DIOCESE OF SAN ANGELO PO BOX 1829 NONPROFIT ORG. SAN ANGELO TX 76902-1829 US POSTAGE PAID Inside this issue: SAN ANGELO, TX PERMIT NO. 44 • Bishop Sis: “Mortality and Faith” (Page 2) • Seminarians begin new school year (Page 5) • New deans, vice-chancellor, KofC diocesan deputy (Page 7) • Updates to St. Paschal Church in Sterling City (Page 20) AWESTNGELUS TEXAS Serving Catholics in the Diocese of San Angelo, Texas Volume 40, No. 9 September 2020

ALAN TORRE | APTORRE PHOTOGRAPHY Bishop Michael Sis celebrated the annual Rural Life Mass for the Diocese of San Angelo on Aug. 27, 2020. After being previously postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s Mass was held outdoors beneath a pavilion at Mandujano Brothers Produce Company in Coyanosa, Texas. See more photos, Page 24. Page 2 SEPTEMBER 2020 The Angelus From the Bishop’s Desk The Prayer Square Mortality and faith Litany for a The coronavirus pandemic is impacting our lives at all happy death levels, at home and at school, at work and at play. It affects our relationships, our spirituality, and our finances. It has O Lord Jesus, God of goodness and of mercy, led to physical suffering, emotional distress, and death. Bishop Michael J. Sis I come before you with a humble and contrite The unpredictability of the virus can be stressful. How heart. long will this go on? After recovering from COVID-19, is To you I commend my last hour and what there a lasting immunity, or is it possible to get re-infected? Diocese of San Angelo awaits me after it. When will a vaccine be available to us? Just how careful do When my feet, no longer able to move, shall I need to be? Who will be infected next? Will I lose loved warn me that my journey in this world is draw- ones? What if I contract the virus? ing to a close, By now, many of us know someone personally who has merciful Jesus, have mercy on me. Thomas à Kempis says, “Every action of yours, every died of COVID-19. Beloved members of our families and When my trembling hands shall no longer thought, should be those of one who expects to die before our parish communities have passed away. Their loss has have the strength to clasp the crucifix, and the day is out. Death would have no terrors for you if you caused grief and mourning. Those of us who survive must against my will I am forced to let it fall upon had a quiet conscience. … Then why not keep clear of sin face our own vulnerability and mortality. my bed of suffering, instead of running away from death? If you aren’t fit to face This presents a tremendous opportunity to think through merciful Jesus, have mercy on me. death today, it’s very unlikely you will be tomorrow.” (The our personal preparation for the end of life. Psalm 90:12 When my eyes, dull with the pain of near Imitation of Christ, 1, 23, 1). says, “Teach us to number our days aright, so that we may death, fix on you their dying gazes, God has given us what we need to prepare spiritually gain wisdom of heart.” When we are placed in a situation of merciful Jesus, have mercy on me. for death. He has shown us the proper way to live by obey- facing the fact of the shortness of life, it can help us to put When my lips shall pronounce for the last time ing his Commandments. He has instilled in every human our priorities in order. your most holy name, heart the gift of the moral conscience, to help us avoid sin I had a friend who said he was atheist. He told me, “I merciful Jesus, have mercy on me. and apply his law in particular circumstances. He has sent don’t believe in God, but maybe when I get to be an old When my face, pale and bathed in the sweat us his Son Jesus Christ to show us the path to eternal life. man, then I will start believing in him.” While his approach of death, shall indicate that my end is near, He gives us wisdom and guidance through the Scriptures may seem clever, none of us knows how many days we merciful Jesus, have mercy on me. and the teachings of the church. He offers us the sacraments have left on this earth. Our religion inspires us to live now When my ears, soon to be shut to the words for the spiritual good of our souls. in faith, hope, and love, and to prepare our souls for the of men, shall be opened to hear from your Here are some things we can all do to prepare for a next life. Christ calls us to choose him and follow him now. mouth the irrevocable sentence which will de- happy death: Love God. Love our neighbor as ourselves. He says, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” termine my condition for all eternity, Reconcile with God by turning away from our sins. Recon- (Mt 4:17). St. Paul says, “Now is the hour of salvation” (2 merciful Jesus, have mercy on me. cile with others by offering forgiveness and seeking for- Cor 6:2). When my heart shall be overwhelmed by the giveness. Fulfill our basic duties in life. Pray. Ask God what According to our Christian faith, for those who die in anguish of death, and my spirit, troubled by he wants us to do. Carry out the corporal and spiritual the grace of Christ, death is not a tragedy, but a positive and the remembrance of my sins and the fear of works of mercy. Live the beatitudes. Offer our sufferings in holy experience. It is a participation in the death of Jesus your justice, shall struggle with the angel of union with the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross in atonement Christ, so that we can also share in his resurrection (see darkness, who will strive to fill me with doubts for our sins and those of the whole world. Receive the sac- Rom 6:3-9 and Phil 3:10-11). St. Paul says, “For to me to concerning your pardon, raments frequently — especially confession and Commun- live is Christ, and to die is gain. … My desire is to depart merciful Jesus, have mercy on me. ion. and be with Christ, for that is far better” (Phil 1:21-23). At When I shall shed my last tear, the sign of my Despite the limitations of the current pandemic, our the end of her life, St. Thérèse of Lisieux expressed a simi- dissolution, receive it as a sacrifice of expia- The priests are available in our churches to hear confessions and lar perspective: “I am not dying; I am entering life” ( tion for my sins, and in that dreadful moment, Last Conversations absolve sins. I recommend to our people that they contact ). merciful Jesus, have mercy on me. their local parish, find out the times that confession is avail- As Christians, we believe that every human being will When I shall have lost the use of all my Catechism of the Catho- able, and prepare personally to make a good confession. (As be judged by God upon death. The senses, when the entire world shall have van- lic Church a side note, while I was writing this article, sitting in the says that “Death puts an end to human life as the ished from my sight, and when I shall groan in DFW Airport, just a few minutes after I composed this para- time open to either accepting or rejecting the divine grace the anguish of my last agony and feel the sor- graph, a complete stranger approached me and asked if I manifested in Christ” (CCC, no. 1021). It is never too early rows of death, would hear his confession. Perfect timing.) to say yes to Jesus Christ and get on the right path. merciful Jesus, have mercy on me. Besides being spiritually prepared for the reality of Our Church calls us to remember our mortality, and to When my soul shall leave my body pale, cold, death, it is also prudent to be prepared practically. This in- prepare ourselves for the hour of our death. We have only a and lifeless, receive my soul as a homage cludes creating or updating our will and other important limited time in this life, and we have only one life to live. which I pay to your divine majesty, and in that personal documents. When we have a will in place, it can There is no “reincarnation” after death (CCC, no. 1013). moment, merciful Jesus, have mercy on me. make decisions much easier for our family and loved ones. The way we live in this life has an impact on our eternal When at length my soul shall appear before Our choice of beneficiaries is an expression of our values. life. St. Francis of Assisi says, “Praised are you, my Lord, you and behold for the first time the immortal Regardless of whether or not we have any financial re- for our sister bodily death, from whom no living man can splendor of your majesty, reject me not from sources to pass along, we can all write down the principles, escape. Woe on those who will die in mortal sin! Blessed your presence. Deign to receive it into the insights, morals, beliefs, and devotions that we have found are they who will be found in your most holy will, for the loving embrace of your mercy, so that I may Canticle of the Crea- second death will not harm them” ( eternally sing your praises. tures See BISHOP, Page 22 ). Merciful Jesus, have mercy on me.

Reporting Sexual Abuse Reportar Abuso Sexual La Diócesis Católica de San Ángelo criba a la Diócesis de San Ángelo, Minis- The Catholic Diocese of San 325-374-7609 (cell), or write Diocese está firmemente comprometida a crear y terio de Asistencia a Víctimas, PO Box Angelo is firmly committed to cre- of San Angelo, Victim Assistance mantener el ambiente más seguro posible 1829, San Ángelo, TX 76902. Un intér- ating and maintaining the safest pos- Ministry, PO Box 1829, San Angelo, para nuestros niños y adultos vulnerables. prete de español está disponible. Si el in- sible environment for our children and TX 76902. If the incident occurred Si usted o alguien que usted conoce ha cidente ocurrió fuera de esta diócesis, vulnerable adults. If you or someone outside this diocese, our Victim Assis- sido víctima de abuso sexual por cual- nuestra Coordinadora de Asistencia a you know has been sexually abused by tance Coordinator will assist in bring- quier persona que sirve a la Iglesia, y Victimas le ayudará a traer su preocupa- anyone who serves the Church, and ing your concern to the attention of necesita un lugar para hablar con alguien ción a la atención de la diócesis cor- you need a place to talk with someone the appropriate diocese. Please keep sobre sus sentimientos de traición o he- respondiente. Por favor, tenga en cuenta about your feelings of betrayal or hurt in mind that one always has the right rido por la Iglesia, estamos aquí para ayu- que uno siempre tiene el derecho de re- by the Church, we are here to help to report abuse to civil authorities, and darle. Para reportar incidentes, llame a portar el abuso a las autoridades civiles, y you. To report incidents, call Lori civil law requires that any abuse of a Lori Hines, Coordinadora de Asistencia a la ley civil requiere que cualquier abuso Hines, Victim Assistance Coordinator, minor must be reported. Víctimas, 325-374-7609 (celular), o es- de un menor de edad debe ser reportado. The Angelus SEPTEMBER 2020 Page 3 La mortalidad y la fe Espacio de Oración

La pandemia del coronavirus está afectando nuestras vidas a Letanía para todos los niveles, en el hogar y en la escuela, en el trabajo y en el juego. Afecta nuestras relaciones, nuestra espiritualidad y una muerte feliz nuestras finanzas. Ha provocado sufrimiento físico, angustia Obispo Michael J. Sis emocional, y muerte. La imprevisibilidad del virus puede resultar estresante. Oh Señor Jesús, Dios de bondad y ¿Cuánto tiempo durará esto? Después de recuperarse del Diócesis de San Ángelo misericordia, vengo ante ti con un COVID-19, ¿existe una inmunidad duradera o es posible volver corazón humilde y contrito. a infectarse? ¿Cuándo estará disponible una vacuna? ¿Qué tan A ti te encomiendo mi última hora y cuidadoso debo ser? ¿Quién será el próximo infectado? ¿Perderé lo que me espera después. a mis seres queridos? ¿Qué pasa si contraigo el virus? Cuando mis pies, que ya no puedan Muchos de nosotros ya conocemos personalmente a alguien prójimo como a nosotros mismos. Reconciliarnos con Dios apar- moverse, me adviertan que mi ca- que murió de COVID-19. Queridos miembros de nuestras famil- tándonos de nuestros pecados. Reconciliarnos con los demás mino en este mundo está por aca- ias y nuestras comunidades parroquiales han fallecido. Su pér- ofreciendo perdón y buscando el perdón. Cumplir con nuestros barse, Jesús misericordioso, dida ha causado dolor y luto. Aquellos de nosotros que deberes básicos en la vida. Orar. Preguntarle a Dios qué quiere ten compasión de mí. sobrevivimos debemos enfrentar nuestra propia vulnerabilidad y que hagamos. Realizar las obras de misericordia corporales y es- Cuando mis manos temblorosas ya mortalidad. pirituales. Vivir las bienaventuranzas. Ofrecer nuestros sufri- no tengan fuerzas para agarrar el Esto presenta una gran oportunidad para reflexionar sobre mientos en unión con el sacrificio de Cristo en la Cruz en Crucifijo, y contra mi voluntad me nuestra preparación personal para el final de la vida. El Salmo expiación por nuestros pecados y los del mundo entero. Recibir vea obligado a dejarlo caer sobre el 90:12 dice: “Enséñanos lo que valen nuestros días, para que ad- los sacramentos con frecuencia—especialmente la confesión y la lecho de mi dolor, Jesús misericor- quiramos un corazón sensato.” Cuando nos encontramos en una Comunión. dioso, ten compasión de mí. situación de afrontar el hecho de la brevedad de la vida, puede A pesar de las limitaciones de la pandemia actual, nuestros Cuando mis ojos, apagados con el ayudarnos a poner en orden nuestras prioridades. sacerdotes están disponibles en nuestras iglesias para escuchar dolor de la cercana muerte, fijen en Yo tenía un amigo que decía que era ateo. Me dijo: “No creo confesiones y absolver pecados. Recomiendo a nuestros feli- ti sus miradas moribundas, Jesús en Dios, pero tal vez cuando llegue a ser un anciano, empiece a greses que se comuniquen con su parroquia local, averigüen los misericordioso, creer en él.” Mientras su enfoque puede parecer astuto, ninguno horarios en que está disponible la confesión, y se preparen per- ten compasión de mí. de nosotros sabe cuántos días nos quedan en esta tierra. Nuestra sonalmente para hacer una buena confesión. (Como nota aparte, Cuando mis labios pronuncien por religión nos inspira a vivir ahora con fe, esperanza y amor, y a mientras yo escribía este artículo, sentado en el Aeropuerto de última vez tu santísimo nombre, preparar nuestras almas para la próxima vida. Cristo nos llama a DFW, solo unos pocos minutos después de escribir este párrafo, Jesús misericordioso, elegirlo y seguirlo ahora. Él dice: “Renuncien a su mal camino, un completo extraño se me acercó y me preguntó si podía escu- ten compasión de mí. porque el reino de los cielos está ahora cerca” (Mateo 4:17). San char su confesión. El momento perfecto). Cuando mi rostro, pálido y bañado Pablo dice: “Este es el día de la salvación” (2 Corintios 6:2). Además de estar preparado espiritualmente para la realidad con el sudor de la muerte, indique Según nuestra fe cristiana, para aquellos que mueren en la de la muerte, también es prudente estar preparado prácticamente. que mi fin está cerca, Jesús miseri- gracia de Cristo, la muerte no es una tragedia, sino una experi- Esto incluye crear o actualizar nuestro testamento y otros doc- cordioso, ten compasión de mí. encia positiva y santa. Es una participación en la muerte de Jesu- umentos personales importantes. Cuando tenemos un testa- Cuando mis oídos, que pronto se cristo, para que también podamos participar de su resurrección mento, podemos hacer que las decisiones sean mucho más cerrarán a las palabras de los hom- (vea Romanos 6:3-9 y Filipenses 3:10-11). San Pablo dice: fáciles para nuestra familia y seres queridos. Nuestra elección de bres, se abran para escuchar de tu “Porque para mí la vida es Cristo, y la muerte una ganancia… beneficiarios es una expresión de nuestros valores. Independien- boca la sentencia irrevocable que Tengo un gran deseo de romper las amarras y estar con Cristo, lo temente de si tenemos o no recursos financieros para pasar, determinará mi condición para toda que sería sin duda mucho mejor” (Filipenses 1:21-23). Al final todos podemos escribir los principios, las percepciones, los va- la eternidad, Jesús misericordioso, de su vida, Santa Teresa de Lisieux expresó una perspectiva sim- lores morales, las creencias y las devociones que hemos consid- ten compasión de mí. ilar: “No estoy muriendo; estoy entrando en la vida” (Las últi- erado importantes en nuestra vida y que queremos transmitir a Cuando mi corazón sea abrumado mas conversaciones). nuestra familia y a los demás. por la angustia de la muerte, y mi Como cristianos, creemos que todo ser humano será juzgado Nuestra preparación práctica también incluye escribir nues- espíritu, turbado por el recuerdo de por Dios al morir. El Catecismo de la Iglesia Católica dice que tras preferencias para los servicios funerarios y hacer planes mis pecados y el temor de tu justi- “la muerte pone fin a la vida del hombre como tiempo abierto a para nuestro entierro. Es muy útil escribir nuestros deseos y cia, luchará con el ángel de las ti- la aceptación o rechazo de la gracia divina manifestada en hablar de ellos con alguien a quien amamos. Estos podrían in- nieblas, quien se esforzará por Cristo” (CIC, no. 1021). Nunca es demasiado temprano para cluir, entre otras cosas, nuestras preferencias con respecto al llenarme de dudas acerca de tu per- decirle sí a Jesucristo y seguir el camino correcto. lugar del funeral, el lugar del entierro, la música que se utilizará dón, Jesús misericordioso, Nuestra Iglesia nos llama a recordar nuestra mortalidad, y a en los servicios funerarios, los nombres y la información de con- ten compasión de mí. prepararnos para la hora de nuestra muerte. Tenemos solo un tacto de los posibles portadores del féretro y lectores, y selec- Cuando derrame mi última lágrima, tiempo limitado en esta vida y solo tenemos una vida para vivir. ciones de Escrituras del Ritual de exequias cristianas. el signo de mi disolución, recíbelo No hay “reencarnación” después de la muerte (CIC, no. 1013). En nuestro sitio web, la Diócesis de San Ángelo proporciona como sacrificio de expiación por mis La forma en que vivimos en esta vida tiene un impacto en nues- un formulario de muestra para la designación de un agente con pecados, y en ese momento ter- tra vida eterna. San Francisco de Asís dice: “Alabado seas, mi poder legal en asuntos médicos rible, Jesús misericordioso, Señor, por nuestra hermana muerte corporal, de la cual ningún (https://sanangelodiocese.org/end-of-life-preparation). Esta es ten compasión de mí. hombre viviente puede escapar. Ay de aquellos que mueran en una forma de designar a alguien para que tome decisiones méd- Cuando haya perdido el uso de pecado mortal. Bienaventurados a los que encontrará en tu santí- icas en nuestro nombre si no podemos hacerlo. todos mis sentidos, cuando el sima voluntad porque la muerte segunda no les hará mal” (Cán- El sitio web del Centro Nacional Católico de Bioética ofrece mundo entero se haya desvanecido tico de las Criaturas). una Guía católica para cuidados paliativos y hospicio, así como de mi vista, y cuando gime en la an- Tomás à Kempis dice: “Así deberías conducirte en todas tus una Guía católica para las decisiones al final-de-la-vida gustia de mi última agonía y sienta actividades y pensamientos como si hoy mismo te fueras a (https://www.ncbcenter.org/store). Estos son recursos muy útiles. los dolores de la muerte, Jesús mis- morir. Si hubiera tranquilidad en tu conciencia no tendrías Como personas de fe, debemos abordar la pandemia actual ericordioso, ten compasión de mí. mucho temor a la muerte…Mejor sería evitar los pecados que con seriedad y prudencia, pero no con pánico o alarma. Toma- Cuando mi alma deje mi cuerpo pá- pretender huir de la muerte. Si hoy no te encuentras preparado, mos medidas razonables para proteger la salud y el bienestar de lido, frío y sin vida, recibe mi alma ¿de qué modo lo estarás mañana?” (La Imitación de Cristo, 1, nosotros mismos y de los demás, y utilizamos nuestra creativi- como un homenaje que rindo a tu 23, 1). dad para aprovechar al máximo esta difícil situación. Permiti- divina majestad, y en ese momento, Dios nos ha dado lo que necesitamos para prepararnos espir- mos que el Espíritu Santo nos inspire a una mayor santidad a Jesús misericordioso, itualmente para la muerte. Nos ha mostrado la forma correcta de través de todo. Permitimos que Jesucristo nos acompañe en estos ten compasión de mí. vivir al obedecer sus mandamientos. Ha inculcado en cada cora- tiempos difíciles. Reflexionamos sobre nuestra propia vulnera- Cuando por fin mi alma se presente zón humano el don de la conciencia moral, para ayudarnos a evi- bilidad y mortalidad. Hacemos tiempo para realizar actividades ante ti y contemple por primera vez tar el pecado y aplicar su ley en circunstancias particulares. Nos que traen alegría. Atendemos las necesidades de los demás. Usa- el esplendor inmortal de tu majes- ha enviado a su Hijo Jesucristo para mostrarnos el camino a la mos los medios disponibles para ayudar a establecer conexiones tad, no me rechaces de tu presen- vida eterna. Nos da sabiduría y guía a través de las Escrituras y con nuestros seres queridos. Dejamos que la gente sepa que nos cia. Dígnate recibirla en el abrazo las enseñanzas de la iglesia. Nos ofrece los sacramentos para el preocupamos por ellos. Damos gracias a Dios por cada nuevo amoroso de tu misericordia, para bien espiritual de nuestras almas. día de vida. Nos arrepentimos de nuestros pecados y confiamos que yo pueda cantar eternamente Aquí hay algunas cosas que todos podemos hacer para pre- en la amorosa misericordia de Dios. Vivimos plenamente en el tus alabanzas. Jesús misericor- pararnos para una muerte feliz: Amar a Dios. Amar a nuestro presente con la mirada puesta en la eternidad. dioso, ten compasión de mí. Page 4 SEPTEMBER 2020 The Angelus Odessa church installs COVID-friendly holy water fonts

