HOUSTON — Thousands spent much of Sunday evening coming and going for Christmas Eve mass at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in downtown Houston.
"It’s particularly joyful to see so many gather here," said Father Jeffrey Bame, Rector and Pastor at Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart.
Many parishioners find peace on earth through prayer during the mass services. For some, it was part of tradition, while for others it was a time to heal and reflect.
"A lot of uneasiness all over that I think it's important that we can all come together and pray," said Irma Martinez, while attending mass with her family.
The Christmas Eve masses come at a time when conflict and wars are raging around the world, specifically in the Middle East.
"The world constantly, even as it seems is in a hold of darkness, the gospel of John tells us at Christmas that the darkness does not overcome the light," said Father Bame.
Leaders in Bethlehem in the Israeli-occupied West Bank canceled Christmas celebrations this year in solidarity with the Palestinians as the Israel-Hamas war continues.
"Many people here may see horrifying things on the news, may have lived loss on their own accord in this year," said Father Bame. "Everyone has their own sufferings and their burdens, but we remember that we are united in prayer."
This is why for Father Bame, the peace and love that comes with the Christmas season is needed now more than ever.
"It's a reminder that joy endures even when emotions come and go or happiness or sadness the very things we feel, Christian joy is something that’s called to endure throughout all of that," explained Father Bame.
Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart will host three more masses for the Christmas holiday -- one at midnight and then a Vietnamese Christmas mass at 9 a.m. and an English mass at 11 a.m.