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.

The vigil and funeral Mass for Father Joseph Vathalloor, CMI, will be streamed live on the Diocese of San Angelo YouTube channel

On December 14, Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades of Fort Wayne-South Bend, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Doctrine, and Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City in Kansas, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Pro-Life Activities, issued a statement on the new COVID-19 vaccines. In their statement, the bishops address the moral concerns raised by the fact that the three vaccines that appear to be ready for distribution in the United States all have some connection to cell lines that originated with tissue taken from abortions.

El coronavirus se había estado propagando en nuestra área ya por ocho meses. Le agradecí a Dios por el don de la salud, que me permitió seguir sirviendo a nuestro pueblo en un momento de grave pandemia y agitación social. Aquí en San Ángelo, llevábamos mucho tiempo planeando un foro de relaciones raciales, en el cuál incluía líderes comunitarios, funcionarios gubernamentales, portavoces universitarios, y pastores de varias iglesias. Yo tenía grandes esperanzas en su potencial para enfrentar el racismo. Sin embargo, dado que el número de casos aumentó, decidí posponer el evento.

The coronavirus had been spreading in our area for eight months. I was grateful to God for the gift of health, allowing me to continue serving our people in a time of serious pandemic and social turmoil. Here in San Angelo, we had long been planning a race relations forum, involving community leaders, government officials, university spokespersons, and pastors of various churches. I had great hopes for its potential in confronting racism. Nevertheless, as the number of cases spiked, I decided to postpone the event.

The National Catholic Bioethics Center has organized an online introduction to the moral issues involved with COVID-19 vaccines which will be available at 6:00 p.m. Central Time on December 7.

The Race Relations Forum originally scheduled for Nov. 12, 2020, at Holy Angels Church in San Angelo has been postponed due to the current spike in COVID-19 cases in San Angelo. The forum will be rescheduled at a later date.