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View - Catholic Diocese of Brownsville
Volume 6, Issue 1 Payday loans ‘cripple’ our community By NYDIA O.TAPIA-GONZALES The Valley Catholic BROWNSVILLE — Jennifer Carr Allmon, associate director with the Texas Catholic Conference, visited Brownsville June 3 to listen and document stories from the local community about their experiences with payday or auto title loan companies. Over 10.6 million dollars are drained from the Cameron County economy each year because of the excessive – and unregulated – fees charged by these loan companies. Installment loan borrowers pay about $140 in fees per $100 borrowed, and 420 cars were repossessed last year by auto title lenders in Cameron County. What is a payday or auto title loan? They are loans from companies who provide small cash advances with high interest rates and no limit on managing fees. Payday loan companies are unsecured, but require postdated checks or electronic access to debit accounts as collateral. A car title serves as collateral for auto title loan companies, and loans typically extend for one month. If a borrower defaults, the company will take the car usually with no prior notice. Allmon said, “we are talking about 500 percent to 1,000 percent average percentage rates (APR). Fees for an auto title loan of $4,000 are over $1,000 per month, and payday loan fees are often paid month after month without reducing the loan amount. It is estimated that 64 percent of all loans in the Brownsville area are refinances. On average, Texans pay $22 per $100 borrowed because there is no regulation in the state. “These loan companies cripple our communities, and appallingly so, it is like the wild, wild west of lending, for under current state law there are no limits on fees, interest rates, the size of loans, rollovers or refinances, and no limits on the ability to repay based on income,” Allmon said. “The lack of regulation has also allowed for tremendous growth of these businesses especially in economically vulnerable » Please see Loans p.15 Serving More Than A Million Catholics in the Diocese of Brownsville Welcoming the Stranger Church responds to immigrants’ needs, humanitarian crisis Editor’s note: The story in our July issue offers a glimpse of the initial days of outreach to the stream of immigrants arriving in the Rio Grande Valley. The story keeps evolving and at press time it was estimated the situation could continue into September. By BRENDA NETTLES RIOJAS The Valley Catholic McALLEN — Scared, tired, hungry, immigrants, mostly mothers with their children, arrive at the McAllen or Brownsville bus station at odd hours with hopes of traveling further to see family members who are waiting for them. Hundreds of immigrants mostly from Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala and other areas of Central America are arriving daily, dropped off by U.S. Immigration and Customs (ICE) agents after being detained and processed. They are given permission to travel on to their final destination with instructions to report to ICE and appear in court. Hundreds of unaccompanied minors are arriving as well in unprecedented numbers. (“The WORD is sent breathing love.”) Photos by Amber Donaldson/The Valley Catholic In response to the influx of immigrants arriving in our area from Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala and other areas of Central America, Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley has opened two assistance centers in McAllen and Brownsville. The centers are staffed with volunteers who offer food, clothing, toiletries, baby supplies and travel packets, which include supplies for their journey. The immigrants, mostly women and children, received permission from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to continue to their destinations outside of the Rio Grande Valley. » Please see Welcoming p.2 NEWS IN PHOTOS “VERBUM MITTITUR SPIRANS AMOREM” July 2014 Catholic Charities coordinates summer food program Page 6 NEW PRIEST Father Jose Garza ordained for Diocese of Brownsville Page 8 THOSE WHO SERVE Father Joe Villalon Page 9 EN ESPAÑOL Artículos sobre como la Iglesia está respondiendo a las necesidades de inmigrantes y la crisis humanitaria, los menores sin acompañamiento en los Estados Unidos, y una entrega de amor a Dios Paginas 11-13 2 DIOCESE The Valley Catholic - July 2014 Alone in the United States Number of unaccompanied minors growing, volunteers needed By BRENDA NETTLES RIOJAS The Valley Catholic McALLEN — A sixteen-yearold from Sensambra, Morazon, El Salvador spent four days lost in the Rio Grande Valley, drinking dirty water and eating oranges to survive before he found help. He was left by coyotes who were paid $3,000 to cross him into the United States. The oldest of five children, Juan (his last name is withheld for his safety), was sent by his parents who wanted him to get an education. As the youngest of the 11 boys and young men who were traveling with him in an enclosed truck, he said he was hit and teased by the others. He had not had anything to eat or drink while they were being transported. After the others went in their own directions, Juan did not know Welcoming, continued from pg. 2 For two months volunteers by their own prompting have met the immigrants at the bus station to give them something to eat and help them navigate their bus travels. As the numbers escalated, Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley responded by opening two assistance centers. When they arrive at the bus station, “they are scared, they’re hungry, they’re tired,” said Sister Norma Pimentel, executive director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley. “They don’t know who to trust. They fear someone will take advantage of them,” she added. Sister Pimentel said she went to the bus station herself to talk to immigrants to ease their fears and let them know the volunteers were there to help, “Somos de la iglesia. Estamos aquí para ayudar.” (We are where to go or where to ask for help. Someone found him on the side of the road and brought him to the assistance center opened by Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley at Sacred Heart Church in McAllen, where after a 19-day journey, he contemplated turning himself in to ICE or finding a way to get to New York to see his uncle who was waiting for him. Juan is among the thousands of unaccompanied minors to cross into the United States without their parents. Some children are as young as two and three years old. In a news release, Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson referred to the situation as “a problem of humanitarian proportions in the Rio Grande Valley Sector.” President Obama on June 2 issued a presidential memorandum directing the secretary of Homeland Security to establish an interagency “Unified Coordination Group,” to address the situation. According to the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), “the number of children crossing the border without parents or guardians has been growing over the last few years. Last year, close to 25,000 unaccompanied minors crossed the southwest border. By the end of this fiscal year, ACF projects that 60,000 unaccompanied minors are expected to arrive in the U.S. These children are particularly vulnerable to human trafficking, exploitation and abuse. They are young, separated from their families and have survived a hazardous journey.” Ofelia De Los Santos, who coordinates Jail Ministry for the Diocese, said she is in need of volunteers to reach out to children and teens who are housed at the centers in the Rio Grande Valley. “These children are here alone. They have no one,” De Los Santos said. Many of them don’t know when they will see their parents again. The need for volunteers has grown and the number of centers has increased from four a year ago to 13 this year, and plans are underway to open another five centers in the area. One of the centers houses children under the age of 10. Some house from 25 to 300 children and teens. Bishop Daniel E. Flores has continually addressed his concern for the children and the immigration problems in the United States. He wrote a letter to United States Secretary of State John Kerry in May to give him “an idea of what conditions are like for many, especially the immigrant poor in South Texas, as a result of the violence afflicting Northern Mexico.” In a talk to bishops and theologians on Sept. 14, 2013, he shared a story of a child he met. “I recently spoke to, and looked into the eyes of an eight-year-old little girl who by some miracle of with the Church. We are here to help.) The first center opened June 10 at Sacred Heart Church in downtown McAllen, which is located near the bus station. Volunteers helped approximately 200 people the first day, and continue to help as new immigrants arrive each day. A second center opened June 13 in the gymnasium across the street from Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Brownsville, and a third is planned in Harlingen. Sister Pimentel said, “The assistance centers are an immediate and temporary response to the need. A long-term solution is needed.” It is uncertain how long the assistance centers will remain open. Bishop Daniel E. Flores wrote a letter to United States Secretary of State John Kerry in May to give him “an idea of what conditions are like for many, especially the immigrant poor in South Texas.” The bishop wrote, “The Church will do all that we can to address the immediate needs of the women and children. We must stay focused on the needs of the children and those mothers who are with them. They are frightened, in need of food, water, clothing, and in some cases medical attention.” The bishop said he is grateful for what Catholic Charities has been able to do to help coordinate a Church and community response to a rapidly developing human crisis. “I am also grateful for so many volunteers, Catholics and nonCatholics who have responded with compassion and seek to offer what help they can.” He added, “Obviously it is important that local government, as well as state and federal jurisdictions act responsibly in addressing the current situation, and it is vital that a spirit of cooperation prevail so that the human needs can be addressed in a way that upholds and respects the human dignity of the immigrant population.” False information circulating in their native countries led to the growing influx of immigrants. Some of the immigrants are under the false impression that they will receive asylum if they cross into United States with their children. “They (immigrants) think they are being offered amnesty,” said Sister Pimentel, but in reality ICE “is giving themselves space to breathe.” She said ICE does not have facilities to house families and are overwhelmed by the number of people who are crossing. Many of the women with children are allowing ICE to detain them. Officials from both the Guatemala and Honduras embassies predicted the recent phenomena. They said the coyotes, those who smuggle immigrants into the United States, are misleading the people and making false promises. They especially concerned about the dangers immigrants confront during their journey. One young man in his early twenties from Guatemala arrived with his infant child. His wife had been kidnapped in Mexico and he was forced to continue without her. Roger (his last name is withheld for his safety), 14, who is a U.S. citizen was living with his aunt in Miami, Florida and flew to Honduras in order to cross back with his mother into the United States. It took them four tries before finally crossing the Rio Bravo in the dark. He said he would do it again. “A crisis brings out the best and the worst in people,” Sister Pimentel said, adding that she and the volunteers are inspired by the response from the community. The minute the call for donations was made via the telephone and social media, people started bringing needed items to the center. One business donated 600 new shoes, and others have since stepped in to provide portable showers. Some immigrants, who have been traveling for days, sometimes between seven to 20 days without a shower or a change of clothing are relieved to have a place to clean up before they continue on their journey to see a family member they have not seen in years. The centers are staffed with volunteers who offer food, clothing, toiletries, baby supplies and travel packets, which include supplies for their journey. Sister Pimentel said she is pleased by the hundreds of volunteers who have come forward to help. One group stays until 1 a.m. cleaning and preparing for the next day. Some volunteers who come with their parents are as young as eight-year-old. Ivania Molina Melendez, a parishioner at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in McAllen, said she was exhausted by the end of the day, but she was filled with joy from serving the women and their children who came to the center. She said she and other volunteers are overwhelmed by the stories the women share about their journey. They see them arrive hungry and grateful for a place to rest, grateful for a bag of supplies, grateful for the prayers from strangers before their bus leaves, some in route to Boston, New York City, Houston, San Antonio, Chicago. Sister Pimentel said, “They come with so many hopes.” It is difficult to know what waits for them, and how long they will remain. To help with local efforts, Catholic Charities USA is sending additional volunteers and resources from other parts of the country to help with this national crisis. Media from all over the world have descended upon the Rio Grande Valley to cover the story. Sister Pimentel is also making counselors available at the different sites. Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley is accepting donations of food, bottled water, toiletries, diapers, formula, plain plastic baby bottles, baby juices, Pedialyte, diaper rash cream, gift cards and phone cards. 