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Welcome to The New Messenger, your weekly archdiocesan newsletter featuring messages from Archbishop Gustavo, news briefs, event previews, and updated information. The Archdiocese of San Antonio's weekly newsletter is published every Friday morning.

Photo Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Leo XIV recently called for the immediate release of hostages taken in a deadly massacre in Haiti, appealed to authorities to protect the population from violence and prayed for victims of severe flooding in Nepal and Tibet.

At the foundation of the pastoral letter stands a truth as old as creation: every human being is made in the image of God (Gn 1:27). Archbishop Gustavo writes, “A person’s dignity does not hinge on a passport, a visa, or a work permit.” That dignity is a gift no state can grant, and none can take away, and it is the measure by which every law, policy, and heart must be judged. This week, explore what the Church teaches about migration in Part II of We Will Come to You: United in Solidarity with Our Brothers and Sisters in Migration, and ask the Holy Spirit to help you see every neighbor as God sees them.

Our public life has grown loud, and many good people have quietly stepped back from it. The bishops name that temptation and gently refuse it: “this is not a time for retreat or discouragement; rather, it is a time for renewed engagement.” This coming Wednesday evening, September 9, take 90 minutes to be formed rather than persuaded. Aaron Castillo will guide us through Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship with the patience of a teacher and the heart of a parishioner. The session is free, online, and open to everyone. The Spanish session follows on Tuesday, September 22. Whichever evening you choose, you are welcome.

This coming Thursday evening, families across the archdiocese will carry a flower forward for someone they have not stopped loving. The Remembrance Mass for Those Who Have Died by Suicide takes place at St. Matthew Church (directions), with Archbishop Gustavo as celebrant and homilist. No RSVP is needed, and flowers will be provided.

Preaching at this Mass last year, Archbishop Gustavo said, “We are much safer in God's hands than when we try to stand alone.” That is the whole invitation: not to stand alone with this. If someone you know has been grieving quietly, consider sharing this invitation with them.

The next quarterly gathering of the Young Adult Ministry will happen in the heart of the archdiocese at San Fernando Cathedral (directions) for Adoration, praise & worship, reconciliation, and a light dinner. All young adults (ages 18 to 39) are welcome.

Ministry formation leaders and all interested are invited to join the Office of Evangelization and Formation of Missionary Discipleship for our monthly one-hour Zoom session. In October, Steffani Aquila, author of Festive Faith, will explore how leaders can use the Liturgical Year as a guide to help the faith community grow closer to Christ through parish engagement. She will share practical ways the parish can support their communities to live out the upcoming Advent season. This session aims to inspire leaders to create opportunities for encounter, strengthen parish engagement and foster a culture of lifelong missionary discipleship.

St. Paul once thanked a young community for “your work of faith and labor of love and endurance in hope of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 1:3). He could have been describing a hospital floor at three in the morning. Faith, love, and hope are not abstractions in healthcare. They are exercised throughout every work shift. The Archdiocese of San Antonio invites every physician, nurse, chaplain, therapist, caregiver, and volunteer who carries the Eucharist to the sick to gather for the annual Healthcare Professionals Mass at St. Luke Church (directions). Auxiliary Bishop Gary Janak will celebrate and offer a special blessing for all who serve the sick. You spend your days tending to others. Come and be tended to. Let us know you are coming by submitting an RSVP.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that “the Church is the People that God gathers in the whole world,” which “exists in local communities and is made real as a liturgical, above all a Eucharistic, assembly” (CCC 752). When the archdiocese named the annual event where the faithful gather to celebrate our unity, the word “assembly” was chosen intentionally. This year, as thousands of us gather at one altar at Nelson W. Wolff Stadium (directions), we will not be spectators at an event called “Assembly.” We will be the Assembly, the Church, the People of God visibly gathered as one Eucharistic family, from every parish, school, and ministry across 19 counties.

Photo: Veronica Markland for Today's Catholic Newspaper

Faith, generosity and service were at the heart of Stewardship Day in the archdiocese, held August 22 at The Whitley Theological Center on the campus of Oblate School of Theology. The annual gathering brought together Catholics from across the archdiocese to reflect on the importance of using time, talent and resources to serve God and one another. “SA News” was there to hear from several of the speakers and learn more about what it means to live out a spirit of stewardship in the Catholic faith.

Photo: Veronica Markland for Today's Catholic Newspaper

The Assumption Seminary community gathered for Mass with Archbishop Gustavo and Auxiliary Bishop Gary Janak, seminary rector, followed by the dedication and blessing of the new St. Teresa of Calcutta Multi-Purpose Sports Court on campus August 28. The facility was made possible due to a generous gift from the Doug and Angela Heimer family, creating a space for fraternity, fellowship, and community for men studying for the priesthood.

When you buy the commemorative book Treasures of the Archdiocesan of San Antonio you will also receive the Today's Catholic 150th anniversary magazine as an added bonus.

Don't let this opportunity slip away. Purchase your book now and take home or pass along a piece of history!

• Published by Editions du Signe | ISBN: 978-2-7468-4515-2
• 9.65” x 11.81”
• Soft cover – glossy paper – 440 pages
• Full color throughout

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