WATCH: Bringing The Book of Matthew To Life

SAN ANGELO, TX -- Originally purposed as a thrift store located at 410 N. Chadbourne The Catholic Diocese of San Angelo has given new life to the Catholic Outreach Services and Thrift Shop building as a community outreach center. 

The location will house offices for pro-life ministry, criminal justice ministry, immigration services, along with the St. Francis Ministry that serves sack lunches daily for those in need.

Bishop Michael J. Sis gave a blessing to the newly renovated facility on Wednesday afternoon and added that the dedication couldn't have come at a better time.

"In the calendar of our church year we are in the season of lent," said Bishop Sis. "In the season of lent, there are three traditional practices: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving and almsgiving encompasses any actions we do to reach out to people who are in need."

"This all came together as a dream of Bishop Sis," said Catholic Outreach Services Board of Directors President Janic Pelzel. "To renovate the building from what it was as a thrift store and have it more community-oriented." 

Bishop Sis also used a bible passage from the book of Matthew (25: 34-40) to explain the importance of the building and its services. "In Matthew 25 Jesus is talking about the final judgment of all human beings in determining if they go to heaven or to hell," said Bishop Sis. "The essential criteria that Jesus gives us whether or not we have served people in need."

For more information on the Catholic Outreach Services, they can be reached at 325.658.4124.