Pope confirms visit to Philadelphia in September
Transcripción
Pope confirms visit to Philadelphia in September
DECEMBER 2014 T H E V O L U M E 3 2, N U M B E R 11 O F F I C I A L P U B L I C A T I O N O F T H E D I O C E S E O F A U S T I N Pope conÀrms visit to Philadelphia in September BY FRANCIS X. ROCCA CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE Pope Francis said he would attend the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia in September, making it the Àrst conÀrmed stop on what is expected to be a more extensive papal visit to North America. The pope made the announcement Nov. 17 in a speech opening an interreligious conference on traditional marriage. “I would like to conÀrm that, God willing, in September 2015 I will go to Philadelphia for the eighth World Meeting of Families,” the pope said. The announcement had been widely expected, since Pope Benedict XVI had said before his retirement that he hoped to attend the Philadelphia Periodical Postage Paid at Austin, Texas POPE FRANCIS has con¿rmed that he will visit Philadelphia in September for the World Meeting of Families. (CNS photo by Paul Haring) Austin Diocese 6225 Hwy. 290 East Austin, Texas 78723 BISHOP’S INTERVIEW Praying for and thanking religious men and women. Page 16 event. Popes typically fulÀll their predecessors’ publicly known travel plans, as Pope Francis did in July 2013 when he attended World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro. Philadelphia Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, who was in Rome for the families meeting, told Catholic News Service the announcement was “a surprise in the sense that it was announced so early; you know usually they don’t make these announcements –– four months out is the typical and here we are 10 months away, and the Holy Father said he is coming to Philadelphia.” “The Holy Father has said that he’s going to be coming to Philadelphia for quite a few months,” he told Catholic News Service. “He’s been telling me that personally, but for him to announce it ofÀcially that he is coming so early is really quite an unusual thing, so it’s going to re-energize our efforts. There’s lot of enthusiasm already, but I think 90 percent of the enthusiasm’s based on the fact that the Holy Father will be with us, and now that he’s said that I expect that there will be even a double amount of enthusiasm ... and I’m very happy about that.” Catholicphilly.com reported the archbishop noted that Pope Francis has focused “on the many challenges that families face today globally. His charisma, presence and voice will electrify the gathering. “As I’ve said many times before, I believe that the presence of the Holy Father will bring all of us –– Catholic and non-Catholic alike –– together in tremendously powerful, unifying and healing ways. We look forward to Pope Francis’ arrival in Philadelphia next September, and we will welcome him joyfully with open arms and prayerful hearts.” In August, Pope Francis told reporters accompanying him on the plane back from South Korea that he “would like” to go to Philadelphia. The pope also noted that President Barack Obama and the U.S. Congress had invited him to Washington, D.C., and that the secretary-general of the United Nations had invited him to New York. “Maybe the three cities together, no?” Pope Francis said, adding that he could also visit the shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico on the same trip –– “but it is not certain.” Although few details of the papal visit have been made public, organizers for the families’ congress expect Pope Francis to arrive Sept. 25 for an afternoon public visit with civic ofÀcials. That would begin his Àrst trip as pope to the U.S. and the second papal visit to Philadelphia in a generation; St. Pope John Paul II visited the city in 1979. The visit will mark the fourth time a sitting pontiff has visited the U.S. During his visit, Pope Francis is expected to attend the Festival of Families Sept. 26, a cultural celebration for hundreds of thousands of people along Philadelphia’s main cultural boulevard, the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Donna Farrell, executive director for the 2015 World Meeting of Families and its chief planner, said although Philadelphia has hosted St. Pope John Paul’s visit, the city has “not had anything like this unique Festival of Families. It’s really going to be something special.” Registration for the congress opened in midNovember. The meeting will be a weeklong series of talks, discussions and activities. Beginning in December, in celebration of the Feast of the Holy Family, the Diocese of Austin will launch a website, www.austindiocese.org/ wmof2015, to help Catholics stay apprised of all that is happening with the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia and family events here in the Diocese of Austin. BLESSED CHURCH BUILDING BRIDGES Syro-Malabar parish Ànds a permanent home in Manor. Page 4 Pope Francis is focused on ecumenism. Page 14 ESPAÑOL St. Austin recuerda la ‘Noche de los Vidrios Rotos’. Página 24 2 THE MISSION OF THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT As the of¿cial newspaper for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Austin, the CATHOLIC SPIRIT is dedicated to providing information, education and formation for the Catholic community of Central Texas. This mission calls for the newspaper: • to provide readers with an understanding of our Catholic faith and traditions; • to be a primary source of information on Catholic issues relevant to the community; • to be a unifying element for faith communities, both rural and urban, throughout Central Texas; • to show respect for and appreciation of all cultural groups and traditions; • to emphasize topics af¿rming the Catholic community and life, while acknowledging the humanity of the community and examining, with courage, topics that challenge and encourage growth in the faith; • to carry a commitment to social justice that will support the renewal of the church in Central Texas. HOW TO SUBMIT INFORMATION Deadline for submission of articles or information for the CATHOLIC SPIRIT is the 10th of the month for publication in the following month’s edition. Deadline for the January issue is Dec. 10. You can submit material in any of the following ways: • E-mail to [email protected]. • Mail to CATHOLIC SPIRIT, 6225 Hwy. 290 E., Austin, TX 78723. For additional information, call (512) 949-2443 or e-mail us at [email protected]. CATHOLIC SPIRIT has unrestricted editing rights. HOW TO SUBMIT A LETTER TO THE EDITOR Readers are encouraged to express their opinions on articles published in CATHOLIC SPIRIT. Letters to the editor provide a forum of discussion for the local Catholic community. The views expressed in the letters do not necessarily represent those of the editor or the publisher of CATHOLIC SPIRIT. Letters to the editor should be limited to 250 words. Name and full address of the writer must be provided, though name will be withheld from publication on request. We reserve the right to edit or withhold all letters. Please e-mail to [email protected] or mail to Editor, Catholic Spirit, 6225 Hwy. 290 E., Austin, TX 78723. VOICES C ATHOLIC S PIRIT Training body, soul during Advent BY SHELLEY METCALF CATHOLIC SPIRIT STAFF As I write this, I am in the Ànal weeks of training for my Àrst marathon. I’ve learned a lot about myself during the last several months. I started training on a whim in mid-summer. It was hot and humid, and it was hard, but thankfully, I was running with a good friend. On the Àrst 10-miler, I could not fathom how I would run more. But I followed my training plan, and I did 13 the next week. Our mileage increased and the sweat continued to pour. The Àrst time the temperature dropped to 60 degrees, we thanked God over and over for the cooler weather. Then I ran my Àrst 20-miler, and I cried from pain and frustration. My friend was injured, so I ran it alone, and my legs hurt, my stomach grumbled, my lungs ached. Thankfully, the training plan backed off a little, and the next few long runs were not so far. However, I was nervous, really, really nervous, and I started praying hard! The temperatures cooled off more and the long runs were less difÀcult (never easy though). The weekend of Nov. 8, I did a 22-miler, the longest run in my training schedule. I began the run early in the morning, and as the sun came up, all those weeks of training Ànally came together. On that crisp Saturday morning, I realized I was ready. My legs were strong and ready for the distance, and my mind was prepared and ready to push through the discomfort. But I was still worried about the 26.2, and I was still praying hard. Then last Sunday, we were early to Mass and I found myself reading through the Sunday Scriptures for Advent, and these words from Gaudete Sunday literally jumped from the page. “May the God of peace make you perfectly holy and may you entirely, spirit, soul, and body, be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will also accomplish it,” says 1Thessalonians 5:16-24. Those words calmed my worries instantly, and I realized God had been with me at all times in the months of training. When I was hurting, tired and freaking out, God was with me. He knew that the best way for me to prepare for running this distance was to faithfully follow my training plan. So he was with me on the dark, early mornings, he was with me on the streets and sidewalks throughout Cedar Park, he is with me now as I reÁect on those months of training, and he will carry me over that Ànish line on Dec. 7. This Advent, my prayer is that over these next four weeks I can prepare my spirit and soul for Christ as faithfully and as diligently as I have prepared my legs and my mind for 26.2 miles. I know God will be with me every step of the way, for he is far more faithful than I will ever be. SHELLEY METCALF and her family are parishioners of St. Margaret Mary Parish in Cedar Park. She has been editor of the Catholic Spirit since 2007. HOW TO SUBSCRIBE Subscription rates are $12 for one year. To subscribe, send check payable to Catholic Spirit to CATHOLIC SPIRIT, 6225 Hwy. 290 E., Austin, TX 78723. Members of a parish in the Austin Diocese may receive the newspaper for a reduced rate. Contact your parish staff for more information. ADDRESS CHANGES OR DUPLICATE MAILINGS Send all address changes to CATHOLIC SPIRIT, 6225 Hwy. 290 E., Austin, TX 78723. Please include your parish’s name and city. If receiving duplicate copies of the CATHOLIC SPIRIT, call (512) 949-2443 or e-mail [email protected]. STAFF Publisher: Most Rev. Joe S. Vásquez, Bishop of Austin Editor: Shelley Metcalf; (512) 949-2400, [email protected] Assistant Editor: Christian R. González; (512) 949-2400, [email protected] Advertising: Shelley Metcalf; (512) 949-2400, [email protected] Spanish translation: Gina Dominguez Columnists: Barbara Budde, Norman Farmer, Mary Lou Gibson and Rev. Tadeusz Pacholczyk, Ph.D. Correspondents: Burnie Cook, Amy Moraczewski, Peggy Moraczewski, Enedelia Obregón, Michele Chan Santos and Mary P. Walker Catholic Spirit subscribes to Catholic News Service (CNS) and is a member of the Catholic Press Association. Copyright 2014 by the Austin Diocese. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any editorial content, photograph, art or design is prohibited without written permission of the publisher CATHOLIC SPIRIT (ISSN 0896-2715) is published 11 times annually (monthly except one issue in July/August) by the Austin Diocese. Bishop Joe S. Vásquez, publisher, 6225 Hwy. 290 E., Austin, TX 78723. Periodicals Postage Paid at Austin, Texas. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Catholic Spirit, 6225 Hwy. 290 E., Austin, Texas 78723. A season of waiting and learning BY RHINA GUIDOS GUEST COLUMNIST Though it’s hard to peg down, some believe the Catholic Church began observing Advent in the fourth century. Since then, Advent has become increasing popular as some faithful observe with Advent wreaths or calendars, counting down to the moment of joy, of the birth, the new life, not just of our savior but essentially, of our faith. Observing Advent, for those who really take the time, can teach us to slow down, to reÁect during what is, for many, the busiest and most stressful time of the year. It can help us in our life-long advent, that waiting period until we are with God, the light. I can’t help but think of the lyrics from George Harrison’s “My Sweet Lord,” when the former Beatle sings about really wanting to see the Lord, but it seems to be taking “so long.” I remember having that feeling when I was a child, when we stopped by the empty bed of straw in the Nativity scene of our parish. Each time we passed it and he wasn’t there, I remember that “I really want to see you” feeling. Psalms 27:14 tell us to “Wait for the Lord, take courage; be stouthearted, wait for the Lord.” When we’re children, it seems as if that waiting period will take forever. It can seem endless, too, to a mother or a father waiting for a child who lives far away, and who visits only during Christmas. There’s something really beautiful about the wait, about the anticipation, and we shouldn’t let it go to waste. Perhaps we’re waiting, neither for presents, nor for the “magic” some of us Ànd in the Christmas season, but for a moment of darkness or loneliness to pass, one that only the Lord can lift us out of. Maybe we’re waiting for the advent of the day when we’re able to defeat an addiction, with help from God, or when we’re able to get a better job, holding on solely to God during our moments of tribulation. We know the day will come when the pain will be over, if we wait with the Lord for the storm to pass. “They that hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar on eagles’ wings; they will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint,” says Isaiah 40:31. Advent can teach us to wait for the light, in whatever form it comes. Guidos is an editor at Catholic News Service. December 2014 3 CENTRAL TEXAS Bishop Mulvey helps celebrate Catholic schools BY MICHELE CHAN SANTOS SENIOR CORRESPONDENT The Celebrating Catholic Schools Dinner and Awards Presentation honors the unsung heroes of Catholic education in the Diocese of Austin. It also raises tuition assistance funds for each of the 22 Catholic schools in the diocese. The seventh annual event will be held Jan. 24 at the Hyatt Town Lake in downtown Austin. The Khaki and Plaid reception begins at 6 p.m. with dinner and awards presentation beginning at 7 p.m. At the conclusion of dinner, the “After School Party” begins with live music provided by The Bravados. Since 2009, more than 2,750 people have attended Celebrating Catholic Schools. Thanks to the generosity of sponsors and attendees, the event has returned $343,000 to schools in support of tuition assistance, expecting the lives of more than 8,000 students. To date the event has honored 155 individuals for their service and support of our schools, said Jean Bondy, the associate director of Catholic school development and marketing at Catholic Schools of the Diocese of Austin. “Every school selects an honoree from within their school community. It could be a parent, faculty or staff member, a benefactor or anyone who has given their time, talent and treasure to help support our schools,” Bondy said. This year’s keynote speaker is Bishop Wm. Michael Mulvey of the Diocese of Corpus Christi. Bishop Mulvey has deep roots at the Diocese of Austin, as he formerly served as the chancellor and vicar general. In addition, he has close ties with Catholic education here, as he served as chaplain at Reicher Catholic High School in Waco from 1984 to 1986, and helped found St. Helen Catholic School in Georgetown. Suzanne Leggett, admissions and development director at St. Theresa’s Catholic School in Austin, is one of the honorees at this year’s dinner. Leggett began her asso- ciation with St. Theresa as a parent in 1999 and all three of her children attended the school: Emily Frances is now a senior at Texas A&M University, majoring in English and earning her teaching certiÀcate; Ryan is a junior, also at A&M, majoring in communication and business; Annie Rose is a sophomore at Westwood High School in Round Rock. At Àrst, Leggett worked as a classroom aide, and then in the school ofÀce. Ten years ago she was offered the position as admissions and development director, which matched well with her background in marketing and public relations. Leggett said “it’s very humbling and just a huge honor” to be chosen as one of this year’s award winners. St. Theresa Catholic School is a place she treasures with all her heart. “We have families that truly value Catholic education and who will do whatever it takes to get the school where it needs to be. That allows us to get and keep great teachers. It’s so beautiful to see families who roll up their sleeves and JOE WOLF JODY SUPAK 245-519-1492 [email protected] Killeen, Harker Heights, Copperas Cove, Granger 979-968-5332 [email protected] LaGrange, Giddings, Somerville, Texas A&M EDDIE MAZUREK DOUG SUPAK 512-301-1218 edwin.mazurek@ kofc.org Austin, Smithville, Blanco, Bastrop, Wimberley help out wherever they can,” Leggett said. “There’s such a pride when we go. I feel this every time. Like when I go to diocesan events and see many movers and shakers in our community that are Catholic,” Leggett said. “It’s wonderful to feel that in the room. We are vocal and energetic showing our support and we genuinely enjoy coming together.” She encourages people to attend the Celebrating Catholic Schools event. Table sponsorships and individual tickets are available for the Celebrating Catholic Schools event at www.csdatx.org/ celebrating-catholic-schools. For more information about Catholic Schools, visit www.csda tx.org or contact Jean Bondy at jean-bondy@austindiocese. org or (512) 949-2439. Deacon John Peca died Nov. 9 Deacon John Peca died Nov. 9 at the age of 70. He was the Àrst deacon ordained for the Austin Diocese in 1979. He served the parishes of St. Paul in Austin, St. Cath- DEACON John Peca erine of Siena in Austin and St. Anthony in Kyle. Deacon Peca was born in New York and served in the U.S. Air Force. He was married to his wife, Yolanda, for 42 years, and they have two daughters and three grandsons. The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Nov. 14 at St. Anthony Parish in Kyle and Deacon Peca was laid to rest with full military honors at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio. 979-968-5332 douglas.supak@ kofc.org Bryan-College Station, Brenham, Caldwell TED PATAKI DWAIN DUNGEN 512-983-6303 theodore.pataki@ kofc.org Cedar Park, Taylor, West Austin 979-732-1557 dwain.dungen@ kofc.org Fayetteville, Columbus LOUIS BARRON CLINT HAJOVSKY 512-750-7491 louis.barron@ kofc.org Pflugerville, Hutto, Elgin 254-295-0430 clinton.hajovsky@ kofc.org Temple, Rockdale, Hearne, Mexia DOUG DEGROOT WILLIAM JENSEN 512-294-2406 douglas.degroot@ kofc.org Georgetown, Marble Falls, Burnet 512-282-2656 william.jensen@ kofc.org Dripping Springs, South Austin PAUL LALLY CHARLES GUENAT 512-541-7695 paul.lally@ kofc.org Round Rock, North Austin 254-939-1981 charles.guenat@ kofc.org Temple, Belton TOM SUPAK AGENCY SERVING THE AUSTIN DIOCESE Tom Supak, General Agent 979-968-9800 [email protected] Call Tom to learn about career opportunities. LIFE INSURANCE DISABILITY INSURANCE LO N G - T E R M CA R E RETIREMENT ANNUITIES 4 CENTRAL TEXAS C ATHOLIC S PIRIT New home is blessed for Syro-Malabar parish said. “Because the facilities were here, we went with it.” For parishioners it is a welcome gift as they prepare for Parishioners at St. AlAdvent and Christmas. phonsa Syro-Malabar Catholic “I’m excited that there is a Church now have a home. venue for our community to Their church in Manor was gather,” said Hilda Olekangal, consecrated Nov. 8 by Bishop a newcomer to Austin who has Mar Jacob Angadiath and Aux- young children. “It’s really nice iliary Bishop Mar Joy Alappatt to have our own place.” of the St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Joseph Padickaparambil, Diocese of Chicago. St. Alrecently moved from Chicago phonsa began as a mission of with his family and has two that diocese. children. The celebration brought “It’s also about culture,” he Syro-Malabar priests from Dalsaid. “Our children can grow up las, San Antonio and the Rio knowing our culture.” Grande Valley. Representing the Thomas said it’s a very Diocese of Austin were Father different experience attending Harry Dean, vicar for priests; Mass and hearing prayers in the Deacon Ron Walker, diocesan language he heard growing up chancellor; and Msgr. Donald and within the Indian culture. J. Sawyer, pastor of Our Lady’s “For the children born here, Maronite Catholic Church. it’s different,” he said. “There is The Àrst Syro-Malabar Mass a Mass in English for children was celebrated on Dec. 29, 2001, once a month.” by Father Paul Pudussery in the After 11 a.m. Mass, most home of Joseph Varghese and people stay to share lunch and his wife, Lizamma. Through the socialize. years the faithful have gathered “It’s a real social gathering,” at various churches. he said. “Our children can make “We started with 15 faminew friends.” lies,” said George Thomas, who Father Dominic Peruwith his wife Maya was one of nilam was installed as pastor at those originals. The families had the consecration. He said St. met through a couple of Indian Alphonsa has about 80 families, associations and thus the idea of about 50 of them active. There starting a Syro-Malabar church are 75 children in religious was born. education classes, but he expects Thomas, former church more as the Indian community board president and leader for continues to grow. the consecration program, said Father Perunilam said the they started celebrating Mass Syro-Malabar Catholic Church once a month in 2002 at Dolois the second largest of the 22 res Parish, where Pudussery was Eastern Rite Churches that are serving. After 10 years there, in communion with the Roman they gathered at Our Lady’s Catholic Church and recognize Maronite Catholic Church until the pope as their spiritual leader. this May, when they started There are 4.2 million Syro-Malmeeting at St. Elizabeth Parish abar faithful worldwide, mostly in PÁugerville. In August, they in India. purchased the Manor site from “We believe St. Thomas Mercy of God Prayer Center. came to South India in 52 A.D. “Most families live in North and was martyred in 72 A.D.,” Austin, but this place already Father Perunilam said. “He was had a church building,” Thomas martyred and buried in India.” BY ENEDELIA J. OBREGÓN SENIOR CORRESPONDENT YOUNG CHILDREN welcome Bishop Mar Jacob Jacob Angadiath and Auxiliary Bishop Mar Joy Alapatt, both from the St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Chicago, to the consecration of St. Alphonsa SyroMalabar Catholic Church. (Photo by Enedelia J. Obregón) BISHOP MAR JACOB ANGADIATH cuts the ribbon at the door of St. Alphonsa SyroMalabar Catholic Church in Manor. The parish, which has about 80 families, purchased their permanent location from Mercy of God Prayer Center. (Photo by Enedelia J. Obregón) This makes the Syro-Malabar Church older than many Latin Rite churches. St. Thomas is believed to have founded seven Christian communities in what is now Kerala on the Southeast coast of India. Therefore, early Christians in India were known as St. Thomas Christians. They were also called Nazranis, meaning those who follow the path of Jesus of Nazareth. From the fourth century until the end of the 16th century, St. Thomas Christians were governed by bishops appointed and sent by the Patriarch of the East Syrian Church. With the arrival of the Roman Catholic Portuguese in the 16th century, East Syrian bishops stopped coming to India and the Latin Church exercised full authority for almost three centuries. The Thomas Christians later got divided into several groups, and the group that remained faithful to Rome became known as the Syro-Malabar Church. SyroMalabar literally means Syrian Christians of the Malabar Coast (which is now the Indian State of Kerala). Father Perunilam said the Syro-Malabar Church closely follows the Latin Rite liturgical calendar. The same colorful vestments, however, are worn year-round. While the Roman Church has seven seasons, the SyroMalabar Church has nine: Annunciation, which centers around