VOCATIONS

Chaplain priests proudly serve those who serve

By Jesse DeLeon

Correspondent N ational Military Appreciation Month is celebrated every year in May. It includes Memorial Day and Armed Forces Day – both days honor the many brave men and women who served or continue to serve our country. Amid the heartfelt remembrances, the month-long celebration resonates with a strong affirmation for diocesan priests, Father Raju Thottankara and Father Tung Tran, who continue to serve as chaplains for the brave men and women who risk it all in service of our country.

Although Father Thottankara is far away from his native India, he has navigated a genuinely remarkable mission as a military man, priest and chaplain.

After arriving in the United States in 2000, he served in the Air Force and, in 2010, achieved the rank of major. Father Thottankara’s commitment to his military duty dovetailed into his calling as a priest and chaplain, and it has become one that he wholeheartedly embraces.

Father Thottankara said the majority of his ministry depends on being a good listener. “As a chaplain, I counsel the men and women who have been overseas fighting,” Father Thottankara said. “I am there to console them and their spouses as they transition from the military lifestyle to civilian life.”

Father Thottankara is Vicar for Priests for the Diocese of Corpus Christi and also ministers to the people of St. Peter Prince of the Apostles, his home parish. Even though he enjoys fulfilling the demands of his work in the diocese, he still maintains a strong commitment to his military brethren.

“Two days every month, I travel to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio,” he says. “I celebrate Masses, hear confessions, and also counsel military personnel in person or on the phone.”

His ability to be an understanding presence and guide to the military personnel he counsels is what Father Thottankara Father Raju Thottankara

sees as his biggest challenge. Still, it is one that he wholeheartedly embraces and looks forward to continuing.

Diocesan priest and military chaplain, Father Tung Tran, also welcomes the tests and triumphs of serving the military men and women who seek his consolation, comfort and counsel. His commitment to his ministry has taken him across the globe to places like Naples, Italy, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, as well as Guam, Hawaii, Romania, Japan, Korea, Singapore and Thailand. From December of 2018 until the end of February 2020, Father Tran’s most recent assignment was at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, located in Jacksonville, North Carolina.

“I was a boat person during the exodus of the Vietnamese boat people after the Vietnam War,” recalls Father Tran. “In the Lenten and Easter seasons of 1984, I experienced hunger, robbery and a shipwreck in the exodus to freedom in the waters of Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia.”

After surviving that harrowing experience, it is somewhat ironic that he chose to return to the sea by enlisting in the United States Navy. His rank in the Navy is Lieutenant, which is the 3rd rank of a commissioned officer (O-3), the equivalent of Captain in other branches of the military. As both an officer and as a priest, his work continues to be both challenging and rewarding. “At Camp Lejeune, I was the only Catholic chaplain at one of the two largest Marine Corps bases in the United States,” he says. “This involved serving 40 thousand Marines and their dependents, so I was practically the pastor of a good-sized parish.”

The large number of Catholic military personnel Father Thottankara and Father Tran have ministered to in their respective assignments is truly impressive. Their unwavering commitment to continue their work makes them worthy of our thoughts and prayers in observance of Armed Forces Day.

Both priests are proud to serve those who serve. Father Tung Tran

All Services FREE: • Pregnancy Test • Limited Ultrasound • Baby Supplies • Parenting Classes • Adoption Information • Abortion Recovery Classes

4730 Everhart Rd 361.991.2008 www.ccpregnancy.org

Corpus Christi Pregnancy Resource Center

Open 7 Days A Week Prizes now up to $750

Sponsored by: Lost Pet Hotline, Peewee’s Pet Adoption World & Sanctuary, Inc., & Dobie Haven, Inc. Big Brothers, Big Sisters

9840 B Leopard Street, Corpus Christi (between Rand Morgan & McKenzie) (361) 241-8153

Help Us Prevent Financial Abuse The Diocese of Corpus Christi at the recommendation of the Diocesan Financial Council and Presbyteral Council have furthered their commitment to good stewardship and  nancial accountability on behalf of generous donors by instituting a  nancial abuse hotline. The Diocese of Corpus Christi has selected an independent third party, The Network, to provide you with a new way to anonymously and con dently report  nancial abuse and fraud. Employees, parishioners, volunteers, vendors and other interested parties will be encouraged to report concerns they have regarding  nancial misconduct within the Diocese of Corpus Christi. All inquiries will be treated promptly and discreetly. Callers will have the right to remain anonymous. Call 1-877-571-9748

SUNDAY MORNING PROGRAMMING Good Company For 35 years!

