Diocese of San Angelo

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The Diocese of San Angelo, a suffragan diocese of the Latin Rite, is an active diocese in the United States serving west-central Texas. Established on July 16, 1983, by Pope John Paul II, it is led by Bishop Michael David Sis since January 4, 2013. A member of the Ecclesiastical Province of San Antonio, the diocese encompasses 23 counties across a vast rural and oil-rich region, with 44 parishes and 20 missions serving about 78,000 Catholics; a notable milestone was the dedication of the new San Angelo Cathedral in 2000, symbolizing renewal after a fire destroyed the previous structure in 1975.[1][2] Stored in Cargo: Diocese of San Angelo

Diocese: Diocese of San Angelo
Status:Active
Rite:Latin
Type:Suffragan diocese
Ecclesiastical Province:Province of San Antonio
Metropolitan Archdiocese:Archdiocese of San Antonio
Country:United States
Region:Texas
Bishop:Michael David Sis
Website:https://sanangelodiocese.org/
Newspaper:https://www.westtxangelus.com/
Catholic %:8.5%
Elementary Schools:6
High Schools:2
Deaneries:6
Priests:75
Existence:1983–
Predecessor Dioceses:Diocese of San Antonio
Catholic Hospitals:2
Rating:4.0
Chancery Address:2401 West Beauregard Avenue San Angelo, TX 76901-5713

Establishment

The Diocese of San Angelo was canonically erected on July 16, 1983, by Pope John Paul II through the apostolic constitution Conferente sibi, splitting territory from the Diocese of San Antonio to address the pastoral needs of the rapidly growing Catholic population in west-central Texas amid post-World War II expansion and the oil boom.[3][4]

History

The region saw early Catholic missionary activity from Spanish explorers in the 17th century, with permanent presence growing via the Diocese of San Antonio in the 19th century. The 20th century brought population surges from agriculture, ranching, and oil discovery in the Permian Basin, necessitating a new diocese in 1983. Key events include the 1975 fire at Sacred Heart Cathedral and its rebuilding as San Angelo Cathedral in 2000, as well as boundary adjustments in 1983 to include counties like Midland and Odessa.[5][6]

Geography

The diocese covers approximately 25,394 square miles (65,770 km²) across 23 counties in west-central Texas, a mix of ranchlands, deserts, and urban centers like San Angelo and Midland:

  • Andrews
  • Brown
  • Coke
  • Coleman
  • Concho
  • Crockett
  • Glasscock
  • Howard
  • Irion
  • Kimble
  • Llano
  • Mason
  • McCulloch
  • Menard
  • Midland
  • Mills
  • Reagan
  • Runnels
  • San Saba
  • Schleicher
  • Sterling
  • Sutton
  • Tom Green

It forms part of the Ecclesiastical Province of San Antonio.[7][8]

Mother church

San Angelo Cathedral (formerly Sacred Heart Cathedral) in San Angelo serves as the mother church. Completed in 2000 in modern Romanesque style after the original 1889 cathedral burned in 1975, it features a prominent dome and seats over 1,000.[9]

Leadership

Current Bishop

Bishop Michael David Sis, installed on January 4, 2013, previously served as vicar general and judicial vicar in the diocese. A native of San Angelo, he emphasizes vocations, pro-life initiatives, and rural ministry.[10][11]

Past Bishops

Name Tenure Notes
Stephen Anthony Leven 1983–1993 First bishop; appointed Bishop of Lafayette in Indiana.
David Douglas Crosier 1993–1994 Apostolic administrator.
Michael Jarboe Sheehan 1994–2003 Appointed Archbishop of Santa Fe.
Ulrich Josef Stettner 2003–2005 Apostolic administrator.
John Walter Yanta 2005–2013 Auxiliary Bishop of San Antonio serving as apostolic administrator.

According to Catholic-Hierarchy.org and diocesan records.[12]

Theological and cultural orientation

The diocese rates as somewhat conservative (4.0), with Traditional Latin Mass (TLM) offered weekly in several parishes including the cathedral, a strong emphasis on traditional moral teachings like pro-life advocacy through annual marches, and leadership under Bishop Sis prioritizing doctrinal fidelity, Eucharistic devotion, and opposition to progressive reforms while supporting some social outreach in rural poverty.[13][14]

Statistics

As of 2023, the diocese spans 25,394 square miles (65,770 km²), serves 78,389 registered Catholics (8.5% of a total population of 922,000) across 44 parishes and 20 missions, with 75 priests, 40 deacons, and 250 religious.[15][16]

Religious communities

Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles

The Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles operate the Carmelite Monastery in San Angelo, focusing on prayer and retreats. Carmelites.[17]

Franciscan Sisters of the Atonement

The Franciscan Sisters of the Atonement serve in education and parish ministry, including at Christ the King Retreat Center. Address: PO Box 276, San Angelo, TX 76902. Franciscans.[18]

Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity (SOLT)

Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity runs missions and evangelization in rural areas. SOLT.[19]

Parishes

Main article: List of parishes in the Diocese of San Angelo
Diocese of San Angelo
This map created from a Cargo query (Purge)
_pageName City MailingAddress
St. Ambrose Church (Diocese of San Angelo) Wall, TX PO Box 228, Wall, TX 76957

