Our community is disheartened and disappointed at the decision of the Supreme Court. I am afraid for women who go to these clinics in El Paso - Hilltop and Reproductive Services. Women’s healthcare should be held to the highest standards, yet the Supreme Court decided that abortion clinic profits were more important than providing common-sense care for women seeking abortion. When we go to any outpatient surgical centers, we expect the best care possible. Why can’t abortion clinics provide the best care for women?
 
The Reverence for Life office along with other pro-life groups in the city invite our community to join us in prayer and participation in events such as 40 Days for Life and Sidewalk Advocates for Life to pray to end abortion. Women deserve better than abortion and we are available to talk to anyone that is thinking about having an abortion. Abortion is not your only choice.

On Friday, June 24th, Bishop Mark Seitz celebrated mass at the Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Watch the mass here:

Click on the link to view slide show.

Watch a you tube.

I am extremely disappointed to hear that the U.S. Supreme Court has acted to overturn the will of the people of Texas to provide common sense protections to women who are seeking the serious medical procedure of an abortion.  An abortion results in the death and dismemberment of an unborn child but it also can have serious risks for the mother.  A 2009 Finnish study reported that 20% of abortions had potentially serious complications.

Unregulated facilities such as the one in Philadelphia under the direction of the murderous abortionist, Kermit Gosnell, led to abuses that only a few years ago shocked the nation with his butchery of women for profit.  Without oversight, what is to prevent this situation from taking place here in Texas?

It is sad to see that the drive for the license to kill the unborn has now led us in this country to turn our heads the other way, failing to even sensibly regulate this deadly commerce which often harms the mother and always results in the death of her child.

We continue to pray and work toward a culture of respect and legal protection for every human life, from the moment of conception to natural death, where every mother facing an unexpected pregnancy will know she has the love and support she needs to choose life for her unborn child.

Bp. Mark J. Seitz

Get your tickets for Catholic Night .

AUSTIN — The US Supreme Court has decided, in a 5-3 decision, to strike down Texas HB2, a law that protects women’s safety while seeking an abortion. The Texas Bishops are highly concerned that this ruling puts women at grave risk.
The Texas State Legislature overwhelmingly approved HB2. Its main purpose is to secure surgical center, health and safety standards for women seeking an abortion. Their lives are just as precious as those of their children.
Surgical abortion is an invasive procedure that poses numerous and serious medical complications. The state has a legitimate interest in ensuring the maximum level of safety for the woman subjected to the procedure and that viable emergency care is available if complications such as hemorrhage, infection, uterine perforation, blood clots, cervical tears, or allergic reactions occur. It is irresponsible for physicians to perform this procedure without being able to provide follow-up treatment for the associated complications.
The Catholic Church in Texas, in communion with millions of Catholics and pro-life people across America and the world, will continue our efforts to protect life and human dignity from conception to natural death.
The Texas Catholic Conference is the association of the Roman Catholic bishops of Texas. Through the TCC, the bishops provide a moral and social public policy voice that includes monitoring all legislation pertaining to Catholic moral and social teaching; accredit the state's Catholic schools; and maintain records that reflect the work and the history of the Catholic Church in Texas.

In November 2014, when President Obama announced new actions to stave off deportation for an expanded group of migrants who came to this country as children and their parents, he recalled Scripture, which “tells us that we shall not oppress a stranger, for we know the heart of a stranger – we were strangers once, too.”

Today’s ruling by the Supreme Court in United States v. Texas eliminates those protections, shatters hopes for over 4 million migrants now at risk of deportation, and injects unnecessary fear and anxiety of separation of families across the United States.

President Obama’s announcement of DAPA and expanded DACA was the result of years of painstaking work and committed efforts by migrant advocates, grassroots organizations, some legislators and the faith community. The scandal of a broken system that criminalizes and scapegoats immigrants who fight for a better life for their children and families that contribute every day to our economy and communities is laid bare once again by the decision of the Supreme Court.

When Pope Francis visited our country and addressed Congress, he reminded lawmakers that “when the stranger in our midst appeals to us, we must not repeat the sins and errors of the past.” Today’s sad ruling reinforces our commitment to work for truly comprehensive, permanent immigration reform. We call on Congress to do the same.

It was brought to our attention that a recent event page for a bazaar at St. Thomas Aquinas is circulating on Facebook. 
 
The diocesan bishop, according to the laws of the church, oversees the individual parishes through the appointment of pastors. Therefore, a parish is administered and represented by its pastor in all its affairs according to canon law (church law).
 
All parish activities to include festivals are at the discretion of the parish pastor and not a diocesan-level decision. Therefore, the hosting and/or timing of such an event would be under the direction of St. Thomas Aquinas’ pastor. 
 
Please refer questions regarding the summer bazaar to the St. Thomas Aquinas parish.