Where Do Your DSA Contributions Go? Priestly Ordination
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VOL. 26, NO. 1 OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE DIOCESE OF VICTORIA IN TEXAS May 2012 Where do your DSA contributions go? Priestly Ordination Office of Catechetical Basic Formation for Catechetical edge Bowl are also components With Praise and Thanksgiving Leadership and Management, of the catechetical office. Dis- Ministry The Organization of Catecheti- ciples on the Journey, the Lenten to Almighty God cal Leadership, and the Echoes faith-sharing publication has the Diocese of Victoria in The office of catechetical of Faith Plus catechist-training been produced in the catecheti- ministry is comprised of several Texas and program. The Pastoral Institute cal office since its inception nine departments, which offer a pleth- Robert and Betty Knippenberg programs (which includes dis- years ago. ora of opportunities for adults to and Family tance learning) also offer ways Thank you for your DSA con- learn more about the Catholic for adult Catholics to continue tributions. If you have questions invite you to the Ordination of faith. Foremost is the ongoing learning and growing in their about making DSA donations, their son and brother training of parish catechetical faith. The annual Catechetical please call the Business Office leaders and catechists through Conference, the Library & Media at (361) 573-0828. various programs including the Patrick Scott Knippenberg Center, and the Catholic Knowl- to the Priesthood of Jesus Christ CFCA reaches $1 billion mark in through the Imposition of Hands and support for thousands of needy people the Invocation of the Holy Spirit by By Dennis Sadowski viduals. It operates programs in that time, individual donors cor- Catholic News Service 22 countries. respond with the person they are The Most Reverend David E. Fellhauer, J.C.D., Ph.D. WASHINGTON (CNS) — “I don’t think they ever sponsoring, regularly exchanging Bishop of Victoria in Texas What started as a simple plan to dreamed 30 years later, CFCA letters and photos. connect average people in the would have accomplished all it Sponsors also can meet the Saturday, the Twenty-sixth of May United States with needy children did,” Kraus said. child or elderly person they are and elderly people in some of the CFCA is built on the basic supporting through periodic mis- Two Thousand Twelve world’s poorest communities has principles of human dignity, sion trips the agency organizes. At Ten o’clock in the morning reached the $1 billion mark. strong families, the power of Kraus said such encounters help The Christian Foundation for mothers as primary caregivers form an emotional bond that Holy Family of Joseph, Mary and Jesus Children and Aging reports that and friendship, he said. serves to bridge cultural and Roman Catholic Church after more than 30 years, it has “We want to make sure first geographic divides. surpassed the financial milestone and foremost in the countries Three decades after help- 704 Mallette Drive thanks to the sustained contribu- we’re in, to do right by those ing CFCA get off the ground, Victoria, Texas 77904 tions of hundreds of thousands communities and have good solid Hentzen remains an integral of sponsors responding to the programs there,” he said. part of the operation. He lives Reception to follow at the Gospel call of compassion for The organization places strong in San Lucas Toliman, Guate- Holy Family Activity Center others. emphasis on education for the mala. In June 2011, he completed Through monthly contribu- children it sponsors, explaining to a 17-month, 8,000-mile walk tions ranging from $15 to $30 parents that the best opportunity across 12 countries to show soli- First Mass of Thanksgiving from about 250,000 sponsors, for their children to escape pov- darity with the poor. May 27, 2012 the organization is able to sup- erty and to secure a better life is Editor’s Note: More informa- 11:00 a.m. port 300,000 children and senior to remain in school. tion about the Christian Founda- Holy Family of Joseph, Mary and Jesus citizens with basic needs such as Kraus said the average spon- tion for Children and Aging can food, medical care, clothing and sor stays with the program for be found online at www.cfcausa. Roman Catholic Church school tuition, said Martin Kraus, more than seven years. During org. Victoria, Texas 77904 director of finance. The organization does not rely on government or corporate Catholics Care. Catholics Vote: grants to carry out its mission. Political Engagement is Every Catholic’s Duty “A small amount of money from a whole lot of people equals Posted By Don Clemmer Isn’t that how, at one time, it and power. but a duty. Still one could ask, a whole lot of help,” said Kraus, From the USCCB Media became so corrupt that it sparked