Priests of the Archdiocese

ENCYCLICAL LETTER
FRATELLI TUTTI
OF THE HOLY FATHER
FRANCIS
ON FRATERNITY AND SOCIAL FRIENDSHIP

 
1."Fratelli Tutti" With these words, Saint Francis of Assisi addressed his brothers and sisters and proposed to them a way of life marked by the flavour of the Gospel. Of the counsels Francis offered, I would like to select the one in which he calls for a love that transcends the barriers of geography and distance, and declares blessed all those who love their brother “as much when he is far away from him as when he is with him” In his simple and direct way, Saint Francis expressed the essence of a fraternal openness that allows us to acknowledge, appreciate and love each person, regardless of physical proximity, regardless of where he or she was born or lives.

To read the encyclical in its entirety, click HERE.

The annual Liturgical Preparation Aid for the Seasons of Advent and Christmas (Year B).  It contains:

• Information regarding preparing liturgies during the pandemic
• Handouts which you might provide for families and the homebound (about the Advent Season, the Advent Wreath, and the Jesse Tree)
• A full text for a Rite of Reconciliation of Several Penitents with Individual Confession and Absolution (to be used in regions where permissible)
• Readings                                                                                                                             
  • Alternative Readings                                                                                                     
  • Sample Penances                                                                                                           
  • Music Suggestions                                                                                                          
• The Liturgical Year Calendar Advisory                                                                     
• Lectionary Readings for Sundays & Solemnities (Year B)                                                                           
• The Proclamation of the Birth of Christ   (to be sung before Mass)
• Proclamation of the Date of Easter (to be sung on the Solemnity of the Epiphany)
• The O Antiphons (December 17-24)                                                                                       

Universal Prayers on racism  (posted 6-10-20)

• For the sustained conversion of all members of the Church to hearts and souls that fully reject all racism, let us pray to the Lord.
• For the guidance of the Holy Spirit in the Church's public witness and commitment to ending racism, let us pray to the Lord.
• For an end to the evil and deep-seated sin of racism throughout the world, let us pray to the Lord.
• For all who have suffered, and continue to suffer, from the violence to human dignity inherent in racism, let us pray to the Lord.

The Vatican has issued a new Votive Mass in Time of Pandemic. This Mass can be celebrated, according to the rubrics given for Masses and Prayers for Various Needs and Occasions, on any day except Solemnities, the Sundays of Advent, Lent, and Easter, days within the Octave of Easter, the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls’ Day), Ash Wednesday and the days of Holy Week.

To access the document which contains the orations for the Mass, click HERE. The orations in English begin at page 8. The Spanish begins on page 6.

The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments has suggested two options for the readings. Click HERE for English and click HERE for Spanish.

The events of the past few weeks have left many people in the Church – clergy and faithful alike -- confused, angry, shocked, and bewildered. We grieve for the victims of abuse and for their families. They have endured years, even decades, of physical and psychological scars. All of us, as the Body of Christ, must do all we can to assist them.

Unfortunately, it seems that news accounts have painted the Church and its hierarchy with too broad a brushstroke –condemning all for the failings of a few. Thousands of good and faithful priests are tainted by the actions of those who abused the most vulnerable in their care. Diocesan bishops were all made to look suspect, even though most were diligent in following the charter for the protection of children. The wonderful programs and policies of the Church have become overshadowed by more salacious headlines.

What can we do? First, we can turn to our God in prayer. He never ceases to guide his Church, to sanctify its members, and to protect it from harm. Once again and still, we turn to Jesus, our High Priest, and find consolation and strength in his Word and Sacraments. (FDLC Resources Introduction)

Here are listed a variety of resources to assist you in gathering people for prayer. The FDLC resources are extensive. May God assist us all as we turn to Him, the Source of all healing, comfort and peace.

A Prayer For Our Church (English)    (Spanish)

A Litany of Forgiveness (English)      (Spanish)

FDLC Resources for Liturgy and Prayer  (English)    (Spanish)

To download the Year of Grace 2018 document, click HERE.

To download the Year of Grace 2019 document, click HERE.

To download the YEAR OF GRACE 2020 document, click HERE.

The Office of Worship has published a Quick Guide to Wedding Masses on Fridays and Saturdays.  The hope is that whoever is responsible for helping the couples select the time and date for their wedding can be aware that the selection of an evening Mass time/ particular day is impacted by the rubrics.   Here is a quick reference guide as to whether the nuptial prayers and readings can be used.

Welcome to this website for the priests of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. The intent of this website is to become a place where our brother priests can find information to assist them in their priestly life and ministry. It can also be a place for the sharing of ideas and information to become more effective ministers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Please feel free to share your ideas and suggestions with the Ongoing Formation of Priests Committee. We can be reached by clicking HERE.

This document is the basic plan of ongoing formation for priests who count themselves among other believers but who also stand and serve in a unique way in the Church of Christ, conformed to Christ as his sacramental representatives in the presbyteral order. God invites them to transformation across their lifetime, and their formation is marked by constant elements at every stage of life. At the same time, there are specific formational challenges that emerge in particular seasons of their priestly ministry. Both the constant and the changing elements of formation are included in the basic plan.

For a complete copy of the Basic Plan for the Ongoing Formation of Priests, click HERE.