Volume 7, Issue 5 Serving More Than A Million Catholics in the Diocese of Brownsville October 2015 2 DIOCESE GOLDEN JUBILEE The Valley Catholic - October 2015 Golden Anniversary Prayer Almighty and ever-living God, your gifts of love cannot be numbered and your goodness cannot be measured.
As our local Church celebrates “Fifty Faithful Years” as the Diocese of Brownsville, we give you thanks for the many blessings you have bestowed on us.
Send your Holy Spirit to continue opening the hearts of your faithful, that we may bring the Good News of salvation by sharing your gifts in loving service.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen. Oración por el Jubileo de Oro
Dios todopoderoso y eterno, tus dones de amor no pueden ser contados y tu bondad no tiene medida.
Al celebrar “Cincuenta Años Fieles” como la Diócesis de Brownsville, nuestra Iglesia local te da gracias por las bendiciones que nos has otorgado.
Envía tu Espíritu Santo DVHJXLUDEULHQGRORVFRUD]RQHVGHWXV¿HOHV para que podamos llevar la Buena Nueva de salvación al compartir tus dones en servicio amoroso.
Te lo pedimos por Cristo, nuestro Señor.
Amén.
Advertising Index Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston 3 2I¿FHRI&DWHFKHVLV 27 A rc h d i o c e s e o f S a n A n t o n i o 11 2I¿FHRI 700 N. Virgen de San Juan Blvd., San Juan, TX 78589-3042 Azure Bistro 22 On Site Analitica 27 5FMFQIPOFt'BY Basilica 36 Oratory of St. Philip Neri 15 Bishop Daniel E. Flores Adversting &DWKROLF6FKRROV2I¿FH 24 Our Lady of the Assumption Parish 15 Publisher Evana A. Zamora Dad’s Barber Shop 34 Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish 17 Brenda Nettles Riojas (956) 784-5038 Editor Diocese of Amarillo 17 Our Lady of Refuge and Missions 17 Rose Ybarra Gustavo Morales Assistant Editor (956) 266-1527 Diocese of Austin 7 Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School 26 Diocese of Beaumont 13 San Juan Diego Ministry Institute 28 South Texas Circulation Gilbert Saenz Circulation (956) 451-5416 Diocese of Corpus Christi 9 Shalom World 26 Diocese of Fort Worth 29 Sisters of Saint Dorothy 34 Th e Valley Catholic email: [email protected] Diocese of Victoria 13 St. Joseph Parish & School 17 Follow us on Facebook El Rosario & La Merced Homes 11 St. Luke Parish 21 Catholic Diocese of Brownsville Farmers Insurance 22 St. Mary Catholic School 21 www.cdob.org Subscription rate )DPLO\/LIH2I¿FH 17 St. Pius X Parish 23 QFSZFBStPVUTJEFPG5FYBT Incarnate Word Academy 21 St. Joseph Academy 25 $25 out of U.S. Juan Diego Academy 34 San Juan Nursing Home 5 Th e Valley Catholic, a publication of the Diocese of Brownsville, is published monthly Mary, Mother of Church Parish 27 San Martin de Porres Parish 34 Member of the Catholic Press Assocition Missionaries of Jesus 25 8QLWHG%HQH¿WV 24 October 2015 - The Valley Catholic DIOCESE GOLDEN JUBILEE 3 4 DIOCESE GOLDEN JUBILEE The Valley Catholic - October 2015 A new diocese is born Decree: “We judge this to be for the good of the people” Photo by Gerónimo Perez,Jr./The Valley Catholic 7KHRXWGRRU0DVVRQ6HSWZDVFHOHEUDWHG\HDUVWRWKHGD\WKH0RVW5HY$GROSK0DU[ZDVLQVWDOOHGDVWKHÀUVWELVKRS of the Diocese of Brownsville. The Mass was held in front of the mosaic of the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle- National Shrine just as the sun was setting. Pope Paul VI established the diocese in 1965 By ROSE YBARRA Th e Valley Catholic “One of the great gift s of the Rio Grande Valley is that we are Consecration Prayer blessed because our people – you, our people – are very good,” said Holy Mary, Immaculately conceived, Virgin and Mother Bishop Daniel E. Flores during the of the Word Incarnate, homily of the Golden Jubilee Mass The Valley Catholic on Sept. 2 in front of the mosaic at The Ad Perpetuam Rei with renewed gratitude the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan Memorian declaring the for your maternal presence we join our voice del Valle-National Shrine. “Vivimos establishment of the to that of all the generations who call you blessed. entre un pueblo muy generoso y muy Diocese of Brownsville on We celebrate in you the works of God, bueno.” (We live among a very gen- who never tires of looking with mercy erous and good community.) July 10, 1965. Th e 50th Anniversary of the 8SRQXVZKRDUHZRXQGHGDQGDIÀLFWHGE\VLQ Diocese of Brownsville is being Accept with the benevolence of a Mother celebrated with several events and oros; the Most Rev. Jose S. Vasquez and strength.” the act of consecration activities throughout 2015. of Austin; the Most Rev. Placido A rich and deep tradition of the WKDWZHSHUIRUPWRGD\ZLWKFRQ¿GHQFH Th e open air Mass, which was Rodriguez, CMF, of Lubbock; the Catholic faith has endured in the before this image of you that is so dear to us. celebrated just as the sun was set- Most Rev. Michael D. Pfeifer, OMI, Rio Grande Valley for almost 500 We are certain that every human life ting, drew more than 3,000 people. Bishop Emeritus of San Angelo and years. It was the principal event of the Ju- the Most Rev. Raymundo J. Peña, Th e fi rst seeds of the Catholic is precious in your eyes bilee Year. Bishop Emeritus of Brownsville. faith were planted in 1519 in the Hold our lives in your immaculate heart, Sept. 2 was chosen as the date Cardinal DiNardo gave a few time of the Spanish Conquistado- bless and strengthen every desire for good in us; for the Mass because it marks the words before the fi nal blessing. res. An expedition under the com- revive and nourish faith; date the Most Rev. Adolph Marx Referring to the Second Read- mand of a Spanish captain named sustain and enlighten hope; was installed as the fi rst bishop of ing, (Romans 10:9-18) Cardinal Alonso Alvarez de Pineda brought awaken and animate charity; the Diocese of Brownsville. DiNardo reminded the crowd that the fi rst Catholics to the Gulf Coast Faithful from all over the dio- we are all sent to preach the Good Area. guide all of us along the path of holiness. cese were included in the celebra- News. Th e teachings, rituals and cus- Teach us your own preferential love tion as lectors and gift bearers. Th e “Sisters and brothers, when we toms of the Catholic Church have for the little and the poor, prayers of the faithful were read in think of missionaries being sent, been handed down continuously for the excluded and the suffering, three diff erent languages — Eng- we obviously fi rst think of reli- from generation to generation, for sinners and the downhearted: lish, Spanish and Tagalog — repre- gious, consecrated life, priests and fulfi lling the mission that Christ We commend to your maternal protection sisters, our priests here who preach senting the diversity in our diocese. entrusted to the apostles and to us. Our families, our children — those born During his homily, Bishop and teach – and that’s very impor- Th e Catholic faith may be deep- Flores said it is important for the tant,” Cardinal DiNardo said. “But ly rooted in the Valley’s history and and those still in the womb; Church to give thanks to God. if we are going to really pay atten- culture, but its diocese is young. Victims of violence along the border, “We have a lot to be thankful tion to this reading tonight, then it While the area was part of the Vi- both in the United States and in Mexico; for,” he said, as he highlighted the means we’re sent and it means our cariate Apostolic of Brownsville The undocumented, the elderly and the sick among us; contributions of his predecessors words and our actions echo, not from 1874 to 1912, the Diocese of bring everyone under your protection and also thanked the generations just through this Valley, but echo all Brownsville was established on July and entrust us all to the heart of your beloved Son, of religious sisters and brothers and over and we become a living sign of 10, 1965 by Pope Paul VI. Th e ninth priests who traveled far and sacri- what the Lord Jesus wants of us.” diocese in Texas was formed by de- Our Lord Jesus, fi ced to educate and inform Valley Cardinal DiNardo continued, taching four counties — Cameron, who by his death on the Cross, families in the Catholic faith. “I think that is what Pope Francis Willacy, Hidalgo and Starr — from and rising from the tomb has redeemed the world. Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of the is saying, so sisters and brothers, the Diocese of Corpus Christi. Amen. Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston thank you for 50 years of the proc- Today, the Diocese of Browns- was present at the Mass as well as lamation of the Gospel of Jesus ville includes more than a million - By Bishop Daniel E. Flores, several other bishops, including the Christ in this Valley here. God bless Catholics, who worship in 71 par- Closing Mass for the Year of Faith Most Rev. Ruy Rendon of Matam- you all. God keep you in his grace ishes and 44 missions. October 2015 - The Valley Catholic DIOCESE GOLDEN JUBILEE 5 Built in 1965, San Juan Nursing Home (SJNH) opened its doors on January 10, 1966. It was first known as “Virgen de San Juan Nursing Home” with the capacity of 46 beds. In 1982, SJNH underwent its first major renovation with the addition of 68 beds, designating a portion to be Medicare certified. In that same year, SJNH was incorporated in the county of Hidalgo, TX. Within the next five years, all beds became duly certified for both Medicaid and Medicare and by 1996, a physical therapy department was added. Founder Rev. Jose M. SJNH is one of 18 nursing homes in Hidalgo County and the only not-for-profit Catholic facility of Azpiazu(+), OMI its kind in the Diocese of Brownsville. We are blessed to be located next to the Basilica of Our La- dy of San Juan del Valle, which for many of our families, is a comfort knowing we abide in the protection of Our Holy Moth- er. SJNH offers both Short and Long Term stays as well as Respite Care. We provide IV Therapy, Wound Care, Wound Vac, Trache, BPAP/CPAP, Colostomy, and G-Tube/NG-Tube; Physical, Occupational and Speech therapy; Restorative and Recreational exercises and activities; we have a full Pastoral team committed to the spiritual needs of our residents. Religious services are provided on a daily basis and Mass is celebrated every Sunday. We are deeply committed to practice compassionate presence, being attentive to all dimensions of our residents’ well being, incorporating spiritual practices as appropriate. In a recent audience, Pope Frances reminded us that being old is no time for resting. Instead, he suggested, “it is a time for finding one’s new purpose, an invitation to become poets of prayer.” The prayers of this golden generation, he emphasized, “are a great gift for the Church” and they offer “a great infusion of wisdom for all of society.” What beautiful words of inspiration and encouragement for our ministry as we seek to foster this very sentiment in our services. Our mission is to embrace the Healing Ministry of Christ. With deep respect for the sacredness and dignity of all persons, we commit ourselves to work diligently to enrich the lives of our residents ~ physically, spiritually, and socially. As we look to the future of healthcare for this population, we are awakened to the challenges we face: mainly that of renovat- ing our facility, enhancing our home, where our ‘loved ones’ can age with grace, honor and meaningfulness. One of our dreams today is to expand our chapel - to comfortably fit our Sunday Mass attendance. If you wish to be part of this endeavor, please contact us, we’d love an opportunity to sit with you and together, build a better tomorrow. 6 DIOCESE GOLDEN JUBILEE The Valley Catholic - October 2015 Timeline 11000 BC 7KH¿ UVWSHRSOHVEHJLQWREXLOG IMMACULATE communities in what is now Texas. They live by hunting and later by farming. 1040 BC Many different tribes and Conception Cathedral peoples live across Texas and the Rio Grande Valley. Th e Valley Catholic 1519 BROWNSVILLE — “Th is is Alonso Alvarez de Pineda, where it all began,” said Father a Spanish explorer, maps Pasquale Lanese, referring to the the Texas coast and travels Immaculate Conception Cathe- through the Rio Grande Valley, dral in Brownsville during the claiming the land for Spain. church’s sesquicentennial cele- bration in 2009. Father Lanese is 1521 a retired priest of the Missionary Fray Zamora, a member of Oblates of Mary Immaculate who served in Diocese of Brownsville the Narváez Expedition into for more than 50 years, including Mexico, is credited with estab- 17 years at the cathedral. lishing the town of Peñitas. “For Catholics in the (Rio Grande) Valley, this church is 1554 cornerstone of our faith,” Father Three Spanish ships are Lanese said. “Th is was home base wrecked off the Texas coast, and from here, the Oblate priests including several Dominican set off on horseback and began priests. evangelizing the people of the Valley.” 1747 Th e Gothic Revival Church, Spain returns to the Rio located at 1218 E. Jeff erson St. in Grande Valley. Jose de Es- downtown Brownsville, serves candón maps the region and as the bishop’s home church and sends Franciscan priests and central place of worship. Th e many colonists from Mexico. diocese’s most historical church traces its roots to a small wooden 1753 church that served as the fi rst The Valley Catholic Fray Juan Bautista establishes church Brownsville. The Immaculate Conception Cathedral a settlement for native con- In 1849, Bishop J.M. Odin of in Brownsville, a Gothic Revival Church verts near what is now Rio Galveston, whose diocese includ- built in 1859, serves as the bishop’s Grande City. ed the entire State of Texas, went home church and central place of to Canada in search of priests worship. for his vast territory, particularly 1789 for Brownsville, whose residents Father Jose Gutierrez and his had petitioned him for priests, parishioners build a stone according to information from church called San Augustin de the cathedral’s sesquicentennial /DUHGRWKH¿UVWSDULVKFKXUFK program from 2009. While in in South Texas. Canada, Bishop Odin met sev- eral priests of the Missionary 1804 Oblates of Mary Immaculate, a lished. It remained as such until Padre José Nicolás Balli estab- religious order that was founded 1912 when the Vicariate Apos- lishes the Nuestra Señora del in France in 1826. Aft er hearing tolic of Brownsville was convert- Refugio Mission on what would Bishop Odin read some pleading ed into the Diocese of Corpus come to be called “Padre Is- letters from Brownsville citizens, Christi. Th e Immaculate Concep- land” in his honor. the fi rst group of Oblates agreed tion Church was designated a Ca- to come to the Rio Grande Valley. thedral again in 1965 by Bishop 1845 On Dec. 2, 1849 four Oblate Adolph Marx upon the creation Texas is annexed to the United priests arrived in Port Isabel, of the Diocese of Brownsville. States. The Rio Grande Val- which was the base of the Fourth Beginning in 2013, the Ca- ley becomes the center of a United States Artillery. Th e sol- thedral was closed for more than border dispute between the diers accommodated the priests a year-and-a-half — at fi rst to United States and Mexico, and prepared a temporary chapel complete repairs on the roof of leading to the Mexican Ameri- for their fi rst Mass, which was the church and later to construct celebrated on Dec. 3, 1849. It was a new altar and add a reredo (al- can War. the fi rst holy Mass celebrated by tar screen). the Oblate priests in Texas. Th e “Using photos as a guide, we 1846 fi rst Mass in Brownsville was replicated somewhat the look of The Mexican American War celebrated fi ve days later, on the the church in 1950,” said Lloyd ends with the Treaty of feast of the Immaculate Concep- Young, offi ce manager and book- Guadalupe-Hidalgo, placing the tion. keeper for the cathedral. “Th e US-Mexico border along the In 1850, Father Adrien Pierre funds and to purchase lumber for was the site of the fi rst Texas Ob- goal of the project was to have a Rio Grande River. Telmon, one of the fi rst Mission- the new church. late seminary and served as a ha- restoration as close as possible to ary Oblates of Mary Immaculate Father Pierre Y. Keralum, ven for priests fl eeing revolutions original look of the church.” 