the Nativity; Epiphany, public life; Great Feast, the Paschal Mysteries; Resurrection, the Resurrection; Apostles, Pentecost; summer, growth of Church; Elijah-Cross, TransÀguration; Moses, GloriÀcation of Cross; and Dedication of the Church, Parousia. Because Parousia falls in November, St. Alphonsa Church was not consecrated until Nov. 8 even though the feast day for the patron saint is July 28. Mass is said in Malayalam, an Indian dialect, although it is also offered it English. It lasts about an hour and 15 minutes and there is much singing. Just as in the Latin Rite, men and women in consecrated life do not marry. Father Perunilam said that St. Alphonsa is the 34th SyroMalabar parish in the U.S. There are 36 missions, all which fall under the jurisdiction of the Chicago diocese, which oversees the U.S. and Canada. The diocese is also relatively new, having just been established in 2001. Parishioners chose St. Alphonsa as their patron saint because she was the Àrst native-born Indian saint. She was born Anna Muttathupadathu on Aug. 19, 1910, to a wealthy family of Syro-Malabar Christians. Her mother died soon after giving birth to her prematurely and she was raised by a maternal aunt. Annakutty –– meaning little Anna –– as she was affectionately called, wanted to enter convent at an early age, but her aunt insisted in Ànding a suitable husband. To make herself unattractive, Annakutty sought to burn her feet, but instead fell in the Àre and severely burned her legs. Her aunt gave in and allowed her to enter the convent of the Congregation of the Franciscan Clarists on Aug. 2, 1928. She took the name Alphonsa of the Immaculate Conception upon making her Ànal vows on May 19, 1930. She suffered from several illnesses throughout her short life. She died on July 28, 1946. She is the patron saint against illnesses. She was canonized on Oct. 12, 2008 by Pope Benedict XVI. St. Alphonsa SyroMalabar Catholic Church is located at 8701 Burleson Rd. in Manor. For more information, visit www.st-alphonsa.org or call (512) 272-4005. December 2014 5 CENTRAL TEXAS Texas bishops offer guidance on end-of-life issues BY PEGGY MORACZEWSKI CORRESPONDENT The Texas Catholic Conference (TCC) recently hosted an event on end-of-life issues at St. Edward’s University in Austin. Panels comprised of distinguished religious and professional individuals educated attendees regarding end-of-life care policies, principles and pastoral care. The TCC is the public policy voice of the Catholic bishops of Texas. This particular forum addressed the Texas Advance Directive Act (TADA) passed in 1999 and communicated how a bill, such as Senate Bill 303 (SB303), would enhance the original TADA. SB303 passed the Texas Senate in 2013, but did not make it to the House Áoor prior to the end of the legislative session. A new bill, with a new number, will be introduced during the 2015 session. Bishop Mark Seitz of the Diocese of El Paso provided some background, explaining that, although the (1999 TADA) law is not perfect, bishops and pro-life groups supported the law, regarding it as incremental legislation. “The structure of the law provides basic protection and seeks to respect human dignity,” he said. A conÁict with Catholic teaching occurs because, according to Texas law, artiÀcial nutrition and mas from 2004. Individual panelists focused on speciÀc components of the overall topic. Bishop Michael Olson of the Diocese of Fort Worth, and Jennifer Carr Allmon, associate director of the TCC, shared current points of to clarify issues surrounding an ethics committee review. As co-chair of the Seton Medical Center Ethics Committee, cardiologist Dr. David Zientek, provided insight into how stressful end-of-life issues are for everyone involved, includ- about relationship. Remembering who we are dealing with, that beautiful child of God needs to be held sacred, even to death. It involves walking with the family and individual through the process of the disease until the moment, by God’s choice, life ceases.” “Pastoral care is about relationship. Remembering who we Deacon Charlie Stump, are dealing with, that beautiful child of God needs to be held director of pastoral services for the Diocese of Dallas, shared sacred, even to death. It involves walking with the family his extensive personal experiand individual through the process of the disease until the ences and grasp of pastoral care of the dying. He generousmoment, by God’s choice, life ceases.” ly offered to share his presenta–– Bishop Joseph Strickland of the Diocese of Tyler tion on advance directives with any parish interested in starting hydration can be withdrawn. the law that are challenging and ing the dying patient, family and a Pastoral Care Ministry. Saint John Paul II provided essential objective criteria that Father Louis Brussati, assofriends, physicians and medical clarity about life-sustaining would improve the law. staff. Cases brought to the ethics ciate professor at St. Edward’s treatments: A man, even if Referencing SB303 as an committee are rare and the vast University and member of seriously ill or disabled in the example of recommended majority of decisions are done at the Seton Ethics Committee, exercise of his highest funcchanges to TADA, Bishop reminded attendees that the the patient’s bedside. tions, is and always will be a Olson stated that, “while far Keynote speaker, Dr. John letting-go-of-life is very difman, and he will never become from a perfect proposal, (it) is ferent for many people. Early M. Haas, president of the a “vegetable” or an “animal”. a vast improvement over the on in his pastoral training at National Catholic Bioethics The sick person in a vegcurrent law and without it we Barnes Hospital in St. Louis, Center (NCBC), emphasized etative state, awaiting recovwill never move forward in Mo., he recalled terror in the the intrinsic dignity of the huery or a natural end, still has protecting the basic rights of eyes of a dying man who man person. the right to basic health care the chronically ill and disabled. “We don’t eliminate suffer- believed in absolutely noth(nutrition, hydration, cleanliIt is an important measure ing. His compassionate advice ing by eliminating the person ness, warmth, etc.), according against the euthanasia and asincluded, “It’s OK to let go; who is suffering,” he said. to the International Congress sisted suicide movement. It is God is there.” He pointed out that as on “Life-Sustaining Treatments fundamentally in consort with Resources for patients, Catholics, we become one with and Vegetative State: ScientiÀc Catholic moral teaching.” Christ and unite our pain with families and surrogates, are Advances and Ethical DilemBeyond the issue of available through NCBC at his suffering on Calvary. In nutrition and www.ncbcenter.org. Resources the case of a person nearing hydration, All- the end of life, palliative care is include a “Catholic Guide to mon said it is appropriate and encouraged in End-of-Life Decisions,” a help very problem- the Catechism of the Catholic line with free consultation seratic that the vices and a Catholic Durable Church. law is silent on Power-of-Attorney form. Pastoral care for end-ofdo not resusFor more details on life issues brought the discuscitate (DNR) Catholic teachings on Advance sion full-circle. Bishop Joseph orders and the Strickland of the Diocese of Directives, go to www.txcatholaw also needs Tyler, said, “Pastoral care is lic-advance-directives.org. DCYC 2015 January 16-18 Waco Convention Center Check with your parish Youth Minister to see how you can sign up for our best DCYC yet! Paul J Kim Doug Tooke Ben Walther HOST & KEYNOTE KEYNOTE FEATURED BAND C ATHOLIC S PIRIT CENTRAL TEXAS 6 Filipino traditions come to Austin “Simbang Gabi” Masses will be celebrated in the Austin area Dec. 15-23. Simbang Gabi is a Filipino tradition that marks the celebration and welcome of Christ’s birth. Bishop Joe Vásquez will celebrate the Àrst Mass on Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. at St. Louis Parish in Austin. The subsequent Masses will be held Dec. 16 at 8 p.m. at St. Albert the Great Parish in Austin, Dec. 17 at 7 p.m. at Seton Williamson Medical Center Chapel in Round Rock, Dec. 18 at 7 p.m. at St. Paul Parish in Austin, Dec. 19 at 7 p.m. at St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Austin, Dec. 20 at 7 p.m. at St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Austin, Dec. 21 at 6 p.m. at St. Albert the Great Parish in Austin, Dec. 22 at 7 p.m. at St. Louis Parish in Austin and Dec. 23 at 8 p.m. at St. Albert the Great Parish in Austin. Give the gift of Marriage Encounter TEC retreat for ages 17-24 is Jan. 2-4 TEC (Together Encounter Christ) is an intergenerational movement focused on the Paschal Mystery of Jesus Christ. TEC of Central Texas will be held Jan. 2-4 at Eagle’s Wings Retreat Center in Burnet. Weekends are Àlled with witness talks, group discussions, personal reÁections/prayer, recreations and live music. The TEC audience is young adults ages 17 (or a second semester junior) to 24 years of age. Adults above the age of 24 who would like to serve on a TEC retreat are invited to do so, Àrst as an adult observing cadidate, then as part of the team. For more information, visit tecofctx.wordpress.com or call (512) 949-2464. Pro-Life Mass moves to new location Married couples who need the perfect gift for one another this Christmas are invited to give the gift of time and love by attending a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend. Upcoming weekends are Feb. 20-22 and May 15-17 at Cedarbrake Retreat Center in Belton. The weekend begins Friday at 7:30 p.m. and ends Sunday around 4 p.m. For more information or to apply to attend, visit the website www.austinme.org or contact Steve and Linda Jaramillo at (512) 677-WWME (9963) or [email protected]. Texas Catholic Pro-Life Day is Jan. 24 in Austin. The day will begin at 7 a.m. with a prayer vigil for life at Planned Parenthood (201 E. Ben White Blvd. in Austin). A rosary for life will be prayed at 9:15 a.m. at St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Austin. Bishop Joe Vásquez will celebrate the diocesan Pro-Life Mass at 10 a.m. at St. Vincent de Paul Parish. The March for Life will begin at 1 p.m. at 1600 N. Congress, and participants will proceed to the Texas Rally for Life on the south steps of the State Capitol. For more information, contact the diocesan Pro-Life OfÀce at (512) 949-2486. Cedarbrake retreats for 2015 Diocesan youth conference is Jan. 16-18 “Love Among the Ruins –– The Book of Hosea” will be presented Jan. 17 at Cedarbrake Catholic Retreat Center in Belton. Father Angelo Bertini will discuss God’s unconditional love based on the book of Hosea. The cost is $35, which includes lunch. There are many retreats coming to Cedarbrake in 2015. For more information or to register, visit www.austindiocese.org/cedarbrake or contact Cedarbrake at [email protected] or call (254) 780-2436. The Diocesan Catholic Youth Conference (DCYC) will be held at the Waco Convention Center Jan. 16-18. At DCYC, participants will experience keynote speakers Paul Kim and Doug Tooke, sacraments, music, prayer, workshops, entertainment and more, all woven together under this year’s theme of “Behold.” Registration is open and participants may register or Ànd out more information through their parish youth minister. 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Leary, M.D. William Stavinoha, M.D. Diplomate, American Board of Otolaryngology Pediatric and Adult Including Ear Diseases Sinus Surgery Thyroid and Neck Surgery 6811 Austin Center Blvd., Ste. 300 Austin, Texas 78731 (512) 346-8888 Dominion Family Healthcare Family Practice –– Board CertiÀed 11671 Jollyville Road #102 Austin, TX (512) 338-5088 www.stavinohamd.com Board certiÀed in Family Medicine & Internal Medicine (512) 834-9999 11673 Jollyville Rd. ,Ste. 205 Austin,TX 78759 THYROID & ENDOCRINOLOGY December 2014 7 CENTRAL TEXAS St. Austin remembers ‘Night of Broken Glass’ another exhibit in light of the religious conÁict and violence around the world. “It’s all very real in our St. Austin Parish in Austin world and in our community,” has chosen to remember he said. “We need to take the Kristallnacht, one of those opportunity to understand anniversaries that many would and educate ourselves about rather forget. the need to be respectful, For three days in Novemunderstanding and tolerant of ber, the Austin parish preothers.” sented a multi-media exhibit to Father Kullmann said it’s commemorate the events that important for Christians not took place throughout Germa- to isolate themselves and to ny on Nov. 9-10, 1938. That learn about other cultures and night thousands of Jewish busi- faiths because Jesus told his nesses were destroyed, more disciples to “go out to all the than 200 synagogues were nations and proclaim the Good burned and dozens of people News.” were killed. The violence set He said Pope Francis is the stage for the Holocaust, also asking us to share the which killed 6 million out of Good News. the 9 million Jews who lived in “We are supposed to share the 21 countries occupied by that with others,” he said. “But Germany during World War II. the Àrst thing we have to do is The seminal event was respect others.” referred to as Kristallnacht The exhibit began outdoors –– or the night of broken glass with a pile of burned books –– because shards of glass in one area near the entrance were everywhere following the to Newman Hall. Dozens of Àres and destruction. Police ceramic stars of David creand ÀreÀghters were on hand ated by art students in Diane to protect only Christian esHardin’s class at St. Austin tablishments. Jews were made Catholic School Àlled the parto clean up and then Àned 1 ish fountain. Each star had an billion German marks for the inscription of a person who mess. might be forced to wear that star today: homeless, handicapped, homosexual, Latino, Lynn Hayden is the Asian and even Jesus. volunteer curator who Àrst Another pile contained developed the exhibit in 2000 battered suitcases and coats for and again in 2001 with the help adults and children, each with of the nearby Hillel Foundaa yellow star of David sewn on tion for Jewish Campus Life. –– seemingly thrown down by This year, the exhibit contained owners who never returned for items and information from them. the nearby Nueces Mosque. Hayden spent months gathPaulist Father Charles ering materials and furniture Kullmann, pastor of St. Austin, borrowed from St. Vincent de thought it was time to hold Paul Thrift Store, including THE KRISTALLNACHT exhibit at St. Austin Parish addressed the night of Nov. 9-10, 1938, when Jewish businesses were destroyed and set on ¿re. (Photo by Enedelia J. Obregón) BY ENEDELIA J. OBREGÓN SENIOR CORRESPONDENT The exhibit everyday items such as dishes that were broken and scattered about the indoor Room of Destruction, which was surrounded by yellow caution tape. She burned old books in her Àreplace to replicate what the Germans did in Jewish homes. Gigantic laminated yellow Stars of David adorned the walls of one room with the word “Jew” in different languages of the German-occupied countries. One frame is special. It contains remnants of a blueand-white striped uniform with the sewn-in Star of David and the number 15774. The corresponding number would have been tattooed on the forearm of its wearer. The clothing is owned by Gregg Philipson of the Texas Commission on the Holocaust. A short video with black and white images of the destruction of Kristallnacht was accompanied by dissonant music meant to resemble the chaos and shattering of glass. A timeline of the Holo- STUDENTS FROM ST. AUSTIN CATHOLIC SCHOOL IN AUSTIN study the Kristallnacht exhibit at St. Austin Parish. The exhibit included a lot of information on the Holocaust and the Jewish religion. (Photo by Enedelia J. Obregón) caust occupied one wall and included an English copy of the Kristallnacht edict. History A poster explained that the Jews, Christians and Muslims had once lived in relative peace in the kingdoms Deacon John de la Garza from St. Paul the Apostle Par- that eventually became uniÀed Spain. Medicine, science, the ish in Horseshoe Bay was one arts and commerce Áourished of the early visitors. from 711 to about 1031, co“It’s incumbent on us to be uncomfortable when we see inciding with the Middle Ages in Western Europe. That this,” he said. Many Christians, he noted, ended for good with the military conquest of the Muslims did nothing to stop the vioby Spain and the expulsion of lence against Jews. He quoted Holocaust survivor and author Jews in 1492 by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. Elie Wiesel: “What hurts the The exhibit included music victim most is not the cruand religious items reÁecting elty of the oppressor but the the inÁuences of the three silence of the bystander.” Deacon de la Garza said we faiths. What Àlled Hayden with have to learn to live in such a way that we are not bystanders. hope is “Besa,” a book by Norman H. Gerhman about “We (Catholics) can be very insular. But Jesus was not Albanian Muslims who saved an insular person. And neither thousands of Jews during World War II. Besa, which is Pope Francis,” he said. Too often, we get comfort- means “to keep the promise,” is an ethical code deeply able in our traditions, Deacon rooted in Albanian culture de la Garza said. Anything or anyone who seems different is and incorporated in their Muslim faith that demands deemed a threat, heightening responsibility for the lives of our fears. “That fear leads us into in- others in their time of need. humane thoughts and actions,” Not doing so brings great shame and dishonor not only he said. Some of the students from to an individual but to the family as well. St. Austin Catholic School “We didn’t know about were docents and viewed the it because of Communism,” exhibit before the rest of the Hayden said, referring to the students did. Among them Communist take-over of the were several seventh graders. country after the war. “They “It’s sad that people were see their house as God’s house, killed just because of their and you take in the stranger as faith,” said Joshua Esparza. if they were family.” Elissa Atkinson found the According to Yad Vashem, Room of Destruction to be the Albania was the only European scariest. “It’s an example of a house country with a Muslim majority and lost members of only one destroyed,” she said. “That would be really scary if it were Jewish family to the Holocaust. Albanians provided Jews with my house. It was horrible that nobody did anything to help.” fake identity papers and Jews Hayden Covert said he had lived openly with the Muslim population. By the end of the not known how widespread war, Albania had more Jews the Holocaust was until he saw the stars of David from so than it did at the beginning of the war. many countries. The experience 8 CENTRAL TEXAS C ATHOLIC S PIRIT St. Edward’s celebrates newly renovated chapel used during the celebration of the Eucharist. Bishop Vásquez said that the most important part of the St. Edward’s University evening’s liturgy was the dediin Austin unveiled a major cation of the altar because it renovation of Our Lady serves as a “visible sign of the Queen of Peace Chapel on invisible God.” He emphasized Oct. 21. Bishop Joe Vásquez that the altar represents Christ celebrated the Mass of Dedica- and is the focal point of every tion, blessed the new walls of Catholic Church and chapel. the sanctuary and consecrated “Because of the altar, a new altar. The chapel has the memorial of the Lord is been the spiritual home of the celebrated and from it, Christ’s campus for countless students, body and blood is given to faculty and staff who have the people. The altar is both attended Mass, weddings and a place of sacriÀce and a table funerals on the hilltop for the of the paschal banquet. It is a last 65 years. table of sacriÀce [because] on Bishop Vásquez delivered it, the sacriÀce of Jesus and his Mass to a Àlled chapel, while oblation on the cross is peroverÁowing worshippers petuated and made present,” watched a live broadcast in the he said. “This place is truly nearby Jones Auditorium. worthy to be called ‘House of “A Catholic university cha- God.’” pel is the heart of the campus. The renovation resolved Students and faculty gather the chapel’s previous structural and pray in order to nourish challenges and improved its the mission of the church. ability to serve the needs of Here, people should come with the campus community. Prior their worries, fears, hopes and to the renovation, the building dreams, conÀdent that Christ was stretched to capacity, often will be present. It is primarily leaving students to stand durthrough the sacraments, celing Mass, especially at Sunday ebrated here, that Christ – the evening services. The sanctuary way, the truth, and the life – is was relocated to the north side encountered,” the bishop said of the chapel to make better during his homily. use of the space, increasing the The Mass included the bless- number of seats from around ing and sprinkling of water, the 225 to 275. The original oak Litany of Saints, anointing of Áoors were restored and ample the altar and walls with sacred natural light streams through chrism, and incensing and the chapel’s many windows. lighting of the altar and chapel. Other changes included the A relic of St. André Bessette, a installation of new liturgical Holy Cross brother canonized furnishings made from natural in 2010, was deposited in the materials. Along with receivaltar during the rite of dedicaing a new altar, the chapel also tion. A chalice belonging to the has a new tabernacle, cruciÀx, founder of St. Edward’s Univer- baptismal font, ambry and sity, Father Edward Sorin, was lectern. Each was crafted by loBY HANNAH M. HEPFER CORRESPONDENT OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE CHAPEL sits on the campus of St. Edward’s University in Austin. Bishop Joe Vásquez blessed the newly renovated chapel on Oct. 21. (Photo by Hannah M. Hepfer) cal artisans with the lumber of campus trees that were damaged in a storm and removed during the renovation project. Wood from Sorin Oak, the campus’s beloved tree, was used to make small crosses that were placed on each of the chapel’s four walls. Originally built in 1897, the chapel was an auditorium, theater, woodworking and blacksmith shop, bowling alley, barracks, and a shooting range before becoming Our Lady of Victory Chapel in 1947 and given its current name in 1973. Holy Cross Father Peter Walsh, director of Campus Ministry at St. Edward’s, said he appreciated that simplicity was a priority in the design of the chapel, so that the sacredness of the building was honored. “The simple beauty of the space will be inspiring to students,” he said. The chapel has already been received well by students. Taylor Lawson, a sophomore, said she is looking forward to having “a solid space to come to express my faith.” In addition to the chapel renovation, Mang House, which held campus ministry staff and volunteers, was demolished and the Brother Stephen Walsh, CSC ’62 Campus Ministry Building was constructed. Brother Walsh was the university’s youngest president and initiated New College, the adult undergraduate program, and the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP), to assist the needs of children of migrant workers. The building will be a gathering hub for hospitality, prayer, learning and service. An all-faiths meditation garden, a contemplative space for reÁection, connects the new building and the chapel. Father Walsh is excited about the impact that the renovation will have on the campus. “I hope the chapel will be a visual call to prayer. As students are rushing by, they’ll see a welcoming space, a space to pray and decompress from the stresses of college life,” he said. CCCTX receives award for pregnancy services rate is the highest among the network’s providers,” said Sara Ramirez, CCCTX execuCatholic Charities of tive director. Central Texas (CCCTX) was “The funding we receive recently honored by the Texas through TPCN is instrumenPregnancy Care Network tal in our ability to support (TPCN) for having the highwomen and men as they naviest client retention rate among gate crisis pregnancies and non-maternity home TPCN work to give their children a providers. TPCN presented healthy start at life,” she said. its 2014 Journey