Una de mis ceremonias favoritas como obispo diocesano es la investidura pública de un párroco en su parroquia. Cuando celebro este ritual en nuestras iglesias locales, muchos me dicen que es la primera vez que lo presencian. Parte de la liturgia incluye la presentación de los miembros del consejo pastoral y del consejo de finanzas de la parroquia. Al presentarlos al nuevo párroco, digo: “Padre N., este es el consejo pastoral y el consejo de finanzas de la parroquia N. Son la voz de su pueblo y lo asistirán y aconsejarán en su ministerio en esta parroquia. Esté siempre atento a las necesidades que expresen.”

One of my favorite ceremonies as a diocesan bishop is the public installation of a pastor in his parish. When I celebrate this ritual in our local churches, many people tell me it is the first time they have ever seen it take place. Part of the liturgy includes the presentation of the members of the pastoral council and finance council of the parish. As I present the council members to the new pastor, I say, “Father N., this is the pastoral council and the finance council of N. Parish. They are the voice of your people, and they will assist and counsel you as you minister to this parish. Always be attentive to the needs they express.”

On November 12, 2025, and for the first time in 12 years, the U.S. bishops issued a Special Message addressing their concern for the evolving situation impacting immigrants in the United States. Collectively, the bishops have invoked this particularly urgent way of speaking as a body of bishops. Here, some of those bishops come together to give voice to the message, which advocates for a meaningful reform of immigration laws and the recognition of the fundamental dignity of all persons, including immigrants.

Preparando para los próximos días, los pronósticos meteorológicos indican la posibilidad de condiciones climáticas invernales severas en muchas partes de nuestra diócesis. Deseo ofrecerles la siguiente orientación pastoral con respecto a la obligación de asistir a la Misa dominical.

As we approach the coming days, weather forecasts indicate the possibility of severe winter weather conditions in many parts of our diocese. I wish to offer the following pastoral guidance regarding the Sunday Mass obligation.

The Adult Confirmation Mass at St. Mary, Odessa, and the Marriage Jubilee Mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe, Midland, both scheduled for Jan. 25, have been canceled due to expected dangerous driving conditions.

Pope Leo XIV has proclaimed a special Jubilee Year coinciding with the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi.

The Department of Homeland Security said Jan. 14 it issued an interim final rule reducing wait times for religious worker visas. Catholic advocates were among those who pushed the Trump administration to address the backlog in their visa category.

The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage is back for 2026 with a special route that will travel the East Coast from St. Augustine, Florida, to Portland, Maine, ending in Philadelphia, organizers announced Jan. 8.

In response to the deadly Jan. 7 ICE-related shooting in Minneapolis, Archbishop Bernard Hebda of Minneapolis is urging all people to pray for the victim, her family, and the community.

COS operates as the living, breathing words of Matthew 25:35-40: “I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink.”

Tomamos decisiones a diario. La mayoría son decisiones menores, como qué comer, qué tarea hacer primero, a qué hora realizar una acción, dónde poner algo, o qué incluir en nuestro próximo mensaje de texto. Sin embargo, en ciertos momentos clave de nuestro camino, nos enfrentamos a decisiones importantes que afectarán el rumbo fundamental de nuestra vida. Estas decisiones a veces pueden ser difíciles de tomar, y pueden tener un profundo impacto en muchas personas.

We make decisions every day. Most of those decisions are minor ones, such as what to eat, which task to do first, what time to carry out an action, where to put something, or what to put in our next text message. However, at certain key moments along our journey, we are faced with major decisions that will affect the fundamental direction of our life. Those decisions can sometimes be difficult to make, and they can have a profound effect on many people.

Bishop Michael J. Sis has announced that he has appointed Very Rev. Joe Barbieri as the Episcopal Vicar for Priests, effective January 1, 2026. Father Barbieri will take on this responsibility along with his role as Judicial Vicar of the Diocese of San Angelo and Pastor of St. Therese Catholic Parish in Carlsbad.

According to data from the Texas Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), as of August 2025, some 89,076 people in these counties, inclusive of all denominations, participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known by its acronym, SNAP, or as food stamps, with an average monthly allowance per family of $379, slightly higher than the national average.

The annual Catholic day of giving, held the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, boosted several churches and ministries in the Diocese of San Angelo.

El Adviento es un tiempo de esperanza. Reflejamos el anhelo de los antiguos israelitas por la venida del Mesías, y anticipamos la segunda venida de Cristo al final de los tiempos. Estamos inmersos en un tiempo de espera sagrada, orando fervientemente con la Iglesia: “Ven, Señor Jesús” (Ap 22:20).

Advent is a season of hope. We mirror the ancient Israelites’ longing for the coming of the Messiah, and we anticipate the second coming of Christ at the end of time. We are immersed in a time of sacred waiting, fervently praying with the Church, “Come, Lord Jesus” (Rv 22:20).