At Mass, teachers, staff welcome new school year in faith

At right, Stephanie Smith, a second-grade teacher at St. Anne School in Houston, greets Archbishop Joe S. Vásquez as she receives her 25-year milestone award. (Photos by James Ramos/Herald)

HOUSTON — Archbishop Joe Vásquez celebrated the annual Opening Catholic Schools Mass for teachers, staff, principals and administrators on Aug. 8 at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in downtown Houston for the largest private school system in Texas. 

Auxiliary Bishop Italo Dell’Oro, CRS, concelebrated the Mass with nearly 20 other priests of the Archdiocese who pastor parishes with Catholic schools.

In his homily, Archbishop Vásquez said the Catholic schools of Galveston-Houston “must be places that young people discover the truth — not just the truth in the rules of grammar, mathematical equations, historical facts or chemistry experiments — but also deeper truths.”

“We know that Jesus is the way, the truth and the light,” he said. “Catholic schools are communities of faith for children and young people to learn the deeper meaning of life. We want our students to develop a relationship with Jesus Christ. We want them also to excel in academics and to be rooted in Christian values and virtues.”

A student choir and hospitality team, comprised of students from Christ the Redeemer, St. Helen and St. Thomas More schools, served at the Mass. 

Catholic schools throughout the Archdiocese began their first weeks of school in mid-August, with this year’s theme as “Renewing Hearts and Transforming Schools: The Jubilee Mission of Catholic Schools,” which coincides with the Pilgrims of Hope Jubilee Year.

“This is more than a theme, it is a sacred invitation; a call to enter into a year of renewal, forgiveness and celebration,” said Mazie McCoy, Ed.D., Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Archdiocese, during her welcome and address following the Mass. “It is a time to reflect on our journey, to rejoice in our blessings and to recommit ourselves to the transformative work we are called to do each day.”

“The Jubilee Year reminds us to celebrate the great things happening in our schools, to honor the diversity in our communities and to welcome all with open hearts,” she said. “We are called to be witnesses of Christ’s love, helping our students build a relationship with Him that will sustain them throughout their lives.”

During the convocation, service awards and special recognitions were also celebrated. Some 140 educators were recognized, honoring a combined 1,835 years of teaching in Catholic education.

Catholic Impact Award: Sacred Heart School Principal Debbie Brown and Father Nicolas Ramirez, pastorSacred Heart School in Conroe, led by Principal Debbie Brown and Father Nicolas Ramirez, pastor, received the Catholic Impact Award, which recognized the school for its outreach efforts and extraordinary service to others.
Sts. Peter and Paul Award: St. Mary of the Purification Catholic School Principal Deena Wolf and Father Jaison Mangalath, S.V.D.Father Jaison Mangalath, S.V.D., and Principal Deena Wolf of St. Mary of the Purification Catholic School received the Sts. Peter and Paul Award, honoring their exceptional collaboration and cooperation in managing the school.
Archdiocesan Leadership Award: Suzanne Barto of St. Laurence Catholic School in Sugar LandSuzanne Barto of St. Laurence Catholic School in Sugar Land received the Archdiocesan Leadership Award, acknowledging her significant and positive impact on advancing the mission of Catholic education in the Archdiocese.
2025 Sally Landram Excellence in Education Award: Betty Festa, St. John Paul II SchoolFinally, the Sally Landram Excellence in Education Award, which comes with a $1,500 award, was given to Betty Festa, a teacher at St. John Paul II School. The award is funded by the John W. and Alida Considine Foundation in memory of Sally Landram, an educator, former Archdiocesan superintendent and Catholic education advocate.

Festa, who became emotional when she received the Landram award and knew Landram herself and other past recipients, said she was “humble and proud” to be part of the Archdiocesan Catholic education.

“Catholic education has always been top for my family,” she said. “As a Catholic school student, as a Catholic school teacher, it’s just part of my whole DNA.” 

There are approximately 18,000 students in the 56 Catholic schools of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.