualitycenter.com.
OCT. 30-NOV. 1
RETREAT, 7 p.m. Friday to 4 p.m. Sunday, St. Dominic Chancery (2403 Holcombe Blvd., Houston). Marriage Encounter Weekend teaches married couples new ways to communicate more effectively in a private, positive atmosphere. Cost: $200. 281-773-4014; btlittle2@me.com; houstonme.org.
OCT. 31
ALL SAINTS DAY CELEBRATION, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., St. Anthony of Padua (7801 Bay Branch Dr., The Woodlands). Dress up as your favorite saint. Event includes live music, vendor markets, games, crafts, bounce houses, food trucks and more. Free entry. chapel@ap.church. RELIC VENERATION, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Our Lady of the Angels Chapel (8715 Kuykendahl Rd., Spring). St. Anthony of Padua offers an opportunity to venerate more than 180 saint relics, including relics of the 12 apostles, the Wood of the True Cross, the Veil of Mary and many others. Free entry. chapel@ap.church; ap.church/saints. GOLF TOURNAMENT, 8 a.m., Hermann Park Golf Course (2155 N MacGregor Way, Houston). The Sir Knights of Father John H. Dorsey Assembly #2, Knights of Peter Claver, host golf tournament and scholarship fundraiser. Cost: $600/team; $150/single player. 832-213-8342.
NOV. 4
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.
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Education and Human Services at the University of St. Thomas. Dr. Mazie McCoy, superintendent of Catholic schools, will provide an update on Catholic schools in the Archdiocese. Cost: $100, includes lunch. Tables and sponsorships available. 713-652-8257; dsummers@archgh. org; choosecatholicschools.org/pattern. MARKET, Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., St. Michael (100 Oak Dr. South, Lake Jackson). Mums & Mistletoe Market features 50-plus vendors offering handcrafted jewelry, artisan clothing, leather goods and unique art. Also available are cheese soup and chicken salad sandwiches. Free entry. wosmlj@yahoo.com.
NOV. 7
CHILI COOK-OFF, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., St. Edward (2601 Spring Stuebner Rd., Spring). Council 14512 (St. Edward-Spring) is hosting this fundraiser with the help of local Knights of Columbus councils and cook-off teams. All proceeds will benefit the American Wheelchair Mission, a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization. Event includes DJ music, games, drinks, raffles, silent auction and desserts. Hamburgers, hot dogs and sausage on a stick off the grill. Admission: $5 for five samples from our 20-plus cooking teams’ best chili recipes, with the ticket also good for day-long door prizes. 832-871-6625; johnedwards7662@ sbcglobal.net. GALA, 6 p.m. to midnight, St. Ambrose Catholic School (4213 Mangum Rd., Houston). Benefiting St. Ambrose Catholic School, event features dinner, entertainment, live and silent auctions, and opportunities to support Catholic education. Tickets are required; pricing and registration details will be announced by the
school. 713-686-6990; ksantibanez@sashornets. org; sashornets.org. MARKET, 2 to 7 p.m. Saturday, and 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, St. Anne (2140 Westheimer Rd., Houston). Event features refreshments while shopping for handcrafted goods from local artisans. Free entry. 713-526-3276; saintanne. org/news-events/758-st-anne-market-6.
NOV. 8
BAZAAR, 10:30 a.m., St. Wenceslaus (407 Third St., Beasley). Enjoy a chicken-fried steak dinner, available for dine-in or drive-through, along with a raffle, silent auction and homemade desserts, including kolaches and strudels. Cost: $15. 281342-3089, ext. 105; stwccbeasley@gmail.com. FESTIVAL, noon to 7 p.m., St. Joseph (1907 Carolina St., Baytown). Event features food, live and silent auctions, a raffle, plant booth, kids’ games, live music, bake sale, pet adoptions, NFL games on big screens and a beer garden. Free entry. 281-420-3588; stjosephbaytown.org. GAME DAY, 2 to 7 p.m., St. Francis Xavier (4600 Reed Rd., Houston). The KPC & LA Council and Court 138 hosts Family Bingo for parishioners and the community. Cost: $30. 832-492-5088. CHILI COOK-OFF, 2 p.m., St. Francis de Sales Catholic School (8100 Roos Rd., Houston). Event includes kids’ games and music. Cost: $35/ person or $80/family of five or more. ssmith@ sfdsschool.org; sfdsschool.org.
