'We Have to Change Our Reactions to Pregnancies'

Serving the Diocese of San Angelo, Texas KIDS: Mary discovers empty tomb / Pg. 15 POPE: Benedict visits Mexico, Cuba / Pg. 7 Volume XXXII, No. 4 APRIL 2012

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God loves all of us from 1st moment of conception By Bishop Michael Pfeifer

It is our strong Catholic belief that at the moment of conception, a new, precious human life comes into being in the moth- er’s womb. Modern medical research and technology confirms more and more each day the belief that all human life, even in its earliest stages, has a special dignity and sacredness because it contains the very image and likeness of God. In his address to the Congress on Embryo, Pope Benedict XVI confirmed in a very clear and strong manner that God loves humans from the very moment of their conceptions.

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Pope Benedict XVI greets San Angelo Bishop Michael D. Pfeifer during a March 16 meeting at the Vatican. SAN OF DIOCESE ANGELO Bishops from Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas were making their ad limina visits to the Vatican to report on the

status of their dioceses. (CNS photo/L'Osservatore Romano) (March 16, 2012) Additional Photos / Pg. 24 1829 BOX PO ‘We have to change our reactions to pregnancies’ By Jimmy Patterson Editor

SAN ANGELO — Vicki Thorn described a hypothetical conversation that recently occurred at her house to a group of almost 200 attending the Gospel of Life Conference in San Angelo, March 24. “My husband walked in and our daughter, who had been talking to me about a friend who was pregnant, looked at her father and said, ‘Dad, if I

was pregnant, what would you do?”

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Thorn recalled. 44 NO. PERMIT Without missing a beat, Thorn said her husband told their daughter, “Well, first thing, we’d call Sister Martha to see about you staying in school, and then we’d go to the doctor to make sure everything is OK.” It is that kind of parental reaction, Thorn said, that we need to see more Vicki Thorn, founder of Project Rachel, speaks to a crowd of if we ever hope to begin making a dent in reversing abortion numbers. of Pro-Life supporters at Angelo Catholic School March (Please See GOSPEL/21 24. Page 2 APRIL 2012 The Angelus From the Bishop’s Desk Reflections on the sacrament of penance, reconciliation "Be reconciled to God" — 2 Cor. 5:20 Sacrament of Reconciliation - Penance. I share appreciation of this Sacrament which is vitally with you some reflections on the Sacrament of important to live as good Catholics. By Bishop Michael Pfeifer, OMI Penance, Reconciliation for the forgiveness of sins To help us understand this beautiful Sacrament, to help us grow in God's love in the spiritual life. I am featuring here some of the teachings that are On Ash Wednesday, the Apostle Paul exhorted This Sacrament is one of the two Sacraments given to us by the Catholic Catechism, which us to “Be reconciled to God” (2 Cor.5:20). The of healing that Christ has given to our beautiful hopefully will lead to a better understanding of whole season of Lent is a time of reconciliation, to Catholic Church. As there is much misunderstand- this Sacrament of God's forgiveness and pardon: humbly and sincerely look at our relationship of ing of this Sacrament, and as many Catholics 1421 The Lord Jesus Christ, physician of our Bishop love with our loving God, and with one another. today do not fully appreciate the meaning of this souls and bodies, who forgave the sins of the para- Pfeifer To forgive our sins and bring us God's mercy, wonderful Sacrament of God's mercy, it is impor- Christ has given the Church the wonderful tant that we go back to the basics to have a fuller (Please See BISHOP/22) DIOCESAN BRIEFS Beginning Experience to Web site changes Parish information on the diocesan web ‘This weekend has brought us closer together host weekend, April 27-29 site can only be accurate with your help. When you see changes that need to be in our relationship with God’ By Judy Ford made as they pertain to your parish on the diocesan web site (http://www.sanangelodi- (Below is a letter from one of the young people who recently made the Engaged Our journey through life includes many proverbial Encounter at Christ the King Retreat Center in San Angelo. This personal testi- ocese.org), please send those changes to hills and valleys. The hills lead us onto higher highs, [email protected]. mony points out how beneficial the Engaged Encounter is for those who are preparing for marriage. I am very grateful to our lay leaders and priests who lead making us feel happy and alive. The valleys catch us off the Engaged Encounter for our diocese.) -- By Bishop Michael D. Pfeifer guard, leading us sometimes to be sad and lonely. One Priest changes of the valleys many married people have endured is the The following clergy changes are effective “This weekend has brought us closer in our relationship and taught us how to include loss of a spouse. This loss can be the result of death or April 13, 2012: God in our future marriage. Without this Engagement Encounter weekend I think we separation or divorce. 4 Fr. Serafin Avenido will become the would not be completely prepared for our future as a married couple. It has opened our Our Church wants to walk with people (Catholic and pastor at St. Joseph and St. Agnes in Ft. hearts, mind and soul not only to each other but to Christ. I am so very grateful for the non-Catholic) through these valleys. One way the Stockton and St. James in Sanderson. Church does this is with the Beginning Experience 4 experience and will pray for many more engagement encounters to take place for other Fr. Joe Uecker will become temporary couples to experience what we have this weekend.” weekend. It is a spiritual weekend designed to help administrator of St. Joseph and St. Anthony these people in throes of great loss to move through the in Odessa along with Mission San Martin stages of grief. If, while reading this, you are experi- de Porras. helps with rent, utilities and medical bills engineering technology graduate of Texas encing a “valley” in your life, please consider coming when funds are available. The organization A&M, is this year’s featured presenter at to our next Beginning Experience weekend. Catholic Charities also operates the Family Thrift Store at its the, “An Evening With ...” fundraiser series, A recent comment from a participant who thought she location across from Odessa College. July 20, 2012, at the Midland County Banquet of Hope had resolved all her issues after her divorce might be Banquet tables of eight are available for Horseshoe. The event will benefit the worth mentioning. She shared, “My husband left me in ODESSA -- Catholic Charities of Odessa, $500, and individual tickets can be pur- Midland non-profit, Centers for Children late 1998, but our divorce was not finalized until 2000. I announces its annual "Banquet of Hope," chased for $75 per person. For more infor- and Families. did not think I needed this retreat. I was OK. I was from 6:30-8:30 p.m, Thursday, April 26, at mation, contact Fr. Mark Woodruff at Hall’s drilling technique was instrumental in going for a friend who had been a widow for 5 years, the Odessa Country Club. Retired 432.367.4657. the October 2010 rescue of 33 Chilean min- she definitely needed this retreat. I realized by Saturday Archbishop Joseph A. Fiorenza of the ers who had been trapped underground for that I did need to be here. The Beginning Experience Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, former Pro-Life Rosary in Midland more than two months. forever changed my life for the better. I have since Bishop of San Angelo, will be the keynote MIDLAND — Bishop Michael D. Pfeifer Hall received a diploma in pastoral stud- grown and blossomed into a more self-assured woman.” speaker. He will discuss Catholic efforts will preside over a pro-life Rosary in front of ies from St. Mary’s Seminary in December The next opportunity to attend a Beginnings and challenges to overcoming poverty in the Midland Planned Parenthood at 9:30 2010 and was ordained a permanent dea- Experience weekend is April 27-29 at Christ the King America. In addition to the Archbishop's a.m., Friday, June 8, 2012, a day when con in February 2011. Retreat Center, in San Angelo. This weekend experi- address, the first annual presentation of the abortions are done at Planned Parenthood. Watch for additional details in upcoming ence begins on Friday at 8 p.m. and ends on Sunday by Sister Mary Thomas McNeela Award will be The date also closely coincides with the issues of the Angelus. 4 p.m. For $115, each participant has his/her own room presented to Msgr. James Bridges, a for- Feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of as well as all meals provided. The only thing you need mer Odessa pastor. Fr. Bridges was one of Jesus Christ, which is Sunday, June 10. is to bring is comfortable clothes and a willingness to the principal organizers of the organization “The beautiful Feast of Corpus Christi, Scheduled Executions heal. The Beginning Experience weekend is open to in 1987. Catholic Charities is one of the which has a long tradition in our Church, The Angelus publishes the execution men and women of all faiths who have suffered the principal private Ector Country charitable reminds us of the greatest gift Christ has left dates of Texas offenders on death row each death, separation or divorce of a spouse. If you are a organizations. It serves needy individuals His Church, which is His own Body and month so that the faithful in the Diocese of single parent and need assistance to come to the week- and families regardless of religious affilia- Blood, and that by receiving His Body and San Angelo can pray for them. The follow- end, please seek out your priest or minister and tell him tion. It is funded by the Catholic people of Blood, we enrich our membership in the pre- ing offenders face upcoming execution about your situation. Odessa, along with several other local cious Body of Christ, linking us to all who are dates. Please pray for them as well as the For more information, visit beginningexperience.org, Christian congregations. It is a United Way members of the Body of Christ, even to the victims, families and all who are affected by call Christ the King Retreat Center (325.651.5352) or agency, and also receives grants from a precious little ones in the wombs of their violence: one of these team members: Judy (432.837.5640), number of charitable foundations as well as mothers who are part of the sacred Body of Offender/Scheduled Execution Day Mary (512.990.4738), Jennifer (432.528.6243) or the US government. Through its Cory Christ.' Beunka Adams / April 26 Kathy (325.944.4746). The Beginning Experience Learning Center, if offers GEDs for people Anthony Bartee / May 2 Team is committed to serve you in an effort bring needing a high school diploma. Its food Deacon to speak in Midland Steven Staley / May 16 about the healing grace of Christ in your life and the pantry serves forty to sixty families daily. It Greg Hall, a deacon in the Catholic Bobby Hines / June 6 lives of your families. offers tax and immigration services, and Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, and an Marcus Druery / August 1 The Angelus APRIL 2012 Page 3 From the Editor DIOCESAN DATES The boy in the Seattle Mariners jersey Bishop’s Calendar 11:00 a.m. 22 -- STANTON, St. Joseph – By Jimmy Patterson / Editor I love this game. secondary. This was the sound of APRIL Confirmation at 6:30 p.m. 23 -- MERTZON, St. Peter – The kid was five, maybe six. He life at its richest. 14 — SAN ANGELO, Holy PEORIA, Ariz. — This space is had over-the-ears length strawber- Carlos Peguero, a second-year Angels – 3:00 p.m. Mass for Confirmation at 6:30 p.m. Criminal Justice Retreat 24 -- COLEMAN, Sacred Heart – often reserved for matters ry blonde hair with bangs that fell leftfielder for the Mariners, took 14 — SAN ANGELO, Holy Confirmation at 6:30 p.m. Catholic, or family or spiritual to his eyebrows. His cheeks were the field every half inning and Angels - Confirmation at 5:30 p.m. 25 -- SAN ANGELO, Sacred thoughts. Not pudgy and his legs short, and he tossed the ball effortlessly to an 15 — OZONA, Our Lady of Heart Cathedral – Priestly this month. had eyes that danced when his unseen catching partner on the Perpetual Help, Confirmation, 11 am. Ordination of Brother Martin Mary Hubbs, O.Carm. at 11:00 a.m. Although this team took the field. The Seattle foul side of the line. As warm-up 20 — ODESSA, Holy Redeemer story could eas- Mariners’ jersey he wore came time ended before each new –Confirmation at 6:30 pm. 26 -- MIDLAND, O.L. Guadalupe 21 — ODESSA, St. Elizabeth – –Confirmation at 5:00 p.m. ily fall under down to his knees. He sat with his opposing batter stepped into the Diaconal Ordination of Francis 27 -- ROWENA, St.Joseph – the universal dad on the top row of a section batter’s box, the little boy in the Onyekozuru Mass for 50th Priestly Anniversary topic of life’s down the left field line, 275 feet Mariners jersey made his way 22 — WALL, St. Ambrose – of Monsignor Bernard Gully at 9:30 goodness. from home plate. down the steps of the section to Confirmation at 9:00 a m. a.m. 28 -- SAN ANGELO, Sacred The scene My son, his two good friends the front row and gently yelled 22-24 — AUSTIN, Meeting of was probably and I pulled up a seat one section out the outfielder’s name. Texas Bishops and Banquet of Heart Cathedral – Memorial Day Mass at 9:00 a.m. not all that closer to home plate than the little “Carlos! Carlos! Can you throw Diocesan Council of Catholic Patterson Women 29 -- June 1, SAN ANGELO, unusual for boy and watched the game. It was me the ball? Carlos? Could I have 26 — ROWENA, St. Joseph – Christ the King Retreat Center – spring training baseball. Maybe one of those magical nights that the ball?” I glanced at the boy’s Confirmation at 6:30 p.m. Priests Retreat baseball, period. If it does happen embodies the allure of the game. father who sat and watched his 27 — SAN ANGELO, CCD often, it bears repeating. If it Perfect temperature, maybe a boy try and talk a grown athlete Awards Banquet at 6:30 p.m. doesn’t, it needs to be told. What shade cool; people everywhere out of a five-dollar baseball. He 28 — MIDLAND, St. Ann – Christ the King Confirmation at 5:00 pm. Retreat Center happened on a March Wednesday but not too many. Kids with loved his kid, it was obvious. He 29 — BROWNWOOD, St. Ann MAY night in Peoria, Ariz., at the gloves hoping for that one shot at said nothing to try and stop him, Confirmation, 11:00 a.m. 1 -- Adoration of the Blessed spring training complex home to a foul ball. The sound of laughter Sacrament the Seattle Mariners touched my and friendship filled the air. MAY 4-6 -- Encounter the Cross heart and reminded me again why Baseball at times seemed almost (Please See PATTERSON/23) 1-2 -- HOUSTON, Episcopal Retreat Ordination of Bishop George 7 -- Heart of Mercy Prayer Group Sheltz 8 -- Adoration of the Blessed 3 -- BALLINGER, St. Mary – Sacrament Del Escritorio del Obispo Confirmation at 6:30 p.m. 11-12 -- First Methodist Church 4 -- ABILENE, Sacred Heart – of Midland Diaconal Ordination of Lorenzo 14 -- DRE, CRE Reflection Day Reflexiones sobre el sacramento Hatch at 6:30 p.m. 14 -- Heart of Mercy Prayer 5 -- SAN ANGELO, Sacred Heart – Confirmation at 5:00 p.m. Group de penitencia y reconciliacion 6 -- SONORA, St. Ann – 15-18 -- DOSA Good Leaders, Confirmation at 10:30 a.m. Good Shepherds 7-8 -- HOUSTON, Kenedy Board 18-20 -- Engaged Encounter “Pónganse en paz con Dios” 2 Cor. 5:20 dadas para nosotros por el Catecismo Católico. Meeting Weekend 1421 El Señor Jesucristo, médico de nuestras 9 -- MIDLAND, San Miguel 20 -- Natural Family Planning por el Obispo Miguel Pfeifer, OMI almas y de nuestros cuerpos, que perdonó los peca- Arcangel – Confirmation at 6:30 Class dos al paralítico y le devolvió la salud del cuerpo, pm 21 -- Heart of Mercy Prayer Grp 10 -- ABILENE, Holy Family – 22 -- Adoration of the Blessed Para perdonar nuestros pecados y traernos a la quiso que su Iglesia continuase, con la fuerza del Confirmation at 6:30 p.m. Sacrament misericordia de Dios, Cristo le ha dado a la Iglesia el Espíritu Santo, su obra de curación y de salvación, 11 -- ODESSA, St. Elizabeth – 28 -- Memorial Day Holiday – hermoso Sacramento de Reconciliación—Penitencia. incluso en sus propios miembros. Esta es la finali- Confirmation at 6:30 p.m. CKRC Office Closed Comparto con ustedes algunas refle- dad de los dos sacramentos de curación: del sacra- 12-13 -- SAN ANTONIO, 28 -- Heart of Mercy Prayer Grp xiones sobre el Sacramento de mento de la Penitencia y de la Unción de los enfer- Premiere of Fr. Ted Pfeifer’s 29-31 -- DOSA Priests Retreat Penitencia, Reconciliación para el mos. documentary perdón de nuestros pecados para 14 -- OLFEN, St. Boniface - Ethics Workshops Diaconal Ordination Sam ayudarnos a crecer en el amor de EL SACRAMENTO DE LA PENITENCIA None currently scheduled Matthiesen at 6:30 p.m. Dios en la vida espiritual. Este Y DE LA RECONCILACION 15 -- ABILENE, St. Vincent – Sacramento es uno de los dos 1422 “Los que se acercan al sacramento de la Confirmation at 6:30 p.m. NECROLOGY Sacramentos de sanación que Cristo Penitencia obtienen de la misericordia de Dios el per- 16 -- BIG LAKE, St. Margaret – ha dado a nuestra preciosa Iglesia dón de los pecados cometidos contra El y, al mismo Confirmation at 6:30 p.m. JUNE 17 -- ABILENE, Holy Family - 7 -- Rev. Ray Carr, O.P. (2005) Católica. Como hay mucho malen- Obispo tiempo, se reconcilian con la Iglesia, a la que ofen- Diaconal Ordination of Innocent 8 -- Rev. Felix Cubelo (2007) tendimiento sobre la eficacia e Miguel Pfeifer dieron con sus pecados. Ella les mueve a conversión Eziefule at 6:30 pm. 13 -- Rev. David Espitia (2003) importancia de este Sacramento, y OMI con su amor, su ejemplo y sus oraciones." 19 -- ODESSA, St. Joseph – 18 -- Rev. John Lucassen (1993) que hasta muchos católicos han abandonado la prac- Confirmation at 7:00 p.m. 20 -- Deacon William Smith tica de confesarse, es importante que regresemos a lo EL NOMBRE DE ESTE SACRAMENTO 20 -- ANDREWS, O.L. of (2003) básico para tener un nuevo aprecio de este 1423 Se le denomina sacramento de conversión Lourdes –Confirmation at 10:30 22 -- Rev. Msgr. Alvin Wilde porque realiza sacramentalmente la llamada de Jesús a.m. (1996) Sacramento que es sumamente importante para vivir 21 -- SAN ANGELO, Diocesan 28 -- Bishop Stephen A. Leven como buenos católicos. Pastoral Center – Staff Mass at (1983) Les presento aquí unas de las enseñazas que son (Please See OBISPO/23) 8:30 a.m. and Staff meeting at Page 4 APRIL 2012 The Angelus God loves humans from the moment of their conception By Bishop Michael Pfeifer, OMI Embryo before Implantation." before it is implanted in the maternal About 350 scientists, doctors, bioethi- womb, which protects and nourishes it It is our strong Catholic belief that at cists and theologians heard the Holy during nine months until the moment of the moment of conception, a new, pre- Father's words at the congress organized birth." cious human life comes into being in the by the Pontifical Academy for Life. The Finally, the Pope invited the scientists mother’s womb. Modern medical two-day congress at the Vatican ends and experts to cultivate an attitude of research and technology each day more Tuesday. wonder and respect before the mystery and more confirm this belief that all "This unbounded and almost incom- of the origin of human life, a "mystery human life, even in its earliest stages, prehensible love of God for man shows whose significance science will be has a special dignity and sacredness to what point the human person is wor- increasingly capable of illuminating, because it contains the very image and thy of being loved for himself, regard- although it will hardly be able to deci- likeness of God. less of any other consideration -- intelli- pher it completely." In his address to the Congress on gence, beauty, health, youth, integrity, The Holy Father added: "We have Embryo, Pope Benedict XVI confirmed etc.," Benedict XVI said. improved our knowledge enormously in a very clear and strong manner that "In short, human life is always a good, and better identified the limits of our God loves humans from the very as it is a manifestation of God in the ignorance, but it seems that, for human moment of their conceptions. I share world, sign of his presence, radiance of intelligence, it has become too difficult with you some of the reflections of Pope his glory," the Pope told the gathering. to realize that the sign of the Creator is Benedict, which have been taken from a "To man, in fact, a very high dignity is seen when contemplating nature. recent edition of Zenit. given, which has its roots in the pro- "In reality, whoever loves truth should Benedict XVI says that God's love for found bond that unites him with his perceive that research on such profound people does not depend on their age, Creator: In man, in every man, in any topics makes it possible for us to see and which is why the Church defends their phase or condition of his life, shines the almost touch the hand of God." inviolable character from conception. reflection of the very reality of God," the "Beyond the limits of the experimental "The love of God does not distinguish Holy Father said. methods," the Pope added, "at the con- between the newly conceived infant still "For this reason, the magisterium of fines of the area that some call meta- in its mother's womb, the baby, the the Church has constantly proclaimed analysis, where sensorial perception and youth, the grown adult or the elderly, the sacred and inviolable character of scientific tests are neither enough or because in each of them he sees the sign every human life, from its conception to even possible, that is where the adven- A young woman holds a sign during the annual of his own image and likeness," the its natural end," he indicated. "This ture of transcendence begins, the com- March for Life rally in Washington Jan. 23. Pope said as he addressed participants in moral judgment is already valid from the mitment to 'go beyond.'" (CNS Photo) a congress on the topic, "The Human beginning of the life of an embryo, even Prophets of doom and gloom wrong on ‘population explosion’ By Bishop Michael Pfeifer, OMI Global fertility rates are 50% lower than for so long, in so many places” (quoted in To start with, 46 million abortions 1972-2.9 children per woman, down from M. Meyer, “Birth Death,” Newsweek occur annually, according to the Alan The population explosion that was pre- 6 children per woman. They continue to International on-line, available at Guttmacher Institute (http://www.agi- dicted to happen about now by “popula- fall at an increasing pace. For population http://msnbe.msn.com/id/60140427/site/n usa.org/pubs/fb 0599.html). More or less tion prophets” several decades ago sim- to remain stable, the fertility rate must be ewsweek). “effective” artificial contraception and ply has not happened. These prophets of 2.1 in nations with relatively low infant President Vladimir Putin calls Russia’s widespread sterilization have greatly doom and gloom would have our earthly mortality and proportionately higher than population loss of 750,000 people a year reduced birthrates, especially in those home so full that people would be falling 2.1 where greater numbers of children die a “national crisis.” The yearly loss could developing countries where coercion is off the planet. in childhood from communicable dis- increase to 3 million or more by 2050. used to reach population targets. UN As regards the true facts of world popu- eases or malnutrition. And it is estimated that “Bulgaria will data report that 62% of women of repro- lation, I share with you some reflections Philip Longman, author of the new shrink by 38 percent, Romania by 27 per- ductive age who are married or “in that come from Life Insights [Sep/Oct. book “The Empty Cradle,” writes in cent, Estonia by 25 percent” (Meyer, union” are using some form of artificial 2004] of the USCCB Secretariat for Foreign Affairs (May/June 2004): “All above). birth control (Meyer). ProLife: told, some 59 countries, comprising Japan’s fertility rate of 1.3 children per But economic and “lifestyle” factors “It’s not a secret that fertility rates roughly 44 percent of the world’s total woman will soon put the population into also can affect a family’s decision to have worldwide have plummeted in the past 30 population, are currently not producing absolute decline. According to U.N. esti- fewer children, for example: years. The U.N. Population Division, enough children to avoid population mates, over the next four decades, Japan 1) Migration of families from farming numerous respected demographers, econ- decline, and the phenomenon continues to will lose a quarter of its 127 million peo- areas – where children’s labor benefits omists and social scientists have spread. By 2045, according to the latest ple. the family – to urban centers where described this phenomenon in official UN projections, the world’s fertility rate China’s fertility rate has dropped from there’s no immediate economic incentive publications, books, scholarly articles, as a whole will have fallen below 5.8 children per woman to 1.3 (Chinese for having children and the popular press. Today the only replacement levels.” census data). “By 2019 or soon after, 2) Women’s access to paying jobs in sources which still warn of an impending In “Fewer: How the New Demography China’s population will peak at 1.5 bil- urban areas, and the reality that many population explosion are outdated of Depopulation Will Shape Our Future,” lion, then enter a steep decline. By mid- have to work to help support the family American textbooks and diatribes from sociologist Ben Wattenberg states: century, China could well lose 20 to 30 3) The continually rising cost of raising population control extremists and abor- “Never in the last 650 years, since the percent of its population every genera- children: over $200,000 to age 18, tion ideologues. time of the Black Plague, have birth and tion” (Meyer, above). Consider the demographic evidence: fertility rates fallen so far, so fast, so low, Why are birthrates plummeting? (Please See EXPLOSION/20) The Angelus APRIL 2012 Page 5 Seminary candidate talks of his understanding of the priesthood (Publisher’s Note: What follows is a testimony of a 17-year- old young man who wants to begin his seminary studies as a priest for the Diocese of San Angelo. This young man, at an early age, shows much spiritual maturity and wisdom as he begins to live out his call to priesthood as a seminar- ian. I was very happy to approve him as a candidate for our seminarian program. I would ask those who read his testimony to pray for him and to share this with other young men. –Bishop Michael Pfeifer, OMI)

