DIOCESE OF SAN ANGELO PO BOX 1829 NONPROFIT ORG. Inside this issue: SAN ANGELO TX 76902-1829 US POSTAGE PAID

SAN ANGELO, TX PERMIT NO. 44 CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED • The response to coronavirus fears (Pages 3, 5) • Lenten Penance Service schedule (Page 4) • The new pastoral plan takes shape around the diocese (Page 12) AWESTNGELUS TEXAS Serving Catholics in the Diocese of San Angelo, Texas Volume 40, No. 3 March 2020 2020 February 26 April 9

ALAN TORRE | APTORRE PHOTOGRAPHY Michael Sis delivers the homily at an Ash Wednesday Jan. 26 at The University of Texas Permian Basin in Odessa. Bishop Sis also celebrated an Ash Wed- nesday Mass at Midland College and held listening sessions with the young adults at both campuses. These listening sessions are one aspect of the current Pastoral Plan for the Diocese of San Angelo. For more on how the diocese is putting the Pastoral Plan into action, see Page 12. Page 2 MARCH 2020 The Angelus 'Powerful words of understanding': backs indigenous in Amazon By Barbara J. Fraser son," said Medical Mission Catholic News Service Sister Birgit Weiler, who works in Peru and was an LIMA, Peru (CNS) — Saying the expert at the synod. "It world has much to learn from Amazonian commits you to taking a indigenous peoples, de- new path." clared the Catholic their ally in One message that their struggle to protect the region's for- stands out clearly in the ests and rivers. exhortation, she said, is In (Beloved Ama- that the church sides with zonia), the issued indigenous people who de- Feb. 12, the pope called on Catholics to fend their lands against ex- respond to environmental destruction in tractive industries like the Amazon region with outrage and in- logging and mining or the dignation while building networks of sol- encroachment of indus- idarity with its traditional inhabitants. trial-scale farming and The document is Pope Francis' re- ranching. sponse to recommendations made by par- That is also a sign the ticipants in the Synod of for the church workers "have the Amazon, held in October 2019 at the Vat- backing of the pope" when ican. they accompany com- With its often lyrical language, the munities in those struggles, exhortation takes another step toward a she said. Such efforts closer relationship with native peoples, sometimes draw criticism which the pope launched in Peru in Janu- from others in the church, ary 2017. At an encounter there with sev- but the pope has made eral thousand Amazonian indigenous clear that "they can't call CNS PHOTO | PAULO SANTOS, REUTERS people, Pope Francis asked his listeners you communist" for oppos- Catholic pilgrims travel in a boat during an annual river procession and pilgrimage in honor of Our Lady of to help church leaders understand their ing industries or infrastruc- Conception along Brazil's Caraparu River in Santa Izabel do Para, in the Amazon jungle, Dec. 8, 2012. culture and their lives. ture projects that threaten With the exhortation, the pope has communities, she said. to the land and its boundaries, and to self- nialism in a region where the church must made it clear that the church — and the The exhortation "is a response from determination and consent, should work to dismantle the vestiges of a colo- world — must listen to them and rec- Pope Francis to the cry of pain of the be called for what they are: injustice and nial past, the exhortation is not a political ognize them as equals, said Moema Amazon, from its peoples, nations and in- crime," the pope wrote. statement, Roque Paloschi of Maria Marques de Miranda, a lay Fran- digenous organizations, Jose Gregorio When businesses seek profit above Porto Velho, Brazil, told CNS. ciscan who was an observer at the synod. Diaz Mirabal, coordinator of an umbrella all, corrupt authorities give companies The pope's words "make us aware "After 500 years, indigenous peoples organization of Amazonian indigenous easy access to timber and minerals, and that we must respond to the cry of God in are recognized in their wisdom and their groups, said in a statement released Feb. companies "raze the forests and pollute the cry of the poor and the cry of crea- abilities. That is a paradigm change," Mi- 12. the environment, economic relationships tion," Archbishop Paloschi said. "More randa told Catholic News Service. Pope Francis' message comes as are unduly altered and become an instru- than a political impact, it needs to have That message is woven into the doc- threats against the environment and those ment of death," he added. an impact on the church and require us to ument from the beginning, where Pope who defend it are on the rise in Amazonia For those who defend their lands take a united stand." Francis describes four dreams. He says he and other parts of Latin America and the against loggers, miners and ranchers, the Nevertheless, the church "must be- dreams of an Amazonia that fights for the world. stakes are high. At least 164 people were come more and more prophetic" in speak- rights of indigenous peoples, an Amazo- Widespread fires in southern Brazil killed worldwide in such efforts in 2018, ing out against policies that threaten nia that preserves its cultural riches, an and northern Bolivia, where forests were according to the nonprofit organization indigenous peoples and the environment, Amazonia that preserves its natural razed for farming and ranching, made in- Global Witness, which says the figure is Brazilian Sister Rose Bertoldo, a Mis- beauty, and Christian communities that ternational headlines in 2019. Africa's probably low. In many cases, the killers sionary Sister of the Immaculate Heart of give the church "new faces with Amazo- Congo basin, which faces similar threats, are never brought to justice. Mary who was an observer at the synod, nian features." also suffered a fierce fire season. The deadliest countries include Bra- told CNS. That image of dreams has a double Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro zil, Colombia, Guatemala and Mexico. For Sister Bertoldo, one notable meaning. For most Westerners, dreams has submitted draft legislation to that The pope's exhortation was issued Feb. omission in the exhortation was the con- express hopes for the future, but for in- country's Congress seeking to open in- 12, the anniversary of the 2005 murder of cept of "ecological sin." Synod partici- digenous people, they transmit messages digenous territories to extractive indus- Notre Dame Sister Dorothy Stang, who pants had recommended that actions like from God, just as they did for some Bib- tries. worked with small-scale farmers in Bra- pollution, environmental destruction and lical figures, Miranda said. "The businesses, national or inter- zil. environmental injustice that endanger Such dreams are visions "that connect national, which harm the Amazon and fail Although Pope Francis warns that ex- with something very deep within the per- to respect the right of the original peoples tractive industries are a new form of colo- See AMAZON, Page 20 Reporting Sexual Abuse Reportar Abuso Sexual La Diócesis Católica de San Ángelo criba a la Diócesis de San Ángelo, Minis- The Catholic Diocese of San 325-374-7609 (cell), or write Diocese está firmemente comprometida a crear y terio de Asistencia a Víctimas, PO Box Angelo is firmly committed to cre- of San Angelo, Victim Assistance mantener el ambiente más seguro posible 1829, San Ángelo, TX 76902. Un intér- ating and maintaining the safest pos- Ministry, PO Box 1829, San Angelo, para nuestros niños y adultos vulnerables. prete de español está disponible. Si el in- sible environment for our children and TX 76902. If the incident occurred Si usted o alguien que usted conoce ha cidente ocurrió fuera de esta diócesis, vulnerable adults. If you or someone outside this diocese, our Victim Assis- sido víctima de abuso sexual por cual- nuestra Coordinadora de Asistencia a you know has been sexually abused by tance Coordinator will assist in bring- quier persona que sirve a la Iglesia, y Victimas le ayudará a traer su preocupa- anyone who serves the Church, and ing your concern to the attention of necesita un lugar para hablar con alguien ción a la atención de la diócesis cor- you need a place to talk with someone the appropriate diocese. Please keep sobre sus sentimientos de traición o he- respondiente. Por favor, tenga en cuenta about your feelings of betrayal or hurt in mind that one always has the right rido por la Iglesia, estamos aquí para ayu- que uno siempre tiene el derecho de re- by the Church, we are here to help to report abuse to civil authorities, and darle. Para reportar incidentes, llame a portar el abuso a las autoridades civiles, y you. To report incidents, call Lori civil law requires that any abuse of a Lori Hines, Coordinadora de Asistencia a la ley civil requiere que cualquier abuso Hines, Victim Assistance Coordinator, minor must be reported. Víctimas, 325-374-7609 (celular), o es- de un menor de edad debe ser reportado. The Angelus MARCH 2020 Page 3 From the Bishop’s Desk The Prayer Square Coronavirus and the Liturgy Prayer in defense of In response to concerns about COVID-19 (the Novel marriage Coronavirus), the Catholic Diocese of San Angelo has in- stituted temporary changes to some of the practices in the God our Father, we give you thanks Mass, in the interest of the health and well-being of our Bishop Michael J. Sis for the gift of marriage: the bond of life and love, faith community. These changes are to take place imme- and the font of the family.

diately, and they will remain in place until determined The love of husband and wife enriches your Church with otherwise by the bishop. Parishes will be notified when Diocese of San Angelo children, the temporary measures are lifted. fills the world with a multitude of spiritual fruitfulness and We should be vigilant but not panic. Since it is pos- service, sible for a person to be contagious for some time without and is the sign of the love of your Son, Jesus Christ, for being aware of it, we should all take care not to be inad- his Church. vertent transmitters of the virus. We should take seriously At all times, avoid touching your nose and mouth with the advice of public health authorities in our local areas. your hands. The grace of Jesus flowed forth at Cana at the If you are sick: Wash your hands often: request of the Blessed Mother. May your Son, Soap, water, and a good scrubbing are the best de- through the intercession of Mary, pour out upon us We care for the Body of Christ by first taking care of a new measure of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit our own body. The obligation to participate in Mass is not fense against viruses. This is especially important after as we join with all people of good will required for those who are sick. If you are sick, do not coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose, and before to promote and protect the unique beauty of marriage. worsen your illness by trying to get to church, and do not sharing food or drink with others. Scrub your hands with put others at risk of catching your illness. It is not sinful soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If you are not near May your Holy Spirit enlighten our society to miss Mass if you are sick; it is actually an expression soap and water, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer or to treasure the heroic love of husband and wife, of care for the health of others. If your children are sick, disposable hand wipe. and guide our leaders to sustain and protect keep them home from Mass, religious education, or youth Greeting people: the singular place of mothers and fathers ministry meetings. Those who greet people at the entrances of churches in the lives of their children. should limit physical contact, refraining from shaking If you are seriously ill, the Church wants to celebrate Father, we ask that our prayers with you the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. You hands, instead using smiles, eye contact, kind words, be joined to those of the Mary, can arrange for this by contacting your office. waves, simple bows, pats on the back, or even elbow that your Word may transform our service If you or someone in your family shows symptoms of bumps. so as to safeguard the incomparable splendor of marriage. the Coronavirus, please seek medical attention. Holy water fonts: We ask all these things through Christ our Lord, Don’t cough or sneeze into your hands: Holy water should be removed from fonts at this Amen. Use a tissue to cover your mouth and nose when you time. cough or sneeze, then throw it away. If you don’t have a Holding hands: Joachim and Anne, pray for us. tissue handy, do what school children are taught to do: In this particular time of public health concern over cough or sneeze into your shirt sleeve at the bent elbow, From the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, usccb.org. and avoid touching the area of fabric you coughed into. See BISHOP, Page 21 Coronavirus y la Liturgia Espacio de Oración En respuesta a las preocupaciones sobre COVID-19 (el nuevo coronavirus), la Diócesis Católica de San Ángelo ha Oración en defensa del instituido cambios temporales en algunas de las prácticas en matrimonio la Misa, en interés de la salud y el bienestar de nuestra co- Obispo Michael J. Sis munidad de fe. Estos cambios han de llevarse a cabo inme- diatamente, y permanecerán en su lugar hasta que se Dios Padre nuestro, te damos gracias determine lo contrario por el obispo. Las parroquias serán Diócesis de San Ángelo por el don del matrimonio: notificadas cuando se levanten estas medidas temporales. vínculo de vida y amor, y fuente de la familia. Debemos estar atentos, pero no en un pánico. Dado que es posible que una persona sea contagiosa por algún tiempo El amor de marido y mujer enriquece a tu Iglesia con hijos, sin ser consciente de ello, todos debemos tener cuidado de llena el mundo con una abundancia de fecundidad no ser transmisores involuntarios del virus. Hay que tomar boca con las manos. espiritual y servicio, y es signo del amor de tu Hijo, Jesucristo, por su Iglesia. en serio el consejo de las autoridades de salud pública en Lávese las manos con frecuencia: nuestras áreas locales. El jabón, agua, y una buena lavada son la mejor defensa La gracia de Jesús brotó en Caná a petición de su Santa Si está enfermo: contra los virus. Esto es especialmente importante después Madre. Cuidamos por el Cuerpo de Cristo primeramente por de toser, estornudar o sonarse la nariz, y antes de compartir Concédenos que tu Hijo, por la intercesión de la Virgen medio de cuidar nuestro propio cuerpo. La obligación de comida o alguna bebida con los demás. Restregué las María, participar en la Misa no es requerida para los que están en- manos con agua y jabón por lo menos 20 segundos. Si no derrame sobre nosotros una nueva medida fermos. Si está enfermo, no hay que empeorar su enferme- está cerca de jabón y agua, use un desinfectante para manos de los Dones del Espritu Santo al unirnos dad al tratar de llegar a la iglesia, y no hay que poner a otros con base de alcohol o una toallita de mano desechable. con toda persona de buena voluntad para promover y en riesgo de contraer la enfermedad. No es pecado perderse Saludando a la gente: proteger Los que dan la bienvenida a la gente en las entradas de la belleza única del matrimonio. la Misa si está enfermo; en realidad es una expresión de la atención a la salud de los demás. Si sus hijos están enfer- las iglesias deben limitar el contacto físico, absteniéndose Concede que tu Santo Espritu ilumine a nuestra sociedad mos, no los mande a la Misa, la educación religiosa, o reun- de dar la mano, en vez de eso han de utilizar sonrisas, con- para que atesore el amor heroico de marido y mujer, iones de pastoral juvenil. tacto visual, palabras amables, un saludo, simple inclina- y gue a nuestros líderes para que sostengan y protejan Si usted está gravemente enfermo, la Iglesia quiere ciones, palmaditas en la espalda, o incluso tope de codo. el puesto singular de padres y madres en la vida de sus celebrar con usted el Sacramento de la Unción de los Enfer- Pilas de agua bendita: niños. mos. Puede hacer arreglos para esto poniéndose en contacto El agua bendita debe ser retirado de fuentes en este mo- con su oficina parroquial. mento. Padre, te pedimos que nuestras oraciones se unan Si usted o alguien en su familia muestra síntomas de la Tomados de la mano: con las de la Santsima Virgen María Coronavirus, por favor, busque atención médica. En este momento particular del problema de salud púb- para que tu Verbo Divino transforme nuestro esfuerzo por salvaguardar el incomparable esplendor del No ha de toser o estornudar en sus manos: lica sobre el coronavirus, debemos abstenernos el tomarse matrimonio. Use un pañuelo para cubrirse la boca y la nariz al toser de las manos durante la oración del Padre Nuestro. o estornudar, y luego tírelo a la basura. Si no tiene un pa- Ninguna posición de la mano se recomienda en el Misal Te pedimos todas estas cosas por Cristo nuestro Señor, ñuelo a mano, haga lo que se les enseña a hacer a los niños Romano para este gesto en una asamblea durante la oración Amén. escolares: toser o estornudar en su manga de la camisa en el del Padre Nuestro. Aunque en general es aceptable para las codo doblado, y evite tocar la superficie de la tela en la cual San Joaquín y Santa Ana, rueguen por nosotros. tosió. En todo momento, ha de evitar tocarse la nariz y la Mira OBISPO, Página 20 Page 4 MARCH 2020 The Angelus CALENDARS

Lenten Penance Services

March 2020 26 CRANE, Good Shepherd Church, 6:00 p.m. 1 SAN ANGELO, ASU Catholic , 6:30 p.m. 26 ABILENE, Church, 7:00 p.m. 1 BROWNWOOD, St. Mary Queen of Peace, 7:00 p.m. 4 ABILENE, Sacred Heart Church, 7:00 p.m. 27 COLORADO CITY, St. Ann Church, 7:00 p.m. 1 MIDLAND, St. Stephen Church, 7:00 p.m. 5 COLEMAN, Sacred Heart Church, 7:00 p.m. 30 ROWENA, St. Joseph Church, 6:30 p.m. 2 ST. LAWRENCE, St. Lawrence Church, TBD 10 SWEETWATER, Holy Spirit Church, 7:00 p.m. 31 BALLINGER, St. Mary, Star of the Sea Church, 6:30 p.m. 2 SAN ANGELO, Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, 6:30 p.m. 11 ABILENE, St. Vincent Pallotti Church, 7:00 p.m. 31 ANDREWS, Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 7:00 p.m. 3 MIDLAND, Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 7:00 a.m. (all 12 SAN ANGELO, St. Margaret of Church, 7:00 p.m. day) 12 STANTON, St. Joseph Church, TBD 3 ODESSA, St. Joseph Church, 6:00 p.m. 25 ABILENE, St. Church, 7:00 p.m. April 2020 6 MIDLAND, St. Ann Church, 7:00 p.m. 25 MIDLAND, San Miguel Arcángel Church, 7:00 p.m. 6 SAN ANGELO, St. Joseph Church, 7:00 p.m. 25 WALL, St. Church, 7:00 p.m. 1 SONORA, St. Ann Church, 6:00 p.m. 8 OZONA, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 6:00 p.m.

