The Texas Catholic Herald

December 20, 2011

Archdiocese announces $5 million gift from Kinder Foundation

Inner City Catholic Schools Cooperative to enhance education, services to economically disadvantaged students

December 15, 2011

Death penalty opponents win minor battle

Catholic and other opponents of the death penalty praised Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber for placing a moratorium on the use of the death penalty for the rest of his term. “Those of us who respect the dignity of human life from conception to natural death applaud this decision,” said Portland Archbishop John G. Vlazny.

December 6, 2011

‘Sung meditation’ part of annual carols

The Vatican is planning to sing its way into the Christmas season this year, with a chorus and orchestra leading Christmas carols at the annual unveiling of its Nativity scene. The hourlong evening ceremony Dec. 24 will feature traditional Christmas songs in several languages, performed by a 100-person choir and orchestra in St. Peter’s Square.

December 6, 2011

From rubble, ashes rises hope

For Vietnamese Dominican Sisters, dedication of rebuilt Mary Immaculate Preschool shows strength of community.

December 6, 2011

It’s official: UST nursing program receives final approval

The University of St. Thomas secures accreditation; program will take holistic approach.

December 6, 2011

5 minutes with Father Michael Buentello, Teaching ‘goodness, discipline and knowledge’

He considers himself an avid outdoorsman. He enjoys time on his kayak, fishing, camping, cycling and hiking. But what Father Michael Buentello, C.S.B, loves the most and something that brings plenty of joy in his life is a BBQ smoker that his family gave him a few years ago.

December 6, 2011

The joy of volunteering

Are you a volunteer at your parish? If so, why do you volunteer? Many people who have taken their baptismal call very seriously take time out of their very busy schedule to serve others through ministries in their parish. Some people spend a couple of hours volunteering, some are gone from their home and families for a week at a time to serve in various ministries. What makes people volunteer with such joy?

December 6, 2011

Open to life from the beginning

The young man stands at the front, dressed to the nines, looking sharp. But clearly feeling exposed and uneasy, he seems not to know what to do with his hands, nor which foot to stand on.

December 6, 2011

Jesse Tree: Advent custom traces geneology of Jesus

While they still don’t receive the recognition of well-known traditions like the Advent calendar, Jesse Trees are very much taking root in parishes and households in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.

December 6, 2011

Antiphons are pillars of prayer during Advent

During the last days of Advent, it is part of the Church’s tradition to add the “O Antiphons” — the seven prayers that form the basis for the familiar Advent hymn, “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” — to prayer.