for Life TPCN, a program of Award to CCCTX at its rethe Texas Health and Hucent conference. A provider’s man Services Commission, retention rate is determined administers the state-funded by the number of times a cliTexas Alternatives to Aborent returns for services during tion Services Program, a a pregnancy or the Àrst year network of pregnancy support of a child’s life. centers, maternity residences “We are so pleased to and social services agencies. learn that our client retention Catholic Charities provides BY CATHOLIC SPIRIT STAFF TPCN-funded services to eligible clients at its Gabriel Project Life Center locations in Austin and Bryan. Services include oneon-one consultations and an “earn-while-you-learn” program in which parents and parents-to-be can earn points toward needed baby items as they attend classes on topics such as child safety and nutrition, prenatal and postpartum health, and breastfeeding. Allison Cavazos, CCCTX director of social services, attributes the program’s retention rate to its strong education program and one-on-one support. “The foundation of our program is building relationships with women and men as they experience pregnancy and grow as parents,” Cavazos said. “Our clients repeatedly tell us that while the ‘earn-while-you-learn’ program is their initial draw to Catholic Charities, they keep coming back for the knowledge and support we provide.” CCCTX pregnancy and parenting support services are available to parents from conception until their child’s Àrst birthday. For more information, visit www.ccctx.org or call (512) 651-6100. Celebrate life with CCCTX Catholic Charities of Central Texas will hold the fourth annual Celebrate Life Dinner, bene¿ting its services in the Brazos Valley, from 6:30–8 p.m. Feb. 5 at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in College Station. A reception preceding the dinner will begin at 5:30 p.m. For more information about sponsorship opportunities or attending the event, visit www.ccctx.org/celebratelife2015, or contact CCCTX Associate Director of Development Annie Chavez at [email protected] or (512) 651-6118. December 2014 9 IN OUR WORLD Bishop’s approve liturgical items, elect ofÀcials BY CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE Though there were no actions on the U.S. bishops’ agenda in Baltimore dealing with immigration, poverty and other public policy issues, the president of their conference said Nov. 11 that he hopes to meet with President Barack Obama and House and Senate leaders soon on several topics. In a brief comment during the annual fall general assembly of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Ky., said he had heard from many of his brother bishops about those issues and hopes conferring with the politicians will supplement the work that committees and USCCB staff are doing. He told Catholic News Service that he intends to pursue a meeting with the president and congressional leaders as soon as December. In other action at the Nov. 10-13 meeting, the bishops: • Approved several English-language liturgical items, including a revised translation of the ritual book used whenever a new church is built or when a new altar is made; the Àrst ofÀcial English translation of the ritual book “Exorcisms and Related Sup- plications;” and a supplement to the Liturgy of the Hours that is an English translation of the prayers used for the feast days of saints who have been added to the general calendar since 1984. • Voted to proceed with a revision of a section of the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services dealing with partnerships. • Approved a 2015 budget of just under $189.5 million. They also voted on a 3 percent increase in the diocesan assessment for 2016, but the vote fell short of the required two-thirds majority of the 197 bishops required to approve it. Eligible members absent from the Baltimore meeting will be canvassed to determine the Ànal vote. Bishop Michael F. Burbidge of Raleigh, N.C., chairman of the Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations, gave a presentation on the newly revised “Guidelines for Receiving Pastoral Ministers in the United States.” As the number of priests and pastoral ministers from other countries increases in the U.S., he said the resource –– now in its third edition –– provides information for dioceses, eparchies and religious communities to prepare international ministers for their service and help the communities that receive them. The bishops also heard a report on the work of various committees –– pro-life, domestic justice, international justice, evangelization and religious liberty –– which together are trying to pinpoint what Catholics in the pew are thinking and why they accept or disregard church teaching. The compilation of vast data is being assembled for bishops to read and also will be relayed in series of workshops. One of the major Àndings from the study –– that Catholics want to Ànd out more about their faith –– has prompted plans for a 2017 convocation in Orlando, Fla., the week of July 4. In considering the bishops’ ethical directives for Catholic health care, the discussion focused on whether to revise Part 6, “Forming New Partnerships with Health Care Organizations.” It will take into account principles suggested by the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Once completed, the revision will be presented to the bishops for Ànal approval. In elections, Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond of New Orleans won the secretaryelect spot. The committee chairmen-elect are: Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York, pro-life activities; Auxiliary Bishop Christopher J. Coyne of Indianapolis, communications; Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller of San Antonio, cultural diversity; Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron of Detroit, doctrine; Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi of Mobile, Ala., national collections. Each will assume their ofÀces next November for a three-year term. The meeting included reports on the recently concluded extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the family; Catholic education and an outreach to Hispanic students in underserved communities; the progress of planning for the 2015 World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia; the status of the 2013-16 USCCB strategic plan, “The New Evangelization: Faith, Worship, Witness”; the 2015 Fortnight of Freedom; and the defense of marriage. Several bishops who participated in the synod talked about their experience there, and also discussed it in one of three news conferences during the meeting’s public sessions. (See story below) Bishop Oscar Cantu of Las Cruces, N.M., reported on a 12-day prayer pilgrimage for peace in the Holy Land in September. Eighteen bishops visited sacred sites of Christianity, Judaism and Islam, and met with people who helped them understand the struggles of the people of each faith. “We know peace is possible,” Bishop Cantu said, “because God is our hope.” But “after another Gaza war, hope is now in short supply. What is needed now is the transformation of human hearts, so that one side’s hearts is less deaf to the concerns of the other.” Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore, chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Liberty, said the committee –– extended for another three years –– planned to focus more on teaching and expanding networks with Catholic lay groups and interfaith and ecumenical partners. He said threats to religious liberty remain a great concern. The Archdiocese of Philadelphia formally opened its arms to the world as Archbishop Charles J. Chaput announced that registration has ofÀcially begun for the World Meeting of Families next year there. Cardinal Dolan discusses the ‘Tale of two synods’ BY MARK PATTISON CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE October’s extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the family was just one event, but “a tale of two synods” emerged from it, according to the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Speaking to reporters Nov. 10 after the morning session of the USCCB’s annual fall general assembly in Baltimore, Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Ky., acknowledged the differences in the synod experienced by the bishops participating in it and news accounts disseminated outside the synod. Those differences were highlighted by Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York in remarks delivered during the assembly’s morning session. “There must have been two synods,” he said, and the participating U.S. bishops “happened to be at the wrong one.” From what he said he had heard and read about the synod, one synod was “confrontational and divisive,” “hijacked by left-wing dissenters intent on eluding doctrine,” the only time the pope spoke was in “reciting the Angelus –– twice.” At this synod, “we listened to married couples who found God’s love in one another Ànal “relatio,” or report, of the synod met with majority approval –– and all but three of the paragraphs with approval by at least two-thirds of those voting. It was at this synod, Cardinal Dolan said, that “life-giving marriage” was the focus of “meeting the most urgent vocation crisis of the times.” with proceedings “smothered by new Ottavianis, dug in to resist the fresh breeze” of change, Cardinal Dolan said, referring to Italian Cardinal Alfredo Ottaviani known for his opposition to the changes being brought about in the church during the Second Vatican Council. “Too bad we missed that one,” Cardinal Dolan added. “The one we were at was hardly as spicy (and) juicy.” The synod Cardinal Dolan said he attended “was a synod of consensus. This synod was led by a pope with a radical charism for attentive listening,” he said of Pope Francis, adding and their kids,” Cardinal Dolan said. “At this synod, we listened to bishops form Africa who said the (church’s) teaching on marriage, so widely dismissed in the First World, was enhancing their culture. ... We saw brother bishops asking how we can expedite and simplify marriage (annulment) cases.” It was at this synod, Cardinal Dolan said, that “life-giving marriage” was the focus of “meeting the most urgent vocation crisis of the times.” Archbishop Kurtz, in addressing his fellow bishops, noted that each one of the 62 paragraphs that constituted the Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl of Washington, at a news conference following the morning session, said Pope Francis had asked that the “votation” be published along with the text to indicate the degree of accord shared at the synod. Archbishop Kurtz said there were 12 documents in all to be considered at the synod before the Ànal “relatio” was discussed: the Àrst two “relatios” –– one offered at the synod’s beginning and a second draft issued mid-synod –– plus separate documents produced by each of 10 small working groups. “The work of the second ‘relatio’ was the work of the small groups,” Archbishop Kurtz told reporters. Cardinal Wuerl added that press covering the synod and those bishops participating in it “have different perspectives.” “So many people tend to reÁect now in terms of sound bites,” he said. “In the church, we’re learning to speak a little more crisply, but our teaching is not reducible to sound bites.” He noted it took some time for the Ànal “relatio” to be translated into English from the ofÀcial Italian. But he urged the bishops to wait for the translation, noting that the Ànal “relatio” serves as the “lineamenta,” or outline, for next year’s world Synod of Bishops. Archbishop Kurtz said the Vatican was holding a meeting later in November to construct a system of reÁection for bishops’ conferences to use in seeking input from dioceses to be used in preparation for next year’s synod. 10 C ATHOLIC S PIRIT IN OUR WORLD Agenda for family meeting doesn’t shy away from issues BY MATTHEW GAMBINO CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE A glance at the topics to be presented at next year’s World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia, including premarital sex, homosexuality, infertility and celibacy, might give the impression that it’s all about sexuality and the Catholic Church’s teaching on it. But Mary Beth Yount, a theology professor at Neumann University and director of content and programming for the World Meeting of Families, believes it is much more than that. “It’s not all about sex,” she said. “We’re pulling in the larger context, not just human sexuality and not just family relationships. This is for all people in all walks of life: married, dating, single by choice, celibate.” Organizers of the Sept. 22-25, 2015, meeting that is expected to draw some 12,000 individuals and families from around the world have posted the preliminary congress agenda on the website www.worldmeeting2015.org, displaying the daily schedule of ofÀcial congress events held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Now that Pope Francis has said he will attend the meeting, the planning has become even more intense. The congress will examine “how best to be in human relationship with God and each other,” Yount said. “What are the ways we can live fruitful lives?” Sexuality, she said, “doesn’t just mean people having sex. That is a fundamental expression that includes married people, but it also means engaging the world in other ways. It’s a self-giving love: married people, people single by choice, and celibacy.” The congress doesn’t shy away from topics such as divorce, interfaith marriage, dealing with disabilities and addictions in families, and the emotional pain caused by damaged relationships. In developing content for the World Meeting of Families, Yount believes it is as important to acknowledge “the pain and brokenness of life” as to emphasize the positive message of Catholic teaching. “We’re focusing on the positive, from the beginning,” she told CatholicPhilly.com, the Philadelphia Archdiocese’s news website. “Church teachings aren’t oppressive dictates. The focus is on the faith, (exploring) what is our ultimate relationship with God and its richness, and how do we live it out? How can we support each other to live the lives we want to live, in our family, our parish and our wider church?” SpeciÀc biographies of presenters and session descriptions were still being worked out. But already the lineup presents an impressive array of speakers, many of whom are well-known advocates for the topics they will address over the four days of the congress. The Àrst keynote address of the congress will be “Living as the Image of God: Created for Joy and Love,” delivered Sept. 22 by Father Robert Barron. The rector of the Chicago Archdiocese’s Mundelein Seminary and host of the landmark DVD series “Catholicism,” Father Barron is one of the most popular Catholic speakers in America today. The next day will begin a pattern to be repeated in each of the following days –– two keynote sessions per day followed by a choice of 13 to 14 breakout sessions, each accommodating between 700 and 1,000 people. Yount estimated that 75 percent of the breakout sessions will offer practical skills related to the keynote’s topic. Each hour-long keynote talk, translated for participants into at least four other languages, takes as its theme a portion of the World Meeting of Families’ preparatory catechesis, “Love is Our Mission: The Family Fully Alive.” The document was edited by Philadelphia resident Christopher Roberts and approved by the PontiÀcal Council for the Family at the Vatican. It presents Catholic teaching on the family and its vital role in society. Boston Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley will deliver the keynote talk the morning of Sept. 23. His theme of “The Light of the Family in a Dark World” will draw from the catechism’s teaching of the family as a “school of love, justice, compassion, forgiveness, mutual respect, patience and humility in the midst of a world darkened by selÀshness and conÁict.” At the same time in the convention center, Los Angeles Archbishop Jose H. Gomez will speak on poverty and immigration issues in “Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor ...” and French author and theologian Yves Semen will speak on his specialty of the theology of the body and its intersection with politics and economics in “Can Society Exist Without the Family?” Meanwhile, a talk on the concerns of the family in the inner city will be delivered by the Rev. Terrence D. GrifÀth, pastor of First African Baptist Church of Philadelphia and president of the Black Clergy of Philadelphia and Vicinity. He is among the 24 percent of speakers at the congress who are not from the Catholic tradition –– including Protestant Christian, Mormon, Jewish and Muslim –– but who nonetheless offer experience and expertise to the congress’ content, even if many speakers are not household names. One of the keynotes Sept. 24 –– and many of the breakouts –– will deal with the topic of sexuality, with such issues as the “hook-up” culture of premarital sex; a study of Blessed Pope Paul VI’s encyclical “Humane Vitae” (“On Human Life”); infertility; and homosexuality. The World Meeting of Families wraps up Sept. 25. African Cardinal Robert Sarah of Guinea, president of the PontiÀcal Council Cor Unum, will speak on “The Joy of the Gospel of Life.” Visit www.austindiocese.org and click on “Employment” for job postings. All postings have a link to the application for employment, which can be mailed or submitted electronically. A RETREAT WITH Rev. Ron Rolheiser, OMI Living with Less Fear In Our Lives: Trusting in a Wise, Prodigal, and Fully Empathic God This retreat will examine the origins and the complexities of religious fear and, after giving fear its proper due, will examine some biblical principles which invite us to live with less fear. February 22-26, 2015 Oblate Renewal Center 5700 Blanco Rd., San Antonio, TX 78216 Families are welcome to bring an ornament for our Jesse Tree in memory of a loved one at our Rosary & Caroling on December 13 at 9:30am Christmas Refreshments to Follow 330 Berry Lane • Georgetown, Texas 78626 • (512) 863-8411 • OLOTR.com Registration fee: $590 ( includes all meals) Early Bird Rate*$550 by Dec. 5, 2014* Lodging also available: single $60 per night or double $38 per night per person To register, call Brenda at 210-341-1366, ext. 212 or visit www.ost.edu December 2014 11 IN OUR WORLD Challenges identiÀed in feeding the world’s hungry BY MARK PATTISON CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE With projections putting the planet’s population at 9 billion by 2050, the question of how to feed them is taking on evergreater importance. But at the “Faith, Food & the Environment” symposium Nov. 5-7 in St. Paul, Minn., held at the University of St. Thomas and sponsored by more than a dozen Catholic and agricultural organizations, some speakers suggested the question may need to be asked differently. “It’s the wrong question,” said Fred Kirschenmann, a distinguished fellow at the Leopold Center of Iowa State University, giving people “a moral justiÀcation to continue doing more of what they’ve been doing.” Kirschenmann said enough food is being grown today to feed 10 billion people, yet 1 billion people remain chronically hungry. “It’s a problem of poverty, it’s a problem of entitlement, it’s a problem of inequality,” he said. “It’s also a problem of waste.” Estimates put the amount of waste at 40 percent of all food grown. “If you’re throwing away 40 percent of what is produced, is it optimal to produce 20 percent more?” asked Jesuit Father Michael Czerny, chief of staff to Ghanaian Cardinal Peter Turkson, head of the PontiÀcal Institute for Peace and Justice, one of the symposium’s sponsors. The waste rate doesn’t come from people sliding uneaten food from their plates into a wastebasket or garbage disposal. The major of that wasted food, he said, is left rotting in farmers’ Àelds because they know the buyers of their crops do not want any blemished merchandise. Kirschenmann said a French supermarket chain addressed the problem by stocking blemished produce and selling it at 30 percent off the prices asked for their unblemished counterparts. The tactic was so successful, he added, “you know what the problem is now? Supply.” Calvin DeWitt, a professor at the University of Wisconsin’s Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, took a different perspective. He said the problem is not how much food is grown, but who grows the food. Most people living in developing countries, he argued, are subsistence farmers, They often grow enough to feed their family and to sell some at a nearby market. Their way of life, and existence, is threatened by such variables as bad weather and war, turning a hardscrabble life into one that could result in uprooting themselves from their land and seek refuge in big cities, if not other countries. Hauling freighters full of wheat and other staples across oceans is not going to solve the problem DeWitt said, it will require a concerted effort to reach those farmers and their plots in advances made in farming. Those advances may include genetically modiÀed organisms. Some nations have refused to allow them, and some consumers in developed countries reject them. But some GMO crops may beneÀt the farmer with more, and more healthful crops. How to apply faith principles for GMO use? “It’s an interesting question -- which is my way of saying I don’t know,” said Christopher Thompson, academic dean of the St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity at the University of St. Thomas. “You have to be careful about wild experiments.” But the planet’s ability to feed itself may be at stake, according to Kirschenmann. Early humans, he said, were not food producers but “food collectors,” hunting, killing and eating prey for their subsistence. In the past 10,000 or so years, humans have engaged in a process of what Kirschenmann called “slash and burn” farming. This process YEMENIS receive food at a distribution center in Sana’a, Yemen, Feb. 13. Speakers at a “faith and farm” symposium in St. Paul, Minn., discussed the ever-growing importance of how to feed the planet’s people, especially in light of projections that the world’s population will reach 9 billion by 2050. (CNS photo/Yahya Arhab, EPA) accelerated in the last century or so through using water, petrochemicals and minerals to make the land more productive. While it has resulted in increased yields, the planet runs the risk of exhausting its resources. The Ogallala aquifer under Nebraska, said the Rev. Clifford Canku, a Presbyterian minister, member of the Dakota Indians, and a retired professor of Dakota studies at North Dakota State University. The aquifer’s water reserves were built up over millions of years. But at the pace the water is now being used up, it will run dry in about 50 years, he predicted. Thinning topsoil runs the same risk. However, National Farmers Union president Roger Johnson, said the planting of “cover crops” after the harvest of a cash crop can restore the soil’s health, cutting pesticide use by 70 percent, and increasing rainfall retention. The soil under cash crops has been degraded to the point where it can absorb about only a half-inch of rainfall, he said. But after a few cycles of planting cover crops, the same soil can retain eight inches of rain. That doesn’t take into account the old agrarian practice of letting land lay fallow through crop rotation practices to keep it strong. Kirschenmann said that, even when farmers ignore these practices, “nature abhors the density of any species. ... If one method fails, she will try another.” Another, and less comfortable way of looking at the question is by asking how many people the planet can sustain. Kirschenmann said, “We have to look at what the carrying capacity of the human species is,” he said. “I haven’t heard anyone say, ‘Oh, 9 billion or 10 billion people is all right,” adding he knows that ethicists and theologians have not wanted to deal with this issue. Kirschenmann himself said he did not know what a sustainable number might be, tossing about the numbers 5 billion and 3 billion. But neither he nor anyone else at the symposium suggested how the planet might get down to a lower number. 