The bishops recognize this “Doesn’t political involvement quoting president and co-founder Relations Blog the Protestant Reformation?” and draw several key distinc- seem kind of peripheral com- Robert Hentzen, a former Chris- http://usccbmedia.blogspot. The question comes up today, tions. To name a couple, the pared to my other obligations tian Brother. com/ almost regardless of the issue Church’s focus is on moral to the faith like participating in “Our sponsors tell us fre- being addressed by the pope, the principles and how they should the Sacraments and helping the quently that we provide them a “Why is the Catholic Church bishops or even a parish priest. influence policy positions. The poor?” practical and trustworthy way for getting involved in politics?” Sandra Day O’Connor once Church stakes out strong posi- In Forming Consciences for them to act out the Gospel call to When uttered aloud, the gut- quipped that the definition of an tions on issues, but does not Faithful Citizenship, the bishops serve the poor,” Kraus said. level revulsion is clearly audible “activist judge” is “a judge who endorse parties or candidates. It respond with a vision of the Based in Kansas City, Kan., in that question. disagrees with me.” Similarly, recognizes that lay people play Church providing society a great CFCA was started by a group It’s a fair question, one that the complaint about the Church a complementary role of more service. of laypeople meeting in a base- comes up frequently. It’s ground- meddling in politics can fall direct involvement in politics “Because we are people of ment who wanted to help young ed in history. People ask, “Didn’t conveniently along political fault that the hierarchy cannot and both faith and reason, it is ap- and old alike with basic needs. the Church get burned time and lines. But there’s still something should not play. propriate and necessary for It has grown to become one of again through the centuries when to be said for people being wary Pope Benedict XVI made us to bring this essential truth the world’s largest charitable it got too cozy with various me- of a Church that seems too this clear in his first encyclical, about human life and dignity to organizations sponsoring indi- dieval kings and secular powers? wrapped up in secular matters Deus Caritas Est, stating, “The the public square,” the bishops direct duty to work for a just write. “We are called to practice Check out the redesigned Catholic Lighthouse Webpage ordering of society...is proper Christ’s commandment to ‘love to the lay faithful. As citizens of one another’ (Jn 13:34).” Since the “hard-copy edition” of The Catholic Lighthouse is leaner, we’re adding “pages” to the online the State, they are called to take The Catechism of the Catho- edition of the paper at: http://www.victoriadiocese.org/lighthouse/lighthouse.htm; click on: LATEST part in public life in a personal lic Church says it another way, EDITION May 2012. Read more Easter stories ... from Sr. Janacek and diocesan Easter Vigil. capacity.” that it’s necessary for everyone Also, go to our newly designed webpage to be updated daily by Catholic News Service. Read new The pope uses the word to participate in promoting the stories, headlines and news briefs on a daily basis. “called,” meaning not just a role, See Catholics Care, p. 10 Diocese of Victoria Web site: www.victoriadiocese.org ~ Twitter also at: www.twitter.com/TheCatholicLH The Catholic Lighthouse Page 2 — May 2012 DIOCESE Bishop Fellhauer’s Schedule The most cherished of American freedoms May 4 5:00 p.m., Mass, social, and meal for Sister Digna’s farewell, Chancery From the USCCB Charles I of England. While Catholics and Staff The HHS public comment period ends Protestants were killing each other in Eu- June 19. Please act today! rope, Lord Baltimore imagined Maryland 5 5:00 p.m., Confirmation Mass, Sts. Cyril and Methodius Church, Shiner as a society where people of different faiths RELIGIOUS LIBERTY could live together peacefully. This vision 6 10:30 a.m., Confirmation Mass, St. Agnes Church, Edna Past and Present was soon codified in Maryland’s 1649 Act 6:00 p.m., Confirmation Mass, Assumption Church, Ganado In 1634, a mix of Catholic and Protes- Concerning Religion (also called the “Tol- tant settlers arrived in Southern Maryland eration Act”), which was the first law in our 8 1:00-5:00 p.m., Going away reception for Sister Digna, Chancery Office from England aboard the Ark and the Dove. nation’s history to protect an individual’s They had come at the invitation of the right to freedom of conscience. 9 10:00 a.m., Priests and Lay Pension Board meeting, Chancery Office Catholic Lord Baltimore, who had been Maryland’s early history teaches us 12 8:30 a.m., Confirmation Mass, Stephenson Detention Unit, Cuero granted the land by the Protestant King See The most cherished, p.