AWESTNGELUSTEXAS Serving the Diocese of San Angelo, Texas Volume XXXVIII, No. 8 AUGUST 2018 (Angelus photo) St. James Parish — Sanderson Saturday, July 28 DIOCESE OF SAN ANGELO PO BOX 1829 NONPROFIT ORG. SAN ANGELO TX 76902-1829 US POSTAGE PAID Inside this issue: SAN ANGELO, TX PERMIT NO. 44 • St. James celebrates parish festival (Page 2) • Bishop Sis on faith and sports (Page 3) • 2018 National Diaconate Congress (Page 6) • Parish festival schedule (Page 10) • Half a century of Humanae Vitae (Page 14) Page 2 AUGUST 2018 The Angelus The Inside Front Strength of community on display during Sanderson festival By Brian Bodiford the apostle as its patron), the Mass of a dance, and the crowning of the festi- What, then, compels this travel to West Texas Angelus Installation for the new priest (Father val’s king and queen. There was a lot such a remote community for a day of Lorenzo Hatch, in his first installation as going on. festivities once a year? Corina SANDERSON — Nestled in the hills pastor of a parish), confirmation for three If someone were to pluck a random Arredondo, president of the near the U.S.-Mexico border, this small young members of the parish, and the person out of the packed church or parish Guadalupanas at St. James, put it suc- town of just over 800 people stands like celebration of the first Holy Communion hall, they would be as likely as not to cinctly: “the people.” an oasis amidst an otherwise sparse for two boys in attendance. After Mass, find someone who does not live in “We have very faithful, loyal people expanse of bone-dry ranch land, where the festivities continued with a live band, Sanderson. who have moved away,” she says, but escaped sheep meander perilously close they continue coming back to Sanderson to narrow highways nearly devoid of traf- for events like the parish festival. fic aside from the occasional rancher on The festival was filled with these an ATV slowly making his way through loyal one-time Sanderson residents. his rounds. Upon entering a Sanderson- Some, like Anna Allen, have lived many shaped bubble of cell phone service after other places through the years but still miles of scenic countryside beneath dead return for the festival. Allen, currently air, a billboard alerts drivers that they residing in Fort Stockton, moved away have arrived at “The Cactus Capital of from Sanderson in 1960 and has lived in Texas.” This is Sanderson, Texas. In this cities big and small, far and near. Visiting quiet, historic town sits St. James Sanderson, she says, presents an opportu- Catholic Church, the southernmost parish nity to visit friends who still live here. in the Diocese of San Angelo. She also feels a special connection to St. Though the roads near town may James, which she calls a “very special seem rarely used, it’s clear that, at least church.” on one weekend in mid-summer, many This connection to the local church is people have made similar treks to gather something that, at least according to sta- at the church. Saturday, July 28, 2018, tistics, seems to permeate the area. In was a busy day for the community of St. March, USA Today published the results James Parish. The parish held their annu- of a study conducted by 24/7 Wall St. al fall festival, an event that spans the with the goal of determining the most whole day and well into the night, punc- religious county in each state based on tuated by a late-afternoon Mass that regular church attendance. Terrell served as the celebration of the feast of St. James (a solemnity for a church with Festival goers playing Bingo in the parish hall. (Angelus photo) See SANDERSON, Page 20 Texas Catholic 'respite' center serves as symbol of American compassion By Rhina Guidos She tells their stories. Catholic News Service One was about a woman who fled MCALLEN, Texas — It's been fea- Guatemala after her 16- tured in fundraisers at the Vatican and on year-old son was kid- news shows. This summer, it's been visit- napped and killed by ed by Kerry Kennedy, Robert and Ethel gangs. She pho- Kennedy's daughter, and TV celebrity tographed the woman Gayle King. with her remaining son The U.S. bishops recently made it as they passed through the first stop on a high-profile visit to the the center. border. "The fact is that But the real celebrities who walk they are human per- through its doors are the poor, unkempt, sons, they are people, tired, thirsty, hungry women, children they need attention, and men who run to it shortly after being they need care," Sister released by immigration authorities — a Norma, as she's popu- modern Statue of Liberty come to life. larly