Fall 2023 - Vol. 29, no. 4

South Texas Catholic

YOUTH: THE FUTURE OF THE CHURCH

SERVING THE CHURCH IN THE DIOCESE OF CORPUS CHRISTI

Keep up with the faith at southtexascatholic.com

VOL. 29 NO. 4

INSIDE

Publisher

Bishop Michael Mulvey, STL DD

Director of Communications and Public Relations

Katia Uriarte Philipello kuriarte@diocesecc.org

Assistant Director of Communications and Public Relations

Jesse DeLeon jdeleon@diocesecc.org

Managing Editor

Susanne Janssen sjanssen@diocesecc.org

Theological Consultant

Very Rev. Richard Libby, Chancellor rlibby@diocesecc.org

Communications Specialist Adel Sauceda asauceda@diocesecc.org

Social Media Coordinator and Videographer

Elizabeth Morales emorales@diocesecc.org

Broadcast Technical Director

Richard Luna rluna@diocesecc.org

Communications Administrative Assistant

AnaLisa Iber aiber@diocesecc.org

Correspondents

Rebecca Esparza and Jessica Rohr

Translator/Correspondent

Gloria Romero

Graphic design

Alexis Harborth

Contributors: Emily Salazar, Layna Souza

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4 | INTERVIEW FROM THE BISHOP: Reflections after World Youth Day: Young people are the hope and future of the Church – but they need to meet people, not an institution

6 | ENTREVISTA CON EL OBISPO: Reflexiones después de la Jornada Mundial de la Juventud: Los jóvenes son la esperanza y el futuro de la Iglesia, pero necesitan encontrarse con personas, no con una institución

8 | YOUNG PEOPLE AND FAITH: A BYGONE CONNECTION, OR LOTS OF POTENTIAL?: 71% of young people consider themselves “religious,” but over half of young people have little to no trust in spiritual institutions

10 | LIVING THE GLOBAL CHURCH: What Diocese of Corpus Christi pilgrims share about World Youth Day 2023

13 | VIVIENDO LA IGLESIA GLOBAL: Lo que comparten los peregrinos de la Diócesis de Corpus Christi sobre la Jornada Mundial de la Juventud 2023

15 | “A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE TWO OF US… AND GOD”: Marriage is a vocation that requires discernment and preparation. Janice Bourgeois (24) and Sean Coburn (22) share the journey leading to their wedding.

16 | BEING ATTENTIVE TO HIS VOICE: How to discern a vocation to the priesthood

18 | “GOD IS MY BEST FRIEND”: We asked a few youths and young adults what God means to them and how their faith impacts their lives

Diocesan pilgrims at World Youth Day

Getting married young: Janice and Sean

20 | DEEPENING THE FAITH… AND CONNECTING WITH PEERS: The Young Catholic Adult group tries different ways to connect with young Catholics

22 | DISCOVER HOPE AND FAITH THROUGH ART: Gen Verde, an international performing arts group, offers a free 5-day camp and concert in October

24 | FOLLOWING JESUS: Fr. Brady Williams, SOLT, commenting on “Mary arose and went in haste” (Luke 1:39)

25 | SIGUIENDO A JESÚS: P. Brady Williams, SOLT, comentando en “María se levantó y se fue de prisa” (Lucas 1:39)

26 | WOMAN OF STRENGTH: ST. MARIA GORETTI: She protected her purity at all costs

28 | BIOETHICS 101 – A NEW COLUMN OF STC: Some guidelines about medical decisions at the end of life

30 | “GOD LOVES YOU AS YOU ARE NOW”: Excerpts of Pope Francis’ messages to young people at World Youth Day 2023 in Lisbon

32 | LOSS AND SEARCH FOR SOLACE: Fall Concert Series at the Cathedral starts with “The Sacred Veil” by Eric Whitacre on October 24

ON THE COVER: The pilgrims of the Diocese of Corpus Christi with Bishop Michael Mulvey on the last day of their journey at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fátima. Picture taken by Faith Journeys

Bishop Michael Mulvey and the staff of the Office for Safe Environment and Child and Family Resources are committed to assisting those who have faced abuse of any kind. For immediate assistance, support, and referral information, please call Victim Assistance Coordinator Stephanie Bonilla at (361) 693-6686.

El obispo Michael Mulvey y el personal de la Oficina del Medio Ambiente Seguridad y Recursos para Niños y Familias están comprometidos a ayudar a aquellos que han sufrido abusos de cualquier tipo. Para asistencia inmediata, apoyo e información de referencia, llame al Coordinador de Asistencia a Víctimas Stephanie Bonilla al (361) 693-6686.

In the spirit of proper stewardship, the Diocese of Corpus Christi encourages reporting any financial abuse concerns or related issues. Report confidentially to: financialconcerns@diocesecc.org

En el espíritu de una administración adecuada, la Diócesis de Corpus Christi alienta a informar cualquier inquietud de abuso financiero o problemas relacionados. Informe confidencialmente a: financialconcerns@diocesecc.org

Pope Francis at World Youth Day

INTERVIEW WITH OUR BISHOP MICHAEL MULVEY “Be with them”

You just returned from World Youth Day in Lisbon – what was your impression of the young people?

Bishop Mulvey: World Youth Day was a unique experience. The atmosphere of Lisbon, the number of young people and their joy even on the streets, was a real confirming moment for me to say that the Church is alive! Somebody asked me afterward, “Do you think there’s hope for the Church?” And I couldn’t say anything but “Absolutely!”

On Sunday, there were an estimated 1.6 million people from Africa, Asia, Latin America, all over Europe and North America; it was a beautiful and long-lasting impression. The young people themselves unveiled the message of Jesus Christ through music, dance and artistic expression. If you watched any part of World Youth Day – there were also moments of prayer and adoration, and the silence of a million young people during the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament was almost haunting; it spoke for itself. There is a depth in every human person,

and young people have that same depth. Many people reading this article were probably trained to be silent in school or during a retreat. There were moments at World Youth Day when nobody told them to be quiet when the Eucharist came out on the altar and was unveiled; they just fell on their knees and were silent. This showed the depth of adoration in their life, and being together in great numbers gave them courage. We must accompany young people today differently: we can’t only instruct them to believe this or that. Instead, we need to offer them the opportunities to accompany them. It’s not a classroom setting that will function anymore. In the parishes, we should have times of youth prayer and adoration, teaching them to find the truth of God inside each of them and through service to others.

That aligns with the Springtide Report on Youth and Religion findings in 2020. Many young people said nobody ever reached out to them during the pandemic! What they are

longing for are relationships. What do we have to change to accompany them?

Bishop Mulvey: At WYD, I spent a whole day with our little group of 25. We went up to a church to see a display of Mother Teresa. I was told it was only four miles away, so I said, “Well, I can do four miles.” But they didn’t tell me it was straight up the hill with endless flights of stairs! So, I began walking with them and laughing with them, saying the rosary, etc.

But it became a joy to walk with them –being a family. I think – as clergy and as lay people – we should learn to be family with young people because many times, unfortunately, that’s what they’re missing. Some don’t know the warmth of a family or good friendship. Walking with them in everyday life in that spirit, we can understand their joys, sorrows and fears and listen. I think listening is critical in this new way of approaching young people and helping them find Jesus. Because that is what Jesus did: he walked next to people and listened to them before he spoke.

That’s a beautiful image of what accompaniment can be. The study also found that young people often don’t trust religious institutions, even if more young people consider themselves spiritual than in past years. How can parishes reach these young people?

Bishop Mulvey: Stop being an institution! Jesus didn’t form an institution; he formed apostles to be with people. I would say to everyone, families, priests, deacons, religious, and catechists: form relationships – friendships - family.

At the base of our theology, God is love, a relationship of love of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Jesus came to share with us that God is love and that love is expressed in love for God and love of neighbor. We need to learn how to build relationships that reflect who God is.

O nce we learn that our approach to evangelization is building relationships of trust, openness, and vulnerability with young people, they will be more open. Once we ascended the mountain in Lisbon that day, we were so tired,

and I said, “Let’s find a cafeteria, and it’s on me.” As we ate, we just sat there and talked for a long time. We need to readjust our priorities, spend more time with young people – or people in general - and focus less on formalities. The message of Jesus can also come through when we’re sitting down and talking to each other.

Christianity is all about remembering. The Eucharist is the remembrance of something incredible that happened, and we have to build memories together, whether on a hike or a project together in the parish or the city. But especially as we gather around the Eucharist at Mass and remember the love God has for each one of us.

One of the Pope’s central messages at the Welcoming Ceremony was that “God loves you as you are, as you are now.” What does that mean for our ministry?

