View - Catholic Diocese of Brownsville
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View - Catholic Diocese of Brownsville
Volume 6, Issue 6 Serving More Than A Million Catholics in the Diocese of Brownsville Let Us Adore Him T he angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear. The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2: 9-14 CNS photo/Rick Musacchio, Tennessee RegisterCatholic December 2014 Lumen Christi Award Sisters honored with national award for building faith, hope By BRENDA NETTLES RIOJAS The Valley Catholic PEÑITAS — “Hidden heroes” who have created “a vibrant community” in the Pueblo de Palmas colonia is how Father Jack Wall, president of Catholic Extension, described the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Father Wall presented Sister Carolyn Kosub, Sister Emily Jocson and Sister Fatima Santiago with the national 2014 Lumen Christi Award, the organization’s highest honor, on Nov. 16 following a Mass at St. Anne Church in Peñitas. This is the first time the national honor has been awarded in the Diocese of Brownsville. “Today we of Catholic Extension come from Chicago to Pueblo del Palmas to proclaim to you that we have seen Christ light shining brightly among you in your love for one another, in your compassion, and your mercy in those who come among you in this borderland,” Father Wall said. Father Wall said the center they created, Proyecto Desarollo Humano, is a “bright center of hope… that radiates Christ light, and life and mercy to all in this colonia and beyond.” The Sisters created Proyecto Desarrollo Humano (The Project for Human Development), as an outreach center in 2004 dedicated to providing health, social services, education and evangelization. They also secured funding to build St. Anne Church in 2009. Land for the church and the center was donated by Gary and Dawna Frisby. The Church was established as a new quasi-parish in 2013. When the sisters came to Pueblo de Palmas in 2003, they knew it was going to be a challenge, said Sister Kosub. The area had been struck by a tornado that left a trail of destruction. “We started on empty ground,” Sister Santiago said. Sister Jocson added they also had the challenge of building trust in the community. “They were » Please see Lumen Christi, p.3 The Christ Child is pictured in detail of a Nativity scene. LUMEN CHRISTI “VERBUM MITTITUR SPIRANS AMOREM” (“The WORD is sent breathing love.”) Catholic Extension presents ICM Sisters with national award Page 3 THOSE WHO SERVE YEAR IN REVIEW Brother Paul U. Phillipp, FMS Highlights of 2014 Page 8 Pages 9-12 EN EN ESPAÑOL ESPAÑOL Artículos sobre la Solemnidad de la Inmaculada Concepción, los Talleres de Oración y Vida, y el obituario de la Hermana Juliana García, fundadora de las Misioneras de Jesús. Páginas 14-17 DIOCESE 2 The Valley Catholic - December 2014 Compartiendo la luz de Cristo C ada año Catholic Extension otorga el Premio Lumen Christi a un sacerdote, una religiosa o un laico, que ha dedicado su vida para el servicio a los pobres. Por primera vez en la historia de nuestra diócesis, los homenajeados se seleccionaron de nuestra área. Las Hermanas Misioneras del Inmaculado Corazón de María, Carolyn Kosub, Emily Jocson y Fatima Santiago, han trabajado incansablemente en la edificación de la comunidad en el área occidental del Condado de Hidalgo, entre y en los alrededores de Pueblo de Palmas desde el año 2003. Este anuncio dio gran alegría a mi corazón. El trabajo de las hermanas fue formalmente reconocido durante una misa en la Parroquia de Santa Anna el domingo 16 de noviembre. Fue una ocasión llena de gracia poder celebrar la santa misa con la comunidad de la parroquia para la presentación del reconocimiento. El Padre Jack Wall, presidente de Catholic Extension, y su equipo de Chicago visitaron nuestra diócesis fronteriza para dar la presentación. Durante la misa, les pedí las hermanas religiosas que se pusieran de pie para ser reconocidas. Fue difícil para ellas, porque aquellos que realmente siguen el camino de Cristo, no buscan el reconocimiento. Sin embargo, quise agradecerles en nombre de la comunidad entera por invertir su tiempo y sus vidas con nosotros. El Papa Francisco dice que el tiempo es más valioso que el espacio, y el trabajo de la hermanas nos enseña que la entrega del tiempo puede abrir espacios de esperanza y hospitalidad en nuestras comunidades. A través del regalo de su tiempo a la gente de la comunidad, han construido algo hermoso para el Señor. La Parroquia de Santa Anna y el edificio para Proyecto Desarrollo Humano, donde trabajan las hermanas, son señales del tiempo que han pasado cultivando amistades, ofreciendo clases de comunión, y construyendo fraternidad; es una señal de la entrega de sí mismas, -la entrega siempre da fruto. Reflexionando sobre el título del premio, Lumen Christi, que significa la Luz de Cristo, pienso en la Vigilia Pascual. En la Vigilia Pascual encendemos el cirio pascual y después lentamente encendemos todas las velas dentro de la iglesia oscura. Pronto la luz llena el espacio, y de esta manera el espacio se convierte en luz. Esta ceremonia simple y sagrada es casi un signo sacramental de cómo Jesucristo trabaja entre nosotros. Cristo es la luz. Él es una luz no solo para ver, Sharing the Light of Christ E ach year Catholic Extension presents the Lumen Christi Award to a priest, woman religious or lay person, who devotes their life to serving the poor. For the first time in the history of our diocese, the honorees were selected from our area. The Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Sister Carolyn Kosub, Sister Emily Jocson and Sister Fatima Santiago, have been working tirelessly to build up the community in the area of western Hidalgo County, in and around Pueblo del Palmas since in 2003. The announcement brought great joy to my heart. The recognition of the Sisters work was formally presented during a Mass at Saint Anne’s Church on Sunday, Nov. 16. It was a grace filled occasion to celebrate Mass with the parish community for the presentation of the award. Father Jack Wall, president of Catholic Extension, and his team from Chicago came to our border diocese to make the presentation. During the Mass, I asked the sisters to stand and be recognized. It was difficult for them, because those who really follow the path of Christ don’t look for the light of recognition, but I wanted to thank them on behalf of the entire community for investing time from their lives with us. Pope Francis says, time is more important than the space, and the work of the Sisters shows how the giving of time can open up spaces of hope and hospitality in our communities. Through the gift of their time with people in the community, they have built something beautiful for the Lord. St. Anne’s Church and the building for Proyecto Desarollo Humano, where the Sisters work, are signs of the time they have spent cultivating friendships, offering communion classes, building fraternity; it is a sign of their giving of themselves, — la entrega siempre da fruto. Reflecting on the title of the award, Lumen Christi, which means the Light of Christ, I think of the Easter Vigil. At the Easter Vigil we light an Easter candle and then slowly we light all the candles around the Church that was once dark. Soon the light fills the space, and in this way the space becomes light. This simple and sacred ceremony is like a sacramental sign of how Christ Jesus works amongst us. Christ is the light. He is a light not just to see, but to share. God wants us to share the light. When the Lord came, he didn’t come just to show us sino para compartir. Dios quiere que compartamos la luz. Cuando el Señor vino, no llegó solamente para mostrarnos que él es la luz, diciéndonos, “Acércate a mí.” La luz tiene que entrar y formar parte de nosotros mismos. Cuando recibimos la luz de fe, recibimos al mismo tiempo la luz de esperanza y caridad porque Cristo ha resucitado. Recibimos esto no solamente para tenerlo y decir, “gracias, Señor, por la luz.” Él comparte su luz con nosotros para que podamos darla a los demás. Tenemos que 700 N. Virgen de San Juan Blvd., San Juan, TX 78589-3042 5FMFQIPOFt'BY Follow us on Facebook Catholic Diocese of Brownsville www.cdob.org Bishop Daniel E. Flores Publisher Brenda Nettles Riojas Editor Subscription rate QFSZFBStPVUTJEFPG5FYBT $25 out of U.S. Rose Ybarra Assistant Editor Terry De Leon & South Texas Circulation Circulation The Valley Catholic, a publication of the Diocese of Brownsville, is published monthly Member of the Catholic Press Assocition The Valley Catholic email: [email protected] Advertising Evana Zamora (956) 784-5038 Gustavo Morales (956) 266-1527 Gilbert Saenz (956) 451-5416 MOST REVEREND DANIEL E. FLORES BISHOP OF BROWNSVILLE he was the light, saying, “Come close to me.” The light has to become something part of us. When we receive the light of faith, we receive the light of charity and hope because Christ has risen. We receive this not just so that we can have it and say, “thank you Lord for the light.” He shares his light with us so we can give it to others. We have to share this light because we cannot fulfill the mission of Christ only by receiving. We must give also. We aren’t fully disciples of the Lord until we find a way to share that and let somebody else light their candle from us. This is the Christian life. For 2000 years, the light of Christ has been going from one person to another. That is why time is important, the time to relate with one another and to go out into the community. When you read the Gospel, we learn the Lord Jesus loved a crowd. He didn’t stay in the desert like John the Baptist. John the Baptist had another mission. Jesus spent time with the people. It seems so obvious, God in Christ Jesus liked being around people! Yet often in our world, there is a spirit that says people are problems to be avoided. Not so with the Lord Jesus! He showed us what it means to be a daughter or son of God. Jesus never said no to anyone in the Gospel, “I don’t have time. Sorry, I have to go raise the dead. I have important things to do.” The Lord Jesus showed us that the most important reality at any given moment is the person right in front of us, and not what we are going to do tomorrow. It’s what we do today, as we relate to the person in front of us. The light of Christ is the light of Jesus who takes time with people, and opens up paths of friendship and community. So we give thanks to the Lord Jesus who shared his light with the sisters. The Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, from the moment of their baptism, and through to the profound promises of their consecrated life, received the light so that they could share the light with others. We celebrate with them because we compartir esta luz porque no podemos cumplir con la misión de Cristo con solo recibirla. También tenemos que dar. No somos discípulos de Dios en completo hasta que encontremos alguna manera de compartir esto y dejar que alguien encienda su vela a través de nosotros. Esta es la vida cristiana. Por 2000 años, la luz de Cristo se ha compartido desde una persona a otra. Es por ello que el tiempo es importante, el tiempo para relacionarnos unos con los otros y salir a la comunidad. Cuando leemos el evangelio, aprendemos que al Señor Jesús le encantaba la multitud. No se quedó en el desierto como Juan el Bautista. Juan el Bautista tenía otra misión. Jesús pasó tiempo con las personas. ¡Parece tan obvio que Dios have obtained also, with their help, the grace of receiving the light that has its origin in Christ. The community of Pueblo del Palmas and our entire diocese will grow and continue to grow by the grace of the Lord because of this light. The light we share is the friendship with Jesus that allows us to know the joy that comes from walking with him in our everyday lives. People ask, “What’s so good about the Good News?” It is simply this: God is walking with us. We are not alone. Sometimes people ask me, “Where’s Jesus?” It is the question of the world. Whether the world knows it or not, this is their question to us who are believers. He is not hard to find. What is missing often is the will to look for him. Jesus is in anyone who is in need, anyone who knows how to shed a tear, and anyone who knows what it’s like to have a hope that is in danger of being extinguished. He is seated in the same pew next to each of you. That is why Jesus wants a community. He wants us to look for him amongst our brothers and sisters. What the sisters have brought, because Jesus has brought it to them, is a desire to share the joy that comes from Jesus being with us and a desire to translate that joy into a genuine concern for one another. Jesus is not hard to find, and the sign of his presence is the gift of himself; that is why the Eucharistic sacrifice is the preeminent sign of his presence. He gives himself totally to us in his Body and Blood. From this First Gift, flows the sign of his presence in each one of us in the community of the Church, in the way that we give ourselves for the good of others. This is what is good about the Good News. We have a mission. The Pope reminds us of this constantly. We cannot remain seated. We have to share the light of Christ with many people in our community who do not know the hope of Jesus, who do not know of the light of his presence. We have to be people of who extend ourselves. On behalf of the entire Diocese of Brownsville and the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary I thank Catholic Extension for recognizing this sign of Christ’s light in this world. We are all blessed and we have so much to be thankful for because Christ is with us. I invite everyone to recognize daily how it is that the Lord Jesus gives himself to us in the Eucharist and how that gift itself invites us to give ourselves to one another. en Jesucristo le gustaba estar entre la gente! Sin embargo, en nuestro mundo hay un espíritu que con frecuencia dice que las personas son problemas que debemos evitar. ¡Pero con el Señor Jesús no! Él nos ha enseñado lo que es ser un hijo o una hija de Dios. Jesús nunca rechazo a las personas en el evangelio. Jamás dijo: “No tengo tiempo. Perdón, tengo que ir a resucitar a los muertos; tengo cosas muy importantes que hacer.” Al contrario, el Señor Jesús nos ha enseñado que la realidad más importante en cualquier momento es la persona frente a nosotros, y no lo que vamos a hacer el día siguiente. Lo que hacemos hoy, eso importa. De igual manera, como nos relacionamos con la persona frente a nosotros es de suma importancia. Bishop Flores’ Schedule Dec. 5 6 p.m. Harlingen Bishop’s Annual Dinner Dec. 7 9:30 a.m. Brownsville San Juan Diego Mass Dec. 8 6 p.m. Brownsville Procession & Mass for Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception Dec. 9 9:30 a.m. Mission Mass for Feast of Juan Diego at Juan Diego Academy Dec. 11 7 p.m. Sullivan City Mass for Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe Dec. 12 9 a.m. Bayview Mass for Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe Dec. 12 7 p.m. Brownsville Outdoor Mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church Dec. 14 8:30 a.m. Brownsville Mass at Holy Family Church La luz de Cristo es la luz de Jesús tomando su tiempo con las personas y abriendo senderos de amistad y comunidad. Así que damos gracias al Señor Jesús que compartió su luz con las hermanas. Las Hermanas Misioneras del Inmaculado Corazón de María, desde el momento de sus bautismos y a través de las profundas promesas de sus vidas consagradas, recibieron la luz para que pudieran compartirla con los demás. Celebramos con ellas porque nosotros también hemos obtenido, con la ayuda de ellas, la gracia de recibir la luz que tiene su origen en Cristo. La comunidad de Pueblo de Palmas y nuestra diócesis entera crecerá y seguirá creciendo por » Please see La Luz, p.19 December 2014 Dec. 14 11 a.m. Brownsville Mass at Holy Family Church Dec. 18 11:30 a.m. McAllen Christmas Mass at Alfredo Gonzalez TX State Veterans Home Dec. 20 6 p.m. Mission Blessing of new San Cristobal Magallanes & Companions Church Dec. 24 10 a.m. Harlingen Christmas Mass (for detained immigrant children) Dec. 24 4 p.m. San Juan Christmas Mass at San Juan Nursing Home Dec. 25 Midnight Brownsville Christmas Mass at Immaculate Conception Cathedral Dec. 25 11 a.m. San Juan Christmas Mass at Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle DIOCESE December 2014- The Valley Catholic ‘Hidden heroes’ Lumen Christi, continued from pg. 1 strangers to one another.” Bishop Daniel E. Flores and Bishop Emeritus Raymundo J. Peña celebrated the Mass at St. Anne Church in Peñitas prior to the presentation of the award. Bishop Flores congratulated the sisters and thanked them on behalf of the community for the gift of time they invested from their lives. “Through the gift of their time with people in the community, they have built something beautiful for the Lord. St. Anne Church and the building for Proyecto Desarollo Humano, where the Sisters work, are signs of the time they have spent cultivating friendships, offering communion classes, building fraternity; it is a sign