We must remember that Living the Gospel of Life does not begin and end in October, we are called to live that commitment every day. Each day, we have the opportunity to extend our hearts and our hands to help our neighbors.

Let us open our hearts and minds and listen intently to the voice of God, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, who will lead us through this important process.

Let us listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit so that we may respond to the call to serve one another. May God bless you as your prayers bless me.

As we enter October, enjoying the changing of the season and cooler temperatures, we pause and reflect on an important time on the Catholic calendar - Respect Life Month.

In solidarity with the Holy Father, the Diocese of Austin embraces this year’s National Migration Week theme, “Toward an Ever Wider ‘We’”. This focus captures our Catholic tradition -- to act boldly, dispelling the culture of “them versus us” so that we can truly be witnesses to the teachings of Christ.

Please join me in praying that this holiday will offer hope for a future where all people will work to bring about the needed transformation of our understanding of true life, charity, and justice in the United States of America.