22–23 SAN ANTONIO, Mexican American 3 SAN ANGELO, Sacred Heart Cathe- 19 MILES, St. Thomas, Confirmation Catholic College, TCCB Spring Meet- dral, Mass at 12:10 p.m. Mass at 8:00 a.m. Bishop’s ing 4 SAN ANGELO, Sacred Heart Cathe- 19 SAN ANGELO, Sacred Heart Cathe- 24 SAN ANGELO, Diocesan Pastoral dral, Palm Sunday Mass at 5:00 p.m. dral, Marriage Jubilee Mass at 3:00 Calendar Center, Presbyteral Council meeting 5 SAN ANGELO, Sacred Heart Cathe- p.m. at 11:00 a.m. dral, Palm Sunday Mass at 10:00 a.m. 21 SAN ANGELO, Diocesan Pastoral 24 MIDLAND, St. Ann, Adult Confirma- 5 SAN ANGELO, Holy Angels, Seder Center, Finance Council meeting at tion Mass at 7:00 p.m. Meal at 5:30 p.m. 11:00 a.m. March 2020 25 SAN ANGELO, Sacred Heart Cathe- 7 CHRISTOVAL, Carmelite Monastery, 22 WALL, St. Ambrose, Confirmation dral, Mass with to Mary Day of Reflection for Priests Mass at 7:00 p.m. 1 SAN ANGELO, Cathedral of the at 6:30 p.m. 7 SAN ANGELO, Sacred Heart Cathe- 23–25 DALLAS, State Sacred Heart, Rite of Election at 3:00 26 ODESSA, St. Joseph, Project Andrew dral, Chrism Mass at 6:30 p.m. Convention p.m. Dinner at 6:00 p.m. 9 SANANGELO, Sacred Heart Cathe- 25 MIDLAND, San Miguel Arcangel, Con- 2 SAN ANGELO, Christ the King Re- 27 SAN ANGELO, Sacred Heart Cathe- dral, Mass of the Lord’s Supper at firmation Mass at 5:00 p.m. treat Center, Mass for Region X dral, Mass at 12:10 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 26 OZONA, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, DFMC members at 11:00 a.m. 28 ODESSA, St. Mary, Diocesan Catho- 10 SAN ANGELO, St. Margaret, Good Confirmation Mass at 11:00 a.m. 2–4 BROWNSVILLE, Tex-Mex Border lic Schools Commission meeting at Friday procession at 1:00 p.m. 26 BROWNWOOD, St. Mary, Mass of In- Bishops’ meeting 9:00 a.m. 10 SAN ANGELO, Sacred Heart Cathe- stallation of Pastor at 5:30 p.m. 5 ODESSA, American Legion Hall, 29 ROWENA, St. Joseph, Confirmation dral, Service of the Lord’s Passion at 27 SAN ANGELO, Diocesan Pastoral Banquet of Hope at Mass at 9:30 a.m. 7:00 p.m. Center, Catholic Foundation board 6:00 p.m. 29 SAN ANGELO, Sacred Heart Cathe- 11 SAN ANGELO, Sacred Heart Cathe- meeting at 10:00 a.m. 7 BRADY, St. Patrick, 50th Anniversary dral Gymnasium, Diocesan Awards dral, Easter Vigil at 8:30 p.m. 27 ABILENE, Holy Family, Confirmation Mass Celebration at 5:00 p.m. Banquet at 4:30 p.m. 12 BALLINGER, St. Mary, Confirmation Mass at 7:00 p.m. 8 MIDLAND, San Miguel Arcángel, Rite 30–April 1 ST. LOUIS, MO, Kenrick-Glennon Mass at 11:30 a.m. 28 SAN ANGELO, Presbyteral Council of Election at 3:00 p.m. Seminary visit 13 SAN ANGELO, Christ the King Re- meeting at 11:00 a.m. 9–12 WASHINGTON, D.C., USCCB Com- treat Center, Mass at 7:00 p.m. 29 GARDEN CITY, St. Lawrence, Confir- mittee meetings 15 BIG LAKE, St. Margaret of Cortona, mation Mass at 6:00 p.m. 12–15 CONCEPTION, MO, Seminary Board April 2020 Confirmation Mass at 7:00 p.m. 30 SAN ANGELO, Diocesan Pastoral of Regents meeting 16 SAN ANGELO, Christ the King Re- Center, Vocation Team meeting at 16–20 SAN ANGELO, Christ the King Re- 2 SAN ANGELO, Sacred Heart Cathe- treat Center, Staff Picnic at 6:00 p.m. 10:00 a.m. treat Center, Diocesan Priests’ Re- dral, Lenten Penance Service at 6:30 18 SAN ANGELO, Holy Angels, Confir- 30 SAN ANGELO, St. Joseph, Confirma- treat p.m. mation Mass at 5:30 p.m. tion Mass at 7:00 p.m.

Necrology of Priests and Christ the King Retreat Center Please pray for our departed clergy

March 2020 April 2020 March April

10 2 1 Engaged Encounter & Natural 5 Palm Sunday Rev. Stephen Kennelly (2017) Lazaro Sevier (2009) 10 3 Family Planning 5 Confirmation Retreat Deacon Bonifacio Rodriguez (2017) Deacon Edward Martinez (1985) 11 3 1–3 Region X DFMC 6 Heart of Mercy Prayer Group Deacon Albert Libertore (1977) Deacon Alan Neff (2016) 14 4 6–7 First Central Presbyterian Women’s 10 CKRC Offices Closed in Obser- Rev. George Fey, CPPS (2013) Deacon Andres Hernandez (2013) 15 7 Retreat vance of Good Friday Deacon Cosme Ureta (2011) Deacon Jerry Treviño (2017) 21 16 8 Confirmation Retreat 12 Easter Deacon Frank Trudo (1992) Deacon Eliseo Carrillo (1989) 26 17 9 Heart of Mercy Prayer Group 13 Heart of Mercy Prayer Group Rev. Serran Braun (1999) Rev. Lee Zimmerman, CM (2000) 26 17 13–15 Deacon Formation 17–19 Deacon Formation Deacon Audon Saldivar (2000) Rev. Msgr. James Plagens (2015) 19 16–20 DOSA Annual Priest Retreat 20 Heart of Mercy Prayer Group Rev. John Lavin (1983) 21 20–22 Engaged Encounter & Natural 23–26 Small Town ACTS Women’s Retreat Rev. Thomas Leahy, SAC (1969) 22 Family Planning 27 Heart of Mercy Prayer Group Deacon Jesús (Jesse) Vasquez (2018) 23 23 Heart of Mercy Prayer Group 28 Deacon Quarterly Rev. Louis Droll (2006) 25 25 DOSA Staff Mass & Lunch Deacon Juan Muñoz (2007) 29 26–29 Men’s Walk to Emmaus Deacon Robert Daigle (1986) 30 Heart of Mercy Prayer Group The Angelus MARCH 2020 Page 5 Coronavirus fears elicit response, tips from Catholic leaders West Texas Angelus “The in the United To stay informed, the three rec- Bishop Michael Sis issued just such States stands in solidarity with those af- ommend visiting the website of the precautionary directives in a communica- SAN ANGELO — The recent spread fected by the coronavirus and their fam- Centers for Disease Control and Preven- tion to all priests in the Diocese of San of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) around ilies, health workers who are valiantly tion at Angelo March 4. For the full announce- the world has led leaders within the trying to diagnose and treat patients, and https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019- ment, see Page 3. While the memo from church and other Catholic organizations those under quarantine awaiting the re- ncov/index.html. Bishop Sis means such measures are in to highlight the Catholic response so far sults of their screening for the virus.” The U.S. Conference of Catholic place throughout the diocese, at least 15 and to reiterate the steps people can take The three also note that “Catholic Bishops has also issued guidance in the churches within the diocese were already to prevent the spread of the disease that healthcare providers are at the front line form of a memo sent to all bishops in the seeing such steps at the discretion of their has killed 22 people in the United States of providing treatment and care to those United States from Bishop Leonard P. pastor. While these suspensions are com- and over 3,800 worldwide as of March 9. impacted by the virus.” They praise the Blair of Hartford, Connecticut, chairman monplace during flu season, heightened In a Feb. 18 joint statement, Bishop actions thus far of the Vatican — which in of the USCCB Committee on Divine anxiety over the coronavirus was cited by David J. Malloy of Rockford, Illinois, early February sent 700,000 respiratory Worship. The memo includes several con- three parishes as part of their rationale for chairman of the U.S. Conference of Cath- masks to China, the initial site of the co- siderations bishops might take “if and instituting these precautions at this time. olic Bishops’ Committee on International ronavirus outbreak — and the United when it becomes necessary to take pre- “In the event that the threat becomes Justice and Peace; Sean Callahan, pres- States government, which transported ventative steps with regard to the celebra- dire,” the memo from Bishop Blair con- ident of ; and more than 17 tons of donated medical tion of the liturgy in your local church.” tinues, “the also has the Sister Mary Haddad, supplies to China. According to Bishop Blair, precau- authority to” take steps such as granting president of the Catholic Health Associa- “This response to the novel coronavi- tionary measures that could be utilized in- “a general dispensation from the obliga- tion of the United States, wrote that they rus demonstrates the critical importance clude: “suspending the exchange of the tion to attend Sunday Mass” or suspend- “hope that governments will work to- of the need to work together and to invest sign of peace (or instructing that it be ex- ing “public celebrations of the liturgy, gether in partnership to improve all na- in crucial health care systems here and in changed without physical contact)” and including Mass.” Steps such as these have tions’ capacity to prevent, detect, and other countries, thus preventing and re- “suspending the distribution of Holy already been seen in parts of Asia and Eu- respond to this virus.” sponding to community-wide emer- Communion to the faithful via the cha- rope that experienced early cases of the The joint statement continues to say, gencies,” the statement reads. lice.” virus. As COVID-19 spreads, Catholic entities worldwide take precautions By Bronwen Dachs health agencies to educate those families Dioceses around the world took pre- fonts be emptied, especially in the holy Catholic News Service on preventing infection and distributing cautions such as recommending that sites and sanctuaries. 60,000 bars of soap," it said. In Cambo- Communion is received only in the hand The Israeli education ministry told Catholic aid agencies are protecting dia, it is piloting a work-from-home ar- and that people do not shake hands during Catholic News Services that 14 students their staff's safety as they increase their rangement. the sign of peace at Mass, especially in from the Sisters' High School in worldwide efforts to stop the spread of The agency, part of the Caritas Inter- places frequented by pilgrims. East Jerusalem were in self-quarantine the coronavirus COVID-19. nationalis network, noted it has vast ex- The French Shrine of Our Lady of following their return from a conference Catholic dioceses around the world, perience "fighting fast-moving disease Lourdes announced that pilgrims were in Genoa, . too, are following protocols issued by outbreaks," citing the reach of its partners still welcome, but the pools the sick bathe The spread of the coronavirus in Eu- their government health ministries. in vulnerable and remote communities. in, hoping for healing, would be closed rope has intensified, with the majority of Catholic Relief Services, which has increased temporarily. cases in Italy; as many as 20 countries on works in more than 110 countries, is "re- checks on its staff and is distributing sur- The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem the continent recorded new cases. stricting all but the most mission-critical gical masks to people in need in Hong issued precautionary guidelines to follow The Italian Civil Protection Service travel, with contingency operational plans Kong, where two people have died during celebration of Masses, noting the said 3,089 people in Italy had the corona- in place should the disease take hold in among the 103 people infected. Members local church's "unique situation." virus as of 6 p.m. March 4. Of those, 107 any of the countries where the organiza- of the Caritas network of aid agencies are "Thousands of pilgrims from differ- have died and 276 have recovered. tion operates," it said. running risk awareness and hygiene edu- ent parts of the world come to the Holy Schools closed in all of Italy March 5-15. The U.S. bishops' international relief cation campaigns in the countries where Land to visit the holy sites and churches," The Archdiocese of Milan suspended and development agency is working "to they work. the patriarchate said, noting that "in some all public celebrations of Mass until prevent and mitigate the spread of the More than 3,000 people have died cases, the pilgrims are also in contact further notice in compliance with Italian deadly virus" while protecting the safety globally from COVID-19, which emerged with our local churches and com- health ministry precautions. of its staff, it said in a March 3 statement. in the Chinese city of Wuhan in De- munities." Schools and universities were closed CRS suspended its education pro- cember. The World Health Organization Its directive said Communion is to be to prevent the spread of the coronavirus grams for children in camps in Afghani- said that, by early March, more than received only in the hand and made the stan and is now "working with local 92,000 infections had been confirmed. "preventive suggestion" that holy water See PRECAUTIONS, Page 21 Pope skips penance service with clergy due to mild cold By Junno Arocho Esteves Italy has been on high alert due to the assured all those affected by the coro- Catholic News Service spread of the coronavirus. According to navirus of his closeness and prayers. the Italian civil protection service, 528 He said his prayers were also with the (CNS) — Pope people have been infected with the health care professionals and public of- Francis did not attend a traditional pen- virus as of noon Feb. 27. Twelve, and ficials who were working hard to help itential service with priests of the Dio- perhaps, 14 people have died, the of- patients and stop the spread of the dis- cese of Rome due to a mild cold, the fice said. The majority of people in- ease. Vatican said. fected are located in the northern Lazio, the region surrounding the In a statement Feb. 27, Matteo Italian regions of Lombardy and Vatican, has had three confirmed cases Bruni, director of the Vatican press of- Veneto. of coronavirus infection, including a fice, said that due to "a slight indis- During his weekly general audience married couple from Wuhan, China, the position," the pope preferred to remain Feb. 26, the pope reduced his contact epicenter of the outbreak. All three close to the , with people in St. Peter's Square, shak- have recovered from the virus and will where he lives. ing hands with only a few people be- soon be released from the hospital, the However, "other commitments will fore beginning his talk. The pope health ministry said. proceed normally," Bruni said. Accord- circled the square in the popemobile, - - - ing to the Vatican, the pope met with waving and blessing people from afar, Follow Arocho on Twitter: @aro- members of the Global Catholic Cli- and the driver and the pope's security choju mate Movement in one of the meeting detail did not stop to pick up any chil- dren as is customary. Pope Francis uses a handkerchief during Ash rooms of the Paul VI audience hall. Wednesday Mass at the Basilica of Santa CNS PHOTO | News of the pope's cold comes as At the end of his audience, the pope Sabina in Rome Feb. 26, 2020. REMO CASILLI, REUTERS Page 6 MARCH 2020 The Angelus Grant application Book on Marian period open for Consecration San Angelo offered to Diocese Catholic Foundation of San Angelo readers at discounted price

