ARCHBISHOP

The archdiocesan bishop is the visible principal and foundation of unity in the local Church (diocese) entrusted to him by the Pope, the successor of Peter. He is also the link between the local Church and the universal Church. As a successor of the apostles, the archbishop is responsible for the mission of the Church in the archdiocese. He needs the collaboration of the clergy, religious and laity to proclaim the Word of God and celebrate the sacraments for the redemption and salvation of God’s people. Through his collaborators in the archdiocesan departments and agencies, and in parochial ministries, the schools and hospitals, the archdiocesan bishop plans and directs the apostolic work of the Church of Galveston-Houston.

ARCHBISHOP/BISHOP EMERITUS

An archbishop or bishop whose resignation from office has been accepted retains the title of archbishop or bishop emeritus of his archdiocese and can retain a place of residence in his archdiocese if he so desires.

AUXILIARY BISHOPS

Auxiliary bishops are given to the archdiocesan bishop, especially if the archdiocese is extensive and very populous, either to assist him in his entire ministry, or in some particular pastoral duties, or in caring for a part of the archdiocese (CHRISTUS DOMINUS 25-26). In the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, the auxiliary serves as Episcopal and Ethnic Vicar.

CHANCELLOR & VICE CHANCELLOR

The offices of the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor act as the executive arms of the archdiocesan bishop. The functions of these offices include coordinating functions of the Chancery, interpreting archdiocesan and general Church law and policies as they affect archdiocesan operations, care of the records, the editing of the clergy newsletter, help to negotiate archdiocesan insurance, providing consultation and coordination in matters affecting priests and priestly assignments, providing for general communication services at the discretion of the archdiocesan bishop, processing dispensations and any special permissions prior to marriage, supervising the maintenance of the archives and the purchasing of future parish sites. The Chancellor, as Moderator of the Curia, coordinates the exercise of administrative responsibility and sees to it that the department heads fulfill the ministries entrusted to them.

BUSINESS MANAGER

The office of Finance Officer/Business Manager coordinates various tasks which maintain and safeguard the temporal resources of the Church. The Finance Officer, as Secretariat Director for Finance, coordinates the activities of the Accounting and Development Offices of the Archdiocese and provides consultation, review and assistance on financial matters to parishes, schools and other archdiocesan entities and departments. The Office also maintains primary banking relationships relating to loans, investments, cash management, trust and other bank and financial institution services, is responsible for compliance with debt instruments, and coordinates the activities of the Archdiocesan Savings and Loan.

SECRETARIAT DIRECTORS

The Seven Secretariat Directors form a cabinet overseeing, under the archbishop, the operations of Chancery Services. The Directors coordinate these departments in their divisions through joint planning and sharing of information. They also conduct periodic evaluations to determine if the goals of each department are being met, and help in preparing the budget each year. Department heads report to the Secretariat on a regular basis. The six secretariats are:

1. Secretariat for Administration.
2. Secretariat for Clergy Formation and
   Chaplaincy Services.
3. Secretariat for Communications.
4. Secretariat for Finance.
5. Secretariat for Pastoral & Educational Ministries.
6. Secretariat for Catholic Schools
7. 6. Secretariat for Social Concerns.

ACCOUNTING

The Accounting Department records, reports, analyzes and maintains records and systems to ensure processing and recording of all transactions of the Chancery Office operations of the archdiocese, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and standards. Other responsibilities include budgeting, policy and procedure updates, compliance with government and state tax regulations, cash management, coordination with external auditors, and providing advice to chancery departments, parish schools and missions when called upon. The Accounting Office, under the direction of the Controller, includes:

    Archdiocesan Accounting

    Archdiocesan Accounting records the receipts, pays all the bills, issues invoices and processes the payroll for the Chancery Office operations. The department includes accounts payable, accounts receivable, general accounting and payroll. It records most revenues of the Chancery operations.

