Newsmagazine

Bringing the Good News to the Diocese of Fort Worth Vol. 28 No. 2 February 2012

The people of Diocese dedicates Vietnamese Martyrs Parish in Arlington largest Vietnamese came together to build Catholic Parish in U.S. a monument to God.

The new Vietnamese Martyrs Church building in Arlington, standing at 75 feet tall, with an area of 29,000 square feet, and with 2,000 seats, was dedicated Dec. 10, 2011. (Photo by Juan Guajardo / NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC)

Story and Photos by Juan Guajardo ■ Correspondent Home for former U.S. Episcopalians in the lmost two hours before the dedication of the new Vietnamese Martyrs Catholic Church in Arlington, Mary Nguyen and her brother, James Catholic Church — Personal Ordinariate of ANguyen, braved the chilly morning weather to admire the outside of their the Chair of St. Peter — established Jan. 2 church. After taking in the 75-foot bell tower, the large marble and granite statues Bishop Kevin Vann of depicting the stations of the cross lining the sidewalks, and the elegant oriental Fort Worth, who serves as the Ecclesiastical architecture with traces of Western and Spanish design, Mary Nguyen could only Delegate for the summon two words to describe it: “It’s beautiful.” Pastoral Provision in the United States, reads a prepared statement Indeed, those two words could sweetly sum up Catholic church in the United States, according to during a Jan. 2 press the splendor of the massive 29,000-square-foot church Father Polycarp Duc Thuan, CMC, who has been conference announcing dedicated and consecrated by Bishop Kevin Vann Dec. pastor of Vietnamese Martyrs since 2007. Built in only the new Houston-based 10 before a gathering of more than 3,000 parishioners, 15 months, it’s a space that will serve a very necessary ordinariate, as Father benefactors, priests, religious, and Arlington city purpose, as the parish has grown to 1,600 families and Jeffrey Steenson, a officials. during the four weekend Masses can have attendance former Episcopal Bishop, “I’m very proud of it,” said Mary Nguyen, who totaling up to 4,000 people, Fr. Duc Thuan added. and the ordinary for the along with her brother has been a parishioner of “[The parishioners] are very happy, they’re very new structure, looks on. Photo courtesy of Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston Vietnamese Martyrs for 10 years and has received most happy to have a new church — a beautiful church,” Fr. of her sacraments there. “I’m excited about going to Duc Thuan said. “They’re very surprised, they cannot church here.” imagine how it can be like this.” See full story on pages 18-19 With 2,000 seats and various offices, the $6.5 million building is the largest-capacity Vietnamese VIETNAMESE MARTYRS, P. 20 PAGE 2 NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC, FEBRUARY, 2012 ShepherdOur Speaks

Th e Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth experiences Christian Unity with the the Pastoral Provision and the Anglican Ordinariate Dear Brothers and Cross within the Episcopal Church. Here in have been an increasing number of requests the Diocese of Fort Worth, there were several from several countries around the world, for Sisters in Christ, former Episcopal priests who were ordained as former Anglican and Episcopalian communities Catholic priests, and most notably, the entire to enter the Catholic Church corporately, or ne of the blessings about the life of community of St. Mary the Virgin Episcopal as a group, with a desire to retain many of the Faith here in the Diocese of Fort Church in Arlington converted to Catholicism Anglican liturgical and pastoral traditions and OWorth, especially with an eye to the under the leadership of Father Alan Hawkins. structures. In November of 2009, Pope Benedict Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, has been the Many other former Episcopalian priests and a XVI promulgated the Apostolic Constitution lived experience of the Pastoral Provision and handful of other Episcopal parishes across the Anglicanorum Coetibus (Anglican Body), which the recent announcement of the establishment country have since entered the Church through laid the framework for Anglican Ordinariates to of the "Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter" on the Pastoral Provision. be established in diff erent countries or regions Ja nuar y 2, 2012 at Our Lady of Wa lsingha m in It is important to note that this structure around the world that would allow former Hou s ton, Te x a s . A s I s a id at t he ne w s c on ferenc e , was approved by the Congregation for the Anglicans to enter the Church corporately. both are, I believe complementary, yet distinct Doctrine of the Faith. Overall, the Pastoral Each Anglican Ordinariate, once established, expressions of the Lord's will that "all may be Provision has led to the ordination of more than has ecclesiastical jurisdiction similar to that of a one." Th ey are fi rst ecclesial movements toward 80 former Episcopal priests (and counting). Th e diocese, but instead of having jurisdiction over something — full communion with the See of candidates involved in this process are taken a local territory, it instead encompasses entire Peter — and not away from something. on a case-by-case basis based on an exception countries or regions. Th is Ordinariate structure With this Scriptural foundation of John Bishop Kevin Vann granted under the Pastoral Provision. It is already exists in the Church in the form of the 17:21, we can look to Blessed John Henry important to note that the Pastoral Provision United States Military Ordinariate which has Newman, the Oxford Movement, and the was initiated during the pontifi cate of Pope is not a proving ground for optional celibacy in within its jurisdiction all of the United States fruit of the dialogues that came about after Paul VI and was then established and headed the Catholic Church but is a special invitation of military personnel throughout the world under the Second Vatican Council. On a local level by Blessed John Paul II. In 1980, the Holy See, the Holy See welcoming and allowing clergy of Archbishop Broglio. He is the Ordinary. Th e here in Fort Worth, especially with the recent in response to requests from priests and laity the Episcopal Church to become Catholic and Anglican Ordinariate is diff erent from and passing of Bishop Clarence Pope, we see the of the Anglican Church in the United States c ont i nue t hei r m i n i s t r y i n t he C hu rc h a s pr ie s t s . moves beyond the scope of the Pastoral Provision fruit of ecclesial relationships, friendships, who were seeking full communion with the In order to meet the needs of these groups because it encompasses the entire world and not and good will, that has been evidenced by the Catholic Church, created a Pastoral Provision within the United States, the Holy See appointed just the United States. Former Anglican clergy ordination of priests of the Pastoral Provision for to provide them with special pastoral attention. as the fi rst Ecclesiastical Delegate of the Pastoral and entire Anglican parish communities will the Diocese of Fort Worth, and more recently, Th e Pastoral Provision serves as a response to Provision Cardinal Bernard Law, then Bishop be able to enter the Church not through a local the erection of the Ordinariate of the Chair of the needs of a category of Christian faithful of Springfi eld Cape-Girardeau, Missouri, who diocese, but through the Ordinariate structure St. Peter, under the patronage of Our Lady of seeking full communion with the See of Peter: was subsequently succeeded by Archbishop that encompasses entire countries or regions. Walsingham. John Meyers of the Archdiocese of Newark. Each Ordinariate once erected, would At a meeting of prayer and refl ection with In July [1980] the President of the National Th e Ecclesiastical Delegate is tasked with be headed by an Ordinary, who in this case Episcopal priests of the Society of the Holy Conference of Catholic Bishops received a overseeing the implementation of the Pastoral usually would be a priest who was formerly of Cross in Fort Worth — several years before letter from the Prefect of the Congregation for Provision in the United States. Specifi c duties the Anglican clergy. If the Ordinary is married, the announcement of the Ordinariate — one the Doctrine of the Faith indicating that the and responsibilities of this delegate, include he would not be a bishop, but would oversee of the priests said that they were just waiting Holy Father, Blessed John Paul II, responding gathering candidate information for each the governance and workings of the Ordinariate for someone to extend a hand. Th at hand had to the requests of members of the Episcopal former Episcopal priest from his sponsoring in a fashion similar to that of a bishop, but fi rst been extended with the Pastoral Provision Church to enter into full communion with bishop to determine suitability for ordination would not be able to ordain deacons, priests, or of Blessed John Paul II, and more recently with the Catholic Church, decided to make the into the Catholic Church and receiving priestly consecrate new bishops. On January 15, 2011, Pope Benedict XVI and the Ordinariate. One special pastoral provision for the reception of faculties within his diocese. Th e Ecclesiastical the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham of the bishops of the Church of England, who priests and laity into full communion with Delegate also establishes a body of theologians to was established in England, and Monsignor was received into the Church last year and the Catholic Church. Th e decision provided provide an academic assessment and certifi cate Keith Newton, a former Anglican bishop, was ordained a priest for the Ordinariate said "it for the priestly ordination of married, former of the candidates before they are approved named its Ordinary. used to be spoken of as 'swimming the Tiber’... ministers coming from the Episcopal Church for ordination. Last November, the Holy Since Anglicanorum Coetibus was Pope Benedict has built us a bridge." and for the creation of personal worship See appointed me as the new Ecclesiastical promulgated by Pope Benedict XVI in 2009, the In light of the recent establishment of communities which would be allowed to Delegate for the Pastoral Provision in the United process of establishing an Anglican Ordinariate the Anglican Ordinariate in the United States retain elements of the Anglican liturgy. States, succeeding Archbishop Meyers. As the was begun in cooperation with the Holy See and the recent announcement of my new role — Into Full Communion, p. 8 new Ecclesiastical Delegate, I look forward and the United States Conference of Catholic as the Ecclesiastical Delegate of the Pastoral to continuing the great work of the Pastoral Bishops. Cardinal Wuerl, the Archbishop of Provision in the United States, I would like Th e Pastoral Provision was a historic Provision within our diocese, and I ask for Washington, D.C., was named to head the to take the occasion of this column to more moment in the Church and paved the way for your prayers for all candidates involved in the USCCB Commission that would work with the fully explain both the Pastoral Provision and many former Episcopal priests to not only enter process of seeking full communion with the Holy See in the establishment of the Anglican the newly erected Ordinariate as they are both the Church, but also be ordained as priests in Catholic Church as Catholic priests. Ordinariate in the United States, and I, along monumental moments in the history of both the Roman Rite. Th e Pastoral Provision also with Bishop Robert McManus of the Diocese the Universal Church as well as for the Diocese allowed entire Episcopalian parishes to enter THE ORDINARIATE OF THE CHAIR OF ST. PETER of Worcester in Massachusetts served with of Fort Worth. the Catholic faith while retaining some aspects Now, let’s turn our attention to the Cardinal Wuerl on this Commission. Th e of the Anglican liturgy. Th e particular groups establishment of the Anglican Ordinariate in Diocese of Fort Worth played an important THE PASTORAL PROVISION who initiated the request were “Th e American the United States. As the work of the Pastoral role in the establishment of the Ordinariate in Th e Pastoral Provision in the United States Church Union” and the Society of the Holy Provision has continued over the years, there that 26 former Anglicans from three diff erent NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC, FEBRUARY, 2012 PAGE 3 North CONTENTS February 2012 Texas Features Departments catholic Bedford K of C donates sonogram 4-5 Briefly PUBLISHER: Bishop Kevin W. Vann 7 machine to area pregnancy center DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS: Pat Svacina By Joan Kurkowski-Gillen 11 Catechesis EDITOR: Jeff Hensley ASSOCIATE EDITOR: Tony Gutiérrez Diocese will hold its first rally geared ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT: Judy Russeau 8 specifically for middle-schoolers 12-13 Voices WEB DESIGNER: Chris Kastner By NTC Staff CIRCULATION: Rita Garber Features 14 REGULAR COLUMNISTS: Father Philip Brembah is redefining Denise Bossert 15 African ministry at St. Joseph Jean Denton 26-27 Word to Life Kathy Cribari Hamer By Joan Kurkowski-Gillen Jeff Hedglen Jeff Hensley 28-30 Spanish David Mills Pope announces two new American Mary Regina Morrell 24 saints, including first Native American Sharon K. Perkins Lucas Pollice By CNS 31 Calendar Father John Rausch Father Kyle Walterscheid CONTRIBUTORS: Michele Baker A New Year, with new life in the Church Crystal Brown s the holidays came to an end, life got busy again, and before I knew it, I was counseling. Columnist Jeff Hedglen also talks about how to maintain that new life in Christ Jenara Kocks Burgess back in a mundane routine, going through the motions of my life. There are so in the new year on Page 14. Juan Guajardo many exciting things going on that it's hard to believe I didn't notice, or didn't Kathy Cribari Hamer take the time to notice. Thankfully at my job, I'm forced to notice the exciting And speaking of new life, this issue went to press right before all of the pro-life activities John Henry A Joan Kurkowski-Gillen things happening in the Church, and that breathes new life into my new year. surrounding the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, but don't worry, we'll make sure to update the Mike McGee website at www.fwdioc.org/ntc so you can keep up with the Rally for Life, Respect Wendy Pandolfo We're living in an historic time, with Bishop Vann playing a major role in helping establish Life Mass, etc. The Bishop's Blog at www.fwdioc.org is also sure to keep you up- Donna Ryckaert the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter for former Episcopalians in the U.S. The dated on what he's doing to honor the unborn, as well as to the many other activities he's Kristin Zschiesche Bishop talks about it in his column on Page 2, and in statement he gave at a press involved in. And as always, check our Facebook page: "North Texas Catholic Newspaper" conference on Page 19. New life is also visible in our Diocese section with a plethora of for photo albums and other new material. Editorial Offi ce: 800 West Loop 820 South, Fort Worth, Texas 76108, (817) 560-3300; FAX (817) 244-8839. upcoming events, ranging from training for RCIA instructors to NFP teachers to end-of-life Tony Gutiérrez, Associate Editor Circulation Offi ce: Rita Garber, 800 West Loop 820 South, Fort Worth, Texas 76108, (817) 560-3300. NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC (USPS 751-370) (ISSN 0899-7020) is published monthly, by the Most Rev. Kevin W. Vann, Bishop of Anglican parishes in the North Texas region is the essential condition for evangelization David Bristow, himself a priest of the Pastoral the Diocese of Fort Worth, 800 West Loop 820 South, Fort Worth, Texas. For those who are not registered parishioners in the were received into the Church on September (John 17:21). So this must be our hallmark: Provision, and a long time friend of Father Diocese of Fort Worth, subscription rates are $20 for one year, $40 25 as the first group to enter the Church as part to build bridges, to be an instrument of Christopher Stainbrook, of the Episcopal for two years, $60 for three years. Periodical postage paid at Fort Worth, Texas. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to North Texas of the Anglican Ordinariate. The formation peace and reconciliation, to be a sign of Diocese of Fort Worth. The members of St. Catholic, 800 West Loop 820 South, Fort Worth, Texas 76108. provided by our Diocesan Department of what Christian unity might look like. And Timothy also join two other communities who Deadline for information for the North Texas Catholic is noon of Catechesis also provided a model of formation gaudete in Domino semper (Philippians are in the process of formation to enter the the Wednesday two weeks before the paper is published. The NTC is published the third Friday of each month with the date of the to be used to catechize those who are seeking 4:4) to be joyful and happy Catholics! Ordinariate this coming Easter season. I also following month as the date of issue. to join the Ordinariate in the United States. wish to acknowledge my friend, Bishop Jack To access current news and information, fi nd us at www.fwdioc. On January 1, 2012, the Holy See Over the coming months, Fr. Steenson Iker of the Episcopal Diocese in Fort Worth, org/ntc announced that Father Jeffrey Steenson, the will continue to work closely with the Holy for his friendship and counsel since my arrival The appearance of advertising in these pages does not imply endorsement of businesses, services, or products. Readers must former Anglican Bishop of Rio Grande, now See, the USCCB, and other bishops around here in these matters that affect both of our exercise prudence in responding to advertising in all media. a Catholic priest, has been named the first the country with Anglican communities Dioceses, namely the Pastoral Provision and Ordinary of the Ordinariate of the Chair of who desire to join the Ordinariate of the the Ordinariate. St. Peter in the United States. Fr. Steenson, Chair of St. Peter to grow and establish the As we continue to move forward in since he is married, will not be consecrated a necessary structures of the Ordinariate and these truly historic times, I ask that you, as bishop, but will have similar jurisdiction and begin the process of receiving these Anglican members of the Catholic Diocese of Fort canonical oversight of the Ordinariate as a communities into the loving embrace of Worth, support these communities and the bishop. The sacramental seat is the parish of Holy Mother Church. May we all keep Fr. work of the Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Our Lady of Walsingham in Houston, which Steenson and the work of the Ordinariate of Peter in the Diocese of Fort Worth with your is a Pastoral Provision parish established in the Chair of St. Peter in our prayers during continued prayers and open arms of welcome 1997. Upon being named the Ordinary, Fr. this extraordinary time in the history of the a s we c ont inue to see t he prayer of Ch rist c ome Steenson stated: Church. to fruition: that they all might be one! Also on January 1 a large group from St. This Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Timothy's Anglo-Catholic Church began their Peter must be, above all else, an effective journey toward full communion at venerable instrument for evangelization. But Jesus Church of St. Ma r y of t he A ssumption in For t + Bishop Kevin W. Vann. JCD, DD taught us that the unity of Christian people Worth. They were warmly welcomed by Father Diocese of Fort Worth PAGE 4 NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC, FEBRUARY, 2012

Vatican issues recommendations for celebrating Year of Faith

VATICAN CITY (CNS— In Because the year’s start, an effort to help Catholics Oct. 11, coincides with the have a better and correct un- Briefly anniversaries of the opening derstanding of their faith and of the Second Vatican Council become authentic witnesses to in 1962 and the promulgation Church, National, Christ, the Vatican issued a list of the Catechism of the Catholic of pastoral recommendations Church in 1992, it would be an for celebrating the upcoming auspicious occasion to make & International (CNS photo/Bob Roller Year of Faith. the work of the council and A first-grade student works on a paper during class at St. Anthony Indian The Congregation for the the Catechism “more widely Italian state experts create School on the Zuni Pueblo Indian reservation in New Mexico in late October, 2011. Doctrine of the Faith released and deeply known,” it said. colorations similar to those a “note” Jan. 7 outlining The congregation said the Education is key, says executive the aims of the special year pope “has worked decisively for seen on the Shroud of Turin and ways bishops, dioceses, a correct understanding of the director of Black and Indian Missions VATICAN CITY (CNS) beams of vacuum ultraviolet parishes, and communities council, rejecting as erroneous WASHINGTON (CNS) operating expenses and facility — Using high-tech lasers radiation or “extreme ultra- can promote “the truth of the the so-called ‘hermeneutics of — Education is key to the upkeep. shooting pulses of ultra- violet radiation” on a piece of faith,” the congregation said. discontinuity and rupture’ and Catholic Church’s evangeli- “The children are very violet light, Italy’s national linen cloth to create the same It also announced that promoting what he himself zation efforts among Native happy in our Catholic mission research agency succeeded characteristics of coloration within the Pontifical Council has termed the ‘hermeneutic Americans and St. Anthony schools,” Father Paysse said. in reproducing on linen cloth observed on the shroud — that for Promoting New Evangeliza- of reform,’ of renewal in con- Indian Mission School in “We have wonderful, very colorations similar to those is, the same sepia tonalities and tion, a secretariat would be set tinuity” with the Church and Zuni, New Mexico, is “a case dedicated, not only religious seen on the Shroud of Turin. the same superficial depth of up to suggest and coordinate tradition. in point,” said Father Wayne women and men but laity who The Italian National coloration, the report said. different initiatives. The new The Catechism “is an Paysse. teach in our mission schools. Agency for New Technolo- “We succeeded in getting department will be responsible integral part of that ‘renewal Last October, the priest, It’s really a ministry because gies, Energy, and Sustain- a coloration of the linen that for launching a special website in continuity’” by embracing who is executive director of the believe me they’re not there able Economic Development, has both the tonality of color for sharing useful information the old and traditional while Washington-based Black and because of the money.” or ENEA, spent five years and the thickness of coloration on the Year of Faith. expressing it “in a new way, Indian Mission Office, visited Goering feels the same looking for ways to recreate that approaches (the properties Pope Benedict XVI want- in order to respond to the the school in the Diocese of about her job. Principal for the micro-thin, yellow-sepia seen) in the image formed e d t he Ye a r of Fa it h, w h ic h r u n s questions of our times,” it Gallup, New Mexico, which three years, she arrived in New toned colorations that form on the Shroud of Turin,” the from Oct. 11, 2012, to Nov. 24, said. The note offers pastoral encompasses seven Indian Mexico after many years as a the image of a man on the report said. 2013, to help the Church focus recommendations aimed at tribes. principal in central New York. Turin shroud, said the Vati- As a result, the researchers its attention on “Jesus Christ aiding “both the encounter Principal Deborah Go- “This is where God wants me.” can newspaper, L’Osservatore said, they have uncovered what and the beauty of having faith with Christ through authen- ering showed him around Giving Native Americans Romano, Dec. 29. could be the “distinct physical in him,” it said. tic witnesses to faith, and the the elementary school. Ac- the best education they could According to tradition, and photo-chemical processes “The Church is well ever-greater understanding of companied by a reporter and receive was a priority for St. the 14-foot by 4-foot Shroud of that account for both coloration aware of the problems fac- its contents,” it said. photographer from Catholic Katharine Drexel, who spent Turin is the linen burial shroud and latent coloration” due to ing the faith” and recognizes Some recommendations News Service, Father Paysse her life and wealth minister- of Jesus. The shroud has a full- dehydration from time or heat. that without a revitalization for bishops, dioceses and par- stopped in every classroom, ing to American Indians and length photonegative image of However, the ENEA ex- of faith rooted in a personal ishes include ensuring there talking to the teachers, teach- African-Americans. She built a man, front and back, bearing periments could only produce encounter with Jesus, “then be better quality catechetical ers’ aides, and students. mission schools and churches signs of wounds that corre- small dots of coloration on all other reforms will remain materials that conform to “We feel that there is across the country, helped by spond to the Gospel accounts small swaths of cloth, it said. ineffective,” it said, citing the church teaching; promoting nothing greater than the posi- members of the religious order of the torture Jesus endured in No machine or energy pope’s Dec. 22 address to the Catholic principles and the tive impact on evangelization she founded — the Sisters of his passion and death. source is currently capable of Roman Curia. significance of Vatican II in among our Catholic Indian the Blessed Sacrament. Scientists who conducted providing the total amount of The year is meant to “con- the mass media; hosting events mission schools than a good At St. Bonaventure School on-site tests of the shroud in power that would be needed to tribute to a renewed conversion that bring artists, academics, teacher,” Father Paysse told in Thoreau, N.M., also in the 1978 discovered that the im- instantaneously color the entire to the Lord Jesus and to the and others together to renew CNS in an interview in his Gallup Diocese, Sister Con- age was not painted, drawn, image of an adult on a 14- by rediscovery of faith, so that dialogue between faith and office in early December. solata Beecher is “carrying printed, or transferred on by 4-foot piece of cloth, it said. the members of the Church reason; offering penitential “Education is most impor- forward her dream.” heat and that the depth of Also, they were unable will be credible and joy-filled celebrations; and putting a tant, because education is Native Americans “can- coloration of the linen fibers to create the kind of color witnesses to the risen Lord, focus on liturgy, especially the like a ladder. It gives them not take their place in society, is extremely thin — equiva- gradations that the shroud pos- capable of leading those many Eucharist, it said. an opportunity to climb out in levels of leadership” without lent to the top cellular layer sesses, it said. Given the “great people who are seeking it to the It also called for Vatican of the difficult environment education, “and the Catholic of each linen fiber, according technological and scientific door of faith,” the note said. II documents, the Catechism they’re in.” Church has to do it,” she told to ENEA’s scientific report difficulties” in producing simi- Critical to renewing one’s and its Compendium to be The school, on the Zuni CNS. released in December. lar colorations, the hypothesis faith and being a credible wit- republished in more affordable Pueblo Indian Reservation, A Laguna Pueblo Indian, The five-person ENEA that the shroud is a medieval ness is having a firm and cor- editions and to distribute the is tuition-free and depends Sister Consolata has been a team used a laser to shoot fake “does not seem reason- rect understanding of church texts digitally and via other on its development office to member of St. Katharine’s nanosecond-fast pulsating able,” said the report. teaching, it said. “modern technologies.” raise money to cover salaries, order for 50 years.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — suggestion of a ‘big brother,’ The millions of refugees and Pope prays for migrants, refugees seeking a better life usually a priest,” he said. migrants in the world are not which the Vatican marked as migrants and refugees are not in the Hebrew Bible and Simon the vocation of special conse- The role of parents, “who numbers but people in search of the World Day for Migrants only recipients of the church’s and Andrew, James, and John cration in the service of God with their genuine and joyful a better life for themselves and and Refugees. outreach, but also can be agents in the New Testament recog- and his people,” the pope said. faith and their conjugal love their families, Pope Benedict The pope welcomed mi- of evangelization in their new nized the Lord’s call with the “The call to follow Jesus demonstrate to their children XVI said. grants living in Rome to his communities. help of a wise guide. more closely, to give up form- that it is beautiful and possible to “They are men and wom- recitation of the Angelus in In his main Angelus ad- “I would like to underline ing one’s own family in order build your entire life on the love en, young and old, who are St. Peter’s Square and told the dress, Pope Benedict spoke the decisive role of a spiritual to dedicate oneself to the larger of God,” also prepares young looking for a place they can live thousands of people gathered about the day’s Scripture read- guide in the faith journey and, family of the church, normally people to hear the call to priest- in peace,” the pope said Jan. 15, for the midday prayer that ings at Mass and how Samuel in particular, in responding to passes through the witness and hood and religious life, he said. NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC, FEBRUARY, 2012 PAGE 5