Bishop Mulvey: “God loves you as you are” is a bold statement; we need to understand what that means. God does love me as I am, and this message is very much needed; it is liberating and gives meaning to my life. I am loved; I am a child of God! The thing is, we live in a Hollywood world where everybody’s trying to be something else that they’re not. I think the first step is to learn to be who you are, and parents, catechists, youth ministers, and priests can help young people to accept themselves for who they are.

We can facilitate that by not trying to tell them who they are. Our catechetical approach is often based on the “dos” and “don’ts” of morality, but they need to find their talents and confidence. They need to feel welcomed, and that is where the accompaniment can start. Let them be silly, let them be happy, let them be and be with them. We need to witness to God’s love to every person.

ENTREVISTA CON NUESTRO OBISPO MICHAEL MULVEY

El Obispo Michael Mulvey, asistió recientemente a la Jornada Mundial de la Juventud en Lisboa, Portugal y le pedimos nos comentara ¿cuál había sido su impresión sobre los jóvenes?

Obispo Mulvey: La Jornada Mundial de la Juventud fue una experiencia única. El ambiente de Lisboa, la gran cantidad de jóvenes, contagiando su alegría, inclusive al caminar por las calles, fue para mí un momento que me confirma verdaderamente y me anima a decir; que la Iglesia está viva. Al finalizar la Jornada, alguien me preguntó: “¿Crees que hay esperanza para la Iglesia?” Y no pude decir nada más que “¡Absolutamente!”

Tan solo el domingo, se calculó que había por lo menos 1.6 millones de personas, provenientes de todas partes: de África, de Asia, de Latinoamérica, de toda Europa y de Norteamérica. Ha sido una impresión maravillosa que recordaré siempre. Los mismos jóvenes revelaron el mensaje de Jesucristo a través de su música, su danza y sus expresiones artísticas. En verdad, si observas cualquier parte de la Jornada Mundial de la Juventud te darás cuenta de lo que fue. Hubo momentos de oración, de adoración, y de silencio. ¿Puedes imaginar a más de un millón de jóvenes extasiados, frente a la exposición del Santísimo Sacramento? Casi te asustaba, porque el silencio hablaba por sí

mismo. Existe una profundidad particular, en cada ser humano y los jóvenes tienen esa misma profundidad. Es probable que muchas de las personas que lean este artículo, piensen que han sido entrenadas para guardar silencio en la escuela o durante un retiro. Sin embargo, hubo momentos durante la Jornada Mundial de la Juventud, en la que nadie les instruyó a cerca de guardar silencio durante la elevación de la Eucaristía, era simplemente que la solemnidad del momento se develaba sobre el Altar y todos cayeron de rodillas en silencio. Esto demuestra el profundo significado que la adoración tiene en su vida y el estar reunidos en gran número les dio valor para enseñarlo. Ho y en día, debemos acompañar a los jóvenes de otra manera: no podemos simplemente instruirlos para que crean esto o aquello. Más bien, necesitamos ofrecerles nuevas oportunidades para acompañarlos. Ya no funciona la manera de enseñar en un salón de clases. Debemos tener momentos de oración y adoración juvenil en las Parroquias, para enseñarles a encontrar la verdad de Dios en el interior de cada uno de ellos y a través del servicio a los demás.

Esto concuerda con los hallazgos del Informe “Springtide” sobre Juventud y Religión del 2020. ¡Muchos jóvenes dijeron que nadie se

“Estar con ellos”

acercó a ellos durante la pandemia! Cuando lo que más anhelan son relaciones. ¿Qué tenemos que cambiar para acompañarlos?

Obispo Mulvey: En la JMJ pasé un día entero con nuestro pequeño grupo de 25 personas. Entre otras cosas, acordamos ir a ver una exhibición sobre la Madre Teresa en una iglesia. Me dijeron que estaba a sólo cuatro millas de distancia, así que me dije: “Bueno, puedo recorrer cuatro millas”. ¡Pero lo que no me dijeron es que tendría que subir hasta llegar a la sima, de la colina con interminables tramos de escaleras! Entonces comencé a caminar y a reírme con ellos, a rezar el rosario y a conversar con ellos.

Todo se convirtió en un placer, porque al caminar con ellos; nos hicimos familia. Creo que – como clérigos y como laicos – deberíamos aprender a ser familia con los jóvenes porque desafortunadamente, muchas veces, eso es lo que les falta. Algunos no conocen la calidez de una familia o de una buena amistad. Caminando con ellos en la vida cotidiana con ese espíritu, podemos comprender sus alegrías, sus tristezas y miedos; hay que escucharlos. Creo que escuchar es fundamental en esta nueva forma de acercarse a los jóvenes y ayudarlos a encontrar a Jesús. Porque eso es lo que hizo Jesús: caminaba junto a la gente y los escuchaba, antes de empezar a hablar.

Esa es una hermosa imagen de lo que puede ser el acompañamiento. El estudio (Springtide) también encontró que a menudo los jóvenes, no confían en las instituciones religiosas, incluso cuando los jóvenes consideran ser más espirituales que en años anteriores. ¿Cómo pueden las parroquias llegar a estos jóvenes?

Obispo Mulvey: ¡Deja de ser una institución! Jesús no formó una institución; formó apóstoles para estar con la gente. Yo les diría a todos, familias, sacerdotes, diáconos, religiosos y catequistas: formen relaciones – amistades – familia.

Nuestra teología se basa en que Dios es amor, y lo es, en una relación de amor entre el Padre, Hijo y Espíritu Santo. Jesús vino a compartir con nosotros ese amor de Dios, que se expresa en el amor a Dios y al prójimo. Necesitamos aprender a construir relaciones que reflejen quién es Dios.

Una vez que aprendamos a dirigir nuestra evangelización, construyendo relaciones de confianza, apertura y vulnerabilidad con los

jóvenes, ellos serán más abiertos. Después que subimos la montaña en Lisboa ese día, estábamos tan cansados que dije: “Busquemos una cafetería, y corre por mi cuenta”. Nos sentamos y mientras comíamos, conversamos por un largo rato. Necesitamos reajustar nuestras prioridades, dedicar más tiempo a los jóvenes – a la gente en general – y centrarnos menos en formalidades. El mensaje de Jesús también puede transmitirse cuando nos sentamos y hablamos unos con otros.

En el cr istianismo siempre estamos recordando. En la Eucaristía vivimos el recuerdo de un suceso increíble, de igual manera, tenemos que construir esos recuerdos juntos, ya sea en una caminata o en un proyecto parroquial o de comunidad. Pero especialmente cuando nos reunimos alrededor de la Eucaristía en la Misa y recordamos el amor que Dios tiene por cada uno de nosotros.

Uno de los mensajes centrales del Papa en la ceremonia de bienvenida fue: “Dios te ama como eres, tal como eres ahora”. ¿Qué significa eso para nuestro ministerio?

Obispo Mulvey: “Dios te ama tal como eres” es una afirmación concreta, pero necesitamos comprender su significado. Dios me ama tal como soy, que mensaje tan necesario; es un mensaje liberador que le da sentido a mi vida. ¡Soy amado; soy un hijo, una hija de Dios! La cuestión es que creemos vivir en un mundo al estilo Hollywood, donde se intenta ser lo que no se es. Creo que el primer paso es aprender a ser quien eres. He aquí que padres, catequistas, ministros juveniles y sacerdotes pueden asumir la responsabilidad de ayudar a los jóvenes a aceptarse tal como son.

Lo cual podemos facilitar, si no intentamos decirles quiénes son. Nuestro enfoque catequético a menudo se basa en lo que se debe o no se debe hacer, en materia de moralidad, pero ellos necesitan encontrar sus talentos y su confianza en sí mismos. Necesitan sentirse acogidos porque ahí empieza el acompañamiento. Déjalos ser simples, déjalos ser felices, déjalos ser y se con ellos, quédate con ellos. Necesitamos dar testimonio del amor de Dios hacia cada una de las personas.

YOUTH HAVE LITTLE FAITH IN RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS

Young people and faith: a by-gone connection, or lots of potential?

BY SUSANNE JANSSEN

Our religious demographics are changing –more and more people identify as “nones,” meaning they don’t belong to any specific religion. Among others, the Catholic Church was hit hard by the abuse scandal and its cover-ups, which caused an enormous decrease in trust in the institutional Church.

Yet there is a spiritual hunger in young people today. The situation is often more complex than it seems at first sight. Consider two recent statements by one of America’s most prolific religious demographers, Daniel Cox. On the one hand, in a report examining Gen Z’s (those born between 1997 and 2012) religious attendance and affiliation trends, he wrote: “In terms of identity, Generation Z is the least religious generation yet.” But: “Increasingly, religious affiliation may tell us less about the full range of religious and spiritual experiences Americans have and the extent of their theological commitments.”

