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.

Pope Leo XIV expressed his closeness to persecuted Christians during the general audience on June 25, referring to the “heinous terrorist attack” by the Islamic State against the Greek Orthodox community in Damascus, in which 25 faithful lost their lives while attending the Divine Liturgy.

Join us for "Six Essential Principals for Cultivating a Catechumenal Culture," an online workshop for parish leaders and teams of Christian Initiation. Whether you’re just beginning your journey in Christian Initiation Ministry or have accompanied seekers for years, this is a time to be renewed, refocused, and reenergized. The archdiocese invites all parish ministers, leaders, and teams involved in Christian Initiation to a special online workshop with Diana Macalintal, nationally recognized speaker and Cofounder of Team Initiation. 

Together, we’ll explore: (1) the paradigm shifts needed to move from program to conversion-centered parish life; (2) the six principles of a catechumenal culture; and (3) how to accompany seekers with greater confidence, clarity, and joy. This is an opportunity to reflect, grow, and find new energy for one of the Church’s most beautiful ministries. Bring your team to walk this path of formation and mission together.

As a parish family, we are called to welcome all community members with open hearts. Join St. Brigid Church for a training led by Diana Infante-DeLeon that will help liturgical minister and volunteers better understand how to support parishioners with disabilities and create a more inclusive worship environment. Many families who have children with disabilities may feel uncertain about participating fully in parish life. Parents often worry about how the community will receive their child. Through this training, we can help ensure that all families feel genuinely welcomed and supported.

This awareness session will equip you with practical knowledge and skills to: Understand different types of disabilities and their impacts, recognize appropriate ways to offer assistance, create welcoming environments for all parishioners, support families who have members with disabilities, and respond with compassion and understanding in various situations. The cost is a $13 donation for lunch which will purchase a barbecue plate benefiting a young woman at St. Brigid who is battling brain cancer. Plate orders will be delivered to the training. 

RSVP by August 14, by emailing St. Brigid Faith Formation Coordinator Juan Serros. Your RSVP will also allow St. Brigid to reserve your plate order. For more information, contact Juan Serros by email or call (210) 455-4026.

Photo: Provided

The Trump administration on July 22 said the United States would withdraw from the United Nations’ cultural agency UNESCO, a group that has partnered with the Holy See on human development and cultural heritage projects. Among the agency’s most well-known work is the UNESCO World Heritage Sites program, which recognizes significant historic and cultural landmarks for protection and preservation, including more than two dozen sites in the United States, such as the San Antonio Missions National Park. Rebecca Simmons, executive director of El Camino de San Antonio Missions, spoke on the impact of this locally.

Photo: Provided

Catholic Charities hosted its Back to School Wellness Fair at Guadalupe Community Center on July 26. More than 600 people with their families received 100 health screenings, 73 allergy tests, and 45 haircuts to prepare for the upcoming school year. Day 1 Bags supplied more than 300 backpacks, and volunteers from both the community and Zachry Corporation made the event a success. Learn more about how these programs at https://www.ccaosa.org/

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