BringingNorth the Good News to the Diocese Texas of Fort Worth Vol.Catholic 25 No. 20 December 18, 2009 U.S. bishops again urge ban on abortion coverage in health care reform WASHINGTON (CNS) — The federal funding for health cover- U.S. bishops again have urged age that includes elective abortion U.S. senators to put Hyde amend- and maintains laws protecting ment language into proposed conscience rights. health care reform legislation A major problem with the cur- to prohibit federal funds from rent health care reform legislation being used for elective abortion in the Senate, Cardinal DiNardo’s coverage. letter said, is that “it explicitly Such a step, they said, would authorizes the use of federal funds align the legislation with policies to subsidize health plans covering now governing all other federal elective abortions for the fi rst time health programs and with the just- in history.” passed appropriations bill. “Health care reform is too The bishops urged the action urgently needed to be placed in a Dec. 14 letter from Cardinal at risk by one lobbying group’s Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston- insistence on changing the law,” Houston, chairman of the U.S. the cardinal added. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ On Dec. 8 the Senate voted Committee on Pro-Life Activi- to table a bipartisan abortion ties. amendment to its version of In a separate letter Dec. 14, Car- health care reform legislation. dinal DiNardo and the chairmen The bishops said their three of two other USCCB committees top priorities for health reform urged the Senate to accept an are respecting life and conscience, amendment that would allow ensuring affordability and giv- states to lift the fi ve-year waiting ing immigrants fair access to period for legal immigrants to health benefi ts for which they obtain Medicaid coverage. pay taxes. On abortion, the bishops noted On immigrants, the bishops that senators voted overwhelm- urged passage of an amendment ingly Dec. 13 for the Consolidated by Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., Appropriations Act, which con- which they said would “ensure tains Hyde language banning SEE USCCB P. 13 The feast of the birth of Jesus approaches. The Nativity is depicted in this detail view from the “Adoration of the Magi” by Italian artist Gentile da Fabriano. (CNS photo) Bishop Peña of Brownsville retires; Funding from All Things Possible Bishop Flores, Detroit auxiliary with vital for formation of priests, and South Texas roots, to succeed him WASHINGTON (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI has accepted the res- contributes toward priests’ needs ignation of Bishop Raymundo J. By Michele Baker Executive Director of the 4-year, Peña of Brownsville and named Correspondent $40 million campaign. “I feel that Auxiliary Bishop Daniel E. Flores Catholics around the world the fi nancial support we give to of Detroit to succeed him. continue to celebrate the “Year our seminarians as they enter into The changes were announced for Priests” as the Diocese of a life of spiritual support for our in Washington Dec. 9 by Arch- Fort Worth moves steadily for- diocese is a sign of this diocese bishop Pietro Sambi, apostolic ward with the All Things Possible investing in its future and it is a nuncio to the United States. campaign. While the two events great investment,” she said. “It’s Bishop Peña, who turned 75 might seem to be only coinciden- something that should be a focus Feb. 19, was the longest-serving tally related, campaign organizers now and in the future.” active Hispanic bishop in the within the diocese see a necessary Annually, the diocese spends U.S. Born in Corpus Christi, he connection — especially as the more than $30,000 per student was named an auxiliary bishop need for priests is being felt more to educate its seminarians. With of San Antonio in 1976 and had Bishop Daniel E. Flores and more in the local church. the current number of men in headed the Brownsville Diocese Now one of 26 active Hispanic “The All Things Possible cam- formation pushing toward 30, since 1995. Catholic bishops in the U.S., he paign has allotted $3 million dol- the price tag came in at $780,000 Bishop Flores, 48, has been an will be installed in Brownsville lars just for priests with $750,000 while $1.5 million has been des- last year. auxiliary bishop in Detroit since Feb. 2. each going to the Priest Pension ignated for the Seminary Burse “Three years ago, the an- 2006. He is a native of Palacios in Bishop Flores said he was Fund and the