APRIL: A MONTH FOR SAINTS Rome prepares for the canonizations of two of the most beloved popes in church history: Pope John Paul II (left), and Pope John XXII. Coverage of the historic event, Pages 12-13. Follow Bishop Sis’ Lenten Devotionals at SABishopMike on Twitter or friend Diocese of San Angelo on Facebook. The Domestic Church Fr. Knick The Episcopal Ordination of Knickerbocker, The Most Reverend Michael J. Sis

The Episcopal Ordination of The Most Reverend The Michael J. Sis Episcopal OrdinationThe of right, looks at January 27, 2014 San Angelo, Texas how the church, as experienced in the home and with family members, is a living example of the body of Christ at work. / Serving the Diocese of San Angelo, Texas Pg. 5 Volume XXXIV, No. 4 APRIL 2014 Rite of Election

ORDINATION VIDEOS DVDs of Most Rev. Michael J. Sis’ Ordination / Installation Mass as sixth Bishop of San Angelo are now available. To obtain a copy, send $15 for each DVD to the Diocese of San Angelo Pastoral Center, P.O. Box 1829, Rite of Election celebrated San Angelo, TX, 76902. Att’n: Ordination Video. Please denote “Ordination Video” in the memo field of your check. Make sure your in San Angelo, Midland return address is clearly noted either on your

By Jimmy Patterson check or in an accompanying note. ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED ADDRESS

Editor / West Texas Angelus 76902-1829 TX ANGELO SAN DIOCESE OF SAN SAN OF DIOCESE ANGELO

MIDLAND — More than 500 candidates and cate- 1829 BOX PO chumens along with their sponsors, families and friends crowded into San Angelo’s Sacred Heart Cathedral and St. Ann’s Church in Midland in March in two separate Rite of Election ceremonies in the diocese. The St. Ann’s celebration was the first time a Rite of Election has been conducted outside of the cathedral as Bishop Michael J. Sis, above, at the Rite of Election ceremony at Holy well as outside the city of San Angelo in the history of Angels Church in San Angelo, and at right, Don Wise, sponsor, with the diocese. catechumen Matthew Irwin, at St. Ann’s in Midland. (Above photo by (Please See RITE/19) John Rangel. At right, photo by Jimmy Patterson/The Angelus). For John XXIII, calling Vatican II an ‘act of faith’

By Francis X. Rocca 4More coverage of April Participants Remember."

US POSTAGE US PAID NONPROFIT ORG. NONPROFIT Blessed John had come to a "convic- TX ANGELO, SAN Catholic News Service Canonizations / Pgs. 12-13 44 NO. PERMIT tion that something ought to be done in VATICAN CITY — Blessed John ticipants who recalled the event half a order to make the church more respon- XXIII called the Second Vatican century later. sive to this modern world, in order to Council in the conviction that it was The men spoke in exclusive interviews make the modern world more respon- necessary for the Catholic Church, yet featured in a forthcoming Catholic sive to the church. And that intuition without pre-conceived ideas of what it News Service documentary film, would accomplish, said Vatican II par- "Voices of Vatican II: Council (Please See XXIII/19)

The Angelus APRIL 2014 Page 3 SEMINARY MEMORIES: SEMINARIAN OF THE MONTH

Priest prefers quiet of vocation to clatter of combat Freddy Martin Perez

By Fr. Hugh Wade Jr. grounds. I enjoyed being outside and did The most memorable memory of my life Date of Birth: March 30, 1986 not mind keeping up the grounds, I in the seminary was after I was ordained Birth Place: San Angelo Do you have siblings: Younger I entered the novitiate of the thought this was a pretty nice job until as a priest. I was asked to help at the brother, Gerardo Perez he is mar- Congregation of the Immaculate Heart winter arrived and I was in charge of seminary during one summer. As the ried to Carla Perez and together of Mary seven days after leaving Viet snow removal. Whoops! summer was coming to an end we host- they gave me a blessing of a niece Nam. Located in One year after entering the Novitiate, I ed a bishop from Texas, who did not Sophia. Arlington, Virginia, just made my first temporary vows of want to stay at the Washington Hilton Where do you attend semi- across the Potomac Chastity, Poverty and Obedience. I with the other bishops attending one of nary? Assumption, San Antonio What level are you: 1st Year Freddy Perez River from moved to our seminary in Washington, their conferences. He also insisted that Theology Washington, D.C., the D.C. just a few blocks from the Shrine someone drive him to the hotel when he What led you into formation as a mother house of the of the Immaculate Conception. Since I found out we had an old, yellow VW seminarian? Giving time in prayer to the Lord, in my Missionhurst Fathers had previous college experience, I took beetle. I was asked to fall in line behind youth to hear God’s calling in my life. I had my wants was very serene and classes at the Oblate School of Theology the taxis and limousines dropping off and desires but I also felt the Lord’s invitation to quiet. and Catholic University of America. guests and bishops for the conference. become His. Meeting priests who love their calling in Fr. Wade the diocese is what led me to try out the seminary. After spending two During the summer our community He would hop out of the passenger side Home Parish: St. Mary’s in San Angelo and Holy years in Viet Nam, I was seeking some would host summer programs for mis- of the VW, go to the front and open the Spirit in Sweetwater quiet time to explore my vocation to the sionary priests and nuns returning home hood and remove his briefcase and join Favorite Saints: St. Francis & St. Benedict priesthood. from the missions. I was asked to stay the other bishops who were staring at Favorite Scripture: 1 Kings 19: 11-13 I enjoyed the reverent routine of our the summer and keep everything running him. In the afternoon, after the meeting Favorite Color: Blue daily life. We awoke at 5 a.m. and began in the seminary building. At the end of he would be standing with a group of Favorite Movie: Gladiator Favorite Television Personality: Anthony Bourdain our day with the Office of Readings, one session we were asked to host bishops and when he saw me drive up Favorite Food/Restaurant: I would rather have a Morning Prayer and Mass followed by Mother Teresa of Calcutta. The front would come to the curb and get in. He cook out with family and friends and some great breakfast in silence! I thought the silence door bell rang and I opened the door to delighted in making them wonder who home cooking. would be difficult, but I was wrong; it find her standing with a small suitcase this bishop was from Texas. This Bishop Favorite meat: Pig freed me to look at myself and my rela- and two other sisters from her Order would later offer me a position in his Favorite Dessert: Avion Expresso Tequila tionship with God. Classes followed who had arrived from the airport by taxi. Diocese which I accepted and the rest of Hobbies: Enjoy learning random facts Objectives: I desire to follow in the footsteps of breakfast after we had cleaned up the She had the most captivating blue eyes I the story would be written when I left Jesus dining room and reset the tables for have ever seen. She was a humble, sim- the military and returned to the Diocese lunch. The classes were in spirituality ple woman who was going to give sev- of San Angelo. Oh, the bishop, you may BIO and prayer as well as the rich history of eral addresses in the D.C. area. I thought have been wondering about, was, of My parents are Martin and Teresa Perez from our Congregation. In the afternoon we I still arose early to begin my morning course Bishop Joseph Fiorenza, the Guanajuato, Mexico. I was blessed to have great role performed chores which ranged from prayers only to find Mother Teresa and fourth Bishop of San Angelo. models of priests growing up that lived out a strong happy priesthood. Bishop Joe Vásquez was my pastor laundry, maintenance of the buildings, her companions on their knees in front as a kid. His example of a man who served and loved working with the animals kept on the of the Blessed Sacrament. They had Father Hubert Wade is pastor at St. his community led me to ask him at young age what a property and keeping up the extensive been there since 4 a.m. Mary’s in Ballinger. priest was. His answer has stayed with me: “A priest is a man like Christ.” Bishop Joe is the first priest I told, A Letter to Seminarians from Pope Francis “I think I want to be a priest.” When I became a teenager I attended events offered by the diocese, was a part of a youth ministry that gave me exposure Vocations: A Witness to the Truth to retreats and conferences that would form who I am today along with the Christian community on which I Dear Brothers and Sisters: of which Jesus is speaking is humanity, alone can bestow; then gratitude for a so heavily rely. I graduated from San Angelo Lake View HS in 2004. I attended college unmotivated us. And the efficacious action which love that always goes before us; and because deep inside I knew I was avoiding the call to The Gospel says that “Jesus went has borne “much fruit” is the grace of lastly, adoration for the work that he the priesthood around the same time I got involved about all the cities and villages... When God, that is, communion with has accomplished, which requires our with House of Faith Outreach, a place that nurtured he saw the crowds, he had compassion Him (cf. Jn 15:5). The prayer which free consent in acting with him and for me and showed me that I had a heart to serve. I met for them, because they were harassed Jesus asks of the Church therefore con- him. Fr. David Herrera who fostered me as a father, friend, and helpless, like sheep without a shep- cerns the need to increase the number 2. Many times we have prayed with and spiritual director. He taught me the importance of having a life centered in the Holy Eucharist and the herd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The of those who serve his Kingdom. Saint the words of the Psalmist: “It is he who importance of carrying a constant prayer life. Fostering harvest is plentiful, but the labourers Paul, who was one of “God’s fellow made us, and we are his; we are his a prayer life would lead me to Adoration, the chapel of are few; pray therefore the Lord of the workers,” tirelessly dedicated himself people, and the sheep of his pasture” St. Margaret's is where I would feel the Lord speak to harvest to send out labourers into his to the cause of the Gospel and the (Ps 100:3); or: “The Lord has chosen my life and say “Freddy, Be mine.” This call would lead harvest’” (Mt 9:35-38). Church. The Apostle, with the aware- Jacob for himself, Israel as his own me to serve as a Catholic Missionary on NET These words surprise us, because we ness of one who has personally possession” (Ps 135:4). And yet we are (netusa.org for more info). It was my year on NET 2007-08 in which I again felt the Lord invite me into a all know that it is necessary first to experienced how mysterious God’s sav- God’s “possession” not in the sense of deeper relationship to His priesthood. After my time as plow, sow and cultivate and then, in ing will is, and how the initiative of a possession that renders us slaves, but a missionary I would come back to San Angelo and due time, reap an abundant harvest. grace is the origin of every vocation, rather of a strong bond that unites us to look for a religious order to join. Fr. Barry interrupted Jesus says instead that “the harvest is reminds the Christians of Corinth: God and one another, in accord with a my search and asked me “if I had ever thought about plentiful.” But who did the work to “You are God’s field” (1 Cor 3:9). That covenant that is eternal, “for his joining the diocese” I hadn't. I took the question to bring about these results? There is only is why wonder first arises in our hearts prayer, I found peace and serenity in the idea for one answer: God. Clearly the field over the plentiful harvest which God (Please See FRANCIS/22) being a priest for my diocese of San Angelo. Page 4 APRIL 2014 The Angelus CALENDARS St. Elizabeth hosts successful youth event BISHOP SIS’ SCHEDULE Stephen – Confirmation at The Angelus April 2014 6:30 p.m. 10 — SAN ANGELO, 10 — MIDLAND, Our Lady On Saturday, March 15, 2014 over Sacred Heart Cathedral – of Guadalupe, Confirmation 100 young people participated in the Chrism Mass at 11:00 a.m. at 5:00 p.m. Presbyteral Council Meeting 13 — ODESSA, St. Mary- Diocesan Jr. High Youth Event at St. at 1:00 p.m. Confirmation at 6:30 p.m. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church (SEAS) 13 — SAN ANGELO, 15 — SAN ANGELO, in Odessa. They came from Abilene, Sacred Heart Cathedral – Diocesan Pastoral Center – Andrews, Lenorah, Midland, Odessa, Palm Sunday Mass, 9:45 Catholic Charitable Rowena, Stanton and San Angelo. It a.m. Foundation Meeting at 10:30 was a day to reflect on what it means 13 — SAN ANGELO, Holy a.m. to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. Angels Seder Meal at 5:30 15 — ABILENE, St. Talks, games, music, conversation p.m. Vincent – Confirmation at and YouTube videos were part of the 17 — SAN ANGELO, 6:30 p.m. scheduled activities. Displays from Sacred Heart Cathedral- 16 — SONORA, St. Ann – Catholic Relief Services and vocation Holy Thursday Mass, 7 p.m. Confirmation at 6:30 p.m. 18 — SAN ANGELO, St. 17 — ABILENE, St. resources were set up for the partici- Margaret – Way of the Cross Francis – Confirmation at pants to browse and take materials. at 1:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. Some of the topics addressed includ- 18 — SAN ANGELO, 20 — SAN ANGELO, St. ed caring for creation, bullying, Sacred Heart Cathedral - Joseph – Confirmation at walking in the footprints of Christ by Good Friday Service, 7 p.m. 6:30p.m living the gospel in our daily life. 19 — SAN ANGELO, 21 — SAN ANGELO, We prayed for the courage to stand Sacred Heart Cathedral – Diocesan Pastoral Center – up for others, the courage to risk, the San Angelo Bishop Michael J. Sis, center, with junior high students at St. Easter Vigil at 9:00 p.m. Final Budget Review with courage to live a life of love and for- Elizabeth Ann Seton in Odessa’s “Come Fish With Me,” event, March 15. More 20 — Mass Diocesan Finance Council giveness. photos on Page 24. (Courtesy photo) 23 — SAN ANGELO, and the Presbyteral Council The beautiful campus at SEAS pro- answer session with the youth. The Music was provided by Victor and Diocesan Pastoral Center – 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Staff Meeting at 10:30 a.m. 21 — COLEMAN, Sacred vided a backdrop for games at day ended with a Eucharistic Liturgy Isabel Garza, Ed and Nora followed by Staff Mass, lunch Heart – Confirmation at 6:30 lunchtime. The youth ministry build- presided by the Bishop Sis, Fr. Hernandez, and local youth. Ernie 24 — ODESSA, Catholic p.m. ing was utilized for lunch and con- Rodney (Vocations Office) and Fr. Acevedo (St. Mary Parish-San Charities Banquet –Odessa 23 — SAN ANGELO, St. versation. Bishop Michael Sis was Prem (SEAS). A collection was Angelo) and S. Adelina Garcia Country Club Margaret – Confirmation at present throughout the day and was taken up for Catholic Relief Services. (Associate Director of Education and 25 — ODESSA, St. 6:30 p.m. part of an afternoon question-and- Everyone enjoyed the day! Formation) emceed the day. Joseph – Confirmation at 24 — SAN ANGELO, 6:30 p.m. Sacred Heart – Confirmation 26 — SAN ANGELO, Holy at 5:00 p.m. CATHOLIC TWITTERVERSE Angels – Confirmation at 25 — SAN ANGELO, St. 5:30 p.m. Mary – Confirmation at 12:00 Editor’s Note: Each month the Angelus the United Nations to make peace. NATIONAL 27 — SAN ANGELO, noon will include a sampling of Tweets from CATHOLIC Sacred Heart Cathedral 26-30 — SAN ANGELO, the ‘Twitterverse.’ Tweets are taken GREG WILLITS REGISTER Gym- Office of Education Christ the King Retreat from random dates in the month pre- @gregwillits @NCRegister and Formation Awards Center – Annual Priests ceding publication of the Angelus. Just facetimed mom. Saw a big blur when #Pope to married Banquet – 4-6 p.m. Retreat Links following the tweets often fea- she answered. "What is that, mom?" "My couples: "With the 29 — BIG LAKE, St. 31 — BRADY, St. Patrick, ture articles, videos or photos that ear. I'm driving." I hung up. Parents grace of Christ, you are a living and credi- Margaret – Confirmation at Confirmation at 7:00 p.m. expound on the tweets. shouldn't have iPhones. ble icon of God and his love." 6:30 p.m. MAY CHRIST THE KING ARCHDIOCESE OF BOSTON. FOR YOUR MARRIAGE ARCHDIOCESEMILWAUKEE 1 — ODESSA, St. RETREAT CENTER Married couples should never let the sun @foryourmarriage @archmil Elizabeth Ann Seton – APRIL set on an argument; instead they must Pope Francis asked married couples: Jesus confronts us with a radical choice: Confirmation at 6:30 p.m. 14 Heart of Mercy Group make peace by remembering to... say “How are things when it comes to joy at to believe in Him as the Son of God or 2 — SAN ANGELO, ASU 15 Passover please, thank you, and sorry. home? Is there joy in your family?”... not. #Lent #Catholic... fb.me/2jip0eemc Newman Center – LIMEX 15 Adoration fb.me/35xjsy4ht (April 2, 2014) Graduation at 5:30 p.m. 18 Office closed in CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE 3 — MIDLAND, St. Ann – Observance of Good Friday Hobby Lobby owner says Pope told him NATIONAL CATHOLIC REGISTER CARDINAL DOLAN Confirmation at 5:00 p.m. 19 San Angelo School of lawsuit is “important to Catholics” @NCRegister @CardinalDolan 4 — BALLINGER, St. Mary Leaders 'The Rosary ... helps us feel the presence We are over the halfway mark through – Confirmation at 11:15 a.m. 20 Easter Sunday EDUARDO NEVARES of Mary, Queen of the family and model, #Lent but don't get tired--the hour is com- 5 — ABILENE, Holy Family 21 Heart of Mercy Group @bishopnevares along with her husband Joseph, for every ing! cardinaldolan.org #LentenMessage – Confirmation at 6:30 p.m. 22 Adoration of the Isaiah 49:15-Can a mother forget her family.' #Pope 6 — ST. LAWRENCE, St. Blessed Sacrament child, or be without tenderness for the JAMES MARTIN Lawrence Confirmation at 22 Deacon Quarterly child of her womb? Even if she forgets, AMERICA MAGAZINE @JamesMartinSJ 6:30 p.m. Meeting I will never forget you @americamag Gospel: The Father is at work; so is 7 — STANTON, St. 24-27 Women’s Walk to Fr Matt Malone, S.J. @americaeditor Jesus. Imagine God, as St. Ignatius says, Joseph – Confirmation at Emmaus ROME REPORTS reflects on Pope Francis' papacy at "laboring" on our behalf. God is at work 6:30 p.m. 27 Divine Mercy Sunday @romerports recent Maryknoll Speaker Series for you and in you. 8 — MIDLAND, St. 28 Heart of Mercy Prayer Pope Francis to couples: No need to call youtu.be/x5amFptzfA0 The Angelus APRIL 2014 Page 5 Adoption: A reflection of God’s selfless love A Reflection of God’s Selfless Love

