Annual Report 2021: A year of resilient faith, ministry

A Letter from Daniel Cardinal DiNardo

This past January, on the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, I lifted the dispensation from the Sunday and Holy Day Mass obligation. The sacred liturgy gathers us together as we celebrate the Eucharist with joy. We continue to persevere through the challenges presented by the global pandemic, as the Eucharist and the Holy Spirit provide guidance for us during this difficult time.

Of course, our faith remains paramount in both prayer and action, no matter the circumstances we face. Last fall, Pope Francis invited us to participate in the Synod on Synodality to unpack our journey with the Church and listen to us about our faith life experiences. Listening sessions at parishes and other locations in the Archdiocese are currently underway, and I’m inviting everyone to participate. You can learn more about local activities involving the Synod at www.archgh.org/synod.

This May marks the 175th anniversary of our diocese. We look forward to celebrating this milestone in the coming months by highlighting our history while also setting a course for being a light to others, particularly those in the margins.

The annual Diocesan Services Fund (DSF) kicked off this month at our parishes. The DSF supports so many of those in need through ministries like the Catholic Chaplain Corps, Special Youth Services and San Jose Clinic, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude for the generous contributions to our parishes and to DSF, as well as those contributing to the IGNITE campaign, which completed its appeal to the final block of participating parishes this past fall.

Our parishes, Catholic schools and Archdiocesan organizations have done a commendable job in adapting to the constant changes offered by COVID-19. The chancery offices and ministries have also responded in these times with remarkable outreach and resources to those they serve, including our clergy.

Located at St. Dominic Village, our Clergy Pastoral Outreach ministry addresses the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of all retired clergy. It also maintains and provides communications with retired clergy regarding special events, Archdiocesan news and community resources. This ministry cultivates relationships with retired clergy to ensure a quality of life that is healthy, secure and dignified.

Likewise, the Ministry to Priests supports the priests of the Archdiocese, diocesan and religious, in their ongoing spiritual, fraternal and pastoral development. The ministry also coordinates days of prayer, annual retreats and offers consultations for priests.

For parishes, the Office of Adolescent Catechesis and Evangelization provides leadership, formation and resources to effectively form adolescents into lifelong disciples in the Catholic tradition. The office accomplishes this through training and mentoring adult leadership in best practices for forming lifelong disciples, providing programming to evangelize young people, and creating a youth council to be a voice of the youth and assist in the design and implementation of youth programs on an Archdiocesan level.

The Office of Aging Ministry provides support for our senior groups via parish activities that enhance the spiritual, social and physical well-being of older adults and by providing opportunities for training and education. The ministry assists parishes, older adults and caregivers in finding community resources that enhance the individuals.

These are just a few examples of how we are journeying with those in faith, all in the glory of God.

With deep gratitude and in the spirit of transparency, I share with you the Archdiocesan financial statements for the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2021. The audited financials of the Chancery Office of the Archdiocese can be found in their entirety at www.archgh.org/about/Accounting.

On behalf of the ministries in this Archdiocese that depend on your support, thank you for your kind contributions. As your shepherd, I am constantly encouraged by your great generosity, your sacred ongoing trust and your fervor for the faith. With prayers for God’s continued blessings on each of you and your family and friends, I remain

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Daniel Cardinal DiNardo
Archbishop of Galveston-Houston