The Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ - Talley Press · key passage from his talk: “Truly there is...

DIOCESE OF SAN ANGELO

PO BOX 1829

SAN ANGELO TX 76902-1829NONPROFIT ORG.

US POSTAGE PAID

SAN ANGELO, TX

PERMIT NO. 44

Serving the Diocese of San Angelo, TexasVolume XXXVII, No. 5 MAY 2017

Photo courtesy of Jacob Ford /

Odessa American.

Pictured is Dalyla Miranda (Mary)

and Jaime Garza, Jr. (Jesus).

The Passionof Our LordJesus ChristSt. Mary Church, Odessa

Friday, April 14, 2017

MAY 2017 The Angelus

The Inside Front

1000s of new Catholics,

including almost 500 in

Diocese of San Angelo,

welcomed into churchWASHINGTON—A married couple in their golden years, a

couple inspired by their late daughter's legacy, and a salesmanwho heard Jesus' call to conversion on a stranger's porch, areamong the thousands who will be welcomed into the CatholicChurch on Easter Vigil, April 15, in parishes across the UnitedStates. All have participated in the Rite of Christian Initiation ofAdults (RCIA), a process of conversion and study in theCatholic faith for catechumens and candidates coming into fullcommunion with the Church.

Catechumens, who have never been baptized, received bap-tism, confirmation and first Communion at the Holy SaturdayEaster Vigil. Candidates, who have already been baptized inanother Christian tradition whose baptism is recognized by theCatholic Church, entered the Church through a profession offaith and reception of confirmation and the Eucharist.

The Diocese of San Angelo recorded 221 catechumens, and264 candidates entering the Church.

In the Diocese of Grand Rapids, Michigan, 175 catechumensand 249 candidates received the sacraments. Among them, Mac,90, and Barb Harless, 85, joined the Church this Easter after find-ing their parish, St. John Paul II Church in Cedar Springs, asource of prayer, peace and hope during Barb's battle with cancer.

In the Diocese of Rochester, New York, the RCIA involve-ment of Dan and Michaela Cady –along with their sons Aidan,15, Solas, 12, and Merritt, 10 – was spurred by a familytragedy. Two years ago their daughter and sister Kennis, then12, died suddenly. "It just turned our heads about life," DanCady said. He added that his family was grateful for the supportit received from the staff of St. Jerome Parish in East Rochester,and from there opted to pursue RCIA. As the Cadys advance ontheir faith journey, Dan said he's confident his daughter iswatching over them: "We would like to think it's orchestratedby her," he said. Some of the family members will receive thesacraments this year, and others next year.

While in Orlando, Florida, Jarrid Perusse of Most PreciousBlood Parish in Oviedo said he, "got saved on a porch" during asummer internship as a door-to-door salesman. He realized thatGod was reaching out to him, and "it was my turn to startreaching back," he said.

About 60 of the nearly 200 dioceses in the United Statesreported numbers for 2017 to the U.S. Conference of CatholicBishops. The Archdiocese of Los Angeles, the largest diocese inthe United States, welcomed 1,756 catechumens and 938 candi-dates; while the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston reported1,667 catechumens and 708 candidates; and the Archdiocese ofWashington reported 483 catechumens and 698 candidates.

Other archdioceses reported the following totals: Archdioceseof Seattle: 679 catechumens and 409 candidates; Archdiocese ofSt. Paul and Minneapolis: 201 catechumens, 623 candidates;Archdiocese of Philadelphia: 235 catechumens, 322 candidates;

(Please See NEW/23)

Sweetwater teen receives Timothy Award at annual banquetBy Becca Nelson SankeyWest Texas Angelus

Thirteen-year-old Mia Valdez knew hername would be called as one of severalhonorees at the 8th annual DiocesanAwards Banquet in San Angelo on April 2,but she never dreamed she’d receive thetop honor for youth, the Timothy Award.

Mia had stepped outside the room whenher name was called; when she returned ather father’s urging, approximately 200 peo-ple in attendance were clapping with their

eyes trained on her as she made her way tothe front to accept her award from BishopMichael Sis.

“It’s a big honor,” Mia said following theceremony, still looking shell-shocked asshe clutched the award.

Sr. Adelina Garcia, OSF, of the Office ofEvangelization and Catechesis, whichorganizes the awards ceremony, said anadult Catechesis leader, an adult youth min-ister and one youth who have demonstratedexceptional leadership skills are selectedeach year from the Catholic Diocese of San

Angelo. Timothy Award recipients embodythe following characteristics: living as adisciple, setting a positive example, wit-nessing one’s faith, demonstrating Gospelvalues through service and exhibitingChristian leadership.

The Timothy Award is named for 1Timothy 4:12, which reads: “Don’t let any-one look down on you because you areyoung, but set an example for the believersin speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and

(Please See AWARDS/20)

Catholic Rural Life

Executive Director Jim

Ennis, during the

Vocation of the

Agriculture Leader work-

shop at Holy Trinity

Parish in Big Spring,

April 25, 2017

Risks make faith essential for farmersGathering of ag leaders in Big Spring focuses on vocation’s challenges

By Jimmy PattersonEditor / West Texas Angelus

BIG SPRING — FloydSchwartz did not come by hisposition in farming by whatone would ordinarily think ofas the typical means. Manyfarmers hand down their tillageto children and a farm stays ina family often for many genera-tions.

Floyds Schwartz obtained his2,000 acres of farmland thehard way: he bought it a sec-tion at a time.

The cotton Schwartz plantsand harvests every year southof St. Lawrence makes him anexpert in faith, as many farmerssimply have to be.

“Farmers have more faiththan most people,” Schwartzsaid at a recent gathering ofagriculture leaders at HolyTrinity Parish in Big Spring.“To drop a seed in the groundand then wait for it to grow,you have to have faith.”

Schwartz was one of about50 people from the dioceses of

San Angelo, Lubbock, FortWorth, Amarillo and El Pasowho attended the Vocation ofAgricultural Leader workshopApril 25 in Big Spring.

Fr. Hubert Wade, who wasraised in a farming family andis pastor of St. Mary’s inBallinger, a community inRunnels County heavily relianton agriculture, said today’sgeneration is more reluctant toassume control of a familyfarm simply because of theuncertainty inherent.

“Young people coming out ofcollege today are not alwaysguaranteed a paycheck in thisbusiness,” Fr. Wade said. “You’reonly guaranteed a paycheck ifyou bring in a good crop.”

Runnels County’s main agri-culture components are cattle,cotton, wheat, sorghum, dairy,sheep and goats, with an esti-mated market value of $53.8million, according to the TexasAlmanac.

The workshop was led byJim Ennis, executive director ofCatholic Rural Life and the

current president of theInternational Catholic RuralAssociation. Ennis was inTexas to lead the same work-shop in the Diocese of Victoria,and when Bishop Michael J.Sis learned of his visit, heextended an invitation forEnnis to visit the San AngeloDiocese. The Big Spring work-shop was the first of its kind inthe state.

“A common concern at theworkshop is that the currenteconomic model of agriculturerequires large capital expendi-ture, so it is very difficult for ayoung person to get started init,” Bishop Sis noted. “One par-ticipant said, ‘If you want toenter into agriculture, youeither marry it or your inheritit.’ It is very rare for a personto get into agriculture today onhis own. While the financialoutlay is considerable, and therisks are great, it is a verybeautiful and rewarding life.

When the subject turned to faith in the agribusiness industry, (Please See AGRICULTURE/21)

Mia Valdez,

left, with

Sister Tita

Iglesias,

OND, of

Holy

Family

Parish in

Sweetwater

(Photo by

Becca

Nelson

Sankey)

Obispo Michael J. Sis

Cuando oímos la palabra “vocación”en el lenguaje de la Iglesia, a menudopensamos en los sacerdotes, diáconos yhermanas. Sin embargo, la vocación escualquier llamadade Dios para uti-lizar nuestrospropios talentospersonales en laforma que mejorsirve a la con-strucción delReino de Dios.Esto podríaincluir cualquiervariedad de cosas,tales como el matrimonio, la paternidad,la enseñanza, los servicios públicos, laindustria de la alimentación, la medici-na, los negocios y la agricultura.

El Papa Francisco dio un discurso aun grupo de agricultores el 31 de enerode 2015, en el Vaticano. Habló de lavocación de los que trabajan en la agri-cultura. He aquí un pasaje clave de sudiscurso:

“Verdaderamente no hay humanidadsin el cultivo de la tierra; no hay unabuena vida sin la comida que se pro-duce para los hombres y mujeres de

todos los continentes. El trabajo de losque cultivan la tierra, que generosa-mente dedican tiempo y energía a lamisma, aparece como una verdaderavocación. Merece ser reconocida yapropiadamente preciado.”

La agricultura es una de las profe-siones más antiguas y nobles en elmundo. Es una vocación de Dios. Aquíen la Diócesis de San Angelo, cele-bramos el hecho de que muchos de nue-stros hombres y mujeres Católicos hanrecibido esta honorable llamada.

Por supuesto, el mero hecho de estarenvuelto en la agricultura no quieredecir que uno sea automáticamente unsanto. Sin embargo, cuando se abordaadecuadamente, la vida rural construyecarácter y es un camino hacia la santi-dad. He observado durante muchos añoscomo la vida rural naturalmente se basaen la dinámica de la vida familiar, laresponsabilidad, la ayuda al prójimo, yun ritmo saludable de trabajo, el descan-so y la oración.

Nosotros en el Oeste de Texas sabe-mos muy bien que la agricultura incluyebastante sangre, sudor, y lágrimas. Eltrabajo es duro. A veces no hay sufi-ciente lluvia o aguas subterráneas parahacer un cultivo. La gran escala de laagricultura moderna requiere normal-

mente un montón de crédito e implicaun riesgo significativo. El precio delcombustible y la alimentación puededificultar seriamente la rentabilidad. Loseventos naturales tales como incendios,tormentas de granizo, y la enfermedadpueden causar estrago en una operación.Debido a que muchas cosas podríansalir mal, los agricultores y ganaderosse dan cuenta de lo mucho que depen-demos en Dios para sobrevivir.

Creo que hay una afinidad naturalpara la espiritualidad en los corazonesde los que trabajan la tierra. La vidarural alimenta de forma natural un senti-do de de oración. Por ejemplo, laexpansividad de los espacios abiertosnos lleva a reflexionar sobre Dios.Mirando las estrellas en la noche, o labelleza de nuestros paisajes del Oestede Texas, nos inspira a pensar en lainmensidad de Dios el Creador.

Los que trabajan para producir ali-mentos y fibras tienen el privilegio decolaborar en el trabajo contínuo de Diosen la creación. La cría de animales y elcultivo de la tierra es una respuestadirecta a la llamada de Dios a ejerceruna corresponsabilidad fiel. Aporta unagran sensación de satisfacción saber que

(Mira OBISPO/19)

The Angelus MAY 2017

From The Bishop’s Desk

By Most Rev. Michael J. SisBishop of San Angelo

When we hear the word “vocation” inthe language of the Church, we oftenthink of priests, dea-cons, and sisters.However, a vocationis any calling fromGod to use our ownpersonal talents inthe way that bestserves the building ofthe Kingdom of God.This could includeany variety of things,such as marriage, par-enthood, teaching, public service, the foodindustry, medicine, business, and agricul-ture.

Pope Francis gave a speech to a groupof farmers on January 31, 2015, at theVatican. He spoke of the vocation ofthose who work in agriculture. Here is akey passage from his talk:

“Truly there is no humanity without thecultivation of land; there is no good lifewithout the food that it produces for themen and women of every continent. Thelabor of those who cultivate the earth,generously dedicating time and energy toit, appears as a genuine vocation. Itdeserves to be recognized and appropri-ately appreciated.”

Agriculture is one of the most ancientand noble professions in the world. It is avocation from God. Here in the Dioceseof San Angelo, we celebrate the fact thatmany of our Catholic men and womenhave received this honorable calling.

Of course, just because someone isinvolved in agriculture, that doesn’t meanthey’re automatically a walking saint.Nevertheless, when it is approached prop-erly, rural life builds character and is apath to holiness. I have observed overmany years how rural life naturally buildson the dynamics of family life, responsi-bility, helping one’s neighbor, and ahealthy rhythm of work, rest, and prayer.

We in West Texas know very well thatagriculture includes plenty of blood,sweat, and tears. The work is hard.Sometimes there is not enough rain orgroundwater to make a crop. The largescale of modern farming typically requiresplenty of credit and involves significantrisk. The price of fuel and feed can seri-ously hinder profitability. Natural eventssuch as fire, hailstorms, and disease canwreak havoc on an operation. Because somany things could go wrong, farmers andranchers realize how much we all dependon God to survive.

I believe there is a natural affinity forspirituality in the hearts of those whowork the land. Rural life naturally feeds asense of prayerfulness. For example, theexpansiveness of the open spaces leads usto ponder God. Looking at the stars atnight, or the beauty of our West Texaslandscapes, inspires us to think of theimmensity of God the Creator.

Those who work to produce food andfiber have the privilege of collaborating inGod’s ongoing work of creation. Raisinganimals and tilling the earth is a directresponse to God’s call to exercise faithfulstewardship. It brings a tremendous senseof fulfillment to know that one is helping

to feed and clothe the world. Throughhuman work, God takes the raw materialsof this world and sustains life.

The quiet and solitude that are experi-enced in the day of an agricultural workerprovide a chance to get in touch with Godand with oneself. It allows us to thinkthings through deeply and face the truthabout our relationships.

Jesus himself came from a small town,as did most of his Apostles. He appreciat-ed the peace and quiet of the wide-openspaces. For example, during his threeyears of public ministry, he had the prac-tice of getting away from the crowds andgoing out into the country for quiet prayertime. In the Gospel of Mark, verse 1:35describes this dynamic in the life of Jesus:“Rising very early before dawn, he leftand went off to a deserted place, where heprayed.” Many in West Texas do thesame thing every day.

The world of agriculture is closely tiedto our Catholic sacraments. The two con-sumables that Jesus Christ uses for theEucharist are natural agricultural products-- wheat bread and grape wine with noadditives. In the Chrism Mass in ourCathedral each year, the three oils that Ibless come from olives, sunflowers, andcottonseed. The altar linens we use inMass are usually made from naturalfibers.

Whether we are involved in agricultureor in any other career, if we are to live outour vocation as a path to holiness, all ofus must find a way to integrate our dailywork with our life of prayer. To lay a

(Please See BISHOP/19)

Bishop Sis

Obispo Sis

CALENDARSBISHOP MICHAEL SIS May 2017 SCHEDULE

1 — ODESSA, St.Mary, Confirmation Massat 6:30 p.m.

2 — SAN ANGELO,Diocesan Pastoral Center,Presbyteral CouncilMeeting at 11:00 a.m.

3 — ABILENE, HolyFamily, Confirmation Massat 7:00 p.m.

4 — SAN ANGELO,Diocesan Pastoral Center,Priestly Life and FormationCommittee Meeting at10:00 a.m.

4 — SAN ANGELO,Tom Green CountyCourthouse, National Dayof Prayer at 6:30 p.m.

5 — SAN ANGELO,Lakeview Stadium, WestTexas Deaf Olympics at10:00 a.m.

5 — SONORA, St. Ann,Confirmation Mass at 6:00p.m.

6 — FORT STOCK-TON, Our Lady ofGuadalupe, ConfirmationMass at 10:30 a.m.

6 — OZONA, Our Ladyof Perpetual Help,Confirmation Mass at 6:00p.m.

7 — GARDEN CITY, St.Lawrence, ConfirmationMass at 10:30 a.m.

7 — SAN ANGELO,Sacred Heart Cathedral,Confirmation Mass at 6:00p.m.

9 — SAN ANGELO,Diocesan Pastoral Center,Liturgy CommissionMeeting at 10:00 a.m.

10 — ODESSA, HolyRedeemer, ConfirmationMass at 7:00 p.m.

11 — ODESSA, St.Joseph, ConfirmationMass at 6:00 p.m.

12 — SAN ANTONIO,St. Mary’s University,Baccalaureate Mass at5:30 p.m.

13 — BALLINGER, St.Mary, 40th AnniversaryMass for Fr. Hugh Wade at4:00 p.m.

14 — SAN ANGELO,St. Margaret of Scotland,Confirmation Mass at 9:00a.m.

15 — WALL, Rural LifeMass at 6:30 p.m.

16 — STANTON, St.Joseph, ConfirmationMass at 6:30 p.m.

17 — MIDLAND, St.Stephen, ConfirmationMass at 6:30 p.m.

18 — KNICKERBOCK-ER, ImmaculateConception, ConfirmationMass at 6:30 p.m.

19 — ABILENE, HolyFamily, 50th AnniversaryJubilee Mass for Msgr.Fred Nawarskas at 7:00p.m.

20 — ABILENE, St.Vincent Pallotti,Confirmation Mass at 5:30p.m.

21 — ABILENE, St.Francis of Assisi,Confirmation Mass at 9:00a.m.

21 — SAN ANGELO,Sacred Heart Cathedral,Marriage Jubilee at 3:00p.m.

21 — SAN ANGELO,Christ the King RetreatCenter, Annual Lady in

Blue Mass at 6:30 p.m.23 — SAN ANGELO,

Diocesan Pastoral Center,Finance Council meetingat 11:00 a.m.

24 — ODESSA, St.Mary, 8th GradeGraduation Mass at 9:00a.m.

24 — SAN ANGELO, St.Mary, Confirmation Massat 6:30 p.m.

27 — SAN ANGELO, St.Mary, Ordination Mass ofTransitional DeaconsReggie Odima and FreddyPerez at 10:30 a.m.

27 — COLEMAN,Sacred Heart,Confirmation Mass at 5:00p.m.

28 — BRADY, St.Patrick, Confirmation Massat 10:30 a.m.

