‘They have taken the Lord, and we do not know Serving the Diocese of San Angelo, Texas Volume XXXVI, No. 4 APRIL 2016 where they have laid him’

DIOCESE OF SAN ANGELO NONPROFIT ORG. PO BOX 1829 US POSTAGE PAID SAN ANGELO TX 76902-1829 SAN ANGELO, TX PERMIT NO. 44

Fr. Joseph Ogbonna, of Our Lady of Lourdes in Andrews, baptizes a young parishioner during Easter Vigil Mass, Easter 2016 March 26, 2016. Page 2 APRIL 2016 The Angelus The Inside Front World Youth Day-USA to be celebrated at McNease Convention Center in San Angelo West Texas Angelus

SAN ANGELO — Young Adults, ages 18-39, are invit- ed to participate in World Youth Day USA, July 30, 2016, at McNease Convention Center in San Angelo. This stateside celebration will be held the same day as World Youth Day Vigil in Krakow, Poland. Eleven pilgrims representing the San Missionary Servant of Angelo Diocese will be the Word Deacon going to Krakow, July 24- Miguel Romero. August 1. They will con- nect via skype with the local group sometime during the day. Odessa Deacon Miguel Romero to be ordained The Pilgrim Cross follows the example of the original Pilgrim Cross blessed at St. Peter’s in Rome by Pope Missionary Servant of the Word priest, April 15 Francis on Palm Sunday. It will travel to Poland for World Youth Day in July. Bill Ruiz made the Pilgrim By Jimmy Patterson squad for preaching the faith. Cross for the diocese that was blessed at the Cathedral Editor / The Angelus The Priestly Ordination Before he was shot, Pro for- Church of the Sacred Heart in San Angelo by Bishop of gave his persecutors, shouting, Michael Sis on Palm Sunday before traveling through the ODESSA — Few people have Miguel Romero “Viva Cristo Rey!” Long live diocese to different parishes (schedule, page 5). A spread God’s word in Mexico with Christ the King! Friday, April 15, 2016 resource booklet for the Pilgrim Cross event has been the same vigor and daring as “I want to be like him,” said 7 p.m. developed by Howard Pope. In addition to the Pilgrim Blessed Miguel Pro. In the face of Miguel Romero, a deacon at Holy Cross, personal intercessions to be lifted up in prayer will violence, killings, and anti- Holy Redeemer Parish Redeemer Church in Odessa be collected and taken to the holy sites by the diocesan Catholicism, Pro would often dress 2633 Conover Ave. since July 2015. pilgrims visiting Poland. in layman’s clothing to elude detec- Odessa While prepared to show the WYDUSA will include catechesis by the bishop, work- tion as a priest among those who same courage in preaching the shops, Praise and Worship by Sacred Sound, opportuni- would have killed him for his faith. Despite repeated gospel wherever he may be sent, ties for Reconciliation, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, cultur- warnings that he would be executed, “Miguelito,” as Romero, who will be ordained a priest at Holy al displays, dance and music by our various cultural and his family called him, continued to travel about Redeemer on April 15, says he has always been a ethnic groups, vocation displays, organization displays, Mexico spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. missionary at heart. lunch, and the Holy Eucharist (Sunday Vigil). His killers finally caught up to him, and on Romero is a member of the Missionary Servants The diocese invites all young adults to participate in November 23, 1927, he was executed by a firing (Please See ROMERO/19) this WYD celebration and experience the richness of our Church. Young adults are also invited to share their many gifts with the Church. Young adult Bible study flourishing at Holy Redeemer The cost for this event is $25 per person. For more By Jimmy Patterson Fr. Rodriguez noted his parish’s Redemptorist spir- information check your parish bulletins or go to The Angelus it is still very much alive, and he expects more evi- www.sanangelodiocese — click ‘Offices’ and go to dence of that to come with the formation of a young Office of Evangelization and Catechesis, or call 325-651- In his relatively short time as a deacon at Holy married couple’s Bible study. People are already 7500. Redeemer Church in West Odessa, Deacon Miguel making inquiries about the class, Fr. Rodriguez said. The committee organizing the event is composed of Romero helped with a renewed young adult Bible study “We have a lot of people from Mexico reaching Roselva Ruiz, Chair, Holy Redeemer-Odessa; Bill Ruiz, at the parish. Working together, Deacon Romero and Fr. out to them,” Fr. Rodriguez said. “As the groups Holy Redeemer-Odessa; Linda Navarro, St. Mary- Fernando Bonilla, MSP, have revitalized a once-dor- become more solidified they will want to become Odessa; Penny and Howard Pope, Holy Family-Abilene, mant young adult Spanish Bible study program. involved in different things, and reach out to the and Sister Adelina Garcia, OSF, Office of Evangelization “We started with over 100 people, and we still community around us as well. Deacon Romero and and Catechesis, sponsor of the event. The committee met have more than 80 every week,” said Fr. Michael Fr. Bonilla have been very well received by the peo- with the pastors at deanery meetings to inform them of Rodriguez, Holy Redeemer pastor. “The people are ple and I’m glad they came and helped organize this. the event and about the Kick-Off with the Pilgrim Cross. really hungry. We need a bigger classroom. They have tapped into the talent that is here.” (Related story, pg. 5) The Angelus APRIL 2016 Page 3 CALENDARS From The Bishop’s Desk

BISHOP MICHAEL SIS 29 — STANTON, St. APRIL Joseph, Confirmation Mass at 6 — SAN ANGELO, 6:30 p.m. Words can either hurt us or heal us Pastoral Center, Finance 30 — MIDLAND, St. Ann, By Bishop Michael Sis Council Meeting at 11:00 a.m. Confirmation Mass at 5:00 way for a Christian to behave. because of the color of his skin, to 6 — BIG LAKE, St. p.m. It is important for us to speak out the Yazidi girl in Iraq who is sold as Margaret of Cortona, The rhetoric and the actions of against injustice and correct error. a sex slave because her religion is Confirmation Mass at 7:30 MAY the leaders of ISIS focus on what However, our choice of words can different from her powerful neigh- p.m. 1 — GARDEN CITY, St. 7 — SAN ANGELO, Lawrence, Confirmation Mass divides them from everyone else. sometimes do more harm than bors, to the tiny child in the womb Pastoral Center, Priestly Life at 10:30 a.m. With heartless good. In Ephesians 4:15, St. Paul who seems to be inconvenient for and Formation Meeting, 10:30 1 — SAN ANGELO, Sacred cruelty, they encourages us to “speak the truth in us. a.m. Heart Cathedral, Marriage lash out and love.” He does not say to speak the As Catholic Christians, we are 8 — SAN ANGELO, Holy Jubilee Mass at 3:00 p.m. destroy whatev- Angels, Shared Parishes 6 — SONORA, St. Ann, truth with cruelty or with animosity. called to live out our faith with Workshop at 10:00 a.m. Confirmation Mass at 6:00 er is different The social teachings of the Catholic courage, gladly willing to give rea- 9 — ROWENA, St. Joseph, p.m. from them- Church state that we should seek sons for our beliefs and practices. Confirmation Mass at 5:00 7 — OZONA, Our Lady of selves. If every- the common good, in solidarity, We must seek ways to collaborate p.m. Perpetual Help, Confirmation one in the world respecting the dignity of every constructively on matters of com- 10 — BRADY, St. Patrick, Mass at 6:00 p.m. Confirmation Mass, 10:30 a.m. 8 — FORT STOCKTON, acted like that, human being. mon interest with those of other 11 — AUSTIN, Catholic Our Lady of Guadalupe, the human race Bishop Sis Solidarity is an attitude that focus- faiths and cultures, respecting the Conference Meeting, 10 a.m. Confirmation Mass, 10:30 a.m. would self- es on how we are connected to oth- differences between ourselves and 12 — SAN ANGELO, 8 — SANDERSON, St. exterminate in a ers, no matter how far away or dif- them, and celebrating what we have Pastoral Center, Presbyteral James, Confirmation Mass at Council Meeting at 11:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. very short time. ferent they may seem. If we are liv- in common. 15 — ODESSA, Holy 10 — SAN ANGELO, St. Here in the United States, we are ing in a spirit of solidarity, whenev- In an increasingly interconnected Redeemer, Priestly Ordination Joseph, San Angelo Deanery in an election year. It seems that er someone else is suffering, any- world, unity in diversity is the strat- of Miguel Romero, MSP, 7 Meeting at 10:00 a.m. this election year is bringing more where on the planet, it matters to us. egy of those of us who would like p.m. 12 — ODESSA, St. Joseph, 16 — SAN ANGELO, St. Confirmation Mass at 6:00 than the usual supply of mudsling- A person who lives out Catholic the human race to thrive and sur- Mary, Presentation at p.m. ing in political speech, with some social teaching is a person who vive. SEARCH Retreat 13 — MIDLAND, San candidates finding ever-more color- defends the dignity of every human Adults have a responsibility to 16 — SAN ANGELO, Miguel Arcángel, Confirmation ful ways of speaking ill about their being, from the untouchable Indian give good example to the young, by Sacred Heart Cathedral, Mass at 6:00 p.m. Confirmation Mass at 5:00 14 — ODESSA, St. Mary, opponents. This happens at all lev- in the gutters of Calcutta, to the what they say and what they do. p.m. Confirmation Mass, 11:00 a.m. els – local, state, and national. Yet, teenager in Honduras who is threat- Observing how we act, children 17 — MILES, St. Thomas, 15 — ANDREWS, Our Lady while ridiculing or demonizing the ened with violence if he doesn’t will imitate the way we treat those Confirmation Mass at 8:00 of Lourdes, Confirmation Mass opponent is a frequent tool of cer- join the local gang, to the young with whom we disagree. a.m. at 10:30 a.m. BISHOP 18-19 — CHICAGO, 15 — MIDLAND, St. tain politicians, it is not the proper black man in the U.S. who gets shot (Please See /22) Mundelein Seminary, Official Stephen, Confirmation Mass Visit at 5:00 p.m. 20 — SAN ANGELO, 17 — CORPUS CHRISTI, Las Palabras Pueden Herir o Sanar Pastoral Center, Catholic Kenedy Foundation Board Mtg Foundation Board Meeting at 18 — COLEMAN, Sacred Obispo Michael J. Sis nacional. Sin embargo, mientras está sufriendo, en cualquier parte 10 a.m. Heart, Confirmation Mass, 6:30 20 — BALLINGER, St. pm que ridiculizar o demonizar al opo- del planeta, es importante para Mary, Star of the Sea, 21 — ABILENE, St. Vincent La retórica y las acciones de los nente es una herramienta frecuente nosotros. Confirmation Mass at 7:00 Pallotti, Confirmation Mass at líderes de ISIS se centran en lo que de ciertos políticos, no es la manera Una persona que vive a cabo la p.m. 5:30 p.m. los separa de los demás. Con cruel- correcta para que un Cristiano se enseñanza social Católica es una 21 — ODESSA, Catholic 22 — ABILENE, St. Francis, dad descorazona- comporte. persona que defiende la dignidad de Charities Banquet of Hope at Confirmation Mass at 9:00 6:30 p.m. a.m. da, atacan y Es importante que nosotros hable- cada ser humano, desde el Indio 22 — ODESSA, Catholic 25 — SAN ANGELO, St. destruyen todo lo mos en contra de la injusticia y que intocable en las cunetas de Calcuta, Charities Meeting Mary, Confirmation Mass, 6:30 que es diferente corrijamos el error. Sin embargo, al adolescente en Honduras que es 22 — SAN ANGELO, p.m. de sí mismos. Si las palabras que usamos a veces amenazado con violencia si no se Sacred Heart Cathedral, 26 — SAN ANGELO, todo el mundo pueden hacer más daño que bien. une a una mara local, al joven de Religious Education Awards Angelo Catholic School, Banquet at 6:30 p.m. Graduation Mass at 8:30 a.m. actuara de esa En Efesios 4:15, San Pablo nos color en los Estados Unidos que 23 — SAN ANGELO, St. 27 — STANTON, Rural Life manera, la raza anima a “hablar la verdad con recibe un disparo por el color de su Joseph, Confirmation Mass at Mass at the Tom Ranch at humana se auto- amor.” Él no dice de hablar la ver- piel, a la chica Yazidi en Irak, que 10:00 a.m. 6:30 p.m. exterminaría en dad con crueldad o con animosidad. se vende como esclava sexual 23 — SAN ANGELO, 28 — ODESSA, St. un tiempo muy Obispo Sis Las enseñanzas sociales de la porque su religión es diferente a los Newman Center, Mass and Elizabeth Ann Seton, Appreciation Dinner, 5:00 p.m. Confirmation Mass at 11:00 corto. Iglesia Católica dicen que debemos de sus vecinos poderosos, al 24 — SAN ANGELO, St. a.m. Aquí en los Estados Unidos, buscar el bien común, en solidari- pequeño bebé en el vientre que Margaret of Scotland, 29 — ELDORADO, Our estamos en un año electoral. Parece dad, respetando la dignidad de cada parece ser inconveniente para Confirmation Mass at 9:00 Lady of Guadalupe, que este año electoral está trayendo ser humano. nosotros. a.m. Confirmation Mass at 11:30 27 — ABILENE, Holy a.m. aun más de lo normal de insultos en La solidaridad es una actitud que Como Cristianos Católicos, esta- Family, Confirmation Mass at 30-June 3 — SAN ANGE- el discurso político, con algunos se enfoca en cómo estamos conecta- mos llamados a vivir nuestra fe con 7:00 p.m. LO, Christ the King Retreat candidatos encontrando más que dos a los demás, no importa qué tan valor, con mucho gusto estar dis- 29 — SAN ANGELO, Center, Priests’ Retreat nunca formas coloridas para hablar lejos o qué diferentes se parezca. Si puesto a dar razones de nuestras Pastoral Center, Liturgical mal de sus oponentes. Esto ocurre estamos viviendo en un espíritu de Commission Meeting, 10 a.m. (Continued, Pg 9) en todos los niveles - local, estatal y solidaridad, cada vez que alguien (Mira OBISPO/19) Page 4 APRIL 2016 The Angelus SEMINARIAN OF THE MONTH Chrism Mass ‘We have heard for The Chrism Mass, celebrated annually in the weeks before Easter, was March 17, 2016, ourselves that this is the at Sacred Heart Cathedral in San Angelo. The bishop uses the occasion to bless Chrism savior of the world’ oil, the Oil of Catechumens By Kevin Lenius and Oil of the Sick to be used in parishes around the diocese for the coming year. Gazing out the window from my room on the 5th floor of St. (Photo by Becca Sankey Joseph’s hall of Conception Seminary College I can easily look Nelson) upon the few acres of clustered, redbrick build- ings that have been my home away from home for the last four years of my life. It’s a rather simple place — just a few buildings gathered around a Benedictine monastery in rural, north- west Missouri. Yet when you step away from DIOCESAN BRIEFS the area and look back upon the abbey and seminary, it’s easy to see the rather extraordi- Women’s Vocations Retreat of their father. I put my grief on hold, making sure my nary impact it has. The Basilica Church towers MIDLAND — Retreat for women interested in becoming son and daughter were on their way to recovery first. into the sky piercing the horizon of empty farm- Lenius a Sister If you are a woman who wants to understand When my daughter left home, I found myself with an more about this call from God, you are invited to attend a empty nest and unable to move forward in the grief land with the cross of Jesus Christ, the two forward steeples day-retreat on April 9 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in process. Feeling lost and lonely, I attended a ringing their bells, calling the monks to prayer. Midland. Women must be between the ages of 18 and 40 Beginning Experience weekend and, at that weekend, I The sight of these towers will forever move my heart to be and be single. Contact Sr. Elsa at 432-682-6303 or email came to understand that I was not alone. I learned to grateful to God for all that he has done for me through this at [email protected] to register. start to live anew as a single person and put closure to my marriage of twenty-three years. I became a team small community tucked away in the rolling hills of Missouri. It Beginning Experience Retreat member and continue to be a part of this wonderful is here that I have met someone special, and I met him in many healing ministry.” ways I did not expect SAN ANGELO — Did your marriage end because of When I became a seminarian for the diocese in February of death or divorce? Are you separated and wondering Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat how to make the right decision so you can go on with LUBBOCK — If you feel like you are being crushed 2012, I thought I knew what was in store for me. I was coming life with no regrets? Do you struggle with the death of by the weight of abortion pain, consider a Rachel’s to the seminary to learn about how to be a priest, and while in a mother, father, sibling or other loved one? Vineyard retreat, a safe place to share your story and many respects this has been true, the horizons of learning have On April 15–17, 2016, Christ the King Retreat Center find healing. The next retreat scheduled in the area will in San Angelo will be hosting a Beginning Experience be in Lubbock, April 15-17, 2016. For more informa- been much broader than I thought. Now that I am about to weekend. It begins on Friday evening at 8:00 p.m. and tion, call Kathy Krile, 806-577-5912. graduate from college seminary, I can see that I principally ends on Sunday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. All you need ACTS Golf Tournament have learned two things: who I am, and who Jesus is. for the weekend is some comfortable clothes and a will- Seminary has graced me with the opportunity to come to terms ingness to heal. The San Angelo ACTS Community will host a 4-Person The Beginning Experience weekend is open to men Scramble golf tournament benefitting ACTS, Saturday, with myself, to understand who I am, and to accept what I find. and women of all faiths who have suffered the loss of a April 30, 2016, at Quicksand Golf Course in San I have come to realize that I am a sinner… a sinner redeemed spouse or loved one, and assistance may be available Angelo. Shotgun start at 1 p.m. Entry fees are $75 per by the mercy of God! Once I was given the grace of this self- for those in need. For more information you may visit player and registrations must be in by April 28. Cas or contact us at: Christ the King Retreat Center (325) prizes, Closest-to-the-Pin and Longest drive. Call Edna knowledge, I have had the experience of encountering Jesus 651-5352, (432) 288-2712, (325) 669-2623, via email at Gomez, 325-650-5406 as a real person, not just a lofty idea or distant deity. Jesus has [email protected] or on our website at come to me, made himself known, loved me, and is teaching www.beginningexperience.org. Beginning Experience St. Vincent parish to celebrate me how to love him. is a program that addresses all your hurts and losses and helps you find new strength to go on with life. pastor’s 25th anniversary In the end, my time at Conception has given me the opportu- There is hurt…….there is loss………there is a feeling ABILENE — The parish of St. Vincent Pallotti nity to meet Jesus Christ, our redeemer who is madly in love of emptiness that sweeps over you when you are griev- Catholic Church, 2525 Westview in Abilene, will cele- brate the 25th Anniversary of Father Terry Brenon to with us. I have encountered him in myself, in the unbelievable ing the death of a loved one or the loss of a spouse friendships I have made with my brother seminarians, in the due to divorce, separation, or death. In the midst of the priesthood. A Mass of this overwhelming pain, most people wonder how they Thanksgiving is scheduled for Eucharist, and in the face of others. As I prepare to move on to will be able to go on living. As days turn into weeks Sunday, June 5, 2016 at 10 am. graduate studies at St. Mary’s Seminary in Houston, I look for- Father Terry was ordained by Most and weeks into months, people find themselves going ward to continuing priestly formation for the diocese and experi- through their daily routines. Nearly each person experi- Rev. Michael D. Pfeifer, OMI, Bishop encing this type of loss expresses a sense of being of San Angelo at the Cathedral of the encing what Christ wishes to teach me there. I can only hope ‘numb’ and merely ‘going through the motions’ of daily Sacred Heart, San Angelo, on May that he will form me into a true man of love – a lover of myself, life. Many wonder how others seem to be enjoying life 25, 1991. Assigned to St. Vincent of him, and of his people, the Church. As for now, I can only Pallotti Church in 2005, he serves as while they just exist. echo the words of the Samaritans after having heard the wit- A former participant puts it this way, “It had been four pastor of St. Vincent Pallotti and Our years since my husband’s sudden death. I was left Mother of Mercy Mission in Merkel. In ness of the woman at the well: “We no longer believe because with a nineteen-year-old son and fifteen year old his priestly service, the Midland native has served of your word; for we have heard for ourselves, and we know daughter. My children and I were devastated and I parishes in Fort Stockton, Sanderson, Coyanosa, that this is truly the savior of the world.” (Jn 4:42) spent the first few years helping them deal with the loss Imperial, Stanton, Lenorah, San Angelo, Carlsbad, Sterling City, Abilene and Merkel. The Angelus APRIL 2016 Page 5

