Thank God Popular Devotion

Many U.S. Catholics say they frequently for Kids engage in devotions centered on Mary. West Texas Those who take part in Marian devotions... A young girl and her sister attend the Respect Life few times daily Mass at The Prayer Garden a year 25% in Midland, Aug. 10. The 22%

Mass was attended by never 19% weekly almost 400 people, includ- 16% ing a bus load of 60 from monthly ANGELUSServing the Diocese of San Angelo, Texas 16% the Diocese of Amarillo. Volume XXVIII, No. 9 SEPTEMBER 2007

Source: LeMoyne/Zogby Survey of Catholic Adults, Spring 2007 Story, photos Page 5 ©2007 CNS September 2007 S M T W T F S Big Spring begins countdown to single parish 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 ! Mass marking 125 years of Church in 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 area sets stage for 6 month countdown 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 to Big Spring, Coahoma Catholics com- ing together in one parish. 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 By Jimmy Patterson Editor THIS MONTH BIG SPRING -- By February 2008, the face of the Catholic Church in Big Spring in the Diocese and Coahoma will have taken on a new 8 -- SAN ANGELO, Sacred look. Gone will be Fr. James Plagens and Heart Cathedral – Rite of Fr. Richard Regan, replaced by Fr. Bernard Candidacy for Deacon Gully and an as yet unnamed bilingual Candidates, 1 p.m. parochial vicar, who will help lead this 9 -- MIDLAND, St. Ann – city’s and Coahoma’s Catholics into one Organ Dedication Concert, 7:30 p.m. unified parish. The move will mark a return 16 -- Catechetical Sunday to the way the Church began upon its for- 23 -- JUNCTION, St. Theresa mation here 125 years ago. – Mass to Dedicate the New The quasquicentennial of the Catholic Church, 11:15 a.m. Church in the Big Spring area was attended 24 -- Family Day by almost 900 faithful during a Mass at a 27 -- SAN ANGELO, Christ packed Big Spring High School Auditorium King Retreat Center – Social August 26. The observance marked the pre- Justice Workshop, 7-9 p.m. cise date in historical records when a baby Oct. 7 -- Respect Life Sunday named Bridget Monahans was baptized DIOCESAN DATES/Pg. 4 Catholics from Big Spring and Coahoma came together Aug. 26 to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the FESTIVAL CALENDAR/Pg. 5

Church in the area. More photos from the Big Spring celebration, Pages 8-9. PHOTO BY KAREN PATTERSON. (Please See BIG SPRING/9)

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED ADDRESS SAN ANGELO TX 76902-1829 TX ANGELO SAN INSIDE THIS MONTH’S ANGELUS... SAN OF DIOCESE ANGELO

From the Bishop’s Desk Deacons prepare From the Editor 1829 BOX PO The annual Respect Almost two years ago, men and No, it’s not your imagi- Life Program for the women from all over the San nation: The copy of entire U.S. Catholic Angelo Diocese gathered at Christ The West Texas Church begins on the King Retreat Center in San Angelus you’re hold- Sunday, October 7, Angelo to begin the process of dis- ing in your hands is cerning a vocation. The men 2007. As in the past, smaller. If you live in began an intensive examination of San Angelo and read all parishes will be a possible call to the diaconate. the Standard-Times, receiving much infor- The wives of the men were also or in Abilene and read mation and material Criticism good examining the realities of possibly the Reporter-News, or if you’re a designed to help all of us become being married to clergymen in the Midland reader of the Reporter- better educated and involved in the Catholic Church. Together they Telegram, you’ve already experi-

Msgr. George Ratzinger, POSTAGE US PAID OPOI ORG. NONPROFIT studied, prayed, celebrated liturgies TX ANGELO, SAN critical pro-life issues that face us left, says criticism of his enced the shrinking of the American 44 NO. PERMIT today. brother’s pontificate is a and completed a huge variety of newspaper, and that’s a good thing if sign of success. classes, homework assignments, only because the shrinkage is helping Page 2 Page 12 supervised ministry and spiritual prolong the survival of the print medi- direction experiences. / Page 3 um. / Page 3

Web Site: www.san-angelo-diocese.org Daily Blog: www.theangelusonline.wordpress.com Page 2 SEPTEMBER 2007 The Angelus

From the Bishop’s Desk Respect Life Sunday: The Infant in My Womb Leaped for Joy (Respect Life Sunday is October 7, 2007) paid to her relative who was expecting a precious baby, power of the Holy Spirit, the unborn child Jesus John the Baptist. Only a few days before, Mary had announces his presence to John, his unborn cousin. John By Bishop Michael Pfeifer, OMI received the unbelievable news that she had been chosen leaps for joy, proclaiming to his mother, in effect: by God the Father to be the Mother of the God-man, “Behold! The Lamb of God!” Elizabeth, too, is then The annual Respect Life Program for the entire U.S. Jesus Christ. filled with the Holy Spirit, and recognizes Mary as the Catholic Church begins on Sunday, October 7. As in the We know the story. The Archangel Gabriel had blessed tabernacle of our Lord and Savior. Through the past, all parishes will be receiving much information and announced to the Virgin Mary God’s invitation to evangelical witness and sacrificial love of Mary, Jesus, material designed to help all of us become better educat- become the mother of the Messiah. As further evidence and John, the work of our salvation has begun. ed and involved in the critical pro-life issues that face us that nothing is impossible for God, Mary’s elderly To be sure, most parents love their children generous- today. cousin, Elizabeth, thought to be barren, was also expect- ly and even unconditionally. But today the inherent, Bishop The theme for this year’s Respect Life Program is ing a child, John the Baptist. priceless value of every child—as a unique individual Michael D. “The Infant in My Womb Leaped for Joy.” These words Both Elizabeth’s pregnancy and Mary’s –despite their Pfeifer, OMI of Elizabeth were spoken to Mary during the visit Mary unusual circumstances—are cause for rejoicing. By the (Please See BISHOP/14) DIOCESAN BRIEFS Catholic Charismatic Renewal due at the time of registration. For more brother knights and their families. (Must have until after the first of the year to publish this information, please call Muriel Emerson at a good job history.) Position includes group year’s directory since the annual Official ABILENE -- Aggie Neck will be the fea- 325-651-4633 or 325-450-6971, or Joan life, medical insurance, disability insurance, Directory released by the Pastoral Center tured presenter for the 40th Anniversary Braeutigan at 325-944-3344 or 325-374- award trips, plus a pension plan and 401K. comes out to coincide with the church year. Diocesan Conference of Charismatic 6404. We are looking for businesses or indi- Contact: James Seideman. We hope to publish the next edition of the Renewal to be held at Abilene Holy Family viduals who would be able to support those Phone: 877.797.5632 Diocesan Directory sometime shortly after on Sept. 21-22. A leader in individuals who would like to attend an ACTS e-mail: [email protected] the beginning of 2008. Catholic Charismatic retreat but are unable to afford it. --- Renewal since 1972, Aggie Due to the growth of the Knights of Marriage Encounter Weekend serves as Chair of the Midland man honored Columbus in Texas we have openings in var- Married Couples: Marriage Encounter National Service Jesse Sandoval, Deputy for District 177 of ious places in the San Angelo Diocese. This offers a weekend experience designed to Committee for Catholic the Knights of Columbus received the Lone is a unique opportunity to run your own busi- give couples the opportunity to learn a tech- Charismatic Renewal and Star Award for 2006-07. ness as a Knights of Columbus Field Agent nique of loving communication that they can is Co-Director at Servant His district had 100 per- Perfect for an outgoing self-starter, selling use for the rest of their lives. The next House, a Catholic cent membership and 100 Fraternal Benefits to our members. If quali- Marriage Encounter weekend will be in Neck Charismatic House of percent insurance cover- fied you’ll earn better than average income. Midland on Oct. 26-28. For more information Prayer in Marksville, La. age for KC members. Excellent benefits and training. You need to or to register for the weekend, call Valentin Aggie is an exciting and dynamic speaker Besides his responsibili- have some sales experience, a good work and Maria Gomez 325.835.7044 who operates strongly in the prophetic gifts. ties as District Deputy for record, ambition to succeed and good peo- [email protected]. Her talks will be centered on the conference's the Knights, he still finds ple skills. theme "Thy Will Be Done,” She will also time to coordinate and For more information or an interview, Lake Ivie levels Increase speak on the insights of Pope Benedict XVI in lead the Search program Sandoval please contact James Seideman, General Bishop Pfeifer reports that Lake O.H. Ivie his latest book "Jesus of Nazareth" and share for the diocese, co-direct Agent, toll free, at 877.797.5632. is at 69 percent capacity now. The night of her reflections of the Renewal Yesterday, the Peer Ministry and Senior Youth Group for the Bishop’s Mass of Thanksgiving in mid- Today and Tomorrow. All are invited St. Stephen in Midland and serves on the Annual Diocesan Directory June, when prayers for additional rainfall and The conference schedule is: Parish Council at St. Stephen’s. For the last two years, the Angelus has increased water levels was held, Okla Friday, Sept. 21: 7-9 p.m. Insights, sharing published its Diocesan Directory, a 4-page Thorton, representative of the Colorado and celebrating the last 40 years of Renewal Peters new Pro Life Director pullout section, in the September issue. The River Municipal Water District, reported that in our Diocese, Nationally and Internationally. Jerry Michael Peters of Mertzon has been directory is meant as a pull-and-save guide the lake was 47 percent full. Saturday, Sept. 22: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. name to succeed John Petrie as Pro-Life that West Texas Catholics can save and “Okla attributes this (increase) to our Charismatic mass, Fr. Robert Bush Director of the Diocese of San Angelo. refer to throughout the year and lists parish Mass and prayer. All the praise goes to our Celebrant. Talks, Praise & Worship. Closing Petrie resigned the position for family rea- addresses, phone numbers, Mass times and loving God,” Pfeifer said. with Empowerment Session. sons. priests. We have decided this year to wait Registration begins Friday at 6:30 p.m. or Saturday 8:30 a.m. Cost is $5 per person or Criminal Justice Training $10 for family. Pre-registration not required. Abilene Deanery Date Location Time Lunch provided. Love offering. Sept. 10 Holy Family/Abilene 7 pm Abilene Holy Family Parish Center, 5410 Sept. 22 St Mary/Brownwood 9 am Buffalo Gap Rd., Call 325-692-1820, 325- San Angelo Deanery 668-6828 for more information. Childcare will Sept 29 Holy Angels/SAngelo 9 am not be available. San Angelo Women’s ACTS Ethics Workshops dates Midland/Odessa Deanery SAN ANGELO -- San Angelo will be having Sept 10 St. Ann/Midland 7-10 pm its 2nd Women’s ACTS retreat on Sept. 27- 30. The theme of the ACTS (Adoration, KC positions open Community, Theology and Service) retreat Looking for a practical Catholic man who comes from Jn. 8:12 “I am the light of the has some sales experience, an outgoing world. Whoever follows Me will never walk personality, is trustworthy, competitive, in darkness, but will have the light of life.” aggressive, and is looking for a career serving Cost for the retreat is $155. A $50 deposit is The Angelus SEPTEMBER 2007 Page 3

