View - Catholic Diocese of Brownsville
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View - Catholic Diocese of Brownsville
January 2011 - The Valley Catholic Volume 2, Issue 8 Serving over 900,000 Catholics In The Diocese of Brownsville Called to serve Posada Providencia Where immigrants come for refuge January 2011 4 Retablo Religious Sister paints saints for church in Weslaco SPECIAL COVERAGE Ordination Mass Deacons profiles Exclusive photos » Please see p.15 5 ONLINE Slide show Audio of homily www.cdob.org Cesar RiojasThe Valley Catholic The new permanent deacons prostrate around the altar during their ordination Mass at the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle-National Shrine on Dec. 18 as the Litany of Saints is sung. Spirit Awards Catholic schools recognize those who serve 7 New deacons commit to lifelong ministry of Word, service The Valley Catholic S AN JUAN — As 23 men were ordained as new permanent deacons of the Diocese of Those Who Serve Learn where some seminarians start their training 9 En Español Artículos sobre los nuevos diáconos permanentes y la beatificación de Juan Pablo II 11-13 “VERBUM MITTITUR SPIRANS AMOREM” (“The WORD is sent breathing love.”) Brownsville on Dec. 18, Bishop Daniel E. Flores advised them to be “men of the Gospel.” “The Gospel should be the important part of how you think,” the bishop said. “Think the words of Jesus, think the heart of Jesus. Let His words be so much a part of you because you read them so frequently. They will be the natural response you give to life, in the good times and the bad.” As the candidates entered the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle - National Shrine, they were greeted by a standing room only crowd. The basilica was filled by family, friends, fellow parishioners, brother deacons and priests of the diocese. The ordination Mass topped off more than four years prayer, study and practice. Permanent deacons, who can be married, are ministers New church dedicated The Valley Catholic WESLACO — St. Pius X Church in Weslaco opened another chapter in its history, dedicating a brand-new sanctuary and celebrating 55 years as a faith community. The three-hour dedication Mass was held on Dec. 9 and officially began at the old church building next door. Bishop Daniel E. Flores, Bishop Emeritus Raymundo J. Peña, Patrick K. Seitz, pastor of St. Pius X Church and numerous other priests of the diocese filed in procession to the new $3.5 million church, followed by hundreds of parishioners. The parish’s elderly and handicapped parishioners were placed in the front of the procession and were » Please see Deacons, p.27 Events around US, Valley show support for the unborn From staff and wire reports » Please see New Church, p.28 FROM HOBBY TO ARTFORM On page 5, read about the religious sister who created the decorative santos adorning the new retablo at St. Pius X Church in Weslaco. of the Word, which means they can proclaim the Gospel during Mass and preach and teach in the name of the Church. Their sacramental ministry includes baptizing, conducting prayer services, serving as an official Church witness to marriage and conducting funerals and quinceañeras. The new deacons are: Gerardo The Valley Catholic A longtime dream became a reality on Dec. 9 when the new St. Pius X Church was dedicated. Discussions about constructing a new sanctuary began more than 15 years ago. The baroque-style church seats about 890. Pro-life groups across the nation will host events marking the Jan. 22 anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion. Here in the Rio Grande Valley, a Rosary will be prayed for the conversion of hearts at 8:30 a.m. on Jan. 22 at the abortion clinic located behind the Whataburger, 613 N. Ed Carey Dr. in Harlingen. A Mass will be celebrated by Father Greg Labus at 10:30 a.m. at Our Mother of Mercy Church, 322 S. Vermont Ave. in Mercedes. Father Labus encourages the faithful of the Valley to attend both events. Wear red to show respect for » Please see Cherish Life, p.27 DIOCESE 2 Un llamado a participar en la misión A l comenzar este nuevo año, quiero desear a todos un muy feliz Año Nuevo, y asegurarles de mis oraciones por ustedes, por sus seres queridos estén donde estén, y por todos los que vivimos aquí en la Diócesis de Brownsville, la Iglesia Católica que habita en el Valle del Río Grande. Me gustaría comenzar este año con el anuncio de que pronto iniciaré la Campaña Anual del Obispo a favor de la misión de la Iglesia en el Valle. ¿Qué es esta recaudación de fondos? Es, ante todo, una oportunidad para que todos en la Iglesia participen en la labor de la Iglesia. Somos una Iglesia, compuesta de muchos miembros, muchas parroquias, muchas capillas misioneras, viviendo nuestra fe en situaciones muy diferentes. Algunos de nosotros estamos en parroquias establecidas desde antaño mientras que otros estamos en comunidades recientemente establecidas. Algunos de nosotros estamos luchando económicamente mientras que otros estamos bendecidos con una abundancia de recursos materiales. Lo importante es darse cuenta de que todos tenemos algo que ofrecer al Señor por la misión que nos ha confiado como católicos. En febrero, a los feligreses se les pedirá que se comprometan a apoyar la misión total de la diócesis, haciendo una promesa de ayuda monetaria. Si un niño en la escuela primaria puede prometer cincuenta centavos, y un padre en Río Grande City puede prometer 50 dólares, y un banquero o un abogado en Brownsville o McAllen puede aportar 5,000 dólares a este esfuerzo, compromiso, el buen resultado será que todos sabremos que estamos ofreciendo algo JUNTOS, por el trabajo que pide el Señor a su Iglesia. En este sentido, es más importante para el Señor que todos le ofrezcamos algo, que lo que se reunirá a fin de cuentas. Nuestro regalo lo hacemos al Señor, es administrado por su Iglesia, y es una señal de que estamos todos unidos en Él para promover el crecimiento del reino de la gracia en todas nuestras comunidades locales. Pero, ¿a qué fin se realiza esta campaña? ¿Acaso las parroquias no envían dinero a la Diócesis? Sí, a cada parroquia de la diócesis se le impone una cierta cantidad, que se les pide como su contribución a la labor general de la Iglesia. Esta evaluación se basa en el ingreso anual de la parroquia. Estos The Valley Catholic - January An appeal to share in the mission A s this new year begins I want to wish all of you a very happy New Year, and assure you of my prayers for you, your loved ones wherever they may be, and for all of us living here in the Diocese of Brownsville, the Catholic Church dwelling in the Rio Grande Valley. I would like to begin this year by announcing that soon I will initiate the Bishop’s Annual Appeal for the mission of the Church in the Valley. What is this appeal? It is, first of all, an opportunity for everyone in the Church to participate in the work of the Church. We are one Church, made up of many members, many parishes, many missionary chapels, living our faith in very different situations. Some of us are in long established parishes, some of us are in newly established communities, some of us are struggling economically, others of us are blessed with an abundance of material resources. The important thing to realize is that we all have something to offer to the Lord for the mission he has entrusted to us as Catholics. In February, parishioners will be asked to make a commitment to support the mission of the whole diocese by making a pledge of monetary support. If a child in grade school can pledge fifty cents, a parent in Rio Grande City can pledge 50 dollars, and a banker or lawyer in Brownsville or McAllen can pledge 5,000 dollars, the good result will be that we all know we are all offering something TOGETHER, for the work that the Lord asks of his Church. In this sense, it is more important to the Lord that we all offer Him something, than it is how much the appeal actually raises. Our gift is to the Lord, it is administered by his Church, and it is a sign that we are all united in Him to promote the growth of the reign of grace in all of our local communities. But, what is this appeal for? Don’t the parishes already send money to the Diocese? Yes, every parish in the Diocese is assessed a certain amount, which they are asked to contribute to the overall work of the Church. This assessment is based on the yearly income of the parish. And these funds contribute to the operation of the Diocesan budget to provide services and support to the parishes and to our many charitable organizations such as Catholic Charities and the Guadalupe Health Clinic. The Bishop’s Annual Appeal, however, will be a direct appeal to the people of the Diocese to support projects aimed specifically fondos contribuyan a la operación del presupuesto diocesano para proporcionar servicios y apoyo a las parroquias y a las numerosas organizaciones de caridad como Caridades Católicas y la Clínica Guadalupe. La Campaña Anual del Obispo, sin embargo, será una apelación directa al pueblo de la diócesis para apoyar proyectos destinados específicamente a ir más allá del nivel de nuestros servicios diocesanos actuales, y establecer la base para el futuro. He designado cuatro áreas específicas que serán apoyadas por la Campaña Anual del Obispo. MOST REVEREND DANIEL E. FLORES BISHOP OF BROWNSVILLE at going beyond the level of our current diocesan services, and setting the groundwork for the future. I have designated four specific areas that will be supported by the Bishop’s Appeal. 1: Support of parish ministries aimed at building up family life and youth formation. I believe we should have resources set aside to support parishes in the diocese who may not have the resources, by themselves, to set up programming that supports family life and youth activities. So, I would ask all the faithful in the Diocese to contribute so that parishes most in need can receive grants to help them serve families and youth most at risk. We know that in areas of poverty, the risks to our youth are greatest. All of us need to pull together to help form our young people in the Christian life. 2: Support of Emergency Aid for Catholic Charities. We know that almost every year, weather and other emergencies place families in the Valley in dangerous and desperate situations. Hurricanes, flooding, and similar disasters are always a possibility. Funds from the appeal will be set aside to prepare for such happenings. We need to have some resources built up to deal with emergency aid that might be needed quickly by our own people in the Valley. And, I might add, such emergency assistance is not just for Catholics. The Church has a responsibility to serve all those in need, regardless of religion or place of origin. Because the Lord came for all, the Church must give of herself to serve all. 3: Support for Spiritual Formation. One of the things I realized almost immediately upon becoming the Bishop of the Diocese, is the great need we have for retreat facilities. Part of the funds raised by the appeal will go toward long term planning for the construction of a Catholic Retreat Center in the Lower Valley. 1: Apoyo a los ministerios parroquiales enfocados en la edificación de la vida familiar y la formación de los jóvenes. Creo que deberíamos tener los recursos destinados a apoyar a las parroquias en la diócesis que no cuentan con tales medios, por sí mismos, para establecer programas que apoyan la vida familiar y actividades con jóvenes. Por lo tanto, pido a todos los fieles en la Diócesis que contribuyan para que las parroquias más necesitadas puedan recibir subvenciones para ayudarles a servir a las familias y a los jóvenes en riesgo. Sabemos que en las zonas de pobreza, los riesgos para 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 The Valley Catholic e-mail: [email protected] Brenda Nettles Riojas Editor The Valley Catholic, a publication Terry De Leon Circulation of the Diocese of Brownsville, is published monthly. Subscription rate: $15 per year • $17 outside of Texas $25 out of U.S. January 3-7 All day Texas Bishops’ Retreat January 9 12:30 p.m. Mass for Feast of Santo Niño January 10 1:30 p.m. Bishop’s Administrative Council Meeting January 12 9:30 a.m. Presbyteral Council Meeting January 13 10 a.m. Religious Council Meeting January 13 7 p.m. Preside Mass at Holy Hour for Vocations January 15 10 a.m. Mass for SCJ’s Farewell Celebration Eventually, such a facility will complement the work already being done at the Retreat Center in San Juan, and in other smaller facilities throughout the diocese. We are blessed to have so many active lay movements, such as ACTS, Cursillo, la Renovacíon Carismatica, el Movimiento Familiar Cristiano, and many others. What we need is more space to make participation in retreats for youth and for the movements more accessible and affordable. It may take us a while to identify the property and build the facility, but I think we need to start gathering the resources and making the plans now. And, 4: Part of the funds raised by the Bishop’s Appeal will be used for the education of seminarians, and the continuing education of the clergy. It is vital that we invest in the best possible training for our seminarians and for those priests already serving in the diocese. I anticipate the number of our seminarians will continue to increase in the coming years, and we must make sure we have the funds needed to educate and form them in the best seminaries available, so that the Valley will never lack for priests formed after the image of Christ the Good Shepherd, priests who will make sure that our people always have access to the greatest treasure the Church has in her possession. What is that treasure? The mystery of the Most Holy Eucharist. Through this Mystery, the Lord Himself who comes to feed and strengthen his people for the mission entrusted to us. At the end of the appeal, the Diocese will report in the Diocesan Newspaper, the Valley Catholic, how much has been pledged, and at the end of the year, I will publish a report on how the money has been used, so that all may know how their contribution has made a difference in the life of people in the Valley. The goals I have identified are goals that I believe are worthy of our long-term support as Catholics in the Valley. I ask you to consider how you can support this appeal, and, when the appeal is announced in your parishes, that you give what you can. Remember, it is more important that everyone give something, even if it is a small amount, than it is how much we raise. The Lord will see to it that our gift to Him bears fruit in the lives of those whom He calls us to serve. May God bless your generosity, Amen. nuestros jóvenes son mayores. Todos nosotros tenemos que unir esfuerzos para ayudar a formar a nuestros jóvenes en la vida cristiana. 2: Apoyo a la Ayuda de Emergencia de Caridades Católicas. Sabemos que casi cada año, el clima y otras situaciones de emergencia conducen a familias en el Valle a situaciones peligrosas y desesperadas. Huracanes, inundaciones y catástrofes de ese tipo son siempre una posibilidad. Se reservarán fondos de esta campaña para tales acontecimientos. Tenemos que contar con algunos recursos locales para hacer frente Bishop Flores’ Schedule Rose Ybarra Assistant Editor 2011 San Antonio Weslaco Brownsville San Juan San Juan Alamo Raymondville a las circunstancias de emergencia de forma rápida a favor de nuestra propia gente en el Valle. Y, por cierto, la asistencia de emergencia no es sólo para los católicos. La Iglesia tiene la responsabilidad de servir a todos los necesitados, independientemente de su religión o lugar de origen. Puesto que el Señor vino para salvar a todos, la Iglesia tiene que dar de sí misma para servir a todos. 3: Apoyo a la Formación Espiritual. Una de las cosas que me di cuenta casi inmediatamente después de aceptar el encargo de » Por favor lea Un Llamado, pág. 13 January January 17-January 21 All Day Diocesan Priest Retreat January 22 10 a.m. Rededication of Guadalupe Health Center January 24 1:30 p.m. Bishop’s Administrative Council Meeting January 26 10:30 a.m. Recording of Diocesan Insight January 26 6:30 pm San Juan Finance Council Meeting January 29 9:30 am Basilica San Juan Diego Institute Mass January 30-31 All Day 28th Annual Aquinas Lecture San Juan Brownsville Brownsville Harlingen St. Louis DIOCESE January 2011 - The Valley Catholic 3 Marriage Building The Valley Catholic Detainees receive blessing Bishop celebrates Mass behind bars, offers Bible, prayers By ROSE YBARRA The Valley Catholic LOS FRESNOS — Answering a call by Jesus to visit those behind bars, Bishop Daniel E. Flores stopped by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Port Isabel Processing Center on Dec. 17 to celebrate Mass and to offer his prayers and well-wishes to the detainees in person. The center houses about 800 people awaiting immigration hearings or deportation. The detainees hail from all over the world but most are originally from Mexico or Central American countries. About 40 percent of them are also Catholic. “I think of you often,” Bishop Flores said during the Mass. “My thoughts and prayers are always with you.” Bishop Flores also encouraged Photos by The Valley Catholic On his first trip to the facility, Bishop Daniel E. Flores was a welcome visitor at the ICE Port Isabel Processing Center on Dec. 17. the detainees to pray for their families, a message that moved many of them to tears. After the Mass, Bishop Flores greeted them one by one, offering each a Bible, rosary and prayer card. Under the watchful eyes of the guards, the bishop along with Father George Gonzalez, chaplain of the jail ministry of the Diocese of Brownsville and Father Jorge Gomez, pastor of Holy Family Church in Brownsville also heard confessions from detainees. The detainees were greeted cheerfully with Christmas music provided by the diocesan jail ministry before and after the Mass. Members of the jail ministry visit the center three times a week hosting Communion Services, Masses and services of the Word. Jaime Gomez, director of the diocesan jail ministry, said the detainees really enjoyed the Christmas celebration with the bishop. “Many of them feel abandoned,” Gomez said. “They feel as if they don’t have the support of anyone. To have someone important like the bishop visit them meant a lot to them.” Learning about God’s plan Mothers, daughters given chance to talk about growing up The Valley Catholic Courtesy Photo Mothers and their daughters ages 10-12 spend some quality time together at the Mother-Daughter Program while exploring God’s plan for women. Sponsored by the diocesan Family Life Office, this year’s event is scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 23. Mothers and their daughters, ages 10-12, are invited to spend an afternoon exploring the splendor of God’s plan for growing up and becoming a woman. The Family Life Office is hosting its annual Mother-Daughter Program on Sunday, Jan. 23 from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Bishop Adolph Marx Auditorium in San Juan, located behind the Upper Valley Catholic Pastoral Center on the grounds of the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle - National Shrine. The program is designed to help the girls appreciate their femininity and become comfortable with their changing bodies and personalities. They will also learn about God’s plan for women through the gift of fertility and sexuality and the beauty of chastity in a loving and supportive environment. “This is the time when girls should begin to appreciate that the changes that are going on in their bodies are for a special purpose, that when they grow up and get married they will have the possibility of cocreating with God and creating new life,” said Lydia Pesina, Director of the Family Life Office. Emphasis is placed on the physical and emotional changes that occur as a girl evolves into a woman. The presenters will also underscore that each girl is different and that every girl changes and develops at different times and in different ways. The girls will also learn that they are precious and unique. They will learn that they need to respect themselves and demand respect from others. While the program is very informative and enriching, it is not an end all and it is not designed to replace good conversations between mother and daughter, Pesina said. The topics presented in the program are ongoing subjects as a girl grows up. “For those who haven’t talked about it, it is a good starting point,” she said. “For the moms who have talked to their daughters, it reinforces what they have already discussed and opens the door for further discussion.” The cost of the program is $10 per family and reservations are required. For more information, call the Family Life Office at (956) 7845012. Married couples interested in continuing to build a stronger marriage are invited to participate in a new program that begins in February. The Diocese of Brownsville Family Life Office is offering a four-session program which will include sixteen different topics over four Saturday morning sessions. The four Marriage Building Program sessions will take place at the San Juan Diego Institute in San Juan, Texas on the following Saturdays: Feb. 5; March 5; April 2; and April 30 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The cost for this four session program is $20 per couple. For information and registration please contact Lydia Pesina or Mary Magdaline Valle at the Family Life Office: (956) 784-5012 or (956) 542-2501 ext. 412. Guadalupe Health Center Rededication The Valley Catholic The Guadalupe Health Center will be rededicated at its new location, 955 W. Price Rd. in Brownsville, by Bishop Daniel E. Flores at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 22. The center, which was previously located in Harlingen, serves patients who have fallen through the cracks, so to speak. The center is designed for those who do not have health insurance and do not qualify for government health programs. The Guadalupe Health Center opened its doors in May 2007 and completes almost 3,000 medical visits a year. Benefit basketball game rescheduled The Valley Catholic The Respect Life Apostolate of the Diocese of Brownsville has moved the date for its benefit basketball game featuring the NBA Development League champion Rio Grande Valley Vipers to Friday, March 18. A pre-game conference featuring information booths and speakers promoting the pro-life cause will be held at 4 p.m., followed by the game at 7 p.m. The Vipers will take on the Austin Toros. A portion of the proceeds from each ticket sold will benefit the Respect Life Apostolate. Tickets are $15 and include admission to the game and pre-game conference. Five dollars from each ticket will benefit the Respect Life Apostolate. The mission of the Respect Life Apostolate is to protect and nurture human life from conception to natural death. The Apostolate also works to educate youth and young adults about the benefits of chastity and offers post-abortion retreats at little or no cost. For more information contact Tom Oaks at (956) 648-0463. 