1848 to come to Brownsville, built a who had been trained as an archi- in Mexico. It was built at the re- Th e new altar includes fur- The Rio Grande Valley is added small wooden church between tect in France before becoming a quest of Bishop Odin and com- nishings from the late 1800s, to the jurisdiction of the Dio- Adams and Jeff erson streets that priest, completed the design and pleted in 1861. including a bishop’s chair (ca- cese of Galveston. Jean Marie accommodated 300 people. Th e construction of the cathedral, 10 Th e church became a reality thedra) and servers’ chairs in 2GLQLVQDPHGWKH¿UVW%LVKRS fi rst Mass was celebrated on June years aft er the Missionary Ob- through the generous contribu- a French neo-Gothic style, an of Galveston. 29, 1850. lates of Mary Immaculate fi rst ar- tions of its parishioners through- ambo from Belgium and a tab- Conversions to the Catholic rived in the Valley. It was blessed out the years. In 1866, a parishio- ernacle. A new oak fl oor was 1849 faith were so numerous that the and dedicated by Father Augustin ner gave $1,400 for the purchase also installed and the cathedral’s Gaudet on June 12, 1859, which The Missionary Oblates of need for a large church arose. of chandeliers, which were or- original chandeliers were also re- was Pentecost Sunday that year. dered from a factory in Paris. Mary Immaculate (OMI) arrive Th ree years later Father Jean Ma- paired. Th e church was credited with Th at same year, Captain Miffl in in Port Isabel and Brownsville rie Casimir Verdet started the de- Th e work on the altar was sign and construction of a larger being the largest church in Texas Kenedy donated $2,000 for three completed by Pablo Noriega- at the invitation of Bishop at the time. Th e utmost care and bells for the bell tower. A smaller Odin. church to replace the temporary Urbina of Brownsville, an art re- wooden structure. detail went into the construction bell that was used in the original storer and conservator, oil paint- Th e cornerstone was laid on of the church. Th e ceiling is of church was moved to the tower as er and master carver in wood, 1849 July 6, 1856. More than 250,000 specially prepared canvas painted well. Th ese same bronze bells ring who serves customers around Oblates build La Lomita Mis- clay bricks were made for the blue, and at one time it was cov- today in Brownsville’s downtown the world. No modifi cations had sion Chapel (it will be rebuilt in church in the village of Santa Ro- ered with gold stars. Th e pulpit area, announcing each Mass. been made to the altar in more 1899). salia, three miles east of the old was built of native mesquite by Th is historical church was than 30 years. town site of Brownsville. a local cabinetmaker and a con- elevated to a cathedral in 1874 Th e cathedral is included in Father Verdet died on a ship cealed spiral stair provided access when the large Texas diocese was the National Register of Historic that capsized while sailing to to the pulpit. divided and the Vicariate Apos- Places and also bears a Texas His- New Orleans in 1856 to collect Th e rectory behind the church tolic of Brownsville was estab- torical Marker. October 2015 - The Valley Catholic DIOCESE GOLDEN JUBILEE 7 Bishop Joe S. Vásquez, Auxiliary Bishop Daniel E. Garcia, and the faithful of the Diocese of Austin, congratulate Bishop Daniel E. Flores and all the faithful of the Diocese of Brownsville on its 50th Anniversary. Ad multos annos! 8 DIOCESE GOLDEN JUBILEE The Valley Catholic - October 2015 Timeline 1852 On March 18, the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament set sail from their convent in Lyon, BISHOPS France, bound for a new mis- Bishop Adolph Marx sion in Brownsville. Adolph Marx, who had formerly served as auxiliary bishop to Bish- 1853 op Mariano S. Garriga of the Diocese of Corpus Christi, was the fi rst The Incarnate Word Sisters bishop of the Diocese of Brownsville. He was the bishop of our diocese RSHQWKHLU¿UVWVFKRROLQ for only two months when he died unexpectedly at the age of 50. %URZQVYLOOHDQGWKHLU¿UVWFRQ Shortly aft er his installation at the Immaculate Conception Cathe- vent in the United States. dral in Brownsville on Sept. 2, 1965, Bishop Marx left for Rome to attend the meetings of the Second Vatican Council. During a break, he traveled 1853 to Germany to visit relatives. He died of a heart attack on Nov. 1, 1965 in Our Lady of Refuge Parish, his parents’ home in Cologne, Germany. Roma established. “His death was a great shock,” said Msgr. Patrick Doherty, a retired priest of the Diocese of Brownsville who served as a pallbearer at Bishop 1859 Marx’s funeral. “He seemed to be in good shape.” Immaculate Conception Bishop Marx was born on Feb. 2, 1915 in Cologne, Germany. Bishop Church (now Immaculate Emmanuel Boleslaus Ledvina, who was the bishop of Corpus Christi Conception Cathedral) is built, from 1921 to 1949, was celebrating Mass at a church in Cologne when designed by Father Pierre Ker- he met the young Bishop Marx. alum, OMI. “Bishop Marx was working as an altar server or a sacristan when he met Bishop Ledvina,” Msgr. Doherty recalled. “Bishop Ledvina brought Bishop Marx to the Diocese of Corpus Christi as a seminarian.” 1865 Bishop Marx moved to Texas from Germany sight unseen and was The last land battle of the Civil War, the Battle of Palmito » Please see Marx, p.13 Ranch, is fought near Browns- ville. 1865 St. Joseph College, a school for boys, is established in Motto: “Love is the fulfi lling of the law” Brownsville. 1866 Bishop Humberto The era of the Texas ranchos and the great cattle drives Sousa Medeiros begins. Rev. Humberto S. Medeiros of the Diocese of Fall River, Mass. 1874 was appointed the second bishop of Brownsville on April 14, 1966. On Sept. 18, Pope Pius IX He was installed at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in establishes the Vicariate Brownsville on June 29, 1966 and served until the autumn of 1970. He was installed as the Archbishop of Boston on Oct. 7, 1970 Apostolic of Brownsville, and elevated to cardinal on March 5, 1973. He died on Sept. 17, encompassing the area that 1983 of coronary arrest at the age of 67, a day aft er undergoing now consists of the Dioceses emergency heart surgery, according to his obituary by the Associ- of Brownsville, Corpus Christi, ated Press. and Laredo. Immaculate Con- As Bishop of Brownsville, he added 18 new parishes and ap- ception Church becomes the proved the construction of La Merced Homes in Mercedes and El cathedral for the new Vicariate Rosario Homes in Mission — two scattered-site housing projects Apostolic. sponsored by the Diocese of Brownsville. When he arrived in the Rio Grande Valley, farm workers were 1880 threatening a strike and the new bishop quickly supported the de- Immaculate Conception Parish, mands of Mexican-American migrant workers, according to the Rio Grande City established. Associated Press. At times, he would travel with the migrant workers because, ‘’I 1882 want to be with the people who need me,” and for the four years he Our Lady of Visitation Church was head of the Diocese of Brownsville, he spent Christmas and (now a historical site) is Easter in jails visiting with prisoners and eating prison food. blessed and dedicated. Th e second Bishop of Brownsville was described by the Associ- ated Press as, “a stern administrator,” but “comfortable with the 1884 » Please see Medeiros p. 13 Immaculate Conception School in Rio Grande City established. Motto: “Adveniat regnum tuum (Th y Kingdom come) 1890 Bishop Pedro Verdaguer is Bishop John appointed the second bishop of the Vicariate Apostolic of Brownsville. Joseph Fitzpatrick His motto: “For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain.” From the 1899 Epistle of St. Paul 1:21 Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Bishop John J. Fitzpatrick was appointed the third bishop of the Dio- Mission established. cese of Brownsville on April 21, 1971. He was installed at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral on May 27, 1971. 1906 Bishop Fitzpatrick is remembered as an ardent advocate for social The Marist Brothers come to justice. the Rio Grande Valley and take “He always worried about the underdog as any social justice-minded charge of St. Joseph College person would,” said Msgr. Gustavo Barrera, pastor of Our Lady of Sor- (now St. Joseph Academy). rows Church, who worked closely with Bishop Fitzpatrick and cared for him in his retirement. “He would do anything possible to improve the 1907 lives of those in need.” St. Anthony Parish, Raymond- Among his many accomplishments in his 20 years as the shepherd of ville established. the Diocese of Brownsville, Bishop Fitzpatrick advocated for and traveled with migrant farm workers, promoting “send-off ” and “welcome home” 1909 ceremonies at each parish to bless the 100,000-plus migrant workers who Our Lady of Mercy Parish, lived in the Rio Grande Valley in the 1970s and 80s. Mercedes established He was a co-founder of Casa Oscar Romero in 1982, which sheltered about 130,000 refugees from Central America and served about 2.5 mil- 1912 lion meals in its lifetime. In 1983, Bishop Fitzpatrick started Valley Inter- faith, which worked to improve the standard of living for the thousands The Vicariate Apostolic of Brownsville is dissolved, » Please see Fitzpatrick p.20 becoming part of the new Diocese of Corpus Christi. Motto: “Love is the fulfi lling of the law” October 2015 - The Valley Catholic DIOCESE GOLDEN JUBILEE 9 Congratulations to the Diocese of Brownsville as you celebrate 50 servingYears the Gospel in the Rio Grande Valley Bishop Michael Mulvey Diocese of Corpus Christi 10 DIOCESE GOLDEN JUBILEE The Valley Catholic - October 2015 Timeline Bishop Enrique San Pedro 1912 A native of Cuba and a former missionary, Bishop Enrique San St. Benedict Parish, San Benito Pedro, S.J. became the fourth bishop of the Brownsville Diocese, upon established. Bishop John J. Fitzpatrick’s retirement. He had been installed as Coadju- tor of the Diocese on Sept. 26, 1991. He was born in Havana, Cuba, on March 9, 1926, where he lived 1915 until he left in 1946. He entered the Society of Jesus on Dec. 7, 1941 and St. Paul Parish, Mission estab- was ordained a priest on March 18, 1957. lished. Bishop San Pedro was appointed the fi rst Hispanic auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Galveston-Houston on April 1, 1986. Consecrated as 1917 bishop on June 29, 1986, he served as auxiliary bishop of Galveston- The Sisters of Mercy build Houston until 1991. At the time of his ordination as bishop, he was only WKH¿UVW&DWKROLFKRVSLWDOLQ the third Jesuit to be named a bishop in the United States. Brownsville, Mercy Hospital. Bishop San Pedro spoke seven languages and served as a missionary in the Philippines and China. 1917 Following his studies, Bishop San Pedro taught at various universi- Sacred Heart Parish, McAllen ties until this appointment as auxiliary bishop of the Galveston-Hous- established. ton Diocese. He was in Vietnam from 1963 to 1975 but left because of the Communist takeover. He also served in Suva, Fiji, 1978-1980; and 1926 Boynton Beach, Florida, 1981-1985. Resurrection Parish, Alamo At the age of 65 he was installed as Bishop of the Diocese of Browns- ville on Nov. 30, 1991. established. Lydia Pesina, director of the Family Life Offi ce, said Bishop San Pe- dro “was an educator ‘par excellence.’ In the tradition of the Jesuits, he 1927 Sacred Heart Parish, Edinburg » Please see San Pedro p.20 established. 1927 Motto: “Most gladly I will spend myself and be spent for your sakes” - 2 Corinthians 12:15 Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Harlingen established. Bishop Raymundo 1927 St. Margaret Mary Parish, Pharr established. J. Peña Even in retirement, Bishop Emeritus Raymundo J. Peña maintains 1927 a full schedule. He is the chaplain of the Newman Catholic Student Our Lady Star of the Sea Par- Center at the Edinburg campus of the University of Texas-Rio Grande ish, Port Isabel established. Valley. He also celebrates daily Mass for the Capuchin Poor Clare Nuns at the St. Joseph Chapel of Perpetual Adoration in Alamo and 1927 organizes a Holy Hour for vocations each week on Th ursdays at 7 p.m. Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, He invites priests to take turns presiding at the Holy Hour and bring Raymondville established. their parishioners. Bishop Peña, 81, led the Diocese of Brownsville for 14 years before 1928 retiring in December 2009. When asked about his plans for retire- Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, ment, he responded, “To live happily ever aft er.” Brownsville established. Born in 1934 to Cosme and Elisa Ramon Peña, Bishop Peña grew up in Robstown, Texas, and knew from an early age he wanted to be 1928 a priest. “It’s been a very rewarding life. I think I always wanted to be St. Joseph Parish, Donna a priest.” He said he can’t remember ever wanting to be anything else. established. Bishop has 57 years to draw from in recalling special moments in his ministry since he was ordained as a young priest on May 25, 1929 1957. Among those are his ordination to the priesthood in the Corpus St. Joan of Arc Parish, Weslaco Christi Cathedral by the Most Rev. Mariano S. Garriaga, with two established. classmates who had studied with him in San Antonio at Assumption Seminary. 1930 One of his early assignments as a priest in the Valley was in St. Francis Xavier Parish, La » Please see Peña p.24 Feria established. 