October 2012 - Diocese of Austin
Transcripción
October 2012 - Diocese of Austin
OCTOBER 2012 T H E V O L U M E 3 0, N U M B E R 9 O F F I C I A L P U B L I C A T I O N O F T H E D I O C E S E O F A U S T I N Year of Faith: Oct. 11, 2012 – Nov. 24, 2013 BY CATHOLIC SPIRIT STAFF Austin Diocese 6225 Hwy. 290 East Austin, Texas 78723 Periodical Postage Paid at Austin, Texas Bishop Joe Vásquez will lead an evening prayer service to open the Year of Faith in the Diocese of Austin on Oct. 10 at 6 p.m. at St. Mary Cathedral in Austin. To honor the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council and the 20th anniversary of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Pope Benedict XVI has announced the Year of Faith, which begins Oct. 11 and ends Nov. 24, 2013. The goal is to strengthen the faith of Catholics and draw the world to faith by their example. In his apostolic letter, “Porta Fidei” (“The Door of Faith”), the pope calls all Christians to renew their faith in Christ. “The Year of Faith … is a summons to an authentic and renewed conversion to the Lord, the one Saviour of the world. In the mystery of his death and resurrection, God has revealed in its fullness the Love that saves and calls us to conversion of life through the forgiveness of sins,” the pope writes in “Porta Fidei.” Bishop Vásquez discusses the Year of Faith in the Bishop’s Interview on Page 19 of this issue of the Catholic Spirit. “Jesus is the reason for our hope and we need to share that message with others, especially those who are struggling with their faith or who have lost their faith. As Christians, we shouldn’t be embarrassed, frightened or ashamed of knowing Christ, we are called to share his message with everyone!” he said. The Austin Diocese has formed a Year of Faith committee to help parishes share the Good News. The committee has been working to develop resources for the Year of Faith. In September, they held eight sessions at four locations around the diocese to assist parish representatives in brainstorming about how to help parishioners celebrate the Year of Faith and to distribute materials for each parish. “We have had a wonderful response,” said Charlene O’Connell, the chair of the Year of Faith committee. “People have been open to trying new things to help parishioners reect on Christ and rediscover their faith.” The box of materials that each parish and Catholic school received included a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church in English and Spanish, a bookmark with the Nicene Creed, Year of Faith posters, a planning guide, family prayer books and much more. All parishes are asked to send a representative to the Oct. 10 prayer service to pick up a Year of Faith banner, which they can then take back to their parish and display throughout the year. O’Connell emphasized that the Year of Faith is for everyone, no matter where they are at in their faith. “Yes, we want to invite those who have fallen away back to the church and back to the faith,” she said. “But also, we want to help those who are active to fall deeper in love with the faith. This year is about falling more deeply in love with Jesus Christ.” Bishop David Ricken of Green Bay, Wis., chairman of the Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, has offered “10 Ways Catholics Can Live the Year of Faith.” Some of these suggestions are already requirements for Catholics; others can be embraced by Catholics at all times and especially during the Year of Faith: • Participate in Mass. The Year of Faith is meant to promote the personal encounter with Jesus. This occurs most immediately in the Eucharist. Regular Mass atten- See FAITH on Page 3 SCOUTING PAPAL TRIP Parish realizes the family benets of different types of scouting. Page 3 Pope brings his message of hope and peace to Lebanon. Page 15 BISHOP’S ESPAÑOL INTERVIEW Conferencia se centra en proporcionar una buena liturgia. Página 30 Year of Faith is time to rediscover our love of Jesus. Page 19 dance strengthens one’s faith through the Scriptures, the Creed, other prayers, sacred music, the homily, receiving Communion and being part of a faith community. • Go to Confession. Catholics find strength and grow deeper in their faith through participation in the sacrament of reconciliation. Confession urges people to turn back to God, express sorrow for falling short and open their lives to the power of God’s healing grace. It forgives the injuries of the past and provides strength for the future. • Learn about the lives of the saints. The saints are timeless examples of how to live a Christian life, and they provide endless hope. Not only were they sinners who kept trying to grow closer to God, but they also exemplify ways a person can serve God: through teaching, missionary work, charity, prayer and simply striving to please God in the ordinary actions and decisions of daily life. • Read the Bible daily. Scripture offers first-hand access to the Word of God and tells the story of human salvation. Catholics can pray 2 THE MISSION OF THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT As the ofcial newspaper for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Austin, the CATHOLIC SPIRIT is dedicated to providing information, education and formation for the Catholic community of Central Texas. This mission calls for the newspaper: • to provide readers with an understanding of our Catholic faith and traditions; • to be a primary source of information on Catholic issues relevant to the community; • to be a unifying element for faith communities, both rural and urban, throughout Central Texas; • to show respect for and appreciation of all cultural groups and traditions; • to emphasize topics afrming the Catholic community and life, while acknowledging the humanity of the community and examining, with courage, topics that challenge and encourage growth in the faith; • to carry a commitment to social justice that will support the renewal of the church in Central Texas. HOW TO SUBMIT INFORMATION Deadline for submission of articles or information for the CATHOLIC SPIRIT is the 10th of the month for publication in the following month’s edition. Deadline for the November issue is Oct. 10. You can submit material in any of the following ways: • E-mail to [email protected]. • Mail to CATHOLIC SPIRIT, 6225 Hwy. 290 E., Austin, TX 78723. For additional information, call (512) 949-2443 or e-mail us at [email protected]. CATHOLIC SPIRIT has unrestricted editing rights. HOW TO SUBMIT A LETTER TO THE EDITOR Readers are encouraged to express their opinions on articles published in CATHOLIC SPIRIT. Letters to the editor provide a forum of discussion for the local Catholic community. The views expressed in the letters do not necessarily represent those of the editor or the publisher of CATHOLIC SPIRIT. Letters to the editor should be limited to 250 words. Name and full address of the writer must be provided, though name will be withheld from publication on request. We reserve the right to edit or withhold all letters. Please e-mail to [email protected] or mail to Editor, Catholic Spirit, 6225 Hwy. 290 E., Austin, TX 78723. HOW TO SUBSCRIBE Subscription rates are $12 for one year. To subscribe, send check payable to Catholic Spirit to CATHOLIC SPIRIT, 6225 Hwy. 290 E., Austin, TX 78723. Members of a parish in the Austin Diocese may receive the newspaper for a reduced rate. Contact your parish staff for more information. ADDRESS CHANGES OR DUPLICATE MAILINGS Send all address changes to CATHOLIC SPIRIT, 6225 Hwy. 290 E., Austin, TX 78723. Please include your parish’s name and city. If receiving duplicate copies of the CATHOLIC SPIRIT, call (512) 949-2443 or e-mail [email protected]. STAFF Publisher: Most Rev. Joe S. Vásquez, Bishop of Austin Editor: Shelley Metcalf; (512) 949-2400, [email protected] Assistant Editor: Christian R. González; (512) 949-2400, [email protected] Advertising: Shelley Metcalf; (512) 949-2400, [email protected] Spanish translation: Beatriz Ferrer Welsh Columnists: Barbara Budde, Mary Lou Gibson and Rev. Tadeusz Pacholczyk, Ph.D. Correspondents: Cristina Lopez, Amy Moraczewski, Enedelia Obregón, Michele Chan Santos and Mary P. Walker Catholic Spirit subscribes to Catholic News Service (CNS) and is a member of the Catholic Press Association. Copyright 2012 by the Austin Diocese. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any editorial content, photograph, art or design is prohibited without written permission of the publisher CATHOLIC SPIRIT (ISSN 0896-2715) is published 11 times annually (monthly except one issue in July/August) by the Austin Diocese. Bishop Joe S. Vásquez, publisher, 6225 Hwy. 290 E., Austin, TX 78723. Periodicals Postage Paid at Austin, Texas. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Catholic Spirit, 6225 Hwy. 290 E., Austin, Texas 78723. VOICES C ATHOLIC S PIRIT May perpetual light shine upon them ... Sister Celia Ann Cavazos, a Missionary Catechist of Divine Providence for 55 years, died Aug. 28, at the age of 75. The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Sept. 4 at Our Lady of the Lake Sacred Heart Chapel in San Antonio. As a Missionary Catechist of Divine Providence, Sister Cavazos was dedicated to catechesis and served in numerous education and formation positions for several dioceses. She served the Austin Diocese in the ofces of Religious Education and Hispanic Ministry for more than 10 years before returning to San Antonio in 2011. She is survived by her ve sisters and numerous nephews and nieces. Memorial contributions may be made to MCDP Vocations at 2318 Castroville Rd., San Antonio 78237. ††††† Msgr. Emilián Foltýn died Sept. 5, at the age of 73, while on a shing trip in Alaska. The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Sept. 12 at Holy Trinity Parish in Corn Hill and he was buried at Holy Trinity Cemetery in Corn Hill. Msgr. Foltýn was born on Nov. 3 in Bartlett and graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Taylor in 1956. He was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Austin on May 30, 1964, at St. Mary Cathedral in Austin, by Bishop Louis J. Reicher. He earned his master of theology degree from the University of St. Thomas in Houston in 1970 and was named a “Monsignor” by Pope John Paul II in 1985. He served at numerous parishes throughout Central Texas including St. Mary in Lampasas, St. Mary in Caldwell, St. Mary in Hearne, St. Joseph in Dime Box and Holy Trinity in Corn Hill. He served as Rural Life Director for the Diocese of Austin for many years. He is survived by a sister and two brothers as well as many nieces and nephews. Memorial donations may be made to Holy Trinity Parish, 8626 FM 1105, Jarrell 76537. ††††† Deacon Joe Weynand, 81, died Sept. 18. The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Sept. 22 at St. Philip in China Spring. He served in the U.S. Navy and married his wife, Sandy, in 1953. They have ve children, 13 grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He was ordained a deacon in 1986 in New York and served as a deacon in Waco when his family moved there in 1988. He was asked by Bishop John McCarthy to begin St. Philip in the 1990s. The church now serves more than 120 families. Even after he retired from the diaconate, he worked with Meals on Wheels and led a discussion group on life and religion. ††††† Deacon Ron Woods died suddenly on Sept. 18 at the age of 61. The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Sept. 22 at St. Helen Parish in Georgetown. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and married his wife, Joan, in 1974. He was a state trooper and worked at the State Capitol for most of his career. He was ordained a deacon in 2007 and served St. Ignatius, Martyr Parish in Austin before he transferred to St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Kingsland. He was outdoor enthusiast and loved shing, playing golf and camping. Memorial contributions may be made to the Knights of Columbus, Council 13245, P.O. Box 1283, Kingsland, Texas 78639 or St. Charles Borromeo Parish, P.O. Box 1748, Kingsland, Texas 78639. EIM workshops The Ethics and Integrity in Ministry policies of the Austin Diocese were established in 2002 to educate Catholics on how to help prevent sexual abuse of minors and vulnerable adults. According to the policies, all employees and those volunteers who minister to youth or vulnerable adults in the diocese are required to complete an Application for Ministry, which permits the diocese to run a criminal background check. Additionally, all new applicants are required to attend a three-hour EIM workshop for adults within 60 days of their EIM application submission. Every three years employees and volunteers must attend an EIM refresher course or the three-hour EIM workshop. Upcoming EIM workshops are listed below. Please call the location you would like to attend at the phone number listed so that enough materials are available. For more information regarding the diocesan EIM policies, visit www.austindiocese.org or call (512) 949-2400. Three-hour courses Oct. 9, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at St. Peter Catholic Student Center, Waco; (254) 757-0636 Oct. 13, 9 a.m. to noon at Sacred Heart Parish, Elgin; (512) 281-3536 Oct. 13, 9 a.m. to noon at St. Louis Parish, Austin; (512) 454-0384 Oct. 13, 9 a.m. to noon at Our Lady’s Maronite, Austin; (512) 458-3693 Oct. 13, 9 a.m. to noon IN SPANISH at St. Margaret Mary, Cedar Park; (512) 259-3126 Oct. 20, 6 to 9 p.m. at St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Austin; (512) 892-2420 Oct. 20, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at St. Ann, Rosebud; (254) 869-2169 Oct. 20, 9 a.m. to noon IN SPANISH at Sacred Heart Parish, Elgin; (512) 281-3536 Oct. 20, 9 a.m. to noon at Ascension Parish, Bastrop; (512) 321-3552 Oct. 27, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at St. William Parish, Round Rock; (512) 255-4473 Oct. 27, 1 to 4 p.m. at St. Peter Student Center, Waco; (254) 757-0636 Nov. 17, 9 a.m. to noon at St. Mary, Church of the Assumption, West; (254) 826-3705 Nov. 17, 9 a.m. to noon at St. Margaret Mary Parish, Cedar Park; (512) 259-3126 Refresher courses Oct. 7, 1:15 to 2:45 p.m. at Holy Vietnamese Martyrs Parish, Austin; (512) 834-8483 Oct. 11, 6:30 to 8 p.m. at St. Jerome Parish, Waco; (254) 666-7722 Oct. 20, 1 to 2:30 p.m. at St. John the Evangelist Parish, San Marcos; (512) 353-8969 Oct. 25, 6:30 to 8 p.m. at St. William Parish, Round Rock; (512) 255-4473 Nov. 6, 6 to 7:30 p.m. at University Catholic Center, Austin; (512) 476-7351 October 2012 CENTRAL TEXAS 3 Faith, families are the foundation of scouting BY MARY P. WALKER SENIOR CORRESPONDENT “Scouting is different from other youth activities, be it soccer, volleyball or marching band. Scouting makes that intentional effort toward growth in service, virtues, leadership and duty to God,” said Father Matthew Kinney, Eagle Scout and chaplain for the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting. Although scouts can be of different religious denominations or traditions, scouting programs support Christian values and are compatible with the Catholic faith. Within a parish, a Boy Scout troop contributes to the moral and character development of boys and their families –– the goals of any effective youth ministry program. In addition, the National Catholic Committee on Scouting has established emblems, or awards, for those who complete faith formation and service opportunities within their scouting experience. Bishop Joe Vásquez has said that he recommends scouting as an enhancement to all of parish youth programs. “The activities of scouting, camping and skill development bring families closer together,” he said. “Scouting helps our children mature into strong, faithful adults.” Fun often draws most boys to scouting. However, these fun activities involve teamwork, setting and achieving goals, service and assuming the responsibilities of leadership, which can transform boys into young men of character. Through the mentorship of adults, often fathers of those in the troop, the boys are challenged to grow into mature, responsible, ethical and moral leaders. “Boy Scouts is a virtue-based program. Camping and the other activities are the indispensible vehicles in which those virtues are learned,” Father Kinney said. The virtues and values learned through scouting also help boys persevere in other endeavors. “A recent study showed that boys who spend ve years in scouting graduate high school at a rate of 91 percent. And they are 87 percent more likely to attend religious services,” Bishop Vásquez said. There are many dedicated Catholic scouts and volunteers committed to increasing the number of scouts and the quality of the scouting programs in Austin area parishes. Along with Bishop Vásquez, they especially want to bring scouting to those of Hispanic heritage, who are culturally less familiar with what scouting offers boys and their families. An enthusiastic supporter of Boy Scouts, Father Mark Hamlet, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Austin, knows that scouting fosters strong relationships among boys, their fathers, and adult role models, making all involved better people and better Catholics. During the weekend of Oct. 6-7, the parish is hosting a jamboree-style outreach to encourage boys and their fathers to join the scouts. E a g l e Scout Edward Finnegan Jr., of Troop 489, which is sponsored by Sacred Heart, exemplies how scouting can bring out the best in all involved. Attaining this highest rank in Boy Scouts includes advancement through lower ranks, with each rank requiring the demonstration of increasingly difcult leadership skills, prociency through earning merit badges, and completion of special projects. Since its The solid grounding of the Scriptures, the Council and the Catechism must translate into action. The parish is a great place to start, and each person’s gifts help build up the community. People are welcome as ministers of hospitality, liturgical musicians, lectors, catechists and in other roles in parish life. • Help those in need. The Vatican urges Catholics to donate to charity and volunteer to help the poor during the Year of Faith. Direct service is a way to personally encounter Christ in the poor, marginalized and vulnerable. Helping others brings Catholics face-to-face with Christ and creates an example for the rest of the world. • Invite a friend to Mass. The Year of Faith may be global in its scope, focusing on a renewal of faith and evange- lization for the whole church, but real change occurs at the local level. A personal invitation can make all the difference to someone who has drifted from the faith or feels alienated from the church. Everyone knows people like this, so everyone can extend a loving welcome. • Incorporate the Beatitudes into daily life. The Beatitudes (Mt 5:3-12) provide a rich blueprint for Christian living. Their wisdom can help all to be more humble, patient, just, transparent, loving, forgiving and free. It’s precisely the example of lived faith needed to draw people to the church in the year ahead. For more information about the Year of Faith in the Austin Diocese, visit www.austindiocese.org. EAGLE SCOUT EDWARD FINNEGAN JR. and his father visited with Bishop Joe Vásquez at the diocesan Pastoral Center in Austin. Finnegan is in Boy Scout Troop 489 at Sacred Heart Parish in Austin. Bishop Vásquez blessed the scout (photo below) and thanked him for his dedication to his faith. (Photos by Shelley Metcalf) FAITH Continued from Page 1 the Scriptures (through lectio divina or other methods) to become more attuned to the Word of God. Either way, the Bible is a must for growth in the Year of Faith. • Read the documents of Vatican II. The Second Vatican Council (1962-65) ushered in a great renewal of the church. To continue this renewal, Catholics must understand what the Council taught and how it enriches the lives of believers. • Study the Catechism. Published exactly 30 years after the start of the Council, the Catechism of the Catholic Church covers the beliefs, moral teachings, prayer and sacraments of the Catholic Church in one volume. It’s a resource for growing in understanding of the faith. • Volunteer in the parish. inception in 1912, only 2.1 million men have earned the rank of Eagle Scout, and those who have consider it to be one of their greatest accomplishments in life. Edward’s achievement is even more noteworthy because he has Down syndrome. Earning the rank of Eagle Scout requires individual effort along with the help of fellow scouts and adult mentors. Edward Jr. was introduced to scouting by his father, Edward Sr., when he was 11. At the time, Edward Sr. was a scoutmaster and wanted his only son to become a man of character through the active life of a scout. In addition, he looked forward to the fun they would have together, he said. Edward Sr. also knew that both Catholicism and scouting promote service, responsibility and reverence to God, characteristics Edward Jr. demonstrates. He enjoys serving his parish as an usher, stating, “I like collecting the money and passing out bulletins.” He has received the sacrament of conrmation and has a full-time job compatible with his abilities. Scouts with special needs may continue beyond the age of 18 if they are benetting from the program, and Edward Jr. was determined to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout. In January 2007, at the age of 34, he reached that goal. Today, being an Eagle Scout is a proud part of his identity. He still enjoys scouting, has earned 56 merit badges, and is progressing on others, including y shing and veterinary medicine. “For a boy to make Eagle Scout, he needs a tremendous amount of help from those around him,” said Edward Sr. Through scouting, his son earned and received acceptance, respect, encouragement and help, not only from his own father, but also from other fathers, and the boys in Troop 489. Helped by many along the way, Edward Jr. has also aided other scouts. When the boys in his troop wanted to earn the disabilities awareness merit badge, he was a living example and teacher of what a person with such challenges can do. “Scouts is about helping boys become men, and Edward’s case proves that there are no limits, especially when you get the fathers involved,” Father Hamlet said. For more information about Scouting in the Austin Diocese, visit http://scouting. austindiocese.org/. CENTRAL TEXAS 4 C ATHOLIC S PIRIT Ministry seeks to provide authentic chastity education events for adults on Sept. 4 BY ENEDELIA J. OBREGÓN AND and 5 featuring Dr. Miriam SHELLEY METCALF Grossman, a practicing phyCATHOLIC SPIRIT STAFF sician, author, public speaker and media commentator In order to bring authentic known internationally as an chastity education to Central expert on the sexuality educaTexas, the diocesan Ofce of tion industry. Dr. Grossman Pro-Life Activities and Chaste discussed the importance of Living in conjunction with childhood innocence and the other organizations will of- dangers of a powerful sex edfer THRIVE, a ministry of ucation lobby that promotes resources, speakers and events sexual license instead of sexuto help youth realize their in- al health. herent worth and dignity as children of God. Marie Seale, director of the diocesan Ofce of ProLife Activities and Chaste Living, said THRIVE is more than just abstinence education, it also incorporates how we are created in God’s image so that we may love God, give love and be loved by Dr. Grossman said youth others. are not told of the biological “THRIVE is scientically and emotional mineelds of based, but it speaks to the having sex while their bodies level of the human heart,” have not fully matured. Seale said. “The beauty of the “Twenty five years of program is that it can be used studies show that people sufanywhere from in the homes, fer from the sexual decisions to public schools, to Catholic they make, and it’s 100 perschools, to parish religious cent avoidable,” she said. education programs.” The idea for the THRIVE THRIVE kicked off with ministry came when Molly Wilmington, who is Baptist, was looking for a Christianbased sex education program in her hometown of Waco. After looking around Waco, she approached Seale, and they have been working together for the last 18 months to create an alterna- order to love completely,” Seale said. “We believe that youth can love authentically, we just have to show them how through an education in chastity.” She said THRIVE recognizes that parents are and should be the primary educators of their children. THRIVE wants to provide parents with the tools and resources to help them take an active role in the edu- tive to programs that promote birth-control and disease-prevention but give no attention to abstinence or chastity. “Chastity education is so much more than abstinence. It’s about the capacity to love authentically. Successful education in abstinence before marriage shows youth how to make sacrifices in cation of their children in the sensitive area of human sexuality. “Relationship is key to an education in chastity. Who knows this young person better than their parent or guardian? We want to equip them to foster these relationships through self-giving love, which help their children foster chastity,” Seale said. The John Paul II Life Center’s Second Annual Benefit Dinner Tickets and Sponsorships available at www.jpiilifecenter.org K EYNOTE S PEAKER $%DiNardo, Archbishop of ( (*+-"+ /0%%12'!% D IGNIT Y IN L IFE A WARD !"! # #$%#&'&() I NVOCATION +3*40567"8 B Bishop of Austin 4"99'!%++2! !""""" #$$%%"$%"$ :;<+0++ 0"+ ="+ ><;?@E2F!GHK!