Young people today express religiosity and spirituality but in ways that defy traditional polling measures. According to Springtide Research, a nonpartisan nonprofit institute, an institute that examines the religiosity of young people, the majority of America’s “least religious generation” identifies as religious (68%) or spiritual (77%).

Those who believe in a higher power or a personal God are rising: About one-third of 18-to-25-year-olds say they believe—more than doubt—the existence of a higher power. Based on December polling, the findings are part of an annual report on the state of religion and youth from the Springtide Research Institute.

Different religious and social experiences

The parents of millennials and Generation Z did less to encourage regular participation in formal worship services and model religious behaviors for their children than had previous generations. Many

childhood religious activities that were once common, such as saying grace before meals or attending Church on Sunday, have become more of the exception than the norm.

If someone had robust religious experiences growing up, they would likely maintain those beliefs and practices into adulthood. Without strong religious backgrounds to draw on, Americans feel less connected to the traditions and beliefs of their parent’s faith. And there is little evidence to suggest that disaffiliated Americans will ever return. First, the age at which Americans choose to give up their families’ religion—most well before they turn 18— suggests that they have not established a deeply rooted commitment to a set of religious beliefs and practices.

The brutal numbers: 34% of Generation Z are unaffiliated to any religion. In comparison: 29% of Millennials (born between 1981 – 1996) are unaffiliated, 25% of Generation X (1965 – 1980), 18% of Baby Boomers (1946 – 1964) and 9% of the Silent Generation (1928 - 1945).

What are the reasons?

The first answer many people come up with is that society and secular tendencies are the culprits. The mainstream pop culture or values expressed in movies are often opposed to the teachings of the Catholic Church.

Yet this answer does only cover a part. Is the Church reaching out to young people on a personal basis? Young people need accompaniment from trustworthy adults. Just 1% of the youth told Springtide that a faith leader reached out to check in with them as pandemic shutdowns began.

In the current – often brutal numbers – there are many opportunities. Americans who leave their formative religion report more significant personal hardship than those raised—and remain—religious. 23% of former Catholics say that they often feel lonely

and isolated.

As mentioned above, the crisis caused by the Abuse of minors calls for transparency and openness. Springtide says that over 75% of young people identify as religious or spiritual. But 50% are not turning to faith communities during stressful moments due to a lack of trust in the people and organized religion. Building trust starts with being authentic, coherent, and listening to young people’s concerns.

Signs of hope

The timing of when Americans have given up their childhood religious commitments has changed across generations. Among young adults (age 18 to 29) today, roughly three-quarters (74%) report that they were age 17 or younger when they no longer identified with their formative religion, including about one in four who say they left before their teenage years. This enables them to rediscover a religion that they never fully got to know or never even heard of during their college years, and therefore underlines the importance of campus ministry like the Newman Centers.

Still, most teens share the religion of their parents or legal guardians. And among the main religious dominations, Catholic teens are the most likely to identify as Catholics (81%, according to Pew Research 2020. Eighty percent of teens with evangelical parents identify as Evangelicals, but only 54% of teens with parents who are mainline protestants remain mainline protestants.

This highlights the role of parents or other family members as role models. Around four-in-ten teens and parents say they attend services at least once or twice a month. And perhaps because attending

religious services tends to be a family activity, the vast majority (88%) of parents who say they regularly attend religious services also have a teen who reports attending that often.

Still, the U.S. are more religious than other Western nations: 55% of Americans, for example, pray daily, compared to an average of 22% of Europeans. This number might be even higher in Texas than in other states.

Room for improvement

Just as during the pandemic, when young people felt left alone, youth ministers can try different ways to connect with young people. Teens are less likely than their parents to pray daily (27% vs. 48%), to believe in God with absolute certainty (40% vs. 63%) and to consider religion “very important” in their lives (24% vs. 43%). What can bring them closer to God? Here, creativity is critical: prayer services or adoration might be a good way for some. Others might get interested in faith through service projects, music, or activities that combine fun and reflection on more profound questions.

Being non-affiliated with any religion does not mean Gen Z’s are less spiritual. According to Pew Research, religious “nones” are even more likely than other teens to report feeling a deep sense of wonder about the universe. However, they are less likely to feel gratitude, a deep sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing, and think about the meaning and purpose in life. If young people see how adults – young and older – are enriched by their faith and find guidelines for a happy and meaningful life, they will find that “something more” that makes them search for God, who speaks in their hearts and calls them.

Pew Research Center

More than 1.5 million gathered for the 17 World Youth Day in Lisbon

Facing the heat: the pilgrims had to walk for miles and wait under the Portuguese sun for hours

Liz Morales

Liz Morales

DIOCESE OF CORPUS CHRISTI PILGRIMS SHARE ABOUT WORLD YOUTH DAY 2023 Living the Global Church

BY EMILY SALAZAR

WYD in Lisbon – up to 1.5 million people. Full streets. Joy. Energy. Chaos. The images that the media transmitted were splendid. But how was it to be there in person? Twenty-five individuals represented the Diocese of Corpus Christi at the 17th World Youth Day in Lisbon, adding the Texas flag to the million flags speckled across the streets of Lisbon. The international event that began in 1986 invites Catholics from all over the world to unite and witness the universality of the Catholic Church. Despite its name, World Youth Day does not just strive to deepen the faith of young Catholics but offers a transformative religious experience for God’s children of all ages.

Clarissa Reyes from Young Catholic Adults Corpus Christi shared how the group planned their day-to-day activities: “We had a rough outline of what we wanted to do, and then we made discoveries along the way and went where the Spirit led us. Around 8:30 am, we would head out for the day either to a prayer session, or a ‘Rise Up’ catechetical teaching and then Mass,” Reyes explained. She noted how profound it was to physically be a pilgrim walking in unfamiliar streets but chasing the constant of Jesus like the disciples did.

Valerie Jones from Islander Catholic at the Newman Catholic Student Center explained how Catholics from all different countries were able to understand the many speakers and Masses offered: “If a speaker was talking like the Pope, or sometimes they had youth speak at the huge ceremonies, they had radio stations, so everyone was told to bring their radio. Then, you would tune into the radio station broadcasting your language,” Jones stated.

Pope Francis, along with other notable Catholic names from the U.S. like Bishop Robert Barron, actor from “The Chosen” Jonathan Roumie, and Christian music artist Matt Maher were there to celebrate World Youth Day 2023.

Newman Catholic Student Center Spiritual Formation Leader Layna Souza described what it was like to see Pope Francis in person: “He represents the unity of the Church. We could feel the presence of the Holy Spirit, and talks through him and brings us these messages and directions to the Church. It is an encounter; it’s a special moment because this person represents the Church and the message God wants to give us,” Souza said.

Being one pilgrim in a million

Seeing the Pope was just one of many favorite moments from the pilgrimage. Parishioner at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church, Kyla Srp, shared her most memorable moment from the Mass with more than a million participants.

“One of my favorite parts of the trip was the communion at the Masses. When we had the opening Mass, a million people were in a massive park. I was standing next to Father Carlos, and at the beginning of Mass, I asked him, ‘Are we going to be having communion with all of these people here?’ And he replied, ‘If we did, I would not be able to imagine it.’ But sure enough, every person in that park went up for communion,” described Srp.

Fr. Carlos De la Rosa, Chaplain at the Texas A&M Newman Center and Parochial Vicar at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, spoke about his joy in bonding with the pilgrims.

“One of my favorite parts of this pilgrimage was getting to know the pilgrims personally. As a priest, one of the greatest joys in my life is to sit down with someone and listen to the joys and sufferings that they are going through. During our after-dinner gelato runs and many coffee breaks, I was blessed to visit with the pilgrims this way,” explained Fr. De la Rosa.

Valerie Jones appreciated these informal moments with Fr. De la Rosa and Sister Stella Maris from the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy

Trinity (SOLT). “I think it was really awesome to see them as people because I hadn’t really known either of them before, but now I think I know them both very well. When you first meet a Sister or Father or Brother or anything outside your mind framework, it’s really powerful to realize, ‘Okay, this is a person, ‘I’m a person.’ What they’re doing is something I can strive for because we’re both just trying to reach sanctification,” she explained.

Discovering the universality of the Church within their pilgrimage and with the other pilgrims visiting from all over the world was the goal of their journey. Islander Catholic and Newman Catholic Student Center member Leah Saldivar explained what lessons they are now bringing home.

“Bishop Robert Baron talked about how Mary said yes to God, and she didn’t stop there; she rose and went with haste when the Angel told her that her cousin Elizabeth was pregnant. So,

we felt God’s love so much; now it’s our job to go out and show people God’s love. The only way we can show God’s love is by being there for others and emphasizing how important community is,” said Saldivar.

