The **Annunciation Catholic Church** in Houston, Texas, is the city's oldest church in continuous use, founded in 1867 by Bishop Claude M. Dubuis shortly after the American Civil War. It holds a foundational place in Houston’s Catholic heritage, having spawned over 50 parishes within the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, marking it as a "mother church" of the region[1]. The church's origins are notable for their resourcefulness: French missionary priest Fr. Joseph Querat raised funds and repurposed bricks from the old Harris County Courthouse to build its foundation, demonstrating early community-driven efforts and resilience[1]. The church was formally established on April 25, 1869, with a solemn procession and the laying of its cornerstone. Fr. Querat, its first pastor, was a canon from Lyons, France, and a missionary dedicated to Texas since 1852, linking the church to a rich tradition of transatlantic Catholic missionary work[1]. Today, the Church of the Annunciation stands not only as a place of worship but as a historically significant institution in Houston’s urban and religious landscape. It exemplifies continuity and growth in the Catholic community over more than 150 years, reflecting both spiritual dedication and community development. Notably, the church's name and mission are tied to the Christian event called the Annunciation—the angel Gabriel’s announcement to the Virgin Mary of Jesus’ forthcoming birth—which is a key theological moment celebrated globally on March 25. This feast day symbolizes the Incarnation and is central to Christian belief, arts, and liturgy[2][3][4]. In the context of business and technology, the church's long-standing presence and adaptive reuse of resources highlight themes of sustainability, community-driven project management, and historical preservation. Its role in spawning numerous parishes also illustrates organizational growth and network expansion within a religious institution, relevant to understanding how legacy organizations evolve and influence broader communities. Thus, An
#self-harm #mental_health #education
A former teacher reveals the self-harm behaviors displayed by the shooter at Annunciation Catholic Church, highlighting the need for mental health resources in education.