+ Parents are invited to all THRIVE events, including events for youth that will be held in the upcoming months. THRIVE Youth Nights are set for Dec. 6 in Waco, May 17 in Bryan and May 18 in Austin (specific locations will be released soon). Jason Evert, author of more than 10 books, including “If You Really Loved Me: 100 Questions on Dating, Relationships and Sexual Purity” and “Theology of the Body for Teens” will be the guest speaker. “Thrive is certainly in its infancy, but we’ve had a great start with our Adult Education Events. Our youth events are well on their way, and we’re looking for new partners in the community who love teens and want to see them grow in the capacity for self-giving love,” Seale said. The Office of Pro-Life Activities and Chaste Living is developing a pre-packaged resource for parish youth groups. It will offer possible games, small group discussion, resources, activities and a trained speaker. More information will be available at www.thrivetexas.org. CENTRAL TEXAS October 2012 5 Conference focuses on providing good liturgy BY ENEDELIA J. OBREGÓN SENIOR CORRESPONDENT “Preparing the Banquet” was the theme for a bilingual conference for parish liturgical ministers held Sept. 8 in Austin. Bishop Joe Vásquez opened the event on the feast of the Nativity of Mary with prayers and songs dedicated to Mary, including prayers of intercession in different languages. In his welcome, Bishop Vásquez said the Catholic Church world-wide is ready to launch the Year of Faith on Oct. 11. Pope Benedict XVI called for the Year of Faith, which will run through Nov. 24, 2013, out of concern for the growing secularism in Western Europe and the U.S. “We are losing our sense of identity as to who we are,” the bishop said. “We are growing up not knowing what makes us Catholic and why we hold certain beliefs about defending life and the preferential option for the poor or not accepting same-sex marriage or abortion.” The quality of the liturgy at Mass is very important, Bishop Vásquez said. “It is at the heart of who we are as Catholic Christians,” he said. “If you want to know who we are then celebrate the liturgy and the sacraments.” Thus the Proclamation of the Word must be clear and understandable, the homilies must be well-prepared and the music must speak to the heart, he said. The Eucharist is the sum and summit of the liturgy. “It nourishes and enhances the faith if done well,” Bishop Vásquez said of the liturgy. The conference, designed for liturgical ministers, covered topics for ministries such as art and environment, extraordinary ministers of holy Communion, hospitality ministers and greeters, lectors, musicians and the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. Dee Hernandez and Miramar Jessica Lozano from St. John the Baptist Parish in Waco were among those that lled the Norris Conference Center. “We’re trying to build up our church … There’s not a whole lot of re.” Lozano said of her parish, which has 54 families and will celebrate its 60th anniversary in October. Hernandez said that her re was “relit” after attending several sessions at the conference. Deacon Donald Sims of St. Joseph Parish in Rockdale said he was looking for a few pointers for his RCIA program. In listening to the speakers, he realized “we bring our brokenness” as humans and so do the priests and everybody else. “We have to love them where they are,” he said. “That’s the hardest part, but it’s necessary. We’ll have a hard time evangelizing until we learn to do that.” KARIN GAY, a parishioner of Holy Cross Parish in Austin, leads the congregation in the Prayers of the Faithful at “Preparing the Banquet” on Sept. 8. (Photo by Enedelia J. Obregón) In all, liturgical ministers from 62 parishes throughout the diocese attended the conference. Cheryl Maxwell, director of the diocesan Office of Worship, emphasized the importance of bringing together the volunteers from different communities. “It’s important that we gather because we are all so different and the Eucharist celebrates us as one,” she said. Maxwell said the variety of culture present in the church “truly expresses who we are as Catholics” and shows the richness of the Eucharist and the Body of Christ. “In this Year of Faith we Mass celebrates rural life in diocese BISHOP JOE VÁSQUEZ celebrated the annual Rural Life Mass Aug. 16 at St. Mary Parish in Bremond. During the Mass, Msgr. John Malinowski, chaplain at St. Joseph Hospital in Bryan, and Raymond and Virginia Zajicek, parishioners of St. Matthew in Rogers, were awarded for their commitment to rural life. The Mass is sponsored by the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women. (Photos courtesy Gennie Tepera and Keith Thompson) look at what we can do in our pews to be welcoming,” she said “We forget there are others who express their worship in different ways. It’s a good time to grow and be open with an understanding heart to others and in our relationship with Jesus.” Hospitality was the focus of a workshop and in the bilingual presentation on “Preparing the Banquet” by Father Leon Strieder, associate professor of Liturgical and Sacramental Theology at St. Mary’s Seminary in Houston. Father Strieder said hospitality is important because if people do not feel welcomed, they will not return. Being hospitable can mean anything from greeting people, recognizing newcomers before Mass starts or having special parking for them. In order to get them to stay, the quality of the liturgy is important, Father Strieder said. The Word of God, Eucharist and mission are vital elements of good liturgy. “We need to be people of the book again,” Father Strieder said of the Gospel. “We need to be fed (Eucharist). And when we are sent (mission), don’t y out of the parking lot thinking ‘I’m done with that.’” Barbara Budde, director of the diocesan Ofce of Social Concerns, addressed the topic “The Banquet Table is for All.” Drawing from Pope Benedict XVI’s 2005 encyclical “Deus Caritas Est,” she said the Eucharist is an act of concrete love: Christ died for us because he loved us. “It’s easy to love in the abstract –– I love everybody,” she said. “It’s difcult to love that person who drives me crazy. But the Eucharist commits us to love the person who drives us crazy, the poor, those on the edge, those with whom we disagree profoundly.” The Eucharist commits us to love everybody that God loves, she said. Father Chris Downey, pastor at Holy Family Parish in Copperas Cove, spoke on the Spirituality of Liturgy. He noted that it’s necessary to nourish our spiritual lives on a regular basis the way we nourish our bodies. “If we don’t nourish our bodies that leads to bodily death,” he said. “Humans are not just biological entities but beings with eternal souls. If we take time to nourish our bodies, then how much more important is it to nourish our spirit? We are not just body; we are body and soul.” Msgr. Mike Sis, vicar general of the Austin Diocese, said the transformation of the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ is not the only transformation that occurs at Mass. “You and I are transformed, too,” he said. “Bit by bit, Mass by Mass, we fall more in love with God.” The more one partakes of the liturgy and the Eucharist, the more Christ permeates our being, he said. He reminded the volunteers that as liturgists, it’s not how much they do, but as Blessed Teresa of Calcutta advised, it’s about how much love we put into doing what they do. “When Jesus established the Eucharist, he also washed the feet of the apostles,” he said. “It’s not just about the Eucharist. It’s about humble service.” CENTRAL TEXAS 6 C ATHOLIC S PIRIT Austin priest has deep roots in Maronite tradition BY AMY MORACZEWSKI CORRESPONDENT Our Lady’s Maronite Parish in Austin is less than two miles from the diocesan Pastoral Center but despite its geographical proximity, Our Lady’s Maronite Parish actually belongs to the Eparchy (diocese) of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles, one of two Maronite dioceses in the U.S. Nevertheless, since its founding in 1983, the parish has maintained strong ties to the Austin Diocese, beginning with its rst and only pastor, Msgr. Donald Sawyer, an Austin native. Msgr. Sawyer’s parents were native Austinites as well. His father was born on 15th Street where the Harry Ransom Center now sits, and his mother was born on East 6th Street where her parents ran a grocery and feed store. Msgr. Sawyer grew up in St. Mary Cathedral Parish and was ordained there on April 27, 1977, the occasion of its 100th anniversary. Msgr. Sawyer attended St. Mary’s Seminary in Houston, where he discovered that his tradition of worship was actually Maronite, rather than Roman rite. Fortunately, his professors encouraged him to follow his own Eastern traditions. “We always had Maronites and Byzantines in Austin, but most if not all had forgotten what it meant to be Eastern Christian because there was never an Eastern Catholic parish or a priest. Many more people have come,” Msgr. Sawyer said. Parishioners currently hail from 27 different countries, and travel from four counties to participate in the faith community. The active parish was a mere vision nearly 30 years ago when Msgr. Sawyer opened the doors with the challenge of sustaining a parish on an initial collection of $45. Throughout his years as pastor at Our Lady’s Maronite, Msgr. Sawyer has formed deep roots in the community and strong bonds with parishioners. A few years ago, Msgr. Sawyer realized that he is not only the leader of this faith community but also a member. “When my mother was in the hospital in 2005, people were really there for me and for her. They told me it’s time for me to quit being a priest and let them minister to me,” Msgr. Sawyer recalled. Later, his mother spent six days in hospice at Christopher House prior “falling asleep,” but was never alone for a minute, thanks to the constant inux of people coming to be by her side. “The love of everyone got Quick prole on Msgr. Don Sawyer Hometown: Austin Siblings: one brother and one sister Favorite Foods: Cajun, Lebanese, Greek Favorite Music: R&B, Motown, some country Favorite Book: The Bible and The Way of a Pilgrim Favorite Movie: Sherlock Holmes Favorite Sport: Basketball Favorite Sports Team: Dallas Cowboys Favorite Vacation Destination: Australia us all through it. It came from elsewhere. It was the power of the Holy Spirit,” Msgr. Sawyer said. He cites his mother as the most powerful influence in his life, followed closely by his maternal grandmother. Both women instilled faith in him at a young age. One of his favorite childhood memories centers on the Blessed Mother’s altar in his grandmother’s home. When the grandchildren behaved well, they received the privilege of cutting flowers for her altar. Even as an adult, Msgr. Sawyer recalls the smell of incense burning throughout the home on Sundays. These family traditions taught Msgr. Sawyer and his siblings about two trademarks of the Catholic faith before they could even comprehend the meaning. The Maronite Church is devoted to Mary, the Mother of God, and honors her in the liturgy and private prayer. The prayers, hymns and artwork found throughout the service are all a testament to this devotion. The entire Liturgy is typically accompanied by the burning of incense, singing, prayers, and participation of the faithful. Although the tradition remains a mystery to most Catholics, the history of the Maronite Church dates back to the Council of Chalcedon in 451 A.D. and is the Church of the Acts of the Apostles. The Maronite Divine Liturgy is one of the oldest in the church and is accredited to St. James the Apostle. It is Judeo-Christian in nature and uses poetry to express the Mystery of God, whereas Latin uses law. Today the Patriarchal See is in Bkerke, Lebanon, but Maronite parishes can be found across the globe, including more than 80 in the U.S. The Antiochene Tradition, which is followed by the Maronite Church, is one of six major traditions of the Catholic Church. The others include Alexandrian, Armenian, MSGR. DON SAWYER is the pastor of Our Lady’s Maronite Parish in Austin, which he founded in 1983. He was ordained in 1977 at St. Mary Cathedral Parish in Austin. (Photo by Amy Moraczewski) Chaldean, Constantinopolitan (Byzantine), and Latin (Roman). Prior to founding Our Lady’s Maronite Parish, Msgr. Sawyer served in the Diocese of Austin for eight years. He served St. Mary of the Assumption Parish in Taylor, St. Monica Parish in Cameron, St. Anthony Parish in Bryan and Sacred Heart Parish in Austin. Ultimately though, Msgr. Sawyer said, “I felt the call strongly that the Lord and the Blessed Mother wanted a Maronite Parish in Austin. I did not know how it was going to happen or how to go about it.” However, in 1983, he was released from the Diocese of Austin to the Diocese of Saint Maron and was assigned to Austin. He continues to have great love and affection for the Diocese of Austin and has many friends among the clergy and people of the diocese. Our Lady’s Maronite Parish also provides a spiritual home to other faith communities, including Byzantine Catholics, Syriac Malankara Orthodox, Syro Malabar Catholics, Armenian Christians, and Regina Mater homeschoolers, among others. Msgr. Sawyer welcomes people and he approaches life with a “why not?” attitude. Much of his bonding with parishioners has occurred outside of church functions because he is open to all types of people, he said. This openness and willingness to try new things has taken him skeet shooting, jet skiing, and across the globe to Turkey, Greece, the Middle East and Australia several times. “I feel like I’m where God wants me, and I’ve had a good life,” Msgr. Sawyer said. Trips to Scotland, France, Ireland, Shrines of Europe and much more... ranging from $3,599—$4,699 for 2012 and 2013. Prices are ALL-INCLUSIVE W/ Airfare from anywhere in the continental USA Men & Women Work From Home Blessing Others! Call 888-421-6868 To advertise, call (512) 949-2443 or e-mail catholic-spirit@ austindiocese.org. Italy/Switzerland: Apr. 6-18, Apr. 13-25, Apr. 20-May 2, Apr. 27-May 9, May 4-16 … Italy Regular: Apr. 6-14, Apr. 13-21, Apr. 20-28, Apr. 27-May 5, May 4-12, May 11-19... Holy Land: Nov. 5-15, Apr. 1-11, Apr. 8018, Apr. 15-25, Apr. 22-May 2, Apr. 29-May 9... Holy Land/Italy: Apr. 1-14, Apr. 8-21, Apr. 15-28, Apr. 22-May 5, Apr. 29-May 12 … Ireland/Scotland: Apr. 27-May 9, May 4-16, May 11-23, May 18-30, May 25-Jun. 6 … Tuscany/Assisi/Cinque Terre: Apr. 27-May 8, May 4-15, May 11-22, May 18-29 … www.proximotravel.com email: [email protected] 855-842-8001 Carmela A. Dupuis | Executive Director October 2012 CENTRAL TEXAS 7 Marywood helps build forever families BY ENEDELIA J. OBREGÓN SENIOR CORRESPONDENT A.J. had fed himself dinner and it showed. Remnants of his meal were smeared across his face, decorating his shirt and splattered on the tray of his high chair. The friendly toddler showed a visitor his plastic spoon, giggling as he returned it to his mouth. This is the stuff of which memories are made. The parents of this energetic 16-month old recognize that, and they acknowledge that every moment with A.J. is a gift. Thanks to the loving decision of his birth mother, who chose life and adoption because she realized she could not care for him, he became their son. Paul and Victoria, who asked that their last names not be used, prayerfully discerned whether to adopt after they were unable to conceive. As devout Catholics, they did not consider in vitro fertilization. They also knew there were children awaiting adoption. The couple, married five years and in their 30s, said prayer played a very important role in their decision to adopt. “How can you consider making such a huge life decision without discerning?” Victoria asked. Victoria is an attorney, and Paul was a special education teacher before staying home to care for their son full time. The couple can’t imagine life without A.J. “Adoption was been nothing but a phenomenal experience,” Victoria said. “And there is no way we could love him any more” than if he were their biological child, she said. “He’s like a gift more than anything else,” Paul said. “He makes everyone so happy.” Adoption was also a positive experience for A.J.’s birth mother. She “was in a bad part of her life” when she was pregnant, Paul said. “When she accepted that she was pregnant, she turned her life around,” Paul said of the young woman. “She told us he basically saved her life. That will be powerful thing to tell him when he’s old enough.” Victoria said A.J. will also know that his birth mother loved him and that he has always had so many people to love him. “He was in the hospital a couple of weeks after he was born and she came in to hold him,” Paul said of A.J.’s birth mother. “The nurses were a little nervous, but when it was time to leave she just left.” When the couple decided to adopt, Paul rst contacted Catholic Charities of Central Texas in early 2010. At the time CCCTX did not have an adoption program. In late 2010, Marywood, A.J. gets cleaned up after dinner. Paul and Victoria adopted him through Marywood, a program of Catholic Charities of Central Texas. (Photo by Enedelia J. Obregón) which offers support for pregnant women who choose to mother their children as well as adoption services, became a program of CCCTX. Victoria and Paul completed their application with Marywood. In May 2011, Abram James was born. For six weeks, A.J. stayed with a foster family while all the legalities were completed. He then came home with his parents. “Marywood is such a great agency,” Victoria said. “It’s not just about getting a baby. It’s also about helping women who are pregnant and getting them prenatal care whether they Legion celebrates 91 years of devotion BISHOP JOE VÁSQUEZ celebrated Mass with the Legion of Mary on Sept. 7 at St. Mary Cathedral in Austin. The Legion of Mary has been active for 91 years. The purpose of the Legion is the sanctication of its members through prayer and service. Members often visit the homebound, sick and imprisoned, pray together, study Scripture, offer retreats and distribute rosaries and scapulars. For more information on the Legion of Mary, e-mail Lynda Villasana at secretary@legionofmaryaustin. org or call (512) 269-0023. (Photos courtesy Jose R. Gonzalez) choose adoption for their child.” Marywood’s program director, Carolyn Chamberlain, said it has always been about helping women and children. “Since we began in 1921 our mission has always been to provide services to women and children and children in foster care and we’ve never veered from that,” she said. Chamberlain said Marywood, founded as the Home of the Holy Infancy, makes resources available to the women and children depending on what choice the woman makes. If they choose adoption, Marywood offers legal support, including nding the birth father so he has a say in what happens to his child. “Sometimes after they deliver, they decide they don’t want the adoption plan,” Chamberlain said. “We help them be good parents by providing resources from Catholic Charities.” If the woman chooses the adoption plan, she cannot sign relinquishment papers until 48 hours after the baby is born. If the father is located, he also must sign a waiver relinquishing his rights. Proles of prospective families are given to the birth mother, who makes the choice after meeting the prospective parents. Once a judge relinquishes parental rights, the child goes home with his adoptive parents. In the meantime, the child is cared for by a foster family. Paul and Victoria had about five weeks to prepare for A.J. “He was the third call we had about a baby and he was already born,” Paul said, noting that with one baby the birth mother chose another couple and with another baby the mother chose to parent the child. The couple began preparing the nursery and visiting A.J., who was with his foster parents. The couple and the birth mother have contact with each other through Marywood. Chamberlain said this is done only if both parties choose to participate. “We want them to be honest and respectful of each other,” Chamberlain said. “We want them to have a good relationship with each other. That mutual respect is important for the adoptees, too.” If both parties choose, the adoption is “fully disclosed,” in which they share full names and addresses, Chamberlain said, noting that “it is strictly between them.” If it is not fully disclosed, Marywood offers post-adoption services as well. When the child is 21, he or she can request information on the birth parents. The information is given only if the birth parents are in agreement. Sometimes, a woman who chooses to parent her child realizes she is unable to do so, Chamberlain said. Or maybe there are problems in a family and the children end up in foster care. Marywood will help place those children for adoption if the mother relinquishes her rights or her rights are relinquished. “The right to life issue carries beyond pregnancy,” Chamberlain said. “We care for the child and the parents –– for the whole person –– not just pregnant women.” For more information on being foster parents or on the adoption program at Marywood, go to www.marywood.org or call (512) 472-9251 or 1-800251-5433. CENTRAL TEXAS 8 C ATHOLIC S PIRIT Blessing of Dominicans’ land in Georgetown World Mission Sunday is Oct. 21 The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, will host a blessing of World Mission Sunday, organized by the Propagation of the Faith, is Oct. 21. their land for a future priory on Oct. 6 from 2 to 4:30 p.m. The land will be entrusted This is a day set aside for Catholics to recommit themselves to the church’s missionto Mary, Our Blessed Mother, at 3 p.m. and the rosary will be prayed. To RSVP and ary activity through prayer and sacrice. A special collection will be taken up to help for directions to the site, visit www.sistersofmary.org and click on the link in the support missionaries throughout the world. Calendar of Events section. For more information, contact Sister Elizabeth Ann at (512) 949-2436 or [email protected]. Relevant Radio 970 AM will present the Faith, Family and Freedom Benet Luncheon Oct. 23 beginning at 11 a.m. at Davenport Ranch in Austin. Sheila LiaugMarried couples who are looking for time to reconnect with one another minas, host of “A Closer Look” on Relevant Radio, will be the presenter. For more are invited to a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Nov. 2-4 at the Best Western information, contact Pat Ryan at [email protected] or Audrey Morton at Atrium North in Austin. The weekend begins Friday at 7:30 p.m. and ends Sun- [email protected] or (512) 390-5495. day around 4 p.m. This is an opportunity for husbands and wives to escape the daily distractions of life and focus on each other. For more information or to Project Rachel is a compassionate and condential ministry that helps women apply to attend, contact Anh and Greg Thomas at (512) 677-WWME (9963) or and men suffering emotionally and spiritually from the trauma of abortion. Weekend [email protected]. retreats are led by a priest and the Project Rachel team. The next retreat is Oct. 1214. To condentially register for this retreat call (877) We-Care-2 (1-877-932-2732). The annual diocesan Red Mass will be held Oct. 11 at 6 p.m. at St. Mary Cathedral in Austin. Bishop Joe Vásquez will celebrate the Mass, and Sister of St. Joseph Father James Ekeocha, pastor of St. Luke Parish in Temple, will lead “Come Holy Helen Prejean will be the guest speaker. Spirit” Oct. 20 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Cedarbrake Catholic Retreat Center in Belton. As we begin the Year of Faith, come and spend a day in prayer asking the The Austin Diocesan Council of Catholic Women will be celebrated in parishes Holy Spirit for guidance. The cost is $30 for the day and includes lunch. Oct. 14. On the second Sunday of October every year, the Austin Diocesan Council “Sleeping with Bread,” a weekend retreat, will be held Nov. 2-4 at Cedarbrake. Jesuit of Catholic Women promotes their diocesan organization, as well as the National Father Matthew Linn will lead this retreat focused on spiritual and emotional healing. The Council of Catholic Women in parishes throughout the Diocese of Austin. For more cost is $155 for a double room and $185 for a private room or $75 for commuters. For information about the DCCW, visit www.adccw.com. information, contact Cedarbrake at (254) 780-2436 or [email protected]. Luncheon benets Relevant Radio 970 AM Couples invited to get away for weekend Retreat for those recovering from abortion Red Mass celebrates beginning of judicial year Upcoming retreats at Cedarbrake Oct. 14 is DCCW Sunday MEDICAL SERVICES DIRECTORY To advertise in the Catholic Spirit Medical Services Directory, call (512) 949-2443, or e-mail [email protected]. FAMILY DENTISTRY family dentistry tim tischler, d.d.s. 3821 Juniper Trace, Suite 201 Austin, TX 78738 phone (512) 402-1955 www.drtimtischler.com OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY The Vitae Clinic Jeremy Kalamarides, D.O. The Jefferson Building 1600 W. 38th St, Ste 115 Austin, TX 78731 512-458-6060 The Vitae Clinic, Inc., provides wellness, prenatal, delivery and postnatal care for women, expectant mothers and babies in accord with the teachings of the Catholic Church in conformity with the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Healthcare services. WEIGHT LOSS Ideal Weight Loss Medical Clinics This will be your LAST Diet No drugs 100% natural Medically monitored Lose ONLY fat Preserve lean muscle Anthony Hicks, MD, MPH 4100 Duval Rd., Bldg IV, Ste 202, Austin (512) 577-6187 12912 Hill Country Blvd, Bldg F, Ste 238, Austin (512) 470-9470 www.LastDietATX.com OPTOMETRY ORTHODONTICS Oak Hill Eye Care Braces for Children and Adults Examination & Treatment of Eye Disease Lasik Surgery Contact Lenses & Optical David W. Tybor, O.D. Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (512) 288-0444 6000 W. William Cannon Bldg A, Suite 100, Austin www.oakhilleyecare.com Michael Dillingham, D.D.S. 2 convenient locations in Austin Call (512) 836-7924 or (512) 447-5194 to schedule a complimentary consultation FAMILY PRACTICE EAR, NOSE AND THROAT FAMILY & INTERNAL MEDICINE Joseph M. C. Leary, M.D. William Stavinoha, M.D. Diplomate, American Board of Otolaryngology Pediatric and Adult Including Ear Diseases Sinus Surgery Thyroid and Neck Surgery 6811 Austin Center Blvd., Ste. 300 Austin, Texas 78731 (512) 346-8888 Dominion Family Healthcare Family Practice –– Board Certied 11671 Jollyville Road #102 Austin, TX (512) 338-5088 www.stavinohamd.com Board certied in Family Medicine & Internal Medicine (512) 834-9999 6301 Parmer Ln. W. Suite 102 Austin,TX 78729-6802 THYROID & ENDOCRINOLOGY October 2012 IN OUR WORLD 9 Black Catholics celebrate, adopt plan for future BY CATHOLIC SPIRIT STAFF More than 2,500 black Catholics traveled to Indianapolis in July for the 11th National Black Catholic Congress. The theme of Congress XI was “Faith Engaged: Empower, Equip, Evangelize.” The congresses are held every five years and include priests, bishops, religious men and women and laity of all ages and ethnicities from across the U.S. Johnnie Dorsey, the diocesan director of Black Catholics, and his wife Dean, have attended every National Black Catholic Congress since 1987. They were among the group of 29 individuals who attended from the Austin Diocese. “Congress XI in Indianapolis was a wonderful gathering of many Catholics with a thirst and a desire to absorb information that they could bring back to the Diocese of Austin. The real work of the Congress begins as we share the ve-year pastoral plan that was developed there with the members of the Diocese of Austin.” Johnnie Dorsey received the Service of Christ Award at this year’s congress for his long-time service to the Catholic Church and dedication to the black Catholics of the Austin Diocese. The National Black Catholic Survey of African American Catholics that was conducted by the University of Notre Dame was instrumental in the development of the ve-year pastoral plan, which will be mailed to all of the bishops in the U.S. and includes guidelines and resources for diocesan ministries to help increase the faith lives of black Catholics. The plan includes 10 priorities. • Holiness of Life –– Black Catholics are called to celebrate the faith and nourish holiness today and in future generations. • Life and Dignity of the Human Person –– The goal is to increase involvement in the pro-life activities of church organizations at all levels and to bring more African-American perspectives to those ministries. • Walking with the Saints –– Black Catholics are encouraged to learn more and share knowledge of black saints and black candidates for the sainthood. People are urged to learn more about Father Augustus Tolton, Mother Henriette Delille, Mother Mary Lange and Pierre Toussaint and to pray for the cause of their canonization. • Engaged in Parish Life and Evangelization –– Ministries are encouraged to adapt successful Catholic evangelization programs to the specic needs of blacks in the U.S. Everyone is encouraged to commit to invite those who have left the church to prayerfully consider returning to the church. • Faith Informed –– During Black Catholic History Month in November and throughout the year, black Catholics are encouraged to share the centuries-long faith journey of the ancestors. • Schools Too Valuable to Sell –– The many leading professionals, athletes, artists and other public figures are called upon to give back to the schools that gave them a strong moral, academic and athletic foundation. • Reaching Out to the Next Generations –– Parish, diocesan and national leaders in the church are called upon to promote leadership development among youth and young adults and to give more attention to their spiritual development. • Vocations –– All Catholics are invited to encourage and support our friends and relatives who are called to be priests, dea- LITURGICAL DANCERS from Holy Cross Parish in Austin performed at the 11th National Black Catholic Congress, which was held in July in Indianapolis. A group of 29 people from the Austin Diocese attended the Congress, which is held every ve years. (Photo courtesy Johnnie Dorsey) cons, sisters or brothers. • Getting Married and Staying Married –– Diocesan Family Life ofces are called to reach out to predominantly black parishes to promote participation in pre-marriage preparation programs. • The Social Apostolate –– Ministries are called to support the advocacy efforts of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in the area of moral and universal health care, job creation and economic opportunity for all people. Lena Brown-Owens, a parishioner of Holy Cross Parish in Austin, particularly enjoyed the congress and a presentation by Immaculee Illibagiza, a survivor of the Rwandan genocide in 1994. “For the Congress in general, it has been empowering to me to witness that many black Catholics in one setting, in particular the number of black religious men and women, espe- cially the seminarians and young priests. Hopefully more of our youth will have the opportunity to attend the next Congress.” Rosemary Agwuncha, a young parishioner from Holy Cross Parish in Austin, attended the “Moving Forward: Adapting to Life” workshop for youth. She learned that as teens begin life on their own, keeping their faith will help them stay grounded and fullled. “The rst thing to do once you go to college is to nd a parish to be your support system and to help you through your mistakes. They’ll give you the love you need when you get too lonely and begin feeling homesick,” she said. A Post-Congress XI Day of Reection will be held on April 6, 2013, with presentations on the wealth of information that was received at Congress XI on implementation of the Pastoral Plan of Action. As the congress met, bish- ops from around the world also gathered for a Meeting on African American Pastoral Care in Guayaquil, Ecuador. Pope Benedict XVI encouraged the bishops participating in the event “to examine the cultural values, history and traditions of African Americans, with a view to improving the Church’s ability to present Jesus Christ as the authentic response to the most profound questions of mankind.” In doing this they should allow themselves to be “led by the impulse of the Holy Spirit which came to make all cultures fruitful, ‘purifying them, germinating the many seeds which the incarnate Word placed therein, and thus guiding them along the paths of the Gospel,” the pope said. For more information on black Catholics in the Austin Diocese, contact Johnnie Dorsey at (512) 949-2449 or [email protected]. American Heritage Girls complete rst Service Day BY CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE The American Heritage Girls, which identies itself as “a Christ-centered character development program” for girls from kindergarten to 18 years of age, conducted its rst National Day of Service Sept. 15. While no immediate tally of the time served that day was available, American Heritage Girls said members had donated more than 230,000 