Former Tyler Diocese announces Holy Cross Bishop Alvaro Corrada del Rio, Parish is forming the twentieth holds a portrait of Catholic School in the diocese his predecessor in Tyler, Bishop THE COLONY — The Diocese of Fort Worth Edmond Carmody has announced the formation of a new ith the Briefly given him by Catholic school to open in the fall of 2012. Westablishment "bishop artist" Michael Lawrence. Holy Cross Catholic School will initially be of this new ministry located at 303 King Road in Frisco, and Local & State (Photo courtesy will welcome its first students in August. – Holy Cross School – of Deacon Rick A meeting for prospective parents was the dream, conceived Lawrence) held Jan. 17. Registration for Holy Cross years ago by the School began Jan. 25. The new Holy Cross Catholic School parishioners of Holy comes as the result of Bishop Kevin Vann’s Cross is becoming a Tyler artist pencils portraits concurrence with the recommendation reality. of bishops; hopes to revive of Father Michael Holmberg, and the leadership of Holy Cross Parish. Fr. — Holy Cross Pastor tradition of bishops' portraits Holmberg is the pastor of Holy Cross Father Michael Parish in the Colony. By Jo Anne Flores Embleton Holmberg Photo courtesy of Brian Buettner, PNAC Photo Photo courtesy of Brian Buettner, PNAC Photo A member of St. Therese Church in In the Holy Cross Parish bulletin Joseph Keating, a seminarian at Pontifical Matthew Tatyrek, a seminarian at Pontifical East Texas Catholic Canton, Lawrence said he considers his for the New Year’s weekend Masses, Fr. North American College in Rome receives North American College in Rome receives Diocese of Tyler talent “a gift from God,” and understands Holmberg recalled the parish’s desire will be the 20th school in the system.” the book of the Gospels from U.S. Military the book of the Gospels from U.S. Military that not everyone possesses the ability to build a school at its beginning 30 In time, the school will transition to the Ordinariate Archbishop Timothy Broglio, Ordinariate Archbishop Timothy Broglio, CANTON (CNS) — In an age of digital to create art. years ago. That desire was thwarted new parish location at the intersection of symbolic of his having been instituted to symbolic of his having been instituted to the imagery, one young East Texas artist hopes “My parents raised me in the Catholic when it was determined there was not Teel Parkway and Lebanon Rd. in Frisco. the Ministry of Reader, Jan. 15. Joe is a Ministry of Reader, Jan. 15. Matthew is a to revive a tradition of hand-drawn portraits Church; when I think about it, I guess that’s enough Catholic population to justify a Marie Pishko, a Holy Cross parishioner parishioner of St. Mark Parish, Denton. parishioner of Holy Family Parish, Vernon. of Catholic bishops using pencil and paper. where I first experienced art,” he said. “My school at the time. He goes on to say, and member of the Pastoral Advisory Michael Lawrence, the 22-year-old parents always encouraged my artistic “Approximately two years ago, another Council, has been named the founding son of Deacon Richard Lawrence, director expression, and Bishop Corrada was the feasibility study … was conducted principal of the new school by Don of discipleship and stewardship for the first to commission my work — he really by Meitler Associates on behalf of the Miller, superintendent of schools for Diocese of Tyler, and Nell Lawrence, appreciates fine art, and I understand he Diocese of Fort Worth and Holy Cross. the Diocese of Fort Worth. Pishko has director of Catholic Charities East Texas, likes to encourage young artists.” The results of that study indicate that, served most recently as principal of All said he’s drawn human faces since he Although his desire is to return to a first of all, the Catholic population Saints Catholic School in the Diocese of was a preteen. At the invitation of Bishop more classic style of artistry, Lawrence is now of sufficient size to support a Dallas. She holds a masters degree in Alvaro Corrada, he began the ‘Bishops of does employ current technology to help Catholic school, and, secondly, the counseling and guidance as well as a Tyler’ portrait collection with an image of him get the job done. existing Catholic families of Eastern masters of business administration. She Bishop Corrada, who is currently apostolic Using a digital camera, he shoots a Denton County desire and want a school has worked in Catholic schools in the administrator of the East Texas diocese. series of photos “to get just the right angles, to educate their children in the Catholic Diocese of Wichita, the Archdiocese of “The bishop has always had a great the right shading, the perfect contrast, educational tradition.” Mobile, and the Archdiocese of Dubuque. love of the arts and a desire to encourage but more than that, I look for that shot Fr. Holmberg wrote, “The school As with other Catholic school start ups in young artists, and he commissioned the that most expresses the personality of the will be accredited when it opens and recent years, the school will build toward works for his private collection,” Deacon subject,” he said. “I prefer to use digital Photo courtesy of Brian Buettner, PNAC Photo will begin with pre-k3, pre-k4, pre-k5 becoming a kindergarten to eighth grade Lawrence recalled. Eight men back on the front row of these 66 Pontifical North American College seminarians who images (because) I’m looking for sharp transitional, kindergarten, and first school, adding a grade each year. The result was a lifelike image of the are about to receive the Ministry of Reader Sunday, Jan. 15 in Rome is Fort Worth seminarian details —my drawings are all about the grade, adding a grade a year,” The school In closing his announcement, Fr. Puerto Rican native, who was installed Joseph Keating. smallest details.” will emphasize technology and the arts, Holmberg wrote, “All of this being said, with Sept. 12 as head of the Diocese of For one Houston family, Lawrence’s with each student using an iPad while the establishment of this new ministry — Fort Worth seminarians Joseph Keating Mayaguez in his native Puerto Rico; the creation is a joyful reminder of the brother following the curriculum adopted by the Holy Cross School — the dream, conceived image was immediately adapted for use they lost two decades ago. Catholic School System of the Diocese of years ago by the parishioners of Holy Cross and Matthew Tatyrek are among 66 in the annual diocesan appeal. Bishop “It is so realistic,” Ron Herzig said of Fort Worth. Holy Cross Catholic School is becoming a reality.” receiving the Ministry of Reader in Rome Corrada was Tyler’s bishop from January the detailed portrait of his brother, Bishop 2001 until his appointment to Mayaguez. Charles Herzig, who was ordained the first ROME — Sixty-six seminarians of the told the new readers that they are to live “That piece was reproduced to bishop of Tyler Feb. 27, 1987, and served Texas Bishops applaud Fifth Pontifical North American College were their lives “possessed by the word.” He make 30,000 keepsake cards,” the artist until his death of cancer Sept. 7, 1991. Circuit Court of Appeals decision instituted to the Ministry of Reader reminded them that that their institution recalled. “It was the start of the ‘Three “Every little feature is there: The during a celebration of the Eucharist, as readers was not merely a “stepping Bishops of Tyler’ collection now on display eyebrows, the nose, his cheeks ... I was to overturn restraint of Texas Sunday, Jan. 15 in Rome. Joseph Keating stone” on the way to priestly ordination, at the Tyler chancery.” so amazed at how well it (depicted his enforcement of sonogram law and Matthew Tatyrek of the Diocese of “but rather one more indicator of how we A self-taught artist who briefly brother), that I feel like he’s looking at Fort Worth, who are in their first year of make the presence of Christ resound in attended the University of Texas at me all the time,” he said. “Michael did a theological studies, were among those a world hungering for Him, but lost in Tyler, Lawrence said he developed “my beautiful job of this, and the rest of the By Maria Huemmer unborn children and choose life. Cardinal seminarians instituted. its search amid so many distractions.” own methods” along the way, creating family will be so excited when they see Texas Catholic Conference Daniel DiNardo, of the Archdiocese The Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, The Ministry of Reader is one of the images primarily in graphite/pencil and it. We just weren’t expecting this at all.” of Galveston-Houston, was an ardent Archbishop of the Military Ordinarite in ministries seminarians receive as they some pen and ink. Lawrence has completed six prelates’ AUSTIN — The Catholic Bishops of supporter of the legislation and today the U.S. and an alumnus of the college, proceed toward diaconal and priestly Lawrence said he prefers the portraits since his first detailed sketch of Texas applauded the Jan. 11 decision of expressed gratitude for the court’s ruling. celebrated the Mass and instituted the ordination. As the rite indicates, a “simplicity” of black and white portraits. Bishop Corrada. They include Cardinal the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in “Providing mothers access to new readers. Among the concelebrants reader is charged with proclaiming the “I like the simplicity of this tool Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston New Orleans to allow the state of Texas to sonograms informs them about the of the Mass were the American bishops Word of God in the liturgical assembly, to draw something so complex as the and Auxiliary Bishop Eduardo A. Nevares enforce the sonogram law giving mothers risks and complications associated with present in Rome for their ad limina instructing children and adults in the human face — you can get such detail of Phoenix. access to the ultrasound images of their abortion. These consultations save lives visits with Pope Benedict XVI, including faith, and preparing them to receive the with a sharpened pencil that you can’t get Lawrence said he hopes to continue unborn children’s hearts beating. by educating mothers who may not Cardinal Donald Wuerl of the Archdiocese sacraments worthily. with other mediums, like watercolor for making a living with his art, ultimately as The ruling overturned a lower court’s realize that the child in their womb is of Washington, DC, and Cardinal-elect Founded in 1859 by Blessed Pius IX, example,” he said. “There’s a timelessness “the portrait artist of bishops.” temporary order against enforcing the exactly that — a unique, irreplaceable Edwin O’Brien, Pro-Grandmaster of the the Pontifical North American College that doesn’t come across in color.” “Up until about 100 years ago, it was measure that requires doctors who human life,” Cardinal DiNardo said. Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre serves as the American house of studies His first showing was a collection a pretty common thing for bishops to have perform abortions to show sonograms Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller of Jerusalem and former rector of the in Rome, where over 5,000 priests have titled “The Faces of America.” their portraits made, and I’m hoping to to patients, and describe the images and of the Archdiocese of San Antonio was Pontifical North American College. been formed near the heart of the Church “I did portraits of Rosa Parks, Abraham bring that custom back as more and more fetal heartbeat. The Fifth Circuit’s ruling particularly impressed by Chief Judge Handing the book of Sacred Scriptures for service in dioceses across North Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther bishops take notice of my work,” he said. leaves the original case to proceed in the Edith H. Jones’ recognition of the state’s to each seminarian, Archbishop Broglio America and around the world. The King Jr., the helmeted head of an astronaut “Maybe someday I will have a chance to lower court. legitimate interests in protecting life. said, “Take this book of Holy Scripture College strengthens the bonds between and the head of an American eagle,” he draw a portrait of the pope.” The sonogram law was a high priority “The court today acted to protect and be faithful in handing on the Word Rome and local Churches worldwide, and recalled, saying they were then made for the Bishops during 82nd Texas the smallest voices of those whom God of God, so that it may grow strong in the allows its students to study the Church’s into 10-by12-foot panels for use as a Editor’s Note: For more information Legislature, because they believe it helps already knows, alive in their mothers’ hearts of His People.” rich religious and cultural heritage at backdrop by his high school band’s music about Texas artist Michael Lawrence, visit mothers recognize the humanity of their wombs,” the archbishop said. In his homily, Archbishop Broglio close range. competitions throughout the state. his website at www.bishopartist.com. PAGE 6 NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC, FEBRUARY, 2012 Diocese

Sister Inés Diáz joins staff of diocese as delegate for Hispanic Ministry

By Michele Baker having children.” genuine call from God. “It was a very rich experi- Correspondent Such plans would seem to “It was hard,” she recalled. “It ence,” she said. “A very beautiful be expected from an 18-year-old, was hard to leave my family and time. It made me open and it South Central Mexican woman hard to leave what I thought my made me grow up.” Sister Inés Díaz, SSMN has from a family of 10 children. Yet life would be.” After 18 years with Las Viole- joined the staff of the Diocese something was holding her back, It became even more difficult tas, Sr. Inés began a discernment of Fort Worth as delegate for a tiny whisper from the Lord. when her decision to enter the process that led her to the Sisters Hispanic Ministry. She comes Even so, most of the religious convent was not received well by of St. Mary of Namur here in Fort to this position after six years in sisters she’d encountered were her father. Although Sr. Inés had Worth. In 2005, she came to the Hispanic Ministry at St. John the teachers, and Sr. Inés didn’t see nine siblings, only one of them United States and began work- Apostle Parish in North Richland herself needing the religious life was a girl, and her father balked ing at St. John the Apostle Parish Hills. to follow that path. at the idea of one of his precious in North Richland Hills, and in “I feel challenged to work for “I thought, if I want to teach, daughters becoming a religious. 2010 she officially changed com- the diocese,” Sr. Inés said in an I can go to school and become a “But I told him, ‘I’m not munities, becoming a Sister of St. interview. “We need to be open. teacher and still marry and have asking for your permission. I’m Mary. We need to listen. I am trying to a family,” she explained. “But I letting you know what I am going “Now I am 27 years as a ask people what they want. I will used to think about what it would to do,’” she said. “And years later, religious and it is a beautiful life,” need to work with all the differ- Sister Inés Diéz, SSMN be like to be a missionary.” he told me that it was good that Sister Inés said with a satisfied ent offices. It’s very exciting and a So when the whisper grew I said that because if I had asked smile on her face. big challenge.” many of them, beginning with more insistent, Sr. Inés found her- him, he’d have told me ‘no.’” And what about Daddy? Soft-spoken with a gentle herself. self visiting the sisters of the Mis- As a Missionary Catechist of “My sister is married and way about her, Sister Inés isn’t “I wasn’t thinking of the sionary Catechists of the Sacred the Sacred Heart, Sister Inés trav- she has five children,” Sister Inés afraid of challenges. Answer- convent,” she remembers. “I had Hearts of Jesus and Mary (known eled to Spain and Bolivia where explained. “So my father said that ing her call to the religious life a boyfriend. I was in love. We as Las Violetas). There, it became she did ministry at parishes and he had two daughters: one for him brought her face to face with talked about getting married and clear that she had responded to a at the diocesan level. and one for the Lord.”

Office of Family Life hopes Natural Family Planning training weekend, offered in English and Spanish, Feb. 10-12, will help recruit and train teachers from throughout the diocese

“He said to them, “The harvest organization based in Cincin- certification requirements during is abundant but the laborers nati that teaches the sympto- the training. are few; so ask the master of the “The sympto-thermal method makes thermal method of NFP. CCL “We’ve been teaching for 27 harvest to send out laborers for his has chapters spread across the years, and it’s rewarding to help harvest” use of all the known signs of fertility, as country. Bill and Mary Kouba, couples build better marriages. It’s — Luke 10:2 the chaircouple for the CCL of a privilege to serve in this way,” opposed to just a single sign of fertility.” Fort Worth, said the training is said Bill Kouba. The Diocese of Fort Worth for married couples already prac- Pre-registration for the hopes to be able to make Natural — Mary Kouba, CCL instructor ticing this particular method of training weekend is required. Family Planning a required part NFP and wanting to teach it. Interested married couples should of marriage preparation through- “The sympto-thermal meth- contact Bill and Mary Kouba at out the diocese, but without an but organizers are requesting a on some couples preparing for od makes use of all the known (817) 370-9193, or at wmkouba@ adequate number of volunteer $40 donation to cover food and marriage. signs of fertility, as opposed to swbell.net before Friday, Feb. 3. teachers, the diocese must wait, childcare costs. “A couple from Abbott just a single sign of fertility,” Married couples interested in be- said Chris Vaughan, diocesan “Marriage has a 50 percent couldn’t come up for three or said Mary Kouba, explaining the ing trained as teachers in Spanish director of the Office of Marriage divorce rate, so we’re doing as four classes because it’s a two- difference between the sympto- should contact Paula Macias at and Family Life. much as we can to make their hour drive, so we’re trying to re- thermal method and other meth- (682) 502-4237, or at paterrazas@ “For the demand we have for marriages successful, and part cruit teachers, especially outside ods of NFP such as Creighton or yahoo.com. For more information Catholic marriages, we need more of that is understanding the the Tarrant County area, so we Billings. about NFP in general, visit the teachers,” Vaughan said. Church’s teachings,” Vaughan can make that [diocesan goal] a Although CCL offers train- diocesan website at www.fwdioc. For this reason, the diocese said. “The divorce rate for people reality,” Vaughan said. “We’ve ing online, it could take approxi- org/ministries/nfp, or contact has invited the Couple to Couple using NFP is two percent.” made phone calls, focusing on mately nine months to complete Chris Vaughan at (817) 560-2452, League (CCL) to offer a train- Vaughan said there is espe- all the parishes outside Tarrant certification. While those attend- ext. 269, or at cvaughan@fwdioc. ing session for NFP teachers in cially a need for teachers from County, asking pastors if they ing the training session will still org, or contact diocesan NFP English and Spanish Feb. 10-12 outside the Tarrant County area, know of any couples who practice have to complete online work, Coordinator Tony Abadie at (817) at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish noting the strain attending mul- NFP and want to teach it.” participants will still complete 560-2452, ext. 252, or at aaba- in Keller. The training is free, tiple classes in Fort Worth puts CCL is an international more than 50 percent of their [email protected]. NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC, FEBRUARY, 2012 PAGE 7

