Local ministry leaders excited to welcome back ‘one of the family’

Hilda Ochoa remembers the first time she met Archbishop Joe Vásquez. It was in 2002 inside the downtown Chancery building, and Ochoa, the Mission Office director, was standing outside of Bishop Joseph A. Fiorenza’s office.

“A young man dressed in jeans and wearing a warm, friendly smile approached,” Ochoa remembers. “At first, I thought he must be a seminarian, but he introduced himself as the ‘designated auxiliary bishop,’ Joe S. Vásquez. And what a surprise! As he began to speak, I realized that our diocese was truly being blessed with someone with energy and a deep connection to the Hispanic community. As a part of the growing Hispanic community, I was filled with pride, hope and satisfaction, knowing that our needs would be taken into consideration even more.”

Bishop Vásquez would be installed as ordinary of the Diocese of Austin in 2010; earlier this year, it was announced he was returning to Archdiocese — this time, as the Archbishop of Galveston-Houston. His Mass of Installation is on March 25 at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Houston.

“His experiences (since 2002) have expanded his vision,” Ochoa said, noting his roles as chancellor, vicar general and moderator of the curia when he was auxiliary bishop in Galveston-Houston, in addition to serving as bishop of Austin for the last 15 years.

It is the connection with the Hispanic community in the local Church that initially linked Lazaro Contreras to then-Bishop Vásquez. Contreras, the director of Hispanic Ministry for the Archdiocese, was an associate director in the office when Archbishop Vásquez was in Galveston-Houston as an auxiliary bishop and vicar for Hispanics.

“(Our office) was given the opportunity to engage frequently with him and grow in that pastoral relationship serving the people of God and, in our case, the fast-growing Catholic population of Hispanic/Latino descent,” Contreras said. “And he was truly involved. He would always listen to what the people say — (about) their concerns, their hopes and aspirations.”

Archbishop Vásquez’s willingness to listen resonated with Contreras.

“When he came in as a bishop, some leaders asked him what kind of changes he would be implementing, and his response was something that resonates with me to this day: ‘I want to listen to the people and learn from them.’ That kind of response is something that is wise and prudent to do when in ministry — to listen and learn from the people and ministries before making any changes,” Contreras said. “In fact, it is the nature of the Church, as Pope Francis has said — to be synodal, to journey together and listen to one another in mission,” he said. “Archbishop Vásquez is of a very humble and pastoral personality and approach. He will be a great example for all of us as we engage with one another as we do ministry.”

Sister Kevina Keating, CCVI, recalls working with then-Bishop Vásquez when she was superintendent of Catholic schools in Galveston-Houston from 2007 to 2013.

“He loves Catholic education” she said. “He was very collaborative and supportive with great commitment to future planning for our Catholic schools.  He was not afraid of the difficult decisions and was a creative problem solver. I recall numerous meetings where we worked hand in hand to celebrate successes and to address challenges for our schools.”

Sister Keating said Archbishop Vásquez was always present at Catholic school gatherings, taking time to visit with students and teachers and offer words of encouragement.

“Personally, I always remember his kindness and willingness to listen,” she said.

The current superintendent of Catholic Schools, Mazie McCoy, Ed.D., vividly remembers then-Bishop Vásquez always having a smile on his face when he served as the local auxiliary bishop. At that time, she was principal of St. Mary of the Purification Catholic School in Houston, and his name frequently came up during Inner-City Catholic School meetings as being an advocate for Catholic schools.

“During a recent Texas Superintendents’ Meeting in Austin, Bishop Vásquez stopped by simply to say ‘hi’ and welcome us all — he still had a smile on his face, and I remembered thinking how wonderful it was for him to take the time to say hello to us,” McCoy said. “I am overjoyed for our Catholic schools and our Archdiocese overall to begin this new chapter with Archbishop Vásquez as our shepherd. My prayers are with him and (Daniel) Cardinal DiNardo as they each continue their journeys.”

Sister Keating describes Bishop Vásquez’s leadership style as “versatile, approachable, sincere and humble.”

“He is well able to handle big occasions but equally willing to respond to simple yet meaningful requests which were not in the limelight,” she said. “His dedication to the broader community has always impressed me. He demonstrates an exceptional ability to lead with compassion, wisdom and a deep understanding of the Church’s mission. In the midst of it all, he has a great sense of humor.”

Citing a solid foundation of mentorship and collaboration with Archbishop Fiorenza and Cardinal DiNardo — along with his own diverse and rich strengths and experiences, Sister Keating said Archbishop Vásquez will bring “a broad bilingual, bicultural outlook with openness to innovative approaches to the changing needs of our community.”

“He is a true servant leader,” she said. “His humility and unwavering faith have always been at the core of his leadership,” she said. “He cares for those around him, from the smallest child in the classroom to the elderly parishioner.”

Ochoa says she feels the same sense of encouragement and hope she experienced back when Archbishop Vásquez first arrived in Galveston-Houston in 2002.

“We have been blessed with strong and compassionate leadership in Archbishop Fiorenza and Cardinal DiNardo,” Ochoa said. “I am encouraged to know that our new archbishop will continue in this spirit, returning as ‘one of the family.’”