Serving the Diocese of San Angelo, Texas Easter. Good Friday photos, Pages 12-13, 24 Coleman Sacred Heart ARISE! Group / Pg. 11 Volume XXXII, No. 5 MAY 2012

Ordination Season Opens Friend us on Facebook, Deacon Francis or check out Onyekozuru, at his dia- conal ordination, April 21, sanangelodiocese.org at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Odessa. Holy Mary, mother of God (Photo by West Texas Angelus) -- and our mother, too Bishop to submit Each time we pray the Hail Mary, resignation letter to we greet Mary with the unique and marvelous title, “Mother of God.” Vatican as Church “Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for ‘In God’s us sinners now and at the hour of our policy dictates death. Amen.” “Mother of God,” is invisible the most unique and greatest title By Jimmy Patterson ever given to a human being. All hands’ Editor / The Angelus other titles: Pope, Bishop, Emperor, President, Prime Minister, Prophet, SAN ANGELO -- As dictated by Teacher, Scientist, pale in compari- Editor’s Note: In honor of the four dioce- towards the priesthood. I was so excit- Canon law, the Most Rev Michael san seminarians who have or are about ed when I received First Holy son to this title of titles. to celebrate reaching the diaconate, The D. Pfeifer, Bishop of San Angelo, Angelus has asked each to provide a Communion and became an altar serv- reflection on what they have achieved er! As an altar server I was observing More / Pg. 2 and what’s ahead. This month, deacons the visible lives of the priests in the 4Bishop Pfeifer’s letter Francis Onyekozuru and Lorenzo Hatch parish more closely. As time went on, I to the Catholics of West

(Pg. 4). Deacon Francis celebrated his ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED ADDRESS began aspiring to be like the priests 76902-1829 TX ANGELO SAN diaconal mass at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Texas / Pg. 3 SAN OF DIOCESE ANGELO April 21, 2012 (photo above). and so I had to enter high school semi-

nary. At the age of eleven I entered PO BOX 1829 BOX PO By Deacon Francis Onyekozuru high school seminary in my native will submit his letter of resignation country, Nigeria. My desire to become to Vatican officials on his 75th birth- Admiration of the visible lives of a priest grew stronger. After day, May 18, 2012. priests and my longing to serve at the altar nurtured my decision to journey (Please See FRANCIS/4) (Please See RETIRE/21) Man, family escape terrorism in homeland Thaddee By Jimmy Patterson ing in his living room) and watch- Uwimana, Editor / West Texas Angelus ing the Chicago Bulls play in the a doctor NBA Championships in the 1990s. in his native ABILENE — Thaddee Thaddee, pronounced Teddy, Rwanda,

Uwimana had a good childhood. enrolled in a small seminary fled from

US POSTAGE US PAID NONPROFIT ORG. NONPROFIT country TX ANGELO, SAN

He was raised in a Christian fami- before opting instead for medical 44 NO. PERMIT ly with three brothers, two sisters school in Rwanda. After med to coun- try before and a mom and dad active in the school he became a doctor in coming to Catholic Church in his native Rwanda and even owned five America. Rwanda. His knowledge of the houses. He was one of the fortu- United States came in part from nate ones. (Photo by West Texas watching John Wayne movies (he Angelus) has a portrait of The Duke hang- (Please See THADDEE/7) Page 2 MAY 2012 The Angelus From the Bishop’s Desk Holy Mary, Mother of God ... and our mother, too

By Bishop Michael Pfeifer, OMI The title “Mother of God” flows from clear ref- happen to me that the Mother of my Lord [God] erences to this in holy Scripture and has been a title should come to me?” While Christians have held Each time we pray the Hail Mary, we greet Mary given to Mary by the Church from the earliest days Mary to be the Mother of God from the beginning with the unique and marvelous title, “Mother of of Christianity. In the Annunciation scene of Christianity, this admirable title was officially God.” “Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sin- described by Luke, Mary is told by the Angel bestowed upon her by the Church at the Council of ners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.” Gabriel that she will bear a son, named Jesus who Ephesus in 431 AD where she was recognized as “Mother of God,” is the most unique and greatest “will be called Son of the Most High.” In the the Theotokos, the Mother of God. Being the title ever given to a human being. All other titles: Visitation scene, where we hear about the joyful Mother of God is the most unique role in all of Bishop Pope, Bishop, Emperor, President, Prime Minister, encounter of Mary and Elizabeth, and the wonder- human history ever assigned to a human Pfeifer Prophet, Teacher, Scientist, pale in comparison to ful encounter of the two precious little ones in their this title of titles. wombs, the joyful Elizabeth asks “How does this (Please See BISHOP/23) DIOCESAN BRIEFS ‘Lady in Blue’ Corpus Christi Procession ABILENE — Sacred Heart Catholic Church A Thank You Note from Bishop Pfeifer in Abilene will have its annual Corpus Christi Day on June 20 Procession and May Crowning of Our Dear kind people of the Diocese of San Angelo: Blessed Mother on Sunday, May 13, 6 pm. By Bishop Michael D. Pfeifer, OMI All are invited to worship and adore. Everyone is encouraged to participate. Call My family and I are deeply grateful to all of you for the many Masses and This is a reminder for all the people of the Valerie Clement at 325-660-2193 for infor- prayers that you have offered for my deceased sister, Angela, for us, and we Diocese of San Angelo that two years ago, I issued mation. truly appreciate your messages of condolence and support. We walk together a special decree proclaiming every June 20 to be in faith as God’s people, we share one another’s grief and sorrow, as well as the the Lady in Blue Day for the Diocese of San Marriage Jubilee 2012 joys from living as disciples of Jesus. My sister, Angela, who suffered very Angelo. This year, June 20 will fall on a All couples who are celebrating their 25, much with illness in recent years, is surely now sharing in the resurrection of 30, 35, 40, 50, and above sacramental wed- Wednesday. It was in San Angelo where the Lady Christ in Heaven and I am sure is praying for all members of my family and for in Blue brought together the native people, the ding anniversaries in the calendar year of all those who have prayed for her. 2012 are invited to the Diocesan Marriage Jumanos, with the Franciscan missionaries and laid Jubilee celebration on June 17, 2012, at 2 May all of you experience the joy of our Risen Savior in the Easter season. the foundation for the beginning of the Gospel, the p.m. in the Sacred Heart Cathedral, San Good News of Christ, in this area of West Texas Angelo. Families and friends are invited to Your servant in Christ and Mary, and beyond, from 1620 to approximately 1631. accompany our jubilarians to this celebra- Bishop Mike This wonderful lady dressed in blue as tion. Renewal of vows will take place within Most Rev. Michael D. Pfeifer, OMI records indicate appeared more than 500 times of the Mass. This celebration will conclude Bishop of San Angelo with a reception in the Cathedral gymnasium to the Jumanos in West Texas. She brought to to which all are invited. For registration these humble people a message about the one information, please contact your pastor. A list of criteria and application for both of engineering technology graduate of Texas true God, who gave Jesus to be our Savior and these scholarships can be found online at A&M, is this year’s featured presenter at the, who asked His followers to baptize people in Catholic Life Insurance www.cliu.com under “Living Benefits.” “An Evening With ...” fundraiser series, July His name. Catholic Life Insurance is currently offering Applicants who meet the criteria of each 20, 2012, at the Midland County Horseshoe. scholarship may apply to both. The event will benefit the Midland non-profit, Who was this “Lady in Blue?” After much two seminarian scholarships to college grad- intense study and reflections, all signs seem to uates enrolled or who will enroll in the fall in Centers for Children and Families. a Catholic Seminary. The application dead- Web site changes Hall’s drilling technique was instrumental in indicate that Sor Maria de Jesus de Agreda, who line for the Msgr. Albert G. Henkes and the Parish information on the diocesan web the October 2010 rescue of 33 Chilean miners lived in Spain, to be the “Lady in Blue” as the Msgr. Lawrence J. Stuebben Seminarian site can only be accurate with your help. who had been trapped underground for more natives named her. She apparently had the gift of Scholarships is June 15, 2012. When you see changes that need to be than two months. bi-location. Rev. Msgr. Stuebben Scholarship Fund made as they pertain to your parish on the Watch for additional information in the On June 20, 2009, as many people of San Students attending Assumption Seminary in diocesan web site (http://www.sanangelodio- June 2012 Angelus. cese.org), please send those changes to Angelo gathered with the Jumano Indians for a San Antonio, Texas, may apply for the Rev. historical meeting, I proclaimed that every June Msgr. Lawrence J. Stuebben Seminarian [email protected]. Scheduled Executions Scholarship. This scholarship fund was The Angelus publishes the execution 20 in the future would be the Lady in Blue Day founded in 1994 and has awarded 38 schol- Pro-Life Rosary in Midland dates of Texas offenders on death row each for the city of San Angelo and for the entire arships totaling $116,650. Approximately 22 MIDLAND — Bishop Michael D. Pfeifer month so that the faithful in the Diocese of Catholic Diocese that makes up 29 counties in dioceses throughout the United States send will preside over a pro-life Rosary in front of San Angelo can pray for them. The following West Texas. That historic encounter with the seminarians to study at Assumption the Midland Planned Parenthood at 9:30 offenders face upcoming execution dates. Jumanos—to whom the Lady in Blue appeared a.m., Friday, June 8, 2012, a day when Please pray for them as well as the victims, Seminary. many times in the 16th century—with the people Rev. Msgr. Henkes Scholarship Fund abortions are done at Planned Parenthood. families and all who are affected by violence: The date also closely coincides with the Offender/Scheduled Execution Day of San Angelo—took place in an ecumenical Any seminarian studying for a diocese locat- prayer service on the banks of the Concho River ed in Texas, Arizona, Florida, Louisiana, Feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Oklahoma, New Mexico or Mississippi may Jesus Christ, which is Sunday, June 10. Steven Staley / May 16 near Bell Street in San Angelo. The Chieftain of apply for the Rev. Msgr. Albert George Bobby Hines / June 6 the Jumano Tribe, Gabriel Carrasco, along with Henkes Seminarian Scholarship. Since its Marcus Druery / August 1 many members of the Jumano community, took establishment in 1987, the Msgr. Henkes Deacon to speak in Midland Ramon Hernandez / November 14 part in this beautiful ecumenical service. That Seminarian Scholarship has awarded 67 Greg Hall, a deacon in the Catholic (Please See LADY IN BLUE/22) scholarships, totaling $161,602. Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, and an The Angelus MAY 2012 Page 3

May 2012

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ:

In accord with Church policy, on May 18, 2012 as I turn 75, I am sending my resigna- tion as the Diocesan Bishop of the Diocese of San Angelo to our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI. What will happen after that? How soon will it happen? These are questions that will be answered eventually by our Holy Father. I do know this, that some time in the future – soon or maybe a little later — a new bishop will be named for the Diocese of San Angelo.

As I await our Holy Father’s reply, I will continue to serve you to the best of my ability as your Bishop, and pray daily for all of you. As the future is somewhat cloudy, I will be writing less for the West Texas Angelus, and reviewing which pastoral commitments for our communi- ties I can accept as we await word from the Holy Spirit through Pope Benedict.

Already, I encourage all the people of our diocese to pray for the bishop who will come after me, and once the new bishop has been appointed, give him your abundant prayers and full, entire support. This is a time to look to the future, and to ask Jesus our Good Shepherd to guide us as we march into the future with a new shepherd.

Please continue to pray for our diocese each day and to pray for me, your servant. What the future holds for me is still uncertain. I trust the good Lord will guide me as the good Lord has guided me throughout my priestly and Episcopal service. I don’t know what the future holds, but I do know whose hands hold the future and that is enough for me.

So, don’t look back to the past, look forward. If we reflect on the past, let us do so with a spirit of gratitude and appreciation for God’s many graces and blessings that we have received through the years of being a diocese. And, as we look to the future, let’s look ahead with much confidence, hope, and trust knowing that our God who has been good and gracious in the past will bestow loving care upon us as we strive to be God’s children and disciples of His Son, Jesus Christ, following the example of Mary. Once a more definite date has been given about the future, I will let you know so there will be time to offer a Mass of gratitude. Thank you for your support and prayers over the past 27 years. God’s peace.