    Financial Reporting & Analysis

    Financial Reporting & Analysis coordinates the annual budget process, produces the monthly, quarterly and annual financial data, and coordinates the annual external audit. This department also accounts for fixed asset/ real estate transactions, Archdiocesan Savings and Loan activity and provides reconciliation oversight on the accounting related to DSF, the Capital Campaign and pension plan activity.

    Parish Administrative Service (PAS)

    Parish Administrative Services (PAS) provides training for and maintains the accounting system designated for use by all parishes, schools and certain other archdiocesan entities. PAS is responsible for collecting and reviewing parish and school financial ledgers for accuracy, completeness and compliance with the policies and procedures of the archdiocese. PAS calculates and verifies Cathedraticum, and Building and Gift Taxes/Assessments. Consultation is also provided to the individual parish priests and finance councils.

AGING MINISTRY

The Office of Aging Ministry seeks to affirm our Christian mission to older adults by promoting and supporting senior adult groups in the parishes of the archdiocese. It provides leadership and training resources to assist parishes to develop and maintain effective ministries to and with the aging population. It also sponsors the Archdiocesan Senior Senate and a variety of programs and activities for older adults. This office provides information and referral services for families and older adults with special needs and acts as an advocate in issues affecting the older adults of this Archdiocese.

ARCHIVES DEPARTMENT

The Archdiocesan Archives is the central location for all historical materials relating to the archdiocese. The Archives is responsible for collecting and preserving the materials, as well as making them available for research. It is also in charge of microfilming and is custodian of microfilmed sacramental records. The office is available to consult and formulate policies for the orderly management of all records concerning the archdiocese, the parishes and other archdiocesan entities.

BENEFITS

The Benefits Office is responsible for the development and administration of all Benefit Plans. The Benefits staff handles the Life, Accidental Death and Dismemberment, Optional Life, and Long Term Disability Insurances, and the self-funded Medical and Dental Plan and related Pharmacy and PPO Networks.  Other benefits consist of the Section 125 Plan and Vision Service Plan. Retirement benefits include the Pension Plan and two 403(b) Plans. The Benefits Office staff conducts presentations, designs the benefits website, resolves benefit problems, negotiates with vendors, advises employees on employment/ benefit issues and regulations, premium billings, and assists the Chancery, parishes/schools, adopting employers, and other locations within the archdiocese.

CATHOLIC CEMETERIES

The Catholic Cemeteries Office, in keeping with the prescriptions of Canon Law and the tradition of the Church,
is responsible for developing and maintaining cemeteries to meet the needs of the archdiocesan community. It encourages Catholic families to prepare for and experience death in the context of faith. It encourages use of the archdiocesan cemeteries for burial, for prayer and liturgy, and for catechetical purposes. The Catholic Cemeteries Office also provides services for the indigent at no cost.

CATHOLIC CHAPLAIN CORPS (CCC)

The Catholic Chaplain Corps provides Roman Catholic sacramental and pastoral care to patients, families and staffs of the hospitals and institutions within the Texas Medical Center, Houston and Galveston and other selected hospitals. The Corps is a group of chaplains, priests and religious sisters and lay personnel specially trained as Pastoral Assistants, who seek to bring the healing presence of Christ to those they serve.

CATHOLIC CHARITIES

The task of Catholic Charities is to function as the primary administrative unit of the Catholic social services; to promote, develop, organize and supervise those specific programs of social service and advocacy for which administrative responsibility has been assigned to Catholic Charities by the archbishop to represent the archbishop in relations with those institutions of social service under Catholic auspices for which the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston does not have administrative responsibility; to promote, on the parish and neighborhood level, the development of volunteer social services; to collect, process, analyze and disseminate evaluative and other data in the social development field for use by all sectors of the archdiocese; to help promote and develop an effective program of social advocacy throughout the archdiocese. Their main service areas are Children and Family Services (counseling, foster care, adoption services), Community Outreach (AIDS, frail elderly, residence for women), Parish Relations (parish social ministry) and Immigration and Refugee Services.

