Texas Catholic Voice

While it is only the third week of Advent, this is our last TCV for the year. I pray that this Advent and upcoming Christmas season will provide you with time for family and reflection on the coming of our Lord.

Last week Bishop Vasquez, Father James Misko, and I attended a listening session with Texas First Lady Cecilia Abbott and faith leaders from across the state to discuss strategies to end child exploitation and sex trafficking in Texas. The listening session coincided with the launch of the Governor's Response Against Child Exploitation (GRACE) Initiative, a collaborative effort between the Office of the Governor and the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) to empower and mobilize communities of faith in the fight against child sex trafficking. Videos and resources can be found on the governor's website. The reality that vulnerable children are targeted and exploited by sex traffickers is sobering and the Gospel compels us to act. Inspired by the leaders involved in the GRACE initiative, we are encouraging support of a social media campaign entitled #CanYouSeeMe, especially during the weekend of January 11-12. That weekend we encourage parishes to add a petition during the prayers of the faithful and help increase awareness of this modern form of slavery by using the social media tools found here.