From the Editor Deacons set for Ordination candidacy The incredible By Tim Graham Diocesan Diaconate Director Almost two years ago, men and shrinking women from all over the San Angelo Diocese gathered at Christ the King Retreat Center in San Angelo to begin Angelus the process of discerning a vocation. The men began an intensive examina- By Jimmy Patterson tion of a possible call to the diaconate. The wives of the men were also Your first question when holding this issue of The West examining the realities of possibly Texas Angelus will no doubt be: So, where’s the rest of it? being married to clergymen in the The good folks in the San Angelo Standard Times produc- Catholic Church. Together they stud- tion department were informed earlier this ied, prayed, celebrated liturgies and year by their parent corporation, Scripps, in completed a huge variety of classes, Washington, that they would be faced with homework assignments, supervised a reduction in newsprint size effective in ministry and spiritual direction experi- August. And so that reduction was, for ences. They are now beginning a new Candidates for the Diaconate obvious reasons, passed along to its com- phase of that course of study and Aguirre, Frank – Sacred Heart Cathedral, San Moreno, Robert - Our Lady of Guadalupe, mercial print jobs along the way; The preparation. On Sept. 8, they will Angelo Midland Angelus is printed at the Standard-Times. become Candidates for ordination in Benavides, Carlos – Our Lady of Lourdes, Napoles, Jesus - Our Lady of Guadalupe, We learned a few weeks ago about the the summer of 2010. The celebration Andrews Midland Camarillo, Alfred - St. Mary’s, Odessa Nunez, Ray - Sacred Heart, Coleman change. It is an industry-wide, cost-based Patterson will take place at the Cathedral in San Delgado, Gilbert - St. Vincent, Abilene Ramirez, Victor - St. Vincent, Abilene measure and if you live in San Angelo or Angelo with Bishop Michael Pfeifer, Gonzalez, Andy - St. Margaret, San Angelo Rhodes, Gary - Holy Family, Abilene Abilene, chances are pretty decent that you’ve already OMI, presiding, and other clergy, reli- Hammons, Walter - Holy Angels, San Angelo Sanchez, Claudio - St. Joseph’s, San Angelo Hendon, Leonard Jr.- St. Stephen’s, Midland Selvera, Robert - St. Patrick’s, Brady noticed the reduction. The Standard-Times reduced the size of gious women and lay people from all Hennessey, Dwain - Sacred Heart, Abilene Shannahan, Dan - St. Ambrose, Wall its daily product Aug. 26. For the Angelus, the cut was rough- over the diocese assisting with an Holguin, Danny - St. Joseph’s, Ft. Stockton Torres, Ricardo - Our Lady of Guadalupe, ly 16-18 percent and that translates into the loss of approxi- affirmation of the candidates’ efforts Lange, Allen - St. Ambrose, Wall Midland Lange, Stanley - St. Thomas, Miles Vasquez, Jesse - Sacred Heart, Abilene mately 2.5 pages. to become servant leaders. Lopez, Michael - St. Mary’s, San Angelo Vaughan, Daniel - Holy Family, Abilene Although future editions of The Angelus will continue to The vocation of a permanent deacon Main, Marc - St. Francis, Abilene Villarreal, Luis - St. Joseph’s, Ft. Stockton be the size of the one you are holding, it will be a temporary in the Catholic Church goes Mata, Luis, Sr.- Our Lady of Guadalupe, Workman, David - St. Mary’s, Ballinger loss of total content. Effective with our October edition, we back to the very beginnings of Midland Zimmerman, Steve - Cathedral, San Angelo Mata, Marcos - St. Mary’s, San Angelo hope to increase our page count to 20 each month, which Medina, Freddy - Holy Angels, San Angelo will more than compensate for the new smaller size and in (Please See DIACONATE/15) Mendez, Hector - St. Mary’s, Odessa fact will give us roughly one more page of “news hole” each month. With the advent of new media, especially the Internet, Del Escritorio del Obispo newspaper corporations have seen a coming crisis in their daily print product for years. Circulation totals continue to fall nationwide. Papers are trying different ideas to stay alive and afloat. El nino salto de alegria en mis entranas Some have even forecast the total demise of the daily Domingo de Respetar la Vida – durante la visita que María hizo a Por el poder del Espíritu Santo, el newspaper. On the other hand, 12 years ago I attended a 7 de octubre, 2007 su pariente quien esperaba un bebé niño Jesús, antes de nacer, anuncia newspaper conference in Florida where a technology expert, precioso, Juan el Bautista. Solo su presencia a su primo Juan, tam- holding a tablet-size computer predicted that newspapers por el Obispo Miguel Pfeifer unos cuantos días antes, María bién aún por nacer, quien salta de would one day be read on a device such as the one he was había recibido noticias increíbles alegría, proclamando a su madre: holding. It was transportable and convenient. And what’s El Programa de Respetar la Vida que había sido escogida por Dios “¡Mira! ¡El Cordero de Dios!” more, the expert insisted, newspapers would move to the anual para la entera Iglesia Católica nuestro Padre para que fuera la Isabel, a su vez, se llena del Espíritu new model within 10 years. Well, it’s 12 years later, and we de los Estados Unidos comienza el madre del Hombre Dios, Cristo Santo y reconoce a María como el still hold newspapers and get ink smudges on our fingers domingo, 7 de octubre del 2007. Jesús. tabernáculo sagrado de nuestro everyday (if we are religious readers). Como en el pasado, todas las parro- Conocemos la historia. El Señor y Salvador. Por el testimonio Pfeifer quias recibirán mucha información Arcángel Gabriel anuncia a la evangélico y el amor sacrificado de Yes this newspaper is smaller. But so are The Wall Street y material diseñados para ayudar a Virgen Maria la invitación de Dios María, Jesús y Juan, comienza la Journal, The New York Times, and newspapers throughout the todos nosotros a llegar a estar mejor para convertirse en la madre del obra de nuestra salvación. Scripps chain from San Angelo and Abilene to Cincinnati, educado e implicado en los temas Mesías. Para mostrar que nada es La mayoría de los padres ama a Memphis and Denver. The Hearst Corporation cut its news- críticos de pro-vida que nos imposible para Dios, la prima sus hijos generosamente y sin condi- papers’ size down in the late ’90s from San Francisco to San afrentan hoy. anciana de María, Isabel, a quien se ciones. Hoy en día el valor inher- Antonio to Midland and all points in between. El tema para el Programa de creía estéril, también está esperando ente, que no tiene precio, de cada We may be smaller. But we, and others, are still here, Respetar la Vida este año es “El un niño: San Juan Bautista. niño—como individuo único, creado thank goodness. We just have to make adjustments for the Niño Saltó de Alegría en mis Los embarazos de Isabel y y amado por Dios—ya no es acepta sake of the future of this long-held tradition of print news. Entrañas.” Estas palabras de María—a pesar de sus extrañas cir- Jimmy Patterson is editor of the West Texas Angelus. Elizabeth fueron habladas a María cunstancias—son causa de regocijo. (Please See OBISPO/14) Page 4 SEPTEMBER 2007 The Angelus