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Odessa has found a way to bring back a bit of the familiarity of the churchgoing experience, albeit in a new, pandemic precaution format. The church has installed new sen- sor-activated holy water fonts that dispense water into a parishioner’s hand when a palm is placed beneath the font. Parishioners can now complete the tradi- tional sign of the cross upon entry to the church. Holy water fonts throughout the diocese were emptied in March to curtail the spread of COVID-19 as part of the diocese’s broader efforts to curtail the spread of COVID-19. COURTESY COURTESY CALENDARS

Please contact the bishop’s assistant, Lupe Castillo, for information about the bishop’s calendar. Bishop’s Calendar 325-651-7500 [email protected]

p.m. Team meeting at 10:00 a.m. September 2020 28 SAN ANGELO, Diocesan Pastoral Center, Pastoral 11 SAN ANGELO, Sacred Heart Cathedral, Marriage Ju- Plan Implementation Committee meeting at 10:00 a.m. bilee Mass at 2:30 p.m. 1 SAN ANGELO, Diocesan Pastoral Center, Presbyteral 15 SAN ANGELO, Diocesan Pastoral Center, Diocesan Council meeting at 11:00 a.m. Charitable Foundation board meeting at 10:00 a.m. 4 ODESSA, St. Mary’s Central Catholic School, Mass at October 2020 16-17 CONCEPTION, MO, Conception Seminary College 10:00 a.m. Board of Regents meeting 4 ODESSA, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Dedication of new 1 CHRISTOVAL, Carmelite Hermitage, Solemn Profes- 18-19 AUSTIN, Texas Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Gen- nursery at 2:00 p.m. sion of Vows of Br. Augustine Mary Stegenga at 10:30 eral Assembly 7–11 SAN ANGELO, Christ the King Retreat Center, Annual a.m. 20 SAN ANGELO, Pastoral Center, Priest Pension Plan Priests’ Retreat 2 MIDLAND, Ranchland Hills, golf tournament for Holy committee meeting at 10:30 a.m. 10 SAN ANGELO, Sacred Heart Cathedral, Chrism Mass Cross Catholic High School 21 SAN ANGELO, Diocesan Pastoral Center, Deans’ at 6:30 p.m. 3 SAN ANGELO, Sacred Heart Cathedral Gym, Annual meeting at 1:30 p.m. 13 EDEN, St. Charles, Mass of Installation of Pastor, Deacon Convocation 22 SAN ANGELO, Diocesan Pastoral Center, Liturgical Father Bala Anthony Govindu, at 11:00 a.m. 3 SAN ANGELO, Sacred Heart Cathedral, Mass at 5:00 Commission meeting at 1:00 p.m. 17 SAN ANGELO, Diocesan Pastoral Center, Diocesan p.m. 27 SAN ANGELO, Diocesan Pastoral Center, Presbyteral Charitable Foundation board meeting at 10:00 a.m. 4 OZONA, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 35th Anniversary Council meeting at 11:00 a.m. 19 BIG SPRING, Holy Trinity, Diocesan Deacon Council Mass for Fr. Hilary Ihedioha at 11:00 a.m. 27 MIDLAND, Horseshoe Arena, Life Center fundraising meeting at 10:30 a.m. 4 SAN ANGELO, St. Joseph, Respect Life Mass at 5:00 dinner 19 SWEETWATER, Holy Spirit, Confirmation Mass at 5:00 p.m. 29 ODESSA, UTPB, Mass at noon p.m. 6 SAN ANGELO, Diocesan Pastoral Center, Finance 29 MIDLAND, Midland Country Club, Guadalupe Radio 27 McCAMEY, Sacred Heart, Confirmation Mass at 11:00 Council meeting at 11:00 a.m. Network 20th Anniversary Event at 7:00 p.m. a.m. 8 SAN ANGELO, Diocesan Pastoral Center, Vocation 30 MIDLAND, Midland College, Mass at noon 27 CRANE, Good Shepherd, Confirmation Mass at 3:00

Necrology of Priests and Deacons Please pray for our departed clergy

September 10 Rev. James Franchi (1969) 30 Deacon Reinaldo (Ray) Ramirez (2017) 7 Rev. Francis Schoutteten, OMI (2002) 10 Rev. Leo St. John, OMI (1976) 8 Deacon Simon Franco (2008) 1 Rev. James Delaney, OMI (2007) 15 Rev. Peter Vergauwen (2003) 12 Deacon Peter Ballaro (2013) 2 Rev. Hilarin Lapinski (1994) 23 Rev. Herman Valladares (1997) October 15 Rev. James Norman, OMI (1987) 4 Rev. John Busch, OMI (2003) 25 Rev. William Lensing (1978) 21 Deacon Richard Blake (1989) 5 Deacon Jesus Mercado (2009) 26 Rev. William Cadigan, MSC (1971) 4 Deacon Thomas Lambdin (1982) 6 Rev. Vincent Daugintis (1990) 28 Deacon Paul Ramos (1990) 5 Rev. William Meagher, OMI (1970) The Angelus SEPTEMBER 2020 Page 5 Academic year begins with eight men in seminary for the Diocese of San Angelo By Father Ryan Rojo

This fall, the Diocese of San Angelo has eight seminar- ians studying at three seminaries across the country. The dio- cese welcomed two new men to the program this summer: Joshua Basse from Odessa and Ismael Calzada from Mid- land. Six of the eight men are from Midland/Odessa, with the other two being from the Abilene area. The five men who are currently in Philosophy (under- grad) at Conception Seminary College in Conception, Mis- souri, are Francisco Camacho, Humberto Diaz, David Garcia, Mauricio Romero, and Ismael Calzada.. These men worked full-time jobs in their respective hometowns this summer. Mike Elsner, a second year Theologian (graduate) student studying at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri, served at St. Ann’s in Sonora for his summer in- ternship. The highlight of the summer, however, was the dia- conal ordination of Kevin Lenius at Holy Family Church in Abilene on August 1, 2020. Before his ordination, Deacon Lenius lived the 30-day Spiritual Exercises Retreat at the Sacred Heart Jesuit Retreat House in Sedalia, Colorado. This year, our diocese is entering into a new relationship with Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, Louisiana, sending Joshua Basse to study Pre-Theology. Established in the early 1800s, Notre Dame is welcoming a class of 158 men, the largest in the school’s history. As the new Vocation Director/Seminarian Director for the Diocese of San Angelo, I want to express my gratitude to Bishop Sis for his confidence in naming me to such an im- portant task. It is my hope that we can continue the good work begun my predecessor, Father Michael Rodriguez, to COURTESY build a culture of vocation in the diocese and beyond. Back row, left to right: Ismael Calzada, Joshua Basse, Bishop Michael Sis, Vocation Director Father Ryan Rojo, David This year, the men will face the additional hardship of Garcia, Francisco Camacho off-campus restrictions because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Front row, left to right: Mauricio Romero, Mike Elsner, Deacon Kevin Lenius, Humberto Diaz With this in mind, I am including the names and mailing ad- dresses of our seminarians with the hope that the faithful in the diocese will remember their commitment with a simple Father Michael Rodriguez celebrates card or letter. These names and addresses will appear in the West Texas Angelus again over the coming months. Thank you in advance for your thoughtfulness. anniversary, begins new assignment Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, may our diocese see an increase in the number of good men studying to be Catholic priests!

Conception Seminary College (Undergrad) P.O. Box 502 Conception MO, 64433

Ismael Calzada — Second year Philosophy at Concep- tion Seminary College Francisco Camacho — Fourth year Philosophy at Con- ception Seminary College Humberto Diaz — Fourth year Philosophy at Concep- tion Seminary College David Garcia — Fourth year Philosophy at Conception Seminary College Mauricio Romero — Fourth year Philosophy at Con- ception Seminary College

Kenrick Glennon Seminary (Graduate) 5200 Glennon Dr. St. Louis, MO 63119

Deacon Kevin Lenius — Fourth year Theology at Ken- rick-Glennon Seminary Mike Elsner — Second year Theology at Kenrick-Glen- WEST TEXAS ANGELUS non Seminary Father Michael Rodriguez celebrated the 30th Father Rodriguez was the most recent vocation

anniversary of his priestly ordination on Aug. 4, director for the Diocese of San Angelo before the

2020, with a Mass at Holy Angels Church in San current director, Father Ryan Rojo. Father Rodriguez Notre Dame Seminary (Graduate) Angelo, assisted by the seminarians of the diocese. began a new assignment as the pastor of St. Joseph in 2901 S. Carrollton Ave. At the conclusion of the Mass, the seminarians pre- Stanton and St. Isidore in Lenorah on July 1. He was New Orleans, LA 70118 sented him with a shield featuring the coat of arms of formally installed as pastor by Bishop Michael Sis

the diocese, a nod to his affinity for St. Michael the during an installation Mass in Stanton on Sunday, Joshua Basse — First year Pre-Theology at Notre Dame Archangel, who is often depicted with a shield. Aug. 30. Seminary Page 6 SEPTEMBER 2020 The Angelus Holy Cross Catholic High School begins school year

ALAN TORRE | APTORRE PHOTOGRAPHY Above: Head of School Carolyn Gonzalez speaks at the opening Mass for the school year, held at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Odessa, Aug. 9. Right: Students of Holy Cross Catholic High School take advantage of cooler weather by having classes under the trees in the courtyard of host church St. Eliza- beth Ann Seton. Outdoor classes also provide for a safer, socially distant gathering. COURTESY Sisters with local ties make vows By Congregation of Divine Providence

On July 25, 2020, Sisters of Divine Prov- idence, while following social distancing guidelines, gathered in Sacred Heart Chapel at Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, Texas, to celebrate Sister Kate Fitz- gerald’s perpetual profession of vows. Sister Kate, who entered the Congregation of Di- vine Providence (CDP) from St. John Fischer parish in Richmond, Texas (Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston), was surrounded by CDP Sisters and family during her final pro- fession. Sister Kate’s decision was solidified by her desire to do God’s will. Sister Kate said, “To be obedient to God’s will is why we are created, and I believe I can best hear and follow this call to love as a sister in the Congregation of Divine Providence. God’s love has led me here, and through God’s grace I will continue to follow the call.” Sister Kate lives in community in Mid- land, Texas, and will continue teaching kin- dergarten students at St. Ann’s Catholic School. Sister Christina Cńe Chávez entered the Congregation of Divine Providence after at- tending both Holy Redeemer Parish in COURTESY Odessa and Good Shepherd Parish in Crane. Pictured with other new members of the Congregation of Divine Providence are Sister Christina Cńe Chávez (far right), Sister Kate On Sunday, July 26, 2020, Sister Christina Fitzgerald (second from right), and Sister Megan Grewing (third from right). renewed her temporary vows in Annunci- ation Chapel at Our Lady of the Lake Convent Center. Christina began working full-time in ministry. She both life and ministry. I feel honored to live out my It was a special day for Sister Christina as she was works in University Ministry at Our Lady of the Lake life as a Sister of Divine Providence.” supported by Sisters of Divine Providence to continue University in San Antonio, Texas. “In my ministry at During the same weekend, Hermana María Cruz her commitment. OLLU, I’ve been able to share and teach about the de la Cruz Botello celebrated her final profession of To Sister Christina, renewing her vows means CDP life, charism, mission, and vocation which is so vows in Querétaro, México; Sister Melissa Cessac continuing to learn about women religious and their energizing! I’m passionate about spreading the news celebrated her first profession of vows in San Antonio, accomplishments throughout the centuries. “I choose about what women religious have been and are up to Texas; and Sister Megan Grewing, also from the Dio- to be a part of this life because I truly feel called to in their life and ministry,” said Sister Christina. cese of San Angelo, joined Sister Christina as they live out the ‘prophetic’ call as a religious and to be a She now focuses on the call to be “provident in both celebrated their renewal of temporary vows in radical witness in the world of how to entrust one’s our world” due to our society’s recent struggles. She San Antonio, Texas. life to Divine Providence. I’ve found a place of be- said, “I’ve found myself holding on to the phrase that Sisters of Divine Providence support young longing among the Sisters of the Congregation of Di- ‘God brings all things to good’ as my guiding princi- women looking to further discern their call to reli- vine Providence where I can live out that call,” she ple in both personal prayer and as a minister. I’m gious life and live out their vocation. To learn more commented. grateful for community life which also provides a about the vocation to religious life, please visit After professing her first vows in 2018, Sister space of wisdom when navigating new challenges in www.cdptexas.org or call (210) 434-1866. The Angelus SEPTEMBER 2020 Page 7 Bishop Sis appoints deans to three-year terms Diocese names new West Texas Angelus The dean fulfills those duties assigned to the vicar vice-chancellor forane in Canon Law (Canon 555). The dean assists On Aug. 24, 2020, Bishop Michael Sis appointed with the pastoral and financial audit coordinated by the West Texas Angelus the deans of the three deaneries in the Diocese of San chancellor and the diocesan finance officer each time Angelo for the next three-year term. They are as fol- there is a change of pastor in the deanery. In addition to The Diocese of San Angelo lows: those audits, the dean makes his canonical visitation of recently announced that Deacon • Rev. Msgr. Fred Nawarskas, Abilene Deanery each parish and mission in the deanery every three Marc Mata has been hired in the • Very Rev. Rodney White, Midland-Odessa years. new position of vice-chancellor. Deanery The primary duty of the vice- • Very Rev. Adam Droll, San Angelo Deanery chancellor will be as a human re- The dean represents the bishop to the priests and sources specialist. “Deacon Marc others of his deanery. While a priest elected to the Pres- comes to us with a great deal of byteral Council represents his brother priests to the knowledge and experience in this bishop, the dean appointed by the bishop represents the area and we are excited to have office of bishop to his brother priests and also to the him on board,” said diocesan whole church in his area. Chancellor Mike Wyse. The bishop appoints each dean for a three-year Deacon Mata has been a cer- Deacon Marc Mata term. The bishop canvasses the opinions of the priests tified Senior Professional in in each deanery before selecting and appointing a new Human Resources since 2010. dean. In addition to his role as human resources specialist for The dean channels information from the bishop to the diocese at the Diocesan Pastoral Center in San Angelo, the deanery. He keeps up-to-date information on dioce- Deacon Marc will also be available to assist and advise par- san policies, passing them on to the deanery. He keeps ishes and organizations within the diocese with their own information flowing to the office of bishop about pasto- human resource concerns, including hiring and terminations, ral progress in the deanery. job descriptions, pay scales, employer best practices, devel- The dean promotes and coordinates the common Clockwise from top left: Msgr. Fred Nawarskas, opment of personnel policies and manuals, employee eval- pastoral activity in the deanery. He stands at the point dean of the Abilene uations, benefits, and employee discipline. of focus of the bishop, the priests, and the people. The Deanery; Father Rodney Deacon Mata will also serve as the new COVID-19 Co- dean stands available as intermediary when circum- White, dean of the Mid- ordinator for the Diocese of San Angelo, filling the role pre- stances require and when properly asked. The dean land-Odessa Deanery; and Father Adam Droll, viously held by Mike Elsner, a seminarian for the diocese deepens and promotes the fraternity of the clergy in the dean of the San Angelo who has returned to studies for the new academic year. deanery. Deanery. New leadership for Knights of Columbus in diocese By Brian Bodiford Angelo, which has the largest land area West Texas Angelus of any diocese in Texas. “Geographically, it is an obstacle to … lead from that posi- The Knights of Columbus in the Dio- tion,” but with virtual meetings and video cese of San Angelo have a new diocesan conferencing, “it’s a whole lot easier to deputy. Joe Jacobo began his tenure on be meeting with everyone and building July 1, 2020, taking over from Don Pi- relationships,” Jacobo noted. wonka, who had served in the role for When asked about the difference in eight years. roles between assistant diocesan deputy The role of diocesan deputy in the and diocesan deputy, Jacobo said, “I’m Knights of Columbus is one that only ex- there to lead our district deputies so they ists in the state of Texas. The reason for can lead their councils at the local level. this, as one might expect, is that “Texas is We all have goals, and I’m there to try to so big,” said Piwonka. The diocesan dep- help everyone with achieving those goals, uty assists the state deputy in relaying in- answering questions from our member- formation to the local knights, and also ship, answering questions from parishio- appoints district deputies, of which there ners at the local and diocesan level.” are nine in the San Angelo territory. Jacobo takes on the new role at a There are around 200 district deputies in time when the organization of the Texas. “The state deputy would have that Knights of Columbus has also changed. many appointments to appoint” without The Knights have recently revamped the the role of diocesan deputy, Jacobo said. process of achieving the four degrees of There are 3,475 members of the membership (charity, unity, fraternity, WEST TEXAS ANGELUS and patriotism), allowing knights to gain Knights of Columbus in 35 councils (sev- New Knights of Columbus Diocesan Deputy Joe Jacobo (left) and outgoing deputy Don Pi- eral councils make up a district) in the the first three degrees at once and open- wonka outside the Diocesan Pastoral Center in San Angelo, Aug. 7, 2020. Diocese of San Angelo. ing the organization up so that initiations Jacobo celebrated 20 years as a are no longer done behind closed doors. trigue men” who were interested in join- that we’re in,” Jacobo said. “The Holy member of the Knights of Columbus in “We didn’t talk about what we did in ing. Much of the tradition of initiation Spirit has guided the Knights to make June. Shortly after joining, he was ap- those, just for the idea of making them has been kept, but “there’s really no need changes that have fit in very well with pointed as a lower officer in his council. special, I guess. But now they’re all for secrecy.” what we’re currently in.” “My first position was lector, and from open,” Piwonka said, noting that the pub- “It’s going to be more open, it’s Outgoing diocesan deputy Piwonka there I kind of went up the ladder holding lic and knights’ families can attend initia- going to be family oriented, families will said of his 8 years of service in the role different offices,” he said. Most recently, tions. One can even join virtually online be involved. It will be out in the open, that his favorite part was “being able to Jacobo, who is a parishioner of St. today. preferably after a Mass. Even parishio- work with … knights throughout the dio- Mary’s in Odessa, served as one of two The Knights of Columbus was ners can witness the ceremonies,” Jacobo cese, meeting people that I wouldn’t have assistant diocesan deputies in the Diocese founded in 1882 by Father Michael J. said of the current initiation process. necessarily met” and learning about ef- of San Angelo. McGivney, who is on track for beatifica- Jacobo begins his tenure as diocesan forts throughout the state to foster unity. “Joe’s been assistant five years, and tion in October. “He wanted to have the deputy at a time when the motto of the As for his goals in the role of the new he is ready to take over the reins of dioc- degrees done in a way that would intrigue state deputy is “Be not afraid.” While this diocesan deputy for the Diocese of San esan deputy,” Piwonka said. new men to want to join by secrecy, and motto was chosen before the current pan- Angelo, Jacobo hopes “to bring aware- Jacobo sees an opportunity in the they kept that tradition up until about a demic and societal unrest in the country, ness that we are here for our com- ways the world has become more virtual, year ago,” Jacobo said. “Nothing really it has proven prescient. “’Be not afraid’ munities. We are here for the church, the particularly in a diocese the size of San weird would happen, but it was just to in- actually fits in perfectly with these times bishop. That we are here to serve.” Page 8 SEPTEMBER 2020 The Angelus St. Cyprian kept faith amid persecution, schism

