BringingNorth the Good News to the Diocese Texas of Fort Worth Catholic Vol. 25 No. 18 November 20, 2009

Inclusion of abortion ban allows health care bill to pass House WASHINGTON (CNS) — In by the Church in recent weeks. It the end, the successful battle to would bar people who are in the include strict language prohibit- country illegally from receiving ing funding for abortions, led by any government assistance to get pro-life congressional Democrats health coverage. The U.S. bishops with the strong support of the U.S. also had urged that the legislation Conference of Catholic Bishops, allow all immigrants access to the made the difference in the Nov. health care system, regardless of 7 House vote to pass a sweeping legal status. health care reform bill. What the bill does do is expand In a rare Saturday night vote, health insurance to an estimated the House approved the Afford- 30 million people who currently able Health Care for America Act, lack coverage, meaning an esti- 220-215, moving the legislation on mated 96 percent of Americans A fallen soldier memorial lines the stage before the start of a ceremony Nov. 10 to honor victims of to the Senate, which was expected would have access to more af- the Nov. 5 shootings at Fort Hood. Army psychiatrist Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan allegedly opened fi re to take up debate on its own health fordable health care. at a medical building, killing 12 soldiers and one civilian. (CNS photo/Jessica Rinaldi, Reuters) care bill later in November. Various news sources as well Assuming the Senate passes a as people involved on the Hill version of the legislation, differ- reported on the critical role of Chaplain describes‘total chaos’ after shootings ences between the two bills will last-minute, behind-the-scenes See story on page 13 have to be reconciled separately. negotiations among House lead- That legislation would go back to ers, White House staff, Catholic both houses of Congress for fi nal bishops, and their staff. Also es- approval. sential were talks with Stupak and All Th ings Possible campaign: Key to passing the House bill others who were holding fi rm on was the approval of an amendment withholding their votes pending by Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich., to acceptance of his amendment. prohibit the use of federal funds to Chicago Cardinal Francis E. First parishes hit goal pay for abortion, including barring George, president of the USCCB, abortion coverage from insurance spoke with House Speaker Nancy With a strong focus on sacrifi cial missions currently running their plans which consumers purchase Pelosi Nov. 6, encouraging her to giving and the power of 100 percent campaign should be commended using government subsidies. The let Stupak’s amendment come participation, Father Kyle Walter- for an outstanding effort,” said USCCB and other pro-life organi- up for a vote. Other bishops also scheid, Deacon Ruben Castañeda Wright. “Before pledge week- zations had threatened to oppose weighed in by phone with various and the parishioners of St. Rita, end,” she said, “this fi rst group any fi nal bill that did not include members of Congress, including Ranger; Holy Rosary, Cisco; and of parishes had hit 21 percent of such provisions. encouraging Republican leaders St. Francis Xavier, Eastland became their goal from only 562 families. The fi nal bill fell short of an- not to try to block progress that the fi rst parishes to meet or exceed In one weekend, they gathered other element pushed strongly SEE HOUSE, P. 2 their All Things Possible campaign an additional 1,500 commitments, goal after the Nov. 7 and 8, pledge pledges, and gifts!” weekend. According to Meegan Most of these parishes con- Wright, campaign executive direc- ducted another in-pew appeal Nov. Pope: Charity is essential tor, the pledge weekend allowed responded — especially in some 14 and 15, said Wright. pastors and pastoral administra- of our rural parishes — is a gift to Bishop Vann asked for contin- tors to encourage parishioners to God and to the entire diocese.” ued prayer for those considering part of Christian witness turn in their pledges, or to take the As part of the campaign, each their gifts. “In these challenging By Cindy Wooden lics all over the world who time and make their commitment parish and mission will receive a economic times,” Bishop Vann Catholic News Service generously give their time, their while sitting in their pews, if they 25 percent return of all funds raised said, “we are witnessing a re- VATICAN CITY — Catholics resources and their energy “to had not already done so. during the campaign up to their sponse of faith which has always must be channels of God’s good- witness to the love of Christ, the These three parishes were parish goal, with 75 percent of funds been characteristic of Catholics in ness and love, offering concrete Good Samaritan,” who attends among the fi rst group of 24 parishes raised over their goal going back to Texas, from the fi rst days of the life assistance to the poor and work- to those who are physically or and missions taking part in the the parish. These funds can be used of the Church here. This generos- ing for justice in the world, Pope spiritually needy. fi rst phase of the All Things Possible by the parishes for local projects. ity,” he said, “is a true blessing to Benedict XVI said. “In proclaiming salvation, the campaign. The second phase of the “Our goal from the beginning us here and now and to those who “Charity belongs to the very church cannot ignore the concrete campaign will begin in the bal- has been to do our best with the will come after us. Thank you with nature of the Church,” the pope living conditions of the people to ance of the parishes and missions campaign through high participa- all of my heart,” Bishop Vann said, said Nov. 13 during a meeting whom it is addressed,” he said. of the diocese in late January and tion,” said Dcn. Castañeda, “and “for your faith, participation, and with members of the Pontifi cal “Acting to improve those con- continue through the spring. now we will be receiving extra for all of the parish priests and all Council Cor Unum, the Vatican ditions concerns the very life and “I am truly grateful and thank- funding back at each parish for who have worked so hard. God offi ce that promotes and coordi- mission of the Church because ful for the response thus far in the our own needs. We have helped bless you always.” nates Catholic charitable giving Christ’s salvation is holistic and All Things Possible campaign,” our diocesan family, as well as our For more information, contact and distributes the money the regards the human person in said Bishop Kevin Vann. “The parish family!” the campaign offi ce at (817) 560- pope designates for charity. every dimension: physical and generosity of those who have “Each of the 24 parishes and 2452, ext. 170. Pope Benedict thanked Catho- SEE CHARITY, P. 13 Page 2 North Texas Catholic, November 20, 2009 National

already have insurance. Medicare Her statement said the CHA recipients will receive additional believes the legislation “is consis- Cardinal George praises House... prescription drug coverage and tent with the values and principles be entitled to full coverage for set forth nearly two years ago in health care vote: FROM PAGE 1 preventive care. ‘Our Vision for U.S. Health Care’ was being made in getting the Other components of the bill — principles that defi ne the es- abortion amendment passed. include: sentials in the critical areas of Vigilance still needed as When Stupak’s amendment — Insurance companies would be respect for the life and dignity of was allowed to come to the fl oor, prohibited from discriminating all persons; quality, fair fi nancing; bill moves through Senate it was approved by a vote of 240- against people with pre-existing and patient-centered care that is 194, with the support of many Re- medical conditions. They also available and accessible to all.” WASHINGTON (CNS) — Car- moves to the Senate, which will publicans who did not ultimately would no longer be able to impose “There is no perfect bill, nor dinal Francis E. George of Chi- now take up its own version of vote for the legislation itself. lifetime caps on benefi ts or cancel will there be, but the leaders in cago, president of the U.S. Bishops health care legislation. Assuming Only one Republican voted for coverage for any excuse when the House of Representatives Conference, praised the House that measure passes, differences the overall bill, Rep. Anh “Joseph” policyholders become ill. have crafted a good health reform for approving a reform bill that between the bills will be worked Cao of Louisiana, a Catholic and — It would give tax subsidies to bill that gets this nation a step provides “adequate and afford- out in a conference committee former Jesuit seminarian who was small employers to help them pro- closer to the health care system the able health care to all” and “voting and both House and Senate will elected in December 2008 to fi ll a vide insurance for their workers. American people deserve and can overwhelmingly” for a prohibi- have to vote again on the fi nal vacancy created by the resigna- — It would create a health insur- be proud of,” Sr. Carol said. tion on using federal money to version. tion of Democratic Rep. William ance exchange where people who Among those lauding the role of pay for most abortions. Cardinal George said the Jefferson, who was forced out of are not currently covered through Stupak and his coalition in passing An amendment to ban abortion Catholic Church is concerned offi ce in a bribery scandal. an employer-purchased plan, a bill with the abortion exclusion funding sponsored by Rep. Bart about how health reform “af- In a statement, Stupak, a Medicare, Medicaid, Veterans Af- was Kristen Day, executive direc- Stupak, D-Mich., and other House fects the poor and vulnerable, Catholic who has spoken many fairs, or other government insur- tor of Democrats for Life. members passed 240-194, and and those at the beginning and times of his often lonely role as ance could get coverage through “The House of Representa- led to passage of the Affordable end of life.” a pro-life Democrat in Congress, private or federal providers. tives answered the call of history Health Care for America Act in a “We will continue to insist focused not on his successful Sister Carol Keehan, a Daugh- today when they passed health 220-215 vote. that health care reform legislation abortion amendment, but on the ter of Charity who is president care reform,” Day said. “While it In a statement issued late Nov. must protect conscience rights,” overall bill, which he called the and CEO of the Catholic Health would be tempting to call this a 9, the cardinal lauded the Nov. 7 he said. “We support measures to most signifi cant reform to govern- Association, called the bill historic Democratic win, the truth is the vote and urged the Senate to fol- make health care more affordable ment and private health insurance and said it “brings our nation American people are the winners low the House’s example. for low-income people and the programs since Medicare and closer to ensuring quality, af- of this hard-fought victory.” Members of the House “hon- uninsured. We remain deeply con- Medicaid were created in 1965. fordable health care for everyone She applauded Pelosi for clear- ored President (Barack) Obama’s cerned that immigrants be treated His statement noted that the and to reversing the injustice of ing the way for the amendment commitment to the Congress and fairly and not lose the health care bill includes reforms for both millions of un- and underinsured and called Stupak and Rep. Brad the nation that health care reform coverage that they now have.” the uninsured and those who women, men, and children.” Ellsworth, D-Ind., “heroic.” would not become a vehicle for “In the national discussion on expanding abortion funding or how to provide the best kind of Bishop Kevin Vann has asked that this bulletin insert be published in the NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC. mandates,” he said. health care, we bishops do not The U.S. Conference of Catho- claim or present ourselves as UNITED STATES CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS lic Bishops “will remain vigilant experts on health care policy,” he and involved throughout this said. “We are not prepared to as- 3211 FOURTH STREET NE • WASHINGTON DC 20017-1194 • 202-541-3103 • FAX 202-541-3166 entire process to assure that these sess every provision of legislation essential provisions are main- as complex as this proposal. UPDATED: NATIONWIDE BULLETIN INSERT tained and included in the fi nal “However, health care legisla- U.S. House Keeps Abortion Funding Out of Health Care Reform legislation,” he said. tion, with all its political, technical He said the bishops “remain and economic aspects, is about hu- Tell Senators: ACTION: deeply concerned” about health man beings and hence has serious – Follow the House’s Lead on Contact Senate and House Members through care reform as the debate now moral dimensions,” he added. e-mail, phone calls or FAX letters. – Removing Abortion Funding • To send a pre-written, instant e-mail to Con- – Protect Conscience Rights gress go to www.usccb.org/action. North – Ensure Affordable Health Coverage • Call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at: 202- 224-3121, or call your Members’ local offi ces. Texas – Allow Immigrants to Purchase Fullcontact info can be found on Members’ web Catholic Private Health Insurance sites at www.house.gov & www.senate.gov.

As long-time advocates of health care reform, the MESSAGE—SENATE: U.S. Catholic bishops continue to make the moral “Please adopt the House-approved Stupak case for genuine health care reform that will pro- Amendment that upholds longstanding Publisher: tect the life, dignity, consciences and health of all, policies against abortion funding, and please Bishop Kevin W. Vann especially the poor and vulnerable. protect conscience rights in health care reform. Editor: Jeff Hensley Health care must be made more affordable and Associate Editor: Tony Gutiérrez • On November 7, the U.S. House of Repre- accessible to those in need, and immigrants Editorial Assistant: Nicki Prevou sentatives passed major health care reform must not lose or be denied health care cover- Administrative Assistant: Judy Russeau that reaffi rms the essential, longstanding and age.” Editorial Offi ce: 800 West Loop 820 South, Fort Worth, Texas 76108, (817) widely supported policy against using federal 560-3300; FAX (817) 244-8839. funds for elective abortion coverage. MESSAGE—HOUSE: Circulation Offi ce: Rita Garber, 800 West Loop 820 South, Fort Worth, Texas • It is critical that the Senate adopt the House- “I am pleased that the House-passed health 76108, (817) 560-3300. approved Stupak Amendment language on this care reform bill maintains the longstanding pol- NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC (USPS 751-370) (ISSN 0899-7020) is published issue. This Amendment ensures that Americans icy against federal funding of abortion. Please semi-monthly, except for the months of June, July, and August when it is pub- lished monthly, by the Most Rev. Kevin W. Vann, Bishop of the Diocese of Fort are not forced to pay for the destruction of work to ensure that this essential provision is Worth, 800 West Loop 820 South. For those who are not registered parishioners unborn children as part of needed health care included in any fi nal bill sent to the President.” in the Diocese of Fort Worth, subscription rates are $20 for one year, $40 for reform. two years, $60 for three years. Periodical postage paid at Fort Worth, Texas. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to North Texas Catholic, 800 West • The Senate must address other essential WHEN: Loop 820 South, Fort Worth, Texas 76108. moral priorities: protecting conscience rights; The Senate schedule is uncertain. Deadline for information for the North Texas Catholic is noon of Wednesday making health coverage more affordable and Act today! Thank you! of the week before the paper is published. The NTC is published two times a accessible for those in need; and ensuring that month on Friday, except for the months of June, July, and August when it is published one time each month. immigrants do not lose or will not be denied For more information on proposed legislation The appearance of advertising in these pages does not imply endorsement of health care coverage needed for the good of and the bishops’ position on authentic health businesses, services, or products. Readers must exercise prudence in respond- their families and the health of society. care reform, visit: www.usccb.org/healthcare. ing to advertising in all media. North Texas Catholic, November 20, 2009 Page 3 Diocesan / Sports

