Bishop Michael Sis visits Goodfellow Published March 13, 2014 Senior Airman Michael Smith GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Bishop Michael Sis, Roman Catholic Diocese of San Angelo, visited here Feb. 28, to tour the 17th Training Wing, learn about the wing's mission and the people of Team Goodfellow. Bishop Sis was appointed the sixth bishop of San Angelo, Texas, Dec. 12, 2013, after serving as the vicar-general and the moderator of the Curia for the Diocese of Austin since 2010. A bishop is the head of a local diocese, a geographic subdivision of the Roman Catholic Church. Bishops in the Catholic and Orthodox churches are successors to the twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ. "My three main duties are to teach, to sanctify and to govern," said Sis. "I teach the Catholic faith in union with the Pope and in harmony with the official teachings of our tradition. I sanctify through prayer, blessings and the sacraments of the church. I govern the Catholic church in this diocese by overseeing the clergy and diocesan staff, setting vision, resolving disputes, establishing policies and upholding the Canon Law of our church." During the bishop's tour of Goodfellow, he was able to meet and converse with Team Goodfellow members and learn about the services offered by the chapel and the chaplains. "I think now Bishop Sis has a sense of what we do here and type of services we offer for people," said Chaplain (Capt.) Robert Bohnsack, 17th Training Wing. "He knows we are a small community, but we play a big part in the larger San Angelo community in which he is a now a leader." Although the Catholic Diocese of San Angelo is not directly affiliated with the base, the partnership between them is very open. "A good relationship helps us all to serve our people more effectively," said Sis. "I have only been here for one month, so there is still a lot for me to learn about our various partnerships. My current understanding is that we are good neighbors. We do not have official responsibilities to the base because the base is under the Archdiocese for the Military Services. The Catholic chaplain on the base is appointed by the Archdiocese of the Military Services, not by me. When he needs help, the priests of our diocese lend a hand. When we need help, he lends us a hand. Many of the people who worship at the base chapel are residents of San Angelo. Some of the Goodfellow personnel choose to worship off base in our diocesan parishes." Even though this visit was the Bishop's first, the partnership with Goodfellow, the Catholic community and San Angelo is long standing. "I enjoyed getting to know him and letting him know what we do as the chaplain corps and as Team Goodfellow service members," said Bohnsack. "I'm looking forward to helping that relationship grow." For more information on religious accommodations and services offered by the chapel, contact 325-654-3424.