29-June 2 — SANANGELO, Christ the KingRetreat Center, AnnualDiocesan Priests’ Retreat

BISHOP MICHAEL SIS JUNE 2017 SCHEDULE3 — BROWNWOOD,

St. Mary Queen of Peace,Confirmation Mass at 5:30p.m.

4 — JUNCTION, St.Theresa, ConfirmationMass at 11:15 a.m.

6 — SAN ANGELO,Diocesan Pastoral Center,Joint Meeting of FinanceCouncil and PresbyteralCouncil at 11:00 a.m.,Presbyteral CouncilMeeting at 2:00 p.m.

7 — MIDLAND, OurLady of Guadalupe,Confirmation Mass at 6:00p.m.

8 — ODESSA, HolyCross Catholic HighSchool Board Meeting at6:30 p.m.

10 — SAN ANGELO,Sacred Heart Cathedral,Priestly Ordination forTimothy Hayter and JoshGray at 10:30 a.m.

11 — ANDREWS, OurLady of Lourdes,Confirmation Mass at10:30 a.m.

12-16 — WASHING-TON, DC, USCCBGeneral Assembly

18 — ODESSA, HolyRedeemer, Mass at 12:30p.m., followed byEucharistic Procession for Solemnityof Corpus Christi

20 — SAN ANGELO,Diocesan Pastoral Center,Vocation Team Meeting at1:00 p.m.

25 — COLORADOCITY, St. Ann,Confirmation Mass at10:30 a.m.

30-July 4 — ORLANDO,FL, National Convocationof Catholic Leaders

CHRIST THE KINGRETREAT CENTER

May 20171 Heart of Mercy Prayer 7 CKRC Confirm. Retreat8 Heart of Mercy Prayer 10 Mother’s Day12-14 Deacon Formation15 Heart of Mercy Prayer 19-21 Engaged

Encounter21 Natural Family

Planning22 Heart of Mercy

(See CALENDARS/14)

Agricultura y la Ganadería como Vocación

Farming and ranching as Vocation


DIOCESAN BRIEFSDiocese of San AngeloSuperintendent ofCatholic Schools –Position Opening

The Diocese of San Angelo isseeking a Superintendent ofSchools. The Superintendent ofSchools is responsible for coordi-nating the educational programsof the Catholic Schools in theDiocese of San Angelo, andimplementing diocesan guidelinesand policies of the Texas CatholicConference EducationDepartment. There are currentlythree Catholic Schools in opera-tion in the diocese. TheSuperintendent of Schools assiststhe bishop as well as the pastorsof the sponsoring parishes, facili-tates activities of the DiocesanSchool Commission, and pro-vides consultation and expertiseto the local school boards. TheSuperintendent also serves as amember of the board of directorsfor the upcoming Holy CrossCatholic High School in Midland-Odessa. Qualifications for thisposition include a Master ofEducation degree with at least 18hours of AdministrationSupervision, and 5 years’ experi-ence as a Catholic School princi-pal. This position will becomeavailable on June 9, 2017 and ispart-time with variable hours.Occasional travel is required.Interested applicants should con-tact Michael Wyse, Director ofHuman Resources, DiocesanPastoral Center; PO Box 1829,San Angelo, TX 76902; (325)651-7500; E-mail –[email protected].

Rural Life Mass May 15The 16th Annual Rural Life

Mass for the Diocese of SanAngelo will be celebrated at 6:30pm, Monday, May 15, 2017, theFeast Day of St. Isidore, at theRocking Chair Ranch, 15829Susan Peak Rd., San Angelo.Pastors are invited to have aparishioner bring an offertory giftand join in the procession to thealter during the offertory. DeaconCharlie Evans, Rural LifeCoordinator for the Diocese ofSan Angelo, is asking that eachfarmer and rancher bring a smallbag of soil and/or a small bag ofseed, grain, or fresh produces,cotton, home canned fruit, or veg-etables, farm equipment, animalsetc.

St. Margaret of

Scotland FestivalSt. Margaret of Scotland

Catholic Church will have itsspring festival on Sunday, May21, 2017 at the Columbus Hall3636 N. Bryant, in San Angelo.There will be a delicious BBQbrisket dinner served from 11:00a.m. until 2:00 p.m. for only $10per adult plate and $6 per childplate. There will also be platesto go at $10 each. The festival

will run from 11:00 a.m. until3:00 p.m. with activities such araffle, bingo, auction, silent auc-tion, and games for all ages.Come for a day of family funand fellowship. FMI contact St.Margaret’s 651-4633.

9th annual Lady in Blue

Mass May 21SAN ANGELO — The 9th

annual Sor María de Jesús deÁgreda / Lady in Blue celebra-tion will be observed at 6:30p.m., Sunday, May 21, at theChrist the King Retreat Centerin San Angelo. Bishop MichaelJ. Sis will celebrate Mass in theretreat center chapel. Known as“The Lady in Blue,” Sor Maríade Jesús de Ágreda was acloistered nun who lived inÁgreda, Spain in the 1600s.She is known for her evange-lization of the Jumanos, aNative American tribe of WestTexas and the AmericanSouthwest. The arrival ofFranciscan missionaries as aresult of María’s outreach to theJumanos secured San Angelo’splace in history as the site of thefirst missionary efforts in Texas.

Women’s ConferenceSpeakers, dates set

SAN ANTONIO - Registrationis now open for the PilgrimCenter of Hope’s CatholicWomen’s Conference happen-ing July 28-29, 2017 at St.Mary’s University in SanAntonio.

The annual conference,regarded as a “spa for thewoman’s soul,” is a two-dayevent attracting thousands ofwomen from across South andCentral Texas, and is in its 16thyear. The conference fosters anappreciation for the personaldignity of women, encouragingthem to know and love God,and inspiring them to use theirfeminine gifts for the transfor-mation of family and society.The conference is an event forhealing, spiritual direction, andreceiving tools for everyday liv-ing and resources for education.

The Friday evening experi-ence focuses on healing andrenewal, with speakers andEucharistic Adoration andBenediction. Saturday beginswith Mass celebrated by newly-ordained Bishop MichaelBoulette. Other aspects of theexperience include vendor &ministry exhibitors,Reconciliation, a quiet PrayerRoom, music, and more.American Sign Language inter-pretation will be provided.

During the month of theBlessed Virgin Mary (May 1-31),registration is offered at the spe-cial rate of $55.

Visit CWCSanAntonio.com forschedule, registration, and fur-ther details.

Photos from Installation of seminarian

Reggie Odima as a Candidate for Holy

Orders at Assumption Seminary in San

Antonio.

“Although it was on April Fools Day, April

1, it will be a memorable day because I will

always remember that day as the day that I

called myself, “A fool ... a fool for Christ,

as St. Paul in his letters challenges all

Christians to be." I was reminded of Saint

Paul’s words in the homily given that day

by my Bishop, Micheal Sis. I was blessed

to have my bishop there, under special

invitation, to install Micheal English, my

classmate from San Antonio, and me as

candidate. I was also blessed to have my

family there to join me on this special day.

As I now look forward to ordination, I

thank you for your continual prayers and I

ask for more prayers as we, as a communi-

ty, prepare for my diaconate ordination.

This ministry is for the service of you,

blessed people of God! I pray for you,

too!”

Top photo, Reggie Odima with his family

and to the left of Bishop Sis, center. In

photo at left, Reggie Odima with Bishop

Sis.

Candidate for Holy Orders

Dates for diaconate ‘Come and See’ Sessions

Below are the dates and loca-tions of informational ses-sions on future DeaconFormation Classes. Anyonewho wishes to find out aboutthe diaconate and the joiningrequirements should attend.

Friday May 19, 20176:30 to 8:00 p.m.

St. Ann Parish 1906 W. Texas Ave., Midland

Saturday June 3, 201710:00 – 11:30 a.m.Holy Trinity Parish 1009 Hearn, Big Spring

Wednesday July 12, 20176:30 to 8:00 p.m.

Holy Family Parish 5410 Buffalo Gap Rd., Abilene

Saturday July 15, 201710:30 a.m. to 12:00 noonSacred Heart Cathedral20 E. Beauregard San Angelo


Prayer — the basis for allspiritual formation (and

not just for future priests)By Kevin LeniusSeminarian / Diocese of San Angelo

Throughout my five years spent as a seminarian for the diocese, there hasbeen one area of formation that has been continually stressed as the mostimportant for our lives as future priests. No, it hasn’t been how to preach ahomily without people falling asleep or how to assign apenance in the confessional. It has been prayer, andprayer stressed as relationship. I figured I had an “ok”prayer life before I entered seminary. I went to Massregularly, prayed the obligatory before meal prayers,and even found some time to sit before Jesus in adora-tion. Yet, I was in for a big surprise in seeing whereJesus would take my prayer life throughout seminary.While prayer still has its very difficult moments and Ihave to constantly struggle to maintain a regular rhythmof prayer, my prayer life has been completely trans-formed and has soared to heights I didn’t even thinkpossible before seminary. Prayer has turned from timespent saying words to God, to time spent being withJesus.

Prayer is an essential part of the life of a Christian, and the Church callsall of us to enter into prayer. Yet, it can often be viewed as a compartmen-talized area of our life. We end up having our time at work, our time athome, and our time in prayer all separated from one another. Because it issuch a struggle to blend our prayer-life into the rest of our daily scheduleand even figure out what exactly we’re supposed to be doing in prayer, Iwanted to share a few points that seminary formation has given me over theyears that have allowed me to let Jesus develop a new prayer life in me.

1. Prayer is all about relationship. I found that my early days in semi-nary were very exciting and challenging as I went about seminary business.Yet I felt that my days were simply punctuated with little bits of time forsilent prayer and I felt that I needed to go “accomplish” my prayer time.And while I know that it was good for me to take the time to pray, I knewsomething wasn’t clicking. It wasn’t until later in my formation that I washelped in realizing that prayer is not something we “do” and have to filltime with different whispered words, but it is something we enter into; it isa relationship. Just as I often went into my friends’ rooms on the dormfloors without an agenda and to just hang out, so I learned that Jesus waswaiting for me in prayer to simply spend time with me. I realized that henot only loves me … he likes me and wants to just spend time with me! Weneed only to listen to his voice, and this listening leads me to my nextpoint.

2. Silence cultivates prayer. One thing I quickly learned by going toseminary and temporarily stepping away from the world was that our worldis extremely noisy. We are constantly surrounded by TV in our houses,music plugged into our ears, and smartphones always in our hands. It’s nowonder that I complained that I felt like I couldn’t hear Jesus’ voice when Igot to seminary! Taking the time to be silent for small periods of my daywas difficult at first, but over time I grew to love silence and crave it. Andbecause I was taking the time to be silent, Jesus’ voice became clearer inmy prayer as I was able to listen to my heart. Jesus tells us that he abides inour hearts and will make his home with us (John 14:23). If silence is not apart of your life, don’t panic! I simply suggest that a small time for silencebe made (even just 5 minutes) and is slowly increased over time. Jesus isalready searching for us, so he will waste no time in using our small effortsto bring us to himself.

3. Prayer always leads us to and flows from the Mass. One of thebiggest realizations I’ve had is that my personal prayer time is not a soli-tary experience in itself. A life spent with Jesus leads us to the rest of hisbody, the church, and the greatest prayer of the Church is the Mass. I beganto see Mass not as a Church service where there are many formal prayerssaid, but as one great prayer where the entire church is brought together totruly live and experience the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus! All mytime in quiet prayer feeds me in my personal relationship with Christ whereI listen to him in my heart and through Scripture, but this time is not ful-filled without the greatest prayer we can enter into. It is in Mass that wehear the Word of God, offer ourselves and our petitions, and receive thevery body of Christ given to us out of his great love shared from the Cross.All prayer leads to and flows from this great wellspring of our faith. Prayerleads us to the one who loves us and is constantly searching for us.

Kevin Lenius is a 1st year Theology student at St. Mary’s Seminary inHouston.

Lenius

Good Friday Procession, Stations

Images from the Good Friday Procession, which started at St. Margaret Church and pro-

ceeded through San Angelo streets, and which culminated with the praying of the Stations

of the Cross at Christ the King Retreat Center. Top and middle photos, Bishop Michael Sis

carries the cross with parishioners, and, in bottom photo, Fr. Michael Rodriguez, Vocation

Director for the Diocese of San Angelo, leads Stations of the Cross (Courtesy photos).


Standing, from left to right, Albert Serrano, Marcus Hogeda, Mike McEligot, Vangie McEligot, Dora Garza, DavidAguirre, Nora Roberts, Susan Reddy, Mary Lou Serrano, Maria Vasquez, Gloria Martinez, Rae Flannery, HiginioFuentes. Kneeling, Virginia Jungman, Marta Barley, Noemi Avalo, Alicia Fuentes, Liz Longoria.

‘Be My Witness’ draws manyat St. Margaret in San AngeloBy Higenio Fuentes and Alicia FuentesSt. Margaret’s-San Angelo

SAN ANGELO — TheRENEW evangelization pro-gram was begun in theArchdiocese of Newark, NewJersey, in 1976 and has goneworldwide. Be My Witnessfalls under RENEWInternational and assists smallgroups of faith-sharing parish-ioners in their efforts atbecoming disciples for thenew evangelization. You mayask yourselves what evange-lization means: it simplymeans to bring the GoodNews of Christ into the world.

Be My Witness has beenongoing at St Margaret’s ofScotland in San Angelo sinceMarch 8, 2017, when the firstsession was held. Prior to thebeginning of these sessions,five assessments focusing ondifferent aspects of parish lifewere completed by a smallgroup of parishioners. Topicsincluded EvangelizationMatters, Sunday Matters,Welcome Matters, BelongingMatters, Witness Matters, andMission Matters. The assess-ment on Sunday Matters dealtwith how services were con-ducted and the manner inwhich, for instance, staffmembers, lectors, liturgicalministers, and the choir aidedin providing a service whichmet the needs of the parish-ioners. They also aided indetermining how the parishcould interact with parish-ioners and outside agencies tofoster evangelization needsthereby, drawing more peopleto the life of Christ.

Most the participants are StMargaret parishioners, howev-er some have come from otherparishes such as St Joseph andSt Mary in San Angelo.

Currently three groups meetWednesday nights and onegroup in Spanish meetsSundays. A total of six ses-sions will be conducted duringthe Lenten season with anadditional six to be held inAdvent. These sessions areopen to anyone who wishes toattend.

The program has beenfavorably received by thoseattending these sessions.These sessions are not what

some people would consider aform of Bible study althoughthey may follow certain famil-iar steps.

All sessions begin with anopening prayer and song. Ashort video is then shown inwhich people describe theirspiritual lives and the influ-ences in their lives which mayinclude family members,friends and the environment inwhich they found themselvesduring different periods intheir lives. They describe thecircumstances which madethem leave their faith and thenwhat influenced them to returnto the Catholic faith. After thevideo, there is a period ofreflection concerning whatwas depicted. Group membersare then free to share theirfeelings about what theyobserved.

During the time these ses-sions have been conducted,people have begun to sharetheir own personal feelingsand situations as they are con-nected to the video previouslyshown. Initially, group mem-bers were instructed that noone would be required tospeak up or read during thesessions if they felt uncom-fortable doing so. As we nearthe end of the first six ses-sions, we find group membersovercoming their initial shy-ness and voluntarily sharingcertain events in their liveswith other members of thegroup.

After a period of reflection,the session proceeds with aScripture reading. After amoment of reflection, group members are asked what por-tion of the Scripture touchedtheir lives and stood out forthem. Group members providepersonal examples and experi-ences as they pertain to theScripture reading. Whereas inthe beginning of the programgroup member participationmay not have been easilyshared, presently there is astrong group participationwhich has grown during thisshort six-week period. Thissharing of individual experi-ences has made group mem-bers come together as one.Group members share theword of Christ in all these ses-

(Please See WITNESS/23)

‘Be My Witness’ bearing fruit in Diocese

Ft. Stockton group encourages ‘Witnesses’

At Our Lady ofGuadalupe Parishin Fort Stockton,Pastor SerafinAvenido’s leader-ship and supportfor the Be MyWitness programhas been instru-mental in organiz-ing Phase 1 and 2Teams.

The Be MyWitness Phase 1Parish LeadershipGroup includesPastor SerafinAvenido, BaholaAguirre, MargaritaArroyo, MinnieDominguez,Alonzo Martinez, Analyn Napay, Nilo Napay,Connie Villarreal, and Mary Ann Terrazas White.Their role is to conduct RENEW ParishAssessments to evaluate what strengths of theparish life are effective for Evangelization, toassess what the areas of opportunities for growthare, and to develop a shared vision for the parishand create a plan to fulfill that vision.

Phase 2 Team roles are to invite members of theparish to join small prayer groups to become mis-sionary disciples and to participate in the parishplan for evangelization outreach.

The Small-Community Phase 2 Team andLeaders for the Spanish prayer group are OlgaTavarez, Rita Zapata, Socorro Gonzales, MariaGalindo, and Margarita Arroyo.

The English prayer group is led by Small-Community Leader Delma Sanchez.

Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish has two Be My

Witness Small Christian Community Groups.They meet with their groups once a week for sixsessions during Lent and six sessions duringAdvent for faith sharing.

One of the objectives of the small prayer groupcommunities is to invite, create and expand intoother Small-Christian Community Groups.

The groups just recently completed the LentenSeason sessions. Positive comments wereexpressed by many of the parishioners of the faith-sharing groups.

They look forward to their next six sessions dur-ing Advent.

The Small-Christian Community Groups encour-ages you with this: “If you are thinking aboutforming a Small-Community Group in your parish,do not hesitate. You’ll really enjoy it, and the timespent together builds unity, bonding, and spiritualgrowth!”

