Bishop Mark Seitz will celebrate the fourth annual Mass of Atonement and Hope on Saturday, March 17 at 10 am in St. Patrick’s Cathedral.  The Mass of Atonement and Hope was initially offered for all the victims of sexual abuse by clergy.  It was an acknowledgement that in the past the Church’s response to reports of sexual abuse by members of the clergy and other religious communities was often lacking, inappropriate, or nonexistent.  As a result, there was a failure to respond appropriately to the needs of victims.  Recognizing that sexual abuse exists in all areas of society and that there are other victims of sexual harassment, physical, domestic, and emotional abuse, Bishop Seitz has chosen to offer this mass for all victims.      
 
It is hoped that the Mass of Atonement and Hope will be a source of healing for the victims and will demonstrate the Church’s concern for their well-being.  The members of the Church, especially pastors and other leaders, recommit themselves to assisting in the healing process for victims.  . 
 
At times, experiencing sexual abuse may cause the victims to become separated from their faith in God and their Church, which could provide them with comfort and solace.  The Mass will provide a reminder to the victims that they have a place where they belong and where they can experience God’s love and mercy.      
 
All victims, family members, those who provide assistance and support to victims and all others are invited to attend the Mass of Atonement and Hope.  We hope to see you there.
 
If you have been a victim of sexual abuse by a member of the clergy, please contact Susan Martinez, Victims Assistance Coordinator for the Diocese of El Paso, at 872-8465
If you wish to participate in ministry or as a volunteer in your parish, please contact your parish Safe Environment Coordinator or  Diana Bulko, Safe Environment Coordinator for the Diocese of El Paso, at 872-8427.
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Once again, with the announcement of the termination of temporary protected status for 200,000 Salvadorans, the government has continued to deconstruct both the values and the actions upon which our great nation has been built.  Rather than showing ourselves to be a nation that is compassionate and welcoming to peoples in trouble, we are showing ourselves to be a nation that xenophobically closes itself in fear of the person in need.  Rather than recognizing that our nation's strength has been its welcome of the immigrant and refugee, we are now setting about breaking up their families and sending them and their U.S. born children away into an uncertain future.
 
This Administration is certifying that the situation on the ground in El Salvador is now safe.  While the homicide rate has supposedly improved recently I wonder if they have seen the statistics or heard the reports revealing that El Salvador is presently the most dangerous place in the world to live--more dangerous by far than living in Afganistan or Syria based upon their unequaled homicide rates.  In fact, El Salvador’s current homicide rate is six times what is considered epidemic by the United Nations.
 
This decision is unconscionable!  It will make some happy, but its impact will be lived out in the future of many innocent people who up to now were peaceably raising their families and contributing to our country.

​​Una vez más, con el anuncio de la cancelación del estado de protección temporal para 200,000 salvadoreños, el gobierno ha continuado destruyendo, tanto los valores, como las acciones sobre las cuales se ha construido nuestra gran nación. En lugar de mostrarnos como es que es una nación compasiva y acogedora con las personas en problemas, nos mostramos como una nación que se cierra xenofóbicamente con miedo a la persona necesitada. En lugar de reconocer que la fortaleza de nuestra nación ha sido la bienvenida del inmigrante y refugiado, ahora estamos empeñados en separar a sus familias y enviarlos a ellos y a sus hijos nacidos en los Estados Unidos a un futuro incierto.
 

 
Esta Administración certifica que la situación sobre el terreno en El Salvador ahora es segura. Si bien la tasa de homicidios supuestamente mejoró recientemente, yo me pregunto si han visto las estadísticas o escuchado los informes que revelan que El Salvador es actualmente el lugar más peligroso del mundo para vivir, más peligroso que vivir en Afganistán o Siria, según sus índices de inigualables tasas de homicidios. De hecho, la tasa de homicidios actual en El Salvador es seis veces mayor a lo que las Naciones Unidas consideran una epidemia.
 

 
¡Esta decisión es desmesurada! Hará felices a algunos, pero su impacto se vivirá en el futuro de muchas personas inocentes que hasta ahora criaban pacíficamente a sus familias y contribuían en nuestro país.

​Horario de Eventos para la semana del 22 de enero - 26 de enero, 2018
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Lunes, 22 de Enero Orador invitado. Padre Gustavo Sánchez Prieto de la Arquidiócesis de Chihuahua habla sobre el Martirio de San Pedro de Jesús Maldonado en la Catedral de San Patricio a las 7:00 p.m.
 