DIOCESAN DATES Bishop’s Calendar Sunset Mall- Lifechain at 2:00 p.m. 8 young missionaries 9 -- SAN ANGELO, Diocesan SEPTEMBER Pastoral Center – Legal Team at 11:00 a.m evangelize in the diocese 6 -- MIDLAND, St. Ann – Mass for SAN ANGELO, St. Joseph –The Living Students at 8:30 a.m. Rosary at 6:30 p.m. By Bishop Michael Pfeifer, OMI Antonio (formerly from Odessa); Karina 8 -- SAN ANGELO, Sacred Heart 10 -- SAN ANGELO, Diocesan Ríos from Big Lake; and Brandon Young Cathedral – Rite of Candidacy for Pastoral Center – Staff Mass 8:30 Eight young people, college-age and from Abilene came to a pre-training Deacon Candidates at 1:00 p.m. –Meeting at 11:00 a.m. older, spent seven weeks of their summer Discernment Weekend in which they first 9 -- MIDLAND, St. Ann – Organ 11-12 -- SAN ANTONIO, Board dedicated to the Lord in the work of evan- determined their readiness and willingness Dedication Concert at 7:30 p.m. Meeting of MACC gelization. They worked with youth who to serve in this capacity this summer. The 11 -- SAN ANGELO, Christ the King 13-15 -- OKLAHOMA CITY, Meeting finished the 7, 8, and 9 grades. This event, discernment started with one simple state- Retreat Center – Co-Workers in the of the Holy Sepulchre called the Summer Catholic Missionary ment, “The best way to change the world Vineyard Workshop -10:00 a.m. to 3 16 -- ABILENE, Holy Family – Talk to Experience for Youth, began with two and is to start at home.” Prayers were request- p.m. RCIA Groups at 6:30 p.m. one-half weeks of training at St. Joseph ed many months in advance for God’s 11- SAN ANGELO, 11 a.m. Memorial 17 -- CRANE, Good Shepherd – Church in San Angelo by Father Bob Bush guidance in forming these evangelizers. Service at 911 Memorial Confirmation at 6:30 p.m. and lay leaders. This youth team, com- Some began praying for the Team’s forma- SAN ANGELO, Holy Angels – 18 -- SAN ANGELO, Sacred Heart posed of three men and five women tion as early as September 2006. God Presentation to RCIA at 6:30 pm. Cathedral – White Mass at 6:30 p.m. worked in parishes in Abilene, San answered their prayers so the eight on the 12-14 -- Rest and Prayer 20-21 -- BEAUMONT, St. Anthony Angelo, Ozona and Big Lake. They stayed team could share one of the most life- 16-17 -- SAN ANTONIO – Meeting of Cathedral – Centenary Mass mostly in parish halls or homes, and each changing experiences of their lives. During Texas Bishops 25 -- ABILENE, Sacred Heart – week visited homes, put on two youth ral- the discernment process at Sacred Heart 18 -- SAN ANGELO, Diocesan Confirmation at 6:30 p.m. lies, and conducted a weekend retreat. Church in Abilene, a team of older adults Pastoral Center – Staff Mass at 8:30 26 -- SAN ANGELO, Diocesan These missionaries called themselves familiar with the Missionary Experience a.m. and Staff Meeting at 11:00 a .m. Pastoral Center – Diocesan Liturgy “Love and Message Bearers,” using the helped the young people to see if this was 19 -- SAN ANGELO Diocesan Comm. acronym “L.A.M.B.” for short. The partic- really what God wanted them to do. Pastoral Center – Meeting of 26-28 -- SAN ANTONIO, Youth ipants Cristina Aguirre, Abraham Franco, The training prepared them for the fruit- International Priests 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 Retreat at the Grotto Ryan Rojo and Melisa Tercero from ful ministry that followed. They visited Noon 30 -- MIDLAND, St. Stephen – Speak Odessa; Nancy Agúndiz from Fort 22 -- SAN ANGELO – Blessing of to RCIA Groups at 6:30 p.m. Stockton; Karina Mendoza from San (Please See MISSION/15) Motorcyle Rally in Memory of Cheyenne Fiveash at 8:00 a.m. 23 -- JUNCTION, St. Theresa – Mass Christ The King Encountering the living Christ to Dedicate the New Church at 11:15 Retreat Center a.m. By Bishop Michael D. Pfeifer, OMI 24 -- SAN ANGELO, Diocesan SEPTEMBER !Catechetical Sunday: Pastoral Center – Liturgy Commission 7-9 -- Diaconate Training Program The annual celebration of Catechetical September 16, 2007 meeting at 10:00 a.m. Beginning Experience Sunday will take place this year on Sept. 25 -- SAN ANGELO, Diocesan Pastoral 10 -- Heart of Mercy Prayer Group 16, focusing on the theme, CATECHESIS: Center – Presbyteral Council Mtng, 11 11 -- Adoration of the Blessed ENCOUNTERING THE LIVING chists by our Office of Education and a.m. Sacrament, 5-6:00 p.m. CHRIST. Formation. I am deeply grateful to Sister 26 -- SAN ANGELO, Newman Center Co-Workers in the Vineyard of the Lord. Catechetical ministry is, as you know, Hilda Marotta, OSF Director and also – Mass at Noon 14-16 -- Engaged Encounter an especially effective opportunity to teach Sister Adelina Garcia, OSF Associate 27 -- SAN ANGELO, Christ King 16 -- Natural Family Planning Class 4- what it means to live like Christ in our Director and Youth Director, and those Retreat Center – Social Justice Workshop 6 p.m. actions and our words. Catechists provide who serve with them for the fine leader- -7-9 p.m. 17 -- Heart of Mercy Prayer Group a powerful example of people who have ship they provide for this diocesan min- SEPT 29-OCT. 1 -- PHILADELPHIA, 18 -- Adoration of the Blessed istry. We have excellent material and we 100th Anniversary of the Ukrainian Sacrament 5-6:00 p.m. made Christ the foundation of their lives and are willing to share their witness with have fine programs of training and forma- Catholic Church in the USA 20-23 -- Women’s Walk to Emmaus tion, and I strongly encourage more and 24 -- Heart of Mercy Prayer Group others. The annual celebration of more people to take part in these programs. OCTOBER 25 -- Adoration of the Blessed Catechetical Sunday is a way for parishes 2 -- ODESSA, St. Elizabeth – Sacrament, 5-6:00 p.m. throughout our diocese and across the As we celebrate this Sunday, I encour- Confirmation at 6:30 p.m. 27-30 -- CKRC Women’s ACTS country to recognize and thank all those age our pastors to recognize the catechists 3 -- MIDLAND, Meeting on Drugs at Retreat. who give generously of their time and gifts and those who teach religion, and to offer 10:30 a.m. in the work of catechesis. them a special blessing on Catechetical 4 -- ODESSA, St. Elizabeth – Red I take this opportunity to thank all the Sunday. May Jesus the Good Shepherd Mass at 7:00 p.m. NECROLOGY-OCTOBER catechists and teachers of religious educa- and the Teacher of all of us guide us as we 5 -- SAN ANGELO, Newman 4 -- Deacon Thomas Lambdin (1982) tion of our diocese who participate in this teach others about him so that we can lead Center–Talk on Social Justice at 12:00 5 -- Rev. William Meagher, OMI (1970) basic ministry which is vitally important all people to have an encounter with the noon 7 -- Rev. Francis Schoutteten, OMI for all, but especially for young people. living Christ. Thank you for your prayers (2002) 6 -- ODESSA, St. Mary – Catechesis is the “backbone” ministry of and cooperation. May Christ continue to Confirmation at 4:00 p.m. 15 -- Rev. James Norman, OMI (1987) bless you and may Mary our Mother watch 21 -- Deacon Richard Blake (1989) every community. More and more I 7 -- SAN ANGELO, St. Joseph – encourage our pastors select qualified peo- over you. Mass at 11:15 a.m. ple from our parishes to be trained as cate- The Angelus SEPTEMBER 2007 Page 5 PARISH FESTIVALS Diocese in full compliance after fourth Sept. 8--Sacred Heart, Menard Oct. 6 -- Holy Family, Abilene Sacred Heart will host its Fall Festival Sat., Oct. 6th Noon-10 PM Sept. 8, at Club Victoria in Menard begin- "Catch the Spirit" FallFest 2007 annual Safe Environment Audit, report ning at 11 a.m. with games; fajita dinner at 5410 Buffalo Gap Rd 11:30 a.m.; a dance from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Family Fun from Start to Finish During the week of July 16- Michael D. Pfeifer, Bishop of Pfeifer said. “I am pleased with features Ozona’s Estilo Band, with vocals Winner's Choice Raffle Great Food 20, auditors from the Gavin San Angelo. the results of this audit which by Hope Cardenas. Games & BINGO Live Entertainment 5K Run (8:30 AM) Silent Auction Group of Boston, an independ- The Charter, originally represent the hard work of so Dodgeball Tourney ent firm commissioned by the adopted by the USCCB in many people throughout our Sept. 9 -- St. Mary, Ballinger Family Dance (8-10 PM) United States Catholic November 2002, sets forth spe- diocese to provide a safe envi- St. Mary, Star of the Sea in Ballinger For more information: 325.692.1820 will hold its annual Fall Festival on Sun., Conference of Bishops cific requirements which ronment for all of our children (USCCB), visited the Catholic enable dioceses across the and youth in the many pro- Sept. 9th. A meal of beef fajitas begins at Oct. 7--St. Joseph’s, 11 a.m. with refried beans, Spanish rice, San Angelo Diocese of San Angelo to eval- country to establish safe envi- grams through which we min- salad. Bingo, kid’s games and a country uate its Safe Environment ronment programs to protect ister to them. The audit has store will also be featured before the auc- St. Joseph’s in San Angelo will host its tion begins at 1 p.m. Antiques, handcrafted annual festival Sunday, Oct. 7. A turkey Programs to insure compliance children and youth from sexual given us a great opportunity to quilts and many other items are included. and dressing dinner with all the trimmings with the USCCB Charter for abuse. During this audit, step back and see what we All are invited to attend. will be served. Also featuring a country store, silent auction, game booth, music the Protection of Children and Diocesan Safe Environment have accomplished and explore and fun for the entire family. Festival will Young People. Policies; Safe Environment areas where we can make Sep. 15-16--St. Margaret, Big Lake be held at the Knights of Columbus Hall on “I am happy to report that the Programs for church personnel, adjustments or improvements. 7th Annual Family Festival featuring N. Bryant in San Angelo. Gavin Group has informed the parents, and children; as well We will continue to move for- men’s softball tournament, Paul Romero Diocese that ‘Based on the as procedures for assisting vic- ward, continuing our efforts Washer Tournament, King & Queen Oct. 7 -- St. Lawrence Contest, kids booths, food booths, games, The ST. LAWRENCE FALL FESTIVAL analysis of the results of the tims of abuse were examined. not only to provide a safe envi- a free street dance. Saturday from 4-6 will be held on Sun., Oct. 7 on the church 2007 Full Audit of the Diocese “Since implementation of ronment for our children and p.m. Call church office, 325-884-3221 for grounds. There will be a BBQ brisket/ of San Angelo, you have been the Charter, the Diocese has youth in our church programs, more information. German Sausage lunch from 11 a.m.-2 found to be in compliance with undergone three previous annu- but to raise the awareness of p.m. Uncooked sausage will be sold by the the Charter for the Protection al audits in which we were child sexual abuse and steps Sept. 16--St. Therese, pound beginning at 10:30 a.m. There will be bingo, children's booths, silent auction of Children and Young People,’ found to be in full compliance that everyone can take to help Carlsbad/St. Paschal, Sterling City and live auction beginning at 2. Lots of fun ” according to Most Rev. with all articles of the Charter,” protect their children.” The St. Therese-Carlsbad/St. Paschal- and entertainment for entire family. Sterling City Annual Fall Festival will be held Sun., Sept. 16, at the Knights of Oct. 13 -- St. Mary Queen of Columbus Hall, 3636 N. Bryant, San Peace, Brownwood Diocesan Policy Manual: Guidelines for Angelo. A BBQ brisket/homemade German St. Mary Queen of Peace will hold its sausage dinner will be served from 11 a.m.- annual Fall Festival Sat., Oct. 13th, 10 2 p.m. The meal may also be purchased am-5 pm, featuring a live and silent auc- Sunday celebrations in Absence of a Priest from a drive-thru at the same location. An tion, Country Store, Mystery Gifts, Loteria, auction featuring donations from various children's petting zoo and activities, games Background Conditions for Use of the Rite Parish use of the Rite, Sunday merchants and parishioners will begin at and inflatables for youth, and delicious In 1988, the Holy See It is of paramount importance Celebration in the Absence of a 1:15 p.m. A Country Store, Silent Auction, food including Gorditas. Bingo and games will be available. The released the Directory for that the parish or mission com- Priest, shall be limited to emer- public is invited to attend. Sunday Celebrations in the munity still come together to gency situations and to those Oct. 14 -- St. Boniface, Olfen Absence of A Priest. “The fun- celebrate the resurrection of the infrequent situations where Saint Boniface Fall Festival Sun., Oct. 14 Sept. 29 -- St. Ann’s, Midland Featuring Homemade Sausage made damental point of the entire Lord when a priest is absent. prior planning has indicated its St. Ann’s of Midland will host the 59th in Olfen by parishioners. Directory is to ensure, in the If, in the judgment of the dioce- pastoral necessity with the annual Family Fair and carnival on the church 11 am. Dining Room Lunch Meal ($7 best way possible and in every san bishop, it is not practical or approval of the bishop. For grounds (Illinois @ Avenue M) on Sat., Sept. Plates-to-go & Drive-thru) situation, the Christian celebra- possible for the community to example: 29, from 10 am-10 pm. Additional carnival Noon--Games & Entertainment; 1 pm. hours are 6-10pm on Sept. 27-28 and 1-6 pm Auction Festivities; 3 pm. Candy Drop tion of Sunday. This means participate in the celebration of 1. In emergencies which on Sept. 30. The raffle’s 1st prize is a 2007 Turkey, Dressing & Sausage Meal remembering that the Mass Mass in another parish, they arise (e.g., sudden sickness; or Ford Mustang (MSRP $21,335), 2nd Prize - Adults $7, Children 10 & Under $4 remains the proper way of cele- should assemble for Sunday the unplanned absence of the $1,000 HEB Shopping Spree, and 3rd prize - $500 Chevron gas card. There will be non- brating Sunday, but also means worship in their own communi- priest when no other priest is Oct. 21 -- St. Ambrose, Wall recognizing the presence of ty under the leadership of a per- available), the use of Sunday smoking bingo, arts and crafts, a country St. Ambrose Fall Festival, 11 am- 2 pm store, and the famous odds and ends booths. Turkey, Dressing, Sausage Dinner important elements even when son whom the bishop and pas- Celebration in the Absence of a Great food available including burgers, tacos, Adults $7.00, Child $3.00 Mass cannot be celebrated.” tor have designated and trained Priest is permitted when a prop- fajitas, nachos, quesadillas, turkey legs, fun- nel cakes and more. There is something for The Directory recognizes the to lead them in this Rite. erly trained and commissioned everyone to enjoy including loads of children’s Oct. 21--Sacred Heart, Coleman need for previously unforeseen These services are to be held leader of prayer is available. games!!! For more information, please call The 27th annual Texas Fiesta at Sacred pastoral arrangements to be occasionally and it is the bishop 2. Deaneries are to develop 432-682-6303. The Family Fair benefits St. Heart is scheduled for 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Oct. made in order to sustain the who is to decide the number of schedules and plans to provide Ann’s Catholic School. 21 on San Saba Street in Coleman. An authentic Mexican Dinner will be served community that typically celebrations that a community priestly coverage for Mass and Sept. 29--St. Theresa-Junction from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and will feature enchi- assembles on Sunday. will offer on such Sundays to make a contact list (with The St. Theresa Catholic Church Festival ladas, tacos, beans, rice, salad, drinks and The Rite Sunday Celebrations when a priest is absent. It is the appropriate telephone numbers) is Sept. 29, starting at 10:00 A.M., a dessert. Plates $6 adults, $3 children. Children’s games, horseshoe tournament, in the Absence of a Priest was bishop who is to grant approval to provide extra consecrated Activities include bingo, auction, food, raf- approved for use in the for implementing when and hosts when needed. fle, games, and a street dance. cow patty bingo, concessions, silent auc- tion, country store, cake walk and more. Dioceses of the United States of where such services may be 3. In situations where the Team signups begin Oct. 1 ... bids on cow America by the United States held. Moreover, these services absence of a priest is anticipat- Sept. 30 -- Immaculate patty bingo open Oct. 1. Dinner and raffle Conception, Knickerbocker tickets on sale now from parishioners. Conference of Bishops March are to occur “under the pastoral ed, a pastor is to create proce- Immaculate Conception Church, Knickerbocker, 2007. Effective August 1, 2007 ministry of a priest who has the dures regarding how to meet Sun., Sept. 30, will host its annual Fall Festival, Nov. 11 -- St. Joseph, Rowena this edition of the Rite is to be responsibly for the particular the pastoral needs of those Sun., Sept. 30, featuring mesquite brisket/ The 85th Annual St. Joseph Fall Festival used by the parishes of the community.” Each pastor shall whom sausage plates, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Also in Rowena will be held Sun., Nov. 11. featuring raffle-bingo-auction-games. Diocese of San Angelo. instruct and educate the com- munity on the Rite. (Please See GUIDELINES/6) Page 6 SEPTEMBER 2007 The Angelus Bishops turn focus on Sacrament of marriage; parenting also stressed The U.S. Conference of The bishops' pastoral letter Catholic Bishops has unveiled is expected to be be written a multi-year campaign to call and released by 2008 and pro- attention to the meaning and gram implementation should value of married life for the occur in 2008 and beyond in church and society. The the form of parish resource NATIONAL PASTORAL INI- development, implementation TIATIVE FOR MARRIAGE and evaluation. will seek to bring Catholic The West Texas Angelus Images of children and families belief into dialogue with con- will feature stories on the taken during the Respect Life temporary needs as the bish- Sacrament of Marriage Mass in Midland in August. ops urge the Catholic Church throughout the campaign as Photos by Jimmy Patterson to become a community of well. hope and help for marriages "This is an ongoing effort and to join others in building the bishops are trying to put a culture of marriage. together in efforts to clarify Respect Life Mass draws almost The initiative weaves how we see marriage," said together the Catholic faith tra- San Angelo Bishop Michael dition and its pastoral prac- Pfeifer. "We are planning to 400 to Midland Prayer Garden tice, the data of social sci- state how we have seen mar- ence, and the experience of riage going all the way back It would turn out to be one of married couples to offer guid- to Christ's time and how we the hottest days of the summer, ance and resources, including see it today, as well as to help but also one of the most beauti- a pastoral letter, in order to people live out their mar- ful. And not coincidentally, promote, strengthen, sustain riages. We plan also to state almost 400 people assembled and restore marriages. how we see homosexual mar- the morning of August 10 at The campaign will include riage, or same sex marriage, The Prayer Garden in down- public service announcements and we will point out our town Midland for the diocese’s on TV, radio and in newspa- thoughts on that subject as annual Respect Life Mass. pers, as well as the forming of well." The Mass was celebrated in focus groups with married Pfeifer said the bishops will memory of the millions of babies who have been aborted couples across the country, a also stress parenting in their since the Roe v. Wade decision pastoral letter from bishops statement on unions and how and as an appeal to those who and a colloquium on the individuals go from marriage work at Planned Parenthood and sacramentality of marriage in to the family. other abortion clinics to stop. October. The crowd swelled somewhat for the Mass as a bus load of 60 parishioners from the Diocese of GUIDELINES Amarillo attended in anticipation of their bishop, the Most Rev. (From 6) John Yanta, also attending. Yanta, though, was prevented from he shepherds whenever this Rite is employed. Such planning attending due to health reasons would involve pastor/pastoral administrator and parish staff. and the heat in Midland that day. 4. Such services are to be held whenever pastoral necessity “We pray that God will use e.g., sudden sickness; or the unplanned absence of the priest people to bring closure to the when no other priest is available) demands this extra-ordinary Planned Parenthood death cen- Rite. ters,” said San Angelo Bishop Michael Pfeifer, who presided Selection and Formation of Sunday Leaders of Prayer over the Mass. “Every pro-Life The Diocesan Liturgy Commission is appointed by the organzation must take a stand bishop to ensure that the lay ministers who will lead the litur- against these centers.” gical assembly are properly instructed and that those celebra- Pfeifer noted that several tions are conducted within liturgical norms. abortion clinics in Amarillo The pastor/pastoral administrator in consultation with the have already closed down parish staff will select lay leaders of prayer. These should because of the proactive efforts not just be "volunteers" but people who exhibit: of Pro-Life people in the Panhandle. • a living appreciation for Scripture and a deep reverence for (Please See GUIDELINES/16) The Angelus SEPTEMBER 2007 Page 7

