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Students enjoy Ram Awakening at Angelo State University. Photos, story, Pg. 2, 12-13

DIOCESE OF SAN ANGELO PO BOX 1829 NONPROFIT ORG. SAN ANGELO TX 76902-1829 US POSTAGE PAID SAN ANGELO, TX PERMIT NO. 44

A Blessed , Merry and Happy New Year from the West Texas Angelus Page 2 DECEMBER 2017 The Angelus The Inside Front Bishops Sis, Pfeifer honored on RENEW’s 40th anniversary West Texas Angelus DiMarzio, bishop of Brooklyn; Most Rev. prelates who have partnered with RENEW in Michael Pfeifer, OMI, bishop emeritus of San the work of evangelization, sponsoring RENEW International, a Catholic not-for- Angelo; and Most Rev. Michael Sis, bishop RENEW small-group evangelization process- profit organization based in Plainfield, N.J., of San Angelo. es to deepen faith. began celebrating its 40th anniversary by Archbishop Christophe Pierre, apostolic Cardinal O’Malley established the decade- honoring four bishops who have demonstrat- nuncio to the United States, offered an invo- long relationship between the Archdiocese of ed their dedication to evangelization. cation before Joseph Cardinal Tobin, arch- Boston and RENEW International. Boston The Champions for Evangelization award bishop of Newark — RENEW’s home dio- was the first diocese to participate in ARISE was presented during a reception at the cese — addressed the guests regarding his Together in Christ/LEVÁNTATE. Unámonos United State Conference of Catholic Bishops own experiences with the RENEW process en Cristo. The partnership was so successful Fall General Assembly in November to when he was a pastor. Sister Terry Rickard, that, once it completed the process, the dio- Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley. OFM, Cap, arch- OP, president and executive director of bishop of Boston; Most Rev. Nicholas RENEW, presented the awards to the four (Please See RENEW/23) From the Editor Campus ministries see involvement Wanderlust wins on the upswing in out, and so it is Midland, Odessa time to go By Jimmy Patterson By Lisa Martinez Campus Minister When I was a boy, I lived in a tent. It was Midland-Odessa just me and two others sharing close quarters and amenities that today would not be consid- The UT-Permian Basin Catholic Student ered acceptable or ade- Association (CSA) recently participated in quate. But I loved that the university’s annual Halloween festival, tent. And I loved my a fundraiser for all student groups who tentmates. It might not apply to participate. Lorena Najera, CSA have been an extrava- president and Marcos Aguilar, CSA vice- gant dwelling, that president, showed great leadership ability in green canvas, but it organizing the booths. The CSA’s Cupcake was full of love and it Walk and Ghost Bowling were a hit with allowed me to experi- the various superheroes, princesses and ence things most peo- skeletons who visited. ple were not be able The Midland College CSA celebrated All to. Soul’s Day/Dia de los Muertes by decorating My tentmates raised me. I called them mom and staffing a table in Amistad Atrium locat- and dad. My bed was a nylon-strung cot with a ed in the Marie Hall Academic Building. blanket when necessary. My front yard was a Students were invited to light a candle in grove of Post-Oak Blackjacks and out back memory of a loved one, and to write that was Bromide Hill. Sulphur water ran from the person’s name on a card. The cards were public tap. It smelled like eggs but was purport- gathered in a basket and remembered at edly a healthy supplemental drink. I chose to Mass in the campus Chapel. Msgr. Bridges stay as far from the sulphur water as I could. celebrated Mass for All Day, assisted These may have been my digs for only a cou- by students and staff. ple weeks a year, but the memories I enjoyed The All Saints Mass at UTPB drew a wih my parents in Oklahoma’s Platt National larger than usual crowd with more than 35 Park have been some of the strongest that have attending. Fr. Joe Uecker was the celebrant stayed with me 40 and 50 years later. and left students and others with a memo- We later upgraded to a 13-foot travel trailer. It rable image of the saints cheering us on was actually smaller than the tent. We took our from the stands, as we on the field endeavor home on wheels everywhere. The Rocky to become saints ourselves! Mountains, Mesa Verde, the Ozarks and the The first ever “Ram Awakening” was Grand Canyon, dad’s favorite. We returned to hosted by the Angelo State University Platt every summer as if it were our second Newman Center in San Angelo. The home, and later on we found Tyler State Park. Awakening movement features retreats for To be surrounded by the piney woods of East college students on campuses throughout Texas enhanced an already blessed childhood the nation. UTPB students were in atten- that was spent largely outdoors. dance and blessed by the event! I would eventually grow up, marry, and have “My favorite part of the retreat was to see a family of my own, while all the while, mom our small groups called ‘families,’ actually and dad continued their travels as long as age become a family throughout the weekend,” and health allowed. A summer in the Pacific Marcos Aguilar, CSA vice-president said. Northwest, another in the Ozarks. My dad’s “There will always be a special connection desire to explore and his sense of wanderlust with my first ‘Awakening’ family.” and love of this country took him where Lisa Martinez is the campus minister at Pictured, left to right, are UT-Permian Basin students Marcos Aguilar, Lorena ever his heart yearned to go. Today, my broth- UT-Permian Basin, Midland College and Najera, Klarisa Molina. This was taken at the Awakening retreat at Angelo State Odessa College University in San Angelo. Related coverage Pgs. 12-13. (Courtesy photo) (Please See PATTERSON/23) The Angelus DECEMBER 2017 Page 3 From The Bishop’s Desk Avoid the low tide of mudslinging cynicism By Bishop Michael Sis trying to make. The manner in son’s life — their concerns about Diocese of San Angelo which we discuss social issues in society, their fears, their dreams, the family or with fellow - and what they would like to see Our nation is increasingly divided ioners can contribute either to new happen in our world to make it a politically and culturally. This insight or to alienation. better place. atmosphere can have a disturbing For example, if I am driven by Over time, with God’s grace, effect on our my pride and the need to be right all these conversations can lead even- relationships in the time, that can interfere with tually to conversion. However, in the family and in fruitful conversation. I will make a the meantime, on some topics we the parish. In a deeper impact by sincere, respectful may just have to agree to disagree. society where dialogue than by antagonizing, Family life is a laboratory for political discus- throwing darts, or demonizing those learning how to love. It’s a gymna- sions tend to who have differing views. sium for the virtues. It is a place operate in attack It is important to keep things in where we put Christian virtues into mode, it can be proper perspective. My relationship practice, by choosing the virtuous difficult to keep with this family member is more response in our interactions with Bishop Sis conversations important than a political slogan. family members. Over time, these from degenerat- Political parties come and go, but virtues thereby become second ing into bickering or name-calling. they cannot take the place of our nature to us, and our character Of course, we can never expect family or our fellow members of improves. full agreement on every social issue the Body of Christ. It is possible to As Catholics we acknowledge the among our family members and fel- love the person, despite the fact that seriousness of problems in the Cardinal , of the Congregation for low parishioners. Each one of us we have differences of opinion. world around us, but we do not Saints' Causes, concelebrates the beatification Mass of has a unique personality and life It can be helpful to talk over the allow the low tide of political mud- Blessed Nov. 18 at Ford Field in Detroit. At history. Our world-view is shaped reasons behind our opinions, partic- slinging to trap us in a swamp of least 60,000 attended the beatification of the Capuchin by our life experiences. ularly by discussing how our own cynicism. We know that God is Franciscan friar. (CNS photo/Jeff Kowalsky, courtesy There are many vital social issues values and experiences have shaped more powerful than any politician Michigan Catholic) that are currently being debated in our perspective. This includes a or party. God is at work in history. our country today. These are not willingness to enter into dialogue Because God is at work, we have trivial matters. However, some- without writing the person out of hope. Friar lived our faith, times the way we say something is my life. We should try to under- hope, charity everyday more hurtful than the point we are stand what is going on in this per- (Please See BISHOP/22)

By Mike Stechschulte Cómo vivir en familia cuando Catholic News Service

DETROIT — A humble priest and porter, Blessed la sociedad está dividida Solanus Casey thanked God daily for the gift of those Obispo Michael Sis familia o con otros feligreses puede sueños, y lo que les gustaría ver who came to his door in his small corner of the world. contribuir ya sea a una nueva visión que suceda en nuestro mundo para On Nov. 18, tens of thousands of those whom he Nuestra nación se divide cada vez o a la alienación. que sea un lugar mejor. touched gathered to thank God in return for the gift of más política y Por ejemplo, si me dejo llevar Con el tiempo, con la gracia de the holy Capuchin's life. culturalmente. por mi orgullo y la necesidad de Dios, estas conversaciones pueden "Others, above all the poor, were seen by him not as a Este ambiente tener la razón todo el tiempo, eso conducir finalmente a la conver- weight or obstacle to his climb to perfection, but as a puede tener un puede interferir con una conver- sión. Sin embargo, mientras tanto, way to the light of the splendor of God," Cardinal efecto pertur- sación fructífera. Haré un impacto en algunos temas tendremos que Angelo Amato, prefect of the Congregation for Saints' bador en nues- más profundo con un diálogo sin- aceptar estar en desacuerdo. Causes, told the tens of thousands of people gathered at tras relaciones cero y respetuoso que con una acti- La vida familiar es un laborato- - Detroit's Ford Field for Blessed Solanus' beatification en la familia y tud de antagonizar, lanzar dardos, o rio para aprender a amar. Es un Mass. en la parroquia. demonizar a aquellos que tienen gimnasio para las virtudes. Es un A congregation of more than 60,000 — young, old, En una sociedad puntos de vista diferentes. lugar donde ponemos en práctica clergy and laity, those of all races and ethnicities — Obispo Sis donde las discu- Es importante mantener las cosas las virtudes Cristianas, eligiendo la flooded into Ford Field for the Mass, with tens of thou- sands more watching live on TV or the internet. siones políticas en la perspectiva correcta. Mi respuesta virtuosa en nuestras inter- Countless others visited the Solanus Casey Center and tienden a operar en el modo de relación con este miembro de la acciones con los miembros de la St. Bonaventure Monastery over the weekend to pray ataque, puede ser difícil evitar que familia es más importante que familia. Con el tiempo, estas vir- las conversaciones degeneren en cualquier eslogan político. Los par- tudes de ese modo se convierten en t and leave prayer intentions at the tomb of a saintly friar known for miraculous healings, intercessions and a com- disputas o insultos. tidos políticos van y vienen, pero una segunda naturaleza para passionate listening ear. Por supuesto, no podemos esper- no pueden tomar el lugar de nuestra nosotros, y nuestro carácter mejora. True to Blessed Solanus' spirituality, a special VIP sec- ar un acuerdo completo sobre todos familia o nuestros compañeros Como Católicos reconocemos la tion of the main floor was set aside for those with illness los temas sociales entre los miem- miembros del Cuerpo de Cristo. Es gravedad de los problemas en el and disabilities. bros de la familia y feligreses. Cada posible amar a la persona, a pesar mundo que nos rodea, pero no per- Father Michael Sullivan, provincial minister of the uno de nosotros tiene una personal- del hecho de que tenemos diferen- mitimos que la bajamar de los Detroit-based Capuchin Franciscan Province of St. idad e historia de nuestra vida cias de opinión. insultos políticos nos atrapen en un Joseph, welcomed those in attendance, "especially those única. Nuestra visión del mundo Puede ser útil hablar sobre las pantano de cinismo. Sabemos que whom Father Solanus so loved — the sick and the poor." está influenciada por nuestras expe- razones detrás de nuestras opin- Dios es más poderoso que e "We gather in gratitude for all of God's blessings and riencias de vida. iones, en particular al discutir cómo cualquier político o partido. Dios for all the ways in which God moves in our lives," Hay muchos problemas sociales nuestros propios valores y experi- está trabajando en la historia. Y Father Sullivan said. "What a witness was our beloved vitales que se debaten actualmente encias han dado forma a nuestra donde Dios está trabajando, hay brother Solanus! He opened his heart to each person he en nuestro país hoy en día. Estos no perspectiva. Esto incluye una dis- esperanza. met, he prayed with them, appreciated and loved them, son asuntos triviales. Sin embargo, posición a entrar en un diálogo sin Es por esto que, en la liturgia de and through him God moved powerfully again and a veces la manera en la cual deci- sacar a la persona fuera de mi vida. la Iglesia en la Plegaria Eucarística again. Thanks be to God!" mos algo es más dañino que el Debemos tratar de entender lo que II para la Reconciliación, oramos, punto que estamos tratando de está pasando en la vida de esta per- “Con tu acción eficaz puedes con (Please See CASEY/22) hacer. La manera en que se dis- sona - sus preocupaciones acerca ) cuten los problemas sociales en la de la sociedad, sus miedos, sus (Mira OBISPO/21) Page 4 DECEMBER 2017 The Angelus DIOCESAN BRIEFS

