JOY, HOPE, LOVE - St. Joseph Catholic Church
Transcripción
JOY, HOPE, LOVE - St. Joseph Catholic Church
Volume I, Issue 2 SPRING 2012 The St. Joseph BEACON Enlightened Communication for our Parish Family EASTER BRINGS MESSAGES OF JOY, HOPE, LOVE, AND INSPIRATION Today as we celebrate the beautiful Feast Day of Easter, as we come to the goal, the climax, the summit of Lent, of our Christian life and indeed, of all history, may we never Rev. Fr. Denzil forget that Jesus is with us Vithanage, Pastor once more and remains with us always, never to leave us by ourselves- never to leave us alone. As with all of humankind for thousands of years, our hope and desire for ultimate deliverance, for peace, joy and fullness of love is fulfilled in Christ and His triumphant Resurrection today. Even as we celebrate Christ's triumph over sin and death with joy, exultation and praise, Our Holy Mother Church does not forget that we, her children, remain face-to-face with daily PRINCIPAL OF ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL RETIRES I must announce that Mr. Philip Verhalen, St. Joseph Catholic School principal for the past three years, is retiring at the end of this school year. His service began in 2009, when Kindergarten first began enrolling students and continued to lead the school as grades 1, 2, and 3 were added with children eager to learn! I am very grateful to Mr. Verhalen, who has so graciously and untiringly guided our school living in our world, our families, our particular vocation, with all our struggles and agonies, as well as with our joy. She reminds us that Easter is a springtime that always points to the future, to a harvest, to a recreated, renewed world. She ever urges us to move forward in spite of our daily temptations and struggles And, for each of us, the daily dying to self that we experienced during Lent points to our own personal dying with Christ at the end of our life in this world. During my ten years in Marshall, I have been helped by all our parish organizations, the Finance Council, the Pastoral Council, the Catholic Daughters, the Knights of Columbus, during our initial “reopening” years and has always been readily available to help with any task or endeavor for the benefit of the school during his tenure as principal. We thank you, Philip, for your dedication to our school and in helping to get it “off the ground.” Your leadership has created for our school an environment of academic excellence and an inspired vision for our continued growth. Our students will miss your gentle and loving interactions that have been inspired by the Christ-centered environment that our parents entrust to us. — Fr. Denzil and every parish organization and group to create a parish filled with hope, joy and peace. I would like to thank each and every staff member, volunteer and organization for their part in making this come to fruition. I believe active participation of our parishioners in the six areas I have implemented since coming to the parish, that is, Liturgy and Adoration, Catholic Formation, Catholic School, Youth Ministry, Outreach and Unification of Cultures, have brought hope and newness to our own part of the world here in East Texas. May we all come with joy to that feast which lasts forever, Amen ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL NAMES A NEW PRINCIPAL As St. Joseph’s Pastor, I am pleased to announce that Mrs. Wanda Robinson, teacher at St. Joseph Catholic School, has been appointed to follow retiring principal Philip Verhalen. She has over 30 years of education experience and is highly qualified to fulfill the responsibilities of the chief school administrator. Mrs. Robinson will also continue to teach . —Fr. Denzil stjosephmarshall.org Inside this issue: Faith Formation 2 Parish Ministries 2 Outreach Ministries 3 School News 4 BEACON Spotlight 5 We Ask Father 5 Parish Events & News 6 Reflections 7 Upcoming Events 8 It's not really about GOING to church, it's about COMING to LIFE! Page 2 THE ST. JOSEPH BEACON Spring 2012 THE MINISTRIES OF FAITH FORMATION Faith Formation—Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) Liturgy/Choir Ministry Nancy Vines Charlotte Smith Are you called to serve? There are many places to serve in God’s house, which one is right for you? Do you like to sing and make music? How