Thasius Cecili- anus Cyprianus (Cy- prian) was a leading lawyer noted for his Mary Lou Gibson eloquence, manners and knowledge in 3rd century Carthage, Speaking of Saints North Africa. He was a prominent figure in the city’s civil, politi- cal and social life. At middle age, he met an old priest named Caecilian who introduced him to Christianity. The truth of Christianity struck him full force and he was bap- tized. Cyprian made a vow of chastity, which greatly astonished the Carthaginians, with one biographer later exclaiming “Who ever saw such a miracle!” Cyprian studied the Scriptures and the Christian thinkers and became a great scholar of the Bible. Rev. Clifford Stevens writes in The One Year Book of Saints that as Cyprian began to lead a holy life, it brought him peace and happiness ALAN TORRE | APTORRE PHOTOGRAPHY After a few years, he became a priest and in 249 he was elected Bishop of Carthage by the choice of the people, the clergy, Bishop Michael Sis poured chrism oil over a new altar at St. Lawrence Church near Garden City on Aug. 10, and neighboring bishops. Over the next several years he dealt with 2020. Bishop Sis was at the parish to bless the new altar and recent renovations to the church. the persecutions of the Roman Emperors, the rebaptism of he- retics and apostates, an anti-pope named Novatian, and a plague. About a year after Cyprian became bishop, the Emperor Decius issued an edict that ordered all inhabitants to sacrifice to Forgetting what lies behind: the pagan gods. Richard McBrien writes in Lives of the Saints that many Christians apostatized by sacrificing to these idols or by buying certificates that falsely stated they had sacrificed. A promise for the family and the nation Cyprian went into hiding and continued to administer his dio- cese through a steady stream of letters urging unity in the face of St. Paul, describing his own spiritual pilgrim- persecution. age in his Letter to the Philippians, says that his When the crisis ended, Cyprian returned and allowed those goal is to count everything as loss in his past life in who had lapsed and then repented back into communion after a order that he may gain Christ and his righteousness. period of penance. This was a time of calm from persecution, but Then he writes, "Not that I have already obtained Father Knick and Sandie not from controversy with other church leaders. During Cyprian’s this or am already perfect; but I press on to make it Knickerbocker absence from his diocese, a priest named Novatus began receiving my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his the apostatized back without any penance. Paul Burns writes in own. Brethren, I do not consider that I have made it Butler’s Lives of the Saints that this started a schismatic group of my own; but one thing I do, forgetting what lies be- clerical and lay supporters. hind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I Cyprian also had to deal with Novatian, the anti-pope, who press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward wanted a more severe approach insisting that the church could not call of God in Christ Jesus" (3:12–14, RSVCE). us from such honesty. These are the same tenden- absolve apostates. Cyprian recognized Cornelius (251-253) as the This does not mean that there is nothing good in cies that anyone who studies history must guard true pope. Cyprian’s more moderate treatment of the lapsed was our past life. We are created in the image of God against. One tendency is to romanticize our past, to approved by the Council of Carthage in 251. and that image is good. The original sin of the gloss over the sin that is there. The other is to see McBrien writes that Cyprian disagreed with Pope Stephen I human race gives us a predilection for sin, and our only the bad and give it more power than God in (254-257), the successor to Cornelius, over the issue of the rebap- own choice affirms that predilection. However, we our lives. In the tendency to romanticize our past tism of heretics and schismatics. Along with most of the churches are not powerful enough to destroy the image of we give ourselves more credit that we deserve. In of North Africa, Syria and Asia Minor, Cyprian held that these God in us. We must allow God to choose what he the tendency to see only the bad we do not rec- people had to be rebaptized and could then be welcomed back into wants to keep in us and let him forgive the sin in ognize the power that Jesus Christ has over sin and the church after they had done appropriate penance. order that we may forget it and live in the present Satan. Carthage was struck with the plague from 252-254. Christians and into the future in freedom. The primary human community that either were blamed and Cyprian wrote a treatise, “On the Mortality,” to Forgetting what lies behind is only possible if helps us to the forgiveness and forgetfulness we comfort the people. He organized the Christians of the city to have we are aware of our own sin, repent of it, and re- need or hinders us in receiving it is the family. mercy and charity not only to their own people but also to their ceive the forgiveness of Christ. We must ask our- Over the years our family has ministered to many enemies and persecutors. selves, "Do I really want to forget what lies other families as a household of the Holy Family. In 257 the Emperor Valerian began another persecution. behind?" How often do we cling to just one thing in We have had relationships with Black, Anglo, His- David Farmer writes in the Oxford Dictionary of Saints that all our past life that prevents us from receiving the for- panic, and Asian families. As we have interacted, bishops, priests and deacons were required to participate in offi- giveness of Christ? In the Letter to the Hebrews we our own family has been blessed by them. One cial pagan worship. Cyprian was exiled to Curibis and returned to are reminded of the passage in Jeremiah about the thing we have learned is that we may not be able to Carthage a year later for trial. He was arrested and refused to re- New Covenant God makes with his people in Jesus change the societal breakdown of the family, but nounce his faith. He was sentenced to death and was executed on Christ. The author quotes Jeremiah when the pro- we can make a difference as one family to another September 14, 258. phet, speaking the words of the Lord, says, "For I in their need. Cyprian’s greatest legacy is his collected writings, which were will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will When families have problems, and all families translated into Greek. They focused on dogma, morals, asceticism, remember their sins no more" (8:12). When we do, it is tempting either to gloss over them by ex- and ecclesiastical discipline. Much of what he wrote was of such know that the Lord "remembers our sins no more," cusing the behavior of a member of the family or permanent value that he is quoted in documents of Vatican II it is like a cup of cold water to a man dying of continually reminding the family member of his or (1962-5). thirst. her fault. In either case forgiveness and forgetful- Cyprian is the patron of Algeria and North Africa. His feast If we want God to forgive our sins and forget ness is hindered by the actions of the other family day is September 16. them and in so doing free us from the shackles of members. - - - the past, we must be honest in our self-examina- Mary Lou Gibson writes about the saints for the West Texas tion. There can be at least two tendencies that keep See KNICKERBOCKERS, Page 21 Angelus from her home in Austin. The Angelus SEPTEMBER 2020 Page 9 Using your gifts to help reconnect the church Since the Covid-19 pandemic began in March, I ners to check in and see if there is something the parish have heard from a number of people of varying ages can help them with or just to pray with them. If you have who have felt disconnected from the church. This is un- great ideas on how your parish can support parents in derstandable to a degree, because for a period we could building up their domestic church, offer to help your cat- not gather in person for Mass and were cut off from that Alison Pope echetical leader put together resources that can be physical connection to our faith. At the same time, I handed out to families. Do you have a concern for those have also heard some express frustration in their percep- who may not be able to leave their homes to get gro- tion that the parish staff or priests were not doing enough ceries or other necessities? Volunteer to organize groups to reach out. While I’m sure we all could do a better job who are willing to shop for others or who are willing to of connecting and engaging with parishioners who feel make porch deliveries to those confined to their homes. disconnected, some of this disconnect has been because Especially now, we must keep in mind that our faith we have been approaching the faith from a consumer or their level of instruction in the faith, are agents of has a communal aspect. It is not just about how some- mentality. evangelization, and it would be insufficient to envisage a thing affects me, but how my faith affects the com- I cannot count the number of times that somebody plan of evangelization to be carried out by professionals munity. How can we use our talents and passion to would approach me while I was in parish ministry and while the rest of the faithful would simply be passive re- contribute to our parishes, rather than simply waiting for share their great idea of a new program they wanted im- cipients. The new evangelization calls for personal in- somebody else to do it for us? plemented, or a new activity they were sure would volvement on the part of each of the baptized. Every The US Bishops tell us in Coworkers in the Vineyard change the parish for the better. Yet, more often than not, Christian is challenged, here and now, to be actively en- of the Lord, that “by their baptismal incorporation into when I would then invite that same person to take the gaged” (EG, no. 120). the Body of Christ, lay persons are also equipped with lead on their own suggestion, I was told, “But that’s your If our only involvement in the parish is to go to gifts and graces to build up the Church from within” (p. job” or “I think Father should do it.” Mass and send our children to religious education, then 12). We must not buy into the mindset that our gifts are The issue wasn’t necessarily that they weren’t qual- we are not completely fulfilling our duties as baptized less than another’s. In St. Paul’s First Letter to the Corin- ified or weren’t supported. The problem is too many members of the church. We are not simply to be con- thians, we are reminded that there are many parts to the have adopted the mindset that faith is a consumer activ- sumers of the faith. We are to have an active part of our body, but none is more important than the other. In fact, ity. We are there to be spiritually fed, entertained, or edu- own in the life and activity of the church. That activity all of them are necessary so that the body can operate in cated. Too often we forget that all who are baptized are will look different for each person based on their state of an optimal way. The same is true for our faith com- called to participate in the mission of the church. The life. munities. We need all members to contribute their indi- models of ministry that some parishes have maintained The staff and clergy in the parishes must also be vidual gifts so that we can operate in an optimal way. help to support this attitude of consumerism. They oper- aware of their part in encouraging the move away from a The challenge for all of us, especially myself, is to ate in such a way that people believe that only the priest consumer mentality. We must not be so concerned with look for ways to help and serve, rather than waiting for or the paid staff can take on leadership of something. maintaining power and control that we are not willing to somebody to come along to serve me. We each have pas- While there is a need for quality, competent, and allow others to take leadership roles and contribute to sions, gifts, and talents that can be used to help build up professional staff in our parishes to help oversee pro- the life of the church. As the Catechism of the Catholic the church. Are we going to live up to our baptismal re- grams and ministries, it should not be the expectation Church tells us, “Baptism gives a share in the common sponsibilities to contribute to the life of the church? Or that only the staff or clergy be actively administering all priesthood of all believers” (CCC, no. 1268). will we continue to simply be a consumer and thus con- the various programs. We must allow the lay faithful to I believe this time of pandemic actually gives us the tribute to our own feelings of disconnection? use their gifts to help further the mission of the Church. opportunities to discover new ways to involve people in - - - As Pope Francis reminded us in Evangelii Gaudium, ministry. If you’re feeling disconnected from others in Alison Pope is an associate director of the Diocese “All the baptized, whatever their position in the Church the parish, volunteer to organize a group to call parishio- of San Angelo’s Office of Evangelization and Catechesis. Believing is seeing Most people are familiar with the proverb “Seeing is person who likes control marries someone who is pas- believing,” to indicate that “you need to see something sive while an individual who has been “led” all their life before you can accept that it really exists or occurs.” chooses a “commander.” Sometimes we marry someone Thomas has long been its poster child, given his state- who challenges our “faulty” life perspective and con- ment “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and James R. Sulliman, PhD fusion, frustration, anger, and continuous efforts to de- put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into fend an often indefensible position arise when being his side, I will not believe” (Jn 20:25). If we switch confronted by someone who has completely different words around, however, the resulting phrase has far beliefs. more importance to understanding human behavior, for Some people become convinced that “everyone is our beliefs greatly affect our “vision.” out for themselves” and most people are not good. It In the early 20th century, medical doctor and psy- creates an attitude of “I am not going to help anyone chologist Alfred Adler wrote about the importance of sion. His feelings of “less than” are exacerbated by the else because no one does anything for me.” Such a neg- one’s “biased apperception,” which is sometimes re- fact that all three girls delight in telling him how ative viewpoint is easily reinforced by highlighting and ferred to as “private logic,” “life style,” or “cognitive “dumb” he is and never fail to point out his mistakes remembering all the numerous examples of the bad schema.” This is something that each individual de- and failures. His self-perception may become one of in- things people do and minimizing the good which gives velops early in life which colors the way he or she per- adequacy, despite the intelligence and abilities with ample data to support that “reality.” People of this per- ceives the world, others, and himself or herself. This which he is endowed. His expectation is that he will fail suasion never fail to see “the dark cloud behind the perspective typically remains constant throughout one’s at anything meaningful. “Meaningful,” however, is de- silver lining.” It is difficult for family members not to be life and affects attitudes, behaviors, and the interpreta- fined by anything at which he fails in order to support affected by a committed “downer.” tion of reality. One of the goals of therapy is to help the his life view. The things he succeeds at become trivial It is almost as if we put on a pair of glasses at a individual to understand this “bias” and determine … the things he fails at are the only ones that matter! young age through which we view the world. Just as eye whether it has caused or is causing problems in their I have seen doctors that have felt like they were not glasses “distort” reality so that things are made clearer thoughts and actions regarding self, others, and — for “good enough” because they were not surgeons. And to us, our private logic is like a special pair of bifocals me, a Christian therapist — God. Once a person “under- surgeons who were disappointed in themselves for not that magnify the events and interactions that support our stands” why they believe the way they have believed all being heart surgeons. Even a heart surgeon who was sui- world view, while minimizing or discarding those things their lives, change is possible. cidal because he was second in his class. His father, also that are not in compliance with our beliefs. As a simplistic example, a boy grows up in a family a physician who was first in his class, referred to him Long after we leave our childhood, this same kind where he is the youngest child in a family with three throughout his life as his “number two son” even though of thing also happens in a similar way when we make older sisters. His mother and father are highly educated he was the firstborn. There was nothing he could judgments about people that we are getting to know. and all the children are extremely bright. The boy, ho- achieve that would alter his biased self-perception. Once an impression and judgment are formed, the “be- wever, does not believe that because all he knows is that Often, people will “unknowingly” marry someone liever” often becomes intransigent and selects those his sisters do everything better than he does and they all who will continue to reinforce the private beliefs they read school books that are way beyond his comprehen- hold about themselves, others, and the world at large. A See SULLIMAN, Page 21 Page 10 SEPTEMBER 2020 The Angelus