December Liturgies Schedule Fishers of Men Award As we make plans to participate in the liturgy of the Church at Christmas, we are in a unique situation this year. Msgr. Larry Droll, left, presents Glenn December 25 will be on a Monday. Hoelscher with the Fishers of Men Award at Christmas is always a holy day of obli- the 4th annual Guadalupe Radio Network’s gation, so Catholics need to participate Fishers of Men Dinner, October 28, 2017, at the Petroleum Club in Midland. Hoelscher in Masses both for the Fourth Sunday accepted the award, which was jointly given of Advent and for Christmas. to Hoelscher and his wife, Anna, who could The Church does not offer a “two-for- not attend because of illness. (Photo by Alan one” option on Sunday evening, P. Torre/aptorre.com). December 24, which means that one cannot attend just one Mass on Sunday to fulfill both the Sunday obligation and the Christmas obligation. All Masses on Saturday evening, December 23, and Sunday, December 24, any time before 4:00 p.m., will be for the Fourth Sunday of Advent. On Sunday, December 24, any Masses at 4:00 p.m. or later will be for the Vigil of the Nativity of the Lord () rather than for Sunday. On the following weekend, the situa- tion will be different. January 1 falls on a Monday this year. Since the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, 2017 Advent takes place on a Monday, it is not a Penance Services holy day of obligation in the U.S. in 2018. When an observance is not a holy day of obligation, there is no need for an anticipated Mass the evening before. Therefore, on Saturday evening, Dec. 30, and all day on Sunday, Dec. 31, including the evening, all Masses will be for the Feast of the Holy Family. Masses celebrated any time on Monday, Jan. 1, will be for the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. Although it is not a holy day of obliga- tion this year, Mass is always a spiritual benefit. Pastoral Center new hours CALENDARS Effective Monday, December 4, 2017, office hours for the pastoral cen- BISHOP’S SCHEDULE 21 — SAN ANGELO, Baptist Memorial, Life Retreat Mass at 7:00 p.m. ter will be 8:00 am-12:00 pm and 1:00- DECEMBER Christmas Mass at 10:00 a.m. 28 — MIDLAND, St. Ann, Catholic Schools 5:00 pm. The pastoral center will be 1 — SAN ANGELO, Diocesan Pastoral 24 — SAN ANGELO, Tom Green County Jail, Week Mass at 10:45 a.m. closed for lunch from noon to 1:00 pm. Center, Joint Meeting of Presbyteral Council Masses at 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. 28 — MIDLAND, San Miguel Arcangel, Adult and Finance Council at 11:00 a.m., and 24 — SAN ANGELO, Sacred Heart Confirmation Mass at 3:00 p.m. Fr. Bala to lead pilgrimage Cathedral, Christmas Vigil Mass at 6:00 p.m. 31 — SAN ANGELO, Angelo Catholic School, Presbyteral Council at 2:00 p.m. Pilgrimage to Rome, Assisi, Lourdes, 1 — SAN ANGELO, Christ the King Retreat 28 — SAN ANGELO, Sacred Heart National Catholic Schools Week Mass at 8:30 Center, Priests, Deacons and Wives, and Cathedral, Latin Mass at 6:00 p.m. a.m. Fatima, Lisbon, Barcelona with Fr. Bala Religious Advent Party at 5:00 p.m. JANUARY 2018 Anthony Govindu 2 — MIDLAND, Our Lady of Guadalupe, 8-12 — SAN ANTONIO, Region X Bishops’ CHRIST THE KING Dates: April, 16-27, 2018 : 12 days Retreat Diocesan Encuentro at 10:00 a.m. RETREAT CENTER Price:$3,999.00 3 — BIG LAKE, St. Margaret of Cortona, 13 — ODESSA, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, DECEMBER For more information please call: Mass at 11:30 a.m. and Blessing of Parish Hall Practice for Dedication at 6:30 p.m. 1-Bishop’s Advent Party for Clergy 6 — BIG SPRING, Flight Line Prison Unit, 14 — ODESSA, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, 2-2022 Deacon Formation Pre-Aspirancy 855-842-8001 (Proximo Travels) Mass at 8:00 a.m. Church Dedication Mass at 9:00 a.m. 4-6-Fresh Start Conference. or 432-599-1521 (Fr. Bala Anthony). 6 — BIG SPRING, Interstate Prison Unit, 17 — SAN ANGELO, Diocesan Pastoral 7-Bishop’s Advent Party for Staff. For more information, see promotion- Center, Priestly Life and Formation Committee Mass at 1:00 p.m. 8-Offices Closed, Feast of Immaculate al poster, page 24. 6 — MIDLAND, St. Ann, Holy Cross Catholic meeting at 11:00 a.m. Conception High School Board Meeting at 6:30 p.m. 18 — SAN ANGELO, Diocesan Pastoral 9-Deacon Formation 7 — SAN ANGELO, Christ the King Retreat Center, Priest Personnel Board meeting at 11a.m. 11-Heart of Mercy Prayer Group Victims Assistance Information Center, Diocesan Staff Advent Party at 6:30 20 — MIDLAND, Holy Cross Catholic High 14-Staff Mass & Lunch If you or someone you know has p.m. School Board Retreat at 9:00 a.m. 18-20-Seminarian Winter Gathering been sexually abused by anyone who 8 — SAN ANGELO, Sacred Heart Cathedral, 20 — SAN ANGELO, Sacred Heart Cathedral, 22 CKRC-Offices Closed ½ Day serves the Church, and you need a Mass at 12:10 p.m. Mass at 5:00 p.m., followed by Annual Section 25 CKRC-Offices Closed for Christmas Meeting of Equestrian Order of the Holy place to talk with someone about your 10 — SAN ANGELO, ASU Newman Center, 29 CKRC-Offices Closed ½ day feelings of betrayal or hurt by the Mass at 6:30 p.m. Sepulchre of Jerusalem 12 — SAN ANGELO, Sacred Heart 21 — SAN ANGELO, Sacred Heart Cathedral, Church due to abuse, exploitation, or NECROLOGY PRIESTS harassment, we are here to help you. Cathedral, Mañanitas at 5:30 a.m. Mass for Life at 6:00 p.m. DECEMBER 12 — EDEN, St. Charles, Blessing of Rectory 22 — SAN ANGELO, Diocesan Pastoral 1-Rev. John A. Pierce (1979) To report sexual misconduct call Lori at 5:00 p.m. Center, Diocesan Liturgical Commission meeting 5-Rev. Angel Vizcarra, O.P. (2004) Hines, Victim Assistance Coordinator, 12 — MILLERSVIEW, Our Lady of at 10:00 a.m. 12-Rev. James Aaron, (1999) 325-374-7609, or write Diocese of San Guadalupe, Mass at 6:00 p.m. 23 — SAN ANGELO, Diocesan Pastoral 20-Rev. John Waldron (1995) Angelo Victim Assistance Ministry, PO 13 — SAN ANGELO, St. Mary, Speak to Center, Vocation Team meeting at 2:00 p.m. 28-Rev. Nicholas Femenia, C.M. (1999) Box 1829, San Angelo, TX 76902, If Confirmation Class at 7:00 p.m. 25 — SAN ANGELO, Diocesan Pastoral 29-Rev. Msgr. Louis Moeller (2008) Center, Catholic Charitable Foundation Board the sexual abuse occurred outside this 15 — SAN ANGELO, Christ the King Retreat 30-Rev. John Hoorman, C.PP.S.(1995) diocese, the Victim Assistance Center, Staff Advent Day of Reflection at 9:00 meeting at 10:00 a.m. a.m. 25 — MIDLAND, St. Stephen, Annual Knights Coordinator will assist in bringing the NECROLOGY DEACONS concern to the appropriate authorities. 17-19 — SAN ANGELO, Christ the King of Columbus Clergy Appreciation Dinner at 6:00 DECEMBER Retreat Center, Seminarian Winter Gathering p.m. 12-Deacon Nestor Perez (1993) 26 — SAN ANGELO, Holy Angels, Bread of The Angelus DECEMBER 2017 Page 5

Cooking for the Joy of Sport

The St. Stephen’s Knights of Columbus Council 12657 served 300 meals for ath- letes and volunteers at the Area 18 Special Olympics bowling tournament, Saturday, November 11, 2017, at Diamond Lanes in Odessa. Special Olympics’ mis- sion is transforming lives through the joy of sport, every day, everywhere.

Clockwise from top photo: From left, Knights Omar Barnes, Sammy Gonzales and, far right, Sean Carroll with Midland Team coaches Gladys Qualls and with team members Teresa Palmer, and Omar Barnes’ daughter; Knights Ray LeBlanc, with cap, and John White; Grand Knight Austin Good with Knight Chad Wiesman, and above, Sean and Susan Carrol. Page 6 DECEMBER 2017 The Angelus Books on women saints may bring them appreciation beyond church "St. Clare of Assisi: Light from the Cloister" sticks. The rigors of poverty and sus- call to the religious life directly from their Her sister's departure, however, only by Bret Thomas, OFS. Tan Books (Charlotte, tained fasting undermined Clare's health parents. Louis Martin had wanted to be intensified Therese's desire for the reli- North Carolina, 2017). 239 pp., $24.95. and she would live for many years con- monk; Zelie had wanted to become a gious life. At 15, she asked the prioress of "The Life of St. Therese of Lisieux" by fined to her bed. Despite the toils she . They lived as a married couple in the Carmelite convent in Lisieux if she August Pierre Laveille. Christian Classics exacted on her body, Clare still lived over harmonious celibacy. It was a priest who could be allowed to enter and she was (Notre Dame, Indiana. 2017). 424 pp., $18.95. 60 years, a very advanced age in the 13th pointed out to them that bearing children refused. She went to the local bishop and century. was a natural and holy vocation, too. The asked again and was refused again. Both By Graham Yearley August Pierre Laveille's "The Life of couple would take that advice to heart wondered if the beautiful but delicate Catholic News Service St. Therese of Lisieux" is a biography, but and bear nine children, but only four sur- Therese could withstand the rigors of reli- not a new one, as it was published origi- vived to adulthood, all girls. Therese was gious life. It's good to have new biographical nally in 1925. Laveille's work was com- the youngest. After Therese eventually received per- works of two women saints: St. Clare of missioned by Therese's own sister The first great crisis was her mother's mission to join the order, her joy was evi- Assisi and St. Therese of Lisieux. Both Pauline, who also had been her prioress death when Therese was 4 and a half dent, but further trials would await her. are famous saints to Catholics, but there in the Carmelite order. Eventually, all years old. From then on, Therese was Therese would be told that as she had two is limited knowledge of them outside the four daughters of Louis and Zelie Martin raised by her sister Celine. Her second sisters who had taken their final vows, church. These publications may correct would join the order. crisis came when Celine joined the she would have to remain a novice, junior that. One could say the four girls got their Carmelites several years later. in both age and status. Eight hundred years separate the lives of these two women. Clare lived in the 12th and 13th centuries and Therese in the 19th. But both sought the religious life early, both had no interest in following the stan- dard roles of women as wife and mother and both practiced forms of self-mortifi- cation and self-denial that make us uncomfortable to hear about in the 21st century. We no longer believe that extreme fasting and sleeping on beds of twigs makes us dearer to God. Bret Thomas' "St. Clare of Assisi" is not a biography, as the author openly states in the preface. Some parts of St. Clare's life are well documented, but there are other parts where there is no record. Consequently, the author has imagined scenes and thoughts from her life, so "St. Clare of Assisi" bears greater resemblance to an historical novel than a biography. It is, nonetheless, a lively and informative read. Clare, born into a wealthy noble family of Assisi's upper class, had an early sense that the life of an arranged marriage and child rearing was not for her. She got to know Francis, who became St. Francis, from an early age in Assisi. She was attracted to his preaching and dedication to a life of poverty that imitated the life of Christ. When she turned 18, she sold off her possessions and gave her inherited money to the poor. On Palm Sunday in 1212, Clare escaped by night with the help of a sym- pathetic servant. Several miles from Assisi, she met up with Francis and some of his followers. That night she was given her tonsure by Francis, her hair was cut short and she was dressed in a rough woolen tunic. Her family traced her and demanded that Clare return to Assisi with them, but she refused. Henceforth, she would dedi- cate her life to living in a community of women in poverty. Three years after her escape, when she was 23, Clare was declared the abbess of San Damiano. Clare recognized that the women who became her followers could not lead an itinerant life, begging for alms as Francis' followers did, so she estab- lished a stable community and would cre- ate other communities led by other women. But that did not mean the 'Poor Clares," as they became known, lived in comfort. All the women slept in one large room on hard mats; Clare herself slept on a bed of The Angelus DECEMBER 2017 Page 7 Consider a gift that keeps on giving this year: a loving home for a foster child

By Jennifer Carr Allmon Executive Director Texas Conference of Catholic Bishops

Even after news reports of children sleeping on office floors, or worse, their tragic deaths, Texas’ foster crisis continues. We need more foster parents ready to serve God’s children who are caught in the state’s beleaguered child welfare system. It would be so simple if Christians heard the Scripture’s call to “let the children come unto me” and opened their homes to the thousands of children needing safe families. But fear and circumstance hinder many of us from answering this call. During Advent, we wait for our Savior, while these precious children wait for their saviors every day of the year. The Scripture we read in Advent gives us a clear example to follow when we see a child in need of a parent and shows us what to do when we are paralyzed and can’t respond. Procession Days The Gospel of Matthew tells us when Joseph learned of Mary’s pregnancy, he intended to divorce her quietly and leave the child fatherless. To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the apparitions of the Despite being a righteous man, taking on the care Blessed Virgin Mary to three children in Fatima, Fr. Kumar Jujjuvarapu (bottom left in above photo), led parishioners from St. of a child that was not “his” was more than he Isidore Mission in Coyanosa (above), Sacred Heart Church in could bear. The angel of the Lord appears to him in McCamey (at right), Good Shepherd Church, in Crane, and Our a dream telling him, “Do not be afraid.” Through Lady of Lourdes Church, in Imperial. All processions occurred in Joseph’s courage, he became our Lord’s foster October 2017. (Courtesy photo) father; he became the protector of and Mary. Later, another angel tells Joseph, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Egypt.” Through obedience to God, Joseph shielded our Lord and our Blessed Mother from Herod’s wickedness. As the foster children of Texas wait, we must have the courage to heed this same message: “Do not be afraid.” Yes, the needs of these children are many, and you may not feel adequate. Let’s be hon- est, you probably aren’t. But your Church and your community has resources to help you. Like the magi who brought gifts to the Holy Family, min- istries and non-profits stand ready to assist you in providing for the needs of these children. While we may not experience angelic dreams calling us to action, foster children in Texas need us to be atten- tive to the guidance of the Holy Spirit telling us to rise up and take care of these beloved children. Will you consider the call? Jennifer Carr Allmon is executive director of the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops (TCCB), the association of the Roman Catholic bishops of Texas which represents 15 dioceses and 19 active bishops. Through the TCCB, the bishops provide a moral and social public policy voice, accredit the state's Catholic schools, and maintain archives that reflect the work and the history of the in Texas. Articulo en Espanol, Pg. 21 Follow Joseph’s example to become a foster parent

To find a local foster care provider near you, visit Texas Alliance of Children & Family Services at www.tacfs.org. Or, follow the Magi’s example and donate to the Rainbow Room (http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/Child_Protection/Rain bow_Rooms/), a resource center for children in foster care. Page 8 DECEMBER 2017 The Angelus Speaking of Saints 17th century priest saw to it children in his parish received free educations