Father Kyle Walterscheid, Philadelphia cardinal director of the Offi ce of Vocations, is shown walking esponding out of Sacred Heart Parish makes good on bet R in Muenster following his ordination to the priesthood to od’s all in May 2002. Even then, after Yankees win G C he appeared to be inviting people to PHILADELPHIA (CNS) — Af- ask if they were ter the Yankees won the 27th being called to a vocation. World Series Nov. 4, Cardinal Back to the basics Justin Rigali of Philadelphia made good on a wager with Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan in caring for patients of New York. The Yankees bested the Phil- By Father Kyle Walterscheid the emergency room wasn’t bill should respect certain rights lies four games to two to become too busy, and with some minor of existing private and indepen- the 2009 champions. n this most chal- paperwork, a nurse began to dent hospitals — such as the 624 Following the terms of the lenging subject of work on him within 30 minutes. existing Catholic hospitals in bet, Cardinal Rigali sent a box Philadelphia Phillies base runner I The nurse spent a total time of the U.S. — including religious of Tastykakes to the Big Apple to Shane Victorino is tagged out at home our time, we should about 15 minutes to prep him freedom, the conscience rights of congratulate his longtime friend plate by New York Yankees catcher and the doctor less than 10 the employees, and the institu- on the Yankees win. Had the Jorge Posada in the ninth inning in fi rst agree that because minutes to ask a few questions, tions’ commitment to medical Phillies won, Archbishop Dolan Game 1 of the 2009 Major League chart it down, and to give him ethics, while trying to restructure was to ship a dozen bagels to the Baseball World Series in New York of modern technology, 10 stitches. I was pleased with governmental regulations. The City of Brotherly Love. Oct. 28. Cardinal Justin Rigali of the medical staff and was greatly four main concerns and needs Philadelphia and Archbishop Timothy The cardinal, in a congratula- new medicines, and relieved that everything was in the U.S. bishops have pointed M. Dolan of New York placed a friendly tory note to Archbishop Dolan, the clear and that the man could out are stated as follows: wager on the outcome of the series. new treatments, our said he had “planned to enjoy (CNS photo/Mike Segar, Reuters) go on his way. But then I had • a truly universal health your New York bagels with health care is far bet- to pay the bill. I looked at the policy with respect for human Philadelphia Cream Cheese after several years he even served as bill in disbelief. “Five hundred life and dignity; another Phillies world champi- my archbishop, so I feel a particu- ter than 20 years ago dollars!” Murmuring under my • access for all, with a onship.” With the Yankee win, he lar loyalty to him. I know he has breath, I went ahead and paid special concern for the poor and said, the “loss of our wager stings exquisite taste in most matters. and several tiers above the bill on my credit card. But inclusion of immigrants; a little less” knowing how much I just wish he had better taste anything offered 30 or that’s not all; a “fi nal bill” came • pursuing the common the archbishop would enjoy the in baseball teams,” Archbishop in a month later for an additional good and preserving pluralism, “taste of Philadelphia.” Dolan said in a statement when 40 years ago, yet we six hundred dollars. Enraged, I including freedom of conscience Cardinal Rigali also men- they made the friendly bet. could have burned the collar off and a variety of options; tioned a possible rematch next Archbishop Dolan was or- must admit health care my neck at the time, but, as you • restraining costs and year, citing the “talented nucle- dained a priest of the St. Louis know, that kind of bill is nothing applying them equitably across us” returning to the Phillies for Archdiocese in 1976, and from costs have gotten out in comparison to those who are the spectrum of payers. the next season. 1994 to 2003 then-Archbishop of control. seriously ill and whose bills can As the U.S. bishops have stat- The cardinal and the arch- Rigali was head of the archdio- easily run into hundreds of thou- ed, “Our nation is at a crossroads. bishop made the wager Oct. 27. cese. The New York archbishop In the summer of 1996, I was sands of dollars in a few weeks’ Policies adopted in health care “Cardinal Rigali is one of my also was an auxiliary bishop in in the city of Morelia, Mexico, time. Needless to say, health care reform will have an impact for closest and dearest friends; for St. Louis, 2001-02. studying Spanish for the fi rst costs are out of control. good or ill for years to come…” time as part of my seminary Overall, doctors, hospitals, Since 240 pro-life representa- training. A few weeks into the and nursing staff should be com- tives courageously approved an program, just as I was getting mended for their direct health amendment banning funding Performance enhancers distort to feel at ease with everything, I care to patients for, as I said at for abortions, Cardinal Francis came down with food poisoning the beginning, the overall care George, president of the United true nature of sports, pope says from the evening meal I ate with of patients has increased signifi - States Conference of Catholic VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Ath- its positive aspects, such as its my host family. I was vomiting cantly. However, the care for the Bishops stated, “We will work letes must avoid practices that “capacity to stimulate competi- repeatedly, and the father of the ill and the injured should be seen to persuade the Senate to follow damage human health, especially tiveness, courage, and the tenac- house woke up in the middle of as primary and one’s ability to the example of the House and the use of performance-enhanc- ity to fulfi ll one’s goals.” the night to see what was wrong. pay as secondary, and yet many include these critical safeguards ing drugs, said Pope Benedict Catholic sports associations He immediately called a doctor times the ability to pay is part of in their version of health care XVI. and educators “must see them- and made an appointment. At 3 what is standing in the way of reform legislation.” Sports play an important role selves as experienced guides a.m. we arrived at the doctor’s equitable health care for all. Abortion is not health care! in providing the well-rounded for young people, helping them house. The doctor had a clinic Along those same lines a more Our universal vocation to care education that young people ur- develop their athletic potential next to the house, and he checked serious defect in our health care for the sick comes from Mat- gently need, he said in a message without neglecting those human me out for 15 minutes and sent costs is the inability of hospital thew 25:36, “I was… ill and to a Vatican-sponsored seminar qualities and Christian virtues us away with a prescription. The administrators, insurance com- you cared for me” which is dia- on sports. that make a person fully mature,” charge: only 10 dollars! With less panies, and the pharmaceutical metrically opposed to “I was ill However, athletes must avoid he said. than 10 dollars for a prescription industry to work together to and you took advantage of me.” anything that distorts the true “Through sports activities, the at a 24-hour pharmacy, I was signifi cantly lower the cost of Fight now for a leaner health nature of sports such as “turn- church community contributes resting comfortably and asleep health care for all of the people care system that puts doctors, ing to practices that damage the to young people’s education, by 5 a.m. in each state. practitioners, and nurses back body as is the case with doping,” providing an appropriate envi- On the other hand, about The current top down policy in charge of caring for the sick he said. ronment for human and spiritual fi ve years ago a man at a parish coming from Congress looks and against an industry whose The Pontifi cal Council for the growth,” said the pope. I was serving at the time had a like a disaster waiting to hap- primary concern seems to be Laity’s church and sports desk “In fact when sporting initia- heavy object drop on his head, pen. This may be partially why about how much to charge the organized a gathering Nov. 6-7 tives are aimed at the full devel- and it caused a small gash on the the U.S. bishops have com- sick. For more information visit dedicated to “Sports, Education opment of the person and are crown of his head that wasn’t municated their deep concerns www.fwdioc.org. and Faith: A New Season for run by qualifi ed and competent too serious. But because of a and willingness to vigorously Father Kyle Walterscheid is Catholic Sports Associations.” personnel, they become fruitful lawsuit-happy society, I insisted oppose, if not revised, each the director of Vocations for the In his written message, the occasions in which priests, reli- he go to the emergency room of the existing bills set before Diocese of Fort Worth. He can be pope asked that the Church con- gious, and laity can become true to get it checked out and to get Congress. Therefore, without reached by e-mail to kwalterscheid@ tinue to support athletic activity educators and teachers of life for stitched up. To my surprise, overreaching, any health care fwdioc.org. for young people and to highlight young people,” he said. Page 4 North Texas Catholic, November 20, 2009 St. Francis to Carmelite auxil- Youth pro-life Missionary Im- host presen- iary hosts ‘Ad- lock-in to be ages of Our tation on the vent Quiet Day’ held Dec. 4 at Lady to visit meaning of The Auxiliary to the Discalced PeoplePeople St. Andrew’s North Texas Carmelite Nuns of the Most Holy Christmas Trinity located at 5801 Mount St. Andrew Parish, 3717 Sta- During the month of November, dium Dr., Fort Worth, will host St. Mark and Immaculate Concep- St. Francis of Assisi Parish, 861 Carmel Dr. in Arlington, will a pro-life lock-in for teens in tion Parishes in Denton will host Wildwood Lane, Grapevine, will hold its annual “Advent Quiet seventh to 12th grades from 6 p.m. a visit from the Missionary Image host a presentation by Dr. A.J. Day” on Wednesday, Dec. 2 at the Friday, Dec. 4, to 7 a.m. Saturday, of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The Whiting Monday, Nov. 30, at 7 monastery in Arlington. EventsEvents Dec. 5. Due to the mature nature Missionary Images are actual size p.m. in the parish hall. All are welcome to attend. Fa- ther James Hart, chancellor for &of Importance for the of the abortion material to be (4’ x 6’) replicas of the original Whiting will conduct an & covered at the lock-in, organizers Miraculous Image of Our Lady, adult discussion on the mean- the diocese, will be the speaker/ Church of Fort Worth are discouraging attendance by which she left on St. Juan Diego’s ing of Christmas with topics presenter. younger students. The event will tilma. They were blessed at the such as “WWJD?, Sit on Santa’s The program will begin at 10 include the celebration of Mass, Basilica of Our Lady of Guada- lap?” “Who is Santa anyway?” a.m., and Mass will be at approxi- two hours of workshop interactive lupe in Mexico by the rector of “WJ play dreidl?” and “What mately noon, followed by lunch. pro-life presentations. Adoration the Basilica to bring conversions, does that mean?” The program Participants are asked to bring of the Blessed Sacrament will be reverence for life, sanctity of will delve into the past to dis- a sack lunch. Beverages will be available all night. the family, and solidarity of the cover the “who, what, where, provided. The Quiet Day will end While the objective of the Church in America. how and why we do what we do at approximately 2:30 p.m. after lock-in is pro-life and the lessons The Images have visited each to one of the largest Christian Benediction. taught are in accordance with of the United States in over one celebrations of the year and the This is also an opportunity to what the United States Conference thousand parishes and will be in largest celebration on every retail donate items to the Carmelite of Catholic Bishops advises, most Denton and Fort Worth in No- calendar,” according to promo- sisters, who are in need of paper of the night will be fun-filled with vember. All Catholics are invited tion material. Participants are goods and appreciate donations events including a concert, food, to participate at one or more of invited to bring a Christmas treat of any kind, say event organiz- a variety of sports tournaments the following locations: St. Mark to share over coffee. ers. OUR LADY OF GRACE YOUTH FOR LIFE — During the 40 Days for including basketball, dodge ball Church, Denton, Friday, Nov. 20, For more information, contact the For questions or more informa- Life, a group of Youth for Life students at Our Lady of Grace High and volleyball, movies, and board to Sunday, Nov. 22 (will coincide parish offi ce at (817) 481-2685. tion, contact Debbie Kerschen at (817) 925-5605. School in Roanoke set up a display of 1,225 pink and blue flags games. The cost of the event is $30 with 40 hours of Eucharistic outside the school with a sign that read “1225 babies died while you with early registration by Nov. 26 Adoration); University of North St. Frances Mount Carmel were at work today... each flag represents a baby who lost their life and $36 at the door. Texas Campus Catholic Center, Cabrini to host to abortion during the last 8 hours.” Throughout the 40 days, the Chaperones will be asked to Denton, Sunday, Nov. 22, 7:30 Center to host group received both positive and negative responses for the display choose “stations” to oversee p.m. Mass; Immaculate Concep- Christmas con- from several people who called or stopped at the school. during the night. Since this is a tion Church, Denton, Wednesday, Advent Morning fundraising event for scholarships Nov. 25, evening Mass; Divine cert Dec. 20 to attend the March for Life in Mercy Book Store, Denton, Friday, of Refl ection Washington, D.C., organizers are St. Frances Cabrini Parish, NTC publication deadlines Nov. 27; St. Patrick Cathedral, Fort Mount Carmel Center, 4600 W. requesting that chaperones pay 2301 Acton Hwy., Granbury, will Worth, Sunday, Nov. 29, 12:30 Davis St., Dallas, will present an The North Texas Catholic is published twice monthly, except during $15 to cover the cost of expenses, host “The Gift of Love Christmas p.m. Mass; Loreto House Preg- Advent Morning of Reflection: the months of June, July, and August when it is published monthly. including T-shirt and food, and to Concert” Sunday, Dec. 20, from 5 nancy Resource Center, Denton, Décor Carmeli/Queen Beauty of The deadline to submit information is noon on the Wednesday of bring a donation of large bags of to 7 p.m. The concert will feature Tuesday, Nov. 24. Carmel Saturday, Dec. 12, from 10 the week before the paper is published. snacks and two-liter sodas. a variety of talent from St. Fran- For updates on times and loca- a.m. to noon. The conference will Submit items to [email protected]. Items for the Dec. 4 issue The pilgrimage to Washington, ces Cabrini.Refreshments will tions of the Missionary Image, examine the Blessed Virgin Mary must be received by noon on Nov. 25. Items for the Dec. 18 issue DC, will take place Thursday, Jan. visit the Denton ACTS Web site be served following the concert. must be received by noon on Dec. 9. All are invited to enjoy the spirit as the model of contemplative 21 to Sunday, Jan. 24. Round-trip at www.dentonacts.org. of Christmas with family and expectation and active receptivity direct flights have been booked loved ones. for all believers. on American Airlines for $260 Tickets are $35 per family or Participants may bring a lunch Our Lady of Vic- Couple to Cou- departing DFW at 8 a.m. on Courage group $20 per person and are avail- and stay for personal prayer until tory celebrates ple League Thursday and returning at 8:30 able following each Mass and at 4 p.m. The suggested minimum p.m. Sunday. Two Franciscan meets twice the parish office. Proceeds from donation is $25 and the deadline 100 years at Pa- begins NFP Friars of the Renewal will be ac- monthly the event will benefit St. Frances to register is Dec. 3. companying the teens along with Cabrini Church. For more information, call rade of Lights classes Dec. 13 six chaperones. The cost of hotel, Courage D/FW, a spiritual support For more information, con- (214) 331-6224 or visit the Web As part of its 100th anniversary, The Couple to Couple League food, and other expenses will be group for Catholics striving to live tact the parish office at (817) site at www.mountcarmelcenter. Our Lady of Victory School will offers classes in the sympto- approximately $275 for a total trip chaste lives according to the Catholic 326-2131. org. enter a float in the Chesapeake thermal method of natural cost of about $535. The trip will Church’s teachings on homosexual- Energy Parade of Lights in down- family planning for married include the Mass for Life at the ity, meets the second and fourth town Fort Worth on Nov. 27, the and engaged couples. Since the Basilica of the National Shrine, Friday evenings of each month. Friday after Thanksgiving. course consists of three classes Youth Mass at the Verizon Center, For more information, e-mail to According to the school’s entry at monthly intervals, engaged a visit to the Holocaust museum [email protected] or call form, the float will display a couples are encouraged to attend and Franciscan Monastery Rep- (972) 938-5433. reproduction of the original Our a course beginning at least four lica of the Holy Lands, and a tour Lady of Victory School building months before their wedding. to national monuments as well as facade and will feature students To register for a course starting other important landmarks. Windthorst dressed as OLV founding priest Dec. 13 at 2 p.m. at St. John the For more information, visit Knights to hold Father Nicholas Minsart and Apostle Church, 7341 Glenview www.catholicsrespectlife.org or Sister Claire of Jesus, the first Dr., North Richland Hills, contact contact Sue Laux at (817) 939- annual sausage provincial of the Sisters of Saint Andrew and Samantha Mudd at 8595 or [email protected]. Mary of Namur. (817) 284-5117. meal Dec. 6 For more information about the To register for a supplemen- The Windthorst Knights of Parade of Lights, visit the parade’s tal postpartum class (for those St. Rita NJHS Columbus Council #1824 wish to Web site at www.fortworthparad- couples who have previously invite everybody to their Annual eoflights.org. attended a CCL course) on Dec. raises scholar- German Sausage Meal from 11 11 at 6 p.m. at Sacred Heart a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. Catholic Daugh- Church, 1501 Ninth St., Wichita ship money 6, in the St. Mary’s Parish Hall at Falls, contact Jacob and Lauren for children in the corners of Highways 281, 25, ters plan Santa Morath at (940) 544-2515. and 174 in Archer County. Food Visit www.ccldfw.org for more Patzún includes all you can eat home- Shop fundraiser class dates and information. made German sausage, spare The National Junior Honor Catholic Daughters of America ribs, and sauerkraut, trimmings, Society of St. Rita School in Mary Mother of Mercy Court including desert, and drink. St. Philip to Fort Worth is in its third year of 2143, based out of Our Lady of Take-out orders will be available. raising financial assistance for Mercy Church in Hillsboro, will hold craft fair Tickets are $10 for adults, and children in Patzún, Guatemala. host its major fundraiser — a St. Philip Church, located at $5 for children 12 and younger. The financial assistance for one VETERANS DAY, ST. PETER SCHOOL — Sam and Amanda “Santa Shop” — from 3:30 to 6 1897 W. Main St. in Lewisville, will Raw sausage will be sold for $3 year of education is $100 each. DeSante, parishioners of St. Peter the Apostle Church in Fort p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, and 8:30 host a craft cair from 9 a.m. to 2 per pound, and home-baked St. Rita’s NJHS has chosen to Worth, are retired members of the military. They are pictured a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6. p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5. All proceeds goods will be available from join with the parish in actively here with their children, Michael (6th grade), Mandy, and Gifts will be available for as low as will go to charity. Vendors and the Catholic Daughters of the sponsoring five children, and Billy (4th grade), at a reception the eighth grade class held $1, along with homemade treats. shoppers interested in attending Americas. Handicap seating and will raise money by having bake Nov. 13 at St. Peter the Apostle School for retired and current Proceeds from this event will be should contact Nancy Estes at parking is available. For more sales, “buck a jean” days, and members of the military and their families. distributed to various charities [email protected], or call Pat information, contact Jerry Horn collecting donations. throughout the year. at (940) 458-3766. at (940) 423-6444. North Texas Catholic, November 20, 2009 Page 5 People and Events Cursillo com- Friends of Sis- munity plans ters of St. Mary St. Bartholomew parishioner second retreat of Namur plan earns Eagle Scout award David Marquardt of Boy for Cursillistas celebration Scout Troop 75 in Weatherford The Fort Worth Cursillo Com- The Sisters of Saint Mary of has earned the rank of Eagle munity is hosting a “Cursillo of Namur will be celebrating 137 Scout, Scouting’s highest Cursillos” Dec. 10-13. Cursillo of years of service in 2010. Friends honor, which is earned by Cursillos is a three-day weekend of Sisters of Saint Mary of Namur approximately five percent for all Cursillistas held Thurs- are in the planning process to of all Boy Scouts. day evening through Sunday celebrate the sister’s years of To earn this award, Mar- ALL SAINTS DAY, CHRIST THE KING, IOWA PARK — In celebra- afternoon. All attendees will be service. quardt had to earn 21 merit tion of All Saints Day, the children of Christ the King Parish in Iowa cloistered for the weekend. Two separate events have been badges, serve as a leader in his Park processed into Mass dressed as their favorite saints. During “Cursillistas have often said scheduled, one for Saturday, troop, and complete a major a presentation after Mass, each child gave a history of their saint they would like to relive their March 6, at Nolan Catholic High community service project. and described something special about them. weekend,” say event organizers. School in Fort Worth and a sec- Marquardt’s service project The weekend, they say, will give ond Saturday, April 24, at Bishop took place at the Hudson Oaks those who have been on previous Dunne High School in Dallas. Public Safety Building last retreats a chance to do so. Event organizers are inviting spring. The project included David Marquardt 4th Degree Advent recon- The retreat material, which was all to join in celebrating with landscape beautification at Knights of Co- ciliation service originally in Spanish, has recently the sisters. To volunteer for this the front of the facility along positions, and participated been translated into English. celebration, e-mail ssmn137@ with the planting of sod in a this summer in a hiking trek lumbus to cel- for Deaf Com- This weekend will be the second gmail.com. 3,200 square-foot area. of approximately 100 miles ebrate annual munity to be Cursillo of Cursillos in the United Because this facility is the at Philmont Scout Ranch in States to be held in English. Ministry with headquarters for the Hud- Cimarron, New Mexico. He is Thanksgiving held Dec. 13 The weekend consists of three son Oaks Police and Fire a junior at Weatherford High days of talks and meditations gay, lesbian Departments, Marquardt School and plays on the junior Memorial Mass The Deaf Community Advent that are spiritually challenging, additionally arranged for the varsity basketball team. Reconciliation Service will be enlightening, and enriching to Catholics construction and placement After high school he plans Fourth Degree Knights of held at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. Cursillistas who desire to grow of two dedication markers as to attend college and major Columbus General Worth As- 13, at the chapel for St. John the and be renewed in their under- anounces holi- a permanent honor for these in finance. Marquardt and sembly will celebrate its annual Apostle Church, 7341 Glenview standing of and commitment day schedule public safety officers. his family live in Hudson Thanksgiving Day Memorial Mass Dr., North Richland Hills. to the Cursillo Movement. The Marquardt has been a mem- Oaks and are parishioners at The regular monthly meeting of at 10 a.m. Nov. 26 at the Discalced “Celebrate the season of Advent purpose is to become stronger ber of Troop 75 for five years, St. Bartholomew Church in The Fort Worth Diocesan Ministry Carmelite Convent, 5801 Mount by preparing your heart and mind leaders in the Cursillo Move- has served in six leadership Fort Worth. With Lesbian and Gay Catholics, Carmel Dr., Arlington. for Christ,” says Mary Cinatl, ment, both as individuals and as Other Sexual Minorities and The Mass will be held in honor director of Deaf Ministry. a community. Their Families will not be held in and memory of the Sir Knights Father Ken Robinson will cel- Space is limited, so those November and December due to who have passed away during ebrate Mass and hear confessions planning to attend should make the Thanksgiving and Christmas the past fraternal year. The in American Sign Language, arrangements as soon as possible. K of C Bishop Dunne Council 2813 holidays. All who are interested chalice blessed at this Mass will English, and Spanish. The application can be download- are invited to attend a vesper be engraved with the names of Attendees are encouraged to ed at www.fortworthcursillo.org. to celebrate 70th anniversary Dec. 5 service at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sir Knights Fr. Carl Szura, TOR, bring their Bibles and rosaries to For more information, call Mary The Knights of Columbus Night” with a Mass at 6 p.m. and Dec. 10, at the Catholic Renewal Felix A. Gloden, and William pray with while they wait. Jean Nagy at (817) 226-1110, Bishop Dunne Council 2813 is a reception and dinner to follow. Center Chapel, 4503 Bridge Street, “Bill” Gilpin. For more information please or e-mail her at or boonagy@ celebrating its 70th anniversary. The cost of the dinner is $10 Fort Worth. A potluck dinner will Father Anh Tran, the assembly’s contact Mary Cinatl at mcinatl@ yahoo.com. The council, named after Bishop per person or $20 per family. A follow. Meat will be provided. chaplain, will celebrate the Mass, fwdioc.org. Edward Joseph Dunne, the second complimentary 50-page booklet The next regular meeting will and the Carmelite nuns will bishop of Dallas, was chartered of the history of the council will be held Thursday, Jan. 28, at 7 provide the music. Ray Herrera December 10, 1939 and held its be given to each family attending. p.m. at the Catholic Renewal is faithful navigator of the as- Jesse Manibusan to perform Dec. 2 first meeting in the basement of Reservations are required. Center. For more information, sembly, and Lonnie Brown, the Internationally recognized Dec. 2 at St. Paul the Apostle Laneri High School. The council For more information or to contact Father Warren Murphy, assembly’s past faithful navigator, Catholic recording artist Jesse Church at 5508 Black Oak Lane is presently located at 4500 Co- make a reservation, call Bill Miller TOR, at (817) 927-5383, Dorene is the chairman of the ceremony. Manibusan will perform an “Ad- in Fort Worth. lumbus Trail in Fort Worth. at (817) 292-4044, Don Rejda at Rose at (817) 329-7370, or Sister The public is welcome to attend vent Concert of Song and Praise” For more information, call The anniversary will be cel- (817) 293-5699 or Drew Armen- Dorothy Eggering, SSND, at (817) the Memorial Mass. from 7 to 8:15 p.m. Wednesday, (817) 738-9925. ebrated Dec. 5 in lieu of “Family trout at (817) 244-9595. 283-8601. North Texas Catholics inducted Diocese’s Meg Hogan elected into Knights of the Holy Sepulchre to Canon Law Society of Several members of the Diocese of Fort Worth were invested as members America’s board of governors of the Equestrian Order of Meg Romano Hogan, the pastoral ministry of the Holy Sepulchre of Jeru- JCL, director of the Mar- the Church, to cooperate salem at a ceremony held riage Tribunal for the in the continuous revision during the annual meet- Diocese of Fort Worth since and renewal of the univer- ing of the Southwestern 2007, has been elected a sal law of the Church, to Lieutenancy in Houston in junior consultor and will encourage and participate October. Cardinal Daniel serve a three-year term in canonical research, to DiNardo, Grand Prior of on the board of governors respond to the practical the Order and Archbishop of the Canon Law Society canonical needs of all the Meg Hogan, JCL, director of the of Galveston-Houston pre- of America (CLSA). The people of God, to facilitate diocese’s Marriage Tribunal, sided at the investiture. election took place at the the interchange of canoni- was lected to the Canon Law Pictured (Left to Right) are new member Suzanne de Decker and Those invested include CLSA annual convention, cal ideas, to cooperate with Society of America’s board her husband Bill, Molly and Michael Hyry, Cardinal DiNardo, and of governors at the society’s Suzanne de Decker of St. Rick and Linda Creel. “Preparing the Harvest: others doing research in Patrick Cathedral, Molly Service in the Lord’s Vine- other sacred sciences, and annual convention in October. and Michael Hyry of St. clergy whose mission is witness to their faith. The yard,” held Oct. 11-15 in to establish a dialogue with Andrew Church in Fort to sustain and assist the Southwestern Lieutenancy Louisville, Kentucky. other canon law societies in ters are located in Wash- Worth, and Rick and Linda works of the Church in the consists of EOHSJ mem- The CLSA, founded in the world. ington, D.C. The society’s Creel of St. Frances Cabrini Holy Land, to preserve, bers from Arkansas, New 1939 by a group of canon- The CLSA is governed membership now includes Church in Granbury. propagate and defend the Mexico, Oklahoma, and ists in Washington, D.C., by the members of the more than 1,400 men and The Equestrian Order is faith and presence of the Texas. There are currently states in its constitution board of governors, all of women from the 35 coun- a world-wide apostolate of Church in the Holy Land, 132 members in the Fort that its purpose as an or- whom are elected by the tries, including the United lay men and women and and to live a life of faithful Worth section. ganization is to promote membership. Its headquar- States, Canada, and Italy. Page 6 North Texas Catholic, November 20, 2009 Diocesan Franciscan community, North Texas parisioners bid farewell to Father Jovian Lang, OFM, 1919-2009 By Nicki Prevou was especially expert in matters even at his advanced age. I just Editorial Assistant relating to church liturgy.” loved him dearly.” Friar Jovian P. Lang, OFM, 90, Fr. Lang then assisted at St. Fr. Lang’s fellow monks a priest of the Franciscan Province John the Apostle Church in North remember him as a voracious of the Sacred Heart who gave 13 Richland Hills from 1997-1999, reader and gifted writer, whose years of service to the Diocese working with then-pastor Mon- work was regularly published of Fort Worth, died Nov. 4 in signor Charles King. Mary Cinatl, in Catholic journals and educa- Springfi eld, Illinois. The Mass of director of the Deaf Ministry tion publications. Friendly and Christian Burial was celebrated Program for the Diocese of Fort outgoing, the priest served as Nov. 7 in the chapel at Villa West Worth, fondly recalled the kindly a longtime friend and spiritual in Sherman, Illinois. Interment priest whose offi ce adjoined her director to prizefi ghter Sugar was in the Friars’ Plot of Calvary own during the years Fr. Lang Ray Robinson, whom he met Friar Jovian P. Lang, OFM, is pictured Cemetery in Springfi eld. spent living in the rectory and in 1955 during a train ride to a here in a photo taken during the 1970’s Peter Lang was born June 2, working at St. John’s. library science convention in (left) and in another photo taken in 1919, in Sioux City, Iowa, the son more recent years (above). “He was so extremely intelli- Milwaukee. of Peter and Margaret Horvath gent,” she said. “He was learning Fr. Lang moved into full Lang. In 1939 he entered the novi- also served as an educator in Beloved at St. Catherine’s, to use the computer, and he was retirement in 2005 when he left tiate of the Order of Friars Minor speech and library science at li- where he assisted pastor Father very focused upon learning com- St. Maximilian Kolbe Friary at (Franciscans) and was given the braries and universities in Illinois, Tom Craig, Fr. Lang celebrated puter skills so he could continue St. Francis Village in Crowley religious name of “Jovian.” After Florida, and New York before his 50th anniversary of ordina- to share his writing. He would to live at Our Lady of Angels his fi rst profession in 1940 and moving in 1992 to Texas, where tion at the parish in 1996. “He not ask for help unless he was Friary at Villa West in Sherman, solemn profession of vows Aug. he served as priest in residence was truly a compendium of absolutely forced to do so. He was Illinois, due to failing health. He 23, 1943, he was ordained a priest at St. Catherine of Siena Church Catholic knowledge,” said Fr. so humble, so devoted to his writ- is survived by his sister Charlotte June 20, 1946 at St. Joseph Semi- in Carrollton until 1997. While Craig, now pastor of St. Vincent ing, and yet never really talked Melland of Missouri; a brother, nary in Teutopolis, Illinois. living in Texas, Fr. Lang taught de Paul Church in Arlington. about his accomplishments. He Phillip Lang of Houston; and He served as a professor and library and information science “He was extremely learned and was just so focused upon service, several nieces and nephews. librarian at the Franciscans’ for eight years at the University of Quincy College (now University) North Texas and Texas Woman’s in Quincy, Illinois, for a total of University in Denton. From 1958 20 years. While at the college, until 1995, he also prepared and he helped to plan a new library, edited the Ordo, which provides hosted a radio program on speech the order, instructions, and op- therapy, and played the cello for tions to Franciscans for praying school productions. the Liturgy of the Hours and for Through the years, Fr. Lang celebrating the Eucharist.

