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. | |
Friday of the Second Week of Lent | |
Viernes de la II semana de Cuaresma | |
Jacob amaba a José más que a todos sus demás hijos, porque lo había engendrado en la ancianidad. A él le había hecho una túnica de amplias mangas. Sus hermanos, viendo que lo amaba más que a todos ellos, llegaron a odiarlo, al grado de negarle la palabra. | | | |
His Holiness Pope Francis | |
March prayer intention 2024 | |
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This month, I want to tell you a story that is a reflection of the Church today. It is the story of a little-known witness of faith.
Visiting a refugee camp in Lesbos, a man told me, “Father, I am Muslim. My wife was Christian. Terrorists came to our place, looked at us and asked what our religion was. They approached my wife with a crucifix and told her to throw it on the ground. She didn’t do it, and they slit her throat in front of me.” That’s what happened. I know he held no grudges. He was focused on his wife’s example of love, a love for Christ that led her to accept, and to be faithful to the point of death. Brothers, sisters, there will always be martyrs among us. This is a sign that we’re on the right path. A person who knows told me there are more martyrs today than at the beginning of Christianity. The courage of the martyrs, the witness of the martyrs, is a blessing for everyone. Let us pray that those who risk their lives for the Gospel in various parts of the world might imbue the Church with their courage and missionary drive. And to be open to the grace of martyrdom.
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Let us pray and walk together towards
Jubilee 2025
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Message from Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller, MSpS | |
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We cannot change external behaviors without changing inner attitudes. It can only be done through God’s grace. That is why we take advantage of this Lenten season to take steps from the depths of ourselves towards God’s heart. Thus, good works and kind gestures will be what spring from us. May Our Lady of Guadalupe help us imitate her humility, so we do not show appearances to God, but only our humble hearts. | | | |
Archbishop's Appeal for Ministries | |
The 2024 Archbishop's Appeal for Ministries begins this weekend! Please consider a donation so that Walking United in Christ, we can consistently care for those who rely upon the archdiocese and our programs for life and faith sustaining support. | |
CTSA 2024 Leadership Luncheon | |
Join us Tuesday, March 5, as we recognize Father Paul Raaz, who has faithfully served our archdiocese for 50 years, with the St. John Vianney Award, and outstanding news reporter Jessie Degollado from KSAT-12, with the Leadership in Communications Award! | |
Young Adult Service Project: Adopt-a-Senior | March 9 | |
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"For I was hungry, and you gave me food, I was thirsty, and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me... ill and you cared for me... Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me" (MT 25: 35–36, 40).
Join young adults from across the archdiocese as we follow the command of Jesus to feed the hungry, welcome the stranger, and serve Him by serving those in need. In partnership with Catholic Charities of San Antonio and the Young Adult Board of Advisors, we will make and deliver lunch bags to socially isolated seniors enrolled in the Adopt-a-Senior Program, following the model of missionary disciples whom Jesus sent "in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit" (LK 10:1). Be part of our mission as we bring the presence of Jesus to our brothers and sisters in need. Join us at Catholic Charities of San Antonio (202 W. French Place, SA TX 78212) on Saturday, March 9, as we begin with Mass at 8 a.m. and then go out to proclaim the joy of the Gospel!
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Youth Spectacular 2024: Revealed | Saturday, April 13
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The Archdiocese of San Antonio will gather youth at St. Mary’s University (1 Camino Santa Maria, SA TX 78228) for our annual celebration of faith, fellowship, and renewal! Youth Spectacular is celebrated to evangelize, inspire, form, and ignite the youth to become true missionary disciples of Jesus Christ, impelled by the Holy Spirit. This year’s theme “Revealed” explores how God reveals himself to us through community, prayer, service, sacraments, and the charisms of the saints. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and costs $25 per person, which includes admission, lunch, dinner, and a T-shirt. Those interested in participating should contact their parish’s youth minister to register. | |
Secure your spot with the San Antonio delegation at the National Eucharistic Congress! | Rooms need to be booked before March 15 | |
Time is ticking, and the countdown clock is on! Don’t miss your chance to be part of something extraordinary in Indianapolis from July 17-21. Our $200 discounted tickets (regularly $360) does not automatically secure a discounted room at our prime hotel on a privileged location unless you book your room before March 15. Transportation and meals are not included in the price of the ticket. Hotel occupancy in the metropolitan area of Indianapolis is nearly sold out. The time to act is now! | |
Vatican Museums offer special Lenten tours | |
These tours take visitors on a thematic journey through the museums’ vast collections, beginning with early Christian sarcophagi decorated with scenes of Jesus’ death and resurrection. | |
The Vatican’s street art vignette for third week of Lent | |
The Catholic origins of Naples’ Carnival cake | |
Stations of the Cross | Every Friday during Lent | |
Every Friday during Lent, from February 16 to March 22, join Archbishop Gustavo at San Fernando Cathedral (115 Main Plaza, SA TX 78205) for the Stations of the Cross at 7:30 a.m. | | | |
What’s the difference between meat and fish during Lent? | |
Why is fish allowed during Fridays of Lent, but not meat, when they seem to be the same thing? | |
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Beer for Lent?
