2010: A Year in Review

January 1, 2011

HOUSTON — During Advent and Christmas, faithful throughout the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston and all over the world celebrate the start of new Liturgical year, while also looking forward to the beginning of the calendar year. This season of new beginnings is also an opportune moment to reflect on the news, events and happenings in the Archdiocese from the past year. In this last issue of the Texas Catholic Herald for 2010, we look back at the celebrations, dedications, demonstrations and appreciations that defined a year filled with charity, festivity and, above all, faith. †

— Texas Catholic Herald staff and contributors 

Year for Priests

In June 2009, Pope Benedict XVI declared a "Year for Priests." The year concluded in Rome with an international gathering of priests with the Holy Father from June 9 to 11. Parishes and schools throughout the Archdiocese of GalvestonHouston also celebrated the "Year for Priests" and shared their celebrations with the Herald. From Masses and prayer services to dedications and celebrations, priests around the Archdiocese were honored by parishes, ministries and schools. Additionally, thank you banners were posted, prayer cards were distributed and some parishes and groups began new ministries dedicated to vocations, ensuring that priests in the Archdiocese know how much they are appreciated by their flocks. †



Immigration Reform

The year started off with a heated debate about immigration reform. From coast-to-coast, lawmakers, clergy, citizens and of course, immigrants fought to get their voices heard. Recognizing that a "broken immigration system benefits no one," along with more than 300 clergy and denominational leaders from across Greater Houston. 

Daniel Cardinal DiNardo released a joint statement Jan. 11, calling on the Obama administration and Congress to enact comprehensive immigration reform this year. "The Houston Interfaith Statement on Humane Immigration Reform" urged humane immigration reform that:

• Upholds family unity as a priority;
• Creates a process for undocumented immigrants to earn their legal 
status and eventual citizenship;
• Protects workers and provides efficient channels of entry to the U.S. for 
new migrant workers;
• Facilitates immigrant integration 
into the community;
• Restores due process protections 
and reforms detention policies;
• Aligns the enforcement of immigration laws with humanitarian values;
• Honors the fundamental human 
right to migrate and support a family.

"Because the refugee and immigrant are made in the image and likeness of God as much as we are, we speak on their behalf," Cardinal DiNardo said at a prayer service that kicked off the Jan. 11 event.
 

On March 21, thousands of people from all over the country — including a 25-member delegation from the Houston Coalition for Immigration Reform — assembled on the National Mall for the "March for America" immigration reform rally. The Catholic Campaign for Human Development for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston provided some of the funding for the multi-denominational rally. "Some of the rhetoric is so inflammatory," Father Kevin Collins told the Herald in March. "Much of it is very anti-Catholic, anti-Christian and anti-human dignity, [which] represents many of the principles that we stand for as a Catholic Church."

In June, Houston-area interfaith leaders held a prayer service for immigration reform at the Catholic Charismatic Center. 

Groups and individuals in the local Church, with the Texas Catholic Conference and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops continue to participate in the dialogue and debate over immigration reform. †

Pipe Organ

Also at the beginning of 2010, the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Downtown Houston received a special delivery. Daniel Cardinal DiNardo blessed the 5,499 organ pipes upon arrival and workers began the installation in the choir loft. The parts for the 45-foot-tall organ — which is comprised of 11 tons of tin and lead – were transported in two semi-trucks from the organ builder's studio in Roy, Wash. to the Co-Cathedral. 

In October, the Co-Cathedral was ready to celebrate the long-awaited completion of the custom-built organ. Upon entering the Co-Cathedral during the grand performance of the newly constructed Opus XIX organ, the air was filled with the glorious "Hymn Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee." The Organ's blessing and sung vespers began the kick-off of the Co-Cathedral's pipe organ dedication week.

"Now that the Opus XIX organ of the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart is complete, we are complete," said Archbishop Emeritus Joseph A. Fiorenza. †

Bishop Joe S. Vasquez

The Archdiocese bid farewell to a beloved figure when in March, then-Auxiliary Bishop Joe S. Vasquez was installed as the fifth Bishop of Austin. The Vatican announced Pope Benedict XVI's appointment of Bishop Vasquez on on Jan. 26. Bishop Vasquez, 52, was ordained a priest for the Diocese of San Angelo in 1984. 

On Jan. 23, 2002, he became the nation's youngest active bishop when he was ordained an auxiliary bishop for Galveston-Houston at age 44. Bishop Vasquez was the Archdiocese's Vicar General/Chancellor from 2006 until his appointment as Bishop of Austin. He also served as Episcopal Vicar for Hispanics and was the Archdiocesan Liaison for Youth during his years in Galveston-Houston.

Mixed emotions — from sadness to pride, as well as tears — was the reaction by many local faithful upon hearing the news.  Known for his great devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe, Bishop Vasquez' departure was difficult news to welcome for Mercedes Juarez, president of the Guadalupana Association which sponsors the yearly Archdiocesan Our Lady of Guadalupe celebration.

"I can barely talk about it because I want to cry," Juarez said to the Herald. "I'm very sad, but I'm happy for him. He has been such an important part of the association, but I know he will be a wonderful presence for the growing Hispanic community [in Austin]."

More than 2,000 attended the Mass of Installation for Bishop Vasquez at St. William Church in Round Rock. 

"I ask you to pray for me, that I may be a faithful disciple of the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ," Bishop Vasquez said in his homily during the Mass of Installation. "The shepherd is made for the sheep, not the sheep for the shepherd. Only by following Jesus the Good Shepherd can I learn to lead and serve the Diocese of Austin." †

St. Mary Cathedral Basilica

In July, it was announced that after 162 years, the Mother Cathedral of Texas would get a facelift. 
The Archdiocese is revitalizing St. Mary's Cathedral Basilica, the "mother church" of the Lone Star State, to make the historic church operational once more.