700 N. Virgen de San Juan Blvd., San Juan, TX 78589-3042 Telephone: 956/781-5323 • Fax: 956/784-5082 Bishop Daniel E. Flores Publisher Brenda Nettles Riojas Editor Rose Ybarra Assistant Editor The Valley Catholic email: [email protected] Follow us on facebook Catholic Diocese of Brownsville www.cdob.org ZBG Studio/Graphic Design Terry De Leon South Texas Circulation The Valley Catholic, Advertising Evana Zamora (956) 784-5055 Gustavo Morales (956) 266-1527 Gilbert Saenz (956) 451-5416 » Please see Unaccompanied p.7 Subscription rate $15 per year • $17 outside of Texas $25 out of U.S. Circulation The Valley Catholic Juan, 16, of El Salvador is one of many unaccompanied minors who have made the treacherous journey to the United States without the assistance of their parents. a publication of the Diocese of Brownsville, is published monthly Member of the Catholic Press Assocition Bishop Flores’ Schedule June 2014 July 6 8 a.m. Mass at St. Mary Church July 6 10 a.m. Mass at St. Mary Church July 19 Noon Mass for Catholic Conference Concert Santa Rosa Santa Rosa Brownsville July 26 11 a.m. Mass at St. Anne Quasi-Parish July 26 5 p.m. Valley Awakening Peñitas San Juan July 2014 DIOCESE - The Valley Catholic YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY Para servirles The Valley Catholic The Campus and Young Adult Ministry Office (CYAM) supports single and married young adults to live the Gospel message through prayer, community and service. They do this by working closely together with campus ministers, diocesan and parish leaders, and other ministry volunteers to connect and empower young adults to live as Disciples of Christ. The goal of the CYAM Office is to connect young adults to God, the Church, the mission of the Church in the world and deepen their relationships through family, friends, school and work. As highlighted in Sons & Daughters of the Light, a Pastoral Plan for Ministry with Young Adults, through this ministry, young adults can answer God’s call to holiness, nourishing their faith and living out their faith in this world, The office coordinates multiple programs such as Theology on Tap, Bishop’s Young Adult Ambassadors and campus ministry. Theology on Tap (ToT) is a speaker series for people in their 20s and 30s, married or single. It’s an opportunity to meet together in the relaxed setting of a local pub. The topics focus on faith and contemporary issues that directly affect the lives of today’s young adults. Bishop Daniel E. Flores commissioned the creation of a group of young adults, who will serve as his ambassadors throughout the diocese. This group will include 16 young adults with two representing each deanery. Bishop Flores said, “My goal is to listen to and learn from them - identifying first-hand their spiritual needs and how we can be more responsive to them as a Church.” The Young Adult Ambassadors meet with Bishop Flores and collaborate with the CYAM office in discussing, planning, and implementing Young Adult programs throughout the diocese. Catholic Campus Ministry exists to provide college students with enriching spiritual, social, and civic activities, as well opportunities that will enable the students to grow in these areas while attending classes. They believe that the university years are important formative years that will have a lasting effect upon the students’ character. The CYAM office currently has campus ministry in UTB, TSTC, UTPA, and STC-McAllen. Office: Campus & Young Adult Ministry Director: Miguel Santos Email: [email protected] Taking care of each other SPECIAL REPORT: Caring for Our Elders Resources available for caregivers to help them cope By NYDIA TAPIA-GONZALES The Valley Catholic V ietnam Veteran Max Henry, 77, and his wife Teona Henry, 72, made the decision to relocate permanently to the Rio Grande Valley after 11 years of visiting as Winter Texans. Originally from Gilman, Ill., the couple found a second family in one of Weslaco’s senior communities — Ranchero Village Mobile Home Park. In 2012, the Henrys sold their home, The Valley Catholic gave their family some treasured items, and discarded everything Max and Teona Henry, who are both dealing with health issues, take care of each else; today they are proud to be other and gather support from neighbors whom they consider a second family. The full time Texan retirees living far Henrys also volunteer at the Iwo Jima Memorial & Museum in Harlingen. away from family, and relying on each other for care. degeneration a few years ago and EIGHT SIGNS THAT A CAREGIVER Max Henry was an Army requires monthly treatments. NEEDS A BREAK Specialist 4 Class who served in Max Henry applied for health • a short (and shortening) fuse Germany in the early 1960s and insurance with the local Veter- • emotional outbursts worked for Henkel North Amer- ans Health Administration (VA) • problems sleeping ica. Teona Henry worked at the Clinic only to be turned down • gaining or losing weight local post office. The Henrys dis- for reasons that were not made • ambivalence and sluggishness covered senior living in the Valley clear, but both assume it was due • aches, pains & ailments in 1986 when they visited Teona to their income. For Henry, recent • increased isolation Henry’s sister who was already upsetting news about the Veterans • complaints from friends and enjoying retirement in our area. Administration are no surprise, family “We really love the warm for he has heard countless stories From liftcaregiving.com weather” Max Henry said, but from neighbors and friends who it was Teona Henry’s health that have not received assistance from volunteering at the Iwo Jima Meprompted the permanent move. the VA. morial & Museum in Harlingen “I did not want to go back home “In reality, all he really wanted where once a week – and for the and look for a new doctor – a ret- was a VA picture ID,” said Teona past five years - the Henrys greet ina specialist – because I love my Henry. visitors and share the story of this local doctor,” Teona Henry said. But nothing deters this couple mournful event in American hisShe was diagnosed with macular from loving their country and tory. Meeting fellow veterans and talking to people is what Max Henry enjoys the most, especially during the winter months when the number of visitors increases. Taking care of each other is what these couples do when living far away from family. They also gather support from neighbors whom they consider a second family. “Here at the park, we all help each other with whatever is needed. Most of our families do not visit much because they are too busy, but we have each other,” said Teona Henry, who firmly believes this support system is typical at local retirement communities. The Henrys are not alone. As the population ages and community-based care of elderly, ill, and disabled persons escalates, relatives and friends increasingly find themselves responsible for inhome care of relatives and friends, and this can trigger tremendous stress according to Program Manager Gloria Miranda, BA of the local Caregiver Services & Operations and Caregiver SOS. Research performed by Caregiver SOS shows that 20-30 percent of family caregivers fare poorly under the strain of caregiving, leading to high levels of stress, frustration, mental health problems, suppressed immune system functioning, diabetes, stroke, and premature mortality among several other symptoms. According to a 2009 study by the National Alliance for Caregiving in collaboration with AARP, 29 percent of the U.S. adult population, or 65.7 million people, are caregivers, including 31 percent of all households. Some say that the need for family caregiving is a societal challenge of crisis propor» Please see Elders, p.15 Nine celebrating jubilees Sisters spread the Good News through education Special to the Valley Catholic BROWNSVILLE — Nine Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament will commemorate their jubilee of religious profession on Saturday, Aug. 2. A Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Daniel E. Flores at 10:30 a.m. at Mary, Mother of the Parish Church, followed by a reception in the gymnasium at Incarnate Word Academy. The Sisters being honored all served in Brownsville at some point in their ministry. Sister Anselm Till celebrated 75 years of religious profession in 2014; she made her first vows on February 25, 1939 having entered the congregation on August 2, 1937. In over 53 years of ministry in Catholic education, Sister Till taught in elementary schools throughout South Texas, in Corpus Christi, Alice, Beeville, Kingsville, Goliad, Brownsville and Sinton. Sister Mary Lelia Aguilar, born in Port Isabel to Hilario and Herlinda Pena Aguilar, attended Washington Park and Immaculate Conception el» Please see Jubilee, p.14 3 Sister Evelyn Morales Sister Anselm Till Sister Mary Lelia Aguilar Sister Colette Brehony Sister Mary Camelia Herlihy Sister Teresita Rodriguez Sister Martha Ann Snapka Sister Mary Vianney Uyeno Sister Elizabeth Close 4 DIOCESE The Valley Catholic - »Family Life Diminishing violence V iolence and resentment have been around since Cain slew Abel. Genesis 7:6-8 states “So the Lord said to Cain: “Why are you so resentful and crestfallen? If you do well, you can hold up your head; but if not, sin is a demon lurking at the door; his urge is toward you, yet you can be his master.” Cain said to his brother Abel, “let us go out in the field.” When they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.” One would think that after several millennium, as human beings we would have learned that we can master the urge for violence and build up the power of peace in our hearts, in our homes, and in our society. I rarely watch the local TV news simply because I do not relish the thought of receiving the latest litany of violence: how many people were beaten, stabbed, or killed. Surely there are other news worthy stories to report: perhaps stories about how people suffer; perhaps stories about the many civic and religious organizations who work tirelessly to feed the poor and educate the young. Do we as human beings in the 21st century have such a fascination with violence that we accept as normal that 75-80 percent of “family time” television programs are centered on violence? What happened to the days when TV favorites included Gilligan’s Island and Carol Burnett? In 1994 the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops wrote a Pastoral Letter entitled “Confronting a Culture of Violence”. Twenty years later, their words are perhaps even more fitting. In this pastoral letter, they state: “Our families are torn by violence. Our communities are destroyed by violence. Our faith is tested by violence. We have an obligation to respond. Violence — in our homes, our schools and streets, our nation and world — is destroying the lives, dignity and hopes of millions of our sisters and brothers. Fear of violence is paralyzing and polarizing our communities. The celebration of violence in much of our media, music and even video games is »Women speak for themselves en la Frontera Lydia Pesina Director, Family Life Office poisoning our children. Beyond the violence in our streets is the violence in our hearts. Hostility, hatred, despair and indifference are at the heart of a growing culture of violence. Verbal violence in our families, communications and talk shows contribute to this culture of violence. Pornography assaults the dignity of women and contributes to violence against them. Our social fabric is being torn apart by a culture of violence that leaves children dead on our streets and families afraid in our homes. Our society seems to be growing numb to human loss and suffering. A nation born in a commitment to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” is haunted by death, imprisoned by fear and caught up in the elusive pursuit of protection rather than happiness. A world moving beyond the Cold War is caught up in bloody ethnic, tribal and political conflict. It doesn’t have to be this way. It wasn’t always this way. We can turn away from violence; we can build communities of greater peace. It begins with a clear conviction: respect for life.” There is always something that individually or as a community we can do: monitor our language: diminish violent words; pray for peace; provide programs that promote dialogue between parents and youth; teach basic values of respect and conflict resolution; assist parents in setting boundaries for their children on TV, internet, and cell phone use; support local organizations such as Mujeres Unidas; reflect on our own tendencies/ urges towards violence. “Parenting for Peace and Justice”, active since 1981 includes A Family Pledge of Nonviolence on their website. Perhaps it can serve as a reminder that each of us can do at least one thing to diminish violence and promote peace. “…my Savior, from violence you keep me safe.” 2 Samuel 22:3 FAMILY PLEDGE OF NON VIOLENCE To view or download a copy of the Family Pledge of Non Violence, visit www.cdob.org What is Ordinary Time? Special to The Valley Catholic There’s often excitement and interest linked with some feasts and seasons of the church year: Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter. By comparison, “Ordinary Time” could sound pretty dull, uninteresting and commonplace. But is it? Ordinary Time occurs between Christmas and Lent, and later in the year links Pentecost and Advent. “Ordinary Time” is not simply “time in between” nor “ordinary” in contrast to “extraordinary”. Ordinary is the same as ordinal, meaning (time) counted in order and relationship. There are 33 or 34 Ordinary Time weeks, numbered sequentially, beginning after Epiphany, and ending with the feast of July 2014 Christ the King. Another name for Ordinary Time could be “Sundays of the Year.” The special focus of this six month period is the celebration of life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ: grappling with its mystery and how to live it in our daily lives. As this is what every Sunday is really about. Here are some ways to make Ordinary Time less “ordinary.” • Give one percent of each day (15 minutes) to an oasis time for prayer/reflection • At the end of each day and towards the end of the year, thank God for your blessings and others for their kindness and love • Give something of yourself (time, talent, treasure/money) to someone who needs you You can be Catholic and a feminist M y son’s girlfriend, who is in her early twenties, considers herself a feminist, but questioned how her support of equality for women fit with her role as a young Catholic woman. Is it possible to be both? Yes. Feminism, “the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities,” (Merriam-Webster.com), corresponds to values the Church promotes. For years the Catholic Church has been a strong advocate for the freedom and dignity of women. Mary Ann Glendon, a former U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See, provided an overview of the Church’s long history of serving as a proponent for women. The Church, she said, has not been a “passive observer.” Glendon writes, “She (the Catholic Church) has been a tireless advocate for those whose voices are seldom heard in the corridors of power –refugee women, migrant women, and mothers everywhere. Often she has stood practically alone in insisting that there can be no authentic progress without respect for women’s roles in the family. That concern for women’s family roles is in no way inconsistent with her full support of women’s aspirations for participation in economic, social and political life.” Writings by secular feminists would have one believe the Church looks at women as second-class citizens and that their roles are undermined by the male hierarchy. One only has to read the Gospels and study Church history Brenda Nettles Riojas Editor, The Valley Catholic to see how women are valued and work in collaboration with men, not in competition. Men and women share a common dignity and vocation in the call to holiness, and in our call to service. Yes, men and women are different, but difference is not inequality. We must also remember that