St. Pius X parishioner Natasha Medina advised those interested in attending World Youth Day in the future: “If you have the opportunity to go, at least once, you should. We were reminded that it is a pilgrimage, not a vacation, so it is important to keep that in mind. It is fun, but more importantly, it is an opportunity to focus on your faith,” Medina said.

So, everyone who is young or still feels young, get ready: the next World Youth Day will be in Seoul, South Korea, in 2027. And 2025 will be a Jubilee Year for the worldwide Church with special celebrations in Rome.

The pilgrims toured Lisbon the day before WYD started and celebrated Mass with Bishop Mulvey in St. Joseph’s Church

Faith Journeys

LOS PEREGRINOS DE LA DIÓCESIS DE CORPUS CHRISTI COMPARTEN EXPERIENCIAS SOBRE LA JMJ 20233

Viviendo la Iglesia Global

POR EMILY SALAZAR

La Jornada Mundial de la Juventud en Lisboa, reunió a más de un millón y medio de personas. Calles llenas, alegría, energía, caos. Las imágenes que transmitieron los medios fueron espléndidas. ¿Pero qué se siente estar allí en persona? Veinticinco personas representamos a la Diócesis de Corpus Christi en la 16ª Jornada Mundial de la Juventud en Lisboa, añadiendo la bandera de Texas al millón de banderas que ondeaban en las calles de Lisboa. El evento internacional que comenzó en 1986 invita a los católicos del mundo entero a unirse y dar testimonio de la universalidad de la Iglesia. Sin embargo, no sólo su nombre, JMJ nos habla del esfuerzo por profundizar en la fe de los jóvenes católicos, sino que también ofrece una experiencia religiosa transformadora, para todos los hijos e hijas de Dios, de cualquier edad.

Clarissa Reyes, perteneciente al grupo de ‘Jóvenes Adultos Católicos de Corpus Christi’ compartió la manera en que planificaron sus actividades diarias: “Teníamos un esquema aproximado de lo que queríamos hacer, pero a lo largo del camino, fuimos haciendo descubrimientos y nos dejamos guiar hacia donde el Espíritu nos llevara. Alrededor de las 8:30 de la mañana, salíamos y el día empezaba, con una sesión de oraciones y un ‘Levántate’ de pequeñas enseñanzas, luego, la Misa”, explicó Reyes. Ella se dio cuenta del profundo significado que es ser físicamente un peregrino; caminar por calles desconocidas, sin saber con claridad a dónde vas, pero si, teniendo como constante, buscar y seguir a Jesús, como lo hicieron sus discípulos.

Valerie Jones, miembro del Newman Catholic Student Center, explicó cómo los católicos de todos los países pudieron entender a los diferentes oradores y participar en las Misas mediante la transmisión de un radio que cada quien sintonizaba de acuerdo a la lengua que hablara. Fue así como el Papa Francisco, al igual que otras personalidades católicas de Estados Unidos, como el Obispo Robert Barron, el actor de “The Chosen” Jonathan Roumie y el artista de música cristiana

Matt Maher, llevaron su mensaje a la JMJ 2023. La líder de formación espiritual del Centro de Estudiantes Católicos Newman, Layna Souza, describió lo que fue para ella ver al Papa Francisco en persona: “Él representa la unidad de la Iglesia. Pudimos sentir la presencia del Espíritu Santo hablando a través de él, dándonos sus mensajes y para la Iglesia la dirección a seguir. Es un encuentro, un momento muy especial, porque esta persona representa a la Iglesia y al mensaje que Dios quiere darnos”, dijo Souza.

Ser un peregrino entre un millón

“Ver al Papa fue sólo uno de los muchos momentos favoritos de la peregrinación.” Dijo Kyla Srp, feligrés de la Parroquia San Felipe Apóstol, en Corpus Christi. Ella compartió sus impresiones memorables; una de ellas fue compartir la Santa Misa con más de un millón de personas. “En la Misa de apertura, con más de un millón de personas reunidas en un parque enorme, yo estaba parada al lado del Padre Carlos y al comienzo de la Misa le pregunté: ‘¿Vamos a tener comunión con toda esta gente aquí?’, y él respondió: ‘Si lo hiciéramos, no podría ni imaginarme cómo estaría.’ Pero efectivamente, todas las personas en ese parque subieron a comulgar”, describió Srp.

El Padre Carlos De la Rosa, Capellán del Centro Newman de Texas A&M y Vicario Parroquial de la Iglesia Católica San Juan Bautista, habló sobre su alegría al vincularse con los peregrinos. “Una de mis partes favoritas de esta peregrinación fue conocer personalmente a los peregrinos. Como sacerdote, uno de los mayores gozos de mi vida, es sentarme con alguien y escuchar las alegrías y los sufrimientos por los que atraviesa esa persona. Durante nuestras carreras por los helados, después de la cena y las pausas para tomar café, tuve esa oportunidad y me sentí bendecido al poder compartir con los peregrinos de esta manera”, explicó el Padre De la Rosa.

Descubrir la universalidad de la Iglesia dentro de su peregrinación y con los demás peregrinos

de todo el mundo fue el objetivo del viaje, para Leah Saldivar, miembro del Islander Catholic y Newman Catholic Student Center y explicó las lecciones que ahora están trayendo a casa. “El obispo Robert Barron habló de cómo María le dio el sí a Dios, y no se detuvo allí; se levantó y se fue apresuradamente, después de que el ángel le dijo que su prima Isabel estaba embarazada. A través de esas pláticas, sentimos el inmenso amor de Dios; ahora es nuestro trabajo salir y mostrarle a la gente el amor de Dios. “La única manera en que podemos mostrar el amor de Dios es estando ahí para los demás y enfatizando lo importante que

Natasha Medina, feligrés de San Pίo X, tuvo una experiencia tan enriquecedora que anima y aconseja a aquellos interesados a asistir a la siguiente Jornada Mundial de la Juventud: “Si tienes la oportunidad de ir, por al menos una vez en tu vida, deberías hacerlo. Se nos recordó que es una peregrinación, no unas vacaciones, por lo que es importante tenerlo en cuenta”, dijo Medina. Así que todos los que son jóvenes prepárense para la próxima Jornada Mundial de la Juventud que será en Seúl, Corea del Sur, en el 2027.

es la comunidad”, dijo Saldívar.

Una auténtica peregrinación: los participantes de la JMJ tuvieron que caminar muchas horas para llegar a las sedes

Encontrar la alegría: los momentos vividos juntos permiten a los peregrinos experimentar la verdadera comunión

Liz Morales (2)

“A relationship between the two of us… and God”

Marriage – is that just the “normal route” when God doesn’t call you to the priesthood or religious life? It is, instead, a vocation that requires discernment and preparation. Janice Bourgeois (24) and Sean Coburn (22), both chemical engineers living in Corpus Christi, are getting married on September 16 in Louisiana. Here’s what they share about the journey leading to their wedding.

Janice: We were friends before we started dating. We met in the summer of 2021, coming to Corpus Christi for internships, and we met some other Catholic interns. We went to Mass together every Sunday at St. Philip the Apostle and got to know each other well. Slowly, I understood that Sean was “the one.” We’ve had many opportunities to grow in our faith and watch each other. The first Sunday, we all had brunch together and had a lot of deep conversations about what we wanted in life and how we viewed life. From those talks and hanging out with each other, it became evident that Sean was the person I wanted to be with.

Sean: I was not looking for a relationship; I thought I would be here only for a few months and didn’t know what life would have in store for me afterward. We just became good friends first, which was nice. Her understanding of our faith attracted me to her!

Janice: When we got engaged, many people said we were too young and would not know each other well enough. I think a lot of that pressure comes from people who don’t view marriage and relationships in the Catholic or Christian way but with the world’s standards.

Sean: My parents got married late, in their thirties, so I got some push-back from my family that I’m too young; they were unsure if that would work. And I needed to finish school, we needed to get jobs, and everything lined up before getting married.

Janice: I think marriage is the most beautiful and humbling experience you could ever have. We are called to serve each other, to submit to one another, and to

lay down our lives for each other. Many people don’t see that Catholic marriage is a relationship between the two of us and God and that it mirrors the Trinity.

Sean: I grew up Catholic, and during my early college years, I thought about if I should become a priest, but I never really felt called to religious life…

Janice: I was Catholic until I was nine and then went to several nondenominational churches. That is where I found Jesus and found my way back to the Catholic Church. My desire has always been to be a mother, whether that would be a spiritual or a physical mother. As the years have gone by, I’ve prayed about it and offered that desire to God, and the more He has shown me that marriage is my way.

Sean: When I told my dad I would ask Janice’s dad to marry her, we had a very long conversation. He just understood marriage as most people do – date around for a while, trying to have fun and many life experiences and then find somebody to marry. But I didn’t want to make the most of college time, but rather following God’s plan.