12 IN OUR WORLD C ATHOLIC S PIRIT Mexican bishops call violence a ‘national crisis’ BY DAVID AGREN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE The Mexican bishops’ conference issued an impassioned plea for peace and an end to the bloodshed in a country consumed with the crisis of 43 teacher trainees allegedly captured by crooked cops, killed by organized crime and burned. “With sadness we recognize that the situation of the country has worsened” –– since 2010, when the bishops published a pastoral letter on violence –– “unleashing a true national crisis,” the bishops said Nov. 12 during their semiannual planning sessions in suburban Mexico City. “Many people live subjected to fear, Ànding themselves helpless against the threats of criminal groups and, in some cases, the regrettable corruption of the authorities. The same day, at the end of his general audience at the Vatican, Pope Francis said he wanted to express to the Mexicans present in St. Peter’s Square, “but also to those in your homeland, my spiritual closeness at this painful time.” While the students are legally missing, “we know they were killed,” the pope said. Their disappearance and deaths “make visible the dramatic reality that exists behind the sale and trafÀcking of drugs.” Ordinary Mexicans have taken to the streets, condemning the crimes committed against the students and the apparent collusion between criminals and the political class in parts of the country. The bishops lent their support to peaceful demonstrations, which often have been led by students, and called for a day of prayer Dec. 12, when millions of Mexicans celebrate the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe. “In our vision of faith, these acts make it evident that we have distanced ourselves from God,” the bishops said. “We join the generalized clamor for a Mexico in which the truth and justice provoke a deep transformation of the institutional, judicial and political order that assures that acts like these never repeat themselves,” the bishops said. “In the midst of this crisis, we see with hope the awakening of civil society, which as never before in recent years has protested against corruption, impunity and the complicity of some authorities. We believe it is necessary to proceed from protests to proposals.” The protests and outrage are among the strongest in recent years and reÁect anger with the ongoing insecurity in the country. Many have adopted the slogan, “I’ve had enough,” echoing off-the-cuff comment of Mexico’s Attorney General Jesus Murillo Karam after a Nov. 7 news conference that has been interpreted by many as insensitive. “It was the straw that broke the camel’s back,” said Jesuit Father Conrado Zepeda, who celebrated Mass Nov. 4 at the Jesuit-run Iberoamerican University for students and four family members of the missing. “It has to do with the young, students, the poor, people unable to defend themselves being attacked in this way. This is why civil society has revolted.” Authorities arrested Jose Luis Abarca, mayor of Iguala, and his wife, Maria de los Angeles Pineda, Nov. 4 in Mexico City, alleging they ordered the attack on the students. The couple claimed the students were coming to protest a community event planned by Pineda. Classmates said the students went to Iguala, 120 miles south of Mexico City, to collect funds for a future trip to the capital, but had their borrowed buses shot at by police –– who detained 43 of the teacher trainees and handed them over to members of the Guerreros Unidos gang. Murillo spelled out the details Nov. 7, saying three gang members confessed to burning the bodies in a garbage dump. Six bags of ashes and bones have been discovered at the site. Families of the missing students refuse to believe the government and said they only will accept evidence presented by Argentine forensic experts working on the case. Father Victor Manuel Aguilar, spokesman for the Diocese of ChilpancingoChilapa, where the students’ school is located, said the mistrust comes from an unhappy history of human rights abuses in Guerrero state, which is south of Mexico City and full of impoverished, indigenous communities that have been exploited and pushed to the society’s margins for centuries. “Justice is often delayed ... if it arrives at all,” he said. The case has caused outrage and a political crisis for President Enrique Pena Nieto, who had stopped speaking on security matters in an attempt to improve the image of Mexico as an investment destination. “There has never been a rebuke like now,” Father Aguilar said. Pena Nieto –– who has not visited Iguala or the students’ school since the tragedy, but departed for an overseas trip Nov. 8 –– appears to have been caught Áat-footed. He has proposed an allparty pact to curb crime and corruption. While not unlike the consensus he achieved to approve 11 structural reforms in areas such as education, energy and taxation, it has found tepid support. Catholic leaders have called for a change in Mexico, even though they are seen in some cities as part of the establishment –– rubbing shoulders with prominent politicians and businessmen and staying silent on issues such as insecurity and corruption. “The reality of our present-day Mexico did not surge from one year ago or Àve years ago,” Bishop Francisco Moreno Barron of Tlaxcala told the Reforma newspaper. “It has been gestating for a long time through corruption and impunity and I believe that it’s time to put a stop to it.” Protests have continued, especially in Guerrero, where students and their supporters have burned government buildings, blocked highways and marched through the tourist zone of Acapulco. Father Aguilar sees the protests continuing as long as the students’ whereabouts remains uncertain. “We all want the student to appear alive. But if they don’t appear, I think that this discontent could become radicalized,” Father Aguilar said. “There are people willing to do whatever it takes to make their demands known.” December 2014 13 IN OUR WORLD Love is the force behind initiating change, pope says BY CINDY WOODEN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE The Catholic Church calls for the creation of job opportunities and the recognition of the dignity of the poor, not simply for more handouts or expanded government welfare programs, Pope Francis said. Acknowledging the dignity of every person, he said, requires a lot more than charity; it means devoting energy and imagination to creating jobs and opportunities for them to use their talents to feed their families. Pope Francis made his remarks in a video message played Nov. 20 at the Italian church’s Festival of Catholic Social teaching, a gathering in Verona that included economists, business leaders and others interested in promoting social justice. As the global economic crisis continues, he said, there is a “great temptation to stop and lick one’s wounds, seeing them as an excuse not to hear the cry of the poor and see the suffering of those who have lost the dignity of bringing bread home because they have lost their jobs.” Christians are called to look beyond their own needs, broaden their horizons and trust that by working with others, including with governments, they can “unleash goodness and enjoy its fruits.” “Today it is said that many things cannot be done because there is no money,” he said. Yet, “the money for weapons can be found, the money to make war, money for unscrupulous Ànancial transactions.” At the same time, he said, there seems to be no money “to create jobs, to invest in learning, in people’s talents, to plan new welfare programs or to safeguard the environment.” “The real problem isn’t money, but people,” he said. “We cannot ask money to do what only people can do or create. Money alone will not create development; to promote development we need people who have the courage to take the initiative.” “Taking the initiative means overcoming excessive aid,” he said, “better on a different future and a different way of resolving problems.” Pope Francis spoke about the father of a young man with Down syndrome who joined with other parents and people with Down syndrome to form a cooperative, and then found a for-proÀt company willing to sell what the cooperative made. The dad, he said, needed the support offered by the state and by private organizations, but he was not content until he found a way to help his son make a living. If the father had not taken the initiative, the pope said, he would have been stuck asking the state for everything. When Christians look for ways to create new jobs, new ways of organizing a labor force and new ideas for employee participation schemes, Pope Francis said, they should put an important Gospel value into the mix: love. “Love is a real force for change,” he said. It is what makes people refuse to stop at the ordinary and predictable, giving more of themselves than they thought possible.” Pope encourages all to open their hearts to Christ Lord brings, because we cannot control it. “We are afraid of conversion, because to convert means Conversion to Christ is a to let the Lord lead us,” he process that lasts a lifetime, but said at the Mass in the Domus the process stalls in the face of Sanctae Marthae, where he fear or self-satisfaction, Pope lives. Francis said. The day’s Gospel reading “We feel safe with what we from the Gospel of St. Luke can control,” the pope said Nov. describes Jesus weeping over 20 at his early morning Mass. Jerusalem, which “did not rec“We all have fear, not of happi- ognize the one who would bring ness –– no –– but of the joy the it peace,” the pope said, accord- BY CINDY WOODEN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE ing to Vatican Radio. The Lord wept for the “closed heart” of the holy city, symbol of God’s chosen people. “They didn’t have time to open the door. They were too busy, too self-satisÀed,” the pope said. Jerusalem in the Gospel was “afraid of being saved along the road by the surprises of the Lord. It was afraid of the Lord, the groom, the beloved. And so Jesus wept.” “Jerusalem was tranquil and content. The temple functioned. The priests offered sacriÀces; people came on pilgrimage; the doctors of the law had everything well ordered, everything! All of the commandments were clear,” he said. “And with all of this, Jerusalem had closed its doors.” Still today, he said, Jesus continues knocking at the door of people’s hearts and “the doors of his church.” “I ask myself: Today we Christians who know the faith and the catechism, who go to Mass every Sunday –– are we Christians, we pastors content with ourselves?” he asked. Do we think “we have everything just right and we don’t need any more visits from the Lord?” If Christians, including priests, do not open the doors of their hearts to the Lord each day, he said, “the Lord weeps, still today.” Upcoming Events March 7: RCIA Retreat with Tracy Rodenborn JAN. 17, LOVE AMONG THE RUINS—THE BOOK OF HOSEA Join us as Fr. Angelo Bertini takes an in depth look at the Prophet Hosea. Hosea’s marital problems parallels God’s relationship with Israel. The theme of Hosea’s preaching is divine love that is misunderstood by the people on whom it is lavished. What is our relationship with God like and how do we understand unconditional love? Cost: $35 (incl. lunch) FEB. 6-8, FIRESIDE REFLECTION—I BEGIN NOW! I Begin Now! Three simple words to remind us to live in the present time in the “presence of God.” Life can teach us many lessons if we take time to ponder and be aware. We will look at events in our lives (challenges, obstacles and victories) and see what God is teaching us from the past to carry over into the present moment where He dwells and invites us to be one with Him. Brian Egan, Beverly Collin and Fr. Angelo Bertini will present this weekend. Cost: $195/person (private); $160/person (shared), $85/person (commuter) FEB. 18, ASH WEDNESDAY “Seek first his g p over yyou.” kingship Matthew M atthew 66:33 :33 5602 STATE HWY. 317N, TEMPLE, TX 76502 P.O. BOX 58 BELTON, TX 76513 (mailing address) The real sign of Lent is not the ashes but the cross. Jesus says, “If anyone wants to become my followers, let them deny themselves, take up their cross and follow me.” (Mk 8:35) Begin this Lenten journey by coming to Cedarbrake and reflecting on the challenges Jesus lays before us. We will begin with Mass and the distribution of ashes. Brian Egan, Beverly Collin and Fr. Angelo Bertini will present this retreat. Cost: $35 (incl. lunch) TO REGISTER FOR AN EVENT: (254) 780-2436, [email protected] or www.austindiocese.org/cedarbrake, click on “upcoming retreats” Visit us online! WEBSITE: austindiocese.org/cedarbrake FACEBOOK: facebook.com/cedarbrake 14 IN OUR WORLD C ATHOLIC S PIRIT Pope’s ecumenism helps build bridges “I said to the pope, ‘Do you realize what you’re doing?’ The pope replied, ‘I think so.’” “Building bridges is the Four of the daily homilies work of ecumenism, of evanof Pope Francis over the 19 gelization,” said Father Rosica. months of his pontiÀcate in “It’s the work of going out to particular help explain the direc- the whole world to proclaim tion he has taken in ecumenism the good news of our salvation and interreligious efforts, said a in Jesus Christ. Building walls is priest who has served as a Vati- what fearful, insecure people do can spokesman during events to protect what they have and including the recent extraordikeep others out. nary Synod of Bishops. “Pope Francis wants to Basilian Father Thomas build bridges that everyone can Rosica, a U.S. priest who also is cross,” he said, especially the CEO of Salt and Light Televipoor, those who have been marsion, Canada’s national Cathoginalized and social outcasts. lic network, said in a Nov. 9 “In ‘Evangelii Gaudium’ workshop for bishops before Pope Francis invites -- and their annual fall general assemchallenges -- all of us to move bly that Pope Francis’ daily Mass beyond our ‘comfort zones,’” homilies and his 2013 apostolic Father Rosica said. “He wants exhortation, “Evangelii Gaudius to be warm, welcoming and um” (“The Joy of the Gospel”), forgiving. He wants us to eat give context to his approach. with tax collectors and sinIn Argentina, then-Cardinal ners; he wants us to forgive Jorge Bergoglio had a rabbi the woman caught in adultery among his close friends and (while admonishing her to sin friendships with evangelicals and no more); he wants us to welPentecostals, who have particicome and respect foreigners pated in events at the Vatican (even our enemies), and, above since he became pope. all, not to judge others.” As pope, he has also There’s nothing new in any reached out to other Chrisof that, said the priest. “It is only tians, Jews and Orthodox in the Gospel message. It’s been ways that have captivated many our mission, our mandate and non-Catholics, who pore over our story for over 2,000 years.” the details of Francis’ writings The four homilies Father and relish activities such as his Rosica cited date from one Holy Thursday visit to an Ital- a month after his election as ian prison to wash the feet of pope to as recently as Nov. 4. inmates of diverse faiths, said In the Àrst, he discussed Father Rosica. the “courageous attitude of He said he mentioned to St. Paul in Areopagus, when, Pope Francis recently that peoin speaking to the Athenian ple the world over are reading crowd, the Apostle to the Gen“Evangelii Gaudium,” as Father tiles sought to build bridges Rosica has discovered from the to proclaim the Gospel.” The many invitations he receives to pope said an attitude such as speak on the topic. Paul’s that seeks dialogue is BY PATRICIA ZAPOR CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE Tax-Deferred Annuities Do Your Long-Term & Retirement Savings Plans Stack Up? 'ĞƌƌŝW͘DĂƌƟŶĞnj ƵƐƟŶͬĂƐƚƌŽƉͬ dĂLJůŽƌͬ^ŵŝƚŚǀŝůůĞ ϱϭϮͲϯϬϯͲϱϵϯϲ Monica Mikeska dĞŵƉůĞ ϮϱϰͲϳϲϬͲϯϲϱϯ ĂƐĞ,ŽůůƵď ƵƐƟŶͬtĞŝŵĂƌ ϵϳϵͲϳϮϱͲϭϭϭϭ Securing Families’ Lives Since 1901 z POPE FRANCIS has hosted many religious leaders at the Vatican in his 19 months as pope. He is getting more and more invitations to speak on ecumenism, says a spokesperson. (CNS photo by L’Osservatore Romano via Reuters) “closer to the heart” of the listener and why Paul was a builder of bridges, not of walls. Last October, Father Rosica said, Pope Francis warned Christians against behaving as though “the key is in their pocket and the door is closed.” He talked about Christians who have the key to the church in their hand but “take it away without opening the door.” People who may wish to enter Ànd themselves on the street in front of a closed church, with excuses and justiÀcations given for why they cannot enter, the pope said. “Worse still,” said Father Rosica, citing the pope, they keep the door closed, don’t allow anyone to enter and in doing so, keep on the outside z themselves. % * “When this Christian is a APY priest, a bishop or a pope it is *Includes Current Yield + 1.35% worse,” said &ŝƌƐƚzĞĂƌĚĚŝƟŽŶĂů/ŶƚĞƌĞƐƚ Francis. IRAs Rollovers 3.50 WĂƚƐLJ͘tŝůĞLJ >ůĂŶŽͬ<ŝŶŐƐůĂŶĚͬ ƵƐƟŶͬ,ŝůůŽƵŶƚƌLJ ϯϮϱͲϯϴϴͲϰϲϵϴ >LJŶĚŽŶDŝĚĚůĞƚŽŶ tĞƐƚͬdŽƵƌƐͬtĂĐŽ ϮϱϰͲϴϮϮͲϭϵϯϯ *Interest rates are subject to change. Minimum guaranteed rate is 1.50% . ,ŽŵĞKĸĐĞ͗^ĂŶŶƚŽŶŝŽ͕dĞdžĂƐ͘η^hϵ͘ϭϰ The situation arises when “the faith passes, so to speak through a distiller and becomes ideology. And ideology does not beckon people.” “When a Christian becomes a disciple of the ideology, he has lost the faith, he is no longer a disciple of Jesus, he is a disciple of this attitude of thought.” Father Rosica said the pope went on to say that when faith becomes ideology, it chases away people and distances the church from the people. Father Rosica also quoted from an October homily this year, in which the pope spoke about unity in diversity. He used the image of a church made of living stones, as opposed to weak bricks. “Humility, gentleness, magnanimity: These are weak things, because the humble person appears good for nothing; gentleness, meekness appear useless; generosity, being open to all, having a big heart,” Father Rosica quoted. “And then he says more: Bearing with one another through love. Bearing with one another through love, having what at heart? Preserving unity. The weaker we are with these virtues of humility, generosity, gentleness, meekness, the stronger we become as stones in this temple.” The fourth key homily, according to Father Rosica, was the pope’s Nov. 4 teaching on the parable of the man who gave a banquet to which he invited many, but some declined. As Pope Francis noted, Father Rosica said, “In the end the invited guests prefer their own interests rather than sharing dinner together: They do not know what it means to celebrate.” He said that form of self-interest makes it difÀcult to listen to the voice of God, “when you believe that that the whole world revolves around you: there is no horizon, because you become your own horizon. And there is more behind all of this, something far deeper: fear of gratuity. We are afraid of God’s gratuity. He is so great that we fear him.” December 2014 IN OUR WORLD 15 Resources available for Year of Consecrated Life BY CAROL ZIMMERMANN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE In an effort to help lay Catholics gain a deeper understanding of religious life, priests, brothers and women religious intend to open their convents, monasteries, abbeys and religious houses to the public one day next February. “If you’ve ever wondered what a brother or religious sister does all day, you will Ànd out,” said Dominican Sister Marie Bernadette Thompson in announcing the open house scheduled for Feb. 8, 2015. The open house is just one of the events for the upcoming Year of Consecrated Life, which began the weekend of Nov. 29-30. It will end Feb. 2, 2016, the World Day of Consecrated life. The special year dedicated to consecrated life was announced by Pope Francis and is similar to previous themed years announced by popes such as Year of the Priest (2009-2010) or Year of St. Paul. (2008-2009). The year also marks the 50th anniversary of “Perfectae Caritatis,” a decree on religious life, and “Lumen Gentium,” the Second Vatican Council’s Dogmatic Constitution on the Church. The purpose of the yearlong celebration, according to a Vatican statement, is to “make a grateful remembrance of the recent past” while embracing “the future with hope.” Bishop Joe Vásquez discusses the Year of Consecrated Life in the Bishop’s Interview on Page 16. He encourages lay people to participate fully in the year. “We want to be grateful as a church, and we need to learn how to thank (religious) for their many years of dedicated service in our church,” Bishop Vásquez said. He said hundreds of men and women religious have worked in different ways in our Catholic schools, in our parishes, in our hospitals and in service to the poor throughout Central Texas. Bishop Michael F. Burbidge of Raleigh, N.C., chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations, announced the Year of Consecrated Life events at an Oct. 1 news conference at the USCCB headquarters in Washington. He said the scheduled events will provide an opportunity, especially for young people, to see how men and women religious live. He also urged heads of religious orders to let his committee know of activities they are planning so they can be publicized. Sister Thompson, council coordinator of the Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious, said the purpose of the open house gatherings will be to provide people with an encounter with men and women religious and also an encounter with Christ. Sister Marcia Allen, a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Concordia, Kan., and president-elect of Leadership Conference of Women Religious, said another initiative for the upcoming year is called “Days with Religious,” during which laypeople will have opportunities to join men and women religious in works of service throughout the summer of 2015. She said these opportunities, to be announced locally, will not only give laypeople the chance to “work with us side by side” but will also enable them to become aware of the charisms of different orders. Sister Allen said she hoped the experience would be a “coming together for the sake of the church’s presence” in the modern world. The third major initiative for the year is a day of prayer scheduled Sept. 13, 2015. “We will join hands and hearts with you that day,” said Father James GreenÀeld, president of the Conference of Major Superiors of Men, who noted that throughout that day people will be invited to join religious men and women for vespers, rosary or holy hours. The priest, who is a member of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales of the Wilmington, Delaware-Philadelphia province, said he hoped the year would not only encour- age new vocations but also would allow people to “see our commitment with fresh eyes and open their hearts to support us with a renewed energy that stirs us all to embrace our pope’s ongoing call for the new evangelization.” Although the year’s events are intended to give laypeople a deeper understanding of consecrated life, the men and women religious also said they will most likely beneÀt. Sister Thompson said she hopes women religious experience a renewed joy in their vocation and Sister Allen stressed that by simply explaining their order’s charisms to others should give the sisters a deeper understanding and appreciation of their ministries. “Whenever you think you are giving something you always end up receiving more,” she said. Prayer intentions, prayer cards, a video on consecrated life and other resources are available at www.usccb. org/beliefs-and-teachings/vocations/consecrated-life/yearof-consecrated-life/index.cfm. Franciscans, Dominicans take center stage in exhibit about it and other resources. Kennedy’s original idea was to focus on the art of the Franciscans. As she delved deeper into the subject, she was A Nashville museum’s groundbreaking exhibit of Ital- unable to Ànd much research concerning the art of the Doian art created between 1250 minicans and the Franciscans and 1550 explores the signiÀduring this period. cant role of the Dominicans She said both orders creand Franciscans in the revival of the arts that began in Italy in ated art -- frescoes, illuminated manuscripts, panel paintings, the 13th century. “Sanctity Pictured: The Art prints and sculptures -- as a vehicle for communicating their of the Dominican and Franrespective theologies to