known, said in a Its official name is the Catholic July 1 interview with Charities of the Rio Grande Valley's Catholic News Service. Humanitarian Respite Center. From the In 2014, Sister outside, the humble cream-colored build- Norma set out to pro- ing with Mission-revival style touches, vide some of that care, calls little attention to passers-by. But as she saw an influx of inside its walls, volunteers give a warm immigrants arriving in welcome, including unexpected smiles Texas' Rio Grande and applause, along with clothes and Valley, in the warm food, to recent arrivals to the U.S. Brownsville Diocese. as they walk through its doors. With local volunteers, It was Sister Norma Pimentel, a she began a makeshift member of the Missionaries of Jesus and operation to help the Sister Norma Pimentel, executive director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley, and Cardinal Blase J. executive director of Catholic Charities migrants obtain clothes Cupich of Chicago greet asylum seekers in 2017 at the Humanitarian Respite Center in McAllen, Texas, in the of the Rio Grande Valley, whose idea it and food. Out of a Brownsville Diocese. (CNS photo/courtesy Catholic Extension) was to create this place to "welcome the property that belonged asylum, have access to a shower after a lies, to see them and hear their stories so stranger" and who came in the form of a to the local Sacred Heart Church, they harrowing trip, a clean change of clothes, they could talk about them to others and migrant to the border town of McAllen. began clothing and feeding the newcom- a quick medical look, if they need it, a speak on their behalf. Though there's a She often posts pictures on Twitter ers. warm meal and a snack for the road. sense of antagonism toward immigrants of babies and moms, teens and fathers Her mission now has a more perma- On the trip by a group of U.S. bish- around the country, she's eager to show- and other children who walk through the nent home on Beaumont Avenue in ops in early July, Sister Norma said she center's doors. She calls them "miracles." McAllen, where migrants, many seeking wanted the prelates to talk with the fami- See RESPITE, Page 22 The Angelus AUGUST 2018 Page 3 From The Bishop’s Desk Catholic perspective on sports By Bishop Michael Sis how athletic activity offers a healthy complement to Here I will share some key insights from this Diocese of San Angelo work, prayer, study, and family life. Sports have long Vatican document, and then I will offer a few of my been a part of a balanced education in Catholic schools own reflections about some issues related to sports. Here in West Texas, we know the value of hard and universities. work, but we also appreciate our sports. Friday night The New Testament uses sports metaphors to INSIGHTS FROM GIVING THE BEST OF YOURSELF high school football is an integral describe the Christian life. For example, Hebrews 12:1 part of our culture. When a local says, “Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of Virtues: Giving the Best of Yourself teaches that team in any sport makes it to the witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin “the Church values sport in itself, as an arena of human playoffs, the whole town rises up in which clings so closely, and let us run with persever- activity where the virtues of temperance, humility, support of their success. ance the race that is set before us.” courage, patience can be fostered and encounters with When I talk with our young peo- Saint John Paul II was known as the “athlete pope.” beauty, goodness, truth and joy can be witnessed.” It ple, I am impressed to see so many He participated in many sports, including alpine skiing, goes on to say, “The experience of sport is one that involved in various sports. Whether hiking, swimming, and soccer. He did much to promote involves justice, sacrifice, joy, harmony, courage, equal- as participants or spectators, people a positive engagement between the Catholic faith and ity, respect, and solidarity” (1.3). are brought together through sports. the world of sports. He said that the Church regards At their best, sports foster good sportsmanship, Bishop Sis Sports have the ability to break down sport with esteem because she values “everything that courtesy, and fair play. There should be a healthy bal- barriers of race, politics, and religion. contributes to the harmonious and complete develop- ance between the value of the individual and the com- Pope Francis says that “Sports is a privileged area ment of the person, body and soul. She encourages, mon good of the team.