Opening Mass marks back to school for thousands of Catholic students, teachers

Two young students watch Snappy the Turtle look out a classroom window during a recent Friday school day at St. Theresa Catholic School in Memorial Park. More than 17,000 students, with their teachers and staff, returned to the classroom at the 56 Catholic schools around the Archdiocese in August. (Photos by James Ramos/Herald)

HOUSTON — Daniel Cardinal DiNardo blessed a crowd of about 1,000 Catholic school teachers, principals and administrators when he celebrated Mass on Aug. 9 to kick off the start of back to school. The Mass at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in downtown Houston drew together many from the largest private primary school system in Texas with an award ceremony afterward. 

New superintendent of Catholic Schools Mazie McCoy, Ed.D., with more than 20 years in Catholic education, including as principal and assistant superintendent, succeeded Debra Haney, Ed.D., who retired at the end of June. 

“I am truly humbled by this responsibility and look forward to continuing the great work begun by Dr. Haney’s leadership with a focus on STREAM (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Arts and Math) synergy, continued student growth and the formation of disciples who will transform the world,” McCoy said. 

Enrollment is slightly up this year with more than 17,000 students, almost pre-pandemic levels in the 56 Catholic schools within the Archdiocese. However, there are still available spaces in many schools, she said, encouraging parents to visit www.choosecatholicschools.org for enrollment and tuition assistance information.  

McCoy added, “I look forward to collaborating with the Catholic Schools Office leadership team and the Archdiocesan Advisory School Council to develop our strategic plan based on national standards and benchmarks for effective Catholic elementary and secondary schools.” 

This year’s theme will be “Pray Without Ceasing” in support of the Pope’s Year of Prayer with a focus on mission.

St. Paul affirmed the significance of prayer and wrote in one of his epistles, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thes 5:16-18). 

After the back-to-school Mass, McCoy and Cardinal DiNardo presented special awards in the Co-Cathedral, including the Archdiocesan Leadership Award given to St. Cecilia Catholic School Principal Jeff Matthews. 

The Sts. Peter and Paul Award, given for excellent teamwork between church pastor and principal, was earned by Father Justin Cormie and Principal Miguel Sanchez of Our Lady of Fatima in Galena Park. Staff and students are grieving as Sanchez, 38, died on Friday, Aug. 30. 

“The loss of Miguel Sanchez leaves a huge void in our Catholic school system,” McCoy said. “He was a dedicated administrator, an influential mentor, and a friend to all. He loved his Catholic faith and Our Lady of Fatima – Galena Park Catholic School. Miguel will truly be missed, but his legacy will live on due to the many contributions he made to our Catholic schools.”

The Catholic Impact Award, which acknowledges a school for its outreach efforts and extraordinary service to others, went to St. John Paul II Catholic School. One of their community projects includes third graders adopting seminarians and providing them with personal cards, prayers and other gifts to support them in their vocations. 
The Sally Landram Excellence in Education Award, which is given in thanks to the John W. and Alida Considine Foundation to honor former superintendent and Catholic education advocate Sally Landram. The award comes with $1,500; this year, it was earned by teacher Lisa Sansbury of Christ the Redeemer Catholic School (CtRCS). 

“I am blessed to be a Catholic educator in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston,” Sansbury said. “It’s really just a blessing [to receive this award]. It’s God’s work, it’s not my work. It is a faith-filled heart that has brought me here alongside educators to support our parish and school community as we go forth ‘making disciples of all nations.’”
Beyond her classroom duties, Sansbury leads several school initiatives, including the gardening club in care for creation and her innovative approach to integrating STEM education (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) efforts, making learning both exciting and relevant for her students.  

“Everything she takes on is driven by a passion and commitment that profoundly shapes our students,” said CtRCS Principal Dan Courtney. “Rooted in Catholic social teaching on Care for Creation and Stewardship of the Earth, her love for God’s Earth inspires initiatives like recycling programs, our gardening club, and student service projects, passing down these vital virtues to her students.” 

Several schools will also be celebrating major milestones and anniversaries over the next year, including St. Francis de Sales, which will celebrate 60 years with a special gathering on Saturday, Sept. 14. 

St. Francis de Sales pastor, Father Joseph Son Thanh Phan, and school principal, Anne Quatrini, will begin prayer with Mass at 5 p.m., followed by a celebration at the school pavilion after Mass.  

The high schools around the Archdiocese have also started their new school year. The latest Incarnate Word Academy (IWA) STEM programming includes a robotics course and an all-female FTC Robotics Competition Team named “Women of the Wires.” 

“We are celebrating our 151st year as the first Catholic high school in Houston. At Incarnate Word, we continue to challenge ourselves to be first, out front in our thinking and planning,” IWA Principal Cathy Stephen said. “This priority thinking allows us to focus on every student as an individual among the sisterhood of our entire student body.”  

Focused on the future, IWA’s College Counseling Center continues to offer a welcoming space where students can explore colleges and universities. In addition, their partnership with Lone Star College allows the school to offer dual credit courses.

Strake Jesuit College Preparatory has added new English electives this year: religion and literature, speculative fiction, finding poetry in your Spotify playlist, big books, sports and literature, and the narrative ancestry of Star Wars. The school is also opening a brand-new dedicated esports room this semester that will include 12 gaming computers and several consoles. 

St. Pius X High School launched a new school-sponsored device program to enhance technology in the classroom and provide every student and faculty member with equal tools and resources. The program also creates more opportunities for student-teacher connections and academic growth through project-based learning with technology. 

“This year promises to be an extraordinary journey of growth, discovery and achievement for our students,” Rachel Ware, principal at St. Pius X High School, said. “With new opportunities, innovative initiatives and a supportive community, we are poised to make this one of the most exciting and impactful years yet.”