Spring/Summer 2016 Issue IN THIS ISSUE Introducing new Assistant Director for Native American Catholics l Introducing new Assistant Director for Native American Catholics The USCCB Secretariat of Cultural His most recent duties before l Chairman’s Reflection Diversity in the Church is pleased joining the Bishops’ Conference to welcome Father Michael Carson, include being pastor of St. Cyprian l Executive Director’s Message a priest of the Diocese of San Jose, Catholic Church and administrator as the new Assistant of the Catholic l Special Item: Homily of H.E. Archbishop Director of Cultural Academy of Bernardito Auza on Annual Asian Pacific Diversity in the Islander Marian Pilgrimage Sunnyvale. Before Church for Native that, he was pastor l Asian and Pacific Islanders American Affairs. Fr. of Queen of the Carson started his work Apostles parish in l Native American Affairs with the Conference San Jose. For the l Pastoral Care for Migrants, Refugees and on April 25, 2016. last eight years Travelers Catholics - Uganda Martyrs Fr. Carson holds Father Carson has a Master in Divinity volunteered his l Hispanic Affairs from the Franciscan time over School of Theology l African American Affairs the summer at (Graduate Theological Christ the King l Building Intercultural Competences Union) and a in Shiprock, for Ministers (BICM) Master in Education Navajo Nation, Administration from New Mexico. l Recommended Resources Santa Clara University. In this capacity, l New Committee and He has been involved with long term Fr. Carson has been doing workshops, Subcommittee Members strategic planning for the Department programs and ministry with the of Catholic Education in the Diocese parishioners and staff in the Navajo l Meet the Staff of San Jose. He was ordained a priest Nation. He also helped to organize l Morning Praise in June of 1998. services and relief efforts for the poor l Contact and Socialize with US continued on page 2 1 there, and has given symposiums in Death Penalty (CPF) and has been Director, and to Bishop Patrick J. California on the people, places and ministering to inmates on Death McGrath for releasing such a talented history of Native American Culture Row San Quentin, California for and dedicated priest for service to in the Southwest. the last twenty years. Along with his wider Church through his ministry His interest in Native American anti-death penalty work, he has been at the U.S. Conference of Catholic beliefs, values and culture comes the chaplain of the Pro-Life Council Bishops. from his grandfather, a full blooded of the Diocese of San Jose. And he Fr. Carson hopes to see many of member of the Louisiana Choctaw has been volunteering at Juvenile you at the Tekakwitha Conference tribe, who from his earliest days Hall San Jose, California for the last this summer in Burlingame, offered him spiritual and cultural eighteen years. California (July 20-24) where he is grounding and made him proud of his The Secretariat of Cultural scheduled to participate and offer two Native American heritage. Fr. Carson Diversity in the Church is grateful workshops. is also the co-founder of California to Fr. Carson for his generosity in Welcome to the Secretariat of People of Faith Working against the accepting the position of Assistant Cultural Diversity in the Church, Fr. Mike! l CHAIRMAN’S REFLECTION By: Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller, M.Sp.S. The Family, School of Mercy “The family is thus an agent of pastoral activity through peoples, in all circumstances, starting in that holy sanc- its explicit proclamation of the Gospel and its legacy of tuary of the home. The Holy Father continues, saying: “In varied forms of witness, namely solidarity with the poor, all families the Good News needs to resound, in good openness to a diversity of people, the protection of cre- times and in bad, as a source of light along the way” ation, moral and material (ibid). The homes of solidarity with other fami- the faithful people of lies, including those most God are places where in need, commitment to the mercy of God can the promotion of the com- be kindled by the fire mon good and the trans- of the Holy Spirit. formation of unjust social In our work structures, beginning in the together to the vari- territory in which the family ous peoples present lives, through the practice among the faithful, of the corporal and spiri- may we never forget tual works of mercy” (Amo- the power and impor- ris Laetitia, 290). Quoting tance of the family, the Relatio Finalis (Final the school of mercy document) of the Synod and grace, the school on the Family, Pope Francis of evangelization. has reminded us in his recent Apostolic