St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church Newsletter — January 2022

January 2022

ST. VINCENT de PAUL

CATHOLIC PARISH

The St. Vincent de Paul

MISSION COUNCIL:

Providing Essential Help to Those Most in Need

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Examining Our New Year’s Resolutions Through the Lens of Stewardship Start 2022 with a Clean Spiritual Slate

4 Our Annual

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Stewardship Renewal Thanking God for the Blessings He has Bestowed on Us

The Great Catholic Educator: St. Thomas Aquinas

7 Meet Eric Flores:

Parish Seminarian on Vocational Road to the Priesthood

5819 W. Pleasant Ridge Rd. Arlington, TX 76016 (817) 478-8206 www.svdpcc.org

he Corporal Works of Mercy are ways we can help others “as if they were Christ in disguise,” as the United States Council of Catholic Bishops tells us.

In 1998, a devastating hurricane hit Honduras. Shortly after, then-Bishop Joseph Delaney of Fort Worth traveled to Honduras with a group of priests and decided to Mission Council members visited Bolivia. form a partnership between the Diocese of Fort Worth and some parishes in Olancho, Honduras. In 2001, the Mission Council here at St. Vincent de Paul was formed in response to this relationship. The group worked up until 2014 to support the parishes in Honduras. Needed items were sent in shipping containers each year.

Groups also traveled to Honduras to serve the people and renovate the rectory and a retreat center. They built playgrounds and put cement in parishioners’ two-room mud homes, as well.

Letty Zatarain traveled with groups to Honduras and loved serving those most in need. The trips changed her life.

“We called it being bit by the Honduran bug,” Letty says. “Through the generosity of the people here in the different parishes, all efforts were without a doubt very fruitful. God was so very involved and it was amazing to see and experience it all.”

In 2014, safety concerns in Honduras halted the service efforts. The Mission Council members pressed on to support those in need in other places. There are many places here in the United States and worldwide where people are in great need of even just basic items. The ministry exists to help those people and make a difference.

After the Honduras relationship ended, the Mission Council directed their efforts to fund the purchase and construction of water pumps and cows in Bolivia. There were also several service trips to Bolivia. There have also been significant funds given to Africa. Members of the Mission continued on back cover

ST. VINCENT de PAUL Examining Our New Year’s Resolutions Through the Lens of Stewardship

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very January, we all step forward into the New Year with new ideas, goals and resolutions. But after the initial sparkle of the New Year has faded, it can be easy to forget our once-fervent resolutions. However, we might find that it’s a bit easier to keep our New Year’s resolutions if we look a bit beyond our physical selves. By also involving our spiritual lives, as well as the lives of others, we can add a lot more meaning to our resolutions.

Renowned Catholic author Matthew Kelly says, “We’re all trying to be better versions of ourselves,” and that’s basically what any resolution is about. Stewardship is essentially the same thing — if we embrace living a stewardship way of life, we become better versions of ourselves. We can use our time and talent to make improvements in our lives, in the lives of others, and in the life of the parish. It all comes down to one basic point — if we acknowledge that everything we have is a gift from God, then we are supposed to be good stewards of those gifts, use them for the benefit of others, and return our talents tenfold to the Lord.

One idea to help incorporate stewardship into your New Year’s resolutions is to make two distinct resolutions each year — one at the beginning of the liturgical year, and one at the beginning of the calendar year.

We can think of the first Sunday of Advent as the Church New Year, and we can make our own spiritual

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It all comes down to one basic point — if we acknowledge that everything we have is a gift from God, then we are supposed to be good stewards of those gifts, use them for the benefit of others, and return our talents tenfold to the Lord.

resolutions at this special time each year. Then, for the new calendar year, we can make resolutions for our health and well-being. In both cases, we can commit to these promises much in the same way we make our commitments during our annual Stewardship Renewal. We can make these resolutions, write them down, and share them with someone. Once you’ve written it down and shared it, you are now holding yourself accountable.

We are both physical and spiritual beings. Taking care of the physical side of things is a good start, but if we ignore the spiritual side, what kind of progress are we truly making? Even if you already regularly pray, you can add five more minutes to your prayer time each day to take a step forward in your faith. Even if you read the Bible once a week, you can take a spiritual leap and make it twice a week. One way to make a good resolution is to consider joining or increasing your involvement in one of the parish’s prayer, faith formation or outreach ministries.

