The Catholic The cradle of Texas Immigration OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE DIOCESE OF VICTORIA IN TEXAS VOL. 29, NO. 10 www.victoriadiocese.org FEBRUARY 2016 Fasting and Abstaining (left) Youth group from During Lent Shiner pictured at the During Lent we are called to abstain from meat on Fri- end of the March for Life days as a reminder that our Lord offered His body for our in front of the Supreme sins. We also abstain from meat and fast on Ash Wednes- Court Building. day and Good Friday. Fasting: Having only one full meal a day which is sufficient to maintain ones strength. Two other meatless meals are allowed, but are to be light and penitential. Everyone 18 years of age but not yet 60 is bound to the law of fasting. Abstaining: Everyone 14 years of age and older is bound to the law of abstinence. One must be mindful of his/her own physical condition. (right) Youth groups from Cuero and Palacios pic- See pg 3 for Lent Resources tured together at the end of the March for Life in Washington, D.C. Catholic Schools Local Youth and Sponsors Brave Special Edition Pgs. 9-12 Blizzard in D.C. for March For Life WASHINGTON, DC—The youth of such horrific events. The group was and young adults of Palacios, Cuero reminded of the necessity of allowing the Lent Ash Wednesday Local Pilgrimage Sites For Year of Mercy and and Shiner (St. Anthony, St. Michael, past to inform the present and give guid- Pope Francis’ Teachings on how to Obtain Our Lady of Guadalupe, Sts. Cyril and ance to the steps into the future as it un- Methodius) united in a pilgrimage for life folds. One of the young adults shared, “I Catholic Schools Pull out Indulgence if Unable to Travel as they journeyed to Washington, D.C. in loved seeing how all the different aspects January. There were 2 groups that went of life could be tied together throughout representing the Diocese of Victoria. Both the places we visited.” Another said, “Be- groups joined thousands of people as they ing able to share the reality of the March celebrated the Vigil Mass in the National for Life together definitely helped us to Basilica of the Immaculate Conception on appreciate our own lives, and not to take so the eve of the March. Cardinal Timothy many things for granted. We all learned to Dolan presided over the Mass and led the choose life. Being caught in D.C. because congregation in greater appreciation of of the weather really helped my peers and life. He challenged them as a society to me to appreciate how much home actually be more inviting and welcoming to others means to us.” in order that the culture of life can become The Youth Ministry group from Sts. more prevalent. Cyril and Methodius have traveled to This was the 1st trip to the march for Washington, D.C. to participate in the the youth groups from Palacios and Cuero. National March For Life now for 4 years. They began the pilgrimage at Arlington They visited the WWII and Vietnam Me- Cemetery where they laid a wreath on morials and prayed a decade of the rosary behalf of the Diocese of Victoria at the at each for the men and women who died tomb of the unknown soldier in thanksgiv- and their families. They also visited the ing for their sacrifices and a reflection on Holocaust Museum where they witnessed the tragedy that is war. The pilgrimage the reality of such a terrible historic time. One of the ways to receive an indulgence for the Jubilee Year of Mercy is to make then continued at the Holocaust Museum Despite the weather it was the best march a pilgrimage to a Holy Door site. If a person is physically unable to make a pilgrim- where they entered into the tragic history so far because the group was able to com- age, particularly the sick and people who are elderly and alone, confined to the home or of genocide of millions as well as the rally plete the entire march which ended in front incarcerated there are other ways to make your pilgrimage. The following is an excerpt of the allies to stand firm to end the evils See Visiting Pilgrimage Sites, pg. 5 See Local Youth, pg. 7 The Catholic Lighthouse Page 2 — February 2016 DIOCESE Bishop Brendan Cahill- “More Courageous Than Cautious” Dear Brothers Bishop Joseph Durick, one of the clergy- over 3,000,000 African-American Catho- and Sisters, Publisher men whom Dr. King directly addressed in lics in the United States – more than many The Most Rev. An obituary that famous letter. He was to become the other denominations. Especially after the Brendan J. Cahill written in 1994 Bishop of Nashville, Tennessee. After the emancipation of slaves many African- included the fol- murder of Dr. King in Memphis, Bishop Americans sought to join the Catholic Editor lowing: Durick arranged a