A Be My Witness group at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Fort Stockton. (Courtesy

Photo)


The St. Stephen's Women's Organization and the Knights of

Columbus Council 12657, in Midland, hosted its annual Fish Fry

with the Youth Group, which provided the dessert for the April 7

occasion.

Members of the Women’s Organization are seen in the top photo. At

right are the Knights of Columbus, and below the youth group.

(Courtesy photos)

Fishermen, womenand youth


Stations of the Cross-St. Francis Youth, Abilene

Jesus is crucified

Jesus falls for the third time

Jesus is risen

Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem


Funeral for Deacon Bonifacio RodriguezGathered for the Funeral Mass of Deacon Bonifacio “Barney” Rodriguez, March 28, 2017, at St. Anthony’s

Church in Odessa, with San Angelo Bishop Michael J. Sis, center, are Deacon Alex Sosa, Deacon Alex Perez,

Deacon Ricardo Torres, Deacon Paul Hinojos, Deacon Flabio (Fly) Franco, Deacon Fred Camarillo Sr., Deacon

Antonio Gonzalez, Deacon Gary Brooks, Deacon Sal Primera, and Deacon Clemente Villa. Deacon Rodriguez

was ordained August 28, 1976, and served the Catholic Churches of South Odessa. Deacon Rodriguez died

March 10, 2017. (Courtesy photo by Martha Camarillo).

As an act of serving others during Holy Week, parishioners and children of St. Therese Church of Carlsbad

donated stuffed animals and blankets to the Tom Green County Crisis Intervention Unit so that children in cri-

sis in Tom Green County could have some measure of comfort during difficult times. The Crisis Intervention

Unit was begun by Stewart Dickson in 1999. Its mission is to provide on-scene services to children and fami-

lies in need 24 hours a day. Crisis intervention is emotional first aid designed to help a person cope during dif-

ficult circumstances such as accidents, natural disasters, burglaries, family violence, sexual assault, child

abuse, elder abuse, suicide, and death (Courtesy Photo)

Acts of Love in Carlsbad

Pentecost Vigil bringsa holy conclusion to

sacred Easter seasonBy Rev. Ryan RojoParochial VicarSacred Heart Cathedral-San Angelo

A common critique lodged against the Catholic Church is thatwe do not give due honor to the third Person of the Most HolyTrinity, the Holy Spirit. The Western Tradition — both Catholicand Protestant alike — has traditionally placed a greater empha-

sis on the salvific work of the second Person,our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Testamentto this reality is the primacy of the crucifix inour sanctuaries and the prominence of theBlessed Sacrament — the Body and Bloodof Jesus — in our devotional life.

The Catholic Church’s attempt to remedythis situation has recently found expressionin the Charismatic Renewal, a movementthat places great weight on the supernaturalworking of the Holy Spirit. The CharismaticRenewal has proven to be a most amiablegift to the Church that has produced much

fruit, but the critique is all the same: What are we doing toenflame the fire of Pentecost in our local, parish communities?

The Solemnity of Pentecost remains the Church’s ordinary cel-ebration in honor of the Holy Spirit. As we know, the entireaction of the Sacred Liturgy is enlivened and effected by thepower of the Holy Spirit, but Pentecost is the moment whereCatholics — as a universal Church — concentrate particularly onthe activity and working of the Holy Spirit.

The Third Edition of the Roman Missal, in addition to reclaim-ing a sacral vernacular, also answered the Church’s call to rein-corporate the tradition of the Pentecost Vigil into the liturgical lifeof the Church. The Congregation for Divine Worship, theChurch’s official liturgical arm, released in 1988 a “CircularLetter Concerning the Preparation and Celebration of the EasterFeasts.” In this letter, the Church continues:

This sacred period of fifty days concludes with PentecostSunday ... Encouragement should be given to the prolonged cele-bration of Mass in the form of a Vigil, whose character is notbaptismal as in the Easter Vigil, but is one of urgent prayer, afterthe example of the Apostles and disciples, who preserved togeth-er in prayer with Mary, the Mother of Jesus, as they awaited theHoly Spirit.

The Easter Season begins with a most magnificent Vigil com-plete with God’s word, hymns, and solemnity. The PentecostVigil, truly equal in dignity, concludes this most sacred time withGod’s word, hymns, and solemnity.

Pius Parch, a liturgical commentator from the early 20thCentury, tells us that the Pentecost Vigil developed as a practicalalternative for those who were unable to receive the Sacramentsat the Easter Vigil (The Church’s Year of Grace, 202). The con-temporary spiritual potential, however, is manifold for manyparish in the Diocese of San Angelo. We are graced to have manyministerial outreach programs in our parishes that — we hope —are enlivened by the activity of the Holy Spirit. Could a pastor beso creative so as to include these many groups in the liturgicalcelebration of the Pentecost Vigil? Could the scriptural andhomiletic richness of the Pentecost Vigil be a tool to revitalizetheir ministry? Could the story of Babel, or the richness ofEzekiel’s ‘dry bones’, aid our everyday work in God’s Church?

Every cathedral has the unique task of being a witness of litur-gical excellence to the entire diocese (Sacrosanctum Concilium4). The Cathedral Church of the Sacred Heart in San Angelo willbe celebrating the Pentecost Vigil in its entirety on Saturday, June3, 2017 at 5 p.m. It is our hope that this opportunity will enliventhe graces of the Easter Season, through the power of the HolySpirit, in the hearts of our faithful. Please feel free to join us forthis joyous occasion.

And it is certainly my hope that this liturgical celebration takesroot in the hearts of our many, wonderful parishes throughout theDiocese of San Angelo.

Fr. Ryan Rojo is parochial vicar of the Cathedral of the SacredHeart in San Angelo.


By Mary Lou Gibson

In the late 1650s, the Quebecmission that was founded bySamuel de Champlin in 1608 wasa little settlement of fewer than2,000 inhabitants and greatly inneed of apos-tolic leader-ship. It was tothis territorythat PopeAlexander VIIappointedFrançoisMontmorency-Laval as vicarapostolic. PaulBurns writes inButler’s Livesof the Saintsthat this was the newly establishedapostolic vicariate of New France,as the French settlements in NorthAmerica were then known.

François (Francis) was well pre-pared for this mission assignment.He was born in the Eure region ofnorthwestern France in 1623 into adistinguished family. His fatherwas Hughes de Laval and hismother was Michelle de Péricard.He began his education with theJesuits at their school in La Flèchewhere he showed an early interestin an ecclesiastical career.

Burns writes that he wasappointed canon of EvreuxCathedral by the bishop who washis uncle. This happened before hewas ordained a priest.

Francis moved on to study forthe priesthood at ClermontCollege in Paris, but was calledaway to take charge of the familybusiness after his two older broth-ers died. He was finally able toreturn to his studies and wasordained in 1647. He quicklyreceived appointment as archdea-con of Evreux where he wasresponsible for administeringchurch property and appointingthe clergy. After several years inthis post, he became the vicarapostolic of the missionary territo-ry of Tonkin (the northern part ofwhat is now Viet Nam). But,Burns writes, that Francis neveractually went there because thiswas a time of wars between war-lords of the north and south.

Francis then entered a medita-tive period and spent the next fouryears in retreat at the school ofspirituality in the Hermitage atCaen, near the Normandy coast.

Because of his previous appoint-ments, Francis was considered animportant figure in church circles.Matthew Bunson writes in John

Paul II’s Book of Saints that soonafter his appointment as vicarapostolic of New France in 1658,Francis was consecrated a bishopon December 8 of that year.

Shortly thereafter Francis sailedfor Canada and reached Quebec inJune 1659. There, he found a fron-tier diocese in need of organiza-tion and stability. His dioceseincluded all of North Americaexcept for the British-held lands ofNew England and the Spanish set-tlements. When he arrived inQuebec, Francis said that his solemission was to be “a bishopaccording to God’s Heart.”

For the next 30 years, Francisdevoted his life to the missionChurch. He founded parishes anddefended the Native tribes fromexploitation by European mer-chants. He also attempted to limitthe sales of alcohol and to regulatethe fur trade. He returned toFrance in 1662, and, according toBurns, obtained many privilegesfor the Church in Canada fromKing Louis XIV.

He founded a seminary inQuebec and in 1674 when Quebecbecame a diocese, Francis becameits first bishop. He spent the nextseveral years erecting a cathedraldedicated to the ImmaculateConception and restoring a shrineof St. Anne at Baupré. He is alsoresponsible for starting theCatholic school system in Canada.

He was an active bishop for 10years but his health began to dete-riorate from the many years ofintense activity in harsh condi-tions, and he resigned the see in1684. He spent the last years of hislife in retirement in the seminaryhe had founded and died there onMay 6, 1708.

Burns writes that in 1712 the seeof Quebec extended over thewhole territory of New Francecovering Canada and most of thepresent U.S. excluding the Englishcolonies in the east and theSpanish territories in the south.There are now more than 150 dio-ceses in modern Canada.

Francis de Montmorency-Lavalwas beatified by Pope John Paul IIin 1980 and is considered thefather of the church in Canada. OnApril 3, 2014, Pope Francis madehim a saint by “equipollent canon-ization” or “declared by decree.”His feast day is May 6.

Mary Lou Gibson writes aboutsaints from her home in Austin.

Speaking of SaintsQuebec bishop credited

with starting Catholicschool system in Canada

Gibson

Shadow Passion

Youth at St. Thomas Church in Miles present a shadow reen-

actment of the Stations of the Cross at the church, April 12,

2017. (Courtesy photos)


By Fr. Knick Knickerbocker and Sandie KnickerbockerWest Texas Angelus

We all want to go to heaven, right? The BaltimoreCatechism teaches that "God made me to know Him, tolove Him, and to serve Him in this world, and to be happy

with Him for ever in heaven." Whilewe're on earth, the Holy Spirit is form-ing us for happiness in heaven by theFruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace,patience, kindness, goodness, faithful-ness, gentleness, self-control--Hisessence (Gal 5:22-23, RSVCE). Thetradition of the Church adds threeother fruits of the Spirit: generosity,modesty, and chastity.

" 'God is Love' (I Jn 4:8, 16) andlove is his first gift, containing all oth-ers. 'God's love has been poured intoour hearts through the Holy Spirit who

has been given to us' " (Rom 5:5). In Baptism God for-gives our sins, restores the image of God in us lost throughsin, incorporates us into His life in the Trinity, and gifts uswith the grace to love as He has loved us. Because"He...has grafted us onto the true vine...," He will give uspower to bear the fruit of the Spirit. "The more werenounce ourselves the more we 'walk by the Spirit' "(CCC 733-36). The fruit of the Spirit is love in action.

Several Scripture commentaries point out that Paul writes'fruit' (singular) instead of 'fruits' (plural), suggesting thatlife in the Spirit is integrated and whole, not fragmented ordivided. Love, joy, and peace are united in our relationshipwith God in Christ: love (reverence and devotion) forHim, joy (delight and contentment) in Him, and peace("tranquility of order") from Him (St. Augustine). In thepower of His Holy Spirit, we are able to live this love, joy,and peace in our relationships. Patience is long-sufferingwith others as God is long-suffering with us. Kindness —kindheartedness — is compassion and mercy and is insepa-rable from goodness, which is righteousness. Faithfulnessis steadfastness and perseverance in our relationship withGod and others. Gentleness is meekness flowing fromhumility — not to be confused with weakness. Self-controlis discipline of self. Generosity is unselfishness and mag-nanimity. Modesty is propriety in appearance and behavior.Chastity is moral purity.

The fruit of the Spirit is just that. It is not our fruit thatwe produce on our own. It is the work of the Spirit ofLove manifested in the life of the Christian believer. "I amthe true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Everybranch of mine that bears no fruit he takes away, and everybranch that does bear fruit he prunes that it may bear morefruit. You are already made clean by the word which Ihave spoken to you. Abide in me and I in you. As thebranch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in thevine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am thevine, you are the branches. He who abides in me and I inhim, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me youcan do nothing” (Jn 15:1-5).

How do we abide in Christ, the "true vine," who enablesus to cooperate with His Spirit? We do this primarily in andthrough the Sacraments, Scripture, and prayer. We areunited with Christ in His death and resurrection in theSacrament of Baptism. We receive Him in the fullness ofHis being in the Sacrament of the Eucharist, His PreciousBody and Blood. His Spirit is "fanned into flame" in us inthe Sacrament of Confirmation. In the Sacrament ofPenance and Reconciliation, we are cleansed of the barriers

(Please See KNICKERBOCKERS/23)

Fruit of the Spirit:Abiding in Jesus

through Mary

‘Rediscover Catholicism’ encourages fellowCatholics to stay engaged, inspire others

By Brenda Lehr

Matthew Kelly points out in his book“Rediscover Catholicism,” that we have forgottenour story, and in doing so, we have allowed theworld to forget it as well.

Two thousand years ago, a small group of peo-ple captured the attention and intrigued the imagi-nation of the entire Western world. At first, thesepeople were thought to be of no consequence, butas they began telling the stories of Jesus Christ,people began to join this quiet revolutionary group100 at a time. They are the original followers ofJesus of Nazareth and the first members of whatwe know today as the Catholic Church.

We have come a long way from our humblebeginnings. And yet, as great as our achievementsmay be, as great as our numbers are today, weseem unable to capture the attention and intriguethe imaginations of the people of our own time theway our spiritual ancestors did.

As the centuries have passed, much haschanged. Our Church’s history is not withoutblemish; our future will not be without blemish.But our contribution as a Church to the needs ofthe world is unmatched, and it’s needed todaymore than ever before. Kelly notes:• There is genius in Catholicism, if we will justtake the time and make the effort to humblyexplore it.• There is nothing wrong with Catholicism thatcan’t be fixed by what is right with Catholicism.• If you and I are not part of the solution, we arepart of the problem.• If sixty-seven million Catholics in the UnitedStates stepped it up a notch, something incrediblewould happen.

So let’s decide, here and now, today, to begin toexplore the genius of our faith, to be part of thesolution.

4 Book Review

We have become too comfortable in modernsecular culture, and this comfort has resulted in adangerous complacency toward the life-givingwords of the Gospel. Too often, we listen to thewords, but do not allow them to penetrate ourhearts and transform our lives.

God doesn’t want to control us, nor does hewant us to ignore him. God yearns for a dynamiccollaboration with each and every one of us.

The first Christians were not perfect. They livedin communities that were torn by strife in waysremarkably similar to what we are experiencingtoday, and they struggled with the brokenness oftheir own humanity in the same way you and I do.But they were dedicated to the basics.

If Catholics today, will dedicate themselves tothe basics of our rich and dynamic spiritualityextraordinary things begin to happen.

In most cases, early Christians as well asChristians today don’t do anything spectacular.For the most part they commit themselves todoing simple things spectacularly well and withgreat love, and that intrigues people. We need tointrigue the people of our time in the same ways.

Whom does your life intrigue? Not with spec-tacular accomplishments, but simply by the wayyou live, love, and work.

If we live and love the way the Gospel invitesus to, we will intrigue people. Respect and cher-ish your spouse and children, and people will beintrigued. Work hard and pay attention to the details of your work, you will intrigue people. Goout of your way to help those in need, people willbe intrigued. When we do what is right even if it

(Please See BOOKS/22)

Catholic author Matthew Kelly

MAY 2017 The Angelus The Angelus MAY 2017 Page 13

Catholic Advocacy DayApril 4, 2017, Texas State Capitol, Austin

Seminarians engage indemocratic process

By Jimmy PattersonEditor / West Texas Angelus

AUSTIN — Seminarian Kevin Lenius’ firstCatholic Advocacy Day was summed up by oneimportant takeaway: social-media driven angstand fury-filled rants often found on venues suchas Facebook and Twitter are not reality.

And that’s a good thing.The real political process, the one that matters

and makes a difference in the lives of Texans andAmericans, is on the interpersonal communica-tion level and found in lawmakers’ offices andoften initiated by constituents on days like April4, 2017.

Catholic Advocacy Day was an example ofdemocracy in action, and of the people takingtheir concerns to their elected voices in the state-house.

“I learned how effective simple communicationcan be in advocating for those principles ourChurch holds dearest,” Lenius said. “My brotherseminarians and I came to see that our world isfull of political opinions, discussions, and argu-ments on social media and in social settings.Hardly any of the "ranting" ever makes a differ-ence politically. To approach our legislators andpresent our opinions respectfully and with love,we were able to make a difference and actuallyspeak up for those members of our society whohave little voice.”

Lenius, an Abilene native, is a first-year

Theology student at St. Mary Seminary inHouston. He made the trip with Thomas Showsand Deacon Timothy Hayter, the diocese’s twoother seminarians at St. Mary’s.

Lenius and Shows joined Jerry Peters, the dio-cese’s pro-life director in meeting with Rep. StanLambert of Abilene for a half-hour. Lenius saidhe felt “well-heard” and left with Lambert’sassurances that he would conduct more researchon a school choice bill because of the group’sadvocacy for it.

Lenius said the tension in Austin over theimmigration issue was palpable, even sobering.

“Hearing Bishop Vasquez of Austin speak onimmigration was a sobering moment,” Leniussaid. “He communicated that while we do needto secure our border and protect our country fromcriminals entering illegally, we cannot let bureau-cracy blind us to those good people who arealready here and who deserve our love and pro-tection. Indeed, Christ himself was once animmigrant along with most of our ancestors.”

Deacon Hayter said Advocacy Day providescitizens the opportunity to plant conversationalseeds with their elected representatives, a vitalpart of the democratic process.

“Advocacy Day calls to the minds of us asCatholics what the legal issues at hand are. Itthen gives us an opportunity to research thesethings and then connect what God seems to beasking of us in these situations with those who

(Please See SEMINARIANS/21)

Questions answered, though‘we did not always agree with

the answers we received’By Jimmy PattersonEditor / West Texas Angelus

AUSTIN — Catholics from acrossTexas spilled into Austin in April forCatholic Advocacy Day, a biennial eventduring which lawmakers are lobbied onbehalf of causes important to the faithful.