Respect for Life At all ll stages st g s Bishop Vann blesses real time ultrasound machine donated to Mother and Unborn Baby Care by K of C Council 7641 Story and Photos “It must then go to an ongoing “It’s in 4-D real time, so when By Joan Kurkowski-Gillen organization that can handle it,” the baby sticks a thumb in his mouth, Correspondent Miller added. the mother sees it on the screen Chuck Pelletier, Mother and as the baby is doing it,” Pelletier “It will show the mothers who Unborn Baby Care director, says the continued. “The biggest advantage come here God’s creation.” gift is an extra tool volunteers can use of this machine is that it’s going That’s the impact Fort Worth in counseling abortion-bound women to save more babies because more Bishop Kevin Vann hopes a new who walk through the door. In the women thinking about abortion will u lt r a s ou nd m a c h i ne w i l l h ave on women past, these mothers were referred to come in to see us.” considering abortion. The state-of-the- a doctor’s office for their sonograms. Sandra Williams, a board art Acuson X300 system, purchased “I think offering a free sonogram certified echo cardiographer and for Mother and Unborn Baby Care by will bring more women who are Jessica Morgan, an emergency room Knights of Columbus Council 7641 considering abortion to our center,” nurse, both volunteers, received in Bedford, provides 3D/4D real time Above: Members of the Pelletier said. additional training to administer images of a child in the womb. Knights of Columbus and When the crisis pregnancy center the sonograms. The equipment was others watched reverently Several members of the St. opened 27 years ago, advertising free installed at the center in December. as Bishop Vann blessed the Anthony the Miracle Worker Council new ultrasound machine at pregnancy tests attracted people in a “The reaction from women of the Knights based out of St. Michael Mother and Unborn Baby similar way. Abortion clinics typically getting sonograms has all been Church in Bedford were present Jan. 13 Care. charge a $100 non-refundable fee for positive. They’re amazed by what they a sonogram. see,” Williams observed. “I show them to watch Bishop Vann bless the high- Right: Supporters of MUBC tech equipment after he celebrated and representatives of the “They keep the money, even if how far along (with the pregnancy) Mass at the crisis pregnancy center. Knights joined in the Mass the woman does not go through with they are and, hopefully; they have a Purchasing sonogram machines, celebrated by Bishop Vann. the procedure,” he added. change of heart.” so abortion-minded women can The pro-life advocate calls the Workers at Mother and Unborn view the life within them, became a than $100,000. the heartbeat does change minds,” images produced by the center’s new Baby Care have dubbed the new priority for the Knights of Columbus “The Knights here have been he explained. “According to our ultrasound machine “spectacular.” ultrasound machine “Stella Maris,” national organization on Jan. 22, very generous,” Bishop Vann said, research, 80 to 90 percent of women While a trained technician is which means “Star of the Sea” in 2009 — the 36th anniversary of the praising the group’s efforts to c ontempl at i n g a b or t ion w i l l k e ep t he performing the scan, patients can Latin. Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision promote a culture of life. “They are baby after a seeing a sonogram.” view three dimensional pictures of “It’s a title given to the Blessed legalizing abortion on demand. Since really committed to their vision.” Before donating an ultrasound their moving baby displayed on a Mother,” Pelletier explained. “We then the Knights Supreme Council Jerry Miller, who spearheaded machine, the Knights of Columbus 32-inch monitor hung across from the purposely dedicated it to her and call has matched funds raised by local the project for Council 7641, believes must follow strict guidelines which examination table. Mothers receive a on her to shed the light of Christ on councils for the costly imaging the machine will save lives. include receiving approval from the photo of the baby and a CD with the these women, so they make the right systems. The units can retail for more “Watching the baby and seeing bishop and diocesan pro-life director. heartbeat to take home. decision.” ‘Health Transition Workshop’ Feb. 25 in Arlington will offer participants Catholic perspective on making end-of-life decisions By Jerry Circelli to noon, Feb. 25, at the Knights of These are just some of the valuable knowledge to make future past and valued the time spent in Correspondent Columbus St. Jude Council Hall, questions Fr. Kennedy will answer and decisions. “It’s a place where people conversations with their loved ones. 2 625 S out h C o op er St ., i n A rl i n g ton. discuss at the upcoming workshop. can say, ‘Well, this is where we start.’ ” They learned valuable Church Father Tom Kennedy, pastor “The purpose is to help people “For something that lasts only The workshop and discussion of teachings in the process. of Holy Angels Catholic Church in understand health care and end- about three hours, I try to make it very end-of-life issues are made possible “We must be guardians of our Clifton, has had to counsel the faithful of-life decisions from the Catholic comprehensive,” said Fr. Kennedy. In by the sponsorship of the Knights of bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit,” through all stages of life in his calling perspective,” said Fr. Kennedy. “It’s the course of the workshop, attendees Columbus St. Jude Council 6269 and s a id H auc k . “O u r obje c t ive i s to m a k e as a priest. something that’s a mystery for many w i l l h ave t he opp or t u n it y to c omple te efforts headed up by Jerry Hauck. This knowledgeable decisions based on the One of the most challenging people.” an Advance Medical Directive and will be the fifth year Hauck and his teachings of God.” aspects of that counseling has involved What do you do when someone Health Care Proxy, or they can take fellow Knights have hosted the event, Fr. Kennedy added the perfect helping families and their loved ones is consciously at the end of his or the documents home with valuable which will include refreshments, the example. “Jesus was preparing his with critical end-of-life decisions that her life, or is in a coma? When do resource information and fill them National Catholic Bioethics Center’s A disciples constantly for the end. If they must often make in hospitals we have moral obligations to accept out at a later time. The Advance Catholic Guide to End-of-Life Decisions, we’re paying attention to our lives as with little or no time to pray, discuss, treatments? When do we have Medical Directive specifies medical related forms, and a book titled A Will Catholics, the end is what we live for. or contemplate. For that reason, Fr. options? Where and when can we procedures a patient wishes to receive To Live: Clear Answers on End of Life In being prepared for the end, we’re Kennedy has joined with the Knights draw the line on certain medical or avoid. The Health Care Proxy Issues, authored by the Archbishop Jose actua lly continuing the ca ll of Jesus to of Columbus St. Jude Council 6269 in care? How are Catholic teachings identifies an individual who can Gomez, archbishop of Los Angeles and his disciples to always think about the Arlington to help people prepare now, and perspectives different from make medical decisions on behalf former archbishop of San Antonio. end of your life, because if you are not through the thoughtful and spiritual other practices that are gaining of a patient when that person is no Both Hauck and Fr. Kennedy prepared, it will be like a thief in the guidance of the Catholic Church, for acceptance? What about leaving a longer able to do so. have a genuine interest in sharing night who will catch you unaware.” their final days or hours on earth. hospital for hospice care at home? Some people will leave the Catholic teachings on these health To reserve materials and your Titled “Health Transition What should we consider? And, workshop with a set of completed issues with the community. Each place in the free Health Transition Workshop,” Fr. Kennedy’s insightful what are the church’s views on organ and signed documents, Fr. Kennedy delved into similar discussions with Workshop, contact Jerry Hauck at discussion is scheduled from 9 a.m. donation? said, while others will come away with their own family members in years (817) 462-8186. PAGE 8 NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC, FEBRUARY, 2012 Diocese Bishop Vann asks for prayers for ‘Envisioning’ as sessions begin The visible phase of a diocesan the diocese, including representatives letter of invitation to the Envisioning diocesan staff members, will offer of creating “a mutually shared vision “Envisioning” process set in motion of the Presbyteral Council, the Leadership Team in May of last year, their own prayerfully considered … that is rooted in the life of the by Bishop Vann last May is about to Diocesan Pastoral Council, parish “After shepherding you for almost ide a s i n a n op en c onver s at ion of w h at local Church.” begin, and he and the leadership team councils, parish staffs, other parish six years, I desire for us to chart a Bishop Vann terms in his letter of Bishop Vann will publish his of diocesan leaders is asking for the leadership (at the pastors’ discretion), course that is hopeful, faithful, and invitation, seeking what the Diocese vision for the diocese, informed by prayers of all in the diocese for God’s and Catholic Center staff. The goal life-giving as we journey into the of Fort Worth “’can be’ in service to the Envisioning process in the fall of guidance on the process. of the process is to provide Bishop future of the Diocese of Fort Worth.” the Kingdom of God….” 2012, having prayerfully considered Under Bishop Vann’s leadership, Vann with a broad representation of Beginning in February, the After these meetings have the input gathered from leaders from a group of diocesan and parish leaders the opinions and perceptions of the process will move forward with been completed, the input from e ver y c or ner of t he 2 8 c ou nt ie s of t he has been working with facilitators from faithful in the diocese to help him Envisioning sessions held in five the leadership of the diocese will diocese. Bishop Vann's articulated the Catholic Leadership Institute to formulate a mutually shared vision locations, convenient to the various be gathered and fashioned by the vision, will then be used to help lay the foundation for gathering input for the Diocese of Fort Worth. regions of the diocese. Invited leaders Envisioning Leadership Team into guide the local Church as it moves from all the recognized leadership of As Bishop Vann put it in the in the regions, as well as invited a report to the bishop with the goal into the future. First diocesan Middle School Rally NO1B4ME will feature music, speakers, Mass, and Perpetual Motion Ministry, Feb. 18 Larry West, coordinator of can be a real gift from God if that you can share with others in day is, ‘Don’t let technology control For more information about the middle school ministry at Good utilized in the right way,” says person and through technology, too,” you. You can control technology and rally, visit www.fwdioc.org or call Shepherd Church in Colleyville, West. “We will be offering the use says West. “Our main message of the put your faith out there.” (817) 560-2452 x 255. says he has worked with hundreds of Scripture, Rosaries, knowledge — if not thousands — of of the saints, and faith journals as adolescents over his past 30 years as a ‘low-tech’ way of deepening our an educator and youth minister. The communication with Christ. We married father of three especially will also be learning about how enjoys the energy and enthusiasm we can use texting, the Internet, of young teens, he explains, adding, and Facebook to deepen that faith “Kids in the sixth through eighth connection.” grades have a tremendous hunger A special feature of the rally to know God. The biggest mistake will be the high-energy closing we adults can make is to think that Mass, led by Father Jeff Poirot, they don’t want to explore their pastor of Holy Family Church in faith, to examine their Catholic Fort Worth, says Kevin Prevou, identity. Our young people are director of Youth, Young Adult, hungry to know the truth, and to and Campus Ministry for the grow closer to Christ.” diocese. In response to that need, West “Our celebration of the is serving as coordinator of an Eucharist together will be the upcoming diocesan middle school highlight of the day,” Prevou rally for Catholic sixth, seventh, says, “and leading up to that and eighth graders. The event, experience, we will all enjoy great expected to draw approximately music, inflatables, games such 700 youth and their adult leaders, as ‘Live Angry Birds,’ interactive will take place Saturday, Feb. 18 presentations, and the opportunity from 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. at for hundreds of Catholic youth to Most Blessed Sacrament Church, have fun together while growing in 2100 N. Davis Dr. in North their understanding that our faith Arlington. The cost is $30 per is not only relevant, but absolutely person prior to the Feb. 3 early necessary to be successful and registration deadline, and $40 after happy in our world today.” that date. Participants will bring “The rally will offer a their own lunches; the evening tremendous amount of movement meal is included in the price for the and fun, because that’s what this day. age group needs. We know that “No1B4Me” is the theme of they will especially enjoy the the event, says West, noting that activities offered by our presenters the keynote presenters, music from Perpetual Motion Ministry. ministers, and breakout session Together we will be building a “cell leaders will all be focusing on the phone tower” to God, as a way of gifts — and challenges — that emphasizing the conversations that young people encounter in a God wants to have with all of us.” technology-driven culture. The rally is a way for young “Our kids need to recognize adolescents to see that “your faith that technology and social media can be a fun and enjoyable thing NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC, FEBRUARY, 2012 PAGE 9

Nolan Catholic Mardi Gras at Cowboys Stadium Feb. 11 to be a highlight of 50th Anniversary observance

By Joan Kurkowski-Gillen received.” Springs, Colorado. School parents, Catholic Charities Spotlight: Correspondent So many alumni are donating alumni, and supporters have also auction items and have purchased donated shopping and restaurant VITA helps qualifying families with taxes It promises to be a celebration tickets that, “we’re very close to being gift certificates as well legal services, worthy of Nolan Catholic High sold out,” the organizer adds. Support a custom designed fire pit, crawfish School’s 50 years of success in is also coming from Fort Worth’s boil, and an autographed print by education. civic community. Police Chief Jeffrey Leroy Neiman. This year’s golden anniversary Halstead, Fire Chief Rudy Jackson, Jr., Everyone is invited to participate Mardi Gras dinner and auction is and City Councilman Danny Scarth in the online auction for “all things set for Saturday, Feb. 11 at Cowboys are expected to attend the event. Both Nolan” beginning Jan. 20. Reserved Stadium in Arlington. Festivities begin the police and fire departments have parking spots, choose your locker, at 3:30 p.m. with $25 stadium tours contributed items to the auction. and water boy duties during Viking and will continue with a 5:30 p.m. “I think it’s wonderful that so football games are some of the more M a s s . Di n ner i s s e ate d at 7:15 p.m . T he many people are recognizing our popular items up for bid. evening includes a silent auction, live 50th anniversary,” McWilliams said. “Mardi Gras is a special way to auction, and dancing until midnight to “It’s an exciting time for our school.” celebrate our 50 years so we’re looking the sounds of Canta Rhythm & Brass. Some of the items up for auction forward to a lot of alumni joining us Photo by Juan Guajardo / North Texas Catholic Guest parking at Cowboys Stadium is at the fundraiser include a one-week for the evening,” says Annette Kearns, TCU students Lori Gangi (left) and Haleigh Wiederrich volunteered for the VITA program free courtesy of Allen Samuels Dodge, condominium stay at Hawaii’s the school’s communications director. during the 2010 tax season, assisting clients, helping them fill out necessary forms, and Chrysler Jeep RAM. Hanalei Bay Resort, a July 4th To donate auction items or when eligible, helping them obtain additional resources. Individual reservations are $85 Myrtle Beach vacation, a one-week make a reservation call the school She was the single, working with housing, financial education, and table sponsorships are available. Canadian vacation at Whiski Jack at (817) 457-2920 or visit www. mother of two young children, career development, food stamps, The annual Mardi Gras fundraiser Creekside Resort in British Columbia, nolancatholichs.org and click on the both with special needs. “Mary,” and medical needs,” she added. is part of a yearlong calendar of and a week’s lodging in Steamboat Mardi Gras link. a client of Catholic Charities’ “This kind of comprehensive activities marking the 1961 opening Volunteer Income Tax Assistance approach to helping families to of Nolan Catholic High School. ( V I TA ) prog r a m, e a r ne d le s s t h a n achieve financial stability is unique Founded by the Marianist Brothers $35,000 a year, and was grateful to our Catholic Charities and and the Sisters of St. Mary of Namur, for the cost-free help in preparing United Way partnership.” the 4501 Bridge St. campus has served her 2010 income tax. Empathetic, trained volunteers more than 9,000 students during its “Her two sons both have are the key to the success of the history and remains Tarrant County’s muscular dystrophy,” recalled VITA effort, said Casey, noting oldest and largest Catholic college Cindy Casey, Volunteer Manager that in addition to skilled tax preparatory school. for the VITA program. “She preparation and review, free on-site Proceeds from Mardi Gras ticket couldn’t believe it when our childcare is offered by appointment. sales and auctions are used to volunteers helped her to prepare “Our volunteers know that they support a variety of vital needs at her taxes, then gave her the are part of a program that prevents Nolan, including academic programs, news that she qualified for a people from being taken advantage campus improvements, and financial $7,500 refund. She was absolutely of,” she said. “Some preparers are assistance for families in need. ecstatic. She told us that she was charging hundreds of dollars, “It’s a grand venue for a grand now going to be able to purchase while VITA offers all services at no event,” says coordinator Jana an electric wheelchair for her sons.” cost. This effort is an opportunity McWilliams, describing the selection VITA, an IRS-supported, free to truly make a difference in of Cowboys Stadium as one of the income tax preparation program someone’s life, by helping VITA special touches chosen to reflect the for qualifying families throughout clients to receive the largest lump school’s golden jubilee celebration. Tarrant County, is part of Catholic sum of money that they will see in “What we’ve done is being very well- Charities Fort Worth (CCFW) and a year. Coupled with our financial United Way of Tarrant County’s education program, this gives e f for t to a s si s t f a m i l ie s i n b e c om i n g working families the opportunity To Report Misconduct financially self-sufficient. Many to lift themselves out of poverty.” If you or someone you know is a working individuals and families Volunteers are needed to assist victim of sexual misconduct by are unaware of the Earned Income VITA clients during the 2011 anyone who serves the church, you may Tax Credit (EITC), which can tax season in a variety of ways, • Call Judy Locke, victim mean up to an additional $5,751 including with tax preparation assistance coordinator, in tax refunds for families earning and review, translation services, (817) 560-2452 ext. 201 less than $49,078 a year. and child supervision. or e-mail her at [email protected] During last year’s tax season, For more information about • Or call the Sexual Abuse the VITA program prepared VITA, the 11 IRS-certified sites and Hotline (817) 560-2452 ext. 900 2,816 tax returns, refunding $5 mobile service, and opportunities • Or call The Catholic Center million and $1.77 million in to train and serve as a volunteer, at (817) 560-2452 ext. 102 and Earned Income Credits, noted call United Way’s 2-1-1 or Catholic ask for the moderator of the Lauren King, CCFW Director of Charities at (817) 534-0814, or visit curia, Father Stephen J. Berg Programs. “While helping clients to www.catholiccharitiesfortworth. To Report Abuse prepare their taxes, we also referred org. Walk-ins are welcome; Call the Texas Department of Family over a thousand households to appointments can also be scheduled Protective Services (Child Protective other resources, such as assistance by telephone. Services) at (800) 252-5400 PAGE 10 NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC, FEBRUARY, 2012 Diocese Formation Day for RCIA and RCIA Adapted for Children, Jan. 28 at Immaculate Conception in Denton, will offer English and Spanish presenters, workshops

Michele Baker throughout the year. by the Vatican’s Congregation for Right: Director of Catechesis Lucas Correspondent “The Institute, though still in the Clergy in 1997 states that the Pollice and Fr. Stephen Jasso, TOR, discuss its infancy, has offered a number catechumenate is the model form of finer points of theology at the 2009 RCIA On Saturday, Jan. 28, the Diocese of opportunities for training,” said catechesis for all the faithful. Formation Day for clergy. (Photo by Juan of Fort Worth will host an RCIA and Martha Tonn, director of catechesis “You have a microcosm of the Guajardo) RCIA Adapted for Children Diocesan at Immaculate Conception, which is parish represented in the program,” Below: All eyes are on the presenter in Formation Day. Sponsored by the hosting this year’s event. “And when e x pl a i n s Ton n. “A nd nu merou s s t ud ie s this photo from the 2009 RCIA Formation you see the scope of the RCIA program, have shown that the more faithfully Pope John Paul II Institute School Day for Clergy. (Photo by Juan Guajardo) of Catechumenal Ministry, the day- it’s easy to see why there’s an entire your process of catechesis for the long event will be held at Denton's school devoted to this. In my parish catechumenate reflects parish life, the Immaculate Conception Church. we have RCIA programs in English more likely the people who experience The Pope John Paul II Institute and Spanish, for adults, teens, and the process are going to stay involved is a vehicle for adult catechesis in the children; each program has a team of in the parish and their faith.” Diocese of Fort Worth. The Institute is 8 to 12 members.” This year’s RCIA Formation comprised of three schools: A School of Lucas Pollice, diocesan director Day will feature keynote addresses in Catechesis, the School of Lay Ministry, of Catechesis said, “Ever y member of English and in Spanish with breakout and the School of Catechumenal the RCIA team, from parish directors sessions on a variety of pertinent topics. Ministry which provides training to sponsors, would benefit from Cost is $15 and includes all materials for those involved with the Rite of participating in the Formation Day. and lunch. Registration deadline is Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) And even though attendance is not Monday, Jan. 23. and RCIA Adapted for Children. mandatory, we always have a strong For more information or to Now in its third year, the annual turnout.” register, contact Lucas Pollice at 817- RCIA Formation Day grew out of Which is as it should be. The 560-3300 Ext. 260 or at lpollice@ training days that were formerly held General Directory for Catechesis issued fwdioc.org. NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC, FEBRUARY, 2012 PAGE 11 Catechesis