4 DIOCESE Lydia Pesina Director, Family Life Office Family as domestic church: Holy Family as our model L et us remember that as families we are a Domestic Church! In the Apostolic Exhortation on the Family (Familiaris Consortio),21, Pope John Paul II states: “The family constitutes a special revelation and realization of ecclesial communion, and for this reason, too, can and should be called “the domestic church”. In this beautiful Church document, the Holy Father lovingly reminds us that what happens in everyday family life is holy; that the sacredness of life lies in the ordinary events of life. When family members wash dishes, go to work, change diapers, fix meals, tend to a sick partner, make sacrifices for the good of the family, or show affection to one another, they are involved in sacred actions. We hear in the Gospel of Matthew Chapter 25 verses 34-36, 40: “Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, ill and you cared for me… Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” That is why what we do for our family members and those persons in need in our community is holy. And in a special way what we do around our family table is sacred. In today’s schedule-filled world, it is not always possible for families to eat dinner around the table every evening as was more normative in previous generations. Many parents work evening shifts at restaurants, retail stores, and other jobs with varying schedules. However, as many nights as possible, whenever families can have evening meals together, it is healthy and holy for families to share a meal together preferably without TV, phones or electronics during the meal. The family table is sacred, because it is around the table that we have an opportunity to prepare together, pray together, eat, share about our day, laugh, disagree, reconcile, worry about bills, help children with homework, etc. And what we experience around our family table is what we bring to the table of the Lord for Sunday liturgy where we are nourished by the Word of God in the Scriptural Readings and nourished by the body and blood of Jesus in the Eucharist. So in a sense, our life is about going from » Please see Domestic Church, p.14 The Valley Catholic - January 2011 Finding posada Where strangers come, seek emergency shelter By ROSE YBARRA The Valley Catholic SAN BENITO — Jesus arrived at La Posada Providencia on Christmas Day. Jesus is an 18-year-old immigrant from Guatemala. Sister Zita Telkamp of the Sisters of Divine Providence says that his chance arrival on Christmas was a reminder that Christ Jesus is truly present in the stranger, in the immigrant. La Posada Providencia is an emergency shelter for immigrants, asylum seekers and asylees recently processed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Located in San Benito, La Posada Providencia provides clients with safe, clean shelter, local transportation and many other services. Since opening in 1989, La Posada Providencia has assisted more than 5,000 people from 72 countries who are seeking legal refuge. Many clients are actually referred to La Posada Providencia by attorneys and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Founded and sponsored by Sisters of Divine Providence, La Posada Providencia consists of three houses, one for women and children; a men’s dorm and a main house for meals and lessons. The roster of clients usually includes women with young children and very young adults. There are currently six young adults under the age of 24 there. “We depend on God’s providence,” Sister Telkamp said. “Our goal is to make God’s providence, God’s love visible. We hope to do that by being hospitable and taking care of their needs.” Many of those arriving at La Posada Providencia have survived unspeakable hardships including violence, separation from family, torture and unjust imprisonment. Some have suffered displacement from their native countries due to war, famine, natural disas- The Valley Catholic Above: Residents of La Posada Providencia take a quick break from their studies to pose for a photo. Left: Sister Zita Telkamp, CDP, right, shares a warm hug with a client. ter, extreme poverty, abuse or oppressive governments. One young woman who arrived the night before The Valley Catholic visited La Posada Providencia escaped from her native Guatemala where her mother and sister forced her to work as a prostitute. “They turned our home into a brothel,” she said. “It was horrible. It was degrading.” She emigrated to the United States in hopes of reuniting with her father, who lives and works in Oklahoma. The vast majority of clients turn a corner while at La Posada Providencia. It is where they compose themselves and take the next step in attaining legal residency in the U.S. For Sister Telkamp, seeing the clients blossom after the trauma they have endured is the most rewarding aspect of her ministry. “When they arrive here, they are so fearful and emotional,” she said. “They don’t know what they are doing, where they are going. This is where they rest and collect themselves emotionally, psychologically and physically. La Posada Providencia provides a warm, loving and homelike environment with very few rules beyond respect for oneself and others. Every client, however, is expected to make the most of their time there, whether they are there for two days or two months. Everyone has chores to complete and everyone is expected to study four hours a day. Subjects include English as a Second Language, U.S. history and civics and other topics that help them to acculturate to life in the United States. Within a couple of days of arriving at La Posada Providencia, most know basic English phrases, such as, “Hello, my name is,” “I am from,” and “Very nice to meet you.” The success stories of former clients are countless. On Christmas Day, La Posada Providencia received several calls from grateful former clients, calling “home” to offer their well-wishes to the staff and current residents. One of the most remarkable stories is that of Yoanki Hernandez, who emigrated from Cuba in 2006. He is currently in his last year of college and returns to La Posada Providencia every summer and during breaks to give back to the place that gave him a hand up when he needed it the most. On the day The Valley Catholic visited, he was trimming the trees on the property. The clients also break bread together for lunch and dinner. On any given day, there are at least 10 different nations represented around the table. It was during one of these meals that Gilbert Barrera of the Sunburst Rotary Club in Harlingen was inspired to serve at La Posada Providencia. “I always thought about volunteering in a third-world country when I retired,” said Barrera, who serves on the board of La Posada Providencia. “One day at lunch, I was looking around the table and I thought, ‘Why do I need to go anywhere else? Everyone here is from a Third World country.’” Barrera said he has met many fascinating people from around the world at La Posada Providencia. He said he is inspired by their courage, their determination and their stories. As a young girl, board president Debbie Grayson said she always dreamed of being a missionary. College, then marriage, then children dashed those plans but then she discovered La Posada Providencia through the Sunburst Rotary Club. “The rest as they say is history,” Grayson said. “I fell in love.” La Posada Providencia’s yearly operating costs top $250,000, which is raised through grants and the generosity of the community. Hand-in-Hand ... A Reason for Hope, a fundraiser to support the ministry, is planned for Saturday, Jan. 29. The champagne brunch and auction will be held from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the Texas State Technical College Cultural Arts Center, 1902 North Loop 499 in Harlingen. Tickets are $25 per person. Silent auction items are also needed to help. For more information on how to help La Posada Providencia, call (956) 399-3826. Resolve to advocate – free personal training provided By MARIA HUEMMER Texas Catholic Conference Happy New Year! Depending on your circumstances, this declaration can be interpreted multiple ways. Is it 2011 already? Half of the school year is over! What’s my New Year’s resolution? Have I kept it or have I already slipped up? Whether you have a resolution already or not, I’d like to offer one additional goal for your New Year. Participate in this year’s Texas Catholic Conference Advocacy Day - Catholic Faith in Action: Promoting Life, Justice, and Peace - which is set for April 6, 2011 at the Texas Capitol. The Catholic Faith in Action Advocacy Day is an opportunity to voice your support for the legislative priorities of the Texas Bishops – priorities that promote the respect and dignity of human life and protect the poor and most vulnerable among us. Already scheduled to attend are Cardinal DiNardo, Archbishop GarcíaSiller, and Bishops Flores, Mulvey, Vann, and Vásquez. There are many ways to participate. Everyone can pray for the success of the day and for the legislators and advocates who work tirelessly for the good of all. If you are unable to come for the Advocacy Day, you can call your legislators on April 5, the day before Advocacy Day, and let them know that as a constituent you support the group of Catholics who will be visiting their office the next day. You can also come to the Capitol and participate in the Day. To get involved, contact your dioce- san coordinator, listed on the Advocacy Day web site at www.TXcatholic.org/AdvocacyDay.asp. As part of a year-round Faithful Citizenship promotion, TCC offers free personal training for the Advocacy Day. To keep the focus on you, we provide a free email newsletter, the Texas Catholic Voice, that we use to provide news updates and action alerts straight to your inbox. You can sign up by clicking the “Get Involved” banner at www.TXcatholic.org or by texting your email address to 512-537-9882. You can also find us on Facebook (www. facebook.com/TXcatholic) and on Twitter (www.twitter.com/TXcatholic). To help you stretch your heart and soul as you warm-up for being an advocate, we are producing a new email supplement to the Voice - Faith in Action - to provide you with spiritual “pep talks” throughout the legislative session. To sign up, simply check the box next to this subscription when you sign up for the Texas Catholic Voice on our web site, or you can update your account settings once subscribed. On our web site, you can “bulk up” on the “meat” of the Advocacy Day – our legislative issues, by reading the Bishops’ Legislative Agenda, policy papers, and bill reports. And finally, we provide you with opportunities to “test run” your advocacy skills via our email action alerts on state and federal issues prior to the Advocacy Day. As the New Year begins, we hear the following words from the » Please see Advocate, p.14 DIOCESE January 2011 - The Valley Catholic Painted saints Weslaco parish features reredos created by sister WESLACO — The 18 decorative santos adorning the reredos at the newly dedicated St. Pius X Catholic Church in Weslaco, are the creation of Sister of Charity Roberta Westrick. Although Sister Westrick resides in Colorado Springs, Colo., she came highly recommended by St. Pius X parishioners Sister Anne Darlene Wojtowicz and Associate Viola Elizondo. “It was a most awesome event for me to see the saints that I had painted here in Colorado Springs, some 1,500 miles away from their eventual home, finally arriving and being so honored when they were installed in the church’s absolutely beautiful altar screen,” Sister Westrick said. Sister Wojtowicz, who served on the building committee at St. Pius X Church, asked Sister Westrick if she would be interested in the project. She sent her samples to the committee, and was approved immediately. “The process is somewhat labor intensive,” said Sister Westrick, who worked on the project for 18 months. Sister Westrick explained she Courtesy of the Sisters of Charity Sister Roberta Westrick of Colorado Springs, Colo. created the decorative santos adorning the reredos at the newly dedicated St. Pius X Catholic Church in Weslaco. chose ½-inch plywood for the project, and drew the figures sized to the boards. She then primed the boards with a warm gesso (a preparation of plaster of Paris and glue used as a surface for painting), sanded, and applied the gesso three more times for a nice » Please see Painted Saints, p.14 Priests say goodbye SCJs serve faithful in Willacy County for 42 years The Valley Catholic The Priests of the Sacred Heart will complete 42 years of service to Willacy County and the surrounding areas on February 1. Due to the declining number of priests in the United States province, the Priests of the Sacred Heart no longer have priests available to serve in the Rio Grande Valley. The priests had a strong presence at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Raymondville and its mission churches in Hargill, Lasara and San Perlita. In the past, they also served St. Anthony Church in Raymondville, Prince of Peace Church in Lyford and missions St. Martin of Tours Church in Sebastian and Santa Monica Church in Santa Monica. “They’ve married us, baptized our children and buried our loved ones,” said Maria Guerra, a parishioner and part-time secretary at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Raymondville. “They know us and love us. We will miss them.” A farewell Mass will be held at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 693 N. 3rd St. in Raymondville at 10:30 a.m. on Jan. 15, followed by a luncheon. Bishop Daniel E. Flores will celebrate the Mass along with special guests Father Thomas Cassidy, SCJ, provincial superior of the United States Province of the CASSIDY Priests of the Sacred Heart; Father Richard McDonald, SCJ, outgoing pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church and Father Peter Mastrobuono, SCJ and Father Frank Clancy, SCJ, who were among the first group of Priests of the Sacred Heart to serve in the area. Bishop Flores will also bless the grotto that was built in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe and the Priests of the Sacred Heart. Volunteer of the Year named The Valley Catholic Hector Ramirez was named Volunteer of the Year by the staff and administration of the Willacy County State Unit, a prison facility located in Raymondville. Mr. Ramirez, 76, has been volunteering at the jail since it opened in 1996 and was the first Catholic volunteer there. Since then, Mr. Ramirez has faithfully visited the jail at least twice a week, bringing the Gospel mes- National Certification in Youth Ministry Studies B Courtesy of the Sisters of Charity sage to the inmates. Mr. Ramirez conducts Eucharistic services, assists priests during Holy Mass and prays the Rosary with the inmates. He also assembles rosaries for the inmates that meet the Texas Department of Criminal Justice’s strict regulations. Mr. Ramirez and his wife Julia, reside in Raymondville. They have seven daughters, Celia, Maria Esther, Viola, Grace, Norma, Elena and Lupita. 5 eginning in February the Diocese of Brownsville will offer the Catholic faithful the opportunity to participate in the National Certificate in Youth Ministry Studies facilitated by the Center for Ministry Development. Since 1979, the Certificate in Youth Ministry Studies program has educated thousands of leaders for the Catholic Church in the United States for dynamic and effective youth ministry in Catholic parishes and schools. It is specially designed for professional and volunteer leaders in parish and Catholic school ministry with young and older adolescents; youth ministers, religious educators, clergy, chaplains, campus ministers and school teachers. The certification process for Youth Ministry Studies is a combined effort of the San Juan Diego Ministry Institute and the Office for Youth and Young Adult Ministry. Bishop Daniel Flores asked for the implementation of such a program given that Youth and Young Adult ministry is a top priority for the diocese. Because we have such a young population in the Rio Grande Valley, the Office for Pastoral Planning has studied the demographics in the diocese and has identified that 48 percent of our population is 25 years and younger. The First Diocesan Synod which concluded in 2004 identified the Certification of Youth Ministers a high priority as well. The Diocesan Pastoral Council which will meet officially in February of 2011 will assist Bishop Flores in identifying needs through the pastoral planning efforts of the council as well as hear the recommendations of the Youth and Young Adult Commission. Individuals who enroll in the process will be certified at the Diocesan level as well as the national level and will be in a two year program (consisting of eight weekends throughout 2011-2012) subsidized by scholarships thanks to a grant for those who qualify. The Certificate in Youth Ministry Studies Program will equip leaders in the knowledge, skills, practical tools and techniques needed for creative and comprehensive ministry with youth in parish and Catholic school settings. It also nurtures the personal, spiritual and ministerial growth of leaders for ministry in today’s Church and develops the confidence, competence and credibility of leaders for effective ministry with youth. The Courses for Year One include: Principles of Youth Ministry (Feb. 19-20, 2011) presents the vision and principles for comprehensive youth ministry and a model for youth ministry which incorporates developmentally-appropriate youth programming, strengthens family life, involves young people as integral members of the faith community, and collaborates with the wider community in a common effort to promote faith growth. Practices of Youth Ministry (April 9-10, 2011) - Rooted in a theological and pastoral vision Deacon Luis Zuniga Director, Office for Pastoral Planning & San Juan Diego Ministry Institute of community life, this course develops foundational understandings that will assist leaders in setting and implementing a vision for dynamic ministry with youth. Foundations for Ministry Leadership (Sept. 24-25, 2011) - Participants explore current leadership concepts and approaches, as well as Christian perspectives on leadership. Participants learn how to empower individuals and teams of leaders for ministry with youth. Skills for Christian Leadership (Nov. 12-13, 2011) - Addresses the theories and skills needed for principle-centered leadership in ministry. Participants develop a practical, working understanding of leadership process and skills and the experiential ability to use the skills. The Courses for Year Two include: Evangelization and Catechesis (February 11-12, 2012) - Participants are exposed to a variety of ways to promote a living relationship with Jesus in the lives of adolescents, examine a contemporary approach to developing Catholic identity and Catholic practices in the lives of adolescents today and experience and analyze the “postmodern” culture. Justice and Service (April 2122, 2012) - Explores the foundations for fostering a justice and service consciousness and spirituality in youth drawn from Scripture, Catholic Social Teaching, adolescent development, and contemporary catechetical principles. It develops skills for creating integrated, actionlearning models for the justice and service component of a comprehensive youth ministry. Pastoral Care (Sept. 22-23, 2012) - Explores the principles and methods of caring for young people from various cultures and for their families. The goal is two-fold: (a) to promote healthy adolescent development from a pastoral care perspective, and (b) to develop preventative interventions for families with adolescents. Prayer and Worship (November 17-18, 2012) - Investigates the foundational role that prayer and worship have in fostering the spiritual growth of youth. Participants develop understandings and practical skills for: (a) promoting youth participation in liturgy, (b) fostering the prayer life of youth and preparing prayer services, and (c) understanding spiritual practices that support the development of spirituality in adolescents. The Certificate in Youth Ministry Studies is one of the many opportunities the San Juan Diego Ministry Institute offers for lay leadership formation. The Diocesan Institute is implementing Co-Workers in » Please see Youth Ministry, p.14 6 DIOCESE The Valley Catholic - January No person is a disposable object J an. 22 marks the 38th anniversary of Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision, the date abortion on demand became legal in the United States. Today, Roe v. Wade is just one of many attacks on human life. After the frenzy to legitimize abortion as a woman’s civil right, there is an increasing awareness of the inviolability of the unborn child’s right to life. No one any longer is surprised by the scientific fact that the life of a human being begins at the moment the ovum is fertilized. In vitro fertilization has made an important contribution in this regard, enabling scientists to ascertain all the processes of human generation. At this stage in the understanding or greater understanding of unborn life, it is nevertheless possible to run other risks which, although not as serious as those associated with the destruction of newborn life, are still worrying from the moral point of view and, it would be right to add, from the human point of view. We are referring to the proposal made by an expert in assisted procreation who claims that it is possible and thus feasible to remove the already fertilized ovum from the woman’s body and freeze it in order to postpone maternity to a period