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Volume 11, Issue 8 Serving More Than A Million Catholics in the Diocese of Brownsville JANUARY 2020 Listen to the Word of God

Paul Haring / Catholic News Service Pope Francis establishes ‘Word of God’ Sunday By CAROL GLATZ proprio,” on the pope’s own initiative. Its title, Catholic News Service Aperuit Illis, is based on a verse from the Gospel of St. Luke, “Then he opened their minds to VATICAN CITY — To help the church understand the Scriptures.” grow in love and faithful witness to God, Pope “The relationship between the risen Lord, the Francis has declared Jan. 26, the third Sunday in community of believers and sacred Scripture is Ordinary Time, to be dedicated to the word of essential to our identity as Christians,” the pope God. said in the apostolic letter, released by the Vatican Salvation, faith, unity and mercy all depend Sept. 30, the feast of St. Jerome, patron saint of on knowing Christ and sacred Scripture, the biblical scholars. pontiff said in a document issued last fall. “The Bible cannot be just the heritage of Devoting this special day “to the celebration, some, much less a collection of books for the study and dissemination of the word of God” will benefit of a privileged few. It belongs above all to help the church “experience anew how the risen those called to hear its message and to recognize Lord opens up for us the treasury of his word and themselves in its words,” the pope wrote. enables us to proclaim its unfathomable riches “The Bible is the book of the Lord’s people,

Catholic News Service before the world,” the pope said. who, in listening to it, move from dispersion “Sunday of the Word of God will be observed and division toward unity” as well as come to In the top photo, Pope Francis holds up a Bible as he promotes reading of the Bible at Mass Jan. 26 in every parish of every diocese understand God’s love and become inspired to during his Angelus delivered from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter’s around the world,” said Luis Espinoza, Director share it with others, he added. Square at the Vatican in 2014. In the photo above, Pope Francis holds up the Book of of Liturgy & Worship for the Diocese of Without the Lord who opens people’s minds Gospels during Mass. To help the Church grow in love and faithful witness to God, the Brownsville. to his word, it is impossible to understand the Pontiff has declared Jan. 26, the third Sunday in ordinary time, to be dedicated to the The declaration to have Sunday of the Word Scriptures in depth, yet “without the Scriptures, Word of God. of God was made in a document, given “motu » Please see Word of God p.2

Pro-Life EN ESPAÑOL Spirit Awards ...Page 7-10 Páginas 10-12 ...Page 14 Artículos sobre resoluciones que todo cristiano How to become Catholic puede hacer en Año Nuevo y el retiro y estudio involved in Schools de “Teología del Cuerpo: Curso de Inmersión de the Pro-Life Week, Mente y Corazón”, que se presenta en español movement Jan. 27-31, por primera vez. as the Feb. 8 begins with March for Life Spirit Awards. approaches.

For video and more photos Visit the Diocese of Brownsville on its social media pages. 2 DIOCESE The Valley Catholic - January 2020 Blessings at Sacred Heart Parish

Paul Binz / The Valley Catholic Bishop Daniel E. Flores blessed the church and consecrated the new altar at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Mercedes on Dec. 17 as part of the parish’s 50th anniversary celebration. Sacred Heart Church started as a mission chapel of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church. The first building used as the church was located on Missouri Street in Mercedes. The chapel was moved to the present Sacred Heart Church location when the parish was erected in 1969 by Bishop Humberto Medeiros.

Please pray for our bishops La Posada Providencia celebrates on their journey to Rome Please offer your prayers at this time for Bishop Daniel E. 30 years of ‘welcoming’ Flores and Auxiliary Bishop Mario A. Avilés as they travel to Rome later this month for their ad limina meeting with Pope Francis. On this quinquennial (every five years) visit, our bishops will give an account of the condition of the diocese and receive the Pontiff’s admonitions and counsels.

Courtesy photo More than a hundred people gathered at San Benito’s Community Center on Dec. 8 to celebrate La Posada Providencia’s 30th anniversary with a dinner honoring those who have been and remain connected to its ministry of “welcoming the stranger.” Cameron County Commissioner Gus Ruiz and County Judge Eddie Treviño, Jr. present Program Director Sister Zita Telkamp, CDP, with a proclamation from Cameron County marking La Posada Providencia’s 30 years of welcoming the stranger in the Lower Rio Grande Valley.