1940 St. Anthony Parish, Harlingen established. Motto: “Haz todo con amor” - 1 Corinthians 16:14 1941 Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, McAllen established. Bishop Daniel E. Flores 1943 South Texas native Bishop Daniel E. Flores was installed as the St. Helen Parish, Rio Hondo sixth bishop of the Diocese of Brownsville on Feb. 2, 2010 at the Ba- established. silica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle - National Shrine. Prior to being appointed as shepherd of our diocese, Bishop Flores 1946 was an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Detroit from 2006-2009. St. Anthony School in Harlin- While serving in Detroit, he spearheaded the archdiocese’s Hispanic gen established. outreach. Bishop Flores, 54, has strong roots in South Texas. Th e second son 1946 of Fernando and Lydia Dilley Flores, was born on Aug. 28, 1961 in Pa- Our Lady of Sorrow School in lacios and baptized in Zapata. His family moved frequently during his McAllen established. childhood due to his father’s occupation as a construction worker. Th e family ultimately settled in Corpus Christi and Bishop Flores 1948 graduated from Flour Bluff High School in 1979. St. Theresa of the Infant His father passed away in 1984; that same year his maternal Jesus Parish, Edcouch and grandmother, Teresa Dilley, also passed away. She was always St. Joseph Parish, Edinburg an intimate part of the Flores-Dilley family and the bishop of- ten shares anecdotes about his grandmother in his homilies established. and talks. His mother still lives in Corpus Christi. His siblings 1949 and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins also reside in Bishop Mariano S. Garriga, a South Texas and the bishop enjoys having them close by. native of Port Isabel, becomes Bishop Flores was ordained a priest for service in the WKH¿UVWQDWLYH7H[DQHOHYDWHG Diocese of Corpus Christi in 1988, where he served as to the episcopate when he chancellor, secretary to the bishop and diocesan master of is named Bishop of Corpus ceremonies, among many other titles. He was also rector of the St. Christi. » Please see Flores p.24 Motto: “Verbum Mittitur Spirans Amorem” (Th e word is sent breathing love) October 2015 - The Valley Catholic DIOCESE GOLDEN JUBILEE 11 12 DIOCESE GOLDEN JUBILEE The Valley Catholic - October 2015 Timeline 1950 St. John the Baptist Parish, Coat of ARMS San Juan established. 1950 Immaculate Conception Par- At the top of the ish, McCook established. was under her feet, Coat of Arms there and upon her head 1951 is a silver crescent a crown of twelve St. Jude Thaddeus Parish, moon. This lunar stars.” (12:1) Pharr established. symbol comes from The moon is “Revelations” on the a symbol associated 1953 Apocalypse: “And a with the Immaculate Christ the King Parish, great sign appeared Brownsville established. Conception, the in heaven: a woman very name of 1953 clothed with the the Cathedral of St. Joseph Parish, Brownsville sun, and the moon Brownsville. established. 1954 7KH¿ UVW6KULQHRI2XU/DG\RI San Juan del Valle is dedicated in San Juan, Texas. 1954 St. Joseph School in Edinburg established. Beneath the moon is a symbol 1954 of a fort, which St. Theresa Parish, San Benito established. represents the Fort Brown. Below the fort 1955 The City of is a symbol of a St. Pius X Parish, Weslaco Brownsville was river to depict established. originally laid out WKH5LR*UDQGH in 1848 around Fort 1958 which forms the Taylor. The area was Our Lady of the Assumption southernmost Parish, Harlingen established. renamed Fort Brown border of this in honor of Major Jacob Diocese. 1960 Brown who became Our Lady Queen of Angels mortally wounded in the Parish, La Joya and Our Lady defense of the Fort. The Queen of the Universe Parish, Old Fort Brown, now the City San Benito established. of Brownsville, was selected 1964 by Papal Authority to be the See St. Cecilia Parish, Los Fresnos of the Diocese of Brownsville in established. 1965. 1964 St. Isidore Parish, San Isidro The Latin cross bearing the crown of thorns and a lance and reed is a part established. of the insignia of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. These Oblate Fathers 1965 ZHUHWKH¿UVWWRFRPHLQWRWKHWHUULWRU\SUHDFKLQJWKH:RUGRI*RGDQG Brownsville becomes a dio- JLYLQJJUHDWSHUVRQDOVDFUL¿FHV7KH2EODWHVKDYHEHHQKHUHVSUHDGLQJ cese, and Bishop Adolph Marx, WKHIDLWKIRUWKHPRUHWKDQ\HDUVLQWKH5LR*UDQGH9DOOH\ an auxiliary bishop in Corpus &KULVWLLVQDPHGWKH¿UVW bishop of the new diocese on July 6. He dies suddenly at his parents’ home in Germany on November 1. First days of the diocese: Vox populii 1965 Th e Diocese of Brownsville, the ninth diocese in Texas, was offi cially established on July 10, 1965 by Pope Paul VI. It was formed by detaching San Juan Nursing Home, a the four counties of Cameron, Willacy, Hidalgo and Starr from the Diocese of Corpus Christi. Th e newly formed diocese consisted of almost a &DWKROLFQRQSUR¿WIDFLOLW\ quarter of a million Catholics. opens. At the time, there were 85 priests of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate serving our diocese along with four diocesan priests and four priests of the Missionaries of the Holy Family. 1965 Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley established. What do you remember about “Th e biggest thing that I think the early days of the Diocese of 1965 that happened in the fi rst few years Brownsville? Sacred Heart Parish and Elsa was a diocesan-wide census. In established. “I was one of the four diocesan that, we tried to visit every single priests in the entire Valley at the home in the diocese. Th at census 1966 time and the only one in Browns- laid out for us the extent of the Humberto Sousa Medeiros, ville. All the rest of the priests in growth of the Catholic faith in a native of the Portuguese Brownsville were Oblates and they the Valley. It helped us determine Azores serving as a priest in were helpful, they were very cour- where we needed parishes and Fall River, Mass., is installed as teous and they invited me to all other ministries. It was exciting Brownsville’s second bishop on their meetings. I considered my- putting things together.” June 29. Under his leadership, self half an Oblate because I was the Diocese will grow from 35 around them for so long. Th e Ob- to 58 parishes. lates did a tremendous job in the Valley. We will always be thankful 1966 for all that they did.” Our Lady of Good Counsel - Harry Schuckenbrock, 82, of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Parish, Brownsville and Holy - Msgr. Patrick Doherty, a retired priest of the Diocese of Brownsville, Immaculate, who was associate pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Family Parish, Brownsville who was pastor of Christ the King Parish in Brownsville when the diocese in Brownsville when the diocese was established. Bishop Humberto S. established. was established Medeiros appointed him director of religious education for the diocese in 1966 October 2015 - The Valley Catholic DIOCESE GOLDEN JUBILEE 13 Marx, First days of the diocese: Vox populii continued from pg. 8 “When the Diocese of “For one thing, we were hap- ordained a priest for ser- Brownsville was established, py to be our own diocese. Th e vice in the Diocese of Corpus there was already a strong devo- Church let go of our hand, so Christi on May 2, 1940. tion to the Virgen de San Juan. to speak, and let us grow on our Before he was appointed Families came to the shrine in own, to spread the faith and make auxiliary bishop, Bishop Marx, groups and still do. I believe the it stronger. It was almost like who was a doctor of canon law, San Juan Shrine is a major rea- when a young person leaves their was mostly assigned to par- ishes in Laredo, which was also son so many people in the Valley parents’ home. You have to put part of the Diocese of Corpus are Catholic and why the Church your feet on the ground and get grew so much in the early years of Christi at the time. to work. You have to be more re- Bishop Marx is buried at the diocese. Our Blessed Mother, sponsible and dedicated. It was a the Immaculate Conception our model of faith, has brought beautiful and exciting time for the Cathedral in Brownsville. Th e many people to church and keeps Church in the Rio Grande Valley.” conference center at the Pasto- them coming back.” ral Center in San Juan is named - Elias Cantu, 66, who has worked at the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan - Sister Ninfa Garza, 75, of the Missionaries of Jesus, who was serving in in his honor. del Valle-National Shrine since 1980 Brownsville when the new diocese was established “Bishop (Adolph) Marx was “Once we had our own dio- Medeiros, the chaplain to the sisters at our cese, there was a new excitement continued from pg. 8 motherhouse in Corpus Christi and energy among Catholics in before he was a bishop. Some of the Valley. Our bishop and the people of his diocese. As the older sisters have shared sto- diocesan offi ces are nearby and the Valley was recovering from ries with us about him. He faith- more accessible. Th e whole oper- Hurricane Beulah in 1967, he fully celebrated Mass at the con- ation is local and things get done opened his home to 11 families and also took in many dogs that vent every day and was known more quickly. It was a very posi- were lost and abandoned in the for giving lessons and instruction tive change for the Valley.” storm. on the faith to the newer sisters. A native of the Azores, an He was a catechist and teacher at island chain off the coast of Por- heart.” tugal, Cardinal Medeiros was born Oct. 6, 1915, in the village - Sister Irma Gonzalez of the Sisters of Incarnate Word and Blessed - Raudel Jose Lopez, 68, a parishioner at Resurrection Church in Alamo. of Arrifes on St. Michael Island. Sacrament, campus director of Incarnate Word Academy and the Villa He was a parishioner at Sacred Heart Church in Elsa in 1965 Unable to speak English, he came to the United States when Maria Language Institute in Brownsville he was 16. He took a job sweep- ing fl oors in a textile plant in Fall River, Mass. for 62 cents a day. Aft er graduating from high school, he studied for the priesthood at the Catholic Uni- versity of America in Washing- ton, D.C. and was ordained a priest for service in the Diocese of Fall River on June 15, 1946. 14 DIOCESE GOLDEN JUBILEE The Valley Catholic - October 2015 Timeline 1967 The Diocese of Brownsville SXEOLVKHVLWV¿UVWQHZVSDSHU Valley Catholic Witness, which will continue until 1972. The 1967 The following parishes were established: Holy Family Parish, Edinburg. Queen of Peace Parish, Harlingen. Mary, Mother of the Church Par- Basilica ish, Brownsville. Sacred Heart Parish, Escobares. Holy Family Parish, La Grulla. Sacred Heart Parish, Hidalgo. Prince of Peace Parish, Lyford. Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, McAl- len. St. Joseph the Worker Parish, McAllen. St. Mary Parish, Santa Rosa. San Martin de Porres Parish, Weslaco. St. Ignatius Parish, El Ranchito. San Martin de Porres Parish, Alton and Our Lady of St. John of the Fields, Mission. 1968 The Visitors for Christ move- ment is established to pro- mote stewardship. 1968 Groundbreaking for La Mer - ced Homes in Mercedes and El Rosario Homes in Mis- sion—low-income rent housing DGPLQLVWHUHGE\DQRQSUR¿W board formed by the Diocese of Brownsville. Devotion to La Virgen: 1968 New parishes established— Good Shepherd Parish, ‘We have to pass it on’ Brownsville and Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Parish, Mis- Th e Valley Catholic In 1949, Oblate priest Father sion. Jose Maria Azpiazu became pas- HISTORIC DATES FOR THE BASILICA SAN JUAN — Th ey come tor of St. John the Baptist Church from all 50 of the United States in San Juan. Several determined 1949 Feb. 2, 1995 1969 Statue of Our Lady Mosaic “Christ Presents The Migrant Apostolate – team America, all 31 Mexican states parishioners convinced Father and many diff erent countries. Azpiazu that fostering a devotion placed in San Juan His Mother” dedicated ministries of priests, religious, Shrine and lay women and men - are Many make annual pilgrimages to to Our Lady of San Juan would see “La Virgencita” at the Basilica benefi t his people since many March 24, 1998 established to assist migrant of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle- of them did not have the means May 2, 1954 Shrine designated as a families while living away from National Shrine in San Juan, one travel to San Juan de los Lagos in Original shrine dedicated National Shrine by the their homes in the Valley. of the most visited shrines in the Mexico. United States Catholic United States. Father Azpiazu commis- Oct. 23, 1970 Conference (USCC)- 1970 On any given weekend, 25,000 sioned an artist in Guadalajara, 6KULQHGHVWUR\HGE\¿UH National Conference St. Joseph the Worker Parish, pilgrims descend on the grounds Mexico to make a reproduction of Catholic Bishops San Carlos established. of the basilica and more than of the statue of Our Lady of San April 19, 1980 (NCCB) 10,000 candles are lit. Pilgrims Juan de los Lagos and placed the New shrine dedicated 1970 bring presents for Our Blessed image in his church. June 12, 1999 The Missionary Sisters of Je- Mother, usually bright bouquets Th e number of visitors to this October 1993 Shrine designated as a sus, a new diocesan religious of fl owers. small house of worship rapidly in- Life-sized Stations of the minor basilica by Pope community, is formed. Some pilgrims traverse on creased. Cross dedicated John Paul II their knees leading to the altar, As the devotion to Our Lady 1970 asking for miracles or giving of San Juan grew in the Rio St. Mary’s School opens in thanks to Mother Mary for a peti- Grande Valley, the need for a Brownsville. tion granted. larger shrine arose. Bishop Mari- Sister Rose Carmel Garay of ano S. Garriaga approved the 1970 the Missionary Catechists of Di- construction of a new church and Bishop Medeiros is appointed vine Providence has served as di- shrine, which were blessed and Archbishop of Boston. He will rector of pilgrim outreach at the dedicated in 1954. Over the next be elevated to the rank of basilica since July 2011. She oft en 10 years, other facilities were built Cardinal in 1973. ministers to large groups that ar- around the shrine – a convent for rive from out of town by the bus- religious sisters and a school in load, providing guided tours and 1955; a rectory and pilgrim house 1970 making their stay at the basilica in 1958; a retreat house in 1961; The Shrine of Our Lady of San pleasant and spiritually renewing. a cafeteria in 1963 and a nursing Juan del Valle is destroyed by “I tell the pilgrims, ‘somebody home for elderly and infi rmed ¿UHDIWHUDQDLUSODQHFUDVKHV taught us this devotion to our priests in 1965. into it. Blessed Mother and now we have Father Azpiazu retired in to teach it, we have to pass it on,’ 1970 aft er 21 years of expanding 1971 plane crashed into the roof of the church or cafeteria was hurt or Sister Garay said. “Evangelization the shrine grounds and develop- shrine and exploded into fl ames. killed, that Mother Mary protect- “La Iglesia en el Mundo,” a is not just the responsibility of ing it into an important pilgrim- Th ough the shrine and most of ed her children. weekly half- hour Spanish Church leaders. Th e Church itself age site. its contents were lost, none of the Ron Anderson, then a dioc- radio program, is launched on – us – we need to keep these tra- On Oct. 23, 1970, 50 priests 100 people in the church and the esan priest, is credited for saving KGBT radio. ditions alive and share them with and about 50 faithful gathered 100 more in adjacent cafeteria the Blessed Sacrament from the our children and grandchildren.” at the shrine to pray for a new were hurt or killed. Th e image of inferno. 