Open Wide Th e Doors To Christ

By Lucas Pollice

ne of the great challenges that face our understanding. us as Catholics as we move forward Th e same applies to the mysteries of Owith the New Evangelization God. Th ey are true because God has revealed is witnessing and teaching the proper them to us, but many of them are beyond relationship between faith and reason. As our reason, which is limited in many ways our culture becomes increasingly secular, while we are in this world. In fact not only more and more people rely purely on science is God’s revelation not unreasonable, but we and reason as the source of truth, and not can even come to a limited and imperfect Christ and the Church. Anything proposed understanding of revelation through our from a position of science or reason is readily reason alone, such as in our understanding accepted as true with little refl ection or of the natural law. However, through questioning. On the other hand, anything God’s revelation and our faith seeking that is proposed from a religious standpoint understanding, we can continue to ponder is oftentimes immediately questioned and is the mysteries of God so that we may come to seen as opposed to reason and therefore, not know them more deeply until the fullness of true. time when we see God face to face. However, God is the only genuine Th us, the dual and inseparable source of truth, and what God has revealed relationship of faith and reason are the to us through Christ and entrusted to the two irreplaceable and indispensable means Church fully reveals to us who God is and are and what God’s plan and will is for us. child since she had never had relations with through which we come to know God who we are as human beings created in the Th e reality is that our relationship with a man. However, because of Mary’s faith and enter into the profound depths of his image and likeness of God. Faith, rather God is like any relationship. Whether it be and her desire to further understand God’s mystery and also come to know who we than being opposed to reason, allows our with a spouse or a friend, we seek to know revelation and plan, God reveals to her that are as children of God created in his image reason to achieve a level of knowledge and ever more deeply who they are, and the more her child is not conceived through a man, and likeness. As Blessed Pope John Paul II understanding of truth that goes far beyond we come to truly know them, the more we but rather through the power of the Holy powerfully states: its own natural capacities. can grow in love and friendship with them. Spirit. Th ere is no way that Mary could have How then, do faith and reason work Th e same applies with our faith in God and come to know this through her reason alone. Faith and reason are like two wings together? Th e great early Church Father our relationship with Him. We certainly do But through her faith in God’s revelation, on which the human spirit rises to the St. Anselm defi ned theology, the study not know everything about God. But that she comes to know that her Son will be contemplation of truth; and God has or science of God, as “faith seeking does not mean we stop learning. And just conceived through the Holy Spirit and truly placed in the human heart a desire to understanding.” How we come to know because God’s revelation can sometimes be be the Son of God. know the truth — in a word, to know God and ultimately how we come to share in diffi cult to understand or diffi cult to live Is this unreasonable or is God’s plan himself — so that, by knowing and loving his life is indeed through fi rst accepting in does not mean we just reject it or give up. It simply beyond Mary’s natural reason? Th is God, men and women may also come to faith what God has revealed to us and then is at those times in particular that like Mary is the crucial point. We call what we do not the fullness of truth about themselves. seeking to further understand his truth and we cling with faith to what God has revealed know about God “mysteries” not because — Fides et Ratio,(Faith and Reason) 1 plan for us. Mary gives us a perfect example to us, and we surrender our intellect and will the truths about God are unreasonable, but of this faith seeking understanding faith to what He has revealed. because they are simply beyond the capacity Th erefore, the mysteries of our Catholic at the Annunciation. Mary demonstrates But then we ponder it, we ask questions, of our reason that is currently limited by faith should never be roadblocks to our great faith, but a faith that was seeking we read the Scriptures, study the teachings space and time and our fi nite nature here on faith, but should always call us to a deeper understanding. When the angel told her of the Church, and we pray about it. What earth. In addition, just because something is understanding and a deeper communion that she was going to conceive a child, she if Mary had not understood at fi rst what beyond our reason does not mean that it is with God who is continuously calling us to accepted with faith what God was revealing the angel was telling her, and she thought it not true. We see this in our everyday lives! Himself. Th is is why life-long catechesis is to her in this mysterious event. She clung to was just too hard to accept or live without For example, if I ask my four-year-old what not only important but should be an essential his words; she believed them even though she pondering in her heart God’s word, asking eight times eight is, he would have no idea. and indispensable part of the Christian did not fully understand them. the questions, and praying for the grace to It is simply beyond his reason at this point walk. As we see in the great story Luke tells But Mary’s faith did not stop there. live faithfully according to God’s will? Our in his human existence. Does this mean that of the two disciples encountering Christ on She sought to more deeply understand what faith in God requires that we always seek to “eight times eight equals 64” is not true? Of the Road to Emmaus in his Gospel, Christ God’s word meant so that she could more more deeply understand God’s revelation, course not! It just means that this truth is is always walking with us on the journey, deeply know, love, and serve Him. So Mary so that we may more deeply love and serve simply beyond his reason, not contrary to it answering our questions and fulfi lling our pondered God’s word in her heart and mind Him. or non-existent. deepest longings. All we need to do is open and asked questions. “How will this be if Th erefore, not only does faith not Can we possibly completely know our hearts and minds without fear to his I do not know man?” (Luke 1:34). Asking contradict reason, but faith actually builds and understand the many mysteries truth so that our hearts may indeed burn questions is not doubting! Mary’s question upon and perfects our reason. Faith takes concerning the universe, the natural world, with love for Christ and we may become his does not show doubt, but rather shows that what we can know through our reason alone the complexity of the human person? How powerful instruments of love and truth. Do she believes God’s revelation and desires to and enables us to understand the truths many complex truths are there out there that not be afraid! Open wide the doors to Christ! know his will even more profoundly, so that about God and ourselves on a completely many of us are unable to understand at this she will be able to more perfectly cooperate new level. We see this profoundly with moment? Th at does not mean they are false, Lucas Pollice is director of Catechesis and with his plan. We should always seek to Mary and the Annunciation. It seems or non-existent, or contradict our reason, Adult Faith Formation and RCIA for the know more deeply who God is and who we “unreasonable” that Mary could be with those complex truths are just simply beyond diocese. PAGE 12 NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC, FEBRUARY, 2012 VOICES of the CHURCH opinions, stories, wisdom, and personal voice Sex as God intended it: The consubstantial mystery The Church has a treasure to offer New wording helps us appreciate Trinity By Glen Argan orgotten are the By David Mills e need to be children. Children ‘W reminded that we asilian Father Jack F hen you’re young, can’t talk about the relation Gallagher has written are the main victims you think you of the Father and the Son the an important book when marriage and understand people. W way we talk about anything B When I was 13, almost everyone I that challenges both Church cohabiting relationships else. To put it simply, God and society. The challenge knew explained everyone else with a break up. The future has revealed this to us, but to society is to overcome simple word like “insecure.” (Which of society is the victim that doesn’t mean we’ll its individualistic approach was probably true, actually.) As we got older, we explained each other understand more than a tiny to sexual morality that has when the number of in slightly more complicated ways, part of its meaning.’ separated procreation from offspring does not even drawn from the kind of psychology marriage. The challenge to maintain the current you pick up from Time magazine a theology degree. the Church is to be more population. Schools are and intro to psych classes in college, And this, I think, actually helps us think forthright in presenting its more deeply about what we’re saying when we closed; streets are silent; often tracing whatever behavior pop up at Mass and start reciting the words teaching on sexuality and of the Creed. The unusual word tells us that we wanted to explain by the poor marriage that is the only the dwindling number we are speaking of a great mystery, something target’s childhood. that’s way, way above our pay grade. We’re real hope for society to avoid of the young bear the speaking of the relation of the Father to the It’s a hard habit to break, but as you Son, which is sort of like the relation of a collapse and ruin. burden of caring for the get older you begin to see that people are human father to a human son — that’s why mysteries, even to themselves. You’d think Scripture gives us these names and not others Fr. Gallagher doesn’t mince words in increasing number of that of all people St. Paul understood himself, — but in other ways not like it at all. his book, Human Sexuality and Christian but even he threw up his hands and admitted We need to be reminded that we can’t Marriage: An Ethical Study. Evidence elderly. to the Christians in Rome that for some talk about the relation of the Father and the abounds, he says, indicating that the reason he didn’t do the good things he wanted Son the way we talk about anything else. To direction in which society is moving and self-fulfillment are the primary values. to do but kept doing the bad things he didn’t put it simply, God has revealed this to us, but regarding sex and marriage is disastrous for The way out of this morass, Fr. want to do. You simply can’t describe anyone that doesn’t mean we’ll understand more than both individuals and society itself. Gallagher says, is through Catholic teaching adequately in a few words or even in a long a tiny part of its meaning. In its increasing acceptance of on marriage and sexuality. God created psychological report. Think of trying to describe a beloved cohabitation prior to marriage and of man and woman, not for themselves, but If we are mysteries, God is infinitely grandmother. You can tell people that she was widespread divorce, society is undermining for each other. The family is the foundation more mysterious than we are. We know God this and she was that, and she did this and its own ability to raise children who have of society because marriage is oriented is a Trinity of persons, but what could that she did that, and tell a bunch of great stories the sense of personal security and self-worth outwards to the common good. possibly mean? How do the persons relate to about her. You could write out her history. to develop into mature adults. However, just at the time when each other? What does it mean to say that the But you wouldn’t be able to capture who she Along with society’s acceptance of Catholic teaching in this area is most Father has a Son? really is. You wouldn’t be able to describe her contraception comes a social norm that needed, Catholics have abandoned that I bring this up because it helps explain personality in a way someone else could with says marriage is not about openness to new teaching in droves. Fr. Gallagher cites a why the new translation of the Mass uses certainty pick her out of a group of sweet little life, but about the parents’ right to decide 1992 survey that showed that in the U.S. “consubstantial” instead of “one in being with old ladies like her. the number of children they will accept. moral acceptance of premarital sex and the Father.” In this column we’ll look at why If grandma can’t be described very well, From there, it has not been a large step to contraception is actually higher among the translators of the Creed used such an odd God can’t be either, especially when we try to a notion of “family diversity” in which any Catholics than in the general population. and unusual word when they could have used talk about the inner relations of the Trinity, relationship among sexually active adults is The Catholic Church is sometimes much simpler language. and about what it means for the Father to seen as “equivalent to marriage.” accused of talking too much about sex. The The old wording certainly sounds better have a Son and for the Son to be the Son of Forgotten are the children. Children reverse is true. The Church does not talk and seems (on the face of it) a lot easier to the Father. No matter how good you are with are the main victims when marriage and about its teachings in this area anywhere understand. The new wording is what my words, there’s a sharp limit to what you can cohabiting relationships break up. The near enough. We have a treasure to offer grandfather used to call a “twenty-dollar do in this case. When we’re confidently racing future of society is the victim when the society, a way out of its current crisis. It is word.” (As you’ll guess, he grew up when $20 through the Creed, we ought to slam on the number of offspring does not even maintain past time that we proclaimed that teaching was a lot of money.) brakes and remember that we’re talking about the current population. Schools are closed; with much greater fervor. Society’s future It sticks out like a man in a tuxedo at the a great mystery. That odd twenty-dollar word streets are silent; the dwindling number of depends on it. beach. It makes you feel like you’re listening “consubstantial” tells us to hit the brakes. the young bear the burden of caring for the to some really smart computer geeks who uses increasing number of elderly. Glen Argan is the editor and general manager a language you will never, ever understand. It David Mills is the executive editor of FIRST Such a society is inordinately self- of the WESTERN CATHOLIC REPORTER, the can make you feel you’re reading from a script THINGS. He and his family attend St. Joseph’s focused. The individual comes before the official newspaper of the Archdiocese of written for someone else — particularly some Church in Coraopolis. He can be reached at relationship and, for the individual, pleasure Edmonton, Alberta. gray-haired, tweed-jacketed, balding guy with [email protected]. NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC, FEBRUARY, 2012 PAGE 13 VOICES of the CHURCH opinions, stories, wisdom, and personal voice Grandma’s little black skirt Youth of our Church have became a guide that taught her (and us) to be self-giving a role in the By Denise Bossert Culture of Life n the summer of 2009, By Tony Gutiérrez my husband and I went Associate Editor, North Texas Catholic to a reunion on his side I s this paper is going to the press, of the family. Aunt Lucia hundreds of thousands of people are told a story about John’s A amassing in Washington, D.C., to take part in the Annual March for Life. What’s grandmother. I never met amazing about this march, and what should give us hope for the future, is the number of Grandma Bossert. She passed young people participating. away long before I married into My brother is a youth minister and is attending the march for the first time. I asked the family. But Aunt Lucia him why he waited so long to go, and he simply said, “I’ve never had so many youth from my said Grandma had a little parish go before.” black skirt. She’d owned it for As we talked, I remembered my own experience at the March for Life four years ago, as long as Aunt Lucia could while I was still in college and freelancing for remember. Grandma used the the North Texas Catholic. I went with a group of young adults from Denton, and covered our skirt as a kind of measuring diocese’s participation in the march. What I remember very vividly is that of tape to monitor weight gain. the four groups from our diocese participating When she couldn’t get the side — my group made up of young adults — was er focus was on the needs of those around her, the oldest. And I realized why that was during zipper to zip, she would cut even as she quietly modified her own habits. the rally before the march. I don’t remember H the name of the speaker, but he asked everyone back on what she ate until it fit That’s how we should be during Lent. under the age of 35 (the number of years that her again. had passed since Roe v. Wade was decided), and told us to look to our left. Then he told us to I’ve seen pictures of Grandma Bossert. look to ou r rig ht. T hen he sa id some of t he most She looked like a Hollywood star even chilling words I'd ever heard: “If the person when she was well into her sixties, thanks on either side of you is under 35, then there is to that little skirt and constant vigilance. somebody missing between you — somebody Our Church calendar is like that has been lost to abortion.” And I realized, Grandma’s skirt. around her, even as she quietly modified carry. We begin and end each day with a that my generation is a generation that was On fat Tuesday, we try on our spiritual her own habits. simple dedication of our day to God. literally slaughtered in the womb, and many skirts, and we realize that we have gotten That’s how we should be during Lent. We make progress in personal young people realize that as well. a little out of shape. Our baptismal vows We should remain faithful to our Lenten sanctification by actively engaging the I also remember high-schoolers leading the aren’t fitting like they should. And for 40 promises even as we let our energies turn season of Lent. The spiritual equivalent to Rosary as we marched. I remember a group of days, we submit to the process of self- outward. How can we simultaneously a little black skirt and an act of the will. youth and young adults from St. Louis who denial and service to others. We ask for deny ourselves and also meet the needs of Go ahead. Do some self-assessment. brought their pastor, inviting my group to the grace to reorder our disordered lives, those in our midst? The Church has the Does the skirt fit? There are so many ways join them for a private daily Mass in the hotel. so that on Easter morning, we are ready to answer: forty days of re-ordering our lives to learn to be holy — as many ways as Is this to say that all young people, or even meet the Risen Lord. and offering ourselves up for others. We there are Lenten promises. Pick one. Keep a majority of them in our country, are pro-life? We have ways of measuring our become more like Christ when we enter your promise. Turn your energy outward Not necessarily. I still find myself sharing my progress just as Grandma Bossert had her into the season of Lent. to those in need. Eventually your spiritual pro -l i fe v ie w s w it h ot her s i n my g ener at ion w ho side zipper. We know what to do when At the end of 40 days, we know that skirt will fit like a glove. don’t share them. But the kids in my brother’s things are out of control. Oh, we don’t we could let things fall apart again, or we And just like Grandma Bossert, you youth group, and the kids who go to this march, have to put on sad faces and act sullen can ask God for the grace to keep our lives will move about your kitchen with grace and become educated, turn into witnesses for about the self-denial. Even Grandma in right order. Lessons learned during Lent and dignity, asking everyone around you, the Culture of Life in their schools, among their Bossert could put on a thirty-dish meal stay with us — if we let them. Have you seen the Spätzle? I made it just for friends, and wherever they go. for family while simultaneously keeping We learn to love. We learn how to be you. The battle to end abortion in this her eyes on that little black skirt. In fact, holy. We ask for the grace to overcome our country may be an uphill one. But we should she let the season of self-denial turn her weaknesses. When we have self-doubt and Denise Bossert is a convert to Catholicism. be encouraged because even if it is an uphill focus outward. Her attention went to those don’t think we can make it, we study the She lives in near St. Louis and is a member battle, the young people in our Church who around her. Did they have enough to eat? lives of the saints and get inspired. We pick of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in have seen the effects abortion has had on their Had they seen the Spätzle? Did they need ourselves up and do a serious examination New Melle, Missouri. Read more of Denise's generation, are ready and willing to fight for more coffee? of conscience. We submit to the Sacrament writing at www.catholicbygrace.blogspot. the Culture of Life. Her focus was on the needs of those of Reconciliation and lose the baggage we com. PAGE 14 NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC, FEBRUARY, 2012 Features

adults, and they were sharing their New Year’s Resolutions. Cleaning out our Many of their hoped for improvements for 2012 had to do with strengthening their prayer lives or reading the Bible more or taking more advantage of receiving the sacraments. These souls requires us are great goals, but keeping the promise is a whole lot easier than speaking it in a group of like-minded friends. Jesus addresses this reality in the parable about the return to fill our lives of the unclean spirit. “When an unclean spirit goes out of CNS photo/Bob Roller someone, it roams through arid regions searching for rest but, Children make the sign of the cross at St. Anthony Indian School on the Zuni Pueblo Indian finding none, it says, ‘I shall return to my home from which I reservation in New Mexico in late October. with Christ came.’ But upon returning, it finds it swept clean and put in By Jeff Hedglen order. Then it goes and brings back seven other spirits more wicked than itself who move in and dwell there, and the last his year promises to be full of new beginnings and condition of that person is worse than the first” (Luke 11:24- fresh challenges. January 1 launched a new chapter 26). Tin my life. For the past 25 years I have worked as the This story is exactly what happens in my garage every Coordinator of Youth Ministry at St. Bartholomew. I am year! The more serious problem is that it also happens in my now working for the Diocese of Fort Worth as the Campus spiritual life. I make a decision to strive to avoid certain sin Minister at UTA and Associate Coordinator of Young Adult patterns, and I know to do this I have to make some changes Ministry. But before the new beginnings could begin, I had to and clean up my life. I also know that I have to fill my life clean out my office where 25 years of stuff had piled up. with holy endeavors in an effort to resist temptation. But all It was an arduous task on many levels. The sheer volume too often I grow lax in my spiritual discipline, and the next of items to be gone through was intimidating. Deciding which thing I know I am wallowing in sin again. things were my personal stuff that needed to be packed up In this parable Jesus is simply warning us that it is one CNS photo/Petr Josek, Reuters and what needed to stay in the office and what needed to be thing to do some spiritual spring cleaning, but it is another A Catholic priest walks inside a church made of snow Dec. 28 in the Bavarian village of Mitterfirmiansreut, near the German-Czech border. The snow church is likely to become a thrown out was exhausting. The process was quite emotional thing entirely to enact the “out with the old in with the new” tourist attraction until the beginning of spring. yet surprisingly freeing. It was certainly hard to go through 25 strategy. We must fill our lives with things that build up the years’ worth of memories knowing I was leaving a job I have Kingdom, otherwise our efforts and desires to grow in faith are loved, but it was also a good feeling to make a clean and fresh severely hampered. start. I have often heard it said, “If nothing changes, nothing The cleaning out of my old office had a strange effect on changes.” If we want to grow in holiness, we have to start with me, because after I finished with that chore I tackled a job I the person who stares back at us in the mirror. One small avoid at all costs: cleaning out my garage at home. We have a decision can start a spiritual revolution in your life. Read one two-car garage that most of the time is effectively a one-car chapter of the Bible a day, visit a nursing home once a month garage because the other side is full of things that need to be (take some friends with you), make a sandwich and hand it to put up in the attic, moved to the shed, taken to Goodwill, that homeless person you pass every day, attend one daily Mass thrown away, reshelved, or taken to the Environmental a week (or even month). The options are endless; all we have to Collection Center for hazardous waste. do is choose one. Every year or so I return the space to its two vehicle capacity, but it seems like in no time it is reduced in size once Jeff Hedglen, campus minister at the University of Texas at again. I fear the same is also going to be true of my new office. Arlington and associate coordinator of Young Adult Ministry for CNS photo/L'Osservatore Romano via Reuters There is a similar reality in the world of our faith life. the Diocese of Fort Worth, is the principal organizer of Camp Fort A member of Rome's Biopark zoo shows Pope Benedict XVI a rare young Cuban crocodile This is the time of year when we reassess our past and resolve Worth each summer. Readers with questions can contact Jeff at during the pope's weekly audience in Paul VI hall at the Vatican Jan. 11. The crocodile is set to to make some changes. I was recently with a group of young [email protected]. be introduced to its natural habitat in Cuba during the pope's trip in March. Cross-Words

By Mark Simeroth www.sheepdotcom.com Across & Down: 1. Baltazar is 3. Not once traditionally considered 4. Ms. Garbo one of three 5. The last may break 2. Lifeless a camel’s back? 12345

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5 NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC, FEBRUARY, 2012 PAGE 15 As he ministers to African Catholics living in North Texas, Ghanaian priest Fr. Philip Brembah is as A gift among God's people

Story and Photos by Joan Kurkowski-Gillen

In Africa, people bring produce from their farms to Mass, and they are added to the offering of bread and wine. "They are lifted up to God in thanksgiving for giving them so much they can depend on," said Fr. Philip. "God is feeding them with spiritual nourishment at the same time. They believe that by their hard work and the grace of God, they have been able to grow that produce."