the ciscan Orders in Renaissance general public. But there were Italy” opened Oct. 31 at the Frist Center for the Visual Arts signiÀcant differences too. “And when you have and will be on display until Jan. something to compare and 25. It is the Àrst major presen- contrast then you can see better what is unique about tation of Italian Renaissance art in Nashville since 1934, and each one,” Kennedy told the Tennessee Register, newsparepresents a dream come true per of the Nashville Diocese. for Trinita Kennedy, the center’s curator and a Renaissance “Adding the Dominicans to the exhibit also allowed me to art historian. increase the number of poten“This exhibition was work tial loans for the exhibit.” that I had mentioned doing As it turned out, 28 Ameriwhen I was interviewing for can museums and libraries, the job seven years ago,” said including the Art Institute Kennedy, a parishioner at St. of Chicago, the J. Paul Getty Philip Parish in Franklin. “So Museum, the Metropolitan this one has been a long time Museum of Art, the National in the making.” Gallery of Art and the PierVisitors to the Frist Center’s website, http://fristcenter. pont Morgan Library lent work org, can listen online to an au- to the exhibition. And, for the dio tour of the exhibit and will Àrst time in its history, the Frist Center is borrowing works Ànd a Spanish-language video BY NED ANDREW SOLOMON CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE from the Vatican Library and Vatican Museums. “It’s a very big deal for us to be borrowing from the Vatican, and we’re thrilled that they said yes,” Kennedy said. “This is a very rare opportunity to see some works of art from the Vatican that have never traveled to the United States before. “Even if somebody hopped on a plane today and went to the Vatican, they’d have a very difÀcult time gaining entry to the library. You have to prove that you’re a scholar and that you have serious research to do, and that you’re qualiÀed to be there.” Displayed throughout Àve galleries, “Sanctity Pictured” encompasses more than 60 items, including paintings, manuscript illuminations, bronze medals and printed books. Among the highlights are the Vatican Museums’ “St. Francis With Four Post-Mortem Miracles”; the J. Paul Getty Museum’s Abbey Bible and a painting of “St. Catherine of Siena Receiving the Stigmata”; and the Allen Memorial Art Museum’s “Madonna and Child With St. Francis.” To enhance the impact of the illuminated choir books, the Frist Center invited two Nashville choirs, the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia and the male a capella group Schola Pacis, which got its start at Christ the King Church, to record 13th-century chants for the exhibition’s audio guide. The Dominican sisters were recorded in the chapel at their motherhouse in Nashville; Schola Pacis, at Music Row’s Ocean Way Recording Studios. “We loved making a musical connection with the art, especially with Nashville being Music City,” said Kennedy. “Quite a few of the manuscripts in the exhibition are choir books, or pages from choir books. There are even some really wonderful representations of Dominicans and Franciscans singing.” “Sanctity Pictured” is accompanied by a 244-page fully illustrated, hardback catalog, which consists of essays and in-depth entries for each of the featured works. Contributors include Kennedy; Donal Cooper of the University of Cambridge; Holly Flora of Tulane University; Amy Neff of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville; and Janet Robson, an independent scholar. The Frist Center is offering a variety of activities associ- ated with the exhibit, including an all-day symposium Jan. 10 featuring several of the experts whose writings appear in the catalog; weekend children’s programs, featuring an original story about St. Francis and the animals; and a showing of the 1950 Àlm “The Flowers of St. Francis” Àlm by Roberto Rosellini, which starred actual Franciscan friars. The Frist is reaching out to Catholic churches in the Àve states closest to Tennessee to make people aware of the exhibit and related events. But Kennedy hoped Catholics and non-Catholics alike would Ànd a reason to see the once-in-a-lifetime exhibition. “Everybody loves Francis, and he’s deÀnitely one of the superstars of our show!” she said. “He has this universal appeal with being the patron saint of animals, and of the environment. ... Right across from the Frist Center is a church that hosts the blessing of the animals every year, and it’s not even a Catholic church.” “We do hope that Francis brings people in, but we’ve also tried really hard to bring in beautiful examples of Renaissance art,” continued Kennedy. “So hopefully on that level people can appreciate it.” GOOD NEWS 16 C ATHOLIC S PIRIT Celebrating the gifts of religious men, women BISHOP JOE S. VÁSQUEZ is the ¿fth bishop of the Austin Diocese. He shepherds more than 530,000 Catholics in 25 Central Texas counties. Editor: Pope Francis has declared a Year of Consecrated Life, which began on Nov. 30 and will run through February 2016. Why has the Holy Father decided to put such emphasis on consecrated life? Bishop Vásquez: Pope Francis knows Àrst-hand the importance of what it means to be a consecrated religious. He is a Jesuit; therefore, he values the wonderful charisms that the Jesuits and all of the religious communities bring to our church and to our world. Our Holy Father wants us to focus on religious and the beauty and gifts they offer the church. Last year, when Pope Francis met with the leaders of religious congregations around the world, he said. “The church must be attractive. Wake up the world! It is possible to live differently in this world … It is a question of leaving everything to follow the Lord … Religious follow the Lord in a special way, in a prophetic way. It is this witness that I expect of you. Religious should be men and women who are able to wake the world up.” Pope Francis wants religious men and women to wake up the world to the reality of the Kingdom of God, which Jesus came to establish and we desire as we pray in the Our Father, “thy kingdom come, thy will be done.” The Kingdom of God is described in the preface of the Solemnity of Christ the King as “an eternal and universal kingdom, a kingdom of truth and life, a kingdom of holiness and grace, a kingdom of justice, love and peace.” Our religious men and women take vows of poverty, chastity and obedience and point us to the reality of the Kingdom of God. Editor: With that in mind tell us what is meant by the term “consecrated life”? Bishop Vásquez: Consecrated life is a vocation in which a person gives of himself/herselft completely and totally to God and in service of the church. Each religious community has a particular charism or ministry. For instance the Daughters of Charity have been working in hospital ministry in Central Texas for more than 100 years as a way to care for the poor. The Dominican Sisters of Mary Mother of the Eucharist have a charism dedicated to educating the young. Each religious community is doing something for the good of the church. From the contemplative orders who are praying for us and for the church at all times to the missionary orders who are bringing Christ to the distant parts of the world, they are all founded in love and service to the church and they point us to a deep reality of God. Editor: Many have said that consecrated life is a thing of the past and that religious life is not as attractive as it once was. What is your response to those critics? Bishop Vásquez: I would say that those people need to learn to appreciate religious life. Granted, there may not be as many religious vocations as there once was and certain religious communities have declined; however, there are many religious communities that are thriving. Consecrated life is not a thing of the past because consecrated life is essential to who we are as a church. Think of the history of the Catholic Church, of the Jesuits who went all over the world, of the Franciscans who came to the Americas to bring the Gospel, and the Dominicans who traveled to many parts of the world to educate and preach the Gospel. Yes, we may have some lows and some moments where there will be certain communities that will Áourish and others will not. That is how the Spirit moves and how the Spirit continues to work through the church. We are blessed to have such dedicated men and women religious in our world. Editor: How has the Austin Diocese been blessed by such men and women? Bishop Vásquez: Our diocese has a long history of religious that were present even before the diocese was founded. As I said before, the Daughters of Charity have served Central Texas for more than 100 years. We have also had the Holy Cross Priests, Sisters and Brothers who have worked here for many years. They founded St. Edward’s University, our only Catholic university in the Diocese of Austin. They also founded many parishes and schools throughout our diocese. We have been blessed with the service of many Dominican sisters over the years; they have served on the diocesan staff, worked in evangelization ministries and taught in our Catholic schools. Presently, we have several parishes that are served by priestly orders, such as the Paulists, the Conventual and the Third Order Franciscans, the Schoenstatts and the Missionary Society of St. Paul. We have orders of religious who have been in our diocese from its beginning and we have new orders who have just joined us. Nevertheless, I consider them a blessing to the life of the diocese. Hundreds of men and women religious have worked in different ways in our Catholic schools, in our parishes, in our hospitals and in service to the poor throughout Central Texas. My expectation and my hope is that men and women religious will continue to be part of the history of this great diocese for years to come. Editor: How can families and parishes give more attention to those who serve in consecrated life? Bishop Vásquez: One simple way for families to become more familiar and knowledgeable of religious communities is to read about the lives of saints, such as St. Francis, St. Dominic, St. Louise de Marillac, and St. Vincent DePaul. Parents can also help their children understand what the saints are about, and help children appreciate their gifts that they brought to the church. Another thing we can do is to get to know religious men and women in our diocese. You can see them in our parishes. Visit with them, pray with them, celebrate Mass with them, or invite them to dinner. There are great opportunities for us to be able to get to know religious. People sometimes feel as though they would interfere in the lives of religious. However, the truth is that religious want to share their lives with us. I think religious men and women would love it if we asked them how they discovered the calling to religious life. There should be nothing complicated about forming a relationship or a friendship with religious men and women. I encourage everyone to initiate a conversation with a religious in this Year of Consecrated Life. Editor: What is your prayer for all those men and women who faithfully serve the church? Bishop Vásquez: First of all, like the Holy Father has said we are grateful to consecrated men and women. We want to be grateful as a church, and we need to learn how to thank them for their many years of dedicated service in our church. Where would our church be if not for these men and women who have given up so much out of love for Christ? My prayer is that consecrated life will experience a renewal and Áourish. May all men and women religious continue to be a witness to the Kingdom of God and help us place our hope in God and his Kingdom. Numbers of religious currently serving in the Austin Diocese Congregations of Women Number of Religious AVI Apostles of the Interior Life .................................................................3 CDP Congregation of Divine Providence ....................................................3 CSC Sisters of the Holy Cross ....................................................................6 DC Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent De Paul .......................................9 DDL Daughters of Divine Love Congregation .............................................2 ESEH Eudist Servants of the Eleventh Hour .................................................2 FHM Franciscan Sisters Daughters of Mercy ..............................................8 FMA Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco .....................................................4 IHM Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary ............................1 MCDP Missionary Catechists of Divine Providence .......................................3 ME Missionary Ecumenical .......................................................................2 MSC Marianites of Holy Cross .....................................................................1 MSDP Missionary Servants of Divine Providence..........................................1 OP Dominican Sisters of Houston.............................................................3 OP Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist .........................13 OP Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa..........................................................2 OP Hermanas Dominicas “Siervas del Senor” ..........................................2 OSF Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpeutal Help ..............................3 OSF Sisters of St. Francis, Congregation of Our Lady of Lourdes .............6 PCI Pax Christi Institute .............................................................................4 SFCC Sisters for Christian Community .........................................................2 SJB Sisters of St. John Bosco ....................................................................1 SJS Sisters of Jesus the Saviour ...............................................................1 SMIC Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Conception ..............................2 SNDdeN Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur - Ohio Province ..............................1 SSND School Sisters of Notre Dame.............................................................1 SSS Sisters of Sacred Sciences .................................................................4 Brothers CSC Congregation of Holy Cross .............................................................42 Priests CSC Congregation of Holy Cross ................................................................7 CMI Carmelites of Mary Immaculate ..........................................................1 CSP Paulist Father ......................................................................................7 ICM Incarnatio Consecratio Missio .............................................................1 IMS Indian Missionary Society-Ranchi Region ..........................................2 ISP Secular Institute of Schoenstatt Fathers .............................................5 MF Missionaries of Faith ...........................................................................3 MSC Missionaries of the Sacred Heart ........................................................2 MSP Missionaries of St. Paul ......................................................................3 OFM Conv. Conventual Franciscan Friars .............................................................3 OMI Oblates of Mary Immaculate ...............................................................2 OP Order of Preachers-Dominicans .........................................................2 OSB Missionary Benedictines .....................................................................3 SDS Society of the Divine Savior ................................................................2 SRC Servants of the Risen Christ Monastic Community.............................1 SS Society of San Sulpice ........................................................................1 TOR Third Order Regular of Saint Francis ..................................................2 Total Religious ....................................................................................................179 GOOD NEWS December 2014 17 Faithful citizenship is more than voting BY BARBARA BUDDE COLUMNIST For all who voted –– thank you. For those who did not vote, you can practice faithful citizenship still. Everyone, please know that our work is just beginning! Our responsibility to act as faithful citizens does not begin or end at the ballot box. Now we have to do the long, hard work of sharing our vision and values with those who were elected. We have a Catholic as governor of the state and that is very good news; however, our new governor will need a great deal of support to bring the values we share as Catholics to our state government. The platforms and membership of both political parties have areas of agreement and disagreement with Catholic teaching. Our role is to continue to make our voices heard to all levels of government –– speaking out for the poor and vulnerable; for the unborn and those on death row; for the immigrant and every person who is marginalized for any reason to create the change envisioned by the Gospel. Our country and our state face some difÀcult and challenging times. We do not yet have a society that respects human life and dignity from conception to death or that supports persons and families throughout their lives. Though the economy is recovering, it seems to be beneÀtting a few while many continue to struggle. We know that the Gospel calls us to work for the common good over our individual desires and to care • Get to know the key staff members of all elected ofÀcials and let them know that you will be communicating with them. Staff members are crucial in brieÀng legislators and being able to communicate with staff is often the best way to get your message to the ears of our elected ofÀcials. Plan to participate in the Catholic Advocacy day at the State Capitol on March 24. There are ways you can participate without even leaving home. especially for the poor and vulnerable among us. Political parties are tallying wins and losses for “their” side and proclaiming mandates for their priorities. However, we are called to ignore sides and to work for the values that Áow from God’s vision: protecting human life, promoting family life, pursuing social justice and practicing global solidarity. Here are some things we can begin to do right now: • Send a note or e-mail to the winning candidates and congratulate them. Explain to them that as a faithful citizen, you hope to communicate your vision and values to them frequently and that you wish to begin a dialogue on the issues facing our state and our nation. • Sign up with Catholic groups to receive issue brieÀngs. Some of the the major groups that work on state and national issues are listed here. • For information on Texas legislative matters; sign up for the Texas Catholic Voice run by the Texas Catholic Conference at www.txcatholic.org/texas-catholic-network. • For information on International issues, sign up for action alerts from Catholic Relief Services and the International OfÀce of USCCB at www.confrontglobalpoverty.org/getinvoled/action-center/. • For information on domestic policies regarding health, human services, poverty, housing and others, sign up for Catholic Charities USA, Washington weekly and action alerts at http:// catholiccharitiesusa.org/our-solutions/ campaign-to-reduce-poverty/. • For information on pro-life issues, sign up for the National Committee for a Human Life Amendment at www.nchla.org. • For information from the USCCB department of Justice Peace and Human Development, visit their webpage at http://www.usccb.org/ about/justice-peace-and-human-development/. Plan to participate in the Catholic Advocacy day at the State Capitol on March 24. There are ways you can participate without even leaving home. Find out how by contacting Barbara Budde at barbara-budde@ austindiocese.org or by calling at (512) 949-2471. Thanks to all who voted, we now ask everyone to follow up with advocacy. There is much left to do and together we can accomplish a great deal. We know we have God’s grace with us, please add your time and energy! BARBARA BUDDE is the diocesan director of social concerns. She can be reached at (512) 949-2471 or barbara-budde@ austindiocese.org. Your participation in the 2014-2015 Catholic Services Appeal helps keep the Catholic Church in Central Texas a welcoming place for those in material and spiritual need through: (!.#5ŏ+.)0%+*ŏđŏ 10%+*ŏĒŏ+.)0%+*ŏ ,%.%01(%05ŏĒŏ+./$%, 1/0%!ŏĒŏ$.%05ŏđŏ/0+.(ŏ%*%/0.%!/ Please be generous! Make your contribution today at www.austindiocese.org/csa or call (512) 949-2450. Su participación en el () +ŏ,.ŏ(+/ŏ!.2%%+/ŏ Católicos de 2014-2015 ayuda a la Iglesia del Centro de Texas a recibir a quienes tienen necesidades materiales y espirituales, por medio de: 2015 2014 - +.)%¨*ŏ !(ŏ(!.+ŏđŏ 1%¨*ŏ5ŏ+.)%¨*ŏ 1(0+ŏ%2%*+ŏ5ŏ% ŏ/,%.%01( 1/0%%ŏ5ŏ.% ŏđŏ%*%/0!.%+/ŏ/0+.(!/ ¡Por favor sea generoso! Haga hoy mismo su contribución. Llámenos al (512) 949-2458. A urtes Image co e Pho garbe y of Su Un phy togra Joy Which is Shared Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature. –Mk 16:15 Gozo compartido Vayan por todo el mundo y prediquen el Evangelio a toda creatura. –Mc 16,15 6225 Highway 290 East, Austin, TX 78723 $+*!