News

During these uncertain times, there is one thing that hasn’t and won’t change: our commitment to improving the lives of people in the Diocese of El Paso. Your unwavering generosity, especially during this difficult time, is an inspiration. Thank you for your continued support. We wish you a blessed Holy Week and Happy Easter.

The President signed a $2 trillion coronavirus relief bill in response to the economic destruction from the pandemic ripping through the United States. The House passed the stimulus package, believed to be the largest in U.S. history, by voice vote. We want to let you know about a few key provisions of the new CARES Act.

Even though we cannot be together, continue supporting your parish. With Mass cancelled, parishes will be struggling to pay for ongoing bills. Just like our home budget, the bills for utilities, for insurance, and for other operations will continue. If you are financially able, please support your parish. Click here to learn how the Foundation is helping.

The Foundation for the Diocese of El Paso is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy workplace for our employees, donors, and friends. In light of the confirmed cases of COVID-19, we wish to inform you of the ways we are supporting our community during this time.

Fr. Fabian Marquez, Pastor of El Buen Pastor and the Bishop’s Liaison to Youth and Young Adult Ministry, leads with energy and commitment and considers empowering young people to live as dynamic disciples of Jesus Christ one of the greatest goals of youth and young adult ministry, one of 15 ministries supported by Progress.

The Foundation is offering basic approaches for creating a Stewardship Ministry in parishes during a weekend bilingual course taught by Stewardship Coordinator Karina Sandoval at the Tepeyac. It’s designed anyone interested to in helping to increase Mass attendance, ministry participation and the Sunday collection. The course will provide the theology and spirituality of Stewardship and will provide resources to promote a Stewardship way of life.

The Foundation’s Stewardship Program and Karen Kiefer, author of the children’s book Drawing God, invite the Catholic community to draw God this Lent and share your drawings with us.

Angela Ladogana was as generous after her passing as she was in life. A St. Raphael parishioner, Angela left an estate gift for her beloved parish; Fr. Tony Celino established a Named Fund for the church in her memory with her thoughtful donation. A Mass to celebrate the life and memory of Angela Elizabeth Ladogana will be held at St. Raphael Parish on Saturday, February 15 at the 4pm aticipated Mass.

The Texas Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee named Erika Delgado Teacher of the Year for her dedication to the spiritual and intellectual formation of her students. Erika is the definition of what it is to be from this dynamic bicultural, bilingual community. She makes the daily commute from Juárez to teach at St. Joseph’s School, a place she and her son call home.

El Paso mourns the loss of Rev. Msgr. Francis J. Smith, P.A., a longtime fixture at St. Raphael Parish and the Diocese of El Paso. Msgr. Smith served as a founding board member of the Foundation for the Diocese of El Paso and was passionate about supporting priests in retirement and St. Raphael School. He retired in 2015 after serving St. Raphael Parish for 29 years.