••• For additional listings, visit WWW.ARCHGH.ORG/ATA
NOV. 6
LUNCHEON, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Junior League of Houston (1811 Briar Oaks Ln., Houston). Pattern of Hope luncheon, which benefits Catholic schools, features keynote speaker Ana-Lisa Gonzalez, Ph.D., dean of the School of
houston, tx 1 0.27. 26
C O - CATHEDR AL OF THE SACRED HE ART 7 PM
PRESENTED BY
20 TEXAS CATHOLIC HERALD
ARCHGH.ORG/TCH • OCTOBER 13, 2026
MILESTONES
Archbishop Vásquez blesses new major Catholic Charities facility site in North Houston BY JAMES RAMOS Texas Catholic Herald HOUSTON — Standing on a dusty 5.6-acre property along Jensen Drive, Archbishop Joe S. Vásquez blessed the site of a new Catholic Charities Family Opportunity Center Sept. 21, bringing a future of expanded services to one of Houston’s poorest communities. “This project is not simply about a building; it is about hope; hope for people who need the assistance of another,” Archbishop Vásquez said during a groundbreaking ceremony at the Jensen Drive site. Located at 9111 Jensen Dr. near Tidwell Road in north Houston, the center will bring multiple services together under one roof, including food assistance, counseling, case management, pregnancy and parenting education, employment support, housing assistance and disaster relief. Leaders said the North Houston location was selected because of significant economic need and limited access to services in the surrounding area. “We are all brothers and sisters, and brothers and sisters take care of each other,” Archbishop Vásquez said. “That’s what we’re doing here, initiating this project.” The site will include a market-style food pantry, expanded food distribution services and Martha’s Kitchen, which provides meals, hospitality and support to people experiencing poverty and homelessness. Organizers said
PHOTO BY JAMES RAMOS/HERALD
Archbishop Joe S. Vásquez, at center, meets with Catholic Charities President and CEO Michael D. Hansen and Sister Carmen Sanchez, MCDP, Martha's Kitchen director, alongside other volunteers at a Sept. 21 groundbreaking and blessing ceremony in North Houston.
the new facility will be roughly 15 times larger than the current Guadalupe Center near downtown Houston. When it opens in 2028, it is expected to distribute twice as much food while allowing several ministries to expand beyond the limitations of their current space. For Sister Carmen Sanchez, MCDP, director of Martha’s Kitchen, the move represents more than a new building. “It’s the start of a new era for us,” Sister Sanchez said. “We’re coming to a place that will make it easier for people to reach us, and we’re expanding what we can do.” Sister Sanchez said many of the people served by Martha’s Kitchen currently travel long distances for assistance. The new location will help bring services closer to
families while allowing the ministry to reach more people in need. That growth comes with a sobering reality. “More people coming means there’s more need,” Sister Sanchez said. “There has to be some kind of systemic change. If we can help with even a small piece of that, then we’re doing something good.” One of the most difficult parts of the ministry, she said, is knowing that immediate assistance cannot solve every challenge facing those experiencing homelessness and poverty. “We feed people, but that’s one hour,” Sister Sanchez said. “I always wish we could do more.” The expanded campus, she said, offers the opportunity to do exactly that. “Now we’ll be able to do more, and that
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gives me a lot of hope,” Sister Sanchez said. Archbishop Vásquez said the project continues Catholic Charities’ longstanding mission of serving those in need throughout the Archdiocese: “For over 80 years, Catholic Charities has been assisting our brothers and sisters by accompanying them with the love of God as they work toward self-sufficiency and dignity. Those we serve have dignity, and we see in them the face of Christ, our brother.” Michael D. Hansen, the new president and CEO of Catholic Charities, described the center as a “one-stop shop” where families can access multiple services without traveling across the city. The $25 million capital campaign has already raised more than $18 million, according to campaign chair David Doherty. Community leaders, clergy and elected officials, including Houston Mayor John Whitmire, attended the ceremony. In a prayer over the future campus, Archbishop Vásquez asked God to bless the land and all who will one day walk through its doors, praying that “all the work done here will be successful.” For Sister Sanchez, the success of the project will ultimately be measured not by the size of the building, but by the lives it changes. “I’m grateful to be here in this ministry,” Sister Sanchez said. “I’m grateful for the people and grateful to be able to be the hands and feet of Jesus.” For more information or to donate, visit catholiccharities.org/buildingtoserve. †
“For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.” — M AT T H EW 6 : 2 1