VĺëlŔùıĕıČπđĕùċ?ĕıÒıìĕÒĩlơĕìùŗ The Diocese of Amarillo is accepting applications for the ŔĺŜĕŦĕĺıĺċđĕùċ?ĕıÒıìĕÒĩlơĕìùŗϓ?lϔφ—đù?lĕŜ responsible for providing, developing and maintaining ƢıÒıìĕÒĩÒììĺŬıŦÒëĕĩĕŦƆŜŦÒıòÒŗòŜÒıòùŦđĕìŜċĺŗÒĩĩòĕĺìùŜÒı İÒŦŦùŗŜφ—đù?lòĕŗùìŦŜρİÒıÒČùŜÒıòŜŬŔùŗſĕŜùŜŦđù ƢıÒıìĕÒĩĺŔùŗÒŦĕĺıŜĺċŦđù†ÒŜŦĺŗÒĩùıŦùŗĕıìĺıģŬıìŦĕĺıƀĕŦđ ŦđùĕŜđĺŔφ—đù?lİÒıÒČùŜŦđùòĕĺìùŜÒıÒŜŜùŦŜÒıòÒòſĕŜùŜ İÒıÒČùİùıŦĕıƢıÒıìĕÒĩĺŔùŗÒŦĕĺıŜφŔŔĩĕìÒıŦİŬŜŦëù ĩĕìùıŜùòÒŜÒùŗŦĕƢùò†ŬëĩĕìììĺŬıŦÒıŦĺŗđÒſùìĺİŔÒŦĕëĩù ùƅŔùŗĕùıìùφ?ÒİĕĩĕÒŗĕŦƆƀĕŦđòĕĺìùŜÒıƢıÒıìĕÒĩĺŔùŗÒŦĕĺıŜĕŜ ŔŗùċùŗŗùòρëŬŦĺŦđùŗÒììĺŬıŦĕıČùƅŔùŗĕùıìùƀĕĩĩëùìĺıŜĕòùŗùòφ

-ƅŔùŗĕùıìùÒŜÒìđĕùċƢıÒıìùĺơĕìùŗĺŗĺŦđùŗđĕČđϗĩùſùĩ ÒììĺŬıŦĕıČĺŗƢıÒıìùŔĺŜĕŦĕĺıĕŜÒŔĩŬŜφ—đùŔĺŜĕŦĕĺıŗùŖŬĕŗùŜ ùƅìùĩĩùıŦìĺİİŬıĕìÒŦĕĺıÒıòĺŗČÒıĕƎÒŦĕĺıÒĩŜĦĕĩĩŜφŔŔĩĕìÒıŦŜ ŜđĺŬĩòđÒſùŔŗĺƢìĕùıìƆƀĕŦđĕıċĺŗİÒŦĕĺıŦùìđıĺĩĺČƆρ ĕıìĩŬòĕıČĦıĺƀĩùòČùĺċŜŔŗùÒòŜđùùŦρòÒŦÒëÒŜùρÒıò ÒììĺŬıŦĕıČìĺİŔŬŦùŗÒŔŔĩĕìÒŦĕĺıŜφ

ċŬĩĩģĺëòùŜìŗĕŔŦĕĺıìÒıëùċĺŬıòĺıŦđù$ĕĺìùŜÒıƀùëŜĕŦùÒŦ ƀƀƀφÒİÒŗĕĩĩĺòĕĺìùŜùφĺŗČόƢıÒıìù

‰ùŜŬİùŜƀĕĩĩëùÒììùŔŦùòŬıŦĕĩ—ŬùŜòÒƆρŽùŔŦùİëùŗΝΡρΞΜΞΜ ÒıòŜđĺŬĩòëùŜùıŦŦĺπ $ùÒìĺı†đĕĩ±đĕŦŜĺı Diocese of Amarillo †φlφĺƅΡ΢ΠΠ İÒŗĕĩĩĺρ—¶ΣΥΝΝΣ

lŗùİÒĕĩùòŦĺπŔƀđĕŦŜĺıНòĕĺÒİÒφĺŗČφ

Apertura de Trabajo: lƢìĕÒĩVùċùòù?ĕıÒıƎÒŜ

La Diócesis de Amarillo invita solicitudes de empleo para el ŔŬùŜŦĺòùlƢìĕÒĩVùċùòù?ĕıÒıƎÒŜϓ?lϔφ-ĩìÒŗČĺŗùŖŬĕùŗù proveer, desarrollar y mantener todo estándar y ética de Now playing in theaters and on demand at home ŗùŜŔĺıŜÒëĕĩĕòÒòƢıÒıìĕùŗÒòùìÒŗÓìŦùŗòĕĺìùŜÒıĺφ?lòĕŗĕČùρ İÒıùģÒƆŜŬŔùŗſĕŜÒĺŔùŗÒìĕĺıùŜƢıÒıìĕùŗÒŜòùĩùıŦŗĺ In 1917, outside the parish of Fátima, Portugal, a 10-year-old †ÒŜŦĺŗÒĩùıŬıĕĻıìĺıùĩlëĕŜŔĺφ?lİÒıùģÒùĩŔÒŦŗĕİĺıĕĺ òĕĺìùŜÒıĺƆÒìĺıŜùģÒÒĺŦŗĺŜģùċùŜŜĺëŗùĺŔùŗÒìĕĺıùŜ girl and her two younger cousins witness multiple visitations of ƢıÒıìĕùŗÒŜφZĺŜŜĺĩĕìĕŦÒıŦùŜòùëùıŦùıùŗĩĕìùıìĕÒòùĺıŦÒòĺŗ the Virgin Mary, who tells them that only prayer and suffering will †ŭëĩĕìĺùŗŦĕƢìÒòĺĺùƅŔùŗĕùıìĕÒìĺİŔÒŦĕëĩùφŽùŔŗùƢùŗù bring an end to World War I. As secularist government officials ìĺıĺìĕİĕùıŦĺòùĺŔùŗÒìĕĺıùŜƢıÒıìĕùŗÒŜòĕĺìùŜÒıÒŜρŔùŗĺ and Church leaders try to force the children to recant their story, ùƅŔùŗĕùıìĕÒùıìĺıŦÒëĕĩĕòÒòòùĺŦŗĺŦĕŔĺŜùŦĺİÒŗÓùıìŬùıŦÒφ word of the sighting spreads across the country, inspiring religious -ŜſùıŦÒģÒŦùıùŗùƅŔùŗĕùıìĕÒìĺİĺĺƢìĕÒĩģùċùòùƢıÒıƎÒŜĺ pilgrims to flock to the site in hopes of witnessing a miracle. What ùıŔŬùŜŦĺòùÒĩŦĺČŗÒòĺφ-ĩŔŬùŜŦĺŗùŖŬĕùŗùČŗÒıđÒëĕĩĕòÒòòù they experience will transform their quiet lives and capture the at- ìĺİŬıĕìÒìĕĻıƆĺŗČÒıĕƎÒìĕĻıφZĺŜŜĺĩĕìĕŦÒıŦùŜòùëùıŦùıùŗ đÒëĕĩĕòÒòùıùĩŬŜĺòùŦùìıĺĩĺČėÒòùĕıċĺŗİÓŦĕìÒìĺİĺđĺģÒŜ tention of a world yearning for peace. Based on real-life events òùìÓĩìŬĩĺρëÒŜùòùòÒŦĺŜƆŔŗĺČŗÒİÒŜòùìĺıŦÒëĕĩĕòÒòφ and starring Joaquim de Almeida (Queen of the South), Goran Višnjić (Beginners), Stephanie Gil (Terminator: Dark Fate) and °ùÒòùŦÒĩĩùŜùıĕıČĩúŜùıùĩÒŔÒŗŦÒòĺ ƀƀƀφÒİÒŗĕĩĩĺòĕĺìùŜùφĺŗČόƢıÒıìùφ Lúcia Moniz (Love, Actually), with Sônia Braga (Aquarius) and Harvey Keitel (The Piano, The Irishman), FATIMA is an uplifting ŽùÒìùŔŦÒŗÓıŜĺĩĕìĕŦŬòùŜƆìŬŗŗėìŬĩĺđÒŜŦÒùĩİÒŗŦùŜρΝΡòù story about the power of faith. ŜùŔŦĕùİëŗùòùΞΜΞΜφ-ıſėùıĩĺŜŔĺŗìĺŗŗùĺÒπ $ùÒìĺı†đĕĩ±đĕŦŜĺı Check with your local theater about showtimes, or rent the film $ĕĺìùŜùĺċİÒŗĕĩĩĺ at home through Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, Vudu, and †φlφĺƅΡ΢ΠΠ other platforms. Form more information, visit İÒŗĕĩĩĺρ—¶ΣΥΝΝΣ www.fatimathemovie.com. lŔĺŗùİÒĕĩÒπŔƀđĕŦŜĺıНòĕĺÒİÒφĺŗČφ The Angelus SEPTEMBER 2020 Page 11

DIOCESE OF SAN ANGELO Cancellations Office of Evangelization and Catechesis

The “To The Heights” young adults conference, 2020 DIOCESAN CONFERENCE DAY originally scheduled for Oct. 9–11, 2020, at St. Stephen Church in VIRTUAL CONFERENCE Midland has been canceled.

OCTOBER 17, 2020 9:00 AM-1:45 PM It is with sadness that we have to tell you that the Heart of JMJ

Foundation’s Catholic Women’s Conference for 2020 has had to be Nurturing Families in the Church Today canceled. We did it reluctantly but with the continued concern about COVID-19 among our attendees we felt it was the right thing to do at ‡›‘–‡”‡•‡–ƒ–‹‘ǣ ‘—”‡›‹‰‘‰‡–Š‡”ǣ ‘’ƒ›‹‰‘—‰‡‘’Ž‡ƒ† this time to protect you and your families. We WILL be back in 2021 ƒ‹Ž‹‡•–Š”‘—‰Š–Š‡‡••‹‡••‘ˆ˜‡”›†ƒ›‹ˆ‡Ǥ because the Joy of the Lord will always be contagious! If you registered already, you are registered for next year! If you ordered a t-shirt, it will be mailed to you.

‡›‘–‡”‡•‡–‡”ǣ Mark your calendar for Sept. 10–11, 2021, at the McNease ƒ—ŽǤ ƒ”œ‡„‘™•‹ Convention Center in San Angelo. Bishop Sis is on the calendar for ‹–‡†–ƒ–‡•‘ˆ‡”‡ ‡‘ˆƒ–Š‘Ž‹ ‹•Š‘’• Mass and we are working with our speakers, hoping they will be ‡ ”‡–ƒ”‹ƒ–‘ˆ ƒ‹–›ǡƒ””‹ƒ‰‡ǡ ƒ‹Ž›‹ˆ‡ƒ†‘—–Š able to return also! We will keep you updated. If you have any ••‹•–ƒ–‹”‡ –‘”‘—–Šƒ†‘—‰†—Ž–‹‹•–”‹‡•Ǥ questions or concerns, please contact JoAnn Turner at ‹ ‡ʹͲͳ͵ǡƒ—Ž ƒ”œ‡„‘™•‹Šƒ••‡”˜‡†‘•–ƒˆˆƒ––Š‡‹–‡† 325-763-9400. God bless you and see you next year! –ƒ–‡•‘ˆ‡”‡ ‡‘ˆƒ–Š‘Ž‹ ‹•Š‘’•‹ƒ•Š‹‰–‘ǡŽ‡ƒ†‹‰ –Š‡ǯ•‡ˆˆ‘”–•ˆ‘”›‘—–Šƒ†›‘—‰ƒ†—Ž–•Ǥ ‡ƒ†Š‹•™‹ˆ‡ ƒ”ƒŠŽ‹˜‡‹–Š‡ƒ”›Žƒ†•—„—”„•‘ˆƒ•Š‹‰–‘Ǥ

Breakout Sessions² TBA Conference Registration with Payment ( $20 before October 2, 2020 $$&& $30 after October 2, 2020 11,,,)) More Information forthcoming 7%2 6$$,,1,117

For more information, contact the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis at 325-651-7500 or [email protected] LYLYDYDDOO ! WWL 6 V ((;;$$6 HHV 7 "#$%&'()!*(&)+,+!&-!.#/!0/1+'&! ) //))((11 2 233(14#$(&/!.+45()+,! ! 22FFWFWWRREREEHHUHU  IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES CLINICS !

WHO: Accredited Representatives for the Diocese of San Angelo 3ODODWDWHWHVHV7R7R *2 WHERE: Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church 1401 E Garden Lane  DP SP Midland, Texas 79701

WHEN: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm 12:$:$/.836 July 15th October 21st '5,9(7+58 21/

APPOINTMENTS & INFORMATION (Please do not call Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish) 3R3RODODUDULVLV5D5DQJQJHJHUHU 5D5DIDIIIIOIOH 3RODULV5DQJHU &UHZ Diocese of San Angelo Immigration Services 7LFNHWV Patricia Stokes Santana &RQWDFW3DULVKLRQHUV (325) 212-6192  $/62$9$9$9$,/$%/( ,1 '5,9( 7+58 /,1( OFFICE AND TELEPHONE CONSULTATIONS AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES ARE PROVIDED FOR NORMAL FEES. ! $8&7,21(1'6 5$))/( '5$:$:,1* 2FW  SP !

! Page 12 SEPTEMBER 2020 The West Texas Angelus SEPTEMBER 2020 Page 13 Adapting to the times Social distancing. Masks and face coverings. Outdoor liturgies. Confirma- tions celebrated by the parish priest without the bishop. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused us all to rethink what it looks like to be a compassionate neighbor and loving member of the Body of Christ. Photographer Alan Torre, whose work covering the Midland and Odessa area is regularly featured in the West Texas Angelus, has been witness to many of our clergy, staff, and parishioners taking new precautions seriously as we seek to share in the joy of fellowship while minimizing the risk of spreading disease. For more on the current requirements for Mass, special liturgies, Catholic schools, faith formation, and other parish gatherings, visit https://sanangelodio- cese.org/covid-19-statements. All photos are courtesy of Alan Torre, APTorre Photography.

Confirmation at St. Eliza- beth Ann Seton Church in Odessa First Communion at Our Lady of San Juan Church in Odessa

Preparation for Confirmation at Holy Redeemer Church in Odessa First Communion at Our Lady of San Juan Church in Odessa

Confirmation at St. Stephen Church in Midland Page 14 SEPTEMBER 2020 The Angelus New officers installed for Catholic Daughters

COURTESY The Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Court Santa Angela #1736, held their 2020-22 Installation of Officers and Chaplain the evening of July 29, 2020, at Holy Angels Church in San Angelo with Chaplain Father Josh Gray celebrating the holy sac- rifice of the Mass, followed by the CDA ceremony directed by District Deputy Linda Binns. Pictured (L to R) are Betty Brock- mann, Linda Binns, Joyce Fine, Regent Claudette Molina, Financial Secretary Martha Tafoya, Chaplain Father Josh Gray, Mary Lovell, Recording Secretary Susie Garcia, Rae Flannery, Anne Smith, Vice Regent Pris Keating, Linda Kujawski, Charlotte Drone, Pollie Lux, Margaret Courville, Christine Gillett. Not pictured: photographer Celi Padilla, and Treasurer Jennifer Torres. St. Peter Church in Mertzon recipient of OCP grant Congratulations to St. Peter Catholic Church in support liturgy preparation; Mertzon on the reception of a $1,200 grant from Ore- • Upkeep, repair and replacement of musical instru- gon Catholic Press! ments, equipment and facilities; The Oregon Catholic Press Parish Grants Program • Purchasing music, hymnals and other worship ma- offers direct financial grants to provide assistance to terials; parishes seeking to enhance the worship experience of • Attending or hosting musical or liturgical confer- their parish community. This year, St. Peter Catholic ences or workshops. Church in Mertzon applied for and received a $1,200 These grants are available to Roman Catholic par- grant from OCP to enhance their community’s liturgy ishes located within the United States that did not re- and music. Parish Grants from OCP are commonly used ceived a grant within the previous year. For more for: information on how to apply for an OCP Parish Grant, • Improving multicultural ministries with additional please visit https://www.ocp.org/en-us/parish-grants or training and purchasing of bilingual worship materials; contact Mercedez Rassi, Director of Stewardship and • Providing online, digital or electronic resources to Development at [email protected]. ‘Making room in your heart for those with whom you disagree’ By Jennifer Allmon the dignity of all people, even when we disagree, and to Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops put faith in action by bearing witness to a better way for- ward. The campaign encourages us to pledge to act with ci- Watching the social media reactions to the political vility, clarity, and compassion in this election year and conventions over the last two weeks has certainly created beyond. an opportunity for prayer. These conventions and the re- Civility: To recognize the human dignity of those with sponses of friends and family have led to prayer for con- whom I disagree, treat others with respect, and rise above version in the hearts and minds of our brothers and sisters attacks when directed at me. to embrace the dignity of all human life from conception to Clarity: To root my political viewpoints in the Gospel natural death. I remain convinced that the path to this con- and a well formed conscience, which involves prayer, con- version will be paved by honest, respectful, and civil dia- versation, study and listening. I will stand up for my con- logue within our families and communities. victions and speak out when I witness language that I don't mean a conversation where I bring my talking disparages others' dignity, while also listening and seeking points to convince another of the error of his ways, but a to understand others’ experiences. true listening and responding to the deepest hopes and Compassion: To encounter others with a tone and pos- fears of our brothers and sisters, even when we have differ- ture which affirms that I honor the dignity of others and in- ent perspectives or solutions. vites others to do the same. I will presume others’ best This past November the USCCB announced a cam- intentions and listen to their stories with empathy. I will paign to encourage the faithful and all people of goodwill strive to understand before seeking to be understood. to engage with civility. Civilize It is about making room in By forming our consciences and growing in dialogue your heart for those with whom you disagree. Each one of with others we can transform the culture. us is a beloved child of God and we must respond in love Find Civilize It at to that reality. Civilize It is a non-partisan call to focus on https://www.wearesaltandlight.org/civilize-it. The Angelus SEPTEMBER 2020 Page 15 Lack of respect for life, for nature have same root, pope says