By Mary Lou Gibson

Some of the things we take for granted in our classrooms like blackboards, group instruction, and different reading levels for stu- dents according to their abilities, were innovative educational tools in some French schools in the early 17th century. They were among some of the new teaching methods that Peter Fourier, a French priest and theology professor, intro- duced in his parish’s schools. He had previously worked to reform the observance of the monastery of Chaumousey where he was the procurator. His focus turned to education after he accept- ed an appointment in 1597 to one of France’s most neglected parishes – Mattaincourt in Lorraine. This was a remote mountainous area and Peter had to travel on foot to visit villages Gibson and often slept on bare floors. He saw that the Vatican Christmas main reason for a lax religious life among the Nuns walk by as the is positioned in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Nov. 23. This people was the lack of a sound and broad religious education. year's tree is from Poland. (CNS photo/Max Rossi) Paul Burns writes in Butler’s Lives of the Saints that a free edu- cation of children became Peter’s main priority. He first focused on educating the boys, but editor Michael Walsh Fr. Knick and Sandie Knickerbocker writes in Butler’s Lives of the Saints, that the time was not yet right for that project. He then turned his attention to the girls of the parish and recruited four women, including Blessed Alix Le Clercq, and put them in charge of a free school for girls. This On the fullness of time group evolved into a religious institute of nuns under the title of Canonesses Regular of St. Augustine of the Congregation of Our By Fr. Knick and Sandie Knickerbocker exactly the place where they were born, lived, and Lady. Vocations increased and the Institute received papal died. approval in 1616. St. Paul, writing about the birth of Christ, says What does this mean for each of us? When His schools became models for their time. Peter required that the "when the fullness of time had come, God sent his we celebrate Christmas, we celebrate not only the older girls be taught how to draw up invoices and receipts. Walsh Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to ran- coming of Jesus in the fullness of God's time for writes that he also encouraged practice in composition and writing som those under the law, so him but also give thanks that each of us has come letters and that the girls should be able to speak correctly. Editor that we might receive adop- in the fullness of God's time. It means that each Bernard Langley writes in Butler’s Lives of the Saints that Peter tion. As proof that you are of us is meant to be right here, right now. It had a very good memory and was reputed to know by heart all of children, God sent the spirit means that all our ancestors right down to our Summa Theologica by Thomas Aquinas. of his Son into our hearts, mother and father all lived in God's fullness of He believed that everyone should be educated in the love of God crying out, 'Abba, Father!' time for them. This is so, because the love of and in everything that would help them live with decency and dig- So you are no longer a slave God for each one of us is more powerful than any nity. To improve the financial lives of his people, he set up a com- but a child, and if a child sin we or our ancestors can commit. munity bank from which the townspeople could borrow without then also an heir, through Each of us is the person God means to be right interest. God" (Gal. 4:4-7, NAB). here, right now, not some person we may imagine His success in the work of religious renewal in his parishes The Catholic philosopher, ourselves to be or some person someone else brought him an appointment from the Bishop of Toul in 1622 to Father James Schall, reflect- wants us to be. Each of is right here, right now, re-establish discipline in the canons regular of Lorraine. The Rev. ing on this statement of the not to fulfill some other person's dreams for us-- Apostle, says: "In some parents, teachers, coaches--or even our own Clifford Stevens writes in The One Year Book of Saints that Peter sense, the 'fullness of time' applies to each of us. dreams of who we wish we were. was opposed by the canons themselves, but he eventually succeed- We are, as Jeremiah already said, known in our We are right here, right now, to fulfill God's ed in establishing regular discipline. In 1632, he was elected supe- mother's womb (1:5). There was only one brief, dreams for each of us. In God's good time, His rior of the reformed congregations. magic moment in which any particular person dream for each of us will come true. This, in fact, Peter had hoped that his reformed canons would take up the could have been conceived and subsequently is what heaven is all about. Heaven is where work of educating boys which he had failed to establish in born" (The Modern Age, 7). God's dream for each of us comes true. In this Mattaincourt. They sent representatives to Rome in 1627 hoping to In other words, the birth of Jesus in the full- life we are moving from His dream for us to His get recognition of the Congregation of Our Savior, but they were ness of time is meant to proclaim that each one of reality, His dream come true for us. Each of us is refused. Instead they undertook other kinds of educational work us has been born in the fullness of time. Jesus' becoming the person God always means us to be. including operating the Jesuit colleges in Lorraine when the fullness of time is God's fullness of time for Him So, Jesus teaches us at Christmas what the Jesuits were suppressed. Burns writes that like so many religious just as our fullness of time is God's fullness of fullness of time means, both for Him, who is Son foundations, it did not survive the French Revolution. time for each one of us. of God and fully human, fully one of us, and what Peter remained loyal to the dukes of Lorraine, his birthplace, and One of the reasons for the inclusion of the the fullness of time means for each of us. At when the duchy was incorporated into France in 1636, he refused human genealogies of Jesus in Matthew 1:1-17 Christmas we are called to receive Jesus in our to take an oath of allegiance to King Louis XIII. He fled to and Luke 3:23-28 is to emphasize just this point lives by the Holy Spirit so that God the Father can Franche-Comté where he spent the last years of his life. He died about the fullness of God's time for Jesus. All the continue to realize His dream for each of us in on December 9, 1640 and was canonized by Leo XIII in preparation involving the human ancestors of this world and in the world to come. And this 1897. His shrine at Mattaincourt is the site of many pilgrimages Jesus meant that Jesus was born in the fullness of world to come is so beautiful, so true, so good today. God's time for Him. All those human ancestors, that it takes the breath away of our old selfish in their turn, were born in the fullness of God's dreams, and Jesus' dream of us, for us, in us is Mary Lou Gibson writes about the saints for the West Texas time for each of them. Each of their lives had a made fully real, fully alive, as we come to the significance given by God in exactly the time and (Please See KNICKERBOCKERS/21) Angelus from her home in Austin. The Angelus DECEMBER 2017 Page 9 Making Head Way

Construction progress at The Way Retreat Center continues to make steady progress. Photos from early December show, top photo, the facility from a berm immediately west of the hacienda. Above right, the retreat center’s bell tower. At right, the chapel, and above, the porte-cochere and main entrance.

The facility is targeted for an opening date of Spring 2018.

(Photos by Jimmy Patterson) Page 10 DECEMBER 2017 The Angelus

Holy is His Name

Above photo, youths from Midland, Odessa, Colorado City, Crane, Andrews and Merkel descended on St. Mary’s in Odessa on Sunday, November 5, 2017, for the junior high youth event, “Holy Is His Name. At left, San Angelo Bishop Michael Sis talks to the assembled youth. (Photos by Alan Torre / aptorre.com).

Retiro Cristo Misionero Hispanic parishioners convened at the Far West Event Center in West Odessa, Saturday, November 4 for “Retiro Cristo Misionero,” an evangelization event presided over by San Angelo Bishop Michael J. Sis (photo at right). The Angelus DECEMBER 2017 Page 11 USCCB Fall Assembly Bishops take on immigration, racism at assembly By Carol Zimmermann Catholic News Service

BALTIMORE — At the start of their annual fall assembly in Baltimore Nov. 13, U.S. Catholic bishops faced some big issues — immigration and racism — straight on and zeroed in on how to raise the national level of discussion on these topics starting in the church pews. They acknowledged the current polar- ization in the country and divides within the Catholic Church and stressed their responsibility as church leaders to pro- mote immigration reform, educate parish- ioners on justice issues and listen to those affected by "sins of racism." On immigration, Bishop Joe S. Vasquez of Austin, who is chairman of the Committee on Migration of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said there needs to be a "path to legalization and citizenship for the millions of our unauthorized brothers and sisters who are law-abiding, tax-paying and contributing to our society." The bishops responded with applause and an agreement by voice vote to issue a statement calling for comprehensive immigration reform. The bishops were keenly aware that their defense of immigrants was not nec- Miami Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski, center, listens during a Nov. 12 presentation in essarily the view of the U.S. church at Baltimore on the centenary of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. It was held the large. For example, Cardinal day before the bishops opened their Nov. 13-14 fall general assembly. At right, Bishop Blase J. Cupich spoke of dangers of Joe S. Vasquez of Austin, chairman of the U.S. bishops' migration committee, responds to a reporter's question during a Nov. 13 news conference at the fall general assembly of Catholics falling prey to and believing the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in Baltimore. (CNS photos/Bob Roller) "poisoning rhetoric" about immigrants that demonizes them. white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, The cardinal emphasized other modern "There's something wrong in our Virginia, this year where he said racial challenges such as recent natural disasters churches, where the Gospel is pro- hatred was "on full display." and mass shootings. claimed, and yet people leave our wor- "Racism isn't going to be conquered by But the problems of the day should not ship services, our Masses on weekends, speech but by actions," said Archbishop overwhelm church leaders who should with that rhetoric still echoing in their Wilton D. Gregory of Atlanta, adding that recognize signs of new hope in the hearts," he said. this was a watershed moment where the church, mentioned by the papal nuncio, Several bishops also brought up the church could play a leadership role. Archbishop Christophe Pierre, who notion of prudential judgment — refer- He spoke about discussions happening addressed the bishops at the start of the ring to the view Catholics could take on at diocesan and parish levels, and several meeting and encouraged them to make immigration that differs from the bishops bishops commented about them as well time for prayer amid "burdens of the — since it is not a specific matter of noting that these discussions are not easy, office." church teaching. but so necessary to bring about healing. He told them to be adventurous in the The bishops who spoke on the floor Other key issues of the day where "new frontier of faith" and to make a didn't buy that argument and said church leaders are responding include strong effort to accompany young people Also in the lobby of the hotel where the Catholics can't use it to push aside the health care, taxes and abortion, men- who often question their faith. bishops were meeting, a protester sought need to care for immigrants. Archbishop tioned by Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of The bishops also heard from the dialogue with church leaders to urge Salvatore J. Cordileone of San Francisco Galveston-Houston in his first address as Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro them to offer sanctuary to immigrants took this a step further saying prudential USCCB president. He took office at the Parolin, at a Nov. 12 Mass where he was facing deportation, and another voiced judgment can't be "taken lightly" on a close of last year's fall assembly. the main celebrant and the homilist, and displeasure with church leaders he said "justice issue like immigration." "We are facing a time that seems more at a dinner celebrating the USCCB's support war. Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski of divided than ever," Cardinal DiNardo 100th anniversary. The second public day of meetings did Miami said the bishops' defense of immi- said. "Divisions over health care, con- The cardinal told the U.S. bishops that not tackle major societal issues but exam- grants, as brothers and sisters, not prob- science protections, immigration and the church needs them today to "bring ined ways the bishops can continue to lems, is not only right for immigrants but refugees, abortion, physician-assisted sui- not only material assistance but also the uphold the Catholic faith from specific "for our society as a whole." cide, gender ideologies, the meaning of spiritual balm of healing, comfort and wording in the baptismal rite, a review of "We can make America great, but you marriage and all the other headlines con- hope to new waves of migrants and catechetical materials and a pastoral plan don't make America great by making tinue to be hotly debated. But our role refugees who come knocking on for marriage and family life that will give America mean," he added, referring to a continues to be witnessing the Gospel." America's door." Catholic couples and families resources slogan of President Donald Trump with- He explained that the National Catholic He also urged them to follow the pope's to enable them to live out their vocation. out naming him. War Council, created by the U.S. bishops call to accompany the modern church. They also voted to move forward the On racism, Bishop George V. Murry of in 1917 in response to the world refugee Prior to the Mass at the Basilica of the sainthood cause of Nicholas W. Black Youngstown, Ohio, head of the bishops' crisis that emerged from World War I and National Shrine of the Assumption of the Elk, a 19th-century Lakota catechist who Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism, said the forerunner to the USCCB, was Blessed Virgin Mary, a few protesters is said to have introduced hundreds of the church must recognize "and frankly formed to address great national and held placards or placed them on the side- acknowledge" its failings. He said the international needs at a time not unlike walk, calling on the U.S. bishops to (Please See USCCB/24) issue has found a "troubling resurgence" today. embrace pacifism. in recent years, referring particularly to a Page 12 DECEMBER 2017 The Angelus The Angelus DECEMBER 2017 Page 13

Ram Awakening comes to Angelo State

By Nathan Castro development was revealed to retreaters, Shakin’ Student Vice President we felt a more and more overwhelming Angelo State University sense of being cared for. With each sur- prise, I remember thinking, “They’ve November 10-12 was a weekend of done so much work! They’ve been so many firsts. I had never been to a full- disciplined in keeping these surprises! fledged retreat despite the many that They’ve been working really hard, and have taken place around me in my time. they must be this committed because Images from the Naturally, the impact of such retreats they believe in what this experience can first-ever Ram was unknown to me. I had heard a lot of offer, and they care about all of us so Awakening at hype and desire to bring the Awakening much that they want to give us that Angelo State retreat to Angelo State University since experience. They want to serve us, their University in San Father Francis arrived in San Angelo in fellow brothers and sisters, in a very Angelo.(Courtesy the summer of 2016. I didn’t commit to committed, humble fashion.” And they photos.) going on this retreat until a week before did; they were serving us all weekend the first Ram Awakening was finally long in very Christ-like fashion. Every planned out and in full swing to take minute of labor and stress was endured 5DP place. Very uncharacteristically, not by the amazing team so as to give love much thought had gone into what my and substance to each and every & experience would be like and what I retreater. would get out of it. In contrast, I could This was an amazing, profound gift $ZDNHQLQJ see that a lot of thought, dedication, and that was built into the very nature of the work were being poured out by the retreat. Many staffers were already retreat staff in preparing the whole friends and fellow classmates of mine at event. Most of the staff were fellow stu- ASU, and I was very impressed and dents of ASU and the Catholic Newman proud to see what they are capable of. Center. An inherent aspect of the Also, many of the staffers were com- Awakening retreat is that it is a week- plete strangers from other universities end-long retreat for college students, out of town. To think that strangers given by college students. This effort would display such compassion and care would develop into a large reason that for so many people that they didn’t even the retreat was so impactful to me as I know truly highlighted the presence of began to witness all of the treasures the very essence of Christianity — com- unfold throughout the weekend. munion and fellowship. The biggest challenge in describing Prayer was another heavy theme what I gained from Ram Awakening is through the weekend. I was able to expressing the sheer volume and doing begin a re-emphasis on the power and all of the precious details justice without mystery of prayer. I began to wonder Shinin’ revealing any of the surprises that are how much of my life has been affected meant to preserve the experience. All of by prayer, how many graces I have the behind-the-scenes work and eventual received or profound thoughts I have revelations that I am ambiguously refer- experienced because of prayers from encing led to one of the most touching loved ones, strangers, and saints in pieces of the retreat that occurred to me — that is serving others. As each new (Please See RAM/20) Page 14 DECEMBER 2017 The Angelus Nation US, Mexico bishops renew Alta-Baja friendship Funeral Mass for SAN DIEGO (CNS) -- Three arch- Texas border bishops and nine bishops representing at Bishop Jaime Soto of Sacramento, least 13 million Catholics from Calif., looks on as Archbishop Jose H. officer celebrated Sacramento to the Mexican coastal city Gomez of Los Angeles speaks Oct. 30 of Ensenada have resurrected their during "Encuentro de los Obispos de EL PASO (CNS) -- A funeral Mass was "Alta-Baja" friendship, paving the way Alta y Baja California" at the Diocese celebrated Nov. 25 at Our Lady of to potentially working together in the of San Diego pastoral center. Guadalupe Church in El Paso for Rogelio future. Archbishop Gomez is vice president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Martinez, the Border Patrol officer who Los Angeles Archbishop Jose H. died of injuries to his Gomez and Archbishop Francisco Bishops. (CNS photo/Aida Bustos, Diocese of San Diego head and elsewhere on Moreno Barron of Tijuana, Mexico, had his body. worked with their respective episcopal He was found with a organizations for more than a year to fellow injured officer a coordinate a meeting of the two sides. week earlier in a Their efforts culminated in an remote area about 30 "Encuentro de los Obispos de Alta y miles from the U.S.- Baja California" held recently in the San Mexico border. Diego Diocese. Martinez, 36, died The California Conference of Catholic Nov. 19, a day after he Bishops organized the participants north was found, at a hospital in El Paso. The sec- of the border, which included San ond agent who was injured was also hospi- Francisco Archbishop Salvatore J. talized, but has since been released. That Cordileone and seven bishops. agent has not been identified. The FBI is The conference's president, still investigating whether the agents were Sacramento Bishop Jaime Soto, chaired attacked or if they fell, but the incident the meeting, and its vice president, San reignited debate over border security. Diego Bishop Robert W. McElroy, host- In a statement the day before the funeral, ed the Oct. 30 event, which ended with bleak conditions in their communities, terparts, given that so many Latino El Paso Bishop Mark J. Seitz said the a dinner. which lacked the resources to assist Catholics live north of the border. Diocese of El Paso extended condolences The Tijuana Archdiocese coordinated them. "I think it's important to find new the Martinez family, fellow officers and the participation of its retired archbishop By the end, the bishops committed to ways to help our people to grow in their friends. "We will add our prayers to yours and the bishops of Ensenada and meeting next October, this time in Baja spirituality and to grow in their mission- for the soul of this deeply loved and dedi- Mexicali. California, to explore ways they could ary spirit," Archbishop Gomez said. cated public servant," he said. The purpose of the six-hour meeting work together to strengthen each other's Tijuana's Archbishop Moreno Barron "As we lay Officer Martinez to rest, we was for the leaders from one side of the ministry. said the most important outcome of the will pray also for the swift recovery of his border to meet their counterparts from "This was the resurrection of Alta- gathering was the opportunity to meet partner and we renew our commitment to the other, and see where the conversa- Baja," said Archbishop Gomez, referring each other -- and to build from there. pray for all those who serve our country at tion took them. The bishops spoke can- to the name of the group of bishops "More than the words we exchanged our nation's borders. We are very grateful didly, often one elaborating on a point from both sides of the California- were the attitudes we shared," he said. for their service," the statement said. raised by one of their colleagues. Mexico border that had met regularly "We did not know each other but we The El Paso Times reported that Border They shared what was occurring in until the early 2000s. saw each other as brothers in faith." Patrol spokesman Ramiro Cordero told their individual dioceses regarding "Ažta," which means "higher" in At the meeting, the Tijuana archbishop reporters gathered outside the church: "It's issues of common interest, such as Spanish, and "Baja" California, or said he had recently attended a meeting sad to lay down one of our own to rest. It's immigration; the North American Free "lower," were once one territory. In the of a group of bishops from the Texas- sad to see that he made the ultimate sacrifice. Trade Agreement, known as NAFTA; 19th century, the vast area was governed Mexico border, known as Tex-Mex. He But it honors me, and it honors every single and "Laudato Si'," ' call to first by Spain and then by Mexico. Alta expressed the hope that a bishop from law enforcement agent that he was willing to protect the environment. California became part of the United that organization could join next year's do that -- to protect our nation, to protect our Regarding immigration, the California States in the Treaty of Hidalgo of 1848, meeting of the Alta-Baja bishops. borders and to protect those who serve." bishops described how the Trump which ended the Mexican-American War. Archbishop Gomez participated in The newspaper also reported that numerous administration's executive orders related Archbishop Gomez noted that when Tex-Mex during the five years he served border patrol officials attended the Mass as to immigration had sowed fear in their Pope Francis visited Mexico last year, in San Antonio. He's familiar with the well as elected officials, including U.S. Reps. dioceses as deportations increased. he urged the bishops there to step up benefits and challenges of working on Will Hurd and Beto O'Rourke of Texas and For their part, the Baja California their coordination with their U.S. coun- cross-border projects. U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions. bishops said the deported migrants face Strong net neutrality protections called critical to faith community Catholic News Service and secular, cannot afford to pay to com- rules remain in place. "Strong net neutral- Bishop Coyne said: "Robust internet pete with profitable commercialized con- ity protections are critical to the faith protections are vital to enable our arch- WASHINGTON — The chairman of tent," he said in a Nov. 28 statement. community to function and connect with dioceses, dioceses and eparchies, our the U.S. bishops' Committee on The concept of an open internet has our members," he said. parishes, schools and other institutions to Communications has urged the Trump long been called "net neutrality," in These protections are "essential to pro- communicate with each other and our administration to keep current net neu- which internet service providers neither tect and enhance the ability of vulnerable members, to share religious and spiritual trality rules in place because an open favor nor discriminate against internet communities to use advanced technology, teachings, to promote activities online, internet, he said, is critical to the nation's users or websites. Neutrality means, for and necessary for any organization that and to engage people -- particularly faith communities and how they interact example, providers cannot prioritize one seeks to organize, advocate for justice or younger persons -- in our ministries." with their members. type of content over another, nor can they bear witness in the crowded and over- The FCC is scheduled to vote on Pai's "Without open internet principles speed up, slow down or block users commercialized media environment," proposal at its monthly hearing Dec. 14. which prohibit paid prioritization, we access to online content and services. Bishop Coyne said. Observers predict the vote will fall along might be forced to pay fees to ensure that On Nov. 21, the current chairman of FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said in a state- party lines. Chairman Pai is Republican our high-bandwidth content receives fair the Federal Communications Commission ment that under his plan, "the federal as are Commissioners Brendan Carr and treatment on the internet," said Bishop announced his proposal to roll back rules government will stop micromanaging the Michael O'Rielly. Commissioners Christopher J. Coyne of Burlington, on neutrality put in place in 2015 by the internet. Instead, the FCC would simply Mignon Clyburn and Jessica Vermont. Obama administration. require internet service providers to be Rosenworcel are Democrats. "Nonprofit communities, both religious Bishop Coyne urged that the current transparent about their practices." The Angelus DECEMBER 2017 Page 15 Vatican Vatican II continues to shape church, Pope Francis’ legacy

