here - Diocese of Austin

FEBRUARY 2014
T H E
V O L U M E 3 2, N U M B E R 2
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
Austin priest ordained bishop of San Angelo
faced recently when appointed
Bishop of the Diocese of San
Angelo. Newly ordained and
installed on Jan. 27, Bishop Sis
Saying farewell to longtime considers it a “great privilege”
friends is never easy, and this is to be one of the Àrst bishops
the dilemma Bishop Michael Sis appointed by Pope Francis.
BY PEGGY MORACZEWSKI
CORRESPONDENT
Periodical
Postage Paid
at Austin, Texas
BISHOP MICHAEL SIS was ordained and installed as
the sixth bishop of the Diocese of San Angelo on Jan.
27 at the Junell Center on the campus of Angelo State
University in San Angelo. (Photo by Shelley Metcalf)
Austin Diocese
6225 Hwy. 290 East
Austin, Texas 78723
BISHOP’S
INTERVIEW
Bishop Vásquez describes the process of
being named and
ordained a bishop.
Page 17
This “great privilege” was
only enhanced by the presence
of his father, Raymond, a permanent deacon, serving at his
ordination. Bishop Sis said, “It
probably has not happened very
often that a father has served as
a deacon at his son’s ordination
as bishop!”
His parents, Dr. Raymond
and Janice Sis, said, “This is a
very exciting time for our family.
We are pleased and blessed that
Pope Francis has bestowed this
honor on Michael. Throughout
his life he has always had a very
positive, loving spirit and has
always been committed to serving others.”
Having served in the Diocese of Austin since his priestly
ordination in 1986, Bishop Sis
stated frankly, “I have invested
my life in the Diocese of Austin
and leaving causes a sense of
grieving and loss. I have loved
the people of this diocese. But,
in obedience we go where we
are sent, and the community of
faith continues. The center of
the whole picture is Jesus Christ,
not a particular priest or bishop.
Jesus is always there for us, no
matter where we go.”
Bishop Sis is the fourth of
five children and at the time
of his birth in 1960, the family
was living in Mount Holly, N.J.,
where his father was stationed
at McGuire Air Force Base.
The family relocated to Bryan-
College Station when his father,
Raymond, became a professor
at the Texas A&M University
College of Veterinary Medicine.
Michael was 6 years old and
entered Àrst grade at St. Joseph’s
Catholic School in Bryan. Little
did he know, as the future Father David Konderla and he
made their First Communion
together in 1968 that many years
later they would work together
as priests in Catholic campus
ministry in College Station.
Bryan was a friendly community and Bishop Sis said,
“It had a small-town feel to it
and you could not go anywhere
without seeing someone you
knew.” The Sis children played
outside a lot, and they had many
pets over the years. Animals
brought home by his dad would
soon become family pets …
dogs, cats, rabbits, gerbils.
Growing up in a Catholic household, young Michael
learned about his faith through
the example of his parents. As
a young couple, Raymond and
Janice participated in the Christian Family Movement (CFM)
where they realized the importance of building their marriage
upon their Catholic faith.
“They were always very active in parish life and my mom
served as Coordinator of Religious Education,” Bishop Sis
said.
Although initially he at-
tended St. Joseph Catholic
School, the majority of his elementary and high school years
were spent in the Bryan Public
Schools. It was in fourth or Àfth
grade religious education class
when his teacher, a student at
Texas A&M, “had a tremendous
impact on my prayer life and I
do not even recall her name. She
talked to us about developing a
personal friendship with Jesus.
I had never thought about this
before and it really affected me,”
Bishop Sis said.
When he was 13, Father
Raymond Brezna suggested he
consider the priesthood. Then,
in the summers of 1973, 1974
and 1976, he attended a weeklong retreat called “Explore” at
St. Mary’s Seminary in Houston.
Priests and seminarians ran the
retreat, prayed with them, and
gave teens a preview of life in
the seminary. Today there are
many priests throughout the
state of Texas who attended
“Explore” in Houston during
their high school years.
High school friends became
lifetime friends. Participating in
student council and band (alto
sax), parish programs, and as
an altar server, Bishop Sis said,
“I met these fun, nice young
people at St. Anthony’s in Bryan
and observed them living their
Catholic faith. They had a wonSee SIS on Page 3
CATHOLIC
BUILD
MARCHING FOR
LIFE
Austin parishes work
together with Habitat
for Humanity.
Page 5
Thousands brave frigid
temperatures in support
of life.
Page 8
ESPAÑOL
Pareja conoce las
bondades de
Encuentro
Matrimonial.
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 March issue is Feb. 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.
VOICES
C ATHOLIC S PIRIT
ReÁecting through the camera lens
profound sense of love and pride that Deacon Ray
and Janice Sis displayed for their son.
What a blessed celebration for a “native son” of
the Austin Diocese. As a witness to many ordinaI was able to attend the ordination and instal- tions, it is a beautiful thing when a son becomes a
lation of Bishop Michael J. Sis on Jan. 27 in San priest, but it is even more so when a priest becomes
Angelo. It was a beautiful Mass!
a bishop. May God bless Bishop Sis and the people
With the many bishops, priests and people of San Angelo!
from all over, there were many memorable moments throughout the liturgy.
However, my favorite memories are
seen here through the lens of my camera. The love and respect that Bishop
Sis has for his parents were evident as
he processed in at the beginning of the
Mass, as his father (Deacon Ray Sis)
read the Gospel, as he shared the sign
of peace with his family, as he offered
the Eucharist to his mother (Janice), as
he blessed his family, and as he shared
a laugh with his father at the conclusion
of the Mass. Equally as evident was the
BY SHELLEY METCALF
CATHOLIC SPIRIT STAFF
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.
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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.
HOW TO SUBSCRIBE
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send check payable to Catholic Spirit to CATHOLIC SPIRIT,
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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, Mary Lou Gibson and
Rev. Tadeusz Pacholczyk, Ph.D.
Correspondents: Burnie Cook, Amy 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.
BISHOP MICHAEL SIS
gives Communion to his
mother, Janice, in the photo
at top right. In photo above,
he blessed his parents before proceeding throughout
the Junell Center to bless
all those who attended the
Mass. In photo at right, the
new bishop shares a light
moment with his father,
Deacon Ray Sis, at the end
of the Mass. (Photos by
Shelley Metcalf)
OfÀcial appointments
• Schoenstatt Father Patricio Rodriguez as
parochial vicar of Emmaus, Church of the Resurrection Parish in Lakeway, effective Dec. 1, 2013.
• Father Ramiro Tarazona as pastor of Ascension Parish in Bastrop effective Jan. 1, 2014.
• Father Javier Toscano as administrator of St.
Mary in San Saba and St. Peter in Goldthwaite effective Jan. 1, 2014.
• Deacon Frank Monroe has been granted
retirement status, effective Nov. 30, 2013.
• Deacon Elias Moran to San José Parish in
Austin, effective Dec. 1, 2013.
• Deacon Gary Perkins to St. Albert the
Great Parish in Austin, effective Dec. 1, 2013.
• Deacon Marc GrifÀn to St. Mary Parish in
Taylor, effective Jan. 17, 2014.
Correction
The Columbian Squire article on Page 5 of
the January issue of the Catholic Spirit failed to
mention there is also a Columbian Squire Circle
at St. Ignatius Martyr Parish in Austin. It was
established in 2012. We apologize for the omission.
February 2014
CENTRAL TEXAS
3
Bishop Sis takes the helm of San Angelo Diocese
SIS
Continued from Page 1
derful, active prayer life, a devotion to God and the sacraments,
and they had a big impact on
my life. It’s a blessing that we’ve
kept in touch, and I’ve been
able to baptize some of their
children.”
Over the years, various
people influenced Michael’s
faith; one of these people
is Msgr. Don Sawyer, who
currently serves as pastor of
Our Lady’s Maronite Catholic
Church in Austin. He was the
associate pastor at St. Anthony Parish in Bryan and served
in the parish youth program
when Michael participated.
“Regular participation in
CYO, a Catholic social and
service group for teens, as
well as CCD classes, may have
had the greatest impact on my
faith development,” Bishop
Sis said.
Msgr. Sawyer said, “I always looked at my role to
mentor others, giving them
encouragement and helping
them to discover where the
Lord was calling them. What
is important is that each person goes and does what God
wants of them.”
Leaving the comfort of his
Texas home, Michael travelled
north to the University of
Notre Dame/Moreau Seminary in South Bend, Ind. He
found new opportunities to
grow as an individual, becoming an avid racquetball player
while in college, a sport he
continues to play. But, more
importantly, his faith continued to grow.
“I was a thousand miles
from home and, trusting in
God, found a context for
THE NEWLY
ORDAINED
BISHOP
MICHAEL SIS
gives the
“gig ‘em” sign
as he blesses
the crowd
gathered for
his ordination
as bishop of
San Angelo on
Jan. 27. (Photo
by Shelley
Metcalf)
growing in prayer, including
Marian prayer at the grotto on
the campus of Notre Dame.
My relationship with Mary
grew a lot and remains an important part of my life,” Bishop Sis said.
As a Moreau seminarian,
Michael resided in the seminary and attended classes on
the campus of Notre Dame.
Later, when he went to study
Theology at the North American College in Rome, his relationship with God continued
to develop. He did the 19th
Annotated Spiritual Exercises
of St. Ignatius of Loyola with
the guidance of his spiritual
director, Msgr. Jim McNamara, a priest of the Rockville Centre Diocese. Recently,
in a message to the people
of the Diocese of San Angelo, Msgr. McNamara said,
“You are truly getting a gem
of a Christian and a gem of a
priest. He (Bishop Sis) will be
a wonderful bishop and shepherd for all in the Diocese of
San Angelo.”
After ordination in 1986,
Father Sis was able to grow
in his Spanish language skills
as he ministered to the parishioners of Cristo Rey Parish in East Austin. He also
served at St. Mary Cathedral
in downtown Austin and devoted more than 13 years to
St. Mary Catholic Center in
College Station as associate
pastor and pastor. Under his
guidance, the campus ministry
program at St. Mary Catholic
Center at Texas A&M University (www.aggiecatholic.org)
grew to play a substantial role
in establishing the Diocese of
Austin as fertile ground for
vocations to the priesthood,
the religious life, and strong
Catholic marriages.
THE BOOK OF THE
GOSPELS (photo at left)
is held over the head of
Bishop Michael Sis as
Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller says the Prayer of
Ordination. In photo below,
Bishop Joe Vásquez prays
for Bishop Sis in the laying
on of hands during the ordination. (Photos by Shelley
Metcalf)
Bishop Sis said,
in regard to his experiences in Catholic
campus ministry, “We
built on strong foundations that were laid
by those who came
before us. We listened
to young people and
tried to involve them
in Ànding solutions.”
Friend and coworker at St. Mary
Catholic Center, Father David
Konderla said, “He (Bishop
Sis) is a very humble man, a
man of deep prayer and has
a beautiful pastor’s heart. I
don’t know anyone who
works as hard as he does, and
I believe he will be an excellent teacher for the people
in San Angelo. I also believe
that he will be successful in
attracting vocations to priesthood and religious life in that
diocese.”
Leaving College Station in
2005, Father Sis returned to
Austin to serve as diocesan
Vocation Director and since
that time has also served as
pastor at St. Thomas More
Parish in Austin and, most
recently, as Vicar General and
Moderator of the Curia for
the Austin Diocese.
“I learned a tremendous
amount from Bishop Joe
Vásquez and my colleagues
on the diocesan staff regarding the administration of a
diocese,” he said. He will carry
this knowledge with him to
his new position as Bishop of
San Angelo.
Bishop Sis loves to travel,
and that is a good thing, because his new diocese covers
37,000 square miles in 29 counties. His predecessor, Bishop
Emeritus Michael Pfeifer, averaged 47,000 miles of travel per
year and logged a million miles
during his tenure as bishop.
Interestingly, the two bishops
share a common Àrst name, so
the people of the Diocese of
San Angelo will have continuity
in expressing their prayers for
their bishop.
Prior to leaving Austin,
Bishop Sis said he was looking
forward to “listening to the
priests and people of the Diocese of San Angelo, learning
about their lives and walking
with them in faith. Moving
into this new assignment feels
sort of like driving down a
country road at night with my
headlights on. The headlights
only illuminate a little piece
of the road in front of me.
What lies further ahead is an
unknown mystery. But, I trust
that God is already there, in
that unknown place, and I
look forward to discovering
him there.”
Understanding that transitions of leadership are not always easy to accept, Bishop Michael offered these reÁections:
“Everyone who comes to Àll a
role in ministry brings a unique
set of talents and skills. God
Ànds a way to use those gifts
to Àll the needs of the people.
In a time of transition, such as
this, when a priest leaves us, we
give thanks for the gifts received
through his ministry, we let go
of him as he joins himself to a
new community, and we welcome his successor with open
minds and open hearts. We
allow God to use him with his
own unique set of gifts and insights as a humble instrument.”
Bishop Joe Vásquez, who
was born, raised and ordained
in the Diocese of San Angelo,
offered these words of encouragement to Bishop Sis, “I think
you will be happy there. They
are very good people.” And, in
turn, the Diocese of San Angelo
has been blessed with a very
good person in Bishop Sis.
“As the people of the Diocese of Austin say farewell to
our longtime friend, we express
our congratulations, best wishes,
love and prayers of support to
the new Bishop of San Angelo,
Bishop Michael J. Sis!” Bishop
Vásquez said.
C ATHOLIC S PIRIT
CENTRAL TEXAS
4
New church blessed for St. Ferdinand in Blanco
BY SHELLEY METCALF
CATHOLIC SPIRIT STAFF
On the evening of Dec. 20,
Bishop Joe Vásquez blessed
the new church at St. Ferdinand Parish in Blanco. “It is an
evening of joy and celebration
for the entire community of
Blanco,” the bishop said. “This
noble structure is a sign of the
invisible God, and it is dedicated
to his honor and his glory.”
The town of Blanco, which
sits on the southwestern edge
of the Austin Diocese, has a
population of about 1,500. St.
Ferdinand Parish had about
250 families, said Father Justin
Udomah, the pastor.
“But that is a number of
the past, because we are seeing
more and more people at Mass.
And the offertory collections
are increasing, which means
more people are coming,” Father Udomah said.
The old church, though beautiful, was quite limiting because
it only sat about 130 people, he
said. The new church, which
sits just across the parking lot
from the original church, seats
about 500 people, and it can be
expanded in the future if need be.
“I commend you brothers
and sisters in your commitment
to bring about the completion
of this new sanctuary,” Bishop
Vásquez said. “This place is
truly a house of God, a place of
prayer, a place where you will
gather to worship and celebrate
the sacraments.”
Pope Francis has said the
church is not a museum of
saints but a hospital for sinners, the bishop reminded the
crowd.
“We are all sinners who
strive to become saints and
therefore, we open the doors of
our churches, this church here,
to all people,” he said.
“It is only when we experience the inÀnite mercy of God’s
forgiveness and therefore invite
others to share this compassion
of God that we understand what
church is truly about,” Bishop
Vásquez said.
The bishop blessed the altar and the walls of the new
church with Chrism, and then
thanked the community for
continuing to “keep the faith
strong.”
Father Udomah said the
new church “is an open door
to the faith that is Áourishing in
this area.”
BISHOP JOE VÁSQUEZ
blessed the new church
for St. Ferdinand Parish
in Blanco on Dec. 20. The
new church sits across the
parking lot from the old
church and seats more
than 500 people.
(Photos by Shelley Metcalf)
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February 2014
5
CENTRAL TEXAS
Catholics work together to build home for Habitat
BY ENEDELIA J. OBREGÓN
SENIOR CORRESPONDENT
Tanisha Cortez knows
what it’s like to have an unstable home life. She grew up
in Brooklyn with a mother who
often couldn’t take care of her
and her two brothers. Her father
had his own issues. So the children alternated living with their
aunt and grandmother, both of
whom in Austin.
“I’ve always had anxiety
about that,” she said. “I want
something stable for my kids
–– not to be bouncing around
and worrying about going back
and forth.”
Cortez, now the mother
of a daughter (14) and son
(11), has dreamt for years of
having a home for her family.
Soon that dream will come
true when they move into
their own home through the
generosity and work of Catholic volunteers through Austin
Habitat for Humanity.
Cortez’ home is the 20th
home being built by the coalition that comprises the Catholic Build, which began 19
years ago. The coalition raises
the funds and builds a house
every year –– except for two
years when they built two ––
under the auspices of Austin
Habitat for Humanity.
Catholic Build members
are Emmaus Parish in Lakeway, St. Albert the Great, St.
Catherine of Siena, St. Thomas More and St. Vincent de
Paul parishes in Austin, St.
Patrick Parish in Hutto and
the Knights of Columbus
Council 8156 at St. Catherine
of Siena Parish. Area businesses also provide in-kind
services and the IBEW Local 520 provides professional
electrical services.
The coalition of volunteers
also is in the process of raising $65,000 –– it needs about
$22,000 –– to fund construction
of the house. Construction will
continue into March.
For Cortez, having a home
“means everything.”
“When I talk about it, it
makes me want to cry,” Cortez
said as her eyes Àlled with tears.
“If it weren’t for all these volunteers, this would not be possible.
I appreciate them a lot.”
She said being a homeowner
will allow her children to attend
better schools and give them the
stability of knowing they have
their own place. Studies show
low-income renters move often
in search of lower rents, forcing
school children change schools.
Providing that stability for
children is why Louie Caputo
Jr., a parishioner of St. Albert
the Great in Austin, has volunteered for eight or nine years.
Habitat, he said, has “such a
long list of positives,” especially
for children.
“When children live in substandard housing, they are subject to a long list of problems,”
he said. “Their grades suffer,
they’re out in the streets, there’s
teen pregnancy. Kids who grow
up in a home have better opportunities.”
Caputo encouraged more
Catholic parishes and organizations in the Austin area to
volunteer.
“We’ve had a hard time getting lunches,” he said. Volunteers who cannot help build
the houses can always help by
providing lunch for the Saturday
crews.
Tom Helmer, the Catholic
Build site leader who is a parishioner of St. Patrick in Hutto,
said volunteers do not have to
be experts at construction to
help.
“What a better way to learn
than doing this?” he said.
Helmer, who began volunteering six or seven years ago,
said the Catholic Build often
begins in January and usually
Cedarbrake will host Lenten retreats
TOM HELMER (right) shows Bishop Emeritus John McCarthy around the beginnings of
the home that is being built by the Catholic volunteers through Austin Habitat for Humanity.
Helmer’s parish, St. Patrick in Hutto, as well as Emmaus Parish in Lakeway, St. Albert the
Great, St. Catherine of Siena, St. Thomas More and St. Vincent de Paul parishes in Austin,
and the Knights of Columbus Council 8156 at St. Catherine of Siena Parish are working
together to construct the home for Tanisha Cortez, a single mother of two children. (Photo
by Enedelia J. Obregón)
continues through Lent as part
of the Lenten journey.
Doug Raymond from St.
Vincent de Paul Parish has
worked on all but a couple of
the Catholic Build projects. He
returns for the fellowship as well
as the children in the families
they help.
“It’s great when you see
their eyes light up when you
show them their bedroom after
years of being crammed in a
one-bedroom apartment,” he
said.
Unfortunately, he said, the
waiting list for an Austin Habitat
for Humanity House is two or
three years. Potential homeowners are vetted and must have
employment. Homeowners put
down a small down payment
and agree to work 300 “sweat
equity” hours building homes
for others before work can begin on theirs. Homeowners pay
“Increase my Faith,” a day of reÁection, will be presented Feb. 17 from 9 a.m.
to 2:30 p.m. at Cedarbrake Catholic Retreat Center in Belton. Father Justin Nguyen,
associate pastor of St. Louis Parish in Waco, will lead this day based on John 14:1:
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me.”
The cost is $35, which includes lunch. For more information or to register, contact
Cedarbrake at (254) 780-2436 or [email protected].
An Ash Wednesday Day of ReÁection will be held March 5 from 9 a.m. to 2:30
p.m. at Cedarbrake Catholic Retreat Center in Belton. Brian Egan, the director of
Cedarbrake, will lead reÁections based on Father Jean Pierre Cuassade’s spiritual advice
about the “Sacrament of the Present Moment.” The day will include the distribution
of ashes and Mass. The cost is $35, which includes lunch. For more information or
to register, contact Cedarbrake at (254) 780-2436 or [email protected].
“ReÁections of Holy Week,” a silent weekend retreat, will be held March 7-9
at Cedarbrake Catholic Retreat Center in Belton. This retreat is intended to help
participants step away from the busyness of life and enter into silence to prepare for
the death and resurrection of Christ. Mass, reconciliation and spiritual direction are included in the weekend. The cost is $165 (all rooms are private). For more information
or to register, contact Cedarbrake at (254) 780-2436 or [email protected].
a zero-percent interest fixed
rate mortgage for 30 years. In
25 years, there have been only
a couple of defaults. The money paid from those mortgages
helps Ànance construction of
other homes.
