A Time for Penance, Sacrifice, and Renewal
Catholics are asked a lot of questions during Lent: What's that on your forehead? Why are you not eating meat on Fridays? Consider how each of these moments is an opportunity to dialogue and evangelize! 

Ashes are placed on our foreheads in the Sign of the Cross as a call to repentance and as a physical reminder of the earth from which we were created by God. Denying yourself meat on Fridays, or adding an intentional devotional practice or act of kindness are small sacrifices compared to Christ's sacrifice on the cross. So when your friends or co-workers express curiosity about Catholic customs, don't be shy! Proclaim your faith during Lent and throughout the year.

God bless you ,
Joan Martinez
Department for Pastoral Ministries
In the Spirit of Encounter: Ad Limina
In the Catholic Church, an ad limina apostolorum or simply an ad limina visit is the obligation of diocesan bishops and certain prelates with territorial jurisdiction, to visit the tombs of the Apostles, Saints Peter and Paul, and of meeting the pope to report on the state of their dioceses or prelatures. It is a formal trip with the profound character of a pilgrimage made together by all bishops from a single region that occurs every 5 years.

This past January, Archbishop Gustavo and Bishop Mike along with the bishops of Texas, Arkansas and Oklahoma (Region X) arrived in Rome where they were able to dialogue with the Vicar of Christ and pray at the tombs of St. Peter and St. Paul. The bishops met with the Holy Father on the morning of Jan. 20 for almost 3 hours where all were moved by the depth of Pope Francis's individually-tailored attentiveness. Conversation was open and welcoming. Pope Francis discussed issues close to the region: migrants, refugees, and the border with an emphasis on faith and family. He also spoke about the importance of discernment, listening to the call of the Spirit, and listening to every voice within the church. The bishops also met with members of the Roman Curia.

Archbishop Gustavo and Bishop Mike returned to San Antonio renewed in Spirit and pastoral zeal. We rejoice with them for the Encuentro that this ad limina visit provided to renew the commitment of unbreakable obedience of this local Church to the Roman Pontiff.
Calendar of Events
Sat., Feb. 15

Online registration is now closed. To register, please call 210-734-1952 and we will be happy to assist you.
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.
Tues., Feb. 18
Sat., March 21

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.
Charles Ramirez
Coordinator
Office for Events and Gatherings
We asked Charles to tell us when he fell in love with Jesus and to explain how it changed his life.

When I was in elementary school, I portrayed one of the Sanhedrin priests in the Passion Play every Good Friday at Our Lady of Mount Carmel parish. As I witnessed Christ’s passion during this early part of my life, I remember first falling in love with Him. Fast-forward to me at 30 years old: I portrayed Jesus in the Passion Play at the San Fernando Cathedral. This profound, personal experience made me love Jesus in a new and transformative way. Since then, I see Him as my intimate friend who not only lives inside of me but inside of each one of us. I now make it my intention to fall in love with Jesus again every day by recognizing Him in the people and blessings in my life.
Let's Talk About: Confirmation  
Just as baptism formally begins one's relationship with Christ in the Church, confirmation completes the initiation in which the Holy Spirit strengthens God's grace, bringing us closer to Christ and better prepared to face life's challenges.

I t is preferable that adults 18 years of age and older receive this sacrament at the Confirmation Mass scheduled at their home parish so as to be accompanied by their parish community. Adult Confirmation Masses should be reserved to those adults who, for pastoral reasons, are unable to be confirmed at their parish’s most proximate Confirmation ceremony.

For your convenience, our Adult Confirmation flyer lists Confirmation Mass dates for those who need these options. For more information about Confirmation, contact your priest, deacon or lay pastoral minister.
Question of the Month
Q: What is the Office for Parish Life and how does it function?
A: Under the Pastoral Leadership of the Most Rev. Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller, MSpS, the Office for Parish Life was created in order to better assist the fulfillment of the Archdiocesan Mutually Shared Vision for discipleship and leadership that begins with the proclamation of the Sacred Purpose of the Archdiocese of San Antonio.

Parish Life Liaisons assist parishes in the Archdiocese by accompanying Pastors primarily and, at their request, accompanying their pastoral staff. Liaisons assist Pastors in their discernment of pastoral and renewal planning, ministry and leadership development for their parishes. They serve to inform, support, and promote annual and ongoing archdiocesan initiatives and activities so that all People of God benefit from them. Liaisons, ambassadors of the Archbishop and the Archdiocese of San Antonio, serve as a conduit to Pastoral Center specialists.

Liaisons have newly assigned parishes and are currently engaging pastors anew in this pastoral accompaniment. Who is your Pastor's Liaison? Locate your parish on this interactive map to find out.
How Can We Help You?
Department for Pastoral Ministries
210-734-1952 | Email Us