Memorial Mass in Church. In 1889, Daniel Rudd called Sarita Villafranca Richmond “He was in Memphis and participated in other Me- together the first National Black Catholic [email protected] Birmingham when morial Services with men and women of Congress, held at St. Augustine Catholic Staff racial antagonisms different denominations, faiths and colors. Church in Washington, D.C. The history Regina Matus-Janak and protests came As we are celebrating Black His- of African-American Catholics in Texas [email protected] to a boil in 1963. He and a handful of tory Month, I’m thinking this may be includes participation in some of these white colleagues called on Dr. King and a good time to re-commit ourselves to Congresses in the 1800’s - a man named ‘outsiders’ to desist and let the courts OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE our ministerial alliances to promote the William Easton traveled from Galveston DIOCESE OF VICTORIA IN TEXAS work toward integration. Dr. King, in dignity of every human person. One of to represent the Diocese of Galveston. ©2015 jail by then, responded with a long letter the strengths of the Civil Rights Move- For more information on this rich to ‘my dear fellow clergymen’ to explain ment was that many white priests, rabbis Black Catholic history you can go to the that blacks could wait no longer. He and ministers became more “courageous web-site or Facebook page for the Na- voiced disappointment in the white priests, than cautious,” and joined their African- tional Black Catholic Congress. ministers and rabbis, saying ‘they should American brothers and sisters in peaceful This issue of the Lighthouse will be among our strongest allies.’ Dr. King protests of unjust conditions. Whether it highlight some of our Pro-Life Activities wrote: ‘All too many have been more cau- be for racial fairness, the right to life of an as a Diocese. May we be courageous tious than courageous and have remained unborn child, or upholding the sacredness in standing up for the rights of the most silent behind the anesthetizing security of and value of the family – there are many vulnerable in our society. God bless you stained glass windows.’ His ‘Letter from areas where we can continue to join arms and your families, thank you for your The Diocese of Victoria is comprised of Birmingham Jail’ has probably been re- with men and women of goodwill. beautiful, strong witness of the Catholic more than 50 parishes in 69 communities. printed more than anything else he wrote. Also in Black History Month I think it faith! Let’s keep one another in prayer, … ‘The real message in the letter didn’t is good to call to mind the great contribu- Estimated Catholic population: 107,000. hit home until later,’ Bishop Durick said tion of so many African-Americans to the +Brendan in 1969.” Catholic Church. People seem surprised The Catholic Lighthouse The real message did hit home for sometimes when I mention that there are USPS-001015 (ISSN 0894-7740) is published monthly at 1505 E. Mesquite Lane in Victoria, TX 77901. Official Appointments Subscription rates are $7 per year within the diocese. Effective January 21, 2016, Reverend St. Mary’s Annual Parish Festival $10 outside the diocese. Robert Knippenberg has been appointed Sunday – February 14, 2016 E-mail local stories, photos or Postulator for the Diocesan Phase of the festival announcements to Cause for Sainthood for the Canonization Victoria Community Center [email protected]. of Father Charles W. Kram, Jr. DEADLINE IS THE 15th FESTIVAL FESTIVAL Effective January 22, 2016, Reverend OF THE PRECEDING MONTH. TIME !! TIME !! (361) 573-0828 Dominic T. Nguyen has been incardinated (361) 573-5725 FAX into the Diocese of Victoria in Texas. He www.victoriadiocese.org will continue his current ministry with the Vietnamese Apostolate at Assumption POSTMASTER: Chapel, Palacios, Texas. Send address changes to The Catholic Lighthouse, On January 23, 2016, Deacon Peter P.O. Box 4070, Oscar Kofi Amo was ordained a Transi- Victoria, TX 77903. tional Deacon at Our Lady of Sorrows The Catholic Lighthouse cannot be held liable, Church, Victoria and will exercise his or in any way responsible for the content of any ministry there until his priestly ordination. ROAST BEEF MEAL advertisement appearing within these pages. Roast Beef, Gravy, Country Potatoes, Green Beans, All claims, offers, guarantees, statements, etc., made by The Catholic Lighthouse advertisers Squash Casserole, Roll, Dessert & Drink are solely the responsibility of the advertiser. DSA update Served 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. • $9.00 PER PLATE Deceptive or misleading advertising is never Plates to Go @ 10:30 knowingly accepted.