Family Day 2007 Making Sense of Bioethics: Ethical blind spots By Fr. Thad Pacholczyk men went to work, and life went on. does the press, and few dare mention the A day to eat dinner Walking through a place like Dachau or pall of death that quietly permeates the air. When I traveled to Auschwitz a few years Auschwitz, one wonders: could it ever hap- We need look no further than the Planned ago, one question played over and over in pen again? Could a similar scenario play out Parenthood clinics which are dotted across with your children, my mind: Did they know? Did the German today in middle-class America? Most would our country. Future generations are likely to people know what was instinctively say "no" — after all, we live in be appalled by the statistics: nearly 2 million to become involved happening in this camp a more enlightened time and culture. A more deaths per year. They are sure to wonder near their own border, in perceptive eye, however, can discern trou- about a people that ended the lives of their their own occupied terri- bling parallels. Nowhere are these parallels own children at the rate of 1 every 23 sec- and show interest tories? With the trains more evident than in the bioethical issues of onds through elective abortion. They are coming and going year our day. Our society, in fact, faces virtually sure to ask, "How could they?" and, "Did By Bishop Michael D. Pfeifer, OMI after year, with the long the same temptation that Germany did: the they know?" lines of prisoners and temptation to normalize certain well-scripted We need look no further than the fertility Family Day is celebrated nationwide on the the billowing smoke- death operations in the midst of polite socie- clinics present in every major American city. ty. Future generations are sure to be scandal- fourth Monday in September (Sept. 24). stacks, did they just turn a blind eye to the atroci- Fr. Pacholczyk If we look within our own culture and ized by the numbers: in vitro fertilization Family Day is a national movement that ties? Had they become within our own time, we will see that suc- making hundreds of thousands of embryonic encourages parents to frequently eat dinner with desensitized to the point that they could no tion machines have replaced smokestacks, humans, to be chilled in liquid nitrogen and their kids and to be involved in their children's’ longer see the carefully choreographed death and that Fertility Clinics and Women's turned into, in the words of one commenta- lives. This one day set aside for Family Day operations nearby? Health Centers have replaced the barbed tor, "kidsicles." They are sure to deplore the Some concentration camps, like the one in wire. Unborn humans and embryonic chil- many other human embryos treated as should be an inspiration for families to take Dachau, were set in comfortable suburbs dren are now dispatched with the same objects, discarded as medical waste, poured much more time to be together for sharing. right inside Germany itself, and the towns- desensitized ease as camp inhabitants once down the sink or experimented upon and The National Center on Addiction and folk could stroll past them during their daily were, and ne'er a word is mentioned in strip-mined for their embryonic stem cells. Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia routine. The grass in those suburbs contin- respectable society. Our great universities, ued to grow as green as anywhere else, which need to serve as a moral voice, University launched Family Day in 2001 after young people got married, babies were born, remain mute or even foster such evil, as (Please See BIOETHICS/15) more than a decade’s worth of its research con- sistently found that the more often kids eat din- ner with their families, the less likely they are Concho Valley CARES sets goals, vision statement to smoke, drink or use drugs. The report also found that frequent family dinners also associat- (Editor’s Note: Originally printed in the San problem in our community. From this ini- free environment. ed with higher academic performance. Angelo Standard Times, Thurs., Aug.30) tial gathering, a core committee and sub- “America’s drug problem is not going to be committee were established and began The Coalition's goals are: By Bishop Michael Pfeifer solved in courtrooms or legislative hearing meeting to create a vision and outline goals and specific tasks for the group. Goal 1: To influence and promote posi- rooms by judges and politicians. It will be Concho Valley Community Action and tive community norms that strengthen fam- solved in living rooms, dining rooms and across Resources for Empowerment and Success The proposed vision statements: ily, spiritual and moral values. kitchen tables – by parents and families, “ said (C.A.R.E.S.) is now an active coalition in Goal 2: To increase awareness and edu- Joseph A. Califano, Jr, CASA’s chairman and the Concho Valley. CV CARES started out A. Our dream is that through God's guid- cate the public about substance abuse issues president and the former U.S. Secretary of as Bishop Michael D. Pfeifer's 'Community ance, we will unite our community and cre- in the community. Health, Education and Welfare. Committee of San Angelo and Tom Green ate an environment that encourages the Goal 3: To identify individual, family, County to Combat Drugs' and is now well Family Day is also a time for families to take elimination of substance abuse, so our chil- school, peer, community and environmental on its way to making a significant impact dren and families will thrive in a spiritual, risk and protective factors within our com- time to pray together before a meal, and to on the substance abuse and alcoholism moral, healthy and drug-free environment. munity. share some reflections from the Bible which problem in San Angelo and the Concho B. Our dream is that through God's guid- Goal 4: To identify and include crucial feeds us spiritually every day of our lives. “The Valley. ance, we will unite our community, and community elements and compo- family that prays together, stays together.” On March 28, Pfeifer called numerous create an environment that empowers its community representatives to meet and dis- members, so our children and families will cuss how to address the substance abuse thrive in a spiritual, moral, healthy, drug- (Please See CARES/13)

Over 70,000 items in stock! Mon.-Fri. Pilgrim Journeys – Regina Tours 25 years 9 a.m.ó6 p.m. g‹‚w…À· Celebrating serving Saturday Alexandra Morris, CDS West Texas Catholics! 9 a.m.ó5 p.m. International Specialist Religious Store 325-653-8011 Out of Town? Call 800-759-1807 [email protected] LET US SHOW YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS SOME OF THE REVERED, MYSTERIOUS AND SELDOM SEEN OR HEARD OF CATHOLIC Rosaries, Jewelry, Statues, Crosses, Bibles, Books, SHRINES OF EUROPE, THE UK, & IRELAND. Quinceanera, Wedding and Confirmation items. First Communion Dresses, Veils and gifts. [email protected] www.pilgrimjourneys.joystar.com 624 West Avenue N San Angelo, TX 76903 Habla Espanol - Phone orders are welcome! Page 8 SEPTEMBER 2007 The Angelus The Angelus SEPTEMBER 2007 Page 9 CELEBRATIONS OF FAITH Church in Rowena, Odessa, Big Spring-area marks significant anniversaries of faith

St. Joseph’s, Rowena St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Odessa Big Spring-area Catholics

PHOTOS BY KAREN PATTERSON Both BIg Spring pastors, Rev. James Plagens, left, and Rev. Richard Regan, right, will be re-assigned within the diocese when the parishes in Big Spring come together in February 2008. A man and wife, center, pray during the 125th anniversary of the faith in the Big Spring area, a mass during which both Fr. Regan and Fr. Plagens provided hom- ilies. Bishop Michael Pfeifer was the celebrant of the Mass.