ƫĨĆāĂĩƫĊąĊġĂąĀĀƫđƫ4ƫĨĆāĂĩƫĊąĊġĂĆĂĀ www.austindiocese.org/csa CSA Commitment Weekend November 8-9, 2014 | Fin de Semana de Compromiso Noviembre 8-9, 2014 GOOD NEWS 18 C ATHOLIC S PIRIT BERNARDINO BETTO (1454-1513), better known as Pintoricchio, painted the Nativity of Our Lord according to a vision St. Birgitta of Sweden received from the Blessed Mother. The painting is in the Church of St. Mary Major in Spello, Italy. (All photos on Pages 18-19 are copyright 2000 Elio e Stefano Ciol Casarsa della Delizia (Pordenone)) The Nativity of Christ according to St. Birgitta BY NORMAN FARMER COLUMNIST In Jerusalem on Christmas Night while (then) Lady Birgitta of Sweden (1303-1373) was at prayer in the Church of the Nativity, the Holy Mother of God came to her in a vision to reveal “the whole manner of her childbearing and how she gave birth to her glorious Son.” Her purpose, Mary added, was to afÀrm the truth, “that however much human beings, following their human perception, try to assert that my Son was born in the common manner, it is nevertheless more true and beyond any doubt, that he was born ... just as you now have seen.” In 1503, Trolio Baglioni, the Prior of the Church of St. Mary Major in Spello, Italy, commissioned Bernardino Betto (1454-1513), better known as Pintoricchio, to paint the Nativity of Our Lord according to St. Birgitta’s revelation in a new chapel dedicated to his family. And today, when the very thought of Christmas evokes widespread secularist hostility and indifference alike, St. Birgitta’s vision and Pintoriccio’s representation of it inspire a renewed understanding of the Lord’s Nativity as the single most consequential prayer-event that the world has ever known. “When I was at the manger of the Lord in Bethlehem,” St. Birgitta writes, “I saw a Virgin, pregnant and most very beautiful, clothed in a white mantle and a Ànely woven tunic through which from without I could clearly discern her virginal Áesh. Her womb was full and much swollen, for she was now ready to give birth. With her there was a very digniÀed old man; and with them they had both an ox and an ass ... “And so the Virgin then took the shoes from her feet, put off her white mantle that covered her, removed the veil from her head, and laid these things beside her, remaining in only her tunic, with her most beautiful hair –– as if of gold –– spread out upon her shoulder blades ... “When all these things had thus been prepared, then the Virgin knelt with great reverence, putting herself at prayer; and she kept her back toward the manger and her face lifted to heaven toward the east. And so with raised hands and with her eyes intent on heaven, she was as if suspended in an ecstasy of contemplation, inebriated with divine sweetness. And while she was thus in prayer, I saw the one lying in her womb then move; and then and there, in a moment and the twinkling of an eye, she gave birth to a Son .... “And so sudden and momentary was that manner of giving birth that I was unable to notice or discern in what member she was giving birth. But yet, at once, I saw that glorious infant lying on the earth, naked and glowing in the greatest of neatness. His Áesh was most clean of all Àlth and uncleanness. I saw also the afterbirth lying wrapped very neatly beside him. And then I heard the wonderfully sweet and most dulcet songs of the angels. And the Virgin’s womb, which before the birth have been very swollen, at once retracted; and her body looked wonderfully beautiful and delicate ...” “When therefore the virgin felt that she had now given birth, at once, having bowed her head and joined her hands, with great dignity and reverence she adored the boy and said to him: ‘Welcome, my God, my Lord, and my December 2014 Image 1 Son’. Then ...she arose, holding the boy in her arms, [while] she and Joseph put him in the manger, and on bended knee they continued to adore him with gladness and immense joy.” The painting welcomes us to the dawn of a day unlike any other since that Àrst day when God said, “Let there be light” (Gen 1:3). Now His “only Son” (Jn 3:16) has brought a new light into the world “the light of the human race ... that shines in the darkness (Jn 1:1-5) through an event that speaks visibly with boundless grace unclouded by human perceptions. Above the distant horizon and framed by a soaring cypress tree on the plain and sinister crags in the mountains where armed men prowl, “the angel of the Lord” races across the dawn sky to proclaim the good news to shepherds “keeping the night watch over Image 2 GOOD NEWS their Áocks” (Lk 2:8-9). The vast landscape that unfolds before us is inspired by the traditional Psalm for the Mass on Christmas Night: “Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice; let the sea and what Àlls it resound; let the plains be joyful and all that is in them. Then let all the trees of the forest rejoice before the Lord who comes, who comes to govern the earth, to govern the world with justice and the peoples with faithfulness” (Ps 96:11-13). So quickly does he come that St. Birgitta cannot discern the manner or member of his delivery. He simply is there, naked and alone upon the cold hard ground and miraculously clean despite the evidence nearby of an actual human birth. The passage from the Book of Wisdom in the Christmas liturgy offers this way to ponder the mystery: “For when peaceful stillness compassed everything and the night in its swift course was half spent, Your all-powerful word from heaven’s royal throne bounded, a Àerce warrior, into the doomed land, bearing the sharp sword of your inexorable decree” (Wis 18:14-16). A step or two apart, his Holy Mother kneels in the continuation of her prayer, “suspended in an ecstasy of contemplation” and “inebriated with divine sweetness.” Already, it seems, “the Son of Man truly has nowhere to rest his head” (Lk 9:58). And yet, lifting his eyes and raising his hands to his Father in Heaven, he acknowledges the reason for his coming: “I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me” (Jn 6:38). By thus situating the Nativity in front of a dilapidated temple, now a lowly hay-barn, the artist invites us to contemplate the purpose of the Messiah’s coming, which is to replace the worn-out religion of templeworship (Mk 11:1-13:37) with the New Temple, “the temple of his body” (Jn 1:14; 2:21-22), and to bring God’s saving grace to all men, Jews and Gentiles alike. A resplendent angel –– God’s messenger and (in appearance) Mary’s twin –– kneels between the child and his Mother (see Image 1 at left). The likeness is so deliberate and precise that once seen it cannot be forgotten or ignored. Malichi’s prophecy in the liturgy of Dec. 23 is our key to this startling image of twinship: “Lo, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me. And suddenly there will come to the temple the Lord who you seek, and the messenger of the covenant whom you desire. Yes, he is coming, says the Lord of Hosts” (Mal 3:1; Lk 1:17). Since Mary is the temple into which “the Word” comes (Jn 1:14), the messenger who prepares the way for the Word-becoming-Áesh is represented by the artist as an angel in the appearance of Mary. A second angel-messenger now directs our contemplative thoughts to the relation between the Nativity and the Eucharist, “the mystery of faith,” by holding up a gossamerthin cloth emblazoned with a golden cross and crown of thorns. Spread upon the earth beneath the newborn child much as an altarcloth covers the table beneath the Eucharist, this cloth turns our thoughts the grain of wheat in Jesus’ parable that “falls to the ground and dies” so that it may produce “much fruit” (Jn 12:24). In this incomparable mix of reciprocating images we are led to ponder the mystery that this child, “naked and glowing in the greatest of neatness” and lying on the bare ground is the once and forever embodiment of “the mystery of faith.” “I am the bread of life,” Jesus told the crowd (Jn 6:35). “Whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.” That is the central truth of the Nativity. And it is the startling point made by the most inconspicuous detail in the entire painting: the bundle in the right foreground of the painting. At Àrst glance, it seems that the painter Àlled some left-over space with a modest still-life: a bundle of clothing with a rustic wine jug leaning against it and all but hidden among the folds a loaf of unbroken bread (see Image 2 at left). A second glance shows this to be the veil and mantle that Mary laid aside before giving birth. And within their folds, “wrapped very neatly,” are the conclusive proof that Mary so wanted St. Birgitta to see: that though her son was 19 not born in the common manner, he was nonetheless a natural child of the Áesh. At Emmaus and ever thereafter, he would make himself known “in the breaking of the bread” (Lk24:35), the bread that truly is the body that once lay upon the earth after he “bounded” into the world of men at his birth. This is the mystery of faith: the living proof that the Lord’s Nativity was, is, and remains the single most consequential prayer-event that the world has ever known. Finally, there is the startling Àgure of the fourth shepherd –– obviously a stranger and who, by his archaic clothing seems to have just arrived from a distant world and a time longpast (see Image 3 below). His gift for the Lamb of God is nothing less than the “ram caught by its horns in the thicket” (Gn 22:1-19) that his father Abraham sacriÀced in lieu of his own son –– a Ànal mystery to contemplate among the images of a painting we will now be unlikely to forget. Today, when Christmas so widely met with doubt, scorn, and hostility, Pintoricchio’s depiction of the Nativity according to the Holy Mother’s revelation of that event to St. Birgitta inspires us to pray to Our Father, that through the intercessions of St. Mary and St. Birgitta this Christmas may be held in universal reverence as a season of prayer, renewal, epiphany and peace. Suggested further readings: St. Birgitta entry in “Catholic Encyclopedia” at http://www.newadvent.org/cathen and “Birgitta of Sweden: Life and Selected Works” by Paulist Press (1990). NORMAN FARMER, PH.D, is Professor Emeritus of English and Humanities at the University of Texas. He writes about the relation of sacred art to Catholic prayerlife. Norman and his wife, Cora Jane, are parishioners of St. Austin Parish in Austin. Image 3 GOOD NEWS 20 C ATHOLIC S PIRIT St. Stephen: First deacon, Àrst martyr BY MARY LOU GIBSON COLUMNIST St. Stephen is usually identiÀed as a “protomartyr” because he was the Àrst Christian to die for the faith (not including the Holy Innocents and John the Baptist). He was a bold preacher who Malcolm Day describes as having a modern, radical outlook in “A Treasury of Saints.” These were early times for Christians, 34 A.D., and Stephen’s preaching about Jesus as the Savior that God had sent made him many enemies among the Jews. Stephen was a leader of the Hellenists, those Jews who lived outside Palestine and spoke Greek. As a group, they urged expansion of the church’s mission to the Gentiles. Stephen was one of the seven deacons appointed by the apostles to look after the distribution of alms to the faithful and to help in the ministry of preaching. All that we know of his life is in the Acts of the Apostles (6-8). According to Day, it was Stephen who suffered most when the Jewish authorities unleashed the Àrst wave of persecution against the church. He was accused of preaching blasphemy against Moses and against God and was arrested. When he was brought before the Sanhedrin, editor John Shea writes in “Lives of the Saints” that he boldly upbraided the chief priests of their hard-hearted resistance to the Holy Ghost and with the murder of the “Just One.” David Farmer describes the gist of Stephen’s defense in the “Oxford Dictionary of Saints.” He wrote that Stephen told his accusers that God does not depend on the Temple, in so far as like the Mosaic law, it was a temporary institution and destined to be fulÀlled and superseded by Christ. Stephen said that Christ was the prophet designated by Moses and the Messiah the Jewish race had waited for so long. Then Stephen further attacked his accusers for resisting the Spirit and killing Christ. Paul Burns writes in “Butler’s Lives of the Saints” that the priests were enraged by Stephen’s defense and his condemnation of their whole approach to religion. They condemned him to be stoned under the Mosaic law and dragged him outside the walls of Jerusalem. Editor Michael Walsh describes the scene in “Butler’s Lives of the Saints.” “When Stephen was led outside, he looked up to the heavens and said: ‘Behold I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God.’” Stephen then cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” They stoned him then for blasphemy. Farmer writes that the witnesses placed their clothes at the feet of Saul (later Paul) who consented to his death. He was buried in a tomb and mostly forgotten until the fourth century when St. Gregory of Nyssa composed two homilies to him. Rosemary Guiley writes in the “Encyclopedia of Saints” that St. Gregory saw Stephen as a key Àgure in the struggle against demonic forms. Further, St. Gregory preached that Stephen imitated Christ by being compliant and bearing no hatred toward his murderers. Guiley notes that Stephen’s supposed tomb was discovered by Lucian in 415. From the fourth century, his feast was kept in the East and West. A church containing his relics was built outside the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem in 439. The ruins of this church were discovered by the Dominicans in 1882 and a new church was erected on the site. St. Stephen is the patron of bricklayers, builders, horses and masons. Why horses? Gerry Bowler explains in “The World Encyclopedia of Christmas” that his Dec. 26 feast day fell during a time of horse sacriÀce in pagan Northern Europe. It was also a time of rest from agricultural work for both man and beast. Sean Kelly and Rosemary Rogers describe a Polish custom in “Saints Preserve Us!” when parishioners shower the priest with oats after Mass for the sake of their horses. In England and Ireland, children remember the saint by hurling rocks at wrens. Then he is also remembered in a 19th century Christmas carol by J. M. Neale that begins “Good King Wenceslas looked out on the feast of Stephen when the snow lay round about deep and crisp and even…” This carol is often sung on St. Stephen’s feast day which is Boxing Day in England, a time for seasonal charity. MARY LOU GIBSON is a member of St. Austin Parish in Austin. She welcomes ideas for future columns. Contact her at [email protected]. Texas Pew and Church Renovators, Inc. Pew ReĮnishing Reupholstering - Kneelers [email protected] 1-800-458-3518 2805 Ranch Road 2341, Burnet, TX 78611 Retreats at Eagle’s Wings December 13-14: Advent Family Retreat ȋ Ȍ Ǥ ϐ ǡǡ ǡ Ǥ Ǥ Presenter: Judy Hoelscher; ǡ ǡ Ǥ January 27: The Art of Balance: ǯ Ǣ̈́͵ͷǢͻǣ͵ͲȂʹǣ͵Ͳ ǦǤ ǡ ǯ Ǥ ǯ ǯ Ǥ Presenter: Lori Mulady Burdickǡǡǡʹʹ January 26: Godstock Registration opens!! ǡͳͳȂͳʹǡʹͲͳͷǤ ̈́ͶͲ Ǥ̈́ͳͲǤͻ ͻǤǦ ̈́ͷǤLimited dorm sleeping is available for an additional $40 per person (total of $80); this includes Sunday morning hot breakfast. Ǥ To register visit www.ewrc.org or call (512) 715-0017. Eagle’s Wings Retreat Center is a 501(c)(3) Non-Proϔit Corporation 3ULFHVVWDUWLQJDWaZLWK$LUIDUH,QFOXGHGLQWKLVSULFH 3ULFHVDUH$//,1&/86,9(Z$LUIDUHIURPDQ\ZKHUHLQWKHFRQWLQHQWDO86$ 6HYHUDOWULSVWRGLIIHUHQWGHVWLQDWLRQVWKH+RO\/DQG,WDO\)UDQFH 3RUWXJDO6SDLQ3RODQG0HGMXJRUMH/RXUGHV)DWLPD,UHODQG 6FRWODQG$XVWULD*HUPDQ\6ZLW]HUODQG*UHHFH7XUNH\&DPLQR GH6DQWLDJR9LNLQJ&UXLVHV%XGDSHVW3UDJXHHWF :HDOVRVSHFLDOL]HLQFXVWRPWULSVIRU%LVKRSV3ULHVWVDQG'HDFRQV ZZZSUR[LPRWUDYHOFRP&DOOXV_ DQWKRQ\#SUR[LPRWUDYHOFRP&DUPHOD0DQDJR FDUPHOD#SUR[LPRWUDYHOFRP([HFXWLYH'LUHFWRU Thanks to St. Jude for Favors Received Oh, Holy Saint Jude, Apostle and Martyr, great in virtue and rich in miracles, near kinsman of Jesus Christ, faithful intercessor of all who invoke thy special patronage in time of need. To thee I have recourse from the depths of my heart and humbly beg to whom God has given such great power to come to my assistance. Help me in my present and urgent petition, in return I promise to make thy name known and cause thee to be invoked. Saint Jude pray for us and all who invoke they aid. Amen. Recite an Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be three times for nine consecutive days. Publication must be promised. This Novena has never failed. GOOD NEWS December 2014 21 Physician-assisted suicide and confronting our fears BY REV. TADEUSZ PACHOLCZYK, PH.D. COLUMNIST The prospect of a very attractive, recently married young woman with a terminal illness facing excruciating pain and suffering as she dies is enough to move anyone. The life and death of 29 year old Brittany Maynard recently captured enormous media attention when she declared she was moving to Oregon to commit suicide after having been informed by her doctors that she had an aggressive form of brain cancer and likely had only six months to live. She brought her life to a close on Nov. 1, a date she had selected ahead of time, by taking a lethal dose of barbiturates prescribed by her doctor. In the public discussions that have ensued, some have ventured to argue that suicide under such desperate circumstances would, in fact, be justiÀable. A recent online article from “Time” magazine observed that few fault those who were trapped on the top Áoors of the Twin Towers on Sept. 11 when they jumped to their deaths below as the Áames surged around them. Similarly, the article suggests that those who face the prospect of a difÀcult, painful death from a terminal disease should be able to take their own life through physician-assisted suicide without fault or blame. For those jumping out of the Twin Towers, however, we recognize a horriÀc situation of desperation, and even the possibility of a kind of mental breakdown in those Ànal panic-stricken moments. Their agonizing choice to hurl themselves out of the building to their deaths below would be, objectively speaking, a suicidal act, and would not represent a morally good choice, but their moral culpability would almost certainly be diminished, if not eliminated, by the harrowing important consideration in her decision to carry out physician-assisted suicide. “I probably would have suffered in hospice care for weeks or even months. And my family would have had to watch that. I did not want this nightmare scenario for my family,” she said. Yet even with very noble intentions and a loving concern for our family, we can unwittingly become overzealous in our desire to “protect” them from suffering. Hospice and palliative care, along with careful pain management, can lighten our burdens during the dying process. circumstances in which they found themselves, driven by raw terror more than by anything else. Clearly, grave psychological disturbances, anguish, or grave fear of suffering can diminish the responsibility of the one committing suicide. Yet in the face of a terminal medical diagnosis, it is not reasonable to let our fears dictate our choices; instead it behooves us to confront and resolve those fears without yielding to panic and without allowing unpleasant future scenarios to loom large in our imagination. Brittany Maynard not only greatly feared a difÀcult death for herself, but also argued that protecting her family from pain and suffering was an Brittany’s desire to protect her family and friends from pain by committing suicide also led her to cross over critical moral boundaries such that she deprived her family and friends of the chance to love her through her sickness. Suicide in any form runs contrary to our duty to love –– to love ourselves and to love our neighbor –– because it unjustly breaks important ties of solidarity we have with family, friends and others to whom we continue to have obligations. It is always violent to eliminate suffering by eliminating the sufferer. We effectively give up on God and all he has created. We refuse the help of our neighbor, the love of a family member, or even the beauty of another sun-drenched day to lighten our afÁiction. Even as our lives wind down, we have a calling to be good stewards of the gift of life. Hospice and palliative care, along with careful pain management, can lighten our burdens during the dying process. The mutual support of family and friends enables us, and them, to grow in unexpected ways. By respecting and working through the dying process, we can encounter deep and unanticipated graces. We may recognize the need to ask for and receive forgiveness from others and from God. We may become aware of God’s presence and receive a strengthened faith. We gain peace in our dying days and hours by accepting our mortality and our situation, journeying down the road that still opens ahead of us, even as it becomes shorter, living it with the same tenacity and generosity we did when the road was yet longer. FATHER TADEUSZ PACHOLCZYK, PH.D. earned his doctorate in neuroscience from Yale. He is a priest of the Diocese of Fall River, Mass., and serves as the Director of Education at The National Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia. For more information, visit www.ncbcenter.org. Collection totals The Peter’s Pence Special Collection was staken up in parishes June 28-29. Totals are listed below be deanery (errors can be reported to Lynn Johnson at (512) 9492400). For more information about this collection, visit www.usccb.org/catholic-giving/opportunities-for-giving/peters-pence. Parish Totals Austin Central Deanery Austin, Cristo Rey $1,413.32 Austin, Sacred Heart $2,996.00 Austin, Our Lady of Guadalupe $1,339.57 Austin, St. Austin $2,710.43 Austin, St. Ignatius $2,131.49 Austin, St. Julia $489.91 Austin, St. Mary Cathedral $3,538.48 Austin, San Jose $2,851.50 Austin, University Catholic Center $178.38 Austin Central Deanery Totals $17,649.08 Austin North Deanery Austin, Holy Vietnamese Martyrs $3,407.00 Austin, St. Albert the Great $2,558.00 Austin, St. Louis $3,664.00 Austin, St. Theresa $4,868.00 Austin, St. Thomas More $5,875.20 Austin, St. Vincent de Paul $2,690.00 Cedar Park, St. Margaret Mary $4,416.90 Lago Vista, Our Lady of the Lake $965.50 Austin North Deanery Totals $28,444.60 Austin South Deanery Austin, Our Lady of Sorrows (Dolores) Austin, St. Andrew Kim $152.00 Austin, St. Catherine of Siena $5,909.61 Austin, St. John Neumann $6,243.21 Austin, St. Paul $2,646.23 Austin, St. Peter the Apostle $1,711.00 Austin, San Francisco Javier $861.00 Lakeway, Emmaus $1,816.20 Austin South Deanery Totals $19,339.25 Brenham/La Grange Deanery Brenham, St. Mary $1,993.03 Chappell Hill, St. Stanislaus $412.00 Dime Box, St. Joseph $302.00 Ellinger/Hostyn Hill, St. Mary $1,118.00 Parish Totals Fayetteville, St. John $1,373.00 Giddings, St. Margaret $1,416.57 La Grange, Sacred Heart $1,448.00 Lexington, Holy Family $194.00 Old Washington on the Brazos, St. Mary $104.00 Pin Oak, St. Mary $226.00 Rockdale, St. Joseph $350.54 Somerville, St. Ann $373.75 Brenham/La Grange Deanery Totals $9,310.89 Bastrop/Lockhart Deanery Bastrop, Ascension $2,805.59 Elgin, Sacred Heart $1,188.57 Lockhart, St. Mary of the Visitation $2,114.90 Luling, St. John $390.15 Martindale, Immaculate Heart $395.00 Rockne, Sacred Heart $875.03 Smithville, St. Paul $917.00 String Prairie, Assumption $1,032.00 Uhland, St.Michael $284.10 Bastrop/Lockhart Deanery Totals $10,002.34 Bryan/College Station Deanery Bremond, St. Mary $700.00 Bryan, St. Anthony $922.32 Bryan, St. Joseph $1,215.00 Bryan, Santa Teresa $340.00 Caldwell, St. Mary $1,157.80 College Station, St. Mary $3,554.92 College Station, St. Thomas Aquinas $4,107.65 Franklin, St. Francis of Assisi $957.00 Frenstat, Holy Rosary $474.00 Hearne, St. Mary $574.56 Bryan/College Station Deanery Totals $14,003.25 Georgetown/Round Rock Deanery Andice, Santa Rosa $2,376.08 Corn Hill, Holy Trinity $1,230.00 Georgetown, St. Helen $5,639.10 Parish Totals Granger, Sts. Cyril and Methodius $1,017.15 Hutto, St. Patrick $534.00 Manor, St. Joseph $409.42 PÀugerville, St. Elizabeth $2,812.02 Round Rock, St. John Vianney $2,385.60 Round Rock, St. William $12,032.00 Taylor, Our Lady of Guadalupe $628.00 Taylor, St. Mary of the Assumption $1,721.28 Georgetown/Round Rock Totals $30,784.65 Killeen/Temple Deanery Belton, Christ the King $2,490.00 Burlington, St. Michael $201.37 Cameron, St. Monica $418.00 Copperas Cove, Holy Family $4,347.00 Harker Heights, St. Paul Chong Hasang$3,913.31 Killeen, St. Joseph $2,679.34 Marak, Sts. Cyril and Methodius $188.00 Rogers, St. Matthew $241.00 Rosebud, St. Ann $208.45 Temple, Our Lady of Guadalupe $1,086.00 Temple, St. Luke $1,885.00 Temple, St. Mary $2,425.91 Westphalia, Visitation $539.00 Killeen/Temple Deanery Totals $20,622.38 Lampasas/Marble Falls Deanery Bertram, Holy Cross $115.75 Burnet, Our Mother of Sorrows $743.35 Goldthwaite, St. Peter $187.00 Horseshoe Bay, St. Paul the Apostle $1,898.00 Kingsland, St. Charles Borromeo $498.37 Lampasas, St. Mary $434.64 Llano, Holy Trinity $478.28 Lometa, Good Shepherd $131.00 Marble Falls, St. John $1,135.28 Mason, St. Joseph $452.68 Parish Totals Sunrise Beach, Our Lady of the Lake $205.00 Lampasas/Marble Falls Totals $6,279.35 San Marcos Deanery Blanco, St. Ferdinand $754.00 Buda, Santa Cruz $3,097.14 Dripping Springs, St. Martin de Porres $1,656.59 Johnson City, Good Shepherd $261.00 Kyle, St. Anthony Marie de Claret $2,148.64 San Marcos, Our Lady of Wisdom $490.00 San Marcos, St. John $3,286.01 Wimberley, St. Mary $1,647.60 San Marcos Deanery Totals $13,340.98 Waco Deanery China Spring, St. Phillip Elk, St. Joseph $126.00 Gatesville, Our Lady of Lourdes $1,080.68 Hamilton, St. Thomas $199.00 Lott, Sacred Heart $250.00 McGregor, St. Eugene $567.90 Marlin, St. Joseph $250.00 Mexia, St. Mary $492.51 Tours, St. Martin $430.75 Waco, St. Francis on the Brazos $459.80 Waco (Hewitt), St. Jerome $2,573.00 Waco, St. John the Baptist $199.00 Waco (Bellmead), St. Joseph $784.32 Waco, St. Louis $3,633.51 Waco, St. Mary of the Assumption $1,342.89 Waco, St. Peter Catholic Center $422.14 West, Church of the Assumption $822.00 Waco Deanery Totals $13,633.50 Miscellaneous Grand Totals $15.00 $183,425.27 BULLETIN BOARD Retreats & missions....... Your 22 C ATHOLIC S PIRIT For Information Please send entries for this section to [email protected]. Catholic Charities of Central Texas is caring for children, strengthening families and welcoming the stranger through its many programs. Learn more about the mission of Catholic Charities of Central Texas and Ànd out how to get involved during a free semimonthly CC101 lunch-andlearn sessions. For upcoming dates and more information, visit www.ccctx. org/cc101, or contact CCCTX Associate Director of Development Annie Chavez at [email protected] or (512) 651-6118. Diocesan ofÀces and Catholic Charities of Central Texas will be closed Dec. 8 for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. Catholic Scripture Study of Austin meets on Wednesdays from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at St. Louis Parish in Austin. The weekly Bible studies consists of prayer, small group discussion and guest lecturers. This year the course is studying the book of Hebrews. The class follows the Austin Independent School District calendar for holidays, including Christmas break. Register online at www.cssaustin.org. For more information, contact Rosemary Howard at (512) 345-3687. Catholic Scripture Study of Ce- dar Park meets on Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and Thursdays from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at St. Margaret Mary Parish in Cedar Park. The weekly Bible study consists for prayer, small group discussion and guest lecturers. This year the course is studying the book of Hebrews. The schedule follows the Leander Independent School District calendar for holidays. For more information, contact Bob Gorski at (512) 636-2927 or [email protected]. Diocesan ofÀces and Catholic Charities of Central Texas will be closed Dec. 24-25 and Jan. 1. Hispanic young adults are invited to Mass (in Spanish) on the last Friday of each month at 9 p.