Making resolutions requires us to truly reflect on the areas in our lives that we’d like to improve, while also ensuring that our priorities are in order. Remember, there is no need to take a giant leap all at once. So, as we begin a new calendar year, remember that even the smallest steps forward in faith can go a long, long way as you continuously renew your relationship with Christ.

A Letter From Our Pastor

Start 2022 with a Clean Spiritual Slate Dear Parishioners,

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e were all taught in school that the month of January gets its name from Janus, the ancient Roman god of doors and gates. His image was always carved or painted with two faces, one looking forward and the other backward. This reflected, of course, that you can go either out a door or in through one. From this very specific function, his role was generalized to include all beginnings and new endeavors.

Because of Janus’ place in the Roman pantheon, it seemed natural to the Romans to name the first month of the civil year after him. (The Church year began back with the First Sunday of Advent, you’ll remember.) And although we no longer worship the pagan gods of the ancient Romans, the name has stuck down the centuries.

But we’re not immune to the human instinct that moved the Romans to name the first month after Janus.

His double countenance, facing forward and backward, reflects how we approach the coming of each new year.

The last week of the old year finds the newspapers and TV programs giving a glance back at the past year (“the 10 best, or worst, movies of…” and such) along with predictions of what the new year will bring. My personal favorite is always “the 10 worst predictions” for the year just ending.

Just like the secular world does — Janus-like — we both look back at our own successes and failures, happy events, and sad ones, during the year just ending, and forward to the new year as we prepare our resolutions.

When we reflect back on the blessings we’ve received, our hearts should be filled with gratitude — and blessings there have been, no matter how difficult the year has been. But for most of us, there have been failures and failings, too. That calls for repentance, and perhaps a trip to the confessional — but God, who makes “all things new” (Rv 21:5), will then give us a clean spiritual slate with which we may begin the new year.

I’d also like to challenge you to include your grateful response to God as you make your resolutions for the new year. You don’t have to wait until you fill out a commitment card to decide this is the year when you’re actually

going to attend Mass once a week in addition to Sunday (or begin worshiping every Sunday if you haven’t been doing so) or to pray the Rosary every week or to begin regular prayers with your family. Include in your resolutions how you are going to get involved in some ministry in the parish or some service to the community, and then do so. Decide to become more faithful in your financial stewardship if your treasure commitment is less than it should be. Look forward to the new year and bring Christ and His Church to the center of your resolutions. Then see what a good year it will be, with God at the center!

Have a happy, and holy, New Year.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. Philip Brembah Pastor

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ST. VINCENT de PAUL OUR ANNUAL STEW

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ou have to take care of yourself before you can take care of those you love. This rationale is difficult for many of us to accept. Mothers and fathers routinely place the needs of their children before their own; soldiers at war often throw their own safety to the wind in the interest of protecting their fellow soldiers. The story of Jesus also focuses on giving to others. If Christ calls us to imitate Him — to become completely selfless — then it would seem that focusing on ourselves might counteract our efforts as Christians.

Before the stewardship way of life can totally transform our parish, it must begin in each of our hearts. As each individual’s spiritual life blossoms and grows, so will our parish as a whole. Will you plant the seed of stewardship in your own heart?

Commitment Weekend is Feb. 12-13.

Don’t forget to bring your Commitment Card to Mass!

How do I use my Commitment Card?

Your commitment card allows you to make commitments to prayer, parish ministries, and offertory giving. It is designed to be used by the whole family.

Time Section: Except for the ill and homebound, everyone should be able to check “Come to Mass on Sundays and Holy Days.” Try to check at least a few other items. Daily prayer should be a priority for every person trying to grow closer to God. Talent Section: You can either sign up for new ministries or re-commit to your current ministries. Be sure to write your first name next to the ministry! This is especially important if the card is being used by more than one person.

Treasure Section: Clearly print how much money you plan to give each week or month to our parish. Try to take a step toward giving five percent of your income to St. Vincent de Paul.

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Thanking God for the Blessi

Is your prayer life in need of a tune-up?

Honestly ask yourself, “How much time do I spend in prayer each week?” The answer is probably a bit embarrassing. Everyone wants to spend more time in prayer, but there’s just never enough time to do everything we want to do. Good intentions are just that: intentions. This year, as you’re discerning how you will offer your time to God, resolve to follow through with your commitments. Consider each moment you spend in prayer as nourishment for your soul. The spiritual health of our parish is only as strong as the sum of its parts (individual parishioners).

A R D S H I P R E N E WA L

ngs He has Bestowed on Us

Is your level of parish involvement in need of a boost?

