Newsmagazine

Bringing the Good News to the Diocese of Fort Worth Vol. 28 No. 1 January 2012 Behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all people

Inside: Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany center on the infant Jesus, God come to dwell among us

"The Nativity" by French painter Noel Coypel features Mary, Joseph, and angels in adoration of the Christ Child. The Christmas season begins with the Dec. 24 evening vigil commemorating the birth of Christ and ends with the feast of the Baptism of the Lord Jan. 9. (CNS/courtesy of Art Resource) PAGE 2 NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC, JANUARY, 2012 ShepherdOur Speaks

Th e Christmas season is the perfect time to share the light and gift of Christ

Dear Brothers and Th e Good News of Christmas night is that It is also important to remember that God’s love and mercy has shattered the darkness we don’t just celebrate the Incarnation only Sisters in Christ, of sin and death, that this love is greater than on Christmas Day, but that the Church any sin, and that God the Father is faithful in celebrates the Incarnation of Christ throughout ow there were shepherds in that his love for us by sending his only Son to reveal the Christmas Season which extends from region living in the fi elds and his mercy and to accomplish our redemption. Christmas Day through the solemnity of the keeping the night watch over their N Blessed Pope John Paul II refl ects upon this Epiphany of the Lord on January 8, ending fl o c k . Th e angel of the Lord appeared to great love revealed in the Incarnation: January 9 with the feast of the Baptism of the them and the glory of the Lord shone around Lord. Th is liturgical season off ers many other them, and they were struck with great fear. Th e God of creation is revealed as the God feasts and celebrations that even more fully Th e angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; of redemption, as the God who is " faithful reveal the mystery of the Incarnation. Th e for behold, I proclaim to you good news of to himself," and faithful to his love for man week after Christmas, the Church celebrates great joy that will be for all the people. For and the world, which he revealed on the day the Octave of Christmas in which we are called today in the city of David a savior has been of creation. His is a love that does not draw to continue to rest and refl ect upon the gift of born for you who is Messiah and Lord. And back before anything that justice requires in the Incarnation. this will be a sign for you: you will fi nd an him. Th erefore " for our sake (God) made him Th is year on the Sunday after Christmas, infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and (the Son) to be sin who knew no sin." If he we celebrate the feast of Mary, Mother of God lying in a manger.” "made to be sin" him who was without any that is celebrated on January 1st. Th is feast (Luke 2:8-12) Bishop Kevin Vann sin whatever, it was to reveal the love that is speaks directly to the truth and reality of the Th e angels’ revelation to the shepherds in On this blessed Christmas night, we recall and always greater than the whole of creation, the Incarnation, through which the one person, the fi elds outside Bethlehem is the fulfi llment of celebrate the Incarnation of Jesus Christ, the love that is he himself, since "God is love"… Jesus Christ is both fully human and fully divine God’s promise of salvation that was announced profound mystery that God the Son, the Second Th is revelation of love is also described as without confusion or division. In other words, centuries before, after the fall of Adam and Eve. Person of the Holy Trinity, out of great and mercy, and in man's history this revelation since Jesus is really and truly God, the second Th e scene of the nativity, the infant wrapped in merciful love for us, through the power of the of love and mercy has taken a form and a Person of the Trinity made fl esh, then Mary as swaddling clothes, born of the Blessed Virgin Holy Spirit, and the faith and obedience of the name: that of Jesus Christ. the Mother of Jesus is truly the Mother of God. Mary, is the birth of the savior, the one who Blessed Virgin Mary, assumed a human nature — Th e Redeemer of Man, 9 Not only is this feast honoring Mary and her will strike the head of Satan and sin, but even and became like one of us in all things but sin. role in salvation history, but it also continues more a m a z i n g ly, t h i s t i ny i n f a nt i s G o d b e c ome Th e tiny infant Jesus, by taking on our human Th e Incarnation of Jesus Christ revealed to celebrate the mystery of the Incarnation. man, Emmanuel, God truly with us. Th e sign of nature, not only fully redeems our humanity, at Christmas is also the revelation of the great On January 6 or twelve days after the Christ-child, born in Bethlehem, wrapped but by becoming one of us, intimately unites dignity of each and every person, that God Christmas, the Church had traditionally in swaddling clothes, and laid in a manger is himself with each and every person. God and endowed each of us with when he became one celebrated the feast of the Epiphany, but this already foreshadowing the Paschal mystery of humanity are now forever joined in intimate of us and intimately united himself with each feast recently has been transferred to the second Christ’s death and Resurrection. Th e wrapping communion in the Person of Jesus Christ. As and every person. Christmas, then, is when Sunday after Christmas, this year, January 8. in swaddling clothes prefi gures the burial the Second Vatican Council teaches: the Church celebrates and rejoices in God’s Th e feast of the Epiphany is one of the most clothes and shroud of the tomb foretelling his merciful love revealed in Christ, but Christmas ancient Christian feasts and the word Epiphany passion and death. Bethlehem means in Hebrew Th e truth is that only in the mystery of the is the great feast of human dignity. Th e infant from the Greek means “to reveal” because the “house of bread” and the baby Jesus who is Incarnate Word does the mystery of man take Jesus wrapped in swaddling clothes is the sign feast is centered on God being revealed to man laid in a manger, a feeding trough, points to on light. For Adam, the fi rst man, was a type that forever shows how precious is the human in Christ. Th e Epiphany was fi rst celebrated the Eucharist and Jesus being the bread that of him who was to come (Rom 5:14), Christ person that God himself assumes our nature, in the East and originally celebrated four comes down from heaven and that those who the Lord. Christ the new Adam, in the very and in time will pour out his precious Blood for “epiphany” or revealing events in the life of eat his fl esh and drink his blood will share in revelation of the mystery of the Father and our redemption. Pope St. Leo the Great in one Christ: the Baptism of Jesus, the fi rst miracle his Resurrection and life. As we sing in the of his love, fully reveals man to himself and of his sermons on the Nativity so profoundly of Christ at the Wedding Feast of Cana, the traditional Christmas hymn What Child is Th is: brings to light his most high calling. He who illustrates this point and reminds us of our Nativity of Christ, and the visit of the Magi. is “the image of the invisible God" (Col 1:15), dignity and destiny as Christians that the All of these events in some way reveal Christ’s Why lies He in such mean estate, is himself the perfect man who has restored Nativity of our Lord calls all of us to: divinity, that he is truly the Son of God. It is Where ox and ass are feeding? in the children of Adam that likeness to God important to note that the Epiphany was the Good Christians, fear, for sinners here which had been disfi gured ever since the fi rst Christian, remember your dignity, and now original celebration of Christmas or the birth of Th e silent Word is pleading. sin. Human nature, by the very fact that it that you share in God's own nature, do not Christ. Eventually in the West, the celebration Nails, spear shall pierce Him through, was assumed, not absorbed, in him, has been return by sin to your former base condition. of the Nativity was separated to Christmas on Th e cross be borne for me, for you. raised in us also to a dignity beyond compare. Bear in mind who is your head and of whose December 25th, but the feast of the Epiphany Hail, hail the Word made fl esh, For, by his Incarnation, he, the son of God, in body you are a member. Do not forget that you remained as the celebration of the other three Th e Babe, the Son of Mary. a certain way united himself with each man. have been rescued from the power of darkness events as the end of the Christmas season. He worked with human hands, he thought and brought into the light of God's kingdom. As time continued on, the other feasts were Th is holy scene, upon which the shepherds with a human mind. He acted with a human Th rough the sacrament of baptism you have gradually separated, and today we celebrate gazed in amazement on that cold winter night Will, and with a human heart he loved. Born become a temple of the Holy Spirit. Do not the Baptism of the Lord the Sunday after the in Bethlehem, is when God once again walks of the Virgin Mary, he has truly been made drive away so great a guest by evil conduct Epiphany and the Wedding Feast of Cana is among us, and reveals the great merciful and one of us, like to us in all things except sin. and become again a slave to the devil, for your celebrated the next Sunday. redeeming love of the Father now fully made — Dogmatic Constitution on the Church liberty was bought by the blood of Christ. Th e Epiphany for us today is the manifest to all humanity in the Christ-child. in the Modern World, Gaudium et Spes, 22 celebration of the visit of the Magi from the NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC, JANUARY, 2012 PAGE 3 North CONTENTS Christmas / January Texas Features Departments catholic Papal honors were awarded 16 local 4-5 Briefly PUBLISHER: Bishop Kevin W. Vann 6-7 Catholics, lay and religious, Dec. 13 DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS: Pat Svacina By John Henry 9 Catechesis EDITOR: Jeff Hensley ASSOCIATE EDITOR: Tony Gutiérrez Our Lady of Guadalupe celebrated at ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT: Judy Russeau 13 Cathedral, and some amazing history 10-11 Voices WEB DESIGNER: Chris Kastner By Joan Kurkowski-Gillen and María Scaperlanda CIRCULATION: Rita Garber Features 12 REGULAR COLUMNISTS: Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany Denise Bossert 15 center on Jesus come among us Jean Denton Word to Life Kathy Cribari Hamer By Catholic News Service & Jeff Hedglen 26-27 Jeff Hedglen Jeff Hensley 28-30 Spanish David Mills Cathedral's beautiful new Pastoral Mary Regina Morrell 22 Center fills need for hosting events Sharon K. Perkins Lucas Pollice By John Henry 31 Calendar Father John Rausch Father Kyle Walterscheid CONTRIBUTORS: Michele Baker Crystal Brown Jesus comes to bring us light Jenara Kocks Burgess Juan Guajardo aybe that's what's behind the sometimes calming, sometimes the baby Jesus into our world on Pages 2 and 9. The Christmas package on Kathy Cribari Hamer gaudy, sometimes glorious displays of Christmas lighting. Maybe Pages 15-18 carries us from the Mary's reaction to Gabriel's announcement John Henry all the way through Christmas and the arrival of the shepherds and the Magi, to it's about bringing the joy of the season into the darkness of Joan Kurkowski-Gillen Mwinter. When I took a walk between much appreciated rainstorms Simeon and Anna's prophetic reactions to the baptism of the Babe of Bethlehem. Mike McGee two evenings ago, I was really impressed by the multi-colored LED lights. They cut Details of how the raging fi re of conversion swept through Mexico and the Wendy Pandolfo through the damp, dense air like static fi reworks. Americas following Mary's appearance as a pregnant, young Aztec woman, and Donna Ryckaert Kristin Zschiesche And if we really contemplate what took place in Jesus' leap from heaven to earth, our local celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe begin on Page 13. we'll know a wonder far beyond the OOHs and AAHs we involuntarily cry out Editorial Offi ce: 800 West Loop 820 South, Fort Worth, Texas And, as always, you can fi nd out what's going on behind the scenes at the 76108, (817) 560-3300; FAX (817) 244-8839. when we view the moving, fl ashing kind of fi reworks, we see at New Year's. at . And catch us on facebook: "North Circulation Offi ce: Rita Garber, 800 West Loop 820 South, Fort Bishop's Blog www.fwdioc.org Worth, Texas 76108, (817) 560-3300. Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, and the Baptism of the Lord, all give us diff erent Texas Catholic Newspaper" or at fwdioc.org/NTC for fresh news. NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC (USPS 751-370) (ISSN 0899-7020) is insights into what happened when Jesus came to be among us. Bishop Vann and Jeff Hensley published monthly, by the Most Rev. Kevin W. Vann, Bishop of Editor the Diocese of Fort Worth, 800 West Loop 820 South, Fort Worth, Lucas Pollice both off er the Church's insight into the signifi cance of the coming of Texas. For those who are not registered parishioners in the Diocese of Fort Worth, subscription rates are $20 for one year, $40 for two years, $60 for three years. Periodical postage paid at Fort Worth, Texas. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to North Texas Catholic, 800 West Loop 820 South, Fort Worth, Texas 76108. East who, following the star of Bethlehem, beheld the Christ- back to the Church. I would like to extend an invitation to Deadline for information for the North Texas Catholic is noon of child and his glory. The Epiphany is when Christ is revealed anyone who has left the faith for whatever reasons -- whatever the Wednesday two weeks before the paper is published. The NTC to the world as the Messiah, the Son of God. In many parts of hurt or circumstance of life -- to come home to the Catholic is published the third Friday of each month with the date of the following month as the date of issue. the world, such as Europe, the Epiphany is considered to be at Church this Christmas. For more information, please see the To access current news and information, fi nd us at www.fwdioc. least as important as Christmas and is sometimes called “Little diocesan website at www.fwdioc.org to help you in coming home org/ntc Christmas” and in many cultures, following the examples of this Christmas. The appearance of advertising in these pages does not imply the Magi offering their gifts to Christ, is when the exchange of Finally, I would like to wish each and every one of you endorsement of businesses, services, or products. Readers must exercise prudence in responding to advertising in all media. “Christmas” gifts takes place. and your families a very blessed Christmas, and I pray that the The Epiphany is also a reminder to all of us that we are peace and joy of the Incarnation of Christ will be with you as we all called to be an “epiphany” of Christ in the daily witness of celebrate the Christmas season. Merry Christmas and a blessed our lives. Through ongoing conversion and holiness of life, we New Year to you all! should be a radiating sign of Christ’s presence in the world that bring others to Christ and the love and fullness of life that is offered through Him. This is key to the “new evangelization” that the Church is being called to at the beginning of the Third + Bishop Kevin W. Vann. JCD, DD Millennium. The Christmas season is a perfect time to share the Diocese of Fort Worth light and gift of Christ with others, especially those Catholics who, for whatever reason, have left the Church or are no longer practicing their faith. For many, the Christmas season is a reminder of their faith, of the Church home and family, and so a gentle invitation to come with you to Mass or a simple witness of your own faith might become the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to bring someone PAGE 4 NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC, JANUARY, 2012 Briefly

Church, National, (CNS photo/Sovereign Throne) Father Romauld Jakub Weksler-Waszkinel is the focus of the documentary "Torn." The film tells the story of the Polish priest, who was born a Jew during the Holocaust, adopted by & International Polish parents who did not tell him about his birth parents' religion until he was in his 30s and of his pilgrimage to Israel to reclaim his Jewish heritage. The voice of Vatican Christmas Mass is silenced Cardinal Foley remembered as Documentary tells story of Polish humble, witty believer — and priest born a Jew during Holocaust

friend to the Catholic press WASHINGTON (CNS) — If someone “The priest had the strongest story” Poverty in the midst of plenty: PHILADELPHIA (CNS) — U.S. Cardinal were to make a movie about a Polish in “The Secrets,” Kertsner said. “I mean, John P. Foley, longtime Catholic journalist priest who was born a Jew during the being a priest, his religion was his Hunger persists in the U.S. and advocate of Catholic communication, Holocaust, adopted by Polish parents whole life. That’s what he was. What he WASHINGTON (CNS) — As U.S. Infants and Children) program and to was being fondly remembered after his who didn’t tell him until he was in his 30s believed in, who his parents were, this nutritionists cringe over the prospect eliminate food aid rations for 14 million of Dec. 11 death as a friend to the Catholic of his parentage, his pilgrimage to Israel was everything (to him). So this is very, of an overweight nation indulging in a the most desperate people in the world,” press around the world. to reclaim his Jewish heritage, and his very strong. ... He felt it was something two-month binge of “season’s eatings” said the Rev. David Beckmann. The cardinal, a Philadelphia native, stubborn insistence to Israeli authorities bigger than him.” there are millions of Americans who aren’t The Lutheran minister, who is was residing at Villa St. Joseph in that he be considered simultaneously Kertsner herself was born to Polish sure they’re going to get enough to eat president of Bread for the World, a Christian Darby, the home for retired Philadelphia both a Jew and a Catholic, “Torn” would Jews, and adopted by French Jews who this day or the next. anti-hunger lobby, made the comments in archdiocesan priests, when he died of be the perfect title. settled in Israel after World War II but who The problem is made worse by a preface to the organization’s 22nd annual leukemia at age 76. Ronit Kertsner is on the film festival never told her about her adoption until lack of access to nutritious food, as hunger report, titled this year “Rebalancing Cardinal Foley was known for circuit with her documentary, which she stumbled upon the facts as an adult. residents of America’s poorest cities and Act: Updating U.S. Food and Farm Policies.” his many different roles: editor of examines the life of Father Romauld Jakub She filmed Father Weksler- neighborhoods have little choice but to The report is peppered with Philadelphia’s archdiocesan newspaper, Cardinal John P. Foley, Nov. 26, 2007. CNS Weksler-Waszkinel. Waszkinel’s journey at age 67 to Israel, make do with fast food or convenience indictments of current U.S. food policy. The Catholic Standard & Times, 1970- file photo (CNS photo/Paul Haring) The Weksler surname comes from where he lived on a kibbutz. Kertsner stores that don’t stock fresh produce. “Today, the United States does not even 1984; head of the Pontifical Council for his Jewish parents, who gave him up for said no Catholic monastery in Israel And even if they were the food- produce enough fruits and vegetables for Social Communications, 1984 to 2007; He said the cardinal was an adoption March 25, 1943. “I must have would accept him because he was a savviest consumers in the country, the Americans to meet the recommended daily and most recently, grand master of the “indefatigable supporter of the Catholic been eight days old, I’m not sure,” he Jew, and no kibbutz would allow him to federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance allowances of vitamins and minerals.” Knights of the Holy Sepulchre, a chivalric press” who always “remained a journalist said in a 1993 interview. The Waszkinel leave for a couple of hours on Sundays Program — the new name for food stamps At a Nov. 21 news conference to organization dedicated to supporting the at heart, and he believed strongly in the surname comes from the Polish couple to celebrate Mass. — doesn’t stretch far enough to let each introduce the “Rebalancing Act” report, Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and to importance of this professional vocation who adopted him before the rest of the Kertsner said Father Weksler- member in the household eat a healthy Rev. Beckmann said a new farm bill should responding to the needs of Catholics in for the life of the church.” Weksler family perished at the hands Waszkinel now works at a Holocaust meal three times a day, seven days a week. get rid of agricultural subsidies in favor of the Holy Land. Erlandson, president and publisher of of the Nazis. museum researching documents in Earlier this year, SNAP benefits were cut to revenue insurance, thus freeing up more To many, he was known as the Our Sunday Visitor, praised Cardinal Foley’s Kertsner said she first ran across his native Polish. His quest for Israeli pay for a boost in school lunch programs. funds for nutrition assistance in a country Vatican’s “Voice of Christmas” in his role work as president of the Pontifical Council Father Weksler-Waszkinel in the citizenship has been stymied by Israel’s Hunger isn’t the only issue. where federal statistics show that close to as English-language commentator for for Social Communications, saying he “not late 1990s when she was making a “right of return” law which states that A Catholic Charities USA third-quarter 46 million people are living in poverty. the pope’s midnight Mass for 25 years. only encouraged the Catholic press around documentary called “The Secrets,” about someone who was born Jewish but “snapshot” of its member agencies issued “What farmers really need is some New York Archbishop Timothy M. the world, but he also spearheaded an Catholics in Poland who found out they practices another religion cannot be Nov. 22 found that 88 percent of the risk management,” Rev. Beckmann said. Dolan, president of the U.S. bishops’ effort to make the values and teachings had been born Jewish. granted citizenship. He has, though, been agencies either had to turn away people Tianna Gaines-Turner, mother of three conference, in a Dec. 15 statement, said of the Catholic Church relevant in the “When I started making ‘Torn,’ I was granted permanent residency. or maintain a waiting list for at least one children and stepmother to another three, in all his roles related to communications burgeoning fields of public relations, finding out what had happened to these “He believes he has the right (to service, 64 percent couldn’t meet the is a member of Witnesses to Hunger, over the years, Cardinal Foley “embodied advertising, and digital media.” people” 10 years after “The Secrets” had citizenship). I believe the same,” Kertsner need for emergency financial assistance, founded in Philadelphia by a Drexel the best of what it means to be a But he noted that the cardinal should been released, Kertsner told Catholic told CNS. “Who are we to judge him? and 56 percent couldn’t meet requests for University professor so hungry people communicator, a priest, and a believer.” be most remembered “for his strong and News Service in a telephone interview He’s a victim of the Holocaust. He got utility assistance — including 67 percent could document what their lives are like “He urged the church to be transparent abiding witness to the Lord in all that he from New York, where “Torn” had been into this situation not by choice, but by in Southern states dogged by heat waves continuously living hand-to-mouth. After and saw media as vital to society and did. In his innate dignity and good will, screened at a festival. the circumstances of the Holocaust. He and an extended drought. two years of volunteering, she got a job with worthy of respect. He was the mastermind he was a genuine prince of the church, “When I got to Warsaw, I got a is so unique. It’s not like there are going What’s more, requests for help by the Witnesses to Hunger last year and is helping behind the coverage of the funeral of Pope and he will be sorely missed.” message: ‘The good news is you don’t to be thousands of people (under similar working poor were up 80 percent over set up new chapters in Boston, Baltimore, John Paul II, recognizing the need to The cardinal received numerous have to go to Lublin’” to film the priest, she circumstances) coming over to Israel. He’s the second quarter, requests by families Omaha, Nebraska, and Martha’s Vineyard, facilitate media efforts at the passing of a honorary degrees and awards, including recalled, since he was bound for Israel the a very unique case, and we should accept were up 66 percent, by the homeless up Massachussets — not the first place one church and world figure like no other in the the Catholic Press Association’s highest next day to line up living arrangements him as he is.” 60 percent — and by the middle class associates with hunger and poverty. modern age,” the archbishop said. “Such prize, the St. Francis de Sales Award. for a possible move. She added, “When I gave him the up 59 percent. Gaines-Hunter told Catholic News foresight united the world in prayer.” Just this past June he received a Gabriel Instead, Kertsner’s reaction was “we name of the film, he was completely “In the House’s agricultural Service at the time of her interview Greg Erlandson, president of the Award for lifetime achievement from have to get a car and go immediately” against it: ‘I don’t feel torn. I feel whole.’ appropriations bill for 2012, it voted that she planned to spend Thanksgiving Catholic Press Association, described the the Catholic Academy of Communication to Lublin to film him before he left ‘You may feel whole, but everyone else to take away nutrition assistance from “thankful that I have an adequate meal” cardinal as a “bright, witty, humble man Arts Professionals in Pittsburgh where the country, she said. In Lublin, Father looks at you like you’re torn.’ Then he 600,000 young children and their mothers and a safe, secure place to live for herself who served his church faithfully and well the academy and the CPA were holding Weksler-Waszkinel served as the priest calls me some time later, and he says to who now participate in the WIC (Women, and her family. in many capacities.” their joint Catholic Media Convention. for a convent of Ursuline nuns. me, ‘Maybe I am a bit torn.’”