Cortez, now a customer service representative at the AT&T
Call Center, doesn’t mind the
hard work. She has worked
multiple jobs even when her
children were babies and they
lived in a hotel for 18 months.
Some volunteers Ànd they
gain more than they give. Sheila
Kuehn, now a parishioner at St.
Thomas More in Austin, met
her husband, Larry, at a Catholic
Build.
“You get hooked on this,”
she said as she painted some
trim. “We have friendships going way back. It’s great being
with like-minded people.”
Bishop Emeritus John Mc-
Carthy, who blessed the site
of the house as well as the
food prepared by other volunteers for the workers, said the
Catholic Build is “a tribute to
the generosity of the volunteers.”
“It’s about providing stability and having children get off to
a successful life,” he said. “And
it’s also fun!”
For more information or
to donate to the Catholic Build,
visit www.austinhabitat.org/
catholic-faith or mail checks to
Austin Habitat for Humanity,
2014 Catholic Build, 310 Comal
St., Austin 78702. Those interested in becoming a volunteer
(orientation and safety training
are required) may register at
www.austinhabitat.org/index.
php/volunteer. To provide
breakfast or lunch for the Habitat workers, e-mail akandell@
austinhabitat.org.
Pro-Life Gala is March 2 in Austin
Tickets are on sale now for the 2014 Pro-Life BeneÀt Gala, which will be held
March 2 at the AT&T Conference Center in Austin. The featured speaker will be
Msgr. Philip J. Reilly, founder and executive director of Helpers of God’s Precious
Infants, Inc. Individual seats as well as tables and sponsorships are available. For
more information, visit www.austindiocese.org/gala.
Listening sessions for Pastoral Plan
The Diocese of Austin is beginning the process of developing a new Pastoral
Plan, an important document that guides the mission and direction of our diocese
for the next Àve years and responds to pastoral needs. To better understand those
pastoral needs, the planning team is hosting a series of listening sessions throughout
the diocese. These listening sessions are open to everyone, and the planning team
hopes you can take part in this important process. The following listening sessions
will be in English: Feb. 5 from 7 to 9 p.m. at St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Austin;
Feb. 6 from 7 to 9 p.m. at St. Joseph Hall at Reicher Catholic High School in Waco
and Feb. 11 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Santa Cruz Parish in Buda. The following listening
sessions will be in Spanish: Feb. 11 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Santa Cruz Parish in Buda
and Feb. 12 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Sacred Heart Parish in Austin.
CENTRAL TEXAS
Program helps those indebted to payday lenders
6
BY ENEDELIA J. OBREGÓN
SENIOR CORRESPONDENT
The Society of St. Vincent
de Paul (SVdP), Diocesan
Council of Austin has launched
a pilot program to help those
crushed by debt from payday
loan companies.
The Predatory Loan Conversion Program pilot starts in
February within five parishes
in the diocese and is limited to
those whose loans are $500 or
less, said Stacy Ehrlich, executive director of the SVdP Diocesan Council.
The program was formed
at the urging of Bishop Joe
Vásquez, who is concerned that
payday loans and auto title loans,
which are most often used by
those who do not have access to
credit, are hurting families.
About 70 percent of the
payday loans issued in Texas
are for $500 or less, said Amelia
Erickson, associate director of
development for the council.
The average payday loan
in Texas is taken out for $300
but requires $840 to be repaid,
a staggering fact that caused
Bishop Vásquez to advocate
on this issue before the Austin
City Council and in the Texas
Legislature to close loopholes in
laws that allow these predatory
lending practices.
Most loans are very shortterm –– two to four weeks in
length. But aside from the interest rates, there are finance
charges and origination fees
tacked on. Those who can’t pay
the original loan and origination
fee, interest and other charges
by the end of the loan terms will
then have the loan rolled over,
meaning that a new loan with
more Ànance charges and origination fees will be generated.
When that happens multiple
times, people begin suffocating
under the weight of what was
originally a small loan.
Bishop Vásquez said in the
Bishop’s Interview of the May
2013 Catholic Spirit that regulation is needed because the
exploitation of the poor is only
getting worse. A proliferation
of payday and auto title lending
storefronts have Áooded shopping centers and neighborhoods
and we are bombarded by the
radio and television commercials that promise “easy” and
“same-day” cash to entice desperate families in need of help
to pay for medical emergencies,
groceries, rent or utilities.
“Instead of the promise of
easy short-term loans, however,
financially vulnerable families
get trapped in a continuous
cycle of debt, fees and interest
from which they cannot escape,” the bishop said.
Barbara Budde, the diocesan
director of Social Concerns, said
predatory lending has trapped
too many families and individuals in a bitter cycle of debt that
can crush hope and the human
spirit.
“I know Bishop Vásquez
is anxious to see alternatives to
predatory lending available to
the community like this program
from the Society of St. Vincent
de Paul,” she said.
Under the program, those
predatory loans will not be paid
off by the SVdP but will instead
be converted into a share-secured credit union loan at under
5 percent APR. SVdP is not the
lender, they are the guarantor of
the loans: they are raising funds
to serve as collateral. Part of that
money that will fund the Loan
Conversion Program comes
from a two-year, $30,000 grant
from the Texas Financial Education Endowment - a Texas
legislative initiative. The Society
has already raised $13,500 in
seed money donated by SVdP
groups to cover start-up costs. .
Ehrlich said the society’s
goal is to raise $176,000 over
the next two years for initial
loan funds. The funds donated
will exist in perpetuity: the same
$500 will be loaned repeatedly,
therefore helping numerous
families. As the loans are repaid and additional donations
are received for the program,
the program can be expanded.
Erickson said $176,000 would
allow the Society to co-sign and
manage more than 700 loans
over two years.
Under the program, people
wanting to have their predatory
loans converted must have a Social Security Number (originally
required by payday lenders and
the U.S.A. PATRIOT Act to
open an account at any Ànancial institution) and their loan
balance must be 100 percent or
more of the original loan. They
must also be sponsored by a
SVdP conference at the parish
level. Repayment terms with a
converted loan will be within 6
to 12 months.
“Six months is the minimum time required to build
good credit,” Ehrlich said. “We
want to help people build good
credit.”
Clients must also attend a
90-minute Ànancial literacy class
and make a written commitment
to not take out an additional
predatory loan.
Vincentians, as SVdP volunteers are known, provide emergency food, transportation and
Ànancial assistance to anyone
–– Catholic or not –– within
their parish boundaries. There
are 40 conferences –– as each
parish group is called –– within
the Diocese of Austin.
Converting payday loans
–– a huge source of pressure
–– can be better stewardship
of funds than SVdP repeatedly
paying rent.
Erickson said predatory
lending is a $3 billion a year
industry in Texas. People who
use payday and auto title loan
companies often do not qualify
for credit at a bank and must
resort to such lenders.
Jennifer Carr Allmon is associate director of the Texas Catholic Conference, the public policy
voice for the bishops of Texas.
She is one of a handful of TCC
staff who spend each legislative
session advocating for life issues,
including predatory lending.
C ATHOLIC S PIRIT
Allmon noted that the payday and auto title lending industry spent millions on more than
30 full-time lobbyists during the
2013 legislative session.
She said major predatory
lenders have sued cities who
adopted anti-predatory lending
ordinances and during the 2013
legislative session tried to pass a
bill that would pre-empt those
ordinances.
“They didn’t succeed, but
we expect them to try again in
the next session,” she said.
In between sessions, Allmon
said, industry lawyers spend a lot
of time looking for loopholes in
city ordinances and state laws.
Thus, many payday and auto
title lenders are moving outside
city limits where loans were
originated. Those loans are then
transferred from a lender in the
city to one outside city limits and
extra fees are added.
Allmon said the TCC staff
will be crisscrossing the state
before the next legislative session in 2015 to work with Texas
bishops and other diocesan staff
to educate the public on the issue and encouraging people to
Àle complaints against the lenders when abuse occurs.
To make a donation to
SVdP for efforts in converting
predatory loans go to www.
ssvdp.org or mail a check to
Society of St. Vincent de Paul,
P.O. Box 9070, Austin 78766.
Complaints about payday
and auto title lenders can be
submitted at www.consumerÀnance.gov/complaint/.
Mural at St. Joseph Hospital evokes peace and comfort
BY MARY P. WALKER
SENIOR CORRESPONDENT
Hospitals are places of hectic activity, anxiety and stress,
not only for patients, but also
for families, medical professionals and staff. St. Joseph Regional
Health Center in Bryan uses
art to counter these forces and
evoke the calming presence of
God’s care. Recently, the hospital installed a large ceramic
mural of St. Francis, dedicated
to Msgr. John Malinowski, the
Catholic chaplain, who celebrated the 50th anniversary of his
ordination last year.
Sister Penny Dunn, of the
Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania,
Ohio and vice president of mission integration for the health
system, explained that art can
help us when we feel unable
to pray.
“Healing art and religious
images are doorways to the sacred, and by their very essence,
they lift up our minds and heart
to God,” Sister Dunn said.
The mural is in the hospital’s
lobby, near the entrance and
across from the information
desk. A peaceful reminder of
God’s love and compassion,
the pastoral scene silently beckons those passing through this
high-trafÀc area to pause for a
moment. Through an intricate
but harmonious composition
of painted ceramic tiles, the
artwork communicates the hospital’s commitment to care for
the body, mind and spirit.
The artist, 83-year-old Sister
Jane Mary Sorosiak, is a member
of the Franciscan community
and works out of a studio in
Sylvania. Her art can be found in
hospitals, churches, schools and
libraries. Trained as a painter,
she now enjoys creating ceramic
murals, which combines the
disciplines of painting and sculpture. Unlike mosaics, which use
small stones or pieces of glass of
similar size, the ceramic murals
are composed of painted tiles of
different sizes and shapes.
Those viewing the mural may
notice a frog in the lower left corner that is raised over the surface
of the rest of the piece. When
asked about this, Sister Sorosiak
explained that Sister Margaret
Hall, who works with her, likes
to place a frog in compositions
because FROG is an acronym for
“Forever Rely On God.”
Sister Sorosiak’s art ministry
is also at work in the hospital’s
Healing Garden, where there is
a mural of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Transformed from a
courtyard in 2010 and located
near the emergency room, the
Healing Garden is a place of
peace, where visitors and staff
can spend quiet time in the
midst of beautiful Áowers, trees,
plants and a water wall.
Hospital rooms overlook the
garden, and patients, including
those being treated for cancer,
can see the garden from their
windows. Because many of the
hospital’s patients are of Hispanic heritage, Sister Sorosiak
was especially pleased that a
mural of Our Lady of Guadalupe was included in the garden.
The ceramic tiles for these
murals were prepared in her
studio, and last June, she traveled to Bryan for the dedication of the St. Francis mural.
She was impressed with Texas
hospitality and feels blessed to
be able to cooperate with God
in creating art that reÁects the
Franciscan love of nature, and
offers a calming and encouraging message to those whose
lives are touched by illness or
inÀrmity.
THIS
MURAL in
the lobby of
St. Joseph
Regional
Health
Center in
Bryan helps
remind
patients,
visitors
and staff
of God’s
love and
compassion. (Photo
courtesy
St. Joseph
Health System)
February 2014
7
CENTRAL TEXAS
Couple knows the goodness of Marriage Encounter
BY MICHELE CHAN SANTOS
CORRESPONDENT
Raul and Dora Gonzalez,
both 73 years old, have been
married for more than 50 years.
Their love for one another is
clear in their affectionate laughter, frequent embraces and tender glances.
Together, they have built
a successful and full life. Raul
served as an Associate Justice on
the Texas Supreme Court from
1984 to 1998. He was the Àrst
Hispanic to hold that position.
He is also the Àrst Hispanic to
be elected to a statewide ofÀce
and is currently in private practice in Austin. Raul and Dora
have four children (Celeste,
Ignacio, Marco Antonio and
Sonia), six granddaughters and a
grandson on the way. Their son,
Brother Ignacio, is a Benedictine
monk and lives at St. Anselm
Abbey in Washington, D.C.
Encounter
Yet this devoted couple
is the Àrst to admit that marriage can be challenging and
requires work and commitment,
each and every day. They credit
Worldwide Marriage Encounter,
a marriage enrichment program,
with keeping their love and
communication energized and
vital. Marriage Encounter promotes a weekend experience for
couples who want to improve
their marriages.
“Relationships are hard,”
Raul said. “Relationships are
difÀcult. Sometimes it is easier
than other times. Marriage is a
journey, not a destination.”
Dora agreed. “It is clear to
us that we are called to love
each other warts and all, to love
each other even when we do
not think the other person is
lovable, to love when we don’t
feel like it, even when one of us
is angry. We are still discovering
things about one another. We
are very blessed,” she said.
Raul has built a stellar career
–– he has been a legal aid lawyer,
a prosecuting attorney, a defense
attorney and a judge –– but
these positions demanded long
hours for many years. He credits
Dora with supporting him and
for her hard work raising their
children and managing their
household.
“Dora deserves a lot for my
success throughout my career,”
Raul said. “Not only did she put
me through law school (he has a
law degree from the University
of Houston), but she sacriÀced
to rear our children, attending
to our home while I worked
long hours or was out on the
campaign trail.”
Dora and Raul were married
on Dec. 22, 1963. Their first
Marriage Encounter weekend
took place in June 1973, 10 years
into their marriage.
At Àrst, Raul was hesitant to
go on an encounter weekend.
“Good friends had invited us
Marriage Encounter weekends are scheduled
for the following weekends:
• Feb. 21-23 at Cedarbrake Catholic Retreat Center in Belton
• April 11-13 at Wingate Hotel in Round Rock
• May 30-June 1 at Cedarbrake Catholic Retreat
Center in Belton
• Sept. 26-28 at Cedarbrake Catholic Retreat
Center in Belton
• Nov. 14-16 at Wingate Hotel in Round Rock
To register, visit www.austinme.org or call (512)
677-WWME.
Thinking about a will?
Request a free Wills Kit from CRS.
Learn what you need to know
before you see an attorney.
1-800-235-2772
CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES
Giving hope to a world of need.
several times, and I did not think
we needed it … I cancelled
twice and we attended the weekend on our third try,” he said.
Dora remembers, “I wanted
better communication and the
intimacy of our early years to return to our marriage. I couldn’t
explain to him enough or thoroughly how I felt inside. I wanted us to go to a weekend where
they teach you a technique of
communication. That’s what we
needed, that’s what I wanted. I
yearned for more.”
Raul was not too sure, “I
thought what she wanted was
not achievable.”
That Àrst Marriage Encounter (ME) weekend changed their
lives.
“I found out that I was married to my career, and that I was
neglecting our marriage,” Raul
said. “I learned that our marriage was like a garden, which
needed tender loving care, and
for the Àrst time in my life I
experienced the love of God
through Dora’s love for me.”
Dora said that Àrst weekend
led her to discover “that the
stagnation in our marriage was
not all Raul’s fault, and that I,
too, was responsible for the
health and vitality of our marriage. The weekend not only
rekindled our relationship, but
it awakened in us a tremendous
desire to put into practice the
communication tools we learned
on the weekend.”
RAUL AND DORA GONZALEZ have been married for
more than 50 years. They attended their ¿rst Marriage
Encounter retreat about 40 years ago. They credit the
retreat with helping them learn how to communicate
better as a couple. “World Wide Marriage Encounter is
for couples with good marriages who want to enrich and
improve what they already have,” Dora Gonzalez said.
(Photo courtesy Dora and Raul Gonzalez)
high school graduation.
Raul’s parents were migrant
workers. Raul worked alongside
his parents, aunts and uncles
harvesting crops in the Valley,
Arkansas and Washington.
“My mom was a strong
Catholic who said ‘everything is
possible with God,’’’ Raul said.
Both sets of parents volunteered for Raul on the campaign trail and were able to be
at Raul’s swearing-in ceremony
for the Texas Supreme Court
in 1984.
Today, there is an elementary school (Justice Raul A.
Raul and Dora credit their Gonzalez Elementary School)
parents, now deceased, with named for him in Weslaco.
instilling a strong Catholic faith
within them. Raul’s parents
were Raul and Paula Gonzalez.
In the 40 years since their
Dora’s parents were Santitos first ME weekend, Dora and
Trevino Champion and Roberto Raul have been on more than
Champion.
100 ME weekends, and have
Raul and Dora grew up in attended another 40 or so enWeslaco, which is in deep South richments.
Texas, near the Mexican border.
They know how challenging
They first met in the fourth it is for today’s married couples
grade at St. Joan of Arc Catholic to raise children, to work and
School in Weslaco, but never build their lives together.
dated until three years after their
“The biggest challenges fac-
Faith and family
Investment
ing married couples today are
complacency, busyness, and the
lack of taking time to make an
investment in their marriage,”
Raul said.
“Some couples are reluctant
to attend a Marriage Encounter
weekend because they think that
attending a Marriage Encounter weekend is an admission
that their marriage is in trouble.
Nothing could be further from
the truth. World Wide Marriage
Encounter is for couples with
good marriages who want to
enrich and improve what they
already have,” Dora said.
There are a number of upcoming ME weekends in Central Texas (see box.) Raul and
Dora urged couples who are
curious about it to give it a try.
“You have a choice to
make,” Raul said. “You can stay
where you are, or you can make
an investment in your marriage
and learn new tools on how to
ratchet up the fun, romance and
passion.”
To learn more about Marriage Encounter in Central Texas, visit www.austinme.org.
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UDQJLQJIURP²IRU
3ULFHVDUH$//,1&/86,9(ZDLUIDUHIURPDQ\ZKHUHLQWKHFRQWLQHQWDO86$
,WDO\6ZLW]HUODQGApr. 5-17, Apr. 12-24, Apr. 19-May 1, Apr. 26-May 8, May 3-15...
,WDO\5HJXODUApr. 5-13, Apr. 12-20, Apr. 19-27, Apr. 26-May 4, May 3-11, May 10-18...
+RO\/DQG,WDO\Mar. 31-Apr. 13, Apr. 7-20, Apr. 14-27, Apr. 21-May 4, Apr. 28-May 11...
,WDO\/RXUGHV)DWLPDApr. 5-17, Apr. 12-24, Apr. 19-May 1, Apr. 26-May 8, May 3-15...
+RO\/DQGMar. 10-20, Mar. 31-Apr. 10, Apr. 7-17, Apr. 14-24, Apr. 21-May 1, May 5-15...
Apr. 28-May 8 with Fr. Jose Christensen, St Paul Catholic Church, Austin, TX
*UHHFH7XUNH\May 3-15 with Fr. Joy Adimakkeel, St. Joseph Catholic Church, Waco, TX
ZZZSUR[LPRWUDYHOFRP
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_
&DUPHOD$0DQDJR([HFXWLYH'LUHFWRU
8
IN OUR WORLD
C ATHOLIC S PIRIT
Studies, Masses, marches mark pro-life efforts
BY CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
A Áurry of pro-life events
around the nation augmented
the annual March for Life Jan.
22 in a frigid Washington.
In New Haven, Conn.,
headquarters of the Knights
of Columbus, the Knights released the results of a poll
conducted for them by Marist
University.
The poll, released Jan. 21,
indicated support for abortion
restrictions, even among those
who call themselves “strongly
pro-choice.” Of that group,
58 percent said they support
limiting abortion to, at most,
the Àrst three months of pregnancy. Among all Americans,
84 percent support that restriction. Also, 84 percent said
they do not see the abortion
debate as an all-or-nothing
proposition, saying that laws
can protect both the well-being of a woman and the life of
the unborn.
The poll also found that
74 percent of those responding favor a ban on abortions
after 20 weeks except to save
the life of the mother, 62 percent think abortion is morally
wrong, and 53 percent believe
life begins at conception.
Other findings included:
80 percent of Americans support parental notification
before a minor can obtain
an abortion; 79 percent support a 24-hour waiting period
prior to having an abortion;
76 percent oppose allowing
abortions to be performed by
non-doctors; 62 percent want
to change laws to allow for
some restrictions on abortion;
58 percent support showing
a woman an ultrasound image of her baby at least a day
before an abortion; 57 percent
believe abortion does a woman more harm than good in
the long run; and 55 percent
want continued debate on the
abortion issue, including 60
percent of respondents ages
18-32, the so-called “millennials.”
The National Right to Life
Committee, in its own study
issued Jan. 21, “The State of
Abortion in America,” estimated that more than 56
million abortions have taken
place since the Roe v. Wade
and Doe v. Bolton Supreme
Court decisions in 1973 that
legalized abortion virtually on
demand.
The report noted that the
number of abortions performed
each year has gone down about
one-third from its 1990 high of
1.6 million a year. The current
RONALD CHAUCA of Chicago is bundled up as he
makes his way across the National Mall before the March
for Life in Washington Jan. 22. Although skies were sunny
all day, temperatures barely reached 20 degrees during
the the annual event, which this year marked the 41st anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision
that legalized abortion across the nation. (CNS photo by
Mike Crupi, Catholic Courier)
SHANYA MCCLEARY of St. Mary Parish in East Islip, N.Y., smiles as she and fellow prolife advocates walk from Union Station to participate in the March for Life in Washington
Jan. 22. Bitter cold and snow did not stop tens of thousands of people from marching in
support of life. (CNS photo/Gregory A. Shemitz, Long Island Catholic)
Àgure is estimated at 1.1 million. The NRLC, in a Jan. 21
statement, attributed the drop
to “pro-life legislative efforts at
the state and federal level that
have raised awareness about the
humanity of the unborn child.”
