All Saints Catholic Church Newsletter — April 2022

All

April 2022

Saints \

A Stewardship Parish

Volume 19, Issue 4

Inside 2 Roche Honored with

Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award

By CAROL MARIE CROPPER

3 All Things and All People Are Made New

4 Get Ready for Vacation Bible School 2022

Monumental — Celebrating God’s Greatness

6 Responding to the Glory of Christ’s Resurrection at Easter Dying, He Destroyed Our Death; Rising, He Restored Our Life

Our Parish Newsletter: Spreading the news of Christ at work in our community.

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Living Out the Pillar of Welcoming, for All Parishioners and Guests

n the new parish plan recently discussed at Mass, the Pillars of Parish Stewardship were identified as Welcoming, Spirituality, Fellowship and Education. Here at All Saints, our Greeter Ministry members work to lovingly fulfill that first pillar of Welcoming. After all, when we are visitors at a parish or have had a hectic morning getting everyone in the car, what could be better than a smiling face and someone welcoming us to church?

“It definitely makes you feel more welcome when you walk in and someone greets you,” says Director of Liturgy Elizabeth Horsley, who coordinates the Greeter Ministry.

Men, women and families joyfully welcome all who come to share in the celebration of the Mass at All Saints. Greeters provide care and hospitality to our parishioners and visitors.

Our Pastoral Administrator, Fr. Jovita Okoli would love to see more people step up to be greeters. He would like to see a true cross section of our parish representing every demographic to serve in this ministry. In addition to welcoming parishioners and guests to Mass, greeters also direct new members on how to register and answer questions about the parish for those attending for the first time.

Elizabeth understands that some parishioners may be hesitant to become involved in a Mass ministry because they feel they won’t be able to pay attention during Mass.

However, the opposite may be true. Serving in any capacity will help you pay attention to the celebration of the Mass and help you focus. continued on back cover

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Roche Honored with Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award

By CAROL MARIE CROPPER

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Article originally published by UT Southwestern Medical Center

ivyenne Roche, M.D., Professor of Internal Medicine and a specialist in geriatric medicine at UT Southwestern, has been recognized with the UT System’s highest honor for an educator — the Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award.

Dr. Roche is the 54th UT Southwestern faculty member to receive the Regents’ Award, which recognizes outstanding teaching, mentoring, and personal commitment to students and the learning process.

“Dr. Roche is an exemplary scholar and educator, and we are truly delighted that the Board of Regents has recognized her commitment to our students and other learners,” said Daniel K. Podolsky, M.D., President of UT Southwestern.

“Her dedication and talent as a teacher make it possible for UT Southwestern to prepare future physicians.”

A UTSW Distinguished Teaching Professor, Dr. Roche is one of 14 educators from across the state system who was recognized Nov. 18 as Regents’ Award winners.

Honorees receive a certificate, medallion, and check for $25,000 in appreciation for extraordinary dedication to teaching and students.

“The best way to ensure students get the full promise of a UT degree is to provide them with outstanding faculty,” said Kevin P. Eltife, Chair of the Board of Regents, in announcing this year’s honorees. “On behalf of the Board of Regents, I extend our profound appreciation to these educators for their commitment to teaching excellence and passion for serving students.”

Born in Ireland, Dr. Roche graduated with honors from the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin, then completed residencies in Ireland and Australia before moving to the U.S. and completing a fellowship in geriatric medicine at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver (now the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus).

Dr. Roche, conferring above with a colleague, is course director for UTSW’s Frontiers in Aging class and also develops curriculum for the Medical School’s geriatric medicine elective.

She completed a year of internal medicine residency at UT Southwestern and began her teaching career at UTSW in 1999 as an Assistant Professor.

Dr. Roche has been recognized as a member of the Southwestern Academy of Teachers (SWAT), an elite group of UTSW educators, of which she is President-elect. In 2019, she was inducted into the UT System’s Kenneth I. Shine, M.D., Academy of Health Science Education, an organization that promotes excellence in the field.

Dr. Roche is the course director for the Frontiers in Aging class at UT Southwestern, instructs and develops curriculum for the fourth-year Geriatric Medicine elective, is Director of the Geriatric Medicine Fellowship Program, Director of UT Southwestern’s Geriatric Care Center Clinic, and the institution’s faculty sponsor for the Medical Student Training in Aging Research (MSTAR) Program.