C all us at 361-289-2487 KLUX 89.5 HD-1 DIGITAL 5:00 - 6:00 Sacred Music 6:00 - 6:30 Jesus En Mi Vida Diaria 6:30 - 7:00 Spanish Rosary 7:00 - 7:30 Semillas De Esperanza 7:30 - 8:00 Con Permiso 8:00 - 8:30 The Catholic Cafe 8:30 - 9:00 Personally Speaking 9:00 - 9:30 Our Shepherd’s View 9:30 - 10:30 Cathedral Sun Mass Live 10:30 - 11:00 Christopher Close-Up 11:00 - 11:30 Catholic Answers Live

Listen Live at klux.org

Corpus Christi Cathedral Sunday Masses English & Spanish Broadcast / Online Schedule English Holy Mass, Sunday, 9:30 a.m. LIVE!

KDF-TV (consult cable guide for Ch #) KLUX 89.5 HD-1 Radio KLUX.org “ListenLive” audio stream GoCCN.org “Live Video” * Diocese of Corpus Christi Facebook * Corpus Christi Cathedral Facebook * vimeo.com/dioceseofcorpuschristi * YouTube.com (Search Diocese of Corpus Christi)

Public Access Television Replays (Corpus Christi Cable Systems)

Spectrum: Ch 1303 Tues. 7 p.m. & Thurs. 10 a.m. Ch 1304 Tues. 10 a.m. & Thurs. 8 p.m. Grande: Ch 10 Tues. 7 p.m. & Thurs. 10 a.m. Ch 18 Tues. 10 a.m. & Thurs. 8 p.m.

Holy Rosary can be heard on CCN Radio, KLUX HD-2 (Relevant Radio Network) Monday through Sunday at 7 p.m., followed by Daily Mass at 7:30 p.m. KLUX HD-2 is full time digital radio with Catholic news, talk, commentary and information, 24/7, and requires a digital receiver, available in most new autos and electronics stores. La Santa Misa, Sunday, 11 a.m. LIVE! GoCCN.org “Live Video” * Diocese of Corpus Christi Facebook * Corpus Christi Cathedral Facebook * vimeo.com/dioceseofcorpuschristi * YouTube.com (Search Diocese of Corpus Christi)

Public Access Television Replays (Corpus Christi Cable Systems)

Spectrum: Ch 1303 Tues. 10 a.m. & Thurs. 7 p.m. Ch 1304 Tues. 8 p.m. & Thurs. 10 a.m. Grande: Channel 10 Tues. 10 a.m. & Thurs. 7 p.m. Channel 18 Tues. 8 p.m. & Thurs. 10 a.m.

An extraordinary experience of God amid an unprecedented global crisis

By Bea Romo

Contributor I accompanied a group of ten students from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Newman Center on a service trip to the Café con Leche School in the Dominican Republic. We immersed ourselves in a cultural experience of service, community and spirituality. We deepened our relationship with God and with one another through service. The love, the novelty, the openness, the multiple encounters that we experienced, and the enthusiasm of everyone were the elements that gave birth to the ecosystem that nourished us throughout the week. It was in that ecosystem that everyone flourished while acquiring deep insights into life.

The team’s journey began much earlier than the trip itself. In September 2019, we started meeting regularly once a week to prepare individually and as a group. This preparation consisted of lots of work, fundraising, personal reflection, prayer, paperwork and developing school activities. During this time, we experienced beautiful growth as individuals and as a community. “God was present through it all – even before we left – we were fundraising and preparing our hearts to serve these children, and throughout Sophomore student, Shania Esquivel, above, teaches children from Café con Leche some English words. She shared that during their service week, they were able to teach the children to dance, make slime, and much more. “The feeling of seeing the children so happy and grateful for what they have had an enormous impact on me,” she said. “While we did teach the students many things, I was ultimately the student at the end of each day. I was able to learn about their culture, ways of living, new foods, language, and overall, how to appreciate everything that God has given to me.” Bea Romo | for STC

the journey,” Jessie Baza said.