WYD Pilgrim Cross begins journey through diocese Pilgrim Cross Visits By Becca Nelson Sankey The World Youth Day Pilgrim Cross (photo at left) will stop at many parishes A large wooden cross, its gleaming in the Diocese of San Angelo before brown surface etched with the words July 30, 2016, the date of the World “Blessed are the merciful…,” was at the Youth Day-USA event at San Angelo’s heart of Palm Sunday Mass at Cathedral McNease Convention Center. Following Church of the Sacred Heart when is a schedule of when the cross will be Bishop Michael Sis blessed it before at each parish: beginning its journey through the San Angelo Diocese. APRIL Following the Mass on March 20, the 6 — Brownwood, St. Mary Pilgrim Cross was transported from San 9 — Abilene, Sacred Heart Angelo to Abilene. Throughout the spring 13 — Abilene, St. Vincent and summer months leading up to World 16 — Sweetwater, Holy Spirit 20 — Big Spring, Holy Trinity Youth Day on July 30, the cross will trav- 23 — Stanton, St. Joseph el many miles visiting parishes in 29 27 — Midland, St. Stephen counties (see schedule at right). 30 — Midland, St. Ann “This large cross will serve to focus MAY our prayerful preparation for our local 4 — Garden City, St. Lawrence World Youth Day event,” Sis said in a 7 — Midland, San Miguel news release from the Catholic Diocese 11 — Odessa, St. Joseph/St. Anthony of San Angelo. 14 — Andrews, Our Lady of Lourdes Simultaneous to the journey of the 18 — Odessa, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Pilgrim Cross, a World Youth Day cross Young adults pose with Bishop Michael J. Sis and the diocesan Pilgrim Cross at Sacred Heart 21 — Odessa, St. Mary Cathedral, March 20, 2016, when the bishop blessed the cross. (Photo by Becca N. Sankey) 25 — Odessa, Holy Redeemer has been blessed at St. Peter’s Basilica 28 — Crane, Good Shepherd in Rome and is being transported from Pope Francis that no young person Poland, they’ll be taking the prayers throughout Europe. should be excluded.” with them that they received at each JUNE World Youth Day, an encounter with In answering both Pope Francis’ and parish. They’ll offer the prayers up at 1 — McCamey, Sacred Heart the pope, is held in a different country Bishop Sis’ calls to include the diocese’s each site they visit in Poland.” 4 — Ft. Stockton, Our Lady of Guadalupe every three years, according to a website young adults, the Church is letting them After its journey around West Texas, 8 — Sheffield, Good Shepherd for the event. Instituted by Pope John know “the Church needs them, the the Pilgrim Cross will return to San 11 — Ozona, Our Lady Paul II, the first WYD was held in 1986 Church loves them, and we are listening Angelo on July 30, when a diocesan cel- 15 — Sonora, St. Ann in Rome. This year’s event will be in to them,” Ruiz said. ebration will be held at the McNease 22 — Menard, Sacred Heart 25 — Brady, St. Patrick Krakow, Poland. Garcia said a young adult represent- Convention Center in conjunction with Eleven people from the San Angelo ing each of the 35 parishes hosting the the World Youth Day vigil in Poland, JULY Diocese will travel to WYD, said Sister cross was provided a resource book of Garcia said. The event will include com- 2 — Wall, St. Ambrose Adelina Garcia, OSF, the associate ideas on how to celebrate during the munication via Skype between young 9 — Rowena/Olfen/Miles, St. Joseph director of the diocese’s Office of cross’ stay. adults observing WYD in San Angelo 13 — San Angelo, Sacred Heart Cathedral Evangelization and Catechesis for Youth “The parishes will have the cross for and those who attend the event in Poland, 20 — San Angelo, St. Margaret and Young Adult Ministry. approximately three days,” she said. Garcia said, as well as live, international 23 — Eldorado, Our Lady of Guadalupe “This is the first time we’re doing a “They’ll have a pilgrimage, a day of streaming. 30 — Eldorado, Special Procession stateside diocesan event” in conjunction prayers, a retreat – whatever they want with World Youth Day, said Roselva to do. When our young adults visit (Please See CROSS/19) Ruiz, event chair. “It has been asked Catholic missionaries are often today’s unsung heroes By Dr. Lorenzo Penafiel of hero is a person “of distinguished will be forever remembered, honored and brothers, nuns and laymen all over the courage or ability, admired for his venerated. Who does not know of world serving in different countries of Every day we read or hear about achievements and noble qualities, and Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, varying cultures and religious beliefs. heroes in our country. Some are men who has performed a heroic act and is Jr., Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa, or Some are doctors, nurses, engineers, edu- and women in uniform – in the military, regarded as a model or ideal.” Most Mahatma Gandhi, just to name a few cators, and other professionals who give police officers, firemen who are in the often we regard the heroic act as a single ”successful heroic leaders”? One writer up their wealth, take the risk of their service of their country and/or in their deed of courage, bravery, and sacrifice to names the following characteristics com- assignments in dangerous parts of the line of duty. Some are ordinary citizens save the life of another, help someone in mon to this kind of hero: courage, self- world, and live without the conveniences from all walks of life who have done distress, prevent destruction of property, lessness, sacrifice, compassion, humility, they had at home. They take care of incredible acts in a single occasion when or win the battle against the enemy. And patience, passion, and dedication. And orphaned children, they provide medical someone is in danger or needs help for soon we forget the name of the hero. for a missionary like Mother Teresa I care to indigenous people who have some other reason. Whether they are But there are many great leaders in would add “faith.” never seen a doctor, they distribute food awarded a medal, lauded in the media, this world whom we consider heroes too, Our Catholic missionaries today share to refugees, they help victims of natural honored as a celebrity or not, they all not for just a single heroic act but for the same characteristics. Their heroic deserve our praise and gratitude. their distinguished traits, noble qualities, acts are not one single incident – they are (Please See MISSIONARIES/20) What is a hero? One simple definition and exemplary characteristics and who lifetime commitments. They are priests, Page 6 APRIL 2016 The Angelus

Fr. W.E. and Sandie Knickerbocker Renewing our commitment to merciful living By Fr. Knick and Sandie Knickerbocker

Pope Francis, in his gift of this Jubilee Year of Mercy, said, "How much I desire that the year to come will be steeped in mercy, so that we can go out to every man and woman, bringing the goodness and tenderness of God!" What is mercy? "The Gospel is the revelation in Jesus Christ of God's mercy to sin- ners" (CCC1849). Divine Mercy is the Gospel--the Good News! It is the Good News of God's love meet- Our Lady of San Juan Confirmation ing us where we are and helping us The 2014-2015 Our Lady of San Juan-Odessa Confirmation class. The photo was taken at Holy Redeemer in the midst of our sin and suffer- Church, where Our Lady of San Juan is a mission parish. (Photo by Alan Torre / aptorre.com) ing. Mercy is "love's second name" (Dives in Misericordia 7). In Jesus Christ, mercy and truth have met. Having just observed Divine Mercy Sunday, it is appropriate that we renew in our minds and hearts Jesus' call and, therefore, the Church's call: "Be merciful just as your Father is merciful" (Lk 6:36). How can we, busy people, live out mercy day-to- day? Receive God's mercy. Jesus waits for us in the confes- sional. By the authority given the priest, Jesus ministers to us in the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) and gifts us with forgiveness, healing, and rest for our souls. Apologize and ask forgiveness of those we have wronged. Pray for the grace to say, "I'm sorry; please for- give me." That simple act will help to bring peace to our family, workplace, school, and community — as well as to ourselves. Pray for the grace to forgive in our past. Most of us Artist’s rendering of the new live with hurts from our past that we find difficult to let Angelo Catholic Middle School go. Unforgiveness is poison to our souls. Jesus tells us to forgive "seventy-times-seven times": there are no limits on forgiveness. We can ask God to grace our will to want to forgive and then to forgive — both those who are liv- Angelo Catholic Middle School to open in fall ing and those who are deceased. Show mercy to our family. Do we find it the most dif- The Angelus for May 2016. Completion of the dents of all religious, racial, ethnic, and ficult of all situations to live mercifully with our family expansion project with will be income backgrounds in grades K-6. members? We can make a list of family members and SAN ANGELO— San Angelo spring 2017. For interested students and par- beside each name write one way to show mercy during and surrounding area families will “Catholic schools make a tremen- ents, registration is available online the remainder of this Year of Mercy: a visit, phone call, have another option for their child’s dous impact on forming the whole at Angelocatholicschool.org or call note, helping with tasks, listening, showing respect, for- education when Angelo Catholic person spiritually, intellectually, and Angelo Catholic School at 325-949- giving and asking forgiveness. By the end of this Jubilee School expands with the opening of socially,” Bishop Michael Sis said. 1747 to schedule a tour. Year, we will have habituated some aspects of merciful a middle school. “The expansion of Angelo Catholic An open house for prospective living that will make a difference in the quality of our A seventh grade will be added in School represents a welcome students will be held on April 13 the fall of 2016, with an eighth growth of Catholic education in the from 5-7 p.m. at the Angelo (Please See KNICKERBOCKER/23) grade to begin in the fall of 2017. Diocese of San Angelo.” Catholic School Campus, 2315 A & A groundbreaking is scheduled Angelo Catholic currently serves stu- M Avenue in San Angelo. The Angelus APRIL 2016 Page 7