does making music in the house of the Lord sound to you? Then serving in the choir is the place for you. Youth Choir practice is Wednesday evenings 6:15-6:50 pm and Adult Choir practice is Wednesday evenings 7:008:00 pm in the choir loft. Are you called to be an Altar Server? Boys and girls who have made their First Communion and who would like to assist Father at the altar during Mass may decide this is right for you. (Cont. on Page 6) Tantum ergo Sacramentum “The singular most serious problem facing the Church today is loss of faith in the Real Presence.” —Very Rev. William Casey, CPM Sunday Morning Adult Faith Formation Gerald Duvall St. Joseph’s offers many activity choices for you to explore your Catholic faith. One of these choices is the Sunday Morning Adult Faith Formation group. The group welcomes everyone who would like to gain a deeper perspective on our Catholic faith through reflection, discussion, and social interaction. This “class” provides a forum to help you to become more familiar with scripture, learn more about our Church, our Lord and His Sacraments. Our group discussions are guided by Reflecting on Sunday’s Readings provided by Emmaus Journey (found at www.emmausjourney.org). As adults, our discussions generally tend toward families, careers, and other influences from the choices we make in our lives. Regardless of where we are in our personal faith formation journey, we learn together how scripture and prayer can help us to more fully commit our lives to Christ. During discussions, one doesn’t have to be asked to speak…it simply happens. We do our best to create and maintain an atmosphere where interactions occur in the spirit of love. Come, give our group a try. Regular attendance is encouraged, but not committed. There is a chair waiting with just your name on it.…we even provide the coffee (and occasionally, donuts!). The group meets 9:00—10:00 a.m. Call the church office at 903-9352536 or Gerald Duvall at 903-938-1733 for more information. Easter Vigil, 2012, brought songs of joy to the Heavenly Hosts as 11 men and women were received into full communion with the Holy Roman Catholic Church and the family of St. Joseph Parish. After almost a full year of Christian formation consisting of weekly classes led by Mrs. Mary Best, these new brothers and sisters in Christ were welcomed to the Altar of the Lord to receive the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ for the first time in the Holy Eucharist by Reverend Father Denzil Vithanage at Easter Vigil on April 7, 2012. Those who received the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and First Holy Communion at Easter Vigil on April 7, 2012, were: Micah Fenton Alex Seidler Diana Cabrera Martha Gaspar Sonya Knox Josue Sanchez Anna Escobedo Katrina Dias Jason Grinnell Shannon Williams Ruby Graves A reception was held after Vigil Mass in the Parish Hall for the Catechumens and their families and friends. Spring 2012 Page 3 THE ST. JOSEPH BEACON THE MINISTRIES OF OUTREACH ACTIVITIES St. Joseph Altar Society Ministry Parish Youth Happenings—REC TEAM Lurlie Maddox Benjamin and Holly Cantu The St. Joseph Altar Society was reactivated by Father Denzil in 2004. The Altar Society assists Father Denzil in the maintenance of the sanctuary, sacristy and worship space in the church, as well as the adoration chapel. This includes the care and cleaning of the sacred vessels and altar linens, weekly cleaning of the floor in the sanctuary and changing of the holy water and assuring that votive candles are available and sanctuary lamps are burning. The Altar Society also operates the parish gift shop and is responsible for the Art and Environment in the Church for the different liturgical seasons. The Altar Society also holds fundraisers, most recently the iPad raffle. All proceeds from fundraisers and sales from the gift shop go toward purchasing items for the church. St. Joseph's Youth Group has been renamed the "R.E.C. T.E.A.M.", which stands for Really Enjoying Christ, Teens Engaging Actively in Ministry. The youth program aims to help the youth strengthen their faith through social, service, and spiritual activities. Our goal is to have the youth become more active in the church and in the community, all the while having fun learning more about their faith and building