A crowd of more than 300 assembled onthe south steps of the state capitol withmore than 20 bishops that represented the15 dioceses in Texas assembled on thesouth steps of the capitol. A particularlylarge group, including a busload ofCatholic school students, attended fromthe Diocese of Lubbock. Bishop MichaelJ. Sis led the San Angelo contingent,along with Deacon Freddy Medina,Director of the Diaconate, who organizedthe trip; three seminarians — Deacon TimHayter, Thomas Shows and Kevin Lenius—and deacon candidate Tom Collier andhis wife, Pat, of Midland.

Catholics from the diocese visited withfour state lawmakers on issues as wide-ranging as school choice, immigrationreform, foster care and adoption reform,healthcare, abortion and payday lending.State representatives Tom Craddick ofMidland; Drew Darby of San Angelo, andStan Lambert, of Abilene, met with the

San Angelo group. A representative fromBrooks Landgraf’s office answered ques-tions on behalf of the Odessa lawmakerwho was not in attendance for the group’svisit.

“I think we had all of our questionsanswered,” said Bishop Michael J. Sis.“But we did not always agree with theanswers we received. It’squite common for elect-ed state officials to shareour perspective on somebills, but disagree withus on others. We are nottheir only constituents.”

“When we make ourvoices heard, we canmake a difference,”Bishop Sis said. “It takeslots of hard work andpersistence, but we canactually influencethe outcome of statelaws. For example, inthe legislative session of2015, our promotion ofpro-life bills made amajor impact on thestate's landmark legisla-

(Please See AUSTIN/21)

Clockwise from above,

bishops from dioce-

ses across Texas at

the altar, at St. Mary’s

Cathedral in Austin,

celebrating a pre-

Advocacy Day Mass.

Cardinal Daniel

DiNardo, and San

Angelo Bishop

Emeritus Michael D.

Pfeifer; the contingent

of Catholics from the

Diocese of San

Angelo, with Bishop

Michael Sis, at the

state capitol; Bishop

Sis, Bishop Sis with

Rep. Tom Craddick, of

Midland; Bishop Sis,

with Brownsville

Bishop Daniel Flores,

meet with representa-

tives of the Speaker of

the Texas House, Rep.

Joe Straus.

(Photos by Karen J.

Patterson)

By Maria-Pia Negro Chin Catholic News Service

This month, Pope Francis' prayer intention,according to the Apostleship of Prayer, is"that young people mayrespond generously to theirvocations and seriously con-sider offering themselves toGod in the priesthood or con-secrated life."

What makes young men andwomen want to offer theirwhole life to God in this way?

Discerning "the call" to areligious life is different for each person.Sister Jennifer Barrow, who professed herfirst vows last year, said that she first thoughtabout religious life in high school and in col-lege. "I really did not know what it meant,"she said, reflecting on her journey.

After college, she completed a year of serv-ice with Mercy Volunteer Corps, a volunteerprogram of the Sisters of Mercy of theAmericas. While volunteering in Texas, she

realized she was attracted to "the joy of theSisters (of Mercy), their prayerfulness andthe care they show in community, the waythey engage in service."

Afterward, Sister Barrow went to lawschool while embarking on a discernmentprocess with a spiritual director and a voca-tion minister. During this time of inquiry, shealso visited the Mercy community and wenton retreats. The charism of the Sisters ofMercy resonated in her heart, and after lawschool, she applied to become a Sister ofMercy, a process that takes at least sevenyears.

Like many other religious and priests,Sister Barrow prayerfully engaged in discern-ment during this process. Discerning thevoice and call of the Holy Spirit from othercalls or desires in life can help people, espe-cially young people, to become who theywere created to be.

God calls people with different back-grounds, personalities and life experiences.

(Please See CHIN/22)

Page 14 MAY 2017 The Angelus

By Fr. Tad Pacholczyk

Addiction can be extremely harmful,and in some cases, fatal for those indi-viduals ensnared by it. It can be seri-ously disruptive and damaging to thosearound them. Who isto blame when itcomes to addiction?Family and friendsmay think to them-selves, “Why can’tJane just stopdrinking?” Or,“Doesn’t Joe under-stand that his gam-bling addiction is bankrupting the fam-ily?” Or, “Can’t Bob see how hispornography habit is destroying hismarriage and his relationships?” Forthose facing addiction, it seems theyought to be able to recognize theirbehavior as harmful, and turn awayfrom it by a resolute decision. Familyand friends, however, can face years offrustration when they see their lovedones fall into a slow motion “crashand burn,” spiraling downwards asthey remain unwilling or unable tostep away from their addiction.

The individual caught in the web ofaddiction objectively falls prey to aloss of personal freedom.

His will becomes weakened, and hebecomes enslaved in a way that limitshis ability to recognize the right orderof goods in his life. By repetitivelychoosing the addictive behavior, itbecomes ingrained, and the ability tochoose better, alternative behaviorsbecomes enfeebled, if not seeminglyimpossible. For these reasons, there isalmost al-ways diminished personalresponsibility in situations of addic-tion.

To be accountable for our acts, wemust freely choose those acts, but theinternal pressure and downward spiralof the addiction may have already co-opted the individual’s ability freelyto choose otherwise. Eventually thisbondage can appear to be permanent,and addicted individuals can imaginethemselves pathetic and hopeless tosuch a degree that they almost give up.In the words of a formerly-addictedindividual: “I believe that I did nothave a choice to stop.... It never became clear to me that I could liveanother way until a medical interven-tion from my physician and friendstook place. Willpower plays a smallrole here, but it too cannot work if onehas a malfunctioning brain. I speakfor myself here... I could not stop.Period.

“Now, I have stopped. Not justbecause of the intervention, butbecause I have turned my life and mywill over to the God of my under-standing. That is something 12 stepprograms have taught me.”

This radical loss of freedom lies at

the heart of the tragedy of addiction.Because we are creatures of habit, thechoices we make, either for good orfor evil, form us in one direction or theother, so we become individuals whoare either capable or incapable ofchoosing the good freely. Virtue is ahabit of good, while vice is a habit ofevil. Early choices leading down theroad towards addiction, freely made,can quickly snowball into vice, addic-tion and a loss of freedom. As onerecovered addict graphically describedit:

“My beef is with those who claimthat they never chose to become anaddict or never chose to hurt theirfamilies....

“While we likely didn’t intend toend up helpless, dysfunctional peoplewho [hurt] our loved ones, the choiceswe made put us at risk of ending up ina sorry state where we were capable ofdoing things we would have neverdreamed of. Unless you were raised onMars, we all deep down knew the riskof our choices, especially if you’retalking about coke, crack, meth, orheroin but we chose to roll the diceanyways. At a certain point, when Iwas starting to do coke almost everyweekend, I knew that it would be wiseto stop, but I chose not to because Iwas having fun and I told myself itwill never happen to me.

“By the end, I was going on solothree day benders with alcohol andcocaine, and I landed in treatment....my point is that I made the choice totry the substance, the choice to beginto use the substance more regularly,and the choice not to quit when Icould have.”

While there may have been signifi-cant moral culpability at the beginningof an individual’s descent into addic-tion, it is still critical for us to neverstigmatize, patronize or abandon thosewho are in the throes of addiction.

They may feel they are definedentirely by their addiction, unlovableand wretched, rather than seeing thatthey are, in fact, human beings whoare precious to God and those aroundthem, and even now endowed withsome tiny space of remaining freedom.That tiny space will become key todetermining whether they ultimatelychoose the behavioral changes neededto improve their situation and recoverthe human freedom that is rightfullytheirs. We should support, encourageand love them in ways that will helplead them toward those good choicesand successful outcomes.

Rev. Tadeusz Pacholczyk, Ph.D.earned his doctorate in neurosciencefrom Yale and did post-doctoral workat Harvard. He is a priest of the diocese of Fall River, MA, and servesas the Director of Education at TheNational Catholic Bioethics Center inPhiladelphia.

At the heart of the tragedy ofdrug and alcohol addiction

Making Sense of Bioethics

Pacholczyk

By Maria-Pia Negro Chin Catholic News Service

Este mes, la intención de la oración delpapa Francisco, según el Apostolado de laOración, es "por los jóvenes, para que sepanresponder con generosidad a su propiavocación; considerando seriamente tambiénla posibilidad de consagrarse al Señor en elsacerdocio o en la vida consagrada".

¿Qué hace que los jóvenes quieran ofrecertoda su vida a Dios de esta manera?

Discernir "el llamado" a una vida religiosaes diferente para cada persona. La hermanaJennifer Barrow, quien profesó sus primerosvotos el año pasado, dijo que sus primerospensamientos sobre consagrarse a la vida reli-giosa tuvieron lugar en la escuela secundariay en la universidad. "Realmente no sabía loque significaba", dijo, reflexionando sobre surecorrido.

Después de la universidad, completó unaño de servicio con Mercy Volunteer Corps,un programa de voluntariado de las

Hermanas de la Misericordia de las Américas.Mientras servía a personas en Texas, se diocuenta de que se sentía atraída por "la alegríade las Hermanas (de la Misericordia), suoración y el cuidado que muestran en lacomunidad, la forma en que participan en elservicio".

Luego, la hermana Barrow fue a la escuelade derecho mientras se embarcaba en un pro-ceso de discernimiento con un director espiri-tual y un ministro de vocaciones. Duranteeste tiempo de indagación, ella también visitóla comunidad de su futura orden religiosa yfue a retiros espirituales. El carisma de lasHermanas de la Misericordia resonó en sucorazón y después de la escuela dederecho, inició el proceso de aplicación paraconvertirse en una Hermana de laMisericordia, un proceso que toma por lomenos siete años.

Como muchos otros religiosos y sacerdotes,la hermana Barrow participó con devoción y

(Mira RELIGIOSA/22)

Chin

Discerning the call to a religious life

Discernir el llamado a una vida religiosa

(From 4)

25 DOSA Staff Mass/Lunch26-27 Deaconate Ordination

Overnight Stay28- June DOSA Priest Retreat

PRIEST ORDINATION DATESMAY

8 — Fr. Mamachan Joseph(1986)

13 — Fr. Bhaskar Morugudi(1999)

14 — Fr. Hugh Wade (1977)24 — Fr. Benedict Zientek

(1958)25 — Fr. Tom Barley (1991)25 — Fr. Terry Brenon (1991)25 — Fr. Martin Hubbs (2012)26 — Msgr. James Bridges

(1962)27 — Fr. Charles Greenwell

(1982)27 — Fr. Luis Hernandez

(1995)27 — Msgr. Fred Nawarskas

(1967)27 — Fr. Mark Woodruff (1972)29 — Msgr. Bernard Gully

(1962)

30 — Msgr. Timothy Schwertner(1965)

31 — Fr. Josey Faylona (2003)31 — Fr. Gilbert Rodriguez

(1974)31 — Fr. Rodney White (2003)

JUNE1 — Fr. Joseph Uecker, CPPS

(1968)3 — Fr. Ruben Covos (2006) 3 — Fr. Ariel Lagunilla (2006)4 — Fr. Patrick Akpanobong

(2011)4 — Fr. Prem Thumma (2011)5 — Msgr. Robert Bush (1969)5 — Fr. Mario Catungal (2004)5 — Fr. Frank Chavez (1976)5 — Fr. Steven Hicks (1982)8 — Fr. Innocent Iziefule

(2013)8 — Fr. Lorenzo Hatch (2013)8 — Fr. Sam Matthiesen (2013)8 — Fr. Francis Onyekozuru

(2013)15 — Msgr. Larry Droll (1973)20 — Fr. Serafin Avenido

(1977)24 — Msgr. Maurice Voity

(1979)

29 — Fr. Joseph Ogbonna(2002)

29 — Fr. Richard Regan (1985)

NECROLOGY—PRIESTSMAY

2-Rev. Russell Schultz (2004)5-Rev. Clifford Blackburn, OMI

(2005)7-Msgr. Kevin Heyburn (2001)9-Rev. Leo Diersing (1999)9-Rev. Tom Diab (2007)28-Rev. Francis Hynes,

C.M.(1996)JUNE

7-Rev. Ray Corr, O.P. (2005)8-Rev. Felix Cubelo (2007)13-Rev. David Espitia (2003)17-Rev. Barry Mclean (2012)18-Rev. John Lucassen (1993)22-Rev. Msgr. Alvin Wilde

(1996)28-Bishop Stephen Leven

(1983)

NECROLOGY—DEACONSMAY

15-Deacon Wayne Rock (2006)JUNE

20-Deacon William Smith (2003)

CALENDARS (continued)

The Angelus MAY 2017 Page 15

By Effie CaldarolaCatholic News Service

The Jesuit Volunteer Corps was young -- and so was I-- when I first arrived at a remote Alaskan village toteach school at a Jesuit boardingschool for Native Alaskan students as amember of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps.

There were no cellphones yet, andthe internet did not exist. In the villageof St. Mary's, and in other villages onthe far-flung Alaskan tundra, there wasno television reception. A phone exist-ed for the village -- just one -- and itwas in one man's home for general use.

St. Mary's, a commercial hub, had anairport a few miles away where jets landed a couple oftimes a week, weather permitting, bringing mail andsupplies. No road system existed, and still doesn't formost of Alaska's Bush.

When our contingent of volunteers arrived, a Jesuitbrother met us at the airport and loaded us on a flatbedtruck for the bumpy trek to St. Mary's. I grew up on aNebraska farm, so I know what lonely stretches of landlook like. But nothing prepared me for miles of treelesstundra with no evidence of human habitation.

When we arrived at the village, culture shock hit. Thevolunteer's women's dormitory was surprisingly modern,

but as I gazed out of my second-story window, watchingthe Andreafsky River wind its way toward its confluencewith the mighty Yukon, I panicked.

We had a school nurse, and the village had a mini-mally trained health aide. I'm going to get appendicitishere, I surmised. There will be a blizzard and the jetswon't fly and I will die here.

I ended up staying three volunteer years, some of thehappiest of my life.

This was in the 1970s. Rural Alaska has changed inthe years since. The discovery of oil on the North Slopeswelled state coffers and brought modernization andnew village schools. The boarding school at St. Mary'sclosed in the 1980s.

But the Jesuit Volunteer Corps lives on, and adven-tures and challenges endure for those who want to give ayear of their lives to service.

The Jesuit Volunteer Corps started in Alaska in 1956in another Jesuit boarding school. By the 1960s, theorganization had spread throughout the Northwest andbeyond. The Jesuit Volunteer Corps became a templatefor subsequent volunteer groups, including the PeaceCorps.

Gradually, regional Jesuit Volunteer Corps organiza-tions grew up -- the Midwest, East, South and Southwestjoined the Northwest. These coexisted as separate agen-cies until four of the regions and Jesuit VolunteerInternational merged, with headquarters in Baltimore.

All Jesuit Volunteer Corps share the four core values:spirituality, simple living, community, and social andecological justice.

Ignatian discernment is the heart of Jesuit spirituality,and after long, prayerful discernment, Jesuit VolunteerCorps Northwest decided to remain autonomous, rootedin the region and its long history.

ºIt has found a happy partnership with AmeriCorps, anational program. In 2010, Jesuit Volunteer CorpsNorthwest was awarded a three-year National DirectAmeriCorps award, which has been renewed in three-year increments since.

Most members of Jesuit Volunteer Corps Northwestare also AmeriCorps members, and receive an educationaward at year's end. This helps more young people fromdiverse economic brackets afford to serve for a year andlowers the cost for agencies needing volunteers.

AmeriCorps funding is threatened by the Trumpadministration's proposed budget cuts, which include theCorporation for Public Broadcasting and the NationalEndowment for Arts and the National Endowment forthe Humanities. It's early. But budgets are moral docu-ments, so we'll be watching.

Meanwhile, Jesuit Volunteer Corps Northwest, nation-al Jesuit Volunteer Corps and other Catholic volunteerorganizations offer a chance to experience what I didwhen I climbed off that flatbed: service, spiritualgrowth, community, challenge.

By Father Eugene HemrickCatholic News Service

Is a new age of disrespect upon us? Arewe experiencing growing impertinence,insolence and contempt? This leads us toask what exactly respect is.

Our best answer can befound in the transfigurationof Christ.

To escape the crowds,Christ, Peter, James andJohn ascend a mountain insearch of peace and quiet.Once settled down, Christsuddenly becomes transfig-ured, his face shines and hisclothes become dazzling white. Elijah andMoses appear and converse with Jesus.

Experiencing the awesome moment, Peterexclaims, "Rabbi, it is good that we arehere!"

As the they leave the mountain, Christtells them not to mention the experience toanyone until the "Son of Man has beenraised from the dead."

In the transfiguration, we have two essen-tial qualities of respect: awe and reverentialspace. To be in awe is to realize that I am inthe presence of greatness and to whisper,"Lord, it is good to be here!"

When Joshua encountered the commanderof God's army in the Old Testament, he fellfacedown to the ground in reverence,acknowledging the awesomeness of themoment and humbly paying it homage.Respect is a bow to awesomeness.

But why are the apostles exhorted to tell

no one of the transfiguration? Theologian Father Romano Guardini

states when we are in awe of another, awe"forbids obtrusiveness, keeps one at a dis-tance, does not permit the breath of one'sown being to touch the revered object."

In other words, one doesn't go publicabout reverential moments, nor try to pro-mote the fact of personally being close to anawesome event. Respect stands back, creat-ing reverential space and letting that whichis awesome speak.

Poet Maya Angelou wrote, "If we loselove and self-respect for each other, this ishow we finally die." Her observation raisesserious questions about our present age.

Are signs of disrespect outweighing signsof respect?