Speaking of Saints St. Peter de Betancur begged on street for sick

By Mary Lou Gibson

Peter de Betancur was a poor shepherd of his family’s small flock in Villaflores on the island of Tenerife in the early 17th century. As a young boy, Peter learned to see Pilgrims listen as Pope God in everything around him. When he heard about the Francis celebrates Mass poor people of the “West Indies” (including present day in Ciudad Juarez, Guatemala), he felt called to take the Mexico, Feb. 17. Christian message to them. So with little money and no for- mal education, he set sail for Mexican bishop details merciful plan for migrants Guatemala hoping to connect with a relative who was working in govern- By Alma Perez and unbending principles for the sake violation to human rights. Special to The Angelus of their own self-respect. We need to 2. Find ways to mantain the dig- ment service there. Editor Bernard strengthen our social and pastoral nity of the migrants by proposing Bangley writes in “Butler’s Lives of SAN ANGELO — Bishops at the bonds with them as they arrive at our laws and more humane and just treat- the Saints” that he ran out of money Tex-Mex Border Bishops Meeting, borders. Our solidarity with them, ment for the migrants. in Cuba and had to work as a deck Feb.29-Mar. 2, consented that since especially the vulnerable minor chil- 3. Commit ourselves along with Gibson hand to pay for the remainder of his we are tied to the border, the critical dren from Honduras, El Salvador and the dioceses of the migrants in our journey. question of immigration needs to be Guatemala, will protect these chil- pastoral work to open our churches to After landing in Honduras, Peter walked to Guatemala regarded as a common pastoral issue dren from further harm as they settle restore the dignity of these people. City. He was now so poor that he had to stand in line for for the bishops and archbishops of in a new country in a Catholic envi- 4. Strengthen the pastoral and food each day at the Franciscan friary. This proved to be the 16 border dioceses and archdioce- ronment.” social relationships, such as the sup- a good place for him because he met Fr. Fernando ses represented at the meeting. One of the priests at the bi-annual port that was given by Archbishop Espino there. The priest became Peter’s lifelong friend San Antonio Archbishop Gustavo meeting, Father José Guadalupe García-Siller to the Central American and helped him find work in a textile factory. García-Siller eloquently delivered his Valdéz Alvarado from Piedras minors who were mutilated on the A short time later Peter started studies for the priest- homily at the noon Mass, March 1, at Negras, Coahuila, has proposed the “La Bestia” train in Mexico. hood at the Jesuit College in San Borgia. But, he later the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in following four points in order for us In his recent trip to Mexico, Pope withdrew when this proved to be too difficult for him. San Angelo and urged us to not con- to maintain the maternal presence of Francis declared that “we need to Still drawn to the religious life, Peter sought help from vert “faith, dignity and family” val- the Church alive in our faith and in bathe with balm the tired feet of his confessor, Fr. Manuel Lobo, who invited him to join ues into a political issue. the spirit of charity: these migrants who traverse our fron- the Franciscan Order as a lay brother. “Our border is in the path of the 1. Establish shelters to make tier when they abandon their roots in Peter, however, felt that God wanted him to remain in migration of thousands of people migrants feel at home and maintain search of a better life. As brothers we the world and in 1655 he joined the Third Order of St. who flee from Mexico and Central a clear dialogue with the municipal, need to follow them and reach their America,” he said. “These migrants state and federal authorities as we souls beyond the border.” Francis. Matthew Bunson writes in “John Paul II’s Book need to be treated with compassion participate and denounce any type of of Saints” that he took the name of Peter of St. Joseph. He then started his work among the poor founding a hospital called “Our Lady of Bethlehem,” a hostel for the El Paso, Juarez ‘one city with a line across it’ homeless, schools for the poor and abandoned children and an oratory. Throughout his life, the Child of By Jimmy Patterson close to the Papal Mass across the with a line drawn across it,” said Bethlehem was the focus of Peter’s spiritual meditation West Texas Angelus Rio Grande as they could legally Bishop Seitz, speaking at the con- according to several biographers. get, being a country away. The VIP clusion of the biannual Tex-Mex Bunson writes that Peter supported the hospital and his EL PASO — The Diocese of El group was comprised of the home- Border Bishops Meeting in San other charitable institutions by begging on the streets. He Paso helped coordinate celebrations less, refugees and migrants. For at Angelo. “We are two nations of begged for alms to endow the Masses celebrated by poor of two different groups during Pope least on this one day, those were great pride but at the same time we priests and also encouraged Masses to be celebrated in Francis’ February visit to neighbor- the dignitaries, the honored guests. recognize there is more that unites the early hours so that the poor might attend. ing Ciudad Juarez. One group, The coordination and working us than divides us.” He also started the practice of gathering children to numbering in the tens of thousands, together required to make sure the On the subject of the recent con- sing the Seven Joys of the Franciscan Rosary on each filled the Sun Bowl Stadium on the papal visit came off without a troversial political issue of building August 18 to honor the Blessed Mother, a custom that campus of the University of Texas hitch, El Paso Bishop Mark Seitz a wall between the two countries, still continues in Guatemala. at El Paso. The other, known as said, was a shining example of the Bishop Seitz said the people of El “Pope Francis’ VIPs,” were seated unity that exists across the border. (Please See SAINTS/21) along the border at a location as “We’re really like one big city (Please See EL PASO/21) Page 8 APRIL 2016 The Angelus Pope names Fr. Emilio Hard to say ‘I’m sorry’ a Missionary of Mercy Penitence and the By Jimmy Patterson Editor / The Angelus science of remorse SAN ANGELO — Father Emilio Sosa, pastor of St. Joseph’s Dr. Greg Popcak Catholic Church in San Angelo, has been named a Missionary of Mercy by Pope Francis. The designation is the second in the dio- Lent is a time of reparation. A season of sorrow for sins cese by the Holy Father. Fr. Sam Matthiesen, of Holy Family Parish committed and expressions of a sincere desire to reform our in Abilene, was named a Missionary of Mercy earlier this year. lives. But what does it mean to be sorry ? What are the com- The designations were made in dioceses throughout the world in ponents of real remorse? 2016, proclaimed by Pope Francis as the Jubilee Year of Mercy. Whether we are expressing sorrow to “It is a great experience to have something that has come direct- God, a spouse, family member, or friend, ly from the pope,” Fr. Emilio said. “After my ordination this is the it can be hard to say, "I'm sorry." It can biggest thing I have experienced. Every priest should be merciful be even harder to say it well. and we don’t really need a title, but this is a great thing for me. Sometimes, when people say that they Out of love and obedience to our Holy Father I receive it." are sorry to us, we can feel like there is Fr. Emilio was ordained as a priest in the Diocese of San something missing. Often, it's because Angelo in 2006. He was raised by nuns in a Mexican convent and there is. But what? As we express our orphanage from the age of two, until he entered the seminary. sorrow to God this Lent for the ways that For the Holy Year, which runs until Nov. 20, 2016, Pope Francis our lives do not reflect his plan for us, it said he would designate Missionaries of Mercy to be unique signs can be important to make sure our "I'm of God's mercy. Pope Francis is giving the Missionaries of Mercy Popcak sorry's" have all the components of sin- special authority during the Jubilee Year of Mercy to pardon sins cere remorse. Researchers note that good that carry penalties that only the Holy See can lift. apologies involve three ingredients; empathy, restitution, “There are more than 2,000 Catholic priests in Texas. Pope objective criteria. Francis designated only four of them as Missionaries of Mercy. Empathy: When people offer a sincere apology rooted not in Two of those four are from our own diocese – Father Emilio and obligation but genuine remorse, they tend to express a real Father Sam,” Bishop Michael Sis said. “We are blessed to have a emotional understanding of how their actions hurt us. "I am presbyterate that is so well represented in this historic endeavor.” Fr. Emilio Sosa, pastor of St. Joseph’s SO sorry for doing that. I NEVER meant to treat you that More than 700 of the 1,000 missionaries were blessed at a Church in San Angelo (Photo by Karen J. way. I know how badly you were hurt. Please forgive me." Mass in Rome on Ash Wednesday. Fr. Sosa was unable to attend. Patterson) The truly remorseful person doesn't make excuses or tell the person they hurt that they were " just kidding" or that the wounded party needs to get a thicker skin or a better sense of ‘Healing Power of the Father’s Love’ comes to Midland humor. They understand the impact of their actions and they let you know that they feel your pain. When we express our The Angelus those who are prayer leaders. I focus on healing our sorrow to God this Lent, are we going through the motions of image of God, our identity, the power of forgiveness repentance, or are we allowing ourselves to express genuine MIDLAND — Christ Church Anglican, 5501 N. in healing, healing of Father’s love for those with sorrow for the pain God feels when we reject his attempts to Midkiff Road in Midland, presents “The Healing Power mother and father wounds and suffering from shame.” love us and make us whole? of the Father’s Love: A Conference on the Practice of Johnson said, “Whenever a mother or father walks Restitution: When people offer a sincere apology they don't Healing Ministry in the Church.” The two-day confer- out of the front door of our lives through abandon- just "say the magic words." They offer a plan for making ence, April 22-23, 2016, will be led by Dr. Joe Johnson, ment, abuse, addictions, absence (emotional) or abdi- things right again. Or, if they don't know what to do to make founder and director of Heart of the Father Ministry. cation of responsibilities, shame walks in the back it right, they ask you what you need them to do to heal the hurt Dr. Johnson, a former Lutheran pastor turned lay door. Jesus’ heals shame through speaking the truth their actions caused. They say things like, "The next time I Catholic evangelist, will discuss Christian ideals first that I belong to His love and not the lie that something feel that angry about something, I'm going to this instead of introduced in the Gospels and their relevance in our is wrong with me. We experience Jesus’ presence in a that. " or, "I really want to make this right. What can I do to modern-day society, including: memory (we remember in pictures) and see where earn your trust again?" Restitution isn't about asking people 4 The command of Jesus to go out and heal the sick. Jesus is and what He wants us to know.” 4 to jump through hoops for the sake of watching them dance. It How can the healing power of love be applied to The conference begins at 6:30 p.m., Friday, April 22. is about committing to the process of reconciliation; healing you and your loved ones? The conference reconvenes Saturday at 8:30 a.m., and the wounds our actions caused. When we confess our sins this 4 Healing prayer concludes with a 3:15 p.m. Healing Prayer Service. 4 Lent, have we put some time into how we would handle simi- Hearing the Father’s voice St. Stephen’s and St. Ann’s are co-sponsoring the lar problem-situations differently in the future? Hearing the 4 Experiencing the Father’s love as daily bread event, along with First Presbyterian Church, Christ 4 words, "I absolve you" is just the beginning. How will we let Getting to know the Father that Jesus knows Church Anglican and ACTHeals.org. the grace of that absolution compel us to heal the wounds our Johnson’s Heart of the Father Ministry focuses on A freewill love offering will be taken up. A box actions have caused those we love, and make sure to avoid healing prayer counseling, mentoring pastors and lead- lunch will be available for $10. those problem behaviors the next time we are tempted to go ers, training the Body of Christ in spiritual formation Register online at www.ccanglican.com. down a similar path? and Jesus’ healing ministry. For registration information, contact Francis Hymel, Objective Criteria: Truly sorrowful people doesn't hide out “During our seminar we experience inner healing at 432.638.2482 or [email protected], or Jon behind the belief that "the REAL problem" is that others are and learn how to minister healing prayer with others,” and Dale Stasney, 432.682.5133 or two fishers@sud- expecting too much of them. If we are truly sorry, we recog- Johnson said. “Everyone will benefit including those denlink.net. (Please See POPCAK/20) with little experience in healing prayer as well as The Angelus APRIL 2016 Page 9         CALENDAR (cont’d)                                (continued from 3)                       ! " " #                     CHRIST THE KING RETREAT CENTER $  %  &                  APRIL   % '() *$) +                8-10 Deacon Formation 11-14 Episcopal Diocese of NWTX Clergy , '    '-. "              Conference   - #                      15-17 Beginning Experience         /                18 Heart of Mercy Prayer Grp , 0, *-.1 +               21-24 San Angelo Women’s ACTS Retreat   2 ) .'                     25 Heart of Mercy Prayer Grp 3"#   ( " .               26 Deacon Quarterly   / '- 4)                   29-30 First United Methodist %   1 "'% /                  - " ,                  MAY   (              1 CKRC Confirmation Retreat (  "                2-4 Episcopal Diocese of NWTX Fresh Start              Conference 7 Sierra Vista Methodist Church Retreat 9 Heart of Mercy Prayer Grp            13-15 Deacon Formation ,     1" /54      16 Heart of Mercy Prayer Group 6 7 -    19 DOSA Staff Mass & Lunch #            20-22 Engaged Encounter , !  1"     22 Natural Family Planning -   8 !     23 Heart of Mercy Prayer Group    8 !  27-29 Blessing Team 69 3 "'     30 Heart of Mercy Prayer Group (  % '     7 5#    6 "  JUNE :  6   3-5 Deacon Formation -  ( ".    6-10 Lubbock Priests Annual Retreat  "  "; !.6 "    13 Heart of Mercy Prayer Group 16-19 Women’s Small Town ACTS "    20 Heart of Mercy Prayer Group # ""        23-24-Girls Chrysalis 3 9     27-Heart of Mercy Prayer Group < 7.6 "    9    ( " .         *** 6. - .    PRIESTLY ORDINATIONS " '#  .()   MAY =   8 !     8 — Fr. Mamachan Joseph (1986)             13 — Fr. Bhaskar Morugudi (1999) 14 — Fr. Hugh Wade (1977) 24 — Msgr. Benedict Zientek (1958)           25 — Fr. Tom Barley (1991) 25 — Fr. Terry Brenon (1991) 25 — Fr. Martin Hibbs (2012) 26 — Msgr. James Bridges (1962) Bishop: Analysis of second collections provides 27 — Fr. Charles Greenwell (1982) 27 — Fr. Luis Hernandez (1995) 27 — Msgr. Fred Nawarskas (1967) a ‘tremendous testimony’ to generosity in diocese 27 — Fr. Mark Woodruff (1972) By Bishop Michael J. Sis to support that cause. world, and to participate intentionally in 29 — Msgr. Bernard Gully (1962) Through our parishes, each one of us the life and evangelizing mission of the 30 — Msgr.Timothy Schwertner (1965) Sometimes second collections in participates in a global community of Church. 31 — Fr. Joey Faylona (2003) Mass can feel bothersome. However, faith. When we contribute to a special In this issue of the Angelus, we are 31 — Fr. Gilbert Rodriguez (1974) when we understand the logic behind collection, we remember that, despite publishing the total amounts given in 31 — Fr. Rodney White (2003) them, we can appreciate them as oppor- our local difficulties, there are many special collections over the past few who have far less than we do. We share years. It is a tremendous testimony of NECROLOGY tunities to make wise and deliberate 2 — Rev. Russell Schultz (2004) decisions about our charitable works. what we can as an expression of our the generosity of Catholics in the gratitude to God and our solidarity with Diocese of San Angelo. May God who 5 — Rev. Clifford Blackburn, OMI (2005) Whenever a second collection is being 7 — Msgr. Kevin Heyburn (2001) taken up, each one of us should consid- our brothers and sisters in greatest need. has inspired your acts of generosity 9 — Rev. Leo Diersing (1999) er the particular cause that is being sup- The various special collections are bring them to fulfillment in the 9 — Rev. Tom Diab (2007) ported, and choose how much we want opportunities to hear the good news of Kingdom of God. 15 — Deacon Wayne Rock (2006) the Church at home and around the 28 — Rev. Francis Hynes, C.M.(1996) Page 10 APRIL 2016 The Angelus Nation / Vatican EWTN foundress Mother Angelica dies at 92 WASHINGTON (CNS) — Mother Angelica Archbishop Kurtz was one of several nings can yield abundant fruit." "reflected the Gospel commission to go forth Catholic leaders who took note of the March Archbishop Charles J. Chaput of and make disciples of all nations" said 27 death of Mother Angelica, pictured at left, a Philadelphia, who served on the EWTN board Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Poor Clare of Perpetual Adoration, who found- of directors for many years, called Mother Kentucky, president of the U.S. bishops' con- ed the Eternal Word Television Network. Angelica "a woman of extraordinary faith, ference. Virtually all of them, at one time or another, intelligence, energy and determination." He "Like the best evangelists, she used the com- had appeared on EWTN. added he "saw firsthand the tremendously pos- munications tools of her time to make this "Her work, begun in the cloister, reached itive impact her work for Jesus Christ had on happen. She displayed a unique capacity for across the globe," Archbishop Kurtz said in a many millions of people." mission and showed the world once again the March 28 statement. "She was a convincing vital contribution of women religious." sign as to how even the humblest of begin- (Please See ANGELICA/21)

