North Texas Catholic Bringing the Good News to the Diocese of Fort Worth Vol. 25 No. 7 April 10, 2009 The resurrection of Jesus is depicted in a mosaic at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Con- ception in Washington. Easter, the feast of the Resurrection, is met by the Church’s cries of “Alleluia, Christ is risen indeed!” (CNS PHOTO/ PAUL HARING) 40th anniversary series Bishop Vann to lead Stations of the to highlight the development of the Cross in downtown Fort Worth Bishop Kevin W. Vann will lead a liturgy hours of Jesus’ life on Earth. The liturgy communion on Good Friday along Fort Worth’s new will use the Stations of the Cross written downtown grand boulevard, Lancaster by Pope John Paul II. of Catholics in our Ave., to commemorate the passion and The public proclamation of the Stations crucifi xion of Jesus Christ. of the Cross is a reminder to Catholics and 28 counties Organized by the diocesan Offi ce of all Christians of Jesus’ example of the pow- The fi rst article in the series appears Peace and Justice, Bishop Vann will be er of prayer, especially at times when there on p. 20 of this issue. joined by a gathering of people on Lan- are crosses to bear, diocesan Peace and At right is the diocesan seal to be caster, between Houston and Jennings Justice Director Deacon Len Sanchez said. used during the 40th anniversary. Streets, at 10 a.m. Friday, April 10, for the “In walking the Stations of the Cross we Stations of the Cross which recalls the fi nal SEE STATIONS, P. 20 Bishops Vann, Farrell honored for ‘exemplary pro-life leadership’ By María del Carmen Uceda by building on our young. We need to Left to Right: Dallas and Jesús Gras transmit the value of life,” he said. “Our Bishop Kevin Farrell Correspondents young people do not live in a world in and Fort Worth Bishop DALLAS — Dallas Bishop Kevin Far- which most of us lived where human Kevin Vann pose with rell and Fort Worth Bishop Kevin Vann life was sacred, and we need to transmit the plaques they were received a special award March 28 for that culture. awarded, signifying their leadership and support in protecting “It is a time when we need to make a their receipt of the the sanctity of life. special effort to promote a culture of life With more than 2,200 people in at- from conception to natural death among Bishop Grahmann tendance at the 16th annual Catholic our young people,” Bishop Farrell said. Award for Exemplary Pro-Life Dinner, Bishops Farrell and Vann Bishop Vann, in an interview, said that Pro-Life Leadership received the Bishop Grahmann Award for teaching is important for shepherds. from the Catholic Exemplary Pro-Life Leadership from the “The mission of a shepherd is that of Pro-Life Committee of Catholic Pro-Life Committee of North a teacher, and you do what you need to North Texas at their Texas. do … you teach,” he said. 16th annual banquet In his remarks, Bishop Farrell spoke Like the bishops, the keynote speaker, March 16. about Pope John Paul II’s “Gospel of Gianna Jessen, an abortion survivor who (TEXAS CATHOLIC PHOTO BY Life.” has cerebral palsy, talked to the youth DAVID SEDEÑO) “His sense was that we need to cre- about making faithful decisions. Jessen’s ate a new culture of life and we do that SEE BISHOPS, P. 20 Page 2 NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC, April 10, 2009 Diocesan The Resurrection of the Lord Dear Friends in the his favorite Greek terms are the two is peace. For this reason the Church he clearest witness words dynamis and energeia. It is from repeats insistently: “Christ is risen Risen Lord, these Greek terms that we get words — Christós anésti.” Let the people of to God is love, in like dynamic and energy, words that the third millennium not be afraid to nce T open their hearts to him. His Gospel convey a profound meaning especially again, that the power of the when used to refer to the power of the totally quenches the thirst for peace O cross and resurrection of Christ, which and happiness that is found in every with great is shared with every member of the human heart. Christ is now alive and Risen Lord is evident in Body of Christ. he walks with us. What an immense joy and The Risen Christ also offers us a mystery of love! Christus resurrexit, our lives and how we live. unique perspective regarding the true quia Deus caritas est! Alleluia! Faith, power of life. He shows us that this May we live the truth of