Martes, 23 de Enero Musical de la vida de San Pedro de Jesús Maldonado realizado por el Instituto Tepeyac en el auditorio de Bowie High School a las 7 p.m.
 
Miércoles, 24 de Enero Panel de Discusión de San Pedro de Jesús Maldonado por sobrevivientes del Movimiento Cristero, familiares y amigos del Santo en la Catedral de San Patricio a las 7:00 p.m.
 
Jueves, 25 de Enero Misa del Centenario de la Ordenación de San Pedro de Jesús Maldonado en la Catedral de San Patricio a las 7:00 p.m.
 
Viernes, 26 de Enero Hora Santa dirigida por el Padre Fernando Zapata Maldonado, Sacerdote de la Arquidiócesis de Chihuahua y Sobrino de San Pedro de Jesús Maldonado en la Catedral de San Patricio a las 7:00 p.m.

Calendar of Events for Week of January 22nd – 26th, 2018
Monday, January 22nd Guest Speaker Fr. Gustavo Sanchez Prieto of the Archdiocese of Chihuahua speaks on the Martyrdom of San Pedro de Jesus Maldonado at St. Patrick Cathedral at 7:00 pm
Tuesday, January 23rd San Pedro de Jesus Maldonado Musical Performed by Tepeyac Institute
at Bowie High School Auditorium at 7pm
Wednesday, January 24th Panel Discussion of San Pedro de Jesus Maldonado
by survivors of the Cristero Movement, family and friends of the saint at St. Patrick Cathedral at 7:00 pm
Thursday, January 25th Centennial Anniversary Mass of the Ordination of San Pedro de Jesus Maldonado
at St. Patrick Cathedral at 7:00 pm
Friday, January 26th  Holy Hour
 led by Fr. Fernando Zapata Maldonado,
Priest of the Archdiocese of Chihuahua and Grandnephew of San Pedro de Jesus Maldonado
at St. Patrick Cathedral at 7:00 pm

​St. Raphael School needs an after-school care assistant.
Job Duties: To assist the after-school care manager in monitoring students in the program. To assist in giving snacks and monitoring students who are working on homework.
Hours: 10 hours per week - 3:15 - 5:15 Monday thru Friday
Please contact St. Raphael School 598-2241 for more information.
 

Para Publicación Inmediata
5 de Noviembre de 2017

El Paso - La mayoría de nosotros lo hemos experimentado; cuando vamos a la iglesia, a adorar a Dios, entramos en un mundo en el que soñamos que sería la vida. En un lugar donde Dios es honrado, la esperanza se restaura y los extraños se convierten en hermanos y hermanas. La iglesia es un lugar donde reinan la paz y el amor.

Aunque los hechos todavía son limitados con respecto al tirador y sus motivos, es probable que el odio se haya apoderado de su corazón. Un corazón lleno de odio no puede tolerar signos del reino de Dios.
 
Nuestras oraciones se elevan para aquellos miembros de la Primera Iglesia Bautista, quienes han dado el máximo testimonio. Extendemos nuestras más profundas condolencias y ofrecemos oraciones por cada una de sus afligidas familias y por toda la comunidad de Sutherland Springs, en Texas.

Como con cualquier acto de terror, no debemos permitir que el mal comportamiento nos haga temer o impedir que hagamos lo correcto. En definitiva, sabemos que el amor de Dios saldrá victorioso. Al mismo tiempo, seremos proactivos en el trabajo con nuestras parroquias diocesanas para garantizar que los planes de acción de emergencia estén en su lugar y se mantengan como corresponde.
 
 
Obispo Mark J. Seitz
​Obispo, Diócesis de El Paso

For Immediate Release
November 5, 2017

El Paso-Most of us have experienced it; when we go to church to worship God we enter a world that is what we dream life will be.  It is a place where God is honored, hope is restored, and strangers become brothers and sisters.  Church is a place where peace and love reign.  

Although facts are still limited regarding the shooter and his motives, it is likely that hatred took possession of his heart.   A hate-filled heart cannot tolerate signs of God's kingdom.  

Our prayers go out for those members of the First Baptist Church who have given the ultimate witness. We extend our deepest condolences and offer prayers for each of their grieving families and to the entire community of Sutherland Springs, Texas.  

As with any act of terror we must not allow evil behavior to make us fearful or to prevent us from doing what is right.  Ultimately, we know that the love of God will be victorious.   At the same time, we will be proactive in working with our diocesan parishes to ensure Emergency Action Plans are in place and maintained accordingly.

Bp. Mark J. Seitz
Bishop, Diocese of El Paso