hours of service to their com- munities throughout 2011 –– more than 11 hours on average for each of the 20,000 girls in the program. Among activities American Heritage Girls troops participated in on the service day were: The making of pocket dolls for South Korean orphans by 70 girls and their families from a Catholic troop in Rio Rancho, N.M. The dolls were to be delivered to an orphanage by Air force military volunteers. One girl from a troop in St. Louis spending the day at a pregnancy shelter. The making of pillowcase bed bags by about 30 girls and their families from a Catholic troop in Colorado Springs, Colo., for residents of a nearby nursing home. Other activities undertaken for the day of service included collecting and distributing food to the needy, collecting and assembling toiletries for the homeless, and assisting the elderly with home repair projects. Other participated in local beautication projects from beaches to local parks. According to an announcement by American Heritage Girls, while it is a nondiscriminatory organization with troops sponsored by civic organizations and churches of multiple denominations, more troops were started by Catholic churches last year than by any other denomination, and that the largest growth in membership was from the homeschooling community. Founded in 1995 with 10 troops and 100 members, American Heritage Girls now has troops in 47 U.S. states and four countries, with membership growing 30 to 50 percent each year. The organization stresses Christian values and family involvement. Girls participate in badge programs, service projects, leadership opportunity and outdoor experiences. For information about Scouting in the Austin Diocese, visit http://scouting.austindiocese.org/. IN OUR WORLD 10 C ATHOLIC S PIRIT Church celebrates World Mission Sunday on Oct. 21 BY CAROL GLATZ CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE Evangelization must never be a marginal concern for the church, Pope Benedict XVI said. From bishops to religious and the lay community, “All elements of the great mosaic of the church must feel themselves strongly called on by the Lord’s mandate to preach the Gospel, so that Christ may be proclaimed everywhere,” the pope said in his message for World Mission Sunday, which is Oct. 21. In his message, the pope said there is a “renewed urgency” for the missionary mandate even as the church celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council’s Decree on the Church’s Missionary Activity (“Ad Gentes”). That urgency is based on the increasing number of people around the world who still have not heard the Gospel message and the growing secularism seen in traditionally Christian countries, he said. “It’s necessary to renew enthusiasm for sharing the faith so as to promote new evangelization in traditionally Christian communities and countries that are losing their reference to God, and to help them rediscover the joy of believing,” the pope said. “We need to recover the same apostolic zeal of the early Christian communities who, small and defenseless, were still capable of spreading the Gospel through proclamation and witness,” he said. One of the biggest challenges to evangelization, he said, “is the crisis of faith, not just in the Western world, but among a large part of humankind, which nonetheless hungers and thirsts for God and must be invited and led to the bread of life and living water.” The message’s theme, “Called to radiate the word of truth,” comes from the pope’s apostolic letter “Porta Fidei” (“The Door of Faith”), released last year to formally announce the Year of Faith. “Concern for evangelization must never remain on the margins of church activity and the personal lives of Christians;” people of faith need to identify with their faith much more strongly and understand that they are not just recipients but also missionaries of the Gospel, Pope Benedict said. Given the complexity of the modern world, new ways of communicating the word of God must be found, he said. Preaching the Gospel effectively in an ever-changing world “requires constantly adapting lifestyles, pastoral plans and diocesan organization to this fundamental dimension of the church’s being,” that is, evangelization, he said. “Faith is a gift that was Our Lady’s Maronite Catholic Church Presents a Film of The Life and Miracles of Saint Sharbel given so that it could be shared,” he said; it’s “a light that must not stay hidden, but shine throughout the whole house. It is the most important gift ever given in our lives, and we cannot keep it for ourselves.” The pope thanked the work of the pontical missionary societies, which announce the Gospel by offering “assistance to others, justice for the poorest, the possibility for education in isolated villages, medical care in remote areas, an escape from poverty, rehabilitation for the marginalized, support for human development, a way to overcome ethnic divisions and respect for all stages of life.” A special collection will be taken up in parishes on Oct. 20-21 to benet world missions. YEAR OF FAITH DISCERNMENT RETREATS with a Franciscan Focus The movie and presentation of his miracles is a spiritual journey that belongs to anyone who has embraced his spirit in their daily lives. Tickets $10 Sunday, October 14, 2012 at 1:30 p.m. In English - Holy Oil and Blessed Pictures will be handed out after the film. For ticket information, call 512-458-3693 or email [email protected]. Domingo 21 de Octubre 2012 a las 1:30 p.m. En Español - Santos Oleos y fotografías bendecidas serán entregados después de la película. Para más información, favor de comunicarse a los teléfonos 512-789-9615 ó al 512-322-9432. Galaxy Highland Theatre, 6700 Middle Fiskville Rd, Austin, TX www.ourladysmaronite.org Are you discerning? Join us and other women 18-30 for our 2012-13 retreats at our Wisconsin Motherhouse Visit www.fscc-calledtobe.org or call Sr. Mary Ann Spanjers at 920-973-9903 The World Needs You. God Calls You. We Invite You. IN OUR WORLD October 2012 11 Felician Sisters win Lumen Christi award BY CHRISTINA LEE KNAUSS CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE The Thorne Avenue neighborhood in Kingstree, S.C., was known for poverty, crime and hard luck when the Felician Sisters rst arrived in 1992. Twenty years later, their work has touched countless lives, transformed the neighborhood and the small Williamsburg County town, bringing races and different denominations together. It also earned the three Felicians the 2012 Lumen Christi (“Light of Christ”) Award from Catholic Extension. The annual award is given to a priest, religious or layperson who demonstrates how the power of faith can transform lives and communities. The rst award was given 35 years ago to another Kingstree resident, Florence Kaster, who overcame racial barriers to teach members of the black community about the Catholic faith. Sisters Mary Susanne Dziedzic, Mary Johnna Ciezobka and Mary Jacqueline Benbenek were honored for the ministries they provide alongside a group of dedicated volunteers at the Felician Center, including an after-school program, emergency food pantry, monthly meals for people in need, and a clothes closet. The center also offers assistance with medical bills and utilities, and popular programs such as the Kid’s Cuisine cooking and nutrition classes for children. The sisters were honored by more than 300 people at a Sept. 12 ceremony that drew local and state ofcials, their fellow sisters from around the country and from overseas, and Kingstree residents who have benefited from their efforts and worked with them. Bishop Robert E. Guglielmone of Charleston, who nominated them for the award, concelebrated Mass Sept. 13 with Father Jack Wall, president of Catholic Extension, at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Charleston. “I’m absolutely inspired by these sisters and everything they’ve done to build up the faith here in Kingstree, to see the life of the church being lived so powerfully,” Father Wall said. “Their way of living life and being present for those they serve has transformed the whole community.” Bishop Guglielmone said the Felicians are part of a rich history of religious women who have served the poor and marginalized in South Carolina for nearly 200 years. “You represent religious women of South Carolina who do so much to reach out to the poor and those who need the healing, comforting touch of Jesus Christ,” he said. The Felicians received a $50,000 grant to be shared between their ministry and the diocese, and said their portion would be used to support a fourth sister, Sister Heather Marie Deneen, who joined them in Kingstree right after Labor Day. At the awards ceremony, Bishop Guglielmone surprised them by turning the diocesan portion back over to them for their use. During the ceremony, several people referred to the railroad tracks in Kingstree which are an apt symbol. It was once a prosperous railroad hub but now is a quiet town with a population of about 3,300. Over the generations, the tracks served as a division between black and white, poor and rich, and until the sisters arrived, residents say few people ever ventured across them to help each other and learn more about their neighbors. In a state where Catholics make up only 4 percent of the population, the area surrounding Kingstree has a history of suspicion and outright hostility toward the church. Priests, religious brothers and sisters who led outreach efforts in the area during the 1950s dealt with threats from the local Ku Klux Klan chapters because of their faith, and because they led programs for the area’s impoverished black population. By the early 1990s, the Klan was gone but Catholics still had only a tiny presence. Ecumenical activity was rare. The sisters weren’t put off by this or their neighborhood’s reputation for poverty and crime. Their goal, they say, was Giddy Up Go Bus Trips 800-354-1288 www.giddyupgobustrips.com Oct. 18: Ft. Worth Dead Sea Scrolls Exhibit; cost $75 includes lunch and fee for exhibit. Oct. 23: Painted Churches; cost $55, includes lunch. Oct. 30: Waco- Homestead Heritage Armstrong Browning Library and Mammoth Site; cost $65 includes lunch. REGISTER TODAY! Monday, October 29th, 2012 Ho me Ann u Matern tion it cia y n 2ND ANNUAL Entry Fee: $100 /player includes golf, fajita dinner, and player’s bag CHARITY GOLF CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT TOURNAMENT Registration begins at 11:00am Shotgun start at 1:30pm Four Person Scramble Format For Registration, Sponsorships, and Information: (512) 864-7755 or www.thematernityhome.org to live among the people and listen to them. “When people asked us what we would be doing here, I said we will fall in love with the people and they will call forth what they need,” Sister Johnna said. A few days after the Felicians moved into their house, a little girl knocked on the door and asked when they would be open for business. Out of that visit, a thriving after-school program was born. Other services followed as the area’s needs became apparent. Today the ministry occupies four buildings. They knew their work was changing hearts and lives when Methodist and Presbyterian women arrived at the center to ask how they could help. “They dared to cross the tracks, and that was a new beginning,” Sister Jacqueline said. Now, 11 different Christian denominations and more than 60 volunteers of all ages and races work with the sisters each week. “I am so proud of this award, so proud of what we’ve been able to do and proud for the people we serve and work with,” Sister Susanne said. “God is working through us. We’re simply the conduits. This town has been blessed.” FELICIAN SISTERS Mary Jacqueline Benbenek, Mary Susanne Dziedzic and Mary Johnna Ciezobka are the 2012 Lumen Christi (“Light of Christ”) Award winners from Catholic Extension. (CNS photo courtesy Catholic Extension) Best of Ireland Tour March 4 - 14, 2013 (11 days) $2,785 Roundtrip from Dallas Host: Deacon Jerry Klement Spiritual Director: Fr. James Ekeocha of St. Luke Parish in Temple Tour includes: Roundtrip Air from Dallas, First Class/Select Hotels, Most Meals, Professional Driver/Guide & Comprehensive Sightseeing. Visits to Waterford, Killarney, Galway, Connemara, Knock, Sligo and Dublin For more information, contact Deacon Klement at (254) 773-1561 or (254) 718-0454 or [email protected]. 12 IN OUR WORLD C ATHOLIC S PIRIT Study looks at views of white working-class BY DENNIS SADOWSKI CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE A majority of white working-class Catholics –– 56 percent –– think abortion should be legal in all or most cases, according to a survey by the Public Religion Research Institute. A smaller majority of the same category of Catholics –– 52 percent –– favors samesex marriage, said the study released Sept. 20. In contrast, 53 percent of white working-class Protestants believe that abortion should illegal in all or most cases, while 52 percent of the same group oppose same-sex marriage. The Catholic Church opposes abortion and same-sex marriage. Robert P. Jones, the institute’s CEO, told Catholic News Service the survey was conducted to gain insight into the views of white workingclass Americans on cultural, economic, religious and political topics. “One of the things we’re hoping the survey will do is move the debates around the white working-class and the needs of this class or working Americans ... to the realm of facts,” Jones said. The study defines white working-class people as nonHispanic Americans without a four-year college degree who hold non-salaried jobs. White working-class people account for about 36 percent of all Americans and 53 percent of all whites. The results are based on telephone interviews with 2,501 adults in the continental U.S. from Aug. 2 to Aug. 15. Of the total, 857 respondents were working-class whites. The margin of error was plus or minus 2.2 percentage points for the entire survey and 3.7 percent for workingclass respondents. Twenty percent of respondents identified themselves as Catholic, while 19 percent said they were mainline Protestants and 36 percent were evangelical. The study also found that 34 percent of the workingclass attend worship services at least weekly, 33 percent attend occasionally (once or twice month or a few times a year) and 32 percent seldom or never attend church. “That is interesting,” Jones said of the religious ndings. “The stereotype from the left has been that these are kind of hyper-religious folks who vote along culture war lines and are maybe even blind to their economic interests. “The stereotype from the right ... is that this group has lost its grounding in their religiosity and traditional work ethic. The survey found they’re pretty solidly church affiliated and church attenders,” he said. In addition to abortion, the wide-ranging study looks at a variety of issues facing Americans. Areas surveyed include support for presidential candidates in the Nov. 6 elections, views on the economy, major problems facing communities, cultural inuences, consumer preferences and same-sex marriage. In many categories responses were contrasted with white college educated people. In some categories, answers were broken down by religious belief. The survey found that working-class people are signicantly less likely than college-educated people to be married (46 percent to 63 percent) and nearly twice as likely to be divorced (15 percent to 8 percent). The study attributed the differences partly to the greater economic insecurity faced by the working class. The study identified distinct economic differences by social class. Despite working more hours each week (51 hours versus 46 hours), working-class respondents reported they are in worse financial shape. Two-thirds (66 percent) of the working class said they were in poor or fair nancial shape, while 63 percent of college-educated respondents said they were in good or excellent shape. Only 40 percent of working-class Americans reported being employed full time compared with 59 percent of the college educated. Ten percent of the working-class were unemployed, while just 6 percent of the college educated were without jobs. “The thing that’s telling, and it’s not really surprising if you step back, the top of their agenda is the economy,” Jones added. Working-class Americans were more likely than collegeeducated people to identify challenges facing the country. Two-thirds (67 percent) of working-class people reported that a lack of good jobs is a major problem compared with 52 percent of college-educated people. Other economic and social concerns working-class people say have higher importance than do college-education people include: • Lack of opportunities for young people, 56 percent to 46 percent. • Home foreclosures, 49 percent to 36 percent. • Lack of funding for public schools, 47 percent to 43 percent. • Crime, 32 percent to 19 percent. • Illegal immigration, 29 percent to 19 percent. • Racial tensions, 17 percent to 9 percent. Other ndings show: • The working-class (13 percent) are no more likely than college educated (10 percent) to identify with the Tea Party. Working-class people (34 percent) are nearly equally as likely as the college educated (31 percent) to say the Tea Party movement shares their values. • Seventy percent of working-class people believe the American economic system unfairly favors the wealthy, while 53 percent said that a major challenge to the U.S. is that not everyone has an equal chance in life. Meanwhile, 46 percent of the working-class believe that capitalism and the free market system are at odds with Christian values compared with 38 percent who disagree with that view. • Sixty-two percent of working-class people favor raising taxes on Americans with incomes of more than $1 million annually. • Thirty-nine percent of working-class Americans feel connected to the government compared to 51 percent of the college educated. The study, titled “Beyond Guns and God: Understanding the Complexities of the White Working Class in America,” is available at http://publicreligion.org. WHITE WORKING-CLASS AMERICANS, defined as non-Hispanic without a four-year college degree who hold non-salaried jobs, make up roughly one-third of all Americans. Percent of Americans who are: 11% 8% WHITE WORKING-CLASS 36% 13% WHITE COLLEGE-EDUCATED WHITE OTHER HISPANIC 11% 21% AFRICAN-AMERICAN OTHER FAVOR SAME-SEX MARRIAGE All white working-class Catholic white working-class THINK ABORTION SHOULD BE LEGAL All white working-class Catholic white working-class Source: Public Religion Research Institute 43% 52% 50% 56% ©2012 CNS Pastoral support for victims of sexual abuse The Diocese of Austin is committed to providing condential and compassionate care to victims of sexual abuse, particularly if the abuse was committed by clergy or a church representative. If you have experienced abuse by someone representing the Catholic Church, please contact the diocesan coordinator of pastoral care at (512) 949-2400. Apoyo pastoral a las víctimas de abuso sexual La Diócesis de Austin se compromete a proporcionar ayuda condencial y compasiva a las víctimas de abuso sexual, especialmente si el abuso fue cometido por el clero o un representante de la iglesia. Si usted ha sufrido abusos por parte de alguien que representa la Iglesia Católica, por favor comuníquese con el coordinador diocesano del cuidado pastoral al (512) 949-2400. How to report an incident of concern The Diocese of Austin is committed to preventing harm from happening to any of our children or vulnerable adults. If you are aware of sexual or physical abuse and/or neglect of a child or vulnerable adult, state law requires you to report that information to local law enforcement or the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services at (800) 252-5400 or www.dfps.state.tx.us. Additionally, if the suspected abuse is by clergy or an employee or volunteer of any diocesan parish, school or agency, a Notice of Concern should be submitted to the diocesan Ethics and Integrity in Ministry Ofce at (512) 949-2400. The l Notice of Concern can be found at www.austindiocese.org (click on the link HOW TO REPORT ABUSE). Reports may be made anonymously. Cómo reportar un caso de abuso La Diócesis de Austin está comprometida a la prevención del daño que se cause a cualquier niño o adulto vulnerable. Si usted está enterado del abuso sexual o físico y/o abandono de un niño o adulto vulnerable, la ley estatal requiere que se reporte esa información a la policía local o el Departamento de Servicios Familiares y de Protección del Estado de Texas al (800) 252-5400 o al sitio: www.dfps.state.tx.us y además, si la sospecha de abuso es por parte del clero, empleado o voluntario de cualquier parroquia, escuela u organización de la diócesis, se debe enviar un Reporte de Abuso y debe ser presentado a la Ocina de Ética e Integridad en el Ministerio de la diócesis al (512) 949-2400. El Reporte de Abuso se encuentra en nuestra página de Internet diocesana: www.austindiocese.org ( Haga click en la liga COMO REPORTAR UN CASO DE ABUSO). Estos reportes pueden ser hechos de manera anónima. IN OUR WORLD October 2012 13 Fort Worth’s Bishop Vann prepares to head west BY ELISABETH DEFFNER CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE Since submitting his resignation in November 2011, in keeping with the canon law requiring bishops to submit their resignation upon reaching age 75, Bishop Tod D. Brown of Orange, Calif., said “speculation has been rampant in our diocese” about his successor. It was the subject of “clergy cocktail gossip” and the cause of “furrowed brows among the (chancery) staff,” he said at a news conference Sept. 21. “Today,” he added, “the speculation ends.” Earlier that day, Pope Benedict XVI named Bishop Kevin W. Vann of Fort Worth, 61, to be the fourth bishop of Orange, and accepted Bishop Brown’s resignation. The changes were announced in Washington by Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, apostolic nuncio to the U.S. Like the Diocese of Orange, Fort Worth has a significant Hispanic community –– about half the population. Orange County is home to the biggest Vietnamese population outside Vietnam, while under Bishop Vann, the Diocese of Fort Worth built the largest Vietnamese Catholic church in the U.S. Fort Worth is also home to Tongan and Korean communities, as is the Diocese of Orange. Bishop Vann has been a member of the U.S. bishops’ ad hoc committee charged with assisting the Vatican congregation in implementing the apostolic constitution for creating personal ordinariates for Anglicans who want to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church. In February, the Vatican formally inaugurated the Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter, based in Houston. In July, Bishop Vann received members of the Blessed John Henry Newman Society into the church –– and ordained a former Anglican priest as a Catholic priest. Bishop Vann’s seven years in Fort Worth have been a “dynamic period of growth,” Bishop Brown noted, pointing out that the demands for comprehensive pastoral services in that diocese were “not unlike those we have experienced in our own Diocese of Orange.” The Diocese of Fort Worth recently completed its capital campaign, raising $55 million –– a feat in these challenging economic times, Bishop Vann pointed out in an interview with the Orange County Catholic, the diocesan newspaper. The Diocese of Orange is poised to launch its rst capital campaign, which will support local Catholic schools, retired priests, and the renovation of the former Crystal Cathedral, which will become the diocese’s Christ Cathedral. “We are all blessed by his selection,” concluded Bishop Brown, turning to his successor. “I will do all I can to make sure your transition is both enjoyable and productive.” Bishop Vann noted that he and Bishop Brown have known each other for 31 years, and that Orange Auxiliary Bishop Dominic M. Luong coincidentally visited the Texas diocese last December for the dedication of the Vietnamese Martyrs Church. Leaving behind his Fort Worth “family” will be challenging, he admitted, but he looks forward to getting to know his new “family” in Southern California. “With God’s help, I will love you and do my best to serve you,” he declared. “I promise you.” Bishop Vann repeated his speech in Spanish, getting big smiles and applause from Spanish-speakers in the audience. Msgr. Michael Heher, Orange vicar general, followed up with a presentation of gifts to welcome Bishop Vann to the diocese; among them were Oakley sunglasses –– which Bishop Vann promptly donned –– an Angels baseball cap, a “Proud to be Catholic” cap from the BISHOP KEVIN W. VANN of Fort Worth, proudly shows off his boot with his initials and his episcopal coat of arms. He has been appointed bishop of Orange, Calif. (CNS photo/Tim Rue) Orange Catholic Foundation, sunblock, a basket of oranges –– and a bottle of window cleaner for the new cathedral’s 10,000 panes of glass. Bishop Vann, who is a canon law scholar and an accomplished pianist, said his appointment to Orange has a very different feel. In 2005, after he was named coadjutor for Fort Worth he was thrust into his new role as head of the diocese earlier than anticipated. As coadjutor, he would automatically succeed Bishop Joseph P. Delaney upon his retirement or death. Bishop Delaney, who had been suffering from ill health, died one day before Bishopdesignate Vann was ordained a bishop. The ceremony went forward as scheduled, with Bishop Vann installed as Fort Worth’s shepherd July 13, 2005. Encompassing all of Orange County –– less than 800 square miles –– the Orange Diocese is not as big as the 25,000-squaremile, 28-county Fort Worth Diocese, “but it has a similar dynamic,” Bishop Vann said. He agreed with Bishop Brown that his experience makes him a good t for this new assignment. “God prepares you from one stage of your life to the next,” he said. 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Gallagher was a microbiology major at the University of Michigan, his growing curiosity about the “deep questions” led the premed student to take philosophy and other humanities courses on the side. By the time he graduated, he had discerned his vocation to the priesthood. He had also discovered the appeal of Latin. “I had this thirst both for the language and what it conveyed, meaning the whole tradition of the West,” he said. Today, at age 42, Msgr. Gallagher is able to follow both of his callings as the only American on a seven-man team in the Vatican’s Ofce of Latin Letters, which translates the most important Vatican documents into the church’s official language. Among other challenges, his job entails concocting Latin words for modern inventions, such as “discus rigidus” for “hard drive” or “aerinavis celerrima” for “jet.” Some would argue that such efforts, however charming the results, are a pointless exercise in anachronism for a church with 1.2 billion members in practically every country on earth. Why not just replace the ancient tongue with the 21st century’s international language, English? To do so, Msgr. Gallagher answers, would be to “sever us from everything that’s preceded us.” When Catholics pray in Latin, he said, “we put ourselves in a whole family of tradition,” experiencing some of the same feelings as our ancestors in faith when they sang or recited the same words. Making a modern language the lingua franca of the church would also undermine the unity of Catholics today, he argues, by privileging one part of the universal church over others. Latin is “everybody’s language and nobody’s language,” Msgr. Gallagher said. “No single race or ethnicity possesses” it. Of course, Latin is now a much smaller part of the church’s life than it was a generation ago. Its eclipse in Catholic worship, education and governance was just one of the many modernizing changes that followed the 1962-65 Second Vatican Council. “Perhaps people associated (Latin) with a certain rigidity in the church, the church wasn’t exible and needed to be updated,” said Msgr. Gallagher, acknowledging that the “church really needed to connect to the world” at that time. “But the changes happened so fast that people didn’t realize what was being tossed out,” he said. Thus, half a century later, “young people are experiencing a dryness at not being able to connect to what preceded us, both ecclesiastically but also simply historically in the West.” Msgr. Gallagher said the church has “hit bottom” in terms of Latin knowledge among clergy, and the trend is now steadily upward. A quarter century ago, most seminaries were offering hardly any Latin instruction, he said; but in the past 10 years, future priests have shown a “tremendous increase” in desire to learn the language. Pope Benedict XVI’s decision to lift most restrictions on the traditional Latin Mass in 2007 certainly helped “spark interest” in liturgical use of the language, Msgr. Gallagher said; but the current movement within the church is part of an even wider trend, reflected in the resurgent popularity of Latin classes at secular universities. “Young people ... are searching to understand who they are and where they’ve come from, and themselves choosing to take Latin,” he said. That development offers a momentous opportunity for service, Msgr. Gallagher said. As the primary custodian of Latin in the centuries since it ceased to be Europe’s language of literature, law and scholarship, the Catholic Church is singularly well positioned to help others restore the linchpin that once held together a now-fragmented Western culture. To that end, the Holy See is considering a plan for a Pontifical Latin Academy, which would promote the study of Latin, among other ways by sponsoring international conferences in conjunction with major secular universities and organizing intensive summer language courses. Such activities would inevitably bring the Vatican into contact with non-Catholics, including atheists and agnostics, who share its interest in the classical heritage, Msgr. Gallagher noted; and that would make the Latin academy a natural part of the new evangelization, Pope Benedict’s project for reviving Christian faith in an increasingly secular West. At a Synod of Bishops dedicated to the new evangelization next month in Rome, Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl of Washington, the synod’s recording secretary, will deliver two addresses in Latin, and Msgr. Gallagher hopes that other bishops also choose to speak and even hold discussions in the language. It might seem paradoxical that the church’s attempt to reach out to the 21st century should involve recourse to an ancient tongue, but in Msgr. Gallagher’s view, nothing could be more tting. The de-Christianized European culture at which the new evangelization is principally aimed “grew out of a culture that was imbued with Latinity,” he said. “So part of re-evangelizing that culture has to reconnect (Europeans) with Latinity in its large sense, not just the language but the whole human tradition in which the Christian message was presented 1,500 years ago.” Save More. Enjoy More. No Other School Teaches Them To SHINE Like This. When you choose Catholic School for your children, you surround them with a community that shares your faith and your values. Here, your children will learn to shine – with a light that they will carry with them into the world. Visit www.CSDATX.org to learn more about the transformative power of Catholic Education. low aass Take your child’s education to the highest power. Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Austin are currently accepting enrollment applications.To learn more attend an open house, or to apply, visit www.CSDATX.org. Together, we’ll take education to the highest power. Austin Catholic Diocese parishioners, employees and volunteers are eligible for membership. Austin 512-833-3300 Toll-free 1-800-580-3300 Join today – rbfcu.org For approved and qualified members. To qualify for membership, visit rbfcu.org. The 1.9% APR is our best rate available when applying online for an RBFCU Auto Loan to purchase a new or used vehicle, or refinance an existing auto loan from another financial institution based on your credit rating and other factors. Auto loans are subject to credit approval and rates are subject to change. Loan term will be based upon amount financed, collateral and mileage. Longer loan terms are available at different rates. Some restrictions may apply. Contact our Consumer Lending Center for more details. Federally insured by NCUA. October 2012 IN OUR WORLD 15 Pope calls Middle Eastern Christians to keep hope BY FRANCIS X. ROCCA CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE Pope Benedict XVI acknowledged the suffering of Christians in the Middle East, reassuring them and urging them to promote peace through religiously inspired service to their societies. “Your sufferings are not in vain,” the pope told a crowd of at least 350,000 at a sweltering outdoor Mass at Beirut’s City Center Waterfront Sept. 16. “Remain ever hopeful because of Christ.” In his homily, Pope Benedict commented on the day’s reading from the Gospel of St. Mark, in which Jesus foretells his death and resurrection. Jesus is a “Messiah who suffers,” the pope said, “a Messiah who serves, and not some triumphant political savior.” Speaking in a region driven by sectarian politics, where party loyalties are often determined by religious afliation, the pope warned that people can invoke Jesus to “advance agendas which are not his, to raise false temporal hopes in his regard.” Pope Benedict told his listeners, whose travails of war and economic insecurity he had acknowledged repeatedly throughout his visit, that Christianity is essentially a faith of redemptive suffering. “Following Jesus means taking up one’s cross and following in his footsteps along a difcult path which leads not to earthly power or glory but, if necessary, to self-abandonment, to losing one’s life for Christ and the Gospel in order to save it,” he said. Yet Pope Benedict also cited another of the day’s Mass readings, the epistle of St. James, to emphasize the spiritual value of “concrete actions” and works, concluding that “service is a fundamental element” of Christian identity. Addressing a region where Christian-run social services, including schools and health care facilities, are extensively used by the Muslim majority, the pope stressed the importance of “serving the poor, the outcast and the suffering,” and called on Christians to be “servants of peace and reconciliation in the Middle East.” “This is an essential testimony which Christians must render here, in cooperation with all people of good will,” Pope Benedict said. During the homily, the only sound was the pope’s voice and its echo from the loudspeakers. Many people leaned over and bowed their heads with eyes closed, so they could concentrate more deeply. Following the Mass, the pope formally presented pa- triarchs and bishops of the Middle East with a document of his reections on the 2010 special Synod of Bishops, which was dedicated to the region’s Christians. In the 90page document, called an apostolic exhortation, the pope called for religious freedom and warned of the dangers of fundamentalism. Sheltered from the sun only by white baseball caps and the occasional umbrella, people had already packed the city’s central district by 8 a.m., almost an hour-and-a-half before the pope arrived in the popemobile, which took him to the foot of the altar. In temperatures that rose into the high 80s, the pope celebrated Mass under a canopy while bishops and patriarchs on either side wiped their brows and fanned themselves with programs. Aside from the complimentary white pope caps, people in the crowd improvised versions of sun protection with torn pieces of corrugated boxes tied around heads and papal and Lebanese flags worn as bandanas. George Srour, 38, estimated that 20,000 people came from Zahle in a convoy of chartered school buses, leaving at 5 a.m. for the 10 a.m. Mass. “We Christians must be united and participate” in the pope’s visit, Srour told Catholic News Service, “otherwise there will be no more Lebanon. It will become like Iraq, and now Syria, with all the Christians leaving.” OLIVE TREES are seen onstage as Pope Benedict XVI leads a meeting with young people in the square outside of the Maronite patriarch’s residence in Bkerke, Lebanon, Sept. 15. Copies of “YouCat,” recently translated into Arabic, were distributed at the event. (CNS photo by Paul Haring) In Lebanon, pope’s presence was the message BY FRANCIS X. ROCCA CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE When Pope Benedict XVI stepped off the plane in Beirut Sept. 14, he said he had come to Lebanon, and to the Middle East in general, as a “pilgrim of peace.” In ve major talks over the next three days, the pope repeatedly called for peace and underscored the role of Christians in promoting it. Yet his most eloquent message of hope to the troubled region lay not in the diplomatic language of his public statements, but in his very presence and the response it evoked from his hosts. Throughout his trip, Pope Benedict limited himself to general statements of principle on the most contentious political issues, and he avoided some topics altogether. His insistence that religious freedom is a basic human right and a prerequisite for social harmony was a bold statement in the context of a region where most countries restrict and even prohibit the practice of any faith besides Islam. But like the docume nt he came to Lebanon to present, a collection of his reections on the 2010 special Synod of Bishops dedicated to Christians in the Middle East, the pope said nothing specic about where and how the region’s Christians are regularly deprived of that right. The pope twice the deplored the human cost of the civil war in neighboring Syria, but his only practical recommendation for an end to the fighting there was a neutral call to end the importation of military arms, which he called a “grave sin.” With regard to religiously inspired violence, the pope made a single generic reference to terrorism and a possible allusion to the subject in the statement that “authentic faith does not lead to death.” Pope Benedict said nothing at all about the incendiary subject that dominated news coverage in the run-up to his trip: an American-made antiIslamic lm that had inspired often-violent protests in at least a dozen Muslim countries, including Lebanon. Awareness of that furor no doubt heightened the caution with which the pope treated the most volatile topics during his trip. Ironically, the crisis may also have helped him to get his message across. With turmoil over the movie spreading across the Middle East, the papal visit suddenly became a much more dramatic and thus more appealing story to the secular press, which probably gave it more coverage as a result, observed Msgr. John E. Kozar, president of the Catholic Near East Welfare Association, who attended the papal events. For the Lebanese, the pope’s willingness to travel in spite of security concerns –– he told reporters on the plane from Rome that he had not considered canceling the trip and that no one had advised him to do so –– powerfully underscored his commitment to the country and the region. “The mere fact that the Holy Father came at this difcult moment is an indication that Christians here are not forgotten,” said Habib Malik, a professor of history at Lebanese American University. The pope’s visit served as a showcase for Lebanon, which for years was a model of peaceful coexistence and religious freedom in the Middle East. The show of enthusiasm across sectarian and political lines, in a nation still recovering from the 1975-90 civil war, was a dramatic statement of unity to the outside world and to the Lebanese themselves. Epitomizing the welcome by Muslim leaders, Lebanon’s grand mufti gave Pope Benedict a written message stating that “any attack on any Christian citizen is an attack on Islam.” And as Lebanon’s Daily Star newspaper reported Sept. 17, Lebanon President Michel Suleiman cited the unanimity among political factions over the weekend in arguing that the “way to capitalize on the pope’s visit is via dialogue.” Pope Benedict would no doubt agree, while limiting his short-term expectations. As he told the president in his arrival speech, Lebanese society’s “equilibrium, which is presented everywhere as an example, is extremely delicate. Sometimes it seems about to snap like a bow which is overstretched or submitted to pressures which are too often partisan, even selsh, contrary and extraneous to Lebanese harmony and gentleness.” What precisely those pressures might be, the pope prudently declined to say. IN OUR WORLD 16 C ATHOLIC S PIRIT Personal encounter with God gives solace in tragedy BY CAROL GLATZ CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE Pain, suffering and human mortality shouldn’t be explained away, ignored or denied, but embraced by faith in God, said an expert in the philosophy and ethics of science. In fact, only a concrete encounter with the Lord can provide solace for people grappling with the question of how there can be a God who is good when there is also agony and death, especially of innocent children, said Evandro Agazzi, a member of the Italian National Committee for Bioethics and the Committee for the Ethics of Research and Bioethics of the Italian National Research Council. Agazzi, an Italian philosopher, physicist and mathematician, was the guest speaker at a Sept. 17 lecture organized by the Ut Vitam Habeant Foundation –– a Rome-based Catholic foundation, headed by Cardinal Elio Sgreccia. People’s faith and trust in a benevolent God have been challenged for millennia by the existence of death, pain and suffering, especially when such ills were not considered to be the direct result of moral evil, Agazzi told an audience of more than 250 people. Ancient philosophers and other thinkers have proposed a wide variety of approaches: passive resignation; a cynical frustration that laments the burden of life; “death as liberation, so we need to get life over with modern science and technology’s “ultra-rationalism” –– for example, geneticist who explains the origins of cancer to the last chromosome –– offer no consolation by “explaining away and destroying the existence of the bad.” A correct use of reason doesn’t negate the presence of the unintelligible. “There is an undeniable reality that goes said, but “we don’t know if we will be successful because we know our success will always be limited.” Christianity teaches that “there’s no need to deny the negativity of pain or justify it. We have to accept it as it is, accept its negativity and accept that it may be opening up something more,” he said. “The rst way to overcome Christianity teaches that “there’s no need to deny the negativity of pain or justify it. We have to accept it as it is, accept its negativity and accept that it may be opening up something more.” -- Evandro Agazzi, philosopher as soon as possible”; or a naive belief in the harmony of nature, which will make sure all the bad will be balanced out by the good. “The real problem was the meaning of pain and suffering” and one’s response to it, he said. Agazzi said people won’t nd consolation in being told that evil exists and they just have to deal with it, or “don’t worry, it will all balance out” in the end. In the same way, he said, beyond every explanation. It’s real and beyond our ability to change,” Agazzi said. However, he said, it is precisely that reality beyond what the mind can grasp “that is capable of lling life with meaning.” “Christian faith has a response that goes beyond all the many possible responses that philosophy came up with.” “We are called to collaborate with God” and work to ease suffering and right injustices, he the bad is with love, but it won’t resolve everything; the mystery remains –– the mystery of why love should pass through pain.” “There is no reason for it,” yet Jesus showed it was true by giving up his life to redeem humanity, he said. The Old Testament gure Job, who was righteous and yet suffered without reason, overcomes his dilemma when he has a direct experience of God, Agazzi said. “If you don’t meet God face-to-face, your problems won’t be resolved,” he said. Therefore, Agazzi said he tells people who think it’s impossible to believe in God after witnessing a child’s suffering and death that “only one who believes deeply in God is able to bear being at the side of a dying child without losing reason, without going mad in the pain.” During a brief question-andanswer period at the end of the talk, a member of the audience said he was a chaplain at the Vatican’s Bambino Gesu Children’s Hospital in Rome. Since the answer to witnessing such suffering is having a concrete encounter with God, he asked Agazzi how he could help people living through so much tragedy have that experience. The action of the Holy Spirit is key, Agazzi said, and people can pray “for the spirit to illuminate the mystery.” Agazzi said, “We have to be witnesses, but we can’t substitute God in helping people discover the way to God.” “You can’t put yourself in God’s shoes; they’re too big,” he added. All are invited to join us for our annual All Souls’ Day Mass Friday, November 2nd at 4:00 pm Celebrated by Most Reverend Joe S. Vásquez, Bishop of the Diocese of Austin Remembering all our Faithfully Departed, and especially those who are at rest at Our Lady of the Rosary Cemetery. Following Mass at the cemetery, there will be a blessing of newly interred graves, scattering of wildflower seeds, and refreshments of soul cakes. “Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them” OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY CEMETERY & PRAYER GARDENS 330 Berry Lane Georgetown, Texas 78626 www.olotr.com 512.863.8411 October 2012 IN OUR WORLD 17 Vatican synod to have ecumenical focus BY CINDY WOODEN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE The potential power, but also the limits, of an ecumenical proclamation of the Gospel and defense of Gospel values is likely to be a key topic during October’s world Synod of Bishops on the new evangelization. The ecumenical focus will be particularly sharp Oct. 10 when –– at the personal invitation of Pope Benedict XVI –– Anglican Archbishop Rowan Williams of Canterbury will deliver a major address to synod members. While popes have long invited other Christians to be “fraternal delegates” and make brief speeches at the synods, Pope Benedict has begun a tradition of inviting important religious leaders to deliver a major address. In 2008, Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople and Chief Rabbi Shear-Yashuv Cohen of Haifa, Israel, addressed the Synod of Bishops on the Bible. Another rabbi and two Muslim leaders gave speeches at the 2010 special synod on the Middle East. Bishop Brian Farrell, secretary of the Pontical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, said the invitations demonstrate the pope’s recognition that the “challenges facing religious belief itself and church life are common –– no church, no religion is an island –– and we need one another and can learn from one another.” In addition, he said, ecumenical and interreligious cooperation shows the world that “we are together in promoting the values of belief and the moral- preaching against each other instead of preaching Christ,” he said. The missionaries recognized the scandal they were causing as they “exported their divisions” to Asia, Africa and other parts of the world. The missionaries saw “their work being undermined by their sidered our Protestant brothers and sisters, and the Orthodox to a certain degree, as just outside the church.” Through discussions and studies at the council, he said, the bishops gained “a new perspective: We have a common faith in Jesus Christ, we have “The mission that the Lord entrusted to the Apostles, to preach the Gospel to the ends of the earth, has not been fullled –– mostly because of divisions among his followers.” –– Bishop Brian Farrell, secretary of the Pontical Council for Promoting Christian Unity ethical values that we stand by.” Ecumenical cooperation is crucial when trying to transmit the faith in the modern world and to re-propose Christianity in areas, especially Europe and North America, which had a Christian tradition, but are becoming increasingly secularized. “The mission that the Lord entrusted to the Apostles, to preach the Gospel to the ends of the earth, has not been fullled –– mostly because of divisions among his followers,” Bishop Farrell said. The beginnings of the modern ecumenical movement usually are traced to a 1910 conference of missionaries “who had the experience of being seen as own divisions,” which they increasingly acknowledged were violations of the will of Jesus that his followers be one, the bishop said. Meanwhile, among some Catholics in the early 1900s, “there were the beginnings of a spiritual interest in the idea of prayer for Christian unity,” he said, but the quantum leap in the Catholic Church’s commitment to ecumenism came with the 1962-65 Second Vatican Council. Bishop Farrell said the change in the church’s attitude reected an “education of the bishops at the council, because most of the bishops came with the kind of theology that con- a common baptism, and this is already a huge element of real communion in the faith.” The ecumenical task, embraced by the Catholic Church, involves prayer and dialogue to move that communion “from imperfect to perfect,” he said. Until the process is complete, however, there will be some limits to the possibilities for ecumenical cooperation in evangelization, because Catholics, Orthodox, Anglicans and other mainline Christians aren’t just inviting people to profess faith in Jesus Christ, but to live that faith in his body, the church. “There is a kind of supercial ecumenism that says, ‘it doesn’t matter what church you belong to,’” Bishop Farrell said, but the Catholic Church and most of its dialogue partners reject that view. Because Christians aren’t passing on “some Gospel of their own making,” but a faith they have received, “sharing one’s faith means sharing one’s belonging to a particular community that has given me that faith. It means sharing the conviction, in conscience, that the Gospel comes to me in its fullness in this particular community,” the bishop said. The role of the church and, in fact, the denition of what it means to be fully church is at the heart of the ongoing, sometimes difcult, theological ecumenical dialogues, he said. For the Catholic Church, Bishop Farrell said, “We can’t work for a common minimum denominator; nor can we say, ‘let’s keep our differences and just accept one another as we are.’ “We have to aim at whatever is required for the fullness of incorporation into Christ and into the one church he founded. But where is that church?” he said. “That is the question that will trouble us until Christian disunity becomes Christian unity: not uniformity, but true, gracelled communion in faith and Christian living.” Pope names record number of women to synod BY CAROL GLATZ CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE Choosing men and women from every part of the world and from a wide variety of professions, Pope Benedict XVI nominated 45 experts and 49 observers for the upcoming world assembly of bishops. The Oct. 7-28 gathering will include the largest bloc of women –– 10 experts and 19 observers –– ever to participate in a world Synod of Bishops. Europe accounts for the overwhelming majority of the appointees, followed by North America, with 10 people from the U.S., two from Mexico and one from Canada. A number of the appointees are also advisers to the Pontical Council for Promoting New Evangelization and other Vatican ofces. The list of papal appointments to the synod was published Sept. 22 by the Vatican. Experts and observers, who include laypeople, are not voting members of the synod. According to Vatican rules, only priests, bishops and cardinals can be full members who vote and determine the propositions to be presented to the pope at the end of the gathering. The 45 experts include priests, nuns and laypeople, many of whom are professors, rectors or supervisors of catechetical or pastoral programs. They will serve as resources for the more than 200 synod members as they discuss the theme, “New Evangelization for the Transmission of the Christian Faith.” The experts from the U.S. and Canada include: • Sister Sara Butler, a professor of theology at the University of St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, Ill. A member of the Missionary Servants of the Most Blessed Trinity, Sister Butler was one of two women Blessed Pope John Paul II named to the International Theological Commission in 2004. • Benedictine Father Jeremy Driscoll, a professor at Rome’s Pontical Athenaeum of San Anselmo and at Mount Angel Seminary in St. Benedict, Ore. • Ralph Martin, president of Renewal Ministries in Ann Arbor, Mich., and director of graduate programs in the new evangelization at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit. He has been a leader in charismatic renewal since the 1970s. • Sister Paula Jean Miller, a Franciscan Sister of the Eucharist and professor of theology at the University of St. Thomas in Houston. • Edward N. Peters, who holds the Edmund Cardinal Szoka chair in faculty development at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit. A professor of canon law, Peters was the rst layperson to serve as a referendary, or consultant, to the church’s highest court, the Apostolic Signature. He is also the author of the blog, “In the Light of the Law.” • Sister Gill Goulding, a sister of the Congregation of Jesus and professor of systematic theology and spirituality at Regis College of the University of Toronto. The experts also include: Salesian Sister Enrica Rosanna, undersecretary of the Vatican’s Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life; Father Eamonn Conway, head of the department of theology and religious studies at Mary Immaculate College at the University of Limerick, Ireland; Caroline Farey, academic assistant in ecclesiastical development at the Maryvale Institute in Birmingham, England; Petroc Willey, dean of graduate research and course director for studies in the catechism at Birmingham’s Maryvale Institute; and Msgr. Rafiq Khoury, professor of liturgy at the Major Seminary of Beit Jala in the Palestinian territories. The 49 observers can attend all synod sessions, participate in the synod working groups and have an opportunity to address the entire assembly. Many of the observers are leaders of religious orders, founders or leaders of lay movements or large Catholic associations, or professors or organizers of catechetical and pastoral programs. The U.S. observers are: Carl Anderson, supreme knight of the Knights of Columbus; Peter Murphy, executive director of the Secretariat of Evangelization and Catechesis at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops; Curtis Martin, founder and president of the Fellowship of Catholic University Students, “FOCUS;” Marylee J. Meehan, the U.S.-based president of the International Catholic Committee of Nurses and MedicoSocial Assistants; and U.S. Sister Mary Lou Wirtz, president of the International Union of Superiors General and general superior of the Daughters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. Other observers include: Kiko Arguello, co-founder of the Neocatecumenal Way; Maria Voce, president of the Focolare movement; Michel Roy, secretary-general of the Vatican-based umbrella group of Catholic aid agencies, Caritas Internationalis; Marco Impagliazzo, president of the Rome-based Community of Sant’Egidio; and Chiara Amirante, founder and president of the international Catholic organization, New Horizons. IN OUR WORLD 18 C ATHOLIC S PIRIT Papyrus fragment stirs debate about Jesus BY CAROL GLATZ CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE Scholars are unlikely to agree anytime soon on the authenticity of a newly published text containing a reference to Jesus’ “wife.” But the tiny papyrus fragment, purportedly dating to the fourth century A.D., has already stirred interest in the early church’s attitudes toward marriage, sex and the role of women. The fragment of papyrus with eight lines of Egyptian Coptic writing is the “only extant ancient text which explicitly portrays Jesus as referring to a wife,” wrote Karen L. King, historian of Christianity at Harvard Divinity School, in an academic paper she delivered Sept. 18 at an international Coptic studies conference in Rome. “It does not, however, provide evidence that the historical Jesus was married,” she wrote, “given the late date of the fragment and the probable date of original composition,” at the end of the second century. The best source of evidence giving an account of Jesus’ life and ministry is still the Gospels in the New Testament, King told reporters the next day, “and they are silent about his marital status.” But she said the fragment is “direct evidence” that early Christians started debating in the second century whether Jesus could have been married or not. Father Juan Chapa, a New Testament scholar at the University of Navarra in Spain, told Catholic News Service that the “Gospels don’t mention marriage, not because they wanted to hide something, but because it was clear that Jesus did not get married, and it’s consistent in the church’s tradition.” He also noted that the gnostic gospel genre to which the fragment evidently belongs is one of stories about Jesus that mainly take place after the resurrection, using language that is heavily allegorical. Thus, he said, the fragment’s relevant words –– “Jesus said to them, ‘My wife’” –– were likely not meant as a literal assertion about the life of the historical Jesus. King said that the significance of the fragment lies in the light it might shed on debates in the early church over the necessity of celibacy to living a holy life. According to Michael Peppard, a professor of theology and Coptic language at Fordham University, a belief in asceticism saw rapid development in the second to fourth centuries, especially in Egypt where Christian monasticism was born. Some bishops at the time “were saying that the highest ideal was asceticism,” which included renouncing “all the trappings and worries of material life,” including marriage. But Peppard said other bishops in the same period “were guring out how to give everyone their space,” and letting it be known it was all right for Christians to live in the world. The new text published by King may be a sign of early Christians “pushing back” against Annual Homecoming FESTIVAL asceticism and moving closer to mainstream Jewish attitudes “of blessing sex and procreation,” Peppard said. Catholic teaching, Father Chapa said, holds that “Jesus’ celibacy, by differentiating him from other rabbis, underlines his unique mission to fulll the kingdom of God, and shows how he embodied the love of God” by renouncing conjugal love. King said the reference to Jesus’ wife could just be a symbol of the church, akin to the Gospel allegory of Jesus as bridegroom of the church. “What if what’s missing is saying, ‘My wife is the church?’” King said. But both Peppard and King argue that the word does refer to a real person, since the line just below it includes the words: “...she will be able to be my disciple...” The “wife” in question could be a “spiritual wife,” Peppard said. Other texts from the same period uphold “the image of an unconsummated spiritual marriage where the best kind of husband and wife live celibately,” he said. King acknowledged that there would be continued debate over the authenticity of the fragment, whose paper trail goes back only to the 1980s. “I would say it’s a forgery,” Alin Suciu, a papyrologist at the University of Hamburg who was attending the conference with King, told the Associated Press. “The script doesn’t look authentic” compared to other fourthcentury Coptic papyri. But Roger Bagnall, a papyrologist and director of the Institute for the Study of the Ancient World at New York University, studied the handwrit- ing, the grammar and how the ink was absorbed by the plant bers, and concluded it was likely to date from the period between 350 and 400 A.D. “We can’t ever know or be 100 percent sure if it’s authentic or a forgery,” Peppard said. King said any properly accredited scholar in the world is welcome to study the papyrus, and that criticism of her ndings is part and parcel of any historical study. “We want to do the best job we can with new historical data,” she said. Father Chapa called King’s discovery “exciting,” and nothing for believing Catholics to fear.”Anything that helps us understand our past, to understand the history of the church and how the church dened herself in history,” he said, “is very valuable and positive.” A PREVIOUSLY UNKNOWN SCRAP of ancient papyrus written in ancient Coptic is pictured in this undated handout photo. The pieces is said to be from the fourth century. (CNS photo by Karen L. King, courtesy Harvard University) Sunday, October 21 s me Ga es z s Pri ent Barbecue 11:30 a.m. - 3p.m. hm s re f e Polish Sausage, Beef & Trimmings - $8 R hes wic Barbecue chicken & beef by the pound, Sand St. Mary’s in Bremond to go at the pit. Bingo from 4 to 8 p.m. St. Marys Parish in Brenham invites you to join us as we celebrate our 22nd Annual POLISH HERITAGE FESTIVAL Sunday, Oct. 28 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Serving traditional home-made Polish foods –– Sausage (Kielbasa), Rosol Z Kury, Czarnina -- from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Adult plates: $8; children: $5 Music provided by Daniel and the Country Boys Activities: live auction, cake booth, country store, grocery booth, games for all ages. For information, call St. Marys Catholic Church at (979) 836-4441. 