Your servant in Christ and Mary, Bishop Mike Most Rev. Michael D. Pfeifer, OMI Bishop of San Angelo Page 4 MAY 2012 The Angelus Seminarians Step Closer to Ordination Always pause to take pride in your seminarians

By Deacon Lorenzo Hatch the Diocese of San Angelo. I nearly face as he was procession down the aisle. looking the same at the end of an assem- cried with excitement and joy at receiv- At the conclusion of the Mass, I went bly line. Each vocation is just as unique It was a warm sunny day… the high for ing that most wonderful news! He down to the parish hall to greet Ariel and as the individual… and praise God for the day was 88 degrees. One could informed me that he would be traveling congratulate him on becoming a Deacon. that! describe the weather as “perfect.” This to Sacred Heart in Abilene for an ordina- He did not know who I was, but I told I have grown in so many ways: spiritu- day was Wednesday, tion of then seminarian, Fr. Ariel him that I was accepted as a seminarian ally, pastorally, humanly, and academical- August 10, 2005. It had Lagunilla to the transitional Diaconate. earlier that day. As I left the church, I ly during these past seven years. Many of not been too long since I After the call with the Bishop, I immedi- remember thinking that one day this you played a big part in this process and completed all the applica- ately called then Director of Seminarians, could happen to me; I could one day have for that, I am most grateful. I am also tion requirements in Fr. Tom Barley. He said I could ride with an ordination. grateful to all those who have nurtured all applying to become a him to the ordination. Never in my wildest imagination would the seminarians by your support, both seminarian. I was sitting As we arrived at the Church, I was I have EVER guessed that seven years financially and especially by your in my house doing some most impressed with what I saw. Sacred later, I would be assigned to the same prayers! reading when my cell Heart is built in the Spanish Colonial church, Sacred Heart in Abilene, as an Please take pride in your seminarians! phone rang. I glance Hatch Revival architectural style…this year we intern and then ordained a deacon here! I They are struggling to become the men down at the caller ID celebrated its 81st birthday! As we were recount this story because it had such a that God has called them to be… to lay and notice it’s the phone walking up, there was much excitement great impact on my life. Sacred Heart down their lives for you and be your ser- number of the chancery, the Bishop’s as people were arriving to celebrate the was my first experience of attending vants. We need more young men to step office. My heart skipped a few beats … I occasion. The inside of the church was Mass as a seminarian and witnessing my forward and accept the call that God is happened to notice the time was 10 a.m. I just beautiful and filled with many people first ordination. A lot has occurred in the leading them to, and we need your help answered the phone. The caller said to from all over the diocese. When Mass seven years since then. Priestly studies in not only praying for more vocations, please hold for the bishop. My heart began, I saw the procession moving are not easy by any means; not only with but to encourage those young men around started to race some more… the BISHOP through the church and was just in awe of academics, but also the other “pillars” of you to listen to their hearts. wanted to speak with me. I was both the glorious music, the smell of the formation: Human, Spiritual, and I look so very forward to serving the excited and nervous as I heard his voice incense, the happy voices singing the Pastoral. The process is not like going people of God as a deacon and in God’s come on the line. He stated that he was praises of our God… and of course, see- through a cookie cutter… one size does- grace, a Priest next year. Peace and pleased to accept me as a seminarian for ing Ariel and the Joy of the Lord on his n’t fit all and priests are not produced all blessings to you all! FRANCIS (From 1) By then he had been working in the San God’s will happening in my life…His Angelo diocese for some time and he plans coming through better than whatev- May Schedule of Diaconal my high school seminary, I entered col- talked about the need for more vocations er I would have thought of. Although Ordination Masses lege seminary at Seat of Wisdom to the priesthood in the diocese. After away from the country of my birth, God Seminary, Owerri, Imo State. some thoughts and prayers I decided to does bless us with family and friends Sunday, May 5 — ABILENE, Sacred Close to our college seminary is a give it a try. Fr. Romanus put me in con- wherever we follow Him to. His house Heart – Diaconal Ordination of Lorenzo Claretian Institute with many foreign tact with Fr. Barry McLean (the Vocation (the Church) has always felt like a home Hatch, 6:30 p.m. priests who left their home countries and Director) whose humane and simple heart and has remained a joyful home wherever Monday, May 14 — OLFEN, St. came to work in Nigeria. I have always touched me deeply. In Fr. Barry I saw a I am. There is always this feeling of inner Boniface -Diaconal Ordination Sam been captivated by their courage and self- bridge of the unnecessary gap between peace and comfort which I experience in Matthiesen, 6:30 p.m. less sacrifices as they left their homes, the priests and the laity (seminarians God’s house: my home, the Church. I am Thursday, May 17 — ABILENE, families and friends for the sake of the included) which was not easily seen in so grateful to God for His uncountable Holy Family - Diaconal Ordination of Gospel. I also read of the sacrifices of my culture. In August 2008, I came to blessings and for calling mortal men to a Innocent Eziefule, 6:30 pm. many missionary priests and religious America…to San Angelo diocese … vocation so sacred and mysterious as the who brought and spread the Gospel in entrusting my life into God’s invisible priesthood! Other Masses of Note in May Africa. Many of them left their native hands. I was sent to Assumption Wishing there could be a better way to Friday, May 25 -- SAN ANGELO, homes, their families, their friends, their Seminary, San Antonio, the next day for show appreciation, I’m deeply grateful to Sacred Heart Cathedral – Priestly food, their comfort, and many even died my studies in theology. The journey con- my teachers, formatters, directors, men- Ordination of Brother Martin Mary of various things in Africa like diseases, tinues…with lots of adaptations to make. tors, families, friends and every individ- Hubbs, O.Carm., 11 a.m. etc. They sacrificed all for the sake of the In all these, I see God as the pilot of the ual or group that has helped me (and are Saturday, May 26 -- MIDLAND, St. Gospel. I greatly admire their courage. I affairs of my life and vocation. He flies still helping me) to answer God’s call. Stephen’s, Mass for 50th Priestly have always been thrilled by their selfless the plane, and having entrusted my life Still with lots of learning and growing to Anniversary of Monsignor James charity and complete abandonment to totally into His hands, all I do is sit back, do, I count on your fervent prayers! With Bridges, 5 p.m. God’s will. relax and enjoy the flight! His invisible childlike trust and confidence in the Sunday,. May 27 -- ROWENA, Meanwhile, in the final year of my col- hands have been leading, guiding and maternal care of Blessed Mama Mary, I St.Joseph – Mass for 50th Priestly lege seminary, my spiritual father (Fr. directing my life’s journey. At birth, I pray for wholesome peace to you and Anniversary of Monsignor Bernard Gully Romanus Akamike) asked me if I would was given the name Uchechukwu which yours! at 9:30 a.m. consider being a priest in a foreign land. literally means God’s Will. And I see The Angelus MAY 2012 Page 5 DIOCESAN DATES Archbishop stresses need to help poor Bishop’s Calendar Meeting 17 — SAN ANGELO, Sacred Former San Angelo bishop in town to help Odessa charity MAY Heart Cathedral – Marriage Jubilee The Angelus “We must consider all of the 12-13 -- SAN ANTONIO, Day Mass at 2:00 p.m. wonderful things on this earth Premiere of Fr. Ted Pfeifer’s 19 — WALL, Rural Life Mass at 6:00 p.m. ODESSA — Recalling the mes- and the ability that God has given documentary sage of St. Paul as he delivered to us to use these common goods 14 -- OLFEN, St. Boniface - 20-21 — Rest and Prayer Diaconal Ordination Sam 24 — EDEN, St. Charles – the Good News of the Gospel, in a way that serves everyone -- Matthiesen at 6:30 p.m. Confirmation at 11:00 a.m. Archbishop Joseph Fiorenza every one -- not just some.” 15 -- ABILENE, St. Vincent – 30 — SAN ANGELO, St. Mary – reminded a packed Odessa The evening also saw Confirmation at 6:30 p.m. Confirmation at 5:00 p.m. County Club April 26 that the Monsignor James Bridges, of St. 16 -- BIG LAKE, St. Margaret – poor must always be cared for. Stephen’s in Midland, receive the Confirmation at 6:30 p.m. The Most Rev. Fiorenza, fourth Sister Mary Thomas McNeela 17 -- ABILENE, Holy Family - Christ the King Diaconal Ordination of Innocent Retreat Center bishop of San Angelo, and current Award. Sister McNeela is former Eziefule at 6:30 pm. MAY Archbishop of Galveston- executive director of Catholic 19 -- ODESSA, St. Joseph – 21 -- Heart of Mercy Prayer Grp Houston, spoke before a crowded Charities of O’dessa who devoted Confirmation at 7:00 p.m. 22 -- Adoration of the Blessed Odessa Country Club April 26 at her life to helping the poor. She 20 -- ANDREWS, O.L. of Sacrament the annual fundraiser for Catholic later became executive director of Lourdes, Confirmation, 10:30 a.m. 28 -- Memorial Day Holiday – Charities. the Guardian Angels Settlement 21 -- SAN ANGELO, Diocesan CKRC Office Closed Pastoral Center – Staff Mass at “Helping the poor through in St. Louis, Mo. 28 -- Heart of Mercy Prayer Grp Catholic Charities of Odessa is 8:30 a.m. and Staff meeting at 29-31 -- DOSA Priests Retreat social and economic justice issues 11:00 a.m. is why we’re here,” Archbishop Former San Angelo Bishop Joseph a non-profit organization that 22 -- STANTON, St. Joseph – JUNE Fiorenza said. “It’s what we do in Fiorenza, currently Archbishop of helps families and individuals in Confirmation at 6:30 p.m. 1 -- DOSA Priest Retreat the Church. We have to be in soli- Galveston-Houston need, primarily in Ector County. 23 -- MERTZON, St. Peter – 1-2 -- Anglican Church Vision darity with the poor, it is some- Those in need are often experi- Confirmation at 6:30 p.m. “contribution to the common Conference thing that is critical to who we encing an emergency/crisis situa- 24 -- COLEMAN, Sacred Heart – good and a requirement of an 4-8 -- Lubbock Priests Annual are. tion and have no one to turn to Confirmation at 6:30 p.m. essential dimension of the 25 -- SAN ANGELO, Sacred Retreat Archbishop Fiorenza called for help to resolve their emer- Gospel.” Heart Cathedral – Priestly 8-10 -- Healing Weekend Retreat being in solidarity with the poor a gency. Ordination of Brother Martin Mary 11 -- Heart of Mercy Prayer Grp Hubbs, O.Carm. at 11:00 a.m. 12 -- Adoration 26 -- MIDLAND, O.L. Guadalupe 14-17 -- Girl’s Chrysalis Flight Del Escritorio del Obispo –Confirmation at 5:00 p.m. 18 -- Heart of Mercy Prayer Grp 27 -- ROWENA, St.Joseph, 19 -- Adoration Mass for 50th Priestly Anniversary 21-24 -- Men’s Catholic Cursillo Santa Maria, madre de dios! of Monsignor Bernard Gully at 25 -- Heart of Mercy Prayer Grp 9:30 a.m. 26 -- Adoration 28 -- SAN ANGELO, Sacred Por el Obispo Miguel D. Pfeifer, OMI de las madres, le damos las gracias a Dios por darnos Heart Cathedral – Memorial Day una Madre tan hermosa, y le ofrecemos honor y gra- Mass at 9:00 a.m. Ethics Workshops Cada vez que recemos el Ave María, y quizás lo titud por todo lo que hace por nosotros como una 29 -- June 1, SAN ANGELO, ABILENE DEANERY rezamos varias veces al día, proclamamos nuestra amable y amorosa Madre. Una manera especial para Christ the King Retreat Center – Monday, May 21, 2012, 6:30- Priests Retreat creencia tradicional Católica basada en el Evangelio honrar a María es por medio de renovar nuestra 9:30 pm — Sacred Heart, Abilene de San Lucas que María es ciertamente la Madre de devoción a ella, especialmente esforzándonos cada JUNE (Nelson Bld) Dios – la Madre de Cristo Jesús, verdadero Dios y día a imitar su vida, en especial su espíritu de fe, 1 — SAN ANGELO, Christ the Saturday, June 2, 2012, 10:00 verdadero hombre. “Madre de Dios” – este es el titu- esperanza y su entrega amorosa a la voluntad de King Retreat Center – Last Day of am - 1:00 pm — Sacred Heart, Dios. Su tema de himno ha de ser nuestra oración Abilene (Nelson Bld) lo más alto que se ha dado a cualquier ser humano, y Priests Retreat en el diseño de Dios Padre, Dios constante, “Cúmplase en mí lo que me has dicho.” 2 — FORT STOCKTON, St. Agnes – Confirmation at 5:30 p.m. escogió a la humilde jovencita cam- María, como una Madre amorosa, constantemente le and Install Father Serafin Avenido NECROLOGY pesina de Nazaret para el papel más pide a Su Hijo que nos de nueva vida, nuevas gra- as Pastor JULY grande de toda la historia humana— cias, para cumplir con la voluntad de Dios en nues- 3 — ABILENE, St. Francis – 2 -- Rev. Bernard Degan, CM de ser la Madre de Dios, la Madre tras vidas. En sus apariciones, María nos anima a Confirmation at 9:00 a.m. (2001) del Mesías, nuestro Salvador. Con un rezar el rosario, su oración favorita. 4 — SAN ANGELO, Christ the 2 -- Deacon Floyd Frankson enorme espíritu de humildad y de fe Al honrar a nuestras madres cuando celebremos su King Retreat Center – Gathering (1992) with Lubbock Priests’ at their profunda, María simplemente se día especial, el Día de la Madres, el 8 de mayo, les 4 -- Rev. Msgr. Charles Dvorak ofreció ella misma para cumplir con damos las gracias por darnos vida, y por los innume- Annual Retreat-5:00 p.m. (1963) 5 — SAN ANGELO, Diocesan el plan de Dios con sus palabras muy rables sacrificios que han hecho para ayudarnos 5 -- Rev. Ray Wilhelm, OMI Obispo Pastoral Center – Staff Mass at (2006) conocidas, “Yo soy esclava del hacer quien somos. Este es un día para decirles a 8:30 a.m. and Staff Meeting at Miguel Pfeifer 10 -- Rev. Emil J. Gerlich (1969) Señor, cúmplase en mí lo que me has nuestras madres, empezando con nuestra Madre 11:00 a .m. OMI 19 -- Rev. Msgr. Andrew dicho.” Bendita, que las queremos y que estamos agradeci- 8 — MIDLAND, Pro Life Rosary in Front of Planned Parenthood at Marthaler (1984) En el hermoso mes de Mayo, honramos a nuestras dos por todo lo que hacen por nosotros. Y, es un día, 9:30 a.m. 22 -- Bishop Thomas J. Drury madres quien nos han dado vida, y la primera madre sí, a rezar con María, pidiéndole a Dios que les 10 — COLORADO CITY, St. (1992) que queremos honrar es nuestra Madre espiritual, colme de muchas nuevas bendiciones. Feliz Día de Ann – Confirmation at 10:30 a.m. 26 -- Deacon Jose Rosales María, la Madre de Cristo Jesús. Jesús, al morir en la las Madres para todas nuestras queridas madres, y 11 — BRADY, St. Patrick – (2000) cruz, nos dio Su propia Madre para que fuera nuestra gracias por todo lo que hacen por sus familias indivi- Confirmation at 6:30 p.m. 26 -- Deacon Abel Campos Madre. Por lo tanto, primero y ante todo, en el mes duales y por nuestra Iglesia. 12-15 — ATLANTA, USCCB (2002) Page 6 MAY 2012 The Angelus Abilene: Safe Refuge for Africans

Claude, a young Rwandan refugee with Mary Kossbiel, second from right in photo at left. Also in photo, Terry Kossbiel, stand- ing, fourth from left, and Judy Eichhorst, second from left, and refugees from Africa, who have made Abilene and Holy Family their new home.

Below, Judy Eichhorst and Mary Kossbiel read to Jane, second from right; Raziki, cen- ter, and Claude.

Opposite page, two of the refugees in Abilene recently celebrated their wedding day.