The holy priesthood, instituted by God the Father, portrayed and glorified by God the Son and kept alive by God the Holy Spirit, means so much to me. I have come to understand that the priesthood means more than just reciting words and listening to people’s prob- lems. To me, the priesthood is chiefly about serving others, and being Christ to all. Being a part of this most sacred order, however, is not to be taken lightly. I understand how powerful and meaningful it is to be a priest for the Lord. Being a priest means giving up one’s life to serve God’s people, and to become the leader of a flock and a father to God’s children. One of the greatest images that stands out to me is when Jesus washed the feet of His apostles. I believe that is exactly how a priest should be…the poorest servant of the peo- ple. Being a priest is to be there for God’s children, to help them with their problems, to give them the sacra- ments, to help feed their souls, and to minister to them. Above all, to be a priest means sacrifice, prayer and service to the church, which needs men to give up their lives for Jesus Christ. I began to think about the priesthood in middle school. This was the time when I began to realize the wonders of the Church and who Jesus really was. I began to hear a strong call during mass and especially during RE classes. The lessons in class really interested me and I felt a tugging at my heart. Ever since then, I have found that I have been very caring for other peo- Phillip Owen, 26, right, smiles at the beginning of the ordination liturgy at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago May 21 in this ple, and gifted in sharing the faith with others. Catholic News Service file photo. About 440 men were ordained to the priesthood this year in the United States. (CNS By becoming a priest, I hope to contribute to the photo/Karen Callaway, Catholic New World) church in many ways. I pray that I would be someone who lets others know the meaning of life, that all you are so many things that I wish to contribute to the wisdom from the many experiences that one encounters need is the love of Christ. I pray that I will be a humble Church, some that I cannot express in words. But most as a priest, and to learn from them. I know the priest- man, whose generosity shatters darkness and gives peo- of all, I hope to give the Church love, so that it may be hood will teach me many things and that these things ple new hope. I want to give the church a new under- shared with others. will help me to become a better person, and a better ser- standing of life and that we must love each other. There I feel the priesthood can benefit me by teaching me vant of Christ. what Christ’s love truly is. I also hope that I could gain Earth Day: A time to show respect for our biodiversity By Bishop Michael Pfeifer, OMI There are three imminent and grave dangers to biodi- Earth to be preserved, increased and flourish? versity that require an urgent solution: climate change, Each day we are in contact with the beautiful nature Earth Day, April 22, 2012, calls us to respect all life desertification and the loss of biodiversity. The latter that surrounds us. And we are called to respect and on planet Earth, especially human life. Today this has been developing in recent years at an unprecedented value the beauty of all creation, from the conviction that respect for life is expressed in the term “biodiversity.” rate. Recent studies indicate that on a worldwide level we experience peace and tranquility, renewal and rein- Biodiversity, or biological diversity, refers to the great that mammals, amphibians, bird life and reefs are vigoration, when we come in close contact with the wealth of beings that live on planet Earth, as well as the threatened or in danger of extinction. beauty and harmony of nature. There exists in nature a delicate equilibrium of interdependence and interaction Biodiversity is linked to human activity, our lifestyle certain reciprocity: as we care for creation, we realize that exists between them and the physical environment and how we respect all life on planet Earth. Earth Day that God, through creation, cares for us. that hosts and conditions them. is a time for all of us, government, church, special inter- Earth Day is a day to remind ourselves how we are to This biodiversity is translated into different ecosys- est groups families and individuals to seriously ask the care for our beautiful planet Earth that sustains our life tems, of which examples can be found in forests, wet- question: How are we, how am I, providing for the care needs and how we are to share in a loving way these lands, savannah, jungles, deserts, coral reefs, mountains, and stewardship of all life on planet Earth and what par- gifts with others. All the goods of the Earth belong to all seas and polar zones. ticular contribution can I make to enable all life on the people on Earth. Page 6 APRIL 2012 The Angelus Retired diocesan priest Msgr. Frey recalls memories of service By Msgr. Francis Frey