0LVVLRQDULHVRI+RSHLVSURXGWRSUHVHQW An Evening in Pakistan ´%XLOGLQJKRSHDQGEXLOGLQJIXWXUHVµ %HQHÀWWLQJWKHSRRUHVWRIWKHSRRU³WKH3DNLVWDQLFKLOGUHQZKRKDYHQHLWKHU SPEND AN ENCHANTING EVENING IN EXOTIC PAKISTAN NO PASSPORT NECESSARY! 6DPSOHFXOLQDU\ GHOLJKWVIURP ,QGLD3DNLVWDQ %URZVHWKURXJKWKH FKDUPLQJED]DDU 6LOHQW$XFWLRQ 6XQGD\ 1RYHPEHU (QMR\WUDGLWLRQDOPXVLF DQG HQWHUWDLQPHQW ()))*+$',-. (/++0/ 1!/+$',2-. !"#$%&'' 5HVHUYDWLRQVPXVWEHSXUFKDVHGE\1RYHPEHUVWWRHQVXUHVHDWLQJDYDLODELOLW\ $;9-<, ###!<="<" 25 0"3456'7884 9:. GOOD NEWS October 2012 19 Opening the doors for the Year of Faith BISHOP JOE S. VÁSQUEZ is the fth bishop of the Austin Diocese. He shepherds more than 500,000 Catholics in 25 Central Texas counties. Editor: On Oct. 11, the Roman Catholic Church will begin celebrating the Year of Faith. What is the purpose of the year? Bishop Vásquez: The Year of Faith is a great gift that our Holy Father has given us. With his Apostolic Letter “Porta Fidei,” Pope Benedict XVI declared that a “Year of Faith” will begin on Oct. 11, and conclude on Nov. 24, 2013. In his letter, the pope calls for the renewal of faith by us as a church. The year is a “summons to an authentic and renewed conversion to the Lord, the One Savior of the world,” he writes in “Porta Fidei.” The pope, in his travel all over the world, has taken note of the challenges presented to Christianity. He has noticed parts of Europe and Western society that are struggling with certain issues in faith and the existence of God in general. Therefore, the Holy Father wants to show that our life, especially as Catholics, is one that is lived out in faith and to have that personal encounter with Jesus Christ is primary and at the very heart of our faith. The new evangelization, which has been promoted for years rst by Blessed John Paul II and now by Benedict XVI, has been the church’s response to the crisis of faith. The new evangelization calls us to communicate the joy and hope of the Christian faith, which is discovered through our own personal encounter with Christ. As Peter tells the early Christians, “Do not be afraid or terried with fear of them, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope” (1Pt 3: 14-15). Jesus is the reason for our hope and we need to share that message with others, especially those who are struggling with their faith or who have lost their faith. As Christians, we shouldn’t be embarrassed, frightened or ashamed of knowing Christ, we are called to share his message with everyone! Our diocese is blessed in many ways because of the vibrancy and the dynamism that is taking place in this local church. We are a church that is alive and growing because people –– priests, deacons, seminarians, men and women religious and laity –– are living out their faith. I believe that as a diocese we are taking seriously the new evangelization and as individual parishes as we are constantly working to bring the message of Christ to others and to share that hope. Editor: Surely you must have family members or close friends who no longer participate in the faith. How does that help you understand what others in the same situation are going through? Bishop Vásquez: In my own family, there are members who no longer practice the Catholic faith. This is disappointing to me as a relative and as a bishop. However, these situations are great opportunities to witness to Christ within our own families. The family is a wonderful setting for the new evangelization. Prayer is very important in our family celebrations as is attending Mass together, whether it is Christmas or Thanksgiving, we pray together in our faith and we invite the participation of all our family members. I want to encourage those who have loved ones who are no longer practicing the faith not to be discouraged. Families should never close the door or give up on a family member and we should encourage them as much as we can. Perhaps all a family member needs is a personal invitation to Mass to help them reactivate their faith. And most importantly, we should always hold our family members in prayer, especially those who are struggling with the faith. Editor: What would you say to those who attend Mass regularly, but they just don’t get excited about their faith anymore? Bishop Vásquez: We must remember that at Mass, we receive Jesus Christ, who is God’s greatest gift! Jesus is the incarnation of God’s love for us. Our natural response to such a wonderful gift is an attitude of gratitude and thanksgiving. As Catholics, the greatest act of thanksgiving is the Eucharist. It is our duty and obligation to worship God, but this is not a burden. I want to go to Mass and receive the Eucharist because I am strengthened every time I do so. Another thing that will help renew one’s excitement for attending Mass is preparing to attend Mass. I encourage people to read the readings of the day prior to Mass because it helps open our hearts to what God has to say to us through Scripture. Now, the challenge for the church is to offer good liturgy. Pope Benedict XVI said the Year of Faith will be a good opportunity to intensify the celebration of the faith in the liturgy, especially in the Eucharist, which is “the summit towards which the activity of the church is directed … and also the source from which all its power ows.” Quality liturgical celebrations are where the proclamation of the Word of God is clear and understandable, where homilies are well prepared and delivered, where musicians have selected music that speaks to the heart and when liturgical ministers convey a prayerful reverence and love for liturgy through movement and gesture. Good liturgy nourishes and enhances our faith. Editor: Many young adults are struggling to nd where they t in parish life. How can we help them get excited about their faith? Bishop Vásquez: The parish community should always be welcoming and hospitable, in particular to your people and young adults. Young people need certain attention as they face various challenges as they grow. There may be opportunities to offer certain liturgical celebrations that may appeal to younger generations. Young people should also be invited to participate in the Eucharist as ministers of hospitality, lectors, choir members, altar servers and extraordinary ministers of holy Communion. Also, in order to be nourished by the celebration of the Eucharist, throughout the week we should have opportunities for Bible study, catechetical formation programs, retreat experiences and service opportunities. Young people have a deep hunger for the faith and a deep hunger for God. Therefore, it is up to us to create environments that nurture their faith and strengthen them so that they are able to respond to God. Editor: Many families struggle to keep the faith and share the faith as well. How can we help them? Bishop Vásquez: Families today are busy and they may have lost touch with family practices they grew up with, so I invite mothers and fathers to rediscover those practices. Whether it’s family rosary time, family meal time, creating a home altar, lighting the Advent candles, baking cookies for a homeless shelter, or any other family tradition, spending time as a family of faith is a priceless gift we can offer our children. Our diocesan ofces and parishes should always take families into account when creating programs. We need to create ambiences that will nurture families and help the family as a unit strengthen their faith. This may mean offering Mass times that are more convenient for the whole family or perhaps offering Liturgy of the Word for children so they can also hear the message in a way that is applicable to them in their lives. Also, families should not nd any obstacles to the sacraments and parishes should facilitate the reception of the sacraments for families. The celebration of a child’s baptism or rst holy Communion is an opportunity given to us to proclaim the Good News, especially to those who may not be practicing their faith. The church should be a spiritual home for families where they continuously nd hope and strength. Editor: Realizing that every individual is at a different place in their faith, what are some specic ways that individuals can celebrate their faith during the year? Bishop Vásquez: One of the great things about our Catholic church is that there is room for everyone and no one is excluded. Everyone is welcome, no matter their age, culture or language. In “Porta Fidei,” the Holy Father tells us, “The ‘door of faith’ (Acts14:27) is always open for us, ushering us into the life of communion with God and offering entry into his Church.” Therefore, as the church we have to take into account where people are in their faith. Pope Benedict XVI encourages Catholics to learn about the faith and to study church documents, such as the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the documents from the Second Vatican Council. “Evidently, knowledge of the content of faith is essential for giving one’s own assent, that is to say for adhering fully with intellect and will to what the Church proposes. Knowledge of faith opens a door into the fullness of the saving mystery revealed by God,” he writes. We are a church that is always moving forward in this journey of faith and it is our privilege and responsibility to share Christ with others. The diocese has created a Year of Faith committee, led by Charlene O’Connell, that will help parishes offer different activities and opportunities for people to strengthen their faith. I also urge all Catholics in Central Texas to read their parish bulletins and the Catholic Spirit to know what is being offered throughout their parish and throughout Central Texas. There are many activities going on that can help us strengthen our faith throughout the Year of Faith. Editor: What is your prayer for the diocese as we begin the Year of Faith? Bishop Vásquez: My prayer for the diocese is that all of us will be renewed in our love and commitment to Jesus Christ. I pray we will also be strengthened in our commitment to the church and to her teachings, not only understanding what we believe but why we believe and how we can live it out on a daily basis. As our Holy Father says in “Porta Fidei,” may we become joy lled and credible witnesses of Jesus Christ. GOOD NEWS 20 C ATHOLIC S PIRIT Growing together in the Year of Faith BY LUPE GARCIA, LPC-S, LMFT-S GUEST COLUMNIST As the Year of Faith begins, we are reminded that our family of origin is where we rst learn about our Catholic faith and God. Whether we grow up in a one-parent, two-parent, divorced, blended or grandparent-only household, the people who surround us are our blueprint of faith and family. From the moment we are born until that faith becomes our very own, we are inuenced by the people around us and how they practice their faith. By the time we take our children to parish religious education classes, they have already learned how we live our faith by our actions and beliefs. Being that inuential is a big task, so here are a few suggestions as to how we can teach our children (and others) about faith. Attend weekly Mass as a family As adults, we need to show what a joy it is to participate in the celebration of the liturgy. By doing so, children of all ages come to understand that Sunday Mass attendance is not a chore or a negotiable option. Mass is an opportunity to join as a family among a community of faith to partake in the Lord’s Supper. Before entering the church, talk to family members about Mass. Clarify that they are entering a sacred space and that we are all called to behave respectfully. Allow children to join in the responses instead of keeping them “busy” with toys, coloring books and food. Make use of the cry rooms for fussy children, but do not take away the opportunity of celebrating in community by keeping them in the cry room the entire time. This is a challenge for many with young children, but it can be accomplished with lots of practice. The children will slowly understand what is appropriate and inappropriate during Mass. After Mass, the family can discuss what they learned or how they can improve. Everyone can ask questions and nd the answers together. Have family meals with grace before meals Family time is extremely important for the family to have an opportunity to bond. In this day and age, there is difculty having the entire family together in one place for long periods of time. Whether it is work, activities or daily obligation, we are pulled in different directions. If we don’t make the time to spend with family, it may not happen very often. One way in which the family can come together at least once a day is through family meals. The family can work together to prepare the meal and each family member can contribute by doing age appropriate tasks. The family can then pray together before the meal or take turns giving thanks for what they have received that day. Go to www.gracebeforemeals.com for meal ideas as well as prayers. Contemplation An hour a week or more (outside of Sunday Mass) can be dedicated to prayer or adoration. The family can read Bible passages together, pray the rosary, or sing songs of adoration. There are many resources for children of different ages as well as resources for families. For example, a child can use a pop-up Bible or an adolescent can use a student Bible to learn about Scripture. Another option is spending time as a family in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. There is no need to spend hours on end in adoration; we just need to use this time to connect with God and leave with an invigorated spirit. The more often we attend the easier it becomes. The time increments spent in adoration or prayer can be increased little by little so that even small children are able to sit in silence for longer periods of time. Action Action goes hand in hand with prayer and contemplation. We can donate our time as a family to a parish ministry, a charity or to people in need. Giving to others is an easy way for our children to learn that life is not solely about them and their needs. This teaches all of us how to show compassion for others and work for the greater good. Both prayer and action are skills best gained through vicarious learning. In other words, when a child sees their parents doing it, they are more willing to do it as well. In the document that initiated the Year of Faith, “Porta Fidei,” Pope Benedict XVI writes, “This will be a good opportunity to usher the whole Church into a time of particular reection and rediscovery of the faith.” Indeed, the Year of Faith is a great opportunity for families to grow together in their faith and to grow together in their love for Christ. LUPE GARCIA is a licensed counselor and the director of the diocesan Office of Family Life and Family Counseling. She can be contacted at (512) 949-2495 or lupe-garcia@ austindiocese.org. C E D A R B R A K E R E T R E AT C E N T E R ... 5602 N. Hwy. 317, Belton, TX MAILING ADDRESS; P.O. Box 58, Belton, TX 76513 To register, call (254) 780-2436 or email [email protected] For a full listing of our retreats and access to our Facebook page go to: austindiocese.org/cedarbrake COMING UP! RCIA RETREAT Sat. JAN 19 “Our whole business in this life is to restore the eye of the heart whereby God can be seen.” St. Augustine A Morning with Sr. Helen Prejean, Oct. 12 A mini-retreat will be held at the Pastoral Center in Austin from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Cost is $10. Please see our web page for more information and registration. Come Holy Spirit, Saturday, Oct. 20 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. As we begin the Year of Faith come and spend a day in prayer asking the Holy Spirit to guide you in your walk with Christ. Father James Ekeocha, pastor of St. Luke Parish in Temple, will lead this day of reflection sharing his insights and love for the Holy Spirit. Cost is $30 for the day and includes lunch. Sleeping with Bread, Nov. 2-4 with Fr. Matthew Linn This retreat will focus on examining and deepening our lives: past, present and future. We will discover how God is gifting us and calling us into a future filled with hope. Jesuit Father Matt Linn lives in a Jesuit community where he trains spiritual directors and serves on the editorial board of “Presence: an International Journal of Spiritual Direction.” Cost is $155 for a double and $185 for a private room. Commuter rate is $75. Silent Weekend Retreat, Nov. 30-Dec. 2 Set the tone for the coming of our Lord by taking some quiet time away from distractions, errands, and ‘to do’ lists. Prepare your hearts for the divine love that is about to enter into our world. Spiritual direction will be available if desired. The cost is $150. All rooms are private. Advent Dinner, Dec. 6 We are pleased to have Bishop Wm. Michael Mulvey, bishop of Corpus Christi, as our guest speaker for the Advent dinner. The social hour will begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner and a spiritual presentation by Bishop Mulvey. The cost is $25 per person. October 2012 GOOD NEWS 21 Giving witness to Christ by taking action BY BARBARA BUDDE COLUMNIST The Year of Faith is a great opportunity to celebrate and deepen the gift of faith that God has poured out on us. One reason for this celebration that particularly caught my attention is the problem of secularism. Our Holy Father sees secularism as an attitude and belief that there is no place for God in the world. It is disturbing to think that for many religion is ne if it is kept private and never interferes with the “real” world of commerce, politics, education and other common spheres of human life. Secularism is a problem for us as Catholics. Our whole understanding of the Eucharist is that we bring Christ to the world to transform it. We can’t keep our faith private. We are transformed by God’s grace and we carry that grace and God within us into our world! For many years our church has dedicated the month of October to focus on the importance of human life. As we begin the Year of Faith, we have the wonderful opportunity to focus on the precious gift of life and the precious gift of faith. Here are a few ways to give public witness to our commitment to both life and our faith. 40 Days for Life has already begun in six locations in our diocese. This is an opportunity to pray for life at abortion clinics. People gather to pray, fast and give witness to the sanctity of human life and end abortion. Those interested in living their faith by participating in this event may contact the diocesan Ofce of Pro-life Activities and Chaste Living at (512) 949-2486. Another activity for life is held each time the state of Texas executes someone at the death house in Huntsville. While one can travel to Huntsville, there are a number of vigils held in churches and one very public witness held in front of the State Capitol on the evenings when executions are scheduled. Visit www.tcadp.org/get-involved/stop-executions/ for a list of vigils in Austin and College Station. To know when our state has scheduled executions, visit www. tcadp.org/get-informed/executions/. October is also Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Wearing a purple ribbon during October is a great public witness to the evil of domestic violence. The place where everyone should be safe and loved –– the home –– has become a place of violence and even death for far too many. In addition to wearing the purple ribbon, we can pray for the victims of domestic violence and pray for its end in every family. The National Council of Catholic Women has an excellent resource for Catholics on ways to address this important problem. Contact your parish or deanery representative for more information on ways to end domestic violence. The most important public witness we can give is to vote and participate in public life. To vote in the November election everyone must be registered by Oct. 9. Voter applications are available from the Secretary of State Ofce or county registrar. Visit www.votetexas. gov for more information. Throughout the Year of Faith we will all have opportunities to deepen our faith and to practice it! Together we can give witness that our faith is essential to the common good and it is must be lived in everyday life. Together we can give witness that it is Christ not secularism that is the real source of joy, peace and life, both now and forever. BARBARA BUDDE is the diocesan director of social concerns. She can be reached at (512) 949-2471 or barbara-budde@ austindiocese.org. Catholic identity calls Seton Family to collaborate BY SISTER HELEN BREWER, DC SETON HEALTHCARE FAMILY The Seton Healthcare Family, which seeks to model the healing ministry of Jesus Christ, has long collaborated with other health care providers, higher education and public and religious entities to improve the health of those we serve, with special concern for the poor and vulnerable. For example, in fall 1995, at the request of civic leaders, Seton assumed management of the region’s safety net and teaching hospital, University Medical Center Brackenridge, for Central Health, formerly known as the Travis County Health Care District. A year later, when the Austin Independent School District faced budget constraints that would have forced the schools to function without onsite nurses, Seton employed the nurses and health coordinators and, to this day, provides urban student nursing services. Seton also partners with the Lone Star Circle of Care system of adult and pediatric clinics, which serves persons who are uninsured and underinsured. Working collaboratively with Central Health’s Medical Assistance Program, Seton operates three primary care community health centers for patients who do not qualify for local or federal government health services. Additionally, for several years now, Seton has partnered with Austin Regional Clinic, placing cardiologists with Seton Heart Institute in close proximity to ARC’s primary care physicians to provide a coordinated, team approach to patient care. Seton also partners to provide edu- cation for clinicians. Medical residents –– doctors polishing their clinical skills prior to independent practice –– work at Seton clinics and hospitals under the academic supervision of The University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. This expands the quality and availability of affordable care in Greater Austin. These partnerships demonstrate Seton’s ability to keep pace with the health needs of the community we serve and our commitment to operate in ways consistent with the Catholic moral tradition, a tradition that impels us to create the social conditions necessary to promote human dignity and justice. In these and other partnerships, the ministry works in consultation with the bishop of the Diocese of Austin to ensure that they meet the requirements for morally appropriate cooperation. As an advocate for people whose social condition puts them at the margins of our society, Seton is embracing health reform and designing new ways to deliver care to more patients while remaining true to its Catholic identity. State and federal governments as well as insurance companies are in the midst of radically reforming health care payment mechanisms. An end result of such reform will be increased access to health care for millions of citizens who are currently without health insurance. The challenge will be to provide care to greater numbers of patients, especially as our region’s population grows and lives longer. Our response to this challenge consists in continuing, among other efforts, our tradition of partnering with others in the community to enhance health care delivery. Strengthening its relationships with Central Health, UT Austin and UT Southwestern will enable Seton to continue to provide the community with affordable quality care. Our plans include: • Development of a better-organized and more cost-effective care delivery system. Through creation of a Seton and Central Health Accountable Care Organization, we will expand primary, specialty and behavioral health care and services. With better healthcare options, the poor and vulnerable can reduce their over-reliance on costly and inappropriate emergency room care for minor medical needs while at the same time have access to primary care. It also will help our community maximize federal matching funds to cover the costs of care. Responsibilities will be appropriately divided to ensure that Seton preserves its Catholic identity. • Establishment of a four-year medical school on the UT Austin campus. Medical schools closely associated with teaching hospitals increase a community’s supply of clinicians and bring skills that would otherwise only be available to those able to travel to other locales for care. In addition, medical schools associated with research universities generate opportunities to spread breakthroughs that can positively inuence community health. The medical school will be owned and operated by the University of Texas. • Construction of a new teaching hospital by the Seton Healthcare Family. University Medical Center Brackenridge was planned and constructed in an era when care was provided quite differently than it is today. New construction will allow Seton to create a facility that is uniquely suited to the goals of Catholic health care and ensure the provision of high-quality care. Seton will remain committed to the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. These directives recognize the importance that organizational partnerships can have in supporting important Catholic moral values, such as promoting the dignity of all persons and utilizing limited health care resources wisely to ensure access and services for persons who are poor and vulnerable. In working together with Bishop Joe Vásquez, these partnerships are structured to protect our deeply held religious and ethical commitments. Seton will continue to work closely with the Diocese of Austin to ensure that as plans develop it maintains and maximizes its Catholic identity. All medical staff and students will be expected to follow the Ethical and Religious Directives whenever they are carrying out