Seminarians, deacons, priests, men and women religious, members of the faithful, and the media crowded around the parish and took up all of the pews inside of a standing room only church before the Holy Doors were blessed and opened.

El Pasoan’s Diocesan Choir, led by Peter Kolar, provided glorious music.

Before the Mass began, we spent time with our deacons and clergy. The Foundation is grateful for their service to the Diocese of El Paso and works to support priests in their retirement with the Retired Priest Appreciation Fund. The fund will reach $1 million in 2016.

“The Holy Year of Mercy will be an opportunity to encourage Christians to meet people’s ‘real needs’ with concrete assistance, to experience a ‘true pilgrimage’ on foot, and to send ‘missionaries of mercy’ throughout the world to forgive even the most serious of sins”, said Archbishop Rino Fisichella from Vatican City. - The Catholic Reporter