By LORETTA FULTON Imagine Jo Bright’s surprise when she got on her computer, clicked a few times, and landed at the right spot. “Cliff just jumped up right in front of me!” Bright exclaimed. “I was so happy to see him.” Cliff Stewart is pastor of First Central Presbyterian Church. Bright, 95, was so impressed and happy to see her
Read moreBy LARRY FINK Editor’s Note: Larry Fink, retired English professor at Hardin-Simmons University, offers the following explication or analysis of Gerard Manley Hopkins’ poem, “As Kingfishers Catch Fire,” with social distancing in mind, “to encourage folks to spend a little thoughtful time outdoors.” “As Kingfishers Catch Fire” by Gerard Manley Hopkins As kingfishers catch fire, dragonflies draw flame; As tumbled
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By LORETTA FULTON Downtown Abilene was eerily quiet Sunday morning as parking lots at St. Paul United Methodist, First Central Presbyterian, and First Baptist churches were practically empty. That doesn’t mean nothing was happening inside. St. Paul and First Baptist broadcast services live as usual, although with no congregations, and First Central Presbyterian aired via Facebook. Sunday morning was challenging.
Read moreBy JIM NICHOLS Ordinarily, a trip to the grocery store before the sun came up would be unthinkable for me; I am a breakfast eater and I have difficulty functioning well before orange juice and cereal. However, these are not ordinary times. So, when the local market installed a twice a week 6-9 a.m. period reserved for (as the announcement
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FROM THE CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF SAN ANGELO: Pope Francis has called for people around the world to join him in praying the Rosary today, Thursday, March 19, at 3 p.m. Central Time: Pope Francis said: “Every family, every member of the faithful, every religious community: All of us spiritually united tomorrow (Thursday) at 9 pm in praying the Rosary, the
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By LORETTA FULTON The annual Holy Week Luncheon Series that hundreds of Abilenians look forward to each year will not be held this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. “Realistically, there is no way we could have it,” said Cliff Stewart, pastor of First Central Prebyterian Church and organizer of the event for more than 25 years. The series has
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Photo credit: visualhunt.com LATEST UPDATES FROM DIOCESE OF SAN ANGELO Bishop Michael Sis of the Diocese of San Angelo released the following statement March 27 announcing further restrictions within the diocese in order to promote public health and to limit the spread of COVID-19. Following are excerpts from the announcement. The entire announcement can be read at http://www.sanangelodiocese.org “As we
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Editor’s Note: The coronavirus is hitting everyone hard and that is especially true of places that depend on volunteers. The universities are closed until further notice, meaning many nonprofits are without their regular volunteers. Meals on Wheels for example is in need of volunteer drivers, even on a substitute basis. Every agency in town that relies on volunteers is
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Bishop Michael J. Sis of the Diocese of San Angelo released the following statement March 17 on coronavirus protocols enacted by the diocese, effective immediately. They include canceling public worship services through March 31. The bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Northwest Texas recently issued a similar order for Episcopal congregations in this area. Other denominations also are canceling services
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Spirit Of Abilene 