Catholic News Service

WASHINGTON — The continues to have an enduring impact on the Catholic Church and on the papacy of Pope Francis, according to the Vatican's top diplomat, Cardinal Pietro Cardinal . Parolin, the That gathering of bishops from around Vatican’s top diplo- the world presented a new paradigm of a mat, addresses the "world church — a church with a global Fall Assembly of dimension," said the cardinal, who is the the U.S. Conference of Vatican's secretary of state. Catholic Bishops. During a mid-November visit to the (CNS Photo) United States that included celebrating a Mass in Baltimore to mark the centenary of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Cardinal Parolin stopped in Washington to deliver an address at The Catholic University of America. He spoke on the topic "The Council: A Prophecy That Continues With Pope Francis." Afterward, he received a received an honorary doctorate in theology from the university. In his Nov. 14 talk, he said that although Washington, Catholic University's chancel- II documents: "Sacrosanctum Concilium," Vatican II occurred more than 50 years ago lor, offered an invocation and then intro- the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy that simply comes from the same Gospel. (1962-65), "it certainly retains for the duced Cardinal Parolin. He noted the (1963); "Lumen Gentium," the Dogmatic Its fruits are enormous." church a prophetic character." prelate is known as an expert in Mideast Constitution on the Church (1964); "Dei The image of the people of God in "Lumen Cardinal Parolin said the main conse- affairs who was responsible for efforts Verbum," the Dogmatic Constitution on Gentium," the cardinal added, shaped the quences of the council included the intro- bringing Israelis and Palestinians together Divine Revelation (1965); and "Gaudium themes that Pope Francis emphasized in his duction of local languages in the liturgy, for peace talks. In Asia, Cardinal Parolin et Spes," the Pastoral Constitution on the 2013 apostolic exhortation "Evangelii and a "new awareness of a church that is also was instrumental in efforts to build up Church in the Modern World (1965). Gaudium" ("The Joy of the Gospel"). historically realized in more diverse cultur- ties between the Vatican and Vietnam, The cardinal noted that from the coun- In that document, the pontiff pointed out al contexts." Cardinal Wuerl said. cil's conclusion and then throughout his how the faith unfolds in people's daily lives Noting themes that have been stressed by "In this whole process, Cardinal Parolin pontificate, Blessed Paul VI "dedicated around the world and is shared in their Pope Francis, the cardinal said Vatican II has always been able to put the face of the himself to focusing on the inheritance of own languages and cultures as they carry sowed seeds of synodality and paved the church and the face of Christ's love into the council, to illustrate the richness of the out the work of the new evangelization as way for "a church that lives in a conciliar diplomatic action," Cardinal Wuerl said. teachings," using the "image of a missionary disciples in today's world. way" with collaborative and consultative Cardinal Parolin spoke to the Catholic river which flows nourishing itself from its Pope Francis, the cardinal added, also efforts underway at every level of the University audience in Italian, while a source," reaching generation to generation, has emphasized the dignity of the laity and church. "No more parishes or dioceses with- translation in English appeared on video in "new lands and new situations." warned against clericalism, drawing atten- out pastoral councils, no more countries screens via closed captioning. Those in Quoting Pope Francis' 2013 interview tion to "the process of the transformation without episcopal conferences," he said. attendance included university administra- with La Civilta Cattolica, the Jesuit of a church that passed from total concen- That process, he added, has proven to be tors, faculty members and students. Guests Italian-language magazine, the cardinal tration of every active function in the irreversible. "In the end, is this not the included Archbishop Christophe Pierre, pointed out that the pope said: "Vatican II hands of the clergy, to a recognition of the most beautiful inheritance that the council apostolic nuncio to the United States. was a re-reading of the Gospel in light of right and duty of the lay faithful to partici- could have prepared for us?" he asked. In his remarks, Cardinal Parolin under- contemporary culture. pate in the life and mission of the church." Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl of scored the importance of four key Vatican Vatican II produced a renewal movement Jesus maps the path to peace, reconciliation, pope says YANGON, Myanmar (CNS) — Jesus' fices made by the people as well as the wants to reign in every human heart and immigrants he ministers to "love their love "is like a spiritual GPS" that guides struggles Catholics face as a tiny minori- in every community." country" and "are very strong, very loud people past the everyday obstacles of fear ty in Myanmar and as citizens of a coun- Father Francis Saw from St. John and full of faith." More than 100 of them and pride and allows them to find their try struggling to leave violence behind Cantonment Church in Yangon said he traveled home to be with the pope. way to a relationship with God and with and transition from military to democratic had 400 guests at his parish. "Many peo- The "VVIP" section at the sports field their neighbors, Pope Francis said. rule. ple came from the hill towns. I welcomed was reserved for government officials, Christ's message of "forgiveness and "I know that many in Myanmar bear them and fed them and then they came diplomats and representatives of other mercy uses a logic that not all will want the wounds of violence, wounds both vis- here at 10 p.m." the night before the Christian communities and other reli- to understand, and which will encounter ible and invisible," the pope said in his Mass. gions. obstacles. Yet his love, revealed on the homily. "The temptation is to respond to "We are very happy and encouraged by The Rev. U Chit Toe Win, chair of the cross is ultimately unstoppable," the pope these injuries with a worldly wisdom" or the pope's visit," he said. "It is good for Myin Thar Baptist Church and deputy said Nov. 29, celebrating his first public to think that "healing can come from our country and for our church." chairman of an interfaith dialogue group Mass in Myanmar. anger and revenge. Yet the way of Some people had reserved seats close in Yangon, sat with the Anglican, According to the Vatican, 150,000 peo- revenge is not the way of Jesus." to the altar. "Every parish got some VIP Catholic, Hindu, Buddhist and Muslim ple attended the Mass at the Kyaikkasan Pope Francis prayed that Catholics in tickets for those who are very involved in members of his group in the very front sports ground. Thousands of them had Myanmar would "know the healing balm the parish, very poor or sick," said Noeli row. traveled hundreds of miles to be at the of the Father's mercy and find the Anthony, a ticket-holder from the Like any Baptist minister, Toe Win Mass, and many of them camped out on strength to bring it to others, to anoint Myanmar Catholic community in Perth, said, "I believe in Jesus first," but "these the sports field the night before the litur- every hurt and every painful memory. In Australia. are my brothers. We are for unity." gy. this way, you will be faithful witnesses of Salesian Father Albert "Sam" Saminedi, Pope Francis acknowledged the sacri- the reconciliation and peace that God pastor of the Perth community, said the Page 16 DECEMBER 2017 The Angelus Catholic Voices True measure of our decency? How we treat the poor By Fr. Ron Rolheiser puts it: An absence of compassion cor- touching the poor they were touching of compassion for justice and the poor rupts our decency – as a state, as a Christ; and the group who got it wrong will inevitably work at turning a generous Jesus tells us that in the end we will be church, as family, and as individuals. protest that had they known that Christ heart into a defensive one. judged on how we dealt with the poor in How so? was in the poor, they would have reached We all have friends who admire us and our lives, but there are already dangers St. Augustine teaches that we can never out. Jesus assures us that it doesn’t mat- send us signals that we are good, big- now, in this life, in not reaching out to the be morally neutral, either we are growing ter. Mature discipleship lies simply in the hearted, virtuous persons. And no doubt poor in virtue or falling into vice. We never doing, irrespective of our conscious atti- this is substantially true. But the affirma- Here’s how Bryan have the luxury of simply being in some tude. tion we receive from our own kind can be Stevenson, Just Mercy, neutral, holding state. There’s no moral And so we need to be alert not just to a false mirror. A truer mirror is how those teases out that danger: neutrality. Either we are growing in our conscious attitudes but to what we are who are politically, racially, religiously, “I’ve come to believe virtue or sliding into virtue’s opposite. actually doing. We can, in all sincerity, in and temperamentally different from our- that the true measure of That’s true for all of life. A thing is either all good conscience, in all good heart, be selves assess us. How do the poor feel our commitment to jus- growing or it’s regressing. blind towards justice and the poor. We about us? How do refugees assess our tice, the character of our So too with our attitude towards justice can be moral men and women, pious goodness? How do other races rate our society, our commitment and the poor: Either we are actively church-goers, generous donors to those compassion? to the rule of law, fair- reaching out to the poor and being more who ask help from us, warm to our own And what about the mirror that Jesus ness, and equality cannot Fr. Rolheiser drawn into concern for them or we are families and friends, and yet, blind to holds up for us when he tells us that our be measured by how we treat the rich, the unconsciously hardening our hearts ourselves, though not to the poor, be goodness will be judged by how we treat powerful, the privileged, and the respect- against them and unknowingly sliding unhealthily elitist, subtle racists, callous the poor and that the litmus test of good- ed among us. The true measure of our into attitudes that trivialize their issues towards the environment, and protective ness consists is how well we love our character is how we treat the poor, the and distance ourselves from them. If we of our own privilege. We are still good enemies? disfavored, the accused, the incarcerated, are not actively advocating for justice and persons no doubt, but the absence of An absence of compassion in even one and the condemned. We are all implicated the poor, it is inevitable that at a point we compassion in one area of our lives area subtly corrupts the decency of a when we allow other people to be mis- will, with completely sincere hearts, leaves us limping morally. community, a state, a nation, and that treated. An absence of compassion can downplay the issues of poverty, racism, We can be good persons and yet fall eventually turns our generosity into corrupt the decency of a community, a inequality, and injustice. into a certain hardness of heart because of defensiveness. state, a nation. Fear and anger can make It’s interesting to note that in the kindred, ideological circles that falsely us vindictive and abusive, unjust and famous text on the final judgment in the affirm us. Within any circle of friends, ——— unfair, until we all suffer from the Gospel where Jesus describes how God either we are talking about ways that we absence of mercy and we condemn our- will divide the sheep from the goats on can more effectively lessen the gaps Oblate Father Ron Rolheiser, theolo- selves as much as we condemn others.” the basis of how they treated the poor, between rich and poor or we are talking, gian, teacher, and award-winning author, What needs to be highlighted here is neither group, those who did it correctly however unconsciously, about the need to is President of the Oblate School of what we do to ourselves when we don’t and those who didn’t, actually knew what defend the gaps that presently exist. One Theology in San Antonio, TX. He can be reach out in compassion to the poor. We they were doing. The group who did it kind of conversation is stretching our contacted through his website www.ron- corrupt our own decency. As Stevenson right state that they didn’t know that in hearts; the other is narrowing them. Lack rolheiser.com. ‘iGen’: Are we the least religious generation in U.S. history?