God’s love for us is a selfless and encouraging love. When we turn to Him and choose to live in His image and by For more information on adopting a His teachings, we experience His love in child through one of Gladney’s Programs the fullest. please contact: A birthmother, who has chosen an Gladney Center for Adoption adoption plan for her unborn child, is full www.gladney.org of God’s selfless love. She may not have 1-800-GLADNEY made good choices throughout her life Deborah Ives: Agency Assisted Infant and her life may have been full of selfish- Adoption ness or pain, but as soon as she chose to Joy Barnes: New Beginnings follow God’s love, her life has been Judy Hayes: International transformed. Birthmothers come to Gladney to find hope, support and courage in their choice for adoption. The circumstances why the birthmother is Diocesan priest choosing an adoption plan vary but they all state that they “want their child to birthmother is placing all of her children [email protected] 682-478- named to state have a safe, secure and loving home”. before herself. 7664 A birthmother should feel supported Gladney Center for Adoption helps the For those of you interested in adopting mission board and encouraged for making an adoption birthmothers with encouragement during a child, Gladney has domestic adoption plan and placing her child with an adop- their adoption plan. Caseworkers counsel programs as well as an international tive family. She should also feel proud of HOUSTON — Fr. Francis birthmothers from the time they come to adoption program. Gladney offers an Onyekozuru, parochial vicar of St. herself and her decision. It is up to all of Gladney until 6 weeks after delivery. Our agency assisted infant adoption program us to help these birthmothers feel as Ann’s Parish in Midland, has been elect- post adoption department takes care of that specializes in working with ed to the Board of Directors of the though they are making a good decision the birthmothers after delivery. If you Birthmothers in finding forever homes and are following God’s example when Texas Mission Council. He participated know anyone that would like to learn for the babies. New Beginnings is a pro- in promotion of missions foreign and they realize that adoption is the best more about placing a child for adoption gram that recruits families for children choice for their child and for them. local while in the seminary in the please contact Gladney Center for available for adoption through the Texas Archdiocese of San Antonio. He is Many birthmothers want to attend col- Adoption. Stacey Wilson is the birthpar- Foster Care system. Our international lege, get a better job, or make a good life looking forward to helping promote ent caseworker for the West Texas Area adoption program offers the opportunity missionary outreach, in the spirit of for the older child they have now. Many and her office is located in Midland. for an adoptive family to adopt a child know that if they parent this unborn child Pope Francis, in the Diocese of San Stacey Wilson, West TX Caseworker from Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin- Angelo and the state of Texas. that their older child or children will not 410 W Ohio Ste 203 Midland, TX 79701 America. have the best. By choosing adoption, the “It is a cherished privilege to serve in such capacity as we strive to live out our call as missionary disciples promot- Partnerships, prayer objectives of Honduras mission ing the new evangelization,” said Fr. Francis. By Msgr. Larry Droll Diocese of San Angelo to our part- The council serves mission orders and St. Ann’s-Midland ners in Honduras, to encourage new dioceses on the local and international parish partnerships. These parish levels. The council creates mission For many years, our Diocese of leaders, who might plan to facilitate awareness and support through the col- San Angelo has partnered with the partnerships with Honduras parish- laborative efforts of diocesan mission Diocese of San Pedro Sula in es, will need to be bi-lingual, to directors, representatives of mission Honduras, to mutually encourage enable communication in Spanish organizations serving in and outside one another in our Catholic Faith. on behalf of their parishes in the Texas, and individuals and groups inter- St. Ann's Parish in Midland has a future. Second, those from St. Ann's ested in mission. Members serve in vari- partner parish, Most Holy Trinity in will focus attention on Most Holy ous capacities in and for missions. Chamelecon. We engage in mutual Trinity Parish (Santisima Trinidad) “Missionary activity is essential to the visits, support one another in to further develop the relationship life of the Church on earth,” said San prayer, assist with projects together. between St. Ann's and the parish- Angelo Bishop Michael J. Sis. “For One of the best ways to become ioners there (Padre Luis Estevez, many years the Texas Mission Council acquainted with our brothers and pastor). has fostered the missionary conscious- sisters in the Catholic Church in Ability of parishioners who make ness of the Catholic Church in Texas. I Honduras is to visit them. I invite the trip to use Spanish is helpful, but am happy that Fr. Francis Onyekozuru you to consider visiting the diocese in the group one can benefit from will be a member of the TMC board, so and parish in Honduras, July 15-22, the trip, even speaking only English. the Diocese of San Angelo may have a 2014. This purpose of this trip is Contact Msgr. Larry Droll, at 432- Msgr. Larry Droll provides Holy Communion to Hondurans during a missionary trip to San Pedro leadership role in this vital endeavor of two-fold: First, we want to intro- 682-6303, or [email protected]. the Church.” duce parish leaders from the Sula. (Courtesy Photo) Page 6 APRIL 2014 The Angelus The Domestic Church: The Bishop to catechumens: ‘The Home as the Body of Christ Lord knows your name; it is By Fr. Knick Knickerbocker St. Theresa Church-Junction written on the palm of his hand’ Editor’s Note: The following homily was presented at Rite of Election ceremonies to The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us that the RCIA catechumens and candidates in Midland and San Angelo in March. Domestic Church is the Church in the home, or, we can say, the Domestic Church is the home as the Church (#'s 1656-58, 1666). By Most Reverend Michael J. Sis To help us understand this Catholic truth, we can consider the Bishop of San Angelo nature of the home as the Domestic Church and what this means for the living of Christian spirituality in the home. For some of you, this may be the first time you have ever seen me or heard First, our understanding of the nature of the home as the me. I’m the new kid on the block. I am here as part of this ceremony as bishop Domestic Church is grounded in the doctrine that God has of the area, and bishops are the successors to the 12 Apostles. I am here to repre- revealed Himself as a Trinity of Persons. As the Catechism sent the church affirming the decision of your faith communities that you as can- Fr. Knick teaches, "The mystery of the Most Holy Trinity is the central didates and catechumens are ready to enter the intense 40-day period of purifica- Knickerbocker mystery of Christian faith and life. It is the mystery of God in tion and enlightenment that we call Lent. himself. It is therefore the source of all the other mysteries of As it says in the Gospel passages proclaimed today, Jesus spent 40 days in the the faith, the light that enlightens them" (#234). When we say desert in a time of intense prayer to prepare for his public ministry. During that that God is a Trinity of Persons, we are saying that God is per- time he was tempted by the devil, but Jesus resisted all those temptations of the fect love in which the love of two Persons is perfected in their evil one. Jesus will strengthen you to resist temptations during this period of love together of a Third Person. In other words, the inner life of prayer as you prepare for initiation at the Easter vigil in all the various parishes God is a relationship of perfect love. With regard to the home as and missions of this diocese. the Domestic Church, the basic human family of father, mother, Even though the devil tries to get in the way whenever we are in the process of and child is a likeness of God Himself. In Genesis we learn that doing something really good, Jesus is always more powerful than the devil. man is created in the image and likeness of God (1:26-28). This Some of you come from a background of no particular religion, some of you means that each human being is created to participate in — to come from active participation in another faith or another Christian church. We receive and to give — perfect love. The love of two persons is respect your personal life history, your family and your upbringing. It has helped complete only when they turn outside of themselves and love a to form you into the beautiful people you are today. third person together. In the basic human family, mother and By becoming a Catholic just a few weeks from now, you won’t be throwing father procreate a child whom they love together. out all you were given by your parents and the faith communities that you may The Holy Family of Bethlehem and Nazareth is the proto (pri- have participated in. You are building on what they gave you. Your choice to mary) icon of the Holy Trinity. We enter the circle of perfect become Catholic is your response to the action of the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ love that is the Holy Trinity in our relationship with Jesus, who speaking to you through the voice of your own conscience, on the basis of your is a member of both the Holy Trinity and the Holy Family. In own lived experience. We must respect that as well. this relationship with Jesus, we also have a relationship with the And so now, as you are preparing to become Catholics we rejoice in that. Your Father and the Spirit in the perfect love who is the Holy Trinity, gifts and talents, your experience of God and your personality will bring new life for there is no barrier separating the relationship of the Three to our church. Our church needs you. Our world needs you. You are the next Persons of the Holy Trinity from one another. The Christian generation of saints in the Kingdom of God. home is meant to be a Household of the Holy Family, with Jesus Throughout human history, God has raised up men and women outstanding in at the center. holiness to address the needs of the day with the message of Christ. And I know The human family itself is grounded in the sacrament of Holy that you, as members of our church, will do great things, and you and your chil- Matrimony. Husband and wife participate in a sacrament that dren and your grandchildren will take on all sorts of roles of service and leader- makes them a likeness of the relationship of Christ and His ship to do good in the ministry of the church. You will form holy families. Some Church, as St. Paul explains in Ephesians 5:32. The love of hus- of you will become priests, deacons, sisters, catechists, or missionaries. The sky band and wife is meant to be as permanent and undying as is the is the limit for what God can do through you. relationship of Christ (the Bridegroom) and the Church (His Let me give you one simple example of how people in your position as candi- Bride). dates and catechumens bear great potential in the church: You see all of us The home as the Domestic Church is also the Body of Christ, dressed in fancy clothing at the altar. You see me, the priests, and the monsignor. one of the basic truths about the nature of the Church taught to One of these priests who is our emcee, Father Lorenzo Hatch, some years ago he us by St. Paul in I Corinthians 12-14. Each person in the was sitting where you are, involved in an RCIA program at his parish. He was Christian family has his or her own unique gifts and graces not raised a Catholic, but he got here as quick as he could. He went through the which are meant to be discovered and developed in the home. seminary and now he is a priest at a church serving the Catholic community in So, the home as the Domestic Church is a likeness of the Holy South Odessa. That's just one example. God wants to use you as new leaders in Trinity, is a Household of the Holy Family, and is the Body of the church. You are becoming members of the oldest continually existing institu- Christ founded on the sacrament of Holy Matrimony. tion in the world. Imagine that. Our church has seen a lot over the years. Second, what does this nature of the home as the Domestic Our church was established by Jesus Christ himself, about the year 33 AD. Church mean for the living of Christian spirituality in the home? There are all sorts of experiences we have lived through as Christ's church. Great The Christian home is the primary place where the Christian sacrifice, martyrdom, commitment, millions of holy courageous men and faith is transmitted from one generation to the next. The women. We have had 266 popes. Pope Francis is the 266th in this line of leader- Christian home is the primary community where we learn those ship established by our Lord Jesus himself, and through 20 centuries of Christian virtues of humility, faithfulness, and forgiveness. (Please See HOMILY/20) (Please See FR. KNICK/22) The Angelus APRIL 2014 Page 7 Preaching of the Word of God, Sacraments discussed in 1965 By Rev. Joe Uecker, C.PP.S. The Second Vatican Once celibacy was off the agenda, the bishops debated many and sundry aspects Council: The Fourth of priestly life. Situations were so differ- Period: 1965 ent from one place to another that it was difficult to say much. Two directions be based more directly on the Bible. were taken: The first was to see priests as The third aspect emphasized in the cultic figures, sacramental ministers, with schema was that the priest was called to a top-down ministry to the people. The be holy and therefore emphasis was put second saw priests as having a collegial on means to becoming holy. This is once relationship with their bishops and as fos- again a thread running through the tering a similar relationship with those to Council. Discussion of this schema ended whom they ministered. The schema as a on October 16 which marked the begin- whole aroused little enthusiasm. On ning of the end of the Council. The bish- October 16, it was approved as a basis ops took a nine-day break. Around the for further discussion after revision. first of November there was another About a month later the revised version weeklong break. Why? One reason was was approved. The word chosen was fatigue. When the vote on the schema on presbyter, rather than priest, because that Presbyters was taken, only 1,521 bishops is a much more traditional word coming were present. By this time, the bishops from the New Testament and ancient had listened to more than 2,000 speeches Christian sources. It suggested a broaden- in Latin. The problem was that the people ing of definition beyond sacramental who most needed the break had to work during the break. This was the second ministry. Pope John XXIII leads the opening session of the Second Vatican Council in St. Peter's The schema is noteworthy in that it reason for the breaks: to give the writers Basilica at the Vatican Oct. 11, 1962. A total of 2,540 cardinals, patriarchs, archbishops and speaks of priestly ministry, service in a chance to re-write the documents in the bishops from around the world attended the opening session. (CNS Photo) many aspects: to Catholics in preaching, light of the debates. celebrating the sacraments and leading Among the documents worked on dur- title so it became clear that the document inately to all Jews living at the time nor the community to work together for the ing these days was the one on Non- was about the relationship of the Church to the Jews of today. ... Moreover, the common good. This may seem obvious Christian Religions. It hit the floor of the to all non-Christian religions. All this Church, which condemns all persecutions today, but before the Council, priesthood Council with an ease that no one would was to assure the Arabs that there were against any people ... deplores feelings of was thought of almost exclusively in have predicted a few months earlier. It is no political implications involved. Pope hatred, persecutions, and demonstrations terms of sacramental ministry. true that the document received 243 neg- Paul’s appearance at the United Nations of anti-Semitism directed against the The schema also put preaching the ative votes. A larger number, yes, but far helped along this line as well. Jews at whatever time and by whomsoev- Word of God on an equal level with the fewer than expected. However, the Group of International er.” The document, further, stressed the celebration of the sacraments. Note the The Secretariat for Christian Unity had Fathers kept up the pressure against the ties that bound Christians and Jews connection with the document on the agreed to some changes proposed by document and the final vote shows some together in a special way, beginning with Word of God and the one on the Liturgy: Patriarch Maximos. Various leaders went success. The final document read in part: their mutual veneration of the Old in other words, the intimate connection to the Arab embas-sies in Rome to hand- “Although the Jewish authorities with Testament, the Hebrew Scrip-tures. Thus between Word and Sacrament. From now deliver Arabic copies of the text. The sec- their followers pressed for the death of did this document finally sail into port, a on preaching, especially at Mass, was to tion on Muslims appeared before that on Jesus, still the things perpetrated during triumph for the Secretariat and for the Jews. “Jews” was taken out of the the passion cannot be ascribed indiscrim- Cardinal Bea in particular. El Cuarto Período (1965), parte 4 Fr. Joseph Uecker, CPP.S. rio más que ministerio sacramental. El tercer aspecto que recibió énfasis en el esquema era Este esquema habla del ministerio sacerdotal, servicio que el sacerdote está llamado a ser santo. Es otro hilo Ya que no iban a discutir el celibate en el concilio, los en muchos aspec-tos: a los Católicos por la predicación, corriendo por el concilio. El debate sobre este esquema obispos discutían mucho aspectos de la vida sacerdotal. celebrar los sacramentos y con-duciendo a la comunidad se terminó el 16 de octubre que fue el comienzo del fin Las situaciones variaban tanto de un lugar a otro que era a trabajar juntos por el bienestar común. Tal vez esto del concilio. Los obispos tuvieron un descanso de nueve difícil decir mucho. Pero había dos aspectos principales parece evidente hoy, pero antes del concilio, el ministe- días. Al principio de noviembre hubo otro descanso de del sacerdocio: Primero el sacerdote es una persona de rio sac-erdotal era casi totalmente el ministerio sacra- una semana. ¿Por qué? Una razón fue la fatiga. Cuando culto, ministros sacramentales, con un ministerio al mental. votaron en el esquema sobre los Presbí-teros, hubo sola- pueblo de arriba para abajo. El Segundo aspect era que El esquema también puso la predicación de la Palabra mente 1,521 obispo asistiendo. Hasta ese entonces, los el sacerdote tiene una relación collegial con su Obispo y de Dios en el mismo niver que la celebración de los obispos habían escuchado más de 2,000 discursos en así tiene semejante relación con su pueblo. No hubo sacramentos. Se puede notar aquí la conexión entre el Latín. El problema era que los que más necesitaban un mucho entusiasmo por este esquema. El 16 de octubre documento sobre la Palabra de Dios y el document descanso tenían que trabajar durante el descanso. Eso se aprobó como base para más debate. La palabra que sobre la Liturgia: es decir, la unidad íntima entre fue la segunda razón por los descansos: para dar a los eligieron era presbítero en vez de sac-erdote porque es Palabra y Sacramento. Desde ahora en adelante, la pred- escritores la oportunidad de escribir de nuevo los docu una palabra más tradicional que sale del Nuevo Testa- icación, especialmente en la misa, debe ser basada más mento y Fuentes antiguas cristianas. Sugería un ministe- directamente en la Biblia. (Please See VATICANO/21) Page 8 APRIL 2014 The Angelus Guadalupe Radio Network flourishing from San Angelo diocese to D.C. By Jimmy Patterson Editor / West Texas Angelus

