Friend the Diocese of San Confirmation, Easter Angelo on Facebook for Throughout this month’s the latest news, and sub- Angelus, find photos of con- scribe to DOSAMail week- firmation, Easter and Holy ly updates at Week. flocknote.com/dosamail. New columnist Mary Lou Gibson, a frequent colum- nist in Austin’s Texas Spirit newspaper, begins a month- ly column devot- ed to stories of saints in the church. Her first installment, on newly canonized St. John XXIII is on Serving the Diocese of San Angelo, Texas Page 8. Volume XXXIV, No. 5 MAY 2014 St. Stephen’s to host diocesan Fortnight for Freedom Mass By Jimmy Patterson The first observance of Fortnight for Editor Freedom opened with a Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the San Angelo Bishop Michael Sis will Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary celebrate Mass at Midland’s St. in June 2012. Since, the event has Stephen’s Church at 5:00 p.m., Saturday, grown to encompass events held at dio- June 21, to launch this year’s Fortnight Catholic Bishops to participate in events ceses around the country, 70 of which for Freedom observance. during a 14-day period in June and July held events in 2012. BLESSING OF STAINED GLASS Fortnight For Freedom is a campaign that heightens awareness of religious begun by the U.S. Conference of liberty issues in the United States. (Please See FORTNIGHT/20) AT SAN MIGUEL ARCÁNGEL San Angelo Bishop Michael Sis, Bishop celebrates first above, blesses new stained glass Chrism Mass as shepherd artwork at San Miguel Arcángel Catholic Church during the Easter of San Angelo diocese Vigil Mass. Photos, Page 7. By Becca Sankey ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED SERVICE ADDRESS SAN ANGELO ANGELO SAN TX 76902-1829 DIOCESE OF SAN ANGELO SAN OF DIOCESE SAN ANGELO —With a glinting crucifix high on the wall behind him and three pews of priests seated imme- 1829 BOX PO diately before him, Bishop Michael J. Sis on April 10 presided over his first-ever Chrism Mass at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in San Angelo. Celebrated worldwide in the Catholic Church, the Chrism Mass is held annually on Holy Thursday morn- ing or on another day near Easter. It is a sign of the com- munion of the priests with their bishop. Sis, who in January replaced retired Bishop Michael Pfeifer, blessed the Oil of Catechumens, the Oil of the Sick and the Sacred Chrism before they were distributed Bishop Michael in three bottles to each pastor or pastor’s representative in Sis, at right in the Catholic Diocese of San Angelo. Per Church tradi- above photo, with tion, the oils will be used in the sacraments at each Deacon Steve parish. US POSTAGE PAID POSTAGE US NONPROFIT ORG. NONPROFIT SAN ANGELO, TX ANGELO, SAN Zimmerman. At “It’s beautiful to be a witness to the blessing of the 44 NO. PERMIT left, many priests holy oils that are used throughout the year in the life of of the diocese our church,” said Roselva Ruiz, who with her husband, were present at the Bill, traveled from Odessa to attend the Mass. “I believe Chrism Mass. it’s just very important that as the people of God, we (Photo by Becca Sankey) (Please See CHRISM/23) Page 2 MAY 2014 The Angelus From The Bishop’s Desk Farming, ranching can bring greater appreciation of work, family By Most Rev. Michael J. Sis in rural life. One of the greatest joys is to Bishop of San Angelo live so close to the order, harmony, and beauty of God’s creation. Through agricul- La vida rural Agriculture touches all our lives, wherev- ture we have the privilege of being co-cre- Por Obispo Michel J. Sis nidades rurales. er we live and whatever we do. The cotton ators with God, participating in God’s ongo- Hay muchas bendiciones y desafíos en in our clothes, the food on our plates, the ing work of creation. Farming and ranching La agricultura afecta todas nuestras la vida rural. Una de las más grandes ale- leather in our shoes, and brings the satisfaction of hard work and a vidas, donde sea que vivamos o lo que grías es la de vivir tan cercas al orden, la even the ingredients in deep appreciation of the family as a source hagamos. El algodón en nuestra ropa, la armonía, y la belleza de la creación de our beer, come from of support and training in moral principles. comida en nuestros platos, la piel en nue- Dios. Por medio de la agricultura hemos farms and ranches. Those who make a living in agriculture stros zapatos, y hasta los ingredientes en tenido el privilegio de ser co-creadores Anyone who has ever are keenly aware of their total dependence