SEPTEMBER 24, 2024 • ARCHGH.ORG/TCH
GRACE IN DAILY LIFE
texas catholic herald 1
PAINTING FAITH
Through her quiet life, St. Thérèse teaches us about confidence in God ▪ SEE PAGE 3
Alvin parish iconography guild colors the lines between spirituality, art ▪ SEE PAGE 17
Little Tex says Our youth leaders Meet the newest members of the Archdiocesan Youth Council ▪ SEE PAGE 12
Celebrating 60 years of Catholic news in Texas SEPTEMBER 24, 2024
Proclaiming the Good News to the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston since 1964
VOL. 61, NO. 7
MINISTRY
SEASON OF CREATION
Mass honors firefighters’ dedication BY JO ANN ZUÑIGA Texas Catholic Herald
HOUSTON — Most of the 70-plus firefighters who will be memorialized at this year’s Firefighters Mass on Oct. 13 served 20 or 30 years before retiring, many living into their 80s. But that should not belie the job’s dangers, with many passing at earlier ages from breathing problems, cancer and cardiac arrest, officials said. Father Jeffrey Bame, rector of the CoCathedral of the Sacred Heart, located at 1111 St. Joseph Pkwy. in downtown Houston, will celebrate the Firefighters Mass at 11 a.m. that Sunday, Oct. 13. Helping to organize the service is the St. Florian Society, named after the See MASS, page 4
SOWING SEEDS OF TRUE APPRECIATION OF ST. FRANCIS (OSV News) — Out in my perennial garden, He is a saint of the people — all people, nestled among the bleeding hearts and Catholics and non-Catholics alike. His broad hyacinths, stands a well-worn clay statue of appeal is fascinating, but at the same time, St. Francis of Assisi made by an artisan it begs the question: Do those who plant St. in Mexico. The unusual Francis in their gardens really BY MARY DETURRIS POUST characteristics of the statue know what the medieval saint Special to the Herald make it a conversation was all about? piece as well as a spiritual Today, St. Francis’ concerns touchstone that helps keep me centered as I dig, are often compartmentalized and separated weed and plant each spring and fall. from true Franciscan spirituality by wellOf course, I’m not alone. Drive down any meaning folks who want to claim him for their street, and you’re likely to find St. Francis own. And who can blame them? He is certainly peeking out from both well-manicured lawns a challenging yet endearing saint for the ages. and wildflower gardens run amok. He is just Environmentalists jump on Francis’ love as likely to share a garden with a statue of for creation, his “Canticle of Brother Sun,” Buddha as he is to share one with a statue of See FRANCIS, page 6 the Blessed Mother.
VATICAN
Be pilgrims, not tourists in life, pope tells young people VATICAN CITY (CNS) — To fully experience love and hope, young people must approach the journey of life as pilgrims and not just sightseers seeking the perfect selfie, Pope Francis said. “Do not be like superficial sightseers, blind to the beauty around you, never discovering the meaning of the roads you take, interested only in a few fleeting moments to capture in a selfie. Tourists do this,” the pope said in a message to young people ahead of the local celebrations of World Youth Day on Nov. 24 in Rome. “Pilgrims, on the other hand, immerse themselves fully in the places they See VATICAN, page 2
THE FIRST WORD † 3
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COLUMNISTS † 13
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ESPAÑOL † 16
| AROUND THE ARCHDIOCESE † 18 - 19