Our recent journey has been filled with momentous events that will shape our lives for years to come. In January, when Bishop Joe Vásquez was named archbishop of Galveston-Houston, we marked the loss of a wonderful shepherd.

A few months later on April 21, we mourned the passing of our Holy Father, Pope Francis. With hearts heavy and prayers offered, God’s attentiveness did not leave us unaided as on May 8, the College of Cardinals elected Pope Leo XIV, and we look forward to many years of fatherly guidance from our new Holy Father. Finally, on July 2, in God’s continued kindness, he provided for our needs by appointing Bishop Garcia as our sixth bishop. God’s providence now fills us with hope.

So many remember you as a young parish priest, a caring pastor, and a faithful auxiliary bishop. We recall your kind zeal and steady personality guiding people. We think of the babies you baptized, the countless hours in the confessional by which you conveyed God’s grace on those in need of healing, the first communions you celebrated, the couples you prepared for marriage, the families with whom you’ve walked in their joys and sufferings, and your attentiveness to those preparing to go into God at the end of life, anointing them with God’s grace and providing food for the journey. Receiving you back as our bishop gives evidence of Jesus’ promise that he will be with us until the end of the age.

While we know each other well, in God’s mysterious providence, we come back together to learn from each other and grow in Christ. You wisely remarked during the press conference on July 2 that the diocese has changed significantly since you left in 2019, but you have also changed. We look forward to the gift of friendship with you, which is ever new in the Lord.

Our time in history is marked by significant tensions that we try to hold together by our faith. We look forward to your kind nature infused with Gospel zeal amid the challenges God allows to beset our society. We will surely benefit from your pastoral direction as, together, we strive to see the world through the lens of the Gospel. In doing so and by God’s good grace, we can truly be Christ’s feet, hands and eyes in a world yearning to encounter him.

From the city of West in the north to San Marcos in the south and from Mason in the west to Chappell Hill in the east, we all look forward to walking with you. In our growing cities, towns and rural places, college campus ministries and in our 19 Catholic schools, we look forward to praying with you. From Catholic Charities of Central Texas to the St. Vincent de Paul conferences in parishes and with our fraternal organizations and our spiritual ministries, we look forward to bringing and being Christ to those in need of Christ’s presence. May God fill you with his blessings as you embark upon this new journey and know that we will join you in walking humbly with God!

Your friend in Christ,

Very Rev. James A. Misko