it was a woman to whom God entrusted salvation. Mary is the Theotokos, the one who gave birth to God. It is unfortunate the word feminist in the secular world is often associated with being ‘prochoice’ and advocating for reproductive rights. This is a point of divergence between secular feminists and Catholic feminists. As Catholics we stand in defense of a culture of life. St. John Paul II called for a “new feminism” in his 1995 encyclical Evangelium Vitae (the Gospel of Life). “In transforming culture so that it supports life, women occupy a place, in thought and action, which is unique and decisive,” he wrote. “It depends on them to promote a ‘new feminism’ which rejects the temptation of imitating models of ‘male domination,’ in order to acknowledge and affirm the true genius of women in every aspect of the life of society, and overcome all discrimination, violence and exploitation.” Through the lens of the Gospel and not the lens of secular thought, feminism takes a holistic approach, one that goes counter the “isms” dominating our culture – individualism, materialism, relativism. While it is tempting to listen “to the ancient whisper in the Garden: ‘You shall be like gods” and wield control, free to do as we choose, we know better. Freedom comes in responding to God’s call. Susan J. Stabile, in an article for the University of St. Thomas Law Journal, notes, “Part of the difficulty many religious women have with feminism is the tension ‘between feminism’s emphasis on women’s individual goals and the collective goals of family and community.” Stabile writes, “From the Catholic perspective, we live in a world that is not ours to do with what we please; we live in a universe not designed by us for our own goals and purposes. It is for us to choose whether to live in accordance with God’s plan, and thus to fulfill who we were intended by God to become.” She adds, “The idea that the end or goal of our existence is determined by God and not ourselves is quite countercultural.” In the diverse world in which we live, there are different types of feminists, and we will not always agree on every point. One point is clear, being Catholic does not preclude me or any woman from being a feminist. I stand firm in advocating for the human rights of my sisters in the world, for justice, nondiscrimination and nonviolence, remembering that I am a woman “in the world, but not of the world.” What the Church says about Sacramental records The Valley Catholic Q: I live in Dallas and I need a copy of my baptismal certificate. I called the church in the Rio Grande Valley where I was baptized and they won’t mail it to me directly. Why not? A: “We ask people to pick up sacramental records in person,” said Father Tom Kulleck, archivist for the Diocese of Brownsville. “If they live far away from us, we send it to their local parish. We want to make sure we are giving the information to the person who has the right to it and protect the confidentiality of the information.” In some instances, baptismal certificates can be used as secondary forms of identification in civil and legal matters because the record can help establish age and place of birth; therefore the information must be protected. “These protocols were not put in place to create a burden,” said Father Oliver Angel, judicial vicar for the diocese. “We want to ensure that the person has a valid interest in the documents. We have a responsibility to protect the documents to avoid the possibility of misuse.” Information from the Manual for Sacramental Record Keeping • Any member of the Christian faithful has a right to obtain a certificate of a sacrament he or she has received and which The Valley Catholic The parish priest is to take care that Sacramental records, which are confidential, do not fall into unauthorized hands. was recorded in a sacramental register. But only that person, the parents of a minor, someone with legal guardianship of another and a bona fide pastoral minister at another Catholic parish have this right. When the parents of a child are separated or divorced, both parents, regardless of legal custody, are presumed to have the right to a certificate. • No information from sacramental registers should be provided by telephone or other electronic means except to another Catholic parish or other Catholic agency. Even then care for the privacy of persons is to be exercised. • Certificates should have an official appearance and should be issued in a consistent format. Parishes may obtain blank certifi- cates from commercial vendors or may have them printed locally. All certificates must bear the name and address of the parish. • Certificates must be typed, printed by computer or handprinted in ink. They are to be signed by the pastor or his delegate and impressed with the parish seal. Photostatic and facsimile copies of certificates are not considered authentic documents. • Sacramental registers should never be made available to genealogical researchers. The pastor or other regularly designated person may research information as requested and as time permits and make the information available on separate paper. Care must be taken not to disclose confidential information. July 2014 DIOCESE - The Valley Catholic »Sunday Readings The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church JULY 6, 2014 ( Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time) Reading1 Zec 9:9-10 Responsorial Psalm Ps 145:1-2, 8-9, 10-11, 13-14 Reading 2 Rom 8:9, 11-13 Gospel Mt 11:25-30 JULY 13, 2014 (Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time) Reading 1 Is 55:10-11 Responsorial Psalm Ps 65:10, 11, 12-13, 14 Reading 2 Rom 8:18-23 Gospel Mt 13:1-23 JULY 20, 2014 (Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time) Reading 1 Wis 12:13, 16-19 Responsorial Psalm Ps 86:5-6, 9-10, 15-16 Reading 2 Rom 8:26-27 Gospel Mt 13:24-43 JULY 27, 2014 (Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time) Reading 1 1 Kgs 3:5, 7-12 Responsorial Psalm Ps 119:57, 72, 76-77, 127-128, 129-130 Reading 2 Rom 8:28-30 Gospel Mt 13:44-52 Or Mt 13:44-46 The word of the Lord abides for ever. This word is the Gospel which was preached to you” (1 Pet 1:25; cf. Is 40:8). With this assertion from the First Letter of Saint Peter, which takes up the words of the Prophet Isaiah, we find ourselves before the mystery of God, who has made himself known through the gift of his word. This word, which abides for ever, entered into time. God spoke his eternal Word humanly; his Word “became flesh” (Jn 1:14). This is the Good News. This is the proclamation which has come down the centuries to us today. 5 »Making Sense of Bioethics Clearing the air about marijuana use A June 2014 article in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), written by researchers from the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Institutes of Health, points out that marijuana is not the harmless drug that many imagine. Rather, it is associated with “substantial adverse effects, some of which have been determined with a high level of confidence.” These negative outcomes include the risk of addiction, symptoms of chronic bronchitis, an elevated incidence of fatal and non-fatal motor vehicle accidents, and diminished lifetime achievement and school performance in cases of long term use, especially beginning in adolescence. We can add that the decision to use a drug recreationally for the purposes of dissociating ourselves from reality through induced euphoria raises significant moral concerns, and, like all unethical human choices, can be expected to correlate with significant adverse ramifications. Part of the unethical character of drug abuse flows from the fact that we are treating something good, namely our personal, conscious experience as if it were an evil to be avoided. Recreational drug users seek to escape or otherwise suppress their lived conscious experience, and instead pursue chemically-altered states of mind, or drug-induced pseudo-experiences. Any time we act in such a way that we treat something objectively good as if it were an evil by acting directly against it, we act in a disordered and immoral manner. The decision to pursue in- Tadeusz Pacholczyk Priest of the Diocese of Fall River ebriation and drunkenness, similarly, is a choice directed against the good of our human conscious experience that raises serious moral concerns. The responsible enjoyment of alcohol, meanwhile, presupposes that a moderate use of the fruit of the vine can aid us in the pursuit of certain aspects of friendship and interaction by stimulating conversation with others, and by diminishing the hesitations that people may have when they interact with each other. The moderate use of alcohol also appears to offer positive physiological effects on health. The notion of the “responsible enjoyment of marijuana and other mind-altering drugs,” meanwhile, is a dubious concept, given that the more powerful and varied neurological effects of these substances readily take us across a line into alternate states of mind, detachment from reality, “getting stoned,” etc. Whenever we look at alcohol, marijuana, or other more powerful drugs, additional moral concerns arise due to the risk of addiction, which threatens authentic freedom and constitutes a serious form of human bondage. Alcohol, of course, poses a significant risk of addiction for some people, and the responsible use of alcohol may become nearly impossible for them, necessitating complete abstinence to maintain their freedom. Marijuana, despite some contentious debates about the matter, similarly has a significant addictive potential, as noted in the NEJM article: “Approximately 9 percent of those who experiment with marijuana will become addicted… The number goes up to about 1 in 6 among those who start using marijuana as teenagers and to 25 to 50 percent among those who smoke marijuana daily. According to the 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, an estimated 2.7 million people 12 years of age and older met the DSM-IV criteria for dependence on marijuana, and 5.1 million people met the criteria for dependence on any illicit drug (8.6 million met the criteria for dependence on alcohol)… Indeed, early and regular marijuana use predicts an increased risk of marijuana addiction, which in turn predicts an increased risk of the use of other illicit drugs.” The NEJM article also notes that adults who smoke marijuana regularly during adolescence have decreased neural connectivity (abnormal brain development and fewer fibers) in specific brain regions. Although some experts have disputed a cause-effect relationship for this phenomenon, studies of brain development in animals strongly suggest a causal effect. The authors surmise that the effects of marijuana on brain development may help to explain the association between frequent marijuana use among adolescents and significant declines in IQ, as well as poor academic perfor» Please see Bioethics, p.14 »What’s your testimony? Take time to renew your spirit Special to the Valley Catholic Name: Jesus Garza Age: 19 Status: Single; lifelong Catholic Hometown: Laredo, Texas Attends Mass at: Newman Center, Edinburg When you grow up as a cradle Catholic, it feels as if almost everything you do is the same as everyone else. Your faith kind of becomes a habit, but I have had experiences in my life that provided spiritual uplifting, experiences that have created a sense of renewal, a feeling that this is something more than just going through the motions. I have to keep in mind that I must take the time to renew my faith and my spirit. I attended a Salesian school in Laredo from Pre-K3 through eighth grade called Mary Helper of Christians. The school solidified my foundation in my faith and while there, I discovered a talent for audio-visual production, which I continue to use for God’s glory. When I attended public school for the first time as a high school freshman, it was a culture shock for me – no more morning prayer, no more Mass. I realized what a gift our faith is. When it came time for my confirmation, my faith made sense. It just Courtesy Photo Jesus Garza, a sophomore at the University of Texas-Pan American in Edinburg, said his faith “just clicked” at his confirmation. The joy of the gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus. Those who accept his offer of salvation are set free from sin, sorrow, inner emptiness and loneliness. With Christ joy is constantly born anew. –Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium clicked. I had this inner desire to learn more. It consumed me and I dove right into my faith. I was already involved at my parish, I was an altar server since first grade, but I decided to start a youth ministry and little by little, it grew. In summer 2013, I had the opportunity to attend World Youth Day in Brazil, which really gave my faith yet another boost. I started my freshman year here at UTPA with a solid foundation in my faith. I got involved in Campus Ministry and had an opportunity to kick start a pro-life student organization on campus. I am also an altar server at the Newman Center where I am blessed to serve with our chaplain, Bishop Emeritus Raymundo J. Peña. To share your testimony email [email protected]. Courtesy photc An oil painting by artist David Lindsley titled, “Sisters in Faith,” depicts St. Martha with Jesus and her sister Mary. »Feast Day - July 29 Spotlight on St. Martha Catholic News Agency St. Martha is mentioned in three Gospel passages: Luke 10:38-42, John 11:1-53, and John 12:1-9, and the type of friendship between her and her siblings, Mary and Lazarus, with the Lord Jesus is evident in these passages. In the gospel of Luke, Martha receives Jesus into her home and worries herself with serving Him, a worry that her sister Mary, who sat beside the Lord’s feet “listening to Him speak,” doesn’t share. Her complaint that her sister is not helping her serve draws a reply from the Lord who says to her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.” The over-anxiousness she displays in serving is put into the right context by Jesus who emphasizes the importance of contemplating Him before all things. Yet she is seen next in John, outside the tomb of her brother Lazarus who had died four days earlier, as the one who receives the Revelation from the Lord that “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.” When asked by the Lord if she believed this she said to Him, “Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world,” displaying her great faith which is confirmed by Jesus’ subsequent raising of her brother Lazarus from the grave. In the third and last instance, we see Martha, again in John, at a house in Bethany where Jesus was reclining at table with her brother Lazarus after he had raised him from the dead. During dinner, John’s Gospel tells us, “Martha served.” She is revealed here performing the same task as when we first saw her, but now her service is infused with her faith, and the brevity of the description suggests the silence and peace in which she serves as opposed to the nervous anxiety she displayed earlier. Martha, whom we have seen serving, in Luke, and then believing, earlier in John, is now seen expressing her belief in the action of serving the Lord. “Martha served,” and in doing so teaches us the way of Christian life. St. Martha is the patron of housewives, servants, waiters and cooks. 