What do St. Louis de Montfort, St. Maximilian Kolbe, St. John Paul II, and St. Teresa of Calcutta all have in com- mon? They have all made the Consecra- tion to Jesus through Mary. The lives of these saints prove that de- votion to the Mother of God leads to a The Catholic Foundation for the Roman greater union with Jesus Christ. Catholic Diocese of San Angelo held its An- Father Michael Gaitley is the author of nual Meeting on February 3, 2020. The trust- the bestselling book 33 Days to Morning ees, after reviewing the positive returns on Glory. The book summarizes the Marian investments, adopted a five-percent payout teaching of these 4 giant saints, and ex- rate for Foundation endowments as of De- plains how making this Consecration cember 31, 2019. changed their lives. It is a 33 day, do-it- Therefore $59,027 will be available from yourself retreat in preparation for Marian unrestricted endowment funds to be distributed Consecration. as grants this year for projects and programs of And now … the Association of Marian parishes, schools, and Catholic organizations Helpers is giving a special discount to the throughout the diocese. Diocese of San Angelo! To receive this Interested parties can apply for a grant by $15 book for only $5 (English and Spa- reviewing the Grant Policy and completing the nish), go to www.shopmercy.org. Use the Grant Application found on the website: COURTESY promo code dosa20 at checkout. (For www.catholicfoundationsanangelo.org. All Bishop Michael Sis (right) with theologian and author Dr. Edward Sri at Christ more information call Diane Eggemeyer at Grant Applications must include the pastor’s the King Retreat Center in San Angelo. Sri was the speaker at a recent priests’ 432-556-6593). signature and are due by Friday April 10, conference held Feb. 18–19. Sri spoke to the priests of the diocese about Mary. 2020. The Board of Trustees will review all grant applications and approve those address- ing critical needs in our diocese at a meeting in Perpetual adoration chapel celebrates 15 years April. All grants made will be paid before June 30, 2020. call moments when your child was Grants of $67,773 were also paid in Feb- sleeping, and you just watched her, ruary to the beneficiaries as designated by the peaceful, admiring the beauty of God’s donors of the designated endowment funds. In creation.” Important things happen in si- addition, $211,124 was distributed to the lence and we all need to find to find a agencies who have Investment Management place where we can be silent. Agreements with the Foundation for the man- Bishop Sis thanked the hundreds of agement of their endowment funds. The total volunteers that it takes to keep the value of our portfolio on December 31, 2019, chapel open twenty-four hours a day, was $8,924,301. seven days a week. “You, through the The Catholic Foundation was established practice of Eucharistic adoration, under- in 2010 for the benefit of our diocese. The stand the value of silent prayer. In the si- Foundation is a non-profit corporation that is lent presence of Jesus in the Blessed legally separate from the Diocese of San Sacrament, we contemplate the truth that Angelo. The trustees of the Foundation are: Jesus speaks in today’s Gospel passage, Bishop Michael J. Sis, Chairman; Mrs. Lois from John chapter 6: Folger, President; Mr. Steve McKay, Secre- ‘My flesh is true food, and my tary/Treasurer; Rev. Timothy Hayter; Ms. Mi- blood is true drink;’ ‘Unless you eat the chelle Allen; Mr. Oran “Trey” Berry III; Mr. COURTESY flesh of the Son of Man, and drink of his blood, you do not have life within you.’ “ David Boutin; and Mr. Douglas Burns. The Father Adam Droll, Bishop Michael Sis, and St. Margaret pastor Father Santiago Udayar trustees are extremely grateful for the con- were on hand for a Mass commemorating the 15th anniversary of St. Margaret of Scotland In the chapel, we join the apostles in fidence of the donors to the Foundation. Donor Church’s perpetual adoration chapel. the Garden of Gethsemane on the night generosity has made it possible for the Foun- By JoAnn Turner Angelo, in celebration of 15 years of per- before Jesus died, sitting and watching dation to make investments and achieve the petual adoration of Our Lord in San with him. We currently have over 250 growth that has allowed continued grant mak- From the West Texas Angelus Feb- Angelo. adorers who spend an hour with Jesus — ing from endowment funds on an annual basis. ruary, 2005: “Bishop Michael D. Pfeifer, For 15 years this chapel has been a some more than one hour. We always Donations given to the Foundation are tax- OMI, Bishop of San Angelo, dedicated haven for those who need solace, a place need more permanent adorers or people deductible to the full extent allowed by law. A and blessed the Perpetual Adoration to go to quietly listen to the Lord. Bishop who are willing to substitute when some- gift to an Endowment Fund is a gift that will Chapel at a Mass at St. Margaret’s Sis reminded us of the importance of si- one is sick or away. If you would like to serve the Catholic family in the Diocese of San Church on Wednesday evening, January lence in our busy and hectic world. He join us in Adoration of Our Lord, please Angelo in perpetuity. The value of the princi- 26, 2005, at 7:00 p.m. St. Margaret’s asked us to “think of things that happen in contact Muriel Emerson at 325-450-6971 pal of the original gift will be preserved while Church, at 2619 Era St. in San Angelo, silence: The blood flows through your and she will help you find an hour that the growth and earnings on the investment now has the only chapel in San Angelo veins, silently. The tree grows in the for- will fit your schedule or set you up as a may be distributed out in grants on an annual that will be open to the public twenty-four est, sinking its roots into the soil, stretch- substitute. basis. Additional information on how to set up hours a day, seven days a week, every day ing its branches toward Heaven, in The adoration chapel is open to an Endowment Fund is available on the Foun- of the year.” silence. The fish swims gracefully anyone who wants a quiet place to pray dation website at On Friday, Jan. 31, 2020, at 6:00 p.m. through the water. The beautiful deer runs and be with the Lord in silence. We invite www.catholicfoundationsanangelo.org. Bishop Michael Sis offered Mass at St. and jumps over fences. Only in silence everyone to come and visit Jesus anytime Margaret Church, at 2619 Era St. in San can you notice the beat of your heart. Re- of the day or night. The Angelus MARCH 2020 Page 7

COURTESY COURTESY Father Josh Gray (foreground) and Deacon John Rangel hold candles to the throats of attendees as part of the The Diocese of San Angelo’s Catholic Charismatic Service Committee sponsored a Healing Mass of the Holy Spirit and traditional blessing given on the feast day of St. Blaise Anointing of the Sick in Big Spring on Tuesday, Feb. 11. Holy Catholic Church and pastor Father Serafin Avenido Feb. 3 at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in San hosted the event with Father Albert Ezeanya as the celebrant. Even though wintery weather was predicted for the area, the Angelo. St. Blaise, a fourth century bishop, is patron of church was at full capacity. Inspiring praise and worship songs were sung throughout the evening. Father Albert's message throat illnesses. was one of forgiveness. He said that unforgiveness could block the healing God has for us. Signs and wonders were ev- idence of the Spirit at work; many physical, emotional and spiritual healings took place throughout the evening. Please join us at our next Healing Mass of the Holy Spirit at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 10, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 837 Jeanette Street, Abilene, TX. For more information, please go to www.catholiccharismatic.com.

WEST TEXAS ANGELUS The Diocese of San Angelo’s Finance Office hosted the members of the Diocesan Fiscal Management Conference from Region X (Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas) for a conference Feb. 1–3. Pictured are attendees before a Mass celebrated Bishop Michael Sis Feb. 2 at Christ the King Retreat Center in San Angelo. Page 8 MARCH 2020 The Angelus Poor baker’s apprentice became patron of Vienna For all intents and purposes Jo- hannes (Dvorak) Hofbauer was des- Mary Lou Gibson tined to become a baker. He was born on December 26, Speaking of Saints 1751, in Moravia (eastern part of the Czech Republic). As the ninth child in a poor family, there were few job choices available for a boy with no funds for a formal education. His father died in 1757 when Johannes was six, and at age 15 he became a baker’s apprentice. He had hoped to at- tend the diocesan seminary, but he lacked the funds and in- stead became a for a time. He came into the town near the mountains of Tivoli to attend Mass. It was after Mass one day when he offered to hail a carriage for two ladies that his COURTESY life changed forever. Bishop Michael Sis was presented the K of C state charities check at a district banquet in Miles, Texas, on Sat- The Rev. Clifford Stevens writes in The One Year Book of urday Feb. 1, 2020. The $12,000 check represents a portion of the contributions of San Angelo diocesan Saints that while Johannes chatted with the ladies and they Knights of Columbus councils to the state charity fund. This fund is used to assist members and others in times of need, as well as to support the bishops of Texas. Presenting the check to Bishop Sis are San Angelo found out he was too poor to study for the priesthood, they Knights of Columbus Diocesan Deputy Don Piwonka (right) and Assistant Diocesan Deputy George Huseman. offered to pay for his education at the University of Vienna. After his education, Johannes and his friend Thaddeus Hubl went on three pilgrimages to Rome. On the third trip in Judge not that you be not 1784 they joined the Redemptorists while was still alive. Paul Burns writes in Butler’s Lives of the Saints that Johannes then realized his true vocation was that of a missioner. judged? Johannes was ordained and took the names of Clement “Christians shouldn’t criticize others’ lifestyles Mary. He was sent to Lithuania, the first member of the rel- or actions. Didn’t Jesus say not to judge?” Perhaps atively new Congregation to be sent north of the Alps. you, too, have heard this. So what did Jesus mean The Papal nuncio sent him next to Warsaw to minister to in those words we read in Matthew 7:1 and Luke several thousand German speaking Catholics in the city. In 6:37? The key to understanding Jesus' teaching is in Father Knick and Sandie 1787 Clement Mary opened the house of St. Benno which be- the words that follow. "For with the judgment you Knickerbocker came the center for his missionary work. For the next 20 pronounce you will be judged, and the measure you years, Clement Mary and his friend Peter Kunzmann worked give will be the measure you get" (Mt 7:2 RSVCE). among the poor, built orphanages and schools and begged in How often do we judge or criticize others about taverns to support his work. He set up religious associations behaviors or sins we ourselves have or behaviors and established Redemptorist houses in and Switz- and sins that do not tempt us? Jesus admonishes, erland. Clement Mary became for Middle Eu- "Why do you see the speck that is in your 's prayer — and when we can, correction. rope in 1793. eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own In the seven Spiritual we are David Farmer writes in the Oxford Dictionary of Saints eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me told (1) to instruct the ignorant — by sharing the that Napoleon’s invasion brought this work to an end. Clem- take the speck out of your eye,' when there is the faith and especially by example; (2) to counsel the ent Mary and his fellow Redemptorists were arrested and im- log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the doubtful — in times of trial and temptation through log out of your own eye, and then you will see faith sharing, prayer, and companionship; (3) to ad- prisoned in 1808. While he and his companions were clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye" monish the sinner — in love and humility; (4) to imprisoned in a fortress on the banks of the Oder, the in- (Mt 7:3-5). bear wrongs patiently — without resentment or fluence of their hymn singing for their fellow prisoners Jesus is warning us about the sin of hypocrisy. vindictiveness; (5) to forgive offenses willingly — brought crowds that gathered outside. Burns writes that the It is easier to see and judge someone else's sins "as many as seventy times seven"; (6) to comfort authorities were forced to expel Clement Mary and his com- than to see and judge our own. Jesus' teachings are the afflicted — with prayer, friendship, and assis- panions and send them back to their native country. clear that we should be aware of immorality in our tance; (7) to pray for the living and the dead. Mon- Clement Mary returned to Vienna where he worked in the lives — of thought, word, or deed, things done and signor Keith Derouen in writing about the Spiritual Italian quarter and was the chaplain to the Ursuline and left undone. So, is Jesus telling us not to recognize Works of Mercy, uses this quotation: “Our private of their church. He became widely known as a moral evil in the behaviors of others? Certainly not. intercession for our neighbors and for the departed preacher and founded a Catholic college in Vienna and was He tells us, “You will know them by their fruits” brings us little fame or admiration from others, but influential in revitalizing the religious life of the German na- (Mt 7:20). St. Paul writes to the Galatians, "Do not in the end, when we stand before God, we will be tions. be deceived; God is not mocked, for whatever a able to give an account of our prayerful mercy to During this time, Clement Mary fought vigorously man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows others, and so Jesus will in turn show us mercy.” against the whole concept of Josephinism — the secular dom- to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption; "I really don't want to get involved in someone ination of the Church and hierarchy by the secular ruler. but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit else's life. How someone chooses to live his life is Clement Mary became ill in 1819 and died on March 15, reap eternal life. … So then, as we have opportu- none of my business. Live and let live." Are we our 1820. His funeral in Vienna was attended by thousands who nity, let us do good to all men" (6:7–8,10). brother's keeper (Gen 4:9)? "Brethren, if a man is heard Pope Pius VII declare that Catholicism had lost its As we acknowledge the immorality of a brother overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual mainstay in . He was canonized by Pope Pius X in or sister, we are to "forgive, and you will be for- should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Look to 1909. He is the patron saint of Vienna and the Redemptorists given; give, and it will be given to you; good meas- yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one regard him as the second founder of their Order. ure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ" will be put into your lap. For the measure you give (Gal 6:1-2). Ultimately, our concern should be for - - - Mary Lou Gibson writes about the saints for the West will be the measure you get back" (Lk 6:37b–38). from her home in Austin. As we offer forgiveness, we are to offer mercy and See KNICKERBOCKERS, Page 23 Texas Angelus The Angelus MARCH 2020 Page 9 Challenges and graces of One year ago this month the document Christus just a group to belong to that will leave them flounder- Vivit was released. Christus Vivit (Christ is Alive) is the ing when they are no longer part of that group. post-synodal apostolic exhortation that was written by In addressing the young people, Pope Francis shares Pope Francis in response to the Fifteenth Ordinary Gen- a message that should be at the center of all our mini- eral Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on young Alison Pope stries — God loves you, Christ saves you, Christ is people, faith, and vocation discernment that was held in alive! These three truths, according to Pope Francis, are October of 2018. It must be noted that the age group something “we should never keep quiet about” (111). considered by the Synod is 16–29 years old. In the doc- Pope Francis does not only challenge older genera- ument, when referring to “young people,” the same age tions, he also challenges young people: “Let us steer range is applied. clear of young people who think that adults represent a While this exhortation is a short and easy read, it is meaningless past, and those adults who always think a challenging document. Pope Francis reminds both the differences. Pope Francis reminds us of this when he they know how young people should act” (201). We are young people and the church-at-large that what we’ve writes, “I encourage communities to examine, respect- reminded that we need both the older and the younger been doing no longer works. The world we live in has fully and seriously, the situation of their young people, generations in our church. We must strive to remember changed, as well as how we relate to the world and our in order to find the most fitting ways of providing them that we need to listen to each other and learn from each faith. This is especially true of Millennials and Genera- with pastoral care” (103). other as everybody, regardless of age or experiences, has tion Z. As Pope Francis puts it, “Consequently, the Youth ministry must be synodal, meaning that the something worthwhile to contribute. Church should not be excessively caught up in herself, young people must be involved in all aspects and mini- Young people are also challenged to grow in their but instead, and above all, reflect Jesus Christ. This stries of the parish. We often delegate ministry to young faith without losing the good things about their current means humbly acknowledging that some things con- people to a particular group or program, but it should in- stage of life: “I hope that you will be serious enough cretely need to change, and if that is to happen, she volve the entire community. While effective youth mini- about yourselves to make an effort to grow spiritually. needs to appreciate the vision but also the criticisms of stry does require proper planning and organization, we Along with all the other exciting things about youth, young people” (39). are reminded that “Youth ministry needs to become there is also the beauty of seeking ‘righteousness, faith, Pope Francis begins the document by reminding all more flexible: inviting young people to events or occa- love and peace’ (2 Tm 2:22). This does not involve los- of us what Scripture says about young people, pulling sions that provide an opportunity not only for learning, ing anything of your spontaneity, boldness, enthusiasm examples from both the Old and New Testaments. He but also for conversing, celebrating, singing, listening to and tenderness” (159). uses all of chapter two to remind us what Scripture helps real stories and experiencing a shared encounter with the Young people are reminded that holiness is unique us learn about Jesus as an adolescent, as well as what he living God” (204). Ministry should be comprehensive, to each individual: “I would also remind you that you taught about young people. “Let us keep in mind that incorporating a variety of methods and components, and won’t become holy and find fulfillment by copying Jesus had no use for adults who looked down on the not simply focused on one thing such as social events or others. … You have to discover who you are and de- young or lorded it over them. On the contrary, he in- learning facts about the faith. velop your own way of being holy, whatever others may sisted that ‘the greatest among you must become like the Pope Francis also emphasizes “that youth ministry say or think” (162). While we all should encourage each youngest’ (Lk 22:26). For him, age did not establish involves two main courses of action. One is outreach, other to grow in holiness, that does not mean that their privileges, and being young did not imply lesser worth the way we attract new young people to an experience holiness must look like ours. or dignity” (14). of the Lord. The other is growth, the way we help those Pope Francis also implores young people not to There is a tendency in youth ministry for some to who have already had that experience to mature in it” waste their young years: “Dear young people, make the look at what they consider a successful program and (209). While some tend to look strictly at numbers when most of these years of your youth. Don’t observe life want to copy it exactly. While that is not always a bad evaluating ministry, we must also remember that effec- from a balcony. … Take risks, even if it means making thing, we must keep in mind that every community is tive ministry helps people to grow in faith, not simply mistakes. … Make a ruckus! Cast out the fears that different, and what works with one set of young people show up at events. Effective ministry gives young may not work the same with another because of these people the skills needed to live out a life-long faith, not See CHRISTUS VIVIT, Page 23 The crosses of Calvary ... why three? In all four of the Gospels, it is reported that Jesus the words of Paul in Colossians (1:24) when he writes did not die alone on Calvary but, rather, in the company “Even now I find my joy in the suffering I endure for of two other men. Mathew (27:38) tells us that “Two in- you. In my own flesh I fill up what is lacking in the suf- surgents were crucified along with him, one at his right ferings of Christ for the sake of his body, the church.” and one at his left.” Similarly, we read in Mark (15:27), James R. Sulliman, PhD And what is it that is “lacking in the sufferings of “With him they crucified two insurgents, one at his right Christ”? Simply OUR participation as we unite our suf- and one at his left.” Luke (23:33) explains: “When they ferings with His. came to Skull Place, as it was called, they crucified him The reason for three crosses becomes clearer now there and the criminals as well, one on his right and the and Luke helps us to understand when he tells us, “One other on his left.” Finally, John (19:18) concurs, “There of the criminals hanging in crucifixion blasphemed him: they crucified him, and two others with him: one on ‘Aren’t you the Messiah? Then save yourself and us.’ either side, Jesus in the middle.” could to help loved ones and strangers alike. But the other one rebuked him: ‘Have you no fear of Why three? If I were God, I would have had Jesus On July 3, Paula’s spirit was freed from her body God, seeing you are under the same sentence? We de- alone so that all the attention would be on him and no after eight months of supremely intense pain. Through- serve it after all. We are only paying the price for what one else would have shared the spotlight. Why three? out the entire time it was my great gift to know and be we’ve done, but this man had done nothing wrong.’ He Why not two or four or ten? I never had ever thought with her, she accepted her multiple conditions as God’s then said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you enter upon about it much before and perhaps you haven’t either, will and never complained, never faltered, never quit. your reign’” (23:39–42). There you have it … the an- just taking it as a “matter of fact.” But there is a very Instead, she resolutely prayed each day for the honor of swer for three crosses. important reason why three. Just as each scene in a joining her suffering with the suffering of Jesus and There has always been, is now, and always will be movie is not included “by accident,” but rather because asked for the gift of suffering so that her children, only two choices when we are faced with great pain and it is important to the filmmaker that it be seen by the grandchildren, and babies about to be aborted would be suffering … we either blaspheme God, and spew out viewer, we can be certain that God wanted us to re- spared from feeling pain so intensely. She modeled love poison with hatred the main emotion or, like the “good member three crosses … but why? The answer will be and I have no doubt she was asking Jesus to let her thief” and like Paula, we unite our sufferings with the found in Luke, but before he tells us, I want to tell you suffer like him for others right up to the very hour of her sufferings of Christ where love is the primary concern. about a wonderful local Catholic woman. death, for Jesus tells us, “No one has greater love than The world needs more true martyrs, not less. I have long I met Paula 26 years ago, when she was 40. Since this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (Jn 15:13). prayed that I might follow in the footsteps of Jesus … that time, I became a close family friend to her, her hus- When I told people what Paula did with her pain, now I have added Paula’s! band, children, and grandchildren. Never have I ever they were often astounded by her faith and love. Of - - - seen a person suffer as much as she did. She refused to course, many of my therapist colleagues might say to Dr. James Sulliman, a graduate of Rutgers Univer- make a big deal out of the many medical conditions she me “Ha! A classic example of a martyr complex.” To sity and Florida State University, has 50 years’ experi- had because she did not want to draw attention to herself them, I say, in turn, that they are classic examples of su- ence in individual, marriage, and family therapy. He is and refused to allow physical impairments to stop her perficial myopic perception bordering on the inane in its also the Abilene-area pro-life coordinator for the Dio- from living life to the fullest and doing everything she lack of depth. For they would equally be confused by cese of San Angelo. Page 10 MARCH 2020 The Angelus DIOCESAN BRIEFS Local Vocation:

