Each year the nation's believers pause during the next to the last weekend in November to honor organ and tissue donors and recipients. It is called "National Donor Sabbath" and, conforms to those traditional hours, sunset Friday to sunset Sunday.

The transplant community wishes to encourage churches in the diocese to recognize this event by perhaps mention in the bulletin, a special rosary or whatever seems to be appropriate, Dr. W. C. Farmer said.

“There is not a parish or mission in the diocese that does not have someone who either needs a transplant, or has had one, or has lost a family member waiting for a donor,” he said.

“As you know, South Texas is the diabetes capitol of America, which often leads to the need for a kidney transplant. I myself received a heart 14 years ago this month,” Dr. Farmer said.

Dr. Farmer said he has spoken at 194 masses in the Diocese of Corpus Christi, enrolling more than 200,000 persons as donors.

The Transplant Support Group of South Texas has materials and speakers available should any church wish to utilize them. For more information, call (361) 850-5371.