ather Philip Brembah’s tions. That’s really sad because many for farming, so education was a Funerals are also steeped in brown eyes brighten, and a of them were Catholic,” the musician priority for my mother,” the priest tradition. During the first week, smile blankets his face as he points out. “Maybe their faith just says, recalling the family’s struggle. people visited the grieving family, Fdescribes Christmas in his wasn’t strong enough or maybe they “She knew educating her children and no immediate plans are made native Ghana. Exchanging expensive didn’t f ind the same traditions so they would help us survive.” for a viewing or burial. Gatherings gifts is not part of the celebration for went somewhere else.” Despite the emotional and are also held at 40 days and then one residents of the West African country. Choir member Michelle Ebambi financial hardships pulling him year after the death of a loved one. “People travel from the cities to s ay s t he nu mb er of A f r ic a n s at tend i n g away from his vocation, he chose “It’s a way to celebrate the life of the villages to be with family. The Mass has grown since Fr. Philip to continue his studies and live up the person who has passed and offers holiday is about eating together, began ministering to the immigrant to the example set by Father Philip an opportunity to be around the Michelle Ebambi, member of the choir for talking, and catching up on the latest community. The unity demonstrated Kofi Boateng. The older priest, a bereaved family. It’s a support system eight years, decorates the altar before Mass. news,” says the young priest from the by the devout congregation contrasts close friend of his parents, had blessed so they don’t feel isolated or alone.” Archdiocese of Kumasi. “The greatest with what many members experienced their marriage. His mother and father The priest visits frequently to gift you can give is to be physically in their own countries. named him after the pastor. Both Fr. pray with the mourners. present.” “Africans are known to be Philips share the name Kofi because “It means a lot to people,” he says, For the growing number of divided along tribal lines so it’s rare they were born on a Friday and in referring to his role in the lengthy African Catholics who now call to see them come together for one Ghanaian culture, the day of the process. “People are very conscious North Texas home, Fr. Philip’s cause,” she says, explaining how the week a child is born, determines the of time in America. For Ghanaians, presence in the Diocese of Fort spiritual leader encourages them middle name. time is not as important as family.” Worth is a gift that keeps their ties to pray for peace and prosperity in “I got to know him pretty well. He Fr. Philip’s contributions to the to the Church and homeland strong. Africa. “As Catholics, it shows the was a hard-working priest who traveled diocese redefine the concept of African At the invitation of Bishop Kevin universality of the Church. We pray a lot to villages for Mass and to bring missionary. Instead of Westerners These two members of the African choir Vann, he arrived in the diocese as one people.” the sacraments,” Fr. Philip says, praising traveling overseas to evangelize, are Theodora Adeniyi-Rowland and Lola Franklin from Nigeria. four years ago to meet the needs of While many Africans relocated his mentor who died when he was a “priests and religious from Africa are a burgeoning Ghanaian Catholic to the U.S. for schooling, some left first year student in minor seminary. now moving to other parts of the world population who gather every Sunday their homelands to escape war and Ordained on July 18, 1998, Fr. to help,” he explains. at St. Joseph Church for Mass in the persecution. Fr. Philip is a sounding Philip worked in the Archdiocese Since his arrival here, the Akan language, Twi. The Arlington board for their personal tragedies. of Kumasi before being selected by former hospital chaplain spent three parish also hosts a quarterly African “That’s especially true for people Archbishop Peter Kwasi Sarpong to years ministering to the sick in Fort Mass in English for Catholics from from the Congo who have stories bring his ministry to the Ghanaians Worth hospitals and was assigned as the Congo, Ivory Coast, Togo, Kenya, to tell about the war,” he confides. living in the Fort Worth area. Today parochial vicar at St. Joseph Church and Nigeria who move here to study “Life’s been difficult and that’s one the 43-year-old cleric officiates at last October. Father Charles Addai- at local universities and then settle of the reasons why we try to worship deeply rooted cultural rites observed Kanham, who has served parishioners Surrounded by her relatives, Julia Konadu in the area. together and pray for the continent by the community, rites like the at St. Vincent de Paul Church in receives prayer of thanksgiving for her “Fr. Philip brings the African — especially troubled areas.” naming ceremony for newborns. Arlington for three years, is returning academic success. She earned her BA in community together so we can Growing up the oldest of five Seven days after a birth, people to Ghana at the end of January. business administration a few days earlier. worship as we used to back home,” children in the heavily populated gather at the family’s home for the Living so far away from family Born in the U.S., her family is Ghanaian. says Thierry Kalubi, a native of the Ashanti Region of Ghana, Philip announcement of the child’s name. — especially during the Christmas Congo who plays the keyboard at the Kofi Brembah’s childhood was never The morning ritual is followed by an season — is difficult, Fr. Philip African Mass. “Before he came, we marred by war or violence but had “adoring” celebration in the evening. admits, but he has found a new home had to search for an African priest its own challenges. His father died “We believe raising a child is not at the Arlington parish. for our Masses.” when he was a teenager, and the just the responsibility of the mother “But the way people love, care, It’s important for the new overwhelming responsibility he felt and father but society,” says Fr. Philip, and show concern for your welfare arrivals to build a faith community for his mother and siblings almost explaining how the local priest offers and well-being makes you feel where familiar hymns are sung and prompted him to leave the minor prayers for the baby and is an integral comfortable,” the assistant pastor treasured customs maintained. seminary —0 the equivalent of our part of the occasion. “Ghanaians says. “You know you’re not missing “Many Africans, after moving Catholic high schools for boys. always want to celebrate — especially anything because you still find here, are drawn to other denomina- “We didn’t own a piece of land when it’s about life.” yourself in a family.” Two men greet Fr. Philip after Mass. PAGE 16 NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC, FEBRUARY, 2012 NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC, FEBRUARY, 2012 PAGE 17 PAGE 18 NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC, FEBRUARY, 2012 Former Episcopal bishop to head new U.S. ordinariate for former Episcopalians By Nancy Frazier O’Brien elected bishop of that diocese. Catholic News Service Born in Camp Rucker, Alabama, he was raised on a farm in Hillsboro, North Dakota, that has been in his family since the 1880s. He received his theological training at Trinity Evangelical HOUSTON — Pope Benedict XVI Divinity School near Chicago, Harvard Divinity School, and the established a U.S. ordinariate for former University of Oxford, where he received his doctorate in patristic studies, the study of the early Church Fathers, in 1983. He spent a Anglicans who wish to become Catholics s a bbat ic a l ye a r i n R ome a s he prep a re d for t he C at hol ic pr ie s t ho o d , Jan. 1 and named a married former Episcopal studying with seminarians from the Pontifical North American College and living with his wife at the Pontifical Irish College. bishop to head it. After working briefly in a New Mexico parish following his ordination to the Catholic priesthood, Fr. Steenson has been the The Personal Ordinariate of the Chair Carl and Lois Davis professor in patristic studies at the University of St. Peter — functionally equivalent to of St. Thomas, teaching theology at the University of St. Thomas Center for Faith and Culture and at St. Mary’s Seminary, both a diocese, but national in scope — will be in Houston, since August 2009. He also is an assisting priest at based at a parish in Houston. It will be led by St. Cyril of Alexandria Parish in Houston. I n a 2 0 0 9 i nter v ie w w it h C at hol ic Ne w s S er v ic e , Fr. Ste en s on Father Jeffrey N. Steenson, who was bishop said he had been “attracted to Catholicism all of my life.” “It’s not negative things that turned me to the Catholic of the Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande, Church,” he said. “I just felt God saying, ‘It’s time.’” based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, for three The time came, he said, in 2007 when he felt the bishops of the Episcopal Church had decided to give priority to their autonomy years before leaving to become a Catholic in rather than to unity with the larger Anglican Communion. 2007 and to be ordained a Catholic priest Fr. Steenson said that for him, gay people were not the CNS photo/courtesy Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter issue. “It was the way the decisions were made and the way they for the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, in February Pope Benedict XVI has established a U.S. ordinariate for former Anglicans who were defended,” placing the local church and modern cultural wish to become Catholics and named a married former Episcopal bishop to head sensitivities ahead of the universal Church and fidelity to tradition, 2009. He and his wife, Debra, have three it. It will be led by Father Jeffrey N. Steenson, the former Episcopal bishop of the he said. adult children and one grandchild. Rio Grande who was ordained a Catholic priest of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, The priest said that while the Episcopal Church spoke of the New Mexico, in February 2009. Father Steenson is pictured in a 2010 photo. importance of Christian unity, it continued to approve practices — ordaining women priests and bishops, ordaining homosexuals, “What propels a person to leave his or her ecclesial home and understood and appreciated that Anglican heritage,” Fr. Steenson and blessing same-sex unions — that everyone knew would be ma ke this journey into the Catholic Church is a desire to be in full said. “We hope the personal ordinariate can bring this Anglican an obstacle to Christian unity. communion with everything that the Catholic Church teaches literary culture into the life of the Church.” “The frustration with being a Protestant is that every morning is true,” Fr. Steenson said at a news conference in Houston Jan. In the Jan. 2 press conference, Fort Worth Bishop Kevin Vann you get up and have to reinvent the church all over again,” Fr. 2. “One of those things is to be in communion with the pope. It in his role as Ecclesiastical Delegate for the Pastoral Provision in Steenson said. is that desire to connect with that apostolic rock that will make the United States, explained the difference between the Pastoral The new ordinariate has been in the works since September a person make sacrifices.” Provision and the Ordinariate. “The Pastoral provision, which 2010, when the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Fr. Steenson will be installed as the ordinary Feb. 19 in was established by Pope John Paul II in 1980, is for individual Faith asked Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl of Washington to be its Houston. Because he is married, the 59-year-old Fr. Steenson will Episcopalian priests, who wish to become a priest for a Latin delegate for the implementation of Anglicanorum coetibus in the not be ordained a bishop and will not be able to ordain priests. Rite diocese. United States. He will, however, otherwise function as a bishop and will be “The Ordinariate” he said, “here in the states and the one in Cardinal Wuerl welcomed the announcement, saying it was a voting member of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, England — is for whole congregations who wish to come together “the fulfillment of the hopes of many Anglicans in the United making him the only married member of that body. with their patrimony and heritage, such as the liturgy and certain States who have longed and prayed for reconciliation with the More than 100 former Anglican priests have applied to ways of governing. One is for whole groups,” he continued, “and Catholic Church while retaining cherished elements of the become Catholic priests in the ordinariate and 1,400 individuals the other is for individuals. They’re complementary.” Anglican patrimony.” from 22 communities have expressed interest in joining. In fall Cardinal DiNardo and Fr. Steenson said Houston was He said Fr. Steenson “brings to the position of ordinary 2011, the members of the St. Peter the Rock Community in Fort selected as the base for the ordinariate in part because of St. Mary’s great pastoral and administrative experience, along with his gifts Worth and St. Luke’s in Bladensburg, Maryland, were received Seminary. Fr. Steenson was a key player in the establishment of a as a theologian.” into the Catholic Church with the intent of joining the ordinariate. formation program for Anglican priests applying for the Catholic Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, in It is the second such jurisdiction established under the priesthood at the seminary. St. Mary’s has developed and the whose archdiocese the ordinariate’s headquarters will be located, provisions of Pope Benedict’s 2009 apostolic constitution Vatican has approved a nine-month program of priestly formation called Fr. Steenson “not only an outstanding patristic scholar, Anglicanorum coetibus. The first was the Personal Ordinariate for Anglican clergy who wish to become Catholic priests. but a priest with a strong pastoral sense and an abiding respect of Our Lady of Walsingham, created for England and Wales To date, 47 former Anglican priests have been accepted for for all people.” in January 2011; others are under consideration in Canada and the second stage of a multi-stage process to become Catholic “He will surely be an effective, kind, and joyful leader who Australia. priests. Most of them will begin their formation at St. Mary’s will love and guide God’s people with the attitude of Christ,” The U.S. ordinariate will include parishes, groups, and Seminary at the end of January. he added. individuals of Anglican heritage, which in the United States can Fr. Steenson was once a sportswriter for The News-Sun of Father Scott Hurd, who was ordained an Episcopal priest include Episcopalian individuals and parishes. Parishes will be Waukegan, Illinois. He also has a deep interest in general aviation, in 1993, joined the Catholic Church in 1996 and was ordained fully Roman Catholic, while retaining elements of the Anglican having restored a 1947 Cessna 120, which he has flown around a priest for the Archdiocese of Washington in 2000, will be on tradition in terms of music, liturgy, structure, and prayers. the United States, and built a floatplane. loan to the ordinariate for three years to serve as vicar general. The day after the announcement in Rome, Cardinal Daniel Ordained an Anglican priest in 1980, Fr. Steenson served Fr. Hurd, who has been assisting Cardinal Wuerl in the DiNardo introduced Fr. Steenson at the news conference at Our Episcopal parishes in suburban Philadelphia and Fort Worth U.S. implementation of Anglicanorum coetibus, will continue to Lady of Walsingham Church in Houston, which will be the — where he served as rector of St. Andrew Episcopal Church in be based in Washington. principal church for the U.S. ordinariate. Downtown Fort Worth — before becoming the chief pastoral “Particularly in the area of worship and liturgy, Anglicans assistant for the bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande, The staffs of the North Texas Catholic and the Texas Catholic have a goodly heritage and the Catholic Church has always which serves New Mexico and far west Texas. In 2004, he was Herald contributed to this article. NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC, FEBRUARY, 2012 PAGE 19 Bishop Vann, as Ecclesiastical Delegate for the Pastoral Provision in the U.S., delivers statement at press conference announcing ordinariate

Editor’s Note: The following are so key to understanding the joy and peace that come from the Church in the years before I Not long after my appointment is Bishop Kevin Vann’s opening nature of the Church, and the call journey to full Communion with was sent to Forth Worth. These to Fort Worth, I was appointed statement to the press conference to communion. I might add here the Church. individuals had been brought to as Vice Delegate for the announcing the formal establishment that Fr. Steenson gave the Texas As a canon lawyer, I also Christ and their faith nourished Pastoral Provision with special of the Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Bishops’ retreat just two years ago know that the last canon in the in Baptism in their respective responsibility for Texas. Now, as Peter and the appointment of Father at this time in San Antonio, on the Code of Canon Law states that the Anglican communities and the the Delegate of the Holy See for the Jeffrey Steenson as the first Ordinary theme of “Episcopal Ministry in the supreme law is the “Salvation of prayer and liturgical traditions of Pastoral Provision, I am here to offer of the new ordinariate at Our Lady of Fathers of the Church,” and it was Souls,” and that is, in the end, the those communities. my personal support to Fr. Steenson Walsingham Anglican Use Parish in well received by all of the bishops reason for this journey of Faith into I need also to mention here the and the Ordinariate of the Chair of Houston, Jan. 2. present. the Ordinariate. friendships, good will, and ecclesial St. Peter; and to offer my promise I also acknowledge the presence When I was appointed to relationships, within and among the to continue to work together, and Good morning all, dear of my friend Cardinal DiNardo Fort Worth in 2005, I found that Catholic and Episcopalian Dioceses: pray with and for the Ordinariate brothers and sisters and friends, of Galveston-Houston, and also some of the foundation for this especially my friendship with the and Fr. Steenson, in the calling to present here today. Happy New thank Cardinal Donald Wuerl historic day had been already laid members of the Society of the Holy help build up and strengthen the Year! of Washington, D.C., Bishop in Fort Worth by these individuals Cross and Bishop Jack Iker that I life of the this new Ordinariate. At I’m very grateful to be present Robert McManus of Worcester, and groups: the mutual work and believe are part of this providential the same time, I will continue the here at Our Lady of Walsingham Massachusetts, and Father Scott ministry of the late Bishop [Joseph] history. work of the Pastoral Provision for today, at this historic moment Hurd of Washington, D.C., with Delaney, my predecessor in the Not many years after the those Episcopalian priests who wish for the announcement of the whom I have worked very closely Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth and establishment of the Pastoral to become members of a Latin Rite establishment of the Ordinariate these past two years. Bishop Clarence Pope, then Bishop Provision by Pope John Paul II in Diocese. of the Chair of St. Peter under I have been a member of the of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort l981, its lived reality proved to be Anglicanorum Coetibus brings the Patronage of Our Lady of Anglicanorum Coetibus commission, Worth; together with a community a blessing and a part of the life of to the entire Church the reality Walsingham. I wish to offer my and am now the Ecclesiastical of Anglo-Catholics in the Diocese the local Church of Fort Worth — of Faith that has been the lived personal word of congratulations Delegate for the Pastoral Provision. of Fort Worth who now make up where lifelong Catholics and priests, experience of the Pastoral Provision and fraternal support to Father Both of these are distinct, yet the parish of St. Mary the Virgin in and priests and individuals and in the Diocese of Fort Worth. Steenson, whom I came to know complementary expressions in the Arlington. communities who came through the Indeed, today is a day of not long after I became the Bishop contemporary life of the Church of There were also other Pastoral Provision have lived and rejoicing as we begin in this New of Fort Worth nearly seven years the will of the Lord himself when Episcopalian priests and laity worked together to proclaim the Year, and a new chapter in the life of ago, and whom I now consider a he prayed that “All may be one.” as well who were seeking full Kingdom of God and build up the the Church in the United States. good friend. He will be a faith- They reflect the quest and call for communion with the Catholic Body of Christ. Thank you and God bless you. filled shepherd for the Ordinariate, full Communion with the Catholic and is also a scholar of the Fathers Church, and I also believe, the of the Church, whose writings opportunity to give a witness of the PAGE 20 NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC, FEBRUARY, 2012

Parishioners of Vietnamese Martyrs Church in Arlington walk into their new church building, where they will worship as a community in the new church for the first time.

expertly crafted in Vietnam, and lined with stained glass windows depicting the 117 Vietnamese Martyrs canonized by Vietnamese Martyrs… Pope John Paul II in 1988. “A long time ago… they did not accept Christians in the FROM PAGE 1 country, so they try to kill them…. [They] died because they With the construction of the new building, the previous keep the Catholic faith. They didn’t want to deny, they didn’t sanctuary — a 900-seat converted Food Lion grocery store want to throw the cross away,” parishioner and vice chairman that sits on the same 12-acre property — will serve as a of the pastoral council, Joe Nguyen, said of the approximately parish hall, auditorium, and classrooms for the 1,100 students 130,000 Vietnamese Catholics, priests, and missionaries attending religious education classes at the parish. killed in the 19th and 20th centuries. “That’s why all the “We just needed more space,” parishioner Johnson Le, stained-glass windows here represent our Vietnamese Martyrs 26, said. “We needed more space, and now we actually have saints for our generation, [so] our children will be proud Women of the parish hold the ribbon and scissors to cut it with for the dedication a real church, a real sacred place to worship, whereas the old some of the Vietnamese who stood up for the faith of the ceremony. building was a renovation from a supermarket.” Catholic Church.” Le, a youth group leader and parishioner for 15 years, A large, intricate painting of Our Lady of La Vang, who says he is proud that the new church gives the Catholic appeared to persecuted Vietnamese Catholics during the late Vietnamese community more visibility. 18th century to comfort them as they sought refuge deep “It means a lot for the Vietnamese community not in the jungles of Vietnam, graced one end of the church. At just here but across the U.S. saying that we have a place to the front was a large, elegant white marble altar underneath worship, we have a place to come together, to celebrate, to the crucifix and a giant stained-glass window depicting the worship God and to give thanks — especially leaving the resurrected Lord. homeland from Vietnam and then coming over here, and yet Bishop Vann passed through the main body of the we’re still able to come together and celebrate and worship,” church and sprinkled holy water on the tall, granite walls Le said. “And it shows that… the faith is not dead…. and the people, who filled every seat in the pews of the nave, And you can see it with this new structure here; you show chapel, and cry room. people that ‘Hey, the faith is alive and it continues to grow During his homily, Bishop Vann told the audience to throughout the generations.’” give thanks and glory to God for the gift of faith and the Bishop Kevin Vann cuts the ribbon for the new church, as Auxiliary Bishop On the day of the dedication, thousands of parishioners gift of a new church, which will provide a place to keep Dominic Luong of Orange County, California (RIGHT) looks on. waited excitedly outside the church in the chilly weather nourishing that faith. as a long procession of parishioners dressed in traditional “St. Paul speaks of the living temple of God, in this Vietnamese dress, diocesan and visiting priests, deacons, temple of God he is present right now and forever after,” altar servers and Bishop Vann and Bishop Dominic Mai Bishop Vann said. “We lay a foundation for our lives now Thanh Luong, auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Orange and into the future, and each stone in this house of God, in Orange County, California, proceeded through the each statue, each sacred object, each piece of stained-glass — crowds. Bishop Vann blessed the statue of Our Lady of La everything — is a reminder of each of you here today, of your Vang, the shrine of St. Joseph, and various other statues — love, of your sacrifice, and of your generosity, without which statues that took Vietnamese craftsmen up to two years to this would not be possible.” carve. He then proceeded to cut the ceremonial ribbon with He continued, “We rejoice in the Lord today, we give other representatives of the community amid fireworks and glory to God for the vision and generosity of the Vietnamese applause. families who came here to Arlington years ago to begin this Parishioners gasped audibly in awe as they followed parish family, to begin this community of faith, and for you Bishop Vann and the procession into the new building built whose faith and love and vision have made this house of God Bishop Vann sprinkles the new church's dedication plaque with an asperges at with 750,000 pounds of marble and granite cut in Vietnam, and into the nave filled with pews made of American oak the Dec. 10 ceremony. CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC, FEBRUARY, 2012 PAGE 21

Bishop Dominic Luong, the first Vietnamese bishop in the United States, A statue of Our Lady of La Vang stands tall prays before the luncheon in the parish hall following the Dec. 10 Mass. in front of the entrance to the new church.

Incense fills the sanctuary during the Mass.

Vietnamese Martyrs pastor Father Polycarp Duc Sister Julianna Tran, CSFN, recent recipient of the BENEMERENTI Thuan, CMC, rubs oil on the walls of the new church, MEDAL, speaks at the reception following the dedication and blessing it. Mass.

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE cultural differences. As more than half a million refugees escaped Vietnam, many possible. You brought them with you from were relocated to North Texas and the small Vietnam, your faith, your love, and your Vietnamese Catholic community at St. A woman carries flowers during the strength and your courage — they live here Matthew continued to grow. offertory. Members of the Vietnamese Martyrs choir sing during the liturgy. today.” By 1998, the community — numbering Bishop Vann proceeded to pray the 514 families — with permission from the dedication and then anointed and incensed diocese, bought the former Food Lion store the altar and church to consecrate the at 801 E. Mayfield Road and was established building to God. The congregation burst as a parish by the late Bishop Joseph Delaney into applause as ministers turned on the in June 2000. lights in the church for the first time in the Hung Nguyen, a member of the parish ceremony. Near the end of the ceremony, since it was based in St. Matthew, expressed relics of the Vietnamese Martyrs were placed gratitude for the new church and for the in the chapel. help the community received from the very The pride and gratitude of the beginning — when they left Vietnam “with parishioners for their new church shone empty hands.” through at the reception, during which “Day by day we [had] each other and parish representatives gave thanks to God, we grew up everything, and now we have Bishop Vann, benefactors, and all those in 1,600 families over the span of 36 years…. The side chapel of the new church is filled with stained-glass windows. The new church's narthex from the side chapel. attendance. Now we’re very happy with the new church,” The now-thriving community Nguyen said. — composed of three generations of By 2008, Vietnamese Martyrs parish of the Congregation of the Mother Co- parishioners — began with only about had grown to 1,250 families. Responding Redemptrix. Through a one-day fundraiser a dozen families who came to the U.S. to that growth, the community began to in September 2010, the parish raised sponsored by Catholic Charities after fleeing plan and raise money for the new building $750,000, Fr. Duc Thuan said. the communist Vietnamese regime after the that same year, said Joe Nguyen. With $1.5 Father Louis Nhien, provincial superior Fall of Saigon in 1975, said Joe Nguyen, vice million already saved, an additional $3.5 of the Congregation of the Mother Co- chairman of the pastoral council. million raised by parishioners and businesses Redemptrix and former parochial vicar of “When Vietnam fell, nobody know in the community, and with a now-$1.5 Vietnamese Martyrs, said the contributions where to go, so we jumped on a boat and million loan from the diocese, construction from so many people show the unity of the Parishioners gather for a reception in the old church went to the ocean,” Fr. Duc Thuan said, began in July 2010, he said. church. “So that unity built up that church,” building, now the parish hall, following the Mass. telling how he and other refugees on “Everybody wanted to get a new church he said. “Not only is that a sign of physical that packed boat were later rescued by an and everything, so everybody was very unity but spiritual unity too. I think that is a American ship, taken to the Philippines excited [to donate],” finance council member great sign to show the Catholic faith.” and eventually brought to the U.S. “It was Hoc Pham said. “So today we see everybody As the celebration and reception very dangerous. No water, no food; we left coming out and showing up. Everybody loves wound down several hours later, handfuls everything behind.” it.” of parishioners kept returning to the new Shortly after being relocated, many Pham said many families gave a $3,000 church to admire it and pray in it. refugees became parishioners of St. Matthew donation through a five-year payment “I feel very reverent and I feel very happy Church in Arlington. There they found a plan. Additionally, the parish raised when I come into church, and I also feel home where they could thank God, grow money by hosting Vietnamese New Year’s lifted up, so I can feel God, so it’s very nice,” in faith, and stabilize their lives, helping fundraisers and participating in cookouts said Fr. Duc Thuan while he stood in the each other overcome language barriers and at Marian Day in Missouri at the campus church, as if reading his parishioners’ minds. An image of the Holy Family appears in the church. PAGE 22 NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC, FEBRUARY, 2012 Clergy, laity laud naming of Archbishops Dolan, O'Brien among 22 new cardinals

