Archbishop Vásquez ordains three new priests for the Archdiocese

HOUSTON — On June 7, 2025, Archbishop Joe S. Vásquez ordained Father John Clark, Father Hubert Hai Dao and Father Carlos Velero Mendoza to the Sacred Order of the Priesthood at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Houston.

PHOTOS: Men in service to God and His people

In his homily, Archbishop Vásquez encouraged the newly ordained priests and said: “Keep always before your eyes the example of the Good Shepherd who came not to be served but to serve and save what was lost.”He also asked them to stay close to the Blessed Mary, the Mother of God, because “she is not only the mother of the Savior, but also the mother of priests,” as she desires to drawthem ever closer to her son Jesus Christ, the High Priest.

“She still has the best words for a priest: ‘Do whatever he tells you,” he said. Concelebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Italo Dell’ORo, CRS, the Mass also saw Daniel Cardinal DiNardo attend in choir. 

In July, they began their priestly ministry: Father Clark now serves as parochial vicar at St. Faustina Catholic Church in Fulshear; Father Dao is assigned to St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church as parochial vicar; and Father Mendoza is now parochial vicar at St. Martha Catholic Church in Kingwood.