News - February 2018 RSS Feed

By Junno Arocho Esteves Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Priests must be mindful that the confessional is a place where people can find forgiveness and mercy, not threats and condemnation, Pope Francis said.

It was an evening of celebrating the ministry of Beaumont native Archbishop Joseph Fiorenza at the second annual Spirit of Francis Award dinner Feb. 24 in Houston. The award is given by Catholic Extension.

The Golden Triangle American Heart Association honored Joe Tortorice Jr. with the 2018 Dr. J.C. Crager Community Award at the association’s Heart Ball Feb. 24 at the Beaumont Civic Center. He was recognized for dedicating his life to improving the quality of life for others.

February 23, 2018 WASHINGTON—Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), along with USCCB vice-president, Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, and Bishop Joe S. Vásquez, chairman, USCCB Committee on Migration, have issued a call to U.S. Catholics and people of good will across the nation to take part in a “Call-in-Day” on February 26 for the Protection of Dreamers.

While Catholics across the world celebrated the first Sunday of Lent on Feb. 18, catechumens and candidates from parishes and missions in the Diocese of Beaumont took a major step in their faith journey.

Bishop Curtis Guillory, SVD, celebrated Mass at the Youth 2000 Retreat at St. Anne Parish in Beaumont Feb. 17 framing a spiritual outline for Lent while also listening to what youth and young adults thought about the retreat.

“It’s important to train young people to understand that they have something to the Church,” said Bishop Curtis Guillory, SVD, during the welcoming reception at the Diocesan Encuentro at Msgr. Kelly High School Feb. 17.

“Our final destination is not here in the here and now,” said Bishop Curtis Guillory, SVD, during Ash Wednesday Mass at Saint Anthony Cathedral Basilica Feb.14. “But our ultimate destination is with God forever.

Palms were burned Tuesday night outside St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica in anticipation of Ash Wednesday. The ashes will be used during services this afternoon at the Cathedral. Bishop Curtis Guillory, SVD, will be the celebrant for the 12:10 pm Mass at the cathedral in downtown Beaumont.

Palms were burnt for Ash Wednesday at Saint Anthony Cathedral Basilica in Beaumont Feb. 13. Deacon Flint Barboza, ministerial assistant for pastor-rector at St. Anthony Cathedral, led the celebration.

“On this Fat Tuesday of Mardi Gras, we come together as we should, coming together around the altar of almighty God in prayer and song,” Bishop Curtis Guillory, SVD, said during Mass at the St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel at the Catholic Student Center at Lamar University Feb. 13.

Rain forced St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica School to move its Mardi Gras celebration indoors Feb. 13. But the parade, based on stories from The Bible, carried on inside the school’s hallways and featured floats, beads, candy, and music.

“It’s how we join together in one way in our commitment to Jesus Christ,” Father Sinclair Oubre, JCL, said about how Catholics present their faith when encountering people who are not in the pews but outside of church in places like Mardi Gras in Port Arthur, where he celebrated Mass Feb. 11.

Catholic Boy Scouts from across the Diocese of Beaumont gathered at St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica for Scout Sunday Feb. 4. Attendees received awards presented by Bishop Curtis Guillory, SVD, and Catholic Committee on Scouting Chair Mike Sigur for projects and trainings completed throughout 2017.