COMMUNICATIONS

The Communications Office of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston is responsible for all internal and external publications. In addition, the Director of Communications provides news and information regarding archdiocesan events, programs and services. The office communicates issues relating to the Catholic Church through national, state and local media outlets.

CONSTRUCTION & PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE

The Archdiocesan Construction Office provides construction management and engineering super-vision in all building construction and major remodeling projects for parishes, schools and other institutions of the archdiocese. The archdiocesan construction manager represents the interest of the archdiocese and its components during planning, design and construction to assure quality work and cost effectiveness. He is available to pastors and parish building committees on new construction projects from their first stages; is present at all Archdiocesan Building Committee meetings; supervises architect and/or engineer services and contract performance; certifies payment for architect and contractor invoices and pay requests; and certifies change orders.

The Preventative Maintenance Office’s focus is the encouraging and enabling of preventive maintenance and asset preservation at parishes, schools and archdiocesan related facilities. The Office is available for inspections, recommendations, resource information, cost evaluations, professional/contractor selection, project management and long range planning. It also assists pastors to establish and utilize Building and Grounds Committees.

CONTINUING CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

The Continuing Christian Education Department is part of the archdiocesan curia and is the means by which the archbishop, head of the community and teacher of doctrine, directs and regulates all catechetical activity in the archdiocese (GDC, 222-223). Its responsibilities include the formation of parish directors of religious education and catechists in both Catholic schools and CCE programs; development of catechetical programs, resources and materials, and to assist parishes and schools in catechetical related issues. The office develops special sacramental preparation guidelines and sexuality catechesis guidelines, with the approval of the archbishop, for use in the archdiocese and in parishes. In addition, the office develops sacramental preparation programs for persons with disabilities and assists in training catechists who minister with persons with disabilities.

CORRECTIONAL MINISTRIES

The Correctional Ministries Department coordinates sacramental pastoral care to adult Catholics incarcerated in jails and prisons in the archdiocese. Priests, deacons and lay persons are involved in this ministry of bringing Christ to the imprisoned.

DEAF MINISTRY

The Deaf Ministry Office seeks to serve all of the deaf in the archdiocese through Sunday Mass in American Sign language, CCE classes, adult religious education classes, home and hospital visits, interpreted Mass, Weddings, Funerals, etc., as well as a bimonthly newsletter.

DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

The Development Department coordinates and implements programs that encourage the tenets of stewardship, the giving of time, talent and financial resources called for in the Gospels. Fundraising is an integral role within the archdiocese; it is a means by which our faith community is made aware of and is encouraged to support the vision and mission of the Church and this archdiocese. The Development Department researches, solicits, and coordinates the archbishop’s annual DSF appeal; archdiocesan fundraising efforts; capital campaigns; promotes charitable gift planning; and provides consultation and support for development initiatives for Parishes and Catholic schools. Development Records maintains a database of archdiocesan parishioners and foundations which is used to solicit and record pledges and payments; and maintains the distribution list for the Texas Catholic Herald.

FAMILY LIFE

The Office of Family Life Ministry exists primarily to aid parishes in meeting the family needs of their parishioners. To this end, training and education is provided in the areas of marriage preparation, marriage and family enrichment, natural family planning, parenting education, and ministry to the divorced, separated and widowed, and their children. The office also serves as advocate for a family perspective in all ministries and provides education and leadership training for schools, parish organizations and other groups which seek to improve their understanding of today’s family realities.

HISPANIC MINISTRY

The Office of Hispanic Ministry is a center of communication for Communion in Mission (Pastoral de Conjunto) and collaborative ministry, which observes, listens, discerns and responds, taking actions together with the different archdiocesan offices, parishes and other institutions in the Church and secular community. It will support and encourage vocations to the priesthood and religious life within the Hispanic Catholic community, and seeks to integrate and empower Hispanic lay ministers into leadership positions, based on Christian values and beliefs, to serve the people of God with the perspective of the Second Vatican Council in the Catholic Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.