Pope says prayer should include our praise and gratitude to God, not focus simply on our needs VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Prayer and strive to see all things in light of his immediate fulfillment of what we are love,” he said. Having God in one’s life, his friendship, them compassion, hope, and the light should not center just on asking God to mysterious plan of love,” he said during asking for, of our will, but rather trust The most important thing to discover, his presence, his love are all more that comes from Christ, the pope said. fulfill one’s hopes and desires, but must his weekly general audience Dec. 14. in the will of the Father,” the pope said. the pope said, is that the one who answers important than any concrete thing that At the end of the audience, the include praise, thanks and trust in God’s In his catechesis to nearly 6,000 people Requests, praise and thanks must be humanity’s prayers is more important he could give in return, he said. pope prayed a few moments before plan which may not match one’s own, in the Vatican audience hall, Pope Benedict included in every prayer. “even when it than the actual prayers answered. Jesus “is the most precious treasure a traditional Mexican Nativity scene Pope Benedict XVI said. continued a series of talks on prayer. seems to us that God is not living up to Jesus showed that before grace is to ask for and always safeguard,” he said. decorating the Paul VI audience hall. The way Jesus prayed to his Father Everyone should seek to understand our real expectations,” he said. received, one must “adhere to the giver” Because prayer guides people to see The large painted ceramic figures were “teaches us that in our own prayers, we that when asking something of God Prayer is a dialogue with God and of that grace, that is, align oneself and beyond their own needs and wants, it also handcrafted by artisans and were a gift must always trust in the Father’s will in prayer, “we mustn’t expect the entails “abandoning oneself to God’s comply with God, the pope said. helps open their heart to others and offer from the Mexican state of Puebla. NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC, JANUARY, 2012 PAGE 5 TOR Franciscans install new minister Diocese encourages Catholics to rediscover provincial, leadership team richness of the Mass during Lent 2012

EDITOR'S NOTE: This story was adapted Polichnowski will oversee the The Diocese of Fort Worth is on sanctified by Christ so that we can be from a press release submitted by 139-member community, the largest a mission this Lent with this goal in sent out into the world to continue the Franciscan University of Steubenville. TOR province in the United States, mind: to help Catholics rediscover the mission of Christ,” Pollice says. whose priests and brothers serve richness of the Mass. The Diocese of Fort Worth is STEUBENVILLE, Ohio — Father in parishes, schools, and other Briefly “There is a real hunger among encouraging parishes to offer A Biblical Nicholas Polichnowski, TOR, was charitable ministries. His four-year Catholics for an authentic spirituality Walk Through the Mass faith formation installed as minister provincial for the term begins in January 2012, and and for truth,” explains Lucas Pollice, program as part of the Lenten mission. Fransiscan Friars, TOR, Province of the as one of his responsibilities, Fr. Local & State the diocesan director of Catechesis. The Biblical Walk program provides a Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, which has Polichnowski will become chairman Diocese welcomes visiting Coadjutor “The Mass, through which we unique tour of the timeless Liturgy. It members serving in the Diocese of of Franciscan University’s Board of encounter Christ Himself, provides explores the biblical roots of the words Fort Worth, along with members of Trustees. Bishop Joseph Bonello of Juticalpa, us with the answer to this spiritual and gestures we experience in Mass and the Provincial Council at a ceremonies “Franciscan University will keep Honduras, Fort Worth’s sister diocese hunger. The Mass is absolutely explains their profound significance. held in Loretto, Pennsylvania, Dec. 15. Father Nicholas in our prayers as essential to what it means to be a “Participants in this study will The Most Rev. Michael Higgins, TOR, he assumes this important pastoral Catholic, and is the source and power come to know and understand the minister general of the Third Order responsibility for the Sacred Heart behind the New Evangelization.” Mass like never before,” explains Regular presided. Province,” said Father Terence Henry, The recent introduction of the new Matthew Pinto, president of Ascension Fr. Polichnowski, who had served TOR, president of Franciscan University. translation of the Mass has created Press, publisher of the program. “They as assistant professor of nursing at “I especially look forward to working more awareness about the Mass than will see, perhaps for the first time, why Franciscan University of Steubenville, with him in his new role as chairman of perhaps any time since the Second they say what they say, and do what was elected minister provincial for our Board of Trustees. Father Nicholas’ Vatican Council, according to Pollice, they do every week at Mass. The words the province Oct. 11. Five Franciscan years here as professor and head of our offering an excellent opportunity for and gestures will be seen in a new priests were also elected to the to the TOR vocation discernment program catechesis. He explains, “Now that the light, leading them to a richer, more Provincial Council on Nov. 9, including have made him a strong supporter of faithful of the diocese are experiencing fruitful worship experience.” Father James Morman, TOR, local Franciscan University’s mission. Both the changes, and hearing the new and A Biblical Walk Through the Mass minister of St. Francis Friary in Loretto, experiences will be an asset to him and rich translation of the Mass, there is is “an ideal and easy way for parishes and former associate pastor of St. a blessing to us as he leads our board.” going to be an even greater desire to to provide an excellent catechesis not

Maria Goretti Parish in Arlington as Fr. Polichnowski succeeds Father Photo by Kathy Cribari Hamer / North Texas Catholic know more about the Mass. This is the only on the Mass, as a whole, but in fourth councilor. Christian Oravec, TOR, who served two Coadjutor Bishop Joseph Bonello of Juticalpa, Honduras, concelebrates the noon daily Mass at focus of the Lenten outreach.” the process, the laity will also come “We’re looking forward to the new terms as minister provincial beginning the diocesan Catholic Center with Bishop Kevin Vann on Thursday, Nov. 10. Pollice believes that developing to see the sublime richness of the new council,” said Father Tom Stabile, TOR, in 2004. a rich understanding and love for the translation,” says Pollice. “It is a real local minister for the province’s Fort In addition to Frs. Polichnowski By Kathy Cribari Hamer representing the local community of Mass is a crucial part of catechesis, as opportunity for Catholics to rediscover Worth Region. “Our minister hopes to and Morman, the Franciscans also Correspondent the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal. the Church teaches that the celebration and fall in love again with the great visit the friars in Texas.” elected Father Richard Davis, Fr. Craig, who has recently been of the Eucharist is “the source and gift of the Mass.” Fr. Stabile, who also serves as TOR, vice president of Community It is nearing a decade and a half named diocesan director of the summit of the Christian life” and that pastor of St. Andrew Church in Fort Relations at Franciscan University since Bishops Joseph Delaney and Propagation of the Faith, and Fr. the Mass makes present God’s ultimate For more information about The Diocese Worth, and as dean of the Diocese of and local minister of Holy Spirit Mauro Muldoon began connecting the Eldridge, have been in mission work for act of love for us, the Sacrifice of Christ of Fort Worth’s Lenten Mass Outreach, Fort Worth’s West Central Deanery, Friary, to his second term on the Dioceses of Fort Worth and Juticalpa, many years, with Fr. Eldridge having of Calvary. “In turn, we as the People of please visit www.fwdioc.org or contact said the province is one of several Provincial Council, this time as Honduras. first been active while he was pastor of God offer ourselves as a living sacrifice Lucas Pollice, director of Catechesis, at Franciscan provinces with members the vicar provincial. The Provincial Their actions were in response to Sacred Heart Parish in Seymour. They to the Father through Christ. Through (817) 560-2452, ext. 260, or lpollice@ serving in the diocese, and has had a Council also includes Franciscan the devastation of 1998’s Hurricane expressed their parishes’ enthusiasm the Mass we are all nourished and fwdioc.org. presence in Fort Worth for more than University trustees; Father Mitch, and the request of Pope John for their work — St. Vincent de Paul 30 years. Malachi Van Tassell, TOR, ’93, Paul II that bishops develop bonds working in electrical repairs and Currently, members of the treasurer of the province and a of communion, information, and cabinetry work at a parish in Gualaco, Father Kyle Walterscheid appears as Third Order Regular Province of the part-time faculty member at St. fraternity among local churches. and Good Shepherd investing in Most Sacred Heart of Jesus have Francis University in Loretto as first In November the successors to the education in Campamento. guest on EWTN's Life on the Rock 10 members serving at St. Andrew, councilor; Father Sean Sheridan, founders of that fraternal bond, Bishop “When I was in Seymour we St. Maria Goretti, Good Shepherd TOR, assistant professor of canon Kevin Vann and Juticalpa’s Coadjutor helped with the water purification,” Fr. Parish in Colleyville, St. Mary Parish law at The Catholic University Bishop Joseph Bonello, recalled the Eldridge said. “It was a big project.” in Windthorst, St. Boniface Parish in of America, as second councilor; successes of the past 13 years, and Now, he said, they were working Scotland, and at the College of St. and Father Christopher Dobson, planned for the future. with the school’s equipment, including Thomas More in Fort Worth. TOR, director of campus ministry at St. At a noon Mass in the diocesan computers, and paying some of the As minister provincial, Fr. Francis University as third councilor. Catholic Center Nov. 10, the feast teachers’ salaries. They are also of Saint Leo the Great, Bishop helping with the expansion of the Vann’s homily brought back his own school, he said. “We will continue to Locally-based Catholic musicians and childhood recollections of a stained- do that, every year; we are committed glass window in his Springfield, to it.” and youth ministers perform Christmas Illinois, diocesan cathedral. Holy Redeemer’s pastor, Fr. Publius Photo courtesy of EWTN The window depicting St. Leo the Xuereb, followed the late Father Robert concert at Fort Worth men's prison Life on the Rock hosts Father Mark Mary, MFVA, (LEFT), and Doug Barry (RIGHT), interview Fort Great standing up to the challenge Wilson, Holy Redeemer’s founding Worth Vocations Director Father Kyle Walterscheid on their episode aired Oct. 20. of Attilla the Hun always made an pastor, who was very devoted to the impression on him, he said. And missions, and founded the diocese’s IRONDALE, Alabama — Father Kyle encyclicals, because when students are later when he was ordained there, he Mission Council. Walterscheid, Vocations director for the challenged to learn more about their said, he thought of what the window “At our parish we support your Diocese of Fort Worth, appeared as a faith, they begin to consider vocations. represented. mission very much,” Fr. Xuereb told guest on EWTN's Life on the Rock Oct. 20. Fr. Kyle then shared about specific “The feast of Leo the Great is a Bishop Bonello, a Franciscan originally On the show, he discussed how the vocations programs in the diocese, such chance to remind us of our faith,” the from Malta, “especially since you and I U.S. is no longer a missionary territory, as the monthly discernment groups for bishop said. “Leo stood up and stood are from the same country — we stick and should be able to produce its own men and women, building fraternity strong in difficult times, and it is our together!” priests. Fr. Kyle added that college among seminarians, and placing them challenge as well this day….” Fr. Craig explained the perspective campuses are mission fields. in parishes during the summers. After Mass, lunch was shared of his own parishioners. “When "If we feed our young men and He concluded by advising those among the concelebrants: Father Steve they come back from Juticalpa I find young women ... at the university level, considering a vocation to have a Berg, Vicar General and Moderator that is the easiest way for them to they're going to get engaged and reach relationship with their pastor, have of the Curia; Father Tom Craig, chair understand.” out to others at the university." a spiritual director, pray the Liturgy Youth and music ministry professionals gathered Dec. 12 to offer their annual Christmas of the diocese’s Mission Council, and Bishop Bonello said his own Fr. Kyle emphasized the importance of the Hours, pray the Rosary, serve concert at the Federal Correctional Institution in Fort Worth, a minimum security prison for pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Parish quiet thanks to the group of friends of young adult ministry to help people in the parish, and attend Eucharistic male offenders. Internationally recognized Catholic songwriters and musicians Jesse Manibusan in Arlington; Father Richard Eldridge, and supporters. “It is a great joy,” he transition from college into active roles Adoration. (FRONT LEFT) and Steve Angrisano (FRONT RIGHT), of Grapevine and Coppell, respectively, were joined in the parish. "You don't have to wait to enter the by (LEFT TO RIGHT, BACK ROW) high school youth minister Gabe Gutiérrez of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton TOR, pastor of Good Shepherd Parish said. “I want to be a voice to express Parish in Keller; former Spanish music minister Manuel Bravo of St. John the Apostle Parish in in Colleyville; Father Publius Xuereb, our gratefulness … not only for the He also said that catechists seminary before you can do something," Fort Worth; diocesean Director of Youth, Young Adult, and Campus Ministry Kevin Prevou; and pastor of Holy Redeemer in Aledo; material projects, but that we are shouldn't be afraid to discuss deep he said. "You can do something right associate youth minister Vicente Lujan of Mary Immaculate Parish in Farmers Branch. and Father Michael Kmiotek, CFR, brothers.” theological topics, such as the papal now in the parish." PAGE 6 NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC, JANUARY, 2012 Diocese Sixteen awarded papal honors at Dec. 13 Vespers Service

Bishop Vann presents the honor to Patricia and Art Dickerson.

After the Vespers service, Bishop Vann poses with the honorees. In the front row (from left to right) are Michael Barks, Deacon Popo and Lupe Gonzalez, Sr. Juliana Tran, CSFN; Sr.

Bishop Vann poses with Sr. Devota (LEFT) and presents the honor to Sr. Juliana (RIGHT). Devota Sweeney, SSMN; Ann Smith, and Patricia and Art Dickerson. In the back row (from left to right) are Lucas Pollice, Daniel Shine, Ann Healey, Peter Flynn, Br. Al Kuntemeier, SM; Heather Reynolds, and Br. Paul McMullen, TOR. Seated in the wheelchair is Jean Riley.

By John Henry / Correspondent Photos by Donna Ryckaert

ultitudes of the faithful of the Of his work, Art Dickerson said: “I kept reminding [his committee colleagues] and myself that the real reason we’re MDiocese of Fort Worth gathered at doing it is not for any award or acclamation. We’re doing it St. Patrick Cathedral Dec. 13 for solemn to further the Kingdom of God on Earth. That is the biggest reward.” Vespers to celebrate high honors handed down by Pope Benedict XVI. ‘Why did I join? Because God asked’ Bishop Vann presents the BENEMERENTI medal to Lucas Pollice (LEFT) and Michael Barks (RIGHT). Sixteen members of the diocese were Brother Al Kuntemeier, SM, said he is often asked why he decided to take on a vocation with the Marianists at 17 honored in recognition of distinguished years of age in 1947. It was the rational thing to do as a young man, he said, service to the Church and their carrying with it quite a bit of security. communities at the evening prayer service. But, ultimately, and after much soul-searching over a career now spanning 60 years … Those honored, Bishop Kevin Vann said, “I love God, and God loves me, and He’s my friend and “have been channels of the light of Christ He asked me. Why did I join? Because God asked.” Br. Al’s career has distinguished itself well beyond in so many ways.” Their hard work and working with the football team on punt returns, as he did in his first year teaching in 1951 at Eugene Coyle High School devotion over the years “weave together the in St. Louis. Since 1980, he has been a guidance counselor and tennis Jean Riley poses with Dan Luby (LEFT) and Heather Reynolds poses with her strands of life in our local Church.” coach at Nolan Catholic High School. At 81, he is “semi- husband, John (RIGHT), after being presented the BENEMERENTI medals. Presented during the Dec. 13 service were the Pontifical retired,” having reduced his counseling caseload and given Equestrian Order of St. Gregory the Great, the Pro-Ecclesia et up the accounting class he taught until the middle part of the Pontifice Cross and the Benemerenti Medal. last decade. Art Dickerson, who is involved in a range of activities Br. Al and three others were awarded the Pro-Ecclesia at the cathedral, including heading committees overseeing et Pontifice Cross, established in 1888 by Pope Leo XIII to renovation of the cathedral and the construction of the recognize distinguished service to the Church by laity and pastoral center (see related article on Pages 22-23), was clergy. honored. So was his wife, Patricia, who was recognized for Sister M. Devota Sweeney, SSMN, former provincial promoting devotional life at St. Patrick. superior for the Sisters of St. Mary of Namur Western The Dickersons were each awarded the Pontifical Province; Brother Paul McMullen, TOR, former pastoral Equestrian Order of St. Gregory the Great, presented since administrator of St. Bartholomew Parish in Fort Worth; 1831 to men and women in recognition of services to the CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE Bishop Vann presents the BENEMERENTI medal to Ann Smith (LEFT) and Ann Healey (RIGHT). Holy See and the Church. NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC, JANUARY, 2012 PAGE 7

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE chairman of the council when asked a year later. and Sister Juliana Tran, CSFN, Under his guidance, he helped a former catechist at Vietnamese marshal the school through its Martyrs Parish in Arlington, the most significant transition since largest Vietnamese parish in the opening in 1929. Since becoming diocese, were also honored with the chairman in 2006, the church has award. built and opened a new school while Br. Al, who took his temporary continuing its mission temporarily vows in 1947, earned a bachelor’s at St. Mary of the Assumption on Catholic Charities Spotlight: in education from the University the Near South Side of Fort Worth. of Dayton in Ohio, a Master of Barks, who has undergraduate CASA housing for elderly/disabled Business Administration from and graduate degrees from Norfolk Marquette University, and a Master State University and the University Bishop Vann presents the BENEMERENTI medal to Peter of Arts from the University of of Texas at Arlington, respectively, is Flynn, vice chancellor of Administrative Services. Notre Dame. involved in seemingly every activity “It’s very encouraging to at the school, from fundraising to lives of doing are as strong as ever. our students to recognize their recently reading essays written by Faith is their life. relationship with God and to seek students competing for a scholarship They minister mostly now to out the gifts He has given them at the school. the church’s Hispanic community, and to put them to the service of Dr. Carolyn M. Yusuf, the working in Baptism and marriage others,” said Father Richard Villa, school’s principal, said Barks’ preparation, visiting nursing SM, Nolan’s president. accomplishments have been homes, and the homebound. Dcn. “Al certainly models that for phenomenal. “He’s made a great Popo has a jail ministry, and Lupe them.” difference at Our Mother of Mercy.” translates the bulletin every week. Popo was a reluctant applicant Photo by Juan Guajardo / North Texas Catholic to the diaconate 16 years ago, twice Lucy Nicholas, CASA resident and member of San Mateo Mission applies adhesive to re- ‘As long as I’m here …’ ‘That was God’s call’ telling Msgr. Schumacher no. attach Jesus' arm to a much worn statue. Nicholas also teaches art to CASA residents. Michael Barks, 60, leads One day in the mid-1960s, He had a barber shop to Lucy Nicholas, 63, has been Through a series of events that by living his advocacy. Catholic Monsignor Joseph Schumacher run. On the second try, Msgr. on the move for the past 45 years. Lucy calls “truly miraculous,” her education is an avenue for African- asked Popo Gonzalez if he would Schumacher left behind an A former military wife, this mother cancer went into remission. Now American children to overcome translate the baptism literature at application. of four and grandmother of twelve Lucy teaches weekly art classes barriers, he believes. Immaculate Conception Church in “Another priest here, has resided in Germany and in to fellow Casa residents and has “As long as I’m here,” said Denton from English to Spanish. from Mexico, Father Trujillo, various parts of the United States, also been volunteering at her Barks, chairman of the Our Mother “And then he asked me to encouraged me and helped me with including Indiana, Ohio, Virginia, parish, painstakingly repairing and of Mercy School advisory council, teach it!” Deacon Popo Gonzalez the application,” Popo said. “He Maryland, and Texas. Now a restoring damaged statues. “I’ll be doing something for Mercy.” said, recalling his befuddlement. “I said, ‘Just turn it in and see what resident of Casa, Inc., a housing “Lucy brings people together Barks, a retired colonel in the told him: ‘Father, you don’t know happens.’” facility operated by Catholic in a very special way,” says Monica. U.S. Army, joined nine others as me. I’m a high school dropout; I Today, Dcn. Popo’s reach Charities of Fort Worth (CCFW), “Many of our residents have been recipients of the Benemerenti Medal, have no education.’ You couldn’t within the community is far greater Lucy hopes to put down roots. “I through very tough times. Our created by Pope Pius VI in the late pay me to get in front of people because he is a deacon. He can now have lived here since March of this Casa staff and individuals like 1700s. In 1832, Pope Gregory XVI and say my name, much less teach perform weddings, funerals, and year, and I can honestly say that Lucy help to make Casa feel like a instituted the medal to recognize a class. But he said ‘give it a try, see baptisms. Casa is the best apartment I have community. It is inspiring to see.” individuals who have exhibited what happens.’ “At first, I thought ‘What am ever lived in,” she marvels. “I can’t Lucy agrees that activities like the long and exceptional service to the “Forty-four years later, I’m still I doing here. I don’t belong here.’ say enough about this wonderful cooking, creative writing, and art Catholic Church, their families and doing it.” But no, that was God’s call, and place and the Casa staff. I feel so classes that are offered, as well as communities. Dcn. Popo and his wife Lupe’s God is good. All the time.” Also recognized were Peter blessed to be here.” the regular “game nights” and Flynn, diocesan vice chancellor for Monica Quiroz, CCFW’s communal meals, all help to make administrative services; Deacon executive director of housing, the well-maintained apartment Popo and Lupe Gonzalez, leaders explains that Casa, a 200-unit building feel like “a real home.” in the Hispanic community in apartment building located in the “I’ve moved a lot, over the Denton; Ann Healey, former cultural district of Fort Worth, years,” she says. “Now, I’m staying diocesan director of Deacon is one of four housing facilities put.” Formation; Lucas Pollice, diocesan operated by CCFW, as part of director of Catechesis; Heather the organization’s commitment Catholic Charities Fort Worth, Reynolds, president and CEO of to providing high-quality, safe, Inc., provides affordable, subsidized Catholic Charities Fort Worth, and affordable housing to low- housing for low-income elderly and Inc.; Jean Riley, an advocate for the income elderly and disabled disabled/handicapped persons. To be disabled within the Church and clients. The facilities — which also eligible, a person must be 62 years of Fort Worth community; Daniel include two apartment buildings in age or older and able to function self- Shine, an active parishioner of Stephenville and one in Arlington sufficiently. The cost is based on 30% Our Lady Queen of Peace Church — are open to those who meet low of the resident’s annual adjusted gross in Wichita Falls and a member income eligibility criteria set by the income as described by Department of various diocesan boards and U.S. Department of Housing and of Housing and Urban Development committees, such as the capital Urban Development (HUD). (HUD) guidelines. CCFW is campaign committee; and Ann For Lucy, a skilled artist not currently accepting housing Louise Smith, an Oblate of the and teacher, her new home and applications for disabled individuals Sisters of St. Mary of Namur with its proximity to her parish, San under age 62 due to a change in service as a campus minister and Mateo Mission, has given her an guidance from the U.S. Department hospital minister. opportunity to be of service in of Housing and Urban Development Barks became a member of the ways that are deeply meaningful (HUD). For more information advisory council after being urged to her. “I lost a leg to cancer over about the CCFW housing program, by his wife, Marie, to replace her. 26 years ago,” she explains matter- visit the CCFW Web site at www. A member of the Knights of of-factly. “I was sent home to die, catholiccharitiesfortworth.org/ St. Peter Claver, he said he couldn’t but God had other plans for me.” housing or call (817) 534-0814. turn down an increased role as PAGE 8 NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC, JANUARY, 2012 Vocations Former physician Michael Moloney ordained to transitional diaconate By Michele Baker Correspondent

Bishop Kevin Vann ordained Michael Moloney of the Diocese of Fort Worth to the transitional diaconate Nov. 19 at Sacred Heart Chapel on the campus of Sacred Heart Seminary in Franklin, Wisconsin. Ordination to the transitional diaconate is the final step before ordination to the priesthood which usually takes place six months to a year later. For Michael Moloney, the journey to this point has been a long one, covering 50 years and two continents. Born to a dairy farming family in County Waterford, Ireland, Moloney had what he describes as “a full Catholic school education.” His first inkling of a call to the priesthood came when he was a first-year high school student. “A missionary priest from Africa visited our school,” he recalls. “And I went home and told my mother that I’d like to be a missionary priest. She laughed and said, ‘Talk to me when you’re 21!’ and that was that for a long while.” Tracked into the biology/pre-med field, he put thoughts of missionary work aside and continued in the field of medicine. When Moloney graduated from medical school in the 1970s, Texas passed legislation to recruit doctors. The Irishman, who’d Photo courtesy of Sacred Heart School of Theology Photo courtesy of Diocese of Fort Worth Vocations Office loved cowboys and John Wayne movies as a child, jumped at the Deacon Michael Moloney accepts the Book of the Gospels from Bishop Kevin Vann during his Nov. 19 ordination, Michael Moloney poses for his formal chance and relocated to Houston. Before long, he’d acquired all hearing the words “Receive the Gospel of Christ, whose hearald you now are. Believe what you read, teach what Seminarian portrait taken at St. Peter Church in the trappings of a successful physician. you believe, and practice what you teach.” Lindsay. “I had the BMW, a beautiful home, vacation properties,” Moloney said. “But I’d long since packed away my faith, and by He eventually enrolled in a school in Canada that taught The question would hang over Moloney’s head for years. the time I was 30, I started asking myself if what I had was all doctors how to use their skills in the mission field. There, at When his career led him to take a position as medical director of there is.” that Protestant school for missionaries, Moloney returned to his a hospital in Wichita Falls he developed a friendship with the Irish That question led him on a search for truth that Moloney Catholic faith. priest, Father Aidan Donlon, SAC, who served as chaplain there. believes could only have happened in Texas. As the school taught them Catholic spirituality Moloney said, “There was a vocations dinner and Fr. Donlon invited “Texas gave me a context for conversion,” he explains. “There “it all began to make sense because I was drawing on my Catholic me to attend. Bishop Vann was there and spoke of beginning a was a religious tolerance that I’d never experienced before and lots education.” And so he returned to the Church and became active discernment group for men. I knew then and there that I had to of people sharing their faith.” Encouraged by that openness, he in parish life. participate,” Moloney said. “If for no other reason than to put this found himself in a Bible study for doctors at the hospital where he While attending a bioethics conference in Lincoln, question out of my mind once and for all.” In 2008 he ended up worked. Nebraska, he once again began to hear that whisper of a call to the at Sacred Heart Seminary in Wisconsin in a program designed “And I fell in love with the Word of God,” Moloney said. priesthood. specifically for later vocations. “The Gospel of John worked on me. And I found that my At lunch Moloney was seated next to Bishop Glennon P. So now, at age 61 Deacon Michael Moloney is scheduled to colleagues were much more ‘real’ in Bible study class than they Flavin of the Diocese of Lincoln. While talking to him, Bishop be ordained in early Summer, 2012. What does he think about all were in the professional arena.” Flavin suggested that Moloney might have a call to the priesthood. this? After years as a regular in the group, he began attending Moloney laughed, but Bishop Flavin countered by asking, “I am 100 percent at peace,” Dcn. Moloney said. “I see it as a services at a Presbyterian church. “Don’t you believe the Lord speaks through his bishops?” grace.” Henrietta native prepares for foreign mission as Salesian Lay Missioner By North Texas Elizabeth Parish’s campus ministry followed by a week of retreat with they also would have to leave a lot Catholic Staff program, which she described as her Salesians at Haverstraw-Stony behind when they went out to be “home away from home.” Point, New York. The 14 were evangelizers. He cited the examples While most college students “I helped with a lot of retreats, commissioned during Mass closing of people he knew who did just that look for jobs immediately after and that’s where I decided I wanted out the retreat on August 6. Father and had life-changing experiences: graduating, Henrietta native to do some kind of faith-based Thomas Dunne, SDB, provincial meeting the Lord in their own Kaitlin Darnell, who graduated service.” of the Salesians in the Eastern U.S. emptiness and in the joy of the from Texas Tech University in While in Phnom Penh, Darnell and Canada, presided over the people to whom they were sent. Lubbock in December, will instead will teach English at a school that commissioning. Darnell says that she’s spend a year serving a mission as a trains 18- to 22-year-old women in Fr. Dunne observed that at the becoming a Salesian Lay Missioner Salesian Lay Missioner in Phnom secretarial skills. Transfiguration of Jesus (the feast “to serve, to share God’s love.”

