Serving the Diocese of San Angelo, Texas Volume XXXVII, No. 2 FEBRUARY 2017

“We must never turn our backs on our heritage of integrating newcomers into our culture.” — Bishop Michael Sis

Coverage, pages 2, 4, 5

DIOCESE OF SAN ANGELO PO BOX 1829 NONPROFIT ORG. SAN ANGELO TX 76902-1829 US POSTAGE PAID SAN ANGELO, TX PERMIT NO. 44 Page 2 FEBRUARY 2017 The Angelus The Inside Front Jesuit priest to share thoughts on how not to say Mass "Faith grows when it is well expressed in celebration. and the Roman Missal” (Paulist that length, Fr. Smolarski said, are hard to find and sug- Good celebrations can foster and nourish faith. Press, 2005). gested that homilies are most effective if they are no Poor celebrations may weaken it." In his book, written primarily but longer than five minutes in daily Mass and between 8- — “Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship” (USCCB 2007) not exclusively for priests, Fr. 10 minutes on Sundays. Homilies any longer, Fr. Smolarski delves into all aspects of Smolarski said, should be confined to feast days or spe- By Jimmy Patterson the liturgy from introductory rites to cial celebrations. Editor / West Texas Angelus concluding rites. Not surprisingly, “One thing priests can learn is to not overdo it,” he much attention has been given to said. “The hardest sermons to write are the shortest.” SAN ANGELO — Priests from throughout the homilies. Another good rule of thumb: Only leave those in the Diocese of San Angelo will gather February 20-21 to Fr. Smolarski quotes from Bishop pews with a maximum of 3-5 “nuggets,” as he calls hear how not to say the Mass. Smolarski Fulton Sheen, who said, “A sermon items of advice meant to inspire. Remembering any No, really. is like drilling for oil. After the first more is not easy for the typical churchgoer. The Spring Priest’s Conference on the Liturgy at 10 minutes, if you haven’t struck oil, Some of the best advice Fr. Smolarski ever heard in Christ the King Retreat Center will have as its featured don’t bore any longer.” Humorist Mark Twain also homily preparation is: Be prepared. Be clear. Be seated. presenter Fr. Dennis Smolarski, SJ, a Jesuit priest whose noted, “No sinner is ever saved after the first 20 minutes Fr. Smolarski earned a doctorate in computer science love for the liturgy led him to write the book, “How Not of a sermon.” at the University of Illinois and teaches mathematics and to Say the Mass: A Guidebook on Liturgical Principles Twenty minutes for a homily? Arguments in favor of computer science at the University of Santa Clara, Calif.

The delegation to the Vasquez: ‘Families Southwest Liturgical Conference from the Diocese of San will be torn apart’ Angelo in El Paso included, from left, Monsignor Bernard Gully, Jennifer by Trump’s wall, Patton, Dianna Valdez, Peggy Hensley, Sady Cady, immigration plan Dewey Cady and Jean Hoysa. Not pic- tured but also attend- By Barb Fraze ing were Bishop Catholic News Service Michael Sis, Father Lorenzo Hatch, Deacon Clemente WASHINGTON — The chairman of the U.S. bish- Villa, Abby Villa, ops' Committee on Migration criticized President Balde Villafranco, Donald Trump's executive memorandum to construct a Josie Villafranco, wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, saying it would Socorro Esquivel, "put immigrant lives needlessly in harm's way." and Gilberto Bishop Joe S. Vasquez of Austin, chairman of the Esquivel. U.S. bishops' Committee on Migration, also criticized Trump's memorandum on a surge in immigrant deten- (Courtesy photo) tion and deportation forces, saying it would "tear fami- lies apart and spark fear and panic in communities." Trump signed the two executive memorandums on national security Jan. 25 during a visit to the Department of Homeland Security. Earlier, White House press secretary Sean Spicer said the wall, a cornerstone of Trump's election cam- SWLC: Inspiring study and prayer paign, would "stem the flow of drugs, crime and ille- gal immigration" along the southern border. He also By Sady Cady parishes in the city, Our Lady of there. We have not missed many con- said Trump's top priority was the nation's security. St. Mary’s Church-Brownwood Guadalupe, had a Spanish Mass. We ferences, English or Spanish, since. But hours later, Bishop Vasquez issued a statement decided to visit. At the end of that During my years in music ministry, saying that construction of the wall would "make EL PASO — The Southwest Mass, a wonderful lady soon to give I have etched in my memory two migrants, especially vulnerable women and children, Liturgical Conference (SWLC) birth came to the podium and told us experiences from these conferences. more susceptible to traffickers and smugglers. brought three days of study, prayer that she could no longer be the leader The first was a National Pastoral Additionally, the construction of such a wall destabi- and celebration in its recent study of the Spanish choir. My elbow hit Musicians (NPM) convention. The lizes the many vibrant and beautifully interconnected week in El Paso. The week of interac- my husband’s ribcage and by the end keynote speaker was Fr. Michael communities that live peacefully along the border. tion with several hundred ministers of the day, we had agreed to lead the Joncas, who went to the podium and "Instead of building walls, at this time, my brother from all over the United States includ- group. began to sing the introduction to his bishops and I will continue to follow the example of ed sharing stories of frustrations, It soon became evident that all of us talk: a well-known Broadway show Pope Francis. We will 'look to build bridges between goals and successes. The conferences needed some help. Researching who tune. When he finished, more than people, bridges that allow us to break down the walls are held annually by host dioceses in could do this, we came across the 3,000 attendees, including me, were of exclusion and exploitation.'" the Southwest region of the United name of Pedro Rubalcava. He spent a standing on our feet showing our During a February 2016 visit to Mexico, Pope States. They never disappoint, always weekend with our parish, and in the approval. That week, Fr. Joncas was Francis traveled to the U.S. border at Ciudad Juarez inspire, inform all attendees, nourish course of his visit, told us about a the priest celebrant for the closing cel- and pleaded for the plight of immigrants. He said those their faith, inspire attendees to do bet- wonderful conference that July in ebration of the Eucharist. He chanted who refuse to offer safe shelter and passage were ter and demonstrate how beautiful our Houston. The conference was called the entire Mass, with that rich tenor bringing about dishonor and self-destruction as their Catholic celebrations can be. the Spanish SWLC. Who would want voice of his, and when the time for us hearts hardened and they "lost their sensitivity to My journey with the SWLC began to miss the opportunity of being in to sing the Holy Holy, and with more pain." around the year 2000 when my hus- Houston in the middle of July to than 3,000 voices singing 4-part har- Bishop Vasquez said the bishops respected the gov- band and I were living in Sioux Falls, enjoy 120 degree weather with 98 mony together with a choir of angels ernment's right to control its borders and to ensure the South Dakota. After being there for a percent humidity? We packed our safety of all Americans, but said, "We do not believe while, we were told that one of the bags and spent three wonderful days (Please See SWLC/22) (Please See WALL/5) The Angelus FEBRUARY 2017 Page 3 CALENDARS From The Bishop’s Desk

BISHOP MICHAEL SIS Diocesan Pastoral SCHEDULE Center, Finance Council Foster parents make a difference in a child’s life meeting at 11:00 a.m. FEBRUARY 29 — SAN ANGELO, By Bishop Michael J. Sis Every child should have a safe and lov- for families who speak English, as well as 1-2 — HOUSTON, St. Diocesan Pastoral ing home where they can be supported, for families who speak Spanish. Mary’s Seminary Center, Staff Lenten Day One of the most challenging and guided, and accepted. In the state of With foster care, the goal is for the child 3 — SAN ANGELO, of Prayer Diocesan Pastoral 29 — MIDLAND, Board rewarding opportunities to practice the Texas, there is currently a severe crisis of eventually to go back to their parents, Center, Liturgical meeting of Holy Cross corporal and spiritual works of mercy is a lack of sufficient foster families. As of except on rare occasions. Usually, a fos- Commission Meeting at Catholic High School the experience of December 31, 2016, there were 28,600 ter child is eventually reunited with their 10:00 a.m. foster parenting. children in custody of the state, with 910 parents. If that does not happen, then the 4 — SAN ANGELO, CHRIST THE KING Foster parenting is a of those in the area of the Diocese of San next course of action is to look for rela- NAACP Freedom Fund RETREAT CENTER very special calling. Angelo. tives who can become their caregivers. If Banquet at 7:00 p.m. It means giving In our area of West Texas, there is such a that is not a possibility, then the child may 6-8 — DALLAS, FEBRUARY National Catholic 10-12 — Deacon young people the lack of foster families that 82 percent of be a candidate for adoption. Bioethics Center Formation care and support they the placements are out of the county where Parishes can also take on the role of Workshop for Bishops 12 — St. Ambrose First need at a time when the child lives. Fifty percent are out of the providing a support system for foster par- 9 — DALLAS, Our Communion Retreat they need it most. region. This makes our region one of the ents in the congregation. This generally Lady of Guadalupe 13 — Heart of Mercy Foster families pro- least responsive to the need for foster care makes the foster experience more success- Cathedral, Installation of Prayer Group vide temporary care Bishop Sis in the entire state of Texas. When a child ful. For example, in some churches, a Bishop Ed Burns at 2 pm 17-19 — Engaged for children removed has to be placed far away, it is more trau- meal is brought to the foster family once 12 — SAN ANGELO, Encounter Holy Angels, Anniversary 19 — Natural Family from their birth families because of abuse, matic, because they have to change per week, and a number of families in the Mass of Fr. Charles Planning neglect or abandonment. They help these schools and often have to split up siblings. parish take turns providing that meal. Greenwell at 5:00 p.m. 20-21 — DOSA Priest children in crisis situations by providing a In order to become foster parents, there Any parish that would like more informa- 13-15 — SAN JUAN, Spring Conference loving, stable home until they can be are some basic requirements by state law. tion in order to explore the possibility of Basilica of Our Lady of 23-26 — Small Town reunited with their own family, placed Foster parents may be single or married. providing this kind of support network San Juan del Valle, Tex- ACTS Men’s Retreat with a relative, or adopted. They must be at least 21 years of age, may contact Tony Rastetter of the Texas Mex Border Bishops 26 — CKRC Foster parenting is a chance to provide financially stable, and responsible, mature Department of Family and Protective Conference Confirmation Retreat 18 — MIDLAND, Lunch 27 — Heart of Mercy mentoring, teach valuable life lessons, adults. They undergo a criminal history Services in San Angelo at 325-657-8833 with Women Religious of Prayer Group build a stronger community, and provide background check and an abuse/neglect or 325-262-1987. His e-mail is the Diocese at 11:30 a.m. positive home experiences to a child in check for all household members age 14 [email protected] 19 — ODESSA, St. need. Many of these children and teens and older. Both parents in the home must Any individual or couple who would Joseph, Diocesan Adult PRIEST ORDINATION have experienced trauma, and they des- be in the country legally, but they do not like more information on becoming a fos- Confirmation at 3:00 p.m. DATES perately need the care and nurturing of a have to be U.S. citizens. ter parent may contact Jessica Neader of 20-21 — SAN ANGE- FEBRUARY loving foster family so they can heal and Foster parents must not have more than the Texas Department of Family and LO, Christ the King None Retreat Center, Spring MARCH become productive citizens. six children in the home, including the Protective Services in San Angelo at 325- Priests’ Conference on 20 — Fr. Agoryaswamy Foster parenting is not easy. Not all biological children and the foster children. 657-8944 or at the Liturgy Lakkenini (2000) foster children are perfectly behaved. It They must agree to a non-physical disci- [email protected] 25 — MILES, St. 25 — Fr. Anthony takes some time for the child to adjust to pline policy. They are expected to attend To find a calendar of the upcoming fos- Thomas, Hall Dedication Sloan (2000) the new environment, to grieve losses, twenty or more hours of training each ter parenting informational meetings in Mass at 5:00 p.m. 31 — Fr. Santiago and to learn the rules of their new foster year. San Angelo, Midland, Odessa, Abilene, 26 — MIDLAND, San Udayar (1989) home. Some of these children have been The state of Texas pays a daily amount Brownwood, or Big Spring, go to Miguel Arcangel, Adult rejected many times, and to be loved and for each foster child in the home, but the www.adoptchildren.org and click on the Confirmation at 3:00 p.m. NECROLOGY 28 — CORPUS PRIESTS accepted is a new experience for them. amount paid is generally not enough to Foster Care Link and then the Information CHRISTI, Kenedy FEBRUARY There is a constant need of strong and cover all the expenses. Being a foster par- Meeting link. Foundation Board Mtg. 9 — Rev. Albert caring foster families who can meet the ent is not about making a profit. It is For those who are willing to pray about Fuytinck, C.SS.R.(1997) challenge of parenting children with diffi- about making a genuine difference in the the possibility of foster parenting, here are MARCH 10 — Rev. Leo E. cult backgrounds and multiple needs. The life of a child in need. some Scripture passages that would be 1 — ABILENE, Mass Lavoie (1978) rewards come from serving a vulnerable Foster families can specify criteria for helpful for reflection: Matthew 25:31-46; for Ash Wednesday at 15 — Rev. Frank human being and bringing them into a the children placed in their home, such as Mark 10:13-16; 1 Cor. 13:1-13; James McMurry University and Colacicco (2006) Abilene Christian Univ. 21 — Rev. Tom Kelley productive life. age, race, and religion. There is a need 2:18-26. 4 — SAN ANGELO, St. (2005) Mary, Presentation on 22 — Rev. Francisco Lent at 10:00 a.m. Lopez (1994) El Cuidado de Crianza hace una 5 — SAN ANGELO, Sacred Heart Cathedral, MARCH Rite of Election at 3 pm. 11 — Rev. Leopold J. Diferencia en la Vida de un Niño 9 — AUSTIN, Opening Bujnowski (1976) Prayer at Texas House of 26 — Rev. Serran Obispo Michael J. Sis Representatives Braun (1999) ente, o ser adoptados. padres a niños con antecedentes difíciles y 10 — SAN ANGELO, El ser padres de crianza es una oportu- varias necesidades. Las recompensas Diocesan Pastoral Una de las oportunidades más desafi- nidad para proveer consejo, enseñar lec- vienen de servir a un ser humano vulnera- Center, Priest Personnel NECROLOGY antes y gratificantes para la práctica de las ciones valiosas de la vida, construir una ble y traerlos a una vida productiva. Board meeting at 11 a.m. DEACONS obras corporales y espirituales de miseri- comunidad más fuerte, y proporcionar Cada niño tiene derecho a un hogar 12 — MIDLAND, St. FEBRUARY cordia es la experi- experiencias positivas de casa a un niño seguro y amoroso en el cual puedan ser Ann, Rite of Election, 3pm. 2 — Pedro Sanchez encia de ser padres necesitado. Muchos de estos niños y ado- apoyados, guiados, y aceptados. En el 15 — ABILENE, St. (2013) de crianza (foster lescentes han sufrido un trauma, y necesi- estado de Texas, en la actualidad existe Vincent Pallotti, Soup and 5 — David King 2006) parents). El ser un tan desesperadamente el cuidado y la cri- una crisis grave en la falta de suficiente Sermon at 12:00 noon 6 — Ignacio Cisneros 16 — SAN ANGELO, (2016) padre de crianza es anza de una familia acogedora amorosa familias de crianza. A partir del 31 de Diocesan Pastoral 11 — Ray Smith (2014) un llamado muy para que puedan sanar y convertirse en diciembre de 2016, había 28,600 niños en Center, Priestly Life and 20 — Mark Reeh especial. Se trata de ciudadanos productivos. custodia del estado, con 910 de ellos en el Formation Committee (2005) dar a los jóvenes el El ser padres de crianza no es fácil. No área de la Diócesis de San Ángelo. meeting at 1:30 p.m. cuidado y el apoyo todos los niños de crianza se comportan En nuestra área del Oeste de Texas, hay 17-19 — CONCEP- MARCH que necesitan en un perfectamente. Se necesita algún tiempo tanta falta de tales familias de crianza que TION, MO, Conception 11 — Albert Libertore momento cuando Obispo Sis para que el niño se ajuste al nuevo ambi- el 82% de las colocaciones están fuera del Seminary, Board of (1977) más lo necesitan. ente, para lamentar sus pérdidas, y para condado donde vive el niño. El 50% están Regents meeting 15 — Cosme Ureta El ser padres de crianza proporciona aprender las reglas de su nuevo hogar de fuera de la región. Esto hace que nuestra 21-24 — WASHING- (2011) TON, DC, USCCB 21 — Frank Trudo cuidado temporal para los niños separados crianza. Algunos de estos niños han sido región sea una de las menos sensibles a la Doctrine Committee Mtg. (1992) de sus familias biológicas debido al rechazados muchas veces, y el ser amado necesidad del cuidado de crianza en todo 25 — MIDLAND, St. 26 — Audon Saldivar abuso, negligencia o abandono. Ellos ayu- y aceptado es una nueva experiencia para el estado de Texas. Cuando un niño tiene Ann’s School, Diocesan (2000) dan a estos niños en situaciones de crisis ellos. que ser colocado lejos, es más traumático, Schools Commission por medio de proveer un hogar amoroso y Siempre hay una necesidad de familias porque tiene que cambiar de escuela y con meeting at 9:00 a.m. estable hasta que puedan reunirse con su de crianza que sean fuertes y bondadosas 28 — SAN ANGELO, propia familia, ser colocados con un pari- y que puedan cumplir con el reto de ser (Mira OBISPO/20) Page 4 FEBRUARY 2017 The Angelus ‘We will continue to seek to provide pastoral care, charitable assistance to new immigrants.’

