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.

Gregory of Nyssa was born into a deeply religious family. His mother, Emmelia, was the daughter of a martyr, and two of his brothers, Basil of Cæsarea and Peter of Sebaste, became bishops like himself. His eldest sister, Macrina, became a model of piety and is also honored as a Saint. It would seem that the young Gregory married at some point: there exists a letter addressed to him by Gregory of Nazianzus condoling him on the loss of a woman named Theosebeia, who must have been his wife and is venerated as a Saint in the Orthodox faith.

Photo: Antoine Mekary | ALETEIA

"May we learn to care for every child born of a woman, above all by protecting, like Mary, the precious gift of life: life in the womb, the lives of children, the lives of the suffering, the poor, the elderly, the lonely and the dying," he said in his homily during Mass in St. Peter's Basilica Jan. 1.

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The Archdiocese of San Antonio’s joy to celebrate the Jubilee Year 2025 stems from the profound spiritual, communal, and evangelizing opportunities it presents. This Jubilee is seen as a chance to renew faith, foster unity, promote mercy, and participate in a global celebration that connects the local Church with the broader Catholic community worldwide.

Like many other dioceses around the world, we are enthusiastic about celebrating the Jubilee Year 2025, as proclaimed by Pope Francis, for several important reasons:

• Spiritual Renewal and Reinvigoration: Deepening faith with an emphasis on mercy and reconciliation
• Encouraging Pilgrimage and Unity: Traveling to pilgrimage sites near or far in unison with the global tradition
• Celebrating the Universal Church: Reflecting on the universality of the Catholic Church and our shared history
• Evangelization and Outreach: Reaching to those who have left the Church or who may be marginalized
• Local Cultural and Religious Significance: Embracing our rich history and cultural heritage to engage Catholics and the broader community meaningfully

Join Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller, MSpS, for a Mass in celebration of solidarity, dignity, and the Church’s call to embody Christ’s love by welcoming, protecting promoting, integrating all as one family in faith at St. Helena Catholic Church (directions) this Sunday, January 12 at noon. All are invited to participate.

St. Helena Catholic Church is one of the 23 designated pilgrimage sites in the archdiocese, to which the faithful are invited to visit between now and January 6, 2026.

To see a list of all archdiocesan Jubilee activities, visit the website.

Join Catholics across the nation in praying the 9 Days for Life Novena for the legal protection of the unborn. This annual novena starts on January 16 and ends on January 24. Visit 9daysforlife.com to join this novena and sign up for daily reminders to guide your prayer.

To pray the novena with local leaders in the archdiocese, follow Today's Catholic on Facebook or bookmark this page.

All leaders, ministers, and clergy are invited to attend this free Mental Health First Aid certification course at the Mexican American Catholic College (MACC), offered in Spanish by Father Richard Samour. Participation in this course will help you become equipped with foundational information, skills, and resources to be ready to walk with and assist those in need. Email Fr. Richard to enroll. Space is limited.

Para inscribirse al curso de salud mental de primeros auxilios, envíe un correo electrónico al P. Richard. Este curso es gratuito. Para mayor información, llama al 210-342-5271. Debes enviar un correo al Padre Richard, el te creará una cuenta de la cual te registras para poder participar en el curso de salud mental. Luego hay un cuestionario que debes responder antes del dia 9 de enero. Temas como la ansiedad, el suicidio, la depression son tratados. No tardes en registrate.

Participate in MLK's beloved community and join us for an inspiring interfaith service with dancing, singing and prayers from representatives of many different faith groups. Rev. Beth Knowlton, rector at St. Mark's Episcopal Church (directions), will welcome attendees, Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller, MSpS will offer the invocation, and the dynamic Dr. Melva K. Wallace, president and CEO of Huston-Tillotson University in Austin, will be the feature speaker.  