of their giving of themselves.” He also said each person in the community has a part in the mission. “We have a mission. The Pope reminds us of this constantly. We cannot remain seated. We have to share the light of Christ with many people in our community who do not know the hope of Jesus, who do not know of the light of his presence. We have to be people who extend ourselves.” As the 2014 recipients of the Lumen Christi Award, the sisters received a grant of $25,000 in support of their ministry; in addition, the Diocese of Brownsville, which nominated the sisters, also received a grant of $25,000. Bishop Flores donated the diocese’s grant to the sisters, who in turn donated it to St. Anne Parish. The sisters, who continue to Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception Cesar Riojas Jr./The Valley Catholic An image of Mary at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Brownsville. “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” ON THE WEB To see photos from the event visit the Catholic Diocese of Brownsville Facebook page. minister in the community, expressed their gratitude for the honor and for all who helped in the community, including the diocese’s Stewardship & Development Office and the Frisbys for the donation of land. They also thanked Bishop Peña, “who way back believed in us and told us to go ahead.” Moving forward, Sister Kosub said, “We are doing our best to make our people aware that they too are missionaries and that it is now their turn to start reaching out to other communities and passing on what they have received.” The Valley Catholic Photos by Cesar Riojas, Jr./The Valley Catholic Father Jack Wall, president of Catholic Extension, and Bishop Daniel E. Flores present Sister Fatima Santiago, Sister Carolyn Kosub and Sister Emily Jocson of the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary with the 2014 Lumen Christi Award on Nov. 16 at St. Anne Parish in Peñitas. Feast of the Holy Family Jesus, Mary, Joseph provide universal FYBNQMFPGGBNJMZMJGF Catholic News Agency This is the time of year when Christians are most focused on the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Reflection on the Holy Family is more than just the Nativity scene. Naturally, Christmas focuses on the birth of the Savior, and Mary and Joseph play key roles in this most important event. The Child born in Bethlehem in a stable is, no doubt, what Christmas is all about. But there is a reason the Church incorporates a feast day of the Holy Family within the days of Christmas. There is much to reflect on in addition to the historic event of Jesus’ birth. The Church wants us to have this opportunity. For singles, the Holy Family represents what they hope to have in their own lives; a loving, caring spouse and children. Holy means to be set apart. They are the “Holy” Family because of the unique purpose each was called to do together. What can we learn from the Holy Family as we endeavor to be married and have a family? Parenting matters in the formation of every child to becoming a healthy, virtuous, civil adult 3 The Valley Catholic A stained glass window at Holy Family Church in Edinburg. of good character. The parents we have and the environment we grow up in play major roles in our becoming the person we are as an adult. Therefore, it is no small matter to choose a spouse whom we believe will make a good parent, and who desires to establish a home environment that will give children the best opportunity to become the person they are each created to be by God. And one should be this person, too, for it is the kind of person a future spouse is seeking. Here is where we can turn to the Holy Family for a universal example. The home of Jesus, Mary and Joseph was a peaceful, harmonious home, full of joy and simplicity of life. It was a stable environment, where mutual love and respect was a priority. “We need more of that kind of witness, more of that kind of example,” said Franciscan Father Terrence Gorski, parochial vicar of Holy Family Church in Edinburg and Sacred Heart Church in McAllen. Jesus had two parents who were on the same page. They both loved God and their religion was central to their lives. The teachings of their religion governed their daily actions. They taught their son to love God and follow the teachings of their faith. Mary and Joseph were consistent and without controversy when it came to everything important. Therefore, a husband and wife should be striving after these same things. “Good families don’t just fall out of the clear blue sky,” Father Gorski said. “They have to be rooted in strong and healthy marriages. We as a Church need to take our responsibility a little more » Please see Holy Family p.19 “For the Immaculate Conception, it’s always necessary to remind people or to start off by just making sure everybody understands that it’s about Mary — not about Jesus — that it’s her conception,” said Father Joaquin Zermeño, pastor of Immaculate Conception Church in McCook and St. Isidore Church in San Isidro. “Everything about Mary always focuses on Jesus. We needed for her to exist in order for God to use her as the tabernacle.” In 1854, Pope Pius IX’s solemn declaration, “Ineffabilis Deus,” clarified with finality the long-held belief of the Church that Mary was conceived free from original sin. Mary was granted this extraordinary privilege because of her unique role in history as the Mother of God. That is, she received the gift of salvation in Christ from the very moment of her conception. The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, which falls on Dec. 8, is a holy day of obligation, meaning that the faithful are obliged to participate in Mass. Father Zermeño said many Catholics in our diocese prioritize the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which falls on Dec. 12, over the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. “We have a strong cultural connection to Our Lady of Guadalupe, so many people want to focus on la Virgen de Guadalupe and they forget that it is an optional feast whereas the Immaculate Conception is a holy day of obligation worldwide,” Father Zermeño said. “I have to keep reminding my parishioners that the holy day is the 8th, not the 12th.” The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is a time to celebrate the great joy of God’s gift to humanity in Mary, and to recognize with greater clarity, the truth that each and every human being has been created by God to fulfill a particular mission that he and only he can fulfill. Like Mary, every person is called to recognize and respond to God’s call, to their own vocation, in order to carry out God’s plan for their life and fulfill the mission prepared for them since before the beginning of time. DIOCESE »Women speak for themselves en la Frontera 4 The Valley Catholic - December 2014 La Morenita and her roses S he gifts us roses in December. We serenade her with mañanitas before dawn, matachines dance in the streets in her honor; you can hear the drums and singing as they approach –“La Guadalupana, La Guadalupana, La Guadalupana bajo del Tepeyac.” Why in December, in the midst of Advent and just four days after celebrating the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, do hundreds of thousands gather, sometimes in the rain and cold, throughout Mexico, the United States and other parts of the world to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe? Desde el cielo una hermosa Mañana, our Blessed Mother, our Virgencita Morena, first appeared almost 500 years ago on Tepeyac to an Indian named Juan Diego, she appeared in 1531 during chaotic times with a message of love and hope. Her message in Nahuatl, the native tongue, changed hearts and restored people’s dignity. Volumes have been written about the significance of the apparitions that occurred Dec. 9 - 12. St. John Paul II, during his papacy declared her Patroness of all America and Star of the first and new evangelization. He even dedicated a chapel in her honor in St. Peter’s Basilica. Pope Francis, in his message a year ago to the Americas on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, said, “When the image of the Virgin appeared on the tilma of Juan Brenda Nettles Riojas Editor of The Valley Catholic Diego, it was the prophecy of an embrace: Mary’s embrace of all the peoples of the vast expanses of America – the peoples who already lived there, and those who were yet to come.” He said, “Mary’s embrace showed what America – North and South – is called to be: a land where different peoples come together; a land prepared to accept human life at every stage, from the mother’s womb to old age; a land which welcomes immigrants, and the poor and the marginalized, in every age. A land of generosity.” This December as we reflect on the year and prepare to enter a new year, we witness in these Marian celebrations the joy of celebrating our faith, a joy which overflows and inspires us to share this publicly in the streets in a country that affords us the freedom to express our faith without fear of persecution or death. The procession in Brownsville has become one of my favorites. Sometimes the priests ride on horses carrying a banner with her image leading the matachines and floats with students reenacting the apparitions that occurred in 1531. Most of the parishes in the city participate and converge together from different routes for an outdoor Mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church on Lincoln Street. Our Lady of Guadalupe helps us remember to embrace our faith, trusting in her son to lead us on our daily pilgrimage; she helps us remember to embrace our culture, a culture of life, one strengthened by being true to our beliefs, our heritage, our languages y nuestra tierra. The Star of the New Evangelization, she guides us and encourages us to share the joy of the Gospel, to raise our voice, to show our love, to fight for justice. She who led the way, her image emblazoned on a flag as Father Miguel Hidalgo led the Mexican War of Independence, continues to lead the way to her son. We have some fights ahead of us when it comes to religious freedom, speaking up for the vulnerable, and speaking up for ourselves. Our Holy Mother, la Morenita de Tepeyac, accompanies us. She who crushes the serpent, proceeds with love. She invites us to do the same. “No se turbe tu corazón” (“Do not let your heart be disturbed.”) Just as she promised Juan Diego, she promises us, “Am I not here, I, who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not the source of your joy? Are you not in the hollow of my mantle, in the crossing of my arms? Do you » Please see Mother p.19 »Family Life Synod on the Family 2014 H ow can the Church improve its approach to the family and all the modern day challenges it faces? According to Rome Reports, this question was broken down in a series of topics on Day 2 of the Synod on the Family which took place in Rome Oct. 5-19, 2014. 1) Language. Words used by the Church should be inviting and not outright condemning. Father Thomas Rosica stated: “To label people as you are living in sin; you are intrinsically disordered; or you have a contraceptive mentality does not help in bringing people to Christ and helping them to embrace the teachings of the Church. 2) Law of Graduality. This was a major point which underscores the unique path people take in their search for God. For some people, it’s immediate; for others it’s a process. Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster UK, said that it “permits and encourages people, all of us, to take one step at a time in the search for holiness in our lives”. 3) Offense vs. Defense. This notion of highlighting the good in promoting family life instead of the challenges was touched on. Father Manuel Dorantes commented that “the Church has focused too much on rejecting homosexual marriage and in turn had failed to express an attractive and full picture of marriage. We need to focus on positive instead Lydia Pesina Director, Family Life Office of the negative; more on the highpoints instead of prohibition; more on what makes it appealing instead of presenting it as the rule”. 4) Sexuality and Spirituality. Father Dorantes stated that the “Church spoke out so much about sex outside of marriage that when it came to sexuality in marriage; it is sometimes seen as an allowed marriage, it is sometimes seen as an allowed imperfection. We shouldn’t be against sex; but rather show how this path can lead towards holiness. 5) History. The connection between the Church and the family should also be highlighted: the role the Church has played in promoting family life and therefore in promoting a strong fabric of society. Father Rosica talked about how (in the Church) “we use gospel texts in regards to marriage. He says that often we quote the texts that talk about how a man shall leave his father and mother and cling to his wife and the two shall become one…” It is important to make the connections from scripture/ history to family life today. It is interesting to note that these topics impact us here in the Diocese of Brownsville as they impact families worldwide in our Universal Church. On Oct. 8, 2013, Pope Francis announced that in October 2014 there would be an Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on topics related to the family and evangelization. Subsequent communications made clear that the Extraordinary General Assembly would be followed by an Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in October 2015, on the same topics. In December 2013, Bishop Flores (as did all the bishops worldwide) submitted a report on Pastoral Challenges to the Family in the Context of Evangelization in preparation for the Synod of Bishops III Extraordinary General Assembly. The series of questions allowed the particular Churches to participate actively in the preparation of the Extraordinary Synod, whose purpose is to proclaim the Gospel in the context of the pastoral challenges facing the family today. As we await the results of this Synod and anticipate the Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in October 2015, perhaps we can support this process our Holy Father Pope Francis leads by praying for him, for all our families, and for all participating in the coming Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in October 2015. Terry De Leon/The Valley Catholic Bishop Daniel E. Flores at the Bishop’s Annual Dinner in 2011. Bishop’s Annual Dinner The Valley Catholic The Bishop’s Annual Dinner is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 5 at La Sierra Event Center, 3742 U.S. Highway 77, in Harlingen. Please contact the Stewardship and Development Office to reserve a table for this event. The Bishop’s Annual Dinner raises funds which he then channels to parishes and ministries requesting financial assistance. Patronage of this festive event will allow Bishop Flores to say, “yes” to as many ministries as possible. The silent auction, drinks and hors d’oeuvres begin at 6 p.m. and the dinner and dance will follow at 8 p.m. Entertainment will be provided by Michael Salgado, a Latin Grammy Award-winning singer and accordionist best known for hits such as “Cruz de Madera” and “Sin Ella.” Contact Jesse at (956) 784-5092 or Baldemar at (956) 784-5095 for more information. DIOCESE December 2014 - The Valley Catholic »Sunday Readings The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church DEC. 7 ( Second Sunday of Advent) Reading I IS 40:1-5, 9-11 Responsorial Psalm PS 85:9-10, 11-12, 13-14 Reading II 2 PT 3:8-14 Alleluia ALLEUIA LK 3:4, 6 Gospel MK 1:1-8 DEC. 14 (Third Sunday of Advent ) Reading I IS 61:1-2A, 10-11 Responsorial Psalm LK 1:46-48, 49-50, 53-54 Reading II 1 THES 5:16-24 Alleluia IS 61:1 (CITED IN LK 4:18) Gospel JN 1:6-8, 19-28 DEC. 21 (Fourth Sunday of Advent ) Reading I 2 SM 7:1-5, 8B-12, 14A, 16 Responsorial Psalm PS 89:2-3, 4-5, 27-29 Reading II ROM 16:25-27 Alleluia LK 1:38 Gospel LK 1:26-38 DEC. 28 (The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph) Reading I SIR 3:2-6, 12-14 or GN 15:1-6; 21:1-3 Responsorial Psalm PS 128:1-2, 3, 4-5 or PS 105:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9 Reading II COL 3:15A, 16A or COL 3:12-17 or HEB 11:8, 11-12, 17-19 Alleluia COL 3:15A, 16A or HEB 1:1-2 Gospel LK 2:22-40 The word of the Lord abides for ever. This word is the Gospel which was preached to you” (1 Pet 1:25; cf. Is 40:8). With this assertion from the First Letter of Saint Peter, which takes up the words of the Prophet Isaiah, we find ourselves before the mystery of God, who has made himself known through the gift of his word. This word, which abides for ever, entered into time. God spoke his eternal Word humanly; his Word “became flesh” (Jn 1:14). This is the good news. This is the proclamation which has come down the centuries to us today. Disciples in Mission: Six Weeks with the Bible 5 »Making Sense of Bioethics Confronting our fears about suffering T he prospect of a very attractive, recently-married young woman with a terminal illness facing excruciating pain and suffering as she dies is enough to move anyone. The life and death of 29-year-old