A Friend and Brother: Local clergy remembers past connections to Archbishop Vásquez

From Stamford, Texas, Archbishop Joe Vásquez first moved to Houston in 1976 to begin formation as a young seminarian for the Diocese of San Angelo. Enrolled at St. Mary’s Seminary in Houston, Archbishop Vásquez graduated with a degree in theology. Excelling in his studies, he was sent to further his education at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, where he received a licentiate in sacred theology.  

Formation at St. Mary’s introduced Archbishop Vásquez to clergy from dioceses throughout the state of Texas, who served as faculty, and to seminarians, who were local diocesan clergy in-the-making like himself.  

Those mentorships with professors based in Houston and fraternity with seminarians, who became his brother priests at Texas dioceses — the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston included — familiarized Archbishop Vásquez with the area he now is appointed to lead. It connected him with local Church leaders of the time and future diocesan clergy who would serve alongside him leading up to present day.  

“He was a good student for sure, always friendly, cooperative, got along well with the other seminarians,” said Monsignor Chester Borski, former rector of St. Mary’s Seminary when Archbishop Vásquez attended. “That’s my first remembrance of Archbishop Joe.”  

Ordained as a priest in 1984 for the Diocese of San Angelo, Archbishop Vásquez served at multiple parishes in his home diocese and became a recognized leader within the faith community. Monsignor Borski recalled the time when he was recruiting faculty for the seminary and looking for representatives from Texas dioceses to assist with the education of future priests. He had then-Father Vásquez on the shortlist.

“I had requested from his bishop, who was Bishop (Michael) Pfeifer at the time, if he could release Father Joe to serve on our seminary faculty,” Monsignor Borski said.  

Bishop Pfeifer agreed to release “Father Joe” to work at the seminary, but Monsignor Borski soon received a phone call from Bishop Pfeifer, letting him know to put the agreement on hold. Shortly thereafter, it was announced that “Father Joe” would be made auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.  

From 2002 to 2010, Archbishop Vásquez served as auxiliary bishop in Galveston-Houston, overseeing multiple offices during the eight years, such as vicar general, chancellor, moderator of the curia, secretariat director for administration, and vicar for Hispanics. Each role acquainted him with local clergy as they worked together on different initiatives, projects and events, creating a unique dynamic of trust and respect with each priest.   

“He was always very personable with me — looking for my best interest and potential growth as a pastor and ministerial leader,” said Father Norbert Maduzia, pastor at St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Church in Spring. “This was especially true when he served as vicar to Hispanics. He came across as a shepherd to the shepherds, and for that, I am grateful.”  

Father Maduzia served as co-chair of the Ongoing Formation of Priests Committee and directly interfaced with Archbishop Vásquez. Father Maduzia said he noted a certain genuineness about him.  

“I have always found him to be a gentle spirit, a person who listens intently and attentively to the person in front of him,” he said. “His guidance and suggestions were always well grounded with the particular person or situation in mind.”  

Father Sean Horrigan, pastor at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church and a former co-chair of the Ongoing Formation of Priests Committee with Father Maduzia, said that “(Archbishop) Vásquez was invested in the life of the priests and was always curious of what we were doing to help priests in their ongoing formation to serve the people.”

Father Horrigan said Archbishop Vásquez’s concern and pastoral care for his brother priests was felt amongst the clergy.  

“He was supportive of our initiatives and always ready to help out when we needed a speaker or presenter,” Father Horrigan said. “He truly loves not only the people of God but the priests and religious of the diocese.”  

Archbishop Vásquez also impacted seminarians at the time. Father Dat Hoang, pastor at St. Faustina Catholic Church in Fulshear, was ordained a transitional deacon in 2002 by then-Bishop Vásquez.   

As a seminarian, Father Hoang had many opportunities to serve as the master of ceremony at Masses where Archbishop Vásquez presided.   

“I remember admiring his beautiful and pastoral way of relating to people,” Father Hoang said. “He always came across as very calm, peaceful, warm and kind-hearted towards others, making you comfortable around him.”  

Later as a young priest, Father Hoang witnessed how Archbishop Vásquez took time visiting with brother priests at deanery meetings and various diocesan events.    

When Father Hoang served as vocations director for the Archdiocese, he discovered that Archbishop Vásquez was an advocate for vocations and appreciated his relatability, prudence and firmness in decision-making.   

Going back to the days at St. Mary’s Seminary, those who knew Archbishop Vásquez as a fellow seminarian said they look forward to collaborating with him in this new capacity.   

Father Thomas Rafferty, director of Ministry to Priests, knew Archbishop Vásquez as a seminarian and discussed his knowledge of the local Church and his agreeable personality.  

“He knows the diocese and is a very even-keeled kind of person,” Father Rafferty said. “He will be a great bishop here.”   

The welcome back from local clergy has made for a hopeful beginning to Archbishop Vásquez’s return to Texas’ largest Catholic diocese.