In 2005, five years after KLPF (1150 AM) Radio went on the air in Midland, Len Oswald, volunteer President for the Guadalupe Radio Network (GRN), decided he could no longer bal- ance two jobs. KLPF (its Midland-Odessa affiliate) and the rest of the GRN were taking too much of his time, and his “paying job,” manager of the Yates Field for Marathon Oswald Oil, was still beckoning loudly. His work toward accomplishing the mission of GRN — to provide Catholic radio programming for the soul — would also suffer because of his two-end candle burning. God, however, had another plan for San Angelo Bishop Michael J. Sis, above, has appeared on KLPF and the Oswald, and, in the form of Anthony, a Guadalupe Radio Network twice since his ordination in Janaury. At right, an prisoner at the Smith Unit of the Texas inmate in the Smith Unit in Lamesa included this drawing in a correspon- Department of Corrections facility in dence he addressed to Guadalupe Network officials accompanying a letter Lamesa, sent the radio station a letter. expressing how important the station’s programming was to the prisoners at “By the Mercy of God, we small faithful the facility. The letter played a key role in Len Oswald’s decision to stay as are truly sustained pacified, nourished and general manager of the Guadalupe Radio Network. remain faith filled by the efforts, prayers and Sacrifice of all involved who bring us San Antonio, Dallas, Fort Worth, and bishop. the air. Catholic radio,” Anthony wrote in his let- Arlington, Va. Three of the pilgrims came back to In early April, GRN kicked off a daily ter. “Truly a blessing. Truly an answered Not too shabby for an operation that Midland determined to begin spreading the morning show hosted by former prayer.” originates from a 1950s-era house and good news of Christ and the Gospels. Midlander Dave Palmer, that is broadcast Oswald read the letter and decided not to office-studio broadcast facility in south Oswald, Toya Hall and Mary Diaz across all 17 English-language stations in leave GRN. Instead, five years later, in Midland, just north of Interstate 20 and worked together to form LaPromesa. Out the network. 2010, he took early retirement from his job Lamesa Road. of that foundation would later spring GRN. Hall, now the station’s vice president and in the oil industry and continues to run the As if Anthony’s letter and Cardinal None of the three had any experience in part-time on-air announcer during four of entire network, which broadcasts in 21 mar- Wuerl’s endorsement weren’t encourage- radio broadcasting which, Oswald said, the station’s seven annual Share-A-Thon’s kets to a potential audience of 19 million. ment enough to keep a radio network staff probably came in handy. (four are in English, three in Spanish), said Granted its numbers aren’t that high, but the and in prayerful thanksgiving, Oswald and “Had any of us had a background in it is amazing what people can and will do network does reach an average of 200,000 the GRN received correspondence from a radio,” he said, “none of us would have if God wants it done. listeners at its peak drive time hours in mar- man who wrote that as he sat on his bed, probably thought any of this was ever pos- “Mother Angelica said the Lord is look- kets as wide ranging as Van Horn, Dallas- revolver in hand, he was moved to choose sible.” ing for dodos, and we certainly qualify,” Forth Worth, Houston, San Antonio and life instead of suicide after turning up the Oswald said another major factor in lead- Hall joked of her and the founders’ lack of Washington, D.C. radio to drown out the noise of the gun- ing the founders to form a radio network a radio background when the network was “For some time, Guadalupe Radio shot. His radio was tuned to GRN. The was the call of Blessed Pope John Paul II’s begun. “Even when we started in 1996, we Network, with its stated effort to engage show that was airing during his life-turning commission to spread the gospel. didn’t know where the Lord was taking us. the faithful in spreading the Gospel of moment was about why suicide wasn’t the “Pope John Paul II said he would depend “Mother Angelica, the foundress of Jesus Christ, has been active in the answer. GRN also received a letter from in a precise way on the lay faithful to help EWTN, at that time was telling Catholics if Archdiocese of Washington. Your work the former director of the Planned bring the Good News to people of faith,” you will buy radio stations we’ll give you becomes all the more significant in light of Parenthood in Sherman who was moved to Oswald said. “We realized then we had to programming for free. On the shoulders of the recent attention our Holy Father, Pope resign her position and become actively do more than just have a resource center in giants is how this network was built — Benedict XVI, has given to the efforts of involved in Pro-Life efforts after hearing a the La Promesa Foundation. That was with the nudging of the Holy Spirit and a the New Evanglization,” wrote Cardinal show on the network. when we began to look into more ways to lot of good people because in 1999 oil was Donald Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington, GRN is an affiliate of EWTN, the global help spread the Good News. $9 a barrel and St. Stephen’s was in an in 2010. “Apostolates that incorporate Catholic media outlet out of Alabama. The Part of the integrity of the Guadalupe extensive capital campaign to raise money broadcast media are an integral part of our GRN’s earliest days of formation followed network and other Catholic networks that for its new church.” mission of bringing people to encounter the a 1996 trip to Venezuela, where Oswald are affiliated with the Catholic Radio risen Lord.” and others spent eight hours with Maria Association, comes from an agreement by Guadalupe Radio Network can be heard in the dio- GRN, the second largest Catholic radio cese on KLPF (1150 AM) in Midland-Odessa; 90.9 Esperanza, described as a Catholic mystic CRA member networks that stipulate a FM (Spanish) in Midland-Odessa; 91.7 FM (KQOS) network in the country, has received simi and Servant of God. Esperanza’s Marian network or group will not go into a market lar endorsements from bishops in Houston, in Abilene, and 91.5 FM (KPDE) in Eden-San Angelo. apparitions have been approved by a local where there is already a Catholic station on Learn more from their web site, at grnonline.com. The Angelus APRIL 2014 Page 9 Making Sense of Bioethics Learning life lessons Discrimination and from prison inmates By Erick Rommel human genital sexuality Catholic News Service By Fr. Tad Pacholczyk otherwise, but everyone should show care and compassion towards those with GLBTIQ disposi- Regrets are part of life. Discrimination is often understood as acting out tions, in the hope that they might come to recog- As a child, regrets are small. You regret watching a television of prejudice against persons who differ from us nize and renounce the harmful and disordered show instead of painting a picture. You regret choosing a cookie and do not share our views, traits, values or forms of sexual activity that tempt them. It remains instead of candy. lifestyles. The word "discrimination," however, has the better part of wisdom to discriminate, in the As you get older, the scale of regrets grows. You an older meaning as well, name- moral sense of the term, between disordered uses regret asking someone out. You regret not asking ly, to draw a clear distinction of human sexuality and the ordered engagement of someone out. You regret staying out too late. You between proper and improper, human sexuality within marriage. regret coming home too early. good and evil, to differentiate In the human body, our organs have discernible Sometimes, you regret doing the right thing and recognize as different. This functions: the heart pumps blood; kidneys remove because you wish you weren't so responsible. older meaning generally carried waste products from the blood and excrete them in Looking back, you question where you'd be if favorable connotations with it: a the urine; reproductive organs join man and your life took a different path. Some people docu- person of discrimination was woman as one, and enable the procreation of chil- ment what they would have done differently. someone of good judgment and dren. The anatomical and procreative complemen- Others take a look at what someone else has writ- Rommel detailed knowledge, as in the tarity of men and women is evident, and even the ten, especially if that person has traveled a less- case of one who could discrimi- Pacholczyk shapes of their sexual organs reveal how they are than-ideal path. nate between fine wines, detect- designed for each other, something not true of non- Recently, inmates serving in Maine prisons wrote letters to their ing subtle but relevant differences, or someone on conjugal forms of sexual activity. As Dale O’Leary younger selves. The idea came from photographer Trent Bell, who Wall Street who could discriminate between the points out, “the reproductive/sexual organs of men shared them publicly on a website. profiles of different companies, discerning which and women are different and designed to fit togeth- The idea came about when one of Bell's friends was sentenced to stocks would rally and which would decline. er. When electricians refer to male and female more than 30 years in prison. "This friend was the same person as Only in more recent times has the term “discrim- plugs, everyone can easily recognize which is me," Bell said. "We had the same morals, the same interests, what ination” assumed the second meaning signifying which and why they are so named.” happened?" prejudice, or an unfounded bias against a person, O’Leary further notes that non-conjugal acts are Bell spoke with inmates seeking an answer to that question. group, or culture on the basis of racial, gender, or ultimately acts that one person does to another, and What they said was surprising. Instead of going into a lot of detail ethnic background. Sometimes people will equate that such acts involve the language of using and about their crimes, each shared a valuable life lesson. discrimination against people who are gay or les- being used. She notes that “Although there are var- "Things are going to happen that will make you bitter with those bian with racism, much like discrimination based ious acts in which two or more individuals can closest to you; you have to be the bigger person and confront your on skin color. As Michael Kirby notes, engage for sexual pleasure, only one very specific problems, talk them out," wrote Brandon, who has been in prison “Bishop Desmond Tutu, one time Anglican act consummates a marriage. The other acts… for four years. "No matter what happens, your family loves you Archbishop in South Africa, who had earlier tasted involve the hands, either end of the digestive sys- unconditionally. They will be there when you need them most and the sting of racial discrimination, has been a valiant tem, or physical objects, but not the reproductive when you least expect it." defender of the equality and dignity of GLBTIQ organs of both simultaneously in the same act.” Another wrote: "Be yourself and you will attract good people to [gay,lesbian, bisexual, transsexual, intersex, and Conjugal acts, meanwhile, involve the language you. When you try to be different, in order to fit in, you will lose otherwise ‘queer’] people. He has explained that he of giving and receiving, through a union of com- more and more of your true identity. Always recognize that you could no more embrace the hatred and discrimina- plementary human persons. Conjugal acts address need to be a friend to yourself first." tion of Christian brothers and sisters against the a man’s and a woman’s need for completion not Others wrote: "You must be willing to forgive those that ask or sexual minority than he could embrace the racism only by the intimate bodily communication of deserve for forgiveness in order to be forgiven yourself," and "We of apartheid, now overthrown.” themselves to each other, but in a transcendant and let drinking and drugs shatter our dreams and our potential future." Regrettably, we all know of people who manifest ecstatic way to a reality greater than themselves in What's clear is that they tell a young Brandon, a young William, a racist attitude against others, treating them the engendering of their offspring. a young Jamie, to be kinder to themselves, to not allow outside improperly because of characteristics they cannot We intuitively view the world in purpose-driven pressures get the better of them, to have more compassion toward control, like skin color. Even when a person can ways, and we recognize the telos (“end”) written themselves and others and not to think that at a young age they control certain characteristics, like their sexual into the realities that surround us. The telos of an know it all. The letters show hurt, insecurities of a young person, a behaviors, and they still choose to do something acorn is to become an oak tree; the telos of human lack of forgiveness and lack of love for oneself. wrong and perverse, such as having sex with ani- sexuality is to draw man and woman together to We often think people in prison are different. The only difference mals, we must never choose to hate the person who procreate and raise children in the family unit creat- is that they made different choices. engages in these wrong and perverse behaviors. But ed by marriage. Acknowledging the fashioning of Maybe that's the point. In considering his incarcerated friend, loving the person who commits sexual sins never our sexuality in this determinate way, and recogniz- Bell reflected and came to this conclusion: "There, but for the entails that we should accept his sins and perver- ing the conjugal union of marriage as an institution grace of God, go I." sions; on the contrary, to love him authentically of nature, not a product of man’s willfulness, It's something to consider when we next face a choice that could means we seek to help him rise out of his damaging enables us to discriminate between proper and send us down a different path. Are we prepared to take that jour- behaviors, so that he can live in a more fully human improper uses of the gift of our genital sexuality. ney? Is the cost of certain choices a price too high to pay? way by means of better moral choices. Rev. Tadeusz Pacholczyk, Ph.D. earned his doc- Maybe it would help if we imagined writing a letter we would Clearly, then, nobody should embrace “hatred torate in neuroscience from Yale and did post-doc- have written if we'd made a particular choice. What would it say? and discrimination” against anyone, GLBTIQ or toral work at Harvard. More importantly, is it something we'd want to read? Page 10 APRIL 2014 The Angelus Catholic Voices Gethsemane: The place of moral loneliness By Fr. Ron Rolheiser once having been perfectly touched, precious in us is also what is most vulner- Gethsemane. The blood he sweated there caressed, and loved, every experience we able to violation and we are, and rightly is the blood of a lover, one betrayed, Our deepest loneliness is not sexual, but meet in life falls a little short. We have so, deeply cautious about whom we admit morally betrayed, hung out to dry in all moral. More than we yearn for someone already had something deeper. When we to that sacred place. Thus, often, we feel that was precious to him. to sleep with sexually and emotionally, we feel frustrated, angry, betrayed, violated, wrenchingly alone in our deepest centre. Nikos Kazantsakis once wrote that yearn for someone to or enraged it is because our outside expe- A fierce loneliness results – a moral virtue is lonely because, at the end of the sleep with morally. rience does not honour what we already aching. More deeply than we long for a day, it is jealous of vice. “Virtue,” he What we really want know and cling to inside. sexual partner, we long for moral affinity, writes, “sits on its lonely perch and weeps is a soul mate. And that dark memory, of first love, cre- for someone to visit us in that deep part for all it’s missed out on.” Not quite, What does this ates a place inside us where we hold all where all that is most precious is cher- though perhaps that’s what it feels like. mean? that is precious and sacred. It is the place ished and guarded. Our deepest longing is But the pain of virtue, while not Ancient philoso- we most guard from others, but the place for a partner to sleep with morally, a kin- immune to jealousy, is a whole lot deeper phers and mystics where we would most want others to dred spirit, a soul mate. Great friendships than Kazantsakis (and conventional wis- used to say that, enter; the place where we are the most and great marriages, invariably, have this dom) suspect. It’s the pain of Gethsemane, before being born, deeply alone and the place of intimacy; at their root, deep moral affinity. The per- of moral loneliness, the ache of not having each soul is kissed the place of innocence and the place sons in these relationships are “lovers” in anyone to sleep with morally. by God and then Rolheiser where we are violated; the place of com- the true sense because they sleep with One of the lessons of Gethsemane is goes through life always, in some dark passion and the place of rage. each other at the deepest level, irrespec- that when we sweat our moral aloneness way, remembering that kiss and measuring The yearning and pain we feel here can tive of whether they have sex or not. In (without giving in to compensation or bit- everything in relation to its original sweet- be called moral loneliness because we are terms of feeling, this kind of love is expe- terness) we undergo a moral alchemy that ness. feeling lonely in that precise place where rienced as a “coming home,” as finding a can produce a great nobility of soul. Inside each of us, there is a dark memo- we feel most strongly about the right and home, bone of my bone. Sometimes, “What’s madness,” Theodore Roethke ry of having once been touched and wrong of things, that is, we feel alone in though not always, it is accompanied by asks, “but nobility of soul at odds with cir- caressed by hands far gentler than our that place where all that is most precious romantic love and sexual attraction. cumstance?” True. And that madness own. That caress has left a permanent to us is cherished, guarded, and feels vul- Always, however, there is a sense that the intensifies loneliness, even as, more than imprint inside us, one so tender and good nerable when it is not properly honoured. other is a kindred spirit, one whose affini- anything else, it opens the soul to the pos- that its memory becomes a prism through Paradoxically, it is the place where we ty with you is founded upon valuing pre- sibility of finally finding a kindred spirit. which we see everything else. most want someone to enter and yet where ciously the same things you do. Thus we recognize love and truth out- we are most guarded. On the one hand, we But such a love, as we know, is not easi- Ronald Rolheiser, a Roman Catholic side of us precisely because they resonate yearn to be touched inside this tender ly found. Most of us spend our lives look- priest and member of the Missionary with something that is already inside us. space because we already know the joy of ing for it, searching, restless, dissatisfied Oblates of Mary Immaculate, is president Things “touch our hearts” because they being caressed there. On the other hand, and morally lonely. of the Oblate School of Theology in San awaken a memory of that original kiss. we don’t often or easily let anyone pene- It’s this kind of loneliness that brought Antonio, Texas. Moreover, because we have a memory of trate there. Why? Because what is most Jesus to his knees in the Garden of What is our fundamental problem: Searching our depths for the answer By Fr. Robert Barron ter, for he created it, and everything that and the spiritual. To know and honor The original couple was told to refrain he made is good. Our bodies are indeed both dimensions of our humanity is the from eating the fruit of only one tree— The first reading for Mass on the first made from the earth, from the lowly stuff path of joyful integration; to overstress and thereupon hangs a rather important Sunday of Lent this year, taken from of atoms, molecules, and minerals. It is one or the other is, concomitantly, a prin- tale. The tree in question is identified as Genesis 3, deals with the creation of of singular importance to realize that sin ciple source of mischief. the tree of “the knowledge of good and human beings and is not a function of matter, not the conse- The book of Genesis tells us that God evil,” which is to say, a form of knowing their subsequent fall quence of our embodied nature. God placed his human creatures in the midst that is the unique prerogative of God. from friendship with exults in our physicality, and so should of a garden and gave them free rein to eat Since God is himself the unconditioned God. Like a base- we. But we are more than mere matter, of practically all of the trees found there. good, he alone is the criterion of what is ball coach who for God blew into us a life akin to his Unlike the gods of classical mythology, morally right and wrong. According to compels even his own and ordered to him: minds that seek the God of the Bible is not in a rivalrous the semeiotics of this story, therefore, the veterans to re-learn absolute truth, and wills that desire good- relationship to human beings. On the eating of the fruit of the forbidden tree is the basics of the ness itself, and souls that will not rest contrary, his glory is that we be fully the act of arrogating to oneself what game every spring, until they come into the presence of the alive, for he made us solely for the pur- belongs in a privileged way to God. It is the Church invites fullness of beauty. The tragedy of the pose of sharing his joy with us. This is to make of the human will itself the crite- us, during the spring Barron secularist ideology is that it denies this why the Church Fathers consistently rion of good and evil, and from this sub- training of Lent, to re- properly spiritual dimension of human interpreted the trees in the Garden as tle move, on the Biblical reading, misery visit the spiritual fundamentals. And existence, reducing everything in us to evocative of philosophy, science, politics, has followed as surely as night follows they are on no clearer display than in this matter alone and construing the deepest art, stimulating conversation, friendship, the day. great archetypal story. aspirations of the heart as psychological sexuality—all the things that make Notice how wickedly and cunningly the We hear that “The Lord God formed quirks or wish-fulfilling delusions. human life rich and full. And it is fur- serpent tempted Eve: “God knows well man out of the clay of the ground and Thomas Aquinas said that the human thermore why puritanical fussiness about that the moment you eat of it your eyes blew into his nostrils the breath of life.” being is a sort of microcosm, for he con- pleasures both intellectual and sensual is The God of the Bible never despises mat- tains within himself both the physical simply not Biblical. (Please See BARRON/22) The Angelus APRIL 2014 Page 11 Catholic Voices Put down your pencils, turn over your test By Stephen Kent to college admission. Each year more than these words that I've kept above my key- is limiting the richness of our language Catholic News Service 1.5 million high school students take the board for years: The College Board also eliminated the exam. Now, the College Board, which "To write adequately one must know, penalty for a wrong answer on multiple- It has been some time since I took the administers the test, has made major above all, how bad are one's first drafts. choice questions. The change is meant to SAT college admissions test. It was easier changes in the SAT. It has seen fit to make They are bad because the need to combine encourage students to "take risks" and "give then. For one thing, a lot less history had the written essay no longer mandatory. composition with thought, both in their own it their best shot." occurred and there This should be of some concern to those way taxing, leads initially to a questionable, Eliminating the consequences of poor were far fewer presi- who value certain skills -- such as thinking. even execrable result. With each revision the choices seems to be, at best, imprudent. The dents. The essay, said Kathleen Parker, a colum- task eases, the product improves. Eventually republic will not crumble as a result of these At that time, prior to nist for The Washington Post, "was a way of there can be clarity and perhaps even changes. But in a drive for equality, is the being an acronym, it determining whether a student can compose grace." answer to lower the bar, de-emphasize was known as the a coherent sentence -- you know: subject, The College Board also plans to do away thinking and abandon perfectly good words? Scholastic Aptitude verb, all that stuff -- not to mention whether with some vocabulary words such as "egali- To its credit, the College Board said every Test. It is an accurate one can think. If a person can't write a series tarian," "prevaricator" and "sagacious" in income-eligible student who takes the SAT name, as it gave strong of sentences to express a cogent thought, favor of words more commonly used in will receive four fee waivers to apply to col- evidence of my lack of does that person really qualify for a college school and on the job. lege, "removing a cost barrier faced espe- aptitude for mathemat- education? For what purpose?" "No longer will students use flashcards to cially by low- and middle-income students." ics, a conclusion not Kent Writing is little more than the product of memorize obscure words, only to forget It's too bad that students may lack the pro- surprising to my engi- thought. Anything that can encourage -- if them the minute they put their test pencils ficiency of vocabulary to appreciate this neer father who feared I would starve if I not celebrate -- it should be admired. Most down," says the College Board. egalitarian effort by the College Board to had to handle more than Algebra I to earn a choices in life are not multiple choices but This may be appropriate in a Twitter assist them in becoming sagacious. living. require some thought and analysis. world of 140-character bursts of expression. Kent is the retired editor of archdiocesan The SAT, which has been around since John Kenneth Galbraith, economist and I may be looking at this from a professional newspapers in Omaha and Seattle. Contact 1926, has been seen as gateway or a barrier diplomat, concluded his autobiography with bias, but denying the use of the perfect word him at: [email protected]. What we eat isn't always what gives us our longevity By Moises Sandoval es. During her 65 years in mission, she was fired three times Catholic News Service by various pastors. Finally, after retiring five times, she came Lo que comemos, no home to the motherhouse in 2003 at the age of 88. Recently The New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof I think about how longevity is a never-ending preoccupa- wrote about the 90th birthday party of Dr. Catherine Hamlin, es lo que siempre tion in our society. The daily mail urges one to take this or an Australian gynecologist who has spent most of her life in that vitamin or supplement. We get all kinds of advice on Ethiopia. Kristof called her a 21st-century Mother Teresa. nos da larga vida what foods to eat and what to avoid. One can conclude that With her late husband, Reg, she estab- living long depends on what we take in. lished a hospital in Addis Ababa that By Moises Sandoval While the choice of what we eat is certainly important, Dr. repairs fistulas, horrible injuries suf- Catholic News Service Hamlin's and Sister Lara's lives make one think that perhaps fered by mothers when the baby gets the key to a long life depends not so much on intake as on stuck in the birth canal and there is no Recientemente el columnista Nicholas Kristof del per- outtake: of love, service, compassion and on the trust that we doctor to perform a cesarean section. iódico The New York Times describió una fiesta del 90 bestow on our fellow human beings throughout our lives. Their work has helped tens of thou- cumpleaños de la Dra. Catherine Hamlin, ginecóloga de Australia quien ha vivido casi toda su vida en Etiopía. On the grounds of Victory Noll, there is a labyrinth. sands of women and trained genera- Kristof la ve como la Madre Teresa del siglo 21. Con su Labyrinths were popular in the Middle Ages and used as a tions of doctors to deal with a problem fallecido esposo, Reg, ella estableció un hospital en Adís form of prayer. Now, people use the Victory Noll labyrinth that afflicts as many as 2 million Abeba donde se reparan fístulas, horribles lesiones que for meditation, and it's a source of spiritual and physical women worldwide. Ethiopia has nomi- sufren madres cuando el bebé se atora durante el parto y healing. Sandoval nated her for the Nobel Peace Prize. no hay médico para hacer operación cesárea. It consists of a large circle of stones and pathways with As I looked at the photo of Dr. Su hospital ha sanado miles de mujeres y ha entrenado four quadrants and a serpentine path to the center, which rep- Hamlin's birthday party, I wondered how she has been able a generaciones de médicos para tratar con un problema resents life's daily journey with its twists and turns. Reaching to live so long and to continue today working to improve the que aflige hasta dos millones de mujeres mundialmente. the center symbolizes arrival in peace and union with God. world's maternal care. Etiopía ha nominado a Hamlin para el Premio Nobel de Returning to the outer edge reminds one to go out and I asked the same question when I visited the mother house la Paz. spread the message of God's steadfast love amid the trials of of the Our Lady of Victory Missionary Sisters in Huntington, Al ver la foto de la fiesta de cumpleaños reflexioné life. Ind., last spring. There I interviewed sisters in their late 80s, sobre su secreto para vivir tantos. Me hice la misma pre- I tried it one evening. Walking slowly, I finally reached the early and late 90s still active after having spent their lives gunta cuando visité la casa madre de las Religiosas de center and found the trunk of a cut down tree. I concluded working with the poor and living simply, at times barely Nuestra Señora de La Victoria en Huntington, Indiana, la that the trunk of the dead tree fit just right where it was, for finding enough food to stave off hunger primavera pasada. we must pass through death to reach perfect union with God. I was particularly impressed with 98-year-old Sister (Mira SANDOVAL/22) The next day I saw Sister Lara at Mass, meditating in per- Rosario Lara, a native of San Diego, who had the sharpest fect stillness. The thought stirred in me that she had reached faculties of those I spoke with. Her father died when she was Victory Noll, arrived at her first assignment in Salt Lake the heart of her labyrinth. five, then her mother died when she was 10. City, found no food in the icebox and only puffed rice in the Recently, I heard that she passed away a few days ago in She grew up in an orphanage and, after she became a cupboards. The entire kitchen was infested with cockroach- February of this year. Page 12 APRIL 2014 The Angelus The Angelus APRIL 2014 Page 13