“It has been an immense honor to teach at UT Southwestern for more than 20 years,” she said. “Our medical students, faculty, and team members are exceptionally gifted, talented, and generous, and I continue to appreciate and learn from them. It is wonderful when a student sees a patient, learns a geriatric teaching pearl, and has the opportunity to make it happen for that patient. You can see it has just clicked for them when they say, ‘Oh, that’s great. I had no idea.’

That’s something that I’m going to keep with me.

“As an Irish immigrant, I appreciate Yeats succinctly expressing my principal teaching tenet with his education pearl, ‘lighting of a fire,’” Dr. Roche said, referring to a quote often attributed to the Irish poet.

Dr. Vivyenne Roche is known to most parishioners as Vivyenne Leavey. She is the wife of Patrick Leavey — they have four grown children and have been active since 1998.

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A Letter from Our Pastoral Administrator

All Things and All People Are Made New Dear Saints,

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e associate the Easter season with springtime — a time of new life and new beginnings — and Holy Scripture addresses this idea of newness many times.

The Lord declares, “Behold, I make all things new” (Rev. 21:5).

This idea of being “new” is important to us as Catholics, and it is important to our parish.

We need to strive to do this on a regular basis — even on a daily basis. Think of the fact that all was once new. Regardless of how you view the development of this earth and those of us who occupy it, all was once new.

During this Easter season, we need to retain that idea of being “new.” And being “new” means conversion, and we have often pointed out that conversion is at the heart of a life of stewardship.

As the Catechism of the Catholic Church puts it, “The Paschal mystery has two aspects: by his death, Christ liberates us from sin; by his Resurrection, he opens for us the way to a new life” (654).

In other words, Christ’s Resurrection is the source of our new life — our own future resurrection. St. Paul wrote about it to the Romans (Rom 6:5) — “For if we have grown into union with him through a death like his, we shall also be united with him in the resurrection.”

Hope for a new life beginning now and extending on into heaven is the result of Jesus’ Resurrection. What greater grounds for thanksgiving can there be than this

Easter hope? We should sing with joy about God’s promise to us, “Behold, I make all things new” (Rev 21:5).

St. Paul also wrote (Col 3:1-2), “If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Think of what is above, not of what is on earth.” Jesus’ Resurrection and His promise of a new life for us means that we need to live in conformity with our status as adopted children of God. How do we show our joy and our gratitude to God for this amazing gift He has given us? We join in worship, and praise God by word and song. We share the Good News of Jesus’ victory over death with our family, friends and neighbors. And we offer back to the Lord a portion of the time, talent and treasure He has entrusted to us.

Yes, the Easter message that we share in the benefits of Christ’s Resurrection indeed makes all things new — the ultimate foundation for all Christian stewardship.

The Lord is risen, alleluia.

Remain Ever Blessed,

Fr. Jovita Okoli Pastoral Administrator

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Get Ready for Vacation Bible School 2022 Monumental — Celebrating God’s Greatness

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ver the past couple of years, families have experienced various challenges and changes.

However, one thing that has remained the same is God’s faithful goodness and love. It is incredibly important that children learn and know that God is with them all the time, and that is

what Vacation Bible School (VBS) strives to do. VBS helps children learn to look for “God Sightings” in their everyday life.

From June 20 to June 24, All Saints will be offering this year’s VBS program, “Monumental — Celebrating God’s Greatness.” The week will be packed with amazing music, fun games, creative crafts, Bible stories, videos, skits, cool snacks, new friends, and an evening family event on Thursday. This fun environment can change children’s hearts for eternity.

While the Vacation Bible School program is for children ages 4 to graduating fifth-graders, the week

will be filled with activities and opportunities for the whole parish family. Kathy McDermott, Director of Faith Formation, knows just how much VBS can affect the whole community.

“VBS is filled with experiences demonstrating God’s unfailing love,” Kathy says. “Adults, teens, and families gather to praise our Lord and mentor the children in understanding and living His Word. When kids live in God’s unconditional love, they become confident and caring. They begin to see their worth in God’s eyes, rather than striving for others’ approval. God’s great love flows into the way the children treat others, continued on page 5

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Get Ready for Vacation Bible School 2022 continued from page 4 reflecting His grace and forgiveness into the bigger community.”