50 African refugees find safe haven, church home at Abilene’s Holy Family By Jimmy Patterson you head south to Junction or Fort Editor Stockton because the only way to find West Texas Angelus relief from the climate is the tent you carry on your back. Water and food are scarce. You want to return to your home ABILENE — Imagine sleeping in your and after a transatlantic flight you arrive ing your life over, is to pray and worry own bed one night only to awaken to a and confront the aggressors that took everything you owned, but you can’t. If in a strange land about which you know every waking moment about the wife or loud clatter. You rise and hurry to the nothing. You check in at a government husband or parent or child that you were sound and find armed men demanding you do, they will shoot you on sight. And so you become a citizen of whatever office, receive a brief orientation about forced to leave behind. Day and night, you give them your home and all your your new home and then you are you fear for their safety and pray for the belongings. They have a gun pointed at moving camp you hook up with. All you do, day in and day out, is roam, trying to released. phone call that they have made it safely your head so you only have one real You are free, yes. And you no longer to your new country. Except many don’t option: You tell them to take everything. survive One day, when you decide you have have to worry about being murdered by ever rejoin family. Many are murdered, Within minutes, you are forced out of thugs who have overrun your home. But others simply never make it through the your home with only what is on your had enough of this lifestyle, you apply to a government agency and ask for political you are alone and beginning life anew. process and never see family again. back and for the next several months, you Forget the degree you received from This is the story for as many as 600 wander with others who have met a simi- asylum in another country. Five years later, you are approved. your country’s university and the fact that African refugees in Abilene, one of five lar fate across the desert of West Texas. you are educated. That doesn’t translate American cities that, through the One day you pitch camp near Stanton. And so again you take all that belongs to you -- which isn’t very much after five too well in your new home. International Refugee Commission, The next week you seek a shadier place But you are free. and walk to San Angelo. In the winter years of roaming and sleeping in a tent -- and you climb aboard a transport airplane Now all there is to do, aside from start- (Please See REFUGEES/7) The Angelus MAY 2012 Page 7

REFUGEES

(From 6) effort several years ago. Working through The refugees from Rwanda and other them if they return because the people the IRC, many volunteers at the church countries are often highly intelligent -- who took the land do not want to give it accept people looking to stay alive and have provided not only friendship and one man, Thaddee Uwimana (see related back,” said Suzanne Rhodes, Deacon start anew. transportation to and from Mass for the story), was a physician in Africa. Here he Rhodes’ wife and a helper in the program. The only silver lining for the refugees refugees, but in many other aspects of life. is allowed to practice nursing. Another Not only are the refugees intelligent, who make their way to America is the Jane, of Tanzania, came to American refugee finished in the top 25 percent of they are grateful for being given a second reception and treatment they receive less than a year and a half ago, after her her graduating class at Abilene High chance, and motivated by their faith. when they land in America. For those husband was murdered by rebels outside School, after having been enrolled at About 50 of the refugees in Abilene are refugees, Abilene has become their safe their home. The couple had three children AHS for just one year. Another refugee Catholic. They rarely miss Mass and are haven. Of those, about 50 refugees from together. It is obvious when talking to her who now calls Abilene home is a pre- active in programs such as choir and reli- Rwanda, the Congo, Burundi, and other she still bears the pain of having her hus- med student at Abilene Christian, accord- gious education. African nations riddled by terrorism and band taken from her. ing to Deacon Gary Rhodes. Abilene and Dallas are the two Texas criminal activity, have found a new home Jane speaks seven languages, including While college students who move to cities that participate in the IRC program. and friends at Holy Family Church, on French, English and Swahili. In America, America to study can go home to their “It is a reputable way to bring people to Abilene’s South side. she is a laborer, but has a home and con- African nations, refugees who leave their our country,” said Mary Kossbiel, one of Monsignor Fred Nawarskas approved nections through the church which pro- country cannot return home. the Holy Family parishioners involved in the church’s participation in the refugee vide spiritual formation and support. “The people who take their land will kill helping the refugees. THADDEE (From 1) his brothers and one sister were murdered uing heart concerns. around the world. in Rwanda. And then came the cruelest Life has been a challenge for Thaddee didn’t find those staged trap- But when the factions in Rwanda, the hurt of all. Uwimana. But it is only his later years in pings, and life in Abilene has been any- Hutus and Tutsis, began warring, Thaddee “My father and mother moved into one Africa that he terms an “extreme ordeal.” thing but war-torn. He and his family and his wife and child were forced from of my houses in Rwanda,” Thaddee said. The challenges he and his family have have a new home, and a new family, at their home and lived for five years in “One day, a rebel came into the house faced here -- including his professional Abilene’s Holy Family, has provided the refugee camps. They called small spaces and demanded my father leave, that the adjustment -- have been manageable support and friendship the Uwimanas under bushes and below trees their new house now belonged to him. My father compared with watching your homeland didn’t have in Africa. home. They would become refugees in said, ‘No, this is my son’s house.’ They turned into a violent killing field and Still, Thaddee says, “I miss my coun- their own country for five years, before shot him. He was 92.” being forced to flee from camp to camp try. It is my native country. I hope to live fleeing to Kenya and finally to the Ivory Sylvain Uwimana was a Christian, a and ultimately country to country. long enough to see it return to a peaceful Coast where the violence caught up with religious education teacher at his church Thaddee thought he had found a peace- country where I can return to visit.” them again. Thaddee and his family would and a farmer. A good, spirit filled man, ful home in the Ivory Coast until waking One of the more difficult changes apply for residency in the United States Thaddee calls him. So inspirational was up one morning to the sound of gunfire. Thaddee was faced with upon arrival in and finally in 2002 he and wife, Pascasie Sylvain that Thaddee and Pascasie named The French military rescued the America was being unable to practice and their two children moved to Abilene. their children Sylvie, Sylva and Uwimanas and ultimately they landed in medicine as he could in Rwanda and It wasn’t until he left Rwanda, though, Sylvanius. The younger two children Abilene, where Thaddee said he expected elsewhere in Africa, where he also served that the worst part of the journey for the were born in America. Sylvanius was to find cowboys and horses. His vision of as a worker with the International Red Uwimana family began to unfold. Two of born with Down Syndrome. He had open Texas was just what Hollywood told him heart surgery as an infant and has contin- it would be — even from half way (Please See DOCTOR/19) Page 8 MAY 2012 The Angelus Catholic Voices How cops-and-robber show depicts the domestic Church By Stephen Kent Shows such as "The Adventures of officer, was killed in the line of duty. killing her husband. The case is investi- Catholic News Service Ozzie and Harriet," "Leave It to Beaver" The show contains the usual plots. The gated by her detective brother. When he and "The Donna Reed Show" featured a difference is that the ethical questions takes the stand, things get heated between Family shows on television, once as nuclear family: working father, stay-at- involved in the cases are discussed and the brother and sister. ubiquitous as today's "police procedural" home mom, at least two children and one integrated into the daily life of a modern Another plot question: how far to go to dramas, are now museum pieces along cute pet. The dramatic thread carried little typical family. protect family members? with relics such as TV dinners, vinyl more than who to take to the prom or It introduces values to television with- Shows such as "The Adventures of records and Hula Hoops. responding to a bully. They are far out of out preaching. The family's discussions Ozzie and Harriet" and "Father Knows Instead of watching touch with today's family experiences and take place in what is increasingly rare Best" are long since consigned to the "The Adventures of perhaps were so in their time. today: around the family dinner table irrelevant bin. The family dinner -- either Ozzie and Harriet" and So, it's good to see a family show that where members gather each Sunday (and nightly or at least once a week -- risks the "Father Knows Best," a can be entertaining while dealing with even say grace before meals). same fate. television viewer can put topical ethical issues and celebrate the Sometimes the fourth generation -- the The demise of the family dinner would the feet up, relax and family as a unit. children of Frank's children -- provokes be missed for at least two reasons: for the routinely watch autop- "Blue Bloods," which airs Fridays on the discussion. They know their parents celebration of the family as a functioning sies at least four or five CBS, is centered on an Irish-American are in dangerous professions. They know unit with respect for each other and for times a week. Kent Catholic family -- the Reagans of New their parents are called to use firearms. the discussion and understanding of val- Say "family drama" today and it con- York. The title reflects a somewhat In one episode, when a close friend of ues. jures up programs so sugary sweet as to unlikely premise. the family is killed in the line of duty, the The family is the domestic church. It is induce dramatic diabetes. Instead we Grandpa is a former NYPD police com- detective's wife and children worry about good to be at the table together. have police procedurals (i.e., a crime dis- missioner. His son Frank Reagan is the his emotional state. --- covered by innocent witnesses never seen current commissioner. Frank's three chil- In another, the Reagans contemplate the Kent, now retired, was editor of arch- again, and police investigations where dren are in law enforcement: One son is a right and wrong of taking matters into diocesan newspapers in Omaha and cops and coroners crack wise over a par- detective, another son is a rookie patrol- their own hands after a good Samaritan Seattle. tially dismembered corpse followed by an man and his daughter is an assistant dis- stops a criminal in the subway. He can be contacted at: obligatory courtroom scene). trict attorney. Another son, also a police Erin prosecutes a woman accused of [email protected]. Too early to dream of a Vatican team at the World Cup?