(Editor’s Note: The following are prepared remarks delivered by San Angelo Bishop Michael J. Sis at an Interfaith Prayer Vigil on the Tom Green County Courthouse steps, January 31, 2017.) Good evening. I’d like to start with a prayer, and then share a few words. Let us pray: “Lord God, we thank you for the chance to live in freedom in this beautiful country. Please guide this evening’s prayer vigil in a spirit of mutual respect. Lead our nation down the right path in this critical moment in our history. We depend completely on you, who live and reign forever and ever. Amen.” One of the most controversial social issues of our day is the question of immigration. According to the United Nations, there are now more than 65 million people in the world who are forcibly displaced from their homes. With the recent wave of unrest regarding the situation of immigrants and refugees, this provides us with an opportunity to examine our own attitudes toward migrants and to appreciate the many benefits that migrants bring to our communities. Think about the fact that there is no one in our country who is not descended from people who at some point migrated here from another con- tinent. Even the Native American tribes migrated here from Asia. The United States of America is a better country because of the contribu- tions of immigrants. Think about the people you know who are immi- grants or children of immigrants: They are your neighbors, your co-work- Attendees at a January 31, 32017 Interfaith Prayer Vigil on the steps of the Tom Green County ers, your relatives, and your friends. Courthouse in San Angelo display signs with Scripture passages showing how we have been This country was built by immigrants. We have the Statue of Liberty for instructed to love our neighbor. (Photo by Karen J. Patterson) good reason. We must never turn our backs on that heritage of integrating newcomers into our culture. San Angeloans come together in wake There are many places in the Bible that speak of the immigration experi- ence: of changes in federal immigration laws 4God inspired Abraham and Sarah to move from Ur of the Chaldeans and settle in the land of Canaan. By Jimmy Patterson Muslim ban and affirmed that America would 4 Moses led the people of Israel out of Egypt to the Holy Land. Editor/West Texas Angelus continue to show compassion to those fleeing 4 Jesus, Mary, and Joseph were temporarily refugees in the foreign land oppression while upholding the refugee ban, of Egypt in order to escape the violence of King Herod. SAN ANGELO — It is only through the expected to remain in place for 120 days. 4 One of God’s commandments in the book of Exodus relates to toning down of harsh rhetoric, the elimination “We have to talk to each other,” Hawkins migrants: ‘You shall not wrong a stranger or oppress him, for you were of hateful dialogue and the development of said. “I didnt agree with (Trump’s) position, strangers in the land of Egypt’ (Ex 22:21). respect for each other that we can most effec- but something needs to be done and we can’t 4 Jesus teaches us in the Gospel of Mathew that, when we welcome the tively weather the current divisive political get it done without sitting down and talking, stranger, we are actually welcoming Christ himself, who will say in the climate in America. and see to it that the hatred that is simmering Last Judgment, “I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” (Matthew 25:35) Perhaps it is the only way. and boiling is addressed. We need to cover Sometimes Christ visits us in the disguise of the migrant in need. In the Retired Department of Defense General the issues without castigating the person.” end, we will be judged according to how we have responded to him. David Hawkins, now pastor at Christian Pastor Hawkins, who worked under three People have a basic human right to migrate, in order to find a safe place Fellowship Baptist Church in San Angelo, presidents while at DOD, did not condone to live, and to be able to put food on the table. was one of several speakers on hand for an Trump’s executive orders, but noted that Of course, every country has the right and responsibility to maintain the Interfaith Prayer Vigil on the steps of the Tom President Bill Clinton “did similar things integrity of its borders and the rule of law. Those who enter a country, or Green County Courthouse, January 31, 2017, when he came in and had to learn from it.” seek refugee settlement, or apply for immigration status, should be careful- in San Angelo. Hawkins said judging by Trump’s body lan- ly screened in order to protect the common good. Pastor Hawkins’ remarks, as well as those guage, Trump is beginning to realize the size The U.S. government has a legitimate role in intercepting unauthorized made by David Currie, the event organizer, and perspective of the job he has as presi- migrants who attempt to travel to the United States. Illegal immigration and San Angelo Bishop Michael J. Sis, led to dent,” adding that he felt Trump would learn should not be condoned or encouraged, because it is not good for society repeated applause and a stirring, crowd-led a from his experiences in the early going. or for the migrant, who then lives outside the law and in the shadows. capella rendition of “Amazing Grace” that Currie emphasized the event’s non-partisan What is needed is comprehensive immigration reform. The economy of brought the brief vigil to a fitting close. nature, and stressed how an event such as the the United States depends upon a certain amount of immigrant labor, but in An estimated 150, many of whom wore t- Prayer Vigil gives legs to citizenship and the current system the number of available visas for workers is not suffi- shirts and carried signs with calls for peace brings to life the Constitution. cient to meet our demand for foreign laborers. and inclusivity, were present for the brief but “I would like to call upon Republicans and Rather than maintain a system that feeds upon keeping people in the moving vigil. Democrats alike that we don’t have a reli- shadows, it would make more sense to grant enough work visas for the Bishop Sis assured that the Catholic Church gious test in this country,” Currie said. “When workers that we need. would continue to provide pastoral care and we do, we violate our Constitution and the Speaking for the Catholic Church, we will continue to provide pastoral charitable assistance to new immigrants (see will of God.” care and charitable assistance to new immigrants. We welcome immi- Bishop Sis’s complete remarks at left). Currie said he felt what the country has grants to participate actively in our local congregations. We will continue The vigil was held in response to the encountered through the more stringent immi- to assist people to regularize their immigration status, and our agencies will January 28 ruling by the Trump gration regulations enacted by Trump will be continue to process and place refugees after screening by the federal gov- Administration that puts more stringent vet- looked back on as “a minor setback.” ernment. ting in place, effective immediately for all “Maybe this is a mistake that helps us grow We believe that our faith calls us to welcome the stranger, to treat others those entering America from any of seven and realize that we don’t want to be this kind with compassion, and to live with a spirit of solidarity for all human beings. Muslim-majority countries. The White House of country,” Currie said. Thank you all for caring enough to be here this evening. God bless you. insisted the measures did not amount to a The Angelus FEBRUARY 2017 Page 5 ‘Bridges allow us to break down walls’ WALL (From 2)

that a large-scale escalation of immigrant detention and intensive increased use of enforcement in immi- grant communities is the way to achieve those goals. Instead, we remain firm in our commitment to com- prehensive, compassionate, and common-sense reform." He said the new policies would "make it much more difficult for the vulnerable to access protection in our country. Every day my brother bishops and I witness the harmful effects of immigrant detention in our ministries. We experience the pain of severed families that struggle to maintain a semblance of nor- mal family life. We see traumatized children in our schools and in our churches. The policies announced today will only further upend immigrant families." "We will continue to support and stand in solidarity with immigrant families. We remind our communities and our nation that these families have intrinsic value as children of God. And to all those impacted by today's decision, we are here to walk with you and accompany you on this journey," Bishop Vasquez said. At the Jan. 25 White House briefing, Spicer reiter- ated that Mexico would end up paying for construc- tion of the wall. He said Trump would work with Congress on finding money to pay for the construc- tion, noting, "there are a lot of funding mechanisms that can be used." Trump's second executive memorandum also directed John F. Kelly, secretary of homeland securi- ty, to look at how federal funding streams can be cut for cities and states that illegally harbor immigrants. Spicer said the so-called "sanctuary cities" create a problem for taxpayers. "You have American people out there working" and A framed picture of Our Lady of Guadalupe is seen at a house near the U.S.-Mexico border fence in 2016 in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. President Donald Trump enacted two executive memorandums to deal with security, including one that calls for con- their tax funds are sent to places that do not enforce struction of a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. (CNS photo/Jose Luis Gonzalez, Reuters) the law, he said. The executive memorandums did not address the issue of DACA, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, nor did they discuss emigration USCCB issues statement strongly opposing from the Middle East, which Spicer said would be addressed later in the week. In 2006, President George W. Bush signed the Trump’s wall along U.S.-Mexico border Secure Fence Act, which authorized several hundred miles of fencing along the 2,000-mile U.S. frontier WASHINGTON—President Donald J. Trump in Vasquez added: with Mexico. The Associated Press reported that leg- January issued an executive order to construct a wall at "The announced increase in immigrant detention space islation led to the construction of about 700 miles of the U.S./Mexico border, to significantly increase immi- and immigration enforcement activities is alarming. It will various kinds of fencing designed to block both vehi- grant detention and deportation, and to disregard the judg- tear families apart and spark fear and panic in communi- cles and pedestrians, primarily in Texas, New ment of state and local law enforcement on how best to ties. While we respect the right of our federal government Mexico, Arizona and California. It said the final sec- tions were completed after President Barack Obama protect their communities. to control our borders and ensure security for all took office in 2009. The U.S./Mexico border, spanning approximately 2,000 Americans, we do not believe that a large scale escalation AP reported that a 1970 treaty with Mexico miles, already has roughly 700 miles of fencing and barri- of immigrant detention and intensive increased use of requires that structures along the border cannot dis- er that was constructed under the George W. Bush admin- enforcement in immigrant communities is the way to rupt the flow of rivers that define the U.S.-Mexican istration. In response to the decision to build a wall on the achieve those goals. Instead, we remain firm in our com- border along Texas and 24 miles in Arizona. U.S./Mexico border, Bishop Joe Vasquez, Chair of the mitment to comprehensive, compassionate, and common- The bishops of Arizona, which includes 389 miles Committee of Migration and Bishop of the Diocese of sense reform. We fear that the policies announced today of border with Mexico, reiterated their call for com- prehensive immigration reform. Austin, stated: will make it much more difficult for the vulnerable to They said their "hearts and prayers go out to "I am disheartened that the President has prioritized access protection in our country. Everyday my brother refugee families who have faced terrible violence and building a wall on our border with Mexico. This action bishops and I witness the harmful effects of immigrant lost their own homes and now need a new place to will put immigrant lives needlessly in harm's way. detention in our ministries. We experience the pain of sev- live." Construction of such a wall will only make migrants, ered families that struggle to maintain a semblance of nor- "Focusing on building a new border wall has the especially vulnerable women and children, more suscepti- mal family life. We see traumatized children in our potential to take us away from these important con- ble to traffickers and smugglers. Additionally, the con- schools and in our churches. The policies announced siderations that impact vulnerable families and will ultimately be useless. Pope Francis has called for struction of such a wall destabilizes the many vibrant and today will only further upend immigrant families." bridges, not walls, between people," the four bishops beautifully interconnected communities that live peaceful- Moving forward after the announcement, Bishop said in a statement. ly along the border. Instead of building walls, at this time, Vasquez noted: In a blog, Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of my brother bishops and I will continue to follow the "We will continue to support and stand in solidarity Galveston-Houston reiterated the migration commis- example of Pope Francis. We will "look to build bridges with immigrant families. We remind our communities and sion concerns about the border wall and an increase between people, bridges that allow us to break down the our nation that these families have intrinsic value as chil- in deportations and detentions. walls of exclusion and exploitation.'" dren of God. And to all those impacted by this decision, "The Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston is com- mitted to an immigration policy that protects human In regard to the announcement of the planned surge in we are here to walk with you and accompany you on this rights, dignity and the homeland at the same time," immigrant detention and deportation forces, Bishop journey." he added. Page 6 FEBRUARY 2017 The Angelus DIOCESAN BRIEFS Clergy Appreciation Dinner

Sweetheart Dance in Mertzon MERTZON — St. Peter's Catholic Church is having a Sweetheart Dance on Feb. 11, 2017, including a meal, from 5-7 p.m. The dance will be from 8-12 midnight. The fee is $10 for the meal and $10 for the dance, and is sponsored by the Altar Society.

Catholic Foundation of San Angelo accepting applications for 2017 grants Grants totaling $36,500 will be available in 2017 from Unrestricted Endowment Funds at the Catholic Foundation of San Angelo for proj- ects and programs of parishes, schools, and Catholic organizations throughout the diocese. Interested parties can apply for a grant by reviewing the guidelines for a grant and completing the Grant Application found at www.catholicfoundationsanangelo.org. The Board of Trustees will usually only fund grant requests between $500 and $3,000 for programs and projects that can be completed or substantially completed within one year of receiving the grant. No grants will be made for travel expenses. All applications must include the pastor’s signature and are due by 5 pm on April 1, 2017. The Board of Trustees will review the Grant Applications and approve grants addressing some of the most critical needs throughout the Diocese of San Angelo at a meeting in April. All Bishop Michael J. Sis, center in top grants made will be paid before June 30. photo and photo at right, with Any person that would like to assist the Catholic Foundation in this women religious of the diocese, endeavor in the future should consider making a tax-deductible above, and priests, at right, who donation to its Unrestricted Endowment Fund. A donation to this attended the annual Clergy endowment fund is an investment in the future of the diocese, Appreciation Dinner at St. Stephen’s addressing the needs of the Church for years to come. The income Church in Midland, January 19, and gain from the fund is distributed through the Spend Rate adopt- 2017. ed by the Trustees each year. The principal of the gift is preserved in perpetuity. Photos by Alan Torre / aptorre.com)

Agricultural Leader Workshop in Big Spring BIG SPRING — The Diocese of San Angelo and Catholic Rural Life invite you to participate in Vocation of the Agricultural Leader Workshop 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Tuesday, April 25, 2017 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Big Spring. This workshop is for anyone involved or interested in agriculture -- producers, processors, consumers and anyone willing to consider how our Catholic faith informs all aspects of agriculture. Pope Francis: Conversion should include Farming is not easy work. Given the complexities of agricultural production--the natural elements, changing climate, global competi- tion, and constant pressure to make a living while being good stew- changing way of thinking, not just living ards of the natural resources--there is a great need for ethical leader- ship in addressing these challenges and understanding our relation- VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- True conversion means "an extraordinary or sensational way but in our ship to others, God and the environment. Christians must not only change their way of living, everyday lives. And there — in this dialogue with The workshop will include a presentation of a newly released docu- but also transform their way of thinking in order to him in our everyday lives — our heart changes." ment titled Vocation of the Agricultural Leader. Most Rev. Michael Sis respond to Christ's call to proclaim the Gospel, After reciting the Angelus prayer, Pope Francis will participate. Jim Ennis, executive director of Catholic Rural Life, is Pope Francis said. led the people in St. Peter's Square in praying a Hail the keynote presenter. "It is a transformation of thought. It is not about Mary for the victims of an avalanche that buried a Contact Dcn. Charlie Evans at [email protected] to changing garments but habits!" the pope said Jan. hotel in the Apennine Mountains after a series of make your reservation or call 432-634-6170 with questions. A work- 22 during his Angelus address. earthquakes in central Italy. shop fee of $25 will cover lunch and a copy of Vocation of the The pope reflected on a recent Sunday Gospel The pope also thanked rescuers who had saved Agriculture Leader. No registration fee for students, but a reservation reading (Mt. 4, 12-23), which describes Jesus begin- nine people. As of Jan. 23, the death toll stood at is required to plan for lunch. ning his ministry in Galilee, a place that was a not six, but another 22 people were missing and only a geographic "periphery," but also considered believed buried underneath mounds of snow and PRAY FOR OUR SEMINARIANS religiously impure because it was "full of pagans." ice. "Great things for the history of salvation were cer- "With prayer and affection, I am close to the fam- Josh Gray tainly not expected from Galilee," the pope said. ilies whose dear ones were among the victims," the Yet, "the light of Christ is spread precisely from the pope said. "I encourage all those who are committed 4th Year Theology at Mundelein Seminary periphery." with great generosity in rescue efforts and assis- Birthday: March 3, 1991 Jesus' "style and method" was going out to tance, as well as the local churches, which are doing From: Early, Texas encounter people rather than waiting for them to their utmost to alleviate the sufferings and difficul- Favorite Food: Steak come to him, the pope said. Like his call to the fish- ties." Likes: Running and Reading ermen to follow him, Jesus calls each person not in PRAY FOR JOSH ! Josh Gray The Angelus FEBRUARY 2017 Page 7 SEEK inspires college students to evangelize at home campuses By Ann Franco-Guzman Catholic News Service

