SERVING OUR LOCAL CHURCH

WITH GOD, NOTHING IS LOST! OUR HOPE IN THE LORD SUSTAINS US!
MOST REV. GUSTAVO GARCÍA-SILLER, M.SP.S.,  TRANSFORMED BY HOPE, 55

---

Serving Our Local Church

The Department for Pastoral Ministries strives to fulfill our mission of “supporting, accompanying, training, and forming Parish leadership so that they in turn minister to their parishioners and those within their boundaries” every day by continuously calling for renewed zeal and a servant’s disposition. Pastoral collaboration and permanent dialogue flesh out our Archdiocesan Pastoral Vision profoundly based on a Culture of Encounter.

We work collaboratively in the spirit of Pastoral de Conjunto , utilizing our various skills and abilities for the benefit of those we serve. We work creatively towards a harmonious outcome for all of our constituents, whether they are couples preparing for marriage, youth, young adults, the deaf community, culturally diverse communities, or ministers in the Archdiocese of San Antonio.

Faced with restrictions due to COVID-19, the Department for Pastoral Ministries pivoted from in-person support to virtual outreach,  emails, and phone calls during a time of unprecedented uncertainty. During 2020, we served almost 622,000 local Catholics and beyond, keeping our Archdiocesan Priorities at the forefront.

ARCHDIOCESAN PRIORITIES

	THE NEW EVANGELIZATIONThrough our shared encounters with Christ, proclaiming the Good News with joy, zeal, and renewed spirit!
	CATECHESIS AND FAITH FORMATIONGrowing in faith and in knowledge of Jesus Christ through our shared encounter!
	YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTSAs Disciples and Missionaries, strengthened by our shared encounters with Jesus Christ!

ARCHDIOCESAN GUIDING VALUES

	PRAYERFULNESSWe conform our lives to Christ through faithful meditation on God’s will and loving presence as we fulfill the responsibilities of discipleship.
	UNITYGrounded in the Eucharist, we embrace diversity among persons, cultures and apostolates, and foster the bonds of charity that reflect the Trinitarian relationship of God, creating a culture of encounter that leads to communion.
	STEWARDSHIPAlways grateful for the resources entrusted to us, we use them wisely, being transparent and responsible to God and one another.

---

---

Pastoral Priority Focus at a Glance

THE DIGITAL WORLD CAN BE AN ENVIRONMENT RICH IN HUMANITY;
A NETWORK NOT OF WIRES BUT OF PEOPLE.
POPE FRANCIS,  JUNE 2014, 48TH WORLD COMMUNICATIONS DAY

---

Our departmental response to COVID-19 granted us the opportunity to shift the nature of several events to virtual or hybrid gatherings. With this shift, we were still able to join together to advance our Archdiocesan Vision: Encountering Christ, United as Church, Sent by the Spirit.

We implemented digital solutions as a means of outreach to those who were isolated during the pandemic. Even in the midst of challenges, we were able to address parish needs focused on the Pastoral Priorities of New Evangelization, Catechesis & Faith Formation, and Youth & Young Adults.

120+ EVENTS

1,782 ZOOM PARTICIPANTS

4,287 MINUTES IN VIRTUAL ACCOMPANIMENT

9,172 YOUTUBE VIEWS

---

Serving the Parish

May we be fearless missionary disciples imitating Christ Jesus as we encounter and accompany one another along the faith journey. We pray the Holy Spirit will guide us as we look to further connect the truths of faith with the realities of the local Church.

---

“I plan on investing in our youth to really see how amazing it is to love God and grow in deeper relationship with him. Even during COVID, our kids wanted to still meet in person so even though we had to limit our participants, they were devoted to being here and eager to journey with us.”

Becky Rocha, San Juan de los Lagos

---

“I participated in the Assembly 2020 as a teacher, parent, friend, daughter, mother and most importantly as a child of God. I was able to reflect as I was listening to each speaker and think of how I currently have God in my life and how I will practice new ways to have him present in more parts of my life.”

Rebecca Martinez, St. Anthony Elementary School

---