By Dan Morris Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, president of the culture Catholic News Service ardinal Gianfranco council, said, "We are interested in the cultural phenom- enon" of sports and that is why his council's new sports Catholic sports fans, are you up to speed on the juicy Ravasi, president of the desk quickly replaced the laity council's. stuff going on at the Vatican? culture council, said, Meanwhile, the laity council's sports desk director, No, no, no. Who cares about "VatiLeaks" with its C Legionary of Christ Father Kevin Lixey, said the laity alleged hints of money laundering and "We are interested in the cul- council pulled out of the tournament because its focus banking fraud and stuff like that? on sports' moral formative potential had been diluted. That's old biretta. tural phenomenon" of sports To his chagrin, Italian news folks apparently had been We are talking about media-inflamed and that is why his council's telling viewers, readers and listeners that the reason was tension between Vatican offices about because fans and players had stooped to unsportsman- the Clericus Cup. new sports desk quickly like language and behavior at times. Nope, not the rea- Many non-sports fans think the replaced the laity council's. son, Father Lixey told reporters. Clericus Cup is an athletic protective Vatican Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone said some device for clerics, but it is a soccer time ago -- around the time of the first Clericus Cup -- Morris tournament (now in its sixth year) in he hoped the Vatican could one day field its own team of the tournament. and around Rome. It involves priests in international competitions. The sports desk of the laity council withdrew its spon- and seminarians from about 70 countries. Bingo! That's what we at the Roadkill Theological sorship. The culture council filled that void with its own As you probably know, these men form 16 soccer Roundtable have been promoting. sports desk. It's not clear if the culture council created teams from pontifical universities, seminaries and reli- What has as much cultural impact as a World Cup its sports desk for this purpose, but who cares. Let's pre- gious orders to compete for the "saturno" trophy. It's contender? tend it did. The Italian bishops' conference still is a about as close to a Catholics-only soccer league as I mean, the international soccer federation FIFA has sponsor. you'll find. The trophy is a soccer ball with cleats and 208 national associations, while the United Nations only The point is that the media love this stuff. an old-time clerical hat (a saturno, fittingly enough). has about 190 member states. Those of us who have been lobbying the Vatican for For the record, the wide-brimmed saturno is also To make things even more media-worthy, Cardinal years to buy its own major sports franchise (or two) known as a "cappello romano." Bertone also is up to his miter in the "VatiLeaks." have to be encouraged at this nonexistent but entertain- Anyway, the remarkable news is that two Vatican Is it too early to start thinking of what mascot an ing struggle. It's putting the Vatican and sports on the councils -- the Pontifical Council for the Laity and the international Vatican soccer contender might use? map. Pontifical Council for Culture -- have been wrongly We have to take more heart from the fact that cardi- reported in the media as duking it out over sponsorship (Comments are welcome. Email Uncle Dan at cnsun- nals have weighed in to the faux fray. [email protected].) The Angelus MAY 2012 Page 9 Catholic Voices II A journey toward sainthood for founder of Boys Town By Effie Caldarola doors of St. Cecilia Cathedral in Omaha were given a simple cot, good food, an If you visit the museum, and study the Catholic News Service noting the opening of a cause for saint- education, a chance to elect a mayor and long, resolutely Irish face of the young hood for Father Edward Flanagan, run their "town," and a home where peo- Father Flanagan, you can't help but sense Growing up in rural Nebraska, our founder of Boys Town. ple cared about them. that simple, uncluttered will to do the family would sometimes make the long It was a sunny, crisp morning, and a Father Flanagan's profile was enlarged right thing. drive to Omaha. From large crowd -- including plenty of media immensely in 1938 when Spencer Tracy And saints are usually ahead of their the backseat of the car, -- along with a contingent of the Ancient starred as Father Flanagan in the movie time. Father Flanagan was an early advo- we kids would Order of Hibernians in America, gathered "Boys Town," with Mickey Rooney as a cate of racial equality. He believed every announce "we're get- to see the simple announcement. challenging young resident. Tracy won an boy should pray, "but how he prays is up ting close to Omaha" In 1917, Father Flanagan, a native of Oscar (now at the Boys Town museum), to him." when we could see the County Roscommon in Ireland, first rent- and the public's imagination was captured Just like his simple rectory, many familiar buildings and ed a house in Omaha for five boys. He by this priest who had a new approach to things about Father Flanagan speak to farm fields of Boys had worked with homeless men, but he homeless youth. another era, a time before labels like Town rising in the east. became convinced that the place to start If you visit Boys Town, you'll find a "attention deficit" and "oppositional Omaha has grown saving men was in their youth. Orphans, thriving program (which now includes deviant disorder" got placed on kids bare- around and beyond Caldarola hooligans, runaways, wanderers, ruffians girls) and a memorial to Father Flanagan. ly big enough to shoulder them. Boys Town, but the -- he believed he could change their lives, You can visit his lovely old rectory, He labored in a field largely free of rolling grounds and buildings remain the and thousands of them later attested that which volunteers decorate in typical Irish pharmacology, and would no doubt be same: a Nebraska landmark and a tribute he changed them. country style at Christmas. amazed to see the paperwork involved in to a young Irish immigrant priest who Eventually, he moved to the large farm It seems there are some things most dealing with a child in the social services believed "there are no bad boys. There is that became his famous "town." Although saints have in common. They often come arena today. only bad environment, bad training, bad it was rural, it was along Dodge Street -- from humble, unassuming backgrounds Father Flanagan's life attests to the example, bad thinking." then, as now, the main drag through and they retain that humility while find- things that remain the same: the ability to Earlier this year, Archbishop George J. town. He wanted to be where boys could ing uncompromising optimism and confi- see a great need and the willingness to Lucas of Omaha posted a notice on the find him. When they found him, they dence along the way. heroically meet it. Getting to a child’s heart through music Tip O’neill: Prophet By Father Eugene Hemrick rise and thank God for the day. all-knowing smile and then pro- Catholic News Service Let us get up and pray: Thank ceeded to sing the proper notes. you for yet another day." Or: That simple exercise created a As I viewed a PowerPoint "Now we wash and dry the dish- peaceful beginning to the class presentation on the Fred Rogers es, let us thank God for food that and once the tone was set, the Center at St. Vincent's College in was delicious." rest of the day went smoothly. Latrobe, Pa., my heart swelled Music wakes the inner spirit, While at St. Vincent's, I inter- with beautiful and when it's put into words, the viewed its choir master on memories of my meaning touches our soul. Music Gregorian chant. mother. also has the power of quieting "The word is center and fore- As a child, I the soul and generating an order- most in chant, the purpose of would wake to ly peaceful atmosphere. chant is to draw out its depth the smell of Early in my priesthood, I through melody," he told me. garlic and my decided to teach all eight grades "Some types of music, when it mother singing in grammar school so I could is over, make you want to stand as she cooked. experience what it was like to up and cheer. With chant, you At the 50th Hemrick teach. My greatest fear was how just want to be quiet," he said. wedding anniversary party for to calm energetic first- and sec- For parents wishing to harmo- my grandparents, I remember ond-graders. If you can't control nize their family life better, I them singing "Oh Marie" togeth- the students, a classroom can would suggest devising and er. I then realized where my become chaotic. singing a variety of tunes with mother's love of singing came After experiencing a few their younger children, prefer- from. chaotic sessions, a teacher sug- ably those that enliven the One of the projects at the Fred gested I start class with a song. human spirit, those that contain Rogers Center is creating songs This I did and oh the response. wisdom and those that foster for children. They are aimed at To begin class, I would intone a stillness. appreciating daily events. I envi- song and off it would go. Music has enormous powers sioned a mother at her children's I will never forget one little waiting to make family life more bedside singing, "Now is time to boy's reaction to my sour notes. wholesome. He knew I was flat, gave me an Page 10 MAY 2012 The Angelus Making Sense of Bioethics Our moral obligations: Divine truth, defined Black and white? Or gray? Catholic teaching our By Fr. Tad Pacholczyk zone” for adultery. Many people who recognize guide to upcoming that an action may be black may still be tempted One widely-encountered idea today is that to think that because their intentions are white, there is no black and white when it comes to the "gray" action may be done. But good inten- presidential election morality, only a kind of “gray tions cannot bleach the blackness of a deed. area.” This is often taken to Acknowledging the existence of intrinsic evils By Bishop Michael Pfeifer, OMI mean that we really can’t know and recognizing the binding character of absolute with certainty what is right and moral prohibitions is an important part of our As we approach the presidential and other elections, our ulti- wrong, allowing us to “push into own moral growth and awakening. Indeed, mate guide in selecting the candidates for whom we cast our vote the gray” as we make certain morality itself, as an inner determinant of man’s should be first and foremost Divine truth and the defined teaching moral decisions that at first character, is not fundamentally “gray” at all, but of our Catholic Church. Our selection of the candidate for the top glance appear to be immoral. is, by its very nature, a code of black and white. office of our nation should be based on biblical and moral princi- The behavior of the semi-leg- In the final analysis, the cult of moral grayness is ples explained to us by our Catholic Church, and not primarily on endary figure of Robin Hood is too easily a revolt against fixed and essential party platforms or party affiliation. Sadly, many Catholics put sometimes mentioned as an Pacholczyk moral values. party affiliation and party platform ahead of even the Divine truths example of this “gray area” phe- Although fixed moral values must always that are given to us by God in the Bible and sacred Tradition, and nomenon, since he was a character who would guide our decisions, correctly applying a general above the defined teaching of our Catholic Church on some specif- steal money (morally bad) for the purposes of moral principle to a particular situation will often ic moral issues. helping the poor (morally good). require specific knowledge of the circumstances As a nation and as a Church, we are facing unprecedented chal- By focusing on the good intentions motivating and details of that situation. lenges that threaten to undermine the integrity of our moral, social, our choices, and by arguing that morality is For example, I might have to grapple with the political life and foundational principles of society, and we are let- ambiguous and mostly “gray” anyway, a person question of whether I have a moral duty to get ting mere human judgments and laws become the ultimate stan- can more easily justify and provide cover for out of bed and go to work in the morning. dards that guide us for voting for political candidates and for for- morally problematic actions. When we begin to Whenever a particular set of circumstances pre- mulating laws and policies instead of Divine laws and doctrines of scrutinize the claim that morality is “gray,” how- vail (I am healthy; today is a workday; my our Catholic Church. We should let our selection of government ever, we encounter significant problems and con- employer expects me to be present at the work- leaders on all issues be guided by the social justice teaching of our tradictions. place; my vehicle is functioning normally), then I Catholic Church. The romanticized exploits of Robin Hood, for would reasonably conclude that I have a moral To guide us in the political selection of the person that we example, end up providing little more than a duty to go to work because of the objective choose as our president, we must seriously ask ourselves which “veil of gray” that quickly dissolves when we moral commitments I have as a company candidate’s political position is most in accord with Divine truth place ourselves in the first-person situation of employee — and, likely, the other employees and defined teaching of our Catholic Church. The socio-political- being the victim of his thievery, having our own who would “take up the slack” would resent my economic issues before us must be analyzed in the moral frame- windows broken and our own goods plundered. absence. Meanwhile, if I am very sick, I might work of these two guiding principles. Guided by these two princi- Those who have been robbed of their possessions reasonably conclude that I do not have a moral ples, I present to you the issues that Catholic voters and other peo- will often describe afterwards, in vivid detail, the duty to go to work. Of course, deciding to stay in ple of good will must take into account as they cast their votes: awful awareness of personal violation, the crush- bed all day out of mere laziness would constitute The No. 1 issue that should guide our vote for the president of ing of their feeling of security, etc. In these cir- an objective failure in terms of my moral duty. our country is our understanding and belief that the unborn human cumstances, we see the moral problem with The question of my moral duty to go to work, life, from the first moment of conception, is true human life, Robin Hood’s depraved actions, and appreciate then, is not a “gray area” at all, nor a matter of sacred because it is stamped with the very image and likeness of the direct, black and white character of the uni- relative morals, but rather a question of careful God and that direct abortion is seriously immoral and a crime. versal moral injunction against stealing. discernment, weighing of variables, seeking to do Based on several passages of Sacred Scripture, the Catholic Universal moral prohibitions are clearly at the the good, and so on. Church holds that a new human being begins at conception, and heart of any discussion about the “grayness” of In sum, the objective lines of our moral obliga- that this human life must be given the highest respect and protec- morality. Many human actions, when freely cho- tion may sometimes be difficult to discern, and tion through pregnancy and throughout the life of this new person sen, will always be unacceptable. These actions, may even appear gray at first glance, but when until the natural end of life as determined by God. Simply said, referred to as “intrinsic evils,” are immoral we sort out the relevant details and seek to purify our Catholic Church teaches that we are pro-life at every stage of regardless of circumstance. Adultery would be an our own motives, and become willing to submit life—from the womb to the tomb. Catholics need to seriously con- example of an intrinsic evil. Regardless of how to the binding character of absolute moral prohi- sider which Presidential candidate will do the most to show respect much a married man may desire to be with a new bitions, that gray haze can dissipate, enabling us for the precious unborn, to work to overcome abortion, and pro- romantic flame, and regardless of how terrible to see the real moral lines that were there all vide protection for this human life throughout pregnancy and when his current marriage and sex life may appear to along. the new human person is born. Pope John Paul II outlined in his be, the decision to have sexual relations with Rev. Tadeusz Pacholczyk, Ph.D. earned his magnificent Gospel of Life, the defined teaching of the Catholic someone who is not his spouse will invariably doctorate in neuroscience from Yale and did post-doctoral work at Harvard. He is a priest of Church as regards the precious life of the unborn and the grave constitute an act of moral depravity on his part. evil of abortion, which is a crime. Every wife who has suffered infidelity on the the diocese of Fall River, MA, and serves as the Director of Education at The National Catholic A major critical life issue that must be taken into account as part of her husband, and every child who has Bioethics Center in Philadelphia. See www.ncb- seen the betrayal of their mother by their father center.org (Please See ELECTION/22) can attest that there is no such thing as a “gray The Angelus MAY 2012 Page 11 ARISE group at Coleman’s Sacred Heart completes first year By Mandy Ridgeway even the smallest action of a them better. Lent this year was smile or handshake to another. more special to me. I looked at it COLEMAN— For the ARISE Our small groups have given us differently. Before it seemed like Together in Christ group from an opportunity to learn more an imposition to me, something Sacred Heart in Coleman, our about our Catholic Faith, the that wasn’t really important. But five groups truly became a Bible and from each other by this year, it was important. It vision of one. Not only does our faith sharing stories. We wasn’t difficult for me to give each group collectively enjoin started with five groups within something up or to think more as one but each is able to envi- our parish and hope to involve about God and what his Son sac- sion our parish and community more new comers to join in our rificed for me. Arise and the as one in reaching out in our next seasons. We did not stop group I am in has helped me togetherness. when our seasons ended, and grow stronger in my faith and I During our first season we continued to have a Sunday am very thankful to have been grew more spiritually and Bible Study reflecting on the given the chance to experience it. reached out in service to our Sunday’s Gospel Readings. I highly recommend it for all.” community by having a bake ARISE participant Paula Diaz What a wonderful journey it sale to help support the victims shared her feelings, which are a has been so far for all of us as of the Hi-Rise who lost their consolidation of many other com- members of the ARISE team and apartments due to fire. This is ments that are heard each week. group members. We hope that Sacred Heart-Coleman’s ARISE Together Group: Michael DeLeon, David just the beginning of our jour- “ARISE has changed me for through the grace of God we Diaz, Mark Mann, Joey Cheaney, Rob Cheaney, Mark Ridgeway, Sharon the better. I feel calmer and at will continue to bring more peo- Cheaney, Paula Diaz, Sybil Marraro, Mandy Ridgeway, Dalia DeLeon, Peggy ney of commitment in serving Hensley, Terri Dulin, Margie Mitchel, Sylvia Deleon and MaryAnn Gallagos. others. Every week, we remind peace with things that are going ple to experience the wonderful (Courtesy Photo) each other of this commitment, on in my life. I can deal with gifts we have encountered. Human personality made harmonious by affirming chastity By Bishop Michael Pfeifer, OMI

I share with you here a brief but profound statement on the virtue of chastity given to us by the Pontifical Council for the Family.

“Chastity is a joyous affirmation of some- one who knows how to live self-giving, free Participants in the 2010-12 from any form of self-centered slavery. This Advanced presupposes that the person has learnt how to Formation accept other people, to relate with them, Cycle while respecting their dignity in diversity. The chaste person is not self-centered, not Advance Formation completed in Midland-Odessa involved in selfish relationships with other people. Chastity makes the personality har- The 2010-2012 cycle of Advanced Dora Villarreal and Susan Vargas, St. Moralez, Melinda White. Formation was completed on Saturday, Margaret. St. Mary School, Odessa — Patricia monious. It matures it and fills it with inner March 10, in the Midland/ Odessa Crane — Jose and Teresa Figueroa, Basden and Sara Chavez. peace. This purity of mind and body helps Deanery. and Joshua Figueroa. St. Joseph, Stanton — Senaida develop true self-respect and at the same time Ten sessions were held at St. Mary St. Ann, Colorado City — Geneva Garza, Missy Hernandez and Abby makes one capable of respecting others, Church in Odessa; five were held in and Tracy Loyola. Villa. because it makes one see in them persons to Year One and five in Year Two. Sacred Heart, McCamey — The 2012-14 Advanced Formation reverence, insofar as they are created in the The content of the two-year Dorealia Ramirez. Process will be held at St. Francis image of God and through grace are children Advanced Formation Process includes Holy Redeemer, Odessa — Delia Church in Abilene. Basic Formation Church History, Liturgy, Morality, Leal, Maria Luna and Zoila Mata will be at St. Joseph Church, San of God, recreated by Christ…” Mary, Saints and Angels, Scripture and St. Anthony, Odessa — Elaine Angelo, in August. Social Justice. Baeza, Marta Evaro, Gloria Medina, (--Pontifical Council for the Family, “The Participants completing the process Lorene Ramirez, Frances Sanchez, For more information call the Office Truth and Meaning of Human Sexuality,” this year and receiving a certificate of Armando Rodriguez, Elva Rodriguez. of Education and Formation at 325- December 9, 1995) completion are: St. Mary, Odessa — Sharon 651-7500 Big Lake-Good Shepherd — Denning, Rose Mendez, Phyllis Page 12 MAY 2012 The Angelus The Angelus MAY 2012 Page 13 GoodGood Friday,Friday, EasterEaster VigilVigil 20122012

SAN ANGELO — San Angelo Bishop Michael D. Pfeifer, top photo carrying cross, leads a group of pilgrims on a Good Friday Procession, the MIDLAND — Above photos, worshipers at San Miguel de Arcangel day Christians remember the day of Christ’s crucifixion. Above right, pilgrims arrive at the Stations of the Cross at Christ the King Retreat MIDLAND — Above photos, Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in celebrate Easter Vigil Mass. Center in San Angelo. Midland celebrates Easter Vigil Mass. (Photos by Alan P. Torre / aptorre.com (Photos by Alan P. Torre / aptorre.com) (Photos by Alan P. Torre / aptorre.com Page 14 MAY 2012 The Angelus