SAN ANTONIO — In need of reigniting the fire for his Catholic faith, Jeremy Martins found the flame he needed during SEEK 2017. "SEEK is the log I was waiting for," said Martins, a junior at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas. "It has been two years since a real encounter with Christ." He told Catholic News Service that the conference, sponsored Jan. 3-7 by the Fellowship of Catholic Young adults from the University Students, known as FOCUS, generated a Diocese of San Angelo, new excitement even though he previously had com- led by Newman Center mitted two years of his life to mission work that Director Fr. Francis involved evangelizing young people and help them Onyekozuru, above, overcome "the poverty of spirit" in their lives. who attended the Martins was not alone. About 13,000 people, almost SEEK2017 event in San exclusively young adults, attended the biennial SEEK Antonio. Story, addi- conference at San Antonio's Henry B. Gonzalez tional photos on Pgs. Convention Center. The five-day event focused on the 12-13. theme "What Moves You." "I know that if they are from my university and attended SEEK, we can now bring this experience that Generation Not Lost we have had together back to campus with us. We can talk about it and show what we learned on our universi- ty campus," Martins told Catholic News Service. Young adults are witnesses, millenial saints Speakers at SEEK included Father Mike Schmitz, director of youth and young adult ministry for the Diocese of Duluth, Minnesota; theologian Edward Sri; By Fr. Francis Onyekozuru Sister Bethany Madonna, a member of the Sisters of Director, Newman Center SEEK 2017 Life; and Sarah Swafford, founder of Emotional Virtue Angelo State University (Related story, Ministries. photos, Pgs. 12-13) Father Schmitz reminded his listeners to "not be con- SAN ANTONIO — During one of the keynote ses- formed by this age. But be transformed by the renewal sions at the annual SEEK2017 conference for college of your mind. Our call is to live like Jesus." students in San Antonio, I went to the very back to take clerical and religious attire bearing witness to Christ by Austin Palen, a junior at Kansas State University, a panoramic view of the incredible crowd and experi- their very presence is, in itself, spirit-soaring. came away with "pages and pages of notes" from the ence. It was worth soaking in like a sponge. Then it Our generation is actually trying to follow Christ. This talk. occurred to me that our generation is actually not lost. generation of young people is remarkably seeking to do Kylee Mernagh, a freshman at the school, also appre- Ours is a generation of young people challenged by the right things. Whoever said that this is a cursed gener- ciated how Father Schmitz urged participants to "strap the tragedies of technological brainwashing, and the ation, whoever said that our generation is lost, whoever our boots on" in order to live their faith in the world. aggressive dive toward atheism with its simultaneous said that there is no hope for this generation, such a per- She attended the conference with several of her sorority sisters from Pi Beta Phi. proactive efforts to relegate God to the background. It is son may have it all wrong. Such a person may want to "It was helpful knowing we'd see these people at a generation challenged by terrorism, refugee crises, experience what these 13,000 young people experience, to hear what we hear, to see what we see, and to feel everyday events," she said afterward. "Knowing when division, and hate. It is a generation of young people it seems that everyone is thinking differently, you're not faced with the tricks of declarationist nominalism and what 13,000 young folks feel. This experience proves that this generation is rising up. They are cheering up. the only person with morality. You know others have ideological colonization. It is a generation born into a similar values." world of chronic capitalism with its offspring of instant They are looking up. They are hoping up and marching up. They are persevering upward and looking up to the Mernagh said her sorority sister brainstormed about gratification, consumerism, and pressuring materialism. encouraging Catholic members from other fraternities None of these young people asked for any of these, Maker of our being. and sororities to not be afraid of living their faith. "If yet they find themselves having to navigate through With this experience, we have witnessed young saints each house took one hour of adoration, how cool would them to follow God. Despite being born into these chal- with tattoos and body piercings! We witnessed saints it be?" she said. lenging times, this generation is sincerely striving to pull that rock out to pop songs, hip-hop, rock-n-roll, country, It's such reactions that conference organizers hoped towards the God who created us. They swim to the God reggae, jazz, and gospel music. We witnessed millennial would resonate in the future among the college-age par- who is with us and to the Spirit of God without whom saints, although scarred or dented by the world into ticipants. there is no Church; without whom there is no faith; and which they were born, remain resolute like soldiers mili- Craig Miller, FOCUS president, told CNS that he hoped that the most important thing participants take without whom every generation would be lost. tating against all odds. Thus, they are bona fide mem- from the conference is "the knowledge that Jesus Christ Seeing thousands of college-age young adults kneeling bers of the Church militant. Ours is not a lost generation, but a generation that is loves them and that they all have a father who loves down, sitting on the floor or standing up in Eucharistic them and will be with them through everything." Adoration without their parents twisting their arms or swimming against the heavy current of the ungodly oceans surrounding us. "Knowing what you are made for gives you purpose compelling them is, in itself, hope-inducing. Thousands and knowing that you are born as son or daughter of of young adults standing in long lines for hours, yearn- God is alive! The young are alive! Hope is alive! May this realization bring consolation and relief to the God brings you in relationship with your creator," he ing to go to Confession shows the profound impact of said. this gracious Sacrament and highlights their efforts to be hearts of parents and grandparents who wonder where buddies with God. our generation is heading. (Please See SEEK/22) Seeing a great number of clergy and religious in their Page 8 FEBRUARY 2017 The Angelus

Knights and Ladies of the Holy Sepulchre gather in Midland Front row, left to right, Lady Mary Gill, LHS; Lady Linda McGuire-Dreyer, LCHS; Lady Mila Gibson, LHS; Lady Celia Morales, LHS; Bishop Michael J. Sis, KC*HS; Lady Judy Duke, LHS; Lady LaVerne Morgan, LCHS; Lady Roberta Brandecker, LHS. Second row (l-r), Sir Lawrence Gill, KHS; Lady Barbara Stoltz, LHS; Lady Patricia Collier, LHS; Lady Martha Schwartz, LHS; Lady Carolyn Rhode, LC*HS; Sir Felipe Morales, KHS; Sir David Boutin, KHS; Lady Cathi Boutin, LHS; Lady Kathleen Webster, LCHS; Sir Robert Franklin Duke, KHS; Lady Betty Tomlin, LHS; Sir Thomas Morgan, KCHS; Sir Edward Brandecker, KHS. Third row (l-r) Sir Michael Stoltz, KHS; Sir Thomas Collier, KHS; Sir Floyd Schwartz, KHS; Sir Joseph Rhode, KC*HS; Sir Don Tomlin, KHS. Fourth row (l-r), Sir Michael Canon, KCHS; Lady Judith Canon, LCHS; Lady Donna Cox, LHS; Sir James Cox, KHS; Lady Christe Gasser, LHS; Sir Ron Gasser, KHS; Sir David Eyler, KCHS; Lady Allison Eyler, LCHS; Sir Richard Folger, KC*HS; Lady Lois Folger, LC*HS; Sir Michael Langford, KHS; Lady Patricia Langford, LHS; Sir Jim Webster, KCHS; Lady Dedria Dickman, LCHS; Sir Norbert Dickman, KCHS; Lady Lucy Thomas, LC*HS; Sir Bob Thomas, KC*HS; Lady Evelyn Martin, LGCHS; Sir Brian Martin, KGCHS. At the above gathering, January 28, 2017, at the Petroleum Club of Midland, six members were invested: Sir Edward Brandecker, KHS; Lady Roberta Kalafut Brandecker, LHS; Sir James Cox, KHS; Lady Donna Cox, LHS; Sir Ron D. Gasser, KHS, and Lady Christe Gasser, LHS, and six were promoted (only two were able to attend: Sir James Webster, KCHS and Lady Kathleen Webster, LCHS).

Sacred chalice used for only third documented time in Menard during seminarians’ December visit By Terrell Kelley 4 The first was on the Chair / Menard County Historical Commission morning of March 16, 1758. Each of the three mission MENARD— The chalice at right, made of priests celebrated Mass daily, pewter, shows its simple, yet appropriate design. using a consecrated chalice. The missionaries at Misión de Santa Cruz de San When 2,000 hostile Indians Sabá in 18th century Menard County were all appeared, Father Franciscans, and as followers of Saint Francis of Santiesteban was still saying Assisi, they took an oath of poverty, to include mass in the Mission Chapel. absolute simplicity in all aspects of their lives. His body was subsequently The chalice certainly reflects those Franciscan found in the charred remains virtues. of the mission chapel, where The chalice was graciously brought to Menard he had been beheaded. After for a visit by diocesan seminarians, on December pillaging and burning the 19, 2016, by Milli Riley Williams, Director of the mission, the hostiles loaded up their loot and rode Fort Croghan Museum in Burnet, only after off. More than likely, the chalice was lost at some obtaining the approval of the Fort Croghan Board point only to be discovered 120 years or so later of Directors. by Chamberlain. According to Milli, the chalice was found in a 4The second instance was on June 9, 2007 dur- field near the Mission site during the 1880s by a ing the Mass at the Old Sacred Heart Church to John Chamberlain, a surveyor out of Burnet, who celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the founding of was working in Menard. He spotted a metallic the Mission. San Angelo Bishop Michael D. glint in the ground, got off his horse and dug the Pfeifer used the chalice, which was provided chalice out of the dirt. Chamberlain took the chal- courtesy of Fort Croghan. ice back to Burnet where it remained in his family 4 The latest instance was on December 19, until it was donated to the Fort Croghan Museum. 2016, again at the Old Sacred Heart Church, with Blessing of the Throat While it has not been authoritatively confirmed to San Angelo Bishop Michael J. Sis officiating. Father Michael Holzmann blesses a young girl's throat after date as coming from the Mission Santa Cruz de Milli, once again, came from Burnet so that we Mass Feb. 3, the feast of St. Blaise, at Holy Cross Church in San Sabá, we have more than a 90 percent cer- could use the Mission Chalice for its original Nesconset, N.Y. The blessing invokes the intercession of the tainty that it is as purported to be. sacred purpose. fourth-century bishop and martyr credited with saving the Of note, we can actually date each time the All pretty amazing, when you think about it. We life of a boy who was choking on a fish bone. (CNS chalice has been used in the celebration of Roman certainly owe a lot to Milli and the Fort Croghan photo/Gregory A. Shemitz) Catholic Mass over the last 259 years: Board of Directors. The Angelus FEBRUARY 2017 Page 9

Speaking of Saints Catholic Schools Week ‘Second Benedict’ brought reforms that helped establish Benedictine order

By Mary Lou Gibson

His birth name was Witiza and he was born into a noble Visigoth family in about 750. As a young man he was a courtier to King Pepin III and then Charlemagne. Later, as a soldier he took part in a cam- paign in Lombardy where he was nearly drowned in the Tesino near Paris while trying to save his brother. Editor Michael Walsh writes in Butler’s Lives of the Saints that after this incident, Witiza made a vow to quit the world entirely. He left the army and went to the abbey of Saint- Seine where he was admitted as a monk and took the name of his patron, Benedict, the saint who 200 years earlier produced the Rule for monastic life. After about three years, he returned to Languedoc and lived as a hermit on family prop- erty on the banks of the river Aniane. He was Gibson soon joined by others. His disciples worked in the fields, did other manual labor as well as copying books. Bishop Michael J. Sis greets St. Ann’s-Midland parishioners Jessica Qualls, at right, with 3-month-old Paul Burns writes in Butler’s Lives of the Saints that as the commu- son Paxton, and daughter Alec. (Photo by Jimmy Patterson). nity grew, they moved to where a monastery could be built. In time, this monastery had more than 300 monks and it became the place Religious education, prayer, the Eucharist where Benedict of Aniane guided monastic reform throughout France. As his influence grew, he was appointed to supervise all the monaster- are at the heart of all Catholic schools ies in the region and to apply the Rule of St. Benedict to all of them. David Farmer writes in the Oxford Dictionary of Saints that over Editor’s Note: The following nity for all of us to think nections between faith and the many years the monasteries in the empire had suffered from lay own- article is taken from Bishop about the value of a Catholic other things that they study Michael J. Sis’s homily at ership and Viking attacks. It was also a time in the Holy Roman Midland’s St. Ann’s Church, school. about. For example, a Empire when ecclesiastical affairs were very much the business of January 29, in recognition of In a public school, in a plu- Catholic education shows the emperors. So it was a natural progression that Benedict of Aniane was Catholic Education Week. ralistic society, they are not connection between faith and enlisted by the Frankish emperor Louis the Pious to apply the Rule of (Spanish language version is allowed to teach faith. They reason — between a deep, St. Benedict to all the monasteries in his domain. found on Pg. 18). teach many things, but they’re prayerful belief in God, and Benedict’s zeal for monastic reform was fueled by the many abuses not allowed to teach you the intelligent use of logic and I am here for this Mass and the variety of observances that had crept into monasteries over about how God fits into the reason. today because I am your the previous two centuries. By imposing the Rule of St. Benedict on picture. You don’t have to check Bishop. The Bishop is the all the monks throughout the Empire, Benedict of Aniane wanted to Each one of us is a whole your brains at the door when overseer and spokesman for remove motives for jealousy and to encourage charity. Burns notes human being: body, mind, you enter the Catholic the Catholic faith in the area. that he placed more emphasis on scholarship and spiritual reading and soul. God made you, and Church. Take science, for This is Catholic Schools lay people were banished from monastic enclosures. God sustains you in existence. example. In a Catholic class- Week. His reform legislation was enacted in 816 at the Council of Aachen. Your relationship with God is room, when we study about I’m here today because Richard McBrien writes in the Lives of the Saints that it stressed part of who you are. When biology, chemistry, or physics, what you are doing here at St. poverty, chastity, and obedience, and the importance of daily Mass, we teach in a Catholic school, we’re exploring the amazing Ann’s Catholic School is keeping of the liturgical hours, and standardizing intake of food and we seek to form the whole wonders of the world that important to the rest of us in drink. Benedict emphasized teaching, writing and artistic work over person, body, mind, and soul, God created and that God the Catholic world. manual labor for his monks who were also clerics. Like his patron to become the person that continues to sustain in exis- I went to school for 22 and namesake, Benedict of Aniane had turned away from a very aus- God intends them to be. tence. By studying the creat- years, from kindergarten tere life to a more moderate community monasticism, according to At the very heart of the life ed world, our mind is led to through graduate school. Farmer. His reforms definitively established the Benedictines as a reli- of a Catholic school is the ponder the incredible imagi- Eleven of those 22 years were gious order. teaching of religion, the prac- nation of the Creator. in Catholic schools and uni- Benedict of Aniane also compiled a book of homilies to be used by tice of prayer, and the celebra- Or when we study litera- versities. Eleven were in pub- monks. His most important work was the Concord of Rules in which tion of the Eucharist. For ture, history, and social stud- lic schools. I am very grate- he assimilated the rules of St. Benedict with those of other patriarchs Catholics, the Holy Eucharist ies, we see how those subject ful for my education – both of monastic observance to show their similarity. is the source and the summit areas relate to the message of the public part and the John Delaney writes in the Dictionary of Saints that Benedict of of the entire life of the Jesus Christ and the social Catholic part. Aniane is considered the restorer of Western monasticism and is often Church. The same is true of a teachings of our Church. We Not everybody gets the called the “second Benedict.” His overall aim, according to Burns, Catholic school. see how the revelation of God chance to study in a Catholic was to enable monks to pass “from faith to sight” — for understand- A Catholic school is not just in Christ fits in to the ongoing school, and not everyone here ing to blossom into contemplation of God. These reforms marked the providing an education. A development of human today is directly involved in greatest turning point in Western monasticism since its foundation. Catholic school is forming progress. the school. But the school is Benedict suffered various illnesses in his final years and died in his saints for the Kingdom of Then, in art class, we learn a very important part of this monastery in 821. His feast day is February 11. It is not on the Heaven. Being in a Catholic about beauty. What is beauti- parish and this diocese. And General Roman Calendar but is a major celebration in Benedictine school puts a young person in today, as we kick off Catholic communities. a position to explore the con- (Please See SCHOOLS/20) Mary Lou Gibson writes about saints from her home in Austin. Schools Week, is an opportu- Page 10 FEBRUARY 2017 The Angelus The Dignity and Nature of Women The mission of women The Greenhouse for Women in culture and society