Is respectful rhetoric dying? Is today'srhetoric becoming more awful than awe-some? Is the desecrated spoken word over-shadowing the sacredness of the spokenword?

Politics has always had a dark side, but italso has an awesome side. Is its dark sideclouding out its awesomeness, thus creatingrepugnant politics?

Respect for other cultures is an Americanvirtue. Have we entered an age in which weare demonizing other cultures and losingsight of the rich cultural gifts which blessus?

Maya Angelou's observation about respectis sobering. To the degree that respect existsis the degree to which we live or die.

A volunteer’s experience

‘If we lose self-respect, lovefor each other, we die’

Catholic Voices

Sandoval

Byron

Cartoon Corner


By Fr. Ron Rolheiser

In her novel, A Good House, BonnieBurnard tells the story of a relatively happyfamily. But even happy families haveunhappy moments where bitterness chillsan otherwise warm house.

She describes one suchincident: A young couple,solid and trusting in theirrelationship, are having arather intimate talk oneafternoon when thewoman’s instincts tell herthat her husband is hidingsomething from her, notnecessarily at the level ofinfidelity, but somethingthat he, for whatever reason, will not sharewith her.

Instantly a door begins to close inside ofher, her warmth and trust harden, and shefeels the need to protect herself, assert someindependence from her husband, and lethim know that there are aspects of her lifethat he doesn’t necessarily know abouteither. Their intimacy, so warm and trustingjust minutes before, dissolves for a whileinto a certain coolness and distance. What’shappened here?

What’s happened is what happens to allof us, spontaneously and daily, in virtuallyall of our relationships, particularly withthose with whom we are most intimate.

Such is our emotional metaphysics, the wayour hearts try to protect themselves: Wetend spontaneously to replicate the energywe feel around us and feed it back in thesame way as we feel it.

Quite simply, whenever we feel warmth,mellowness, vulnerability, transparency,generosity, trust, and big-heartedness in arelationship, we tend to respond in kind,with warm, mellow, vulnerable, transparent,generous, trusting hearts. But the reverse isalso true: When we feel coldness, bitter-ness, self-protection, jealousy, dishonesty,pettiness, or distrust, we tend to becomecool, hard, self-protective, assertive, small-hearted, and distrustful.

It’s not easy not to do this. More thananything else, our hearts crave the warmthand trust of intimacy, but, precisely becausethese make us vulnerable, are hearts alsotend to close doors rather quickly at the firstsigns of betrayal, distrust, or dishonesty.

Fear, especially, tends to do this to us.Most of our fears and anxieties arise out ofa lack of confidence, from a poor self-image. Then, because we are insecure, weto try to assert ourselves, to prove that weare loveable, attractive, talented, and worth-while. When we are afraid, we can’t riskvulnerability, instead we try to do things toshow that we aren’t weak or needy. But, todo this, we have to harden ourselves pre-cisely against the type of vulnerability thatinvites others into our lives.

Jealousy, especially of a person we lovebut whose love we can’t have, also createsthat same hardness in us. That’s why wecan be caught up in that strange anomalywhere we are cold, distant, and perhapseven hostile, to a person whose love webadly want. Our coldness and feigned indif-ference towards that person is simply theheart’s attempt to protect itself, to cope withan intimacy it can’t have and the loss ofself-esteem that comes with that.

The heart has its reasons, even for turningcold.

Given the truth of this, what makes for atruly big heart is the strength to resist thisemotional metaphysics and remain mellow,warm, trusting, and present to others in theface of bitterness, coldness, distrust, jeal-ousy, and withdrawal. More than anythingelse, this is what defines a great lover.

This is perhaps the greatest moral chal-lenge Jesus left us: We all do pretty well inlove when the persons we are loving arewarm and gracious, but can we be graciousand mellow in the face of bitterness, jeal-ousy, hatred, withdrawal? That’s the litmustest of love.

It’s also one of the deeper invitationstowards maturity. Everywhere in our world– in our most intimate relationships, in ourfamilies, in our workplaces, in our church-es, and in society as a whole – we foreverfind ourselves in situations where we meetsuspicion, jealousy, coldness, distrust, bit-

terness, and withdrawal. Our world is oftena hard, rather than an intimate, place.

The challenge is to offer a heart that cre-ates a space for warmth, transparency, mel-lowness, vulnerability, and trust inside ofhard places. The challenge is to offer ourhearts as a space within which people canbe honest, where nobody has to assert her-self, where no games of pretense need beplayed, and where intimacy isn’t heldhostage to the momentary fears, jealousies,hurts, and emotional acting out that foreverassail us.

And, the more bitter and the more emo-tionally trying the situation, the more this isneeded. When times are bitter, angry, cold,full of disrespect, and fraught with jealousy,when it seems everyone is withdrawing intohis or her own world, when most every-thing seems a lie, and when we are feelingmost hurt, taken for granted, slighted, andmarginalized, what’s called for is not less,but more, attention to the quality of gra-ciousness and warmth within our response.Bitter times call for, precisely, a deeperresponse of warmth, mellowness, trans-parency, truth, and compassion.

What’s needed most in a bitter time is amellow heart.

Ronald Rolheiser, a Roman Catholicpriest and member of the MissionaryOblates of Mary Immaculate, is president ofthe Oblate School of Theology in SanAntonio.

Catholic Voices

Fr. Rolheiser

By Most Rev. Robert BarronAuxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles

The Case for Christ is a film adaptationof Lee Strobel’s best-selling book of thesame name, one that has made an enor-mous splash inEvangelical circlesand beyond. It is thestory of a young,ambitious (and athe-ist) reporter for theChicago Tribune, whofell into a psychologi-cal and spiritual crisiswhen his wifebecame a Christian.The scenes involvingLee and his spouse,which play out over many months of theirmarried life, struck me as poignant andbelievable—and I say this with someauthority, having worked with a numberof couples in a similar situation. In somecases, a non-believing spouse might lookupon his partner’s faith as a harmlessdiversion, a bit like a hobby, but in othercases, the non-believer sees the dawningof faith in his beloved as something akinto a betrayal. This latter situation stronglyobtained in the Strobel’s marriage.

In order to resolve the tension, Lee usedhis considerable analytical and investiga-tive skills to debunk the faith that was sobeguiling his wife. The focus of hisinquiry was, at the suggestion of aChristian colleague at the Tribune, theresurrection of Jesus. If Jesus didn’t rise,his friend explained, Christianity crum-

bles like a house of cards. The narrativeunfolds, then, as a kind of detective story,Strobel hunting down leads, interrogatingexperts, asking the hard questions.

I liked this for a couple of reasons.First, at its best, Christianity is not fideist,that is to say, reliant upon a pure anduncritical act of faith on the part of itsadherents. Rather, it happily embracesreason and welcomes critical questions.Secondly, and relatedly, Christianity is astubbornly historical religion. It is not aphilosophy (though it can employ philo-sophical language), nor is it a spirituality(though a spirituality can be distilled fromit); rather, it is a relationship to an histori-cal figure about whom an extraordinaryhistorical claim has been made, namely,that he rose bodily from the dead.

Now especially in recent years, manyattempts have been made to mitigate thescandal of this assertion. Jesus was a greatmoral exemplar, a powerful teacher ofspiritual truth, an inspiring man of God—and it doesn’t particularly matter whetherthe reports of resurrection are factuallyaccurate. Indeed, it is probably best toread them as mythic or symbolic. To all ofthat, classical Christianity says no. Itagrees with Lee Strobel’s colleague: if theresurrection didn’t happen, Christianityshould be allowed to fall onto the ashheap of history. Therefore, watching ourintrepid investigator go about his work is,for a true Christian, thrilling, preciselybecause the questions are legitimate andsomething is very really at stake.

So what were his inquiries? First, hewondered whether the resurrection stories

were just fairy tales, pious inventionsmeant to take away our fear of death. Buthe learned that, in point of fact, manypeople claimed to have seen Jesus afterhis crucifixion, including five hundred atonce. Moreover, most of the leaders of theearly Church went to their deaths defend-ing the legitimacy of what they taught.Would anyone do that for a myth or a leg-end of his own invention?

But another question came to his mind:might they all have been victims of amass hallucination? A psychologistpatiently explained that waking dreamsare not shared by hundreds of people atdifferent times and different places. “Ifhundreds of individuals had the same hal-lucination, that would be a greater miraclethan the resurrection,” she informed himwith a smile.

But what about the reliability of theChristian texts themselves? Weren’t theywritten long after the events described? ACatholic priest, who is also an archeolo-gist and specialist in ancient manuscripts,told him that the number of early copiesof the Christian Gospels far surpasses thatof any other ancient text, including theIliad of Homer and the Dialogues ofPlato.

What about the “swoon theory,” accord-ing to which Jesus did not really die onthe cross but only lost consciousness, onlyto be revived sometime later? A LosAngeles based physician detailed for himthe brutal process of a Roman execution,which resulted in the victim slowly bleed-ing to death and asphyxiating. The swoontheory, the doctor concluded, “is rubbish.”

At each stage of the process, Strobelcontinued to wonder, question, balk, andargue, all the time maintaining the defaultposition that Christianity is bunk.Nevertheless, it was becoming clear thatthe relentlessness of the counter-argu-ments and their stubborn congruence withone another was wearing him down. Thismade me think of John Henry Newman’sfamous account of how we come to reli-gious assent. It is very rarely by virtue ofone clinching argument, Newman said,but rather through the slow, steady conflu-ence of inference, hunch, intuition, expe-rience, the witness of others, etc. Thisconvergence of probabilities, under theaegis of what Newman called the “illativesense,” customarily leads the mind toassent.

In the course of their conversation,Strobel’s priest-archeologist interlocutorshowed the skeptical journalist a repro-duction of the Shroud of Turin, purportedto be the burial cloth of Jesus. Gazing intothe eyes of the image, Strobel asked,“What would have made him go throughall of this?” The priest responded, “That’seasy: love.” As the arguments werejostling in his head, Strobel rememberedthat image and that explanation—and thefilmmakers insinuate that this is whatfinally pushed him over into belief.

The Case for Christ is interesting forany number of reasons, but I think it isparticularly compelling for its subtle por-trayal of the psychological, spiritual, andintellectual dynamics of evangelization.

Bishop Barron

‘The Case for Christ’ and a stubbornly historical religion

A mellow heart in a bitter time


By Father Kenneth Doyle Catholic News Service

Q. There has been a lot in the newslately about people who identify with thegender opposite the one listed on theirbirth certificate. Some take hormones ofthe opposite sex; some even have surgeryto "change" their sex.

What is the Catholic Church's positionon such transgenderpeople? Is it OK forthem to take these hor-mones and have suchsurgery? (Alexandria,Virginia)

A. The Catechism ofthe Catholic Churchsays: "Except when per-formed for strictly thera-peutic medical reasons,directly intended amputations, mutilationsand sterilizations performed on innocentpersons are against the moral law" (No.2297). That statement is generally consid-ered by Catholic moral theologians to pro-hibit the sort of "sexual reassignment sur-gery" of which you speak.

Writing in 2005 for the National CatholicBioethics Center, Dr. Richard Fitzgibbonsnoted, "It is impossible to 'change' a person'ssex. Hormone treatments, cosmetic surgeryand surgery to mutilate the sex organs donot change a person's sex."

In the 2016 apostolic exhortation "AmorisLaetitia" ("The Joy of Love"), Pope Francissaid that "the young need to be helped toaccept their own body as it was created"(No. 285).

In a 2014 article in The Wall StreetJournal, Dr. Paul McHugh, former chiefpsychiatrist at Johns Hopkins Hospital, ref-erenced a 2011 long-term study that fol-lowed 324 people who underwent sexualreassignment surgeries. The study showedthat 10 years after the surgery, "the trans-gendered began to experience increasingmental difficulties" and "their suicide mor-tality rose almost 20-fold above the compa-rable nontransgender population."

The Catholic Church's view is that peoplestruggling with gender dysphoria (apparentpsychological identification with attributes

of the opposite sex) should be shown com-passion, protected from prejudice and treat-ed with psychotherapy that is skilled andsympathetic.

Q. For some time now, I have been dis-turbed by the fact that, several times aday, EWTN telecasts the Mass of thatday without indicating that these Massesare prerecorded and not "live." Surely 99percent of those watching feel that theyare participating in a real Mass. This hassignificant import on the spiritual lives ofthe network's viewers, especially onSundays.

I have written repeatedly to the net-work urging them at least to precedesuch Masses with a statement indicatingthat the presentation is for inspirationalpurposes only and not a real Mass, butno adjustment has been made.

Do you agree with me that the stationneeds to correct this? (While I am surethis is unintentional, the network isinvolved in a serious matter of deceptivespiritual broadcasting.) (Merion Station,Pennsylvania)

A. On Sundays and other holy days ofobligation, a Catholic who is able to do sohas a serious obligation to attend Mass, i.e.,to participate personally in the eucharisticcelebration. If prevented, however, by sick-ness, infirmity due to old age, severe weath-er or other emergency, the obligation ceases;nor is that person then morally bound to"make up" for the absence by watchingMass on television (although this is certain-ly worthwhile.)

If the person is legitimately impeded fromattending the Mass, it doesn't have to"count" because there is no obligation in thefirst place. Such a person is, in fact, watch-ing the televised Mass for (in your words)"inspirational purposes" -- in which case itmatters not at all that the Mass has beenprerecorded.

In my own diocese, where I was onceresponsible for arranging to have theSunday Mass televised, we filmed thoseMasses on the previous Wednesday evening(because studio time was less expensive andpriest-celebrants easier to find.) So, toanswer your question -- no, I don't think thatEWTN is involved in "deceptive broadcast-

ing" or needs to correct anything.

Q. Would you please print a prayer ofprotection against tornadoes? Tornadowarnings get my full attention. Recently,six tornadoes touched down here inMiddle Tennessee on the same day.

The television news had warned thatthe last of the six was headed to the nextroad over from ours. That is too close forme. The next time we might not be solucky. (McMinnville, Tennessee)

A. I am not aware of any specific prayeragainst tornadoes, but I do know that St.Medard is traditionally regarded as thepatron saint against bad weather. He was abishop in France during the first half of thesixth century.

Legend has it that when he was a child, hewas once sheltered from a violent rainstormby an eagle that hovered over his head. Thatis how he is commonly depicted in art, andChristians have long invoked his aid instormy weather.

The prayer that is said admits of differentversions but generally goes something likethis:

"Lord Jesus, though the intercession of St.Medard, be with me during the storms ofmy life and the storms of nature. Protect thevictims of hurricanes, tornadoes, earth-quakes and other natural disasters. Send inhelpers and multiply the supplies that areneeded for their aid. You calmed the stormon the Sea of Galilee; deliver us now fromthe storms that rage around us. Amen."

Q. Recently my seventh-grader camehome from his CCD class and said thathis teacher had taught them that all richpeople are "evil, going to hell and don'twork" and that all poor people are"good, going to heaven and work hard."

In the teacher's defense, English is hersecond language, so it's possible thatsomething was lost in translation -- butthat was still the lesson my son cameaway with.

Then, three days later, we received arequest from the diocese asking us notonly to match our donation from lastyear, but even to increase it a bit. Thereoccurred to me the irony of what my sonwas being taught against what the church

was asking from us -- and it made mevery angry.

So, are the rich really doomed to hell?And should I say something to the CCDsupervisor? (This whole affair, in fact,has made me question whether to staywith the Catholic Church.) (Roanoke,Virginia)

A. First, to answer your theological ques-tion. No, riches don't necessarily doom peo-ple to hell. It depends what they do withthose riches, how they share them.

Joseph of Arimathea, described inMatthew's Gospel as a rich man and a disci-ple of Jesus (he could afford a rock-hewntomb for Christ's burial), is venerated by thechurch as a saint.

Pope Francis, writing in 2014 to theworld's economic elite assembled inSwitzerland, said that "it is intolerable thatthousands of people continue to die everyday from hunger, even though substantialquantities of food are available, and oftensimply wasted." The responsibility to sharehangs heavily on individuals as well as onnations.

In a homily at his morning Mass in May2016, Pope Francis commented on the bibli-cal warning that "you cannot serve bothGod and mammon." He explained that theproblem comes when one begins to idolizemoney. "Riches," said the pope, can become"chains" that take away "the freedom to fol-low Jesus."

Riches, then, are a blessing that must bemanaged: They come with a moral duty tohelp the needy. And the church in itsfundraising relies on the generosity -- thesacrifice, even -- of its members to help thevulnerable whom society tends to forget.

As for your own next move, you shouldsurely speak with the religious educationdirector or to your pastor. If that is actuallywhat the teacher said, she is wrong andneeds to be corrected; if -- and this is morelikely -- she was simply misunderstood, sheneeds to correct that, too.

And as for your staying with the CatholicChurch, I trust that your allegiance does notdepend on the words of one CCD teacher. Itreally has more to do -- doesn't it? -- withthe teachings of Jesus, the availability of thesacraments and the long history of thechurch as the protector of the poor.

By John GarveyCatholic News Service

Amid the general, bipartisan enthusiasm for the presi-dent's decision to fire 59 Tomahawk cruise missiles at aSyrian air base, I worry that we havelost sight of an important principle.

The president made the decision onhis own. Congress stood by like aSunday afternoon crowd at Wimbledon,a spectator but not a player, politelycheering the volley from the sidelines.(Good shot!) This is not the role theConstitution assigned to it.

Don't get me wrong. If I were amember of Congress, I would vote forwhat we did with enthusiasm. PresidentBashar Assad's government bombedinnocent women and children in the town of KhanSheikhoun with sarin gas, in violation of the Chemical

Weapons Convention, which Syria has signed.This happened on a larger scale in 2013 and President

Barack Obama, after consultation with a reluctant Congress,refrained from retaliation in return for Syria's agreement todestroy its chemical stockpile. It made humanitarian, politi-cal and military sense to take military action this time.