Pope on Easter: Pope Benedict frail, but mind lucid Reconcile with God, VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Although retired Pope Benedict Pope Benedict XVI, right, XVI is growing more frail, there are with Pope Francis find hope in others (CNS Photo) no particular concerns or worries VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Easter is a feast of regarding his health, a Vatican hope, a celebration of God's mercy and a call to spokesman said. pray for and assist all who suffer, Pope Francis said Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, before giving his solemn blessing "urbi et orbi" (to the Vatican spokesman, issued a the city and the world). statement March 25 following an The risen Jesus "makes us sharers of his immortal interview with Archbishop Georg life and enables us to see with his eyes of love and Ganswein, the retired pope's person- compassion those who hunger and thirst, strangers al secretary, in which the archbishop and prisoners, the marginalized and the outcast, the said Pope Benedict was slowly victims of oppression and violence," the pope said "fading." March 27 after celebrating Easter morning Mass. "In April, Pope Benedict XVI Easter in Rome dawned bright and sunny; in St. turns 89 years old. He is like a can- Peter's Square, the steps leading up to the basilica dle that is slowly, serenely fading, were turned into an abundant garden with thousands as it happens with many of us. He is of tulips, daffodils and flowering bushes. On Easter morning, the pope does not give a calm, in peace with God, with him- homily. Instead, with hands clasped in prayer and self and the world," Archbishop head bowed, he led the tens of thousands of people Ganswein told the Italian magazine in the square in silent reflection. BenEssere. After Mass, before giving his solemn blessing, The retired pope's personal secre- Pope Francis said Easter should give people the tary added that Pope Benedict still courage to "blaze trails of reconciliation with God retains "his refined, subtle sense of and with all our brothers and sisters." humor" and remains fond of cats. Speaking about Christ's power over death and sin, "Contessa and Zorro, two cats that the pope prayed that the Lord would touch places in live in our gardens, come often to the globe scarred by war, terrorism, poverty and say hello to the pope emeritus," he environmental destruction. said. "The risen Christ points out paths of hope to After questions were raised beloved Syria, a country torn by a lengthy conflict, regarding the aging pontiff's health, with its sad wake of destruction, death, contempt for Father Lombardi said his condition "(Pope Benedict's) mind is perfectly Benedict reflected on the theme of humanitarian law and the breakdown of civil con- "does not raise any particular con- lucid as we recently witnessed in mercy as a "sign of the times" that cord," the pope said. "To the power of the risen cerns." his extraordinary interview with an shows how, deep down, people still Lord we entrust the talks now in course." "Of course, it is part of the effects Italian publication." experience a need for God. He prayed that the power of the Resurrection of old age and a gradual, growing In that interview, published in "Mercy is what moves us toward would "overcome hardened hearts and promote a fragility of the physical condition as mid-March with Belgian Jesuit God, while justice makes us tremble fruitful encounter of peoples and cultures," particu- larly in Iraq, Yemen, Libya and the Holy Land. with any elderly person," he said. Father Jacques Servais, Pope in his sight," he said. (Please See EASTER/21) The Angelus APRIL 2016 Page 11 From the Editor A lesson once unlearned

(Editor’s Note: The following column was originally published on Good Friday on the author’s Facebook page.)

By Jimmy Patterson

Several years ago, nearly 20 by now, when our kids were kids and I was too in many ways, we would take meals to people on Tuesdays in the summer. Karen and I saw it as a teaching opportunity. And the kids still remember it today. Together, we met all sorts of fascinating people. We were really taken with one woman. Miss Jimmie was her name. One summer the kids hand- crafted Miss Jimmie a birthday card and a smile spread across her face as she opened it. When July gave way to August and school began again, visits with Miss Jimmie and the others ended for the year. When school was over the next May, we piled in the car again for our summertime routine. When we Patterson stopped at Miss Jimmie’s, the kids noticed that thumb- tacked to her living room wall, almost a year later, was that handcrafted birthday card. We met another woman during those hot months. She lived in a small wood frame house where a cattywampus screened door feebly tried to keep the flies out. Each week, the kids would rap on that door and it would rattle up against the doorjamb. It became a sound syn- onymous with those summers. The woman, Alice was her name, would walk slowly to us each week. Her hair tucked haphazardly underneath a cloth bonnet, she had to be in her 70s. I remember her being sight-challenged in some way, and through the summers of our visits, it became apparent that Alice suffered with some type of learning difficulty. It may have been age, or something longer-term, but she lived alone and was able to care for herself. And she only spoke when it was absolutely necessary. And she would always say the same thing. Every week. Her words were always unchanged. Over and over. She was insistent. Confident. Never wavering. Perpetual. For a while, the kids were taken aback, maybe even a little intimidat- ed. They had never met anyone like Alice. But when three or four weeks passed, and the same words came, over and over, the kids learned she was just like them, trying her best to face the challenges of her life. The words she spoke so often even rattled me. What she said I had not really heard before. I was at a point in my life, still a young guy with not much wisdom, and certain pieces to the puzzle just didn’t have the weight they do today. But when Alice spoke, what she said would stay with me. I would think about it for a while, at least until something else pushed its way into my head and the echo of her words fizzled away until the next week or the next summer. But each time she spoke, it would make me stop and think. I did have a basic understanding, just not an understanding that took hold with any definitiveness on my uninspired path. “By his stripes we are healed.” Over and over. “By his stripes we are healed.” It was all she ever said in three summers. “By his stripes we are healed.” She may have suffered from a learning issue. But Alice knew what she needed to know. And I may not have fully understood what her A young adult from St. Mary’s Church in Odessa conveys the image of Christ on the cross during the words meant then. But I understand them today. school’s Passion Play on Good Friday (Photo by Alan P. Torre / aptorre.com). Especially today. Page 12A APRIL Pictorial 2016 Journey The Angelus The Angelus thru APRILHoly 2016 Week Page 13

At left, Fr. Francis Onyekozuru and Deacon Jesus Napoles, at St. Ann’s in Midland, welcome the faithful with palms on PALM SUNDAY. (Photo by Jimmy Patterson)

Fr. Frank Chavez, at left, washes Fr. Michael Rodriguez, pastor at Odessa’s Holy Redeemer Church, lights a bonfire as part of Easter the feet of young Vigil Mass, HOLY SATURDAY (Photo by Alan P. Torre). parishioners on HOLY THURSDAY at St. Joseph in Odessa. (Photo by Alan P. Torre) The Holy Redeemer-Odessa youth group in Odessa re-enacts the Passion on GOOD FRIDAY (Photo by Alan P. Torre / aptorre.com).

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton pastor Fr. Mark Woodruff leads the Eucharistic Procession on HOLY THURSDAY .(Photo by Alan P. Torre)

MonsignorJames Bridges, of St. Stephen’s Church in Fr. Francis Onyekozuru, at right, sprinkles Holy Water on the faithful at Midland’s St. Ann’s on EASTER morning. Midland, lights a candle (Photo by Jimmy Patterson) at the beginning of Easter Vigil Mass on HOLY SATURDAY (Photo by Alan P. Torre) Additional Photos Page 24 Page 14 APRIL 2016 The Angelus

A mother and her children hold candles at the beginning of the Easter Vigil Mass at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, March 26, 2016. (Photo by Becca Nelson Sankey). Bishop to new Catholics: Be not afraid By Bishop Michael J. Sis Currently, our fellow Catholics are living the faith respond boldly to the invitation of Jesus Christ to heroically in places of modern persecution, such as deny yourself, take up your cross every day, and You are becoming members of the oldest continu- China, North Korea, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and follow him. ally existing institution in the world. Syria, to name a few. Eventually, with God’s grace, You did not sign up with us by filling out a form We outlived the cruel persecution of the powerful we will outlive the brutality of ISIS, which has online, or swiping a card, or attending a high-pow- Roman Empire, the Persian Empire, the Goths, and burned our churches, imprisoned our priests, and ered rally. You have gotten to know a living, the Vandals. beheaded our members for refusing to renounce breathing faith community in a gradual process of During the social upheavals of the Dark Ages, we Jesus Christ. becoming familiar with our beliefs and practices preserved faith, knowledge, art, music, literature, You are joining a group that has been around for through contact with regular human beings. philosophy, and the Sacred Scriptures. In the a long, long time, and we will be around until the You are joining a community that is not perfect. Middle Ages, we fostered the growth of science and end of history. We are made up of saints and sinners who some- human knowledge by founding the first universities. We have not recruited you by pressure tactics. times fail, and we are in need of constant reform Over the centuries, we have outlasted the perse- Rather, we have respectfully shared our faith with and renewal. We’re still a work in progress. cution of the British Penal Laws, King Mwanga of you and allowed you the freedom to respond We do not claim that it is easy to be a Catholic. In Uganda, the Tokugawa regime in Japan, the according to your conscience. a world of individualism, self-indulgence, violence, Mexican Constitution of 1917, the Nazis, and the We have not promised that joining our Church and moral relativism, Jesus challenges us to a life Soviet Union. We take a lickin’ and we keep on would get you an easier life or material prosperity tickin’. in this world. We have, instead, encouraged you to (Please See WELCOME/22) The Angelus APRIL 2016 Page 15 Catholic Voices Hearing and heeding the call for heightened prudence

By Fr. Eugene Hemrick to wisely cope in rough waters. in rough times. Catholic News Service In an age of instant commentaries and a plethora of ana- How do we best cultivate good judgment? Mornings in lysts and predictors, it's easy to allow them to steer our my parish on Capitol Hill in Washington often are filled by I keep hearing many of my friends say that they are course. Prudence, however, dictates we not sit on the side- large numbers of people from the government and the planning to move to Canada, given the lines, but be players on the field. This translates into seek- Supreme Court of the United States. Many come to church present political malaise in our country. ing reliable resources and consulting with knowledgeable for the quiet atmosphere of God's temple whose massive No doubt, many of us are bombarded persons to enable us to obtain intelligent control over the doors symbolize shutting out the outside world and enter- this year with negative comments, moment. ing into a contemplative atmosphere. attacks from one candidate to another, The docility called for prompts us to do our homework St. Paul points out that Christ implores us to "go into attacks among groups that support one and not leave it in the hands of others. Not only should we your room." This silence is where our deepest thoughts candidate or cause over another. How be involved physically and mentally, but we should also and affections are contained; it is the doorway through might we navigate a sound course work at making sound judgments. which we enter into our very center. Equally important, it through such growing discontent? Sound judgment is difficult to create because of a media is where sound judgment is best developed. One way to do this is to accept that explosion that bombards us continuously with overwhelm- I believe today's hectic times call us to cultivate greater we live in an age calling for heightened ing issues to consider. Making good judgments in these docility and sounder judgments: the heart of prudence and Fr. Hemrick prudence, an age prompting us to avoid complex situations is always difficult, and yet, achieving our best navigational instruments for steering through tur- throwing overboard our intellectual powers and our ability good judgments is our best means for avoiding capsizing bulence.