In 1946, I was just out of high school in Pittsburgh, Pa., working in a grocery store. In the produce area of the store, the ladies always desired to know when the “Pecos Cantaloupes” were coming in. They knew they were spe- cial. Later, in 1962, I One of the churches served by Msgr. found myself appointed Francis Frey was the historic St. to my first pastorate by Joseph’s Church in Fort Stockton, pic- Most Rev T.J. Drury, at tured here. St. Agnes Parish, in Ft. Stockton, with the mis- (Photo by Alan P. Torre / aptorre.com sions of St. Isidore, Msgr. Francis Coyanosa and Our Frey Lady of Lourdes, Imperial and St. Ignatius, Little Mexico, just outside of Ft. Stockton, in Pecos County. Pecos County had belonged to the El Paso Diocese before it was made part of the new San Angelo Diocese and St. Agnes was a mis- sion of St. Joseph’s Parish in Ft Stockton. Lourdes Mission in Imperial. I can still Religious Education. She also managed to of the parish but had ties to the Annie Fr . James Franchi was the long time hear his Sancta, Sancta Maria! Father put out the Odessa Edition of The West Riggs Museum down by St. Joseph’s legend of St. Joseph’s. Now that St. Agnes Franchi died and was replaced by Fr. John Texas Angelus. She came with me when I Church, built by pioneer Catholic fami- was a parish Fr. Franchi, kept the Lucassen, the pastor of St. Joseph’s returned to St. Agnes, Ft Stockton, with lies. The members of St. Joseph’s Parish Mexican people as his parishioners and Odessa. Within a few years Fr. John went orders from Bishop Joseph Fiorenza to were not happy with the prospect of a sent all the Anglos to St Agnes. St. James back to Odessa as the pastor of a new build a new St. Agnes Church. Fr. Sam new and much larger St. Agnes. Visiting in Sanderson was the next nearest parish parish. He was replaced by Fr. Alvin Homsey who had followed me as pastor the Bishop they found out that the new and Fr. Nicolas Feminia was the long time Wilde. Fr. Al, a native West Texan, started of St Agnes, had done such good work of church was not my idea but the Bishop’s. pastor there. Both Fr. Franchi and Fr the San Juan Festival and was known for evangelization, building up the congrega- When finally built, the church seated Feminia were revered by the members of leading a parade down Main Street riding tion the church he had people standing about 500 members, had a large gathering their parish, and with good reason. They a white horse. But more importantly he outside for Sunday Mass. He also led one room and fellowship hall and a beautiful were influential members of the commu- published a yearbook size history of St. of my best altar servers, Fr. Michael Blessed Sacrament Chapel. The parish did nity. For instance, Fr Franchi was respon- Joseph’s. And I was assigned to St. Goode, to follow in his footsteps and eventually gain another five acres of prop- sible for integrating the movie theater. Mary’s, Odessa. become a member of the Precious Blood erty. St. Ignatius only had a weekday Mass and While at St. Mary’s, Odessa, I had Fathers. The missions were taken over by I mentioned at the beginning about the so I only had the parish and two larger Sister Mary Andrew, a former principal of the parish in Crane during Fr. Sam’s time. Pecos Cantaloupe. I found that they were mission churches to take care of on the a school in Oklahoma and a close friend To build the new church, I had to find grown in the Coyanosa Farm area, and weekend. Before long I had one vicar of Bishop Stephen A. Leven, come to St sufficient acreage. I felt 10 acres would be they were especially flavorful. Not only after another. The most notable was Fr. Mary’s. She worked very closely with me, more than enough. I had just about given that but I found that west of Ft Stockton Herman Valledares (eventually pastor in and endeared herself to many members of up hope when the Ft. Stockton Insurance there are thousands of pecan trees grown. Abilene). On Sundays he would take the the parish. She accepted whatever duty Company offered to give me five acres They were not sold locally but contracted missions and before I knew it he had them was needed. These included being princi- out the Highway 18, close to St. Ignatius for by large companies. singing, especially at Our Lady of pal of St. Mary’s School, and Director of Mission. The owners were not members Ser Catolico — creer y practicar la fe Por el Obispo Miguel Pfeifer, OMI negando asistir a la misa dominical. El nuevo término Sería mejor corregir esa expresión, diciendo así: “bau- introducido en nuestro lenguaje habitual: “católico no tizado, pero sin vivir la fe católica”. Aunque esto fuera Ser Católico significa creer y practicar el evangelio de practicante”. un poco largo nos ayudaría a no confundir a la gente, a Cristo y las enseñanzas de la iglesia Católica. En cuanto ¿Qué significado le podemos otorgar a esto? ¿Es que no igualar ideas contrarias y, lo más importante, a no a este tema les presento para su meditación una reflex- existen dos clases de católicos: los “practicantes” y los engañarnos a nosotros mismos llamándonos católicos ión tomada del Misal Mensual para Julio 2001. “no practicantes”? sin serlo. “SÍ o NO”. Esta es la nueva expresión, la forma de no vivir el No se puede vivir una vida a medias, no se puede ser “Soy católico: creo en Dios, en Cristo y en la Iglesia”. cristianismo plenamente, es decir, de vivirlo solo en cristiano a medias. ¡Cuantas veces lo oímos y decimos! Conocidos, amigos, teoría. Si tenemos fe en algo, creemos, tenemos confianza y profesores… hasta nosotros mismos olvidamos a veces Sin embargo, ¿se puede vivir la fe sin comprometerse nos comprometemos con ello. lo que esto significa. con ella? ¿Se puede ser cristiano sin tener verdadera fe? Ser católico significa no solamente creer pero prac- A diario escuchamos a personas reconociendo a Ha llegado la hora de decidirse. Sí o no, cristiano ticar la fe católica. Cristo, afirmando tener fe en Él, pero al mismo tiempo comprometido o bautizado sin fe. The Angelus APRIL 2012 Page 7 Pope Benedict in Mexico Trust in God to bring change, pope tells Mexico 4Pope’s message of non-violence Bishop Raul bolstered by hope that Mary’s influ- Vera Lopez of ence will bring fraternity and help Saltillo said set aside acts of revenge and ban- his diocese ish hatred.’ only received its allotment By Francis X. Rocca of 2,500 tick- Catholic News Service ets 10 days before the SILAO, Mexico -- Celebrating Mass in Pope Benedict XVI wears a som- Mass, making the Catholic heartland of Mexico, Pope brero as he rides through the crowd it difficult for Benedict XVI told a nation and a conti- in the popemobile before celebrat- parishes to nent suffering from poverty, corruption ing Mass in Silao, Mexico, March 25. plan trips for and violence, to trust in God and the The pope was on a six-day pastoral churchgoers. intercession of Mary to help them bring visit to Latin America with stops in Still, all the about a "more just and fraternal society." central Mexico and Cuba. (CNS tickets were photo/Tomas Bravo , Reuters) claimed and "When addressing the deeper dimension (March 25, 2012) of personal and community life, human more than strategies will not suffice to save us," the 6,500 requests pope said in his homily during the out- were made. door Mass at Guanajuato Bicentennial Most of Park March 25, the second full day of his those coming second papal visit to Latin America. "We from Saltillo, must have recourse to the one who alone in northern can give life in its fullness, because he is Mexico, trav- the essence of life and its author." eled overnight Citing the responsorial psalm for the "This is nothing too difficult," quipped and were day's Mass -- "Create a clean heart in me, Speaking in the central Mexican state of Jose Trinidad Borja, 81, a retired hard- expected to return immediately after the O God" -- the pope said that evil can be Guanajuato, which was a stronghold of ware store owner from Queretaro who Mass. Some parishes opted not to send overcome only through a divinely the 1920s Cristero Rebellion against an boasts of having participated in the annu- people to the Mass because of concerns inspired change of the human heart. anti-clerical national regime, Pope al eight-day diocesan pilgrimage to the about security along the route. The pope made note of the monument Benedict recited the invocation that Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City for "We hope that things calm a little after to Christ the King visible atop a nearby served as the Cristeros' rallying cry: 65 straight years. this visit," said Silao resident Jorge hill and observed that Christ's "kingdom "Long live Christ the King and Mary of An army of vendors hawked water, cof- Morales as he walked to the Mass. does not stand on the power of his armies Guadalupe." fee and tamales along the route in addi- The previous evening, after a brief subduing others through force or vio- But reaffirming his message of nonvio- tion to Vatican flags and photos of Pope appearance before a crowd in lence. It rests on a higher power that wins lence, the pope Benedict and his Guanajuato's main square, Pope Benedict over hearts: the love of God that he prayed that ‘The church is not a predecessor, privately greeted a group that included brought into the world with his sacrifice Mary's influence Blessed John eight people who have lost relatives to and the truth to which he bore witness." would "promote political power. it is not a Paul II, who, with violence, much of it drug-related, which That message was consistent with Pope fraternity, setting party. It is a moral reality. A his five visits, has killed nearly 50,000 Mexicans over Benedict's frequently stated objections to aside futile acts became one of the last five years. strategies for social progress that blend of revenge and moral power.’ the most beloved Addressing his remarks there particular- Christian social doctrine with Marxism or banishing all -- Pope Benedict XVI in Mexico figures in an offi- ly to local children, the pope called on other secular ideologies. divisive hatred." cially secular "everyone to protect and care for chil- "The church is not a political power, it The presiden- country. dren, so that nothing may extinguish their is not a party," the pope told reporters on tial candidates from Mexico's three main "With Benedict, I feel something inde- smile, but that they may live in peace and his flight to Mexico March 23. "It is a political parties attended the Mass, along scribable," said Guadalupe Nambo look to the future with confidence." moral reality, a moral power." with President Felipe Calderon and his Gutierrez, a retired secretary from On several previous international trips, In his Silao homily, the pope did not family. Guanajuato City, who saw the pope in the Pope Benedict has met with local victims specifically address any of Latin The Vatican said 640,000 people colonial town March 24 and attended the of clerical sex abuse, but no such meeting America's current social problems, but attended the Mass. Some Mexicans took Mass the following day. has been announced for this visit. after praying the Angelus following the long trips just to see Pope Benedict on his Getting a ticket was another matter. On March 24, sex abuse victims of the Mass, he recited a litany of ills plaguing first trip to the country since being elect- Nambo won a raffle for some of the tick- late Father Marcial Maciel Degollado, Mexico and other countries in the region: ed in 2005. ets the Archdiocese of Leon allotted to St. founder of the Legionaries of Christ, held "so many families are separated or forced The journey was not easy for many. Joseph and St. James the Apostle Parish. a press conference to present a new book to emigrate ... so many are suffering due Thousands of the faithful walked more Others simply decided to try their luck by criticizing the Vatican's failure to act to poverty, corruption, domestic violence, than three miles from parking lots in the showing up -- and many could be seen against Father Maciel, whom Pope drug trafficking, the crisis of values and town of Silao, 220 miles northwest of outside the Mass site behind barricades Benedict eventually disciplined and increased crime." Mexico City. guarded by federal police officers. posthumously repudiated. Page 8 APRIL 2012 The Angelus Catholic Voices Protecting religious freedoms: A duty not just of the bishops By Stephen Kent A question remained however. How can privilege -- not a right -- in accepting this and bring a religiously informed con- Catholic News Service this enthusiasm be translated to the broad status, organizations agree to neither science to the public square. membership of the endorse candi- "Bishops don't claim to speak for every It was a few weeks ago when I heard church, to deal not A church cannot encourage dates nor take par- baptized Catholic," Chicago Cardinal something I have not heard in any church only with this current tisan positions. Francis E. George wrote in a recent mes- in the last few decades: a letter from the issue but to become or discourage a vote for any A church cannot sage. "Bishops speak, rather, for the bishop read from the pulpit. an effective force, candidate. It can, however, encourage or dis- Catholic and apostolic faith. Those who Then there was some- one that must be courage a vote for hold that faith gather with them; others thing I never recall ever reckoned with in the speak to issues, including any candidate. It go their own way. hearing: the congrega- public square? those that may be on the can, however, "They are and should be free to do so, tion's applause for this The first sign may speak to issues, but they deceive themselves and others in letter from the bishop. come when headlines ballot. including issues calling their organizations Catholic." The name of the dio- such as "bishops that may be on the It was good that day to hear the cese will go unmen- oppose" or "bishops say this and that" ballot. In clearly presenting church teach- applause, but when the applause fades tioned (in the hope that it fade from the public to be replaced with ing about issues, it can provide informa- and the pews empty, and the congregation is not all that unusual). "Catholics demand religious freedom" or tion to allow persons to make critical goes once again into the world, that is the The bishops' letter dealt Kent "Catholics stand up for the right to life." decisions about how a candidate stands time to accept the obligation to be faith- with the religious freedom aspect of the Public life is a duty not just for the with the teaching. It may be political informed and to bring the teaching of the federal mandate requiring Catholic and bishops. Catholic participation in the without being partisan. church to the political scene. other institutions to provide items in their political process is not great. We acquiesce too much to the separa- health insurance plans that are against One reason for the hesitancy may be a tion of church and state or to the idea that ——— their moral belief. misunderstanding that churches are for- the church can't be involved in politics. The applause seemed evidence that this bidden to do so. This is not the case. We are not imposing our morality on oth- (Kent, now retired, was editor of arch- bishop's message was understood as more Churches and other nonprofit organiza- ers. diocesan newspapers in Omaha and than just a single issue. It dealt with the tions are granted tax-free status by the The role of a bishop is to teach princi- Seattle. He can be contacted at: consider- ability to practice our faith. Internal Revenue Service. Since this is a ples; the role of the laity is to be involved [email protected]) Hunger Games more than just a movie — it’s reality for millions By Dan Morris build churches or to feed the starving? I For a moment, leave out the option of Catholic News Service admit I once harbored great sympathy dialing 911. for those of us who argue we can do At a minimum, one hopes we might It depends on whose statistics you both. Not only that, but that we should offer food, drink and shelter. How can prefer, but it is pretty reliable to say that do both. we not see that we do, in reality, have about a dozen children die of hunger- thousands of starving brothers and sis- related causes every Legendary advocate of the poor ters right now at our front door? minute of every day. Dorothy Day is famously quoted as say- That front door might be the evening So, in the time it took ing that even the poor deserve and need news or a Catholic Relief Services mag- you to read this far, a places of beauty in which to worship. azine or a computer screen -- but the child died, maybe two. I do not disagree. starving are knocking. You may well be I do, however, question the timing. In weak moments, I confess I wish the aware of this. However, I wonder if it might be better for us pope would auction off some of the I mention it because Catholics to sit tight where we possibly Vatican art treasures and earmark the last Sunday's homily at can for as long as we can with the proceeds for feeding those who are our parish was inten- Morris churches we already have. I wonder if a about to die. tionally brief to make starving child would prefer a peanut It might make some of us question our room for a somewhat lengthy, comedic butter sandwich or a gilt-framed color second and third televisions, our desire role-play presentation seeking pledges portrait of Dorothy Day. for a new car, our focus on being "in for a $7 million project to build a new I wonder if we should flood parish style." church. halls with worshipers if we do not have Yet it is too easy to make feeding the Within moments of the end of the enough priests to schedule more malnourished the pope's job. It is our "money talk," we parishioners respond- Masses. obligation and duty and joy. ed in unison, "Hear our prayer" for the I wonder if we should attend Mass in If you read at a moderate pace, like first prayer petition -- a request we pray barns or warehouses or under umbrellas me, about two dozen children died of for the countless children in the world as a witness to Gospel poverty and take hunger-related causes in the time it took who would starve to death that day. We a stand in favor of Jesus' clear admoni- you to read this. were told that number would be more tion: love God, love and serve neighbor. ——— than 16,000. If someone you or I do not even know Yes, I am going to wander into the was to knock on our door and collapse (Comments are welcome. Email Uncle bottomless-pit question: Is it better to from starvation, what might we do? Dan at [email protected]) The Angelus APRIL 2012 Page 9 Catholic Voices II Embracing the frog — not the prince — within yourself By Effie Caldarola princess, and I think that goes for most of prince. in the knee. Catholic News Service us. We worry about the image we convey. But think about the people in your life. The greatest people are the ones who We can be con- Imagine that walk into a room worrying about who I spent several years teaching a class of sumed with you are sud- they'll see, not how they look. 4-year-old preschoolers, so I wasn't sur- "what I shall Here's to answering the call denly in dire They are happy to have you cry on a prised when the priest pulled the fuzzy wear?" when trouble and shoulder that isn't covered by this year's green toy frog out of headed to a of Jesus, who never yielded need a true best cashmere. his bag. special event. to the need for success or friend. Would The people on your list aren't obses- The frog has a big, We rue a bad you care about sively fashionable or successful by the smiling zipper mouth. hair day, have prestige but died a failure in the clothes that world's standards. They worry about I've seen the old frog- a bag of make- the world's eyes and a model person wears, more important things. to-prince trick and it's up tricks and or would your Ultimately, they're more like Blessed a good one. When the fear that people of faithfulness for all of us. choice revolve Teresa of Kolkata, or Jesus. frog is pulled inside will notice a around her Did Jesus die a prince? No, Jesus died out, a purple-robed few extra integrity, wis- as a crucified, tortured criminal, a man prince with a golden pounds. dom and faithfulness? executed by the state. crown emerges. The frog Caldarola Who hasn't worried about that initial Make a mental list of the most influen- So here's to embracing the frog within has disappeared. reaction when entering a room? tial people in your life. Did their lithe me. Here's to trying to emulate the people But it was the priest's words that stuck Men want to be princes, too. Like bodies or impressive title have the tiniest on my "greatest friend" list and the quali- with me. They contained a truth I believe, women, they worry about the impression thing to do with their place on your list? ties that put them there, rather than the and yet it's a truth that is sometimes hard they create with their image, their title, Usually the people at the top of our shallow qualities of this fleeting world. to accept. the car they drive, the house they show life's list of greatest folks are the ones Here's to looking outward at others, and "You know, most of us spend our lives off, the kids they brag about. who, like a comfortable old shoe, wear not inward at "how do I look?" trying to be princes and princesses," he We want to exude a sense of success. well with the years. They don't call atten- Here's to answering the call of Jesus, said. "But it's the frog within us that peo- We don't want to be the failure. We don't tion to themselves. They're the ones who who never yielded to the need for success ple really respond to." want to be the frog. are always available and don't mind you or prestige but died a failure in the How true. The poor frog, after all, gets kissed popping in when their house is dirty and world's eyes and a model of faithfulness I've spent some time trying to be a fleetingly as we make our way to the they're in their sweatpants with the hole for all of us. Humor, education needed for unity, peace Puttin’ on The Squeeze By Father Eugene Hemrick Helen Keller, an American author and only seriously, only morally or peda- Catholic News Service the first deaf and blind person to earn a gogically, cannot endure him for any Bachelor of Arts degree, once said, great length of time. We must have an Without a doubt, one of today's most "The highest result of education is toler- eye for the oddity of existence." battered virtues is tolerance. ance." He goes on to add: "Everything Religious groups often are intolerant I'm not talking about school. Earning human has something comic about it. of one another. an A in school does not make a person The more pompously a man acts, the Members of Congress educated. We are educated when we greater is the comic element. A sense of frequently demonstrate view an issue from many sides, when humor means that we take man serious- they can't stand each we are open-minded, docile and admit ly and strive to help him, but suddenly other. Countries we we don't know everything. see how odd he is, and laugh, even shed blood to protect We are educated when we have culti- though it be only inwardly. A friendly want no part of us. vated introspection, when we don't laugh at the oddity of all human affairs Bigotry abounds when jump to conclusions and admit mis- -- this is humor. It helps us to be kind, discussion arises about Hemrick takes. for after a good laugh it is easier to be immigrant families being allowed into Author W. Somerset Maugham points serious." the United States. to another aspect of tolerance: "You are To this we can add: It also makes us The air we breathe is not only ecolog- not angry with people when you laugh tolerant. ically polluted, but it is also filled with at them. Humor teaches tolerance." Most of the intolerance we are experi- toxic inhuman fumes of intolerance, Expanding on this idea, the renowned encing can be traced to a lack of educa- narrow-mindedness, racism and preju- theologian Father Romano Guardini tion and a loss of a sense of humor. dice. tells us: "One other thing is required by These two ingredients are imperative Tolerance means to bear, to put up kindness, something of which we rarely for purifying the present toxic atmos- with one another, to allow and to per- speak -- a sense of humor. It helps us to phere of intolerance that exists and to mit. It is a prized virtue, the basis for endure things more easily. generate the unity and peace needed to peace and unity we desire for our coun- "Indeed we could hardly get along restore our mental health. try, our families and businesses. without it. The person who sees man Page 10 APRIL 2012 The Angelus Making Sense of Bioethics Federal mandates and the crushing A Letter From the USCCB of fundamental religious freedom US bishops promise to By Father Tad Pacholczyk both of religious freedom and the rights of con- continue vigorous fight science. "I side with those who feel this was an insult On Jan 20th, 2012 the United States Department of to freedom of religion and a slap in the face of faith- Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a mandate based institutions," Rabbi Eliot Pearlson of Temple against HHS violations placing first amendment rights and religious freedom Menorah in Miami Beach said. in the crosshairs. Rabbi Dr. Michael Korman of Congregation 4 San Angelo Bishop Michael D. Pfeifer, OMI, in The mandate, as a provision of Anshei Shalom in West Palm Beach concurred: "The full agreement with statement by US bishops, ObamaCare, requires “preventive entire contraception policy was poorly instituted. It which declares, in part, that government has no health services” to be covered by all appears to be in violation of our first amendment." health insurance issuers and all Jessica Devers in a Letter to the Editor of the Wall place defining religion or religious ministry. group health plans. Those insurance Street Journal perhaps put it most clearly when she plans must provide (with no co-pay) wrote: "I am not Catholic. I am a social liberal and a U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops the full range of Food and Drug supporter of Planned Parenthood. I've educated my Administration (FDA)-approved con- children about birth control since they were young. WASHINGTON — The U.S. bishops are strongly united traceptive methods for women. Nevertheless, I am offended at the arrogance of our in their ongoing and determined efforts to protect religious These include not only surgical ster- Pacholczyk government ruling that the Catholic Church must freedom, the Administrative Committee of the United ilizations, but also potential abortion-causing agents provide a benefit that the church believes is States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) said in a such as Plan B (the morning-after pill), intrauterine immoral." statement March 14. devices (IUDs) and another form of “emergency con- On February 10, after stormy reaction even from The Administrative Committee, chaired by Cardinal traception” known as Ella. This drug, which the FDA President Obama’s staunchest Catholic supporters, he Timothy M. Dolan of New York, president of the USCCB, acknowledges may also work against the life of the announced a so-called “accommodation,” which — is the highest authority of the bishops' conference outside embryo “by preventing attachment (implantation) to as the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops quickly the semiannual sessions of the full body of bishops. The the uterus,” can be taken up to 5 days after “unpro- explained — really changed nothing. When the gov- Committee's membership consists of the elected chairmen tected” sex. ernment documents were made available, it became of all the USCCB perm anent committees and an elected Essentially all employers would thus be forced — clear that there was no compromise at all but rather bishop representative from each of the geographic regions and therefore complicit in — financially subsidizing some slight procedural modifications that left the of the USCCB. pharmaceutical abortions, contraception and steriliza- substance of the mandate entirely intact. tion procedures for their employees. All these proce- The day the "accommodation" was announced, in The bishops’ full statement can be found at www. dures represent sinful and damaging human choices, fact, the mandate was entered into the Federal www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/religiouslibeliy/ as the Catholic Church has never ceased to point out. Register with no changes, along with vague assur- upload/Admin-Religious-Freedom.pdf The mandate constitutes a direct intrusion into the ances of possible modifications at a future date (rem- religious works and governance of the Church and iniscent of Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s famous line when The Administrative Committee said it was "strongly uni- represents a federally-sponsored violation of her campaigning for ObamaCare: "We have to pass the fied and intensely focused in its opposition to the various members’ consciences. The Church, as the largest bill so that you can find out what is in it.") threats to religious freedom in our day." The bishops will provider of not-for-profit health care in the US, oper- Philip Rovner in the same issue of the Wall Street continue their vigorous work of education on religious ates roughly 600 hospitals and employs three quar- Journal sums it up this way: “The …premise in favor freedom, dialogue with the executive branch, legislative ters of a million people, in addition to employing of the birth-control mandate is based on [its] being initiatives and efforts in the courts to defend religious free- hundreds of thousands of others in her educational ‘essential to the health of women and families.’ I dom. They promised a longer statement on the principles at and social service ministries. assume such items as food, housing, clothing and the heart of religious freedom, which will come later from Cardinal Francis George of Chicago aptly described transportation are ‘essential to the health of women the bishops' Ad Hoc Committee on Religious Liberty. the authoritarian environment being created by the and families,’ as well. Therefore, I propose that the The bishops noted that the U.S. Department of Health and HHS mandate in one of his recent newspaper ObamaCare mandates be extended to cover food, Human Services (HHS) mandate that forces all private columns: “The bishops would love to have the separa- shelter, clothing, autos, etc. In this scenario, every- health plans to provide coverage of sterilization and tion between church and state we thought we enjoyed body would be paying for everyone else's essen- contraceptives — including abortion-inducing drugs — just a few months ago, when we were free to run tials…” called for an immediate response. Of particular concern, Catholic institutions in conformity with the demands The real issue, of course, has nothing to do with they said, are a religious exemption from the mandate that of the Catholic faith, when the government couldn’t access to particular “reproductive issues” (like abor- the bishops deem "arbitrarily narrow" and an "unspecified tell us which of our ministries are Catholic and which tion or birth control), and everything to do with and dubious future' accommodation" offered to other reli- not, when the law protected rather than crushed con- whether someone else can be forced by the strong gious organizations that are denied the exemption. science. The state is making itself into a church.” arm of a federal mandate, in direct violation of their The bishops thanked supporters from the Catholic com- In the words of another commentator, “As is more religious freedom, to pay for practices they recognize munity and beyond "who have stood firmly with us in our and more obvious, ObamaCare has nothing to do as morally reprehensible. vigorous opposition to this unjust and iIIegal mandate." with controlling healthcare costs. It has everything to "It is your enthusiastic unity in defense of religious free- do with government control. It's time to admit a mis- Rev. Tadeusz Pacholczyk, Ph.D. earned his doctorate in dom that has made such a dramatic and positive impact in take, repeal the law, and look at market-based ways neuroscience from Yale and did post-doctoral work at this historic public debate." to control health care costs.” Harvard. He is a priest of the diocese of Fall River, MA, and serves as the Director of Education at The National The bishops said this dispute is not about access to con Critics of every persuasion have condemned the Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia. See www.ncb- HHS mandate as a particularly egregious violation center.org (Please See USCCB/22) The Angelus APRIL 2012 Page 11 MOTC baptizes residents in Brownwood By Rev. Tom Barley MOTC Spiritual Director