upon their relationship with God. The high school REC TEAM is open to all youth who are in 9th - 12th grade and meets at Chili's Parish Youth House on Wednesday evenings from 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM. St. Joseph REC TEAM Directors The Jr. REC TEAM, for those youth in 5th - 8th grade (Jr High/ MS), meets on Thursday evenings from 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM at Chili's. Billie Wappler retired in March as president of the Altar Society serving since 2004. Lurlie Maddox was elected new president. Cindy Holcomb is secretary and Carolyn Ponder is treasurer. All are welcome to join the Altar Society. There are no dues- just a desire to work with others to serve God and support the pastor in maintaining the sacred environment. If you are interested in joining contact any member or just come to any meeting monthly on the 4th Wednesday. ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC CHARITIES AND FOOD PANTRY MINISTRIES Cathy Lay We have just celebrated the joy our Lord’s Resurrection and received the Food from Heaven. Therefore, what do you think of when you see a list of food needs for the Marshall Food bank. With many demands on our time, are we giving time to fulfill another spiritual obligation, that of expressing the virtue of mercy and giving? Benjamin and Holly Cantu There is no better way than to make a generous donation for the poor in our community than through the St. Joseph Catholic Charities. Also, it is easy and convenient to stop by the Church and make a food or money donation for the Food Pantry at the Church office. Contact the church office at 903-935-2536 if you are interested in serving with any of the Parish ministries profiled in this month’s newsletter. THE GABRIEL PROJECT Helping Mother and Child for the Love of Jesus Christ Juanita Cantu The volunteer members of this project see in the birth of each baby a fresh expression of God’s unfailing love. They offer immediate and practical help to any woman faced with a crisis pregnancy. Catholic women in East Texas are committed to respond with love to any woman facing a crisis pregnancy. Bishop Corrada has asked every Catholic community in the Diocese of Tyler to reach out. To ask for help, offer your assistance, or for more information, contact Juanita Cantu at [email protected] or call 888-300-5112. Spring 2012 THE ST. JOSEPH BEACON Page 4 CATHOLIC DAUGHTERS Regent Laura Cisco-Kavanaugh SIR KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS—A “ROUND TABLE” Grand Knight Charles Reeves Under the patronage of the Blessed Mother, the Catholic Daughters of the Americas are united by their faith in Jesus Christ, in their devotion to the church and the Holy See. They donate to charities, administer scholarship programs and strive “to be helping hands where there is pain, poverty, sorrow or sickness.” The CDA motto is “Unity and Charity.” Who are the Knights? The Venerable Fr Michael J. McGivney founded the K nights as an organization that would offer financial aid to members and their families in times of sickness or death and also as a strong right arm of the Church. St. Joseph’s Court Santa Maria # 184 was formed in 1913. One of our goals is to watch our membership grow. We installed four new members at our last meeting in March. Court Santa Maria #184 is a hard working court, but we have fun when we have our fellowship time. The Junior CDA is for girls and young women ages 6-18. Any Catholic woman age 18 and older may join this organization whose motto is “Unity and Charity.” Our service theme this year is: “I am my brother’s keeper” and we invite you, as a practical Catholic man 18 years or older, to join with us. This year will be a busy year for the Knights and I thank all my brother Knights and their Families who have been so generous with their time supporting the St. Joseph school, annual Lenten Friday Fish Fries, flags and crosses at the church and cemetery (Squires & Knights), Hwy 80 trash pickup, soup kitchen, blood drive and many more service projects. Please come join us. We gather on 2nd Monday each month to celebrate Mass at 6:30 pm, followed by the meeting in the Parish Hall. For information, call the Church office at 903-935-2356. Together as Knights we are a “Catholic family, fraternal, and service organization.” This theme permeates through every Service Program activity in the areas of Church, community, council, family, pro-life and youth. We welcome you to join with us. For detailed membership information, please call me at: (903) 927-2874. ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL NEWS St. Joseph’s Welcomes Back Pre-School Director Mrs. Cindy Kopecky is returning to her roll as St. Joseph Pre-School Director after an absence from January to May, 2012, in order to complete her degree in elementary education. I ask everyone to congratulate her on her accomplishments for completing her “student teaching” as required to receive her Bachelor Degree in Elementary Education. Her dedication to St. Joseph’s School has been a long Holy Spirit-filled evolutionary journey from opening the school in 2007 as an Early Learning Center and persevering in the resolution to establish its growth and preserving its heritage as St. Joseph’s Elementary School again to serve the children of Marshall and Harrison County. In addition to her duties as Director of the PreSchool for children ages 3-5, she will also teach. Welcome back, Cindy, your desk is calling you!! — Fr Denzil Catholic Schools Week, 2012, recognized the 5th year of St. Joseph’s milestone of success after reopening in 2007 at the awards banquet on February 2nd. The faculty and staff were honored by the presence of the Tyler Diocese Schools Superintendent, Dr. Robert Klassen as he presented the faculty, staff, and volunteers with service recognition awards. Remembering Sister Aquinas Judge Mardi Gras was another successful funfilled event this year. Winners of the Mardi Gras prizes were: 1st:—the $2,500 Visa gift card: Kyle Furh 2nd—the big screen TV : Bonnie Curry 3rd—the diamond & amethyst ring: Emily Palmer 4th —the iPad: Eva Martinez Enrolling now for Fall Pre-K thru 4th Grade To enroll, visit the school at 2307 S. Garrett, or call us at 903-935-5502. Fr. Denzil offered a Memorial Mass in January for Sister Aquinas Judge, former teacher at St. Joseph School and member of the Order of the Sisters of the Holy Family. She was 97 when she went to join her heavenly Spouse. St. Joseph Catholic School, 2307 South Garrett Street, Marshall, TX, 75672. Phone: 903-935-5502 FAX: 903-472-4114 On the Web: SJCSM.org THE ST. JOSEPH BEACON Spring 2012 Page 5 The BEACON Spotlight The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem Lurlie Maddox The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem is a Roman Catholic chivalric order of knighthood under the protection of the Holy See. It is said to have been founded as the Order of Canons by Duke Godefrey of Bouillon, the leader of the First Crusade, in 1099. In 1122, Pope Callistus II established the Order as defenders of the Holy Sepulcher and Jerusalem against Muslim attack. The Franciscan Order in the 14th century preserved the mission of the crusader knights and continued the custom of bestowing knighthood at the site of the Holy Sepulcher until the Order merged with the Order of St. John. Pope Pius IX restored the order in 1847 with a new constitution defining its role as supporter of the works of the Patriarchate in Jerusalem as well as propagator of the Faith. The mission of the Order today is to support the Catholic presence in the Holy Land with aid to the culture, charitable and social institutions of the Catholic Church there, to support the preservation of the Holy Places and to uphold the rights of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land, as well as to strengthen the practice of Christian life in the members of the Order. The Patroness of the Order is Our Lady of Palestine and members are to recite the Memorare daily and pray for peace in the Holy Land. The The Knights and Ladies of The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem Absent from this group picture are Mr. & Mrs. David Carlisle, Mr. & Mrs. Robert Palmer, Mr. & Mrs. Michael Smith, and Dr. Carl Turner Order is lead and governed by the Grand Master, a Cardinal appointed by the Holy Father, who at present is Edmund Cardinal O’Brien. Currently, there are about 23,000 members worldwide. In our parish, there are presently 16 members, including Father Denzil. Becoming a member of the Order requires a lifetime commitment to be a witness to the Christian faith, pledge to