Veterans Day & Black Catholic Month (E-Pistle Message)

As I mentioned in last week’s message, November is a month where we pause to give thanks to God and each other. As we approach Thanksgiving Day, join me in offering a sincere prayer of thanks to God for his blessings upon the Diocese of Austin.   

Yesterday, Nov. 11, we celebrated Veterans Day -- a day to honor the selfless dedication of our military men and women who serve in defense of our nation and the world. We also honor those Catholic priests who have served and are currently serving as military chaplains providing the grace of the sacraments and the Word of God to our brothers and sisters on military bases and on the front lines around the world. To all members of our armed forces, we thank and pray for you, invoking St. Michael the Archangel, patron saint of the military, that you may be kept safe always.

This month we also celebrate Black Catholic History Month, a time to reflect on the long history and proud heritage of Black Catholics. Last weekend, I had the privilege to celebrate Mass at  A Day of Reflection Concerning the Black Apostolate. It was a day to consider the ways in which our encounters of faith can change and shape our relationship with God and how we live out our vocation and ministries as the mystical body of Christ. While we come from different cultures and backgrounds, sometimes with different languages and customs, we find our truest identity as being created in the image and likeness of God. As Catholics, this oneness finds its most profound meaning in the reception of Holy Communion. To be in communion with Christ is by its very nature to be in communion with one another (cf. Pope Benedict XVI, On The Way to Jesus Christ, p. 117).