By Cindy Wooden to no longer respect the right to human 2007 by listening to Brazilian bishops at Christians have a moral obligation to Catholic News Service life from conception to its natural end," the Latin American bishops' meeting in respect the creation God has entrusted to the pope said Sept. 3. Aparecida, Brazil. them "as a garden to cultivate, protect, VATICAN CITY (CNS) — A lack of Pope Francis made his remarks in a At the time, "I understood nothing," make grow according to its potential," he respect for human life from conception to speech written for a group of laypeople he said. But he began listening and study- said. "And if human beings have the right natural death and a lack of respect for the advising the French bishops' conference ing and dialoguing with scientists and to make use of nature for their own needs, environment are both signs of a person on ways to promote and implement the theologians. The result was Laudato Si', they cannot in anyway claim to be its claiming power over something that is not teaching of Laudato Si', on Care for Our the encyclical published in 2015. owners or despots, but only administrators theirs to control, Pope Francis said. Common Home. Ecological concern is a Christian con- who must give an account of their use." "They are the same indifference, the The group, which included the actress cern, he said. Jesus taught his followers to live in same selfishness, the same greed, the Juliette Binoche, traveled to Rome by "The Bible teaches us that the world harmony, with justice, in peace and rec- same pride, the same claim to be the train as a carbon-saving alternative to was not born in of chaos or by accident ognizing others as brothers and sisters, the master and despot of the world that lead traveling by plane. but by a decision of God who called it — pope said. But "when one considers na- human beings on the one hand to destroy The Vatican press office said the pope and always will call it — into existence ture only as an object of profit and self-in- species and plunder natural resources and, handed his prepared text to members of out of love," the pope said. "The universe terest — a vision that consolidates the on the other, to exploit poverty, to abuse the group and then had an unscripted con- is beautiful and good, and contemplating whim of the strongest — then harmony is the work of women and children, to over- versation with them, telling them that his it allows us to glimpse the infinite beauty shattered and serious inequality, injustice turn the laws of the nuclear family (and) own "ecological conversion" began in and goodness of its author." and suffering result." Vatican official: Human fraternity is the Christian response to identity politics By Catholic News Agency at the Pontifical Council for Interreli- oners. series of recommendations, urging Chris- gious Dialogue (PCID) for eight years, He said that the reason the PCID tians to “promote a culture of inclusivism VATICAN CITY (CNA) — The sec- first as under-secretary and now as secre- wanted to address these wounds from an which celebrates difference as God’s retary of the Vatican’s Pontifical Council tary. ecumenical and interreligious perspec- gift” and create “space for dialogues.” for Interreligious Dialogue has argued He spoke to CNA following the pub- tive was because “here we have a situ- “The office is now really concentrat- that as tribalism and identity politics in- lication of the document “Serving a ation where we are all wounded. It is not ing on promoting this document,” Kank- crease, the Catholic Church should co- Wounded World in Interreligious Sol- only one religion or one nation or one anamalage said. operate with other religions to promote idarity,” a joint project of the pontifical part of the world.” According to the official, the basis of human fraternity. council and the World Council of “The whole humanity is wounded the document “is very Christian.” He “Today we have a problem of iden- Churches (WCC). and here we need to respond unitedly,” cited its use of Old and New Testament tity, an identity crisis. One affirms one’s The WCC is a global ecumenical he explained. quotations and the Parable of the Good identity… and excluding the others,” body founded in 1948. The Catholic Religion has the power to “transform Samaritan to illustrate common values. Father Indunil Janakaratne Kodithu- Church is not a member of the organiza- the person within,” he noted. “The inspi- “We have universal values: love your wakku Kankanamalage told CNA earlier tion, though it sends official observers to ration for us Christians comes from our neighbor, compassion. All of these things this week. meetings. Christian teaching. And also we can see are universal values based on Christ,” he The Sri Lankan priest also said that Kankanamalage said the PCID has that other religions are also responding said. “Basing [our efforts] on these “today we see that tribalism is emerging had an ongoing collaboration with the to this crisis based on their respective things, we can tackle these issues again.” Tribalism, he explained, affirms WCC and members of the two bodies teachings.” unitedly in spite of our differences.” “your own group at the expense of the meet annually. “Serving a Wounded “Our response has to be a compre- He pointed to Pope Francis’ empha- others” and leads to discrimination. World,” published Aug. 27, is their latest hensive response.” sis on similar values. “Fraternity means that you try to joint document. “Serving a Wounded World” argues “Pope Francis often speaks of foster- welcome the other as the brother and “People are wounded because of this that, for Christians, the basis for “inter- ing a culture of compassion, a fraternal sister in spite of his or her differences. … pandemic. … And then also we have religious solidarity” is found in the Holy culture, a culture of encounter,” Kanka- We belong to one family. We are brothers other wounds,” the PCID secretary said. Trinity. It lays out principles for express- namalage said. and sisters. This is also very Christian.” He specifically pointed to racism, reli- ing this solidarity amid a global pan- It has been widely reported that Pope Kankanamalage is from the Diocese gious intolerance, discrimination, eco- demic that has claimed more than Francis will release an encyclical, the of Badulla in Sri Lanka, where he was nomic and ecological injustice, as well as 822,000 lives. third of his pontificate, on the subject of ordained a priest in 2000. He has served the injustices faced by migrants and pris- The 24-page publication also offers a human fraternity in early October. Science, religion not opposing sides in humanity's progress, cardinal says By Junno Arocho Esteves oped over the course of history." tries of the world. This profound global sources of authority" no longer holding Catholic News Service According to its website, the Euro- impact should challenge us all," he said. sway. Science Open Forum, also known as "If we want to survive and if we want That distrust is particularly evident VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Although ESOF, is a biennial conference that life on this planet to survive, then we still with the COVID-19 pandemic and "much technology has made leaps and bounds gathers scientists, political leaders, edu- have to learn to assume a responsibility for harm was caused by incorrect scientific in- over the past decades, the scientific com- cators and journalists "to discuss current our common home on the global level," he formation," he said. munity must not isolate itself in its own and future breakthroughs in contemporary said. "At the same time, science by itself is "The pandemic seems to have created advancements and exclude religion from science." not enough to resolve this problem." what may be the most difficult period in the search for ways to overcome today's In his address on the conference's The Vatican secretary of state also re- decades for scientific communication," the challenges, said Cardinal Pietro Parolin, opening day, Cardinal Parolin highlighted flected on humanity's relationship with cardinal said. "The issue is no longer just Vatican secretary of state. the need for dialogue between science and technology. Advancements such as com- scientific fact and objectivity but — to use Citing Pope Francis' call for an "inter- faith in "envisioning and achieving a fu- munication and information technology, a biblical expression — 'the heart of disciplinary approach" on issues such as ture of peaceful coexistence among while "indeed impressive," have drasti- man.'" sustainability, Cardinal Parolin told partic- people." cally changed people's lives and their in- In order to reach a true and authentic ipants at a scientific conference that Reflecting on humanity's relationship teractions with others. progress and ensure a better world for fu- science and religion must work together with the environment, the Italian cardinal "Machines are becoming more human, ture generations, Cardinal Parolin said that for the good of humanity. echoed the warnings of "an ever-growing even as human beings are becoming more people today must recover their "sense of An interdisciplinary approach "should number of voices from politicians, scien- like machines," he said. "The church is what it means to be human." not be limited to the exact sciences," the tists and men and women of different reli- deeply concerned about the effect of this "Only by returning to a world of real cardinal said Sept. 2 at the EuroScience gious confessions" that "humanity has exponential digitalization of communica- and nonvirtual relationships will we be Open Forum in Trieste, Italy. produced a global impact that can no tion and of society on young people." able to recover those horizons of meaning "It should also include, for example, longer be undone." Cardinal Parolin also said that "the ef- that can give rise to a shared desire to religion — which cannot be relegated to "Today, we are more and more aware, fects of the media diet to which all of us build for the future," he said. the sphere of the irrational — in all those too, of the cost being paid by our planet, a are exposed" has challenged people's trust – – – forms of wisdom that humanity has devel- cost unequally divided among the coun- in news sources, resulting in "traditional Follow Arocho on Twitter: @arochoju Page 16 SEPTEMBER 2020 The Angelus Catholic Voices The invitation to courage Courage isn’t one of my strong I highlight this because our situation cally, but I don’t want to upset others; I points, at least not one particular kind of today demands courage from us, the cou- want to challenge the white privilege courage. rage for prophecy. We desperately need which we’re so congenitally blind to, but I Scripture tells us that as John the Bap- prophets today, but they are in short don’t want to alienate the generous, good- tist grew up he became strong in spirit. Father Ron supply and too many of us are not particu- hearted people who support our school; I My growing up was somewhat different. Rolheiser larly eager to volunteer for the task. Why want to speak out more strongly against Unlike John the Baptist, as I grew up I be- not? injustice in my writing, but I don’t want came accommodating in spirit. This had A recent issue of Commonweal maga- multiple newspapers drop my column as a its reasons. I was born with what Ruth zine featured an article by Bryan Massin- result; I want to be courageous and con- Burrows would describe as a “tortured gale, a strong prophetic voice on the issue front others, but don’t want to live with sensitivity,” an over-sensitive personality, of racism. Massingale submits that the the hatred that ensues; and I want to pub- and have never been able to develop a empathy (though at its worst has me reason we see so little real progress in licly name injustices and name names, but tough skin. That’s not the stuff of which avoiding situations of conflict). Either dealing with racial injustice is the absence don’t want to alienate myself from those prophets are made. When you’re a child way, it’s hasn’t particularly gifted me with of prophetic voices where they are most very people. So this leaves me still pray- on the playground you better have the raw the qualities that make for prophetic cou- needed, in this case, among the many ing for the courage needed for prophecy. physical strength to challenge a situation rage. I want, habitually, not to upset good white people who see racial injus- Several years ago, a visiting professor that’s unfair or you better let things alone people. I dislike confrontation and want tice, sympathize with those suffering from at our school, an African-American man, so as not to get hurt. You also better de- peacefulness at almost any cost, though I it, but don’t do anything about it. Massin- was sharing with our faculty some of the velop razor-sharp skills at avoiding con- do draw some lines in the sand. But I’m gale, who lectures widely across the coun- near daily injustices he experiences frontation and in the art of peacemaking. no John the Baptist and it’s taken me try, shares how again and again in his simply because of the color of his skin. At As well, when you aren’t gifted with su- many years to learn that, admit it, and un- lectures and in his classes people ask him: one point I asked him: “If I, as a white perior physical strength and challenging derstand why — and also to understand But how do I address this without upset- man, came to you like Nicodemus came situations arise on the playground, you that my temperament and history are only ting people? This question aptly expresses to Jesus at night and asked you what I quickly learn to walk away from confron- an explanation and not an excuse for my our reticence and, I believe, names both should do, what would you tell me?” His tation. On the playground the lamb knows cowardice at times. the issue and the challenge. answer: Jesus didn’t let Nicodemus off better than to lie down with the lion or to In the end, the virtue of courage is not As Shakespeare would say, “Ah, easily just because he confessed his fears. confront the lion, irrespective of the pro- contingent upon birth, temperament, or there’s the rub!” For me, this question Nicodemus had to do a public act to bring phet Isaiah’s eschatological visions. mental toughness, though these can be touches a sensitive moral nerve. Had I his faith into the light, he had to claim And that’s not all bad. Growing up as helpful. Courage is a gift from the Holy been in one of his classes I would no Jesus’ dead body. Hence, his challenge to I did didn’t make for the tough skin and Spirit and that’s why one’s temperament doubt have been one of those to ask that me: you need to do a public act. raw courage it takes to be a prophet, but it and background may only serve as an ex- question: but how do I challenge racism He’s right; but I’m still praying for did give me an acute radar screen, namely, planation and not as an excuse for a lack without upsetting people? Here’s my the prophetic courage to do that. And are- a sensitivity which at its best is a genuine of courage. problem: I want to speak out propheti- n’t we all? The Book of Exodus and why coming back to Mass matters In connection with an academic project ark, “You shall make two cherubim of gold. Israel is brought on line with God, ordered of mine, I’ve recently been poring over the ... Make one cherub at the one end, and one to him. The moral law directs our wills to book of Exodus and numerous commen- Bishop Robert cherub at the other. ... The cherubim shall the divine goodness, but the liturgical law taries thereupon. The second most famous Barron spread out their wings above, overshadow- directs our minds, our hearts, our emotions, book of the Old Testament is concerned pri- ing the mercy seat.” Next, we find instruc- and yes even our bodies to the divine splen- marily with the manner in which God tions regarding the elaborate furnishings dor. Notice how thoroughly the ceremonial shapes his people so that they might be- Word on Fire inside of the tabernacle, including a lamp- instructions of Exodus involve color, sound, come a radiant beacon, a city set on a hill. Ministries stand, a table for the so-called “bread of the and smell (there is an awful lot about in- On the biblical reading, Israel is indeed presence,” pillars and various hangings. Fi- cense), and how they conduce toward the chosen, but it is never chosen for its own nally, an enormous amount of space is production of beauty. sake, but rather for all the nations of the given over to the description of the vest- I said above that Exodus’ stress on the world. temporary language, Kantianism in religion ments to be worn by the priests of Israel. liturgical and ceremonial has a profound I would say that this formation takes sounds like this: “As long as you’re a good Here is just a sampling: “These are the vest- relevance to our time, and here’s why. For place in three principal stages: first, God person, it doesn’t really matter what you ments that they shall make: a breastpiece, very good reasons, we abstained com- teaches Israel to trust in his power; sec- believe or how you worship.” an ephod, a robe, a checkered tunic, a tur- pletely from public worship, and even now ondly, he gives Israel a moral law; and Now, there is no question that the book ban, and a sash. When they make these our ability to worship together is very lim- thirdly, he instructs his people in holiness of Exodus and the Bible in general agree sacred vestments. ... They shall use gold, ited. In most dioceses in our country, the through right praise. The lesson in trust that morality is essential to the proper for- blue, purple, and crimson yarns, and fine obligation to attend Sunday Mass is, again happens, of course, through God’s great act mation of the people of God. Those who linen.” for valid reasons, suspended. My fear is of liberation. Utterly powerless slaves find would seek to follow the Lord, who is jus- No indication whatsoever is given that that when the propitious moment arrives, freedom, not by relying on their own re- tice and love, must be conformed to justice the moral prescriptions are somehow more when we are again able to return to Mass, sources, but rather upon the gracious inter- and love. And this is precisely why we find, important than the liturgical prescriptions. many Catholics will stay away, since vention of God. The moral instruction takes in the great Sinai covenant, injunctions not If anything, the contrary seems to be the they’ve grown accustomed to absenting place through the Ten Commandments and to steal, not to commit adultery, not to case, since Exodus is followed immediately themselves from worship. And my concern their attendant legislation. Finally, the for- covet, not to kill, etc. So far, so Kantian. by the book of Leviticus, which consists of takes a more specifically Kantian form: mation in holiness happens through a sub- But what probably surprises most con- twenty-eight chapters of dietary and liturgi- Will many Catholics say to themselves, mission to an elaborate set of liturgical and temporary readers of the book of Exodus is cal law. So what are we post-Kantians to “You know, as long as I’m basically a good ceremonial laws. It is this last move that that, immediately following the laying out make of this? First, we should observe that person, what’s the point of all of this formal perhaps strikes us today as most peculiar, of the moral commandments, the author the biblical authors do not think for a mo- worship of God?” but that has, I will argue, particular res- spends practically the rest of the text, chap- ment that God somehow requires liturgical Could I recommend that you take out onance in our strange COVID period. ters 25 through 40, delineating the liturgical rectitude, as though the correctness of our your Bible, open to the book of Exodus, That education in religion involves prescriptions that the people are to follow. worship adds anything to his perfection or especially chapters 25 through 40, and con- moral instruction probably seems self-ev- So for example, we find a lengthy section satisfies some psychological need of his. If sider just how crucially important to God is ident to most of us. And this is because we on the construction of the ark of the cov- you harbor any doubt on this score, I would the correct worship offered by his holy are, willy-nilly, Kantians. In the eighteenth enant: “They shall make an ark of acacia recommend a careful reading of the first people? Liturgy has always mattered. The century, the philosopher Immanuel Kant wood; it shall be two and a half cubits long, chapter of the prophet Isaiah and of the fift- Mass — involving vestments, ritual ges- contended that all of religion is reducible to a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a ieth psalm. God doesn’t need the ark and ture, smells and bells, song and silence — ethics. What the religious thing is finally all half high. You shall overlay it with pure the tabernacle and priestly vestments and still matters, big time. Isn’t it enough that about, Kant argued, is making us more just, gold, inside and outside you shall overlay regular worship, but we do. Through the you’re a good person? Not to put too fine a loving, kind, and compassionate. In con- it.” And as an ornament on the top of the gestures and symbols of its liturgical praise, point on it: no. The Angelus SEPTEMBER 2020 Page 17 Voces Catolicas Afirmemos católicamente La invitación al coraje

