Cardinal DiNardo thanks 1,100 celebrating ‘intimate’ dinner for 175th Archdiocese Anniversary Gala

The choir of St. Mary's Seminary performs during the 175th anniversary gala at the Hilton Americas-Houston Hotel in Houston on April 20. (Photo by Daniel Pawlowski/Up in the Air Films)

HOUSTON — As Daniel Cardinal DiNardo welcomed the crowd attending the Archdiocese’s 175th Anniversary Gala in the ballroom of the Hilton Americas on April 20, he joked, “There’s nothing like having an intimate dinner with 1,100 of your closest friends.”

Bill Balleza, retired news anchor of KPRC Channel 2, serving as the master of ceremonies, began the evening, welcoming a trilingual invocation delivered first in English by Auxiliary Bishop Italo Dell’Oro, CRS; then Father Thu Ngoc Nguyen in Vietnamese and Father Miguel Solorzano in Spanish.

They prayed, “As You have blessed us over these last 175 years, O Lord, we seek Your blessings on the days that lay ahead.”
The invocation was followed by a brief performance by the Schola of St. Mary’s Seminary.

Stan Marek, chair of the gala, took the stage and asked those present to join him in a moment of silence to remember three beloved local bishops who passed away over the last two years — Bishop Vincent Rizzotto, 89, on Jan. 17, 2021; Bishop George Sheltz, 75, on Dec. 21, 2021; and Archbishop Emeritus Joseph Fiorenza, 91, on Sept. 19, 2022.

“This is an opportunity to come together and celebrate the many ways we live out the Gospel,” Marek said. “Caring for the poor, the sick, the refugee; supporting our parishes and clergy; it’s a celebration of our faith and why we do it.”

The evening featured six honorees — each representing different areas of commitment and service across the Archdiocese. Cardinal DiNardo described them as exemplifying the countless men and women who have helped the Gospel of Christ flourish in southeast Texas for nearly two centuries through their dedication and support. The six honorees were Sister Heloise Cruzat, O.P.; Deacon Gerald DuPont; Trini Mendenhall; The Scanlan Foundation; James Studdert; and Raye G. White.

“In honoring these individuals,” said Cardinal DiNardo, “we recognize those who have generously contributed their time and talent to spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the local Church of Galveston-Houston.”

The first honoree alphabetically was Sister Cruzat, who was born in Houston and entered the Dominican Sisters of Houston convent in September 1951. She worked as both teacher and principal throughout her vocation at St. Agnes Academy and St. Pius X High School, as well as served as vicar for religion for the Archdiocese for 13 years.

“To all my religious sisters, my presence on this stage shows our community’s and clergy’s support for all we do,” Sister Cruzat said. “You all remain a vital part of the ministry of this Church.”

The next honoree, Deacon DuPont, served as the first full-time director of the Permanent Diaconate for Galveston-Houston and grew the Archdiocesan diaconate program into one of the largest in the world until he retired in 2017. He continues both locally as a deacon helping people in need and working internationally with the Church helping deacons around the world.

“This honor is humbly accepted on behalf of all deacons and their wives, w ho gave their time, talent and treasure,” Deacon DuPont said. “No one achieves alone, but as a community in unity in relationship.”

Mendenhall, the third honoree and co-founder of Fiesta Mart and president of Fulton Shopping Center, has dedicated her life to serving others. In 1997, alongside her late husband, O.C., Mendenhall founded the Trini and O.C. Mendenhall Foundation, which empowers women, minorities, and children.

Mendenhall’s commitment to her Catholic values and her Houston community is made evident by her outstanding work serving as life director at the University of St. Thomas and on the board of Catholic Charities while her foundation endows scholarships to deserving students.

Her acceptance, humble as the other honorees, had her concluding by turning to Cardinal DiNardo on the stage, saying, “My dear Cardinal, grazie mille (a thousand thanks).”

Larry Massey, president of the Scanlan Foundation, accepted the honor on behalf of the foundation and trustees that have provided $150 million in grants to support the Church and its ministries, calling it “God’s money.”

Honoree Studdert is a native Houstonian and founding member of Notre Dame parish in 1969, serving as a volunteer director of religious education. From 1976 to 1983, Studdert served on the board of education for the then-Diocese of Galveston-Houston and has served as a member of the finance council of the Archdiocese for over 40 years, helping to establish the benefits committee of the Archdiocese on which he still serves. He was described as a person who “embodies what it means to be Church.”

Honoree White continues as the executive vice president and chief compliance officer of Fayez Sarofim & Co. after starting with the firm since its inception in 1958. She has had a transformative effect on the local Church community, including the development of the Archbishop Joseph A. Fiorenza Priest Retirement Residence at St. Dominic Village and life director at the University of St. Thomas and the CHRISTUS Foundation for Healthcare. She graciously thanked the Archdiocese and was humbled “to be able to share such blessings.”

A first-of-its-kind exhibition featured artifacts and historic items from the Archdiocesan archives, such as crosiers and miters of the diocese’s early bishops. Organized by Lisa May, director of archives, the considerable gallery also included photos and other vestments of more recent leaders, like Archbishop Fiorenza.

The evening concluded with a multi-choir finale presented by the Archdiocesan Choir, the Catholic African American Choir, and the parish choirs of St. Francis of Assisi and St. Monica — 92 voices in all.