Tran Van Thu Monastery opens

photos © Mark M. Hancock for The Texas Catholic

Abbot Philip Lawrence of the Christ In The Desert Benedictine Abbey in Albuquerque, N.M. (left) selects readings with Tran Van Thu (right) before the inaugural ceremony of the Benedictine Monastery of Thien Tam in Karens, Texas on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009.


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Celebrants gather in a large tent at the end of a country road before the inaugural ceremony of the Benedictine Monastery of Thien Tam in Karens, Texas.

Named in this slideshow are (in order of appearance): &nbsp Tony Nguyen, Tran Chieu, Abbot Philip Lawrence, Tran Van Thu, Bishop Kevin J. Farrell, Abbot Anselm Atkinson, Hoang Ngoc Quy, Matthew Tran and P. Valentin Tenos Bortrina.

Hungarian Mass

photos © Mark M. Hancock for The Texas Catholic

Fr. Jullius Leloczky celebrates a Hungarian mass at Our Lady of Dallas Cistercian Abbey in Irving on Sunday, June 28, 2009. The Hungarian-language mass is held on the last Sunday of each month.

Also named in this slideshow are: Fr. Matthew Kovacs and Gabor Kovats.

Portuguese Mass

photos © Mark M. Hancock for The Texas Catholic

Fr. Clair Antonio Orso celebrates a Portuguese mass at St. Luke's Catholic Church in Irving on Saturday, June 21, 2009. Fr. Orso is originally from Brasil. The mass is held weekly.

Also named in this slideshow are: Luis Furtado, Renato Pazzini and Neuza Pazzini.

Sacred Heart's 10th Anniversary

photos © Mark M. Hancock for The Texas Catholic

Bishop Kevin J. Farrell celebrates with parishioners during the 10th anniversary mass at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ Catholic Church in Carrollton on Saturday, June 20, 2009. The primarily Vietnamese church celebrated with a reception afterward.

Also in this slideshow are: Fr. Joseph Son Van Nguyen, Fr. Dominic Nguyen, Sr. Jacinta Tran, Sr. Leslie Dao, Win Nguyen, Tam Nguyen, Poline Dang, Canh Nguyen, Madalena Nguyen, Catherine Nguyen.

Fr. Anyama's first mass

photos © Mark M. Hancock for The Texas Catholic

Guests attend The First Mass of Thanksgiving of Rev. Fr. Vincent Chinaka Anyama at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Richardson on Sunday, June 14, 2009. Fr. Vincent was ordained to the priesthood on Saturday, June 13, 2009. He plans to travel to Nigeria before before beginning his assignment in Frisco at St. Francis of Assisi.

Please read, "Vincent Anyama ordained to priesthood; assigned to St. Francis of Assisi in Frisco" by Cathy Harasta / The Texas Catholic

Also in this slideshow are: Bishop Daniel Flores of the Detroit Archdiocese, The Nigerian Choir, Knights of Columbus and Mary Anyama.

Fr. Vincent Anyama's ordination

photos © Mark M. Hancock for The Texas Catholic

Fr. Vincent Anyama participates in the Rite of Ordination To The Priesthood ceremony at the Cathedral Shrine of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Guadalupe in Dallas on Saturday, June 13, 2009. He celebrated his first mass as a priest the next day.

Please read, "Vincent Anyama ordained to priesthood; assigned to St. Francis of Assisi in Frisco" by Cathy Harasta / The Texas Catholic

Also named in this slideshow are: Bishop Kevin J. Farrell of the Dallas Diocese, Bishop Daniel Flores of the Detroit Archdiocese, Fr. T. Michael Dugan, Mary Anyama, Magnus Anyama, Marco Rangel, John Szatkowski, Sr. Joanna Okereke, Fr. Ferdinand Madu and Fr. Rudolfo Garcia.

Guadalupe pilgrimage inspires faithful

photos © Mark M. Hancock for The Texas Catholic

Alfonso Bustamante of Santa Clara Catholic Church in Dallas blows a conch shell at the beginning of a pilgrimage from Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish to San Juan Diego Parish in Dallas on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008.


Leslie Cruz (left) dances with other members from the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Denton before the pilgrimage. The 15th annual pilgrimage was coordinated by Pastoral Juvenil Hispana for Hispanic and Latin-American immigrants.


Luis Jimenez of Saint Ann Catholic Church in Coppell prays the rosary during a pilgrimage from Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish to San Juan Diego Parish.



Member of Santa Clara Catholic Church in Dallas participate in the Marian Pilgrimage in Dallas. The dancing troupes are known as Matachines.