their work in a Seton facility. Changes to the health care delivery system are among us here and now and these changes will create uncertainty. What will remain certain is that the Seton Healthcare Family will continue its tradition of understanding and serving the needs of the residents of Central Texas. We will do this in ways that honor the legacy of the Daughters of Charity, enhance the overall health of the community, uphold the ethical requirements of Catholic health care and support our ongoing relationship with the Diocese of Austin. To learn more about the Seton Healthcare Family, visit seton.net/ about_seton. GOOD NEWS 22 C ATHOLIC S PIRIT Village ‘goose’ becomes saintly nurse in early 1900s BY MARY LOU GIBSON COLUMNIST Anna Francesca Boscardin was known as a “silly goose” in her village of Brendola, Italy in the late 1800s. Uneducated, awkward and shy, she was only able to attend school intermittently. Her home life was dominated by a father who was jealous, sometimes violent and an alcoholic. Even the local clergy considered her stupid for her apparent lack of intelligence. One priest, however, recognized that she had a religious vocation and told her pastor about presenting her to a convent. This man, Archpriest Gresele, laughed at the idea. According to editor Michael Walsh, he did propose her to a convent saying that the girl could at any rate peel potatoes. When she was 16, the Sisters of St. Dorothy of Vicenza reluctantly admitted her to their convent. Anna told the novice mistress, “I’m a poor thing, a goose. Teach me. I want to become a saint.” Sarah Gallick writes in “The Big Book of Women Saints” that she was given the religious name of Maria Bertilla and sent to peel potatoes at the order’s large charity hospital in Treviso. For the next year, she worked in the scullery, bake house and laundry until her profession in 1907. At this time, Bertilla was the hospital was Anna Francesca Boscardin rotated through short of nurses many different 1888-1922 and desperately wards in the Feast day: Oct. 20 needed somehospital. Early one to work in in 1915, the the children’s isolation ward where Treviso hospital was taken over for most of the children were suffering troops. As World War I escalated, from diphtheria. Sister Bertilla was many patients and hospital workers trained as a nurse and promoted to were moved out and the hospital was duty in the children’s ward. Richbombed repeatedly. Sister Bertilla ard McBrien reports in “Lives of stayed with patients who could not be the Saints” that she demonstrated a moved. special gift for relating to ill and disShe wrote in her spiritual diary turbed children. Most of the children during those times, “Here I am, Lord, had undergone tracheotomies and to do your will whatever comes – be needed constant attention. Gallick it life, death, or terror.” Eventually writes that with this responsibility, she and the patients were transferred Sister Bertilla grew out of her awkto another military hospital near wardness and matured into a compeComo where she became an excellent tent nurse. nurse for soldiers. Walsh reports that One of the doctors at Treviso she was recognized for her nursing later testied that it was Sister Bertilla skills and compassion by the hospiwho could calm the anxious children tal chaplain and one of the military who arrived at the hospital separated ofcers. This praise did not sit well from their families. According to with Sister Bertilla’s superior who felt Gallick, this doctor said that Sister that she was becoming too attached Bertilla succeeded in rapidly becomto the soldiers and banished her to ing a mother to them all. Many of the laundry. these children would not recover, and Fortunately, her mother superior Sister Bertilla seemed to be the only learned of this injustice and assigned one who was able to comfort their Sister Bertilla to a seminary where parents. Gallick writes that she also she cared for survivors of a devastatsupported the doctors, especially the ing epidemic. After the armistice, she young ones who were terried at per- returned to the hospital at Treviso forming their rst tracheotomies. and was put in charge of the chilAfter a couple of years, Sister dren’s isolation ward. Not long after this move, her health deteriorated. For many years, Sister Bertilla had suffered from a painful tumor that left her in almost constant and severe pain. A serious operation failed and she died Oct. 20, 1922. Her tomb at Vicenza was a center of pilgrimage and miracles. A plaque at the Treviso hospital commemorates her as a “chosen soul of heroic goodness, an angelic alleviator of human suffering in this place.” She was beatied in 1952 in the presence of members of her family and patients she had nursed. She was canonized in 1961 by Pope John XXIII, who pointed out that the source of her greatness was her humility, that her sacrices were “heroic,” and that hers was a life of “simplicity arising from an abundant trust in God.” David Farmer writes in the “Oxford Dictionary of Saints” that Maria Bertilla Boscardin resembled Theresa of Lisieux whose spiritual teaching she followed. Her feast day of Oct. 20 is not on the General Roman Calendar. MARY LOU GIBSON is a member of St. Austin Parish in Austin. She is a retired state employee. Collection for the Holy Land The special collection for the Holy Land was taken up April 6. If your parish nds an error, call the diocesan Finance Ofce at (512) 949-2400. For more information about this collection, visit www.myfranciscan.org. Parish Totals Austin Central Deanery Austin, Cristo Rey $1,455.78 Austin, Holy Cross $620.00 Austin, Our Lady of Guadalupe $1,769.45 Austin, St. Austin $1,313.86 Austin, St. Ignatius $2,214.71 Austin, St. Julia $230.00 Austin, St. Mary Cathedral $1,428.00 Austin, San Jose $1,334.50 Austin, University Catholic Center $497.89 Austin Central Deanery Totals $10,864.19 Austin North Deanery Austin, Holy Vietnamese Martyrs $1,750.00 Austin, Sacred Heart $1,305.00 Austin, St. Albert the Great $1,835.00 Austin, St. Louis $5,622.50 Austin, St. Theresa $2,884.00 Austin, St. Thomas More $5,621.45 Austin, St. Vincent de Paul $3,180.00 Cedar Park, St. Margaret Mary $2,480.48 Lago Vista, Our Lady of the Lake $1,269.00 Austin North Deanery Totals $25,947.43 Austin South Deanery Austin, St. Andrew Kim $200.00 Austin, St. Catherine of Siena $2,979.70 Austin, St. John Neumann $5,220.81 Austin, St. Paul $1,617.55 Austin, St. Peter the Apostle $1,296.00 Austin, San Francisco Javier $185.00 Austin, Santa Barbara $250.00 Lakeway, Emmaus $2,294.48 Austin South Deanery Totals $14,043.54 Bastrop/Lockhart Deanery Bastrop, Ascension $2,814.29 Luling, St. John $451.00 Parish Totals Martindale, Immaculate Heart $183.95 Rockne, Sacred Heart $497.00 Smithville, St. Paul $783.00 String Prairie, Assumption $164.00 Uhland, St.Michael $113.15 Bastrop/Lockhart Deanery Totals $5,006.39 Brenham/La Grange Deanery Burton, Sacred Heart $234.00 Brenham, St. Mary $1,387.00 Chappell Hill, St. Stanislaus $475.44 Dime Box, St. Joseph $653.00 Ellinger/Hostyn Hill, St. Mary $332.00 Fayetteville, St. John $1,354.00 Giddings, St. Margaret $959.00 La Grange, Sacred Heart $1,078.00 Lexington, Holy Family $214.00 Old Washington on the Brazos, St. Mary $81.00 Pin Oak, St. Mary $42.00 Rockdale, St. Joseph $361.25 Somerville, St. Ann $334.00 Brenham/La Grange Deanery Totals $7,504.69 Bryan/College Station Deanery Bremond, St. Mary $250.00 Bryan, St. Anthony $647.09 Bryan, St. Joseph $3,920.00 Bryan, Santa Teresa $1,123.00 Caldwell, St. Mary $1,243.17 College Station, St. Mary $1,774.06 College Station, St. Thomas Aquinas $1,677.00 Franklin, St. Francis of Assisi $753.00 Frenstat, Holy Rosary $155.00 Hearne, St. Mary $205.00 Bryan/College Station Totals $11,747.32 Georgetown/Round Rock Deanery Andice, Santa Rosa $749.00 Parish Totals Corn Hill, Holy Trinity $855.00 Georgetown, St. Helen $3,677.01 Granger, Sts. Cyril and Methodius $785.00 Manor, St. Joseph $255.00 Pugerville, St. Elizabeth $2,327.00 Round Rock, St. John Vianney $126.00 Round Rock, St. William $7,861.00 Taylor, Our Lady of Guadalupe $375.44 Taylor, St. Mary of the Assumption $1,089.00 Georgetown/Round Rock Totals $18,324.45 Killeen/Temple Deanery Burlington, St. Michael $132.00 Cameron, St. Monica $318.00 Copperas Cove, Holy Family $2,872.00 Cyclone, St. Joseph $169.00 Harker Heights, St. Paul Chong Hasang$3,410.00 Killeen, St. Joseph $1,442.94 Marak, Sts. Cyril and Methodius $435.00 Rogers, St. Matthew $450.76 Rosebud, St. Ann $155.00 Salado, St. Stephen $261.00 Temple, Our Lady of Guadalupe $549.00 Temple, St. Luke $2,585.00 Temple, St. Mary $2,020.11 Westphalia, Visitation $637.00 Killeen/Temple Deanery Totals $15,436.81 Lampasas/Marble Falls Deanery Bertram, Holy Cross $157.70 Burnet, Our Mother of Sorrows $376.00 Goldthwaite, St. Peter $55.00 Horseshoe Bay, St. Paul the Apostle $880.00 Kingsland, St. Charles Borromeo $560.70 Lampasas, St. Mary $269.00 Llano, Holy Trinity $182.00 Lometa, Good Shepherd $65.56 Parish Totals Marble Falls, St. John $530.33 Mason, St. Joseph $272.00 San Saba, St. Mary $240.00 Lampasas/Marble Falls Totals $3,588.29 San Marcos Deanery Blanco, St. Ferdinand $615.34 Buda, Santa Cruz $2,875.78 Dripping Springs, St. Martin de Porres $2,261.50 Johnson City, Good Shepherd $95.00 Kyle, St. Anthony Marie de Claret $2,095.91 San Marcos, St. John $1,367.32 Wimberley, St. Mary $680.00 San Marcos Deanery Totals $9,990.85 Waco Deanery Elk, St. Joseph $200.00 Gatesville, Our Lady of Lourdes $385.00 Hamilton, St. Thomas $206.00 Lott, Sacred Heart $155.00 McGregor, St. Eugene $572.75 Marlin, St. Joseph $55.00 Mexia, St. Mary $610.00 Moody, Our Lady of San Juan $45.00 Tours, St. Martin $600.00 Waco, Sacred Heart $400.00 Waco, St. Francis on the Brazos $304.55 Waco (Hewitt), St. Jerome $3,714.67 Waco, St. John the Baptist $51.00 Waco (Bellmead), St. Joseph $452.00 Waco, St. Louis $2,753.85 Waco, St. Mary of the Assumption $964.94 Waco, St. Peter Catholic Center $227.05 West, Church of the Assumption $1,493.00 Waco Deanery Totals $13,189.81 Grand Totals $135,418.77 GOOD NEWS October 2012 23 Making an informed decision about dialysis BY REV. TADEUSZ PACHOLCZYK, PH.D. COLUMNIST Patients and families sometimes struggle with the question of whether dialysis is “worth it.” A young woman wrote recently on a website addressing dialysis patients’ concerns, “My father has been on dialysis for three years, and he’s 62 years old. A few days ago he said he wanted to stop going because he was ‘sick of it’. We talked to him and told him that it would hurt us if he did that, but now I’m thinking that maybe I shouldn’t have talked him out of it –– this isn’t about me and my feelings. This is about what he has to deal with.” When would discontinuing dialysis be a reasonable and morally acceptable choice? Could discontinuing dialysis ever be tantamount to suicide? While every person is obligated to use ordinary (or proportionate) means to preserve his or her life, no person is required to submit to a health care procedure that he or she has judged, with a free and informed conscience, to provide little hope of benet or to impose signicant risks and burdens. Weighing benets and burdens is at the heart of the question of starting, continuing or stopping dialysis. As the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has noted, “We have a duty to preserve our life and to use it for the glory of God, but the duty to preserve life is not absolute, for we may reject life-prolonging procedures that are insufciently benecial or excessively burdensome. Suicide and euthanasia are never morally acceptable options.” The benets of the commonlyused procedure known as hemodialysis (ltration of the blood) are well known: as kidney function declines, dialysis performs part of the work that healthy kidneys normally do, ltering toxins from the body. Dialysis can serve as a bridge to a kidney transplant, which can offer the patient a new lease on life. Discontinuing dialysis during complete kidney failure usually means that the patient will die in a matter of days or weeks. The burdens of dialysis vary from patient to patient. The procedure can be time-consuming, requiring visits to a dialysis center three times a week for three to four hours at a stretch, with additional time for transportation. One can also feel washed out the next day. Other burdens may include sharp drops in blood pressure during or after the procedure. Fainting, vomiting, nausea, muscle cramps, temporary loss of vision, irritability and fatigue can occur. Some patients manifest abnormal heart rhythms from electrolyte imbalances, while others may experience allergic reactions or bleeding problems from the chemicals or blood-thinning medicines used during the dialysis. Long-term dialysis can cause bone and joint pain from a deposit of various proteins known as amyloid in the hands, wrists, shoulders and neck. Cost may represent yet another burden, depending on the patient’s personal nances and insurance situation. Still other burdens may include problems with the access point made for the dialysis — called a stula — which usually occurs in the arm. This is a surgical connection made under the skin between an artery and a vein, allowing needles to access blood ow for dialysis. As many as 25 percent of hospital admissions among dialysis patients are due to problems with stula malfunction, thrombosis, infection and access. Multiple surgeries may be required to assure that a stula continues to function during the time it is used. In sum, dialysis can prolong and save a patient’s life, but can also impose signicant burdens. Depending on the various side effects and problems associated with the procedure, and depending on how minimal the benets may be in light of other medical conditions the patient may be struggling with, it can become reasonable, in some cases, to discontinue dialysis. The burdens of hemodialysis can sometimes be lessened by using a different kind of dialysis known as peritoneal dialysis, where uid is instilled in the abdomen via a permanently positioned catheter and later drained. Peritoneal dialysis can be performed by the pa- tient at home each night. It’s not possible with the limited information we have to draw any moral conclusions about the case of the father who is “sick of it” and wants to stop dialysis. We need further details, such as: What is the reason for his request? Is he experiencing serious complications and signicant burdens from dialysis? Does he have other medical problems besides kidney failure? Is he suffering from depression, for which he could be treated? We should never choose to bring about our own or another’s death by euthanasia, suicide or other means, but we may properly recognize, on a case by case, detail-dependent basis, that at a certain point in our struggle to stay alive, procedures like dialysis may become unduly burdensome treatments that are no longer obligatory. In these cases, it’s always wise to consult clergy or other moral advisers trained in these often-difcult bioethical issues. FATHER TADEUSZ PACHOLCZYK, PH.D. earned his doctorate in neuroscience from Yale. He is a priest of the Diocese of Fall River, Mass., and serves as the Director of Education at The National Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia. For more information, visit www.ncbcenter.org. Collection for Seminarians and Priests The special collection for the education and formation of seminarians and priests was taken up April 14-15. If your parish nds an error, call the diocesan Finance Ofce at (512) 949-2400. For more information about this collection, visit www.austinvocations.com. Parish Totals Austin Central Deanery Austin, Cristo Rey $1,584.64 Austin, Holy Cross $480.00 Austin, Our Lady of Guadalupe $1,181.32 Austin, St. Austin $2,508.77 Austin, St. Ignatius $1,850.73 Austin, St. Julia $569.65 Austin, St. Mary Cathedral $2,545.13 Austin, San Jose $2,710.50 Austin Central Deanery Totals $13,430.74 Austin North Deanery Austin, Holy Vietnamese Martyrs $2,450.00 Austin, Sacred Heart $2,009.00 Austin, St. Albert the Great $3,709.16 Austin, St. Louis $4,566.00 Austin, St. Theresa $4,629.00 Austin, St. Thomas More $6,543.87 Austin, St. Vincent de Paul $4,894.36 Cedar Park, St. Margaret Mary $4,572.77 Lago Vista, Our Lady of the Lake $1,251.38 Austin North Deanery Totals $34,625.54 Austin South Deanery Austin, Our Lady of Sorrows (Dolores) $665.00 Austin, St. Andrew Kim $200.00 Austin, St. Catherine of Siena $5,149.47 Austin, St. John Neumann $7,684.89 Austin, St. Paul $2,599.74 Austin, St. Peter the Apostle $2,071.00 Austin, San Francisco Javier $272.00 Austin, Santa Barbara $450.00 Lakeway, Emmaus $3,738.00 Austin South Deanery Totals $22,830.10 Bastrop/Lockhart Deanery Bastrop, Ascension $630.09 Elgin, Sacred Heart $1,085.67 Parish Totals Lockhart, St. Mary of the Visitation $3,040.55 Luling, St. John $682.83 Martindale, Immaculate Heart $217.00 Rockne, Sacred Heart $1,306.35 Smithville, St. Paul $1,238.00 String Prairie, Assumption $381.00 Uhland, St.Michael $227.48 Bastrop/Lockhart Deanery Totals $8,808.97 Brenham/La Grange Deanery Brenham, St. Mary $1,888.87 Chappell Hill, St. Stanislaus $760.00 Dime Box, St. Joseph $318.00 Ellinger/Hostyn Hill, St. Mary $279.00 Fayetteville, St. John $944.00 Giddings, St. Margaret $1,407.00 La Grange, Sacred Heart $1,526.33 Lexington, Holy Family $267.00 Old Washington, St. Mary $43.25 Pin Oak, St. Mary $366.00 Rockdale, St. Joseph $369.55 Somerville, St. Ann $378.00 Brenham/La Grange Deanery Totals $8,547.00 Bryan/College Station Deanery Bremond, St. Mary $650.00 Bryan, St. Anthony $1,682.84 Bryan, St. Joseph $1,737.00 Bryan, Santa Teresa $261.00 Caldwell, St. Mary $671.98 College Station, St. Mary $3,945.48 College Station, St. Thomas Aquinas $4,763.66 Franklin, St. Francis of Assisi $516.15 Frenstat, Holy Rosary $641.00 Hearne, St. Mary $643.75 Bryan/College Station Totals $15,512.86 Parish Totals Georgetown/Round Rock Deanery Andice, Santa Rosa $917.00 Corn Hill, Holy Trinity $1,545.00 Georgetown, St. Helen $4,905.00 Granger, Sts. Cyril and Methodius $1,034.75 Manor, St. Joseph $518.81 Pugerville, St. Elizabeth $3,681.67 Round Rock, St. John Vianney $70.00 Round Rock, St. William $10,239.50 Taylor, Our Lady of Guadalupe $955.12 Taylor, St. Mary of the Assumption $1,759.75 Georgetown/Round Rock Totals $25,626.60 Killeen/Temple Deanery Belton, Christ the King $2,415.00 Burlington, St. Michael $144.00 Cameron, St. Monica $279.00 Copperas Cove, Holy Family $4,833.50 Cyclone, St. Joseph $248.00 Harker Heights, St. Paul Ch. Hasang $4,380.00 Killeen, St. Joseph $2,898.26 Marak, Sts. Cyril and Methodius $177.00 Rogers, St. Matthew $286.00 Rosebud, St. Ann $183.51 Salado, St. Stephen $588.00 Temple, Our Lady of Guadalupe $896.00 Temple, St. Luke $2,103.00 Temple, St. Mary $2,506.91 Westphalia, Visitation $721.00 Killeen/Temple Deanery Totals $22,659.18 Lampasas/Marble Falls Deanery Bertram, Holy Cross $162.00 Burnet, Our Mother of Sorrows $737.00 Goldthwaite, St. Peter $150.00 Horseshoe Bay, St. Paul the Apostle $1,724.00 Kingsland, St. Charles Borromeo $401.00 Lampasas, St. Mary $424.00 Parish Totals Llano, Holy Trinity $278.79 Lometa, Good Shepherd $108.69 Marble Falls, St. John $541.50 Mason, St. Joseph $149.43 San Saba, St. Mary $426.83 Sunrise Beach, Our Lady of the Lake $204.00 Lampasas/Marble Falls Totals $5,307.24 San Marcos Deanery Blanco, St. Ferdinand $388.88 Buda, Santa Cruz $3,175.88 Dripping Springs, St. Martin de Porres $2,689.95 Johnson City, Good Shepherd $242.65 Kyle, St. Anthony Marie de Claret $2,801.06 San Marcos, St. John $1,135.08 Wimberley, St. Mary $1,058.66 San Marcos Deanery Totals $11,492.16 Waco Deanery China Spring, St. Phillip $398.60 Elk, St. Joseph $425.00 Gatesville, Our Lady of Lourdes $281.07 Hamilton, St. Thomas $145.00 Lott, Sacred Heart $75.00 McGregor, St. Eugene $342.86 Marlin, St. Joseph $85.05 Mexia, St. Mary $1,144.50 Tours, St. Martin $800.00 Waco, St. Francis on the Brazos $443.50 Waco (Hewitt), St. Jerome $3,256.02 Waco, St. John the Baptist $95.00 Waco (Bellmead), St. Joseph $1,430.00 Waco, St. Louis $5,247.56 Waco, St. Mary of the Assumption $583.68 Waco, St. Peter Catholic Center $227.14 West, Church of the Assumption $1,198.00 Waco Deanery Totals $16,177.98 Grand Totals $185,018.37 24 BULLETIN BOARD NFP classes.................... C ATHOLIC S PIRIT For Your Information Gabriel Angels help women in need of emotional and spiritual support due to a crisis pregnancy. The next training is Oct. 6 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Santa Cruz Parish in Austin. Lunch and all materials are provided. To register, contact Rebecca Niemerg at (512) 949-2488 or [email protected]. The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, will host a blessing of their land for a future priory on Oct. 6 from 2 to 4:30 p.m. To RSVP and for directions to the site, visit www. sistersofmary.org (click on the link in the Calendar of Events section). For information, contact Sister Elizabeth Ann at (512) 949-2436 or mao-txdirector@ sistersofmary.org. Life Chain of Georgetown will be held Oct. 7 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. This is an opportunity to witness to dignity of life and pray silently for an end to abortion. It will begin in the parking lot of Crestview Baptist Church. There will be music, songs and prayer at 2 p.m. For information, contact Julie Tefft at (512) 635-8910 or (512) 863-0039. This is not a ministry of the Diocese of Austin. Catholic Scripture Study of Austin meets on Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. at St. Louis Parish in Austin and Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. and Thursdays at 9:30 a.m. at St. Margaret Mary Parish in Cedar Park. The weekly two-hour Bible study consists of prayer and discussion, and is open to everyone. To register for the Austin class, visit www.cssaustin.org or contact Rosemary Howard at (512) 3453687. For information about the Cedar Park classes, contact Bob Gorski at (512) 636-2927 or [email protected]. The annual diocesan Red Mass will be held Oct. 11 at 6 p.m. at St. Mary Cathedral in Austin. Bishop Joe Vásquez will celebrate the Mass, and Sister of St. Joseph Helen Prejean will be the guest speaker. A training session for those who would like to administer the PrepareEnrich Assessment will be held Oct. 13 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the diocesan Pastoral Center in Austin. To register or for more information, contact Rick Bologna at (512) 949-2495. The Austin Diocesan Council of Catholic Women will be celebrated in parishes Oct. 14. On the second Sunday of October every year, the Austin Diocesan Council of Catholic Women promotes their diocesan organization, as well as the National Council of Catholic Women in parishes throughout the Diocese of Austin. For more information about the DCCW, visit www.adccw. com. The Catholic Physician’s Guild of Central Texas has cancelled the White Mass planned for Oct. 18. A Healing Mass will be celebrated on the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, Feb. 11. The Catholic Charismatic Renewal of Austin (CCRA) will host its monthly Mass Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. at St. Louis Parish in Austin. A healing service will follow the Mass. These charismatic Masses offer the opportunity to experience and rediscover the power Jesus promised us through the Holy Spirit. For information, contact Sabrina Perez at (512) 466-7669 or visit www.ccraustin.org. Restless Heart, the true story of St. Augustine, a tremendous sinner who had a conversion to Christ, will be shown Oct. 19 and 21 at the Marchesa Theatre in Austin. Recommended rating of PG13. Proceeds benet The John Paul II Life Center. Tickets are available at www.restlessheartaustin.com. The Austin Deanery Council of Catholic Women will meet Oct. 20 at St. Thomas More Parish in Austin. Mass will begin at 9 a.m. followed by a short business meeting. Then the annual auction will be held. Each attendee is encouraged to bring an item for the auction. For more information, contact Eunice Washa at (512) 258-5243. World Mission Sunday, organized by the Propagation of the Faith, is Oct. 21. This is a day set aside for Catholics to recommit themselves to the church’s missionary activity. A special collection will be taken up to help support missionaries throughout the world. Pax Christi Austin will meet Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. at the Father John Payne House at St. Ignatius, Martyr Parish in Austin. Pax Christi Austin, which meets the third Sunday of every month, is a member of Pax Christi International and Pax Christi USA, the Catholic peace and justice movement that works and prays to create a world that reects the peace of Christ. For more information, contact Bob Rankin at [email protected]. Diocesan offices will be closed Nov. 1 in observance of All Saints Day. Sarah’s Hope is a free spiritual support program for couples struggling to conceive or with pregnancy loss. Attend a monthly women’s support group on the first Wednesday (Nov. 7) of the month (rosary at 6:45 p.m., discussion at 7 p.m.) at the Vitae Clinic in Austin, 1600 W. 38th St., suite 115. E-mail [email protected] or call (512) 736-7334 for more information. This is not a ministry of the Austin Diocese. The diocesan Middle School Youth Rally will be held Nov. 3 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at St. William Parish in Round Rock. The day will feature Mass with Bishop Joe Vásquez, keynote speaker/musician Cooper Ray, praise and worship, games and fellowship. Cost is $25 for advanced registration (before Oct. 12) and $35 after that. For more information, contact Adrian Sanchez at (512) 949-2464 or adrian-sanchez@ austindiocese.org. An introductory session on the Creighton Model of natural family planning will be held Oct. 6 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Seton Williamson, Room 3 in Round Rock. The cost to attend is $30. Individuals may register by e-mail at [email protected] or by calling (512) 474-2757 and leaving a message (provide name, address, phone and the date to attend). A series of classes on the Sympto-Thermal Method of natural family planning will begin Oct. 10 at 7 p.m. at Seton Northwest Hospital in Austin. The classes are spaced about one month apart and will help couples learn how to identify the three common signs of fertility and infertility. To register or for more information, visit http://register. ccli.org. A series of classes on the SymptoThermal Method of natural family planning will be held beginning Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. at Seton Medical Center in Kyle. The classes are spaced about one month apart and will help couples learn how to identify the three common signs of fertility and infertility. To register or for more information, visit http://register. ccli.org. The Austin Fertility Care Center will present an informational session on natural family planning Oct. 18 at 7 p.m. at St. Austin Parish in Austin. The cost is $20. Couples will receive a certificate of attendance. Couples may register for classes by emailing [email protected] or calling (512) 474-2757 and leaving a message (provide name, address, phone and the date to attend). An introductory session on the Creighton Model of natural family planning will be held Oct. 18 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Seton Medical Center in the McFadden Auditorium, in Austin. The cost to attend is $30. Individuals may register by e-mail at [email protected] or by calling (512) 474-2757 and leaving a message (provide name, address, phone and the date to attend). An introductory session on the Creighton Model of natural family planning will be held Nov. 3 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Seton Williamson, Room 3 in Round Rock. The cost to attend is $30. Individuals may register by e-mail at [email protected] or by calling (512) 474-2757 and leaving a message (provide name, address, phone and the date to attend). A series of classes on the Billings Ovulation Method of natural family planning will begin Nov. 4 at 3 p.m. at St. Luke Parish in Temple. The course consists of three classes over a sixweek period. For more information, contact Amanda and Ryan Ransom at [email protected]. Discernment.................. A Discernment Dinner for single, Catholic men (ages 18 and older) with an openness to a priestly vocation and discernment will be held Oct. 10 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Borromeo House in Austin. The evening includes dinner, prayer and a presentation. For more information, contact Father Brian McMaster at (512) 949-2430 or [email protected]. “Journey in the footsteps for St. Jeanne Jugan,” a weekend retreat with the Little Sisters of the Poor, will be held Oct. 12-14 in Denver. Women between the ages of 18 and 30 are invited to spend time in prayer and discernment. For more information, contact Sr. Joseph at (303) 433-7221 or vcdenver@ littlesistersofthepoor.org. A Discernment Dinner for high school age Catholic men will be held Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. at St. William Parish Rectory in Round Rock. Young men with an openness to encountering Christ, discovering their identity and their mission are invited to join others for dinner, evening prayer, a presentation and discussion. For more information, contact Father Jonathan Raia at (512) 255-4473 or frjonathan@ saintwilliams.org. The Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity will host a Year of Faith Vocation Discernment Retreat for young, single, Catholic women Nov. 9-11. Register online at www.fscc-calledtobe.org or contact Sister Mary Ann Spanjers at (920) 973-9903. Single, Catholic women ages 18 to 50 who are discerning God’s call are invited to attend a “Come and See” weekend Nov. 10-11 at Incarnate Word Convent in Victoria. Visit www.iwbsvictoria.org, call (361) 5757111 or e-mail [email protected] for more details or to make a reservation. Send in your items! CATHOLIC SPIRIT offers this page, “For Your Information,” as a “community bulletin board.” Items of general interest of upcoming parish and diocesan events, including parish social events, will be printed at no charge at the discretion of the editor. The deadline for material is the 10th of the month, with publication occurring the rst week of the following month. Material may be e-mailed to catholic-spirit@austindiocese. org or faxed to (512) 949-2523. BULLETIN BOARD Parish and community events................................ October 2012 St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in College Station will host its annual AquinasFest Oct. 5-7 on the parish grounds. Activities include bingo, dancing, games for all ages, a variety of foods and live and silent auctions. For more information, visit www.stabcs.org. St. Mary Parish in Lampasas will host its Fall Festival Oct. 5-7 on the parish grounds. A barbecue cook-off will begin Friday at 4 p.m. and a turkey dinner will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday’s events include a volleyball tournament, barbecue judging and a dance. Sunday will feature a silent auction, live music, games for all ages and a mechanical bull. St. William Parish in Round Rock will participate in the 10th annual Worldwide Children’s Eucharistic Holy Hour Oct. 5 at 5 p.m. in the Sacred Heart Chapel at St. William Parish. Children and parents are invited to unite in prayer with the children of the world for a Holy Hour, which will include the World Mission Rosary, prayers, songs and times of prayerful silence. For more information, contact Melissa Kirking at (512) 310-2662 or [email protected]. St. William Parish in Round Rock will host Oktoberfest Oct. 5 at 6:30 p.m. in the parish hall. Tickets are $25 each and include entertainment and an authentic German dinner. For more information, call (512) 255-4473 or visit www.saintwilliams.org/oktoberfest2012. St. William Parish in Round Rock will host its Fall Festival Oct. 6 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the parish grounds. Activities include a variety of food booths, entertainment for all ages and live music. St. Louis Parish in Austin will host a Blessing of the Animals Oct. 6 at 9:30 a.m. Gathering will begin at 9 a.m. All pets should be on a leash or in a carrier. St. John Parish in Luling will host its annual Fall Festival Oct. 6-7 on the parish grounds. The festival begins Saturday at 4:30 p.m. with food, games, a cake auction, bingo and DJ music. Sunday’s events begin at 11 a.m. with a turkey lunch from 11 to 2 p.m., a live auction at 1 p.m. and bingo. Burse The Diocesan Council of Catholic Women has completed a burse for the Clerical Endowment Fund (CEF) in memory of Missionary of Divine Cathechists Sister Celia Ann Cavazos. The totals for the burse as of Aug. 31, 2012, are listed below by council. Austin Council $897.00 Brazos Valley Council $4,133.64 Central Council $337.00 Eastern Council $465.00 Northern Council $3,565.86 Southern Council $421.00 Temple Council $375.00 Western Council $79.00 Previous Balance $2,160.98 Total $12,434.48 The Clerical Endowment Fund provides low-cost loans to parishes. Interest from the loans is used to educate diocesan seminarians. For information, contact either Father Ed Karasek at (254) 826-3705 or Mary Ann Till at (512) 353-4943. 25 St. Matthew in Rogers will host its Fall Festival Oct. 7 on the parish grounds. Pulled pork and sausage with all of the trimmings will be served beginning at 11 a.m. Plates are $8 each (dine-in or carryout). Bishop Joe Vásquez will bless the parish’s new Prayer Garden at 1:30 p.m. Other activities include bingo, games for all ages, food booths, and a baked goods and crafts sale. Holy Family Parish in Lexington will host its Fall Festival Oct. 7 on the parish grounds. Lunch will include roast beef and all the trimmings. Activities include live and silent auctions, a cake walk, live music and children’s activities. Ascension Parish in Bastrop will host its Fall Festival Oct. 7 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the parish grounds. Activities include a barbecue lunch, food booths, games for all ages, bingo, and live and silent auctions. St. Mary Parish in San Saba will host its Fall Festival Oct. 7 on the parish grounds. Activities begin with a Mexican dinner at 11 a.m. Other activities include games and entertainment for all ages. St. Mary Parish in Hearne will host its annual Fall Festival Oct. 7 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the parish grounds. A meal of spaghetti and meatballs will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Activities include a variety of food booths, games for all ages, face painting, horseshoes and bingo. A live auction will begin at 1 p.m. St. Joseph Parish in Manor will host its 52nd annual Fiesta Fundraiser Oct. 1213 on the parish grounds. The fun begins Oct. 12 from 6 to 9 p.m. The main Fiesta will be held Oct. 13 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. There will be carnival rides, bingo, a silent auction, food, games and live music. Craft vendors are welcome. The youth ministry program of Holy Family Parish in Copperas Cove will host a garage sale Oct. 13 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the parish grounds. The proceeds will benet the youth from Holy Family Parish who will be traveling to Brazil for World Youth Day 2014. The third annual St. I SMASH, a street dance, will be held Oct. 13 beginning at 6:30 p.m. at St. Ignatius, Martyr Parish in Austin. There will be live music, delicious food and a variety of drinks. Admission is $15 per person and no one under the age of 12 will be admitted. All proceeds benet the St. Ignatius, Martyr Catholic School Annual Fund. Our Lady’s Maronite Catholic Church will present “Saint Sharbel – His Life and Miracles” at the Highland Galaxy Theater, 6700 Middle Fiskville Rd. in Austin. The rst presentation, in English, will be Oct. 14 at 1:30 p.m. The second presentation, in Spanish, will be Oct. 21 at 1:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 per person. Each presentation will begin with opening remarks by Msgr. Don Sawyer, pastor of Our Lady’s Maronite. Then a series of testimonials of individuals who have been recipients of St. Sharbel’s intercessory miracles will be shown. The movie about his life will be shown and prayer cards will be distributed. For more information, contact Our Lady’s Maronite at (512) 4583693 or [email protected]. The Ladies of Charity will host their annual Card Party and Fashion Show Oct. 17 from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wozniak Hall at St. Louis Parish in Austin. Lunch will be served and there will be door prizes and a silent auction. Fashions from the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store will be modeled. Tickets are $10 each. For more information, contact Mary Lou Gibson at (512) 459-8247. Proceeds go to benet local charity services. The St. William Sacred Music Concert Series will continue with a performance of Mozart’s Requiem Oct. 20 at 7:30 p.m. at St. William Parish in Round Rock. This piece will be performed by a full mixed choir and orchestra and will feature some of the most talented soloists in Central Texas. The concert will be conducted by Dr. Gerardo Ramos, director of Music Ministries at St. William. For more information about this concert or on the Sacred Music Concert Series, visit www. saintwilliams.org or call (512) 600-8175. St. Paul Parish in Smithville will celebrate its Fall Festival Oct. 21 on the parish grounds. The day will begin with Mass at 10:15 a.m. A barbecue chicken and sausage dinner will be served at 11 a.m.; adult plates are $8 and children’s plates are $5. Activities include games for all ages, arts and crafts, a silent auction, country store and much more. The live auction will begin at 1 p.m. St. Stephen Parish in Salado will host its annual Fall Festival Oct. 21 on the parish grounds. Brisket and sausage plates will be served beginning at 11 a.m. for $8 per plate. A live auction will begin at 1 p.m. Activities include carnival games, horseshoes, a cakewalk and a silent auction. St. Mary Parish in Bremond will host its annual Fall Festival Oct. 21 on the parish grounds. Barbecue, Polish sausage and beef with all of the trimmings will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for $8 per plate. Bingo will go from 4 to 8 p.m. Activities include games for all ages and beef and chicken by the pound at the pit. St. Joseph Parish in Killeen will host its Fest of All Oct. 21 on the parish grounds. Activities include a silent auction, moon bounce, book store, cake walk, games for children and a variety of food booths. St. John Vianney Parish in Round Rock will hold the second annual VianneyFest Oct. 27-28 on the parish grounds. The festival will open with bingo and movie night Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. and will continue Oct. 28 from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Activities include live and silent auctions, carnival games, a country store, barbecue lunch, live music and games for all ages. St. Margaret Parish in Giddings will host its annual Fall Festival Oct. 28 at the Sons of Hermann Hall on Hwy. 77 South. The dinner will begin at 11 a.m. and an auction will start at 12:30 p.m. St. Mary Parish in Brenham will host its annual Polish Heritage Festival Oct. 28 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the parish activity center. The festival will feature Polish food such as kielbasa, rosol z kury, czarnina, sauerkraut and more. Live music will be provided by Daniel and The Country Boys. Activities include a live auction, cake booth, children’s games and more. Our Lady of the Rosary Cemetery in Georgetown will host its annual All Souls’ Day Mass Nov. 2 at 4 p.m. Bishop Joe Vásquez will celebrate the Mass. There will also be a blessing of the newly interred graves, scattering of wildower seeds and refeshments. For more information, call (512) 863-8411 or visit www. olotr.com. Alumni and friends of St. Peter Catholic Student Center campus ministry at Baylor in Waco are invited to a Statue Dedication and Homecoming Reception Nov. 3. The class of 2012 raised funds to purchase a statue of St. Peter in memory of former student, Loren “Lo” Oglesby, who died in January 2010. Mass will be celebrated, followed by the dedication and a short reception. Later in the day, the Catholic Student Association at Baylor will host a “Welcome Home” alumni tailgate before Baylor’s game against Kansas. Exact times of events are to be determined. Visit www.baylorcatholic.org for details. The PTC of Sts. Cyril and Methodius Catholic School in Granger will host its Fall Social Nov. 4 at the Sts. Cyril and Methodius Parish Hall. Turkey and dressing will be served beginning at 11 a.m.; plates are $8.50 (adults) or $4.50 (children). Activities include bingo, a live auction at 1 p.m. and games for all ages. The women of St. Albert the Great will present the 13th Annual Holiday Craft Fair Nov. 10 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at St. Albert the Great Parish Hall in Austin. It will include pictures with Santa, a silent auction, and many handmade crafts (including ceramics, jewelry, painting, embroidery and religious items). Golf tournaments.......... The men’s group of Good Shepherd Parish in Johnson City will host the fourth annual Deacon Jack Murrell Memorial Golf Tournament Oct. 21 beginning at 1 p.m. Proceeds from this event fund local senior scholarships, ACTS retreats, Catholic Services Appeal and general church maintenance. Contact Felix Bradford (830) 868-2191 or Charlie Ewing (512) 517-6614 for more details. The second annual Annunciation Maternity Home Charity Golf Tournament will be held Oct. 29 at Berry Creek Country Club in Georgetown. Registration begins at 11 a.m. The cost is $100 per player, which includes a fajita dinner, player’s bag and golf. Sponsorships and volunteer opportunities are available. For more information, visit www.thematernityhome.org or call Alyssia at (512) 864-7755. Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Austin will host its eighth annual Golf Tournament Nov. 3 with registration beginning at 7 a.m. The cost is $85 per player, which includes greens fee, range balls, cart, lunch and more. The deadline to register is Oct. 27. Visit www.golf.olgaustin.org or call Mo Renteria at (512) 474-7230. BULLETIN BOARD Formation, retreats and reection............................. 26 C ATHOLIC S PIRIT The Adult Faith Formation Ofce of St. John Neumann Parish in Austin will host a dinner event featuring John Allen on Oct. 6 at 6:30 p.m. in the parish hall. John Allen is a correspondent for The National Catholic Reporter who has covered the Catholic Church for many years. Tickets to the dinner are $45 each. For more information, visit www. sjnaustin.org or contact Nancy Biehler at (512) 328-3220. St. Louis Parish in Austin is offering a fall series on the sacraments on Mondays from 7 to 9 p.m. in Wozniak Hall. Conrmation will be the topic for Oct. 8; reconciliation will be the focus on Oct. 15; anointing of the sick is Oct. 22; marriage is Oct. 29 and the sacrament of holy orders is Nov. 5. Each session is a unit unto itself and requires no reservation or prior attendance. Father Larry Covington will be the presenter. St. Elizabeth Parish in Pugerville will host an ACTS retreat for women in English Oct. 11-14. To register, visit www.stelizabethpf.org or call Denise Foster at (512) 904-0989. A Morning with Sister Helen Prejean will be presented Oct. 12 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the diocesan Pastoral Center in Austin. Sister Prejean is the author of “Dead Man Walking” and one of the leading advocates for the abolishment of the death penalty in the U.S. The cost is $10. For more information, contact Cedarbrake at (254) 7802436 or [email protected]. Project Rachel is a compassionate and condential ministry that helps women and men suffering emotionally and spiritually from the trauma of abortion. Weekend retreats are led by a priest and the Project Rachel team. The next retreat is Oct. 12-14. To condentially register for this retreat call (877) WeCare-2 (1-877-932-2732). “Come Holy Spirit,” a day led by Father James Ekeocha, pastor of St. Luke Parish in Temple, is Oct. 20 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Cedarbrake Catholic Retreat Center in Belton. As we begin the Year of Faith, come and spend a day in prayer asking the Holy Spirit for guidance. The cost is $30 for the day and includes lunch. For more information, contact Cedarbrake at (254) 780-2436 or [email protected]. Relevant Radio 970 AM will present the Faith, Family and Freedom Benet Luncheon Oct. 23 beginning at 11 a.m. at Davenport Ranch in Austin. Sheila Liaugminas, host of “A Closer Look” on Relevant Radio, will be the presenter. For more information, contact Pat Ryan at pryan@relevantradio. com or Audrey Morton at amorton@ relevantradio.com or (512) 390-5495. The Killeen Prayer Vigil for Life will be held Oct. 27 and will begin with Mass at 8:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Parish in Killeen. After Mass, a caravan and procession to pray the rosary at Killeen Women’s Health Center will be held at 9:45 a.m. All will return to St. Joseph for God is calling Are you listening? Finding the time to slow down, listen for, and consider God’s call can be difficult but what could be more important? The Congregation of Holy Cross has multiple retreat programs for high school, college, and post graduate men designed to guide you along the way as you seek to hear and answer God’s call. Contact our office to find out more, 574.631.6385 or email at [email protected]. closing and fellowship at 11:15 a.m. For more information, contact Karen Hinze at (254) 986-1134. St. Mary of the Visitation Parish in Lockhart will host a presentation on End of Life Issues Oct. 27 beginning at 8:45 a.m. in the parish hall. The cost is $5 per person. Deacon John Pickwell will give an in-depth look at end-of-life issues on what people should know when they are facing the task of making end of life decisions. For more information, call Terry at (512) 376-7559 or Charlotte at (512) 656-1087. “Together in God’s Love,” a marriage preparation program, will be offered in retreat format Oct. 26-28 at Cedarbrake Catholic Retreat Center in Belton and in class format Nov. 6, 13, 27 and Dec. 4 at the diocesan Pastoral Center in Austin. Couples preparing for marriage are encouraged to register as soon as possible. The program includes talks on faith, communication, sexuality and stewardship in the context of Catholic marriage. For registration information, contact your parish or the Catholic Family Life and Family Counseling Ofce at (512) 949-2495 or [email protected]. St. Louis Parish in Austin will host an ACTS retreat for women Nov. 1-4 at Eagle’s Wings Retreat Center in Burnet. The retreat focuses on deepening spirituality through adoration, community, theology and service. The cost is $155, which includes meals, transportation and lodging. For more information or to register, contact Heidi Cisneros at (512) 431-8786 or Donna McClung at (512) 331-4646. Married couples who are looking for a getaway and time to reconnect with one another are invited to a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Nov. 2-4 at the Best Western Atrium North in Austin. The weekend begins Friday at 7:30 p.m. and ends Sunday around 4 p.m. This is an opportunity for husbands and wives to escape the daily distractions of life and focus on each other. For more information or to apply to attend, contact Anh and Greg Thomas at (512) 677-WWME (9963) or [email protected]. “Sleeping with Bread,” a weekend retreat, will be held Nov. 2-4 at Cedarbrake Catholic Retreat Center in Belton. Jesuit Father Matthew Linn will lead this retreat, which will focus on examining and deepening the past, present and future to facilitate the spiritual and emotional healing process. The cost is $155 for a double room and $185 for a private room or $75 for commuters. For more information, contact Cedarbrake at (254) 780-2436 or cedarbrake@ austindiocese.org. St. Elizabeth Parish in Pugerville will host an ACTS retreat for men in English Nov. 15-18. To register, visit www.stelizabethpf.org or call Ray Riley at (281) 359-4699. YEAR OF FAITH DISCERNMENT RETREATS with a Franciscan Focus holycrossvocations.org Join us and other Discerning Women 18-30 for 2012-2013 retreats at our Wisconsin Motherhouse Visit www.fscc-calledtobe.org or call Sr. Mary Ann Spanjers at 920-973-9903 The World Needs You. God Calls You. We Invite You. October 2012 ESPAÑOL 27 Abriendo las puertas para el Año de la Fe E L O BISPO J OE S. VÁSQUEZ es el quinto obispo de la Diócesis de Austin. Es pastor para casi 500,000 católicos en 25 condados en el Centro de Texas. Editora: El 11 de octubre, la Iglesia Católica Romana iniciará la celebración del Año de la Fe. ¿Cuál es el propósito de este año? Obispo Vásquez: El Año de la Fe es un gran regalo que el Santo Padre nos ha dado. Con su carta apostólica “Porta Fidei”, el Papa Benedicto XVI declaró que un “Año de la Fe” comenzará el 11 de octubre de 2012, y concluirá el 24 de noviembre de 2013. En su carta, el Papa llama a la renovación de la fe a través de nosotros como Iglesia. El próximo año es un “llamado a una conversión auténtica y renovada al Señor, único Salvador del mundo”, como lo escribió en “Porta Fidei”. El Papa en sus viajes por todo el mundo, ha tomado nota de los desafíos que se presentan al cristianismo. Se ha dado cuenta de que algunas partes de Europa y de la sociedad occidental están luchando con ciertos temas de la fe y la existencia de Dios en general. Por lo tanto, el Santo Padre quiere mostrar que nuestra vida, especialmente como católicos, es una que se vive en la fe, por lo que tener ese encuentro personal con Jesucristo es algo básico y que se encuentra en el corazón mismo de nuestra fe. La nueva evangelización, que se ha promovido desde hace años, por primera vez por el beato Juan Pablo II y ahora por Benedicto XVI, ha sido la respuesta de la Iglesia a la crisis de la fe. La nueva evangelización nos llama a comunicar la alegría y la esperanza de la fe cristiana que se descubre a través de nuestro propio encuentro personal con Cristo. Como Pedro dice a los primeros cristianos: “No teman ni se asusten por miedo a ellos, sino santiquen a Dios el Señor en vuestros corazones. Estén siempre dispuestos a dar respuesta a todo el que les pregunte la razón de su esperanza” (1 Pedro 3, 14-15). Jesús es la razón de nuestra esperanza y tenemos que compartir ese mensaje con otros, especialmente con aquellos que están luchando con su fe o que la han perdido. Como cristianos, no debemos sentir pena, miedo o vergüenza de conocer a Cristo, ¡estamos llamados a compartir su mensaje con todos! Nuestra diócesis ha sido bendecida en muchas formas debido a la vitalidad y el dinamismo que está teniendo lugar en esta Iglesia local. Somos una Iglesia que está viva y creciendo por las personas — sacerdotes, diáconos, seminaristas, religiosos, religiosas y laicos — que viven su fe. Creo que como diócesis y como parroquias estamos tomando en serio la nueva evangelización ya que es- tamos constantemente trabajando para llevar el mensaje de Cristo a los demás y compartiendo esa esperanza. Editora: Ciertamente debe tener miembros de su familia o amigos cercanos que ya no participan en la fe. ¿Cómo le ayuda eso a entender lo que otros en la misma situación están atravesando? Obispo Vásquez: En mi propia familia hay miembros que ya no practican la fe católica. Esto es decepcionante para mí como familiar y como obispo. Sin embargo, estas situaciones son una gran oportunidad para dar testimonio de Cristo en nuestra propia familia. La familia es un lugar maravilloso para la nueva evangelización. La oración es muy importante en nuestras celebraciones, así como asistir a Misa juntos, ya sea en Navidad o en Acción de Gracias; orar juntos en nuestra fe e invitar a que participen todos los miembros de la familia. Quiero alentar a aquellos que tienen seres queridos que ya no están practicando la fe que no se desanimen. Las familias nunca deben cerrar la puerta o darse por vencidas con un miembro de la familia, debemos alentarlos todo lo que podamos. Tal vez todo lo que necesita un miembro de la familia es una invitación personal a Misa para ayudarle a reactivar su fe. Y lo más importante, siempre debemos mantener a nuestros familiares en la oración, especialmente a aquellos que están luchando con la fe. Editora: ¿Qué les diría a las personas que asisten a Misa regularmente, pero simplemente no se entusiasman más con su fe? Obispo Vásquez: Hay que recordar que en la Misa, recibimos a Jesucristo, ¡que es el más grande regalo de Dios! Jesús es la encarnación del amor de Dios por nosotros. Nuestra respuesta natural a un regalo tan maravilloso es una actitud de gratitud y agradecimiento. Como católicos, el mayor acto de acción de gracias es la Eucaristía. Es nuestro deber y obligación rendir culto a Dios, pero esto no es una carga. Quiero ir a Misa y recibir la Eucaristía porque estoy fortalecido cada vez que lo hago. Otra cosa que le ayudará a renovar el entusiasmo por asistir a Misa es prepararse para asistir a ella. Recomiendo a todos leer las lecturas del día antes de la misa, ya que esto nos ayuda a abrir el corazón a lo que Dios tiene que decirnos a través de la Escritura. Ahora, el reto para la Iglesia es ofrecer una buena liturgia. El Papa Benedicto XVI dijo que el Año de la fe será una buena oportunidad para intensicar la celebración de la fe en la liturgia, sobre todo en la Eucaristía, que es “la cumbre a la cual tiende la actividad de la Iglesia... y también la fuente de la que mana toda su fuerza”. Las celebraciones litúrgicas de calidad son aquellas en donde la proclamación de la Palabra de Dios es clara y comprensible, donde las homilías están bien preparadas y entregadas, donde los músicos han seleccionado música que habla al corazón y donde los ministros litúrgicos transmiten una devota oración y el amor por la liturgia a través del movimiento y el gesto. La buena liturgia nutre y aumenta nuestra fe. Editora: Muchos jóvenes adultos tienen dicultad para encontrar su lugar en la vida parroquial. ¿Cómo podemos ayudarles a conseguir que se emocionen con su fe? Obispo Vásquez: La comunidad parroquial debe ser siempre acogedora y hospitalaria, en particular para los jóvenes y adultos jóvenes. Los jóvenes necesitan cierta atención ya que se enfrentan a varios desafíos a medida que crecen. Puede haber oportunidades para ofrecer ciertas celebraciones litúrgicas que pueden atraer a las generaciones más jóvenes. Los jóvenes también deben ser invitados a participar en la Eucaristía como ministros de hospitalidad, lectores, miembros del coro, monaguillos y ministros extraordinarios de la Sagrada Comunión. Además, con el n de alimentarse de la celebración de la Eucaristía, a lo largo de la semana deberíamos darles oportunidades del estudio de la Biblia, los programas de formación de catequesis, las experiencias de retiro y las oportunidades de servicio. Los jóvenes tienen un hambre profunda de la fe y una profunda hambre de Dios. Por lo tanto, nos corresponde a nosotros crear ambientes que nutran su fe y los fortalezca para que sean capaces de responder a Dios. Editora: Muchas familias luchan para mantener la fe y compartir la fe. ¿Cómo podemos ayudarles? Obispo Vásquez: Las familias de hoy en día están ocupadas y pueden haber perdido el contacto con las prácticas familiares con las que crecieron, así que invito a madres y padres a redescubrir esas prácticas. Ya sea el tiempo del rosario en familia, tiempo para comer con la familia, crear un altar en casa, encender las velas de Adviento, hornear galletas para un refugio para indigentes, o cualquier otra tradición de la familia. Pasar tiempo como familia de fe es un don inestimable que podemos ofrecer a nuestros hijos. Nuestras ocinas diocesanas y parroquiales deben tomar siempre en cuenta a las familias a la hora de crear programas. Tenemos que crear ambientes que nutran y ayuden a la familia como una unidad a fortalecer su fe. Esto puede signicar que se ofrezcan horarios de Misa que son más convenientes para toda la familia o tal vez ofreciendo también la Liturgia de la Palabra para niños para que ellos también puedan escuchar el mensaje de una manera que les sea aplicable en su vida. Además, las familias no deberían encontrar ningún obstáculo a los sacramentos y las parroquias deben facilitarles la recepción de los mismos. La celebración del bautismo de un niño o la Primera Comunión es una oportunidad que se nos da para proclamar la Buena Nueva, especialmente para aquellos que no pueden practicar su fe. La Iglesia debe ser un hogar espiritual para las familias en las que continuamente encuentren esperanza y fuerza. Editora: Al darse cuenta de que cada individuo se encuentra en un lugar diferente en su fe, ¿cuáles son algunas maneras especícas en las que las personas pueden celebrar su fe durante el año? Obispo Vásquez: Una de las mejores cosas de la Iglesia Católica es que hay espacio para todos aquí en nuestra Iglesia y nadie queda excluido. Todos son bienvenidos, no importa su edad, su cultura o su idioma. En “Porta Fidei”, el Santo Padre nos dice: “«La puerta de la fe» (cf. Hch 14, 27), que introduce en la vida de comunión con Dios y permite la entrada en su Iglesia, está siempre abierta para nosotros”. Por lo tanto, como Iglesia tenemos que tomar en cuenta en dónde está la gente en su fe. El Papa Benedicto XVI alienta a los católicos a aprender acerca de la fe y del estudio de documentos de la Iglesia, Ver OBISPO en la página 30 28 ESPAÑOL C ATHOLIC S PIRIT ¿Es posible conseguir la salvación? Evangelio de San Marcos es un joven el que se acerca a preguntarle a Jesús: “…¿qué debo hacer para alcanzar la vida eterna?” La respuesta inmediata de Los discípulos “…comentaban enJesús es el cumplimiento de los Mantre sí: Entonces, ¿quién puede salvarse? damientos, a lo cual el joven responde Jesús, mirándolos jamente, les dijo: que “…todo eso lo…” ha “…cumplido Es imposible para los hombres, más no desde muy joven”. para Dios. Para Dios todo es posible”. Entonces Jesús le presenta un reto En mis 20 años de sacerdocio en más profundo. Es una invitación a la Diócesis de Austin siempre me ha seguirle más de cerca. Pero el joven llamado la atención la genuina preono parece estar listo para aceptar aquel cupación de muchos padres de familia reto y el Evangelista nos dice que “… que, después de haber educado a sus al oír estas palabras, el hombre se fue hijos e hijas en la Fe Católica, sufren apesadumbrado…” la experiencia de verles alejarse de la Jesús aprovecha esta oportunidad práctica de la Fe. Y muchos, al borde para enseñarle algo a sus