Vatican, Rome gearing Many of today’s papal up for canonizations of traditions were Blessed John XXIII, John Paul II By Cindy Wooden aneurysm as the miracle needed for John Paul’s innovations Catholic News Service Blessed John Paul's canonization. The By Cindy Wooden Diocese of Rome, Pope Francis said one same day, the Vatican announced that the Catholic News Service of the greatest inspirations of Pope John VATICAN CITY — Just over five pope had agreed with members of the Paul was his intuition that "this was a time weeks before the canonizations of Congregation for Saints' Causes that the VATICAN CITY — The first anniver- for mercy." Blesseds John XXIII and John Paul II, canonization of Blessed John should go sary of Pope Francis' election brought sto- "It is a gift he gave us, but one that Rome hotels were reporting they were forward even without a second miracle ries highlighting the unique style he has came from above," Pope Francis said. "It almost fully booked and the Vatican has attributed to his intercession. brought to the papacy. Maybe people have is up to us as ministers of the church to confirmed the Mass will take place in St. A first miracle is needed for beatifica- forgotten how much of what passes today keep this message alive, especially in our Peter's Square, despite knowing that hun- tion. In Pope John Paul's cause, the mira- for papal "tradition" was actually an inno- preaching and gestures, in signs and pas- dreds of thousands of people will have to cle involved a French nun suffering from vation of Pope John Paul II. toral choices -- for example, in deciding to watch the ceremony on large video Parkinson's disease, the same disease the Frequent parish visits? Check. Joking give priority to the sacrament of reconcili- screens. pope had. In the cause of Pope John, the with and leading a big crowd in a chant? ation and, at the same time, to works of Pope Francis announced in late Vatican recognized as a miracle the heal- Check. Sneaking out of the Vatican? Wait, mercy." September that he would proclaim the ing of an Italian nun who was dying that was Blessed John Paul who'd head Pope John Paul also instituted the annu- two popes saints in a single ceremony from complications after stomach sur- out to go skiing or hiking. Pope Francis al Feb. 2 World Day of Consecrated Life, April 27, Divine Mercy Sunday. gery. categorically denied in February that he the Feb. 11 World Day of the Sick and a Less than two weeks after the date was In February, Cardinal Angelo Amato, had ever snuck out of the Vatican. World Meeting of Families every three announced, the Prefecture of the Papal prefect of the Congregation for Saints' As John Thavis, the former Rome years. But welcoming hundreds of thou- Household issued an advisory that access Causes, said Pope Francis did not skip an bureau chief of Catholic News Service sands of young people to the Vatican for a to St. Peter's Square would be first-come, essential step in approving Blessed once wrote: "If there's anything Pope John special Palm Sunday celebration in 1984, first-served and warned pilgrims that John's canonization, but "only shortened Sainthood Paul II loved more than following tradi- Pope John Paul launched what has become unscrupulous tour operators already were the time to give the entire church the Sainthood tions, it was inventing new ones." the biggest international gathering on the trying to sell fake tickets to the Mass. great opportunity of celebrating 2014 Heeeeeeere’s The calendar of Pope Francis and of the church's calendar: World Youth Day. With perhaps more than 1 million peo- with John XXIII, the initiator of the John XXIII: A saint full of humor, joy universal church is filled with annual Explaining to the Roman Curia the appointments established by Pope John importance of World Youth Day and youth ple expected to try to attend the liturgy, Second Vatican Council, and John Paul VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Blessed John XXIII, who 2. "It often happens that I wake up at night and begin Overhearing what she said, he turned around and replied, rumors abounded that the Vatican would II, who brought to life the pastoral, spiri- Paul, who is scheduled to become St. John ministry in general, Pope John Paul said: will be made a saint April 27, is remembered by many to think about the serious problems afflicting the world "Madame, I trust you understand that the papal conclave Paul April 27. "All young people must sense that the move the ceremony to a wide-open space tual and doctrinal inspiration of its docu- for his warmth, simplicity, social conscience and sense and I tell myself, I must talk to the pope about it. Then is not exactly a beauty contest." on the outskirts of town. But the Vatican ments." The day of the canonization is Divine church is accompanying them, therefore of humor. the next day when I wake up I remember that I am the 7. He once wrote: "There are three ways to face ruin: Mercy Sunday -- an observance Pope John the whole church in union with the succes- confirmed Feb. 27 that the Mass would The cardinal said Pope Francis did not Pope Francis, who will canonize "the Good Pope," pope." women, gambling and farming. My father chose the be held in St. Peter's Square, just outside dismiss the need for a miracle attributed Paul decided in 2000 to put on the sor of Peter increasingly must be commit- recalled his predecessor as being holy, patient and a man 3. In reply to a reporter who asked, "How many people most boring one." church's universal calendar the Sunday ted, on a worldwide level, to the good of the basilica where the mortal remains of to the late pope's intercession, but recog- of courage, especially by calling the Second Vatican work in the Vatican?", he reportedly said: "About half of 8. When he was cardinal and patriarch of Venice, the the two rest. nized that the "positio" or official posi- after Easter. The Polish pope was a long- youth, their worries and concerns and their Council. them." future pope was talking with a wealthy city resident and time devotee of the Divine Mercy devo- openness and hopes." At the end of the Blessed John Paul, known as a globe- tion paper prepared for Blessed John's "He was a man who let himself be guided by the 4. When a cardinal complained that a rise in Vatican told him, "You and I have one thing in common: money. trotter who made 104 trips outside Italy, cause, is "full of accounts of miracles" tions of St. Faustina Kowalksa, whom he U.N.-declared International Year of Youth Lord," Pope Francis has said. salaries meant a particular usher earned as much as the You have a lot and I have nothing at all. The difference beatified in 1993 and canonized in 2000. in 1985, he said young people were hop- served as pope from 1978 to 2005 and and favors granted by God through his But the Italian Pope John was also guided by his cardinal, the pope remarked: "That usher has 10 chil- is I don't care about it." was beatified by Pope Benedict XVI on intercession. One case, often mentioned, Presiding over the first universal obser- ing for change in society and in the world; cheerful disposition, his simple, peasant background and dren; I hope the cardinal doesn't." 9. When a journalist asked the then-patriarch of Venice vance of Divine Mercy Sunday in 2001, the church, which looks to youths with Divine Mercy Sunday, May 1, 2011. involves a woman from Naples who tongue-in-cheek, wisecracking Italian culture. 5. When he went to visit a friend at the nearby what he would be if he could live his life all over again, Blessed John XXIII, known particularly accidently swallowed cyanide; she Pope John Paul quoted from his 1980 "hope and love," must help young people Here's a look at some of this soon-to-be saint's funny Hospital of the Holy Spirit in the evening, the nun the future pope said, "Journalist." Then he said with a encyclical "Dives in Misericordia" ("Rich realize that change by communicating the for convoking the Second Vatican believes her poison-induced liver damage quips: answering the door said: "Holy Father, I'm the mother smile, "Now let us see if you have the courage to tell me Council, was pope from 1958 to 1963; was miraculously reversed after prayers in Mercy"): The cross and resurrection of Gospel truths to them, supporting them as 1. Visiting a hospital he asked a boy what he wanted to superior of the Holy Spirit." He replied: "Lucky you! that, if you could do it all over again, you'd be the patri- Christ speak and never cease "to speak of they seek God's plan for their lives and Pope John Paul beatified him in 2000. to Blessed John. be when he grew up. The boy said either a policeman or a What a job! I'm just the 'servant of the servants of God.'" arch!" In July, Pope Francis signed a decree Asked by reporters in July to describe God the Father, who is absolutely faithful educating them in living their faith. pope. "I would go in for the police if I were you," the 6. Not long after he was elected pope, Blessed John 10. A Vatican official told the pope it would be "absolutely to his eternal love for man... believing in recognizing the healing of a Costa Rican Holy Father said. "Anyone can become a pope, look at was walking in the streets of Rome. A woman passed impossible" to open the Second Vatican Council by 1963. woman with a life-threatening brain (Please See ROME/23) this love means believing in mercy." me!" him and said to her friend, "My God, he's so fat!" "Fine, we'll open it in 1962," he answered. And he did. Meeting in March with priests from the (Please See JOHN PAUL II/23) Page 14 APRIL 2014 The Angelus A Letter to Families from Pope Francis

