In a video co-produced with the Ad Council, Pope Francis urges people to get vaccinated against Covid-19, calling it an act of love toward others. [External link to YouTube]

Bishop Michael J. Sis promulgated four new documents July 22 outlining current coronavirus protocols in the Diocese of San Angelo in four areas: public liturgies, gatherings, faith formation, and Catholic schools. The documents on liturgies and gatherings are updates to the more relaxed Phase Two protocols released on April 29, 2021. This is the first time Phase Two protocols have been issued for faith formation and Catholic schools.

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

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.

A short video from the Centers for Disease Control showcasing some of the reasons to wear a mask. [External Link]

Nuestras ciudades y condados locales han visto un crecimiento en el número de casos positivos de COVID-19 en las últimas tres semanas; los ingresos hospitalarios y los casos críticos también han aumentado muchísimo. Muchos de estos casos están ocurriendo entre nuestro pueblo Católico.

Our local cities and counties have seen a surge in the number of COVID-19 positive cases in the past three weeks; hospital admissions and critical cases have greatly increased as well.  Many of these cases are occurring among our Catholic people.

The Chrism Mass in the Diocese of San Angelo will be held Thursday, September 10, 2020, at 6:30 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in San Angelo.

Dear friends in Christ, In the Catholic Churches of the Diocese of San Angelo, we will not be moving to Phase One of the return to public celebration of Mass on the weekend of May 2-3, because a few remaining points of our diocesan safety protocols are not yet finalized. We are making good progress, but there is still more preparatory work to be done. In the joy of Christ's service,

The link will take you to a story on the website of First Things "As the Church enters a Triduum where a great majority of the faithful lack public access to the sacraments, I'd like to offer some reflections."

Catholics around the country have been putting our contributions into the little cardboard CRS Rice Bowls during Lent to assist the poor in other countries. With current COVID-19 safety precautions discourage people from leaving their homes, here is how to safely turn the money you have collected in to your parish.

All Catholics in our country are invited to join in simultaneous prayer of the Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus at 11:00 a.m. CDT this Good Friday, April 10, 2020. It will be led by Archbishop José Gomez, the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.