News - May 2016 RSS Feed

By Catholic News Service WASHINGTON (CNS) — Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles said in a May 25 statement that a planned increase in federal immigration raids is “yet another depressing sign of the failed state of American immigration policy.” The raids were announced in mid-May.

Get a sneak peak of the custom-made altar, doorway, ambo and backdrop for the Diocese of Beaumont’s 50th birthday celebration in the next issue of the East Texas Catholic June 17.

St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica in Downtown Beaumont was struck by lightning sometime after 5 a.m. Sunday morning. The shingles received some damage and the cross above the south bell tower was blown into pieces.

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Sixteen years after the Vatican released the text of the so-called Third Secret of Fatima, rumors cyclically arise claiming that the Vatican still is keeping part of Mary’s message to three children in Fatima, Portugal, secret.

The 30th Annual National Maritime Day Observance Memorial May 20 honored those lost at sea and the survivors of the Texaco-Oklahoma at the Sundial Memorial in Port Arthur. Southeast Texans also paid tribute with prayer to the S/S Gulfstag mariners that went down with the sinking of the ship 50 years ago.

By Joyce Duriga Catholic News Service CHICAGO (CNS) — The Archdiocese of Chicago will begin offering 12 weeks of paid parental leave to its staff beginning July 1. The new policy is open to fathers and mothers who just had children or adopted children.

By Junno Arocho Esteves Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — While the international community should continue working for peace in war-torn countries, it also must work to help migrants escaping violence and persecution as well as those caring for them, Pope Francis said.

More than 200 Southeast Texans from 24 different parish and missions in the diocese enjoying their golden years gathered at Our Mother of Mercy in Beaumont for Catholic Charities of Southeast Texas’s 24 th Annual Third Age Day Celebration May 17.

By Carol Zimmermann Catholic News Service WASHINGTON (CNS) — The U.S. Supreme Court May 16 sent the Zubik v. Burwell case, which challenges the Affordable Care Act’s contraceptive requirement for employers, back to the lower courts.

The first step was to accept that God was calling them. The next step was finding out to where He was calling them. Men, many accompanied by their wives, from across the Diocese of Beaumont gathered at St. Anthony’s Cathedral Basilica Centerm May 15 for an information meeting about what it means to be a deacon and the process of becoming one.

Women, and even a few men, from across Southeast Texas gathered at the Christus LiveWell Women’s Conference May 12 in Beaumont to learn about healthy living for the mind, body and soul with multiple workshops and health screenings.

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis told the heads of women’s religious orders from around the world that he would set up a commission to study the New Testament deaconesses and he also insisted more can and should be done to involve lay and consecrated women in church decision-making at every level.

“I am deeply grateful to have such excellent schools and great teachers,” said Bishop Curtis Guillory, SVD. “No amount of money can buy the love that teachers have for the children they teach.” Bishop Guillory hosted the Teacher Appreciation Banquet at the Eleganté hotel in Beaumont to thank the Catholic school teachers and volunteers for their dedication to furthering Catholic education.

You have made a difference in the life of flood victims. Though donations given by parishioners from throughout the Diocese of Beaumont, almost $100,000 was collected to help local flood victims. On May 5 Bishop Curtis Guillory, SVD, presented Catholic Charities of Southeast Texas with a check for $98,000.

St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica School, Beaumont, eighth-grader Karl Branch was selected as the grand prize winner of the Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP “Super Cool Career Shades Challenge,” a social media campaign encouraging Southeast Texas teens to think about their future careers.

WASHINGTON – The heads of four leading science and faith organizations called on President Obama, who will likely visit Hiroshima, Japan, later this month for the G7 summit, to announce specific steps the United States will take to reduce the real and urgent risks posed by nuclear weapons and prevent a new global nuclear arms race.

The Msgr. Kelly Catholic High School graduation on May 21 is fast approaching , and the 2016 valedictorian Max Medina and 2016 salutatorian Anna Fiedler say they are excited for the adventure ahead of them.

After months of adult confirmation classes and preparation, 28 candidates received the final sacrament of initiation, Confirmation, surrounded by their sponsors and loved ones at St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica, Beaumont, May 1.