By Most Rev. undeniably turned this new generation in on olds say that they don’t believe. As late as is one that has surfaced in lots of surveys Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles itself. A remarkable number of iGen’ers 2004, 84% of young adults said that they and polls, namely, that religious belief is would rather text their friends than go out regularly prayed; by 2016, fully one fourth incompatible with a scientific view of the Jean Twenge’s book iGen is one of the with them and would rather watch videos at of that same age cohort said that they never world. One young man that Twenge inter- most fascinating—and depressing—texts home than go to a theater with others. One pray. We find a similar decline in regard to viewed is typical: “Religion, at least to peo- I’ve read in the past decade. A professor of of the upshots of this screen-induced intro- acceptance of the Bible as the Word of ple my age, seems like it’s something of the psychology at San version is a lack of social skills and another God: one fourth of iGen’ers say that the past. It seems like something that isn’t mod- Diego State is depression. Scriptures are a compilation of “ancient ern.” Another said, “I knew from church University, Dr. Now there are many more insights that fables, legends, history, and moral precepts that I couldn’t believe in both science and Twenge has been, for Dr. Twenge shares, but I was particularly recorded by men.” Her dispiriting conclu- God, so that was it. I didn’t believe in God years, studying trends interested, for obvious reasons, in her chap- sion: “The waning of private religious anymore.” And a third—also attested to in among young ter on religious attitudes and behaviors belief means that young generations’ disas- lots of studies—is the “antigay attitudes” Americans, and her among iGen’ers. In line with many other sociation from religion is not just about supposedly endemic to Biblical Christianity. most recent book researchers, Twenge shows that the objec- their distrust of institutions; more are dis- One of Twenge’s interviewees put it with focuses on the genera- tive statistics in this area are alarming. As connecting from religion entirely, even at admirable succinctness: “I’m questioning tion born between recently as the 1980s, 90% of high school home and even in their hearts.” the existence of God. I stopped going to 1995 and 2012. Since Bishop Barron seniors identified with a religious group. Now what are some of the reasons for church because I’m gay and was part of a this is the first cohort of Among iGen’ers, the figures are now this disconnect? One, Twenge argues, is the gay-bashing religion.” One survey stated the young people who have never known a around 65% and falling. And religious prac- iGen preoccupation with individual choice. statistical truth bluntly enough: 64% of 18- world without iPads and iPhones, and since tice is even more attenuated: only 28% of From their earliest years, iGen’ers have 24 year olds believed that Christianity is these devices have remarkably shaped their twelfth graders attended services in 2015, been presented with a dizzying array of antigay, and for good measure, 58% of consciousness and behavior, Twenge natu- whereas the number was 40% in 1976. For choices in everything from food and clothes those iGen’ers thought the Christian religion rally enough has dubbed them the “iGen.” decades, sociologists of religion have been to gadgets and lifestyles. And they have is hypocritical. One of her many eye-opening findings is arguing that, though explicit affiliation with been encouraged, by practically every song, Dismal stuff, I know. But Dr. Twenge that iGen’ers are growing up much more religious institutions was on the decline, video, and movie, to believe in themselves performs a great service to all those inter- slowly than their predecessors. A baby- especially among the young, most people and follow their own dreams. All of this ested in the flourishing of religion, for she boomer typically got his driver’s license on remained “spiritual,” that is to say, con- self-preoccupation and stress upon individ- lays out the objectives unblinkingly, and his sixteenth birthday (I did); but an vinced of certain fundamental religious ual liberty stands sharply athwart the reli- this is all to the good, given our extraordi- iGen’er is far more willing to postpone that beliefs. I remember many conversations gious ideal of surrendering to God and his nary capacity for wishful thinking and self- rite of passage, waiting until her eighteenth with my friend Fr. along purposes. “My life, my death, my choice” deception. Further, though she doesn’t tell or nineteenth year. Whereas previous gener- these lines. (a rather iGen friendly motto which I religious educators and catechists how to ations were eager to get out of the house But Twenge indicates that this is no recently saw emblazoned on a billboard in respond, she unambiguously indicates what and find their own way, iGen’ers seem to longer true. Whereas even twenty years California) sits very uneasily indeed with is leading this most unreligious generation like to stay at home with their parents and ago, the overwhelming number of St. Paul’s assertion, “whether we live or we in our history away from the churches. Her have a certain aversion to “adulting.” And Americans, including youngsters, believed die, we are the Lord’s.” A second major book should be required reading for those Twenge argues that smartphones have in God, now fully one third of 18 to 24 year reason for iGen dissatisfaction with religion who wish to evangelize the next generation. The Angelus DECEMBER 2017 Page 17 Catholicism rarely without debate: A tale of two By Greg Erlandson Polish, too much a product of the church-state conflicts and by appointing new bishops who are often in his Catholic News Service of his communist homeland, with an insularity that was mold. insensitive to Western democracies. Others said he was He has called the synods to talk about the crisis of the There's a quote attributed, probably falsely, to Mark busy appointing bishops in his own image, and they family and about youth. He also has challenged the Twain that observes, "History doesn't repeat itself, but it worried that the church would be irreversibly locked into politically powerful. He has shaken his finger at often rhymes." what they saw as an anti-modern agenda. Catholics who seem more interested in political influ- I suppose it is a sign that I'm getting older, because Some claimed he had abandoned the Second Vatican ence than in helping those on the periphery. I'm starting to hear the rhymes in a lot Council, at least as they understood it. When critics Not everyone has embraced him. Some say he doesn't of the current debates in the church challenged him in public forums, his defenders fought understand the United States, that he has a Latin about papal leadership. back. They talked about papal authority and the defer- American bias. Others worry that he is embracing the Almost 40 years ago, a Polish pope, ence all Catholics owed the supreme pontiff and sug- heresies of modernity, or undermining doctrinal teach- a man from a far country, came to gested his critics were disloyal and dissenters. ing. His defenders fight back, asking that there be more Rome with a new vigor and a new Fast-forward a few decades, and I start to hear the deference to papal authority, that he has the right to pur- attitude. He not only told us not to be rhyme. We have another pope from a far country, sue his vision of a truly Vatican II church, and that those afraid, he energized us with his vitali- Argentina. He was not a young man when he was elect- who attack him in public forums are disloyal and even ty and his willingness to take on big ed, but he riveted the world with his humility, with his dissenters. challenges facing the church. I was Erlandson willingness to eschew the trappings of the office, to Catholicism has never been without theological one of many attracted to his self- reach out to the poor, the disfigured, the marginalized. debate, and these debates rarely spare even popes. Those assured vision of what some called a "Catholic restora- He emphasizes the joy of the Christian life, and railed quick to criticize papal authority and decisions 30 years tion." against sourpuss Pharisees. His use of concrete images ago have changed places with those quick to criticize He challenged the politically powerful in the East and to describe a pastoral reality has been electrifying: the now. The rhyme may not be perfect, but a bit of humility helped to topple governments. He shook his finger at shepherd who smells like the sheep, the church as field would seem to be in order lest our own hypocrisy give political clerics he judged disobedient. He was not afraid hospital. greater scandal than that which we claim to protest. to discipline theologians. He appointed new bishops and People are drawn to his emphasis on joy and mercy, - - - called synods to address the major issues of the day, but his emphasis on pastoral concerns, while pleasing to Erlandson, director and editor-in-chief of Catholic invariably pleasing some and outraging others. some, worries others. He has challenged powerful forces News Service, can be reached at gerlandson@catholic- Not everyone embraced him. Some said he was too in the church by reorganizing the Vatican, or trying to, news.com. Agoraphobia and Mass attendance; Is sign of peace required? By Fr. Kenneth Doyle chapel, by all means do that. (Perhaps ence, to be determined in accord with Father and, with the pontiff's approval, Catholic News Service you might want to mention your situation local culture and customs. Father Peyton would be declared to your pastor to help him to understand, For the United States, the U.S. "Venerable." Then, evidence of miracles Q. Togetherness seems to have and you might benefit by his words of Conference of Catholic Bishops has attributed to his intercession would be become such an integral part of approval.) noted that this would typically be done studied and subjected to rigorous medical Catholicism, and extroverts tend to Or, if sometimes you find it necessary by shaking hands. So while this ritual can scrutiny; one documented miracle would look disdainfully at simply to stay at home and pray, do that. be eliminated in particular circumstances be needed for beatification and another ? those who prefer to sit I credit you for your desire to share in the -- a flu epidemic, for example -- it should one for canonization. at the end of the pew, Eucharist to the extent you are able. not be skipped regularly. Father Peyton, hailed throughout the are shy about grasp- Your letter serves, too, as a reminder to In 2014, the Vatican's Congregation for world as the "Rosary Priest," died in ing hands, shudder at us all to forgo judging the behavior of Divine Worship and the Sacraments 1992 at age 83. He promoted family the thought of being others -- those, for example, who insist reminded Catholics that a certain restraint prayer and coined the oft-heard slogan, hugged or have diffi- on sitting at the end of a nearly vacant should mark the ritual so as not to dis- "The family that prays together stays culty with extempora- pew or those who choose to stand in the tract from receiving Communion, that the together." He organized rosary crusades neous small talk. For back of the church. They could well be gesture of peace should be extended by in 40 nations that drew 28 million people me, being squashed in suffering from the same sensibilities you the faithful only to those nearest them and was a pioneer in using modern media the center of a pew is Doyle have described. and that such abuses as "the movement of to advance religious values, producing agonizing, and there is no way I can the faithful from their places" should be 600 radio and television programs using focus on the Mass in that situation. Q. I have been attending one avoided. Hollywood stars and other celebrities. About once every two or three Catholic parish in my hometown for There is no way to forecast exactly months, I feel compelled to go into our several years now. As far as I know, Q. A friend told me recently that the when his canonization might take place, parish's adoration chapel during Mass this is the only Catholic church where cause of Father Patrick Peyton had but I, too, would feel a personal thrill in and follow the prayers and readings parishioners do not shake hands at the been sent to the Vatican for sainthood. witnessing it. I was honored when Father from there -- or I find it necessary to sign of peace. I can understand Do you know how it stands and when Peyton invited me to write the foreword stay at home and follow the Sunday churchgoers declining to shake hands he might be declared a saint? (I hope for one of his final books; and once, Mass on television from my den. If that if they have a cold or other ailment -- and pray that it will be in my lifetime.) when he was then in his late 70s and in counts as missing Mass, there's just or at times of widespread sickness. Also, what are the stages for someone failing health, I ran into him in Rome. nothing that I can do about it. However, at this particular parish, to be declared a saint? (Albany, New He asked about my mother, whom he Agoraphobia is no joke, and even the congregation will not even turn York) had known when he first began the those of us with milder forms suffer around and greet others -- let alone, A. Father Patrick Peyton's cause for Family Rosary organization in the 1940s. greatly. But I believe that we are also shake hands. It is not really a big deal canonization rests right now with the I told him that she was, in fact, visiting loved by God. (Nokesville, Virginia) for me, but I do find it a little odd. Is Vatican's Congregation for Saints' me that very week in Rome. Though I A. No, your behavior does not count as there an explanation for this, or are Causes. In April 2015, the "positio," or pleaded with him not to, he insisted on missing Mass. And yes, you are surely parishes simply not required to follow official position paper, was presented for- climbing the steep set of stairs to my loved by God. Agoraphobia is a very real the practice of shaking hands? mally to that congregation. That docu- apartment to see my mother and give her disease, affecting as many as 1.9 million (Portland, Oregon) ment, a 1,300-page report that studied his a blessing. I will always remember U.S. adults at some level in a 12-month A. The General Instruction of the life and ministry for signs of heroic "Father Pat" not only as a very holy man, period. It is characterized by significant Roman Missal in section No. 82 indicates virtue and sanctity, had been prepared but a kind man as well. anxiety in places where crowds gather, that the rite of peace should be a regular over four years, gathering testimonies ——— especially in situations where one might part of the liturgy in which "the faithful from 35 different dioceses around the Questions may be sent to Father feel trapped and unable to escape. express to each other their ecclesial com- world. Kenneth Doyle at This disease can justify one's absence munion and mutual charity" before The congregation is now in the process [email protected] and 30 from Mass as certainly as would a high receiving the Eucharist. As to the actual of reviewing that documentation. Columbia Circle Dr., Albany, New York fever or a contagious cold. If it is more gesture to be used, the general instruction Following a favorable review, the cause 12203. comfortable for you to pray in a side leaves that up to national bishops' confer- would then be presented to the Holy Page 18 DECEMBER 2017 The Angelus Making Sense of Bioethics Speaking about racial issues Destroying my freedom to Hispanic children By Hoffsman Ospino within a "white-black" paradigm. Yet in the name of freedom Catholic News Service Hispanics know that it is more than that. By Fr. Tad Pacholczyk drain cleaner on purpose to make our- "Hispanic" is not a race, but an ethnicity. selves ill, we would actually under- My 6-year-old son came home after school There are Hispanics who are white, black and In an August 2015 column in The mine and surrender our personal and unexpectedly asked my wife and me: indigenous. Many embody a mix of these. Washington Post, George F. Will autonomy. We would no longer be "What am I?" The question caught us off Hispanics are caught up in a conundrum of argued in favor of physician-assisted able to do what we might wish to do, guard. "What do you mean," racial categories that often lead to misunder- suicide, summing up his perspective as our body rebelled and constrained we replied. He said, "Am I standings about identity and sometimes to this way: “There is us to a stretcher on our way to the Mexican? Are people who exclusion and prejudice -- even in our own nobility in …affirm- emergency room or poison control speak Spanish Mexican?" faith communities. This goes without men- ing at the end the center. We explained that he and his tioning language and culture. distinctive human Looking at a misguided choice of sister are "estadounidenses," This is too much for a 6-year-old. Frankly, dignity of this kind reminds us how our autono- the demonym in Spanish for it is too much for anyone, young or adult. Yet autonomous choice.” my is never absolute. This kind of people born in the United this is the context where young Catholics are His conclusion, choice would also raise doubts in the States. In other words, they are growing up. Remember that about 60 percent however, raises sev- minds of those who cared about us American. We also explained Ospino of Catholics younger than 18 are Hispanic. eral important ques- regarding our mental and moral sani- that people with Mexican roots My children attend one of the best Catholic tions: Shouldn’t ty. To deem self-inflicted sickness to who live in the United States are also known schools in Boston, a place that intentionally death-dealing actions Pacholczyk be desirable would itself be a sick- as Latinos or Hispanics. strives to welcome a diverse student body and directed against our- ness, a kind of lie, spoken in the name Likewise, people born or with roots in other thrives in cultivating an environment of inclu- selves be seen as a deep repudiation of a perverted sense of being free to parts of Latin America and the Spanish-speak- sion and respect. Still, the conversation about of our autonomy, insofar as suicide do whatever I want, even to the point ing Caribbean, like in my case, born in race that our son brought home is a reminder eliminates our personal freedom once of self-harm or self-annihilation. Colombia, and my wife, born in Guatemala, that we cannot be naive. and for all? If our ability to freely The decision to intentionally end are Hispanic. We have lived most of our lives Children are profoundly influenced by their make choices is among the highest of our own life by an act of suicide in this country. We are committed to its best surroundings and by what they hear from our human faculties, isn’t it a radical (whether alone or with the assistance values and contribute with the best of who we adults on matters related to race. They watch contradiction to mount an attack on of others) pivots our uniquely human are. We are also "estadounidenses." television and social media. They see how our that autonomy through suicidal acts? power to make sound choices into a Staring as if something was still bothering national leaders behave, what they say and Isn’t there a certain absurdity to mar- seditious power directed against our him, he asked, "Why are Mexicans taking what they fail to say. shaling our freedom to obliterate our own good. To self-inflict death in col- over the country?" Then he added, "Are we My wife and I are not the only Hispanic freedom? lusion with a physician would consti- taking over the country?" parents having these conversations at home. Autonomy is often described as tute a profoundly disordered decision, I asked, "Where did you hear that"? He We may have access to some tools to address being able to do what we want, being and a radically corrosive attack on our said, "My friends say that Mexicans are tak- issues of race with our children, but many “self-governing” and “self-directing.” autonomy. Rather than something dig- ing over the country. They said that America Hispanic Catholic parents do not. Many are Authentic freedom, though, doesn’t nified, this abuse of freedom is ethi- is for white people. They heard it on televi- afraid and confused. Many fear for their most actually mean the ability to do what- cally indefensible. sion." Then he concluded, "My arms are precious treasures, their children. They need ever we want; it means the ability to If sane people can recognize that white. Are we white?" guidance and accompaniment. do what we ought, in accord with who drinking poison to get ourselves sick Our hearts sank. A deep sense of sadness This is a time for all Catholics in the coun- we are. To grow in freedom and is wrong, how can we feign that engulfed me. Should not these 6-year-olds be try, starting with our bishops, universities, ele- autonomy means acting in such a way ingesting drugs or using other means engaged in play and imagining amazing mentary and secondary schools, dioceses, that we attend to, and respect the to kill ourselves is somehow right and worlds full of hope? Should they wrestle with parishes, catechetical programs and ministeri- designs written into our nature. noble? Abusing our own freedom or these questions at such a tender age? al organizations, among others, to step up to Otherwise, autonomy collapses into a autonomy isn’t free or autonomous; If you are Hispanic in the United States, the the plate firmly and lead frank conversations caricature of its real meaning, or instead, it enslaves and diminishes us. conversation about race and ethnicity is per- about race and racism. We must do this for worse, into raw violence and forceful- When medical professionals pivot in sonal, complex and rather confusing. Talk the sake of a healthy society, the vibrancy of ness against ourselves or others. their role of healing and curing, and about race in our society is frequently framed our faith communities and our children. We can consider a simple example: instead become accomplices in termi- exercising autonomy with respect to nating the sick and vulnerable, they, our car doesn’t mean doing whatever too, undermine their own autonomy Hablando tocante raza we want with it, like pouring milk in and corrupt their own professional the gas tank, and orange juice in the freedom to genuinely care and “first oil reservoir. If we intentionally side- do no harm.” con niños hispanos swipe other vehicles as we drive True autonomy is not limitless or By Hoffsman Ospino Ambos hemos vivido la mayor parte de nues- along, and strike pedestrians on the absolute, but is necessarily condi- Catholic News Service tras vidas en este país. Ambos estamos com- sidewalk, these would be acts of vio- tioned by the truth of who we are and prometidos con sus mejores valores y con- lence, not acts of “autonomy” or “free the way we function. Properly exer- Mi hijo de 6 años regresó de la escuela y de tribuimos con lo mejor de lo que somos. choice.” Authentic freedom with an cised, our personal freedom manifests un momento a otro nos preguntó: "¿Qué También somos estadounidenses. automobile implies using it in an a genuine nobility, and a real dignity. soy?" Mi esposa y yo quedamos un tanto sor- El niño nos seguía mirando como si algo ordered way to get from A to B, driv- We should never will that our final prendidos. "¿A qué te refieres?", le pregunta- todavía le preocupara y preguntó, "¿Por qué los ing safely and legally, and even doing “autonomous choice” be directed mos. Él dijo, "¿Soy mexicano? ¿Todos los mexicanos están invadiendo el país?" Luego the right maintenance and upkeep on against that noble dignity. Rather, we que hablan español son mexicanos?" añadió, "¿Estamos invadiendo este país?" it, maintaining respect for the way the must flee the tyranny of false autono- Le explicamos que él y su hermana son Le pregunté, "¿Dónde escuchaste eso?" Él vehicle was designed and intended to my if our lives are to be authentically estadounidenses. En otras palabras, ellos son dijo, "Mis amigos dicen que los mexicanos be used. marked by human freedom in its full americanos, como se acostumbra a decir en están invadiendo el país. Dicen que los Estados Freedom and autonomy regarding splendor. este país. También le explicamos que a las Unidos son un país para gente blanca. Lo what we eat and drink, to consider personas con raíces mexicanas que viven en escucharon en la televisión". Luego concluyó, Rev. Tadeusz Pacholczyk, Ph.D. another example, doesn’t mean we este país también se les conoce como latinos "Mis brazos son blancos, ¿somos blancos?" earned his doctorate in neuroscience can consume anything at all. We can o hispanos. Un gran silencio se apoderó de nosotros. De from Yale and did post-doctoral work legitimately choose between apples Lo mismo ocurre con personas que nacieron hecho, me llené de tristeza. ¿No debieran los at Harvard. He is a priest of the dio- and oranges, but not between milk o tienen raíces en otras partes de América niños de 6 años estar preocupados más bien cese of Fall River, MA, and serves as and drain cleaner. If, in the name of Latina y los países caribeños de habla his- por sus juegos y pasar el tiempo imaginado the Director of Education at The autonomy, we were to declare that pana. Tal es el caso mío, quien nací en mundos sorprendentes que les llenen de we’re free to do whatever we want National Catholic Bioethics Center in Colombia, y el de mi esposa, quien nació en with our bodies, and we ingested Philadelphia. See www.ncbcenter.org Guatemala. (Please See OSPINO/23) The Angelus DECEMBER 2017 Page 19 Catholic Voices Instilling a culture of life is taking action against gun violence