BROWNWOOD — On March 10, several members of MOTC attended the Baptism and Confirmation of eight residents at the Ron Jackson TJJD Facility in Brownwood after sev- eral months of sacramental preparation by MOTC members. This was a joyful day as this process began with the annual MOTC Retreat at the facility last November. Since then residents, mostly from Catholic families, have come for- ward asking to be prepared for baptism into the Catholic Church. Many had ‘slipped between the cracks’ when parents had fallen away from practicing the faith. The residents had learned what they knew about the faith from their abuelitas (grandmothers), who never ceased praying for them, trying to share the faith with their grandchildren. After several months of individual visitations and monthly group reunions the residents were ready to be baptized. The Bishop was notified. Permission was given by the pastor of St. Mary’s in Brownwood. Diocesan particular law allows for this. MOTC members Fr. Tom Barley and Deacon Andy Gonzalez were the ministers of the Sacraments. Other MOTC members served as sponsors for those receiving the Sacraments. The residents were given First Communion veils made by a member of MOTC. Only one parent was able to attend the celebration. A reception was held for the residents following the Reception into the Church. “Mystagogia,” a continued religious formation and education of the residents, will continue as long as these new Catholics are in the facility. MOTC planned to go back to the facility sometime around Easter to celebrate Mass with the Catholic residents and will continue to meet with the Catholic resi- dents during their monthly reunion visitations. We especially thank Chaplain Allison Voss for her support in making this event coming to fruition. The March 10 date was selected as some of the residents who had attended the MOTC Retreat were starting to be released. One resi- dent being prepared to Baptism and Confirmation was released from the facility days before March 10. Another was released a few days after that date. Once back in the general population the former residents will face tempta- tions, hardships, and prejudice. MOTC remem- bers that the only person who Jesus Christ said would be with him in Paradise was a thief known as “the Good Thief” – St. Dismas. Your prayers are requested for these new Catholics. Page 12 APRIL 2012 The Angelus The Angelus APRIL 2012 Page 13 Pope Benedict visits Mexico, Cuba

Clockwise from center photo, Pope Benedict XVI carries his pastoral staff after celebrating Mass in Revolution Square in Havana March 28. During the service the pope called for full religious freedom and greater respect for human rights in Cuba. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

Pope Benedict meets with Cuba's former President Fidel Castro at the apostolic nunciature in Havana March 28. (CNS photo/ L'Osservatore Romano)

A choir sings during Pope Benedict’s Mass in Revolution Square in Havana March 28. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

Pope Benedict XVI wears a tradition- al Mexican sombrero, in Leon, Mexico, March 25. (CNS photo/L'Osservatore Romano)

Pope Benedict XVI arrives at Jose Marti International Airport in Havana March 27. (CNS photo/Paul Haring) A boy holds a Cuban flag with a por- Pope criticizes US embargo, renews trait of Fidel Castro behind him as he watches Pope Benedict XVI's cara- van make its way to the airport in Havana March 28. (CNS photo/Jorge call for more freedom in Cuba Silva, Reuters) By Cindy Wooden but instead has had a devastating effect on the his or her basic freedoms" or feel excused from Catholic News Service Cuban people, especially the poor. the challenge because they lack energy or The pope said that peaceful coexistence resources. HAVANA — Preparing to leave Cuba at the requires individuals and nations to "reject While the pope said his message was motivat- end of a three-day pastoral visit, Pope Benedict immovable positions and unilateral viewpoints, ed by faith and the desire to share it, he insisted XVI made his first reference to the U.S. embar- which tend to make understanding more difficul- that societies themselves are better off when go of the island and the embargo's impact on the ty and efforts at cooperation ineffective." people are free to profess their faith and when country's poor. "Patience and sincere dialogue" are necessary, faith-based schools and social services are All Cubans need to work together to build a he said. allowed to operate. renewed and reconciled society, but progress is Before departing from Havana's Jose Marti He prayed that the light of faith would shine difficult given a "lack of material resources, a International Airport for his return flight to on Cuba, helping people "to foster social harmo- situation which is worsened when restrictive Rome, Pope Benedict told government officials ny and to allow the blossoming of all that is economic measures, imposed from outside the and the Cuban public that he was convinced that, finest in the Cuban soul, its most noble values, country, unfairly burden its people," the pope wherever Jesus Christ is present, "discourage- which can be the basis for building a society of said March 28 during his official farewell cere- ment yields to hope, goodness dispels uncertain- broad vision, renewed and reconciled." mony. He did not mention the United States by ties and a powerful force opens up the horizon to Several miles of the main road leading to the name. beneficial and unexpected possibilities." airport were lined with crowds several people The ceremony was moved indoors at the last He said he hoped his presence in Cuba would deep. A few waved Vatican or Cuban flags, but minute because of a sudden rain storm. strengthen those who "with perseverance and they did not demonstrate the wild enthusiasm The Vatican repeatedly has criticized the U.S. self-sacrifice" carry out the work of evangeliza- shown for the pope's motorcade in Mexico just a embargo as a measure that has not forced Cuba's tion. few days earlier. Civilians with their backs to the communist government to respect human rights, And he said he hoped no Cuban would feel road provided crowd control as the pope passed excluded from taking up the "exciting search for by in the popemobile and it began to rain. Page 14 APRIL 2012 The Angelus