Penh, Cambodia, with the Salesian “It’s a good opportunity Photo courtesy of Salesians of Don Bosco of August 6), Peter, James, and “I wanted to go inside the Sisters at Don Bosco Skills Training because it’s setting them up with a Kaitlin Darnell John had nothing with them when culture and work with the youth,” Center. good job to support their families,” they met God on the mountaintop. she added. “I thought this was a Darnell, the daughter of Kevin she said. early 20s to mid-50s, will serve When they and the rest of the great way to share what I’ve learned and Jean Darnell of Sacred Heart Darnell, 22, is one of 14 lay overseas and domestic missions apostles went out to preach the along the way.” Parish in Wichita Falls, will leave missioners from the United States working with poor, at-risk youth. Good News, God was all they had for the Cambodian capital two that have been commissioned by The volunteers received two to depend upon; they had to leave Father Michael Mendl, SDB, weeks after Christmas on Jan. 10. the Salesians of Don Bosco to serve weeks of orientation at Maryknoll behind all their extra “tools” like communications coordinator for the While a student at Texas Tech, as Salesian Lay Missioners. The and a Salesian summer day camp extra clothes and money. He told Salesians of Don Bosco, contributed to she was an active member of St. missioners, ranging in age from in Port Chester, New York, the soon-to-depart missionaries that this report. NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC, JANUARY, 2012 PAGE 9 Catechesis

By Lucas Pollice

s we celebrate this Christmas season our spiritual life and relationship with God. and once again hear the marvelous During this holy season of Christmas, I am Agood news of Christ’s birth always reminded of St. Th érèse of Lisieux, proclaimed, most of us have become very who was a young Carmelite nun who lived in familiar with the Christmas story and the the last part of the 19th century. St. Th érèse events and circumstances that surround the had a very special devotion to the child Jesus, nativity of Christ. But what do these stories and she lived such a simple life of spirituality and events really reveal to us? You might and love. Her spirituality was called the be surprised how much meaning is really “little way,” and it consisted of daily off ering contained within these simple and beautiful to God simple acts of love and sacrifi ce that passages of Scripture. For as Blessed Pope blossomed into a profound and burning love John Paul II recalled: “In the mystery of for God and neighbor. Th érèse embodied Christmas, the paschal mystery is already in her life and spirituality the simple love of present. Jesus comes into the world to fulfi ll his God that is revealed to us by the infant Jesus mission of salvation which will culminate in at Christmas. Th is love and spirituality is his crucifi xion and in the extraordinary event beautifully articulated in her autobiography CNS photo/Paul Haring of his Resurrection” (Angelus Message, Dec. Th e Story of a Soul which is a must read for 26, 1996). With this in mind I would like For a child is born to us, a son is given to us; any Catholic and would be particularly great to highlight some of the most important upon his shoulder dominion rests. reading during the season of Christmas. St. symbolism and meaning surrounding Th érèse was truly a child before God, and Christ’s birth that reveal to us the Father’s They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, her spirituality was so profound that Blessed plan of salvation that will unfold in the life Father-Forever, Prince of Peace. Pope John Paul II proclaimed her a Doctor and mission of this amazing Christ-child: of the Church in 1997 saying: His dominion is vast and forever peaceful, Bethlehem: Th e fact that Jesus was Upon David’s throne, and over his kingdom, One can say with conviction about Th érèse born in the city of Bethlehem is of great of Lisieux that the Spirit of God allowed meaning and importance. First, it was which he confi rms and sustains By judgment and justice, her heart to reveal directly to the people foretold by the prophet Micah that the both now and forever. of our time the fundamental mystery, the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, the (Isaiah, 9:5-6) reality of the Gospel.... Her 'little way' is the birthplace of David: way of 'holy childhood'. Th ere is something

Th e Swaddling Clothes: After his is the Good Shepherd who gives his life so unique in this way, the genius of St. Th érèse But you, Bethlehem-Ephrathah too small birth, Mary wrapped Jesus in swaddling that he may feed his fl ock and give them of Lisieux. At the same time there is the to be among the clans of Judah, From you clothes. All of us who are parents know that eternal life. confi rmation and renewal of the most basic shall come forth for me one who is to be is still very much the norm to wrap a baby in and most universal truth. What truth of ruler in Israel; Whose origin is from of a blanket or a cloth to keep him or her warm Th e Shepherds in the Field: Th is the Gospel message is really more basic and old, from ancient times…He shall stand and safe. But why does Luke go out of his extraordinary event of the angels of heaven more universal than this: God is our Father fi rm and shepherd his fl ock by the strength way to mention such a normal and seemingly appearing to the shepherds in the fi eld and and we are his children?" of the LORD, in the majestic name of the insignifi cant practice? In the Jewish/Semitic announcing the good news of Christ’s birth — Apostolic Letter, Th e Science of LORD, his God; And they shall remain, culture, the baby was wrapped very tightly is a foreshadowing of the Church, to which Divine Love for now his greatness shall reach to the in a cloth not only to be kept warm and Christ the Good Shepherd would entrust the ends of the earth; he shall be peace. safe, but to also give them good posture. good news of salvation: to his shepherds, the May we, through the intercession of St. — Micah 5:2-4 Th is wrapping in swaddling clothes was successors of the apostles, to be the living Th érèse, receive the grace to contemplate anew in our hearts the face of the infant Th e name Bethlehem also has a very tight wrapping with a thin cloth, a and visible instrument of salvation until the Jesus and through his great love and mercy signifi cant meaning concerning the mission little diff erent from how we do things today. end of time. revealed in the Incarnation rediscover in of Christ. In Hebrew, it means “house of However, for Luke, Jesus being wrapped in a our own lives our “holy childhood” before bread” which is a foreshadowing of Christ cloth at his birth is already a foreshadowing Th us, Christmas reveals to us not only our heavenly Father as we celebrate the holy who will become for all of us through his of his death and burial, when Christ would the birth of the Savior, but in the fullness night of Christ’s birth: death and Resurrection the “bread of life” in once again be tightly wrapped in his burial of time also reveals the Paschal mystery of the Eucharist. Jesus comes into the world to shroud in the tomb. Th us, even at Christ’s Christ and the salvation that will be won give himself and his Body and Blood as the fi rst coming into the world, his ultimate for us through the death and Resurrection true food and drink for the world so that all mission of reconciling the world to God of Christ, and his Real Presence in the Silent night! Holy night! may have life and have it in abundance. through his blood on the cross is already Eucharist that will remain with us and be Son of God, love's pure light being revealed and foreshadowed. our true spiritual food until the end of time. Radiant beams from thy holy face Christmas also a time in which we Th e Rejection at the Inn: Th e fact With the dawn of redeeming grace, that Mary and Joseph were rejected at the Th e Manger: Christ was not laid in a once again are called to contemplate the Jesus, Lord at thy birth. inn because “there was no room” is also a crib or a bed, but was placed in a manger in face of Christ, in particular the face of the foreshadowing of the future rejection of the stable. A manger is a feeding trough for infant Jesus who loves us with a pure and Jesus, Lord at thy birth. Christ as the Messiah by the House of David animals that held hay or other food. Again unconditional love that is so simple yet so that leads to his crucifi xion and death. we have the Eucharistic theme: Jesus who profound. Christmas certainly seems to Merry Christmas! Th e rejection at the inn is also symbolic is the “true bread that comes down from bring out the child in all of us, and it should of humanity having no room for God in heaven” is born in the city named the “house also bring about the simple child-like faith Lucas Pollice is director of Catechesis and their hearts due to sin from which Christ of bread” and is born into a manger which that we are all called to have. It is so easy in Adult Faith Formation and RCIA for the comes to free us. feeds the fl ocks of the shepherd. Th us, Jesus our complicated world to even complicate diocese. PAGE 10 NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC, JANUARY, 2012 VOICES of the CHURCH opinions, stories, wisdom, and personal voice However we arrive here: The new English Missal Each life is a gift from God Makes good sense if you think about it By Denise Bossart By David Mills y father was the product here’s a lot to say about the of a marriage that lasted new version of the Mass ut the Creed we say at about five minutes. ad's life was a gift we started using the first According to family Sunday of Advent, and it’ll to everyone he met BMass is a declaration lore, the ink wasn’t dry D be keeping Catholic writers onM the marriage license before the d-word busyT for a while. Here let’s look at one aspect of personal commitment, came up. The breach in his parents’ marriage .... I hope my life is a gift to of the Mass relevant to the subjects this had a lasting effect on Dad. The healing column covers: the new version of the Nicene even though it’s one that came when he realized that God had called everyone I meet. Creed. I’d like to say two things about it, the him into being despite the circumstances of first about its new opening and the second we make with others. It’s his conception, despite the animosity that about its use of that obscure theological term like the oath of allegiance existed between his parents. Even though “consubstantial.” We’ll look at the first in his parents’ refusal to speak to one another completely compatible. Two sides to the this column and the second in the next. immigrants take when they lasted 60 years, Dad knew that God had a same coin. My greatest joy is sharing the The Nicene Creed in the new Mass plan for him. faith. begins with “I believe,” while the old one became American citizens. My sister and I are 10 ½ months apart I hope my life is a gift to everyone I began with “We believe.” The new version in age. I wasn’t in the plan  at least not meet. simply translates what the official Latin text They usually all say it the plan my parents had set into place. My third child is a free spirit. We says. Catholics in France, Germany, Spain, My mother was into her fifth month of laugh at the things she’s tried. Soccer. and other countries have always said “I together but each one says pregnancy before she would wear maternity Flute. Swimming. Fencing. Guitar. believe.” clothes or admit to anyone that another child Community college. Massage school. Dog Some people have noted that the “I hereby declare.” was on the way. grooming. My daughter, the free spirit, is original version of Nicene Creed began with I know how she felt. It’s how I felt a gift from God. “We believe,” and think that the one we when my third child was born before the She moved back home about a year say at Mass should too. I don’t think this the woman and she says “I do” to him. Their middle child was two and the older child was ago, along with her two sons. She isn’t follows. That particular version began with saying “We do” wouldn’t feel as personal nor four. But my discomfiture went far beyond married. Hasn’t ever been married. After “we” because in it a Council of the Church’s as binding. the spacing issues. The circumstances a long day, she lays one baby down in a bishops were (way back in A.D. 325) In saying the Creed at Mass, we’re surrounding the conception are still painful crib in one corner and another baby in a speaking as a unified body. saying “I do” to God. We’re saying “This is and something I keep private. Bottom line, I toddler bed in the other corner and then The bishops were declaring what the who you are and what you’ve done for us, did not want to be pregnant. climbs into her own bed. It isn’t ideal. Church believed. They meant not just “all and I’m betting my whole future on you.” Talk about a long line of less-than- The guest room was never designed to be we bishops” but “all we Christians.” In If I’m right about all this, the effect of ideal conceptions. Dad. Me. My daughter. used as a home for this little family. We other words, the first Creed was an official saying “I believe” is more personal and direct The world would probably give its nod to are all tired and used to capacity. Bottles statement of a corporate commitment like than saying “We believe.” It’s more dramatic terminating any pregnancy conceived in line the top shelf of the dishwasher. the American Constitution, which begins and makes the reality of what we’re agreeing these circumstances. Laundry is going around the clock. Babies with “We the People of the United States.” to much starker. It feels to me a lot more The world is wrong. cry out in the middle of the night. Every But the Creed we say at Mass is a binding, and that’s a good thing. I learned about unconditional love from day is a new adventure into the many declaration of personal commitment, even One other thing. Saying “I believe” my father. He was the first and best example ways a day can deviate from a plan. though it’s one that we make with others. also better expresses our unity, though you I have experienced of the love our Heavenly We are living out the call to respect It’s like the oath of allegiance immigrants might not expect it to. As a statement of Father has for His children. As a Protestant life. We believe that all human life is take when they became American citizens. our unity with the people standing next to pastor, Dad lived and shared the Gospel precious to God. Each life is a gift from They usually all say it together but each one us, and all the other Catholics in the world, message. He was an evangelical with a heart God to the world. says “I hereby declare.” He has to say “I” it’s even more powerful than “We believe” for ecumenism. What a great combination! His I don’t know what God has in mind because he goes on to promise to defend his because everyone is making the same suffering and death sent me on a journey that for those two little boys. All I know is new country with his life, among other life- intimate declaration of commitment, the ended with my entry into Mother Church. He this. God made them, just as surely as He changing commitments. That’s the kind of same immigrant’s promise, the same “I do,” taught me to love God and follow Him  no made my dad and me and my daughter – promise a person has to make by himself and at exactly the same time in exactly the same matter where the journey took me. because the value of a life has nothing to for himself. words Dad’s life was a gift to everyone he met. do with how it is conceived. Human life The Creed is the same kind of Someone — I think the English I am the mother of four children. At the has value because it is made in the image statement. It’s not just a theological list with Catholic writer Ronald Knox, but I can’t age of 40, I entered the Catholic Church. To of God. no connection to your life. It summarizes find the quote — described the effect this date, I have written articles for 43 diocesan Life is a gift from God. Our pledge and focuses the Faith for which as a baptized way. Hearing all the people say “I believe,” he newspapers, shared my conversion story with to be a people of life does not end with Christian you’ve agreed to give your life, said, was like seeing a candle-lit procession numerous parishes, been a guest on two the birth of a baby. We show that we are in ways big and small. It’s a statement of along a hillside from a distance. Everyone EWTN programs, and been interviewed on a people of life every day because each life your citizenship, of your fundamental and held a candle of his own, but together they so many radio shows that I have lost count. is a gift from God to the world. permanent commitment. It seems to me that made one single moving, living stream of I have taught hundreds of students over the we each need to say “I do.” light. years. I continue to write, teach, and pour Denise Bossert is a convert to Catholicism. To give another parallel, saying the myself into my children, grandchildren, She lives in near St. Louis and is a member Creed is like making a wedding vow. The David Mills is the executive editor of FIRST students and readers. I have a passion for of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in bride and groom say “I do” because they’re THINGS (www.firstthings.com). He and the New Evangelization and Ecumenism. I New Melle, Missouri. Read more of Denise's both betting their futures on the other. The his family attend St. Joseph’s Church in learned from my father that these two are writing at www.catholicbygrace.blogspot.com drama comes when the man says “I do” to Coraopolis, just north of Pittsburgh. NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC, JANUARY, 2012 PAGE 11 VOICES of the CHURCH opinions, stories, wisdom, and personal voice The stockings were hung Significance Well, some were by the chimney, and others were, well... flows from the By Kathy Cribari Hamer Christ Child verybody needs This year I have been talking with By Jeff Hensley Msgr. Charles King, too. For 37 years, until Editor, North Texas Catholic somebody to talk his death six months ago, he had escorted hen the stockings me through most of my decisions. He had to, so sometimes W Christmas party for my wife's presided at every major sacrament our family school had us driving from my daughter had received — marriages, baptisms, and were hung, they Southwest Fort Worth, along I-20 anointings. A Meredith talks to and south through Grand Prairie, winding He is gone now, but I still “say a little overlapped our way to the shores of Joe Pool Lake, her microwave. prayer” to him, asking his opinion, his E where her principal's beautiful home was. It doesn’t talk back, but she talks to advice. I think he answers. I believe he does. it anyway. This happens, she’s told me, haphazardly. On our way back, we decided to take During our first dispute, Larry and when she’s at her busiest in the kitchen, and a little tour of the area around the UT I shared words of sassy disagreement. He the ringing phone brings an unsolicited The mantle looked Arlington campus, where we'd gone to didn’t re-drill the 27 holes. Together we conversation that is long and ludicrous. It school in the late '60s. found a creative solution. could come from a telemarketer, an election At around 10,000 students, with fewer messier than Mrs. We began by hanging the stockings volunteer, or even her long-distance aunt than a thousand living on campus, it was from my children, and from his. My who chooses dinnertime to just chat. a much more intimate setting than its Claus’s clothesline in children’s sequined stockings had been While holding the phone, Meredith, a modern counterpart. patched and re-jeweled over wax spills and children’s therapist, responds silently. She The drive under the walkways that an Arctic wind-swirl. melted chocolate stains. Those sparkled stands up straight, looks at her reflection in extend across a lowered Cooper Street, the more than the Las Vegas strip. the shiny, silver microwave, puts both hands massive parking lots, the generally urban Larry’s children’s first Christmas up, in a “Whaaat?” gesture, and smoothly look of the place, was all a bit intimidating. stockings were of patchwork cloth made by continues the telephone conversation. We divided the board by the number As we drove to I-30 and then west their mother Brenda, and topped with their This is an occurrence I laugh at even of people we estimated — we had settled to Fort Worh, having seen a significant names, painted in her own handwriting. though I’ve never actually seen it transpire. on 27 — and that was problematic, because slice of merely the southwest corner of We filled empty hooks with felt But the comedy of my funny daughter dividing the length of the board by the the Metroplex, I began to ponder how stockings made for husbands, wives and conversing with a microwave does not number of offspring caused us to come out young people are able to feel their personal grandchildren, and place-holding, gold-toe seem far-fetched. She is quietly processing with a space on each end, and who wanted significance in such a resource rich, but socks. her frustrations. I guess that makes the that?? crowded and urban place. When the stockings were hung, they microwave a therapist’s therapist. So Larry decided to take the tactile It brought to mind the observation overlapped haphazardly. The mantle looked “If you tell things to the microwave, no approach and “walk the mantle,” beginning often made, that most of America's messier than Mrs. Claus’s clothesline in an one gets mad at you,” Meredith explains. My on the far end, pencil-marking the boards, presidents have come from small towns. It's Arctic wind-swirl. favorite thing to say is, ‘Oh, you’ve got to be re-counting the kids and drilling holes. easier to feel your significance in a smaller We stopped arguing and laughed. We kidding me…” He was happy after he drilled all 27 place; more roles in the local community removed some of the hooks, and on the “The microwave is quiet, and it almost holes. But then we remembered we hadn’t are open for you to explore, and on and on. remaining 17, hung stockings exclusively for always agrees.” counted ourselves. There were actually 29 of But then I thought back to my own our nine offspring and significant others. Some say when married couples us. Neither of us was laughing then. young adult years. At a time when I was And ourselves. disagree, their harshest words are about Was Larry going to re-drill all the holes? seeking out my place in the world and Then, after a discussion (I felt Joe and money, in-laws, or child rearing. It’s been No, he said, definitively. It would split the beginning to explore coming back to faith, Charles listening), we created more stocking a long time since I exchanged harsh words wood. back to a belief in God and being a part of space with a thick board on the dining room with a spouse, and I thought Larry and I, “Hrrumph,” I replied, self-righteously, his people. buffet. We hung some 20 hooks, and reserved married for almost a year, might escape this. “If it was a sewing project, I would rip it out At that time we were serving in that “new mantel” for our 12 grandchildren. I was wrong. We had our first and start over.” VISTA, striving to improve the lot of the It didn’t matter if we agreed on argumentative discussion during this holiday Everybody needs somebody to talk to rural poor in Northwest Arkansas. the number 12; it would be constantly season. Ironically, it was about Christmas (a microwave), and sometimes even disagree Some evenings, I would drag a little growing…. quicker than we knew. stockings, hung by the chimney with care. with (a husband). redwood picnic bench out onto the track Larry and I, like other parents, have First we couldn’t agree on how many All my life I have enjoyed two things: that ran from the gravel road to our spent our lives experiencing joy and children we have. There are stepchildren, in- communication ability and belief. I don’t country house and lie on my back, looking celebration, but also grief and pain. law children and grandchildren. We counted mean writing ability or oratorical talent, but up at the stars — coincidentally feeling my We talk to God about these things, and them by family, age, gender, hair color, and the ability to speak easily, often loudly, with own personal insignificance. we talk to each other about them. temperament. Everything but favorite foods my Heavenly Father. And I have the amazing But a funny thing came of all of that. Usually, from the talking and the and Hokey-Pokey skills. grace to believe He hears me. As I stared awestruck, into the stars above listening we understand; from the beautiful Still, we didn’t have enough fingers, and Six years ago, after the death of our me, realizing my smallness, I came to harmony of the two, we accept. higher math got the better of us, even though former bishop, Joseph Delaney, I was appreciate how wondrous it was that God Hang your stockings. Say your prayers. my husband is a numerical genius. speaking (telephone, not microwave) could love me — in my insignificance. We spent 15 minutes (or more… who’s with his sister Ann Carruth, who lives in And we know of this love because the counting?) calculating yours and mine, Wyoming. We discussed problems, hers with Kathy Cribari Hamer and her husband are one who made those stars and the earth boys and girls, husbands and wives. We familial sickness, mine with one of the mini members of St. Andrew Parish near TCU from which we view them, became one continually lost track, and restarted by catastrophes that hit all families. in Southwest Fort Worth. In May 2009 her of us. Because a baby who was the Son of names, in each sub-family. We commiserated, and Ann gave me a column received the second place award for God came to us, as one of us, we know that We took a break and measured the solution: “Say a little prayer to Joe.” best family life column from the Catholic Press we are loved, that we have a significance mantle, which was topped with a two-inch How lovely to realize her brother, who Association of the U.S. and Canada for the beyond measure. thick board we had cut to hold the stocking- was closer than I to the source of all answers, second time in two years. In 2005, Kathy’s Because of the Baby Jesus, we are hanging hooks. would be willing to listen to me. column received the first place award in the intimately connected to the stars. PAGE 12 NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC, JANUARY, 2012 Features

