Sts. Anne and Joachim

This past Sunday the Church honored the grandparents of Jesus. We know almost nothing about Anne and Joachim from Scripture — their names come to us through tradition — and yet the faith of the entire world passed through their home. They raised Mary. They formed the woman who would form the Son of God. Every grandmother who teaches a child to pray, every grandfather who tells the old stories one more time, every older generation that refuses to let the faith die quietly — they are doing the work of Anne and Joachim. If your children have grandparents who pray for them, who show up, who pass along what matters, give thanks for them this week. And if your children's grandparents are far away or gone, know that Anne and Joachim are praying for your family too. The communion of saints is the longest family tree there is.

"Even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you." — Isaiah 46:4

2026–2027 Enrichment Programs — Build Your Year

Registration is open and space is limited. See everything on the enrichments page, then log in to register.

Special Lecture: Daniel Knaggs of Cor Mundi @ UST — Friday, August 21, 3:00–4:30 p.m. Sacred music and the creative life. Registration includes a discount to the Cor Mundi Sacred Music Concert on August 30.

High School Essay Workshop with CLA @ UST — A two-part workshop for college application and scholarship essays with peer review and professional guidance from Catholic Literary Arts. Part 1: August 28. Part 2: October 30. Members save.

Teen Lectures & CLA Workshops @ UST — First Fridays, 3:00–4:30 p.m. Guest scholars and artists in theology, literature, music, and science for teens. This year we're also launching a Middle School Poetry Workshop with Catholic Literary Arts (September through December, same time slot).

Science Labs @ HMNS — Monthly, September through May. Second Thursdays or Fridays, K–12 by age group. $150/student for the full year.

Art Gallery @ MFAH — Quarterly docent-led excursions, each built around a theme and featured artist. October, December, February, May.

Nature Rambles @ Houston Arboretum — Docent-led seasonal hikes with grade-level groups and Ecologist School badges. 

Plus one-time excursions throughout the year: Pleasure Pier in September, The Sound of Music at the Hobby Center, an HMNS Dissection Lab, Dewberry Farm at Christmas, and more.

See the full lineup. Members: log in to register. Not yet a member? Join CHECH.

Collect and Connect

Upcoming in Houston

Spiderman Web-Slinging Party — Children's Museum Houston | Saturday, August 1 | Web-sling showdown, storytime, art workshop, meet and greet, face painting, and web-building maker challenge | Included with museum admission

Kids Night: The Tempest — Houston Shakespeare Festival at Miller Outdoor Theatre | Saturday, August 1 | 7:15 p.m. | Scenery craft inspired by Prospera's island before the show, plus Bard Talk | Free 

Homeschool Essentials: Prudence — Scholé Sisters | Online retreat for homeschool moms | Learn how to think, choose, and act with prudence in your homeschool | Early bird pricing through August 7

CLT3-8 Quality Assurance Testing — Free Assessment + $20 Gift Card | Help shape the new CLT3-8 by completing a test during August 6–14 | Receive a $20 gift card per child and a free CLT3-8 assessment in Spring 2027 | Limited spots, registration closes August 13

Catholic Printable Club Sticker Sale | 40% off all stickers with code STICKER40 | Saint stickers, liturgical year stickers, and more | Stock up before the school year starts | A CHECH partner

The Arch & Altar — Live Online Catholic Courses for High School | Fall classes begin August 24 | Catholic Social Principles, Liturgy: The Mass, and Art History I | Live Socratic format, recorded sessions, downloadable notes, graded exams | Transcript-ready credits | No textbooks required