Spirituality for Today Learning to trust one of life’s most Message of ‘October Baby’ hits home for star frightening tasks the new movie "October Baby," but it's had been shown to several focus groups By Mark Pattison By Father John Catoir a pivotal role: She plays the birth moth- that Rigby went in front of the camera Catholic News Service Catholic News Service er of Hannah (Rachel Hendrix), but again to address moviegoers about her Hannah was born as the survivor of a own abortion experience, which has WASHINGTON -- Actress Shari Nearly everything frightens us in life. We fear botched abortion; Hannah's twin broth- been added to the film's closing credits. Rigby sat right across from her inter- dying; we fear failure and a host of little things such er only survived a handful of days after "There are millions and millions of viewer, her legs crossed. On the instep as public speaking. But faith always protects us the abortion attempt. post-abortive women out there," Erwin of her right foot was a tattoo of a against fear. But the kicker is that brother directors said. flower. She was asked what it was. My mother was a saint, but she Andrew and Jon Erwin, when they sent "October Baby," which debuts March "Her name would have been Lily," also was a worrier. The two are not Rigby the script for her consideration, 23 in about 360 theaters, details the rev- Rigby answered, "and so that's there to mutually exclusive. I often picked up had no idea she had ever undergone an elation to college student Hannah about remind me." on her vibes. As a result, I was usual- abortion. the circumstances She was talking about the baby she ly more fearful than I should have In fact, Jon Erwin told Catholic News had aborted 20 years ago. been. I had to work through my fears Service, it wasn't until after the movie (Please See RIGBY/20) Rigby plays a relatively small part in at an early age. Your Family My dad gave me good training Catoir when it came to getting rid of physical fear. Fair doesn’t necessarily always mean equal When I was small, he would invite me to stand on his right hand, which he put down on the floor. Then, By Bill and Monica Dodds gets one. (Two are one too many for a be more vigilant when it comes to the holding on to his left hand, I would step up, and he'd Catholic News Service child that size.) one who has a food allergy. raise me up over his head, and say "Now I'm going It's tougher, a lot tougher, if an Again, not equal, but fair. And more to let go of your hand, but don't be afraid, I won't It can seem to most parents that the older sister got her driver's license than fair, it's right. drop you. Stand up straight. If you feel that you're first complete sentence their little dar- when she was 16 and now, as a Making your children's lives equal going to fall, just fall forward onto my arm." ling says is "That's not fair!" younger brother approaches that age, wouldn't be fair -- or right. Just as He would then let go and if I got wobbly, he tilted It's a cry moms you know he's not ready to handle treating one child differently from the me toward his outstretched arm and I'd fall on it and and dads hear that kind of responsibility. other just because of personal prefer- swing down. We'd do that over and over, until I had early and often Just as our heavenly Father doesn't ences -- one is easier to get along no fear of falling. When he held me high above his and, despite know- give each of us identical strengths, with while the other is more challeng- head, my mother had fits, but my dad told her not to ing that life is not talents, and gifts, a parent has to rec- ing, for example, wouldn't be fair or worry. fair, they may ognize that an individual child's correct. At the beach, we would walk around like that and attempt to make strengths, talents, and gifts -- and an What's a parent to do? attract lots of attention. This became our routine. If I their children's individual child's needs -- can be a lot Here are two suggestions: ever lost my balance, he would always catch me and lives equal. different from his or her siblings. First, during a calm time, talk to swing me down gently. I got a sense that he enjoyed But they can't. That can be pretty obvious if one of your child about why a sibling needs this gymnastic feat as much as I did. You can't. Bill and Monica your children has special needs. If, more of your time, attention, or part He would always say, "Don't be afraid, I won't It can help to Dodds because of a mental, physical, or of the household budget. Explain drop you," and he never did. remind yourself, at a calm time emotional concern, he or she needs why, while one of their siblings may I learned to have faith in my dad's promises. before you're in the next thick of a more of your time, energy, and some- receive a privilege at a particular age, Somehow, over the years, the memory of his reas- "discussion" on fairness and unfair- times even family finances, it's easier (that driver's license or later curfew), surance morphed into a feeling that God the Father ness, that just as each of your chil- to grasp. doesn't mean the younger ones will was saying the same to me. Certainly the words of dren is unique, so are his or her needs The daughter who does well in automatically be given it when they Jesus: "Fear is useless, what you need is trust." My and abilities. school needs you to be nearby if she reach that age. translation: "Do not be afraid, I'm right here to catch Yes, you love them. Yes, you want has a question about homework but Second, pay attention to each child, you." what's best for them. While love is can finish assignments quickly, easily, making sure to spend quality time I think of elderly women alone at home, living on immeasurable, giving "what's best for and almost independently. The daugh- with each. It can be too easy to over- a restricted income, men who have lost their jobs and him and what's best for her" can seem ter who has a learning disability look the quiet, dependable child when are unable to find work, students afraid about the different when placed side by side. needs you by her side at the kitchen the other sibling is often causing so future. How children love to place those table, night after night, for an hour or much parental concern. There are always plenty of things to worry about, actions, those decisions -- your more. On the Web: Kids and Allowances things that stop us in our tracks. But don't be swept actions, your decisions -- side by Not equal, but fair. KidsHealth.org has some sugges- away. side. It's not too tough to point out Or, another example: you want your tions on making allowances fair but There is always faith. There is always divine grace. that your 10-year-old gets two cook- children to eat nutritiously and you not equal. Go to: http://tinyurl.com/ ies for dessert but your 5-year-old pay attention to their diets but have to fairnotequal. (Please See CATOIR/20) The Angelus APRIL 2012 Page 15 JUST 4 KIDS Mary discovers Jesus’ empty tomb