6 DIOCESE The Valley Catholic - July 2014 »The News: In Photos Parish Anniversary Courtesy Photo St. Joan of Arc Parish in Weslaco recently commemorated the church’s 85th Anniversary. (See August issue for story and more photos.) Gilberto Velasquez, who was the first baby baptized at the church in 1929, attended the anniversary Mass celebrated by Bishop Daniel E. Flores. Confirmations Photo by Eric Sánchez/The Valley Catholic Bishop Daniel E. Flores conferred the Sacrament of Confirmation on 82 candidates at Holy Family Church in Edinburg on May 21. Summer food program Photos by Evana Zamora/The Valley Catholic Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley kicked off its summer food program on June 27 in San Juan. Bishop Daniel E. Flores, State Sen. Eddie Lucio and Sister Norma Pimentel, executive director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley and spoke to IDEA Academy students about the importance of eating nutrious meals. During the kick off, Catholic Charities staff organized activities for the children. July 2014 DIOCESE - The Valley Catholic »Hope in Action: A Spotlight on Youth Teen makes time to serve Special to The Valley Catholic Jennifer Hernandez volunteers at St. John the Baptist Parish in San Juan in a variety of ways. She serves the community as an altar server and visits the elderly and infirmed at the San Juan Nursing Home. She especially enjoys playing bingo with the residents and getting to know them. Hernandez also helps prepare and set up for Lifeteen and youth ministry events and the parish’s annual jamaica (festival). During the two-day festival, Hernandez is on the grounds from opening to closing and is on the go the whole time, assisting in any way she can. Hernandez just completed her junior year at the Science Academy and despite the demanding curriculum, she always makes time to serve. “Jennifer is a hard worker and very dependable,” said Maricela Sosa, youth ministry coordinator at St. John the Baptist Parish. “She is always punctual and ready to help. Even when she has personal problems at home, she comes to church and might be down for a bit, but she tends to lighten the room with her smile. “This young lady is out to seek the very best that Christ has in store for her. She trusts in God and we are grateful to have her in our parish.” Name: Jennifer Hernandez School/Grade: Science Academy of South Texas, senior Activities: Youth group,softball team, Lifeteen Talents/Gifts: Fast reader, dancing , singing Best Movie Ever: Lone Survivor Most Listened to Song on My Unaccompanied, continued from pg. 2 providence survived a trek with a small band of Hondurans through central Mexico to the United States. Some strangers, she has learned, will help you with food and water along the way; some will kill you for the fun of it. ‘Is life a journey to something better, or is it a constant escape from people who want to hurt you?’ This is the question in her eyes even before any word is on her lips.” The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), the National Latino Evangelical Coalition and the National Immigration Forum have been paying close attention to this urgent situation. Reacting to the surge in unaccompanied children crossing the border, Bishop Eusebio Elizondo, auxiliary bishop of Seattle and chairman of the USCCB Committee on Migration called upon the Administration and Congress to protect unaccompanied children from Mexico and Central America crossing the border. “This is a very complicated problem, but its roots must be addressed, both by our government and governments in the region,” Bishop Elizondo said. He said the announcement by 7 Changes coming to St. Joseph School New principal, new educational model infused with music By ROSE YBARRA The Valley Catholic Courtesy Jennifer Hernandez, an incoming senior at the Science Academy, volunteers her time and talent at St. John the Baptist Church in San Juan. iPod: “Best I Ever Had,” by Drake; “How He Loves Us,” by David Crowder Band TV Show I Never Miss: “SpongeBob SquarePants” Book I’d Read Again (and Again): “Dark Secrets 2” by Elizabeth Chandler Future Plans: Go to college and earn a master’s degree in computer engineering Meaningful Quote: “The only source of knowledge is experience.” -Albert Einstein Who has made a difference in her life?: The person who I admire is my dad because he works hard to provide for our family and still has time for his family. — If you would like to nominate a student to be featured in “Hope in Action: A Spotlight on Youth,” please email Angel Barrera, director of Youth Ministry, at abarrera@cdob. org. the Administration of an interagency task force headed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was a “good first step.” Here in the Rio Grande Valley, Sister Norma Pimentel, director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley, said she is in talks with FEMA to look at the possibility of opening a temporary shelter to house unaccompanied children. Sister Pimentel, said she and volunteers wish they could do more for the children who are here in the United States without their parents. She said they, like the immigrants, have to place their faith in God. “We have to trust in God’s mercy,” she said. She added the Church will continue to assist where possible and to work with the different agencies and consulates to try to help parents who call looking for their children. Volunteer Rosa Pallais, a parishioner at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in McAllen, was successful in contacting Juan’s parents in El Salvador. “It broke my heart that I could not do more for him,” she said. “His mother asked me to take care of him, to make sure he was safe. ‘Ayuden a mi hijo.’” Individuals who are interested in helping at the centers that house unaccompanied children may call De Los Santos as (956) 207-9261. EDINBURG — “Catholic schools work towards forming the whole person as opposed to simply worrying about academics,” said Joseph O’Brien, the new principal at St. Joseph School in Edinburg. “The academic level is there because that is obviously what schools are created for, but I learned a lot more in terms of morals, values and my own personal beliefs O’Brien through my experience with Catholic education. “I think that is the best component of it, that you can work outside of simply curriculum in order to make sure that the children are becoming quality young men and women.” A native of New York City, O’Brien, who officially begins his tenure as principal on July 1, was called to study education while attending a Jesuit high school in Manhattan. “I had a wonderful series of teachers and they really opened my eyes to the role that you can play for a child, so it made me want to study education,” he said. “I decided then and there that I would do whatever it took to become an educator.” O’Brien, who has a strong background in math and history, most recently served as assistant principal of Our Lady of Sorrows School in McAllen. He was also the curriculum chair for the Diocesan Math Curriculum Standards committee, which established new criteria for excellence in math across the entire diocese. O’Brien moved to the Rio Grande Valley to serve as a teacher through the University of Notre Dame’s Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE), a graduate program that sends well-prepared teachers to underresourced schools across the country for two years. He has two degrees from the University of Notre Dame — a master’s degree in education and a bachelor of arts in history. O’Brien opted to stay in the Courtesy Students at St. Joseph School in Edinburg , which is adopting a “choir school” educational model, will provide additional musical training to its students starting in kindergarten. Valley after falling in love with his wife and the area. The couple has a two-year-old daughter. As principal of St. Joseph School, O’Brien aims to, “promote academic excellence at the school and raise the rigor of the education that the students are receiving,” at the 60-year-old school, which serves grades Pre-K through 8. He will also promote greater involvement at the parish and in the community at large. O’Brien and his staff will be implementing a “choir school model,” at St. Joseph School, which infuses music into the curriculum and fosters a love for the arts and the liturgy. Father Gregory T. Labus, pastor of St. Joseph Church and School, was inspired by a visit to a choir school in Utah. The Utah school’s model will be adapted to fit the needs of St. Joseph School. “The musical formation of our youth is important to the life of the Church,” Father Labus said. “The benefits of a choir school model, we hope, will include more active participation in the music of the liturgy. The Church is calling for a new evangelization. We are called to bring the Gospel message to people in a new and different way.” One of the goals is to have a well-formed choir – and ultimately multiple choirs – comprised of students to sing at Mass and other events. Lei Ray Yu, a native of China, was recently hired as the music director for St. Joseph School. She was most recently the music director at St. Paul Cathedral in Worcester, Mass. and her areas of expertise are choral and organ music. O’Brien, who plays guitar and trumpet and has been involved in many stage productions, was actively involved in a recent musical theater presentation at Our Lady of Sorrows School, which included more than 200 students. “I saw the impact that performance and music had on just the group that we worked with, so I can imagine how wonderful it’s going to be when we can apply it to a large scale school,” he said. 8 DIOCESE The Valley Catholic - July 2014 Newly Ordained: Father Jose Garza Bishop Daniel E. Flores ordained Father Jose Garza for service in the Diocese of Brownsville on June 14 at Holy Family Church in Brownsville. Father Garza will begin his priestly service at St. Joseph the Worker Church in McAllen. Bishop Flores said the priesthood is a three-fold gift. “It is first of all a gift from the Lord Jesus to the Church... a gift of a community of believers given to the Lord for his service... and, finally, it is a personal gift from the man who presents himself to the Lord through the Church. The bishop anoints the palms of the new priest with the oil of chrism. “The Father anointed our Lord Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. May Jesus preserve you to sanctify the Christian people and to offer sacrifice to God.” After the anointing with the oil, the priest’s hands are wrapped with a linen cloth. For more photos visit the Catholic Diocese of Brownsville Facebook page. Photos by Cesar Riojas/The Valley Catholic During the chanting of the Litany, the ordinand lies prostrate before the altar. The newly ordained priest, Father Jose Garza, gave his first blessing as a priest to Bishop Daniel E. Flores following the Ordination Mass at Holy Family Church in Brownsville. July 2014 DIOCESE - The Valley Catholic Those Who Serve: Father Joe Villalon Priest celebrates silver jubilee » Please see Father Joe p.15 »Birthday & Anniversary Wishes Father Villalon with his baptimal Godparents, Mr. and Mrs. Ciro Ochoa of Mission. THE VALLEY’S CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY The list of birthdays and ordination anniversaries is provided so that parishioners may remember the priests, deacons and religious in their prayers and send them a note or a card. 2 Deacon Jose Luis Mendoza 3 Deacon Armandin Villarreal 6 Deacon Nicolas E. Trujillo 10 Deacon Augusto Chapa Jr. 10 Deacon Rodolfo C. Salinas 15 Deacon Enrique Saldaña 17 Deacon Gilberto Guardiola Jr. 18 Deacon Francisco D. Pon 19 Deacon Peter Requeñez 23 Deacon Rene Villalon 30 Deacon Felipe F. Treviño 1 Sister Norma Pimentel, MJ 1 Sister Maureen Crosby, SSD 21 Sister Maria Santana, MEF 26 Sister Luz Cardenas, OP 27 Sister Julia B. Onukjaro, DMMM 31 Sister Ninfa Garza, MJ » Anniversaries 5 Rev. Daniel H. Oyama 5 Rev. Julian Becerril 9 Rev. Horacio Chavarria APPLY NOW 3 Deacon Juan Barbosa August » Birthdays 2 13 19 21 28 Rev. Alfonso Guevara Rev. George Kerketta Rev. Patrick Sietz Rev. Miguel Angel Ortega Rev. Aglayde Vega 6 11 14 17 Sister Armida Rangel, MJ Sister Monica Garza, OP Sister Jeannine Spain, OSB Sister Elena Maldonado, RSM 10 18 21 26 26 28 29 Deacon Jesse E. Aguayo Deacon Raymond Thomas Jr. Deacon Gerardo Aguilar Deacon Silvestre J. Garcia Deacon Carlos Treviño DeaconHeriberto Treviño Deacon Reynaldo Q. Merino » Anniversaries 1 12 14 24 26 28 Rev. Raymond Nwachukwu Rev. Alejandro Fajardo, SS.CC Rev. Jose Cruz Rev. Jose J. Ortiz, CO Rev. Msgr. Heberto Diaz Rev. Luis Javier Garcia, JCL 15 Deacon Genaro Ibarra PhD in Leadership Studies MBA in Healthcare Management MBA in Management MS in Organizational Leadership BAS in Computer Information Systems and Security ÊTOÊBE UD IN Classes offered every other weekend to accommodate working adults ÊT H EÊR ÊTOÊBE D U LEARN MORE www.ollusa.edu/Valley V Ê! 2 Rev. Genaro Henriquez 4 Rev. Gabriel Ezeh 8 Rev. Juan Pablo Picazo Davalos 12 Rev. Jose Cruz 17 Rev. Luis Roberto Tinajero 18 Rev. Ernesto Magallon 18 Rev. Jesus Paredes 19 Rev. Joaquin Zermeno 20 Rev. Amador Garza 21 Rev. Francisco Castillo 22 Rev. Terrence Gorski, OFM 27 Rev. Jose R. Torres, III, OMI 29 Rev. Richard Philion, OMI V Ê! » Birthdays Offering PhD, Master’s and Bachelor’s 16 Rev. Eka Yuantoro, MSF 16 Rev. Hector J. Cruz, SM 16 Rev. Michael Montoya, MJ 17 Rev. Isaac Erondu 21 Rev. Mario Aviles, CO 23 Rev. Gabriel Ezeh 27 Rev. Emmanuel Kwofie PRO July Father Villalon with his mother, Margarita (seated) and his aunts, from left, Clarita Zimmerer; Oralia Eusebio and Manuela Vela. IN CALL 956-277-0146 OR EMAIL [email protected] G SAN JUAN —“My mother taught me that you cannot just go to church on Sunday and sit down,” said Father Joe Villalon, parochial vicar of St. John the Baptist Parish in San Juan. “She used to say, ‘you have to get involved, you are not a benchwarmer.’” Father Villalon, 57, believes that spirit of service he learned from his family played a role in his vocation. He recently marked 25 years as a priest and celebrated the milestone on June 6 with a Mass at St. John the Baptist Church and a gathering at the Catholic War Veterans Hall in Weslaco. The oldest child of Margarita and the late Jose Maria Villalon, Father Villalon was born in Harlingen and grew up half a block from St. Francis Xavier Parish in La Feria where he served as an altar server, lector, catechist and minister of music. He is adept at piano, guitar and bass guitar. “I was at the church all the time,” he said. “It became my second home. I never really thought of being a priest. I just liked working in the church.” Father Villalon was in