Time Together (E-Pistle Message)

As I travel around our diocese, I continue to be greatly blessed in sharing time with the faithful. This past week, I celebrated the annual Red Mass at St. Mary Cathedral, a Confirmation Mass, a school Mass, the dedication of the sanctuary at St. Jerome Parish in Waco; attended the Funeral Vigil for Bishop Emeritus Raymundo Peña of the Diocese of Brownsville and gathered with our permanent deacons and their wives for the annual Deacon Convocation. Each event offered the gift of joy, gratitude and grace to walk with God’s people by encountering the Risen Christ in one another.

I also spent time with our priests at the annual Priests’ Convocation. Together, we reflected on our past and envisioned our future as a presbyterate made up of multiple generations, cultures and ethnicities. We prayed for one another, that our call to the priesthood will result in leading the faithful to the living Word of God. So, too, we prayed for each of you, lifting your petitions, challenges and triumphs in thanksgiving to our Lord. I left the gathering once again giving thanks to God for inviting me to answer his call as a priest and blessing me richly in being a bishop for you and our excellent priests.

As we end this week and look toward tomorrow, join me in prayer, that despite the difficulties that confront us as a community, we know that God accompanies us and will never leave us to face these difficulties alone. Let us listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit so that we may respond to the call to serve one another. May God bless you as your prayers bless me.

Read the full E-Pistle