nuestra cerveza, vienen de las granjas y con Dios, participando en el desarrollo been in the Diocese of on God’s providence for rain, health, safe- los ranchos. continuo del trabajo de Dios de la San Angelo knows that ty, and life itself. The practice of religion Cualquiera que ha estado en la creación. La agricultura y la ganadería rural life has a dominant has always had a strong role in rural com- Diócesis de San Ángelo sabe que la vida nos traen satisfacción de trabajo duro y place in our culture. On munities. Living in the country, a person rural tiene un lugar dominante en nuestra un aprecio profundo de la familia como Tuesday, June 3, 2014, learns what true stewardship is all about. cultura. El martes, 3 de junio del 2014, una fuente de apoyo y entrenamiento en Bishop Sis we will celebrate our Stewardship is taking care of the good celebraremos la Misa diocesana anual de principios morales. annual diocesan Rural things God has entrusted to us, developing Vida Rural, con el Padre Hugh Wade y la Aquellos quienes ganan su vida en la Life Mass, hosted by Father Hugh Wade them, leaving them better than we found Parroquia St. Mary Star of the Sea de agricultura están profundamente con- and St. Mary Star of the Sea Parish in them, and always thinking about the condi- Ballinger como anfitriones. La Iglesia scientes de su dependencia total en la Ballinger. The Church stands with farmers tion in which we will leave things for Católica respalda a los agricultores y providencia de Dios por la lluvia, la and ranchers, particularly those who own future generations. rancheros, particularmente con los que salud, la seguridad, y en la vida misma. family farms and ranches, as they seek to My father and mother both grew up on son propietarios de una granja o rancho La práctica de religión siempre ha jugado carry out their work with dignity and to farms in Kansas during familiar, mientras buscan llevar a cabo su strengthen rural communities. trabajo con dignidad y fortalecer comu- (Mira RURAL/22) There are many blessings and challenges (Please See BISHOP/22) DIOCESAN BRIEFS Prayer for the persecuted Correction in the calendar year of 2014 and are To obtain a copy, please send $15 per The April 2014 edition of the West especially invited to attend. DVD to: Diocese of San Angelo Pastoral Catholic Church in China Texas Angelus incorrectly stated that a Center, PO Box 1829, San Angelo, TX Rite of Election ceremony was celebrated ACS Garage Sale Planning 76902. Attention: Ordination Video. Please denote "Ordination Video" in the A growing number of people in China are openly seeking in March 2014 at the Cathedral of the SAN ANGELO. It's that time again! God for the first time in decades. Since 2007, the universal Sacred Heart in San Angelo. Although Spring cleaning is upon us, and ACS memo field of your check. Make sure your there were two rites of election in the dio- needs your "treasures." We will take your return address is clearly noted either on Church has observed May 24 as a World Day of Prayer for cese — the second being at St. Ann's in unwanted clothing, furniture, outdoor yard your check or in an accompanying note. the Church in China. Continuing this observance, Pope Midland — the rite in San Angelo was equipment, toys, bikes, electronics, etc., Francis has sent the following message to all of us: celebrated at Holy Angels Church. The for our annual ACS Garage Sale. You will Carmelite brother’s anniversary "May 24 is the day dedicated to the liturgical Memorial of Rite of Election at Holy Angels was the receive a tax receipt for your donations. If You are cordially invited to celebrate with the Blessed Virgin Mary, Help of Christians, venerated with first time the ceremony had been con- you or someone you know has items for the Carmelite Hermits of Christoval, a deep devotion at the Shrine of Sheshan in Shanghai. I ask all ducted in a church other than the donation, please feel free to call to Mass of Thanksgiving in honor of Br. the world’s Catholics to join in prayer with the brothers and Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in San arrange a time for pick up. Of course we John David's 20th Anniversary of sisters who are in China, to implore from God the grace to Angelo. The Angelus regrets the error. will need your muscles, too! Volunteers Religious Life at 10:00am on Saturday, will be needed to work before and during May 17 at Mount Carmel Hermitage, with proclaim humbly and joyfully Christ who died and was Rural Life Mass the sale scheduled for May 31. More a reception following.