Generation FSCC – New weekly Latin the newest Francis- can Sisters of Chris- tian Charity in Mass offered in formation gathered recently between as- signment and study Odessa at their Mother- house in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Front St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in row, right to left: Odessa has added a 7:30 a.m. Mass Sister Cecilia Joy to its regular Sunday schedule. This Kugel, Diocese of Green Bay, WI; Mass is celebrated in Latin using the Sister Mary Teresa Roman Missal of Pope St. Paul VI, Bettag, Archdiocese usually called the Ordinary Form. of Milwaukee, WI; Mary Jane Schwartz, Father Mark Woodruff, pastor of St. Diocese of Mar- Elizabeth’s, hopes this Mass will quette, MI. Back help preserve the Latin Patrimony of row: Sister Maria Guadalupe Martinez the Church. Just to Lopez, Diocese of be clear, the form of the Mass is not Raleigh, NC; Sister Concepcion Medina, the Tridentine or Extraordinary Diocese of San Form. In this Mass, the congregation Angelo, TX; Sister answers the Mass parts. All are wel- Clare Rose Oswald, Diocese of Steuben- come. ville, OH; Sister Col- leen Demro, Diocese of Green Bay, WI. COURTESY

Small Town Womens’ ACTS Retreat

You are invited to attend the Small Town ACTS (STACTS) Women's Retreat for 2020. The retreat is April 23 to April 26, 2020, at Christ the King Retreat Center in San Angelo, Texas. The retreat begins Thursday, April 23, at 6:00 p.m., with check-in at St. Mary’s in Ballinger, Texas, and ends Sunday, April 26, with a closing Mass also at St. Mary's. A meal and reception for the retreatants, their families, and the STACTS com- munity will follow in the parish hall after Mass. Retreatant transportation will be provided to and from Christ the King Retreat Center. This weekend retreat gives you the chance to spend qual- ity time with God, focus on your faith, and cultivate friendships among members of the church com- munity. For more information or to reg- ister, please contact one of the fol- lowing: Lupe Juarez (325-365-1330, [email protected]), Gaye Pelzel (325-656-2590), Elke Hughes (512-659-7451), Darla Williams (325-450-5871), Mary Etta Kvapil (325-365-1248), or Joan Schwartz (325-234-3958). Sponsored by the Small Town Catholic Communities of Ballinger, Miles, Olfen, Rowena, St. Lawrence, and Wall. The Angelus MARCH 2020 Page 11

“Anchor your marriage in the joy of Christ” Page 12 MARCH 2020 The West Texas Angelus MARCH 2020 Page 13 A Future Full of Hope The Diocesan Pastoral Plan in Action In October 2019, the Diocese of San Angelo initiated a new pastoral plan to highlight four areas of increased focus over the next few years: form disciples, engage young adults, accompany youth, and nurture families. Here are some ways in which these priorities are being lived throughout the diocese.

Form Disciples

A full house was on hand at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart for the Rite of Election March 3.

WEST TEXAS ANGELUS WEST TEXAS ANGELUS The candidates and catechumens who will be officially joining the church dur- After the Rite of Election, candidates, catechumens, and their godparents and ing their parish’s Easter Vigil Mass this year stood as each of their names was families were invited to a reception and opportunity to have their photo taken called aloud. with Bishop Sis in the Cathedral’s gym. WEST TEXAS ANGELUS Representatives of every parish in the diocese were invited to Christ the King Retreat Center on Feb. 15 to learn more about the pasto- ral plan and how they can implement the priorities of the plan in their parish communities. WEST TEXAS ANGELUS

Engage Young Adults Accompany Youth Nurture Families

Left: Father Adam Droll answers a question from the audience while his fellow panelists seminarian Upton Sewell, Father Freddy Perez, and Father Ryan Rojo listen during a ses- sion focusing on the vocation of the priesthood.

WEST TEXAS ANGELUS WEST TEXAS ANGELUS The Diocese of San Angelo’s Divine Providence Sister Elsa Garcia and Carmelite Sisters Mary Grace Erl and Vocation Office hosted a “Many Elisha Marie Bernal led a session on the vocation to religious life. Paths to Discipleship” infor- mational day about the various vocations available within the Catholic Church, Feb. 29 at St. Mary Church in San Angelo. COURTESY COURTESY While one goal of the day was As part of the pastoral plan priority of engaging young adults, Bishop Michael Sis has to reach youth who are ap- Consecrated Virgin Jenna Chang showed photos of her consecration while ex- Holy Spirit Parish in Sweetwater held their first Covenant of Love Date Night/Pacto de Amor promised to meet with young people throughout the diocese. Pictured here are those who proaching the end of high plaining the ceremony during a talk on her particular call to the vocation of sin- Noche de Cita on Feb. 23. Parishioners Sandy Gallegos and Dina Villa have been placed in attended a recent listening session at Midland College, Feb. 26. school, the day’s talks were gle life. charge of a parish committee dedicated to nurturing families at Holy Spirit. open to all. WEST TEXAS ANGELUS Page 14 MARCH 2020 The Angelus Guadalupe Radio Network to celebrate 20th anniversary with testimonials, special offer Have you ever wondered how the Radio Mini- stry of the GRN began? Tune in during the first Radio Share-a-thon of 2020, from March 24 thru 27, and hear glimpses of the history and testimonies of the impact that the GRN has had throughout the years. Usually anyone who makes a donation at the Angel Level ($10/month or 1-time donation of $120) receives the Talk CD for that Share-a-thon. Ho- wever in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the GRN, ANYONE who calls in to make a donation at any level will receive the Limited Edition CD which shares, in detail, how St. John Paul II, Mother Angel- ica (founder of EWTN) and a Marian apparition in South America all influenced the genesis of the GRN. Also, when you call the 1-800-476-3311 number during the 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Share-a-thon hours, you will also have the option of briefly sharing on the air why you enjoy your favorite programs and about the need of having and supporting Catholic Radio in our day and time. Start thinking now about what you would like to share during your 30-60 seconds of fame! Droll v Gully: Two go head-to-head in first GRN Vino Veritas event of 2020 The Guadalupe Radio Network (GRN) hosted the first Vino Veritas of 2020 with a “Clash of the Collars” Feb. 13 featuring Msgr. Larry Droll versus Msgr. Bernard Gully, both of St. Ann Parish in Midland. Father Ryan Rojo, also of St. Ann, was the official “Gong Master.” The Catholic trivia game was very close but Msgr. Droll prevailed before a full house at The Way Retreat Center in Midland. These two cousins were also hon- ored for their February birth- days prior to the trivia match. COURTESY

COURTESY

Clockwise from top left: Msgr. Larry Droll and Msgr. Bernard Gully prepare to blow out can- dles on a cake commemorat- ing their February birthdays; the two monsignors answer Catholic trivia questions; Msgr. Droll, the evening’s trivia victor, displays the championship collar awarded to the winner of this recurring contest.

COURTESY The Angelus MARCH 2020 Page 15 Churches work to alleviate suffering of people who 'Remain in Mexico' By David Agren — being sent to Mexico. city residents, who until recently lacked trician from Honduras, said of the court Catholic News Service The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Ap- toilets — resulting in illnesses — and process. "They don't give you any hope, peals invalidated the program, formally were forced to wash and bathe in "the even though you have proof" to support a MATAMOROS, Mexico (CNS) — known as Migrant Protection Protocols, polluted waters of the Rio Grande," claim, he said, adding he had fled a gang From a row of tables set up amid a sea of Feb. 28, but later stayed its ruling. Sister Norma said. demanding extortion payments back tents, volunteers in teal shirts distributed Sister Norma welcomed the initial "It was not until we took action that home. bags of basics such as beans, rice and ruling and said of the "Remain in Mex- the Mexican government decided that Roughly 3 percent of the participants cooking oil to a long line of asylum- ico" scheme, "We cannot be OK with they wanted to take part in the response," in "Remain Mexico" have a lawyer, and seekers in this makeshift camp along the policies that contribute to the human suf- Sister Norma said. "We work with them the rate of those winning their cases is banks of the Rio Grande. fering of people. If they hurt a human now and they're very helpful," having around 1.4 percent — with those having Dressed in a navy habit, blue Oxford being, then they're wrong and need to be improved sanitation and installed some legal representation six times more likely shirt and Birkenstock sandals, Sister replaced with something more humane." infrastructure. to win, said Jodi Goodwin, a Brownsville Norma Pimentel greeted the asylum- Sister Norma has long sought to The Diocese of Matamoros also pro- immigration attorney. Most of those win- seekers and listened to their concerns. ameliorate the suffering of migrant fam- vides support and spiritual attention to ning are from Venezuela, Cuba and Nica- She also heard stories of hardship from a ilies arriving at the U.S. border. the migrants. It operates a migrant shelter ragua, whose cases are "more straight-up people living in the squalor of tents with As the director of Catholic Charities in the city, too. political,” Goodwin said, rather than the little governmental assistance, surviving of the Rio Grande Valley, she opened a The shelter has seen few guests, ho- northern triangle of Central America, in an unsafe Mexican border town and relief center in 2014 in the city of wever, as migrants prefer to stay close to where people are fleeing gang violence. trying to navigate the U.S. asylum sys- McAllen, which receives migrants from the bridge — even if living in tents — as Observers say the number of "Re- tem. the Border Patrol. Catholic Charities then many cling to the hope the U.S. border main in Mexico" participants in the Mat- The people there "seem to be a nui- helps coordinate travel to destinations will open, said Father Francisco Gal- amoros tent city is shrinking due to sance to the government, (a) problem throughout the United States, places lardo, diocesan director of migrant mini- Mexico stepping up enforcement in its that they have to make go away," Sister where they would be cared for by family. stries. southern states and new U.S. policies, Norma said from the camp, which But when "Remain in Mexico" was "It's a false hope," Father Gallardo which limit the categories for asylum ap- formed last July in response to a program rolled out in the Rio Grande Valley, mi- said. "This is why migrants are staying plications, expedite removal or fly asy- known as "Remain in Mexico." grants stopped arriving. Sister Norma so close to the border bridge." lum-seekers to Guatemala and force "It was done in a way that they swept subsequently started crossing into the vi- The recent court decision invalidat- them to seek protection there. it under the rug: send it to Matamoros. olent state of Tamaulipas to tend to them. ing "Remain in Mexico" stirred hopes in Mexicans fleeing violence in their Now it's Mexico's problem," she said of "(It) took the migration crisis to an the tent city of being able to cross into own country are keeping the camp pop- "Remain in Mexico." even more severe level," she said of "Re- the United States. Many migrants started ulation steady. "It's sort of like turning their backs main in Mexico." packing their bags and heading to the Sister Norma sees the camp — with on this reality. ... As long as the problem "What we were talking about before border bridge upon learning of the court its increasing infrastructure — taking on is not in the United States, it is resolved, was a humanitarian crisis. This is even decision. a sense of permanence. according to them." worse," she said. "It is total abandonment That hope was short-lived as lawyers She regularly brings Catholic and The "Remain in Mexico" program of these families in conditions that are so told migrants the following day that the civic groups wanting to assist migrants has forced more than 60,000 asylum- terrible." decision had been stayed. across the border, but says they should seekers to wait on the Mexican side of The Mexican government promised They counseled the asylum-seekers first look to help out at home. the border as their claims are heard in to provide the asylum-seekers with ac- to stay put, to continue working on their "People say: 'What can we do?' I al- U.S. courts. It has proved controversial cess to health care, work and education. court cases and not to cross the Rio ways start by saying: 'There are already a as critics contend it destroyed the tradi- But many of the migrants have been Grande illegally, an act that could result lot of refugees in your own community. tional asylum system. forced to fend for themselves and have in their deportation or expedited remo- Why don't you respond to them? They Immigration lawyers interviewed by suffered indignities such as kidnapping, val. need to feel welcome. They need to feel Catholic News Service also say the rules as gangs seek ransoms from their rel- Patience for many of the asylum- part of a community,'" she said. are vaguely written and rife with irregu- atives already in the United States. seekers appeared to be wearing thin, ho- "Start with them. If you want to do larities, with people ineligible for the Civic organizations and kind-hearted wever. more, then you're welcome to come to program — such those suffering illnesses individuals have provided for the tent- "It morally kills you," Jose, an elec- South Texas and help us out." Texas/Mexico border bishops hold semiannual gathering