1971 Th e history of the shrine be- bishop. At that point in time, the Our Lady of San Juan del Valle Th e church was almost en- Bishop John J. Fitzpatrick, a gins in 1920, when Father Alfon- Most Rev. Humberto Medeiros and the Blessed Sacrament were gulfed in fl ames when Anderson native of Canada, is installed so Jalbert of the Missionary Ob- had left our diocese and was in- also rescued unharmed from the realized that the Blessed Sacra- as the third Bishop of Browns- lates of Mary Immaculate built a stalled Archbishop of Boston and fl ames. ment was in the burning struc- ville. small wooden chapel in San Juan. the Most Rev. John J. Fitzpatrick Th e only fatality was the pi- ture. Th e origins of devotion to Our had not yet been named bishop of lot of the plane. Many believe it “My next actions were not Lady of San Juan are found in San Brownsville. was a miracle that no inside the » Please see Basilica, p.29 Juan de los Lagos, Mexico. Th e pilot of a private air- October 2015 - The Valley Catholic DIOCESE GOLDEN JUBILEE 15 16 DIOCESE GOLDEN JUBILEE The Valley Catholic - October 2015 Timeline 1973 St. Anne, Mother of Mary Places of Prayer Parish, Pharr established. 1974 St. Luke Parish, Brownsville established. 1980 The new Shrine of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle is dedicated, 10 years after the original shrine was destroyed. 1980 A new program is established, Training Laity in Ministry, which in eight years will pre- pare 1,200 lay people for spe- cial ministries in the Church. Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto St. Jude Thaddeus Church Address: E. 4th Street and N. Britton Avenue, Rio Grande City Address: 505 S. Ironwood, Pharr 1981 Directions: Turn left on to 4th Street. Grotto is north of Immaculate Directions: From Expressway 83 take I Road Exit and head south past A new program for the forma- Conception Church. Business 83 (I Road becomes S. Veterans Blvd.) Turn right on E. Kelly tion of permanent deacons Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., daily Ave and left on S. Ironwood St. results in the ordination of 23 new deacons for the Church. 'LRFHVHULFKZLWKORFDOHVWRUHÁHFWJLYHWKDQNV 1981 Holy Spirit Parish, McAllen By BRENDA NETTLES RIOJAS fore a statue of St. Jude Th adde- established. Th e Valley Catholic us, the patron saint for hopeless cases. 1982 St. Ignatius of Loyola speaks Each day people come. Th ey Casa Oscar Romero opens its to the value of our space, place come all day said Sister Estela doors to refugees from Cen- and posture of prayer in his Spiri- Cantu, a secular sister of the Ora- tral America. Before it closes tual Exercises. He suggests that tory of St. Philip Neri, and pas- in 1992, it will shelter about the space and place within which toral administrator of St. Jude 130,000 refugees and serve we pray matters. Th addeus Church in Pharr. about 2.5 million meals. Th e following are some peace- Th ey come to pray before the ful locations in our diocese where saint and ask for his intercession. one can pray and retreat, even if 1983 Th ey come to give him thanks. briefl y, from the day’s demands. Ignacio and Alejandra Her- RGV Educational Broadcast- nandez of Edinburg, originally LQJ,QFDQRQSUR¿WFRUSRUD Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto, from Mexico City, come every tion, is established under the Rio Grande City eight days, “To thank him for all auspices of the Diocese of Lourdes in southwestern his favors, and for all the ways he Brownsville. It provides public France draws hundreds of thou- helps us,” said Alejandra Hernan- broadcasting and Catholic sands of pilgrims each year as The Valley Catholic dez, adding “porque es muy mila- religious programming to the the site where the Blessed Virgin groso.” Above: The St. Joseph Chapel of Rio Grande Valley. Mary appeared to a 14-year-old Ignacio Hernandez wears a girl, Bernadette Soubiroux, in Perpetual Adoration, located at 723 green and white habit and holds 1983 1858. Bowie St. in Alamo. Right: Ignacio his miracle, his three-year-old Oratory Academy opens in Th e Virgin Mary appeared to Hernandez walks on his knees holding son, in his arm and he walks on Pharr. Bernadette 18 times. During the his son, Tadeo, a “miracle baby,” at La his knees approaching the shrine ninth apparition, Bernadette, as Cuevita in Pharr. dedicated to St. Jude. 1985 instructed by the Virgin Mary, “Th e doctors said I could KMBH-TV Channel 60 goes on dug a hole in the ground with While there are no healing not have another child,” his wife the air. her hands, and a gush of water waters in a county where drought shares as she holds her baby was released from an unknown conditions persist, the man-made daughter in her arms. Th e Her- 1987 spring. She was instructed to setting provides a quiet prayer nandez have three children now. Oscar Romero Center moves drink the water and wash herself space. One can choose to kneel Th ey named their second child, to a larger facility in Browns- there. Th e site is known around in the grotto built on the north the three-year-old, Tadeo aft er ville. the world for its healing waters. side of Immaculate Conception the saint. Th eir oldest son is now During another apparition, the Church or sit on a stone bench 13. Virgin Mary identifi ed herself Buses fi lled with pilgrims 1990 shaded by the oak trees nearby. saying, “I am the Immaculate Father Gustav Gollbach, a come on the weekend as well; Small Base Communities are Conception.” German-born priest and a mem- some arrive from Houston and formed. By 1991 there are Closer to home, Our Blessed ber of the Missionary Oblates of San Antonio aft er their visit to over 500 active communities. wood from the neighboring town Mother draws people west to Mary Immaculate built much of of Escobares. the Basilica of Our Lady of San Starr County where pilgrims the grotto himself. Th e mountain Juan del Valle-National Shrine in 1991 come, in smaller groups, to Our is decorated with plants from the La Cuevita at St. Jude Th addeus San Juan. Father Robert Maher launches Lady of Lourdes Grotto, a replica desert surround Rio Grande City Oratorian Father Leo Francis the “Church Alive” television Parish in Pharr built in Rio Grande City 70 years and the rocks were gathered from Inside a small cave in Pharr, » Please see Prayer p.22 program on KMBH-TV. aft er the apparition in France. around Roma and the petrifi ed candles fl icker night and day be- 1991 Bishop Enrique San Pedro SJ, is installed as Coadjutor Bishop of Brownsville on Sept. 26, succeeding to the See on Nov. 30, when Bishop Fitzpat- rick retires. 1992 St. Luke Parish in Brownsville opens a parochial school. 1993 The Casa Romero Center becomes the Ozanam Center, a homeless shelter in Browns- ville. Benedictine Monastery of the Good Shepherd La Lomita Directions: From the intersection of Spur 115 and FM 1016, go 1993 Address: 3167 Monastery Lane, Rio Grande City, TX 78582 Directions: On Highway 83, two miles west of Rio Grande City, take west on FM 1016 to FM 494. Go south (eventually veering west) on Life-size Stations of the Cross a right on Farm Road 3167 and drive north for six miles. A large FM 494 to the entrance to Anzalduas Dam and County Park (about statues are dedicated at the white cross on the left marks the entrance. 3 miles from the intersection of FM 1016 and FM 494). Th e chapel Shrine of Our Lady of San is located across the levy. October 2015 - The Valley Catholic DIOCESE GOLDEN JUBILEE 17 Questions & Answers with Bishop Daniel Flores What is the state of the Catho- lic Church in the Rio Grande Val- ley? Th e Church is in a state of growth here. Many of our parishes struggle to make ends meet, but then, so do most families here in the Valley. Th ere is a strong spirit of cooperation and generosity. And I am most hopeful when I travel around and see the faith and joy of the people. What is the signifi cance of the Golden Jubilee to all faiths in the Valley? I think it is a good sign of God’s grace that we are able to rejoice with and for each other. All of the local faith communities have a rich history here, and that has been one of the great factors in making the people of the Valley so hospitable and generous. I am always happy to see our diff erent religious commu- » Please see Q&A, p.31 6W-RVHSK3UD\IRUXV 6W-RVHSK&DWKROLF&KXUFK(GLQEXUJ7H[DV 18 DIOCESE GOLDEN JUBILEE The Valley Catholic - October 2015 Matthew Mercado / The Valley Catholic Geronimo Perez Jr./ The Valley Catholic Eduardo Matthew Mercado / The Valley Catholic Eduardo Elizondo/ The Valley Catholic Matthew Mercado / The Valley Catholic October 2015 - The Valley Catholic DIOCESE GOLDEN JUBILEE 19 Geronimo Perez Jr. / The Valley Catholic Matthew Mercado / The Valley Catholic Geronimo Perez Jr. / The Valley Catholic Derek Janik / The Valley Catholic Hundreds attended the Golden Jubilee Mass on Sept. 2 in front of the mosaic at the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle- National Shrine. The Mass was televised live by Shalom World and is available online at www.cdob.org. Mobile Journalists helped capture the event in photos. oElizondo/ The Valley Catholic Geronimo Perez Jr. / The Valley Catholic “El corazón de la diócesis es el corazón del pueblo.” - Bishop Daniel E. Flores Derek Janik / The Valley Catholic 20 DIOCESE GOLDEN JUBILEE The Valley Catholic - October 2015 Fitzpatrick, “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave continued from pg. 8 me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me.” – Matthew 25:35 of families living in the colonias, many of which lacked basic infra- structure, potable water, sanitary sewage and adequate roads. Bishop Fitzpatrick was born on Oct. 12, 1918 in Trenton, Ontario, Canada. When he was five-years- old, his family moved to Buffalo, N.Y. where he attended a Catholic grammar school. At age 13, he en- rolled in the diocesan preparatory seminary. After high school, he pursued his studies at the Seminary for the Propagation of the Faith in Rome and the Seminary of Our Lady of the Angels in Niagara Falls, N.Y. Bishop Fitzpatrick was or- dained a priest for the Diocese of Buffalo on Dec. 13, 1942, where he served in several parishes. In response to a critical priest shortage in Florida, he transferred to the Diocese of St. Augustine, which then covered nearly all of the state, in 1948. When the Diocese of St. Augus- tine was divided in 1958 to form the Diocese of Miami, which would later become an Archdiocese, he became part of the Miami clergy. He was consecrated auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Mi- ami on Aug. 28, 1968, three years before his appointment to the Dio- cese of Brownsville. He retired as bishop on Nov. 30, 1991 after more than 20 years Welcoming the stranger: of service to the faithful of the Rio Grande Valley. He was in residence at Mary, Mother of the Church Parish in Brownsville until his death on July casa oscar 15, 2006 at the age of 87. San Pedro, continued from pg. 10 romero believed in education and forma- tion for all involved in parish min- istries.” The Valley Catholic In March 1993, Bishop San Pe- dro was part of a bishop’s delega- The biblical tradition is rich tion to address the United Nations with images of hospitality, of wel- on the plight of refugees, many of coming the stranger. The Diocese whom had been sent from south of Brownsville strives to uphold Florida to his diocese. the dignity of every person by Bishop San Pedro, age 68, died advancing the Church’s legacy of of cancer on July 17, 1994, in Mi- welcome. ami Beach, Fla. He was buried in In 1982, Casa Oscar Romero a section reserved for bishops and opened its doors in San Benito to priests in the Catholic cemetery refugees from Central America “Our Lady of Mercy” in Miami. who were fleeing their war-torn countries. Most of the people were from Nicaragua and El Sal- vador. Both countries were under siege by crime and political vio- lence and thousands were killed. The Valley Catholic The center remained in op- Casa Oscar Romero was in operation eration until June 1992. About from 1982-1992 and sheltered more 130,000 refugees from Central than 130,000 refugees. America were sheltered and about 2.5 million meals were served during its existence. “When these refugees came sought to deport them. Some ac- from their countries, they had cused Bishop Fitzpatrick of op- somebody to receive them and to erating an illegal sanctuary and give them some kind of hope and criticized the Church’s efforts. some kind of care,” said Bishop Bishop Fitzpatrick was deeply John J. Fitzpatrick in describing disappointed by these reactions. the work of Casa Oscar Romero. “I have been in many court Named for the Catholic arch- trials,” he said. “The cost to me has bishop assassinated in El Salva- been the disappointment that so dor in 1980, now Blessed Oscar many people who are presumably Romero, the center housed as Christians, and who are Catholic, many as 700 people a day in 1985, find fault with anybody’s efforts to but a court order in 1989 limited it feed the poor.” to 200 people. The center was ultimately Sister Juliana Garcia, who The center changed locations community,” she recalled. “But we moved to a larger location on a died in November 2014 at the age numerous times due to space is- did our best to make the refugees six-acre tract of land in Browns- of 81, and Sister Norma Pimentel sues and on other occasions, they feel loved and give them the áni- ville in July 1987. As the number of the Missionaries of Jesus, were were “run out of the neighbor- mo to keep going.” of refugees dwindled, the center in charge of the day-to-day opera- hood,” said Sister Garcia in a 2011 Much controversy existed at was repurposed and is now the tions of Casa Oscar Romero and interview. the time due to the struggle be- Bishop Enrique San Pedro Oza- received assistance from a variety “Many times, the neighbors tween those who sought to help nam Center, a homeless shelter of sources. didn’t want ‘those people,’ in their the refugees and others who that can house up to 200 people. October 2015 - The Valley Catholic DIOCESE GOLDEN JUBILEE 21 22 DIOCESE GOLDEN JUBILEE The Valley Catholic - October 2015 