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Our Lady of Guadalupe Feast Day celebration at St. Patrick Cathedral The celebration of the Our of the Blessed Mother during the Lady of Guadalupe Feast Day, offertory. held for the second consecutive Following the liturgy, an out- year at St. Patrick Cathedral, 1206 door reception will be held and Throckmorton St. in downtown will include light refreshments Fort Worth, will begin with the and musical performances. The traditional 5 a.m. Mañanitas regularly scheduled cathedral serenade in honor of the Blessed Masses will be held at 8 a.m. and Virgin Mary Saturday, Dec. 12. at 12:05 p.m., and a 7 p.m. Mass will be offered in English and Bishop Kevin Vann will pre- Veterans from St. Mary’s Parish in Gainesville were honored at the 8:15 a.m. Mass Friday, Nov. 13, side at the bilingual, festive Mass, Spanish with a reception follow- followed with a brunch in the parish hall. Each of the veterans received a blessed red, white, and beginning at 6 a.m. Father Richard ing. Rosaries, prayer services, a blue rosary made by St. Mary’s School students. Payton Cassidy, student council president, addressed Flores, rector of the cathedral, procession in honor of the Blessed the veterans, thanking them for their service to their country. Present were (front row, left to right): will concelebrate, as mariachi Virgin, and performances will be Leonard Wiese, Frederick Schmitz, Julian Smith, Eddie Grewing, Bill West, Mike Dudenhoeffer, Clent musicians lead the congregation offered throughout the day. For Vandagriff, Julius Haverkamp, Al Dudenhoeffer, Frank Krebs, Merced Carrio, Jr., Joe Schmitz, Doug in song and local dance groups more information, call the cathe- Reiter, (second row) Jimmy Prescher, Jimmy Kupper, Bill Lange, Pat Benton, Leroy Schmidlkofer, N.J. perform special dances in honor dral offi ce at (817) 332-4915. Roessner, Don Thacker, Elmo Self, Richard Lira, James Krahl, Bill Beebe, Robert Bauer, Rupert Hoenig, Bill Metzler, Walter Wolf, and Walter Vickers. WANTED: Career Life Agents HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A SUCCESS? In this Year of the Priest  Interested in serving your fellow Catholics?  Active in your parish? for the glory and praise  Love your Catholic faith? of the Lord, thank you  Have sales experience? For information, visit our web site at Father Anh for your service kofc.org/agentcareers. If interested, send your resume to John Regan, CFP, General Agent, at St. Francis of Assisi at [email protected] in Grapevine or call (972) 599-2803. Page 8 North Texas Catholic, November 20, 2009 Diocesan / National Bishop urges health care workers, students, to view healing as a ministry at annual White Mass Oct. 21

Story and Photos by from the Book of Sirach and the Joan Kurkowski-Gillen Acts of the Apostles pertained Correspondent to healing. Health care workers are “Everybody here represents trained to deal with unexpected, a ministry, a calling, a vocation, adverse circumstances. That abil- a presence of the healing Christ ity to cope with less than perfect spoken of in the Gospels,” said conditions helped more than 75 Bishop Kevin Vann who cel- health care workers brave tor- ebrated the Mass. “The white rential rains, fl ooded streets, and coats worn by the medical stu- hazardous driving conditions to dents remind us of the light and attend the annual White Mass brightness you bring to the chal- celebrated Oct. 21 at St. Patrick lenging situations and people Cathedral in downtown Fort you meet.” Worth. The bishop asked the doctors Bishop Vann, accompanied on the altar Hosted by the Medical As- and nurses to use the White Mass Members of the Medical Association of Catholic Students at the Mass included by Deacon Bruce Corbett, who serves sociation of Catholic Students as an opportunity to remember Jenna Fletcher, Lawrence Mendiola (front row) Abu Joseph, and Sheila Mendez. as a hospital chaplain, receives the (MACS), the event recognizes health care workers who served, gifts at the offertory from Abu Joseph. professionals who care for the inspired, and guided their lives. we were going to get better,” he Gospel, ‘Your daughter will sick and is scheduled as close as A former hospital lab technician recounted. live.’” possible to the Oct. 18 feast day himself, the bishop recalled men- Bishop Vann also praised Father Raphael Eagle, TOR, of St. Luke the Evangelist — the tors from his own past who left members of the Catholic Health a hospital chaplain at Cook patron saint of physicians and an impression. Care Association of the United Children’s Medical Center for 11 surgeons. One of them, a Franciscan States for, “bringing the faith years, said the White Mass helps The term “White Mass” refers sister, taught his mother in nurs- dimension to their profession people in the medical profession to the traditional white coats ing school and later returned to and reminding the world that view their work as something and uniforms worn by hospital hospital fl oor duty where she God is not at a distance, but in more than a career. personnel. White, the color that worked the same graveyard shift our midst especially when we “It’s a way of putting a spiri- symbolizes purity and light in the he did. need his grace and mercy the tual dimension to the work of Church, has a similar meaning in “She wanted to work at night most.” healing,” he explains. “So much Nancy Eder, school nurse for the diocesan Catholic Schools Department, the medical community. when people were really sick,” Speaking from the cathedral’s of Jesus’ life was a healing min- chats at the White Mass reception “This is an opportunity for the bishop said, explaining the pulpit, he advised the small as- istry. That’s why the Church with home health care nurse Debbie Catholic health care workers reason for her 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. sembly of medical professionals gives special recognition to the Castellarin. to come together and honor ministry. “The darkness always to remember the power of Christ medical professionals in the our patron saint,” said Miriam seems to bring out the pain of and what he teaches not only at White Mass. They’re continuing the nursing profession said her Garcia, a medical student at the illness even more.” the bedside of patients but in the healing ministry that God deepening faith helps her care University of North Texas Health Another model of compas- all decisions regarding life or himself began.” for the sick. Science Center. “I’m just glad sion was his family’s doctor in death. For home health care nurse “Looking into the eyes of a so many came despite the bad Springfi eld, Illinois, who cared “Let the words of the Gospel Debbie Castellarin, participat- patient and seeing Christ is so weather.” for the brood of six Vann children and readings inspire, strengthen ing in the White Mass was a comforting on a stressful day,” As president of MACS, she as they grew up. us, and motivate us to know we new experience she shared she explained. “Whether it’s a planned the liturgy and recep- “Whether we went to his of- represent something beyond the with her husband, a nuclear late night or things are just go- tion with former president, Katie fi ce or he came to our home, Dr. present moment,” he concluded. medicine technician, and their ing wrong, it’s a reminder of the White. Readings they selected Max’s reassuring presence meant “Rely on Christ who said in the children. The 30-year veteran of reason I’m there.” African-American Catholic organization celebrates 100 years WASHINGTON (CNS) — The Perry explained. Members in local entities, such Mass during the convention, Fa- He said the group’s founders Knights of Peter Claver, the The founders of the Knights as Knights’ Council and Ladies’ ther Edward Chiffriller, superior would be astonished at the social nation’s largest lay organization of Peter Claver “wanted to create Court 89 in East Fort Worth, volun- general of the Josephites, recalled changes that have taken place in for African-American Catholics, something for African-American teer at soup kitchens, and provide the obstacles of discrimination recent years. celebrated its 100th anniversary men by way of spiritual direction aid for single mothers. They also that black Catholics faced over “They should be pleased with Nov. 7. (and) charity,” he said. award scholarships, in particular the years, including worshipping their vision to love the church and The group’s national chap- Following the organizational for Xavier University of New Or- in segregated churches, sitting in nation, even when they were not lain, Auxiliary Bishop Joseph N. model of the Knights of Columbus, leans, the nation’s only historically “colored only” pews, or waiting loved in return,” he said. Perry of Chicago, explained the four Josephite priests and three black Catholic college. They also to receive Communion after all Bishop Perry said the centen- signifi cance of the Knights and laymen founded the Knights of help fund care and research for white parishioners had received nial is a place to stop and refl ect their organization’s century of Peter Claver in Mobile, Alabama, diseases that disproportionately the Eucharist. on the changes in American society endurance. Nov. 7, 1909, with an initial mem- affect African-Americans, such as But “in spite of all this,” black and the strength of the Catholic “Their importance stems from bership of 40 men. They choose sickle cell anemia and diabetes. Catholics “remained faithful to faith. their origin in a different social as their patron St. Peter Claver, “As a member of the Knights their Catholic faith,” he said. “Isn’t “When you consider the whole climate, where African-Americans a 17th-century Jesuit priest from of Peter Claver, you come with it amazing what God’s grace can social saga of blacks in this coun- were not generally accepted in Spain who ministered to slaves your palms face down, not face do?” try,” he said, “this is a singular various clubs, organizations, or in what is now Colombia. up. You don’t come in asking for During that liturgy’s closing institution that happens to be out lodges of that nature,” he said. A women’s division, the Ladies something. Our philosophy is giv- remarks, Archbishop Wilton D. of the church, church-sponsored, In the early 20th century, black Auxiliary, was added in 1922, as ing,” said Gene Phillips, a native of Gregory of Atlanta, who served that has survived the laws of seg- Catholics needed an alternative to were youth programs, the Junior Louisiana who settled in Houston. as the first black president of regation and discrimination, and secular fraternal organizations. Knights and Junior Daughters, He is the supreme knight, the high- the United States Conference of has gone through the whole saga Membership in some groups, such in the 1930s. Although they are est elected leadership position in Catholic Bishops from 2001-2004, of the civil rights struggle and has as Freemasonry, was forbidden by most heavily concentrated in the men’s organization. reiterated how the intrepid men survived. Somehow the church the Catholic Church, yet in many Louisiana and Texas, it has about The organization’s 94th annual — and later the women in the has been able to hold a group of cases those groups were the only 18,000 members in more than 400 convention from July 28-Aug. 7 in auxiliary — who founded the people within its faith and tradi- option available to black men in parishes in the United States and New Orleans kicked off the anni- Knights of Peter Claver were the tion and given them signs of hope the age of segregation, Bishop Colombia. versary celebration. At an Aug. 2 answer to fi ghting discrimination. despite that troubled history.” North Texas Catholic, November 20, 2009 Page 9 Diocesan After 80 years, Our Mother of Mercy Church, a historically black parish, leaves a Legacy of Hope By Nicki Prevou Editorial Assistant Photos by Donna Ryckaert he exuberant 80th anniversary Tday of events cel- ebrated Oct. 25 at the his- torically African-Ameri- can Our Mother of Mercy Church in Fort Worth

(OMM), included all the Brittany and Brooklyn Masters, students at OMM School, pass out aspects of a truly festive Members of the 80th anniversary planning committee pose with Bishop Vann. Pictured, from left to right, are Deborah chocolates to guests at the anniversary occasion. Graham, Judy Bell, Rose Bynum, Linda Campbell, Cynthia Sanford, Marie Barks, Bob Hazen, Ruby Robinson, Kay Norvel, reception. Frank Norvel, Evadell Ware, Ralph McCloud, Mike Barks, and Floyd Ware. Heartfelt prayer, offered throughout the vibrant Mass of formed a family where the Word Thanksgiving; the gift of shared of God could be heard over and Eucharist, reverently received by over again…. Those who came a standing-room-only crowd of before us faced all kinds of ob- parishioners; sustained gospel stacles, and yet, God gave them music, with the full participation all that they needed to establish of an enthusiastic congregation; this community.” beloved guests of honor; the shar- Later in the Mass, the prayers of ing of memories; the excitement the faithful were led by representa- OMM parishioners Christopher Jean- tive members of the congregation of elaborately dressed children as Louis, Ryann Harris, and Brittany they surveyed tables laden with — beginning with Frank Staton, Masters read the prayers of the faithful tempting treats; plenty of laughter, a parishioner for 75 years, and during the liturgy. and a few tears. And, marveled one ending with Brittany Masters, a OMM parishioner, “Hats. Lots of young pupil at Our Mother of dents’ gifts of drawings, cards, gorgeous hats!” Mercy School. At the conclusion and letters to Bishop Vann and to “Ti voglio bene, as your pastor, of the liturgy, OMM pastor Father keynote speaker and former pa- Father [Jerome] LeDoux, said in Jerome LeDoux, SVD, received a rishioner and diocesan Director of last week’s parish bulletin, means standing ovation for his rendition Community and Pastoral Services ‘I wish you well,’” Bishop Kevin of “Ave Maria,” which he sings on Ralph McCloud. McCloud cur- Bishop Kevin Vann, main celebrant at the anniversary Mass, is joined on the altar Vann, presider at the anniversary special occasions. rently serves in Washington, D.C., by OMM pastor Father Jerome G. LeDoux, SVD, Deacon Len Sanchez, Father Mass, told the congregation in the “That was such an awesome as director of the U.S. Bishops’ Louis Leonelli, CFR, and Father Emanuel Iregbu. opening remarks of his homily. thing, for all of us to hear our Catholic Campaign For Human “This expression, in Italian, is the pastor sing so beautifully,” said Development. here today.” and sacredness of every life,” he most powerful way of saying, ‘I parishioner Judy Bell, coordinator “It’s emotional for all of us to Thanks to the stories and mem- said. “They’ll understand that this love you,’ because it embodies of the 80th anniversary celebration think of the prayers of the genera- ories that are shared at the parish, is a parish that speaks out against agape, the highest form of love, that team at the parish. “Truly, we are tions of people who established future generations of parishioners racial prejudice, social injustice, is found fully in God alone.” blessed to have the bishop here on this church and made it grow,” over the next 80 years, said Mc- and inequality. They’ll know that The bishop, a familiar pres- the altar on this day, along with McCloud told the crowd of ap- Cloud, will grow up knowing with this wonderful legacy, comes ence at the parish, beamed as he our wonderful pastor, Fr. LeDoux. proximately 300 parishioners about the legacy of Our Mother of a profound responsibility.” surveyed the attentive members Also on the altar,” she said, “was who gathered at the reception. Mercy Church. of the congregation. “What a Father Emanuel Iregbu, who has “As Bishop Vann said, they faced “They’ll know wonderful day this is, what a been a guest priest at OMM over overwhelming challenges of rac- that this parish wonderful thing to celebrate this the last three years. And Father ism and poverty, and yet their hard understands special anniversary,” he said. “I Louis Leonelli, CFR, … who came work, and their devotion and faith, the need to up- do believe that the Lord would to partner with us a few months are why we are all able to gather hold the dignity say to you, Ti voglio bene today, ago and lives and works at the would he not?” Sacred Heart of Jesus Friary that is Recalling the early days of Our located directly behind the OMM Mother of Mercy Church, after rectory. its founding in 1929, the bishop “During our 80th anniver- noted that the economic challenges sary Fall Festival and Gospelf- presented by the Great Depression est a couple of weeks ago,” she and the attacks of the Ku Klux Klan recalled, “Fr. Louis sang, played could have quickly ended the life the saxophone, and even rapped of the young parish community. Christian lyrics!” “Those years were times of After Mass, a “Chocolate and great struggle, racial prejudice, Champagne” reception was held a and, indeed, anti-Catholic preju- few yards away from the church in Four generations of OMM parishioners from the Porter family dice,” refl ected the bishop. “To- the recently renovated Our Mother pose with Bishop Vann at the anniversary reception held at An animated Ralph McCloud, keynote speaker at the of Mercy School. School Principal gether in God’s plan, however, OMM School. Standing, from left to right, are Alisa White, anniversary reception, led parishioners down memory lane the people of this faith community Dr. Carolyn Yusuf presented stu- Eastlyn White, Louise Porter, and Lana Wilborn. through songs and stories. Page 10 North Texas Catholic, November 20, 2009 Viewpoints Sacred Scripture comes from and works together with Sacred Tradition By Lucas Pollice Magisterium of the Church and were and reverence. or handed on, has been entrusted exclu- declared as the “canon” of the New — Dogmatic Constitution on Divine sively to the living teaching offi ce of the ast issue, as part Testament. Revelation, 10 Church, whose authority is exercised in The canon of Scripture was fi nally the name of Jesus Christ. This teaching of our “digging complete by the fourth century of the Therefore, Scripture, although very offi ce is not above the word of God, but deeper” with Why Church. In 382, Pope Damasus I con- important, is only a part of Sacred Tra- serves it, teaching only what has been L vened a council of bishops in Rome to dition, committed to writing under the handed on, listening to it devoutly, Catholic? we discussed how settle the matter of the canon of Scrip- inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Scripture guarding it scrupulously and explain- ture. At the council, he issued a decree does not contain in itself all that Christ ing it faithfully in accord with a divine Sacred Tradition is that that fi nally offi cially listed the canon of revealed. The apostle John testifi es commission and with the help of the Holy Scripture which included the books of to this point at the end of his Gospel: Spirit, it draws from this one deposit of part of Divine Revelation the Old Testament contained in the Sep- “There are also many other things that faith everything which it presents for that is passed on orally tuagint as well as the 27 books of the Jesus did, but if these were to be de- belief as divinely revealed. New Testament. The canon was then scribed individually, I do not think the —Dogmatic Constitution on Divine through the teachings of the also affi rmed at the Synod of Bishops whole world would contain the books Revelation, 10 in Hippo in 393 A.D., and also later at that would be written” (John 21:25). Apostles as exercised in the the Synod in Carthage in 397 A.D. Both In addition, Scripture can only be THE CATHOLIC CHURCH CONTAINS synods were heavily infl uenced by properly interpreted and fully under- THE FULLNESS OF TRUTH Magisterium of the Church, St. Augustine. Therefore, after almost stood in light of the Tradition from Thus, Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradi- through the celebration of 400 years after the birth of Jesus, the which it comes. While Scripture pro- tion, and the Magisterium together are Church fi nally had her offi cial canon, vides the material part, or the “crystal- intimately joined together in faithfully the liturgy, and through the which is upheld and honored in the lization” of Tradition, it is Tradition that transmitting to all generations the full Catholic Church to this day. In 1546, the sheds its light on and pulls together and entire deposit of faith revealed by lives and faith of every per- Council of Trent offi cially defi ned the the full meaning of the Scriptures. For Christ and entrusted to the Church. canon of Scripture after the Protestant example, the Scriptures are like bricks; They are like a three-legged stool. If son who faithfully lives and Reformation questioned the integrity of they hold within themselves those all three legs are intact, the stool is on hands on the Catholic faith. the canon. important and foundational aspects of a sound foundation. However, if you Tradition that have been committed to remove one or two legs, the stool col- We will now take a look at THE FULLNESS OF writing by the inspiration of the Holy lapses into disunity and chaos. CHRIST’S REVELATION Spirit. Tradition is the mortar; it pulls Therefore, it is, in fact, the Catholic Sacred Scripture, what it is, Since Sacred Scripture is the earliest together the full meaning of the Scrip- Church which has remained the one crystallization of Sacred Tradition and tures and gives them meaning, keeps undivided Church that dates back to and how it is interwoven the inspired Word of God, it is given a them in the proper context, and brings Christ himself. This can be a diffi cult with Sacred Tradition in special place in Tradition, sitting next out their signifi cance. If you only had truth for many, but the Catholic Church to Tradition as the twin source of divine bricks, you would just have an unorga- contains the fullness of Christ’s rev- handing on the deposit of Revelation. They are uniquely and nized pile of bricks. But Scripture and elation that has been handed down intrinsically interwoven in the fact that Tradition together make a building, throughout the centuries through faith that Christ entrusted Scripture can never be interpreted apart the Church, with the fullness of all that Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradi- from Tradition, and all truths of Tradi- Christ desires to reveal and hand on to tion under the guidance and authority to the Church. tion are latent within Scripture. Thus, us. of the successors of the apostles. No it is both Sacred Scripture and Sacred Since the Scriptures are a part of Sa- other church can claim this. There is an SACRED SCRIPTURE Tradition handed on and interpreted cred Tradition “crystallized” into writ- unbroken history, Tradition, and line of Sacred Scripture is, in fact, that by the Magisterium of the Church that ing, they cannot and do not contradict authority. Other Christian churches, by part of Sacred Tradition that has been constitutes the fullness of divine Rev- the Tradition from which they come. In no longer adhering to Sacred Tradition “crystallized” in written form under the elation. As Vatican II teaches: the same way, Sacred Tradition is latent and the Magisterium, have a fragment inspiration of the Holy Spirit very early throughout the Scriptures, whether of the Church, a piece of it. But their in Christian history. This was done by Hence there exists a close connection explicitly or implicitly. Therefore, Scrip- roots are in the Catholic Church; it is some of the apostles or those closely and communication between sacred ture and Tradition do not contradict, ultimately their true home. The Catho- associated with the apostles who, for tradition and Sacred Scripture. For both but rather together contain the entire lic Church, by preserving the fullness various reasons, put down into writing of them, fl owing from the same divine sacred deposit of faith entrusted to the of Christ’s teaching and way of life for what was already being handed down wellspring, in a certain way merge Church by Christ. more than 2,000 years, contains within through Sacred Tradition. into a unity and tend toward the same Finally, it is the Magisterium of the herself the fullness of truth and the For example, Luke, a close compan- end. For Sacred Scripture is the word Church, the Pope and the bishops, who Christian life as “the church of the liv- ion of Paul, wrote his Gospel and the of God inasmuch as it is consigned to as successors of the apostles, have been ing God, the pillar and foundation of Acts of the Apostles as a legal defense writing under the inspiration of the given the authority by Christ to teach, truth” (1 Timothy 3:15). for Paul at his trial in Rome. Many of St. divine Spirit, while sacred tradition pass on, interpret, apply, and defend Paul’s letters were written as letters of takes the word of God entrusted by the deposit of faith to each generation. teaching and encouragement to church Christ the Lord and the Holy Spirit to Thus, the Magisterium is the authentic Lucas Pollice is director of communities that he had already estab- the Apostles, and hands it on to their interpreter and guarantor of the Word Catechesis and Adult Faith lished in places like Corinth, Ephesus, successors in its full purity, so that led of God, as expressed in both Sacred Formation and RCIA for the Galatia, and Philippi. Paul also wrote by the light of the Spirit of truth, they Tradition and Sacred Scripture. The diocese. Lucas holds a degree to individuals, like Timothy and Titus, may in proclaiming it preserve this word Magisterium is like a referee, it deter- in theology from the Francis- to whom he had handed on the apos- of God faithfully, explain it, and make mines what is truly in accordance with can University of Steubenville tolic ministry and left to oversee local it more widely known. Consequently it Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture, and has a master’s degree in churches, to teach and exhort them in is not from Sacred Scripture alone that and that Sacred Scripture is interpreted theological studies from the Institute for Pas- their ministry. However, as the Church the Church draws her certainty about faithfully to Tradition. As Vatican II toral Theology of Ave Maria University. He read and pondered these writings, cer- everything which has been revealed. again explains: is an adjunct professor of theology with the tain writings were chosen and set aside Therefore both sacred tradition and Cardinal Newman Institute in Fort Worth. as being inspired by God in a unique Sacred Scripture are to be accepted and But the task of authentically interpret- Lucas and his wife, Mary, have fi ve children, way. These writings were chosen by the venerated with the same sense of loyalty ing the word of God, whether written Cecilia, Nicholas, Timothy, Christian, and Julia. North Texas Catholic, November 20, 2009 Page 11 Views Health Reform that respects life a victory and a challenge By Richard M. Doerfl inger n Nov. 7, Con- gress gave Variety is the spice of So the Stupak amendment Omany observ- Thanksgiving and ers a big surprise. On simply ensures that when federal a vote of 240 to 194, funds are used, Americans will the House of Repre- sentatives approved not be forced against their will to Pumpkins an amendment to pay for other people’s abortions. By Kathy Cribari Hamer maintain longstand- ing policies against here is a collection of pumpkins in federal abortion fund- abortions. When the effort suc- eral funds are used, Americans our home, including fi ve real ones ing in proposed health ceeded, more members could will not be forced against their on the front porch. Originally care reform legisla- support the bill. will to pay for other people’s T Abortion advocates, stunned abortions. In a nation where there were six, including the one my tion. by this defeat, have put their most Americans do not want “spin machine” into high gear. public funding of abortion, and grandchildren secretly delivered one What’s more, the House The legislative process was hi- do not want abortion in their then passed an ambitious health jacked by the Catholic Church, own health coverage, this is a October morning. care reform bill, and inclusion they say, to pass an extreme fair and modest amendment of the pro-life amendment was amendment that goes far be- that will let millions of Catho- That one — perfectly grown, like the grandchildren hailed as decisive in making its yond current law and restricts lics and others support health themselves — survived the early autumn months as approval possible. private abortion coverage. care reform in good conscience. certainly as a grandparent’s love, no matter the time, Two realities helped pro- But what the Church did Nevertheless, we are sure to temperature, or season. The pumpkin the kids gave me duce this result. First, there has here, on a large scale, was what see many false attacks on this is still bright orange and shining, symbolic beauty of long been a signifi cant pro-life it always does: It raised facts provision and on the Church’s a brilliant fall, my favorite season, the most optimistic caucus in the Democratic Party, and arguments to support efforts as the Senate takes up time of the year. and it has grown in the 2006 an effort in Congress, led by this issue next. We need to arm Unfortunately one of my other front-porch pump- and 2008 elections. Pro-life members of the majority party, ourselves with the truth, then kins succumbed to a disease common in cucurbits Democrats, led by Rep. Bart to improve legislation that let our voices be heard in Wash- — plants of the gourd family. The pumpkin endured a Stupak (D-MI), united to insist directly impacts Catholic values ington. Authentic health care simple bacterial wilt, similar, I suppose to its cousins the that House leaders allow a vote — and it informed lay Catholics reform — reform that will help cucumbers when they rot in the refrigerator drawer dur- on an amendment to fi x the around the country, so they the poor, uphold the dignity ing weeks when we have not lived — nor eaten — green abortion problem in this bill. could raise their voices as well. of immigrants, and respect the enough. The second reality is that Charges against the amend- life and conscience of everyone Like an unused cucumber or melon, the pumpkin one of the strongest voices for ment itself are also misplaced. — may be in our grasp, unless shriveled inwardly until its demise on our front porch. health care reform, the Catholic Exactly refl ecting the Hyde we let it be taken away from us. An unsuspecting family of roly poly bugs cuddled Church, has consistently urged amendment and other provi- Please visit www.usccb. beneath it, unaware. that authentic reform must sions that have long governed org/healthcare to learn more, Actually I think it was more than wilt or rot. I suspect respect the life of all, includ- all other federal health pro- and www.usccb.org/action to my pumpkin caught the rarely-publicized cucurbit ver- ing immigrants, the poor, and grams, the Stupak amend- let your voice be heard. sion of the H1N1 virus. I think it caught the vine fl u. the unborn. The Church has ment keeps federal funds from Richard However the loss occurred, now there are only fi ve credibility because of its clear subsidizing elective abortions Doerfl inger pumpkins on the porch, but they still add sass to my moral teaching, its decades-long and health plans that include is Associate quiet beige home that perpetually stands motionless, support for reform, its experi- such abortions. Health plans Director of the watching cars hurry by, wondering what the rush is. ence in running the largest using only private funds are not Secretariat of Both my home and I are homebodies. Or maybe the nonprofi t health care system in affected; even people who use Pro-Life Ac- house is a Kathybody. I’d like to think it is as happy to the nation, and its preferential federal subsidies to purchase tivities, U.S. be around me as I am to be within it. love for the poor and vulner- their overall health plan may Conference And there is no better time to be at home than the able. The bishops supported use their own money to pur- of Catholic fall — no time is more joyfully anticipatory of the good the pro-life Democrats’ effort, chase a supplemental abortion Bishops. Go things that we have learned are certain to come. so much-needed reform would policy if they want to. to www.usccb.org/prolife to learn Right now the inside of our home is as orange as not become a vehicle for forc- So the Stupak amendment more about the bishops’ pro-life the outside, with a plethora of pumpkins smiling all ing more Americans to pay for simply ensures that when fed- activities. SEE HAMER, P. 22 Page 12 North Texas Catholic, November 20, 2009 National / Local Exhibit on Catholic sisters in the U.S. invites North Texas visitors to Discover a world few have seen