The beer came about through the collaboration of Father Brian Van Fossen and Mark Lehman, one of the co-owners of Breaker Brewing, who went to high school together. The tradition of Lenten beer stretches back centuries.
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Is your parish open the evening of Holy Thursday? Let us know by sending an email: [email protected] and in the subject line use Holy Thursday. | |
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Christ the King • 2610 Perez St., 9 p.m. - 12 a.m. (Midnight)
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St. Ann - San Antonio • Celebration of the Last Supper 6:30 p.m. followed by Adoration until 12 a.m. (midnight)
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List of Parishes serving Fish Fry Friday's | |
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Divine Providence • 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. • $13 per plate dine in or pick up, plate includes a beverage, fish or shrimp
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Holy Name Knights of Columbus at Holy Name Activity Center • March 15 & 22 • 4:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. • $13 per plate (fried fish, corn, fries, bread & drink)
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St. Ann at Fr. Vicente Peña Community Center • 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. • $10
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St. Joan of Arc • 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. • $10 per plate
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St. Mark the Evangelist at Christopher Hall • 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. • Adults $10 • Children $5
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St. Matthew - Jourdanton • 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. • Dine In, pick up or curbside, $12 a plate with fish, hush puppies, fries, coleslaw and tea
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St. Monica - Converse at school cafeteria • 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. • Adults $12 • Children (1-13 yrs) $6
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St. Paul Armor of God Men's Group • 5 p.m. until sold out • $12 per plate
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Email us your Fish Fry events to compile a list for the Department of Communications.
Email: [email protected] and in the subject line use Fish Fry.
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Catholic Television of San Antonio | |
Executive Producers Gina Prince-Bythewood and Reggie Rock Bythewood recently talked with Xavier Ramirez for “SA News” to discuss “Genius: MLK/X,” which follows both Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (Kelvin Harrison Jr.) and Malcolm X (Aaron Pierre) from their formative years, where they were molded by strong fathers and traumatic injustices, to their rich, parallel stories as they shaped their identities and became the change they wished to see in the world. The docu-drama series offers an intimate look into their complex lives as husbands, fathers, brothers and sons, taking them off the iconic T-shirts to show their humanity. “Genius: MLK/X” brings their wives, Coretta Scott King (Weruche Opia) and Betty Shabazz (Jayme Lawson), who are often portrayed as peripheral figures, to the forefront and shows them as formidable equals of the Movement. Episodes will explore the moments between the monumental historical events we’ve come to know and shine a light on how each leader and those closest to them questioned their resolve and decisions as they navigated the rigors of balancing a public persona with a private life. While King and X met only once and often challenged each other’s views, neither would have been as successful without the other. It is on National Geographic, Disney+ and Hulu. | | |
A Mass and Rite of Candidacy for Holy Orders for 15 seminarians from five dioceses was held at Our Lady’s Chapel at Assumption Seminary on February 24. Presider at the liturgy was Bishop Alberto Riojas of the Diocese of San Bernardino, Calif., with Auxiliary Bishop Gary Janak serving as concelebrant. The prelates represented the archbishops of San Antonio and Galveston-Houston a well as the bishops of Corpus Christi, San Bernardino, and Pueblo, Colorado. Candidates from the Archdiocese of San Antonio were Moses Castro, Erick Cruz, Guillermo Cruz, Luis De La Cruz, Joseph Duque, Luis Gómez, Edgar Hernández, Prashanth Kumar Joseph, Arturo Naranjo, and Hong Nguyen. Photo: Veronica Markland | Today's Catholic Newspaper | | |
Saint of the Day - Saint David of Wales | |
Stained glass of Saint David of Wales | All Saints Episcopal Church, San Francisco, CA | photo by AJ Alfieri-Crispin | |
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The New Messenger is your weekly archdiocesan newsletter featuring message from Archbishop Gustavo, news briefs, event previews, and updated information. Subscribe and look for this newsletter in your inbox every Friday. #theNewMessenger | | |
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