shut, struck as we are by so many the beauty of God’s word and to Word of God forms of blindness,” he wrote. see it applied to their daily lives,” continued from pg. 1 Sacred Scripture and the he wrote. 700 N. Virgen de San Juan Blvd., San Juan, TX 78589-3042 sacraments are inseparable, he Pope Francis also encouraged Telephone: (956) 781-5323 • Fax: (956) 784-5082 wrote. Jesus speaks to everyone people to read the Second Vatican the events of the mission with his word in sacred Council’s dogmatic constitution, Bishop Daniel E. Flores South Texas Circulation of Jesus and of his church Scripture, and if people “hear his Dei Verbum, and Pope Benedict Publisher Circulation in this world would remain voice and open the doors of our XVI’s apostolic exhortation, Brenda Nettles Riojas The Valley Catholic email: incomprehensible,” he wrote. minds and hearts, then he will Verbum Domini, whose teaching Editor [email protected] Pope Francis said in the enter our lives and remain ever remains “fundamental for our Paul Binz letter, “A day devoted to the Bible with us,” he said. communities.” Follow us on Facebook Assistant Editor should not be seen as a yearly Pope Francis urged priests The third Sunday in Ester Salas Catholic Diocese of Brownsville www.cdob.org event but rather a yearlong to be extra attentive to creating Ordinary Time falls during that Graphic Artist event, for we urgently need to a homily throughout the year part of the year when the church Subscription rate Ricardo Treviño grow in our knowledge and love that “speaks from the heart” and is encouraged to strengthen its Content Developer $15 per year • $17 outside of Texas $25 out of U.S. of the Scriptures and of the risen really helps people understand bonds with the Jewish people Lord, who continues to speak his Scripture “through simple and and to pray for Christian unity. Member of The Valley Catholic, a publication of the word and to break bread in the suitable” language. That means the celebration of the Catholic Press Association Diocese of Brownsville, is published monthly community of believers.” The homily “is a pastoral the Sunday of the Word of God Advertising “We need to develop a opportunity that should not “has ecumenical value, since the Gustavo Morales Gilbert Saenz Paul Binz closer relationship with sacred be wasted. For many of our Scriptures point out, for those (956) 266-1527 (956) 451-5416 (956) 784-5055 Scripture; otherwise, our hearts faithful, in fact, this is the only who listen, the path to authentic Parishes and missions please call Paul Binz at (956) 784-5055 for church rates. will remain cold and our eyes opportunity they have to grasp and firm unity.” January 2020 - The Valley Catholic DIOCESE 3 Knights of Columbus cross border to help stranded immigrants Flores told the immigrants Program has gathered. “You have an identity that God has given you as sons made stops in and daughters of God.” It is that sort of respect and recognition for immigrants 3 Mexico cities that has shone through in the By R. DANIEL CAVAZOS distributions the Knights of The Valley Catholic Columbus have made in three Mexican border cities in the last BROWNSVILLE — The few months of 2019. The Knights’ doors of the truck trailer swung border initiative started in El open, and three bishops peered Paso, as council and parishes inside for a look. there started efforts in early 2019 The trailer was filled with to raise funds to cover expenses food, shoes, socks and personal to provide basic necessities for hygiene items. This was a immigrants that had gathered in mission of mercy, a way-stop in Juárez. Brownsville before the supplies The needs were ongoing and crossed over to Matamoros to grew increasingly urgent, so help immigrants marooned in Knights in El Paso reached out the Mexican border city. to Simonton for help. The Texas Knights of Columbus from Supreme Director reached out Texas and Mexico gathered to the national organization and around Bishop Daniel E. Supreme Knight Carl Anderson Flores and Auxiliary Bishop to make him aware of the Mario Avilés of the Diocese of situation. Those discussions led Knights of Columbus / Special to The Valley Catholic Anderson to create the Southern Brownsville, and Bishop Eugenio Bishop Daniel E. Flores, Bishop Eugenio Lira of Matamoros and Auxiliary Bishop Mario Avilés join Knights of Columbus and Lira of Matamoros. Bishop Flores Border Initiative, which to date Caballeros de Colón, their counterparts in Mexico, on Dec. 13 for a distribution of essentials to refugees in Matamoros as part has provided more than $200,000 led a prayer and a blessing of the of the Knights’ Southern Border Initiative. supplies, which represented the in assistance to help meet the third leg of the Knights’ Southern Matamoros event. “Charity is the enter the United States legally to one family, one church — and we needs of immigrants and to Border Initiative. first principle of our Order and it go through the asylum process. are thankful to the Knights and support those organizations It was Friday, the 13th of will always be our first principle.” The three bishops inother groups that are here to help assisting them. December, and the mostly The Knights demonstrated Brownsville, and then later in the immigrants.” “The only reason we were Central American immigrants that charity in October in Ciudad the day in Matamoros, spoke of In Matamoros, at a shelter there in Juárez, Piedras Negras gathered in Matamoros were Juárez and Piedras Negras with the kindness and concern shown set up to help immigrants, the and now Matamoros is that the about to get much-needed two distributions for immigrants by the Knights of Columbus bishops and Knights from both refugees were in desperate need supplies for the holidays, thanks bottled up in those Mexican and other organizations that countries assured those gathered of help,” said Simonton, who to the Knights of Columbus. border cities as they await entry have demonstrated their faith that their plight will not be handed checks to Bishops Flores “The Knights of Columbus into the United States to legally and humanity in assisting the forgotten. and Lira to go toward meeting are always ready to help — that’s claim asylum. The same situation immigrants. “We are here to give this the humanitarian needs of the just what we do, is help,’’ said Terry exists in Matamoros where a “This is a signal of what we testimony, that you are to be immigrants. “There is no doubt Simonton, the organization’s tent city has emerged, filled are like here on the border,” treated as a person, not as a that these distributions have Supreme Director for Texas, with many mothers and young Bishop Avilés said. “When one problem, a number, a statistic that helped the shelters and changed who was at the Brownsville- children who are also waiting to side needs help, we are there — does not have an identity,” Bishop » Please see Knights p.14 First time in the Diocese: ‘Theology of the Body’ in Spanish The Valley Catholic in Georgia, was subsequently CNS / Arturo Mari, L’Osservatore Romano founded to help Catholics at large St. John Paul II walks down a gravel SAN JUAN — Theology deal with the complexity of Pope path in an undated photo by Vatican of the Body, one of Pope St. John Paul II’s work. photographer Arturo Mari. During his John Paul II’s most important Christopher West, a longtime Wednesday audiences from 1979 legacies, will be expounded for teacher of Theology of the to 1984, the Polish pontiff offered the first time in the Rio Grande Body and author of Theology a catechesis on “Human Love in Valley later this month during an of the Body Explained, says the Divine Plan,” also known as the intensive retreat at the St. Eugene in Wikipedia that “John Paul’s “Theology of the Body.” de Mazenod Renewal Center TOB is most often cast as an spanning six days. extended catechesis on marriage Another first for the diocese and sexual love. It certainly is is that the retreat and study, that, but it is also so much more. “Theology of the Body: Head and Through the mystery of the Heart Immersion Course,” will Incarnate person and the biblical be conducted in Spanish. analogy of spousal love, John Theology of the Body is an Paul II’s catechesis illumines the analysis of human sexuality, its entirety of God’s plan for human divine origins and its spiritual life from origin to eschaton with aspects. It evolved from a a splendid supernatural light.” compilation of 129 lectures The institute describes its delivered over a five-year span introductory course as follows: by Pope John Paul II during “This course offers a dynamic his pontificate. He gave these and practical introduction to sermons between Sept. 5, the most essential points of the 1979, and Nov. 28, 1984, and Theology of the Body, with a later added encyclicals and panoramic vision of the work, • Daily Mass, adoration, and at the John Paul II Institute in Jan. 19-24 at the St. Eugene de other augmentation on the following the same order and confession Mexico City. He also graduated Mazenod Renewal Center at the topic. The subject itself derived structure of John Paul II’s 129 • Accommodations and meals from the Theology of the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan from St. Pope Paul VI’s 1968 papal audiences: God’s original • Free time for relaxation and Body Institute in Philadelphia, del Valle-National Shrine. The encyclical Humanae vitae and plan for the human person, the networking. where he specialized in the cost all-inclusive registration other precedents dating back body and sexuality; the fall and The instructor for theTheology of the Body, Love cost: $795 and includes double to St. Thomas Aquinas, and the redemption; the resurrection; course, Evan Lemoine, holds a and Responsibility and in the occupancy accommodations, work addresses issues posed by and the great mystery of conjugal fine arts degree from Louisiana philosophy of St. John Paul II. meals, workbook and materials. philosophers like Immanuel Kant l ov e .” State University, with a minor Lemoine is the co-founder of the To register, go online to https:// and Francis Bacon. The weeklong retreat includes: in psychology and a master’s Amar al Maximo Institute and corproject.com.securechkout. The Theology of the Body • Five days of learning and degree in humanities from has traveled extensively speaking com/tob1spanishlemoine. For Institute, an educational organ- interactive lecture (30 hours Anahuac University in Mexico. on the Theology of the Body, more information, link to https:// ization based in Philadelphia and of master’s level instruction) He is a graduate of the Masters sexuality, dating and marriage. www.olsjbasilica.org/about-us/ affiliated with Pontifex University • A workbook in Marriage and Family program The retreat will be conducted news/325-theology-of-the-body. 4 DIOCESE The Valley Catholic - January 2020 »Women Holy Fire for en la The turning of the page, youth Jan. 18 Frontera Holy Fire South Texas —Youth let peace dominate Conference is a one-day event Jan. 18 for young people in grades 6-9 ew possibilities unfold with a new year. confines of our particular plot. to experience dynamic speakers, Beginning with the first month, it’s as if we “This implies that each of us has different music, and the sacrament of the could hear January say, “Let’s begin anew.” responsibilities, depending upon our particular Eucharist as never before. At Holy OrN as Venerable Bruno Lanteri, who founded the state in life, our commitments, and our employment Fire, they will be invited and chal- Oblates of the Virgin Mary, advised, Nunc Coepi — and family situations. By attending carefully to lenged to embrace their baptismal now I begin. Ahora empiezo nuevamente. those responsibilities and conscientiously tending call and the relevant and powerful So as we begin a New Year, Pope Francis urges us our gardens, the air around us can indeed begin to gospel of Jesus. to be peacemakers. In his message for World Day of change.” Young people 6th through 9th Peace, observed each year on Jan. 1, the Holy Father Thus, we can each be agents of change, grades and their adult chaperones focuses on “Peace as a journey of hope: dialogue, peacemakers. As the Holy Father tells us, “Day by are invited. Fountain of Mercy reconciliation, and ecological conversion.” day, the Holy Spirit prompts in us ways of thinking Ministries will provide chaperones Brenda His five points are ones we can apply close to and speaking that can make us artisans of justice and for youth who come individually. Nettles Riojas home in our families, work and communities. peace.” Parents who wish to chaperone Editor of The 1. Peace, a journey of hope in the face of Let’s remember, we walk together on the journey their own children will need to pur- Valley Catholic obstacles and trial. of peace building. As Bishop Daniel E. Flores chase a separate ticket. 2. Peace, a journey of listening based on memory, reminds us often, “Si no caminamos juntos, no vamos Holy Fire is set for Jan. 18 at the solidarity and fraternity. a llegar.” (If we do not walk together, we are not going Mission Event Center, 200 N. Shary 3. Peace, a journey of reconciliation in fraternal to get to where we are going.) Road in Mission. From Jan. 1-17, communion. Easier said than done, you might say. How can the price will be $30; at the door on 4. Peace, a journey of ecological conversion; and we practice this close to home? Jan. 18, admission will be $40. Ad- 5. We obtain all that we hope for” As we consider the Holy Father’s words, it’s vance tickets must be purchased in Pope Francis in his fifth point notes, “Peace will about listening, about working collaboratively, about person at the Youth Ministry office not be obtained unless it is hoped for.” We have to forgiveness. Some forces in the world try to bully us in San Juan Pastoral Center, 700 N. want peace in our lives in order to work for it. into creating divisions and breeding competition. As Virgen de San Juan, in San Juan, or “The desire for peace lies deep within the human the Holy Father has said in previous talks on unity, Fountain of Mercy Ministries, 448 heart,” he said, “and we should not resign ourselves to “divisions wound Christ’s body (and) they impair the S. Texas Blvd., in Weslaco. seeking anything less than this.” witness which we are called to give him before the For more information, con- He adds, “The world does not need empty words w or l d .” tact the Office of Youth Ministry but convinced witnesses, peacemakers who are open But when we recognize God’s abundance and at [email protected] or call to a dialogue that rejects exclusion or manipulation. his saving grace, we learn to celebrate each other (956) 784-5032. … Peace ‘must be built up continually;’ it is a journey and encourage each other on the journey. Stephen made together in constant pursuit of the common Covey in his book 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, good, truthfulness and respect for law. Listening to talks about creating win-win situations. When we »Sunday one another can lead to mutual understanding and shift our paradigms away from individualism and esteem, and even to seeing in an enemy the face of a competition, we can create environments in which Readings brother or sister.” we support one another, neighbor helping neighbor, He said, it is an enduring commitment, “an as God calls us to do. The Word of God in the Life and ongoing work in which each individual makes his God guides us at every step. He fortifies us Mission of the Church or her contribution responsibly, at every level of the through the sacraments. He invites us to keep him at local, national and global community.” the center of everything. JAN. 5 While there is much happening around the As we greet each day and month this year, we The Epiphany of the Lord world that is out of our control, we can focus on can also think of ways of finding peace within Reading 1 what is within our reach, close to home. Father Tad ourselves. Recently I visited the Poor Clare Sisters IS 60:1-6 Pacholczyk, in his column on “Pushing back against at their monastery in Alamo. As we paused in the Responsorial Psalm evil,” said, “We need to recognize how God has prayer garden, Sister Martha invited us to “listen to PS 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13 entrusted to each of us a small garden that he asks the sound of peace.” You could also hear peace inside Reading 2 us to tend. If we tend that plot well, he will extend the Adoration Chapel before the Eucharist. The visit EPH 3:2-3A, 5-6 the reach of his grace in ways we cannot foresee or with the sisters in the chapel was a strong reminder Alleluia imagine, and we will actually contribute to stemming that making time to spend with God is essential, MT 2:2