his early 20s and attending what is now the University of Texas-Pan American in Edinburg. He was in a fraternity and he and his girlfriend at the time Courtesy Father Joe Villalon celebrates a Mass on June 6 in honor of his 25th anniversary as a priest at St. John the Baptist Church in San Juan. From left, Father Jerry Frank; Father Juan Pablo Robles; Deacon Eduardo Reyna; Father Villalon; Father Ignacio Luna and Father Luis Roberto Tinajero. G By ROSE YBARRA The Valley Catholic talked about becoming engaged. In spite of all the trappings, Father Villalon felt unfulfilled. “I jumped from major to major at Pan Am and could never find a field of study that really interested me,” he said. “I didn’t have a zeal for that, but when it came to studying about God, about philosophy and theology, that really got my attention.” After completing his studies at Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio, he was ordained on June 3, 1989 by Bishop John J. Fitzpatrick at the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle-National Shrine. “He is a great asset because he is one of the few priests that is from here, myself included,” said Msgr. Gustavo Barrera, who was director for seminarians for the diocese from 1980-1992. “The majority of our priests come from outside the Valley – and we’re very grateful to them – but he’s one of the few native vocations. “He’s a great example to others, to see him and know that he is from the Valley, home grown from La Feria.” Reflecting on the last 25 years, Father Villalon said the mark of his priesthood has been his commitment to be there for the people he serves. In his priestly ministry, he has been assigned to St. Paul Church in Mission; Mary, Mother of the Church Parish in Brownsville; St. Isidore Church in San Isidro; Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Brownsville; St. Ignatius Church PRO He aims to create sense of ‘familia’ wherever he goes 9 ÊT H EÊR w w w. o l l u s a . e d u Catholic higher education and service, sponsored by the Sisters of Divine Providence, since 1895 10 IN THE NEWS The Valley Catholic - July 2014 U.S. bishops urged to promote, support families By CAROL ZIMMEMANN Catholic News Service NEW ORLEANS — The U.S. bishops, gathered in New Orleans for their spring general assembly June 11-13, were urged to promote and support Catholic families. At the close of the morning’s session June 11, the bishops were advised to pay close attention to the Vatican’s extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the family Oct. 5-19 and to promote the World Meeting of Families September 2015 in Philadelphia. The bishops, by their applause, also showed support for a letter to be sent to Pope Francis, inviting him to the Philadelphia meeting. Read by Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Kentucky, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the letter said that the pope’s presence would “add significance” to the gathering and “deepen the bonds of affection” many Catholics feel for the Holy Father. Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, president of the Pontifical Council for the Family, described the Philadelphia gathering as a key factor in promoting family life, which he said is currently in crisis. “The family today is living out a paradox,” he told the bishops. “On the one hand, great value is given to the bonds of family, everywhere in the world,” but today’s families are weakened and often “lose their way.” The archbishop said he hoped the Philadelphia gathering would provide a “new spring” for families. “Please believe and preach to your flocks” the importance of families, he added. Pope invites charismatics to Vatican in 2017 By CINDY WOODEN Catholic News Service ROME — Meeting more than 50,000 Catholic charismatics in Rome’s Olympic Stadium, Pope Francis admitted he was not always comfortable with the way they prayed, but he knelt onstage as they prayed for him and over him by singing and speaking in tongues. “In the early years of the charismatic renewal in Buenos Aires, I did not have much love for charismatics,” the pope said June 1. “I said of them: They seem like a samba school.” Little by little, though, he came to see how much good the movement was doing for Catholics and for the church, he told a gathering organized by the International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services and the Catholic Fraternity of Charismatic Covenant Communities and Fellowships. Pope Francis invited the crowd, which included charismatics from 55 countries, to come to St. Peter’s Square for Pentecost in 2017 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the movement. The Catholic charismatic movement traces its origins to a retreat held in 1967 with students and staff from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. “I expected all of you, charismatics from around the world, to celebrate your great jubilee with the pope at Pentecost 2017 in St. Peter’s Square,” the pope said. The celebration in Rome’s Olympic Stadium began with the song, “Vive Jesus, El Senor,” (“Jesus, the Lord, Lives”) a Spanishlanguage song which Pope Francis -- who claims he is tone deaf -- joined in singing with his hands open like many in the crowd. The pope said he likes the song, which charismatics in Argentina also sing. “When I celebrated the holy Mass with the charismatic renewal in the Buenos Aires cathedral, after the consecration and after a few seconds of adoration in tongues, we sang this song with such joy and strength,” he said. Love, hope, success, family, security. Daniel Reza, Agent 1221 S 77 Sunshine Strip Harlingen, TX 78550 Bus: 956-425-3276 www.danielreza.com Some things we all have in common. There’s nobody like me to protect the things we all value. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. CALL ME TODAY. ® 1101019.1 State Farm, Home Office, Bloomington, IL Photos by CNS/ Alessandro Bianchi, Reuters Pope Francis waves as he arrives to lead his weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican June 4. Pope: Piety is embracing God By CAROL GLATZ Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Being pious is not squeezing one’s eyes shut to the world and putting on a sweet little angel face, Pope Francis said. Piety is opening up one’s heart to God and one’s arms to embrace everyone as brothers and sisters, he said June 4 at his weekly general audience. “The gift of piety that the Holy Spirit gives us makes us meek; it makes us peaceful, patient and at peace with God in gentle service to others,” he said. Under a cloudless bright sunny sky in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis continued a series of audience talks about the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord. Focusing on the gift of piety, the pope said he wanted to clarify its meaning right away “because some people think that being pious is closing your eyes, putting on a sweet angel face, isn’t that right? To pretend to be a saint” and holier than thou. But piety is recognizing “our belonging to God, our deep bond with him, a relationship that gives meaning to our whole life and keeps us resolute, in communion with him, even during the most difficult and troubled moments” in life, he said. This personal bond with the Lord is not created out of obligation or force, he said; it is “a relationship lived from the heart,” a friendship that “changes our life and fills us with enthusiasm and joy,” gratitude, praise and “authentic worship of God.” “When the Holy Spirit helps us sense the presence of the Lord and all of his love for us, it warms our heart and drives us almost naturally to prayer and celebration,” the pope said. Once people experience the loving relationship of God as father, “it helps us pour out this love onto others and recognize them as brothers and sisters,” Pope Francis said. Piety is about identity and belonging, he said, that is why it renders people “truly capable of being joyful with those who are happy; to cry with those who weep; to be near those who are alone or in distress; to correct those in error; to console the afflicted; to welcome and come to the aid of those in need.” Citing a verse from St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans (8:14-15), the pope said the spirit of God is about kinship — a spirit of adoption, not “a spirit of slavery to fall back on into fear.” “Let us ask the Lord that the gift of his Spirit overcome our fears and uncertainties, our restless and impatient spirit, too, and that it may make us joyous witnesses of God and his love.” The pope asked that people pray they could adore God in a genuine, not forced or fake, way, and to be in service to others “with gentleness and also a smile.” ONLINE For videos and photos of some of the milestones in the life of the Church in the Rio Grande Valley, visit the Diocese of Brownsville website. www.cdob.org July 2014 NOTICIAS EN ESPAÑOL 11 - The Valley Catholic » La Alegría de Vivir La inteligencia y las emociones Msgr. Juan Nicolau Pastor, Parroquia de Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro en McAllen D urante las ceremonias de graduación se distinguen a los alumnos con mas alta puntuación en sus exámenes, se considera que estos alumnos tienen un alto IQ, o coeficiente intelectual que indica la capacidad que tienen de razonar, comprender y analizar, estos individuos se supone son capaces de llevar a cabo cualquier tarea, ya sea en el campo profesional o académico, y se supone que serán personas más exitosas. Sin embargo no siempre es así, puede haber personas con gran cantidad de conocimientos dentro de su cabeza, pero que no tienen la habilidad para comunicarlo a los demás y que no necesariamente son exitosas en el campo de los negocios o en sus relaciones interpersonales. Los psicólogos han comenzado a manejar un nuevo concepto al que le llaman inteligencia emocional, para tomar en cuenta no solo la cantidad de conocimientos que pueda tener un individuo, sino también la capacidad que tiene de conocer y manejar sus emociones. Algunos psicólogos consideran que el manejo correcto de las emociones puede ser una herramienta muy útil en la toma de decisiones, tanto en los negocios como en la vida diaria. Muchas veces el éxito de una empresa depende más de la motivación que tengan sus empleados que de sus calificaciones académicas. Y para poder motivar a un equipo de trabajo, o a los miembros de una familia, se necesita tener en cuenta que cada uno de los miembros del equipo es un ser humano, que reacciona emocionalmente, a veces sin estar consciente del porque de sus emociones, pero que ve afectada su funcionalidad de acuerdo con su estado de ánimo. Un buen líder debe tomar en cuenta no solo los sentimientos de las personas que lo rodean, también los propios, pues muchas veces el orgullo, la ira, los celos, etc., pueden llevarlo a tomar decisiones erróneas. Lo mismo puede suceder si se deja llevar por la simpatía, el cariño, y hasta la compasión que pueda sentir hacia alguna situación particular. Un buen líder debe siempre sopesar los pros y contras antes de tomar cualquier decisión, tomando en cuenta los hechos y las emociones, aunque a veces tenga que hacer algo que no le plazca, si se está consciente que es conveniente y que lograra resolver un problema, debe hacerlo. Las mujeres, por lo general, son mejores en reconocer las emociones en los demás, lo que les permite tomar las mejores decisiones en el hogar, a veces conciliando entre los hermanos, o incluso entre los padres y los hijos, para lograr concordia y harmonía en su familia. Todos podemos aprender a controlar » Por favor lea La inteligencia p.13 Albergando al extraño La Iglesia responde a las necesidades de inmigrantes, crisis humanitaria Por BRENDA NETTLES RIOJAS The Valley Catholic McALLEN — Asustados, cansados, hambrientos, inmigrantes, en su mayoría madres con sus hijos, llegan a la central de autobuses en McAllen o Brownsville a horas extrañas con la esperanza de ver a familiares que los esperan. Cientos de inmigrantes, la mayoría de Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala y otras áreas de Centro América, llegan diariamente, traídos por agentes de inmigración de USA y aduana (ICE) después de ser detenidos y procesados. Se les da permiso de viajar hacia su destino final con instrucciones de reportarse con ICE y asistir a la corte. Cientos de menores sin acompañante también están llegando en cifras sin precedente. Por dos meses los voluntarios, por sus propios medios, han recibido a los inmigrantes en las paradas de autobús para darles algo de comer y ayudarlos a dirigir sus viajes. Con forme escalan los números, Las Caridades Católicas de Valle del Río Grande han respondido abriendo dos centros de atención. Cuando llegan a la central de autobús, “ellos tienen miedo, tienen hambre y están cansados,” dijo la Hermana Norma Pimentel, The Valley Catholic “Somos de la iglesia. Estamos aquí para ayudar.” directora ejecutiva de las Caridades Católicas del Valle del Río Grande. “No saben en quién confiar. Temen que alguien abuse de ellos,” añadió. La Hermana Pimentel dijo que ella misma fue a la estación para hablar con inmigrantes y calmar sus miedos y dejarles saber que los voluntarios estaban aquí para ayudar, “Somos de la iglesia. Estamos aquí para ayudar.” El primer centro se abrió el 10 de junio en la Iglesia Sagrado Corazón en el centro de McAllen, la cual está localizada cerca de la central de autobús. Los voluntarios ayudaron a aproximadamente 200 personas el primer día, y continúan ayudando con forme llegan nuevos inmigrantes. Un segundo centro abrió el 13 de junio en el gimnasio en la calle frente a la Catedral Inmaculada Concepción en Brownsville, y se planea un tercer centro en Harlingen. La Hermana Pimentel dijo, “Los centros de asistencia son una respuesta inmediata y temporal a la necesidad. Se necesita una solución a largo plazo.” No se sabe por cuánto tiempo permanecerán abiertos los centros de asistencia. El Obispo Daniel E. Flores, quien escribió una carta al Secretario de los Estados Unidos John Kerry en mayo para darle “una idea de las condiciones de muchos, especialmente los inmigrantes pobres en el Sur de Texas,” dijo, “La Iglesia va a hacer todo lo que se pueda para tratar las necesidades inmediatas de las mujeres y niños. Nosotros debemos permanecer enfocados en las necesidades de los niños y esas madres que están con ellos. Están asustados, necesitan comida, agua, ropa, y en algunos casos atención médica.” El obispo dijo sentirse agradecido por lo que han hecho las Caridades Católicas para ayudar a coordinar a la Iglesia y comunidad para responder a una crisis que avanza rápidamente. “Estoy tan agradecido con tantos voluntarios, Católicos y noCatólicos quienes han respondido con compasión y buscan ofrecer la ayuda que pueden.” Añadió, “Obviamente es importante que el gobierno local, igual que el estado y la jurisdicción federal actúen responsablemente y enfrenten la situación actual, y es vital que el espíritu de cooperación prevalezca para que las necesidades humanas puedan ser tratadas de forma que respete la