Brittany Maynard recently captured enormous media attention when she declared she was moving to Oregon to commit suicide after having been informed by her doctors that she had an aggressive form of brain cancer and likely had only six months to live. She brought her life to a close on Nov. 1st, a date she had selected ahead of time, by taking a lethal dose of barbiturates prescribed by her doctor. In the public discussions that have ensued, some have ventured to argue that suicide under such desperate circumstances would, in fact, be justifiable. A recent online article from Time magazine observed that few fault those who were trapped on the top floors of the Twin Towers on 9/11 when they jumped to their deaths below as the flames surged around them. Similarly, the article suggests that those who face the prospect of a difficult, pain-racked death from a terminal disease should be able to take their own life through physician-assisted suicide without fault or blame. For those jumping out of the Twin Towers, however, we recognize a horrific situation of desperation, and even the possibility of a kind of mental breakdown in those final panic-stricken moments. Their agonizing choice to hurl themselves out of the building to their deaths below would be, objectively speaking, a suicidal act, and would not represent a mor- Father Tadeusz Pacholczyk Priest of the Diocese of Fall River ally good choice, but their moral culpability would almost certainly be diminished, if not eliminated, by the harrowing circumstances in which they found themselves, driven by raw terror more than by anything else. Clearly, grave psychological disturbances, anguish, or grave fear of suffering can diminish the responsibility of the one committing suicide. Yet in the face of a terminal medical diagnosis, it is not reasonable to let our fears dictate our choices; instead it behooves us to confront and resolve those fears without yielding to panic and without allowing unpleasant future scenarios to loom large in our imagination. Brittany Maynard not only greatly feared a difficult death for herself, but also argued that protecting her family from pain and suffering was an important consideration in her decision to carry out physician-assisted suicide: “I probably would have suffered in hospice care for weeks or even months. And my family would have had to watch that. I did not want this nightmare scenario for my family.” Yet even with very noble intentions and a loving concern for our family, we can unwittingly become overzealous in our desire to “protect” them from suffering. Brittany’s desire to protect her family and friends from pain by committing suicide also led her to cross over critical moral boundaries such that she deprived her family and friends of the chance to love her through her sickness. Suicide in any form runs contrary to our duty to love — to love ourselves and to love our neighbor — because it unjustly breaks important ties of solidarity we have with family, friends and others to whom we continue to have obligations. It is always violent to eliminate suffering by eliminating the sufferer. We effectively give up on the Creator and all he has created. We refuse the help of our neighbor, the love of a family member, or even the beauty of another sun-drenched day to lighten our affliction. Even as our lives wind down, we have a calling to be good stewards of the gift of life. Hospice and palliative care, along with careful pain management, can lighten our burdens during the dying process. The mutual support of family and friends enables us, and them, to grow in unexpected ways. By respecting and working through the dying process, we can encounter deep and unanticipated graces. We may recognize the need to ask for and receive forgiveness from others and from God. We may become aware of God’s presence and receive a strengthened faith. We gain peace in our dying days and hours by accepting our mortality and our situation, journeying down the road that still opens ahead of us, even as it becomes shorter, living it with the same tenacity and generosity we did when the road was yet longer. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary A s we begin this holy season of Advent in preparation for Christmas it is a good time for us to reflect and meditate on the Mystery of the Incarnation. In the Creed which we profess every Sunday at Mass we confess: “For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven; by the power of the Holy Spirit, he became incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and was made man.” The Catechism reminds us that: “The Word became flesh for us in order to save us by reconciling us with God, who “loved us and sent his Son to be the expiation for our sins”: “the Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world”, and “he was revealed to take away sins” (CCC, 456) “Taking up St. John’s expression, “The Word became flesh”, the Church calls “Incarnation” the fact that the Son of God assumed a human nature in order to accomplish our salvation in it” (CCC, 461). This reminds me of one of my favorite prayers of devotion of our Catholic faith, the Angelus (or Regina Coeli). The Angelus (from the Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary) is the ancient custom to stop and pause for a moment to honor our Blessed Mother and at the same time ask for her intercession as we give thanks to Almighty God for the blessings of the day. The Angelus is prayed daily at 6 a.m.(morning angelus), noon (midday angelus), and 6 p.m. (evening angelus); often it is accompanied by the ringing of the Church Deacon Luis Zuniga Director, Office for Pastoral Planning & San Juan Diego Ministry Institute. (angelus) bells which call the faithful to prayer. The Angelus helps us to meditate on the Incarnation which gives us meaning and hope for our existence as Christians on our way to heaven knowing that God is with us. The Regina Coeli which means “Queen of Heaven” in Latin (which may also be sung as a hymn) is prayed during the Easter season and the Angelus is prayed during the rest of the liturgical year. The custom of praying three times a day goes back to the Old Testament which mentions that it was customary for observant Jews to pray in the morning, at three in the afternoon and at night. The book Daniel 6:10 mentions this such practice and in the New Testament in Acts of the Apostles 3:1 you hear about Peter and John going to the temple “at the ninth hour of prayer.” The Angelus prayer reminds us of the Annunciation, when the Angel Gabriel appears to our Blessed Mother Mary as found in the Gospel of Luke 1:26-56. The prayer consists essentially in reciting the Hail Mary three times followed by three introductory verses and closing prayer and may be prayed individually or as a group. The following are three introductory verses and the closing prayer of the Angelus. The first verse is: “The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary” and the response is: “And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.” The second verse is: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord,” and the response is: “Be it done unto me according to thy word.” The third verse is: “And the Word was made Flesh” and the response is: “And dwelt among us.” The fourth verse is prayed before the closing prayer: “Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God” and the response is: “That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.” The closing prayer is: “Let us pray. Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that, we to whom the incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His passion and cross, be brought to the glory of His resurrection. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.” Our Blessed Mother Mary’s “yes” not only transformed her but the course of history and our destiny as Catholic Christians. Her “yes” has echoed throughout the ages, her “let it be” in Latin, “fiat” inspired us to do the same, to say yes to God’s plan and will for us. “Mary is the perfect Orans (prayer), a figure of the Church. When we pray to her, we are ad» Please see Angelus, p.19 Courtesy photo St. Lucy is often depicted holding a palm branch as a symbol of victory over evil. »Feast Day - Dec. 13 Spotlight on St. Lucy Catholic News Agency St. Lucy is a virgin and martyr of Syracuse in Sicily, whose feast is celebrated on December 13th. According to tradition, St. Lucy was born to rich and noble parents in the year 283. Her father was of Roman origin, but his early death left her dependent upon her mother, whose name, Eutychia, seems to indicate that she was of Greek heritage. Like so many of the early martyrs, Lucy had consecrated her virginity to God, and she hoped to devote all her worldly goods to the service of the poor. Her mother, Eutychia, arranged a marriage for her, but for three years she managed to postpone the marriage. Lucy prayed at the tomb of Saint Agatha to change her mother’s mind about her faith. As a result, her mother’s long haemorrhagic illness was cured, and she consented to Lucy’s desire to live for God. St. Lucy’s rejected bridegroom, Paschasius, denounced Lucy as a Christian. The governor planned to force her into prostitution, but when guards went to fetch her, they could not move her even when they hitched her to a team of oxen. The governor ordered her to be killed instead. After a gruesome torture which included having her eyes torn out, she was surrounded by bundles of wood which were set afire, but the fire quickly died out. She prophesied against her persecutors, and was then executed by being stabbed to death with a dagger. Legend says her eyesight was restored before her death. This and the meaning of her name led to her patronage with eyes; the blind, eye trouble, and other eye ailments. Prayer to St. Lucy St. Lucy, you did not hide your light under a basket, but let it shine for the whole world, for all the centuries to see. We may not suffer torture in our lives the way you did, but we are still called to let the light of our Christianity illumine our daily lives. Please help us to have the courage to bring our Christianity into our work, our recreation, our relationships, our conversation — every corner of our day. Amen. 6 DIOCESE The Valley Catholic - December 2014 Prayer and Life Year of Consecrated Life Workshops Religious communities serving in our diocese One-day retreat, new sessions in English scheduled Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, St. Louis Province The Valley Catholic Many Catholics pray daily, attend Mass every Sunday and participate in the sacraments, but have yet to discover the key for understanding the presence of God in their personal journeys and in the world. Many don’t know Jesus as the living word of God and are hungry for deeper spiritual and intellectual formation. “We might hear Scripture at Mass, for example, but we don’t have any idea how to apply the message to our lives,” said Rosa Pallais, a parishioner at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in McAllen and a guide for Prayer and Life Workshops or Talleres de Oración y Vida in Spanish, a Bible-based method for deepening one’s prayer life. New sessions of the Prayer and Life Workshops are scheduled to begin in January throughout the Rio Grande Valley. The workshops, which are available in English and Spanish, are tailored for children, teens, young adults and adults. The workshops are held for two hours, once a week. A one-day retreat organized by the guides of the Prayer and Life Workshops will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6 at San Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin Parish, in McAllen. All are welcome to attend. The Prayer and Life Workshops were developed by the late Father Ignacio Larrañaga, a welltraveled Capuchin Franciscan who was born in Spain and lived most of his life in Chile. Father Larrañaga’s mission was to transform every Christian into a friend and disciple of God. “Prayer is a gift of God, and God’s first gift,” said Father Larrañaga in an interview with news agency Zenit in 2005. “But it is also an art, as it is the convergence of grace and nature. And, as art, it is subject to the norms of learning and other psychological laws. To pray well, therefore, one needs method and discipline.” The method and discipline that Father Larrañaga spoke of are detailed throughout the course of the Prayer and Life Workshops, an ecclesial service approved by the Holy See since 1997. The workshops were founded in 1984 and more than eight million people have benefited from them. In an article he wrote for the website Catholic.net, Father Larrañaga said it is one thing to know the Word of the Lord and quite another to live the Word, to experience it firsthand. “We know that fire burns but it’s quite another thing to actually put our hands in the fire and experience it,” said Father Larrañaga, who died in 2013. “We know that water quenches thirst but it’s quite another thing to drink a cold glass of water on a hot summer day and experience the feeling of that water quenching your thirst.” “The workshop transforms lives,” said Pallais, who has served as a guide since 1996. “Session after session, it makes you meditate and reflect about everything that God gives us and how one sometimes stays with it inside and doesn’t share it. The workshops teach you how to be more open, more compassionate, more considerate, it teaches you, it takes you to forgiveness. It teaches you that forgiveness is the best thing we could have in our lives. “During the reflection, through the prayers and through the experiences we have week after week, one changes and has a deeper understanding of God’s grace.” For more information on the retreat and the Prayer and Life Workshops, in Starr County, call Sandra at (956) 735-3995; in the Lower Valley, call Magda at (956) 640-9701 and in the Upper Valley call Esperanza at (956) 8003088 or Rosa at (956) 328-6300. Founded by: Jean Pierre Medille, a Jesuit priest with )UDQFRLVD(\URQGDQGKHU¿YHZRPHQFRPSDQLRQVXQGHU Bishop Henri de Maupau around 1650 How long has your community served our diocese? 6LVWHU0DU\$QQ3RWWVFDPHWRZRUNLQWKH9DOOH\LQ WHDFKLQJ5HOLJLRQDQGPXVLFDW6W-RVHSK$FDGHP\ 6LVWHU+HOHQ5RWWLHUFDPHWKHIROORZLQJ\HDULQ WRVWXG\DQGWKHQEHJDQWHDFKLQJPDWKDW6W-RVHSK $FDGHP\WKHIROORZLQJ\HDU3UHVHQWO\6LVWHU 0DU\$QQLVZRUNLQJDW/RV)UHVQRV(OHPHQWDU\6FKRRO WHDFKLQJPXVLFWRDOOWKHVWXGHQWV3UH.WRWKJUDGHDQG Sister Helen is continuing to work with Catholic education DWWKHGLRFHVDQ&DWKROLF6FKRROV2I¿FHLQ6DQ-XDQ Charism:7KHFKDULVPRIWKH6LVWHUVRI6W-RVHSKLVWR ³HQJDJHLQZRUNVRIFRPSDVVLRQDQGPHUF\WKDWUHVSRQG WRWKHQHHGVRIWKHWLPH%RWKRIXVZRUNHGWRJHWKHULQ 'HQYHU&RORUDGRZLWKWKH+LVSDQLFFRPPXQLW\DQGZH ZLVKHGWRJHWEDFNWRWKLVPLQLVWU\ Apostolate:$OODUHDVRIHGXFDWLRQGHDIHGXFDWLRQ healthcare, elder care, counseling, spiritual direction, ZRPDQ¶VDQGFKLOGUHQ¶VVHUYLFHVDUWPXVLFDQG SURJUDPVZKDWHYHUWKHVLVWHULVFDOOHGWRGRDVORQJDV the needs exists in the city. Courtesy photo Contact information: Sister Mary Ann Potts or Sister Sister Mary Ann Potts, left and Sister Helen Rottier of the Sisters of +HOHQ5RWWLHUDWRULQ6W/RXLV6LVWHU 6W-RVHSKRI&DURQGHOHWERWKPLQLVWHULQWKHÀHOGRIHGXFDWLRQ /LQGD0DUNZD\LQWKH9RFDWLRQ2I¿FHDW Missionary Servants of the Cross Courtesy photo Pictured, from left, Brother Orlando Rivera, Brother Moises A. Lopez and Brother Hoss A. Alvarez. Founded by:%URWKHU+RVV$$OYDUH]06&LQWKHHDUO\VLQWKH'LRFHVHRI%URZQVYLOOH How long has your community served our diocese? 