Texas Catholic Voice January 2026
In this issue of the Texas Catholic Voice:
- Martin Luther King Jr remembrance: racial justice and reconciliation
- Texas Catholic Pro-Life Day: Rally for Life, diaper drive
- Texas Education Freedom Account applications open Feb. 4!
- And more!
A Message from Jennifer Allmon, Executive Director
Happy New Year! January provides the opportunity for Catholics to support human dignity in two important ways; Recognizing the dignity of every race and people in remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr in the fight against racism, as well as recognizing the dignity of mothers and their unborn child in the fight against abortion.
The USCCB’s establishment of a permanent Subcommittee for the Promotion of Racial Justice and Reconciliation renews the need to consider that "racism still profoundly affects our culture, and it has no place in the Christian heart. This evil causes great harm to its victims, and it corrupts the souls of those who harbor racist or prejudicial thoughts," as the bishops stated in their pastoral letter against racism, “Open Wide our Hearts, the Enduring Call to Love.”
Just a few days after MLK Day, on Jan. 22, we remember the anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision in Roe v Wade to legalize abortion across all 50 states. Of course, in June 2022, the Court reversed that decision in Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health Organization, where the legality of abortion was returned to the states. In Texas, thanks be to God, we have considerable legislative protections for the unborn, but we must remain vigilant to keep these protections and further the culture of life.
Catholics in our country observe Jan. 22 is a particular day of prayer for the full restoration of the legal guarantee of the right to life and a day of penance for violations to the dignity of the human person committed through acts of abortion.
Join thousands of Catholics for life
Join thousands of Catholics nationwide in the annual Respect Life novena 9 Days for Life from Friday, Jan. 16 – Saturday, Jan. 24. Get daily intentions, brief reflections, and more by signing up at 9daysforlife.com!
Last TEFA forum for school leaders
TCCB and TPSA will host our last Final Rules Forums on Jan. 15 at St. Louis Catholic School in Austin, from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., to discuss the clarifications provided in the final rules for the Texas Education Freedom Accounts program, the school application process and the parent application process which opens on Feb. 4.
School leaders, please register to Office@TexasPrivateSchools.org. Participation is limited to two people from each school.
TEFA family applications open Feb. 4!
Families can apply to receive a Texas Education Freedom Account from Feb. 4 to March 17, 2026. Families will be notified about awards the week of April 6. The amount of the award for a child in a private school (without increased funding due to a disability) is $10,474.
Please review the checklist for parents before beginning an application. If parents have all information on hand, the application can be completed in less than 15 minutes.
Approximately 1,000 schools have registered with the program. All schools accredited and recognized by the Texas Private School Accreditation Commission (TEPSAC) or an accreditor recognized by the Texas Education Agency; have been a proven operator that has successfully run a campus for at least two years; and administer a nationally norm-referenced assessment will be able to participate in the program, including all Catholic schools in Texas.
The Texas Education Freedom Accounts provide priority access to funds for children with special needs. To qualify for these funds, a child must receive an evaluation and an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) before the application deadline for the Texas EFA (March 17). State law mandates that a public school district provide an IEP for any student seeking funding through the Texas Education Freedom Account AND the school district should finish the IEP in time for the student to apply for Texas EFA funds (Education Code Sec. 29.3615). See our website for more information on the IEP application process.
For general TEFA updates, visit https://txcatholic.org/efa/.
Upcoming executions
- Charles Thompson, Jan. 28, 2026
- Cedric Ricks, March 11, 2026
- James Broadnax, April 30, 2026
- Edward Busby, May 14, 2026
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 prayer with the Word of God
Let us pray that praying with the Word of God be nourishment for our lives and a source of hope in our communities, helping us to build a more fraternal and missionary Church.