Spirituality for Today In a culture of violence, a little Prepare kids for first Communion with zeal compassion By Effie Caldarola Pope says moderation must be used, too, when getting kids ready Catholic News Service By Carol Glatz Coeli," a Marian prayer used in place encounter with Jesus," he said quoting During Lent, I was touched again while praying Catholic News Service of the Angelus from Easter to from his 2007 document on the with the Gospels by one phrase that seemed to draw Pentecost. Eucharist, "Sacramentum Caritatis" us into the heart of Christ: Jesus "was moved with VATICAN CITY — Preparing chil- The pope urged "priests, parents ("The Sacrament of Charity"). compassion." dren for their first Communion must and catechists to prepare for this feast He stressed the importance of first Jesus so loved those he encoun- be done with both great zeal and of faith well, with great fervor but Communion and prayed that Mary tered, and so felt their suffering, that moderation, Pope Benedict XVI said. also with sobriety." would help everyone listen to God's he responded with physical stirrings Around the world, many children "For many of the faithful, this day word with greater attention and "take deep within his body. He instructed receive their first Communion during continues to be memorable as the part worthily" in Communion in order us: "Be compassionate, as your heav- the Easter season, he told pilgrims moment when, even if in a rudimenta- to become "witnesses of the new enly Father is compassionate." gathered in St. Peter's Square April 22 ry way, they first came to understand humanity." This Lent, I was painfully Caldarola for the recitation of the "Regina the importance of a personal aware of the sufferings of friends who have cancer and with a per- son on death row with whom I had corresponded for Your Family years. He was killed almost three weeks before Easter. These illnesses and death weighed on me. When I Reaping from garden takes more than planning think of my friends' suffering, I often feel a gut ache. This isn't entirely compassion on my part. By Bill and Monica Dodds the front of the colorful seed packets. That's also true in many aspects of I know I, too, shall die. When confronted with the Catholic News Service We know gardening doesn't take a life. illness of others, my reaction may be in part inspired lot of time at one time. We know it A couple may like the idea of a by our mutual mortality. Many people turn away Sometimes the two of us have a requires a little bit of time, many wedding and of being married, but from suffering or avoid the thought of it because it hard time imagining that the Garden times, over many months. We have a not the day-in and day-out challenges reflects on their vulnerability. The resulting fear can of Eden was a paradise, especially if neighbor who has a lovely vegetable (and work) of being married. They affect us in a physical way, not attributable solely to it involved garden- garden and we see him out there may like the idea of having children, compassion. ing. often and say to one another, "There of being a mom and a dad, but not the I don't know what's ahead but can say unequivo- Year after year, he is again. Good for him." demands of parenting. cally I don't fear I will die on death row. So the we turn over a plot And then we turn from the window We like the idea of being a good physical reaction, the sudden illness, I experienced of soil in spring. and think of our garden. son or daughter, brother or sister, the evening my friend was executed was a "suffering We make a trip to It's not that we're lazy. We accom- friend or coworker, a better Catholic, with." the store, spin the plish a lot: We edit a magazine, write a more prayerful person. But each Perhaps in Lent, while awaiting the remembrance rack containing articles and columns and books, run a takes time and energy. Each takes of the death of another condemned man, Christ him- vegetable seed nonprofit, visit our aging moms and commitment and perseverance. self, I was allowed to experience the gift and privi- packets, and take babysit our grandchildren. We also No "garden" is immune from Bill and Monica lege of compassion. our chances. Dodds keep in close contact with our chil- weeds. The person I corresponded with maintained his We've planted dren and siblings. The diligent gardener, the wise gar- innocence until the end. I don't know if he was inno- (mostly) according to directions, But that patch of dirt by the side dener, spots them and eliminates cent or guilty. I know 17 years of imprisonment stepped back inside the house, gotten gate remains sadly neglected. Soon them while they're still small. transformed him. I know that knowing him implant- busy with this or that, and stepped after a spring planting, that neglect ed in me a greater desire to work to end the death back outside a few weeks or months shows. --- penalty and to bring a greater sense of restorative -- later to disappointing results. This year we've reduced its size. not punitive -- justice to our country. The truth is we like the theory of This year we may skip the vegetables Bill and Monica Dodds are the "We cannot teach that killing is wrong by killing," gardening more than the actual gar- and spread some wildflower seeds, founders of the Friends of St. John the U.S. bishops told us in 1994. Pope John Paul II dening. maybe put a tomato plant in a large the Caregiver and editors of My and Pope Benedict XVI repeatedly have called for an Vine-ripened tomatoes (that taste pot on the patio. Daily Visitor magazine. Their website end to the death penalty and praised those who work like tomatoes) and crisp sugar-snap It seems obvious we love planning is www.FSJC.org. Bill's latest books for its abolition in every country. peas plucked from the plant sound a garden and planting a garden, but are "How to Write Your Novel in Nine Catholic Mobilizing Network to End the Use of lovely. It's just that they take so much not gardening. Without the gardening, Weeks" and "The World's Funniest the Death Penalty reminds us that we live in a coun- work. So do carrots and lettuce and the planning and the planting come to Atheist." all those pretty vegetables pictured on nothing. (Please See CALDAROLA/23) The Angelus MAY 2012 Page 15 JUST 4 KIDS After the crucifixion, apostles are visited By Joe Sarnicola

The apostles were gathered in one place talking about the events of the past few days. Jesus had been betrayed and brought to trial. He was given a sentence of death by cruci- fixion. But that was not the end. His tomb had been found empty, and two of his followers had met him on their way to Emmaus. Then suddenly, Jesus was in the room with them. "Peace be with you," he said. The men were terrified. They thought a ghost had appeared in front of them. So Jesus asked, "Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have." Jesus held up his hands, then he pointed to his feet to show his friends the nail marks from when he had been cru- READ MORE ABOUT IT: their day spreading the good news about cified. Then they were happy because they knew it really Luke 24 Jesus. was Jesus and that he was back with them. Q&A The Acts of the Apostles, which was writ- "Have you anything here to eat?" he asked. ten by Luke, tells us about the ministries of They gave Jesus a piece of baked fish, which he ate as 1. What were the apostles doing when Peter and some of the other apostles, the he talked with them about the Scriptures. Jesus appeared to them? martyrdom of Stephen, and the exciting "Thus it is written that the Messiah would suffer and rise 2. What happened when Jesus was conversion and missionary journeys of from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the blessing his apostles? Paul. forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of BIBLE ACCENT PUZZLE these things. And (behold) I am sending the promise of my The most important message of the four Use the code provided to change the let- Gospels is the life and teachings of Jesus. ters in the following sentence. Then fill in Father upon you; but stay in the city until you are clothed Before Jesus ascended into heaven, he the blanks to make a sentence that Jesus with power from on high." promised his followers he would send a spoke in the story above. (/ = the space Then Jesus told his apostles to come with him, and he promise from his Father that would give between the words.) went with them to Bethany. There he stopped to pray with them "power from on high" (Lk 24:49). them. With his hands raised, Jesus said a blessing for his This promise from the Father came upon Code: r = a; t = e; p = i; w = o; m = u friends. While he was still praying, Jesus was taken up to the apostles when they were praying in heaven. Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost. The Puzzle: _ tr_t / _t / _p_ _ / _wm. The apostles rejoiced over what they had just witnessed coming of the Holy Spirit enabled the early and praised God all the way back home, and they praised Christians to travel throughout the world of (Answer, Page 17) God in the temple as well. Try on an alter ego and discover a little about yourself By Karen Osborne but as guy greaser Jo Calderone. Once a star is known for a certain Everyone has wondered what it's Catholic News Service Back in the 1970s, glam-rocker style or kind of song, changing it up like to live another life, to have a David Bowie sang concerts and means risking alienation of their fan different personality, or a different Have you ever wondered what it's starred in a movie as the glitter- base. And it could limit their profits. family, or a different way of seeing like to be someone else? Some of bound Ziggy Stardust. The rapper Developing an alter ego allows a the world. the world's biggest pop stars have. Eminem got away with quite a bit pop star to explore musical styles. Teens are especially sensitive to Adopting an alter ego is common as his alter-ego, troublemaker Slim Sasha Fierce allowed Beyonce this feeling. The teenage years are a among today's big-name singers and Shady. Knowles to develop more confi- time for discovery, a time to find rappers. Nicki Minaj raps a good Artists love adopting alter egos, dence onstage. Kathy Beth Terry out who you are and what you're all portion of her brand-new album as and for good reason. helped Katy Perry connect with a about. Trying on an alter ego for a her alter ego, Roman Zolanski. People often think a pop star's life younger fan base. while isn't a betrayal of your identi- Osborne Lady Gaga attended the 2011 MTV is full of fun and freedom. However, The desire to explore an alter ego Video Music Awards not as herself artistically, they're far more limited. isn't limited to the rich and famous. (Please See OSBORNE/23) Page 16 MAY 2012 The Angelus Nation Citing doctrinal concerns, Vatican issues reforms of nuns' group By Francis X. Rocca 18. The archbishop will be assisted by has the custom of meeting annually with ers of the conference) have so far limited Catholic News Service Bishop Leonard P. Blair of Toledo, Ohio, the staff of CDF in Rome and because the themselves to a single official statement and Bishop Thomas J. Paprocki of conference follows canonically approved and have not expressed other specific VATICAN CITY — Citing "serious Springfield, Ill., and draw on the advice statutes, we were taken by surprise. complaints." doctrinal problems which affect many in of fellow bishops, women religious and "This is a moment of great import for But Father Lombardi said the congrega- consecrated life," the Vatican announced other experts. religious life and the wider church. We tion believed that it had been treated "a a major reform of an association of The LCWR, a Maryland-based umbrel- ask your prayers as we meet with the bit unjustly" with the suggestion that the women's religious congregations in the la group that claims about 1,500 leaders LCWR National Board within the coming sisters had been taken entirely by surprise U.S. to ensure their fidelity to Catholic of U.S. women's communities as mem- month to review the mandate and prepare by the assessment. teaching in areas including abortion, bers, represents about 80 percent of the a response," the statement said. The LCWR later revised its initial state- euthanasia, women's ordination and country's 57,000 women religious. A spokeswoman for the LCWR said its ment, adding that "we had received a let- homosexuality. In Silver Spring, Md., the presidency of leadership would not be granting inter- ter from the CDF prefect in early March Archbishop J. Peter Sartain of Seattle the LCWR issued a statement saying it views until after a wider consultation informing us that we would hear the will provide "review, guidance and was "stunned by the conclusions of the with its members in May. results of the doctrinal assessment at approval, where necessary, of the work" doctrinal assessment of LCWR by the The Vatican spokesman, Jesuit Father of the Leadership Conference of Women Congregation for the Doctrine of the Federico Lombardi, said the doctrinal Religious, the Vatican announced April Faith. Because the leadership of LCWR congregation "appreciates that (the lead- (Please See LCWR/20)