There are three main ways parishioners can get involved and help make VBS a successful and fruitful week for the children of the parish — praying, donating and volunteering.

Never underestimate the power of prayer. Parishioners are invited to join in prayer for a monumental VBS, that the families renew their relationship with God and discover friendships with fellow campers. Parishioners can donate kitchen items such as snacks, gallon or quart size Ziploc bags, paper towels,

Lysol, blue tape, and more.

There will be lists posted in the bulletin, on the Giving Tree in the Kamel Life Center and on the website, so look for those as this summer approaches.

Another way parishioners can donate is by sponsoring a camper’s $40 registration fee. Money should never be a reason for a child to miss out on an opportunity to encounter God’s love, and with help from the parish family, we can help remove the financial burden from a family in need.

Parishioners can also help out by volunteering as a hall monitor, creating decorations, leading a group, or even baking. Everyone can find a way to use their God-given gifts and talents to help serve the children during VBS.

Once the adult volunteer positions have been filled, VBS registration will be announced on the Church website and monitors. The cost will be $40 per child or $10 if the parent is a full-time volunteer. If you have questions please reach out to Kathy McDermott at kmcdermott@allsaintsdallas.org or 972-778-0328.

To volunteer at VBS, please sign up at: www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0b45abab2faaf58-monumental.

WIN A 2022 ESCAPE SE $30,000 Value Including Sales Tax Only 500 tickets will be sold - $100 each Make checks payable to: All Saints Men’s Club Drawing: All Saints Catholic Church annual picnic, Sunday, May, 1, 2022. Winner does not have to be present.

Prize winner options:

FOR TICKETS EMAIL allsaintsmensclubraffle@gmail.com

1 May select another Ford vehicle of equal value or upgrade at the winner’s expense.

2 Cash buy-out option, North Central Ford will buy back the vehicle less depreciation, direct cash award not allowed by Texas state law.

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Responding to the Glory of Christ’s Resurrection at Easter Dying, He Destroyed Our Death; Rising, He Restored Our Life “He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.

He descended into hell.

On the third day He rose again from the dead” – Apostles’ Creed

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s we have recently come to the end of our Lenten journey toward Easter, let us take a moment to meditate on three pivotal lines from the ancient creed, which comprise the central events of our redemption.

Far from being a mere myth or legend, in Jerusalem around the year 30 A.D., Jesus Christ — the Son of God made man — was tortured at the hands of the Romans. He was flogged, beaten, spit upon, and crowned with thorns.

He was made to carry the cross through the crowded streets to Golgotha and, once there, He was crucified — He was nailed to a cross and died. Just as someday we will each be laid in our graves, Jesus was laid in His. The most obvious question that confronts the observer of this horrific reality is “why?” Luckily, Christ made the impetus for His self-sacrifice quite clear: “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life” (Jn 3:14-15).

The reasons Christ died on the cross are twofold, one negative and one positive. The negative cause is sin. Only in witnessing the cost of redemption — the death of the

Son of God — can we begin to comprehend the profound magnitude of sin: “You have been purchased at a price,” says St. Paul (1 Cor 6:20).

Conversely, Christ willingly accepted the cross because of love. St. John famously says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life” (Jn 3:16).

Uniting these two causes, St. Paul says, “God proves His love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us” (Rom 5:8).

In His limitless compassion, Christ entered into the fullness of human suffering — physical torment, emotional agony and utter isolation — so that He might share complete solidarity with mankind. Accordingly, His passion and death not only accomplished our redemption, but by the cross, He also showed us the way to true discipleship. For Christ taught His disciples long before His crucifixion, “if anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Lk 9:23).

continued on page 7

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Responding to the Glory of Christ’s Resurrection at Easter continued from page 6 Christ’s is the final and perfect covenant between God and man, and it is a covenant of love, with Christ Himself as its high priest. Nevertheless, this covenant is not based on love as popular culture conceives of it, but love as Christ displayed it: “The way we came to know love was that He laid down His life for us” (1 John 3:16).

