Bishop's Blog



Pope Francis' Exhortation

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

Time Magazine Person of the Year

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

Thanksgiving for Liberty

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

Reflection on Vocations

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

Daily Reflection

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

Something Worth Sharing

Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Therefore, when talking about same-sex “marriage,” the debate is not about personal liberté or égalité. Rather, the debate is about whether the State should publicly sanction and monetarily support disordered sex or whether the State, society, and the individual have a vested interest in maintaining the biological definition of sex... Read More

The Sancitity of Life

Thursday, October 10, 2013
"In reality it is only in the mystery of the Word made flesh that the mystery of man truly becomes clear". This quote from Gaudium et Spes in the Catechism gives us much to ponder.  It speaks to the foundations for the sanctity of life that the Church proclaims with... Read More

A Prayerful October

Friday, October 04, 2013
As we begin the month of October with its focus on the Sanctity of Life I encourage all of us to refocus on the core values that guide us in our Catholic faith and that we are called to live and proclaim as leaven in our society. I've had numerous... Read More

Christ at the Center

Saturday, September 21, 2013
The Last Judgement as depicted by Michaelangelo in the Sistine Chapel places Jesus Christ af the very center of the fresco which covers the entire wall.  As I have just returned from Rome and my experience of studying with new bishops from around the world this image seems to capture... Read More
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