The bishops of the dioceses of Mexico and Texas that abut the inter- national border between the U.S. and Mexico gathered in Brownsville, Texas, March 2–4. During a visit for Mass at La Lomita Chapel in Mis- sion, Texas, the bishops posed for a photo with a local canine (center). The bishops meet twice a year to discuss the challenges faced in lead- ing a diocese, like the Diocese of San Angelo, that shares boundaries with the international border. COURTESY BISHOP DANIEL E. FLORES OF BROWNSVILLE VIA TWITTER Page 16 MARCH 2020 The Angelus Catholic Voices The benefits of intermittent fasting, good counsel for the Lenten season

Just in time for Lent, The New York 2030, projections show that one in two help us deal with our anxieties, depres- Times posts a persuasive article by per- of us will be obese and one in four will sion and a host of other maladies. If we sonal health columnist Jane E. Brody on be severely obese. Overindulgence could can't sleep, we take a pill. If we are de- the benefits of intermittent fasting. She Moises Sandoval well describe this age, not just in food pressed, there is a medication for us. focused on research by Mark P. Mattson, Catholic News Service but also alcohol, drugs and halluci- One goes to the doctor and, more often a neuroscientist at the National Institute nogens. than not, comes home with new pre- on Aging, and his colleague, Rafael de At the same time, 37 million Ameri- scriptions. Cabo. It seems like a win-win proposi- Seeking Life cans struggle with hunger, including 11 Yet, I marvel that the rituals and tion, achieving a more svelte self while million children and 5.5 million people practices that have come down to us fulfilling Lent's counsel to fast during 60 and older, a number that has more from the faith of our ancestors often this holy season. than doubled since 2001. have the remedies we need, without the The researchers found benefits of in- again for 14 hours. Upon reflection, it seems that for our side effects of drugs. termittent fasting on "a wide range of "It takes 10 to 12 hours to use the fasting to be of spiritual benefit, we Because I often wake up at night and chronic disorders, including obesity, dia- calories in the liver before a metabolic must, to use an analogy from rocketry, sometimes can't go back to sleep, I once betes, cardiovascular disease and neu- shift occurs to using stored fat," Mattson burn out the stage of our self-concern asked my mother what she did when that rodegenerative brain diseases." Their told Brody. "After meals, glucose is used before we can ignite the stage of our happened to her. She said: "I pray the ro- review of both animal and human for energy, but fat is stored in fat tissue, concern for others. Only then can those sary." I tried it, and it worked then and studies found improvements in a variety but during fasts, once glucose is de- of us who eat too much help feed those does now, many decades later. Similarly, of health indicators and a reversal or pleted, fat is broken down and used for who are hungry. Indeed, that transition the cure for many of our anxieties lie in slowing of the aging and disease pro- energy." must occur, for as Matthew's Gospel meditation, solitude, prayer and stillness. cesses. We Americans should need no per- (Chapter 25) tells us, only the elect will Henry David Thoreau wrote about They said people trying to lose suasion about the health benefits; the hear on the last day: "I was hungry and his reveries: "For the most part, I weight should strive for 16 calorie-free National Center for Health Statistics es- you gave me to food." minded not how the hours went. The day hours. My daughter Rose, an account ex- timates that in 2015-2016 in the U.S., We live at a time when we have a advanced as if to light some work of ecutive in health insurance, told me she 39.8% of adults 20 and over were obese. pill for everything. And to supplement mine. ... I silently smiled at my incessant stops eating at 7 p.m., and does not eat Another 31.8% were overweight. By all that, we have drugs, licit and illicit, to good fortune."