the tide of error and evil well beyond the limited especially if we are to fulfill our role as peacemakers. Gospel MT 2:1-12 JAN. 12 The Feast of the Family Life Baptism of the Lord » Reading 1 Adjusting the rhythm of our life IS 42:1-4, 6-7 new calendar year is upon us: 2020 Anno mother daughter programs, Strong Catholic Fami- Responsorial Psalm Domini (“in the Year of our Lord”). For lies, Strong Catholic Youth sessions, etc.) , visit the PS 29:1-2, 3-4, 3, 9-10 most of us it is a time to reflect on this past Blessed Sacrament at the Basilica or our chapel Reading 2 yearA 2019 and look forward with hope and antici- during afternoon break, visiting family and friends, ACTS 10:34-38 pation for a new year with new possibilities. As the and playing hide and go seek with my six-year-old Alleluia author and keeper of our lives, God our Heavenly grandson and reading to him almost every night. MK 9:7 Father has gifted each of us with the same amount Ecclesiastes 3:1-8: “There is an appointed time Gospel of days, hours, minutes and seconds within a year for everything. And there is a time for every event MT 3:13-17 for whatever number of years each of us has in our under heaven — a time to give birth and a time to JAN. 19 personal destiny. die; a time to plant and a time to uproot what is Second Sunday in I enjoy keeping a journal pretty much daily, and planted. A time to kill and a time to heal; a time to Ordinary Time for many years have had the ritual of reading my tear down and a time to build up. A time to weep Reading 1 journal entries for that year sometime in late De- and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to IS 49:3, 5-6 cember and naming the year. I have had the “Year dance …” Lydia“An Pesina Responsorial Psalm of Job,” the “Year of Surprises,” the “Year of New And yet, I know I must continually adjust the PS 40:2, 4, 7-8, 8-9, 10 unexaminedDirector, Life,” etc. This helps me review my year and look at rhythm of my life to include those things that my Family Life Office Reading 2 life is not the “Rhythm of my life.” How am I using the time heart is tugging at me to consider whether it is to 1 COR 1:1-3 worth living.” that God gifts me with? What are some things that serve others or for personal enrichment to gain are important to include in my daily life? a better balance in life. I have been struggling to Alleluia JN 1:14A, 12A -Plato Pope Francis: “Freedom of choice makes it include time to call and/or visit my uncles and possible to plan our lives and to make the most of neighbors and to take time to play my trumpet. (I Gospel ourselves. Yet if this freedom lacks noble goals or played trumpet with the Mariachi Las Rancheritas JN 1:29-34 personal discipline, it degenerates into an inability for 10 years in the ’70s, early ’80s; can be seen on JAN. 26 to give oneself generously to others.” YouTube). Third Sunday in Ordinary Time Recognizing that everything belongs to God Although my work/ ministry includes most (my life, my family, my time) I strive to plan my weekends of the year, Mauri and I rejoice in having Reading 1 daily life in order to “Know Him, Love Him, Serve contact with hundreds of engaged and convali- IS 8:23—9:3 Him.” I am very grateful to God for the rhythm dating couples each year. [In 2019: 814 couples Responsorial Psalm of my life. Presently, I have the blessing to walk, attended a Diocesan Marriage Preparation Re- PS 27:1, 4, 13-14 talk and pray at 5:15 in the morning with Mauri treat: 278 Convalidating couples and 536 engaged Reading 2 several times a week; to spend a couple of hours couples (1,072 young adults)] Meeting these 1 COR 1:10-13, 17 in the kitchen daily between breakfast and lunch couples gives me so much hope for the building up Alleluia preparation and cooking for dinner; to invest well of God’s Kingdom in our present world. Although MT 4:23 over 40 hours a week in Family Ministry with these young adults live in a society often filled with Gospel the diocese meeting yearly hundreds of engaged conflicting messages and values, these couples have MT 4:12-23 or couples, married couples and families (through come to our parishes because they want to marry in MT 4:12-17 training programs, marriage preparation retreats, » Please see Adjusting p.15 January 2020 - The Valley Catholic FAITH 5 »Making Sense of Medicine and Bioethics a ‘Sense of the Sacred’ s clergy, we touch upon very holy realities third pregnancy, Dr. Caroline McCarthy described when we baptize, consecrate the Eucharist, her sadness at learning that her baby “had no kid- give absolution to sinners, or anoint the sick. neys and as a result there was no amniotic fluid. His TheseA special moments engage divine grace in deep lungs could not develop properly without the fluid, and important ways in the lives of those to whom but he wouldn’t need his lungs or his kidneys until we minister. after birth, so the pregnancy would probably carry In the midst of these sacred realities, we remain, to term.” She was told she had two options: “Carry nonetheless, very human and fallible instruments. my baby to term and he would either be born dead I remember one time when a bishop contritely di- or die shortly after birth or travel to the UK to end Courtesy photo St. Vincent is the patron of Valencia, Father Tadeusz vulged in my presence that during the consecration the pregnancy.” that morning all he could think about was a good After a few days spent in a haze of panic and Saragossa, Lisbon, Portugal and of Pacholczyk vintners, vinegar-makers, brickmakers, Priest of the Diocese of cup of hot coffee. tears, Dr. McCarthy and her husband Michael took We clergy need to attend carefully to the graced a flight out of Ireland to undergo a “compassionate and sailors. Fall River, Mass. realities we regularly handle lest we end up squan- induction” of labor at Liverpool Women’s Hospi- Director of Education at dering or losing our sense of the sacred. The old tal. The terminology brought to mind an astute »Feast Day The National Catholic adage reminds us: familiarity breeds contempt. An observation a friend had once made: “Beware of any Bioethics Center in elderly priest and professor in Rome used to urge medical procedure with the word ‘compassion’ in its Jan. 22 Philadelphia. us as seminarians: “Seek the grace to celebrate each name; it often conceals wrongdoing.” See www.ncbcenter.org Holy Mass as if it were your first Mass, your last When the hospital clerk arrived to get their Mass, and your only Mass.” informed consent signature, the procedure listed on Spotlight on Similar challenges exist in the world of medi- the form was: “Feticide termination of pregnancy.” cine. Physicians who work with frail and vulnerable Feticide is a medical term referring to the killing of human beings every day must be attentive when it a human, in this case during an early stage of devel- St. Vincent comes to the sacredness of their subjects and their opment — “fetal homicide.” After Dr. McCarthy’s profession. labor was induced, a large-gauge needle (termed a of Saragossa One of the lesser-known lines from the famous “catheter” in the article) was used for the feticide; St. Vincent of Saragossa (also Hippocratic Oath has always intrigued me: “In it passed through her abdomen and uterus into her known as Vincent Martyr, Vin- purity and holiness I will guard my life and my art.” baby’s heart and potassium chloride was injected to cent of Huesca or Vincent the Doctors face a range of unique temptations that the stop its beating. Deacon), the Protomartyr of Oath enumerates: it counsels them to swear off “all Shortly thereafter, her stillborn son was deliv- Spain, was a deacon of the Church mischief and in particular of sexual relations with ered: “I saw his perfect little face for the first time. of Saragossa. both female and male [patients]” as well as all abor- I felt that same post-birth relief and elation as I He was born at Huesca, near tions and acts of euthanasia. To engage in any of had after the birth of my other two children. The Saragossa, Spain sometime during these activities is to lose one’s way, forswearing the midwife wrapped him in a towel and I held him the latter part of the 3rd century sacredness of the medical profession’s calling. close. I felt at complete peace with my decision and Vincent spent most of his life Yet some doctors, not unlike some priests and just sat holding and staring at my beautiful son. In in the city of Saragossa, where bishops, end up losing touch with this “sacred the morning, the midwife helped us dress John. We he was educated and ordained to dimension.” spent the day holding and looking at him and tak- the diaconate by Bishop Valerius An article in the Irish Times, written by a physi- ing photographs.” of Saragossa, who commissioned cian in the run-up to the 2018 abortion referendum It’s hard to miss the jolting unseemliness of the Vincent to preach throughout the in Ireland, exemplified this loss and profanation of family’s taking photos of their dead child whose life diocese. Because Valerius suffered medicine’s sacredness. they had just ended. Dr. McCarthy’s actions cannot from a speech impediment, Vin- Following a routine 20-week ultrasound of her » Please see Bioethics p.14 cent acted as his spokesman. When the Roman Emperor Diocletian began persecuting Christians in Spain, both were »Formation brought before the Roman gov- ‘Won’t you be my neighbor?’ ernor Dacian in Valencia. Vin- for Ministry cent and his bishop Valerius were ast month I watched the movie A Beautiful Day the man (presumed to be a Jew) going down the road confined to the prison of Valencia. in the Neighborhood, with Tom Hanks portraying from Jerusalem to Jericho who has been beaten and Though he was finally offered re- the beloved Mr. (Fred) Rogers. I must say it was a left for dead. lease if he would consign Scrip- greatL movie, very insightful. It was somewhat nos- While he is first ignored by a priest and a Levite ture to the fire, Vincent refused. talgic, but at the same time it made me think what a (both religious men), it’s the Samaritan (mixed de- Speaking on behalf of his bishop, great human being Fred Rogers was and how much he scent) who stops and out of compassion helps, proving he informed the judge that the influenced the world with his gentleness and sincerity. to be the true neighbor. two were ready to suffer every- The movie made me realize what an authentic hu- In November 2018, the United States Conference thing for their faith, and that they man being he really was and how he also struggled like of Catholic Bishops published a pastoral letter against could pay no heed either to threats any of us do with life. What I think made him unique racism: “Open Wide Our Hearts, the enduring call to or promises. was that he wasn’t afraid to express how he felt, and love.” The aged bishop Valerius was this is exactly what he taught the many children who Every good and conscientious Catholic should exiled, but Vincent’s outspoken watched his show daily — not to be afraid to express take the time to read it. The pastoral letter comes with manner so angered the governor their emotions about the many issues and situations a study guide and is available as a download at http:// Deacon that he suffered every sort of hid- they are faced with. www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and- Luis Zuniga eous torture. Finally he was cast Who can forget the songs from the show? Remem- dignity/racism/index.cfm into prison and laid on a floor Director, Office ber this one? “So, let’s make the most of this beautiful In the pastoral letter, the bishops write, “But racism scattered with broken pottery. for Pastoral Life day. Since we’re together we might as well say: Would still profoundly affects our culture, and it has no place But through it all his constancy & San Juan Diego you be mine? Could you be mine? Won’t you be my in the Christian heart. This evil causes great harm to its remained unmoved and he sur- Ministry Institute neighbor? Won’t you please, won’t you please? Please victims, and it corrupts the souls of those who harbor won’t you be my neighbor?” racist or prejudicial thoughts. The persistence of the vived until his friends were al- Mr. Rogers also made us aware of the many people evil of racism is why we are writing this letter now.” lowed to see him and prepare a who will cross our path in life and how different we The bishops invite all people of faith to conversion. bed on which he died about the are, and that regardless, we are to respect one another They remind us that “we are called to open our minds year 304. During his martyrdom and accept one another. and hearts to Christ’s love for all people and to the he had preserved such peace and I find it tragic that sometimes children are not experiences of those who have been harmed by the evil tranquility that it astonished his taught to share their toys with other children and of racism.” jailer, who repented from his sins that the playground doesn’t just belong to us alone. Through this pastoral letter, the bishops of the and was converted. We need to learn to share, because we all belong to a Catholic Church in the United States desire to address Vincent’s body was thrown neighborhood, a community. racism as a destructive and persistent form of evil into the sea in a sack, but was One of my favorite parts of the movie was when because racism still infects our nation. later recovered by the Christians Mr. Rogers was talking to a child through a puppet The pastoral letter in the introduction begins by and his veneration immediately about anger and asked, “What do you do with the mad defining racism: “Racism arises when — either con- spread throughout the Church. that you feel? When you feel so mad you could bite?” sciously or unconsciously — a person holds that his According to legend, after being For Mr. Rogers, it was important that children or her own race or ethnicity is superior, and therefore martyred, ravens protected St. expressed how they felt, perhaps because in one way or judges persons of other races or ethnicities as inferior Vincent’s body until his follow- another our childhood affects our adulthood and how and unworthy of equal regard. When this conviction ers could recover his remains. He we interact with one another. In reality the fact is that or attitude leads individuals or groups to exclude, ridi- was interred at what is now Cape many times we lack the courage to love. cule, mistreat, or unjustly discriminate against persons St. Vincent; a shrine was erect- As I was watching the movie, it made me think on the basis of their race or ethnicity, it is sinful.” ed there which continued to be of the Parable of the Good Samaritan as found in the In the parable, the Samaritan did good, he did the guarded by flocks of ravens. King Gospel of Luke (10:25-37) when Jesus responds to the right thing by helping someone in need. We are called Afonso I of Portugal (1139–1185) question from the lawyer seeking eternal life, who puts to do the same, to love our neighbor. had the body of the saint exhumed Jesus to the test by asking, “And who is my neighbor?” May we never forget who our neighbor is. The in 1173 and brought it by ship to In the parable, Jesus reminds us that neighbor is good and gentle Jesus will remind us, we pray. the Lisbon Cathedral. 6 DIOCESE The Valley Catholic - January 2020 Living Our Faith CATECHISM Faith in the Valley How do you witness your POP QUIZ faith in the world today? Soon the Sisters were Check your knowledge. ready for their mission. by being an example to them as The following questions They sailed for Port Isabel. well. I have been involved with are derived from the ACTS through my church. I have served on several retreat teams Catechism of the Catholic and have been a Teen ACTS Church. In parentheses director. I have been an educator/ is the number that refers coach for over 30 years and it is to the paragraphs in the through my involvement with Catechism. teens and young adults that I feel Who are those that this is where God has placed beautiful Someday I will be 65. The Presentation ladies, mama? one of them. me to live and show my faith. It is through here, where I feel I can shows (#529): a. that Jesus is the Adriel Martinez be a positive example of my faith in God to the youth and others Messiah They are holy Volunteer b. that Jesus is eager to nuns, Rosa. around me. There are so many They have given St. Joan of Arc, Weslaco be about his Father’s their lives to negative influences in this world God’s service. business today and each and every day I c. that Jesus is the Rosa was right. Just My parents were devoted pray that somehow and some way firstborn Son who a few years later, she Catholics and their faith I believe, I can be at least that one positive would join the convent In Brownsville, “ belongs to the Father A gentleman in was passed on to me. I pray I can influence in others, especially in Brownsville, the the sisters had town offered an old 66. Which of the their work cut printing press. do the same with my children, with our youth and young adults. first Texas vocation Why not print our following is/are false to the Sisters of the out for them. own? (#530): All these students Incarnate Word. and not a textbook a. The flight into Egypt to be had! What shall we do? Mi fe la vivo con ALEGRÍA y shows the oppression of sin from which AMOR, dando un poco de todo By the end of a year, their “ mankind must first school was built. lo que Jesús me a dado por medio experience a new de su Iglesia. Vivo agradecida con exodus. el Señor por haberme llevado a b. The massacre of the una hermosa comunidad donde, innocents foreshadows por medio de mis Sacerdotes y Jesus’ rejection by his May this vine take root in hermanos en Cristo, he visto el own people. our new land, and flourish! Bello Rostro de Jesús, aprendiendo c. The Jews did not de cada uno de ellos. participate in the En cada uno de los ministerios massacre of the que el Espíritu Santo me a regalado Hilda Rios innocents. Volunteer TO BE CONTINUED a servir, lectores y catequesis. Me Source: Jim Seghers’ Totus Tuus St. Paul the Apostle, Rio Grande City he maravillado de la hermosura Ministries, http://www.totustuus.com

