By 
The Eucharistic Procession after the 7:00 AM mass this morning at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Tyler, Texas was a great blessing and a moment of grace. The crowd for morning mass was a bit larger than usual but people were careful to keep their safe distance in light of the concerns about the Coronavirus. It was a blessing to collectively turn to the Real Presence of the Lord and ask Him to help us and protect us. We processed inside the Cathedral, pausing to the East, West, North and South to pray and ask the Lord of Lords to offer His grace and protection. Then the Procession continued outside the Cathedral and did the same around the Cathedral block and pausing at the four directions of the compass to ask Our Lord to protect the City of Tyler, the Diocese, the Nation and all of God's people around the world. One thing to note is that rain was forecast for Friday morning in Tyler. Last night I said a prayer that if the Procession was the Lord's will the rain would hold off. It literally began to rain as I was leaving the Cathedral after the Procession. Many would discount this as just the quirky weather of East Texas but I encourage all people of faith to deepen our "faith instinct" and believe that as Christ promises, when we ask in prayer the Lord hears us. May this great challenge of the Coronavirus make our Lenten journey one that leads us to deeper faith and more profound trust that the Lord is Really Present in our world and listens to our prayers.
Joseph Strickland
Bishop Joseph E. Strickland was named the fourth bishop of Tyler in September of 2012 by Pope Benedict XVI. Prior to being named bishop, he served a number of roles in the diocese, including vicar general, judicial vicar, and pastor of the Cathedral parish. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1985. 