discípulos de la desesperación, vienen y pregunquienes “…comentaban entre sí: Entontan con angustia: “Padre, ¿qué hicimos ces, ¿quién puede salvarse?” Y la respumal?” y en su pregunta esta incluida una esta de Jesús es que conseguir la salvación preocupación auténtica por la salvación “Es imposible para los hombres, más no de sus hijos e hijas. Y sus ojos se llenan para Dios. Para Dios todo es posible”. de lágrimas. Nosotros también podemos En medio de todo esto, ellos exaprender algo de este momento del presan un sentimiento de culpabilidad Evangelio. Por ejemplo, los padres de e incertidumbre al pensar lo que podría familia que aman a sus hijos e hijas y ser el destino nal de sus hijos e hijas. se preocupan por su salvación siempre Mi respuesta es que, “no es culpa suya. van a buscar la oportunidad de hablar Porque ustedes hicieron lo posible con ellos para insistir que deben pracy ahora necesitan conar que Dios ticar su Fe Católica. Lo cual, por una hará lo imposible”. En este pasaje del innidad de razones, parece alejarlos POR PADRE PEDRO GARCIA-RAMIREZ COLUMNISTA más y más entre más les insisten. Y los padres de familia se sienten al borde de la desesperación y exclaman angustiados: “Padre, ¿qué hicimos mal? Nosotros les enseñamos desde pequeños la importancia de ir a la Iglesia, de practicar nuestra Fe Católica, y de guardar los Mandamientos. Pero ahora que ya crecieron y tienen sus propias familias, ya no lo hacen. Se han alejado de Dios y pensamos que tal vez hicimos algo mal. Pero no sabemos que”. Es aquí donde las palabras y la actitud de Jesús mismo nos ofrecen una respuesta que puede aliviar la angustia. Si observamos de cerca lo que Jesús dijo e hizo en su diálogo con aquel joven tal vez podamos aprender algo importante. Primero, Jesús aceptó lo que el joven respondió acerca de la observación de los Mandamientos. El joven había aprendido esto de sus padres en el seno familiar. Pero el joven buscaba algo mucho más personal y Jesús se lo ofreció. Sin embargo el joven no estaba listo para aquel reto. Observemos también la actitud de Jesús. Jesús presentó el reto y respetó la reacción del joven. Jesús no se lanzó detrás de él a insistirle que hiciera lo que Jesús le proponía. Simplemente lo dejó marcharse. Jesús parece estar dispuesto a esperar hasta que el joven esté listo para hacer su decisión personal de seguirle más de cerca. Jesús no va a forzar a nadie. Es obvio que Jesús preere una convicción personal y madura. En respuesta a la pregunta de los discípulos acerca de la salvación, Jesús simplemente dice que conseguirla: “Es imposible para los hombres, más no para Dios. Para Dios todo es posible”. Y estas palabras y la actitud de Jesús contienen un mensaje de esperanza y consuelo para aquellos padres de familia que se preocupan por la salvación de sus hijos e hijas. Todos ellos pueden descansar con la certeza de que han hecho todo lo posible al sembrar la semilla del Evangelio en sus corazones. Pero ahora necesitan tener fe y paciencia, hacer oración, y dejar que Dios haga lo que para ellos parece imposible: salvarlos. Porque las palabras de Jesús son muy claras y elocuentes cuando dice que conseguir la salvación: “Es imposible para los hombres, más no para Dios. Para Dios todo es posible”. Padre Pedro García-Ramírez es pastor de las Parroquias de St. Elizabeth en Pugerville y St. Patrick en Hutto. Las familias pueden crecer juntas en el Año de la Fe una comunidad de fe para participar en la Cena del Señor. Antes de entrar en la iglesia, hable con los miembros de la familia sobre A medida que el Año de la fe la Misa. Aclare que están entrando comienza, se nos recuerda que nuestra en un espacio sagrado y que todos familia de origen es el primer lugar estamos llamados a comportarnos donde aprendemos acerca de nuestra respetuosamente. Permitir a los fe católica y sobre Dios. Ya sea que niños a participar en las respuestas crezcamos con un padre, dos padres, en lugar de mantenerlos “ocupados” divorciados, mezclados o con abuecon juguetes, libros para colorear y los, las personas que nos rodean son alimentos. Haga uso de las salas de nuestro modelo de la fe y de la familia. familia para los niños inquietos, pero Desde el momento en que nacemos no pierda la oportunidad de celebrar hasta que la fe se convierte en nuestra, en comunidad, manteniéndolos en la propia, estamos inuenciados por las habitación todo el tiempo. Este es un personas que nos rodean y por cómo reto para muchas de las familias con practican su fe. En el momento en que niños pequeños, pero se puede lograr llevamos a nuestros hijos a las clases con mucha práctica. Los niños poco a de educación religiosa parroquial, ya poco van a entender lo que es aprohan aprendido cómo vivimos nuestra piado e inapropiado durante la Misa. fe por nuestras acciones y creencias. Después de la Misa, la familia puede Ser inuyente es una gran tarea, así discutir lo que han aprendido o cómo que aquí están algunas sugerencias en pueden mejorar. Todo el mundo cuanto a cómo podemos enseñar a puede hacer preguntas y encontrar nuestros hijos (y a los demás) sobre la juntos las respuestas. fe. Tener comidas familiares dando graAsistir a la Misa semanal en familia cias antes de las comidas Como adultos, tenemos que deEl tiempo en familia es muy immostrar la alegría que es participar en portante para que la familia tenga la la celebración de la liturgia. De esta oportunidad de vincularse. En estos manera, los niños de todas las edades días, hay dicultad para tener a toda llegan a entender que la asistencia a la la familia en un mismo lugar durante Misa dominical no es una tarea o una largos períodos de tiempo. Si se trata opción negociable. La Misa es la opor- de trabajo, actividades u obligaciones tunidad de unirse como una familia en diarias, se va en direcciones diferentes. POR LUPE GARCIA, LPC-S, LMFT-S COLUMNISTA INVITADA Si no hacemos el tiempo para estar con la familia, es posible que no suceda muy a menudo. Una forma en que la familia puede reunirse por lo menos una vez al día es por medio de las comidas familiares. La familia puede trabajar junta para preparar la comida y cada miembro de la familia puede contribuir a hacer tareas apropiadas para su edad. Luego, en familia pueden orar juntos antes de la comida o turnarse dando gracias por lo que han recibido ese día. Visite www. gracebeforemeals.com para ideas de comidas, así como oraciones. La contemplación / acción Una hora a la semana o más (fuera de la Misa dominical) se puede dedicar a la oración o adoración. La familia puede leer pasajes de la Biblia juntos, rezar el rosario, o cantar canciones de adoración. Hay muchos recursos para niños de diferentes edades, así como recursos para las familias. Por ejemplo, un niño puede usar una Biblia pop-up o un adolescente puede utilizar una Biblia de estudiante para aprender acerca de las Escrituras. Otra opción es pasar tiempo en familia en la adoración del Santísimo Sacramento. No hay necesidad de pasar horas y horas en adoración; sólo tenemos que aprovechar este momento para conectarnos con Dios y salir con un espíritu fortalecido. Cuanto más a menudo asistimos se vuelve más fácil. Los incrementos de tiempo pasados en adoración u oración se pueden aumentar poco a poco, de modo que incluso los niños pequeños son capaces de sentarse en silencio durante largos períodos de tiempo. La acción va de la mano de la oración y de la contemplación. Podemos donar nuestro tiempo en familia a un ministerio parroquial, una obra de caridad o a las personas necesitadas. Dar a los demás es una manera fácil para que los niños aprendan que la vida no es sólo acerca de ellos y de sus necesidades. Esto nos enseña a todos cómo mostrar compasión por los demás y trabajar por el bien común. Tanto la oración y la acción son habilidades adquiridas a través del aprendizaje vicario. En otras palabras, cuando un niño ve que sus padres lo hacen, están más dispuestos a hacerlo también. En el documento que inicia el Año de la Fe, “Porta Fidei”, el Papa Benedicto XVI escribe: “Esta será una buena oportunidad para guiar a toda la Iglesia hacia un momento de reexión particular y el redescubrimiento de la fe”. De hecho, el Año de la fe es una gran oportunidad para las familias de crecer juntos en la fe y crecer juntos en el amor a Cristo. Lupe García es una consejera certicada y directora de la Ocina Diocesana de la Vida Familiar y Consejería Familiar. Se le puede llamar al (512) 9492495 o [email protected]. ESPAÑOL October 2012 29 La fe, el carácter, la familia son la base de la exploración POR MARY P. WALKER CORRESPONSAL PRINCIPAL “El Movimiento Scout es diferente de otras actividades juveniles, ya sea fútbol, voleibol o banda de música. La exploración hace ese esfuerzo intencional hacia el crecimiento en el servicio, virtudes, liderazgo y servicio a Dios”, dijo el padre Mateo Kinney, Scout Águila y capellán del Comité Diocesano Católico de Exploradores. Aunque los exploradores pueden ser de diferentes denominaciones religiosas o tradiciones, los programas de exploración apoyan los valores cristianos y son compatibles con la fe católica. Dentro de una parroquia, una tropa de Boy Scouts contribuye al desarrollo moral y el carácter de los niños y sus familias — los objetivos de cualquier programa de pastoral juvenil ecaz. Además, el Comité Nacional Católico del Movimiento de Exploradores ha establecido emblemas, o premios, para los que completen la formación de la fe y las oportunidades de servicio dentro de su experiencia de exploración. El Obispo Joe Vásquez ha dicho que recomienda la exploración como un realce de todos los programas juveniles de la parroquia. “Las actividades de desarrollo de explorar, y acampar tienen la habilidad de unir más a las familias”, dijo. “El Movimiento de Boy Scouts ayuda a nuestros niños a ser adultos fuertes y eles”. La diversión a menudo atrae a la mayoría de niños exploradores. Sin embargo, estas divertidas actividades implican el trabajo en equipo, establecer y alcanzar metas, servir y asumir las responsabilidades de liderazgo, que pueden transformar a los muchachos en hombres jóvenes de carácter. A través de la tutela de los adultos, a menudo de los padres de los niños de la tropa, los chicos tienen el reto de convertirse en líderes maduros y responsables, éticos y morales. “Boy Scouts es un programa basado en la virtud. El acampar y las otras actividades son los medios indispensables en la que las virtudes se aprenden”, dijo el padre Kinney. Las virtudes y los valores aprendidos a través de la exploración también ayudan a los niños a participar de los esfuerzos de otros. “Un estudio reciente mostró que los niños que pasan cinco años en exploración se graduaron de la preparatoria a una tasa del 91 por ciento, y tienen 87 por ciento más probabilidades de asistir a los servicios religiosos”, dijo el Obispo Vásquez. Hay muchos exploradores católicos dedicados, y voluntarios comprometidos con aumentar el número de Scouts y la calidad de los programas de exploración en las parroquias del área de Austin. Junto con el Obispo Vásquez, ellos desean especialmente introducir el grupo de los Boy Scouts a los niños de ascendencia Hispana, ya que están culturalmente menos familiarizados con lo que ofrece la exploración para los niños y sus familias. Un entusiasta de los Boy Scouts, el Padre Mark Hamlet, párroco de la Parroquia Sacred Heart en Austin, sabe que la exploración fomenta las relaciones fuertes entre los niños, sus padres, y los adultos que tienen el papel de servir de modelo, por lo que todas las personas involucradas son mejores personas y mejores católicos. Durante el n de semana del 6 al 7 de octubre, la parroquia está organizando un congreso de exploradores para alentar a los niños y sus padres a unirse a los scouts. Eagle Scout Edward Finnegan Jr., de la Tropa 489, la cual es patrocinada por Sacred Heart, es un ejemplo de cómo el Movimiento Scout puede sacar lo mejor de todos los involucrados. El conseguir este rango el más alto en los Boy Scouts incluye la promoción a través de rangos inferiores, con cada grado requiriendo la demostración de habilidades de liderazgo cada vez más difíciles, la competencia para obtener insignias de mérito, y la realización de proyectos especiales. Desde su creación en 1912, sólo 2,1 millones de hombres se han ganado el rango de Eagle Scout, y los que lo han logrado consideran que es uno de los mayores logros de su vida. El logro de Edward es aún más notable porque tiene síndrome de Down. Ganar el rango de Eagle Scout requiere de esfuerzo individual junto con la ayuda de exploradores compañeros y mentores adultos. Edward Jr. fue introducido a la exploración cuando tenía 11 años, por su padre, Edward. En ese momento, Edward padre era un jefe de exploradores y quería que su único hijo se convirtiese en un hombre de carácter a través de la vida activa de un explorador. Además, anticipaba la diversión que tendrían juntos, dijo. Edward padre también sabía que tanto el catolicismo como la exploración promueven el servi- EL OBISPO JOE VÁSQUEZ bendijo al Eagle Scout Edward Finnegan Jr. durante una visita el 11 de septiembre. (Foto por Shelley Metcalf) cio, la responsabilidad y la reverencia a Dios, características que Edward Jr. demuestra. Le gusta servir a su parroquia como ujier, armando que “me gusta juntar el dinero y repartir boletines”. Ha recibido el sacramento de la conrmación y tiene un trabajo de tiempo completo compatible con sus capacidades. Scouts con necesidades especiales pueden continuar más allá de la edad de 18 años si se están beneficiando de este programa, Edward Jr. estaba decidido a alcanzar el rango de Eagle Scout. En enero de 2007, a la edad de 34 años, llegó a esa meta. Hoy en día, ser un Eagle Scout es parte del orgullo de su identidad. Todavía goza de exploración, ha ganado 56 medallas al mérito, y está avanzando para obtener otras, incluida la pesca con mosca y la medicina veterinaria. “Para que un chico llegue a ser Eagle Scout, necesita una gran cantidad de ayuda de quienes lo rodean”, dijo el Sr. Edward. A través de la exploración, su hijo ganó y recibió la aceptación, el respeto, aliento y ayuda, no sólo de su propio padre, pero también de otros padres, y los niños en la Tropa 489. Con la ayuda de muchos a lo largo del camino, Edward Jr. también ha ayudado a otros exploradores. Cuando los muchachos de su tropa quería ganar la insignia de mérito por la conciencia hacia la discapacidad, él era un ejemplo vivo de lo que una persona con tales desafíos pueden hacer. “Scouts trata de ayudar a los niños a ser hombres, y el caso de Edward demuestra que no hay límites, especialmente cuando involucra a los padres”, dijo el padre Hamlet. Acompañando a padres y madres en crisis POR GINA DOMINGUEZ COLUMNISTA INVITADA Buscando sembrar la semilla del amor de Dios en los corazones de hombres y mujeres que esperan la llegada de una nueva vida, se constituyó el llamado Proyecto Gabriel el cual es un apostolado parroquial coordinado por la Ocina Diocesana de Actividades Pro-Vida y Castidad. Su propósito es apoyar a mujeres embarazadas y a padres en situaciones críticas en diferentes áreas a través de voluntarios entrenados llamados “Ángeles”. Cada uno de estos voluntarios es asignado a una mujer embarazada a la cual acompaña durante su embarazo proporcionándole los cuidados, amor, ayuda espiritual, material y emocional que ella necesita durante esta importante etapa. El Proyecto brinda apoyo a padres y madres durante y después del embarazo, sin emitir juicios y de manera totalmente condencial. A través de este servicio, los “Ángeles” ofrecen alivio a padres en situaciones difíciles dándoles una alternativa de vida cuando se enfrentan a situaciones de crisis o a embarazos no planeados. Al hacer esto, el Proyecto Gabriel, a través de sus voluntarios, da un valiente testimonio de respeto a la vida y del Amor incondicional de Dios. Traer este apostolado a una parroquia requiere del permiso de su párroco y de una persona que se comprometa a coordinar el Proyecto Gabriel; esta persona a su vez contaría con un grupo de voluntarios que le ayudarían a que el proyecto se iniciara y a conseguir los materiales necesarios. Una vez formado este grupo y después de que sus miembros atiendan el entrenamiento, con persistencia y esfuerzo el Proyecto estará encaminado. En la actualidad, el Proyecto Gabriel se encuentra buscando “Ángeles” bilingües para llevar este mensaje de sanación y ayuda a la comunidad hispana. Si usted está interesado en unirse a esta noble causa, por favor contacte al Proyecto Gabriel de su Parroquia o llame a Rebeca Niemerg, Directora Asociada y coordinadora de Cuidado Pastoral de la Ocina de Actividades Pro-Vida y Castidad de la Diócesis de Austin, al (512) 949-2488. ESPAÑOL Conferencia se centra en proporcionar una buena liturgia 30 POR ENEDELIA J. OBREGÓN CORRESPONSAL PRINCIPAL “Preparando el banquete” fue el tema de una conferencia bilingüe para los ministros litúrgicos parroquiales celebrada el 8 de septiembre en Austin. El Obispo Joe Vásquez abrió el evento en la fiesta de la Natividad de María con oraciones y canciones dedicadas a María, incluyendo oraciones de intercesión en diferentes idiomas. En sus palabras de bienvenida, el Obispo Vásquez dijo que la Iglesia Católica en todo el mundo está lista para lanzar el Año de la Fe, el 11 de octubre. El Papa Benedicto XVI pidió el Año de la Fe, que se extenderá hasta el 24 de noviembre de 2013, por la preocupación sobre el creciente secularismo en Europa Occidental y los Estados Unidos. “Estamos perdiendo nuestro sentido de identidad, de quienes somos”, dijo el obispo. “Estamos creciendo sin saber lo que nos hace católicos y por qué tenemos ciertas creencias sobre defender la vida y la opción preferencial por los pobres, o porqué no aceptar el matrimonio homosexual o el aborto”. La calidad de la liturgia en la Misa es muy importante, dijo el Obispo Vásquez, “está en el corazón de quienes somos como cristianos católicos”, dijo. “Si usted quiere saber quiénes somos, entonces celebre la liturgia y los sacramentos”. Así pues, la proclamación de la Palabra debe ser clara y comprensible, las homilías deben estar bien preparadas y la música debe hablar al corazón, dijo. La Eucaristía es la suma y cumbre de la liturgia, “nutre y refuerza la fe si se hace bien”, dijo el Obispo Vásquez de la liturgia. La conferencia, diseñada para los ministros litúrgicos, trató temas para varios ministerios, tales como el arte y el medio ambiente, ministerios extraordinarios de la Sagrada Comunión, ministerios de hospitalidad y ujieres, lectores, músicos y el Rito de Iniciación Cristiana para Adultos. Dee Hernández y Jessica Lozano Miramar de la Parroquia St. John de Baptist en Waco fueron algunas de los que asistieron y llenaron el Centro de Conferencias Norris. C ATHOLIC S PIRIT “Estamos tratando de edicar nuestra Iglesia... No hay una gran cantidad de fuego”, dijo Lozano de la parroquia, que cuenta con 54 familias y celebrará su 60 aniversario en octubre. Hernández dijo que su fuego se “volvió a encender” después de asistir a varias sesiones en la conferencia. El Diácono Donald Sims de la Parroquia St. Joseph en Rockdale dijo que estaba buscando algunas sugerencias para su programa de RCIA. Al escuchar a los oradores, se dio cuenta de que, “traemos nuestras heridas” como seres humanos, también los sacerdotes y todos los demás”. Tenemos que amarlos como son”, dijo. “Esa es la parte más difícil, pero es necesario. Nos va a ser difícil evangelizar hasta que aprendamos a hacer esto”. En total, los ministros litúrgicos procedentes de 62 parroquias de la diócesis asistieron a la conferencia. Cheryl Maxwell, Directora de la Ocina Diocesana de Culto Divino, destacó la importancia de reunir a los voluntarios de las diferentes comunidades. “Es importante que nos reunamos porque todos somos diferentes y la Eucaristía nos celebra como uno”, dijo. Maxwell dijo que la variedad de la cultura establecida en la Iglesia “realmente expresa lo que somos como católicos”, y muestra la riqueza de la Eucaristía y del Cuerpo de Cristo. “En este Año de la fe nos fijamos en lo que podemos hacer en nuestras bancas para dar la bienvenida”, dijo “Nos olvidamos de que hay otros que expresan su adoración de diferentes maneras. Es un buen momento para crecer y ser abierto con un corazón comprensivo con los demás y en nuestra relación con Jesús”. La hospitalidad fue el centro de un taller en la presentación bilingüe sobre “Preparación del banquete” por el Padre León Strieder, profesor asociado de teología litúrgica y sacramental en el Seminario St. Mary’s en Houston. Padre Strieder dijo que la hospitalidad es importante porque si las personas no se sienten bienvenidas, no regresan. Ser hospitalario puede signicar cualquier cosa, desde saludar a la gente, reconocer a los recién llegados antes de que comience la Misa o tener estacionamiento especial para ellos. Con el fin de conseguir que se queden, la calidad de la liturgia es importante, Padre Strieder dijo. La Palabra de Dios, la Eucaristía y la misión son elementos vitales de una buena liturgia. “Tenemos que ser gente del libro otra vez”, dijo el padre Strieder del Evangelio. “Tenemos que ser alimentados (Eucaristía). Y cuando somos enviados (misión), no volar fuera del estacionamiento pensando “Ya he terminado con eso’”. Barbara Budde, Directora de la Oficina Diocesana de Asuntos Sociales, abordó el tema. “La mesa del banquete es para todos” citando la encíclica del Papa Benedicto XVI “Deus caritas est” de 2005, dijo que la Eucaristía es un acto de amor concreto: Cristo murió por nosotros, porque él nos amó. “Es fácil amar en abstracto - Me encanta todo el mundo”, dijo. “Es difícil amar a esa persona que me vuelve loca. Pero la Eucaristía nos compromete a amar a la persona que nos vuelve locos, a los pobres, a los que viven al margen, a aquellos con quienes no estamos de acuerdo profundamente”. La Eucaristía nos compromete a amar a todo el mundo que Dios ama, dijo. Padre Chris Downey, párroco de la Parroquia de Holy Family en Copperas Cove, habló de la espiritualidad de la Liturgia, señaló que es necesario alimentar nuestra vida espiritual en forma regular igual que nutrimos nuestros cuerpos. “Si no nutrimos nuestro cuerpo esto nos conduce a la muerte corporal”, dijo. “Los seres humanos no somos sólo SOCORRO DÍAZ, feligrés de la Parroquia de St. Louis en Austin, reza durante la Conferencia “Preparación del banquete”, el 8 de septiembre. (Foto por Enedelia J. Obregón) entidades biológicas, sino seres con almas eternas. Si nos tomamos el tiempo para nutrir nuestros cuerpos, entonces ¿cuánto más importante es nutrir nuestro espíritu? No somos sólo cuerpo, somos cuerpo y alma”. Monseñor Mike Sis, vicario general de la Diócesis de Austin, dijo que la transformación del pan y el vino en el Cuerpo y la Sangre de Cristo no es la única transformación que se produce en la Misa. “Usted y yo somos transformados, también”, dijo. “Poco a poco, Misa por Misa, nos enamoramos más de Dios.” Cuanto más uno participa de la liturgia y la Eucaristía, cuanto más Cristo impregna nuestro ser, dijo. Recordó a los voluntarios que, como liturgistas, no importa tanto lo que hacen, pero como la Beata Teresa de Calcuta aconseja, sino con cuánto amor lo hacen. “Cuando Jesús estableció la Eucaristía, también lavó los pies de los apóstoles”, dijo. “No se trata sólo de la Eucaristía. Se trata de un servicio humilde”. otros. La diócesis ha creado un comité para el Año de la Fe, encabezado por Charlene O’Connell, que ayudará a las parroquias a ofrecer diferentes actividades y oportunidades para las personas para fortalecer su fe. También invito a todos los católicos del centro de Texas a leer sus boletines parroquiales y el Catholic Spirit que se ofrece a través de su parroquia y en todo el centro de Texas. Hay muchas actividades en curso que pueden ayudarnos a fortalecer nuestra fe en todo el Año de la fe. Editora: ¿Cuál es su oración por la Diócesis al comenzar el Año de la fe? Obispo Vásquez: Mi oración por la diócesis es que todos seamos renovados en nuestro amor y compromiso con Jesucristo. Ruego por que se fortalezca nuestro compromiso con la Iglesia y sus enseñanzas, no sólo en la comprensión de lo que creemos, sino porqué lo creemos y cómo podemos vivirlo día a día. Como nuestro Santo Padre dice en “Porta Fidae”, para que podamos ser testigos llenos de alegría y creíbles de Jesucristo. OBISPO Continúa de la Página 27 como el Catecismo de la Iglesia Católica y los documentos del Concilio Vaticano II. “Como se puede ver, el conocimiento de los contenidos de la fe es esencial para dar el propio consentimiento, para adherirse plenamente con su inteligencia y voluntad a lo que propone la Iglesia. El conocimiento de la fe introduce en su totalidad el misterio salvíco revelado por Dios”, escribe. Somos una Iglesia que siempre está avanzando en este camino de fe y es nuestro privilegio y responsabilidad el compartir a Cristo con SITINGS October 2012 31 CEDARBRAKE Catholic Retreat Center in Belton hosted the second annual Parish Staff Retreat on Aug. 8. Staff members from 10 parishes attended. (Photo courtesy Beverly Collin) SACRED HEART PARISH IN ELGIN recently honored Ann Mikulencak and her late husband Albert for their many contributions to the parish. The parish gave Mikulencak a plaque and a memorial granite bench was placed outside of the parish RE building in the couple’s honor. (Photo courtesy Cindy Bednar) THE ROBOTICS TEAM from St. Gabriel’s Catholic School in Austin helped facilitate the robotics booth at the Microsoft store in the Domain. The team created multiple gadgets to demonstrate at the store. (Photo courtesy Erika Allen-Walsh) MISTY GARRIGA, a former parishioner of St. Elizabeth Parish in Pugerville, entered the Novitiate of the Sisters of Divine Providence in San Antonio on Aug. 12. While at St. Elizabeth, she served as a liturgical minister, worked with RCIA and was on the ACTS retreat teams. (Photo courtesy Lisa Roberts) THE KJZT OF BRYAN sponsored its 14th annual Garage Sale Aug. 4 at St. Joseph Catholic School in Bryan. The fundraiser brought in more than $5,000, which was then donated to the Coalition for Life in Bryan, Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Bryan and Catholic Radio KEDC in College Station. (Photo courtesy Liz Zemanek) A GROUP OF YOUNG ADULTS from the diocese traveled to El Salvador with the Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus during the summer. They spent a week working with the poor and learning about the Salvadoran culture. (Photo courtesy Soa Barbato) THE FULLY RELYING ON GOD (FROG) youth ministry program at St. Anthony Marie de Claret Parish in Kyle held its annual backpack drive on Aug. 19. The youth also organized a mission trip to Weslaco. (Photos courtesy George Mercado) THIRTY PRIESTS attended the second annual Priests’ Appreciation Dinner sponsored by the John Paul II Life Center in Austin and Cook-Walden Funeral Homes. Dr. Jeremy Kalamarides discussed his work at the Vitae Clinic with the priests and thanked them for their service to the church. (Photo courtesy Lori Mazzurana) ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL in Bryan purchased new picnic tables for the courtyard at the secondary campus. Students can now enjoy their lunch outside. (Photo courtesy Patty Blaszak) Send photos by the 10th of the month to [email protected]. SITINGS 32 THE KINDERGARTEN CLASS at Sacred Heart School in La Grange honored their grandparents. (Photo courtesy Lee Burleson) C ATHOLIC S PIRIT ST. ANTHONY Marie de Claret Parish in Kyle held its rst 5K Run/Walk on Sept. 8. The Knights of Columbus Council 7975 manned the water stations for the event. (Photo courtesy Ernest A. Garcia) THE PRAYER BLANKET MINISTRY of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Marble Falls recently made blankets for Operation Cover-Up (an organization for chemotherapy patients), military veterans in Temple as well as 200 community requests. ST. MICHAEL’S CATHOLIC ACADEMY in Austin participated in the Lockhart Invitational Track Meet on Sept. 1. The girls’ team and the boys’ team both placed second in overall points. (Photo courtesy Megan M. Kraft) FATHER JAIRO LOPEZ blessed the blankets before they were delivered so that they may bring comfort to those who suffer. (Photos courtesy Karen Wilkens) ST. MARY’S CATHOLIC SCHOOL IN TEMPLE celebrated Grandparents Day on Sept. 10. (Photos courtesy Kerrie Bourque) ST. PETER CATHOLIC STUDENT CENTER at Baylor University in Waco kicked off the fall semester with its annual “Block Party.” Incoming freshmen were offered information about the ministries and organizations available at St. Peter. (Photos courtesy Debbie Shannon) ST. MARY’S also recently celebrated and remembered the life of long-time teacher Virginia Ann McIntosh, who died on June 13. The school community celebrated Mass in her honor and planted a tree in her name. She taught at St. Mary’s Catholic School for 41 years. (Photos courtesy Kerrie Bourque) BENEDICTINE SISTER Maria Christi Cavanaugh made her profession of perpetual vows at Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro, Ark., on Aug. 1. She is a former parishioner of St. Luke Parish in Temple. (Photo courtesy Deacon Jerry Klement) Send photos by the 10th of the month to [email protected]. THE LEGION OF MARY chapter at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Taylor celebrated its rst anniversary on Aug. 15. Father Efrain Villanueva is their spiritual director. (Photo courtesy Jose R. Gonzalez)