Coming to America
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Serving the Diocese of San Angelo, Texas Volume XXXV, No. 9 SEPTEMBER 2015 Coming to America Saint Junipero During Pope Francis’ visit to the United States in September, he will canonize Junípero Serra, a man credited with spreading the Gospel to Native Americans in California. San Angelo historian Gus Clemens and Speaking of Saints columnist Mary Lou Gibson look at More than 50 people who Serra was, Pg. 2. from the Diocese of Priest Assignment Changes San Angelo will join Effective September 14, 2015, Rev. Bernardito millions more later this Getigan will become pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Ozona and Good month as Pope Shepherd Mission in Sheffield. Francis makes his Effective September 14, 2015, Rev. Patrick Akpanobong will become parochial adminis- first trip to the U.S. trator of San Miguel Arcangel Parish in Midland. Coverage, Pg. 12-13, Effective August 28, 2015, Rev. Yesu 19, 24 Mulakaleti, parochial administrator of St. Charles Parish in Eden, St. Phillip Mission in Eola, and Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission in Millersview, was named pastor of those com- munities. DIOCESE OF SAN ANGELO NONPROFIT ORG. -- Most Rev. Michael J. Sis PO BOX 1829 US POSTAGE PAID SAN ANGELO TX 76902-1829 Diocese of San Angelo SAN ANGELO, TX ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED PERMIT NO. 44 Student ministries expanding Elaine Randolph, director of Student Ministry at Odessa College and UT-Permian Basin, and Perla Garcia, Student Ministry Director at Midland College, work with Fr. Francis Onyekozuru, Fr. Joe Uecker and others to grow Catholic outreach at the three campuses in the two cities. Story / Pg. 6 Page 2 SEPTEMBER 2015 The Angelus The Inside Front Speaking of Saints ... Serra’s expeditionary objective was to bring Christianity to the New World By Mary Lou Gibson He did not come to the New World seeking fame and fortune as so many others did. His goals were to bring Christianity to the Indians, colonize the territory of New Spain and perhaps receive the crown of martyrdom. Father Junípero Serra was so successful in achieving his first two goals that he gained fame beyond his wildest dreams. Junípero Serra: Just who was this saint? Father Serra is Gibson California’s leading can- By Gus Clemens During his life of evangelization, Americans—in what is now western didate for sainthood. He Father Serra was inspired by a Texas and New Mexico. During her rap- was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1988. Pope Francis will celebrate the Franciscan nun who lived a century and tures, she physically remained in her Many Californians regard Father Serra as Canonization Mass for of Franciscan a half before him—Sor María de convent in Ágreda, Spain, thus perhaps one of the state’s founding fathers and “the missionary Junípero Serra Ferrer on Ágreda, often referred to as “The Lady accomplishing a phenomenon known as man who civilized California,” according to September 23 during the Holy Father’s in Blue.” Father Serra carried a copy “bilocation,” a miracle also attributed to biographer Abbe Omer Englebert. Father visit to the United States. Sor María’s book, The Mystical City of St. Francis. Serra’s legacy lives on in the missions he Father Serra will become the first God, with him wherever he went. Father At the same time, Native Americans founded and governed and in such cities as American canonized on American soil, Serra said Sor María de Ágreda’s evan- reported mystical visits by a “Lady in San Francisco, San José and San Diego. by the first Hispanic pope, the first pope gelization fervor inspired his own. Blue” to priests in New Mexico and After his ordination, Father Serra was a whose first language is Spanish, and by Thereby hangs a tale relevant to our asked them to establish missions and philosophy lecturer at the University of a pope who chose Francis as his papal diocese and our history. tell them more about the Christian faith. Palma in Spain, where he occupied the most name. In the early 1600s, María experienced As a result, in 1629 and 1632, honored post in the department. After more That adds up to a rich mix of symbol- raptures where she believed she shared Franciscan priests trekked to the conflu- than 10 years at the university, he left Spain ism. And there also is a Diocese of San the gospel with Native Americans— Angelo connection. principally the Jumano Native (Please See SERRA/23) (Please See SAINTS/10) St. Mary’s principal comes home after 45 years By Jimmy Patterson would achieve the status of a pontifical order. Editor / West Teas Angelus The St. Francis Mission Sisters began in Amarillo. Today their number has diminished to 16 and their