A Girl Scout cadet with Inactive Catholics Troop 4458 adjusts her sash during an April 3 awards ceremony at being urged to the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis. Some claim the Girl Scouts practice faith again promote Planned Parenthood and its By Mark Pattison advocacy of birth con- Catholic News Service trol and abortion, but the organization strong- WASHINGTON — A document on the new evan- ly denies such accusa- gelization from the U.S. bishops' Committee on tions. A U.S. bishops' Evangelization and Catechesis exhorts Catholics to committee plans to at all levels in the church to step up to invite develop a resource Catholics who have stopped practicing their faith to bishops can share with priests, youth minis- do so once again. ters, pro-life directors, "Bishops, eparchs, pastors, catechists and indeed educators others in all Catholics reaching out to our missing brothers their diocese on and sisters must touch the lives of others, interact Catholic identity for with them, and show them how the faith answers the Catholic troops. (CNS deepest questions and enriches modern culture," said photo/Lisa Johnston, the document, titled "Disciples Called to Witness: St. Louis Review) The New Evangelization." "The new evangelization is a call to each person to Talks between Church, Girl Scouts address criticisms deepen his or her own faith, have confidence in the Gospel, and possess a willingness to share the By Christie L. Chicoine and is a Girl Scout troop leader in York, serving other people, to be reaching Gospel," it said. Catholic News Service Pa., where her troop meets at St. Joseph out, to be trying to do good in this The document was issued April 16 in an online- Catholic School. world," said Kent, 44, who became a only format. It is available on an interactive website PHILADELPHIA — Tina Kent Her daughter Maggie, 7, a first-grader Catholic at Easter 2003 when she was -- www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/how-we- credits the Girl Scouts for teaching her at the school, is a Girl Scout Daisy. Kent 35. teach/new-evangelization/disciples-called-to-witness. skills in leadership, conflict resolution hopes daughter Ruth, 3, will one day Kent is well aware of claims by The document examines what the new evangeliza- and critical thinking and for giving her join her sister in the Scouts. some that the Girl Scouts of the USA tion is, its focus, its importance for the Church and an appreciation for the outdoors and Among other projects, her troop promotes Planned Parenthood and its how dioceses and parishes can promote it. opportunities to travel. makes Christmas and Valentine's Day advocacy of birth control and abor- Referring to a study of inactive Catholics prepared Kent became a Brownie at age 8 in cards for the elderly and this year tion. Others have complained that by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate her native Vermillion, S.D., and donated 46 boxes of Girl Scout cook- some printed material distributed to at Georgetown University, "Disciples Called to remained a Scout until she was a ies to the local Catholic food pantry Scouts contained references that coun- Witness" said: "It is estimated that only 23 percent of teenager in Waco, Texas. and sent 85 boxes to a girls' school in tered the Catholic Church's teachings. U.S. Catholics attend Mass each week. Those 77 Now a wife and mother of five, Kent Afghanistan. percent absent from the eucharistic feast each week lives in the Diocese of Harrisburg, Pa., "As Catholics, we are called to be (Please See SCOUTS/20) are not strangers: They are our parents, siblings, spouses, children and friends." The Angelus MAY 2012 Page 17 Our Faith Communion ministers, priest complaints By Father Kenneth Doyle cumstances. Paragraph No. 158 explains shippers is unexpectedly large. Logically, Catholic News Service the most common, which is "when the this would seem also to cover the circum- number of faithful coming to Communion stance when someone is at home recover- Q. Recently, I have noticed some peo- is so great that the very celebration of the ing from surgery and the spouse asks the ple, after they receive holy Communion, Mass would be unduly prolonged." priest for permission, that day, to bring take a second host. They seem to receive Frequently, extraordinary ministers also holy Communion home. it in a small container are recruited by a parish to take The priest can give that person a pyx and then place it in Communion to the homebound or to those and, without a formal ceremony of com- their pocket or pocket- in nursing homes. They carry Communion missioning, allow him or her to take a sec- book. I assume that in a small gold-colored metal container ond host when Communion is distributed they are bringing the called a "pyx," supplied by the parish. at that day's Eucharist. If the situation is host home for a family Extraordinary ministers should be quali- going to continue on a regular basis, that Our Holy Father’s member who is ill or fied by proven virtue, appropriately trained person should be formally commissioned 2012 Monthly Intentions incapacitated and and commissioned by their pastor in an when a parish ceremony is next held. unable to get to Mass. appropriate ceremony (the church's Book MAY Fr. Doyle So my question is: Can of Blessings provides one). Their names Q. Whom do parishioners contact to General Intention: The Family. anyone do that? are submitted to the office of the diocesan make a complaint about their pastor? That initiatives which defend and I thought that only a priest, deacon or bishop. (A small city in southeastern Indiana) uphold the role of the family may officially designated eucharistic minister Many parishes hold a commissioning be promoted within society. . could distribute holy Communion. ceremony annually on the feast of the A. It depends on the nature of the com- Missionary Intention: Mary, (Central Wisconsin) Body and Blood of Christ (formerly called plaint. Given some of the recent history of Guide of Missionaries. That Mary, Corpus Christi). the church, it cannot be excluded that the Queen of the World and Star of A. You may be observing officially des- In addition to those formally commis- complaint might be of a criminal nature. In Evangelization, may accompany ignated extraordinary ministers of holy sioned, "Redemptionis Sacramentum" says such a situation, it is best to bring your all missionaries in proclaiming her Communion, a practice allowed in appro- that "in cases of an unforeseen nature, per- concern directly to the attention of civil Son Jesus. priate circumstances by the church's Code mission can be given for a single occasion authorities, who have the staff and the of Canon Law. by the priest who presides at the celebra- background to investigate most effectively. JUNE "Redemptionis Sacramentum," an tion of the Eucharist" (No. 155). Thankfully, most complaints about General Intention: Christ, instruction issued in 2004 by the Vatican's That may happen, for example, when an priests are of a much more pedestrian Present in the Eucharist. That Congregation for Divine Worship and the extraordinary minister assigned to a Mass believers may recognize in the Sacraments, speaks of such enabling cir- fails to appear or when the crowd of wor- (Please See ANSWERS/23) Eucharist the living presence of the Risen One who accompanies them in daily life. Missionary Intention: Just who will be able to get into heaven? European Christians. That Christians in Europe may redis- By Father John Catoir tion or to enter the church. ... For such often the very last person to whom we cover their true identity and partici- Catholic News Service people salvation in Christ is accessible by would go with a burden of shame?" pate with greater enthusiasm in virtue of a grace. ... This grace comes from Given these thoughts, here are some the proclamation of the Gospel. It might surprise you to know that you Christ; it is the result of his sacrifice." things to ponder: don't have to be a Catholic to get into Does this idea cause you to wonder who 1. Heaven is a place. There has to be Daily Offering Prayer heaven. For that matter, can get into heaven? "locus" because we are human beings; we Jesus, through the Immaculate you don't even have to A lot of people are like the Pharisees, are not pure spirits like the angels. Our Heart of Mary I offer you my be a Christian, but you who condemned Jesus for allowing a com- bodies require a place to live and walk and prayers, works, joys and sufferings do have to detest evil. mon prostitute to bathe his feet with her be. of this day in union with the Holy All salvation will come tears. No one but God can judge someone 2. Heaven is also a state. It is a state of Sacrifice of the Mass throughout through the redemptive else's level of holiness. Remember the bliss, which comes from living intimately the world. I offer them for all the power of Jesus Christ. words of Jesus: "The last will be first, and with God. intentions of Your Sacred Heart: Pope John Paul II, in the first will be last." 3. Heaven is a kingdom of justice. Like the salvation of souls, reparation his encyclical Caryll Houselander wrote a beautiful the angels and archangels, there may be for sin and the reunion of all "Redemptoris Missio", Fr. Catoir book entitled, "The Reed of God." different levels of holiness among heaven's Christians. I offer them for the wrote: In the book he writes: "How is it that citizens. The difference may be monumen- intentions of our bishops and of all "The universality of salvation means that people who do not believe in any creed, tal in some cases, such as between Mother Apostles of Prayer, and in particu- it is granted not only to those who explicit- who have no moral standards and who do Teresa and the last wicked sinner, who lar for those recommended by our ly believe in Christ and have entered the not recognize charity as a thing necessary managed to repent in time to be saved. Holy Father this month. church. Since salvation is offered to all, it for salvation are often conspicuously kind, As Luke reminds us: "There will be must be made concretely available to all. warm-hearted, and tolerant; whereas pro- more joy in heaven over one sinner who Answers from Kids Puzzle (Pg. 15) But it is clear that today, as in the past, fessing Christians are often notoriously repents than over ninety-nine righteous many people do not have an opportunity to hard, censorious, and exacting? How is it people who have no need of repentance." Peace be with you. come to know or accept the Gospel revela- that a person known to be 'religious' is Page 18 MAY 2012 The Angelus Culture ‘Bully’ documentary tells victimization stories of trio of teens By John Mulderig who have endured verbal and Alex Hopkins of Sioux City, Catholic News Service physical abuse from their Iowa, is seen in the documen- peers at school. He also tary "Bully." The Catholic News NEW YORK -- With the recounts, primarily through Service classification is A-III -- adults. poignant documentary interviews with their grieving "Bully" (Weinstein), film- parents, the stories of two experiences. maker Lee Hirsch sheds light other students whose suffer- Thus we can hear him on a widespread and tena- ings apparently led them to almost hyperventilating with cious social problem and pro- commit suicide. dread as he prepares for the vides a valuable -- though Perhaps the most effective first day of a new school not unproblematic -- starting part of the movie is that year. We later witness Alex's point for important family which concerns a Sioux City, fears being cruelly fulfilled discussions. Iowa, seventh-grader named as some of the other riders on Hirsch reveals the victim- Alex. Wisely and effectively, his crowded school bus hit ization of a trio of teens from Hirsch and his team simply different parts of the country trail Alex through his various (Please See BULLY/21)

Teen's visions of Jesus make for engaging reading Religious travelogue "The Boy Who Met Jesus: Segatashya of Kibeho" by Immaculee Ilibagiza with Steve Erwin. Hay House (Carlsbad, Calif., 2011). 216 pp., $24.95. has an interesting Reviewed by Nancy L. Roberts premise: America Catholic News Service

Some skeptics might call the religious visions “Places of Faith: A Road Trip Across America's Religious detailed by author Immaculee Ilibagiza in "The Boy Landscape" by Christopher P. Scheitle and Roger Finke. Who Met Jesus: Segatashya of Kibeho" nothing but Oxford University Press (New York, 2012). 240 pp., $27.95. the hallmark hallucinations of temporal lobe epilepsy. Others will see them as direct manifestations of the Catholic News Service divine in everyday life. In any case, this story of a This is the cover of "The poor, illiterate Rwandan shepherd boy's spiritual jour- Boy Who Met In a rented Dodge Charger, two sociologists from ney is absorbing and sometimes inspiring. Jesus: Penn State University set off on a five-week, 6,904- Segatashya came from a pagan family and never had Segatashya of mile trip to various points across the United States. the opportunity to attend school or church or read a Kibeho" by "Places of Faith: A Road Trip Across America's Bible. On a summer day in 1982, under a shade tree, Immaculee Religious Landscape" is a glimpse into this journey. the teenager experienced an apparition of Jesus. As he Ilibagiza with Authors Christopher P. Scheitle and Roger Finke invite explained, "I saw him (Jesus) and he spoke to me. ... Steve Erwin. the reader to join them in "discovering America's rich He said he chose me as a sign to show people who The book is religious mosaic by exploring some of the most dis- don't believe in him -- like pagans and any other non- reviewed by tinctive and important sites within America's religious believers -- that he is not forgetting them. He sees Agostino Bono. geography." them, he cares about them, he loves them, and he hopes (CNS) (April 27, 2012) Each of the book's chapters focuses on a different that they invite him into their hearts." destination, with additional short "views from the Eventually Segatashya set off on a profound spiritual road." The primary sites are Memphis, Tenn.; Houston; mission. For eight years before he was murdered in the ed by the Catholic Church before his death. Ilibagiza Colorado Springs, Colo.; San Francisco; Salt Lake Rwandan genocide in 1994, he traveled and bore wit- recounts in "The Boy Who Met Jesus" how Segatashya City; central Nebraska; Detroit; Brooklyn, N.Y.; and ness to life's purpose: to love Jesus and one's fellow once appeared to her in a dream, advising her not to be central Pennsylvania. The chapters provide some histo- humans, to strive to reach heaven. overly concerned with this: "'Isn't telling my story ry and a broad religious overview of the area; a site- Despite sometimes being beaten by those who more important than waiting for someone on earth to specific experience of the authors -- often in a worship doubted his sincerity, Segatashya seemed to retain his give my words a stamp of approval? Isn't letting peo- setting; additional commentary and analysis; and a innate innocence. Ultimately the depth of his spiritual ple know about the messages Jesus gave to me the brief list of related references and further reading. wisdom convinced and comforted many of his critics. most important thing in the world?'" Though much material and many miles are covered, Ilibagiza has also written "Our Lady of Kibeho" Ilibagiza, who studied electronic and mechanical the book's title suggests a broader landscape than that (with Steve Erwin), a book about the Marian visionar- engineering at the National University, lost most of her actually presented. The pieces of a religious mosaic are ies whose experiences in the early 1980s made the own family in the Rwandan genocide. She met heavily reliant on Christianity, with a spectrum pre- town a famous pilgrimage site. Unlike their visions, Segatashya about a year before he died; her research sented from African-American churches, mega-church however, Segatashya's were not officially authenticat- sources also include extensive interviews with his younger sister, Christine. (Please See TRAVELOGUE/21) The Angelus MAY 2012 Page 19

Angelo Catholic School students with Bishop Michael D. Pfeifer, OMI, of the Diocese of San Angelo, in observance of Earth Day. (Courtesy Photo) Angelo Catholic students write about importance of Earth, Earth Day Why does Earth Day Mean to me? Why is Earth Day Important? Why does Earth Day Mean? a great place to live. The Earth is a gift By ACS Fourth/Fifth Grade Class By ACS Second Grade Class By ACS Sixth Grade Class from God, and we must cherish it.