By Joe Sarnicola

n the first day of the week, so early in the morning that the sun had not yet risen, Mary of Magdala visited the tomb Owhere Jesus had been laid. When she arrived, she discov- ered that the huge stone that sealed the tomb had been moved and the tomb was open. And it was empty. Mary immediately ran to find Peter, who was with one of the other apostles, and said to him, "They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don't know where they put him." The two men ran with Mary back to the tomb, to see for them- selves what had happened. Peter went into the tomb and found the burial clothes that Jesus had been wrapped in, and they were rolled up in a pile inside the tomb. The two men and Mary did not yet understand that, according to the Scriptures, Jesus had to rise from the dead. Later that same day, two men who had been followers of Jesus were walking to Emmaus, a village not far from Jerusalem. They were talking about the events that had happened over the past READ MORE ABOUT IT provided to them by the spirit of truth; and the writ- few days when a man joined them and asked them a question. John 20, Luke 24 ten Gospels, which the authors put together to "What are you discussing as you walk along?" Q & A preserve a record of the life of Jesus. One of the men, whose name was Cleopas, looked at the man 1. Where was Mary going so early in the morn- with sadness in his eyes and answered, "Are you the only visitor to ing? PUZZLE Jerusalem who does not know of the things that have taken place 2. What did Mary see inside the tomb? Are the following statements true or false? there in these days?" Some hints have been provided to help you. "What sort of things?" the man asked. BIBLE ACCENT 1. The Bible is divided into three testaments. One of the men said, "The things that happened to Jesus the God inspired many people over many years to 2. Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and Paul are the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before write the books that have been collected together five Gospels. God and all the people, how our chief priests and rulers handed to form the Bible we use today. According to the 3. Joseph and Mary were the earthly parents of him over to a sentence of death and crucified him." Catechism of the Catholic Church, the books of Jesus. After the men explained that three days had passed since Jesus the New Testament are especially important 4. Jesus chose 12 men to be his first apostles. had died they added, "Some women from our group, however, because "their central object is Jesus Christ, [Matthew 10] have astounded us: they were at the tomb early in the morning God's incarnate Son." And because the Gospels 5. Matthias was chosen to take the place of tell us about the life and teachings of Jesus, the Judas, who had betrayed Jesus. [Acts 1] and did not find his body." church considers them "the heart of all the 6. The Holy Spirit came to earth on the day of The man scolded them: "Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of Scriptures." tribulation. [Acts 2] heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary The Gospels were formed by combining three 7. Paul wrote many of the letters that became that the Messiah should suffer these things and enter into his main methods: the life of Jesus, without which books of the New Testament. glory?" there would have been no Gospels; the oral tradi- 8. The Book of Revelation was written by John Later the man joined the men for a meal, and after he had said tion, by which the apostles told about the ministry the Baptist. a blessing, he revealed to them that he was Jesus and immediate- and teachings of Jesus, with the added insight Answers, bottom of Pg. 17 ly disappeared. Psst ... spreading rumors not the way to get to the top By Karen Osborne If today's politicians have any- for the country. Candidates have used creepy music Catholic News Service thing to say about it, you'll probably It seems that destroying one from the TV show "The Twilight see rumormongering and innuendo another for political gain is practi- Zone" to influence viewers' political It's time for another presidential as a great way to get what you want. cally an American tradition. tastes. election in the United States, which Today's local and national candi- Mean campaign ads are nothing Even the nation's Founding means it's also time for another bar- dates sometimes use rumors, true or new. Lyndon Johnson's campaign in Fathers got in on the act. During the rage of nasty campaign ads. not, to achieve their agendas. It 1964 ran an ad that inferred that 1800 general election, Thomas Sure, those under 18 can't vote, doesn't matter if you're talking about nuclear war would occur unless Jefferson and John Adams hired but by the time you're finally able to Republicans, Democrats, Greens or Johnson was elected. "hatchet men" in an attempt to dis- pick your choice in a ballot box, 18 Pirates (yes, the Pirate Party is real). An attack ad by one Florida politi- credit each other, and said things so years' worth of political rhetoric will Candidates have used rumors and cian called his opponent "Taliban malicious about each other that I Osborne have already influenced how you scaremongering against opponents Dan" because of the opponent's vot- see the world. to advance their desires and wishes ing record on women's issues. (Please See OSBORNE/20) Page 16 APRIL 2012 The Angelus Nation Courthouses, statehouses sites for religious freedom rallies By Catholic News Service unjust order that violates Health care our faith." law support- WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Hundreds of In Philadelphia, the ers rally on people gathered March 23 in front of U.S. rally took place outside the sidewalk courthouses, state capitols and historic of Independence Hall, outside the the birthplace of U.S. Supreme sites to support religious freedom and Court in protest a federal mandate they say violates American liberty. A large Washington that freedom by requiring most religious percentage of the 2,300 March 26 as employers to provide no-cost contracep- participants were oral argu- tive coverage even it is contrary to their women, which seemed ments take beliefs. to contradict the prevail- place inside All of the events, held at noon local time ing view that a majority the court on in 143 cities, were part of a nationwide of U.S. women support challenges to "Stand Up for Religious Freedom" rally the contraceptive man- the Patient organized by the Pro-Life Action League date. Protection and in Chicago and Citizens for a Pro-Life Michelle Griffin, a Affordable registered nurse at the Care Act. Society, based in Michigan. About 58,000 (CNS people participated, according to organiz- Children's Hospital of photo/Jonatha ers. Philadelphia and a mem- n Ernst, The website http://standupforreligious- ber of Holy Cross Parish Reuters) freedom.com lists the crowd size for all in Mount Airy, Pa., was cities. Spokesman Tom Cieselka told passing out literature at Bishop Salvatore J. Cordileone of per. Catholic News Service March 27 that the rally, sponsored the Respect Life Oakland, Calif., led the lineup of speakers "The fact that we have to be here today numbers reported on the national site were Office of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia who addressed close to 500 people outside -- in this day and age-- fighting for our gathered from local media estimates and, in conjunction with organizations connect- the federal courthouse. rights is unbelievable," said George where available, counts verified by local ed with the pro-life movement. "Yes, get the government out of our Wesolek, director of the San Francisco city or park officials. "It is important to me as a health care church," the bishop said to loud cheers. archdiocesan Office of Public Policy and In Washington, a rally was held in front provider to have those conscience clauses "How dare the government tell us our reli- Social Concerns and a rally speaker. "We of the Washington headquarters of the that will protect me as an individual in gion requires we only serve people of our are not going to be confined to the walls U.S. Department of Health and Human accordance with my conscience and not faith." of our church. Our faith tells us to go out Services. The Rev. Patrick Mahoney, a having to go against my conscience," she "This time it's Catholics, but it won't and serve others, no matter what." minister in the Reformed Presbyterian told The Catholic Standard & Times, stop there," he added. In Portland, Ore., Jim Stair, 68, a mem- Church who is director of the Christian Philadelphia's archdiocesan newspaper. Two Catholic obstetricians/gynecolo- ber of Clackamas Bible Church, was Defense Coalition, opened it with a Kathryn Slaats, who came with a bus- gists from Omaha, Neb., who were visit- among 300 people who rallied in front of prayer. load of people from St. Patrick Parish in ing San Francisco to learn techniques of the federal courthouse. "We are here not with clenched fists but Malvern, Pa., spoke for her group, saying: microsurgery to repair fallopian tubes to "The president needs to re-read the in humility before God," he said, urging "We want to tell the government not to restore fertility, attended the rally. "We Constitution," he told the Catholic the crowd of about 2,000 to kneel on the tread on our religious freedoms. We must know there is better health care available Sentinel, Portland's archdiocesan newspa- paved area in front of the HHS building. organize, contribute and fight for the right that doesn't involve abortion and contra- per. "The First Amendment provides free- "We are here because the faith community to worship God the way we choose to do ception because we practice it daily," Dr. dom of religion. Anything the government cannot be silent when it comes to human so." Christine Cimo-Hemphill told Catholic does to violate that is unconstitutional." rights and we will never comply with an Across the country in San Francisco, San Francisco, the archdiocesan newspa- Cuban official: In some ways, this papal visit more complex than 1998 By Wallice J. de la Vega from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Cuba's poor internal economic situation. referring to the U.S. trade embargo Catholic News Service assigned to oversee the Santiago portion "Cuba, as a sovereign nation, is not against Cuba since 1962, a sudden 1989 of the March 26-28 papal visit, also separate from the rest of the world," drop in European contracts, and the most SANTIAGO DE CUBA, Cuba (CNS) - worked on the 1998 trip. Gabriel told Catholic News Service. "We recent global economic crisis. - In many respects, the coordination of He told Catholic News Service March are not a developed country but, just like Cuba has no ministry of religious Pope Benedict XVI's papal visit to Cuba 28 that for multiple-location events, like other nations of the world, we have felt affairs, said Gabriel. However, for events relied on the experience from the 1998 the two papal visits, the Cuban central the effects of this financial-economic cri- like the papal visits, teams are composed visit of his predecessor, Blessed John government sets up separate teams that sis of recent years." using personnel from several agencies. Paul II. "organize individually and coordinate Although private-property laws "Right here in this room, we have col- Blessed John Paul visited four cities in jointly." changed soon after President Raul Castro leagues from foreign relations, communi- five days. Although Pope Benedict visit- Although the 1998 visit meant a larger took office in 2006, creating an increase cations, transportation, and other (min- ed two cities in three days, in some ways set of expenditures and manpower pro- in small businesses, the economy is lag- istries)," he said. "We come together as this trip was more complicated, said a vided, in part, by the state, the shorter ging, Gabriel said. needed, because here there is no continu- Cuban official involved in the planning. lead time -- three months from Vatican "We have been dragging along the eco- ous use of resources for religious matters, Marcos Gabriel, coordinating official confirmation -- for coordinating Pope nomic aftermath of three strong financial having a secular government." Benedict's visit was compounded by a impacts in our history," said Gabriel, The Angelus APRIL 2012 Page 17 Our Faith Do marriage and sex exist in heaven? By Father Kenneth Doyle Paul that "What eye has not seen, and ear divine. Catholic News Service has not heard, and what has not entered the We are made in the image of the human heart, what God has prepared for Trinitarian God, a divine whirlwind of Q. After decades of a really good mar- those who love him" (1 Cor 2:9). self-giving love, and I can well imagine riage, my partner has passed away, and We are reduced, then, to speculation. But that a couple will find their ultimate fulfill- I have some questions. Is there marriage our speculation must begin with what we ment in rejoicing together before the face in heaven? Does the one know, which is that a similar question was of God, which is the ecstasy hinted at in who is in heaven have a once asked of Jesus. all earthly intercourse. special link with the one In Matthew 22:23-30, some Sadducees, who is still alive? When in an attempt to ridicule the belief of the Q. I am 94 years old and live in a both of them have died, Pharisees in an afterlife, posed to Christ nursing home with the meals furnished. will there be a particu- the problem of seven brothers who had Must I abstain from meat on Fridays Our Holy Father’s lar relationship between been married successively to the same during Lent, or may I eat what the 2012 Monthly Intentions them in the context of woman -- the issue being whose wife she home is serving? (Marion, Ohio) perfect happiness? (A would be in heaven. Jesus said, "At the A. Canon No. 1253 of the Code of APRIL Fr. Doyle small town in upstate resurrection they neither marry nor are Canon Law gives national conferences of General Intention: Vocations. New York) given in marriage but are like the angels in bishops wide latitude in determining the That many young people may Q. In a recent column, when asked heaven." observance of fasting and abstinence. hear the call of Christ and follow whether pets go to heaven, you said that Resurrection means not just resuscita- In the United States, the bishops have him in the priesthood and religious if you need your pet to be happy in tion, a return to the bodies we currently "preserved for our dioceses the tradition of life. heaven, you can be sure they will be experience. In heaven, our bodies will no abstinence from meat on each of the Missionary Intention: Christ, there. That begs this question: If the longer be mortal or vulnerable, nor will we Fridays of Lent, confident that no Catholic Hope for Africans. That the risen physical body gets resurrected and need to worry about the survival of the Christian will hold himself lightly excused Christ may be a sign of certain spouses meet in heaven, will sex contin- species or the continuation of a family from this penitential practice." hope for the men and women of ue to be a part of their life? (I know this name. Whereas the discipline of fasting (one the African continent. might be a delicate question to handle in But at the same time, it seems logical full meal a day, no eating between meals -- print, but I would really like an answer.) that a special relationship would continue applicable on Ash Wednesday and Good MAY (Virginia Beach, Va.) into eternity between a man and woman Friday) binds only those between the ages General Intention: The Family. married on earth. There is, in the marriage of 18 and 59, abstinence (refraining from A. As to what life will be like in heaven, That initiatives which defend and relationship, a quality of transcendence meat) covers those who are 14 or older. a preliminary disclaimer is proper: We uphold the role of the family may don't know. We have been cautioned by that points beyond itself to a reality that is be promoted within society. . Missionary Intention: Mary, Guide of Missionaries. That Mary, Death penalty: a life issue with no room for error Queen of the World and Star of Evangelization, may accompany By Father Peter J. Daly the numbers) problem than abortion, it is who spent nine years on Maryland's death all missionaries in proclaiming her Catholic News Service still a contradiction of our value of life. row. He was convicted of the horrific Son Jesus. The church tries to be consistently pro-life. killing of a 9-year-old girl in 1984. It was What percentage of Catholics know that In the 1980s, the late Cardinal Joseph a crime he did not commit. the church opposes abortion? Probably 100 Bernardin challenged us to see all life Bloodsworth is a former Marine who Daily Offering Prayer percent. issues as part of a "seamless garment." had never been in trouble with the law Jesus, through the Immaculate What percentage of In 1995, Pope John Paul II wrote, "The until he was arrested for the killing after Heart of Mary I offer you my Catholics know that the Gospel of Life." In it, he said the death witnesses testified they saw him in the area prayers, works, joys and sufferings church opposes capital penalty could only be justified when there of the crime. of this day in union with the Holy punishment? I bet hardly was absolutely no other way for society to DNA results released in 1992 led to his Sacrifice of the Mass throughout anybody. defend itself. exoneration. Bloodsworth was the first the world. I offer them for all the We are vigorous in our "Today... such cases are very rare if not prisoner exonerated from death row by intentions of Your Sacred Heart: defense of innocent life, practically nonexistent," he wrote. DNA results. Since his release there have the salvation of souls, reparation for sin and the reunion of all but it is a lot harder to Fr. Daly The Catechism of the Catholic Church been more than 200 prisoners proven not defend the lives of people says that public authority should limit guilty by DNA tests and about 20 of them Christians. I offer them for the who may be guilty of terrible crimes. itself to "bloodless means" of punishment were on death row. intentions of our bishops and of all Abortion is, of course, a much larger if they are sufficient to defend human live While in prison, Bloodsworth became a Apostles of Prayer, and in particu- issue. There are more than a million abor- and protect "public order." Catholic. He found spiritual solace in the lar for those recommended by our tions every year in the U.S., while there Lately, in our parish, we have heard two church. Today he spends his time trying to Holy Father this month. have been about 1,300 executions in the powerful personal testimonies as our state, end the death penalty and trying to free U.S. since 1976, when the death penalty Maryland, is debating becoming the 17th others who have been wrongly convicted. Answers from Kids Puzzle (Pg. 15) was reinstated. state to abolish the death penalty. 1. F; 2. F; 3. T; 4. T; While the death penalty is a smaller (by We heard from Kirk Bloodsworth, a man (Please See DALY/23) 5. T; 6. F; 7. T; 8. F Page 18 APRIL 2012 The Angelus Culture ‘October Baby’ honorable effort at USCCB Video Ratings spreading message of value of life NEW YORK (CNS) -- chronic medical problems that they wrap their point, however, "Every life is beautiful." That's have long plagued Hannah and may be more divided. the tagline -- as well as the that culminated in her blackout. The spring break-style underlying theme -- of the thor- Devastated and bewildered by odyssey on which Hannah and oughly honorable, if not always this sudden revelation, Hannah Jason tag along is obviously fully effective, drama "October sets out in search of her birth intended to provide some Baby." mother, Cindy (Shari Rigby). much-needed light relief. But After she collapses on stage She's accompanied on her jour- only some of the comedy cen- during the opening night of a ney by Jason (Jason Burkey), tering on the expedition's college play, freshman Hannah her best friend since childhood. leader, disheveled but good- Lawson (Rachel Hendrix) He's arranged for them to hitch hearted B-Mac (Chris Sligh), winds up in the hospital and on a ride with a group of fellow works. the receiving end of two pieces students who are off to New Instead of being kept in sharp of staggering news: She learns Orleans for Mardi Gras. focus, Hannah's potentially Brad Pitt, center, in first, that her devoted parents -- In their feature debut, broth- poignant vulnerability on dis- “Moneyball” mom Grace (Jennifer Price) and ers Andrew and Jon Erwin covering that she was unwanted dad Jacob (John Schneider) -- helm a strongly pro-life mes- -- and that her very existence By Catholic News Service Dylan Dog: Dead of Night, A-III One Day, A-III (PG-13) adopted her as an infant. And sage movie whose import view- was treated as disposable by her F Our Idiot Brother, O (R) CNS classifications: A-I -- Fast Five, A-III (PG-13) P second, that she's the survivor ers dedicated to the dignity of own mother -- gets diffused general patronage; A-II -- 50/50, L (R) Paranormal Activity 3, L (R) of an attempted abortion. all human beings will welcome amid more conventional expres- adults and adolescents; A-III Final Destination 5, O (R) Paul, O (R) -- adults; L -- limited adult Flipped, A-III (PG) Pirates of the Caribbean: On As her doctor explains, the unanimously. Opinions about sions of teen angst and confu- audience, films whose prob- Friends With Benefits, O (R) Stranger Tides, A-II (PG-13) latter fact accounts for the the aesthetic package in which sion. lematic content many adults Fright Night, O (R) Priest, O (PG-13) would find troubling; O -- G Prom, A-I (PG) morally offensive. Glee The 3D Concert Movie, Puss in Boots, A-I (PG) Families should talk about film before MPAA ratings: G -- general O (PG) R audiences. All ages admit- The Grace Card, A-II (PG-13) Rango, A-III (PG) ted; PG -- parental guidance Green Lantern, A-III (PG-13) Real Steel, A-III (PG-13) suggested. Some material H Red Riding Hood, L (PG-13) sending teens off to ‘Hunger Games’ may not be suitable for chil- The Hangover Part II, O (R) Rio, A-I (G) NEW YORK Ray, tracks two teens dren; PG-13 -- parents Hanna, L (PG-13) Rise of the Planet of the Apes, strongly cautioned. Some Harry Potter and the Deathly A-III (PG-13) (CNS) -- Though pre- caught up in this gladiato- material may be inappropri- Hallows: Part 2, A-II (PG-13) The Rum Diary, L (R) sumably targeted -- at rial horror show. As early ate for children under 13; R - The Help, A-III (PG-13) S least in part -- at scenes reveal, Peeta - restricted. Under 17 Hereafter, A-III (PG-13) Scream 4, O (R) requires accompanying par- Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs Shark Night 3D, O (PG-13) teens, the dystopian Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) ent or adult guardian; NC-17 Evil, A-II (PG) The Smurfs, A-I (PG) adventure "The was selected in the usual -- no one 17 and under Hop, A-II (PG) Soul Surfer, A-II (PG) admitted. Horrible Bosses, O (R) Source Code, A-III (PG-13) Hunger Games" way. Heroine Katniss Hugo, A-II (PG) Spy Kids: All the Time in the (Lionsgate) involves Everdeen (Jennifer A I World A-II enough problematic Lawrence), by contrast, Abduction, A-III (PG-13) The Ides of March, L (R) Straw Dogs, O (R) African Cats, A-I (G) In Time, A-III (PG-13) Sucker Punch, A-III (PG-13) content to give par- altruistically volunteered Apollo 18, A-III (PG-13) Insidious, A-III (PG-13) Super 8, A-III (PG-13) ents pause. herself as a substitute after Arthur, A-III (PG-13) J T B J. Edgar, L (R) Take Me Home Tonight, O (R) Responsible oldsters her vulnerable younger The Big Year, A-III (PG) Jane Eyre, A-III (PG-13) There Be Dragons, A-III (PG will want to weigh sister Primrose's (Willow Bridesmaids, O (R) Johnny English Reborn, A-II 13) the matter carefully Jennifer Lawrence, left, Shields) name was drawn. Brighton Rock, L (no rating) (PG) The Thing, L (R) and Josh Hutcherson Bucky Larson: Born to Be a Judy Moody and the Not 30 Minutes or Less, O (R) before giving permis- What follows, as this Star, O (R) Bummer Summer, A-II (PG) Thor, A-II (PG-13) sion for clamoring sympathetic duo confronts C Jumping the Broom, A-III (PG Tower Heist, L (PG-13) staged each year for the enter- The Calling, A-II (no rating) 13) Transformers: Dark of the kids to attend. their doom, is an effective com- Captain America: The First Justin Bieber: Never Say Moon, A-III (PG-13) At first glance, the depressing tainment of the decadent elite bination of epic spectacle and Avenger, A-II (PG-13) Never, A-I (G) The Tree of Life, A-II (PG-13) futuristic premise of the piece -- who populate their society's emotional drama during which Cars 2, A-I (G) K The Twilight Saga: Breaking luxurious capital city. Cave-Forgotten Dreams, A-II (G) Kung Fu Panda 2, A-I (PG)\ Dawn -- Part 1, A-III (PG-13) inherited from Suzanne Collins' humane values are pitted The Change-Up, O (R) L W best-selling trilogy of novels, Since combatants are forced against Darwinian moral chaos. Conan the Barbarian, O (R) Larry Crowne, A-III (PG-13) Warrior, L (PG-13) to battle one another -- and the The Conspirator, A-III (PG-13) Limitless, O (PG-13) Water for Elephants, O (PG- on the first volume of which Insatiable media coverage, Contagion, A-III (PG-13) The Lincoln Lawyer, L (R) 13) the film is based -- makes it hostile wilderness environment led by smarmy TV host Caesar Conviction, L (R) M The Way, A-III (PG-13) seem unlikely fare for a youth- in which the games are set -- Flickerman (Stanley Tucci), Courageous, A-II (PG-13) Madea's Big Happy Family, A What's Your Number? O (R) until only one remains alive, Cowboys & Aliens, L (PG-13) III (PG-13) Winnie the Pooh, A-I (G) ful audience. and the wildly off-kilter values Crazy Stupid Love, O (PG-13) Mars Needs Moms, A-I (PG) X In a post-apocalyptic North the fearful ordeal also serves to of the foppish upper crust, D Midnight in Paris, A-III (PG-13) X-Men: First Class, A-III (PG keep the once-rebellious, now The Debt, L (R) The Mighty Macs, A-I (G) 13) America, have-not youngsters embodied by Peeta and Katniss' Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick The Mill & the Cross, A-III (no Y from oppressed outlying dis- cowed underlings intimidated. nannylike escort Effie Trinket Rules, A-I (PG) rating) Your Highness, O (R) tricts are chosen at random to Director and co-writer Gary (Elizabeth Banks), satirically Dolphin Tale, A-I (PG) Moneyball, A-III (PG-13) Z Ross' script, penned in collabo- Don't Be Afraid of the Dark, A O Zookeeper, A-III (PG-13) participate in the titular event, a mirror some darker aspects of III (R) Of Gods and Men, A-III (PG- televised survival tournament ration with Collins and Billy our own time. Drive, O (R) 13) The Angelus APRIL 2012 Page 19 Dioce-Scenes

Odessa

Knights of Columbus 4th degree exemplification, hosted by Assembly 1913 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Odessa. There were close to 60 new 4th Degree Knights exemplified that day. Parishes represented were from Odessa, Midland, Andrews, Ft. Stockton, Alpine, Pecos, Monahans & Lubbock. Odessa Rowena With the school year almost over, First Communion and Confirmation season is upon us. At left is the First Communion Class from St. Mary Catholic Church in Odessa.