El coraje no es uno de mis puntos la valentía de nuestros fuertes, al menos no un género particular de coraje. La Escritura nos dice que mientras trabajadores hispanos Juan Bautista crecía, se hacía fuerte en Padre Ron espíritu. Mi crecimiento fue algo difer- Rolheiser Los primeros días de septiembre nos ente. A diferencia de Juan Bautista, mien- invitan a enfocarnos en una de las activi- tras yo crecía, me volvía acomodaticio en dades más nobles del ser humano: el tra- Hosffman espíritu. Esto tuvo sus razones. Nací con bajo. lo que Ruth Burrows describiría como Ospino “sensibilidad torturada”, una personalidad Trabajamos para sostener nuestras Catholic News Service familias, realizar nuestras vocaciones, hipersensible, y nunca he sido capaz de sibilidad que, en el mejor de los casos, es vivir mejor y asegurarnos de que nuestra desarrollar una piel bien curtida. Esa no una genuina empatía (aunque, en el peor sociedad progrese. Trabajamos para tener Caminando Juntos es la materia prima de la que está hechos de los casos, me tiene eludiendo situ- un presente decente y asegurar un futuro los profetas. Cuando eres niño, en el patio aciones de conflicto). De todos modos, estable para nuestros hijos. de juego te va mejor tener la fuerza física eso no me ha dotado particularmente de En un mundo ideal, nos gustaría tra- bruta para desafiar una situación injusta, cualidades que contribuyan al coraje pro- bajar haciendo lo que nos gusta. La edu- usando el término valentía? Aparte de las o te va mejor dejar marchar las cosas para fético. Deseo, habitualmente, no contrar- cación nos acerca más a este ideal. Sin exigencias físicas y mentales que obvia- que no te perjudiquen. También te va iar a la gente. Me disgusta la embargo, millones de personas simple- mente acompañan estos empleos, la pan- mejor desarrollar agudas destrezas en evi- confrontación y quiero la paz casi a cual- mente tienen que trabajar en lo que demia actual ha puesto a millones de tar la confrontación y en el arte de pro- quier precio, aunque trazo algunas líneas pueden para cumplir con sus responsabili- trabajadores hispanos frente a frente con curar la paz. Igualmente, cuando no estás sobre arena. Sin embargo, no soy ningún dades. Para ellas un trabajo es un trabajo, el virus COVID-19, el cual es altamente dotado de una fuerza física superior y Juan Bautista, y ello me ha costado mu- y eso ya es una bendición. contagioso y letal. surgen situaciones desafiantes en el patio, chos años aprenderlo, admitirlo y en- Quisiera reflexionar sobre los muchos Doctores, enfermeras, maestros y en seguida aprendes a huir de la confron- tender por qué, a la vez que entender que trabajadores hispanos que con valentía otros empleados en profesiones similares tación. En el patio, el cordero sabe que es mi temperamento e historia son sólo una sostienen gran parte de muchas industrias también están expuestos a este virus de mejor no acostarse con el león ni enfren- explicación y a veces no una excusa para en los Estados Unidos como en el caso de manera frecuente. Sin embargo, es más tarse a él, al margen de las visiones esca- mi cobardía. la agricultura, la pesca, la construcción, la probable que las industrias que les em- tológicas del profeta Isaías. Al fin y al cabo, la virtud del coraje industria hospitalaria y restaurantera, la plean les ofrezcan medidas de seguridad Y no todo eso es malo. Crecer como no depende del origen, temperamento ni asistencia médica, servicios de limpieza y que los campesinos, los trabajadores en lo hice no contribuyó a tener una piel tenacidad mental, aunque estos pueden minería, entre otros. bien curtida ni el coraje vivo que se su- ayudar. El coraje es un don del Espíritu ¿Por qué hablar de estos empleados Mira OSPINO, Página 23 pone para ser profeta, pero me dio una aguda pantalla de radar, a saber, una sen- Mira ROLHEISER, Página 22 El Libro de Éxodo y por qué Sólo unidos podemos volver a la misa es importante sobrevivir el virus

En relación con un proyecto aca- Deberíamos haber sabido que el démico mío, recientemente he estado es- único modo de triunfar sobre el virus es tudiando el libro de Éxodo y numerosos Obispo Robert estar unidos — rico y pobre, ciudadano e Moises Sandoval comentarios al respecto. El segundo libro Barron inmigrante, legal o indocumentado, preso Catholic News Service más famoso del Antiguo Testamento se o libre, joven o anciano — con confianza ocupa principalmente de la forma en que y empatía. Word on Fire Dios da forma a su pueblo para que se Los médicos dieron bello ejemplo. Buscando Vida convierta en un faro radiante, una ciudad Ministries Cuando Nueva York estaba en la más os- situada en una colina. En la lectura bíb- cura hora, sus hospitales abrumados, los lica, Israel es elegido, pero nunca por su enfermos muriéndose en los pasillos es- propio bien, sino por el de todas las na- perando ser admitidos, cientos de muertos ciones del mundo. plica la instrucción moral probablemente cada día, almacenados en camiones re- Estados Unidos ha sufrido más muertes Diría que esta formación se lleva a parece evidente para la mayoría de noso- frigerados porque los funerarios y cre- que cualquier otro país en el mundo. cabo en tres etapas principales: primero, tros. Y esto es porque somos, a tontas y a matorios habían excedido su capacidad Lo más triste al darnos cuenta que el Dios enseña a Israel a confiar en su locas, kantianos. En el siglo XVIII, el fi- — médicos, enfermeras y otros especial- virus había llegado y amenazaba la vida poder; en segundo lugar, le da a Israel una lósofo Immanuel Kant sostuvo que toda istas vinieron de otros estados para ayu- de todos fue la urgencia en Connecticut y ley moral; y tercero, instruye a su pueblo la religión es reducible a la ética. Kant ar- dar. otros estados de armarse para protegerse, en la santidad a través de la alabanza gumentaba que en definitiva el fin de lo Ahora que el campo de batalla ha no del virus sino de los vecinos. La venta justa. La lección de confianza ocurre, por religioso es hacernos más justos, amoro- cambiado a Texas, Florida, California y de armas aumentó tremendamente. Por supuesto, a través del gran acto de libera- sos, amables y compasivos. En el len- Arizona, Nueva York ha compartido no esa razón, cuando se cerraron la mayoría ción de Dios. Los esclavos totalmente im- guaje contemporáneo, el kantismo en la sólo su personal sino también ventila- de los negocios, las tiendas de armas que- potentes encuentran la libertad, no religión suena así: “Mientras seas una dores y otros aparatos para asistir a esos daron abiertas. Esa gente temía perder sus confiando en sus propios recursos, sino buena persona, no importa lo que creas o estados similarmente abrumados. pertenencias. en la intervención gratuita de Dios. La in- cómo des culto”. Desafortunadamente, la unidad en Ahora las voces más altas y enfada- strucción moral tiene lugar a través de los Ahora, no hay duda de que el libro general nos ha eludido. Recuerdo como das son de los contrarios que nos divid- Diez Mandamientos y su correspondiente del Éxodo y la Biblia en general están de muy temprano en la crisis, una mujer en irán más. El columnista Ben Smith del legislación. Por último, la formación en la acuerdo en que la moralidad es esencial el interior del país dijo que no le importa- periódico The New York Times reciente- santidad se realiza mediante la sumisión a para la formación adecuada del pueblo de ban los problemas de Nueva York, opi- mente escribió sobre estas voces enrabia- un elaborado conjunto de leyes litúrgicas Dios. Aquellos que buscan seguir al nión común en varios sectores. Pronto, das por la clausura de la economía para y ceremoniales. Es este último movi- Señor, que es justicia y amor, deben ser por falta de liderazgo nacional, la división mitigar el daño de la pandemia. Estos miento el que quizás nos parezca hoy más conformados a la justicia y el amor. Y es aumento: los políticos contra los científi- abogan constantemente contra el uso de peculiar, pero que tiene, sostengo, una precisamente por eso que encontramos, cos, las áreas rurales contra las ciudades, máscaras y sobre la preocupación por sal- resonancia particular en nuestro extraño en la gran alianza del Sinaí, órdenes de no los que aceptaban utilizar máscaras contra var vidas. Ellos sienten que se debe abrir período del COVID. los que las apoyan. Que la educación en la religión im- Mira BARRON, Página 22 El resultado no debe sorprendernos. Mira SANDOVAL, Página 23 Page 18 SEPTEMBER 2020 The Angelus Catholic Voices Tragedies in human medical Life lessons on hospitality experimentation When my husband and I married, we Between 1932 and 1972, a series of had just completed a volunteer commit- highly unethical medical studies were ment with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, performed on a group of 400 African- Father Tad teaching school in the Alaskan Bush at a Effie Caldarola Americans by doctors from the U.S. Pub- Pacholczyk Jesuit boarding school in a remote village. Catholic News Service lic Health Service. Then, we chose to live in the big city Officially referred to as the Tuskegee of Anchorage, and our first home was a Study of Untreated Syphilis in the Negro Making Sense tiny cabin we rented in a friend’s backyard. For the Journey Male, the research protocol enrolled 399 of Bioethics One person could fit into the kitchen nook, impoverished sharecroppers from Macon the bathroom was attached to our bedroom, County, Alabama, all of whom had syphi- and the square footage of the whole place lis, and a control group of 201 others who was minuscule. It was a tight fit, but for how much fun they were, I hadn’t planned were free of the disease. The 399 were another. Compromise can then open up a newlyweds with few possessions, it was on operating a bed and breakfast. But as a never told that they had syphilis or that “middle” solution, allowing for some ex- cozy. vagabond volunteer, I’d spent my share of their condition was sexually-transmitted, perimentation on humans to be carried The problem came with the steady time in others’ homes, imposing on and en- but only that they had "bad blood." out for the good of research, even if it flow of visitors. Anchorage is the air hub joying their welcoming. The study began at a time when no might at times be harmful, debilitating or for a largely roadless state. If you were When I look back now, I know that my effective treatments for syphilis existed, lethal to its subjects. In any real-world traveling from rural areas to the Outside, as stress was probably sometimes transparent. but as penicillin became the standard of setting, this means that those who are Alaskans call the rest of the world, you Occasionally, my hospitality was thin and I care during the mid-1940s, the infected most vulnerable — the poor, the weak, men were not offered the new drug; in the disenfranchised and the sick — be- passed through Anchorage. If you were regret that. fact, it was withheld from them during come rife for exploitation whenever par- heading from almost anywhere up to Fair- I think of that phrase from the Letter to the next 25 years, to enable researchers to ticular research goals are declared worthy banks, you passed through Anchorage. And the Hebrews: "Do not neglect hospitality, track the progression of their disease. of pursuit. sometimes, you just wanted to come to An- for through it some have unknowingly en- The outcry that followed the public This utilitarian approach to “balanc- chorage. tertained angels." revelation of these unethical research ing values” provides a highly flawed ethi- Scores of friends, relatives and former In the Judeo-Christian tradition, as in methods, described in an investigative re- cal framework that has been used to volunteers came to our little home (and all major faiths, hospitality is an obliga- port in the Washington Star, resulted in justify other immoral biomedical research later, other homes we had) to crash, often tion. That applies to individuals, but also to the study’s finally being shut down. By projects like the German medical experi- arriving with a backpack and a six-pack. It any country that maintains a standard of then, there had already been widespread ments on prisoners during the Second was part of being young in Alaska, and we morality. Most countries accept a generous devastation, with 28 participants having World War, human embryonic stem cell made countless trips to the airport. quota of well-vetted refugees, but even be- died from syphilis, 100 more having per- research, and other forms of exploitative The busiest and most challenging times fore the pandemic changed everything, the ished from related complications, and the human experimentation. for me were those very early days of mar- subjects’ having transmitted the disease to In each of these, researchers have riage. No matter how dear the friends and See CALDAROLA, Page 23 at least 40 spouses and 19 of their chil- been motivated by good goals like learn- dren. ing about disease, developing treatments, In May 1997 President Clinton issued and helping others. Finding treatments a public apology to the victims and their and making progress against disease is families, stating, “The United States gov- clearly very praiseworthy. But a good end The need for sacred ernment did something that was wrong cannot justify an immoral means. That is — deeply, profoundly, morally wrong.” where the need for a non-utilitarian ethi- Many afterward questioned how such cal understanding becomes paramount. spaces during COVID-19 ethically offensive research could have Maintaining immovable negative ethical continued unabated for so many decades. norms against the abuse of research sub- My son's pediatrician had one piece of In the final analysis, the Tuskegee jects is key, including norms like: “Do no advice at his nine-month checkup: baby- Elise Italiano syphilis experiments relied upon a defec- harm,” “do not kill,” “always secure in- proof our home. "Secure bookshelves to tive theory of ethics, still popular today, formed consent,” etc. walls, cover electrical outlets, put up gates Ureneck known as “utilitarianism.” Utilitarianism The rights of patients to these protec- and get safety locks for cabinets," he said. Catholic News Service seeks to determine right from wrong by tions should not be taken as values to be "And bring everything along to Grandma focusing on a calculation of con- balanced against the goals of research. and Grandpa’s, too, because most acci- Finding God in All sequences (and so is sometimes also This risks sweeping away the vital inter- dents happen in other people’s homes." called “consequentialism”), asserting that ests of human subjects in a tide of appeals My son is an unusually fast crawler Things the best ethical choice is the one that pro- to societal utility or medical progress. and has a pretty long wingspan, so we had duces "the greatest good for the greatest The negative norm, which requires that already implemented safety measures. But number" and maximizes “usefulness.” one should never harm, exploit or destroy the doctor's emphasis drove home the But as we turn the corner from summer For the Tuskegee experiments, the human life in the pursuit of laudable re- point: Restrain and constrain against his in- to fall and then fall to winter, I can't help usefulness was the knowledge gained search goals, can only be fulfilled in one stincts, at least for this period of time. but wonder how long we will be able to through studying the progression of syph- way: by refusing to violate the norm. I think many of us can sympathize with manage without more access to certain ilis in human patients, including what These kinds of negative norms serve my son's frustrations: We've been restricted spaces, particularly those that are sacred. consequences (like blindness, insanity) the essential role of setting fixed and to certain spaces for nearly five months. A Let me explain. typically can be expected to occur, at clear boundaries for ethically acceptable few weeks ago, The New Yorker ran a car- A few weeks ago, my husband and I what stages, etc. This basic medical research, strict limits on the pursuit of toon depicting family members climbing were in Philadelphia visiting family, and knowledge could end up serving the in- even the most worthwhile of scientific the walls of their living room. The caption we stopped by the Cathedral of Sts. Peter terests of thousands or millions of other goals. This helps assure that humans, who read, "It’s great to have something we can and Paul where we got engaged. We individuals in the future, it was asserted, are endowed with an absolute value and a all do together." Many of us can relate. wanted to bring our son to the plaza where even as doctors overlooked the litany of unique dignity in themselves, are appro- Our access to people and places has we made our commitment and stop inside sufferings and harms inflicted on an un- priately protected from any forms of utili- been unnaturally curbed, limited to activ- the church where we attended Mass in fortunate few. tarian reckoning. ities and places that have been deemed "es- thanksgiving. A utilitarian approach to justifying - - - sential" by people charged with protecting I approached the doors of the church, scientific research on humans usually Rev. Tadeusz Pacholczyk, Ph.D. our health and safety. Our world has been assuming that they would be locked. Every implies that we need to “balance” the earned his doctorate in neuroscience baby-proofed, so to speak, though for good church I have approached on weekday value of new scientific discoveries from Yale and did post-doctoral work at reason: flattening the curve, protecting walks with my son during the pandemic against the dignity of human experimen- Harvard. He is a priest of the diocese of those who are most at risk, and supporting has been locked. My heart sinks each time. tal subjects. In this view, the two repre- Fall River, MA, and serves as the Direc- those on the front lines of the pandemic. When the door opened, I began to cry. sent “competing values,” and in a world tor of Education at The National Catholic Keeping ourselves safe, even if we'd prefer The chance to walk inside, to draw near to with no moral absolutes, some individ- Bioethics Center in Philadelphia. See to risk it on occasion, is also a worthy rea- uals may emphasize one set of values, www.ncbcenter.org and son for being a bit caged in. See URENECK, Page 23 while others will give more weight to www.fathertad.com. The Angelus SEPTEMBER 2020 Page 19 Catholic Voices Catholic solidarity with our brave Hispanic workers

The early days of September afford us the opportu- cently that more than 26% of deaths due to COVID-19 nity to turn our attention to one of the noblest activities: in the U.S. were among Hispanics. human labor. About 70% of Hispanics identified COVID-19 as We work to support our families, fulfill our voca- Hosffman Ospino the most urgent issue threatening their lives and well- tions, live better lives and ensure that our nation thrives. Catholic News Service being. More urgent than immigration, the economy and We work to have a decent present and to secure a stable racism. Nearly 60% of Hispanics live in households future for our children. where someone recently lost a job or had a significant In an ideal world, we work doing what we like. Journeying Together salary reduction. Education puts us closer to that ideal. Millions of Mindful that about half of all Hispanics self-identify people, however, must simply work in whatever is as Catholic, chances are that many of these brave available to make ends meet. For them a job is a job, workers share our parishes. Many of them bring their and that alone is a blessing. Many need two or three jobs to make ends meet. The babies to be baptized, go to Mass to be sustained with Allow me to bring some attention to the many brave impact of such circumstances on personal and family the Eucharist and seek spiritual support from Catholic Hispanic workers who are the backbone of core indus- life is dear. COVID-19, in a matter of months, made pastoral leaders. tries in the U.S., such as farming, fishing, construction, tough jobs even tougher. Have we met with them? Have we told them, hospitality, restaurants, child and personal care, cleaning Many of the jobs Hispanics perform are survival "Thank you for what you do"? Have we expressed our services, medical assistance and mining, among others. jobs, literally. COVID-19 has given a new meaning to solidarity with them by saying, "How can I support Why speak of these workers as brave? Besides the the term survival. Millions of Hispanics do not have the you?" obvious physical and mental exigencies of these jobs, luxury of working from their homes, from their com- Those Hispanic workers who risk their lives to sur- the current pandemic placed millions of Hispanic puters or in properly ventilated offices. vive and ensure that our economy thrives must not go workers face-to-face with the highly contagious and le- Picking up crops, taking care of the elderly in nurs- unnoticed by our Catholic community. We need to en- thal COVID-19 virus. ing homes, cleaning spaces, babysitting, cooking and gage in Catholic solidarity with these brave workers. Workers such as doctors, nurses, teachers and others serving food in restaurants, etc., are tasks that Hispanics They are our sisters and brothers. With them, we are na- in similar professions are also exposed regularly to this and other on-the-ground workers cannot do remotely. tion and church. virus. Yet, their industries are more likely to offer safety They must be on site and thus risk everything, including We pray with gratitude for these workers, millions protections that are not always available to, say, health and life. They also risk the well-being of their of them immigrants and refugees, and all others who farmers, hotel workers and people performing cleaning families and friends. labor every day with love and sacrifice. services. Hispanics are three to four times more likely to be - - - It is no secret that workers in mining, farming, serv- infected with COVID-19 than white people. The Ospino is professor of theology and religious educa- ice and hospitality industries are often poorly paid. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported re- tion at Boston College.