By Mark Pattison “I extended my heartfelt advocate in the public square, and Catholic News Service congratulations and assured him of a highly regarded champion of the my prayers,” Cardinal Egan added. poor, the unborn, the immigrant, the WASHINGTON — Clergy and “This is wonderful news for the prisoner on death row, the importance laity alike praised the naming of new cardinal-designate and for the entire of marriage and the family, and the cardinals by Pope Benedict XVI. community of faith he serves so well.” rights of students in our Catholic “This is an honor for these Cardinal-designate Dolan schools,” Russell said in a Jan. 6 outstanding church leaders as well as himself said in a Jan. 6 statement statement. “At the same time, he has an honor for the church in the United that he was “honored, humbled, and also strongly supported efforts to assist States,” said Archbishop Joseph E. grateful” at the honor. “This is not and encourage the Church’s pastors Kurtz of Louisville, Kentucky, in a about Timothy Dolan," he added. and other leaders, and all Catholics Jan. 6 statement. “As men of prayer, "This is an honor from the Holy Father in Maryland, to exercise their rights wisdom, and dedication, they will to the Archdiocese of New York. ... and responsibilities as faithful citizens.” bring many talents and graces to It's as if Pope Benedict is putting the Archbishop José H. Gomez of their new roles as advisers to the Holy red hat on top of the Empire State Los Angeles, and former archbishop Father,” said the archbishop, who is Building, or the Statue of Liberty, or of San Antonio, praised the two U.S. vice president of the U.S. Conference on home plate at Yankee Stadium." cardinals-designate as “prayerful of Catholic Bishops. “This news is a wonderful and compassionate men” in a Jan. ABOVE: Clerical wear for cardinals is pictured in the window of of the Gammarelli tailor shop in Rome Jan. 12. The Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan recognition of both bishops and their 6 statement. “Both possess a deep famous Gammarelli store is highlighting clerical wear for cardinals in advance of the Feb. 18 consistory at which of New York and Archbishop Edwin gifts and abilities, as well as an honor knowledge of the issues affecting the Pope Benedict XVI will create 22 new cardinals. (CNS photo/Paul Haring) • BOTTOM LEFT: Cardinal-designate F. O’Brien, outgoing archbishop for the church in the United States,” Church and civil society,” he said. “I am Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan of New York is pictured in New York in a 2011 file photo. (CNS photo/Gregory A. of Baltimore who was recently said Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl of c on f ident t h at t he y w i l l be ver y helpf u l Shemitz) • BOTTOM RIGHT: Cardinal-designate Archbishop Edwin Edwin F. O'Brien leads an Ash Wednesday appointed pro-grand master of the Washington in a Jan. 6 statement. advisers to our Holy Father and the service at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington in February 2007. The cardinal-designate has served Rome-based Equestrian Order of “The universal Church is well served universal Church in the years ahead.” as a chaplain in the U.S. Army, including in Vietnam in the early 1970s, led the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services, the Archdiocese of Baltimore, and he is now pro-grand master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy the Holy Sepulcher, were among the by these faithful and dedicated leaders.” Father Jeffrey Steenson, head of Sepulcher of Jerusalem. (CNS photo/Bob Roller) 22 cardinals named Jan. 6 by Pope Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley of the Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Benedict. Boston said in a Jan. 6 statement that Peter, created for former Anglican “As president of the USCCB and the two new U.S. cardinals-designate parishes and individuals, said in a as former president of Catholic Relief “will provide the Holy Father valuable Jan. 6 statement, “The United States Services, Cardinal-designate Dolan guidance and assistance through their is particularly blessed to have two has brought both energy and grace to long-standing dedication to the work caring and gentle shepherds among international and domestic matters,” of the Church. ... We join the Catholic those to be elevated in the consistory” Archbishop Kurtz said. community throughout the United in Cardinals-designate Dolan and “Cardinal-designate O’Brien’s States in congratulating Cardinal- O’Brien. “We will keep them in our experience with the military has made designate Dolan and Cardinal- prayers and we ask our Lord’s blessings him a valuable consultant on USCCB designate O’Brien and assure them on them.” justice and peace efforts,” he added. of our prayers and best wishes as they “His seminary background has proven prepare for the upcoming consistory,” The NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC staff especially insightful in development set for Feb. 18. contributed to this article. of our priestly formation programs.” “This is truly a great day for the In his blog, Shepherd of Fort Catholic Church in New York, and Worth, Fort Worth Bishop Kevin across the U.S. and, indeed, the world, List of the 22 new cardinals Vann congratulated Cardinals- and a wonderful way to ring in the new designate Dolan and O'Brien. year,” said a Jan. 6 statement by Richard VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Here is the list of the See, who turns 69 Feb. 3. • "This is a personal blessing E. Barnes, executive director of the 22 cardinals-designate, in the order in which Pope Italian Archbishop Giuseppe Versaldi, president of for me," Bishop Vann said of New York State Catholic Conference. Benedict XVI announced them Jan. 6: Prefecture of the Economic Affairs of the Holy See, • Archbishop Dolan. "I have known Barnes noted that Cardinal- Italian Archbishop Fernando Filoni, prefect of the 68. • Cardinal-designate Dolan for many designate O’Brien is a native of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, 65. Syro-Malabar Archbishop George Alencherry of • years now, and I wish to publicly Bronx, one of New York City’s five Portuguese Archbishop Manuel Monteiro India, 66. • congratulate him and thank him boroughs, and a former priest and de Castro, major penitentiary of the Apostolic Canadian Archbishop Thomas C. Collins of for the years of friendship and auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Penitentiary, 73. Toronto, who will be 65 Jan. 16. • • support in many moments of New York. He also lauded the selection Spanish Archbishop Santos Abril Castello, Czech Archbishop Dominik Duka of Prague, 68. • priestly ministry ... He gave our of Cardinal-designate Dolan. archpriest of Basilica of St. Mary Major, 76. Dutch Archbishop Willem J. Eijk of Utrecht, 58. • • Diocesan priests' retreat three years “With his infectious joy, brilliant Italian Archbishop Antonio Maria Veglio, president Italian Archbishop Giuseppe Betori of Florence, ago and his words were very much intellect and enthusiastic love of Pontifical Council for Migrants and Travelers, who 64. • appreciated by our priests. the Lord and his people, Cardinal- turns 74 Feb. 3. U.S. Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan of New York, • "Congratulations, as well to designate Dolan is truly a bright light Italian Archbishop Giuseppe Bertello, president of who will turn 62 Feb. 6. • Cardinal Elect Edwin O'Brien," i n t he A mer ic a n C hu rc h,” B a r ne s s a id . the commission governing Vatican City State, 69. German Archbishop Rainer Maria Woelki of • Bishop Vann added, noting the “He already has become the face of the Italian Archbishop Francesco Coccopalmerio, Berlin, 55. • archbishop's experience. "I wish Church in the United States. Now as president of the Pontifical Council for Interpreting Chinese Bishop John Tong Hon of Hong Kong, to add a special note of thanks to a ‘prince of the Church,’ his influence Legislative Texts, 73. 72. • • Cardinal designate O'Brien for his will truly extend worldwide.” Brazilian Archbishop Joao Braz de Aviz, prefect of Romanian Archbishop Lucian Muresan of Fagaras encouragement to me in my work and Mary Ellen Russell, executive the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Alba Julia, 80. • ministry with the Pastoral Provision." director of the Maryland Catholic and Societies of Apostolic Life, 64. Belgian Father Julien Ries, expert on history of • Cardinal Edward M. Egan, Conference, congratulated Cardinal- U.S. Archbishop Edwin F. O’Brien, grand master religions, 91. • Cardinal-designate Dolan’s designate O’Brien, who serves as of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Maltese Augustinian Father Prosper Grech, biblical predecessor in New York, said in a apostolic administrator of the Jerusalem, 72. scholar, 86. • • Jan. 6 statement from Rome that he Archdiocese of Baltimore while Italian Archbishop Domenico Calcagno, president German Jesuit Father Karl Josef Becker, theologian, had received a phone call from his waiting for his successor to be named. of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Holy 83. successor with the news. He has been “a vocal and passionate NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC, FEBRUARY, 2012 PAGE 23 National Letter objects to treating same-sex unions ‘as if they were marriage’ By Mark Pattison occupations and ministries Saints, Assemblies of God, the domestic partners as a condition greater moral legitimacy to private Catholic News Service — including running schools, Church of the Nazarene and the of receiving city housing and efforts to punish those who defend hospitals, nursing homes, and Salvation Army, along with a community development funds. marriage.” WASHINGTON — A letter other housing facilities, providing collection of smaller Protestant “There is no doubt that the The push to alter the signed by more than three dozen adoption and counseling services, denominations, seven pan-Christian many people and groups whose definition of marriage “warrants U.S. religious leaders objects to the and many others.” associations including the National moral and religious convictions special attention within our faith specter of religious groups being Four Catholic bishops were Association of Evangelicals, and two forbid same-sex sexual conduct will communities and throughout forced to treat same-sex unions “as if among the 39 religious leaders representatives of Orthodox and resist the compulsion of the law, and society as a whole,” the letter said, they were marriage.” signing the letter: Cardinal- Hasidic Judaism. church-state conflicts will result,” because such an action would have “Altering the civil definition of designate Timothy M. Dolan, Religious employers would the letter said. “grave consequences,” including ‘marriage’ does not change one law, archbishop of New York and “face lawsuits for taking any Because those who object to interfering with the “religious but hundreds, even thousands, at president of the U.S. Conference adverse employment action — no giving equality to same-sex partners freedom of those who continue to once,” said the letter, “Marriage and of Catholic Bishops; Bishop matter how modest — against have been marked as “bigots, affirm” traditional marriage. Religious Freedom: Fundamental Salvatore J. Cordileone of Oakland, an employee for the public act of subjecting them to the full arsenal “The promotion and protection Goods That Stand or Fall California, chairman of the USCCB obtaining a civil ‘marriage’ with a of government punishments and of marriage — the union of one Together,” released Jan. 12. Subcommittee for the Promotion member of the same sex. This is pressures reserved for racists,” the man and one woman as husband “By a single stroke, every law and Defense of Marriage; Bishop not idle speculation, as these sorts letter predicted other consequences and wife — is a matter of the where rights depend on marital William E. Lori of Bridgeport, of situations have already come if same-sex marriage were to gain common good and serves the well- status — such as employment Connecticut, chairman of the to pass,” the letter said. “Even more legitimacy. being of the couple, of children, discrimination, employment USCCB Ad Hoc Committee for where religious people and groups “These punishments will only of civil society and all people,” the benefits, adoption, education, health Religious Liberty; and Bishop succeed in avoiding civil liability grow more frequent and more severe letter said. care, elder care, housing, property Kevin C. Rhoades of Fort Wayne- in cases like these, they would face if civil ‘marriage’ is redefined in The value of traditional and taxation — will change so that South Bend, Indiana, chairman of other government sanctions — the additional jurisdictions,” it said. marriage transcends any society or same-sex sexual relationships must the USCCB Committee on Laity, targeted withdrawal of government “Because law and government not government, is “a universal good” be treated as if they were marriage,” Marriage, Family Life and Youth. cooperation, grants or other only coerce and incentivize but also and is the “foundational institution it said. Other signers included top benefits.” teach, these sanctions would lend of all societies,” it said. “That requirement, in turn, representatives of the Southern The letter cited the case of will apply to religious people and Baptist Convention, the Lutheran Portland, Maine, which required groups in the ordinary course Church-Missouri Synod, Church Catholic Charities to extend spousal of their many private or public of Jesus Christ of Latter-day employee benefits to same-sex PAGE 24 NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC, FEBRUARY, 2012 Pope advances sainthood causes of Marianne Cope, Kateri Tekakwitha By Carol Glatz in 1918 at age 80 and was beatified in St. declared saints. They are: Blessed Giovanni lived the Christian virtues in a heroic way Catholic News Service Peter’s Basilica in 2005. Battista Piamarta of Italy; Blessed Jacques and that they are venerable. Recognition Blessed Kateri, known as the Lily of Berthieu of France; Blessed Carmen Salles of a miracle attributed to each candidate’s VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI the Mohawks, was born to a Christian y Barangueras of Spain; Blessed Peter intercession is needed for that person’s advanced the sainthood causes of Blessed Algonquin mother and a Mohawk father Calungsod of the Philippines; and Blessed beatification. Marianne Cope of Molokai and Blessed in 1656 in upstate New York along the Anna Schaffer of Kateri Tekakwitha. Mohawk River. She was baptized by a Jesuit Germany. He also formally recognized the missionary in 1676 when she was 20, and Pope Benedict also martyrdom of 64 victims of the Spanish she died in Canada four years later. In June signed decrees that pave Civil War and advanced the causes of 18 1980, she became the first Native American the way for numerous other men and women. to be beatified. beatifications and During a meeting Dec. 19 with Pope Benedict also recognized approved seven other Cardinal Angelo Amato, prefect of miracles attributed to the intercession decrees recognizing that the Congregation for Saints’ Causes, of five other people, who now can be the men and women the pope signed the decrees recognizing the miracles needed for the canonizations of Blesseds Marianne and Kateri. Before a date is set for the canonization ceremonies, there must be an “ordinary public consistory,” a formal ceremony opened and closed with prayer, during which cardinals present in Rome express their support for the pope’s decision to create new saints. Blessed Marianne, who worked as a teacher and hospital administrator in New York, spent the last 30 years of her life ministering on the Hawaiian island of Molokai to those with leprosy. She died on the island NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC, FEBRUARY, 2012 PAGE 25

Father LeDoux pastored historic St. Augustine Parish in New Orleans for 16 years

FROM, P. 32 sphere. He stayed there three years venture into the state until decades and eventually found his way back nce he adjusted later. to New Orleans and St. Augustine, Oto his new sur- A generational Catholic, his a parish in the Treme neighbor- priestly calling came in “drips and hood with a significant history of roundings, Father drizzles” he said. As his brother, race in the Catholic Church. LeDoux found him- Louis Verlin, and cousin, Bishop Prior to the Oct. 9, 1842, Harold Parry, before him, Fr. dedication of the church, the “War self romping through LeDoux entered the Society of the of the Pews” broke out as white the pine trees and Divine Word’s St. Augustine Semi- people in the area found out the nary in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi black parishioners were purchasing swamps with the at age 13 and stayed there through pews for their families to sit on. other boys hunting high school. Even with white families attempt- “I was drawn there by the ing to outbuy the blacks, in the snakes, playing base- romance and enchantment of the end the church held a row of pews ball, and swimming. seminary,” he said. “Although, for blacks, a row of pews for whites when I got there it didn’t seem and the two outer rows purchased “It was a boys’ para- romantic for a while.” on behalf of and for use by slaves. Once he adjusted to his new This resulted in the most integrat- dise,” he said. surroundings, Fr. LeDoux found ed congregation in the country. himself romping through the pine Homer Plessy attended Mass trees and swamps with the other at St. Augustine. He is well known Interstate 35 only a few blocks from boys hunting snakes, playing base- for the Plessy v. Ferguson Supreme the church on East Terrell Avenue. ball, and swimming. Court case. Plessy had been arrested Besides devoting his life to “It was a boys’ paradise,” he for riding in a white compartment God, Fr. LeDoux made a major said. of a railroad car. The court ruled lifestyle decision in 1996. After lis- But it wasn’t all fun and in favor of the state and 58 years of tening to a tape left by a parishio- games. The boys started off legal segregation followed. ner, he decided to become a vegan. Fr. LeDoux stands before the doors of Our Mother of Mercy Church — smiling, as usual with Latin in their first year and Following the ruling, all He went in “whole hog” he said, continued to gain proficiency in people of color began leaving and quit eating animal products completing a book he began in the blood in the water.” the ancient language over the next Treme, and the New Orleans sub- “cold turkey.” 1980s. And just as his first book eight years. urb church became predominantly Even before the switch, he had “As I got toward the end of the includes detailed history of New “We had our fill of Latin, and Italian. made some significant changes to book [War of the Pews] I became Orleans, he promises his next piece it has stuck with me to this day,” The next shift in the commu- improve his diet like ditching salt almost a maniac,” he said. “I would of work will include its share of lo- Fr. LeDoux said. “I can read it, nity’s ethnic makeup occurred in in 1981, but felt the positive effects hit the computer six, eight, 10 cal history as well — a subject that write it, and speak it somewhat.” 1964 after the omnibus civil rights of veganism as prolonged health hours a day, and keep going until seems to come naturally to him as After 14 years at St. Augustine, bill passed on June 29 that banned problems soon began to subside. the wee hours. When you see the he easily pulls exact dates out of the he moved on to Techny, Illinois, discrimination, ordered desegrega- Starting in 1990, Fr. LeDoux finish line, it’s like a shark smelling air detailing his life’s encounters. for two years of spiritual training, tion of public facilities, and ex- experienced several occasions where including daily silence and loads of tended voting rights to all qualified his feet and legs would hurt, a few chores. Then it was on to Eqworth, citizens. This time around whites times to the point where he could Iowa, before returning to Bay St. left Treme and St. Augustine once not walk. Since his dietary change, Louis. again became a majority black he has had no pain in his legs, his Following years of dedicated congregation. regular doctor check ups include studies, Fr. LeDoux was ordained Fr. LeDoux made his mark on only good news and the only medi- to the priesthood May 11, 1957, the historic St. Augustine church cation he takes is one baby Aspirin as a priest for the Society of the in New Orleans from 1990 to a day. His eyesight even improved. Divine Word. Four months later he 2006. During Hurricane Katrina, “When I came here, I was was sent to Rome for four years to he found shelter in the soon to be using reading glasses at the com- study canon law and subsequently 170-year-old structure that had puter,” picked up a doctorate on the withstood many a storm. Fr. LeDoux said. “About four subject. He returned to the states Ultimately, Fr. LeDoux left St. years ago I noticed the glasses were on Aug. 13, 1961, again to Bay St. Augustine and took a two-month interfering with my reading. I put Louis, this time teaching canon law break at the Bay St. Louis seminary them down and realized I could see and moral theology. before he was appointed pastor of without them.” Then in 1969 he went to Xavi- Our Mother of Mercy on the South And he spends a lot of time er University as the New Orleans Side of Fort Worth. in front of his computer writing, university’s first African American Prior to his arrival in the usually late into the night. That’s chaplain and taught theology there Metroplex, he had never spent the time of day he said his mind is for 11 years. Following a year’s more than a few hours in the heart popping, and he hates to sleep. break, Fr. LeDoux finally set foot of Texas, mainly driving through Fr. LeDoux has published a in Texas. toward some other destination. weekly column in his church’s bul- It was September 1981 when When he arrived on June 1, 2006, letin since June 5, 1969. Many of he took on the role of pastor at St. it was to make Fort Worth his new those columns have been compiled Martin De Porres Parish in Prairie home. into books, but his first book writ- View. He described the church near He left behind the jazz music ten originally as a longer work, War Prairie View A&M as a “very fine that lingered through the streets of of the Pews, was published in 2011 little place” with a family atmo- Treme for the hum of traffic along And he’s working on rewriting and PAGE 26 NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC, FEBRUARY, 2012

Word to Life Readings Refl ections

“Let us go on to the nearby “I do will it. Be made villages that I may preach there clean.” also. For this purpose have I come.” — Mark 1:41 — Mark 1:38bc

February 5, Fifth Sunday in February 12, Sixth Ordinary Time Sunday in Ordinary Cycle B. Readings: Time. 1) Job 7:1-4, 6-7 Cycle B. Readings: Psalm 147:1-6 1) Leviticus 13:1-2, 2) 1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23 44-46 Gospel) Mark 1:29-39 Psalm 32:1-2, 5, 11 2) 1 Corinthians 10:31- By Jeff Hensley 11:1 Gospel) Mark 1:40-45 he topic of the health trials my family had experienced in the previous Tfive years came up in a recent conversation with a friend, a West By Jean Denton Coast Catholic editor. He said something to the effect that, “You must think God really has it in for you.” y first confession was probably my best. I don’t mean this as conceit. With two brain surgeries for myself (successful) and breast cancer MIt’s just that when I went to the sacrament of reconciliation for the for my wife (who is still doing well), I understood what he meant, but, first time — at age 34 — I felt myself to be carrying a sizable burden of somewhat reflexively, I said, “No, I think we’re really blessed!” sin. I’d always believed in a loving, merciful God. But I’d never before And I do. made a conscientious examination of my sinfulness. I’m now six years past my second surgery and working out at the gym As I prepared to enter the Catholic Church, my understanding of at about the same level as before my surgeries. My wife continues to teach my faith grew, and my relationship with Christ deepened. When I went English as a second language and to assure that all the ESL students in her to reconciliation that first time my belief that Jesus would forgive all department are on track to graduate. We both love our jobs. By the grace my failings — including some very serious sin — was unshakable. As of God, we are doing well. Things could be so much worse. I painstakingly named my sins and heard the priest speak the words of Job, in today’s first reading, brings to mind that all of us face the absolution, I physically felt the burden lift. I felt clean. drudgery of daily life, filled sometimes with trouble and restless nights, I went into that confession with the same belief that the leper in remembering that “life is like the wind.” this weekend’s Gospel had when he said, “If you wish, you can make “I shall not see happiness again,” the reading concludes. me clean.” The Lord’s response in the sacrament also was the same: But the psalm draws us back to hope, not of our own creation, but compassion and mercy. I sensed it without doubt. from God, “for he is good … He heals the brokenhearted and binds up The cleansing of the leper in Mark’s Gospel, of course, symbolizes their wounds. … The Lord sustains the lowly; the wicked he casts to the Jesus’ power to remove our sinfulness. The passage from Leviticus in ground.” And the psalm’s refrain repeats throughout the reading: “Praise Sunday’s readings emphasizes that we must acknowledge it. As long as a the Lord, who heals the brokenhearted.” person bears the “sore,” he must declare himself unclean, the Scripture What is asked of us but to heed God’s call for our lives? For Paul, it is explains, adding that the unclean one must dwell apart. the obligation to preach the Gospel, to do all in his power to win others to So it is that when our sin remains, it infects everything and everyone receive this good news of the incarnation of Jesus. around us, isolating us from the love of God. In the Gospel, Jesus is impelled by his mission to continue healing the I have to admit that since that first time, I haven’t always prepared sick and preaching, moving from village to village. so well for the sacrament of reconciliation. Consequently, I haven’t felt Each of us is called beyond our personal trials and sufferings. Each of its power so acutely. Often I avoid admitting to certain sins, stubbornly us is comforted by God’s goodness, our broken hearts healed. Each of us is unwilling to declare that I’m unclean. However, when I open myself to drawn to enflesh the Gospel where God has placed us, where we live our truly believing that if God can make me clean if he wishes, then I have the lives in our families and work places and communities. Because of this, we courage to ask him to help me wish it, too. have hope (and faith and love) that will endure. The first step is healing my unbelief.