God’s love empowered us throughout this period in many ways, especially through the overwhelming support of our Newman community and many local parishes, organizations, and individuals who made this trip possible thanks to their donations and personal gifts.

The group arrived in Santo Domingo on March 7, before the coronavirus had become a pandemic. The small group worked with young children in a school in one of the most impoverished neighborhoods’ in the outskirts of the country’s capital. And they were hosted by a Focolare group that lived in a house nearby.

On the first day at the school, Cafe con Leche (coffee with milk), we had the impression that there was some disorganization at times. Nonetheless, there was a powerful sense of harmony that took you over and swirled you into the atmosphere of love that they teach and practice at the school. Our time there was a “school of life,” and we were gifted with so many fundamental lessons in only seven days.

The whole experience was amazing! We felt so blessed for being called to be part of it. We immersed ourselves in community life, in a constant “self-giving” mindset, in the new friends that we were making at the retreat center and at the school and in a different culture that made us more dependent on one another. It opened the way for us to slide into the powerful experience of God that each one of us had. One of the main takeaways that came out of this experience is that every participant reflected on the reality lived in those days is the experience of love. Many of the students referred to this in several ways:

“This experience has opened my eyes to God’s love. The students at Cafe con Leche really showed me how to love my neighbor. I strive to love like they do,” Katelyn Jezierski said.

And another student, Natasha Medina said, “I felt God when we saw where these kids live, it truly touched my heart, it was definitely heartbreaking to see, but it reminded me to be so grateful for what I have,”

“The love that was shown in the Dominican Republic is a love so deep that it truly cannot be put into words. I can only relate the feeling to a type of love given to us by God,” Shania Esquivel said.

And Aliciana Mireles shared, “The main highlight for me was the unconditional love that I received from the children at Cafe con Leche. Regardless of the hardships these children experience on a daily basis. They never fail to express their love for one another and towards us.”

The community and spirituality aspect during these days was a key piece in this whole experience as we supported and enriched one another in unthinkable ways. As Yasmin Sanchez and Michael Lozano put it in their own words, respectively: “Living in community for a week was way better than I expected! I saw God in every single one of my brothers and sisters as we grew closer every day throughout our laughs and struggles. Although I was out of my comfort zone, I never felt uncomfortable,” Sanchez said. “We started every morning with an intention, we went to daily Mass, and we prayed during the entire day. Ever since – I’ve been praying for the smallest reasons.”

We’ve built some unbreakable bonds through both the easier and tougher times. We grew together in this experience, and words can’t describe how much I thank them for everything,” Lozano said.

“I saw God’s presence throughout the week through Marisol, the principal of the school, the volunteers and teachers,” Mireles recalls. “Marisol shared some amazing words with us and stated that regardless of where we were in the world, we will always be family and are all children of the same Father, and it showed throughout the week.”

Little did we know that by the end of the week, we were going to come back to a different world than the one we had left. “During this time of global crisis, this service trip has brought some perspective in my life, senior Jessie Baza said. “Life is fragile, and plans change quickly – our experience has taught me how to go with the flow – because we aren’t going to be in control of every situation.

In many ways, the group prepared for eventual difficulties, but you can never prepare enough for the moment when you experience them in real-time. These setbacks always came in the most unexpected ways and challenged us to overcome them.

Sanchez said she struggled to keep laughter and jokes to a minimum at inappropriate times like prayer or someone speaking. “I struggled not having my entire closet to put together an outfit. I struggled being bitten by mosquitoes in the middle of most nights (which consisted of little sleep as well). I struggled to lend an ear when I was ready to rest. I struggled to keep my stuff confined to my area when I had to share a tight space.”