Post-grad lessons from the plague year Cartoon Corner It seems as if there are two kinds of graduation narra- tives for what happens after young collegians toast each other with one last Natty Light or hard seltzer, flip their tassels and head out to take on the world. Greg Erlandson The first narrative is that the world is their oyster. Catholic News Service The economy is booming, entry-level jobs are plentiful, and projections show that their lifetime earnings will be Amid the Fray the envy of their non-college-educated peers. Such was the welcome for the class of 2019. The second narrative is that they are unlucky enough to have been stepping out into a stagnant economy, with job prospects scarce and the likelihood of living at home we’re No. 1 by virtue of just being us. The graduating with mom and dad dismally inevitable. I’m looking at class of 2020 is learning some more important lessons. you, 2020. There are no guarantees, for starters. Life is for real. I know how you feel. I graduated in one of those dis- There are 160,000 people who were alive last February mal times. Inflation. Political turmoil. High unemploy- and are not now. My daughter has taken to saying with a ment. Like many of my peers, I fled first to the safe touch of mock drama, "We are all going to die." Besides haven of grad school. Then, hungry to experience a bit of being a statement of fact, I think it is her way of dealing what we called TRW (the real world), I crossed the coun- with the immensity of the moment. try and became a fish cutter. I learned a great deal at both Another lesson is that sacrifice is part of life. We places. make sacrifices for others. My daughter, who is living Fast forward a number of decades, and now it is my with us for the moment, knows that our vulnerability to youngest daughter, a proud 2020 grad, who is sharing the coronavirus is greater than hers, and this impacts the that second narrative of dismal prospects awaiting her jobs she considers, the outings she makes. It’s not all class. Yet her challenges, while superficially similar to about her. It’s about us. mine in the bleak postgrad prospects, are far more strik- That’s a lesson our whole nation is struggling to ing than anything I endured. learn. Her generation may understand it more quickly For starters, last May came and went without a grad- than its predecessors. uation ceremony. The class of 2020 will be the one with Finally, there is the lesson of faith, hope and grat- the giant asterisk explaining why no graduation videos, itude. God is still with us, and in our need, we turn to him no graduation speakers, no closure, as we say these days. a bit more. Hope keeps us going, preserving us from self- And that robust economy that greeted the grads of pity and despair. And gratitude. To see so many people in 2019 has almost instantaneously vanished. The graduates need right now puts our own frustrations in perspective. gave up cap and gown for masks and social distancing. This too shall pass. We’ll get through this terrible Job interviews are by video, internships are remote and time, but I hope the class of 2020 doesn’t forget what it is everything comes freighted with risks. learning after graduation: There are good lessons in bad Yet I don’t pity my daughter and her generation. Liv- times, if they pay attention. ing through a historic pandemic, economic collapse and - - - racial upheaval isn’t pretty, but it is instructive. Erlandson, director and editor-in-chief of Catholic It is so darn easy to take things for granted: That suc- News Service, can be reached at gerlandson@catholic- cess is guaranteed. That earnings always go up. That news.com. Page 20 SEPTEMBER 2020 The Angelus St. Paschal Mission Church Panelists say Father updates facilities Tolton's example offers path to racial justice In July, Father Chinna Pa- gidela and the parish council of By Norma Montenegro Flynn St. Paschal Mission Church in Catholic News Service Sterling City made plans to repair and improve the exterior of the WASHINGTON (CNS) — Father Augustus Tolton, who church building. The parish coun- in 1886 became the first identified Black priest ordained for cil proceeded with the plans and the United States, challenged the status quo to bring about so- secured a proposal from Gary cial change. Schwartzenberger, with Dad & Father Tolton lived a life of joy, rooted in his desire to the Boyz Construction from Lub- help others and humbly work to achieve equality and justice bock. After receiving approval for all, said participants of a panel discussion about the from Bishop Michael Sis of the priest's legacy. Diocese of San Angelo, an agree- The online presentation Aug. 29, titled "Tolton's Legacy: ment was reached with the work A Roadmap to Unity," was organized by the Tolton Ambassa- to begin Monday, Aug. 10. dor Corps, a nationwide group of Catholics commissioned to The scope of the work was to spread awareness about the significance of Father Tolton's be done in four phases and in- cause for sainthood. cluded the following: pouring a The Archdiocese of Chicago opened Father Tolton's saint- two foot splash pad along the hood cause in 2010. Pope Francis declared him "venerable" sides of the foundation so that in June 2019 after a theological commission unanimously rain water is diverted away from recognized his "virtuous and heroic life." Two steps of the the building to minimize any fu- process remain: beatification and canonization. ture shifting/upheaving of the Father Tolton served as a parish priest in Chicago, where foundation; grading and sloping he died in 1897 at age 43. the top soil away from the splash In keynote remarks, Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory of pads and distributing crushed Washington encouraged the faithful to work for justice and limestone rock on the east, west, righteousness, particularly during the current time of racial and front sides of the building for tension and intolerance. landscaping and beautification "Despite the presence of hatred and pain in our society, purposes; demolishing and replac- we can boldly and wholeheartedly live our faith with cou- ing the sidewalks on the east and rage," Archbishop Gregory said. "Racism is a plague that north sides of the building, which continues to desecrate even the church that Christ himself has included replacing the 16’ x 27’ established." concrete landing in front of the The archbishop encouraged online viewers to live their steps, while replacing the handi- COURTESY faith and work for justice and reconciliation. He said that cap ramp to be in compliance prayer, diligence, and hope were the basis of Father Tolton's with ADA standards; removing ministry in the face of intense, systemic societal and ecclesial and replacing the deteriorating racism. grout between the rock stones on "His testimony is a needed example to a world that pro- the exterior walls surrounding the foundly needs not to lose hope as we make every effort to building; installing of a 4’ x 2’ bring about justice in our time as Catholics today," he added. painted cross on top of the stee- Panelists addressed lessons from the life of the African ple.; and a power washing of the American priest who struggled with slavery, racism and in- exterior walls around the build- justice, but persevered because of his faith. They said his life ing. is an example of faithful commitment to justice that can in- Several individuals helped to spire today's Catholics. make this project possible and St. "The church really, truly formed him because they really Paschal wishes to acknowledge saved him. They took him from the ravages of his back- their contributions: Leland Foster ground and made something out of him, and gave him a — donated caliche rock; Ray chance in life that otherwise he would not have received from Sparks — provided a place for the others," said Auxiliary Bishop Joseph N. Perry of Chicago, demolished concrete; John Frerich archdiocesan postulator of the sainthood cause. — donated the crushed limestone Father Tolton was born in Missouri in 1854. While he rock; Eddie Wayne Cypert — do- was still a child, his mother escaped slavery with her chil- nated the trucking of the lime- dren, opening the door to a Catholic education that later stone rock, and Carl Hoelsher — flourished into a vocation. As his repeated efforts to enter coordinated the trucking and free seminaries in the U.S. were rebuffed, Father Tolton pursued landscape rock for the project. his priestly formation in Rome and was ordained a priest The parish council is most ap- there in 1886. preciative of contractor Gary After his ordination, he was sent back to the U.S. to serve Schwartzenberger and his boys in Illinois, becoming the first African American priest to do for taking the time to do the work missionary work in his own country. Throughout his ministry, properly while having the vision Father Tolton encountered widespread racism, but he re- to create a xeriscape environment mained focused on shattering barriers of prejudice and ha- around the church that enhances tred. the beauty of the facility while Panelists also addressed ways to boost the number of minimizing future maintenance Blacks in religious vocations and ways to support them as and watering expense. they experience rejection and discrimination. The parishioners are very Kathleen Dorsey Bellow, director of the Institute of Black proud of the improvements that Catholic Studies at Xavier University in New Orleans, called were made to the building and for greater access to faith formation and active involvement grounds of St. Paschal Mission of parishioners in the life of the church. COURTESY and would encourage everyone to "If we're going to have a thriving clergy, if we're going to drive by the church on 5th Street Gary Schwartzenberger of Dad & the Boyz Construction works to install and take a look for yourself. a new cross at the top of the steeple at St. Paschal Church in Sterling See TOLTON, Page 22 City. The Angelus SEPTEMBER 2020 Page 21 cases, the members of the family can take their inability ing the evil and remembering only the good. What is it KNICKERBOCKERS to forgive and forget into the culture outside the family. in the lives of people that makes them want to destroy In America we see this happening today. When we our culture and makes them unable to see the good that Continued from Page 8 consider the murder of George Floyd that was the cata- is also there? Is it something bad in their own lives that For example, when a family member has shattered lyst sparking the demonstrations which have degener- they are trying to erase by exposing the sins of those the unity of a family by sexual sin, alcoholism, or the ated into rioting and looting, we wonder what the who are dead? use of drugs (not uncommon problems), other family family life of George Floyd, the police officer who Just as a Christian can learn from his or her personal members can seek excuses for the transgressor. When killed him, and the thousands of rioters were like. What past, repent of sin, have the good affirmed, and forget this is done, it may indicate that the other members of happened in the families of these people that may have about the bad because it has been forgiven, so a family the family do not want to ask themselves what they may contributed to more deaths and much destruction of can do the same. And when family life is healthy, the have done to contribute to the family member’s aberrant property? culture is healthy. As St. Gregory of Nyssa says, behavior. On the other hand, we have seen family This does not mean that an individual person has no "When, therefore, we end that civil war within our- members come down hard on the transgressor, never choice in the matter. We have seen many people not selves, we become peace. By this peace we demonstrate seeking to understand the reasons for this wrongful be- only survive a poor family life but also rise above it and that the name of Christ, which we bear, is authentic and havior. Again, this may indicate the unwillingness of become a husband or wife, a father or mother of a new appropriate" (Liturgy of the Hours, IV,107). family members to face themselves and their culpability family that is healthy spiritually. - - - in the matter. It brings into sharper focus St. Paul's affirmation in Father Knick Knickerbocker is a retired priest of Often families become dysfunctional because of the his own life to "forget what lies behind and press on to the Diocese of San Angelo, ordained under the Pastoral refusal of family members to be honest with themselves what lies ahead." There is an effort among some in Provision which allows for the reception of married about themselves and to seek the righteousness of America to look only at the evil in the American past, former Episcopalian priests into the Catholic Church. Christ which alone can help them forgive and forget and but you cannot read history as the present in the past. He and his wife, Sandie, write a monthly column for the have the freedom to press on into the future. In such This is romanticism in reverse. It is as wrong as ignor- West Texas Angelus.

than did the other children. The number of re- SULLIMAN search articles that support the fact that beliefs Notice have massive impacts on what is perceived is Continued from Page 9 staggering. Indeed, the discipline of Social Psy- examples which lend credence to an increasingly chology has produced countless studies that dem- Are YOU interested in learning more about per- entrenched belief. If I believe that someone is a onstrate our “selective vision.” manent deacons? If so, please talk to your pastor very good person, no matter what the person There is no more important “belief” than our does, I will still have “evidence” to support that belief in God. It too, has its foundation in our then, if he agrees, send your contact information to: judgment. If they do something nice, I nod my early years and is the responsibility of parents to head knowingly with confirmation of my assess- develop. Children should see reflections of God [email protected] ment … if they do something “neutral,” I see it as in loving mothers and fathers who they can com- a subtle reflection of their goodness … if they do pletely trust and should know they are fully something terrible, I simply discount it as their loved. How difficult it becomes for us to trust the or call 325-651-7500 and ask for having a “bad day.” No matter what they do, my Father we cannot see when we experience abuse, opinion does not change. This works the same discouragement, negativity, criticism, and hurt Deacon Freddy Medina. way with every other belief we have as well. from the one we can see. Jesus knew the impor- If someone is suspicious about the “good- tance of childlike trust when he emphatically ness” of a person or a relationship, likewise, they stated “It would be better for him if a millstone will always be on the lookout for evidence to sup- were tied around his neck and he be thrown into Stay Connected with the port their viewpoint, weaving a collection of the sea than for him to cause one of these little words, actions, and feelings into a tapestry that, ones to sin” (Lk 17:2). Diocese of San Angelo taken out of their true context, provide useful When we see others that believe God is confirmation for their skewed vision. Once some- vengeful and inflicts people with diseases, blind- one is convinced of malevolence, it again makes ness, paralysis, and all other forms of pain, it is no difference what the person does. That is why our responsibility to do our best to help them see DOSA Mail someone who commits a serious crime has diffi- that “God is love” (1 Jn 4:8). That is not always culty finding someone, including members of pa- easy to do when the things we face seem to be in- role boards, who see them in a different light. consistent with a loving Father, and is the argu- The official Flocknote of the Diocese of San When I was completing my PhD and post- ment levied against “believers” by atheists. But Angelo. Receive texts or emails with important doctoral classes, I became a counselor and then we must not expect to “see” first before we be- Director of Guidance and Counseling at a very lieve as Thomas Merton writes in The Ascent to news, updates, and messages from the diocese. large high school in Tallahassee, Florida. After Truth, or the faith journey may never begin. the first week of my first year as the director, a Jesus also knew well how one’s beliefs, once Two ways to join: veteran social studies teacher came to me and was formed, were difficult to change. We see that very quite perplexed because I had not provided all the clearly In Mark 6:3-6: “Is he not the carpenter, 1) Text DOSA to 84576 teachers with the list of the “Walter Scott Cris- the son of Mary and the brother of James and OR well House” kids. The Criswell House was a half- Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his 2) Visit https://app.flocknote.com/dosamail way house for boys who had gotten in trouble sisters here with us? And they took offense at with the law. I asked why she wanted it. She told him. Jesus said to them ‘a prophet is not without me that she and the other teachers needed to honor except in his native place and among his know who the “bad kids” were. She was angry own kin and in his own house.’ So he was not when I told her I would not be providing that list able to perform any mighty deed there, apart from Social Media any longer and immediately went to the principal curing a few sick people by laying hands on them. in anticipation of her going over my head. I con- He was amazed by their lack of faith.” vinced him that there was no need to set those Diocese of San Angelo on Facebook: kids up for getting thrown out of class. At the end Jesus replies to Thomas’ lack of faith by tell- https://www.facebook.com/DioceseofSanAngelo of the year, I compared disciplinary referrals with ing him “Have you come to believe because you the previous year and the decline was staggering. have seen me? Blessed are those who have not There was more than a 75% reduction in dis- seen but have believed” (Jn 20:29). It is only Bishop Michael Sis on Twitter: cipline referrals. Did the young men suddenly be- when we truly believe that we will “see” … and @SABishopMike come better behaved that year or was the “biased when people can see Jesus in us, it will make it apperception” removed? This was not unlike a easier for them to believe. study a few years earlier by a Harvard professor - - - named Rosenthal who told teachers at an elemen- Dr. James Sulliman, a graduate of Rutgers On the Web tary school south of San Francisco that a group of University and Florida State University, has 50 children had particularly high IQs. In reality he years’ experience in individual, marriage, and had chosen them at random. Two years later, family therapy. He is also the Abilene-area pro- www.sanangelodiocese.org those children had a greater increase in their IQ life coordinator for the Diocese of San Angelo. Page 22 SEPTEMBER 2020 The Angelus selections from the Order of Christian Funerals. panic or alarm. We take reasonable steps to protect the BISHOP On our website, the Diocese of San Angelo provides health and well-being of ourselves and others, and we a sample form for designation of a health care agent for use our creativity to make the most of this difficult situ- Continued from Page 3 medical power of attorney ation. We allow the Holy Spirit to inspire us to greater important in our life and that we want to pass on to our (https://sanangelodiocese.org/end-of-life-preparation). holiness through it all. We allow Jesus Christ to accom- family and others. This is a way to appoint someone to make medical deci- pany us through these trying times. We reflect on our Our practical preparation also includes writing down sions on our behalf if we become unable to do so. own vulnerability and mortality. We make time to do ac- our preferences for funeral services and making plans for The website of the National Catholic Bioethics tivities that bring joy. We attend to the needs of others. our burial. It is very helpful to write down our desires Center offers a Catholic Guide to Palliative Care and We use the means available to us to help make connec- and talk them over with someone we love. These could Hospice as well as a Catholic Guide to End-of-Life Deci- tions to the ones we love. We let people know we care include, among other things, our preferences regarding sions (https://www.ncbcenter.org/store). These are very about them. We give thanks to God for each new day of the place for the funeral, the place for the burial, music to helpful resources. life. We repent of our sins and trust in the loving mercy be used in the funeral services, names and contact infor- As people of faith, we need to approach the current of God. We live fully in the present with an eye to eter- mation for potential pallbearers and lectors, and Scripture pandemic with seriousness and prudence, but not with nity.