The NRLC report referred
to its model legislation, the
Pain-Capable Unborn Child
Protection Act. It said the bill
had been enacted in 10 states,
while a federal version of the
bill has been introduced. The
legislation would bar abortions at the 20th week of pregnancy, citing evidence showing that unborn children are
capable of feeling “excruciating pain” by at least 20th week
of pregnancy. NRLC declared
the bill to be its top congressional legislative priority.
Events were held around
the country the weekends
before and after the Jan. 22
march. The Pro-Life Day for
the Austin Diocese was held
Jan. 25, and the March issue of the Catholic Spirit will
feature an article and photos
from the day.
“March for Life Chicago
–– Lovin’ Life in Chicago”
took place Jan. 19 in downtown Chicago. Cardinal Francis E. George of Chicago
was joined by, among others, Greek Orthodox Bishop
Demetrios of Mokissos; Cesar
LeFlore, founder of Chicago’s
African-American PowerLight
Ministries; U.S. Rep. Dan
Lipinski, D-Ill.; and former
Planned Parenthood employee Linda Couri.
In Los Angeles, a Youth
Rally for Life, featuring speakers and performances, was
held Jan. 18 in the plaza of
Our Lady of the Angels Cathedral. It was followed by a
“Requiem Mass for the Unborn” celebrated by Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los
Angeles.
The liturgy featured an
original score by John Bonaduce, which included hymns
and music for parts of the
Mass. The score began as a
prayer service for the unborn
and evolved into a Mass celebrated at the cathedral since
2003. The Mass concluded
with a candlelight ceremony
with about 220 candles, one
for each life lost to abortion
that day in Los Angeles County. The candles remained in
the cathedral plaza for a week
after the Mass.
Also Jan. 18, Archbishop
Samuel J. Aquila of Denver
presided at an annual Mass of
Remembrance of Roe v. Wade
at the Cathedral Basilica of the
Immaculate Conception in Denver.
After the Mass, Archbishop
Aquila also presided at a prayer
event and pilgrim blessing at
the Lighthouse Women’s Center in Denver, across the street
from Planned Parenthood of
the Rocky Mountains, followed
by a procession to Planned Parenthood. There, participants
placed Áowers along the fence
surrounding the campus and
prayed for children who lost
their lives at the facility.
Prior to the March for Life
in Washington itself, about 250
students from The Catholic
University of America, Washington, served as hosts for about
Àve times that many cold and
chilly pilgrims who had been at
the opening Mass Jan. 21 of the
National Prayer Vigil for Life
next door at the Basilica of the
National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.
John Garvey, the university’s president, spoke brieÁy
to the students, telling them
the march was important for
both “delivering a message
that life is sacred” and demonstrating that “civil discourse
is important.”
Another 350 or so Catholic University students braved
temperatures in the teens to
take part in the March for Life
and the rally that preceded it.
On the morning of the
march, members of the American Heritage Girls –– a faithbased character development
program for girls designed to
serve as an alternative to the
Girl Scouts of America ––
held its own youth rally at the
Patriot Center in the Virginia
suburbs of Washington.
American Heritage Girls
provided Ànancial support and
water bottles for more than
15,000 youth at a “Life is Very
Good Evening of Prayer” and
a “Life is Very Good Morning
Rally” organized by the Diocese of Arlington, Va., prior
to the march before braving
the temperatures and going to
the rally and march.
A few days after the
events in Washington, tens
of thousands of women, men
and children walked chanting and singing through San
Francisco’s downtown Jan.
25 behind a banner declaring “Abortion hurts women”
for the 10th annual Walk for
Life West Coast, the largest
pro-life gathering on the West
Coast.
February 2014
9
IN OUR WORLD
Mom says stories about abortion changing hearts
BY KATHERINE TALALAS
CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
Muriel Ramos of Sebastian,
Fla., Ànds great joy in raising
her family of Àve. But for many
years, a happy future seemed
impossible.
In 1982, facing pressure
from her then-fiance, Muriel
was driven to a clinic for an
abortion. She was 19 years old.
Ramos said that afterward, "I
was forever changed. I was
heartbroken."
Ramos found healing
through Silent No More, a
group sponsored by Priests for
Life. In 2006, she attended her
Àrst March for Life in Washington with the organization.
Ramos hoped to attend again
this year, but Ànances proved an
obstacle. A friend on Facebook
knew a Minnesota family that
wanted to help women who
were struggling Ànancially. They
sent Ramos a note, a miraculous
medal, and a check to cover her
Áight and hotel.
That was only the beginning
of a chain of what she considers
miracles that allowed her to attend the march.
"I made it here by the grace
of God," she told Catholic
News Service Jan. 22.
Ramos had thought her evening Áight scheduled for Jan. 21
might be canceled, so she left the
house in the morning in hopes
of catching a standby Áight. At
noon she was informed that
her suspicions were correct.
She managed to get on the Àrst
standby Áight. It was scheduled
to leave Florida at 1:40 p.m., and
would be the last Áight heading
to Washington for the day.
That standby flight was
fraught with problems. The
plane for the Áight Àrst had to
come to Florida from Washington, and then would head
back to Washington. But the
plane was late coming in from
Washington. When it finally
arrived, it didn't take off from
Florida to go to Washington for
another hour.
Finally on its way, the Áight
was three minutes from landing
at Ronald Reagan Washington
National Airport , when Ramos
and the other passengers were
informed the airport had just
been closed because of snow.
Though the pilot had told
them there was enough fuel
to circle the airport, it was not
enough to last indeÀnitely. The
plane had to land in Richmond,
Va.
Meanwhile, the women of
Silent No More were praying
that Ramos could get to Washington. They didn't think that
Ramos' flight would get out
of Richmond, so the women
pooled their money to put her
on a bus.
Luckily, that was unnecessary. The plane was de-iced and
refueled in Richmond, Reagan National reopened, and at
last, Ramos managed to land
in Washington and get to her
hotel.
It was worth the wait. Ramos
is passionate about spreading the
message of life, especially during
a crucial time of decision-making
over health care in the country.
"Lawmakers need to know
that abortion is not health care.
It kills a woman's relationship
with her baby," she told. "It is
the biggest lie. There is nothing
healthy about abortion."
In years past, Ramos has
shared her testimony on the
Supreme Court steps.
This year, others spoke as
Ramos held her sign, "I regret
my abortion."
Sometimes passers-by yell
and throw things at the women,
but the overwhelming reaction
is supportive. People hug them
and cry.
"A lot of women come up
to us and whisper in our ear:
'Thank you for doing this. I
can't,'" Ramos said. "Teenage
boys come up and ask, 'Can I
just hug you?'"
"Because of our stories," she
said, "hearts are changing."
MARCH FOR LIFE participants make their way up Constitution Avenue to the Supreme
Court building in Washington Jan. 22. Muriel Ramos of Sebastian, Fla., was among the
thousands of marchers. (CNS photo/Jonathan Ernst, Reuters)
Upcoming Events
March 22: Contemplating the
Presence of God in Our Lives
Wanda Gibson presenting
FEB. 7-9, “OF GODS AND MEN”
This retreat is based on the movie, “Of Gods and Men,” a true story about seven Trappist monks who
lived and worked among the local villagers in Algiers. It is a story of faith, courage, discernment and
survival. The movie will be shown. Brian Egan, Beverly Collin and Fr. Angelo Bertini will lead this
retreat. Cost: $195 (private room), $160 (shared room), $85 (commuter)
FEB. 17, 9AM-2:30PM, INCREASE MY FAITH
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me.” -John 14:1 Fr. Justin
Nguyen, associate pastor at St. Louis, Waco, will lead this day of reflection. Cost: $35 (incl. lunch)
MARCH 5, 9AM-2:30PM, ASH WEDNESDAY
“Sacrament of the Present Moment” is a phrase that Fr. Jean Pierre Cuassade speaks about, asking
people to live a life in abandonment to God’s will. Lent is a time to follow Christ even more interiorly
as He shows us the way to live His Father’s will. Brian Egan will lead the reflections on Fr. Cuassade’s
spiritual advice during this day which includes Mass and receiving ashes. Cost: $35 (incl. lunch)
MARCH 7-9, REFLECTIONS ON HOLY WEEK
“Seek first his
g p over yyou.”
kingship
Matthew
M
atthew 66:33
:33
5602 N. HWY. 317, BELTON, TX 76513
P.O. BOX 58, BELTON, TX 76513 (mailing address)
This silent retreat during the Lenten season will allow you to step away from the busyness of life and enter into silence to prepare for the death and resurrection of Our Lord. Mass, Reconciliation and spiritual
direction will be available. Cost: $165 (all rooms are private)
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
10
IN OUR WORLD
C ATHOLIC S PIRIT
Veterans drawn to attend Catholic universities
BY LIZ O’CONNOR
CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
Catholic colleges and universities across the U.S. are attracting military veterans of recent
wars with a combination of
Ànancial aid, individualized assistance and opportunities for
peer support.
Many Catholic institutions
participate in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Yellow Ribbon program, which
helps close the gap between
the tuition provided under
the Post-9/11 GI Bill –– usually the equivalent of in-state
tuition at a state college or
university –– and the cost of a
private institution.
The college provides a
speciÀed number of students
with a partial grant that is
matched by the VA and, when
those funds are combined
with housing allowances and
book stipends provided under
the GI Bill, a fully eligible student Ànds most of his or her
costs covered.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill,
signed into law in 2008, expands
on the World War II-era GI Bill
of Rights, providing education
benefits for members of the
military who have served on
active duty for 90 or more days
since Sept. 10, 2001. National
Guard and Reserve members
are also eligible to receive the
same beneÀts.
Other forms of aid different
in various ways from the GI Bill
are available to some veterans,
active-duty military personnel
and to dependents. However,
a higher percentage of veteranstudents than other students are
married and may have children,
and so the students and their
spouses have to provide for
family support even though the
cost of college may be covered.
Although some institutions,
particularly smaller ones, may
have a small number of veterans
enrolled, their services to these
students have put them on listings of best colleges for veterans
such as that published by U.S.
News & World Report or designated “veteran-friendly” by
publications and organizations.
Catholic colleges have seen
their enrollment of veterans
grow. At Canisius College, for
example, a 4,500-student Jesuit
school in Buffalo, N.Y., it has
increased by some 300 percent
since 2007, while at the threetimes-larger Jesuit-run Fordham
University in New York City,
veterans’ enrollment has grown
tenfold in recent years.
At the Benedictine-run St.
Leo University, which has its
main campus near Tampa, Fla.,
and 33 educational centers in
seven states including many on
or near military bases as well as
an online program, nearly 39
percent of about 16,000 students are either active-duty military or military veterans.
At St. Leo, Jose Coll devotes
half his time to his work as a
professor of social work and
half to working with current
military and veterans on campus. He said St. Leo offers “an
enormous amount of outreach”
both to prospective and current
students as well as to faculty
and staff.
He conducts webinars for
educators that are also available
to those at other institutions
on the particular needs for services of veterans who are students. Aside from the problems
some face with post-traumatic
stress and traumatic brain injury,
“they’re all adults, and they have
military experience, but they still
have to figure out what they
want to be when they grow up,”
Coll told Catholic News Service
in a telephone interview.
He regularly blogs about issues facing veterans in college,
and is working with another
faculty member on a book about
the subject.
Advisers at several schools
spoke to CNS of the difÀculties veterans as students face in
making the transition from the
very structured environment
of the military to the world of
academia where they are free
to make their own good or bad
decisions.
Andrew OverÀeld, a retired
Army ofÀcer, is associate director of admissions with responsibilities for coordinating services
to veterans at Canisius, where a
student lounge for veterans is located right outside of his ofÀce.
“A lot of times what I do is
listen,” he said, making himself
available to help these students
with various issues and problems. “Helping them with time
management is critical,” he said,
and the college tutoring center
provides additional assistance
with that.
Harry Damerow is unlike
most veterans in school; he’s
not in his mid-20s but is 47 and
retired after a total of 24 years in
the Marine Corps and the Army.
After his graduation in December from Seton Hill College
near Greensburg, Pa., about
30 miles east of Pittsburgh, he
planned to continue there with
studies for teacher certiÀcation.
He tells his younger counterparts they have to think of
college as their job. “It’s your
responsibility to be there. Hardworking Americans are paying
taxes for me to go to school
and deserve my best effort,”
said Damerow, who managed a
3.81 GPA.
Ian Markert, 26, lives in
Lisle, Ill., near Chicago, where
Benedictine University is located.
A Marine veteran majoring
in international business and
economics, Markert is active in
the veterans’ student group at
Benedictine. He said he was attracted by the school’s relatively
small size, of about 3,000 students, and the small class size,
which permits one-to-one interaction with faculty and staff.
He agreed that one of the most
difÀcult transitions from military
to academic life was having to
make one’s own decisions and
adapting to the culture of a particular school.
Having the support of other
veterans is a real help, he said.
“The traditional student population doesn’t understand why you
do what you do.”
At the University of the Incarnate Word in Alamo Heights,
Texas, near San Antonio, Karen
Wyatt is director of the center
for veterans’ affairs. The center
provides walk-in service for
veterans with questions or issues
that need to be resolved, and
also serves veterans’ families.
Wyatt said traditional students at Incarnate Word learn
much from the veterans enrolled there, with their greater
life and management experience,
and the other students also are
very welcoming to the veterans.
Trevor Hehn, a third-year
law student at The Catholic
University of America in Washington and a veteran of Army
service in Iraq, chose the school
because it was both national and
Catholic, saying: “The name
is what grabbed me.” He’s a
lifelong, practicing Catholic and
“faith was a big part of my life.”
He did his undergraduate
degree in philosophy and enjoyed theology courses and feels
they helped to “set me up for
success for the rest of my life.”
He has been involved in
setting up the Cardinal Veterans
Organization –– college teams
and organizations at Catholic
University are nicknamed the
Cardinals. Although the vets’
group is not formally in place
yet –– he said that as a law
student he wants to be doubly assured that its governing
structure is properly drawn up
–– he has been pleased with the
response.
Like many such groups, its
membership will not be limited to veterans but will include
those who wish to support veterans, and Hehn hopes it will
help integrate veterans who are
students into campus life as well
as make them more aware of all
the services available to them at
the university.
IAN MARKERT, 26, a student at Benedictine University in Lisle, Ill., who is majoring in
international business and economics, poses for a photo outside the university Jan. 19.
Markert is a Marine veteran who is active in the university’s veterans student group. (CNS
photo by Karen Callaway, Catholic New World)
Pope limits ‘monsignor’ honor for diocesan priests
BY CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
Pope Francis has decided
to limit the honor of “monsignor” among diocesan priests
and grant it from now on only
to those at least 65 years of
age.
The change, which is not
retroactive and does not affect
Vatican ofÀcials or members of
religious orders, was announced
in a letter from the Vatican
Secretariat of State to nunciatures around the world, along
with instructions to inform local
bishops.
Archbishop Carlo Maria
Vigano, apostolic nuncio to
the U.S., informed U.S. bishops of the new policy in a
letter dated Dec. 30. Msgr.
Ronny E. Jenkins, general secretary of the U.S. Conference
of Catholic Bishops, forwarded the letter to the bishops
Jan. 3.
Of the three grades of
monsignor –– apostolic pro-
tonotary, honorary prelate of
His Holiness and chaplain of
His Holiness –– only the last
will be available to diocesan
priests who meet the new age
requirement.
Bishops must resubmit any
pending requests for papal honors in accordance with the new
rules.
Archbishop Vigano’s letter
did not give a reason for the
change, but Pope Francis has
often warned clergy against
the temptations of careerism
and personal ambition.
The archbishop noted that
there had been no change regarding the granting of ecclesiastical honors to laypeople.
February 2014
11
IN OUR WORLD
Injunction protects Little Sisters from HHS mandate
BY PATRICIA ZAPOR
CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
The Supreme Court Jan.
24 issued a three-sentence order afÀrming –– for the time
being –– an injunction blocking enforcement against the
Little Sisters of the Poor and
the Christian Brothers benefits organization of a mandate to provide contraceptive
coverage in employee health
insurance.
The order released late in
the afternoon afÀrmed Justice
Sonia Sotomayor’s Dec. 31 order in the case. It temporarily
blocks the federal government
from requiring the Denverbased sisters and their coplaintiffs at Christian Brothers
Services from having to meet
that requirement of the Af-
fordable Care Act.
The attorney for the Little
Sisters and the president of
the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops welcomed the
order.
Archbishop Joseph E.
Kurtz of Louisville, Ky.,
speaking in his capacity as
president of the USCCB, said
in a statement released Jan.
25 that the bishops “welcome
the court’s protection of ministries like the Little Sisters,
whose vital work is at the
heart of what it means to be
Catholic.”
The Supreme Court’s order said: “If the employer
applicants inform the secretary of Health and Human
Services in writing that they
are nonprofit organizations
that hold themselves out as
religious and have religious
objections to providing coverage for contraceptive services,
the respondents are enjoined
from enforcing against the
applicants the challenged
provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care
Act and related regulations
pending Ànal disposition of
the appeal by the United
States Court of Appeals for
the 10th Circuit.”
The requirement to provide coverage for contraceptives in employee health
insurance does have an accommodation, or waiver, the
government says would keep
certain religious organizations
from having to comply with
the mandate.
A statement from Mark
Rienzi, senior counsel at the
Becket Fund, which represents the Little Sisters, said
they are “delighted that the
Supreme Court has issued this
order protecting the Little Sisters.”
The statement said the
order means the sisters and
the other organizations whose
benefits are managed by
Christian Brothers Services
and Christian Brothers BeneÀts Trust “must simply inform
HHS of their religious identity
and objections.”
The statement added that
the suit is a class-action case
on behalf of more than 400
Catholic organizations whose
beneÀts are managed by the
Christian Brothers.
The Little Sisters and
Christian Brothers Services
and Christian Brothers Benefits Trust, which manages
the religious order’s beneÀts,
object to being required to
MEDICAL SERVICES
DIRECTORY
justify to the government that
they should be entitled to an
exemption from the mandate.
They argue that Àlling out the
paperwork for a waiver that
would instruct a third party
to provide the contraceptive
coverage amounts to them being part of the mechanism for
providing abortion and other
morally objectionable types of
coverage.
“To meet the condition
for injunction pending appeal,
applicants need not use the
form prescribed by the government and need not send
copies to third-party administrators,” the order said.
The court’s order speciÀed
that the injunction “should
not be construed as an expression of the court’s views on
the merits” of the religious
groups’ legal claims.
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12
C ATHOLIC S PIRIT
IN OUR WORLD
Call to pray, serve and learn in the name of life
BY MARNIE MCALLISTER
CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
Archbishop Joseph E.
Kurtz called on Catholics to
“renew their commitment to
loving people” during the annual Memorial Mass for Life
celebrated at St. Martin of
Tours Church in downtown
Louisville Jan. 19.
“You and I know that our
Catholic faith tells us that the
dignity of human life is from
the moment of conception
to natural death; that it includes every human being that
God has created -- created in
his own image and likeness,”
Louisville’s archbishop told
the congregation of about 700
people.
Massgoers included families with small children, elderly religious and members of
both the Knights of Colum-
bus and the Ancient Order
of Hibernians. The fraternal
organizations sponsor the annual Mass.
“It doesn’t matter –– rich
or poor; it doesn’t matter
whether someone is of great
intelligence or has a disability,” he said. “What matters
is that the Lord God has created each of us and we are
called to support and defend
life.”
Archbishop Kurtz, who
is president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops,
was scheduled to be in Washington to attend the annual
March for Life on the National Mall Jan.22. But the severe
winter storm that hit a good
portion of the country just a
day or two earlier kept him
from traveling to the nation’s
capital.
In Louisville, the archbishop in his homily called
on his listeners to commit
themselves to four actions in
the name of life: “to pray, to
serve, to continue to learn and
to be an advocate for life.”
On prayer, the archbishop
urged the faithful to pray to
understand the dignity of human life –– both the lives of
their own families and strangers alike.
On service, the archbishop
called on the faithful to continue the church’s long tradition of service as volunteers
in hospitals, nursing homes,
schools and places where the
poor and vulnerable are aided.
On learning, he said, the
faithful must educate themselves about “the important
aspects of a changing culture.”
And on advocacy, the
archbishop urged people to
advocate both for just laws
and for a change of heart.
Pope Francis has pointed
OUR LADY OF THE
ROSARY CEMETERY
& PRAYER GARDENS
out, he said, that we live in a
“throwaway culture” where
everyday items are discarded
without a thought.