live Christian lives in accordance with the commandments of God and the precepts of the Church, and continue the charitable commitment to support of the Christians in the Holy Land. Diocese Of Tyler Trip/Mission To Israel Gambino Medina A group of young people and their chaperones from Marshal and Tyler visited the Holy Land in Israel. These pictures are of the St. Joseph, Marshall group that went along with Father Jesse. Also, there are some extra faces in the picture due to the fact that it was difficult to separate our Marshall group for an exclusive picture. This picture is of the entire group that went representing the Diocese of Tyler including our tour guide Ramsi. Le damos gracias a Dios por habernos permitido llegar a conocer Tierra Santa; de poder ir a visitar esa preciosa tierra, donde Su hijo Jesús nació, creció, camino, fue bautizado en el Rio Jordán, de ver los sitios donde hizo milagros, donde compartió con sus discípulos, de ver el Mar de Galilea, donde Jesús camino sobre las aguas, también le damos gracias a Dios que nos permitió ver el Santo Sepulcro de donde Jesús resucito! También pudimos visitar muchos lugares donde estuvo nuestra Madre, La Virgen María. Esta peregrinación fue una experiencia única, donde pudimos ver, sentir, tocar, y experimentar los lugares de cual escuchamos en los Evangelios. Ahora podemos entender con más profundidad lo que está pasando en esos tiempos y en la Tierra Santa. Dios es grade y misericordioso con todos los que lo siguen. Alabado sea Dios!!! THE ST. JOSEPH BEACON Spring 2012 Page 6 JANUARY—MARCH 2012 St. Joseph’s Family Collage! St. Joseph Francisco & Martha Gaona Weddings Severiano & Melisa Arteago Jason & Annie Grinnell Aldo Granados Yaneli Gaona Eusebio Gaona Jacob Guerrero St. Joseph Births and Baptisms Jeremiah Guerrero Ximena Ortiz Paulo Ortiz Walter Roesner Karen Flores Christopher Sanchez Jason Flores Alisson Benitez Ruth Hollingshead In Memoriam ST. JOSEPH CHURCH AND SCHOOL ANNOUNCES CREATION OF DEVELOPMENT OFFICE St. Joseph’s is in the process of creating a functional Development Office to better serve our school and parish with opportunities to engage in the benefits of supporting the church and, especially, our parish school. With the assistance of the Holy Spirit and the intercession of St. Joseph, the main goal of the Development Office will be to increase school presence in the community, welcome donor participation in the life of the church and the school through communication and loving evangelization, and to create a future foundation program that will encourage charitable investments to grow church and school fiscal resources. Funding for scholarships and tuition assistance is of grave concern in order to encourage parents in the growth of student enrollment and to continue the academic and spiritual education of our children. Mary Heater has volunteered to accept the challenge as Interim Director to begin the administrative details of forming the Development Office. Also, your new parish newsletter, The Beacon, which Mary is Assistant Editor, is being provided by auspices of the Development office. (For further information, or to volunteer for development committee service, contact the church office at 903-935-2356.) Yeli Madalin Jimenez Sherry Blaylock Liturgy/Choir Ministry Nancy Vines (Cont. from Page 2) Do you have the gift of oration? Maybe you are called to be a Lector. Lectors serve as the proclaimers of God’s word during the liturgy. Do you feel lead to assist in bringing the Body of Christ to the people of God? If so, your area of service may be as a Communion Minister. Communion ministers assist Father in the distribution of the Holy Eucharist during mass and take the precious body of Christ to home bound members of our church. If you have a welcoming spirit and like to meet and greet people, your ministry may be that of a Greeter. These people welcome the community into the House of God on Sunday. Do you have an inclination for order and assisting others? If so, you would make a good Usher. The ushers assist in tasks before, during and after the mass and serve as a vital part of the liturgy. There are many ways that we can serve God. If you are interested in becoming involved in any of these ministries, please call the church office at 903-935-2356, leave your name and