dignidad humana de la población inmigrante.” La falsa información que circula en sus países de origen ha llevado al creciente influjo de inmigrantes. Algunos de los inmigrantes se encuentran bajo la falsa impresión de que recibirán asilo si cruzan a los Estados Unidos con sus hijos. “Ellos (los inmigrantes) piensan que se les está ofreciendo amnistía,” dijo la Hermana Pimentel, pero en realidad ICE “está dándose un espacio para respirar.” Ella dijo que ICE no tiene las instalaciones para albergar a las familias y están abrumados por el número de personas que están cruzando. Muchas de las mujeres con hijos están permitiendo que ICE las detenga. Oficiales de las embajadas de Guatemala y Honduras predijeron el reciente fenómeno. Ellos dijeron que los coyotes, esos que pasan a inmigrantes a USA de contrabando, están engañando a las personas » Por favor lea Inmigrantes p.12 Una historia de amor en el camino de Dios Está en formación para el diaconado permanente Por ROSE YBARRA The Valley Catholic BROWNSVILLE — “La fe es como una relación romántica,” dijo José Luis Revelo, un parroquiano en la Iglesia Nuestra Señora del Buen Consejo en Brownsville. “Con forme llegas a conocer tu fe mejor, te enamoras aún más. Si te entregas al amor y el compromiso, te llevará a lugares inimaginables y te dará una paz que sobrepasa todo entendimiento.” Revelo ha sido Católico toda su vida, pero hace 10 años su fe se amplificó después de asistir a un retiro de Renovación Carismática y grupos de oración. El y su esposa, Zulema fueron inspirados a volverse más involucrados en su parroquia, la cual está localizada en la parte suroeste de Brownsville en el barrio Las Prietas. Actualmente, son lectores, guían un grupo de oración en su parroquia y ayudan en dondequiera que son necesitados. Además, son parte de un grupo de oración en la Iglesia San Juan Bautista en San Juan. Revelo también se encuentra en formación para el diaco- Eric Sánchez/The Valley Catholic José Luis Revelo y su esposa, Zulema, son parroquianos activos en la Iglesia Nuestra Señora del Buen Consejo en Brownsville. Además, el se encuentra en formación para el diaconado permanente, el cual está disponible por primera vez en español. nado permanente, el cual está disponible por primera vez en español. El riguroso programa, el cual comenzó hace diez meses, prepara a hombres espiritualmente, pastoralmente y académicamente para la ordenación. Diáconos permanentes pueden oficiar bodas, bautizos y funerales. Ellos también pueden proclamar el evangelio e impartir la homilía, entre muchos otros llamados. En caso de ser casado, un hombre debe de contar con el apoyo de su esposa para entrar al programa de formación. Las esposas son invitadas a asistir a las clases y otros eventos a través del programa de cuatro años. Ambos, formación y servicio diaconal, requieren ajustes por parte de la esposa y otros miembros de la familia. “Hemos estado en el camino de Dios por algo de tiempo y no hemos tenido dudas ni reservas,” dijo Zulema Revelo. “Ambos lo vemos como un gran privilegio y la voluntad de Dios – no es nuestra decisión.” “Es un largo camino y gracias a Dios, hemos tenido el apoyo de nuestra parroquia,” dijo Revelo, quien también trabaja como chofer de autobús para el Distrito Escolar de Brownsville. “Nuestro pastor y la comunidad siempre están orando por nosotros y lo podemos sentir.” “Él tiene un estilo muy cortés,” dijo el Padre Thomas Pincelli, pastor de la Iglesia Nuestra Señora del Buen Consejo. “A él le gusta ser de servicio y extiende sus manos de muchas formas. Hay cierta humildad en él cuando hace todas esas cosas. Él no está buscando ningún tipo de reconocimiento.” “Él hace lo mejor que puede para servir a las personas a su alrededor y yo pienso que él trabaja bien para todos nosotros padres y diáconos. Queremos que las personas se den cuenta de que estamos con ellos y para ellos y él hace un muy buen trabajo obteniendo ese tipo de reacciones de las personas.” Los Revelos se conocieron en la niñez en Tapachula, Chiapas, México, localizado cerca de la frontera de Guatemala y el Océano Pacifico. “Recuerdo que era un monaguillo,” dijo Zulema Revelo. “Dios lo estaba llamando a Su servicio desde entonces.” Zulema Revelo se mudó al Valle del Río Grande con su familia cuando era niña pero regresó a Tapachula para visitar después de graduarse de la preparatoria. Fue entonces que la pareja empezó su cortejo. Ellos celebraron 35 años de matrimonio el 12 de febrero y tienen cuatro hijos y un nieto. 12 DIOCESE The Valley Catholic - July 2014 Solo en los Estados Unidos Número de menores cruzando solos sigue creciendo Por BRENDA NETTLES RIOJAS The Valley Catholic McALLEN — Un muchacho de dieciséis, de Sensambra, Morazón, El Salvador, pasó cuatro días perdido en el Valle del Río Grande, tomando agua sucia y comiendo naranjas para sobrevivir antes de encontrar ayuda. Fue abandonado por los coyotes, a quienes pagaron $3,000 para cruzarlo a USA. El mayor de cinco hijos, Juan (su apellido es omitido por su seguridad), fue enviado por sus padres quienes querían que obtuviera una educación. Como el menor de los 11 muchachos y jóvenes adultos que viajaban con él en una camioneta cerrada, dijo que fue golpeado y maltratado por los otros. No tuvo nada para comer o beber mientras eran transportados. Después de que los otros tomaran sus propios caminos, Juan no supo a donde ir o en dónde pedir ayuda. Alguien lo encontró a orilla del camino y lo trajo a la asistencia del centro abierto por las Caridades Católicas del Valle del Río Grande en la Iglesia Sagrado Corazón en McAllen, en donde después de una jornada de 19 días, contempló entregarse a ICE o encontrar una forma de llegar a Nueva York en donde lo espera su tío. Juan se encuentra entre The Valley Catholic Juan, 16, de El Salvador fue enviado a los Estados Unidos por sus padres quienes querían que obtuviera una educación. los miles de menores sin acompañamiento que cruzan a USA sin sus padres. En un comunicado de prensa, el Secretario de Seguridad Nacional Jeh Johnson se refirió a la situación como “un problema de proporciones humanitarias en el sector del Valle del Río Grande.” En junio 2, el presidente Obama emitió un memorándum presidencial dirigido al secretario de Seguridad Nacional para establecer una inter-agencia “Grupo de Coordinación Unificado,” para abordar la situación. De acuerdo con la Administración para Niños y Familias (ACF), “el número de niños cruzando la frontera sin padres o tutores ha estado creciendo en los últimos años. El año pasado, cerca de 25,000 1158 East Jefferson Street Brownsville, Texas 78520 Tel: 956-546-9927 OPEN 10 AM – 5 PM Monday – Saturday The source for Catholic Religious articles sure to enhance your spiritual journey! Come see our large selection of statues! Bibles & Missals Spiritual Reading Rosaries, Prayer Cards & DVDs menores sin acompañamiento cruzaron la frontera suroeste. Para el final de este año fiscal, ACF proyecta que 60,000 menores sin acompañamiento se espera que lleguen a USA. Estos niños son particularmente vulnerables al tráfico humano, explotación y abuso. Son jóvenes, separados de sus familias y han sobrevivido a un peligroso viaje.” Ofelia De Los Santos, quien coordina el Ministerio de Cárcel de la Diócesis, dijo que necesita voluntarios para tratar a los niños y adolescentes que son abusados en los centros en el Valle del Río Grande. “Estos niños están solos. No tienen a nadie,” dijo De Los Santos. La necesidad de voluntarios ha crecido y el número de centros ha incrementado de cuatro hace un año a 13 éste año, y se están haciendo planes para abrir otros cinco centros en el área. Uno de los centros alberga niños de menos de 10 años. Algunos albergan de 25 a 300 niños y adolescentes. El Obispo Daniel E. Flores ha externado continuamente su preocupación por los niños y los problemas de inmigración en USA. Él escribió una carta al Secretario de Estado John Kerry en mayo para darle “una idea de lo que son las condiciones para muchos, especialmente los inmigrantes pobres en el Sur de Texas, como resultado de la violencia que aflige el Norte de México.” En una plática de obispos y teólogos el 14 de septiembre del 2013, él compartió la historia de una niña que conoció. “Recientemente hablé, y vi los ojos de una niña de ocho años quien por algún milagro de la providencia sobrevivió un viaje con un pequeño grupo de hondureños a través del centro de México a USA. Algunos extraños, ella aprendió, te ayudaran con comida y agua durante el camino, algunos te matarán solo por diversión. ‘¿Es la vida un viaje hacia algo mejor, o es un escape constante de las personas que te quieren hacer daño?” Ésta es la pregunta en sus ojos, incluso antes de que alguna palabra esté en sus labios.” La Conferencia de Obispos Católicos USA (USCCB), la Coalición Nacional de Latinos Evangélicos y el Foro Nacional de Inmigración han estado poniendo cuidadosa atención a ésta urgente situación. En reacción a la oleada de niños sin acompañamiento cruzando la frontera, el Obispo Eusebio Elizondo, obispo auxiliar de Seattle y presidente del Comité en Inmigración del USCCB, exhortó a la Administración y el Congreso a proteger a los niños sin acompañamiento de México y Centro América que cruzan la frontera. “Este es un problema muy complicado, pero sus raíces deben » Por favor lea Solo p.13 Inmigrantes, continua de la pág. 11 y haciendo falsas promesas. Ellos están especialmente preocupados de los peligros que enfrentan los inmigrantes durante su viaje. Un joven adulto en sus veintes, de Guatemala, llegó con su hijo infante. Su esposa había sido secuestrada en México y él había sido forzado a continuar sin ella. Roger (su nombre es omitido por su seguridad), 14, quien es un ciudadano de USA estaba viviendo con su tía en Miami, Florida y voló a Honduras para cruzar de regreso a USA con su madre. Les tomó cuatro intentos antes de poder cruzar finalmente el Río Bravo en la oscuridad. Dijo que lo haría de nuevo. “Las crisis sacan lo mejor y lo peor en las personas,” dijo la Hermana Pimentel, añadiendo que ella y los voluntarios se inspiran con la respuesta de la comunidad. El minuto en el que se hizo el llamado para donaciones por teléfono o las redes sociales, las personas empezaron a traer los artículos necesitados al centro. Un negocio donó 600 zapatos nuevos, y otros han estado auxiliando al proveer baños portátiles. Algunos inmigrantes que han estado viajando por días y algunas veces pasan entre siete y veinte días sin bañarse o cambiarse la ropa, se sienten aliviados de tener un lugar en donde puedan limpiarse antes de continuar con su trayecto para ver a un miembro de su familia que no han visto en años. Los centros son atendidos por voluntarios que ofrecen comida, vestimenta, artículos de aseo, suministros para bebés y paquetes de viaje que incluyen artículos para el camino. La Hermana Pimentel dijo que está complacida por los cientos de voluntarios que han llegado a ayudar. Un grupo se queda hasta la 1 a.m. limpiando y preparándose para el siguiente día. Algunos voluntarios que vienen con sus padres tienen tan solo ocho años. Ivania Molina Meléndez, feligrés de la Iglesia Our Lady of Perpetual Help en McAllen, dijo que estaba exhausta al final del día, pero que estaba llena de alegría por haber servido a las mujeres y sus hijos que habían llegado al centro. Ella dijo que ella y otros voluntarios estaban conmovidos con las historias que las mujeres compartían sobre su viaje. Ellos las ven llegan con hambre y agradecidas por tener un lugar de descanso y por una bolsa de suministros, agradecidas por las oraciones de extraños antes de que su autobús se vaya, algunos en ruta a Boston, Nueva York, Houston, San Antonio, Chicago. La Hermana Pimentel dijo, “Ellos llegan con tantos anhelos.” Es difícil saber lo que les espera, o cuánto tiempo se quedarán.” July 2014 DIOCESE 13 - The Valley Catholic »Vida Familiar Disminuyendo la violencia familiar L a violencia y el resentimiento han existido desde que Caín asesinó a Abel. Génesis 4:6-8 dice “Yavé le dijo: ‘¿Por qué andas enojado y con la cabeza baja? Si obras bien, andarás con la cabeza levantada. En cambio si obras mal, el pecado está a las puertas como fiera al acecho: ¡Tú debes dominarlo!’ Caín dijo después a su hermano Abel: ‘Vamos al campo.’ Y cuando estaban en el campo, Caín se lanzó contra su hermano Abel y lo mató. Uno pensaría que después de varios milenios, como seres humanos habríamos aprendido que podemos dominar el impulso de la violencia y cultivar el poder de la paz en nuestros corazones, en nuestros hogares y en nuestra sociedad. Raramente veo las TV-noticias locales simplemente porque no me gusta recibir la letanía de violencia más reciente; cuantas personas fueron golpeadas, apuñaladas o asesinadas. Seguramente hay otras noticias dignas de reportar: quizá historias sobre como las personas sufren, incluso menores no acompañados que viajan a esta parte del mundo escapando la violencia que azota sus países; quizá historias sobre las muchas organizaciones civiles y religiosas que trabajan sin descanso para alimentar a los pobres y educar a los jóvenes. ¿Nosotros, como seres humanos en el siglo XXI, tenemos tal fascinación con la violencia que aceptamos como algo normal que el 75-80% del “tiempo familiar” en los programas de televisión se centren en la violencia? ¿Qué le pasó a los días en los que nuestros programas de TV favoritos incluían la Isla de Gilligan y Carol Burnett? En 1994 la Conferencia de Obispos Católicos en Estados Unidos escribió una Carta Pastoral titulada “Enfrentando una Cultura de Violencia”. Veinte años después, sus palabras son quizá más adecuadas. En esta carta pastoral, ellos señalan: “Nuestras familias están desgarradas por la violencia. Nuestras comunidades destruidas por la violencia. Nuestra fe es puesta a prueba por la violencia. Tenemos la obligación de responder. La violencia – en nuestros hogares, nuestras escuelas y nuestras calles, nuestra nación y mundo – está destruyendo las vidas, dignidad y esperanza de millones de nuestras hermanas y hermanos. El miedo a la violencia paraliza y polariza nuestras comunidades. La inteligencia, continua de la pág. 11 nuestras emociones y a utilizar incluso el coraje, la frustración, la preocupación, como herramientas de comunicación efectiva, no para gritar o insultar, sino para dejar claro como nos sentimos frente a una situación, y pedir un receso, lo que evitara que los conflictos Lydia Pesina Directora, Oficina de Vida Familiar La celebración de la violencia en tantos medios, música e incluso video juegos, envenena a nuestros niños. Más allá de la violencia en las calles está la violencia en nuestros corazones. La hostilidad, odio, desesperación e indiferencia están en el corazón de una creciente cultura de violencia. La pornografía asalta la dignidad de las mujeres y contribuye a la violencia en contra de ellas. Nuestra estructura social está siendo desgarrada por una cultura de violencia que deja a niños muertos en nuestras calles y a familias con miedo en sus hogares. Nuestra sociedad parece estar entumiéndose a la perdida y sufrimiento humano. Una nación nacida en el compromiso con la “Vida, libertad y la búsqueda de la felicidad” es perseguida por la muerte, encarcelada por el miedo y atrapados en la ilusa búsqueda de la protección en lugar de la felicidad. Un mundo avanzando más allá de la Guerra Fría, atrapado en un sangriento conflicto étnico, tribal y político. No tiene que ser de este modo. No siempre fue de este modo. Podemos alejarnos de la violencia; podemos construir comunidades de mayor paz. Esto empieza con una clara convicción: respeto a la vida.” Siempre hay algo que podemos hacer individualmente o como comunidad: cuidar nuestro lenguaje: disminuir palabras violentas; rezar por la paz; proveer programas que promuevan el dialogo entre padres y jóvenes; enseñar valores básicos de respeto y resolución de conflicto; asistir a los padres para poner límites en la TV, internet y uso del teléfono; apoyar a las organizaciones locales como Mujeres Unidas; reflexionar en nuestras propias tendencias/ impulsos hacia la violencia. “Padres por la Paz y Justicia”, activos desde 1981 incluye un Juramento Familiar de No-violencia en su página de internet. Quizá pueda servir como un recordatorio que cada uno de nosotros puede hacer por lo menos una cosa para disminuir la violencia y promover la paz. “… mi salvación, mi ciudadela y mi refugio: mi salvador me salva de la violencia.” 