Prayer, continued from pg. 16 Daniel said a chapel with a cross was built adjacent to “la cuevita” to remind people that Christ comes fi rst and that St. Jude is an intercessor. Benedictine Monastery, Rio Grande City Sometimes, we need a break from routine, so I went west. I made my way to an oasis of qui- et, hidden among the mesquites, brush and cacti in Starr County Aide Escalante/The Valley Catholic where the Sisters of the Benedic- A child from Central America picks out shoes at the immigrant respite center at Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Brownsville. tine Monastery of the Good Shep- herd welcome visitors year round. Some guests come to visit for Welcoming the stranger: a few hours, some to stay at one of the casitas on the property for a personal retreat, and some for a discernment weekend or a group RESPITE CENTER retreat. Th e rock and gravel road lead- ing to the monastery slowed my Staff , volunteers have Th e immigrants, mostly from through the centers in those fi rst need is still there.” pace from the start. Th ere is no Honduras, Guatemala and El days. Th e number of immigrants “We have kept our promise,” speeding, no rush, on Monastery cared for more than Salvador, are dropped off by U.S. coming through the center has Sister Leticia Benavides of the Lane. Immigration and Customs agents fl uctuated over the past year but Missionaries of Jesus, a coun- It’s a good idea to call in ad- 24,000 refugees at the McAllen bus station a few the need for the center still exists. selor and administrative assistant vance and make arrangements. blocks away from the church af- “Th e center has been open ev- for Catholic Charities of the Rio Some weekends the retreat center ter being detained and processed. ery day since June 10 of last year Grande Valley. “From the very be- Th e Valley Catholic and casitas fi ll with retreatants. Th ey are given a court date and and every day, people come in,” ginning we said, as long as there is Plus, the sisters like to be on hand granted permission to travel to said Eli Fernandez, director of a need, we will be here. It is also to welcome every guest. Th e Diocese of Brownsville their fi nal destination. the center. “We haven’t had a day what Jesus calls us to do in the answered the call to welcome the Th ey personalized a note out- Many of the immigrants were where nobody has come in. Th e works of mercy— Matthew 25.” lining some essentials (the gate stranger once again in 2010 when sleeping on the fl oor of the bus another humanitarian crisis un- code and the code to the Fountain station and had no food or water. of Life Chapel for Adoration of folded in our area. Th ey hadn’t showered in days and An infl ux of immigrant fami- the Blessed Sacrament). Includ- sometimes, weeks. For about two ed as well, some advice in case lies have come to the United States months before the center opened, to escape violence, political unrest snakes are around: “Just let them volunteers began taking food to pass and continue.” and crushing poverty in their na- bus station for the immigrant tive lands. “Th e Good Shepherd Hand- families. maidens pray for you before you Mothers or sometimes fathers Sister Norma Pimentel of the and their children arrive at an im- arrive, during your stay and in Missionaries of Jesus, executive your absence,” reads the note. migrant respite center in McAllen. director of Catholic Charities Th ey are scared, exhausted and of the Rio Grande Valley, heard hungry. St, Joseph Chapel of about the situation and responded Perpetual Adoration, Alamo When they walk through the by opening the center in McAl- doors, they are cheerfully greeted Tucked away in a quiet resi- len and for a few months, one in dential neighborhood stands a by volunteers with a round of ap- Brownsville on the grounds of the plause and shouts of, “Bienveni- historic church in Alamo where Immaculate Conception Cathe- people come to pray before the dos!” (welcome). dral. Th e warm reception brings Lord present in the Blessed Sacra- Th e centers, which provided ment at the St. Joseph Chapel of many of them to tears. Most of essentials such as food, clothing, them have endured diffi cult jour- Perpetual Adoration. water and a place to rest, were Th e Diocese of Brownsville’s neys to the United States and it’s opened with the blessing and sup- the fi rst time in days that they are St. Joseph Chapel of Perpetual port of Bishop Daniel E. Flores Adoration, located at 725 Bowie treated nicely. and the pastors from both church- More than 24,000 immigrants The Valley Catholic Street, opened in December 2005 es. Religious leaders and volun- in the historic St. Joseph Church, have passed through the immi- teers of all faiths have answered Sister Norma Pimentel of the Missionaries of Jesus, executive director of Catholic grant respite center, located at Sa- built in 1924. It was designated a the call to assist their brothers and Charities of the RIo Grande Valley, left, briefs Bishop Daniel E. Flores on the day’s historical site in 1985. cred Heart Parish McAllen, since sisters in need at the center. events at the respite center at Sacred Heart Parish in McAllen. it opened June 10, 2014. Th e chapel is run by the Capu- Hundreds of immigrants came chin Poor Clares, cloistered nuns who live in a monastery behind the chapel. Th e sisters are devoted to contemplative life, praying for the people in whose midst they are, as well as for the needs of the church and society. Th ey spend hours in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament, and strive to be models of a simple and peace- ful way of life. When you step inside the blue foyer, quiet welcomes you as does a statue of the Sacred Heart of Je- sus with open arms and another of St. Veronica. While the cloistered sisters are not in sight, they have velitas (small candles) available for sale for $1 on the honor system and a basket where petitions may be left . When preparing for a pil- grimage, pilgrims oft en carry prayer requests, their own and others, to leave at a specifi c shrine or church. Th e chapel is open to the com- munity every day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Daily Mass is scheduled at 8 a.m. Monday through Saturday and at 4 p.m. on Sunday. Th e sisters lead a daily Rosary as well as the Divine Mercy hour at 3 p.m. and Vespers at 6 p.m. Octubre 2015 - The Valley Catholic DIOCESIS JUBILEO DE ORO 23 Catedral Inmaculada Concepción: “Piedra angular de nuestra fe” 1861. Es la iglesia principal La iglesia se hizo realidad a través de las generosas contribu- de la Diócesis de ciones de sus feligreses a través de Brownsville los años. En 1866, un feligrés dio $1,400 para la compra de cande- labros, los cuales de ordenaron de The Valley Catholic una fábrica en Paris. Ese mismo año el Capitan Mifflin Kenedy BROWNSVILLE — “Aquí donó $2,000 para tres campanas comenzó todo,” dijo el Padre para el campanario. Una campana Pasquale Lanese, refiriéndose a más pequeña que fue usada en la la Catedral Inmaculada Concep- iglesia original fue movida a la ción en Brownsville durante la torre también. Estas mismas cam- celebración del sesquicentenario panas de bronce repican hoy en de la Iglesia en el 2009. El Padre el centro de Brownsville, anunci- Lanese es un sacerdote retirado de ando cada Misa. los Misioneros Oblatos de María La histórica iglesia fue elevada Inmaculada quien sirvió en la a catedral en 1874 cuando la gran Diócesis de Brownsville por más diócesis de Texas fue dividida y el de 50 años, incluyendo 17 en la Vicariato Apostólico de Browns- catedral. ville fue establecido. Se mantuvo “Para los Católicos en el Valle como tal hasta 1912 cuando el Vi- (del Río Grande), esta iglesia es cariato Apostólico de Brownsville piedra angular de nuestra fe,” dijo fue convertido en la Diócesis de el Padre Lanese. “Esta fue la base Corpus Christi. La Iglesia de la In- y de aquí, los sacerdotes Oblatos maculada Concepción fue desig- se iban a caballo y empezaron la nada como Catedral de nuevo en evangelización de las personas del 1965 por el Obispo Adolph Marx Valle.” The Valley Catholic tras la creación de la Diócesis de La Iglesia Gótica del Re- Brownsville. La Catedral Inmaculada Concepción en Brownsville, una catedral gótica, es la sede del obispo de la Diócesis de Brownsville. Fue nacimiento, localizada en el 1218 Empezando el 2013, la Cat- E. Jefferson St. en el centro de bendecida y dedicada el 12 de junio, 1859, que fue Domingo Pentecostal ese año. edral fue cerrada por más de año Brownsville, sirve como la igle- y medio – primero para terminar del Río Grande. ca fueron tan numerosas que los Misioneros Oblatos de María sia base del obispo y el lugar de las reparaciones en el techo de la El 2 de diciembre, 1849 cu- la necesidad de una iglesia más Inmaculada llegaron por primera adoración central. La iglesia más histórica Iglesia Gótica del Re- atro sacerdotes Oblatos llegaron a grande surgió. Tres años después vez al Valle. Fue bendecida y dedi- histórica de la diócesis traza sus nacimiento y después para con- Puerto Isabel, el cual era la base de el Padre Jean Marie Casimir Ver- cada por el Padre Agustin Gaudet raíces a una pequeña iglesia de struir un nuevo altar y añadir un la Cuarta Artilleria de los Estados det empezó el diseño y construc- el 12 de junio, 1859, que fue Do- madera que sirvió como la primer reredo. Unidos. Los soldados acomoda- ción de una iglesia más grande mingo Pentecostal ese año. iglesia de Brownsville. “Utilizando fotos como guía, ron a los sacerdotes y prepararon que reemplazara la estructura La Iglesia fue considerada En 1849, el Obispo J.M. Odin aplicamos de cierto modo la una parroquia temporal para la temporal de madera. como la iglesia más grande en de Galveston, cuya diócesis in- fachada de la iglesia en 1950,” dijo primer Misa, la cual fue celebrada La primera piedra se puso el 6 Texas en ese tiempo. El mayor cluía todo el estado de Texas, fue Lloyd Young, gerente de oficina y el 3 de diciembre, 1849. Fue la de julio, 1856. Más de 250,00 blo- cuidado y detalle se fue en la con- a Canadá en busca de sacerdotes contador de la catedral. “La meta primer Santa Misa celebrada por ques de barro fueron hechos para strucción de la iglesia. El techo es para su vasto territorio, particu- del proyecto era el tener restau- los sacerdotes Oblatos en Texas. iglesia en la villa de Santa Rosalía, de oleo especialmente preparado larmente para Brownsville, cuyos raciones lo más cercanas a la cat- La primer Misa en Brownsville fue tres millas al este de la vieja ciudad y pintado de azul, y en una oca- residentes le habían pedido sac- edral original, los candelabros celebrada cinco días después, para en Brownsville. sión fue cubierto con estrellas do- erdotes, de acuerdo con la in- también fueron reparados. la fiesta de la Inmaculada Concep- El Padre Verdet murió en radas. El púlpito fue construido formación de un programa del El trabajo en el altar fue com- ción. un barco que naufragó mientras con mezquite nativo hecho por un sesquicentenario de la catedral pletado por Pablo Noriega-Urbida En 1850, el Padre Adrien zarpaba a New Orleans en 1856 ebanista local y las escaleras de es- del 2009. En Canadá, el Obispo de Brownsville, un restaurador Pierre Telmon, uno de los prim- para recolectar fondos y para piral en el interior proveen acceso Odin se reunió con varios sacer- de arte y curador, pintor de oleo eros Misioneros Oblatos de María comprar lumbreras para la nueva al púlpito. dotes de los Misioneros Oblatos y maestro ebanista, quien sirve Inmaculada en venir a Browns- iglesia. La rectoría detrás de la iglesia de María Inmaculada, una orden a clientes alrededor del mundo. ville, construyó una pequeña El Padre Pierre Y. Keralum, era el lugar de seminario para los religiosa que fue fundada en Fran- Ninguna modificación se había iglesia de madera entre las calles quien había sido entrenado como primeros Oblatos de Texas y sirvió cia en 1826. Después de escuchar hecho al altar por más de 30 años. Adams y Jefferson que alojaba a arquitecto en Francia antes de como refugio para los sacerdotes al Obispo Odin leer algunas cartas La Catedral es incluida en 300 personas. La primer Misa fue convertirse en sacerdote, terminó que escapaban revoluciones en de petición de los ciudadanos de el Registro Nacional de Lugares celebrada el 29 de junio, 1850. el diseño y la construcción de la México. Fue construida a petición Brownsville, el primer grupo de Históricos y también tiene el em- Las conversiones a la fe Católi- catedral, 10 años después de que del Obispo Odin y terminada en Oblatos accedieron a venir al Valle blema de Marcador Histórico. 24 DIOCESIS JUBILEO DE ORO The Valley Catholic - Octubre 2015 Peña, continued from pg. 10 Escudo de armas the Valley was in Alamo, when the area was still a part of the Diocese of Corpus Christi. “It’s interesting now that I am living here in the same house where En la parte de arriba la luna bajo sus I lived as a priest,” he said. en el escudo de armas On Oct. 16, 1976, Father Peña pies, y una corona was named titular Bishop of Trisipa hay una luna creciente de doce estrellas.” and Auxiliary to the Archbishop plateada. Este símbolo (12:1) La luna es un of San Antonio and consecrated lunar proviene de símbolo asociado on Dec. 13, 1976. At the age of 42, “Revelaciones” sobre Bishop Peña was one of the young- con la Inmaculada est bishops in the country and el Apocalipsis: “Una Concepción, el the fourth Hispanic in the United gran señal apareció mismo nombre States to become a bishop. en el cielo: una mujer de la Catedral de Four years later, Bishop Peña vestida de sol, con was appointed as the fourth Bishop Brownsville. of El Paso in 1980, serving for 15 years until his installation as the fi ft h bishop of Brownsville in Au- gust 1995. On Sundays at the Edinburg campus of UT-RGV, he listens to confessions at 6 p.m. and celebrates Mass at 7 p.m. He also visits the Evins Juvenile Detention Center in Edinburg once a month, and cele- brates Mass on the Sundays that the Debajo de la UT-RGV students have academic luna se encuentra breaks. Bishop’s Peña’s legacy remains el símbolo de evident throughout the diocese. un fuerte, que When he retired, almost 50 percent representa el Fuerte Debajo del fuerte of the diocesan priests had been de Brown. La ciudad está el símbolo ordained by him. Th ere were eight de Brownsville seminarians when he came, and de un río que when he left there were 22 or 23. originalmente representa el Some of the other milestones se formó en 1848 5tR*UDQGHTXH registered include the establish- alrededor del fuerte forma la frontera ment of the San Juan Diego Min- Taylor. El área fue istry Institute for training future más al sur de la permanent deacons and lay eccle- renombrada Fuerte Diócesis. sial ministers; the establishment of Brown en honor al an Immigration Offi ce; the success Comandante Jacob Brown of Disciples in Mission sending quien fue herido de