15 years Charism(s):2XUFKDULVPLVWRVHHN*RGLQRXUHYHU\GD\OLIH)ROORZLQJWKH&DUPHOLWH6SLULWXDOLW\DQG&KDULVPZH³OLYHDOLIHRI DOOHJLDQFHWR-HVXV&KULVW´5XOHRI6W$OEHUWKHOSLQJWKHIDLWKIXOWRIRVWHUDUHODWLRQVKLSZLWK&KULVW)ROORZLQJWKHVWHSVRI0DU\ 0RWKHURI-HVXVDQG6W(OLDVZHDUHGHGLFDWHGWRDOLIHRIDFWLYHFRQWHPSODWLRQDQGSUD\HUDQGHYDQJHOL]DWLRQ Apostolate(s):<RXZLOO¿QGRXUEURWKHUVLQDFWLYHPLQLVWULHVVXFKDV'LUHFWRUVRI5HOLJLRXV(GXFDWLRQ<RXWKDQG<RXQJ$GXOW 0LQLVWULHVDVZHOODVIURP0HGLFDO3URIHVVLRQVWR)XQHUDO'LUHFWRUV<RXPD\DOVRPHHWXVLQFDWHFKHWLFDOFODVVHV5&,$ (OHPHQWDU\0LGGOH6FKRRO+LJK6FKRRODVZHOODVLQPDQ\GLIIHUHQWW\SHVRIUHWUHDWVDQGFDWHFKHWLFDODQGHYDQJHOLFDOUHWUHDWV Contact information:%URWKHU0RLVpV$/ySH]RUEURWKHUPRLVHV#PLVVLRQDU\VHUYDQWVRUJ %URWKHU+RVV$$OYDUH]RUEURWKHUKRVV#PLVVLRQDU\VHUYDQWVRUJ Website:ZZZPLVVLRQDU\VHUYDQWVRUJ We will feature religious communities serving in our diocese every month throughout the Year of Consecrated Life. CATHOLIC SCHOOLS December 2014 - The Valley Catholic 7 In ‘Silent Solidarity’ Students advocate for unborn children who have no voice The Valley Catholic BROWNSVILLE — On Oct. 21, students from Guadalupe Regional Middle School in Brownsville walked 12 blocks with red tape across their mouths in honor of the national Pro-Life Day of Silent Solidarity for the unborn. The students walked from their school at 12th and Lincoln Streets to the Immaculate Conception Cathedral on 12th and E. Jefferson Streets in complete silence in solidarity with the unborn children who have no voice. Kathy Stapleton, principal of Guadalupe Regional Middle School, said all 77 students in the school participated in the walk. “It is important to involve the students in this event because the primary purpose of Catholic education is to aid students in faith formation and as Catholics we believe in the sanctity of life,” Stapleton said. “Middle school is a critical time in their development and the more they understand the more they can take an active role in applying these teachings to the rest of their lives.” Once the students arrived at the cathedral, they were led in prayer by Brother Arthur Williams of the Congregation of Christian Brothers and Sister Cynthia Mello of the Sisters of St. Dorothy, superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Courtesy photo The volleyball team from Juan Diego Academy, standing, from left: Morgan Forshage (team manager), Cecilia Garza, Amber Donaldson, Sarah Ruiz, Karla Long, Shelby Fernald, Haley Seiba, Mariana Urias, Ariana Castillo, Gabby Manrique de Lara, Samantha Guerra and Myriam Ibarra. Sitting, from left: Mia Quintanilla, Madeline Ayala, Silvia Camara, Jasmine Perez, Kayla Hickle, Paulina Camara, Margaret Leal, Jasmine Long and Klarissa Flores. Courtesy photo All 77 students from Guadalupe Regional Middle School in Brownsville walked in silence from their school to the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in downtown Brownsville in solidarity with the unborn babies who have no voice. Brownsville. “The witness of the students showed others that Catholic schools exist to promote the Catholic teachings of the Church and the respect for life is a part of that teaching,” Sister Mello said. “Pro-life or the right to life is part of the Catechism of the faith, which upholds life from conception to natural death. So it becomes a witness of our faith and brings an awareness to others that our Catholic schools in the Valley are in line with the teachings of the Church. “Religious and moral teachings are found in all our Catholic schools across the diocese.” This year marked the 10th annual observance of the Pro-Life Day of Silent Solidarity, a day on which people all across the na- tion give up their own voice for the 3,300 children who have lost theirs due to abortion that same day. The tradition began on the campus of McNeese State University in Lake Charles, La. and spread throughout the country. More than 56 million unborn babies have been lost to abortion since 1973, the year abortion was legalized in the United States. Guadalupe Regional Middle School provides a tuition-free, Catholic education to students in grades six, seven, and eight whose families desire but cannot afford a Catholic education. The school is jointly sponsored by the Congregation of Christian Brothers, the Marist Brothers of the Schools and the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament. Lady Lions reach state Final Four The Valley Catholic MISSION — The volleyball team from Juan Diego Academy in Mission advanced to the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) 1A state championships on Nov. 7-8 in Corsicana. The Lady Lions fell short in a state semifinal match against Gateway Christian School of San Antonio on Nov. 7 at Corsicana High School. Jasmine Long, a junior, outside hitter for the Lady Lions, was named to the All-State and AllTournament first teams. Juan Diego Academy, a Catholic regional high school, opened four years ago and has been a member of TAPPS District 6-1A for two full seasons. In addition to advancing to the state final four, the volleyball team also earned its second straight district championship. Long was selected as the district’s Most Valuable Player and Coach Vic Garza was chosen as Coach of the Year. Freshman Jasmine Perez was selected as Newcomer of the Year. Sophomores Paulina Camara, Shelby Fernald and Kayla Hickle were also named to the All-District First Team. The Lady Lions finished the season with a 32-5 record. 8 DIOCESE The Valley Catholic -December 2014 Those Who Serve: Brother Paul U. Phillipp, FMS St. Joseph Academy is ‘home’ Marist Brother honored for 60 years of service to diocese By ROSE YBARRA The Valley Catholic BROWNSVILLE — Brother Paul Urban Phillipp of the Marist Brothers enrolled at St. Joseph Academy in Brownsville as a sophomore in high school. Little did he know, he would be walking the corridors of the school some 76 years later. After graduating from St. Joseph Academy in 1940, the La Feria native joined the Marist Brothers, the international community of religious brothers who operate the school. His vocation has called him to St. Joseph Academy as a teacher, administrator, developer and finally, as a volunteer. It’s no wonder he considers the school home. “I’ve been blessed with good health,” said Brother Phillipp, 91. “I just thank God. I think it is just a blessing that I’ve received. God keeps me around for some reason or another — I don’t know why. “So while I’m able, I come over here every day and help where I can.” Today, Brother Phillipp’s main duties include sorting and distributing the incoming mail and supervising the lunch room but in his Photos by The Valley Catholic Bishop Daniel E. Flores congratulates Brother Paul U. Phillipp of the Marist Brothers for 60 years of service to St. Joseph Academy, time at St. Joseph Academy, he has been instrumental in the growth, development and expansion of the school. “I think he adds a sense of sta- bility and continuity,” said Marist Brother Richard Sharpe, president of St. Joseph Academy since 2011. “He seems to be a thread that sews through the lives of a lot of alumni, parents and faculty members.” Brother Philliipp was honored for 60 years of service to St. Joseph Academy on Aug. 29 at the Annual Eucharistic Celebration/Diocesan Teacher Inservice held at Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in McAllen. He received a pin and a special blessing from Bishop Daniel E. Flores. The second of seven children, Brother Phillipp was born on June 10, 1923 in La Feria. “We lived five miles south of La Feria, just north of Bluetown to be exact,” Brother Phillipp said. “I grew up on a farm. We drove to Brownsville every day back and forth for school but we still did our chores with the animals on the farm.” Brother Phillipp, whose father was a World War I veteran, was raised in a religious household. “Sunday Mass was obligatory, even though, in those days, we didn’t always have Sunday Mass at our church (St. Francis Xavier Church in La Feria),” he said “The whole family hopped in the car and we drove wherever we had to go to attend Mass. We would sometimes go to St. Benedict Church in San Benito or Our Lady of Mercy Church in Mercedes.” Brother Phillipp’s family also produced several vocations. Two of his sisters are also religious sisters with the Sisters of Divine Providence in San Antonio. One of his blood brothers is also a Marist Brother. The Marist Brothers he en- countered as a high school student, who were from all over the world, inspired Brother Phillipp to join the community. “Because of the persecutions in Mexico, at times there would be a flock of brothers here because things were getting so hot,” he said. “When things cooled off, they went back to Mexico. “Seeing these brothers from different parts of the world, France, Switzerland, Mexico, Spain – and they were experiencing persecution and so on – yet they still seemed to be happy and it attracted me.” On July 26, 1940, Brother Phillipp took the habit of the Marist Brothers, whose charism is education and working with youth. There are more than 3,000 Marist Brothers serving throughout the world. He earned a teaching certificate from Fordham University in New York and finished his bachelor’s degree in history by attending summer courses at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio. He later earned master’s degrees in education and science. In 1943, as a 20 year old, Brother Phillipp began his lifelong career in education at St. Joseph Academy in Laredo, teaching third, fourth and fifth grades. “It was a relatively new school. The school had no stage, no lights, no curtains. When I wasn’t teaching, I was working on that,” said Brother Phillipp, whose upbring» Please see Brother Phillipp p.18 YEAR IN REVIEW December 2014 - The Valley Catholic 9 Living the joys of the Gospel... January Baptized in the Holy Spirit Hundreds attended the second DQQXDO&KDULVPDWLF5HQHZDO&RQIHU HQFHZKLFKZDVKHOGRQ-DQDW WKH%DVLOLFDRI2XU/DG\RI6DQ-XDQ GHO9DOOH1DWLRQDO6KULQH6SHDNHUV included Bishop Daniel E. Flores and Msgr. Juan Nicolau. 2014 Singing for Our Lady of San Juan del Valle The Basilica RI2XU Lady RI6DQ Juan del 9DOOH National Shrine hosted its third annual Mariachi Concerts, IHDWXULQJWKHLUSURIHVVLRQDOKRXVH PDULDFKLPDULDFKLEDQGVIURPORFDO PLGGOHVFKRRODQGKLJKVFKRROVDORQJ ZLWKORFDOSURIHVVLRQDOJURXSVRQ )HEDQG0DUFK March Marching for Life 3UROLIHDGYRFDWHVSDUWLFLSDWHG LQDPDUFKWKURXJKWKHVWUHHWVRI GRZQWRZQ0F$OOHQRQ-DQLQFRP PHPRUDWLRQRIWKH5RHY:DGH 6XSUHPH&RXUWGHFLVLRQWKDWOHJDOL]HG abortion in the United States. Annual men’s conference 7KH5LR*UDQGH9DOOH\&DWKROLF 0HQ¶V)HOORZVKLSLQDVVRFLDWLRQZLWK Real Men Pray the Rosary, sponsored LWVDQQXDOPHQ¶VFRQIHUHQFHRQ0DUFK DW2XU/DG\RI3HUSHWXDO+HOS3DU ish in McAllen. Presenters included Franciscan Father Robert Young, IRXQGHURI'LYLQH:LOO0LQLVWULHV'U 0DUFHOOLQR'¶$PEURVLRIRXQGHURI WKH&URVVURDGV,QLWLDWLYHDQG)DWKHU 5DSKDHO$PEDGDQD&DWKROLFSULHVWRI the Eastern Rite. &DWKROLF6FKRROV2IÀFH recognizes dedication and commitment to education The Spirit Awards banquet was KHOGRQ-DQDW0VJU5DOSK +DOODW2XU/DG\RI6RUURZV3DULVK DQG6FKRROLQ0F$OOHQ7KHHYHQW UDLVHVIXQGVIRUWKHGLRFHVDQWXLWLRQ DVVLVWDQFHSURJUDPDQGUHFRJQL]HV WKRVHZKRKDYHPDGHDGLIIHUHQFHLQ WKHGLRFHVH¶V&DWKROLFVFKRROV7KH 'LRFHVHRI%URZQVYLOOHDZDUGHG$P\ .DZDJXFKLSUHVLGHQWRI%XVLQHVV 'HYHORSPHQWIRU$UURZKHDG+ROG ings, with the diocesan Spirit Award. .DZDJXFKLDVVLVWVSULYDWHVFKRROV WRHQVXUHWKDWWKH\UHFHLYHHTXLWDEOH SDUWLFLSDWLRQLQIHGHUDOSURJUDPV7KH HYHQWNLFNVRIIWKHDQQXDOREVHUYDQFH RI&DWKROLF6FKRROV:HHN St. John the Baptist Church receives historical marker San Juan Mayor San Juanita ³-DQLH´6DQFKH]DQG)DWKHU*HUDOG )UDQNSDVWRURI6W-RKQWKH%DSWLVW &DWKROLF&KXUFKLQ6DQ-XDQXQYHLOHG D7H[DV+LVWRULFDO&RPPLVVLRQ0DUNHU DWWKHFKXUFKRQ0DUFK7KH FKXUFKZDVHVWDEOLVKHGLQZKHQ )DWKHU$OSKRQVH-DOEHUW20,EXLOWD wooden chapel on Nebraska and Sec RQG6WUHHWWKH¿UVW&DWKROLF&KXUFK in San Juan. Designated a parish in LWVSDVWRU)DWKHU-RVH$]SLD]X 20,LQVWDOOHGDUHSOLFDRIDVWDWXHRI the Virgen de San Juan de los Lagos LQ-DOLVFR0H[LFR7KLVPDUNHGWKH EHJLQQLQJRIWKH9LUJHQGH6DQ-XDQ GHO9DOOH,QDQHZ6W-RKQWKH Baptist Church/Shrine was built. Shelter marks silver anniversary /D3RVDGD3URYLGHQFLDDQHPHU JHQF\VKHOWHUIRULPPLJUDQWVLQ6DQ %HQLWRFHOHEUDWHGLWVWKDQQLYHUVDU\ at the annual Hearts & Hands brunch DQGDXFWLRQHYHQWRQ-DQDWWKH &XOWXUDO$UWV&HQWHURI7H[DV6WDWH Technical College in Harlingen. Divine Mercy for Souls )RXQWDLQRI0HUF\0LQLVWULHVDOR FDODSRVWRODWHKRVWHGLWVIRXUWKDQQXDO 'LYLQH0HUF\&RQIHUHQFHRQ-DQ DWWKH:HVODFR,6'3HUIRUPLQJ$UWV &HQWHU0RUHWKDQDWWHQGHGWKH HYHQW Mother-Daughter event held in Roma on Jan. 26 (YHU\\HDUWKH)DPLO\/LIH2I¿FH VSRQVRUVD0RWKHU'DXJKWHU3URJUDP ZKLFKH[SORUHV*RG¶VVSHFLDOJLIWRI KXPDQIHUWLOLW\DQGWKHZRQGHURI JURZLQJXSDQGEHFRPLQJDZRPDQ 7KHHYHQWZDVKHOGRQ-DQDW2XU /DG\RI5HIXJH&KXUFKLQ5RPD February Religious priests, brothers and sisters honored 2Q)HE%LVKRS'DQLHO( Flores celebrated a Mass in honor RI:RUOG'D\IRU&RQVHFUDWHG/LIHDW WKH%DVLOLFDRI2XU/DG\RI6DQ-XDQ GHO9DOOH1DWLRQDO6KULQH$OOUHOLJLRXV SULHVWVEURWKHUVDQGVLVWHUVVHUYLQJLQ RXUGLRFHVHZHUHLQYLWHGWRDWWHQGWKH Mass and a dinner with the bishop. Photo by Cesar Riojas/The Valley Catholic Bishop, rabbi engage in third public dialogue Bishop Daniel E. Flores and McAl OHQ5DEEL&ODXGLR-.RJDQPRGHOHG WKHDUWRIFRQYHUVDWLRQGXULQJDSXEOLF GLDORJXHRQ)HEDWWKH8QLYHUVLW\RI 7H[DV3DQ$PHULFDQ6WXGHQW8QLRQ Building in Edinburg. Testaments to lasting love Couples who celebrated a wedding DQQLYHUVDU\RIRU PRUH\HDUVLQZHUHKRQRUHG GXULQJD0DVVIRU:RUOG0DUULDJH'D\ RQ)HEDWWKH%DVLOLFDRI2XU/DG\ RI6DQ-XDQGHO9DOOH1DWLRQDO6KULQH Bishop Daniel E. Flores will celebrated WKH0DVVDQGRIIHUHGDVSHFLDOEOHVV LQJIRUWKHFRXSOHV Scouts honored Bishop Daniel E. Flores cel HEUDWHGD0DVVIRUVFRXWVIURPDFURVV WKH5LR*UDQGH9DOOH\RQ)HEDW6W -RDQRI$UF3DULVKLQ:HVODFR7KH third annual Mass and the banquet WKDWIROORZHGKRQRUHGWKHVFRXWV ZKRHDUQHGUHOLJLRXVHPEOHPVIURP WKH1DWLRQDO&DWKROLF&RPPLWWHHRQ Scouting in the last year. The scouts LQDWWHQGDQFHUHSUHVHQWHGGLIIHUHQW parishes and Catholic schools in the diocese. All-night retreat for teens held at Dean Porter Park TKHVHFRQGDQQXDO3UR/LIH<RXWK 5HWUHDWZDVKHOGRQ0DUFKDW 'HDQ3RUWHU3DUNLQ%URZQVYLOOH7KH DOOQLJKWHYHQWLVGHVLJQHGIRUPLGGOH school and high school students and SURPRWHVFKDVWLW\DQGSUROLIHYDOXHV *XHVWVSHDNHUVLQFOXGHGDWHHQ PRWKHUZKRVKDUHGKHUH[SHULHQFHRI UDLVLQJDEDE\DVDFKLOGKHUVHOI Bike ride raises IXQGVWRÀJKWSRYHUW\ The 10th Annual Oblate Trail Ride was held on March ZLWK ride starts DWWKH,P PDFXODWH Concep tion 10 YEAR IN REVIEW &DWKHGUDOLQ%URZQVYLOOHPLOH URXWHDQGDWWKH%DVLOLFDRI2XU/DG\ RI6DQ-XDQGHO9DOOH1DWLRQDO6KULQH PLOHURXWH7KH2EODWH7UDLO5LGH EHQH¿WVWKH&DWKROLF&DPSDLJQIRU +XPDQ'HYHORSPHQWWKHGRPHVWLF DQWLSRYHUW\SURJUDPRIWKH86 Catholic Bishops. The Valley Catholic -December 2014 First Catholic church in Weslaco celebrates milestone H[SHULHQFLQJDFULVLVLQWKHLUOLYHV UHJDUGOHVVRIUDFHRUUHOLJLRQ7HUUL 'UHINHSUHVLGHQWDQG&(2RIWKH )RRG%DQN5*9ZDVWKHUHFLSLHQWRI WKH+RSH$ZDUGZKLFKKRQRUV WKRVHZKRVHUYHWKHPRVWYXOQHUDEOH PHPEHUVRIVRFLHW\ %LVKRS'DQLHO()ORUHVFHOHEUDW HGD0DVVRQ0D\WRPDUNWKH \HDUDQQLYHUVDU\RI6W-RDQRI$UF &KXUFKLQ:HVODFR7KHFRPPXQLW\ RIIDLWKEHFDPHDSDULVKRQ$SULO Annual hike highlights pro-life cause 7KHIRXUWKDQQXDO%URZQVYLOOH +LNHIRU/LIHZDVKHOGRQ0DUFK DW'HDQ3RUWHU3DUNLQ%URZQVYLOOH %LVKRS'DQLHO()ORUHVVHUYHG DVWKHJXHVWVSHDNHURIWKHHYHQW 7KHSXUSRVHRIWKHKLNHLVWRFUHDWH DZDUHQHVVRIWKHGLJQLW\DQGYDOXHRI KXPDQOLIHDQGWRUDLVHIXQGVIRUWKH *LIWRI/LIH3UHJQDQF\&HQWHUDSUR OLIHIDFLOLW\LQ%URZQVYLOOHWKDWSULPDULO\ VHUYHVZRPHQLQFULVLVSUHJQDQF\ April Chapel at Juan Diego Academy consecrated Annual Chrism Mass highlights unity of priests with their bishop Bishop Daniel E. Flores blessed WKHKRO\RLOV²WKHRLORIFKULVPWKH RLORIWKHVLFNDQGWKHRLORIFDWHFKX PHQV²WKDWZHUHXVHGLQWKHDGPLQ LVWUDWLRQRIWKHVDFUDPHQWVWKURXJKRXW WKH\HDUDWWKH$QQXDO&KULVP0DVV RQ$SULODWWKH%DVLOLFDRI2XU/DG\ RI6DQ-XDQGHO9DOOH1DWLRQDO6KULQH 7KH&KULVP0DVVLVWKHODUJHVWDQ QXDOJDWKHULQJRIFOHUJ\DQGIDLWKIXO The priests in attendance were asked WRVWDQGDQGUHQHZWKHLUSULHVWO\FRP PLWPHQWVWKHSURPLVHVWKH\PDGHDW WKHLURUGLQDWLRQWRIDLWKIXOO\VHUYHRXU Lord and his Church. Young Catholic Professionals 7KH2I¿FHRI&DPSXVDQG <RXQJ$GXOW0LQLVWU\RUJD QL]HGWKH¿UVWJDWKHULQJRIWKH $VVRFLDWLRQRI<RXQJ&DWKROLF 3URIHVVLRQDOVRQ$SULOLQ McAllen. Young adult business DQGFRPPXQLW\OHDGHUVDJH JDWKHUUHJXODUO\IRUDQ HYHQLQJRIIHOORZVKLSQHWZRUN ing, and personal growth based RQDFRPPRQ&DWKROLFLGHQWLW\ 0D\RU(PHULWXV5LFKDUG&RUWH] VHUYHGDVWKH¿UVWSUHVHQWHU 2Q$SULOWKHQHZO\UHQRYDWHG FKDSHODW-XDQ'LHJR$FDGHP\LQ Mission was consecrated by Bishop 'DQLHO()ORUHVLQWKHSUHVHQFHRI WKHVWXGHQWVIDFXOW\DQGSDUHQWV June Summer Food Program provides meals in low-income areas Build Community! Put Two Feet of Love in Action Local students participated in WKH&DWKROLF&DPSDLJQIRU+XPDQ 'HYHORSPHQW&&+'0XOWL0HGLD Youth Contest. Through the contest, young people learn DERXWSRYHUW\LWVFDXVHV DQGRXUIDLWKUHVSRQVHDQG WKHQEHFRPHHGXFDWRUV WKHPVHOYHVDVWKH\XVHWKHLU DUWWRFUHDWLYHO\FRPPXQLFDWH ZKDWWKH\KDYHOHDUQHG ,QWKHWKWRWKJUDGH GLYLVLRQ¿UVWSODFHZHQWWR the project “True Hunger: +HDUWKH&U\RIWKH&RORQLDV´ VXEPLWWHGE\WKH0RELOH-RXU QDOLVWVRI6W-RVHSK&KXUFKLQ 'RQQD*DEULHOD+HUQDQGH] )ORU+HUQDQGH]$OLFLD5R GULJXH]$QGUHD5RGULJXH] -LPHQD5RGULJXH]DQG0DULD 5RGULJXH] Catholic Schools Walkathon Conference held for middle school youth 7KH2I¿FHRI<RXWK0LQLVWU\RIWKH 'LRFHVHRI%URZQVYLOOHKRVWHG<RXWK -$0D\RXWKFRQIHUHQFHIRUPLGGOH VFKRROVWXGHQWVRQ$SULODW%*DU]D 0LGGOH6FKRROLQ:HVODFR7KHWKHPH RI<RXWK-$0ZDV³*RDQG 0DNH'LVFLSOHVRI$OO1DWLRQV´FDOOLQJ \RXQJSHRSOHWROLYHDVZLWQHVVHVRI the Risen Christ. 