What God must be like ... Cartoon Corner By Fr. William Byron lot about what God is like. It presents for our Catholic News Service consideration a wonderfully generous, warm, outreaching, forgiving, understanding father who There are two abiding and important religious runs out and literally trips over himself in his questions, both significant but one more impor- hurry to gather up an errant son in a forgiving tant than the other, that we tend to confuse in embrace. their order of importance. The first is, "What is Jesus is painting a portrait in this story, a por- God like?" trait of his father. Jesus is telling us here what This is a theological ques- God is really like. tion of enormous impor- We can see ourselves in either or both of the tance, an exploration into two sons. The younger son is rebellious, irre- God, an important question sponsible, soft of character, sensuous and self- to be explored reverently in centered. The older son is judgmental, unforgiv- prayer and systematically in ing and proud of his seniority, his record, his study and reflection. hardheaded (and hardhearted) loyalty. The second important The father loves them both. Recall what he question is, "What must I says to the older son toward the end of this story do? How must I behave?" Fr. Byron when the older son bitterly complains about the This is a question of moral father's outpouring of generosity to the wayward theology, of religious ethics, a question of moral younger son. "My son," the father says to the right and wrong. older brother, "you are here with me always, Most of us tend to put the second question first everything I have is yours" (Lk 15:31). and leave the exploration into God for others Shortly after I was ordained to the priesthood who are more prayerful, more intellectual and, in 1961, a much older and wiser priest told me, presumably, more faithful. We want to make "One of the most difficult jobs you're going to sure, of course, that we live within the moral have as a priest is to convince people that God boundaries, do the right thing, do good and loves them." That sounded quite strange to me avoid evil, although we often seem to be more then; it is not at all strange now. I've had plenty concerned with avoiding evil than doing good. of experience of the difficulty of persuading peo- Avoiding evil, of course, is not unimportant, ple that God loves them. What a pity. but if we become preoccupied or, worse, "My son, [my daughter], you are with me obsessed with considerations of avoiding both always and everything I have is yours." Too bad evil and error, we might just be missing the that we find it so difficult to take him at his progress God wants us to make on the path of a word. growing awareness of how good God is and how much God loves us for ourselves, not for what Jesuit Father Byron is university professor of we do. business and society at St. Joseph's University in The Gospel story of the prodigal son tells us a Philadelphia. Email: [email protected]. Page 16 APRIL 2016 The Angelus Making Sense of Bioethics Believe it or not, some There are acceptable uses of good can come out of contraceptives for Catholics the rejection letter By Eric Rommel By Fr. Tad Pacholczyk would clearly not be an act of contraception, because there would be no consensual sexual act, Catholic News Service Contraceptives include drugs and devices like but only an act of violence and brutality forcibly condoms, the Pill, and spermicides. It might come directed against the women. Hence, this use of One of the most emotional moments of your life will be when you as a surprise to some to learn that contraceptives constituted, in its essence, an act of walk out of your college dorm room for the last time. It's undeniably the Catholic Church does not self-defense, not an act of contraception. A rapist, powerful because you are literally closing the door always oppose the “use of contra- of course, has absolutely no right to forced sexual on one path and opening the door to another path ceptives.” A couple of trivial exam- intimacy with his victim, nor does he have any of life. ples can help explain this point. The right to bring about her impregnation, and the In my case, I left something behind that door. Church would not oppose the use of woman has absolutely no moral duty to make her Taped to the wall was a rejection letter. To the per- a contraceptive spermicidal gel to eggs available to an attacker’s sperm. Hence the son who sent it, it was nothing more than a few lubricate the axle of a bicycle tire to use of contraceptives in an emergency situation words telling me they weren't interested in consid- improve its rotation, nor would it like this would be morally permissible precisely ering me for a job. To me, it was a letter from specifically oppose the use of inflat- because it would not constitute, morally speaking, someone who didn't know what he or she was missing. Rommel ed condoms as party balloons. The Pacholczyk an act of contraception, but would rather represent particular context is important. More a defensive and self-protective maneuver in a situ- That letter is one of many rejections I've received in my life. It's serious examples of acceptable con- ation of grave and imminent danger. what happens after those moments that shape the person we texts and uses for contraceptives would include The use of contraceptives can be morally accept- become. In that regard, I am no different from you, and we are no using the Pill medically to treat serious gynecolog- able in other contexts as well, again, because such different from those we hold on pedestals. ical problems, or using the Pill to block the release uses do not constitute acts of contraception. For Back in 1979, RSO Records sent a rejection letter to Paul of an egg from a woman’s ovary in a situation of example, when a woman has severe menstrual Hewson. They felt his band was not suitable for a record contract. rape to protect her from becoming pregnant from bleeding, or pain from ovarian cysts, the hormonal Today, Hewson is better known as Bono, and his band U2 has been the attack. Contrary to popular confusion, as we regimen contained in the Pill may sometimes pro- one of the most popular in the world. can see, the Church does not always oppose the vide a directly therapeutic medical treatment for The same happened to Madonna in the early 1980s. The president “use of contraceptives.” the bleeding or the pain. This use of contraceptives of a record label refused to sign her, saying she wasn't yet ready. What the Church does always oppose, however, is an act of medical therapy to address a pathologi- Soon after, she took the world by storm and never looked back. are acts of contraception. An act of contraception is cal situation, not an act of contraception. The sec- Musicians are not the only ones who face rejection. Anyone who a very particular type of disordered human action ondary effect from the treatment, namely, marital applies for a job, an internship or project stands to face rejection. that involves the decision freely to engage in mari- infertility, is only tolerated, and should not be Rejection is painful, but it isn't always bad. Those who received tal intercourse, while pursuing countermeasures in willed, desired, or intended in any way by the cou- those letters proved the sender wrong. They exceeded expectation. anticipation of, contemporaneously with, or after ple. It is worth noting that it would not be accept- When I closed my dorm room door for the final time, I left that the completion of the sexual act, to try intentional- able to make use of contraceptives like the Pill for letter behind, but not what it represented. Its memory continued to ly to block it from achieving its proper finality, these medical cases if other pharmacological motivate me. In less than a year, I had a job better than the one I had namely, the engendering of new human life. These agents or treatments were available which would not received and I started on a path to become the person I am countermeasures can include, to borrow the words offer the same therapeutic benefits and effects today. of Pope Paul VI, “any action which either before, without impeding fertility. What if things had worked out differently? That letter hung on the at the moment of, or after sexual intercourse, is In sum, while the Church has always taught that wall of my dorm room in Pennsylvania. It had been sent from a specifically intended to prevent procreation— marital acts of contraception are morally wrong, business in Idaho. What if I had received that job? It's doubtful I'd whether as an end or as a means” (Humanae Vitae, the use of contraceptives can sometimes be accept- be sitting where I am today. It's doubtful my life would have unfold- n. 14). able within certain other contexts outside of con- ed the way it did. Maybe it would have been better, maybe not. Pope Francis, in a recent interview, pointed out sensual conjugal acts. Janet Smith has succinctly Regardless, it would not be the life I currently enjoy. that Pope Paul VI, in a difficult situation in Africa, summarized the issue this way: “The Church The same is true for every rejection. What if U2 had been signed “permitted nuns to use contraceptives in cases of teaches that acts of contraception are always to an earlier contract? What if the person who rejected Madonna had rape.” This use of contraceptives by a group of against the plan of God for human sexuality, since decided she was ready for a career? Would we know them as the nuns occurred during an exceptional wartime situa- God intended that each and every act of spousal great artists they are today? What if they had given up? What would tion in the Belgian Congo. Although no document intercourse express both the intention to make a have happened to the people they inspired? has ever been found in the Vatican indicating that complete, unitive gift of one’s self to one’s spouse Every rejection is the equivalent of a dorm room door closing for permission was actually given by the Pope, these and the willingness to be a parent with one’s the final time. It's a moment when the path that we set to follow women were given the Pill by their physicians spouse. These meanings of the spousal act are, as shifts. We can't judge what would have happened on the road not because they appeared to be in imminent danger of Humanae Vitae stated, inseparable.” taken, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't look back at what might sexual assault during the uprisings of 1960. The Rev. Tadeusz Pacholczyk, Ph.D. earned his doc- have been. Pill was provided to prevent their ovaries from torate in neuroscience from Yale and did post-doc- Be reflective. Question your failures, but also question your suc- releasing an egg, so that if they were raped during toral work at Harvard. He is a priest of the diocese cess. Don't get trapped imagining a world that never existed. Don't the chaos, the attacker’s sperm would not be able of Fall River, MA, and serves as the Director of ask, what if? If you do, you'll miss the next great moment to come, to fertilize any of their eggs, and a pregnancy Education at The National Catholic Bioethics and you won't be prepared for the way it will change the direction of would not occur. This “use of contraceptives” Center in Philadelphia. See www.ncbcenter.org your life. The Angelus APRIL 2016 Page 17 Catholic Voices Fear can hold a crippling power over people By Fr. Ron Rolheiser expression helps release it so that it flows With fear, sometimes all we can do is Akhmatova looked at the woman and out of us. No doubt too we have also expe- endure. replied: “Yes, I can!” And then something Fear is the heartbeat of the powerless. So rienced this. The caution, of course, is that What’s the lesson in this? like a smile passed between them. writes Cor de Jonghe. That’s true. We can in expressing anger and giving it release In her memoirs, the Russian poet, Anna Why the smile? Just to be able to name deal with most everything, except fear. we need to be careful not to hurt others, Akhmatova, recounts an encounter she something, no matter how absurd or unfair, The late Belgium spiri- which is the ever-present danger when once had with another woman, as the two no matter our powerlessness to change it, is tual writer, Bieke dealing with anger. With anger we have of them waited outside a Russian prison. to be somehow free of it, above it, transcen- Vandekerkehove, in a many outlets: We can shout in rage, beat Both of their husbands had been impris- dent in some way. To name something cor- very fine book, The drum, punch a bag, use profanity, physical- oned by Stalin and both of them were there rectly is to partly free ourselves of its domi- Taste of Silence, shared ly exercise until we’re exhausted, smash to bring letters and packages to their hus- nance. That’s why totalitarian regimes fear very honestly about the some furniture, utter murderous threats, bands, as were a number of other women. artists, writers, religious critics, journalists, demons that beset her as and rage away at countless things. This But the scene was like something out of the and prophets. They name things. That’s ulti- she faced a terminal ill- isn’t necessarily rational and some of these existential literature of the absurd. The situ- mately the function of prophecy. Prophets ness at age nineteen. things aren’t necessarily moral, but they ation was bizarre. First of all, the women don’t foretell the future, they properly name She singled out three offer some release. We have means to were unsure of whether their husbands the present. Richard Rohr is fond of saying: particular demons that Fr. Rolheiser cope with anger. were even still alive and were equally Not everything can be fixed or cured, but it tormented her as she faced Fear, on the other hand, has no such uncertain as to whether the letters and should be named properly. James Hillman the prospect of death, sadness, anger, and release valves. Most often, there’s nothing packages they were delivering would ever has his own way of casting this. He suggests fear, and she suggested that we can more we can do to lighten or release it. Fear be given to their loved ones by the guards. that a symptom suffers most when it doesn’t easily cope with the first two, sadness and paralyses us, and this paralysis is the very Moreover the guards would, without rea- know where it belongs. anger, than we can with the third, fear. thing what robs us of the strength we son, make them wait for hours in the snow This can be helpful in dealing with fear Here’s her thought: would need to combat it. We can beat a and cold before they would collect their let- in our lives. Fear can render us impotent. Sadness can be handled through tears, drum, rage in profanity, or cry tears, but ters and packages, and sometimes they But, naming that properly, recognizing through grieving. Sadness fills us like a fear remains. Moreover, unlike anger, fear wouldn’t meet the women at all. Still, every where that symptom belongs and how water glass, but a glass can be emptied. cannot be taken out on someone else, even week, despite the absurdity of it, the powerless it leaves us, can help us to live Tears can drain sadness of its bite. We have though we sometimes try, by scapegoating. women would come, wait in the snow, with it, without sadness and anger. no doubt all experienced the release, the But, in the end, it doesn’t work. The object accept this unfairness, do their vigil, and try Oblate Father Ron Rolheiser, theolo- catharsis, that can come through tears. of our fear doesn’t go away simply to get letters and packages to their loved gian, teacher, and award-winning author, Tears can soften the heart and take away because we wish it away. Fear can only be ones in prison. One morning, as they were is President of the Oblate School of the bitterness of sadness, even while its suffered. We have to live with it until it waiting, seemingly with no end in sight, Theology in San Antonio, TX. He can be heaviness remains. Sadness, no matter how recedes on its own. Sometimes, as the one of the women recognized Akhmatova contacted through www.ronrolheiser.com. heavy, has a release valve. So too does Book of Lamentations suggests, all we can and said to her: “Well, you’re a poet. Can Now on Facebook www.facebook.com/ron- anger. Anger can be expressed and its very do is to put our mouth to the dust and wait. you tell me what’s happening here?” rolheiser The often disorienting quality of real prayer By Bishop Robert Barron least, unnerving. But due to Bayley’s art- mildly diverting experience and it can for my doctoral studies. I was with some ful telling, the experience becomes, convince one that the language can be friends in a crowded restaurant at the One of the most impressive literary fig- almost despite itself, uplifting as well. used after the manner of a game. But height of the dinner rush when a stereo- ures of the twentieth century was the Irish A careful examination of Murdoch’s fic- when one is really compelled to learn a typically haughty and impatient waiter writer Iris Murdoch. You may have heard tion and non-fiction reveals her consis- language well, for the sake of survival or came to take our order. When he turned of her surprising and tently dark take on human nature. Left to success, one quickly discovers just how his imperious gaze toward me and uttered thoughtful novels such our own devices, we are, she thinks, self- unyeilding, how demanding, and how a curt “Oui?” I promptly forgot all of my as A Severed Head and absorbed, violent, and all too willing to unforgiving that language can be. French carefully memorized restaurant vocabu- The Good Apprentice; draw the whole world into the narrow doesn’t care whether you learn its lary and every one of my past participles or perhaps you are confines of our egotism. In this convic- nuances, its vocabulary, or its sometimes and devolved before his eyes into a mut- conversant with her tion, of course, she is not far from the irrational spellings; German could care tering, incoherent child. His reaction to more abstract philo- classical Christian doctrine of original sin. less whether or not you appreciate its (to my plight? He turned and walked away. sophical texts such as What we require, she concludes, are spiri- English-speakers) confounding word A second spiritual exercise recommend- The Sovereignty of tual exercises that serve to break us out of order; Greek is not the least bit put out if ed by Iris Murdoch for the disciplining of Good and Metaphysics the prison of our self-absorption; and you cannot master its alphabet, and Latin the ego is a confrontation with a true as a Guide to Morals. since we are so ensconced in the pattern is utterly indifferent to your struggles with work of art. Second rate art is designed She reached her greatest Bishop Barron of self-reference, these must be rather its endings and cases. All of these linguis- primarily to please. Comfortable, familiar, notoriety, posthumously, in the work of shocking reversals of the status quo. We tic systems are, in their objectivity, order, likeable, it presents no particular chal- her husband John Bayley, who penned a need the Good—in one form or another— confusion, and beauty, massively there, lenge to the sensibilities of the one who moving memoir of his wife’s slow and to burst through the carapace of our fear- and they compel the one who would dare takes it in. For example, the music heard emotionally wrenching descent into ful self-regard. to learn them to submit. in an elevator or a doctor’s waiting room Alzheimer’s disease. To hear the story of A first such exercise, Murdoch suggests, The demanding “there-ness” of the is meant simply to provide a mild distrac- one of the brightest women of her time is the learning of a foreign language. French language was symbolized for me gradually losing her mind is, to say the Playing at another language can be a one day soon after I had arrived in Paris (Please See BARRON/22) Page 18 APRIL 2016 The Angelus Gestures, postures during Mass; support during scandal

