By LORETTA FULTON Everywhere Rev. Albert Ezeanya has served in the Diocese of San Angelo, church members have given him a cowboy hat–a reminder that he’s no longer in his native Nigeria. Oh, and they give him another gift, too. He proudly wears his cowboy hats “all the time,” but perhaps the second gift is even more endearing. “They say,
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By LORETTA FULTON Following in the footsteps of a man who served in one place “since the days of Noah’s Ark” won’t be easy. Bishop Michael Sis of the Catholic Diocese of San Angelo believes he chose the right man for the job, the Very Rev. Santiago Udayar, who was installed as priest at Holy Family Catholic Church on Sunday,
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By LORETTA FULTON A standing ovation–make that a rousing standing ovation–isn’t something that’s often experienced in a Roman Catholic Mass. But Sunday, June 27, was special. And admirers of Msgr. Frederick G. Nawarskas, better known as “Father Fred,” made sure he knew it. It was Father Fred’s last Sunday as pastor of Holy Family Catholic Church and the congregation wanted
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By LORETTA FULTON As early as kindergarten, Kevin Lenius loved Mass at Holy Family Catholic Church, usually celebrated by Father Fred Nawarskas. He would even “play priest” at home, urging his parents to listen to him preach. Even on the swing set, gently swaying back and forth, Lenius felt God’s love and presence. When he got a little older, his
Read moreThe following news release was issued Friday, April 20, by Bishop Michael Sis of the Catholic Diocese of San Angelo. Effective May 8, the diocese will enter Phase Two Protocols, which ease some restrictions. Changes are as follows: Facemasks for attendees are not mandated but are strongly encouraged. Every pew may now be used. The social distance requirement of six
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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
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Editor’s Note: The following article by Loretta Fulton first was published in the West Texas Angelus, the newspaper of the Catholic Diocese of San Angelo. By Loretta Fulton Every priest serving St. Vincent Pallotti Catholic Church in Abilene since 1985 has at one time or another said the same words when confronted with an issue that needed a decision. “Let’s
Read moreBy MICHAEL SISBishop, Catholic Diocese of San Angelo This is our second Easter during the Coronavirus pandemic. We have had our share of troubles over the past year. Most of us know people who died with COVID. Many have lost jobs. Families have struggled with virtual schooling. In the midst of so much hardship, it is good to ponder what
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By LORETTA FULTON Many churches. ministries, and religious institutions are continuing with COVID-19 protocols, including wearing a mask, despite Gov. Greg Abbott’s announcement that the statewide mask mandate will be lifted effective Wednesday, March 10. The governor’s order also allows restaurants to return to 100 percent seating capacity, effective March 10. Reactions to the governor’s announcement vary from “it’s too
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Spirit Of Abilene 