Earth Day means that everybody needs Earth Day is important because God The Earth is our life, so we need to take Why does Earth Day Mean to Me? to protect and clean our planet Earth. God made the Earth, it is His creation, He care of it. We need to take care of the By ACS Third Grade Class gave us this beautiful planet, so we need made the Earth to show His love for us. Earth by not littering and by reminding On Earth Day, we get to plant things to work as a community to clean and help We thank God for all the plants: trees, others to stop littering. The Earth is like a that can help make a better world. We our planet. We should take care of the gift bushes, shrubs. We should respect the little piece of God, and we are made from should always try to plant trees and of the Earth, so we can give back to God Earth. To show respect, we should take it. When we take care of the Earth, we are shrubs. We should keep the water clean. what he made for us. Earth Day reminds care of the Earth. We should reduce, recy- taking care of ourselves and showing we We should “go green” and love our us to recycle and reuse. Earth day means cle, and reuse. We should make everyday love God. We should take care of the Earth plants. Earth Day is one of the best days we should respect God's creation. Earth Day. because God made it to be our home. We of the year. Earth Day reminds us to take should take care of the Earth, because it is care of God’s gift to us, the Earth.. DOCTOR (From 7) how intelligent he is and how good of a Rhodes is our youngest son’s godfather. no rules there. It’s like a jungle.” doctor he would be if allowed to practice. He was born right after we came here.” From 1990 when Thaddee was first Cross. In Abilene, he is the assistant Thaddee has worked at Windcrest for Thaddee still has nightmares about forced from his home, he and his family director of nursing at the Windcrest six months. Pascasie, works as a caregiver things he would want no other person to ran from the violence, until 2002. Alzheimer’s Care Center. at Abilene State School, Thaddee’s previ- ever see: babies breastfeeding from Through it all, there was one thing that Thaddee made $2 a day as a practicing ous employer. Born on Easter, Pascasie mothers that have been murdered and kept him going. physician in Rwanda but still, being also came from a Christian home, like her unending streams of the victims of vio- “If I didn’t have my faith, I would be unable to work as a doctor here feels as husband. They met in college. Together lence flooding into the Red Cross hospi- gone,” he said. “From when I lived in my though his career has been taken from with their children, they don’t have the tals where he worked, for instance. big house until I was living in the bush, him, he said. When he applies for jobs in words necessary to thank the people who “I saw many things. Sometimes I still sometimes we didn’t know if we would his chosen profession, Thaddee said, he have taken them in at Holy Family, and see those images and cannot forget,” he survive. It is one day at a time. I had never mentions that he has a medical elsewhere in Abilene. said. “The cholera was horrible. People many things in life and I lived many dif- degree from Rwanda, but his coworkers “The church and the schools have been using Lake Kivu as a bathroom, and also ferent kinds of lives. It is my faith that and bosses soon come to know and realize very supportive,” Thaddee said. “Deacon as a source for drinking water. There are saved me.” Page 20 MAY 2012 The Angelus SCOUTS (From 16) es," it said, "have total control of the Girl served girls and young women for many Beyond the church's relationship with Scout programming their girls receive." years, and the committee is grateful for Girl Scouts is the bigger issue of "how After looking into the criticism herself, Given the large number of Catholics this service," he said. does the church engage secular organiza- she told Catholic News Service, "I just involved in Girl Scouts, such concerns The bishop invited Robert McCarty, tions?" McCarty stated. "We advocate for don't buy that it's happening." prompted the bishops' Committee on Laity, executive director of the Washington-based church teaching through direct engagement Kent acknowledged, however, the organ- Marriage, Family Life and Youth at its National Federation for Catholic Youth and honest respectful dialogue." ization on occasion may end up "associat- mid-March meeting to discuss GSUSA's Ministry in Washington, and Kathleen In an earlier interview with CNS, ing with people who are associating with "possible problematic relationships with Carver, the federation's associate director McCarty said he has met with Girl Scout people who are not who the Catholic other organizations" and questions about and communications director, to the meet- leaders in New York to convey concerns Church would choose to be associating some of its materials and resources. ing to give committee members their per- the federation has heard from the field, with." In a March 28 letter to his fellow bish- spective on the claims made about the Girl though he rejected the claim that Girl The Girl Scouts of the USA, known as ops, committee chairman Bishop Kevin C. Scouts. Scouts promotes Planned Parenthood. GSUSA, is marking its 100th anniversary Rhoades of South Bend-Fort Wayne, Ind., The federation's website, In January, Anna Maria Chavez, a this year. It has 3.2 million girl and adult said some questions may need to be www.nfcym.org, has a question-and- Catholic who has been the Girl Scouts members. An estimated 500,000 Catholic answered at the national level and others at answer section on the issue, and according CEO since last November, came to girls and adults in the U.S. are involved in the local level. to McCarty, dialogue between the national Washington from New York, along with Girl Scouts. Among other actions, he said the com- Girl Scouts office in New York and the the chair of GSUSA's board of directors, to Criticism of the Girl Scouts as an organi- mittee wants to develop a resource bishops federation has been ongoing. meet with McCarty. zation has surfaced off and on over the last can share with priests, youth ministers, McCarty told CNS April 9 that the bish- "For nearly 100 years, we have partnered several years and earlier this year made the pro-life directors, educators and others in ops' Secretariat for Laity, Marriage, Family with the Catholic Church to support the rounds again on the Internet. their diocese on Catholic identity for Life and Youth would convene a group growth and development of millions of In response GSUSA has strongly stated troops and guidance for parents. soon to discuss what resources and tools girls," Chavez told CNS April 19. "It is a it "does not have a relationship or partner- Bishop Rhoades said the committee would help create dialogue among church wonderful legacy and we're grateful for the ship with Planned Parenthood and does not "affirmed the good service" Catholic Girl and Girl Scout leaders "more intentionally" opportunity to participate in the process plan to create one" and takes no position Scouts have provided and continue to pro- and provide clear guidelines for predomi- that will only enhance our partnership." on abortion or birth control. "Parents and vide to their communities and to the nantly Catholic troops where "Catholic volunteer troop leaders in Catholic church- church. "Catholic Girl Scout troops have teaching is honored and at the forefront." LCWR La castidad (From 16) are not part of the LCWR agenda in a also investigate the LCWR's links to two way that promotes church teaching." outside groups: Network, a Catholic torna armonica our annual meeting; however, we were The Vatican also found that "public social justice lobby; and the Resource taken by surprise by the gravity of the statements by the LCWR that disagree Center for Religious Institutes, which mandate." with or challenge positions taken by the offers legal and financial expertise to reli- la personalidad The announcement from the Vatican's bishops, who are the church's authentic gious orders. Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith teachers of faith and morals, are not com- Sister Simone Campbell, a Sister of Por el Obispo Miguel Pfeifer, OMI came in an eight-page "doctrinal assess- patible with its purpose." Social Service who leads Network, told ment," based on an investigation that According to the Vatican, such devia- CNS in Washington in an April 19 phone Comparto aquí con ustedes una breve Bishop Blair began on behalf of the tions from Catholic teaching have pro- interview from Rochester, N.Y., where pero profunda declaración acerca de la Vatican in April 2008. That investigation voked a crisis "characterized by a diminu- she was giving talks, that like LCWR's virtud de castidad dada a nosotros por el led the doctrinal congregation to con- tion of the fundamental Christological leaders, she was "stunned and surprised" Pontificio Consejo para la Familia. clude, in January 2011, that "the current center and focus of religious consecra- by the document. “La castidad es la afirmación gozosa doctrinal and pastoral situation of LCWR tion." CNS was unable to reach the executive de quien sabe vivir el don de sí, libre de is grave and a matter of serious concern, But the congregation's document also director of the Resource Center for toda esclavitud egoísta. Esto supone que also given the influence the LCWR exer- praised the "great contributions of women Religious Institutes for comment. The la persona haya aprendido a descubrir a cises on religious congregation in other religious to the church in the United center is based in Silver Spring. los otros, a relacionarse con ellos parts of the world." States as seen particularly in the many The doctrinal assessment was separate respetando su dignidad en la diversidad. Among the areas of concern were some schools, hospitals, and institutions of sup- from the Vatican's "Apostolic Visitation of La persona casta no está centrada en sí of the most controversial issues of med- port for the poor, which have been found- Religious Communities of Women in the misma, ni en relaciones egoístas con las ical and sexual ethics in America today. ed and staffed by religious over the United States," a study of the "quality of otras personas. La castidad torna armóni- "While there has been a great deal of years," and insisted that the Vatican "does life" in some 400 congregations, which ca la personalidad, la hace madurar y la work on the part of LCWR promoting not intend to offer judgment on the faith began in December 2008. The visitation's llena de paz interior. La pureza de mente issues of social justice in harmony with and life of women religious" in the final report was submitted in December y de cuerpo ayuda a desarrollar el ver- the church's social doctrine, it is silent on LCWR's member congregations. 2011 but has not yet been published. dadero respeto de sí y al mismo tiempo the right to life from conception to natural During his tenure as the Holy See's del- LCWR was founded in 1956 as the hace capaces de respetar a los otros, death, a question that is part of the lively egate, which is to last "up to five years, as Conference of Major Superiors of Woman porque ve en ellos personas, que se han public debate about abortion and euthana- deemed necessary," Archbishop Sartain's after the Vatican's Congregation for de venerar en cuanto creadas a imagen de sia in the United States," the doctrinal tasks will include overseeing revision of Religious asked U.S. sisters to form a Dios y, por la gracia, hijos de Dios, congregation said. "Further, issues of cru- the LCWR's statutes, review of its liturgi- national conference. The organization recreados en Cristo.” cial importance in the life of the church cal practices, and the creation of forma- changed its name in 1971 to the (--Pontificio Consejo para la Familia, and society, such as the church's biblical tion programs for the conference's mem- Leadership Conference for Women “Sexualidad humana: Verdad y significa- view of family life and human sexuality, ber congregations. The archbishop will Religious. do”, 8 de diciembre de 1995) The Angelus MAY 2012 Page 21 TRAVELOGUE (From 18) The authors, scholars who "have each churches than with the Buddhist temples treatment across regions and leadership, published extensively on historical and we had just visited." but also in its treatment of the different es, parachurch groups, Mormonism, national trends in American religion," Even their description of a Mass religious traditions and of the groups Catholic and Lutheran churches of appear to limit their approach to many of sounded like a Protestant service, with no within them. Though pointing to European and Hispanic heritages, and the sites by using mainline Protestant mention of Catholicism's integral ele- America's rich religious variety, the local "house" churches. A chapter each is Christianity as their baseline for compar- ment of the Eucharist: "There was a con- authors presume the reader to be given to Islam, Judaism and "Asian reli- ison. fession of faith, Bible readings, prayers, Christian or at least quite familiar with gions." On their experience of the Church of a homily or short sermon, a blessing, a Christianity. A Christian reader might It is not clear how the authors chose Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, formal collection, and there was singing, much learn of the "five pillars" of Islam, or of the primary destinations for their "care- name of the Mormons, they note: "On singing." the Jewish law contained in the Torah. A fully charted" course, nor how they many Sundays the worship service References to "a typical Protestant con- Muslim, a Hindu or someone unaffiliated determined the status of these destina- resembles that of many Protestants, gregation" and Catholic worship "similar with a religion would not learn any of the tions as some of the most distinctive and sometimes even using the same hymns." to Roman Catholic Masses conducted basic tenets that undergird Christianity. important. Large areas of the country -- From the multitude of Asian religious everywhere" seem to belie the book's Learning about a religious tradition New England, the upper Midwest, the experiences to explore in San Francisco, basic premise of America's "ever-chang- other than one's own can be a rich and Northwest, the Southeast -- were not vis- most of which were "strikingly different ing religious geography" with "a rich and rewarding experience. This book pro- ited and are not represented. from other religious congregations in the varied topography." Of the many reli- vides some pieces toward this explo- (Christianity's arrival, with the first Mass United States," the authors chose to write gious leaders interviewed in this explo- ration, with interesting statistics, enter- in 1565, would seem a worthy reason to about their experience of a Buddhist ration of diversity, only two were taining anecdotes and interviews, and include, or at least make mention of, St. community that "seemed to have more in women. compelling photos. Augustine, Fla.) common with traditional Protestant The book is uneven not only in its

BULLY Spanish programming (From 16) screen seem either indifferent or impo- though whether some of the vocabulary Las estaciones de radio en las tres tent. Kirk Smalley, the father of an 11- still spouted by the schoolyard barbarians deaneries de la diócesis de nuevo están him, strangle him, stab him with a pencil year-old boy who took his own life, by would be allowed to pass in other films transmitiendo programas regulares en español cada fin de semana por las and slam his head into the high backrest contrast, has become engaged in an ener- with that rating remains open to question. mañanas. Las siguientes son las esta- of the seat ahead of him. getic initiative: Together with his wife The new classification stands, in a ciones y el horario donde usted puede Awkward in manner, and stonily Laura, he has established a conscious- sense, as an invitation to youthful audi- escuchar EWTN y otros esfuerzos de pro- uncommunicative with his parents, Alex ness-raising movement called Stand for ences. Before allowing their teens to gramaciones católicos en español en unwisely jokes with the boy sitting next the Silent. accept it, parents should be aware that, in Abilene, Midland-Odessa y San Ángelo: to him, at one point, that they are "bud- Considerable debate has been provoked addition to the small-scale brutality on Abilene – KKHR (106.3 FM) está trans- mitiendo La Hora Católica de EWTN en dies." He's met with a sadly predictable by the Motion Picture Association of display, the narrative also focuses on the español los domingos a las 10 a.m. torrent of foul-mouthed abuse. America's original R rating for "Bully." fact that one of those being profiled -- a Midland-Odessa – Padre Gilberto That doomed social gambit grows out While their detractors -- online and else- 16-year-old girl named Kelby -- is endur- Rodríguez, el Vicario Parroquial de la par- of Alex's determined conviction that his where -- have argued that this classifica- ing persecution in her small Oklahoma roquia San Esteban (St. Stephen’s Church) tormentors are actually his pals. tion bars precisely those who would most hometown for being an avowed lesbian. de Midland, presenta el programa los sába- Accepting the truth, of course, would benefit from seeing the film, the MPAA We see Kelby embracing the school- dos desde las 5-10 a.m. en KQLM (108 FM) con entrevista cada sábado con el mean acknowledging that he is, in fact, presumably applied it based on the same mate she identifies as her girlfriend. But Obispo Miguel Pfeifer, OMI a las 8:45 a.m.. friendless. That's a reality of which we objective criteria they use in evaluating we also learn that she has been expelled Además, La Hora Católica de EWTN se catch a heartrending glimpse as we see every other picture, regardless of its from her church, made the target of a puede escuchar los domingos a las 7 a.m. Alex engaged in one of his after-school social and aesthetic worth or lack thereof. slow-speed hit-and-run incident and pre- San Ángelo – KSJT en San Ángelo está pastimes of choice: standing alone in a The distributors, who originally vented from participating in the team transmitiendo la Hora Católica de EWTN vacant lot watching freight trains pull spurned the R in favor of releasing the sports she loves -- and which, she feels los domingos a las 7 a.m. into and out of the local train yard. film as unrated, have now made the edits sure, would have earned her a college EWTN Spanish programming Adult administrators who appear on necessary to earn their project a PG-13, scholarship. Radio stations in all three of the deaner- ies of the diocese are again running regular weekly programming on weekend mornings. RETIRE The following is the stations and times where tou can hear EWTN and other (From 1) new bishop will be named for the dio- any information on who the diocese’s Spanish-programming efforts in Abilene, cese. As I await our Holy Father’s deci- new leader will be. Likewise, there can Midland-Odessa and San Angelo: In a letter to the Catholics of the sion I will continue to serve you to the be not speculation with any certainty as ABILENE -- KKHR (106.3 FM) is airing Diocese of San Angelo (see letter, Pg. 3), best of my ability as your bishop and I to how long the Vatican will require to EWTN’s Catholic Hour in Spanish, Sundays begin the transition process. at 10 am. Bishop Pfeifer admits he does not know will pray for all of you.” MIDLAND-ODESSA -- Fr. Gilbert what will happen next, or when it will Bishop Pfeifer encouraged all people of “This is a time to look to the future, Rodriguez, parochial vicar at St. Stephen’s happen. Bishops that serve dioceses the diocese to begin praying for the new and to ask Jesus to guide us as we march Church in Midland,hosts a Saturday pro- around the world are required to submit a bishop. into the future with a new shepherd,” gram from 5-10 a.m. on KQLM (108 FM). letter of resignation on their 75th birth- Conversation as to who will become Bishop Pfeifer wrote. Additionally, EWTN Catholic programming days, and then wait. the sixth Bishop of San Angelo, although Additional information, including can be heard Sundays at 7 a.m. Bishop Pfeifer’s successor as well as the SAN ANGELO — KSJT in San Angelo is “I do know this: some time in the near it has no doubt occurred, is fruitless as no airing EWTN’s Catholic Hour Sundays at 7 future — soon, or maybe a little later — a one, including the bishop himself, has bishop’s future plans, will be forthcoming a.m. in future editions of the Angelus. Page 22 MAY 2012 The Angelus LADY IN BLUE