(Fourth in a 4-part series) The gifts that women offer Looking firstly in the home, it is By Lisa Martinez here that women most directly influence the culture, through their St. John Paul II taught that own families. John Paul believed women influence society by that progress tends to be evaluated applying their gifts in two areas of according to the criteria of science mission. We dis- and technology, but this is not the cussed the first most important measure. More area, the mission critical is the social and ethical of motherhood, in aspect that deals with human rela- last month’s arti- tions and spiritual values. In this cle. This article area, society owes much to the concludes our “genius of women,” which begins series by dis- with the daily relationships cussing women’s between people, especially within mission of trans- the family. Women impart values, Martinez forming our socie- faith and love — primarily in their ty for the better, for Christ. own children — but when they cannot or will not do so, then Lisa Martinez, right, founder and executive director of The Greenhouse for Women, explains the Challenges to the society slides into a moral and program to visitors (Courtesy photo). mission of women spiritual decay. So women do play John Paul teaches that women an essential role in raising and should be in the frontline of guiding families. It is families that The Greenhouse empowers, equips efforts to build a culture of life. In make up a society, so the health of fact, the affirmation of women’s the family determines the health dignity must be the basis of this of society. Without the contribu- women to transform our culture new culture. He says that the very tion of women, society is less future of the world depends so alive, culture weakened, and By Lisa Martinez values, instill faith, instill love. It is through much on the awareness women peace less stable. We can see the Executive Director these that they can change culture, one per- have of themselves. It is also effects of this in our own world The Greenhouse for Women son at a time, by affecting their families, important that proper recognition today, with instability and vio- friends and all God has placed on their path. should be guaranteed to them. In lence on the increase. Situations Ladies, imagine … Even the great leader of the Ponca tribe, the area of education for example, where women are prevented from Imagine a place where you could be with Standing Bear, had this to say well over 100 John Paul stresses that in this developing their full potential and other women to share your struggles, to years ago: “For it is the mothers, not her work women show a kind of cul- from offering the wealth of their laugh together, to pray together. warriors, who create a people and guide her tural and spiritual motherhood gifts should be considered unjust, Imagine a place where classes would be destiny.” which has great value for the not only to women themselves but available to ignite your faith and equip you St. John Paul II has left an entire body of development of persons and the to society as a whole. Woman’s for the mission God has given you. work unpacking the gifts women have to future of society. “genius” is vital to both society Imagine a place where you could come to help the world. Educating and forming Promoting an awareness of the and the Church. pray, have some “me” time and ask God’s women in these gifts and empowering them dignity of women is critical, since Looking particularly at evangel- guidance in your life. to use them intentionally is our mission and we have inherited a history that izing and renewing the urban cul- Imagine a place where a first-time mom priority. The greenhouse for women would has conditioned us to a large ture of cities, the contribution of could come for companionship and a listen- provide a place where this could happen — extent. This means that often the women is invaluable. It is here ing ear, with care available for her baby. a training center in our ongoing battle of dignity of women has not been that one finds a culture of discrim- Imagine a place where teen girls could renewing the culture for Christ. This new recognized and their rights unrep- ination and indifference. The come to do homework, talk or pray with a and innovative approach would nurture resented. Sometimes they been experience of rootlessness, mentor and hang out with friends. women physically, mentally, emotionally shifted to the margins of society anonymity and inequality are all Imagine a place where you could come and spiritually. A woman cannot love and and even reduced to servitude. In too common, as well as a deep daily to begin your day with exercise or end influence those around her, unless she is every time and place, this condi- loss of confidence in institutions - it with prayer. strengthened, encouraged and loved herself. tioning has been an obstacle to the political, legal and educational. It Imagine a place where you could meet up Our women’s center would not be a home- progress of women. Often women is here where women may be for a coffee with your friends, or browse less shelter, nor a crisis or retreat center. It were assigned a second-rate or especially effective, as they may through books, and have on-site childcare would be an entirely new way of supporting even marginal role. This did not provide the antidote to this root- available for your kids. and nurturing women in their vocation and allow them to express fully the lessness, anonymity and inequali- Imagine a place where women help the first of its kind anywhere. wealth of intelligence and wisdom ty. The entrustment of the human women. contained in their femininity. person to women can and should Imagine a place of sisterhood. Our future offerings at the center Certainly throughout history lead to a restoration of society and Imagine a place that feels like home. Our chapel will provide women a place women have suffered from little culture. for prayer and reflection as they seek the regard for their abilities, and John Paul believed it was neces- Inspiration becomes reality Lord’s guidance and love. sometimes even scorn and preju- sary that the widest possible space The greenhouse for women (lowercase We will provide various classes on our dice. This has prevented women be open to women in all areas of intentional) is a new ministry and a faith, including St. JPII’s teaching on the from truly being themselves and culture, economics, politics, and 501(c)(3) nonprofit. It was born from the dignity and vocation of women. has resulted in a spiritual weaken- in the Church itself, so that socie- amazing teaching of St. John Paul II on A café will be serving enjoyment and ing of humanity. The growing ty is continually enriched by the femininity, which included this fervent relaxation with friends. A small bookshop presence of women in social, eco- gifts of femininity. Their presence belief: Women are necessary to transform will offer titles to inspire and encourage. nomic, and political life at all lev- would help force systems to be our culture. And so, our mission is to nur- Also available will be an exercise area to els — local, national, and interna- redesigned in what he called the ture all women by empowering and equip- bust stress and a nap room for refreshment tional — is thus very positive and “civilization of love,” rather than ping them to transform our culture for should continually be encouraged. Christ. Women, especially mothers, instill (Please See GREENHOUSE/22) (Please See MARTINEZ/23) The Angelus FEBRUARY 2017 Page 11 The great blessing of matrimony

By Fr. Knick and Sandie Knickerbocker

In January we had the privilege of participating in the Celebration of Matrimony in a Mass for our older granddaughter, Katherine Knickerbocker, and Michael Stuart at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Cordova, Tennessee, a suburb of Memphis. It was a joy to be present for this celebration with two wonderful Catholic young adults. They invited me to preside at the Mass with our younger granddaughter, Clare Palasz, as Altar Server, and Sandie and our son-in-law, Rob Palasz, as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. It was truly a family affair, with our daughter-in-law, Janna, and her mother preparing the food for the reception; our daughter, Amy, and Sandie decorating the reception room; Amy arranging the flowers; our grandson, Daniel, serving as an usher; and our son, Jon, taking off work for a few days to be available for the various errands to be run and last-minute arrangements to be made. The marriage preparation was conducted in Memphis by Father Rob Ballman, Associate Pastor of St. Francis, and by Sandie and me by phone every week and face-to-face conversations several times when we were visiting in Tennessee. It was The Knights of Columbus, altar servers and Bishop Michael J. Sis lead a procession in Downtown San Angelo prior to my responsibility not only to preside at the Mass a Mass for Life, January 22, 2017. (Photo by Becca Nelson Sankey). but also to preach the homily. It was the first time I had used the new Order of Celebrating Matrimony, and Katherine, Michael, and I went Mass for the Unborn celebrated January 22 over the Rite together as part of the marriage preparation. They selected the Scripture lessons to By Becca Nelson Sankey crowd – many of whom feel vention to protect the lives of the be read from the list provided by the Church. The strongly about ending abortion, innocent who cannot speak for new Rite and the Scripture Lessons proclaim that Having recently published a book Ynostrosa said. themselves. We pray God may give Matrimony is a Sacrament of Creation and about adoption, Sharla Ynostrosa “No matter what night, all these us the courage to defend their basic Redemption. said she felt honored to read the people would be here because it human right to life.” Matrimony is a Sacrament of Creation in that it rosary during the diocese’s Mass means something to all of us in dif- Ynostrosa called herself a pro- was instituted by God in the creation of the first for Life Procession held on Jan. 22, ferent ways,” Ynostrosa said of the moter of adoption as a loving man and first woman to be the means through which is the anniversary of the Roe crowd in attendance, some of option. She recently published which God the Holy Trinity continues His creation v. Wade, the Supreme Court’s 1973 whom are members of different “Adopted and Blessed: Words of the human race. (Gen. 1:26-28) It is a ruling that legalized abortion. For parishes. From My Heart,” a collection of Sacrament revealing the divine love of the Persons approximately 10 years, the San Tony Schillo, a member of the blogs she penned about adoption. of the Trinity for one another. The human family is Angelo Diocese has held an annual Knights of Columbus, said the Ynostrosa said she started blogging an icon of God Himself, who has revealed to us procession and Mass to pray the Mass for Life Procession has been about the topic because she was that He is a Trinity of Persons. When husband and ruling may someday be overturned. an annual San Angelo occurrence disheartened by how little attention wife have a child, the three of them are a "likeness" Around the country, the Church for at least 10 years. adoption seems to receive. of God the Holy Trinity, in which the love of Two observed the Day of Prayer for the “The Knights have always been a “I had this burning desire in my Persons is perfected when they love a Third Person Legal Protection of Unborn part of it,” he said. “Our first mis- heart to reach people,” she said. “It together. A man and woman enter more deeply Children on Jan. 23. sion in the Knights of Columbus is was like the more I wrote, the more into that Triune Love who is God when they pledge themselves each to the other so long as they both “I’m always at the Mass, but this to be pro-life, from conception to I had to say, and then I was encour- shall live. This Sacrament of Creation cannot be is the first year I’ve led the rosary,” natural death.” aged to see if I could get my stories destroyed, even by human sin. said Ynostrosa. “I was adopted at Jerry Peters, pro-life director of published. I think God has put this Matrimony is also a Sacrament of Redemption in birth, so I was very honored the Catholic Diocese of San Angelo mission on my heart.” that it is a participation in the mystical union that (Bishop Michael Sis) asked me.” and a member of its Defenders of The Procession for Life was held exists between Christ and His Church. (Eph. 5:31- More than 40 people, including Life Committee, said Roe v. Wade amid the 9 Days for Life Novena, 32) Jesus affirms the teaching of the Book of altar servers, the Knights of “was a bad decision that went held Jan. 21-29. According to the Genesis when he says, "From the beginning of cre- Columbus and Bishop Michael Sis, against our beliefs as Catholics. We Catholic Diocese’s website, the ation, God made them male and female. For this participated in the Sunday after- have Mass every year and ask peo- novena is an annual period of reason a man shall leave his father and mother and noon procession, which started out- ple to pray that this will be over- prayer that calls for cherishing the be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one side the Cathedral of the Sacred turned – hopefully in the near gift of every human life. During flesh. So they are no longer two but one flesh. Heart on Beauregard and made the future.” this time, Catholic are encouraged Therefore, what God has joined together, no human block, from Oakes Street, to Harris Bishop Sis said the annual Mass to gather in “prayer, action and fel- being must separate." (Mk. 10:6-9) In this way, Avenue, to Chadbourne Street and is also a way of “asking God to lowship,” according to the website. Jesus affirms Matrimony as both a Sacrament of back to Beauregard. The procession strengthen our own resolve to give Creation and Redemption. was followed by Mass, which was witness to the dignity of human attended by a significantly larger life, and we pray for God’s inter- (Please See KNICKERBOCKERS/23) Page 12 FEBRUARY 2017 The Angelus The Angelus FEBRUARY 2017 Page 13 SEEKing the GOODness

