News - May 2017 RSS Feed

As his life was being celebrated, Father Egidio Vecchio, MS, was described as a one who went out to minister and was a good shepherd to his parishioners. Father Rene Butler, MS, provincial superior for the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette, celebrated the Funeral Mass for Father Vecchio May 31 at Our Lady of Prompt Succor, Sulphur, La.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, May 31, 2017, at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Parish in Sulphur, LA at 11:00 am. Visitation will be held at Our Lady of Prompt Succor on Tuesday, May 30, 2017 from 5 to 8 pm and on Wednesday, May 31 from 9 to 10:45 am.

Father Egidio A. Vecchio, M.S., former pastor of Our Lady of the Pines Parish, Woodville, died last night at the Archbishop Joseph Fiorenza Residence for Retired Priests in Houston. Father Vecchio was a member of the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette.

My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, As many of you know, I recently had a medical issue that required a hospital stay. I had an episode of not feeling well and went to get checked. Last week doctors implanted a pacemaker.

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis and U.S. President Donald Trump spent 30 minutes speaking privately in the library of the Apostolic Palace May 24, and as the president left, he told the pope, “I won’t forget what you said.” The atmosphere at the beginning was formal and a bit stiff.

By Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Here is the Vatican’s statement on Pope Francis’ meeting May 24 with U.S. President Donald Trump: This morning, Wednesday, May 24, 2017, the Honorable Donald Trump, president of the United States of America, was received in audience by the Holy Father Francis and subsequently met with His Eminence Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, accompanied by His Excellency Msgr.

WASHINGTON—The chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Migration, Bishop Joe S. Vásquez of Austin, offered his appreciation to Secretary John Kelly of the Department of Homeland Security for his decision to extend Temporary Protective Status for Haitians in the United States for six months but urged continued engagement and humanitarian assistance to improve conditions in Haiti.

WASHINGTON— Six Chairmen of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops have released a letter in advance of the anticipated unveiling of President Donald J. Trump’s full budget plan tomorrow. That proposed budget is expected to call for a sharp increase in military spending while making significant cuts across much of the rest of government, including the planned elimination of dozens of long-standing federal programs that assist the poor and vulnerable.

By Simon Caldwell Catholic News Service MANCHESTER, England (CNS) — Pope Francis decried the “barbaric attack” on concertgoers in Manchester, adding his voice to Catholic leaders dismayed at what British officials said was the deadliest case of terrorism since 2005.

Passage of House bill 3859, authored by Rep. James Frank and Sen. Charles Perry, provides conscience protection for organizations and individuals wishing to serve in Texas’ foster care system AUSTIN — The Texas Legislature has passed a bill providing people motivated by their religious beliefs the freedom to serve children in Texas’ foster care system.

A Living Rosary kicked off the annual Third Age Celebration sponsored by Parish Social Ministry of Catholic Charities of Southeast Texas. Held this year on May 16 at Our Lady of the Assumption, Beaumont, the annual event celebrates those who are over 50 and gives folks from across the diocese an opportunity to gather for worship, fellowship, entertainment and lunch.

Search for common ground will be key to pope’s meeting with Trump By Cindy Wooden Catholic News  Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Despite a few pointed comments in the past and fundamental differences on issues such as immigration, economic policy, military spending and climate change, sparks are not expected to fly May 24 when Pope Francis welcomes U.S. President Donald Trump to the Vatican.

In a celebration of ministry priests of the Diocese of Beaumont gathered May 18 at Holy Family Retreat Center for their annual Mass and lunch to celebrate those with major anniversaries. Msgr. Bill Manger gave the homily where he encouraged his brother priests in their ministry to the Catholic faithful in Southeast Texas.

Excellence in Education in the Catholic Schools was celebrated May 10 at the annual Bishop’s Appreciation Banquet. The principal at the schools spoke about the recipients at each of the schools with Bishop Curtis Guillory, SVD, along with superintendent of Catholic Schools Marcia Stevens, school board president Elise Fulton Smith and board member Mike Fulgenz presenting the awards.

The Texas State Council of the Knights of Columbus presented Bishop Curtis J. Guillory, SVD, with a gift of $12,393.50. This gift will go towards the Infirm Priests Fund, which helps priests in the diocese during severe illness.

Reprinted with permission from Diocese of Tyler EMORY – St. John The Evangelist Church in Emory was destroyed by one of the tornadoes that ripped across East Texas the evening of April 29. About 45 people were sheltering in the parish hall some 10 feet away from the church during the storm, but no injuries were reported.