number and someone will gladly contact you. Spring 2012 The St. Joseph BEACON Page 7 Comunidad Hispana-Parroquia de San Jose, Marshall, Texas P. Carlos O. Rangel Estimados hermanos(as) en Cristo Jesus: Les envio saludos cordiales y muy fraternales a todos los parroquianos, en especial los de habla hispana, haciendoles saber mi vision y perspectiva de la marcha actual que nos acerca al corazon de Jesus. A nombre de la parroquia y por petición de nuestro parroco, el P. Denzil, expreso en breve el mensaje pastoral de primavera 2012. Esto esta inspirado desde la perspectiva de nuestra Fe, Esperanza y Caridad, virtudes que todos compartimos en virtud de nuestro ser de bautizados. Como encargado del Ministerio Hispano de la comunidad, por voluntad de nuestro Sr. Obispo Alvaro Corrada, S.J., ahora nuestro Administrador Apostolico, Obispo de Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, les comunico que aun me falta mucho por conocer a fondo a los fieles que componen esta rica y dinamica comunidad cristiana. Esto ayudara a enviar en el futuro un articulo mas objetivo e imparcial que ahora sobre las condiciones y circunstancias buenas y malas en la que nos encontramos. Sin embargo, en el medio ano que Dios en su misericordia me ha permitido y confiado trabajar con ustedes, creo ver en todos los grupos apostolicos y agentes diversos de pastoral, algo muy importante, y que es esencial y fundamental como motivante: amor grande por la vida parroquial. ¿Como es eso? Pues simplemente al penetrar un poquito en la vida y dinamica de cada agrupación, desde los monaguillos, hasta los ministros extraordinarios de comunión, se percibe parte de los coordinadores, un espiritu de inspiración y entrega enorme. El crecimiento mas notable en este momento quizas no sea en numero de miembros, mas si es claro y evidente en el sincero y empenado espiritu por superarse y aprender cada vez mas sobre lo que es y significa ser discipulo de Cristo, ser miembro de la Iglesia, y sobre todo ser cristiano de fe en un mundo bastante desafiante por la gran falta de obediencia y humildad al mensaje de salvacion, y los valores del Reino, como el respeto a la vida humana desde la concepción hasta su muerte natural. Una de las actividades en la que tuve la oportunidad de participar un poco a mi llegada a la parroquia, fue la fiesta del 16 de septiembre, que de hecho, merecen felicitar a todos los que la hicieron posible, todo un éxito, sobre todo las tres candidatas a reinas y los dos a Reyes. Ese empeno y espiritu de devocion fervoroso esta en la mayoria, gracias a Dios, de catolicos hispanos, activos, quienes participan en los sacramentos y en la formación de fe adulta. Eso es inaudito verlo. Es asombroso, y solo le pido al gran Senor y Maestro de su Vina, y a la interseccion de Maria Santisima, la Morenita, que nos sigan acompanando este devenir de nuestro discipulado de Fe. La gran fiesta del 12 de Diciembre igualmente dejo un hermoso recuerdo, sobre todo al ver tantos hijos suyos expresandole su amor filial. Felicidades a todos los Guadalupanos!!! Veo un nuevo amanecer en cada uno y en cado paso hacia delante, sobre todo cuando esos pasos nos ayudan a acercarnos y nutrirnos del santo Sacrificio del Altar, la Sta. Eucaristía, e imploro al buen Dios del amor que nos mantenga firmes y fuertes en esta que es su lucha contra el mal y a favor del Bien, y de la vida. Cada asociación y grupo apostolico parroquial, desde su perfil y necesidades y logros concretos que ellos mismos experimentan dentro y fuera de su grupo, cumplen, desarrollan y ejecutan una diversidad de acciones y actividades afines a sus circunstancias, bajo la supervisión y empuje de quienes coordinan. Esto obviamente al lado de la aprobación y supervicion de los sacerdotes a cargo de la comunidad en general. Es por eso que se hace hincapié en las reuniones, de cultivar una cultura de comunicación constante y acudir a la reuniones programadas durante el ano. Un ejemplo de servicio ministerial de evangelizacion entre los barrios de la comunidad, es la visitación por parte de los Guadalupanos, quienes devotamente rezan el Santo Rosario, los sabados por la tarde, donde se los piden. El Grupo de Oracion, igualmente colabora con la organización de retiros, haciendo vibrar ese espiritu Carismático. Los cursillistas fieles a su cuarto