News - October 2023

Pope Francis has invited everyone to join in a day of prayer, fasting, and penance for peace. On Friday, Oct. 27, he is encouraging people of different Christian denominations, other religions, and all those who advocate for peace to participate.

“Blessed are those who have died in the Lord; let them rest from their labors,” recites one of the prayers for the dead.

Conversations about death and dying seem to make most people uncomfortable. Yet how we prepare for this experience can make a world of difference, whether it is one of consolation or desolation. I discovered this with the loss of my own father, who, at age 63, mired in a state of depression, remorse and loneliness, resigned himself to death.

Las conversaciones sobre la muerte parecen incómodos a la mayoría de las personas. Sin embargo, la forma en que nos preparamos para esta experiencia puede hacer un mundo de diferencia, ya sea de consuelo o desolación. Descubrí esto con la pérdida de mi propio padre, quien, a los 63 años, sumido en un estado de depresión, remordimiento y soledad, se resignó a la muerte.

This year, Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston will celebrate All Souls Day Masses with four Masses at three different Catholic cemeteries.

Father Pat Garrett, chaplain of the Archdiocesan Scouting Committee and pastor of Sts. Simon and Jude Catholic Church in The Woodlands, presided over Liturgies during the 2023 Catholic scouts and Puff Up retreats held on Sept. 29 to Oct. 1 at Bovay Scout Ranch near Navasota.

St. Laurence Catholic School in Sugar Land, founded in 1992, has achieved an exceptional milestone, earning the prestigious 2023 National Blue Ribbon Award for the third time in the school’s history, the U.S. Department of Education recently announced.

Firefighters face dangers beyond the duty of handling blazes — dying of cancers, heart attacks and car crashes as they dedicate themselves to protecting the lives of residents and their property.

Driven by the call of the Gospel, the Office of Justice and Peace strives to extend the love and care of God to all, transcending boundaries and embracing the diverse community it serves within the Archdiocese.

Having come to know Jesus through the Scriptures and in the Eucharist, Catholics are called to share with others the hope and joy that come from faith and that endure even when life gets difficult, Pope Francis said.

Looking for a unique way to mark World Mission Sunday? In this month of the Rosary, turn to the World Mission rosary, which is a unique tool to both pray and speak about the missions of the Church.

Almost two-thirds of Catholics believe in the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, but only 17% of adult Catholics physically attend Mass at least once per week, according to a newly published survey from Georgetown University’s Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA). The survey also revealed a high correlation between belief in the Eucharist and weekly or even monthly Mass attendance.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston held its third annual “Creating The Legacy” endowment dinner on Sept. 14 at River Oaks Country Club, benefiting its fund that supports the endowment and expansion of services to help those in need within our community.

October is Respect Life Month in our Church. This annual observance reminds us how, as one mystical body of Christ, we work to look after each other and ensure the dignity of every individual.

In 1973, abortion was legalized. For years, we have prayed for the end of abortion, and here we are, in 2023, living in an abortion-free Texas.

October is here in all its fall splendor. As the seasons change, we still need to be reminded of our prayer duties. Oct. 7 was the Feast of the Most Holy Rosary, coupled with the important anniversary of Our Lady’s last visit at Fatima on Oct. 13. It is also the month that St. John Paul II was elected pope back on Oct. 16, 1978.

On Nov. 7, an estimated 168 million Americans will cast their vote for local bond issues, state legislators, city councils, school board members, etc. Most of us will not make these decisions by carefully studying the ballot but will look instead to see which candidates and issues are supported by our preferred political party.

Octubre es el Mes del Respeto por la Vida en nuestra Iglesia. Esta observación anual nos recuerda que como un sólo cuerpo místico de Cristo, trabajamos para cuidarnos unos a otros y garantizar la dignidad de cada individuo. En Evangelium Vitae, San Juan Pablo II afirme: “Toda la sociedad debe respetar, defender y promover la dignidad de cada persona humana, en todo momento y condición de su vida”. Como católicos practicantes, intentamos vivir “el Respeto por la Vida” cada día del año y lo que nos motiva a hacerlo es el mandamiento de “amar al prójimo como a ti mismo” (Mto 22:39).