Janice: I think families can even play a more significant role in the Church than their current status quo. Coming from a Protestant church, I believe community is the most considerable thing Catholics can grow in, and over the course of the past year, I’ve seen so much development – like couples mentoring other couples or taking in college kids far away from home … There are so many ways a family can bring God’s presence to others.

HOW TO DISCERN A VOCATION

Being attentive to His voice

BY MARSHALL DRAGON

I felt fear not long after that; my life may take a completely different path than what I had planned.

Afterward, I acknowledged this had happened at Mass, but I didn’t want to do anything about it because I was still in denial. Not that you can deny it, but it was fear of what might happen next, the fear of the unknown. It was about one month that I was trying to put this feeling aside, hiding it, but then I was on a retreat and talking to one of the priests, and he saw that I was interested in the priesthood.

I asked many questions; this was the first time I had had the opportunity to talk to a priest one-onone like that, so he invited me to one of the men’s discernment dinners, asking if I was interested in hearing more about vocations.

I went, and I felt that it was a step in the right direction; it was an affirmation. The most important takeaway from that dinner was how to pray about discerning a vocation. I had a good talk with one of the priests there, and he told me to be mindful and more attentive in prayer. To listen to what God is telling me through my heart. At that point, my spiritual life was saying my prayers but not so much “me listening to the voice of God.” It was more me sharing with God. From then on, I started to pray about my vocation, and a month later, I started spiritual direction.

Ireceived my call to discern on a Sunday last September. I was at Mass, and during the homily, the priest was talking about how only in giving do we receive, and it is in giving our lives to Christ that we truly receive life.

It was a call to action so powerful that I could not mistake it. I had to reevaluate where I stood in my faith. I never considered a religious vocation then; I always assumed I wanted to get married and have children.

It was something I had never felt before –my heart was moved and brought to a few tears.

How will this journey continue? Only God knows the answer! The desire to serve God in the vocation that I was created for cannot be ignored. I am reminded of a quote by St. Augustine, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord and our hearts are restless till they rest in you.” Knowing that we will find true happiness in our vocation, I will continue until I find rest in God.

“Each of you has a personal vocation which He has given you for your own joy and sanctity. When a person is conquered by the fire of His gaze, no sacrifice seems too great to follow Him and give Him the best of ourselves. This is what the saints have always done, spreading the light of the Lord … and transforming the world into a welcoming home for everyone.” ~ Pope Benedict XVI Get to know more about the Office of Vocations at diocesecc.org/vocations

Marshall Dragon is studying Industrial Distribution at Texas A&M in College Station

“God is my best friend”

How do young people describe their faith? We asked a few young adults what God means to them and how their faith impacts their lives.

“Being Catholic means holding myself accountable for my actions to maintain peace in my life and stay connected to God. This is easier said than done!

As a young adult, attending college away from home is like entering a whole new world without parents or “rules.” This newfound freedom was the ultimate test for me. There were an overwhelming number of opportunities to try new things, but it wasn’t easy to discern whether an invitation would be something that would help me grow or would lead me on a path away from God.

One of my biggest struggles in college was finding the right balance between having a good time and making the right decision. I didn’t want to miss out, so I took the opportunity to try new things. I convinced myself that I was allowed to have new experiences if my assignments were completed, and I was still attending Mass every Sunday. And eventually, I was in charge of my decisions.

I realized this lifestyle was not sustainable after noticing a change in myself – I felt more drained and became less positive than my usual self. I was compromising my peace instead of prioritizing it. To change that, I had to set boundaries, finding the balance between having fun and making the right decision. I understand now that I can’t maintain peace in my life and follow every invitation I get.

An d the biggest lesson I learned from this experience was that it’s not enough only to attend Sunday mass. My faith is something that should be present every day of my week!”

Teresa Saenz, Communication Major at Texas A&M University in College Station

“My faith is my joy; it’s my reason, my hope; it’s my everything. I can’t necessarily say that I came to the faith; my faith came to me. Nothing has been more accepting, welcoming, respectful, and encouraging than God’s Love. I never had doubts in God, but I doubted whether I was worthy. God resolved it: it was during adoration, and I was thinking, “Man, I’m not worthy to be here; I don’t deserve to be here,” then the priest just walked up with the monstrance next to me. That was my sign – God wants me to be here – and my doubts disappeared.”

Miguel Salcedo,

Del Mar

College

“My faith is the love that flows through my life and touches everything I do; it fills all the cracks in my heart and shows me what I was created for.

I liked Pope Francis’s words at the Opening Ceremony of World Youth Day about how we are all unique. It touched me when he said that Jesus loves us as we are right now, not how we think we should be or think we could be. We don’t have to earn his love, and we can’t earn his love, no matter what we do!”

Kaelin Bunting, TAMUCC

“What faith means to me is not just only improving myself but also helping other people within the community. That is what I realized helps me to grow the most – just helping other people, sharing my talents as I do with my music, and going out every single day and evangelizing. Every day I try my best.

God is like a protector for everyone and doesn’t discriminate against anyone. He knows everyone, every corner of our hearts, but He doesn’t judge. That’s what I’m trying to do, too – not judging anyone, just loving everyone!”

Juan Gonzales, TAMUCC

“Being light, being light in other people’s lives and your own life, finding happiness and joy in the simple things and actively searching and looking for God in everything you do. I want God to be my best friend; I want to go to him with all my problems and everything I might have to bear. I know He has already taken it on His cross for me, so I should just cast my cares on him because why should I hold on to them and rely only on myself?

I’ ve had my times when I was focused only on work, and I noticed that it felt like I needed to do more. I wasn’t going to Mass regularly, which hurt me spiritually because I didn’t feel right; I knew what I needed to do, and I wasn’t doing it.

Now I try to put God at the center; I try to go to daily Mass and say the rosary every day, which has made me fall in love with Him!”

Ocean Garcia, Del Mar College

YOUNG CATHOLIC ADULTS GROUP

Deepening the faith … and connecting with peers

BY JESSICA ROHR

It was through the invitation of a college friend that John Dunne, age 29, first connected with the Young Catholic Adults organization. Despite his initial skepticism, he decided to make an appearance at one of the group’s Literary Series sessions on a Wednesday night at St. Helena’s parish hall. “I’d never been to a book club before, let alone a religious one,” he said. But almost immediately, the young real estate agent saw that there was more to gain from the event than he anticipated: “What drew me in was the community. Hearing people’s stories and experiences with their faith was something that I could relate to, provide insight for, and learn from as well.”

Literary Series, a recent initiative of YCA, is the initiative of Siobhan O’Connor, Diocesan Director of Young Adult Ministry; its first session took place from January to March of this year, with a focus on the Catholic perspective of how to initiate and carry out romantic relationships. The Dating Without a Script series quickly gained popularity, and soon, young professionals like Harry Villareal, Sofia Rodriguez, Miguel Saucedo, and Michaela Stawasz began to

step up to lead the group discussions as the second session got into full swing. Young Catholic Adults itself is an organization that focuses on cultivating a life of prayer, service, socializing, and faith formation among the young men and women of Corpus Christi – a much-needed initiative at a time when many young people are disconnected from any religion.

Jacob Oster helped to host the first several meetings of the second session in his home before the group gained access to St. Helena’s parish hall. He has been a consistent attendee of YCA’s events for a couple of years. “Being Catholic in today’s secular culture, especially as a young man, is increasingly difficult,” said the 30-year-old marine biologist. “It is easy to become discouraged or distracted in my faith journey and then drift through life. However, the friendships I’ve made through YCA have encouraged me and kept me grounded as I navigate my various challenges.”

Matthew Kelly’s The Seven Levels of Intimacy was the book of choice for session two, and the meetings continued to expand, requiring larger accommodations. 20 or more young adults began to squeeze into St. Helena’s parish hall for hours

The Literary Series of the YCA provides fellowship and intellectual growth

of discussion, laughter, and of course, food. Every Wednesday evening would begin with a light meal before they split the men from the women to discuss the latest chapters in separate rooms. After the two groups spent almost an hour delving into the text, they would each brainstorm a provocative question to pose to the opposite sex: “How do you ask a girl out without seeming weird?” or “As a man, how do you handle delayed gratification?” Then, the groups come back together, and everyone takes a turn answering the other group’s questions. Responses are met with support, understanding, encouragement, more questions – amidst laughter and banter.

“I joined YCA back in February for the Dating Without A Script session,” said Michaela, 27, one of the discussion leaders. “The Literary Series is the highlight of my week. It scratches the deeper-discussionsitch I was aching to scratch.” Roly Bolanos is a new member from Florida. He fits YCA hang-outs and events around his busy military schedule. “From my experience,” he said, “YCA is very welcoming to unique personalities and opinions, and everyone is eager to make connections and build friendships.”