From Faith in the Valley: An Illustrated History de trabajar en la viña del Señor. 15. page see key answer For of the Diocese of Brownsville Recibiendo, gozo y paz, nunca Jesús, “Ven y Sigueme.” Vivo me encontrado en el mundo. Y con fe agradecida por mi familia. Mi un anhelo que vida es de el Señor. Estoy en su mas personas voluntad. Jesús es mi todo y estoy »Birthday & escuchen el donde el quiera que este. Viva Anniversary llamado de Cristo Rey! Wishes The list of birthdays and ordination anniversaries is provided so that parishioners Liturgy of may remember the priests, deacons and religious in their prayers and send them a note the Word or a card. Most of the Liturgy of the Word is made up of January readings from Scripture. On Sundays and solem- nities, there are three Scripture readings. During » Birthdays most of the year, the first reading is from the Old 1 Rev. Leo Francis Daniels, CO Testament and the second reading is from one of 6 Rev. Msgr. Louis L. Brum the New Testament letters. During Easter Time, the 10 Rev. Eusebio Martinez first reading is taken from the Acts of the Apostles 13 Rev. Alejandro F. Flores which tells the story of the Church in its earliest 22 Rev. Robert Charlton, SS.CC. days. The last reading is always taken from one of 22 Rev. Horacio Chavarria the four Gospels. 22 Rev. Oscar O. Siordia In the Liturgy of the Word, the Church feeds the 24 Rev. Ignacio Tapia people of God from the table of his Word (cf. Sac- 28 Rev. Bill Penderghest, SS.CC. rosanctum Concilium, no. 51). The Scriptures are 2 Deacon John P. Kinch the word of God, written under the inspiration of 4 Deacon Alfred Crixell the Holy Spirit. In the Scriptures, God speaks to us, 13 Deacon Jose A. Torres leading us along the path to salvation. The Responsorial Psalm is sung between the read- 14 Deacon Paul Escobar ings. The psalm helps us to meditate on the word 18 Deacon Ramon G. Leal of God. 18 Deacon Jose G. Vargas 19 Deacon Salvador G. Saldivar The high point of the Liturgy of the Word is the 23 Deacon Reynaldo I. Flores reading of the Gospel. Because the Gospels tell of 23 Deacon Rodolfo Sepulveda, Jr. the life, ministry, and preaching of Christ, it re- 24 Deacon Juan Valenzuela ceives several special signs of honor and reverence. The gathered assembly stands to hear the Gospel 28 Deacon Alejandro Flores and it is introduced by an acclamation of praise. 28 Deacon Rodrigo Garza, Jr. Apart from Lent, that acclamation is “Alleluia,” 10 Sister Margarita Vargas, MEF derived from a Hebrew phrase meaning “Praise 27 Sister Emma M. Stillman, IWBS the Lord!” A deacon (or, if no deacon is present, a 3 Brother Hoss Alvarez, MSC priest) reads the Gospel. After the Scripture readings, the celebrant preaches » Anniversaries the homily. In the homily, the preacher focuses on 4 Rev. Thomas G. Kulleck the Scripture texts or some other texts from the 4 Rev. M. Kumar Nayak, SS.CC. liturgy, drawing from them lessons that may help 16 Rev. Robert Charlton, SS.CC. us to live better lives, more faithful to Christ’s call to 28 Rev. Cesar U. Partida grow in holiness. Source: USCCB.org 30 Bishop Daniel Flores (priest) January 2020 - The Valley Catholic DIOCESE 7 Pro Life

join us at the RGV MARCH FOR LIFE A PRAYER FOR Why we march EXPECTANT MOTHERS “Amen, I say to you, whatever the voiceless? you did for one of these least On Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020, we O Blessed Mother, you received the brothers of mine, you did for me.” invite you to be the hands, the feet, Matthew 25:40 and voice of Jesus for the unborn. good news of the incarnation of Christ, These words spoken by Jesus The RGV March for Life is an your Son, with faith and trust. have inspired and propelled many inspiring and peaceful event. Come of our faithful saints as they have be a part of a vibrant and joy-filled Grant your protection to all done countless works of mercy rally of women, men, young people, Melissa Beltran unto the Kingdom of God and his and children from across the Rio pregnant mothers facing difficulties. Associate Director of Church. Christ has asked us to be Grande Valley as we come together Pro-Life Apostolate his hands, his feet, and his voice on in a human rights demonstration. Guide us as we strive to make our parish earth. Will you take up the call? We’re not protesting; rather, we are As Christians, we are called gathering to celebrate the beauty, communities places of welcome and to defend the most vulnerable - value, and dignity of every human to speak up and stand up to the life from the moment of conception. assistance for mothers in need. injustices we see in the world. There We gather to celebrate life. We will Help us become instruments of God’s is no sickness, disease, or social pray that we will soon live in a injustice, which directly kills more world where every life is celebrated, love and compassion. people than abortion. Since the Roe valued and protected. Come, v Wade decision in 1973, we have join our bishops in this beautiful lost over 60 million lives of innocent demonstration of our Catholic faith. Mary, Mother of the Church, children to abortion. Children The Rally for Life will begin at graciously help us build a culture of life created in the likeness and image 9 a.m. on the grounds of St. Joseph of God have been discarded under the Worker Church in McAllen. and a civilization of love, together our watch. The entire population of Then we will march through the Texas is a little over 29 million. We city streets and in front of the local with all people of good will, have lost twice that many people abortion facility. The peaceful, to the praise and glory of God, to abortion since it was made prayerful procession will end at legal in our country up to the Sacred Heart Church, 306 S. 15th the Creator and lover of life. Amen. day of birth. St. in McAllen. We invite all priests, Will you be a voice for religious, parishes, parish groups, Catholic schools and all to join us at this most important event. Please follow us on social media to learn more about this event and all our other events throughout the year. 8 DIOCESE The Valley Catholic - January 2020 Roe v. Wade and the false right to privacy For anyone who has read the Commenting on the cases used possession of (child) pornography it is true that we have to live with U.S. Constitution, it is very easy to put forth this right to privacy, or using illicit drugs.” the results from this poor decision, to realize that it does not mention Susan E. Willis, associate director Professor John Hart Ely from Roe can be overturned. Dred Scott abortion or anything remotely simi- of education for the Secretariat for Yale Law School comments that v. Sandford — clearly an abomina- lar to taking the life of a pre-born Pro-Life Activities, USCCB, writes: Roe v. Wade “is bad because it is bad tion — in 1856 determined that the child. In fact, it defends life by say- “Justice Blackmun attempts to constitutional law, or rather because Constitution “recognizes slaves as ing that “no person shall be deprived graft abortion onto the line of de- it is not constitutional law and gives property.” It was overturned by the of life without due process of law” cisions recognizing privacy/liberty almost no sense of an obligation to 13th and 14th Amendments. The (Art. V). Why is it, then, that Roe v. rights in the following spheres: mar- try to be.” Even Edward Lazarus, a court itself could overturn its previ- Wade decided that the Constitution riage (Loving v. Virginia, striking former clerk of Justice Blackmun, ous decisions. It has done this more provides for a right to abortion? The down a ban on interracial marriage); who wrote the majority opinion, than 230 times in all its history. Such Father Derlis R. answer, according to the Supreme childrearing (Meyer v. Nebraska and says the following. “What, exactly, is is the case of Brown v. Board of Edu- Garcia Court’s decision, is because of a so- Pierce v. Society of Sisters, upholding the problem with Roe? The problem cation, which in 1954 overturned Pro-Life Apostolate called right to privacy. Even though parental decision-making regarding is that it has little connection to the Plessy v. Ferguson, a decision from Director the judges agree that the Constitu- their children’s education); procre- Constitutional right it purportedly 1896 that argued a constitutional tion does not contain a right to pri- ation (Skinner v. Oklahoma, finding interpreted. A constitutional right right to racial segregation. vacy as such, they say “The court unconstitutional a state law man- to privacy broad enough to include Courts, just like people, can has found at least the root of that dating sterilization of inmates found abortion has no meaningful foun- change their mind. This was the right” on different previous cases guilty of certain crimes); and con- dation in constitutional text, his- case of Norma McCorvey, the real that they cite. They say, “This right traceptive use by a married couple tory, or precedent.” Roe v. Wade is name of Jane Roe whom the case of privacy, whether it be founded (Griswold v. Connecticut). not only an abomination because it was about. She later converted to in the Fourteenth Amendment or “Certainly marriage, and build- condones the killing of an innocent the Pro-Life cause after seeing im- the Ninth Amendment, is broad ing and raising a family are funda- human being — as Thomas Aquinas ages of pre-born development and enough to encompass a woman’s mental aspects of human life that states, an unjust law is not a law at all said, “I deeply regret the damage my decision whether or not to termi- predate human laws and nations. but violence — but because it stands original case caused women. I want nate her pregnancy.” The arguments They are implicit in the concept of on very weak constitutional basis. the Supreme Court to examine the are so weak that they cannot find it liberty and the pursuit of happiness, Allowing the killing of an innocent evidence and have a spirit of justice specifically in the Constitution or in though even these rights are sub- human being for the sake of some- for women and children.” The Su- the Bill of Rights, and they even take ject to state limitation, such as laws one else’s right to privacy is prepos- preme Court used the Constitution recourse to another case, Griswold v. against bigamy, incest, and child terous. to argue in favor of slavery and in Connecticut, to argue that it is found abuse and neglect. A ‘privacy right’ A big problem, many would ar- favor of racial segregation to be later in “penumbras formed by emana- large enough to encompass abortion gue, is that Roe v. Wade is already overturned. There is no reason why tions of the Bill of Rights.” This lan- could also be applied to virtually enshrined in America’s jurispru- we have to live with the shame of us- guage sounds more like Spiritism any conduct performed outside the dence and therefore it is something ing the Constitution to advance the than legal terminology. public view, including child abuse, that we will have to live with. While killing of children. Baby’s growth from conception to birth TOUGH QUESTIONS If a pregnant woman’s life is in danger, is abortion justified? CONCEPTION Abortion is never medically necessary to save a woman’s life. The The miracle of life is not always Dublin Declaration (https://www.dublindeclaration.com) which visible. However, ultrasound im- has more than a thousand signatures from obstetricians, neona- ages can provide a glimpse of how tologists, pediatricians, midwives, and other medical professionals, a baby develops inside the womb states the following: through the first, second and third trimesters. The following images As experienced practitioners and researchers in obstetrics and and explanation are from onhealth. gynaecology, we affirm that direct abortion the purposeful -de com. 16 WEEKS 32 WEEKS struction of the unborn child — is not medically necessary to save At the moment of conception, the At 32 weeks, many babies weigh the life of a woman. sex and genetic make-up of the hu- about 4 pounds, and have move- We uphold that there is a fundamental difference between abor- man fetus begins. About three days ments that the mother can feel. tion, and necessary medical treatments that are carried out to later, the fertilized egg cell divides Your doctor may ask you to make save the life of the mother, even if such treatment results in the loss rapidly and then passes through notes about the baby’s move- of life of her unborn child. the Fallopian tube into the uterus, ments and discuss breastfeeding where it attaches to the uterine wall. and other options along with We confirm that the prohibition of abortion does not affect, in The attachment site provides nour- scheduling visits every two weeks any way, the availability of optimal care to pregnant women. ishment to the rapidly developing until you deliver the baby. Some From this we learn that when a life-in-danger medical condition fetus and becomes the placenta. women begin to leak a yellowish arises, the solution is not to directly kill the baby, but to address the 20 WEEKS fluid from their breasts around woman’s medical situation. At twenty weeks, the develop- this time; this is normal and the There are some cases when a woman’s health crisis may result in ing baby is about 6 inches long fluid is termed colostrum and in- the premature delivery of the child. These interventions are very (13.2 cm) and may weigh about dicates the breasts are primed to different from abortion, because abortion targets the baby’s body 10 ounces. The baby may begin start producing milk for the new- to destroy the child, as opposed to addressing a medical condi- to make movements that the born baby. tion and trying to save both lives. Granted, if the preborn child mother can feel at about 19 to is younger than the age of viability, she may not survive. But this 21 weeks; this baby movement is not an abortion — the direct, intentional killing of the preborn is termed “quickening.” The baby child. 4 WEEKS at this stage of development can After 4 weeks, the basic struc- move its facial muscles, yawn, If a preborn child is given a challenging prenatal diagnosis and tures of the fetus have begun to and suck its thumb. The expand- is likely to die at birth or be disabled, is abortion acceptable? develop into separate areas that ing uterus at 20 weeks is felt at will form the head, chest, abdo- the level of the belly button. Case A: The preborn child is not likely to survive after birth. men, and the organs that are Let’s take Robert and Miguel. Robert will die from a stroke to- contained within them. Small morrow and Miguel will die from a stroke in 25 years. Don’t they buds on the surface will become 36 WEEKS both have the same right to life? Would it be OK to kill Robert arms and legs. A home pregnan- today because you know he will die tomorrow? Of course not! cy test should be positive at this Both Robert and Miguel and all preborn children have the right stage of development (most tests to life regardless of how long they will ultimately live. As long as claim positive results one week they are both alive, we should treat them equally. So, too, if a pre- after a missed period) born child will die shortly after birth compared to the rest of us who will likely die decades after birth, we who live longer do not have a right to end the lives of those who will live shorter lives. 24 WEEKS Case B: Other challenging prenatal diagnoses (e.g., chromosom- al abnormalities) BIRTH We all believe in human rights. The concept behind human Delivery, due or birth date is cal- rights is that we are equal in dignity by virtue of our existence, 8 WEEKS culated by estimating a 40 weeks not because of our features or abilities. We are all different from delivery date, calculated after the one another, but this has no relevance to our right to life. It is a first day of the mother’s last pe- human rights violation to kill someone who is an adult woman riod. This is an estimated date; because she has a chromosomal abnormality, so it follows that it the normal vaginal delivery birth would have been a human rights violation to kill her for the same can occur easily between 38 and abnormality when she was much younger in the womb. Our dif- about 42 weeks and is considered ferences don’t mean some of us can chose to kill others based on an early or late term pregnancy. those differences. Preborn children with diagnosed abnormali- However, most babies are deliv- ties or disabilities are equally valuable as the rest of us and their 12 WEEKS 28 WEEKS ered before 42 weeks. lives are worth protecting. Source: CDOB Pro-Life Office January 2020 -The Valley Catholic DIOCESE 9