For many, a life changing weekend

By Gabrielle M. LeBlanc my desire for something more — my longing for Him. My time at the SEEK 2017 God spoke to me through the Conference in San Antonio music and speakers. Most was like none I had ever importantly, He healed my experienced before. With brokenness in Confession, 13,000 souls gathered in one Eucharistic Adoration, and place to praise our God, it daily Masses. My loving was obvious to see the Holy Father reminded me that I Spirit at work within the mass- am His daughter, and with es. Nonetheless, words can that I undeservedly receive barely begin to describe the His infinite love and mercy. graces and knowledge that I From all that I learned and received from the five days I experienced, I am now more experienced it. Prior to SEEK, determined than ever to I knew that if I were to get the strive toward sainthood. In most out of this event then I addition, I am also more had better prepare myself for eager to help all those what was about to come. My around me in this journey other peers and I prayed that toward sainthood. I am com- all those attending the confer- pletely committed to our Lord ence would go with open and His divine will for me. At hearts; that everyone would SEEK 2017, I found my lost be completely filled with Christ love for Christ, and now that and His love. Little did I know it is back in my possession, I what this small invitation will try with every last effort to would allow Christ to do in my serve and love as Christ did own heart and thoughts, as for us. well as in others.’ This SEEK experience has As for myself, Christ most rekindled my yearning in definitely filled my soul and seeking greater things. Images from SEEK2017 including, top left, a selfie of Fr. Francis Onyekozuru, Director of the Newman Center at Angelo State University, and assembled clergy prior to Mass, and the delegation of young adults from the Diocese of San Angelo, top center. (Courtesy photo) took the utmost advantage of Page 14 FEBRUARY 2017 The Angelus Making Sense of Bioethics Thinking through the Parishioners honored temptation of cohabitation Alfrieda Braden, 93, at left, born January 4, 1924. By Fr. Tad Pacholczyk one foot out the door, throughout the Alfrieda was present at the relationship. The members of a cohab- dedication of St. Ambrose Men and women clearly need each iting couple practice holding back on Church on Dec. 7, 1941. other and naturally gravitate towards one another. They rehearse not trust- Mary Lou Hand, 95 years, arrangements of mutual support and ing.” They don’t develop the elements right, born on January 15, lives of shared inti- crucial to a successful marriage, but 1922. Alfrieda and Mary macy. Because instead keep their options open so Lou are very active in the women are frequent- they can always beat a hasty retreat to Church. ly the immediate the exit. Or as Chuck Colson has put guardians of the next it: "Cohabitation — it's training for The two longtime members attended Senior Citizen Day generation, they have divorce." Many studies confirm that at St. Ambrose. They also a particular need to the divorce rate among those who attend daily Mass and Adult ascertain if there will cohabit prior to marriage is nearly Faith Formation Classes on be steady support double the rate of those who marry Sundays. from a man prior to without prior cohabitation. giving themselves Pacholczyk Some researchers believe that indi- sexually to him. The viduals who cohabit are more uncon- bond of marriage is ordered towards ventional to begin with, being less securing this critical element of ongo- committed to the institution of mar- ing commitment and support. riage overall and more open to the Cohabitation, where a man and possibility of divorce. Others suspect woman decide to live together and something more insidious — that liv- engage in sexual relations without ing together slowly erodes people's marriage, raises a host of issues and ability to make a commitment by set- concerns. Sex, of course, has a certain ting them up into patterns of behavior Accepting help not always easy power all its own, and both sides may that work against succeeding in a By Maria Pia Negro-Chin had said during her keynote speech at the be tempted to play with it in ways that long-term relationship. Both may Catholic News Service September 2015 World Meeting of Families are potentially damaging, all the more actually be true. in Philadelphia. She said that even when a so when they decide to cohabit. Various risks correlate strongly with Last year, I saw a youth group doing an "gospel of me" seems to be encouraged in One concern is that cohabitation can cohabitation. Compared with a mar- interesting exercise in trust. A few teenagers today's world, "the way of happiness, of free- often become a rehearsal for various ried woman, a cohabiting woman is were using their jackets as dom is the way of interdependent love." selfish patterns of behavior. It perpetu- roughly three times as likely to expe- blindfolds as their group part- "We are made to open ourselves to God ates an arrangement of convenience, rience physical abuse, and about nine ner guided their walk around first and then to every single other neighbor, popularly phrased as, “Why buy the times more likely to be murdered. the church's garden back to who like the injured traveler in the good cow when you can get the milk for Children also tend to fare poorly when their meeting room. Samaritan story, we happen to find across our free?” Even as many women try to tell it comes to these live-in arrangements. The idea was for some of the particular path," she said. "You really do find themselves they are “preparing” for Rates of serious child abuse have been teenagers to learn to guide oth- yourself when you lose yourself in the love of marriage by cohabiting with their found to be lowest in intact families; ers, while the other party other people, beginning with family and mov- partner, they may sense the trap of the six times higher in step families; 20 learned to trust and accept help ing out into the world." “never ending audition” to be his times higher in cohabiting biological- from their peers. It ultimately Chin She also emphasized that human beings wife, and become intuitively aware of parent families; and 33 times higher showed how accepting God's loving help, need to first be receivers of love to be givers how they are being used. Cohabitation when the mother is cohabiting with a even when we can't see the path we are sup- of love. This made me realize that we learn to also invites the woman to focus on boyfriend who is not the biological posed to follow, will lead us to where we are support others because we have first received lesser concerns like saving on rent or father. Cohabiting homes see signifi- supposed to be. help. garnering transient emotional attention cantly more drug and alcohol abuse, This reminded me of what Helen Alvare, from her partner by moving in with and bring in less income than their law professor at George Mason University, (Please See CHIN/23) him and becoming sexually available. married peers. Cohabitation is clearly Even as a woman becomes attuned bad for men, worse for women, and to the power of sex from an early age, terrible for children. Aceptar la ayuda de otros she can eventually fall prey to an easy “Marriage,” as Glenn Stanton notes, By Maria Pia Negro-Chin camino del amor interdependiente". mistake. Aware that sexual intimacy is “is actually a very pro-woman institu- "Estamos hechos para abrirnos primero a also about bonding, she may suppose tion. People don't fully realize what a El año pasado, vi a un grupo de jóvenes Dios y luego a cada prójimo que, como el via- that by surrendering this deeply per- raw deal for women cohabitation is. haciendo un ejercicio interesante. Unos cuan- jero herido en la buena historia samaritana, sonal part of herself through cohabita- Women tend to bring more goods to tos adolescentes usaban sus chaquetas como encontramos a través de nuestro caminar", tion, she now has a “hook” into a man the relationship—more work, more vendas mientras su compañero del grupo dijo. "Realmente te encuentras a ti mismo and his heart. While such an arrange- effort in tending to the relationship— guiaba su camino por el jardín de la iglesia de cuando te pierdes en el amor de otras per- ment can trigger various platitudes, but they get less satisfaction in terms regreso a su sala de reuniones. sonas, empezando por la familia y extendién- (that he “cares for her,” “loves her”, of relational commitment and securi- La idea era que algunos de los adolescentes dose al mundo". etc.), experience shows it doesn’t typi- ty.” While marriage doesn’t automati- aprendieran a guiar a otros, mientras que la También enfatizó que los seres humanos cally help him reach the commitment cally solve every problem, it clearly otra mitad del grupo aprendía a confiar y necesitan primero ser receptores de amor para reflected in those all-important words, offers a different and vastly better set aceptar la ayuda de sus compañeros. Al final ser donadores de amor. Esto me recordó que “Will you marry me?” of dynamics than cohabitation for all este ejercicio demostró cómo aceptar la ayuda nosotros aprendemos a apoyar a otros porque Cohabitation, in fact, is a relation- the parties involved. amorosa de Dios, incluso cuando no podemos primero hemos recibido ayuda. ship that is defined by a holding back ver el camino que debemos seguir, nos llevará Sin embargo, a medida que crecemos, acep- of commitment. The notion that it Rev. Tadeusz Pacholczyk, Ph.D. a donde debemos ir. tar la ayuda de otros se vuelve aterrador somehow allows both parties to “try earned his doctorate in neuroscience Esto me recordó lo que Helen Alvare, pro- porque requiere mostrar nuestras vulnerabili- out” a marriage beforehand is conve- from Yale and did post-doctoral work fesora de derecho de la Universidad George dades. Muchos de nosotros hemos sido cria- niently make-believe, a kind of “play- at Harvard. He is a priest of the dio- Mason, había dicho durante su discurso en el dos creyendo que necesitamos resolver nue- ing house,” mostly because it’s impos- cese of Fall River, MA, and serves as Encuentro Mundial de Familias en Filadelfia stros propios problemas, de lo contrario pare- sible to try out something permanent the Director of Education at The realizado en septiembre de 2015. Ella dijo ceremos débiles. Estamos felices de ayudar a and irrevocable through something National Catholic Bioethics Center in que, incluso cuando el "evangelio de mí" otros, pero tenemos dificultades para pedir o temporary and revocable. As Jennifer Philadelphia. See www.ncbcenter.org parece ser alentado en el mundo de hoy, "el Roback Morse has described it, camino de la felicidad, de la libertad es el (Mira ACEPTAR/23) “Cohabiting couples are likely to have The Angelus FEBRUARY 2017 Page 15 Catholic Voices Gratitude and goodbyes highlight of family gatherings