QUESTIONS: QUESTIONS: How have you experienced God’s solace in your own trials? How is Is there some sin in your life that you avoid admitting? What do God challenging you to live out the Gospel in your family, among you most need from God to help you believe he can make you truly your co-workers and friends? clean? NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC, FEBRUARY, 2012 PAGE 27

Word to Life Readings Refl ections

“Unable to get near “See, I am now establishing my Jesus because of the crowd, covenant with you and they opened up the roof your descendants above him. After they had after you.” broken through, they let — Genesis 9:8 down the mat on which the paralytic was lying.” — Mark 2:4

February 19, Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time. Cycle B. Readings: 1) Isaiah 43:18-19, 21-22, February 26, First Sunday of Lent. 24b-25 Cycle B. Readings: Psalm 41:2-5, 13-14 1) Genesis 9:8-15 2) 2 Corinthians 1:18-22 Psalm 25:4-9 Gospel) Mark 2:1-12 2) 1 Peter 3:18-22 Gospel) Mark 1:12-15 By Jeff Hedglen By Sharon K. Perkins veryone who is reading this right now is indebted to someone and in Esome way owes the very fact that they are reading this to at least one was baptized as an infant, making me one of those “cradle Catholics.” person. Almost no one comes to faith and grows in faith on one’s own. We IOn the one hand, I don’t consider my baptism extraordinary, since all have been influenced by people who have shared their faith with us, my parents also were both cradle Catholics, as were my grandparents and answered our questions about the Church or inspired us to seek God. For great-grandparents. Many infants thus have been dedicated to Christ, me the list is long. in and through the Church, as a matter of course. Somewhere in their Topping the roster are my mom and dad. Though they were not ancestry a family member consciously resolved to enter into relationship theologians, they did the most important thing: made sure I went to Mass with God, and that decision to trust God began a chain reaction of faith every week. Additionally I noticed that they both did things to grow in commitments. faith, my mom reading her Bible at the kitchen table every day and my Nonetheless, we all know lifelong “name-only” Christians whose lives dad listening to tapes of Archbishop Fulton Sheen. Their examples deeply bear little witness to such a relationship. Whether through ignorance or planted in me a realization that the Catholic faith is not a spectator sport. a conscious decision, these people look pretty much like everyone else, Next on the list would be my pastor of 22 years, Father Richard lacking either the will or the understanding to follow Jesus and all that Beaumont. He was a great preacher and teacher, and was passionate about this entails. people encountering the living Jesus. Fr. Beaumont helped me discover Whatever “covenant” was established through their baptism has that God was not up in heaven watching me from a distance; rather God manifested itself as a rather one-sided proposition. Truth be told, the wanted a relationship with me and dwells within me. relationship between God and human beings has been mostly one-sided From there my list expands to include friends, family, professors, other since the beginning of time, since no one has been completely faithful, priests and religious, parishioners and the youth I served as youth minister even with the best of intentions. for 25 years. I am the Christian I am today because of all of these people. For those who keep God’s covenant, as well as for those countless Each one, in his or her own way, brought me to Jesus. generations who have broken faith since the time of Noah, today’s readings This week’s Gospel tells a story of a crippled man who was brought hold a tremendous message of hope. The annual repetition of the Lenten to Jesus by his friends. When they arrived at the house where Jesus was season reminds us that Jesus was “put to death in the flesh” and “raised to speaking, the crowd was so huge that there was no way to get inside. So life in the spirit” to confirm God’s everlasting covenant with us, despite the friends lifted the man to the roof, broke it open and lowered him into our inability to remain faithful. the arms of Jesus. Does this mean that we bear no responsibility whatsoever for the Jesus knew what he was doing when he created a Church. He knew relationship? On the contrary! Just as he did for our ancestors in faith, that we need other people to encounter the faith and grow in it. Whether Jesus announces a “time of fulfillment,” a season of repentance, an we are lowered through a roof or invited through the doors, each of us had invitation to cradle Catholics and relative newcomers alike, to “believe in some help getting into church. the Gospel.” Our descendants are depending on our response.

QUESTIONS: QUESTIONS: Who are the people who have brought you to Jesus and helped you What “ancestors in faith” do you have to thank for your present grow in faith? Who are some people you have “brought to Jesus” and covenant relationship with God? How can this Lenten season be for helped grow in faith? you a time of repentance and covenant renewal? PAGE 28 NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC, FEBRUARY, 2012 Nuestro Pastor Habla La Provisión pastoral y el Ordinariato anglicano ofrecen unidad cristiana

Queridos Hermanos y Padre Alan Hawkins. Muchos otros sacerdotes anglicanas, y sus estructuras. En noviembre Hermanas en Cristo, anteriormente episcopales, y un puñado de otras de 2009, el Papa Benedicto XVI promulgó la parroquias episcopales de todo el país desde constitución apostólica Anglicanorum Coetibus entonces han entrado en la Iglesia a través de (Cuerpo Anglicana), que fijó el marco para los na de las bendiciones sobre la vida la Provisión Pastoral. Ordinariatos Anglicanos que se establezcan de fe aquí en la Diócesis de Fort Es importante señalar que esta estructura en los diferentes países o regiones de todo el Worth, especialmente con vistas a fue aprobada por la Congregación para la doctrina mundo, para que se permita a los ex anglicanos la Semana de oración por la unidad de la fe. En general, la Provisión Pastoral ha entrar en la Iglesia corporativamente. Cada Ude los cristianos, ha sido la experiencia vivida de llevado a la ordenación de más de 80 sacerdotes Ordinariato anglicano, una vez establecido, la Provisión Pastoral y el reciente anuncio de la anteriormente Episcopales (y seguimos tiene jurisdicción eclesiástica similar a la de creación del Ordinariato personal de la Cátedra contando). Los candidatos que participan en una diócesis, pero en lugar de tener jurisdicción de San Pedro el 2 de enero de 2012 en Nuestra este proceso se toman caso por caso sobre la sobre un territorio local, abarca países o regiones Señora de Walsingham en Houston, Texas. base de una excepción concedida en virtud de enteras. Esta estructura de Ordinariato ya existe Como dije en la conferencia de prensa, ambos la Provisión Pastoral. Es importante señalar que en la Iglesia, bajo la forma del Ordinariato son complementarios, pero distintas expresiones l a Prov i sión Pa s tor a l no e s u n c a mp o de pr ueba s Militar de los Estados Unidos, que tiene dentro de la voluntad del Señor que “todos sean uno”. para el celibato opcional en la Iglesia católica, de su jurisdicción a todo el personal militar Estos son los primeros movimientos eclesiales pero es una invitación especial de la Santa Sede de los Estados Unidos en todo el mundo bajo hacia algo — plena comunión con la sede de San que le permite al clero de la Iglesia Episcopal el arzobispo Broglio. Él es el ordinario. El Pedro — y no un movimiento alejándose de algo. Monseñor Kevin Vann a convertirse al catolicismo y continuar con su Ordinariato anglicano es diferente y va más Con esta base bíblica de Juan 17:21, ministerio en la Iglesia como sacerdotes. allá del alcance de la Provisión Pastoral, ya que podemos ver al Beato John Henry Newman, Anglicana en los Estados Unidos que buscaba Con el fin de satisfacer las necesidades de abarca el mundo entero y no sólo los Estados el Movimiento de Oxford, y el fruto de los la plena comunión con la Iglesia Católica, estos grupos dentro de los Estados Unidos, la Unidos. Clérigos anteriormente anglicanos y diálogos que se produjeron después del Concilio ha creado una Provisión Pastoral para darles Santa Sede nombró como el primer Delegado todas las comunidades de la parroquia anglicana Vaticano II. A nivel local aquí en Fort Worth, especial atención pastoral. La Provisión Pastoral eclesiástico de la Provisión Pastoral al Cardenal podrán entrar en la Iglesia, no a través de una especialmente con el reciente fallecimiento sirve como una respuesta a las necesidades de Bernard Law, entonces obispo de Springfield- diócesis local, sino a través de la estructura del del Obispo Clarence Pope, vemos el fruto de una categoría de fieles cristianos que buscan la Cape Girardeau, Missouri, que fue sucedido Ordinariato, que abarca los países o regiones las relaciones eclesiales, la amistad y buena plena comunión con la Sede de Pedro: posteriormente por el Arzobispo John Meyers enteras. voluntad, que ha sido evidenciado por la de la Arquidiócesis de Newark. El delegado Cada Ordinariato, una vez erigido, estaría ordenación de sacerdotes de la Provisión Pastoral En julio del mismo año, el presidente de e c le si á s t ic o s e enc a r g a de sup er v i s a r l a apl ic a c ión encabezado por un ordinario, que en este caso de la Diócesis de Fort Worth, y más recientemente, la CONFERENCIA NACIONAL DE OBISPOS de la Provisión Pastoral en los Estados Unidos. por lo general sería un sacerdote que antes la erección del Ordinariato personal de la Cátedra CATÓLICOS recibió una carta del prefecto de Deberes y responsabilidades específicas de pertenecía al clero anglicano. Si el ordinario es de San Pedro, bajo el patrocinio de Nuestra la CONGREGACIÓN PARA LA DOCTRINA DE LA este delegado incluyen la recopilación de casado, no sería un obispo, pero se encargaría Señora de Walsingham. FE, lo que indica que el Santo Padre, el beato información para cada candidato que es ex de supervisar la gestión y el funcionamiento En una reunión de oración y reflexión con Juan Pablo II — en respuesta a las peticiones sacerdote episcopal de su obispo patrocinio, para del ordinariato de una manera similar a la los sacerdotes de la Sociedad de la Santa Cruz en de los miembros de la Iglesia Episcopal de determinar la idoneidad de su ordenación en la de un obispo, pero no sería capaz de ordenar Fort Worth — varios años antes del anuncio del entrar en plena comunión con la Iglesia Iglesia Católica, y la recepción de las facultades a diáconos, sacerdotes, o consagrar nuevos Ordinariato — uno de los sacerdotes dijo que católica — decidió hacer la provisión sacerdotales en la diócesis. El delegado obispos. El 15 de enero de 2011, el Ordinariato sólo estaban esperando a alguien para extender pastoral especial para la recepción de los eclesiástico también establece un cuerpo de de Nuestra Señora de Walsingham se estableció una mano. Esa mano había sido extendida sacerdotes y los laicos en la plena comunión teólogos para proporcionar una evaluación en Inglaterra, y monseñor Keith Newton, un ex por primera vez con la Provisión Pastoral del con la Iglesia Católica. La decisión proveyó académica y el certificado de los candidatos obispo anglicano, fue nombrado su ordinario. Papa Juan Pablo II, y más recientemente con por la ordenación sacerdotal de los ministros antes de su aprobación para la ordenación. En Desde que Anglicanorum Coetibus fuera el Papa Benedicto XVI y el Ordinariato. Uno casados, provenientes de la Iglesia Episcopal, noviembre pasado, la Santa Sede me nombró promulgado por el Papa Benedicto XVI en 2009, de los obispos de la Iglesia de Inglaterra, que y la creación de comunidades de culto como nuevo Delegado eclesiástico de la Provisión el proceso de establecimiento de un Ordinariato fue recibido en la Iglesia el año pasado y fue personal, donde se les permitió conservar los Pastoral en los Estados Unidos, sucediendo a anglicano se inició, en cooperación con la ordenado sacerdote por el Ordinariato dijo que elementos de la liturgia anglicana. Monseñor Meyers. Como el nuevo delegado Santa Sede y la Conferencia estadounidense de “lo que solía ser mencionado como “nadar el río — EN PLENA COMUNIÓN, P. 8 eclesiástico, espero continuar la gran obra de obispos católicos. El Cardenal Wuerl, arzobispo Tíber” ... el Papa Benedicto nos ha construido la Provisión Pastoral en nuestra diócesis, y le de Washington, D.C., fue nombrado al frente un puente”. La Provisión Pastoral es un momento pido sus oraciones por todos los candidatos de la Comisión USCCB, que trabajaría con la A la luz de la reciente creación del histórico en la Iglesia y allanó el camino para que que participan en el proceso de búsqueda de Santa Sede en el establecimiento del Ordinariato Ordinariato anglicano en los Estados Unidos y muchos sacerdotes anteriormente episcopales, la plena comunión con la Iglesia católica como Anglicano en los Estados Unidos, y yo, junto el reciente anuncio de mi nuevo papel como el no sólo pudieran entrar en la Iglesia, sino sacerdotes católicos. con el obispo Robert McManus de la Diócesis Delegado eclesiástico de la provisión pastoral en que también pudieran ser ordenados como de Worcester en Massachusetts, sirve con el los Estados Unidos, me gustaría aprovechar la sacerdotes en el rito romano. La Provisión EL ORDINARIATO DE LA Cardenal Wuerl en esta comisión. La Diócesis ocasión de esta columna para explicar con más Pastoral también permitió que parroquias CÁTEDRA DE SAN PEDRO de Fort Worth ha jugado un papel importante detalle la Provisión Pastoral y la recién erigida episcopales completas pudieran entrar en la Ahora, vamos a centrar nuestra atención en el establecimiento del Ordinariato, ya que Ordinariato, ya que ambos son momentos fe católica, conservando algunos aspectos de en el establecimiento del Ordinariato anglicano 26 ex-anglicanos de tres parroquias anglicanas monu ment a l en l a h i s tor i a de l a I g le si a u n iver s a l, la liturgia anglicana. Los grupos particulares en los Estados Unidos. A medida que el trabajo de la región del Norte de Texas fueron recibidos así como para la Diócesis de Fort Worth. que iniciaron la solicitud fueron The American de la Provisión Pastoral ha continuado en los en la Iglesia el 25 de septiembre, formando Union Church y la Sociedad de la Santa Cruz en últimos años, ha habido un número creciente el primer grupo en entrar a la Iglesia como LA PROVISIÓN PASTORAL la Iglesia Episcopal. Aquí en la Diócesis de Fort de solicitudes de varios países de todo el parte del ordinariato anglicano. La formación La Provisión Pastoral en los Estados Unidos Worth, habían varios ex sacerdotes episcopales mundo, para comunidades anteriormente proporcionada por el Departamento de catequesis se inició durante el pontificado del Papa Pablo que fueron ordenados como sacerdotes católicos, anglicanas y episcopales, para entrar en la de la diócesis también proporciona un modelo VI y fue establecida y dirigida por el beato Juan y sobre todo, a toda la comunidad de Santa María Iglesia Católica corporativamente, o como de formación que se utilizará para catequizar Pablo II. En 1980, la Santa Sede, en respuesta a la Virgen, la Iglesia Episcopal en Arlington se un grupo, con el deseo de conservan muchas las solicitudes de sacerdotes y laicos de la Iglesia convirtió al catolicismo bajo la dirección del de las tradiciones litúrgicas y pastorales CONTINUADA A LA DERECHA NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC, FEBRUARY, 2012 PAGE 29 Los obispos de Texas aplauden la Noticias decisión de la corte de conservar la ley de la Iglesia El papa nombra 22 cardenales nuevos, sobre el uso de ecografías incluyendo tres norteamericanos AUSTIN, Texas (CNS) – Los obispos católicos de Texas aplaudieron la Por Francis X. Rocca “Esto no es sobre Timothy decisión de la corte federal del 50º Catholic News Service Dolan”, dijo el cardenal designado circuito de apelaciones, que permite de Nueva York. “Esto es un honor a los estados aplicar una ley sobre CIUDAD DEL VATICANO — El proveniente del Santo Padre para la el uso de ecografías requiriendo a papa Benedicto XVI nombró 22 Arquidiócesis de Nueva York. ... Es los que llevan a cabo abortos que nuevos cardenales, incluyendo dos como si el papa Benedicto estuviese ofrezcan a las madres la oportunidad de los Estados Unidos, y anunció poniéndole el gorro rojo al Edificio de ver las imágenes de ultrasonido de para el 8 de febrero un consistorio del Empire State, o a la Estatua de sus respectivos bebé dentro del seno para su exaltación formal al colegio la libertad o al plato en el Estadio materno. de cardenales. Entre los nombrados Yankee”. “El darles a las madres acceso a están el arzobispo Timothy M. Dolan El cardenal designado O’Brien ecografías les permite informarse de de Nueva York; el arzobispo Edwin F. dijo que su nominación refleja la “fe los riesgos y complicaciones que puede O’Brien, pro gran maestre de la Orden celosa” de los católicos de Baltimore, causar el aborto”, dijo el cardenal ecuestre del Santo Sepulcro de Jerusalén, y el cardenal designado Collins Daniel N. DiNardo de Galveston- Foto por Joan KurkowskipGillen / NTC que todavía está administrando la atribuyó su elevación a la estima Houston. “Estas consultas salvan El obispo Kevin Vann bendice una máquina de ecografía que fue donada a MOTHER AND UNBORN BABY Arquidiócesis de Baltimore; y el del papa “por el rol de Canadá y la vidas mediante la educación a las CARE (CENTRO DE ASISTENCIA PARA LA FUTURA MADRE Y SU NONATO) en Fort Worth por el consejo 7641 de los arzobispo Thomas C. Collins de Arquidiócesis de Toronto en la Iglesia madres, que quizá no se habían dado Caballeros de Colón, en Bedford. Toronto. universal”. cuenta: el bebé que está en el seno El papa anunció las nominaciones Las adiciones más recientes materno es exactamente eso — una en alta prioridad la ley del ecografía que “la requerida revelación del a los fieles en la Plaza de San Pedro llevarán la porción de los Estados vida humana única e irreemplazable”. durante la previa sesión legislativa, ecografía, el ritmo cardiaco del feto y al mediodía del 6 de enero, antes de Unidos y Canadá en el Colegio Sus observaciones se dieron a debido al pensamiento que el uso de la descripción médica eran la epítome rezar el Ángelus. de Cardenales a 22. Los Estados conocer en una declaración publicada la ecografía ayudaría que las madres de una información verdadera y no El cardenal designado O’Brien, Unidos, hogar del 5.5 por ciento de el mismo día en Austin por la reconocieran la humanidad de su mal guiada”. quien estaba en la Plaza de San Pedro los católicos del mundo, proveerá casi Conferencia de obispos católicos de respectivo bebé, dentro del claustro El Centro de derechos reproductivos, cuando su nombre fue anunciado, el 10 por ciento de los 125 cardenales Texas, brazo de acción política de materno, y así se pronunciaran a favor que recusó la ley de la ecografía, tiene dijo que su vida sacerdotal ha sido menores de 80 años de edad, los únicos los obispos. de la vida. 14 días a partir de la decisión para “una sorpresa en cada paso. Pensaba cardenales que son elegibles para votar El fallo pronunciado por una El arzobispo Gustavo García- peticionar una nueva audiencia. que haber sido nombrado arzobispo por un futuro papa en un cónclave. terna de jueces de la corte de Siller de San Antonio dijo que estaba Varios estados requieren estudios de Baltimore sería la última sorpresa, En contraste, solamente uno de apelaciones invalidó el entredicho especialmente impresionado con el de ultrasonido como parte del pero estaba equivocado”. los nombrados, el cardenal designado temporal de un juez de la Corte reconocimiento de la presidenta del procedimiento de aborto, de acuerdo Dijo a Catholic News Service Joao Braz de Aviz, proviene del del distrito federal en contra de la tribunal, Edith Jones, del legítimo con el Instituto Guttmacher. En que los ministerios a los cuales había país que más católicos tiene, Brasil. aplicación de la medida, que requiere interés del estado en la protección once estados, se requiere el uso de sido nombrado, y ahora su elevación Cuando los cardenales sean exaltados que los doctores practicando abortos de la vida. consejería verbal o producción de a cardenal, no son cosas que podía en febrero, solamente siete de los demuestren la ecografía a la madre, y “La corte hoy se pronunció para material escrito, donde se incluya “anticipar, navegar o manipular. Es 22 cardenales electores de América describan las imágenes y el latido del proteger las más pequeñas voces de información del acceso a servicios simplemente cuestión de estar abierto Latina habrán sido nombrados por corazón del feto. aquellos a quienes Dios ya conoce, que de ultrasonido. En seis estados (sin y en el lugar apropiado en el momento el papa Benedicto. Con el fallo de la Corte del 5º están vivos en el claustro materno”, incluir a Texas), se requiere que el apropiado, y cosas buenas suceden”. Con los nombramientos más circuito, los funcionarios del estado dijo. médico practicando abortos saque En declaraciones separadas, recientes, el papa Benedicto habrá pueden fijar la fecha para la aplicación Jones no estuvo de acuerdo con una imagen de ultrasonido para los cardenales norteamericanos nombrado más del 50 por ciento de de la ley, aunque el caso regrese a los el argumento que la ley del ecografía cada mujer que pida un aborto, y se estuvieron prestos a enfatizar la los cardenales electores actuales, con tribunales para su decisción final. infringía los derechos de expresión le requiere al médico que le enseñe la naturaleza colectiva, en vez de la el resto habiendo sido nombrados por Los obispos del estado tenían de doctores y pacientes. Escribió imagen a dicha madre. personal, del honor. el beato Juan Pablo II.

