FEBRUARY 27, 2024 • ARCHGH.ORG/TCH
ANNUAL REPORT
STEP AFTER STEP
Vocations, outreach and growth highlight 2023
Thousands hit their stride at Steps for Students annual run/walk ▪ SEE PAGES 6 - 7
▪ SEE CENTER
FEBRUARY 27, 2024
texas catholic herald 1
FAITH AND DOUBT? What does faith look like when a Catholic encounters doubt? ▪ SEE PAGE 15
Proclaiming the Good News to the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston since 1964
VOL. 60, NO. 17
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
‘REPENT AND BELIEVE IN THE GOSPEL’
Houston Catholic schools among the first to desegregate Bishop Nold’s 1961 pastoral letter brought landmark change BY JO ANN ZUÑIGA Texas Catholic Herald
PHOTO BY JAMES RAMOS/HERALD
HOUSTON — Integrating schools and other public entities among the races only happened within this living generation, officials point out. As part of Black History Month, a review of news archives in both the Galveston Daily News and the now-defunct Houston Post shows desegregation of all Catholic schools in Harris and Galveston counties was announced from the pulpits during regular Sunday Masses of all churches involved. In April 1961, each priest read aloud
A young student from Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic School peeks over the pew in prayer during Ash Wednesday Mass Feb. 14 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Houston’s East End neighborhood. The school, with its 227 students, is the oldest Catholic grade school in Houston.
Catholic Schools Office nurtures future saints, leaders for generations beyond the classroom BY KERRY MCGUIRE Herald Correspondent
“The Holy Spirit’s constant presence in this journey has undoubtedly enhanced my life... while reminding me of the transformative impact faith can have on our daily lives.” ADRIANA GUTIERREZ Director of Communications St. Laurence School - Sugar Land
HOUSTON — The joyous words of four-year-old Anthony, beaming with excitement and smiling from ear to ear, echoed in Veronica Tucker’s heart: “Mrs. Tucker, one day I am going to be St. Anthony!” Tucker, currently in her sixth year as the principal of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School (SAPCS) in The Woodlands, was engaged in a discussion about the lives of the saints in a PK-4 classroom. It’s during such moments that she is reminded of the profound truths that often emerge from the innocent “mouth of babes.” “I couldn’t help but smile and get a little teary-eyed,”Tucker said.“Anthony’s life goal at this tender age of four reminded me that we are all called to be saints.” Balancing her roles as a school
THE FIRST WORD † 3
|
COLUMNISTS † 13 - 14
|
administrator and parent of children attending Catholic schools, Tucker reflected on the gift of Catholic education and the privilege of serving these children and their families. She witnesses numerous blessings during her visits to classrooms on this PK-3 through eighth-grade campus. “I witness the Holy Spirit when second-grade students share their excitement to receive the Eucharist, which deepens my appreciation for the gift of this Sacrament,”Tucker said. “Watching middle school students in deep conversations with their teacher about heaven and hell, formation of conscience, and how to apply their faith to the challenges of being a teenager reminds me of the deep need for See SCHOOLS, page 10
ESPAÑOL † 18
See DESEGREGATION, page 8
CULTURE
Lunar New Year, Lent merges faith with traditions for Asian Catholics BY JAMES RAMOS Texas Catholic Herald HOUSTON — To welcome and usher in the Lunar New Year of the Dragon, the Dominican Sisters of Mary Immaculate Province gathered all their sisters from their six other mission house convents in Texas for a Feb. 3 celebration at their provincial house convent in southwest Houston. The special event drew members of the Vietnamese Catholic community together to witness traditional Vietnamese lion dancing, a beloved icon of the Têt Lunar New Year celebration that features shimmering larger-than-life lions that dance to a beat set by nearby drums and cymbals that echoed throughout the See LUNAR NEW YEAR, page 4
| AROUND THE ARCHDIOCESE † 19