Exhortation of May our activities support our faithful families as they the evangelizing power of the family in the world. It is seek to be true agents of the Gospel together, instilling the family that is able to communicate across cultures, a sense of mercy, gratitude, and an appreciation for the across languages, across boundaries and borders. It is beautiful and varied face of the people of God and all the family that so powerfully proclaims the Gospel to all people of good will. 2 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE Mrs. Mar Muñoz-Visoso, MTS, Executive Director We are already half way into this extraordinary Jubilee which is often a source of loneliness; if we have helped of Mercy, and in the midst of everything going on in to overcome the ignorance in which millions of people my daily life, I haveLord, felt the need to stop andHave reflect on live, especially Mercy! children deprived of the necessary means whether I am taking full advantage of the extraordinary to free them from the bonds of poverty; if we have been opportunity to both experience or become fully aware of close to the lonely and afflicted; if we have forgiven God’s mercy in my life, and of extending mercy to others those who have offended us and have rejected all forms as a “way of being” (being Christian, that is). of anger and hate that lead to violence; if we have had In his letter of proclamation of the extraordinary Year the kind of patience God shows, who is so patient with of Mercy, Pope Francis tells us that “Jesus of Nazareth, us; and if we have commended our brothers and sisters by His words, His actions, and His entire person reveals to the Lord in prayer. the mercy of God”. It is therefore important to make In each of these “little ones,” Christ himself is present. time to contemplate in prayer and study - He who is His flesh becomes visible in the flesh of the tortured, “the face of the Father’s mercy” [Misericordiae Vultus the crushed, the scourged, the malnourished, and the -MV, 1], for we cannot bear witness to exiled… to be acknowledged, touched, and cared Him whom we don’t know. for by us.” [MV, 15] “At times we are called to gaze It makes me tremble… but the truth is even more attentively on mercy that the corporal and spiritual works of so that we may become a more mercy should serve as a daily examination effective sign of the Father’s of conscience. And yes, half way though action in our lives,” explains the the Jubilee of Mercy, I invite you to join Holy Father. The extraordinary me in taking a step back for a moment Jubilee of Mercy, thus, “is a and asking yourself, when I have felt special time for the Church, God’s mercy in my life recently, even a time when the witness of today? And when have I extended believers might grow stronger and mercy to others recently, and even more effective.” [MV, 3] today? Have I gained so far a greater So why make this reflection understanding and awareness of God’s half way into the special jubilee? mercy? Am I a more visible sign of Well, because in my case business God’s mercy in my family, work, school, and complications of daily life parish and community? can, and often do, distract me from The topic of mercy is a thread that total awareness of the extraordinary runs through the entire fabric of this moment we are living in and from issue. I invite you to review every article what, in the end, really matters. and thank God for the way in which the Pope Francis says, “We cannot escape Lord shows mercy to His people through our the Lord’s words to us, and they will serve ministries: through every wound we touch and as the criteria upon which we will be judged: every word of advice we give; through every act of whether we have fed the hungry and given drink to the kindness we extend and every hurtful word we withdraw, thirsty, welcomed the stranger and clothed the naked, and evil thought we reject. Through every prayer we say or spent time with the sick and those in prison (cf. Mt for the needs of others. 25:31-45). Moreover, we will be asked if we have helped others to Mercy, anyone? Lord, have Mercy! escape the doubt that causes them to fall into despair and 3 Homily for the 14th Annual Asian and Pacific Island Catholics Marian Pilgrimage National Shrine and Basilica of the Immaculate Conception Washington, D.C., May 7, 2016 (Edited for brevity) His Excellency The Most Reverend BernarditoAuza, Apostolic Nuncio, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations and Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the Organization of American States Our Lady of Antipolo, Our Lady of Dear brothers and sisters in Christ from Asia and Peñafrancia, Our Lady of Manaoag, etc.