Priest Care Fund, Fund,” said Meegan Wright, SEE FUNDING, P. 5 the Victoria Diocese. SEE BISHOP, P. 12 Page 2 North Texas Catholic, December 18, 2009 Diocesan The Basilica of St. Mary Major reminds us of the nearness of Jesus, the Word made flesh, among us Dear Friends, beloved in constructed by Pope Liberius it wants to extend to us the angels’ in the mid-fourth century. invitation to the shepherds…. At the Christ in the The church was rebuilt by same time, however, this house of Pope Sixtus III and rededicat- God seeks to draw us into the shep- Diocese of Fort Worth, ed shortly after the Council herds answer.... ‘ Let us go over to of Ephesus declaration in 431 Bethlehem and see this thing that has ou that Mary is the Mother of happened, which the Lord has made God, the Theotokos. known to us.’” saw Since St. Mary Major is ded- Refl ecting on our experience in this in icated to Mary as the Mother holy Christmas church, is my prayer Y of God, and also because that this season, and the Christmas the last is- under the High Altar there is Masses and the preparation that we a relic of the manger in which must all do, will in some way draw sue some Christ was placed, it can lead us into the mystery of Christ and the to a refl ection on the mystery truth of the Incarnation … even if we photo- of Christmas all year around. have been distant in some way this graphs from Bishop Kevin W. Vann As soon as one walks into this past year. The invitation is there to basilica, it is as if the Church enter fully once more into the events our diocesan pilgrimage itself invites one to contem- of our salvation history where the plate the mystery of the “Word Lord is waiting for us. to Rome, and in this issue become Flesh,” because one As he closes this chapter on St. is immediately drawn to the Mary Major, Cardinal Ratzinger says there is a lengthier article High Altar, and to ponder the concerning this basilica that “The about the grace-fi lled reliquary of the manger. true consolation appears in the im- The dedication of the age of the Mother of the Savior. God Church to Mary the Mother is near enough for us to touch him, week that we experienced. Their last day in Rome, the Fort Worth pilgrims of God draws us to refl ect as well on even today. If, in our watchful stay in were able to celebrate Mass together at St. I lived four years in Rome during Mary Major Basilica. (Photo by Peter Flynn) the Annunciation of the Angel Gabriel this church, we become aware of this my graduate study days at the Ange- consolation, then its saving and trans- licum (The University of St. Thomas Among the special forming message has entered into us.” Aquinas in the City) while living churches in which the The celebration of the Birth of the at the graduate house of the North Fort Worth pilgrimage Savior reminds us again and again, American College on the Via dell’ of more than 500 were that God has entered our concrete able to celebrate Mass Umilta. The four years were four very history, and thus is indeed near was the church built enough for us to touch Him, even to- formative years for me as a priest. In for the millennium, many ways I grew up as a priest in the parish of Dives in day. How easily we forget that truth the Eternal City, where I made some Misericordia (Rich in and reality! My prayer also for you is lasting friendships with priests, reli- Mercy). Here Bishop that you remember this truth deeply gious, and Italian and Roman families Vann preaches from in your hearts this Christmas Day, that persist to this day. So, I am al- its limestone ambo as and season … which remember lasts ways grateful to share what I consider Deacon Len Sanchez for 12 days! a “second home” with people who looks on. (Photo by A blessed and holy Christmas come with me on pilgrimage. Chris Kastner) season for all of you, and safe travels It was truly a blessed week where wherever you may be going. Thank we gathered in prayer at Mass at the you for all that you do and are for our major basilicas, a new Roman parish Diocese and are for our Diocese and church built for the millennium called in Texas style! The Holy Father told to Mary in the Gospel of Luke: She for so many people. God Bless you the parish of Dives in Misericordia me that it was wonderful that we had was to become the Mother of God, always. Venite Adoremus Dominum! (Rich in Mercy), Assisi (the home of so many people present at the audi- and was not to fear, and was to know St. Francis of Assisi), and the cities ence! I believe that all who were able that with God all things are possible.