The Heart of the Home
Justin and Theresa Mason with their children, John, 11; Elizabeth (Elsie), 9; Katherine (Kate), 8; and their dog Teddy, a 3 year old Basenji, on Jan. 20. (NTC/Rodger Mallison)
In describing faith in the family, Pope Leo XIV said it’s “like food at the family table and like the love in our hearts. In this way, families become privileged places in which to encounter Jesus, who loves us and desires our good, always.”
Based in the city of Grapevine and St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Theresa and Justin Mason joyously live an active life of faith side by side with their three children, John, 11; Katherine (Kate), 8; and Elizabeth (Elsie), 9.
BAPTISMAL DATE: A University of Notre Dame graduate, Theresa moved to Grapevine in 2007 and set up her own painting company. One of Theresa’s clients, Justin’s cousin, invited her to attend her daughter’s baptism. Little did Theresa and Justin know, they were being set up to meet for a blind date.
MARRIED: May 5, 2012, at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Grapevine.
GRAPEVINE ROOTS: Theresa grew up in a Catholic family in the Midwest while Justin grew up Baptist in the Grapevine area. When the two began dating, Justin started attending Mass with her, and the year after their marriage, he entered RCIA and became Catholic.
COMMUNITY VALUES: St. Francis has long served as the cornerstone for the Mason family.
“All the kids got baptized there. They all made their first Communion there, and we got married there,” Theresa said.
The Masons are familiar faces at the parish, regularly taking part in its many family-oriented events, be it the upcoming chili cook-off, annual fall festival, or frequent parish picnics.
Their active family life of faith is closely tied to the Grapevine parish, with its catechesis sessions, father‑daughter dances, and the Christmas Eve children’s choir.
“The parish has always been a part of my life, especially growing up Catholic,” Theresa said. “Community and my Catholic faith have always been a part of my life. I grew up doing all the things — altar serving and being a Eucharistic minister. It was always just part of our life.”
TO BE CATHOLIC: “I think my faith is the center of everything,” Theresa said as Justin nodded in agreement. “It’s really important for me and us as parents to raise our children in the faith and to teach them what we know and what we believe.”
A MAN OF CHRIST: Through music and action, Justin is also an active presence at the parish. In addition to performing at parish events with his country band, the former police officer also supported St. Francis’ Guardian ministry in its early stages.
Fifth grader John hopes to serve the parish in much the same way as his parents have. The young lector said that to be a man of Christ — an idea introduced to him during his favorite summer camps — is to “lead others in the right direction and help others when people aren’t sure what to do.”
HALLOWED GROUND: John, Kate, and Elsie shared their excitement about their annual celebration of their baptismal dates. Sometimes her date lands on the Baptism of the Lord, Kate said.
Their excitement for the faith is fueled by the guided prayer, daily readings, trivia, and Wordle-style games on the Hallow app which have really helped their children explore the faith, the Masons shared.
“We’ve kind of grown with it, just trying some different prayers and some of the different things they offer there to incorporate in the family, too,” Theresa added.
This may look like listening to saint stories on long commutes; joining in Lent and Advent challenges; or praying along with the month of the Rosary in October.
GATHER US IN: The family also enjoys celebrating Easter with over 17 cousins as well as gathering with friends from church.
“It truly does take a village,” Theresa said. “Our kids kind of speak the same language, if you will, and I think that makes a big difference.”
AGENTS OF PRAYER: Every morning, Theresa and Justin lead about 40 Magnolia real estate agents “from San Antonio to Argyle” in prayer on Zoom, a practice that began during COVID and stuck around. “It’s just part of who we are.”
It is not uncommon that they pray with clients or coordinate home blessings for homes, said the Masons, who merged their brokerage with Chip and Joanna Gaines’ Magnolia Realty in 2020.
“It’s been a really great blessing to be able to share our faith and to outwardly express our faith in all that we do, whether it is at work or with Grapevine — the city and community there — and of course at church,” Theresa said.
YOUNG WISDOM: After facing a recent change in their schooling plans, the Mason kids took to Adoration and discerned the lessons of faith God had for them.
“Look to Jesus whenever you don’t feel sure about something and always try to trust God’s plan and know that whatever He does is good in some way,” John advised.