By Sharon K. Perkins but millions have shared Correspondent t the age of 74, few meager supplies — I was captivated. As I progressed Sister of Provi- through the section entitled dence Mother “Pioneer Spirit” and learned the A stories of European women reli- Joseph declared, “Oh, gious arriving in North America Sr. Gwen Do, Sister of Mary Queen as early as 1727, I was inspired (CMR) from Irving, views a portion of if I were young! … we by their resourcefulness, their the exhibit that chronicles how African- would do much good courage, and their disregard for American women religious responded personal comfort and safety, but to racial discrimination in the late on a mission where above all, their unshakable faith 1800s. (photo by Sharon Perkins) in God and the conviction that there would be misery, compelled them to serve not Sister Louise Smith, resident and where it would be only Catholics, but also the poor, archivist for the Sisters of St. the diseased, the wounded, and Mary of Namur at Our Lady of necessary to make sac- the ignorant wherever they were Victory Center in Fort Worth, to be found. said she was also impressed by rifi ces. Nowadays, we As American settlement the exhibit’s portrayal of Ameri- expanded westward, the sisters’ can sisters’ “pioneer spirit.” On a recent visit to the exhibit, Sisters of St. Mary, Mary Michael Dittoe (left) and look for too much com- “The story of the sisters of Joan Markey, watch a slide show of contributions made by nursing sisters while activities also expanded to waiting to view the slide of the Sisters of St. Mary of Namur and graduates of fort in this land which encompass both manual chores the United States is a wonderful St. Ignatius Academy in 1909. St. Ignatius Academy was located adjacent to St. and enterprises traditionally example of what diverse groups Patrick Cathedral in downtown Fort Worth. (Photo courtesy of Sr. Louise Smith) offers so much.” accomplished by men. Natural of people can do when united disasters, epidemics, wars, and for the common good,” she The “comfort” to which she new waves of immigrants to the said. “These women have been referred was not the ease of United States greatly increased doing it for years and years.” contemporary automobile travel, the need for the sisters’ services. Sr. Louise recounted her own air-conditioning, or microwave They responded by establishing religious community’s arrival in ovens. Mother Joseph penned hospitals, orphanages, schools Waco in 1873, when there were these words from the rugged for elementary and higher edu- “no streets or sidewalks — just wilderness of Washington Terri- cation, and agencies for social mud.” Following the MKT rail- tory in 1897, having devoted her assistance — many of which road into Texas, the Sisters of St. entire adult life to the establish- persist to this day in institutions Mary of Namur took out loans ment of schools, orphanages, like Minnesota’s Mayo Clinic, to build the academies they and hospitals throughout the or closer to home, Dallas’s St. founded. Indeed, their proud Pacifi c Northwest and personal- Paul Hospital, San Antonio’s contribution to the exhibit is a ly attending to their every aspect University of the Incarnate photograph of the 1909 gradu- — from fundraising, to testing Word, and Fort Worth’s Nolan ating class of Fort Worth’s St. high crossbeams during their Catholic High School. Ignatius Academy. construction, to rebricking chim- As I studied a large semi-cir- The remaining displays of neys — all while wearing her cular wall bearing the names of the exhibit carried me through community’s long black habit. hundreds of religious sister- the social and political upheav- Pencil stubs belonging to Mother Katharine Drexel. She would routinely give her The account of Mother Joseph hoods in the United States, my als of the 1960s, to contempo- students new pencils and keep their old pencil stubs for her own use. (Photo by is matched by many similar tales attention was diverted by a rary global concerns for peace Sharon Perkins) — some profoundly moving, visiting group of the Sisters of and justice, convincing me The exhibit tells the some incredibly heroic, but all Mary Queen, an order founded that the stories of the 220,000 moving story of the Sisters remarkably compelling — fea- in Vietnam in the 17th century women who have joined of Charity of the Incarnate tured in a traveling exhibit cur- which has a community house American religious communi- Word, who died trying to rently housed at the Women’s in Irving. According to Sister ties in the past 300 years are save the children in their Museum at Fair Park in Dallas Janine Tran, CMR, her fellow inextricably bound up with the Galveston orphanages until Dec. 13. Entitled “Women sisters could relate to the pio- sweeping saga of America itself. during the devastating and Spirit: Catholic Sisters in neer nuns’ experiences of leav- As my friend and I exited the hurricane of 1900. (Photo Dallas Women’s Museum into by Sharon Perkins) America,” the attractive col- ing a familiar homeland for a lection of artifacts, photos, and new environment and adjusting the bright fall sunshine over stories is sponsored by the Lead- to American ideals of personal two hours later, we left with ership Conference of Women Re- independence and more demo- hearts uplifted and awed by the ligious (LCWR) and counts the cratic ways of life. exhibit’s potential to enlighten Fort Worth-Dallas area as only When I asked Sr. Janine her and inspire both present and its second stop after its inaugu- reaction to Mother Joseph’s future generations of American esides numerous photos and fascinating anecdotes, ral opening in Cincinnati. words about sacrifi ce, she Catholics — especially young the “Women and Spirit” exhibit features 70 unique I was privileged to tour the concurred, saying, “Mother women. Summing up her reac- Bartifacts — from a custom fl uting machine for head- exhibit with a good friend, Joan Joseph’s comment is on the tion a few days later, my friend pieces to a medical bag used by sisters to nurse the wounded Grabowski of St. Rita Parish, mark — it is suffering that helps Joan marveled, “The exhibit was during the Civil War — collected from over 400 communities on a quiet Sunday afternoon in one to stick closer to Jesus. That about much more than the his- of sisters across the U.S. They will be on display at the Dallas October, having heard glowing being said, Jesus never fails to tory of nuns in America. It really Women’s Museum at Fair Park through Sunday, December reports from my Ohio friends send his many gifts to us nuns. was about the Spirit of the Lord 13. Museum is open noon to 5 p.m., Tuesday to Sunday, and who had seen it in Cincinnati. I am sure those pioneer sis- moving in the spirits of these closed Mondays. Admission ranges from $3 for students and At the sight of the fi rst glass case ters saw glorious sunrises and women. Often ill-equipped, they seniors to $5 for adults. For additional information, see the — containing a scarred wooden unspeakable beauty out there in were able, by the grace of God, exhibit Web site, www.womenandspirit.org/. trunk barely large enough for the wilderness. And what can to accomplish what would have one change of clothing and a buy that!” been unachievable!” North Texas Catholic, November 20, 2009 Page 13 National / International Army chaplain and Killeen pastor describe personal and community response to Fort Hood shootings By Mark Pattison once he got word of the shootings, running over and said, ‘There’s Catholic News Service which began around 1:30 p.m. something going on at Fort Hood. KILLEEN — Two months into Central Standard Time. I think someone’s been killed.’ his new posting as an on-call After going to the crime scene That was what told me something chaplain at the United States’ larg- — a “soldier readiness facility” at was amiss.” est Army base, Father Ed McCabe the 65,000-troop base — “I went He scheduled a Nov. 8 memo- had the longest day of his military to the local hospital (Darnall Army rial Mass for the victims. chaplaincy Nov. 5. Medical Center) to where the “For two hours (after the Fr. McCabe was 10 minutes wounded were taken,” Fr. McCabe shootings) there was a calmness A family gathers at the chapel of Central American University in San Salvador into a weekly chaplain staff meet- said. “One died there, a captain. He and a quietness. No traffi c,” Fr. Nov. 14 to recall the six Jesuits killed during El Salvador’s civil war. The priests, ing at Fort Hood when the clergy had been shot three times.” Martinez said, adding that people their housekeeper and her daughter were killed at the university Nov. 16, 1989, by got word of the shooting spree The priest said he didn’t rec- were experiencing “fear — are we members of an army unit during a military offensive. (CNS photo/Luis Galdamez, taking place at the base. ognize any of wounded. “The safe? ... It’s affected the psyche, Reuters) “We ended the staff meeting wounded, they all had IVs in,” he people don’t feel as safe. I think and came to the hospital and that’s added. “I just couldn’t see faces.” the psyche of the city itself has Bishops remember where we stayed,” Fr. McCabe Following the off-base hospital been changed.” said, “because that’s where the visit, Fr. McCabe returned to the Asked if he knew of any pa- wounded were. And then I went Fort Hood mortuary to attend to rishioners among the victims, Salvadoran Jesuits on over to the crime scene to comfort the transportation of the bodies. Fr. Martinez told CNS, “Not yet, the people who were there.” His day didn’t end until after not yet.” 20th anniversary of Of the 13 who died in the 2 a.m. Nov. 6. “I had done an in- The same “not yet, not yet” shooting, Fr. McCabe said he terview with the BBC in London, answer was given by Missionar- anointed 11. I think I should have gone to bed ies of the Sacred Heart Father 1989 murders He said he didn’t have time sooner,” Fr. McCabe said. Richard O’Rourke, pastor of St. BALTIMORE (CNS) — The passed the Senate Oct. 26. In an to anoint the 30 wounded. “No, He woke up after a short night Paul Parish in Harker Heights, U.S. bishops added their collective earlier letter he thanked the co- not really other than just a quick of sleep with a bad case of laryn- a few miles southeast of Killeen. voice to those of others in honoring sponsors of a similar resolution prayer. It was total chaos,” Fr. gitis. Fr. McCabe was waiting for He estimated that 80 percent of the memory of the six Salvadoran in the House of Representatives. McCabe said. a base doctor to treat him while his 1,000-plus registered families Jesuit priests, their housekeeper “The international and Salva- “I was actually on call when talking with CNS. have an active or retired military and her daughter, all of whom doran outcry in response to the the incident took place — actu- Fr. McCabe has served as a member in them. were assassinated 20 years ago by deaths of the six Jesuits and two ally not too far from my offi ce, chaplain for the Army in Afghani- “I was horrifi ed and aghast” a Salvadoran death squad. women and the subsequent in- the crime scene site,” Fr. McCabe stan and Iraq, but asked if he had upon hearing of the shootings, Fr. Bishop Howard J. Hubbard of vestigations into this crime served told Catholic News Service in a witnessed anything overseas that O’Rourke told CNS Nov. 6. Albany, New York, chairman of as a catalyst for negotiations and telephone interview from Fort compared to the scene at Fort “The news was pretty slow on the bishops’ Committee on Inter- contributed to the signing of the Hood in Killeen, Nov. 6, the day Hood, he replied,” No, no, no, fi ltering through. Then they (base national Justice and Peace, said in 1992 peace accords, which have after the rampage. no, no, not at all.” offi cials) tried to confi scate the cell a statement issued Nov. 16 — the allowed the people and the gov- Maj. Nidal M. Hasan, 39, a Father Adam Martinez, pastor phones of some people,” he said. anniversary date of the murders ernment of El Salvador to achieve psychiatrist on the base, was of St. Joseph Parish in Killeen, “They didn’t want any news to — that the bishops joined many signifi cant progress in creating and suspected to be the sole gunman, which has a substantial military get out in case it was a terrorist others in “commemorating the strengthening democratic political, who emptied two handguns in the component among its nearly 3,000 attack. It wasn’t until yesterday lives and work of the six Jesuits economic, and social institutions,” attack. He was wounded, placed registered households, said he afternoon that the lockdown was and their collaborators.” the Senate resolution said. into custody and hospitalized. fi rst knew something was wrong lifted,” which had included nine Jesuit Fathers Ignacio Ellacuria, The resolution also “calls upon A priest of the Archdiocese of when “I heard the sirens.” schools on the base. Ignacio Martin-Baro, Segundo the president, the secretary of Boston, Fr. McCabe, who holds “My association with the sirens “What we did here is that we Montes, Amando Lopez, Juan Ra- state, the administrator of the the rank of colonel, had celebrated is tornado or bad weather com- immediately offered our 5:30 mon Moreno and Joaquin Lopez U.S. Agency for International Mass at noon at Fort Hood, giving ing. It was the middle of the day p.m. Mass yesterday evening as y Lopez were slain on the campus Development and other federal him about 30 minutes between and there were no clouds or bad a requiem Mass,” Fr. O’Rourke of Jesuit-run Central American departments and agencies to sup- the end of Mass and the chaplain weather,” Fr. Martinez said. “I said. Intentions for Masses Nov. University in San Salvador, the Sal- port and collaborate with the gov- staff meeting. The typical Thurs- thought, ‘That’s funny.’ Just then 7-8 would be for the Fort Hood vadoran capital, along with Julie ernment of El Salvador and other day routine fl ew out the window the (parish) fi nance offi cer came victims, he added. Elba Ramos, 42, and her 16-year- public, private, nongovernmental old daughter Celina Mariset. and religious organizations in promotion of justice,” he said. Soldiers of an elite, U.S.-trained efforts to reduce poverty and hun- Charity... In addition, the faith of Chris- brigade admitted that they carried ger and to promote educational “In proclaiming tians in public life helps ensure out the murders, which marked opportunity, human rights, the FROM PAGE 1 that political decisions truly a turning point in the 12-year rule of law and social equity for spiritual, social and cultural, salvation, the Church benefi t the common good rather civil war in El Salvador. In 1993, a the people of El Salvador.” earthly and heavenly,” he said. cannot ignore the than the interests of a few, the U.N.-appointed truth commission Bishop Hubbard, in his letter, The church’s witness to the pope said. concluded that the killings were said the Jesuits demonstrated “a love of Christ rightly has led concrete living The Christian call to charity is ordered by the High Command commitment to a more just and Catholic individuals and organi- universal because people needing of the Armed Forces, headed by El peaceful society where ... human zations to commit themselves to conditions of the people concrete assistance and a word of Salvador’s defense minister at the needs and rights are acknowl- promoting peace, development to whom it is addressed.” hope are found all over the world, time, Gen. Rene Emilio Ponce. edged and respected.” and societies that are more just he said. But an all-embracing amnesty In Oct. 28 letters to each of and more respectful of the rights — Pope Benedict XVI “As experience has demon- law, passed days after the com- the 33 co-sponsors of the House of each person, he said. strated, even in the societies that mission’s report was released, resolution that passed Oct. 21, “Many faithful undertake im- are the most evolved from a social guaranteed that Ponce and his Bishop Hubbard thanked them portant actions in the economic, the pope said. point of view, charity remains nec- fellow conspirators would never and said the bishops joined them social, legislative, and cultural “While it certainly is not the essary,” Pope Benedict said. “The go on trial. Those convicted in the “in commemorating the lives and fi elds to promote the common Church’s role to intervene directly service of love never is superfl u- murders were freed as a result. work of the six Jesuits and their good. They witness to the Gospel, in the politics of a state, the Chris- ous because there always are Bishop Hubbard, in a Nov. 11 collaborators, and in continuing contributing to the building of a tian community cannot and must situations of suffering, solitude letter, thanked the U.S. Senate to seek ways to build the common just order in society and person- not remain on the margins of the and need that require personal co-sponsors of a resolution honor- good, not only in El Salvador but ally participating in public life,” defense of human rights and the attention and concrete help.” ing the Jesuits and their work. It throughout our world.” Page 14 North Texas Catholic, November 20, 2009 National