One of the frequently asked questions in the Pro-Life office is, “How How can I help can I get involved in the pro-ife movement?” We cannot be sure how the Lord may be calling you, but we do believe all of us are equipped to stand up for life. We all have special faculties which God can use PROMOTE LIFE to help the pro-life movement. There are many ways to get involved. Pro-Life movement & organizations around the Rio Grande Valley Sidewalk Prayer & Sidewalk Counseling Family Planning & Sexuality Education Culture of Life Ministries Sidewalk prayer outside the local abortion facility is a Simple & Natural is a local organization which serves We are privileged to have Culture Life Ministries within powerful stance for life. Although the Pro-Life Office to educate individuals, couples and families to make the Rio Grande Valley. They are a free health clinic in does offer Sidewalk Counselor Training, standing outside informed decisions about family planning, infertility Harlingen with a focus on openness to life. They embrace the facility to pray requires no special training. You can solutions, women’s reproductive health monitoring and health in all its forms from pregnancy/conception to birth start by choosing one day this month. Make an appoint- sexuality. through natural human development and even to natural ment with God and take a friend. Together you can pray death. Therefore, they do not promote or offer anything the rosary or another prayer. Many women considering They also provide sexuality education programs and per- which opposes the Culture of Life, such as contraceptives, an abortion have reported they changed their mind sim- son-centered fertility consulting. Their research-based abortions, sterilizations, physician-assisted suicide, etc. ply because they saw people outside the abortion facility programming features: natural family planning instruc- They are located at 402 E. Van Buren in Harlingen. For in quiet prayer. Your presence is powerful! If you have tion, menstrual cycle data tracking, bilingual lectures more information about services provided please contact questions or would like more information about this or if and informational conferences. They communicate via them at (956) 970-9327. you would like to attend a Sidewalk Counselor Training, mobile and online to provide live support for all clients. please call our office at (956) 784-5035. We have helpful They celebrate womanhood by teaching teenage girls and guidelines and prayer guides available for you. women how to rediscover and monitor their body’s nat- Rachel’s Vineyard Retreats ural rhythm to maintain their best reproductive health. In the Rio Grande Valley we have Rachel’s Vineyard re- Simple & Natural is located at 1510 N. 10th St. in McAl- Local Pregnancy Resource Centers treats. Rachel’s Vineyard is a safe place to renew, rebuild len. (956) 534-4895. Pregnancy resource centers like McAllen Pregnancy and redeem hearts broken by abortion. Weekend retreats Center and Life & Family Pregnancy Center in Browns- offer you a supportive, confidential and non-judgmental ville are critical in helping save the lives of the unborn. environment where women and men can express, release Parish Pro-Life Coordinators & Committees and reconcile painful post-abortive emotions to begin The McAllen Pregnancy Center helps women in crisis Parish Pro-Life Coordinators are individuals who take the process of restoration, renewal and healing. For more pregnancies. They aim to walk hand-in-hand with wom- on the responsibility to help facilitate pro-life activi- information on how en and men to help establish the building blocks to be- ties within their parish. They also play an integral role to help this minis- coming a family. Services offered at McAllen Pregnancy in connecting their parish to the Pro-Life Office and the try or if you need Center are pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, medical re- activities we offer throughout the year. Most Pro-Life post-abortive ferrals, peer/professional counseling, adoption options Coordinators also have a Pro-Life Committee to help healing, call and referrals, post-abortion counseling, material assis- them carryout this important task. At the Pro-Life Office Phillis Young tance, and housing referrals. McAllen Pregnancy Center of the Diocese of Brownsville and under the direction of at (956) is located at 816 S. Main St. in McAllen. For information the USCCB, we have a goal to have a Parish Pro-Life Co- 639-4144. regarding volunteering or if you are in need of any of ordinator at every parish in the diocese. If you are inter- their services, please call (956) 631-4585. ested in this position or getting more Life & Family Pregnancy Center in Brownsville offers involved in your parish Pro-Life professional counseling and provides educational talks Committee, call the Pro-Life Office and workshops to help their clients be better moms and at (956) 784-5035 or speak with better women for our community and their family. All your parish pastor. their services are free, and they also provide clients with diapers, baby clothes and baby food. Life & Family Preg- nancy Center is located at 1235 E. Jackson in Browns- ville. (956) 641-4776.

TEXAS RALLYfor Life Courtesy photo JK DOBBINS A college football announcer told his national audience about the star Ohio State Buckeyes running back J’Kaylin Dobbins during a game. The announcer noted that his mother walked out of an abortion clinic when she was pregnant with Dobbins. She now calls him her miracle baby. Fox Sports announcer, Gus Johnson continued, “J.K. Dobbin’s mom, Mya, became pregnant when she was 18 years old. She went to the doctor because she was thinking about aborting the baby but changed her mind. That baby turned out to be that young man, J.K. Dobbins.”

