Joan Martinez
Department Head
Wait in Hopeful Expectation for His Coming
In the middle of this Advent season, I am reminded, rather frequently, of my prayer intention for patience. Because of so many moments of waiting and anticipation, it's too easy to succumb to the holiday business (busy-ness). And during this time, the Church invites us, very intentionally, to direct our hearts and minds to the certain promise of Emmanuel, the Savior for all ages!

Let the certainty of His return give us hope and peace of mind. May we accept the invitation to slow down, reflect, count our blessings, and to serve those in need during the holidays and always.

God bless you ,
Joan Martinez
Department for Pastoral Ministries
In the Spirit of Encounter
In colorful costumes, approximately 400 matachines dancers paid honor to the Virgin Mary on the morning of Dec. 8th, by dancing from Mission San Juan to Mission San Jose to celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception . 

Approximately 14 different matachines groups participated, each with their own distinctive beaded and embroidered costumes with headdresses of feathers. The matachines dance has been part of the Christmas celebrations at the Missions since the eighteenth century, and represents the battle of Christianity against pagan practices, incorporating the dances of the native people. The matachines ended their pilgrimage by dancing in the plaza before one of the oldest statutes of the Virgin of Guadalupe in the United States, represented in the façade of Mission San Jose.
Calendar of Events
Sat., Feb. 15
Registration is open!

Along with Archbishop Gustavo, this event will feature Keynote Speaker Ela Milewska , Director of Youth Faith Formation in the Archdiocese of New York. Topics to be presented include Pope Francis’ Three Sensitivities to Help Youth Discern their Vocation , The Camino de San Antonio Missions: Our Religious Heritage for the Next Generation , and many others.
Sat., March 21
Registration is open!

Youth Spectacular will encourage youth to march ahead empowered by Christ’s love, ready to face life’s challenges! Join us along with Keynote Speaker Fr. Agustino Torres, CFR , Ar chbishop Gustavo, and the music of RVBATO for a fun-filled day of interactive activities, prayer, worship, and teaching.
John Miller
Associate Director
Institute for for Lay Ecclesial Ministry and Service
We asked John to tell us when he fell in love with Jesus and to explain how it changed his life.

I was raised as an Episcopalian and felt that I had a relationship with Jesus all along. However, it was only after I began praying through the Holy Rosary that I truly came into relationship with Jesus. One day, as I was praying the Rosary, He invited me to come into full communion with the Catholic Church. At this pivotal time, our Lord showed me that faith in Him must involve a full integration of heart and mind. 

As I was inundated with Jesus’ love, I could not help but fall in love with Him who first loved me. I thus followed Him into His Church and subsequently into lay ecclesial ministry, where I serve Jesus by serving His people, and into holy matrimony with my wonderful wife, Amanda, as Jesus is at the center of our relationship.
Let's Talk About: The Gift of Life  
On January 22, 1973, the Supreme Court legalized abortion throughout the United States in its companion decisions Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton . Since that time, millions of children have lost their lives and millions of women and families have been wounded by abortion.

Every year, the Archdiocese of San Antonio calls for the renewed protection and promotion of the gift of life with a prayer service, procession, and mass for life at San Fernando Cathedral around the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision. Our bilingual Prayer, Procession, and Mass for Life will be held on Sunday, January 12th, the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. The prayer service begins at St. Mary's Church Downtown, followed by a prayerful procession to San Fernando Cathedral, where Mass will be presided by Most Reverend Gustavo Garcia-Siller, MSpS.

For more information, visit our website, email Nicky Mata or call 210-734-1679.
Question of the Month
Q: What are some genuine Catholic Christmas traditions?
A: Imm ediately after Thanksgiving, it is common for families to begin hanging Christmas lights and decorating. However, the liturgical season of Christmas begins with Mass on Christmas Eve and ends on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, January 12.

Nativity scenes, also called manger scenes or crèches, are popular symbols of the season and a tradition in many Christian homes. What you may not know is that this tradition originated with St. Francis of Assisi, who is credited with creating the first nativity scene on Christmas Eve in 1223! It is said that he was inspired to recreate the scene of Christ's birth after visiting the Holy Land. Find instructions on how to bless a Nativity scene from the USCCB. In a recent Apostolic letter, Pope Francis said the nativity scene teaches us that " we are with Him, His children, brothers and sisters all, thanks to that Child who is the Son of God and the Son of the Virgin Mary .”

Gift exchange with family and friends as a way to honor God the Father's gift of his only son to the world is another popular tradition. Having received the gift of Christ, we naturally want to pass that gift along to our loved ones.

Wish a stranger Merry Christmas during the Christmas season up through January 12 and explain why as an opportunity to evangelize in the New Year.
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Department for Pastoral Ministries
210-734-1952 | Email Us