Sanchez shared that she saw God everywhere, especially at the Focolare house where they stayed. “The Focolare women that graciously hosted us, greeted us with open arms so early every morning, then every evening; with gourmet meals, a helping hand, and ears to hear out our day. God shined in their kindness through serving us amid their everyday lives, with compassion, and love no matter what.”

She said she overcame these struggles by focusing a little more on God through everything she faced. “I started with apologizing to those I ignored. The mosquito bites and itch were a reminder that I was in another country for someone other than myself, so I offered them up to God. I pushed myself to be patient with lending an ear because I would want the same thing, and lastly, I learned how to organize myself with the tight space that had been provided, Sanchez said. “I made a little dirty clothes-section, a tomorrow’s outfit-section, and why did I even pack you? section.”

It was a gift for each one of us that will still keep on shaping our lives as we move forward in time. It was a transformative experience filled with graces that will take a lifetime to unpack.

See full story and photos at SouthTexasCatholic.com/news/DRmission. See story in Spanish at SouthTexasCatholic.com/news/DRmision-spanish.

Bea Romo is a consecrated lay member of the Focolare movement. She accompanies young people in their journey of faith, offering spiritual direction to students at the TAMUCC Newman Center and Holy Family Parish.

Dutch Supreme Court rules doctors can euthanize dementia patients

By Christine Rousselle

Catholic News Agency T he Supreme Court of the Netherlands ruled on Tuesday, April 21, that it is lawful for doctors to euthanize patients with severe dementia, provided that the patient had expressed a desire to be euthanized while still legally capable of doing so.

Lower courts had previously ruled that a doctor had not acted improperly when he euthanized a 74-year-old woman with advanced dementia, even though the woman had to be repeatedly sedated and physically restrained during the procedure. The case was sent to the Supreme Court for further clarification of the country’s euthanasia law, which permits doctors to kill patients considered to be in “unbearable suffering.”

Per Dutch law, euthanasia is only legal for those with dementia if they had written or discussed an advanced directive with their doctor.

“For some people, the prospect of ever suffering from dementia may be sufficient reason to make an advance directive (living will). This can either be drawn up independently or discussed first with the family doctor. A physician can perform euthanasia on a patient with dementia only if such a directive exists, if statutory care is taken and if, in his opinion, the patient is experiencing unbearable suffering with no prospect of improvement,” says the Dutch government’s website.

The woman who resisted her euthanization had written an advanced directive four years prior, requesting the procedure in lieu of being put in a nursing home. In the directive, she had said she wished to “be able to decide while still in my senses and when I think the time is right.”

Prosecutors argued that her attempt to fight off the doctor indicated that she could have changed her mind, but was unable to verbally communicate.

Dr. Charles Camosy, a professor at Fordham University and bioethicist, told CNA that the supreme court decision is part of a legal “slippery slope” in the Netherlands on euthanasia. Camosy said that patients with conditions including mental deterioration will be at the heart of future debate.

“I believe the next great fight over fundamental human equality will be over the value of human beings with advanced dementia,” he said. “It is impossible, in my view, to separate what is happening in the Netherlands from the broad rejection in the post-Christian West of fundamental human equality.”

A person with advanced dementia or a severe brain injury, Camosy said, is unable to communicate consent to be euthanized, meaning that the doctor performing the euthanasia will be likely the one to decide if the patient is in severe enough suffering to merit death.

Shutterstock photo

“Doctors are notoriously bad at judging these things,” said Camosy. “Study after study finds that they rate the quality of life of their patients worse than the patients do themselves. They assume people want more quality of life than length of life, when in fact the numbers show exactly the opposite.”

Camosy told CNA that given how the Netherlands has euthanized newborn infants, who are also unable to communicate a degree of suffering, for about two decades, “it follows logically that they could say it about someone with late-stage dementia.”

“Like prenatal human beings, and human beings with massive brain injuries, human beings with late-stage dementia simply don’t ‘count,’ morally speaking, the same as human beings that have been determined to have the traits that make someone a person,” he said.

Instead of further expanding euthanasia, Camosy suggested that the Netherlands instead ramp up the number of caregivers for dementia patients, and work to empower families of dementia patients to provide care for them.