BEGINS December 24. Just when many people are I hate the growing winding down the holiday cheer, the Church is just revving up her celebratory spirit. My wife’s family in Germany does not put up their ‘Christmas’ hype. Christmas tree until December 24. The day before Christmas is filled with so much joy and excitement. The

festive decorating, food preparation, and hot cocoa sipping (CNS photo/Gregory A. Shemitz) It's about Jesus; all lead up to the celebration of Christ’s Mass and a return Msgr. Kevin Sullivan, left, executive director of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New home for a long dinner with longer conversations. Only York, and Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan of New York help distribute turkeys and other food to when all of this is complete do they retire to the living people in need at a Catholic Charities' center in New York's Harlem community Nov. 22. not Santa Claus. room to open simple, often home-made gifts. By Jeff Hedglen The liturgical season of Christmas officially goes until Jan 9. During this time we not only celebrate the birth of t happens earlier and earlier every year. It used to be our Lord, we recall the Angel Choirs singing “Glory to mid-December, then the week after Thanksgiving, and God,” shepherds coming to worship Jesus, and Wise Men Inow, sometimes it happens early to mid-November. who bring gifts and adore the newborn child. We also Typically I am making my way through the world in a celebrate the feast of Mary the Mother of God Jan. 1, and shopping mall or grocery store; sometimes it is something the season of Christmas I hear on the radio or while watching TV, but somewhere One year ... I left the culminates with the along the way, I realize that I am sick of Christmas. lights that adorned Baptism of Jesus, Jan. 9. Sometimes I fume and think… If I hear that “Santa One year, in an effort Claus is coming to town” one more time, I might chunk a my home on until to stick to the Liturgical (CNS photo/Nancy Phelen Wiechec) fruitcake at someone. Other times I get a little nauseated and Calendar, I left the lights the Baptism of Alyssa Brooks smiles as the congregation recites a new response at the beginning of Mass at kind of offended that I am being coerced into thinking I do that adorned my home on St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Alexandria, Virginia., Nov. 27. The new English translation of not love my wife enough because I have not been to Jared’s. the Lord. until the Baptism of the the Roman Missal was used for the first time in churches across the nation on the first Sunday The thing that irks me the most is that the mega marketing Lord. I figured if the stores of Advent. machine that fuels the secular x-mas so overexposes me to were free to start playing Christmas music in September, I the seasonings of the season that I don’t even like most of too was free to keep the celebration going. Although I got my favorite carols or even watching the “Charlie Brown strange looks from my neighbors every time I drove up to Christmas Special” anymore. the house, I was reminded that Christmas was not over yet. At this point I would like to say that I am not someone One of the many challenges we encounter living in a who is next in line for a visit from the ghost of Christmas secular world is to effectively live out our faith traditions past. It is not so much that I am being a scrooge; rather I when all those around us are not participating. But, with a wish Christmas was celebrated more like the liturgical season little effort we can walk step by step alongside the Church, that it is, not the eight-week. pregame show for Baby Jesus’ enjoying the season of celebrating the birth of our Savior. It birthday party that it has become. might be hard to keep the Christmas spirit going when the I actually do not know what disturbs me more, the long rest of the society has moved on to Valentine’s Day, but if you build-up for Christmas or the lightning speed at which it is put the effort in, this could just be your best Christmas yet! kicked to the curb, along with the Christmas tree, on Dec

26. (I have actually seen this). It seems that as soon as the Jeff Hedglen, youth minister at St. Bartholomew Parish until (CNS photo/Paul Haring) presents are unwrapped, people are flooding the stores to Dec. 31, will assume new duties as campus minister at UTA Carl Anderson, supreme knight of the Knights of Columbus, holds plans for a new return them for what they really wanted. and associate director of Young Adult Ministry, Jan. 1. He plaza named for the Knights of Columbus during a ceremony with Rome Mayor Again, I know I am sounding like a guy named will remain active with Camp Fort Worth. Readers with Gianni Alemanno, left, Dec. 6. The new plaza near Rome's Circus Maximus honors Ebenezer, but what I am getting at is that Christmas questions can contact Jeff at [email protected]. more than 90 years of charitable work by the Knights in the city. Cross-Words

By Mark Simeroth www.sheepdotcom.com Across & Down: 1. And you, Bethlehem, land 3. He slew Goliath of ______, are by no means 4. Maturing least…. (MT 2:6) 5. Circumvent 2. Handling 12345

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5 NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC, JANUARY, 2012 PAGE 13 For four years, St. Patrick Cathedral has hosted the diocesan celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe, allowing devotees a chance to Pay homage to Our Lady Story and Photos by Joan Kurkowski-Gillen / Correspondent

‘Do not let your countenance, your heart be disturbed. Do not fear this sickness of your uncle or any other sickness, nor anything that is sharp or hurtful. Am I not here, I, who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not the source of your joy? Are you not in the hollow of my mantle, in the crossing of my arms? Do you need anything more? Let nothing else worry you, disturb you.’ — Words of Our Lady to Juan Diego

Francisco “Pancho” Contreras portrays Juan Diego during a procession at the beginning of the Mass. prilpr Wall started the day early on Monday, Dec. 12. Before theth first glimmer of dawn lit the Fort Worth skyline, the Amothermother ofof two left her Fort Worth home to make a special delivery. The 31-year-old carried a bouquet of daisies inside St. Patrick Cathedral to place before the statue of a woman who has become a The Matachines perform in St. Patrick's new hall during a reception following the Mass. religious, cultural, and ethnic icon to millions. the Mass. Using movements and steps rich Vann told the gathering of devotees that “I’m Mexican and she’s my mom,” Wall said, fighting back tears in symbolism, the liturgical dancers are part Mary’s appearance to Juan Diego 480 years as she gazed at the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe.” I try to come of a centuries-old tradition among Mexicans ago reminds us that God’s promises are always and Mexican-Americans. Their rhythmic fulfilled. here for her feast day every year.” movements tell the story of the apparitions “She wants us to know that God is always Paying homage to the Virgin, who appeared to a poor Aztec and are considered prayers to the Blessed present and, whatever challenges and worries Virgin. we have, the Mother of God is with us,” the Indian in 1531 on a hillside outside Mexico City, is something she Young members of Ballet Folklorico, bishop said, in a homily given in both English a Fort Worth-based arts organization, also and Spanish. “Our Lady of Guadalupe learned as a child. participated in the Mass by performing “La proclaims once more the greatness of God.” “She was everything to my grandmother, empty, and the skies still dark as worshippers Negra” during the processional and “jarabe Words spoken by Mary during the and it’s the same for me,” Wall whispered filed into the sanctuary to hear the Mariachi tapatio,” the Mexican hat dance, during the apparition, “I am here as your mother. I am from a pew. “I always pray to Our Lady of Girasol band serenade a replica of the Virgin offertory. here to protect you,” still ring true today. Guadalupe. She runs my life.” with “Las Mañanitas” — a traditional “This is the fourth year for this “Is she not the symbol of justice, strength, The Virgin of Guadalupe, also known as Mexican song sung on birthdays and holidays. celebration, and it’s nice to see it continue to and faith for all peoples?” he asked, posing the Patroness of the Americas, was celebrated A Mass, celebrated by Bishop Kevin Vann, grow,” said Josefina Villareal, who coordinated the rhetorical question. “Does she not also in churches and shrines across the United followed the 30-minute musical tribute. the first Our Lady of Guadalupe celebration teach us that all life is sacred, especially before States and Mexico — and in Rome — on Deeply-rooted Hispanic traditions and at St. Patrick. “It’s important to include birth?” Dec. 12 with special liturgies, processions, and customs helped express the celebratory nature young people in the liturgy because they are The feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is a vigils. Many parishes in the Diocese of Fort of the liturgy. the ones who will carry on our traditions not great day for rejoicing, Bishop Vann declared. Worth, among them St. Andrew, San Mateo, Dressed in Aztec-inspired costumes only for Hispanics, but for the larger Catholic “We rejoice in our faith. We rejoice in the St. Peter, All Saints, and St. Joseph, observed embellished with bells, rattling beads, and community. It’s wonderful to see the love the Mother of God who tells us the words spoken the Marian feast day with Mass and social feathered headdresses, a troupe of school-age Virgin has for her people and the people have by the Lord will be fulfilled,” he said. “This is gatherings. Matachines from Assumption of the Blessed for her.” the message of faith Our Lady of Guadalupe Festivities inside St. Patrick Cathedral Virgin Mary Church in Decatur, lead the Wearing a white vestment bearing an began at 5:30 a.m. Downtown streets were procession to the altar at the beginning of image of the Our Lady of Guadalupe, Bishop SEE OUR LADY, P. 20 PAGE 14 NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC, JANUARY, 2012 Our Lady of Guadalupe:

The North Texas Catholic explores how an apparition spread like wildfire across the Americas to By María de Lourdes Ruiz Sc t is hardly a coincidence that in 1945, the year that World War II I ended,e Pope Pius XII looked at the suffering, fragmented world andnd declaredd Our Lady of Guadalupe patroness of the Americas. As noted by the Mexican episcopate and echoed by Blessed Pope John Paul II, the Guadalupe event “meant the beginning of evangelization with a vitality that surpassed all expectations. Christ’s message, through his Mother, took up the central elements of the indigenous culture, purified them, and gave them the definitive sense of salvation… Guadalupe and Juan Diego have a deep ecclesial and missionary meaning and are a model of perfectly inculturated evangelization,” said the Pope in his homily for Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin’s canonization on July 31, 2002. “At the heart of the Guadalupana message has been a deep-seated marriage between Mary the Mother of the Church and, first, Hispanic Catholics in Hispanic America — and then beyond, especially to the United States, eventually drawing into this spiritual world Catholic people of a variety of ethnic heritages,” indicated history professor Dr. Patrick Foley, founder of the journal Catholic Southwest: A Journal of History and Culture. Foley is a noted Texas Catholic historian, and long-time member of Holy Trinity Mission in Azle, just northwest of Fort Worth.

“The essence of this Guadalupe cult,” mother, yours, and all the dwellers of this added Foley, “has inspired the spread of earth. To bring to pass what I request, go and evangelization among millions of Catholics for speak to the bishop of Mexico and say I sent hundreds of years, particularly Hispanics, but you to make manifest to him my will.” so many others also. It is an embodiment of Our Lady appeared to Juan Diego three their Catholic faith, their ethnic heritage, and times, ultimately providing for a skeptical their culture, bringing together the three in the bishop proof of their encounter in the form This image of the Chapel of Our Lady of Guadalupe on the main floor of the Basilica of the Nation love of la Virgen de la Guadalupe.” of two signs: a cloak full of fresh roses in It is a simple and familiar story. December, and a miraculous image of herself all the Americas, beginning with images of indigenous South Americans, such as the Inca on the An Indian named “Cuauhtlatoatzin” or on Juan Diego’s tilma or shawl. “the talking eagle,” was born in Cuautlitlán, Traditionally set in 1531, the Guadalupe language of the Aztec empire, Náhuatl). noted Fr. Cawley, the first direct translator (part of what’s now Mexico City) and later event took place just a few decades after But the story of Juan Diego’s encounter of Guadalupe from the original Náhuatl, baptized Juan Diego. He was a gifted member Christopher Columbus arrived in the with Our Lady was initially transmitted only “preachers and artists generally avoided of the Chichimeca people, one of the more New World. While visions of Spanish orally, recorded originally through Aztec public allusion to its individual episodes, but culturally advanced groups living in the conquistadores dominate the landscape of our pictographic chronicles called mapas, as well censorship was less strict for Indian dances at Anáhuac Valley. imagination, the day-to-day culture of this as through the beautiful detailed ballads the shrine. As a result Spanish spectators could One Saturday in December, Juan Diego altering world remained vastly Aztec, featuring chanted by elderly Indians to accompany the catch the gist of the story from the costumes walked past the hill of Tepeyac (the “Hill of a great diversity of dialects and norms. As annual dance in the plaza of Guadalupe. This and mimicry and from explanations by other the Nose” in Nahuatl, his native tongue) on his the ethnicity of the population increasingly ballad told the story of the miracle of the roses onlookers. By 1600 this gist was so widely way to church, when he heard singing, then a blended, so did the separation and rivalry and of Juan Diego’s tilma, in addition to the known that artists — though not preachers voice calling him from the hilltop, “Juan, my among social classes. installation of the sacred image at the newly as yet — were discreetly depicting even the little one, Juan Diego.” Much of what we know of the culture built shrine. miracles of the roses and tilma,” explained the When he reached the top of the hill, he of that era is a mix of personal narrative, According to Guadalupan scholar Father monk from the Trappist-Cistercian Abbey of saw a lady who asked him to approach. Juan tradition, archaelogical theory, and Martinus Cawley, Guadalupan devotion Our Lady of Guadalupe outside of Fayetteville, Diego bowed before her. “I am,” said the Lady, iconographic sources. It is remarkable, then, among Spaniards born in or near the capital Oregon. “the Holy Mary, the eternal Virgin, Mother of that the first and oldest written document city spread swiftly beyond Mexico’s central Historians, scientists, and experts may the true God. I wish a shrine to be built here to on the Guadalupe event dates back to 1556, valley in the mid-1550s. forever argue about the veracity of specific show my love to you. I am your compassionate “el Nican Mopohua” (written in the official Until the Guadalupe story was printed, details surrounding the Guadalupe story. NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC, JANUARY, 2012 PAGE 15 Arise! Shine God's glory has dawned on you

saiah 60 is about the future rule of Christ on earth. Th e Iprophet writes: “Arise! Shine, for your light has come, the glory of the Lord has dawned upon you. Th ough darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds, the peoples, upon you the Lord will dawn, and over you his glory will be seen. Nations shall walk by your light” (v. 1-3).

He continues:

“Th ey all gather and come to you — your sons from afar, your daughters in the arms of their nurses. ... “For the riches of the sea shall be poured out before you, the wealth of nations shall come to (CNS photo/Crosiers) you. Caravans of camels shall cover you, dromedaries of Midian “Mary, who raises questions about how the birth of Jesus could and Ephah; all from Sheba shall come bearing gold and frankin- happen, is not blamed for her uneasiness,” states Benedictine cense, and heralding the praises of the Lord” (v. 4-6). Father Dale Launderville. “Luke wishes to portray her more CAROLE NORRIS GREENE positively [than Zechariah] because she will give birth to the Son ASSOCIATE EDITOR, FAITH ALIVE! of God and not merely to the greatest of prophets.” CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

Th e Virgin Mother: ‘Let heaven and earth rejoice’

BY FATHERTHOMAS THOMPSON, SM announcement to Zechariah that his wife God” — not even a virgin mother. way for Christ to come into the world. CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE Elizabeth would give birth to a son. Th e virginal conception of Christ A hymn from a sixth-century writer, Similar to Abraham’s wife Sarah, through the overshadowing of the Spirit Venantius Fortunatus, describes how all dvent is a good time to ask ourselves: Elizabeth was beyond child-bearing age. has cosmic signifi cance. Th e same creator creation is in reverence as Christ comes to AWho is this Jesus, whose birth we are (When Sarah heard the news that she was Spirit, who hovered over the waters at the dwell in the body of Mary: preparing to celebrate? to bear a son, she laughed, and the son that dawn of creation, was responsible for the “Th e God whom earth and sea and sky One way to respond is to linger long she bore was called Isaac, the laughter of conception of Christ in the womb of the adore and laud and magnify, whose and lovingly on the phrases from the creed God. Sarah’s laughter reveals that all of Virgin Mary and for the renewal of cre- might they own, whose praise they tell, that we profess at Christmas and every this world’s certitudes can be reversed.) ation in Christ. in Mary’s body deigned to dwell.” Sunday: Jesus Christ is “the Only Begot- When Elizabeth gave birth to John, Mary’s virginal conception was not ten Son of God, born of the Father before the people recognized that “surely the hand so much a personal Marian privilege, but Th e early hymns also loved to dwell on all ages ... consubstantial with the Father; of the Lord was with him” (Luke 1:66). rather a sign that points to something the physical relation between Mary, a crea- through him all things were made.” — Th e second sign was the message much greater, something that confounds ture, and her son, the Word present at the Th ose last words are also found in of the angel Gabriel to Mary, announc- the ordinary course of the universe. beginning of creation. Mary, now enthroned John 1:3, one of the Christmas Gospels: ing that she would conceive a child who It was fi tting that Mary should give on high among the stars, once cared for and “All things came to be through him, and “will be called Son of the Most High, and birth in so extraordinary a manner to the nurtured the one who made the stars! without him nothing came to be,” and in the Lord God will give him the throne of one who is extraordinary beyond all measure. Th e new translation of the Roman Paul’s Letter to the Colossians: Christ is David his father,” and “of whose kingdom Few may be able to enter into the Missal restores the complete text of Eu- “before all things, and in him all things there will be no end” (Luke 1:32-33). implications of this truth that is expressed charistic Prayer 1, which contains the hold together” (1:17). In answer to Mary’s question of in doctrine. But Mary’s being both a vir- ancient church’s description of the role of Th ese texts indicate the church’s be- how this could come about, the angel gin and a mother, and the resurrection of Mary and the saints in the celebration of lief that the one whose incarnation we responded that this would be a wholly mi- Christ from the dead, are two events in every Eucharist: We make this sacrifi ce of celebrate at Christmas was present from raculous event brought about, not by a hu- revelation history that show even the to- praise “in communion with those whose the beginning of the world, and that the man father, but by God: “Th e Holy Spirit tally unlettered that the ordinary course of memory we venerate, especially the glori- imprint of Christ is deeply embedded on will come upon you, and the power of the nature has been completely overturned. ous ever-Virgin Mary, Mother of our God all creation. Most High will overshadow you. Th erefore Th ese two events indicate that the God and Lord, Jesus Christ,” and of all the Th e birth of Christ was preceded and the child to be born will be called holy, the whom we believe in is not only our creator saints. accompanied by the extraordinary events Son of God” (Luke 1:35). and savior but also the Lord of the universe! recounted in the Gospels of St. Matthew Th en, in Luke 1:37, the angel spoke Th e poetry of the early church, ex- Marianist Father Th ompson is director of and St. Luke. the same words already addressed to Abra- pressed in its hymns, made frequent refer- the Marian Library at the University of — Th e fi rst of these events was the ham: “Nothing will be impossible with ence to the virgin birth as the most fi tting Dayton, Ohio. PAGE 16 NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC, JANUARY, 2012 In the beginning was the Word

BY JOSEPH KELLY notion made tremendous demands upon that the light was good.” Readers who also CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE ancient people. For some, it was just too knew Matthew’s Gospel would recall how much to accept. John tells us that many of the light of the star led the Magi to Jesus. atholics attending a later Mass on the Jews who fi rst heard this message ob- But John’s prologue looks equally to CChristmas Day are often surprised jected to it and listened to Jesus no more. Luke’s infancy narrative. John speaks of by the Gospel reading. Th ere is no men- But other Jews who heard of the “his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only tion of shepherds, of Magi, of angels, of Word made fl esh did believe, and they be- Son.” Readers familiar with Luke’s account Bethlehem or, very surprisingly, of Mary came Jesus’ fi rst disciples. would recall that the angels sang to the and Joseph. “John’s prologue is a type of genealogy, speaking of Although the Gospel of John will tell shepherds, “Glory to God in the highest.” Instead, the Gospel starts: “In the Jesus’ eternal generation from the Father,” writes primarily about the words and deeds of Th e modern religious Christmas fo- beginning was the Word,” and it continues Joseph Kelly. (CNS photo illustration/Bob Roller) Jesus during his public career, this magnifi - cuses almost entirely on the infancy nar- to speak only of the Word of God. cent prologue focuses on what the Word ratives of Matthew and Luke as well as on What people are hearing is the pro- In fact, John’s prologue is a type of did before becoming fl esh. material that is not found in those narra- logue to John’s Gospel. But why is this a genealogy — not the human genealogy In this prologue, John also alludes to tives, for example, that Gospel Magi were Christmas Gospel reading? recorded by Matthew but a divine one, the creation. actually three kings. John wrote his Gospel after Matthew speaking of Jesus’ eternal generation from He tells his readers that the Word “was John’s Gospel takes Jesus’ birth very and Luke had written theirs, and those the Father. “In the beginning was the in the beginning with God” and that “all seriously indeed but does not express it are the two Gospels with the accounts of Word, and the Word was with God, and things came to be through him, and with- in the familiar form. Like Matthew and Jesus’ birth. the Word was God.” out him nothing came to be,” so the incar- Luke, John speaks about Jesus’ birth but in Matthew has the Magi and the fl ight But why does John say “Word” rather nation is not the fi rst time the Son has been terms of the divine Word, present at the into Egypt, while Luke has the Annuncia- than “Son”? Because, like all the evan- concerned with all of creation. John has creation, becoming again present but this tion, the census and the shepherds. Th ey gelists, John wrote in Greek, and in that eff ectively linked the Word with the world time to the creation. Th e world was created focus upon the birth of the human Jesus. language, the word for “Word” means “the Jesus would come to save. Even more, the through him, and now it would be re- Matthew’s Gospel even includes a geneal- perfect expression.” Th e Son of God is the phrase “in the beginning” recalls the very deemed through him via his human birth, ogy that traces Jesus’ human ancestors all perfect expression of the Father, that is, in fi rst words of the entire Bible, Genesis 1:1. his incarnation. the way back to Abraham, the father of his human form he will present the divine John maintains the creation motif in Th is prologue makes a superb Christ- the Jewish people. reality to us humans. the next verse: “Th rough him was life, and mas Gospel reading. John, on the other hand, wanted to Th e prologue emphasizes that “the this life was the light of the human race; emphasize Jesus’ divinity. His Gospel re- Word became fl esh” because this was a radi- the light shines in the darkness.” Joseph Kelly is professor of religious studies cords Jesus’ sayings such as “Th e Father and cal idea for the ancient world, saying that the Jesus represents the re-creation of the at Jesuit-run John Carroll University in I are one” and “If you knew me, you would divine being could take on fl esh and become world, so John again takes us back to fi rst Cleveland and author of AN INTRODUC- know my Father.” John’s emphasis upon incarnate as a revelation of divinity itself. day of creation when God separated the TION TO THE NEW TESTAMENT FOR CATH- Jesus as divine begins with the prologue. Although we accept this today, this light from the darkness, and “God saw OLICS, Liturgical Press. Th e necessity of ‘Dreaming of a First Christmas’