Celebrants wear ornate, hand-made costumes during the pilgrimage. The pilgrimage is in honor of the Virgin of Guadalupe, the patron saint of the Americas.


Celebrants walk past the Love Field airport during the pilgrimage in Dallas. About 1,000 faithful participated in the pilgrimage.


Teresa Jordan (right) and Robert Duron (left) of Our Lady of the Pilar Catholic Church participate during the pilgrimage. Four trucks were decorated to represent the different times the Virgin Mary appeared to St. Juan Diego.


Osito Del Valle (right) of the Indio Apache Tribu (Nativos de San Miguel) drums during a pilgrimage from Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish to San Juan Diego Parish in Dallas.



Celebrants pass Crown Hill Memorial Park on Webb Chapel Road during the pilgrimage in Dallas.


Celebrants costumes match the turning leaves as they pass Crown Hill Memorial Park during the annual pilgrimage.


Yvonne Martinez (center) of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church rests momentarily during the eight-mile-long pilgrimage from Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish to San Juan Diego Parish.


Celebrants dance on Monroe Drive in Dallas as they near the end of the pilgrimage.


Alejandro Sanchez, 13, of Dallas carries a statue of Juan Diego during the pilgrimage.


Deacon Abel Cortes (left) and Father Alberto Frausto (right) await the arrival of pilgrims near San Juan Diego Parish in Dallas.


Vicky Cueto sings during an outdoor mass at San Juan Diego Parish.



Monsignor John F. Meyers looks up after kissing the alter during an outdoor mass at San Juan Diego Parish in Dallas.


Father Alberto Frausto speaks to celebrants during an outdoor mass at San Juan Diego Parish in Dallas.


Father Alberto Frausto prepares for communion during an outdoor mass at San Juan Diego Parish in Dallas.


Celebrants pray during an outdoor mass at San Juan Diego Parish in Dallas.

In 1531, many native Mexicans were persecuted during the Spanish conquest.

On Dec. 12, 1531, an Aztec peasant was walking near present-day Mexico City. A brightly-clothed woman appeared and spoke to Juan Diego in his language. She said she was the Virgin Mary and wanted a church built on the site. Juan Diego took this information to the Spanish bishop.

The bishop demanded proof. She appeared again. Although it was winter, Spanish roses appeared for Juan Diego. She instructed him to collect roses in his cloak as proof.

When Diego went to the bishop, he opened his cloak and the roses fell to the ground to reveal an icon of the Virgin Mary on his apron (Tilma).

The church was built by 1536, and Catholic conversion took hold across Mexico.

Today, about 20 million people visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City each year to see the original miraculous apron. It hangs on display behind bullet-proof glass.

Please read, "Young Hispanics gather to strengthen Catholic identity" by María del Carmen Uceda and Jesús Gras for Texas Catholic.

Please read more about the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Bolivian holistic practitioner

© Mark M. Hancock and Al Dia

Ana Rosa Vasquez, N.D. Bioenergetica, poses for a portrait at Famisalud Natural in Farmers Branch on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008. The Bolivian immigrant studied family psychology and encourages a holistic approach to women's health and self esteem.

Purple Mass honors Peruvian faith

photos © Mark M. Hancock and Al Dia

Peruvian Francisco Escobedo prepares for his role in the annual El Senor De Los Milagros mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe Sanctuary in Dallas on Sunday, Oct. 19, 2008. The event brings together many Catholic Peruvians in the area.


Zarela Hamill, Peruvian and event founder, prepares flowers in an alter before the annual Peruvian community's El Senor De Los Milagros mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe Sanctuary. Hamill founded the event in 1992.


An alter leads the processional during the annual Peruvian community's El Senor De Los Milagros mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe Sanctuary.


Bearers carry an alter into the cathedral during the annual Peruvian community's El Senor De Los Milagros mass in Dallas.


Father Ciro Quispe gives a sermon during the annual Peruvian community's El Senor De Los Milagros mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe Sanctuary in Dallas.

"Peruanos celebran devoción religiosa" (translated) by Patricia Estrada.

Festival Sabor A Mexico

photos © Mark M. Hancock and Al Dia

Organizing committee member Claudia Torrescano (left) prepares tables before the Festival Sabor A Mexico at the Latino Cultural Center in Dallas on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2008.




(Above) The group Pindekuecha of Michocan, Mexico performs during the Festival Sabor A Mexico.

(Right) Helia Tovar Olvera with Centro Artesanal Mexicano sells alter items at the Latino Cultural Center.





(Above) Lilia Cortes Farfan of Michocan, Mexico rolls a poster at a heritage table at the Latino Cultural Center.

