Bishop Michael Sis of the Catholic Diocese of San Angelo announced several clergy changes in the diocese effective July 1. Several involve former and current priests in Abilene. Most notably for Abilenians, the Rev. Msgr. Fred Nawarskas, or “Father Fred” as he is best known, will retire. He has been priest at Holy Family Catholic Church since 1996. A special
Read moreBy JIM NICHOLS The monitor lights blinked with lines and numbers. The patient lay unmoving in the bed while family members quietly entered and exited the hospital room; they spoke softly and seldom. It seems to me that those employed in medical settings have a distinct human advantage over others. This is particularly true in our modern world. Whereas, in
Read more
By RICK HAMMER Here we are at Earth Day 2021 after one of the most tragic and heartbreaking years in over a century. Over the past year the world has been through much sickness and death as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic caused by a highly infective virus. A virus, mind you that is a part of God’s
Read more
By LORETTA FULTON Methodists are used to change, but no one could have predicted the big change that is coming in July. And, it will be welcomed news to all who were touched by the ministry of Felicia Hopkins when she served as senior pastor of St. Paul United Methodist Church from 2013 to 2019. Hopkins will be returning to
Read moreBy JIM NICHOLS In 1786 poet Robert Burns penned a line that is memorable. Paraphrased, it suggested it would be a great gift from God if we could see ourselves as others see us. I am speaking to myself now as well as readers. The two types of glass with which we are most familiar are windows and mirrors. Through
Read moreBy DANNY MINTON A preacher was making his rounds on a bicycle when he came upon a little boy trying to sell a lawnmower. How much do you want for the mower?’ asked the preacher. “I just want enough money to go out and buy me a bicycle,” said the little boy. After a moment of consideration, the preacher asked, “Will
Read moreIDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury “I’m gonna snatch you baldheaded” was an idle threat made by my saintly mother throughout my youth and beyond. She never did such snatching literally, but this was her expression of choice when she was truly ticked off. Had she ever made good on the threat, such snatching to remove hair from the head of
Read more
By LORETTA FULTON As accomplished as she is, Jessica Goudeau had no intention of writing a book when she met a refugee at a church festival in Austin. She had no intention of forming a relationship with the woman and her family. And, she had no intention of starting a nonprofit to aid other refugees from the same country, Myanmar
Read moreAbilene Christian UniversityNews Release Dr. Billy Curl will speak April 28 about his experience as one of the first two Black undergraduate students to integrate Abilene Christian University. The event, sponsored by ACU’s Office of Multicultural Affairs, was originally part of Black History Month in February but had to be rescheduled due to the winter storm that hit Abilene and
Read more
Spirit Of Abilene 