CATHOLIC FAMILY FRATERNAL JOURNAL #286 • PUB NO (USPS 585060) • Temple, TX 76501 • July/August • 2017 Delegates Attend XXXV Regular General Convention; Two New State Directors Elected A total of 142 delegates attended the XXXV Regular General Con- vention of the Catholic Family Fra- ternal of Texas - K.J.Z.T. in Aus- tin on July 15 and 16, 2017 at the Omni Southpark Hotel. There were 59 societies represented. The Convention began with regis- tration early Saturday morning and with committee meetings. Commit- tees that met were the Credentials Committee, Mileage Committee, Balloting Committee and Hospital- ity Committee. Mass followed with State Chap- lain Father Gary Janak presiding. Pictured at left is Betty Vacek. Pictured at right is Donna Janda. The Mass featured Alice Wright Marriage as the Fifth Gospel playing the piano and Betty Vacek leading the Choir. After Mass, registration continued and was followed by lunch, dur- ing which a presentation was given by delegates Margaret Ryan and Bea Jarzombek, sisters of Sister Rebecca Janacek. .................................. page 3 A slideshow was shown and they spoke of Sister Rebecca’s work in Rotu, East Africa. Everyone found the presentation Convention, cont. interesting and informative. ................................... page 6 A silent auction was held all day Saturday through Sunday morning benefitting the K.J.Z.T. Memorial Scholarship Fund. The total raised for the fund was over $1,500. Then, the Convention was opened by State Director Sofie Perkins. The blessing of the gavel was done by State Chaplain Camp Pictures Father Gary Janak. VP/Insurance Services Pam Strickland gave the roll call. President/CEO Loretta Stahl welcomed all ................................. page 10 the delegates and guests. A special guest speaker for the weekend included Joseph Annotti, President and CEO of the American Fraternal Alli- Junior Awards Day ance. Mr. Annotti spoke of his work in fraternal advocacy, branding, governance and the future of fraternals in the age ................................. page 12 of technology. On Saturday night, the delegates were treated to a cocktail hour and banquet. Everyone enjoyed the music of Mr. and Flag Day Mrs. Henry Machicek during cocktails. The Czech singers had delegates out of their seats, singing and dancing! Next ................................. page 17 followed the banquet, where Sales and Marketing Manager Jim Wiest recognized his top 3 Sales Agents in the “Race to the Convention” contest. In 1st place was Joan Johnson of Ennis, in 2nd place was Rita Egbue from Dallas and in 3rd Fraternal 100 place was Mike Foteh from Houston. The Sales Department also held a membership contest for the Societies. In 1st place ..................................page 21 was Society No. 89 Sinton, in 2nd place was Society No. 32 Houston and in 3rd place was Society No. 126 Palacios. continued on page 6... Page 2 CATHOLIC FAMILY FRATERNAL JOURNAL July/August 2017 July/August 2017 CATHOLIC FAMILY In lieu of a President’s letter this issue, FRATERNAL JOURNAL (USPS 585-060) we would like to share with you this Apostolic Message. PUBLISHED BI-MONTHLY BY CATHOLIC FAMILY FRATERNAL OF TEXAS We also received letters from Bishops across the state of Texas 4604 EAST BEN WHITE BLVD. AUSTIN, TEXAS 78741 who sent their prayers to the Fraternal. (512) 444-9586 www.kjzt.org • E-mail us at [email protected] PUBLICATION STAFF Editor Editorial Assistant Loretta Stahl Liz Hernandez 4604 East Ben White Blvd. [email protected] Austin, Texas 78741 PRINTER TEMPLE DAILY TELEGRAM Entered as Periodicals Postage Paid at Austin, Texas and at additional mailing office. Entered under the Act of August 14, 1912. STATE OFFICERS President/CEO Loretta Stahl VP/Insurance Services Pam Strickland VP/Financial Controller Carrie Janecek STATE DIRECTORS Emma Jean Ribar 6704 FM 2269 Grace Vinklarek Buckholts, TX 76518 16052 N State Hwy 95 (254) 697-6349 Flatonia, TX 78941 (830) 839-4400 Sofie Perkins 3104 Traylor Blvd. Joyce Kurtz Rockport, TX 78382 769 Private Road 3077 (361) 729-7310 Hallettsville, TX 77964 (361) 293-7688 Arlene Cloyd 7181 Kiesewetter Rd. Sally Long Bellville, TX 77418 1105 S. Mulberry St. (979) 865-9006 Ennis, TX 75119 (972) 875-9503 Deborah Kaspar P.O. Box 1677 Brazoria, TX 77422 (979) 482-0239 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Catholic Family Fraternal Journal Attn: Editor P.O. Box 18896 Austin, Texas 78760-8896 K.J.Z.T. Office Hours Monday thru Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Friday 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. July/August 2017 CATHOLIC FAMILY FRATERNAL JOURNAL Page 3 (USPS 585-060) Marriage as the Fifth Gospel Pope Francis, in referring to marriage as an act of faith between a man and By Very Rev. Gary W. Janak, State Chaplain woman