By Fr. Kenneth Doyle rect congregational posture while the Our Father is other words, how do we show them the love of Christ Catholic News Service prayed, the website of the U.S. Conference of Catholic while still upholding the teachings of the church? Bishops says simply: "No position is prescribed in the (Atlanta) Q. I recently joined a small parish where the entire Roman Missal for an assembly gesture." I take that to congregation holds hands together at the Our Father. mean that, within reason, people are free to do as they A. Thank God for people like you and your wife, peo- I feel uncomfortable holding hands with people I wish. ple willing to adhere to the church's teaching, which has don't know; so instead, I put my If you want to raise your hands with palms uplifted, guided Christians successfully and happily for many hands in a prayer position as a sig- have at it. If you prefer to join hands with your family centuries. nal to others not to grab for my or a (willing) pew-mate, then do that. The General Your issue now, though, is not so much one of morali- hands. Instruction of the Roman Missal (in No. 42) says that, in ty as of strategy: What action by you and your wife can There is no other parish close by, the liturgy, "a common posture, to be observed by all best help lead your friends to see the wisdom of the and I don't know how to handle participants, is a sign of the unity of the members of the church's view? this. (Charleston, West Virginia) Christian community." It seems to me that if you were to cut off all ties with Q. Several priests and seminari- That, however, gives no priest the right to impose a them abruptly, this could create resentment and entrench ans of our diocese have reminded specific and universal gesture when the liturgical guide- them more deeply in their choice of an immoral the faithful that only the priest lines do not call for one. Surely the passion of some for lifestyle. (By the way, not just the Catholic Church but should have his palms raised and Doyle uniformity and "harmonization" does not override many religions hold that couples should not live togeth- extended during the Lord's Prayer. everything else. More important, I think, is to leave er as man and wife until they have made a religious and However, elsewhere in the country local customs worshippers free of anxiety and able to lift comfortably civil commitment that is formal and permanent.) persist. Most typical is that of joining hands with their minds and hearts to God. Why not, instead, take the courageous step of explain- adjacent worshippers. Many end by raising joined ing to them, in a quiet and kind way, how much you hands after the doxology (the closing portion of the Q. My wife and I were recently married, and we enjoy their company but also how much the moral val- prayer.) Can you please clarify the preference of the both feel strongly that we need to set a positive ues of the church mean to the two of you and how it [Catholic Church]? (Since your column reaches a example in a secular culture, which seems to condone saddens you to see them stray from those values? broad audience, I am hoping that this will help to so much immorality (sex outside of marriage, contra- You could suggest to them that they will surely be bring back some harmonization.) (Wichita, Kansas) ception, abortion, etc.). looking for God's blessings throughout their marriage Our dilemma is that there is a really "nice" and that they might want to speak with the priest who A. The two questions above reflect many that I regularly Catholic couple (recently engaged) in our circle of will do their wedding about how to stay close to the receive, and they demonstrate the continued angst over friends whom we love going out with. The problem is Lord until that wonderful day arrives. bodily gestures at Mass -- especially during the Our that, as we recently learned, they are cohabiting. Father. And even though I answered a similar question We feel that if we were to continue to socialize with --- in this column four years ago, that has not -- surprising them, we might be condoning immorality. How do as it may seem -- resolved the matter for all time! So we balance our friendship against the "sin of scan- Questions may be sent to Father Kenneth Doyle at let's try again. dal"? Is it appropriate to cut off social ties with them [email protected] and 40 Hopewell St. Albany, One fact is clear: In response to a query about the cor- until they marry or decide to live separately? In N.Y. 12208. Don’t forget to put the important things on your bucket list By Karen Osborne and until recently I was pretty proud of that. topped off with people. when we really should be focusing on peo- Catholic News Service I visited Roman ruins, got married and saw I wanted to talk with my mom and eat her ple. the pope. chicken soup, to hang out with my dad and It's not healthy to be morbid or crazy The movie "The Bucket List" inspired the I honestly thought I was doing well -- hear his dad jokes, see my friend from about the future, especially when you're public to reflect on what each person wants until the cancer scare. Boston and talk about obscure books and young and looking forward to a long life, to do before he or she dies. What's on your Recently, I sat in a doctor's office in a movies, sing with my band from college but the truth is, our time in this life is transi- bucket list? revealing, embarrassing white paper gown, again, babysit my best friend's new daugh- tory. We're only going to be here a short From the time I was watching the doctor put me on the fast track ter and reminisce with my post-college the- time, and we're not going to be able to take a teenager, my list was to the surgery suite. A few days later, I was ater group and my friends in Florida. our things with us when we move onward. always full of flights of being wheeled down a hallway on my way All of the material things I wanted sud- As you're putting your life together -- and fancy. I wanted to sing to anesthesia and a biopsy. denly didn't seem so important anymore. In your own bucket list -- don't forget to put on Broadway, play the I became terrified of the road ahead, of fact, they didn't seem important at all. people on it: your friends and your family, violin at Carnegie Hall the possibility that the decades stretching A common complaint from parents about your college best friend. Don't forget the and visit New Zealand. before me had become years or days. It was teenagers is that teens don't always under- moments that seem small but are unforget- Even teens I know easy to think I was invincible, before that stand that they're not invincible: They drive table: That feeling you get on a sports team have made bucket lists, hallway and that white paper gown. too fast, risk too much and don't think about or drama cast, when you've won a game or too. Ever since the Osborne When that changed, so did my bucket list. their future enough. On top of that, it's real- closed a show, laughter at a school dance, movie came out a few Gone were the "things" I wanted and ly easy to get caught up in the cultural noise high-fives, jokes, hugs, triumphs, emotional years ago, everyone seems to have been wanted to do: the Victorian house with the that says our self-worth is based on having moments, singing along at concerts, smiles busy imagining what they want to do in life. wraparound porch, the birthday trip on the the newest iPhone or being able to drive at and people doing what people do. I have actually been able to accomplish "vomit comet" space plane. Suddenly, I 16 or how popular we are on Instagram. That kind of bucket list is one full of life. some of the crazy things on my bucket list, found that my bucket list was small and Our culture puts emphasis on things, The Angelus APRIL 2016 Page 19 OBISPO Angelus editor, noted Midland oilman publish

(From 3) Sangre de Jesucristo. first two books in children’s adventure series Palabras irrespetuosas creencias y prácticas. conducen eventualmente a The Angelus Debemos buscar maneras las acciones irrespetuosas. West Texas Angelus de colaborar constructiva- Palabras violentas con- MIDLAND — editor Jimmy Patterson and noted mente en los asuntos de ducen en fin a los compor- Midland oilman, and philanthropist interés común con los de tamientos violentos. El Jim Henry will release the first two otras religiones y culturas, divisionismo es una señal books in a continuing series of a chil- respetando las diferencias de una situación que está dren’s adventure stories, May 14-15, entre nosotros y ellos, y cerrada a la acción del 2016 in Midland. celebrando lo que tenemos Espíritu Santo. La unidad The Adventures of Willy Nilly & en común. En un mundo es un signo de una Thumper and The Lost Treasure of cada vez más interconecta- situación en la que el Mount Methuselah, and The do, la unidad en la diversi- Espíritu Santo está activo. Adventures of Willy Nilly & Thumper dad es la estrategia de En este Año de la and the Hermit’s Last Hairs, are the nosotros quienes preferi- Misericordia, haremos bien first of four titles to be released in merly with HarperCollins Children- planned. A Spanish translation of the mos que la raza humana en elegir nuestras palabras 2015-2016. Conceived as bedtime stories told by New York, and a world-renowned first two books is set for August. crezca y sobreviva. sabiamente. San Pablo da illustrator from South Africa were The books emphasize Christian- Los adultos tienen la un buen consejo en Efesios Henry to his children and grandchil- dren over the last 40 years, the stories also brought into the project. based values, problem solving, help- responsabilidad de dar 4:29-32: “No digan malas The books will be introduced at a ing the poor and the importance of buen ejemplo a los jóvenes, palabras, sino sólo palabras tell of Willy Nilly, a dog, and his rabbit best friend, Thumper. The stories have public launch event from 10 a.m.-2 friendship. por lo que dicen y lo que buenas que ayuden a crecer p.m., Saturday, May 14, 2016 at For every book purchased, a book will hacen. Observando cómo y traigan bendición a been praised by West Texas educators as being high in educational content, Midland’s Centennial Library, and at be donated to literacy charities in Texas. actuamos, los niños imitan quienes las escuchen. No a book signing Sunday, May 15, Henry, 82, is a pioneer in the petro- la forma en que tratamos a hagan que se entristezca el and by mothers who have measured their children’s interest level high. 2016, from 1-3 p.m., at Barnes & leum industry, and a member of the aquellos con los que no Espíritu Santo de Dios, con After Henry recorded the telling of Noble in Midland. A signing at St. Permian Basin Petroleum Museum estamos de acuerdo. el que ustedes han sido sel- the stories over the last four decades, Ann’s Church is forthcoming. Hall of Fame. Patterson has been edi- Nuestro discurso debe lados para distinguirlos he commissioned Patterson to rewrite A third book will be released in tor of the Angelus since 2005. estar marcado por la como propiedad de Dios el them to fit a children’s book format. November, and the fourth book in the Both books are available online at cortesía y el respeto, usan- día en que él les dé com- Two editors and a book designer, for- Spring of 2017. More books are Amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com. do palabras para sanar en pleta salvación. Echen vez de destruir, para alentar fuera la amargura, las CROSS en vez de degradar. pasiones, los enojos, los (From 5) Nuestro humor no debe gritos, los insultos y toda “We want the young people to feel World Youth Day will require work provocar la risa a costa de clase de maldad. Sean a part of this endeavor because it’s from many volunteers, as well as la dignidad de otra persona. buenos y compasivos unos WYD in San Angelo will also worldwide, and we want them to feel donations, Garcia added. To con- Chistes de carácter racista, con otros, y perdónense feature a catechesis with Bishop Sis, connected,” Sister Garcia said. “The tribute, contact the Office of misógino, o cruel no tienen unos a otros, como Dios speakers, multi-lingual recitation of Church seems to be getting old when- Evangelization and Catechesis and cabida en los labios que los perdonó a ustedes en the Rosary, live music, ever we forget to include them; we make checks payable to the Diocese reciben el Cuerpo y la Cristo.” Reconciliation, Stations of the Cross forget there’s this energy out there.” of San Angelo. ROMERO and a closing Mass. The stateside observation of (From 2) sion to evangelize if not for their use of visit us, and we came to the agreement are killing priests in Mexico. You do not the Bible. that they would send us a priest, Fr. see it in newspapers or on TV, but there of the Word community, a relatively new “We work with the Bible in our hands,” Fernando Bonilla, and a transitional dea- are a lot of priests killed in my home religious community founded in Mexico he said. “We want to see what God wants con, Deacon Romero. country.” by Fr. Luís Butera Vullo. Established in from us. The Word of the Lord is the pur- Romero, 32, a native of Tlaxcala, Fr. Butera’s message did not dissuade 1983, the community currently has 101 pose of our community.” Mexico, also lived in Vera Cruz, Romero, whose April 15 ordination will members, and will ordain four more this Bishop Michael J. Sis invited the Mexico, and attended high school in San take him one step closer to being able to spring — two in Brazil, one in Spain, and Missionary Servants of the Word to serve Diego, Calif. In addition to Blessed assimilate the life of one of his spiritual Romero in Odessa. in the San Angelo Diocese. Miguel Pro, Romero considers Fr. Butera heroes, Blessed Pro. The community’s mission is to spread “Many years ago, I became familiar as someone who has helped form him. “He was always trying to take God to the word of Jesus with Bible in hand. with the evangelization work of Father “Every time Fr. Butera would preach to the people,” Deacon Romero said. “It “Our mission is to evangelize people,” Luís Butera,” Bishop Sis said. “He has us at the seminary, he would tell us we need will be fun doing the will of God. And he Deacon Romero said. “In Matthew 28, developed an extensive program for to be saints. The world doesn’t need good will help me. If this is his will, he will Jesus, before he ascends, tells his disci- training Catholics to better understand people, he said, it needs saintly people.” support me and he will be with me.” ples to go out and preach the gospel to all the faith and to share it more effectively. Nor did Fr. Butera’s words about being The MSP community considers all peo- nations.” When I became bishop of San Angelo, I a priest in violent countries of the world ple they serve at their home parish to be Romero said the Missionary Servants approached their community and asked if intimidate Deacon Romero. family members. As a result, Deacon of the Word — or MSP (the ‘P’ being an they would be able to send us one or “He told us that one of the most dan- Romero’s ordination at Holy Redeemer abbreviation for palabra, Spanish for more priests to assist in parish ministry in gerous professions in Mexico is to be a this month is considered a gift to those ‘word’) — could not achieve their mis- our diocese. Their superiors came to priest,” Romero said. “Even today they parishioners. Page 20 APRIL 2016 The Angelus