more convenient for the woman and her family. “It is an alternative to the morning-after pill”, the gynecologist stated, “which prevents pregnancy from developing, causing a very early abortion”. And “all in all”, he added, “it is a hope for the future”. The gynecologist also explained the technique to be used to complete the operation: the setting up of an egg-bank, where fertilized ova could be stored, obviously by freezing. It is worth analyzing each part of this proposal. The first is of notable ethical and legal import. It is recognized that the Msgr. Juan Nicolau Pastor Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church use of the morning-after pill interrupts pregnancy and that is intervention causes a very early abortion. On the basis, the Catholic Church and Christian culture have always maintained that the unborn child is already human. In order to avoid encouraging incorrect information and doubts in matter of abortion or the interruption of the generative process, she has always declared illicit any intervention that aims at destroying unborn life. The second part, concerning the removal of the fertilized ovum and its preservation by freezing, can only force us to dissent. This operation is unjustifiable, even in view of subsequent re-implantation in the same woman. The congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has expressed itself along these lines in its fundamental document on bioethics, Donum vitae. It is worth citing the passage concerning this issue: “The freezing of embryos, even when carried out in order to preserve the life of an embryo—cryopreservation—constitutes an offense against the respect due to human beings by exposing them to grave risks of death or harm to their physical integrity and depriving them, at least temporarily, of maternal shelter and gestation, thus placing them in a situation in which further offenses and manipulation are possible.” The extraction of the embryo would be permissible only for the sake of a therapeutic intervention on the embryo itself in order to improve its physical state of health in the case of serious illness, on condition that there is risk of death or disfigurement and only for the time strictly necessary. John Paul II stated: “a strictly therapeutic manipulation whose explicit objective is the healing of various maladies such as those stemming from deficiencies of chromosomes will, in principle, be considered desirable, provided it is directed to the true promotion of the personal well-being of man and does not infringe on his integrity or worsen his conditions of life. Such an intervention indeed would fall within the logic of the Christian moral tradition (Address to Participants in the 35th General Assembly of the World Medical Association, October 29, 1983) The embryo is already a human being with dignity and all its rights. It cannot be subordinated to even understandable motives on the part of women who desire to postpone pregnancy. It is as if a person were told: just now you are in my way; excuse me but I will put you in a large refrigerator, and wait for me there; I will come and get you when I think the time is right. No one would accept this reasoning as sound. What is valid for the adult person is also valid for a human being of microscopic dimensions. The former is a person and the latter is a person. Discrimination is repellent to conscience and pollutes civilization. The alternative to abortion should thus be found in other ways compatible with the demands of Christian morality. However, no one can use another person as an object to be disposed of at will even with the intention of respecting his right to life and dignity as a person. — Msgr. Juan Nicolau, PhD., STL, is pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church and is a licensed professional counselor and licensed marriage and family therapist »Priest assignments New members serving on Presbyteral Council The Diocese of Brownsville Presbyteral Council is a diverse body of priests who assist the bishop in an consultative capacity in governing the diocese. Through prayer and reflection, the council collaborates with the bishop to give voice to the concerns and aspirations of the community. Council members are representative of all priests in the diocese and include priests elected by fellow priests, priests included by virtue of the offices they hold (ex-officio) and priests appointed by the bishop. Effective July 1, 2010 - Rev. Martin de la Cruz, appointed member of the Presbyteral Council - Rev. Alejandro F. Flores, appointed member of the Presbyteral Council - Rev. Jose Luis Garcia, appointed member of the Presbyteral Council - Rev. Amador Garza, appointed member of the Presbyteral Council - Rev. Alfonso M. Guevara, appointed member of the Presbyteral Council - Rev. Aglayde R. Vega, appointed member of the Presbyteral Council - Rev. Samuel Arizpe, elected member of the Presbyteral Council - Very Rev. Ricardo Garcia, JCL, elected member of the Presbyteral Council - Rev. Gregory T. Labus, elected member of the Presbyteral Council - Rev. Richard Lifrak, S.S.C.C., elected member of the Presbyteral Council - Msgr. Juan Nicolau, Ph.D., STL, elected member of the Presbyteral Council - Rev. William T. Penderghest, SS.CC., elected member of the Presbyteral Council - Rev. Jean Olivier M. Sambu, elected member of the Presby- teral Council - Msgr. Heberto M. Diaz, Jr., ExOfficio member of the Presbyteral Council - Msgr. Robert E. Maher, ExOfficio member of the Presbyteral Council Effective November 11, 2010 - Rev. Jorge A. Gomez, ViceChancellor for the Diocese of Brownsville - Rev. Patrick K. Seitz, Vicar for Priests - Rev. Thomas Luczak, OFM, Vicar for Religious Effective November 28, 2010 - Rev. Gerald W. Frank, Pastor of Saint John the Baptist Parish in San Juan - Rev. Thomas Kulleck, Parish Administrator of Saint Joseph Parish in Brownsville Effective December 15, 2010 - Rev. Paul Roman, F.S.S.P., Parochial Vicar of Saint Luke Parish in Brownsville 2011 Humans in “Frozen Orphanages” A key argument in the embryonic stem cell debate — widely invoked by scientists, patient advocacy groups, and politicians — involves the fate of frozen embryos. Barack Obama put it this way in 2008: “If we are going to discard those embryos, and we know there is potential research that could lead to curing debilitating diseases - Alzheimer’s, Lou Gehrig’s disease - if that possibility presents itself, then I think that we should, in a careful way, go ahead and pursue that research.” The head of the National Institutes of Health, Dr. Francis Collins, embraced this same line of reasoning by asking a rhetorical question during a recent CNN interview: “Ethically, isn’t it more justifiable, if those embryos have been created, to use them for a purpose that might help somebody with a disease as opposed to simply discarding them?” This argument sounds reasonable on first hearing. We prefer to recycle aluminum cans, rather than uselessly tossing them into landfills. It seems as if we should handle surplus frozen embryos in a similar way, getting some benefit out of them rather than discarding them. Yet this argument has a deceptive, even seductive character because of the way it sets up a false dichotomy: either one discards the embryos or one destroys them in the laboratory to obtain miraculous cures for diseases. An important third option is often not even mentioned: namely, that we continue to store the embryos in their current, frozen state as part of our moral duty to care for our own offspring. They could be cryopreserved until a morally acceptable option for rescuing them presents itself (if such an option, in fact, exists), or until they eventually die of their own accord in the deep freeze. Discarding an embryo, it is important to be clear, means ending the life of a young human being, the tiny life that each of us once was at an earlier time. The embryos to be discarded are usually first thawed, and many do not survive this first step; those that do are summarily discarded as medical waste. A few years ago, Cardinal Sean O’Malley described the reality of what happens in the fertility clinic this way: “In discarding these embryos, the medical staff become their unwilling executioners, but executioners nonetheless.” Perhaps an analogy can help us better visualize why we should not discard embryos or sacrifice them for research. Imagine a typical fertility clinic with a large room where several tanks filled with liquid nitrogen were holding a few hundred cryo-preserved human embryos, a kind of “frozen orphanage,” as these tanks are sometimes called. »Making Sense Out of Bioethics Tadeusz Pacholczyk Priest of the Diocese of Fall River In the building next door there happens to be a real orphanage filled with toddlers between the ages of 1 and 3 years old who are awaiting adoption. Suppose that the owner of the orphanage happens to be a shady character who has recently decided to take some of the “unadoptable” infants and clandestinely discard them into the dumpster behind the orphanage where they eventually die. Suppose also that when the local mayor learned about the children being put into the dumpster, he had the gall to suggest that since they were going to be thrown out anyway, we should start sacrificing them for scientific research and harvesting their organs for transplantation into sick patients. Our first instinct would be to recoil with abhorrence at the proposal. We might prosecute the orphanage owner (and drum the mayor out of office as well). We would insist that each infant in the orphanage deserves full protection. Our children in frozen orphanages deserve the same protection and care. Most of us, upon reflection, have a practical awareness that embryos ought not be discarded. A few years ago, the New York Times ran a piece entitled, “The Job Nobody at the Fertility Clinic Wants.” That job was the destruction of spare embryos. Medical staff members, when interviewed, said they dreaded being picked to carry out the discarding of embryos when patients requested it. A clinic director in Chicago described how often he had to destroy the embryos himself because his staff found the task so distasteful. The staff understood and had seen firsthand how these same embryos, when implanted, would yield beautiful, bubbly babies who brought joy and happiness to their parents. They seemed to appreciate instinctively, as each of us should, how living human embryos, even in the deep freeze, should never be discarded down the chute into the biohazard disposal or used as “raw material” for possible medical advances. — 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 DIOCESE/CATHOLIC SCHOOLS January 2011 - The Valley Catholic 7 Toys for Tots Spirit Awards Catholic schools honor volunteers for their service The Valley Catholic McALLEN — All are invited to join Bishop Daniel E. Flores and Catholic school educators, parents, friends and alumni to celebrate the contribution of Catholic schools at the 14th annual Spirit Awards banquet. The Catholic Schools Office extends a special invitation to the Catholic faithful of the Rio Grande Valley. The event is set for 6 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 28 at the Our Lady of Sorrows School gymnasium, 1100 Gumwood Avenue in McAllen. The Spirit Awards honor individuals for their service and dedication to Catholic education in the Diocese of Brownsville. Deacon Luis Zuniga will be honored with the diocesan Spirit Award for his extensive working relationship with the Diocese of Brownsville and the Catholic Schools Office. Each of the 13 schools in the diocese will also recognize an honoree or a pair of honorees with a Spirit Award. The goal of the Spirit Awards is to increase awareness about all the Catholic schools in the diocese and to raise funds for the tuition assistance program. During the 2010-11 academic year, 17 families in the diocese benefitted from the program. “We strive to make Catholic education available to all families,” said Lisette Allen, Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Brownsville. Allen added that Catholic schools instill values that last a lifetime, values such as scholarship, character, spirituality, citizenship and service to others. The Spirit Awards banquet initiates the annual nationwide celebration of Catholic Schools Week, which highlights the good work done by the nation’s Catholic schools. This year, Catholic Schools Week is January 30 - February 5. The 2011 theme is, “Catholic Schools: A+ For America.” Courtesy Photo BROWNSVILLE MISSION McALLEN Brother Leo Shea Kay and Jim Moffit Carlos Garza Guadalupe Regional Middle School Juan Diego Academy Our Lady of Sorrows School Day at the Hill MISSION BROWNSVILLE Joann Sullivan Celia Torres Lita Ortiz Our Lady of Guadalupe School St. Joseph Academy St. Joseph Academy BROWNSVILLE Courtesy Photo Prospective students visited the grounds of Juan Diego Academy, a new regional Catholic high school in Mission on Dec. 15 for an event called, “A Day at the Hill.” WESLACO HARLINGEN PHARR Sujey Salinas Leo Araguz Roy and Caroline Robles San Martin De Porres School St. Anthony School Oratory Schools of St. Philip Neri BROWNSVILLE BROWNSVILLE Azra Dervisevic Aurelia Mata RIO GRANDE CITY John Jeffrey Perez St. Luke Catholic School St. Mary’s Catholic School Immaculate Conception School BROWNSVILLE EDINBURG Dr. Jose S. and Paula Cisneros Dr. Allan and Dr. Gladys Mercado Incarnate Word Academy St. Joseph Catholic School Teacher laces up her running shoes for Catholic education Courtesy of Guadalupe Regional Middle School Courtesy of the Sisters of Charity BROWNSVILLE – Miss Laura Cassel, English teacher at Guadalupe Regional Middle School (GRMS), ran with the ACE Marathon group at the Mississippi Blues Marathon in Jackson, Mississippi on Jan. 8. Cassel ran to help raise awareness for underserved Catholic schools around the country, especially those served by the University of Notre Dame’s Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE) program, like her current host school Guadalupe Regional Middle School in Brownsville. ACE is a two-year service program Juan Diego Academy accepting applications The Valley Catholic LEARN MORE To read about the Diocesan Spirit Award honoree, Deacon Luis Zuniga, see Our Catholic Family on page 28. In the spirit of holiday giving, Incarnate Word Academy students engaged in Christmas service projects. The National Elementary Honor Society collected teddy bears for the Driscoll Children’s Hospital and the National Junior Honor Society collected new, unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots. offering college graduates the opportunity to serve as full-time teachers in under-resourced Catholic schools across the southern United States. ACE prepares its teachers in an innovative Master of Education program at Notre Dame. Cassel has participated in four previous marathons, this being her first with ACE Marathon. “Marathons are such a great means of building solidarity and awareness,” said Cassel. “I’ve kept doing them because of the contagious enthusiasm I’ve found there. I can think of no better way to raise awareness for what ACE is doing and support a needy and deserving school!” Courtesy Photo Cassel in her classroom at Guadalupe Regional Middle School MISSION — Juan Diego Academy, a new regional Catholic high school in Mission, is now accepting applications from current eighth grade students for the 201112 academic year. Admissions applications are available online at www.juandiegoacademy.org or by contacting the school office at (956) 287-3260. A placement test for prospective Juan Diego Academy students will take place at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 29 in the parish conference room at Our Lady of Sorrows Church. The fee for the test is $25. Students are asked bring a completed application for admission to the testing site. Eighth grade students from St. Joseph School in Edinburg, Immaculate Conception School in Rio Grande City and Our Lady of Sorrows School in McAllen will be administered the placement test at their respective schools at a different date and time; check with the school for more information. Prospective students visited the grounds of the school on Dec. 15 for an event called, “A Day at the Hill.” The eighth-graders from St. Joseph School in Edinburg, Immaculate Conception School in Rio Grande City and Our Lady of Sorrows School in McAllen toured the grounds and learned more about the property’s long history as a place where young minds are developed spiritually and academically. These students also learned more about the school’s mission and about each other — their potential future classmates. The students also offered input on school activities and clubs and viewed a fashion show featuring the school’s uniform. The historic first freshman class of Juan Diego Academy will be welcomed in the Fall. A grade level will be added each school year thereafter until it becomes a four-year high school. 8 FAITH »Sunday Readings The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church JANUARY 2 (Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord) “They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother.” Reading I Is 60:1-6 Responsorial Psalm Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13 Reading II Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6 Gospel Mt 2:1-12 JANUARY 9 (The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord) “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased..” Reading I Is 42:1-4, 6-7 Responsorial Psalm Ps 29:1-2, 3-4, 3, 9-10 Reading II Acts 10:34-38 Gospel Mt 3:13-17 JANUARY 16 (Second Sunday in Ordinary Time) “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” Reading I Is 49:3, 5-6 Responsorial Psalm Ps 40:2, 4, 7-8, 8-9, 10 The Valley Catholic - January Countdown Begins T en, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one, Houston we have lift off. How I remember the excitement of watching every Apollo mission blast off into space in the late sixties and early seventies. That’s a bit the way I feel now as we begin the new year. We have begun the countdown for the implementation of the revised translation of the third edition of the Roman Missal set for the first Sunday of Advent, 2011. The newly translated texts of the Roman Missal are spurring interest throughout the Church to deepen our understanding and love for the sacred liturgy. As more and more people are becoming aware of our “liturgical countdown” let us take some time to examine the entire structure of the Eucharistic liturgy. In this issue, I will offer a brief catecheses on the Introductory Rites of the Mass. The Mass forms “one single act of worship.” (Sacrosanctum Concilium #56) However, “it displays two great parts that form a fundamental unity: % the gathering, the liturgy of the Word, with readings, homily, and general intercessions; % the liturgy of the Eucharist, with the presentation of the bread and wine, the consecratory thanksgiving, and Reading II 1 Cor 1:1-3 Gospel Jn 1:29-34 JANUARY 23 (Third Sunday in Ordinary Time) “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Reading I Is 8:23-9:3-1 Responsorial Psalm Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14 Reading II 1 Cor 1:10-13, 17 Gospel Mt 4:12-23 JANUARY 30 (Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time) “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.” Reading I Zep 2:3; 3:12-13 Responsorial Psalm Ps 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10 Reading II 1 Cor 1:26-31 Gospel Mt 5:1-12a The Liturgy of the Word has as its main part readings from Sacred Scripture. In these readings God is speaking to his people, opening up to them the mystery of redemption and salvation, offering them spiritual nourishment to enable them to be Christ’s living witnesses before the world. (GIRM, 55). The Church confidently teaches that in the word proclaimed, Christ himself is truly present. (Sacrosanctum Concilium, 7). Disciples in Mission: Six Weeks with the Bible Get Involved! 2011 E Father Greg Labus Coordinator, Office of Liturgy & Worship communion.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church #1346) The Liturgy begins with Introductory Rites. These rites help us “ensure that the faithful who come together as one establish communion and dispose themselves to listen properly to God’s word and to celebrate the Eucharist worthily.” (General Instruction to the Roman Missal #46) In the usual Sunday liturgy, the Introductory Rites consists of the Entrance, Greeting, Act of Penitence, Kyrie, Gloria, (outside Advent and Lent) and Collect The entrance procession is formed with servers carrying the cross, candles and possibly incense. In many parishes the lector carries the Book of the Gospels (but never the lectionary) when there is no deacon present. (GIRM #120d) Finally, the priest-celebrant comes at the end of the procession. This procession is a reminder to the entire assembly that we are on a pilgrimage in this life and our intended destination is eternal life with God in heaven. During the procession the Entrance chant begins. There are many musical possibilities at this moment. Typically, a hymn is sung or some other “suitable liturgical song.” (GIRM #48) Sadly, this is the last option provided by the General Instruction to the Roman Missal but is the option most frequently chosen. This is the case largely because the Church has not encouraged composers to set to music the proper Introit text from the Roman or Simple Gradual.