“We’re tempted to treat
people that way,” Archbishop Kurtz said. “If they become burdens for us, let’s just
throw them away. You know
that’s wrong and I know that’s
wrong.
“And so it is that we are
called to renew our commitment to love people, not to
use people ... but to love people and to use God’s creation
to help us in that call,” he
said.
The archbishop concluded
his homily by inviting the congregation to “commit yourself
to that four-step action. We
need each of you to do it and
we need you to go home and
testify just as John the Baptist
in the Gospel today testiÀed
love.”
This year’s organizers of
the Mass were Celesta and
Rick Arnold, the Knights
of Columbus State Council’s culture of life chair
couple.
The couple took turns announcing the names of each
school, church and organization that publicly recommitted
itself to pro-life ministry at the
end of the Mass. There were
more than 100 groups represented. Each sent a volunteer
to receive a red rose in the
front of church.
The liturgy also included
a procession of children who
carried 41 white roses to a
side altar during the offertory.
The white roses represented
the 41 years since the U.S.
Supreme Court’s decision in
Roe v. Wade, and its companion case, Doe v. Bolton,
which legalized abortion in
this country.
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13
IN OUR WORLD
Pope: Unity will come as Christians work together
BY CINDY WOODEN
CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
While Christian unity will be
a gift from God, it won’t drop
miraculously from the sky but
will be given to the followers of
Christ step by step as they walk
together and work together, Pope
Francis said.
“To journey together is already to be making unity,” the
pope said Jan. 25 during an ecumenical prayer service marking
the end of the Week of Prayer for
Christian Unity.
With Orthodox, Eastern
Orthodox, Anglican, Lutheran,
Methodist and other Christian
representatives present and reading some of the prayers, Pope
Francis presided over the service
at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside
the Walls.
The service began with Pope
Francis, Orthodox Metropolitan
Gennadios of Italy and Anglican Archbishop David Moxon,
the archbishop of Canterbury’s
representative in Rome, bowing
in prayer before the tomb of St.
Paul on the feast of his conversion.
“We have prayed at the tomb
of Paul and said to one another,
‘Let’s pray that he will help us on
this path, this path of unity and
love,’” the pope said later in his
homily.
“Unity will not come about
as a miracle at the very end,” he
said. “Rather unity comes about
in journeying.”
“If we do not walk together,
if we do not pray for one another,
if we do not collaborate in the
many ways that we can in this
world for the people of God,”
the pope said, “then unity will not
come about.”
Dialogue and collaboration
are essential, he said, but unity
will not be the result of human
effort, “but rather of the Holy
Spirit, who sees our good will.”
Pope Francis, celebrating
his Àrst Christian unity week as
pope, said that “two great popes,
Blessed John XXIII and Blessed
John Paul II,” felt the urgency
of Jesus’ prayer that his disciples
be one. They dedicated so much
of their energy and teaching to
ecumenism that the search for
Christian unity has become “an
essential dimension” of papal
ministry, he said.
“We can say also that the
journey of ecumenism has allowed us to come to a deeper understanding of the ministry of the
successor of Peter, and we must
be conÀdent that it will continue
JOE WOLF
to do so in the future,” he said.
In his apostolic exhortation,
“Evangelii Gaudium” (“The Joy
of the Gospel”), Pope Francis
wrote, “It is my duty, as the
bishop of Rome, to be open to
suggestions which can help make
the exercise of my ministry more
faithful to the meaning which
Jesus Christ wished to give it and
to the present needs of evangelization.”
He noted how how Blessed
John Paul, in his1995 encyclical
on ecumenism, “Ut Unum Sint”
(“That All May be One”), “asked
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14
IN OUR WORLD
C ATHOLIC S PIRIT
Pope focuses on ‘good communication’ in message
BY CAROL GLATZ
CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
Like the good Samaritan,
who stopped on the road to
help a person in need, travelers
along today’s communication
highways should offer support
to those they encounter there,
Pope Francis said.
“The digital world can be an
environment rich in humanity;
a network not of wires but of
people,” he said in his message
for World Communications
Day.
Modern means of communication, especially the Internet,
offer “immense possibilities for
encounter and solidarity,” he
said. Because of that, he said, the
Internet is “a gift from God.”
“Communication at the service of an authentic culture of
encounter” is the theme of this
year’s World Communications
Day, which most dioceses will
mark June 1, the Sunday before
Pentecost. The message, released Jan. 23, was dated Jan. 24,
the feast of St. Francis de Sales,
the patron saint of journalists.
“Good communication
helps us grow closer, to know
one another better, and ultimately to grow in unity,” the
pope said.
“The walls which divide us
can be broken down only if we
are prepared to listen and learn
from one another,” he said. “A
culture of encounter demands
that we be ready not only to
give, but also to receive.”
Good communicators must
take the time necessary to listen
to others and, more than just
tolerate, truly accept them, he
said.
“Engaging in dialogue does
not mean renouncing our own
ideas and traditions, but the
claim that they alone are valid
or absolute,” the pope said in
his message.
Archbishop Claudio Celli, president of the Pontifical
Council for Social Communications, told reporters that
the pope is not proposing “a
relativism” of the faith, but is
continuing his predecessors’
calls for the church to engage
with a multi-cultural and multireligious world.
“I can’t have an outlook of
being the only one and the absolute,” Archbishop Celli said. “I
am just a concrete incarnation of
that truth that is Jesus Christ and
his Gospel,” which people live
out in myriad ways in different
cultures and traditions across
the world.
Pope Francis, in his message, quoted Pope Benedict
XVI’s 2013 World Communications Day text, which says effective Christian witness is “about
our willingness to be available to
others ‘by patiently and respectfully engaging their questions
and their doubts as they advance
in their search for the truth and
the meaning of human existence’” –– not by “bombarding
people with religious messages.”
Pope Francis said genuinely
paying attention to others’ experiences helps one appreciate
the various gifts and richness
in other cultures and traditions.
A culture of encounter, listening and dialogue will help
everyone see and “appreciate
more fully the important values
inspired by Christianity, such as
the vision of the human person,
the nature of marriage and the
family, the proper distinction
between the religious and the
political spheres, the principles
of solidarity and subsidiarity and
many others,” he said.
Though there are drawbacks
and risks with an accelerated and
sometimes isolating means of
communication, “they do not
justify rejecting social media,”
he said.
Technology should serve
humanity, helping it “grow in
humanity and mutual understanding.”
The pope called for an attitude of “neighborliness” in
communication, to promote
closeness and community.
The good Samaritan is a
model for how to approach
and interact with others on today’s digital highways, taking
responsibility for the hurt and
lost there, the pope said.
“Whenever communication
is primarily aimed at promoting
consumption or manipulating
others, we are dealing with a
form of violent aggression like
that suffered by the man in the
parable,” beaten by robbers
and abandoned on the road,”
he said.
“There is a danger that certain media so condition our
responses that we fail to see our
real neighbor,” the pope said.
Information overload or overexposure to injustices like poverty
can make us “so accustomed to
these things that they no longer
unsettle us.”
Good communicators bring
beauty, goodness and truth to
people, something no snappy or
sophisticated media strategy can
do, he said.
“Let our communication
be a balm which relieves pain
and a Àne wine which gladdens
hearts,” the pope said.
“May the light we bring to
others not be the result of cosmetics or special effects, but
rather of our being loving and
merciful ‘neighbors’ to those
wounded and left of the side of
the road.”
Pope Francis said impartiality in the media is an illusion,
since “only by going out into
the world and taking the risk
of being truly and transparently
oneself can communicators become a trusted and “true point
of reference.”
“Personal engagement is the
basis of the trustworthiness of a
communicator,” he said.
The pope said he prefers “a
bruised church which goes out
to the streets” and helps people
encounter Christ to “a church
suffering from self-absorption,”
with its doors and digital spaces
closed to outsiders.
“We are called to show that
the church is the home of all,”
he said, where people, “whatever their situation in life, can
enter.”
THE COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and
the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America launched www.faithandsafety.org, a resource
for adults to help children safely navigate online. The website and complementary social
media channels offer advice for safe use of the Internet, mobile devices and other technology, while emphasizing the positive use of technology to support faith. (CNS)
Pope: Believe whole-heartedly our faith can do anything
BY CAROL GLATZ
CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
There are too many “defeated Christians” in the
church who do not fully believe in the faith handed down
to them by way of tradition
and who do not completely
trust in God, Pope Francis
said.
If Christians don’t believe
and live the faith as a victorious mover of mountains, then
“there is only defeat, and the
prince of the world conquers
the world,” the pope said in
his homily Jan. 10 during his
morning Mass in the Domus
Sanctae Marthae.
The pope focused his
homily on a reading from the
First Letter of John (5:5-13),
in which the apostle reminds
Christians that there will be
eternal life for those who believe in the name of the Son
of God.
“Who indeed is the victor over the world but the
one who believes that Jesus is
the Son of God?” the apostle
asks.
Whoever remains in God
and in his love is victorious over
the world, the pope said, according to a report by Vatican Radio.
“Our faith can do anything,”
he said.
Christians should remind
themselves that faith in God is
powerful and that faith is what
“conquers the world,” because
“many times we are defeated
Christians,” he said.
“The church is full of defeated Christians who don’t
believe in this, that the faith is
victorious,” he said.
A strong, victorious faith requires professing the faith with
all of one’s heart and trusting
completely in God, the pope
said.
“Faith is to profess God,” as
is done with the daily recitation
of the Nicene Creed, he said.
“I believe in one God, I believe in Jesus, I believe ... But do
I believe in what I’m saying,” the
pope asked or are people just
reciting from memory, repeating
what’s being said “like parrots,”
or saying it only because it has
to be recited?
“Or do I believe just some
of it?” he continued.
“Profess the faith! All of it!”
he said, and protect the faith in
its entirety as it has been passed
down by way of tradition.
“We know how to ask
things of God, how to thank
God, but to worship God,
praise God, that’s something
more,” he said.
“Only those who have this
strong faith are capable of adoration,” of worship, he said.
Comparing the intensity of
people’s ardor in worshipping
God to taking someone’s temperature, the pope said, “I dare
say that the thermometer of the
life of the church is a bit low
here.”
There are few people who
have the capacity to really worship “because, in professing the
faith, we aren’t convinced or we
are only partially convinced,”
he said.
Just as professing the faith
allows people to worship and
praise God, putting themselves
completely in God’s hands
brings people real hope, Pope
Francis said.
“There are many Christians
with watered-down hope, not
strong, but weak” because “they
don’t have the courage to entrust themselves to the Lord.”
But by professing the faith,
protecting it, entrusting oneself
to God, “we will be victorious
Christians and this is the victory
that won over the world –– our
faith.”
February 2014
15
IN OUR WORLD
Jerusalem patriarch thanks CRS for 50 years in Holy Land
BY JUDITH SUDILOVSKY
CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
Catholic Relief Services’
work in the Holy Land has
been an authentic expression
of the Christian faith, encouraging a love of God and a
move to action, said Latin
Patriarch Fouad Twal of Jerusalem.
“Your work and commitment invite us to reÁect more
deeply on the experience of
God’s love and open our hearts
to solidarity with our neighbors
and moves us to action,” he said
at a Jan. 15 Mass of Thanksgiving celebrating 50 years of CRS’
presence in the Holy Land.
Patriarch Twal said he gave
thanks to “the all-wondrous
God” who allows for the faith
with which CRS does its work,
noting that CRS is known for
its effective and innovative program all over the world.
“For 50 years CRS has felt
compelled to put into practice
BISHOP RICHARD E. PATES of Des Moines, Iowa, chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace, greets a Palestinian girl during a visit to Schmidt’s
school in East Jerusalem Jan. 15. Bishop Pates and other prelates from North America,
Europe and Africa met with students during a solidarity trip to the Holy Land. (CNS photo
by Debbie Hill)
SAVE
THE
the mandate of the church,” he
said. “Your 50th anniversary
gives us the opportunity to express our gratitude to your organization and those who support
it by prayer and by donation. We
are grateful for your very generous and untiring commitment to
assist the most vulnerable and
poor and to uphold the dignity
of sacred human life.”
CRS, the U.S. bishops’ international relief and development agency, was created in the
wake of World War II to help
displaced people. In 1961 the
Jerusalem ofÀce was established
with the help of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, which
then had sovereignty over East
Jerusalem.
Patriarch Twal noted that,
50 years later, CRS was helping
Syrian refugees in Jordan.
Over its years of service
CRS has moved from emergency response and direct feeding
to building partnership capacity, said Oklahoma City Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, recently
elected CRS chairman. Its work
is ever-evolving, dependent on
the needs and changes in the
communities that the agency
serves, he said, noting that CRS
continues to provide emergency
response when the need arises.
DATE
“We really want to make a
difference but we don’t want
to create dependency,” Archbishop Coakley told Catholic
News Service at a reception following the Mass. “We want to
leave an enduring legacy behind
us, but we are ultimately helping the people where we serve
in the West Bank and Gaza so
they can have a sense of their
own dignity and a sense of their
own capacity to become more
self-reliant. It is all about partnership.”
Bishop Richard E. Pates
of Des Moines, Iowa, chairman of the U.S. bishops’
Committee on International
Justice and Peace, noted the
role CRS has played in creating connections and dialogue
between Christian and Muslim
Palestinians. He said the agency also was creating dialogue
between Palestinians and Israeli Jews.
“It shows that CRS is really
there to serve the needs of the
people –– their physical needs
but also in addition their spiritual needs,” said Bishop Pates,
who attended the Mass and
reception with bishops from
Canada, Europe and South Africa who were in the Holy Land
on a solidarity visit.
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16
IN OUR WORLD
C ATHOLIC S PIRIT
Pope names 19 new cardinals, six from Latin America
BY FRANCIS X. ROCCA
CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
Stressing that their role
would be one of service rather than honor, Pope Francis
named 19 new cardinals, including six men from his home
region of Latin America.
The pope announced the
nominations Jan. 12 after praying
the Angelus and said he would
formally induct the men into the
College of Cardinals Feb. 22.
Although cardinals are traditionally known as “princes of the
church,” Pope Francis, who has
pointedly refused many of the
trappings of his ofÀce, characteristically dismissed any element of
pomp in the distinction he had
decided to bestow.
In a letter to the new cardinals, released by the Vatican Jan.
13, the pope wrote that a red hat
“does not signify a promotion,
an honor or a decoration; it is
simply a form of service that requires expanding your vision and
enlarging your heart.”
Pope Francis instructed the
cardinals-designate to “receive
this new designation with a simple and humble heart. And while
you should do so with joy and
happiness, do it in a way that
this feeling may be far from any
expression of worldliness, or
any form of celebration alien to
the evangelical spirit of austerity,
sobriety and poverty.”
The consistory will bring
the total number of cardinals to
218 and the number of cardinals under age 80 to 122. Until
they reach their 80th birthdays,
cardinals are eligible to vote in a
conclave to elect a new pope.
Two current cardinal electors
will turn 80 in March, bringing
the number of electors back to
the limit of 120 set by Pope Paul
VI. (Other popes have occasionally exceeded that limit for short
periods of time.)
Some observers had predicted that Pope Francis, the
Àrst pope from Latin America,
would use his first selections
to make major changes in the
composition of the cardinal
electors, perhaps by boosting
the presence of residential bishops from the global South and
reducing that of Vatican ofÀcials
or prelates from rich Western
countries.
Half of the new cardinal
electors hail from statistically
underrepresented regions in the
southern hemisphere, including
three of the world’s poorest
countries: Ivory Coast, Burkina
Faso and Haiti. Yet Pope Francis did not substantially reduce
the representation of groups
with a traditionally strong presence.
Five of the new electors
are from Latin America, an
increase by one-third of the
current number from the region. Latin America, home to
about 40 percent of the world’s
Catholics, will account for about
16 percent of the group eligible
to choose the next pope.
The archbishops of Westminster and Quebec are also on
the list of those to receive red
hats; the latter is only cardinaldesignate from North America.
Four of the new cardinal
electors are from Italy, leaving
that nation’s share practically
unchanged at nearly a quarter.
However, the pope passed over
the archbishop of Venice and
the archbishop of Turin, both
dioceses that traditionally come
with a red hat.
Four new cardinal electors
are Vatican officials, three of
them in ofÀces that traditionally
entail membership in the college. Such ofÀcials will continue
to make up slightly more than
a third of the cardinal electors.
Three of the new cardinals
are already over the age of 80
and, therefore, ineligible to vote
in a conclave. The pope uses
such nominations to honor
churchmen for their scholarship
or other service to the church.
Among the new so-called
honorary cardinals is Cardinaldesignate Loris Capovilla, who
served as personal secretary to
Blessed John XXIII.
Here is the list of the new
cardinals:
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• Italian Archbishop Pietro
Parolin, Vatican secretary of
state, who will turn 59 Jan. 17.
• Italian Archbishop Lorenzo Baldisseri, general secretary
of the Synod of Bishops, 73.
• German Archbishop Gerhard Muller, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of
the Faith, 66.
• Italian Archbishop Beniamino Stella, prefect of the
Congregation for Clergy, 72.
• English Archbishop Vincent Nichols of Westminster,
68.
• Nicaraguan Archbishop
Leopoldo Brenes Solorzano of
Managua, 64.
• Canadian Archbishop
Gerald Lacroix of Quebec, 56.
• Ivorian Archbishop JeanPierre Kutwa of Abidjan, Ivory
Coast, 68.
• Brazilian Archbishop Orani Tempesta of Rio de Janeiro,
63.
• Italian Archbishop Gualtiero Bassetti of Perguia-Citta
della Pieve, 71.
• Argentine Archbishop
Mario Poli of Buenos Aires, 66.
• Korean Archbishop Andrew Yeom Soo-jung of Seoul,
70.
• Chilean Archbishop Ricardo Ezzati Andrello of Santiago, 72.
• Burkina Faso Archbishop
Philippe Ouedraogo of Ouagadougou, 68.
• Philippine Archbishop
Orlando Quevedo of Cotabato,
74.
• Haitian Bishop Chibly
Langlois of Les Cayes, 55.
• Italian Archbishop Capovilla, 98.
• Spanish Archbishop Fernando Sebastian Aguilar, retired,
of Pamplona, 84.
• Saint Lucian Archbishop
Kelvin Felix, retired, of Castries,
who will be 81 Feb. 11.
CARDINALDESIGNATE
LEOPOLDO
BRENES SOLORZANO of
Managua, Nicaragua, blesses
a woman in
Tipitapa Jan.
15. Cardinaldesignate
Brenes, 64,
is among 19
new cardinals
named by Pope
Francis Jan. 12.
(CNS photo/
Oswaldo Rivas,
Reuters)
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February 2014
GOOD NEWS
17
The process of moving from priest to bishop
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: Bishop, on Jan. 27
Msgr. Mike Sis was ordained and
installed as the bishop of San
Angelo. With the appointment, the
process of how a bishop is named
and the vocation of a bishop
comes to mind. What is the role of
the bishop?
Bishop Vásquez: The vocation of
the bishop is to follow in the footsteps of the apostles as Christ called
the apostles personally to follow him.
Bishops continue the work that Christ
entrusted to the apostles; bishops
are considered the successors of the
apostles. Blessed John Paul II wrote in
the “Pastores Gregis” that bishops are
to exercise the ministry of leading the
church “as pastors and true fathers.”
In doing so, he wrote, “we have the
task of gathering together the family of
the faithful and in fostering charity and
brotherly communion.”
The word “bishop” comes from a
Greek word, “episkopos” and it means
to watch over or to care for others. So
a bishop in many ways is an overseer.
A bishop is entrusted with the care of
the sheep of that diocese and is sent to
supervise, care for and maintain union
in the diocese to which he is appointed. As a bishop, I am called to serve
the people of God in this particular
church, which is called a diocese.
A bishop supervises the care of the
people of his diocese in three primary
ways –– as teacher, as sanctiÀer and
as chief shepherd. Our role as teacher
involves educating the Áock about
the Catholic faith and helping people
understand the Catholic faith. This is
why I do this interview and compose
various letters. It is my responsibility to
instruct the people to understand what
the church believes and teaches.
The bishop’s role as sanctiÀer
means that I make sure the sacraments
are exercised and offered. One of the
primary roles that I have as bishop is
celebrating the sacrament of ConÀrmation. I travel throughout the diocese
to conÀrm our youth and adults in the
Catholic faith. My role is to ask God
to send his Holy Spirit upon the young
people or adults, so that they become
witnesses of Jesus Christ in the world.
The bishop is the chief liturgist of the
diocese; therefore, he should exemplify
the love, devotion, the reverence, the
care, decorum in celebration of all of
the sacraments.
The bishop’s sacramental role is
important because he is the one who
is called to celebrate the sacraments
for the people. Now he cannot do
that at every place. In the very begin-
ning when the church was smaller,
the bishop himself would celebrate
Mass for all the people. Now, we have
priests, who are co-workers with the
bishop; in union with the bishop, they
are ordained to preach the Gospel,
celebrate the sacraments and shepherd
the faithful.