2 Samuel 22:3 escalen. Cuando se expresa claramente un desacuerdo es el primer paso para encontrar una solución satisfactoria para todos los involucrados. La inteligencia emocional es algo que todos tenemos al alcance para lograr el éxito, en nuestros estudios, en nuestra familia, en nuestro trabajo, saquemos provecho de todos nuestros recursos, intelectuales y emocionales, para lograr ser mejores personas. Remedio rápido paraliza nuestras comunidades La letra pequeña detrás de los préstamos de salario Por NYDIA TAPIA-GONZALEZ The Valley Catholic BROWNSVILLE — Jennifer Carr Allmon, directora asociada con la Conferencia Católica en Texas, visitó Brownsville el 3 de junio para escuchar y documentar las historias de la comunidad sobre sus experiencias con compañías de préstamos de salario o título de auto. Más de 10.6 millones de dólares son drenados de la economía del Condado de Cameron cada año debido a las cuotas excesivas- y sin regular- cobradas por estas compañías de préstamo. Los deudores de préstamos a plazos pagan cerca de $140 en tasas por cada $100 prestados, y 420 fueron embargados el año pasado por los prestatarios de títulos de auto en el Condado Cameron. ¿Qué son los préstamos de salario o título de auto? Son préstamos de compañías que proveen pequeños avances monetarios con altas tasas de interés y sin límite en cargos por manejo. Las compañías de préstamos de salario no son seguras, pero requieren cheques con fecha posterior o acceso electrónico a cuentas de débito como colateral. Un título de carro sirve como colateral para las compañías de préstamos de titilo de carros, y los prestamos típicamente se extienden por un mes. En caso de insolvencia de un deudor, la compañía quita el carro usualmente sin previo aviso. Allmon dijo, “estamos hablando de un 500 por ciento a un 1,000 porciento de promedio en tasas de porcentaje (APR).” Los cargos por un préstamo de título de auto de $4, 000 son más de $1, 000 por mes, y los cargos por un préstamo de salario son pagadas mes a mes sin reducir el monto del préstamo. Se estima que 64 por ciento de todos los préstamos del área de Brownsville son refinanciados. En promedio, los tejanos pagan $22 por $100 prestados porque no hay una regulación en el estado. “Estas compañías de préstamos paralizan nuestras comunidades, y espantosamente es como Solo, continua de la pág. 12 de ser abordadas, tanto por nuestro gobierno y gobiernos en la región,” dijo el Obispo Elizondo. Él dijo que el anuncio de la Administración por un grupo especial en una inter-agencia dirigida por la Agencia Federal de Manejo de Emergencias (FEMA) era un “buen primer paso.” Aquí en el Valle del Río Grande, la Hermana Norma Pimentel, directora de las Caridades Católicas del Valle Cortesía Un alto porcentaje (75-80 por ciento) de los residentes del Condado de Cameron han adquirido un préstamo de salario o título. el salvaje oeste del préstamo, ya que bajo la ley estatal actual no hay límites en cargos, tasas de interés, tamaño de préstamos, renovaciones o refinanciamientos, y no límites en la habilidad para pagar basados en el salario,” dijo Allmon. “La falta de regulación ha permitido un tremendo crecimiento de estos negocios especialmente en áreas económicamente vulnerables de nuestro estado. “Estamos sorprendidos de encontrar que un alto porcentaje (75-80 por ciento) de los residentes del Condado de Cameron han adquirido un préstamo de salario o título – esto es mucho más de lo que esperábamos,” Allmon dijo, añadiendo que se sentía alentada al ver el liderazgo de Brownsville y su deseo por atacar y cambiar el problema. Representantes de Local United Way y Affordable Housing ven este problema de primera mano y ofrecen los recursos y asistencia de la Conferencia Católica de Texas necesarios para su esfuerzo. “Todo lo que necesitamos ahora es que la Legislatura Estatal haga el cambio,” dijo Allmon. Los Obispos Católicos en todo el estado de Texas han expresado su preocupación y están pidiéndole a las comunidades que se levanten y aprueben decretos que protejan al consumidor. Austin, San Antonio, Houston y El Paso están entre las ciudades que ya han aprobado decretos. A la fecha, un total de 17 municipios han adoptado el modelo del decreto de préstamo de salario y título de auto, pero ninguno en el Valle del Río Grande. Los líderes locales pueden proponer recursos alternativos como el Centro de Prestamos Co- del Río Grande, dijo que está en pláticas con FEMA para ver la posibilidad de abrir un centro temporal para albergar a niños sin acompañamiento. La Hermana Pimentel dijo que ella y los voluntarios desean poder hacer más por los niños que están en USA sin sus padres. Ella dijo que ellos, como los inmigrantes, tienen que poner su fe en Dios. “Tenemos confianza en la misericordia de Dios.” Dijo ella. Ella añadió que la Iglesia continua asistiendo tanto es posible y trabajando con ALTERNATIVAS A LAS PRÉSTAMOS DE ALTOS INTERESES • Familia y amigos • Anticipos de parte del empleador • Programas de asistencia de utilidades • Plan de pago con los acreedores • Anticipo en efectivo en tarjetas de crédito • Prestamos de parte de prestamistas de consumo con licencia tales como uniones y bancos • Para herramientas en como crear ahorros de emergencia visite www.texassaves.org munitarios, fundado en 1995 por seis bancos inversores accionistas que cubren el área inversionista del Condado de Cameron. Su misión es mejorar las condiciones económicas de las personas del RGV al administrar el Programa de Prestamos Accesibles Small Dollar. Allmon incita a los líderes comunitarios a empezar la conversación con el clérigo para conseguir impacto en los clientes y obtener el apoyo para la aprobación de decretos locales. Ella dijo que llenar quejas personales es importante, ya que los líderes estatales pueden no aprobar algo si los problemas y situaciones no están documentadas. Para dar una queja, visite www. consumerfinance.gov/complaint; el ministro de justicia de Texas, www.oag.state.tx.us/consumer/ complain.shtml; o la Oficina del Comisionado de Texas del Crédito al Consumidor. Para más sobre el Centro de Prestamos Comunitarios visite www.rgvcommunityloancenter.org diferentes agencias y consulados para tratar de ayudar a los padres que llaman buscando a sus hijos. Una voluntaria en McAllen tuvo éxito en contactar a los padres de Juan en El Salvador. “Me rompió el corazón no poder hacer más por él,” dijo ella. “Su madre me pidió que lo cuidara, que me asegurara de que estuviera a salvo. ‘Ayuden a mi hijo.’” Individuos que estén interesados en ayudar en los centros que albergan niños sin acompañamiento pueden llamar a De Los Santos al (956) 207-9261. 14 DIOCESE Jubilee continued from pg. 3 ementary schools and received her high school education from Villa Maria High School. That same year on September 2, 1952, she was accepted as a candidate of the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament in Corpus Christi. Sister Aguilar taught and was principal in parochial and private schools in the Archdiocese of San Antonio and the dioceses of Corpus Christi and Brownsville. For several years, Sister Aguilar served as director of the annual A Little Bit of Mexico program and of the Villa Maria Alumni Association in Brownsville. She was also appointed director of Villa Maria Language Institute in Brownsville, and she held that position for many years. Sister Aguilar will be honored by Villa Maria Language Institute on August 1, 2014, at the 25th anniversary celebration of the language summer program which she initiated. Sister Colette Brehony the seventh child of John and Catherine Anne McDonagh Brehony, was born in Riverstown, County Sligo, Ireland. On September 2, 1952, The Valley Catholic Sister Brehony entered Incarnate Word Convent where she joined her three sisters, Sisters Catherine, Rita, and Maria Elizabeth, two aunts and three cousins who were members of the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament. Ministry experience in the Catholic School system includes Sister Brehony’s work in Corpus Christi, Brownsville, Laredo and Goliad. Sister Mary Camelia Herlihy, daughter of the late Cornelius and Mary Herlihy of New York City, had a number of relatives who were Incarnate Word Sisters, including her aunt, Mother Antoinette Begley, her cousins, Sister Noreen Begley and Sisters Margaret Patrice, Christina, and Marian Bradley. Sister Herlihy taught in Catholic schools in Corpus Christi, Kingsville, and Brownsville and served as principal at St. Gertrude School, Kingsville and at Villa Maria High School in Brownsville. While in Brownsville, Sister Camelia also worked at the Newman Center at Texas Southmost College. Sister Mary Evelyn Morales was born in Brownsville, Texas, the daughter of the late Francisco S. Morales and Emilia Garcia Morales. She graduated from Brownsville High School, where she was an honor student and a member of the Golden Eagle Band. She entered the Congregation of the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament on September 13, 1952. Sister Morales taught in Brownsville, Beeville and Corpus Christi. Sister Teresita Rodriguez was born in San Benito, Texas, the daughter of Manuel Rodriguez and Marina Garcia Rodriguez. From the time Sister Rodriguez was old enough to understand the importance of attending and participating in church services, she knew that her calling was to a life of serving Christ. Sister Rodriguez graduated from Incarnate Word Academy in Corpus Christi, and entered the Congregation of the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament September 9, 1952. Sister Rodriguez’s ministry in Catholic schools includes teaching and administration in Alice, Beeville, Corpus Christi, Brownsville, Goliad, Laredo and Port Isabel. In 2012, the Diocese of Brownsville’s Spirit Award for exemplary dedication and commitment to Catholic education was presented to Sister Rodriguez. Summarizing her experience as a vowed religious, living in South Texas, she stated, “God has blessed me with wonderful experiences, many happy days, time to sit in silence in contemplation of God and His beautiful world, to thank Him for friends and my second family, and the opportunity to serve Him in others. Thank you, God, for the past 60 years.” Sister Martha Ann Snapka, daughter of Roman Snapka and Sophie Bezdek Snapka, was born in Abbott, Texas. Her family moved to Corpus Christi when she was in the first grade. She entered the Congregation of the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament in August of 1952. She was elected Superior General from 1976 to 1984. Although she never taught in the Brownsville schools, during her time in office as Superior General, she worked closely with the Villa Maria/Incarnate Word Academy School Advisory Council. Sister Mary Vianney Uyeno, the daughter of Rokuro Uyeno and Haru Hishinuma Uyeno, was born in Waipahu, Oahu, Hawaii. From 1985 to 1989, Sister Uyeno ministered at the House of Prayer in Brownsville, and later engaged in host ministry, a ministry in which she continues to work. Sister Elizabeth Close, daughter of the late Dominic Hugh Close and Claire O’Byrne Close, was born in Dublin, Ireland. Sister Close’s initial contact with Incarnate Word Sisters of Corpus Christi, took place when she was a seventh grader at Iona National School in Dublin. Sister Kathleen McDonagh and Sister Barbara Cashell, during a visit to their homeland, gave a vocation talk to the seventh grade class at the school. Sister Close continued to correspond with the Sisters and entered the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament Congregation on August 7, 1961. She taught in the special education program in the Brownsville public schools. The Sisters of the Incarnate Word first came to Texas in 1853, planting roots in Brownsville. Since then, their means of evangelization has been education. From Brownsville they branched out to Victoria, Corpus Christi, Houston, and Mexico. From the Brownsville/ Corpus Christi group, more than 400 Sisters have taught and ministered in the dioceses of Brownsville, Beaumont, Corpus Christi, Houston, and San Antonio. Some have served in Europe, Africa, and Mexico. July 2014 Bioethics continued from pg. 5 mance and an increased risk of dropping out of school. These deleterious effects speak to us of the fundamentally unethical character of inhaling, injecting or otherwise ingesting harmful chemical substances into our bodies. The litany of marijuana’s adverse health effects raises major doubts about the wisdom of promoting its legalization for recreational purposes. The authors note that the health effects of a drug (whether legal or illegal) are related to its “availability and social acceptability.” They conclude, “In this respect, legal drugs (alcohol and tobacco) offer a sobering perspective, accounting for the greatest burden of disease associated with drugs not because they are more dangerous than illegal drugs but because their legal status allows for more widespread exposure,” leading to more abuse and more harmful effects. It’s critical for us to acknowledge these negative effects rather than seeking, like drug addicts, to dissociate ourselves from this reality. — Rev. Tadeusz Pacholczyk, Ph.D. earned his doctorate in neuroscience from Yale and did post-doctoral work at Harvard. He is a priest of the diocese of Fall River, MA, and serves as the Director of Education at The National Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia. See www.ncbcenter.org July 2014 DIOCESE 15 - The Valley Catholic »Media Resource Center » Calendar of Events Recommended by SISTER MAUREEN CROSBY, SSD Coordinator of the Media Resource Center - Diocese of Brownsville »Worth Watching THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE