FEBRUARY 28, 2023 • ARCHGH.ORG/TCH
LEADING KNIGHTS
LUNAR LIONS
Once again, locals take top leadership spots with the Knights of Peter Claver
Asian Catholics ring in the Lunar New Year with special Masses and events ▪ SEE PAGE 9
▪ SEE PAGE 8
FEBRUARY 28, 2023
texas catholic herald 1
ANNUAL REPORT 2022: A year to return and rebuild in faith and service ▪ SEE CENTER
Proclaiming the Good News to the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston since 1964
‘IF TODAY YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, HARDEN NOT YOUR HEARTS’
VOL. 59, NO. 17
EDUCATION
Steps for Students sprints to success 8,000-plus head downtown for annual race, raise funds for Catholic schools BY JO ANN ZUÑIGA Texas Catholic Herald
PHOTO BY JAMES RAMOS/HERALD
Father Jeff Bame, rector of the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, marks a cross onto a young toddler’s forehead with ash during Ash Wednesday Mass Feb. 22 at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Houston. Ash Wednesday signaled the beginning of the Lenten season, which Daniel Cardinal DiNardo called “a 40-day observance of renewal and penance to seek the Lord Jesus.” TO READ PART OF THE POPE’S LENTEN MESSAGE, SEE PAGE 2.
HOUSTON — The Steps for Students 5K Run/Walk sprinted into success as runners raced from the starting line in downtown Houston Feb. 11 and others, including parents with little ones, took a brisk stroll in chilly temperatures. Adding to the party atmosphere among the crowd of more than 8,000, colorful confetti blasted up and swirled around. Continuing the Lunar New Year celebration, three sparkling red, white and black lion dancers joined costumed school mascots. Toro the Bull from the Houston Texans, Howdy from the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, and Hugo the Armadillo from sponsoring company Reliant brought their own brand of fun antics. Catholic School Superintendent Dr. Debra Haney welcomed participants as See STEPS FOR STUDENTS, page 6
Be an ‘image of the Gospel,’ Cardinal DiNardo tells 45 new permanent deacons BY JO ANN ZUÑIGA AND JAMES RAMOS Texas Catholic Herald HOUSTON — At two separate Masses, Daniel Cardinal DiNardo ordained 45 new permanent deacons — 23 on Feb. 17 and another 22 on Feb. 18 — at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart after they “were found worthy” by their pastors and parishes. Cardinal DiNardo thanked the men of diverse backgrounds, including a convert from Islam to Christianity, a NASA engineer, a Vietnamese refugee, and a mission worker in Latin America, for their continuing service and thanked their wives and families.
On Feb. 18, Auxiliary Bishop Italo Dell’Oro, CRS, joined Cardinal DiNardo to concelebrate the Mass, alongside Bishop José Elías Rauda Gutiérrez, O.F.M., of El Salvador who also concelebrated the Mass on Saturday because he personally knew one of the deacons ordained that day. After more than six years of discernment, study and pastoral counseling at St. Mary’s Seminary, these men and their wives will share their lives with the ministry of the Word, Liturgy and Charity — the three pillars of a deacon’s vocation — at their parishes and Archdiocesan ministries. In his homily, Cardinal
IN VOCATIONS
THE FIRST WORD † 3
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DiNardo told the deacons, “You are to be a living, breathing image of the Gospel — all four of them.” He reminded all the new deacons and the filled CoCathedral of more than 1,500 each day that they are “as Jesus who came not to be served but to serve. Jesus is ransomed for His crooked people, and we are all crooked.” Cardinal DiNardo added, “May Jesus the Servant help you all.” At one point, Cardinal DiNardo asked the deacons to applaud their wives and family who walked with them along their journey to the diaconate, a moment which drew tender glances of affection and appreciation. At the conclusion of each Mass, following the group photo,
COLUMNISTS † 14 - 16
See DIACONATE, page 4
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ESPAÑOL † 19
PHOTOS BY JAMES RAMOS/HERALD
Deacon Carlos Hernandez Saavedra, at right, kisses his stole that was given to him by Deacon Rey Croson during a Mass of Ordination to the Permanent Diaconate on Feb. 18 at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. Daniel Cardinal DiNardo ordained 45 men, all from different walks of life, to the diaconate. They will serve at parishes and ministries across the Archdiocese.
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