The bishop is also called to shepherd or govern the people of God. As
our Holy Father has told us, we are
called to serve God’s people. We do
this by following Jesus’ example of
servant leadership. The bishop’s role is
to serve the needs of the people in the
diocese. Here it is important to note
that a bishop is not just responsible for
the Catholics of the diocese, but he is
also responsible for the well-being of
all of the people in his diocese. This is
why bishops speak out on such a wide
array of topics, like immigration and
just wages and the sanctity of life. Our
responsibility is to educate all people
about these issues.
Editor: How is a bishop selected?
Bishop Vásquez: The only one
who can name a bishop is the pope. At
the diocesan level, bishops, priests and
the laity can recommend the names of
priests who they think have the qualities that would be good in service of
the whole church as a bishop. Those
names are sent to Rome, but the Ànal
decision is made by the Holy Father.
Editor: What are some of the
qualities that you think make a
good bishop?
Bishop Vásquez: Some of the
qualities we look for in a bishop would
be a man of holiness, a man who
prays, a man who loves his priests, a
man who loves to be with the people
and desires to serve them. Of course,
a bishop is also aware of the signs of
the times and what is going on in the
world today. He is a person who loves
the poor and promotes vocations. This
man should have a heart like the heart
of the Good Shepherd –– he must
love Jesus Christ and love the people.
Editor: Describe the rite of installation and ordination.
Bishop Vásquez: It is a beautiful
ceremony in which the bishop receives,
Àrst of all, the invocation of the Holy
Spirit in the laying on of hands. Three
bishops consecrate or bless the new
bishop –– usually the archbishop of
the metropolitan (in Bishop Sis’ ceremony this was Archbishop Gustavo
Garcia-Siller of San Antonio), the outgoing bishop of the diocese (Bishop
Michael Pfeiffer), and the bishop from
the diocese that is sending the priest to
become the bishop (me, the bishop of
Austin).
Bishop Sis was anointed with
Chrism, which is a sign that the person
has been given the Spirit to be able to
exercise his new duties and responsibilities as bishop. Then he was given
certain regalia that indicates his role as
a bishop. He was given a ring, which
is a sign of his love for the church and
to protect and defend the church and
to serve her well. He was also given a
miter, which is a sign of his authority
to exercise his role as bishop, and a
shepherd’s staff, or crozier, which is a
sign of guiding, shepherding, defending
and protecting the church.
I was overjoyed to see the outpouring of support for Bishop Sis at
his installation in San Angelo. Many
people from our diocese traveled to
San Angelo to wish him well and many
people from the Diocese of San Angelo were there to welcome him. It was
a blessed day!
Editor: You brieÁy mentioned
that the San Angelo Diocese is in
the metropolitan of the Archdiocese
of San Antonio. Explain the relationship between the dioceses and
their metropolitan.
Bishop Vásquez: There are 15
dioceses in the state of Texas. The dioceses of Austin, Beaumont, Brownsville, Corpus Christi, Tyler and Victoria
are in the metropolitan of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. The
dioceses of Amarillo, Dallas, El Paso,
Fort Worth, Laredo, Lubbock and San
Angelo are in the metropolitan of the
Archdiocese of San Antonio. I think it
is important to say that when the pope
appoints a bishop, the bishop is primarily responsible to the pope, not to
the archbishop. The diocesan bishop
is directly responsible to the pope, but
he works within a structure and that
structure is this archdiocesan structure,
which makes it easier for bishops to
come together to discuss regional topics. Generally, the archbishop of a certain region calls the bishops together to
respond to common issues and needs
of the people.
Editor: As a son of the Diocese
of San Angelo who has many family
members and friends living there,
how has Bishop Sis been welcomed?
Bishop Vásquez: The people
are truly blessed with Bishop Sis and
they have already received him with
open arms. The people of West Texas
are very friendly. I have heard many
comments from people, both laity and
clergy, telling me how excited they are
and they are so happy to have Bishop
Sis as their spiritual leader. Having
worked in close collaboration with
Bishop Sis for several years, I am very
proud because I know that the Diocese
of Austin prepared and formed him
well to serve the people of God there.
San Angelo is deÀnitely a different type of diocese than is Austin. It
is a more rural diocese and more than
30,000 square miles, which Bishop Sis
will come to know well in the months
and years to come.
Editor: Bishop Sis’ departure
leaves a hole in our diocese. How
will a new Vicar General be selected?
Bishop Vásquez: It is my
responsibility now to select a new
Vicar General. With much prayer and
reÁection, I will select a priest who
will help me carry out my function
as bishop. I ask the whole diocese
to pray for me as I select a man who
will help us move the Austin Diocese
forward and carry on the duties and
responsibilities of Vicar General.
The selection process requires time,
thought and prayer.
Editor: On that note, what is
your prayer as we go forward from
this point?
Bishop Vásquez: My prayer is one
of thanksgiving. I am thankful to God
that Bishop Sis, a priest of the Diocese
of Austin, was selected to be a bishop
in the church. That brings me great joy
and I am very proud! I ask the people
to pray for Bishop Sis, to pray for his
diocese and his ministry, to pray for
our own particular diocese, and to be
thankful to God that we again have
given the church another one of our
priests who now is a bishop to serve
the needs of the whole church.
ARCHBISHOP GUSTAVO GARCIA-SILLER of San Antonio anoints
the head of Bishop Michael Sis as he is ordained and installed as
bishop of the Diocese of San Angelo. (Photo by Shelley Metcalf)
GOOD NEWS
18
C ATHOLIC S PIRIT
The character, mission, witness of permanent deacons
It’s been almost 50 years since the
permanent diaconate was restored by
Pope Paul VI. Yet, many Catholics still
might not fully understand the purpose
and role of permanent deacons. By
examining one of the church’s Àrst
deacons, St. Stephen, we can discover
some key insights about today’s deacons.
consider the diaconate, the men then
discern their call –– along with their
wives (if married), families, pastor,
spiritual director and most importantly the church.
The goal of discernment is to determine whether the Holy Spirit has
indeed placed it on their heart to to
enter into a deeper relationship with
Christ, to pursue a deeper dimension
of their baptismal call, and to make
a greater commitment to serve the
people of God in his name.
Character
Mission
BY DEACON DAN LUPO
GUEST COLUMNIST
St. Stephen was recognized by his
early Christian community as reputable and wise (Acts 6:3). They saw him
as “a man Àlled with faith and the
Holy Spirit” (6:5), and recommended
him to the Twelve, who laid hands
on him, ordaining him as one of the
church’s Àrst seven Àrst permanent
deacons (6:1-7).
Similarly, pastors and parishioners
today identify men from their parish communities whose reputation,
wisdom and faith life mark them as
potentially having a call by the Holy
Spirit to diaconal ministry. Asked to
As a deacon, St. Stephen served
widows, who –– no longer having a
husband to provide for and protect
them –– were marginalized by society. He also served others who were
marginalized for various reasons: the
sick, the poor, the imprisoned, those
suffering afÁictions such as blindness,
lameness or deafness.
The primary service of the deacon
was to bring Christ in the consecrated
bread left over from Mass –– “the
breaking of the bread” (Acts 2:42)
–– to those who could not attend.
But deacons also served the pasto-
ral needs of the people, too, offering them Christ the healer in their
compassionate presence, prayers and
words of consolation.
Today’s permanent deacons
are considered “custodian(s) and
dispenser(s) of the Eucharist” (Lumen Gentium, 29). Deacons bring the
Eucharist to the homebound, the sick
in hospitals, the incarcerated in prisons
and jails, the dying in hospices, the
elderly in nursing homes, the poor and
displaced in shelters, and the homeless
on the streets.
Witness
St. Stephen became the Àrst
Christian martyr (the Greek word
martyr means “witness”); he was
stoned to death for the “blasphemy”
of teaching, preaching and witnessing
about Jesus. St. Stephen was so Àlled
with the Holy Spirit that he forgave
his murderers, praying, “Lord, do
not hold this sin against them” (Acts
7:60).
Today’s deacons also witness to
the mercy and love of Christ. They
“die to themselves,” pouring out their
lives in loving service to others, in
1-877-WeCare2
1-877-932-2732
seeking
[email protected]
www.austindiocese.org/
projectrachel
JUSTICE
Thursday, March 20, 2014 · 7:00 pm
Renaissance Austin Hotel · 9721 Arboretum Blvd
Texas Center for Defense of Life’s mission is to defend the sanctity
of human life in Texas and federal courts from conception through
natural death. TCDL provides free legal representation and support
to pro-life organizations and individuals throughout Texas.
Individual Tickets · $75
Sponsorships Available
For information
and reservations:
www.TCDL.org
512-763-9068
“I am proud to be part of Texas Center
for Defense of Life’s benefit dinner and
congratulate them on the victories they
have accomplished for LIFE.”
— Gov. Mike Huckabee
DEACON DAN LUPO
is the co-director of
Diaconal Formation for the Austin
Diocese. He can be
reached at (512) 9492411 or dan-lupo@
austindiocese.org.
Is there an abortion
in your past?
“Blessed are they who maintain justice,
who constantly do what is right.” psalm 106:3
Texas Center for Defense of Life
Second Annual Benefit Dinner
featuring Gov. Mike Huckabee
the name of the church. At ordination the deacon surrenders his will to
God, and receives faculties to teach
and preach the Good News of God’s
love, to baptize, to receive a couple’s
wedding vows, and to preside at
funeral services.
In 2018, a National Diaconate
Congress will be held in New Orleans
to celebrate the 50th anniversary of
the restoration of the permanent
diaconate in the Catholic Church.
Because he is the model for today’s
permanent deacon, St. Stephen will
most assuredly be there in spirit.
For more information on the
diaconate in the Diocese of Austin,
contact Deacon Guadalupe Rodriguez
at (512) 949-2410 or Deacon Dan
Lupo at (512) 949-2411.
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To advertise, call Shelley Metcalf at (512) 949-2443.
February 2014
GOOD NEWS
19
St. Paula founded the Pious School Sisters
BY MARY LOU GIBSON
COLUMNIST
Sometimes children are forced to
grow up quickly when their family
life is radically changed due to illness,
death or natural disasters. Paula Montal
Fornés’s childhood ended abruptly
when her father died when she was 10.
The family lived in the Spanish seaside
village of Arenys de Mar in the early
19th century.
After her father’s death, Paula was
forced to end her education and Ànd
work to help her mother support her
four younger siblings. Editor Bernard
Bangley writes in “Butler’s Lives of the
Saints” that this was a troubled era in
Spanish history and there were few opportunities for poor women to get an
education and Ànd work.
At the age of 11 Paula went to
work as a lace maker to add to the
family income. She soon found herself
helping other girls and teaching them
lace making. During these difÀcult
years, Paula became prayerful and
more aware of the suffering of others. She discovered that she had the
gift of teaching and so began to teach
the young girls the catechism and the
basics of Christianity.
As she grew into young adulthood,
Paula became aware that a woman
who was not well educated was not
prepared for life. Author Sarah Gallick
writes in “The Big Book of Women
Saints” that Paula believed that women
were the essential element in the transformation of society, especially through
the family. She saw few opportunities
for women to obtain an education.
Author Jean Heimann writes that
Paula believed that women needed
an education to prepare them for life.
At that time, women were treated as
subordinate to men, and Paula believed
this was a factor in the breakdown of
the family unit. She felt called by God
to do something about this educational
inequality.
In 1829, Paula moved to Figueras,
a border city between Spain and
France, and with her friend, Inés
Busquets, opened her Àrst school for
girls. The school had broad educational programs, which even surpassed
those offered in schools for boys. This
school was a success and led to other
schools established in 1842 and 1846.
When Paula opened her second
school in her hometown of Arenys de
Mar in 1842, she was guided by the
Piarist Fathers of Mataró. The Piarists
were founded by Joseph Calasanz, a
Spanish nobleman who established
the Àrst free public school in Europe.
Paula was drawn to the Calasanz spirituality and rules and they formed her
ideas for establishing her own religious
congregation.
As she made plans to establish her
third school, she was also ready to put
into place the structure of her newly
formed Congregation. A pivotal date in
her life occurred on Feb. 2, 1847 when
she made her profession as a Daughter of Mary Religious of the Pious
Schools, along with three companions.
The order is now known as the Sisters
of the Pious Schools. Gallick writes
that the sisters take a fourth vow to
dedicate themselves to teaching. When
Paula took her Ànal vows, she became
Paula of Saint Joseph of Calasanz.
Paula was not elected General Superior or even Assistant General of her
new congregation. Instead, for the next
30 years, she was active in establishing schools in seven different cities.
Heimann writes that the last school she
personally founded was in the poor,
small town of Olesa de Montserrat, at
the foot of the Monastery of Our Lady
of Montserrat. It became her favorite
school and she stayed there until her
death in 1889.
Heimann describes Mother Paula
Montal’s spirituality as being driven
by two elements: her participation
in the Calasanz spirituality and her
unique educational charism focused on
the complete Christian education of
women.
“The Pious School Sisters” received papal approval from Pope Pius
IX in 1860. Today, the congregation
has more than 800 Sisters, spread out
over 112 communities, educating some
30,000 students in 19 countries.
Mother Paula Montal Fornés de
San José de Calasanz was beatiÀed in
1993 by Pope John Paul II and canonized in 2001. Her feast day is Feb. 26.
MARY LOU GIBSON is
a member of St. Austin Parish in Austin.
She is a retired state
employee.
Abortion is not just an ‘unplugging’ of mother, child
BY REV. TADEUSZ PACHOLCZYK, PH.D.
COLUMNIST
In her still-widely-read 1971
article, “A Defense of Abortion”,
Judith Jarvis Thomson sets up a
thought experiment known as “The
Famous Violinist Problem” to argue
that abortion ought to be morally
justiÀed when a pregnancy arises out
of sexual assault:
“You wake up in the morning and
Ànd yourself back to back in bed with
a … famous unconscious violinist. He
has been found to have a fatal kidney
ailment, and the Society of Music
Lovers has canvassed all the available
medical records and found that you
alone have the right blood type to help.
They have therefore kidnapped you,
and last night the violinist’s circulatory
system was plugged into yours, so that
your kidneys can be used to extract
poisons from his blood as well as your
own ... To unplug you would be to kill
him. But never mind, it’s only for nine
months. By then he will have recovered from his ailment, and can safely
be unplugged from you.”
Most people would share the
intuition that they should be able to
unplug themselves from the violinist, since they didn’t consent to being
hooked up in the Àrst place. Others
would suggest an analogy with becoming pregnant from rape, so the mother
could “unplug” herself from the child
by abortion.
At least two serious problems,
however, exist with this analogy.
First, the famous violinist is not
a good parallel for the child conceived by sexual assault. The violinist
in Thomson’s thought experiment
is basically a stranger to us. But the
child conceived in rape is not, properly speaking, a stranger at all, and the
analogy should probably be corrected
to indicate this: “When the woman
wakes up, she Ànds herself connected
to a prodigy violinist who also happens
to be her 12 year old son.” In such a
scenario, she would far more easily
admit an obligation to remain attached
to him, even for an extended period of
time. Following a rape that results in
pregnancy, a woman likewise Ànds herself connected to her own progeny, her
own child in utero, with similar natural
moral obligations to nurture and care
for her own Áesh and blood.
The second problem with Thomson’s analogy is that abortion is not like
“unplugging” a tube connecting one
person to another, and allowing the
dependent individual to expire from a
condition like kidney failure. Instead,
abortion invokes various surgical and
obstetrical procedures that directly end
the life of, and even dismember, the in
utero child.
Norma McCorvey, the former
“Jane Roe” of the Roe v. Wade
Supreme Court decision, herself once
worked in an abortion clinic and later
described what happened there:
“When a later abortion was performed, workers had to piece the baby
back together, and every major part
–– head, torso, two legs, and two arms
–– had to be accounted for. One of
our little jokes at the clinic was, “If you
ever want to humble a doctor, hide a
leg so he thinks he has to go back in.”
Please understand, these were not abnormal, uncaring women working with
me at the clinic. We were just involved
in a bloody, dehumanizing business, all
of us for our own reasons. Whether we
were justifying our past advocacy (as I
was), justifying a previous abortion (as
many were) or whatever, we were just
trying to cope –– and if we couldn’t
laugh at what was going on, I think our
minds would have snapped.”
McCorvey’s comments remind us
that abortion is essentially a violent and
deadly act, not a euphemistic “unhooking” or “separating” of mother and
child. Thus we might wish to modify
Thomson’s analogy once again in order
to maintain parallelism: “A woman
wakes up in the morning and Ànds
herself attached to a violinist. To free
herself from any further involvement
with him, she asks a doctor to come
in with a knife and to dismember the
renowned musician.” The absolute
wrongness of such direct killing would
remain beyond dispute, as would the
wrongness of any direct killing actions
by a raped woman directed against her
unborn son because of the sins of his
father.
In reÁecting on the speciÀcs of
“The Famous Violinist Problem,” we
begin to appreciate the importance
of never subjecting an innocent third
party, whether a musician or an in
utero child, to direct lethal harm simply
because they Ànd themselves in a state
of radical dependence upon another
human being. Although we aren’t obligated to use extreme or extraordinary
measures to try to save the violinist in
Thomson’s thought experiment, we
shouldn’t make the error of supposing that the state of pregnancy itself is
somehow extraordinary or extreme,
even in the tragic case of sexual assault,
given that it objectively embodies the
natural and familial line of duty to care
for our own offspring.
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.
GOOD NEWS
20
C ATHOLIC S PIRIT
Parishes encouraged to pray for end to human trafÀcking
BY BARBARA BUDDE
COLUMNIST
The movie “Twelve Years a Slave”
brings the horrors of our past engagement with slavery to the big screen
and to the consciences of all who see
it or read the book. We may shake our
heads and think, “Thank God the evil
PRAY for an end to human
traf¿cking on Feb. 8, the feast
day of St. Josephina Bakhita.
(Clarion Herald)
of human slavery is past.” Unfortunately that is not true! Though public
buying and selling of slaves is no
longer tolerated, the trafÀcking of human persons is alive and sadly, human
slavery remains a thriving economic
industry.
The Miriam-Webster dictionary
deÀnes human trafÀcking as “organized criminal activity in which human
beings are treated as possessions to be
controlled and exploited (as by being
forced into prostitution or involuntary labor).” A much longer and more
comprehensive deÀnition can be found
on the website for the United Nations
OfÀce on Drugs and Crime. However
complex a deÀnition, human trafÀcking is a sin against human persons and,
therefore, a concern for the church.
According to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishop an estimated
17,000 persons are trafÀcked into the
U.S. every year. Many are men, women
and children Áeeing brutal poverty or
violence abroad who are ensnared in a
web of horror involving the sex trade
or forced labor. Sometimes, victims of
trafÀcking are American teens leaving
home or just trying to “make it” in the
movies or modeling. No matter if the
victim is young, old, male, female, U.S.
citizen or not, the trapping, enslaving
and trafÀcking is an atrocity that must
end.
The U.S. bishops are inviting
parishes to participate in the “Become
a Shepherd” program. Shepherd is an
acronym for “Stop Human trafÀcking and Exploitation, Protect, Help,
Empower, and Restore Dignity.” We
are invited to pray on Feb. 8, the feast
of St. Josephina Bakhita, a victim of
human trafÀcking. St. Josephina was
kidnapped as a young girl and sold
into slavery in Sudan. Eventually she
was sold to an Italian diplomat who
brought her to Italy where she became the nanny for the child of family
friends.
Circumstances led to Josephina
and the child to spend some time with
the Canossian Sisters. While there,
Josephine was catechized, baptized and
sought her freedom so she could join
this religious community. She died in
1947 after 50 years with the Canossian Sisters and was canonized on Oct.
1, 2000. The life and holiness of St.
Josephina provide an opportunity for
us to learn more about how we can be
pro-active in ending this modern day
slavery through prayer, action and advocacy. Her dedication shows us that
we are not helpless in the face of evil.
The “Become a Shepherd”
program is a way to begin. For more
information go to the Anti-TrafÀcking Program OfÀce of the USCCB at
www.usccb.org/about/anti-trafÀcking-program/index.cfm where there
is information on all the efforts of
the bishops to address human trafÀcking. There are links to important
information such as ways to recognize victims of human trafÀcking and
National Human TrafÀcking Hotline number 1-888-373-7888. Scroll
down on that page to Ànd a link for
the “Become a Shepherd Tool Kit.”
There are links for more information about St. Josephina Bakhita and
samples of a prayer service parishes
can have to end human trafÀcking.
Parishes can e-mail the Migration and
Refugee Services department to get a
tool kit to help shut down slave trade
once and for all.
The feast day of St. Josephina
gives us an opportunity during Black
History Month (February) to pray to
one of our own Black Catholic saints
for courage and determination. Her
life story reminds us that God can
and does act, even in the midst of the
evil of human slavery and trafÀcking. Through the intercession of St.
Josephina, we pray, act and advocate
so that human slavery and trafÀcking
can and will come to an end for the
millions today who are caught in this
human atrocity.