(see GIRM #48) With the new translations there is hope that there will be renewed interest by composers to set the proper texts of the entrance in various musical styles. After bowing to the altar and venerating it with a kiss, the priest goes to the chair where he presides over the assembly making the Sign of the Cross when the entrance chant is concluded. He then “signifies the presence of the Lord to the community gathered there by means of the Greeting.” (GIRM #50) It is here that the first major translation change for the assembly occurs. Currently, we answer “And also with you” when the priest says “The Lord be with you.” Beginning next Advent we will respond “And with your spirit.” The Act of Penitence follows. » Please see Countdown, p.14 A better you very New Year brings with it the popular practice of making resolutions to change our habits and become better persons. Underlying this is dissatisfaction with ourselves and a desire to achieve the self-fulfillment that comes with becoming our best selves. What is necessary to achieve this self-fulfillment? In the past, people founded their lives on selfsacrifice, obedience to moral law, respect for authority, the maintenance of social order, and the subordination of self to the needs of family, church, and community. Today, though, what reigns seems to be an ethic of self-gratification. “Me first!” How does God regard our quest for self-fulfillment? Well, he is surely not glorified by persons of stunted self-development. No. “The glory of God,” said St. Irenaeus, “is man fully alive!” God indeed wants our fulfillment. The crucial question is: what does it consist of, and what will bring it about? Are people’s self-improvement strategies today succeeding, or leaving them disillusioned and unhappy? It should be easy to see that today’s search for self-realization is riddled with contradictions and flaws. Here are a few: Autonomy and freedom from long-term commitments is highly valued, but this only leads to terrible loneliness. Communion with others becomes impossible. The idea that the greatest happiness can be attained by saying “yes” to every appetite and desire overlooks the fact that our desires often conflict with one other, so that gratifying some requires denying others. There’s no way of Msgr. Robert Maher Vicar General for the Diocese of Brownsville fulfilling all desires. Chasing after all our desires only makes us slaves to them. Confusion and doubt over what we really need to be happy is universal. It is common to chase a dream, only to realize afterward that achieving it leaves us empty and disillusioned, not happy or fulfilled. Independence of thought and decision is an illusion. Our desires are always shaped in unconscious ways by our family upbringing and numerous other social influences. Many desires are unattainable for any number of reasons. Other people are seizing our objects of desire before us, or our desires are too costly, or because political or other conditions make realizing them impossible, etc. Force of habit makes introducing beneficial change in our lives very difficult. Many people conclude that some desires are too costly to attain, and are better left as mere dreams. So, the laws of life carry their own built-in system of rewards and punishments. Ignoring them results in self-defeating and sometimes self-destructive strategies for fulfillment and happiness. The bad fruits of putting “me first” are evident today in many ways, including infidelity and a massive breakdown of family life, the neglect and abuse of children, the extremes of individualism, the rebellion against institutional authority, corporate and individual greed, exaggerated rights claims, the explosion of litigation, the lowering of educational standards, the plague of substance abuse, abortion, the loss of a work ethic, the empty politicization of issues of moral import, the impulse to turn all of life into entertainment, the incivility that so often sabotages social interaction, the tangible sense of a loss of honor, virtue, reverence, and innocence, and a general feeling of superficiality overshadowing daily life. The fundamental trap is the belief that mortal human beings, in all the contingency and finiteness of their frail existence, can be all things to themselves. Yet, by displacing God with the self as the focus of the search for fulfillment, a self-destructive dynamic is set in motion. The key insight is that human beings are not just biological but also spiritual beings, having God as their origin and transcendent destiny. So our search for self-realization cannot help but be spiritual, whether we realize it or not. It is actually God himself who awakens in each of us the longing for a fulfillment which can be found ultimately in himself alone. Anyone wishing to make a New Year’s resolution can do no better than to adopt Jesus’ admonition: “Seek first God’s kingship over you, his way of holiness, and everything else will be given you besides” (Mt 6:33). — Msgr. Robert Maher is Vicar General of the Diocese of Brownsville and pastor of St. Joseph parish in Edinburg. CNS photo St. Thomas Aquinas is depicted in a painting at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington. The Dominican philosopher and theologian’s writings set the standard for Catholic theologians. »Feast Day - January 28 Spotlight on St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic News Agency The Church celebrates on January 28 the feast of St. Thomas Aquinas, a Doctor of the Church who was nicknamed “the Dumb Ox” because of his silence and size. When most people think of St. Thomas Aquinas, they think of the Summa Theologica, however the saint wrote much more than the one thick book in his short lifetime. Thomas was born in Italy to a well-connected, wealthy family who sent him to be educated by the monks at the abbey of Monte Cassino. The boy was quite astute, and surprised his preceptor by asking, “What is God?” Eventually the young Aquinas chose to enter the Dominican order. His family, however, did not approve of his action, and took such drastic steps such as having him detained by relatives who were soldiers and sending an impure woman to tempt him. The saint was able to overcome the temptation and was eventually able to pursue his vocation. He made his profession and was sent to Cologne to study and it was there where he was ordained a priest. His tutor and mentor was Albert the Great, but despite Albert’s greatness, Aquinas surpassed him in wisdom and knowledge. It was also during this time that Thomas earned his nickname the “Dumb Ox” because he was rather silent, and also quite large. Aquinas was then sent to Paris, where he earned his doctorate at the age of 31. He spent the rest of his life studying, praying, teaching, writing and traveling. Aquinas is said to have been able to dictate to more than one scribe at a time. Thus, of all the works attributed to him, not all of them were written in his own, which explains the 60 works he produced in less than 50 years. He died on March 7, 1274 and was canonized by John XXII on July 18, 1323 - less than 50 years after his death. St. Thomas Aquinas is the patron saint of Catholic universities, colleges, and schools. Prayer God, our Father, You made Thomas Aquinas known for his holiness and learning. Help us to grow in wisdom by his teaching, and in holiness by his faith. Amen. PARISHES January 2011 - The Valley Catholic Those Who Serve: The House of Studies Future priests get new home House of Studies preprares seminarians for next step By ROSE YBARRA The Valley Catholic BROWNSVILLE — The future priests of the Diocese of Brownsville have found a new home in the House of Studies, located in the community of San Pedro just off of Military Highway 281. Three of the four young men living there previously resided at what was known as the St. Joseph and St. Peter Seminary in Mission. The seminary closed during the summer of 2010 and the House of Studies has taken its place as the house where young men begin their seminary formation on the road to becoming priests for the Diocese of Brownsville. The vast Mission property is now the future home of Juan Diego Academy, a new Catholic high school that is scheduled to open for the 2011-12 academic year. With the move east to Brownsville, the seminarians have inherited a new spiritual leader in House of Studies director Father Eduardo Gomez, a more homelike atmosphere and best of all, the tight-knit community of San Pedro, who have welcomed all the men with open arms. Father Gomez is also the pastor of San Pedro Church, an independent mission that serves 130 families. The church is located next door to the House of Studies. While serving the faithful, Father Gomez also gives a strong example and witness to the priestly vocation that cannot be taught in the classroom. “We’ve learned a lot from The Valley Catholic For many future priests of the Diocese of Brownsville, the House of Studies in San Pedro is the first stop on the journey towards priestly ministry. Seated, from left, seminarians Edgar Montejano, Victor Fabela and David Yañez. Standing, from left, seminarian Ricardo Chavez and House of Studies director Father Eduardo Gomez. him by watching him interact with the community,” said seminarian David Yañez, a native of Guadalajara, Mexico. Kika Lopez, 70, a resident of San Pedro and a catechist at the church, said Father Gomez and the seminarians have energized the community. Since arriving in the area in the autumn, Father Gomez has made a full-time commitment to the church and is kind and accessible to his flock, Lopez added. New mission church blessed in Sullivan City Father Gomez and the seminarians have also organized many community events, including celebrations for Dia de los Muertos, the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe and posadas throughout Advent. The men have even done community outreach, going door-to-door to invite residents to Mass and other church events. Lopez said many local residents who had left to attend other churches have returned to San Pedro Church. “Everybody is so happy and the proof is in the number of people attending Mass,” she said. “Everything has changed in San Pedro for the better. We are so blessed.” In addition to assisting Father Gomez at the church, the seminarians also attend school. Victor Fabela, a native of McAllen, is a student at the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College. The other three seminarians, Monterrey, Mexico native Edgar Montejano, Ricardo Chavez of Los Mochis, Mexico and Yañez, are students at Villa Maria Institute, where they are learning English as a second language. All four seminarians are also receiving instruction from Father Gomez at the House of Studies, a curriculum that includes classes on cultural integration and insight on the personal, intellectual, spiritual pastoral and community life of a priest. On a typical weekday, the seminarians have morning prayer, Mass, classes, evening prayer, study time and night prayer with meals and chores between activities. On the weekends and some weeknights, they spend time at the church. “This is more than a house,” said Father Gomez. “This is their home and they take care of it. They are a part of this home, they feel welcome here. It has been a good environment for all of us.” The mission of the House of Studies is to prepare the seminarians for the next step in becoming a priest, which is to begin their formal education of philosophy, pre-theology and theology at other seminaries around the country. » Please see Seminarians, p. 14 9 »Birthday Wishes The list of birthdays and ordination anniversaries is provided so that parishioners may remember the priests in their prayers and send them a note or a card. January » Birthdays 1 Rev. Leo Francis Daniels 4 Rev. Rigobert Poulang Mot 6 Rev. Msgr. Louis Brum 9 Rev. Julian Becerril 10 Rev. Eusebio Martinez 13 Rev. Alejandro Flores 14 Rev. Gerard Barret 22 Rev. Roberto Charlton 22 Rev. Horacio Chavarria 24 Rev. Oscar Siordia 24 Rev. Ignacio Tapia 28 Rev. William Penderghest » Anniversaries 4 Rev. Thomas Kulleck 16 Rev. Robert Charlton 30 Bishop Daniel Flores as priest February » Birthdays 2 Rev. Mishael Koday 3 Rev. Thomas Pincelli 16 Rev. James Pfeifer 19 Bishop Emeritus Raymundo J. Pena 26 Rev. Juan Victor Heredia 26 Rev. Thomas G. Kulleck » Anniversaries 2 Rev. Juan Victor Heredia 8 Rev. Gnanaraj Michael 15 Rev. Patrick Seitz 23 Rev. Gerard Barrett Discovering ways to serve others Catholic Charities meets with ACTS, Cursillo movement The Valley Catholic Courtesy Photo Bishop Daniel E. Flores blessed a new church in Sullivan City on Dec. 12, the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The church, named Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, is a mission of Our Lady Queen of Angels Church in La Joya. SAN JUAN — Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley hosted an ACTS and Cursillo Movement reunion on Friday, Dec. 10 at the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle - National Shrine. The more than 1,500 people who attended the event were informed about the many volunteer opportunities that exist within Catholic Charities. Serving others is central to both ACTS and the Cursillo Movement. “The response of our ACTS and Cursillo brothers and sisters was extraordinary,” said Sister Norma Pimentel of the Missionaries of Jesus and executive director of Catholic The Valley Catholic The faithful sing “Lord I Lift Your Name on High” during an ACTS and Cursillo Movement reunion at the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle-National Shrine on Dec. 10. Charities of the Rio Grande Valley. “Their commitment to service to God and to the Church was so evident in their response by coming together in such great numbers to this convocation.” The event yielded new volunteers for Catholic Charities, which responds to the needs of families and individuals who are the most vulnerable including the poor, the elderly, the disabled, the infirmed, immigrants and those behind bars. To learn about volunteer opportunities within Catholic Charities, call (956) 702-4088. 10 IN THE NEWS What music expresses: joy, mystery of God’s love Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — When words are not enough, beautiful music can express the joy and mystery of God’s love, Pope Benedict XVI said. “It is hard to find words to convey the sheer joy of the soul’s loving encounter with God; indeed, the great mystics could only remain silent before the mystery,” he told about 4,500 young choir singers, their family members, friends and choirmasters from dozens of countries. “Yet beautiful music is able to express something of the mystery of God’s love for us and ours for him,” he said in an audience with the choristers in the Vatican’s Paul VI hall Dec. 30. The singers were taking part in the Dec. 28-Jan. 1 International Congress of Pueri Cantores in Rome. They were scheduled to sing in St. Peter’s Basilica for the papal Mass on New Year’s Day. Pope Benedict reminded the young people that their singing was a service to God, to fellow worshippers and to the whole church. Using their musical talents for the liturgy gave God “the praise that is due” and helped parishioners “raise their hearts and minds to the Lord in prayer,” said the pope. Pope baptizes 21 infants, says faith formation is crucial task Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI baptized 21 infants and told their parents and godparents that educating them in the faith will not be easy in today’s society. The liturgy Jan. 9 in the Sistine Chapel, enlivened by the cries of the newly baptized and their siblings, marked the feast of the Baptism of the Lord — an event depicted in one of the splendid Renaissance frescoes that adorn the walls of the chapel. In his homily, the pope said the church encourages the baptism of newborns as the “beginning of a path of holiness and conformity to Christ.” He compared it to the planting of a seed that will one day turn into a magnificent tree. Naturally, he added, at a later age each of the baptized will need to give their free and conscious assent to the faith. That presupposes that, as children, they will receive formation in Scripture and in church teachings, he said. This educational path is something the church, the parents and the godparents need to work together to provide, he said. The Valley Catholic - January 2011 May 1: Beatification set for Pope John Paul II Pope approves miracle By JOHN THAVIS Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI approved a miracle attributed to Pope John Paul II’s intercession, clearing the way for the late pope’s beatification on May 1, Divine M e r c y Sunday. P o p e SISTER MARIE- B e n e d i c t ’s SIMON-PIERRE action Jan. 14 followed more than five years of investigation into the life and writings of the Polish pontiff, who died in April 2005 after more than 26 years as pope. The Vatican said it took special care with verification of the miracle, the spontaneous cure of a French nun from Parkinson’s disease -- the same illness that afflicted Pope John Paul in his final years. Three separate Vatican panels approved the miracle, including medical and theological experts, before Pope Benedict signed the official decree. “There were no concessions CNS photo/Alessia Giuliani, Catholic Press Photo Pope John Paul II prays during Mass marking World Day of Peace in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican in this Jan. 1, 2005, photo. given here in procedural severity and thoroughness,” said Cardinal Angelo Amato, head of the Congregation for Saints’ Causes. On the contrary, he said, Pope John Paul’s cause was subject to “particularly careful scrutiny, to remove any doubt.” The Vatican said it would begin looking at logistical arrangements for the massive crowds expected for the beatification liturgy, which will be celebrated by Pope Benedict at the Vatican. Divine Mercy Sunday had special significance for Pope John Paul, who made it a church-wide feast day to be celebrated a week after Easter. The pope died on the vigil of Divine Mercy Sunday in 2005. With beatification, Pope John Paul will be declared “blessed” and thus worthy of restricted liturgical honor. Another miracle is needed for canonization, by which the church declares a person to be a saint and worthy of universal veneration. The Vatican spokesman, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, summed up much of the sentiment in Rome when he said Pope John Paul would be beatified primarily for the spiritual gifts of faith, hope and charity that were the source of his papal activity. The world witnessed that spirituality when the pope prayed, when he spent time with the sick and suffering, in his visits to the impoverished countries of the world and in his own illness “lived out in faith, before God and all of us,” Father Lombardi said. Brigida Jones, a 26-year-old Australian Catholic visiting the Vatican from Melbourne, echoed the spokesman’s sentiments: “I think he did so much while he was alive, and you’d just see him on television and get this sense of peace - obviously he was holy.” Father Lombardi said the Vatican was preparing to move Pope John Paul’s body from the crypt of St. Peter’s Basilica to the Chapel of St. Sebastian in the basilica’s upper level at the time of beatification. The chapel, on the right hand side of the church just after Michelangelo’s Pieta, is easily accessible and spacious, an important factor given the steady stream of pilgrims who come to see the pope’s tomb. Hold on tight to God during times of trouble, temptation By CAROL GLATZ Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — In times of trouble, doubt or deep spiritual crisis, never let go of believing in God, because he will help lead people out of darkness, Pope Benedict XVI said. “Let us always be led by God, carry out his will every day even if often it doesn’t correspond to our plans, and trust in his providence that he never leaves us on our own,” he said during his weekly general audience in the Vatican’s Paul VI hall Dec. 29. In his catechesis, the pope described the life of St. Catherine of Bologna, an abbess of the Poor Clares and “a woman of great wisdom and culture” who lived in the 15th century. Despite the many centuries that separate her time and today, St. Catherine still speaks to modern men and women, said the pope. “Like us, she suffered from many temptations -- the temptations of disbelief and sensuality, she suffered from a difficult spiritual battle, she felt abandoned by God and she found herself in the darkness” of doubting her faith, he said. However, throughout all of her struggles, St. Catherine “always held onto the Lord’s hand,” he said. Because she never let go of trusting in God’s will and let herself always be guided by him, “she went along the right path and found the road leading to the light,” he said. “In this way, she is also telling us ‘Have courage’ even when struggling with one’s faith or when feeling doubt” or uncertainty, he added. “Don’t let go of the Lord’s hand, believe in God’s goodness and that way we will go along the right road,” said the pope. St. Catherine of Bologna wrote the “Treatise on the Seven Spiritual Weapons” in which she describes “the many graces she received and lists the most effective means of resisting the temptations of the devil,” he said. Seven spiritual weapons The pope listed the seven spiritual weapons as the following: 1. Take great care to always work for the good. 2. Know that nothing truly good can ever be done by oneself. 3. Trust in God and never be afraid of the battle against evil either in the world or inside oneself. 4. Reflect often on the words and life of Jesus, especially on his passion and death. 5. Remember that everyone must die. 6. Keep firmly in mind the rewards of paradise. 