a los que buscan unirse al Ordinariato de los esta debe ser nuestra seña de identidad: anglo-católico de la Iglesia San Timoteo comenzó San Pedro en la Diócesis de Fort Worth con sus Estados Unidos. la construcción de puentes, de ser un su camino hacia la plena comunión en la Iglesia oraciones y los brazos abiertos de bienvenida, El 1 de enero de 2012, la Santa Sede anunció instrumento de paz y reconciliación, a ser de Santa María de la Asunción en Fort Worth. a medida que seguimos para ver la oración de que el padre Jeffrey Steenson, el ex Obispo un signo de como puede ser visto la unidad Ellos recibieron una cálida bienvenida por el Cristo hecho realidad: ¡que todos sean uno! Anglicano de Río Grande, ahora un sacerdote de los cristianos. Y GAUDETE IN DOMINO padre David Bristow, él mismo un sacerdote de católico, ha sido nombrado el primer ordinario SEMPER (FILIPENSES 4:4) ¡Ser católicos la Provisión Pastoral, y un viejo amigo del padre del Ordinariato de la Cátedra de San Pedro en alegres y felices!” Christopher Stainbrook, de la Diócesis episcopal los Estados Unidos. El padre Steenson, ya que de Fort Worth. Los miembros de San Timoteo e s t á c a s a do, no s er á c on s a g r a do obi sp o, si no que En los próximos meses, el padre Steenson también se unen a otras dos comunidades que + Obispo Kevin W. Vann. JCD, DD tendrá la jurisdicción y supervisión canónica seguirá trabajando en estrecha colaboración con se encuentran en el proceso de formación para Diocesis de Fort Worth del Ordinariato, similares a un obispo. La sede la Santa Sede, la USCCB, y los obispos de todo el entrar en el Ordinariato esta próxima temporada sacramental es la Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de país con las comunidades anglicanas que deseen de Semana Santa. También quiero agradecer Walsingham en Houston, que es una parroquia formar parte del Ordinariato de la Cátedra de a mi amigo, el obispo Jack Iker de la Diócesis de la Provisión Pastoral establecida en 1997. San Pedro para crecer y crear las estructuras episcopal de Fort Worth, por su amistad y sus Al ser nombrado, ordinario Steenson declaró: necesarias del Ordinariato y comenzar el proceso consejos desde mi llegada aquí en estos asuntos de la recepción de estas comunidades anglicanas que afectan a nuestras dos diócesis, a saber la “Este ORDINARIATO DE LA CÁTEDRA DE en el abrazo amoroso de la santa madre Iglesia. Provisión Pastoral y el Ordinariato. SAN PEDRO tiene que ser, ante todo, un Que todos podamos mantener al padre Steenson A medida que continuamos avanzando en instrumento eficaz para la evangelización. y el trabajo del Ordinariato de la Cátedra de San estos momentos verdaderamente históricos, les Pero Jesús nos enseñó que la unidad de los Pedro en nuestras oraciones durante este tiempo pido que, como miembros de la Diócesis católica cristianos es la condición esencial para la extraordinario en la historia de la Iglesia. de Fort Worth, apoyen a estas comunidades evangelización (JUAN 17:21). Por lo que También el 1 de enero, un gran grupo de y el trabajo del Ordinariato de la Cátedra de PAGE 30 NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC, FEBRUARY, 2012 Noticias de la Iglesia Sor Inés Díaz, SSMN, se une al personal diocesano como delegada para el ministerio Hispano Por Michele Baker de 10 hermanos. Sin embargo, algo lo que pensé que sería mi vida”. me abrieron los horizontes y me hizo Corresponsal la detenía, un pequeño susurro del Se hizo aún más difícil cuando su crecer”. Señor. Aún así, la mayoría de las decisión de entrar en el convento no Después de 18 años con Las Sor Inés Díaz, SSMN, se ha unido religiosas que había encontrado eran fue bien recibida por su padre. Aunque Violetas, Sor Inés comenzó un proceso al personal de la Diócesis de Fort Worth maestras, y la hermana Inés no veía Sor Inés tuvo ocho hermanos y una de discernimiento que la llevó a las como Delegada para el Ministerio como necesario la vida religiosa para hermana, su padre se resistió a la idea Hermanas de Santa María de Namur Hispano. Ella llega a esta posición seguir ese camino. de que una de sus dos preciosas hijas aquí en Fort Worth. En 2005, llegó después de seis años en el Ministerio “Pensé que, si yo quiería enseñar, se convirtiera en religiosa. a los Estados Unidos y comenzó a Hispano en la Parroquia de San Juan pudiera ir a la escuela y convertirme en “Pero le dije: ‘No estoy pidiendo trabajar en la Parroquia de San Juan Apóstol en North Richland Hills. maestra y todavía casarme y tener una tu permiso. Estoy informándote lo Apóstol en North Richland Hills, y “Siento el reto de trabajar para familia”, explicó. “Pero solía pensar que voy a hacer’”, dijo. “Y años más en 2010 se cambió oficialmente de la Diócesis”, dijo la Hermana Inés en Sor Inés Diáz, SSMN en como sería eso de ser misionera”. tarde, me dijo que fue bueno que yo comunidades, convirtiéndose en una una entrevista. “Tenemos que estar Por eso, cuando el murmullo se se lo informara así, porque si yo le hermana de Santa María. abiertos. Tenemos que escuchar. Estoy muchos, empezando con ella misma. hizo más insistente, la hermana Inés hubiese pedido permiso, él me habría “Ahora tengo 27 años como tratando de preguntarle a la gente lo “Yo no estaba pensando en el se encontró visitando a las Hermanas dicho ‘no’”. religiosa y es una vida hermosa”, dijo que quieren. Tendré que trabajar con convento”, recuerda la hermana. “Yo misioneras catequistas de los sagrados Como catequista misionera de la hermana Inés con una sonrisa de todas las diferentes oficinas. Es muy tenía un novio. Yo estaba enamorada. corazones de Jesús y María (también los Sagrados corazones, Sor Inés viajó satisfacción en su rostro. emocionante y un gran reto”. Habíamos hablado de casarnos y conocidas como Las Violetas). Allí, se a España y Bolivia, donde ejerció su Y ¿qué paso con su papá? De voz suave y personalidad tener hijos”. hizo evidente que había respondido a ministerio en parroquias y al nivel “Mi hermana está casada y tiene tierna, la hermana Inés no teme a los Se era de esperar planes de ese un llamado genuino de Dios. diocesano. cinco hijos”, explicó la hermana Inés. desafíos. Responder su llamada a la tipo de una joven de 18 años de edad, “Fue difícil”, recordó. “Fue duro “Fue una experiencia muy rica”, “Así que mi padre dice que tuvo dos vida religiosa la puso cara a cara con del sur de México, y de una familia dejar a mi familia, y es difícil salir de dijo. “Un tiempo muy hermoso. Se hijas: Una para él y otra para el Señor”.

Guanajuato, lugar que visitará el papa, es un Enmienda a constitución mexicana estado de México lleno de historia católica levantaría restricciones religiosas Por David Agren CIUDAD DE MÉXICO (CNS) a ejercer libremente la religión de Catholic News Service — La cámara baja del congreso su preferencia o no tener ninguna de México aprobó una enmienda … son amplificados”, dijo la C I U DA D DE M É X IC O — E n 19 41, constitucional que permitiría conferencia episcopal mexicana en el gobierno mexicano, que estaba que los grupos religiosos realicen una declaración el 16 de diciembre. bajo control de un gobierno anterior servicios públicos sin obtener Miembros del Partido Acción dominador y que era anticlerical, primero permiso del gobierno, Nacional (PAN), que tiene buenas llamado PRI o Partido Revolucionario marcando una mayor separación relaciones con el catolicismo, Institucional, hizo las paces con la de los sentimientos anticlericales votaron a favor, junto con algunos Iglesia católica, sellándose el pacto sostenidos anteriormente por del Partido Revolucionario en el estado de Guanajuato. muchos en el sistema político del Institucional (PRI), el cual gobernó Siete décadas después, con el PRI país. durante 71 años comenzando en que aparentemente se avizora como Los legisladores aprobaron 1929 a l f i n a l de l a R eb e l ión Cr i s ter a , ganador de las próximas elecciones el 15 de diciembre los cambios levantamiento contra medidas presidenciales hacia finales del Un estudiante levanta una bandera de México mientras otros vitorean durante la audiencia general del papa al Artículo 24 de la constitución anticlericales. presente año 2012, dirigentes de la Benedicto XVI en la sala Paulo VI en el Vaticano el 28 de diciembre (Foto CNS-Paul Haring) mexicana, el cual prohíbe celebrar El liderato del Partido de la iglesia y del gobierno se reunirán de servicios de culto fuera de las casas de Revolución Democrática (PRD) acusó nuevo en Guanajuato, lugar que el pacto de 1940, la iglesia y el estado Está programada una Misa que adoración, sin antes recibir permiso a los proponentes de la enmienda papa Benedicto XVI visitará del 23 en México permanecieron extraños celebrará el papa Benedicto ante más gubernamental. El senado y 16 de de cortejar favores eclesiásticos al 26 de marzo, en momentos en que durante la mayor parte del siglo de 300,000 católicos, al pie del Cerro las 31 legislaturas estatales todavía en adelanto a las elecciones las relaciones entre iglesia y estado pasado (XX), y el Vaticano y el país del Cubilete, elevación que cuenta tienen que aprobar la enmienda para presidenciales del 1 de julio de 2012. han mejorado visiblemente. de México no habían establecido en la cima con una enorme estatua que ésta entre en vigor. Algunos en la delegación senatorial "Guanajuato es un estado muy relaciones diplomáticas sino hasta de Cristo, considerada emblemática “Con esta reforma los del PRI también hablaron de no emblemático, en donde han sucedido hace 20 años. por los que recuerdan la Rebelión de derechos que las personas tienen apoyar la medida. los más grandes conflictos... y los más Las relaciones, sin embargo, se los Cristeros y a los mártires, que ya grandes pactos entre la iglesia y el han animado tanto que el presidente han sido canonizados. estado", dijo Ilan Semo, historiador Felipe Calderón, cuyo partido político El papa Benedicto llegará a Mecanismos para reportar la conducta sexual inapropiada político que trabaja en la Universidad se llama Partido de Acción Nacional México en tiempos difíciles que se Iberoamericana, dirigida por jesuitas. o PAN, amigo de la iglesia católica corren, ya que la violencia atribuida Si usted o alguien que conozca es abuso sexual: (817) 560-2452, víctima de conducta sexual inapropiada Ext. 900 Mediante el pacto de la década y que ha estado en el poder desde el a luchas armadas entre grupos de por parte de cualquier persona que ■ o llamar al Centro Católico al número: del 1940, se terminó un cuarto año 2000, y que cuenta con un gran traficantes de drogas, y otros que viven trabaje para la iglesia, sea voluntario, (817) 560-2452, ext. 102 y preguntar por de centuria que se distinguió por apoyo en el estado de Guanajuato, también del crimen, han causado la empleado, o miembro del clero, puede el canciller/moderador de la curia, el reportarlo de las siguientes maneras: rivalidades que culminaron con la personalmente le dará la bienvenida al muerte de unas 40,000 personas en padre Stephen Berg. Mecanismo para reportar abuso llamada Rebelión de los Cristeros, papa Benedicto el 23 de marzo, cuya los cinco años pasados. ■ llamar a Judy Locke, Coordinadora de cuando se inflamó la lucha armada visita durará cuatro días, para conocer En una declaración, los obispos asistencia para víctimas, al número (817) Llamar al Ministerio de familias de Texas Servicios de protección (Servicios de y los templos permanecieron cerrados la región conocida por la Rebelión le han llamado al viaje “Un motivo 560-2452, Ext. 201, o, mandarle correo electrónico a [email protected] protección de niños) al número:(800) durante tres años, a finales de la Cristera y la política conservadora de esperanza y confirmación de la fe ■ llamar al número de emergencia para el 252-5400. década del 1920. Pero a pesar del católica. en el Señor”. NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC, FEBRUARY, 2012 PAGE 31 Events Calendar Around the Diocese and region February Dates March Dates 1 24-26 3 ‘TRANSITIONS’ GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP EUCHARISTIC ADORATION  40 HOURS WITH JESUS CAREGIVER WORKSHOP  ‘A DAY OF RENEWAL AND SUPPORT’ Noon to 1 p.m. - St. John the Apostle Church, 7341 Glenview Dr., North Following 8:15 a.m. Mass Friday to 8 a.m. Sunday - St. John the Apostle 8:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. - Holy Family Church, 6150 Pershing, Fort Worth. Richland Hills. The group meets the fi rst Wednesday of each month. For Church, 7341 Glenview Dr., North Richland Hills. For information, call Mary There is no charge and lunch will be provided. For information and to information, contact Kathy Campbell at (817) 870-7117. Anne Lemmon at (817) 427-0953. register, contact Mary Pacheco at [email protected] or (817) 3-5 25 737-6768. WOMEN’S SUPER BOWL RETREAT BREAKING FREE YOUTH RALLY CALIX SUPPORT GROUP 7 p.m. Friday night to noon Sunday - Catholic Renewal Center, 4503 Bridge 3 to 8 p.m. - St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Formation Building, 2016 Willis Ln., Keller. 10 a.m. - A monthly support meeting for Catholics who are alcoholic and St., Fort Worth. For information and reservations, call (817) 429-2920. For information, contact Sue Laux at (817) 939-8595. those struggling with addiction and seeking recovery. Holy Family Church, 6150 Pershing Ave., Fort Worth. For information, contact Deacon Joe 4 HEALTH TRANSITION WORKSHOP Milligan at (817) 431-5369. CALIX SUPPORT GROUP 9 a.m. to noon - St.. Jude Knights of Columbus Hall, 2625 S. Cooper St., 10 a.m. - A monthly support meeting for Catholics who are alcoholic and Arlington. For information, call (817) 462-8186. those struggling with addiction and seeking recovery. Holy Family Church, 22 6150 Pershing Ave., Fort Worth. For information, contact Deacon Joe 26-1 FORT WORTH DIOCESAN MINISTRY WITH LESBIAN AND GAY Milligan at (817) 431-5369. PARISH LENTEN MISSION ‘OPEN MY HEART’ CATHOLICS, OTHER SEXUAL MINORITIES, FAMILIES, FRIENDS 6:30 p.m. - Sunday through Thursday - St. Vincent de Paul Parish, 5819 W. 7 p.m. - Catholic Renewal Center, 4503 Bridge St., Fort Worth. For informa- Pleasant Ridge Rd., Arlington. For information and to reserve free childcare, tion, contact Father Warren Murphy at (817) 927-5383 or Dorene Rose at 6-8 (817) 329-7370. PARISH MISSION call (817) 478-8206. 7 to 8:30 p.m. - St. Maria Goretti Church, 1200 S. Davis, Dr., Arlington. For information, call (817) 274-0643. 28 LENTEN QUIET DAY RETREAT 10-12 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. - Carmelite Monastery, 5801 Mount Carmel Dr., Arling- Classifieds MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER WEEKEND ton. For information, contact Kelly Alexander at (817) 503-0438. Catholic Renewal Center, 4503 Bridge St., Fort Worth. For information, visit the Marriage Encounter website at www.northtexasmarriageencounter.org Good Shepherd Parish in Colleyville is seeking a or call Terry and Kathy Telger at (817) 294-2749. maintenance worker. Th is position requires knowledge and experience with rough carpentry, painting, simple 11 plumbing and electrical work, and basic equipment ‘LIVING WITH AN AWAKENED HEART’ DAY RETREAT and facility repairs. Th e successful candidate will 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. - St. Andrew Parish, 3312 Dryden Rd., Fort Worth. For infor- be a self-starter and be able to troubleshoot, repair, mation and to register call the Pastoral Center at (817) 927-5383 or e-mail Alice Curran at [email protected] or Michele Salcedo at msalcedo@ and maintain plumbing, mechanical, and electrical standrewcc.org. Mass For Families With Special Needs systems, and conduct preventive maintenance Families with special needs fi nd it diffi cult or on HVAC system with minimal supervision. 16 uncomfortable at times to celebrate Mass together. In Applications are available on our website at www. DCCW QUARTERLY LUNCHEON MEETING an eff ort to support these families and include those gscc.net. Please return completed applications to 9:30 a.m. - St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 2016 Willis Ln., Keller. For infor- that are sometimes viewed as disruptive, Holy Family Good Shepherd Catholic Community, Attn: Michael mation and registration, contact Kathy Thome at (817) 236-8518 by Feb. 13. Catholic Parish, 6150 Pershing Ave., Fort Worth, is Vinez, 1000 Tinker Road, Colleyville, TX 76034. now off ering a monthly Mass that welcomes any and 17 all special needs families. Th is Mass is celebrated the General Construction Services FULLNESS OF TRUTH  ‘WHY BE CATHOLIC’ SEMINAR second Saturday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Holy General construction work/repairs inside and out in- 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday - St. Francis of Assisi cluding topsoil, sand, gravel, washed materials, drive- Church, 861 Wildwood Ln., Grapevine. For information and to register, visit Family Chapel. For more information, contact Robyn ways, concrete, backhoe, and tractor services. Custom www.fullnessoftruth.org or call (877) 21.TRUTH. Flores at (817) 228-8812 or [email protected]. mowing lots and acres. Call (817) 732-4083. 18 CATHOLIC MIDDLE SCHOOL RALLY  ‘NO1B4ME’ 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. - Most Blessed Sacrament Church, 2100 N. Davis Dr., Arlington. For information, contact Josie Castillo at (817) 560-2452, ext. 255 CRS Operation Rice Bowl allows us to use our Lenten or visit the diocesan website at www.fwdioc.org. sacrifices to help relieve suffering around the world RESPECT LIFE PARISH COORDINATOR’S MEETING 10 to 11:30 a.m. - The Catholic Center, 800 West Loop 820 South, Fort Ash Wednesday, Feb. 22, marks CRS’s Operation Rice Bowl development projects ranging Worth. For information, contact Chanacee Ruth-Killgore at (817) 560-2452, the beginning of the six-week campaign. from agriculture projects to ext. 257 or visit the diocesan website at www.fwdioc.org. season of Lent, a time of prayer, help farmers improve crop This year, once again, brightly fasting, and sacrifice as a yields to water projects to bring MAGNIFICAT PRAYER BREAKFAST WITH KITTY CLEVELAND colored rice bowls boxes are about projects funded in 9 a.m. - Hilton Garden Inn, 785 State Hwy. 121, Lewisville. For information, spiritual discipline to draw us clean water to communities being distributed through the places like Madagascar, visit the diocesan website at www.fwdioc.org or contact Nanci Ferri at closer to our Lord, and to off er to microfinance projects to parishes of the diocese. By (817) 498-7980. works of charity for others. encourage the growth of small Vietnam, El Salvador, and dropping our coins and bills businesses, Mother and Child Zambia. These refl ections can For many Catholics, one form into these little gold and blue 23 health projects, Education help our personal worlds grow STEPHEN BREEN MEMORIAL FOUNDATION  GIVING WINGS DINNER of Lenten sacrifice revolves and purple boxes, we join in the larger, our identifi cation with 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. - The Botanical Research Institute of Texas, 1700 University projects, and HIV and AIDS around fasting from meat work of Catholic Relief Services the suff erings of Jesus grow Dr., Fort Worth. For information, visit www.stephenbreenmemorialfounda- projects. and other good things and around the world. CRS is the tion.org or contact Jim Breen at (817) 846-6887. stronger. donating the money saved U.S. Bishops’ poverty and food The little boxes also have FORT WORTH DIOCESAN MINISTRY WITH LESBIAN AND GAY to Catholic Relief Services relief agency. a Lenten calendar folded And the link that allows us to CATHOLICS, OTHER SEXUAL MINORITIES, FAMILIES, FRIENDS through the use of those inside each of them, off ering aid the suff ering poor is a little CRS works around the world, 7 p.m. - Catholic Renewal Center, 4503 Bridge St., Fort Worth. For informa- little folding cardboard boxes, a prayer, reflection, or cardboard box we put a bit of tion, contact Father Warren Murphy at (817) 927-5383 or Dorene Rose at funding both food relief and money into every day of Lent. (817) 329-7370. vehicles for reminding us of meditation, or information NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC, FEBRUARY, 2012 PAGE 32 Good Newsmaker

With his spicy Louisiana background, Father Jerome LeDoux Brings a bit of New Orleans

to Our Mother of Mercy Parish and Fort Worth's Near South Side

Story and Photos By Crystal Brown / Correspondent estled into the South Side of Fort Worth near I-35 and I-30, Nparishioners at Our Mother of Mercy come prepared each Sunday for an upbeat and participatory Mass led by Father Jerome LeDoux. While his Gospel Masses are known to last more than two hours, the time flies by as the choir leads the congregation with clapping, hands raised high, and even a little bit of tambourine.

But it wasn’t always like this. the state are few and far between. When Father LeDoux first came The closest church that holds any- to the Fort Worth church in 2006, thing similar is St. Joseph Parish his style took a while to catch on. It in Arlington where the Ghanaian was obvious to his parish members community celebrates a traditional that he was wasn’t from around African Mass each week and hosts these parts. No, he had come from a quarterly all-African Mass for a culture vastly different than Africans from the area (See page Cowtown. 15 of this issue of the NORTH TEXAS For the previous 16 years, CATHOLIC). he led the oldest black congrega- Fr. LeDoux admits he feels a tion in the U.S., St. Augustine in bit alone at times, so far from the the Treme neighborhood of New familiarity of his community just Orleans. one block from the French Quarter. “The kind of church music we But St. Augustine is not where did in New Orleans is a bit differ- Fr. LeDoux started his spiritual ent than other places,” Fr. LeDoux journey, it was just one of many said. “We had jazz bands, blues stops along the way. combos come in almost anytime Fr. LeDoux was born in they felt like coming in and join February of 1930 in Lake Charles, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: the choir, and we’d have a Gospel Louisiana, only 34 miles from the Father Jerome LeDoux, dressed in jazz Mass. People are not used to Texas border, but he would not that here, and it took some doing.” his vestments reflecting his African Gospel Masses in this area of SEE FR. LEDOUX, P. 25 American identity, stands in front of the doors of Our Mother of Mercy Church, The smile he wears is the expression most Please enclose label with address change or inquiries concerning mail delivery of your North Texas Catholic. Thank you. often associated with the Divine Word priest.

TOP AND ABOVE: Fr. LeDoux in motion, preaching the Gospel on a recent Sunday in his energetic style.

LEFT: Fr. LeDoux greets parishioners, setting a tone of friendly welcome for the parish.