BARBARA BUDDE
is the diocesan
director of social
concerns. She can
be reached at (512)
949-2471 or
barbara-budde@
austindiocese.org.
Pope Francis’ Àrst World Day of Peace message
BY TONY MAGLIANO
GUEST COLUMNIST
A hopeful, yet sadly still unfulÀlled dream, is reÁected in the title of
Pope Francis’ Jan. 1, 2014 World Day
of Peace message, “Fraternity, the
Foundation and Pathway to Peace.”
“In the heart of every man and
woman,” writes the pope, “is the desire for a full life, including that irrepressible longing for fraternity which
draws us to fellowship with others
and enables us to see them not as
enemies or rivals, but as brothers and
sisters to be accepted and embraced.
“Fraternity is an essential human
quality, for we are relational beings.
A lively awareness of our relatedness helps us to look upon and to
treat each person as a true sister or
brother; without fraternity it is impossible to build a just society and a solid
and lasting peace.”
Pope Francis observes that our
world is marked by a “globalization
of indifference,” which leads to a
coldness toward “the suffering of
others and closed in on ourselves.”
Francis adds, “The many situations of inequality, poverty and injustice are signs not only of a profound
lack of fraternity, but also of the
absence of a culture of solidarity.”
In an age where God is often
ignored, Pope Francis counters that
true and lasting fraternity must Àrst
and foremost be based on the recognition of a common, transcendent
Father, and his plan for humanity as
presented in sacred Scripture –– especially in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
“The succession of economic
crises,” says the pope, “should lead
to a timely rethinking of our models
of economic development and to a
change in lifestyles.”
To a very large extent, we have
a brutal, winner-take-all economic
model –– where the rich get fat and
the poor are thrown crumbs from the
feast.
There are better, far more ethical
economic models that use Fair Trade
practices, which more equitably beneÀt growers, workers and costumers
(visit www.fairtradeusa.org).
Here the pope writes, “I would
like to remind everyone of that
necessary universal destination of all
goods, which is one of the fundamental principles of the church’s social
teaching.”
“I appeal forcefully,” writes the
pope, “to all those who sow violence
and death by force of arms: in the
person you today see simply as an
enemy to be beaten, discover rather
your brother or sister, and hold back
your hand!
“Give up the way of arms and
go out to meet the other in dialogue,
pardon and reconciliation, in order to
rebuild justice, trust, and hope around
you! ‘From this standpoint, it is clear
that, for the world’s peoples, armed
conÁicts are always a deliberate negation of international harmony, and
create profound divisions and deep
wounds which require many years to
heal.’”
Acknowledging the dangerous
fact that the world is Áooded with
weapons, Pope Francis clearly states,
“For this reason, I make my own the
appeal of my predecessors for the
non-proliferation of arms and for
disarmament of all parties, beginning
with nuclear and chemical weapons
disarmament.”
Instead of condoning huge militaries, more weaponry, the lucrative
arms trade and the modernization
of nuclear weapons, the Holy Father
appeals for a halt to the arms trade,
and calls for total multilateral disarmament – starting with nuclear and
chemical weapons.
“Give up the way of arms and
go out to meet the other in dialogue,
pardon and reconciliation, in order to
rebuild justice, trust, and hope around
you!”
To view the pope’s entire
World Peace Day message, visit
http://press.vatican.va/content/
salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2013/12/12/0832/01872.
html#TESTO IN LINGUA
INGLESE.
TONY MAGLIANO is
an internationally
syndicated social
justice and peace
columnist. He wrote
for Catholic News
Service for 11
years.
February 2014
BULLETIN BOARD
Discernment..................
21
For Your
Information
Catholic Scripture Study of Austin meets on Wednesdays from 9:30 to
11:30 a.m. at St. Louis Parish in Austin.
The weekly two-hour Bible study consists of prayer, small group discussion
and guest lecturers. This year the course
is studying Joshua and James. Register
online at www.cssaustin.org. For more
information, contact Rosemary Howard
at (512) 345-3687.
Catholic Scripture Study of Cedar
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 Joshua and James. For more information, contact Bob Gorski at (512)
636-2927 or [email protected].
The Diocese of Austin is beginning
the process to develop a new Pastoral
Plan. To better understand the pastoral
needs of the people of the Austin Diocese, the planning team will host several
listening sessions: Feb. 5 in English from
7 to 9 p.m. at St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Austin, Feb. 6 in English from 7
to 9 p.m. at St. Joseph Hall at Reicher
Catholic High School in Waco, Feb. 11
in English from 7 to 9 p.m. at Santa Cruz
Parish in Buda, Feb. 11 in Spanish from
7 to 9 p.m. at Santa Cruz Parish in Buda
and Feb. 12 in Spanish from 7 to 9 p.m.
at Sacred Heart Parish in Austin.
Theology on Tap will meet Feb. 6
at Casa Chapala in Austin. Marie Cehovin, director of the diocesan OfÀce of
Pro Life Activities and Chaste Living,
will discuss One, Holy, Catholic and
Apostolic: a Look at the Marks of the
Church. Music and fellowship will begin
at 6 p.m. and the presentation will begin
at 7 p.m. For more information, contact
Jennifer Kodysz at (512) 949-2467 or
[email protected].
The 13th annual White Mass
will be celebrated Feb. 11 at 6 p.m. at
St. Theresa Parish in Austin. Bishop
Joe Vásquez will celebrate the Mass,
which will include the sacrament of the
anointing of the sick. This Mass, which
is sponsored by the Austin Diocese
and the Catholic Healthcare Guild, is
intended for all Catholics working in
health care as well as those in need of
healing and anointing. The Mass will
offer the opportunity for all who work
in the health care arena to join in community with others in the ministry of
healing and to receive the blessing from
the bishop of Austin. For more information, visit www.austindiocese.org/
calendar/events/13564/white-massand-anointing.
Pax Christi Austin meets the third
Sunday of every month at 7 p.m. at the
Father John Payne House at St. Ignatius
Martyr Parish in Austin. Everyone is
welcome. Pax Christi Austin is a member of Pax Christi International and Pax
Christi USA, the Catholic peace and
justice movement that works and prays
to create a world that reÁects the peace
of Christ. For more information, contact
Bob Rankin at [email protected].
An introductory seminar on natural family planning will be offered Feb.
19 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Thomas More Parish in Austin. Introductory seminars are
structured to satisfy the Austin diocese
requirement for marriage preparation for
all parishes. To register, contact Amanda
and Ryan Ransom at ransomsnfp@
gmail.com.
On Feb. 20, the faithful throughout the Austin Diocese will begin 33
days of preparation prayer for Total
Consecration to Jesus through Mary.
Each day of prayer represents one year
in the life of Christ and is done privately in homes using the consecration
preparation book. Visit www.TexasToJesusThroughMary.org by Feb. 2 to
receive a free book by mail and for more
information. All are invited renew their
consecration to Jesus through Mary at a
Mass on March 25.
The Knights of Columbus will
host a clergy and religious appreciation
dinner for all priests, brothers, sisters,
deacons and seminarians, Feb. 20 from
5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at St. Helen Parish in
Georgetown. For more information or
to register, contact Albert Villegas at [email protected].
The Catholic Charismatic Renewal of Austin (CCRA) will host its
monthly Mass Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. at San
José Parish in Austin. Father Robert
Becker will celebrate the Mass. For more
information, contact Sabrina Perez at
(512) 466-7669 or visit www.ccraustin.
org.
A series of classes on the Billings
Ovulation Method of natural family
planning will begin Feb. 26 at 7:30 p.m. at
St. Thomas More Parish in Austin. Subsequent classes will be offered March 12 and
26. To register, e-mail Amanda and Ryan
Ransom at [email protected].
A Prepare-Enrich Facilitator
Training will be held March 1 from 9
a.m. to 4 p.m. at the diocesan Pastoral
Center in Austin. This training will prepare participants to give the PREPARE
premarital inventory to couples preparing for marriage and to discuss the results in a manner that has been shown to
effectively reduce later marital conÁict.
The PREPARE has a specially-designed
version for Catholic couples and is available in English and Spanish. For more
information, contact the diocesan Family
Life OfÀce at (512) 949-2495 or [email protected].
The Rite of Election will be held
March 8 at 1 p.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas
Parish in College Station and March 9 at
2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. at St. John Vianney Parish in Round Rock. To register,
visit www.austindiocese.org/officesministries/ofÀces/worship-ofÀce/riteelection-registration.
A Discernment Dinner for high
school age Catholic men will be held
on the Àrst Wednesday of each month
at 7 p.m. at St. William Parish Rectory
in Round Rock. Young men with an
openness to encountering Christ, discovering their identity, and their mission are
invited to join others for dinner, evening
prayer, a presentation and discussion.
For more information, contact Father
Alex Caudillo at (512) 600-8154 or
[email protected].
Project Andrew will be held Feb. 8
from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Mary Cathedral in Austin. Catholic men between
the ages of 16 and 45 who are interested
in learning more about discernment,
the priesthood and seminary life are
invited to attend. The day will include
prayer, testimonials by priests and seminarians, Mass and lunch with Bishop
Joe Vásquez. For more information,
contact the diocesan Vocation OfÀce at
[email protected] or (512)
949-2430.
A men’s discernment dinner for
single, Catholic men ages 18 and older
will be held on the second Wednesday of
each month from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the
Borromeo House in Austin. Men with
an openness to a priestly vocation and
discernment are invited to dinner, evening prayer, and a presentation on ProActive Discernment, Part I: Principles
of Discernment. For more information,
contact Father Brian McMaster, diocesan vocation director, at (512) 949-2430
or (512) 450-4073.
Project Miriam will be held Feb.
15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Mary
Cathedral in Austin. Single, Catholic
women between the ages of 16 and 45
are invited to learn more about Mary’s
joyful “yes” to God. The day will include
testimonials and prayer with religious
sisters as well as Mass and lunch with
Bishop Joe Vásquez. For more information, contact the diocesan Vocation
OfÀce at [email protected]
or (512) 949-2430.
Retreats.........................
“Of Gods and Men: Fireside ReÁection,” a weekend retreat, will be held
Feb. 7-9 at Cedarbrake Catholic Retreat
Center in Belton. This retreat is based on
a true story about seven Trappist monks
who lived and worked among the local
villagers in Algiers. It is a story of faith,
courage, discernment and survival. The
movie will be shown, and Mass, reconciliation and adoration will be part of the
weekend. Brian Egan, Beverly Collin and
Father Angelo Bertini will present. The
cost is $195 per person for a private room,
and $160 per person for shared rooms.
For more information or to register,
contact Cedarbrake at (254) 780-2436 or
[email protected].
“Increase my Faith,” a day of reÁection, will be presented Feb. 17 from 9
a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Cedarbrake Catholic
Retreat Center in Belton. Father Justin
Nguyen, associate pastor of St. Louis
Parish in Waco, will lead this day based
on John 14:1: “Do not let your hearts be
troubled. You have faith in God; have
faith also in me.” The cost is $35, which
includes lunch. For information, contact
Cedarbrake at (254) 780-2436 or [email protected].
Married couples who are looking for
a getaway and time to reconnect with one
another are invited to a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Feb. 21-23 at Cedarbrake
Retreat Center in Belton. The weekend
begins Friday at 7:30 p.m. and ends Sunday around 4 p.m. This is an opportunity
for husbands and wives to escape the
daily distractions of life and focus on
each other. For more information or to
apply to attend, contact Steve and Linda
Jaramillo at (512) 677-WWME (9963) or
[email protected].
An Ash Wednesday Retreat will be
held March 5 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
at Cedarbrake Catholic Retreat Center
in Belton. This day is meant to help participants experience Scripture, meditation
and quiet time as they enter their Lenten
journeys. Mass and the distribution of
ashes will be included. The cost is $35,
which includes lunch. For information,
contact Cedarbrake at (254) 780-2436 or
[email protected].
Are you and your spouse struggling to stay married? Do you feel
alone? Are you frustrated or angry with
each other? Do you argue … or have
you just stopped talking to each other?
Does talking about it only make it worse?
Retrouvaille helps couples through difÀcult times in their marriages. For conÀdential information about Retrouvaille
or how to register for one of the program
weekends in 2014 (March 28-30 or
Sept 19-21), call 1-800-470-2230 or visit
www.helpourmarriage.com.
Send in your items!
CATHOLIC SPIRIT offers this page, “For Your
Information,” as a “community bulletin board.”
Items of general interest of upcoming parish and
diocesan events, including parish social events,
will be printed at no charge at the discretion of
the editor. The deadline for material is the 10th
of the month, with publication occurring the
łrst week of the following month. Material may
be e-mailed to catholic-spirit@austindiocese.
org or faxed to (512) 949-2523.
BULLETIN BOARD
Parish and community events................................
22
St. William Parish in Round Rock
will host a Sweetheart Dinner and Dance
Feb. 8 at the St. William Parish Hall. Dinner is from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and the dance
is from 8 to 11:30 p.m. Music will be
provided by Gary Hobbs. Advance tickets
are $30 per person, which includes dinner.
Tickets will be $35 per person at the door.
For ticket information, call Julio Campos
at (512) 635-4707 or Gloria Vallejo at
(512) 968-2197.
Single Catholics Serving Central
Texas and Austin Catholic Singles
present the Àrst “Share the Love” Charity
Ball Feb. 8 from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. at the
San José Parish Hall in Austin. The evening will include dance lessons, prizes for
the best dressed, a photo booth, desserts
and more. Cocktail attire is requested and
50s vintage attire is encouraged. The suggested donation is $15, with all proceeds
beneÀting Catholic Charities of Central
Texas. For any questions or for more
information, e-mail [email protected].
Father Nathan Cromley and Father Michael Therese Scheerger from
the Brothers of Saint John will be present a series of monthly lectures entitled
“Evangelization in the Modern World.”
Burse
The Diocesan Council of Catholic
Women has completed a burse for
the Clerical Endowment Fund (CEF)
in memory of Jesuit Father Robert
Bradley.
The totals for the burse as of Dec.
31, 2013, are listed below by council.
Austin Council
$819.00
Brazos Valley Council
$459.00
Central Council
$292.00
Eastern Council
$836.00
Northern Council
$1,545.00
Southern Council
$758.00
Temple Council
$1,830.00
Previous Balance
$7,998.72
Total
$14,537.72
The Clerical Endowment Fund provides low-cost loans to parishes. Interest
from the loans is used to educate diocesan
seminarians. For information, contact either Father Ed Karasek at (254) 826-3705
or Mary Ann Till at (512) 353-4943.
C ATHOLIC S PIRIT
The workshops will be held Feb. 9, March
23, April 27 and May 11 at St. Mary Cathedral in Austin. Mass will be at 5:30 p.m.
and the lecture will follow in the Bishop’s
Hall. Participants are encouraged to bring
their Bibles. For more information, contact Celia Martinez at (512) 441-9914 or
[email protected].
An Evening in Pakistan will be held
Feb. 9 at Holy Trinity Parish in Corn Hill/
Jarrell. The evening will feature culinary
delights from India/Pakistan, traditional
music and entertainment, and an enchanting bazaar. Proceeds beneÀt Missionaries
of Hope, a non-proÀt organization established to provide education and healthcare for the desperately poor children of
Pakistan. Reservations are $35 per person.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.
Godsforgottenchildren.org. For more
information, contact Virginia Lee at (512)
426-9795.
Catholic Charities of Central Texas
will host the third annual Celebrate
Life Dinner with Guest Speaker David
Bereit Feb. 13 at 5:30 p.m. at St. Joseph
Parish in Bryan. Proceeds will beneÀt the
life-afÀrming programs of Catholic Charities of Central Texas, including Family Assistance and Referral, Immigration Legal
Services and the Good Samaritan Gabriel
Project Life Center. Table sponsorship
opportunities and tickets are available at
www.ccctx.org/celebratelife2014 or (979)
822-9340.
The annual Czech Mass in honor
of Sts. Cyril and Methodius, patron
saints of the Czech Republic, will be
held on their feast day Feb. 14 at 6:30
p.m. at Holy Trinity Parish in Corn Hill.
All prayers, readings and hymns will
be in the Czech language. After Mass,
a dinner will be served in the Parish
Activity Center. Everyone is welcome
to come and celebrate this special feast
day of Sts. Cyril and Methodius. Come
and pray with us in Czech and celebrate
your Czech heritage.
The second annual Austin Men’s
Conference will be held Feb. 22 at San
José Parish in Austin. The conference,
which is presented by the Central Texas
Fellowship of Catholic Men, features
Father Larry Richards, the founder and
president of The Reason for our Hope
Foundation, and Justin Fatica, who
founded the Hard As Nails Ministry in an
effort to bring youth and young adults to
Jesus Christ. Tickets are $39 each, which
includes lunch. Tickets are available online
at www.CatholicManToMan.com.
A Black History Month and Motherland Mass and meal will be held Feb.
23 at 10 a.m. at Holy Cross Parish in Austin. The Mass will feature African music
and several indigenous languages. Joyce
James, a Holy Cross parishioner, will
speak on the 2014 National Black History
Month Theme: “The 50th Anniversary of
the Civil Rights Act.”
The third annual Mardi Gras
Masquerade sponsored by St. Ignatius
Parish will be held March 1 beginning at
6 p.m. at the Austin Marriott South. For
more information, visit www.st-ignatius.
org/school/.
The Knights of Columbus Council 6366 of St. Mary Parish in Caldwell
will host the annual Homecoming Festival March 2 beginning at 10:30 a.m. at
the SPJST Hall on State Hwy. 36 S. in
Caldwell. This year’s festival will feature a
barbecue brisket dinner for $8 a plate, as
well as music, games a silent auction and a
live auction beginning at 12:30 p.m.
The annual Pro-Life BeneÀt Gala
will be held March 2 at the AT&T Executive Education Conference Center in
Austin. The featured speaker will be Msgr.
Philip J. Reilly, founder and executive
director of Helpers of God’s Precious Infants, Inc. Individual seats as well as tables
and sponsorships are available. For more
information, visit www.austindiocese.org/
prolifegala.
St. Louis Parish in Austin will
present a parish mission featuring John
Michael Talbot March 6-8 at 7 p.m.
each evening. Talbot is a Contemporary
Christian musician and author of 26
books. Tickets are not required, but a love
offering will be collected each evening.
For more information, contact St. Louis
Parish at (512) 454-0384.
The Knights of Columbus Council
6366 of St. Mary Parish in Caldwell will
sell fried Àsh dinners for the six Fridays of
Lent (March 7, 14, 21, 28; April 4 and 11)
from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Plates are $8 each
and will be available via drive-through
only at St. Mary’s Gym. Proceeds will
beneÀt the KC’s scholarship fund.
The Catholic Charismatic Renewal of Austin (CCRA) will host a
conference March 7-8 in the parish hall of
Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Austin.
Friday’s events will be from 7 to 10 p.m.
and Saturday’s events will be from 9 a.m.
to 10 p.m. Speakers will include Father
Robert Becker, Father John Kim and Carmen Frankel from the Archdiocese of San
Antonio. Registration is available online at
ccraustin.org or by calling (512) 563-7851.
A Lenten conference for women
entitled “Walking with Mary: Crushing
the Head of the Serpents of Today’s Culture” will be held March 8 from 8 a.m. to
3 p.m. at San José Parish in Austin. We
live in the midst of a culture that calls us
to be, courageous, prayerful, reverent,
and more, so that we may be reÁections
of our Catholic faith for our families and
our communities. Paulist Father Bruce
Nieli and Missionary Catechist of Divine
Providence Sister Mary Lou Barba will be
the presenters. Registration is $25, which
includes lunch and materials. For more information, contact Rosie Castillo at (512)
441-2748 or Lydia Ruiz at (512) 523-8327.
Registration forms are available at www.
sanjosechurch.org.
Tecaboca (TExas CAtholic BOys
Camp) Summer Camp will be open to
boys and their families March 9 for them
to stay the night and experience camp
life before enrolling. Tecaboca’s goal is
to reacquaint young men with the natural world around them, allowing them a
stronger connection with their Catholic
faith. Activities include a challenge course,
riÁe education, swimming, horseback riding, and more, while also creating an understanding of the importance of teamwork
and life as a man of faith. The short session
for younger ages is June 8-13. The camp
also offers two-week sessions for boys in
grades 2-11 (Àrst session) and grades 2-9
(second session). For information, visit
http://tecaboca.com/index.html.
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 a 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 el 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.
February 2014
ESPAÑOL
23
El Proceso de pasar de sacerdote a obispo
portante por que es él quien está llamado
a celebrar los sacramentos para la gente.