The West Texas Angelus POPCAK Official Newspaper of the (From 8) are asking of them. "You're absolutely right More than Getting Off the Hook Diocese of San Angelo, Texas to expect more of me. I'm really sorry I let Whether we are expressing remorse to POSTMASTER: Send all address nize that the person we hurt had an objec- you down." In our relationship with God, God or others, being sorry isn't, ultimately, changes to: tive right to expect more from us. How how often do we think that the real problem about making ourselves seem pitiful enough WEST TEXAS ANGELUS often do others apologize to us in ways that is that he is just asking for entirely too or appearing pathetic enough to make the P.O. Box 1829 make us feel strangely ashamed for daring much. Sure, we're sorry for what we did, other person feel bad and let us off the hook. SAN ANGELO, TX 76902-1829 to expect them to be faithful, trustworthy, but the REAL problem is that he expects us It is about picking up our cross and embrac- ______or respectful? How often do the apologies to saints. Saints, I tell you! Can you ing the hard work that comes with changing others offer sound like, "I'm sorry, but don't believe it?!? How ridiculous is that?!? This our behavior, not so that we can jump Bishop Michael J. Sis you think you're being a little controlling/ Lent, will we continue to pay lip service to through some spiritual hoop, but so that we Publisher sensitive/judgmental/needy/demanding/ the idea that God wants great things for us can participate more effectively in the heal- unfair?" or will we embrace the fact that every day ing process that allows us to achieve our Jimmy Patterson The person offering a sincere apology he is calling us into deeper union with him ultimate destiny--loving union with God. Media Relations Director acknowledges that anyone in a similar situa- and greater perfection in his grace? Dr. Greg Popcak is the director of Editor tion would be reasonable to expect what you CatholicCounselors.com and the author of more than 20 books.

Member Catholic News Service MISSIONARIES Catholic Press Association (From 5) In the early 17th century the Franciscan the dignity of the human person.” They are Texas Catholic News movement spread to the Caribbean, then to “motivated by the example of Jesus Christ” Published the first Monday follow- calamities rebuild their lives, they teach Mexico, Central America, parts of South to ease suffering, provide development ing the 1st Saturday of each month adults how to make a living through simple America, and some parts of the southwest- assistance and foster charity and justice to and delivered to all registered occupations, they construct wells to provide ern United States. Although their main goal all people, regardless of race, religion, or parishioners in the San Angelo water in arid areas, and they provide other and top priority was to spread Christianity, nationality. Diocese. humanitarian services to the most destitute they were regarded by some as tools of After Vatican Council II there have been Subscription rate for all others: people in war-torn countries. They spend imperialism. Nevertheless, they were able many profound changes which make the $10 per year years patiently studying for their profession to spread the Spanish language, culture and missions explicitly conscious of social jus- THIRD CLASS POSTAGE PAID and training for their missionary assign- political control aimed at the urbanization of tice and aware of the dangers of cultural AT SAN ANGELO, TEXAS ment. They are courageous, selfless indi- the Indians. imperialism or economic exploitation dis- Printed by the viduals who, with their deep faith in God, Today Catholic missionary societies and guised as religious conversion. San Angelo Standard Times are strongly and passionately dedicated to organizations in the country and in other Contemporary missionaries argue that A Scripps-Howard Company their mission. parts of the world are following Jesus’ state- working for justice is a constitutive part of Over 2,000 years ago, Jesus told his 11 ment more than 2,000 years ago. Some of preaching the Gospel and as one group of disciples, “Go, therefore, and make disciples those I am familiar with are the Franciscan missionaries state, they are “called to live of all nations, baptizing them in the name of Mission Associates (now in the 54th year of God’s word as Jesus did, to proclaim it Submissions: the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy their worldwide mission); the Missionary broadly to others, to work it into the fabric Story suggestions, calendar items, Spirit.” (Matt. 28:18-20). Since then, thou- Oblates of Mary Immaculate (founded in of human society and culture, and to express parish briefs and all other sands upon thousands have answered the France in 1816, now serving the United God’s love to all, especially to the submissions should be emailed to call not only baptizing, but also feeding the States and 60 countries); the Salesian oppressed, suffering, and poor.” Jpatterson@ hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the ill Missions (with more than 28,000 priests, In his address to all Catholics on World sanangelodiocese.org and in prison, and welcoming the stranger. brothers and sisters around the world operat- Mission Day 2015, Pope Francis said that COPY, PHOTO DEADLINE: And He reminded them that “whatever you ing 3,200 Don Bosco technical schools, 70 “Being a missionary is not about proselytiz- Third Friday of every month. did for these least brothers of mine, you did colleges, 90 clinics and hospitals, and 330 ing or mere strategy, mission is part of the Photos should be in jpeg format. for me.” (Matt. 25:40) orphanages and shelters); the Society of the ‘grammar’ of faith, something essential for The Roman Catholic Church established Divine Savior, or Salvatorians (founded 130 those who listen to the voice of the Spirit Letters to the editor are welcome, several missions in the Americas during the years ago with various ministries around the who whispers ‘Come’ and ‘Go forth’. Those and should be emailed to Age of Discovery through Augustinians, globe); the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers who follow Christ cannot fail to be mission- Jpatterson@ Franciscans, and Dominicans in order to (established a seminary for foreign missions aries, for they know that Jesus walks with sanangelodiocese.org. spread Christianity in the New World and to in 1911); the Maryknoll Sisters (began in them, speaks to them, and breathes with Letters to the editor are printed at convert the Native Americans and other 1912 with a group of American Catholic sis- them. They sense Jesus alive with them in the discretion of the editor and indigenous people. The same congrega- ters assigned to overseas missions); the the midst of the missionary enterprise.” identities of the writer are subject tions, including Jesuits, were simultaneously Missionary Society of St. Columban, or the Our Catholic missionaries are also heroes, to verification. Please include moving into Asia, while the Portuguese Columbans (with 480 priests serving in 16 but they do not need trophies and medals name, address and phone number were sending missionaries to Africa. These countries); and the Catholic Relief Services nor to be honored as celebrities. They need when submitting letters. were the most well-known missions in his- (CRS). The CRS was founded in 1943 by our assistance and our prayers. Through our tory. While some missions were associated the Catholic Bishops of the United States to prayerful and financial support of our with imperialism and oppression, others serve World War II survivors in Europe. Catholic missionaries around the world we were peaceful like the Jesuits. For instance, Since then, the CRS has expanded in size to “live, speak, and breathe” our Catholic faith in China the Jesuits succeeded in rendering reach 85 million people in 101 countries in wherever and whomever they serve. As fol- Christianity at least respectable to the five continents. Their mission is to assist lowers of Christ we, too, can be missionar- sophisticated Chinese by translating Western impoverished people overseas “working in ies, and we join them to help others see the mathematics and astronomical works to the spirit of Catholic social teaching and to depth of Jesus’ love. Chinese scholars. promote the sacredness of human life and The Angelus APRIL 2016 Page 21 EASTER (From 10) around the world. these brothers and sisters of ours meet no one will ever be able to separate us "O Cross of Christ," he said March 25, along the way death or, in any event, from his love," the pope said. "May the Lord of life also accompany "today too we see you raised up in our rejection by those who could offer them "The Lord is alive and wants to be efforts to attain a definitive solution to sisters and brothers killed, burned alive, welcome and assistance." sought among the living," Pope Francis the war in Ukraine, inspiring and sustain- throats slit and decapitated by barbarous Celebrating the Easter vigil March 26, said. "After having found him, each per- ing initiatives of humanitarian aid, blades amid cowardly silence." Pope Francis said Easter is a celebration son is sent out by him to announce the including the liberation of those who are "O Cross of Christ, today too we see of hope, one that must begin within the Easter message, to awaken and resurrect detained," he prayed. you in the faces of children, of women hearts of each Christian. hope in hearts burdened by sadness, in On Easter and throughout the Holy and people, worn out and fearful, who "Christ wants to come and take us by those who struggle to find meaning in Week liturgies that preceded it, Pope flee from war and violence and who often the hand to bring us out of our anguish," life. This is so necessary today." Francis showed special concern for the only find death and many Pilates who he said in his homily. "This is the first During the Easter vigil, Pope Francis fate of refugees and migrants fleeing vio- wash their hands," he said. stone to be moved aside this night: the baptized eight women and four men, lence and poverty and for Christians fac- Two days later, celebrating the lack of hope which imprisons us within including Yong-joon Lee, the South ing persecution in the Middle East and Resurrection, Pope Francis said the ourselves. May the Lord free us from this Korean ambassador to Italy, who took the other parts of the world. Easter message "invites us not to forget trap, from being Christians without hope, baptismal name, Stephen. The ambas- At Rome's Colosseum Good Friday, those men and women seeking a better who live as if the Lord were not risen, as sador's wife, taking the name Stella, was after presiding over the Stations of the future, an ever more numerous throng of if our problems were the center of our also baptized. The other catechumens Cross, the pope offered a long meditation migrants and refugees — including many lives. came from Italy, Albania, Cameroon, on how Christ continues to be scorned, children — fleeing from war, hunger, "Today is the celebration of our hope, India and China. tortured and crucified in suffering people poverty and social injustice. All too often, the celebration of this truth: nothing and ANGELICA EL PASO

(From 10) said. table theology discussion, has been produced (From 7) "She untiringly exhorted all to pursue by the university for EWTN since 1993. "Mother Angelica brought the truth and holiness by living with God in the present "She heeded the call of the Second Vatican Paso see it differently than peo- the love and the life of the Gospel of Jesus moment. We are grateful for your prayers Council to bring the Gospel message into ple in other parts of the country. to so many people, not only to our Catholic for this courageous daughter of the church," contemporary society. With humor and the “We recognize how intercon- household of faith, but to many thousands said Mother Dolores Marie, superior of the occasional stern word, but always moved by a nected we are here,” he said. of people who are not Catholic, in that Poor Clare Nuns of Perpetual Adoration of deep love of people, Mother Angelica faith- “For many people elsewhere, it beautiful way she had of touching lives, Our Lady of the Angels Monastery in fully conveyed the knowledge and love of is something that separates us bringing so many people into the Catholic Hanceville, Alabama. The monastery is God to Catholics, Christians, and nonbeliev- from them. It separates us from faith," said Bishop Robert J. Baker of north of the Birmingham suburb of Irondale, ers alike," Father Sheridan added. the aliens. But in El Paso, that’s Birmingham, Alabama, in whose diocese where EWTN has its headquarters. "Mother Angelica leaves behind a legacy never been the case. We started EWTN is located. "Her voice and her message will be with of holiness and commitment to the new as one city and even today it is "Mother Angelica was a pioneer of the us for a long time," said a statement from evangelization that should inspire us all," rare that a family in one city new evangelization before that term ever Father Frank Pavone, national director of said Carl Anderson, supreme knight of the doesn’t have family on the became popular," said Msgr. Walter Rossi, Priests for Life, about Mother Angelica. Knights of Columbus. other side. Many children rector of the Basilica of the National Shrine "We have all lost a friend, a mentor, a spiri- "I was honored to know and be able to from Juarez come to El Paso to of the Immaculate Conception in tual mother, a voice of conscience, and a assist Mother Angelica during the early days go to school. Many of our peo- Washington, the site of many Masses tele- source of laughter and encouragement." of EWTN. Over the years, that relationship ple are manipulators. We see cast live each year by EWTN. "Mother Angelica was a true media giant. grew, and today the Knights of Columbus Juarez as a place we would not "By providing religious programming, the She proved that the church belonged in the and EWTN partner regularly on important want to divorce ourselves from. Mass and devotions, first by television and popular media alongside the news, sports, and projects. Mother Angelica was fearless, Here, their sufferings our ours now by every form of communications talk shows," said Franciscan Father Michael because she had God on her side," Anderson and there celebrations are our media, Mother Angelica and EWTN pro- O. Sheridan, president of the Franciscan said. "She saw what he needed her to do and celebrations.” claimed the message of the Gospel to mil- University of Steubenville, Ohio. The show she did it!" lions of people throughout the world," he "Franciscan University Presents," a round- SAINTS

