By 
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
In a letter I wrote on June 5, 2024, I spoke about A Sacred Pause. In that letter I stated that there was a storm coming – “the likes of which has never been seen upon the Earth” – and that the Church was in such a weakened state from the hidden sins and corruption within its sacred halls that it had already begun to take on water. However, also in that letter, I wrote about the profound silence that can be found underneath all the noise – and I stated that if you listen closely – you can hear a heartbeat – a heartbeat that comes from the Sacred Heart of Our Lord Jesus Christ!
In this perilous time, as I have continued to write and to speak truth wherever I am able – on Marian pilgrimages, in interviews, at conferences, etc. – I have been constantly aware that it is of the utmost importance that I always take time to enter into the silence of the Sacred Pause and to draw ever closer to His Sacred Heart. For this reason, I feel called at this time to enter more completely into a Sacred Pause myself by stepping away as much as possible – for a time – from public activities/events in order to spend more time in prayer and in drawing ever closer to the Sacred Heart of Our Lord. To be clear and to avoid any confusion, this decision is my own and is not being forced upon me in any way. It is also not in response to anything other than my desire to be obedient to Our Lord and to draw as close to Him as possible. Be assured that I will continue during this Sacred Pause to write letters and to encourage and teach the fullness of truth of our Catholic faith, as is my calling as a Bishop.
Therefore, until the end of this calendar year, as I enter into this Sacred Pause, I would ask that any requests/invitations for me to speak or to participate in any events be submitted in writing and emailed to my assistants at info@catholicspeakers.com. Please understand, though, that I am seeking to enter into a time of retreat and prayer, so therefore I expect to be making few if any commitments.
I would urge each of you also, as you go about your daily activities, to listen closely for His heartbeat. In this way, as we strive to do good, we will not inadvertently miss the best. Remember Our Lord’s words to Martha: “Martha, Martha, thou art careful, and art troubled about many things. But one thing is necessary. Mary hath chosen the best part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
May Almighty God continue to bless you, and may our Holy and Blessed Mother guide you always to the Sacred Heart of her Son.
Bishop Joseph E. Strickland
Bishop Emeritus
Joseph Strickland
Bishop Joseph E. Strickland was named the fourth bishop of Tyler in September of 2012 by Pope Benedict XVI. Prior to being named bishop, he served a number of roles in the diocese, including vicar general, judicial vicar, and pastor of the Cathedral parish. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1985. 