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Austin. Participants will pray the rosary beginning at 8:30 p.m. For more information contact Darlyn Montenegro at (512) 369-9813 or Alberto Montes at (512) 317-9439. Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary will begin Feb. 20; prayers are done privately using the consecration preparation book. Visit www.TexasToJesusThroughMary.org by Jan. 31 to receive a free Montfort preparation prayer book by mail and for more information. An Advent Dinner with Msgr. Louis Pavlicek will be held Dec. 9 at 6 p.m. at Cedarbrake Catholic Retreat Center in Belton. Join Msgr. Pavlicek for dinner and a presentation on Advent. The cost is $25 per person. To register, call (254) 780-2436 or e-mail [email protected]. An Advent Family Retreat will be held Dec. 13-14 at Eagle’s Wings Retreat Center in Burnet. Families, grandparents and single adults are invited to step away from the Christmas preparations and reÁect on the meaning of Advent. Activities include reÁections, prayer, music, activities for all ages and a trip to Main Street Bethlehem in Burnet. To register visit www. ewrc.org or call (512) 715-0017. “Living Advent through the Eyes of Mary,” an Advent mission of preaching and reÁection, will be held Dec. 9-11 at Emmaus Parish in Lakeway. Schoenstatt Father Patricio Rodriguez will be the presenter and will lead participants in reÁection on the great mystery of the nativity of Christ. Child care is available with advance reservation, visit www.emmauslakeway.com/ events/adventmission for details. The different faces of the Virgin Mary, an analysis on the appearances and the different invocations of Mary of Nazareth, will be presented Dec. 9 - 10 from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at St. Helen Parish in Georgetown. Spanish presentation will be in the Church and the English presentation will be in Frizell Hall. Holy Cross Parish in Austin will host an Advent Revival Dec. 14-16. Deacon Alex Jones will present “Mary, Star of the Evangelization” at 6 p.m. on Sunday, and 6:30 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday. Food and fellowship will be offered in Weber Hall following each presentation. For more information, contact the parish at (512) 472-3741. “Love Among the Ruins,” a day of reÁection, will be held Jan. 17 at Cedarbrake Catholic Retreat Center in Belton. Father Angelo Bertini will lead an indepth look at the book of Hosea. To register, call (254) 780-2436 or email [email protected]. The Art of Balance: Doing God’s work intended only for you will be held Jan. 27 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Eagle’s Wings Retreat Center in Burnet. Participants will explore how setting limits can lead to new found freedom to follow God’s will. For registration visit www.ewrc. org or call (512) 715-0017. Married couples who need the perfect gift for one another this Christmas are invited to give the gift of time and love by attending a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend. Upcoming weekends are Feb. 20-22 and May 15-17 at Cedarbrake Retreat Center in Belton. The weekend begins Friday at 7:30 p.m. and ends Sunday around 4 p.m. For more information or to apply to attend, visit the website www.austinme.org or contact Steve and Linda Jaramillo at (512) 677-WWME (9963) or [email protected]. Parish and community events................................ Everyone is invited to celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe Dec. 6 at St. William Parish in Round Rock. Bishop Joe Vásquez will lead a procession and the Eucharistic Celebration. Buses will depart from St. William to the procession starting point at 7:30 a.m. Bishop Vásquez will celebrate the Mass at 10:30 a.m., and a small reception will follow. For more information, contact Edgar Ramirez at (512) 949-2468 or edgar-ramirez@ austindiocese.org. Eagle’s Wings Retreat Center will host its Àrst Fun Run/Walk Dec. 6 beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the retreat center near Burnet. To register or for sponsorship information, visit www. unbearablefunrun.weebly.com. Dolores Parish in Austin will host its annual Christmas Arts and Crafts Bazaar Dec. 6-7 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Parish Hall. More than 50 vendors selling home-made decorations, wreaths, blankets, shawls, jewelry, baked goods and more. Tamale plates will be sold on Saturday from 11 a.m. to noon. Santa Claus will visit on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. St. Mary Catholic Center in College Station will host the 17th annual Work of Human Hands Sale Dec. 6-7 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day. Highquality, fairly traded crafts and food produced by small-scale artisans and growers from around the world will be featured. Add meaning to Christmas shopping by providing for a better future to the producers and their families when purchasing items at the Work of Human Hands Sale. For more information, visit www.aggiecatholic.org. Everyone is invited to join the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist for the blessing of the Texas Priory Prayer Garden Dec. 6 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the priory location in Georgetown. Families and children are welcome. For more information, to register, and for directions to the site, visit www.sistersofmary.org or call Sister Elizabeth Ann at (512) 863-4824. A Catholic Art Exhibition and Fundraising Event will be held Dec. 7 and 14 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at St. Andrew Kim Parish in Austin. The exhibition will include handmade rosary boxes, tapestries, crosses, candles and more. For information, call (512) 326-3225. The Music Ministry at St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Austin will present the second annual “Festival of Lessons and Carols” Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. This is a traditional service of Scripture, anthems and carols, telling the story of salvation from the fall of Adam through the Incarnation according to the Gospel of John. Everyone is invited to this centering and prayerful service during the busy holiday season. “Simbang Gabi” Masses will be celebrated in the Austin area Dec. 15-23. Simbang Gabi is a Filipino tradition that marks the celebration and welcome of Christ’s birth. Bishop Joe Vásquez will celebrate the Àrst Mass on Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. at St. Louis Parish in Austin. The subsequent Masses will be held Dec. 16 at 8 p.m. at St. Albert the Great Parish in Austin, Dec. 17 at 7 p.m. at Seton Williamson Medical Center Chapel in Round Rock, Dec. 18 at 7 p.m. at St. Paul Parish in Austin, Dec. 19 at 7 p.m. at St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Austin, Dec. 20 at 7 p.m. at St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Austin, Dec. 21 at 6 p.m. at St. Albert the Great Parish in Austin, Dec. 22 at 7 p.m. at St. Louis Parish in Austin and Dec. 23 at 8 p.m. at St. Albert the Great Parish in Austin. St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Austin will celebrate a “Blue Mass” Dec. 24 at 9 p.m. This Mass is not a regular Christmas Eve Mass, but is intended particularly for those who are struggling. Whether grieving the loss of loved ones, other losses, feeling alone, wounded or otherwise disconnected from the usual holiday festivities, Christmas can be a very difÀcult time, especially when it comes to attending Mass. For more information, call (512) 255-1389. Celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany at the Boar’s Head and Yule Log Pageant Jan. 10 at 7 p.m. at St. Albert the Great Parish in Austin. This Medieval Christmas Celebration features music, dance, period costumes and a live Nativity scene. Reserved seating and general admission tickets are available. For more information, e-mail [email protected], visit www.boarsheadaustin.com or call (512) 837-4179. Texas Catholic Pro-Life Day is Jan. 24 in Austin. The day will begin at 7 a.m. with a prayer vigil for life at Planned Parenthood (201 E. Ben White Blvd. in Austin). A rosary for life will be prayed at 9:15 a.m. at St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Austin. Bishop Joe Vásquez will celebrate the diocesan Pro-Life Mass at 10 a.m. at St. Vincent de Paul Parish. The March for Life will begin at 1 p.m. at 1600 N. Congress, and participants will proceed to the Texas Rally for Life on the South Steps of the State Capitol. For more information, contact the diocesan Pro-Life OfÀce at (512) 949-2486. The 2015 Celebrating Catholic Schools Dinner and Awards Presentation will be held Jan. 24 at the Hyatt Regency Town Lake in Austin. Bishop Wm. Michael Mulvey of the Diocese of Corpus Christi will be the guest speaker. For tickets for the dinner or for sponsorship information, contact Jean Bondy at (512) 949-2439 or visit www.csdatx.org. December 2014 ESPAÑOL 23 Celebrando a aquellos en vida consagrada durante el próximo EL OBISPO JOSE S. VASQUEZ es el quinto obispo de la Diócesis de Austin. Es pastor para casi 500,000 Católicos en 25 condados en el Centro de Texas. Editora: El Papa Francisco ha declarado un Año de la Vida Consagrada, el cual comenzó el 30 de noviembre y se desarrollará hasta febrero de 2016 ¿Por qué ha decidido el Santo Padre poner dicho énfasis en la vida consagrada? Obispo Vásquez: El Papa Francisco conoce de primera mano la importancia de lo que signiÀca ser un religioso consagrado. Él es jesuita; por lo tanto, él valora los maravillosos carismas que los Jesuitas y todas las comunidades religiosas dan a nuestra iglesia y al mundo. Nuestro Santo Padre quiere que nos enfoquemos en los religiosos y en el regalo que ellos ofrecen a la iglesia. El año pasado, cuando el Papa Francisco se reunió con líderes de congregaciones religiosas de alrededor del mundo, dijo “La iglesia debe ser atractiva ¡Despierten al mundo! Es posible vivir de manera diferente en este mundo…es una cuestión de abandonar todo para seguir al Señor… Los religiosos siguen al Señor de una manera especial, de una manera profética. Es testimonio lo que espero de ustedes. Los Religiosos deben ser hombres y mujeres capaces de despertar al mundo”. El Papa Francisco quiere hombres y mujeres religiosos que despierten al mundo a la realidad del Reino de Dios, el cual Jesús vino a establecer y deseamos, tal como rezamos en el Padre Nuestro que, “venga tu Reino, hágase tu voluntad en la tierra como en el cielo”. El Reino de Dios es descrito en el prefacio de la Solemnidad de Cristo Rey como “un reino eterno y universal, un reino de verdad y vida, un reino de santidad y gracia, un reino de justicia, amor y paz”. Nuestros hombres y mujeres religiosos hacen votos de pobreza, castidad y obediencia y nos guían hacia la realidad del Reino de Dios. Editora: Con eso en mente, díganos ¿qué signiÀca el término “vida consagrada”? Obispo Vásquez: La vida consagrada es una vocación en la cual una persona se da a sí misma completa y totalmente a Dios y para el servicio de la iglesia. Cada comunidad religiosa tiene un particular carisma o ministerio. Por ejemplo, la Hijas de la Caridad han estado trabajando en el ministerio de hospital en el Centro de Texas por más de 100 años como una manera de cuidar a los pobres. Las Hermanas Dominicas de María Madre de la Eucaristía tienen un carisma dedicado a la educación de la juventud. Cada comunidad religiosa está haciendo algo por el bien de la iglesia. Desde las órdenes contemplativas que están orando por nosotros y por la iglesia todo el tiempo, hasta las órdenes misioneras que llevan a Cristo a las partes distantes del mundo, todas están basadas en el amor y el servicio a la iglesia y nos guían hacia una realidad profunda de Dios. Editora: Muchos han dicho que la vida consagrada es una cosa del pasado y que la vida religiosa no es tan atractiva como alguna vez lo fue ¿Cuál es su respuesta a esas críticas? Obispo Vásquez: Diría que esas personas necesitan aprender a apreciar la vida religiosa. Acepto que puede que no haya tantas vocaciones religiosas como antes había y ciertas comunidades religiosas han disminuido; sin embargo, hay muchas comunidades religiosas que son prósperas. La vida consagrada no es una cosa del pasado por que la vida consagrada es esencial para lo que somos como iglesia. Piensen en la historia de la Iglesia Católica, de los Jesuitas que fueron a todo el mundo, de los Franciscanos que vinieron al continente Americano a traer el Evangelio, y en los Dominicos quienes viajaron a muchas partes del mundo para educar y evangelizar. Sí, tendremos momentos malos y algunos en los que habrá comunidades que Áorecerán y otras que no. Así es como el Espíritu se mueve y como el Espíritu continúa trabajando a través de la iglesia. Estamos bendecidos al tener tantos hombres y mujeres religiosos en nuestro mundo. Editora: ¿Cómo ha sido bendecida la Diócesis de Austin por estos hombres y mujeres? Obispo Vásquez: Nuestra diócesis tiene una larga historia de religiosos que estaban presentes aún antes de la fundación de la Diócesis. Como dije antes, las Hermanas de la Caridad han servido al Centro de Texas por más de 100 años. También hemos tenido a los Sacerdotes de la Santa Cruz, Hermanos y Hermanas que han trabajado aquí por muchos años. Ellos fundaron la Universidad St. Edward’s, nuestra única universidad Católica en la Diócesis de Austin. Ellos también fundaron muchas parroquias y escuelas a lo largo de la diócesis. Hemos sido bendecidos con el servicio de muchas hermanas Dominicas a través de los años, quienes han servido en el personal diocesano, trabajado en ministerios de evangelización y enseñado en nuestras escuelas Católicas. En la actualidad, tenemos muchas parroquias que son servidas por órdenes sacerdotales, tales como los Paulistas, los Franciscanos Conventuales y de la Tercera Orden, Schoenstatts y la Sociedad Misionera de St. Paul. Tenemos órdenes de religiosos para poder conocer religiosos(as). La gente a veces se siente como si interÀriera en la vida de los religiosos. Sin embargo, la verdad es que los religiosos quieren compartir sus vidas con nosotros. Creo que los hombres y mujeres religiosos amarían que les preguntáramos cómo descubrieron el llamado a la vida religiosa. No debe de haber nada complicado sobre cómo formar una amistad con un hombre o mujer religiosa. Yo invito a todos a iniciar una conversación con un religioso(a) durante este Año de la Vida Consagrada. Editora: ¿Cuál es su oración por todos aquellos hombres y mujeres que Àelmente sirven a la iglesia? Obispo Vásquez: Antes que nada, como el Santo Padre ha dicho, estamos agradecidos con los hombres y mujeres consagrados. Queremos estar agradecidos como una iglesia, y necesitamos aprender cómo agradecerles por los muchos años de dedicado servicio en nuestra iglesia ¿Dónde estaría nuestra iglesia si no fuera por estos hombres y mujeres que han renunciado a tanto por amor a Cristo? Mi oración es que la vida consagrada experimente una renovación y Áorecimiento. Que todos los hombres y mujeres religiosos continúen siendo testigos del Reino de Dios y nos ayuden a poner nuestra esperanza en Dios y en su Reino. que han estado en nuestra diócesis desde el principio y tenemos órdenes que se acaban de unir a nosotros. Sin embargo, las considero una bendición para la vida de la diócesis. Cientos de hombres y mujeres religiosos han trabajado en distintas maneras en nuestras escuelas Católicas, en nuestras parroquias, en nuestros hospitales y en el servicio a los pobres a través del Centro de Texas. Mi esperanza es que los hombres y mujeres religiosos continúen siendo parte de la historia de esta gran diócesis por muchos años. Editora: ¿Cómo pueden las familias y parroquias poner más atención a aquellos que sirven en la vida consagrada? Obispo Vásquez: Una manera simple para que las familias conozcan más sobre las comunidades religiosas es leer sobre la vida de los santos, tales como San Francisco, Santo Domingo, Santa Louisa de Marillac y San Vicente De Paúl. Los Padres de familia pueden también ayudar a sus hijos a entender quiénes son los santos, y ayudar a los niños a apreciar los dones que han dado a la iglesia. Otra cosa que podemos hacer es conocer a los hombres y mujeres religiosos de nuestra diócesis. Los podemos ver en nuestras parroquias, visitarlos, orar con ellos, celebrar Misa con ellos o invitarlos a cenar. Existen grandes oportunidades para nosotros RELIGIOSAS Los institutos religiosos cuyas miembros siguen prácticas más tradicionales (Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious), tales como vestir hábitos completos, tenían un numero similar de mujeres en formación que las órdenes religiosas cuyas miembros siguen prácticas más contemporáneas (Leadership Conference of Women Religious). NÚMERO TOTAL DE RELIGIOSAS EN EE.UU. POR AÑO 1966 1950 1980 1990 2000 2010 147,310 181,421 126,517 102,504 HERMANAS EN EE.UU. POR EDAD 70-79 32 % 60-69 22 % 50-59 6% 40-49 80-89 26 % 90 y mas 11 % 2% 79,814 57,544 2014 49,883 En el 2009, año en que este estudio se basó, las órdenes que constituyen LCWR tenían 73 postulantes, 117 novicias y 317 mujeres que habían hecho votos temporales. Las órdenes que componen CMSWR ese mismo año tenían 73 postulantes, 158 novicias y 304 mujeres que habían hecho votos temporales. La Leadership Conference of Women Religious calcula que el 80% de las religiosas de Estados Unidos pertenece a órdenes afiliadas a LCWR. 40 y menor 1% Fuente: Oficina del Censo de Estados Unidos-Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate © 2014 CNS Graphics ESPAÑOL 24 C ATHOLIC S PIRIT St. Austin recuerda la ‘Noche de los Vidrios Rotos’ POR ENEDELIA J. OBREGÓN CORRESPONSAL Kristallnacht es uno de esos aniversarios que muchos preferirían olvidar pero que son importantes de recordar. La Parroquia de St. Austin ha preferido recordar. Por tres días en noviembre, dicha parroquia en Austin presentó una exhibición multimedia para conmemorar los eventos que se llevaron a cabo a través de Alemania los días 9 y 10 de noviembre de 1938. Esa noche, miles de negocios fueron destruidos, más de 200 sinagogas fueron quemadas y docenas de personas perdieron la vida. La violencia preparó el escenario para el Holocausto, el cual mató a seis millones de los nueve millones de Judíos que vivían en 21 países ocupados por Alemania durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial. El evento original fue llamado Kristallnacht –o la noche de los vidrios rotosporque los pedazos de vidrio estaban en todos lados posteriores al fuego y la destrucción. La policía y los bomberos acudieron a ayudar únicamente establecimientos Cristianos. Los Judíos fueron obligados a limpiar y posteriormente multados con un billón de marcos alemanes por los destrozos. La exhibición Lynn Hayden es la curadora voluntaria quien desarrolló la exhibición por primera vez en el 2000 y después, de nueva cuenta, en el 2001 con la ayuda de la cercana Hillel Foundation for Jewish Campus Life (La Fundación Hillel para la Vida Estudiantil Judía). Este año, la exhibición contiene artículos e información proveniente de la cercana Mezquita de Nueces. El Padre Paulista Charles R. Kullmann, pastor de St. Austin, pensó que era tiempo de presentar otra exhibición en vista de los conÁictos religiosos y la violencia alrededor del mundo. “Es muy real en nuestro mundo y en nuestra comunidad,” dijo. “Necesitamos tomar la oportunidad para entender y educarnos a nosotros mismos sobre la necesidad de ser respetuosos, comprensivos y tolerantes hacia los otros”. El Padre Kullmann dijo que es importante para los Cristianos no aislarnos y aprender sobre otras culturas y fes por que Jesús dijo a sus discípulos “vayan a todas las naciones y proclamen la Buena Nueva”. Él dijo que el Papa Fran- LA EXHIBICIÓN KRISTALLNACHT en la Parroquia de St. Austin se enfocó en la noche del 9-10 de noviembre de 1938 cuando negocios Judíos fueron destruidos e incendiados. (Foto por Enedelia J. Obregón) cisco está también pidiéndonos que compartamos la Buena Nueva. “Se espera que compartamos con otros,” dijo. “Pero la primer cosa que tenemos que hacer es respetar a los demás”. La exhibición comenzó al aire libre con una torre de libros quemados en un área cerca de la entrada a Newman Hall. Docenas de estrellas de David de cerámica creadas por estudiantes de arte de la clase de Diane Hardin de la Escuela St. Austin llenaron la fuente. Cada estrella tenía una inscripción de una persona que pudo haber sido forzada a llevar en su ropa una estrella en la actualidad: personas sin-hogar, con capacidades diferentes, homosexuales, Latinos, Asiáticos e incluso Jesús. Otra torre contenía equipaje maltratado y abrigos para niños y adultos, cada uno tenía cosida una Estrella de David amarilla – como si hubieran sido tirados ahí por sus dueños que nunca regresaron por ellos. Hayden pasó meses juntando materiales y muebles prestados por la St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store (Tienda de Ahorro de la Sociedad St. Vincent de Paul), incluyendo artículos de uso diario tales como platos que fueron rotos y regados cerca del interior Cuarto de Destrucción, el cual estaba rodeado por cinta amarilla de precaución. Ella quemó libros viejos en su chimenea para imitar lo que los Alemanes hicieron en hogares judíos. Estrellas de David gigantes y plastiÀcadas adorn- aron las paredes de uno de los cuartos con la palabra “Judío” en los diferentes lenguajes de los países ocupados por los alemanes. Un marco es especial. Contiene los restos de un uniforme con rayas azules y blancas con la Estrella de David cosida y el número 15774. El número correspondiente habría sido tatuado en el antebrazo de su portador. La reliquia pertenece a Gregg Philipson de la Comisión Texana para el Holocausto. Un video corto con imágenes en blanco y negro de la destrucción de Kristallnacht estaba acompañada por música disonante tratando de imitar el caos y el ruido de vidrio al romperse. Una línea de tiempo del Holocausto ocupó una pared e incluyó una copia inglesa del edicto de la Kristallnacht. La experiencia El Diácono John de la Garza Jr. de la Parroquia de St. Paul the Apostle en la Bahía de Horseshoe fue uno de los primeros visitantes. “Es forzoso sentirnos incómodos cuando vemos esto,” dijo. Muchos Cristianos, agregó, no hicieron nada por detener la violencia contra los Judíos. Él citó a la sobreviviente del Holocausto Elie Wiesel: “Lo que lastima más a la víctima no es la crueldad del opresor, sino el silencio del espectador”. El Diácono de la Garza dijo que tenemos que aprender a vivir de tal manera que no seamos espectadores. “Nosotros (los Católicos) tendemos a aislarnos mucho. Pero Jesús no era una persona que se aislaba. Y tampoco lo es el Papa Francisco,” dijo. Con mucha frecuencia, nos sentimos cómodos en nuestras tradiciones, dijo el Diácono de la Garza. Cualquier cosa o cualquiera que parece diferente es visto como una amenaza, aumentando nuestros miedos. “Ese miedo nos lleva a tener pensamientos y acciones inhumanas,” dijo. Algunos de estos estudiantes de la escuela participaron como guías o voluntarios y vieron la exhibición antes que el resto de los estudiantes. Entre ellos hubo muchos estudiantes de séptimo grado. “Es triste que la gente haya muerto sólo por su fe,” dijo Joshua Esparza. Elissa Atkinson pensó que el Cuarto de Destrucción era el más aterrador. “Es un ejemplo de una casa destruida,” dijo. “Eso sería muy aterrador si fuera mi casa. Fue horrible que nadie hizo nada para ayudar”. Hayden Covert dijo que no había sabido qué tan esparcido había sido el Holocausto hasta que vio las Estrellas