manera over 500 persons door-to-door to mortal en la defensa del proclaim the Gospel message; the inclusion of women in leadership )XHUWH(O9LHMR)RUW%URZQKR\ positions in the diocese and dio- en día la ciudad de Brownsville, cese-related entities; and the des- fue elegida por la autoridad Papal ignation of Our Lady of San Juan para ser la Sede de la Diócesis de del Valle Shrine as a national shrine Brownsville en 1965. in 1998 and as a minor basilica in 1999. La cruz Latina sosteniendo la corona de espinas y la lanza y la caña es parte de una insignia de los Oblatos de María Inmaculada. Los Padres Flores, Oblatos fueron los primeros en llegar al territorio y predicar la palabra GH'LRVKDFLHQGRJUDQGHVVDFUL¿FLRVSHUVRQDOHV/RV2EODWRVKDQHVWDGR continued from pg. 10 DTXtFRPSDUWLHQGRODIHSRUPiVGHDxRVHQHO9DOOHGHO5tR*UDQGH John Vianney House of Studies for seminarians in Corpus Christi and was part of the formation faculty of St. Mary’s Seminary and teach- ing faculty at the University of St. Th omas School of Th eology in Houston. Bishop Flores earned a doctoral degree in the theology of St. Th om- as Aquinas in Rome. As Bishop of Brownsville, he has spoken nationally and internation- ally on the themes of immigration, human traffi cking and advocacy. In 2012-2013, he led listening sessions – or town hall-style meet- ings – in each of the eight dean- eries of the diocese. Participants were invited to ask questions and share their hopes and dreams for the future of the Church in the Rio Grande Valley. Feedback from the listening sessions is being used in pastoral planning. Bishop Flores also established two new parishes in 2013, St. Anne Quasi Parish in Peñitas to serve the burgeoning Western Hidal- go County community and Our Heavenly Father Parish in Olmito in response to the rapid growth in the northwest sector of the City of Brownsville. He is also our fi rst bishop to have a blog, which is called, “En Po- cas Palabaras,” and recently joined Twitter under the handle @bpd- fl ores. Octubre 2015 - The Valley Catholic DIOCESIS JUBILEO DE ORO 25 Los Obispos Obispo Adolph Marx Obispo Humberto Sousa Medeiros Su lema: “El amor es el Su lema: Adveniat regnum tuum aprobó la construcción de los Hog- cumplimiento de la ley.” (venga a nosotros tu Reino) ares La Merced en Mercedes y los Adolph Marx, quien anteri- El Rev. Humberto S. Medeiros Hogares El Rosario en Mission ormente había sido obispo aux- de la Diócesis de Fall River, Mass. — dos proyectos de viviendas dis- iliar para el Obispo Mariano S. fue asignado como el segundo obis- persas patrocinadas por la Diócesis Garriga de la Diócesis de Corpus po de Brownsville el 14 de abril de de Brownsville. Los residentes co- Christi, fue el primer obispo de 1966. Fue instalado en la Catedral menzaron a mudarse a hogares de la Diócesis de Brownsville. Él fue de la Inmaculada Concepción el ladrillo de tres o cuatro recamaras obispo para nuestra diócesis por 29 de junio de 1966 y permaneció en mayo de 1969. sólo dos meses cuando murió in- hasta el otoño de 1970. Cuando llegó al Valle del Río esperadamente a la edad de 50. Fue instalado como el Arzo- Grande, los campesinos amen- Poco después de su in- bispo de Boston el 7 de Octubre azaban con una huelga y el nuevo stalación en la Catedral de la de 1970 y elevado a Cardenal el 5 obispo rápidamente apoyó las Inmaculada Concepción en de Marzo de 1973. Murió el 17 de demandas de los trabajadores mi- Brownsville el 2 de septiembre septiembre de 1983 de una enfer- grantes Mexicoamericanos, según de 1965, el Obispo Marx se fue medad coronaria a la edad de 67, Associated Press. a Roma para asistir a las juntas un día después de haber tenido una A veces viajaba con los traba- del Segundo Concilio del Vati- cirugía de emergencia de corazón, jadores migrantes porque, “qui- cano. Durante un descanso, viajó Ledvina,” recuerda el Mons. según su obituario por Associated Como Obispo de Brownsville, » Por favor lea Medeiros, p.26 a Alemania para visitar parientes. Doherty. “El Obispo Ledvina tra- Press. añadió 18 parroquias nuevas y Murió de un ataque al corazón jo al Obispo Marx a la Diócesis el 1ro de noviembre de 1965 en de Corpus Christi como semi- la casa de sus padres en Colonia, narista.” Obispo John Joseph Fitzpatrick Alemania. El Obispo Marx se mudó “Su muerte fue un gran de Alemania a Texas repen- Su lema: “Para mi vivir es Cristo y “Hacía todo lo posible por mejorar shock,” dijo el Mons. Patrick tinamente y fue ordenado como la muerte es ganancia” de la epístola de las vidas de aquellos con necesi- Doherty, un sacerdote retirado sacerdote para el servicio de la San Pablo 1:21 dades.” de la Diócesis de Brownsville Diócesis de Corpus Christi el 2 El Obispo John J. Fitzpatrick Entre sus muchos logros du- quien fue portador del ataúd en de mayo de 1940. fue asignado como tercer obispo rante sus 20 años como pastor el funeral del Obispo Marx. “Se Antes de que se le asignara ser de la Diócesis de Brownsville el 21 de la Diócesis de Brownsville, el veía en buen estado.” obispo auxiliar, al Obispo Marx de abril de 1971. Fue instalado en Obispo Fitzpatrick abogaba y via- El Obispo Marx nació el 2 regularmente se le asignaban las la Catedral de la Inmaculada Con- jaba con los campesinos migran- de Febrero de 1915 en Colonia, parroquias de Laredo, que tam- cepción el 27 de mayo de 1971. tes, promoviendo ceremonias de Alemania. El Obispo Emmanuel bién eran parte de la Diócesis de El Obispo Fitzpatrick se le re- “despedida” y “bienvenida” en cada Boleslaus Ledvina, quien fue Corpus Christi en aquel enton- cuerda como un fuerte defensor de parroquia para bendecir a los más obispo de Corpus Christi desde ces. la justicia social. de 100,000 trabajadores migran- 1921 hasta 1949, estaba celeb- El Obispo Marx fue sepulta- “Siempre se preocupó por el tes que vivían en el Valle del Río rando la Misa en una iglesia en do en la Catedral de la Inmacu- débil como persona con men- Grande en la década de los 70 y 80. Colonia cuando conoció al joven lada Concepción en Brownsville. talidad de justicia social,” dijo el Fue cofundador de la casa Os- Obispo Marx. El Centro de Conferencias en el Mons. Gustavo Barrera, pastor de car Romero en 1982, que albergaba “El Obispo Marx estaba tra- Centro Pastoral en San Juan fue la Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de los alrededor de 130,000 refugiados de bajando como monaguillo o sac- nombrado en su honor. Dolores, quien trabajó de manera y cuidó de él durante su retiro. » Por favor lea Fitzpatrick, p.26 ristán cuando conoció al Obispo cercana con el Obispo Fitzpatrick 26 DIOCESIS JUBILEO DE ORO The Valley Catholic - Octubre 2015 que se perdieron y fueron aban- Obispo Enrique San Pedro donados en la tormenta. Medeiros, obispo auxiliar de Galveston- El Cardenal Medieros, un na- Su lema: “de buena gana entregaré continúa de la pág. 25 Houston hasta 1991. Durante su tivo de Las Azores (una cadena lo que tengo y hasta me entregaré a mí ordenamiento como obispo, sólo ero estar con las personas que me de islas en la costa de Portugal), mismo, para el bien de ustedes” – 2 era el tercer Jesuita nombrado necesitan,” y durante los cuatro nació el 6 de octubre de 1915 en el Corintios 12:15 como obispo en los Estados Uni- años que estuvo como cabeza de pueblo de Arrifes en la Isla de San El Obispo Enrique San Pe- dos. la Diócesis de Brownsville, pasó la Miguel. Sin poder hablar inglés, dro, S.J., un nativo de Cuba y ex El Obispo San Pedro hablaba Navidad y Pascua en cárceles, vis- llegó a los Estados Unidos cuando misionero, se convirtió en el cu- siete idiomas y trabajó como mis- itando a prisioneros y comiendo tenía 16 años. Tuvo un trabajo de arto Obispo de la Diócesis de ionero en las Filipinas y China. comida de prisión. barrendero en una planta de tex- Brownsville, después del retiro Después de sus estudios, el El segundo Obispo de tiles en Fall River, Mass. donde le del Obispo John J. Fitzpatrick. Se Obispo San Pedro enseño en var- Brownsville fue descrito por As- pagaban 62 centavos el día. había instalado como Coadjutor ias universidades hasta su nom- sociated Press como, “un admin- Después de graduarse de la de la Diócesis el 26 de septiembre bramiento como obispo auxiliar istrador estricto,” pero “confort- preparatoria, estudió para ser sac- de 1991. de la Diócesis de Galveston-Hous- able con la gente de la diócesis. erdote en la Universidad Católica Nació en la Habana, Cuba el ton. Estuvo en Vietnam desde Mientras el Valle se recuperaba de América en Washington, D.C. 9 de marzo de 1926, donde vivió 1963 hasta 1975 pero se mudó a del Huracan Beulah en 1967, y fue ordenado como sacerdote hasta mudarse en 1946. Formó causa de la toma de poder Comu- abrió su hogar a 11 familias y para el servicio de la Diócesis de parte de la Orden de Jesús el 7 de nista. También trabajó en Suva, también recibió muchos perros Fall River el 15 de junio de 1946. diciembre de 1941 y fue ordenado hispano para la Diócesis de sacerdote el 18 de Marzo de 1957. Galveston-Houston el 1ro de abril Fiji, 1978-1980, y Boynton Beach, El Obispo San Pedro fue nom- de 1986. Consagrado como obispo Florida, 1981-1985. el 29 de junio de 1986, sirvió como El Obispo Fitzpatrick fue brado el primer obispo auxiliar » Por favor lea San Pedro p.27 Fitzpatrick, ordenado como sacerdote por la Diócesis de Buff alo el 13 de continúa de la pág. 25 diciembre de 1942, donde trabajó en varias parroquias. Obispo Raymundo J. Peña Centro América y sirvió alred- En respuesta a una escasez edor de 2.5 millones de comidas crítica de sacerdotes en la Florida, Su lema: “Haz todo con amor” 1 Peña fue nombrado el cuarto Obis- durante su vida. se transfi rió a la Diócesis de San Corintios 16:14 po de El Paso en 1980, sirviendo En 1983, el Obispo Fitzpat- Agustín, que en aquel entonces Incluso después de retirarse, por 15 hasta su instalación como rick comenzó Valley Interfaith, cubría todo el estado, en 1948. el Obispo Eméritos Raymundo J. el quinto obispo de Brownsville en la cual trabajaba para mejorar el Cuando la Diócesis de San Peña mantiene una agenda llena. agosto de 1995. estándar de vida para miles de Agustín se dividió en 1958 para Es capellán del Centro Católico de Los domingos en el campus de familias viviendo en las colonias, formar la Diócesis de Miami, Estudiantes Newman en el campus UT-RGV en Edinburgo, escucha muchas de las cuales les hacía que después se convertiría en Ar- de Edinburgo en la Universidad las confesiones a las 6 p.m. y celebra falta infraestructura básica, agua chidiócesis, pasó a formar parte de Texas del Valle del Río Grande. Misa a las 7 p.m. También visita el potable, drenaje sanitario y car- del clero de Miami. También celebra Misa todos los Centro de Detención Juvenil Evins reteras adecuadas. Se consagró como obispo días para las Monjas Capuchinas en Edinburgo una vez al mes, y El Obispo Fitzpatrick nació auxiliar de la Archidiócesis de de Santa Clara en la Capilla de San celebra Misa los domingos cuando el 12 de octubre de 1918 en Tren- Miami el 28 de agosto de 1968, José de la Perpetua Adoración en los estudiantes de UT-RGV tienen ton, Ontario, Canadá. Cuando tres años antes de su nom- Álamo y organiza una Hora Sagra- descansos académicos. tenía 5 años, su familia se mudó a bramiento para la Diócesis de da para las vocaciones cada semana El legado del Obispo Pena se Buff alo, N.Y. donde asistió en una Brownsville. los jueves a las 7 p.m. Invita a sac- mantiene evidente a través de la escuela de gramática Católica. A Se retiró como obispo el 30 erdotes para tomar turnos llevando diócesis. Cuando se retiró, casi el la edad de 13 años, se inscribió en de noviembre de 1991 después a cabo la Hora Sangrada e invitar a 50 por ciento de los sacerdotes di- el preparatorio seminarista dioc- de más de 20 años de servicio a feligreses. el Reverendísimo Mariano S. Gar- ocesanos habían sido ordenados esano. los feligreses del Valle del Río El Obispo Peña, 81, encabezo riga, con dos compañeros de clase por él. Había ocho seminaristas cu- Después de la preparato- Grande. la Diócesis de Brownsville por 14 que habían estudiado con él en San ando llegó, y cuando se retiró había ria, siguió con sus estudios en el Estuvo en la residencia María, años antes de retirarse en diciembre Antonio en el Seminario Asunción. 22 o 23. Seminario para la Propagación de la Parroquia Madre de la Igle- del 2009. Cuando se le preguntó so- Una de sus primeras asigna- Algunos de los otros logros reg- de la Fe en Roma y el Seminario sia en Brownsville hasta su fallec- bre sus planes de retiro, respondió, ciones como sacerdote en el Valle istrados incluyen el establecimien- de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles imiento el 15 de julio del 2006 a la “Vivir feliz para siempre.” fue en Álamo, cuando el área aún to del Instituto Ministerial de San en Las Cataratas del Niágara, N.Y. edad de 87 años. Nacido en 1934, hijo de Cosme pertenecía a la Diócesis de Corpus Juan Diego para el entrenamiento y Elisa Ramón Peña, El Obispo Christi. de futuros diáconos permanentes Peña creció en Robstown, Texas, “Es interesante ahora que es- y ministros laicos eclesiásticos; el y supo desde muy temprana edad toy viviendo aquí en la misma casa éxito de los Discípulos en Misión que quería ser sacerdote. “Ha sido donde viví como sacerdote,” co- enviando más de 500 personas de una vida muy gratifi cante. Creo que mentó. puerta en puerta proclamando el siempre quise ser sacerdote.” Dijo El 16 de octubre de 1976, el mensaje del evangelio; el estab- no poder recordar haber querido Padre Peña fue nombrado Obispo lecimiento de la Ofi cina de Inmi- ser alguna otra cosa. titular de Trisipa y Auxiliar para el gración; la inclusión de mujeres El Obispo tiene 57 años de Arzobispo de San Antonio y consa- en posiciones de liderazgo en la momentos especiales en su min- grado el 13 de diciembre de 1976. diócesis y entidades relacionadas isterio desde que se ordenó como A la edad de 42, el Obispo Peña era con la diócesis; y el nombramiento joven sacerdote el 25 de mayo de uno de los obispos más jóvenes en del Santuario de Nuestra Señora de 1957. Dentro de esos momentos el país y el cuarto obispo hispano San Juan del Valle como un santu- está su ordenación sacerdotal en en los Estados Unidos. ario nacional en 1998 y una basílica la Catedral de Corpus Christi por Cuatro años después, el Obispo menor en 1999. Obispo Daniel E. Flores Su lema: “Verbum Mittitur Spirans abuela materna, Teresa Dilley. Ella Amorem” (La palabra se envía respi- siempre fue una parte íntima de rando amor) la familia Flores-Dilley y el obispo El Obispo Daniel E. Flores, na- frecuentemente comparte anécdot- tivo del sur de Texas, fue instalado as sobre su abuela en sus homilías como sexto obispo de la Diócesis de y platicas. Brownsville el 2 de febrero del 2010 Su madre aún vive en Corpus en la Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Christi. Todos sus hermanos y nu- San Juan del Valle – Santuario Na- merosas tías, tíos y primos residen cional. en el sur de Texas y el obispo dis- Antes de ser asignado como fruta tenerlos cerca. pastor de nuestra diócesis, el Obis- Fue ordenado al servicio de po Flores fue obispo auxiliar de la la Diócesis de Corpus Christi en Archidiócesis de Detroit desde el 1988, donde trabajó como cancil- 2006-2009. Mientras trabajaba en ler, secretario del obispo y maestro Detroit, encabezó los servicios de de ceremonias diocesanas, entre la archidiócesis a la comunidad muchos otros títulos. hispana. También fue rector del Hogar El Obispo Flores, 54, tiene de Estudios de San Juan Vianney raíces fuertes en el sur de Texas. para seminaristas en Corpus Chris- Nació en Palacios, que se encuentra Corpus Christi y el Obispo Flores ti y fue parte de la formación de a lo largo de la Costa del Golfo de se graduó de la Preparatoria Flour la facultad del Seminario de Santa Texas en el Condado de Matago- Bluff en 1979. María y profesor en la Universidad rda y fue bautizado en Zapata. Su El Obispo Flores, hijo segundo de la Escuela de Teología de Santo familia se mudaba frecuentemente de Fernando y Lydia Dilley Flores, Tomas en Houston. cuando era niño debido al trabajo nació en 1961 en Palacios, Texas. El Obispo Flores recibió su tí- de construcción de su padre. La Su padre falleció en 1984; ese tulo de doctorado en la teología de familia fi nalmente se estableció en mismo año también falleció su Santo Tomas de Aquino en Roma. Octubre 2015 - The Valley Catholic DIOCESE GOLDEN JUBILEE 27 los ministerios parroquiales.” San Pedro, En marzo de 1993, el Obispo San Pedro continúa de la pág. 26 fue parte de la delegación de obispos para hacer frente en las Naciones Unidas sobre la situación de los refugiados. Algunos A la edad de 65 años fue instalado como obispos habían sido enviados desde el sur Obispo de la Diócesis de Brownsville el 30 de la Florida a su diócesis. de noviembre de 1991. El Obispo San Pedro a la edad de 68, Lydia Pesina, directora de oficina de falleció de cáncer el 17 de julio de 1994 en Family Life, dijo que el Obispo San Pe- Miami Beach, Florida. Fue sepultado en dro “era educador ‘por excelencia.’ Por su una sección reservada para obispos y sac- tradición Jesuita, él creía en la educación y erdotes en el cementerio Católico “Nuestra formación para todos los involucrados en Señora de la Merced” en Miami. 28 DIOCESE GOLDEN JUBILEE The Valley Catholic - October 2015 Blessing of Holy Oils $QQXDO&KULVP0DVVDMR\IXOFHOHEUDWLRQRIRXUIDLWKWUDGLWLRQ The Valley Catholic In our diocese, the Chrism Mass is typically held on the Tuesday of Holy Week at the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle-National Shrine. During this Mass, the priests, deacons and representatives of the diocesan community gather with the bishop, who blesses the holy oils — the oil of the sick, the oil of catechumens and the sacred Chrism — for use in the coming year. Of all the events held in the diocese each year, the Chrism Mass yields the largest gathering of priests and deacons. The faithful are invited to be a part of this special liturgy. By participating in the Chrism Mass, the faithful show support for their priests and deacons, encourage them and pray for them. The Chrism Mass is also a time for the priests of the diocese to renew their commitment to priestly service. During the liturgy, the priests stand and renew their “dedication to Christ as priests of his new covenant.” At the end of the liturgy, the holy oils are distributed to the church pastors and brought back to parishes of the diocese for use in the coming year. Whenever the holy oils are used in a parish or mission, the ministry of the bishop who consecrated them is symbolically present. Octubre 2015 - The Valley Catholic DIOCESIS JUBILEO DE ORO 29 “No dejen de practicar la hospitalidad, pues saben que algunos dieron Basilica, alojamiento a ángeles sin saberlo” - Carta a los Hebreos 13:2 continued from pg. 14 at all rational,” Anderson said in a 2010 interview with The Valley Recibiendo al foráneo Catholic. “Without thinking, I ran back into the church and pieces of the roof were starting to fall down.” Anderson went to the taberna- casa óscar cle, pulled out the ciboriums filled with the Body and Blood of Christ and headed back out of what was left of the burning church. After the fire was extinguished, Anderson walked around the romero charred remains of the church property. “In a flash I saw the miracle,” he said. “With the roof gone and only Centro se mantuvo the steel beams that the supported the roof left in place, I saw then en operacion por the beam directly in line with the más de 10 años impact of the plane had been bent inwards so it looked like a ‘v.’ The plane had made a direct hit on that The Valley Catholic steel beam. From there it bounced off the roof of the cafeteria build- La tradición bíblica es rica en ing next door. imagines de hospitalidad, de re- “Had it gone six feet in either cibir al foráneo. La Diócesis de direction, it would have punched Brownsville se esfuerza para man- right through the roof and landed tener la dignidad de cada persona on top of us. I’m not sure I would al promover el legado de bienveni- be here today if that would have da de la Iglesia. En 1982, Casa Oscar Romero happened — that was the miracle abrió sus puertas en San Benito a of the day.” refugiados de Centroamérica que A new shrine was dedicated on dejaban sus países en Guerra. La April 19, 1980. Cardinal Medeiros, mayoría de las personas eran de our second bishop, joined Bishop Nicaragua y El Salvador. Ambos Fitzpatrick at the dedication with países se encontraban sitiados por an estimated 50,000 people. el crimen y la violencia policial y The basilica grounds, shaded miles fueron asesinados. by mesquites, oaks, elms and palm El centro se mantuvo en oper- trees, provide a peaceful setting for ación hasta junio 1992. Alrededor pilgrims. de 130, 000 refugiados de Cen- The grounds feature 14 life-size troamérica fueron alojados y cerca images of the Stations of the Cross de 2.5 millones de alimentos fuer- crafted in bronze and designed by on servidos durante su existencia. Italian artist Edmund Rabanser. “Cuando estos refugiados Rabanser, who last visited the venían de sus países, tenían a al- basilica in 2007, to view his work, guien que los recibiera y les diera said he feels a part of them. algún tipo de esperanza algún tipo “I will never make something de cuidado,” dijo el Obispo John J. The Valley Catholic like this again,” he said. “Few Fizpatrick al describir el trabajo de Alrededor de 130, 000 refugiados de Centroamérica fueron alojados y cerca de 2.5 millones de alimentos fueron servidos sculptors have a chance to work la Casa Oscar Romero. durante su existencia. on a project like this.” Nombrada por el arzobispo Benches placed along the asesinado en El Salvador en 1980, three-quarter mile path along the ese tiempo debido a la lucha en- Cristianos, y que son católicos, en- ahora el beato Oscar Romero, el El centro cambió de locación Stations of the Cross, which were tre aquellos que buscaban ayudar cuentran error en los esfuerzos de centro a alojó a más de 700 perso- en muchas ocasiones debido a installed and dedicated in 1993, a los refugiados y aquellos que una persona para alimentar a los nas al día en 1985, pero una orden problemas de espacio y en otras make it convenient to sit in prayer ocasiones, fueron “sacados del buscaban deportarlos. Algunos pobres.” de la corte en 1989 lo limitó a 200 and reflection. vecindario,” dijo la hermana Gar- acusaron al Obispo Fitzpatrick de Al final, el centro fue movido personas. A 45-foot mosaic located on operar un santuario ilegal y critic- a una locación más grande en un La hermana Juliana García, cía en una entrevista 2011. aron los esfuerzos de la Iglesia. tramo de seis acres de tierra en the north exterior wall of the ba- que falleció en noviembre del 2014 “Muchas veces, los vecindarios El Obispo Fitzpatrick se sintió Brownsville en julio de 1987. Con silica features Jesus and the Virgen a la edad de 81años, y la hermana no querían a ‘esas personas’ en su profundamente decepcionado con forme el número de refugiados dis- de San Juan del Valle. Norma Pimentel de las Misioneras comunidad,” recuerda, “Pero hici- estas acciones. minuyó, el centro fue reutilizado y The creation, which was dedi- de Jesús, estuvieron a cargo del mos lo mejor para hacer que los “He estado en muchos juicios ahora es el Centro Obispo Enrique cated in 1995, is titled, “Christ funcionamiento diario de la Casa refugiados se sintieran amados y tribunales,” dijo él. “Me ha costa- San Pedro Ozanam es un albergue Presents His Mother,” and can Oscar Romero y recibieron ayuda darles el ánimo para seguir.” do la decepción de que muchas para indigentes que alberga hasta a been seen from the expressway de una variedad de fuentes. Existía mucha controversia en personas que presuntamente son 200 personas. (Interstate 2/US 83). The Diocese of Fort Worth Congratulates the Diocese of Brownsville 50th anniversaryon its The Diocese of Fort Worth, Bishop Michael F. Olson,and the priests, nuns, deacons, and laity of the Diocese join in heartfelt congratulations to the Church of Brownsville for 50 years of loving service to the people of God in the Rio Grande Valley May God bring to fulfillment the good work he has begun in you. 30 DIOCESE GOLDEN JUBILEE The Valley Catholic - October 2015 Para Servirles: HERE TO SERVE Photos by The Valley Catholic The Valley Catholic provides training in the basic journal- loss and funeral costs. Counseling for the principles of Co-Workers in the sacraments or even just a listening ear. istic skills of storytelling for teens and individuals, couples and families is Vineyard of the Lord: A Resource for Whether it be assisting during a young adults throughout the diocese. also available. Guiding the Development of Lay Ec- &DWKROLF6FKRROV2IÀFH natural disaster or providing resources The project engages the youth in life Each year, more than 100,000 Val- clesial Ministry, a document developed 7KH &DWKROLF 6FKRROV 2I¿FH SUR for spiritual growth, the Church in the of the Church while teaching them ley residents receive assistance from by the United States Conference of vides guidance and services to school Rio Grande Valley has been serv- valuable skills; Diocese Insight, a half- Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Catholic Bishops pastors, principals, teachers, school ing the people in our community in hour interview program on KMBH-TV Valley. councils and other leaders in the Dio- multiple ways. DQGIRU7KH9DOOH\&DWKROLFWKHRI¿FLDO Catholic Charities of the Rio %XLOGLQJDQG3URSHUW\ cese of Brownsville schools. Here is an overview of some newspaper of the diocese. Grande Valley is also ready to respond 7KH %XLOGLQJ DQG 3URSHUW\ 2I¿FH There are 13 Catholic schools of the ministries in the Diocese of in the event of a natural disaster such oversees all construction projects, throughout the Rio Grande Valley with Brownsville. 0HGLD5HVRXUFH&HQWHU DVKXUULFDQHVÀRRGVDQGRWKHUFDWDV property managment, real estate mat- a total enrollment of 3,844 students The Media Resource Center is the trophes, providing short-term and long- ters and property insurance claims in (Pre-K3-12th Grade). 2IÀFHRI&DWHFKHVLV Diocese of Brownsville’s primary col- term recovery services. the Diocese of Brownsville. The of- The Catholic schools in our dio- Realizing that “faith lives in the lection of books and multimedia ma- ¿FHZRUNVFRQVFLHQWLRXVO\DWDSSO\LQJ cese, all of which are acccredited by hearts of believers” (GDC#105), the terials. The multimedia materials are 2IÀFHRI9RFDWLRQV good stewardship practices to care for the Texas Catholic Conference Edu- 2I¿FHRI&DWHFKHVLVHQFRXUDJHVDQG available in a variety of formats includ- The call to serve as a priest, re- the diocese’s blessings and resources. cation Department and recently by inspires the catechetical leaders and ing VHS, DVD, Audio CD, CD-ROM ligious brother or sister ultimately This department is responsible for Advance ED, offer a holistic educa- catechists in the Diocese of Browns- and audio cassette. Parishes, priests, comes from God, rooted in Baptism to assisting the parishes, schools and oth- tion, combining academic excellence ville to embrace and live their faith Catholic schools and religious organi- serve God’s people. er diocesan entities in matters related with spiritual and faith formation. The in Jesus Christ and in his Gospel, so zations may check out items from the Once a person feels an interest — to new construction, renovations and students are taught to care for those that they may effectively transmit it Media Resource Center at no cost. even a slight interest — to serve God maintenance, which includes mainte- within their school communities and to the students enrolled in the parish Located in the Bishop San Pedro DVDSULHVWRUUHOLJLRXVWKH2I¿FHRI9R nance of building walls, roof integrity, beyond. All the schools participate in programs of religious formation and Building of the San Juan Pastoral Cen- cations of the Diocese of Brownsville is the upkeep of electrical, plumbing and community service projects that assist education. ter near the grounds of the Basilica of here to foster that call and help them air conditioning systems and parking their neighbors in need. 7KH 2I¿FH RI &DWHFKHVLV VHUYHV Our Lady of San Juan del Valle-Nation- through the discernment process and areas. The department is responsible the religious education programs in al Shrine, the Media Resource Center beyond. for preparation of bid process and pre- 6WHZDUGVKLSDQG'HYHORSPHQW 70 parishes and 44 missions in the features more than 6,000 pieces, all 7KHRI¿FHGRHVQ¶WSXVKDQ\RQHWR VHQWLQJSODQVDQGVSHFL¿FDWLRQVRIDOO 2IÀFH Rio Grande Valley. This includes more of which have been reviewed and ap- enter the priesthood or religious life but construction to the building committee The Stewardship and Develop- than 33,000 children and youth, pre- proved by Sister Crosby. rather, they assist the individual in co- and for advising the bishop and pas- PHQW2I¿FHLVGHGLFDWHGWRVHFXULQJ¿ Kindergarten through 12th grade and Topics include the Bible (Old and operating with God’s will. tors in matters related to the purchas- nancial resources to support diocesan more than 3,000 catechist volunteers. New Testament), doctrine, the saints, They help men and women dis- ing or selling of property. and parish works. 