Friday, September 26, 2025 | | 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. | | The Holy See | Pope Leo XIV | | Pope Leo XIV tells Dominican priors to ‘listen attentively to the Holy Spirit’ | | Pope Leo XIV in a letter encouraged the prior provincials of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans) to “listen attentively to the Holy Spirit, who continues to guide the Church in the fullness of truth.” | | Message from Archbishop Gustavo
García-Siller, MSpS | |
| |  | There are always poor people around us, because the poor are the ones who need what each of us can give them. We must ask ourselves: What can I do for this person God places in my path? Who else can I serve? How can I go beyond myself to serve others, for the greater glory of God? Jesus invites us to use possessions as tools for unity and peace, rather than division. This requires wisdom, discernment, and generosity, gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit in the human heart. We cannot allow money, power, or fame to become masters who enslave us and rob us of our inner freedom. On the contrary, the Lord Jesus wants to lift the poor from their lowliness through our works of mercy. Before Jesus, we are all poor. And it is precisely in the poor that he presents himself to us in a concrete way. Jesus not only calls us to give alms, but to truly invest ourselves: our time, our talents, and our attention to those who suffer, to the invisible of this world. A good shared, a talent placed at the service of another, is not lost; it is transformed and grows in value. We must direct our generosity toward those who have less and recognize that, although we need material goods to live, they cannot fill the emptiness of the heart or sustain true hope. Only God satisfies the thirst for the infinite that He has placed within us.
| | Around the Archdiocese of San Antonio | | Catholic Education is Within Reach: Education Savings Accounts (ESA) | | Archbishop Gustavo invites you to join him in a bold, archdiocesan-wide initiative: Growing Our Catholic Schools in Our Faith Communities. For many families, tuition cost has been the biggest barrier to Catholic education. With ESAs, the doors to Catholic schools are more open than ever — making an excellent, faith-filled education possible for more children. This is not a policy shift; it’s a providential opportunity to extend the mission of the Church through Catholic education. The archbishop calls on all the faithful to help promote this initiative, outreach to families who are interested in Catholic education, reignite their hope in possibility, and proclaim the value of faith-filled learning. Learn about our Catholic Schools and sign up here to get ESA updates. | |
Deaf Awareness Mass
Sunday, September 28, at Our Lady of Sorrows at 11 a.m.
| | Deaf Awareness Mass on Sunday, September 28 at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Sorrows (directions). In celebration of National Deaf Awareness Week, all are welcome to participate in the annual Deaf Awareness Mass. Mass will be celebrated by retired Auxiliary Bishop Michael Boulette, concelebrated by Father Len Broniak in English and ASL. There will be a light reception to follow with our San Antonio Deaf Catholic Community. | |
Annual Blue Mass
Monday, September 29, at San Fernando Cathedral at 12:05 p.m.
| | Join us on the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel as we recognize the brave men and women who serve our community as First Responders. | |
Young Adults: Live Your Faith through Service Inspired by St. Pier Frassati
Tuesday, September 30, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
| | As St. Peter writes, “Use whatever gift each one of you has received to serve one another” (1 Peter 4:10). Catholic Charities of San Antonio invites young adults to Frassati & Friends, a special evening hosted by the Young Adult Board. Come discover how you can engage with Catholic Charities’ programs, meet other young adults, and find new ways to live out your faith through service. Join the Young Adult Board of Catholic Charities on Tuesday, Sept. 30, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Los Barrios Mexican Restaurant (directions). Be inspired by the life of St. Pier Giorgio Frassati: “When God is with us, we don’t have to be afraid of anything.” Join a community of young adults dedicated to making a difference in the lives of others. RSVP to vpinon@stpjhome.org | | Celebrate Respect Life Month with the Archdiocese of San Antonio | | October is Respect Life Month, a time when the Catholic Church across the United States renews its commitment to defend the dignity of every human life. This year’s theme, “Life: Our Sign of Hope,” reminds us that every life from conception to natural death is a sacred gift of God and a sign of His love. The archdiocese invites you to join us in prayer and action throughout October. Together, we can be signs of hope for the most vulnerable among us. In addition to Respect Life Masses next month, we invite you to visit our website to access prayer resources, including the annual Respect Life Novena, the reflection Life: Our Sign of Hope, and this year’s Respect Life Prayer, A Prayer for Hope. | |
Celebrate St. Thérèse with the Discalced Carmelite Friars at Little Flower Basilica
Tuesday, September 30, and Wednesday, October 1
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The Discalced Carmelite Friars at Little Flower Basilica invite you to celebrate St. Thérèse!