NATIONAL ‘Nation’s parish’ celebrates 50 years NEWSBRIEFS as place of prayer, pilgrimage By Carol Zimmermann Joint declaration seen as reminder Catholic News Service WASHINGTON — The Basilica of need to bring Christ to world of the National Shrine of the Im- WASHINGTON (CNS) — Today’s disciples of Jesus, like the maculate Conception in Washing- fi rst disciples, should be recognized by how they love each ton — the largest Catholic church other and, guided by Jesus, they should walk together in a in North America and one of the 10 spirit of unity, mutual respect, and brotherhood, Archbishop Pietro Sambi told a Washington audience. “Each act of unity largest churches in the world — is is a profession of faith in the Lord Jesus,” said the arch- a familiar place to U.S. Catholics bishop, who is apostolic nuncio to the United States. He who regard the immense structure addressed an Oct. 31 gathering of Catholics and Lutherans as their own. at the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center marking the 10th The basilica, which marks the anniversary of the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Jus- 50th anniversary of its dedication tifi cation signed by the two churches. Joining Archbishop Nov. 20, is not a parish or a cathe- Sambi were Washington Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl dral. Instead, it was designated and Bishop Richard Graham of the Evangelical Lutheran by the U.S. bishops as a national Church of America’s Metropolitan Washington, D.C., Synod. place of prayer and pilgrimage, Nearly 100 people participated in the celebration, includ- something the basilica’s one mil- ing theological faculty members and students and people lion annual visitors know well. involved in the ecumenical movement. The declaration said The book America’s Church, the Catholic and Lutheran churches’ consensus on basic published by Our Sunday Visitor truths means that the doctrine of justifi cation — how people in 2000, describes the basilica as are made just in the eyes of God and saved by Jesus Christ having “no parish community as — is not a church-dividing issue for Catholics and Luther- its own; but rather counts every ans even though differences between them remain in lan- American Catholic among its guage, theological elaboration, and emphasis surrounding members. No single bishop claims those basic truths. The World Methodist Council affi rmed it as his cathedral; rather it is the the declaration in 2006. church of all the nation’s bishops. Exterior view of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in ... In every way, the national shrine Washington Nov. 6. It was dedicated Nov. 20, 1959. (CNS photo/Nancy Wiechec) Oregon doctor lives out his faith, is America’s Catholic church.” country contributed to building More than 70 chapels and notion of health reform at clinic And as a church for all Catho- it as a monument to Mary. He oratories — which are similar to PORTLAND, Ore. (CNS) — In a converted Mexican res- lics, its doors are always open still receives notes from people chapels but do not have altars taurant, a small-town Catholic doctor lives out his notion of — seven days a week, 365 days who remember how their schools — are located throughout the health care reform — and his faith. Dr. Michael Grady, 59, a year. Every day, for fi ve hours, and parishes sent in donations shrine. Periodically new ones runs the McClaine Street Clinic, next to a grocery story in priests administer the sacrament — including collections of pennies are dedicated by various ethnic a shopping center in Silverton, a city of 10,000. The clinic of reconciliation and celebrate at — to help raise funds for this huge groups and religious communi- serves patients so poor they qualify for the state health plan least six Masses. Weddings and undertaking. ties. These chapels relate to the or Medicaid. Many doctors in private practice don’t accept baptisms — sacraments that are “Fifty years later it still has a shrines of the regions they repre- patients with such insurance, because reimbursement rates to be witnessed by a worshipping national impact,” he told Catholic sent such as Our Mother of Africa, are so low. Grady, a member of St. Paul Parish, wants his parish community — do not take News Service Nov. 4, noting that Our Lady of Czestochowa, and clinic to be a “medical home” for patients, a place where place there. many people who contribute say Our Lady of Guadalupe, to name they and their health conditions are well-known and where On any given weekday, the they have never even been to the just a few. they can see a steady team of health providers for preven- basilica is often relatively quiet basilica, but they believe in the Rohling said the variety of tive care. Thirty years of research show that health outcomes — aglow with fl ames of votive work it does. chapels reflects the scriptural improve and costs drop when patients have a defi ned candles and often with the lin- passage from the Gospel of John: primary care provider, as opposed to having to visit emer- The names of the founding gency rooms and multiple clinics only after their situation has gering scent of incense in the air. contributors, and those they “In my father’s house there are become dire. A physician for 33 years, Grady is assembling Groups go on tours and indi- wanted remembered, are not just many rooms.” a full array of providers at McClaine Street: a nurse practitio- viduals pray in chapels tucked tucked away in yellowed record She also said they demonstrate ner, nurses who do immunizations, and mental health work- in nooks of the huge stone, brick, books, but etched in the walls and the diversity of the universal ers. Someday he would like to have a dietician and a social and concrete church. marble pillars on the basilica’s church. worker to help manage patients’ health in a coordinated way. On weekends, holy days, and lower level. Msgr. Rossi said the ethnic special celebrations or dedications, Geraldine Rohling, the basili- chapels give immigrants “a sense Congressman Chris Smith urges Obama to the basilica is often fi lled to capacity ca’s archivist, said the pillars, and of coming home” and provide and then some, and the quiet calm is the names upon them, literally and them with a tangible expression raise issue of forced abortions in China replaced with music and overfl ow- fi guratively support the church. of faith. WASHINGTON (CNS) — A U.S. congressman urged Presi- ing crowds, sometimes in native Rohling noted that early con- In 1976, then-Cardinal Karol dent Barack Obama to raise the issue of forced abortions dress and holding aloft fl ags. tributions to the shrine had been Wojtyla visited the shrine’s Polish with Chinese leaders and not allow human rights to take a During the annual National a signifi cant sacrifi ce, especially chapel to Our Lady of Czesto- backseat to economic issues when the president traveled Prayer Vigil for Life each Janu- during the time of the Great De- chowa and he paid a repeat visit to to Beijing. Obama was scheduled to be in China Nov. 15- ary, hundreds of pilgrims from pression. the chapel three years later as pope. 18, after stopping in Tokyo Nov. 13 and Singapore Nov. 14. He was to return to the United States Nov. 19 after a stop in youth groups around the country Initial work on the shrine, When Pope Benedict XVI visited Seoul, South Korea. “Few people outside China understand spend the night on the fl oor on the named a basilica in 1990, began the basilica in 2008 he prayed at what a massive and cruel system of social control the one- basilica’s lower level. in the early 1900s. Although the the Oratory of Our Lady of Altot- child policy entails. ... The system is ‘marked by pervasive During the spring and fall, cornerstone was laid in 1920, the ting, the patroness of Bavaria, in propaganda, mandatory birth permits, coercive fi nes for dozens of diocesan groups make Great Depression and World War his German homeland. failure to comply, and, in some cases, forced sterilization, pilgrimages to the basilica and II delayed completion of the upper In his 1979 visit, Pope John Paul and abortion,’” said Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., quoting the Monsignor Walter Rossi, the church until 1959. II said the shrine speaks “with the U.S. China Commission. Smith, a ranking member of the basilica’s rector, makes it a point Since that time the shrine voice of all the sons and daughters Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, spoke at a hearing to personally greet them. “This is has always remained a work in of America.... These people, speak- on the issue Nov. 10. “I believe the Chinese government your parish away from home,” he progress with the continual ad- ing different languages, coming would respond to the president if he were to take the lead tells them. “You built it. You sup- ditions of stained-glass windows, from different backgrounds of in speaking up in defense of human rights in China,” Smith port it. We’re here for you.” mosaics, statues, dome work, and history and traditions in their own said in an opening statement. “The Chinese government is He said the basilica is often chapels. One dome in the interior countries,” he said, “came together sensitive to how it is viewed by the rest of the world.” described as the nation’s parish of the upper church still remains around the heart of a mother they because Catholics from across the unadorned. all had in common.” North Texas Catholic, November 20, 2009 Page 15 International

Rabbi calls charge Pope Pius was INTERNATIONAL Nazi collaborator ‘false, malicious’ NEWSBRIEFS

By Peter Finney Jr. Pope Pius XII smiles at Editor, CLARION HERALD a question asked by an Newspaper of the Allied newspaperman New CD featuring Pope Benedict’s Archdiocese of New Orleans during an informal voice previewed in Rome NEW ORLEANS (CNS) — The press conference at the ROME (CNS) — Under the gilded ceiling of a Roman “historically false and malicious Vatican June 7, 1944, basilica, a choir performed while the taped voice of Pope view” in a recent best-selling two days after the Allied Benedict XVI sang the Marian hymn “Regina Coeli” (“Queen armies entered Rome. book of Pope Pius XII as a col- of Heaven”). The performance marked the press launch A U.S. Army nurse also of “Alma Mater,” a CD featuring the recording of the pope laborator with Adolf Hitler in the smiles at the remark extermination of millions of Jews leading the “Regina Coeli” prayer in St. Peter’s Square on as she glances at the May 1, 2005, the fi rst time he had led the hymn as pope. during the Holocaust is refuted rosaries and pictures The CD features eight pieces. They each begin with six lines by the facts, said a rabbi who is a which the pope is from the Marian Litany of Loreto and then segue into a new professor at Ave Maria University holding. (CNS photo/ composition of classical music with the pope’s voice over- in Naples, Florida. U.S. Navy — cutline laid, usually reciting a Marian prayer or talking about Marian Speaking in New Orleans Nov. information excerpted devotion. The disc was co-produced by the Pauline Fathers’ 5, Rabbi David Dalin, author of The from original Navy cutline) Multimedia San Paolo and Geffen Records, which is part Myth of Hitler’s Pope: How Pius XII of Universal Music Group. It was scheduled for worldwide Rescued Jews from the Nazis, said release Nov. 30. Pauline Father Vito Fracchiolla, general British author John Cornwell’s director of the order’s publishing companies in Italy, said characterization of Pope Pius “as the disc “is the fruit of the convergence of many artists and the most dangerous churchman of many business and church entities, a result of teamwork in modern history, without whom during the Nazi occupation of reticent to make sound-bite public aimed principally at making a gift to Pope Benedict XVI” by Hitler might never have been able Rome,” he said. statements that might be counter- spreading his Marian devotion and a message of hope. to press forward with the Holo- The assumption anyone might productive.” caust,” belies the facts. make seeing the cover of Corn- An episode often overlooked Looking for bigger role on Web, bishops “In fact, nothing could be well’s Hitler’s Pope: The Secret occurred when Cardinal Pacelli further from the truth,” Rabbi History of Pius XII is that Hitler was secretary of state and trav- meet Google, Facebook reps VATICAN CITY (CNS) — In an effort to understand how the Dalin said in a lecture at Tulane and Pope Pius were “very close,” eled to the U.S. in 1936. President Church can make better use of the Internet and its search University. “An historically ac- Rabbi Dalin said. The cover shows Franklin D. Roosevelt, who was engines and popular social networking tools, European curate assessment of the role of the pope being saluted by a soldier trying to push through his New bishops met with representatives from Facebook, Google, as he leaves a building. Deal, was growing irritated by Pope Pius during the Holocaust YouTube, and Wikipedia. The bishops and their communica- leads to exactly the opposite of “The fact is they never met,” the radio attacks of Father Charles tions experts also met with a former hacker and an Interpol John Cornwell’s false and mali- he said. Coughlin, who had a nationwide offi cial to get an inside look at cybercrime and how to defend cious conclusions in his book Archbishop Eugenio Pacelli, audience of one million. Web sites from attack. The meetings came during the plenary Hitler’s Pope. the future Pope Pius XII, was a Father Coughlin also sprinkled assembly of the European episcopal commission for media “Pius XII was not Hitler’s Vatican diplomat in Germany his commentaries against Roos- held at the Vatican Nov. 12-15. Some 100 delegates attended pope, but rather a protector and in the 1920s but left Germany in evelt with embarrassing anti-Se- the meeting dedicated to “The Internet Culture and Church a friend of the Jewish people at a 1929, “never to return,” Rabbi mitic diatribes. Three weeks after Communications.” Bishops, media offi cers and spokesper- time when it mattered most,” the Dalin said. the cardinal met with the presi- sons from European bishops’ conferences met with multime- rabbi added. In 1938, when Hitler made his dent, Father Coughlin was taken dia representatives such as Google and Identi.ca — a self- While acknowledging that fi rst state visit to Rome, he said, off the air. In exchange, the future described “microblogging service” — in order to learn more “nobody did enough during the then-Cardinal Pacelli, the Vatican Pope Pius asked Roosevelt to name about how people use these tools and what developments Holocaust,” he said Pope Pius secretary of state, and his prede- a special envoy to the Vatican with these companies have in store for the future. “The Internet used his training as papal nuncio cessor, Pope Pius XI, “publicly ambassadorial status, a diplomatic is as important as the invention of the printing press,” said to Germany in the 1920s and as snubbed Hitler.” post that had been abandoned in the president of the bishops’ commission for media, Bishop Vatican secretary of state in the Rabbi Dalin acknowledged that the 19th century. Jean-Michel di Falco Leandri of Gap, France. Just as the 1930s to save Jewish lives during Pope Pius XII could have done The Vatican and the U.S. had printing press helped make the Bible available to everyone the war. more, perhaps by excommunicat- cordial relations, but it wasn’t who could read, the Internet can make the Gospel acces- While about 80 percent of Jews ing Hitler, who had been baptized until 1984, under President Ronald sible to everyone who uses the Internet, he said through a living in Nazi-occupied Europe a Catholic, along with other mem- Reagan, that the United States translator during a press conference Nov. 13. were killed by the Nazis during bers of the Nazi regime. fi nally established full diplomatic the Holocaust, Rabbi Dalin said Pope Pius also was criticized relations with the Vatican. Mexican drug cartels depend heavily in Italy “close to 85 percent of for not being more outspoken Hitler did have a favorite cleric, on ransoms from migrant families the Jews survived,” including 75 about Hitler and the horrors of however, Rabbi Dalin said: Grand MEXICO CITY (CNS) — Mexico’s narcotics-traffi cking cartels percent of the Jewish community the Holocaust. Mufti of Jerusalem Muhammed now depend heavily on earnings obtained by kidnapping in Rome. Rabbi Dalin found 55 instanc- Amin al-Husseini, a vicious undocumented migrants and demanding ransoms from their The professor said Jews were es, beginning in the 1920s when “anti-Semite and equally vicious relatives, said a prominent Mexican senator. “The extortion of secretly sheltered in 155 monas- he was papal nuncio to Germany, anti-Christian” who “chastised the migrants, after narcotics traffi cking, is the largest source of teries, convents, and churches in in which Pope Pius XII “made Nazi offi cials for not doing enough income for these groups,” Sen. Felipe Gonzalez Gonzalez, Italy throughout the Holocaust statements attacking Hitler and to exterminate the Jews.” president of the Senate’s Public Security Committee, told a years, including 3,000 at Castel the Nazis.” The rabbi said negative char- Nov. 4 forum on the kidnapping of migrants in Mexico. Those Gandolfo, the pope’s summer When Pope Pius did have a acterizations of the pope started sentiments were echoed by Catholic offi cials that work with residence outside of Rome. papal statement read in every with a play, “The Deputy,” writ- migrants. They report having to address the needs of a grow- “In no other location of Nazi- pulpit on one Sunday in Belgium ten in 1963 by Rolf Hochhuth, a ing number of kidnapping victims that have been tortured, occupied Europe were as many during World War II, Rabbi Dalin German. It portrayed the pope as traumatized, and sexually assaulted by gangs that have close links with drug cartels. “The mafi as ... have now discov- Jews sheltered for as long a time said that “the Nazi reprisals were anti-Semitic. ered how to get rich off of migrants,” Father Jose Alejandro as at Castel Gandolfo,” Rabbi vicious. In no other country of “This was a fi ctional play, and Solalinde, director of the Mexican bishops’ migrant ministry Dalin said. “This could not have Nazi-occupied Europe was as this became the basis for the vi- in southwestern Mexico, told a Nov. 3 forum at Jesuit-run high a percentage of Jews — and, cious attacks,” he said. “In his own been done without the personal Iberoamerican University. The comments highlight the most approval and active involvement for that matter, Catholics — killed lifetime and for years after his recent hardships for the undocumented migrants that transit of Pius XII. as in Belgium.” death, (Pius XII) was considered a the country on their way to the United States. The migrants “In fact, kosher food was “The fact is Pius XII was by friend of the Jewish people. More lack many basic legal protections in Mexico and have been provided for some of the more training a diplomat,” Rabbi than 60 years after the Holocaust, preyed upon by gangs and unscrupulous public offi cials. religious Jews who were being Dalin said. “A lot of (his work) it’s good to remember the real role sheltered at Castel Gandolfo was behind the scenes. He was that Pius XII had.” Page 16 North Texas Catholic, November 20, 2009 Scripture Readings

November 29, First Sunday of Advent. Cycle C. Readings: 1) Jeremiah 33:14-16 Psalm 25:4-5, 8-10, 14 2) 1 Thessalonians 3:12 to 4:2 “Guide me in your Gospel) Luke 21:25-28, 34-36 truth and teach me, for you are God my savior, and for you I wait all the day.” made from the beginning of his covenant with — Psalm 25:5 humankind. By Jean Denton In his letter to the Thessalonians, Paul re- minded the early Christian community of the ing justice in the ways he has given us. Saving the world is about being together. It is about y daughter’s face glowed with the blush of instructions Jesus gave us for our part: to increase our relationship with God and with others, a new romance as she hung up the phone after in love for one another and for all. His exhorta- M especially the least among us. talking to her boyfriend. “He said he was think- tion carries the echo of Psalm 25 saying that God As Advent begins, we are reminded to ing about us saving the world together,” she shows sinners the way to justice. “All the paths examine our lives and redirect ourselves to the smiled, admiring his idealism. Such enthusiasm of the Lord are kindness and constancy toward is not unusual in college-age people like this pair. those who keep his covenant and his decrees.” coming of “The Lord our justice.” We hope that But she admitted he was more altruistic than This is an invitation to participate in salvation. if we accept his offers of strength and guidance, We are invited to prepare ourselves for Jesus’ gift we also will receive his blessing to save the she. Laughing, she pointed out in the vernacular of redemption by loving as he loves and practic- world together. of the day, “Of course, he was all thinking ‘save the world,’ and I was all thinking, ‘together.’” It was years ago, but that insight into human nature comes back to me every so often when I QUESTIONS: consider varying attitudes regarding relation- How can you help “save the world” where you are here and now? Who ships. It resonates in the readings for this fi rst week are the people you encounter in your daily life who cry out for justice of Advent. They call us to share in God’s justice — to work together with God for a promise he and can be answered through your acts of love? Copyright © 2009, Diocese of Fort Worth

Church needs healthy debates conducted with respect for Church’s faith

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The The pope said people also Catholic Church needs healthy should remember that in the end debates between theologians to Pope Benedict St. Bernard and Abelard were increase the understanding of reconciled. faith, but the debate must always XVI waves as he “In both there prevailed a rec- uphold offi cial church teaching arrives to lead his ognition of the concern that must and must be conducted in a way be kept at heart whenever a theo- that does not confuse the faithful, weekly general logical controversy arises: that is, Pope Benedict XVI said. to safeguard the faith of the church The 12th-century theological audience in Paul and make the truth triumph in debates between St. Bernard of charity,” the pope said. Clairvaux and Abelard, a French VI hall at the Pope Benedict said St. Bernard theologian, demonstrate “the Vatican Dec. 10. was suspicious of scholastic the- usefulness and necessity of a ology because it seemed open to healthy theological discussion (CNS photo/Tony questioning even the most basic in the church, especially when Christian teachings. the questions debated have not Gentile, Reuters) “Bernard’s fears were not un- been defi ned by the magisterium, founded,” the pope said. which always must remain an The pope said Abelard’s teach- essential point of reference,” the ing on morality was ambiguous pope said. because he insisted that a person’s During his weekly general intentions were the fi nal criteria audience Nov. 4, Pope Benedict for determining whether an ac- spoke about what modern Catho- tion was good or bad. The pope lics can learn from the debates be- Pope Benedict XVI greets a child during his weekly general audience in Paul VI hall at the Vatican Nov. 11. At right is Msgr. described such a position as “a tween St. Bernard, who followed Georg Ganswein, the pope’s personal secretary. (CNS photo/Paul Haring) dangerous subjectivity.” the monastic theological tradition tions, particularly regarding what tions suggested by philosophy. the reasons St. Bernard asked the “As we know, this is very rel- emphasizing faith and prayer, he taught about the Trinity. When a theologian strays into pope to condemn Abelard “there evant in our age when the culture and Abelard, who followed the Pope Benedict said the cen- error, the Vatican must intervene in was a preoccupation to safeguard seems to be marked by a growing scholastic tradition emphasizing sures of Abelard’s work are a service of the truth, said the pope, the simple and humble believers, tendency toward ethical relativism the use of reason. reminder that theologians must be who spent more than 20 years as who must be defended when there (in which) only I decide what is Abelard’s theological career was careful to give precedence to the prefect of the Congregation for the is a risk that they would be con- good for me at this moment” and marked, several times, by church principles of faith that come from Doctrine of the Faith. fused or led astray” by the work actions are not seen as objectively condemnations of some of his posi- revelation and not to interpreta- Pope Benedict said that among of certain theologians. good or bad, Pope Benedict said. North Texas Catholic, November 20, 2009 Page 17 Scripture Readings

“I am confi dent of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 1:6 December 6, Second Sunday of Advent. Cycle C. Readings: 1) Baruch 5:1-9 Psalm 126:1-6 to bring us to deeper and deeper 2) Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11 holiness. Gospel) Luke 3:1-6 God is a master planner. There is a plan for each one of us and a plan for the entire universe. This is revealed in a particular way in this Sunday’s Gospel when By Jeff Hedglen we see the words of Isaiah, written centuries was having lunch with a young adult recently. earlier, being fulfi lled in the person of John the IWe were discussing the rough year she’s had and Baptist. Words that God put into the mouth of all that God has been doing to help her through Isaiah long before, come to fulfi llment in the it. hear these words from St. Paul: “I am confi dent announcement of the Messiah. That’s what I call At one point she wondered aloud when, or if, of this, that the one who began a good work in planning ahead. she would ever arrive at the place to which God you will continue to complete it until the day of We are always on a journey striving toward has been bringing her. I shared with her that in Christ Jesus.” our ultimate destination, but the ups and downs, my 40-plus years on the planet there have been a Yes, it is God who began the good work in us. twists and turns have yet to be completed. From number of times when I thought I had “arrived.” Yes, God will complete it. But the completion time to time we experience special moments of I remembered thinking at those times that I had happens on the day we meet Jesus face to face. “arrival,” but those are just the scenic overlooks fi nally grown up or made it through the hard This means God will be working with us always on the road to the beatifi c vision. stuff. There was a sense of fi nality to those mo- ments, but the reality is that the “arrival” was more like arriving at an airport to board a plane, QUESTIONS: lands unknown yet to be discovered. What are some of your “moments of arrival”? In retrospect, how signifi - There is something in all of us that just wants to get to a place where we are comfortable and cant were they in your life’s journey? What do you think St. Paul means coast for the rest of life. But God doesn’t usually work that way. In today’s second reading, we by the “good work” that God has begun in you? Copyright © 2009, Diocese of Fort Worth We’re challenged to Welcome the Stranger – but how?