By Effie Caldarola four different time zones, was not together for I was needed to help bridge the gap between the parents' Catholic News Service Christmas. departure for the hospital and his arrival. So even though the poinsettias were drooping, our In the meantime, my three kids, one son-in-law and The sun rose this morning in dramat- family gathered for a late celebration that began on New my 2-year-old granddaughter prepped for three trips to ic flourishes of pink and orange. Never Year's Eve and stretched beyond Epiphany. With two 20- the airport while I played next door with a 2-year-old mind that later the clouds and the gray somethings who still like to party, a 2-year-old grand- who had no idea his world was about to be rocked. winter reasserted themselves as mem- daughter who likes to rise with the dawn, and her par- Even my husband was flying out on business. I felt bers of my family left for the airport. ents who reluctantly rise with her, the dead quiet of lonely and as I looked at my little friend, I marveled at I am grateful for the memory of night was sometimes hard to pin down to a decent block how it seemed just yesterday mine were that age and I standing in the front room with my of time. had felt as if they were mine to keep. youngest daughter and marveling at the Under the best of conditions, I sleep poorly and a full Fortunately, I wasn't gone long and was home to spend stunning moment that was today's brief house on different schedules is not conducive to rest for the last couple of hours with a shrinking circle of family. sunrise. the insomniac. And no matter how much seven people By 1 o'clock, I was home from the airport to an utterly Today was a day full of farewells, Caldarola love one another, and are genuinely easy to get along silent house. I started dusting, discarding the last stale and hers would be the first. She would with, there's an occasional moment of stress. Christmas cookie, putting the first of many loads of be on her way to the airport by 8 a.m. We hugged, many Nevertheless, the chaos that sometimes reigned was a sheets and towels in the wash. times, and I told her I wished that she and I had had benevolent ruler, and we had fun. But I was also drawn into the silence, a silence filled more time just to talk, the two of us, and she said, "But, But those goodbye days are tough. with gratitude. I'm pulled toward poetry at such Mom, I call a few times a week." My goodbye morning was full. A neighbor needed me moments, a form of prayer for me. And I struggled to know how to say, "But that's not because this was the day her second child would be So I took Mary Oliver from the shelf. Within her quite the same thing." born, and she had to be at the hospital to be induced by pages, she told me, "If you want to talk about this/ come During the first third of January, our home devolved 8 a.m. Her best-laid plans were unsettled by a 2-year-old to visit. I live in the house/ near the corner, which I have into happy, exhausting chaos. Because of work and other with a fever who suddenly couldn't go to day care as named Gratitude." family obligations, our immediate family, which lives in usual. A grandfather drove all night to spend the day, but The night between trust and Cartoon Corner neglect often hard to discern By Fr. William Byron, SJ party). Catholic News Service Expert facilitators can be on hand to pro- vide technical information on drugs and Every now and then, I spend a few hours alcohol. It is helpful to dig a bit for answers with about 60 high school boys and girls and to the question of why kids drink -- just to their parents listening to have fun? To try to cope? Or, just to see them talk about better parent- what it's like? Similarly, with drugs. teen communication regard- Notably absent from the conversations I've ing sex, alcohol and drugs. listened to is any discussion about religion The question for parents that (although most of the participants in my keeps popping into my mind experience are Catholic). Nor is much said as I listen to both sides speak about the need to establish baseline respect is: "Where does trust end and for human dignity. That would cover respect neglect begin?" for self and others as a bedrock principle of The teenagers want to be Byron right, fair and just behavior. trusted. The parents want to I've also noticed that no one suggests the trust. But parental unease surfaces as the value of service projects in getting teens "out of potential for parental neglect in the face of themselves" and into growth-producing charac- possibly unwise and risky teenage behavior ter development. Not that participants were rises. Where do you draw the line between unaware of this; they just didn't bring it up. trust and neglect? No mention is typically made of shared Surely, no parent wants to be guilty of work -- parents and teens working together neglect, just as all parents want to trust their on meaningful projects. That used to happen offspring. The question provides a nice a generation or two ago when it was not framework for great conversations, if both uncommon for a small-scale family business parents and teenagers are willing to talk. to provide Saturday and summer employ- Doing it in groups with other parents and ment for the kids. Those opportunities pro- teens seems to improve the acoustics for the duced for the young a lot more than spend- desired exchange. ing money. The conversation, as I hear it, typically And it is worth noting that the school that turns on issues of 1) curfew; 2) driving has hosted the gatherings I've attended had (who's in the car? who's at the wheel? where very little to do with the design, promotion are you going?); 3) friends (who do you and provision of the program. This was the hang out with?); 4) honesty; 5) pregnancy; work of one mother whose children are all 6) the internet; and 7) trust. grown with families of their own. She decid- In families, the participants seem to agree, ed that it would be useful and just went there is a need for "consistency" and there ahead and put it all together in memory of has to be agreement on the "irreversibles" in one son she lost years ago in a drug-related the ongoing discussions about "boundaries." death. Communication is, of course, at the heart It would be too facile to say that anyone of dealing with these issues. The teens have could do it. But it is not wide of the mark to to be permitted to speak openly about what suggest that this intergenerational exchange they perceive to be double standards (e.g., of experience and information could be hap- some parents drink and drive). Parents have pening on a much larger scale if more good to explain their "need to verify" (e.g., call people simply step up and decide to make it the parents of a teen who is hosting the happen. Page 16 FEBRUARY 2017 The Angelus Catholic Voices Not knowing how to admire can lead to dissatisfaction By Fr. Ron Rolheiser We’d like to think it’s sophistication, a lot more things than simply our enlighten- Whenever our world feels grey, whenev- refined sense of truth, aesthetics, and histo- ment. er we feel bitter and short-changed, and Several years ago, Roger Rosenblatt, in ry that makes us so critical of others and Thomas Aquinas once stated that to with- whenever we feel frustrated with every- an essay in TIME magazine, offered this things. Indeed there is a flaw in everything, hold a compliment from someone is a sin thing and everyone, we need to ask our- advice to his son who was graduating from something that’s either simplistic, acting because we are withholding food that this selves: “When was the last time I really high school and heading off to college: out of self-interest, naive, in bad taste, person needs to live. That’s a challenging admired someone?” “When was the last “Whatever you do in life, overly-saccharine, ill- informed, or itself statement, but the challenge is more than time I told someone that he or she had be sure to admire others too cynical to merit admiration. Only God that of providing food for others to live on. done something really well?” “When is the who do it as well or bet- is perfect. Everything and everybody else Admiring others also provides us with the last time I looked at anything or anyone ter than you. My trade of have faults that can be criticized. food we ourselves need. with the gaze of admiration?” journalism is sodden But our sophistication, enlightenment, One of the reasons why we live with so When we admire we get to feel good these days with practi- and refined sense of aesthetics are ulti- much dissatisfaction, anger, bitterness, and because, when we act like God, we get to tioners who seem inca- mately not the real reason why we find depression is precisely because we no feel like God. God is never grey, pable of admiring others ourselves so easily offended, hypercritical, longer know how to admire. It’s hard to be depressed, and cynical, and God’s first or anything.” and so stingy in our admiration and praise. happy and to feel good about ourselves gaze at us, as both Scripture and the mys- The incapacity to Something more base lurks underneath, when we don’t feel very good about any- tics assure us, is not one of critical disap- admire others doesn’t just Fr. Rolheiser immaturity. In the end, our itch to criticize thing or anyone around us. Without admi- proval but one of admiration. As Julian of afflict journalists. It seems to be a universal rather than admire is, more often than not, ration we can never be happy – nor can we Norwich puts it, God sits in heaven, com- disease today. We see it everywhere, in nothing more than a projection of our own see straight, irrespective of how sophisti- pletely relaxed, smiling, his face looking journalism, for sure, but also in the aca- unhappiness and a not-so-subtle plea that’s cated, educated, scientifically-trained, aes- like a marvellous symphony. That’s hardly demic world, in professional circles of all saying: “Admire me!” “Notice me!” “Why thetically fined- tuned, or hermeneutically- the description of how we – journalists, kinds, and in church and family life. It am I not being noticed and admired?” enlightened we are. academics, artists, theologians, ministers, seems none of us are very good any more Anthropology tells us that adulthood can Hugo of St. Victor had an axiom which priests, and ordinary folks – normally look at affording anyone (outside of a very be defined this way: A mature man or said: “Love is the eye!” Only when we see at the world. select circle of “our own”) the gaze of woman is a principle of order rather than through the prism of love do we see cor- ——— admiration. Children are still good at disorder, is someone who helps carry the rectly. Admiration is part of that. When we Ronald Rolheiser, a Roman Catholic admiring, but, among us, the adults, there’s burdens and tensions of others rather than don’t admire, we aren’t seeing straight, priest and member of the Missionary little in the way of simple appreciative con- dumps his or her own tensions on them, is pure and simple. When we are forever see- Oblates of Mary Immaculate, is president sciousness. We know how to criticize, but someone who helps feed others rather than ing what’s wrong in others that speaks vol- of the Oblate School of Theology in San not how to admire. feeds off of them, and is someone who umes about our own interior state. Partly Antonio. He is a community-builder, lectur- Why? What’s causing this? Why do oth- admires others as opposed to demanding we see what’s out there, partly though what er and writer. His books are popular ers and the things around us never seem that others admire him or her. One of the we think we see is largely colored by our throughout the English-speaking world and good enough, never seem worthy of admi- defining traits of human maturity is the own interior disposition. Thus an habitually his weekly column is carried by more than ration? Why do we always find fault in capacity to admire. If that is true, and it is, negative eye says as much about the seventy newspapers worldwide. everyone and everything? then our proclivity for criticism speaks of a beholder as it does about the beholden. Scorsese’s ‘Silence’ and the seaside martyrs By Most Rev. Robert Barron Andrew Garfield), spiritual descendants to their torment. If only he would trample Christian image and formally renounce Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles of St. Francis Xavier, sent to find Fr. on a Christian image, even as a mere his Christian faith. He takes a Japanese Ferreira, their mentor and seminary pro- external sign, an empty formality, he name and a Japanese wife and lives out I have long been an ardent fan of fessor who, rumor has it, had apostatized would free his colleagues from their pain. many long years in Japan before his death Martin Scorsese’s films. Taxi Driver, under torture and actually gone over to A good warrior, he refuses. Even when a at the age of 64 and his burial in a Raging Bull, Goodfellas, The Aviator, the other side. Immediately upon arriving Japanese Christian is beheaded, he doesn’t Buddhist ceremony. Gangs of New York, The Last Waltz, onshore, they are met by a small group of give in. Finally, and it is the most devas- What in the world do we make of this Casino, etc. are Japanese Christians who had been main- tating scene in the movie, he is brought to strange and disturbing story? Like any among the defining taining their faith underground for many Fr. Ferreira, the mentor whom he had great film or novel, Silence obviously movies of the last years. Due to the extreme danger, the been seeking since his arrival in Japan. resists a univocal or one-sided interpreta- forty years. And The young priests are forced into hiding dur- All the rumors are true: this former mas- tion. In fact, almost all of the commen- Departed, Scorsese’s ing the day, but they are able to engage in ter of the Christian life, this Jesuit hero, taries that I have read, especially from 2007 crime drama, clandestine ministry at night: baptizing, has renounced his faith, taken a Japanese religious people, emphasize how Silence was the subject mat- catechizing, confessing, celebrating the wife, and is living as a sort of philosopher beautifully brings forward the complex, ter of the first Mass. In rather short order, however, the under the protection of the state. Using a layered, ambiguous nature of faith. Fully YouTube commentary authorities get wind of their presence, and variety of arguments, the disgraced priest acknowledging the profound psychologi- that I ever did. It is suspected Christians are rounded up and tries to convince his former student to cal and spiritual truth of that claim, I won- certainly the case, tortured in the hopes of luring the priests give up the quest to evangelize Japan, der whether I might add a somewhat dis- furthermore, that the Bishop Barron out into the open. The single most memo- which he characterized as a “swamp” senting voice to the conversation? I would director’s Catholicism, rable scene in the film, at least for me, where the seed of Christianity can never like to propose a comparison, altogether however mitigated and conflicted, comes was the sea-side crucifixion of four of take root. warranted by the instincts of a one-time through in most of his work. His most these courageous lay believers. Tied to The next day, in the presence of soldier named Ignatius of Loyola, who recent offering, the much-anticipated crosses by the shore, they are, in the Christians being horrifically tortured, founded the Jesuit order to which all the Silence, based upon the Shusaku Endo course of several days, buffeted by the hung upside down inside a pit filled with Silence missionaries belonged. Suppose a novel of the same name, is a worthy addi- incoming tide until they drown. excrement, he is given the opportunity, small team of highly-trained American tion to the Scorsese oeuvre. Like so many Afterwards, their bodies are placed on once more, to step on a depiction of the special ops was smuggled behind enemy of his other films, it is marked by gor- pyres of straw and they are burned to face of Christ. At the height of his lines for a dangerous mission. Suppose geous cinematography, outstanding per- ashes, appearing for all the world like anguish, resisting from the depth of his furthermore that they were aided by loyal formances from both lead and supporting holocausts offered to the Lord. heart, Rodrigues hears what he takes to be civilians on the ground, who were eventu- actors, a gripping narrative, and enough In time, the priests are captured and the voice of Jesus himself, finally break- ally captured and proved willing to die thematic complexity to keep you thinking subjected to a unique and terrible form of ing the divine silence, telling him to tram- rather than betray the mission. Suppose for the foreseeable future. psychological torture. The film focuses on ple on the image. When he does so, a finally that the troops themselves were The story is set in mid-seventeenth cen- the struggles of Fr. Rodrigues. As cock crows in the distance. In the wake of eventually detained and, under torture, tury Japan, where a fierce persecution of Japanese Christians, men and women who his apostasy, he follows in the footsteps of renounced their loyalty to the United the Catholic faith is underway. To this had risked their lives to protect him, are Ferreira, becoming a ward of the state, a States, joined their opponents and lived dangerous country come two young Jesuit tortured in his presence, he is invited to well-fed, well-provided for philosopher, priests (played by Adam Driver and renounce his faith and thereby put an end regularly called upon to step on a (Please See BARRON/23) The Angelus FEBRUARY 2017 Page 17 Keeping the sentiment of Valentine’s Day alive all year By Bill Dodds generous and considerate to those closest to you. To 4 Recognize and let that loved one use his or her God- Catholic News Service those, too often, who are easy to overlook and underap- given talents. This can be tough, especially as sons and preciate. Yes, some kindness is spontaneous, but some daughters grow older. Discover those gifts and interests. I wasn't surprised this year when the Valentine's Day takes a little thought. A little planning. Perhaps more Begin to develop them and then strive to make a living candy was on store shelves only days after the Christmas than a little effort. using them. candy had been there. 4 Listen. This suggestion seems so obvious and so sim- Perhaps you come from a long line of teachers and she I suppose I could mutter tsk-tsk, ple, but it can be so easy to think "just not now." There wants to ... go into business. but the truth is I'm part of the prob- are times -- inconvenient times -- when your loved one Or maybe you've had a government job -- solid pay lem: a consumer who loves to con- wants to talk about something, but you're tired, distract- scale, good benefits -- and he's leaning toward a career sume chocolate. So just about any ed or pretty sure you covered all of this last week, right? in music. excuse to buy some now is a good It can help to keep in mind sometimes a person talks It isn't just the gift holder who, at times, has to take a excuse. because he or she needs to talk, perhaps has to go over leap of faith. It's also those who love him or her. Yes, chocolate and flowers are tra- what was talked about not very long ago. And it doesn't 4 Chocolates and flowers. Yes. OK. But maybe some- ditional Valentine's Day gifts -- or St. mean your spouse, family member or friend wants you thing more tailored to what your loved one loves. A spe- Valentine's Day gift, but no bags of to offer an opinion or a solution. What your loved one cial kind of chocolate. A variety of flower that brings M&M's or Hershey's Kisses feature wants is for you to listen. back happy memories. any reference to sainthood -- and Dodds I'm reminded of times when my late wife would come Not just dinner out and movie, but dinner at a place they're good options. In most cases. home from work and say, "I want to tell you what hap- he or she prefers. (Or at a new place when your first But not the only option. Often, not even the best option. pened at the office today, but I don't want you to offer choice would be the old tried-and-true.) And a movie What are some better ways to mark the occasion, to solutions." It took me a few times to learn she was seri- that he or she would give two thumbs-up, but you would tell family members and friends "I love you"? A few ous about that. And to keep my "I can fix that!" attitude rate it ... (Can a person give half a thumb?) suggestions: in check. And, of course: 4Commit not-so-random acts of kindness. Be friendly, 4 Hug. Enough said. 4 Pray for and with each other. Often. Cremation and burial at sea; another view on ‘football priest’ By Fr. Kenneth Doyle tion of bodily remains. That interest was body does not affect his or her soul, nor always follow the priest by saying (ver- Catholic News Service heightened in October 2016 when the does it prevent God in his omnipotence batim from the missal) "Go in peace, Vatican issued an instruction regarding from raising up the deceased body to new glorifying the Lord by your life." And Q. I am a lifelong Catholic and burial practices for Catholics. life." the loving way in which the priest dis- served 28 years in the Navy. As a junior That document was issued at the request In response to the Indiana letter writer's misses people has become an encourag- officer, I saw the ashes or bodies of of bishops in several nations in response concern about the decomposed remains of ing reminder of the universal call to deceased sailors buried at sea; I decid- to the growing practice of cremation and the Christian buried in A.D. 200, we don't holiness. ed at the time that this is what I want the lack of specific church guidelines on know mechanically how the eventual The priest described in your column done with my body the disposition of cremains. The instruc- reunion of body and soul will occur and doesn't begin to capture the one who after I die, and I have tion reiterates that the church, while not leave that -- as the Vatican does -- to the serves our parish. He is widely loved not changed my mind. opposed to the practice of cremation, con- wisdom of the Lord. and respected and goes to great lengths Recently, I shared tinues to recommend a traditional burial. And as for the Virginia writer's prefer- to keep the liturgy fresh and relevant. that decision with The document specifies that either the ence for burial at sea, he can relax. The Our priest is a humble and caring indi- some of my fellow body or the ashes of the deceased should new Vatican guidelines do not prohibit vidual, and we are incredibly blessed to parishioners, and one be buried in sacred ground and that cre- that, so long as the body or cremated have him in our lives. of them said that a mains should not be kept in private homes remains are buried in a dignified and One final thought: Please make it new directive from the or scattered on land or at sea, nor "pre- well-protected container. (Catholics standard policy to print the author's church provides that a served in mementoes, pieces of jewelry or should consult with their diocese for fur- name when you run a letter in your col- Catholic can no longer Doyle other objects." ther instructions, since standards can vary umn; that will deter a "ring and run" be buried at sea. (In Burial in sacred ground, said the from diocese to diocese.) anonymity. (Columbus, Ohio) fact, he said that if someone were to be Vatican, prevents the deceased from being The church's Order of Christian buried at sea, a priest is prohibited forgotten and encourages family members Funerals has a specific prayer for such a A. A few weeks back, I published in this from celebrating any type of funeral and the wider Christian community to burial, asking that the Lord who calmed column a letter from Columbus, Ohio. service in a Catholic Church.) remember the deceased and to pray for the sea in Galilee may grant peace and The writer complained about a priest in If that is really the case, I don't see them. tranquility to the person deceased (No. his parish who takes several minutes each what I am doing remaining in a Historically, cremation was linked to 406). Sunday to comment on the fortunes of the Catholic parish; in fact, it might be the burial practices of pagans, whose reli- local football team -- the writer said that it time for me to change to a different gious beliefs did not include the expecta- Q. I am disturbed by a question you "borders on sacrilege" -- and uses his own Christian denomination that will be tion of eventual resurrection and viewed printed from an anonymous person wording for the dismissal rite. there for me at the end of my life. death as the definitive obliteration of the requesting your thoughts on a retired The original letter and the above (Virginia Beach, Virginia) human person. The Catholic Church priest who talks about the local sports response from the deacon serve as an began to allow cremation only in 1963, as team and concludes the liturgy with the important reminder that a priest's words Q. I am aware that the Catholic it became more commonplace for both words, "The Mass never ends; it must and actions can be viewed in different Church has traditionally discouraged economic and sanitary reasons. be lived by each of us today." I know ways by different members of a congrega- cremation, but I am confused as to But the church's Code of Canon Law this priest well and have the honor of tion. That is why I support the practice -- why. For centuries, cremation has been has continued to express the preference assisting him each week. used by a few priests I know -- of gather- accepted by most cultures as a some- for burial over cremation because the bur- First, it must be noted that the vast ing a small group of parishioners each what more humane way of dealing with ial of human remains, in the church's majority of our city and our parish are week for a "debriefing" session; the homi- the remains of a loved one. mind, reflects a greater esteem for the strong fans of the "local football team." ly and the entire liturgical celebration are With a standard burial, the person's deceased and more clearly expresses the Our priest's comments (which I never reviewed, together with comments heard remains are left to "rot in the ground." Christian belief in an eventual resurrec- recall as having lasted more than 30 from the congregation. Does it have something to do with an tion, when the person's body and soul will seconds) are offered as a way of uniting As for your proposal to identify letter- eventual "resurrection"? And is the be reunited. the worshipping community. writers by name, I would argue against presence of a body required for that As the Vatican's 2016 instruction says, More importantly, his comments are that. That has never been the practice in resurrection? If so, what would be left "Burial is above all the most fitting way always connected to a virtue that the five years I have been doing this col- of Christians from, say, A.D. 200? to express faith and hope in the resurrec- relates either to the scriptural readings umn -- nor, to my knowledge, in the his- Surely by now there is nothing left of tion of the body" and shows "the great or to our relationship with the Lord. I tory of the column which long predates them to raise. (Corydon, Indiana) dignity of the human body as an integral find them most pastoral. me. Though I am normally a big fan of part of the human person, whose body As for his dismissal formula, admit- transparency, I think the anonymity gives A. The two letters above are typical of forms part of their identity." tedly that is not the exact wording writers the chance to speak honestly with- many that I receive and reflect people's That same instruction does note, offered in the Roman Missal. But as a out subjecting themselves to the "slings continuing fascination with the disposi- though, that "cremation of the deceased's more traditionally minded deacon, I and arrows" of their neighbors. Page 18 FEBRUARY 2017 The Angelus Formación Religiosa, Oración, y la Eucaristía al Corazón de todas las Escuelas Obispo Michael J. Sis religión, la práctica de la oración, y la de Arte también estudiamos acerca de que hacer sacrificios adicionales que celebración de la Eucaristía. Para los cómo las personas han utilizado el Arte a vienen junto con tener una escuela Estoy aquí hoy para esta Misa, porque Católicos, la Santa Eucaristía es la fuente lo largo del tiempo como una forma de Católica: yo soy su obispo. El obispo es el super- y la cumbre de la vida entera de la expresar su fe. 4 Cuesta más dinero. visor y el portavoz de la fe Católica en Iglesia. Lo mismo se puede decir de una En la clase de Música en una escuela 4 Los estudiantes tienen que estudiar el área. Esta es Semana de Escuelas escuela Católica. Una escuela Católica Católica, aprendemos sobre el hermoso mucho. Católicas. Lo que ustedes están haciendo no solamente provee una educación. Una don de la música sagrada, y cómo la 4 Hay por lo general más estricta disci- aquí en la escuela Católica de Santa Ana escuela Católica está formando santos música nos ayuda a conectar con Dios. plina y un código de vestimenta. en Midland es importante para el resto de para el Reino de los Cielos. Por supuesto, una escuela Católica tam- 4 Los padres hacen sacrificios nosotros en el mundo Católico. El estar en una escuela Católica pone a bién debe tener la educación física y los financieros. Yo fui a la escuela por 22 años, desde una persona joven en una posición para deportes: 4 Los maestros a menudo trabajan para el kínder hasta la universidad. Once de explorar las conexiones entre la fe y las Dios te dio tu cuerpo. Cuando lo salarios más bajos que en otras escuelas. esos veintidós años fueron en escuelas y otras cosas cuales se estudian: cuidamos bien, estamos expresando grati- No sólo los estudiantes y los padres y universidades Católicas. Once fueron en Por ejemplo, una educación Católica tud a Dios. La educación física y el maestros actuales sacrifican para que esto escuelas públicas. Estoy muy agradecido muestra la conexión entre la fe y la razón atletismo nos enseñan a ser buenos ocurra. De hecho, la escuela Católica es por mi educación - tanto por la parte - entre una creencia profunda y piadosa administradores de nuestro cuerpo. un proyecto de toda la parroquia y de pública como la parte Católica. en Dios, y el uso inteligente de la lógica Con los deportes en una escuela Católica, toda la Iglesia. Hay mucha gente que No todos tienen la oportunidad de estudi- y la razón. Usted no tiene que dejar su no se trata de orar con el fin de ganar. contribuye. Y nuestros sacrificios valen ar en una escuela Católica, y no todos cerebro a la puerta al entrar en una No es como si Dios estará más feliz si el la pena. Ellos ayudan a formar a nue- aquí hoy están directamente envueltos en escuela Católica. Tome la Ciencia, por equipo de fútbol Católico vence al equipo stros jóvenes en hombres y mujeres de fe la escuela. Pero la escuela es una parte ejemplo. En un salón de clases Católica, de fútbol Protestante. Se trata de la prác- y de carácter. muy importante de esta parroquia y esta cuando estudiamos acerca de la Biología, tica de las virtudes al trabajar como Como su obispo local, quiero felicitar y diócesis. Y hoy, al empezar la Semana la Química, o la Física, estamos explo- equipo, en la auto-disciplina y el espíritu agradecer a todos quienes hacen la de Escuelas Católicas, es una oportu- rando las increíbles maravillas del mundo deportivo, y en reconocer que Dios siem- escuela Católica de Santa Ana un tremen- nidad para que todos pensemos en el que Dios creó y que Dios sigue soste- pre nos ama aún si ganamos o perdemos. do éxito. Estoy muy orgulloso de ust- valor de una escuela Católica. niendo en la existencia. Al estudiar el Más importante es que la forma en la edes. En una escuela pública en una sociedad mundo creado, nuestra mente es guiada a cual actuamos cuando ganamos o También quiero pedir sus oraciones por pluralista, no se les permite enseñar la fe. reflexionar sobre la imaginación increíble perdemos hace una diferencia a los ojos el proyecto para comenzar una nueva Enseñan muchas cosas, pero no se les del creador. de Dios. Cuando hacemos bien, glorifi- escuela secundaria, llamada Holy Cross permite que se enseñe acerca de cómo O cuando estudiamos Literatura, camos a Dios. Cuando hacemos mal, nos Catholic High School, la cual servirá a Dios cabe en el cuadro. Cada uno de Historia y Estudios Sociales, vemos apoyamos en Dios, quien nos ama de Midland y Odessa y sus alrededores. Es nosotros somos un ser humano completo: cómo esas áreas de materia se relacionan todas maneras. Cuando perdemos, le un sueño muy grande, y yo creo en el, y cuerpo, mente, y alma. Dios te hizo, y con el mensaje de Jesucristo y con la damos las gracias a Dios por una buena yo personalmente estoy dedicando una Dios te sostiene en la existencia. Tu doctrina social de nuestra Iglesia. Vemos lección en la humildad. parte de mi tiempo y dinero para este relación con Dios es parte de quien tú como la revelación de Dios en Cristo se Las escuelas Católicas se basan en la proyecto. eres. encaja con el desarrollo continuo del pro- armonía que existe entre: ¿No sería increíble si un estudiante Cuando enseñamos en una escuela greso humano. 4 La religión y la académica aquí de esta área del Permian Basin Católica, buscamos formar la persona Luego, en la clase de Arte, aprendemos 4 La fe y la razón podría ir desde el kínder hasta el grado completa -- cuerpo, mente, y alma -- para sobre la belleza. Lo que es bello eleva la 4La oración y el estudio 12 en un ambiente completamente convertirle en la persona que Dios quiere mente y el corazón a Dios, que es la 4 Jesucristo y la vida cotidiana Católico? Con la ayuda de Dios, que sea. fuente de toda belleza. El color y la pro- Es una alegría estar con ustedes aquí podemos hacer que suceda. En el mero corazón de la vida de una porción y la armonía y el orden de todo hoy para celebrar todo esto. escuela Católica es la enseñanza de la glorifica a Dios el Creador. En la clase Por supuesto, todos sabemos que hay Las Cruces bishop hears Iraqi Christian concerns By Dale Gavlak amazed by the speed which Chaldean Catholic News Service Catholic Archbishop Bashar Warda of Irbil has started a Catholic university to provide AMMAN, Jordan — After meeting with education and direction to the youth. church leaders in northern Iraq, a U.S. bish- Archbishop Warda also has restored per- op said he will advocate differently for sonal dignity by moving displaced Iraqi religious minorities. Christians from camps into homes with a Bishop Oscar Cantu of Las Cruces, New rent assistance program. Mexico, told Catholic News Service by Meanwhile, Archbishop Moshe has built phone that the Iraqi Catholic clergy do not a church, an elementary school and a new want to see a safe corridor set up for Catholic University of Qaraqosh, serving Christians, as some in Washington have both Christians and Muslims, on land pro- suggested. vided by the Kurdish authorities. All of Although security is paramount, they pre- these facilities were lost when Islamic State fer to see reconciliation take place, militants invaded Mosul and the surround- enabling Iraq's diverse mosaic of religions ing villages in June and August 2014. and ethnicities to live side by side. But that Still, "there is a reality of the wounds creat- means trust would need to be rebuilt, and ed by the neighbors who turned on neigh- that could prove tricky given the regional bors," said Bishop Cantu. He was told that and local players involved in Iraq's multi- after Christians went back to check on their layered sectarian conflict. Syriac Catholic Archbishop Yohanna Moshe of Mosul, Iraq, and Bishop Oscar Cantu of properties following the liberation from Las Cruces, N.M., pose for a photo in Iraq. After meeting with church leaders in northern "We don't want to live in a ghetto. That is Iraq, Bishop Cantu said he will advocate differently for Iraqi religious minorities. (CNS Islamic State, in some instances, "neighbors counterproductive. That makes us a target photo/Stephen Colecchi, USCCB) went in, looted and later burned their homes." for our enemies. We have to live in a secure The terrifying escape from Mosul for a but integrated community where Chaldean He said the archbishop told him: "We tion Jan. 11-13 to see and hear Christian per- number of Dominican Sisters has left a pro- Catholics, Syriac Catholics, Sunni need an integrated reality, rather than a spectives in the aftermath of the Islamic State found "sadness in their eyes and voices that Muslims, etc., have relationships with each 'Gaza' where there's a wall and someone is assault in 2014 and the current U.S.-led question what's the best for these other," Bishop Cantu told CNS, recounting guarding people going in and out." coalition's battle to flush out the militants. Christians," Bishop Cantu said, "whether it the remarks made by Syriac Catholic Bishop Cantu chairs the U.S. bishops' Catholic clergy "really want to establish is to stay in the midst of anguish and terror Archbishop Yohanna Moshe of Mosul, Committee on International Justice and some normalcy in the midst of displace- or seek safety and security elsewhere in the Iraq. Peace. In that capacity, he led a small delega- ment," Bishop Cantu said. He said he was world." The Angelus FEBRUARY 2017 Page 19