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis has written a letter to all, then, pray together so that through these events the families asking them to pray for the next Synod of Church will undertake a true journey of discernment and Bishops, which will be celebrated at the Vatican in adopt the necessary pastoral means to help families face October, and the theme of which will be “The pastoral their present challenges with the light and strength that challenges of the family in the context of evangelisation”. comes from the Gospel. The letter is published in full below: The evangelist Luke tells us that the Blessed Mother and “Dear families, Saint Joseph, in keeping with the Law of Moses, took the Baby Jesus to the temple to offer him to the Lord, and With this letter, I wish, as it were, to come into your that an elderly man and woman, Simeon and Anna, homes to speak about an event which will take place at moved by the Holy Spirit, went to meet them and the Vatican this coming October. It is the Extraordinary acknowledged Jesus as the Messiah. Simeon took him in General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, which is his arms and thanked God that he had finally 'seen' sal- being convened to discuss the theme of 'pastoral chal- vation. Anna, despite her advanced age, found new lenges to the family in the context of evangelization.' vigour and began to speak to everyone about the Baby. It Indeed, in our day the Church is called to proclaim the is a beautiful image: two young parents and two elderly Gospel by confronting the new and urgent pastoral needs people, brought together by Jesus. He is the one who facing the family. brings together and unites generations! He is the inex- haustible font of that love which overcomes every occa- This important meeting will involve all the People of God sion of self-absorption, solitude, and sadness. In your – bishops, priests, consecrated men and women, and lay journey as a family, you share so many beautiful faithful of the particular Churches of the entire world – all moments: meals, rest, housework, leisure, prayer, trips of whom are actively participating in preparations for the and pilgrimages, and times of mutual support … meeting through practical suggestions and the crucial Nevertheless, if there is no love then there is no joy, and support of prayer. Such support on your part, dear fami- authentic love comes to us from Jesus. He offers us his lies, is especially significant and more necessary than word, which illuminates our path; he gives us the Bread ever. This Synodal Assembly is dedicated in a special of life which sustains us on our journey. way to you, to your vocation and mission in the Church and in society; to the challenges of marriage, of family Dear families, your prayer for the Synod of Bishops will life, of the education of children; and the role of the fami- be a precious treasure which enriches the Church. I ly in the life of the Church. I ask you, therefore, to pray thank you, and I ask you to pray also for me, so that I intensely to the Holy Spirit, so that the Spirit may illumine may serve the People of God in truth and in love. May the Synodal Fathers and guide them in their important the protection of the Blessed Mother and Saint Joseph task. As you know, this Extraordinary Synodal Assembly always accompany all of you and help you to walk united will be followed a year later by the Ordinary Assembly, in love and in caring for one another. I willingly invoke on which will also have the family as its theme. In that con- every family the blessing of the Lord.” text, there will also be the World Meeting of Families due to take place in Philadelphia in September 2015. May we Pope Francis’ letter is dated February 2, 2014 The Angelus APRIL 2014 Page 15 Our Fatih Questions about St. Valentine; teacher who marries priest

By Father Kenneth Doyle who was martyred in the persecution leaves the priesthood and decides to tion that raises your concern. In the indult Catholic News Service under the Emperor Claudius, probably marry her. They attend Mass together ("a permission, or privilege, granted by around the year 270. as a couple, and she keeps her job. the competent church authority") of lai- Q. Does the church no longer cele- Legend says that Claudius had issued a Recently, they were married in the cization, there are normally particular brate the feast of St. Valentine? None decree forbidding his military troops to church. How is this possible? I thought, types of work from which a former priest of my Catholic daily devotional books marry and that Valentine defied this once a priest, you were a priest forever. is excluded -- principal of a parochial even make mention of decree by urging young lovers to come to And about her annulment, who knows? school, for example, or administrator of a St. Valentine on Feb. him for the sacrament of matrimony. (Place of origin withheld) parish. 14. Instead they note Further legend has it that during In the case you mention, the man is the day as the feast of Valentine's imprisonment, he befriended A. I would first caution against making doing neither of these, nor is the woman Sts. Cyril and the blind daughter of his jailer, converted harsh judgments. Contrary to your impli- precluded by her annulment from serving Methodius. her and her father to Christianity, restored cation, I would presume that an annul- as a religious education director. (Evansville, Ind.) her sight and, the night before his execu- ment was granted by the church to the However, you raise a valid point. tion, wrote her a farewell message signed, woman in question and granted for appro- A laicized priest is commonly advised A. Your books are cor- "From Your Valentine." priate reasons. (If she hadn't had an by the Vatican that he should avoid situa- rect. The current Doyle In the 1969 reform of the liturgical cal- annulment, she would not have been tions and places where his previous status "ordo," the church's endar, the church reduced the number of allowed to marry the former priest in a as a priest is known -- unless his bishop official annual calendar of feasts, lists feast days of saints for whom hard histor- Catholic ceremony.) has determined that his continued pres- Feb. 14 as the feast of St. Cyril, monk, ical facts were scarce, including St. Then, to your belief about "once a ence will not generate scandal. and St. Methodius, bishop. They were Valentine. priest, always a priest," that adage needs There is a certain subjectivity to that blood brothers in the ninth century who His popularity persists, however, along to be explained. A priest can, in fact, be determination, and sometimes it is hard to are known as the "Apostles to the Slavs." with age-old customs of cards and candy dispensed from his clerical vows -- even distinguish what is truly scandalous (from They began by preaching the Gospel in -- and if you surveyed Catholics as to years after ordination. That is done by the the Greek, meaning "causing another to Moravia (in the eastern part of what is whose feast we celebrate Feb. 14, proba- Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine stumble") from what is merely "interesting." now the Czech Republic) and translated bly 99 percent would answer "St. of the Faith in a decree called "laiciza- the liturgy into the Slavonic language. Valentine's." tion" when, after careful study, that con- Questions may be sent to Father (Feb. 14 was the date of St. Cyril's death.) gregation determines that the petitioner is Kenneth Doyle at In the 1962 missal of Pope John XXIII, Q. Here is an actual situation. He was a not suited for the clerical state. (Even [email protected] and 40 Feb. 14 was marked as the feast of St. priest in our parish. She was the then, though, he would still be allowed to Hopewell St., Albany, N.Y. 12208. Valentine. As closely as can be deter- divorced mother of four and our parish hear a "deathbed confession.") mined, Valentine was a priest of Rome director of religious education. He Now, let's discuss the particular situa- A story of four deacons and the paths that led them to the church

By Father John Catoir freshman year of college. "Although I wasn't totally sure about my vocation at Catholic News Service "The result: My family disowned me," he said. the time, I was willing to test the discernment process," "Sometime after that, I fell in love. She talked about he said. "Gradually I started to feel more comfortable Our permanent deacons come from all walks of life, going into religious life, but we were in love. I turned with the idea of becoming a deacon." and they all have fascinating histories. Recently, I down a regular Army commission because of her. Then, Eight years have passed since his ordination. learned a lot from talking to four of to my surprise, she joined the convent." Anthony "Sunny" Curcio said his journey started them from the Diocese of Paterson, He thought about becoming a missionary or a priest, when he was 15, while helping the janitor at his church N.J. but then he met another woman who became his wife. and being around the priests and other religious people. One is Michael Allgaier, who grew After having children and eventually grandchildren, he But after he got his driver's license, he drifted away up on a farm in Missouri. began thinking about how else he could serve. from the church. "When things got tough, my mother "For me, becoming a deacon was a process that took Like many others, marriage brought him back to the said, 'Offer it all up to God.' My many years, and I've enjoyed every minute of it," he faith. One day, a priest asked him and his wife if they'd Catholic faith came from my parents," said. like to volunteer as extraordinary ministers of holy he said. "However, I gradually fell For Tom Harenchar, the journey was different. In May Communion. away from the church in college." 1991, his brother was diagnosed with an incurable bone "We were delighted," he said. His wife inspired him to return to Catoir disease. Then his parish priest asked whether he'd consider the faith. As a result of accompanying his brother during the entering the program for permanent deacons. "Thanks to her, I made my way back. We had two difficult journey, "I did a lot of soul-searching about "At first I declined. I had three children, and my own children and got involved in church activities," he said. what was most important in life," he said. "As a result, business, which took nearly all my time," he said. "Then one day, I heard a call for volunteers from the my spiritual life took a giant leap forward. I begin Years went by, and one day "I was driving home (and) pulpit." attending early Mass on weekdays before going to it hit me: If I didn't act now, the time would never be He answered the call by teaching catechism classes, work. After my brother died, we moved from Texas to right," he said. umpiring Little League Baseball and coordinating Boy New Jersey." He called his priest and now has been ordained a dea- Scouts activities. In 2005, he was ordained a deacon. After the move and following volunteer work at his con for almost 14 years, "and what a blessing it has Another deacon — Joseph Richardson — was raised parish, his wife posed the question: "Do you think you'd been," he said. "Not once have I ever regretted saying in the Baptist church and became a Catholic in his make a good deacon?" 'yes.' I'm humbled that the Lord called me." Page 16 APRIL 2014 The Angelus Preparing for the Holiest Days of the Year: The Triduum By Bishop Michael J. Sis Catholic church anywhere in the world. This is a simple and beautiful commemo- We are about to enter into Holy Week, ration of the love and sacrifice of Jesus. which contains the holiest days of the year. The veneration of the Cross on Good The events of these days both express who Friday is a solemn and moving celebration we are and shape who we become as in which we are reminded that the Cross is Catholic Christians. our salvation. As we pray with the readings of Holy Good Friday is a celebration of Jesus’ Week, we may see ourselves in many of Passion, which is his suffering and death the persons mentioned: perhaps in the by crucifixion. Because this event won crowd that welcomes Jesus, which eventu- salvation for sinners, the day is called ally becomes the mob that cries out for his “good.” This liturgy is not only about loss. Death; in the weeping women of It is also about love. Jerusalem; in Peter who speaks so boldly about his willingness to die with Jesus but Holy Saturday then denies him; in the disciples who fall The high point of the Paschal Triduum is asleep when Jesus asks them to stay awake the Easter Vigil, which takes place after and pray with him; in Simon who helps nightfall on Holy Saturday. It is the most Jesus carry his Cross; or in the faithful important Mass of the entire year. The women who are present at the Crucifixion four parts of the Easter Vigil move us and then gather at Jesus’ tomb. through a gradual unfolding of our faith in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The litur- Palm Sunday gy begins with the blessing of the fire and We remember this day as Palm Sunday, the procession with the paschal candle, but it is officially called Palm Sunday of where the light shatters the darkness. The the Passion of the Lord. The liturgy of this liturgy of the word reveals the path of day begins with the joy of Jesus’ tri- God’s plan throughout the history of salva- umphant entry into Jerusalem, but then it tion. Next, we celebrate the full Christian also includes the solemn proclamation of initiation of those who are entering the his Passion and Death. Our participation Catholic Church as adults. Finally, liturgy in Palm Sunday is our entrance into Holy we experience the reality of these myster- our brothers and sisters. of the Eucharist brings the celebration to Week and an expression of our desire to ies anew. Christ is still actively saving us Through the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, its climax, as we experience the presence accompany Christ in a closer, more inti- today. By entering into the liturgical we should be able to see a link between of the risen Christ in Holy Communion. mate way. We take home palm branches action of these holy days, we are drawn the worship of Christ on the altar and the as reminders of this liturgy. Later, accord- into a deeper conversion. service of Christ in the poor. Each of us is Easter Sunday ing to an ancient practice, those same palm challenged to ask, “Whose feet do I In the liturgy of Easter Sunday of the branches are burned to become the ashes Holy Thursday wash?” Resurrection of the Lord, all of us renew for next year’s Ash Wednesday. The evening Mass on Holy Thursday is Only one Mass is celebrated on this day our baptismal promises and are sprinkled called the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. It in each parish, and enough hosts are conse- with the Easter water, deepening our Triduum commemorates the institution of the Holy crated both for this Mass and for distribu- appreciation for the new life of grace The Paschal Triduum of the Passion and Eucharist, the priesthood, and Jesus’ com- tion on Good Friday, since there is no which flows in our hearts through the Resurrection of our Lord is the high point mand for his disciples to love and serve as Mass celebrated on Good Friday. This Resurrection of Jesus Christ. of the entire liturgical year. It is the short- he does. We recall one of Jesus’ most Mass does not end with the closing rite. My prayer is that your celebration of est of all liturgical seasons. The word striking lessons on service, when the priest Instead, the Eucharist is processed out of Holy Week will be powerful and prayerful “Triduum” literally means “three days.” washes the feet of members of the commu- the Church to a special place for moments, especially for those who are The Paschal Triduum begins with the nity. Adoration, where we are invited to pray about to become Catholic. In the liturgy, evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper on The washing of the feet, which happens with Jesus as his disciples did in the we are praying in communion with the Holy Thursday and closes with evening on Holy Thursday, has been a tradition Garden of Gethsemane. entire Mystical Body of Christ that is the prayer on Easter Sunday. While Easter from very early on in the Church. From I personally encourage all Catholics to Church. Ask God to help you pray these Sunday Mass is the only day of the the Gospel of John, we know that Jesus adore the Blessed Sacrament for some time liturgies. Listen to words and phrases that Triduum when we have an obligation to washed the disciples’ feet during the Last on Holy Thursday evening. If we will speak to you and to the situations you face participate in Mass, the liturgies of Supper. “He took a towel and tied it dedicate some time to visit a local parish in life. Sing the music out loud, using the Thursday, Friday, and Saturday are tremen- around his waist. Then he poured water chapel and enter into quiet Adoration, it gift of your voice to express your deep dous spiritual treasures. They present a into a basin and began to wash the disci- will greatly enhance our prayerful experi- love for God. great opportunity to draw nearer to Jesus ples’ feet and dry them with the towel ence of the Triduum. Our Lord asked his Liturgical prayer is not a head trip. It is and to the life of the Church. around his waist.” The evening Mass of disciples, “Could you not stay awake with a ritual of love, expressing and deepening The liturgies of the Triduum are not the Lord’s Supper shows the intimate con- me for one hour?” a love relationship between God and his mere historical reenactments in which we nection between the institution of the people. May we all experience the life- are somehow spectators. Rather, we are Eucharist and the washing of the feet. This Good Friday giving love of Jesus Christ and come to drawn into the very life-saving mysteries is what Christian life is all about – wor- The liturgy on Good Friday is not a share in his Resurrection as a result of of the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of shipping and receiving our Lord in Holy Mass. Good Friday is the only day of the these holy days. Jesus and, through our active participation, Communion, and humbly serving him in year when no Masses are offered in any The Angelus APRIL 2014 Page 17 Los días más sagrados del año: El Triduo Pascual Por el Obispo Michael Sis la Pasión de Jesús, la cual es su sufrimien- to y muerte por crucifixión. Siendo que Estamos por entrar en la Semana Santa, este evento ganó salvación para los la cual contiene los días más sagrados del pecadores, el día es llamado “santo.” Esta año. Los eventos de estos días ambos liturgia no es solamente de perdida. expresan quien somos y nos moldean a También es de amor. quien llegamos ser como Cristianos Católicos. Este artículo ofrecerá algunas Sábado Santo ideas para una observación más fructífera La culminación del Triduo Pascual es la durante este tiempo sagrado. Vigilia de Pascua, la cual se lleva a cabo Al rezar con las lecturas de la Semana después de la caída de la noche el Sábado Santa, podríamos vernos en muchas per- Santo. Es la Misa más importante del año sonas mencionadas: tal vez en la entero. Las cuatro partes de la Vigilia de muchedumbre quien le da la bienvenida a Pascua despliegan poco a poco nuestra fe Jesús, la cual, a lo largo, llegan ser los en la Resurrección de Jesucristo. La mismos quien gritan por su muerte; en las Liturgia comienza con la bendición del mujeres de Jerusalén quienes lloraban; en fuego y la procesión con la vela pascual, Pedro quien hablaba audazmente de su donde la luz destroza la oscuridad. La disposición de morir con Jesús pero luego espirituales. Estas presentan una gran sirviéndolo en nuestros hermanos y her- liturgia de la palabra entonces revela el lo niega; en los discípulos quienes se oportunidad de acercarse aún más a Jesús manas. camino del plan de Dios a través de la his- quedan dormidos cuando Jesús les pide y a la vida de la Iglesia. Por medio de la Misa de la Cena del toria de salvación. Luego, celebramos la que se mantengan despiertos y que oraran Las liturgias del Triduo no son simples Señor, debemos poder ver el vínculo entre iniciación Cristiana completa de los con él; en Simon quien ayuda a Jesús car- reconstrucciones en las cuales somos de la adoración de Cristo en el altar y el ser- quienes están entrando a la Iglesia gar su Cruz; o las mujeres fieles quien alguna manera espectadores. Más bien, vicio de Cristo en el pobre. Cada uno de Católica como adultos. Finalmente, la están presentes en la Crucifixión y luego somos traídos a los meros misterios de nosotros se nos reta preguntarnos, “¿Los liturgia de la Eucaristía trae la celebración se reúnen en la tumba de Jesús. salvíficos de la Pasión, Muerte, y pies de quién lavaré?” a su culminación, al experimentar la pres- Resurrección de Jesús y, por medio de Solamente una Misa se celebra en este encia del Cristo resucitado en la Sagrada Domingo de Ramos nuestra participación activa, experimenta- día en cada parroquia, y suficiente hostias Comunión. Conocemos este día como Domingo de mos la realidad de estos misterios de han sido consagradas para ambas la Misa Ramos, pero es oficialmente llamado nuevo. Hoy día, Cristo aún sigue activa- y para la distribución el Viernes Santo, Domingo de Pascua Domingo de Ramos de la Pasión del mente salvándonos. Por medio de entrar siendo que no se celebran Misas el Viernes En la liturgia del Domingo de Pascua de Señor. La liturgia de este día empieza con en la acción litúrgica de estos días sagra- Santo. El Jueves Santo no termina con el la Resurrección de nuestro Señor, todos el gozo de la entrada triunfante de Jesús a dos, somos traídos a una conversión per- rito de conclusión. Mejor, la Eucaristía es renovamos nuestras promesas del Jerusalén, pero al mismo tiempo incluye la sonal más profunda. procesada para fuera de la Iglesia a un Bautismo y somos rociados con el agua de proclamación solemne de su Pasión y lugar especial para Adoración, donde Pascua, profundizando nuestro aprecio por Muerte. Nuestra participación en el Jueves Santo somos invitados a rezar con Jesús como la gracia de nueva vida la cual fluye en Domingo de Ramos es nuestra entrada a la La Misa de la noche del Jueves Santo es sus discípulos lo hicieron en el Jardín de nuestros corazones por medio de la Semana Santa y una expresión de nuestro llamada la Misa de la Cena del Señor. Getsemaní. Resurrección de Jesucristo. deseo de acompañar a Cristo en una man- Conmemora la institución de la Sagrada Personalmente animo a todos los Mi esperanza es que su celebración de era más cercana e íntima. Nos llevamos Eucaristía, el sacerdocio, y el mandamien- Católicos que adoren el Santísimo Semana Santa sea poderosa y de devoción, ramos de palmas a nuestros hogares como to de Jesús a sus discípulos de amar y Sacramento, por algún tiempo, por la especialmente para ellos quienes están por recordatorios de esta liturgia. Después, servir como él lo ha hecho. Recordamos noche del Jueves Santo. Si dedicamos llegar a ser Católicos. En la liturgia, esta- según a una práctica antigua, esas mismas una de las lecciones más notables de Jesús algún tiempo a visitar la capilla de una mos rezando en comunión con el entero ramas de palma son quemadas para ser tocante al servicio, cuando el sacerdote les parroquia local y entrar en una Adoración Cuerpo Místico de Cristo la cual es la usadas como las cenizas para el Miercoles lavó los pies a los miembros de la comu- tranquila, mejorará grandemente nuestra Iglesia. Recomiendo que le pidan a Dios de Cenizas del próximo año. nidad. experiencia de devoción del Triduo. que les ayude a rezar estas liturgias. El lavado de los pies, el cual sucede en Nuestro Señor les preguntó a sus discípu- Reflexionen en las palabras y frases que Triduo el Jueves Santo, ha sido una tradición los, “¿No han podido quedarse despiertos les hablan y a las situaciones que nos El Triduo Pascual de la Pasión y desde los principios de la Iglesia. Del conmigo ni siquiera una hora?” enfrentamos en la vida. Canten la música, Resurrección de nuestro Señor es el Evangelio de Juan, sabemos que Jesús les usando el don de su voz para expresar momento culminante del año litúrgico. Es lavó los pies de sus discípulos durante la Viernes Santo completamente su amor profundo por el más corto de todas las temporadas litúr- Última Cena. “Él tomó una toalla y se la La liturgia en el Viernes Santo no es una Dios. gicas. La palabra “Triduo” literalmente ató a la cintura. Luego echó agua en un Misa. El Viernes Santo es el único día del La oración litúrgica no es un viaje men- significa “tres días.” El Triduo Pascual recipiente y empezó a lavar los pies a los año en el cual no se ofrecen Misas en tal. Es un ritual de amor, expresando y comienza con la Misa de la tarde del discípulos y a secárselos con la toalla que ninguna iglesia Católica alrededor del profundizando la relación de amor entre Jueves Santo de la Cena del Señor y ter- tenía en la cintura.” La Misa de la noche mundo. Esto es una simple conmemo- Dios y su pueblo. Que todos experimente- mina con las vísperas del Domingo de de la Cena del Señor demuestra la íntima ración del amor y sacrificio de Jesús. La mos el amor vivificante de Jesucristo y Pascua. Aunque la Misa del Domingo de conexión entre la institución de la veneración de la Cruz el Viernes Santo es llegemos a compartir en su Resurrección Pascua es el único día del Triduo en el Eucaristía y el lavado de los pies. De esto una celebración solemne y movedora en la como resultado de estos días santos. cual tenemos la obligación de participar en es lo que se trata una vida Cristiana—ala- cual se nos recuerda que la Cruz es nuestra la Misa, las liturgias del jueves, viernes, y bando y recibiendo a nuestro Señor en la salvación. sábado también son tremendos tesoros Sagrada Comunión, y humildemente El Viernes Santo es una celebración de Page 18 APRIL 2014 The Angelus The Faith in Texas