EGGLY! CHURCH AND MINISTRY with Greer Gordon. Format:VHS Publisher: Tabor Publishing Format: Video Cassette Length:30 minutes Format:DVD Year of production: 2003 The facts:The program: The Church The facts: Larryboy – From the creators of VEGGIETALES. Kids will discover just how much more you can accomplish when you work together in this all new cartoon adventure. Oh, no! A diabolical team of Larryboy’s archenemies has spawned a sinister plot to turn all of Bumblyburg into ... eggs over-easy!?! And to make matters stickier, the Dark Crow - the Fabio of fruit - is elbowing in on our hero’s home turf. and Ministry presents an explanation of models of the Church and an examination of which ones best support each person’s call to ministry. Six Video Cassettes – 1. The Church: An Image of Herself, 2. Models of the Church (Part One) 3. Models of the Church (Part Two), 4. Ministry: A Historical Overview, 5. Mission & 6. The Future of Ministry Elders, Format: Animated Length:30 minutes TEN TIPS FOR FAMILY CAREGIVERS continued from pg. 3 tion that will only get worse. The Valley has resources for caregivers like the Henrys, such as those found at the Harlingen Senior Community Center and Caregiver SOS. They provide a range of services to support family caregivers at no cost, thanks to the WellMed Charitable Foundation. Membership to the Senior Community Center is free of charge for those 60 years of age or older. Arts and crafts, support groups, bingo, movie days, computer labs, cardio exercise equipment and health education classes are available Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on Fridays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. There is also a Caregiver SOS center in McAllen. Under Miranda’s leadership Caregiver SOS conducts six-week programs designed by Stanford University. These include “Living Healthy with Diabetes” and “Bet- Loans, continued from pg. 1 areas of our state. • Seek Support from other caregivers. You are not alone1 • Take care of your own health. • Accept offers of help and suggest specific things people can do to help you. • Learn how to communicate effectively with doctors • Caregiving is hard work so take respite breaks often. • Watch out for signs of depression and don’t delay in getting professional help when needed. • Be open to new technologies that can help you care for your loved one. • Organize medical information so it’s up to date and easy to find. • Make sure legal documents are in order. • Give yourself credit for doing the best you can in one of the toughest jobs there is! From caregiveraction.org From liftcaregiving.com ter Choices, Better Health.” Miranda is introducing a nine-week program called the “We were surprised to find that a high percentage (75-80 percent) of Cameron County residents have acquired payday and or Title Loans – this was much higher than we expected,” Allmon said, adding Bishop Emeritus Raymundo J. Peña’s Calendar July 6 11 a.m. Mass at Sacred Heart Mercedes July 9 6 p.m. Ministry at Evins Regional Youth Center Edinburg July 13 11 a.m. Mass at Sacred Heart Mercedes July 19 5:30 p.m. Mass at St. Paul’s Mission July 20 11 a.m. Mercedes July 26 5:30 p.m. Mass at St. Paul’s Mass at Sacred Heart Mission July 27 11 a.m. Mass at Sacred Heart On going: 8 a.m. Mass Monday - Saturday at St. Joseph Chapel of Perpetual Adoration, 727 Bowie St., Alamo Mercedes 2nd: Vocations to the Permanent Diaconate the deacons (permanent and transitional) of the diocese and their families 3 p.m. Mass at St. Joseph Chapel of Perpetual Adoration, 727 Bowie St., Alamo 3rd : Vocation to Married Life: for the welfare and sanctification of all the families in the diocese and for building up the Kingdom in our domestic churches 7 p.m. Holy Hour Weekly every Thursday at 727 Bowie St., Alamo 1st: Vocations to the Consecrated Life (active and contemplative) and for the Sisters and Brothers in our diocese and the success of their mission »From the Bookshelf 4th: Vocations to the priesthood and the priests of the diocese for the success of their ministry 5th: Vocations to the Pro-Life Intentions SOMETIMES LIFE IS JUST NOT FAIR – Hope for Kids through Grief and Loss. Format: hardcover Length: 64 pages Author:Fr. Joe Kempf Publisher: Our Sunday Visitor (2012) The facts: God understands and will always be there to help us find a way. For everyone, life can be really hard sometimes. But never fear: Fr. Joe Kempf and his furry friends, Big Al and Annie, are back with plenty of support. When the heartaches come, these reflections, prayers, and activities will help every child find their way forward to God. In the back of the book, parents, grandparents, and teachers will find the coaching they need to love their children Stress-Busting Program for Family Caregivers. “We want people who will commit to completing this program because it will provide tremendous help for them and their families,” Miranda said. She added it only takes one 90-minute class per week, and all materials are included. Those who complete the program are awarded a certificate during a “graduation” ceremony. Another new service is the Caregiver Teleconnection program using the telephone to connect family caregivers with trusted professionals and other caregivers. To find out more visit caregiverteleconnection.org. Just like the Henrys, many couples who are taking care of each other have to determine which one is the primary provider, meaning which one of the two is providing the most care, so they can make the best of the resources available in the Valley. This includes services provided by Caregiver SOS. For more information visit www.caregiversos.org. she was encouraged to see Brownsville’s leadership and their desire to tackle and change the problem. Local United Way and Affordable Housing representatives see this problem first hand, and offer the Texas Catholic Conference resources and assistance needed in their effort. “All we need now is for the State Legislature to make the change,” Allmon said. Catholic bishops throughout the State of Texas have expressed their concern and are asking communities to step up and approve ordinances that protect the consumer. Austin, San Antonio, Houston and El Paso are among the cities that have already passed ordinances. To date, a total of 17 municipalities have enacted the model payday and auto title loan ordinance, but none of them in the Rio Grande Valley. Local leaders can spearhead alternative resources like the Community Loan Center founded in 1995 by six investing stockholder banks which cover the investment area of Cameron County. Their mission is to improve the economic conditions of people in the RGV by administering the Affordable Small Dollar Loan Program. Allmon encouraged commu- TREASURE IN CLAY – THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF FULTON J. SHEEN July 4 Independence Day Diocesan Offices Closed 8-12 Youth Serve (Youth Ministry) August Format: Audiobook (2010) Length: 10 hours 42 minutes Author: George Martin Publisher: St. Anthony Messenger Press 2008 The facts: Classic now on CD! Fulton J. Sheen (1895-1979) was one of the most prominent of Catholic leaders in American history. He was Bishop of Rochester, national director of the Society of the Propagation of the Faith, a participant in the Second Vatican Council and television’s first religious broadcaster. He was author of numerous books, including Life of Christ. Father Joe, continued from pg. 9 in El Ranchito; Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Brownsville; Holy Family Church in Brownsville; St. Cecilia Church in Los Fresnos and San Martin de Porres Church in Weslaco. “The greatest gift my family gave me was the sense of ‘familia,’” Father Villalon said. “So when I go to a parish, I want to create familia. The best way to be there for them is to know them and for them to know you. The goal is to be a blessing to them spiritually. “Every parish has good, wonderful people. Through the people, I have gotten to know a little more about the mystery of God. Every person is a little treasure, that if you take time to know them, pray with them and to love them, God reveals another part of himself.” “He gets to the hearts of the people,” said Manuela Vela, Father Villalon’s maternal aunt. “I have been to every party parishioners have made for him over the years and you can tell that they really do care for him.” ALTERNATIVES TO HIGH INTEREST LOANS • Family and friends • Advances from employers • Utility assistance programs • Request a payment plan with creditors • Cash advance on credit cards • Loans from licensed consumer lenders such as credit unions and banks • For tools to build emergency savings, visit www.texassaves.org nity leaders to start the conversation with the clergy to access client impact and garner support for the approval of local ordinances. She said filing personal complaints is important, as state leaders may not approve something if the problems and or issues are not documented. To file a complaint visit www. consumerfinance.gov/complaint; the Texas Attorney General, www. oag.state.tx.us/consumer/complain.shtml; or the Texas Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner. For more on the Community Loan Center visit www.rgvcommunityloancenter.org. 7 Advisory Team (Office of Catechesis) 9-10 Retiro-Pre Matrimonial (Family Life Office) 12 Orientation for New Catechetical Leaders (Office of Catechesis) 11-15 Back to School for Catholic Schools (Catholic Schools Office) 15 Assumption of Mary (Diocesan Offices Closed) 19 In-Service (Office of Catechesis) 29 Service Award Deadline (Office of Catechesis) 23 Sponsor Couple Training (Family Life Office) Please submit your schedule to be published in The Valley Catholic by the first Friday of each month by email at [email protected] or fax: (956) 784-5082. Retreat for young adults Special to the Valley Catholic Valley Awakening #3 is a diocese-wide retreat for young adults ages 21-35 who are seeking to deepen their faith and grow spiritually through prayer, community and service. The weekend retreat will take place July 25-27 at the Diocesan Pastoral Center in San Juan. Visit cyam.net to download an application and for more information. Plans for WYD 2016 Special to the Valley Catholic World Youth Day 2016 is set for July 25-31, 2016 in Krakow, Poland and Catholic Campus and Young Adult Ministry plan to partner with the Office of Youth Ministry to take a diocesan contingent. The package under consideration includes accommodations at hostels (or university dorms) and costs about $3,300 to $3,500/per person. For more information and to see how you can start budgeting today, please e-mail info@cyam. net. World Youth Day is not just a day or an experience, but an ongoing pilgrimage of faith for young people. These special days and celebrations are meant to rejuvenate and reinvigorate the spiritual life of youth and young adults along their pilgrim journey, which ultimately leads to Christ Jesus. 16 DIOCESE Our Catholic Family The Valley Catholic - July 2014 A love story on God’s journey Eric Sánchez/The Valley Catholic Charismatic Renewal sparks personal call to permanent diaconate Jose Luis and Zulema Revelo are active parishioners at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Brownsville. Jose Luis Revelo is also in the diaconate formation program for the Diocese of Brownsville, which is being offered for the first time in Spanish. By ROSE YBARRA The Valley Catholic BROWNSVILLE — “Faith is like a romantic relationship,” said Jose Luis Revelo, a parishioner at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Brownsville. “As you get to know your faith better, you fall even deeper in love. If you give it love and commitment, it will take you places you never imagined and bring you a peace that surpasses all understanding.” Revelo has been Catholic all of his life, but about 10 years ago his faith was amplified after attending Charismatic Renewal retreats and prayer groups. He and his wife, Zulema were inspired to become more involved at their parish, which is located on the southwest edge of Brownsville in the Las Prietas neighborhood. Today, they are lectors, lead a prayer group at their parish and help wherever they are needed. Additionally, they are part of a prayer group at St. John the Baptist Parish in San Juan. Revelo is also in formation for the permanent diaconate, which is available for the first time in Spanish. The rigorous program, which began about 10 months ago, prepares men spiritually, pastorally and academically for ordination. Permanent deacons can officiate at weddings, baptisms and funerals. They may also proclaim the gospel and deliver the homily, among many other callings. If married, a man must have the support of his wife to enter the formation program. Wives are invited to attend classes and other events throughout the fouryear program. Both formation and diaconal service require adjustments on the part of the wife and other family members. “We have been on God’s journey for some time and I’ve had no doubts or reservations,” Zulema Revelo said. “We both see this as a great privilege and as God’s will – it’s not really our decision.” “It’s a long journey and thanks be to God, we have the support of our parish,” said Revelo, who also works as a bus driver for the Brownville Independent School District. “Our pastor and the community are always praying for us and you can feel it.” “He has a very complimentary style,” said Father Thomas Pincelli, pastor of Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. “He just likes to be of service and he reaches out in a variety of ways. There is a certain humility about him when he does all of these things. He’s not looking for any kind of pats on the back. “He does the very best he can to be of service to the people around him and I think that works well for all of us priests and deacons. We want people to realize we are there with them and for them and he does a real good job of eliciting that kind of a response from people.” The Revelos first met as children in Tapachula, Chiapas, Mexico, which is located near the Guatemalan border and the Pacific Ocean. “I remember that he was an altar server,” Zulema Revelo said. “God was calling him to His service even back then.” Zulema Revelo moved to the Rio Grande Valley with her family as a child but went back to Tapachula for a visit after graduating from high school. It was then that the couple began their courtship. They celebrated 35 years of marriage on Feb. 12 and have four children and a grandchild. 2LMDJ6JK5DBL15558 • BLIS® with Cross-Traffic Alert • Rearview Camera • AdvanceTrac® with Roll Stability Control" (RSC® ) 0.0 3,250 Competitive Conquest Bonus Cash or Owner Loyalty 60 43,150 3,894 Boggus Lincoln $2,144, Lincoln Discount $1,750 good until 2/28/2014 Disclaimer 3LN6L2GK7DR829072 Boggus Lincoln 1400 East Hwy 83 Mcallen, TX 78501 1-888-875-1034 [email protected] *Disclaimer on Lincoln MKX 2013 0.0% with approved credit from Lincoln AFS, Lincoln Owner Loyalty or competitive conquest bonus cash $3,250. Good until 3/31/2014