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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: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News

Pope Leo XIV urged students and faculty at Rome’s pontifical universities to “guard your hearts” and warned against reducing intellectual activity to the collection of data during a Mass October 8 marking the opening of the academic year.

As Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller, MSpS, encourages all to pray for the health of Pope Leo XIV, a longtime friend of the archbishop, CTSA takes a look back at an interview led by Archbishop Gustavo with then Father Robert “Bob” Prevost in October 2012 in Cascia, Italy, at the monastery and convent of St. Rita of Cascia. At that both Archbishop Gustavo and Father Prevost — who was serving as worldwide Prior General of the Augustinian order — were participants in the Synod on Evangelization occurring at the Vatican. The archbishop and Holy Father have known each other for decades, when both ministered on the south side of Chicago, with Archbishop Gustavo then serving as an auxiliary bishop in Vicariate 5 in the Archdiocese of Chicago, and Father Prevost serving as Prior Provincial of the Midwest Augustinian Province. They lived two blocks from each other and were frequent attendees at the same church and Catholic school events.

I applaud the efforts of the City of San Antonio in taking legal action against the proposed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) processing facility on the city’s east side, as the federal government has refused to supply information and repeatedly ignored compliance with obtaining environmental assessments or receiving local permits.

In June 1980, a young religious in formation from San Luis Potosí, Mexico, was told by his superior, “You are going to the United States,” with no return date. He was afraid. Today he is our archbishop. In Part III of the pastoral letter, We Will Come to You: United in Solidarity with Our Brothers and Sisters in Migration, Archbishop Gustavo shares his own migration story, from the fields of the San Joaquin Valley to the deportation buses of Chicago, so that no one in this archdiocese has to walk that road alone. “Fear’s cruelest lie is that you are alone.” Read his witness this week, and remember in prayer all who are walking that road now.

Consider the impact you can have on the lives of those who need it most.

The donations gathered last World Mission Sunday helped sustain more than 1,130 mission communities, build 751 new churches, and form 843,785 catechists. You may feel detached from all of this, but it is true; you play a part. Mission is “the convergence of different charisms for the same purpose,” the convergence of different communities, of different resources (Message of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV for the 100th World Mission Day 2026). All converging into one Church, one mission, one in Christ. 

Be part of the global collection this weekend from October 17 and 18. Give at your parish during the second collection.

Enjoy a night of worship, music, and reflection with Matt Maher and Sarah Kroger at CATHEDRALS: Kingdomtide Edition at San Fernando Cathedral (directions). Tickets are on sale now.

Are you preparing for the final stages of the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults? Join the Office of Evangelization and Formation of Missionary Discipleship on Zoom as we discuss the upcoming rites, the celebration of the sacraments of initiation, and what to expect during the Easter Vigil. This is designed for Directors of Religious Education, coordinators, catechists, and OCIA team members.

The Church teaches that the Eucharist is “the source and summit of the Christian life” (CCC 1324, quoting Lumen Gentium 11). That is why the heart of our Centennial celebration is not a program, a concert, or a speech; it is the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. On November 7, the altar will stand at the center of a baseball field, and the Eucharist will stand at the center of 100-year story, just as it has stood at the center of every parish, mission, and family altar since 1926 and long before.

Join us for a special evening celebrating Archbishop Gustavo’s 70th birthday and a lifetime devoted to service. For generations, San Fernando Cathedral (directions) has stood at the heart of our community. In honor of this milestone, we invite you to celebrate Archbishop Gustavo while helping preserve the Cathedral and its enduring legacy. The evening will honor the archbishop’s ministry through an experience inspired by San Fernando Cathedral and the community he has served. All proceeds will benefit San Fernando Cathedral, helping preserve this historic landmark and support its future.

Credit: Christopher Palmer for Catholic Television of San Antonio

On the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, San Fernando Cathedral welcomed the faithful and their beloved pets for the annual Blessing of the Animals. St. Francis, known for his deep love and respect for all of God’s creation, reminds us to recognize the beauty of creation and give thanks for the animals who bring so much joy and companionship into our lives.

Credit: Provided

San Juan de los Lagos Parish and Shrine was recently recognized for participating in an Energy Efficiency Program from CPS Energy, helping conserve energy, reduce costs, and be better stewards of God’s creation. Father Feliciano López-Ortiz, OMI, accepted the award on behalf of San Juan de los Lagos. Through this initiative, San Juan continues making a positive difference while caring for the blessings God has given all.

The next issue of Today's Catholic Newspaper is Friday, October 23.

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