Statements

"I am moved and humbled that His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, would choose me to serve as a bishop, in a place that has always been my home. It has been a profound joy to serve as a parish priest in this Archdiocese, where I was born, raised, educated and nurtured in faith. I pray that through my service as bishop, I may be a good preacher of the life of Jesus Christ and continue to grow in faith alongside each of you.

I wish to express my appreciation to Daniel Cardinal DiNardo for the opportunity to serve for the past five years as Director for Clergy Formation and Chaplaincy Services and as Vicar General, Chancellor and Moderator of the Curia of the Archdiocese. I am also deeply grateful to Archbishop Emeritus Joseph A. Fiorenza, who was one of my first pastors when I was a young priest. Over the years, Archbishop Fiorenza has guided me and challenged me to fulfill my vocation during many priestly assignments. I am also grateful to retired Bishop Vincent Rizzotto, whose life as a pastor has greatly inspired me.

I am especially grateful to my deceased mother, father, brother, grandparents, aunts and uncles, as well as my sister, Mary Margaret, brother-in-law, Dutch, and all my nephews, nieces and great nephews and nieces for their love. Through my experience of family, I came to know Christ. My vocation to the priesthood is the fruit of the prayers and support of my family.

I am thankful to the Archdiocesan staff for their time and efforts in planning and implementing the events for my Mass of Ordination, May 2.

Most of all, I express my deep appreciation to all the priests, deacons, religious men and women and faithful of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. Your heartfelt prayers these last weeks have heartened me with a spirit of fidelity and humility.

I ask the intercession of the Blessed Mother, that I may serve the people of Galveston-Houston as Christ served. May God continue to send His blessings upon our Archdiocese. Be assured that I continue to pray for each of you."
 

"The Vatican announced this morning that I am to be the new Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. I am moved and humbled by the news that His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, has chosen me to serve in this capacity, in a place that has always been my home.

It has been a profound joy to serve as a parish priest in this Archdiocese, where I was born, raised, educated and nurtured in faith. I always wanted to serve simply as a parish priest, and I happily did so for 36 of my 40-plus years of priesthood.

In 2007, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo invited me to serve the priests and personnel of the Archdiocese in a special way: first, as Director for Clergy Formation and Chaplaincy Services, and then, in 2010, as Vicar General, Chancellor and Moderator of the Curia. I am most grateful to Cardinal DiNardo for the opportunity to serve alongside him in these leadership roles.

I am indebted to Bishop Vincent Rizzotto, whose life as a pastor has inspired me, and to Archbishop Joseph A. Fiorenza, who was my pastor when I was a young priest. Archbishop Fiorenza mentored me, molded me and shaped me into the priest I am today.

I am thankful to the Basilian fathers, who educated me at St. Thomas High School and were so instrumental in encouraging my vocation to the priesthood.

I am sad that my parents, the late George and Margaret Sheltz, and my brother, the late Anton Sheltz, cannot be with us on this joyous day. But I take comfort in knowing that my sister, Mary Margaret, and I continue to feel their love and support.

I look forward to continuing to work with the priests, deacons, religious women and men and lay faithful in this great Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. You are the face of the living Christ, and together we must work to make the person of Jesus known to youth, to our families, to the poor, to the sick and the suffering. I ask for your prayers, patience and collaboration as I assume the responsibilities given to me. May God bless you all."

El Vaticano anunció esta mañana que seré el nuevo obispo auxiliar para la Arquidiócesis de Galveston-Houston. Me siento conmovido y honrado por la noticia de que Su Santidad, el Papa Benedicto XVI, me ha elegido para servir en este puesto, en el lugar que siempre ha sido mi hogar.

Después de ser informado de esta noticia, inmediatamente le escribí al Santo Padre haciéndole llegar mi gratitud y mi promesa de fidelidad a la Iglesia y a él.

Ha sido una profunda alegría servir como párroco en esta Arquidiócesis, en la que nací, me crié, me eduqué y alimenté mi fe. Siempre he querido servir simplemente como un sacerdote de parroquia, y lo hice con mucho gusto durante treinta y seis de mis más de cuarenta años de sacerdocio.

En 2007, el Cardenal Daniel DiNardo me invitó a servir a los sacerdotes y el personal de la Arquidiócesis de una manera especial: primero, como Director de Formación del Clero y de Servicios de Capellanía, y luego, en 2010, como Vicario General, Canciller y Moderador de la Curia. Le agradezco al Cardenal DiNardo por la oportunidad de servir a su lado en estos puestos de liderazgo.

Estoy en deuda con el Obispo Vicente Rizzotto, cuya vida como pastor me ha inspirado, y al Arzobispo Joseph A. Fiorenza, que fue mi pastor cuando yo era un sacerdote joven. El Arzobispo Fiorenza fue mi mentor; él me formó y me moldeó en el sacerdote que soy hoy.

Me siento agradecido con los Padres Basilianos, que me educaron en la Preparatoria Sto. Tomás y contribuyeron en fomentar mi vocación al sacerdocio.

Me siento triste de que mis fallecidos padres, George y Margaret Sheltz, y mi fallecido hermano, Anton Sheltz, no pueden estar con nosotros en este día de júbilo. Pero me consuela saber que mi hermana, María Margarita y yo seguimos sintiendo su amor y su apoyo.

Espero continuar trabajando con los sacerdotes, diáconos, religiosos y religiosas y fieles laicos en esta gran Arquidiócesis de Galveston-Houston. Ustedes son el rostro del Cristo viviente, y juntos debemos trabajar para hacer que la persona de Jesús sea conocida por los jóvenes, nuestras familias, los pobres, los enfermos y los que sufren. Les pido sus oraciones, su paciencia y su colaboración al asumir las responsabilidades que me han asignado. Que Dios los bendiga a todos.

"It is my great pleasure to congratulate Bishop-elect Sheltz on his appointment to be the new Auxiliary Bishop of Galveston-Houston.

As a parish priest and pastor for 36 years, Bishop-elect Sheltz has been a calm and kind shepherd to so many of our Catholic faithful at churches across the Archdiocese. More recently, as Vicar General and Chancellor, he has ably assisted me in the governance of this local Church. His serene demeanor in every administrative and pastoral situation signifies a man who is strong in his faith in the Lord and in the Church.

I join the people of Galveston-Houston in rejoicing over the Holy Father's appointment of Bishop-elect Sheltz to this position. I look forward to working with you as my chief collaborator in this growing, diverse Archdiocese. May God bless you and guide you as you love and lead the Church with the heart of Christ."