St. Joseph’s in Rownea, top left; a sunrise BIG SPRING: Parishioners to welcome Mass at the Rowena cemetery, below; above right, veterans from St. Josephs were hon- Rev. Bernard Gully in February 2008 ored and a memorial in trubute and memory to those who served was blessed by Bishop (From 1) “We have long been working on this Pfeifer (near right). Above, San Angelo Bishop Michael effort to bring about one church communi- Pfeifer; Fr. James Bridges, founding by a Carmelite priest who had travelled to ty for Big Spring-area Catholics,” said Fr. Top right, Fr. Bhaskar priest of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton; Big Spring from Stanton, which was then Plagens. “This gathering today is the result Morugudi, pastor at St. Galveston-Houston Archbishop known as Marienfeld, in 1882.. of much planning over the years and today Stephen’s delivers the Joseph Fiorenza, who was Bishop Bishop Michael Pfeifer, speaking at the and yesterday we have had almost 1,200 homily on the chuch’s of San Angelo when St. Elizabeth 125th anniversary Mass, stressed the attend Mass. It is obvious to us that we can 100th birthday; middle Ann Seton was founded, and cur- importance of coming together again. be much stronger and we could be much right, Bishop Pfeifer rent pastor, Rev. Mark Miller. At Once the transformation and unification better as one church instead of four blesses a parade watch- right, the church’s anniversary was begins, all four current parish church churches. We can accomplish so much er and at right organiz- attended by numerous clergy. buildings -- three in Big Spring and one in more as one.” ers and Fr. Bhaskar join Coahoma -- will continue to be utilized for Fr. Regan said we always hear the term together with former St. PHOTOS BY ALAN TORRE now, with a central campus that will house “the body of Christ” not “the bodies of Joseph’s priests and a rectory and office facilities. A reduced Christ.” Returning to one church would be Bishop Pfeifer during the schedule of Masses will begin and slowly, coming full circle and returning to the way Saturday portion of the Big Spring area Catholics will ultimately the church began in Big Spring and two-day celebration. end up attending Masses in one location, Coahoma, he said. PHOTOS BY RHONDA LEGG though that is years down the road. AND JIMMY PATTERSON Page 10 SEPTEMBER 2007 The Angelus Family Letting go as your kids grow up isn’t easy By Bill and Monica Dodds dramatic moments, those milestones, that the enting. We love who they were. We love who the Holy Family, you can be sure it's going to Catholic News Service transformation is startling. It suddenly they are. We love who they will be. We treas- happen in yours." becomes clear we no longer have a preschool- ure all three. Sometimes it's our children who remind us It should get easier, shouldn't it, letting our er. they're growing up. They really are old enough children move on to the next step -- the next Yes, those early years had their challenges It Can Happen in Any Family to do this or that. But other times, it's a mom stage -- in their lives? and, yes, we looked forward to that little one A friend of ours who is a parish director of or dad who has to point out to that child -- or It never does, does it? Dropping the little heading off to school for a half day -- then a religious education says one of her favorite teen -- that he or she isn't quite that old yet. one at day care for the first time. Walking out full day! -- but when that first school year stories in the Gospels is Mary and Joseph los- The opposite can happen, too. A parent may of the kindergarten classroom. Seeing a child actually begins -- it's then we realize the pre- ing Jesus after a visit to Jerusalem. After three need to do a little prodding to get a son or enter middle school, high school, college. schooler is gone. days (three days!), they find him in the Temple daughter to take the next step. That could be Standing by as they enter the job market or the And we loved that preschooler. Just as we (Lk 2:41-52). one very loose interpretation of the story of the military. An overseas deployment. A move to loved that infant. Then that toddler. Just as, a Mom: "Son, why have you done this to us? wedding feast at Cana (Jn 2:1-12). The sandal another part of the country or the world. few years down the road, we'll love that mid- Your father and I have been looking for you was on the other foot there! It was Mary who It isn't that you don't want that child to grow dle-schooler. That high-schooler. That college with great anxiety." nudged Jesus to perform his first public mira- in wisdom and age and grace. It's just that ... student. That young adult. (And, as some older Child: "Why were you looking for me? Did cle. Just that what? seniors will tell you, eventually that middle- you not know that I must be in my Father's On the Web: Erma Bombeck's Perspective Sometimes we're so busy parenting, we fail ager who has become eligible for AARP, sen- house?" Dr. James Dobson quotes humorist Erma to notice that our child is changing, is, in so ior discounts and social security. Don't say you "There you have proof," our friend main- Bombeck on letting children go at www.focu- many ways, becoming a different person. Day weren't warned!) tains, "even in the very best of families, things sonyourchild.com/relation/art1/A0000574.htm to day, we aren't as likely to see it. It's at those Loving and letting go is at the heart of par- get mixed up. And messed up. If it happens in l.

