IN THIS MONTH’S ANGELUS: Family Life With the USCCB Blessings in our grasp giving an increased West Texas The U.S. Catholic Bishops emphasis to mar- riage and family life, over and over again in recent MaryAnn Lewis, at years have issued an urgent right, has been hired call for comprehensive immi- to oversee efforts in gration reform at the federal the dicoese as they level. Without national pertain to the two ANGELUS reform, there is a great fear traditional institu- that states will enact legisla- tions. / Pg. 7 tion that is neither compre- Serving the Diocese of San Angelo, Texas hensive, nor compassionate Volume XXX (30), No. 10 OCTOBER 2010 nor just. / Page 2 CALENDAR Cardinal Daniel NOVEMBER 2010 DiNardo, right, Cardinal to attend 50th jubilee Mass 1 -- All Saints Day Archbishop of 2 -- All Souls Day Galveston- Angelo. The Angelus 7 -- 32nd Sunday of the Year Houston, has A native of Steubenville, Ohio, the 61- 14 -- 33rd Sunday of the Year confirmed he will SAN ANGELO -- Bishop Michael year-old DiNardo was ordained in attend next year’s Pittsburgh in 1977, named Archbishop of 21 -- Christ the King 50th Anniversary Pfeifer has announced that His Eminence, 25 -- Thanksgiving Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, the first-ever Galveston-Houston in February 2006 and celebration for 28 -- 1st Sunday of Advent the Diocese of elected Roman Catholic Cardinal from the was selected Cardinal by Pope Benedict San Angelo. state of Texas, has confirmed that he will XVI on November 24, 2007. 30 -- St. Andrew, Apostle attend the diocese’s 50th anniversary DiNardo will join what is expected to jubilee Mass October 16, 2011 in San (Please See 50/20) STRATEGIES FOR CATHOLIC SCHOOLS Officials discuss how to better serve needs, retain viability Just 4 Kids By Msgr. Larry Droll God calls Amos as one of his Pastor of St. Ann’s Parish, Midland prophets / Pg. 16 and Ms. Joan Wilmes, Principal ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED SERVICE ADDRESS SAN ANGELO ANGELO SAN TX 76902-1829 St. Ann’s Catholic School, Midland ANGELO SAN OF DIOCESE MIDLAND -- How can Catholic 1829 BOX PO schools in the Diocese of San Angelo better serve their constituents and remain viable in the future? The Diocesan School Commission has tackled that question for the past year and finalized goals and objectives (Please See SCHOOLS/21) Austin group launches effort for Catholics in military The Angelus Frontline Faith Project, and produced an “We wanted to say ‘thank you,’ to give US POSTAGE PAID POSTAGE US NONPROFIT ORG. NONPROFIT MP3 player designed especially for something back, to serve those who serve TX ANGELO, SAN AUSTIN -- Civilians can often forget Catholics serving in the military. Loaded us,” said Cheri Lomonte, director of 44 NO. PERMIT the amount of sacrifice demanded of the with recordings of the Mass, a rosary, “Mary’s Touch” and the Frontline Faith men and women who defend the country. meditations, and even letters of thanks Project. Lomonte, who lives in Austin Sometimes, sadly, civilians even forget to from school children, the player is and lived in Midland for over 25 years, say “thank you” for that sacrifice. designed to bring the Catholic faith clos- can also be heard weekly on the radio To fill this gap, Mary’s Touch, a lay er to those serving the country who are program “Mary’s Touch” at apostolate from Austin, has launched the separated from their homes and parishes. (Please See MP3/20) Page 2 OCTOBER 2010 The Angelus From the Bishop’s Desk Comprehensive immigration reform can bring blessings By Bishop Michael Pfeifer, OMI terror of Herod. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus regulation of social and economic relations of the instructs us to welcome the stranger: “For I was 21st-century America. Our present laws are ill The U.S. Catholic Bishops over and over again in hungry, and you gave me food. I was thirsty, and adapted to the increasing interdependence of our recent years have issued an urgent call for compre- you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed world and the globalization of labor. Proposed hensive immigration reform at the federal level. me.” [Matthew 25-35] The way we treat immigrants changes, however, must take into account both Without national reform, there is a great fear that reflects our commitments to fairness and decency, human dignity and the national interest. states will enact legislation that is neither compre- and our respect for persons and families. It also For this reason, the U.S. Bishops and a broad hensive, nor compassionate nor just. affects our nation’s economic growth and well-being. bipartisan coalition ranging from unions to cham- Pfeifer The way we treat immigrants, whether docu- Recently, the U.S. Council of Economic Advisors bers of commerce have supported comprehensive mented or undocumented, is a matter of