0RUHWKDQVWXGHQWVIDFXOW\ VWDIISDUHQWVDQGJUDQGSDUHQWVIURP WKH&DWKROLFVFKRROVLQWKH5LR *UDQGH9DOOH\SDUWLFLSDWHGLQWKHWK DQQXDO&DWKROLF6FKRROV:DONDWKRQ RQ$SULO7KHZDONDWKRQRIIHUV VWXGHQWVDQGWKHFRPPXQLW\WKHRS SRUWXQLW\WRGHPRQVWUDWHWKHLUVXSSRUW IRU&DWKROLFHGXFDWLRQZKLOHUDLVLQJ PRQH\WKURXJKSOHGJHVIRUVFKRODU ships. Saving babies Providing help, creating hope &DWKROLF&KDULWLHVRIWKH5LR *UDQGH9DOOH\KRVWHGLWVIRXUWKDQ QXDO3URYLGLQJ+HOS&UHDWLQJ+RSH *DOD1LJKWRQ$SULODWWKH&LPDUURQ Country Club in Mission. Proceeds IURPWKHJDODDVVLVWHG&DWKROLF &KDULWLHVRIWKH5LR*UDQGH9DOOH\LQ LWVPLVVLRQWRSURYLGHKHOSDQGFUHDWH KRSHIRUDQ\LQGLYLGXDORUIDPLO\ The McAllen Pregnancy Center, DSUROLIHIDFLOLW\KRVWHGLWV¿IWK DQQLYHUVDU\JDODWKHPHG³6WDUU\ 6WDUU\1LJKW´RQ$SULODWWKH 9DOHQFLD(YHQWV&HQWHULQ0F$OOHQ 7KHHYHQWZDVSUHFHGHGE\D0DVV at St. Margaret Mary Church in Pharr. $UFKELVKRS-RVHSK)1DXPDQQ'' RI.DQVDV&LW\.DQDPHPEHURI WKH&RPPLWWHHRQ3UR/LIH$FWLYLWLHV DQGWKH&RPPLWWHHRQ0DUULDJHDQG )DPLO\/LIHIRUWKH86&RQIHUHQFHRI &DWKROLF%LVKRSV86&&%FHOHEUDWHG WKH0DVVDQGVHUYHGDVWKHNH\QRWH speaker at the gala. ,QWKHWKWRWKJUDGHGLYLVLRQ 3RYHUW\%R[FRQVWUXFWHGE\-XDQ 'LHJR$FDGHP\VWXGHQWV(VWHEDQ &HSHGDDQG)LQQ%XUQVJDUQHUHG¿UVW place. May &DWKROLF&KDULWLHVRIWKH 5LR*UDQGH9DOOH\LQFRQMXQF WLRQZLWKWKH86'HSDUWPHQW RI$JULFXOWXUH86'$SURYLGHG IUHHKHDOWK\PHDOVDQGVQDFNV WRFKLOGUHQLQORZLQFRPHDUHDV YLDWKH6XPPHU)RRG6HUYLFH 3URJUDPEHJLQQLQJRQ-XQH 7KHUHZHUHVLWHVWKURXJKRXW :LOODF\&DPHURQDQG+LGDOJR &RXQW\ZKLFKSURYLGHGPRUH WKDQPHDOVWR9DOOH\ FKLOGUHQDJHV Diocesan newspaper – The Valley Catholic garners national awards )RUWKUHHFRQVHFXWLYH\HDUV7KH 9DOOH\&DWKROLFWKHRI¿FLDOQHZVSDSHU RIWKH'LRFHVHRI%URZQVYLOOHKDV EHHQKRQRUHGZLWKDZDUGVIURPWKH &DWKROLF3UHVV$VVRFLDWLRQ6XEPLV VLRQVDUHFRQVLGHUHGDPRQJ&DWKROLF SXEOLFDWLRQVIURPDFURVVWKH8QLWHG States and Canada. $WWKLV\HDU¶VDQQXDOFRQIHU HQFHRQ-XQHLQ&KDUORWWH1RUWK Carolina, Brenda Nettles Riojas HDUQHG¿UVWSODFHLQWKHFDWHJRU\RI %HVW1HZV:ULWLQJRULJLQDWLQJZLWKWKH paper on a local or regional subject DPRQJGLRFHVDQQHZVSDSHUVZLWK DFLUFXODWLRQRIIRUDQDUWLFOH ³$6LJQRI*URZWK6W$QQH&KXUFK EHFRPHVTXDVLSDULVKQHZUHOLJLRXV RUGHUFKDUJHGZLWKGHYHORSLQJPLV VLRQWHUULWRU\´6KHDOVRJDUQHUHG¿UVW SODFHLQWKHFDWHJRU\RI%HVW5HJXODU &ROXPQ6SLULWXDO/LIHIRUWKHVHULHV ³3LOJULPDJHV&ORVHWR+RPH³*R 2XWGRRUV´³2XU/DG\RI/RXUGHV JLYHQKRPHLQ5LR*UDQGH&LW\´DQG ³/D/RPLWDµ7KH/LWWOH+LOO¶0LVVLRQ´ 5LRMDVUHFHLYHGDQKRQRUDEOH PHQWLRQLQWKHFDWHJRU\RI%HVW 2ULJLQDO3RHWU\IRUWKHSRHP³6LVWHUV Under the Stars.” Teens, young adults attend Chastity Rally 7KH$SRVWRODWHIRU/LIHKHOGD &KDVWLW\&RQIHUHQFHRQ0D\DW WKH%DVLOLFDRI2XU/DG\RI6DQ-XDQ GHO9DOOH1DWLRQDO6KULQHLQ6DQ-XDQ )DWKHU&DUORV=XQLJDSDVWRURI6W 3LXV;3DULVKLQ:HVODFRDQG)DWKHU $QG\*XWLHUUH]ZKRLVQRZSDURFKLDO YLFDU6W/XNHLQ%URZQVYLOOHZHUHWKH guest speakers. The topics centered RQ7KHRORJ\RIWKH%RG\6W-RKQ 3DXO,,¶VWHDFKLQJRQORYHOLIHDQG KXPDQVH[XDOLW\ Father-Son Seminar 7KH)DPLO\/LIH2I¿FHVSRQ VRUHGD)DWKHU6RQ3URJUDPIRU IDWKHUVDQGWKHLURU\HDU ROGVRQVRQ-XQHWKHGD\EHIRUH )DWKHU¶V'D\DWWKH%LVKRS$GROSK 0DU[&RQIHUHQFH&HQWHULQ6DQ-XDQ Immigrant respite centers open 7KH¿UVWFHQWHURSHQHG-XQH at Sacred Heart Church in downtown McAllen, which is located near the bus station. A second center opened -XQHLQWKHJ\PQDVLXPDFURVVWKH VWUHHWIURP,PPDFXODWH&RQFHSWLRQ &DWKHGUDOLQ%URZQVYLOOH,PPLJUDQWV PRVWO\IURP+RQGXUDV(O6DOYDGRU *XDWHPDODDQGRWKHUDUHDVRI&HQWUDO $PHULFDDUHDUULYLQJGDLO\GURSSHG RIIE\86,PPLJUDWLRQDQG&XVWRPV ,&(DJHQWVDIWHUEHLQJGHWDLQHGDQG SURFHVVHG7KH\DUHJLYHQSHUPLVVLRQ WRWUDYHORQWRWKHLU¿QDOGHVWLQDWLRQ ZLWKLQVWUXFWLRQVWRUHSRUWWR,&(DQG DSSHDULQFRXUW0RUHWKDQ LPPLJUDQWVKDYHEHHQDVVLVWHGDW WKHFHQWHUVDQGPRUHWKDQ YROXQWHHUKRXUVKDYHEHHQORJJHGE\ ORFDOYROXQWHHUVDQGYROXQWHHUVIURP VWDWHV New priest ordained for our diocese Bishop Daniel E. Flores ordained -RVH*DU]DWRWKHSULHVWKRRGRQ -XQHDW+RO\)DPLO\&KXUFKLQ %URZQVYLOOH$QDWLYHRI0DWDPRURV *DU]DZDVDVVLJQHGWR6W-RVHSKWKH :RUNHU&KXUFKLQ0F$OOHQ July New superintendent 6LVWHU&\QWKLD0HOORRIWKH6LVWHUV RI6W'RURWK\EHJDQKHUVHUYLFHDV VXSHULQWHQGHQWRIVFKRROVIRUWKH YEAR IN REVIEW 11 December 2014 - The Valley Catholic 'LRFHVHRI%URZQVYLOOHRQ-XO\ 7KH1HZ%HGIRUG0DVVQDWLYH replaces Lisette Allen, who accepted DSRVLWLRQDVGLUHFWRURIDFFUHGLWDWLRQ IRUWKH7H[DV&DWKROLF&RQIHUHQFHLQ $XVWLQ$OOHQVHUYHGDVVXSHULQWHQ GHQWIRUVL[\HDUV 6LVWHU0HOORZDVWKHSULQFLSDORI 2XU/DG\RI*XDGDOXSH6FKRROLQ 0LVVLRQIURPODWHXQWLOKHUDS SRLQWPHQWDVVXSHULQWHQGHQW Softball league $IWHUPRUHWKDQVRIWEDOO JDPHVWKHVXPPHU VRIWEDOOWRXUQDPHQWFORVHGRXW WKHVHDVRQRQ-XO\WHDPV PLGGOHVFKRROKLJKVFKRRODQG DGXOWVSDUWLFLSDWHGWKLV\HDU New church for Holy Rosary Parish Bishop Daniel E. Flores blessed DQGGHGLFDWHGDQHZVDQFWXDU\IRU WKHIDLWKIXORI+RO\5RVDU\3DULVKLQ 0LVVLRQRQ$XJ%LVKRS(PHUL WXV5D\PXQGR-3HQDDQG%LVKRS -DPHV$7DPD\RRIWKH'LRFHVHRI Laredo were also in attendance at the WKUHHKRXUVHUYLFH'HVLJQHGE\ 0LOQHW$UFKLWHFWXUDO6HUYLFHVLQ McAllen, the new church seats PRUHWKDQ construct a new altar and add a UHUHGRDOWDUVFUHHQ The cathedral was designed by )DWKHU3LHUUH<.HUDOXPRIWKH0LV VLRQDU\2EODWHVRI0DU\,PPDFXODWH who was trained as an architect in )UDQFHEHIRUHEHFRPLQJDSULHVW7KH cathedral was blessed and dedicated RQ3HQWHFRVW6XQGD\LQ Sisters celebrate anniversaries 1LQH6LVWHUVRIWKH,QFDUQDWH :RUGDQG%OHVVHG6DFUDPHQWFRP PHPRUDWHGWKHLUMXELOHHRIUHOLJLRXV SURIHVVLRQRQ$XJ$0DVVZDV celebrated by Bishop Daniel E. Flores DW0DU\0RWKHURIWKH&KXUFK3DULVK IROORZHGE\DUHFHSWLRQLQWKHJ\P QDVLXPDW,QFDUQDWH:RUG$FDGHP\ The Sisters who were honored all VHUYHGLQ%URZQVYLOOHDWVRPHSRLQWLQ WKHLUPLQLVWU\ Bishop visits Central America 7KH&DWHFKHWLFDO&RQYRFD WLRQZDVKHOGRQ6HSWDWWKH0F$O OHQ&RQYHQWLRQ&HQWHU$OOFDWHFKLVWV VHUYLQJWKH'LRFHVHDUHRI%URZQV YLOOH¶VSDULVKHVPLVVLRQFKXUFKHV Sisters from Peñitas DQG&DWKROLFVFKRROVZHUHLQYLWHGWR win national award SDUWLFLSDWHLQDQDIWHUQRRQRISUD\HU 2Q6HSW&DWKROLF([WHQVLRQ DQQRXQFHGWKDW6LVWHU&DURO\Q.RVXE UHÀHFWLRQDQGIHOORZVKLS7KHHYHQW 6LVWHU(PLO\-RFVRQDQG6LVWHU)DWLPD is designed to enrich, inspire and UHDI¿UPWKHFDWHFKLVWVDVWKH\EHJLQD 6DQWLDJRRIWKH0LVVLRQDU\6LVWHUVRI new school year. WKH,PPDFXODWH+HDUWRI0DU\ZHUH WKHUHFLSLHQWVRIWKHQDWLRQDO /XPHQ&KULVWL$ZDUG,QWKH Sisters created Proyecto Desarrollo +XPDQR7KH3URMHFWIRU+XPDQ 'HYHORSPHQWDQRXWUHDFKFHQWHU GHGLFDWHGWRKHDOWKVRFLDOVHUYLFHV HGXFDWLRQDQGHYDQJHOL]DWLRQORFDWHG LQWKH3XHEORGH3DOPDVFRORQLDLQ Peñitas. September Bishop Daniel E. Flores, ZKRVHUYHVRQWKHERDUGRI &DWKROLF5HOLHI6HUYLFHVYLVLWHG &HQWUDO$PHULFD$XJWR OHDUQPRUHDERXWWKHPLJUD WLRQRIVRPDQ\FKLOGUHQIURP +RQGXUDVDQG*XDWHPDODWR the United States. He said, “The IDPLOLHVZHPHWUHPLQGHGXV all that the greatest resource in a country is the hope present within its people.” Interfaith Prayer Vigil: Working together, praying together New Altar for Immaculate Conception Cathedral Opening Mass held for Catholic schools (GXFDWRUVIURPWKH&DWKROLF 6FKRROVRIWKH'LRFHVHRI%URZQVYLOOH gathered at the annual Eucharistic Celebration/Diocesan Teacher ,QVHUYLFHKHOGRQ$XJDW2XU/DG\ RI6RUURZV&KXUFKLQ0F$OOHQ%LVKRS Daniel E. Flores celebrated the Mass and awarded pins to the educators ZKRDUHPDUNLQJPLOHVWRQH\HDUV RIVHUYLFHWR&DWKROLFHGXFDWLRQLQ St. Luke Parish celebrated its WKDQQLYHUVDU\DWLWVDQQXDO)DOO )HVWLYDORQ2FW7KHSDULVKFRP PXQLW\RI6W/XNH&KXUFKZDVERUQ RQ-DQIRUPHGIURPWKH QRUWKHUQSDUWRI2XU/DG\RI*XDGD OXSH3DULVK:LWKRXWDFKXUFKEXLOGLQJ WRFDOOWKHLURZQWKHFRPPXQLW\ RIIDLWKJDWKHUHGDW+DQQD+LJK School to celebrate Sunday Mass. White Mass for health care professionals celebrated Oct. 23 Teachers of the faith gather at annual conference August St. Luke Church celebrates 40 years of faith 7KH,PPDFXODWH&RQFHSWLRQ&D WKHGUDOLQ%URZQVYLOOH¿UVWGHGLFDWHG LQIRXU\HDUVDIWHU%OHVVHG 3RSH3LXV,;GH¿QHGWKHGRFWULQHRI 2XU/DG\LPPDFXODWHO\FRQFHLYHG UHFHLYHGDQHZO\FRQVHFUDWHGDOWDU DQGUHQRYDWHGVDQFWXDU\6HSWRQ WKHIHDVWRI2XU/DG\RI6RUURZV 7KHIRXQGHURIWKH0LVVLRQDU\ 2EODWHVRI0DU\,PPDFXODWH6W (XJHQHGH0D]HQRGZDVSUHV HQWLQ5RPHZKHQWKHGRJPDZDV GH¿QHGDQGVKRUWO\WKHUHDIWHUKH VHQWWKH¿UVW2EODWHSULHVWVWRWKH5LR *UDQGH9DOOH\6W(XJHQH¶VUHOLFV were deposited in the altar during the GHGLFDWLRQFHUHPRQ\OHGE\%LVKRS Daniel E. Flores. $¿UHLQGHVWUR\HGWKH FDWKHGUDO¶VRULJLQDO)UHQFK*RWKLF sanctuary. Bishop Flores said, “The UHQRYDWLRQFRPSOHWHGLQ6HSWHPEHU sought to restore the architectural and DUWLVWLFLQWHJULW\RIWKHVDQFWXDU\ZKLOH DOORZLQJIRUWKHDGDSWDWLRQVQHHGHG IRUWKH&KXUFK¶VOLWXUJLFDOSUDFWLFH´ 7KHFDWKHGUDOWKHPRWKHUFKXUFK RIWKH'LRFHVHRI%URZQVYLOOHKDG EHHQFORVHGIRUPRUHWKDQD\HDU DQGDKDOI²DW¿UVWWRFRPSOHWH UHSDLUVRQWKHURRIRIWKHKLVWRULFDO *RWKLF5HYLYDOFKXUFKDQGODWHUWR Bishop Daniel E. Flores and UHOLJLRXVOHDGHUVRIPDQ\IDLWKV SUD\HGIRULPPLJUDQWIDPLOLHVIURP &HQWUDO$PHULFDDWDYLJLORQ6HSW DWWKH%DVLOLFDRI2XU/DG\RI 6DQ-XDQGHO9DOOH1DWLRQDO6KULQH The religious leaders are united in WKHLUEHOLHIWKDWKXPDQEHLQJVDUH PDGHLQWKHLPDJHDQGOLNHQHVVRI *RGDQGLQWKHLUSUD\HUVIRULPPL JUDWLRQUHIRUPDVDZD\WRSURWHFW ZRUNHUVDQGIDPLO\XQLW\ October Two new permanent deacons ordained 7ZRPHQZHUHRUGDLQHGWRWKH 6DFUHG2UGHURI3HUPDQHQW'HDFRQ by Bishop Daniel E. Flores on Oct. 11 DWWKH,PPDFXODWH&RQFHSWLRQ&DWKH GUDOLQ%URZQVYLOOH0LFKDHO0\HUVRI 6DQ%HQLWRDQG6HUJLR*RQ]DOH]RI :HVODFRUHFHLYHGWKHVDFUDPHQWRI KRO\RUGHUVEHFRPLQJPHPEHUVRI WKHFOHUJ\'HDFRQ0\HUVZDV DVVLJQHGWRKLVKRPHSDULVKRI2XU /DG\4XHHQRIWKH8QLYHUVH&KXUFK LQ6DQ%HQLWRZKLOH'HDFRQ*RQ]D OH]ZDVDVVLJQHGWR6W3LXV; &KXUFKLQ:HVODFRKLVKRPHSDULVK %LVKRS'DQLHO()ORUHVFHO HEUDWHGWKHWKDQQXDO:KLWH RQ2FWDW2XU/DG\RI3HU petual Help Church in McAllen. 1DPHGIRUWKHZKLWHJDUPHQWV WUDGLWLRQDOO\ZRUQE\PHGLFDO SURIHVVLRQDOVWKH:KLWH0DVV SURYLGHVKHDOWKFDUHSURIHVVLRQ als an opportunity to unite as DPHGLFDOFRPPXQLW\DQGWR UHDI¿UPWKHLUYRFDWLRQDVDKHDOLQJ PLQLVWU\RI&KULVW-HVXV$UHFHS WLRQDQGFRQIHUHQFHZDVKHOGDWWKH SDULVKKDOODIWHUWKH0DVV'U:LOOLDP 7RIÀHUFRIRXQGHURIWKH3K\VLFLDQV IRU&RPSDVVLRQDWH&DUHGHOLYHUHG the keynote address. Physicians IRU&RPSDVVLRQDWH&DUHDGYRFDWHV DJDLQVWDVVLVWHGVXLFLGHVDIHJXDUGLQJ OLIHXQWLOLWVQDWXUDOHQG November Youth take spiritual pilgrimage to streets 2Q1RYRYHUPLGGOHVFKRRO and high school youth and their IDPLOLHVWRRNWKHLUIDLWKWRWKHVWUHHWV RI0F$OOHQ7KHZDONLQJSLOJULPDJH RU³FDPLQDWD´EHJDQDW6W-RVHSKWKH :RUNHU&KXUFKFRQWLQXHGWR6DFUHG +HDUW&KXUFKWKHQ2XU/DG\RI6RU rows Church, and concluded at Our /DG\RI3HUSHWXDO+HOS&KXUFK Second annual matachines festival held in Las Milpas St. Frances Cabrini Church in Las 0LOSDVDFRPPXQLW\ORFDWHGLQ6RXWK 3KDUUKRVWHGD0DWDFKLQHV)HVWLYDO RQ1RY2UJDQL]HUVVDLGWKHJRDO RIWKHHYHQWZDVWRXQLWH0DWDFKLQHV IURPDOORYHUWKH9DOOH\DQGWRSUR PRWHDQGSUHVHUYHWKLVDUWIRUP More than 750 high school students attend YouthBLAST +XQGUHGVRIKLJKVFKRROVWXGHQWV IURPDFURVVWKH'LRFHVHRI%URZQV YLOOHXQLWHGLQFHOHEUDWLRQRIWKHLU IDLWKIRU<RXWK%/$67DFRQIHUHQFH KHOGRQ2FWDW0DU\+RJH0LGGOH 6FKRROLQ:HVODFR3UHVHQWHUV LQFOXGHG%LVKRS'DQLHO()ORUHVPLV VLRQDU\(QQLH+LFNPDQDQG&KULVWLDQ PXVLFVLQJHUVRQJZULWHU'DYLG0RRUH 7KHWKHPHRI<RXWK%/$67ZDV WDNHQIURPWKH%HDWLWXGHV³%OHVVHG DUHWKHSRRULQVSLULWIRUWKHLUVLVWKH NLQJGRPRIKHDYHQ´0W Sharing Basket initiative feeds 5,000 &DWKROLF&KDULWLHVRIWKH5LR *UDQGH9DOOH\WHDPHGXSZLWK1HZV &KDQQHODQG3HWHU3LSHU3L]]DWR IHHGPRUHWKDQIDPLOLHVLQWKH 5LR*UDQGH9DOOH\WKURXJKWKHDQQXDO Sharing Basket project. Hundreds RIYROXQWHHUVVRUWHGDQGDVVHPEOHG WKHEDVNHWVRQ1RYWKH7XHVGD\ EHIRUH7KDQNVJLYLQJ December Bishop celebrates outdoor Mass on feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe Red Mass celebrated in Brownsville 7KHVW$QQXDO5HG0DVV FHOHEUDWLRQZDVKHOGRQ2FWLQ %URZQVYLOOH7KHLQWHQWLRQVRIWKH5HG 0DVVDUHIRUDOOSURWHFWRUVDQGDGPLQ LVWUDWRUVRIWKHODZLQFOXGLQJODZ\HUV MXGJHVJRYHUQPHQWRI¿FLDOVDQGWKHLU VXSSRUWVWDIIV7KHIHVWLYLWLHVEHJDQ ZLWKDSURFHVVLRQIURPWKHKLVWRULF 'DQF\%XLOGLQJWRWKH,PPDFXODWH Conception Cathedral, where Bishop Daniel E. Flores celebrated Mass. ,PPHGLDWHO\IROORZLQJWKH0DVVD banquet was held at La Hacienda (YHQWV&HQWHU7H[DV6XSUHPH&RXUW -XVWLFH(YD*X]PDQWKH¿UVW/DWLQD RQWKHFRXUWGHOLYHUHGWKHNH\QRWH address. 7ZR%URZQVYLOOHQDWLYHVZKR KDYHH[SUHVVHG&KULVW¶VORYHWKURXJK GHGLFDWHGVHUYLFHWRRWKHUVZHUHKRQ RUHG6LVWHU1RUPD3LPHQWHORIWKH 0LVVLRQDULHVRI-HVXVDQGH[HFXWLYH GLUHFWRURI&DWKROLF&KDULWHVRIWKH 5LR*UDQGH9DOOH\DQG-HVXLW)DWKHU 7-0DUWLQH]IRXQGHURI&ULVWR5H\ High School in southeast Houston, ZKLFKSURYLGHVDWXLWLRQIUHH&DWKROLF HGXFDWLRQWRFKLOGUHQZKRVHIDPLOLHV DUHOLYLQJDWRUEHORZWKHIHGHUDO SRYHUW\OHYHO 7KH5HG0DVVFHOHEUDWLRQDOWHU nates yearly between Hidalgo and &DPHURQFRXQWLHV +XQGUHGVFRQYHUJHGRQ/LQFROQ 6WQHDU2XU/DG\RI*XDGDOXSH &KXUFKLQ%URZQVYLOOHIRUDQRXWGRRU Mass celebrated by Bishop Daniel E. )ORUHVRQ'HFWKHIHDVWRI2XU /DG\RI*XDGDOXSH3DULVKLRQHUV IURPVHYHUDO%URZQVYLOOHFKXUFKHV ZDONHGLQSURFHVVLRQIURPWKHLU UHVSHFWLYHFKXUFKHVWR2XU/DG\RI *XDGDOXSH3DULVK New sanctuary for San Cristobal Magallanes & Companions Parish Bishop Daniel E. Flores blessed DQGGHGLFDWHGWKH¿UVWRIVHYHUDO EXLOGLQJVSODQQHGIRU6DQ&ULVWREDO &RPSDQLRQV3DULVKLQ0LVVLRQRQ 'HF 7KHVTXDUHIRRWEXLOGLQJ which is planned as the parish hall, ZLOOVHUYHDVVDQFWXDU\XQWLODFKXUFK EXLOGLQJLVFRQVWUXFWHG,WVHDWV DQGLVORFDWHGDW6DQWD(QJUDFLD Rd. The parish was established in 12 YEAR IN REVIEW Deaths The Valley Catholic -December 2014 FRPPXQLW\IDPLO\DQGIULHQGV 6KHKDGVSHQWVHYHUDO\HDUVLQ FDQFHUWUHDWPHQWEHIRUHFKRRVLQJ KRVSLFHLQWKH¿QDOVWDJHVRIWKH GLVHDVH$QDWLYHRI6DQ%HQLWR6LVWHU 5RGULJXH]GHGLFDWHGKHUPLQLVWU\WR education. Coming in 2015 Father James C. Erving, OMI Jan. 22, 1971 - March 18, 2014 )DWKHU-DPHV³-LP´&(UYLQJ RIWKH0LVVLRQDU\2EODWHVRI0DU\ ,PPDFXODWHGLHGRQ0DUFKLQ6DQ $QWRQLR+HZDV $QDWLYHRI1HZ<RUN)DWKHU(UY LQJZDVWKHGLRFHVDQGLUHFWRURIWKH 5HVSHFW/LIH$SRVWRODWHDQGSDVWRURI 2XU/DG\RI5HIXJH3DULVKLQ5RPDDW WKHWLPHRIKLVGHDWK Father Gerard Barrett, OMI Jan. 14, 1937 - March 20, 2014 )DWKHU*HUDUG³*HUU\´%DUUHWWRI WKH0LVVLRQDU\2EODWHVRI0DU\,P PDFXODWHGLHGRQ0DUFKDW2EODWH Madonna Residence in San Antonio. +HZDV $QDWLYHRI,UHODQG)DWKHU%DUUHWW VHUYHGDVSDVWRURI2XU/DG\6WDURI WKH6HD3DULVKLQ3RUW,VDEHOIRUQLQH \HDUVEHIRUHKLVUHWLUHPHQWLQ$XJXVW +HDOVRVHUYHGDW2XU/DG\RI *XDGDOXSH&KXUFKLQ0LVVLRQDQGDW St. John the Baptist Church in San Juan. Father James Pfeifer, OMI Feb. 16, 1927 - April 23, 2014 )DWKHU-DPHV³-LP´(3IHLIHURI WKH0LVVLRQDU\2EODWHVRI0DU\,P PDFXODWHGLHGRQ$SULOVXUURXQGHG E\IDPLO\LQKLVUHVLGHQFHDW2XU/DG\ RI*XDGDOXSH3DULVKLQ0LVVLRQ $QDWLYHRI$ODPR)DWKHU3IHLIHU VHUYHGDVSDVWRURI6DFUHG+HDUW 3DULVKLQ0F$OOHQDQG2XU/DG\RI *XDGDOXSH&KXUFKLQ0LVVLRQGXULQJ KLVSULHVWO\PLQLVWU\+HVHUYHGDVD chaplain and counselor at the Charter 3DOPV+RVSLWDOLQ0F$OOHQDFHQWHUIRU SHRSOHVHHNLQJWUHDWPHQWIRUDOFRKRO LVPDQGGUXJDGGLFWLRQDPRQJPDQ\ RWKHUDVVLJQPHQWV Sister Teresita Rodriguez, IWBS Sept. 11, 1936 – Aug. 9, 2014 6LVWHU7HUHVLWD5RGULJXH] D6LVWHURIWKH,QFDUQDWH:RUGDQG %OHVVHG6DFUDPHQWZDVFDOOHGWR KHUHWHUQDOKRPH$XJDW,QFDUQDWH :RUG&RQYHQWLQ&RUSXV&KULVWLVXU rounded by her Sisters in her religious Maria Elena Maldonado, RSM Aug. 17, 1929 - Sept. 13, 2014 6LVWHU0DULD(OHQD0DOGRQDGRRI WKH6LVWHUVRI0HUF\GLHGRQ6HSW LQ6W/RXLV6KHZDV Sister Maldonado was born on $XJLQ0HUFHGHVWR5D\ PXQGR0DOGRQDGRDQG-XDQD*DUFHV 6KHHQWHUHGWKH6LVWHUVRI0HUF\FRP PXQLW\LQVHUYLQJDVDUHOLJLRXV VLVWHUIRU\HDUV$OOEXWIRXURIWKRVH \HDUVZHUHVHUYHGLQWKH5LR*UDQGH Valley. Sister Maldonado dedicated KHUOLIHWRWKH¿HOGRIHGXFDWLRQDV DGPLQLVWUDWRUWHDFKHUDQGLQUHOLJLRXV HGXFDWLRQ6KHVSHQWKHU¿UVW\HDUV DVDUHOLJLRXVVLVWHUVHUYLQJVFKRROVLQ Missouri and Arkansas. Sister Juliana García, MJ May 21, 1933 – Nov. 17, 2014 6LVWHU-XOLDQD*DUFtDIRXQGHURI WKH0LVVLRQDULHVRI-HVXVGLHGRQ1RY 6KHZDV $QDWLYHRI7ROHGR6SDLQ6LVWHU *DUFtDPLQLVWHUHGLQRXUDUHDIRUPRUH WKDQ\HDUV6KHZDVWKHGLUHFWRU RI&DVD2VFDU5RPHURLQWKHV DVKHOWHUWKDWKRXVHGWKRXVDQGVRI &HQWUDO$PHULFDQUHIXJHHVVHHNLQJ SROLWLFDODV\OXPLQWKH8QLWHG6WDWHV 6KHDOVRLQLWLDWHGWKHMDLOPLQLVWU\ in detention centers across the Rio *UDQGH9DOOH\DQGSHUIRUPHGSDULVK PLQLVWU\LQQXPHURXVFKXUFKHV Deacon John Schwarz Sept. 29, 1926 – Nov. 17, 2014 'HDFRQ-RKQ6FKZDU]RI2XU /DG\RI6RUURZV3DULVKGLHGRQ1RY DW0F$OOHQ0HGLFDO&HQWHU+HZDV 'HDFRQ6FKZDU]ZDVERUQLQ $XVWULDPRYHGWR&KLFDJRDQGZDV RUGDLQHGWRWKHSHUPDQHQWGLDFRQDWH RQ'HFIRUWKH$UFKGLRFHVHRI &KLFDJR+HPRYHGWRWKH'LRFHVHRI %URZQVYLOOHLQDQGZDVDVVLJQHG WR2XU/DG\RI6RUURZV3DULVKZKHUH KHZRUNHGLQPDUULDJHSUHSDUDWLRQ DQGGHYHORSHGWKHKHDOLQJPLQLVWU\LQ addition to his other responsibilities. 'HDFRQ6FKZDU]ZDVDOVRDPHPEHU RIWKH.QLJKWVRI&ROXPEXV &DWKROLF1HZV6HUYLFH Pope Francis said he would attend the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia in September, making it the ÀUVWFRQÀUPHGVWRSRQZKDWLVH[SHFWHGWREHDPRUHH[WHQVLYHSDSDOYLVLWWR1RUWK$PHULFD7KHSRSHPDGHWKH announcement Nov. 17 in a speech opening an interreligious conference on traditional marriage.“I would like to FRQÀUPWKDW*RGZLOOLQJLQ6HSWHPEHU,ZLOOJRWR3KLODGHOSKLDIRUWKHHLJKWK:RUOG0HHWLQJRI)DPLOLHVµWKH pope said. IN THE NEWS 13 December 2014 - The Valley Catholic Deacon Schwarz dies Pope: Little acts of love, kindness The Valley Catholic McALLEN — Deacon John Schwarz of Our Lady of Sorrows Parish died on Nov. 17 at McAllen Medical Center. He was 88. Deacon Schwarz was born in Austria, moved to Chicago and was ordained to the permanent diaconate on Dec. 9, 1978 for the Archdiocese of Chicago. He moved to the Diocese of Brownsville in 1983 and was assigned to Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, where he worked in marriage preparation and developed the healing ministry in addition to his other responsibilities. Deacon Schwarz was also a member of the Knights of Columbus. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Caroline; three sons, Walter, Hebert and John Jr. and seven grandchildren. Visitation was held throughout the day on Nov. 21 and a Rosary was prayed in the evening at Kreidler and faith add up to holiness Catholic News Service DEACON SCHWARZ Funeral Home in McAllen. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Nov. 22 at Our Lady of Sorrows Church followed by burial at Valley Memorial Gardens in McAllen. »Birthday & Anniversary Wishes The list of birthdays and ordination anniversaries is provided so that parishioners may remember the priests, deacons and religious in their prayers and send them a note or a card. December » Birthdays 1 1 9 10 11 15 25 29 30 Rev. Oliver Angel, JCL Rev. Andres Gutierrez Rev. Emmanuel Kwofie Rev. Simon Brzozowski, MSF Rev. Msgr. Gustavo Barrera Rev. Arturo Castillo Rev. Ignacio Luna Rev. Jerzy E. Maika Rev. Gregory Labus 24 Sister Margarita Ortiz, OP 9 17 22 31 Deacon Jose G. Gonzalez Deacon Gilberto Lopez Deacon Roberto Cano Deacon Crawford A. Higgins » Anniversaries 3 8 13 13 13 17 19 19 30 Rev. Gustavo Obando Rev. Alejandro G. Fajardo Rev. Genaro Hernriquez Rev. Joel Grissom, SM Rev. Rodolfo Franco Rev. Msgr. Juan Nicolau, Ph.D Rev. Francisco Acosta Rev. Thomas Pincelli Rev. Robert DeLong, MSF 2 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 Deacon Hector Garcia Deacon Gerardo Aguilar Deacon Antonio M. Arteaga Deacon Ramiro Davila Jr. Deacon Paul Escobar Deacon David Espinoza Deacon Francisco R. Flores Deacon Reynaldo I. Flores Deacon Javier A. Garcia Deacon Oscar Garcia Deacon Silvestre J. Garcia Deacon Jose G. Gonzalez Deacon Gilberto Guardiola Jr. Deacon Crawford A. Higgins Deacon Amando Peña Jr. Deacon Graciano Rodriguez 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 Deacon Gerardo J. Rosa Deacon Rodolfo Sepulveda Jr. Deacon Raymond Thomas Jr. Deacon Nicolas E. Trujillo Deacon Catarino Villanueva Deacon Armandin Villarreal Deacon Luis Zuñiga January » Birthdays 1 4 6 9 10 13 22 22 24 28 28 Rev. Leo Francis Daniels, CO Rev. Rigobert Poulang Mot Rev. Msgr. Louis Brum Rev. Julian Becerril O de M Rev. Eusebio Martinez Rev. Alejandro Flores Rev. Horacio Chavarria Rev. Oscar Siordia Rev. Ignacio Tapia Msgr. Rev. Robert Davola Rev. William Penderghest, ss.cc. 3 Brother Hoss A. Alvarez, MSC 5 Sister Emily Jocson, ICM 23 Sister Dianne Maresh, OSB 2 4 14 18 19 23 23 24 28 Deacon John P. Kinch Deacon Al Crixell Deacon Paulo Escobar Deacon Ramon G. Leal Deacon Salvador G. Saldivar Deacon Reynaldo I. Flores Deacon Rodolfo Sepulveda Jr. Deacon Juan Valenzuela Deacon Alejandro Flores » Anniversaries 4 4 6 28 30 30 Rev. Thomas Kulleck Rev. Manoj Kumar Nayak, ss.cc. Rev. Jose Lobaton, OFM Rev. Cesar Partida Bishop Daniel Flores as priest Msgr. Agostinho S. Pacheco 25 Deacon Francisco D. Pon VATICAN CITY — All Christians are called to holiness and to take even little steps each day to be more loving and more Christlike, Pope Francis said. “Some think that holiness is closing your eyes and making the face of a plastic statue, but that’s not holiness,” the pope said Nov. 19 at his weekly general audience. Holiness is something much greater, much more profound than looking like an image on a holy card, he said. “It is living with love and offering your own Christian witness in your daily tasks.” Pope Francis said “a great gift” of the Second Vatican Council was the recovery of the notion of “the church as communion,” a community formed by people who “have equal dignity and have the same vocation to holiness” by virtue of their baptism. “To be saints, one does not necessarily have to be a bishop, priest or religious, no,” he said. “We are all called to become saints.” “Many times we are tempted to think that holiness is reserved only for those who have the possibility of detaching themselves from ordinary concerns so they can dedicate themselves exclusively to prayer,” he said. “But that’s not true.” Holiness, the pope said, is a gift God offers to everyone and a Pope Francis response to his grace. It is the result of hundreds of little steps and gestures each day. And they will be different for each person depending on the circumstances of one’s life. Consecrated men and women become saints by living their vows with joy, he said. Married people become saints by loving and taking care of their husband or wife. Single Catholics become saints “doing their work with honesty and competence, and offering their time to serve their brothers and sisters.” In a factory or an office, in the marketplace or in the home, he said, God communicates with the faithful and gives them the grace to be holy. Parents and grandparents are taking a step toward holiness when they patiently listen to their children or grandchildren and when they enthusiastically teach them “to know and follow Jesus,” the pope said. “Holiness comes through the exercise of patience” with children, especially when you are tired, he added. People who do volunteer work take a step toward holiness every time they demonstrate God’s love for and closeness to someone who is suffering, he said. “On Sundays, going to Mass and receiving communion — sometimes adding a good confession that cleans us up a bit — that is a step toward holiness,” the pope said. “Be bearers of holiness. Always, eh: in your home, on the streets, at work and in church,” he told the estimated 13,000 people at the audience. “Don’t be discouraged in following this path. God himself will give you grace.” Cremation resisted as answer to PWFSDSPXEJOHBU.FYJDP$JUZDFNFUFSJFT Church allows incremation, but many prefer burials Catholic News Service MEXICO CITY — Amid graves adorned with marigolds in the San Isidro cemetery, brothers of the Missionaries of Christ the Priest offered prayers for visiting families remembering their recently deceased relatives. Families flocked to graveyards for the observance of All Saints Day and Day of the Dead, celebrated Nov. 2, and built altars in their homes — adorned with items their loved ones liked, ranging from plates of food to shots of tequila — believing their relatives return to visit them that night. But the graveyard tradition is gradually being threatened in Mexico City, mainly because cemetery space is becoming scarce and the local government is promoting cremation as an alternative. The effort does not sit well with some, including Catholics, who prefer burials. “It’s done for practical reasons,” Deacon Benito Eadaein, a member of the Missionaries of Christ the Priest, said of the trend toward cremations. “There is a tradition that comes with the church of there being a burial.” An inability to bury the dead causes some conflict for Catholics, especially because the church previously prohibited cremation. Church leaders in Mexico City have come around the idea of cremation, though, mainly for pragmatic reasons — including the shortage of spaces in cemeteries and the problem of poor people being able to pay for burial plots in far-flung parts of the metropolitan area. &16SKRWR'DYLG$JUHQ Religious brother and deacon pray with family remembering deceased loved one on All Saints Day at Mexico City cemetery “Many members of the church accept cremation as something natural,” says Bernardo Barranco, an academic and commentator on church matters in Mexico. “It much prefers burials,” he said of church leadership, “but it is increasingly flexible towards cremation.” A 1963 Vatican instruction, “Piam et Constantem” (“Devout and Constant”), and subsequent clarifications, permitted Catholics to be buried in non-Catholic cemeteries and to be cremated, if cremation was not chosen as a denial of church teaching. The church retains a preference for burial over cremation and directs cremated remains to be buried or inurned at a cemetery. Part of the problem in Mexico City comes from massive growth and its mushrooming to a metropolitan area of 21 million people in more than 50 municipalities. Some cemeteries in the city are centuries old, but were originally on the outskirts when opened, explained Father Jose de Jesus Aguilar, pastor of the San Cosme Parish in the central San Rafael neighborhood. Cost is causing many Catholics to carry out cremations if they cannot afford a crypt even in a church or private place. “Many people, especially those of modest means ... are keeping the ashes of their family members in their homes,” Father Aguilar said. “There’s a problem: one thing is that graveyards no longer exist, another thing is that they’re now very far away. Another problem is that there are not a sufficient number of crypts,” he added. Mexico City approved a law in June allowing families to rent burial space for seven years, after which the rights for the plot would revert to the city. Bodies would be removed as needed and the space rented to others. Of the 118 public cemeteries in the city, 31 percent are filled, according to the newspaper El Universal. Just five of the 14 private cemeteries have space remaining. The changes have caused conflict for some groups in the more traditional communities of Mexico City’s southern boroughs and many people expressed discomfort with the idea of cremation. 14 NOTICIAS EN ESPAÑOL The Valley Catholic - Diciembre 2014 Hermana Juliana García Redondo, MJ 21 de mayo 1933 – 17 de noviembre 2014 La fundadora de las Misioneras de Jesús sirvió por 63 años Por ROSE YBARRA The Valley Catholic La Hermana Juliana García, fundadora de las Misionarias de Jesús, una comunidad religiosa dedicada al servicio de las personas del Valle del Río Grande y Matamoros, murió el 17 de noviembre a los 81 años. Oriunda de Toledo, España, la Hermana García celebró 60 años de vida religiosa el 12 de octubre 2011, y fue reconocida con Multitudes de Acciones de Gracias por la Diócesis de Brownsville y la Diócesis de Matamoros. La hermana García sirvió a la Diócesis de Brownsville por más de 44 años. Ella fue directora de la Casa Oscar Romero en los 80’s, un albergue que alojó a miles de refugiados centroamericanos buscando asilo político en los Estados Unidos. Ella también inició el ministerio en prisiones en los centros de detención a través del Valle del Río Grande, llevando un mensaje de fe y esperanza del Evangelio a adultos y niños. La Hermana García realizó ministerio parroquial en más de una docena de iglesias en el Valle, incluyendo muchas de las parroquias en Brownsville y en parroquias y misiones en Donna, Álamo, San Juan, La Grulla y San Isidro. Ella también Viajó a Minnesota con trabajadores agrícolas migrantes por 10 años. Ella pasó sus últimos 10 años sirviendo como directora del Centro Santa Rosa de Lima en la Diócesis de Matamoros, un centro social-religioso que ofrece estudios Bíblicos, provee bolsas de comida a los necesitados, enseña a las mujeres del vecindario trabajo valioso y habilidades para la vida y mucho más. En el 2011, cuando le preguntaron cual había sido lo más destacado de sus 60 años de vida religiosa, respondió “No puedo decir que un ministerio ha sido mejor que otro. En todos mis apostolados, me he sentido feliz y realizada. En cada cosa que he hecho los últimos 60 años, hice lo que pude y lo que pensé que era correcto. He dado lo mejor de mí.” El velorio se llevo a cabo en el Convento Misioneras de Jesús en San Juan el 18 de nov. y todo el día el 19 de nov. Se rezó un Rosario la noche del 19 en la Iglesia Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe en Brownsville. Una Misa de Entierro Cristiano fue celebrada el 20 de nov. en la Basílica de Nuestra Señora de San Juan del Valle Santuario Nacional, seguida del entierro en Buena Vista Burial Park en Brownsville. Para seguir los deseos de la Hermana García, los donativos conmemorativos pueden hacerse para el Centro Santa Rosa de Lima en Matamoros. Mande las contribuciones a: Missionaries of Jesus, 700 N. Oblate Dr., San Juan, TX 78589. The Valley Catholic Desde los 18 años, la Hermana Juliana García se dedicó a la vida religiosa. Murió el 17 de noviembre a los 81 años. Su último papel era el de servir de directora del Centro Santa Rosa de Lima en Matamoros. En la foto, la Hermana García está rodeada por las mujeres de la vecindad y dos hermanas religiosas de su comunidad, la Hermana Ninfa Garza y la Hermana Leticia Benavides. NOTICIAS EN ESPAÑOL 15 Diciembre 2014 - The Valley Catholic Talleres de Oración y Vida Retiro de un día, nuevas sesiones programadas The Valley Catholic Muchos católicos rezan diariamente, asisten a Misa cada domingo y participan en los sacramentos, pero aún tienen por descubrir la llave para entender la presencia de Dios en su camino y en el mundo. Muchos no conocen a Jesús como la palabra viviente y tienen hambre de una formación espiritual e intelectual profunda. “Tal vez escuchamos las Escrituras en Misa, por ejemplo, pero no tenemos idea de cómo aplicar el mensaje a nuestras vidas,” dijo Rosa Pallais, una feligrés de la Iglesia Our Lady of Perpetual Help en McAllen y guía de Talleres de Oración y Vida, un método basado en la biblia para profundizar la vida en oración. Nuevas sesiones de los Talleres de Oración y Vida están programados para empezar en enero a través del Valle del Río Grande. Los talleres, que se encuentran disponibles en inglés y español, están dirigidas a niños, adolescentes, adultos, y adultos jóvenes. El taller dura dos horas, una vez a la semana. Un retiro de un día organizado bajo las guías del Taller de Vida tendrá lugar de 8 a.m. a 5 p.m. el sábado 6 de diciembre en la parroquia San Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin, en McAllen. Todos están invitados. Los Talleres de Oración y Vida fueron desarrollados por el fallecido Padre Ignacio Larrañaga, un Franciscano Capuchino muy viajado, nacido en España y que vivió la mayor parte de su vida en Chile. La misión del Padre Larrañaga fue de transformar a cada Cristiano en amigo y discípulo de Dios. “La oración es un regalo de Dios, y el primer regalo de Dios,” dijo el Padre Larrañaga en una entrevista con la agencia de noticias Zenit en el 2005. “Pero también es un arte, ya que es la convergencia entre gracia y naturaleza. Y, como arte, está sujeta a las normas del aprendizaje y otras reglas psicológi- cas. Para rezar bien, entonces, uno necesita método y disciplina.” El método y disciplina del que habló el Padre Larrañaga están detallados a lo largo del curso del Taller de Oración y Vida, un servicio eclesial aprobado por la Santa Sede desde 1997. El taller fue fundado en 1984 y más de ocho millones de personas se han beneficiado de ellos. En un artículo que él escribió para la página Catholic.net, el Padre Larrañaga dijo que una cosa es conocer la Palabra del Señor y otra cosa era vivir la Palabra, experimentarla de primera mano. “Sabemos que el fuego quema pero es otra cosa poner las manos en el fuego y experimentarlo,” dijo el Padre Larrañaga, quien murió en el 2013. “Sabemos que el agua quita la sed pero es otra cosa tomar un vaso de agua fría en un día caluroso de verano y experimentar el agua quitándote la sed.” “Realmente, el taller transforma la vida,” dijo Pallais, quien ha servido como guía desde 1996. “Cada sesión tras sesión te va haciendo meditar y profundizar sobre todo lo que Dios te regala y cómo uno a veces se queda con eso dentro y no lo comparte. Entonces, el taller te va enseñando cómo ser más abierto, más comprensivo, te va enseñando, te va llevando a perdonar, te va enseñando que perdonar es lo mejor que uno puede hacer en su vida. “En la reflexión, a través de oraciones y a través de la vivencia que vamos teniendo semana tras semana, va uno profundizando y va uno indiscutiblemente cambiando.” Para más información sobre el retiro de los Talleres Oración y Vida, en el condado de Starr, llame a Sandra al (956) 735-3995; en el Sur del Valle, llame a Magda al (956) 640-9701; y en el Norte del Valle llame a Esperanza al (956) 800-3088 o Rosa al (956) 328-6300. Papa Francisco vendrá a Estados Unidos en 2015 ACI Prensa ROMA – El Papa Francisco anunció el 17 de noviembre que viajará a Estados Unidos en septiembre de 2015 para participar del Encuentro Mundial de las Familias que tendrá lugar en la ciudad de Filadelfia. La noticia la ha hecho pública el mismo Santo Padre durante la sesión inaugural del Congreso “La complementariedad del hombre y la mujer”, organizado por la Congregación para la Doctrina de la Fe y copatrocinado por el Consejo Pontificio para la Familia, el Consejo Pontificio para el Diálogo interreligioso y el Consejo Pontificio para la Promoción de la Unidad de los Cristianos. El Papa Francisco dijo “confirmo que Dios mediante en septiembre de 2015 iré a Filadelfia para el octavo Encuentro Mundial de las Familias”. El Encuentro Mundial de las Familias se realiza cada tres años y fue instituido por San Juan Pablo II en 1994, el Año de la Familia. El de Filadelfia se realizará del 22 al 27 de septiembre de 2015. Papa Francisco Hace unos días y en el marco de la asamblea plenaria de los obispos de Estados Unidos, el Arzobispo de Filadelfia, Mons. Charles Chaput, señaló que en este importante acontecimiento para la Iglesia se abordarán “distintos asuntos relacionados a las familias en los que nuestra fe se necesita y es probada. Estas son las cuestiones que afectan a las familias no solo en Estados Unidos sino a nivel global”. Las inscripciones para este evento ya se han abierto. Puede registrarse a través del sitio web: http://www.worldmeeting2015. org/plan-your-visit/register/ Festival de Matachines B.N. Riojas/The Valley Catholic Cientos bailaron en ODVFDOOHVHOGH noviembre. Feligreses de la Iglesia St. Frances Xavier Cabrini en Pharr celebraron HODQLYHUVDULR de la parroquia y organizaron un festival de matachines. Grupos de diferentes iglesias en el Valle del Río Grande y de México participaron en el festival en la comunidad de Las Milpas. La Inmaculada Concepción El 8 de diciembre es dia de precepto, el 12 es opcional Por ROSE YBARRA The Valley Catholic “La Santísima Virgen María fue, desde el primer momento de su concepción, por una gracia y privilegio singular de Dios todopoderoso y por virtud de los méritos de Jesucristo, Salvador de la raza humana, mantenida inmune de la mancha del pecado original.” – Pius IX, Ineffabilis Deus, 1854) “Para la Inmaculada Concepción, siempre es necesario recordarle a las personas o sólo asegurarse de que todos comprendan que se trata de María – no de Jesús – es decir su concepción,” dijo el Padre Joaquín Zermeño, pastor de la Iglesia Inmaculada Concepción en McCook y la Iglesia San Isidro en San Isidro. “Todo sobre María se enfoca siempre en Jesús. Necesitamos que ella exista para que Dios la pueda usar como el tabernáculo para que Dios esté en ella.” En 1854, la solemne declaración del Papa Pius IX’s “Ineffabilis Deus,” aclaró con firmeza la arraigada creencia de que María había sido concebida libre del