YCA already hosts a monthly night of adoration at Our Lady of Corpus Christi, followed by a social hour in the adjoining cafe. However, a fun, new initiative for worship and fellowship has launched as well, dubbed Mass & Brunch: this event is headed by Elizabeth Morales, the Social Media coordinator for the Diocese, who just started a one-year term as YCA Coordinator. These occur on Sundays, once a month, and present a wonderful opportunity for young adults to attend mass with their peers. Typically, many of them attend mass alone, so it can be a huge source of comfort and encouragement to not only attend mass with friends but to share a meal afterward as well. “Since

we all attend Sunday Mass on our own, I thought M&B once a month would be an easy and great way to bring people together to share in our faith and meet others,” Morales said.

YCA member and occupational therapy assistant Yvonne Wright, 37, enjoys being able to celebrate mass with some of her friends, then enjoying a meal. The Mass and brunch locations change – one of the most recent events included mass at St. Philips, followed by brunch at Chops & Eggs on Yorktown Blvd. There were more than a dozen young adults gathered around the table, including the recently ordained Fr. Thomas Swierc.

Between official events, spontaneous beach days, karaoke nights, and Hooks games, there is never a dull moment. Sarah Lichtenberger, a 24-year-old Pre-K paraprofessional, has recently begun to frequent these events with her friends from St. Helena’s. “I have been introduced to so many people through YCA! I haven’t been around a group of Catholic young adults besides the few at my church, so I love seeing everyone together: It really pushes me to practice my faith daily. Even if I’m not doing something intentionally, I can still feel Jesus among us.”

Liana Bandillo, who just completed her one-year service as coordinator, said: “There is a hunger for what we do… as young adults, often without family members around, it is a great opportunity to remain and grow in our faith.”

YCA is always open to new members and welcomes anyone who is willing to take the lead on a project or activity. Please contact YCA at ycacctx@gmail.com

Enjoying the company and meaningful conversations at brunch after Sunday Mass Courtesy of YCA

YOUTH PERFORMING ARTS CAMP AND CONCERT WITH GEN VERDE

Discover hope and faith through art

BY SUSANNE JANSSEN

“Where God has planted you, hope! … Live, love, dream, believe…” With these words of Pope Francis, Gen Verde starts their music video, “I’ve got hope.” The song lyrics present a good challenge to refrain from today’s negativity: “I won’t surrender to the darkness/I will stand my ground and believe/My own worst enemy is inside me/lf I trust in Love I will be free.”

While many developments in today’s world seem on the gloomy side – and many young people are suffering from anxiety and depression – the members of Gen Verde found meaning and hope in the words of Jesus. The 19 artists from 14 countries live up to the words they share in the song, communicating with their life experiences the message of hope they found in the Gospel.

The band is a unique project – it started, in fact, at Christmas 1966. Chiara Lubich, the founder of the Focolare Movement, gave a group of girls an unusual gift – a green drum set. It became the symbol of a new approach to answering the signs of the times: music and artistic talents are tools to contribute to a more united and fraternal world, a witness that humanity still can choose peace instead of war and love of neighbor instead of indifference.

Each member felt called by God to leave

everything behind, and they dedicated their lives to spreading the message of the Holy Gospel – through the arts. And their experience – for example, an American songwriter, a South Korean composer, an Italian actress and a Brazilian musician developing songs together – shows unity in diversity is possible. They put the dialogue they promote into practice among themselves, building bridges among their different cultural heritages and social backgrounds. Putting together their talents and their internationality brings about a cultural richness that is both unique and compelling.

The discovery of God’s love was a life-changing experience for each of them. As artists, it enabled them to overcome shyness or doubts in their abilities, and they want to share this freedom and trust with young people who increasingly feel overwhelmed and unprepared.

Therefore, Gen Verde developed their “Start Now!” workshops aimed at young people 14-18 years old. The participants get professional training in dance, choir, percussion or drama, but first and foremost, they experience how to express themselves in a trustful environment. At the same time, the members of Gen Verde share how their faith impacted their journey and the lives of others.

On their U.S. tour that brings them to New York, Chicago and Los Angeles, Gen Verde will stop at Corpus Christi, too, for various concerts and appointments. An acoustic concert, “Arise,” specially geared (but not only) toward young adults, takes place on Tuesday, October 10, at 7 pm at the Msgr. Richard Shirley Youth Center, St. Pius X Parish (813 Lum Ave., Corpus Christi).

Th e Youth Performing Arts Camp will be held from October 11 – 15. For the first three days – Wednesday to Friday – participants will meet every day from 8 am–12 pm at St John Paul II High School in their respective workshops.

On Saturday, the camp participants will perform with Gen Verde at 7 pm at Mary Carroll High School. Everyone can attend – the access is free of charge (due to the visa of the band members, tickets cannot be sold, but donations to the Diocese of Corpus Christi are welcome so that events like this one are possible). Reserve your spot by signing up at diocesecc.org/genverde.

On Sunday, the participants meet for conclusion and reflection from 9-11 am at St John Paul II High School. Everyone is invited to attend the 12:30 pm Mass at the Cathedral with their families, where Gen Verde will provide the music.

All events are free of charge. However, donations are welcome and needed to cover the cost of these unique events.

Going beyond: Participants of the Dance workshop work with band members

Gen Verde (2)

“Mary arose and went in haste …” Luke 1:39

BY FR. BRADY WILLIAMS, SOLT

Our religious community recently had an international assembly, which occurs every five years. It is a chance for us to address the most pressing needs in our community and to make large, worldwide decisions that affect our members and those whom we serve. After only two days of meetings, a friend texted me: “Have you solved all the world’s problems already?” To which I responded: “We are more like the Ents in the Lord of the Rings: “Let’s not be too hasty!” After all, when such important decisions are on the line, one does not want to move too quickly. Still, the ‘pond water’ pace can feel a bit uneasy.

We live in a fast-paced world and tend to operate at a frenetic speed. Going from here to there, trying to accomplish this and that, there is hardly time to slow down and think. Culturally, we likely view such busyness as a source of pride. ‘If I’m busy, that means I’m important’ – and we all want to be needed. It could ultimately lead us to prioritize many things and neglect our spiritual life.

Curiously, Pope Francis chose the theme for World Youth Day 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal to be: “Mary arose and went in haste …” (Lk 1:39). In particular, the Holy Father desired to inspire the youth to “rise up” out of any spiritual laziness, and to go with haste, yet joyfully and with boldness, to proclaim the Gospel just as Mary did.

When I think of Mary, the word “haste” is not the first thing that typically comes to mind, but rather contemplation: “And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart” (Lk 2:29). I mean, what would she be in such a hurry about? Our Holy Father elucidates this seemingly atypical response of Mary in his address at the Vigil at WYD in Lisbon: “We might ask, why did Mary set out and go with haste to visit her cousin? Certainly, Mary had just learned that Elizabeth was pregnant, but so was she; so why go if no one had asked her to? Mary does something that was not asked of her and that she did not have to do. Mary goes because she loved, and “whoever loves flies, runs and rejoices” (The Imitation of Christ, III, 5). That is what love does to us.”

Mar y’s haste is different from simply rushing around to get things done. It is a response of love, a need to share what “The Mighty One has done … for me” (Lk 1:49) and to assist her cousin in her need. The Holy Father goes on to say: “Instead of thinking about herself, [Mary] thinks of the other. Why? Because joy

is missionary, joy is not just for one person; it is for sharing something with others.”

Mar y went in haste. The word “haste,” in fact, appears only two other times in the Gospel of Luke: when the shepherds go to see the newborn King (2:16) and when Zacchaeus responds to Jesus’ invitation to dinner (19:6). All three of these events involve a kind of missionary joy, a going forth hurriedly as a response to a divine call. Similarly, the other times such a ‘hasty’ response is indicated in the Gospels is when Jesus calls people to follow him, and they ‘immediately’ respond.

So, what is it about this kind of “haste” that sets it apart from the rat race of our typical daily life? It stems from a divine initiative, from a need to respond or to share from the fullness that has been given to us. Just as for Our Blessed Mother, it is a response of love which carries with it a joy that can be called “missionary” because it has the irresistible quality of needing to be given away. May we, too, rise up, like Mary, and go with haste to share the joy of the Gospel.

Fr. Brady Williams, SOLT is the Director of Our Lady of Corpus Christi Retreat Center and Novice Servant of the Society of Our Lady of the Trinity.