Top row, left to right, George Halfmann, Bernard Hirt, Billy Ray Schwartz, Tempe Gerngross, Frank Gerngross, Harvey Mikulik, Bob Zentner, Marvin Dierschke, Dennis Glass, Lawrence Jost, Nolan Niehues, John Schwartz Sr., Wayne Lehr. Bottom row, left to right, Wilbert Jost, Charlene Wilde, Anna Kubenka, Gladys Braden, Alfrieda Braden, Dolores Gully, Gloria Schwartz, Erwin Schwartz, Sr., LaVerne Schniers, Laverne Knezek. (Courtesy photo). A parishioner reflects on St. Ambrose’s 75th celebration in Wall

By Linda Grace At left, Bandon took valuable time away from the fields Lange, Jacob and providing for their families. WALL — December 7, 2016 marked Kubenka, Deacon St. Ambrose Catholic Church was the 75th anniversary of St. Ambrose Dan Shannahan, dedicated on December 7, 1941 by the Catholic Church in Wall. Bishop Fr. Joe Most Reverend Laurence Julius Michael J. Sis presided over the cele- Choutapalli, FitzSimmon, Bishop of the Amarillo bratory Mass with con-celebrants Fr. Bishop Sis, diocese — the closest diocese at that Joe Choutapalli, Fr. Bhaskar Mendem, Deacon Allan time. Monsignor Pokluda was appoint- Msgr. Larry Droll, Fr. Yesu Mulakaleti, Lange, Tye ed as first pastor. The name St. Fr. Joseph Vathalloor, Fr. Albert Gerngross, Grace Ambrose is in honor of the former Wilde (Courtesy Ezeanya and Deacons Allan Lange and photo). Bishop of Milan, Italy from 374-397. Dan Shannahan. Msgr. Larry Droll, The architecture is Roman in style and pastor at St. Ambrose from 1992-2004, was designed by San Angelo architect shared comments. Through a certificate, John G. Becker. His Holiness, Pope Francis, bestowed This is the special prayer — prayed the Apostolic Blessing on the pastor and after Mass in 1941 — in English, faithful of St. Ambrose Catholic Czech, German and Spanish: Church. A crowd estimated at 420 attended the made from the wood of the tree. A kind to my mom’s chagrin. I did not like Oh my Jesus, I kneel down before you, anniversary celebration and reception parishioner and friend helped make this wearing the fancy dress with crinoline O muj Jezisi klanim se tobe, following Mass. There was food, drink suggestion a reality. The Crosses were and bows). Midnight Mass at Christmas Oh Mein Herr, ich kniee vor Dir, and memories being shared and made handcrafted from the St. Ambrose pine (mom made a pallet for us in the back O mi Jesus, you me arrodillo ante ti, by young and old alike. Alfrieda tree and were blessed. of the station wagon where my brother stay with me forever and ever. Amen. Braden, 92, was in attendance. Her Photos of past First Communions and I slept while mom and dad attended A zustan snami az na veky a vekuv. father as well as the man who would were laid on each table. I found mine mass). Amen later become her husband, were among labeled 1961 — it brought back many The idea for the church originated Und bleibe mit uns fur immer und the men who helped build the church. memories including the fact that I was with Bill and Hilda Mikulik. In the immer. Amen An additional celebration was held on taller than everyone at that time — summer of 1940, Mr. and Mrs. Ben Quédate conmigo, por siempre y siem- Sunday, December 11 after the 9 a.m. including the boys. Numerous photo Book, Mr. and Mrs. Mack Halfmann, pre. Amen. Mass with about 300 people attending. memory books of the history of the Mr. and Mrs. Frank Hirt, Mr. and Mrs. Brunch was served with goodies provid- church and its members were available Frank Gerngross, Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Shortly after the dedication ceremony ed by church members. including many weddings that took Mikulik, Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Strube, Sr., for St. Ambrose Catholic Church, many The youth group re-enacted the hum- place in the church. Some of these and Mr. and Mrs. Elo Wilde met to dis- of the young men left to enlist in the ble beginnings of the church in period wedding photos included several gener- cuss the possibility of building a Army, Navy, etc. Japan had attacked costumes complete with saws, ham- ations such as my family with three. Catholic Church. After much considera- Pearl Harbor that morning and war was mers, etc. that were used in construction I grew up in Wall, attended all 12 tion, it was determined that the new imminent. of the church. years of school and graduated from Catholic Church would be built in Wall. From humble beginnings in 1941 with At the brunch that Sunday morning, Wall High School. St. Ambrose Named after J. M. Wall – the communi- a membership of 50 families through along with the church directory, parish- Catholic Church was a big part of my ty was originally known as The Red today with membership of 406 families ioners received a small wooden cross world. Catechism classes each River Colony for the fertile soil that and growing, St. Ambrose Catholic that had been carved out of a pine tree Wednesday after school. Annual picnics was perfect for growing crops. Church in Wall has provided a location that had to be cut down on parish prop- (that’s what they were called when I Inspired by these German and Czech for fellowship, to worship, to celebrate erty. Bishop Sis saw the pine stump by was growing up — now it is the fall immigrants, construction began on St Baptisms, First Communions, the Rosary Walk Garden on May 20, festival) where each family would cook Ambrose Catholic Church on February Marriages, to honor those who have 2015 while walking with Fr. Joe and the a turkey at home and bring it to the hall 24, 1941. The nearest church at that passed and so much more. parishioners from the church to the new to be served. Easter with everyone time was Sacred Heart in San Angelo Happy 75th Anniversary St. Ambrose rectory for its dedication. Bishop Sis dressed in their finest clothes complete — some 13 miles away. Time spent Catholic Church! I look forward to cel- suggested that something special be with a hat (I was a tom boy and much traveling to attend Mass in San Angelo ebrating many more! Page 20 FEBRUARY 2017 The Angelus OBISPO

(Para 3) iares que puedan hacerse cargo de ellos. Si eso no es una posibilidad, frecuencia hay que separar her- entonces el niño puede ser un can- manos. didato para la adopción. Para llegar ser padres de crian- Las parroquias también pueden za, hay algunos requisitos básicos asumir el papel de proporcionar por la ley estatal. Los padres de un sistema de apoyo para los crianza pueden ser solteros o casa- padres de crianza en la congre- dos. Deben tener por lo menos 21 gación. En general, esto hace que años de edad, ser financieramente la experiencia de crianza tenga estables, y ser adultos maduros y más éxito. Por ejemplo, en algu- responsables. Se someten a una nas iglesias, una comida es llevada verificación de antecedentes crim- a la familia de crianza una vez por inales y una comprobación de semana, y un número de familias abuso / negligencia de todos los de la parroquia toman turnos para miembros del hogar de los 14 proveer esa comida. Cualquier años de edad y mayor. Ambos parroquia que le gustaría obtener padres en el hogar deben estar en más información con el fin de el país legalmente, pero no es explorar la posibilidad de propor- necesario que sean ciudadanos cionar este tipo de red de apoyo Americanos. puede contactar a Tony Rastetter Los padres de crianza no deben del Departamento de Familia y tener más de seis niños en el Servicios de Protección de Texas hogar, incluyendo los hijos en San Ángelo al 325-657-8833 o biológicos y los niños de crianza. 325-262-1987 . Su correo elec- Tienen que estar de acuerdo con trónico es una política de disciplina que no [email protected] sea física. Se espera que asistan a Cualquier individuo o pareja veinte o más horas de entre- que le gustaría obtener más infor- namiento cada año. mación sobre cómo llegar a ser un El estado de Texas paga una padre de crianza puede ponerse en cantidad diaria para cada hijo de contacto con Jessica Neader del crianza en el hogar, pero la canti- Departamento de Familia y dad pagada por lo general no es Servicios de Protección en San Washington suficiente para cubrir todos los Ángelo Texas al 325-657-8944. gastos. Ser padre de crianza no se Su correo electrónico es March for Life trata de hacer ganancias. Se trata [email protected] de hacer una verdadera diferencia Para encontrar un calendario de Pro-life advocates celebrate the en la vida de un niño necesitado. las próximas reuniones informati- annual March for Life in Las familias de crianza pueden vas para padres de crianza en San Washington Jan. 2, above. (CNS especificar criterios para los niños Ángelo, Midland, Odessa, photo/Tyler Orsburn) colocados en su hogar, tales como Abilene, Brownwood, o Big la edad, la raza, y la religión. Hay Spring, visite la pagina de web al Pro-life advocates hold signs Jan. 27 during the annual March una necesidad para las familias www.adoptchildren.org y haga for Life in Washington, at right que hablan inglés, así como tam- clic en el enlace de Foster Care y (CNS photo/Tyler Orsburn). bién para las familias que hablan luego en el enlace de Information español. Meeting. In the March Angelus, photos Con el cuidado de crianza, el Para aquellos que están dis- from the Pro Life March in objetivo es que el niño finalmente puestos a orar sobre la posibilidad Austin, January 28, 2017. pueda volver a sus padres, salvo de ser padres de crianza, he aquí en raras ocasiones. Por lo general, algunos pasajes de las Escrituras Related Story, Pg. 9. un niño de crianza al final se que serían útiles para la reflexión: reúne con sus padres. Si eso no Mateo 25:31-46; Marcos 10:13- ocurre, entonces el siguiente curso 16; 1 Cor. 13:1-13; Santiago 2:18- de acción es la búsqueda de famil- 26. SCHOOL

(From 9) or lose. It’s about the fact that the way we act when schools. winning or losing makes a difference in the eyes of Not only the current students and parents and teachers ful raises the mind and heart to God, who is the source God. sacrifice to make it happen. In fact, the Catholic school of all beauty. Color and proportion and harmony and When we do well, we glorify God. When we do is a project of the whole parish and the whole Church. order all glorify God the Creator. In art class we also poorly, we lean on God, who loves us anyway. Lots of people pitch in. And our sacrifices are worth it. study about how people have used art through the ages When we lose, we thank God for a good lesson in They help form our young people into men and women as a way to express their faith. humility. of faith and character. In music class in a Catholic school, we learn about the Catholic schools are based in the harmony that exists As your local Bishop, I want to congratulate and beautiful gift of sacred music, and how music helps between: thank all of you who make St. Ann’s Catholic School a connect us with God. • Religion and Academics tremendous success. I am very proud of you. I also Of course, a Catholic school should also have physi- • Faith and Reason want to ask your prayers for the project to start a new cal education and sports. God gave you your body. • Prayer and Study high school in Midland, called Holy Cross Catholic When you take good care of it, you’re expressing grati- • Jesus Christ and daily life High School, to serve Midland and Odessa and the sur- tude to God. Physical education and athletics teaches It’s a joy to be with you here today to celebrate that. rounding area. It is a very big dream, and I believe in us to be good stewards of our body. Of course, we all know that there are extra sacrifices it, and I’m personally dedicating my own time and Sports in a Catholic school is not about praying in that come along with having a Catholic school: money to this project. order to win. It’s not as if God is somehow more happy • It costs more money. Wouldn’t it be awesome if a student here in the if the Catholic football team beats the Protestant foot- • Students have to study hard. Permian Basin could go all the way from Pre-K through ball team down the street. It’s about practicing the • There’s typically stricter discipline and a dress code. the 12th grade in a thoroughly Catholic environment? virtues of teamwork, self-discipline, and sportsmanship, • Parents make financial sacrifices. With God’s help, we can make it happen. and recognizing that God still loves us whether we win • Teachers often work for lower salaries than in other The Angelus FEBRUARY 2017 Page 21