BY JEFF HEDGLEN did something that changed his life: He weaving is a dream that began in the heart NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC COLUMNIST went to sleep. In a dream the angel of the of God long ago. Lord came to him and said, “Joseph, son God’s dream for Christmas day began hristmas is a time full of dreams. of David, do not be afraid to take Mary the day Adam and Eve ate the forbidden CBing Crosby is dreaming of a white your wife into your home. For it is through fruit. Th e crowning jewel of his creation, Christmas, almost everyone dreams of a the Holy Spirit that this child has been the only ones with a free will to love Him peaceful night spent with family, good conceived in her” (Mathew 1:20). When he had chosen to disobey Him, and this dis- food, laughter, gifts exchanged, twinkling awoke, he did what he was commanded. obedience broke their relationship. Th is of lights and just the right amount of But this was not the end of Joseph’s was not the plan. I can in no way imagine magic. But Christmas dreaming had been “Christmas dreaming.” After Jesus was what God was feeling in that moment going on long before children were snug born, the angel of the Lord came to him other than love. in their beds, with visions of sugarplums again, this time warning him about a plot God’s love created the universe and all dancing in their heads. by Herod to have Jesus killed. Just like the that is in it. God’s love gave humanity free For hundreds of years an entire na- fi rst time, when he awoke he did what he will, God’s love allows us to sin and turn tion dreamed about Christmas. Th rough This creche is displayed at Holy Cross Church in had been commanded to do (Matthew our backs on Him and that very same love all the ups and downs, hopes and dreams, Onamia, Minnesota. 2:13-15). spawned a dream to bring us back into and promises made that they believed were Th e power of dreams surrounding the right relationship, to wash away our sin, to slow in being fulfi lled. Th rough all this visit evoked the kind of questions asked birth of Jesus was not limited to the people restore us to our original holiness. Th e cul- the people of Israel continued to dream after waking from a strange dream. “She of Israel. Magi from the East came to Jeru- mination of the dream that was hatched in of a Messiah, someone who would free was greatly troubled and pondered what salem in search for the newborn king of the the Garden of Eden took form in a stable them from bondage, occupation, sin, and sort of greeting this might be”; “How can Jews; they had seen his star in the heavens in Bethlehem and achieved its ultimate suff ering. A savior who would put the re- this be, since I have had no relations with and followed it. Herod decided to use them end on Calvary and in the empty tomb grettable past behind them and lead God’s a man?” But with her head swimming with as spies to discover the whereabouts of this Love is wanting the good for another chosen people into what were for them the amazement and her faith exploding with child. Th ey did fi nd Jesus and upon seeing and being willing to do what it takes to seldom tasted waters of freedom. trust, she accepts the overwhelming call to him paid him homage. Th en in dream they make that good come to pass. God wanted God’s chosen people never stopped be the virgin Mother of God’s son with a were warned to not go back and report to the “good” of humanity being reconciled dreaming. As the appointed time ap- humble “Behold I am the handmaid of the Herod, and they went home another by an- with Him. He was willing to do every- proached, more people began to dream and Lord. May it be done to me according to other route (Matthew 2:1-12). thing in his power to make that happen. have visions more spectacular than any hall your word” (Luke 1:26-38). Th e story of the birth of Jesus has Th e manifestation of God’s love is not only that has ever been decked with holly. Her betrothed Joseph, on the other God and his messengers implanting dream legendary; it is the stuff of dreams. Strictly speaking Mary was not asleep hand, was a bit less willing. Upon hear- after dream, announcing salvation, encour- during her visit by the Angel Gabriel, but I ing that Mary was pregnant he decided aging faithfulness, warning about danger, Jeff Hedglen, is a youth and young adult can imagine when it was over it must have to divorce her quietly rather than publi- and thwarting the plans of an evil king. minister who writes regularly for the seemed like a dream. Her reaction to the cally accuse her of adultery. But then he But behind the scenes of all this dream NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC. NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC, JANUARY, 2012 PAGE 17 Learning from the shepherds and the Magi

BY FATHER GERALD O’COLLINS, SJ prophet Micah has placed the birth of the Even though the priests, scribes and CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE ruler who will shepherd his people. others know the Scriptures and, above all, In their search for the newborn King, the prophecy of Micah about the location t fi rst glance, the shepherds in Luke’s the Magi are helped only by a new star of the Messiah’s birth, none of them join ANativity story and the Magi in Mat- that they fi rst glimpse at its rising (Mat- the Magi in going the few miles from Je- thew’s Nativity story hardly pair off to- thew 2:2) and then, much later, on the road rusalem to Bethlehem. Th ose with decisive gether. from Jerusalem to Bethlehem (Matthew advantages fail to make use of their chance. Th e shepherds may not be totally 2:9). In the season of the Nativity, it is destitute, but they belong with the poor, Th e shepherds, however, need an angel worth looking carefully at the fi gures of who struggle to survive. Th ey sleep rough of the Lord, backed up by a multitude of the shepherds and the Magi that surround at night as they guard their sheep under other angels singing the praises of God, our Christmas creches. We might ask our- the stars. Economically they rate nowhere to stir them into leaving their sheep and selves: How did they get there to worship near the Magi, who have the resources to heading for Bethlehem. our Lord and Savior, the newborn Christ travel to Bethlehem from a distant country Unlike Elizabeth, Zechariah, Joseph, Child? and bring expensive gifts for the newborn Simeon, Anna and Mary herself, the shep- If we feel that life’s lottery has given Christ Child. Th e shepherds have no gifts herds cannot be called devout and obser- us few advantages, we can think of the to bring to the manger. Th ey can bring vant Jews. Religiously, they are marginal poor shepherds and the rich Magi. In their only themselves. people who are taken up with keeping diff erent ways the two groups emerge from Moreover, the Magi are Gentiles and watch, day and night, over their fl ock. the Christmas story as those who made the shepherds are Jews. Admittedly, the What unites the Magi and the shep- the very best of the limited chances they shepherds’ way of life makes it impos- herds is the way in which, despite their were given. sible for them to keep all the regulations disadvantages, they rise at once to the oc- Whether we have to come from a of the law that God gave to his people. journey: the newborn King of the Jews. casion. Th ey respond immediately to the distance or have to travel only a few miles, Religiously, the shepherds remain on the Distance and time set the shepherds call and the chance they are given from there is always room for us at the manger. fringes of Jewish society. Yet, unlike the and the Magi apart if they are going to heaven: a star in the case of the Magi and O come, let us adore our newborn Magi, they are insiders and not gentile keep their rendezvous with the Christ angelic visitors in the case of the shep- King and Redeemer! outsiders. Child. herds. No matter where we start from, what If we set our minds to it, further dif- Yet the Magi and the shepherds stand Th e Magi, in particular, take advantage counts is using our chance to kneel before ferences emerge. A short walk takes the together, and not least by being disadvan- of the very limited chances they have been the baby lying in the manger or nestling in shepherds to fi nd Jesus lying in a manger taged. given to accomplish their mission. But the arms of Mary. in Bethlehem. Th ey are already living and Th e Magi live in another country before they reach their journey’s end, when working in that region (Luke 2:8). and do know the inspired Scriptures. Th e they arrive in Jerusalem not only King Jesuit Father O’Collins has taught theol- Th e Magi, however, prompted by a chief priests and scribes have studied their Herod but also the whole city are alarmed ogy at the Pontifi cal Gregorian University strange star that they observed at its rising, Scriptures and, through King Herod, can at what the Magi have to say about their in Rome. His 48 published books include have traveled for many days or even some direct their exotic visitors from the East search for the King of the Jews (Matthew JESUS OUR REDEEMER; Oxford University months before they reach the goal of their toward Bethlehem. Th at is where the 2:3). Press. A WELCOME Christmas gift

BY FATHER STANLEY J. KONIECZNY Within 30 minutes, Walter was back. Bethlehem that holy night was ‘welcome.’ CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE “I fi nished my Christmas shopping “After their long journey to Bethle- and decorating in one stop,” he yelled to hem, the only word that Joseph and Mary he unseasonably warm weather gave Tim, who muttered, “Th is I have to see.” prayed to hear was ‘welcome.’ TTim one last opportunity to add to Tim crossed the street in time to fi nd “Can you imagine how they felt when the lights and Christmas decorations on Walter picking up a handful of yellowed one caring innkeeper fi nally extended his his porch and lawn. But gusty breezes fl iers for lawn services and delivery pizza hand to the carpenter, saying, ‘My friend, made it diffi cult to hold onto the latest from around his front door. you and your wife are welcome to stay in additions — banners that read, “Hope,” “You’re just in time,” Walter told Tim the stable out back’? “Peace,” “Joy” and other traditional watch- as he reached inside the door, and, with a “And then, when shepherds ducked words of the season. fl ourish, produced a brand new doormat their heads in to peer onto the poor shelter, Struggling with “Peace” in the shape with the word “welcome” scrolled in black they were blessed by Mary’s gentle greet- The word "welcome" on a doormat conveys an of a dove, Tim glanced across the street at script against deep brown pile. ing of ‘Welcome. Th is is my son, Jesus,’ as inviting message similar to the one Joseph and Mary the stark, somewhat untidy porch of his “You buy a new doormat and you call she invited the visitors to come closer to prayed to hear after their long journey to Bethlehem. bachelor neighbor, Walter, who did not that Christmas shopping and decorating?” the tiny bundle that she cradled tenderly.” (CNS illustration/Emily Thompson) even bother to hang a wreath of holly. Tim asked in exasperation. “Well, when I came home from that “Next year, we’re going to simplify our “No, not a doormat; a welcome mat,” trip, I noticed that the welcome mat by my your replacement. Merry Christmas! You display like old Walter; maybe he has the Walter corrected, adding, “And it is a dec- front door was becoming a little thin and and Anne are welcome to come over this right idea,” Tim vowed as “Peace” snapped oration that happens to celebrate the most threadbare, just like the rest of the place. evening for a bit of Christmas cheer and to in his face and around his head. important word in all of Christmas.” So that holiday season and every year after break in my welcome mat.” Over the fl apping of nylon, Tim heard Walter sat down on the porch, made that I have replaced my doormat and have Th en Walter added, “And tell Anne a door slam and then a pleasant “Morning.” himself comfortable and then explained: renewed that most holy message of Christ- that she’s welcome to bring a plate of her It was Walter, who always was eco- “You see one Christmas, a number of mas: Welcome! Christmas cookies as well.” nomical with the words of his greetings. years ago, I was far from home on busi- “Th at is all the decorating I need to “I’m off to do my Christmas shopping ness. I went to Mass and heard a priest do.” Father Stan Konieczny is pastor of St. John down at the hardware store,” he mentioned preach about ‘welcome’ as the most im- Walter then picked up a hardware store the Baptist Church, Smithton, Illinois and to Tim. portant word, the holiest word uttered at bag, extended it to Tim, and said, “Oh, a long-time contributor to the Catholic “Christmas shopping at a hardware the fi rst Christmas. Th is priest said that Tim, sorry to mention it, but I noticed that News Service Faith Alive! Christmas store? What an odd man,” Tim thought. the word that everyone longed to hear at your welcome mat is a bit worn, too. Here’s package. PAGE 18 NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC, JANUARY, 2012 Simeon continues to speak to modern believers

BY FATHER W. T HOMAS FAUCHER day at night prayer. "Simeon was CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE What is so powerful about Simeon and what people say about him today is given the gift by or many years in the Pacifi c North- that he seems so timeless. He suddenly ap- the Holy Spirit Fwest there was a famous monk (now pears from nowhere with just a few incred- deceased) who, as a novice in his monas- ibly praiseworthy words of introduction, of knowing that tery, had received the name of Simeon. He and he lives out a promise made to him by he would not die reveled in the description of the biblical God. Simeon as a man who was “righteous and He “amazes” Joseph and Mary by call- until he had seen devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, ing Jesus “a light for revelation to the gen- and the Holy Spirit was upon him.” tiles, and glory for your people Israel.” the Messiah," Th e modern monk told everyone that Simeon goes on to tell Mary that writes Father W. he tried to live his life so that this would “this child is destined for the fall and rise be a description of him as well. of many in Israel.” He speaks of a sword Thomas Faucher. His choice of Simeon as a role model piercing Mary’s heart so that the thoughts "He recognized was a wise decision. of many hearts may be revealed. Th en, Luke’s description of Simeon as pos- leaving behind the fi nest one-paragraph the baby Jesus as sessing the Holy Spirit is unique in the description of the life and meaning of Gospels, and it speaks volumes about the Jesus Christ ever written, and having told that Messiah." interplay between the Old and New Testa- God that he is ready to be called into (CNS photo/ ments. heaven, he simply disappears from the Th e great guresfi of John the Baptist, Gospels forever. Crosiers) Zachariah, Elizabeth, Simeon, Anna the One woman told me that, even as she prophetess, and a few others connect the tries and often fails to pray the Divine Of- deep spirituality of the Jewish world into fi ce every day, the one prayer she will never which Jesus was born with the transforma- omit is the Nunc Dimittis, where Simeon tion of that world by his life, death, and says to God that “now, Master, you may let resurrection. your servant go in peace, according to your But of these, few have as many lines of word, for my eyes have seen your salva- Gospel texts as Simeon. Both Luke’s nar- tion.” could be like Simeon.” Th e modern Simeon wanted a story, ration of his story and Simeon’s words re- Th is woman went on to say, “Listen My friend, the modern monk Simeon, even a fi ctional one, about this marvelous verberate down the centuries and continue to that faith. What had he seen? He had was a wonderful priest. He worked in a man. to speak to modern listeners. seen a baby, just a baby. He didn’t see any seminary and in parishes, and was often I gave his suggestion some thought Simeon was given the gift by the Holy miracles, he didn’t hear any preaching, and more comfortable outside of his monas- and prayer, and decided not to do it. Luke Spirit of knowing he would not die until he didn’t see the resurrection. He saw a tery than within it. chose to make the biblical Simeon a man he had seen the Messiah, and he recog- baby and two overwhelmed parents. But He told me once, when he and I of mystery and profound faith, and I think nized the baby Jesus as that Messiah. His he believed! And that meant that he could shared a project of writing fi ctional ac- that is all that needs to be said about him. prayer, the Nunc Dimittis, has been used die in peace.” counts of people who knew Jesus, that I for centuries as part of the Divine Offi ce She continued, “I want so much from should write a fi ctional account of the life Father Th omas Faucher is pastor of St. and is prayed by thousands of people each God to keep my faith strong. I just wish I of Simeon. Mary’s Catholic Church in Boise, Idaho. Witness and blessing of the elders

BY MAUREEN DALY “Even though they were elderly, they and you are good,’” O’Neal said. CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE were able to recognize that this baby was Josephite Father Donald M. Fest sees special. Th ey were not there to see him as the presentation in the temple as an ex- he New American Bible Revised Edi- an adult. Th ey did not see him perform ample of Joseph’s role as teacher of Jesus Ttion in a note on Luke 2:22-40 says: miracles, but they were able to see that this in the ways of faith. Fr. Fest, pastor of St. “Th e presentation of Jesus in the temple was the hope they had been waiting for. Veronica Catholic Church in Baltimore, depicts the parents of Jesus as devout Jews, Th at was a gift from God.” said that his devotion to St. Joseph in- faithful observers of the law of the Lord, O’Neal learned Simeon’s prayer, “Now, fl uenced his choice to join the Josephite i.e., the law of Moses.” Master, you may let your servant go in order. Similarly, the witnesses of the presen- peace,” as “the night prayer of the church.” “I see St. Joseph as the protector of tation are described by their faithfulness: She sees special signifi cance in these words Mary and Jesus, and so, protector of the Simeon is “righteous and devout, awaiting coming from older believers. church,” Fr. Fest said. “Joseph also was a the consolation of Israel” and Anna “never “It is so touching,” O’Neal said. “Anna teacher to Jesus.” left the temple, but worshiped night and and Simeon were at peace now and could He directed me to his order’s web- day with fasting and prayer.” let go. I think it shows that, when you have site, www.josephite.com, where prayers Deirdre O’Neal of Naperville, Illinois, been faithful all of your life, you will be focus on Joseph’s role as Jesus’ guardian fi nds special meaning in the testimony of able to let go and go on to the next, hope- and teacher. Th e daily prayer to St. Joseph the elderly witnesses. “After a lifetime of fully more fulfi lling, part of your life.” asks: “Adopt me as your child.” Th e peti- living as faithful observers of the Jewish She felt that society tends to dismiss tion to St. Joseph asks: “Instruct me in law, both Simeon and Anna, male and fe- its elderly, not appreciating the gifts that every doubt” and “be our guide, father and male, were able to recognize that this was Simeon and Anna are types of the elderly, who they have to off er, especially by way of model through life.” the Savior that they had been taught about having served faithfully, are rewarded to simply their prayers. and had been waiting for their whole see the work of God in the world go forward. (CNS “I think it is important for the elders Maureen Daly is a freelance writer in lives,” O’Neal said. photo/Morteza Nikoubazl, Reuters) to bless the little children, to say, ‘I see you, Baltimore. NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC, JANUARY, 2012 PAGE 19 Mother of the Americas on Tepeyac Hill to an indigenous peasant named Juan Diego o convert millions of people to Christianity caperlanda / Correspondent

‘The Virgin Mary’s beautiful facial expressions, reflecting the love of her Divine Son, and her appearance as an indigenous lady, greatly attracted the Aztecs and other indigenous people to the Catholic faith.’ — Dr. Patrick Foley, professor of history Founder of Catholic Southwest: A Journal of History and Culture

the Guadalupe story from his own mouth,” Pius X declared Our Lady of Guadalupe said Fr. Cawley. patroness of all Latin American countries As district governor, Pablo Xuárez noted in 1910. In 1945, Pope Pius XII declared when interviewed later that same day, “in his Guadalupe “Empress of the Americas.” And grandmother’s day, the story was so popular in 1960, John XXIII called Our Lady of that even the toddlers were heard ‘reciting or Guadalupe the “celestial missionary of the chanting it,’” added Fr. Cawley. “I visualize New World” and “Mother of the Americas.” little Juana on her father’s lap, singing along Pope John Paul II became the first pope with him as he rehearses the ballad for the to visit the shrine in Mexico City in 1979, annual dance — since someone so deeply returning to Guadalupe in 1990 to proclaim interested in local lore would surely be an apt Juan Diego “Blessed.” candidate for chanting it at the shrine.” “On a recent visit to the Tepeyac shrine According to Dr. Foley, it is hard to I glimpsed what seems the essence of the dispute the impact of Our Lady’s presence on devotion,” Fr. Cawley observed. The figure was the unfolding New World. “an elderly couple sitting silent and motionless, Quoting historian Francis Johnston, his arm gently around her shoulder. They Foley emphasized that, “by the end of 1539 seemed to be one heart and one soul as they about eight million had embraced the Catholic gazed across the plaza to Our Lady’s house, faith as a direct result of the creation of the rejoicing in her loving presence throughout sacred image.” In the book, Our Lady of their lives.” Guadalupe and the Conquest of Darkness, “The Blessed Mother has an interesting author Warren Carroll also noted that between way of empowering the poor like Juan Diego,” 1532 and 1548, there occurred in Mexico noted Mark Zwick, founder and director of nine million baptisms, most of them inspired Casa Juan Diego Catholic Worker House by the reported apparitions of Our Lady of in Houston. “You can’t speak that kind of Photo courtesy of: Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington D.C. nal Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. shows depicts her as patroness of Guadalupe. empowerment. She chooses an indigenous It is agreed by numerous Guadalupana person — and that’s revolutionary! She chooses e left, and gradually moving north to the Inuit of Canada on the right. scholars, Foley added, that, “the Virgin Mary’s to appear almost exclusively to those who beautiful facial expressions, reflecting the love wouldn’t have a respectable place in society.” The problem, however, “evaporates,” said importantly, of the vibrancy of their faith and of her Divine Son, and her appearance as an It’s very clear that we need Juan Diego’s Fr. Cawley, “when one focuses on the lives of devotion to Our Lady. “They took great pride indigenous lady, greatly attracted the Aztecs charism, says Zwick, “his fidelity in responding the most authentic devotees, especially those that Juan Diego was from their hometown,” and other indigenous people to the Catholic to God’s calling even when it’s difficult. Juan to be met in the earliest documents… Their noted Fr. Cawley. “These witnesses believed faith.” Diego certainly resisted the lady, and he was blunders in setting a date or naming a prelate the reason that they lived so long was that Our In 1736, Guadalupe became the patroness not well received by the Church, but he stayed do not undermine their lived experience as Lady wanted them to testify, to pass on the of the City of Mexico, and ten years later, with it — and ultimately brought about the pilgrims, nor the mystery of a Compassionate message,” he said. the patroness of the whole of “New Spain,” conversion of eight million people.” Providence that meets them.” Perhaps the most remarkable of the spreading devotion beyond Mexico. In 1810, Like [Catholic Worker Movement In 1666, 28-year-old Father Antonio witnesses, said Fr. Cawley, is the widow Juana the Creoles (Spaniards born in the New World) founder] Dorothy Day’s revolution, “Juan de Gama went to Juan Diego’s hometown, de la Concepción, who offers details that no joined forces with the Indians and mestizos Diego’s non-violent revolution truly changed Cuautitlán, to interview elderly witnesses of other interviewee mentions as she describes (people of Indian and Spanish blood), to start the face of Catholicism in the world,” Zwick the Guadalupe story. This official Church “la Aparición de la Virgen Santísima de what would be an 11-year revolutionary war for concluded. inquiry became part of a petition sent to Rome Guadalupe” (the apparition of the Holy Virgin independence. “Viva la Virgen de Guadalupe” to request liturgical honors for Guadalupe. of Guadalupe). Juana documents her father’s was a common rallying cry for these pioneers. Maria Scaperlanda is a freelance writer in Thanks to this 1666 Inquiry, what have collection of mapas or pictogram records, and “By the time of independence from Norman, Oklahoma, and the author of several come to be known as the Eight Witnesses of “assures us that both her parents knew Juan old Spain” in 1821, explained Fr. Cawley, books, including “The Seeker’s Guide to Mary” Cuautitlán offer compelling examples of how Diego well, often visiting him in his later years “[Guadalupe] was the main force to give all the and “The Journey: a Guide for the Modern the Guadalupe story was passed on, and more in his hermitage at the shrine, where they got provinces the sense of being one nation.” Pilgrim.” See: www.mymaria.net. PAGE 20 NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC, JANUARY, 2012