“María se levantó y se fue de prisa…” Lucas 1:39

POR: PADRE BRADY WILLIAMS SOLT

Nuestra comunidad religiosa tuvo recientemente una asamblea internacional, lo cual ocurre cada cinco años. Ello nos da la oportunidad de tratar las necesidades más apremiantes de nuestra comunidad y tomar decisiones importantes a nivel mundial, que afectan tanto a nuestros miembros como a aquellos a quienes servimos. Después de solo dos días de reuniones, un amigo me envió un mensaje de texto: “¿Ya resolviste todos los problemas del mundo?” A lo que respondí: “Somos más como los Ents (seres entumidos) del Señor de los Anillos: “¡No nos apresuremos!”. Después de todo, cuando están en juego decisiones importantes, uno no puede tomarlo a la ligera, pues andamos en aguas demasiado densas donde resulta incomodo moverse.

Vivimos en un mundo acelerado, donde tendemos a actuar a velocidades frenéticas. Yendo de aquí para allá, tratando de terminar esto o aquello, apenas hay tiempo para detenerse a pensar. Culturalmente, es probable que veamos ese ajetreo, como una fuente de orgullo. “Si estoy ocupado, significa que soy importante”, y todos queremos ser necesarios. En última instancia, podría llevarnos a priorizar muchas cosas y descuidar nuestra vida espiritual.

Curiosamente, el Papa Francisco eligió como tema para la Jornada Mundial de la Juventud 2023 en Lisboa, Portugal: “María se levantó y se fue de prisa…” (Lucas 1,39). En particular, el Santo Padre deseaba inspirar a los jóvenes a “levantarse” de cualquier pereza espiritual, y a ir de prisa, pero con alegría y audacia, a anunciar el Evangelio como lo hizo María.

Cuando pienso en María, la palabra “prisa” no es lo primero que suele venir a mi mente, sino más bien su parte contemplativa: “Pero María guardaba todas esas palabras, ponderándolas en su corazón” (Lucas 2,19). Quiero decir, ¿por qué tendría tanta prisa? Nuestro Santo Padre aclara esta respuesta aparentemente atípica de María, durante su discurso en la Vigilia de la JMJ (Jornada Mundial de la Juventud) en Lisboa:

“Podríamos preguntar, ¿por qué María salió y se apresuró a visitar a su prima? Ciertamente, María acababa de enterarse de que Isabel estaba embarazada, pero ella también; entonces, ¿por qué ir si nadie se lo había pedido? María hace algo que no se le pidió y que no tenía que hacer. María va porque amó, y “el que ama vuela, corre y se alegra” (La Imitación de Cristo, III, 5). Eso es lo que nos hace el amor”.

La prisa de María es diferente a la rapidez que nos exigimos para hacer las cosas. Es una respuesta de amor,

una necesidad de compartir lo que “El Poderoso ha obrado… en mí” (Lucas 1,49) y de ayudar a su prima en su necesidad. El Santo Padre continúa diciendo: “En lugar de pensar en sí misma, [María] piensa en el otro. ¿Por qué? Porque la alegría es misionera, la alegría no es de una sola persona; es para compartir algo con los demás.”

María se fue a toda prisa. La palabra “prisa”, de hecho, aparece solo otras dos veces en el Evangelio de Lucas: cuando los pastores van a ver al Rey recién nacido: “…y fueron de prisa y encontraron a María…” (2,16) y cuando Zaqueo responde a la invitación de Jesús a cenar: “…Y este descendió rápidamente y lo recibió con alegría” (19,6). Los tres eventos implican una especie de alegría misionera, un salir apresuradamente como respuesta a un llamado divino. De manera similar, las otras veces que se indica una respuesta tan “apresurada” en los Evangelios es cuando Jesús llama a la gente a seguirlo, y ellos responden “inmediatamente”.

Entonces, ¿qué tiene este tipo de “prisa” que lo distingue de la carrera de ratas de nuestra típica vida diaria? Nace de una iniciativa divina, de una necesidad de responder o de compartir desde la plenitud que nos ha sido dada. Al igual que para Nuestra Madre Santísima, es una respuesta de amor que lleva consigo una alegría que se puede llamar “misionera” porque tiene la irresistible cualidad de necesitar ser regalada. Que también nosotros nos levantemos, como María, y vayamos con prisa a compartir la alegría del Evangelio.

El Hno. Brady Williams, SOLT es el Director del Centro de Retiros de Nuestra Señora de Corpus Christi y Siervo Novicio de la Sociedad de Nuestra Señora de la Trinidad.

She protected her purity at all costs

BY ELIZABETH MORALES

Saints are often overlooked when depicted in artwork as seen in their glory. It may not be easy for the viewer to relate to, given all of life’s deep wounds, sins and burdens. Thus, it could be understandable to ignore St. Maria Goretti, who is usually portrayed as a young brunette girl with a lily in her hand. It sounds so cliché. Yet, beyond this stereotypical archetype is a human story that was anything but a trouble-free life.

Born in Italy on October 16, 1890, Maria Goretti was the third oldest in a family of seven children. Her parents, Luigi and Assunta, were poor farmers who loved their children but were unable to give them worldly possessions and a basic education. At one point in their life, the family became so poor that they lost their farm and became tenant farmers. They moved their household into a building where they shared living quarters with Giovanni Serenelli, who was said to have been an alcoholic, and his son Alessandro.

Luigi soon became ill with malaria and passed away, leaving Assunta to provide for the family. With her father’s passing, Maria was responsible for cooking, sewing, cleaning, and caring for her youngest sibling Teresa, while her mother worked. Despite being unable to attend formal education, Maria learned more about her faith by walking to church for catechesis. When the time came to receive First Holy Communion, she stood out in more ways than one. Maria was older in her class, and instead of wearing new attire, she wore her mother’s jewelry that had been gifted by her father. On May 29, 1902, she received Jesus in the Eucharist for the first time and then a few times throughout her life, the final time being on her deathbed.

One day when Maria was sewing at her home and watching her younger sister, Alessandro approached her with sexual advances and threatened her life. Maria was strong enough to resist him sexually but could not overcome him physically. He stabbed Maria fourteen times with an awl, and even after trying to escape the scene, he stabbed her three more times. She suffered wounds to her throat, heart, lungs and diaphragm.

When Assunta and Giovanni came to check on the baby, they found Maria in her condition and called for help. Maria was taken to the hospital, and the police took Alessandro into their custody.

The hospital attempted surgery on Maria. At a certain point, she awoke during surgery, and the pharmacist told her to remember him in paradise. She said she would. Maria also expressed concern for her mother and was able to explain what happened, in addition to sharing that Alessandro attempted to rape her two prior times. However, she had not shared with anyone out of fear for her safety. Maria said she forgave Alessandro and hoped he would be with her in paradise. She was given the Viaticum and died within 24 hours of her attack on July 6, 1902, at age eleven.

Alessan dro was sentenced to 30 years in prison due to his age of twenty as a minor and his social circumstances coming from a destitute and neglectful family. While in prison, he remained a closed young man. He did receive a visit from a bishop, Monsignor Giovanni Blandini. Afterward, he mailed the bishop a thank you letter, confiding in him a dream or vision he had of Maria. In this occurrence, she held lilies and offered him one of the flowers, which burned when it touched his

The only known photograph of Maria Goretti, dated to early 1902.

hands. After this, Alessandro changed in prison. His behavior became obedient and helpful, so much so that he was released from prison three years early.

Upon his release, he visited the home of Assunta and sought her forgiveness. She forgave him, and both attended Mass together after their many years of suffering.

Alessandro eventually became a brother with the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin. At his older age, he penned a letter of regret describing what led to his crime and how Maria was a holy example in his life. He served as a receptionist and gardener within the order until his death at 80 in 1970. Maria was beatified on April 27, 1947, by Pope

Pius XII, with her mother present. He addressed her individually with the words, “Blessed mother, happy mother, mother of a Blessed!”

Then on June 24, 1950, Pius XII canonized Maria. Assunta, a now 82-year-old woman, along with her remaining children was in attendance. At 66 years old, Alessandro was also amongst the hundreds of thousands of audience members present to witness her canonization.

St . Maria Goretti is a patron of forgiveness, purity, chastity, rape victims, girls, youth, teenage girls and poverty. Her memorial is on July 6.

Assunta Goretti, St. Maria’s mother, watches her little girl being canonized from a window of the Apostolic Palace (on June 24, 1950)

Alessandro praying with image of St. Maria Goretti

Some guidelines about medical decisions at the end of life

BY FR. RICHARD LIBBY

Everyone knows that death is inevitable. Many people wisely prepare for it, including making their wills, making their funeral plans, and even purchasing their burial plots. That’s all good, but what about preparing for the final moments of this life? Can we prepare to have the appropriate medical care during our last days? Who will make medical decisions if you cannot make them yourself? These questions have become more critical as medical science has progressed; people live longer now, and adult children often get involved in the medical care of their elderly parents. The Church provides guidance for those who must face such questions.