pecado original. A María se le dio este extraordinario privilegio debido a su fun- Cesar Riojas Jr./The Valley Catholic Imagen de la Santisima Virgen María en la Catedral de la Inmaculada Concepción en Brownsville. ción única en la historia como la Madre de Dios. Es decir, ella recibió el regalo de la salvación en Cristo desde el momento de su concepción. La Solemnidad de la Inmaculada Concepción, que cae en el 8 de dic., es un día santo obligatorio, lo cual significa que los feligreses están obligados a participar en la Misa. El Padre Zermeño dijo que muchos Católicos en nuestra diócesis dan prioridad a la Fiesta de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe que cae el 12 de dic., sobre la Solemnidad de la Inmaculada Concepción. “Tenemos una fuerte conex- ión cultural con Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, tantas personas quieren enfocarse en la Virgen de Guadalupe y se olvidan de que es una fiesta opcional mientras que la Inmaculada Concepción es un santo día de obligación mundialmente,” dijo el Padre Zermeño. “He tenido que seguir recordándole a los feligreses que el día santo es el 8 y no el 12.” La Solemnidad de la Inmaculada Concepción es un tiempo para celebrar la gran dicha del regalo de Dios a la humanidad en María, y para reconocer con mejor claridad, la verdad de que cada ser humano ha sido creado por Dios para cumplir una misión particular que él y solamente él puede cumplir. Si bien María es única en toda la humanidad por haber nacido sin pecado, ella es alzada por la Iglesia como modelo para la humanidad en su santidad y pureza, en su disposición al aceptar el Plan de Dios para ella. Cada persona es llamada a reconocer y responder el llamado de Dios, su propia vocación, para poder llevar a cabo el plan de Dios para sus vidas y cumplir la misión preparada para ellos desde antes del principio del tiempo. La respuesta de María al saludo del Arcángel Gabriel “Hágase en mi según Su Palabra” es la respuesta requerida por todos los Cristianos para el Plan de Dios. – Con información de ACI Prensa 16 NOTICIAS EN ESPAÑOL The Valley Catholic - Diciembre 2014 »Mujeres en la frontera La morenita y sus rosas N os regala rosas en diciembre. Le llevamos serenata con las mañanitas antes de que amanezca, los matachines bailan en la calle en su honor; puedes escuchar los tambores y los cantos mientras se acercan – “La Guadalupana, La Guadalupana, La Guadalupana bajo del Tepeyac.” ¿Por qué en diciembre, en pleno Adviento y justo dos días después de celebrar la Solemnidad de la Inmaculada Concepción, se reúnen cientos de miles, algunas veces en lluvia y frio, en todo México, los Estados Unidos y otras partes del mundo a celebrar la Fiesta de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe? Desde el cielo una hermosa mañana, nuestra Santa Madre, nuestra Virgencita Morena, apareció por primera vez hace 500 años en Tepeyac, a un indígena llamado Juan Diego. Ella se apareció en 1531 durante tiempos caóticos con un mensaje de amor y esperanza. Su mensaje en Náhuatl, la lengua nativa, cambió corazones y restauró la dignidad de las personas. Se han escrito volúmenes sobre el significado de las apariciones que ocurrieron del 9 al 12 de diciembre. San Juan Pablo II, durante su papado, la declaró Patrona de toda América y Estrella de la primera y nueva evangelización. Él incluso dedicó una capilla en su honor en la Basílica de San Pedro. El Papa Francisco, en su mensaje a las Américas hace un Brenda Nettles Riojas Editora, The Valley Catholic año en la Fiesta de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, dijo, “Cuando la imagen de la Virgen apareció en la tilma de Juan Diego, fue la profecía de un abrazo: el abrazo de María a todas las personas de las grandes extensiones de América – las personas que ya viven ahí, y aquellos que estar por venir.” Él dijo, “El abrazo de María mostró lo que América – Norte y Sur – es llamada a ser: una tierra donde diferentes personas se unen; una tierra preparada para aceptar la vida humana en cada etapa, desde el vientre materno hasta la vejez; una tierra que acoge a los inmigrantes, a los pobres y marginados en cada edad. Una tierra de generosidad.” Este diciembre mientras reflexionamos en el año y nos preparamos para recibir un año nuevo, presenciamos en estas celebraciones Marianas la dicha de celebrar nuestra fe, una dicha que se desborda y nos inspira a compartirla públicamente en las calles en un país que nos da la libertar de expresar nuestra fe sin miedo de persecución o muerte. La procesión en Brownsville se ha convertido en una de mis favoritas. Algunas veces los sac- erdotes montan caballos llevando un estandarte con su imagen guiando a los matachines y carros alegóricos con estudiantes recreando las apariciones que ocurrieron en 1531. La mayoría de las parroquias en la ciudad participan y convergen juntas desde distintas rutas para una Misa al aire libre en la Iglesia Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe en la calle Lincoln. Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe nos ayuda a recordar el abrazar nuestra fe, confiando en su hijo para guiarnos en nuestro diario peregrinar; ella nos ayuda a recordar abrazar nuestra cultura, una cultura de vida, reforzada por la fidelidad a nuestras creencias, nuestra herencia, nuestros idiomas y nuestra tierra. La Estrella de la Nueva Evangelización, ella nos guía y nos alienta a compartir la dicha del Evangelio, a levantar nuestra voz, a mostrar nuestro amor, a luchar por la justicia. Ella quien guio el camino, su imagen adornando una bandera mientras el Padre Miguel Hidalgo guiaba la Guerra de Independencia de México, continúa guiando el camino hacia su hijo. Tenemos algunas batallas ante nosotros cuando se trata de la libertar religiosa, el mandato HHS, hablar por los vulnerables y hablar por nosotros mismos. Nuestra Santa Madre, la Morenita de Tepeyac, nos acompaña. Ella quien aplasta a la serpiente, procede con amor. Ella nos invita a hacer lo mismo. “No se turbe tu corazón”. Así como le prometió a Juan Diego, ella nos promete a nosotros, “¿No estoy aquí yo, que soy tu Madre? ¿No estás tú bajo mi sombra y protección? ¿No soy yo la razón de tu dicha? ¿No estas por ventura en mi regazo, en el cruce de mis brazos? ¿Acaso necesitas algo más? No dejes que nada te preocupe o te agobie.” Yo encuentro alivio al prender una vela ante una estatua de madera de la Virgencita Morena, tallada y pintada por un artesano en San Miguel de Allende, México. Ella se encuentra en la ventana de mi cocina. Ella es una compañera constante. El verano que pasé en San Miguel ella se aparecía en cada vuelta – se encontraba tejida en lentejuela en bolsas, usada como adorno en aretes y pendientes, pintada en bolsas de plástico para el mandado, incluso el gato del rentero se llamaba Guadalupe. La cultura popular la ha hecho un ícono más allá de las paredes de la Iglesia. Ella está ligada a la identidad mexicana, está ligada a su gente. Nuestra Santa Madre no será ignorada. Y su mirada apacible nos consuela y nos lleva cerca de su hijo. La honramos no solamente en diciembre, sino todo el año. Diciembre es la culminación de nuestro agradecimiento a nuestra Madre Santa ante la anticipada llegada de su hijo en Navidad. Así como ella nos abraza, así la abrazamos. Le agradecemos por ser nuestra madre compasiva. Nuncio en México: La crisis es de educación ACI Prensa/EWTN Noticias MÉXICO D.F. - El Nuncio Apostólico en México, Mons. Christophe Pierre, pidió entender que la crisis del país es de tipo educativo, donde prevalece el individualismo; asimismo, llamó a fieles y religiosos a salir a dar el anuncio, pues “la Iglesia no debe encerrarse en sí misma”. “La crisis de México es la crisis de la educación y hay que entenderlo bien, hay que contribuir y ofrecer algo, que es la experiencia que tenemos a lo largo de la historia, que es un modelo educativo”, señaló el representante vaticano durante el Encuentro Nacional “Educar para una Nueva Sociedad, Pasión que se Renueva”, realizado en la Universidad La Salle el 18 de noviembre. Mons. Pierre recordó que educar es ayudar a la persona a que crezca en virtudes y principios, algo que se está haciendo difícil en el país. En ese sentido, llamó a profundizar en la misión de los laicos en el mundo educativo. El Nuncio Apostólico también se refirió a la tarea evangelizadora. Señaló que “la Iglesia no debe encerrarse en sí misma, debe salir a dar el anuncio, a transmitir la experiencia del Evangelio y ayudar en este mundo vasto y complejo de la educación, que es central”. NOTICIAS EN ESPAÑOL 17 Diciembre 2014 - The Valley Catholic »La Alegría de Vivir Atrocidades en nombre de la religión L a ciudad de Mosul, en Irak, ha generado noticias de persecución a cristianos, increíble que esto suceda en el siglo 21, sin embargo está sucediendo ahora mismo gracias a un grupo radical musulmán que está en contra de todo, incluso de otros musulmanes en su país, pues hacen distinción entre shiitas y sunnis, y otras ramificaciones dentro del islam que se oponen a sus acciones. Han destruido templos cristianos y mezquitas, incluso la tumba del profeta Jonás y otras edificaciones musulmanes que los jihadistas condenan como insultos al “verdadero” islam porque no se apegan a lo estricto y restrictivo que ellos determinan como verdadera religión, aun cuando lo que ellos pregonan con sus actos no corresponde a ninguna religión, sino más bien a una secta. Etimológicamente hablando la palabra secta se deriva del latín, de la raíz “secare”, que significa cortar, y también de “sequor” que significa seguir; entonces una secta es un grupo que se separa y aísla del mundo siguiendo las directivas de un líder. La diferencia entre las sectas y la religión, específicamente en nuestro contexto cultural, la diferencia entre las sectas y el cristianismo o el islam, es que los Msgr. Juan Nicolau Sacerdote jubilado de la Diócesis de Brownsville que verdaderamente practican su religión buscan estar en comunión con Dios y con sus semejantes, no se aíslan del mundo, tratan de llevar la buena nueva del evangelio a través de sus actos a todo el que quiera escucharlo sin forzar a nadie a compartir sus creencias, disfruta de su libre albedrio, aun y cuando a veces se equivoca, saben que son libres para amar a Dios y sus semejantes. En cambio el miembro de una secta vive en una prisión, sujeto a la voluntad del “líder”, quien poco a poco le va nublando la razón, convenciéndolo que cualquier acto inmoral o torcido tiene justificación ante Dios, aun y cuando atente contra la moralidad y la salud física y mental de sus propias hijas. Esta definición de sectas va mas allá de los conceptos religiosos, pues este fenómeno sectario puede darse en términos ideológicos, políticos, o hasta de estratos sociales. Por ejemplo los grupos neonazis de los cabezas rapadas (skin-heads) que se han desarrollado en Europa y que tratan de revivir los ideales racistas de Hitler, su máximo líder; o los Talibanes que escudándose en principios fundamentalistas y extremos, despojaron completamente a la mujer de cualquier derecho, relegándola a ser una propiedad exclusiva de los varones de su familia. Hay que estar atentos porque cuando el ser humano se encuentra desmoralizado, como en esta época moderna, es fácil que caiga en las manos de falsos profetas, impostores de la verdadera fe que les prometen una vida diferente, ordenada, sin la “contaminación” del mundo, claro que olvidan decirles que deberán seguir sus ordenes y beneficiarlo a él. Pensemos que el ser humano ha nacido con el deseo de vivir, de amar, de ser amado, deseo de variedad, y sobre todo con el deseo de pertenecer, por eso si no siente que pertenece a una familia buscara a otra clase de grupos que suplan esta necesidad. — Mons. Juan Nicolau, Ph.D. STL es un sacerdote jubilado de la Diócesis de Brownsville. Es psicoterapeuta familiar y consejero profesional con licencias. Sinodo sobre la familia 2014 Protect: Your car. Your house. Your bank account. Save an average of $825* Protect yourself with America’s #1 car and home insurance company.** Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.® CALL ME TODAY. Daniel Reza, Agent 1221 S 77 Sunshine Strip Harlingen, TX 78550 Bus: 956-425-3276 [email protected] *Average annual per household savings based on a national 2012 survey of new policyholders who reported savings by switching to State Farm. **Based on A.M. Best written premium. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, State Farm Indemnity Company, Bloomington, IL State Farm Fire and Casualty Company, State Farm General Insurance Company, Bloomington, IL, State Farm Florida Insurance Company, Winter Haven, FL, State Farm Lloyds, Dallas, TX 1005002.1 ¿Cómo puede la Iglesia Católica mejorar su acercamiento a la familia y los retos que enfrenta en la modernidad? De acuerdo con Reportes Romanos, ésta pregunta ha sido dividida en una serie de temas en el día 2 del Sínodo sobre la Familia el cual tuvo lugar en Roma del 5-19 de octubre, 2014. 1) Lenguaje. Palabras usadas por la Iglesia deben invitar y no condenar directamente. Fray Thomas Rosica señaló: “Apuntar a las personas mientras que tú vives en pecado; eres intrínsecamente desordenado; o tienes una mentalidad contraceptiva no ayuda a acercar a las personas a Cristo y ayudarlos a abrazar las enseñanzas de la Iglesia.” 2) Ley de Gradualidad. Este fue un punto mayor el cual subraya el trayecto único que las personas toman en la búsqueda de Dios. Para algunas personas, es inmediato; para otras es un proceso. El Cardenal Vincent Nichols, Arzobispo de Westminster UH, dijo que esto “permite y alienta a la gente, a todos nosotros, a tomar un paso a la vez en la búsqueda de lo Sagrado en nuestras vidas.” 3) Ofensa vs. Defensa. Esta noción de subrayar lo bueno en la promoción de la vida familiar en lugar de los retos fue abordada. Fray Manuel Dorantes comentó que “la Iglesia se ha enfocado demasiado en rechazar el matrimonio homosexual y a su vez ha fallado en expresar una imagen atractiva y completa del matrimonio. Necesitamos enfocarnos en lo positivo en lugar de lo negativo; más en los puntos altos en lugar Lydia Pesina Directora, Oficina de Vida Familiar de la prohibición; más en lo que lo hace atractivo en lugar de presentarlo como la regla”. 4) Sexualidad y Espiritualidad. Fray Manuel Dorantes comentó que “la Iglesia ha hablado tanto sobre el sexo fuera del matrimonio, que cuando se trata de la sexualidad en el matrimonio; algunas veces parece un matrimonio permitido, a veces parece una imperfección permitida. No debemos de estar en contra del sexo; sino mostrar cómo su camino nos puede llevar hacia lo sagrado.” 5) Historia. La conexión entre la Iglesia y la familia también deben de ser subrayadas: el papel que la Iglesia ha tenido en la promoción de la vida familiar y por lo tanto en la promoción de un tejido fuerte de la sociedad. Fray Thomas Rosica habló sobre cómo (en la Iglesia) “usamos textos evangélicos en relación al matrimonio.” Él dice que a menudo citamos textos que hablan sobre cómo un hombre debe de dejar a su padre y a su madre y aferrarse a su esposa y los dos se convertirán en uno... Es importante hacer las conexiones de las escrituras/historia a la vida familiar en el presente. Es interesante anotar que estos temas nos impactan aquí en la Diócesis de Brownsville así como impactan a las familias mundialmente en nuestra Iglesia Universal. El 8 de octubre del 2013, el Papa Francisco anunció que en octubre del 2014 habría una Asamblea General Extraordinaria del Sínodo de Obispos en los temas relacionados a la familia y la evangelización. Comunicaciones subsecuentes aclararon que la Asamblea General Extraordinaria estaría seguida por la Asamblea General Ordinaria del Sínodo de Obispos en octubre del 2015, en los mismos temas. En diciembre del 2013, el Obispo Flores (así como todos los obispos a nivel mundial) presentaron un reporte sobre los RETOS PASTORALES DE LA FAMILIA EN EL CONTEXTO DE LA EVANGELIZACIÓN en preparación para el SÍNODO DE OBISPOS III ASAMBLEA GENERAL EXTRAORDINARIA. La serie de preguntas le permitieron a ciertas Iglesias participar activamente en la preparación del Sínodo Extraordinario, cuyo propósito es el de proclamar el Evangelio en el contexto de los retos pastorales que enfrenta la familia en la actualidad. Mientras esperamos los resultados de éste Sínodo y anticipamos la Asamblea General Ordinaria del Sínodo de Obispos en octubre del 2015, quizá podamos apoyar este proceso que nuestro Santo Padre el Papa Francisco dirige rezando por él, por todas nuestras familias, y por todos los que participan en la próxima Asamblea General Extraordinaria del Sínodo de Obispos en octubre del 2015. 