Bill & Monica Dodds Back to school: Back to homework

dmit it. Teaching sounds like a And, no, you don't harp. You remind. may -- seriously -- request a computer wonderful profession in mid- Keep on task. Point out. Encourage. chip and solar panel. AJune but not as great come late- Remind. (Did we already mention August. (Unless, of course, you're a "remind"? Well, remind again.) On the Web: true teacher and that's your God-given On the other hand, when it comes to Homework Tips for Parents vocation. If that's the case, thank you teachers, students and homework, some The U.S. Department of Education for answering that things really have changed. Or are has homework tips for parents at call!) One of the slightly altered, anyway. www.ed.gov/parents/academic/involve/ drawbacks is: ! Then it was "the dog ate my home- homework/index.html. Teachers have work." Now it's "my hard drive homework. A lot crashed." Nine basics include: of homework. !In your time plagiarizing meant 1. Make sure your child has a quiet, For most of us stealing material word-for-word from well-lit place to do homework. moms and dads, Funk & Wagnalls Encyclopedia. (Most 2. Make sure the materials your child there was a gold- likely something from Volume 1, A- needs, such as paper, pencils and a dic- en time between Ameri, because that was the only one tionary, are available. A.D. and B.C. your parents bought. At the grocery 3. Help your child with time manage- That is, After Bill & Monica Dodds store it had the introductory price of 19 ment. Diploma but cents. The other 30 or so volumes were 4. Be positive about homework. Before Children. Graduating meant no more than a buck each.) Now it means 5. When your child asks for help, more homework ... until those young- copying and pasting from the Web site provide guidance, not answers. Answers: sters reached school age. Then, sudden- for the Library of Congress, the 6. When the teacher asks that you ly, worksheets, book reports, dioramas Smithsonian Institution or MySpace. play a role in homework, do it. 1. Theophilus and more all returned with a ! Back in the day, a teacher's instruc- 7. If homework is meant to be done vengeance. tion included, "No referring to the by your child alone, stay away. 2. Herod Only now it isn't you having to com- times table printed on the inside flap of 8. Stay informed; talk with your 3. Zechariah plete an assignment (with your mom or your Pee Chee." Now your child may child's teacher. 4. Elizabeth dad harping in the background), it's be told, "Don't use your calculator." 9. Help your child figure out what is 5. Gabriel your son or daughter -- foolishly -- put- ! Way back when, your very elaborate hard homework and what is easy 6. Mary ting off a project which would have been science project required an empty oat- homework, and have your child do the 7. John so much easier if only he or she had start- meal box and the cardboard from a roll hard work first. ed it a little earlier and ... of toilet paper. These days your child The Angelus SEPTEMBER 2007 Page 11 JUST 4 KIDS Jesus talks about who will be saved esus had been traveling for many days with his disci- ples. As they passed through towns and villages along Jthe way, Jesus would stop to teach the crowds of peo- ple that gathered around him wherever he went. One of those stops was at an open field near Jerusalem. One of the men who came to hear Jesus asked him a question. "Lord, will only a few people be saved?" Jesus answered so that everyone would hear him and hopefully understand what he was trying to say. "Strive to READ MORE ABOUT IT: received from the king's successor, Luke 13 Dagobert I. He appointed Ailea, a disciple enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will Q&A of St. Columban, as its first abbot. attempt to enter but will not be strong enough." In 641, Ouen became the bishop of Jesus pretended to lock an imaginary door from the 1. What did the man in the crowd ask Rouen. From that time on, he frequently inside, then he pretended he was on the outside knocking Jesus? fasted and prayed. He built other monaster- 2. What did the Pharisees tell Jesus? ies, established programs to help people in on that same door. "After the master of the house has aris- need and sent missionaries around the en and locked the door, then will you stand outside knock- world. He also still helped the French royal- ing and saying, 'Lord, open the door for us.'" Jesus shook BIBLE ACCENT ty and became an adviser to King Thierry Pope Benedict XVI recently made a III. We honor him on Aug. 24. his head and continued. "He will say to you in reply, 'I do change that will lead to more frequent cele- not know where you are from.'" bration of the Tridentine Mass, which is the BIBLE TRIVIA Clasping his hands together as if he were begging, name for the form of Latin Mass used prior Jesus said, "And you will say, 'We ate and drank in your to the Second Vatican Council. Luke wrote one of the Gospels and one The pope said he wanted the Tridentine other New Testament book. What was it? company and you taught in our streets.' Then he will say to Mass to be more available for today's Answer.: Acts of the Apostles. you, 'I do not know where (you) are from. Depart from me, Catholics, including those who have all you evildoers!' And there will be wailing and grinding of missed the old Latin Mass since the 1960s, PUZZLE when it was replaced by texts for Mass in teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the English and other modern languages. Fill in the blanks with the names or words prophets in the kingdom of God and you yourselves cast Pope Benedict said he hoped making the that complete the following statements. The out." Tridentine Mass more available would help answers can be found in Luke 1: The sounds of murmuring voices swept across the crowd to heal divisions between the Roman Catholic Church and the followers of the Mary as the people wondered who would enter the kingdom of late Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre. The litur- Zechariah heaven and who would be cast out of it. But Jesus, know- gical changes of Vatican II were among a Theophilus ing their thoughts and concerns, smiled and said, "And number of issues that led the French arch- John bishop to leave the church in 1988. Elizabeth people will come from the east and the west and the north Herod and the south and will recline at table in the kingdom of SPOTLIGHT ON SAINTS Gabriel God. For behold, some are last who will be first, and some St. Ouen are first who will be last." Ouen (600-684) was the son of a man 1. Luke addresses his book to this man. named Authaire, who also was declared to 2. This man was king of Judah. When Jesus had finished speaking and was ready to be a saint and who often was visited by St. 3. This man was a priest. leave, some Pharisees came to warn him. "Go away," they Columban. When Ouen served in the court 4. This woman had no children. said, "leave this area because Herod wants to kill you." of France's King Clotaire II, he was in the 5. This angel went to Nazareth. company of three other young men who 6. This woman was declared very blessed. Jesus said to them, "Go and tell that fox, 'Behold, I cast became saints: Eligius, Wandrille and 7. This boy grew up to be a baptizer. out demons and I perform healings today and tomorrow, Didier. and on the third day I accomplish my purpose.'" Ouen built a monastery on some land he (Answers, Page 10) Page 12 SEPTEMBER 2007 The Angelus Nation/World/Vatican Pope’s brother: criticism signals 'good pontificate' By Catholic News Service es" reached him "through detours, when Sept. 7-9 trip to Austria, Msgr. Ratzinger they've already been purified and don't said he and the pope were "Austria lovers," PASSAU, Germany -- Pope Benedict hurt me anymore." adding that he especially appreciated that XVI's elder brother said criticism of the He said he was aware of recent contro- Austria was "a foreign country with no lan- pope should be expected as the sign of a versies, such as debate over the pope's July guage barriers" and the home of composers good pontificate and that recent controver- 7 document allowing wider use of the Joseph Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, sies showed papal leadership could not be Tridentine Mass, the liturgy that predates Franz Schubert and Anton Bruckner. "all peace, joy and pancakes." the Second Vatican Council, and a July 10 "I'm hoping for beautiful days of cele- "I'm mainly concerned that the new situ- Vatican declaration that the Catholic bration, and that the devil which hides in ation will work well for my brother in Church is the one, true church. the details, as we know, will remain hid- relation to his faith, and I can witness that "These critical voices were to be expect- den," said Msgr. Ratzinger. he's fulfilling what the good Lord expects ed -- if everything went smoothly, it He added that Austrians "are quite dif- of him and also being understood by many wouldn't be a good pontificate," Msgr. ferent than the northern Germans, who are people," Msgr. George Ratzinger said in Ratzinger said. "A person active in God's very rational and hide the feelings, which an Aug. 17 interview with Bavaria's kingdom has to expect resistance -- just they certainly have, under an externally Passauer Neuen Presse daily. like Our Lord, who also encountered ene- frigid cover. This isn't the case with Msgr. Ratzinger said he had contacts mies time and again. It can't all be peace, Austrians. They're friendly and nice -- "only with people who wish me and my joy and pancakes." nicer than us Bavarians. We're a bit Msgr. George Ratzinger, left, and brother, Pope Benedict brother well," adding that "negative voic- Asked about Pope Benedict's upcoming grumpy, and Austrians are friendlier." XVI. (CNS PHOTO) Working through parishes, church helps quake victims LIMA, Peru (CNS) -- When it comes to deal- members in the affected cities. ing with disasters like the powerful earthquake On Aug. 18, government emergency agencies that struck Peru's southern coast Aug. 15, the and international organizations such as CRS, the Catholic Church has an advantage -- the pastors Red Cross and Red Crescent, Oxfam and others know the people. set up a command center at the air force base in In responding to an emergency, "you build on Pisco to exchange information and coordinate your strengths," said Aaron Skrocki, South efforts. American emergency program manager for "If a lot of agencies are involved and we don't Catholic Relief Services, the U.S. bishops' over- organize well, it will only create more chaos," seas humanitarian and development agency. Cordoba said. "Having a local (parish) community in place that Security was the first obstacle. Shortly after knows the people better than any local govern- the earthquake, looters struck, sometimes forag- ment official does makes it much easier to get a ing for necessities and sometimes raiding the response effort up and running." rubble of people's homes for anything of value. Skrocki arrived in Peru the night after the Although tents and shelters have been set up in earthquake and traveled Aug. 17 to Chincha, all three towns, many people have camped out Pisco and Ica, the three cities nearest the epicen- in front of the ruins of their houses to protect ter. anything that might be left. The scene was chaotic immediately after the "I saw people sleeping on the street," Skrocki earthquake, which killed more than 500 people, said. "They took the couch out of their house, injured more than 1,000 and left at least 35,000 put up a couple of chairs and put a sheet over families homeless. Although more than 200 the top, and that's where they're living." flights, carrying more than 600 tons of supplies, Relief arrives in Lima That worried Dr. Manuel Pena, director of the had arrived at the air force base in Pisco, distri- CNS Photo Pan American Health Organization office in bution was slow. Lima. In an interview with the Channel N cable "There was a lack of coordination," said Luis efforts. difficult for people in more remote areas to get TV station, Pena warned that if people stayed Cordoba, emergency coordinator for CRS in "Unfortunately, it's a similar story (in) many assistance. near their homes the lack of water and toilets Peru. "No one knew what assistance had arrived, other countries," said Skrocki, who has been Bishop Brena noted that in Pisco and Ica peo- could lead to the spread of disease. what had been distributed and what else was involved in CRS disaster responses to Hurricane ple are still very nervous because there have On Aug. 20, the Health Ministry dispatched needed." Stan in Guatemala in 2005, the eruption of the been a lot of strong aftershocks. health brigades to the cities to set up portable Two days after the quake, people were "wait- Tungurahua volcano in Ecuador in 2006, and "More aid is arriving through the church, and toilets, assist with hygiene and provide vaccina- ing all day in line for one one-liter bottle of flooding earlier this year in Bolivia. we are channeling it as rapidly as possible so tions against illnesses such as hepatitis. water," Skrocki said. "The longer this goes on, By Aug. 21, the situation had improved in Ica. that it reaches the outlying areas," he said. The full extent of the earthquake's effects the more desperate people become." Bishop Guido Brena Lopez of Ica told Catholic Meanwhile, people are organizing themselves. remained unclear. The CRS emergency team Part of the problem with distribution was News Service by telephone that electricity had "One characteristic in Peru is that relatives and visited several rural communities where the logistical: Electricity was cut off, water could been restored and some shops and markets were neighbors help one another," the bishop said. facades of adobe houses showed only cracks, not be pumped and roads and bridges were dam- open again. Many people, especially those with small chil- but back rooms had collapsed. Cordoba worried aged. But part of the problem, Skrocki said, In Pisco, however, where more than 80 per- dren, are trekking north to take refuge with rela- that if inspectors make only a quick visual check seemed to be fed by political infighting over cent of the houses were destroyed, there was still tives in Lima, while southbound buses have car- of those communities, they will underestimate whether the central government or local and no electricity. The bishop said relief efforts were ried a steady stream of people from Lima carry- the damage. regional governments should oversee relief concentrated in the center of the city, making it ing food, blankets and other supplies to family The Angelus SEPTEMBER 2007 Page 13 Seven young men apply for college seminary By Fr. Tom Barley young men ordained to the priesthood. Would you, your family or your parish cons and women religious are over the age Director of Seminarians They are now serving in parishes across the want to adopt one of our 10 seminarians? that people normally retire and yet, they con- Diocese of San Angelo Diocese. They are: Fr. Rodney White who This would be a splendid way of having tinue to serve in ministry. Many of our cur- was past Vocation Director and now is pas- personal contact with one of them, by let- rent ministers willingly carry heavy ministry After several decades of drought it has tor at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in ting the seminarian know that you are pray- loads that affect the lives of many people. finally started to rain in the Diocese of San Ozona. Fr. Joey Faylona was recently at ing for him on a daily basis and, perhaps In summation – pray and encourage your Angelo. Yes, while we have received much Holy Redeemer Church in Odessa and now writing him a note monthly or quarterly. own close family to seek a vocation from needed moisture, we are now receiving is pastor at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Another way to support the seminarians is your youth. Please contact Fr. Barry much needed native vocations – seminari- Andrews. Fr. Emilio Sosa was at the to pray for the one designated for that week McLean (Vocations Director – 325 651- ans from within the Diocese. While we are Cathedral and is now at St. Ann Church in in the Seminarian Calendar that comes from 7500) for more information at the Diocesan very thankful for the rains and for the inter- Midland. Fr. Ariel Lagunilla was at St. the Director of Seminarians Office to each Pastoral Center. The seminarians can be national priests who have given up so much Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Odessa and parish, Religious Education program, and contacted at: to minister in our Diocese, we are very is now at St. Ann Church in Midland and other parish based organizations. thankful to God for the blessings of seven St. Joseph Church in Stanton. Fr. Ruben Also, pray for the families of all of our Assumption Seminary young men who have decided to join our Covos is at Holy Family Church in Abilene. seminarians, priests, deacons, and women 2600 W. Woodlawn three returning seminarians on their journey Also in the past few years we have ordained religious who service in our Diocese. As San Antonio, Texas 78228 of a vocation to priesthood. I believe that 33 new deacons have started a new dia- our ten seminarians continue in their dis- or we can attribute the rain, the international conate class of 31 men who have been cernment, our current ministers need your Conception Seminary College priests, our current seminarians, and the received into Candidacy for the Permanent prayers. A good number of our priests, dea- Conception, Missouri 64433 new applicants to prayer and to God’s lov- Diaconate for the Diocese. ing care. Also, we can be thankful for the It has taken many prayers and a change in good work of our Vocation Director’s past the way we have viewed a willingness to and present, in promoting vocations to our encourage our own youth to consider dis- CARES: San Angelo taskforce for diocesan priesthood. cerning a vocation to the diocesan priest- These seven young men are Adam Droll, hood to get these seven new seminarians. Charles Scammel, and Remigiusz Kiwior God can invite. Priests can be good exam- eradication of drugs sets goals from St. Margaret Church in San Angelo; ples of good priesthood. But families must Michael Allen Lopez, Jr. and Alex Moreno encourage their youth for the vocation to (From 6) son and members of the standing commit- from St. Mary Church in San Angelo; take hold. The work does not end there. It tees. Thomas Shows from Holy Family Church will take these new men four years of col- nents such as existing prevention and edu- A major step for the existing committee in Abilene; and Antonio Gonzales from lege and then four years of theology and a cation programs, treatment programs, crimi- chairpersons and the steering committee is Immaculate Heart of Mary in Sweetwater. pastoral year to reach ordination to priest- nal justice agencies, the business communi- to match all coalition members with an They will be joining Sam Matthiesen of St. hood. They will have many opportunities ty, employers, churches, schools — both appropriate committee. Secondly, all Boniface Church in Olfen and Lorenzo to leave. We must all support them in public and private, civic organizations, pri- Coalition members must complete a Hatch of Sacred Heart Cathedral in San prayer and with letters. We must challenge vate individuals, the media and social serv- Memorandum of Understanding, which will Angelo at Conception Seminary College in them to mature as human, spiritual, intellec- ices agencies. document and outline the member's com- Conception, Missouri. Sam, Lorenzo, and tual, and pastoral people. We, as a Diocese, Goal 4 will also involve the following mitment and contributions to the Coalition. Matthew Fenner (at Assumption Seminary must also be willing to support the Diocese elements: Additionally, all Coalition members must and St, Mary’s University in San Antonio) in matter of the education costs for these !Determining which components are submit a detailed description of risk and are college seniors. men. The financial costs are great, but the best suited to address specific Risk and protective factors. In the past few years we have had five blessings will far surpass the costs. Protective Factors. Risk factors can be described as existing ! Encourage each necessary component or potential issues, circumstances or prob- to fully commit to participate and become lems that contribute to or increase the risk involved with the CV CARES Coalition . of individuals becoming involved in sub- Theme of Maryknoll student essay ! Ensure that each participating compo- stance abuse and/or other risky behaviors. nent has clear goals, objectives and evalua- Protective factors can be described as contest is 'Put Away Your Sword' tion methods. resources, assets, benefits, abilities or sup- Goal 5: To establish clear objectives and port that act to insulate individuals from the MARYKNOLL, N.Y. (CNS) -- The Students are invited to submit essays of an evaluation process for each goal. risk of substance abuse involvement. theme of the 2007 Maryknoll student essay 500-750 words, describing a situation in CV CARES has also created a steering Therefore, risk factors contribute to sub- contest is "Put Away Your Sword," the today's world or in their own lives in which committee to provide guidance and continu- stance abuse and protective factors elimi- ity along with the following committees: nate or reduce the risk of substance abuse words Jesus said to Peter in the Gospel of Jesus would say "Put away your sword." Membership, Memorandum of involvement. Consequently, each can occur John when Roman soldiers and Temple First prizes of $1,000 will be awarded in Understanding, Media & Communication, in multiple domains such as, family, indi- guards came to arrest him. The annual con- two divisions: for grades six-eight and for Resources, Fund-raising and Business. vidual, peers, school, work test, open to sixth- through 12th-grade stu- grades nine-12. Second prizes of $300 and Additionally, it was determined that a community/environmental and societal. dents, highlights the faith of Christian third prizes of $150 also will be given in Criminal Justice subcommittee would be It's imperative that all Coalition members youths and the ways they integrate the each division. The deadline for entries is beneficial to address specific issues relating develop and provide their own descriptions teachings of Christ into their lives. The Nov. 30, with winners to be announced in to law enforcement, the courts, probation, of risk and protective factors, which origi- parole issues and other criminal justice nate from their unique scope and sphere of winners will receive scholarship prizes February. issues for juvenile and adult populations. experiences, attitudes, beliefs, expertise and totaling almost $3,000, and their winning More information is available on the Other subcommittees may be developed essays will be published in Maryknoll mag- Maryknoll Web site at: upon the recommendation of the chairper- (Please See DRUGS/15) azine and on the Maryknoll Web site. www.maryknoll.org/essay. Page 14 SEPTEMBER 2007 The Angelus