By Jeff Hedglen As the holidays are approach- all the houses across, next to, and ing, that message from Hebrews behind ours. e all know the rule: I am not suggesting that we have is one that can help us get into the There are also more involved Don’t take candy from right frame of mind. I think we’re ways to welcome the stranger. Wstrangers. To be sure, to open our homes to any and pretty good at the “entertaining” Call Catholic Charities and vol- this is a very good rule. Our so- part of the verse. We decorate our unteer in one of many programs, ciety today can be a scary place, houses, cook lots of good food, including refugee resettlement, but it hasn’t always been this everyone we come across, but even buy lots of good presents, and assisting at ESL classes, reading way. It wasn’t that long ago that watch a lot of Cowboy victories to children at the Assessment hitchhiking across the country in this safety-conscious time we (we hope), but how far does our Center, and more. You could also was a common thing, but I can’t hospitality extend? round up some friends and make remember the last time I picked up can fi nd ways to entertain angels; it I am not suggesting that we a few hundred sandwiches for a hitchhiker. All of this “stranger have to open our homes to any the Presbyterian Night Shelter or danger” makes it pretty hard to just takes a little creativity. and everyone we come across, just fi nd the nearest retirement/ live out the message of Hebrews but even in this safety-conscious nursing center and visit with the 13:2: “Do not neglect hospitality, time we can fi nd ways to enter- people there. for through it some have unknow- strongly accented English, I try to continues to be to this day. Did tain angels; it just takes a little As Advent approaches, this ingly entertained angels.” ask where they are from, how long you know that the Fort Worth creativity. is a good time to seek ways to There is a pretty good amount they have been here, and then I Independent School District’s We can take the time to call the welcome the stranger. After all, of teaching in the Church about will ask if anyone ever welcomed English as a Second Language person who is checking us out at there once was a couple who were welcoming the stranger among them here. I am often surprised program serves kids who speak the store by name. We can open ready to give birth to their fi rst us. Our local Catholic Charities to hear that they have been here more than 25 fi rst languages? our hearts to at least listen to the child. All they wanted was some office even offers workshops for a number of years, and no one Yet, immigrants are not the story of the seemingly homeless shelter, to be welcomed. In a very on the subject. I invited them to has ever welcomed them. At that only strangers among us. Many person who is asking for help, and real way they are knocking on our speak to our youth group a few point I offer my hand and simply of us don’t even know the names maybe even give some help. We doors today. years ago, and the presenter said say “Welcome.” of the people across the street or can make a plan to have a bag of that Catholic Charities works My great, great, great grand- in the next apartment, let alone non-perishable food in our cars Jeff Hedglen, youth minister at St. with a lot of refugees coming parents on my mother’s side came the people who check us out at to hand out to a person with a Bartholomew Parish in South- to America. He mentioned that from Ireland and France. I won- Kroger or the local gas station, and sign “will work for food.” We west Fort Worth, is the principal many of them have never been der if they were ever welcomed they wear name tags! I am just as might not have work for them, organizer of Camp Fort Worth each formally welcomed. when they fi rst arrived. America guilty of this as the next person, but we can give them something summer. Readers with questions As a result of that talk, now is a county of immigrants. It has but that verse from Hebrews has to eat. Maybe we can even learn can contact Jeff at jeff@stbartsfw. when I encounter someone with always been that way, and it been haunting me lately. the names of the people living in org. Page 18 North Texas Catholic, November 20, 2009 América Inclusión de prohibi- La BASÍLICA DEL SANTUARIO NACIONAL DE LA INMACULADA ción de aborto signifi ca CONCEPCIÓN se ve a través de un éxito para proyecto de pórtico de un edifi cio cercano en el recinto de ley de salud la UNIVERSIDAD CATÓLICA DE AMÉRICA, en Washington, WASHINGTON (CNS) — Al fi nal la batalla exitosa para incluir el 6 de noviembre. Los lenguaje estricto que prohibiera lave para la planes de construcción el financiamiento de abortos, C del santuario empezaron liderada por los congresistas aprobación del demócratas pro-vida, con el desde principios del 1910. fuerte apoyo de la Conferencia proyecto de ley fue la estadounidense de obispos católicos El templo se consagró el (USCCB), fue lo que hizo la aprobación de una 20 de noviembre de 1959. diferencia en la votación en la Cámara de representantes, el 7 enmienda, propuesta (Foto CNS/Nancy Wiechec) de noviembre, para aprobar un amplio proyecto de ley de reforma por el representante Bart de los servicios médicos. Stupak — demócrata de En una rara votación en noche de sábado, la Cámara de Michigan — prohibiendo El obispo Kevin Vann ha pedido que este boletín sea publicado representantes aprobó la Ley de en el periódico NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC. servicios médicos asequibles el uso de fondos federales para América, por votación de 220 a 215, moviendo la para pagar por abortos, legislación hacia el Senado, el cual UNITED STATES CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS se esperaba que entrara en debate incluyendo la prohibición 3211 FOURTH STREET NE • WASHINGTON DC 20017-1194 • 202-541-3103 • FAX 202-541-3166 de su propio proyecto de ley de servicios médicos más tarde en de cobertura del aborto ACTUALIZACIÓN: VOLANTE PARA BOLETINES EN TODA LA NACIÓN noviembre. en los planes de seguros Asumiendo que el Senado La Cámara de EE.UU. mantiene la fi nanciación del aborto fuera de la reforma de salud. aprobara una versión de la que los consumidores legislación, las diferencias Dígale a los Senadores: ACCIÓN: entre los dos proyectos de ley compren con subsidios Contacte a los miembros del Senado y de la Cá- tendrían que ser reconciliadas – Sigan el ejemplo de la Cámara de represent- mara por correo electrónico, teléfono o fax. por separado. Esa legislación gubernamentales. antes y eliminen la fi nanciación del aborto • Para enviar al congreso un correo electrónico regresaría a ambas cámaras del – Protejan los derechos de conciencia con un mensaje ya preparado, visite www. congreso para aprobación fi nal. – Garanticen cobertura médica accesible usccb.org/action. Clave para la aprobación • Llame a la central telefónica del Capitolio de del proyecto de ley fue la un estimado del 96 por ciento – Permitan a los inmigrantes comprar seguros EE.UU., al 202-224-3121, o llame a las ofi cinas aprobación de una enmienda, de los estadounidenses tendría privados de salud locales de los legisladores que le representan. propuesta por el representante acceso a servicios médicos más Información de contacto completa para los Bart Stupak — demócrata de asequibles. Los obispos han abogado durante largo tiempo por miembros de ambas cámaras aparece Michigan — prohibiendo el Varias fuentes noticiosas y la reforma del sistema de salud y continúan defen- en www.house.gov y www.senate.gov. uso de fondos federales para personas involucradas en el diendo el caso moral a favor de una reforma genu- MENSAJE AL SENADO: pagar por abortos, incluyendo Capitolio informaron del rol ina que proteja la vida, la dignidad, la conciencia “Por favor, adopten la Enmienda Stupak ya la prohibición de cobertura del crítico de las negociaciones de y la salud de todos, especialmente de los pobres y aprobada por la Cámara de representantes, que aborto en los planes de seguros última hora, tras bastidores. vulnerables. mantiene estipulaciones legales esenciales, esta- que los consumidores compren Estas negociaciones involucraron blecidas hace mucho tiempo, que impiden la fi - con subsidios gubernamentales. a líderes de la Cámara de • El 7 de noviembre, la Cámara de represent- nanciación del aborto y proteje los derechos de La USCCB y otras organizaciones representantes, personal de la antes aprobó importante legislación de reforma conciencia en la reforma del sistema de salud. pro-vida habían amenazado la Casa Blanca, y obispos católicos de salud que reafi rmó disposiciones legales El cuidado médico debe hacerse más accesible oposición de cualquier proyecto y su personal. También esenciales esenciales, establecidas hace mucho tiempo a todos cuantos lo necesitan; los inmigrantes no de ley fi nal que no incluyera tales fueron las conversaciones con con amplio apoyo, que impide el uso de fondos deben perder o no se les debe negar la cober- provisiones. Stupak y otros que se mantenían federales para la cobertura médica de abortos tura médica que necesitan.” Por otra parte, el proyecto de ley fi rmes en su rechazo a menos que electivos. mantuvo una provisión a la que su enmienda fuera incluida. MENSAJE A LA CÁMARA: la Iglesia se opuso fuertemente en El cardenal de Chicago, Francis • Es importantísimo que el Senado adopte el “Me alegra que la Cámara de representantes aprobara semanas recientes. Este prohibiría E. George, presidente de la lenguaje referente a este asunto de la Enmienda una legislación de reforma de salud que mantiene que las personas que estén en USCCB, el 6 de noviembre habló Stupak ya aprobada por la Cámara de represent- las disposiciones legales establecidas hace mucho el país ilegalmente recibieran con la Representante Nancy antes. Esta enmienda asegura que los estadoun- tiempo que impiden el uso de fondos federales cualquier ayuda gubernamental Pelosi, portavoz de la Cámara idenses no sean obligados a pagar por la para la fi nanciación del aborto. Por favor, ayude a para conseguir cobertura médica. de Representantes, , exhortándola destrucción de niños aún por nacer como parte garantizar que esta importante disposición legal sea Los obispos estadounidenses a permitir que la enmienda de la necesaria reforma al sistema de salud. incluida en la versión fi nal del proyecto de ley que se enviará al Presidente”. también habían pedido que la de Stupak fuera puesta a • El Senado debe abordar otras prioridades mo- legislación le permitiera a todos votación. Otros obispos también rales esenciales: proteger los derechos de con- CUÁNDO: los inmigrantes acceso al sistema participaron por teléfono con ciencia, hacer el cuidado médico más accesible El calendario del Senado es incierto. ¡Actúe hoy de servicios médicos, sin importar varios miembros del congreso. para aquellos que no tienen seguro médico y mismo! ¡Gracias! su estado legal. La enmienda de Stupak fue asegurarse de que los inmigrantes no pierdan o Para más información sobre las propuestas leg- Lo que el proyecto de ley hace aprobada por votación de 240 no se les niegue la cobertura médica necesaria islativas y la postura de los obispos sobre una es ampliar el seguro médico para a 194, con el apoyo de muchos para el bienestar de sus familias y la salud de la auténtica reforma al sistema de salud, visite un estimado de 30 millones de republicanos, que en última sociedad. personas que actualmente carecen instancia no votaron por la www.usccb.org/healthcare. de cobertura, signifi cando que legislación en sí. North Texas Catholic, November 20, 2009 Page 19 América Un capellán describe como ‘caos completo’ Inmigrantes pueden hacer en el Fort Hood, después de la balacera contribuciones importantes KILLEEN (CNS) — Después 39 años, psiquiatra de la base, pero cuando se le preguntó si de dos meses en su nuevo puesto fue considerado como único había sido testigo de algo seme- como capellán en alerta, en la sospechoso, después de vaciar jante en el exterior como lo que a la sociedad, dice el Papa base más grande del ejército de las balas de dos pistolas en el sucedió en Fort Hood, respondió: Por Carol Glatz los Estados Unidos, el padre Ed ataque. Él mismo quedó herido, “No, no, no, no, no—de ninguna Catholic News Service McCabe tuvo el día más largo de fue puesto bajo custodia y hos- manera”. CIUDAD DEL VATICANO La migración de los — La gente no debe considerar su capellanía militar. pitalizado. El padre Adam Martínez, pas- pueblos representa Poco después del inicio de Sacerdote de la arquidiócesis tor de la parroquia de San José, en los inmigrantes como problemas, una reunión semanal de ad- de Boston, el padre McCabe—que Killeen, que cuenta con una cifra sino como compañeros hermanos una oportunidad ministradores de la capellanía tiene el grado de coronel—había abundante de militares entre los y hermanas que pueden ser en Fort Hood, corrió la voz de celebrado Misa al mediodía, en casi 3.000 domicilios registrados, contribuyentes valiosos a la “de destacar la que había sucedido una ola de Fort Hood, lo que le había dado dijo que primero supo que algo sociedad, dijo el Papa Benedicto asesinatos. 30 minutos entre el fi n de la Misa andaba mal cuando “Escuché las XVI. unidad de la familia La migración de los pueblos “Terminamos la reunión ad- y la reunión administrativa de la sirenas”. humana y el valor ministrativa y fuimos al hospital y capellanía. La rutina diaria del “Asocio las sirenas con aviso representa una oportunidad allí nos quedamos”, dijo el padre jueves se abortó una vez que supo de huracán o mal tiempo. Era el “de destacar la unidad de la de la bienvenida, la McCabe, “pues allí estaban los lo del tiroteo, que empezó cerca mediodía y no había ni nube ni familia humana y el valor de la heridos. Y después fui a la escena de la 1:30 P.M. hora central. mal tiempo”, dijo el padre Mar- bienvenida, la hospitalidad y el hospitalidad y el amor del crimen, para confortar a las Después de haber ido a la tínez. “Pensé, ‘Es curioso’. En ese amor por el prójimo”, dijo, el 9 de personas que estaban allá”. escena de los asesinatos— una instante, el encargado de fi nanzas noviembre. por el prójimo”. De los 13 que murieron en el ‘instalación de reclutamiento de (de la parroquia) llegó corriendo y El Papa habló durante una tiroteo, el padre McCabe dijo que soldados’ en la base de 65,000 dijo: ‘Algo pasa en Fort Hood. Creo audiencia con participantes del —el Papa Benedicto XVI administró los últimos sacramen- tropas— “ fui al hospital local que alguien ha sido asesinado’. Sexto congreso mundial sobre el tos a 11. (Darnall Army Medical Center), Eso fue lo que me indicó que algo cuidado pastoral de migrantes y Dijo que no tuvo tiempo de dar donde habían sido llevados los estaba fuera de orden”. refugiados, realizado del 9 al 12 de pobres continúa creciendo, dijo, extremaunción a los 30 heridos. heridos”, dijo el padre McCabe. El padre Martínez fi jó el 8 de noviembre en el Vaticano. y mucha gente no tiene otra “No, en verdad no hubo tiempo, “Allí murió un militar—un capi- noviembre para una Misa con- El Papa enfatizó las difi cultades opción que salir de su patria en excepto para una rápida oración. tán. Había recibido tres tiros”. memorativa en recuerdo de las dramáticas que muchos migrantes busca de sustento, aunque eso Era un caos total”, dijo el padre “A los heridos ya le habían víctimas. enfrentan en sus esfuerzos de signifi que aceptar condiciones de McCabe. puesto vías intravenosas”, añadió. “Durante dos horas (después sobrevivir o de mejorar las trabajo inhumanas y experimentar “Estaba de guardia cuando su- “Simplemente no podía verle las del tiroteo) hubo calma y quietud. condiciones de vida para sí grandes difi cultades adaptándose cedió la tragedia—en realidad no caras”. Nada de tránsito de vehículos”, mismos y sus familias. a algún lugar nuevo con idioma, muy lejos de mi ofi cina, la escena Después de la visita al hospital dijo el padre Martínez, añadi- “La crisis económica, con el cultura y reglas diferentes. del crimen ofi cial”, dijo el padre fuera de la base, el padre McCabe endo que las personas experi- enorme crecimiento del desempleo, Muchos inmigrantes hoy día McCabe al Catholic News Service regresó a Fort Hood, a la sala mor- mentaban “temor— ¿estamos reduce las posibilidades de empleo están huyendo de condiciones en una entrevista vía teléfono, tuoria, para asistir en el transporte a salvo? . . . Esto ha afectado la y aumenta el número de aquellos de vida “humanamente desde Fort Hood en Killeen, el 6 de los cuerpos. psicología de todos; las personas que no pueden encontrar ni inaceptables”, pero no están de noviembre, un día después del El padre McCabe ha prestado no se sienten tan seguras. Creo siquiera trabajo inestable”, dijo. encontrando “la recepción que violento acontecimiento. sus servicios como capellán del que el alma de la ciudad entera La división económica entre esperaban en otro lugar”, dijo el El Mayor Nidal M. Hasan, de ejército en Afghanistán e Irak; ha cambiado”. los países industrializados y los Papa.

—que cuentan con conexiones Trafi cantes de drogas mexicanos dependen mucho ferroviarias que los emigrantes aprovechan para usar de “moscas” en los trenes, después de ingresar de sumas de rescate de familias de emigrantes al país a través de Guatemala. CIUDAD DE MÉXICO (CNS) “Las organizaciones a cabo por el gobierno federal en el mes de febrero del 2009. Dos Dicen, además, que los emigrantes — Los grupos de trafi cantes de criminales... han descubierto ahora contra del crimen organizado. tercios de las víctimas secuestradas son capturados frecuentemente narcóticos mexicanos dependen cómo enriquecerse a costillas de Las actividades de secuestro eran de Honduras, y la suma de cuando se bajan del tren y esperan ahora enormemente de ganancias, emigrantes”, dijo el padre José representan poco riesgo para los rescate requerida a los parientes en estaciones de autobuses. producto de secuestros de Alejandro Solalinde, director trafi cantes, dijo Gerardo Laveaga llegaba hasta los $5,000. Mucha México no les dicta cárcel a los emigrantes indocumentados, por del ministerio de emigrantes de los Rendón, director del Instituto de la información recabada vino que son detenidos en el país sin los que piden sumas de rescate a obispos mexicanos en la parte nacional de ciencias criminológicas, de personas que dirigen refugios la documentación apropiada de sus parientes, dijo notado senador occidental sur de México, ante pues las víctimas suelen quedarse de emigrantes y grupos que les inmigración; pero Axel García, mexicano. una asamblea el 3 de noviembre, calladas después de la terrible ayudan a los mismos a cruzar a director de derechos humanos del “La extorsión de emigrantes, en la Universidad iberoamericana, experiencia. Laveaga calculó México, cuando se dirigen hacia Ministerio de emigrantes de los obispos después del tráfi co de narcóticos, dirigida por jesuitas. en $25 millones al mes la suma el norte. mexicanos, dijo que la actitud de los es la fuente más grande de Mediante esos comentarios de dinero robado a expensas Representantes de esos grupos funcionarios públicos ha sido lenta ingresos para estos grupos”, dijo se enfatizan las difi cultades más de rescates de emigrantes dicen que la cifra de los informes en cambiar, y que solamente el el Sen. Felipe González González, recientes por las que atraviesan secuestrados. Y la impunidad es es conservadora y continúa ejército y la comisión nacional de presidente del Comité de seguridad los emigrantes indocumentados frecuente. aumentando, especialmente en derechos humanos toman en serio pública del Senado, ante una que cruzan el país, vía los Estados “Una persona que nunca va a los estados del Golfo de México, los secuestros, dijo. asamblea el 4 de noviembre, Unidos. Los emigrantes carecen denunciar el crimen, que nunca va — como Tabasco y Veracruz en la que se trató el tema de los de protección legal de derechos a causar ningún problema, es una secuestros de emigrantes en básicos en México y han sido pieza invaluable de mercancía para Mecanismos para reportar la [email protected] México. objeto de despojo por parte las organizaciones criminales”, conducta sexual inapropiada · llamar al número de emergencia para el abuso sexual: (817) 560-2452, de pandilleros y funcionarios dijo Laveaga. “Es un negocio Si usted o alguien que conozca Ese mismo punto de vista tuvo Ext. 900 públicos corruptos. es víctima de conducta sexual eco en personas que trabajan con grande y redondo”. · o llamar al Centro Católico al inapropiada por parte de cualquier emigrantes en agencias católicas. Ahora se ve a los emigrantes Se convocaron las recientes número: (817) 560-2452, ext. 102 y persona que trabaje para la iglesia, como una lucrativa fuente de preguntar por el canciller/moderador Informan que tienen que atender conferencias como respuesta a un sea voluntario, empleado, o miembro las necesidades de víctimas de ganancias por parte de grupos informe publicado en julio, hecho del clero, puede reportarlo de las de la curia, el padre James Hart secuestro que han sido torturados, de trafi cantes de drogas, que han por la Comisión nacional de derechos siguientes maneras: Mecanismo para reportar abuso traumatizados y asaltados aumentado la diversificación humanos, en el que se afi rma que · llamar a Judy Locke, Coordinadora Llamar al Ministerio de familias sexualmente por pandillas que de actividades ilegales para 9,758 emigrantes indocumentados de asistencia para víctimas, al de Texas, Servicios de protección número (817) 560-2452, Ext. 201, tienen nexos estrechos con los reponerse de pérdidas sufridas fueron secuestrados entre el mes (Servicios de protección de niños) al o, mandarle correo electrónico a número:(800) 252-5400. trafi cantes de drogas. por las medidas enérgicas llevadas de septiembre del año 2008 y Page 20 North Texas Catholic, November 20, 2009 América

