Monday, March 17, 2014
I recently had the opportunity to visit the city of Saint Francis again. Assisi is a beautiful place that seems to reverberate with the spirit of Saint Francis. His message of poverty and simplicity is so important for us in todays busy and complex world. He is a great patron... Read More
Monday, February 24, 2014
In his most recent Exhortation Gaudium Evangelii Pope Francis encourages all Christians and especially priests to "Be joyful messengers of challenging proposals". I believe this captures the attitude of discipleship that we should all have.
The Gospel for yesterday, the Seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time offers Jesus admonition that we... Read More
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
During these days the daily readings have come from the letter of James. We are all probably more familiar with Paul's letters to the various communities but the Letter of James presents some wonderfully practical food for our spiritual reflection. Whether acknowledging the temptations that we all face or the... Read More
Friday, February 14, 2014
Today I gave my staff a couple of hours off for Saint Valentine's Day and they were all extremely grateful. As I thought about it I realized that their gratitude is probably connected to how busy their lives are.
We all live a hectic pace with a lot of... Read More
Saturday, January 18, 2014
~~As I move along into my second year as bishop of Tyler I must say there have been many things to reflect on. I thought I would use my website as a medium for sharing some of those thoughts. I hope what I share will help all of us to... Read More
Wednesday, January 08, 2014
These words of Pope Francis challenge all of us to live and share the treasure of our Catholic faith.
"49. Let us go forth, then, let us go forth to offer everyone the life of Jesus Christ. Here I repeat for the entire Church what I have often said to... Read More
Thursday, December 12, 2013
We must all be thankful for Time Magazine's choice of Pope Francis as Person of the Year. I had heard other names mentioned as being in the running and it is very positive that ultimately Pope Francis was chosen.
Certainly Time Magazine is a completely secular publication and the criteria... Read More
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
As we celebrate Thanksgiving Day let us be thankful for the freedom of religion that we enjoy and let us be vigilant that this liberty may be protected for many, many years to come.
GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ON THANKSGIVING DAY.
BISHOP JOSEPH STRICKLAND
Friday, November 22, 2013
I announced on November 21, at the Priest’s Study Day that I have appointed Father Justin Braun as Vocation Director of the Diocese of Tyler. As I made this announcement I expressed my profound gratitude for the work of Father Jesudoss Thomas and Father Jesus Arroyave who have served as... Read More
Friday, November 15, 2013
The liturgical calendar today offers us the option of celebrating St. Albert the Great, a renowned Dominican of the 13th century. He was a learned scholar who was also a man of great faith and theological depth. The first reading for today’s mass is especially significant in light of the... Read More