the power If Christ is not risen, then power of life is born out of weakness our local and love of the Lord’s Resurrection in expressed by his humble death on all of the Season of Easter. This “im- Bishop Kevin W. Vann the cross on Good Friday. Christ is an Church is “we are the most foolish mense mystery of love” should be re- example to all of us of the connection fl ected in all aspects of our lives: our between power and humility. He also united with followers of of men” as St. Paul says relationships, our speech, and how shows us how power without humility we treat each other in the Body of Christ around the globe to does not promote life and many times in another place. Christ and to all who come our way. can weaken and end it. This is not un- celebrate the triumphant The clearest witness to God is love, like some of the leaders in the Lord’s in that the power of the Risen Lord is ter Vigil, participate in the new and day and our day as well, as we strive Resurrection of our Lord evident in our lives and how we live. everlasting life of the Risen Christ. St to live a culture of life in the face of If Christ is not risen, then “we are the Paul, whose year we are still celebrat- challenges in our own culture and our and Savior Jesus Christ, the most foolish of men” as St. Paul says ing, speaks of this power of God in the own household, at times. in another place. central mystery and foun- Risen Christ, by saying: Salvation is the power of life which Thanks to all in our Diocese and we celebrate throughout Easter. Sin dation of our Faith. As St. For I am not ashamed of the gospel. It parishes who have worked so hard and death have been given a fatal is the power of God for the salvation of for the Lenten Days, the Triduum, the blow and have been defeated for all Paul says in Romans 6:9, everyone who believes… (Romans 1:16) reception of the Easter Sacraments, time. We need to joyfully celebrate and especially our parish priests, cat- We know that Christ raised from the sing our Alleluias with dynamis and God raised the Lord and will also raise us echists, teachers, and RCIA directors. dead, dies no more; death no longer energiea! We need to give testimony by by his power… (1 Corinthians 6:14) Safe travels to all this holy season. has power over him. our lives that as people of the Resur- I ask your prayers and congratula- Pope Benedict XVI in his fi rst Urbi et rection, we live in hope and love. Why does St. Paul teach this in tions for my good friend Archbishop Orbi message in 2006 also emphasized I would like to bring my refl ection his letter to the Romans? Because Dolan, who will be installed as Arch- this point of the power of life over death to a close with the fi nal words from Christ has the POWER OF LIFE! bishop of New York on April 15 and in the Risen Christ: Pope Benedict’s Urbi et Orbi Message The Paschal candles of the Easter for my parents who will be celebrat- from 2006. Vigil throughout the Diocese of Fort His resurrection becomes our resur- ing their 59th wedding anniversary Worth are lights that proclaim to the rection, through Baptism which “in- May the Risen Lord grant that the that same day! world that our Lord Jesus Christ, the corporates” us into him. The prophet strength of his life, peace and freedom Christ is risen, He is Risen Indeed. light of the world, is alive! He has Ezekiel had foretold this: “Behold, I be experienced everywhere. Today the Alleluia! the Power of Life and because of this will open your graves, and raise you words with which the Angel reassured Gratefully in the Risen Lord the tomb is empty! from your graves, O my people; and the frightened hearts of the women on The meaning and true signifi cance I will bring you home into the land Easter morning are addressed to all: of power is often diffi cult to under- of Israel” (Ez 37:12). These prophetic “Do not be afraid! ... He is not here; stand and live in today’s world. For words take on a singular value on Eas- he is risen” (Matthew 28:5-6). Jesus is + Bishop Kevin W. Vann example, many believe that money is ter Day, because today the Creator’s risen, and he gives us peace; he himself Bishop of Fort Worth power, whereas those in the political promise is fulfi lled; today, even in this realm believe it comes from the num- modern age marked by anxiety and ber of their adherents or the exercise uncertainty, we relive the event of the of authority over others.