instancias, comenzando en la Rabino llama ‘falsa, maliciosa’ acusación década de 1920 cuando él era nuncio papal ante Alemania, en las cuales el Papa Pío XII “hizo que el Papa Pío era colaborador nazi declaraciones atacando a Hitler y a los Nazis”. Por Peter Finney Jr. fueron asesinados por los nazis Cuando el Papa Pío sí hizo que Catholic News Service durante el Holocausto, el rabino una declaración papal fuera leída NEW ORLEANS — La “opinión Dalin dijo que en Italia “casi el 85 en todos los púlpitos un domingo históricamente falsa y maliciosa” por ciento de los judíos sobrevivió”, en Bélgica durante la Segunda en uno de los libros recientes más incluyendo el 75 por ciento de la Guerra Mundial, el rabino Dalin vendidos, de que el Papa Pío XII comunidad judía de Roma. dijo que “las represalias nazis era colaborador de Adolf Hitler Los judíos fueron refugiados fueron feroces. En ningún otro en la exterminación de millones secretamente en 155 monasterios, país de la Europa ocupada por los de judíos durante el Holocausto, conventos e iglesias en Italia, nazi hubo un porcentaje tan alto es refutada por los hechos, dijo incluyendo 3,000 en Castel Gandolfo, de judíos y, de hecho, católicos, un rabino que es profesor en la la residencia de verano del Papa asesinados como en Bélgica”. Universidad Ave Maria en Naples, fuera de Roma. “El hecho es que Pío XII era Florida. “En ninguna otra localidad de diplomático por entrenamiento”, Hablando en New Orleans el la Europa ocupada por los nazis dijo el rabino Dalin. Mucho de (su 5 de noviembre, el rabino David fueron refugiados tantos judíos trabajo) fue tras bastidores. Era Dalin, autor de El mito del Papa de durante tan largo tiempo como reticente de hacer declaraciones Hitler: Cómo Pío XII rescató judíos de en Castel Gandolfo”, dijo el rabino públicas, tipo cliché, que pudieran los nazis, dijo que la caracterización Dalin. “Esto no se habría podido ser contraproducentes”. del autor británico John Cornwell hacer sin la aprobación personal ni Un episodio frecuentemente del Papa Pío “como el eclesiástico la participación activa de Pío XII. pasado por alto ocurrió cuando más peligroso en la historia El arzobispo Eugenio Pacelli, el el cardenal Pacelli era secretario moderna, sin quien Hitler nunca futuro Papa Pío XII, era diplomático de estado y viajó a los Estados habría podido continuar adelante del Vaticano en Alemania durante Unidos en 1936. El presidente con el Holocausto”, oculta los la década de 1920, dijo el rabino Franklin D. Roosevelt, quien hechos. Dalin. intentaba impulsar su Nuevo trato, “De hecho, nada podría estar En 1938, cuando Hitler hizo su estaba cada día más irritado por más lejos de la verdad”, dijo el primera visita de estado a Roma, los ataques radiales del padre rabino Dalin en una conferencia dijo, el entonces cardenal Pacelli — Charles Coughlin, quien tenía una en la Universidad de Tulane. “Una secretario de estado del Vaticano audiencia nacional de 1 millón. evaluación históricamente precisa — y su predecesor, el Papa Pío Padre Coughlin también del rol del Papa Pío durante el XI, “rechazaron públicamente a rociaba sus comentarios contra El papa Pío XII sonríe cuando un periodista de los países aliados le pregunta Hitler”. Holocausto lleva exactamente a lo algo durante una conferencia informal en el Vaticano, el 7 de junio de 1944, dos Roosevelt con vergonzosas El rabino Dalin reconoció que contrario de las conclusiones falsas días después de la entrada del ejército aliado a Roma. Una enfermera del ejército diatribas antisemíticas. Tres y maliciosas de John Cornwell en también sonríe con el comentario, mientras le da un vistazo a los rosarios y el Papa Pío XII pudo haber hecho semanas después que el cardenal su libro El Papa de Hitler”. fotografías que el Papa tiene en su posesión. (foto CNS/U.S. Navy—información más, quizás excomulgando a se reunió con el presidente, “Pío XII no era el Papa de Hitler, adaptada de la leyenda original de la foto naval) Hitler, quien había sido bautizado padre Coughlin fue sacado del sino en vez un protector y amigo católico. aire. A cambio, el futuro Papa del pueblo judío en un momento el Holocausto”, dijo que el Papa para salvar vidas judías durante El Papa Pío fue criticado Pío le pidió a Roosevelt que cuando más importó”, añadió el Pío usó su entrenamiento como la guerra. también por no hablar más nombrara un enviado especial al rabino. nuncio papal ante Alemania en la Aunque aproximadamente el 80 abiertamente sobre Hitler y los Vaticano con estado de embajador, Aunque reconociendo que década de 1920 y como secretario por ciento de los judíos que vivían horrores del Holocausto. puesto diplomático que había sido “nadie hizo lo sufi ciente durante de estado del Vaticano en la de 1930 en la Europa ocupada por los nazis El rabino Dalin encontró 55 abandonado en el siglo 19. Jesuitas asesinados son honrados 20 años después de su muerte en El Salvador WASHINGTON (CNS) — Entretanto, el Congreso de director del Instituto de opinión Veinte años después de haber los Estados Unidos aprobó una pública de la universidad. sido asesinados en la Universidad prolija resolución para honrar “a —El padre Segundo Montes, de centroamericana en San Salvador, estos ocho sacerdotes, educadores 56 años, director del departamento junto con la ama de casa y su espirituales, valerosos y generosos; de ciencias sociales y profesor de hija, seis sacerdotes jesuitas y mujeres seglares”, animando “al sociología. son honrados por el gobierno pueblo de los Estados Unidos, a — El padre Amando López, salvadoreño, el Congreso de los las instituciones académicas y a de 53 años, profesor de fi losofía Estados Unidos y las instituciones las congregaciones religiosas a y teología. jesuítias. participar en la conmemoración — El padre Juan Ramón El presidente salvadoreño del aniversario, a nivel local, Moreno, de 56 años, profesor de Mauricio Funes anunció, a nacional e internacional”. teología. principios de noviembre, que Tales eventos están — El padre Joaquín López y Una familia se encuentra en la capilla de la Universidad Centroamericana en los sacerdotes recibirían la Orden programados para noviembre en López, de 71 años, fundador y San Salvador, el 14 de noviembre, para recordar a los seis jesuitas asesinados nacional José Matías Delgado — el los 28 colegios y universidades director de Fe y alegría, que inició la durante la guerra civil de El Salvador. Efectivos de un cuerpo del ejército premio más alto del país — el 16 jesuitas en los Estados Unidos, y apertura de 30 centros educativos asesinaron a los sacerdotes, la ama de casa y su hija durante una ofensiva militar. (foto CNS/Luis Galdamez, Reuters) de noviembre, 20º aniversario de otros sitios en el mundo. en comunidades marginadas, por la muerte de los jesuitas. Las ocho personas asesinadas todo el país de El Salvador. Funes dijo que el reconocimiento a primeras horas de la mañana — Julia Elba Ramos, de 42 en El Salvador, para proteger y la Cámara de los Representantes sería presentado como “un del 16 de noviembre del año 1989, años, cocinera y ama de casa de promover los derechos humanos y como por el Senado, a fi nales del acto público de expiación” por fueron: los seminaristas jesuitas de la el fi n del confl icto, y para identifi car mes de octubre. errores cometidos en pasados — El padre Ignacio Ellacuria, universidad. y trabajar a fi n de resolver los En las instituciones jesuitas de gobiernos. Dos ofi ciales militares de 59 años de edad, rector de la — Celina Mariset, de 16 años, problemas económicos y sociales los Estados Unidos se hacen planes salvadoreños fueron encontrados Universidad central americana. hija de Julia Ramos. que afectaban a la mayoría de la para llevar a cabo una variedad de culpables en 1991 de la orden dada —El padre Ignacio Martín- Los jesuitas “habían dedicado su población salvadoreña”, se decía actividades, en conmemoración para los asesinatos. Baro, de 44 años, vicerrector y vida para el avance de la educación en la resolución aprobada tanto por del aniversario. North Texas Catholic, November 20, 2009 Page 21 Diocesan