Father Ariel Lagunilla, pastor, is shown with First Communion Students who attended a First Communion Retreat on Sunday, March 18, at St. Joseph Parish Hall, Rowena. The First Communion students were from the cluster parishes of St. Joseph, Rowena; St. Thomas, Miles, and St. Boniface, Olfen. The students, along with their parents, spent time in prayer, song, break-out sessions, crafts and concluded the day with the Last Supper sharing. Rowena Rhonda Legg and Monica Minzenmayer co-chaired Odessa the committee in charge of planning the annual Spaghetti Dinner/ Bake Sale/Prize Drawings spon- sored by the Rowena Catholic Daughters — Court Our Lady of Grace #1734, on February 26. Proceeds go to the charitable and service projects of the court on the local, state and national level.

“Los Pequeñios Hijos De Maria” is a group of servers who work together from different parishes of the diocese, including Odessa, Midland, Brady, San Angelo, Brownwood, Pecos and Presidio, Las Cruces and Carlsbad, NM (El Paso Diocese), Eastland (Fort Worth Diocese). Los Pequenos serve under the guidance of Rev. Mark Woodruff of SEAS in Odessa. Spiritual Directors are Deacon Jesse Guajardo from Our Lady of Guadalupe in Midland and a Lay Preacher — Francisco Araujo from Cautemo, Mexico. This particular weekend of March 3-4, LP met for one of their bi-annual workshops for Spiritual Growth and Formation. Page 20 APRIL 2012 The Angelus CATOIR RIGBY

(From 14) (From 14) Erwin said he remembered casting Hendrix Acknowledging the seeming incongruity of in a music video for Christian music singer having a farm business in one of America's Miracles happen. Prayer works. Be behind her birth, and her quest to find the Michael W. Smith. "She just had that look," biggest metropolises, Rigby hastened to add, calm. You will survive this as you woman who tried to abort her. he said. "October Baby" is her first feature "It's like the Amazon of farm parts ordering." have everything before this. Most The movie also stars John Schneider ("The film. "I just told her to step up to the plate, Erwin praised the investment by American of our worst nightmares never Dukes of Hazzard," "Smallville") as Hannah's take a big swing and run with it -- and she Family Studios in the film, which cost a mere come to pass. Learn to laugh at father and Jasmine Guy ("A Different did," Erwin added. $1 million to make. Its parent, the American yourself more. Brush it aside. World") as the nurse from the abortion clinic If "October Baby" does well at the box Family Association, has been for decades one Turn your worries over to your all those years ago. office, Hendrix said she and her husband of the staunchest critics of television and film Father in heaven. Trust him and him Erwin, Rigby and Hendrix spent two days would relocate to Los Angeles to try her hand content. "They told us, 'Everybody knows what alone. Be patient. You've gotten in the Washington area to promote "October at the film industry full time. Hendrix won an we're against. Now they'll get to know what through worse. When the sun comes Baby," conducting a joint interview with "special achievement in acting" award at the we're for,'" Erwin said. He's a bit bothered by out, the snow melts. Remain patient CNS at a Washington hotel. Red Rock Film Festival when "October the movie's PG-13 rating; there's no objec- in your trust. If you fall, the Lord Rigby is part of show biz royalty. She's the Baby" was screened there -- except festival tionable content. "Apparently, 'abortion' is a will catch you. He will always be aunt of 2007 "American Idol" winner Jordin sponsors hadn't expected to give anybody an PG-13 word," he said. there for you. Trust is the love Sparks. Coincidentally, Chris Sligh, a finalist acting award. As a prize Hendrix received a When "October Baby" premieres, its chief answer. Don't leave home without it. during the season Sparks won, has a comic- stock library of video effects clips. debut competition will be the much-awaited May the passion of Our Lord relief role in "October Baby." If she makes it to L.A., Hendrix can join "The Hunger Games," on 10 times as many Jesus Christ, the merits of Our Hendrix -- as did the Erwin brothers -- Rigby, who just changed her professional screens as "October Baby." The initial think- Blessed Mother Mary and all the grew up in Alabama, where the movie was name back to her maiden name after having ing was that "October Baby" would get saints, and may what good you do filmed in a brisk 20-day shooting schedule, gone by her German-American husband's swamped. But then, Hendrix said, "there will or suffering you endure lead to the but by the time "October Baby" was ready to surname of Wiedmann. "It either gets mispro- be all these teenage girls waiting in line to see remission of your sins, the increase shoot, she had moved to Zurich, where her nounced or misspelled," Rigby said. When 'Hunger Games,' and they'll see the poster for of grace and the gift of everlasting photojournalist husband lives. Hendrix had not acting, Rigby helps with her husband's 'October Baby,' and they'll want to go see our life. even established her own photo studio. L.A.-based farm equipment parts business. movie, too." OSBORNE

(From 17) We've all seen politicians dig for dirt just as malicious. and give the rumor further credence. about their opponents and air dirty laun- But the last thing you want to do with Every politician has to deal with at can't repeat them in this column. dry with gusto, thinking that it will help a rumor is escalate it. Instead, do what a least one smear campaign. History shows Modern politics would have teens voters change their minds on Election smart politician or a good public rela- us that politicians -- and high schoolers - believe that it's necessary to tear others Day. People who spread rumors, whether tions person does: Try to get the truth out - can effectively deal with, contain and down in order to rise. they're 14 or 40, do it because it gets there as soon as possible, and do it in a rise above rumors and gossip. High Maybe this is one reason why so many them attention and helps them to feel as reasoned, calm fashion. schoolers also have access to resources teenagers think it is fine to spread if they're better than others and as if they Many politicians respond to rumors that politicians don't: principals, teachers rumors about their classmates. After all, are exerting control over a social group with reasoned, calm explanations, which and guidance counselors who can offer they see it every day from people who (or a country). is one way to start. They don't want to help and advice. are supposed to know better. Everyone is the subject of a rumor at give the rumor-starter what he or she Just as I hope that this year politicians Rumors are never the way to win. some time during high school, and it's a wants: to see them stumble. If you get can stick to the issues and avoid rumors They only drag everyone down. real temptation to fight fire with fire, to visibly angry, it may make others think altogether, I hope teens can do the same. come back swinging with a rumor that's that there may be truth in the situation Let's stick to what's really important. EXPLOSION (From 4) fertility are at epidemic levels due to multiple partners to reduce birth-rates, sometimes using methods that 9) materialism and consumerism, fueled by advertis- respect neither the dignity of the woman, nor the right excluding college, according to the Department of ing and television of parents to choose responsibly how many children to Agriculture 10) radical feminist ideology that measures women’s have; graver still, these methods often fail to respect 4) high taxation reducing the family’s disposable worth solely by the acquisition of money and power, even the right to life. The extermination of millions of income (R. de Marcellus, “Falling Fertility: The World and denigrates their contributions to family life. unborn children, in the name of the fight against pover- at the Tipping Point,” Population Research Institute As demographers examine declining birthrates world- ty, actually constitutes the destruction of the poorest of Review, Sept.-Oct. 2003) wide, economists are beginning to raise the alarm about all human beings. And yet it remains the case 5) young people spending more years in higher edu- what this portends for the future economic health of that…whole peoples have escaped from poverty despite cation to meet the demands of a more highly skilled nations when there will be far fewer workers contribut- experiencing substantial demographic growth. This goes workforce, which delays the average age of marriage ing to the programs which support a growing population to show that resources to solve the problem of poverty and increases their education debt (de Marcellus) of the elderly. do exist, even in the face of an increasing population.” 6) the later average age of marriage, resulting in To bring clarity to the concern of population and Obviously, the benefits of raising children transcend lower fertility among women and a shortened period of poverty, I quote here the wise words of Pope Benedict economics. Children are a source of joy, love, and child-bearing in marriage (de Marcellus) XVI in his World Day of Peace message, January 1, hope. They transform and sanctify their parents. Our 7) divorce 2009: “Population is an asset, not a problem. Poverty is society and our world need to recover an appreciation 8) sexually-transmitted diseases which can impair often considered a consequence of demographic change. for the gift of children whose presence is needed now For this reason, there are international campaigns afoot more than ever. The Angelus APRIL 2012 Page 21 9th graders in Ballinger contact senator about religious liberty issue Publisher’s Note: Earlier this year I made an decision that would force all Catholic of Macabees, so we opened the Bible and Catholics either to violate our conscience, urgent appeal to the people of the Diocese employers to offer their employees health started reading about a “government” or to drop health coverage for employees of San Angelo asking them to write to their government officials about the administra- coverage that includes sterilization, abor- coming in to a country and taking over — and suffer the penalties for doing so. tion’s decision to force Catholic employers tion-inducing drugs and contraception. the religious liberties of its people. We Please support legislation that reverses and insurers to provide coverage for During Sunday Mass, our priest, Father were moved that God had guided us to this unjust policy. immoral practices such as drug-induced Wade, read a letter from our Bishop, the Bible to find out how wrong it is for Thank you and God Bless You, abortions, sterilizations and contraception. 9th Grade Class Below is a letter from the 9th grade CCD Most Rev. Michael D. Pfeifer, OMI, of a government to take control of the reli- class from St. Mary, Star of the Sea, in the San Angelo Diocese, referring to this gious beliefs of the people. We decided, St. Mary, Star of the Sea Catholic Church Ballinger, who contacted their senator ruling. We had a discussion and explana- as a class, to take a stand for our freedom Ballinger, Texas about this critical issue. -- Bishop Pfeifer) tion of what the letter meant to us at the of religion and write this letter to you. Carrie Salazar beginning of our CCD class. As we This ruling by the administration casts Gabriella Martinez Dear Senator, Hailey Esquivel began this lesson from our textbook, the aside the First Amendment to the Jessica Good first Bible verse read was, ”May he open Constitution of the United States, deny- Chelsea Zoliver We write this letter strongly encourag- your heart to his law and his command- ing to Catholics our nation’s first and Felix Martinez ing you to support legislation that would ments and grant you peace (2 Macabees most fundamental freedom: that of reli- Julie Fischer reverse the presidential administration’s 1:4).” We were unfamiliar with the Book gious liberty. This ruling would force Caroline Toliver (teacher)

GOSPEL EDICTAL SUMMONS (From 1) Sister Grace March 23, 2012 Dominic, of the CASE: CORNFIELD -- BUNNELL recently formed “We need to tell our children that there NO.: SO 12/09 are worse things that can happen to you Sisters of Life than getting pregnant,” Thorn said. in New York, also spoke to The Tribunal Office of the Catholic Thorn, founder of the Project Rachel the Gospel of Diocese of San Angelo is seeking Casey Post-Abortion Support Ministry keynot- Life attendees ed the Gospel of Life Conference, co- May 24 at Lee Bunnell. sponsored by the Knights of Columbus Angelo Catholic National Headquarters. Thorn noted that School in San You are hereby summoned to appear one in three women have had at least one Angelo. before the Tribunal of the Catholic abortion by age 45. Diocese of San Angelo, at 804 Ford “We all know someone who has had Street, San Angelo, Texas 76905, on or an abortion,” she said. “There is a reason the Pro-life movement is incredible and before the April 30, 2012, to answer to impassioned and it’s not because it’s a the Petition of Tina Marie Corfield, now philosophical debate. If it were we’d all introduced before the Diocesan Tribunal be polite. It’s a heart issue and because it at least 40 years. here. They need to know if they become in an action styled, “Tina Bunnell and is, everyone feels compassion and we “These cells are everywhere in their pregnant we’ll stand with you.” Casey Bunnell, Petition for Declaration have to recognize that. We have to body and are active. It is physically The conference was co-presented by of Invalidity of Marriage.” Said Petition is understand the opposition, many of impossible for her to forget the children San Angelo Bishop Michael D. Pfeifer, identified as Case: CORNFIELD -- BUN- whom are walking wounded, women that have been in her womb. who also spoke briefly on the devastat- who have had their own abortion.” “No child is a mistake and we need to ing effects of abortion, as well as on his NELL; Protocol No.: SO 12/09, on the Thorn said women carry cells in them tell that. We don’t need to tell them if recently completed ad limina visit with Tribunal Docket of the Diocese of San from every child they ever conceive for they come home pregnant they’re outta Pope Benedict XVI in Rome. Angelo.

You may communicate with the Bishop Pfeifer announces death of his sister Tribunal in person or in writing. Failure to communicate within the prescribed Bishop Michael D. Pfeifer announced rejoice that my dear sister has been I wish you all a blessed and joyful period of time will be considered your March 30 the death of his sister, Angela taken to her final home of peace and Easter with our Risen Savior. Christ’s consent for the Tribunal to continue its Kapeller following a long illness. joy in heaven, a home for which we all resurrection is what gives us all great Bishop Pfeifer issued the following hope and pray. My sister had been very hope for the future. proceedings in the above-named case. memo to priests, women religious and ill for the past several years so it is the deacons in the diocese: consolation of faith to now she is no In Christ and Mary, Given at the Tribunal of the Diocese of It is with great sorrow that I advise longer suffering and is forever at peace. Bishop Michael D. Pfeifer. San Angelo on the 23rd day of March you of the death of my dear sister, Please pray for the repose of the soul 2012. Angela Kapeller, who died this morning of my dear sister and for God’s comfort (Ms. Kapeller’s funeral Mass was cele- in San Antonio. She was residing there and hope for her children and all family brated Wednesday, April 4, 2012, at St. Reverend Tom Barley, with her daughter and her daughter’s members including myself and my Andrews Church by the Sea, 14238 husband, Mary and L.P. Long. She lived brother, Father Ted Pfeifer, OMI. Encantada Ave., Padre Island.) MSW, MBA, M. Div., JCL most of her life in Corpus Christi. Thank you all for this special remem- Judical Vicar At the same time, in a spirit of faith, I brance. Page 22 APRIL 2012 The Angelus BISHOP

