Feb 2020 Texas Catholic Voice
In this issue of the Texas Catholic Voice:
- Executive Director Jennifer Carr Allmon discusses service and advocacy ...
A Message from Jennifer Allmon, Executive Director
As we begin this season of Lent, we are reminded the Church’s engagement in the public square is not merely a political action but a witness to the paschal mystery. Our social mission is at the center of who we are as Christians. Without it, we are not the church of Jesus Christ. It is Jesus who calls us to political action and social justice and not some political platform or ideological agenda. Matthew 25 calls Christians to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit prisoners and welcome the stranger because Jesus says, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." (Matthew 25:40)
The advocacy work of the TCCB is predicated on the Gospel’s call to serve others which is why on Thursday, Feb. 27, TCCB staff spent a day volunteering at Central Texas Food Bank, packing boxes of food for the hungry and sorting diapers for the Gabriel Project at Catholic Charities of Central Texas. The people we were helping are the reason why we work at the legislature on issues such as alleviating food insecurity and supporting increased funding to abortion alternatives. We encourage our readers to also put their faith into action and donate their time to one of the many food banks across Texas or volunteer at a pregnancy resource center.
Prayer for the Legislature
During the interim session, please pray for all our public servants and elected officials, including our Governor, Lt. Governor, House Speaker, lawmakers, and their staff, that the Lord may grant them rest and refreshment from their work, bless their return home to their districts to be with their families and constituents, and give them grace and guidance in the interim.
Upcoming Texas Executions
Please join our bishops in praying for those scheduled for execution, for the victims of violent crimes and for all affected, including their families and communities. As the bishops of Texas wrote in their pastoral letter, "May God give us the grace to witness to the dignity of human life. May the Lord console the suffering, protect our community, and grant conversion to those responsible for the inflicting of death and violence upon others."
The Pope's March Intention
Catholics in China
We pray that the Church in China may persevere in its faithfulness to the Gospel and grow in unity.
The Texas Catholic Voice is a publication of the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops. For more information, write news@txcatholic.org or call 512-339-9882.