Welcome to The New Messenger, your weekly archdiocesan newsletter featuring messages from Archbishop Gustavo, news briefs, event previews, and updated information. Look for this newsletter in your inbox every Friday.

The Holy Spirit promises to bring us back to the God who created us. Faith already gives us something of that for which we hope. Thanks to the Holy Spirit — whom Jesus promised to us — we have a better understanding of the words of the prophets. God does not punish the way the ancient peoples thought. The worst consequence of our sins is self-inflicted alienation from God, who is the source of everything that is good, beautiful, and true. You are the fruit of God’s love. It is a love so immense, that it overflows. God not only loved us into being, but He continues to love us into our sanctification, counting on our cooperation. Our calling is to take part in God’s love. Whatever you identify as the deepest desire of your heart, gives you just a glimpse into the immense rejoicing that awaits you as you accept Jesus as your Lord and your God. 

May the prayer that Saint Paul VI composed for the first World Day of Vocations on April 11, 1964, accompany us on our journey:

“O Jesus, divine Shepherd of souls, you called the apostles and made them fishers of men. Continue to draw to yourself ardent and generous souls from among the young, in order to make them your followers and your ministers. Give them a share in your thirst for the redemption of all… Open before them the horizons of the entire world… By responding to your call, may they prolong your mission here on earth, build up your Mystical Body which is the Church, and be ‘the salt of the earth’ and ‘the light of the world’ (Mt 5:13)”.

World Day of Prayer for Vocations will be observed on Sunday, April 30, also known as “Good Shepherd Sunday.” The purpose of this day is to publicly fulfill the Lord’s instruction to “Pray the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into his harvest.” (Mt 9:38; Lk 10:2). 

Please pray that more young men hear and respond generously to the Lord’s call to the priesthood and religious life, especially to the diocesan priesthood. Do you know a young man who you believe would make a great priest? Tell him! And identify the specific gifts you see in him! Remember that you are the first collaborators with our families in building the culture of vocations in the archdiocese. Through our combined efforts, the archdiocese is becoming fertile soil, and we have begun to “bring forth fruit with patience.” (Luke 8:15). 

Sacramental Records Training Workshops are being held online via Zoom on the following dates: Tuesday, May 2 from, 9 a.m. – noon and Thursday, June 22 from 9 a.m. – noon. All classes are open to anyone that works with sacramental records including, secretaries, record keepers, directors of religious education, deacons, and priests. To register for the classes email archive@archsa.org. For deans interested in scheduling an in-person workshop for their deanery, contact Elvira Sanchez Kisser for details at elvira.kisser@archsa.org. 

Guided by Catholic Social Teaching, Catholic Charities of San Antonio remains committed to serving all people who require assistance. As it continues to provide humanitarian support to asylum seekers and other people in need, Catholic Charities is requesting clothing donations for adults and clothing and toys donations for children who have recently arrived in our city. Your donations of new and gently used clothes can be dropped off at St. Stephen's CARE Center (2127 S. Zarzamora St., SATX).

At Theology on Tap, young adults gather at Blue Star Brewing Company (Directions) to hear a dynamic presentation on relevant Catholic topics and issues in an informal environment. Our presenter will be Father Brian Garcia, archdiocesan Campus Ministry director, speaking on the topic “Discernment in a World of Artificial Intelligence.” For more information, visit the webpage or contact Esperanza Sanchez at (210) 734-1966.

To prepare for the Solemnity of Pentecost in the Church, Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller, MSpS, invites you to pray the Pentecost Novena with him every day from Friday, May 19, to Saturday, May 27. You may follow along each day with the videos and guide (coming soon). Then join us at the Pentecost Vigil Mass at Holy Spirit Church on May 27 at 5 p.m. The Mass will also be streamed live on CTSA Facebook.

Photo of the Week

“Service and Spirituality,” a day of reflection for those involved in archdiocesan Criminal Justice Ministry, took place at the St. Paul Community Center on April 22. Among the presenters for the day were Auxiliary Bishop Gary Janak and Sister Teresa Carter, CSB, chaplaincy director for Chrysalis Ministries, speaking about her 29 years of service as chaplain at the Bexar County Jail. At the conclusion of the event she was honored by Deacon Adrian Cepeda, director of Criminal Justice Ministry for the archdiocese, and Bishop Janak. Those interested in volunteering or learning more about the Criminal Justice Ministry can visit the website archsa.org/Departments and Agencies/Pastoral Ministries/Criminal Justice. In addition, more information can also be given by Deacon Cepeda at (210) 734-1634 or by e-mail at adrian.cepeda@archsa.org 

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