(Left) Juan Zacarias with the group Pindekuecha (left) talks with William Sandoval of Dallas (right) during the Festival Sabor A Mexico.





(Above) Jaime Heredia (top) with Son De Mexico talks with band mate Marcos Heredia, Jr. (bottom) at the Latino Cultural Center.

(Right) Cesar Hernandez of Irving eats lunch with others during the Festival Sabor A Mexico at the Latino Cultural Center in Dallas.



Please read, "Le dan sabor a México a festival del CCL en Dallas" (translated) by Patricia Estrada.

Legal resident citizenship workshop

photos © Mark M. Hancock and Al Dia

Legal residents begin paperwork during a citizenship workshop at the Northside Community Center in Fort Worth on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2008.


Angel Hernandez of Haltom City (left) signs in at Laticia Lopez Morales' station during a citizenship workshop.


Legal residents work with volunteers during a citizenship workshop at the Northside Community Center.


Legal residents work with volunteers during a citizenship workshop. Guests attended classes and got personal assistance to complete applications and help them prepare for naturalization.


Juanita (left to right) and Urbano Rodriguez of Fort Worth answer questions during a citizenship workshop.


Douglas Inteviano, executive director of Proyecto Inmigrante, (left) and volunteer Erika Martinez (right) work with legal residents during a citizenship workshop.


Volunteer Adriana Cadena (left) works with Guadalupe Flores of Dallas (right) during a citizenship workshop.


Raul Jarillo (left) helps Leonardo Torres (of Fort Worth with a computer program during a citizenship workshop at the Northside Community Center.


David Cecenas of Fort Worth (left) completes the process with immigration attorney Alice Margaret Gruber (right) during a citizenship workshop at the Northside Community Center.


Maria Herrera, co-founder of Casa de Imigrante, (left to right) brings coffee to volunteers Francisca Dominguez and Alberto Juarez during a citizenship workshop at the Northside Community Center in Fort Worth. Guests attended classes and got personal assistance to complete applications and help them prepare for naturalization.

Please read, "Asisten con proceso de solicitud de ciudadanía" by Thalia I. Longoria
(translated)

Proudly American

photos © Mark M. Hancock / DFWmark.com

A legal immigrant holds a U.S. flag as she becomes an American citizen at the Department of Homeland Security in Dallas on Friday, July 18, 2008.


Fayrouz Hancock becomes an American citizen at the Department of Homeland Security in Dallas on Friday, July 18, 2008.



Legal immigrants take the Oath of Allegiance to become American citizen at the Department of Homeland Security.


Fayrouz Hancock takes the Oath of Allegiance. Fayrouz was previously a citizen of Iraq and Australia.




For the record, ICE allows family members to photograph the Oath and make photos next to the cardboard cutout. They pull black curtains over everything else during the ceremony. I've shot other citizenship ceremonies, but those were always in public venues.


As y'all can tell, Fayrouz and I had a good day. It's unfortunate we don't see more images of this important moment in many Americans' lives. This is the point where the "pursuit of happiness" begins.

After seven long years of struggles and setbacks, Fay is now a U.S. citizen with all the rights and responsibilities afforded to such.

After we moved back to Dallas, the government finally decided she was a good girl long enough and granted her a citizenship interview. She's studied the citizenship manual since we lived in Beaumont and knows more information about the United States than many native-born folks know (name the specific Constitutional Amendments - by number - that address voting rights).

We honestly expected today's appointment to lead to another appointment, etc. But they surprised us and asked if she wanted to take the Oath of Allegiance today. Four hours later, she became a part of the fabric of America.

Because of my family history and service to the nation, I take citizenship very seriously. I have internalized it. I am a Patriot.

It's strange, but I can't sing the words to the "Star Spangled Banner" because my voice will crack. I can't listen to "God Bless The U.S.A." by Lee Greenwood without my eyes filling with tears.

They played Greenwood's song during today's ceremony. Both Fay and I were fighting a losing battle with big tears.

Welcome home Fayrouz. I couldn't be more proud of you.

Enough for now,

Port Arthur drive-by neighborhood

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Port Arthur homeowner Julius Mathias talks about the east Port Arthur neighborhood, which has suffered an increase in drive-by shootings, in Port Arthur on Thursday, March 27, 2008.


Graffitti remains on a new fence at Julius Mathias' property in east Port Arthur.


Port Arthur homeowner Julius Mathias talks about the east Port Arthur neighborhood, which has suffered an increase in drive-by shootings, in Port Arthur. Mathias, a retiree originally from Trinidad, is considering selling the home and returning to the Caribbean island.

Please read, "Drive-by shootings rattle Port Arthur residents" by Fred Davis.

Images are part of the Faces of Immigration series.