The diocese administers 44 parishes organized into 6 deaneries, serving diverse Hispanic, Anglo, and rural communities with bilingual Masses common. Notable sites include historic missions in the Hill Country and Permian Basin cathedrals.[20]

Mission and services

Catholic education

The diocese supports 6 elementary/middle schools and 2 high schools:

School Name City Type Website
Angelo Catholic Elementary School San Angelo Elementary https://angelocatholicschool.org/
Angelo Catholic High School San Angelo High School https://angelocatholicschool.org/
Christ the King Catholic School Odessa Elementary https://ctkcs.org/
Holy Family Catholic School Midland Elementary https://holyfamilycatholicschool.org/
St. Mary's Catholic School Brownwood Elementary https://stmarysschoolbrownwood.org/
St. Stephen's Catholic School Midland Elementary https://ststephensmidland.org/
Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic School Midland Elementary https://olgcs.net/
Sacred Heart Catholic School San Angelo Elementary https://shcsa.org/

Sources: Diocesan directory and school sites.[21]

Community outreach

Catholic Charities of San Angelo provides food, shelter, and immigration services to over 10,000 people annually, with programs like St. Gabriel's Food Pantry and refugee resettlement.[22]

Notable events or figures

  • The 2000 dedication of San Angelo Cathedral by Cardinal Anthony Javierre Ortíz drew thousands, marking post-fire reconstruction.[23]
  • Bishop Michael Sis hosted the 2019 Eucharistic Congress, emphasizing adoration amid West Texas revival.[24]

Fun facts

Below are some fun facts about the Diocese of San Angelo:


  • Did you know? Pope St. John Paul II created the Diocese of San Angelo in 1983 from the vast Archdiocese of San Antonio, carving out a rugged West Texas territory bigger than some countries to serve oil boom Catholics!
  • Surprise! The San Angelo Cathedral rose from the ashes of a 1975 fire that gutted the original Sacred Heart Cathedral, reopening in 2000 with a stunning dome that lights up the Concho River skyline.
  • Here's something cool: Spanning 23 counties and over 25,000 square miles, the diocese covers more ground than the state of West Virginia, with parishes from desert ranches to Permian Basin oil fields!
  • Wow moment: First Bishop Stephen Leven built 12 new churches in his decade, turning frontier missions into thriving parishes during the 1980s energy boom.
  • Little-known gem: Bishop Michael Sis, a San Angelo native and former high school teacher, has boosted vocations, with the diocese producing more priests per capita than many larger sees.
  • Fun fact: The diocese treasures Spanish colonial missions like San Saba, tied to early martyrs, and hosts an annual Christ in the Desert pilgrimage reenacting frontier faith.
  • Did you know? West Texas Angelus, the diocesan paper, has covered everything from rodeo blessings to Eucharistic miracles reported in local parishes since 1984.
  • Surprise! With strong Hispanic roots, many parishes celebrate bilingual feasts like Our Lady of Guadalupe, drawing thousands for processions under starry Big Country skies.

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    References

    1. ↑ "Diocese of San Angelo". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dsanango.html. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    2. ↑ "Diocese History". https://sanangelodiocese.org/about/history. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    3. ↑ "Conferente sibi". https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/apost_constitutions/documents/hf_jp-ii_apc_19830716_conferente-sibi.html. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    4. ↑ "Diocese of San Angelo". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dsanango.html. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    5. ↑ "Diocese History". https://sanangelodiocese.org/about/history. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    6. ↑ "Diocese of San Angelo". https://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/diocese/sangl003.htm. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    7. ↑ "Diocese Map". https://sanangelodiocese.org/about/map. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    8. ↑ "Diocese of San Angelo". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dsanango.html. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    9. ↑ "San Angelo Cathedral". https://sanangelodiocese.org/cathedral. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    10. ↑ "Michael David Sis". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bsismd.html. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    11. ↑ "Our Bishop". https://sanangelodiocese.org/bishop. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    12. ↑ "Diocese of San Angelo". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dsanango.html. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    13. ↑ "Traditional Latin Mass". https://sanangelodiocese.org/worship/liturgy/tlm. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    14. ↑ "Respect Life". https://sanangelodiocese.org/respect-life. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    15. ↑ "Diocesan Statistics". https://sanangelodiocese.org/about/statistics. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    16. ↑ "Diocese of San Angelo". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dsanango.html. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    17. ↑ "Religious Orders". https://sanangelodiocese.org/religious-orders. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    18. ↑ "Religious Orders". https://sanangelodiocese.org/religious-orders. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    19. ↑ "Religious Orders". https://sanangelodiocese.org/religious-orders. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    20. ↑ "Parish Directory". https://sanangelodiocese.org/parishes. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    21. ↑ "Catholic Schools". https://sanangelodiocese.org/schools. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    22. ↑ "Catholic Charities San Angelo". https://ccsawtx.org/. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    23. ↑ "Cathedral History". https://sanangelodiocese.org/cathedral/history. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    24. ↑ "Eucharistic Congress". https://sanangelodiocese.org/eucharistic-congress. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 

    External links

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