We give our talents back to God when we get involved in ministries at St. Vincent de Paul. And, with a host of ministries to choose from, there’s something for everyone. Sure, ministries give parishioners opportunities to serve others in the community, but they also benefit those in the ministry itself. Ask anyone who actively participates in a ministry at St. Vincent de Paul, “Why do you enjoy serving in this way?”

They’ll probably say, “I get more out of the ministry than the people I serve.” This year, as you’re discerning how you will offer your talents to God, consider signing up for a ministry that may benefit you, like a Bible study, prayer group, or retreat. Or, contribute to an outreach ministry where your good deeds not only help others in the community but also give you feelings of satisfaction and thankfulness.

Do you give a percentage of your income to the offertory?

It may be hard to see offertory giving as a way to “help yourself,” but when we approach the subject from a spiritual viewpoint, it can lead to individual spiritual growth and an increase in faith. Even the savviest businessperson worries about his or her personal finances from time to time. Adding a weekly offertory check to the list of monthly bills may seem crazy but, ultimately, sacrificial giving forces us to cut unnecessary spending, create a budget and have faith that God will help us make it through the month. All of these are good things for each of us, individually.

After faithfully giving to the offertory for a few months, many Catholics find that it’s not only possible to give a weekly offering, but that the fruits of their gift far outweigh the expense.

At St. Vincent de Paul, we ask that you give five percent to our parish, one percent to the diocese, and four percent to other charities. Why a percentage of income? First, because the tithe (10 percent) is a scriptural benchmark that the Church has honored for centuries (see Malachi 3:10). Secondly, we give a percentage of income because it is a commonsense standard by which everyone can equitably support the parish. Most of all, we give because we believe God comes first in everything, even finances.

Every parish family receives a special “Stewardship Package” in the mail that further explains our parish’s vision of stewardship. It includes a booklet that describes every ministry in the parish, as well as your commitment card.

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ST. VINCENT de PAUL The Great Catholic Educator:

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St. Thomas Aquinas

efore Thomas Aquinas was even born, a holy hermit told his mother he was to be more learned and holy than any other person of his time.

As a young boy, he was devoted to prayer and meditation, and his intellectual gifts were quickly recognized. When he was about 11 years old, he was sent to the University of Naples, and about five years later, he became a Dominican friar.

Thomas’ parents were Italian nobility and were not enthusiastic about Thomas’ choice of vocation. They went so far as to have his brothers capture him while he was en route to Rome, and they held him prisoner for two years in an effort to destroy his vocation and his virtue. After the family made one particularly heinous attempt at breaking Thomas’ faith and spirit, he begged God to give him integrity of mind and body, and he was miraculously given the girdle and grace of purity for the rest of his life.

This gift almost certainly was essential to the remarkable clarity of his intellect.

After he regained his freedom, Thomas received the best education that was available during a time in human history that arguably represents the best the world has ever offered to scholars and philosophers. His greatest works arise from his total focus on knowing and understanding God, and revealing as clearly as possible the Truth of God to others. He showed that faith and reason

are not in conflict, but exist in harmony.

Thomas’ Summa Theologica uses philosophical principles presented in scientific form to systematically explain Christian theology. It was his last work and was left unfinished. Thomas stopped writing after he experienced an unusually long vision on Dec. 6, 1273. When he was urged to finish his Summa, he stated that he could no longer write, for the secrets he had been shown during his vision made all he had written “seem as straw.” He died three months later.

Thomas composed more than 60 works. His powers of synthesis were truly extraordinary. He was able to sift through all that he read, distill the truth, and summarize his conclusions simply, clearly and briefly. His writing is of such genius that it transcends style and art in the beauty of its truth.

His works are as relevant today as they were to the 13th century. His principles offer a remedy to such evils as socialism, communism, nihilism, as well as pantheism and spiritism.

Thomas was canonized in 1323, and was declared a Doctor of the Universal Church in 1567. In 1879, Leo XIII declared Thomas Aquinas “the prince and master of all scholastic doctors,” and in 1880, Thomas was designated as patron of all Catholic universities, colleges and schools throughout the world. We celebrate St. Thomas Aquinas’ feast day on Jan. 28.

Thomas’ greatest works arise from his total focus on knowing and understanding God, and revealing as clearly as possible the Truth of God to others. He showed that faith and reason are not in conflict, but exist in harmony.