Ahora, él no puede hacerlo en todos laobispo de la Diócesis
dos. En el principio cuando la iglesia era
de Austin. Es pastor
más pequeña, el obispo mismo celebraba
para casi 500,000
la Misa para toda la gente. Ahora teneCatólicos en 25
mos sacerdotes quienes son compañeros
condados en el
de trabajo del obispo; en unión con el
Centro de Texas.
obispo, son ordenados para predicar el
Editora: Señor Obispo, el 27 de
Evangelio, celebrar los sacramentos y ser
Enero Monseñor Mike Sis será orde- pastores de los Àeles.
nado e instalado como obispo de San
El obispo también está llamado a
Ángelo. Con el nombramiento, el
ser pastor o a gobernar a la gente de
proceso de cómo un obispo es nom- Dios. Como nuestro Santo Padre nos
brado y la vocación de un obispo
dijo, estamos llamados a servir a la gente
vienen a la mente. Por favor, díganos de Dios. Esto lo hacemos siguiendo el
un poco sobre cómo el Santo Padre
ejemplo de Jesús del liderazgo servidor.
selecciona a un obispo.
El rol del obispo es servir a las necesiObispo Vásquez: La vocación del
dades de la gente en la diócesis. Aquí es
obispo es seguir las huellas de los apósimportante hacer notar que un obispo
toles tal como cuando Cristo llamó a los no solo es responsable por los Católicos
apóstoles personalmente a seguirlo a Él. de la diócesis. Esto es el por qué los
Los obispos continúan el trabajo que obispos alzan la voz sobre una amplia
Cristo encomendó a los apóstoles; los
variedad de temas, como inmigración
obispos son considerados los sucesores
y salarios justos y la santidad de la vida.
de los apóstoles. El Beato Juan Pablo
Nuestra responsabilidad es educar a toda
II escribió en “Pastores Gregis” que
la gente sobre estos temas.
los obispos deben ejercitar el ministerio
Editora: ¿Cómo se selecciona un
de liderar la iglesia “como pastores y
obispo?
verdaderos padres”. Al hacerlo así, el
Obispo Vásquez: El único que puescribió, “tenemos la tarea de juntar a
ede nombrar a un obispo es el papa. En
la familia de los Àeles y de promover la
un nivel diocesano, obispos, sacerdotes
caridad y la comunión fraternal”.
y laicos pueden recomendar los nomLa palabra “obispo” viene de la
bres de los sacerdotes que ellos piensan
palabra griega “episkopos” y signiÀca
tienen las cualidades que serían buenas
cuidar a otros. Así que un obispo, de
en el servicio de toda la iglesia si fueran
muchas maneras es un cuidador. A un
obispos. Esos nombres son enviados
obispo se le ha conÀado el cuidado de
a Roma, pero la decisión Ànal es hecha
las ovejas de esa diócesis y se le envía a
por el Santo Padre.
supervisar, cuidar y a mantener la unión
Editora: ¿Cuáles son algunas
en la diócesis a la cual está designado.
de las cualidades que usted piensa,
Como obispo, estoy llamado a servir a la necesita un buen obispo?
gente de Dios en esta iglesia particular,
Obispo Vásquez: Algunas de las
que es llamada diócesis.
cualidades que buscamos en un obispo
Un obispo supervisa el cuidado de
serían que fuera un hombre de santidad,
la gente en su diócesis de tres maneras
un hombre que ora, un hombre que ama
principales – como maestro, como san- a sus sacerdotes, un hombre que ama
tiÀcador y como jefe pastor. Nuestro rol estar con la gente y desea servirla. Claro,
como maestro involucra la ecuación del un obispo también debe estar al tanto
rebaño sobre la fe Católica y el ayudar a de los signos de los tiempos y de lo que
la gente a entender la fe Católica. Esto
pasa en el mundo hoy. Él es una persona
es por lo que yo hago esta entrevista y
que ama a los pobres y promueve las
compongo varias cartas. Es mi responvocaciones. Este hombre debe tener un
sabilidad instruir a la gente para que
corazón como el corazón del Buen Paspueda entender lo que la iglesia cree y
tor –debe amar a Jesús y amar a la gente.
enseña.
Editora: Describa el rito de la
El rol del obispo como santiÀcador
instalación y ordenación.
signiÀca que yo me aseguro de que los
Obispo Vásquez: Es una hersacramentos sean ejercitados y ofremosa ceremonia en la cual el obispo
cidos. Uno de los roles primarios que
recibe, antes que nada, la invocación del
tengo como obispo es la celebración del Espíritu Santo a través de la imposición
sacramento de la ConÀrmación. Viajo
de las manos. Tres obispos consagran o
a través de la diócesis para conÀrmar a
bendicen al nuevo obispo –usualmente
nuestra juventud y a nuestros adultos en el arzobispo del área metropolitana (en
la fe Católica. Mi rol es pedirle a Dios
la ceremonia del Obispo Sis este fue el
que envíe su Espíritu Santo sobre la
Arzobispo Gustavo García-Siller de San
gente joven o los adultos, de manera que Antonio), el obispo saliente de la diócese conviertan en testigos de Jesucristo en sis (Monseñor Michael Pfeiffer), y el
el mundo. El obispo es el jefe litúrgico
obispo de la diócesis que está enviando
de la diócesis; por lo tanto, debe dar
al sacerdote que se convierte en obispo
ejemplo de amor, devoción, reverencia,
(yo, el obispo de Austin).
cuidado y decoro en la celebración de
El Obispo Sis fue ungido con el
todos los sacramentos.
Crisma, el cual es singo de que a la
El rol sacramental del obispo es im- persona le ha sido dado el Espíritu para
E L O BISPO J OE S.
VÁSQUEZ es el quinto
que pueda ejercitar sus nuevas obligaciones y responsabilidades como obispo.
Entonces, se le dieron ciertas insignias
que indican su rol como obispo. Le fue
dado un anillo, el cual es signo de su
amor por la iglesia y de que defenderá
y protegerá a la iglesia y le servirá bien.
También se le dio una mitra, la cual es
signo de su autoridad para ejercitar su
rol como obispo, y un báculo pastoral el
cual signiÀca guiar, pastorear, defender y
proteger la iglesia.
Estuve muy feliz de ver la lluvia de
apoyo para el Obispo Sis en su instalación en San Ángelo. Mucha gente de
nuestra diócesis viajó a San Ángelo y
le deseó lo mejor y mucha gente de la
Diócesis de San Ángelo estuvo ahí para
darle la bienvenida ¡Fue un día bendecido!
Editora: Usted mencionó brevemente que la Diócesis de San Ángelo
está en el área metropolitana de la
Arquidiócesis de San Antonio. Explique la relación entre las diócesis y su
arquidiócesis metropolitana.
Obispo Vásquez: Hay 15 diócesis
en el estado de Texas. Las diócesis de
Austin, Beaumont, Brownsville, Corpus
Christi, Tyler y Victoria están en el área
metropolitana de la Arquidiócesis de
Galveston-Houston. Las Diócesis de
Amarillo, El Paso, Fort Worth, Laredo,
Lubbock y San Ángelo están en el área
metropolitana de la Arquidiócesis de San
Antonio. Creo que es importante decir
que cuando el papa nombra a un obispo,
el obispo responde primariamente al
papa, no al arzobispo. El obispo diocesano responde directamente al papa,
pero trabaja dentro de una estructura y
esa estructura es la estructura arquidiocesana, lo que hace que sea más fácil
para los obispos reunirse para discutir
asuntos regionales. Generalmente, el
obispo de una cierta región reúne a los
obispos para responder a asuntos comunes y necesidades de la gente.
Editora: Como hijo de la Diócesis de San Ángelo que tiene muchos
familiares y amigos viviendo ahí
¿Cómo ha sido bienvenido el Obispo
Sis?
Obispo Vásquez: La gente está
realmente bendecida con el Obispo Sis y
lo han recibido con brazos abiertos. La
gente del Oeste de Texas es muy amigable. He escuchado muchos comentarios
de la gente, tanto de laicos como de
clero, diciéndome qué tan emocionados
están y qué tan felices de tener al Obispo
Sis como su líder espiritual. Habiendo
trabajado en colaboración cercana con el
Obispo Sis por varios años, estoy muy
orgulloso por que sé que la Diócesis de
Austin lo preparó y lo formó bien para
servir a la gente de Dios ahí.
San Ángelo es deÀnitivamente un
tipo de diócesis diferente a Austin. Es
una diócesis más rural de más de 30,000
millas cuadradas, las cuales el Obispo
Sis conocerá bien en los meses y años
venideros.
Editora: La salida del Obispo Sis
deja un hueco en nuestra diócesis
¿cómo será seleccionado un nuevo
Vicario General?
Obispo Vásquez: Es mi responsabilidad ahora seleccionar un nuevo Vicario
General. Con mucha oración y
reÁexión, seleccionaré un sacerdote que
me ayudará a llevar a cabo mi función
como obispo. Pido a toda la diócesis que
ore por mí mientras selecciono un hombre que nos ayudará a llevar a la Diócesis
de Austin hacia delante y que llevará a
cabo los deberes y responsabilidades de
Vicario General. El proceso de selección
requiere tiempo, pensamiento y oración.
Editora: En ese sentido ¿cuál es
su oración mientras nos movemos
hacia delante desde este punto?
Obispo Vásquez: Mi oración es
una acción de gracias. Estoy agradecido
con Dios por que el Obispo Sis, un sacerdote de la diócesis de Austin, fue seleccionado para ser un obispo en la iglesia ¡Eso me da gran alegría y estoy muy
orgulloso! Pido a la gente que ore por el
Obispo Sis, que ore por su diócesis y su
ministerio, que ore por nuestra diócesis,
y que esté agradecida con Dios por que
de nuevo hemos dado a la iglesia otro de
nuestros sacerdotes, quien es ahora un
obispo al servicio de las necesidades de
toda la iglesia.
EL ARZOBISPO GUSTAVO GARCÍA-SILLER de San Antonio unge la
cabeza del Obispo Michael Sis mientras que éste es ordenado e instalado
como obispo de la Diócesis de San Ángelo. (Foto por Shelley Metcalf)
ESPAÑOL
Pareja conoce las bondades de Encuentro Matrimonial
24
POR MICHELE CHAN SANTOS
CORRESPONSAL
Raúl y Dora González,
ambos de 73 años, han estado
casados por más de 50 años.
Su amor mutuo es obvio en su
risa afectuosa, sus frecuentes
abrazos y sus tiernas miradas.
Juntos, han construido una
vida exitosa y completa. Raúl
sirvió como juez en el Tribunal Supremo de Texas de
1984 a 1998. Él fue el primer hispano en ocupar dicha
posición. También el primer
hispano en ser electo para una
oficina estatal y actualmente
se dedica a su práctica privada
en Austin. Raúl y Dora tienen
cuatro hijos (Celeste, Ignacio,
Marco Antonio y Sonia), seis
nietas y un nieto que viene
en camino. Su hijo, Hermano
Ignacio, es un monje Benedictino que vive en la Abadía
de St. Anselm en Washington,
D.C.
Encuentro
Aún así, esta pareja devota
es la primera en reconocer
que el matrimonio puede ser
un reto y requiere trabajo y
compromiso todos los días.
Ellos dan crédito al Encuentro
Mundial Matrimonial (Worldwide Marriage Encounter
en inglés), un programa de
enriquecimiento matrimonial,
de mantener su amor y comunicación energizado y vital.
Dicho Encuentro Matrimonial
C ATHOLIC S PIRIT
promueve una experiencia de
Àn de semana para parejas que
quieren mejorar sus matrimonios.
“Las relaciones son
difíciles,” dijo Raúl. “Las relaciones son difíciles. Algunas
veces es más fácil que otras
veces. El matrimonio es un
viaje, no un destino”.
Dora estuvo de acuerdo.
“Está claro para nosotros que
estamos llamados a amarnos
mutuamente con verrugas y
todo, a amarnos mutuamente
aún cuando pensemos que
la otra persona no es fácil de
amar, a amar cuando no nos
sentimos inclinados a amar,
aún cuando uno de nosotros
está enojado. Todavía estamos
descubriendo cosas uno del
otro. Estamos muy bendecidos”, dijo ella.
Raúl ha construido una
carrera estelar –– ha sido un
abogado de ayuda legal, un Àscal, un abogado defensor y un
juez –– pero estas posiciones
demandaron largas horas de
trabajo por muchos años. El
da crédito a Dora por apoyarlo y por su trabajo duro criando a sus hijos y administrando
el hogar.
“Dora merece –crédito por- mucho de mi éxito
a través de mi carrera,“ dijo
Raúl. “No solo me apoyó a
lo largo de la escuela de leyes
(él tiene un título de abogado
de la University of Houston),
sino que también se sacriÀcó
para cuidar a nuestros hijos,
Una serie de sesiones para escuchar
La Diócesis de Austin está comenzando el proceso de desarrollar un nuevo Plan Pastoral. Este importante documento
guiará la misión y dirección de la diócesis para los próximos
cinco años. La opinión general es necesaria para responder de
una mejor manera a las necesidades de la gente de la diócesis,
por lo tanto, el equipo de planeación ofrecerá una serie de sesiones para escuchar a lo largo de la diócesis. Estas sesiones
están abiertas a todo el público.
En inglés, el 5 de febrerero de 7 a 9 p.m. en la Parroquia de St.
Vincent de Paul en Austin
En inglés, el 6 de febrero de 7 a 9 p.m. en la Parroquia de St.
Joseph Hall en Reicher Catholic High School en Waco
En inglés, el 11 de febrero de 7 a 9 p.m. en la Parroquia de
Santa Cruz en Buda
En español, el 11 de febrero de 7 a 9 p.m. en la Parroquia de
Santa Cruz en Buda
En español, el 12 de febrero de 7 a 9 p.m. en la Parroquia del
Sagrado Corazón en Austin
Preparación para una Total
Consagración a Jesús por María
El 20 de febrero, Àeles a lo largo de la Diócesis de Austin
comenzarán 33 días de oración preparatoria para la Total Consagración a Jesús por María. Cada día de oración representa un
año en la vida de Cristo y es llevado a cabo de manera privada
en los hogares usando el libro de preparación para la consagración. Visite www.TexasToJesusThroughMary.org antes del
2 de febrero para recibir un libro gratis por correo y mayor
información. Todos están invitados a renovar su consagración a
Jesús por María en una Misa el 25 de marzo.
RAÚL Y DORA
GONZÁLEZ han estado
casados por más de 50
años. Ellos asistieron
a su primer retiro de
Encuentro Matrimonial
hace cerca de 40 años.
Ellos dan crédito al retiro
de haberlos ayudado a
aprender cómo comunicarse mejor como
pareja. (Foto cortesía de
Dora y Raúl González)
atendiendo nuestra casa mientras yo trabajaba largas horas
o estaba fuera, en la campaña
electoral”.
Dora y Raúl se casaron el
22 de diciembre de 1963. Su
primer Àn de semana de Encuentro Matrimonial se llevó a
cabo en junio de 1973, cuando
ya tenían 10 años de casados.
Al principio, Raúl tenía
dudas sobre ir a un Àn de semana de encuentro. “Buenos
amigos nos habían invitado
varias veces, y no pensé que lo
necesitábamos…cancelé dos
veces y atendimos el encuentro en nuestro tercer intento,”
dijo.
Dora recuerda, “yo quería
mejorar la comunicación y
que volviera la cercanía de
nuestros primeros años a
nuestro matrimonio. No podía
explicarle de manera suÀciente
o a fondo cómo me sentía.
Quería que fuéramos a un Àn
de semana donde enseñaban
una técnica de comunicación.
Eso es lo que necesitábamos,
es lo que yo quería. Yo añoraba más“.
Raúl no estaba tan seguro, “yo pensé que lo que ella
quería era imposible de obtener”.
Ese primer Fin de Semana
de Encuentro Matrimonial
cambió sus vidas.
“Encontré que estaba
casado con mi carrera, y que
estaba ignorando mi matrimonio,” dijo Raúl. “Aprendí
que nuestro matrimonio era
como un jardín, el cual necesita amor tierno y cuidados, y
por primera vez en mi vida
experimenté el amor de Dios
a través del amor de Dora por
mí”.
Dora dijo que ese primer
Àn de semana la llevó a descubrir “que el estancamiento en
nuestro matrimonio no era
culpa de Raúl, y que yo tam-
bién era responsable de la
salud y vitalidad de nuestro
matrimonio. El Àn de semana
no solo reavivó nuestra relación, sino que despertó en nosotros un gran deseo de poner
en práctica las herramientas de
comunicación que habíamos
aprendido durante el fin de
semana”.
Fe y Familia
Raúl y Dora dan crédito a
sus padres, ahora fallecidos, de
inculcar en ellos una fuerte fe
Católica. Los padres de Raúl
fueron Raúl y Paula González.
Los padres de Dora fueron
Santitos Trevino Champion y
Roberto Champion.
Raúl y Dora crecieron en
Weslaco, que se ubica en el
Sur de Texas, al lado de la
frontera Mexicana. Se conocieron en cuarto grado en la
Escuela Católica St. Joan of
Arc en Weslaco, pero nunca
fueron novios, hasta tres años
después de su graduación de
la preparatoria.
Los padres de Raúl eran
trabajadores inmigrantes. Raúl
trabajó al lado de ellos, y de
sus tías y tíos cosechando cultivos en el Valle, Arkansas y
Washington.
“Mi mamá era una Católica fuerte que decía que ‘todo
es posible con Dios,’” dijo
Raúl.
Ambas parejas de padres
trabajaron como voluntarios
para Raúl durante la campaña
electoral y pudieron estar con
Raúl en su ceremonia de juramento para el Tribunal Supremo de Texas en 1984.
Hoy, existe una escuela
primaria (Escuela Primaria
Juez Raúl A. González) nombrada por él en Weslaco.
Una inversión
En los 40 años desde su
primer Àn de semana de EM
(Encuentro Matrimonial),
Dora y Raúl han asistido a
más de 100 Ànes de semana
de EM, y han atendido otros
40 encuentros de enriquecimiento, aproximadamente.
Ellos saben qué difícil es
hoy para las parejas criar niños, trabajar y construir sus
vidas juntos.
“Los retos más grandes
que enfrentan los matrimonios hoy son la complacencia,
los negocios y la falta de tomarse tiempo para invertir en
su matrimonio,” dijo Raúl.
“Algunas parejas están reacias a atender un Encuentro
Matrimonial por que creen
que atenderlo es admitir que
su matrimonio está en problemas. Nada puede estar más
lejos de la realidad. El Encuentro Matrimonial Mundial
es para parejas con buenos
matrimonios que quieren enriquecer y mejorar lo que ya
tienen,” dijo Dora.
Hay un número de Ànes
de semana de EM próximos
en el Centro de Texas (ver la
tabla más abajo). Raúl y Dora
invitan a parejas que tengan
curiosidad al respecto a darle
al encuentro una oportunidad.
“Tienes una decisión
que tomar,” dijo Raúl. “Puedes quedarte donde estás, o
puedes invertir en tu matrimonio y aprender nuevas herramientas para aumentar la diversión, el romance y la pasión“.
Encuentro Matrimonial
en Español: Febrero 7 a 9,
Abril 25 a 27, Julio 11 a 13
y Noviembre 7 a 9. Para registrarse, contacte a Rubén
y Elvira Galván al (512) 2477604.
Para mayor información
sobre los encuentros en inglés, vaya al www.austinme.
org o llame al (512) 677WWME.
February 2014
ESPAÑOL
Programa piloto busca ayudar a aquellos con deudas
con prestamistas inmediatos
BY ENEDELIA J. OBREGÓN
CORRESPONSAL
La Sociedad de St. Vincent
de Paul (SVdP) en su Consejo
Diocesano de Austin ha lanzado
un programa piloto para ayudar
a aquellos aÁigidos por deudas
con compañías de préstamos
inmediatos.
El Programa de Conversión del Préstamo Depredador
comienza en febrero en cinco
parroquias de la diócesis y esta
limitado a aquellos cuyos préstamos son de $500 o menos, dijo
Stacy Ehrlich, directora ejecutiva
del Consejo Diocesano de la
SVdP.
El programa fue formado
bajo la recomendación del Obispo José Vásquez, quien se encuentra preocupado de que los
préstamos inmediatos y sobre el
título del auto, los cuales son los
más usados por aquellos que no
tienen acceso a crédito, lastiman
a las familias.
Cerca del 70 por ciento de
los préstamos inmediatos otorgados en Texas son por $500 o
menos, dijo Amelia Erickson,
directora asociada de desarrollo
del Consejo.
El préstamo inmediato promedio en Texas es de $300 pero
requiere $840 para ser pagado,
un dato preocupante que causó
que el Obispo Vásquez abogara
por este hecho ante el Consejo
de la Ciudad de Austin y en
la Legislatura de Texas con el
propósito de cerrar huecos en
las leyes que permiten la existencia de estas prácticas prestamistas depredadoras.
La mayoría de los préstamos
son a corto plazo – de dos a
tres semanas. Pero además de
los cargos por interés, se suman
cargos de Ànanciamiento y cuotas de apertura. Aquellos que no
pueden pagar el préstamo original y la cuota de apertura, el
interés y otros cargos al Ànal
del plazo para pagar, tendrán
que tener el préstamo “transferido” (“rolled over” en inglés),
lo que quiere decir que un nuevo
préstamo con más cargos de
Ànanciamiento y cuotas de apertura será generado.
