La semana pasada, mis hermanos obispos y yo votamos abrumadoramente para publicar un documento educativo sobre la belleza y el poder de la Eucaristía. El Comité de Doctrina de la Conferencia Episcopal comenzará a redactar ahora este documento y, en los meses venideros, los obispos continuaremos orando y discerniendo sobre eso a través de una serie de reuniones y consultas regionales. En noviembre, los obispos se reunirán para discutir el borrador del documento.

Last week, my brother bishops and I voted overwhelmingly to issue a teaching document on the beauty and power of the Eucharist. The doctrine committee of the bishops’ conference will now begin drafting this document and, in the months ahead, the bishops will continue our prayer and discernment through a series of regional meetings and consultations. In November, the bishops will gather to discuss the document draft.

St. Ann's Catholic Church in Midland recently opened a new youth activity center. [External link to Odessa American]

For the benefit of the people of God, the Diocese of San Angelo announces the following changes of assignment for priests, effective July 1, 2021:

The Solemnity of St. Joseph is observed on March 19. This year the solemnity falls on a Friday. According to canon 1251 of the Code of Canon Law, when a Friday occurs on a day listed as a solemnity, there is no requirement to abstain from eating meat on that day. Therefore, Catholics may eat meat on this Friday, March 19, 2021, and no special dispensation from the bishop is needed.

Queridos hermanos en Cristo, A la luz de la reciente decisión del Gobernador Greg Abbott de poner fin a un mandato de máscara en todo el estado, algunos han preguntado si nuestros protocolos del coronavirus en la Diócesis de San Angelo han cambiado. La situación está avanzando en una dirección muy buena, y el futuro parece optimista, pero todavía no hemos llegado a un punto en el que sea prudente que la Iglesia relaje nuestros requisitos. Todavía necesitamos que muchas más personas se vacunen. Mientras tanto, todavía exigimos el uso de máscaras sobre la boca y nariz, distanciamiento social, desinfección adecuada, y buena ventilación en nuestras iglesias. Esto es para proteger la salud de nuestros miembros más vulnerables, y es consistente con lo que sabemos de la ciencia y la medicina. En resumen, todos nuestros protocolos diocesanos del coronavirus permanecen en efecto hasta nuevo aviso. Les pido su vigilancia continua para detener la propagación de este virus y su paciencia con cualquier inconveniente que puedan causar nuestras medidas de seguridad. En la alegría del servicio de Cristo, Mons. Michael Sis Obispo de San Angelo

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, In light of Governor Greg Abbott's recent decision to end a statewide mask mandate, some are wondering if any of our coronavirus protocols in the Diocese of San Angelo have been changed. While we are moving in the right direction, and the future looks optimistic, we have not yet arrived at a point where it would be prudent for the Church to relax our requirements. We still need more people to get vaccinated. In the meantime, we still expect the wearing of masks over the mouth and nose, social distancing, proper sanitizing, and good ventilation in our church facilities. This is to protect the health of our more vulnerable members, and it is consistent with what we know from science and medicine. In summary, all our diocesan coronavirus protocols remain in effect until further notice. I ask for your continued vigilance to stop the spread of this virus, and for your patience with whatever inconvenience may be caused by our safety measures. In the joy of Christ's service, Bishop Michael Sis Diocese of San Angelo

Due to winter storm damage at Christ the King Retreat Center, the 2021 Diocesan Priests' Retreat has been postponed. The retreat was originally scheduled for March 1–5.

The bishops of Texas issued the following statement regarding the situation predicated by winter storms:

For Catholics in the Diocese of San Angelo, Bishop Michael Sis has dispensed from the obligation of fasting and abstinence on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021, and Friday, Feb. 19, 2021. This is because of the conditions of the current winter storm. Many people are without electricity, water, and heat, and driving conditions are hazardous in many areas. This leads to a limited availability of food options. This dispensation is in light of canon 87§1. Please pray for all those impacted by this storm.

Si bien la tormenta de invierno hace que sea muy difícil reunirnos en nuestras iglesias este Miércoles de Ceniza, es útil pasar algún tiempo este día, ya sea con otros o solo, en una reflexión sobre el comienzo de este tiempo santo de Cuaresma.

While the winter storm makes it very difficult to gather in our churches this Ash Wednesday, it is helpful to spend some time this day, either with others or alone, in prayerful reflection on the beginning of this holy season of Lent.

Due to hazardous weather conditions, the Adult Confirmation scheduled for Feb. 14 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Odessa has been rescheduled. It will now take place on Sunday, March 21, 2021, at 3:00 p.m. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish.

Bishop José Gomez, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, offered a statement on the inauguration of Joseph R. Biden Jr. as 46th President of the United States of America, the country's second Catholic president.

Pro-Life Activities in January in the Diocese of San Angelo

Catholics in Texas are joining with members of other faiths in an initiative to pray in a special way from January 11 to 17 for the end of Human Trafficking.

Bishop Michael Sis has appointed Rev. Tony Franco as parochial administrator of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Eldorado, along with the mission churches of Immaculate Conception in Knickerbocker and St. Peter in Mertzon, effective January 15, 2021.

Bishop Michael Sis will offer Masses in English and Spanish on Jan. 1, the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. The 10:00 a.m. English Mass and 12:00 p.m. Spanish Mass will be livestreamed from the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in San Angelo. The Masses will be available on the cathedral's facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SanAngeloCathedral.

Rev. Joseph Vathalloor, CMI, passed away in San Angelo on December 17, 2020, at Shannon Medical Center in San Angelo.