who are both fragile and limited, but courageous enough to follow Christ The Holy Land is often referred to as the “Fifth Gospel,” since it illuminates and seek to love each other as he loves them, has said, “Men and women, coura- the story of our salvation like nothing else on earth can do. We know the four geous enough to carry this treasure in the ‘earthen vessels’ of our humanity, are gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, but Father Bargil Pixner, a Benedic- an essential resource for the church and for the whole world...All Christians are tine monk in Jerusalem’s Dormition Abbey and well-noted author and archeolo- called to love each other like Christ loves them, and to be at the service of each gist, is quoted in his book With Jesus Through Galilee: According to the Fifth other, but the love between husband and wife is given greater, even ‘unthink- Gospel (Corazin Publishing, 1992) as saying, “Five gospels record the life of able,’ dignity when St. Paul says the love between a husband and wife reflects Jesus. Four you will find in books and one you will find in the land they call the love between Christ and his church.” Yes, husbands and wives, through holy. Read the fifth gospel and the world of the four will open to you.” I have their marital love, boldly evangelize and witness to Christ through the very gift been blessed to have made three journeys to Israel and each time I learn some- of their marriage. This Sacrament of Service can indeed be referred to as a thing new about this sacred land and about my faith journey. Therefore, just as “Fifth Gospel.” the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John unfold the life, death and resur- rection of our Savior, so does a pilgrimage to the very land and home of Jesus. As members of the K.J.Z.T., we are encouraged to promote the sanctity of mar- It is indeed the “Fifth Gospel.” riage and encourage our children and grandchildren to exchange their marital vows in the Church. Too often today couples select a venue not only for their Yet, the longer I am a priest, and the more I minister to married couples, the reception, but also for their wedding ceremony, and many more couples choose more I also learn about Christ through husbands and wives. Therefore, I often to forgo marriage altogether and cohabitate. In the United States, according to refer to marriage as the “Fifth Gospel.” Just as I can experience the presence The Official Catholic Directory, there were 352,458 weddings in the Catholic of Jesus, as I recall walking upon the very land he traveled, I find Christ fully Church in 1965. In 2017, there were 145,916. I, and my brother priests, speak alive in the Sacrament of Marriage shared by couples who love the Lord and often about the declining number of weddings in our parishes. one another. Such love is exhibited in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. These married couples preach the Gospel of Christ to me, not only by It grieves me that so many couples are denying themselves the grace of the their words, but in their commitment to one another. Sacrament of Marriage. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, in paragraph 1661, reminds us of the outpouring of God’s grace upon those who enter into a I witness this through long-lived marriages, such as a recent blessing I offered sacramental union: “The sacrament of Matrimony signifies the union of Christ to a couple married for 75 years, as well as broken marriages that have been and the Church. It gives spouses the grace to love each other with the love with healed. I once watched a wife beam with pride, as her husband distributed Holy which Christ has loved his Church; the grace of the sacrament thus perfects the Communion for the first time as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Commu- human love of the spouses, strengthens their indissoluble unity, and sanctifies nion. A few years previously, they were on the brink of divorce. They began them on the way to eternal life,” Why would anyone want to deprive themselves to pray together, and in the investment they made into their marriage of time, of such grace? Encourage your children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren commitment and forgiveness, healing was received. Today, they are a “Fifth to begin their married lives with the grace of the Sacrament of Marriage. Let us Gospel” to me in their marital relationship. Saint Paul writes, in his letter to all pray for the strength to witness to our faith and to encourage others, by this the Philippians (1:9-11): “And this is my prayer: that your love may increase witness, to come to know Jesus Christ. As it is often said, we might be the only ever more and more in knowledge and every kind of perception, to discern what gospel they will ever read.