The Vision of this Office is to be an agent of transformation for Hispanics, promoting their fullest participation in the Church and society.

HUMAN RESOURCES

The Human Resources Director is responsible for Chancery hiring and employment issues, salary administration, performance evaluations, oversees Archdiocesan Policies and Procedures, and is a Human Resources reference source for Parishes and Schools.

INFORMATION SERVICES (IS)

The Information Services (IS) Department directs and coordinates the Chancery area computer network activities by overall management of the network system which includes hardware, software and user education. The office also performs liaison duty in coordinating computer activities between parishes, schools and the Chancery.

INTERNAL AUDITOR

The Internal Audit Department is responsible for the periodic auditing of all archdiocesan-owned entities. The staff assists parishes in the development and functioning of Finance Councils and addresses all tax issues affecting parishes and schools. They are responsible for maintaining the Internal Audit Manual.

JUSTICE AND PEACE/CATHOLIC CAMPAIGN FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

“Action on behalf of justice and participation in the transformation of the world is a constitutive dimension of the preaching of the Gospel.” The Justice and Peace Office takes this essential Christian doctrine into all dimensions of archdiocesan ministry under such structures as the joint Social Concerns Commission with the University of St. Thomas, Campaign for Human Development and Catholic Relief Services. The Justice and Peace Office is also the liaison to the civic and ecumenical communities regarding peace and justice issues.

LEGAL DEPARTMENT

The Legal Department provides legal services and representation to the archbishop, Chancery officials, pastors and school principals. Its licensed attorneys represent and advise the archbishop and other officers in litigation, business transactions and other day to day occurrences throughout the archdiocese. They also manage the activities of law firms retained as special counsel in various matters arising out of Chancery and other operations. Additionally, the department is responsible for the implementation of the Safe Environment Program, a component of the USCCB’s Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.  Finally, it participates broadly in the training and education of Church and school personnel aimed at facilitating their compliance with the law.

MINISTRY TO PRIESTS

The Director of Ministry to Priests is a ministry of service and ongoing availability to meet the spiritual and personal needs of the priests. It consists in being available for sacramental, confession, help in discernment, giving guided or directing retreats and occasionally offering workshops on prayer and spiritual direction. The Director can act as a support person for all the priests and their continuing progress.

MISSION OFFICE

The Mission Office has a two-fold purpose, which is to promote mission awareness among the people of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, and to collect funds for the support of the missions. For this purpose, the office represents two Pontifical Mission Aid Societies at the archdiocesan level, which are the Society for the Propagation of the Faith and Holy Childhood Association. It also represents Catholic Relief Services, which is the international arm of the Catholic Church in the U.S. In addition, the office coordinates the Missionary Cooperative Plan, which enables missionaries from around the world to visit parishes for mission appeals; provides information to lay people, both individuals and groups, interested in short or long-term mission experiences, linking them with existing mission efforts. Lastly, the office seeks to promote the archdiocese’s partnership with Guatemala and the Diocese of Comayagua, Honduras.

PERMANENT DIACONATE MINISTRY

The Office of the Permanent Diaconate is responsible for all aspects associated with the formation of deacon candidates and the on-going formation and coordination of the archdiocese’s permanent diaconate community. The director facilitates the processes involved in the recruitment and selection of candidates, their formation, evaluation, and initial assignment. Through the academic, spiritual and pastoral formation of these men, the Director helps in the holistic development of each candidate within his family and within his community. Additionally the director works with the ordained deacons in coordinating continuing education, retreats, assignments, exchange of information, meetings, support and other activities. The directors work closely with the Diaconate Commission.

PORT CHAPLAINCY

The Apostleship of the Sea, or Port Chaplaincy, is responsible for the sacramental and pastoral care of the Catholic seafarers from around the world who enter the ports in our archdiocese. There are centers in Galveston, Barbour’s Cut and the Port of Houston.