LEFT: Bishop Kevin Vann blesses the altar with incense at the beginning Our Lady… of the Mass, assisted by Deacon Len Sanchez. FROM PAGE 13 brings to us: There is so much peace RIGHT: Gabriella Carrizales, a in the presence of God.” dancer with Ballet Folklorico, Maria and Teresa Ramirez dances during the attended the early morning liturgy offertory. for two reasons. They wanted to participate in the celebration and to ask Bishop Vann to bless a recently purchased statue of the Virgin which will replace one stolen from their front yard. to shelter the treasured ornament Patrick parishioner, who serves “I was very upset,” Teresa behind a locked door in her grotto. as Justice of the Peace in Tarrant Ramirez said, recalling the Sept. 16 “We pray to her and wear her County Precinct 5, was born in San theft. medals.” Antonio. Placing a statue of the Blessed Although the popularity “She’s admired even more Mother in the landscaping around of Our Lady of Guadalupe is the farther you go south,” the your home is customary in many spreading across the United States, judge explained, adding that as Class C misdemeanors and small we make fair and just decisions for Hispanic households. feelings for the dark-skinned a child growing up, Our Lady claims cases, prays to the Virgin for everybody who comes in front of us. “It’s something our parents did Madonna are particularly strong of Guadalupe played a highly guidance. Our Lady of Guadalupe helps me all and we carry on the tradition,” said in South Texas, according to important role in his life. “I pray every day right before the time. I’m blessed to have her in the Northside resident who plans Manuel Valdez. The long-time St. Valdez, who adjudicates I to court,” he admitted. “I pray my life.” Indigenous Interpretation of the Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe TheThe MesoamericanMeM soamerican peoplespeoples werewere MexicoMMexico inin NaNahuatlhuatl areare “Metz-xic-co”“Metz xic co” meaningmeaning transmitting the memory of their history from “in the center of the moon.” It is also a symbol 1 generation to generation through poems and of fertility, birth, life. It marks the fertility cycles 6 songs, which when transcribed by figures and of the woman and the land. s y mb ol s i n s k i n s or ba rk p ap er were c a l le d c o d ic e s . 8) An angel at t he foot of Gu ad a lupe w it h Experts agree that the Virgin of Guadalupe an air of someone who just flew in. The wings are 2 wanted to show the ancient indigenous peoples like eagles, asymmetrical and colorful, the tones with an outfit full of symbols (as a manuscript) are similar to those of Mexican bird tzinitzcan that the inhabitants of this land could easily which Juan Diego heard singing and announcing understand. Listed are some elements describing the appearance of the Virgin of Guadalupe. His of the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe: hands hold the left end of the robe of the Virgin 3 1) Her face is brown, like the indigenous, and the right of the cloak. oval and in deep profound prayer. Her face is 9) The Stars on the Cloak: Tuesday sweet, fresh, friendly, reflects love and tenderness, Dec. 12, 1531 was the day when the Holy Image of in addition to great strength. Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared on the tilma of 2) Her hair is loose, which for the Juan Diego. The morning of that day took place on Aztecs was a sign of a woman glorified by the the winter solstice, which meant in pre-Hispanic 4 child in her womb. cultures: the dying sun that once again recovers 9 3) Her hands are gathered together a sign its vigor, the birth of the new sun, life is coming of the Virgin in deep prayer. back. The winter solstice is the point at which the The right hand is whiter and stylish, the earth, in its journey around the sun, is changing 5 left is darker and fuller, this could symbolize the direction in its orbit and begins to approach the union of two distinct races. Sun again. This change of direction gives the 4) The belt marks the pregnancy of the impression that the Sun is regaining its strength Virgin. Located above the womb. It falls into two and that winter is waning. For Indians the winter trapezoidal ends, which in the Nahuatl world solstice was the most important day in their represented the end of a cycle and the birth of a religious calendar, it was the day when the sun new era. The image symbolizes that Jesus Christ overcomes the darkness and emerges victorious. is a new era for both the old to the new world. It is no coincidence that on this day the Virgin of 5) The flower with four petals or Guadalupe has her Son Jesus to the indigenous Nahui Ollin, is the main symbol on the image peoples because they could understand she was of the Virgin, it is the ultimate Nahuatl symbol carrying in her womb the true God. and represents the presence of God, the fullness, According to Dr. Juan Homero Hernandez the center of space and time. The picture shows Illescas, on the cloak of the Virgin of Guadalupe the Virgin of Guadalupe as the Mother of God you can find a reproduction of the sky at the and marks the place where our Lord Jesus can moment of apparition: the sky of the morning be found, in her womb. of the winter solstice of 1531. On the cloak 6) The Virgin is surrounded by golden are represented the brightest stars of the major 8 rays that form a halo or aura. The message constellations visible from the Valley of Anahuac conveyed is: she is the Mother of Light, the Sun, that morning of Dec. 12, 1531. The constellations the Sun Child, the true God, she brings him are all there. The stars are grouped as they were 7 down to the “center of the Moon” (Mexico in in reality. Nahuatl) for there he will be born, there he will (With information from LA VIRGEN DE bring light and life. GUADALUPE AND THE STARS, Dr. Juan Homero 7) The Virgin of Guadalupe is standing in Hernandez Illescas, Fr. Mario Rojas, Bishop Enrique the middle, or center, of the moon, and Salazar, Center for Guadalupanos.) Translation by it is no coincidence that the roots of the word Pedro A. Moreno, OPL, MRE Photo courtesy of Mexican American Catholic College NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC, JANUARY, 2012 PAGE 21 Diocese’s first bilingual men’s conference challenges men to be strong in their faith and to defend their Church By John Henry / Correspondent Photos by Juan Guajardo atholic men, come home. Your Church needs your loyalty and Cfaithfulness to care for her tired and poor, and to stand resolute with weapons of virtue and honor in defense of her against the dark forces of a wayward culture, rife with corruption, disobedience, and deviance. Such was the message to more than 150 men who gathered Saturday at Immaculate Conception Church in Denton for a bilingual men’s conference. Speakers at the daylong seminar, titled “Long Live Christ the King,” implored attendees to be the inspiration for bringing Catholic men back to the Church. They were encouraged to look to the manly example of the conference’s patron Blessed Father Miguel Pro, who made the declaration “Long live Christ the King,” as he was martyred by a Mexican army firing squad for daring to carry out his priestly ministry Approximately 150 men attended the Catholic Men's Bilingual Conference on Nov. 12 at Immaculate Conception Church in the 1920s. in Denton. Keynote speakers like Doug Barry, Fr. Joe Classen, and Jesse Romero covered topics ranging from fatherhood to Theology of the Body and masculine spirituality.

“We’re soldiers for Christ,” said Jesse things and our vices,” Fr. Classen said. “The the principles our country was founded on. Romero, a fiery orator from California who truth is many have replaced a devotion to Principles so many have given their lives for. likened the Church’s encounter with evil these things for a devotion to God, and “Likewise, I love Jesus Christ and the forces to the outmanned Hector’s defense of anything that threatens that is a threat to Church he founded. I support the Church the city of Troy against Achilles’ powerful our manhood.” teaching and sacred traditions. I don’t know forces. Many, Fr. Classen continued, see the about you, but I’m not going to allow the “This is the time right here in history, Church and Christianity as a threat to their scandal of a few destroy that which I love. in the third millennium, to stand up for masculinity. “Now is not the time to jump ship.” Jesus with your lives, your lips, and your “Nothing could be further from the Barry pleaded with the men to love.” truth,” he said. And there is no better defend their families against challenges to Romero, a noted Catholic lay example than Jesus and his Disciples. spirituality as if they were intruders to the evangelist, was among three featured Christ and his followers were not “a home. Noted author and avid outdoorsman Father Joe Classen speakers to address the conference. He has bunch of big ol’ sissies, pale and weak The fighting stance for such a battle, explained to his listeners that the early disciples were a master’s degree in Catholic theology from and not manly,” as popular culture often Barry said, is fists ablaze but with a Rosary "manly," and that following Christ should not make men Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio. portrays them. in one hand and a Bible in the other. “Learn today question their masculinity. Doug Barry, who spoke at length on “The reality is a whole different how to fight in this realm like there’s no Blessed Pope John Paul II’s Theology of the ballgame,” Fr. Classen said. “Joseph, the tomorrow.” Body, and Father Joe Classen, a parish priest foster father of Jesus, made his living by Each of the speakers had a captivated in Alaska who has authored four books, also the sweat of his brow as a carpenter, and audience. spoke to the men. provided for his family with honest, hard Along with their pizza, those in “I have to admit, a lot of the parishes work. attendance had a lunch hour that included I’ve served, a majority of people who come “He protected his family from danger. opportunities for adoration and the to Mass are women,” said Fr. Classen, a He was faithful and trusted in God all sacrament of Reconciliation. native of St. Louis who jokingly admitted along.” “I enjoyed it, it was fun,” said Mark he was tempted to don a Cardinals baseball Many of the Disciples were commercial Heinen, a parishioner of St. Patrick Church hat in Texas. fisherman, exposed to the harsh demands of in Denison who said he would likely attend “That’s great, don’t get me wrong. that livelihood. “Brutal working conditions, another men’s conference at Prince of Peace But I often ask myself, ‘What happened to long days, and little to no time off.” in Plano in April. “You have to continue to Speaker Doug Barry challenged the men in the audience to their husbands? Where are their brothers “These are the kind of guys Jesus called put yourself in front of Christ’s teaching. It defend their families against spiritual attacks the way they and their fathers? Why have so many men to follow him.” helps you to be engaged.” would against physical attacks. abandoned their faith? ’” That’s not to say you have to be one Romero, a former boxing and The answers, Fr. Classen of these types of guys or one that bench- kickboxing champion, closed the conference acknowledged, could be debated for three presses 500 pounds.” The strength, he said, with a talk on being “good Catholics.” days. But misplaced priorities, such as is ultimately derived from Jesus Christ. Like a champion, train hard in your faith. careers and hobbies treated as religion, are Fr. Classen, too, said he recognized that Go to church regularly, on Holy Days and a big reason. Not to mention a popular the sex-abuse scandal had shaken the faith required feast days. Reconcile your sins by culture that has defined men as being of many men and left him “physically sick.” confessing and an act of contrition. Pray the either lazy, irresponsible couch potatoes No institution on earth is free of the Rosary every day. whose only interest is watching football; corruption and sin of mankind, even the Respect life in the fullest sense. hot-shot executives whose virtue is in institution founded by the Son of God, he “The Church needs you,” Romero gaining material possessions and sexual said. shouted, before he closed the day, “This is conquests; and the in-betweens, which “A lot of stuff goes on in our country the Catholic moment,” he said, then quoted now carries the popular nomenclature, that makes me sick and enrages me, too,” an admonition from the Old Testament “metrosexual.” he continued. “But, still, I’ll be the first to book of Ester: Lay evangelist Jesse Romero gave conference attendees tips “There is a religious fervor to material proudly stand for my country. I still support “You were born for such a time as this.” on how to daily live out their Catholic faith. PAGE 22 NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC, JANUARY, 2012 With the dedication of St. Patrick Cathedral's new pastoral center, parishioners and visitors finally have a place to Gather as a Community

By John Henry / Correspondent Photos by Michael McGee

he brand-new addition to the Tgrounds St. Patrick Cathedral represents a much-needed upgrade for the flourishing faith community of more than 140 years. Phase 2 of an ambitious expansion plan will ensure that that the historic complex on Throckmorton will help anchor the revitalization of the southern portion of Downtown Fort Worth. Parishioners gathered for a ceremony Dec. 4 presided over by Bishop Kevin Vann to dedicate the St. Patrick Cathedral Pastoral Center, a three-story, 29,000-square foot facility that will serve as a place to come together for the church and diocese for the next 100 years. The front of the St. Patrick Cathedral Pastoral Center. The center was dedicated Dec. 4.

“We don’t dedicate buildings very often,” said Art Cathedral, to the St. Ignatius Academy building and the Dickerson, the chairman of the Cathedral’s building new structure. committee. “The last one was 99 years ago, the rectory. The Cathedral’s grounds will also expand south and “So we don’t do this very often. It’s a glorious day in encompass what is now 300 feet of 13th Street, which our history,” added Dickerson, who along with his wife St. Patrick’s acquired in an agreement with the city. That Patricia, was recently awarded membership in the Pontifical portion of 13th will become green space and front a complex Equestrian Order of St. Gregory the Great (see related into which diocesan offices are expected to move in the article on Pages 6-7). coming years. The building, designed by architect Ray O’Connor Twelfth Street currently curves into Throckmorton and built by the Steele & Freeman construction company, Street at the stop light, and will be redesigned to run straight includes a reception hall on the first floor and offices and into Throckmorton. The city will oversee the 12th and 13th a meeting room on the second floor. The third floor is street portions. incomplete and will remain so, but plans are in the works to A parking garage is planned with the new office make it fully functional. complex. Dickerson said the Cathedral will have access to “St. Paul speaks to us about the journey of faith,” the garage on Sundays. Bishop Vann said in remarks at the mid-day ceremony. “The “As it stands, we will have a floor and parking spaces journey of faith which is marked by the building up of the for use daily, and on Sunday will have access to all of it,” household of God, with each person a part of the structure Dickerson said. “It’s going to be the best thing that could of the living temple of God. happen to us.” “The new building here is a visible reminder of the living temple of God, and each stone, each part, is a reflection of the faith, dedication, and generosity of all who ‘One day we’re going to have have brought us to this day.” something much better than this’ When Cathedral builder Father Jean Marie Guyot arrived in Fort Worth in 1884, he found about 15 Catholic Growing even bigger families. Bishop Vann sprinkles the interior of the pastoral center, blessing the new The ceremony doubled as a place to announce perhaps Today, there are about 720,000 Catholics in the building. even bigger news. Diocese of Fort Worth, which is made up of 28 North Texas Cathedral officials have secured a grant from the Amon Counties covering 23,950-square miles starting in Tarrant families. Carter Foundation to enhance the complex grounds in all and extending north to the Red River and to the west as far “We are at the end of a journey, but we are beginning directions with a landscape and beautification project that as Vernon and Quanah, and to the south as far as Penelope. another,” Dickerson said. “And the other will be the 1.2 will extend the physical Cathedral sidewalks by several feet The rapid expansion of the Catholic population seems million Catholics out there. on both its eastern front and western side. astounding until forecasts for the future are revealed: 1.2 “The building and the landscape project makes a The project, which is under way and expected to be million Catholics in the diocese by 2030. statement: We are ready for primetime. This is our moment. completed by January 2013, will be covered by the more The Diocese of Fort Worth is the fastest-growing in the Our time has come. The Cathedral is on the threshold of a than $1 million grant. country. new era.” Light poles, trees, and landscaping “like you couldn’t The expansion represents the Cathedral’s place in believe,” Dickerson said, will line all the complex from the serving future needs. The Cathedral serves 1,300 parish CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC, JANUARY, 2012 PAGE 23

Building committee chairman Art Dickerson jokes with Bishop Kevin Vann while addressing those gathered for the dedication. To the right is Father Joseph Pemberton, rector of St. Patrick.

St. Patrick parishioners, members of the Downtown Fort Worth community, and guests, filled the pastoral center during its dedication.

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE This project, after all, is his Dickerson said he is confident primary occupation these days. that his colleagues on the building The new pastoral center Eventually, the project, committee got it right at the has been a long time coming along with the construction of beginning of the Third Millenium and a desperate need, officials the neighboring Omni Hotel — all for the enhancement of agreed. For more than 100 years, “may be historically speaking the parish life and worship for the next parishioners really had no place to biggest thing that ever happened 100 years. gather, other than the Cathedral, downtown,” Dickerson said. “Every stone [here], every which was limited to worship. “We’re talking about an area that part, is a reflection of the lives of Members of the St. Patrick choir perform during the dedication ceremony. “I served here at St. Patrick’s had been neglected.” all who helped bring us to this day in 1978-79,” said Father Joe The elements of the expansion — all the previous parishioners, Pemberton, Cathedral rector. has all the boldness of Fr. Guyot, pastors, religious in the early days “The only place we met was in who encountered quite a bit of of St. Patrick’s,” said Bishop Vann, the basement of Lehane Hall. criticism in 1888. Who, after “and all who have worked so hard Whenever we did anything that’s all, would build a church on the in these past two years for this where we went. outskirts of town, as Guyot had new center, which will certainly “To myself, I said, ‘Golly, one done? strengthen the life of the parish, day we’re going to have something As it turns out, a visionary. Diocese, and faith in North Texas much better than this for our Plans to finish out the in the months and years to come. parishioners to gather together as a Cathedral with bell towers and … community of faith.’” spires, as Fr. Guyot had planned, “The solid foundation — set The pastoral center is the are still in the works. A new solidly on rock — is laid here, will manifestation of that vision, and religious education building and help to continue to assure a solid it’s open to both the diocese and the renovation of St. Ignatius are foundation of life and faith for St. The north end of the pastoral center faces a statue of Our Lady of Victory outside the cathedral. St. Patrick parishioners. in the new visionaries’ plans today. Patrick’s and far beyond here. ”

The future and the past The energetic Dickerson talks about the new building and future plans the way a father would a new baby.

To Report Misconduct If you or someone you know is a victim of sexual misconduct by anyone who serves the church, you may • Call Judy Locke, victim assistance coordinator, (817) 560-2452 ext. 201 or e-mail her at [email protected] • Or call the Sexual Abuse Hotline (817) 560-2452 ext. 900 • Or call The Catholic Center at (817) 560-2452 ext. 102 and ask for the moderator of the curia, Father Stephen J. Berg To Report Abuse Call the Texas Department of Family Protective Services (Child Protective Services) at (800) 252-5400 PAGE 24 NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC, JANUARY, 2012

Respect for Life At all all stages Bishop Vann urges pro-life workers to not give up hope at second annual Vigil for All Nascent Human Life Story and Photos by Joan Kurkowski-Gillen / Correspondent

hanksgiving is celebrated with overeating, football games, Tand frenzied shopping trips to the mall. But some North Texas Catholics carved out time during the busy holiday weekend to refocus their attention on a less worldly aspect of the anticipated Christmas season. More than 100 people joined Bishop Kevin Vann in praying for the unborn at the second annual Vigil for All Nascent Human Life observed Nov. 26 in Holy Family Church. The global liturgy was requested The diocesan Catholics Respect Life Office had a table in the narthex of Holy by Pope B ened ic t X V I. It u nder sc ore s Family Church highlighting its programs and ways people can get involved in the absolute and unequivocal the pro-life movement at the Vigil for All Nascent Human Life Saturday, Nov. 26. commitment of the Catholic Church to the defense of every human life from conception to a natural death. T his is t he second yea r t he pope a sked dioceses around the world to use the First Vespers service of Advent to recognize the value of unborn children and the gift of human life. “This vigil provides a beautiful opportunity to stop and reflect on the gift of life and how our Lord Jesus embraced the entirety of the human experience,” explained Rachel's Vineyard Coordinator Betsy Kopor (SECOND FROM LEFT) goes over parts of Chanacee Ruth-Killgore, director of the prayer vigil with NCHS students, sisters (FROM LEFT TO RIGHT) Carolyn, Madeleine, the diocesan Catholics Respect Life Bishop Kevin Vann (center), kneels in Adoration at the beginning of the prayer service. and Adrienne Conley. Office. “The first Sunday of Advent, as we prepare for the coming of the Respect Life work in the diocese, “So the mystery of the Incarnation The teenagers, all students at Nolan “It refocuses us on what we Lord, is the perfect time to come standing on the front lines at the of the Lord and the beginning of Catholic High School and members of should be thinking about — together and thank God for the gift clinics, or educational efforts, the human life are intimately connected the Lifesavers Club, were each asked preparing for Jesus to come and the of his Son, the gift of life, and to pray Savior will come to guide and and in harmony with each other,” to lead a decade of the Rosary. She g i f t of l i fe G o d g ave u s ,” C on le y s a id . for greater respect for all life, especially strengthen us in this most important the pope said in his remarks. “The believes the early Advent prayer service “We’re blessed to be in a wonderful the unborn.” ministr y,” the bishop a ssured. “Never Incarnation reveals to us, with intense counteracts some of the Christmas diocese that encourages pro-life Calling Advent a season of lose hope. Those candles, greens, light and in an amazing way, that commercialism that begins full force activities and involves young people promise, hope, and new life, Bishop symbols, and readings of Advent every human life has an incomparable, with the Thanksgiving holiday. in them.” Va n n rem i nde d v i g i l p a r t ic ip a nt s t h at remind us of a new beginning, a new elevated dignity.” it is also the start of a new liturgical time and a new hope.” The pope acknowledged that year. The birth of Christ tells us that science itself celebrates the mystery and “And with a new year comes all life is created in the image and complexity of the developing embryo hope and new possibilities, especially likeness of God. in the womb. Unborn children should for those involved in the ministry of “Whatever we do in pro-life not be treated as possessions or objects pro-life,” he continued. ministry, the Lord himself will show manipulated for the interests or benefit The traditional opening hymn us the way,” the bishop said in closing. of others, he cautioned. of Advent, “Rorate Caeli” — “let the The word “nascent,” used to “This is not an accumulation of heavens open and send forth a savior” describe the prayer vigil, comes from biological material, but a new living is a plea, he explained, adding, “In our the Latin word nasci — to be born. being, dynamic and wonderfully pro-life ministry we also begin with a While it primarily refers to developing ordered. So was Jesus in Mary’s womb. plea. Oh, God, teach us how to show life, it can also mean promising or So it was for all of us in our mother’s the world the gift and sacredness of potential. womb.” human life.” During a time when thoughts In the United States, the vigil Speaking from the church’s raised turn to the hope and expectation of falls on Thanksgiving weekend ambo, Bishop Vann said Advent — a the coming Christ, the Holy Father when families traditionally gather. time when we turn our attention to asks Catholics to remember the 50 The timing is a happy coincidence Mary and the birth of Christ — offers million unborn souls around the world that further highlights the value and the perfect opportunity to reflect on lost to abortion each year. mutual dependency of each human the importance of the unborn child. As Pope Benedict told the crowd relationship. He then advised worshippers to never in St. Peter’s Basilica, gathered in 2010 Holy Family parishioner Maria underestimate the value of pro-life for the first Prayer Vigil for Nascent Conley brought her three daughters, advocacy. Life, “Christ began his journey on Carolyn, Madeleine, and Adrienne “Whether it’s Project Rachel, earth in the womb of Mary. to the Saturday evening prayer vigil. NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC, JANUARY, 2012 PAGE 25

She applied and found herself back in Catholic education for the next 13 years. Tessy Ross… At first her job was to publish the Good News, a Catholic Schools newspaper inserted FROM PAGE 32 into the North Texas Catholic three times a year; education,” Ross said. “Catholic school helps the assist with the Catholic Schools Banquet; and parents promote responsibility and discipline. assist center-city schools enrollment promoting It creates an appreciation for faith and family.” and recruiting. Her role later grew to encompass Ross’s career in education began at her own working with the school development forum, a parish, St. Andrew, where she sought a tutoring meeting of all school development directors to position to get her foot in the teaching door — share ideas and discuss how things are done at she had yet to hold a full-time position outside each of their campuses in an effort to improve of college and had been a stay-at-home mom all the schools. for 15 years. But at the interview, the principal, She retired again in July, handing over her Clarice Peninger, offered her a full-time position role to Lisa Griffith with whom she had worked teaching middle school math. Toward the end for six years while Griffith was development Photos Courtesy of Tessy Ross of her 12 years in the classroom, Ross also took director at Holy Family School. They had been This picture was taken at the 2004 principals' retreat. Included in the picture are Superintendent Don Miller (TOP ROW, THIRD over as the math coordinator. acquainted with each other for 25 years. FROM LEFT), Associate Superintendent Charlene Hymel (MIDDLE ROW, FOURTH FROM LEFT), and Tessy Ross (BOTTOM ROW, FAR RIGHT). “I never knew how much energy and Griffith said assuming Ross’s role is education it took to be a teacher until I was in the humbling, because she leaves behind a large classroom,” she said. “To be a good teacher you pair of shoes to fill. don’t just do the minimum of what’s required. Griffith said Ross’s skills set and attention It’s not just teaching the students. It’s going to detail made functions she was responsible for beyond that with extracurricular activities, being seamless, but she knew that Ross “was nervous supportive of projects and activities at school, it would not be perfect. making sure all of them have the opportunity “Whether teaching at St. Andrew’s or to reach their potential. working with the schools at the diocesan level, “At the end of 12 years I felt that a lot of my Tessy lives out the ‘universal and inclusive’ This photo of Tessy, Bishop Kevin Vann, and Don Miller, energy, that level I wanted to maintain, wasn’t the meaning of Catholic identity by engaging in was previously published in the FORT WORTH BUSINESS PRESS Tessy and her husband, Bill, pose in a family photo with their same. If I couldn’t do that for all the students, not only work during the day, but encouraging following the Jan. 27, 2007 Catholic Schools Banquet. daughters (FROM LEFT TO RIGHT) Lisa, Chrissy, Jenny, and Cathy. maybe it was time for me to retire,” she said. others in small faith groups and other evening Her retirement lasted six months. or weekend functions. She, with her husband, “I felt very honored that [Catholic Schools it’s a ministry, an extension of working for the As she read through an issue of the North Bill, have supported numerous Catholic groups Superintendent Don Miller] and the bishop had Church. It’s not necessary to be recognized for Texas Catholic she came across an ad for a part-time for decades’” said Griffith. chosen me as this year’s awardee,” Ross said. “I what you usually do,” she said. position with the center-city schools for someone “Tessy makes me proud to be Catholic.” feel humble that I’m in the company of 24 other “I believe in Catholic schools. I’ve been with a background in writing. Ross was the editor Ross was contacted about receiving the individuals who have been honored in the past, working 25 years promoting and passing on the of her high school newspaper, was co-editor of her education award prior to Thanksgiving. It is and I told him ‘It’s a little awkward for me.’ I legacy of Catholic schools to other children. It parish newsletter, and had minored in English. difficult for her to be on the receiving end, she said. feel I was doing my job. And it’s not just a job… means a lot to me.” PAGE 26 NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC, JANUARY, 2012