it was known as the ZeeVee com- NBVM… munity and located a half mile south. The arrival of the railroad FROM PAGE 24 through the area with a railroad the parish’s dream realized. The stop lured ZeeVee settlers to Pe- bishop’s pledge to fi nd a Czech- nelope, named for the daughter speaking resident priest for the of the railroad president. parish took eight years to fulfi ll. God’s desire for the parish Father Charles Dvorak in 1917 bore fruit. The parish continued replaced visiting priests, includ- to grow until about the time of ing Fr. Pelnar, as the fi rst resident World War II. priest of NBVM. “During the 50 years of its The parish’s Czech roots still existence,” the late Mary Brugger show. Upholding tradition, pa- wrote in the 1959 at the time of rishioners still visit at the steps the 50th anniversary of the par- of the church after Mass, updat- ish, “the B.V.M. of Penelope has ing each other and, maybe, as in known years of progress and years the early days, planning family of decline,” mirroring what the activities for later in day. And, if larger Penelope community was one listens closely, you still hear experiencing. “The reasons vary: conversations in Czech. Dances the draft, the years of drought This photograph was taken in the NBVM church during the centennial anniversary Mass, held Oct. 11. A standing-room-only in the parish hall featuring Texas which forced many small famers crowd of more than 400 attended the celebration. (Photo by Larry Knapek, courtesy of WEST NEWS) polka bands bring life to the hall to sell their farms and move to the four or fi ve times a year. cities, easier work and better pay served as an assistant pastor in Ben Knapek is a native and jobs in the city, all of which take the Czech community of Ennis, life-long resident of the Penelope many young and married people near Dallas. area. Ben, joined by his wife Lot- from the parish.” A high school/college profes- tie, says no parish can measure In his homily Fr. Publius re- sor who had earned a doctorate up to NBVM. But, things have called that during the church’s of theology in Rome, Fr. Hruby changed. history God has closed one door continued to nurture the Catholic “I have been here 90 years,” and opened others. When the par- Church of Penelope not only with says Ben Knapek. “Today can’t ish stopped growing, the remain- exceptional liturgies and homilies, be compared (to the early days ing parishioners and its priests in Czech, but he also addressed of the parish.) No one could talk devoted themselves to keeping the temporal needs of the par- in church. Men and women sat the church alive. ish community. He convinced on their sides of the church. No Fr. Konkiel in the late 1940s parishioners that it was time to one wore jeans. Women wore re-ignited the fervor that existed abandon the old country parish scarves.” when the parish was established hall for a new facility next door Another lifelong parishioner, by spearheading a drive to replace to the church. A brick parish hall Frances Beseda, who with her the wooden church, which had opened in 1959, and in 1962, the late husband Andrew raised three seen its better days, with a new, parish replaced an old rectory that sons and a daughter in the church, brick church, which still stands. dated back to the early years of Presiding at the anniversary Mass were (left to right) Deacon Jim Poole, of recalls that the parish’s beloved To offset the lack of hard cash the parish. Our Lady of Mercy Church in Hillsboro; Fr. Frank Miller, of West; former NBVM pastor Fr. Publius Xuereb; Fr. Anton Drozd of the Diocese of Dallas, nephew of longest-serving priest, Father within the Penelope Catholic com- After the Second Vatican Coun- Msgr. Anthony Drozd, the fi rst of two Penelope-born priests to be ordained from munity, Knapek recalls, the men of cil approved Mass in the local John Konkiel, came to Penelope in the parish; and current NBVM pastor Fr. George Pullambrayil. (Photo by Larry the parish once again stepped for- language, Fr. Hruby turned again 1924 from Chicago as a Polish de- Knapek, courtesy of WEST NEWS) scendant who spoke fl uent Czech ward by donating their time and to local parishioners to remodel the and stayed until his death in 1954. talents to build the new church. church to accommodate an altar Fr. Publius recalled in his an- Holub, a Penelope native wrote Fr. Konkiel, Beseda remembers, “You had certain days to work facing the congregation. To add niversary homily that the change Recollections of my Early Years at was a pragmatist who adjusted on building the church,” Knapek the fi nishing touch, he enlisted to sharing a pastor with a nearby the Penelope Church for the 100th to the church and the needs of its recalls.” We were farmers and we local craftsman Johnny Kucera community was traumatic for anniversary, recalling the church members. would work on the farm. Then on to build the new altar and other NBVM. Despite the challenge, community through the eyes of a Because a farm family tends the day that we would work at the furnishings, still the centerpiece he said, the parish continues to young boy in the ’40s and ’50s. to the farm animals even on the church, they would tell us what of the church. thrive. Sinkule laments that the par- Lord’s Day, the soon-to-be 90-year- to do. I worked in the tower for Fr. Hruby’s death on March 27, Almost 100 families make up ish “does not have many young old Beseda says, farm families the bell one day. It was so hot up 1977 marked the closing of a door. the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin people. That bothers me.” Yet, were up and performing farm there,” he said. “But we did the From the day the church opened, Mary Parish today. Czechs still there are signs that young families chores before Sunday Mass. work ourselves.” Czech was the predominant lan- account for a substantial number are returning to the parish and the “When Fr. Konkiel was here,” Cleaning and decorating of guage. With his death, Mass in of the members. But, just as the community. “We want to keep Beseda relates, “everyone would the old and new church, recalls Czech ended. Catholic Church of Texas is diverse the church an active place where go to Communion before church,” another lifelong resident, Irene The new era began when young today, so are the ranks of the church the young people can return…” because they had fasted since at Hynek, fell to the women and girls diocesan priest, Father Jerry Mos- of Penelope. Now the Esparzas, she says. least midnight, abstaining not of the parish. man, followed Fr. Hruby, a major the Morenos, the Wuebbens, the “The church is still the fo- only from food but also all liquids, “Young girls would work with adjustment for longtime parishio- Dishers, and others sit side-by-side cal point of the Penelope com- including water, and had done a the older ones to clean the church ners who had enjoyed 50 years of with the Matulas, the Nors and munity,” Holub declares in his half day’s worth of chores before every week,” Hynek says. “We Czech speaking priests. other families of Czech heritage. recollections, “bringing together coming to Mass. “Then, before would get fresh fl owers to put on In the ’70s a national priest Marcella Sinkule, president children, grandchildren, and Mass started, everyone would go the altar. In the summer times we shortage became a problem. of the Penelope pastoral council, great-grandchildren of the original out to their cars to eat breakfast. would pick zinnia and asparagus Bishop John J. Cassata of the new says, “We are small, but we have parishioners for prayer, bazaars, I would make sandwiches from plants to make the fl owers look Diocese of Fort Worth, in which energetic people.” She adds, “We and other social events.” fresh beef … and homemade better.” the church was now located, are multicultural.” A century after the establish- bread. My boys loved that. Fr. Konkiel died three years concluded that the diocese no Although times have changed, ment of the Catholic Church in “After everyone had breakfast, after the dedication of the new longer had enough priests to allow Sinkule says the character of Penelope by Czech-speaking we would go back into the church, church. Not yet limited by a priest NBVM its own resident priest. The the church and its people have people who thirsted for God and and Father would have Mass.” shortage, Dallas Bishop Thomas era of a resident priest ended when remained. a church in which to worship, two The church that Beseda refers to Gorman assigned Father Bohumil Bishop Cassata reassigned Father “When I read Henry Holub’s Penelope icons still thrive: The Pe- was the original wooden structure Hruby as NBVM’s new pastor. Bill Aaron in 1979 and directed recollections that the people of Pe- nelope school and the Nativity of costing $1,625 to build, with some A Czech-born priest who fl ed Fr. Publius, who was pastor of nelope didn’t have much money, the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic of the cash contributions donated Czechoslovakia in 1959 to avoid nearby Immaculate Heart of Mary but they worked hard to keep Church — a multicultural church by non-Catholics who had been imprisonment by the ruling Czech Church in Abbott, to also pastor their church alive, I thought that of the 21st Century on the black- early settlers of Penelope when Communist Party, Fr. Hruby fi rst the parish. sounded like us today,” she said. lands of Central Texas. Page 22 North Texas Catholic, November 20, 2009 Diocesan / International Deacon discusses miracle that led to beatifi cation of Cardinal Newman LONDON (CNS) — An Ameri- In July Pope Benedict XVI complete paralysis” because sev- upset by the prognosis because he can deacon has recounted how he announced the beatification eral of his lumbar vertebrae were had trained for three years to be was suddenly and inexplicably of Cardinal Newman after the crushing his spinal cord. a deacon for the Boston Archdio- cured from a severe spinal condi- Congregation for Saints’ Causes Even after surgery in August cese and wanted to be ordained tion after he prayed for healing to decided Deacon Sullivan’s heal- 2001 in Boston the protective lining with his class the following year. Cardinal John Henry Newman. ing was a miracle due to his around Deacon Sullivan’s spinal He said he prayed: “Please, Car- Deacon Jack Sullivan, 71, of intercession. The beatification cord was badly torn, leaving him dinal Newman, help me to walk, Marshfi eld, Massachussets, told ceremony is set for May 2 at in “incredible pain,” he said. so that I can return to my classes a Nov. 9 press conference in Lon- England’s Birmingham Oratory, He said surgeons told him it and be ordained.” don that he was transformed after which he founded after he became would take up to a year before The deacon explained how praying to Cardinal Newman, a a Catholic in 1845. he could be able to begin to walk “suddenly I felt hot all over, very 19th-century theologian and for- Deacon Sullivan said doctors again. tense, and a tingling over my body mer Anglican who died in 1890. told him he was on the “brink of Deacon Sullivan said he was that lasted a long time.” “I also felt a sense of joy and script that seems to grow out of year. He is present in welcome peace that I had never experi- Hamer… the vine itself, the pumpkin is temperature changes, foliage enced before in my life and a sense labeled “Too Cute for Pie.” colors that are almost magical, of God’s presence, and I had no Cardinal John Henry Newman is FROM PAGE 11 Of course it is. No one would and in the harvest moon. willpower of my own,” he said. pictured in an 1865 photo. Deacon around. My favorite one is new purchase a splotchy, unevenly We can sense God’s pres- “I was just standing there, and Jack Sullivan of Marshfi eld, Mass., recently recounted in London how he this year, and I made it myself colored pumpkin for pie, would ence in the feeling of optimism all these things were happening was inexplicably cured from a severe with embroidery fl oss on a they? I think not, no more than that lies in the season: We to me. I had no control and then woven fabric. Although only they would buy a bruised apple know these months will end in spinal disorder after he recited a short I developed a sense of confi dence prayer to Cardinal Newman, a 19th God can create a tree, it seems or too-soft blueberries. Christ’s birth. and determination that fi nally I century theologian and convert to But mostly we should see people can stitch pumpkins, Our world has a lot more could walk.” Catholicism. (CNS photo/courtesy of and I cross-stitched this one. patchwork in it than perfection. Him in his people. He recalled how he shouted to Fathers of the Birmingham Oratory) Designed with a dozen But the patches are the part I Life is a garden we walk a nurse that his pain had disap- squares of multi-hued thread, like best. through together, selecting our peared even though he had been Birmingham Oratory. the pumpkin is unusual. It is a I prefer overripe bananas watermelons and pumpkins in agony moments earlier. On Sept.14, 2002, the day of his sort of patchwork quilt, with all and antiques when they are based on their color, size, and “The pain had left me and I was ordination as deacon, he received the colors combining harmoni- scratched or chipped. I am whether or not they “thump” left with a feeling of entire joy and notifi cation that his case had been ously — just as the blend of partial to old houses and hand- correctly, when knocked on confi dence that something special selected by the fathers of the cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove sewn, well-worn linens, poi- gently. I don’t know what the was happening to me,” he said. oratory as the possible miracle combine to create a fragrance gnant reminders of life abun- resulting sound is supposed to Deacon Sullivan said he was not needed to beatify Newman. symbolizing family, friends, and dantly lived. be, but I knock on fruit anyway. only able to walk unaided but was “To my mind that was a sign that home. And I am drawn to ordinary We can choose to see Christ moving so quickly that the nurses this process happened in a won- My patchwork pumpkin is folks: the sign-maker at work there too, without knocking and had to tell him to “slow down.” drous way,” Deacon Sullivan told my favorite pumpkin ever, a who hurries production for us, not always when and where Doctors studying his case in the London press conference. strong statement from a person even though it keeps him in the we search. We will fi nd Him, the following months determined He spoke to journalists at who all year waits for the day shop late; the woman who slices accidentally, in people who that Sullivan had regained the the start of a visit to England the grocery store stocks pump- meats at the grocery store deli, are trying, every day, to do his lifting capability of a 30-year-old at the invitation of Archbishop kins for pies and breads, along and remembers our regular work, and representing Him to man. They were baffl ed by his re- Vincent Nichols of Westminster. with ears of dried corn and a order. The man at the post offi ce us, as we should be represent- covery and after an array of tests The deacon afterward preached “new season of apples.” who telephones: “Kathy? This is ing Him to them. in October 2001 admitted they had a homily at a Mass in London’s Like Charlie Brown’s Christ- Tony. Your box rental is over- Beauty should always be no- no explanation for it. Westminster Cathedral. mas tree, the cross-stitched due. If you pay it today, I won’t ticed and cherished. Sometimes At that point Sullivan de- During his visit Deacon Sul- patchwork pumpkin is not charge you the $17 late fee.” it is in a patchwork pumpkin cided to write to Father Paul livan will tour the oratory and be perfect, not anything near the Those people are gifts. They with a heart. Sometimes it is too Chavasse, postulator for Cardinal shown other sites associated with A-plus quality of the pumpkin blend into the world, coloring cute for pie. Always it comes Newman’s sainthood cause, at the Cardinal Newman’s life. my grandbabies brought to my it as effectively as multi-hued from God. home this year. It is not per- threads color my patchwork fectly round, and not perfectly pumpkin. And they are not here colored. accidentally. Kathy Cribari Hamer, By Jean Denton But its one-of-a-kind design All of us go through life a member of St. An- Copyright © 2009, Jean Denton is what makes it special. Patch- looking for signs of Christ drew Parish, has fi ve es of brown, beige, orange,. and among us. Most of us search in children, Meredith, gold — not necessarily assets Scripture or liturgy. Some look John, Julie, Andrew, in edibles — merge to form a at the expression on the face of and Abby. In May, her fruit that is beautiful only in its a statue, a water stain on the column received the second place uniqueness. side of a bridge, or, if they are award for best family life column Special to this pumpkin is desperate, even on a grilled- by the Catholic Press Association a tiny brass heart, sewn right cheese sandwich. Sometimes for the second time in two years at where it might be beating, if the people fi nd the image of God in the Catholic Media Convention in pumpkin were, in fact, a living, their breakfast toast. Anaheim. In 2005, Kathy’s column breathing part of a family. But we don’t have to look was recognized with the fi rst place And under it, in dark green that far, especially at this time of award in the same category. North Texas Catholic, November 20, 2009 Page 23 Calendar MISSIONARY IMAGES MEN’S / WOMEN’S DISCERNMENT RESPECT LIFE HOLY HOUR CURSILLO OF CURSILLOS St. Mark and Immaculate Conception Parishes To Report Misconduct The Vocations office sponsors a Men’s The Respect Life Office of the Diocese of Fort The Fort Worth Cursillo Community is hosting in Denton will host a visit from a Missionary If you or someone you know is a victim Monthly Discernment the second Monday Worth sponsors a Holy Hour from 7:30 p.m. a “Cursillo of Cursillos” Dec. 10-13. Cursillo Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Replicas of of sexual misconduct by anyone who of each month for single men ages 16 to to 8:30 p.m. at St. Patrick Cathedral on the of Cursillos is a three-day weekend for all the original Miraculous Image of Our Lady, serves the church, you may 50 and a Women’s Monthly Discernment third Monday of each month. The hour begins Cursillistas — Thursday evening through which she left on St. Juan Diego’s tilma, will • Call Judy Locke, victim the third Monday of each month for single with a rosary and is followed by Eucharistic Sunday afternoon. All attendees will be be in Denton and Fort Worth in November assistance coordinator, women ages 16 to 50. The groups meet at Adoration. All are invited to come and pray cloistered for the weekend. “Cursillistas and all Catholics are invited to participate (817) 560-2452 ext. 201 St. Patrick Cathedral, 1206 Throckmorton for an end to abortion and all offenses to the have often said they would like to relive at one or more of the following locations: or e-mail her at [email protected] St., Fort Worth, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., to sanctity and dignity of human life. For more their weekend,” say event organizers. The St. Mark Church, Denton, Friday, Nov. 20, • Or call the Sexual Abuse Hotline pray together, share their vocational call, information, contact Chanacee Ruth-Killgore, weekend, they say, will give those who have to Sunday, Nov. 22, (will coincide with 40 (817) 560-2452 ext. 900 listen to God, break open the Word, and to director of Respect Life for the Diocese of Fort been on previous retreats a chance to do so. hours of Eucharistic Adoration); University of • Or call The Catholic Center at share a meal together. For more information, Worth, at (817) 560-3300 ext. 257 The retreat material, which was originally in North Texas Campus Catholic Center, Denton, (817) 560-2452 ext. 102 and ask contact Father Kyle Walterscheid, director Spanish, has recently been translated into Sunday, Nov. 22, 7:30 p.m. Mass; Immaculate for the chancellor/moderator of the of Vocations at (817) 560-3300 ext.110 or CRC CHRISTMAS SALE English. This weekend will be the second Conception Church, Denton, Wednesday, curia, Father James Hart [email protected]. The Catholic Renewal Center Bookstore will Cursillo of Cursillos in the United States to Nov. 25, evening Mass; Mother and Unborn hold its annual pre-Christmas sale Saturday, be held in English. The weekend consists of Baby Care Center, Fort Worth, Friday, Nov. To Report Abuse DISCERNMENT AT OLV Dec. 5, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, three days of talks and meditations that are 20, from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.; Divine Mercy Book spiritually challenging, enlightening, and Call the Texas Department of Family Single women, ages 18 to 45 are invited to Dec. 6, from noon to 5 p.m. A variety of gift Store, Denton, Friday, Nov. 27; St. Patrick enriching to Cursillistas who desire to grow Protective Services (Child Protective come for an evening of prayer, supper, and items, books, and cards will be available for Cathedral, Fort Worth, Sunday, Nov. 29, and be renewed in their understanding of and Services) at (800) 252-5400 sharing, hosted by the Sisters of St. Mary purchase. Shoppers will receive a 10 percent 12:30 p.m. Mass; Loreto House Pregnancy commitment to the Cursillo Movement. The of Namur, the first Friday of each month discount on purchases and will not be charged Resource Center, Denton, Tuesday, Nov. 24. purpose is to become stronger leaders in the from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Our Lady of sales tax. The bookstore is located at 4503 For updates on times and locations of the Cursillo Movement, both as individuals and Victory Center, 909 W. Shaw St., Fort Worth. Bridge Street in East Fort Worth, next to Nolan Missionary Image, visit the Denton ACTS RACHEL’S VINEYARD RETREAT as a community. Space is limited, so those For more information, contact Sister Yolanda Catholic High School. For more information, Web site at www.dentonacts.org. Rachel Ministries will hold a weekend retreat planning to attend should make arrangements Cruz, SSMN, at (817) 923-3091 or sycruz@ call (817) 429-2920. Jan. 22-24 for healing following an abortion. as soon as possible. The application can sbcglobal.net. This program helps those who struggle with be downloaded at www.fortworthcursillo. MEMORIAL MASS grief, guilt, and pain following an abortion to SSMN ANNIVERSARY org. For more information, call Mary Jean Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus General find hope and healing. The retreats are open to JESSE MANIBUSAN CONCERT The Sisters of St. Mary of Namur will be Nagy at (817) 226-1110, or e-mail her at or Worth Assembly will celebrate its annual all who feel the pain of post-abortion trauma. Internationally recognized Catholic record- celebrating 137 years of service in 2010. [email protected]. Thanksgiving Day Memorial Mass at 10 a.m. Come and experience the mercy, forgiveness, ing artist Jesse Manibusan will perform an Friends of Sisters of St. Mary of Namur are Nov. 26 at the Discalced Carmelite Convent, and healing love of God on a Rachel’s Vine- “Advent Concert of Song and Praise” from 7 making plans to celebrate the sister’s years 5801 Mt. Carmel Dr., Arlington. The Mass yard weekend retreat. For more information to 8:15 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2 at St. Paul of service at events scheduled for Saturday, OLGHS DEVELOPMENT DINNER will be held in honor and memory of the Sir or registration, call the Rachel Ministries the Apostle Church at 5508 Black Oak Lane March 6, at Nolan Catholic High School in Our Lady of Grace High School invites all to Knights who have passed away during the confidential help line at (817) 923-4757 or in Fort Worth. For more information, call Fort Worth and Saturday, April 24, at Bishop attend the 10th annual Development Dinner, past fraternal year. The chalice blessed at this e-mail [email protected]. (817) 738-9925. Dunne High School in Dallas. All are invited Saturday, Dec. 5, at 5:30 p.m. at the Marriott Mass will be engraved with the names of Sir to join in celebrating with the sisters. To vol- DFW Solana, 5 Village Circle, Westlake, with Knights Fr. Carl Szura, TOR, Felix A. Gloden, ADVENT QUIET DAY unteer for this celebration, e-mail ssmn137@ special guest Bishop Kevin Vann. The featured and William “Bill” Gilpin. Father Anh Tran, The Auxiliary to the Discalced Carmelite Nuns gmail.com. guest speaker will be Chris Aubert, from the the assembly’s chaplain, will celebrate the of the Most Holy Trinity located at 5801 Mount Fullness of Truth-Catholic Evangelization Mass, and the Carmelite nuns will provide the Carmel Dr. in Arlington, will hold its annual NTC SUBMISSION Ministries. For more information or to make music. Ray Herrera is faithful navigator of the “Advent Quiet Day” on Wednesday, Dec. 2 at ST. GEORGE SCHOOL ALUMNI reservations, call (817) 933-6516 or visit DEADLINE Organizers for the St. George School reunion assembly, and Lonnie Brown, the assembly’s the monastery in Arlington. All are welcome the Web site at www.OLGHS.com and click The North Texas Catholic is are searching for all alumni who have ever past faithful navigator, is the chairman of the to attend. Father James Hart, chancellor for on Development Dinner. published twice monthly, except attended St. George School. All are invited to ceremony. The public is welcome to attend the diocese, will be the speaker/ presenter. during the months of June, July, the Homecoming scheduled for March 7. In the Memorial Mass. The program will begin at 10 a.m., and Mass and August when it is published order to get information out, organizers need will be at approximately noon, followed by TEEN PRO-LIFE LOCK-IN monthly. The deadline to submit to update the alumni directory. All alumni are lunch. Participants are asked to bring a sack St. Andrew Parish, 3717 Stadium Dr., Fort BISHOP DUNNE COUNCIL information is noon on the Wednes- asked to contact the school at (817) 222-1221 The Knights of Columbus Bishop Dunne lunch. Beverages will be provided. The Quiet Worth, will host a pro-life lock-in for teens day of the week before the paper or [email protected]. Day will end at approximately 2:30 p.m. after in seventh through 12th grades Friday, Dec. Council 2813 is celebrating its 70th an- is published. Items for the Dec. 4 Benediction. This is also an opportunity to 4. Due to the mature nature of the abortion niversary. The council is presently located issue must be received by noon on donate items to the Carmelite sisters, say PARADE OF LIGHTS material to be covered at the lock-in, organiz- at 4500 Columbus Trail in Southwest Fort Nov. 25. Items for the Dec. 18 issue event organizers, who are in need of paper As part of its 100th anniversary, Our Lady ers discourage attendance from younger stu- Worth. The anniversary will be celebrated must be received by noon on Dec. Dec. 5 in lieu of “Family Night” with a Mass goods and appreciate donations of any kind. of Victory School will enter a float in the dents. The event will include the celebration 9. Send information to jrusseau@ at 6 p.m. and a reception and dinner to fol- For questions or more information, contact Chesapeake Energy Parade of Lights in of Mass, two hours of workshop interactive fwdioc.org. low. The cost of the dinner is $10 per person Debbie Kerschen at (817) 925-5605. downtown Fort Worth on Nov. 27, the Friday presentations, concert, food, and a variety of or $20 per family. A complimentary 50-page after Thanksgiving. The float will display a sports tournaments. The cost of the event is booklet of the history of the council will be MINISTRY FOR GAYS, LESBIANS reproduction of the original Our Lady of $30 with early registration by Nov. 26 and $36 given to each family attending. Reservations The regular monthly meeting of The Fort Victory School building facade and feature at the door. Since this is a fundraising event are required. For more information or to Worth Diocesan Ministry With Lesbian and by students dressed as OLV founding priest for scholarships to attend the March for Life in make a reservation, call Bill Miller at (817) Gay Catholics, Other Sexual Minorities and CDA FUNDRAISER Father Minsart and Sister Claire of Jesus, the Washington, D.C., organizers are requesting Catholic Daughters of America Mary Mother 292-4044, Don Rejda at (817) 293-5699 or Their Families will not be held in November first provincial of the Sisters of Saint Mary that chaperones pay $15 to cover the cost of of Mercy Court 2143, based out of Our Lady Drew Armentrout at (817) 244-9595. and December due to the Thanksgiving and of Namur. For more information about the expenses including T-shirt and food and bring of Mercy Church in Hillsboro, will host its Christmas holidays. All who are interested are Parade of Lights, visit the parade’s Web site large bags of snacks and two-liter sodas. The major fundraiser — a “Santa Shop” — from invited to attend a vesper service at 6:30 p.m. at www.fortworthparadeoflights.org. pilgrimage will take place Thursday, Jan. 21 3:30 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, and 8:30 Thursday, Dec. 10, at the Catholic Renewal to Sunday, Jan. 24. Round-trip direct flights a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6. Gifts ADVENT MORNING REFLECTION Center Chapel, 4503 Bridge Street, Fort have been booked on American Airlines for will be available for as low as $1, along Mount Carmel Center, 4600 W. Davis St., Dal- Worth. A pot-luck dinner will follow. Meat COURAGE SUPPORT GROUP $260 departing DFW at 8 a.m. on Thursday with homemade treats. Proceeds from this las, will present “Advent Morning of Reflec- will be provided. The next regular meeting Courage D/FW, a spiritual support group and returning at 8:30 p.m. Sunday. The cost event will be distributed to various charities tion: Décor Carmeli/Queen Beauty of Carmel” will be held Thursday, Jan. 28, at 7 p.m. for Catholics striving to live chaste lives of hotel, food, and other expenses will be throughout the year. Saturday, Dec. 12, from 10 a.m. to noon. The at the Catholic Renewal Center. For more according to the Catholic Church’s teachings approximately $275 for a total trip cost of conference will examine the Blessed Virgin information, contact Father Warren Murphy, on homosexuality, meets the second and about $535. For more information, visit the Mary as the model of contemplative expecta- TOR, at (817) 927-5383, Dorene Rose at NFP CLASSES fourth Friday evenings of each month. For Web site at www.catholicsrespectlife.org more information, e-mail to CourageDFW@ or contact Sue Laux at (817) 939-8595 or tion and active receptivity for all believers. (817) 329-7370, or Sister Dorothy Eggering, The Couple to Couple League offers classes in Catholic.org or call (972) 938-5433. [email protected]. Participants may bring a lunch and stay for SSND, at (817) 283-8601. the sympto-thermal method of natural family personal prayer until 4 p.m. The suggested planning for married and engaged couples. minimum donation is $25 and the deadline CALIX SUPPORT GROUP Since the course consists of three classes to register is Dec. 3. For more information, Calix, a monthly support meeting for Catholics at monthly intervals, engaged couples are call (214) 331-6224 or visit the Web site at who are alcoholic and others who are strug- encouraged to attend a course beginning at Classifi ed Section www.mountcarmelcenter.org. gling with addiction and seeking recovery, is least four months before their wedding. To offered the first Saturday of each month at register for a course starting Dec. 13 at 2 p.m. 10 a.m. in the chapel of Holy Family Church, at St. John the Apostle Church, 7341 Glenview ‘WWJD’ AND CHRISTMAS 6150 Pershing Ave. in West Fort Worth. Calix Dr., North Richland Hills, contact Andrew DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR ST. JOSEPH LITANY St. Francis of Assisi Parish, 861 Wildwood meetings focus on enhancing spiritual growth and Samantha Mudd at (817) 284-5117. To Notre Dame Catholic School is accepting To request a copy of the prayer card Lane, Grapevine, will host a presentation by through sharing Eucharist, discussion, register for a supplemental postpartum class applications for a full time Development and litany to St. Joseph, send $1 to St. Dr. A.J. Whiting Monday, Nov. 30, at 7 p.m. and fellowship. For more information, call (for those couples who have previously at- Director beginning Spring-Summer 2010. Joseph Litany, PO Box 54642, Hurst, in the parish hall. Whiting will conduct an Deacon Joe Milligan at (817) 737-6768 tended a CCL course) on Dec. 11 at 6 p.m. at Applicant must have experience in TX 76054. adult discussion on the meaning of Christ- ext. 105. Sacred Heart Church, 1501 Ninth St., Wichita marketing, fundraising, and work- mas with topics such as “WWJD?, Sit on Falls, contact Jacob and Lauren Morath at ing with volunteers. Please sub- Santa’s lap?” “Who is Santa anyway?” “WJ ST. AUGUSTINE GROUP (940) 544-2515. Visit www.ccldfw.org for mit resume and application, play dreidl?” “What does that mean?” The The St. Augustine Men’s Purity Group, a more class dates and information. to Principal Cindy Huckabee @ 2821 ADVERTISE program will delve into the past to discover support group for men who struggle with Lansing Blvd. Wichita Falls TX 76309 IN THE the “who, what, where, how, and why we do sources of sexual impurity such as those ENGAGED ENCOUNTER or cindy.huckabee@notredamecatholic. org. what we do to one of the largest Christian found on the Internet, meets regularly An Engaged Encounter weekend program is NORTH TEXAS CATHOLIC celebrations of the year and the largest cel- in Room 213 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton designed to help couples planning marriage ebration on every retail calendar,” according School, located at 2016 Willis Lane, Keller; examine the life-long commitment they are FOR MORE INFORMATION to promotion material. All are invited to at 1301 Paxton Ave. (Padre Pio House) in making to one another and the life they are SERVICES AVAILABLE learn how to “Give the gift of Jesus,” and Arlington; and at Immaculate Conception about to begin. The next Engaged Encounter Topsoil, sand, gravel, washed materials, CALL “put Christ back in Christmas.” Participants Parish in Denton at 2255 Bonnie Brae St. weekend will be offered Dec. 4-6 at the Catholic driveways, concrete, backhoe, and tractor are invited to bring a Christmas treat to For additional information, visit the Web Renewal Center, 4503 Bridge St., Fort Worth. services. Custom mowing lots and acres. (817) 560-3300 share over coffee. For more information, site at www.sampg.com, or e-mail to Mark For more information, contact the Family Life Call (817) 732-4083. contact the parish office at (817) 481- 2685. at [email protected]. Office at (817) 560-3300 ext. 256. North Texas Catholic, November 20, 2009 Page 24 Good Newsmaker For 100 years, the Catholic community in the small town of Penelope has Kept the Faith Alive By Pat Svacina Director of Communications n Oct.11, more than 400 descendants of early Penelope The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Penelope, pictured above, O was built in the late 1940s, replacing the original wood structure. The church Czech Catholics and a was renovated after the reforms of the Second Vatican Council. (Photo by Larry Knapek, courtesy of WEST NEWS) new generation of Penel- ope Catholics celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Penelope Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish. Reviving images and sounds This early photograph of the original NBVM church building was taken in from the past, a choir of present approximately 1935. (Photo courtesy of parish archives) and former members opened Na- tivity of the Blessed Virgin Mary’s and witnessing to the presence of a better life for their families on anniversary commemorative Jesus Christ.” Penelope’s rich blacklands gath- Mass and welcomed celebrant, Fa- Undoubtedly Fr. George speaks ered in what was, no doubt, the ther Publius Xeureb, a former pas- with the same fervor as did the simple home of John Urbis to tor, with a favorite parish Czech early Penelope Czechs at gather- address one of their most impor- tune “Bud Matkou Mou,” roughly ings that led to the founding of tant unfulfi lled needs: a Catholic translated “Be my Mother, Mary,” the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin church in Penelope. setting the tone for a joyous and Mary more than 100 years ago. Minutes written in the Czech thankful celebration of 100 years Hard working, dedicated, language refl ect the Urbises, the of Catholicism in Penelope. religious, and with growing fami- Coceks, the Snapkas, and others “Our parish is more than lies, Czechs who were originally who assembled concluded the buildings,” said Father George lured to Texas by the promise of meeting with clear intentions: “We Pullambrayil, an immigrant from rich farmland at low prices, had the undersigned parishioners of India and pastor of NBVM as well by the late 1800s and the early Penelope bind ourselves to help as the nearby Immaculate Heart 1900s moved north from original build a church of the Lord.” of Mary Parish in Abbott. He settlements around Fayetteville Armed with $410.50 in cash addressed today’s parishioners in South Texas to Central Texas. and parishioners’ pledges to leave in the commemorative 100th an- The coming of the railroad to the farm work to help build a church, niversary directory: “Our people community of West in the 1880s and with the guiding hand of Fa- Bishop Thomas Gorman of Dallas is pictured (second from right) with pastor Fr. and the strong family life and the hastened the immigrations of ther Joseph Pelnar, pastor of the Bohumil Hruby (far right) processing from the rectory to the church, accompanied solid values which are evident adept and practical Czech farmers nearest Catholic Church — the by altar servers. The photograph was taken during the parish’s 50th anniversary are the strength of our parish. We into Central Texas. Assumption of the Blessed Virgin celebration, in August of 1959. (Photo courtesy of parish archives) work hard and help one another. Everywhere that Czechs went Mary in the community of West, 15 This caring for one another, this in Texas, they brought with them miles and a two-hour wagon ride Contributions that eventually answered when the new church willingness to help one another, the Catholic Church, the Czech to the west — Penelope Czechs totaled $1,600 paid for the materi- was dedicated on July 15, 1909 as this spirit of working together to language, and Czech customs persuaded Catholic Diocese of als and limited contractor work. the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin get the job done is what makes us — including food. Dallas Bishop Joseph Dunne, the To stay within budget, men of the Mary. But, as the history of the a strong parish community. Our On a fall Texas Sunday in second Dallas bishop, to establish parish, for the most part, built the parish notes, “only in part” was presence may be small, but we do October of 1907, Czech-speaking a new Catholic church in their church. great things by joining together Texans and Europeans who sought growing community. The Czechs’ prayers were SEE NBVM, P. 22

MAILING LABEL: Please enclose label with address change or inquiries concerning mail delivery of your paper. Thank you. Inside... This issue of the NTC Under the House bill on health Our Mother of Mercy celebrated 80 Sharon Perkins tours the Women care reform, tax money would not years of parish history recently. As of Spirit exhibit in Dallas and gives be used for abortion, but now Bishop Vann joined them to wish us her response to this display of the bishops want us to lobby for them “Ti voglio bene,” Italian for “I the rich contributions and life of Catholic values in the Senate wish you well,” OMM looked religious sisters in the U.S. billl. See the new bulletin insert. 2 back on their heritage of hope. 9 Their spirit will inspire you. 12