TEXAS CATHOLIC BRIEFS

Lubbock’s St. Joseph Church celebrates 90th anniversary LUBBOCK — The parishioners and Father Martin Piña, pastor of Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Lubbock cel- ebrated the parish’s 90th anniversary Most Rev. Gustavo with five days of events in March. Garcia-Siller, Most Rev. Plácido Rodríguez, CMF, Archbishop of San Bishop of the Diocese of Lubbock joined Antonio, celebrates the parish to conclude the events with Catholic Schools the celebration of Mass March 23. Week with teachers “The parishioners of Saint Joseph feel and students, a deep connection with the Catholics in January 26. Photo by the city of Lubbock and the entire Mary Wisniewski | Diocese of Lubbock,” Father Piña said. For Today’s Catholic “Saint Joseph was the first, and for a while, only church in the city. Most Catholics in the diocese at one time attended Saint Joseph, so our parish has connections to many generations of Catholics in the diocese and especially Catholic schools: Fanning the flames of faith in Lubbock.” Reprinted from “Today’s Catholic” the news- academic excellence is reflected in the more their brother and sister. It is the goal of paper of the Archdiocese of San Antonio. than 900,000 college students who attend Catholic Schools to guide our children to Bishop’s Gala in Amarillo 262 Catholic colleges and universities the knowledge of themselves, their world AMARILLO — Tickets are on sale for By Most Rev. Gustavo Garcia-Siller nationwide. Yet, if this were the only evi- and most importantly their God. Through the third annual Bishop’s Gala. This Archbishop of San Antonio dence of their quality, we could label them their encounter with Christ they learn that year’s Gala will take place Friday, May as “good schools,” but they would not meet to love one another means service to those 2, beginning at 6:00pm at Amarillo I once read the words of an Irish poet the ultimate standard of faith that would most in need. Country Club, 4800 Bushland Blvd. The who wrote, “Education is not the filling of make them “Catholic Schools.” At the Catholic Schools Week kickoff annual event is hosted by the Catholic a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” This tells Catholic Schools must be places where ceremony we honored children and Foundation of the Texas Panhandle. us that while you fill up a pail only once it the Gospel comes to life every day. They young people for their hard work and Activities include a social hour, dinner, is limited by its capacity, but when you must be communities where Jesus’ com- academic excellence … and they honored after dinner comments by Bishop light a fire it spreads with great energy and mand to his disciples becomes real, “Let us. I was truly gratified by their accom- Patrick J. Zurek, a short video presenta- the more you fuel it, the brighter it burns. the children come to me, do not hinder plishments that truly reflect the high stan- tion, a live auction, dance and casino Catholic schools exist to light the pas- them; for to such belongs the kingdom of dards of Catholic Schools. I was equally tables. - See more at: sion for learning in our children, but even amarillodiocese.org. God.”1 In Catholic Schools our children inspired by the spirit that was reflected in more importantly to fan the fire of faith in and young people are led to Christ the School Service Awards that showed their hearts. While academic excellence through each subject they study, teaching how a Catholic education that lights the El Paso bishop a part of Mass establishes a positive foundation, encoun- them to live as Jesus’ disciples in all fire of faith can spread to the whole com- on the Border in Arizona tering Christ and applying the faith to all aspects of their lives. munity. We heard stories about our chil- EL PASO — Catholic Bishop Mark J. aspects of life are lessons that will endure While still Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, dren reaching out to the poor, affirming Seitz and other bishops celebrated a in our children. Pope Francis spoke about the priority of the dignity of human life, caring for the Mass on the Border in Nogales, Ariz., as According to the United States Catholic education. “The education of chil- elderly, feeding the hungry and express- part of a Mission for Migrants. Seitz's Conference of Catholic Bishops: dren and young people is such an impor- ing in practical ways their love for all of trip was part of the U.S. Conference of Catholic schools students are more likely tant task in forming them as free and God’s creation. Catholic Bishops Committee on to pray daily, attend church more often, responsible human beings. It arms their Catholic Schools are at the heart of the Migration's tour of the U.S. Mexico bor- retain Catholic identity as an adult and der, March 31 and April 1. dignity as an inalienable gift that flows priorities and goals of the Mutually donate more to the church. Often people from our original creation as children made Shared Vision we proclaimed at the "When we can help make the rest of refer to Catholic education as “Values the country, both the church and the in the image and likeness of God. And Pentecost Vigil. They enliven the church Based Education.” However it is more because education truly forms human with the spirit of the New Evangelization. secular world a little bit more aware of than just a place to learn any set of val- the immigration issue from the stand- beings, it is especially the duty and respon- Our children are enriched by daily catech- ues, it is a community in which they sibility of the church, who is called to serve esis and faith formation. They promise to point of those who live it and those who learn the truth of the Gospel that shapes know their story, it's very positive," Seitz mankind from the heart of God and in such be a source of vocations to the priesthood said. them in the image and likeness of Jesus a way that no other institution can.” and consecrated life. The values reflected Bishop Eusebio Elizondo, chairman of Christ. Recently we celebrated Catholic by our Catholic Schools are living exam- the USCCB Committee on Migration, This does not mean that Catholic Schools Schools Week. This year’s motto reflects ples of the values of the archdiocese: said on the committee's website that do not lead our children to excellent aca- their mission and ministry: “Communities “Prayerfulness, Stewardship and Unity.” people tend to forget the human aspect demic performance. 99.4 percent of of Faith, Knowledge and Service.” As a We ask our Blessed Mother, to keep in her of immigration in the debate. Catholic High School students graduate and community our children and young people care and protection the holy family that is 84.9 percent go on to college. The legacy of learn to value and accept each person as Catholic Schools. The Angelus APRIL 2014 Page 19 Pope Francis’ Lenten Message 2014 ‘He became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich’ Dear Brothers and Sisters, (Gaudium et Spes, 22). tenderness for an instant. Jesus’ wealth lies in his being By making himself poor, Jesus did not seek poverty the Son; his unique relationship with the Father is the I would like to offer some helpful thoughts on our for its own sake but, as Saint Paul says "that by his sovereign prerogative of this Messiah who is poor. path of conversion as individuals and as a community. poverty you might become rich". This is no mere play When Jesus asks us to take up his "yoke which is easy", These insights are inspired by the words of Saint Paul: on words or a catch phrase. Rather, it sums up God’s he asks us to be enriched by his "poverty which is rich" "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that logic, the logic of love, the logic of the incarnation and and his "richness which is poor", to share his filial and though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, the cross. God did not let our salvation drop down from fraternal Spirit, to become sons and daughters in the so that by his poverty you might become rich" (2 Cor heaven, like someone who gives alms from their abun- Son, brothers and sisters in the firstborn brother (cf. 8:9). The Apostle was writing to the Christians of dance out of a sense of altruism and piety. Christ’s love Rom 8:29). Corinth to encourage them to be generous in helping is different! When Jesus stepped into the waters of the It has been said that the only real regret lies in not the faithful in Jerusalem who were in need. What do Jordan and was baptized by John the Baptist, he did so being a saint (L. Bloy); we could also say that there is these words of Saint Paul mean for us Christians today? not because he was in need of repentance, or conver- only one real kind of poverty: not living as children of What does this invitation to poverty, a life of evangeli- sion; he did it to be among people who need forgive- God and brothers and sisters of Christ. cal poverty, mean for us today? ness, among us sinners, and to take upon himself the burden of our sins. In this way he chose to comfort us, 2. Our witness 1. Christ’s grace to save us, to free us from our misery. It is striking that We might think that this "way" of poverty was Jesus’ First of all, it shows us how God works. He does not the Apostle states that we were set free, not by Christ’s way, whereas we who come after him can save the reveal himself cloaked in worldly power and wealth but riches but by his poverty. Yet Saint Paul is well aware world with the right kind of human resources. This is rather in weakness and poverty: "though He was rich, of the "the unsearchable riches of Christ" (Eph 3:8), not the case. In every time and place God continues to yet for your sake he became poor …". Christ, the eter- that he is "heir of all things" (Heb 1:2). save mankind and the world through the poverty of nal Son of God, one with the Father in power and glory, So what is this poverty by which Christ frees us and Christ, who makes himself poor in the sacraments, in chose to be poor; he came amongst us and drew near to enriches us? It is his way of loving us, his way of being his word and in his Church, which is a people of the each of us; he set aside his glory and emptied himself our neighbour, just as the Good Samaritan was neigh- poor. God’s wealth passes not through our wealth, but so that he could be like us in all things (cf. Phil 2:7; bour to the man left half dead by the side of the road invariably and exclusively through our personal and Heb 4:15). God’s becoming man is a great mystery! But (cf. Lk 10:25ff ). What gives us true freedom, true sal- communal poverty, enlivened by the Spirit of Christ. the reason for all this is his love, a love which is grace, vation and true happiness is the compassion, tenderness In imitation of our Master, we Christians are called to generosity, a desire to draw near, a love which does not and solidarity of his love. Christ’s poverty which confront the poverty of our brothers and sisters, to hesitate to offer itself in sacrifice for the beloved. enriches us is his taking flesh and bearing our weak- touch it, to make it our own and to take practical steps Charity, love, is sharing with the one we love in all nesses and sins as an expression of God’s infinite mercy to alleviate it. Destitution is not the same as poverty: things. Love makes us similar, it creates equality, it to us. Christ’s poverty is the greatest treasure of all: destitution is poverty without faith, without support, breaks down walls and eliminates distances. God did Jesus’ wealth is that of his boundless confidence in God without hope. There are three types of destitution: mate- this with us. Indeed, Jesus "worked with human hands, the Father, his constant trust, his desire always and only rial, moral and spiritual. Material destitution is what is thought with a human mind, acted by human choice and to do the Father’s will and give glory to him. Jesus is normally called poverty, and affects those living in con loved with a human heart. Born of the Virgin Mary, he rich in the same way as a child who feels loved and truly became one of us, like us in all things except sin." who loves its parents, without doubting their love and (Please See POPE/24) RITE (From 1) you during this very special time.” The bishop added that the number of par- world needs you. You are the next genera- The catechumens and candidates at the ticipants at the ceremony in Midland was tion of saints in the Kingdom of God. The rite was held March 9 in San Angelo two ceremonies represented 26 parishes and actually greater than the number of partici- “Throughout human history God has and March 16 in Midland. 17 towns and cities in the diocese. pants at the cathedral in San Angelo. raised up men and women outstanding in The Most Reverend Michael J. Sis, pre- Bishop Sis said the uniqueness of having Bishop Sis also shared with candidates holiness to address the needs of the day siding over his first Rite of Election as a the first rite outside of San Angelo sprung that those in the Catholic Church respect with the message of Christ. And I know bishop, told the 232 catechumens and 283 from his experience as a priest and vicar the personal life history of those who are that you, as members of our church, will do candidates they were the “next generation general in the Diocese of Austin. entering the church from another faith great things, and you and your children and of saints.” “I came from the Diocese of Austin, and background. your grandchildren will take on all sorts of “In just a few minutes those of you here my hometown, Bryan-College Station, was “You are building on what you have been roles of service and leadership to do good today who are catechumens and candidates almost two hours from the diocesan see given,” Bishop Sis said. “Your choice to in the ministry of the church. You will form will be called by name. It is important that city,” Bishop Sis explained. “It was very become Catholic is your response to the holy families. Some of you will become you be called by name,” Bishop Sis said. common for the bishop to come to Bryan- Holy Spirit in your life. Jesus is speaking to priests, deacons, sisters, catechists, or mis- “Why is that? It’s because the Lord knows College Station for a Rite of Election, you through the voice of your own con- sionaries. The sky is the limit for what God you by name, the Lord has your name writ- besides the one he did in Austin. I became science on the basis of your own lived can do through you.” ten on the palm of his hand. He has counted accustomed to this practice there. Then, experience, and we must respect that as every hair on your head. No matter how when I came here to the San Angelo well. Read Bishop Sis’ entire homily on Page many hairs you have on your head, he Diocese, I looked at the geographic distri- “As you are preparing to become 6, or view it on YouTube, at knows you personally and that’s why he bution of our Catholics and parishes, and it Catholics, we rejoice in that, because your http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0TGn loves you personally and he calls you by seemed beneficial to hold two ceremonies, gifts and talents, your experience of God PcETdE. name to follow him. All of us here and in one in San Angelo and one on the western and your personality will bring new life to churches around the world are praying for side of the diocese.” our church. Our church needs you. Our Page 20 APRIL 2014 The Angelus