ODESSA — When she relocated to Odessa this motherhouse is in Wolfforth, west of Lubbock. summer, Sister Rita Campos proved wrong the old Before the move there were 10 St. Francis Mission saying ‘You can’t go home again’ not once, but twice sisters in Lubbock, three in Plainview and three Los — and in the same move. Angeles. The move to West Texas has consolidated Born and raised in Colorado City, Sister Rita returned the order and given them the sense of togetherness to her West Texas roots after spending 45 years as a they were lacking. Catholic educator in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. “Our sisters in Lubbock every year would send us Sr. Rita is a part of the St. Francis Mission Sisters, the menu at Thanksgiving and say, ‘Sorry you can’t an order that grew out of the Franciscans of Mary be here, Long Beach,’ ” Sr. Rita said with a smile, Immaculate in 1981. When the sisters asked permis- adding that it would finally be good to share a meal Sr. Rita Campos, with her own coffee cup and a message she inher- sion to establish their own order, the Vatican told them ited -- and always tries to live up to. (Photo by Jimmy Patterson) if they could make it on their own for three years, they (Please See CAMPOS/8) The Angelus SEPTEMBER 2015 Page 3 CALENDARS From The Bishop’s Desk BISHOP SIS' SCHEDULE 28 — OZONA, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, RENEW Be My Peace: More than just the absence of war SEPTEMBER Witness Presentation at 7:00 Editor’s Note: This column was previ- 11 — SAN ANGELO, p.m. to the ambassadors’ noble effort, are “Blessed are the peacemakers.” 9/11 ously published in the 29 — ABILENE, Holy Family, San Angelo Memorial, Memorial Service at . my thoughts on peace from my per- (Mt. 5:9) Those who seek to follow 9:30 a.m. RENEW Be My Witness Standard Times spective as a Roman Catholic. Christ should, therefore, seek to be 15 — SAN ANGELO, Presentation at 7:00 p.m. By Most Rev. Michael J. Sis According to my religious tradi- peacemakers. Notice that he said Diocesan Pastoral Center, tion, peace is more than just the “peacemakers,” not just “peace Presbyteral Council Meeting at CHRIST THE KING Bishop of San Angelo 11 a.m. RETREAT CENTER absence of war. Peace requires hard talkers” or “peace thinkers.” 16 — SAN ANGELO work in building a rational and moral Creating and maintaining peace , SEPTEMBER In January of 2006, my predeces- Diocesan Pastoral Center, social order that is based on justice. takes perseverance and hard work 11-13 Beginning Experience sor, Bishop Michael Pfeifer, called Priestly Life and Formation Our understanding of peace is rooted in very concrete actions. 14 Heart of Mercy Prayer together a group of six people in Committee Meeting, 1:30 p.m. in the Hebrew concept of shalom, There are many things that threat- 22-28 — WASHINGTON DC Group San Angelo -- two Christians, two which can be summarized by the en peace in our world today. The and PHILADELPHIA, World 17-20 Lubbock Deacons Jews, and two expression, “right relationship.” first is when we hold on to resent- Meeting of Families Annual Retreat #1 Muslims -- to 30 — ODESSA, 21 Heart of Mercy Prayer A person who lives in shalom is ment over past hurts and contribute Holy foster dialogue Redeemer, Confirmation Mass Group in right relationship with self, with to an endless spiral of revenge and and mutual at 7:00 p.m. 24-26 San Angelo Men’s family, with others in society, and violence. We need to enter into hon- understanding ACTS Retreat with God. When our relationships est dialogue, work through the diffi- OCTOBER as a pathway 28 Heart of Mercy Prayer are properly ordered in justice, fair- culties in the relationship, seek rec- 3 — MIDLAND, Fishers of Group toward peace. ness, and respect, we live in peace. onciliation, and rebuild the bridges Men Dinner 30-1 Care Portal Meeting This group has 6-7 — SAN ANGELO A classic statement in the book of that have been broken among us. , Christ been active ever the King Retreat Center, the Prophet Isaiah (32:17) says, Peace is also threatened wherever OCTOBER since, and they Priests’ Continuing Education “The effect of righteousness will be human rights and human dignity are 1 Care Portal Meeting have come to be Bishop Sis Convocation peace.” That is, when justice is put not respected, and whenever civil 8 — SAN ANGELO, 1-4 Lubbock Deacons Annual known as the Retreat 2 into practice, it brings about peace. life is not directed to the common McNease Convention Center, Peace Ambassadors of West Texas. 5 Heart of Mercy Prayer This ancient biblical truth is what good. A key threat to peace today Pregnancy Help Center This year the Peace Ambassadors Group led Pope Paul VI to declare in mod- is the phenomenon of groups like Banquet at 6:30 p.m.