RADIO

The Office of Radio produces and distributes original Catholic programs for local broadcast in English, Spanish and Vietnamese.  These archdiocesan programs communicate messages of hope and share information about the ministries and services in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.  The radio programs presented each week are Gospel-oriented with themes according to the Liturgical Calendar and current world, national and local events.

REAL ESTATE

The Archdiocesan Real Estate Department is responsible for solving or handling problems and issues relating to the owned real estate portfolio of the archdiocese. The Office also provides oversight for the sale or purchase of properties relating to Parishes and Schools. The Office maintains the records and data necessary to keep the archbishop informed on tax questions, demographic information and current of future land needs of the archdiocese.

RECORDS DEPARTMENT

The Records Office is in charge of all current records which include all correspondence files of the archdiocese, bishop, parishes and priests as well as property deeds, tax bills and exemptions, marriage dispensations, baptismal records involving adoptions and certain financial records.

RESOURCE CENTER

The Resource Center consists of a video lending library and a Chancery resource area.

The video lending library is a collection of videos, which are used in religious educational programs throughout the archdiocese. These videos are available to all parishes, schools and organizations in the archdiocese.

The Chancery resource area houses books, periodicals and reference materials to help Chancery personnel in their ministries.

RESPECT LIFE

The Respect Life Office sponsors programs in pastoral care, education and public policy and legislative change to bring about a conversion of heart and mind for a true appreciation for God’s gift of life from conception to natural death. The primary focus of the Office addresses the horror of abortion and provides assistance to unwed women during pregnancy and after the birth of their child.

RISK MANAGEMENT / CLAIMS

The Risk Management Office coordinates the archdiocesan insurance programs as they relate to and/or affect archdiocesan employees (clergy, religious and lay) and the archdiocese’s numerous facilities, locations, services and programs. This office also works with Catholic Mutual Group in responding to claims made against the archdiocese. The office also brings awareness to archdiocesan facilities on risk factors and how to make facilities as safe and secure as possible for staff/parishioners and property.

The Claims Office, directed by the Catholic Mutual representatives in the archdiocese, has two separate but related functions: to do annual safety inspections of all archdiocesan, parish, school and institutional properties, and to handle liability, property damage, workers comp and automobile (for archdiocesan insured vehicles) claims. Located at St. Dominic Center, the Claims Manager is able to give quick and efficient service on property, liability, auto and worker’s compensation claims. With the Director of Risk Management, this department also designs the educational programs necessary to prevent accidents and reduce liability exposure.

RURAL LIFE BUREAU

The purpose of the Rural Life Bureau is to assist in the formulation of programs for pastoral ministry and social service to and with the rural community.

SCHOOL OFFICE

The Archdiocesan Catholic School Office serves the elementary and secondary schools throughout the archdiocese. The primary criterion in the recruiting of principals and teachers is their ability to respect Catholic values and to aid in the Christian formation of students. The School Office publishes a policy manual for administrators and curriculum guidelines for teachers. It assumes responsibility for upgrading school programs in accordance with accreditation standards of the Texas Catholic Conference and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

SEMINARIAN SUPPORT

The Office of Seminarian Support is responsible for insuring the best academic and pastoral formation of each seminarian as well as addressing specific issues of importance for them.

SPECIAL YOUTH SERVICES

The Special Youth Services department promotes and coordinates pastoral outreach to at-risk youth and their families. It also provides pastoral care to youth remanded to juvenile detention centers and placement facilities within the archdiocese.

THE TEXAS CATHOLIC HERALD

The Texas Catholic Herald is the bi-weekly newspaper of the archdiocese carrying news, features and opinions about local, national and world events of interest to 72,000 homes in South Texas. It is also an instrument of the archdiocese for informing and educating its readers in the teachings of the Church.