XXIII EDICTAL SUMMONS March 31, 2014 (From 1) even to begin." Jews in the region from the Nazi geno- Blessed John died June 3, 1963, after cide. CASE: TRUBENSTEIN (LIBBY) -- went far beyond his intellectual prepara- the council's first session, and the "So he knew the drama" of the Jews, TIPTON tion," said Jesuit Father Ladislas Orsy, a remaining four sessions took place Cardinal Cottier said. "Right away he NO.: SO 14/06 "peritus" -- or expert theological adviser under his successor, Pope Paul VI. said yes, with enthusiasm," to a propos- -- at the council. Yet Blessed John's ideas greatly influ- al for such a document. The Tribunal Office of the Catholic Cardinal Loris Capovilla, who served enced the outcome of Vatican II in cer- Yet the pope who called the council Diocese of San Angelo is seeking Dean as Blessed John's private secretary dur- tain areas, including liturgy. refused to define it for the bishops who Lynn Tipton. ing his pontificate, was privy to some of Cardinal Paul Poupard, who served as would actually serve as its fathers. You are hereby summoned to appear the pope's first remarks, made only a a peritus at the council, said Blessed When asked what Vatican II was, before the Tribunal of the Catholic few days after his election in 1958, John believed "liturgy better expresses Cardinal Poupard recalled, Blessed John Diocese of San Angelo, at 804 Ford about what would become Vatican II. the mystery of the church insofar as would reply: "On the subject of the Street, San Angelo, Texas 76905, on or Cardinals and bishops had presented everyone takes part, so the more who council we are all novices. But when all before the 30th day of April 2014, to the new pontiff with a litany of chal- take part, the better." the bishops are there, the Holy Spirit answer to the Petition of Laura Elaine lenges before the church -- "not doctri- In that spirit, Cardinal Poupard said, will be there and all will go well." Trubenstein (Libby), now introduced nal but pastoral problems," Cardinal the liturgical reform that followed in the Cardinal Roger Etchegaray, another before the Diocesan Tribunal in an action Capovilla said -- in areas that included council's wake produced a missal that Vatican II peritus, recalled the now-leg- styled, “Laura Libby and Dean Tipton, liturgy, diplomacy, and the education was simpler, clearer and celebrated in endary occasion when the pope stepped Petition for Declaration of Invalidity of and discipline of priests. modern languages. to the window of his study and said: Marriage.” Said Petition is identified as "My desk is piling up with problems, The pope's influence was also eventu- "'What is the council? I don't know.' He Case: TRUBENSTEIN (LIBBY) -- TIP- questions, requests, hopes," Blessed ally seen in the council's 1965 declara- opened the window and said, 'At least TON; Protocol No.: SO/14/06, on the John told his secretary. "What's really tion "Nostra Aetate," which exonerated some fresh air for the church.'" Tribunal Docket of the Diocese of San necessary is a council." the Jewish people of collective guilt for Though Blessed John did not have a Angelo. When the secretary refused to com- the killing of Jesus and affirmed that set program for the council, he did have You may communicate with the Tribunal ment, the pope interpreted his silence as God's covenant with them had never models for it, including some contem- in person or in writing. Failure to commu- disapproval. been abrogated. porary secular initiatives. nicate within the prescribed period of time "You think I am old," Blessed John Cardinal Georges Cottier, a Vatican II "After the Second World War, it was a will be considered your consent for the told him. "You think I'll make a mess peritus, said Blessed John appreciated very good thing that there arose three Tribunal to continue its proceedings in the out of this enormous task, that I don't the special need for the document in the international institutions: the U.N. for above-named case. have time. ... But that's not how you aftermath of the Holocaust. His sensitiv- peace, the FAO (Food and Agriculture Given at the Tribunal of the Diocese of think with faith. ... If one can only begin ity to the matter reflected his experience Organization) for bread, UNESCO for San Angelo on the 31st day of March with the preparatory commission, that as a Vatican diplomat in pre-war culture," Cardinal Capovilla recalls the 2014. will be of great merit. If one dies, Bulgaria, where he had befriended pope saying. "Why don't we get togeth- Reverend Tom Barley another will come. It is a great honor many Jews, and his later actions to save er to talk?" MSW, MBA, M. Div.,JCL Judicial Vicar HOMILY