While most children won’t grow up to be sports stars, every child has value from conception. Every child has dignity and value and potential. The circumstances of their con- ception, life challenges, or even prenatal diagnoses should never determine the value of a human being’s life. Thank- fully, Dobbin’s mother realized this for her son! 10 DIOCESE The Valley Catholic - January 2020 Roe vs. Wade y el falso derecho a la privacidad Para cualquiera que ha leído la El juez Blackmun trata de fijar problema exacto con Constitución es evidente que no el aborto en una línea de decisio- Roe? El problema es hace mención del aborto ni nin- nes reconociendo derechos a la que tiene poca con- guna cosa que se asemeje a quita- privacidad/libertad en los siguien- exión con el derecho rle la vida a un niño pre-nacido. tes planos: matrimonio (Loving vs. Constitucional que De hecho, defiende la vida cuando Virginia, que quita la prohibición según trata de inter- dice que “Ninguna persona será del matrimonio interracial); crian- pretar. Un derecho privada de su vida sin un debido y za de los niños (Meyer vs. Nebraska constitucional a adecuado proceso.” (Art. 14) ¿Por y Pierce vs. Society of Sisters, man- la privacidad tan qué, entonces Roe vs. Wade ha de- teniendo la decisión de los padres amplio para in- Padre Derlis R. cidido que la Constitución otorga sobre la educación de sus hijos); cluir el aborto no Garcia el derecho al aborto? La respu- procreación (Skinner vs. Oklaho- tiene fundamento Director de esta, de acuerdo a la decisión de ma, encontrando inconstitucional significativo en el Apostolado Pro-Vida la Corte Suprema, es que existe un una ley que manda la esterilización texto, historia o derecho a la privacidad. Aun cu- de los presos de ciertos crímenes); precedente de la ando los mismos jueces admiten y el uso de anticonceptivos para Constitución.” que la Constitución no contiene un personas casadas (Griswold vs. Roe vs. Wade no es derecho a la privacidad, ellos dicen Connecticut). solo una abominación porque con- que “la corte ha encontrado al me- Ciertamente el matrimonio, la dona el asesinato de un ser huma- nos la raíz de ese derecho” en dife- formación y crianza de la familia no inocente — Tomas de Aquino rentes casos previos que ahí citan. son aspectos fundamentales de la dice que una ley injusta no es ley, es Dicen que “el derecho a la priva- vida que preceden las leyes huma- violencia — sino porque tiene muy cidad, encontrado en la enmienda nas y las naciones. Estas están im- pocas bases en el derecho consti- catorce o en la novena, es lo sufi- plícitas en el concepto de libertad y tucional. Permitir el asesinato de regación cientemente amplio para incluir de la búsqueda de la felicidad, y sin una persona inocente por exaltar racial. la decisión de una mujer de embargo estos derechos están suje- el derecho a la privacidad de otra Las cortes como la gente, pu- terminar el embara- tos a la limitación del estado, como persona es una aberración. eden cambiar de opinión. Este es zo.” Los argumentos las leyes de bigamia, incesto y abu- Muchos dicen que un gran el caso de Norma McCorvey, ver- son tan débiles, que ni so infantil. Un “derecho a la priva- problema es que Roe vs. Wade ya dadero nombre de Jane Roe de siquiera pueden encon- cidad” lo suficientemente grande está en la jurisprudencia ameri- quien se trató el caso original. Ella trarlo específicamentepara incluir el aborto puede ser cana y que por lo tanto tenemos se convirtió a la causa Pro-Vida al en la Constitución o en la aplicado para cualquier conducta que vivir con esta realidad. Si bien ver unas imágenes del desarrollo Carta de Derechos (Bill of de la persona hecha fuera de la es verdad que tenemos que vivir del niño en el vientre y dijo “Me Rights). Tienen que recur- vista pública, incluyendo el abuso con esta terrible e injusta decisión, arrepiento profundamente por el rir a otro caso, Griswold vs. de niños, posesión de pornografía Roe se puede anular. Dred Scott vs. daño que originalmente causé a Connecticut, para argumen- [infantil] y uso de drogas ilegales. Sandord — claramente una abomi- las mujeres. Quiero que la Corte tar que el derecho es encon- El profesor John Hart Ely de la nación — en 1856 determinó que la Suprema examine la evidencia y trado en “penumbras formado escuela de Leyes de la Universidad Constitución “reconoce a los escla- tenga el espíritu de justicia para las por emanaciones de la Carta de de Yale comenta que Roe vs. Wade vos como propiedad.” Fue anulada mujeres y los niños.” La Corte Su- Derechos,” lo cual suena más a “es una mala decisión porque es por la treceava y catorceava en- prema ha usado la ocultismo que términos legales. una mala ley constitucional, o mienda a la constitución. La Corte Constitución para decidir a Comentando sobre los casos más bien porque no es ley consti- misma puede anular sus decisiones favor de la esclavitud y a favor de usados para promover el derecho tucional y ni siquiera trata de dar previas. Lo ha hecho ya más de 230 la segregación racial. Estas decisio- a la privacidad de Roe, Susan E. señal de una obligación a tratar de veces en su historia. Tal es el caso de nes fueron anuladas. No hay razón Willis, directora asociada de edu- serlo.” Inclusive Edward Lazarus, Brown vs. Board of Education, que por la que debamos vivir con la cación para la Secretaría de Ac- un secretario del Juez Blackmun, en 1954 anuló a Plessy vs. Ferguson, vergüenza de haber usado la Con- tividades Pro-Vida de la USCCB, quien escribió la opinión mayori- una decisión de 1896 que otorgaba stitución para avanzar el asesinato escribe. taria, dice lo siguiente. “¿Cuál es el un derecho constitucional a la seg- de niños.

“Every time we go, it is beautiful to give Why I march witness as a family. To be there surrounded in prayer and defend the beauty and sacredness of life.” Cassie Moncivais “Estamos ahí presentes para cada uno de esos niños que no tuvieron esa voz para defenderse.” Moncivais Family Jesus Moncivais Enero 2020 - The Valley Catholic NOTICIAS EN ESPAÑOL 11 DIOCESAN EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES Associate Director - Facilities Service Manager – Family Life Office (full-time) Office of Real Estate and Facilities Tres pequeñas The Diocese of Brownsville is accepting The Diocese of Brownsville is accepting employment applications for a full-time applications for a full-time facilities service associate director for the Family Life Office. manager for the Office of Real Estate and Facilities. Administrative Assistant - ______resoluciónes que todo Office of Catechesis/Liturgy and Worship For qualifications and other information on The Diocese of Brownsville is accepting each position, see the Diocese of Brownsville applications for a full-time administrative website at https://www.cdob.org/human- cristiano puede hacer assistant in the Office of Catechesis/Liturgy resources/#openings. To apply, contact the and Worship. Human Resources office at [email protected]. LEARN TO FLY en Año Nuevo ACI Prensa La segunda resolución es tener la $100 disposición y la intención diario para El cambio de año es una buena servir, “de mejorar la vida de alguien”. Introductory Flight oportunidad para hacerse nuevos El Arzobispo de Los Ángeles indicó que propósitos o resoluciones. Mons. José el amor “empieza con aquellos que nos Gómez, Arzobispo de Los Ángeles, es uno exigen más cosas, con los que representan de los que sugieren realizar esta práctica. un reto para nuestro egoísmo”. Con “Hacer resoluciones de Año Nuevo aquellos que están más cerca. es un hábito profundamente cristiano. Por ello, sugiere tener más paciencia, Refleja un hermoso deseo de crecer en ser más comprensivos, no juzgar amistad con Jesucristo y refleja nuestra inmediatamente sino dar el beneficio de conciencia de que no somos todavía el la duda; aceptar a las personas tal cómo pueblo que Dios quiere que seamos”, son. También dejar de criticar y hacer que indicó en una de sus columnas publicadas las conversaciones sean positivas. en ACI Prensa. “Hemos de tratarnos unos a otros Por ello, presentamos las tres con ternura y amor. Algunas veces resoluciones sugeridas por Mons. Gómez podemos cambiar todo el curso del día para el año nuevo: de las personas tan solo sonriéndoles, tan 1. Jesús en el centro de nuestras vidas solo con escuchar lo que ellas tienen qué El Prelado indicó que la mejor decir”, manifestó. forma de acercarse a Jesús es leyendo el 3. Perdonar a los demás Evangelio diariamente. Cada día durante Este propósito consiste en pensar en unos minutos lea un pasaje, puede ser de silencio en alguna persona con la que uno la lectura diaria de la Misa. esté enfadado o que no nos agrade. CALL 686.1774 Después “pídanle a Jesús que abra su “En silencio, pensemos… en alguna Palabra para ustedes. No se pregunten persona con la que estemos molestos, con lo que el pasaje del Evangelio dice “en los que estemos enojados, en alguien que general”, o lo que podría significar no nos guste. Pensemos en esa persona y… Defying Gravity Since 1946 para otras personas. Pregúntenle oremos por esta persona y volvámonos personalmente a Jesús: “Señor, ¿qué me misericordiosos con esta persona”. estás diciendo a mí? ¿Qué quieres que yo “No perdonamos lo suficiente. Esto • Flight Academy haga? “¿Qué debo cambiar en mi vida si daña a nuestras familias. Esto perjudica Sightseeing Trips quiero seguirte más de cerca?”. nuestras relaciones. La gente nos va a • Mons. Gómez sugiere aplicar lo que hacer daño y nos va a ofender todos • Private Flight Charter el pasaje dijo a cada uno durante el día. los días. Pero permanecer enojados o “De este modo, empezamos a ver nuestras resentidos no cura nada. Sólo hace que • Air Ambulance vidas como él las ve desde su perspectiva”. las cosas nos lastimen por más tiempo”, McAllen, TX 2. Mejorar la vida de los demás indicó el Arzobispo de Los Ángeles. 12 NOTICIAS EN ESPAÑOL The Valley Catholic - Enero 2020 »La Alegría de Vivir Como nos afecta Fe en el Valle el cambio climático Pronto las hermanas estaban uy pocas veces se registran y es común padecerlo durante la preparadas para empezar su temperaturas cercanas a temporada de invierno. Los síntomas misión. Navegaron a Puerto Isabel. congelarnos aquí en nuestro que lo caracterizan durante el invierno Valle,M si acaso un par de días en cada son: fatigarse, sentirse letárgico, dormir invierno, después los termómetros demás, antojarse de carbohidratos y de registran 55-65° Fahrenheit una o dos chocolate, aumentar de peso, recluirse semanas, y sin notarlo ya estamos a más y evadir los compromisos sociales, y de 80 grados otra vez. La mayoría de por supuesto, deprimirse. Hay quienes gente en el mundo está al pendiente del no pueden dormir de noche, por lo calentamiento de nuestro planeta. que durante el día suelen sentirse en ¿Mama, quiénes En diciembre se reunieron en extremo agitados e irritables. son aquellas Algún día seré hermosas damas? una de ellas. Msgr. Juan Nicolau, España especialistas y jóvenes que La depresión de invierno, como Ph.D.,STL expusieron la imperiosa necesidad muchos le dicen, se presenta en el seis de hacer algo drástico para evitar el por ciento de la población, en algunos Son monjas Sacerdote jubilado de la deshielo de los polos y las severas es algo moderada y se puede superar santas, Rosa. Diócesis de Brownsville Han dedicado sus consecuencias que tendría para con tan solo cambiar de ambiente por vidas al servicio diversos ecosistemas. Pero aparte de una semana, por ejemplo, tomándose Rosa tenía razón. Pocos de Dios. preocuparnos por nuestro planeta, los unos días en algún lugar tropical y hay años después, ella Un caballero de la cambios de estación también afectan doctores que recomiendan la terapia de se uniría al convento En Brownsville, ciudad ofrece una directamente a nuestro cuerpo y para luz, esto es exponerse al sol natural, o en Brownsville, la las hermanas imprenta antigua. ten ¿Por qué no imprimir algunas personas es difícil el superar los la luz artificial de una lámpara especial, primera vocación de ían mucho nuestros propios cambios que provoca en ellos el clima. por 20 minutos diarios durante unas Texas a las hermanas trabajo. libros? del verbo encarnado. ¡Todos estos Hasta hace poco tiempo no se semanas. Esto parece ayudar a nivelar estudiantes y sin tener reconocía que hay individuos que los niveles de serotonina y melatonina, libros! ¿Qué hacemos? padecen dichos cambios climáticos, que son los químicos de nuestro cerebro que sufren física y mentalmente responsables por el sentimiento de A finales de un año, su primera cuando llega el invierno, por ejemplo, bienestar, y buen dormir, que llegamos escuela fue construida. o cuando llueve por dos o tres días. Se a sentir cuando los producimos en pensaba que eran cosas o creencias de cantidades adecuadas. Naturalmente viejos cuando alguien decía que pronto nuestro organismo tiende a nivelarse llovería porque había empezado a sufrir con solo exponerse la luz del día. dolor en los huesos, sin embargo, ahora Utilicemos estos conocimientos, ¡Que esta vid tome raíz en se reconoce que los cambios de presión primero para no quejarnos por las nuestra nueva tierra y crezca! en el ambiente (presión atmosférica) inclemencias del tiempo, y después pueden afectar las articulaciones, sobre para disfrutar del día en que nos toca todo en las personas que sufren de vivir hoy. Hagamos lo que nos dicta artritis o de osteoporosis, en ciertos el sentido común y cooperemos a individuos se presentan bajas de presión mejorar el mundo evitando contaminar, sanguínea y también dolores de cabeza. como mínimo, sin tanto discurso ni Hoy en día se reconoce que existe el palabrería, ¡Nuestras obras hablaran síndrome de aflicción por los cambios volúmenes! en el clima que presentan las diversas ¡Vive un día a la vez! ... ignite the estaciones. El SAD (Seasonal Affective moment! … y recuerda que Dios te ama Disorder) afecta a hombres y mujeres, y yo también. Brownsville ha superado la ¡Esta iglesia será la más pequeña iglesia que el Padre grande de todo Texas! Telmos Construyó. Por primera vez en la Diócesis