7. Be familiar with sacred Scripture so that it can guide all thoughts and actions. NOTICIAS EN ESPAÑOL January 2011 - The Valley Catholic 11 Hombres del Evangelio Nuevos diáconos ordenados para la Diócesis The Valley Catholic SAN JUAN — Cuando 23 hombres fueron ordenados nuevos diáconos permanentes de la Diócesis de Brownsville el 18 de diciembre, el Obispo Daniel E. Flores les aconsejó que fueran “hombres del Evangelio.” “El Evangelio debe ser parte importante en su manera de pensar,” dijo el Obispo. “Piensen en las palabras de Jesús, piensen el corazón de Jesús. Dejen que las palabras de Jesús sean una parte grande de ustedes porque las leen frecuentemente. Ellas serán la respuesta natural que ustedes den a la vida, en los buenos momentos y en los malos momentos.” Al entrar los candidatos en la Basílica de Nuestra Señora de San Juan del Valle – Santuario Nacional, fueron saludados por los presentes que llenaban el Santuario con solo espacio para estar de pie. La basílica estaba repleta de familiares, amigos, y feligreses compañeros, diáconos hermanos y sacerdotes de la diócesis. La Misa de ordenación fue la culminación de más de cuatro años de oración, estudio y práctica. Los diáconos permanentes, que pueden ser casados, son ministros de la Palabra, lo que significa que pueden proclamar el Evangelio durante la Misa y predicar y enseñar en el nombre de la Iglesia. Su ministerio sacramental incluye bautizar, conducir servicios de oración, servir como oficiales de la Iglesia testigos en el matrimonio y conducir funerales y quinceañeras. Los nuevos diáconos son: Gerardo Aguilar, Martin Arteaga, Mitch Chavez, Ramiro Davila, Paul Escobar, David Espinoza, Francisco Flores, Reynaldo Flores, Javier Garcia, Oscar Garcia, Silvestre Garcia, Jose Gonzalez, Gilbert Guardiola, Crawford Higgins, Amando Peña, Rudy Sepulveda, Graciano Rodriguez, Gerardo Rosa, Ray Thomas, Nicolas Trujillo, Catarino Villanueva, Armandin Villarreal y Luis Zuniga. Fotos: Cesar Riojas/ The Valley Catholic El Obispo Daniel E. Flores presenta a cada diácono con el Libro de Los Evangelios durante la misa de ordenación el 18 de diciembre en la Basílica de Nuestra Señora de San Juan del Valle. Futuros sacerdotes tienen casa nueva Por ROSE YBARRA The Valley Catholic Los futuros sacerdotes de la Diócesis de Brownsville, han encontrado una casa nueva en la Casa de Estudios, ubicada en la comunidad de San Pedro, saliendo de Military Highway 281. Tres de los cuatro jóvenes que viven allí anteriormente residían en lo se conocía como el Seminario St. Joseph and St. Peter, en Mission. El seminario cerró durante el verano del 2010 y la Casa de Estudios ha tomado su lugar como la casa donde los hombres jóvenes inician su formación en el seminario, en camino a convertirse en sacerdotes para la Diócesis de Brownsville. La extensa propiedad de Mission es ahora el futuro hogar de la Academia Juan Diego, una nueva preparatoria Católica que está programada para abrir para el año escolar 2011-12. Con este cambio hacia el este a Brownsville, los seminaristas han heredado un nuevo líder espiritual en la Casa de Estudios, el Padre Director Eduardo Gómez, en una atmósfera más parecida a un hogar y lo mejor de todo, la unida comunidad de San Pedro, que los ha recibido a todos con los brazos abiertos. El Padre Gómez también es el pastor de la iglesia San Pedro, una misión independiente que sirve a 130 familias. La iglesia está ubicada a un lado de la Casa de Estudios. Sirviendo a los fieles, el Padre Gómez también es un sólido ejemplo y testimonio para la vocación sacerdotal que no se puede enseñar en un salón de clases. “Hemos aprendido mucho de él observándolo interactuar con la comunidad”, dijo el seminarista David Yáñez, originario de Guadalajara, México. Kika López, de 70 años de edad, residente de San Pedro y catequista en la iglesia, dijo que el Padre Gómez y los seminaristas han llenado de energía a la comunidad. Desde que llegaron al área en el otoño, el Padre Gómez se ha comprometido de tiempo completo con la iglesia y es bondadoso y accesible a su rebaño, agregó López. El Padre Gómez y los seminaristas también han organizado muchos eventos comunitarios, incluyendo las celebraciones para el Día de los Muertos, para la festividad de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe y las posadas a través del Adviento. Los hombres han salido a invitar a la comunidad, de puerta en puerta invitando a los residentes a la Iglesia y a otros eventos en la comunidad. López dijo que muchos residentes de la localidad que se habían ido para asistir a otras iglesias han regresado a la iglesia de San Pedro. “Todos están tan contentos y la prueba está en el número de personas que están asistiendo a Misa”, dijo ella. “Todo ha cambiado en San Pedro para mejor. Es una gran bendición”. Adicionalmente de ayudar al Padre Gómez en la iglesia, los seminaristas también asisten a la escuela. Víctor Fabela, oriundo de McAllen es estudiante en la Universidad de Texas en Brownsville y Texas Southmost College. Los otros tres seminaristas, Edgar Montejano, originario de Monterrey, México, Ricardo Chávez de Los Mochis, México y Yáñez son estudiantes en el Instituto Villa María, donde están aprendiendo inglés como segundo idioma. Los cuatro seminaristas también están recibiendo instrucción del Padre Gómez en la Casa de Estudios, con un plan de estudios que incluye clases sobre integración cultural y discernimiento sobre la vida personal, intelectual, espiritual pastoral y comunitaria de un sacerdote. En un típico día de la semana, los seminaristas tienen oraciones matutinas, Misa, clases, oraciones vespertinas, tiempo de estudio y oraciones nocturnas con comidas y quehaceres entre actividades. En los fines de semana y algunas noches de la semana, pasan tiempo en la iglesia. “Esto es más que una casa”, dijo el Padre Gómez. “Esta es su hogar y ellos cuidan de el. Ellos son parte de este hogar, se sienten bienvenidos aquí. Tiene un buen medio ambiente para todos nosotros”. La misión de la Casa de Estudios es preparar a los seminaristas para el siguiente paso en camino a convertirse en sacerdotes, que es comenzar su educación formal de filosofía, pre teología y teología en otros seminarios alrededor del país. Los seminaristas de la Diócesis de Brownsville asisten a seminarios tales como el Pontifical College Josephinum en Columbus, Ohio; Mundelein Seminary en Mundelein, Ill.; Assumption Seminary en San Antonio y Holy Trinity Seminary en Irving, Texas, entre otros. El Padre Gómez, quien fue ordenado hace tres años, dijo que quedó sorprendido cuando el Obispo Daniel E. Flores y el Consejo Presbiteral lo nombraron director de la Casa de Estudios. “Estaba tan nervioso, pero estoy contento de servir al Señor de esta manera porque sé que el Señor me envió aquí”, dijo el Padre Gómez, oriundo de Colima, México. “Es una responsabilidad tan importante guiar y dar un buen ejemplo a estos hombres jóvenes”. El Padre Gómez es uno de tres sacerdotes en su familia, junto con sus hermanos, el Padre Miguel Ángel Ortega, vicario parroquial de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe en Raymondville y el Padre Eduardo Ortega, pastor de la iglesia Sacred Heart en Mercedes. Cuando se le pregunta la fórmula de su familia para producir sacerdotes, el Padre Gómez dice que el apoyo de sus padres y el ejemplo fueron clave”. Ellos eran muy fieles a la Iglesia y nos mostraron la manera de caminar por esta vida”, dijo el Padre Gómez. “Había buena comunicación y mucho respeto en nuestra casa. Nuestros padres pasaban tiempo con nosotros, tiempo de gran calidad, sin televisión, sin distracciones. Nosotros, los siete hermanos y hermanas, teníamos diferentes caminos en la vida pero nuestros padres nos apoyaron al 100 por ciento. 12 NOTICIAS EN ESPAÑOL The Valley Catholic - January Redescubran la belleza de ser bautizados El Sacramento del Bautismo “es el inicio de la vida espiritual” ACI Prensa VATICANO — Al presidir el Ángelus dominical, el Papa Benedicto XVI alentó a los fieles católicos de todo el mundo a redescubrir la belleza de ser bautizados y pertenecer a la Iglesia, para así dar testimonio del Amor de Dios con alegría. Luego de la Misa que presidió en la Capilla Sixtina en la que bautizó a 21 niños en la fiesta del Bautismo del Señor, el Papa dijo a los miles de fieles presentes en la Plaza de San Pedro que cuando se bautiza a un niño “los padres y padrinos se esfuerzan por acoger al neo-bautizado sosteniéndolo en la formación y educación cristiana. ¡Esta es una gran responsabilidad que deriva de un gran don!” Por ello, “deseo alentar a todos los fieles a redescubrir la belleza de ser bautizados y pertenecer a la gran familia de Dios, y dar testimonio alegre de la propia fe, para que ella genere frutos de bien y concordia”. Benedicto XVI indicó además que el sacramento del Bautismo “es el inicio de la vida espiritual, que encuentra su plenitud por medio de la Iglesia”. El Papa hizo votos para que la Virgen María, ayuda de los cristianos, acompañe a “los padres que se están preparando para el Bautismo de sus niños, como también los catequistas. ¡Que toda la comunidad participe de la alegría del nacimiento del agua y del Espíritu Santo!” En su saludo en español, el Santo Padre explicó que “en este domingo, que sigue a la Fiesta de la Epifanía, celebramos el Bautismo del Señor, concluyendo así el tiempo litúrgico de la Navidad”. Foto: CNS photo/L’Osservatore Romano via Reuters El Papa Benedicto XVI baptiza uno de los 21 bebes durante la Misa que presidió en la Capilla Sixtina en la fiesta del Bautismo del Señor en el Vaticano el 9 de enero. “El Padre manifiesta en el Jordán a Jesús, como su Hijo amado, ungido por el Espíritu, revelando también así el misterio del nuevo bautismo por el que llegamos a ser en verdad hijos suyos. Que la intercesión de la Santísima Virgen María os ayude a ser imagen de aquel que hemos conocido semejante a nosotros en la carne y renueve en todos la vocación a la santidad a la que se está llamado por el bautismo. Feliz domingo”, concluyó. “Aférrense firmemente a Dios” Benedicto enumera las siete armas espirituales Por CAROL GLATZ Catholic News Service CIUDAD DEL VATICANO — En tiempos de problemas, dudas o profunda crisis espiritual nunca dejen de creer en Dios porque él ayudará a guiar a la gente para salir de la oscuridad, dijo el papa Benedicto XVI. “Que siempre seamos liderados por Dios, hagamos su voluntad todos los días aunque a menudo ésta no corresponda con nuestros planes y confiemos en su providencia que él nunca nos dejará solos”, él dijo durante su audiencia general semanal en la sala Paulo VI del Vaticano el 29 de diciembre. El papa describió en su catequesis la vida de Santa Catalina de Bolonia, abadesa de las Clarisas Pobres y “una mujer de gran sabiduría y cultura” que vivió en el siglo 15. A pesar de los muchos siglos que separan sus tiempos y hoy día, Santa Catalina todavía le habla a los hombres y las mujeres modernos, dijo el papa. “Como nosotros, ella sufrió muchas tentaciones: las tentaciones de incredulidad y sensualidad, ella sufrió una batalla espiritual difícil, ella se sentía abandonada por Dios y ella se encontraba en la oscuridad” de dudar de su fe, él dijo. Sin embargo, a través de todas sus luchas, Santa Catalina “siem- pre se aferró a la mano del Señor”, él dijo. Ya que ella nunca soltó su confianza en la voluntad de Dios y siempre se dejó ser dirigida por él, “ella fue a lo largo del sendero correcto y encontró el camino que lleva a la luz”, él dijo. “De esta manera ella también nos está diciendo ‘tengan valentía’ aun cuando luchamos con la propia fe de uno o cuando sentimos duda” o incertidumbre, él añadió. “No suelten la mano del Señor, crean en el bien de Dios y de ese modo iremos a lo largo del camino correcto”, dijo el papa. Santa Catalina de Bolonia escribió el “Tratado sobre las siete armas espirituales”, en el cual describe “las muchas gentilezas que ella recibió y enumera los medios más eficaces para resistir las tentaciones del Diablo”, él dijo. El papa enumeró las siete armas espirituales como las siguientes: -- Tener gran cuidado de trabajar siempre para el bien. -- Saber que nada verdaderamente bueno puede jamás ser hecho por uno solo. -- Confiar en Dios y nunca temerle a la batalla contra mal en el mundo o dentro de uno mismo. -- Reflexionar a menudo sobre las palabras y la vida de Jesús, especialmente sobre su pasión y muerte. -- Recordar que todos tenemos que morir. -- Mantener firmemente presente las recompensas del paraíso. -- Familiarizarse con las Sagradas Escrituras de modo que éstas puedan dirigir todos nuestros pensamientos y acciones. Arquidiócesis pide a mexicanos alejarse de culto diabólico a la “Santa Muerte” Por DENNIS SADOWSKI Catholic News Service El vocero de la Arquidiócesis de México, P. Hugo Valdemar, pidió a los mexicanos alejarse del culto a la llamada “Santa Muerte” porque es una devoción contraria al cristianismo y se está convirtiendo en la preferida del crimen organizado. Al declarar a ACI Prensa sobre la detención del líder de esta secta, David Romo (a) “el párroco”, acusado de participar en el secuestro de tres personas, el sacerdote dijo esperar que la justicia mexicana determine la culpabilidad o inocencia de Romo. ”Seríamos injustos el declararlo culpable cuando todavía le espera un juicio”, explicó. Sin embargo, el sacerdote reiteró su llamado a los fieles para que se alejen de esta devoción, que tiene miles de seguidores en todo México, porque se trata de una creencia “supersticiosa y con connotaciones diabólicas” que lucra con la ignorancia de la gente y “se está convirtiendo en la advocación preferida del crimen organizado, de los narcotraficantes, secuestradores”. El P. Valdemar recordó que Cristo vino a vencer al pecado y a la muerte, que “es signo del poder del maligno y su destrucción”. Dijo que la secta que lidera Romo “personaliza al mismo demonio, lo cual es muy peligroso”. Indicó además que mucha gente cayó en esta secta por falta de un mayor compromiso evangelizador de la Iglesia. Advirtió que muchos creen que la “Santa Muerte” es un santo más, cuando “ni siquiera es una persona”. El vocero de la Arquidiócesis de México pidió a los fieles destruir las imágenes de la Santa Muerte y no temer una venganza porque “el poder de Dios es más grande que el maligno”. David Romo fue detenido el 4 de enero junto con otras ocho personas en el DF, acusados de secuestrar a un matrimonio de ancianos y un hombre. Según la policía, este grupo se hacía pasar por una facción del cártel de “Los Zetas” para atemorizar a las familias de sus víctimas y acelerar el pago del rescate. La Santa Muerte es una falsa devoción difundida en distintos lugares de México. Es representada con una calavera adornada según el gusto personal de los adeptos. Narcotraficantes, delincuentes, ex convictos o secuestradores se acercan a esta controvertida imagen para pedir por el éxito de sus delitos. Este culto, que ha generado gran controversia en México, está vinculado a prácticas de brujería y se intensifica en la fiesta de los Fieles Difuntos. 2011 Obispos de EEUU abogan por mayor respeto a la vida ACI Prensa WASHINGTON — La Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de Estados Unidos (USCCB) abogan por el respeto a la vida y dignidad de toda persona, tras la masacre ocurrida el 8 de enero en Tucson, estado de Arizona, en la que murieron seis personas y 14 resultaron heridas, entre ellas una congresista que lideraba una manifestación. En un comunicado publicado el lunes 10 de enero y firmado por su presidente, Mons. Timothy Dolan, los obispos se solidarizan con los familiares y amigos de los dos católicos que murieron en el trágico evento: la niña Taylor Green, de solo 9 años de edad, y el juez federal John Roll. “Nuestras oraciones y preocupaciones están con aquellos más afectados por esta violencia. Encomendamos a Dios a todos los que fallecieron y rezamos por las familias que han perdido a sus seres queridos y también por quienes sufren con sus heridos”, señala el texto. Mons. Dolan asegura que los obispos “rezamos además por la persona que ha cometido estos actos y por quienes son responsables de su cuidado”, en referencia a Jared Lee Loughner, autor de los disparos contra la congresista demócrata Gabrielle Giffords y las demás víctimas. Giffords salvan de morir, su estado aún es delicado pero muestra algunos signos de recuperación. “Como obispos estamos preocupados por las implicancias del incidente de Tucson pero llamamos a la cautela ante cualquier tipo de conclusión sobre los motivos del atacante hasta que sepamos más por parte de las autoridades competentes”, pide el comunicado. La violencia de cualquier tipo “debe ser condenada. Cuando el objetivo de un acto violento es una autoridad publica queda afectada la confianza de la nación en su capacidad de proteger a sus líderes y aquellos que quieren participar en el proceso democrático”. Finalmente, los obispos reiteran su “llamado al respeto a la vida y la dignidad de toda persona mientras seguimos en nuestra labor de trabajar juntos por el bien común, buscando responder a los distintos desafíos que afrontamos como nación”. Para más noticias sobre la iglesia en el Valle visítenos en la página web de la Diócesis de Brownsville www.cdob.org NOTICIAS EN ESPAÑOL January 2011 - The Valley Catholic El Papa Benedicto XVI beatificará a Juan Pablo II ACI Prensa CIUDAD DEL VATICANO — El Papa Benedicto XVI beatificará a Juan Pablo II el próximo 1 de mayo, Domingo de Pascua de la Divina Misericordia, según informó el Director de la Oficina de Prensa de la Santa Sede, P. Federico Lombardi. Sobre la beatificación de Juan Pablo II se publicó hoy un comunicado en el que se señala que este viernes 14 de enero “durante la audiencia concedida al Cardenal Angelo Amato, prefecto de la Congregación para las Causas de los Santos, el Papa ha autorizado a este dicasterio a promulgar el Decreto sobre el milagro atribuido a la intercesión del Venerable Siervo de Dios Juan Pablo II (Karol Wojtyla). Este acto pone fin al proceso que precede al rito de beatificación”. El texto explica luego que la causa de Juan Pablo II se inició antes de los cinco años después de la muerte que exigen las normas vigentes, gracias a una dispensa pontificia, debido a “la imponente fama de santidad de la que gozó Juan Pablo II en su vida, en la muerte y después de la muerte. Por lo demás, se observaron en su totalidad las disposiciones canónicas comunes acerca de las causas de beatificación y canonización”. El comunicado señala además que entre junio de 2005 y abril de 2007 se realizó la investigación principal romana y las rogatoriales en diferentes diócesis sobre la vida, virtudes, fama de santidad y de milagros. “La validez jurídica de los procesos canónicos fue reconocida por la Congregación para las Cau- CNS photo/Nancy Wiechec El Papa Juan Pablo II durante una Misa en St. Louis durante su última visita a los Estados Unidos in enero de 1999. El Papa Benedicto XVI beatificará a Juan Pablo II el próximo 1 de mayo, Domingo de Pascua de la Divina Misericordia. sas de los Santos con el Decreto del 4 de mayo de 2007. En junio de 2009, examinada la ‘Positio’ (expediente de la causa), nueve consultores teólogos de la Congregación dieron su parecer positivo sobre la heroicidad de las virtudes del Siervo de Dios”. “En noviembre, siguiendo el procedimiento habitual, la misma ‘Positio’ fue sometida al juicio de los cardenales y obispos de la Congregación para las Causas de los Santos, que se expresaron con sentencia afirmativa”. Tras esa investigación el Papa Benedicto XVI autorizó la promulgación del decreto sobre la heroicidad de virtudes el 19 de diciembre de 2009. El texto señala luego que la postulación de la causa de Juan Pablo II “presentó al examen de la Congregación para las Cau- sas de los Santos la curación de la ‘enfermedad de Parkinson’ de la hermana Marie Simon Pierre Normand, religiosa del Institut des Petites Soeurs des Maternités Catholiques”. “Como es habitual, las numerosas actas de la investigación canónica, regularmente instruida, junto con los detallados exámenes médico-legales, se sometieron al examen científico de la Consulta Médica de la Congregación para las Causas de los Santos, el 21 de octubre de 2010”. Los expertos, indica el texto, “tras haber estudiado con la habitual minuciosidad los testimonios procesales y toda la documentación, se expresaron a favor de que la curación era científicamente inexplicable”. “Los consultores teólogos, tras haber revisado las conclusiones médicas, el 14 de diciembre de 2010 procedieron a la valoración teológica del caso y reconocieron por unanimidad la unicidad, la antecedencia y la invocación coral dirigida al Siervo de Dios Juan Pablo II, cuya intercesión había sido eficaz para la curación milagrosa”. El comunicado concluye indicando que el 11 de enero de 2011 se celebró la Sesión Ordinaria de cardenales y obispos de la Congregación para las Causas de los Santos que “emitió un fallo unánime y afirmativo, considerando milagrosa la curación de la hermana Marie Simon Pierre, en cuanto realizada por Dios de modo científicamente inexplicable, después de interceder al Papa Juan Pablo II, invocado con confianza tanto por la misma persona curada como por muchos otros fieles”. Detenidos celebran con el obispo Indocumentados esperan proceso de deportación The Valley Catholic Respondiendo al llamado de Jesús de visitar a quienes están tras las rejas, el Obispo Daniel E. Flores visitó el Centro de Procesamiento en Port Isabel de Inmigración y Aduanas o ICE por sus siglas en inglés, el 17 de diciembre a celebrar Misa y a ofrecer personalmente sus oraciones y buenos deseos a los allí detenidos. El centro alberga alrededor de 800 personas que esperan audiencias de inmigración o deportación. Los detenidos vienen de todo el mundo, pero en su mayoría son originarios de México o Centroamérica. Alrededor del 40 por ciento de ellos también son Católicos. “Pienso en ustedes a menudo”, dijo el Obispo Flores, durante la Misa. “Mis pensamientos y oraciones siempre están con ustedes”. El Obispo Flores también animó a los detenidos a pedir por sus familias, un mensaje que conmovió a muchos de ellos hasta las lágrimas. Después de la Misa, el Obispo Flores saludó a cada uno de ellos individualmente, ofreciendo a cada uno de ellos una Biblia, un rosario y una tarjeta con una oración. Bajo los vigilantes ojos de los guardias, el obispo junto con el Padre George González, capellán del ministerio de la cárcel de la Diócesis de Brownsville y el Padre Jorge Gómez, pastor de la iglesia Holy Family en Brownsville también escuchó confesiones de los detenidos. Los detenidos fueron saludados alegremente con música Navideña proporcionada por el ministerio de la cárcel diocesana antes y después de la Misa. Integrantes del ministerio de la cárcel visitan el centro tres veces por semana llevando a cabo Servicios de Comunión, Misas y servicios de la Palabra. Algunos del ministerio diocesano de la cárcel, dijeron que los detenidos realmente disfrutaron de la celebración de Navidad con el obispo. “Muchos de ellos se sienten abandonados”, dijo Gómez. “Sienten que no tienen el apoyo de nadie. Tener a alguien importante como el obispo visitándolos significo mucho para ellos”. Gómez dijo que fue gratificante para el ministerio de la cárcel extender un poco de alegría The Valley Catholic Obispo Daniel E. Flores saludó a cada uno de los detenidos, ofreciendo a cada uno de ellos una Biblia, un rosario y una tarjeta con una oración. Navideña en el centro. “Es difícil para ellos aquí, separados de sus familias como en cualquier momento, pero es especialmente do- loroso alrededor de la Navidad”, dijo Gómez. “La ausencia de sus familias es abrumador durante este tiempo del año”. 