(From 6) are still growing. How can this be? How right in the midst of us. Jesus is present That is such a great gift you will receive, can a church so persecuted last so many whenever his word is read in Scripture. those of you who are catechumens. When centuries and still be growing? How can He is present whenever we celebrate any you are baptized in the Easter Vigil, Jesus history, we have had our ups and downs, that be? It is because of the promise of of the seven Sacraments of our church. Christ will dwell within your soul. Jesus moments of glory, and struggles, as well. Jesus Christ. Remember at his Last He is especially present for us in the Christ is with us and He will never aban- There was a time when we were fed to Supper, Jesus told his Apostles, “I will gift of the Holy Eucharist, when we cele- doned us. the lions in the Coliseum of Rome. There give you my Holy Spirit and he will be in brate the Eucharist in Mass, on altars all In just a few minutes those of you here were times when members of our church you. And he will teach you all things. He around the world, and He is present for today who are catechumens and candi- were massacred in North Africa, in will guide you to all truth.” After Jesus us in the Blessed Sacrament in the taber- dates will be called by name. It is impor- Korea, Viet Nam, and Japan. Our ances- rose from the dead he told his Apostles, nacles of our churches. That’s why St. tant that you be called by name. Why is tors have been persecuted by the “I am with you always, until the end of Francis of Assisi, when he passed any that? It is because the Lord knows you by Barbarians, the Turks, British Penal laws, time,” and Jesus is true to his promises. Catholic Church or chapel walking across name. The Lord has your name written the French Revolution, the Mexican That’s why we have survived and the countryside in Italy, would bow on the palm of his hand. He has counted Constitution, the Nazis, the Communists, thrived. That's why we are not going deeply, facing the church, and he would every hair on your head, no matter how the Ku Klux Klan, and Islamic funda- away. say, “I adore you, oh Christ, in this taber- many hairs you have. He knows you per- mentalists up to today. And today we feel Jesus is not someone who just existed nacle, and in all the tabernacles of the sonally and that’s why he loves you per- the reality of anti-Catholic bias in many for a time and then passed on. Jesus is world.” He knew Jesus Christ is present sonally and he calls you by name to fol- circles of academia, government, the not just some historical blast from the for us here and now. low him. All of us here, and in the media and the film industry. Despite all past. He is alive. He is not only in Jesus is also present for us in the poor, churches around the world, are praying of those struggles, there are more Heaven; he is also right here, right now, in the hungry, the imprisoned, the sick, for you during this very special time. Catholics in the world today than ever with us. Jesus says whenever two or and the homebound. He is present in before in history. Over 1 billion. And we three are gathered in his name there he is, each one of us because of our baptism. The Angelus APRIL 2014 Page 21 BISHOP (From 2) ducing local vocations of service in the will be celebrated on Sunday, May 11, Church. In particular, given the increase 2014. Some helpful ideas for promot- Over the years in my work in voca- in the number of Spanish-speakers in ing this day can be found at tions ministry, I was surprised to find Texas, it is important that we have more http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and- that one of the greatest obstacles to a priests who are fluent in Spanish, to teachings/vocations/. young man or woman entering the preach and teach with clarity. All baptized members of the Church seminary or the convent was their own I encourage you to think how your are called by God to the vocation of parents. Some parents are so insistent own parish can better promote a holiness, whether that call is lived as a that their children provide grandchil- vibrant culture of vocations. Our married or single person, a priest or dren or make high salaries that they diocesan Vocation Office has many deacon, or a member of a religious discourage their children from consid- resources and ideas to help you build a community. Fostering vocations to the ering the priesthood or the consecrated culture of vocations in your parish. priesthood is the responsibility of all of life. The best approach is to encourage You can reach our Vocation Director, us. According to the teachings of the children to be open to whatever is Father Rodney White, at Church, the whole Christian people God’s will for their life. [email protected] or at 325- ought to cooperate to ensure that the A measuring stick of the vitality of a 651-7500. Church will always have the priests parish or a diocese is whether it is pro- World Day of Prayer for Vocations needed to fulfill her divine mission. OBISPO (Para 2) mantengan abiertos a lo que sea la vol- al 325-651-7500. untad de Dios para sus vidas. La Jornada Mundial de Oración por quienes son muy talentosos y compro- Una manera de medir la vitalidad de las Vocaciones será celebrada el domin- metidos en esta diócesis. Muchos de una parroquia o diócesis es si está pro- go, 11 de mayo del 2014. Algunas ideas ellos seguirán el sacerdocio y la vida duciendo vocaciones locales para servi- útiles para promover este día se pueden religiosa, si los animamos y los invita- cio en la Iglesia. En particular, dado el hallar al ir a mos. Mantengan sus ojos abiertos y sus aumento en el número de habla hispanos http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teach- corazones esperanzados. en Tejas, es importante que tengamos ings/vocations/. A lo largo de los años en mi trabajo más sacerdotes quienes hablan con flu- Todos los miembros bautizados de la con el ministerio de vocaciones, me sor- idez el español, para predicar y enseñar Iglesia son llamados por Dios a la prendí al hallar que uno de los más con claridad. vocación de santidad, ya sea que esa lla- grandes obstáculos de un jovencito o Los animo a pensar qué es lo que su mada es vivida como un matrimonio o jovencita entrando al seminario o el con- propia parroquia puede hacer para pro- persona soltera, sacerdote o diácono, o vento es la actitud de sus propios padres. mover una cultura vibrante de voca- un miembro de una comunidad religiosa. Algunos padres son tan insistentes que ciones. Nuestra Oficina de Vocaciones Fomentando vocaciones al sacerdocio es sus hijos los provean con nietos o que diocesana tiene muchos recursos e ideas la responsabilidad de todos nosotros. De hagan un buen salario que hasta desani- para ayudarlos a edificar una cultura de acuerdo con las enseñanzas de la Iglesia, man a sus hijos e hijas de considerar el vocaciones en su parroquia. Pueden pon- todo el pueblo cristiano ha de cooperar sacerdocio o la vida consagrada. La erse en contacto con nuestro Director de para asegurar que la Iglesia siempre ten- mejor manera de abordar este tema es de Vocaciones, el Padre Rodney White, al drá suficiente sacerdotes para cumplir su animar a nuestros hijos e hijas a que se [email protected] o llamarle divina misión. VATICANO (From 7) texto. La parte sobre los Musulmanes cosas que ocurrieron durante la pasión aparecio antes de la parte sobre los no pueden ser dirigidas a todos los mentos después de los debates. Judíos. Se quitó la palabra “Judio” del judíos viviendo en ese tiempo, ni a los Entre los documentos en que traba- título para aclarar que era un documen- judíos de hoy... Además, la Iglesia que jaron en estos días era el documento to sobre la relación de la Iglesia a todas condena toda persecución contra sobre Las Religiones No-Cristianas. las reli-giones no-cristianas. Todo esto cualquier pueblo ... rechaza el odio, Llegó a la asamblea con una facili-dad fue para asegurar a los Arabes que no persecuciónes, y demonstraciones de que nadie esperaba unos meses antes. había implicaciones políticas en el doc- anti-Semitismo dirigidas contra los Es verdad que el documento recibió umento. La apariencia del Papa Pablo Judíos en cualquier tiempo y por 243 votos en contra. Un número en las Naciones Unidas ayudo en esto cualquier persona.” El documento tam- grande, sí, pero muchos menos que se también. bién puso énfasis en los lazos que unen esperaba. Sin embargo, el Grupo de Padres a los Cristianos y los judíos de una El Secretariado Por la Unidad Internacionales seguían apresura- manera especial, comenzando con su Cristiana estaba de acuerdo con algunos damente en contra del documento y el veneración mutua del Antiguo cambios propuestos por el Patriarca voto final muestra algún éxito. El docu- Testamento. Así el documento final- Máximos. Varios líderes fueron a las mento decía: “Aunque las autoridades mente llegó al puerto, triunfo para el embajadas Arabes en Roma para entre- judías con sus seguidores exigían la Secretariado y para el Cardenal Bea en gar personalmente copias en Arabe del muerte de Jesús, de todos modos, las particular. Page 22 APRIL 2014 The Angelus FRANCIS (From 3) Christ, therefore, who continually summons us by his the impulse of grace contained in the seed of the word, word to place our trust in him, loving him “with all the which must grow in us and be transformed into concrete steadfast love endures forever” (Ps 136). In the account heart, with all the understanding, and with all the service to our neighbour. We need not be afraid: God fol- of the calling of the prophet Jeremiah, for example, God strength” (Mk 12:33). Therefore every vocation, even lows the work of his hands with passion and skill in reminds us that he continually watches over each one of within the variety of paths, always requires an exodus every phase of life. He never abandons us! He has the us in order that his word may be accomplished in us. The from oneself in order to centre one’s life on Christ and fulfilment of his plan for us at heart, and yet he wishes to image is of an almond branch which is the first tree to on his Gospel. Both in married life and in the forms of achieve it with our consent and cooperation. flower, thus announcing life’s rebirth in the springtime religious consecration, as well as in priestly life, we must 3. Today too, Jesus lives and walks along the paths of (cf Jer. 1:11-12). Everything comes from him and is his surmount the ways of thinking and acting that do not ordinary life in order to draw near to everyone, begin- gift: the world, life, death, the present, the future, but — conform to the will of God. It is an “exodus that leads us ning with the least, and to heal us of our infirmities and the Apostle assures us — “you are Christ’s; and Christ is on a journey of adoration of the Lord and of service to illnesses. I turn now to those who are well disposed to God’s” (1 Cor 3:23). Hence the way of belonging to God him in our brothers and sisters” (Address to the listen to the voice of Christ that rings out in the Church is explained: it comes about through a unique and per- International Union of Superiors General , 8 May 2013). and to understand what their own vocation is. I invite sonal relationship with Jesus, which Baptism confers on Therefore, we are all called to adore Christ in our hearts us from the beginning of our rebirth to new life. It is (1 Pet 3:15) in order to allow ourselves to be touched by (Please See TRUTH/23) FR. KNICK (From 6) ents and children learn what it means to In the home, we learn that the grace we As in the Mass, the Lord wants to receive and grow in the salvation given need to live as a Christian family comes send us forth from the home into the In the home, the parents are the primary in Jesus Christ. In the home, we learn to through the sacraments and that the world — job, school, recreation, commu- teachers of their children. In the home, receive the gift of salvation, which sacrament of Matrimony, which is at the nity — to evangelize in His Name: to we learn what it means to be sinners who requires the virtue of humility or self-for- heart of the home, is never separate from live the faith and spread the good news. are saved by grace through Jesus Christ. getfulness; this is what St. Paul told the the other sacraments, which are received Engaged in the evangelization of the We learn what it means to forgive the Christians at Philippi in Chapter Two of in the parish Church. world, we are following the command of sins of others and to ask for their forgive- his letter to them. When we enter a Christian home, we Jesus in the Great Commission when He ness; we learn to tolerate the foibles of The gifts and graces, uniquely config- should be able to recognize--by the says, "Go therefore and make disciples of others while praying that they will toler- ured in each person, are developed in the arrangement of the home, the pictures, all nations, baptizing them in the name of ate ours. In the home, we learn that home, where we learn to celebrate their and the symbols that are there--that this the Father and of the Son, and of the faithfulness is not a feeling but a com- diversity. In the Christian home, parents is a Christian home, the Domestic Holy Spirit." (Mt. 28:19). And the mitment to trust Christ and the Holy help their children discover who they are Church. And the behavior of those in the Christian home, the Domestic Church, as Trinity no matter how we feel, because created to be by God Himself, for each home to guests should be in harmony a likeness of the Holy Trinity is a pri- feelings come and go. In the home, par- of them is created in the image of God. with the appearance of the home. mary means of this evangelization. BARRON SANDOVAL (Para 11) Pero la vida de la Dra. Hamlin y de la her- (From 10) ally though unthematically accepted mana Lara fue nutrida por el pensamiento. throughout much of contemporary west- Allí entrevisté a monjas de 80, 90 y más años, Para vivir muchos años hay que preocuparnos will be opened and you will be like gods ern culture. How many people—espe- todavía activas después de invertir su vida tra- más por lo que surge: el amor, servicio, com- who know what is good and what is cially young people—today would casu- bajando para los pobres y viviendo simple- pasión y la confianza que brindamos a nue- evil.” The basic sin, the original sin, is ally hold that the determination of ethical mente, a veces casi careciendo de suficiente stros seres humanos en esta vida. precisely this self-deification, this apothe- rectitude is largely if not exclusively the alimento para evitar el hambre. En el jardín de Victory Noll hay un laberinto osizing of the will. Lest you think all of prerogative of the individual? That’s the En particular me impresionó la hermana parecido a los de la Edad Media. Caminar en this is just abstract theological musing, Rosario Lara, originalmente de San Diego y el laberinto es una forma de orar. Se utiliza fruit of eating of the tree of the knowl- ya con 98 años, quien mostró la mejor capaci- para una meditación ambulante, como fuente remember the 1992 Supreme Court deci- edge of good and evil. dad mental de todas con quien conversé. Su de sanación espiritual y física. Consiste de un sion in the matter of Casey v. Planned Just after the fall, the first humans real- padre murió cuando tenía cinco años y su círculo de piedras y sendas con cuatro cuad- Parenthood. Writing for the majority in ized that they were naked and sought to madre cuando tenía 10. rantes y una senda serpentina hacia el centro that case, Justice Kennedy opined that “at cover themselves. I would interpret this, Llegó a la madurez en un orfanato, y que representa la jornada diurna con todas sus the heart of liberty is the right to define not so much as shame, but as deep and después de su profesión como religiosa de vueltas y cambios de rumbo. one’s own concept of existence, of mean- preoccupying self-consciousness. When Victory Noll, la mandaron a su primer puesto Llegar al centro significa paz y unión con ing, of the universe, of the mystery of we acknowledge that goodness and value en Salt Lake City, donde encontró en su nuevo Dios. Volver a la orilla sugiere llegar al mundo human life.” Frankly, I can’t imagine a lie outside of ourselves, in the objective hogar un refrigerador vacío, sólo había cereal actual para propagar el mensaje del amor de more perfect description of what it means order, we look outward, forgetting the en el armario y la cocina estaba infestada de Dios en medio de las tribulaciones de la vida. cucarachas. Durante sus 65 años en misión, Hice la meditación en el laberinto una tarde. to grasp at the tree of the knowledge of self; but when we are convinced that our fue despedida tres veces. Por fin, después de Caminando lentamente, por fin llegue al cen- good and evil. If Justice Kennedy is own freedom is the source of value, we jubilarse cinco veces, regresó a la casa madre tro, donde hallé el tronco de un árbol. Concluí right, individual freedom completely tend to turn inward, protectively and fear- en 2003 a la edad de 88. que el tronco significa que debemos morir trumps objective value and becomes the fully. Llegar a vivir muchos años es una preocu- para llegar a una unión perfecta con Dios. indisputable criterion of right and wrong. What is fundamentally the problem, pación sin cesar en nuestra sociedad. El día siguiente, vi a la hermana Lara en la And if the book of Genesis is right, such spiritually speaking? Why, deep down, Diariamente, el correo trae noticia de esta u misa, meditando en perfecta quietud, trayén- a move is the elemental dysfunction, the are so many of us so unhappy? There is otra vitamina o suplemento. Recibimos un sin- dome el pensamiento que en su vida había lle- primordial mistake, the original calamity. no better guide to answering these ques- fín de consejos sobre lo qué debemos de gado al corazón de su laberinto. Of course, the Supreme Court simply tions than chapter three of the book of comer y evitar para llegar a vivir muchos Recientemente me di cuenta que ella murió gave formal expression to what is gener- años, de modo que uno puede concluir que hace unos días, en febrero de este año. Genesis. una larga vida depende de lo que consumimos. The Angelus APRIL 2014 Page 23 TRUTH House, Senate (From 22) lies to orient vocational pastoral plan- Contact Information ‘Let us dispose our ning in this direction, by accompanying you to listen to and follow Jesus, and to hearts therefore to young people on pathways of holiness allow yourselves to be transformed inte- which, because they are personal, “call HOUSE OF REPRESENTA- riorly by his words, which “are spirit and being “good soil”, by for a genuine ‘training in holiness’ capa- life” (Jn 6:62). Mary, the Mother of ble of being adapted to every person’s TIVES Jesus and ours, also says to us: “Do listening, receiving need. This training must integrate the -- U.S. Congressman K. Michael whatever he tells you” (Jn 2:5). It will and living out the resources offered to everyone with both Conaway (District 11-- San Angelo, help you to participate in a communal the traditional forms of individual and Midland-Odessa, Andrews, Stanton, journey that is able to release the best word, and thus bear- group assistance, as well as the more Crane, Rankin, Big Lake, Colorado City, energies in you and around you. A voca- ing fruit.’ recent forms of support offered in asso- Sterling City, Robert Lee, Bronte, Ballinger, tion is a fruit that ripens in a well culti- ciations and movements recognized by vated field of mutual love that becomes — Pope Francis the Church” (Novo Millennio Ineunte, Winters, Miles, Christoval, Eldorado, mutual service, in the context of an 31). Let us dispose our hearts therefore Junction, Menard, Eden, Melvin, Brady, authentic ecclesial life. No vocation is by worldly cares and temptation (cf Mt to being “good soil,” by listening, Coleman, Brownwood, Sonora, McCamey, born of itself or lives for itself. A voca- 13:19-22). All of these difficulties could receiving and living out the word, and Mertzon, Sweetwater ) tion flows from the heart of God and discourage us, making us fall back on thus bearing fruit. The more we unite Phone: 202-225-3605 blossoms in the good soil of faithful peo- seemingly more comfortable path. our selves to Jesus through prayer, Mailing Address: 511 Cannon House ple, in the experience of fraternal love. However, the true joy of those who are Sacred Scripture, the Eucharist, the Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 Did not Jesus say: “By this all men will called consists in believing and experi- Sacraments celebrated and lived in the know that you are my disciples, if you encing that he, the Lord, is faithful, and Church and in fraternity, the more there Email (via Web): have love for one another” (Jn 13:35)? that with him we can walk, be disciples will grow in us the joy of cooperating https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/wel- 4. Dear brothers and sisters, this “high and witnesses of God’s love, open our with God in the service of the Kingdom come.shtml: standard of ordinary Christian living” hearts to great ideals, to great things. of mercy and truth, of justice and peace. Web: http://conaway.house.gov/ (cf John Paul II, Apostolic Letter Novo “We Christians were not chosen by the And the harvest will be plentiful, pro- Millennio Ineunte , 31) means some- Lord for small things; push onwards portionate to the grace we have meekly -- Rep. Randy Neugebauer (District 19 times going against the tide and also toward the highest principles. Stake welcomed into our lives. With this wish, -- Big Spring, Abilene, Clyde) encountering obstacles, outside our- your lives on noble ideals!” (Homily at and asking you to pray for me, I impart selves and within ourselves. Jesus him- Holy Mass and the Conferral of the to you all my Apostolic Blessing. Phone: 202-225-4005 self warns us: the good seed of God’s Sacrament of Confirmation, 28 April From the Vatican, Mailing Address: 1424 Longworth word is often snatched away by the Evil 2013). I ask you bishops, priests, reli- 15 January 2014 HOB, Washington, DC 20515 one, blocked by tribulation, and choked gious, Christian communities and fami- FRANCIS Email (via Web): https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/wel- JOHN PAUL II come.shtml Web: http://randy.house.gov/ (From 13) Christmas wafer) with him and to sing the physical activity diminished, but he and Polish carols. He had been pope for four a few aides never stopped slipping out of Of course, Pope John Paul left a mark years when he asked the Vatican gover- the Vatican on the occasional Tuesday for a -- Rep. Pete Gallego (District 23 — on more than the church's calendar. nor's office to put some Christmas decora- drive to the mountains and a sack lunch al Fort Stockton, Iraan, Ozona Surprisingly for many people, St. Peter's tions in the square under his window, thus fresco. Mailing Address: 431 Cannon HOB Square didn't have a Christmas tree or a new tradition was born. But he didn't just head for the hills. Washington, DC 20515-4323 Nativity scene until 1982. Even after the Some of Pope John Paul's innovations Pope John Paul made the nine internation- Phone 202-225-4511 College of Cardinals asked him to leave had a lot to do with the fact that he was a al trips taken by Pope Paul VI seem like a Web http://gallego.house.gov/ Krakow, Poland, and lead the universal very outdoorsy, fit 58-year-old when elect- trifle; Pope John Paul took his message on church, he continued to keep Polish ed to the See of Peter in 1978. He liked to the road, visiting 129 countries -- several Christmas traditions; for years, he would ski and walk in the mountains and, appar- repeatedly -- on 104 trips and logging invite fellow Poles to the Vatican on ently, didn't think that should change. As he more than 700,000 miles in a papacy that U.S. SENATE Christmas Eve to break "oplatek" (a grew older and weaker from Parkinson's, lasted more than 27 years. -- U.S. Senator John Cornyn Phone: 202-224-2934 ROME Mailing Address: 517 Hart Senate (From 12) courage, Pope Francis said. "He was a the Vatican and providing them with Office Bldg., Washington, DC 20510 man who let himself be guided by the water, toilet facilities and first aid sta- Web: the two late popes, Pope Francis said Lord." tions. http://www.cornyn.senate.gov/public/ Blessed John was "a bit of the 'country As for Blessed John Paul, Pope Marco Piscitello, a spokesman for the priest,' a priest who loves each of the Francis told the reporters on the plane, "I Rome hotel owners' association, faithful and knows how to care for them; think of him as 'the great missionary of Federalberghi, said that already by early -- U.S. Senator Ted Cruz he did this as a bishop and as a nuncio" the church," because he was "a man who March, owners were reporting that more Cruz, Ted - (R - TX) Class I in Bulgaria, Turkey, Greece and France proclaimed the Gospel everywhere." than 82 percent of hotel rooms in the Phone: (202) 224-5922 before becoming a cardinal and patriarch A spokeswoman for the office of city had been booked for the canoniza- Mailing Address: B40B Dirksen of Venice. Rome's mayor said the city hoped by tion weekend. Senate Office Building, Washington, DC He was holy, patient, had a good sense March 24 to have a working estimate of "There will be a strong presence in 20510 of humor and, especially by calling the the number of pilgrims, as well as pre- Rome for this double canonization," he Second Vatican Council, was a man of liminary plans for transporting them to said. Page 24 APRIL 2014 The Angelus Smile & Click The West Texas Angelus Official Newspaper of the Diocese of San Angelo, Texas POSTMASTER: Send all address changes to: WEST TEXAS ANGELUS P.O. Box 1829 SAN ANGELO, TX 76902-1829 ______

Bishop Michael J. Sis BLESSING AT Publisher THE RIVER Jimmy Patterson At the Concho River in Director of Communications San Angelo in March, Editor at a Blessing of the River, a ceremony Member hosted by the Upper Catholic News Service Colorado River Catholic Press Association Authority, San Angelo Bishop Michael Sis Texas Catholic News BALLINGER. On March 12, 2014, Bishop Michael Sis celebrated demonstrated to stu- Mass for the first time at St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church, in dents how people Published the first Monday follow- Ballinger. As seen in the picture, Bishop Sis was assisted by pastor ing the 1st Saturday of each month fetch water in other Father Hubert Wade, Jr. (right) and Deacon Enrique Martinez (left). and delivered to all registered parts of the world. Attached picture is currently found on the home page of the parish parishioners in the San Angelo (Photo by Jennifer website, at stmarystaroftheseaballinger.org. Following the Eucharistic Diocese. Rios, San Angelo celebration, Bishop Sis was treated to a "Welcome" to St. Mary Star of Standard-Times). the Sea reception sponsored by its parishoners and Father Wade. The reception was held at St. Mary's Parish Center in Ballinger. Subscription rate for all others: $10 per year POPE THIRD CLASS POSTAGE PAID (From 19) tion and health care. In such cases, moral witness to all those who live in material, AT SAN ANGELO, TEXAS destitution can be considered impending sui- moral and spiritual destitution the Gospel ditions opposed to human dignity: those who cide. This type of destitution, which also message of the merciful love of God our Printed by the lack basic rights and needs such as food, causes financial ruin, is invariably linked to Father, who is ready to embrace everyone in San Angelo Standard Times water, hygiene, work and the opportunity to the spiritual destitution which we experience Christ. We can do this to the extent that we A Scripps-Howard Company develop and grow culturally. In response to when we turn away from God and reject his imitate Christ who became poor and enriched this destitution, the Church offers her help, love. If we think we don’t need God who us by his poverty. Lent is a fitting time for Submissions: her diakonia, in meeting these needs and reaches out to us through Christ, because we self-denial; we would do well to ask our- Story suggestions, calendar items, binding these wounds which disfigure the believe we can make do on our own, we are selves what we can give up in order to help parish briefs and all other face of humanity. In the poor and outcast we headed for a fall. God alone can truly save and enrich others by our own poverty. Let us submissions should be emailed to see Christ’s face; by loving and helping the and free us. not forget that real poverty hurts: no self- Jpatterson@ poor, we love and serve Christ. Our efforts The Gospel is the real antidote to spiritual denial is real without this dimension of sanangelodiocese.org are also directed to ending violations of destitution: wherever we go, we are called as penance. I distrust a charity that costs noth- COPY, PHOTO DEADLINE: human dignity, discrimination and abuse in Christians to proclaim the liberating news ing and does not hurt. Third Friday of every month. the world, for these are so often the cause of that forgiveness for sins committed is possi- May the Holy Spirit, through whom we are Photos should be in jpeg format. destitution. When power, luxury and money ble, that God is greater than our sinfulness, "as poor, yet making many rich; as having become idols, they take priority over the that he freely loves us at all times and that nothing, and yet possessing everything" (2 Letters to the editor are welcome, need for a fair distribution of wealth. Our we were made for communion and eternal Cor 6:10), sustain us in our resolutions and and should be emailed to consciences thus need to be converted to jus- life. The Lord asks us to be joyous heralds of increase our concern and responsibility for Jpatterson@ tice, equality, simplicity and sharing. this message of mercy and hope! It is human destitution, so that we can become sanangelodiocese.org. No less a concern is moral destitution, thrilling to experience the joy of spreading merciful and act with mercy. In expressing Letters to the editor are printed at which consists in slavery to vice and sin. this good news, sharing the treasure entrust- this hope, I likewise pray that each individ- How much pain is caused in families because ed to us, consoling broken hearts and offer- ual member of the faithful and every Church the discretion of the editor and one of their members – often a young person ing hope to our brothers and sisters experi- community will undertake a fruitful Lenten identities of the writer are subject - is in thrall to alcohol, drugs, gambling or encing darkness. It means following and imi- journey. I ask all of you to pray for me. May to verification. Please include pornography! How many people no longer tating Jesus, who sought out the poor and the Lord bless you and Our Lady keep you name, address and phone number see meaning in life or prospects for the sinners as a shepherd lovingly seeks his lost safe. when submitting letters. future, how many have lost hope! And how sheep. In union with Jesus, we can coura- many are plunged into this destitution by geously open up new paths of evangelization From the Vatican, 26 December 2013 unjust social conditions, by unemployment, and human promotion. Feast of Saint Stephen, Deacon and First which takes away their dignity as breadwin- Dear brothers and sisters, may this Lenten Martyr ners, and by lack of equal access to educa- season find the whole Church ready to bear