YOUTH 2000 Scenes from the Youth 2000 Event, January 27-29 at St. Stephen’s Parish in Midland. In above left photo, Bishop Michael Sis process in with Msgr. Jim Bridges, pastor of St. Stephen’s, right; Fr. Balachandra Nagipogu; Deacon Steve Zimmerman, left, and Deacon Larry Salazar, third from left. Photos by Alan Torre / aptorre.com Page 22 FEBRUARY 2017 The Angelus SWLC

(From 2) table and would never see them again, I was who was told by her son that he was not free and clear. Little did I know that the going to church anymore because Mass was – I am sure – it was such an unforgettable priest I had just met at our table and who not meaningful to him. Her answer was: “I experience that I closed my eyes and let was smiling and enjoying our display of don’t give a … if it is meaningful or not. myself be transported to a spiritual height I Latin blood, was a priest from the diocese You are going to church.” During his had never before experienced. of San Angelo by the name of Monsignor keynote address on Thursday, Bishop My second memory was created in Bernard Gully. It is a small world indeed! Emeritus Ricardo Ramírez, reminded us the Albuquerque, NM, at an SWLC. The folk- In the last couple of years, the conference importance family devotions play in the lore dancers had entertained us and we had has included two new information tracks: one nourishment of our faith and asked us if our enjoyed a banquet meal on Friday night, but in RCIA and the other in architecture and parishes were “maintenance parishes,” just we had one more surprise coming. The per- renovation of churches. These two tracks are keeping things together until the next priest son in charge informed us that one of the now permanent parts of the conference. I shows up, or life-giving parishes, merciful priests of the Santa Fe diocese had received took full advantage of the RCIA workshops parishes where faith is nourished and grows. permission to form a small musical group this time. It is a wonderful tool for those Every year, I look forward to being part of and that the priest played wonderful Spanish working in RCIA to enhance their knowl- this conference as they have become my music. edge and share experiences. annual retreats. Morning prayer, evening During a break in their playing, my hus- For the first time, we had the use of an prayer, Taizé prayer, and the celebration of band approached the priest and commented app, the Whova app. The app allows the the Holy Eucharist fill my cup until “it run- to him how much his playing sounded like a user to keep our schedule in our phones, ask neth over” and I am ready to return to my well-known Panamanian musician during questions, learn information, and be able to service in the parish renewed, refreshed and the 1960s named Lucho Ascárraga. The take advantage of networking with new ready to give my best to whatever God has priest responded that Lucho had been his friends. for me. organ teacher many years ago in Panama. Of course, the speakers were wonderful. I invite you to travel to Cheyenne, His band began to play, again, and when my Fr. Ron Rohlheiser, OMI, of San Antonio, Wyoming, January 16-19, 2018, and experi- feet became tired of moving under the table, the Wednesday evening opening keynote ence for yourself all that the SWLC confer- I stood up and began to dance right there speaker, insisted that everyone, young and ence has to offer. between the tables. I was not alone for long. old, needed to go to church. He shared the God bless you! I figured since I did not know anyone at the story of a friend, a mother of a teenage son SEEK

(From 7) my beliefs." incense -- they engage all of the senses. In another presentation, John H. For our group and myself, the adoration As a team director for FOCUS at Ave Carmichael, author of "Drunks and experience is really powerful." Maria University, Nick Smith described Monks," discussed the freedom of The lines were long for reconciliation FOCUS as important to university cam- drunkenness and worldliness. "If you the evening of Jan. 5 as thousands of stu- puses because the organization "counter- build your house on sand, it will wash dents took advantage of the opportunity acts the things that distract us in a way away," he said. "Young people, you to grow a bit closer to God. The experi- that really allows Jesus to enter into this should build it on rock. Go deep into the ence impressed Tracie Thibault, a junior culture of death and change it." heart of the Catholic Church." from Kansas State University. Martins said he was struck by Sri's With such encouragement, SEEK par- "I think the moment I knew it was comments about the importance of peo- ticipants could head back to their homes worth all the planning and fundraising ple changing their actions to reflect their or colleges with what Miller described as was seeing more than 12,000 people on beliefs in an effort to overcome rela- a strong relationship with God so that their knees at adoration," said Thibault, tivism in the world. "this relationship allows us to live life at who helped coordinate the school's three "This stuck with me because I realized its fullest." charter buses. "Sitting in the back watch- that although I was surrounded by Among those in attendance were more ing student after student go to confes- Catholics in Benedictine College, I than 200 college students from the sion, seeing 200-plus priests and know- found myself going to Mass less and Diocese of Salina, Kansas. Among them ing God's mercy was present, that's when less," he explained. "I now realize I was was Adam Urban, a senior at Fort Hays I knew it was all worth it." changing my actions and justifying them State University in Kansas. He coordi- - - - by other Catholic's actions. This confer- nated a bus from the school. Contributing to this story was Karen ence has helped me realize that I really "(Adoration and reconciliation) were Bonar, editor of The Register, newspaper need to act the faith taking it upon very well done," he said. "They have of the Diocese of Salina, Kansas. myself to change, so my actions reflect great music to draw you into prayer and GREENHOUSE (From 10) ministry even while we continue to secure her up and carried her a long way, to a the funding to build our own center. safe place where she would be cared for. and blessed sleep. We have had 50 women express an inter- I love this story because it speaks of his So that women with children can be est in serving and ministering as volun- character, his love, his selflessness. John fully engaged in all that the greenhouse teers. Our future volunteers will be key in Paul has taught me what a woman is for, has to offer, trained volunteers will pro- providing a hospitable, nurturing place for what I am for – that I am made to influ- vide childcare on-site. women. With that in mind, we will be pro- ence and encourage and love all those The greenhouse will be open to women viding a program of training and formation who are in my life. That as a woman, I of any age or background, married or sin- for our volunteers. We hope to open our play an indispensable role in God’s plan gle. We have the support and blessing of doors in the fall, with these amazing to save the world! So in a very real Bishop Michael Sis and we are profoundly women serving their sisters in Christ. sense, John Paul has also carried me to a grateful for his guidance and leadership. safe place, and for that I love him and Carried by Papa John Paul am forever grateful. Next Steps Allow me to close on a personal note: Lisa Martinez is the founder and exec- Fr. David Herrera, pastor of Our Lady there is a lovely story about John Paul II utive director of the greenhouse for of Guadalupe Church in Midland, has joy- as a young man in Poland during the women, a Catholic women’s ministry fully agreed to allow us to begin the time of the Nazi occupation. A young based on the teaching of St. John Paul II. greenhouse for women there, where we girl had emerged from a Nazi labor camp The center will launch in the fall in will use existing facilities on the parish who could scarcely walk and was slowly Midland. More information can be found grounds. This will allow us to begin our dying. John Paul came upon her, picked at thegreenhouseforwomen.org. The Angelus FEBRUARY 2017 Page 23 KNICKERBOCKERS MARTINEZ

(From 11) to be. Each is responsible for helping (From 10) the other toward final salvation. applying it to all life’s circumstances. With the entrance of sin into human When God seals the Sacrament of Today, at a time of deep spiritual and cul- life and the wiles of Satan, Matrimony at the altar of the Church, only the ways of efficiency and productivi- tural crisis, this task has an urgency that Matrimony, as a Sacrament of He is commissioning the husband and ty. Regarding the civilization of love, cannot be emphasized enough. The Redemption, is a great healing rela- wife to carry His love into the lives of women can bring to every aspect of life, Church’s presence and action in this age tionship in the human family. It is a all they meet. What a great blessing including the highest levels of decision- passes by way of woman’s ability to receive healing relationship not only for the it is for the husband and wife to be a making, those essential qualities of feminin- and keep God’s word. In light of her specif- husband and wife but also for all the means of the grace of God for each ity. This consists of objectivity of judgment ic charism, woman is uniquely gifted in the other people whose lives are touched other and for others in the Sacrament as well as the ability to deeply understand task of passing on the Christian message by the love of this couple. In fact, the of Matrimony! the demands of human relationships. and mystery in the family and in the world love of husband and wife is meat to After the "Celebration of The successes of science and technology of work, study and leisure. Today, as the turn outward to others and to commu- Matrimony" in the Mass, during the have made it possible for many to achieve Church sets out again on her journey to pro- nicate the love for them of Christ and reception of Communion in the litur- material well-being. While this favors some, claim Christ to the world, she needs women His Church. This outward turn to gy of the Eucharist, I invited non- it pushes others to the edges of society. This who contemplate the face of Christ, who others by husband and wife is seen Catholics present to come forward for can lead to a gradual loss of sensitivity for keep their gaze fixed on him and recognize especially in their love for their chil- a blessing. I said they not only would the person, for what is essentially human. him in the weakest members of his Body. dren, as father, mother, and child be coming to ask a blessing for them- So we need women to offer that “genius” (children) grow into a likeness of God selves but also would be coming to which belongs to them and which shows the Holy Trinity. The home is to be a ask the Lord to bless Katherine and ——— holy household where each person Michael on this special day in their sensitivity to persons in every circumstance. Lisa Martinez is the founder and execu- prays for the others and helps them lives. I think our new liturgy and Exhortation to women grow in holiness. their desire to ask God to bless tive director of the greenhouse for women, a Therefore, the Sacrament of Katherine and Michael were the rea- “The world and the Church need your spe- Catholic women’s ministry based on the Matrimony is a great blessing for the sons why so many non-Catholics cific witness,” John Paul declares. Catholic teaching of St. John Paul II. This center for husband and wife and also a great came forward. So, Katherine and women who live by faith and charity and women will launch this fall in Midland. responsibility. In the Sacrament of Michael were a blessing during the give honor to God’s name in prayer and More information can be found at www.the- Matrimony the husband and wife are Mass to many people. May God service, have always had a critical role in greenhouseforwomen.org. means of grace for each other and grant that they will continue to be a passing on the genuine sense of faith and become the persons God intends them blessing to each other and to others! BARRON (From 16) Japanese cultural elite depicted in the Shusaku Endo (and perhaps Scorsese) side of the tyranny. film. What I mean is that the secular was actually inviting us to look away I know, I know, Scorsese shows the comfortable lives under the aegis of their establishment always prefers Christians from the priests and toward that wonder- corpse of Rodrigues inside his coffin former enemies. Would anyone be eager who are vacillating, unsure, divided, and ful group of courageous, pious, dedicated, clutching a small crucifix, which proves, I to celebrate the layered complexity and altogether eager to privatize their religion. long-suffering lay people who kept the suppose, that the priest remained in some rich ambiguity of their patriotism? And it is all too willing to dismiss pas- Christian faith alive under the most inhos- sense Christian. But again, that’s just the Wouldn’t we see them rather straightfor- sionately religious people as dangerous, pitable conditions imaginable and who, at kind of Christianity the regnant culture wardly as cowards and traitors? violent, and let’s face it, not that bright. the decisive moment, witnessed to Christ likes: utterly privatized, hidden away, My worry is that all of the stress on Revisit Ferreira’s speech to Rodrigues with their lives. Whereas the specially harmless. So okay, perhaps a half-cheer complexity and multivalence and ambigu- about the supposedly simplistic trained Ferreira and Rodrigues became for Rodrigues, but a full-throated three ity is in service of the cultural elite today, Christianity of the Japanese laity if you paid lackeys of a tyrannical government, cheers for the martyrs, crucified by the which is not that different from the doubt me on this score. I wonder whether those simple folk remained a thorn in the seaside. ACEPTAR (Para 14) El cardenal filipino dijo a una multitud Al tratar de ser autónomo de un modo podemos hacerlo solos. Que necesitamos de 15.000 jóvenes peregrinos sobre la extremo, una persona puede confundir la que Dios nos guíe, que nos ayude cuando aceptar ayuda. importancia de abrirnos a la misericordia, aceptación de la ayuda con la pérdida de más lo necesitamos. Nos abrimos a recibir Pero esto puede impedirnos madurar o, lo que significa aceptar cuando necesita- la dignidad. Pero, continuó, "esa persona misericordia. en algunos casos, obtener la ayuda que mos ayuda. no permitirá que nadie, ni siquiera Dios, La ayuda divina viene a través de manos realmente necesitamos. Añadió que el ascenso del ser humano toque su corazón porque eso sería un y corazones humanos. Aceptar la ayuda de En una catequesis durante la Jornada que es "self-made" o que sale adelante por insulto". otros es una manera de aceptar con grati- Mundial de la Juventud 2016 en Polonia, si mismo, hace que sea más difícil para Los adolescentes del grupo de jóvenes tud la ayuda de Dios y de permitir que el cardenal de Manila, Luis Antonio Tagle, muchas personas a abrirse a otros, recibieron una valiosa lección sobre su otros se conviertan en instrumentos de su habló sobre cómo en la cultura moderna el incluyendo a Dios. Esto se debe a la idea travesía espiritual a través de ese ejercicio: misericordia. valor de uno mismo se mide por el éxito y de que "si usted permite que otros le ayu- su dependencia de los demás y de Dios. - - - parece que "el mayor pecado de nuestro den, que le guíen, usted no califica como Maria-Pia Negro Chin is bilingual asso- tiempo es decir: 'He fallado'". exitoso", dijo. Al aceptar la ayuda, reconocemos que no ciate editor at Maryknoll Magazine. CHIN (From 14) In a catechesis during the 2016 World "self-made" human being makes it harder received a valuable lesson about their spir- Youth Day in Poland, Manila Cardinal for many people to open up themselves to itual journey through that exercise: their Yet, as we grow older, accepting others' Luis Antonio Tagle talked about how in others, including God. This is because of dependence on others and on God. help is scary because it requires showing modern culture, one's self worth is meas- the idea that "if you allow others to help By accepting help, we recognize that we our vulnerabilities to other people. Many ured by success and that it seems like "the you, to guide you, you do not qualify as cannot do it alone. That we need God to of us have been raised to believe that we greatest sin of our time is to say, 'I have successful," he said. guide us, to help us when we most need it. need to solve our own problems, other- failed.'" In trying to be self-reliant or self-made We open ourselves to receiving mercy. wise we appear weak. We are happy to The Filipino cardinal told a crowd of to an extreme, a person can confuse Divine help comes through human help others but have a hard time asking 15,000 young pilgrims about the impor- accepting others' help with losing dignity. hands and hearts. Accepting others' help is for or accepting help. tance of opening ourselves to mercy, But, he continued, "that person will not a way to gracefully accept God's help and But this can prevent us from growing or, which means accepting when we need allow anyone -- even God -- to touch his to let others become instruments of his in some cases, from getting the help we help. heart or her heart for it is an insult." mercy. truly need. He added that the rise of the modern The teenagers in the youth group Page 24 FEBRUARY 2017 The Angelus “I was a stranger and Member Catholic News Service Catholic Press Association you welcomed me.” Texas Catholic News Published the first Monday following the 1st Saturday of each month and deliv- ered to all registered — Matthew 25:35 parishioners in the San Angelo Diocese. Subscription rate for all San Angelo Interfaith Prayer Vigil others: $10 per year January 31, 2017 THIRD CLASS POSTAGE Tom Green County Courthouse Steps PAID AT SAN ANGELO, TEXAS Printed by the San Angelo Standard Times A Scripps-Howard Company

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The West Texas Angelus Official Newspaper of the Diocese of San Angelo, Texas POSTMASTER: Send all Photos by address changes to: Karen J. WEST TEXAS ANGELUS Patterson P.O. Box 1829 Images from the January 31, 2017, Interfaith Prayer Vigil on the front steps of the Tom SAN ANGELO, TX Green County Courthouse, including Bishop Sis, middle left, speaking to the 150 who attended, and, above, speaking to one of the attendees. At right, Pastor David 76902-1829 Hawkins displays his Bible, which he told the gathering had been confiscated on two ______visits to foreign lands.