By Christopher White cies. Following the latest shooting in Sutherland would do well to ponder what that "going out" might Catholic News Service Springs, Texas, where a 26-year-old gunman killed 26 look like in the case of gun violence. individuals in a Texas church, Cardinal Daniel N. It should entail special initiatives like Cardinal Blase J. I was in sixth grade when two gunmen entered DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, the president of the Cupich's anti-gun violence program in Chicago, which Columbine High School and mowed down 12 of their U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, urged the nation involves parishes getting involved in the fight to get fellow students and a teacher before taking their own to reckon with the "fundamental problem in our socie- guns off the street and greater attention to prison min- lives. By the time another madman ty," that leads to such violence. istry. Or talking openly about the wounds and the heal- decided to shoot up his own campus "A culture of life cannot tolerate, and must prevent, ing experienced from tragedy like Jennifer Hubbard, of Virginia Tech, killing 32 students senseless gun violence in all its forms," he added. who contributes reflections to "Magnificat" about losing and faculty members, I was halfway As both the nation and the U.S. church attempts to her daughter at Sandy Hook Elementary School. through college. address this crisis, Pope Francis is also encouraging that The church should also consider the ways in which it What had become immediately conversation -- and also action. can harness the energy of the thousands of young people clear was the lesson that classrooms In one of the questions addressed to America in the who are motivated by recent tragedies who have grown had the potential to become battle- preparatory document for the upcoming synod on up with such violence but refuse to accept this as simply fields -- a reality that the generation young people, the Holy Father asks, "How does your "normal." Perhaps they could find practical ways to following mine knows in even more community care for young people who experience work together with legislators to reinstate the assault painful and immediate ways. extreme violence … and accompany them in various weapons ban, which the bishops have long supported. Since then, that battlefield has extend- White ways in their life?" There's a lot of goodwill and much momentum com- ed to concert venues, airports, movie Violence takes a range of forms, through gangs, drug ing from young people working to build a culture of life, theaters and churches. By one count, there have been addiction, sexual abuse and otherwise, but in the back- as is evidenced by the remarkable crowds that gather in 739 victims of mass shootings in the United States since drop of recent national events, gun violence should rank Washington every January for the March for Life. 1987, the year I was born. high in that listing, too. This moral energy isn't finite. Perhaps the lesson in all This year alone, over 13,000 people have died as a "Being close to young people who are living amid of this, looking both ahead to this synod, but also, result of gun violence in this country. And according to great poverty and hardship, violence, war, disease, dis- beyond, is that it's time we maximize its potential. the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an ability and suffering is a special gift of the Spirit that -——— average of 93 Americans is killed by guns each day can truly manifest a proper manner of acting by a Join the conversation. Submit a proposal for a guest based on data from the past five years. church that is going out," as Pope Francis says in that column to [email protected]. White is It's for this reason that the U.S. bishops have recently same document. national correspondent for Crux. Follow him on Twitter called for a national debate on this country's gun poli- In preparation for the next synod, the U.S. church @CWWhite212. Harassment: Has anything changed? By Effie Caldarola ing, the details salacious at their journalism and often in the every- Cartoon Corner Catholic News Service worst or icky at the least. And for day workplace. years, whispers and silence accom- And even though we hope we Many years ago, I was a young panied this mistreatment. would speak up, we need to history teacher in a small Catholic Sexual harassment and pay dis- remember these women's embar- school. It was, in most respects, a crimination are very different rassment, the fear for their liveli- wonderful place, graced by a bevy things, but they are the common hood and careers, the threat of of competent turf on which women still battle in public humiliation. They felt Ursuline sisters. the workplace. alone. The superin- For me, this year's incident with I would have been laughed out tendent was a Sen. Elizabeth Warren, was of the little town where I taught if large, strong- emblematic. Senate leadership I made an issue of my pay dis- willed priest who informed Warren she couldn't read crimination. dominated by the a letter into confirmation testimo- Imagine how exponentially force of his per- ny for Sen. Jeff Sessions, a nomi- worse to take on a powerful man sonality and the nee for attorney general. The letter following a sexual encounter. Caldarola power of his was from the late Coretta Scott In a recent issue of America, the position and collar. King, the widow of slain civil Jesuit review, Jesuit Brother Ken I was dismayed to discover that rights leader Martin Luther King Homan courageously explores his the young man who had recently Jr., which she had written oppos- own attitudes. Educated in a Jesuit been hired along with me had been ing a previous confirmation for all-male prep school, he writes, given a contract with a significant- Sessions. "Whiteness, class advantage and ly higher rate of pay than mine. How ironic that a powerful man male privilege intertwined to teach Why? I inquired. decided to silence one of the me that I am special and stand The answer was simple: He was Senate's few female members as above others." a married man. I was a single gal. well as an iconic woman of color. Those of us who are parents of It didn't seem to matter that he had Warren kept reading. Senate sons need to talk with them about no children and his wife was also Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, their attitudes toward women. We employed. It was simply the way scolded her with words that quick- need to teach them respect for things were. ly spread like fall leaves on a women's bodies as well as their It may seem strange to young windy day: "She was warned. She brains, and the conviction to speak women today to hear that story. was given an explanation. out if they suspect abuse. Why didn't I speak out against pay Nevertheless, she persisted." We should question our own atti- discrimination? Some might ask, why didn't tudes, too. Do we judge women by But maybe my story is not so those who experienced harassment physical attributes? Do we defer to implausible. In the past few weeks, and even assault in the workplace men simply because they're male? we've been deluged with tales of speak out sooner? Where was their Do we respect the competence women (and sometimes men) persistence? and leadership of females? Do we being sexually harassed or assault- Power is a mighty tool and sex hold the powerful accountable for ed in workplaces controlled by is a charged and intimate subject. sexual misconduct? powerful men. Men wield power in entertainment, Things have changed since I was These stories are often horrify- government, the upper echelons of young. Or have they? Page 20 DECEMBER 2017 The Angelus RAM Catholic liturgies in Advent avoid carols, decorations (From 12) WASHINGTON (CNS) -- During the their rituals and symbols," he said, adding, that the liturgical color for Advent is purple, heaven? Who knows to what weeks before Christmas, Catholic churches "that horse is out of the barn." just like Lent -- as both are seasons that pre- extent prayer has impacted the stand out for what they are missing. He remembers a family on the street in pare us for great feast days. entire history of humanity? This Unlike stores, malls, public buildings and Maine where he grew up who didn't put their It says Advent "includes an element of concept of prayer was an exten- homes that start gearing up for Christmas at Christmas decorations up until Dec. 24 and penance in the sense of preparing, quieting sion of the selflessness and care least by Thanksgiving, churches appear didn't take them down until Candlemas, com- and disciplining our hearts for the full joy of for others that were already almost stark save for Advent wreaths and memorating the presentation of Jesus in the Christmas. This penitential dimension is present in the actions previous- maybe some greenery or white lights. temple, which is celebrated Feb. 2 -- the 40th expressed through the color purple, but also ly mentioned. How precious a "The chance for us to be a little out of sync day of the Christmas season. through the restrained manner of decorating gift to petition the wellbeing or a little countercultural is not a bad thing," He is pretty sure that family's children or the church and altar." and needs of another in your said Paulist Father Larry Rice, director of the grandchildren aren't keeping up that tradition. It also points out that floral decorations most private conversations with University Catholic Center at the University Father Rice similarly doesn't give families should be "marked by a moderation" as God — a gift that is given in of Texas at Austin. a lot of advice on when to do Christmas dec- should the use of the organ and other musical the silence of our hearts. I was By the same token, he is not about to com- orating, but when he has been pressed on it, instruments during Advent Masses. so moved that I was inspired to pletely avoid listening to he said, he has advised families to do it in The way the church celebrates Advent is have the most raw and honest until Dec. 24 either. The key is to experience stages -- such as put up the tree and have nothing new. Timothy Brunk, a Villanova confession of my life. This that "being out of sync feeling in a way that simple decorations on it and then add to this University associate professor in theology resulted in a returned gift of is helpful and teaches us something about our on Christmas Eve. and religious studies, said it began in the feeling more cleansed, faith," he told Catholic News Service. It's a joyful time, he said, which Catholics fourth century in Europe but has never had renewed, and holy than I poten- Others find with the frenetic pace of the should tap into. the history or significance of Easter for the tially have in my entire life. I Christmas season it is calming to go into an Celebrating Advent is a little tricky in cam- church. reconciled a lot of pain, confu- undecorated church and sing more somber pus ministry, he noted, since the church's But even though Advent doesn't have the sion, guilt, and even put to rest hymns like "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel." quiet, reflective period comes at the same penitential pull of Lent -- where people give grudges and bad feelings that I But that shouldn't be the only draw, noted time as students are frantic over exams, something up for 40 days or do something was holding on to. It was truly Jesuit Father Bruce Morrill, who is the papers and Christmas preparations. extra -- that doesn't mean the season should all finished, behind me. Edward A. Malloy professor of Catholic This year, the day before the start of slip by without opportunities for spiritual One last general grace that studies at Vanderbilt University Divinity Advent, he said students planned to gather to growth. Ram Awakening granted was School in Nashville, Tennessee. decorate the Catholic center with purple altar Father Rice said it's important for Catholics the establishment of community He said the dissonance between how the cloths, pine and some white lights. to engage in spiritual preparation for and support that will undoubt- church and society at large celebrate As Father Morrill sees it, decorating Christmas even in the middle of all the other edly carry on. Everyone Christmas is that the church celebration churches with white lights or greenery almost preparations. expanded their circle and begins, not ends, Dec. 25. The shopping sea- bridges the secular and religious celebrations His advice: When you write a Christmas gained many friends that will son and Christian church calendar overlap, of Christmas and that's OK by him. It beats card, say a prayer for that person; while fulfill roles of support, encour- but don't connect, he added. using blue instead of purple for Advent shopping, try to go about it in a slow and agement, love, work, and, And even though Catholic churches -- in wreaths or liturgical vestments, which he said thoughtful way not frantically running hopefully, carefree timeless- liturgies at least -- steer clear of Christmas some parishes did in the '80s, until church around and let someone take that parking ness. I have been blessed all my carols during Advent and keep their decora- leaders came down on it. space you were eyeing. life with love and support from tions to a minimum, Father Morrill said he Liturgical notes for Advent posted online Those actions, he said, are modern works family, friends, and mentors, isn't about to advise Catholic families to do by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops - of mercy on a simple and immediate level. and this was still a very pre- the same. - http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and- They also don't require batteries or store cious gift to me. For those who "It's hard to tell people what to do with worship/liturgical-year/advent -- points out coupons. struggle to find this in other people, especially if they are PATTERSON alone and off at college for the first time, I cannot imagine (From 2) what that gift would mean to them. I pray to God that every- er and sister and I still have dad’s National Changing of the guard at West Texas Angelus one can find what we found Park Service Passport books, where he would By Bishop Michael J. Sis Media Relations. It was truly a blessing there, and I thank Him for giv- dutifully obtain stamps of NPS properties he to work with him. ing to those who have already had visited. It is with a deep sense of loss that we say I am happy to announce that Brian received. From 1986-2003, he had affixed 123 stamps goodbye to the editor of the West Texas Bodiford will take over as Director of Bishop Michael Sis described in his passport book. The last one was from Angelus, Jimmy Patterson. As he and his Communications for the Diocese of San the inception of Ram Chickasaw National Recreation Area. Or as wife Karen prepare to move away from Angelo in January 2018. He will be the Awakening in a very effective they called it in the 1960s, when I lived so West Texas, the Diocese of San Angelo editor of the West Texas Angelus, and he and fitting way, as clergy seem many summer nights in that canvas tent: Platt owes both of them a debt of gratitude for will integrate that role with our other to always do so naturally with National Park. their dedicated service to the Church. forms of communication, including the their words. He gave us a talk Dad and mom are gone now. But they left For twelve years Jimmy served as the diocesan website. Brian’s office is located during his time at the retreat me something. Something more valuable than capable editor of this newspaper. He also at the Diocesan Pastoral Center in San describing, in summary, the his- money and as beautiful as companionship and served with distinction as Director of Angelo. He can be reached at bbodi- tory of Awakening and the love. They left me a profound appreciation for Communications, then as Director of [email protected] influence it has and can have. this land of ours. My dad was a fierce propo- He described the arrival of Ram nent of the National Park System. Sometime in of you and share the experiences and the faith We’ll bring you those stories through a blog, Awakening as a major and his- the time between his passing in 2009 and torical milestone in the devel- of our Catholic family since 2005. It has been and later, with God’s help, a book. We want today, he made the transference of that love the best job I have ever had. In fact, it isn’t everyone to know how great this country’s opment and nurturing of and appreciation and wanderlust to me. I have Catholic faith in college stu- really a job at all. It is a full-on ministry, and I people still are. in me an unending desire to go, to see. And so have never once taken it lightly. Neither do I Thank you all for your kind words along the dents throughout West Texas. it is time to bring back a piece of my child- This is, after all, the very first set it aside lightly to simply “travel.” Karen way. It has been a privilege to serve you in hood. That yearn to go that he instilled in me. and I are not doing this to travel. That’s too this role. Awakening retreat to ever take I am blessed to have a partner, my wife Karen, place in the Diocese of San simple a word for what we are leaving to do. To Bishop Sis, thank you for your shepherd- who feels that same urge. And so we will go. Through his people, and the beauty of his ing, your leadership and your unending joyful Angelo. After experiencing it We won’t get rich. Not green rich at least. But for myself, I fully believe in the divine architecture, it is God we are going to spirit. I will never again work for someone then again, that’s kind of the point. see. Karen is a photographer, as many of you like you. You have given so many of us in this truth of his statement, in the After a dozen years of having the privilege profound impact the Awakening know, and between the two of us and the diocese that great gift of joy-filled living. I for and honor of editing this newspaper, it is time fruits of the talent God has given us, we hope one will carry it with me, as though it was retreat has, and that it will not to leave it in other capable hands. This is my only continue, but grow. to share with you along the way the stories of handed to me by my father. last edition. I cannot begin to share with you goodness being done by people in this coun- Jimmy can be reached at what all it has meant to me to be able to write try. Stories we don’t hear enough of anymore. [email protected]. to you, for you, about you. To publish photos The Angelus DECEMBER 2017 Page 21 OBISPO (Para 3) ciendo a través de los siglos. El Reino de Nuestro llamado no es el de separarnos en Member Dios está ya presente entre nosotros en su una camarilla elitista. Tampoco se trata de Catholic News Service seguir, Señor, que el amor venza al odio, la Iglesia, pero aun no se ha cumplido por conformarnos a la cultura que nos rodea. Catholic Press Association venganza deje paso a la indulgencia, y la completo. Se cumplirá en su totalidad al Debemos permitir que Cristo transforme discordia se convierta en amor mutuo.” final de la historia. En este momento, esta- nuestra cultura a través de nosotros. Texas Catholic News Del mismo modo, en la Plegaria mos en la fase del crecimiento gradual del Esto implica ser claro acerca de lo que Published the first Monday follow- Eucarística V de la Iglesia en Reino de Dios. Como se dice en el representamos, y hablar la verdad con amor ing the 1st Saturday of each month Camino hacia la Unidad, oramos, “que la Catecismo de la Iglesia Católica (n. 670), en nuestra voz, no con superioridad o amar- Iglesia sea, en medio de nuestro mundo “... la renovación del mundo está ya decidi- gura. Se nos llama a vivir una consistencia and delivered to all registered dividido por las guerras y discordias, instru- da de manera irrevocable …” y coherencia entre nuestras creencias y parishioners in the mento de unidad y de concordia.” Debemos ser pacientes en una situación nuestras acciones, participando en el inter- San Angelo Diocese. Jesucristo inauguró el Reino de Dios en su imperfecta, coexistiendo con una gran can- cambio de ideas de una manera que va a Subscription rate for all others: ministerio terrenal. El Reino continúa cre- tidad de diferentes tipos de personas. sembrar semillas del Reino de Dios. $10 per year THIRD CLASS POSTAGE PAID Niños anhelan hogar este Adviento AT SAN ANGELO, TEXAS Por Jennifer Carr Allmon Printed by the Directora Ejecutiva San Angelo Standard Times Conferencia Católica de Obispos de A Scripps-Howard Company Texas

