Welcome to The New Messenger, your weekly archdiocesan newsletter featuring messages from Archbishop Gustavo, news briefs, event previews, and updated information. Look for this newsletter in your inbox every Friday.

Archbishop Gustavo encourages us to donate thermal shirts to the Vatican to help keep the people of Ukraine stay warm in the below-freezing temperatures. People in Ukraine are facing freezing weather without electricity, heat, or water, as January, the country’s coldest month of the year, approaches. In response, the Vatican’s charity office is holding a drive to collect thermal shirts for men, women, or children with an average cost of $25 US.

Help reach the goal of one thousand thermal shirts for Ukraine by donating online or by texting ‘UKRAINE’ to 210-750-6712.

This Advent season our bishops will be celebrating masses in correctional facilities. Thirteen men will be receiving Sacraments and many more will attend masses celebrated by the bishops including Christmas Eve Mass. Visits from clergy and lay volunteers are a true blessing to our incarcerated brothers and sisters. Many volunteers donate their time to Criminal Justice Ministry, and more are needed for support inside prison walls or in parish support groups. If you would like to volunteer, please call Deacon Adrian Cepeda, Director for Criminal Justice Ministry, at 210-734-0766.

Courage is a group of men and women who experience same-sex attraction and who are committed to helping one another to live chaste lives marked by prayer, fellowship and mutual support. For more information call Father Richard Samour at (210) 996-1371, e-mail rmscouragesa@gmail.com, or see the website www.couragesatx.org. 

EnCourage is a Roman Catholic apostolate for parents, friends and family members of loved ones with same-sex attractions. EnCourage helps members to focus on their own spiritual development with the goals of achieving peace and complete trust in God’s Providence and His love for us and for the ones we love. For information call Father Samour (210) 996-1371, email rmscouragesa@gmail.com, or see the website. www.couragesatx.org.

All communication with Courage and EnCourage is strictly confidential.

Courage, es un grupo de hombres y mujeres que experimentan la atracción por el mismo sexo y están comprometidos a ayudarse mutuamente a vivir vidas castas fortalecidos por la oración, el compañerismo y el apoyo mutuo. Para mayor información por favor puedes contactar al Padre Richard Samour a (210) 996-1371; email: rmscouragesa@gmail.com; www.couragesatx.org.

EnCourage es un apostolado católico para padres, amigos y familiares de seres queridos con atracciones hacia personas del mismo sexo. EnCourage ayuda a los miembros a concentrarse en su propio desarrollo espiritual con los objetivos de lograr la paz y la confianza completa en la providencia de Dios y su amor por nosotros y por aquellas personas que amamos. Para mayor información por favor puedes contactar al Padre Samour a (210) 996-1371; email: rmscouragesa@gmail.com; www.couragesatx.org

Toda comunicación con Courage y EnCourage es estrictamente confidencial.

The Advent season is an invitation to S..L..O..W down. What a foreign concept in a world of 24-7 availability?! This season of waiting is an opportunity to feel Jesus' signs of healing, love, transformation, and hope. People of faith are called to shed light to those in darkness, to share real signs of Christ's presence to those in need. Share the gift that is Emmanuel this Advent.

─From Joan Martinez, Department Head, Department for Pastoral Ministries

2023 Archbishop’s Appeal

for Ministries Upcoming Trainings

Thank you for your ongoing support of the Archbishop's Appeal for Ministries. As we prepare for a successful 2023 appeal, below are the dates, locations, and links to the upcoming 2023 Appeal training sessions for the week of December 2 – 9:

Dec. 5 - 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. hosted by St. Mary’s – Fredericksburg

Dec. 6 - 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. via zoom (English)

Dec. 6 - 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. via zoom (Spanish)

Dec. 7 - 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. hosted by St. Andrew – Pleasanton

Dec. 9 - 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. hosted by Sts. Peter & Paul – New Braunfels

The Archdiocese of San Antonio Young Adult Ministry invites you to the Worship on the River Christmas Concert, a special night with the blessed Sacrament, fellowship, and music on Tuesday, Dec. 13 from 6:30 p.m. -9 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church Downtown (directions). For more information, contact Grace Rodriguez, Coordinator, at 210-734-1643 or Grace.Rodriguez@archsa.org.

An adult confirmation Mass for people from parishes throughout the archdiocese was held at St. Rose of Lima Church on December 3, celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Michael Boulette, with Auxiliary Bishop Gary Janak serving as concelebrant. The archdiocese provides several opportunities per year for adult Catholics (18-plus) to receive the sacrament of confirmation. Because this sacrament is so intimately united to the sacraments of Baptism and Eucharist, persons wishing to be confirmed must have been baptized, have already received their first Eucharist, and have been through a process of preparation to receive the sacrament of confirmation.



The next adult confirmation liturgy will be held at St. Jerome Church in Martinez on Jan. 28, 2023. 

To find more archdiocesan events and activities visit our website, www.archsa.org.

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