But the Constitution, while it makes the president the com-mander in chief of the armed forces, expressly delegates toCongress the power to declare war. This means all wars, bigand small. The War Powers Resolution passed by Congressin 1973 requires the president to consult with Congress "inevery possible instance ... before introducing (our) armedforces into hostilities," and to get its approval within 60 days.

This habit of presidential war making isn't aRepublican/Democrat thing. President Lyndon B. Johnson,a Democrat, had his war in Vietnam. President BillClinton, a Democrat, bombed Afghanistan and Sudan threedays after admitting to an affair with Monica Lewinsky.

It's rather an executive/legislative thing. James Madisonput it this way: "The Constitution supposes, what the histo-

ry of all governments demonstrates, that the executive isthe branch of power most interested in war, and mostprone to it. It has accordingly with studied care, vested thequestion of war in the legislature."

There is wisdom in doing this. In the first place, we allwant peace to be the natural state of affairs. Putting upmultiple hurdles before we can commit to conflict, like arequirement that the House and Senate consent to the pres-ident's wishes, helps preserve the peace.

Here is a second point. The Congress is the most repre-sentative and accountable branch of the federal govern-ment. When the bills start coming in for the wars we wage-- our sons and daughters maimed and dead -- we need tohave the whole country committed to the cause.

The design of the Constitution, Vice Adm. James Stockdale once said, "protect(s) our fighting men fromshedding blood in pointless exercises while a dissentingCongress strangle(s) the effort."

(Please See GARVEY/23)

Doyle

Saran and Congress

Gender change and morality/ Televising prerecorded Masses

Garvey


Pope Francis

Pope, Coptic patriarch honor martyrs, urge peaceBy Carol Glatz

Catholic News Service

CAIRO — Placing flowers, lighting acandle and praying at the site wheredozens of Coptic Orthodox Christianswere killed by an Islamic State militantlast year, Pope Francis and CopticOrthodox Pope Tawadros II paid homageto those who were killed for their faith.

Pope Francis and Pope Tawadroswalked in a short procession to theChurch of St. Peter, where 29 peopledied and 31 were wounded Dec. 11. Thefaithful chanted a song of martyrs, andsome clashed cymbals under the dark-ened evening sky.

Inside the small church, the leaders ofseveral other Christian communities inEgypt as well as Ecumenical PatriarchBartholomew of Constantinople satbefore the congregation, which includedfamily members of the victims.

A portion of one wall of the complexwas splattered with blood, and picturesof those killed -- many with bright smilesto the camera -- were hung above. Someof the church's stone columns were pock-marked from the debris or shrapnel sentflying from the explosion.

Each of the eight Christian leadersseated before the congregation, begin-ning with Pope Francis, read a versefrom the beatitudes in the Gospel of St.Matthew. Pope Francis and PopeTawadros then each said a few words inprayer, and everyone shared a sign ofpeace.

Led by Pope Francis, the eight leaderswent to the back of the church, whereeach lit a small candle and placed whiteflowers beneath the photos of the mar-tyrs. Pope Francis leaned low to touchthe blood-stained wall and made the signof the cross.

Earlier, in a historic and significantmove toward greater Christian unity,Pope Tawadros and Pope Francis signedan agreement to end a longtime disagree-ment between the two churches over thesacrament of baptism.

The Coptic Orthodox Church had

required new members joining from mostnon-Coptic churches -- including thosewho had previously been baptized asCatholic -- to be baptized again.

The Catholic Church recognizes allChristian baptisms performed with waterand in "the name of the Father, Son andHoly Spirit." Orthodox who enter theCatholic Church are received as fullmembers, but not baptized again.

In the joint declaration, the two leaders"mutually declare that we, with one mindand heart, will seek sincerely not torepeat the baptism that has been adminis-tered in either of our churches for anyperson who wishes to join the other."

The document was signed during acourtesy visit with Pope Tawadros at theCoptic Orthodox Cathedral April 28.

In his speech to Pope Tawadros andother Coptic Orthodox leaders, PopeFrancis said, "The innocent blood ofdefenseless Christians was cruelly shed."He told them it was that innocent blood

"that united us.""Your sufferings are also our suffer-

ings," he said, the first day of a two-dayvisit to Egypt's capital.

"How many martyrs in this land, fromthe first centuries of Christianity, havelived their faith heroically to the end,shedding their blood rather than denyingthe Lord and yielding to the enticementsof evil or merely to the temptation ofrepaying evil with evil?"

"How many martyrs in this land, fromthe first centuries of Christianity, havelived their faith heroically to the end,shedding their blood rather than denyingthe Lord and yielding to the enticementsof evil or merely to the temptation ofrepaying evil with evil," he said.

He encouraged Catholic and Orthodoxto work hard to "oppose violence bypreaching and sowing goodness, foster-ing concord and preserving unity, pray-ing that all these sacrifices may open theway to a future of full communion

between us and peace for all."Pope Tawadros, in his speech, said

Pope Francis was following in the foot-steps of his namesake, St. Francis ofAssisi, who came to Egypt nearly 1,000years ago to meet Sultan al-Kamel andengage in "one of the most importantexperiences of intercultural dialogue inhistory -- a dialogue that is renewedtoday with your visit."

Calling Pope Francis one of the sym-bols of peace "in a world tormented byconflicts and wars," the Orthodox leaderunderlined that the world was thirstingfor sincere efforts of spreading peace andlove, and stopping violence and extrem-ism.

Pope Tawadros said Pope Francis' visit"is a message for the rest of the world,"showing Egypt as a model of mutualrespect and understanding.

Despite Christianity's deep roots inEgypt, which was evangelized by St.Mark, Christians have lived throughsome difficult and turbulent periods, hesaid. But that only made people's desireto love even greater, showing that "loveand tolerance are stronger than hatredand revenge and that the light of hope isstronger than the darkness of despera-tion."

"The criminal minds" behind all theviolence and threats hurting Egypt willnever be able to break or weaken thehearts of its citizens who are united andshowing an example for future genera-tions.

Later in the evening, Pope Francis wasscheduled to go to the apostolic nuncia-ture, where he was staying, and greet agroup of children who attend a Comboni-run school in Cairo. After dinner, he wasexpected to greet some 300 young peoplewho came from outside Cairo to see him.

The majority of the 82.5 millionEgyptians are Sunni Muslims. Most esti-mates say 10-15 percent of the Egyptianpopulation are Christians, most of themCoptic Orthodox, but there are Catholics,Protestants and other various Christiancommunities in the country as well.

Pope Francis is pictured with Coptic

Orthodox Pope Tawadros II in Cairo

April 28. The pope was making a

two-day visit to Egypt. (CNS

photo/Paul Haring)

Society without brotherhood unhappy, pope saysCAIRO (CNS) — The only kind of

fanaticism that is acceptable to God isbeing fanatical about loving and helpingothers, Pope Francis said on his final dayin Egypt.

"True faith," he told Catholics, "makesus more charitable, more merciful, morehonest and more humane. It moves ourhearts to love everyone without countingthe cost."

The pope celebrated an open-air MassApril 29 in Cairo's Air Defense Stadium,built by the anti-aircraft branch of theEgyptian armed forces. The pope concel-ebrated with Coptic Catholic PatriarchIbrahim Isaac Sedrak of Alexandria andleaders of the other Catholic rites inEgypt.

After spending the first day of his visitin meetings with Muslim leaders, gov-ernment officials, diplomats and mem-bers of the Coptic Orthodox Church, thepope dedicated the second day of his tripto Egypt's minority Catholic community.

Arriving at the stadium in a blue Fiat,the pope was slowly driven around thestadium's red running track in a smalland low golf cart, far from the estimated15,000 people seated in the stands highabove. Yellow balloons and a long chainof blue balloons tied together like arosary were released into the sky as amilitary helicopter circled high above thevenue.

Helicopter gunships circled the perime-ter of the stadium, while military jeeps

patrolled Cairo's streets.Surrounded by security, the pope man-

aged to personally greet only one smallgroup of children who were dressed aspharaohs and other traditional figures.They hugged the pope affectionately assecurity tightly closed in on the group.

In his homily, the pope used the day'sGospel reading of the two disciples' jour-ney to Emmaus to highlight how easy itis to feel disappointment, despair anddefeat when one is trapped by a falsenotion of who God really is.

The disciples could not believe that theone who could raise others from the deadand heal the sick could "end up on hang-ing on the cross of shame," the popesaid. Believing Jesus was dead, all their

dreams died with him on the cross andwere buried in the tomb.

"How often do we paralyze ourselvesby refusing to transcend our own ideasabout God, a god created in the imageand likeness of man," he said. "Howoften do we despair by refusing tobelieve that God's omnipotence is notone of power and authority, but rather oflove, forgiveness and life."

Like the disciples, he said, Christianswill never recognize the true face of Goduntil they let their mistaken ideas die onthe cross, rise up from the tomb of theirlimited understanding and shatter theirhardened hearts like the "breaking of thebread" in the Eucharist.


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solid foundation for a vibrant spirituality ofwork, I would like to recommend two clas-sic books of Catholic spirituality.

The first book is called The Practice of thePresence of God. It was written in the mid-1600s by Brother Lawrence of theResurrection. He was a monk who workedin a monastery kitchen, and his book teach-es a way to discover God’s presence in themidst of the most basic, practical tasks of

daily work.The other book is by Jean Pierre de

Caussade. Written in the early 1700s, itsoriginal title was Abandonment to DivineProvidence. The modern English title ofthis book is The Sacrament of the PresentMoment. The author teaches a simplemethod of prayer that lifts our heart up toGod throughout the day, opening our eyesto the many ways God is present to us, as ifthey were little sacraments.

By adapting the insights of these Catholic

authors to the circumstances of our activelives today, we can develop an attentivenessto the presence of God in the normal experi-ences of our daily work. Thus, when wehear the sound of the mockingbird, or wit-ness the birth of a calf, or take in the beauti-ful smell of freshly cut hay, or admire thecolorful artistry of a West Texas sunset, wecan embrace those moments like little sacra-ments of God.

The same Jesus who is sacramentallypresent to us in the Eucharist wants to be

our daily companion, including during theworking part of our day. This includes driv-ing that tractor, feeding those animals, orrumbling down another dusty country road.

As the bishop of a very rural diocese, Ideeply appreciate the vocation of agricul-ture. I pray for all those who labor underthe hot sun on the farms and ranches ofWest Texas. When I offer the Eucharist, Iremember you and your work, and I lift youup to God in prayer.

(Para 3)

uno está ayudando a alimentar y vestir elmundo. Por medio del trabajo humano,Dios toma la materia prima de estemundo y sostiene la vida.

La tranquilidad y la soledad que seexperimentan durante el día de un traba-jador agrícola ofrecen una oportunidadde ponerse en contacto con Dios y conuno mismo. Nos permite pensar profun-damente en las cosas y enfrentar la ver-dad sobre nuestras relaciones.

Jesús mismo vino de una pequeña ciu-dad, al igual que la mayor parte de susApóstoles. Él apreció la tranquilidad delos espacios abiertos. Por ejemplo,durante sus tres años de ministerio públi-co, tenía la práctica de alejarse de lasmultitudes y de salir al campo para tomartiempo para orar en silencio. En elEvangelio de Marcos, el versículo 1:35describe esta dinámica en la vida deJesús: “Muy de madrugada, antes delamanecer, salió y se fue a un lugar soli-tario, donde oraba.” Muchos en el Oeste

de Texas hacen lo mismo todos los días.El mundo de la agricultura estáestrechamente ligado a nuestros sacra-mentos Católicos. Los dos consumiblesque Jesucristo utiliza para la Eucaristíason productos agrícolas naturales - pande trigo y vino de uva, sin aditivos. En laMisa Crismal en nuestra Catedral cadaaño, los tres aceites que bendigoprovienen de aceitunas, girasoles, y semi-lla de algodón. Los manteles del altarque utilizamos en Misa se hacen general-mente de fibras naturales.

Ya sea que estemos envueltos en laagricultura o en cualquier otra carrera, sivamos a vivir nuestra vocación como uncamino a la santidad, todos tenemos queencontrar una manera de integrar nuestrotrabajo diario con nuestra vida deoración. Para sentar una base sólida parauna espiritualidad vibrante de trabajo,quisiera recomendar dos libros clásicosde la espiritualidad Católica.

El primer libro se llama La Práctica dela Presencia de Dios (The Practice of thePresence of God). Fue escrito a mediados

de los 1600 por el Hermano Lorenzo dela Resurrección. Él fue un monje que tra-bajaba en una cocina del monasterio, ysu libro enseña una manera de descubrirla presencia de Dios en medio de las tar-eas más básicas y prácticas del trabajodiario.

El otro libro es de Jean Pierre deCaussade. Escrito a principios de los1700, su título original era El Abandonoen la Divina Providencia (Abandonmentto Divine Providence). El título de estelibro en Inglés moderno es TheSacrament of the Present Moment(Sacramento del Momento Presente). Elautor enseña un método simple de laoración que eleva nuestro corazón a Diosdurante todo el día, abriendo los ojos alas muchas maneras en que Dios estápresente para nosotros, como si fueranpequeños sacramentos.

Mediante la adaptación de las ideas deestos autores Católicos a las circunstan-cias de nuestras vidas activas hoy en día,podemos desarrollar una atención mássensible a la presencia de Dios en las

experiencias normales de nuestro trabajodiario. Por lo tanto, cuando oímos elsonido del sinsonte, o vemos elnacimiento de un becerrito, u olemos elhermoso olor de paja recién cortada, oadmiramos el colorido artístico de unapuesta de sol del Oeste de Tejas,podemos abrazar esos momentos comopequeños sacramentos de Dios.

El mismo Jesús que está sacramental-mente presente para nosotros en laEucaristía quiere ser nuestro compañerodiario, incluso durante la parte de trabajode nuestros días. Esto incluye losmomentos de conducir el tractor, alimen-tar a los animales, o manejar por uncamino polvoriento en el campo.

Como obispo de una diócesis muyrural, yo aprecio profundamente lavocación de la agricultura. Rezo portodos los que trabajan bajo el sol calienteen las granjas y ranchos del Oeste deTexas. Cuando ofrezco la Eucaristía, losrecuerdo a ustedes y a su trabajo, y losalzo en oración a Dios.

BISHOP

OBISPO

Pope: U.S., North Korea need diplomatic solution to tensionsABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT

FROM CAIRO (CNS) — A diplomaticsolution must be found to the escalatingtension between North Korea and theUnited States, Pope Francis told journal-ists.

"The path (to take) is the path of nego-tiation, the path of a diplomatic solution,"he said when asked about U.S. PresidentDonald Trump's decision to send Navywarships to the region in response toNorth Korea's continued missile tests andthreats to launch nuclear strikes againstSouth Korea, Japan and the UnitedStates.

"What do you say to these leaders whohold responsibility for the future ofhumanity," the pope was asked, during aQ-and-A with journalists on the flight toRome April 29 after a 27-hour trip toCairo.

"I will call on them. I'm going to callon them like I have called on the leadersof different places," he said.

There are many facilitators and media-tors around the world who are "alwaysready to help" with negotiations, the popesaid.

The situation in North Korea, he added,has been heated for a long time, "but nowit seems it has heated up too much, no?"

"I always call (for) resolving problemsthrough the diplomatic path, negotia-

tions" because the future of humanitydepends on it, he said.

Pope Francis said his contention thatthe Third World War already is underwayand is being fought "piecemeal" also canbe seen in places where there are internalconflicts like in the Middle East, Yemenand parts of Africa.

"Let's stop. Let's look for a diplomaticsolution," he said. "And there, I believethat the United Nations has a duty toregain its leadership (role) a bit because ithas been watered down."

When asked if he would want to meetwith President Trump when the U.S.leader is in Italy in late May, the popesaid, "I have not been informed yet bythe (Vatican) secretary of state about arequest being made."

But he added, "I receive every head ofstate who asks for an audience."

A journalist with German media askedthe pope about the controversy hesparked April 22 for saying some refugeecamps are like concentration camps.

"For us Germans obviously that is avery, very serious term. People say it wasa slip of the tongue. What did you wantto say?" the reporter asked.

"No, it was not a slip of the tongue,"Pope Francis said, adding that there are

some refugee camps in the world -- butdefinitely not in Germany -- that "are realconcentration camps."

When centers are built to lock peopleup, where there is nothing to do and theycan't leave, that, he said, "is a lager."

Another reporter asked how peopleshould interpret his speeches to govern-ment officials when he calls on them tosupport peace, harmony and equality forall citizens, and whether it reflected himsupporting that government.

The pope said that with all 18 trips hehas taken to various countries during hispontificate, he always hears the sameconcern.

However, when it comes to local poli-tics, "I do not get involved," he said.

"I talk about values," he said, and thenit is up to each individual to look andjudge whether this particular governmentor nation or person is "delivering thesevalues."

When asked if he had had a chance torun off to see the pyramids, the popesaid, "Well, you know that today at six inthis morning two of my assistants went tosee" them.

When asked if he wished he had gonewith them, too, the pope said, "Ah, yes."


(From 2)

in purity.” For the Timothy Award,

“each parish leader nomi-nates one youth,” Garciasaid. “That’s always hardfor them. It’s hard for usbecause we have to chooseone of them” as the finalwinner and recipient of theaward.

Of Mia, who is a mem-ber of Holy Spirit parishin Sweetwater, Garciaadded: “We just decidedyesterday because we keptlooking at the nominationforms. A lot of these wedon’t know (who the win-ner will be) until the daybefore.”