Incluso después de presentarse noticias Submissions: sobre niños durmiendo en el piso en ofici- Story suggestions, calendar items, nas, o peor aún, sobre sus trágicas muertes, la crisis de crianza infantil temporal de parish briefs and all other Texas continúa. Necesitamos más padres submissions should be emailed to sustitutos listos para servir a los hijos de Jpatterson@ Dios que están atrapados en el asediado sistema de bienestar infantil del estado. sanangelodiocese.org Sería muy simple si los cristianos escucha- ran el llamado de la Escritura a “dejar que COPY, PHOTO los niños vengan a mí” y abrieran sus hog- ares a los miles de pequeños que necesitan DEADLINE: familias seguras. Pero a muchos de Third Friday of every month. nosotros el miedo y las circunstancias nos Photos should be in jpeg format. impiden responder a este llamado. nuestra Santísima Madre de la maldad de Jennifer Carr Allmon es Directora Durante el Adviento esperamos a nuestro Herodes. Ejecutiva de la Conferencia Católica de Salvador, mientras estos preciosos niños Letters to the editor are welcome, Mientras los niños de Texas que Obispos de Texas (TCCB), la asociación esperan a sus salvadores todos los días del requieren crianza temporal esperan, debe- de obispos católicos de Texas que repre- and should be emailed to año. Las Escrituras que leemos en mos tener el valor de prestar atención al senta a 15 diócesis y 19 obispos activos. A Adviento nos dan un claro ejemplo a Jpatterson@ mismo mensaje: “No tengan miedo”. través de la TCCB, los obispos ofrecen seguir cuando vemos a un niño que necesi- sanangelodiocese.org. Efectivamente, las necesidades de estos una voz en materia moral y social sobre ta un padre y nos muestran qué hacer niños son muchas y es posible que usted políticas públicas, acreditan a las escuelas Letters to the editor are printed at cuando estamos paralizados y no podemos no sienta que tiene la suficiente capacidad. católicas del estado y mantienen archivos responder. the discretion of the editor and Siendo honestos, probablemente no la que reflejan el trabajo y la historia de la El Evangelio de Mateo nos dice que identities of the writer are subject to tenga, pero su Iglesia y su comunidad Iglesia Católica en Texas. cuando José se enteró del embarazo de tienen recursos para ayudarlo. Al igual que verification. Please include name, María, tenía la intención de divorciarse de los magos que trajeron regalos a la ella en secreto y dejar al niño sin padre. A Siga el ejemplo de José para address and phone number when Sagrada Familia, hay ministerios y organi- pesar de ser un hombre justo, cuidar de un submitting letters. zaciones sin fines de lucro que están listos convertirse en padre adoptivo niño que no era “suyo” era más de lo que para ayudarlo a satisfacer las necesidades Para encontrar un proveedor local de cri- podía soportar. El ángel del Señor se le de estos niños. Si bien es posible que no anza infantil temporal cerca de usted, vis- aparece en sueños diciéndole: “No temas”. experimentemos sueños angélicos que nos ite Texas Alliance of Children & Family Gracias a su valentía, José se convirtió en Bishop Michael J. Sis llamen a la acción, los niños que requieren Services en www.tacfs.org. O bien, siga el el padre adoptivo de nuestro Señor; se crianza temporal en Texas necesitan que ejemplo de los magos y haga un donativo Publisher convirtió en el protector de Jesús y María. estemos atentos a la guía del Espíritu a Rainbow Room Más tarde otro ángel le dice a José: Santo, que nos dice que nos levantemos y (http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/Child_Protecti “Levántate, toma al niño y a su madre, Jimmy Patterson cuidemos de estos amados hijos. on/Rainbow_Rooms/), un centro de recur- huye a Egipto…” Mediante la obediencia a ¿Considerará usted la llamada? sos para niños que requieren crianza tem- Editor Dios, José protegió a nuestro Señor y a poral. Media Relations Director KNICKERBOCKERS (From 8) into which we are also born when we are each of us, right where we are, right now. The West Texas Angelus baptized. The Holy Family, living the tri- As C.S. Lewis teaches us in The fullness of life with Him. une life of God with us and through us, Screwtape Letters (#XV), the Devil wants Official Newspaper of the When Jesus came in the fullness of means we are never without a family. It is us to live either in the past or in the future, Diocese of San Angelo, Texas God's time for Him, He came into a significant that the Sunday after Christmas because even the Devil knows that right POSTMASTER: Send all address human family. He came from a family, the Day is Holy Family Sunday when we cele- now is the fullness of time for each one of Holy Trinity, into a human family, the brate the truth that in the fullness of God's us. Praising and thanking God always changes to: Holy Family. We also are meant to come time for Jesus He came into a family, a routes the Devil and allows God to cast the WEST TEXAS ANGELUS from God the Holy Trinity into a human Holy Family that also becomes our family. Devil out of our lives, for the dreams the P.O. Box 1829 family. But we know that many human How can we live in our human family Devil has for us are nothing but vain imag- families are fractured and dysfunctional. and in the Holy Family, a life that ining. At every moment of every day eter- SAN ANGELO, TX If the family into which we are born is like embraces God's fullness of time for us? nity intersects time, heaven touches earth, 76902-1829 that----all families are plagued by human We can praise and thank God every day to make God's dream of us, for us, come ______sin----we always have the Holy Family that each day is God's fullness of time for true. Page 22 DECEMBER 2017 The Angelus CASEY

