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.

The opening of the El Camino de San Antonio Missions Pilgrimage and Conference Centers should make every pilgrim feel at home and welcomed. Pilgrims, come and bring your history and faith to El Camino de San Antonio. Experience Jesus in the beauty of this place and allow yourself to be transformed by Him. Last year, more than 1.3 million people visited the San Antonio missions, mostly tourists, but increasingly people are coming in search of more. They desire to experience the sacredness of our missions. The El Camino de San Antonio Missions presents a unique opportunity to reach out to all visitors to help them to experience the missions as places of faith. The Pilgrimage Center will serve as a place for pilgrims to learn more about the missions and faith while providing a place to rest and nourish themselves, not just physically but spiritually too. El Camino will reach out to and walk with our youth, school children, parishes, and universities not just here in San Antonio, but in Texas, the nation and beyond.

Mother’s Day calls us to cherish the gift of life that we receive from our mothers and to pray for all women to whom God has entrusted life in a very special way. As we pray in thanksgiving for the gift of mothers, we remember mothers experiencing difficult pregnancies and pray they may find support and encouragement in choosing life for their children. All are welcome to celebrate a special Mass for Life on Sunday, May 14, at 8 a.m., at San Fernando Cathedral with Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller, MSpS.

The National Community of Catechetical Leaders (NCCL) is dedicated to promoting the ministries of evangelization and catechesis by fostering a community of leaders who proclaim and teach the Word of Jesus Christ through the witness of accompaniment, education, and formation in the Catholic faith. The May 17 conference focuses on an inclusive catechesis that engages learners of differing abilities. The May 18 conference focuses on new methods and approaches for catechesis today.

Now more than ever it's time to bring the message to our families that "Jesus I trust in you." You will join St. Faustina as you become a Messenger of Mercy to the world! Learn about the gift of Divine Mercy given by Jesus to St. Faustina. Camp is open to all age levels, but girls finishing kindergarten through third grade must be accompanied each night by an adult. To register, contact catholicgs@gmail.com. 

Catholic Charities of San Antonio remains committed to serving all people who require assistance. Catholic Charities is urgently requesting clothing donations for adults and clothing and toys donations for children who have recently arrived in our city. Donations of new and gently used clothes can be dropped off at St. Stephen's CARE Center (2127 S. Zarzamora St., SATX).

The archdiocese has partnered with Editions du Signe publishers and has begun production on a history book for the archdiocese to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the establishment of the Diocese of San Antonio, which took place on August 28, 1874, as well as the centennial of the elevation of the diocese to an archdiocese on August 3, 1926. The book’s photographer, Frantisek Zvardon, has worked for the publisher for 35 years and is familiar with Central Texas area, having worked on the publication of the Diocese of Austin 75th anniversary book last year. He arrived in Houston more than two weeks ago and began photographing parishes in the Seguin Deanery and Pleasanton Deanery starting in the eastern portion of the archdiocese and is working westward. He has been in the Hondo Deanery and Uvalde Deanery and is traveling later to the Fredericksburg Deanery. He will be responsible for inside and outside photography of the churches, and these high-quality professional photos will greatly enhance the parish and archdiocesan photographic archives. The photographer has enjoyed the cooperation and collaboration with the pastors and church staff members on this important historical project.

Photo of the Week

El Camino de San Antonio Missions officially opened their doors on May 2. As one of many On the Way Andale projects, the center will accompany the thousands of people who visit the missions each year. Archbishop Gustavo highlighted the importance of the new facility. “Each year, tens of thousands of visitors experience our missions. Many visit them as cultural, historic, and even agricultural icons of the past,” he explained. “However, I offer the missions to all people of faith for holy pilgrimages. A pilgrimage can fill the spiritual void and provide the sacred encounter that the most complete tour packages cannot offer.” Our team is here to walk with you, All are welcome!

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

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