Mark your Calendars: A 2012 Preview
January 10, 2012
JAN. 29 - FEB. 5: CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK
‘Faith. Academics. Service.'
HOUSTON — The theme for Catholic Schools Week 2012, Jan. 29 to Feb. 5, is "Catholic Schools: Faith. Academics. Service." This year's theme focuses on Catholic schools' three priorities that distinguish them from other educational institutions. Schools in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston typically celebrate Catholic Schools Week with Masses, open houses and activities for students, families, parishioners and the community at large. †
FEB. 4 - 5: DSF COMMITMENT WEEKEND
‘Go forth and bear fruit that will last...'
HOUSTON — The annual Diocesan Services Fund Commitment Weekend is Feb. 4 and 5. The annual appeal's theme this year is "Go forth and bear fruit that will last...'. The DSF fund supports over 60 pastoral and educational ministries of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. For more information about DSF Commitment Weekend go online: www.archgh.org/dsf/Donate or call Development Records at 713-652-4422. †
FEB. 5: WORLD DAY FOR CONSECRATED LIFE
Church honors women, men in religious life
HOUSTON — The 16th World Day for Consecrated Life will be observed in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston on Feb. 5. Cardinal DiNardo will celebrate an 11 a.m. Mass in the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. There are approximately 450 women and 220 men in religious life in the Archdiocese who serve in a broad variety of ministries as priests, educators and ministers. †
FEB. 18: STEPS FOR STUDENTS
Put on your sneakers and run for Catholic education
HOUSTON — The annual Steps for Students 5K Run is scheduled to start at Robertson Stadium on the campus of the University of Houston, Feb. 18. Since 2006, participants and sponsors of the Archdiocese have showed their support for Catholic schools. The annual event brings together all school and parish communities to support Catholic education, raise awareness of the importance of a Catholic education and provide resources for Catholic schools. For more information or to register, visit www.steps4students.org. Want to volunteer? Call Leslie Barrera or Michael Schillaci in the Development Department, 713-652-4417. †
APRIL 21: DEDICATION
Growing community welcomes new Church
FRIENDSWOOD — Mary Queen Catholic Church will dedicate its new church with a blessing and Mass, April 21. The parish was established in 1966 as a mission to serve a handful of Catholic families in Friendswood. The parish now serves about 3,000 families and continues to be staffed by the LaSalette Fathers. †
JUNE 2: PRIESTHOOD ORDINATION
Archdiocese welcomes new priests
The Archdiocesan Mass of Ordination at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart is June 2. Daniel Cardinal DiNardo will ordain new priests into their shared ministry seing the people of God.
JULY 16: ARCHDIOCESAN PRAYER BREAKFAST
Seattle archbishop to share his Catholic faith, experience
HOUSTON — Archbishop Peter Sartain of Seattle is set to be the keynote speaker at the third annual Archdiocesan Prayer Breakfast, July 16.
Archbishop Sartain, a native of Memphis, was bishop of the Little Rock, Ark. and Joliet, Ill. dioceses before being named Archbishop of Seattle in 2010. At age 59, he is the youngest archbishop in the U.S. He is the secretary-elect for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. His term will begin in November 2012.
The Prayer Breakfast was initiated in 2009 to offer Catholics an opportunity to learn about the Catholic faith and experience fellowship. In 2011, more than 1,000 people attended the event.
The Archdiocesan Prayer Breakfast will be held at the Hilton-Americas in Downtown Houston from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Contact the Development Office at 713-652-4461 or for more information on this summer's Prayer Breakfast. †
JULY 20 - 22: ARCHDIOCESAN YOUTH CONFERENCE
‘Created Anew'
HOUSTON — The 56th Archdiocesan Youth Conference, the Office of Youth Ministry's annual summer outreach to high school aged youth, will take place July 20 to 22 at the Hilton Americas Hotel. The theme of the conference is "Created Anew." More than 2,000 youth are expected to share fellowship and faith during the conference. Major presenters include Steve Angrisano, Mary Bielski and Mark Hart. †
AUG. 9: OPENING SCHOOL YEAR MASS
Kicking off another school year
HOUSTON — The Opening School Year Mass is scheduled for Aug. 9 at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, with Archbishop Emeritus Joseph A. Fiorenza celebrating. Pastors, principals, teachers and staff of all 59 Archdiocesan schools attend the event, when educators attaining certain milestones in service receive awards for their commitment to Catholic schools. †
SEPT. 16 & SEPT. 23: WEDDING ANNIVERSARY JUBILEE
Prepare for the silver, golden celebrations
HOUSTON — Daniel Cardinal DiNardo will celebrate Mass for couples celebrating their Golden (50th) and Silver (25th) anniversaries of marriage in the Catholic Church at the Co-Catherdal of the Sacred Heart, 1111 St. Joseph Pkwy., Houston. Couples celebrating 50 years, the ceremony is scheduled for Sept. 16; couples celebrating 25 years is set for Sept. 23. Couples attending Mass are eligible to receive a special certificate signed by Cardinal DiNardo. To register for the event contact your parish. †
SEPT. 23 - 26: DIOCESAN FISCAL MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE
150 dioceses head to Houston
HOUSTON — The Archdiocese will host the 43rd annual Diocesan Fiscal Management Conference, Sept. 23 to 26. The yearly event draws representatives from more than 150 dioceses across the U.S. The conference will be held at the Hilton Americas in downtown Houston and serves as an opportunity for the Church's financial personnel to collaborate and reflect on their work as stewards of diocesan resources. †