News - March 2020 RSS Feed

New leadership was announced for Msgr. Kelly Catholic High School in Beaumont! Dr. Teresa Shaffer was announced as the new principal of Kelly High. Bishop Curtis Guillory, SVD, made the announcement March 30 through live streaming on the diocesan Facebook page.

AUSTIN – The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops  have issued a statement supporting the work of civic leaders, led by Governor Greg Abbott and Commissioner of the Department of State Health Services, Dr. John Hellerstedt.

Father Antony Paulose, CMI, pastor of Our Lady of the Assumption, Beaumont, celebrates Mass daily, remembering his parishioners. He placed the names of the parishioners on the altar and the pews of the church.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — In response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Pope Francis said he will give an extraordinary blessing “urbi et orbi” (to the city and the world) at 6 p.m. Rome time – noon Central time – March 27.

By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — In places particularly hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic and with severe limits on people leaving their homes, conditions may exist to grant general absolution to the faithful without them personally confessing their sins first, the Vatican said.

A hotline has been setup for Southeast Texas residents who may be experiencing symptoms of the COVID-19. The hotline becomes effective 8 a.m. March 20, 2020. That was the word today at a news conference held at Jefferson County.

In keeping with the request of Pope Francis, Bishop Curtis Guillory is asking the Catholic faithful to pause where they are – probably at home – and pray the Rosary at 9 pm today, March 19, 2020, the feast of St. Joseph.

In a formal decree issued March 18, 2020, Bishop Curtis Guillory, SVD, suspended all liturgical services including public Masses as well as other church related activities in the Diocese of Beaumont effective at the end of the day on Thursday, March 19, 2020.

Due to the abundance of caution, the diocesan Office of Worship has cancelled the following formation day and workshops. Music Reading, Session 1 , March 26 Christology Workshop Who is Christ , April 23 Liturgical Ministry Formation Day – Lectors , April 25 What Is Liturgy?

The annual Breakfast with the Bishop, sponsored by Catholic Charities of Southeast Texas, will not be held on March 28. Catholic Charities will reschedule the event and distribute the new information and date throughout the community.

The Executive Committee of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a statement March 17 in support of Catholic Relief Services following allegations that CRS has not been adhering to Church teaching.

Marcia Stevens, Superintendent of Catholic Schools, announced today that Catholic School campuses in the Diocese of Beaumont will be closed through April 3, 2020. Stevens said the decision was made following meetings with community leadership and in an abundance of caution in response to the COVID-19 crisis.

In an abundance of caution and following federal and community guidelines, the diocese is canceling all scheduled Protecting God’s Children training sessions up to and including the June 8 session. For more information, please continue to visit the Diocese of Beaumont’s Safe Environment page that can be reached through the tab at the top of this page.

The coronavirus pandemic has affected many people around the world, including the community of Southeast Texas. The St. Joseph’s Day event at St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica, scheduled for March 19, has been cancelled due to the national guidelines given by the White House and in an effort to safeguard the health and safety of the community.

By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The suspension of public Masses in Italy is a painful yet necessary measure to protect people’s health, the country’s bishops said.

Excitement and joy was in the air as the parish of St. Mary and community of Cleveland celebrated Sunday, March 8, when ground was broken for the new church. Plans are for construction to begin within a couple of weeks.

Free medical and social services were offered to people in the community at the 18 th annual St. Katharine Drexel Health Fair. The event was held on March 7 at ML King Middle School, Beaumont. Health care checks were available including screenings for hearing, vision, dental, and other medical screenings.

“Today we honor Sister Julian for her good works,” said Bishop Curtis Guillory, SVD. Bishop Guillory blessed and dedicated the repaired gymnasium at St. Catherine of Siena School, Port Arthur, on March 6.

“Through guidance of the Holy Spirit, St. Katharine Drexel knew that God was calling her to change the lives of others,” said Bishop Curtis Guillory, SVD, during his homily at the St. Katharine Drexel Mass.

On the first Sunday of Lent, more than 200 candidates and catechumens took a major step in their faith journey. On March 1, Bishop Curtis Guillory, SVD, celebrated the Rite of Election at St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica, Beaumont, with the candidates and catechumens who are preparing to receive the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist at Easter.