Massingale, que da conferencias a lo largo y ancho frente a los demás, pero no quiero vivir con el odio ROLHEISER del país, cuenta cómo muchas veces, en sus conferen- consiguiente; y quiero señalar públicamente las injus- cias y en sus clases, la gente le pregunta: Pero, ¿cómo ticias y señalar nombres, pero no quiero alejarme de Continúa de Página 17 me enfrento a esto sin contrariar a la gente? Esta pre- esa misma gente. Así que esto me deja orando aún por Santo, y por eso el temperamento y los antecedentes gunta expresa acertadamente nuestra reticencia; y - el coraje necesario para la profecía. de uno sólo pueden servir como explicación y no creo yo- señala no sólo el problema sino también el Hace varios años, un profesor que visitó nuestra como excusa por la falta de coraje. desafío. escuela, un afro-americano, estuvo contando a nuestra Destaco esto porque nuestra situación hoy nos re- Como diría Shakespeare: “¡Ah, ahí está el bu- facultad algunas de las injusticias casi diarias que él clama coraje, el coraje para la profecía. Hoy necesita- silis!” Para mí, esta cuestión toca un nervio moral experimenta simplemente a causa del color de su piel. mos desesperadamente profetas, pero escasean; y sensible. Si hubiera estado en una de sus clases, no En un momento le pregunté: “Si yo, como hombre demasiados de nosotros no estamos deseosos de pres- habría dudado en haber sido uno de los que le hicie- blanco, me acercara a ti, como Nicodemo se acercó a tarnos a esa tarea. ¿Por qué no? ron esa pregunta: “Pero, ¿cómo desafío al racismo sin Jesús por la noche, y te preguntara qué debería hacer, Un reciente número de la revista Commonweal contrariar a la gente? He aquí mi problema: Yo quiero ¿qué me dirías?” Su respuesta: Jesús no excusó a Nic- presentaba un artículo de Bryan Massingale, una hablar claro proféticamente, pero no quiero contrariar odemo fácilmente sólo porque confesó sus temores. fuerte voz profética sobre la cuestión del racismo. a los otros; quiero desafiar el privilegio blanco al que Nicodemo tuvo que hacer un acto público para traer Massingale opina que la razón de que veamos tan estamos ciegos tan congénitamente, pero no quiero su fe a la luz, tuvo que solicitar el cuerpo muerto de poco progreso verdadero en el tratamiento de la injus- alejarme de la gente generosa y de buen corazón que Jesús. Por lo tanto, su desafío para mí: necesitas hacer ticia racial es la ausencia de voces proféticas donde sostiene nuestra escuela; quiero hablar claro más fuer- un acto público. son más necesarias, en este caso, entre los muchos temente contra la injusticia en mis escritos, pero no Tenía razón; pero aún estoy orando para que el blancos buenos que ven la injusticia social, simpati- quiero que, como resultado, muchos periódicos dejen coraje profético haga eso. ¿Y no estamos orando zan con los que la sufren, pero no hacen nada por ella. de publicar mi columna; quiero ser valiente y hacer todos nosotros por lo mismo?

Dios requiere de alguna manera la rectitud litúrgica, BARRON como si la corrección de nuestro culto añadiera algo TOLTON a su perfección o satisficiera alguna necesidad psi- Continúa de Página 17 cológica suya. Si tienen alguna duda al respecto, re- Continued from Page 20 robar, no cometer adulterio, no codiciar, no matar, comiendo la lectura atenta del primer capítulo del have religious, then we as laypeople have to be partners etc. Hasta ahora, muy kantiano. profeta Isaías y el salmo 50. Dios no necesita el arca with them. We have to be recruiting them, we have to be Pero lo que probablemente sorprenda a la may- y el tabernáculo y las vestiduras sacerdotales y el supporting them, we have to make sure we stand up for oría de los lectores contemporáneos del libro del culto regular, pero nosotros sí. A través de los gestos them when they run into hardships," Bellow said. Éxodo es que, inmediatamente después de la exposi- y símbolos de su alabanza litúrgica, Israel se pone en Bishop Perry invited families and parish communities ción de los mandamientos morales, el autor pasa línea con Dios, se ordena a él. La ley moral dirige to nurture vocations like the religious people who encour- prácticamente el resto del texto, los capítulos 25 a nuestras voluntades a la bondad divina, pero la ley li- aged Father Tolton to consider his vocation. 40, delineando las prescripciones litúrgicas que el túrgica dirige nuestras mentes, nuestros corazones, "I encourage members of parish councils to have an eye pueblo debe seguir. Así que, por ejemplo, encontra- nuestras emociones, y sí, incluso nuestros cuerpos, al to see who's out there," he said. mos una larga sección sobre la construcción del arca esplendor divino. Observen cuán minuciosamente las The panelists pointed out that in working for reconcili- de la alianza: “Harás un arca de madera de acacia: instrucciones ceremoniales del Éxodo involucran el ation, creating dialogues that foster a culture of encounter ciento veinticinco centímetros de largo por setenta y color, el sonido y el olor (hay mucho sobre el in- is essential. cinco de ancho y setenta y cinco de alto. La revesti- cienso), y cómo conducen a la producción de "We need to have a conversation, but a conversation rás de oro puro por dentro y por fuera, y alrededor le belleza. that doesn't begin and end with the condemnation of aplicarás un listón de oro”. Y como adorno en la He dicho antes que el énfasis del Éxodo en lo li- people. It has to be a conversation that says this is the situ- parte superior del arca, “Harás dos querubines cince- túrgico y ceremonial tiene una profunda relevancia ation that we're living with. We all have an investment, and lados en oro… Estarán uno frente a otro, mirando al en nuestro tiempo, y aquí está el porqué. Por muy there's room for all of us to grow," Archbishop Gregory centro de la tapa… cada uno arrancará de un extremo buenas razones, nos abstuvimos completamente del said. de la tapa, y la cubrirán con las alas extendidas hacia culto público, e incluso ahora nuestra capacidad de Throughout history, the archbishop continued, many arriba”. A continuación, encontramos instrucciones dar culto juntos es muy limitada. En la mayoría de other people from racial and ethnic groups also experienced sobre el elaborado mobiliario dentro del tabernáculo, las diócesis de nuestro país, la obligación de asistir a racism and prejudice and discussing such experiences can incluyendo un candelabro, una mesa para los llama- la misa dominical está —de nuevo por razones váli- be helpful as communities seek healing. dos “panes presentados”, pilares y varias colgaduras. das— suspendida. Mi temor es que cuando llegue el "We should be able to speak honestly about how that Por último, una enorme cantidad de espacio se ded- momento propicio, cuando podamos volver a la has shaped us and what we can do to be more compassion- ica a la descripción de las vestimentas que deben misa, muchos católicos se mantengan alejados, ya ately understanding toward one another," Archbishop Greg- usar los sacerdotes de Israel. Aquí hay sólo una que se han acostumbrado a ausentarse del culto. Y mi ory said. muestra: “Ornamentos que confeccionarán: efod, preocupación toma una forma más específicamente Other panelists included Cecilia Moore, associate pro- pectoral, manto, túnica bordada, turbante y faja. Los kantiana: Muchos católicos se dirán a sí mismos: fessor of religious studies at the University of Dayton, and ornamentos… se confeccionarán en oro, púrpura vio- “Sabes, mientras sea básicamente una buena per- Father David Jones, pastor of St. Benedict the African Par- lácea, roja y escarlata y lino”. sona, ¿de qué sirve todo este culto formal a Dios?”. ish in Chicago. No se da ninguna indicación de que las prescrip- ¿Puedo recomendarles que saquen su Biblia, la In closing, the speakers encouraged Black Catholics ciones morales sean de alguna manera más impor- abran en el libro del Éxodo, especialmente los capí- and others to follow the example set by Father Tolton and tantes que las litúrgicas. En todo caso, parece que tulos 25 a 40, y consideren cuán crucialmente impor- other saints who have shown love and grace amid adversity. ocurre lo contrario, ya que al Éxodo le sigue inmedi- tante para Dios es el culto correcto ofrecido por su "Regardless of what is dished out to us," Bishop Perry atamente el libro del Levítico, que consta de veintio- pueblo santo? La liturgia siempre ha importado. Las said, "we have to return respect and love and that in itself cho capítulos de leyes alimentarias y litúrgicas. vestiduras de la Misa, los gestos rituales, los olores y will save the world." Entonces, ¿qué vamos a hacer los post-kantianos con las campanas, las canciones y el silencio, siguen - - - esto? En primer lugar, debemos observar que los siendo importantes. ¿No es suficiente con que seas Montenegro Flynn writes for the Catholic Standard, autores bíblicos no piensan ni por un momento que una buena persona? No quiero exagerar en nada: no. newspaper of the Archdiocese of Washington. The Angelus SEPTEMBER 2020 Page 23 through social media platforms. when you can't sit at his feet? URENECK It is true that God is present where My son knows that the space is dif- two or three are gathered, and grace ferent, too. He observes that his father Member Continued from Page 18 does sanctify our ordinary activities. and I act differently there than we do at Catholic News Service the Lord in the tabernacle, was so wel- Nature has also been a godsend. I don't home. When we take him to socially Catholic Press Association come. The feeling that this space was know how I'd be faring if I couldn’t distanced Mass, he is captivated by the different from other ordinary spaces pray while hiking the nearby reservoir stained-glass windows and lights up Texas Catholic News was palpable in a way that was more or go sit by the ocean. when the bells ring at the elevation of Published the 1st Monday following magnified than before the pandemic But sacred spaces — those where the host. began. God dwells — are true sanctuaries. You Our baby is proof that our senses the 1st Saturday of each month and While social distancing has helped know it viscerally by their silence, their need the sacred. Pastors, please keep delivered to all registered many of us to more intentionally make smell, by the creaking kneelers and the your doors open as much as you safely parishioners in the our homes "domestic churches" by in- draft in the rafters. The air is different can. corporating more religious imagery or inside. - - - San Angelo Diocese. scattering sacramentals around, that Jesus tells us that Martha "chose the Elise Italiano Ureneck is a com- Subscription rate for all others: same space is also where we eat, rec- better part." But what do you do for munications consultant and is a colum- $10 per year reate, work, study, exercise and scroll months — maybe a year or more — nist for Catholic News Service. THIRD CLASS POSTAGE PAID AT SAN ANGELO, TEXAS a need for temporary foster care, she vol- this ever end? Yes, it will end and I’ll Printed by CALDAROLA unteered, despite a pandemic and having move on to the next challenge. This is three young children of her own. life. Cherish it every day and find the Livestock Weekly Continued from Page 18 From my cousin, and from my own good in it. San Angelo, Texas U.S. was cutting our refugee admissions memories, I’ve learned some lessons. Thirdly, in every aspect of life, God drastically, a tragic turn of events. One, life is very short. Do what you exists. God has a lesson for me in every Recently, I found out that a relative can for people when you can and do it as circumstance, something to teach me. Be Submissions: of mine had invited into her home four well as you can. Then, don’t spend time still and listen. Story suggestions, calendar items, young refugees from Somalia. Since their with regrets. Lastly, we all need to know our parish briefs and all other acceptance into the U.S. with their Secondly, when going through some- limits. Every life has boundaries and mother a couple of years ago, my cousin thing challenging, whether illness, every country has borders. But God is submissions should be emailed to has been assisting them, getting them COVID-19 isolation or a stressful situ- continually inviting us to stretch our- [email protected] into good schools and offering sustaining ation, my tendency can be to obsess, selves, to do more than we ever thought friendship. Then, when a crisis produced thinking of it as the central reality. Will we could. COPY, PHOTO DEADLINE: en el peor caso, 600,000 norteamericanos alto valor en la vida, hasta la de los ancia- Third Friday of every month. SANDOVAL morirían, pero que, en un año o dos el nos. virus probablemente tendría poco im- No obstante, la amenaza a la vida ex- Photos should be in jpeg format. Continúa de Página 17 pacto, la población habiendo disminuido iste, sin sangre, sin empatía. Imagínese todo, no importa el costo. sólo 3 %. Aboga que simplemente tene- como podríamos bregar con cientos de Letters to the editor are welcome, Smith entrevistó a Alex Berenson, mos que aceptar la muerte de cientos de miles cuando 20,000 muertos abrumaron prominente por sus escrituras y participa- miles. Ignora el éxito de China, Corea del los sistemas médicos en Nueva York. and should be emailed to ción en televisión de noticias, quien opinó Sur, Nueva Zelandia y Grecia, entre otros, Sería un apocalipsis con horrores no [email protected] que la póliza actual de mitigación y de en neutralizar el virus y restablecer sus imaginables. Letters to the editor are printed at the salvar vidas es el equivoco más grande de economías sin masas de muertos. Dividiéndonos entre los que cuentan nuestra época, peor que Vietnam, impul- Aún, esa lógica tiene su audiencia en y los que no cuentan ha sido el problema discretion of the editor and identities sado por histeria de los medios de comu- altos consejos, aunque, como escribe siempre — en la administración de justi- of the writer are subject to nicación. "Los políticos temen demasiado Smith, el presidente Trump, el gobernador cia, la educación, inmigración y rela- verification. Please include name, por la muerte de los ancianos, que de Ron DeSantis de Florida, y otros no le ciones entre las razas. todas maneras van a morir pronto," dijo. ponen importancia a salvar vidas, quizás El dicho, "Unidos triunfamos, desuni- address and phone number when Berenson escribió recientemente que, porque la política ordinaria humana pone dos fallamos," es lo clave siempre. submitting letters.

y otros trabajadores esenciales no compartan nuestras parroquias. Muchos OSPINO pueden realizar de manera remota. Estas de ellos traen a sus bebés para ser bauti- Bishop Michael J. Sis personas deben estar allí, en el lugar zados, van a Misa para ser sostenidos Publisher Continúa de Página 17 donde los necesitan, y por consiguiente con la Eucaristía y buscan apoyo espiri- los hoteles o personas que trabajan en arriesgan todo, incluso su salud y su tual de parte de los líderes pastorales ca- limpieza no siempre reciben. vida. También arriesgan el bienestar de tólicos. Brian Bodiford No es un secreto que los empleados sus familias y de sus amigos. ¿Les hemos encontrado? ¿Les Editor en las industrias minera y agrícola, y Los hispanos tienen entre tres y cua- hemos dicho, "gracias por lo que aquellos que trabajan en servicios gener- tro veces más posibilidades de infectarse hacen"? ¿Les hemos expresado nuestra Director of Communications ales y de hospitalidad tengan salarios con el virus del COVID-19 que las per- solidaridad diciéndoles, ¿"cómo les bajos. Muchos de ellos necesitan dos y sonas de raza blanca. El Centro de Con- podemos apoyar"? tres trabajos para cumplir sus obliga- trol y Prevención de Enfermedades Esos trabajadores hispanos que ar- ciones. El impacto de dichas circunstan- reportó recientemente que más del 26% riesgan sus vidas para sobrevivir y ase- cias en su vida personal y familiar es de las muertes asociadas con el virus gurarse que la economía de esta nación notable. El virus COVID-19, en unos COVID-19 en los Estados Unidos ocur- se mantenga a flote no pueden ser igno- pocos meses, hizo que trabajos difíciles rieron entre los hispanos. rados por nuestra comunidad católica. The West Texas Angelus lo sean mucho más. Cerca del 70% de los hispanos iden- Necesitamos solidarizarnos con estos Official Newspaper of the Muchos de los empleos que los his- tificaron el virus COVID-19 como la trabajadores valientes con un espíritu Diocese of San Angelo, Texas panos tienen son empleos de sobrevi- mayor amenaza para sus vidas y su bie- católico. Ellos son nuestros hermanos y vencia, literalmente. El virus COVID-19 nestar. Más urgente que temas de migra- hermanas. Con ellos somos nación e POSTMASTER: Send all address le ha dado un significado nuevo a la pa- ción, economía y racismo. Cerca del iglesia. changes to: labra sobrevivencia. Millones de hispa- 60% de hispanos viven en hogares en Oremos con agradecimiento por WEST TEXAS ANGELUS nos no tienen el lujo de trabajar desde donde alguien perdió su trabajo o reci- estos trabajadores, millones de ellos in- sus hogares, usando sus computadores o bió una reducción salarial reciente- migrantes y refugiados, y por los mu- P.O. Box 1829 en oficinas con ventilación adecuada. mente. chos otros que como ellos laboran cada SAN ANGELO, TX Recoger las cosechas, cuidar a los Sabiendo que aproximadamente la día con amor y sacrificio. 76902-1829 ancianos, limpiar edificios, cuidar niños, mitad de todos los hispanos se identifi- - - - cocinar y servir comidas en los restau- can como católicos, es muy posible que Ospino es profesor de teología y rantes, etc., son tareas que los hispanos muchos de estos trabajadores valientes educación religiosa en Boston College. Page 24 SEPTEMBER 2020 The Angelus Rural Life Mass Aug. 27, 2020 Mandujano Brothers Produce Company, Coyanosa, Texas

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