Word to Life Readings Refl ections

“May God … let “Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! his face shine Your light has come.” upon us.” ― Isaiah 60:1 ― Psalm 67:2

January 8, Epiphany of the Lord. Cycle B. Readings: January 1, 1) Isaiah 60:1-6 Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13 Solemnity of Mary, 2) Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6 Mother of God. Gospel) Matthew 2:1-12 Cycle B. Readings: 1) Numbers 6:22-27 Psalm 67:2-3, 5-6, 8 2) Galatians 4:4-7 By Jeff Hensley Gospel) Luke 2:16-21 he young black woman working behind the prepared foods counter By Sharon K. Perkins Tat Central Market had a glow about her. The way she waited on the customers ahead of me showed great sensitivity as she focused her t’s not uncommon for females, especially high-profile celebrities (or attention on each of them and their needs. Iteenaged daughters!), to avoid appearing in public unless they have their I’d seen this before and had an idea of where it came from. I asked her makeup on. They are accustomed to presenting a certain face to the world, what church she attended, to verify my suspicions, so that I could tell her and they feel less confident when that face is not looking its best. (I have to that I could see the light of Christ shining through her. agree that a little mascara and lipstick go a long way.) Indeed, only a very The readings for Epiphany speak a lot about light. The Isaiah Scripture few trusted individuals are allowed to see these women’s “real,” unadorned tells of the coming savior: “Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has faces in private. come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you.” And later: “Nations shall In the Scriptures, the “face of God” is synonymous with God’s glorious walk by your light and kings by your shining radiance.” presence in all its beauty and fullness. That glory was so incredibly Most of the time when Scripture refers to Israel, it refers both to the overpowering that no one could see God’s face and live; yet a privileged nation and to those who are what the name Israel means: the God-ruled. few ― including Jacob, Moses, and Isaiah ― were allowed to encounter So our laws and our culture have grown out of that shining radiance, in God “face to face” in a limited way, as it were, through dreams, visions or their basis, if not in all the particulars of either culture or law. partial glimpses. Hospitals grew out of the life of the church. Our charitable institutions ― Even so, the people of God have always been encouraged to “seek the and governmental programs taking care of the poor of widows and ― face of the Lord,” which simply means to ardently desire to be in God’s orphans grew, and continue to grow, out of that revelation that is the presence. shining radiance for Israel. Today’s readings are an earnest prayer for God’s face to shine upon us, Jesus, from this time of his birth and the public showing forth of his replete with God’s blessings of kindness, mercy, and peace. The way that origins that we celebrate at Epiphany to the present, is always becoming God has chosen to reveal his “face” to the world is through his son, Jesus, the light of God among us. “born of a woman” named Mary. For Catholics, the Solemnity of Mary, When the Wise Men arrived to do homage to the Holy Child one Mother of God, affirms and celebrates two ancient Christian truths: that prophet had described as “a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel,” Jesus, fully human and fully divine, is the “face” of God in all its glory, they had followed the star until “it came and stopped over the place where presented to the world; and that as Jesus’ mother, Mary can truly be called the child was.” “Mother of God.” Then they entered and offered their treasures of gold, frankincense, Seen in this way, the Gospel account of the shepherds’ visit to the infant and myrrh, two of which were mentioned specifically in the Isaiah Jesus is not simply a sweet story. It communicates a profoundly joyful and Scripture that open these readings; the third, myrrh, a bitter herb used hopeful truth: God’s face is no longer hidden from our view. Regardless of in oils for anointing for burial, was a prefiguring of this baby’s ultimate earthly privilege or lack of it, no one is prevented from “seeing” God, for in destiny, a destiny that would burn brighter in our lives than any star. Jesus, God’s presence shines on all who seek it. And Mary, who continues to “reflect on these things” in her heart, is the exemplar for those who continually seek God’s face.

QUESTIONS: QUESTIONS: How earnestly do you “seek the face” of God? How can Mary, the How can I help bring the light of Christ into the place where I live: Mother of God, help you to more fully enter into God’s presence? my family, my work, my service to others? NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC, JANUARY, 2012 PAGE 27

Word to Life Readings Refl ections

“This is the time of fulfillment. The “Come, and you will see.” kingdom of God is at ― John 1:39 hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel.” ― Mark 1:15

January 22, Third Sunday in Ordinary January 15, Second Sunday in Time. Cycle B. Ordinary Time. Readings: Cycle B. Readings: 1) Jonah 3:1-5, 10 1) 1 Samuel 3:3b-10, 19 Psalm 25:4-9 Psalm 40:2, 4, 7-10 2) 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 2) 1 Corinthians 6:13c-15a, 17-20 Gospel) Mark 1:14-20 Gospel) John 1:35-42

By Jean Denton By Jeff Hedglen

he story of God’s call to Samuel in this week’s readings mentions that can get obsessed with the little things of life. Sometimes I fixate on Twhen he first heard God’s voice, Samuel “was not familiar with the Ia particular material possession I have yet to acquire. I’ll scour the Lord because the Lord had not revealed anything to him as yet.” But once Internet for much longer than necessary trying to find the best deal or he entered God’s presence, Samuel stayed with God and was forever under travel from store to store looking for the exact “right” version of whatever his guidance. it is I am preoccupied with at the moment. The Gospel tells the same story with the disciples first recognizing Jesus Other times, I get overly consumed by the way things appear to the and then choosing to stay with him. In staying, they came to know him outside world. Whether it is my personal appearance or my perception and to belong to him. of how others perceive me, I tend to give too much of myself to these That process of being called, responding openly and being enfolded thoughts into the life of Christ by a desire to stay, is the truth of conversion. It I am not particularly proud of these aspects of my life, especially after happens in real life. It’s predictable. reading this week’s Scriptures. Jonah walked through Nineveh delivering Jim Albright has been a social minister his whole adult life. He God’s message that in 40 days the city would be destroyed. The people sometimes takes small groups of college students to a migrant farm workers repented and God had mercy. camp near Virginia’s Eastern Shore where, for a few long days, they live St. Paul says, “I tell you, brothers and sisters, the time is running out with the workers and join them in the fields picking tomatoes. … for the world in its present form is passing away.” Then I read Jesus Jim knows such an “immersion” experience is one of the most effective proclaiming, “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at ways to make someone a believer in social justice. Add prayer and the word hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel.” of God in Scripture, and you are likely to inspire a number of participants Each of these messages cuts me to the core when I think about the to a lifetime of involvement in social justice ministry. amount of time I waste on petty things. Years ago, when I was pursuing a “People need that experience of coming in contact, for instance, with degree in theology, one of the professors really rocked my world when he the migrant farm workers, to understand their life and situation,” Jim challenged students to examine our lives and assess the degree to which explained. “It raises questions and when they go to Scripture it sustains our activities were helping us grow closer to God, strive for heaven and them and forms them for action.” bring others along for the ride. They hear God, become familiar and stay, because they desire to be I immediately thought of the countless hours I spent watching sporting part of God’s life. events and felt a little indicted. The professor was quick to point out That’s how it was for Samuel. That’s how it was for Jesus’ first disciples. that he was not suggesting that every moment of every day was supposed That’s how it is for us when we listen for God’s call and respond with to be 100 percent directly related to personal spiritual formation and openness. If we choose to stay with him, Jesus will sustain us and form our evangelization. He simply was exhorting us to seek higher things and work actions according to his way. more at building the kingdom. This Sunday’s readings have a similar message: Compared to eternity, our time on earth is very brief. With the New Year just starting, this is a good time to refocus and refixate on things with eternal consequences.

QUESTIONS: When and how have you experienced Jesus’ call recently? How did QUESTIONS: you respond and what did God reveal to you? How was your life What are some things that can be obsessions for you? What can you changed? do to become more focused on building the kingdom of God? PAGE 28 NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC, JANUARY, 2012 Nuestro Pastor Habla El período de Navidad es el momento perfecto para compartir la luz y vida de Jesucristo

Queridos Hermanos y La buena nueva de la noche de Navidad es qué cuerpo eres miembro. No olvides que Hermanas en Cristo, que el a mor y la misericordia de Dios ha roto las fuiste liberado del poder de las tinieblas tinieblas del pecado y de la muerte; este amor es y trasladado a la luz y al reino de Dios. En la región había pastores que vivían en el más grande que cualquier pecado; y Dios Padre Gracias al sacramento del bautismo, te has campo y que por la noche se turnaban para es fiel en su amor por nosotros al enviarnos su convertido en templo del Espíritu Santo; cuidar sus rebaños. Se les apareció un ángel único Hijo para revelar su misericordia y para no se te ocurra ahuyentar con tus malas del Señor, y la gloria del Señor los rodeó llevar a cabo nuestra redención. El beato Papa acciones a tan noble huésped, ni volver a de claridad. Y quedaron muy asustados. Juan Pablo II reflexiona sobre este gran amor someterte a la servidumbre del demonio: Pero el ángel les dijo: «No tengan miedo, que se revela en la Encarnación: porque tu precio es la sangre de Cristo. pues yo vengo a comunicarles una buena noticia, que será motivo de mucha alegría El Dios de la creación se revela como Dios También es importante recordar que para todo el pueblo: hoy, en la ciudad de de la redención, como Dios que es fiel a no nos limitamos a celebrar la Encarnación David, ha nacido para ustedes un Salvador, sí mismo, fiel a su amor al hombre y al sólo en el día de Navidad, sino que la Iglesia que es el Mesías y el Señor. Miren cómo mundo, ya revelado el día de la creación. El celebra la encarnación de Cristo a lo largo de la lo reconocerán: hallarán a un niño recién suyo es amor que no retrocede ante nada de temporada navideña, que se extiende desde el día nacido, envuelto en pañales y acostado en un lo que en él mismo exige la justicia. Y por de Navidad hasta la solemnidad de la Epifanía pesebre.» esto al Hijo «a quien no conoció el pecado del Señor el 8 de enero, y terminando el 9 de — Lucas 2:8-12 Monseñor Kevin Vann le hizo pecado por nosotros para que en Él enero con la Fiesta del bautismo del Señor. Este La revelación de los ángeles a los pastores fuéramos justicia de Dios». Si «trató como tiempo litúrgico ofrece muchas otras fiestas en los campos de las afueras de Belén es el esta bendita noche de Navidad, recordamos pecado» a Aquel que estaba absolutamente y celebraciones que, incluso con más detalle, cumplimiento de la promesa de salvación de y celebramos la encarnación de Jesucristo, sin pecado alguno, lo hizo para revelar el revela el misterio de la Enc a rnación. Dura nte la Dios que fue anunciado siglos antes, tras la el misterio profundo que el hijo de Dios, la amor que es siempre más grande que todo semana después de Navidad, la Iglesia celebra la caída de Adán y Eva. La escena de la natividad, segunda persona de la santísima Trinidad, por lo creado, el amor que es Él mismo, porque o c t av a de l a Nav id a d , en l a que e s t a mo s l l a m a do s el niño envuelto en pañales, nacido de la el gran amor y misericordia para nosotros — a «Dios es amor». Y sobre todo el amor es más a seguir descansando y reflexionando sobre el santísima Virgen María — es el nacimiento través del poder del Espíritu Santo, y la fe y la grande que el pecado, que la debilidad, don de la Encarnación. del salvador — el que va a golpear la cabeza de obediencia de la santísima Virgen María — que la «vanidad de la creación», más fuerte Este año en el domingo después de Satanás y el pecado, pero aún más asombroso, asumió una naturaleza humana y se convirtió que la muerte; es amor siempre dispuesto Navidad, se celebra la fiesta de María, Madre de este pequeño bebé es Dios hecho hombre, el en uno como nosotros en todo, menos en a aliviar y a perdonar, siempre dispuesto a Dios, que se celebra el 1 de enero. Esta fiesta se Emmanuel; realmente es Dios con nosotros. El el pecado. El pequeño niño Jesús, al asumir ir al encuentro con el hijo pródigo, siempre dirige directamente a la verdad y la realidad de signo del niño-Dios Jesucristo, nacido en Belén, nuestra naturaleza humana, no sólo rescata a la búsqueda de la «manifestación de los la Encarnación, a través del cual una persona, envuelto en pañales y acostado en un pesebre, plenamente nuestra humanidad, sino también hijos de Dios», que están llamados a la Jesucristo, es totalmente humano y totalmente ya nos está anunciando el misterio pascual por ser uno de nosotros, se une íntimamente gloria. Esta revelación del amor es definida divino sin confusión ni división. En otras de la muerte y la resurrección de Cristo. La con cada persona. Dios y la humanidad están también misericordia, y tal revelación palabras, ya que Jesús es real y verdaderamente envoltura en pañales prefigura el sudario donde siempre unidos en la comunión íntima con del amor y de la misericordia tiene en la Dios, la segunda persona de la Trinidad hecha envuelven el cuerpo muerto del Señor que es la persona de Jesucristo. Como nos enseña el historia del hombre una forma y un nombre: carne, entonces María, la madre de Jesús, es puesto en la tumba. Belén significa en hebreo Concilio Vaticano II: se llama Jesucristo. verdaderamente la madre de Dios. No sólo es "casa del pan", y el niño Jesús que es colocado — El Redentor del Hombre, 9 fiesta en honor de María y su papel en la historia En realidad, el misterio del hombre sólo se en un pesebre — un recipiente de comida para de la salvación, sino que también continúa la esclarece en el misterio del Verbo encarnado. los animales — apunta hacia la Eucaristía, y La encarnación de Jesucristo revelado en celebración del misterio de la Encarnación. Porque Adán, el primer hombre, era figura Jesús es el pan que baja del cielo. Los que comen la Navidad es también la revelación de la gran El 6 de enero, o doce días después de del quien había de venir; es decir, Cristo de su carne y beben de su sangre participarán dignidad en todos y cada persona. Dios ve la Navidad, la Iglesia celebra tradicionalmente la nuestro Señor, Cristo, el nuevo Adán, en de su Resurrección y su vida. Como cantamos d ignidad en c ada u no de nosotros y se convier te Fiesta de la epifanía del Señor, pero esta fiesta la misma revelación del misterio del Padre en el himno tradicional de la Navidad, en su en uno de nosotros, uniéndose íntimamente ha sido recientemente transferida al segundo y de su amor, manifiesta plenamente el versión en ingles, ¿Qué niño es este?: con cada persona. Navidad, entonces, es domingo después de Navidad; este año cae el hombre al propio hombre, y le descubre la cuando la Iglesia celebra y se regocija en el 8 de enero. La fiesta de la epifanía es una de ¿Por qué está acostado Él en tal lugar sublimidad de su vocación. Nada extraño, a mor m i s er ic ord io s o de Dio s re ve l a do en Cr i s to, las fiestas cristianas más antiguas, y la palabra desagradable, pues, que todas las verdades hasta aquí pero la Navidad es también la gran fiesta de la epifanía es una palabra griega que significa Donde el buey y la mula se están alimentando? expuestas encuentren en Cristo su fuente y su dignidad humana. El niño Jesús envuelto en "revelar", porque la fiesta está centrada en Buenos cristianos, tengan miedo, pues la corona. El que es imagen de Dios invisible pañales es el signo que siempre nos muestra Dios, que se revela al hombre en Cristo. La Palabra silenciosa (Col 1,15) es también el hombre perfecto, lo precioso que es la persona humana y que el epifanía se celebra por primera vez en el este, y por los pecadores aquí están rogando. que ha devuelto a la descendencia de Adán mismo Dios asume nuestra naturaleza, y con el originalmente se celebraban cuatro "epifanías" Clavos y lanza le traspasará, la semejanza divina, deformada por el tiempo derrama su preciosa sangre por nuestra o acontecimientos reveladores en la vida de La cruz la llevará por mí y por ti. primer pecado. En él, la naturaleza humana redención. El Papa San León Magno, en uno Cristo: el bautismo de Jesús, el primer milagro Salve, salve el Verbo hecho carne, asumida, no absorbida, ha sido elevada de sus sermones sobre la Natividad, ilustra de Cristo en las bodas de Caná, la natividad de El bebé, el hijo de María. también en nosotros a dignidad sin igual. El profundamente este punto y nos recuerda la Cristo, y la visita de los Reyes Magos. Todos estos (La letra de este villancico en español es hijo de Dios con su encarnación se ha unido, dignidad y el destino, como cristianos, que la eventos, de alguna manera, revelan la divinidad diferente) en cierto modo, con todo hombre. Trabajó Natividad de nuestro Señor nos llama a todos de Cristo — que Él es verdaderamente el Hijo con manos de hombre, pensó con inteligencia Esta escena sagrada — en la que los a vivir: de Dios. Es importante señalar que la epifanía de hombre, obró con voluntad de hombre, pastores miraban con asombro en esa noche fue la celebración original de la Navidad, o el amó con corazón de hombre. Nacido de fría de invierno en Belén — es cuando Dios Reconoce, cristiano, tu dignidad y, nacimiento de Cristo. Eventualmente, en el la Virgen María, se hizo verdaderamente una vez más camina entre nosotros, y nos puesto que has sido hecho partícipe de la o e s te , l a c e lebr a c ión de l a n at iv id a d f ue s ep a r a d a , uno de los nuestros, semejantes en todo a revela el gran amor misericordioso y redentor naturaleza divina, no pienses en volver y se celebra la Navidad el 25 de diciembre, pero nosotros, excepto en el pecado. del Padre ya plenamente manifestado a toda la con un comportamiento indigno a las — Constitución Pastoral Sobre la Iglesia en humanidad en el niño-Dios Cristo Jesús. En antiguas vilezas. Piensa de qué cabeza y de CONTINUADA A LA DERECHA el Mundo Actual, Gaudium et Spes, 22 NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC, JANUARY, 2012 PAGE 29 Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe: Madre de las Américas Por María de Lourdes Ruiz Scaperlanda

o es una coincidencia que en el idioma oficial del Imperio Azteca, 1945, año en que terminó la el Náhuatl). Segunda Guerra Mundial, el Sin embargo, la historia del en- Papa Pío XII vio el sufrimien- cuentro de Juan Diego con la Virgen Nto del mundo fragmentado y declaró a al principio se transmitió solamente Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe Patrona por vía oral; después fue grabada en de las Américas. crónicas pictográficas Aztecas cono- Como señaló el episcopado mexi- cidas como Mapas, así como también cano y nos lo repitió el Papa Juan Pablo a través de las hermosas y detalladas II, el acontecimiento Guadalupano baladas cantadas por los indios más "significó el comienzo de la evangeli- ancianos para acompañar el baile zación con una vitalidad que superó anual en la plaza de Guadalupe. Estas todas las expectativas. El mensaje de baladas cuentan la historia del mila- Cristo, a través de su madre, tomó los gro de las rosas y de la tilma de Juan elementos centrales de la cultura indí- Diego, además de la instalación de la gena, los purificó y les dio el definitivo imagen sagrada en el recién construido sentido de la salvación... Guadalupe y santuario. Juan Diego tienen un hondo significa- De acuerdo con el erudito Gua- do eclesial y misionero, y son modelo dalupano, el Padre Martinus Cawley, de una evangelización perfectamente la devoción Guadalupana entre los es- i nc u lt u r a d a", d ijo e l Pap a en su hom i l í a pañoles nacidos en o cerca de la capital para la canonización de Juan Diego se extendió rápidamente más allá del Cuauhtlatoatzin el 31 de julio de 2002. valle central de México a mediados de "En el corazón del mensaje Esta imagen de la Capilla de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe en una capilla lateral del Santuario Nacional de la Inmaculada Concepción en Washington, D.C. la muestra como patrona la década de 1550. Guadalupano encontramos un ma- de las Américas — comienza con imágenes de sudamericanos, gradualmente representando pueblos hacia el norte, hasta llegar a los Innuit en Canadá, a la derecha. El mural Hasta que la historia de Gua- trimonio profundamente arraigado en la pared arqueada está compuesto de pequeños mosaicos de vidrio. Foto cortesía de la Basílica del Santuario Nacional de la Inmaculada Concepción, Washington, D.C. dalupe llegara a imprimirse, señaló entre María, la Madre de la Iglesia y, su herencia étnica y su cultura; estos colina, vio a una señora que le pidió Tradicionalmente establecido en el Padre Cawley—primer traductor en primer lugar, los católicos hispanos tres elementos se reúnen en el amor a que se acercara. Juan Diego se inclinó 1531, el evento Guadalupano tuvo de la historia de Guadalupe al inglés de Hispanoamérica, y después los de la Virgen de Guadalupe". ante ella. "Yo soy", dijo la Señora, “la lugar apenas unas décadas después de desde su idioma original, Náhuatl— más allá—especialmente los Estados Es una historia sencilla y familiar. perfecta siempre virgen Santa María, la llegada al Nuevo Mundo de Cris- "predicadores y artistas en general Unidos—con el tiempo atrayendo Un indio llamado "Cuauhtlatoa- madre del verdaderísimo Dios... Mu- tóbal Colón. Mientras las visiones de evitaban alusiones públicas a sus a este mundo espiritual a católicos tzin", o "el águila que habla", nació en cho deseo que aquí me levanten mi conquistadores españoles dominan el episodios individuales, pero la censura de una gran variedad de herencias Cuautitlán (parte de lo que ahora es la casita sagrada en donde mostraré mi paisaje de nuestra imaginación, la cul- era menos estricta para las danzas étnicas", indicó el profesor de histo- Ciudad de México), y más tarde fue amor por ti: porque yo en verdad soy tura diaria de este mundo cambiante de los indios en el santuario. Como ria, Dr. Patrick Foley, fundador de la bautizado Juan Diego. Fue un talen- vuestra madre compasiva, tuya y de se mantuvo primordialmente azteca, resultado, espectadores españoles revista Southwest Catholic: A Journal toso miembro de los Chichimecas, todos los hombres que en esta tierra con una gran diversidad de dialectos y podían captar la esencia de la historia of History and Culture. Foley es un uno de los grupos más culturalmente estáis… y para realizar lo que pretende normas. Mientras que el origen étnico por medio de los trajes, la mímica y las notado historiador católico de Texas, y avanzados que vivían en el valle de mi compasiva mirada misericordiosa, de la población pasaba por un proceso explicaciones de otros observadores. Ya miembro durante mucho tiempo de la Anáhuac. anda al palacio del obispo de México, cada vez más intenso de mestizaje, para 1600, esta esencia de la historia Misión santísima trinidad (Holy Trinity Un sábado de diciembre, Juan y le dirás que yo te envío, para que le también incrementaba la separación era tan ampliamente conocida que Mission) en Azle, justo al noroeste de Diego pasó por delante de la colina manifiestes cómo mucho deseo que y rivalidad entre las clases sociales. los artistas—aunque los predicadores Fort Worth. de Tepeyac (el "cerro de la nariz", en aquí me provea de una casa…" Gran parte de lo que sabemos de todavía no—estaban discretamente "La esencia del culto Guadalu- Náhuatl, su lengua materna), en su Nuestra Señora se apareció a la cultura de esa época es una mezcla ofreciendo representaciones del mi- pano", añadió Foley, "ha inspirado a c a m i no a l a i g le si a , c u a ndo oyó e l c a nto Juan Diego en tres ocasiones, y por de narrativa personal, tradición, teoría lagro de las rosas y la tilma", explicó la propagación de la evangelización de muchos pájaros finos, y entonces último, le dio prueba de su encuentro arqueológica y fuentes iconográficas. el monje cisterciense de la abadía tra- entre millones de católicos durante una voz que lo llamaba desde la cima a l e s c épt ic o obi sp o bajo l a for m a de do s Es notable, entonces, que el primero y pense de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe cientos de años, especialmente los de la colina, "Juanito, mi chiquitín, signos: un manto lleno de rosas frescas más antiguo documento escrito sobre cerca de Lafayette, Oregón. hispanos, pero muchos otros también. Juan Dieguito". en diciembre, y la milagrosa imagen el evento Guadalupano se remonta a Es la incorporación de su fe católica, Cuando llegó a la cima de la de sí misma en la tilma de Juan Diego. 1556, el Nican Mopohua (escrito en CONTINUADA