What is synodality? It was a great privilege for me to par- sexual act, the theology of the priesthood, Francis during the ad limina visit. In the ticipate in the Synod on Young People in and the possibility of ordination for course of our conversation, the theme of the fall of 2018. Along with about three Bishop Robert women. Further, the bishops of Germany synods and synodality indeed came up, hundred other bishops and ecclesial ex- Barron were endeavoring to undertake their delib- and Francis was clear and explicit. He told perts from around the world, I spent four erations in collaboration with the Central us, in no uncertain terms, that a synod is weeks in Rome exploring the complex Committee for German Catholics, a lay "not a parliament," and that the synodal question of the Church’s outreach to the Word on Fire organization, and they were insisting that process is not simply a matter of canvas- young. Ministries the decisions of this joint body would be sing the participants and counting votes. About three weeks into the Synod "binding." To state it bluntly, every fear And then he added, with particular em- process, a sub-committee of writers pre- that I and a number of other bishops had phasis, that the "protagonist" of a synod is sented a preliminary text, meant to reflect when we first read the open-ended lan- not any of the delegates to the gathering, our deliberations, questions, and decisions was the vagueness and ambiguity of the guage regarding "synodality" in the pre- but rather the Holy Spirit. This last obser- to that point. This draft represented, for formulation that bothered us. liminary document of the Youth Synod vation is of signal importance. The point the most part, an accurate account of our Just after our interventions, a well- now seemed justified. Would it be pos- of a democratic assembly is to discern the work, but there were a few pages that known and deeply-respected cardinal sible for a local church to establish its own will of the people, for in a democratic pol- troubled a number of us. More or less out asked to speak. He opined that our objec- moral rules in such a way that they would ity, they are finally sovereign. But in a of the blue, a vigorous defense of "syn- tions were baseless and that the texts in then be binding on the Catholics in that re- synod, the point is discerning, not the will odality" appeared in the text, though we question were not threatening to the au- gion? Could contraception, for example, of the people, but the will of the Holy had never, either in general session or in thority of the bishops or the integrity of become ethically permissible in Germany Spirit, for the Spirit in that context is sov- the small language groups, so much as the Church’s doctrine, though, to be hon- while still remaining morally offensive in ereign, or in the language of Pope Francis, discussed the theme. Moreover, the lan- est, he provided no real argument for his other parts of the Catholic world? the "protagonist." guage was so imprecise that it gave the position. When he sat down, applause It was therefore with a real sense of Having heard the Pope on this score, I impression that the Church is a kind of rang through the Synod Hall, and we relief that I learned that the Congregation couldn’t help but hearken back to that mo- freewheeling democracy, making up its moved on to another topic. At the time, I for Bishops, under the headship of Cardi- ment at the Youth Synod of 2018. Wha- principles and teachings as it goes along. thought, "Well, you win some and you nal , had intervened to set tever Pope Francis means by "synodality," Rather alarmed by this section of the draft, lose some." limits to the synodality of the German he quite clearly doesn’t mean a process of a number of bishops and , my- But I will confess that this episode Conference, reminding the bishops that democratization, or putting doctrine up for self included, rose to speak against it. We came vividly back to mind last summer they were not authorized to act in inde- a vote. He means, it seems to me, a struc- wondered aloud how to square this lan- when I learned that the German Bishops’ pendence of the . Nevertheless, tured conversation among all of the rel- guage with the teaching authority of the Conference was gathering under the rubric when the German Bishops’ Conference in- evant ecclesial players — bishops, priests, bishops, the binding quality of the of "synodality" and had committed to formed the Vatican that they would press and — for the sake of hearing the Church’s dogmatic statements, and the walk the "synodal path." My attention ahead on the synodal path, the same fears voice of the Spirit. practical process of governing the people turned to something closer to alarm when and hesitations that I experienced at the - - - of God. Mind you, none of us who ex- I gathered that they were open to a recon- Youth Synod re-emerged. Bishop Robert Barron is an auxiliary pressed concern about the language of the sideration of some of the most fundamen- All of this was in the back of my mind bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles text was against synods as such; after all, tal moral teachings and disciplines of the when, in the company of my brother and the founder of Word on Fire Catholic we were happily participating in one. It Church, including the the nature of the bishops from Region XI, I met with Pope Ministries. The Angelus MARCH 2020 Page 17 Voces Catolicas La Cuaresma, una ¿Qué es la sinodalidad? Fue un gran privilegio para mí participar invitación a practicar la en el Sínodo sobre los Jóvenes en el otoño de 2018. Junto con unos trescientos obispos y ex- solidaridad pertos eclesiásticos de todo el mundo, pasé Obispo La Cuaresma es una época cuatro semanas en Roma explorando la com- Robert Barron hermosa para renovarnos espiritu- Hosffman pleja cuestión del alcance misionero de la Igle- almente. Es un momento especial Ospino sia a los jóvenes. Word on Fire Ministries para reflexionar sobre nuestro ca- Alrededor de tres semanas después del Catholic News proceso del Sínodo, un subcomité de redac- minar de fe y evaluar qué tan au- Service ténticamente vivimos nuestro tores presentó un texto preliminar, con el fin de discipulado cristiano. reflejar nuestras deliberaciones, preguntas y Hace poco escuché en una Caminando decisiones hasta ese momento. Este borrador contra de los sínodos como tales; después de homilía, "¿Qué vas a hacer du- Juntos representaba, en su mayor parte, un relato ex- todo, estábamos participando felizmente en un rante esta Cuaresma?" La pre- acto de nuestro trabajo, pero había algunas pá- sínodo. Era la vaguedad y la ambigüedad de la gunta siempre es desafiante ginas que nos preocupaban a varios de formulación lo que nos molestaba. porque exige girar nuestra aten- "palabra solidaridad está un poco nosotros. Más o menos de improviso, una vi- Justo después de nuestras intervenciones, ción hacia la particularidad de desgastada y a veces se la inter- gorosa defensa de la “sinodalidad” apareció en un conocido y respetado cardenal pidió la pala- esta época del año y su invitación preta mal, pero es mucho más que el texto, aunque nunca, ni en la sesión general bra. Opinó que nuestras objeciones eran infun- a la conversión. algunos actos esporádicos de gen- ni en los pequeños grupos lingüísticos, había- dadas y que los textos en cuestión no Sin embargo, el "hacer" du- erosidad" (No. 188). mos discutido mucho sobre el tema. Además, amenazaban la autoridad de los obispos ni la rante la Cuaresma debe ser más La Cuaresma nos ofrece la el lenguaje era tan impreciso que daba la im- integridad de la doctrina de la Iglesia, aunque, que añadir algunas actividades o oportunidad de reflexionar sobre presión de que la Iglesia es una especie de de- para ser honesto, él no proporcionaba ningún evitar otras en nuestras vidas, la solidaridad como algo que es mocracia libre, que va creando sus principios y argumento real para su punto de vista. Cuando pues esto puede reducir la experi- mucho más que una transacción o enseñanzas a medida que avanza. Bastante se sentó, los aplausos sonaron en el Aula Sino- encia a una lista de cosas a cum- un acto esporádico. alarmados por esta sección del borrador, un nú- dal, y pasamos a otro tema. En ese momento, plir: sacrifiqué el chocolate … Al orar durante esta Cuaresma mero de obispos y arzobispos, incluido yo pensé: “Bueno, a veces se gana y a veces se hecho. Visité un lugar para per- y preparar nuestros corazones mismo, se alzaron para hablar en contra. Nos pierde”. sonas sin hogar … hecho. Fue a como comunidad de creyentes preguntamos en voz alta cómo cuadrar este Pero confesaré que este episodio volvió Misa durante la semana … hecho. para contemplar el misterio de la lenguaje con la autoridad magistral de los obi- vívidamente a mi mente el verano pasado Aunque estos pequeños esfuerzos muerte y resurrección de Jesu- spos, la calidad vinculante de las declaraciones cuando supe que la Conferencia de Obispos y prácticas sencillas tienen mucho cristo, nos encontramos con una dogmáticas de la Iglesia, y el proceso práctico Alemanes se reunía bajo la rúbrica de “sinoda- valor, con seguridad podemos ex- manera de entender la solidaridad de gobernar al pueblo de Dios. Tenga en lidad” y se había comprometido a caminar el igirnos mucho más. que se fundamenta en la convic- cuenta que ninguno los que expresamos preo- La Cuaresma nos pide más. ción de que Cristo está presente cupación por el lenguaje del texto estaba en Mira BARRON, Página 22 Creo que esta época litúrgica se en los demás, sin excepción al- trata más de "ser" que de "hacer". guna. En otras palabras, la Cuaresma es Por lo tanto, la solidaridad una época importante del año para cristiana es una invitación a ver el Magnanimidad reflexionar sobre quién soy en mi rostro de Cristo en la otra per- Coincidiendo con el comienzo de la relación con Dios y con mis her- sona, especialmente los pobres, Cuaresma, el periódico The New York manas y hermanos. los que sufren, lo más vulner- Times publicó un artículo persuasivo sobre Durante la Cuaresma (re)des- ables. Cuando tenemos ese en- los beneficios del ayuno intermitente. Jane Moises Sandoval cubrimos que vivimos en relación cuentro, se nos exige hacer algo. E. Brody, columnista de salud, se enfocó en Catholic News Service con un Dios que es solidario con La solidaridad, dice el papa Fran- los estudios del Dr. Mark P. Mattson, neuro- nosotros. Sí, Dios camina con no- cisco en la misma exhortación, científico del Instituto Nacional Sobre la Buscando Vida sotros aquí y ahora, nos sostiene "debe vivirse como la decisión de Vejes, y su colega, Rafael de Cabo. Tal con amor misericordioso, nos devolverle al pobre lo que le cor- ayuno parece ser uno sin desventajas, dán- llama a la amistad y sana nuestras responde" (No. 189). donos un cuerpo más atractivo al mismo heridas a medida que trasegamos La solidaridad exige que tiempo que cumple con los requisitos de por la historia. saquemos tiempo para escuchar el esta temporada santa. dos Unidos, 39.8 por ciento de adultos de Dios, a quien Jesucristo rev- clamor de nuestras hermanos y Los investigadores descubrieron 20 años y más eran obesos. Otro 31.8 por eló plenamente con sus acciones y hermanas. Dios lo hace. Es tenta- beneficios del ayuno sobre "un ancho rango ciento pesaba demasiado. Para el 2030, sus palabras, es la medida de la dor prescribir lo que otros necesi- de desórdenes crónicos, incluso obesidad, según estimaciones, una de cada dos per- solidaridad cristiana. Por con- tan o juzgar su condición a la luz diabetes, enfermedad cardiovascular y en- sonas va a ser obesa, y una de cuatro va a siguiente, estamos llamados a re- de nuestra experiencia particular. fermedades neurodegenerativas del cere- ser extremamente obesa. El mimar excesi- lacionarnos con nuestras Con frecuencia hacemos esto bro". Su repaso de estudios de ambos vamente puede ser la descripción de esta hermanas y hermanos como Dios cuando la persona es pobre, dis- humanos y animales descubrió mejora- época, no solo consumo de alimento sino de lo hace con nosotros: caminando capacitada, inmigrante, miembro miento en una variedad de indicadores de alcohol, drogas y alucinógenos. con los demás, especialmente los de una minoría, herida, o adicta, salud y el reverso o retardo de los procesos Al mismo tiempo, 37 millones de más vulnerables, sosteniéndonos entre otras. de la vejes y de la enfermedad. norteamericanos luchan contra el hambre, mutuamente con amor misericor- Pero tenemos que escuchar. Declararon que personas buscando incluso 11 millones de niños y 5.5 millones dioso, viviendo en amistad y sa- Cuando escuchamos, afirmamos perder peso deben de ayunar por 16 horas de personas de 60 años y más, cifra que ha nando heridas. la agencia de nuestra hermana al sin ingestión de calorías. Mi hija Rosa, una aumentado dos veces desde 2001. Esta idea de solidaridad cristi- igual que el derecho del hermano ejecutiva en el seguro de salud, me dijo que Al reflexionar, siento que si el ana suena muy distinta a otras que de nombrar la realidad. Cuando no come nada después de las siete de la ayuno nos va a beneficiar -- utilizando una predominan en nuestra sociedad. escuchamos, aprendemos y crece- noche o por las próximas 14 horas. analogía de la ciencia de cuetes -- tenemos Con frecuencia, se reduce la sol- mos en compasión. "Se requieren de 10 a 12 horas para que quemar la etapa de nuestra preocupa- idaridad a la camaradería, o la ¿Qué voy a hacer esta Cua- que el hígado utilice sus calorías antes de ción con si mismos antes de poder encender lealtad incondicional e incluso a resma? Escuchar atentamente en hacer un cambio metabólico a utilizar grasa nuestra etapa de preocupación por los cuidarnos las espaldas unos a lo cotidiano como una manera de almacenada", dijo Mattson. "Durante el demás. Solo entonces podremos nosotros otros. Tales definiciones tienen ser para así practicar la solidari- ayuno, cuando la glucosa se acaba, la grasa que comemos demasiado dedicarnos a ayu- algo en común: Son transaccion- dad como Dios lo hace. Y tú, ¿qué se convierte en energía." dar a los que sufren hambre. Y por supuesto ales y asumen que hay un cierto vas a hacer? Nosotros norteamericanos no nece- lo tenemos que hacer si queremos oír en el beneficio personal. - - - sitamos ser convencidos de los beneficios último día las palabras del evangelio de El papa Francisco, en su ex- Ospino es profesor de teolo- del ayuno; el Centro Nacional de Estadís- hortación apostólica "La Alegría gía y educación religiosa en Bos- ticas calcula que, en 2015-2016 en los Esta- Mira SANDOVAL, Página 22 del Evangelio", observó que la ton College. Page 18 MARCH 2020 The Angelus Catholic Voices A hundred love letters The Catch-22 for In a recent essay in the Wall Street religious freedom Journal, Kimberly Cutter chronicled Catch- the death of her father by suicide. As Father Tad I'll always remember reading he struggled with rapidly progressing 22, Joseph Heller's novel about what he prostate cancer, he lost more than 30 Pacholczyk saw as the absurdities of war. Richard pounds, becoming gaunt and emaci- In Heller's account, enlisted men trying Doerflinger ated. Back pain and nausea forced him Making Sense of to escape those absurdities encountered in- Catholic News Service to spend much of his time in bed. Bioethics genious military rules or "catches" so they A few days before Christmas, he could never prevail. The novel's title refers A More shared with Kimberly that he was to a catch for those who sought a discharge thinking about shooting himself. claiming insanity. The catch was this: If Human Society Kimberly argued with him, stressing His death left painful contradic- you realize how horrible war is and want to that she and her sisters couldn’t accept tions, as suicide always does. He had escape it, you are clearly too sane to qual- a violent ending: “If he shot himself, acceded to his daughters’ requests to ify for the discharge. agenda, called it "unconscionable." my father would die alone. Someone avoid shooting himself, using drugs Recent developments on religious free- Similarly, the Seattle area has seen out- in our family would have to find him,” rather than a bullet, but he still died dom remind me of Catch-22. It will take a raged protests against a she wrote. alone, discovered by a stunned family little background to explain why. after two teachers had to seek employment His daughters convinced him to member. And while his suicide was In January, NBC News ran an Associ- elsewhere because they are entering same- look into other options. When he perhaps not as violent, death by over- ated Press story with the headline: "South sex civil marriages, which are against started investigating lethal drugs he dose can feel just as violent as death Carolina group can reject Gays and Jews Catholic teaching. ran into questions of reliability. He en- by gunfire. The underlying reality of as foster parents, Trump admin says." The The "catch" arises because what these countered horror stories about “wrong pills, powders or poisons still involves story concerned a Christian organization, two organizations did is exactly what the dosages and unreliable contents, pain- a brutal devastation of our physiology. Miracle Hill Ministries, that participates in church's secular critics have said they must ful, drawn-out demises.” A lifelong Our bodies often resist, with the vom- South Carolina's system to find foster do to receive a religious exemption from marksman, he deemed the gun his best iting of pills, convulsions, paralysis, homes for needy children. The organiza- legal mandates. option: “If I shoot myself, I know I and the like. Although Kimberly and tion received a federal waiver allowing it A leader in this area is the American won’t miss.” her sisters may have preferred that to place children only with members of its Civil Liberties Union, which has insisted Kimberly then describes an impor- their dad succumb to toxins instead of faith, as long as it referred other prospec- that Catholic hospitals, for example, are tant decision she made: a bullet, those sentiments, in the final tive foster parents to other agencies in the too "secular" to win a religious freedom “I couldn’t accept my father’s analysis, are more poetic than rational. system. claim. "In the public world," it says, "they threat to shoot himself. I thought about Sometimes the poetic may feel like The article quoted an attorney calling should play by public rules." The ACLU violence and the fear that always lies all we have when we’re confronted this "state-sanctioned and government- has argued that a right to be exempted beneath it. How violence, in essence, with the tragedy and incoherence of funded discrimination." The Human Rights is a twisted cry for help. At some certain human choices. Another inco- Campaign, which promotes the LGBTQ See DOERFLINGER, Page 23 point, it occurred to me that what I herent part of Kimberly’s story is the needed was a way to make my father fact that, despite her father’s suicide, feel loved. If I could make him feel she seems to support the idea of physi- loved enough, maybe he would not cian-assisted suicide. While no one Lent as an invitation to forget my sisters and me in his lowest wants a loved one to experience pain moments and do what his darkest im- and agony in the final days, only a practicing solidarity pulses urged. Late that night, I had an false and misguided sense of compas- idea. It was childishly simple. Corny, sion could conclude that instead of Lent is a most beautiful season for really. I would start sending him daily eliminating the suffering, we should spiritual renewal. Lent is a time to reflect love notes. I sent the first email the eliminate the sufferer. about our journey of faith and to assess to Hosffman next morning. The subject line read: Kimberly may well have been what extent we are living authentically our Ospino ‘Reasons Why I Love You.’ … As aware of these inconsistencies as she Christian discipleship. Catholic News Service soon as I sent it, I knew I was onto embarked on the project of crafting a I heard recently in a homily, "What are something. …For the next 99 days, I hundred love letters to her father, you going to do this Lent?" The question continued sending my father a differ- striving to help him understand that he is always challenging because it invites Journeying ent reason why I loved him each was treasured and still a source of me to shift my attention to the distinctive- Together morning. They ranged from the ridi- blessing to others in spite of his pain- ness of the season and its call to conver- culous to the sublime — from mem- ful trials. Each of our loving human sion. ories of snorkeling with him through a gestures speaks volumes about the sin- The "doing" during Lent, however, of Christian solidarity. Thus, we are called school of angelfish in Jupiter, to his gular power of love to overcome fear, should be more than just adding some ac- to relate to our sisters and brothers like incomparable Daffy Duck imitation: and to strengthen us in adversity. tivities or giving up others in our lives. God does with us: walking with others, ‘Suffering Succotash!’ … I could tell While the hundred letters did not That may reduce Lent to a simplistic especially the most vulnerable, sustaining the emails were working; I could hear ultimately dissuade him from giving checklist: I gave up chocolate ... done. I each other with merciful love, living in it in my father’s voice when I spoke to into the temptation to take his life, visited a shelter ... done. I went to Mass friendship and healing wounds. him on the phone; could feel it in the they nevertheless give us a step we during the week ... check. Small steps and This idea of Christian solidarity seems grateful emails he sent back in re- can take when confronted with loved practices are valuable, of course, but we countercultural to others that prevail in our sponse. The daily act of pulling up a ones who think their life no longer has must up the ante. society. Solidarity is often reduced to com- reason I loved him and sending it to meaning or that death is better than Lent seems to ask for more. The litur- radeship, or unconditional loyalty, or him seemed to restore him in some es- life. And there is no need to wait until gical season, I think, points more to watching each other's backs. Such defini- sential way. … My father never again loved ones are in agony to pick up the "being" than "doing." In other words, Lent tions share something in common: They discussed with me his plans for how or pen to say, in one or more ways, how is an important time of the year to reflect are transactional; there is the expectation when he would die.” much and why they’re loved. on who I am in relationship to God and to of something in return. Kimberly’s hundred love letters - - - my sisters and brothers. Pope Francis, in his apostolic exhorta- emboldened her dad to live out his life Rev. Tadeusz Pacholczyk, Ph.D. During Lent, we (re)discover our- tion The Joy of , observed also more fully and resist his fears for earned his doctorate in neuroscience selves being in relationship with a God that the "word 'solidarity' is a little worn much longer than he would have from Yale and did post-doctoral work who is in solidarity with us. Yes, God and at times poorly understood, but it otherwise. Tragically, however, they at Harvard. He is a priest of the dio- walks with us in history, sustains us with refers to something more than a few spora- did not stop his suicide. He ended up cese of Fall River, MA, and serves as merciful love, calls us into friendship and dic acts of generosity" (No. 188). purchasing lethal barbiturates from a the Director of Education at The Na- heals our wounds as we make our way Lent affords us the opportunity to re- company in China and, late in his ill- tional Catholic Bioethics Center in through history. flect about solidarity as something more ness, consumed the fatal powder. Philadelphia. See www.ncbcenter.org. God, fully revealed through Jesus Christ's actions and words, is the measure See OSPINO, Page 22 The Angelus MARCH 2020 Page 19 Catholic Voices The black Catholic every American should know When asked to offer examples of the church's faithful with blood ties to the nation's founding European Catholic whose experiences are essential to our understanding of families, she is the only American nun, black or white, American Catholic history, there is one black woman's story known to possess a birthright to the early U.S. church and that I always tell. nation. The extraordinary journey of Anne Marie Becraft, who Shannen Dee Williams When Becraft established her school in the midst of the became Sister of Providence Mary Aloysius, is one Catholic News Service nation's and the church's slaveholding elite, she powerfully that powerfully illustrates the foundational presence of black declared that the lives of black people, especially women and Catholics in the U.S. church and nation at large. It is also a girls, mattered. Even more miraculous, Becraft's documented story that disrupts and revises much of what has been said "uncommon intelligence" and "extraordinary piety" forced and written about the American Catholic experience. members of the slaveholding church to take notice and offer In recent years, Becraft's name has been resurrected in support. the nation's memory in connection with Georgetown Univer- Despite her relatively short life, the significance of Be- As we celebrate women's history month this March, I sity. In 2017, Georgetown officially renamed a building, craft's insurrectionary presence and that of her black Catholic encourage every person to commit the name of Anne Marie which had previously honored a Jesuit slaver, after Becraft as girls' academy within sight of the Visitation Convent, where Becraft and her revolutionary fight against slavery and rac- a part of the institution's long-term effort to confront and more than 80 enslaved people labored against their wills, and ism in the American Catholic Church and nation at large to atone for its slaveholding past. Georgetown, where more than 250 did the same, cannot be memory. Although Georgetown's decision to honor Becraft faced overstated. Becraft's life not only demonstrates that black people criticism by detractors who speciously argued that the pio- Neither can the reality of Becraft's connection to the have never been marginal to the story of U.S. Catholicism, neer black nun had no real connection to the university, Be- prominent and slaveholding Carroll family, which gave the but also reveals that black women and girls were the first of craft was more than a worthy choice. U.S. church its first bishop and Georgetown University its the faithful to forge a formal tradition of Catholicism free In 1820, at 15 years old, Becraft established one of the founder in John Carroll. from the evils of white supremacy and racial exclusion. earliest schools for black children in Washington. Seven It has long been known that Anne's father, William, was If we are to ever overcome the sin of racism and the en- years later, Becraft won the support of a Jesuit priest who un- the son of a free woman of color who worked as a house- during legacies of slavery and segregation within church derwrote the expansion of her academy for free girls, which keeper for Charles Carroll of Carollton, Archbishop John boundaries, it is to the largely unsung history of black Catho- became the nation's first black Catholic school, and relocated Carroll's cousin and the only Catholic signer of the Declara- lic women and girls and their emancipatory traditions of the it across from the Visitation Convent. tion of Independence. faith that we must finally look. Called to religious life but barred entry into the early However, the first published history of the African Meth- - - - white sisterhoods ministering in Washington due to her color, odist Episcopal Church, written by Bishop Daniel Payne Shannen Dee Williams is the Albert Lepage Assistant Becraft turned over the administration of her school, then (who married Anne's sister Julia in 1847), documents that Professor of History at Villanova University. She is complet- known as the Georgetown Seminary, to a former student and William was in fact Charles Carroll's "natural son," making ing her first book, Subversive Habits: Black Catholic Nuns in entered the historically black Oblate Sisters of Providence in Anne his granddaughter. the Long African American Freedom Struggle, under con- Baltimore in 1831. Two years later, Becraft died at age 28. Although Becraft is not the only African American nun tract with Duke University Press. The grace around us Cartoon Corner The writer Annie Dillard said, planned for Valentine's. "You catch grace as a man fills Effie "No, this grocery store is my his cup under a waterfall." Am I Caldarola life," he replied cheerfully. stingy about receiving grace, I Catholic News So, when it was my turn we wondered after a shopping trip. Service chatted. He told me that he had to On Valentine's Day, the store put in extra time that day. I told was packed. him I was amazed at the crowd I had a long grocery list in For the and wished I could have a dollar preparation for a houseful of Journey for every guy I saw walking company. around with flowers. Parking spots were scarce, "Oh, my gosh," he said, "It's the wind chill was below zero, grace on my grocery trip. been crazy. But you should have and when I arrived, a coupon I'd The store was crowded with a seen it Wednesday, which is sen- been carrying was apparently lost rush of men searching for ior discount day. The store was in the wind. flowers, the obligatory male Val- full of older people choosing My first stop was the meat entine offering. Now, there are flowers." section where I found chicken on two mindsets about a holiday like At home, as I washed chicken sale, the packaging of which left Valentine's Day — or Mother's slime off with soap and water, I a slimy trail of chicken juice all Day, for that matter. They're chuckled about senior citizens over my hand. I searched for the either artificial "Hallmark holi- buying their bouquets two days paper towels that usually hang in days," a commercial goldmine for early to save 5%. I admired the the meat department, and as I florists, restaurants and chocola- roses my husband had given me. wiped up, I realized even though tiers, or they're days set apart for I gave him chocolates in a heart- my hand was dry, chicken slime celebrating people, a great excuse shaped box. After 40 years, we residue would cling to me to be loving or romantic. may not score very high for crea- through the store. Right now, I choose the latter. tivity or imagination, but we get On my way down the In our country's present disgrun- the point across. crowded aisles, I encountered an tled mood, we need to boost love, And I thought of how grace elderly couple who had found a romance and affection even if it enters a day and offers itself to friend coming toward them. The has to be imposed on us. We need us. We make choices, we invite three of them, their two carts tak- a kick in the posterior that says, God in or we close the door. We ing up the entire aisle, stopped "Be nice to someone." So I re- choose our focus. for a lengthy chat. I stood behind joiced in seeing a bunch of guys Chicken slime or cheerful- them for what seemed an inter- looking sheepish — OK, and ness. Thoughtlessness encoun- minable wait, which was prob- maybe a little obligated — as tered, or the cheery chattiness of ably only 30 seconds, before the they carried bouquets around a a stranger. Where do we find God friend backed her cart up so that I store. in all this? It's our choice to could squeeze between them. Then there was the young search. If you didn't celebrate I was focusing on the wrong guy at the checkout counter. The Valentine's Day, no problem. To- stuff. customer ahead of me asked him morrow is another day. Celebrate But I filled my cup with some if he had anything special every day. Page 20 MARCH 2020 The Angelus