dia, realizan su hora apostolica todos los martes, ante Jesus Sacramentado. En sus momentos, festejan los aniversarios y compleanos de sus companeros, cultivando asi el momento de esparcimiento y convivio. La juventud de todas las edades, estan bien atendidas, ahora con nuevos impulsos dado el cambio reciente de coordinación que se ha dado. Sus reuniones son constantes, y estan a punto de vivir “pascua juvenil” junto con los jóvenes de la Mision de San Pedro en Tatum, e igual se preparan para la pascua juvenil que sera en Tyler durante el tiempo pascual. Incluso lo mas nuevo en que algunos miembros de la comunidad tuvieron la dicha de visitar “Tierra Santa”, felicidades!! Otros grupos como los lectores y los coros que animan y dan vida unica a nuestras celebraciones liturgicas de todos los fines de semana, dejan tambien su huella y su granito de arena que sin ellos, y todos los demas no seria posible tal dinamismo vital para el crecimiento y progreso espiritual que se vive. Una amistad y amor a Dios mas fuerte es la meta para todo este activismo y entrega en la vida apostolica parroquial. Bendiciones a todos. P. Carlos O. Rangel Pastor Asociado Spring 2012 Page 8 THE ST. JOSEPH BEACON S T. J O S E P H C AT H O L I C C H U RC H 410 N. Alamo Boulevard Marshall, TX 75670 Office Hours: 8:00 a.m.—4:00 p.m. Phone: 903-935-2536 Fax: 903-938-1591 E-mail: [email protected] Web: http://www.stjosephmarshall.org SERVING HARRISON COUNTY AS A PARISH SINCE 1874 Under the same Management for over 2,000 years. We Ask Father: Why do we Catholics do That? Q: Father...why do Catholics have “Eucharistic Adoration?” A: Prayer and meditation before our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament are great ways to spend some special time with Him. You can ask Him for graces for yourself or for loved ones, reflect on His Word, or just keep Him company! And it’s no bother for Jesus. In fact, He very much wants to see you! We Catholics believe that at Mass bread and wine truly become the body, blood, soul and divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ, during the Consecration by the priest. The consecrated bread, the Eucharist, in the form of wafers we call hosts, becomes what is known as the Blessed Sacrament. A host can also be exposed on the altar in what is known as a monstrance, an ornate vessel similar to the one shown here, for public worship in what is called Eucharistic adoration. Many people also spend time with Jesus in what we call a “holy hour,” which can include the liturgical elements mentioned above. More often it is a time just for silent adoration. A good way to spend an hour with our Lord in this manner is to divide your time into 15-minute segments each devoted to meditation in a spirit first of adoration, then contrition, thanksgiving, and, finally, supplication “Christ is now raised from the dead.” –1 Cor 15:20. R E F L E C T I O N S The graces you receive in your time spent with our Lord in a Holy Hour can be more important than you imagine—such as the conversion of sinners or saving many souls in Purgatory. Christians are a resurrection-people. “If Christ has not been raised, then empty is our preaching; empty, too, your faith. Then we are also false witnesses to God” (1 Cor 15:14-15). “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is vain; you are still in your sins. Then those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are the most pitiable people of all!”(1 Cor 15:17-19). In summary, without Jesus’ resurrection, our faith is meaningless, empty, false, and worthless. Without the resurrection, we are trapped in sin and doomed in death. Because Jesus is risen, our faith is the ultimate, full, true, and precious meaning of life. Because of the resurrection, Jesus has conquered sin, death, Satan, hell, and damnation. We are therefore the most blessed of men and women. Because Jesus’ resurrection makes all the difference in this world and in the next, we celebrate His resurrection not annually, but each Sunday. We assemble and pray with other risen people. Each week we take off work for this day to celebrate with the assembly and with our families. We draw our “new life from the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Pt 1:3). Prayer: Thank you, God, and we praise you, for giving us power over sin and death through