OBISPO DRUGS: Group’s (Para 3) deseados” y de estos se abortan la mitad—Mass o en el llamado “estado vegetativo persistente” de 1.3 millones anualmente. La razón más no son realmente personas, y que las familias do universalmente. Antes de nacer, el valor de usada para abortar es que la crianza de un niño deben negarles hasta las formas básicas de ali- efforts will be un niño pareciera que depende solo de la actitud puede interferir con la educación o carrera de mentación y cuidado. Mass, no importa lo de sus padres hacia él. Un anuncio de los padres. débil y vulnerable que parezcan, estas personas aided by grant Planificación Familiar ilustra muy bien esta A menudo nos dicen cuán costoso es criar a tienen el asombroso poder de inspirar el amor idea: “Los bebés son ruidosos, apestosos y un niño. La escasez de familias numerosas que heroico y sacrificado de sus familiares y de caros, a menos que se desee uno”. hay entre las parejas adineradas y de ingresos quienes velan por ellos—un poder que puede (From 13) Los niños nonatos son deshumanizados de medios sugiere que muchos de los que podrían llevar a la santificación de aquellos que los forma rutinaria por la industria del aborto. El permitirse el lujo de tener más hijos valoran cuidan. autor de un popular texto sobre técnicas aborti- otras cosas más que traer una nueva vida al A Dios no le importa si estamos conscientes perceptions. Upon reviewing and studying vas describe el embarazo como una “enfer- mundo. de nuestra existencia o somos capaces de “pen- the collective risk and protective factors, the medad parasitaria”. Un columnista muy cono- Lamentablemente, muchos científicos y samiento superior”. El valor de la vida no Coalition will decide how and when to cido dice: “Un pez dorado se parece más a un políticos ven los embriones humanos vivos, depende de si el intelecto funciona sino del address specific risk factors and how and ser humano que un embrión humano.” Otro creados en laboratorios—ya no deseados por amor paternal de Dios por cada uno, creado a describe al ser humano por nacer como sus padres biológicos—como materia prima su imagen y semejanza. Su amor está presente when to create, develop and enhance protec- “basura protoplasmática”, un “trozo de carne”. que puede destruirse para la investigación de mucho antes de que nuestras ondas cerebrales tive factors. Moreover, it will be necessary to Un profesor de la Universidad de Princeton células madre. ¿Nos sorprende que algunos puedan medirse a las seis semanas de effectively determine which community ha llevado este pensamiento hasta su con- científicos quieran crear embriones humanos gestación y mucho después de que nuestra components are best-suited to confront and clusión lógica, para degradar al niño recién en el laboratorio, por fertilización o clonación, inteligencia deje de funcionar. Su amor está attend to specific risk and protective factors. nacido: “Los bebés humanos no nacen con- para matarlos por sus células madre? presente antes de que nuestro corazón empiece Criminal history and a history of substance scientes de sí mismos, ni son capaces de com- Es así como nos están instando a que deje- a latir 22 días después de la concepción y abuse are obvious risk factors and CV prender que existen en el tiempo. No son per- mos de ver la vida humana como Dios la ve. mucho después que empiece a fallar. Su amor CARES is addressing these immediately by sonas”. Por lo tanto “la vida de un recién naci- Desde el momento de nuestra concepción, está presente en cada paso y desliz de nuestra preparing a grant proposal for 'Weed & do es de menor valor que la de un cerdo, un Dios no nos ve superficialmente como una vida. Seed.' This U.S. Department of Justice pro- perro, o un chimpancé”. célula microscópica no diferenciada. En cada ¡Que nunca nos cansemos de proclamar la gram may bring $1 million to our community Esta actitud ha ido calando en el sentir de la niño, nacido o por nacer, Dios ve al individuo dignidad y valor de cada persona! ¡Que nunca and will involve the local criminal justice gente. Consideren esto: A pesar de los muchos que Él creó para amar y ser amado, por toda la nos cansemos de servir al vulnerable y a system and local social service agencies with riesgos y efectos colaterales dañinos, los con- eternidad. quienes lo cuidan generosamente! ¡Y que an overall objective to reduce substance traceptivos hormonales exceden mundialmente En el otro extremo de la vida, también, los nunca dejemos de orar por el día en que todas los $24 mil millones en ventas anuales. vínculos generacionales del amor se están esti- las personas y todas las naciones defiendan a abuse, crime and recidivism in the communi- La industria del aborto afirma que la mitad de rando hasta casi romperse. Algunos doctores y cada ser humano desde su concepción hasta su ty. Already: los niños concebidos en Estados Unidos son “no éticos afirman que los pacientes con demencia muerte natural. We have acquired a grant of $2,500 from the Redwine Foundation to assist the CV CARES Coalition with its efforts. Currently, the CV CARES Coalition mem- BISHOP: Never tire of proclaiming dignity of human life bership includes 28 local agencies and nine individuals. The Coalition would like neigh- (From 2) The abortion industry claims that half the claim that patients with dementia or in a so- borhood associations, a significant communi- children conceived in the United States are called “persistent vegetative state” are no ty component currently missing from the created and loved by God—is no longer uni- “unwanted,” and half the “unwanted” children longer really persons, and that families should Coalition, to participate and become active versally accepted. Before birth at least, a are aborted—over 1.3 million annually. The deny them even the most basic forms of nour- members of this important project. child’s worth seems to depend on his parents’ most common reason given for abortion is that ishment and care. And yet, however weak and At is most recent meeting, Aug. 13, the attitude toward him. A Planned Parenthood raising a child could interfere with one’s educa- vulnerable such patients may appear, they Concho Valley CARES Coalition spent much ad illustrates this point well: “Babies are loud, tion or career. have the awesome power to inspire heroic, time with the representatives from a similar smelly, and expensive, unless you want one.” We are often told how costly it is to raise a sacrificial love from their family members Unborn children are routinely dehumanized child. The scarcity of large families among and caregivers—a power that can lead to the drug effort group in San Antonio called the by the abortion industry. The author of a wide- wealthy and middle-income couples suggests sanctification of those who care for them. San Antonio Fighting Back Committee to ly-used textbook on abortion techniques that many who could afford more children It matters not to God whether we are now, learn from the experience of this important describes pregnancy as a “parasitic illness.” A value other things more than bringing a new or ever, conscious of our existence or capable effort in San Antonio. We have gathered well-known columnist writes: “A goldfish life into the world. of “higher thought.” The value of a human much helpful information and are now ready resembles a human being more than an embryo Tragically, many scientists and politicians life does not depend on exercising one’s intel- to launch out with practical and positive steps does.” One author has described the unborn now think of living human embryos created in lect; it comes from God’s fatherly love for with programs to address the drug situation human being as “protoplasmic rubbish,” a fertility clinics—but no longer desired by their each human, created in his image. His love is in the city of San Angelo and the surrounding “gobbet of meat.” biological parents—as raw material which can present long before our brain waves can be area. A Princeton professor has followed this be destroyed for stem cell research. Is it any measured at six weeks’ gestation, and long It was encouraging to have some 50 people thinking to its logical conclusion, to demean wonder that some scientists now want to create after our brains no longer function so well. from all segments of our community present the newborn child: “Human babies are not born human embryos in the lab, by fertilization or His love is present long before our heart for the dialogue with the people from San self-aware, or capable of grasping that they cloning, solely to kill them for their stem cells? begins to beat at 22 days after conception, and Antonio. It is obvious from the number of exist over time. They are not persons.” In all these ways we are being urged to stop long after our heart begins to fail. His love is people that attended that our community Therefore “the life of a newborn is of less seeing human life as God sees it. From the present at every step and misstep of our lives. value than the life of a pig, a dog, or a chim- moment of our conception, God does not see May we never tire of proclaiming the dig- wants to come together to address the esca- panzee.” us superficially as a microscopic, unformed nity and worth of every human life. May we lating problem of drug and substance abuse Such attitudes have crept into people’s cell. In every child, born or unborn, God sees never tire of serving the vulnerable and their in this area. behavior. Consider: the individual he created to love, and be caregivers with generous hearts. And may we For more information, please contact the Despite their many risks and harmful side loved by, for all eternity. never cease to pray for the day when all peo- Catholic Diocese of San Angelo at 325-651- effects, hormonal contraceptives exceed $24 At the other end of life, as well, the bonds ple, and all societies, will defend the life of 7500 or the Alcohol & Drug Abuse Council billion in annual sales worldwide. of love between generations are being every human from conception to natural for the Concho Valley at 325-224-3481. stretched thin. Some doctors and ethicists death. The Angelus SEPTEMBER 2007 Page 15