con la mano de lejos. graves o cuando usted o alguien en su mientras que él está enfermo, el deber de OBISPO Distribución de la comunión: hogar ha estado enfermo. Sin embargo, es distribuir la Comunión a la asamblea se La distribución de la Sangre Preciosa en última instancia, la elección del comul- puede hacer por otros ministros ordinarios: Continúa de Página 3 se suspende temporalmente, a excepción de gante si desea recibir el Cuerpo de Cristo ayudando a diáconos y concelebrantes en la personas o familias que se tomen las manos los pocos que deben recibir del cáliz, de- en la mano o en la lengua. Nadie se ha de Misa. Si estos no están disponibles, el sac- espontáneamente durante la oración del bido a los casos graves de la enfermedad negar la Eucaristía sobre esta medida. erdote que preside puede abstenerse tempo- Padre Nuestro, pero si lo desean, nunca celíaca. Aquellas personas que no pueden Todos los ministros de la Sagrada ralmente de distribuir la Comunión a la debería de imponerse como una postura recibir el pan Eucarístico debido a la intol- Comunión, tanto ordinarios como extraor- asamblea con el fin de evitar la propaga- general de la parroquia. La postura orans erancia al gluten o alergia deben consultar a dinarios, deben lavarse las manos con agua ción de la enfermedad, permitiendo que los (con las manos extendidas) es una postura su pastor en hacer acomodaciones para re- y jabón antes y después de la Misa. En- ministros extraordinarios sean los que dis- opcional durante la oración del Padre Nues- cibir la Sangre Preciosa. tonces, si los ministros de la Comunión han tribuyan la Comunión a la asamblea. tro, que cualquier miembro de la comuni- Para reducir la probabilidad de propa- practicado una buena higiene durante la Desinfección: dad es libre de llevar a cabo si así lo gación de enfermedades, se recomienda en- Misa, no hay obligación para que se laven En nuestras instalaciones de la iglesia, desean. Ninguna postura particular de las carecidamente a la gente a recibir la las manos otra vez durante la Misa. Pero si las superficies tocadas por el público deben manos durante la oración del Padre Nuestro Sagrada Comunión en la mano en lugar de los ministros extraordinarios de la Com- ser desinfectados con frecuencia. debe imponerse o hecho obligatorio por el en la lengua. unión tienen la necesidad de lavarse las Dispensadores de desinfectante para las que preside o cualquier otra persona. Ya se Al recibir la Eucaristía, recibimos la manos durante la Misa, la mejor manera es manos deben estar disponibles en las insta- trate de un tiempo de brote de la enferme- plenitud del Cuerpo y la Sangre de Cristo de limpiarse sus manos en su banco, utiliz- laciones de la iglesia. dad o no, la elección de cualquier individuo bajo las especies de pan solo o vino solo. El ando un gel desinfectante o toallitas anti- Oración: de no tomar las manos durante la oración signo de la Comunión es más completo bacterianas, después de la Señal de la Paz y Por último, la Diócesis de San Ángelo del Padre Nuestro siempre debe ser respe- cuando se reciben las dos formas, pero el justo antes de entrar al santuario. La acción pide que los fieles oren por los enfermos, tada. recibir ambos no es necesario. Incluso si de desinfección de las manos debe hacerse especialmente durante la temporada de res- El signo de la paz: usted está normalmente acostumbrado a re- de tal manera que no se retrase el Rito de la friados y la gripe o durante los brotes am- Cada vez que se ofrezca el signo de la cibir la Comunión en la lengua, se evitará Comunión o distraer el enfoque en el altar. plios de enfermedades. Ninguna cantidad paz, debe hacerse sin dar la mano. la difusión de su saliva para la mano del ¿Y si el sacerdote está enfermo? de medida de precaución puede prevenir Algunos gestos que podrían ser utiliz- ministro de la Comunión mediante de Si el sacerdote está enfermo, lo mejor completamente la propagación de la enfer- ados son una sonrisa, contacto visual, una tomar la Comunión en la mano durante los es que no presida en la Misa. Sin embargo, medad, y siempre debemos recordar a los simple inclinación de la cabeza, o saludar tiempos de los brotes de enfermedades si esto no es posible y tiene que presidir que sufren y a los que cuidan por ellos.

Donell, a Scarboro missionary from An- aries "to experience the world from screams," she said. AMAZON tigonish, Nova Scotia, told CNS. another point of view." It also under- "There's something we need to learn A linguist, he works with indigenous scores the great cultural diversity that from that — how do we listen?" she Continued from Page 2 groups in Brazil, including the Macuxi exists in the Amazon basin along with said, adding that people can practice future generations be recognized as and Kokama, to help them recover their the region's biological diversity. that in their own parishes. "ecological sins of commission or omis- languages, which are in danger of being The message of Beloved Amazonia Catholics can also respond to the ex- sion against God, against one's neigh- lost if parents and grandparents no should echo far beyond the region's hortation's invitation to seek ways of bor, the community and the longer teach their children. boundaries, Josianne Gauthier, ex- "just standing back and learning to love environment." The mission is important for the ecutive secretary of CIDSE, an inter- creation and nature in the way tradi- Archbishop Paloschi said that in church, he said, because some early national consortium of Catholic tional peoples do," she added. leaving that out of the exhortation, the missionaries punished children for development agencies and an invited And they can respond to the synod's pope chose to encourage the church to- speaking their native languages in guest at the synod, told CNS. call to envision new ways of being ward a necessary conversion rather than school, although other missioners Catholics worldwide can learn from church. taking a punitive approach. learned languages, compiled dictionar- the synod process, which has involved "Can we bring something from the Helping indigenous people defend ies and translated Scripture into native "so much listening — listening to the synodal process into our parishes?" she their rights, their land and their culture languages. voices of the people, listening to the said. "Can we learn to listen again, to takes various forms, Father Ron Mac- Language, he said, enables mission- Amazon, listening to the cries, the each other and to ourselves?"

ALAN TORRE | APTORRE PHOTOGRAPHY Retreatants from a Women’s ACTS Retreat held at St. Mary Church in Odessa from Feb. 27 to March 1. The Angelus MARCH 2020 Page 21

