Tomorrow we reach a milestone in our diocesan Synodal process. It has been five months since Pope Francis called us to be a synodal church and, in communion with the Holy Spirit, to listen to one another, understand each other’s perspectives, and to share our joys and concerns. Through our parish listening sessions, a survey of the faithful and multiple regional listening sessions, we have gathered significant insight, much of which we will share tomorrow, March 12, 9 a.m., at St. Louis Parish in Austin. I invite you to join me, members of the diocesan synodal team and our brothers and sisters from around the diocese, to listen to the fruits of this journey. I am ever grateful to you for engaging in this process – accompanying one another as the mystical Body of Christ.
On March 19, we celebrate the feast of Saint Joseph, Husband of Mary. In our diocese, we are also blessed to be celebrating the ordination of sixteen men to the permanent diaconate. Each of these men responded to the call to serve God’s Church and his people. This call to ministry is born from communities of faith in which God is truly present. It is a profound blessing for me to welcome these men, their wives and families into this time of grace. I am thankful for their commitment to proclaim the Word of God, care for the poor, and assist me and the priests in providing the Eucharist for the homebound and sick.
Let us pray for these men as they continue their journey toward this important day. During this season of Lent, may we continue to encounter God in prayer, fasting and almsgiving, looking forward to the Sacred Paschal Triduum and Christ’s Resurrection.