Join us on September 30 for the Transit of St. Thérèse, a special ceremony that narrates her final conversations before her death, followed by the Vigil Mass for the Solemnity of St. Thérèse.
On October 1, join us for the Solemn Mass of Roses, remembering St. Thérèse's promise: "I will let fall from heaven...a shower of roses." A reception will follow at the Little Flower Hall.
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Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi
Saturday, October 4
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Parishes and Schools that are having blessing events:
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Blessed Sacrament School – Thursday, October 2, 2:30 p.m.
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Holy Trinity Catholic Church – Saturday, October 4, 9:15 a.m. in the pavilion following the 8:30 a.m. Mass.
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San Fernando Cathedral - Saturday, October 4, 6:30 p.m., in front of Cathedral
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St. Francis of Assisi – Sunday, October 5, 3 p.m., pet blessing at the Parish Festival
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St. John Berchmans School – Friday, October 3, before school dismissal at 3:15 p.m.
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St. Pius X - Sunday, October 5, 9:15 a.m., in the courtyard
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Day of Reflection and Mass for Healthcare Professionals
Saturday, October 18, at 10 a.m.
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In honor of the Feast of St. Luke, Patron of Physicians, all Healthcare Professionals and Ministers to the Sick are invited to a special Day of Reflection on Saturday, October 18, 10 a.m. at Holy Trinity Church (Directions). We welcome the presence of all who serve in the healthcare field and care for the mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional health of our community including doctors, nurses, medical assistants, lab technicians, physical therapists, mental health professionals, chiropractors, dietitians, administrative staff, chaplains, and volunteers who provide spiritual care and the Eucharist to the sick.
Father Christopher Kubat, M.D. will lead participants in reflection and discussion on “Divine Infusions: Sacraments for the Sick.” The day will conclude with Saturday at the 5 p.m. Vigil Mass, which will include a special blessing for all who serve in these healing ministries. Registration is required. A $15 fee covers lunch, but financial assistance is available. For more information, download this flyer or Contact Carmen Vidal Coordinator, Department for Pastoral Ministries, at (210) 734-1913 or email Carmen.
| | Catholic Television of San Antonio | | Photo: Veronica Markland, Today's Catholic Newspaper | | The second annual Festival of Faiths San Antonio held at the University of the Incarnate Word on September 14 brought 44 faith traditions and more than 1,000 persons together in one celebratory and educational event that’s already grown since its inaugural year. Festival of Faiths brings together San Antonio’s diverse communities to learn about various cultures and religions, fostering connection, equity, and understanding. The inaugural festival last year included representatives from 25 faith traditions, with more than 700 people in attendance. There was music, art, dance, poetry and food that represent various religions, in addition to several panel discussions and booths with arts and crafts for children. | | Photo: Veronica Markland, Today's Catholic Newspaper | | Knights of Columbus councils from various parishes gathered to express their appreciation for the clergy and religious of the archdiocese who value and help serve in their mission at a dinner held September 19 at the Holy Trinity Banquet Hall. Close to 350 people attended the event, with the Bishop Thomas J. Flanagan Chapter and Knights councils inviting their church clergy and religious to this event, including those not directly affiliated with a parish. At the dinner, the American Wheelchair Mission offered a brief presentation. A highlight of the evening was the presentation of a check by the Knights’ Texas State Charities Program to the archdiocese for almost $82,000. | |
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Treasures of the Archdiocese of San Antonio: A Commemorative Book
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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.
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Seeking to live in sacramental communion with one another, the Archdiocese of San Antonio exists to make disciples and missionaries of Jesus Christ to prepare for the promise of Eternal Life.
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