Catholic East Texas
The Magazine of the Diocese of Tyler
Why Be Catholic And Not Just Christian? Part 1: Understanding Protestantism
Being a convert as well as a seminarian, I am often asked why I became Catholic. “What led you to conversion?” or “Who influenced you?” or most often “Why become a Catholic when you were already a Christian?” These are great questions, and I love to tell the...
Our Lady of Victory in Paris to Hold Discipleship Series
Our Lady of Victory Parish in Paris, TX will be holding a discipleship formation series titled “Living and Sharing our Faith in Jesus.” The series will include a day of teaching in September, October and November and feature speakers from the St. Philip Institute.
Of Trust, Tears, and the Open Road
By Sonja Morin – Change and confusion are sometimes too familiar for us youth. We anticipate change in our schooling, jobs, and other areas of growth. There are times when shifts throw our life seemingly out of balance. On the edge of a new school year, there’s an uneasiness about what the coming months may bring. We don’t know where these changes will bring us. What we do know, as Anne did, is that God ultimately has control. It is he who directs our life, and it is he who will accompany us in love through whatever may happen.
Catechists From Across the Diocese Participate in 2021 Catechist Conferences
On August 21st and 28th, catechists from across the Diocese of Tyler joined the St. Philip Institute team for dynamic days of teaching, prayer and fellowship. It was a great joy to gather as a diocese for an in person catechist conference after hosting the annual...
Entrust Yourself to St. Joseph This Year
Everything about St. Joseph’s life, work, marriage, and holiness results from anticipating the Messiah, then raising him, and dying in his love with the promise of salvation. The more I read about his virtue, the more I realized it was because of Jesus. It made me want to be more like Joseph, so I could enter into that mystery of living daily with Jesus, too.
Pray and Don’t Lose Heart: What St. Monica Teaches us about Persistence in Prayer
By Elizabeth Slaten – Seventeen years of prayers. Seventeen years of tears. Seventeen quiet, simple, unnoticed years that helped produce one of the greatest saints in history. It is incredible to think that without the quiet perseverance of Monica the world could have been a much different place.
Understanding the Mass: Q&A with Fr. Gavin Vaverek
By Fr. Gavin Vaverek – The Liturgy of the Mass is always the perfect worship of God. The Holy Mass is always the action of the one and eternal High Priest, Jesus Christ, who offers himself as the spotless lamb of sacrifice. No matter what language, Rite or Missal, the Mass is always the perfect offering because in it we, by Baptism, are gathered as one with Christ our head in offering ourselves along with the bread and wine, and we are offered through him and with him and in him to the Glory of God.
St. Philip Institute Hosts Baptism Formation Training in Palestine
News – On August 7th at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Palestine, Dr. Luke Arredondo, Director of Faith Formation for the St. Philip Institute and Mr. Philip Smith, Director of Lifelong Faith Formation at Sacred Heart in Nacogdoches, presented a training to 47 catechists from the southwest deanery. The catechists were led in two sessions of biblical formation. Arredondo offered sessions in Spanish, while Smith led the sessions in English.
Newly Ordained Priest Shares His Connection with Native People
By Margaret Mone – Ordained on Saturday, May 29th, Fr. David Bailey is the Parochial Vicar of St. Mary Magdalene Church in Flint, Texas. Before he began his assignment this summer, he visited several Native American reservations. This is the story about how he first came to know them, what he learned, and how his priesthood has added a special element to that relationship.
Meet Newly Ordained Fr. Michael Ledesma
By Lindsey McMillan – Fr. Michael explained, “I wanted to have a relationship with God once more. We spoke of good, holy things, and the power of God in our lives. Even though she was not Catholic, Mrs. Vincent had a great impact on my spiritual life. She is a great example of what perseverance in prayer can do in one’s life.” The following year, Fr. Michael entered the seminary.
Bishop Strickland Ordains New Transitional Deacon in the Diocese of Tyler
Diocesan News – The second oldest of four children, Deacon Isaac Oviedo is from Mount Pleasant, TX. His family attends Mass at St. Michael’s in Mount Pleasant, where as a boy, Deacon Oviedo served as an altar server. After completing high school, he attended Texas A&M in College Station to pursue a degree in Biomedical Sciences. Upon completing his degree at A&M, Deacon Oviedo went to live with a missionary community in Honduras for a year. After much discernment, he entered seminary at Holy Trinity Seminary, first as a seminarian for the Diocese of Austin and later switched to the Diocese of Tyler.
Diocese to Host Marriage Enrichment Conference on October 23, 2021
Diocesan News – The Diocese recognizes the importance of forming all married couples, from newlyweds to empty nesters, to live out their vocation in holiness and joy! As St. John Paul II famously said, “As goes the family, so goes the nation, and so goes the entire world in which we live.” It is of crucial importance that families in the Church are empowered to understand and live out their vocation.
