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.

Credit: A Happy Anniversary poster at the Gemelli Hospital where Pope Francis is being treated for bilateral pneumonia (ANSA)

The Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, Cardinal Christophe Pierre, Kerry Robinson of Catholic Charities USA, Bishop Daniel Flores of Brownsville and Franciscan Father Michael Perry are just some of those sending their love, appreciation and best wishes to Pope Francis on the 12th anniversary of his pontificate from an ecclesial gathering taking place in New York.

GOOD NEWS! For just $18, subscribers receive 22 issues of Today’s Catholic newspaper delivered straight to their mailbox.

A group of U.S. bishops, including two cardinals, will lead a nine-day Lenten prayer service for migrants and immigrants in an online series sponsored by the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. The 15-minute prayer services will begin today, March 14 at noon on Zoom and continues daily through the 22nd.

Worship aids will be available in Spanish and English. Also included will be information about Catholic ministries serving migrants and immigrants. 

All Catholic healthcare professionals are invited to this meeting to reconvene the San Antonio Guild of the National Catholic Medical Association at Holy Spirit Church (directions)! The evening will begin with Mass at 6 p.m., followed by a talk and dinner in the banquet hall. Join for fellowship and collaborative work to include: Renaming the guild to reflect membership for all in healthcare; finding a patron saint for the guild; nominating new officers and leaders; and planning for monthly events. There will be space for children’s activities in the Hall. Please RSVP to provide ages for age-appropriate activities to be provided.

El Camino de San Antonio Missions and the Pilgrim Center for Hope invite you to a presentation and prayer service at the Padre Margil Pilgrimage Center (263 Felisa Street, San Antonio, TX 78210 -(directions) on Friday, March 28, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Discover the most-studied, ancient relic in history. Mysteriously imprinted on the cloth is an image of a man tortured and crucified in the manner described in the Gospels. What can it reveal about Jesus? After the presentation you will have an opportunity for prayer, reflection, and praise and worship at Mission Concepción, a pilgrimage site for the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope. This event is free, but registration is required.

For pilgrimage visitors, the historic Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary church is open daily. Once inside, the painted ceilings display beautiful religious and Polish symbols. A mosaic of Our Lady of Czestohowa, gifted to the parish by President Lyndon Johnson, adorns the front of the church. Also in front are special hand-carved chairs made for Pope John Paul II’s 1987 visit to San Antonio. Plan your visit to the oldest permanent Polish settlement in the United States and learn more about the Jubilee Year of Hope today.

The Archdiocese of San Antonio Young Adult Ministry invites you to a special night with the blessed Sacrament at St. Joseph's Church Downtown (directions) on Tuesday, March 18, from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Join other young adults for adoration, confession, and fellowship. 

Photo: Provided

“SA News” recently spoke to Father Brian Garcia, director of Campus Ministry for the archdiocese, at San Antonio College as students, faculty and staff attended Ash Wednesday Masses or Liturgy of the Word services on campuses March 5. For centuries, Catholic Christians have marked the beginning of the season of Lent by receiving ash on their foreheads on Ash Wednesday. This tradition has its roots in the Old Testament, where wearing ashes was a common sign of repentance for sins, and a sign of one’s humility before God. Since Lent is a season of penitential renewal through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, it’s appropriate that this ancient sign marks the beginning of the season.

Photo: Veronica Markland for Today's Catholic Newspaper

Catholic Charities recently kicked off the 40 Cans for Lent and 40 Days of Service to engage the community in a non-denominational effort to feed the hungry and strengthen the most vulnerable during Lent, March 5 to April 17. 40 Cans for Lent aims to collect 200,000 pounds of food to feed all people regardless of race, religion, or national origin through Catholic Charities Food Pantries and the Mobile Food Pantry. 40 Days of Service plans to engage the community to serve others by preparing for crisis response, providing humanitarian aid, mentoring and tutoring youth, visiting isolated seniors, and much more. The March 6 kickoff event attracted 300 community leaders, partners, university, elementary, and high school students, clergy and parishioners, businesses, and others as the community unites to fight hunger and encounter those in need. 

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

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