By As we celebrate Saint Thomas the Apostle on this day before the 4th of July let us rejoice in the gift of faith. In so many ways faith shaped this nation and we must pray that we return to these roots. Freedom of Religion has become Freedom from Religion for too many. If we abandon faith in God we are lost and in peril. We still have much evangelization to do in order to bring faith in Jesus Christ as Savior of the World to all peoples but we can never tire of this mission.
Let us pray for our nation to once again truly be One Nation Under God.
A blessed 4th to all.
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. 