Bishop Sis, who doledout the evening’s awardsand posed for photos witheach recipient, said it’simportant to recognizeyouth who are doing goodwork within their respec-tive parish because theyare the future. “By recog-nizing them, it lets themknow how much theymean to us,” he said. “Wehave great hope in them,and by giving them theseawards, it’s a publicacknowledgement of theirimportance to the Church.”

In addition to Mia, 20other youth, includingScouts who had earnedvarious merit badges, wererecognized with certifi-cates. Nearly two dozenadults also were recog-nized, with the Companionon the Journey Awardgoing to Sr. LuisitaIglesia, OND, from HolySpirit in Sweetwater andVictor Garza from St.Mary in Odessa.

“When people serve theChurch as a volunteer, it’sa tremendous personalsacrifice,” Sis said. “Ithink the main reason whythey need to be recognizedis not so much because of

how it might influencetheir (future) behavior, butrather because theydeserve gratitude.”

Events like the DiocesanAwards have an additionalimportance in that they areteam building, Sis said.“Most of them are givingtheir volunteer energies toone parish, but that oneparish is a part of a wholeworldwide CatholicChurch,” he said. “To par-ticipate in a diocesanevent builds one’s appreci-ation for our diocesanfamily.”

Mia’s mother, BrendaValdez, said she has alarge family inSweetwater, and all areinvolved in their parish. “Igrew up in the samechurch and moved awayand came back,” she said.“I’m very involved, and Itry to be a good exampleof service” to my fourdaughters, including Mia.

Mia, apparently, hastaken notice, and Valdezhas high hopes she candemonstrate that learnedbehavior to her peers.

“Our youth group (at St.Mary’s) has gotten small-er. I’m hoping we cangrow our youth group, andhopefully she can help uswith that,” Valdez said.

The awards ceremonyincluded a catered meal, aslideshow of events duringthe past year sent in fromeach parish and an addressfrom keynote speakerAlma Perez, of theImmigration IntegrationProject.

In his closing prayer, Sisreminded the individualsin attendance that manywonderful leaders neverget an award.

“But their reward willcome in Heaven,” he said.“Our rewards in Heavenare infinitely better thanany diocesan award.”

The Diocesan award,Companion on the Journey:

Catechesis: Sr. LuisitaIglesia, OND from HolySpirit/SweetwaterYouth Ministry: Victor Garzafrom St. Mary/Odessa

The Diocesan award foroutstanding youth, TimothyAward: Mia D. Valdez fromHoly Spirit/Sweetwater

Other youth nominatedwere:

John Benavides - Our Ladyof Lourdes/Andrews

Veronica Rodriguez - St.Margaret of Cortona/Big Lake

Julissa Munoz - St.Mary/Brownwood

Mary Anne Rosales -Sacred Heart/Coleman

Darian Espinosa - St.Ann/Colorado City

Itzamara Carranza - St.Lawrence/Garden City

John David Eyler - St.Ann/Midland

Arielle Tarin - St.Joseph/Odessa

Ashley Ortiz- SanMiguel/Midland

Jonathan Flores - St.Thomas/Miles

Megan Alyssa Chavez -Holy Redeemer/Odessa

Briana Orozco - HolyRedeemer/Odessa

Christopher Dutchover - St.Mary/Odessa

Jeremy Castro - St.Joseph/San Angelo

Julia Williams - St.Boniface/OlfenGavin Martinson - Our Lady ofPeace/Goodfellow

Drew Buitron - St.Ann/Sonora

Devin Gonzalez - St.Joseph/Stanton

Cassie Weishuhn -St.Ambrose/Wall

Rachel Medrano - St.Joseph/Rowena

Coordinators of ReligiousEducation:

Sarah Rodriguez - St.Margaret of Cortona/Big Lake

Sady Cady - St. Mary/Brownwood

Juana Gonzalez - St. Mary/Brownwood

Margarita Mitchell - SacredHeart / Coleman

Janie Davila - St.Ann/Colorado City

Mary Lopez - San Miguel /Midland

Patricia Honesee - St.

Thomas/ MilesGloria Medina - St. Joseph/

OdessaMary Rivas - St. Joseph

/OdessaIsabel Garza - St.

Mary/OdessaSally Hagen - Our Lady of

Peace/ Goodfellow AFBVickie Rivero - St.

Joseph/San AngeloNancy Jimenez - St.

Ann/SonoraDelia Samaniego - St. Ann/

SonoraJimmy Flores - St.

Joseph/StantonMarisol O'Leary - St.

Ambrose/Wall

Directors of ReligiousEducation

Sr. Isabel Tadeo, OND -Holy Redeemer/Odessa

Sr. Elizabeth Villegas, OND- St. Joseph/Odessa

Waldeen Halfman - St.Boniface/OlfenSr. Luisita Iglesias,OND - HolySpirit/SweetwaterCoordinators of Youth Ministry

Beatrice Fanning - St.Mary/Brownwood

Terry Dulin - SacredHeart/ColemanWillie Hernandez (Scouting) -St. Ann/Colorado City

Lenore Munoz - St. Ann/Colorado City

Jessica Ortiz - SanMiguel/Midland

Jessie Ortiz - SanMiguel/Midland

Austin Daigle - HolyRedeemer/Odessa

Kristina Daigle - HolyRedeemer/Odessa

Angelica Muniz - HolyRedeemer/Odessa

Larry Cortez - St.Joseph/Odessa

Amber Franke - St.Joseph/Rowena

Holly Gaston -St.Joseph/Rowena

Victor Garza - St.Mary/Odessa

Kathy Prince - Our Lady ofPeace/Goodfellow AFB

Angelica Lopez - St.Joseph/San Angelo

Luiz Alvizo - St.Joseph/Stanton

Nelda Alvizo -St.Joseph/Stanton

Brenda Valdez - HolySpirit/Sweetwater

Dc. Dan Shannahan - St.Ambrose/Wall

AWARDS

AGRICULTURE(From 2)

Ennis agreed with what everyone in the room likely knew:“You don’t find any atheists in agriculture,” Ennis said.

Ennis said a definite need for education exists in thecountry, noting that of 244 Catholic universities in theU.S., none offer degrees in agriculture or ag-related fields.Many on hand for the workshop also admitted they wereunaware of the church’s teachings on the vocation of agri-culture.

According to Ennis, and the Catholic Rural Life’sVocation of the Agricultural Leader supplemental reflectionbook by CRL, the vocation calls for agriculture leaders:4 to affirm honor the significant role of farmers, ranchersand food leaders who serve in providing food for theworld;4 to develop a resource offering key principles for agri-culture leaders and to show how to apply ethical principlesin day-to-day operations, and4 to encourage a deeper reflection upon agriculture as avocation and the responsibilities it implies for current andfuture ag leaders.

“At the heart of a sound vision of agriculture lies the the-ology of creation, and the theology of the earth as a giftgiven by a loving creator,” Ennis said. “The land is not ablank slate, a meaningless void, merely waiting for thehuman being to impose his or her design upon it. Rather,the entire order of creation, from the lowliest creatures upto humankind, is permeated by God’s loving design.”

Ennis assured those in attendance that they are not vic-tims.

“You are a subject, and you have a calling and a respon-sibility for that calling,” he said.

The workshop uses a model of faith reflection that pro-ceeds through three steps: See, Judge, Act. Participantsreflect together on the joys and challenges they encounterin their work, and are in turn offered basic Catholic spiritu-al and ethical principles that apply to them. Attendees areencouraged to act in a way that promotes sustainable prac-tices that respect the dignity of the human person and thecontinued fertility of the land.

Inspired by the document Vocation of the BusinessLeader (2012), CRL collaborated with ICRA, thePontifical Council for Justice and Peace, farming organiza-tions, and many other leaders around the world over thepast three years to develop the reflection book Vocation ofthe Agricultural Leader, which was distributed at theworkshop. It is a resource not only for all involved in agri-culture and food production, but also for those concernedabout where their food comes from.

The Angelus

AUSTIN — Abila, the leading provider of softwareand services to associations, nonprofits, and govern-ment entities, honored nine organizations, including theCatholic Diocese of San Angelo, with its annual AbilaExcellence Award at its Abila User and DeveloperConference (AUDC) in Nashville, Tennessee, April 11-13, 2017. Award winners included organizationsfocused on a wide range of industries from childcare toprofessional engineering to accounting.

The diocese was recognized "for using technology toincrease financial transparency, save staff time, reducepaper use, and shift the finance department's thinkingtoward true fund accounting.

Other winners include the Certified Financial PlannerBoard of Standards, the Child Care Resource Center,the National Society for Professional Engineers, theAmerican Industrial Hygiene Association, the NationalRural Electric Cooperative Association, the EmergencyNurses Association, and the California Society ofCPAs.

San Angelo diocese honored

alongside nat’l organizations

Recipients of awards at the Annual Diocesan Awards presentation in San Angelo (Photo by Becca Nelson Sankey).


EDICTAL SUMMONSApril 21, 2017

CASE: BOY (RONQUILLO) --TEJADA

NO.: SO/17/03 ED. SUMM.

The Tribunal Office of the Catholic

Diocese of San Angelo is seeking

Lazarzo Franco Tejada.

You are hereby summoned to appear

before the Tribunal of the Catholic

Diocese of San Angelo, at 804 Ford

Street, San Angelo, Texas 76905, on or

before the 31st day of May 2017 to

answer to the Petition of Sandra Kay

Boy (Ronquillo), now introduced before

the Diocesan Tribunal in an action

styled, “Sandra Kay Boy and Lazarzo

Franco Tejada.

Petition for Declaration of Invalidity of

Marriage.” Said Petition is identified as

Case: BOY (RONQUILLO) --TEJADA;

Protocol No.: SO/17/03, on the Tribunal

Docket of the Diocese of San Angelo.

You may communicate with the

Tribunal in person or in writing. Failure

to communicate within the prescribed

period of time will be considered your

consent for the Tribunal to continue its

proceedings in the above-named case.

Given at the Tribunal of the Diocese of

San Angelo on the 21st day of April 2017

Reverend Tom Barley,

MSW, MBA, M. Div.,JCL

Judicial Vicar


CASE: BENAVIDES (SANTOS) --

HERNANDEZ

NO.: SO/17/21 ED. SUMM


Diocese of San Angelo is seeking Noe

de los Santos Hernandez.





before the 31st day of May 2017, to

answer to the Petition of Ana Elizabeth

Silva Benavides (Santos), now intro-

duced before the Diocesan Tribunal in

an action styled, “Ana Santos and Noe

Hernandez, Petition for Declaration of

Invalidity of Marriage.” Said Petition is

identified as Case: BENAVIDES (SAN-

TOS) -- HERNANDEZ; Protocol No.:

SO/17/21 ED. SUMM, on the Tribunal

Docket of the Diocese of San Angelo.











Judicial Vicar


CASE: JOHNSON (GARCIA) --

NICHOLS

NO.: SO/17/15 * ED. SUMM


Diocese of San Angelo is seeking Ryan

Garrett Nichols.






answer to the Petition of Rachael Diane

Johnson (Garcia), now introduced

before the Diocesan Tribunal in an

action styled, “Rachel Garcia and Ryan

Nichols, Petition for Declaration of


identified as Case: JOHNSON (GAR-

CIA) -- NICHOLS; Protocol No.:

SO/17/15, on the Tribunal Docket of the

Diocese of San Angelo.











Judicial Vicar


CASE: WEBB -- ANDERSON



Diocese of San Angelo is seeking

Jennifer Sue Anderson.






answer to the Petition of Ashley Jordon

Webb, now introduced before the

Diocesan Tribunal in an action styled,

“Ashley Jordon Webb and Jennifer Sue

Anderson, Petition for Declaration of


identified as Case: WEBB -- ANDER-

SON; Protocol No.: SO/17/05, on the

Tribunal Docket of the Diocese of San

Angelo.







Given at the Tribunal of the Diocese

of San Angelo on the 21st day of April

2017



Judicial Vicar


CASE: WEBB -- OZBIR

(ZUKNICK)



Diocese of San Angelo is seeking Tuba

Senden Ozbir (Zuknick).






answer to the Petition of Ashley Jordon

Webb, now introduced before the

Diocesan Tribunal in an action styled,

“Ashley Jordon Webb and Tuba Senden

Ozbir, Petition for Declaration of


identified as Case: WEBB -- OZBIR

(ZUKNICK); Protocol No.: SO/17/06, on

the Tribunal Docket of the Diocese of

San Angelo.








San Angelo on the 21st day of April

2017.



Judicial Vicar


CASE: GARIVAY -COLKLIN



Diocese of San Angelo is seeking John

Charles Conklin.






answer to the Petition of Lisa Garivay,

now introduced before the Diocesan

Tribunal in an action styled, “Lisa

Garivay and John Charles Conklin,

Petition for Declaration of Invalidity of

Marriage.” Said Petition is identified as

Case: GARIVAY – COLKLIN; Protocol

No.: SO/17/11, on the Tribunal Docket of

the Diocese of San Angelo.











Judicial Vicar

(From 13)

tion in favor of the rights of the unborn.”Three weeks after Advocacy Day, the

Texas Senate voted to approve SB 4,which will punish local police officers ifthey do not fully cooperate with detainerrequests issued by Immigration andCustoms Enforcement. The TexasConference of Catholic Bishops had lob-bied vigorously for the bill’s defeat. SB4 would also allow local peace officersto inquire into the legal status of peoplewho are arrested or detained.

Bishop Sis said passage of the billshows a continuing need for the federalgovernment to take concrete steps to repairthe nation’s broken immigration system

Bishop Sis called Advocacy Day agood example of the democratic processin action. Although he deemed the dayan overall success, he expressed a desireto have more attend from the Diocese ofSan Angelo on the next Advocacy Dayin 2019.

Added Deacon Medina: “I believe wemake a difference on Advocacy Day.Even if it just planting a seed with therepresentative or staff members that willgrow and edify them to see the TCCB'sposition in a more positive light thatsome day may bring forth changes.”

AUSTIN

SEMINARIANS

(From 12)

have the ability to make an impact on laws.It also brings together our bishops alongwith a large number of Catholics fromacross the state to show a united front.When this is done over time and consistent-ly it can change one heart at a time, throughthe grace of God and us cooperating withit.”

Deacon Hayter said an apparent lack ofknowledge and understanding of the issuesexists, as well as a misunderstanding ofwhere the Church stands on issues.

“It is important for Catholics to know andunderstand what the issues on the legalforefront are, as well as what Christ throughthe Church has to offer to these predica-ments,” Hayter said. “In other words, thequestion is how can our faith shed light onthe issues that we face as a society, and howdo we enter into this dialogue in a way thatis fruitful for those who such laws will laterimpact? The first step seems to be for us asCatholics to come to know and understandwhat the Church actually teaches about theissues and why.”

Both Hayter and Deacon Freddy Medina,who organized the event for the diocese,agreed that the highlight for them was thegathering of 20 bishops from across thestate on the south steps of the capitol.

“It is so moving to see these holy men goto the political center of our state, knock onthe door and ask to be heard,” DeaconMedina said. “And of course it was awe-some to hear our Bishop Michael Sis speakon the capitol steps, asking for God to blessour legislators and asking our legislators tobe bold and make positive changes to ourlaws to protect and empower all Texans.”


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(From 14)

As a reporter, in addition to meetingdiocesan priests from across the world, Ionce met a Capuchin Franciscan brotherwho used to be in a gang, later pursued acareer in finance and then realized that hisvocation was to serve God and don abrown Franciscan habit.

I also met a young new member of thePoor Sisters of St. Joseph, who had won-dered, "How do I know God is callingme?" and, "Is God calling me to live a lifefor him as a religious person?" soon after

emigrating from El Salvador. Recently I talked to two young men

who, after a long process, are about tobecome Maryknoll priests and will besent to any of the 20-plus countries wherethe missionary society serves.

All of their vocation journeys areunique and God's hand is evident in theevents that led them there. Once they dis-covered their vocation, they freelyresponded to God's call; but this, too, wasa process of continuous discernment andthen life-giving commitment.

Scripture, prayer and the Eucharist are

also common themes in their journeys todiscover their vocations -- and remain aconstant while answering their call.

Sister Barrow, who now ministers as apublic interest attorney practicing housinglaw, tells young people: "Don't be afraid tostart the discernment process," which canbe done with a diocesan vocation office orwith a religious community or seminarywhile working with a spiritual director.

"Discernment is really just a commit-ment to deepening your relationship withGod and being open to (wherever) thatleads," she said.

(From 14)

discernimiento durante este proceso.Discernir la voz y el llamado del EspírituSanto comparándolos a otros llamados odeseos en la vida puede ayudar a las per-sonas, especialmente a los jóvenes, a diri-girse hacia su real vocacion.

Dios llama a personas con diferentesorígenes, personalidades y experienciasde vida.

Como reportera, además de conocer asacerdotes diocesanos de todo el mundo,una vez conocí a un hermano franciscanocapuchino, que en su juventud había for-mado parte de una pandilla, más tardepersiguió una carrera en finanzas y luegose dio cuenta de que su vocación eraservir a Dios y ponerse un hábito francis-cano color marrón.

También conocí a una joven miembro

de las Hermanas Pobres Bonaerenses deSan José, que se planteó las interrogantes"¿Cómo sé que Dios me está llamando?"y "¿Dios me está llamando a vivir unavida para él como persona religiosa?"poco después de emigrar de El Salvador.

Recientemente hablé con dos jóvenesquienes, después de un largo proceso,están a punto de ser sacerdotes Maryknolly serán enviados a uno de los más de 20países donde la sociedad misionera sirve.

Todos sus experiencias vocacionalesson únicas y la mano de Dios es evidenteen los eventos que los llevaron al puntode discernir y tomar la decisión. Una vezque descubrieron su vocación,respondieron libremente al llamado deDios; pero esto también era un proceso dediscernimiento continuo y luego de com-promiso vivificante.