(From 2) cial visits of the Lady in Blue, who ry and especially to help the young peo- Day with the people of our parishes, apparently had the gift of bilocation. ple of our communities come to under- encouraging them to become more famil- historic encounter remembered how the Also, it is a time when we can reflect on stand this beautiful, historical, spiritual, iar with this unique dimension of the his- Lady in Blue brought Christianity to this how we can deepen our understanding of and pastoral dimensions of the Church in tory and heritage of the bringing of part of West Texas and beyond in the the Gospel of Christ and live it in our West Texas. May this be a day to reflect Christianity to this part of West Texas. 1600s. daily lives by the love and respect we on how Christianity began in West Texas Hopefully many people will learn more How can we remember this day—the show all people. It is a day to reflect on and beyond as two civilizations blended about his unique lady who has touched Lady in Blue Day—on June 20, 2012? the gift of Baptism and how we are together influencing our way of life even our local history at its very beginning. First, by offering prayers of thanksgiving called today to be “People in Blue” who today. to our God for bringing Christianity to share the Good News of the Gospel with I ask our priests and pastoral leaders this part of West Texas through the spe- others. It is also a day to study our histo- to share this message of the Lady in Blue ELECTION serve the Biblical and traditional under- environment, and the death penalty. year, there is a loss of the sense that there (From 10) standing of marriage? God has clearly After considering the issues of the is a natural law given to us by God to determined that marriage can only be sacredness of the unborn, of abortion and guide us to lead good moral lives. The one casts a Presidential vote is the issue between a man and woman, and Sacred the Divine understanding of marriage, natural law helps us to understand our of the present administration wanting to Scripture teaches that homosexual acts surely in this election year much will be dependency on our Creator and basic force Catholics and other Christians to (same-sex marriages) are immoral and discussed and debated about the economy obligations to one another, helping both support health care insurance plans to bring about Divine condemnation. No and the effects that it has on the human them and ourselves to flourish. Morality cover practices of contraception, steriliza- president, no government, no mere person. In the economic system, it should is the idea that there are standards for life tion, and the providing of abortion-induc- human being is authorized to change the always be stressed that the human person that are ultimately beyond just human ing drugs. The United States Catholic Divine meaning of marriage. is pre-eminent and not primarily motives opinion or majority vote but come to us Bishops have told our President that we It needs to be stated very clearly as for profit and financial gain. At the pres- from the nature of reality, from the nature cannot and will not comply with this we enter the Presidential election process ent time, as we approach the Presidential of creation as determined by God. mandate as it is a violation of freedom of that we Catholics are pro-life at every election, our country is facing critical As people of God and loyal citizens religion given to us by the First stage of human life, beginning at concep- economic issues. Some 14 million are of our country, we should all have a great Amendment, and a serious moral viola- tion and until that life is ended as deter- unemployed, and millions more are concern that God is more and more being tion of conscience—expecting us as fol- mined by God. Respect for the sacred- underemployed. More than 15 million removed from our political and social lowers of Christ to pay for immoral prac- ness of the unborn and the traditional families live in poverty in our country, life. There is loss of the sense that there tices that we hold to be gravely evil and understanding of marriage are central and the land of prosperity and opportunity. is a loving Creator and Redeemer, and sinful. foundational issues that a Catholic must Our President and elected government that He will come to our assistance in the A second and integrally related issue take into account in voting for a presi- leaders must assist and protect the poor midst of unbelievable challenges and suf- to this important principle about when dential candidate. Which presidential and jobless as they seek to promote eco- fering if we put our trust in Him. life begins is the Divine teaching given candidate will uphold the Divine truth nomic growth and fiscal responsibility. Without this knowledge and hope, by God in the Bible as regards how we and the defined teaching of the Catholic The present economic failures have fun- despair soon follows. How else can we understand the traditional meaning of Church about these critical basic issues damental institutional and systemic ele- understand the now rapid descent down marriage, from which new life comes. and other important life issues that affect ments that have either been ignored or the slippery slope and openness to such The critical question is which candidates the quality and holiness of human life? made worse by political and economic evils as killing the inconvenient and non- uphold the teaching on marriage that Linked to these foundational life behaviors which have undermined the productive members of society, if not as a comes from God? There are many today issues is euthanasia and assisted suicide. trust and confidence of most people. logical result of the widespread despair who want to change the Biblical and con- Based on Scripture, the Catholic Church As we cast our vote, another critical and loss of love and hope? What is hap- stant Judeo-Christian teaching about mar- teaches that only God is the master of life issue to consider is racism which is intrin- pening basically is that mere creatures riage. From the Bible it is clear, and from and no human being can usurp the Divine sically evil and a follower of Christ can are trying to play God. the constant teaching of our Catholic authority as when human life should end. never approve the discrimination of anoth- As we discuss how we can overcome Church, that a true marriage can only be In light of Church teaching, consider er human being based on color or ethnici- this growing moral decay in our society, between a man and a woman in the carefully the position of political candi- ty, as this violates human dignity. Another the primary solution must be a return to a sacred union of matrimony. The idea that dates on this issue. issue to be kept in mind before casting a living faith in an all-loving and all-pow- marriage should only be defined as a Besides the issue of abortion and the vote for a person to assume the highest erful God and basic moral values and sacred and lifelong covenant between a traditional biblical understanding of mar- office in the land is the Catholic under- principles. We have to live our faith with man and a woman is under serious attack riage and euthanasia, there are other vital standing of human cloning and destructive total coherence, what we say we believe, in our times. Sadly, there is a strong life issues that need to be looked at very research on human embryos. Research that we must put into action. Living by exam- movement in our country approved by carefully, and we must study how these destroys human embryos had been defined ple is far stronger and more convincing many present government officials who issues are grounded in Scriptural teaching by Pope John Paul II as eugenic abortion. than a flood of words. In this important are using their political office to promote about the human person and the constant According to Catholic teaching, this can presidential election year, a challenging human laws that would give approval to social teaching of our beautiful Catholic never be permitted, as it is intrinsically question for all voters is: Will we let so-called marriages between the same Church. Catholics are pro-life at every evil as it destroys human life at its earliest Divine truth, and defined Catholic doc- sexes. This is a very critical issue, and stage of life, and we must be concerned stages of development. Which Presidential trine and Catholic social teaching guide Catholics need to study very carefully the about respect for human life as regards candidate best represents the Church’s the casting of our vote—or party plat- Catholic teaching that is involved here. issues of economy, employment, health, teaching on this critical issue? form and affiliation and the opinion of Which candidate will do the most to pre- education, housing, racism, peace and As we enter this Presidential election fallible human beings? The Angelus MAY 2012 Page 23 BISHOP (From 2) very beginning, and it indeed is based in answers, and put her total trust in the Word for us as she did for the couple at the wed- Divine Scripture. When Jesus was hanging of God, believing that God, who asked her ding in Cana. She constantly wants to being by God the Father’s free choosing. on the cross as we hear in Chapter 19 of to fulfill the most unique role in all of teach us about Christ, about His love for For this reason, the Church holds Mary in John’s Gospel, shortly before He died, He human history, would give her the grace to us, His forgiveness, and our joy of being the highest esteem, and has always given gave His own Mother to be our Mother carry out God’s will. She surrendered her with Him forever in Heaven. And there is her a most special place in our life of faith. when He looked at John, standing next to life to God’s plan trusting her loving God no one who can teach us more about Him In Luke’s Gospel, we hear Mary proclaim Jesus’ sorrowful Mother at the foot of the to lead her: “Behold I am the handmaid of than Mary as Christ spent 30 of His 33 under the light and guidance of the Holy cross, and proclaimed, “Behold your the Lord; may it be done to me according years of his life living at home with His Spirit, “From now on will all ages call me Mother.” It is the constant belief that John to your word.” Like us, Mary had to walk mother. What were those days like for blessed.” [Luke 1:48] This is what God the represented all of us, and by entrusting in faith. Like us, she had to live an ordi- Mary and Christ and Joseph until he died? Father has intended for his humble maid Mary to be the Mother of John, Christ was nary human life as she took care of, To learn more about Christ, go to Mary, as servant chosen to be the Mother of God— placing all of humanity under the care of nursed, fed, taught and cared for the very she knows Him the best. She will teach us the God-man, Jesus Christ, the Messiah. Mary’s maternal motherhood. Also, as we Son of God Himself, Jesus Christ—true about Her compassionate Son, how much Mary attributed everything to God’s good- hold that as Mary gave birth to the Body of God and true Man. As our sister in faith, He loves us, and how much He suffered to ness and favor—“For he has looked upon Christ, Jesus, who is the head of the Mary is also Christ’s most perfect disciple save us, and to give us new life in His res- his handmaid’s lowliness….The mighty Mystical Body, she also is the mother of all as she is the one who models in a perfect urrection. As Mary is most intimately One has done great things for me.” [Luke the members of that Body—all of us. This manner of how to follow Christ in a spirit united to Christ as His Mother, when we 1:48-49] This is why we give Mary such is why she is also called the Mother of the of faith, hope and love. pray, we always ask her then to intercede great honor and a high place in our devo- Church, the beautiful title that was given to Based on Scripture and the constant for us, knowing that as she interceded with tion and prayer life. The early Councils of her after Vatican II. As Mother of the teaching of the Church, Mary is indeed the Christ to help people here on earth with the Church clarified what is found in Church, she is also the model for what Mother of God, our Mother, our sister in their needs—think of the wedding at Scripture--that Mary is not just the Mother every member of the Church should be. So faith, and the model disciple. In the month Cana--that this beautiful Mother will con- of the human nature of Christ, but the when we pray the Hail Mary, proclaiming of May dedicated to mothers, it is a splen- tinue to do the same for us now that she is Mother of the person of the eternal Word Mary as Mother of God, we should also in did time to renew our devotion to our forever in Heaven with her Son, our God, of God who took on our human nature our hearts proclaim her as being our Mother Blessed Mother, as the Mother of Jesus our Savior, the God-Man, Jesus Christ. while continuing to be Divine. and thank her for letting us be her children. and our Mother, and especially reflecting May Mary the Mother of all Mothers This wonderful Mother of God is also Mary, the Mother of God and our on how we can imitate her discipleship as fill all our mothers with new love and our Mother, the Mother of all humanity. Mother, is also our sister in faith. Like us, we, too, walk by faith and not by sight. inspire them to follow Jesus as we cele- This, too, has been a constant belief and she had to believe, and live one day at a As a kind loving Mother, Mary is always brate Mother’s Day. Happy Mother’s Day teaching of our Catholic Church since the time in faith without having all the there to help us, her children and intercede for all mothers! OSBORNE (From 15) -- See the world through another person's her Grammy performance last year (com- from drugs, drinking, sex and other eyes. Watch movies from genres you plete with fake exorcism and a fake harmful activities. You want to make won't think you'll like. Eat food you don't pope) would be edgy and new. Most peo- ty. It's a great way to break out of the your life better, not worse. normally eat. Step literally into someone ple deemed it offensive and ridiculous. box, discover more about your likes and -- Get active and get outside. If you're not else's shoes by wearing clothes your But even a misstep can be a potential dislikes, and figure out your future and the athletic type, go out for a sport. If social group considers to be "different." positive move, even if you find out for your values. you feel like you have two left feet, take -- Have new experiences. Go places you sure that you don't like an activity. When Here are a few ways to do it right: a dance class. Do noncompetitive intra- wouldn't normally go to. Join clubs you you discover where the line you're not -- Be safe. Don't have your alter ego do mural sports. Try activities such as swim- wouldn't join. Hang out with people out- willing to cross is located, you've learned anything dangerous or wrong. Stay away ming, tennis or golf. side your immediate social circle or with more about who you are. That's always people who have different political or good. ANSWERS cultural opinions. Keep your mind open Learn what all the pop stars know: that and nonjudgmental. the simple act of leaving your "comfort (From 17) others. The priest will be called in to the Not every foray into alter-ego territory zone" will expand your world beyond chancery to discuss the opinions voiced. will be successful. anything you thought possible. nature. "His homilies are boring and too Another possibility is to contact a mem- For example, I'm sure Minaj thought long" is probably the one most frequently ber of your parish council and report your voiced. concern. Certain complaints may have increased The most upfront and productive thing, CALDAROLA in frequency with the shortage of priests: in my opinion, would be to speak with the (From 14) Although we seek justice, we remember "He didn't visit my mother when she was priest directly. Hopefully, most priests the ultimate judgment is God's. We have in the hospital"; "He hardly spends any would admire your courage, view your try of "redemptive violence." The solution been assigned compassion by Christ who time in the school or with the youth visit as a helpful fraternal correction and to an unplanned pregnancy or an unborn gives us hope. group"; "Father always seems tired and consider whether any change in behavior child who is disabled: abortion. The The last letter I received from death row, might be warranted. out of sorts." infirm: assisted suicide. Crime: execution. mailed on execution day, expressed my --- In such situations, a parishioner has sev- To help others see the futility of this vio- friend's hope through 1 Peter 3:15: eral options. One is to write to, or seek an lence, we must be willing to suffer with "Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts. appointment with, the bishop or the dioce- Questions may be sent to Father the pregnant mother, the old and ill, the Always be ready to give an explanation to san director of priests' personnel. Your Kenneth Doyle at victims of unspeakable crimes and their anyone who asks you for a reason for your concerns may mirror those expressed by [email protected]. families, the justly and unjustly convicted. hope." Page 24 MAY 2012 The Angelus

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THIRD CLASS POSTAGE PAID AT SAN ANGELO, TEXAS

Printed by the San Angelo Standard Times A Scripps-Howard Company

Submissions: Story suggestions, calendar items, parish briefs and all other submissions should be emailed to [email protected]. COPY, PHOTO DEADLINE: Third Friday of every month.

Photos should be in jpeg format.

Letters to the editor are welcome, and should be emailed to Abilene [email protected]. Youths and young adults, above photos, re-enact the Letters to the editor are printed at Passion of Christ during Holy Week at St. Francis of the discretion of the editor and Assisi in Abilene. identities of the writer are subject to verification. Please include San Angelo name, address and phone number A Mass, concelebrated by Bishop Michael D. Pfeifer, OMI, when submitting letters. Fr. Joseph Choutapalli, and others, at left, at St. Margaret’s in San Angelo, is said in memory of Angela Kapeller, sister of Bishop Pfeifer, who died following a lengthy illness in March.