Texas Catholic Voice August 2026
In this issue:
- First TEFA payments given to families
- Four years after Dobbs
- Religious liberty is America’s first freedom, Pope Leo XIV says
- Save the date for Advocacy Day 2027
- And more!
A Message from Jennifer Allmon, Executive Director
August brings a flurry of activity for our schools, parents and students. The excitement of a new year and new beginnings is all around. We welcome back returning families, and in a special way, we extend a heartfelt welcome to our new families, especially those who are attending private school for the first time. We ask God’s blessings on all our Catholic schools, our faculty, staff, students and families. May this be a year of blessing and safety. We also ask God’s blessings on children in public school and those who are homeschooled. May the Lord bless each child in their learning this year. We give thanks for all of the dedicated and talented teachers and staff who make our schools places where children can grow into the people God is calling them to be.
TEFA gives particular attention to students with disabilities and those with low incomes
The first report regarding the Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) provides annual demographic information for participating children. Participation in the TEFA program reflects the Texas Legislature’s intent to prioritize students from low- and middle-income families, with particular attention to students with disabilities.
As of this publication:
- Almost 25% of participating students have a qualifying disability
- 80% of participating students are in a family with a household income below 200% of the federal poverty level (FPL)
Of the approximately 274,000 applications received, more than 248,000 students were determined eligible. The program has made more than 122,000 awards, including 85,344 funded accounts for participating children, and currently has more than 121,000 students on the year one waiting list — the largest school choice waiting list in the country.
The Comptroller is making additional TEFA awards to remaining eligible some eligible TIER 3 families on the waitlist. Parents should check their Odyssey portal for official notification and next steps.
Families not able to apply this year, but interested in applying for the 2027-28 school year, can indicate early interest on this form. This information will be useful as the Texas Legislature contemplates increasing funding for the TEFA program. Families with students currently on the waitlist and those who did not apply this year should complete this form.
Mass for the Care of Creation
The new Mass for the Care of Creation has been approved for use by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops. Parishes are encouraged to celebrate the Mass for the Care of Creation between Sept. 1, when the Catholic Church celebrated the World Day of Prayer for Creation, and Oct. 4, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. For more information visit the Catholic Climate Convenant.
Below is a short highlight video of the first mass for the Care of Creation, celebrated by Pope Leo XIV on July 13 at the Pontifical Parish of Saint Thomas of Villanova in Castel Gandolfo.
Texas bishops address repercussions of actions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents
Several bishops in our conference have addressed the repercussions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) policies and procedures. Amid widespread fear among immigrant families and unprecedented immigration enforcement, the bishops consistently call for renewed discernment and pastoral accompaniment.
The statements include:
Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller, MSpS, issued a pastoral letter, We Will Come to You: United in Solidarity with Our Brothers and Sisters in Migration, on Aug. 3, the 100th anniversary of San Antonio's elevation to a metropolitan archdiocese.
Bishop Daniel E. Flores issued statements on June 29 and July 29 after Sister Leticia Ugboaja, of the Daughters of Mary Mother of Mercy, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement June 28 as she was walking to Our Lady of Sorrows Church in McAllen to attend Sunday Mass.
Responding to several recent immigration enforcement encounters resulting in the loss of life, Bishop Daniel E. Garcia, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Subcommittee for the Promotion of Racial Justice and Reconciliation, and Bishop Brendan J. Cahill, chairman of the Committee on Migration, issued a pastoral reflection July 20.
"Acts that diminish or disregard the dignity of any person or group of people should never be normalized in our society," Bishops Garcia and Cahill wrote. "The dehumanization of immigrants, regardless of their legal status, is one such example of this; the vilification of law enforcement officers is yet another."
U.S. bishops’ initiative to inform communities on the danger of abortion pills Includes prayer, education and advocacy
The U.S Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Pro-Life Activities is inviting Catholics to join a focused effort of prayer and action to stop the spread of abortion pills. The initiative will take place Aug. 18 through Oct. 31, which includes the month-long commemoration of Respect Life Month observed each October by the Catholic Church in the United States.
“Every abortion involves the death of a child and harm to the mother,” said Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, president of the USCCB, and Bishop Daniel E. Thomas, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Pro-Life Activities, in a joint invitation announcing the initiative. “Now with easier access to abortion pills, the abortion rate is tragically climbing, along with increased health risks.”
In addition to invoking the intercession of St. Joseph, Defender of Life (English/en español), participants can learn about the danger of abortion pills which have become accessible through telehealth appointments and at pharmacies, leading to increased risks to women, and the abortion rate tragically climbing. Participants of the initiative are encouraged to share information about the dangers of abortion pills, and sign up to send messages to pharmacies, distributors, and pharmaceutical companies at Respect Life Prayer and Action.
Upcoming executions
- LeJames Norman, Sept. 16, 2026, for the deaths of Celso Lopez, Tiffani Peacock and Samuel Roberts.
- Ramey Ker’sean Olajuwa, Sept. 23, 2026 for the deaths of Celso Lopez, Tiffani Peacock and Samuel Roberts.
- Jamaal Howard, Oct. 7, 2026, for the death of Vickie Swartout.
- John Rubio, Nov. 12, 2026, for the deaths of Julissa Quezada, John Esthefan Rubio and Mary Jane Rubio.
- Reinaldo Dennes, Nov. 19, 2026, for the death of Janos Szucs.
We pray for the victims of violence and their loved ones, for those on death row and for an end to the death penalty.
Pray with Pope Leo
For evangelization in the city
Let us pray that in large cities often marked by anonymity and loneliness we find new ways to proclaim the Gospel, discovering creative paths to build community.