In The Voice… Welcome Holy Father! 2009 Legislative Agenda Available Reverend Oscar Cantú named Auxiliary Bishop of San Antonio Capitol Comments: Laboring for a Harvest of Health Upcoming Events Poverty and Racism: Through the Lens of Homelessness, Health, and Child Welfare Parish Management Seminar World's Largest Coffee Break Catholic Relief Services Fair Trade Training Solidarity in an Election Year: 5th Annual Rev. William Young Social Justice Summer Conference More events Welcome Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI began his first pastoral visit to the United States as pope on April 15. TCC Executive Director Andrew Rivas, and Director of Education, Margaret McGettrick, were able to attend different events on the Pope's Itinerary, and will be posting reflections on our web site next week. Click here for the USCCB Papal Visit web site. More Links: Responses of Pope Benedict to the questions posed by the American Bishops Celebration of Vespers and meeting with the Bishops of the United States of America Homily during the celebration of Holy Mass at the Washington Nationals Stadium 2009 Legislative Agenda Available The Bishops of Texas have approved the Legislative Agenda for the 81st Legislative Session. The Agenda lists five priority areas for the TCC to focus on in our advocacy efforts. These priority areas are: Life Issues, Immigration, Education, Health & Human Services, and Criminal Justice Reform. Under each area are specific priorities that the Bishops support or oppose. The Legislative Agenda can be used as a guide in forming your conscience for the upcoming elections, and as an educational tool, in conjunction with our resources and testimony pages, to learn more about what legislation the TCC will advocate for or against during the upcoming 81st Legislative Session. Click here to view the TCC 81st Legislative Agenda. Reverend Oscar Cantú named Auxiliary Bishop of San Antonio The Holy Father has announced the appointment of Rev. Oscar Cantú, from Holy Name Parish in the Archdiocese of Galveston Houston, as Auxiliary Bishop of San Antonio. Cantú's ordination is set for June 2 in San Antonio. We welcome Bishop-Elect Cantú to the TCC! He will be ordained a bishop in San Antonio on June 2 by Archbishop José H. Gomez. At 41, Bishop-elect Cantú will be the youngest bishop in the United States...click here to read more... Capitol Comments: Laboring for a Harvest of Health “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest (Matthew 9:37).” Does this statement of Jesus still apply to us today? Let’s begin by investigating why Jesus makes this statement. In Matthew 9:35-36, we are told that Jesus has gone to cities and villages, teaching in synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, curing every disease and every sickness. When He sees the crowds, Jesus has compassion for them, because “they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”..click here to read more...

World's Largest Coffee Break This year, on May 10 at 3 pm EST and noon PST, thousands of people across North America and Canada will join together to enjoy a Fair Trade Coffee Break at the same time. The Guinness Book of World Records reports that the current record for the World’s Largest Coffee Break consisted of 3,000 people enjoying the same break...click here to read more... Click here to learn more about Fair Trade Coffee. Back to top

Poverty and Racism: Through the Lens of Homelessness, Health, and Child Welfare The Texas Catholic Conference is hosting the 22nd Annual Catholic Charities and Parish Social Ministry Gathering from April 28-30 in San Antonio, Texas. The theme for this year’s annual gathering is based on the Catholic Charities USA policy paper, “Poverty and Racism: Overlapping Threats to the Common Good.” It is a continuation of our focus from 2007, when as providers of social services in agencies and parishes across the state, we gathered as advocates to carry a strong anti-poverty message to Texas Legislators. Click here for more information, including an agenda, registration form, and flyer for the conference. Back to top

Parish Management Seminar The Texas Catholic Conference is hosting the Parish Management Seminar from May 12-16, 2008.Topics covered at the Seminar include Pastoral Planning and the Role of Management, Organization of Parish Volunteers, Stewardship, Conflict Resolution, Recognizing Diversity in the Faith Dimensions of the Parish Community, and more. This seminar is directed toward parish priests as well as parish secretaries and other administrative staff. Click here for more information, including a detailed agenda and registration form. Back to top

Fair Trade Training May 16-17, 2007, San Antonio, TX The training, hosted by Catholic Relief Services, will cover topics such as the Guiding Principles of Catholic Social Teaching, the Fair Trade movement, and how Catholics can make the economy work for the poorest of the poor in even the poorest countries through the implementation of Fair Trade. For a flier with more information, click here or contact Juan Molina at jmolina@crs.org. Back to top

Solidarity in an Election Year: 5th Annual Rev. William J. Young Social Justice Summer Conference The University of St. Thomas will host the 5th Annual Rev. William J. Young Social Justice Summer Conference on June 4-6, 2008. This year's theme is “Solidarity in an Election Year.” The conference will focus on the principle of solidarity, in the context of immigration and globalization issues, as well as Forming Conscience for Faithful Citizenship from the USCCB and the issue of the Catholic vote in the 2008 recent elections. Click here for more information, including how to register. Back to top

Recommend the Texas Catholic Voice to a friend. Contact us here. Click here to unsubscribe. The Texas Catholic Conference (TCC) is the association of the 15 Roman Catholic dioceses of the State of Texas, and is the Official Public Policy Voice of the Catholic Bishops of Texas. For more information on the TCC, visit TXcatholic.org. Texas Catholic Conference 1625 Rutherford Lane, Bldg D Austin, TX 78754. TXcatholic.org