la Fiesta de la epifanía del Señor se en Europa, la Epifanía se considera Cristo y el amor y la plenitud de su propia fe que puede convertirse Cristo esté con ustedes al celebrar mantuvo como la celebración de los por lo menos tan importante como vida que Él ofrece. Esto es clave para en la inspiración del Espíritu Santo la época navideña. ¡Feliz navidad y otros tres eventos, como el final de la la Navidad, y es a veces llamada la la "nueva evangelización" a la que para atraer a alguien más otra vez a un año nuevo lleno de bendiciones temporada navideña. Con el tiempo se "Pequeña Navidad". En muchas la Iglesia está llamada al comienzo la Iglesia. Me gustaría extender una continuó separando las otras fiestas, culturas, siguiendo el ejemplo de los del Tercer Milenio. El tiempo de invitación a cualquier persona que y hoy celebramos el Bautismo del Reyes Magos, se ofrecen regalos a Navidad es un momento perfecto ha abandonado la fe por la razón que + Obispo Kevin W. Vann. JCD, DD Señor — el domingo después de la Cristo, y es cuando se lleva a cabo el para compartir la luz y el don de sea – cualquier dolor o circunstancia Diocesis de Fort Worth Epifanía, y la Fiesta de las Bodas de intercambio de los regalos navideños. Cristo con los demás, especialmente de vida— para que vuelvan a su casa, Cana se celebra el próximo domingo. La Epifanía es también un con aquellos católicos que, por alguna la Iglesia Católica, en esta Navidad. La epifanía del Señor hoy para recordatorio para todos nosotros razón, han dejado la Iglesia, o han Para más información, consulte el nosotros es la celebración de la visita que estamos llamados a ser una dejado de practicar su fe. sitio web de la diócesis (www.fwdioc. de los Reyes Magos de Oriente que, "epifanía" de Cristo en el testimonio Para muchos, la temporada org) para ayudarle a volver a su casa siguiendo la estrella de Belén, vieron diario de nuestras vidas. A través de Navideña es un recordatorio de la fe, en esta Navidad. al niño Jesús y su gloria. La Epifanía una continua conversión y santidad de la Iglesia como hogar y familia, y por Por último, me gustaría desearle es cuando Cristo se revela al mundo de vida, debemos ser una señal que lo tanto un recordatorio, una gentil a todos ustedes y a sus familias una como el Mesías, el hijo de Dios. En irradia la presencia de Cristo en el invitación para que le acompañen Santa Navidad, y rezo para que la muchas partes del mundo, como mundo, para atraer a otros hacia a Misa, o un simple testimonio de paz y la alegría de la encarnación de PAGE 30 NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC, JANUARY, 2012

El día de la Fiesta de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe trajo mariachis, matachines y grupos de baile folclóricos a la catedral antes del amanecer La celebración diocesana de la Fiesta de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, el 12 de diciembre, trajo mariachis, matachines y grupos de baile folclóricos a la catedral antes del amanecer. Siguiendo las agujas del reloj, desde arriba a la izquierda: Francisco “Pancho” Contreras, representando a Juan Diego, entra a la iglesia en procesión, llevando consigo una representación de la tilma / el obispo Kevin Vann inciensa el altar al comienzo de la misa conmemorativa, ayudado por el diácono Len Sánchez / María Aguilar lleva en brazos a su hijo Julián, de 14 meses de edad. Su esposo, José Aguilar, bailó con los Matachines de la Parroquia de la Asunción de la Santa Virgen María en Decatur / Con su falda extendida, Gabriella Carrizales, del Balet Folclórico, baila durante el ofertorio / Luego de la misa, los feligreses degustaron chocolate caliente y pastelitos mexicanos en el nuevo Centro Pastoral de San Patricio, acompañados del baile de los Matachines / Los Matachines de la Parroquia de la Asunción de la Santa Virgen María en Decatur se arrodillan en oración frente a la estatua de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, a la derecha del altar de la catedral. Se pueden encontrar más fotos en el sitio Web http://www.fwdioc.org/ntc (NTC / Joan Kurkowski-Gillen)

DESDE PAGINA 29 el mensaje", dijo el Padre. sagrada imagen". En el libro Nuestra Juan XXIII llamó a Nuestra Señora apoyo y fortalecimiento. Ella elige Quizás el más notable de los tes- Señora de Guadalupe y la conquista de de Guadalupe "la celestial misionera a una persona indígena — ¡eso es Historiadores, científicos y ex- tigos, dijo el Padre Cawley, es la viuda la oscuridad, el autor Warren Carroll del Nuevo Mundo" y "Madre de las revolucionario! Ella elige aparecerse pertos siempre estarán argumentando Juana de la Concepción, que ofrece también señaló que, entre 1532 y Américas". casi exclusivamente a aquellos que no acerca de la veracidad de los detalles detalles que ningún otro entrevistado 1548, se produjo en México nueve El Papa Juan Pablo II se convirtió tienen un lugar de honor dentro de la específicos que rodean la historia de menciona como ella, cuando describe millones de bautismos, la mayoría de en e l pr i mer Pap a en v i sit a r e l s a nt u a r io sociedad". Guadalupe. a "la aparición de la Virgen Santísima ellos inspirados en las apariciones de de Guada lupe en la Ciudad de Méx ico Es muy claro que necesitamos el El problema, sin embargo, "se eva- de Guadalupe". Juana describe la co- Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe. en 1979, volviendo al santuario en 1990 c a r i sm a de Ju a n Die g o, d ic e Zw ic k , "su pora", dijo el padre Cawley, "cuando lección de mapas de su padre (archivos La mayoría de los eruditos en el para proclamar a Juan Diego "beato". fidelidad en la respuesta al llamado de uno se concentra en las vidas de los pictográficos), y nos asegura que sus hecho Guadalupano están de acuerdo, "En una reciente visita al santua- Dios, incluso cuando es difícil. Juan devotos más auténticos, especialmente padres personalmente conocían a Juan agregó Foley, que “la hermosa expre- rio de Tepeyac, percibí lo que parecía Diego ciertamente resistió a la Señora, los que encontramos en los primeros Diego y a menudo lo visitaban, al final sión facial de la Virgen María, lo que ser la esencia de la devoción", observó y no fue bien recibido por la Iglesia, documentos... Sus errores en la fijación de sus años, en su ermita en el santua- refleja el amor de su divino Hijo, y su el Padre Cawley. La imagen era "una pero seguía persistiendo — y al final de una fecha o en el nombrar a un rio, donde escucharon, de sus propios aparición como una mujer indígena, pa reja de a ncia nos sent ados en si lencio provocó la conversión de ocho millones prelado no suspende su experiencia labios, la historia de Guadalupe", dijo en gran medida atrajo a los aztecas y e inmóvil, el brazo del hombre deli- de personas”. vivida como peregrinos, ni el misterio el Padre Cawley. otros pueblos indígenas a la fe católica”. cadamente alrededor de los hombros Al igual que la revolución de Doro- de la Providencia compasiva que sale a Como gobernador de distrito, En 1736, Guadalupe se convirtió de su mujer. Parecían tener un solo thy Day [la fundadora del movimiento su encuentro”. Pablo Xuárez señaló, al ser entrevis- en l a p at ron a de l a Ciud a d de Mé x ic o, y corazón y una sola alma, al mirar a del trabajador católico], "la revolución En 1666, el Padre Antonio de tado más tarde ese mismo día, que d ie z a ño s m á s t a rde , en l a p at ron a de l a través de la plaza a la casa de Nuestra no violenta de Juan Diego verdadera- Gama, de 28 años de edad, fue a la "en los días de su abuela, la historia totalidad de la "Nueva España", exten- Señora, regocijándose en su presencia mente cambió la cara del catolicismo ciudad natal de Juan Diego, Cuautit- era tan popular, que incluso los niños d iendo l a de vo c ión m á s a l l á de Mé x ic o. amorosa a lo largo de sus vidas". en el mundo", concluyó Zwick. lán, para entrevistar a testigos ancianos pequeños se escuchaban ‘recitándola o En 1810, los criollos (españoles nacidos "La Virgen, nuestra madre, tie- a c erc a de l a h i s tor i a de Gu a d a lup e . E s t a cantándola’”, añadió el Padre Cawley. en el Nuevo Mundo) unieron fuerzas ne una forma interesante de apoyar Maria Scaperlanda es una escritora investigación oficial de la iglesia se con- “Yo me imagino a la pequeña Juana con los indios y los mestizos (gente de y fortalecer a los pobres como Juan independiente de Norman, Oklahoma, virtió parte de una petición enviada a en el regazo de su padre, cantando sangre india y española), para iniciar Diego", señaló Mark Zwick, fundador y la autora de varios libros, incluyendo Roma para solicitar honores litúrgicos junto a él mientras ensayaba la balada lo que sería una revolucionaria guerra y director de la Casa Juan Diego, casa THE SEEKER’S GUIDE TO MARY y THE para Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe. para el baile anual — ya que alguien por la independencia que duraría 11 del trabajador católico en Houston. JOURNEY: A GUIDE FOR THE MODERN Gracias a esta investigación de tan profundamente interesado en las años. "Viva la Virgen de Guadalupe" "No se puede hablar de ese tipo de PILGRIM. Véase: www.mymaria.net 1666, lo que conocemos como los tradiciones locales sería sin duda el era el grito común de guerra para Ocho testigos de Cuautitlán nos ofrece candidato perfecto para cantarlo en estos pioneros. Mecanismos para reportar la conducta sexual inapropiada ejemplos convincentes de cómo la el santuario”. "Al independizarse de la vieja Si usted o alguien que conozca es abuso sexual: (817) 560-2452, historia de Guadalupe sucedió, y más Según Dr. Foley, es difícil negar España" en 1821, explicó el Padre víctima de conducta sexual inapropiada Ext. 900 por parte de cualquier persona que ■ o llamar al Centro Católico al número: importante, de la vitalidad de su fe y el impacto de la presencia de la Virgen Cawley, "[Guadalupe] fue la fuerza trabaje para la iglesia, sea voluntario, (817) 560-2452, ext. 102 y preguntar por devoción a la Virgen. "Ellos estaban en el Nuevo Mundo que se estaba principal que le dio a todas las pro- empleado, o miembro del clero, puede el canciller/moderador de la curia, el orgullosos que Juan Diego era de su desarrollando. vincias el sentido de ser una nación". reportarlo de las siguientes maneras: padre Stephen Berg. Mecanismo para reportar abuso ciudad natal", señaló el Padre Cawley. Citando al historiador Francis Pío X declaró a Nuestra Señora ■ llamar a Judy Locke, Coordinadora de "Estos testigos creían que la razón por Johnston, Foley destacó que, "a fina- de Guadalupe patrona de todos los asistencia para víctimas, al número (817) Llamar al Ministerio de familias de Texas l a c u a l e l lo s v iv ieron t a nto s a ño s f ue p or les de 1539, unos 8,000,000 habían países de América Latina en 1910. 560-2452, Ext. 201, o, mandarle correo Servicios de protección (Servicios de protección de niños) al número:(800) que la Virgen quería que ellos ofrecie- abrazado la fe católica como conse- En 1945, el Papa Pío XII la declaró electrónico a [email protected] ■ llamar al número de emergencia para el 252-5400. ran sus declaraciones y transmitieran cuencia directa de la creación de la Emperatriz de las Américas. Y en 1960, NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC, JANUARY, 2012 PAGE 31 Events Calendar Around the Diocese and region January Dates February Dates 5 26 4 DIVORCE CARE & DIVORCE CARE FOR KIDS DC4K FORT WORTH DIOCESAN MINISTRY WITH LESBIAN AND GAY CALIX SUPPORT GROUP 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. - 13-week program - St. Paul the Apostle Church, 5508 CATHOLICS, OTHER SEXUAL MINORITIES, FAMILIES, FRIENDS 10 a.m. - A monthly support meeting for Catholics who are alcoholic and Black Oak Lane., Fort Worth. For information, contact Stephanie Ayala at 7 p.m. - Catholic Renewal Center, 4503 Bridge St., Fort Worth. For informa- those struggling with addiction and seeking recovery. Holy Family Church, (817) 239-1297 or [email protected], or Dianne Garcia at (817) 201-2656 tion, contact Father Warren Murphy at (817) 927-5383 or Dorene Rose at 6150 Pershing Ave., Fort Worth. For information, contact Deacon Joe or [email protected]. (817) 329-7370. Milligan at (817) 431-5369.. 6 27 18 AN EVENING OF PRAYER AND SHARING WITH THE SISTERS OF ST. FAMILY MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR UNBORN BABIES RESPECT LIFE PARISH COORDINATOR’S MEETING MARY OF NAMUR 6:30 to 9 p.m. - St. Andrew Parish, 3312 Dryden Rd., Fort Worth. For informa- 10 to 11:30 a.m. - The Catholic Center, 800 West Loop 820 South, Fort 4 to 7:30 p.m. - Our Lady of Victory Center, 909 West Shaw St., Fort Worth. tion, contact Alice Curran at (817) 927-5383. Worth. For information, contact Chanacee Ruth-Killgore at (817) 560-2452, For information, contact Sister Yolanda Cruz at (817) 923-3091 or by e-mail ext. 257 or visit the diocesan website at www.fwdioc.org. at [email protected] 27-29 BEGINNING EXPERIENCE 23 7 Weekend program for separated divorced, or widowed individuals - STEPHEN BREEN MEMORIAL FOUNDATION  GIVING WINGS DINNER CALIX SUPPORT GROUP Catholic Conference and Formation Center, 901 S. Madison Ave., Dallas. 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. - The Botanical Research Institute of Texas, 1700 University 10 a.m. - A monthly support meeting for Catholics who are alcoholic and For information, call (972) 601-4091 or e-mail [email protected] or visit Dr., Fort Worth. For information, visit www.stephenbreenmemorialfounda- those struggling with addiction and seeking recovery. Holy Family Church, www.beginningexperiencedfw.org or www.beginningexperience.org. tion.org or contact Jim Breen at (817) 846-6887. 6150 Pershing Ave., Fort Worth. For information, contact Deacon Joe Milligan at (817) 431-5369. 28 FORT WORTH DIOCESAN MINISTRY WITH LESBIAN AND GAY RCIA AND RCIA ADAPTED FOR CHILDREN DIOCESAN FORMATION DAY CATHOLICS, OTHER SEXUAL MINORITIES, FAMILIES, FRIENDS 9 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Immaculate Conception Church, 2255 North Bonnie 7 p.m. - Catholic Renewal Center, 4503 Bridge St., Fort Worth. For informa- SECOND MONDAY SUPPORT GROUP FOR HEALING AFTER Brae St., Denton. For information on the bilingual program, contact Lucas tion, contact Father Warren Murphy at (817) 927-5383 or Dorene Rose at ABORTION Pollice at (817) 560-2452, ext. 260 or [email protected]. Registration is (817) 329-7370. 7 to 9 p.m. - Catholic Renewal Center, 4503 Bridge St., Fort Worth. For in- requested by Monday, Jan. 23. formation, contact Rachel Ministries at (817) 923-4757 or e-mail forgiven@ 25 racheltx.org. DIOCESAN SINGLES MASS BREAKING FREE YOUTH RALLY 7 p.m. - St. Joseph Church, 1927 SW Green Oaks Blvd., Arlington. For infor- 3 to 8 p.m. - St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Formation Building, 2016 Willis Ln., Keller. 20 mation, contact Tony Scardino at (817) 703-4312 or Peggy Spears at (817) For information, contact Sue Laux at (817) 939-8595. ANNUAL RESPECT LIFE MASS 507-5350. 7 to 8:30 p.m. - St. Patrick Cathedral, 1206 Throckmorton St., Fort Worth. For information, contact Chanacee Ruth-Killgore at (817) 560-2452 ext. 257. TEXAS PROLIFE RALLY BUS TRIP TO AUSTIN 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. - Bus leaving St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, 2016 Willis Ln., 21 Keller. For information, contact Burnie Vaughn at frisco19451scom.net or (817) 750-0045. Information on the Texas Rally for Life is available on www. Classifieds ANNUAL MARTIN LUTHER KING MASS 7 p.m. - St. Patrick Cathedral, 1206 Throckmorton St., Fort Worth. For infor- texasrallyforlife.org. mation, contact Patricia Gonzales at (817) 560-3300. General Construction Services Mass For Families With Special Needs General construction work/repairs inside and out in- THIRD ANNUAL HIKE FOR LIFE IN WEATHERFORD Families with special needs fi nd it diffi cult or cluding topsoil, sand, gravel, washed materials, drive- 1:30 p.m. - 1802 Bethel Rd., Weatherford. For more information visit the uncomfortable at times to celebrate Mass together. In ways, concrete, backhoe, and tractor services. Custom web site www.hikeforlifetexas.org. To register for the hike call (817) 709- mowing lots and acres. Call (817) 732-4083. 6076 or e-mail [email protected]. an eff ort to support these families and include those that are sometimes viewed as disruptive, Holy Family Full-Time Administrative Assistant COME AND SEE  SISTERS OF THE INCARNATE WORD Catholic Parish, 6150 Pershing Ave., Fort Worth, is Th e Diocese of Fort Worth seeks a full-time Incarnate Word Convent, Victoria. For information visit the website www. now off ering a monthly Mass that welcomes any and administrative assistant to provide clerical support for iwbsvictoria.org or call (361)575-7111 or e-mail [email protected]. all special needs families. Th is Mass is celebrated the the Records Management and Archives department, second Saturday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Holy including its Electronic Records Management tool, 24-27 Family Chapel. For more information, contact Robyn SOUTHWEST LITURGICAL CONFERENCE HP TRIM. For a full job description and application, 50th Anniversary study week - Keynote Speaker, Cardinal Donald Wuerl, Flores at (817) 228-8812 or [email protected]. visit www.fwdioc.org. Application due date is Jan. 6. 8:15 p.m. Tuesday. For information on the conference, visit www.swlc.org.

IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF THE main altar and chapel altar are also made of marble from Vietnam. NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC: Th e church’s new pews are crafted from American oak that was shipped to Coverage of the dedication of the new, Vietnam. Ten statues of various saints, majestic Vietnamese Martyrs Church in including Mary and Joseph and the Arlington that took place on Dec. 10. Apostles Peter and Paul are also made of Father Polycarp Duc Th uan, CMC, pastor Vietnamese marble. of the parish, said the new church at the Th e $6.8 million church replaces corners of Collins Street and Mayfi eld a revamped Food Lion supermarket Road will seat 2,000 persons, making the building which served as the parish’s church the largest Vietnamese Catholic church since the establishment of Church in the United States. Vietnamese Martyrs Catholic Parish in Th e 29,000-square-foot church which 2000 by the late Bishop Joseph Delaney. includes a small chapel and offi ces, has a Th e new church is on the parish’s 12-acre distinctive design that includes a bell tower campus. visible from Interstate 20. Th e church is In July 2008, Bishop Kevin Vann accented with more than 750,000 pounds approved construction of the new, larger of Vietnamese marble and granite on both church to accommodate the 3,500 the exterior and interior of the facility. Th e parishioners who attend Mass each week. NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC, JANUARY, 2012 PAGE 32 Good Newsmaker After 25 years of devoted service to Catholic schools, including working behind the scenes in the Catholic Schools Office and organizing the annual Catholic Schools Banquet, retired special events coordinator Tessy Ross finds herself On the Receiving End By Crystal Brown / Correspondent fter years of helping organize the Catholic ASchools Banquet, Tessy Ross will find herself center stage during the awards ceremony Saturday, Jan. 28, at the Fort Worth Convention Center. Ross is this year’s honoree for the banquet because of her 25 years of dedication to Catholic education as a teacher and later as the diocese’s development associate for the schools. But her experience with Catholic schools started much before her career. Catholic education has been at the center of Ross’s life since she was a young child in El Paso. The middle of three children, she attended St. Joseph Elementary, a parochial school, and Loretto Academy, an all girl’s

Catholic private school, before attending the University Photo by Crystal Brown / North Texas Catholic of Texas at El Paso. Tessy Ross, retired special events coordinator for the diocesan Catholic Schools Office, will receive the Diocesan Leadership Award for her service at the 25TH ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF CATHOLIC SCHOOLS banquet at the Fort Worth Convention Center Jan. 28.

Each school day started and ended with prayer. Mass was Like their mom, most activities were school and church- part of the daily schedule, and grace was said before lunch. In related. And while there were students who attended Catholic high school, the choir assisted at funerals and other church events. school with the Ross girls who were not Catholic, only one “You lived your life with a focus on faith,” Ross said. daughter questioned the idea of attending a religious school over High school was filled with religious organizations that a public school. Ross said questioning is normal after so many created community among the students, she said. When President years of wearing uniforms and noticing their public school peers John F. Kennedy was assassinated, Ross’s classmates went to the may not be carrying home as much homework. chapel and prayed. “If we look at the main reason for going to Catholic school,” “You have that faith response in times of catastrophe, in Ross said, “in the last Good News issue, [Superintendent Don times of difficulties, and celebration too,” she said, “but in trying Miller] said, ‘Everything is seen through the lens of faith.’ That’s times, you have your faith to fall back on.” the way teachers and administrators look at Catholic education. Community also played an important role in Ross’s Everything we do is in the light of our faith.” upbringing. She lived two blocks from school and church, and During her tenure she remembers an instance when two most families in the neighborhood sent their children to Catholic students had parents who passed away. She said the outpouring school. Nearly every social event was connected in some way of compassion and generosity from their fellow students was with the church. natural and didn’t have to be promoted. When Ross married her husband Bill and they had four “There is something that goes beyond a normal academic daughters — Lisa, Cathy, Jenny, and Chrissy — she wanted the same religious opportunities for them. All four girls attended St. SEE TESSY ROSS, P. 25 Andrew School and graduated from Nolan Catholic High School with the youngest graduating in 1997. 25th Annual Please enclose label with address change or inquiries concerning mail delivery of your North Texas Catholic. Thank you. Celebration of Catholic Schools Saturday, Jan. 28 Fort Worth Convention Center Ballroom 6 p.m. Social Hour 7 p.m. Dinner

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Michael Caruso, Executive Director, NCEA Department of Chief Administrators of Catholic Education Master of Ceremonies: John Rhadigan, Fox Sports Network

$80 per person; RSVP by Jan. 11 to Lisa Griffith at (817) 560-2452, ext. 280, or Photo courtesy of Tessy Ross by e-mail at [email protected] by Jan. 11 In this undated photograph, Tessy Ross writes on a chalkboard while serving as a math teacher at St. Andrew School.