This season give the remarkable Gift of Pilgrimage to yourself or a loved one! Embark on a transformative journey along the El Camino de San Antonio Missions trail, where spirituality and history intertwine. Experience the wonder of walking in the footsteps of countless pilgrims exploring the sacred grounds of San Antonio's historic missions. Instantly download and print a pilgrimage voucher, redeemable at the Padre Margil Pilgrimage Center (directions) for a Pilgrim Passport and special pilgrimage token. It's the perfect last-minute gift that guarantees an unforgettable and meaningful experience for your loved ones.

All are invited to the Archdiocese of San Antonio’s Mass and Holy Hour for Life at Prince of Peace Church (directions). We gather to pray for continued legal protection of the unborn, for care for expectant mothers and families in need, and for our community to recognize the most vulnerable among us. Mass begins at 6:30 p.m. and will be followed by a Holy Hour for Life. Contact Lauren Stadelman, director of Human Dignity and Pastoral Care, at lauren.stadelman@archsa.org or (210) 734-1632 for more information about Respect Life Ministry in the archdiocese.

This Young Adult Series, “Who We Are: The Relationships that Make Us” is hosted by the Archdiocese of San Antonio and the McGrath Institute from the University of Notre Dame and will take place at Lourdes Grotto at the Oblate School of Theology (directions). Registration is free and is required. Dinner will be provided. This is part 3 of 4 in the series and will be focused on our relationship with others.

Beyond Cana Marriage Enrichment | January 25

Join us for a special brunch with other married couples at St. Francis of Assisi to experience a little enrichment in your marriage with keynote speaker Dana Nygaard, author of the book 365 Dates to Renew your Christian Marriage – Catholic Edition.

Join us at El Camino de San Antonio Missions (directions) for Pathway to Grace, a prayer service with the Capuchin Franciscans in San Antonio. The program will begin with a presentation about the pilgrim year of hope, followed by a procession through the Holy Doors at Mission Concepción (an official pilgrimage site) where Mass, reconciliation, and Eucharistic Adoration will be available. A reception will follow at the Pilgrimage Center. The requirements for a Jubilee Year plenary indulgence can be met at the event. No RSVP is needed. Contact Binisa Zentella at (210) 355-1884 for any questions.

This year’s Study Week theme is inspired by Gaudium et Spes, the Second Vatican Council’s “Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World,” which was promulgated 60 years ago. In it, the Church is called to have reverence for every person without exception and to see every neighbor as another self (GS 27). Each keynote and workshop presentation looks to explore how these urgent principles of the Council 60 years ago are incorporated today in the way we celebrate liturgy, catechize the faithful, initiate Christians, build and adorn our worship spaces, and serve the People of God. Early-bird pricing ends January 15. 

Catholic Men's Conference | February 22

Photo: Provided

Xavier Ramirez of “SA News” recently spoke with Licensed Professional Counselor Dana Nygaard about the upcoming Beyond Cana Marriage Enrichment event which will take place on Saturday, Jan. 25, at St. Francis of Assisi Church. Nygaard is author of the book 365 Dates to Renew your Christian Marriage – Catholic Edition.

Photo: Veronica Markland | Today's Catholic Newspaper

A Jubilee Mass for consolation for the poor, sick, incarcerated, and elderly was held at St. Lawrence Church on January 5 with Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller, MSpS, presiding at the liturgy.

Come to the quiet in the peaceful surroundings at St. Peter Upon the Water: A Center for Spiritual Direction and Formation. For those wanted to listen for God's voice, St. Peter Upon the Water, a trust of the Archdiocese of San Antonio, is a place of quiet contemplation located on over 170 acres in the Texas Hill Country.

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

Today's Catholic Newspaper is updating the Archdiocese of San Antonio Directory 2025 now. Please email your parish, organization, or health services updates to communications@archsa.org using the subject line "Directory 2025" by February 7.

The Archdiocese of San Antonio Catholic Directory includes updated clergy assignments, archdiocesan services, educational services, health services, contact information and Mass schedules for urban and rural parishes, priests, deacons, brothers, women religious and more.

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