METROPOLITAN TRIBUNAL

The Archdiocesan Metropolitan Tribunal Office, as defined in canon law, is an extension of the archbishop’s judicial ministry in the archdiocese; and as such, is concerned in a special way with the quest for justice. Grounded upon and obedient to the Magisterial teaching of the Church, the Tribunal serves as a means of delineating responsibilities and protecting rights as they are authentically proclaimed and legitimately codified in Church Law. In addition to studying requests for annulments and Privilege of the Faith cases, the Metropolitan Tribunal offers these other services:

1. Acts as a resource to the archbishop for canonical matters.

2. Serves as a consultative agency for priests, religious, and laity in canonical policy or programs related to marriage.

3. Assists agencies and institutions of the archdiocese with information of policy or programs related to marriage.

4. Serves as a public relations agency and/or a source of information with regard to canonical matters, especially marriage.

5. Serves as First Instance Court of petitions challenging the validity of marriage and judges by trial the rights of physical and juridical persons.

VICAR FOR RELIGIOUS

The Vicar for Religious is the archbishop’s liaison to members of religious orders and congregations; promoting effective communication between him and them. This office also responds to expressed needs of religious, and structures opportunities for spiritual and communal development.

VICTIMS ASSISTANCE COORDINATOR

The Victims Assistance Coordinator receives allegations of sexual misconduct by clergy or Church personnel. The coordinator provides a pastoral outreach to victims during and after
the investigation of allegations and coordinates support services, like counseling.

VOCATIONS

The Archdiocesan Vocations Office is an apostolate offering a range of services that begin with encouragement of the community’s awareness and support of vocations to priesthood and religious life in the church and continues with helping an individual discern the correct nature of his or her call. The Archdiocesan Office of Vocations consists of the Vocation Director and Associate Director. Its ministry is two-fold: to promote a general climate throughout the archdiocese favorable to Church vocations through awareness/education on all levels and to strive to increase the quality and number of archdiocesan priests. The office provides services for men and women interested in the priesthood and religious life through Life Awareness Weekends, Explore, Insight and Support Groups.

WEBSITE

The website of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston is a ministry of evangelization and outreach, utilizing the technology of the internet to facilitate the work of the archdiocese in the ongoing redemptive ministry of Jesus Christ.  The site describes the offices and ministries of the archdiocese and their offerings, in addition to providing information about and locations of our parishes and Catholic schools.

WORSHIP

The Office of Worship seeks to make liturgy the source of spiritual growth and development of the Church in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. A multifaceted ministry, it includes the promotion of divine worship and liturgical music as a vital factor to our prayer in full accord with the directive
of the Church; discovering art and architecture which help create good environments for worship and spirituality; and assistance in preparation of good liturgical celebrations with an eye to fostering faith in all those participating. The Office of Worship provides a resource center for liturgical ministry materials, ministry workshops and consultations.

YOUNG ADULT / CAMPUS MINISTRY

The Office of Young Adult/Campus Ministry provides coordination for the ministry to young adult Catholics in the archdiocese. This office supports parish based young adult ministries and coordinates the campus ministries of the colleges/universities in the archdiocese. Campus ministry provides Roman Catholic sacramental and pastoral care to students and others associated with selected college/university campuses.

YOUTH MINISTRY

The Office of Youth Ministry provides formation for parish youth ministry leadership in accordance with national standards for competency and ethics that are foundational to effective ministry with adolescents. The formation process, rooted in Catholic tradition, focuses on the specialized training of knowledge and skills for meeting the needs of all youth and for recruiting, training, and supervising volunteers.

The Office of Youth Ministry works in collaborative partnerships with archdiocesan, parish, school, and community leaders to promote and foster ministry with adolescents. The Office emphasizes comprehensive youth formation, supporting various models for ministry. Additionally, the department engages the Church to examine its priorities and practices to determine how well young people are integrated into the life, mission, and work of the Catholic community.

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