13 Un Llamado, continuación de la pág. 2 Obispo de la Diócesis, es la gran necesidad que tenemos para las instalaciones de retiro. Parte de los fondos recaudados por esta campaña se destinará a la planificación a largo plazo para la construcción de un Centro Católico de Retiros en el bajo Valle. Eventualmente, este centro complementará el trabajo ya realizado en el Centro de Retiros en San Juan, y en otras instalaciones más pequeñas a lo largo de la diócesis. Estamos bendecidos con la presencia de tantos movimientos laicos como A.C.T.S., Cursillos de Cristiandad, la Renovación Carismática, el Movimiento Familiar Cristiano, y muchos otros. Lo que necesitamos es más espacio para que la participación en retiros de jóvenes y de los movimientos sea más accesible y económica. Puede que se lleve un tiempo para identificar la propiedad y construir las instalaciones, pero creo que tenemos que empezar a reunir los recursos y hacer los planes desde ahora. Y, 4: Parte de los fondos recaudados por la Apelación del Obispo se utilizará para la educación de los seminaristas y la formación permanente del clero. Es vital que hagamos esta inversión en la mejor formación posible para nuestros seminaristas y sacerdotes actualmente sirviendo en la diócesis. Anticipo que el número de nuestros seminaristas seguirá aumentando en los próximos años, por tanto debemos asegurar que tendremos los fondos necesarios para educarlos y formarlos en los mejores seminarios disponibles, para que al Valle nunca le falte sacerdotes formados a la imagen de Cristo el Buen Pastor, sacerdotes que asegurarán que nuestro pueblo siempre tendrá acceso al mayor tesoro que la Iglesia posee. ¿Cuál es ese tesoro? El misterio de la Sagrada Eucaristía. A través de este misterio, el mismo Señor es quien viene a alimentar y fortalecer a su pueblo para la misión que nos ha sido confiada. Al final de la campaña, la Diócesis informará en el periódico diocesano, el Católico del Valle, cuánto se ha comprometido, y al final del año, publicaré un informe sobre cómo el dinero se ha utilizado, para que todos puedan saber cómo su contribución ha hecho una diferencia en la vida de sus semejantes en el Valle. Los objetivos que he identificado son objetivos que creo son dignos de nuestro apoyo a largo plazo como católicos en el Valle. Les pido que consideren cómo pueden apoyar este llamado a la misión de la Iglesia, y que al anunciarse la Campaña Anual del Obispo en sus parroquias, sean generosos. Recuerden que es más importante contar con la participación de todos, aunque sea una pequeña cantidad, que lo que se reunirá a fin de cuentas. El Señor hará que nuestro regalo para él dé fruto en las vidas de aquellos a quien él nos llama a servir. Que Dios bendiga su generosidad, Amen. 14 DIOCESE Painted Saints, continued from pg. 5 finish. The figures stenciled to the boards were painted with watercolors. Two coats of varnish were applied, and each panel was then waxed to preserve the varnish. A working artist in this art form, Sister Westrick’s passion for creating santos or saints/holy images began more than 15 years ago. While serving as pastoral associate at a parish in Colorado Springs, Colo., Sister Westrick realized she needed a diversion from her work. The Valley Catholic - January She was given the book “Christian Images in Hispanic New Mexico” by William Wroth and quickly realized she had found what she was looking for. “The history of the saints as seen and loved by early settlers of New Mexico was touching and very appealing to my spirit,” Sister Westrick said. “I knew that I could draw and decided that this would be a great hobby – and would give me something to do after work.” She could never imagine, however, where her hobby would take her. Major projects have been pouring in, one after the other. Sister Westrick retired from active ministry in May 2008, and is currently the manager and caretaker of Congregational properties in Cascade, Colo., while continuing to pursue her art commissions. “Creativity, I believe, is an expression of my soul, thus various hobbies have always been part of my life,” Sister Westrick said. “Being a santera (saint maker) is an activity that fills my soul with rest, grace and life. Being creative is a very profound spiritual activity for me filled with God. I’m surrounded in the holy with Our Lady, the angels and saints.” “The Gloria is a very ancient and venerable hymn in which the Church, gathered together in the Holy Spirit, glorifies and entreats God the Father and the Lamb.” (GIRM #53) The church proposes that there are many ways this hymn may be sung. It may be “sung by everyone together, or by the people alternately with the choir, or by the choir alone.” (GIRM #53) Of all the parts of the Introductory Rites, the new translation of the Gloria is the most drastically different. Our current translation is more of a paraphrase of the original Latin text. With the new translation we will pray this prayer with greater fidelity to the original. Interestingly, those who know this prayer in Spanish will notice that it parallels very closely. The Introductory Rites conclude with the Collect or opening prayer. After the priest says “Let us pray” we observe a brief silence so that we may be conscious of the fact that we are in God’s presence and may formulate our petitions mentally. (GIRM #54) This prayer “collects” all our individual petitions and presents them as one. Through this prayer, usually offered to the Father, the character of the celebration is expressed. (GIRM #54) The assembly makes this prayer their own when they answer with a strong “Amen.” Our “liturgical countdown” will continue in the next issue with catechesis on the Liturgy of the Word. — Father Greg Labus serves as Coordinator of Liturgy & Worship in the Diocese of Brownsville and is pastor of Our Lady of Mercy in Mercedes. the House of Studies. “I was so nervous, but I am happy to serve the Lord in this way because I know the Lord sent me here,” said Father Gomez, a native of Colima, Mexico. “It is such an important responsibility to guide and to give a good example to these young men.” Father Gomez is one of three priests in his family, along with his brothers, Father Miguel Angel Ortega, parochial vicar at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Raymondville and Father Eduardo Ortega, pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Mercedes. When asked about his family’s formula for producing priests, Father Gomez said his parents’ support and example were the keys. “They were very faithful to the Church and they showed us the way to walk in this life,” Father Gomez said. “There was good communication and a lot of respect in our home. Our parents spent time with us, real quality time, without the television, without distractions. We, all seven of us (siblings), had different journeys in life but our parents supported us 100 percent.” 2011 CNS photo/Debbie Hill Countdown, continued from pg. 8 There are several options for this part of the liturgy. This general confession can be expressed through the praying of the Confiteor (I confess…) or a short dialogue invoking God’s mercy or a series of tropes that include the Kyrie eleison (Lord, have mercy). The new translation of the Confiteor will be noticeably different. My generation and older will recognize the striking of the breast three times in sorrow for our sins when we will say … through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault. The Kyrie follows the Act of Penitence. The Greater Doxology, that is the Gloria, then is sung or recited. Seminarians, continued from pg. 9 The seminarians of the Diocese of Brownsville attend seminaries such as the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio; Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein, Ill.; Assumption Seminary in San Antonio and Holy Trinity Seminary in Irving, Texas, among others. Father Gomez, who was ordained three years ago, said he was surprised when Bishop Daniel E. Flores and the Presbyteral Council appointed him director of Programming TV/Radio Schedule by Msgr. Juan Nicolau, PhD., STL Pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, McAllen Every Sunday 6 a.m. Misa Televisada - Telemundo Ch. 40 9 a.m. Las Verdades – 38.3 KMBH Digital 1 p.m. Misa en la Radio - 1530 AM KGBT Every Wednesday 7 p.m. Las Verdades - 38.3 KMBH Digital Every Saturday 6:30 a.m. Renovación Espiritual - Telemundo Ch. 40 Column every Sunday in El Nuevo Heraldo and El Mañana Mary and Joseph kneel at the crib of the infant Christ in this detail of an icon from the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. Domestic Church, continued from pg. 4 table to table : from the Domestic Church family table to the Table of the Lord and back. Recently, we celebrated Holy Family Sunday where we are reminded that we have the Holy Family as our model. Mary who gave her whole hearted “yes” in the Magnificat is a great role model for us women as wives and/or Advocate, continued from pg. 4 Psalmist: “I announced your justice in the vast assembly; I did not restrain my lips, as you, O LORD, know (Ps 40:10).” Our response is: “Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will (Ps 40: Youth Ministry, continued from pg. 5 the Vineyard of the Lord: A Resource for Guiding the Development of Lay Ecclesial Ministry by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops as the framework for designing a shared formation vision which will integrate the four elements of formation (human, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral). mothers. We are called to say “yes” in all our roles of disciplining, cleaning, listening, guiding, supporting, redirecting, playing with and praying for our family. Joseph is a great model of an obedient son and nurturing father. And Jesus so clearly teaches us through the Pascal Mystery; through his suffering, death, and resurrection that as families, we too live that Pascal Mystery daily, when we die to our own self centeredness and live to serve one another especially in our family. 8a and 9a).” Make it your goal to do God’s will by announcing God’s justice to your legislators in the Texas assembly. We pray that achieving this goal will be only a stepping stone for you in a life of advocacy and unrestrained lips on behalf of all God’s children. More information on the plans of the Diocesan Institute will be offered through The Valley Catholic as well as the Diocesan website: (www.cdob.org). The San Juan Diego Diocesan Ministry Institute is located at the Catholic Pastoral Center in San Juan, Texas. — Deacon Luis Zuniga serves as Director for the Office of Pastoral Planning and the San Juan Diego Ministry Institute in the Diocese of Brownsville. DIOCESE January 2011 - The Valley Catholic Amando Peña Jr. Antonio Arteaga Armandin Villarreal Catarino Villanueva III Crawford Higgins 15 David Espinoza CLASS OF 2010 Rodolfo Sepulveda Francisco R. Flores Reynaldo Flores Gerardo Aguilar Raymond Thomas Gerardo J. Rosa Ramiro Davila Graciano A. Rodriguez Diaconate Ordination Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle-National Shrine December 18, 2010 R. Mitchell Chavez Silvestre J. Garcia Paul Escobar Oscar Garcia Gilbert Guardiola Nicolas Trujillo Luis Zuñiga Jose Gonzalez Javier A. Garcia 16 DIOCESE The Valley Catholic - January Amando Peña Our Lady of Refuge, Roma Date of Birth: February 8, 1960 Wife: Dalinda Peña Children: 3 Grandchildren: 2 Profession: Businessman/ Rancher Hobbies/Organizations: Bass fishing Antonio Martin Arteaga San Martin de Porres, Alton Favorite Saint & Why? Saint Joseph is my favorite saint. Saint Joseph was obedient, he worked hard, and he was a devoted husband and father. He quietly performed his ministry without calling attention to himself. Tell us about your calling/journey to become a permanent deacon? God called me over a forty year span. I knew since childhood that God had a mission for me. I 2011 still don’t know where God will lead me but I will try to remain obedient to God’s will. What was the most challenging part of the fouryear preparation for becoming a deacon? During four year formation it was a challenge for me to manage my time between my family, business demands, and formation tasks and studies. Ordination Mass Every moment has a meaning Date of Birth: June 23, 1963 Wife: Karina Arteaga Children: Karina Margarita (21 yrs.), Angelica (19 yrs.), Victoria (17 yrs.) Profession: Certified Financial Planner / Financial Advisor Hobbies/Organizations: I like to read and spend time with my family and friends. Sometimes I play golf and chess. Favorite Saint & Why? San Martin de Porres. My mother told me that when I was about to die at birth she prayed to San Martin for me and promised him that if I lived, she would name me after him. I survived and that is why my middle name is Martin. All my friends and family call me Martin, not Antonio. I prefer to be called Martin too. Tell us about your calling/journey to become a permanent deacon? I have always been close to the Church. When I was a child, I use to travel by city bus in Monterrey, Mexico, to the closest parish to home to help as an altar server. I participated in many different ministries throughout my life and attended different retreats. It was not until I met a group of missionary priests from CICM in Alton that I realized that if they left their country, their families, their culture to evangelize and bring the Word of God to other people across the world without even knowing us, I have no excuse to try to help my own community. They are an inspiration to me and one of the experiences that placed me on this journey. Photos by Cesar Riojas, The Valley Catholic Here Bishop Daniel E. Flores lays hands upon the head of the ordinand, and prays “Therefore, Father, through Jesus Christ your Son, give your Holy Spirit to (Candidate Name); fill him with grace and power, and make him a deacon in your Church.” A promise of obedience What was the most challenging part of the four-year preparation for becoming a deacon? Balancing work, family life and studying for classes was always a challenge. But with help of the Holy Spirit we managed it. A lot of things happened during those four years: I lost my job due to the economy, my youngest brother was killed in Mexico, my oldest daughter got married, etc. I truly believe that only because of the Grace of God I made it to this day. Armandin Villarreal Each candidate approached the bishop and promised obedience to him and his successors. San Martin de Porres Church, Alton Hobbies/Organizations: My hobbies run from working around the house to spending as much time as possible with my family and grandchildren. Date of Birth: July 3, 1955 Wife: Ernestina Villarreal Children: 3 Granchildren: 3 Profession: Bookkeeping at Lone Star National Bank Favorite Saint & Why? My favorite saint is San Francisco de Asis because of his way of life and how he sacrificed himself for the well being of others. Tell us about your calling/journey to become a permanent deacon? Upon my conversion to the Church God revealed the suffering of his people and this is one of the main reasons that inspired me to become a deacon. What was the most challenging part of the four-year preparation for becoming a deacon? The most challenging part of the four-year preparation for becoming a deacon would most definitely be my difficulty with the English language. DIOCESE January 2011 - The Valley Catholic Catarino Villanueva III Our Lady of the Assumption, Harlingen Date of Birth: November 10, 1961 Wife: Rosalva Villanueva Children: 4 Grandchildren: 6 Profession: Our Lady of the Assumption Hobbies/Organizations: Honey – Do professional and collecting Eagles, 3rd degree Knight of Columbus and an Oblate of Saint Benedict. Favorite Saint & Why? I have several Saints that I can call to mind, Saints’ Anthony, Jude, Therese of Avila, Maximillion Kolbe and a number of others, but number one would be St. Benedict…the reason I favor this Saint most of all is because I admire his life and he was the founder of Monastic Life and the Monastic Rule or the Rule of Saint Benedict. A Rule of Life that may also be adapted to our own public life. Tell us about your calling/journey to become a permanent deacon? My journey to becoming a permanent deacon began of all places in Afghanistan. I was stationed in Ghazni Afghanistan for one year in the United States Army from 2005 to 2006. This is where I met Deacon Paul from Round Rock, Texas. 17 He instructed me on the life of a deacon, being a servant of the Lord and the people, and daily prayer for the people of the world through he Liturgy of the Hours, which we must pray morning and evening. What was the most challenging part of the fouryear preparation for becoming a deacon? I believe the most challenging part was transitioning from one class to another. Since we were meeting every other Saturday and most classes were four Saturday’s long (or two months), during the week of class we were already getting our reading/homework assignment for the next class while we were still preparing for our final examination for our current class, so this transition was a little stressful. Crawford A. Higgins Presenting the Gospel book Holy Spirit, McAllen Date of Birth: December 31, 1958 Wife: Teresa L. Higgins Children: 5 Grandchildren: 5, (#6 on the way) Profession: Businessman Hobbies/Organizations: Knights of Columbus, Youth Group, Board member- San Juan Nursing Home; Hobbies- Hunting, Fishing, Carpentry Favorite Saint & Why? Padre Pio- He exemplifies what a true servant of the Lord is who gave of himself completely for the greater good. Photos by Cesar Riojas/The Valley Catholic Bishop Daniel E. Flores presented each new deacon with the Book of Gospels. During his homily, the bishop said, “The first sign that I think we should meditate upon briefly this morning that indicates what gift God gives you in the ordination is the sign of my handing you the Gospel book. Hombres del Evangelio, principalmente. Teach what you read, believe what you read, you’re called to be a man of the Gospel — that is perhaps the principal sign after the Imposition of Hands of the meaning of your life. Mediate the Gospel daily, not just to prepare for a homily but as I mentioned to you on the retreat, your most important homilies are the ones you are giving when you are not at the pulpit and people are asking you to give testimony to your faith by the way you live and by the way you speak. The Gospel should be the most important part of how you think. Think the words of Jesus. Think the heart of Jesus. Let His words be so much a part of you because you read them so frequently. They will be the natural response you give to life, in the good times and the bad.” After making his promise of obedience, deacon candidate Crawford Higgins prepares for the vesting. The candidates were vested with the stole and dalmatic, assisted by a priest and deacon. The vestments, which signify the completion of their transformation, covered the simple white albs they wore at the beginning of the Mass. Tell us about your calling/journey to become a permanent deacon? My call to serve others started many years ago through different organizations and events. Today I look at this as “On the job training” for a call to serve the people of God. What was the most challenging part of the four-year preparation for becoming a deacon? Being able to balance family life, work, church responsibilities and academic requirements were most challenging. 18 DIOCESE The Valley Catholic - January David Espinoza and love My mother taught me how to pray and have a conversation with Jesus. As an adult in dark times, I often am able to focus on Jesus by remembering that moment with my mother and transferring that moment into the arms of the Blessed Mother. I allow myself to be held by the Blessed Mother’s arms (the Rosary) while I have a conversation with Jesus. Holy Spirit, McAllen Date of Birth: October 20, 1954 Wife: Toni Espinoza Children: 2 Profession: Salesman Hobbies/Organizations: Family, Ministry Favorite Saint & Why? Mary – one of my oldest and dearest memories is learning to pray the Our Father in the arms of my mother with much patience, compassion »Did you know? Tell us about your calling/journey to become a permanent deacon? The smartest person in the world that I know is my wife. As the subject of the Diaconate came up she said, “Trust God, if he wants you to become a Deacon, he will show you the way and he will open the doors for it to happen?” As we encountered each door (challenge), it became obvious that there were no obstacles but instead only opportunities to grow in faith and love in our Lord, Jesus Christ. What was the most challenging part of the fouryear preparation for becoming a deacon? The greatest challenge was balancing family, work, existing ministry responsibilities with the requirements of the formation program. However, a very good gift came from the challenge. The bond that developed between the 23 candidates as we journeyed together can only be described as “a gift from God”. They come to serve 14 percent of permanent deacons in the U.S. are Hispanic or Latino Source: Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) at Georgetown University “At the heart of the Ordination of a deacon or a priest is the invocation of the Holy Spirit and the prayer of consecration…It is a work of God as he gives the gift that changes a man on the inside to prepare him for the work that Gods has in store in the future.” -Bishop Daniel E. Flores Ordination Mass Homily Dec. 18, 2010 The Archdiocese of Chicago has the most permanent deacons in the U.S. with 646 Source: Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) at Georgetown University Congratulations! ¡Felicidades! Deacon Javier Garcia, our newly ordained deacon. May 2011 your ministry be guided by a spirit of faithfulness and hope and may our Heavenly Father continue to bless you and your fam- Congratulations! ily. ¡Felicidades! Deacon Javier Garcia, our newly ordained deacon May your ministry be guided by a spirit of faithfulness and hope and may our Heavenly Father continue to bless you and your family. St. Luke Catholic Church Msgr. Heberto M. Diaz, Jr., Pastor 2800 Rockwell Drive Phone: 956-541-1480 Brownsville, TX 78521 Fax: 956-542-8043 Website: www.stlukecc.org DIOCESE January 2011 - The Valley Catholic Francisco R. Flores Hobbies/Organizations: American Water Works Association, Cursillista Favorite Saint & Why? Saint Lawrence. His courage in standing up for the poor and marginalized, he was also martyred for his love of his faith. Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mission Date of Birth: October 6, 1955 Wife: Edna Flores Children: 3, Mario, Marisela and Alejandro Grandchildren: 4, Xavian, Noah , Anaya and Daniel. 19 servant. What was the most challenging part of the fouryear preparation for becoming a deacon? Finding quality time for work, family and prayer, then you discover time for prayer, family and work. Tell us about your calling/journey to become a permanent deacon? All through our Christian history, God has called on those that least expected to be called. God has a plan and I am his humble and obedient Profession: Water Utility General Manager. No longer laymen Gerardo Aguilar St. Mary, Santa Rosa Date of Birth: August 21, 1956 Wife: Rosa M. Aguilar Children: 3 Grandchildren: 3 Profession: Truck driver for HEB Transportation in Weslaco. Hobbies/Organizations: RCIA, Baptismal Catechist, Coordinator of Altar Servers, and the grupo de hombres de John Paul II. Favorite Saint & Why? St. Pius X because he is my patron saint. Deacons, like priests and bishops, belong to the clergy. They are ordained ministers of the Church. »Did you know? There are 16,649 permanent deacons in the U.S. Source: USCCB )5207+( &20081,7<2) 67$17+21< &+85&+² +$5/,1*(1 &21*5$78/$7,216 Tell us about your calling/journey to become a permanent deacon? My calling started with a sermon, which affected me personally. It was an enlightening experience, which helped me strengthen my Catholic faith. What was the most challenging part of the four-year preparation for becoming a deacon? My challenge was that after 33 years out of high school, I had to familiarize myself in making time to develop good study habits. This also includes working a full time job and devoting time for my family. Friends for life 'HDFRQ 3DXO(VFREDU :($5($//3528' 2)<28 Deacon Amando Peña of Our Lady of Refuge Church in Roma, left, and Deacon Rodolfo Sepulveda of St. Joseph the Worker Church in McAllen were all smiles before the Ordination Mass on Dec. 18. The new deacons built a network of friendship and support through the four-year diaconate formation program. 20 DIOCESE The Valley Catholic - January Gerardo J. Rosa Sacred Heart Catholic Church Date of Birth: March 2, 1966 Wife: Maria Claudia Rosa Children: 3, Gerardo Jr., Lee, Demilee Profession: Office Assistant Hobbies/Organizations: I enjoy bay and deep sea fishing. A little bit of hunting and summertime camping. Favorite Saint & Why? Saint Lawrence, I was deeply impressed with his life and humility. He was a champion of the poor, and also his devotion to the church. Tell us about your calling/journey to become a permanent deacon? Prior to being self-employed I was a funeral director for 15 years, and in the course of my job I frequently spoke and engaged with permanent deacons. I was always moved by their demeanor to the point of asking how does one apply to the Diaconate. I met none of the criteria back then. The opportunity came again for me and this time I did meet the basic requirements and my wife and I prayed about it and here I am. 2011 What was the most challenging part of the fouryear preparation for becoming a deacon? This past four years was challenging for me because there were difficult obstacles in my life. I was self-employed and struggling with my business and taking care and providing for my family, and also studying for this program; I learned to maintain balance with my personal life (wife and kids) and the Deacon formation program. I know now that the challenging part was when my ministry in my parish went public, it was quite unnerving. Being a life-long member of the community people and friends came by to ask if it was really me, because they could not believe what they heard or saw. Prayer before ordination Gilbert Guardiola Jr. San Martin de Porres Weslaco Date of Birth: April 17,1964 Wife: Nora Molina Guardiola Children: 1, Gilbert Guardiola III (Trey) Profession: Campus Technology Coordinator/Beatriz Garza Middle School at W.I.S.D. Hobbies/Organizations: Collecting Coca Cola products is a past time hobby as well as watching classic movies. Currently, I am involved with the following organization: A.T.P.E. Representative. Above: Deacon candidates assembled before the altar as Bishop Flores leads the prayer before ordination. Left: A senior deacon outfits the newly-ordained Deacon Gerardo Rosa of Sacred Heart Church in Elsa with a stole, which is worn on the left shoulder and angled across the chest. Favorite Saint & Why? San Martin de Porres is my favorite Saint because as a child I was called by my grandmother “my little Martinsito” and my curiousity about this nickname made me learn more about this saint. Since then I have become closer to San Martin de Porres. Tell us about your calling/journey to become a permanent deacon? One Sunday after Mass I picked up the church bulletin and read the announcement about the diaconate program being started and my curiosity made me ponder the announcement. This made me call to seek for more information. The response on the other end was “what took you so long?” So that was the beginning of my journey in becoming a permanent deacon. What was the most challenging part of the four-year preparation for becoming a deacon? The most challenging part was managing my time between family, work and the diaconate program. I was not able to spend a lot of time on weekends with my family, friends, parents, brother and sisters. »Did you know? There are 36,539 permanent deacons worldwide Source: Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) at Georgetown University 'HDFRQ*HUDUGR-RDTXLQ5RVD 'HDFRQ*HUDUGR-RDTXLQ5RVD Sacred Heart Church-Elsa, Texas DIOCESE January 2011 - The Valley Catholic Graciano A. Rodriguez St. John the Baptist Parish, San Juan Date of Birth: November 30, 1961 Profession: Elementary Education Teacher Hobbies/Organizations: Serving our Lord and His people, listen to music of all genres and watching, super hero movies. Favorite Saint & Why? Saint Andrew the Apostle because I was born on St. Andrew’s Day and Saint Francis of Assisi because I love nature, animals and working with the poor. Tell us about your calling/journey to become a permanent deacon? I have always felt a calling to ministry and even tried the seminary for three years. Even though I did not finish the seminary Our Lord kept calling 21 me and this was the direction that He led me to. What was the most challenging part of the fouryear preparation for becoming a deacon? The most challenging part of my Diaconate preparation was preparing for both my Diaconate classes and my classes for my students at work but with God’s help I was able to accomplish everything. Praise God. Answering the call to the permanent diaconate Javier A. Garcia St. Luke Catholic Church, Brownsville Date of Birth: April 6, 1957 Wife: Delia G. Garcia Children: 2 daughters, Rebecca Denise Garcia and Amanda Leticia Garcia Profession: CMV Inspector for the Texas Department of Public Safety. Hobbies/Organizations: Golfing and any outdoor activities. Favorite Saint & Why? St. Francis of Assisi. Quoted a saying that I adhere to daily “preach the Gospel daily, and if you absolutely need to use words”. Above: Deacon Jose Gonzalez of St. Francis Xavier Church in La Feria, left, and Deacon Silvestre Garcia of St. Joseph Church in Edinburg processed into the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle - National Shrine for the Ordination Mass on Dec. 18. Left: A senior deacon assisted the newly-ordained Deacon Graciano A. Rodriguez of St. John the Baptist Church in San Juan. Tell us about your calling/journey to become a permanent deacon? In answering the call to the diaconate I thought it would be a personal journey I would be under taking. Little did I know that it would involve the prayers and good intentions of not only my parish, but also family, friends and loved ones. The journey was not only mine to undertake; it would also involve everyone who supported me during my formation. What was the most challenging part of the four-year preparation for becoming a deacon? Studying and more studying. After being out of the academic environment for 30 years it was hard to reacquire the proper study habits and time management skills required to be successful in all of our formation classes. »Did you know? All but one U.S. Diocese – Salina, Kan. – now have permanent deacons. Source: Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) at Georgetown University Jose G. Gonzalez St. Francis Xavier, La Feria Date of Birth: December 9 Wife: Yolanda S. Gonzalez Children: +Marcos Orlando Grandchildren: 1, Tristan Marc Profession: Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Hobbies/Organizations: Painting, writing, exercising and reading Favorite Saint & Why? San Juan Diego patron saint and for his humility Tell us about your calling/journey to become a permanent deacon? While serving as an ACTS team director, I was approached by my priest, who posed the question. He said I would have to go home and speak to your wife because the deadline was in four days. God sends his messengers and we respond in faith, hope, and love. What was the most challenging part of the fouryear preparation for becoming a deacon? The most challenging was taking up the cross daily and going into the desert to meet Him in the quiet while the chaos of the world’s wind circled around. 22 DIOCESE The Valley Catholic - January 2011 Luis Zuñiga Mary, Mother of the Church, Brownsville Date of Birth: April 15, 1965 Family: One of four brothers; Father Carlos Zuniga, Martin Magallan and Cesar Magallan Wife: Carmen Perez Children: 2, Danielle Zuniga (17 years old), Luis Arturo Zuniga (12 years old) Profession: Director of Pastoral Planning and San Juan Diego Ministry Institute, Diocese of Brownsville. Nicolas E. Trujillo MD Hobbies/Organizations: I enjoy reading, going to the movies, journaling, calligraphy, gardening (when I have time) and walking in the evenings with Carmen, Danielle and Luis Arturo. I am a School Council member for St. Luke Catholic School and serve as well on the Board for Cunningham Apartments in Brownsville. Favorite Saint & Why? Saint Francis of Assisi has always been my favorite saint because he was a simple man who preached the gospel by his actions. Tell us about your calling/journey to become a permanent deacon? My calling began when I was an altar boy, I felt the Lord calling me to serve him and his Church. I feel privileged that I can now serve God as a deacon in the Church and still be able to be a husband and a dad. It is powerful to be able to respond: “Speak Lord, your servant is listening” What was the most challenging part of the fouryear preparation for becoming a deacon? The most challenging was keeping up with all the reading and assignments throughout the four years of study, looking back it has been well worth it, not to mention the drives from Brownsville to San Juan early in the mornings and then back in the late afternoons. Ministers of the Word, Sacrament and charity Our Lady of San Juan, Basílica, San Juan Date of Birth: July 6, 1959 Wife: Rut Children: 5 Profession: Medical Doctor / Pediatrician Hobbies/Organizations: Outdoors, target shooting, hunting. Favorite Saint & Why? The “Little Flower” due to the simplicity and beauty of her Spirituality. Tell us about your calling/journey to become a permanent deacon? You feel the call on your heart and then you start discerning and looking for possibilities. When the program re-opened in the Valley that was a seal of confirmation. What was the most challenging part of the four-year preparation for becoming a deacon? To accommodate my schedule as a physician with my academicals obligations during Diaconate formation. Deacons proclaim the Gospel, preach, and teach in the name of the Church. As ministers of Sacrament, deacons baptize, lead the faithful in prayer, witness marriages, and conduct funeral services. As ministers of Charity, deacons are leaders in identifying and meeting the needs of others. Congratulations Deacon Amando Peña, Jr. from Our Lady of Refuge Church, Roma and its Missions Holy Family, Holy Trinity, St. Jude & St. Joseph and Lamb of God December 18, 2010 Deacon candidates wait for their big moment before the start of the Ordination Mass. DIOCESE January 2011 - The Valley Catholic Oscar Garcia St. Luke Catholic Church, Brownsville Date of Birth: October 22,1964 Wife: Martha S. Garcia Children: 3, Amanda, Bianca, Oscar Jr. Grandchildren: 1, Krisalynn Rayne Profession: Print shop Warehouse Clerk Favorite Saint & Why? St. Francis of Assisi is my favorite saint. He left everything to serve the poor. His prayer “Make me an instrument of your peace” is a model for me to follow. He was very in love with our Lord, just as I am. Tell us about your calling/journey to become a permanent deacon? My calling came in a retreat in Louisiana called Steubenville South, in the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. Since then I have been 23 following that calling, and it has led me to my ordination, along with prayers of the community. Praise God! What was the most challenging part of the fouryear preparation for becoming a deacon? The most challenging part for me was to organize myself and getting the paperwork together for class. Also, the sacrifice of not being with my family and friends at times, but I know God loves sacrifice. Phil. 4:13 says I can do everything through God who strengthens me. The deacon elevates the chalice Paul Escobar St. Anthony, Harlingen Date of Birth: January14, 1964 Wife: Maria G. (Lupita) Profession:Computer Programmer/Analyst. Hobbies/Organizations: Sing and play guitar Favorite Saint & Why? Padre Pio. Obedient to God and His Church. Tell us about your calling/journey to become a permanent deacon? God has given me so much, and it’s time for me to give back to him. Photos by Cesar Riojas/The Valley Catholic Deacons are ministers of the chalice used at Mass which holds the precious Blood of Christ. Assisting Bishop Daniel E. Flores is newly ordained Deacon Mitch Chavez. What was the most challenging part of the four-year preparation for becoming a deacon? For me, being blind, the most challenging part of the Diaconate is being on the altar. It’s still a challenge. Top: Senior deacons congratulate the newly ordained deacons. Left: Paul Escobar and Catarino Villanueva III enter in procession with other deacon candidates for the Ordination Mass on Dec. 18 at the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle-National Shrine. R. Mitch Chavez San Cristóbal Magallanes y Compañeros - Mission Date of Birth: August 13, 1973 Profession: Educator/Principal Hobbies/Organizations: Traveling to religious sites and going on pilgrimages. District Deputy – Knights of Columbus, 4th degree member as well Favorite Saint & Why? St. Peter – rock; anyone who denies Jesus (3 times) and makes up for it is a real person and a hero to me. St. John Bosco – a true minister to the youth; a great role model Tell us about your calling/journey to become a permanent deacon? I have a passion to serve the others, especially my Brothers and Sisters in Christ- the faithful of the Diocese of Brownsville and to proclaim and preach the Good News of salvation. I love to teach and work with youth and young adults and I truly look forward to this ministry. What was the most challenging part of the fouryear preparation for becoming a deacon? Time management 24 DIOCESE The Valley Catholic - January 2011 Ramiro Davila St Joseph’s Church, Edinburg Date of Birth: September 19, 1954 Wife: Lupita Children: 3 Profession:Education Diagnostician with McAllen I.S.D. Ray Tomas Hobbies/Organizations: Reading, geneology, collecting old soda bottles from the valley and playing guitar. Favorite Saint & Why? Padre Pio. He is a recent saint who possed the stigmetas on his hands and was sought for his pastoral care in the confessional. Tell us about your calling/journey to become a permanent deacon? I think the most difficult part was making the decision to apply and then overcoming the feeling of unworthiness as we went through the program. What was the most challenging part of the fouryear preparation for becoming a deacon? Juggling the assignments, home life and my job. One by one Our Lady of Sorrows Church, McAllen Date of Birth: August 18, 1963 Wife: Sandra Children: 2 , Laura Alejandra and Raymond Luis Profession: Lawyer with Kittleman, Thomas & Gonzales, LLP, McAllen. Hobbies/Organizations: Gospa Records, a Catholic record label and recording studio dedicated to helping artists spread the Gospel through inspiring music, video and television programming. Vannie Cook Children’s Cancer Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to ensuring that local children who suffer from cancer and blood diseases receive the best care and treatment regardless of ability to pay. Cooking, Ranching, fishing and the outdoors. Favorite Saint & Why? This is hard. I love St. Francis because he was a deacon who taught by example more than by word. I love St. Thomas Aquinas because he taught us to find truth through reason and faith. But if I am forced to choose a favorite saint, it would be St. Thomas More, because he is proof that a lawyer can become a great saint! Cesar Riojas/The Valley Catholic Deacon candidates wait in line for the bishop’s imposition of hands, which signifies ordination. Acolyte Installation Tell us about your calling/journey to become a permanent deacon? My journey was far from straight, but a couple of events caused me to re-evaluate where I was headed. The first was the loss of our second child, an experience which drew our family closer to God. Then, another lawyer began to challenge the basic tenets of our faith. Because I was spiritually ignorant, I was unable to defend. So I started studying and researching, and the more I learned, the more I fell in love with the Catholic Church. Courtesy Photo Deacon candidates were installed by then Bishop Raymundo J. Peña as acolytes on Jan. 9, 2010 during a Mass at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Brownsville. What was the most challenging part of the four-year preparation for becoming a deacon? It’s tough to be an active courtroom lawyer and a good father and have time for the formation program. But many of my fellow candidates had challenges greater than mine. Their strength and the support of my family and parish inspired me to continue. Reynaldo I. Flores Holy Spirit Parish, McAllen Date of Birth: January 23, 1957 Wife: Anna Maria Children: 2, Reynaldo Jr. and Matthew Profession: Chaplain. Hobbies/Organizations: Associate to: Sisters of Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament, Coat of Color Health Ministry Association, Knights of Columbus, St. Michael Spiritual Warfare Academy, St. Padre Pio Center for Deliverance Counseling, San Juan Diego Ministry Institute and C.P.S.P. Counseling. Favorite Saint & Why? Padre Pio is my favorite saint because he patiently waited for me to become his friend. I love his courage and sufferings He attained to help those that are afflicted. He helps me in times of crisis by encouraging others to deepen their faith, and prayers bringing peace in their sufferings. Tell us about your calling/journey to become a permanent deacon? It was quite a surprise for me. I never would have expected to be called to become a deacon. At the moment of my calling my heart was filled with love for the ministry without my knowledge of what it consisted of. My love grew even greater as I found out that the life of a deacon is one of service, it is more of an identity than one of title. Letting go and focusing on the will of God was my main goal, and still is today. What was the most challenging part of the fouryear preparation for becoming a deacon? After getting over the part of not being worthy, it was apparent for me that returning to intensive studying would be a great challenge. DIOCESE January 2011 - The Valley Catholic Rodolfo Sepulveda St. Joseph the Worker, McAllen Date of Birth: January 23, 1956 Wife: Maria de Jesus Children: 2, 1 daughter and 1 adopted son Grandchildren: 3 in heaven and 2 living Profession: Parts department coordinator of Hobart South Texas. 