By LORETTA FULTON In August 2020, Stan Allcorn started a trend that is continuing this summer among other local pastors and people serving in ministry roles–retirement. Allcorn came to Pioneer Drive Baptist Church in 1998 and stepped down from his position as senior pastor last August. He and his family were honored at an outdoor retirement party Sunday night, Aug.
Read more
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 more
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 more
By LORETTA FULTON This Easter was supposed to be different. A year ago, Msgr. Frederick G. Nawarskas or “Father Fred” as he is better known, was so weak he couldn’t make it down the aisle for the third Mass of Easter Sunday at Holy Family Catholic Church. He had undergone a stress test on Good Friday because doctors believed the
Read more
Two of Abilene’s larger churches–First Baptist and the Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest–have been looking long and far for an organist. They join a long list of other congregations nationwide learning that a church organist is a prized possession nowadays. Read Loretta Fulton’s article on the shortage of church organists in the Reporter-News.
Read moreBy Loretta Fulton Remy, a precocious shih tzu, playfully walked toward a smiling Father Adam Droll and promptly relieved himself on the priest’s black cassock. “Are you telling me I need to do the dry cleaning?” Droll, parochial vicar at Holy Family Catholic Church gently asked, still smiling. Remy quickly got a blessing from Droll, who repeated the blessing
Read more
Spirit Of Abilene 