La Escritura, la oración y la Eucaristía

son elementos que tuvieron en común ensus recorridos para descubrir sus voca-ciones y estos elementos perduran mien-tras responden a su llamada.

La hermana Barrow, que ahora sedesempeña como abogada de interéspúblico en la práctica de la ley de vivien-da, les dice a los jóvenes: "No tenganmiedo de iniciar el proceso de discern-imiento", que puede hacerse con oficinasde vocación diocesanas, con una comu-nidad religiosa o seminario mientras tra-bajan con un director espiritual.

"El discernimiento es realmente uncompromiso para profundizar su relacióncon Dios y estar abierto a (dondequiera)que esto te lleve", dijo.

- - -Maria-Pia Negro Chin is bilingual

associate editor at Maryknoll Magazine.

CHIN

RELIGIOSA

(From 11)

comes at a great cost to ourselves, peo-ple are intrigued. Patience, kindness,humility, gratitude, thoughtfulness, gen-erosity, courage and forgiveness are allintriguing.

God wants our future to be bigger thanour past. Not equal to our past, but big-ger, better, brighter, and more signifi-cant.

One of the most incredible abilitiesGod has given the human is the abilityto dream. We are able to look into thefuture and imagine something better thantoday, and then return to the present andwork to make that richly imagined futurea reality.

There is a verse in Proverbs that neverceases to ignite passion for the Church.“Where there is no vision, the peoplewill perish.” (Proverbs 28:19)

This is even true in different areas ofour lives. In a country where there is novision, the people will perish. In a mar-riage where there is no vision, peoplewill perish. In a business, a school, or afamily where there is no vision, the peo-ple will perish.

The Church has always had a vision,it’s just that to many people don’t knowwhat the vision is.

The Catholic vision that people are insearch of is not the sole responsibility of

the pope, or of the cardinals and bishops.Your priest is not solely responsible foryour parish’s vision. We each have a roleto play in imagining and working towarda future for the Church that will con-found the skeptics and inspire the mass-es.

So let us press on toward the futureGod has envisioned for us and for theChurch. It is time to become a people ofpossibility again. Too much of what wedo is governed by a very limited way of

thinking. We gravitate toward what ismanageable, rather than imagining whatis possible. We have lost touch withbest practices and settle for the waythings have always been done. Now isthe time for Catholics to become a peo-ple of possibility. Imagine what 67 mil-lion American Catholics are capable of.Imagine what more than a billionCatholics worldwide are capable of.

One thing is certain: Whatever we door not do will determine the future ofhumanity and the world.

All of this leads to the conclusion thatnow is the time when we all need torediscover Catholicism.

While Catholicism is old, MatthewKelly asks the question, “If you had anancient treasure map, would you throw itaway just because it is old? No. The ageof the map doesn’t matter. What mattersis whether or not it leads to treasure.Catholicism is a treasure map: It may beold, but it still leads to treasure.Discover it, and help others do thesame.”

Discover more by reading RediscoverCatholicism: A Spiritual Guide to Livingwith Passion and Purpose, by MatthewKelly. Also, check out Matthew’s web-site, at www.dynamiccatholic.com.

Brenda Lehr is a member of theDiocesan Missions Council

BOOKS‘Personal holiness is

the answer to every

problem. In every situ-

ation in my life, in

every problem, in

every difficulty, I know

that if I allow the princi-

ples of the Gospel to

guide me, it will turn

out for the best.’

— Matthew Kelly, excerpt

from ‘Rediscover

Catholicism,’ pg. 53

(From 2)

Archdiocese of Louisville, Kentucky: 227catechumens, 279 candidates;Archdiocese of Oklahoma City reported290 catechumens, 368 candidates;Archdiocese of San Francisco: 174 cate-chumens, 207 candidates; Archdiocese ofNewark: 499 catechumens, 693 candi-dates; Archdiocese of Dubuque, Iowa: 63catechumens, 94 candidates; Archdioceseof Miami: 524 catechumens, 214 candi-dates; Archdiocese of Atlanta: 722 cate-chumens and 1,170 candidates.

In California, the Diocese of Stocktonwelcomed 284 candidates and 532 cate-chumens; Diocese of Oakland reported176 catechumens and 376 candidates; theDiocese of San Diego reports 333 cate-chumens and 635 candidates; and theDiocese of Fresno welcomed 593 cate-chumens and 56 candidates; the Dioceseof San Jose reported 496 catechumensand candidates.

In Florida, the Diocese of St.Petersburg reported 456 catechumens and514 candidates; the Diocese of Orlandoreported 586 catechumens and candi-dates; the Diocese of Palm Beach report-ed 147 catechumens and 474 candidates;and the Diocese of Venice reported 169catechumens, 219 candidates.

In New York, the Diocese of RockvilleCentre reported 232 catechumens 327candidates; the Diocese of Rochesterreports 96 catechumens and 149 candi-dates; the Diocese of Buffalo reported 56catechumens and 105 candidates; theDiocese of Syracuse reported 49 catechu-mens and 70 candidates.

Other dioceses reporting hundreds ofcatechumens and candidates include:Diocese of Dallas: 945 catechumens and1,230 candidates; Diocese of Little Rock,Arkansas: 252 catechumens and 324 can-didates; Diocese of Fort Wayne-SouthBend, Indiana: 187 catechumens and 208candidates; Diocese of Salt Lake City,Utah: 273 catechumens, 153 candidates;Diocese of Tyler, Texas: 120 catechumensand 270 candidates; Diocese ofCharleston, South Carolina: 160 catechu-mens and 317 candidates; Diocese ofPittsburgh: 444 catechumens and candi-dates; Diocese of Bridgeport,Connecticut: 78 catechumens and 241candidates; Diocese of Jefferson City,Missouri: 106 catechumens and 172 can-didates; Diocese of Tucson, Arizona: 111candidates and 209 catechumens; Dioceseof Youngstown, Ohio: 97 catechumensand 130 candidates; Diocese of Camden,New Jersey: 174 catechumens; Dioceseof Paterson, New Jersey: 195 catechu-mens and candidates; Diocese ofMetuchen, New Jersey: 125 catechumensand 200 candidates; Diocese ofWorcester, Massachusetts: 114 catechu-mens and 101 candidates; Diocese ofSpringfield, Massachusetts: 53 catechu-mens and 105 candidates; Diocese ofManchester, New Hampshire: 95 candi-dates and 67 catechumens; Diocese ofWilmington, Delaware: 101 catechumensand 152 candidates; Diocese ofBelleville, Illinois: 54 catechumens and120 candidates; Diocese of Springfield,Illinois: 160 catechumens and 159 candi-dates; Diocese of Yakima, Washington:

115 catechumens, 145 candidates;Diocese of LaFayette, Louisiana: 55 cate-chumens and 96 candidates; Diocese ofReno, Nevada: 139 catechumens and 40candidates; Diocese of Greensburg,Pennsylvania: 92 candidates and 44 cate-chumens; Diocese of Steubenville, Ohio:39 catechumens and 52 candidates;Diocese of Rapid City: 27 catechumens,83 candidates; Diocese of Shreveport,Louisiana: 40 catechumens, 89 candi-dates; the Diocese of Bridgeport,Connecticut: 97 catechumens, 313 candi-dates; Diocese of Memphis, Tennessee:60 catechumens, 200 candidates; Dioceseof Gaylord, Michigan: 49 catechumens,63 candidates; Diocese of Trenton, NewJersey: 200 catechumens, 508 candidates;In Minnesota, the Diocese of St. Cloud

reports 17 catechumens, 76 candidates;Diocese of Crookston: 8 catechumens, 25candidates; Diocese of Winona: 42 cate-chumens, 112 candidates; Diocese ofDuluth: 11 catechumens, 69 candidates.

These numbers are based on participa-tion in the Rite of Election and Call toContinuing Conversion, the final phase ofthe RCIA process celebrated at the begin-ning of Lent.

Not included are infant baptisms which,according to the 2016 Official CatholicDirectory, totaled 683,712 for the year2015. The OCD also reported that therewere 39,721 adult baptisms and 71,809people received into full communion dur-ing the same year, the latest with com-plete statistical data.


NEW

GARVEY(From 15)

Here is a third. Armed conflict is a greatmoral calamity, even when it is fought by avolunteer army. Deciding when to killanother country's people, and on whatprovocation, is a weighty ethical matter.

It is no slander of President DonaldTrump to say that we should not entrustthat judgment to his unsupported moralinstincts. I would say the same of any pres-ident in my lifetime, and I have admiredseveral of them greatly.

Restoring the appropriate balance ofpower in these decisions requires the coop-eration of both elected branches. It is wrongfor the president to act without involving

Congress, as President Trump did.But when President Obama asked

Congress to authorize a similar decision in2013, Congress failed to back him.President Obama was then forced to pursuea diplomatic solution, and criticized forallowing Syria to cross a "red line" he haddrawn against the use of chemicalweapons.

Congress needs to accept its responsibili-ty in these cases. And the president needsto recognize it.

- - -Garvey is president of The Catholic

University of America in Washington.Catholic University's website iswww.cua.edu.

(From 11)

of sin so we can renounce ourselves and more fully live inChrist. In the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick weare united with Christ in His passion for our good and thegood of the Church. He illumines our reading of Scripture,transforming His written Word into His Living Word;draws us into deeper union with Him in prayer; and ispresent within us in our daily routines. By His grace weare able to abide in Christ and cooperate with His Spirit.

The Fruit of the Spirit is holy intentions and actions--virtue — in contrast to the works of the flesh — vice—enumerated by St. Paul in Gal 5:19-21, as well as inRomans 1:28-31 and I Cor 6:9-10. He writes to theEphesians, "Take no part in the unfruitful works of dark-ness, but instead expose them" (5:11). "Those who belongto Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions anddesires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by theSpirit" (Gal 5:23-25). His fruit is light and life.

The Holy Spirit united Himself with Our Blessed MotherMary to conceive Jesus. Jesus is the Fruit of the Spirit.Mary renounced herself — "Behold, the handmaid of theLord," received Life, and was "full of grace." She is theembodiment of the Fruit of the Spirit. In this month ofMay dedicated to Our Blessed Mother Mary, we focus onunion with Jesus through Mary in the power and love ofthe Holy Spirit. As we pray the Rosary with Mary, we askher prayers to be docile to the Spirit and His fruitfulness asshe is. As a Rosary intention we pray for the grace toabide in Jesus, the Vine; to renounce ourselves at a deeperlevel; and to receive, develop, and live the Fruit of HisSpirit. Each week let's focus on one aspect of the Fruit tolive more intentionally in our relationship with Jesus,Mother Mary, and others, especially those closest to us:love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness,faithfulness, self-control, generosity, modesty, and chastity.

Editor’s Note: The following poem, “To Kiss the Past Goodbye”was misprinted in the April edition of the West Texas Angelus. It isincluded here in its correct form. The Angelus regrets the error.

To Kiss the Past Goodbye

Today I kissed my past good-bye

With sin and even all my good,

And apple of the Father's eye

I welcomed now---at last I could,

For He is raised beyond the tomb

And asks me to invite Him in

To breathe away my circling gloom,

Reveal in me what's always been.

And then I see He's given back

The good was present in my past,

And I delightedly unpack

What will in present, future last.

For now He'll always live in me

As with Him hand-in-hand I go,

With all my loved ones bend the knee

To truth we're always meant to know.

KNICKERBOCKERS WITNESS

(From 6)

sions as was initially intended. Toward the end of the nightly session,

there is an opportunity for members to con-sider various ways to put their faith intoaction.

Some examples may include starting apersonal journal which details their ownspiritual search and how it may relate to theBe My Witness program, praying for otherswho may be struggling with their faith orjust simply setting aside some quiet timeduring the day to connect with Christ.

Group members may prepare for the sub-sequent session by reading the Be MyWitness book, reading the Scripture for thefollowing week and watching the videoassociated with it.

As previously mentioned, St Margaret’shas four faith sharing groups and everyoneis invited to become part of this program.

Reading about the life of Christ and shar-ing examples as related to the weeklyScripture readings helps to develop a betterunderstanding of our relationship withChrist and our Catholic faith.

We are grateful to the ongoing support ofSr. Hilda Marotta, OSF and Sr. AdelinaGarcia, OSF and the Office ofEvangelization and Catechesis.


MemberCatholic News Service

Catholic Press AssociationTexas Catholic News

Published the first Mondayfollowing the 1st Saturdayof each month and deliv-

ered to all registeredparishioners in the

San Angelo Diocese.Subscription rate for all

others:$10 per year

THIRD CLASS POSTAGEPAID AT SAN ANGELO,

TEXASPrinted by the

San Angelo StandardTimes

A Scripps-HowardCompany

Submissions:Story suggestions, calen-dar items, parish briefs

and all other submissions should be

emailed to [email protected]

COPY, PHOTO DEADLINE:

Third Friday of everymonth.

Photos should be in jpegformat.

Letters to the editor arewelcome, and should beemailed to [email protected] to the editor are

printed at the discretion ofthe editor and identities ofthe writer are subject to

verification. Please includename, address and phonenumber when submitting

letters.

Bishop Michael J. SisPublisher

Jimmy PattersonEditor

Media Relations Director

The West Texas AngelusOfficial Newspaper of the Diocese of San Angelo,

TexasPOSTMASTER: Send all

address changes to:WEST TEXAS ANGELUS

P.O. Box 1829SAN ANGELO, TX

76902-1829_____________________

A House In Prayer

Bishop Michael J. Sis, of the Diocese of San Angelo, delivers the invocation at a session of the Texas House of Representatives, Thursday, March 9,2017. (Photo courtesy Office of District 72 Rep. Drew Darby, San Angelo).

PITTSBURGH (CNS) -- One reason thereis such affection for Dan Rooney, saidCardinal Donald W. Wuerl of Washington, isthat he was clearly a man of the people, a per-son of western Pennsylvania and a quintessen-tial Pittsburgher.

"Whether he was Ambassador DanielRooney, Hall of Fame Pittsburgh Steelerspresident or just Dan, he reflected so well thequalities of this part of the world," the cardi-nal said. "He worked hard, he was a loyalfriend, a good neighbor, he took seriously hisduties to his family, his obligations to thecommunity, his commitment to the Steelers,his love of the game, the need to be straight-forward, honest and caring. He was aPittsburgher. He was the best of us."

Cardinal Wuerl reflected on the belovedchairman of the Steelers in celebrating hisfuneral Mass April 17 at St. Paul Cathedral inPittsburgh.

The congregation of more than 1,500included former President Barack Obama, for-mer Secretary of State John Kerry, U.S. Sen.Robert Casey and numerous local officials.Dozens of current and former Steelers were inattendance, as well as former NFLCommissioner Paul Tagliabue.

Concelebrating with Cardinal Wuerl werePittsburgh Bishop David A. Zubik;Benedictine Archabbot Douglas Nowicki ofSt. Vincent Archabbey in Latrobe; Father KrisStubna, rector of St. Paul Cathedral;Benedictine Father Vincent Zidek, pastor ofSt. Peter Parish on Pittsburgh's North Side;and Benedictine Father Paul Taylor.

Bishop Zubik spoke of a man who was a

friend to the rich and not-so-rich, a man whohad great vision as a businessman.

"He knew what it meant to be loyal to hiscountry and to exercise God's many gifts inservice to his country," he said.

Cardinal Wuerl had known Rooney forsome 50 years from his time as a priest andbishop in the Diocese of Pittsburgh. In hishomily, he spoke of "the wonderful story of aman with a huge and caring heart."

It began, he noted, with the great loveRooney had for his wife, Patricia. The cardi-nal spoke of a man who held his family closeto himself, and personified the Rooney familyas the Steelers family.

He recalled visiting Heinz Field withRooney a few weeks before construction wascompleted in 2001. While the workers werefriendly in greeting the then-bishop ofPittsburgh, Cardinal Wuerl noted, their realdesire was to get a picture with the Steelerschairman.

"He symbolizes the quiet strength, charac-ter, resilience and joy of Pittsburgh," CardinalWuerl said.

But as much as Rooney was involved inPittsburgh history and the story of theSteelers, the cardinal spoke of how proudRooney was of his Irish heritage. He pointedto Rooney's efforts with the Ireland Fund thatengaged both Protestant and Catholic youthsin Ireland in educational efforts and commu-nity building programs.

Cardinal Wuerl also noted Rooney's supportof North Side Catholic schools and his found-ing role in the Extra Mile EducationFoundation that provides educational opportu-

nities for underprivileged children.Rooney's appointment as U.S. ambassador

to Ireland was not only something he cher-ished but carried out in a highly effectivemanner, Cardinal Wuerl said. Rooney visitedevery county in Ireland in his role, the cardi-nal said, and it wasn't an exaggeration to saythat he was beloved as much in Ireland as hewas in Pittsburgh.

But through it all, Cardinal Wuerl said thatRooney never lost "his common-man touch orthe sense of his roots." He noted that whenthe two would speak by phone, the cardinalwould answer, "Hello, Mr. Ambassador," butRooney always replied, "It's Dan."

"Dan, while he traveled all over the world,never really left the North Side," CardinalWuerl said.

He spoke of Rooney's commitment to St.Peter Parish as an expression of his love forhis faith. While he never wore his faith on hissleeve, Cardinal Wuerl noted, he certainly car-ried it in his heart.

And while much has been made of Rooney'ssense of fair play and his respect for othersand their dignity, he continued, the lateSteelers chairman would be the first to paytribute to his faith and the religious principlesthat grounded his life. The cardinal pointed tothe "Rooney Rule," which stipulates that NFLteams must interview at least one minoritycandidate for top coaching positions.

"He grew up learning on the streets of theNorth Side and the halls of North CatholicHigh School that you judge people by whothey are, not the color of their skin or theirnational origin," he said.

Steelers’ chairman known for quiet strength based on his faith

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