DECEMBER 9, 2025 • ARCHGH.ORG/TCH
ARCHBISHOP VASQUEZ’S ADVENT MESSAGE
DEC. 28 MASSES CLOSE JUBILEE YEAR Pair of Masses bring Year of Hope to a close ▪ SEE PAGE 3
▪ SEE PAGE 2
DECEMBER 9, 2025
MINISTRY
Sharing Christmas joy through generosity
texas catholic herald 1
FIFTY YEARS OF FAITH
Mass honors faith of Vietnamese Catholics in face of crises, war ▪ SEE PAGE 6
Proclaiming the Good News to the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston since 1964
VOL. 62, NO. 12
MY SOUL PROCLAIMS THE GREATNESS OF THE LORD
BY KERRY MCGUIRE Herald Correspondent HOUSTON — Thousands of children, youth and seniors across the Archdiocese will experience the joy of Christmas because of Catholic Charities’ Share Your Blessings campaign. Celebrating 30 years of service, the program provides gifts for families and individuals facing financial hardship, offering hope and compassion at the heart of the season. “Catholic Charities strives to ensure that every person is treated with dignity,” said Hope Gassett, interim manager See BLESSINGS, page 10
SPIRITUALITY
Cardinal DiNardo reflects on 1,700th anniversary of the Nicene Creed Special to the Herald PHILADELPHIA — On Nov. 13, the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia hosted a special evening of ecumenical dialogue and reflection on the Nicene Creed at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Philadelphia. The gathering brought together Church leaders, theologians, clergy and faithful for prayer, study and conversation, marking the 1,700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea. Part of the evening included addresses and a panel discussion with Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, Archbishop emeritus of Galveston-Houston, and Archdeacon John Chryssavgis of the Ecumenical See NICAEA, page 7
CNS PHOTO/COURTESY OBLATE BROTHER MICKEY MCGRATH
This painting, titled “Windsock Visitation,” created by Oblate Brother Mickey McGrath, depicts the joyful encounter in St. Luke’s Gospel between Mary and Elizabeth. In the beginning of the Gospel of Luke, God reveals His great plan of salvation, not with a loud declaration, but in the quiet, patient waiting of Mary and Elizabeth.
The Magnificat: A perfect prayer for Advent BY KENNETH CRAYCRAFT Special to the Herald
speeches in the entirety of the New Testament. Given its place in the narrative of the birth of Our Lord, the commencement of Advent is the perfect time for meditating on Our Lady’s words. A newly pregnant Mary travels to visit her cousin Elizabeth, who is pregnant with John the Baptist. When Mary greets Elizabeth, John leaps in his mother’s womb, prompting Elizabeth’s own contribution to the Christian liturgical tradition.
EMBRACING ADVENT
HOUSTON (OSV News) — Anyone who says evening prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours regularly recites the Magnificat from the first chapter of the Gospel of Luke. Named for its first word in Latin, this canticle is one of only four places in the Gospels where the Blessed Mother’s words are recorded. And the Magnificat contains more words than the other three passages combined. The rarity and brevity of Mary’s words, however, should not diminish their importance. Indeed, the Magnificat is among the most theologically powerful
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“Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb,” said Mary’s cousin (Lk 1:42). “Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled” (Lk 1:45). This elicits Mary’s response, that begins,“Magnificat anima mea Dominum”: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior. For He has looked upon His handmaid’s lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed.” ECHOING THE PROPHET ISAIAH Mary’s pregnancy represents our own See MAGNIFICAT, page 4
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