(From 2) It is called the sacrament of forgive- human nature, nor the inclination to sin penance, like that of the prophets before ness, since by the priest's sacramental that tradition calls concupiscence, which him, does not aim first at outward works, lytic and restored him to bodily health, absolution God grants the penitent "par- remains in the baptized such that with the "sack-cloth and ashes," fasting and morti- has willed that his Church continue, in don and peace." help of the grace of Christ they may fication, but at the conversion of the the power of the Holy Spirit, his work of It is called the sacrament of prove themselves in the struggle of heart, interior conversion. Without this, healing and salvation, even among her Reconciliation, because it imparts to the Christian life. such penances remain sterile and false; own members. This is the purpose of the sinner the love of God who reconciles: This is the struggle of conversion however, interior conversion urges two sacraments of healing: the sacrament "Be reconciled to God." He who lives by directed toward holiness and eternal life expression in visible signs, gestures and of Penance and the sacrament of God's merciful love is ready to respond to to which the Lord never ceases to call us. works of penance. Anointing of the Sick. the Lord's call: "Go; first be reconciled to 1431 Interior repentance is a radical your brother." THE CONVERSION OF reorientation of our whole life, a return, a THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE THE BAPTIZED conversion to God with all our heart, an AND RECONCILIATION WHY A SACRAMENT OF 1427 Jesus calls to conversion. This call end of sin, a turning away from evil, with 1422 "Those who approach the sacra- RECONCILIATION is an essential part of the proclamation of repugnance toward the evil actions we ment of Penance obtain pardon from AFTER BAPTISM? the kingdom: "The time is fulfilled, and have committed. At the same time it God's mercy for the offense committed 1425 "You were washed, you were the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, entails the desire and resolution to change against him, and are, at the same time, sanctified, you were justified in the name and believe in the gospel." In the one's life, with hope in God's mercy and reconciled with the Church which they of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit Church's preaching this call is addressed trust in the help of his grace. This conver- have wounded by their sins and which by of our God." One must appreciate the first to those who do not yet know Christ sion of heart is accompanied by a salutary charity, by example, and by prayer labors magnitude of the gift God has given us in and his Gospel. Also, Baptism is the prin- pain and sadness which the Fathers called for their conversion. the sacraments of Christian initiation in cipal place for the first and fundamental animi cruciatus (affliction of spirit) and order to grasp the degree to which sin is conversion. It is by faith in the Gospel compunctio cordis (repentance of heart). WHAT IS THIS excluded for him who has "put on and by Baptism that one renounces evil 1432 The human heart is heavy and SACRAMENT CALLED? Christ." But the apostle John also says: and gains salvation, that is, the forgive- hardened. God must give man a new 1423 It is called the sacrament of conver- "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ness of all sins and the gift of new life. heart. Conversion is first of all a work of sion because it makes sacramentally pres- ourselves, and the truth is not in us." And 1428 Christ's call to conversion contin- the grace of God who makes our hearts ent Jesus' call to conversion, the first step the Lord himself taught us to pray: ues to resound in the lives of Christians. return to him: "Restore us to thyself, 0 in returning to the Father from whom one "Forgive us our trespasses," linking our This second conversion is an uninterrupt- Lord, that we may be restored!" God has strayed by sin. forgiveness of one another's offenses to ed task for the whole Church who, gives us the strength to begin anew. It is It is called the sacrament of Penance, the forgiveness of our sins that God will "clasping sinners to her bosom, [is] at in discovering the greatness of God's love since it consecrates the Christian sinner's grant us. once holy and always in need of purifica- that our heart is shaken by the horror and personal and ecclesial steps of conver- 1426 Conversion to Christ, the new tion, [and] follows constantly the path of weight of sin and begins to fear offending sion, penance, and satisfaction. birth of Baptism, the gift of the Holy penance and renewal. "This endeavor of God by sin and being separated from him. 1424 It is called the sacrament of con- Spirit and the Body and Blood of Christ conversion is not just a human work. It is The human heart is converted by looking fession, since the disclosure or confession received as food have made us "holy and the movement of a "contrite heart," drawn upon him whom our sins have pierced. of sins to a priest is an essential element without blemish," just as the Church her- and moved by grace to respond to the Let us fix our eyes on Christ's blood and of this sacrament. In a profound sense it self, the Bride of Christ, is "holy and merciful love of God who loved us first. understand how precious it is to his is also a "confession"— acknowledgment without blemish." Nevertheless the new Father, for, poured out for our salvation, and praise — of the holiness of God and life received in Christian initiation has INTERIOR PENANCE it has brought to the whole world the of his mercy toward sinful man. not abolished the frailty and weakness of 1430 Jesus' call to conversion and grace of repentance. USCCB (From 10) American issue." ernment has no legal competence or "They too face a government mandate to The bishops called the HHS mandate authority" is beyond disturbing. Those aid in providing 'services' contrary to those traceptives but about the government's "an unwarranted government definition deemed by HHS not to be "religious values whether in their sponsoring of, and forcing the Church to provide them. of religion," with government deciding employers," the bishops said, "will be payment for, insurance as employers; their Their concerns are not just for the who is a religious employer deserving Catholic Church but also for "those who exemption from the law. forced by government to violate their own payment of insurance premiums as employ- recognize that their cherished beliefs may "The introduction of this unprecedented teachings within their very own institu- ees, or as insurers themselves - without be next on the block." defining of faith communities and their tions. This is not only an injustice in itself, even the semblance of exemptions. " "Indeed, this is not about the Church ministries has precipitated this struggle but it also undermines the effective procla- The bishops called for the Catholic wanting to force anybody to do anything; for religious freedom," the bishops said. mation of those teachings to the faithful faithful, and all people of good will it is instead about the federal government "Government has no place defining reli- and to the world." throughout the nation to join them in forcing the Church - consisting of its faith- gion and religious ministry. The bishops also called the HHS man- prayer and penance "for our leaders and ful and all but a few of its institutions - to "If this definition is allowed to stand, it act against Church teachings," they said. will spread throughout federal law, weak- date "a violation of personal civil rights." for the complete protection of our The Church has worked for universal ening its healthy tradition of generous The new mandate creates a class of people First Freedom - religious liberty." healthcare in the United States since respect for religious freedom and diversi- "with no conscience protection at all: indi- "Prayer is the ultimate source of our 1919, they added, and said the current ty.” viduals who, in their daily lives, strive strength," the bishops said, "for without issue "is not a Republican or Democratic, The bishops said the government's constantly to live in accordance with their God we can do nothing. But with God all a conservative or liberal issue; it is an foray into church governance "where gov- faith and values," the bishops said. things are possible." The Angelus APRIL 2012 Page 23 OBISPO DALY (Para 3) 1426 La conversión a Cristo, el nuevo LA PENITENCIA INTERIOR (From 17) nacimiento por el Bautismo, el don del 1430 Como ya en los profetas, la llamada a la conversión, la vuelta al Padre del que el Espíritu Santo, el Cuerpo y la Sangre de de Jesús a la conversión y a la penitencia no hombre se había alejado por el pecado. Cristo recibidos como alimentos nos han mira, en primer lugar, a las obras exteriores The second story we heard was Se denomina sacramento de la Penitencia hecho “santos e inmaculados ante él”, como “el saco y la ceniza”, los ayunos y las morti- from Sister Helen Prejean, the porque consagra un proceso personal y ecle- la Iglesia misma, esposa de Cristo, es “santa ficaciones, sino a la conversión del corazón, nun who wrote "Dead Man sial de conversión, de arrepentimiento y de e inmaculada ante él”. Sin embargo, la vida la penitencia interior. Sin ella, las obras de Walking" a best-seller that was nueva recibida en la iniciación cristiana no reparación por parte del cristiano pecador. penitencia permanecen estériles y engañosas; made into a movie. She says she 1424 Es llamado sacramento de la confesión suprimió la fragilidad y la debilidad de la por el contrario, la conversión interior impul- was an ordinary Catholic who porque la declaración o manifestación, la con- naturaleza humana, ni la inclinación al peca- sa a la expresión de esta actitud por medio fesión de los pecados ante el sacerdote, es un do que la tradición llama concupiscencia, y de signos visibles, gestos y obras de peniten- never thought much about the elemento esencial de este sacramento. En un que permanece en los bautizados a fin de cia. death penalty until she began sentido profundo este sacramento es también que sirva de prueba en ellos en el combate 1431 La penitencia interior es una reorien- corresponding with Patrick una “confesión”, reconocimiento y alabanza de la vida cristiana ayudados por la gracia de tación radical de toda la vida, un retorno, una Sonnier, a man on death row in de la santidad de Dios y de su misericordia Dios. Esta lucha es la de la conversión con conversión a Dios con todo nuestro corazón, Louisiana. para con el hombre pecador. miras a la santidad y la vida eterna a la que una ruptura con el pecado, una aversión del He was convicted of killing Se le llama sacramento del perdón porque, el Señor no cesa de llamarnos. mal, con repugnancia hacia las malas accio- two teenagers during a horrible por la absolución sacramental del sacerdote, nes que hemos cometido. Al mismo tiempo, crime. She wound up walking Dios concede al penitente “el perdón y la LA CONVERSIÓN comprende el deseo y la resolución de cam- with him as his spiritual adviser paz”. DE LOS BAUTIZADOS biar de vida con la esperanza de la miseri- as he was taken to his execution. Se le denomina sacramento de 1427 Jesús llama a la conversión. Esta lla- cordia divina y la confianza en la ayuda de Both cases teach us the value Reconciliación porque otorga al pecador el mada es una parte esencial del anuncio del su gracia. Esta conversión del corazón va of mercy and forbearance. amor de Dios que reconcilia: “Dejaos recon- Reino: “El tiempo se ha cumplido y el acompañada de dolor y tristeza saludables In Bloodsworth's case, if the ciliar con Dios”. El que vive del amor mise- Reino de Dios esta cerca; convertíos y creed que los Padres llamaron “animi cruciatus” state had taken his life, it would ricordioso de Dios está pronto a responder a en la Buena Nueva”. En la predicación de la (aflicción del espíritu), “compunctio cordis” have been an outrageous miscar- la llamada del Señor: “Ve primero a reconci- Iglesia, esta llamada se dirige primeramente (arrepentimiento del corazón). riage of justice. In Sister Helen's liarte con tu hermano.” a los que no conocer todavía a Cristo y su 1432 El corazón del hombre es rudo y case, while the man was guilty, Evangelio. Así, el bautismo es el lugar prin- endurecido. Es preciso que Dios dé al hom- POR QUE UN SACRAMENTO DE LA his death did not bring peace to cipal de la conversión primera y fundamen- bre un corazón nuevo. La conversión es pri- her or to some family members RECONCILIACIÓN DESPUÉS tal. Por la fe en la Buena Nueva y por el meramente una obra de la gracia de Dios que of the victims. DEL BAUTISMO Bautismo se renuncia al mal y se alcanza la hace volver a él nuestros corazones: The death of another person 1425 “Habéis sido lavados, habéis sido san- salvación, es decir, la remisión de todos los “Conviértenos, Señor, y nos convertiremos”. tificados, habéis sido justificados en el nom- pecados y el don de la vida nueva. Dios es quien nos da la fuerza para comen- does not give us peace, nor does bre del Señor Jesucristo y por el Espíritu de 1428 Ahora bien, la llamada de Cristo a la zar de nuevo. Al descubrir la grandeza del it allow room for error, conver- nuestro Dios.” Es preciso darse cuenta de la conversión sigue resonando en la vida de los amor de Dios, nuestro corazón se estremece sion or reconciliation. grandeza del don de Dios que se nos hace en cristianos. Esta segunda conversión es una ante el horror y el peso del pecado y comien- As we approach Good Friday, los sacramentos de la iniciación cristiana para tarea interrumpida para toda la Iglesia que za a temer ofenderá Dios por el pecado y the day when our Savior was comprender hasta qué punto el pecado es algo “recibe en su propio seno a los pecadores” y verse separado de él. El corazón humano se unjustly executed by the state, it que no cabe en aquel que “se ha revestido de que siendo “santa al mismo tiempo que convierte mirando al que nuestros pecados is a good time to think about the Cristo”. Pero el apóstol San Juan dice tam- necesitada de purificación constante, busca traspasaron. death penalty. bién: “Si decimos: ‘no tenemos pecado’, nos sin cesar la penitencia y la renovación”. Tengamos los ojos fijos en la sangre de Christ's death was the greatest engañamos y la verdad no está en nosotros” Este esfuerzo de conversión no es solo una Cristo y comprendamos cuán preciosa es a miscarriage of justice in history. Y el Señor mismo nos enseñó a orar: obra humana. Es el movimiento del “cora- su Padre, porque, habiendo sido derramada It is the ultimate testimony that “Perdona nuestras ofensas”, uniendo el per- zón contrito”, atraído y movido por la gracia para nuestra salvación, ha conseguido para el should make Christians consider dón mutuo de nuestras ofensas al perdón que a responder al amor misericordioso de Dios mundo entero la gracia del arrepentimiento. the death penalty as a life issue. Dios concederá a nuestros pecados. que nos ha amado primero. PATTERSON (From 3) the little boy, the fans in the section, none “Carlos! Carlos! Could I have the Everyone sat down. of whom appeared to even know the ball?” the boy yelled out once more. And Carlos tossed the ball to the child. dad just letting his son be a kid, and the young boy, would roundly boo the burly But this time, things were different. It bounced a time or two and a man sit- kid doing a marvelous job of being just villain in leftfield. This time, Carlos turned to the boy. He ting nearby reached down and picked the that. Until the top of the ninth. reared back his arm and as he did, every- ball up, and handed it to the boy in the With each passing inning the boy Carlos took his position and began gen- one in the section rose, wanting not to Mariners’ jersey. returned to his seat with no ball from tly lobbing the ball to his partner in catch, claim the prize the little boy had wanted The kid turned and headed back to his Carlos. Each inning, dad became more just like he had done eight times before for their own. Instead, it seemed, every- dad. And as he did, he walked through a and more eager for his son’s success. that night. The boy decided to give it one one just wanted to be the one to catch the crowd of maybe 100 fans who had The scene played out for about five more try. Just like he had done all night ball and, if the boy needed any help, be watched it all unfold. All of them rose innings. Each time, the boy would plead long. Down the steps he walked until he the one to give that help. again, cheering and clapping for the little and Carlos the leftfielder would toss the reached the barrier separating the regular Carlos saw the fans stand in anticipa- boy. And for Carlos. ball off the field to the unseen ballpark fans from the sequestered athletes. tion of his throw. And he waved them all And that is why this game is so special. employee. And each time Carlos ignored The announcer read the name of the off. And with his glove hand, he pointed first batter. at the little boy. Page 24 APRIL 2012 The Angelus

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Printed by the Pope Benedict XVI poses for a photo with bishops from Texas during a March 16 meeting during ad limina visits to the Vatican. From left are: San Angelo Standard Times Auxiliary Bishop Mark J. Seitz of Dallas; Auxiliary Bishop J. Douglas Deshotel of Dallas; Bishop Kevin J. Farrell of Dallas; Auxiliary Bishop Oscar A Scripps-Howard Company Cantu of San Antonio; Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller of San Antonio; Pope Benedict; Bishops Patrick J. Zurek of Amarillo; Michael D. Pfeifer of San Angelo; James A. Tamayo of Laredo; Kevin W. Vann of Forth Worth; a nd Placido Rodriguez of Lubbock.(CNS photo/L'Osservatore Romano) (March 16, 2012) Submissions: Story suggestions, calendar items, parish briefs and all other submissions should be emailed to [email protected]. COPY, PHOTO DEADLINE: Third Friday of every month.

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Texas Bishops Patrick J. Zurek of Amarillo, Michael D. Pfeifer of Bishop Michael D. Pfeifer of San Angelo, Bishop Placido Rodriguez of Lubbock, San Angelo and Kevin W. Vann of Forth Worth concelebrate Mass Bishop Edward J. Slattery of Tulsa, and Bishop James A. Tamayo of Laredo, wait with other bishops from Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas in the for the start of a meeting with bishops from Texas, Oklahoma and Ark ansas at the crypt of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican March 15. (CNS Congregation for Clergy March 16 during their ad limina visits to the Vatican. (CNS photo/Paul Haring) (March 15, 2012) photo/Paul Haring) (March 16 , 2012)