Black History Month, a time to reflect on what unites us.

The theme for this year's Black History Month is "Cooperation and Interdependence, Help Me and let me help you." In San Antonio, we remember Rev. Claude Black Rev. Black who, reflecting his spirit and uncommon dedication to faith and freedom said, "The consequence of obeying the truth is that we have love for our brother." It is our God, our faith, our history, and our human dignity that binds us together and calls us to live our lives in service to one another. We must put aside our pride and our prejudice so that the good that we do will allow freedom to flow easily in this great land.

In the Vatican II Document, "Gaudiem et Spes" the "Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World" we read that the social order "Must be founded on truth, built on justice and animated by love; in freedom it should grow every day toward a more humane balance." Together, with history as our teacher, and God as our guide, we can build "…a finer land, a better land, a better people and a more noble civilization.

Archbishop José H. Gomez, S.T.D.

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Catholics in the Archdiocese of San Antonio donate more than half a million dollars in aid to Haiti

Parishioners throughout the Archdiocese of San Antonio have responded with an outpouring of generosity to help the suffering hundreds of thousands in Haiti. Through special collections taken up at Masses over the past few weeks, parishioners have contributed $565,322 to assist in the immediate needs of the Haitian people and help to rebuild the church in that earthquake ravaged country. This total represents the largest special collection in the archdiocese since Hurricane Katrina.

Archbishop José H. Gomez was extremely pleased with the success of the collection, saying, "I thank the people of the Archdiocese of San Antonio for this remarkable expression of Christian love. Once again, our parishioners have shown inspiring compassion and generosity in response to the tragedy in Haiti. As we continue to see the terrible loss of life and the devastation suffered by our brothers and sisters in Haiti, I ask everyone to join together in prayer, asking that God’s peace will quiet the pain in their hearts and that His healing touch will mend the deep wounds left by the earthquake."

The funds collected will be used to support the efforts of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and Catholic Relief Services, the official international humanitarian agency of the U.S. Catholic Church, as they respond to immediate emergency needs for such necessities as water, food, shelter and medical care, as well as to the long-term need to rebuild after the widespread destruction. The Committee for the Church in Latin America, currently chaired by Archbishop Gomez, will take on much of the responsibility for providing assistance for the restoration of social and pastoral ministries and the rebuilding of churches and parish facilities in the future.

Catholics who would like to contribute to this greatly needed assistance are encouraged to donate through their parishes.

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• How to Report Abuse
• Policies on Ethics and Integrity in Ministry
• Policy on Sexual Conduct
• OVASE Website
• Criminal Background Checks Policy:
  As part of the Archdiocese of San Antonio's pledge to protect children and create a safe environment, a program of Criminal Background Checks has been implemented.
  (Click here to read policy)