Padre Keralum, usted es tipo arquitecto, ¿puede diseñar ‘Teología del Cuerpo’ en español una nueva iglesia? The Valley Catholic Universidad Pontificia en Giorgia, (30 horas de instrucción de Significa Oblatos de ¿Que significa María Inmaculada. La fue fundada con el objetivo de nivel maestría) OMI? nueva iglesia será en 59 SAN JUAN — Teología del ayudar a los católicos a tratar con • Un libro de trabajo honor a la Inmaculada Junio, 18 . Cuerpo, uno de los legados más la complejidad de la obra del papa • Misa diaria, adoración y Concepción de María importantes del Papa San Juan Juan Pablo II. confesión Pablo II, se expondrá por primera Christopher West, un • Hospedaje y comidas vez en el Valle de Río Grande a experimentado maestro de • Tiempo libre para descanso finales de este mes, durante un Teología del Cuerpo, autor de y uso de redes retiro intensivo en el Centro de “Teología del Cuerpo Explicada”, El instructor del curso, Evan Retiros de St. Eugene de Mazenod, dice en Wikipedia que “la Teología Lemoine, cuenta con un título de el cual tendrá una duración de del Cuerpo de Juan Pablo II, es bellas artes de la Universidad del seis días. más comúnmente vista como Estado de Luisiana, es graduado Otra de las cosas que se hace una catequesis extendida sobre del programa de Maestría en por primera vez en la Diócesis el matrimonio y el amor sexual. Matrimonio y familia del Instituto es, que el retiro y estudio de Ciertamente eso es, pero también Juan Pablo II en la ciudad de “Teología del Cuerpo: Curso de es mucho más que eso. A través del México. También es graduado Inmersión de Mente y Corazón”, misterio de la Persona Encarnada del Instituto de Teología del será presentado en español. y la analogía bíblica del amor de Cuerpo en Filadelfia, donde Teología del Cuerpo es un esposos, la catequesis de Juan se especializó en Teología del análisis de la sexualidad humana, Pablo II, ilumina la totalidad del Cuerpo, Amor y Responsabilidad Continuará sus orígenes divinos y sus plan de Dios para la vida humana, y en la filosofía de San Juan Pablo Del libro, Fe en el Valle: Una historia ilustrada de la Diócesis de Brownsville aspectos espirituales. Surge de una desde su inicio hasta el final de los II. Lemoine es cofundador del compilación de 129 conferencias y tiempos, con una espléndida luz Instituto “Amar al Máximo” y disertaciones desarrolladas por el sobrenatural. ha realizado numerosos viajes THE STEWARDSHIP & GRANTS OFFICE INVITES ALL PARISHES Papa Juan Pablo II en un período El Instituto describe su curso para hablar sobre Teología del TO PROMOTE AND PARTICIPATE IN THE UPCOMING de más de cinco años, durante introductorio de la siguiente Cuerpo, sexualidad, noviazgo y su pontificado. Él dio estos manera: “Este curso ofrece una matrimonio. sermones entre el 5 de septiembre introducción práctica y dinámica El retiro se llevará a cabo en 8th Annual CDOB Stewardship Conference de 1979 y el 28 de noviembre de a los puntos más esenciales de enero del 19 al 24 en “St. Eugene April 2-3, 2020 1984 y posteriormente añadió la Teología del Cuerpo, con una de Mazenod Centro de Retiros” encíclicas y otros argumentos visión amplia y panorámica en la Basílica de Nuestra señora at the Bishop Marx Conference sobre el tema. El tema en sí, se de la obra, siguiendo el mismo de San Juan del Valle -Santuario Center in San Juan. deriva de la Encíclica Humanae orden y estructura de las 129 Nacional. El costo de registro Vitae del Santo Papa Pablo VI y audiencias papales de Juan Pablo con todo incluido es de $795dls ‘Stewarding the Faith, A Joyful Journey’ otros precedentes anteriores que II: el plan original de Dios para la incluye ocupación doble, comidas, Celebrating Saint Philip Neri - Patron Saint of Joy se remontan a Santo Tomás de persona humana, el cuerpo y la libro de trabajo y materiales. Aquino y la obra que abarca temas sexualidad; la caída y la redención; Registrarse en línea a: https:// FOR MORE INFORMATION, planteados por filósofos como la resurrección; y el gran misterio corproject.com.securechkout. Immanuel Kant y Francis Bacon. del amor conyugal”. com/tob1spanishlemoinePara Call the The Stewardship & Grants Office El Instituto de teología El retiro de una semana más información visita el sitio: At (956) 784-5095 del Cuerpo, una organización incluye: https://www.olsjbasilica.org/ ‘Stewarding the Faith, A Joyful Journey’ educacional con su base • Cinco días de aprendizaje about-us/news/325-theology-of- en Filadelfia y afiliada a la y conferencia interactiva the-body. Celebrating Saint Philip Neri - Patron Saint of Joy January 2020 - The Valley Catholic DIOCESE 13

23RD ANNUAL Spirit AWARDS

FRIDAY JANUARY

Lupina 24 Ester Vela 6 P.M. Turbay Diocesan Our Lady of Honoree Sorrows School, Our Lady of Sorrows School McAllen McAllen

The event honors excellence in Catholic education and raises funds Benigno (Trey) for the diocese's Starr Martinez tuition assistance Putegnat program St. Mary’s Catholic Guadalupe Regional School, Middle School, Brownsville Catholic Schools Week Jan. 27-31 Brownsville

Dr. Rafael Manuel & Felipa Rafael & Carina Garza Gamez Munguia

Juan Diego St. Joseph The Pharr Oratory of Academy, Academy, St. Philip Neri School Mission Brownsville System, Pharr

Marlo Amy Cynthia Canales Garcia Aguilar

Immaculate Conception St. Anthony St. Joseph School Honoree, Catholic School, Catholic School, Rio Grande City Harlingen Edinburg

Graciela P. Jesus Ricardo Maria Luisa Jasso Jaime Escobedo

San Martin de Porres Incarnate Word St. Luke Catholic School, Academy, Catholic School, Weslaco Brownsville Brownsville 14 DIOCESE The Valley Catholic - January 2020 flee his country. Knights “I am one of the people who continued from pg. 3 defends our country, civically On call for Catholic Schools and democratically, and yet ematics, science and social studies. the government has tried to Spirit Awards She also worked with teaching staff the lives of the refugees for the kill us through the police and in measuring the cognitive abilities better.” Sandinista youth,” Reyes said, honoree always of students. At every distribution, growing emotional as he told A key difference between pub- Simonton said immigrants his story. “I am one of the ready to help lic and Catholic schools is the in- expressed their thanks to the people, who like many that creased personal attention given Knights and helped unload that are here, are asking for an By R. DANIEL CAVAZOS to a student at a Diocesan school, supplies from the trailers. The opportunity because we have a The Valley Catholic she said. Public schools use stan- gift of giving, especially during fear of losing our lives.” dardized testing as a measure of the holidays, left a lasting mark What started out as a small Lupina Vela can walk into a whether a student should advance on the Knights, he said. request from El Paso has grown Catholic school in in the Diocese LUPINA VELA to the next grade. Catholic schools “It has changed the lives of to include three regions along of Brownsville and knows what use such testing to determine the the Knights that were part of the Texas-Mexico border. The she will find. opens Catholic Schools Week in the individual needs of students and as the distributions,” Simonton principle of charity and treating “I’ve never seen a more hard- diocese. a measure of academic progress. said. “It’s a great blessing for us others as you would want to working group than the instruc- Her award comes at a poignant “It’s not only about acceptable to be part of something like this be treated — with respect and tors in the Diocese of Brownsville,” time in Vela’s career, as she retires in progress but if a student can handle (initiative).” love in a time of need — has said Vela, a San Antonio-based early January after a 35-year career accelerated instruction and enrich- The immigrants at the distinguished the Knights as senior assessment consultant for in education. ment,” Vela said. “Catholic schools Matamoros shelter expressed they demonstrated grace and Riverside Insights, a company “I’m very honored to be recog- provide that personalized attention gratitude for the support faith during the holidays in the that provides testing programs for nized,” said Vela, a lifelong Catholic to the complete student.” they were receiving. Wendy true spirit of Jesus Christ. Catholic schools throughout the who is active in her faith. “To re- The foundational test River- Concepcion Castro Cruz of “The smiles on the faces of United States. ceive the award at this time makes side provides to Diocese schools Honduras spoke of working in the (immigrant) children and Vela’s role for Riverside is to it extra special.” is called the Iowa Assessments, the kitchen daily to show her their parents were priceless,” provide and manage academic Vela forged a close working re- which is given to grades K-12 and appreciation for the assistance Simonton said of the three and cognitive testing for students lationship with Sister Mello and her measures student knowledge in a given at the shelter. Another distributions. “I’m so very attending Catholic schools in Tex- staff of administrators and instruc- range of subjects from reading to immigrant, Edwin Reyes, a proud of the Knights and what as. In that capacity, she has for the tors during the years she worked language arts to mathematics and young Nicaraguan, described they did in Juárez, Piedras last 11 years worked closely with with Diocese schools. There were science. Vela trained school admin- the conditions that led him to Negras and Matamoros.’’ administrators and instructors at vast amounts of data and num- istrators and instructors on how to Diocese of Brownsville schools. bers to go through and analyze in take and analyze the results of that Vela’s work with the schools measuring the academic progress testing. has been exemplary, said Sister and development of students. Vela The students at Diocese of Hippocrates possessed Cindy Mello, the superintendent said through it all she always knew Brownsville schools have demon- Bioethics unusual wisdom and foresight of Catholic schools in the Diocese. Diocese school administrators and strated continued improvement continued from pg. 5 to codify these real dangers “She’s been great for our Cath- instructors had the needs of indi- over the years, she said. for the soul of the medical olic schools,” Sister Mello said. vidual students foremost in mind. “That’s not a subjective opin- professional millennia ago. As “If we need training, she comes Vela came to Riverside with ion,” Vela said. “It’s based on data.” be squared with her vocation we witness an unprecedented down. If we need extra time, she over 10 years of experience in the In retiring, Vela will remem- as a mother or with her sacred collapse of the sense of the comes down.” classroom as a teacher in Dallas and ber far more than the numbers and calling as a physician to “do sacred within the world of the Vela’s diligence and commit- San Antonio public schools. She data in her work with the Diocese no harm.” That sacred call- healing arts today, we must ment to the schools have made started as a consultant 25 years ago of Brownsville schools and their ing translates into helping all assiduously pray for those who her the recipient of the 2019 Di- and then became a sales represen- students, staff and instructors. those born with birth defects have turned their backs on ocesan Spirit Award. She and 14 tative before moving into a senior “I would go to Mass with them,” or afflicted by disease, without that ancient and time-tested others from diocesan schools will role position where she worked she said. “It’s something I relished ever imposing death penalties Oath, and vigorously support be recognized Jan. 24 at the an- with schools in administering and and will never forget. It was so spe- onto them. Ahead of all others, those fighting to uphold its nual Spirit Awards at Our Lady of interpreting the testing of students cial the way they treated me as part physicians are tasked with tenets within medicine’s hal- Sorrows School, a celebration that in reading, language arts, math- of their family.” grasping this key truth. lowed hallways.

