UST Faithful Citizenship Dinner Celebrates New Beginnings, Enduring Mission

Nearly 200 community leaders, clergy and friends of the University of St. Thomas gathered on campus for the annual Faithful Citizenship Dinner, hosted by the Donald S. Nesti, CSSp Center for Faith & Culture (NCFC). This year's celebration honored the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston and officially welcomed Archbishop Joe S. Vásquez - a 1980 graduate of UST - back to his alma mater.

With the university's iconic Chapel of St. Basil as the backdrop, the evening served as both a recognition of the Archdiocese's long-standing commitment to Houston and a powerful symbol of new beginnings. Dr. Sinda Vanderpool, UST's newly appointed president, reflected on this moment of renewal:

"As we welcome a new pope, a new archbishop and a new president to UST, we recognize the hand of Providence guiding us into a hopeful future," she said. "There is no better way to celebrate than through the mission of the Center for Faith & Culture, which brings faith and community together in service of the common good."

Founded in 1847, the Archdiocese has been a cornerstone of the region, responding to the needs of the poor, providing education, creating schools and leading disaster relief efforts for generations. Dr. Kevin Stuart, Director of the Nesti Center for Faith & Culture, underscored the significance of honoring the Archdiocese during this season of change.

"At a time when so much is in flux, people search for something solid they can count on," he said. "For well over a century, the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston has been that rock for our community and the whole region. We were so pleased to honor their work and welcome home the new Archbishop."

The evening featured music by the Virtuosi of Houston quartet and a closing performance by the Houston Show Choir. In addition to Archbishop Vásquez, the dinner welcomed an esteemed guest list including NCFC Founder the Rev. Donald Nesti CSSp, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, and community leaders such as Cynthia Colbert, David Harvey, Sherry and Steve Raddack, Monsignor Chester Borski, Connie Little & Lowell Davis, Dr. Patrick Leung and Dr. Monit Cheung and Karen & Peter Remington.

The Nesti Center for Faith & Culture, one of UST's Centers of Excellence, continues its mission of forming faithful citizens through its flagship Master's in Faith & Culture, a first-of-its-kind Master's in Catholic Women's & Gender Studies, a research project on religion in American life, as well as lectures, symposia and international study opportunities.

The Faithful Citizenship Dinner was not only a recognition of the Archdiocese's enduring mission but also a joyful acknowledgment of the bright future ahead for the Church and the University of St. Thomas.