de David de tantos países. Historia Un póster explicó que los Judíos, Cristianos y Musulmanes habían una vez vivido en una paz relativa en los reinos que eventualmente se convirtieron en la España uniÀcada. La medicina, la ciencia, las artes y el comercio Áorecieron desde 711 hasta alrededor de 1031, coincidi- endo con la Edad Media en la Europa Oriental. Esto terminó para siempre con la conquista militar de los Musulmanes por parte de España y la expulsión de los Judíos en 1492 por el Rey Fernando y la Reina Isabel. La exhibición incluyó música y objetos religiosos reÁejando la inÁuencia de las tres fes. Lo que llenó a Hayden de esperanza es el “Besa,” un libro por Norman H. German sobre Musulmanes albaneses que salvaron a miles de Judíos durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial. Besa, que signiÀca “mantener la promesa,” es un código de ética profundamente enraizado en la cultura albanesa e incorporado en su fe musulmana que demanda responsabilidad por la vida de otros en tiempos de necesidad. No hacerlo así trae gran vergüenza y deshonor no sólo a un individuo pero a la familia también. “No sabíamos de ello por el Comunismo,” dijo Hayden, reÀriéndose al Comunismo que se impuso en el país después de la guerra. “Ellos ven su casa como la casa de Dios, y aceptan a un extraño en ella como si fuera de la familia”. De acuerdo a Yad Vashem, Albania fue el único país europeo con una mayoría Musulmana y perdió miembros de sólo una familia Judía durante el Holocausto. Los albanos dieron a los Judíos documentos de identiÀcación falsos y los Judíos vivieron abiertamente con la población Musulmana. Hacia el Ànal de la guerra, Albania tenía más Judíos que al principio de la guerra. December 2014 ESPAÑOL Obispos aprueban incisos de liturgia, realizan elecciones POR CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE Aunque no hubo actividad en la agenda de los obispos estadounidenses en Baltimore sobre la inmigración, la pobreza ni otros asuntos de política pública, el presidente de su conferencia dijo el 11 de noviembre que tiene la esperanza de reunirse pronto con el presidente Barack Obama y los líderes de la Cámara y el Senado para discutir sobre varios temas. En una breve declaración durante la asamblea general de otoño de la Conferencia Estadounidense de Obispos Católicos (USCCB), el Arzobispo Joseph E. Kurtz de Louisville, Kentucky, dijo que había escuchado sobre esos asuntos de parte de muchos obispos y que tiene la esperanza de complementar, consultando con los políticos, el trabajo que los comités y el personal de la USCCB están realizando sobre tales asuntos. Él dijo a Catholic News Service que tiene la intención de procurar una reunión con el presidente y los líderes del Congreso tan pronto como diciembre. En otras acciones durante la reunión realizada del 10 al 13 de noviembre los obispos: • Aprobaron varios incisos litúrgicos en inglés, incluyendo una traducción revisada del libro del ritual usado cuando una nueva iglesia es construida o cuando se hace un nuevo altar, así como la primera traducción oÀcial al inglés del libro “Exorcisms and Related Supplications” y un complemento a la Liturgia de las Horas, que es una traducción al inglés de las oraciones usadas para las Àestas de santos que han sido añadidos desde 1984 al calendario general. • Votaron a favor de proceder con una revisión de una sección de las Directivas Éticas y Religiosas para los Servicios Médicos Católicos lidiando con asociaciones. • Aprobaron un presupuesto para el 2015, un poco menor a los $189.5 millones. También votaron sobre un aumento del 3 por ciento en el gravamen diocesano para el 2016, pero la votación se quedó corta de la mayoría de dos tercios, o 197 obispos, necesaria para aprobarlo. Se consultará a los miembros elegibles ausentes de la reunión de Baltimore para determinar la votación Ànal. El obispo Michael F. Burbidge de Raleigh, Carolina del Norte, director del Comité Sobre el Clero, la Vida Consagrada y las Vocaciones, hizo una presentación sobre las recién revisadas directrices para recibir ministros pastorales en Estados Unidos. Él dijo que ya que el número de sacerdotes y ministros pastorales de otros países aumenta en Estados Unidos, el recurso, ahora en su tercera edición, provee información para las diócesis, eparquías y comunidades religiosas para preparar ministros internacionales para su servicio y ayudar las comunidades que los reciben. Los obispos también escucharon un informe sobre el trabajo de los varios comités –– pro-vida, justicia nacional, justicia internacional, evangelización y libertad de culto –– que juntos están intentando precisar qué están pensando los Católicos en las bancas y por qué aceptan o ignoran la enseñanza eclesiástica. La compilación de los vastos datos está siendo ensamblada para que los obispos la lean y también será retransmitida en algunas series de talleres. Uno de los principales hallazgos del estudio, que los Católicos quieren saber más sobre su credo, ha provocado planes para una convocatoria en 2017 en Orlando, Florida, durante la semana del 4 de Julio. Al considerar las directrices éticas de los obispos para los servicios médicos Católicos, la discusión se enfocó en si revisar o no la Parte 6, sobre “formar nuevas alianzas con organizaciones de servicios médicos”. Esto tomará en cuenta los principios sugeridos por la Congregación Para la Doctrina de la Fe, del Vaticano. Una vez completada, la revisión será presentada a los obispos para aprobación Ànal. En cuanto a las elecciones, el arzobispo Gregory M. Aymond de Nueva Orleans ganó el puesto de secretario electo. Los directores electos del comité son: el cardenal Timothy M. Dolan de Nueva York, actividades pro vida; el obispo auxiliar Christopher J. Coyne de Indianápolis, comunicaciones; el arzobispo Gustavo GarcíaSiller de San Antonio, diversidad cultural; el arzobispo Allen H. Vigneron de Detroit, doctrina; el arzobispo Thomas J. Rodi de Mobile, Alabama, colectas nacionales. Cada uno asumirá su puesto el próximo noviembre para un término de tres años. La reunión incluyó informes sobre el recientemente realizado Sínodo extraordinario de los Obispos Sobre la Familia, la educación Católica y la extensión hacia los estudiantes hispanos en comunidades mal servidas, el progreso de la planiÀcación del Encuentro Mundial de las Familias del 2015 en FiladelÀa, el estado del plan estratégico 2013-16 de la USCCB titulado “The New Evangelization: Faith, Worship, Witness” (“La Nueva Evangelización: Fe, Culto Divino, Testimonio”), La Quincena para la Libertad de 2015 y la defensa del matrimonio. Varios obispos que participaron en el sínodo hablaron de sus experiencias allí y también las discutieron en una de las tres conferencias de prensa durante las sesiones públicas de la reunión. El cardenal Dolan dijo en una conferencia de prensa que consideraba los reportes sobre el sínodo como “de confrontación y divisivos” y en conÁicto con sus impresiones. “En el que estábamos fue escasamente tan picante (y) jugoso,” dijo. 25 El obispo Oscar Cantú de Las Cruces, Nuevo México, informó sobre una peregrinación de oración por la paz de 12 días a Tierra Santa en septiembre. Dieciocho obispos visitaron lugares sagrados del cristianismo, el judaísmo y el islamismo y se reunieron con personas que les ayudaron a entender las luchas de los pueblos de cada credo. “Sabemos que la paz es posible,” dijo el obispo Cantú, “porque Dios es nuestra esperanza”. Pero “después de otra guerra en Gaza la esperanza escasea. Lo que se necesita ahora es la transformación de los corazones humanos, de modo que los corazones de un lado sean menos sordos ante las preocupaciones del otro”. El arzobispo William E. Lori de Baltimore, director del Comité Ad Hoc Para la Libertad de Culto, dijo que el comité, extendido por otros tres años, planiÀca enfocarse más en enseñar y expandir las redes con grupos laicos Católicos y socios interreligiosos y ecuménicos. Él dijo que las amenazas contra la libertad de culto siguen siendo una gran preocupación. Pastoral support for victims of sexual abuse The Diocese of Austin is committed to providing con¿dential and compassionate care to victims of sexual abuse, particularly if the abuse was committed by clergy or a church representative. If you have experienced abuse by someone representing the Catholic Church, please contact the diocesan coordinator of pastoral care at (512) 949-2400. Apoyo pastoral a las víctimas de abuso sexual La Diócesis de Austin se compromete a proporcionar ayuda con¿dencial y compasiva a las víctimas de abuso sexual, especialmente si el abuso fue cometido por el clero o un representante de la iglesia. Si usted ha sufrido abusos por parte de alguien que representa la Iglesia Católica, por favor comuníquese con el coordinador diocesano del cuidado pastoral al (512) 949-2400. How to report an incident of concern The Diocese of Austin is committed to preventing harm from happening to any of our children or vulnerable adults. If you are aware of sexual or physical abuse and/or neglect of a child or vulnerable adult, state law requires you to report that information to local law enforcement or the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services at (800) 252-5400 or www.dfps.state.tx.us. Additionally, if the suspected abuse is by clergy or an employee or volunteer of any diocesan parish, school or agency, a Notice of Concern should be submitted to the diocesan Ethics and Integrity in Ministry Of¿ce at (512) 949-2400. The Notice of Concern can be found at www.austindiocese.org (click on the link HOW TO REPORT ABUSE). Reports may be made anonymously. Cómo reportar un caso de abuso La Diócesis de Austin está comprometida con la prevención del daño que se cause a cualquier niño o adulto vulnerable. Si usted está enterado del abuso sexual o físico y/o abandono de un niño o adulto vulnerable, la ley estatal requiere que se reporte esa información a la policía local o al Departamento de Servicios Familiares y de Protección del Estado de Texas al (800) 252-5400 o al sitio: www.dfps.state.tx.us y además, si la sospecha de abuso es por parte del clero, empleado o voluntario de cualquier parroquia, escuela u organización de la diócesis, se debe enviar un Reporte de Abuso y debe ser presentado a la O¿cina de Ética e Integridad en el Ministerio de la diócesis al (512) 949-2400. El Reporte de Abuso se encuentra en nuestra página de Internet diocesana: www.austindiocese.org ( Haga click en la liga COMO REPORTAR UN CASO DE ABUSO). Estos reportes pueden ser hechos de manera anónima. ESPAÑOL 26 C ATHOLIC S PIRIT Obispos de Texas ofrecen dirección sobre asuntos del Àn de la vida POR PEGGY MORACZEWSKI CORRESPONSAL La Conferencia Católica de Texas (TCC por sus siglas en inglés) ofreció un evento recientemente sobre asuntos del Àn de la vida en la Universidad de St. Edward’s en Austin. Mesas formadas por religiosos distinguidos e individuos profesionales educaron a los asistentes sobre políticas de cuidados del Àn de la vida y cuidado pastoral. La TCC es la voz pública de los obispos Católicos de Texas. Este particular foro abordó la Ley de Texas de Directivas Anticipadas (Texas Advance Directives Act en inglés, conocida como TADA) aprobada en 1999 y comunicaron cómo un proyecto de ley, tal como el Proyecto de ley del Senado 303 (conocido como SB303), fortalecería la TADA original. SB303 fue aprobada por el Senado de Texas en 2013, pero no llegó a presentarse en la Casa de Representantes antes del Ànal de la sesión legislativa. Un nuevo proyecto de ley, con un nuevo número, será introducido durante la sesión de 2015. El Obispo Mark Seitz de la Diócesis del Paso proveyó de algunos antecedentes, explicando que, a pesar de que la (TADA de 1999) ley no es perfecta, los obispos y los grupos pro-vida apoyaron la ley, viéndola como legislación incremental. “La estructura de la ley provee de la protección básica y busca respetar la dignidad humana,” dijo. Un conÁicto con la enseñanza Católica ocurre por que, de acuerdo a la ley de Texas, la alimentación artiÀcial y la hidratación pueden ser suspendidas”. San Juan Pablo II proveyó claridad sobre los tratamientos de sostenimiento de la vida: un hombre, incluso seriamente enfermo o incapacitado en el ejercicio de sus funciones más altas, es y siempre será un hombre, y nunca se convertirá en un “vegetal” o un “animal”. La persona enferma en un estados vegetativo, esperando recuperarse o una muerte natural, todavía tiene el derecho a cuidados médicos básicos (nutrición, hidratación, limpieza, calor, etc.), de acuerdo al Congreso Internacional sobre “Tratamientos de Sustentación de la Vida y el Estado Vegetativo: Avances CientíÀcos y Dilemas Éticos de 2004. Panelistas individuales se enfocaron en componentes especíÀcos del tópico general. El Obispo Michael Olson de la Diócesis de Fort Worth, y Jennifer Carr Allmon, directora asociada de la TCC, compartió puntos actuales de la ley que se encuentran retando criterios objetivos esenciales que mejorarían la ley. Usando la SB303 como un ejemplo de los cambios recomendados a la TADA, el Obispo Olson declarado que, “mientras que está lejos de ser una propuesta perfecta, (la propuesta) es una gran mejoría a la ley actual y sin ella nunca podremos avanzar en la protección de los derechos básicos de los enfermos crónicos y los discapacitados. Es una medida importante contra el movimiento a favor de la eutanasia y el suicidio asistido. Está fundamentalmente en consorcio con la enseñanza moral Católica”. Más allá del asunto de la nutrición y la hidratación, Allmon dijo que es muy problemático que la ley no discute las órdenes de no resucitación (DNR por sus siglas en inglés) y la ley también necesita clariÀcar asuntos relacionados a la revisión de un comité de ética. Como co-presidente del Comité de Ética del Centro Médico Seton, el cardiólogo Doctor. David Zientek, proveyó información sobre qué tan estresantes son los asuntos del Àn de la vida para todos los involucrados, incluyendo para el paciente moribundo, la familia y los amigos, los doctores y el personal hospitalario. Los casos presentados al comité de ética son raros y la vasta mayoría de las decisiones son tomadas al lado de la cama del paciente. El orador principal, el Doctor John M. Haas, presidente del Centro Nacional Católico de Bioética (NCBC por sus siglas en inglés), enfatizó la dignidad intrínseca de la persona humana. “No eliminamos el sufrimiento al eliminar a la persona que está sufriendo”, dijo. El señaló que como Católicos, nos convertimos en uno sólo con Cristo y unimos nuestro dolor con su sufrimiento en el Calvario. En el caso de una persona cerca del Àn de la vida, el cuidado paliativo es el adecuado y el fomentado por el Catecismo de la Iglesia Católica. El cuidado pastoral para los asuntos del Àn de la vida completó el círculo de la discusión. El Obispo Joseph Strickland de la Diócesis de Tyler, dijo, “el cuidado pastoral se trata de la relación. De recordar con quién estamos lidiando, que esa hermosa criatura de Dios necesita mantenerse sagrada, incluso hasta la muerte. Ello involucra caminar con la familia y el individuo a través del proceso de la enfermedad hasta el momento en el que, por la decisión de Dios, la vida cesa”. El Diácono Charlie Stump, director de servicios pastorales de la Diócesis de Dallas, compartió su experiencia extensiva y su entendimiento del cuidado de los moribundos. Él generosamente ofreció compartir su presentación sobre Directivas Anticipadas con cualquier parroquia interesada en comenzar un Ministerio de Cuidado Pastoral. El Padre Louis Brussati, profesor asociado de la Universidad de St. Edward’s y miembro del Comité de Ética de Seton, recordó a los asistentes que el soltar la vida es muy diferente para mucha gente. De una época temprana, durante su entrenamiento pastoral en el Hospital Barnes en Saint Louis, Mo; él recordó el terror en los ojos de un hombre moribundo quien no tenía creencia alguna. Su consejo compasivo incluyó decir, “está bien soltarse; Dios está ahí”. Recursos para pacientes, familias y sustitutos, se encuentran disponibles a través del NCBC en www.ncbcenter. org. Los recursos incluyen una “Guía Católica para las Decisiones del Fin de la Vida,” una línea de ayuda con servicios de consultoría gratuitos y un formato de Poder Legal Católico Durable. Para mayor y más detallada información sobre las enseñanzas Católicas sobre Directivas Anticipadas, vaya a www.txcatholic-advance-directives.org. La Iglesia ofrece oraciones, mexicanos expresan indignación por estudiantes desaparecidos POR DAVID AGREN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE El Cardenal Norberto Rivera Carrera de Ciudad de México ofreció oraciones durante una Misa el 9 de noviembre por los 43 estudiantes de Magisterio de México, de quienes las autoridades dicen que fueron capturados por policías corruptos, asesinados por el crimen organizado y cuyos cuerpos fueron quemados. La conferencia episcopal mexicana, mientras tanto, emitió una declaración de solidaridad con las familias, que se niegan a aceptar las explicaciones de las autoridades y continúan pidiendo que sus hijos sean traídos de vuelta vivos. “Uniendo nuestra voz a la vuestra y a la de toda la sociedad, decimos: ¡Basta ya de tanta corrupción, impunidad y violencia!” dijeron los obispos en una declaración el 7 de noviembre. “Pedimos a las autoridades llevar la investigación hasta sus últimas consecuencias para que se conozca con certeza lo que ha sido de los desaparecidos y se sancione con todo el peso de la ley a los autores intelectuales y materiales”, continuó la declaración. “Así mismo, exigimos hacer valer el estado de derecho para poner Àn a toda forma de violencia, actividad ilícita, corrupción, impunidad, nexos y complicidad de algunas autoridades con el crimen organizado”. Los mexicanos han salido a las calles condenando los crímenes y la aparente colusión entre los criminales y la clase política en algunas partes del país. Las protestas y la indig- nación están entre las más fuertes en años recientes y reÁejan la ira contra la inseguridad continua en el país. Muchos han adoptado el lema “Ya me cansé”, haciendo eco de un comentario improvisado del procurador general de México, Jesús Murillo Karam, después de una conferencia de prensa del 7 de noviembre, quien ha sido interpretado por muchos como insensato. “Fue la paja que quebró el espinazo del camello”, dijo el padre jesuita Conrado Zepeda, quien celebró Misa el 4 de noviembre en la Universidad Iberoamericana, operada por los jesuitas, para los estudiantes y cuatro parientes de los desaparecidos. “Tiene que ver con los jóvenes, los estudiantes, los pobres, gente que no puede defenderse al ser atacada de esta manera. Es por esto que la sociedad civil se ha rebelado”. Las autoridades arrestaron a José Luis Abarca, alcalde de Iguala, y a su esposa, María de los Ángeles Pineda, el 4 de noviembre en Ciudad de México, alegando que él ordenó el ataque contra los estudiantes. La pareja reclamó que los estudiantes venían a protestar en un evento comunitario planiÀcado por Pineda. Compañeros de clases dijeron que los estudiantes fueron a Iguala, a 120 millas al sur de Ciudad de México, para recaudar fondos para un futuro viaje a la capital, pero que la policía había disparado contra sus autobuses prestados, detenido a 43 de los estudiantes de Magisterio y los entregó a los miembros de la pandilla Guerreros Unidos. Murillo puntualizó los detalles el 7 de noviembre diciendo que tres miembros de la pandilla confesaron haber quemado los cuerpos en un vertedero de basura. Seis bolsas de cenizas y huesos han sido descubiertas en el lugar. Las familias de los estudiantes desaparecidos se niegan a creerle al gobierno y dijeron que solamente aceptarán evidencia presentada por los expertos forenses argentinos que trabajan en el caso. El Padre Víctor Manuel Aguilar, portavoz de la Diócesis de Chilpancingo-Chilapa, donde está ubicada la escuela de los estudiantes, dijo que la desconÀanza viene de una infeliz historia de abusos de los derechos humanos en el estado de Guerrero, que está al sur de Ciudad de México y lleno de comunidades pobres indígenas que han sido explotadas y empujadas hacia los márgenes de la sociedad durante siglos. “La justicia a menudo se retrasa ... si tan siquiera llega”, él dijo. SITINGS December 2014 27 THE YOUTH GROUP from St. Joseph Parish in Cyclone prepared the cemetery for the annual Veteran’s Day celebration. (Photo courtesy Brenda Maddux) CATHOLICS from Fayetteville and Ellinger prayed the rosary on Oct. 11 at the old ¿rehouse in town square. (Photo courtesy Madeline Kovar) CHURCH OF THE VISITATION in Westphalia participated in the 2014 Life Chain in Lott. (Photo courtesy Bill Reid) SECOND GRADERS from St. Austin Catholic School celebrated All Saints Day with a presentation of saints and songs during the school Mass. St. Austin also hosted its sixth annual St. Austin City Lights Gala on Nov. 1. (Photos courtesy Keili Smith) CHILDREN from St. Francis on the Brazos Waco participated in All Saints Day celebrations dressed as their favorite saint. (Photo courtesy Orlando Salas) SACRED HEART CATHOLIC SCHOOL in La Grange celebrated All Saints Day. The pre-Kindergarteners dressed as saints and sang “When the Saints Go Marching In.” (Photo courtesy Pam Keilers) PRE-KINDERGARTENERS at St. Louis Catholic School in Waco recently made applesauce during class. (Photo courtesy Brandy Kramolis) THE BOY SCOUT TROOP from St. Ignatius Parish in Austin opened the parish’s Fall Fest with a Àag ceremony. (Photo courtesy Irene Rivers) ST. JOHN VIANNEY PARISH in Round Rock held its annual Vianney Fest on Oct. 26. (Photos courtesy Rilla Chaka) PURE FASHION held a “Desserts with Dad” event in October. The participants are preparing for a fashion show of trendy, yet tasteful clothing for local stores. (Photo courtesy Mary Johnson) Send photos by the 10th of the month to [email protected]. 28 C ATHOLIC S PIRIT SITINGS THE DIOCESE OF AUSTIN golf team took second place in the fourth annual Annunciation Maternity Home Golf Tournament on Oct. 28. (Photo courtesy Alyssia Woods) THE DRAMA DEPARTMENT at St. Michael’s Catholic Academy captured the district championship for the TAPPS Division II District III One-Act Play contest on Nov. 8. (Photo courtesy Andrea Campana) MANY GATHERED for the annual Longhorn Catholic Tailgate held Nov. 8 at the University Catholic Center in Austin. HENRY FINCH and Jose Rodriguez, seminarians from the Diocese of Austin, were recently installed as lectors at the Ponti¿cal College Josephinum in Ohio. Seminarians installed as lectors typically are ¿rst-year theologians and are commissioned to proclaim the Word of God in the liturgical assembly and to catechize the faithful. (Photo by Ryan Jurden) LONGHORN AWAKENING celebrated 25 years of retreats with a Mass at the University Catholic Center and picnic at Zilker Park on Nov. 9. (Photos courtesy UCC) THE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION students from St. Mary Parish in San Saba participated in a Àoating balloon rosary. The students began the evening by releasing individual balloons with the names of loved ones who have died. (Photo courtesy Michael Bohensky) STUDENTS FROM Santa Cruz Catholic School in Buda celebrated All Saints Day and the school broke ground on their new building. (Photos courtesy Ted Urban) THE GUADALUPANAS attended the Federation of Guadalupanos Archdiocese of San Antonio 2014 State Convention on Oct. 25. The theme was Our Lady of Guadalupe Eucharistic Woman and Model for Evangelization. (Photo courtesy Anna G. Hernandez) CHILDREN from Ascension Parish in Bastrop dressed as Mary and St. Joseph to commemorate All Saints Day. (Photo courtesy Maria Barbato) AN AUSTIN GROUP is working to raise funds to build a church for Our Lady of Good Health Parish in the small village of Manjakuttai in Tamil Nadu, India. STEPHANIE NELSON, a parishioner at St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Austin, began the organization after visiting Father Raj Manickam, former associate pastor of St. Catherine, in September 2013. Visit www.partnersolgh.org to learn more about the organization. (Photos courtesy Melissa Reaves) BISHOP JOE VÁSQUEZ celebrated the sacrament of con¿rmation Oct. 12 at St. Margaret Parish in Giddings. Afterwards, the bishop and Father Jim Olnhausen broke ground on the parish’s new religious education building. (Photo courtesy Martha Bettis) Send photos by the 10th of the month to [email protected].