justice and estimated that “the country’s net gain from immigra- immigration reform that, while addressing future love. It reflects our Christian call to love our neigh- tion is $37 billion per year.” Comprehensive immi- needs for labor by providing for legal guest-worker bor, especially our neighbor most in need. The gration reform that is fair and just and respects the program also offer an earned path for legalization Gospel foundation for our approach is based on the human person can bring many blessings to our for some 11-12 million undocumented workers life and the teaching of Jesus Christ. The baby child country. already in the country as well as fixing the unac- Jesus was a refugee, along with His parents, as they Our immigration laws need to be changed; they ceptable backlog of visas for family reunification fled their own country into Egypt because of the are antiquated and inadequate for the promotion and (Please See BISHOP/23) DIOCESAN BRIEFS White Ribbon Against Pornography Jr. High Youth Event: ‘Who Are Our Heroes?’ Pope to offer special Mass for unborn November 27 ODESSA -- St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Campaign raises Church will host the 2010 Diocesan Junior Editor’s Note: The following letter was sent to all the priests of the Diocese of San High Youth Event on Sunday, Oct. 17. Angelo as regards a special Mass for the unborn. Please attend this Mass. Thank Special guest will be S. Mary Fagan, you. –Bishop Michael Pfeifer, OMI public awareness SHSp, who will present on “Who Are Our Heroes: A look at our Catholic Saints. My brother priests: The event is scheduled from 10 a.m.-4 of global problem p.m. Registration is $15. For more informa- I am enclosing here information I received from Cardinal George, President of the tion, contact Sister Adelina at 325-651-7500. USCCB, and an enclosed letter from two Cardinals announcing a special Mass that will be By Bishop Michael Pfeifer, OMI The Diocesan Junior High Youth Event is offered by Pope Benedict XVI on November 27, 2010 at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. The sponsored by the Diocese of San Angelo’s Bishops of the world are asked to encourage all of our priests to offer on that day a Mass Office of Education and Formation. in our parishes for the same intention requested by our Holy Father. Hence, I am asking In the fight against pornography, public that all of our priests offer in all of our parishes a special Mass for all nascent [unborn] awareness is our number one ally, and the World Priest Day human life on that day, November 27. As you can see, other devotions and prayers are White Ribbon Against Pornography World Marriage Encounter is sponsoring suggested for that day. I especially encourage you to encourage our people to be present World Priest Day (Priesthood Sunday) on for this Mass and to also consider making some time of Adoration before the Blessed (WRAP) Campaign is a time tested means October 31. This day focuses on celebrating Sacrament for this special intention. to help build that awareness. The WRAP the ongoing affirmation of the men who com- Thank you for your cooperation and let us always remember in all of our Masses an Campaign this year is from October 31 – mit their lives to the Lord and the Church intention for a new respect for the sacredness and dignity of all human life, from its earli- November 7. WRAP is designed to educate through the Sacrament of Holy Orders. It is est beginnings until its natural end. Thank you and God bless you. an opportunity for Catholic parishioners to the public about the harms that pornogra- thank, affirm and share their love and sup- phy causes and about what citizens can do an interest in Religious Life, Sat., Oct. 23 Offender/Scheduled Execution Date: port for priests. (8:45 am-4 pm) and Sun., Dec. 5 (8:30 am - to fight back. The celebration is designed to be a day or Gayland Bradford/October 14 1 pm) at their Motherhouse, 3400 Bradford, The WRAP Campaign got its start in several days to rejoice in the Sacrament of Larry Wooten/October 21 Houston, 77025. Interested women are also Holy Orders. On this day, or during the week Steven Staley/December 1 Butler, Penn., in 1987 when Norma Norris, welcome each Saturday evening to join in preceding or following it, Catholics across the after hearing a sermon against pornogra- Scripture Sharing (in preparation for country are encouraged to develop activities Natural Family Planning phy, decided to ask citizens in her commu- Sunday's readings) from 7-8 p.m. and each to affirm their priests. Helping couples to deepen conjugal love and first Sunday to attend Mass followed by nity to display white ribbons as a symbol of “On this special Sunday, reach out and achieve responsible parenthood is part of the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, begin- community standards of decency.