News - March 2017 RSS Feed

By Morline Guillory Associate Director of Philanthropic Services Our little ones, through their creative drawings, are busy praying for the ministries that the Bishop’s Faith Appeal supports. Our theme this year is from John 7:38 “Whoever believes in me … rivers of living water will flow from within him.” This flow of living water is what I feel when I see kids pray.

Sharon Begnaud, coordinator at the Giving Field in Beaumont, was honored as Citizen of the Year by the Neches River Festival during a ceremony at the MCM Elegante in Beaumont on March 30. “The Giving Field was created as a donation garden to provide fresh food for the hungry.

The Spanish language Pastoral Theology class was taught at the Diocese of Beaumont Catholic Pastoral Center March 26. Sister Jolanda Cruz, from the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Mary of Namur, taught the class.

St. Mary Church in Fannett will no longer have glare at certain times of the day as new stained glass is being installed in the windows at the top of the church walls. Father Jim McClintock, pastor at St. Mary said because the parish exceeded its Bishop’s Faith Appeal goal for 2016, all gifts in excess of the goal were returned to St. Mary.

By Bishop Curtis J. Guillory, SVD In Leviticus 19:34 we read, “You shall treat the alien who resides with you no differently than the natives born among you; have the same love for him as for yourself; for you, too, were once aliens in the land of Egypt.

By Richard Rosario Prayer. Being in Texas, there seems to be a lot of it around us in both private and public spaces. “I’ll be praying for you.” “Keep me in your prayers.” “Bless your heart.” (Normally said if you encounter someone unattractive or lacking certain intelligence) “Don’t eat until you pray.” Prayer being everywhere can be a good thing, especially during Lent.

“You’re not from Texas are you?” was the first and only question Father Robert Kennedy, SJ, answered at a past Christian Zen Retreat at the Holy Family Retreat Center in Beaumont. It was followed by three days of silence.

A priest who rode to church on a pretty white horse started an 80-year tradition in Ames. That is the origin of the Our Mother of Mercy Easter Weekend Rodeo. The 80th Annual Easter Weekend Rodeo is April 15-16 at the Liberty County Fairgrounds, 321 Wallisville Road in Liberty.

First responders were honored at Duty Calls March 22 at the Julie Rogers Theatre. Bishop Curtis J. Guillory, SVD, offered the convocation and thanked the first responders for their service. New York Fire Department Lt. Joe Torrillo, who survived both trade tower collapses on Sept. 11, 2001, was the guest speaker.

Sister Mary Frances Heins, O.P., passed away on March 20, 2017. Born on November 12, 1927, in Galveston, she was always proud to have been “born on the island.” Her parents were Rosella Eckenfels and George Heins Sr. She is predeceased by her parents and her brother, George Jr; and she is survived by her niece Lenora Heins Gordon, great niece Jennifer Gordon, and cousins.

The Catholic Student Center at Lamar University celebrated the Feast of St. Joseph with a Mass and its first St. Joseph altar March 19. Father Tino Barrera was the celebrant. A spaghetti meal was served with fruits and desserts from the altar.

Father Paul Ofoha, MSP, was officially installed as pastor at Blessed Sacrament Church, Beaumont, during Mass on March 19. Bishop Curtis J. Guillory, SVD, was the celebrant and asked that the congregation join Father Ofoha in an effort to evangelize the community.

The Priest Lenten Holy Hour was March 16 at Our Lady’s Chapel adjoining St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica in Beaumont. Bishop Curtis J. Guillory, SVD, presided over an hour spent before the Blessed Sacrament, with quiet reflection, scripture and singing.

WASHINGTON (CNS) — The Catholic ministry whose work includes caring for the spiritual life of those who work in the seas announced Bishop Brendan J. Cahill of Victoria, Texas, as its new bishop promoter in the United States.

AUSTIN, Texas (CNS) — McDonald’s, Apple, Starbucks and … the Catholic Church? In terms of recognizable organization names, the Catholic Church has to rank near the top. But, does it view itself as a brand to be marketed?

“Jesus told Paul ‘In your weakness is glory,'” Bishop Curtis J. Guillory, SVD, said as he celebrated White Mass with doctors, nurses and healthcare providers at St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica on March 12.

By Marilyn Tennissen “So, what’s this rosary ‘thing’ y’all do?” the woman asked as she pulled up her chair next to the priest. “Well,” the priest said with a smile. “Let’s talk about it.” And, right there in the middle of Mardi Gras of Southeast Texas, an encounter happened.

On the television series Star Trek, medical officer McCoy could simply wave a device over a patient and know what was wrong with him. This type of instant diagnosis is still futuristic, but it is getting much closer.

By Bishop Curtis J. Guillory, SVD Many Christians throughout the world observe the season of Lent as a time of renewal, sacrifice and simplicity. It is a time to walk with Christ on his way to Jerusalem where he died and was raised from the dead for our salvation.

The Blessed Sacrament, 780 Porter St., Beaumont, St. Joseph Altar is March 19 following the 8 a.m. Mass. The meal is prepared and served by the St. Joseph Society. Dine in and take out available. For more information, call (409) 833-6089.