BIOETHICS: What is our own response to evil around us? EDICTAL SUMMONS September 1, 2007 (From 7) When the full horror of Nazism was revealed at quo as evil made inroads into a society: CASE: ALLISON – SMITH the end of the war, the German people responded, "Being a lover of freedom, when the revolution NO.: SO 07/37 There is a certain banality about evil. It "We didn't know." When a local townsperson was came in Germany I looked for the universities to doesn't necessarily present itself in a monstrous or asked whether he knew what was going on in the defend it, knowing that they had always boasted of The Tribunal Office of the dramatic way. It can take the shape of simple con- camp, he gave a more complete answer. "Yes, we their devotion to the cause of truth; but no, the uni- Catholic Diocese of San formity to what everyone else is doing, to what the knew something was up, but we didn't talk about it, versities immediately were silenced. Then I looked Angelo is seeking Jessie Ray leadership says is right, to what the neighbors are we didn't want to know too much." Primo Levi, a to the great editors of the newspapers, whose flam- Smith. doing. The gradual encroachment of evil in our writer and a survivor of Auschwitz, described the ing editorials in days gone by had proclaimed their You are hereby summoned to lives can be something we might not even notice German ethical blind spot this way: love of freedom. But they, like the universities appear before the Tribunal of because we are not paying attention; it can be "In spite of the varied possibilities for informa- were silenced in a few short weeks. Only the the Catholic Diocese of San something barely on the periphery of our con- tion, most Germans didn't know because they did- Church stood squarely across the path of Hitler's Angelo, at 804 Ford Street, sciousness. n't want to know. Because, indeed they wanted not campaign for suppressing truth. I had never any San Angelo, Texas 76905, on The majority of those who collaborated with to know. ...Those who knew did not talk; those special interest in the Church before, but now I feel or before the 30th day some of history's most terrible crimes and false- who did not know did not ask questions; those who a great affection and admiration because the September 2007, to answer to hoods need not be cast as inhuman monsters; did ask questions received no answers. In this way Church alone has had the courage and persistence the Petition of Heather instead, they were often like us. They were capable the typical German citizen won and defended his to stand for intellectual truth and moral freedom." Michelle Allison, now intro- of giving and receiving sympathy and love; they ignorance, which seemed to him sufficient justifi- The courageous, even daring question we must duced before the Diocesan could have beautiful feelings and noble ideals; cation of his adherence to Nazism. Shutting his ask is, "What is our own response to the evil Tribunal in an action styled, “Heather Smith and Jessie heroism, loyalty, family and culture could all co- mouth, his eyes and his ears, he built for himself around us?" Smtih, Petition for Declaration exist with almost unbelievable evil. the illusion of not knowing, hence not being an of Invalidity of Marriage.” Said During the Nazi years, there often were no accomplice to the things taking place in front of his Petition is identified as Case: momentous decisions to be made for or against door." Rev. Tadeusz Pacholczyk, Ph.D. earned his doc- ALLISON – SMITH; Protocol evil. People were concerned with their daily affairs, Martin Luther King, Jr. used to say that what torate in neuroscience from Yale and did post-doc- No.: SO 07/37, on the Tribunal and on that level, Nazism seemed good: it seemed pained him the most was the silence of the good. toral work at Harvard. He is a priest of the diocese Docket of the Diocese of San to bring prosperity, it made things work, it allowed Albert Einstein, who fled Germany when Hitler of Fall River, MA, and serves as the Director of Angelo. people to feel good about themselves and their came to power, articulated the same sentiment in Education at The National Catholic Bioethics You may communicate with country. The moral issues — the ones that we now an interview for Time Magazine on December 23, Center in Philadelphia. See www.ncbcenter.org the Tribunal in person or in see as having been central — were carefully avoid- 1940. He stressed that sometimes it was only the writing. Failure to communi- ed. Church and religion that could challenge the status cate within the prescribed peri- od of time will be considered your consent for the Tribunal to DIACONATE: Deacons manifest new spirit, service in ministry continue its proceedings in the above-named case. (From 3) always been under the care of bishops, priests ment to the service of preaching, teaching and Given at the Tribunal of the and deacons. sanctifying as deacons. With their wives sup- Diocese of San Angelo on the apostolic ministry. The traditional institution of Today the diaconate continues to manifest a porting their vocational call and preparation, 1st day of September 2007 . the diaconate is found in the book of Acts, when new spirit, reflecting the service aspect of min- they represent the active participation of all Reverend Tom Barley, the apostles looked for seven men, filled with istry in a way that connects more directly to the Christians to respond to Christ in deed and in MSW, MBA, M. Div., JCL the Holy Spirit, to assist them with the ministry worship, sacramental and spiritual life of spirit. Adjutant Judicial Vicar of the fledgling Church. Since that time, history Christians. The men currently in formation are reflects that the leadership of the Church has preparing to undertake that very life of commit- MISSION: Eight youth doing mission work in San Angelo diocese (From 4) me love and appreciate the work we were Brownwood State School, where youth ages them spiritual growth and bonding. One of doing no matter how difficult it was or how 12 to 21 are incarcerated—now mainly pop- them put it this way: “This is going to be an homes of the youth for three days each badly home visits [may] have gone.” The ulated by females. They were warmly wel- experience that will be with me forever.” He week. They ministered to anyone they retreats each week provided a chance for the comed by the staff and inmates alike. The went on to say how these seven weeks in encountered on the visits—not just the team to evangelize more in depth than on chaplain was delighted that the team was total commitment to the Lord will help him youth themselves—praying for them in the the short encounters of a home visit or a able to come, as they do not have many re-evaluate his priorities so he can see the homes. One of the missionaries told of the rally. “special” programs like this. They had one personal vocation the Lord has for him. All end of a visit when the youth told her and Two activities rounded out each week: hour each day at the two units they visited. in all, the summer changed each of them the other two visiting “thank you for com- Days of Reflection and the Holy Hours. The Those who attended the sessions were well deeply in ways that only time will reveal. ing and letting me talk to you. I’ve never Days of Reflection gave the Team a time to behaved and attentive to the gospel message I am deeply grateful to these youth min- had a chance to do that with anyone in a be together in a relaxing way, receive input the Team presented to them. As the youth istries for having given themselves, their long time.” It made a difference in his life, on a theme, and be challenged to look for missionaries spoke of love, forgiveness and time and their talent to evangelize other for he came to the youth rallies. From his the good in each other member on the team. healing that the Lord offers them, the youth of our diocese. They have been spe- participation there, she could tell that the In the Holy Hours the Lord offered them a inmates responded from their hearts to the cial instruments of Christ to help bring visit had made a difference. At the youth sense of peace and anew they were able to love, the message and the prayer. other youth closer to our Lord and to living rallies the missionaries were able to interact surrender their lives to Jesus Christ. Often The ones that impacted the evangelizers their Catholic faith. I am especially grateful with the youth on their level. One of them the members of the Team felt they had the most was, of course, their own fellow to Father Bob Bush and the other lay lead- stated, “The rallies renewed my attitude received a special grace from the Lord. missionary brothers and sisters. They had ers who helped to train these young mis- towards ministry because the youth lit up A highlight of their summer was their vis- some “rough spots,” as one of them put it, sionaries and to support them during their during our activities. Their happiness made its to a youth detention center, the but by working through them, the Lord gave missionary experience in our diocese. Page 16 SEPTEMBER 2007 The Angelus

The West Texas Angelus DIOCEIOCE-SCENESCENES Official Newspaper of the Diocese of San Angelo, Texas POSTMASTER: Send all address Assumption Seminary Dedication changes to: WEST TEXAS ANGELUS P.O. Box 1829 SAN ANGELO, TX 76902-1829 ______

Bishop Michael D. Pfeifer, OMI Publisher

Jimmy Patterson Director of Communications Prelates in attendance at the Aug. 15 dedication Mass for the new Editor Archbishop Flores Residence Hall at Assumption Seminary included, from left, Bishop Armando Ochoa of the Diocese of El Paso, Bishop Member Kevin Vann of the Diocese of Fort Worth, Bishop Edmond Carmody Catholic News Service of the Diocese of Corpus Christi, Bishop Raymundo Peña of the Catholic Press Association Diocese of Brownsville, Auxiliary Bishop Patrick Zurek of the Texas Catholic News Archdiocese of San Antonio, Bishop Michael Pfeifer, OMI, of the Diocese of San Angelo, Auxiliary Bishop Rutilio J. del Riego of the Published the first Monday following Diocese of San Bernardino, Calif., and Bishop John Yanta of the the 1st Saturday of each month and Diocese of Amarillo delivered to all registered parish- ioners in the San Angelo Diocese. Hispanic Pastoral Musicians Conference, Albuquerque From left to right: Linda Light A number of (Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Big Subscription rate for all others: Spring); Richard Light (Immaculate Hispanic music $10 per year Heart of Mary Parish, Big Spring); ministers in the Anh Dao Phan (Our Lady of Lourdes, Diocese attend- THIRD CLASS POSTAGE PAID AT Andrews); Lisa Vasquez (Our Lady of ed the Hispanic Lourdes , Andrews); Sady Cady (St. SAN ANGELO, TEXAS Pastoral Mary Queen of Peace, Brownwood); Musicians Diane Ortiz (Our Lady of Lourdes , Printed by the Conference in Andrews); Rosa Gonzales, Our Lady San Angelo Standard Times July. of Lourdes – Andrews); Fr. Bernard A Scripps-Howard Company Gully, San Angelo Diocesan Liturgical Comm. member; Joe Lopez (Our Lady Submissions: of Lourdes, Andrews) and Dewey Story suggestions, calendar items, Cady (St. Mary Queen of Peace, Left to right: Joe Lopez, Father Gully, Linda Light, Brownwood) parish briefs and all other Richard Light and Sady Cady. submissions should be emailed to [email protected]. COPY, PHOTO DEADLINE: GUIDELINES Third Friday of every month. (From 6) community by a commissioning. The "Order These commissioned leaders of prayer bear a for the Blessing of Those Who Exercise responsibility for continuing personal spiritual Photos should be in jpeg format. the Eucharist; Pastoral Service" contained in the Book of growth and study beyond the formation peri- • an active prayer life and an exemplary moral Blessing may be used for this purpose. od. They need to root themselves ever more Letters to the editor are welcome, life; Pastors/pastoral administrators will be respon- deeply in the mystery of Christ. Of special and should be emailed to • a spirit of cooperation and leadership with sible for the commissioning. This occasion value will be retreats and days of recollection, [email protected]. the laity and clergy of the parish; will provide another opportunity to catechize parish and diocesan formation programs, and Letters to the editor are printed at • both a strong desire and an ability to foster the community on the nature of Sunday workshops sponsored by the diocese that the discretion of the editor and iden- liturgical participation; Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest. address the needs of sacred worship. The tities of the writer are subject to • skills in public speaking; Only those names of laypersons having suc- reading of periodicals and books on liturgy verification. Please include name, • a sense of presence in movement, gesture cessfully completed a process of discernment, and prayer, and the study of Scripture will address and phone number when and prayer; training, certification and commissioning are nourish these ministers and those whom they submitting letters. • evidence a commitment to ministry and the to be submitted to the bishop for his permis- serve. After evaluation, the bishop may renew time to minister. sion to allow them to preach. It is the bishop their commissioning of service. The bishop Upon completion of the Diocesan training alone who admits laypersons to preach reserves the right to terminate the service of and upon the request and recommendation of (Interdicasterial nstruction Ecclesiae de any lay leader of prayer. the pastor, the bishop will appoint lay persons, Mysterio, Article 2, §3). Distribution of Holy Eucharist at Sunday with the care of preparing and directing SCAP With regard to SCAP, ‘The pastor is to see Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest services. The appointment of these lay per- to the suitable and continuous instruction of The bishop has approved the distribution of sons is for a three-year term. these laypersons and to assist them in the Holy Communion during Sunday Celebrations The appointment to serve in the role of preparation of worthy celebrations. in the Absence of a Priest. leader of prayer is to be made known to the