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MEET

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Eric Flores:

Parish Seminarian on Vocational Road to the Priesthood

f you walked around Assumption Seminary in San Antonio and asked the men how and why they discerned a vocational call to the priesthood, most all of them would offer a different response. Eric Flores, a Theology II seminarian, would immediately reference his uncle, Fr. Florencio Rodriguez, a Franciscan Third Order Regular priest serving in the Diocese of Austin, “I remember when I was 8 years old, I was making my First Communion, and I thought that my uncle had the coolest job in the world,” Eric says. “I remember thinking ‘I want to be a priest when I grow up.’”

From then on, the seed was planted. When asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Eric would almost always answer, “a priest.”

Eric started at St. Vincent de Paul in September and will be with us for about a year. This is part of his seventh seminary year, called “the parish life year.” He attended minor seminary for four years at Saint Joseph Seminary College in Covington, La. “God willing I will be ordained a priest on the third Saturday of May 2024,” he says.

Although Eric had a childhood dream to be a priest, he didn’t immediately follow that all the way through. Eric attended Catholic school through to graduation from Nolan Catholic High School in Fort Worth.

“There was a real fostering of vocations in school,” he says. “I was surrounded by Catholics, and they were very supportive of my call.”

But Eric decided to attend college at Texas A&M University in Kingsville. He was planning to study chemical engineering, but God had other plans.

“At college, I discerned properly that something didn’t feel right,” he says. “It was a faith journey of really asking God, ‘Is this what I am supposed to do?’ I finally discovered I am called.

It wasn’t just a childhood dream.”

Getting to this point took some twists and turns, but Eric is glad to be in the seminary and also spending a year here with us at St. Vincent de Paul. He has appreciated that people are willing to stay after Mass to get to know him, and he notes that everyone has been very welcoming. Although Eric has a break from the book learning of the seminary, being at our parish is a different kind of schooling.

“This really puts things in perspective,” Eric says. “It’s one thing to talk about theological concepts and to learn in a classroom, and it’s different to look at it through pastoral experience. How do I relate what I’ve learned to a parish setting?”

In his seminary time, Eric has enjoyed sharing in brotherhood with his fellow seminarians. The men are all working toward the same goal — the priesthood.

Seminarians Austin Evans and Eric Flores (right), on their institution in the ministries of lector and acolyte by Bishop Mulvey of the Diocese of Corpus Christi in 2020.

“Just having them all together is awesome,” Eric says. “I love having the opportunity to hang with them and rely on them. The seminary builds a fraternity among future priests.”

So far, Eric has learned a lot from Fr. Philip Brembah — the most important thing has been how to be available to people and present.

As his seminary formation prepares him for priestly duties, Eric looks forward to administering the sacraments and celebrating Mass.

“I’m excited to be a good minister to the people of God — whether that’s house visits, or just being there for the people, to hopefully bring God to them and bring them to God,” he says.

Eric is thankful to be living close to family in Fort Worth. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, being active outdoors, and reading. Eric has one younger sister named Emma.

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ST. VINCENT de PAUL 5819 W. Pleasant Ridge Rd. Arlington, TX 76016 (817) 478-8206 www.svdpcc.org

MASSES Saturday Vigil: 5:30 p.m.

Sunday: 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.

Weekdays: (M/Th/Fr) 8:45 a.m. in the church

(Wed) 6:00 p.m. in the church

Holy Days: 8:45 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Confessions: Saturday: 4-5 p.m. in the chapel

The St. Vincent de Paul Mission Council Council have done service work in Kentucky, New Mexico, and Alaska.

Any mission work travel has been put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Mission Council members look forward to hosting future trips when the threat of the pandemic subsides.

“Through the work, we learned that God’s hand is in mission work and it is our job to serve where needed,” Letty says. “We also learned that our parish members have big hearts.”

The Mission Council members want to meet the poor face-to-face and walk with them. As St. Teresa of Calcutta said, “Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time and always start with the person nearest you.”

“There are needs everywhere,” Letty says. “We highly encourage everyone to find their mission because it changed our lives forever.”

The current members of the St. Vincent de Paul Mission Council are Ross Martinez, Elroy Leger, Letty Zatarain, Shaun William, Mark Crocker, Rita Johnson, Charles Riley, and Victoria Farrar-Myers.

continued from front cover

In Honduras are (from left) Ross Martinez, Bishop Maldonado, Fr. Andres and Letty Zatarain.

If you would like to get involved in the Mission Council, or to learn more, please contact Ross Martinez at missioncouncil@svdpcc.org.