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Saturday, March 23, 2024 • Vol. 69 • No.12
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Oak Forest woman embarks on spiritual journey A pilgrimage to every parish in the Galveston-Houston Archdiocese By Stefanie Thomas editor@theleadernews.com
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Carol Herrera’s mission to visit every parish in the Galveston-Houston Archdiocese has become a symbol of her unwavering faith and devotion. She recently shared the inspiration behind her pilgrimage, the challenges she’s faced, and the profound impact it has had on her life with The Leader.
Herrera’s journey began as a response to the disappointment of not being able to embark on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Struck by a sudden realization during a moment of prayer, she understood that the same beauty and spiritual fulfillment she sought in distant lands could be found closer to home. “I was praying about it because I was really torn,” she said. “I was pretty sad about not being able to go. It was on my bucket list to go to the Holy Land. So I finally get to do it and then COVID hit, and the pandemic shut everything down.
And this idea just came to me, that I can find the same beauty that I was going to find over there, right here.” With this revelation and tremendous family support, Herrera set out on her parish pilgrimage, aiming to attend Mass at each parish within the diocese. From Huntsville to Galveston, she has traveled far and wide, documenting her experiences and encounters along the way. “I hope to complete my pilgrimage this year,” she said. “But I’m going to miss it because I’ve been so used to goSee PILGRIMAGE P. 5
FROM BOULEVARD TO BOULEVART
Submitted photo
Carol Herrera with Father Tim Pham, the pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church in New Waverly.
Hoppy Easter? Not so fast!
Houston Rabbit Resource: Promoting Responsible Bunny Ownership Beyond Easter By Stefanie Thomas editor@theleadernews.com As Easter approaches, the allure of adopting a cute bunny as a festive addition to the household becomes increasingly tempting for many. However, Nereyda Rubio, a passionate advocate for bunny welfare and director of operations at Houston Rabbit Resource, offers insights into why adopting a bunny solely for its cuteness during Easter is misguided. Rubio cautions against the impulse to adopt – or worse yet, buy – a “bun” without understanding the responsibilities involved, saying that bunnies are not starter pets or temporary holiday decorations.
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Page 3 Jim Hatchett, artist Dion Laurent, and members of the True North crew with “AirPlane 1”.
Photo courtesy of True North
True North unveils 2024 Sculpture Exhibition on Heights Boulevard esplanade Houston Arboretum Plant Sale: Make room for spring blooms and greenery
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Visit with local artists at Bayou City Art Festival this weekend!
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Comings & Goings: What’s new, what’s coming soon, and what’s leaving the area
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THE INDEX. People ���������������������������������������2 Topics ����������������������������������������4 Classifieds ���������������������������������6 Local Culture �����������������������������7
By Lisa Morales The Leader News Contributor True North, a Heights Boulevard Sculpture Project, continues its tradition of showcasing contemporary art in the area by unveiling the lineup for its highly anticipated 2024 sculpture exhibition. Eight talented Texas artists have been chosen to display their works along the esplanade of Heights Boulevard, enhancing its charm with their extraordinary creations. The selected artists for the 2024 exhibition are: • Nela Garzón, of Houston • Clayton Hurt, of Dallas • Dion Laurent, of Houston • Wyatt Little, of Houston • Suzette Mouchaty, of Houston • Ricardo Paniagua, of Dallas • Patrick Renner, of Houston • Art Shirer, of Dallas True North’s mission, as articulated by its organizers, is to enhance the accessibility, understanding, and enjoyment of contemporary art for the community and its visitors. Since its inception in 2014, True North has
Photo courtesy of True North
Mouchaty Monument To Sea Slugs.
been transforming the esplanade of Heights Boulevard into an outdoor gallery, displaying works by both prominent and emerging Texas artists. The project is made possible through the collaboration of the City of Houston Parks and Recreation and
Public Works Departments, as well as the Houston Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs. True North operates with the support of an all-volunteer team, including Donna Bennett, Gus Kopriva, Dean Ruck, Chris Silkwood, and Kelly Simmons. Under the fiscal sponsorship of its non-profit partner, the Houston Heights Association, True North relies on private donations from individuals, businesses, and professionals passionate about supporting public art initiatives. Each year, a diverse selection of sculptures is chosen based on criteria such as media, theme, color, and visibility. The sculptures remain on display for a 9-month period, from March to December, allowing residents and visitors ample opportunity to appreciate and engage with the artwork. At least two of this year’s artists have chosen an environmental theme for their sculptures. First time True North participant Suzette Mouchaty calls herself an “artist-scientist.” As a former biology professor at the See SCULPTURE PROJECT P. 3
The Allure of Easter Bunnies Rubio explained that it’s common for people to associate bunnies with Easter, but the increased popularity of bunnies around that time of the year also leads to a very predictable surge in surrenders and bunny dumping a couple of months down the road. Rubio said the allure of Easter bunnies stems from their perceived cuteness and the symbolic connection to the holiday, which often prompts impulsive decisions to bring them home without fully considering the long-term commitment required. “We get about 2 to 3 emails or messages a day from people, about how they found a bunny that’s been wandering, or a bunny that they can no longer care for, or a bunny they bought for their child that the child no longer wants,” Rubio said of her work at Houston Rabbit Resource. “And by June we have an influx of even more surrenders and more strays, in the aftermath of Easter.” Understanding Proper Bunny Care Rubio emphasized the importance of understanding what proper bunny care entails before bringing home a “bun”, especially
See EASTER BUNNY P. 5
Submitted photo
Rubio has formed a strong bond with her own bun, Charles. The two snuggle in bed, watch TV together, and greet each other at the door.
Restore Houston Church thanks community for support with special Easter celebration March 31 By Stefanie Thomas editor@theleadernews.com In an inspiring turnaround, Restore Houston Church, a Heights-area mobile church, has recovered following a devastating theft that shook the congregation in November 2023, when its trailer containing musical equipment and other supplies valued at more than $20,000 was stolen from a local storage facility. Lead
Pastor Justin Gingrich expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support received from members of the congregation, the community, and generous strangers, which helped the church rebound from the loss. Things were pretty tough for a while, immediately after the theft, Gingrich said. Without the equipment, conducting church services was difficult. “We have several elderly people in
the church who have difficult hearing, but I had to preach without a mic for a while,” he recalled. “We have a lot of young families and we had a parent privacy room that was stolen. The privacy room allowed new parents to be able to watch the service from a private room while they took care of their little one. Without that, See RESTORE HOUSTON CHURCH P. 3
Submitted photo
Easter celebration at Restore Houston Church
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