St. Cajetan, pray for us!
Father Heriberto Torres-Velazquez, C.R.
Message of his Holiness Pope Francis for the
World Day of Mirgants and Refugees 2020
Theatine Vocations
St. Andrew Avelino. On 10 November 1608, when beginning the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, he was stricken with apoplexy, and after receiving the Holy Viaticum, died at the age of eighty-eight. In 1624, only 16 years after his death, he was beatified by Pope Urban VIII, and in 1712 was canonized by Pope Clement XI.
Sant'Andrea della Valle
March 13, 2020
Pueblo - Following the order by Governor Jared Polis to cancel all public gatherings of 250 or more people to help stop the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), and acting on the advice of the leading health experts, the bishops of the three Catholic dioceses in Colorado have announced that all Catholic Churches in Colorado will not celebrate public Masses until further notice. This decision is effective immediately.
In a time like this when Mass is unavailable, the Catholic faithful are dispensed from their Sunday Mass obligation.
While we know that some will not agree with this decision, we have determined that it is our responsibility to do our part to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and help protect those who are most vulnerable to adverse health complications, especially the elderly. We have seen the evidence where taking precautionary action early has led to far better outcomes for a region.
The sacrifice of the Holy Mass will continue in private, but its public celebration will be suspended until it is deemed safe to hold large community gatherings. We ask all of the faithful to continue to keep the Lord’s Day holy and to join their sacrifices to the Mass from their homes.
Because the governor gave his order on Friday, we had to act quickly to make the decision for this weekend. There are still details that need to be worked out for how we will operate over the next several weeks, but as of now for the Diocese of Pueblo:
Catholic Schools are closed at the end of the day today, March 13. Contact Catholic Schools directly as to when they will reopen.
Diocesan and parish offices will remain open, but non-essential events and meetings will be canceled.
Funerals and Weddings can be celebrated with a reduced number of people. However, we encourage delaying these Liturgies. If celebrating, efforts must be made for groups of people to be spaced out by the recommended 6 feet of separation.
Priests will do their best to accommodate increased requests for the Sacraments of Healing (Penance and Anointing of the Sick).
Masses in English and Spanish are available at https://www.ewtn.com. If you do not have internet access, please check your local listings for televised or audio Masses. It is advised that in the absence of receiving the Holy Eucharist that you spend time praying with the Sunday Gospel and making an Act of Spiritual Communion, which can be found at https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/devotions/act-of-spiritual-communion-339.
More information, resources, and updates will be made available at https://dioceseofpueblo.org.
During this time of the global pandemic, let us continue to remain in prayer and solidarity as we pray for the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe and Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus to watch over the Diocese of Pueblo, grant wisdom to the medical and scientific community, and for a quick resolution to this global health crises.
A Message from Most Rev. Stephen Berg,
Our New Father Provincial
I spent a couple of days with the seminarians in Guadalajara. Since the state of Jalisco and especially the city were in self quarantine then had not gone out of the house for a week and they had not gone crazy. They were continuing their classes on.line maintained the regular discipline etc. even for recreation the put on shorts and did those video exercises you see on TV to music. All this thanks to Fr. Francisco. It made me proud to see them and the spirit that they have. They put the masses, stations of the cross, live streamed so members of their family, church of Divine Providence, etc. Fr. Patrick Valdez, C.R.
St. Cajetan Formation House in Guadalajara, Mexico
At the beginning of this year, in my Address to the members of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See, I pointed to the tragedy of internally displaced people as one of the challenges of our contemporary world: “Situations of conflict and humanitarian emergencies, aggravated by climate change, are increasing the numbers of displaced persons and affecting people already living in a state of dire poverty. Many of the countries experiencing these situations lack adequate structures for meeting the needs of the displaced” (9 January 2020).
Basilica of Sant'Andrea della Valle in Rome,
Theatine Church since the 17th Century!
Regina Coeli
With great joy the Theatine Fathers announce the election of our New Provincial Father, Rev.Heriberto Torres-Velazquez, C.R.
We gathered to celebrate our Provincial Chapter 2020 to evaluate our community life and to elect our new Provincial and the New Provincial Council for the term 2020-2023.
After praying unceasingly to the Holy Spirit, in a fraternal environment, we elected from among our brothers Father "Beto", as we call him, who was the vice-provincial for the previous term. The Community also thanked Father Pat Valdez, C.R. for his service to the community, which he did diligently for the last 3 years.
Father Heriberto had previously been the Provincial of the community for one term, He served at the Sangre de Cristo Parish in The San Luis Valley for 7 years and, prior to become the Provincial Superior he served in Denver for a year and a half.
Father General, Rev. Salvador Rodea Gonzalez, C.R., Presided the great opening of our Provincial Chapter with words of encouragement to live the fraternity inspired by St. Cajetan and our Theatine Saints, allowing our christian charity shine in every moment. He was speaking to his brothers with humility and coherence, with a heart filled of love for his brothers, inspiring us to enter in this historical time, embracing the cross as many Theatines have done before us.
We want to thank You all for your prayers and intercessions.
Seek ye First the Kingdom of God!
Where the Head went
Fr. Beto
The Body longs to follow
Bisop of Pueblo, Colorado.
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