(From 3) Great Depression -- ran out of food, the review by the Vatican's Congregation for friar simply prayed an Our Father, and a Saints' Causes was completed earlier this Cardinal Amato was the main cele- truckload of bread showed up. year. brant and homilist for the beatification "When the people saw this they began The miracle involved the healing -- Mass, joined by Detroit Archbishop to cry with emotion. Father Solanus sim- unexplained by medicine or science -- of Allen H. Vigneron; Cardinal Adam J. ply stated: 'See, God provides. No one a woman with an incurable genetic skin Maida, retired archbishop of Detroit; will suffer want if we put our trust in disease, Paula Medina Zarate of Boston Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley, him- Divine Providence," Cardinal Amato Panama. She was only recently identi- self a Capuchin Franciscan; Cardinal said. fied publicly and she was at the Mass. Joseph W. Tobin of Newark, New "Witnesses affirmed that love, faith As it began, she walked up to the altar Jersey, who is a Detroit native; and and trust were the three points that he with a reliquary holding a relic of Archbishop Christophe Pierre, apostolic always preached to people," Cardinal Blessed Solanus -- a small piece of bone nuncio to the United States, among oth- Amato continued. "Faith, hope and char- taken from the friar's arm. ers. ity were for him the seal of the Trinity in Zarate was visiting friends in Detroit About 35 bishops, 400 priests and dea- our souls." and stopped at Father Casey's tomb to cons and more than 200 Capuchins Born Nov. 25, 1870, to a family of 16 pray for others' intentions. After her joined together in praise with 300 mem- children, Blessed Solanus spent his early prayers, she felt the strong urging to ask bers of the Casey family, members of years as a lumberjack, street car operator for the friar's intercession for herself, the Father Solanus Guild and thousands and prison guard before entering the too, and received an instant and visible of faithful during the Mass. seminary. After witnessing a violent healing. The altar, placed at midfield, was cre- attack in Superior, Wisconsin, he The miraculous nature of her cure in ated originally for St. John Paul II's visit resolved to devote his life to God. 2012 was verified by doctors in her to the Pontiac Silverdome in 1987. To Despite language barriers slowing his home country, in Detroit and in Rome, the right of the altar was a large painting studies toward the priesthood, he was all of whom confirmed there was no sci- of Blessed Solanus. It was unveiled to eventually ordained a "simplex priest," entific explanation. Father Casey him- thunderous applause after the beatifica- and spent the next 60 years greeting self died of a skin disease July 31, 1957. tion rite, which took place at the begin- people at the monastery doors in New During the presentation of the gifts, ning of the Mass. York, Indiana and Detroit, where he baskets of food were brought to the altar The music was provided by a 25- became a warm and familiar face to along with bread and wine, symbolizing member orchestra and a choir of 300 thousands seeking his counsel and Blessed Solanus' ministry to the hungry directed by Capuchin Franciscan Father prayers. through the Capuchin Soup Kitchen and Ed Foley. The singers were members of Cardinal Amato garnered laughs when the Capuchins' continuing ministry parish choirs from across the Detroit he acknowledged that Blessed Solanus today. metro area. The Casey family's Irish had "one little defect in his life: In the After Communion, the congregation roots were reflected in the Irish hymns judgment of his fellow friars, Father was invited to sing "God, Be Praised for chosen as part of the music for the litur- Solanus was a bad musician." Humble Service," a hymn commissioned gy. "For this reason, after his first failure in honor of Blessed Solanus written by Reflecting the diversity of the Catholic in the community, with simplicity and Benedictine Sister Delores Dufner. Church in which Blessed Solanus humility, in order not to disturb his In thanking Cardinal Amato and the served, readings and prayers of the faith- neighbor, on Sunday evening he went to Congregation for the Causes of Saints ful were proclaimed in several lan- the chapel with his violin and played "for your devoted attention to the cause guages, including English, Spanish, Irish religious songs in front of the tab- of Father Solanus' beatification," Vietnamese, Chaldean, Polish and ernacle. The Lord listened to him Archbishop Vigneron garnered loud Tagalog. patiently because our blessed was lack- cheers when he assured the cardinal that "His favorite sons were the poor, the ing in music, but not in virtue," Cardinal "the field hospital of mercy is open here sick, the emarginated and the homeless," Amato said with a smile. in Detroit." Cardinal Amato said of Blessed Solanus, By virtue of his beatification, Blessed "Your Eminence, when next you speak the Wisconsin-born priest with Irish Solanus can now be publicly venerated with our beloved Holy Father, Pope roots and a whispery voice who served in Detroit and in Capuchin houses Francis, please let him know that we are as a monastery doorkeeper in New York, worldwide. Beatification is the last step grateful beyond measure that he has Detroit and Huntington, Indiana, over before sainthood, which would allow judged our beloved Father. Solanus wor- his 60 years as a Capuchin friar. Blessed Solanus to be venerated by the thy of the rank of blessed," Archbishop "He always fasted in order to give worldwide church. His feast will be cel- Vigneron said. "Assure His Holiness of them their own lunch. He spent hours ebrated July 30, the vigil of the anniver- our filial affection and loyalty and tell upon hours patiently receiving, listening sary of the friar's death in 1957. him that we are committed anew to imi- to, and counseling the ever-growing Among the hundreds, if not thousands, tate Blessed Solanus by witnessing to number of people who came to him," he of healings attributed to Blessed Solanus the good news of Christ's mercy." added. during and after his lifetime, Pope - - - Once, the cardinal recounted, when Francis recognized the authenticity of a Stechschulte is managing editor of The the Capuchin Soup Kitchen -- which miracle necessary for the friar to be ele- Michigan Catholic, newspaper of the Blessed Solanus helped start during the vated from venerable to blessed after a Archdiocese of Detroit. BISHOP

(From 3) Jesus Christ inaugurated the Kingdom of kinds of people. Our call is not to sepa- God in his earthly ministry. The Kingdom rate ourselves off in an elitist clique. Nor This is why, in the liturgy of the Church continues to grow through the centuries. is it to conform ourselves to the culture in the Eucharistic Prayer II for The Kingdom of God is already present around us. We must allow Christ to trans- Reconciliation, we pray, “By the working among us in his Church, but it’s not com- form our culture through us. of your power it comes about, O Lord, pletely fulfilled yet. It will be completely This entails being clear about what we that hatred is overcome by love, revenge fulfilled at the end of history. Right now, stand for, and speaking the truth with love gives way to forgiveness, and discord is we’re in the phase of the gradual growth in our voice, not superiority or bitterness. changed to mutual respect.” of the Kingdom of God. As it says in the It calls for living out a consistency and Similarly, in the Fifth Eucharistic Prayer Catechism of the Catholic Church (no. coherence between our beliefs and our for the Church on the Path of Unity, we 670), “…the renewal of the world is irrev- actions, participating in the interchange of pray, “that in a world torn by strife your ocably underway…” ideas in a way that will sow seeds of the people may shine forth as a prophetic sign We must be patient in an imperfect situ- Kingdom of God. of unity and concord.” ation, coexisting with lots of different The Angelus DECEMBER 2017 Page 23 RENEW (From 2) all the difference in its success. The people Champions for Evangelization in our dio- age to the spiritual capitals of guided of the diocese have been renewed and cese would be Sister Hilda Marotta and by Sister Terry and Father Anthony cese immediately moved on to a deeper evangelized thanks to his stellar leader- Sister Adelina Garcia.” Randazzo of The Church of the Holy exploration of faith in Why Catholic? ship.” The reception at the bishops’ assembly Trinity in Westfield, N.J. The year will end Many of the small groups established Bishop Pfeifer introduced small groups was the first in a series of events celebrat- with a celebration of a Mass of through these efforts are continuing with into the Diocese of San Angelo with ing RENEW International’s 40th anniver- Thanksgiving followed by a reception on other RENEW resources. Throughout the RENEW for the 21st Century. After the sary of fostering renewal within the November 4 at Our Lady of Mercy Church years, RENEW was aided by Mary Ann success of that program, Why Catholic Church world-wide. On April 19, in Park Ridge, N.J., the first parish assign- McLaughlin and Ann Cussen from the Catholic?/¿Por que ser catolico? brought a 2018, in partnership with the Center for ment for RENEW co-founder Father Tom archdiocesan Office of Spiritual Life who deeper understanding of the faith to parish- Catholic Studies at Seton Hall University Kleissler. attended all of the hundreds of workshops ioners throughout the diocese. They then and America Media, RENEW will host the To learn more about RENEW’s 40th held in the archdiocese throughout the moved forward with the ARISE/LEVÁN- Monsignors Thomas Kleissler and Thomas anniversary celebrations visit years. TATE process. After Bishop Pfeifer’s Ivory Symposium on Parish Renewal at www.renewintl.org/celebrate40. Bishop DiMarzio, a native of RENEW’s retirement, Bishop Sis, seeing the success Seton Hall in South Orange, N.J. The event RENEW International is a Catholic home archdiocese of Newark, was instru- of the programs, decided to make the dio- is named after the co-founders of RENEW. organization based in Plainfield, N.J., mental in bringing ARISE/LEVÁNTATE cese one of the first to adopt RENEW’s Father Matthew Malone, SJ of America which fosters spiritual renewal in the into the ethnically diverse Diocese of newest process, Be My Witness/Sean mis Media will moderate the symposium which Catholic tradition by empowering individu- Brooklyn. The diocese asked RENEW to testigos, which was inspired by Pope will feature William Simon of Parish als and communities to encounter God in provide workshops in three languages— Francis’ landmark document, The Joy of Catalyst as the main speaker. Panelists will everyday life, deepen and share faith, and English, Spanish, and Haitian-Creole. the Gospel. Both bishops give credit for include best-selling author Chris Lowney; connect faith with action. For almost four Small groups in the diocese are also work- the success of the programs to Sister Hilda Leisa Anslinger of Catholic Life and Faith; decades, RENEW International has revital- ing in Chinese, and Braille editions have Marotta and Sister Adelina Garcia who Father Bismarck Chau, pastor of St. ized parish life in over 150 dioceses in the been provided. Theodore Musco, the head the Office of Evangelization and Patrick’s Pro-Cathedral in Newark; and United States, touching the lives of 25 mil- Secretary for Evangelization and Catechesis. Sister Terry Rickard of RENEW. lion people through its renewal processes. Catechesis who works closely with Bishop Sis commented, “While I do not RENEW International will continue the RENEW International also reaches many RENEW in the diocese said, “Bishop consider myself to merit such a claim, I celebrations with its 40th Anniversary Gala thousands outside the United States, hav- Nicholas DiMarzio's energetic promotion will be happy to receive the award on on June 7, 2018 at which several key fig- ing served people in 25 countries, across and sincere support of RENEW'S behalf of our diocese, along with Bishop ures in the founding of RENEW will be six continents, and in 44 languages. It can ARISE/LEVÁNTATE small faith-sharing Michael Pfeifer. In reality, the ones who honored. In September, a group of be found online at www.renewintl.org and groups in Brooklyn and Queens has made deserve to be considered as RENEW RENEW supporters will make a pilgrim- at facebook.com/renewintl. OSPINO (Para 18) Los niños son profundamente influen- ciados por el ambiente en que se encuen- esperanza? ¿Por qué tienen que estar lid- tran y por lo que escuchan de los adultos iando con estos interrogantes a una edad cuando hablan sobre temas raciales. tan temprana? Ellos ven la televisión y están constante- Para los hispanos en los Estados mente activos en los medios de comuni- Unidos, la conversación sobre temas cación social. Ellos ven cómo se com- raciales y étnicos es personal, compleja y portan nuestros líderes a nivel nacional, confusa. El debate sobre asuntos raciales lo que dicen y lo que dejan de decir. en nuestra sociedad con frecuencia se Mi esposa y yo no somos los únicos enmarca dentro del paradigma "blanco y padres de familia hispanos que tenemos negro". Sin embargo, los hispanos sabe- este tipo de conversaciones en casa. mos que es mucho más que eso. Quizás podemos tener acceso a algunos Ser "Hispano" no significa pertenecer recursos para hablar sobre temas raciales a una raza sino a una etnicidad. Hay his- con nuestros hijos, pero muchos padres panos que son de raza blanca, negra e de familia católicos hispanos no los indígena. Muchos de hecho somos una tienen. mezcla de las tres. Muchos de ellos tienen temor y están Los hispanos nos encontramos en confundidos. Muchos están preocupados medio de un laberinto complejo de cate- por su tesoro más precioso: sus hijos. gorías raciales que con frecuencia crea Estos padres de familia necesitan guía y confusión al hablar de identidad y a acompañamiento. veces lleva a la exclusión y al prejuicio Éste es un momento para que todos los — incluso en nuestras propias comu- católicos en el país, comenzando con nidades de fe. Esto sin mencionar el nuestros obispos, universidades, escuelas idioma y la cultura. elementales y de secundaria, diócesis, Esta complejidad es demasiado para un parroquias, programas catequéticos y niño de 6 años. Francamente, es organizaciones ministeriales, entre otros, demasiando para cualquier persona, salgan a la vanguardia de manera firme y joven o adulta. Sin embargo, éste es el lideren con voz profética conversaciones contexto en el que los católicos jóvenes sobre asuntos raciales y sobre racismo. están creciendo. No olvidemos que cerca Tenemos que hacer esto para forjar una del 60 por ciento de los católicos sociedad justa, garantizar la vitalidad de menores de 18 años en los Estados nuestras comunidades de fe y por el bien Unidos son hispanos. de nuestros hijos. Mis hijos van a una de las mejores - - - escuelas católicas en Boston, un lugar Ospino es profesor de teología y edu- que se esmera en matricular un grupo cación religiosa en Boston College. Es diverso de estudiantes y hace lo mejor miembro del equipo de liderazgo del para cultivar un ambiente de inclusión y Quinto Encuentro Nacional de Pastoral respeto. Aun así, la conversación sobre Hispana/Latina. temas raciales que nuestro hijo trajo a casa nos recuerda que nos podemos ser ingenuos. Page 24 DECEMBER 2017 The Angelus USCCB Pope: Build peace by welcoming migrants, refugees (From 11) By Cindy Wooden Development, said, "It is clear of them are refugees, who have Catholic News Service peace begins with saving lives fled war, violence or persecution. Lakota people to the Catholic faith. and taking care of people who are In their search for a place where As part of the business side of the meeting, the bishops —Exploiting trying to escape wars, discrimina- they can live in peace, the pope elected Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron of Detroit as the next a fear of migrants and refugees tion, persecution, poverty and cli- said, many are "willing to risk secretary of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. He'll for political gain increases the mate disasters." their lives on a journey that is take office next November. Votes also were cast for a new possibility of violence and dis- As work continues on the U.N. often long and perilous, to endure chairman of the bishops' Committee for Religious Liberty and crimination and does nothing to Global Compact on Refugees and hardships and suffering, and to chairmen-elect for the committees on Communications, build a culture of peace, Pope the Global Compact on Safe, encounter fences and walls built Cultural Diversity in the Church, Doctrine, National Francis said in his message for Orderly and Regular Migration, to keep them far from their goal." Collections and Pro-Life Activities. World Peace Day 2018. Pope Francis urged the interna- Pope Francis acknowledged the They highlighted past events such as the Convocation of "Those who, for what may be tional community not to surrender right and obligation of countries Catholic Leaders in Orlando, Florida, this summer and spoke political reasons, foment fear of "to cynicism and to the globaliza- to protect their borders and wisely about tapping into the energy that came from that national migrants instead of building peace tion of indifference." allocate their resources, including gathering at diocesan and parish levels. are sowing violence, racial dis- Countries at the U.N. General those dedicated to resettling They also previewed upcoming events such as the U.S. crimination and xenophobia, Assembly voted in September migrants and refugees. But the Catholic Church's Fifth National Encuentro, or "V which are matters of great con- 2016 to develop the compacts; pope also insisted that basic Encuentro," next September in Grapevine, Texas, and World cern for all those concerned for after meetings around the world, a human decency requires shelter- Youth Day Jan. 22-27, 2019, in Panama City. the safety of every human being," draft of each compact is sched- ing those whose dignity is at risk. The bishops identified key issues they are addressing with the pope said in the message, uled to be released in February Jesuit Father , Congress, including health care, the federal budget and tax which was released by the Vatican and a final vote is scheduled for undersecretary of the Migrants reform, and concluded their assembly by mentioning the Nov. 24. September 2018. and Refugee Section of the impact of recent disasters such as hurricanes and wildfires. The pope chose "Migrants and In his message, which was Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Bishop Curtis J. Guillory of Beaumont, a region hard hit refugees: Men and women in signed Nov. 13, the feast of St. Integral Human Development, by Hurricane Harvey, said often when tragedies occur, "you search of peace" as the theme for Frances Cabrini, patron of told reporters the "prudence" Pope just feel very much alone and wonder how you are going to the celebration Jan. 1, 2018. The migrants, Pope Francis said think- Francis is calling for involves dis- move forward." message is delivered by Vatican ing about peace naturally meant cernment and wise direction. He He thanked the bishops for their support, in prayers, phone nuncios to heads of state and gov- thinking about "those who most compared it to the responsibility calls and donations, which he described as a "wonderful sign ernment around the world. keenly suffer its absence." parents exercise in running a of solidarity" and sign of unity of our faith. This will be a Presenting the message to the International organizations esti- household. long and costly recovery, he noted, but added that "people media, Father Bruno Marie Duffe, mate there are some 250 million "Prudent parents respond and have deep, deep faith." secretary of the Dicastery for international migrants around the allocate resources wisely," he told - - - Promoting Integral Human globe and that about 22.5 million reporters. Contributing to this story was Rhina Guidos, Dennis Sadowski, Mark Pattison and Julie Asher.