En el ministerio de la Iglesia, a veces nos encontramos con preguntas acerca de la cremación del cuerpo de los difuntos. Aquí me gustaría ofrecer algunos antecedentes y la aclaración de la enseñanza de la Iglesia.

In the ministry of the Church, we sometimes encounter questions about the cremation of the body of the deceased. Here I would like to offer some background and clarification of the teaching of the Church.

Click for a video from David Bereit responding to Bill Nye's claim that fertilized eggs are not humans.

The San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts has a new exhibit, running February 15 to April 8, featuring Catholic Spanish Colonial art, among other pieces. Click for more information.

The "Serving Students with Special Needs" workshop was held Jan. 14, 2018, at the McNease Convention Center in San Angelo. This workshop, hosted by the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis, was sponsored by Loyola Press, A Jesuit Ministry. Luci Holloway, Educational Sales Consultant from Loyola Press, was the presenter for this event.

The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops is proud to promote the annual Texas Catholic Pro-Life Day. Taking place during the same weekend as the Texas Rally for Life, there will be multiple events throughout the day that you, your family, and your church can participate in. The upcoming statewide Pro-Life March and Rally will be on Saturday, January 27, 2018, in Austin.

January 10 is the feast day of St. Léonie Aviat, co-founder of the Oblate Sisters of St. Francis de Sales. Read more about the "worker among the workers" in this article by Mary Lou Gibson.

Este es un momento histórico importante en la vida del diaconado permanente en la Diócesis de San Ángelo. Tenemos quince candidatos en formación para la ordenación el 23 de junio de 2018, y nos estamos preparando para formar un nuevo grupo que comenzará las clases en septiembre de 2018. Ahora es el momento en el cual debemos de invitar a aquellos hombres a quienes Dios podría estar llamando a entrar en formación para nuestra próxima clase diaconal – la clase de 2022.

This is an important historical moment in the life of the permanent diaconate in the Diocese of San Angelo. We have fifteen candidates in formation for ordination on June 23, 2018, and we are preparing to form a new group that will start classes in September of 2018. Now is the time for us to call forward those men whom God might be calling to enter formation for our next deacon class – the class of 2022.

Angelo Catholic School will host an open house for new parents from 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM on Sunday, January 28, 2018, at Angelo Catholic School, 2315 A&M Ave. in San Angelo. Parents of school-age children are invited to see the school and tour the facility. All are welcome and invited to visit and ask questions. For more information, contact Becky Trojcak, Principal, at 325-949-1747.

"St. Joseph, Protector of the Church, pray for us." We prayed this prayer before, during, and after a workshop we attended on Nov. 29 at Christ the King Retreat Center in San Angelo. The workshop, "Protecting Your Flock," sponsored by the Miles Ministerial Alliance, was occasioned by the active shooters that have murdered and wounded people in various churches, most recently in Sutherland Springs, Texas. Both Catholics and Protestants attended the workshop. Seventy-four people were registered, with laity, both men and women, outnumbering clergy.

The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops has issued an action alert calling on Catholics to express support for rules on proper burial of children lost through abortion or miscarriage. Click to read the entire alert.

As we make plans to participate in the liturgy of the Church at Christmas, we are in a unique situation this year. Dec. 25 will be on a Monday. Christmas is always a holy day of obligation, so Catholics need to participate in Masses both for the Fourth Sunday of Advent and for Christmas.

RENEW International, a Catholic not-for- profit organization based in Plainfield, N.J., will begin celebrating its 40 th anniversary by honoring four bishops who have demonstrated their dedication to evangelization. The Champions for Evangelization award will be presented during a reception at the United State Conference of Catholic Bishops Fall General Assembly in November to Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley. OFM, Cap, archbishop of Boston; Most Rev. Nicholas DiMarzio, bishop of Brooklyn; Most Rev. Michael Pfeifer, OMI, bishop emeritus of San Angelo; and Most Rev. Michael Sis, bishop of San Angelo.

The Catholic bishops of Texas express their deep sadness for the loss of life at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, on Sunday. Click to read the full statement.

The Misioneros Servidores de la Palabra and Holy Redeemer Catholic Church are hosting an event with music and Eucharist on Saturday, November 4, 2017, at the Far West Event Center. Click for details.

The Catholic Newman Center at Angelo State University is beginning an Awakening retreat for young adults. Awakening is a weekend-long retreat where students grow closer to God, make new friends, and experience spiritual renewal. This will be the first of its kind in our diocese.

The Abilene Christian University "Center for Heritage and Renewal in Spirituality" (Charis) is sponsoring a panel discussion focusing on the 500th anniversary of the beginning of the Protestant Reformation and its implications for all Christians.

The Pontifical Council for Culture is offering an online course in Science & Faith in Dialogue beginning October 10. Click for more information, including links for registration.

Bishop Michael Sis will hold a public Rosary at Holy Family Parish in Abilene, 7:00 PM, Wednesday, September 27, 2017, during which he will offer a prayer and consecrate the Diocese of San Angelo to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. All are invited.