(From 7) (https://en.wilipedia.org/wiki/Peter_of_Saint_Joseph_de tinues today throughout South America. _Betancur) Peter died on April 25, 1667 in Guatemala City and is He also ministered to prisoners and begged for them remembered as the “St. Francis of the Americas.” Pope Peter was joined by other tertiaries, but he had no through the city and visited them in their cells. He is John Paul II beatified him in June, 1980 and in his wish to organize a community. He simply wanted to remembered for devoting his life to helping those who remarks honored Peter’s humility, dedication and serv- establish his hospital. Later he wrote up an adaptation of lived on the margins of society: lepers, prisoners, slaves ice of the blessed, all of which reflected Franciscan joy. the Rule of St. Augustine for the community that includ- and Indians. Pope John Paul II canonized Peter on July 30, 2002 in ed the active apostolate of working with the poor, the According to Bunson, he is sometimes credited with Guatemala City. He is the first saint native to the sick, and the less fortunate. According to Wikipedia, this introducing the Christmas Eve posada procession in Canary Islands, and is also considered the first saint of led to the formation of the Order of Our Lady of which people representing Mary and Joseph seek a Guatemala and Central America. Peter’s tomb is in the Bethlehem or Bethlemites. night’s lodging from their neighbors. The custom con- San Francisco Church in Antigua, Guatemala. Page 22 APRIL 2016 The Angelus BISHOP WELCOME (From 3) (From 14) mercy to those you meet along the not throwing out all that you learned way. Wherever you go, people from your parents. You’re building Our discourse should be marked by civility and of continual conversion, self-sacri- should find in you an oasis of on what they gave you. Your choice respect, using words to heal rather than to destroy, to fice, humble service, and self-con- mercy. to become Catholic is not a rejec- encourage rather than to degrade. Our humor should trol. We offer you the Catholic This Easter Vigil is not a gradua- tion of them. It is a response to the not elicit laughter at the expense of another person’s moral vision of a consistent ethic of tion ceremony. It is initiation – a action of the Holy Spirit speaking to dignity. Jokes that are racist, misogynistic, or cruel life, from conception to natural new beginning in a lifelong practice you in your own conscience, on the have no place on the lips that receive the Body and death, pursuing the common good of faith. Tonight I am inviting you to basis of your own experience. Blood of Jesus Christ. in solidarity, and respecting the dig- stick with it for the rest of your life. Your wonderful gifts and talents Disrespectful words lead eventually to disrespectful nity of every human being. As Jesus says, “You will be hated by bring new life to the Church. We actions. Violent words lead eventually to violent behav- At the very core of the experience all nations because of my name…the need you and we invite you to be iors. Divisiveness is a sign of a situation that is closed of the Catholic faith is a personal love of many will grow cold, but the active members of your local parish to the action of the Holy Spirit. Unity is a sign of a sit- relationship with Jesus Christ our one who perseveres to the end will community. Thank you for saying uation where the Holy Spirit is active. Lord. We seek to live in such an be saved.” (Mt. 24:9-13) “yes” to God’s call. I look forward In this Year of Mercy, we will do well to choose our intimate communion with him in You have come to us from a won- to walking with you along the jour- words wisely. St. Paul gives good advice in Ephesians this life that our relationship with derful variety of different back- ney. 4:29-32: “Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but him will endure into eternal life. grounds. Some come from no par- As you step forth into this new only such as is good for edifying, as fits the occasion, You are entering the Catholic ticular religion, and some from phase of your life, and you face the that it may impart grace to those who hear. And do not Church during the Jubilee Year of active participation in another faith uncertainties of the road ahead, grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were Mercy. You have received the or another Christian church. We remember the words of the risen sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and unmerited mercy of God, and you respect your personal life history, Lord Jesus: “Be not afraid.” wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away have responded to that gift by your family, and your upbringing. We believe in God. And God, from you, with all malice, and be kind to one another, repenting of your sins and reform- It has helped form you into the who has begun this good work in tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ ing your life. Now, as active beautiful person you are today. you, will bring it to fulfillment in forgave you.” Catholics, you must pass on that By becoming a Catholic, you’re Christ Jesus our Lord. BARRON

(From 17) tiful. The lovely girl standing just off the because it simply confirms the man in his needs to receive something, this mysteri- strand did not so much please Stephen self-regard. The words are, obviously ous mercy for which he begs. tion or a feeling of calm in the listener; Daedalus as change him, drawing him enough, just elaborate self-congratulation, In the first prayer, god is the principal and the paintings that hang in most hotel effectively out of his morose self-regard but even the Pharisee’s body-language member of the audience arrayed before rooms or corporate lobbies are intended to and giving him his vocation. Hans Urs gives him away: he takes up his position, the ego of the Pharisee. But in this second provide low-level entertainment. These von Balthasar observes, in a very similar standing with a confidence bordering on prayer, God is the principal actor, and the works fit predictably into universally rec- vein, that the beautiful elects the observer arrogance in the presence of God. The publican is the audience awaiting a per- ognized canons of appropriateness and, as and then sends him on mission to prayer itself confirms the Pharisee’s formance the contours of which he cannot such, are forgotten almost as soon as they announce what he has seen. Not many world. Like a second-rate work of art, or fully foresee. And therefore the publican’s are taken in. But a great and true work of years ago, Rolling Stone magazine asked like the tourist’s language spoken by the prayer is the kind of spiritual exercise of art does not aim to please. Rather, it pres- a number of prominent popular musicians dilettante, it functions simply to please. which Iris Murdoch speaks. It is akin to ents itself in its integrity on its own terms, to name the song that first “rocked their And the god to which he prays is, neces- the experience of being mastered by the remaining fundamentally indifferent to world.” Some of the responses were rela- sarily, a false god, an idol, since it allows French language, or by Picasso’s the reaction of the viewer or listener. In a tively banal, but the vast majority of them itself to be positioned by the ego-driven Guernica, or by Bernini’s Ecstasy of St. scene from his autobiographical master- had a Joycean resonance: the respondents needs of the Pharisee. Teresa. piece, A Portrait of the Artist as Young knew instinctively the difference between But then Jesus invites us to meditate In the eastern Christian tradition, the Man, James Joyce brilliantly displays the songs (however great) that had merely upon the publican’s prayer. First, his “Jesus prayer” is all-important. Whether dynamics of confronting the truly beauti- pleased them and songs that had shaken stance is telling: “but the tax-collector recited throughout the day by the contem- ful. Stephen Daedalus (Joyce’s fictional them out of their complacency and stood off at a distance would not even plative monk or spoken occasionally by alter-ego) is pacing listlessly on the strand rearranged their vision things. This kind raise his eyes to heaven…” This man real- the business person immersed in the cares outside of Dublin when he spies, standing of aesthetic encounter is the spiritual exer- izes that he is in the presence of a power of the secular world, this prayer anchors out in the surf, a woman of surpassing cise that Murdoch is speaking of. that he cannot even in principle manipu- the spiritual life of many Christians. It is a beauty. He is stopped in his tracks—in the It is against this Murdochian back- late or control; and he signals with his formula derived from the tax-collector’s state of aesthetic arrest—and takes the ground that I should like to consider the body, accordingly, that he is positioned by prayer: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the liv- woman in. She turns to him at one point familiar Gospel story of the Pharisee and this higher authority. Then he speaks with ing God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” It and “quietly suffered his gaze,” before the publican (Lk 18:9-14). Jesus tells of a a simple eloquence: “he beat his breast is simple, unadorned, even blunt. But it turning back to look out at the open sea. Pharisee who “took up his position and and prayed, ‘O God, be merciful to me, a has the essential virtue of knocking the Indifferent to his feelings or reactions, she spoke this prayer to himself, ‘O God, I sinner.’” Though it is articulate speech, ego off of its pedestal and rocking the allowed him to watch. Finally, changed thank you that I am not like the rest of proceeding from the mind and will of the world of the one who utters it. utterly by this encounter, Stephen cried humanity—greedy, dishonest, adulter- publican, it is not language that confirms In this, it both opens the sinner to trans- out, “Oh, heavenly God” and resolved ous—or even like this tax-collector.’” the independence and power of the speak- formation and honors the true God. from that moment on to become an artist, This is, Jesus suggests, a fraudulent, er, just the contrary. It is more of a cry or a reporter of such epiphanies of the beau- wholly inadequate prayer, precisely a groan, an acknowledgement that he The Angelus APRIL 2016 Page 23

KNICKERBOCKER GRN RADIO PROGRAM SCHEDDULE (From 6) ing ourselves and those for whom Holy Door we pray with Jesus Christ in the marriage and family relationships. Sacrifice of the Mass: "Eternal The Guadalupe Radio Network Practice the Corporal Works Father, I offer you the Body and (GRN) operates 3 English of Mercy. These are ways At last comes dawn for which we've longed Blood, Soul, and Divinity of your Since we in Adam fell; language Catholic radio stations in Christians are called to respond to dearly beloved son, our Lord the Diocese ofSf San Angelo: Jesus' teaching that we will be In garden we have not belonged, Jesus Christ, in atonement for our judged according to how we treat Cast out to hear death knell. sins and those of the whole • Abilene - 91.7 FM, KQOS others--"the least of these": feed- world." In particular, we are • 1150 AM ing the hungry, giving drink to the But now we see an open Door encouraged to pray the Chaplet Midland-Odessa - , KLPF thirsty, clothing the naked, shelter- Of tomb in garden new, for the sick, the dying, and for the • 911.5 FM ing the homeless, visiting those in holy souls in purgatory. San Angelo - , KPDE prison, comforting the sick, and With grave clothes empty on the floor, Display the Divine Mercy burying the dead As life begins anew. Image. We can "enthrone" in our The GRN (Radio for Your Soul) is Practice the Spiritual Works homes the image Jesus revealed an EWTN Affiliate..The Top 10 of Mercy. Giving correction to He's raised from dead, and we're with Him; to St Faustina: "I desire that this weekday programs (most are “live” those who need it, instructing the Our sin is left behind. image be venerated... throughout call-in shows) are: uninformed, counseling the doubt- The devil's left with "might have been," the world." In The Divine Mercy ful, comforting the sorrowful, Cast down with his own kind. Image Explained, Fr. Gaitley tells 7 AM - Mass (EWTN Chapel) being patient with those in error, us, "The pierced Heart of Jesus forgiving offenses, praying for the and the blood and water that flow 8 AM - Catholic CConnection living and the dead. As individu- Through Holy Door at dawn we step, from it are the ultimate symbols (Mon./Tues./Wed. /Thurs.) als, couples, and families, let us To mercies fresh and new; of God's love and mercy.... He pray about and decide on concrete His promise to us Jesus kept: wants us to let him approach us, 9 AM - Fathers Know Best ways to practice the Corporal and New Life in us imbued! embrace us with the rays of his Spiritual Works of Mercy in our mercy, and receive his healing 10 AM - Women of Grace with daily lives. -- Fr. Knick Knickerbocker grace and blessing.... [The image] Johnnette Benkovic Make a pilgrimage to a Holy is a 'sacramental' that draws its Door. We are pilgrims traveling power from the Word of God and 11 AM - More to Life His Way to our eternal salvation. the Paschal mystery and commu- We can think of the opening of Support local charities that extend nicates grace though the promises 12 PM - The Doctor Is In Holy Doors by the Bishops as symbolic mercy to those in need. We can partici- of Christ." (Except Mon.) of opening the door that leads to God's pate in these merciful efforts monetarily, As we contemplate the many acts of merciful heart, through the pierced side as well as with our time, talents, and mercy Jesus has extended to us, we 1 PM - Called to Communion of Christ on the cross (Jn 19:34). In our prayers. invite His love to change our hearts and (Mon./Tues./Thurs./Fri.) pilgrimage to and through a Holy Door, Learn about St. Faustina, canonized create us anew, to see as He sees: to see we are making an act of faith and can by Pope John Paul II on April 30, 2000. ourselves and our brothers and sisters as 2 PM - EWTN Open Line receive a Plenary Indulgence for for- God revealed the depth and scope of His worthy of God's love and mercy. This giveness of sin and its effects, according mercy through this Polish mystic in the should compel us to show the same love 3 PM - Divine Mercy Chaplet; to these conditions: Confession while on 1930s. He gave her a prophetic mes- and mercy to one another. "Blessed are Kresta in the Afternoon the pilgrimage or a few days before or sage for a particular time in history. the merciful for they shall obtain after; Mass and reception of Holy More than ever, the world needs the mercy" (Mt 5:7). 5 PM - Catholic Answers Live

Communion, preferably on day of pil- source of relief and hope found in the "As a gift to humanity, which some- Schedule Exceptions grimage; praying an Our Father and eternal mercy of God. Now is a time of times seems bewildered and over- Hail Mary or other prayers for the inten- extraordinary mercy because "Where sin whelmed by the power of evil, selfish- The GRN produces 3 other shows: tions of the Holy Father; making a pious increased, grace abounded all the more" ness and fear, the Risen Lord offers his exercise e.g. assisting at a liturgical cel- (Rom 5:20). We can read in her diary love that pardons, reconciles and • Mon., 12 PM - WWe Sing Our Faith ebration, praying the Stations of the the remarkable account of God's revela- reopens hearts to love. It is a love that Cross, rosary, or meditation, ending tions of Divine Mercy: Divine Mercy in converts hearts and gives peace. How • Wed., 1 PM - A Good Habit with Our Father, Nicene or Apostles My Soul. To learn "how we can tap much the world needs to understand and Creed, and prayers to the Blessed Virgin into the extraordinary graces of our accept Divine Mercy! Lord, who reveal • Fri., 8 AM - GRN Alive

Mary. time," we recommend two booklets by the Father's love by your death and Share the Good News of God's Fr. Michael E. Gaitley, MIC: Divine Resurrection, we believe in you and For a complete schedule, or to mercy. Through our words and deeds, Mercy Explained, Keys to the Message confidently repeat to you today: Jesus, I listen live, please go to: we can tell others about God's love for and Devotion, "a brief and easy-to- trust in you, have mercy upon us and www.grnonline.com them. Each of us knows someone who understand introduction to Divine upon the whole world" (Pope John Paul is lonely, without hope, in need of Mercy" that includes Divine Mercy II). encouragement or assistance, ashamed prayers, and Divine Mercy Image Pray for us Blessed Mother Mary, of something in their past, in need of a Explained, which includes Mother of Mercy. prayer partner/soul friend, hungering to Enthronement Prayers. Both are avail- Fr. Knick Knickerbocker is a retired know Jesus, in need of a Bible and able from Marian Press. status priest in the Diocese of San guidance in reading it; waiting for an Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet. Angelo. invitation and/or a ride to Mass. When we pray the Chaplet, we are unit- Page 24 APRIL 2016 The Angelus

Good Friday Procession

Stations of the Cross

St. Margaret’s Church to Christ the King Retreat Center, San Angelo

Clockwise from top, two boys listen as Bishop Michael J. Sis leads the Stations of the Cross ... Top right, mem- bers of the Knights of Columbus establish a perimeter near the Concho River, where the Stations of the Cross is located at Christ the King Retreat Center ... Lower right, Fr. Emilio Sosa with two youngsters processing ... Photos by Karen J. And above, Bishop Sis begins the procession at St. Patterson Margaret’s.