Annual Asian Mass unites seven cultures in one faith

Auxiliary Bishop Italo Dell’Oro, CRS, celebrates the annual Asian Mass at Christ the Incarnate Word Catholic Church in Houston on Oct. 29. (Photos by James Ramos/Herald)

HOUSTON — As Auxiliary Bishop Italo Dell’Oro, CRS, presided over the annual Asian Mass, a variety of voices from seven of the Archdiocese’s major Asian cultures — Burmese, Chinese, Filipino, Indian, Indonesian, Korean and Vietnamese — came together to lead a congregation of more than 1,000 in worship at Christ the Incarnate Word Catholic Church near Houston’s Asiatown.

PHOTOS: Colors, textures and prayers - Seen at Asian Mass

In his homily, Bishop Dell’Oro encouraged the congregation to remain faithful to Jesus Christ and His Church and reflected on this year’s theme, “Harmony in Diversity Through Christ,” taken from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Conference 2018 document titled “Encountering Christ in Harmony: A Pastoral Response to Our Asian and Pacific Island Brothers and Sisters.”

He highlighted the wide diversity in each of the Asian communities, pointing out the importance of harmony in each Asian culture and how it allows the Gospel to enter into each unique community and bring peace and the love of Christ as the Gospel calls Catholics to do.

Almost 20 priests, including a Burmese priest visiting from the Austin Diocese, concelebrated the Mass. After the Mass, a variety show highlighted different performances from each culture while unique delicacies were served.