25 Hobbies/Organizations: Reading, playing guitar, 4th degree Knights of Columbus Council 13876 out of San Cristobal Magallanes and Companions in South Mission, Candidate Benedictine Oblate. I feel God has always been close to me in varying degrees. In the last 20 years, though, I realize through God’s grace and at the suggestions of a couple of people to look into becoming a deacon, I did just that. And so here I am. Thank God. Favorite Saint & Why? St. Joseph, model of virtue and builder of faith, and St. Benedict, prayer and work to combat the evil one. What was the most challenging part of the fouryear preparation for becoming a deacon? The most challenging for me were the great classes on the making of Catholic Theology and Philosophy. I had to make time to study and that takes discipline Tell us about your calling/journey to become a permanent deacon? Newly ordained Silvestre J. Garcia St. Joseph Church, Edinburg Date of Birth: August 26, 1966 Wife: Lucille Ramirez Garcia Children: 3, Teresa Marie (9yrs.), Carolina Eva (7yrs.), and Anna Lucille(3yrs.) Profession: PE/Athletic Coach at St. Joseph’s Catholic School Edinburg Hobbies/Organizations: My first love is music, I’ve been playing the guitar as a music minister for most of my life. I am a member of the “Knights of Columbus” and a special group for men called “That Man is You”. Cesar Riojas/The Valley Catholic The Deacon Class of 2010 joined Bishop Daniel E. Flores on the front steps of the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle-Nationl Shrine following the ordination Mass on Dec. 18, 2010. Favorite Saint & Why? St. Joseph has been the most influential and most important Saint in my life. I was named after St. Joseph by the Sisters of Mercy in the Brownsville Hospital because of a difficult and risky pregnancy my mother went through. God has also placed me to attend school as well as to serve and teach at St. Joseph for some reason. Tell us about your calling/journey to become a permanent deacon? I’m just following the footsteps of my father, who was a deacon, and who had passed away 4 yrs ago. Actually, I was discerning long before he started his diaconate preparation. I searched and prayed about the priesthood back when I was a 7th and 8th grader. In time, God has given me different opportunities to serve his Church in various ways. I had no idea that he was preparing me to serve in the sacramental life of the church. The staff and parish of OUR LADY OF MERCY MERCEDES Congratulates the new permanent deacons of our diocese Cesar Riojas/The Valley Catholic Ray Thomas and Rodolfo Sepulveda enter in procession as deacon candidates at the start of the Ordination Mass on Dec. 18 at the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle-National Shrine. What was the most challenging part of the four-year preparation for becoming a deacon? I would have to say it was the time sacrificed away from my young family. I could not have lived through it without the support of my beautiful wife Lucy, as well as my supportive Mom and wonderful in-laws. Also, the prayers of so many family and friends throughout the years of preparation. »Did you know? REV. GREGORY T. LABUS, Pastor DEACON ROBERTO CANTU 2 percent of permanent deacons in the U.S. have never been married Source: Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) at Georgetown University 26 DIOCESE The Valley Catholic - January 2011 On retreat in Rome The Diaconate candidates traveled to Rome and the Vatican for a retreat in 2007. Congratulations! Class of 2010 The Diocese of Brownsville San Juan Diego Ministry Institute for lay leadership formation congratulates the newly ordained permanent deacons For more information or to register call (956)784-5011 or (956)784-5059 DIOCESE January 2011 - The Valley Catholic » Calendar of Events Recommended by SISTER MAUREEN CROSBY, SSD Coordinator of the Media Resource Center - Diocese of Brownsville »Worth Watching The Story of the Other Wise Man Format: VHS Producer: David Benware Production: Brownlow Publishing (1989) Length: 30 minutes A child’s tale, based on the book “The Story of the Other Wise Man” by Henry Van Dyke. This one is an oldie but a goodie. It reminds children that the wise man and the shepherds were the very first evangelists, taking the message of Jesus back to their respective, faraway villages. Cherish Life, continued from pg. 1 life. “This will be an opportunity for Catholics and all people of good will to witness to the community the need to deepen our respect for life in our society,” Father Labus said. “In particular, on this anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Rosary and the Mass will be offered for an end to the horrendous practice of killing unborn children who are the most defenseless members of our society. Abortion denies these children their right to life. Many have been deceived by pro-abortion forces with the argument that this is about a woman’s right to choose. Murder is never a choice for anyone — men or women.” Catholics in the Brownsville Diocese and all Valley residents took a prayerful stand against abortion by gathering on the grounds of the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle in San Juan on Jan. 16 to pray for an end to abortion. A special Eucharistic Procession, Living Rosary, and “Cherish Life” Mass celebrated by Bishop Daniel E. Flores declared support of all life, including unborn children and their mothers. John Covell, event coordinator for the Pro-Life Apostolate Deacons, continued from pg. 1 Aguilar, Martin Arteaga, Mitch Chavez, Ramiro Davila, Paul Escobar, David Espinoza, Francisco Flores, Reynaldo Flores, Javier Garcia, Oscar Garcia, Silvestre »From the Bookshelf The Fourth Wise Man Format: VHS/DVD Starring: Martin Sheen, Alan Arkin Director: Michael Ray Rhodes Production: Paulist Productions (1985) Length: 72 minutes Like the other three, well-known magi, Artaban (Martin Sheen) has a strong pull to follow the bright star to the birthplace of the newborn King. Artaban sets off on the journey to join the caravan of the other three wise men, carrying precious jewels to give to the baby Messiah. Artaban and his companions miss the caravan but a resolute Artaban continues to search for the Messiah. Will Artaban finally meet Jesus? noted, “Each year, hundreds of people participate in this March for Life in the Valley as they join with hundreds of thousands nationwide who pray on the anniversary of the Jan. 22, 1973, Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion through all nine months of pregnancy. This event is a prayerful effort to end the plague of abortion.” Since 1973 more than 50 million preborn babies have died by abortion – including partial birth abortion. Statistics show approximately 2500 abortions are performed in the Rio Grande Valley yearly. Tens of thousands of prolifers from all over the United States are expected to travel to the nation’s capital for events marking the Jan. 22 anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion. The same day the high court ruled on the Roe case, it also handed down the companion decision Doe v. Bolton. Together, Roe and Doe defined abortion as a constitutional right and overturned most state laws banning the procedure. This year’s March for Life in Washington will be Jan. 24. The theme is: “Thou shalt protect the equal right to life of each innocent born and pre-born human in existence at fertilization -- no exception, no compromise.” Garcia, Jose Gonzalez, Gilbert Guardiola, Crawford Higgins, Amando Peña, Rudy Sepulveda, Graciano Rodriguez, Gerardo Rosa, Ray Thomas, Nicolas Trujillo, Catarino Villanueva, Armandin Villarreal and Luis Zuniga. Bishop Emeritus Raymundo J. Peña’s Calendar Jan. 3-7 Jan. 9 12:30 p.m. Jan. 15 10 a.m. Jan. 26- Feb. Texas Bishops’ Retreat Feast of El Santo Nino Weslaco Feast of El Santo Nino McAllen Neocat Convivence at Domus Galilaeae On going: Mass at St. Joseph Chapel of Perpetual Adoration, 727 Bowie St., Alamo 8 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 6 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays Breaking Down the Wall of Anger What’s Happening to Home? Balancing Work, Life and Refuge in the Information Age Author: Esther Williams, M.Ed. LPC Publisher: Youthlight Inc. (April 2001) Length: 256 pages, paperback Author: Maggie Johnson Publisher: Ave Maria Press (2002) Length: 192 pages, hardcover Children, like everyone else, get angry at times. This book provides solutions for addressing anger in students grades 5 to 8. It provides practical advice for school teachers, catechists, caregivers and parents to teach these youths new and healthy ways to deal with their anger. The topics are divided into three sections: Anger Educational Model, Anger Skills, and Interpersonal Skills. For some of us, even when we are home with our families, we are one beep away from work thanks to computers, 4G cell phones, the iPad and the like. We literally carry our work with us everywhere we go. Thanks to technology, work, family and communication have been forever altered. This book offers advice on how to respond to these changes in a positive way. January 1 Mary, Mother of God 6 Epiphany 7-9 Catholic Engaged Encounter (Family Life Office) 9-15 »January listings 9. BULLYING, THE INTERNET AND YOU: Indicated in title: Grades 5-9 DVD 10. FLYIN’ RYAN: 12-year-old Ryan Maguire is moving again…this time with his crazy Aunt Rita. But it’s always the same story…strange town, no friends, and the local bully doesn’t like him. But Ryan’s luck is about to change… PG VHS AUDIO BOOKS 1. THE LAST SECRET OF FATIMA: Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone. My Conversations with Sister Lucia. The Apparitions of Mary, the mother of Christ, to three children in Fatima, Portugal, in 1917 has long fascinated Roman Catholics and others intrigued by the vision’s prophetic messages, particularly the so-called “Third Secret.” Adults 5 cds 2. HISTORY OF WOMEN RELIGIOUS IN THE UNITED STATES: Margaret Susan Thompson, Ph.D. Explore the remarkable personal stories and historic impact of women religious in the United States. Based on extensive research and untold numbers of interviews, Professor Thompson illuminates this vital history. Adults 6 cds 3. THE CHRISTIAN MYSTICS AND WHAT THEY TELL US OF GOD: Fr. Murray Bodo, O.F.M., Ph.D – Mary, the First Christian Mystic, Francis of Assisi, The Mirror of Christ, Julian of Norwich, Anchoress and Visionary of God’s Goodness, Jacopone da Todi, Poet of the Madness of God and others. Adults 4 cds 4. BECOMING THE EUCHARIST WE CELEBRATE: Fr. Dan Crosby, O.F.M. Cap., L.Th. Need for conversion to full meaning of Eucharist, Fullness revealed in Early Church Fathers and Doctors, Liturgy as Action and the Amen of the Entire People of God, Take, Bless: the first two steps to becoming Eucharist, Be Broken, the 3rd step toward becoming Eucharist… Adults 4 cds. 5. ADAM, GOD’S BELOVED: Henri J.M. Nouwen- “I am a witness to Adam’s truth. I know that I couldn’t have told Adam’s story if I hadn’t known Jesus’ story Jesus’ story gave me eyes to seen and ears to hear the story of Adam’s life and death.” Henri Nouwen High School/Adults 3 cds. National Vocations Awareness Week (Office of Catechesis) 13 Touching Safety Training –PGC (Office of Catechesis) 15 Touching Safety Training –PGC (Office of Catechesis) 15 Convalidation Conference (Family Life Office) 17 Martin Lurther King Day 20 Advisory Team Meeting (Office of Catechesis) 20 Principals’ Meeting (Catholic Schools Office) 23 Mother/Daughter Retreat (Family Life Office) 24-25 VIDEOS/DVDs 1. BIG AL: Vol 1. Are you looking for a way to help faith come alive? Each DVD in this exciting series presents ten different gospel values. These brief and engaging presentations includes a short scripture reading, a reflection from Father Joe, a discussion with Big Al and a prayer. For kids ages 2 -102. DVD 2. DON BOSCO: The government wanted him out of the way, the archbishop tried to silence him, the revolution put a price on his head. But nothing could stop Don Bosco from rescuing the homeless children of Turin. True story. All VHS 3. MATT TALBOT: Mat Talbot work in a Dublin timber yard at the turn of the century. At an early age, he became addicted to alcohol. He experienced a conversion and went on to lead a life of asceticism and sanctity. Youth/ Adults VHS 4. SAINT IN THE MAKING: PIERRE TOUSSAINT – Born a slave in Haiti, Pierre was brought to New York in 1787 and trained as a hairdresser. Known for his dignity and warm charity, especially toward the impoverished family that enslaved him, Pierre was finally freed in 1807. Attending daily, Pierre worked hard to provide for his family and homeless boys. Youth/Adults VHS 5. TIME FOR MIRACLES: ST ELIZABETH ANN SETON: America’s first native born saint, Elizabeth Bayley Seton, overcame the tragic deaths of her young husband and two children along with the persecution and loss of family which followed her conversion to Catholicism prior to founding the American Sisters of Charity. Youth/Adults VHS 6. BEING CATHOLIC: SEASONS AND FEASTS: This program provides a comprehensive presentation of the special days and seasons of the Church year so that students and parents will be better able to participate in the liturgy with understanding. Youth/Adults DVD 7. JOHN THE BAPTIST: This is a moving story of courage and conviction seen through the life of one of God’s greatest prophets who gave everything to prepare the way for the Lord. Children VHS 8. SAINTS IN THE MAKING: EDEL QUINN: Unable to enter the convent because of poor health, this lively young Irish woman eventually realized that she had already received her calling in the Legion of Mary, a lay group that prays and ministers to the parish’s spiritual needs. Youth/Adults VHS 27 Superintendent’s Meeting (Catholic Schools Office) 27 Meeting for World Youth Day 2011 (Youth & YoungAdults) 28 Spirit Awards Banquet (Catholic Schools Office) 29 Sponsor Couple Training I(E) (Family Life Office) 30- Feb 5 Catholic Schools Week February 1 Diocesan Council Meeting (Catholic Schools Office) 2 Candlemass – The Presentation of the Lord Feast 3 Touching Safety Training – PGC (Office of Catechesis) 5 Touching Safety Training – PGC (Office of Catechesis) 6 Mass, Day for Consecrated Life 3 p.m., Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle 9 Spelling Bee – IWA (Catholic Schools Office) 12 Train the Trainer-PGC (Office of Catechesis) 12 World Marriage Day (Family Life Office) 14 14 Valentine’s Day 15 18 President’s Day Counselors’ Meeting (Catholic Schools Office) Principals’ Retreat (Catholic Schools Office) 19-20 The NewLife Retreat: Remarriage (Family Life Office) 26-27 Retiro Pre-Matrimonal (S) (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. DIOCESE 28 The Valley Catholic - January 2011 Our Catholic Family A Champion of Catholic education Spirit Award honoree living out his baptismal call By ROSE YBARRA The Valley Catholic W hile he is honored to be this year’s diocesan Spirit Award recipient Deacon Luis Zuniga doesn’t think he has done anything extraordinary. “I really don’t believe that anyone who is living out his or her Baptismal call should receive recognition for the work that we are called to do,” he said. “But it is humbling when people recognize your work, the fruits of your labor.” The 14th annual Spirit Awards will be held on Friday, Jan. 28 at the Our Lady of Sorrows School gymnasium, 1100 Gumwood Avenue in McAllen. The Spirit Awards honor individuals for their service and dedication to Catholic education in the Diocese of Brownsville The freshly-minted deacon is a longtime champion of Catholic education both at the school and parish levels. Deacon Zuniga was ordained a permanent deacon for the Diocese of Brownsville on Dec. 18, 2010 and currently serves as Director of San Juan Diego Ministry Institute, a lay ecclesial ministry formation program that prepares the laity to offer their gifts in service to the local Church. Before beginning his New Church, continued from pg. 1 later seated in the front row of the new church, which seats 890 people. Gathered around the sturdy mahogany doors of the 15,000-square-foot, baroquestyle structure, the parishioners watched as Bishop Flores opened the doors with the keys to the new church as evening fell. During the Mass, Bishop Flores dedicated the church to God, blessing the parishioners by walking around the church sprinkling them with holy water. Later, the bishop anointed the walls and the altar of the new church with the oil of chrism. The bishop also incensed the altar and the church employment with the Diocese of Brownsville more than 25 years ago, he was a longtime youth minister and director of religious education. When asked to summarize his dedication to Catholic education, Deacon Zuniga said, “To me, Catholic education, is about nurturing one another, in faith and prayer. What else do we have in life, ultimately? It is faith that keeps us going. Faith is the only thing that helps us make sense of life, whether it is joy, laughter, successes, failures or our struggles. It is what sustains us. When you have a relationship with God, life makes sense.” Deacon Zuniga has furthered the cause of Catholic education both behind the scenes and directly with educators and students. He has also been involved in Catholic education at the local, diocesan and national levels, said Lisette Allen, Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Brownsville. Allen said she had some divine inspiration when she selected Deacon Zuniga for the honor. Last fall, she was sitting in church and reflecting on the difficult charge of selecting the diocesan Spirit Award recipient. “I was praying, please let me find the right person to honor,” Allen said. “You want to choose wisely, you want to make sure that you are doing the right thing.... And I clearly remember hearing a voice saying, ‘Luis Zuniga.’” At the local level, Deacon Zuniga has served on the school council at St. Luke School in Brownsville, where his son, Luis Arturo is in the sixth grade. He also facilitates meetings for parents with children in Sacramental preparation programs. Deacon Zuniga also supported the addition of the middle school grades at St. Luke School. Mary Beth Martin, facilitator at St. Luke School praised Deacon Zuniga for his, “unselfish dedication” and deemed him a very worthy recipient of the diocesan Spirit Award. “He really gives of himself, of his time and talents,” Martin said. “He puts his money where his mouth is and always comes through with a willing and generous spirit.” Allen said Deacon Zuniga is always willing to lend his expertise in strategic and pastoral and finally, lit the candles on the altar. Bishop Flores congratulated the parishioners for making their longtime dream of a new church a reality. Discussions about constructing a new sanctuary began more than 15 years ago. Ground was broken for the new structure on Feb. 1, 2009. The new church building was constructed thanks to a true collaborative effort from the parishioners, Father Seitz said. The funds for the new church were amassed through donations, large and small, from a capital campaign and countless fundraisers. “As a community, we decided that there would be no names attached to anything in the sanctuary,” he said. “We are very pleased and grateful for all the families who worked so hard.” The church has what Father Seitz called a “Franciscan style.” “While traveling through Europe and Mexico, I liked the traditional look of the churches,” Father Seitz said. “We wanted our church to have a traditional look and feel since we are a very traditional community.” Highlights of the new church include the spectacular boat ceiling, crafted out of Spanish cedar and the exquisite retablo from Monterrey, Mexico made of light concrete and covered with 22-karat gold. The retablo features 18 decorative santos created by artist Sister Roberta Westrick of the Sisters of Charity, of Colorado Springs, Colo. Sister Westrick is from the same community as Sister Anne Darlene Wojtowicz, a parishioner and member of the building com- mittee at St. Pius X Church. Sister Westrick completed the pieces from her home and then the santos were carefully transported almost 1,000 miles to Weslaco where they were installed in the retablo. St. Pius X Church held on to few pieces of history. A statue of the parish’s namesake, St. Pius X, from the old church stands in the vestibule. The Stations of the Cross also made the journey next door to the new church. Sister Wojtowicz said the new church not only provides more seating but it also accommodates the needs of the parish. Extra restrooms, water fountains, a brides changing room, a music practice room are just some of the added extras. But above all, the new church provides a holy, prayerful place for the parishioners to come and worship, Sister Wojtowicz said. “The first few times I attended Mass in the new sanctuary I kept thinking, ‘is this really our church?’” she said. “It is amazing, it is absolutely beautiful.” History After St. Joan of Arc Church, the only Catholic church in Weslaco at that time, grew to 16,000 parishioners, local Catholics and Father Frank Kilday, a priest of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, decided it was time for a new church. To subscribe Name __________________________________ The Valley Catholic Deacon Luis Zuniga is this year’s diocesan Spirit Award recipient. He believes Catholic schools provide an environment in which students are encouraged to develop a personal relationship with the Lord through learning, worship and prayer. “When you have a relationship with God, life makes sense,” Deacon Zuniga said. To receive a copy at home each month mail your payment with your contact information to: City _____________ State ________Zip ________ 700 N. Virgen de San Juan Blvd. San Juan, TX 78589-3042 E-mail address ____________________________ $15 per year / $17 outside of Texas Address _________________________________ For more information call (956) 781-5323 planning for the benefit of the Catholic schools. Some of Deacon Zuniga’s many accomplishments at the diocesan level include the development of the certification program for religion teachers, facilitating retreats for the school principals, staff and diocesan school council and serving as the “voice of the Spirit Awards,” by providing narration for the videos presented at past Spirit Awards banquets. Deacon Zuniga also worked as a national consultant for Hispanic ministry for publishing company Silver Burdett Ginn, now under the RCL Benzinger umbrella. He served as a contributor and catechetical advisor for 18 years, helping develop books such as the popular Blessed Are We series, which is used in Catholic schools across the nation. Born and raised in McAllen, Deacon Zuniga and his wife, Carmen, reside in Brownsville, with their two children, Danielle and Luis Arturo. Deacon Zuniga is a parishioner and serves at St. Mary Church in Brownsville. His twin brother, Father Carlos Zuniga, serves as pastor at San Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin Church in McAllen. Though his accomplishments are many and varied, Deacon Zuniga’s has focused on a singular goal throughout the journey. “I want to believe that whatever I’ve done in the last 25 years of my ministry, that I have brought others to Christ in one way or another, whether I have done it as a Confirmation teacher, as an altar server, as a diocesan employee, as a deacon or as a school council member,” he said. Some 26 to 30 families stepped forward to raise $20,000 in cash and the rest of the funds were borrowed. Ground was broken and the site consecrated on Nov. 7, 1954. On July 31, 1955, the Most Rev. Mariano Garriga, Bishop of the Diocese of Corpus Christi, which then included the Rio Grande Valley, celebrated the first solemn Mass at the new St. Pius X Church. St. Pius X Church was a mission of St. Joan of Arc Parish until the mid-1960s, around the same time the Diocese of Brownsville was formed and the changes from Vatican II were unfolding. In 1969, diocesan priest Father Leo J. Ferreira was appointed pastor of St. Pius X Church. He continued to incorporate the liturgical reforms of Vatican II and also oversaw the completion of the parish hall and classrooms. Father Ferreira served the parish until 1977. In 1988, under the auspices of Father Louis Brum, additional classrooms were built and a Eucharistic Adoration chapel was established. Historians from St. Pius X Church believe it was the only Perpetual Adoration chapel in the diocese at that time. Father Seitz was welcomed as pastor in February 2002 and under his leadership, the new church was built.