rious illness outbreaks or when you or someone in BISHOP your household has been sick. Nevertheless, it is Public Masses ultimately the choice of the communicant whether Continued from Page 3 to receive the Body of Christ on the hand or on the suspended in Italy the Coronavirus, we should refrain from holding tongue. No one is to be denied the Eucharist over this hands during the Lord’s Prayer. measure. By Junno Arocho Esteves No hand position is prescribed in the Roman All ministers of Holy Communion, both ordinary Catholic News Service Missal for an assembly gesture during the Lord's and extraordinary, should wash their hands with soap Prayer. While it is generally acceptable for individ- and water before and after Mass. Then, if Commun- VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The suspension of public Masses in uals or families to hold hands spontaneously during ion ministers have practiced good hygiene during the Italy is a painful yet necessary measure to protect people's health, the the Lord’s Prayer if they wish, it should never be im- Mass, there is no obligation for them to wash their country's bishops said. posed as a general parish posture. The orans posture hands again during Mass. But if Extraordinary Min- "This is a very restrictive step, the acceptance of which causes suf- (with hands extended) is an optional posture during isters of Holy Communion need to wash their hands fering and difficulty for pastors, priests and the faithful," the Italian the Lord’s Prayer which any member of the com- during Mass, the best way is to clean their hands in bishops' conference said in a statement March 8. After the Italian government issued a decree barring the celebration munity is free to perform if they wish. No particular their pew, using a sanitizing gel or antibacterial wipe, of all "civil and religious ceremonies, including funerals," the bishops posture of the hands during the Lord’s Prayer should after the Sign of Peace and just before they come to announced the suspension of public Masses until April 3. be imposed or made obligatory by the presider or any the sanctuary. The action of sanitizing their hands "The acceptance of the decree is only mediated by the desire to do other person. Whether it is a time of disease outbreak should be done in such a way as not to delay the one's part, even in this situation, to contribute to the protection of public or not, the choice of any individual not to hold hands Communion Rite or distract from the focus at the health," the bishops said. during the Lord’s Prayer should always be respected. altar. As of March 9, the health and safety precautions published by the The Sign of Peace: What if the priest is sick? Vatican did not include a ban on public celebrations of the Mass, but they Whenever the sign of peace is exchanged, it If the priest is sick, it is best that he not preside at did insist that everything possible be done to ensure that people stay one should be done without shaking hands. the Mass. However, if this is not possible and he meter (a yard) apart. Some gestures that might be used are a smile, must preside while he is sick, the duty of distributing Cardinal , papal vicar of the , eye contact, a simple bow of the head, or a wave. Communion to the assembly can be done by other said that while all public Masses are suspended, churches "will remain Distribution of Holy Communion: ordinary ministers: assisting deacons and concele- open, as usual, for personal prayer." The distribution of the Precious Blood is tempo- brants at the Mass. If these are not available, the pre- The Diocese of Rome, he said, "will assume an attitude of full re- rarily suspended, except for those few who must re- siding priest may temporarily refrain from sponsibility toward the community in the knowledge that protection ceive from the chalice due to severe cases of celiac distributing Communion to the assembly in order to from infection requires even drastic measures, especially in interpersonal disease. Those individuals who cannot receive the prevent the spread of disease, allowing the extraordi- contact." Eucharistic bread due to gluten intolerance or allergy nary ministers to be the ones to distribute Commun- "May this time of Lent help us to live this great test evangelically," should consult their pastor on making accommoda- ion to the assembly. Cardinal De Donatis said. tions to receive the Precious Blood. Disinfecting: Bishops throughout the country have sent letters not only to inform To reduce the likelihood of spreading disease, In our church facilities, surfaces touched by the their dioceses about the suspensions but to also address concerns by some that such measures are too drastic. people are strongly encouraged to receive Holy public should be disinfected frequently. Suspending the public celebration of Mass, "may seem exaggerated Communion in the hand rather than on the tongue. Hand sanitizer dispensers should be made avail- in our region, especially after we have committed to organizing partici- When receiving the Eucharist, we receive the able in church facilities. pation according to the rules of safe distance and hygienic precautions fullness of the Body and Blood of Christ under the Prayer: that should keep us safe from the risks of spreading the virus," said Arch- species of bread alone or wine alone. The sign of Finally, the Diocese of San Angelo asks that the bishop Domenico Sorrentino of Assisi in a March 9 letter to his diocese. Communion is more complete when receiving under faithful pray for the sick, especially during cold and Nevertheless, "the virus is spreading in Italy and around the world, both kinds, but receiving both is not required. Even if flu season or during wider outbreaks of illness. No causing suffering and death," he wrote. "If we don't contain it, hospital you are typically accustomed to receiving Commun- amount of precautionary measures can completely infrastructures will collapse with inevitable repercussions not only for ion on the tongue, you will prevent spreading your prevent the spread of disease, and we should always the infected but also for all other sick people." saliva to the hand of the Communion minister by re- remember those who suffer and those who care for ceiving Communion in the hand during times of se- them. Stay Connected with the 2,900 had died, according to China's national PRECAUTIONS health commission. Diocese of San Angelo Only three cases of infection have been Continued from Page 5 recorded in Africa — one in Nigeria, one in in Iran, where at least 77 people died and more Egypt and one in Algeria — with no deaths. In DOSA Mail than 2,300 people were infected. But while holy Mombasa, Kenya, Catholic Archbishop Martin shrines were disinfected, the sites did not close. Kivuva led other religious leaders in urging the Millions of people visit the shrines every year, Kenyan government to begin a citizen training The official Flocknote of the Diocese of San with many kissing and touching them. program on prevention and management of the Angelo. Receive texts or emails with important Two men in Iran who defied health warnings COVID-19. could be jailed after videos circulated of them Ghana's bishops directed all Catholics to re- news, updates, and messages from the diocese. licking holy shrines. In one of the videos, a man ceive Communion only in the hand. In a March is seen at the Masumeh shrine in Qom, saying, 2 statement, Archbishop Philip Naameh of Ta- Two ways to join: "I'm not scared of coronavirus," before licking male, president of the Ghanaian bishops' confer- and kissing the gates. ence, encouraged ministers of the Eucharist to 1) Text DOSA to 84576 In their guidelines, Haiti's bishops called for wash their hands or use sanitizer before and OR the normal sanitary precautions, but also told after distributing Communion. people to count on conducting Holy Week and The bishops also urged parishioners to 2) Visit https://app.flocknote.com/dosamail Easter service outside. "avoid handshakes and embracing one another" Catholics in the Philippines have been asked during the sign of peace. Social Media not to kiss or touch the cross when they venerate Caribbean countries are increasingly closing it on Good Friday, April 10. their borders to visitors from areas affected by Instead, they should "genuflect or make a the coronavirus. The Caribbean has one con- Diocese of San Angelo on Facebook: profound bow" before the cross during the ven- firmed case in the Dominican Republic and eration of the cross, according to guidelines is- three in the French overseas territories of St. https://www.facebook.com/DioceseofSanAngelo sued Feb. 20 by the Philippine bishops' Barthelemy and St. Martin. conference. Three cases of the coronavirus have "There is no change to the church's liturgical Bishop Michael Sis on Twitter: been documented in the Philippines, with one celebrations" yet, the Archdiocese of Port of resulting in death. said in a March 3 statement from Trini- @SABishopMike The Chinese government temporarily closed dad, noting that it would provide any assistance all places of worship and banned all group reli- needed if an outbreak occurred. gious activities in efforts to contain the virus' - - - On the Web spread. Contributing to this story were Judith Sudi- In mainland China, more than 80,000 people lovsky in Jerusalem and Damian Avevor in www.sanangelodiocese.org had been infected with the virus, and more than Accra, Ghana. Page 22 MARCH 2020 The Angelus deprimidos, hay medicaciones. Uno va sario". Hice lo mismo y, para mi sor- BARRON SANDOVAL al médico, y regresa a casa con más presa, pude dormirme de nuevo, y eso recetas. es lo que hago décadas después. Simi- Continúa de Página 22 Continúa de Página 22 Me maravilla que muchos de larmente, la cura de muchas de nues- “camino sinodal”. Mi atención se convirtió Mateo (Capitulo 25): "Tuve hambre y los rituales y costumbres que hemos tras ansiedades reside en la meditación en algo más cercano a la alarma cuando me diste de comer". heredado tienen los remedios que y en la oración. supe que estaban abiertos a una reconsid- Vivimos una época en cual necesitamos sin los efectos secundar- El filosofó Henry David Tho- eración de algunas de las enseñanzas mo- tenemos píldoras para todo. Y, además, ios de las drogas. Porque yo despierto reau escribió de sus meditaciones: rales y disciplinas más fundamentales de la disfrutamos de drogas, licitas y no, en la noche y veces no puedo recu- "Por la mayor parte, no me preocupe Iglesia, incluyendo la naturaleza del acto para ayudarnos a bregar con nuestras perar el sueño, le pregunté una vez a de como pasaron las horas. El día sexual, la teología del sacerdocio y la posi- ansiedades, depresión y un sinnúmero mi Mama hacía ella cuando sufría in- avanzó como si iluminaba algún hecho bilidad de la ordenación para las mujeres. de problemas. Si no podemos dormir, somnio. mío. … Me sonríe de mi buena fortuna Además, los obispos de Alemania se esfor- hay píldoras para eso. Si nos sentimos Me contestó: "Rezo mi ro- incesante". zaban por llevar a cabo sus deliberaciones en colaboración con el Comité Central de Católicos Alemanes, una organización laica, e insistían en que las decisiones de este órgano conjunto serían “vinculantes”. Para decirlo sin rodeos, todo el temor que yo y varios otros obispos teníamos cuando OSPINO in the other person, especially the or broken, or suffering from an add- leímos por primera vez el lenguaje abierto poor, the suffering, the vulnerable. iction. When we have such an encounter, we Yet, we must listen. When we sobre la “sinodalidad” en el documento Continued from Page 18 preliminar del Sínodo sobre los Jóvenes are compelled to do something. Sol- listen, we affirm our sister's agency, parecía ahora justificado. ¿Sería posible than a mere transaction or a sporadic idarity, says Pope Francis in the same our brother's right to name reality. Lis- que una iglesia local estableciera sus pro- action. exhortation, "must be lived as the tening empowers the other. When we pias reglas morales de tal manera que As we pray during Lent and pre- decision to restore to the poor what listen, we learn and grow in compas- fueran vinculantes para los católicos de esa pare our hearts as a community of be- belongs to them" (No. 189). sion. región? ¿Podría la anticoncepción, por lievers to contemplate the mystery of Solidarity demands that we take What am I going to do this Lent? ejemplo, llegar a ser éticamente permisible Jesus' death and resurrection, we ar- our time and listen to the cries of our Listen attentively as a way of living to en Alemania y al mismo tiempo seguir rive at an understanding of Christian sisters and brothers. God does. It is practice solidarity the way God does. siendo moralmente pecado en otras partes solidarity that is grounded in the con- tempting to prescribe what others need What about you? del mundo católico? viction that Christ is present in the or judge their condition in light of our - - - Por lo tanto, me enteré con gran alivio other, without exception. own particular experience. We often Ospino is professor of theology de que la Congregación para los Obispos, Christian solidarity, therefore, is do this with the person who is poor, or and religious education at Boston Col- bajo la dirección del Cardenal Marc Ouel- an invitation to see the face of Christ disabled, or immigrant, or minoritized, lege. let, había intervenido para poner límites a la sinodalidad de la Conferencia Alemana, recordando a los obispos que no estaban autorizados a actuar con independencia de la Santa Sede. Sin embargo, cuando la Conferencia Episcopal Alemana informó al Vaticano que seguirían adelante en el ca- mino sinodal, los mismos temores y dudas EDICTAL SUMMONS EDICTAL SUMMONS EDICTAL SUMMONS que experimenté en el Sínodo sobre los Jó- March 2, 2020 March 2, 2020 March 2, 2020 venes resurgieron. CASE: JOHNSON — NEILL CASE: CARRASCO — CORDOVA CASE: ARMSTRONG — RAULSTON Todo esto estaba en el fondo de mi NO.: SO/20/02 NO.: SO/20/10 NO.: SO/20/12 mente cuando, en compañía de mis her- manos obispos de la Región XI, me reuní The Tribunal Office of the Catho- The Tribunal Office of the Catho- The Tribunal Office of the Catho- con el Papa Francisco durante la visita ad lic Diocese of San Angelo is seeking lic Diocese of San Angelo is seeking lic Diocese of San Angelo is seeking limina. En el curso de nuestra conver- MELISSA ANN NEILL. KAREN CORDOVA. KRISTY NICOLE RAULSTON. sación, surgió el tema de los sínodos y la You are hereby summoned to You are hereby summoned to You are hereby summoned to sinodalidad, y Francisco fue claro y explíc- appear before the Tribunal of the appear before the Tribunal of the appear before the Tribunal of the ito. Nos dijo, en términos inequívocos, que Catholic Diocese of San Angelo, at Catholic Diocese of San Angelo, at Catholic Diocese of San Angelo, at un sínodo “no es un parlamento”, y que el 804 Ford Street, San Angelo, Texas 804 Ford Street, San Angelo, Texas 804 Ford Street, San Angelo, Texas proceso sinodal no es simplemente una 76905, on or before the 31st day of 76905, on or before the 31st day of 76905, on or before the 31st day of cuestión de sondear a los participantes y March 2020, to answer to the Peti- March 2020, to answer to the Peti- March 2020, to answer to the Peti- contar los votos. Y luego añadió, con par- tion of Nathan Joseph Raboin tion of Adrian Carrasco, now intro- tion of ERIC NATHANIEL ARM- ticular énfasis, que el “protagonista” de un Johnson, now introduced before the duced before the Diocesan Tribunal STRONG, now introduced before sínodo no es ninguno de los delegados de Diocesan Tribunal in an action in an action styled, “Adrian Carrasco the Diocesan Tribunal in an action la reunión, sino más bien el Espíritu Santo. styled, “Nathan Johnson and Me- and Karen Cordova, Petition for styled, “Eric Armstrong and Kristy Esta última observación es de notable im- lissa Neill, Petition for Declaration of Declaration of Invalidity of Marriage.” Raulston, Petition for Declaration of portancia. El punto de una asamblea demo- Invalidity of Marriage.” Said Petition Said Petition is identified as Case: Invalidity of Marriage.” Said Petition crática es discernir la voluntad del pueblo, is identified as Case: JOHNSON -- CARRASCO -- CORDOVA; Protocol is identified as Case: ARMSTRONG ya que, en una entidad política democrát- NEILL; Protocol No.: SO/20/02, on No.: SO/20/10 Ed. Sum. MARCH, -- RAULSTON; Protocol No.: ica, los pueblos son finalmente soberanos. the Tribunal Docket of the Diocese on the Tribunal Docket of the Dio- SO/20/12, on the Tribunal Docket of Pero en un sínodo, el objetivo es discernir, of San Angelo. cese of San Angelo. the Diocese of San Angelo. no la voluntad del pueblo, sino la voluntad You may communicate with the You may communicate with the You may communicate with the del Espíritu Santo, ya que el Espíritu en Tribunal in person or in writing. Fai- Tribunal in person or in writing. Fai- Tribunal in person or in writing. Fai- ese contexto es soberano, o en el lenguaje lure to communicate within the pre- lure to communicate within the pre- lure to communicate within the pre- del Papa Francisco, el “protagonista”. scribed period of time will be scribed period of time will be scribed period of time will be Habiendo escuchado al Papa sobre este considered your consent for the Tri- considered your consent for the Tri- considered your consent for the Tri- tema, no pude evitar recordar ese momento bunal to continue its proceedings in bunal to continue its proceedings in bunal to continue its proceedings in en el Sínodo sobre los Jóvenes de 2018. Lo the above-named case. the above-named case. the above-named case. que el Papa Francisco quiere decir con “si- Given at the Tribunal of the Dio- Given at the Tribunal of the Dio- Given at the Tribunal of the Dio- nodalidad”, está claro que no se refiere a cese of San Angelo on this 2nd day cese of San Angelo on this 2nd day cese of San Angelo on this 2nd day un proceso de democratización, o a poner of March 2020. of March 2020. of March 2020. la doctrina a votación. Se refiere, me pa- rece, a una conversación estructurada entre Reverend Tom Barley, Reverend Tom Barley, Reverend Tom Barley, todos los actores eclesiales relevantes — MSW, MBA, M. Div., JCL MSW, MBA, M. Div., JCL MSW, MBA, M. Div., JCL obispos, sacerdotes y laicos— con el fin de Judicial Vicar Judicial Vicar Judicial Vicar escuchar la voz del Espíritu. The Angelus MARCH 2020 Page 23 i.e,. recognition of goodness in others and in ourselves — a KNICKERBOCKERS goodness not of ourselves but of the indwelling Holy Spirit (See Gal 5:22, Fruit of the Spirit). We are to see with redeemed eyes, Member Continued from Page 8 eyes that recognize goodness. We are to look with God's eyes. Catholic News Service our eternal soul and that of our brother and sister. “Let him We are to see Christ in our brothers and sisters and bring them to Catholic Press Association know that whoever brings back a sinner from the error of his Christ. way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of C. S. Lewis reminds us, “There are no ordinary people. You Texas Catholic News sins” (Jas 5:20). The implications of sinning and the implications have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civ- Published the 1st Monday following of holy living are eternal. "For God has not destined us for ilizations — these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life wrath, but to obtain through our Lord Jesus Christ, of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, the 1st Saturday of each month and who died for us so that whether we wake or sleep we might live marry, snub and exploit — immortal horrors or everlasting delivered to all registered with him" (1 Thes 5:9-10). "The wages of sin is death, but the splendors. This does not mean that we are to be perpetually sol- parishioners in the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom emn. We must play. But our merriment must be of that kind (and 6:23). it is, in fact, the merriest kind) which exists between people who San Angelo Diocese. In Seeds of the Word, Bishop Robert Baron says, "May God have, from the outset, taken each other seriously — no flip- Subscription rate for all others: save us all from non-judgmentalism, lest mankind must answer pancy, no superiority, no presumption. And our charity must be $10 per year ‘no’ to a question that Jesus asked long ago, ‘when the Son of real and costly love, with deep feeling for the sins in spite of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?' (Luke 18:8).” In our de- which we love the sinner — no mere tolerance, or indulgence THIRD CLASS POSTAGE PAID AT sire to be "politically correct" or because of our indifference, which parodies love" (Sermon, "The Weight of Glory"). SAN ANGELO, TEXAS have we become "non-judgmental?” "Do not be conformed to Printed by this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that - - - Livestock Weekly you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and accept- Father Knick Knickerbocker is a retired priest of the Dio- able and perfect" (Rom 12:2). cese of San Angelo. He and his wife, Sandie, write a monthly San Angelo, Texas Recognition of sin in others and in ourselves has a corollary, column for the West Texas Angelus. share your religious tenets, you are not religious enough to have Submissions: DOERFLINGER religious freedom. (As the U.S. bishops have said, by this stan- Story suggestions, calendar items,

dard, Jesus and his apostles were too secular because they not parish briefs and all other Continued from Page 18 only preached but also healed people — including people of from abortion mandates should belong only to religious organi- other religions.) If you hire or serve only people who follow submissions should be emailed to zations that primarily hire people of their own faith, primarily your teachings, you are a bigot, guilty of homophobia and/or [email protected] serve people of their own faith and focus on inculcating specifi- anti-Semitism, and respecting your faith would be unconsciona- cally religious values. ble. The ACLU's prime example of an organization that could Who, then, has a claim to religious freedom? Apparently, COPY, PHOTO qualify for such an exemption is a Christian Science Church only people who already share the dominant secular ideology on DEADLINE: healing center, where illnesses are addressed solely by prayer. the issue at stake — in other words, people for whom a religious Third Friday of every month. The ACLU has boasted that it wrote the religious exemption exemption is unnecessary and irrelevant. If you want the exemp- clause of California's state contraceptive mandate using these tion, that shows you don't deserve it. Photos should be in jpeg format. criteria. Later, the Obama administration also endorsed this ap- This Catch-22 is very clever, but it has nothing to do with re- proach, insisting that religious orders like the Little Sisters of the specting what our nation's founders saw as our first and most Letters to the editor are welcome, Poor must comply with a federal contraceptive mandate because precious freedom. they hire and serve non-Catholics. The sisters had to struggle all - - - and should be emailed to the way to the U.S. Supreme Court for relief — and some states Doerflinger worked for 36 years in the Secretariat of Pro- [email protected] are still in court insisting that they comply with such mandates. Life Activities of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. He Letters to the editor are printed at the Here is the Catch-22. If you hire or serve people who don't writes from Washington state. discretion of the editor and identities people and the communities to which they belong. Yet our support of the writer are subject to CHRISTUS VIVIT is not contingent on anything other than the fact that they are verification. Please include name, members of our faith community through their . Continued from Page 9 It also reminds me that how we live out our faith in our daily address and phone number when paralyze you, so that you don’t become young mummies. Live! lives will speak more loudly than any lectures or classes. Ministry submitting letters. Give yourselves over to the best of life! Open the door of the cage, is about more than just words; it matters that we develop a rela- go out and fly! Please, don’t take early retirement” (143). tionship and show that we care about them and what is happening In speaking about vocation, Pope Francis reminds us that at its in their lives. Pope Francis tell us, “Young people need to be ap- root, our vocation is about how we are called to serve others: proached with the grammar of love, not by being preached at. The Bishop Michael J. Sis “Your own personal vocation does not consist only in the work language that young people understand is spoken by those who ra- Publisher you do, though that is an expression of it. Your vocation is some- diate life, by those who are there for them and with them. And thing more: it is a path guiding your many efforts and actions to- those who, for all their limitations and weakness, try to live their wards service to others” (255). faith with integrity” (211). Brian Bodiford He also reminds us that vocation is about our response to God It closes with a reminder to young people that the Church Editor in all areas of our life: “The word ‘vocation’ can be understood in needs them, and that they may have to pave the way and wait for Director of Communications a broad sense as a calling from God, including the call to life, the the rest of us to catch up: “Dear young people, my joyful hope is call to friendship with him, the call to holiness, and so forth. This to see you keep running the race before you, outstripping all those is helpful, since it situates our whole life in relation to the God who are slow or fearful. Keep running, ‘attracted by the face of who loves us. It makes us realize that nothing is the result of pure Christ, whom we love so much, whom we adore in the Holy Eu- change but that everything in our lives can become a way of re- charist and acknowledge in the flesh of our suffering brothers and sponding to the Lord, who has a wonderful plan for us” (248). sisters. May the Holy Spirit urge you on as you run this race. The Church needs your momentum, your intuitions, your faith. When we discover our calling in life, it will make all we do The West Texas Angelus more meaningful: “When we discover that God is calling us to We need them! And when you arrive where we have not yet something, that this or that is what we were made for — whether reached, have the patience to wait for us’” (299, emphasis Official Newspaper of the it be nursing, carpentry, communication, engineering, teaching, art added). Diocese of San Angelo, Texas or any other kind of work — then we will be able to summon up Side note: There has been no shortage of resources developed POSTMASTER: Send all address our best capacities for sacrifice, generosity and dedication. Know- in this last year around Christus Vivit. The National Federation for ing that we don’t do things just for the sake of doing them, but Catholic Youth Ministry has compiled their own resources, as well changes to: rather we endow them with meaning, as a response to a call that as some from other trusted sources, at https://nfcym.org/re- WEST TEXAS ANGELUS resounds in the depth of our being to offer something to others: sources/topics/christus-vivit-resources/. NFCYM is also continu- P.O. Box 1829 that is what makes these occupations bring a sense of deep fulfill- ing to develop more resources. Later this month they will release a ment” (273). study guide, and they continue work on training resources. SAN ANGELO, TX This document reminds us that we made a promise to the - - - 76902-1829 young people when they were baptized to support them in their Alison Pope is an associate director of the Diocese of San faith. How that is done will vary based on the individual young Angelo’s Office of Evangelization and Catechesis Page 24 MARCH 2020 The Angelus DOSA Sports

The basketball teams from St. Mary’s Central Catholic School of Odessa took on the boys and girls from Angelo Catholic School in early Feb- ruary.

ALAN TORRE | APTORRE PHOTOGRAPHY

ALAN TORRE | APTORRE PHOTOGRAPHY

The St. Mary’s Central Catholic School team was back in action for another intra-diocesan game when they faced the team from St. Ann’s School in Midland Feb. 10. ALAN TORRE | APTORRE PHOTOGRAPHY