7KH2I¿FHRI&DWHFKHVLVSURYLGHV sexuality, death and dying, Maryology, cern a call to the priesthood or religious 7KH RI¿FH FRRUGLQDWHV DQ DQQXDO formation, programs, resources, advo- marriage, youth issues, counseling life through prayer, retreats, visits to The Valley Catholic The Diocese of Brownsville, which encompasses the counties of Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr and Wil- lacy, has 71 parishes and 44 mis- sion churches. The oldest parish in the Diocese of Brownsville, Our Lady of Refuge Church in Roma was established in 1853 and newest, Our Heavenly Father Church in Olmito, was es- tablished 160 years later in 2013. Franciscan missionaries evan- gelized northern Mexico and what is now the Rio Grande Valley beginning in 1690 and later, the Missionary Oblates of Mary Im- maculate would pick up the baton, tending to the spiritual needs of the area. The City of Roma was founded in 1765. The city and the surround- ing ranches were home to many Catholics but political unrest made it difficult for missionaries to work in the area. The Valley Catholic Roma’s first mission was served Above, top: Father Hector J. Cruz, a Marist Priest of the Society of Mary and pastor of by priests from nearby Mier (Mexi- Our Heavenly Father, greets a parishioner. Above, bottom: Our Heavenly Father Church co) from 1829-1840. in 2013. Right, top: The back view of Our Lady of Refuge Church in Roma prior to In 1849, the Missionary Oblates a restoration project in the mid-1960s. The tower remains from the original 1853 of Mary Immaculate arrived in church. Right, bottom: Catechists from Our Lady of Refuge Parish with pastor Father Deep South Texas. Their ministry Pablo Wilhelm of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. covered 200 miles along both sides of the Texas-Mexico border and about 100 miles north of the bor- Mier and two Oblate priests, Fa- care of the Oblates since 1853 with sion was named Santa Ana Catho- Catholic Church. The community der. They served the families who ther Jean-Marie Gaye and Father the exception of an 11-year period lic Church. Three years later, the continued raising funds and with lived on ranches scattered through- Pierre Yves Keralum. The church (1856-1867) when Bishop Odin church was designated as a mission the help from the Catholic Exten- out the area. was dedicated to the Blessed Vir- placed the parish under the aus- to St. Cecilia Parish in Los Fresnos sion Society of America, they built The Oblates constructed a gin Mary under the title Our Lady pices of diocesan priests. up until 2006 when parish bound- a church in 1967. small, temporary wooden chapel of Refuge. Father Pablo Wilhelm, pas- aries changed and it became a mis- Bishop Humberto Medeiros in Brownsville that would serve In addition to his pastoral du- tor; Deacon Amando Peña Jr. and sion of Our Lord of Divine Mercy dedicated the new church on Sept. as home base for their operations ties, Father Keralum also served as Deacon Feliciano Lopez Ortiz cur- Parish in Brownsville. 23, 1967. South Texas. A few months later, the architect of the new church as rently provide pastoral care to the From the start, the community A year before its 25th anniver- they also built the La Lomita cha- well as the mason and stonecutter. parish and its four missions, Holy worked to build their church. Be- sary, the church was destroyed in pel, which is located in what is now Our Lady of Refuge Church would Family Church in Los Saenz; Lamb fore it’s designation as a mission, a fire on Ash Wednesday in 1991. Mission. be the first permanent church con- of God Church in Fronton; St. Jo- the community members held a It was rebuilt a year later in time In 1853, Oblate priests moved structed by the Oblates in Texas. seph, St. Jude Church in Saliñeno variety of fund-raisers in the mid- to mark the silver anniversary on to Roma to establish a church. Father Keralum later used his and Holy Trinity Church in Falcon 1950s to purchase the first barrack Sept. 23, 1992. As the halfway point between architectural and carpentry skills Heights. that originally served as the church. According to the 2010 census, Brownsville and Laredo, Roma was to construct several other religious Our Heavenly Father Parish in Before that the first Mass was the population for Olmito is 1,210, considered the ideal location for edifices (and furnishings) in South Olmito was established on Sept. 15, held under an ebony tree on the but a rapid pattern of development a new house of worship. The cor- Texas, including the Immaculate 2013 by Bishop Daniel E. Flores to grounds of the Olmito School in in the area is increasing the num- nerstone was laid on Sept. 15, 1854 Conception Church (later cathe- serve the growing northwest sector March, 1955. Some of the first ber of families at the parish. by the Most Rev. Jean-Marie Odin, dral), a convent and a priests’ resi- of the City of Brownsville. catechism classes were taught in a Father Hector J. Cruz, a Marist Bishop of the Diocese of Galves- dence in Brownsville as well as San Our Heavenly Father Parish, vegetable shed and under the shade Priest of the Society of Mary, who ton, which encompassed the whole Agustin Church (later cathedral) in which serves more than 500 fami- of a tree. Later the community used has been serving the church since state of Texas at that time. Bishop Laredo. lies, first became a mission of Our a classroom or school auditorium. Sept. 12, 2007 and Deacon Augusto Odin was joined by Father James Our Lady of Refuge Church Lady Star of the Sea Parish in Port Once the barrack was purchased, Chapa tend to the pastoral needs of Benavides, pastor of the church in has remained under the pastoral Isabel in 1964. At the time the mis- the church was named Santa Ana Our Heavenly Father Parish. Church is expressed by our people with no faith at all. I think the Val- human and community picture. A Q&A, through public processions and ley has a lot to teach the rest of the people must grow also in goodness. great feast day celebrations. There nation about human priorities. The Gospel and the sacraments continued from pg. 17 is a great public outpouring of af- What is your hope for the are indispensable for this kind of fection for the Lord, his Blessed Diocese of Brownsville looking growth. nities happily share their gifts. Mother and the saints. This is very ahead? What role should the church Evidence suggests that tra- special here in the Valley. I hope we can establish and play as Hispanics continue to gain ditionally Catholic strongholds, The Catholic Church played open more parishes for the grow- national influence? such as Ireland, are growing more a leading role in providing hu- ing community. I hope we contin- Again, the Church must first secular. Is that a concern in the manitarian relief to the surge of ue to be a generous and hospitable offer spiritual resources to all who Valley? Central American immigrants people. I hope that in 100 years come, so that the people them- Well, secularization is a phe- that came through the Valley in they say we built up strong com- selves can be agents of faith, com- nomenon having varied effects the past year. What does that say munities of faith, hope and charity. passion and mercy in an increas- throughout the industrialized about the faithful in this region? What role should the church ingly cruel and secular world. This West. It mostly shows itself in how To me, it is a great sign of the play as this region continues to means that nationally the Catholic religion is allowed or not allowed generosity of our people. And that grow? Church must work really hard to to express itself. In that sense, the is a fruit of God’s grace taking root For a community to be strong, welcome the Hispanic communi- public square is less open to the re- in a deep way in our local com- there needs to be a foundation of ties, and to encourage education ligious influences affecting every- munities. This is one of the poorest families that care about each other, and leadership formed in the Cath- day people. That is a challenge for areas in the nation, economically of young people who think in terms olic tradition of faith and service to the Church, certainly. But I think speaking. Yet, as I said in a letter to of service to others, and of respect the wider culture. In many ways the we are blessed in the Valley be- Pope Francis last year, it is one of for human life and dignity, and a Church in the Valley can help the Matthew Mercado /The Valley Catholic cause our people maintain a strong the richest in terms of compassion reverence for the elderly. These are wider U.S. Church appreciate how Bishop Daniel E. Flores at the outdoor sense that for life to be good, we and generosity. And to be sure, this spiritual resources that the Church important and urgent this mission generosity in the Catholic Com- offers to help the entire region be is. Golden Jubilee Mass on Sept. 2 at the need God in it. Our young people are very open to inviting faith and munity has been met by an equally more compassionate and generous. — Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle- prayer into their lives. I am particu- generous outpouring from people Growth in economic resources and This piece originally ran in The National Shrine. larly moved by how the faith of the of other faiths, and from people in population cannot complete the Monitor on Aug. 30 32 DIOCESE GOLDEN JUBILEE The Valley Catholic - october 2015 Timeline 1994 Bishop Enrique San Pe- dro dies on July 17 after a lengthy illness. Father Bob Davola is appointed admin- istrator of the diocese until a new bishop is appointed. 1995 The mosaic “Christ Presents His Mother” is dedicated at the Shrine of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle. Baptism of Yvonne I. Ybarra by Father Clemente Grzenia of the Missionaries of )DWKHU(GZDUG%3RVWHUW20,RIÀFLDWHVDWWKHZHGGLQJRI$OIUHGRDQG 1995 the Holy Family in November 1971. Parents Marcelino and Dominga Ybarra. Eva Adame at Sacred Heart Parish in Edinburg in 1956. Bishop Raymundo J. Peña is Godparents Jose and Isabel Soto. DSSRLQWHGWKH¿IWK%LVKRSRI Brownsville on May 23 and installed on August 6. 1996 New parishes established in Brownsville: St. Eugene de Mazenod and San Felipe de Jesus. 1997 7KHGLRFHVHJHWVLWV¿UVW website: www.cdob.org 1997 Casa San Jose House of Studies is established to as- sist seminarians. 1997 St. John Vianney Retirement +RPHWKH¿UVWUHWLUHPHQW home for priests, is estab- Bishop Medeiros at the FIrst Annual Congress of Parish councils for the diocese. lished on the grounds of the Basilica in San Juan. 1998 The United States Confer- Moments ence of Catholic Bishops name the Shrine of Our Lady of San Juan del Valley a Na- tional Shrine. 1998 Oratory Athenaeum for Uni- in time... versity Preparation opens in Pharr. 1999 The Shrine of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle is named a basilica, one of only three in Texas. 1999 San Martin de Porres Par- ish in Weslaco opens a new school. 1999 The Diocese of Brownsville HVWDEOLVKHVDQ2I¿FHRI,P migration to assist people seeking residency status in Bishop Fitzpatrick celebrating the Chrism Mass with fellow priests. the United States. 2000 The worldwide observance of WKH*UHDW-XELOHH 2000 The Benedictine Sisters of the Good Shepherd begin building a new monastery in Rio Grande City. 2000 First graduating class from Juan Diego Academy Catholic Regional High School Father Eddie Villa with altar servers from St. Paul the Apostle Parish in La 7KH¿ UVW'LRFHVDQ6\QRG in 2015. Puerta in 2015. opens on June 10. october 2015 - The Valley Catholic DIOCESE GOLDEN JUBILEE 33 Timeline 2000 St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, Las Milpas established. 2002 San Juan Diego de Cuahtla- toatzin Parish is established in McAllen. 2002 Guadalupe Regional Middle School opens in Brownsville. Father Eduardo Ortega at Cristo Rey Mission in Bluetown in 1995. The ladies club at Holy Family Church in Brownsville in 1984. 2002 Capuchin Poor Clares of Zamora, Michoacan, Mexico arrive in the diocese to es- tablish a new monastery. 2003 San Juan Diego Ministry ,QVWLWXWHEHJLQVLWV¿UVWIDOO semester. 2004 7KH¿ UVW'LRFHVDQ6\QRG which began in 2000, con- cludes its work. 2004 Bishop Peña being interviewed by Univision at First Diocesan Synod in Father José Maria Azpiazu, 2003 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Harlingen. OMI dies at the age of 100. +HZDVWKH¿UVWSDVWRURI the San Juan community in 1949, and founded the original Virgen de San Juan del Valle shrine. 2004 San Cristobal Magallanes and Companions Parish is established in Mission. 2004 7KH¿ UVW2EODWH7UDLO5LGH is held, as bicyclists follow the footsteps of the Oblate priests from Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Brownsville to La Lomita Father Gregory T. Labus with the Catholic Daughters of the Americas. 0LVVLRQ7KHULGHKHOSV¿JKW poverty through the Catholic Campaign for Human Devel- opment. 2004 Our Lady of Guadalupe School in Mission re-opens. 2005 Lord of Divine Mercy Parish established in Brownsville. 2005 A new program for the formation of permanent deacons is established. A group cleans the Raymondville Cemetery in 2003. 2009 Bishop Daniel E. Flores, a native of Corpus Christi, is appointed the sixth bishop of Brownsville by Pope Bene- dict XVI. 2009 The Diocese of Brownsville began publishing The Valley Catholic newspaper. 2009 St. Paul Parish established in La Puerta. Three new priests Andres Gutierrez, Jesus Paredes and Luis Roberto The late Msgr. Robert E. Maher at the Blessing of the Animals on Oct. 2011 Tinajero were ordained in 2012 at the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Juan Diego Academy, a 2, 2010 at St. Joseph Parish in Edinburg. 9DOOH1DWLRQDO6KULQH7KH\DUHRIIHULQJWKHLUÀUVWEOHVVLQJDVSULHVWVWR Catholic regional high Bishop Daniel E. Flores. school, opens in Mission. 34 DIOCESE GOLDEN JUBILEE The Valley Catholic - October 2015 Timeline 2012 Bishop Flores hosts listening sessions in each deanery to begin pastoral planning. Sessions continued in 2013. 2013 St. Anne Quasi-Parish, Peñitas and Our Heavenly Father Parish, Olmito established. 2014 Respite centers for immi- grants open in McAllen and Brownsville, to minister to a ÀRRGRILPPLJUDQWVIURP Central America. Thousands are welcomed, fed and clothed. 2014 Bishop Flores consecrates a new altar for the Cathedral on September 15. 2015 The Diocese of Brownsville marks its Golden Jubilee. October 2015 - The Valley Catholic DIOCESE GOLDEN JUBILEE 35 Who we are... The Valley Catholic & Courtesy Photos Our formation as a people of faith began almost 500 years ago. We have shared the Good News of Jesus Christ in our churches, our schools, our homes and even in the streets. Our Catholic faith is a tradition that we have nurtured and lovingly passed along from generation to generation by professing it, by living it and by celebrating it in liturgy and prayer. Thank you to everyone who shared their photos. A sampling is provided here and more will be posted online at www.cdob. org. a people of faith. History Retold Graphic novel depicts stories from our past The Valley Catholic Sampling of the graphic novel about the history of the Diocese of Brownsville which has been produced for the 50th Anniversary of the diocese. For a copy of the book, please check with your parish or call The Valley Catholic at (956) 784-5055. 36 DIOCESE GOLDEN JUBILEE The Valley Catholic - October 2015