18 DIOCESE The Valley Catholic - December 2014 Walk for Life Rally: Silent no more Courtesy photos Advocates defend all life, including unborn, refugees Left: State Sen. Eddie Lucio, Jr. speaks about the sanctity of life. Below: Prolife advocates march to the Hidalgo County Courthouse in Edinburg. Special to the Valley Catholic EDINBURG – The Edinburg Pro-Life Committee held its second annual Walk for Life Rally on Oct. 25 at the Hidalgo County Courthouse in Edinburg. Parishioners from Sacred Heart Church, St. Joseph Church and Holy Family Church attended the event, along with pro-life advocates from other organizations and from surrounding communities. Guest speaker State Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr., D-Brownsville, spoke about the sanctity of human life. Other speakers included Yolanda Rebeles, who shared her personal testimony of regret over her abortion. She especially encouraged pregnant women not to abort their children because of the negative consequences that women suffer. Rebeles also urged women who had experienced abortion to remain, “silent no more,” but instead seek post-abortion counseling and attend a healing retreat as she did. She affirmed that by being open about the abortion experience and not remaining silent brings healing; it makes one whole again. grant children who have recently arrived in our area from countries fraught with violence and gangs. “It is part of our belief that we welcome the stranger, especially those who are fleeing countries with so much turmoil,” Sister Pimentel said. The event concluded with youth from St. Joseph Church leading the praying of the Rosary. Ruben Rosales Jr., a sidewalk counselor for the McAllen Pregnancy Center, a Catholic pro-life facility, motivated attendees to volunteer for the pro-life cause. He said that they can help out by praying at the abortion clinic or by serving as a sidewalk counselor. “By doing this, they support the children who have no one to speak for them or represent them in society,” Rosales said. Sister Norma Pimentel of the Missionaries of Jesus, executive director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley, defined being pro-life as supporting children in the womb, from conception to natural death, including the immi- Humanitarian Outreach Responding to the call Why do you volunteer at the immigrant respite center? “I feel it in my heart, I feel like I’m doing the right thing, even though at the beginning I heard a lot of bad things in the media. You have to experience this in order to understand. When you are with the families, you learn a lot of things. You learn to appreciate little things like a shower, a meal, a sweater ... things that we take for granted mean a lot to them. I enjoy interacting with the families, hearing their stories, talking to them, helping WKHPWKDW·VZK\,NHHSFRPLQJEDFNµ - Joanna Ledesma, 28, parishioner of San Martin de Porres Church in Alton “I keep coming back to see the hope that the people have to begin a life that shows their worth and their dignity. Their transformation from coming in the door to when they leave is remarkable. The stories I have heard, all that they have endured, makes me so grateful for the gifts that God has given me. I have been waking up every morning thanking God I have a bed to sleep in and praying for those that I’m going to meet today, that did not have a bed last night, that slept on WKHÁRRURUZHUHQRWHYHQDEOHWRVOHHSRQWKH ÁRRUEHFDXVHWKHUHZHUHWRRPDQ\SHRSOH It’s the need to help bring hope and goodness to people who deserve it, who just want WROLYHLQDIUHHDQGORYLQJHQYLURQPHQWZLWKWKHLUIDPLOLHVWKDWKDVPHKHUHµ 6LVWHU0DU\$QQ6SDQMHUVD)UDQFLVFDQ6LVWHURI&KULVWLDQ&KDULW\IURP Manitowoc, Wisc. Meet some of the volunteers who help refugees from Central America at the respite center at Sacred Heart Church in McAllen. The center opened June 10 and hundreds of volunteers have served more than 10,000 people. To volunteer call (956) 292-5852. Brother Phillipp, continued from pg. 8 ing on the farm made him adept at projects of all sizes and scopes. He returned “home” to St. Joseph Academy in Brownsville in 1946, where he helped expand the school, which included a move from the location on Elizabeth St. to its current site on Ringgold St. Brother Phillipp spent 22 years serving in schools in Florida and Georgia as a teacher and administrator, but returned to St. Joseph Academy for good in 1984. His time on the farm proved useful time and time again, and in his spare time, he helped develop the football and baseball fields, using equipment he borrowed from his family. Brother Phillipp officially retired six years ago but he refuses to stay away from St. Joseph Academy. “It is not in his nature to take it easy,” said Lori Trott, principal of St. Joseph Academy. “He wants to be here every single day, doing and moving about as best as he can. He knows most, if not all, of the students by name and takes the time to talk to them.” “There are two of us left in my age group and they are retired and living in Florida. I could do the same, but that’s why I’m here,” he said, pointing to the cross on the wall. “We show the students how to love Jesus and how to get closer to Jesus.” DIOCESE 19 December 2014 - The Valley Catholic »Media Resource Center La Virgen de Guadalupe Several events will be held in our diocese in honor of the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Dec. 12. At the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle, the festivities will begin on Thursday, Dec. 11 at 11 p.m. with mañanitas and serenades to Our Lady, followed by a Mass at midnight. Recommended by SISTER MAUREEN CROSBY, SSD Coordinator of the Media Resource Center - Diocese of Brownsville »Worth Watching In Brownsville, beginning at 6 p.m., on Friday, Dec. 12, parishioners from several churches will walk in procession to the Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, where Bishop Daniel E. Flores will celebrate an outdoor Mass at 7 p.m. The First Christmas and other stories... Format: DVD Length: PLQXWHV Audience: High School/Adults Director:: Lindsay Van Blerk Production:*RRG7LPHV (QWHUWDLQPHQW&OD\PDWLRQ $QDQLPDWHGWULRRI&ODVVLF&KULVWPDV VWRULHV7KH)LUVW&KULVWPDV7KH &KLPHVDQG$&KULVWPDV*LIW7KH)LUVW &KULVWPDV VeggietalesThe Little Drummer Boy Format: DVD Length: PLQXWHV Audience: $JHV$QLPDWHG Director:: Brian Roberts Production: %LJ,GHD&R :KHQLWVHHPV\RXKDYHQRWKLQJWR EULQJ«:KDWJLIWFDQ\RXJLYHWKH.LQJ" ,QWKLV9HJJLHYHUVLRQRIDKROLGD\FODVVLF Junior Asparagus stars as The Little 'UXPPHU%R\DORQHO\FKLOGZKR¿QGV WKHWUXHPHDQLQJRI&KULVWPDVZKHQKH VWXPEOHVXSRQWKHELUWKRIWKHEDE\-HVXV »From the Bookshelf Advent in the Home La Luz, continúa de la pág. 2 la gracia de Dios a causa de esta luz. La luz que compartimos es la amistad con Jesús que nos permite saber la alegría que viene de caminar con él en nuestra vida cotidiana. La gente pregunta, “¿Qué es lo bueno de la Buena Nueva?” Es simplemente esto: Dios camina con nosotros. No estamos solos. Hay veces que la gente me pregunta, “¿Dónde está Jesús?” Es la pregunta del mundo. Aunque lo sepa o no, esta es su pregunta a nosotros que somos creyentes. Él no está difícil de encontrar. Lo que falta a menudo es la voluntad para buscarlo. Jesús está en todos los que tienen necesidad, todos los que saben derramar una lágrima, y todos los que saben tener una esperanza que está en peligro Holy Family, continued from pg. 3 seriously of preparing couples for that kind of commitment and to remind those that are already married what is expected of them. “When marriages are strong, when marriages are viable, when Mother, Format: Paperback Length: SJV Illustrated by: Phil Harber Author: Ellen Becker, Mary Barnes Publication: 2XU6XQGD\9LVLWRU 0DNH\RXUIDPLO\¶VSUHSDUDWLRQIRU WKH$GYHQWVHDVRQWUXO\VRPHWKLQJWR UHPHPEHUWKLV\HDUZLWKDFROOHFWLRQRI HDV\IXQIDLWKEXLOGLQJDFWLYLWLHVIRUWKH HQWLUHIDPLO\&UHDWHGIRUDQGWHVWHGE\ WRGD\¶VEXV\IDPLOLHVRIDOOVKDSHVDQG VL]HVWKHVHDFWLYLWLHVZLOOFUHDWHIDPLO\ PHPRULHVZKLOHSDVVLQJRQWKH)DLWK IURPJHQHUDWLRQWRJHQHUDWLRQ Mary from Nazareth continued from pg. 4 need anything more? Let nothing else worry you, disturb you.” I find comfort in lighting a candle before a wooden statue of the Virgencita Morena, carved and painted by an artisan in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. She stands on the window sill Angelus, continued from pg. 5 hering with her to the plan of the Father, who sends his Son to save all men. Like the beloved disciple The Valley Catholic For a listing of parish schedules visit www. cdob.org de extinguirse. Está sentado en la misma banca al lado de cada uno de ustedes. Es por esto que Jesús quiere una comunidad. Quiere que lo busquemos en medio de nuestros hermanos y hermanas. Lo que las hermanos han traído, porque Jesús se los ha traído a ellas, es un deseo para compartir la alegría que viene de la presencia de Jesús con nosotros y un deseo de convertir esa alegría en un verdadero interés por el uno al otro. Jesús no es difícil de encontrar, el signo de su presencia es el regalo de sí mismo; es por eso que el Sacrificio Eucarístico es el signo preeminente de su presencia. Él se da totalmente a nosotros en su Cuerpo y su Sangre. Desde este primer regalo, fluye el signo de su presencia en cada uno de nosotros en la comunidad de la iglesia, en la manera en que nos entregamos a nosotros mismos por el bien de los demás. Esto es, también, lo bueno de la Buena Nueva. Tenemos una misión. El Papa nos recuerda de esto constantemente. No nos podemos quedar sentados. Tenemos que compartir la luz de Cristo con muchas personas en nuestra comunidad que aún no conocen la esperanza de Jesús, que no conocen la luz de su presencia. Tenemos que ser personas que se extienden. En nombre de toda la Diócesis de Brownsville y las Hermanas Misioneras del Inmaculado Corazón de María le doy gracias a los de Catholic Extension por reconocer este signo de la luz de Cristo en el mundo. Estamos todos muy bendecidos y tenemos mucho de que estar agradecidos: Cristo está con nosotros. Los invito a todos a que reconozcan diariamente cómo es que el Señor Jesús se da de sí mismo para nosotros en la Eucaristía y como ese regalo de sí mismo nos invita a entregarnos uno al otro. marriages are living out what their vocation, what their sacrament calls them to, then that is going to result in strong families.” Father Gorski continued, “When we have strong families, we’ll have a strong community, a strong society and we’ll definitely have a strong Church. The whole reality of church is: if that first unit, the basic unit, the family, the domestic church is strong, then the other levels of church life will be strong.” Above all, the Holy Family prayed. Therefore, a couple should be praying for each other, as well as with each other. Without this cornerstone, the entire structure falls. in my kitchen. She is a constant companion. The summer I spent in San Miguel she appeared at every turn – she was embroidered with sequins on purses, used as adornment on earrings and pendants, printed on plastic shopping bags, even the landlord’s cat was named Guadalupe. Popular culture has made her an icon beyond the Church walls. She is linked with the Mexican identity, she is linked with her people. Our Blessed Mother will not be ignored. And in her gentle glance, consoles us and draws us to her son. We honor her not just in December, but year round. December is the culmination of our thanks to the Holy Mother before her son’s long anticipated arrival on Christmas. Just as she embraces us, we embrace her. We thank her for being our compassionate mother. we welcome Jesus’ mother into our homes, for she has become the mother of all the living. We can pray with and to her. The prayer of the Church is sustained by the prayer of Mary and united with it in hope.” (CCC, 2679). May our Blessed Mother’s faith that “nothing is impossible with God” give us hope to believe in God’s promises during this holy Advent season as we anticipate the mystery of the Incarnation to unfold and allow the Christ child to be born once again in our hearts. Bishop Emeritus Raymundo J. Peña’s Calendar December 5 Format:+DUGFRYHULength:SJV Audience: &KLOGUHQDJHV Author: Bruna Battistella Publication: Pauline Books and Media, -XQH Mary is a special person. She is the ZRPDQ*RGFKRVHIURPDPRQJDOORWKHU ZRPHQWREHWKHPRWKHURIKLVVRQ -HVXV7KLVLVWKHEHDXWLIXOVWRU\RIKRZ *RG¶VORYHFDPHWR\RXDQGPHWKURXJK Mary. December 25 7 p.m. noon Bishop’s Annual Dinner Harlingen Mass at Evins Regional Juvenile Center Edinburg On going: 8 a.m. Mass Monday - Saturday at St. Joseph Chapel of Perpetual Adoration, 727 Bowie St., Alamo 2nd: Intention to the Permanent Diaconate the deacons (permanent and transitional) of the diocese and their families 3 p.m. Mass at St. Joseph Chapel of Perpetual Adoration, 727 Bowie St., Alamo 3rd : Intention to Married Life: for the welfare and sanctification of all the families in the diocese and for building up the Kingdom in our domestic churches 7 p.m. Holy Hour Weekly every Thursday at 727 Bowie St., Alamo 1st: Intention to the Consecrated Life (active and contemplative) and for the Sisters and Brothers in our diocese and the success of their mission 4th: Intention to the priesthood and the priests of the diocese for the success of their ministry 5th: Intention to Vocations » Calendar of Events December 4-7 NCCYM in San $QWRQLR2I¿FHRI<0 5 $GYHQW'D\RI5HÀHFWLRQ 2I¿FHRI&DWHFKHVLV 5 %LVKRS¶V$QQXDO'LQQHU 6-7 )RU%HWWHU)RUHYHU )DPLO\/LIH2I¿FH 7 0DVVIRUFKLOGUHQZLWKVSHFLDO QHHGVDQGWKHLUIDPLOLHV +RO\)DPLO\%URZQYLOOH 8 Immaculate Conception 12 Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe 12 ,QFDUQDWH:RUG$FDGHP\ 7UXFN5DIÀH%URZQVYLOOH 17 'LRFHVDQ6WDII3RVDGDV 24 &KULVWPDV(YH 'LRFHVDQ2I¿FHV&ORVHG 25 Merry Christmas 26 &KULVWPDV+ROLGD\ 'LRFHVDQ2I¿FHV&ORVHG January 2015 1 New Year’s Day 'LRFHVDQ2I¿FHV&ORVHG 1 Mary, Mother of God +RO\'D\RI2EOLJDWLRQ 4 0DVVIRUFKLOGUHQZLWKVSHFLDO QHHGVDQGWKHLUIDPLOLHV +RO\)DPLO\%URZQYLOOH 8 $GYLVRU\7HDP 2I¿FHRI&DWHFKHVLV 9-11Catholic Engaged (QFRXQWHU)/2 13 3URIHVVLRQDO'D\ 2I¿FHRI&DWHFKHVLV 17 &RQYDOLGDWLRQ&RQIHUHQFH )DPLO\/LIH2I¿FH 22 &0'1DWLRQDO:RUNVKRS 2I¿FHRI<0 25 0RWKHU'DXJKWHU3URJUDP )DPLO\/LIH2I¿FH 26 Theology Class 2I¿FHRI&DWHFKHVLV 27 Clases de Teologia 2I¿FHRI&DWHFKHVLV 29-30 Diocesan Retreat 'LRFHVDQ2I¿FHV&ORVHG 31 2XU/DG\RI6RUURZV.QLJKWV RI&ROXPEXV<RXWK&RQIHUHQFH 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. Reunion for Sacred Heart School-Edinburg The Valley Catholic The Sacred Heart School Class of 1957 will be celebrating its 57 year reunion at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13 at Sacred Heart Church in Edinburg. All Sacred Heart School alumni are invited to join in the celebration of the Mass and a reception from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the parish hall. To RSVP, please email [email protected] or call (956)383-5263 or (956) 383-0344. 20 DIOCESE The Valley Catholic - December 2014 Our Catholic Family Sister Juliana García Redondo, MJ May 21, 1933 - November 17, 2014 Founder of the Missionaries of Jesus served for 63 years By ROSE YBARRA The Valley Catholic Sister Juliana García, founder of the Missionaries of Jesus, a religious community dedicated to serving the people of the Rio Grande Valley and Matamoros, died on Nov. 17. She was 81. A native of Toledo, Spain, Sister García celebrated 60 years of religious life on Oct. 12, 2011 and was honored with Masses of Thanksgiving by both the Diocese of Brownsville and the Diocese of Matamoros. Sister García served the Diocese of Brownsville for more than 44 years. She was the director of Casa Oscar Romero in the 1980s, a shelter that housed thousands of Central American refugees seeking political asylum in the United States. She also initiated the jail ministry in detention centers across the Rio Grande Valley, bringing the Gospel message of faith and hope to adults and children. Sister García performed parish ministry at more than a dozen churches in the Valley, including The Valley Catholic Above, left: Sister Juliana García, right, with Sister Leticia Benavides, a fellow sister of the Missionaries of Jesus, at the Santa Rosa de Lima Center in Matamoros. Above: Sister García with the sisters of the Missionaries of Jesus. Far left: Sister García in most of the parishes in Brownsville and at parishes and missions in Donna, Alamo, San Juan, La Grulla and San Isidro. She also traveled to Minnesota with migrant farm workers for 10 years. She spent her final 10 years serving as the director of the Santa Rosa de Lima Center in Matamoros, a social-religious center that hosts Bible study, provides bags of food for the needy, teaches the women of the neighborhood valuable work and life skills and much more. In 2011, when asked what the highlight of her 60 years in religious life had been, Sister García replied, “I can’t say any one ministry was better than another. In all of my apostolates, I have felt happy and accomplished. In everything that I have done in the last 60 years, I did what I could and what I thought was right. I have given it my best.” Visitation and viewing were held at the Missionaries of Jesus Convent in San Juan on Nov. 18 and throughout the day on Nov. 19. A Rosary was prayed on the evening of Nov. 19 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Brownsville. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Nov. 20 at the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle-National Shrine, followed by interment at Buena Vista Burial Park in Brownsville. In keeping with Sister García’s wishes, memorial donations may be made for the Santa Rosa de Lima Center in Matamoros. Send contributions to: Missionaries of Jesus, 700 N. Oblate Dr., San Juan, TX 78589.