AUGUST 18, 2026 • ARCHGH.ORG/TCH
POPE’S AUGUST INTENTION
PEOPLE OF HOPE Catholic Charities mobile museum to stop in Richmond ▪ SEE PAGE 6
‘For evangelization in the city’ ▪ SEE PAGE 3
AUGUST 18, 2026
texas catholic herald 1
A CUT ABOVE
Houston parish teams up with NFL coach to bring dignity to others ▪ SEE PAGE 10
Proclaiming the Good News to the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston since 1964
A SHEPHERD’S MESSAGE
Catholic Schools: A mission of faith
VOL. 63, NO. 5
A WITNESS TO LIFE
BY ARCHBISHOP JOE S. VÁSQUEZ Archbishop of Galveston-Houston Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Catholic education is essential to the mission of the Catholic Church. Before He ascended to God the Father, Jesus commissioned His disciples to “go and make disciples of all nations.”The Church is called to evangelize, and evangelization is at the heart of Catholic education. The Church teaches that parents are the first educators of their children in the faith. They have been entrusted with helping their children know and love God. Nevertheless, Catholic education is not solely the responsibility of parents. It
A SHEPHERD’S MESSAGE
See SHEPHERD, page 2 PHOTO BY JAMES RAMOS/HERALD
Ronaldo Salgado Araujo, 29, son of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, who died following an encounter with federal immigration agents in Houston’s Magnolia Park neighborhood on July 7, carries a cross to the site of his father’s death during a July 25 prayer vigil procession in Magnolia Park. SEE STORY ON PAGE 16.
Catholic schools called to be ‘instruments of peace’
MY HOME, MY MISSION
Thousands of teens follow Christ through downtown streets at 70th Archdiocesan Youth Conference ▪ SEE PAGE 12
LIGHTING THE WAY
Iconic Black Catholic women’s ministry marks quarter-century of service to the local Church ▪ SEE PAGE 20 THE FIRST WORD † 3
BY REBECCA TORRELLAS Texas Catholic Herald HOUSTON — As Catholic schools across the Archdiocese begin the 20262027 school year, the 12 Catholic high schools and 44 Catholic primary schools in the Archdiocese are being called to place peace at the center of their mission. Mazie S. McCoy, Ed.D., secretariat director and superintendent of Catholic Schools, said this year holds special significance for the Church as Pope Leo XIV has announced a Special Jubilee Year dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi, commemorating the anniversary of his death. During the Jubilee, the Holy Father has invited Catholics throughout the world to reflect on the life and enduring
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legacy of St. Francis, whose prayer, “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,” continues to speak to the Church today. Inspired by that prayer, McCoy said the theme for the 2026-27 school year is “Catholic Schools: Instruments of Peace.” “We must teach our students to demonstrate empathy, to listen with compassion, to solve problems thoughtfully, to collaborate with others, and to respect the dignity of every person they encounter,” she said. “In doing so, we form young people who can become true instruments of peace in their families, their communities and our world.” McCoy said Catholic schools also are
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grateful for the opportunities provided by the Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) Program, which can allow more families to choose a Catholic education and open the doors of Catholic schools to families who may not previously have considered that option. “With new students and families joining Catholic schools this year, educators have a tremendous opportunity for evangelization,” she said. “Through words and actions, they can introduce others to the beauty of the Catholic faith and the transformative power of a Catholic school community. Every act of kindness and every lesson taught with love can become an See SCHOOLS, page 4
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