All per sons, regardless of their medical conditions, are created in the image and likeness of God and maintain their human dignity throughout their lives, even in advanced age and sickness; thus, they have the right to basic care. Basic care includes food, water, and clean, comfortable surroundings. Patients in pain should have the pain managed to the extent possible. If food and water must be given artificially (for instance, through a feeding tube), they should be given food and water. These measures constitute basic care, not medical treatment, and should be continued as long as necessary. Food and water may be withheld only if they become burdensome for the patient (for instance, if the patient needs help to receive and digest them properly).

Next, we must consider medical treatment. A patient who is sick or injured should have appropriate medical treatment, but are we obligated to use every therapy available? The answer is no; we are not obligated to use every treatment. We are obligated to use proportionate means to preserve life; we are not obligated to use disproportionate means. Treatment may be proportional or disproportionate relative to the good being sought (that is to say, the patient’s health and recovery), and many factors must be considered, including the patient’s condition and the sickness or injury being treated.

A proportionate treatment offers some benefit without excessive burdens; a disproportionate treatment is more burdensome than beneficial.

Disproportionate treatments are optional, but proportional treatments are obligatory. To refuse disproportionate therapies is not to participate in killing a patient; instead, it is simply to accept the inevitability of death. Rarely can a treatment be judged proportionate or disproportionate without reference to a specific case; any proposed treatment must be assessed considering the patient’s condition.

Medical providers must give their patients a true and accurate description of their conditions and the treatments they propose, and patients usually can assess them as proportionate or disproportionate; but what happens when a patient’s condition prevents them from making these decisions? Patients have the right to prepare and to make their wishes known, even when they can’t make the decisions for themselves. This brings us to the reason for making advance plans.

Most Catholic ethicists recommend a Durable

Fr. Richard Libby, Chancellor of the Diocese and pastor at St. Helena of the True Cross of Jesus parish in Corpus Christi, answers questions on bioethics

Power of Attorney form, by which a person designates another person who will make health care decisions if the first person cannot make them. The agent (the person designated) will speak to the medical personnel on the patient’s behalf, assess the patient’s condition and the proposed treatments, and make the decision that is in the patient’s best interests. The Durable Power of Attorney form should not reject specific treatments out of hand and should give the agent the latitude necessary to make appropriate decisions. For us as Catholics, it is essential that we designate agents who share our Catholic values, especially our commitment to the sanctity of human life and our respect for the dignity of the person at all stages of life. The agent should have the strength of character to make the right decision when the time comes, and the agent should not hesitate to speak to a priest when more guidance is needed. Just as the guidance of the Church is helpful and comforting in sickness, it is helpful at the end of life and even after death. The sick and the suffering are particularly close to Jesus in their trials, and Jesus will count the care and kindness we render to them as done to Himself (Mt 25:31–40). We cannot avoid suffering and death, but those who care for their loved ones can take comfort in the Church’s guidance and be at peace knowing they have done their best for them.

Send your questions on bioethics to stc@diocesecc.org

Respect for the person’s dignity in all stages of life should be at the center of all decisions regarding the end of life.

Pexels

EXCERPTS OF POPE FRANCIS’ MESSAGES TO YOUNG

PEOPLE AT WORLD YOUTH DAY 2023

“God loves you as you are now”

You are not here by accident. The Lord has called you, not only these days but from the very beginning of your days... Think of this: Jesus called me by name. His words are inscribed in our hearts, and we realize that they are written in the hearts of every one of us as a kind of title that tells people who we are. You have been called by name … Why? Because we are loved. This is something beautiful. In God’s eyes, we are precious children, and He calls us each day to embrace and encourage us, to make us a unique and original masterpiece ... it means that for God, none of us is a number but a face and a heart. …

He trusts you, each of you, each of us because each of us matters to Him; each one of you matters to him. That is how Jesus is.

That is why we, his Church, are the community of those who are called: not of people who are better than others – no, absolutely not – but of sinners, called as such. Let us think seriously for a moment about that: we are called as we are, with our problems and limitations, our overflowing joy, and our desire to be better and to get ahead in this world. We are called as we are. Think of this: Jesus

calls me as I am, not as I want to be. We are the community of brothers and sisters of Jesus, sons and daughters of the same Father.

Friends, I want to be clear with you, for you are allergic to falsity and empty words: in the Church, there is room for everyone. Everyone. In the Church, no one is left out or left over. There is room for everyone. Just the way we are. Everyone. Jesus says this clearly. When he sends the apostles to invite people to the banquet a man had prepared, he tells them: “Go out and bring in everyone,” young and old, healthy and infirm, righteous and sinners. Everyone, everyone, everyone! ….

(Opening Ceremony, August 3)

“Joy is missionary”

“Mary set out and went with haste” (Lk 1:39). We might ask, why did Mary set out and go with haste to visit her cousin? Indeed, Mary had just learned that Elizabeth was pregnant, but so was she; so why go if no one had asked her to? ... Mary goes because she loves, and “whoever loves flies, runs and rejoices” (The Imitation of Christ, III, 5). That is what love does to us.

Pope Francis told young people at WYD, “The Church and the world need you!”

Mary’s joy is twofold: she had just received the angel’s message that she would welcome the Redeemer of the world, and she was also given the news that her cousin was pregnant. This is interesting: she thinks of the other instead of thinking about herself. Why? Because joy is missionary, joy is not just for one person but for sharing something with others …

In life, we cannot always do what we want, but we must do what leads us to respond to the vocation we sense deep within us – and everyone has their own vocation. Keep on walking. And if we fall, we get back up, or someone will help us get back up; let us not remain fallen and train ourselves to keep moving forward.

(Vigil, August 5)

“Be not afraid”

What will we take back with us? I would respond with these three words: shine, listen, and be unafraid. The first: to shine. Jesus is transfigured. The Gospel tells us: “his face shone like the sun” (Mt 17:2) … Dear young friends, today we too need something of this burst of light so that it can fill us with hope as we face the many failures of each day and the darkness that assails us in life and respond to them with the light of the resurrection of Jesus. For He is the light that never sets, that shines even in the dead of night. …

Yet, I would like to tell you that we do not radiate light by putting ourselves in the spotlight, for that type of light is blinding. No, we cannot illuminate others by projecting a perfect, well-ordered, refined image of ourselves or by appearing powerful and successful, strong but without light. No, we radiate light – we shine – by welcoming Jesus into our hearts and learning to love as he does... Friends, I am telling you the truth: whenever you do works of love, you become light. But the moment you stop loving others and become self-centered; you extinguish your light.

The second verb is to listen. On the mountain, a bright cloud overshadows the disciples. And what does it tell us, this cloud from which the Father speaks? “This is my Son, the Beloved… listen to him!” (Mt 17:5). Listen to him. To listen to Jesus, that is life’s secret… For he has the words of eternal life for us; he reveals that God is our Father, that God is love.

Finally, the third word: … “Do not be afraid!” (Mt 17:7).

As young people, you have experienced these days of joy ... You have great dreams but often fear that they may not come true; sometimes, you think that you are not up to the challenge, which is a kind of pessimism that can overcome us at times. ... As young people, you want to change the world – and it is excellent that you want to change the world – you want to work for justice and peace. You devote all your energy and creativity to this, but it still seems insufficient. Yet, the Church and the world need you, the young, as much as the earth needs rain. To all of you, dear young people, who are the present and the future, yes, Jesus now says: “Do not be afraid!” … He knows each of your hearts and your lives; he knows your joys, sorrows, successes and failures. Today, He says to you, here in Lisbon, at this World Youth Day: “Have no fear, take heart, do not be afraid!”

(Final Mass, August 6)

Taking into consideration the struggles that many young people are going through, Pope Francis quotes the words of St. Pope John Paul II, “Do not be afraid!!

Courtesy of YCA (2)

Fall Concert Series at the Cathedral starts on October 24: Loss and search for solace

The summer break is over –and while school, football and fundraisers are back for a while, the concerts at the Corpus Christi Cathedral will finally resume in October.

Music Director Alex Oldroyd has a personal connection to the first work – “The Sacred Veil” by American Composer Eric Whitacre, with texts by Charles Anthony Silvestri. It tells the story of courtship, love, loss and the search for solace after Silvestri’s wife Julie died of ovarian cancer at age 36 in 2005, leaving two young children and her husband behind.

“My parents both passed away from cancer,” says Oldroyd.

The music and lyrics deal with the thin veil that separates life and death.

T he concert is especially dedicated to cancer survivors and families affected by cancer. The choir of the Cathedral will be joined by the Corpus Christi Chorale, directed by Devin Davis The concert starts at 7 pm on Tuesday, October 24. Tickets will be available online or at the cathedral.

Th e Cathedral Christmas will take place on Wednesday, December 6, kicking off the Christmas season.

More on the 2023/24 concert series at the Cathedral in the Winter issue of STC.

Susanne Janssen

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