Cuando esto sucede múltiples veces, la gente comienza a
sofocarse bajo el peso de lo que
originalmente era un pequeño
préstamo.
El Obispo Vásquez dijo en
la sección de la Entrevista del
Obispo del Catholic Spirit de
Mayo de 2013 que una regulación es necesaria por que la
explotación de los pobres está
empeorando. Una proliferación
de locales de préstamos inmediatos y por el título de auto
han inundado centros comerciales y vecindarios y somos
bombardeados por la radio y la
televisión con comerciales que
prometen efectivo “fácil” y “en
el mismo día” para atraer a familias desesperadas necesitadas
de ayuda para pagar emergencias médicas, abarrotes, la renta
o las utilidades.
“En lugar de obtener los
prometidos préstamos fáciles y
a corto plazo, las familias Ànancieramente vulnerables quedan
atrapadas en un continuo ciclo
de deuda, cuotas e intereses del
cual no pueden escapar,” dijo
el Obispo.
Barbara Budde, directora
diocesana de asuntos sociales
dijo que los préstamos predatorios han atrapado a demasiadas
familias e individuos en un
ciclo amargo de deuda que
puede aplastar la esperanza y el
espíritu humano.
“Sé que el Obispo Vásquez
se encuentra ansioso de ver
alternativas al préstamo depredador disponibles para la comunidad, como este programa de
la Sociedad de St. Vincent de
Paul,” dijo.
Bajo el programa, aquellos
préstamos depredadores no
serán pagados por la SVdP
pero serán convertidos en un
préstamo compartido-seguro
de la cooperativa de crédito con
una tasa de porcentaje anual de
menos del 5 por ciento.
SVdP no es el prestamista,
es el garante de los préstamos;
ellos se encuentran reuniendo
fondos para servir como colaterales o garantizadores del
préstamo. Parte del dinero que
Ànanciará el Programa de Conversión del Préstamo viene de
una subvención de $30,000 a
dos años proveniente de la Fundación Texana de la Educación
Financiera – una iniciativa
legislativa. La Sociedad ha logrado juntar ya $13,500 como
capital inicial donado por grupos
de la SVdP para cubrir gastos
de inicio.
Ehrlich dijo que la meta de
la sociedad es juntar $176,000
dentro de los próximos dos
años para fondos iniciales de
préstamos.
Los fondos donados existirán a perpetuidad: la misma
cantidad de $500 será prestada
repetidamente, ayudando así a
numerosas familias. Cuando
los préstamos sean pagados y
donaciones adicionales sean
recibidas para el programa, el
programa podrá expandirse.
Erickson dijo que $176,000
permitirán a la Sociedad Àrmar conjuntamente y manejar
más de 700 préstamos a lo
largo de dos años.
Bajo el programa, gente
que desee convertir su préstamo predatorio debe tener
un número de Seguro Social
(originalmente requerido por
prestamistas inmediatos y el
Acto Patriota de Estados Unidos para abrir una cuenta en
una institución financiera) y
el saldo de su préstamo debe
ser 100 por ciento o más del
préstamo original. Deben
también ser patrocinados por
una conferencia de la SVdP
25
a nivel parroquial. Los plazos
para pagar con un préstamo
convertido serán de 6 a 12
meses.
“Seis meses es el tiempo
mínimo requerido para construir buen crédito,“ Ehrlich dijo.
“Queremos ayudar a la gente a
construir su buen crédito”.
Los clientes deben también asistir a una clase de 90
minutos de educación Ànanciera y hacer un compromiso
por escrito de no sacar ningún
préstamo predatorio adicional.
Vicentianos, como son llamados los voluntarios de la
SVdP, proveen comida de
emergencia, transportación y
asistencia Ànanciera a cualquier
persona – Católica o no-dentro
de los límites de su parroquia.
Existen 40 conferencias – como
cada parroquia es llamada dentro de la Diócesis de Austin.
Al convertir préstamos inmediatos – una gran fuente de
presión – pueden ser mejores
administradores de fondos que
cuando SVdP paga rentas repetidamente.
Erickson dijo que los
préstamos predatorios son
una industria que genera $3
billones al año en Texas. La
gente que usa los servicios de
las compañías de préstamos
inmediatos y por el título
del auto, con frecuencia no
caliÀcan para crédito bancario
y deben, entonces, acudir a
dichos prestamistas.
Dice el papa: Demasiados cristianos han diluido la
esperanza, tienen una fe tibia en Dios
POR CAROL GLATZ
CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
Hay demasiados “cristianos
derrotados” en la iglesia que no
creen por completo en la fe que
les ha sido transmitida por la
tradición y quienes no confían
totalmente en Dios, dijo el Papa
Francisco.
Si los cristianos no creen ni
viven su fe como quien victoriosamente mueve montañas,
entonces “solamente hay derrotas y el príncipe de este mundo
conquista al mundo,” dijo el
papa en su homilía del 10 de enero, durante su Misa matinal en
su residencia de Domus Sanctae
Marthae.
El papa centró su homilía en
una lectura de la primera carta
de San Juan (5:5-13), en la cual
el apóstol les recuerda a los cristianos que habrá vida eterna para
aquellos que creen en el nombre
del Hijo de Dios.
“¿Quién en verdad es victorioso sobre el mundo sino el
que cree que Jesús es el Hijo de
Dios?” se pregunta el apóstol.
Quien quiera que permanezca en Dios y en su amor
es victorioso sobre el mundo,
dijo el papa, de acuerdo con un
informe divulgado por Radio
Vaticana.
“Nuestra fe puede hacer
cualquier cosa,” dijo.
Los cristianos deben de recordar que la fe en Dios es
poderosa y que la fe es lo que
“conquista el mundo,” pues
“muchas veces llegamos a ser
no otra cosa sino Cristianos derrotados,” dijo.
“La iglesia está llena de cristianos derrotados que no creen
en esto, que la fe es victoriosa,”
dijo.
Una fe fuerte y victoriosa requiere profesar esa fe con todo
nuestro corazón y confianza
plena en Dios, dijo el papa.
“La fe es profesar a
Dios,”como se hace con la recitación diaria del Credo de
Nicena, dijo.
“Creo en un solo Dios, creo
en Jesús, creo...; pero ¿de veras
me creo lo que estoy diciendo?”
se preguntó el papa, ¿o simplemente la gente recita algo de
memoria, repitiendo lo que se
ha dicho “como pericos,” o
diciéndolo solamente porque
tiene que recitarse?
“¿O creo solamente una
parte de ello?” continuó.
“¡Profesemos la fe! ¡Toda
ella!” dijo, y protejamos la fe
completamente como nos ha
sido transmitida por la tradición.
“Sabemos cómo pedirle cosas a Dios, cómo darle las gracias, pero adorar a Dios, alabar
a Dios, eso es algo más,” dijo.
“Solamente aquellos que
tienen esta fe fuerte son capaces
de adoración,” de culto, dijo.
EL PAPA
FRANCISCO
saluda a un hombre durante una
visita a la Basílica
el 19 de enero.
(Foto por CNS/
L’Osservatore
Romano vía
Reuters)
Si comparamos la intensidad del ardor de la gente en su
adoración a Dios con la toma
de temperatura de alguien, dijo
el papa, “me atrevo a decir que
el termómetro de la vida de la
iglesia está un poco bajo”.
Hay pocas personas que
tienen la capacidad de adoración
verdaderamente “pues, al profesar la fe, no estamos convencidos o estamos solamente
parcialmente convencidos,” dijo.
Solamente el profesar la fe
les permite a las personas adorar
y alabar a Dios, poniéndose
completamente en sus manos,
trayendo a las personas verdadera esperanza, dijo el Papa
Francisco.
“Hay muchos cristianos
con esperanza diluida, que no
es fuerte sino débil” pues “no
tienen el valor de conÀarse totalmente al Señor”.
Sin embargo, al profesar la
fe, al protegerla, al confiarse
uno a Dios, “seremos cristianos
victoriosos y ésta es la victoria
que conquista el mundo, la fe”.
ESPAÑOL
26
C ATHOLIC S PIRIT
Santa Paula fundó las Hermanas Religiosas de
las Escuelas Pías
POR MARY LOU GIBSON
COLUMNISTA
Algunas veces los niños
se ven forzados a crecer rápidamente cuando sus vidas familiares cambian radicalmente
debido a la enfermedad, la
muerte o los desastres naturales. La infancia de Paula Montal Fornés terminó abruptamente cuando su padre murió
cuando ella tenía 10 años. La
familia vivía en la marítima
villa española de Arenys de
Mar al inicio del siglo diecinueve.
Después de la muerte de
su padre, Paula se vio obligada
a dejar su educación y a encontrar trabajo para ayudar a
su madre a sostener a sus hermanos más pequeños. El editor Bernard Bangley escribe
en “La Vida de los Santos de
Butler” que ésta era una era
problemática en la historia de
España y habían pocas oportunidades para las mujeres
pobres de obtener
educación y trabajo.
A la edad de
11 años Paula comenzó a trabajar
como encajera para
ayudar al ingreso familiar. Ella pronto
se encontró ayudando a otras niñas
y enseñándoles el
oÀcio de hacer encajes. Durante estos
difíciles años, Paula
se convirtió devota de la oración y
más consciente del
sufrimiento de los
demás. Ella descubrió que tenía el
don de la enseñanza
y comenzó a ense-
ñar a las jóvenes el catecismo
y los básicos de la Cristiandad.
Mientras crecía y se convertía en adulto, Paula se dio
cuenta que una mujer que no
estaba bien educada no estaba
preparada para la vida. La autora Sarah Gallick escribió en
“El Gran Libro de Mujeres
Santas” que Paula creía que
las mujeres eran un elemento
esencial en la transformación
de la sociedad, especialmente
a través de la familia. Ella vio
pocas oportunidades para mujeres para obtener educación.
La autora Jean Heimann
escribe que Paula creía que las
mujeres necesitaban una educación que las preparara para la
vida. En esa época, las mujeres
eran tratadas como subordinadas de los hombres, y Paula
creía que éste era un factor de
la ruptura de la unidad familiar.
Ella se sintió llamada por Dios
para hacer algo respecto a esta
inequidad educativa.
En 1829, Paula se mudó
a Figueras, una ciudad fronteriza entre España y Francia,
y con su amiga Inés Busquets,
abrió la primera escuela para
niñas. La escuela tenía amplios
programas educativos, que incluso sobrepasaban aquellos
ofrecidos en las escuelas para
niños. Esta escuela fue un éxito y llevó al establecimiento
de otras escuelas entre 1842
y 1846.
Cuando Paula abrió su segunda escuela en su pueblo natal
de Arenys de Mar en 1842, fue
guiada por los Padres Píos de
Mataró. Los Padres Píos fueron
fundados por José de Calasanz,
un aristócrata español que estableció las primeras tres escuelas
públicas de Europa. Paula se sintió atraída por la espiritualidad y
reglas de Calasanz y en ellas se
basó para el establecimiento de
su propia congregación religiosa.
Mientras hacía planes para
establecer su tercera escuela,
también estaba preparada para
establecer la estructura de su
recién formada Congregación.
Un día importante en su vida
ocurrió el 2 de febrero de
1847 cuando hizo su profesión como Hermana de María
Religiosa de las Escuelas Pías.
Gallick escribe que las hermanas tomaron un cuarto voto
de dedicarse a enseñar. Cuando Paula tomó sus votos perpetuos, se convirtió en Paula
de San José de Calasanz.
Paula no fue elegida
Superior General o incluso Asistente General de
su nueva congregación. En
lugar de ello, por los próximos 30 años, fue activa en el
establecimiento de escuelas
en siete diferentes ciudades.
Heimann escribe que la última
escuela que ella personalmente
fundó fue en el pequeño y
pobre pueblo de Olesa de
Montserrat, al pie del Monasterio de Nuestra Señora de
Montserrat. Se convirtió en su
escuela favorita y se quedó ahí
hasta su muerte en 1889.
Heimann describe la espiritualidad de la Madre
Paula Montal como conducida
por dos elementos: su participación de la espiritualidad
Calasancia y su carisma único educativo enfocado en la
completa educación Cristiana
de las mujeres.
“Las Hermanas Religiosas de las Escuelas Pías” recibieron la aprobación papal del
Papa Pío IX en 1860. Hoy, la
congregación tiene más de 800
Hermanas, esparcidas en 112
comunidades, educando alrededor de 30,000 estudiantes en 19
países.
La Madre Paula Montal
Fornés de San José de Calasanz
fue beatiÀcada en 1993 por el
Papa Juan Pablo II y canonizada
en 2001. Su festividad se celebra
el día 26 de Febrero.
El papa se reúne con inmigrantes, desamparados,
jóvenes en parroquia Romana
POR CINDY WOODEN
CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
Reunido con 80 inmigrantes ayudados por miembros
de una parroquia de Roma, el
papa Francisco dijo que dejar
la patria de uno es siempre
doloroso, pero que la fe puede
darle a uno la fuerza para seguir adelante.
“La fe que tus padres te
inculcaron te ayudará a seguir adelante,” dijo el papa
a los inmigrantes el 19 de
enero en la Basílica del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús, cerca de
la estación central ferroviaria
de Roma.
La parroquia ofrece a unos
400 inmigrantes ayuda material, lecciones de italiano y
grupos de discusión. El papa
dijo que los grupos son importantes porque les dan a los
inmigrantes la oportunidad de
hablar acerca de la nostalgia
y las experiencias aterradoras
y dolorosas que muchos de
ellos pasaron mientras se
abrían camino hasta Italia.
Reconocer el dolor puede
ayudar a sanarlo, dijo el papa,
de modo que no los amargue.
La fe también tiene un rol,
él dijo. La oración y leer las
Escrituras pueden traer solaz,
él dijo: “Uno es Cristiano con
la Biblia y uno es musulmán
con el Corán”.
Anteriormente ese día,
recitando el Ángelus en el
Vaticano, el papa Francisco
llamó la atención a la celebración de la iglesia del
Día Mundial de Emigrantes
y Refugiados.
Él le dijo a los migrantes y refugiados en la Plaza
de San Pedro: “Ustedes están
muy cerca del corazón de la
iglesia porque la iglesia es un
pueblo que viaja hacia el reino
de Dios”.
“Espero que puedan vivir
en paz en los países que les
han acogido, salvaguardando
los valores de sus culturas,” él
les dijo.
El papa también pidió a
los reunidos en la plaza orar
por los refugiados y agradeció
a aquellos que les ayudan, particularmente a los que deÀenden a los migrantes y refugiados de los “mercaderes de
carne humana que quieren
esclavizar” a aquellos que buscan una vida mejor.
Durante su visita nocturna a la parroquia del Sagrado
Corazón, el papa Francisco
pasó casi cuatro horas con
los miles de personas que desaÀaron la lluvia para verlo. La
basílica estaba atestada para la
Misa que él celebró después
de reunirse con los inmigrantes, las familias jóvenes, el
grupo juvenil parroquial y un
grupo de desamparados que
reciben ayuda de los feligreses.
También escuchó confesiones
de cinco feligreses.
El papa le dijo a los
jóvenes que, sabiendo que
Dios los ama, ellos deben tomar riesgos y hacer un poco
de ruido en la parroquia, teniendo cuidado de no terminar como algunas “personas que solamente tienen 40
o 50 años de edad y tienen
corazones más preparados
para un funeral que para una
Àesta”.
El papa Francisco dijo que
como arzobispo de Buenos
Aires se reunió con un “grupo
de jóvenes que quería renovar
la iglesia: todos eran serios. …
Entonces en la Misa, todos
tenían sus manos apretadas,
rígidos. En cierto momento
pensé que estaba con un grupo de estatuas, no con personas”.
“Un joven que no sonríe,
que no hace un poco de ruido,
ha envejecido demasiado rápidamente,” él dijo.
Durante su breve homilía de la Misa, el papa Francisco se enfocó en una línea
del Evangelio de Juan (1:29):
“Juan vio acercarse a Jesús y
dijo: ‘Este es el Cordero de
Dios que quita el pecado del
mundo’”.
“¿Pero cómo puede un
cordero, tan débil, un corderito débil quitar tantos pecados, tanta maldad?” preguntó
el papa. “Con amor y con su
mansedumbre”.
El papa Francisco dijo
que algunos podrían pensar
que sus pecados son demasiado grandes para ser
llevados “hasta con un
camión”, pero Jesús puede
manejarlos.
Jesús “vino por esta razón:
para perdonar, para traerle paz
al mundo, pero primero a los
corazones. Quizás cada uno
de nosotros tiene un tormento en nuestro corazón, una
zona de oscuridad, quizás nos
sentimos tristes por algo que
hemos hecho,” dijo el papa.
“Él vino a quitar todo esto.
Él nos dará paz. Él perdonará
todo”.
February 2014
SITINGS
JULIA MCNAMARA,
Msgr. Donald J. Sawyer,
Mario Rodriguez (Youth
Award), His Excellency
A. Elias Zaiden and Myrtle Bashara (Parishioner
Award) celebrated the
30th anniversary of Our
Lady’s Maronite Parish
in Austin and the parish’s
¿rst Ministry Awards in
December. (Photo courtesy Terri Schexnayder)
27
THE SAN
JUAN
DIEGO
CATHOLIC HIGH
SCHOOL
Venture Crew practiced their archery skills during their recent
outdoor adventure weekend. (Photo courtesy Marisa Cuellar)
ST. MICHAEL’S
CATHOLIC ACADEMY hosted its
ninth annual Crusader Classic Middle
School Basketball
Tournament bene¿tting the Capital Area
Food Bank of Texas.
Sixteen teams
from eight schools
participated in the
three-day competition. (Photo courtesy
Corinne Callahan)
A GROUP EARNED
THEIR BASIC TEACHINGS of the Catholic
Faith certi¿cates. They
completed the course
at St. John Parish in
San Marcos. (Photo
courtesy Anna G. Hernandez)
THE CYBER TIGERS GIRLS TEAM from
St. Theresa’s Catholic School in Austin
won two of the four competitions at the
¿rst Lego League Robotics Competition.
(Photo courtesy Suzanne Leggett)
THE ADULT CHOIR from St. Ignatius Martyr
Parish in Austin presented a service of Advent
lessons and carols on Dec. 19. Donations
were collected to bene¿t the local food pantry.
(Photo courtesy Andrea Pobanz)
ST. JOSEPH PARISH IN KILLEEN celebrated the feast of the
Immaculate Conception of Mary. The Panamanian community
celebrated the feast with a dinner and folkloric dances. (Photo
courtesy Netty Dreher)
NEW MEMBERS
were inducted into
the Guadalupana Society at Our Lady of
Guadalupe Parish in
Taylor. (Photos courtesy Emily Salazar)
A NEW STATUE of St. Joseph was
installed and blessed at St. Paul
Parish in Austin on the feast of the
Holy Family. (Photo courtesy Denise
Gran)
THE KJT SOCIETY #134 from St. William Parish in Round Rock
celebrated its 25th anniversary on Dec. 7. (Photo courtesy Janie
Zbranek)
Send photos by the 10th of the month to [email protected].
28
SITINGS
EMMAUS PARISH in Lakeway celebrated
the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe and held
Posadas through the local neighborhood.
(Photos courtesy Paula Baczewski)
C ATHOLIC S PIRIT
THE CAMERON YOEMEN FOOTBALL TEAM,
which included parishioners of Sts. Cyril and Methodius Parish in Marak, won its second consecutive
state title. (Photo courtesy Merlene Slavik)
ST. MARGARET PARISH in Giddings celebrated the feast of Our Lady
of Guadalupe on Dec. 14.
(Photo courtesy Martha
Bettis)
MEMBERS OF THE KJZT #93 donated $750 to
Frontline Faith, which provides active military service members with MP3 players loaded with Christian content. (Photo courtesy Annette Kohoutek)
THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS purchased three wheelchairs for the local
nursing homes. The youth of St. John
Parish conducted a sock and blanket drive for the residents of a local
nursing home. (Photos courtesy Willie
Lopez and Marybell Casarez)
DURING ADVENT, St. Mary, Our Lady of the
Lake Parish in Lago Vista provided a Giving Tree
to help those in need. Members of the parish’s
Knights of Columbus celebrated Corporate Communion on Dec. 29. (Photos courtesy Barbara
Shallue and Ron Smith)
PARISHIONERS of Holy Trinity Parish in Corn Hill
donated more than 430 pounds of food to the Caring
Place in Georgetown in a food drive coordinated by
the KJT of Corn Hill. (Photo courtesy Helen Havelka)
THE YOUTH OF ST. MARY PARISH
in Lampasas held a live Nativity play for
the community at the annual Christmas
Town event. (Photo courtesy Wanda
Bunting)
Send photos by the 10th of the month to [email protected].
PATSY ALVAREZ
presented Bishop
Michael Sis with a
Perpetual Clerical
Endowment from
the Austin Deanery
Council of Catholic
Women in thanks
for all his work in the
Austin Diocese and
in congratulations
for his ordination as
bishop of the Diocese of San Angelo.
(Photo courtesy of
Veronica Li-Pelaez)