the victory of our Lord Jesus Christ. May we always remain steadfast and devoted to the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord our labor is not in vain. (1 Cor 15:56-58) Amen. Newsletter Staff: St. Joseph Church Office Directory: Fr. Denzil Vithanage, Editor Fr. Denzil Vithanage, Pastor Mary Heater, Asst. Editor Fr. Carlos Rangel, Asst. Pastor Melanie Hughes, Office Administrator Deacons: John Sargent, Santiago Suarez, Felipe Pena, & Magadaleno Aguirre Contributors:: Director of Faith Formation: Charlotte Smith Deacon John Sargent Directory of Music and Liturgy: Nancy Vines Nancy Vines Director of Development: Mary Heater http://www.dioceseoftyler.org/women Charlotte Smith Office Administrator: Melanie Hughes Cathy Lay School Principal: Philip Verhalen An affiliate of the National organization that recognizes all Catholic Women in the Diocese of Tyler as members. Gerald Duvall School Director (ELC): Cindy Kopecky Lurlie Maddox Maintenance: Tony Garcia & Naiff Thomas TYLER DIOCESE COUNCIL OF CATHOLIC WOMEN Please visit our website for 2012 events. Gambino Medina Fr Carlos Rangel Please pray that our diocese will soon have a new Shepherd. Our Lady of Good Counsel, Pray for us Spring 2012 The St. Joseph BEACON * * UPCOMING EVENTS SUMMER 2012 * * APRIL-MAY JUNE-AUGUST April 14&15 KC BBQ 16 KC Social, 7 p.m. 21 KC 4th Degree Exemplification 22 HS Graduates brunch after 10:30 Mass May 5 12 16 17 20 21 30 31 Cinco de Mayo celebration downtown Catholic Charities fundraiser. Speaker: Linda Shaefer—”Come and See Mother Theresa Happy Birthday, Father Denzil! Pre-K Graduation * Holy Day of Obligation—Ascension of the Lord Hispanic Enchilada Sale KC Social, 7 p.m. Last Day of School Memorial Day June 18 KC Social, 7 p.m. July 16 KC Social, 7 p.m. 22 Kick off 3rd Annual “We Love Our School” pledge drive campaign August 12 “We Love Our School” banquet, 6 p.m. 15 Holy Day of Obligation: Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary 20 KC Social, 7 p.m. Page 9 NEWS/ISSUES FROM THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH Government Assault May Have Just Begun: Timothy Cardinal Dolan Warns President Obama's contraception mandate may only be the beginning of a historic attack on religious freedom, Timothy Cardinal Dolan warned his fellow U.S. bishops in a Feb. 22 letter. The Health and Human Services' contraception mandate violates the constitutional limits on our government, and the basic rights upon which our country was founded. They noted that religious liberty does not depend on the benevolence of who is regulating us. The dispute with the administration is not about Republicans or Democrats, conservatives or liberals, or not just about contraception, abortioncausing drugs, and sterilization. It is about people of faith. This is first and foremost a matter of free exercise of religion and religious liberty for all. Recent actions by the administration have attempted to reduce this free exercise to a 'privilege' arbitrarily granted by the government as a mere exemption from an all-encompassing, extreme form of secularism and the contraception mandate's 'unduly narrow' religious liberty is instituted only by executive “whim'” and can be taken away easily. Let us continue to pray for a quick and complete resolution to this and all threats to religious liberty and the exercise of our faith in our great country. The faithful are encouraged to contact legislators through the action alert at www.usccb.org/conscience. -- February 23 (CNA/EWTN News) The list of routine weekly and monthly meetings and Mass times are available in the Church Weekly Bulletin A raffle drawing for this beautiful 50”x 50” handmade quilt will be held at the TDCCW General Assembly in Tyler, Texas, on Saturday, October 6, 2012. Tickets are $2 each, available from Catholic Daughters or your TDCCW officers. Also, you may download as many tickets as you may want from the webpage: www.dioceseoftyler.org/women.htm. Please make checks payable to TDCCW. Enter as many times as you wish. Winner need not be present to win. ROSES FOR ROME A benefit raffle for the seminarians of the Diocese of Tyler, Texas PLEASE OFFER YOUR SUGGESTIONS FOR ARTICLES OF INTEREST TO OUR ST. JOSEPH PARISH FAMILY BY WRITING THEM ON THIS FORM AND SENDING TO The St. Joseph BEACON AT THE CHURCH OFFICE