Joined with the passion, Christ’s Resurrection is the key to the entire Gospel — for in rising from the dead, Jesus proved true His bold promises. He had prophesied to the apostles, “No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again” (Jn 10:18). The Resurrection vindicates this promise and validates His teaching and miracles.

Furthermore, Christ, “the firstborn from the dead,” opened the door to eternal life and to new creation (Col 1:18). Out of the darkness of despair, the scattered and frightened disciples saw the risen Christ and were renewed

and transformed. Filled with faith in the crucified and resurrected Savior, they evangelized the known world.

St. Paul summarizes the centrality of the redemptive power of the Easter Triduum with his characteristic zeal: “If Christ has not been raised, then empty (too) is our preaching; empty, too, your faith. Then we are also false witnesses to God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, neither has Christ been raised, and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is vain; you are still in your sins” (1 Cor 15:14-17).

This Easter, let us respond to the glory of Christ’s Resurrection by exclaiming, as St. Thomas the Apostle did, “My Lord and my God!” And may each of us be filled with faith in God of our salvation, hope in the rewards He has won for us, and love for Him who has deigned to bestow them on us.

This Easter, let us respond to the glory of Christ’s Resurrection by exclaiming, as St. Thomas the Apostle did, “My Lord and my God!” And may each of us be filled with faith in God of our salvation, hope in the rewards He has won for us, and love for Him who has deigned to bestow them on us.

Lent and Easter Schedule In addition to the Easter Triduum and Easter Sunday schedule displayed above, please make note of the following schedule and liturgical modifications: Wednesday, April 6 • Diocesan-wide Reconciliation, 7-9 p.m.

Thursday, April 7 • No reconciliation Palm Sunday, Holy Week and Easter Sunday — April 9 to April 17 • No Rosary before Mass Palm Sunday through Good Friday — April 9 to April 15 • Crucifix will be veiled Palm Sunday Vigil, April 9 • Procession from Gazebo into Church — Children’s Liturgy, 5 p.m.

Wednesday, April 13 • Diocesan-wide Reconciliation, 7-9 p.m.

Holy Thursday, April 14 • No 6:30 a.m. Mass • Morning Prayer, 9 a.m.

• No reconciliation — no daytime adoration • Mass of the Lord’s Supper, 7 p.m.

• Adoration following Mass of the Lord’s Supper until midnight

Holy Saturday, April 16 • Morning Prayer, 9 a.m.

• No reconciliation • Easter Vigil, 8:30 p.m.

— Procession from courtyard • Reception in Fellowship Hall following Mass Easter Sunday, April 17 • See Easter Sunday schedule displayed above • No Sunday 5 p.m. Mass • Meadowcreek Campus will be closed following last Mass

Good Friday, April 15 • No 6:30 a.m. Mass • Morning Prayer, 9 a.m.

Monday and Tuesday — • No adoration April 18 and 19 • Solemn Stations of the Cross, 3 p.m.

• Parish Offices closed • Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion, 7 p.m.

• 9 a.m. Mass only • During Veneration of the Cross, • Meadowcreek Campus genuflect or bow to the Cross, closed following Mass instead of kissing/touching it

Living Out the Pillar of Welcoming, for All Parishioners and Guests continued from front cover As Elizabeth also points out, the roles of a greeter are straightforward and it’s a great way to meet new people.

In a recent homily, Fr. Jovita pointed out that when you serve, you become more a part of the universal church, you realize that the person beside you is part of your family.

In the coming months, members of the Greeter Ministry will be asked to expand their role and become an integral part of the Welcome Team at All Saints.

They will help at the Welcome Center after weekend Masses and be available to assist new parishioners

during the Newcomer Welcome Breakfasts held several times per year.

Fr. Jovita invites parishioners to get involved as a greeter. Elizabeth will help train volunteers and partner them with a current greeter.

“It definitely makes you feel more welcome when you walk in and someone greets you.”

— Elizabeth Horsley, Director of Liturgy

5231 MEADOWCREEK DRIVE ● DALLAS, TX 75248 ● (972) 661-9282 Mass Schedule Weekday Liturgy: Monday – Friday, 6:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. | Saturday, 9:00 a.m.

Weekend Liturgy: Saturday, 5:00 p.m. | Sunday, 7:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., and 5:00 p.m.