Decades of History Celebrated with Dozens of Events

September 8, 2006

World Trade Center twin towers in New York City

A Pontifical Mass of Thanksgiving at St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica, Beaumont, will initiate a Year of Jubilee for Southeast Texas Catholics, and mark three major events in the history of the local Church:

The celebration will begin with Bishop Curtis Guillory proclaiming the Jubilee Year during a pontifical Mass at 4 p.m. on September 10, 2006, and close with the basilica inauguration Mass at 2 p.m. on October 21, 2007.

Principal celebrant for the September 10 Mass will be the Most Reverend Joseph A. Fiorenza, Archbishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. Bishop Fiorenza is a Beaumont native and an alumnus of St. Anthony High School. Bishop Guillory is homilist for the Mass.

"This Jubilee period will be a call to conversion," said Bishop Guillory in announcing events being planned for the year. "These two anniversaries -- the 100 years for the cathedral, and the 40 for the diocese -- as well as the inauguration of the basilica, will be grace moments for us... a time when we are being called to conversion, to change. And, of course, conversion always leads us to service."

The Diocese and its parishes will hold several events throughout Southeast Texas during the upcoming months, including the following:

A concert and lecture series are also in the making for St. Anthony Cathederal Basilica. All events are open to the public. "The cathedral has always been a place of welcome for all the people of Southeast Texas," Bishop Guillory said. "We are asking them to come celebrate with us during this special time. We are a people who want to be of service to our brothers and sisters."