Friday, September 25, 2026 | | Ver este correo electrónico en español: Haga clic aquí para abrir el correo en un navegador y, a continuación, utilice la función de traducción del navegador. | | 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 praises Catholics who led Church in new directions | | Photo Credit: Vatican Media | | |
Pope Leo XIV recently highlighted the contributions of laypeople and religious who helped shape Catholic social teaching and embodied “a Church forging ahead in new directions.”
During a September 18 audience with 50 members of the Leo XIV International Study Center, the pope described Christian humanism as “a vision open to the Creator” that fosters fraternal relationships. He said Catholic social teaching emerged from that same humanist tradition.
| | Message from Archbishop Gustavo
García-Siller, MSpS | |
| |  | What makes a life successful? Many people would answer: influence, accomplishment, knowledge, authority, or recognition. Even the greatest gifts, the most impressive achievements, and even heroic sacrifices amount to nothing without love. We work with budgets, policies, meetings, and decisions. These responsibilities matter. They are necessary. Is it rooted in charity? The true measure of our service is not efficiency, but love. It is patient, kind, humble, truthful, and selfless. These are also fruits of the Holy Spirit. When the Spirit is at work in us, love becomes visible as joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These are not merely admirable qualities. They are signs that God is shaping a heart for heaven, the first fruits of eternal life already growing within us. As Pope Leo XIV has reminded the Church, “True knowledge of God is realized in a life transformed by love.” May Our Lady of Guadalupe help us walk this more excellent way, so that everything we do bears the lasting fruit of charity.
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This Sunday, the Whole Church Prays as One
World Day of Migrants and Refugees
| | This Sunday, September 27, the universal church celebrates the World Day of Migrants and Refugees. Pope Leo XIV has chosen the theme “Even just one of these children,” and parishes across our archdiocese will mark the day at Mass. Come and pray with your parish family. Then take the Pastoral Letter, We Will Come to You: United in Solidarity with Our Brothers and Sisters in Migration, read it, gather a group around the Reflection Guide, and entrust every migrant family to Our Lady of Guadalupe with the letter’s closing prayer. She knows this road. As we walk it together, Courageous in Christ, our shepherd’s promise becomes our own: we will come to you. | | Around the Archdiocese of San Antonio | | You Do Not Have to Weather It Alone Saturday, September 26 at 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. at Molchan Hall at St. Dominic | | "Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). Tomorrow, families and neighbors will gather to rest in that promise and to leave better prepared for the road ahead. Families United in Faith offers a safe, welcoming space for families of individuals who are incarcerated, on probation, or reentering the community, and for anyone seeking support in a difficult season. This gathering focuses on mental wellness, with overdose prevention and naloxone (Narcan) training, a presentation from a mobile crisis outreach team, open discussion with time for questions, and contemplative prayer. The day is free, and meals are provided. If you have been waiting to decide, consider this your invitation, and bring someone who could use the support. | |
Deaf Awareness Mass
Sunday, September 27 at 11 a.m.
at Our Lady of Sorrows
| | All are welcome to join for the annual Deaf Awareness Mass Sunday, September 27, at Our Lady of Sorrows (directions). Celebrated in both English and American Sign Language, this liturgy invites the whole community to worship together as one family and to honor the vibrant faith and culture of Deaf brothers and sisters. Following Mass, stay for a social and complimentary lunch in the Parish Hall until 1 p.m. Come and celebrate with us. We look forward to worshiping alongside you. | | Zoom Formation for Ministry Leaders Go Forth & Spread the Gospel: Living Out the Advent Season in the Parish Thursday, October 1, from 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. | | How do you help a whole parish live Advent, not just countdown to Christmas? We invited someone who has spent years answering that question. Steffani Aquila, founder of the liturgical living platform His Girl Sunday and author of Festive Faith: Catholic Celebrations Through the Year and Around the World, joins the Ministry Leader Formation Webinar Series next Thursday, October 1. Her book won two 2025 Catholic Media Association Book Awards. It collects more than 70 Catholic traditions from cultures around the world, with ideas for homes and parishes alike. Steffani will show how the Liturgical Year can draw your faith community closer to Christ, and she'll share practical ways to help parishes live Advent well. | | 15th Fiesta Franciscana by Franciscan Family of San Antonio features Friar Steve McMichael at San José Mission Hall 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., followed by Mass at 5 p.m. | | The Franciscans of the Los Tres Companeros/The Three Companions Region hosted by the Franciscan Family of San Antonio invite everyone to the 15th Annual Fiesta Franciscana 2026, “Mercy and compassion as the essence of being a Franciscan: Francis and Clare speak to us today,” presented by Friar Steve McMichael, OFM Conv. Friar Steve was born in Minneapolis and made his solemn profession on Aug. 22, 1981, with ordination on Aug. 17, 2002. He lives at Saint Joseph Cupertino Friary at Prior Lake, Minn., and is a professor at Saint Thomas University in Saint Paul, Minn. The event will take place on Saturday, Oct. 3, with Fiesta Franciscan from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in San José Mission Hall (directions), followed by Saturday evening Mass at 5 p.m. at San José Mission Church. For the 800th anniversary of the Transitus of Saint Francis of Assisi the Transitus Solemn Evening Prayer will begin at 7 p.m. in the San José Mission Church, with a reception in the parish hall afterwards. | | The Mission that Inspired a City's Team Centennial Mass, Saturday, November 7, at 4 p.m. at Nelson W. Wolff Stadium | | San Antonio’s minor league baseball team bears a Catholic birthright: the San Antonio Missions are named for the historic mission churches of San José, San Juan, Espada, and Concepción, which planted the faith in South Texas nearly three centuries ago. The team’s “M” logo incorporates a church bell inspired by the Spanish architecture of these centuries-old witnesses to our faith. Those missions are not museums. They remain living parishes of the archdiocese, where Mass is still celebrated every Sunday. On November 7, the church gathers at Nelson W. Wolff Stadium (directions), the Missions’ own ballpark, to celebrate 100 years. | | Your Seat at the Table is Saved Young Adult Brunch with the Bishop on Saturday, November 21 at Holy Spirit | | Your 20s and 30s are full of beginnings: new jobs, new cities, new questions, and sometimes a quiet wondering about where you fit in the Church. On Saturday, Nov. 21, a place is set for you. All young adults ages 18 to 39 are invited to the annual Brunch with the Bishop with Archbishop Gustavo at Holy Spirit Church (directions). We begin at 9 a.m. Then we gather for brunch, conversation, and reflection with the archbishop and young Catholics from across the archdiocese. Like the disciples at Emmaus, we come to know the Lord "in the breaking of the bread" (Lk 24:35), first at the altar and then at the table. Registration opens in October. | | Catholic Television of San Antonio | | “SA News” recently visited St. Mary's University for the Lin Great Speaker Series, featuring guest speaker Casey Cole, OFM, a Catholic priest widely known for his popular YouTube videos and online ministry. CTSA caught up with Father Casey before his talk. | | Photo: Veronica Markland for Today's Catholic Newspaper | | Priests from across the archdiocese recently gathered last week at the St. Paul Community Center for a day of prayer, fellowship, reflection and continuing formation. The guest speaker was Father Paul Turner of the Archdiocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, who shared his insights and experience with the clergy of the Church in South Central Texas. Clergy Day is an opportunity to strengthen bonds of brotherhood, deepen faith and renew the call to serve God and His people. | |
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Treasures of the Archdiocese of San Antonio: A Commemorative Book
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Inside Treasures of the Archdiocese of San Antonio, read about San Francesco di Paola, and much more. When you purchase this commemorative book, 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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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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