2020 Begin this new year by Joining Us on Touring Tuesdays January 7, 2020

All Catholic schools in the Rio Grande Valley invite you to their ‘Touring Tuesdays’!

Prospective families interested in learning more about our Catholic schools can drop in from 9 -10 a.m. (no appointment needed) St. Anthony School on the 1st Tuesday of every month to Harlingen see classes in action and learn more about Catholic education.

Come and see the difference where Faith and Academics meet in your child’s life!

Juan Diego Academy Mission FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL THE CATHOLIC SCHOOLS OFFICE AT (956) 784-5051. OR VISIT US AT WWW.CDOB.ORG/SCHOOLS FOR SCHOOL LISTINGS. January 2020 - The Valley Catholic DIOCESE 15

The Institute of Theology of the Body 1 16 presents a weeklong retreat in Spanish » Monthly calendar THE SOLEMNITY OF MARY, HOLY HOUR FOR VOCATIONS for the first time in the Rio Grande Valley (MARRIED LIFE) MOTHER OF GOD at the St. Eugene de Mazenod Renewal Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, the Solemnity Every third Thursday of each month the Holy Hour will be dedicated for Center at the Basilica of Our Lady of of Mary, Mother of God, is a holy day of San Juan del Valle-National Shrine. This obligation. the intentions of the sanctification of the Vocation of Matrimony. Families, event is an introduction to the most engaged couples, and couples in the essential points of the Theology of the JANUARY Month of the Holy Name of Jesus 1 Family Apostolic Movements and in Body in the same order and structure of NEW YEAR’S DAY: DIOCESAN other marriage ministries are invited to St. John Paul II’s 129 papal audiences: OFFICES CLOSED gather and pray for this intention. This God’s original plan for the human Diocesan offices will be closed in month Holy Hour for Vocations (Married person, the body and sexuality; the fall observance of New Year’s Day and the Life) is set for 7-8 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. and redemption; the resurrection; and Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. 16 at St. Joseph Adoration Chapel, 723 the great mystery of conjugal love. This 25 E. Bowie Ave. in Alamo. retreat begins Sunday, Jan. 19 and runs MOTHER-DAUGHTER PROGRAM 11 through Friday, Jan. 24. The Mother-Daughter Program presented by the Diocese CATECHETICAL CONFERENCE 18 of Brownsville’s Family Life Office 9 a.m.-12 noon in HOLY FIRE SOUTH TEXAS English and 2-5 p.m. in Spanish at the Bishop Adolf Marx Catechetical Conference for catechists, 23-26 YOUTH CONFERENCE MEN’S CURSILLO WEEKEND Conference Center. Pre-registration with the Family Life Catholic school teachers, parents and/ The Holy Fire South Texas Youth IN EDINBURG Office required. or adult leaders 9 a.m.-7 p.m. at Sacred Conference is a one-day conference Cursillo is a movement from the Heart Catholic Church, 1100 Broadway at the Mission Event Center for Church that focuses on helping each in Elsa. For more information, please 25 young people in grades 6-9. They will person to discover themselves, their NIGHT OF HEALING AND DIVINE MERCY contact your Parish Catechetical Leader experience dynamic speakers, music, relationship with Christ and with others. Msgr. Juan Nicolau, Ph.D., leads the faithful in prayer for (PCL) or Catholic school principal. and the sacrament of the Eucharist The initial Cursillo experience is a 72- a Night of Healing and Divine Mercy at 6:30 p.m. at the like they never have before, and will hour weekend designed for Christian Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle-National Shrine. 18 be invited and challenged to embrace renewal. Men’s Cursillo weekend will DIPLOMADO EN TEOLOGIA their baptismal call and the relevant be Jan. 23-26 at Holy Family Parish in and powerful gospel of Jesus. Tickets 27-31 BIBLICA Edinburg. Pre-registration required. CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK available at the Youth Ministry office Celebrate Catholic Schools Week in the Diocese of The Diocese of Brownsville and the and at Fountain of Mercy Ministry. Pontifical University of Mexico’s two- 24 Brownsville’s schools Jan. 27-31. year program, “Diplomado en Teología 19-24 SPIRIT AWARDS BANQUET Bíblica,” begins Saturday, Jan. 18. THEOLOGY OF THE BODY Catholic Schools’ annual Spirit Awards SUBMIT YOUR EVENTS TO: Contact the SJDLM at (956) 784 -5059 IN SPANISH – FIRST TIME Banquet at 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24, at Our Paul Binz at [email protected] or email [email protected] to register. IN VALLEY Lady of Sorrows School in McAllen. or call (956) 784-5055.

ANSWER KEY: 65. c, 66. c of them state in their written nion, and thus to grow in love Adjusting evaluations of the retreat that and become ever more fully continued from pg. 4 they desire to continue and/or a temple in which the Spirit »The Holy Father’s Prayer augment their prayer life and dwells.” May the Holy Spirit their service to the Church. guide each of this New Year to Intentions for January the Catholic Church, because Pope Francis: “The family adjust the rhythm of our life they want to grow in their is called to join in daily prayer, to better know, love and serve Promotion of World Peace faith; and we are so blessed to read the word of God and to our God. We pray that Christians, followers to have them. The majority share in Eucharistic commu- of other religions, and all people of goodwill may promote peace and justice in the world.

»From the Bookshelf The Privilege of Why Do We Have Being Catholic To Be So Quiet in Church? Length: Paperback 204 pages Length: Hard Publication: Liguori Press Cover 32 1993 pages Authors: Father Oscar Publication: Paraclete Press Lukefahr C.M. 2013 Authors: Clare Simpson With tremendous respect for the faith and traditions of Illustration: Kay Harper other religions, Father Lukefahr explores how the Catholic sacramental view of the world is expressed in every And 12 Other Questions Kids aspect of Catholic life. With reverence for Tradition and Have About God. This gentle Scripture, Father Lukefahr explains what sacramental book is meant to accompany principle is, how it is based on the Incarnation of Jesus your youngest children to Christ, and how this unique perspective makes the church…Children Ages 3-6 Catholic faith distinct among faiths. Adults »Worth Watching Saint John Bosco: My Catholic Mission To Love Family: Saint Don Bosco Format: DVD Format: DVD Run time: 200 min. Run time: 30 Production: Ignatius Press min. 2006 Production: Languages: English/ EWTN 2009 Italian, Spanish and English Languages: Subtitles English and Spanish Growing up without a father gave him This episode explores the life compassion for the many orphans that he and spirituality of one of the great cared for, while he faced persecution from both apostles of youth, St. Don Bosco. secular society and the Church as he fought John Bosco and Don Bosco are to build a place to house and educate the the same with different titles. homeless, outcast youth of Turin. Teens/Adults Children Ages 5-12.

Recommended by SISTER MAUREEN CROSBY, SSD Coordinator of the Media Resource Center - Diocese of Brownsville — For a complete listing of titles, visit the Media Resource Center online at www.cdob.org/media-resource-center or call Sister Crosby at (956) 784-5041. 16 DIOCESE The Valley Catholic - January 2020 Our Catholic Family Corps of catechists anchors St. Theresa Parish “It makes us feel good that they Lifelong (former students) are still active,” said Rodriguez, who was honored teaching, for her 30 years of service as a catechist. And the learning has gone both learning is ways, Sauceda said. “I’ve bettered myself in being their hallmark with the children (I’ve taught),” she said. By R. DANIEL CAVAZOS The recent Catechetical The Valley Catholic Convocation on Sept. 28 provided a moment to reflect on the years of SAN BENITO — St. Theresa service and to express gratitude for Catholic Church is engrained in the recognition. the sort of mainstay neighborhood “It was really a milestone for area that has come to define and me,” said Garcia in marking 30 years establish a city. of service. “I didn’t think I’d be in it La Palma is one of those for so long. But I’ve always enjoyed neighborhoods for San Benito on it, and it felt great to be appreciated.” its southeast side that lies adjacent The St. Theresa instructors are to Expressway 77/83. St. Theresa is not only an inspiration for their located in the heart of La Palma, and students but for the church staff that at the core of this church are seven serves alongside them in the parish. instructors who have a combined R. Daniel Cavazos / The Valley Catholic “I’m so moved by their 200-plus years of experience of Isabel Jauregui, Director of Religious Education for St. Theresa Parish of San Benito, works with a group of close-knit catechists dedication,” said Isabel Jauregui, the teaching religious education classes. who bring impressive years of experience to their joyful task. In the photo above, Jauregui is at the left of the back row, director of religious education at The St. Theresa catechists are accompanied by Olivia Rodriguez, center; and Belinda Garcia, right. In the front row are Frances Sauceda, left; Lucia Tamayo, St. Theresa. “They just continue to longtime friends and acquaintances center; and Maria Perez, right. amaze me. I’ve never seen this kind who in most cases grew up in La of dedication to teaching our faith.” Palma and have stayed close to their the 81 Diocese of Brownsville touch. actively teach children and adults In sharing their stories of old neighborhood. They speak of catechists honored this fall at the “I tell the children that this is in laying down important religious teaching over the decades, there’s the depth of their friendships and 2019 Catechetical Convocation like going to school,” said Lucia foundations along with providing no indication these St. Theresa how they look out for each other as in Harlingen. The San Benito Tamayo, who was honored for 20 needed refreshment in tenets of the instructors are stopping anytime they share a love for their faith and parish had the most 30- and 40- years of service at the convocation. faith. soon. community. year catechists honored for their “I also tell them that what you’re They have seen the years pass “It’s a calling from Up There,” “It’s a joy to pass on the faith,” longevity of service. learning here, you need to keep in — too quickly, they agree — and Tamayo said, pointing upward. said Mary Perez, who has taught The St. Theresa catechists spoke your hearts and minds and keep spoke of the satisfaction and joy felt “The Holy Spirit has definitely been religious education classes for more of being inspired as youngsters by with you the rest of your lives.” in seeing a youngster grow up and with us every day (in classrooms).’’ than 40 years. religious education instructors who Tamayo’s words are met with continue in service to the church. St. Theresa’s director of religious Perez and six other St. Theresa helped to shape and develop their nods and affirmation by the other Their eyes light up when speaking education is certain of one thing as instructors Frances Sauceda, faith. They see their own years of instructors at a recent gathering of seeing a former student at a she plans out religious classes with Belinda Garcia, Olivia Rodriguez, teaching classes as giving back to in a St. Theresa meeting room that grocery store or other public place her core group of instructors. Lucy Tamayo, Lucy Sauceda, and their faith and community and included Frances Sauceda, Garcia, and being thanked for the lessons “I know they will never let me Celina Garza — were among helping to set a tone in the lives they Perez and Rodriguez. They still provided years ago. down,” Jauregui said.

Noche de SANACIÓN y DIVINA MISERICORDIA Night of Healing and Divine Mercy Acompáñenos cada ultimo sábado del mes en la Basilia de Nuestra Señora San Juan del Valle en San Juan, Texas a las 6:30 PM Join us every last Saturday of the month at the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle, San Juan, Texas at 6:30 PM with Msgr. Juan Nicolau, Ph.D leading us in prayer