South Texas Catholic - April 2013 by South Texas Catholic

SOUTH TEX AS CATHOLIC | APRIL 2013

www.SouthTexasCatholic.com

ON THE

VOL. 48 NO. 4 Publisher Most Rev. Wm. Michael Mulvey, STL DD

COVER

Pope Francis looks out over the audience in Paul VI hall as he meets with journalists March 16 at the Vatican.

Photo by Marcin Mazur, Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, Catholic News Service

Editor Alfredo E. Cárdenas ACardenas@diocesecc.org Theological Consultant Father Joseph Lopez JCL JLopez@diocesecc.org Associate Editor Mary E. Cottingham MCottingham@diocesecc.org Administrative Assistant Adel Rivera ARivera@diocesecc.org Correspondents Rebecca Esparza, Julissa Hernandez, Timothy Hatch, Luisa Scolari If you or someone you know would like to receive the South Texas Catholic call us at (361) 882-6191 Office Address: 620 Lipan Corpus Christi TX 78401-2434 E-MAIL: stc@diocesecc.org www.southtexascatholic.com FAX: (361) 693-6701

Calendar Items

Bishop making pilgrimage to rural parishes in diocese Plans to visit every parish and mission

Submit your announcements by using our online form, e-mail, fax, mail, or drop it off at the Chancery office. Only announcements for the month of publication will be included in the print edition, if space permits. All other calendar items will appear on the magazine or diocese Web sites. The South Texas Catholic is not liable or in any way responsible for the content of any advertisement appearing within these pages. All claims, offers guarantees, statements, etc. made by advertisers are solely the responsibility of the advertiser. Deceptive or misleading advertising is never knowingly accepted. Complaints regarding advertising should be made directly to the advertiser or to the Better Business Bureau. (USPSN 540-860) Published monthly by the Diocese of Corpus Christi for $25 per year. Periodical postage paid in Corpus Christi Texas. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to South Texas Catholic 620 Lipan, Corpus Christi TX 78401-2434.

Keeping up with the Faith...

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Will also house parish offices

14 20 15 34

SouthTexasCatholic.com

St. John of the Cross gets new rectory

North Dakota sets limits on abortions Bans if fetal heartbeat detected

Sister sacrificed life

Most precious gift

Bishop Mulvey celebrates Mass of Thanksgiving, speaks to media

Marriage debate III

Pope Francis’ installation homily

I believe in one Lord

Vatican II Symposium Covers Church in the Modern World, Divine Revelation

Junta Guadalupanas Reunión de presidentes revisa programa para próximo año

Local reaction to Pope

Challenges Catholics

1919 hurricane claimed Sister Thais at Spohn Sanitarium

Sister Maria Begoña reflects on vocation to consecrated life

The nature of things

A continuing examination of the Nicene Creed

APRIL 2013 | SOUTH TEX AS CATHOLIC

Father James Foelker, OMI (left), Bishop Mulvey and retired Navy Chaplain Father Lee Guarnieri concelebrated Mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Sarita. Rebecca Esparza for South Texas Catholic

SOUTH TEX AS CATHOLIC | APRIL 2013

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PARISH LIFE

Lifelong Sarita resident and parishioner Lupita Cuellar visits with Bishop Mulvey after Mass. Rebecca Esparza for South Texas Catholic

Bishop Mulvey on pilgrimage to Rural parishes and missions Rebecca Esparza Correspondent

upita Cuellar, 62, is a lifelong parishioner at Our Lady of Guadalupe in Sarita who has seen her share of heart-warming, spiritual moments at the church. But when Bishop Wm. Michael Mulvey made www.SouthTexasCatholic.com

a pastoral visit to the small parish on March 10, she was especially filled with joy. “It was emotional for me,” a visibly moved Cuellar said. “To have Bishop Mulvey make a trip to our little church…it was an extra blessed Sunday. I’ve seen him on television and read stories about him in newspapers and magazines, but it’s a special feeling to meet him in person, APRIL 2013 | SOUTH TEX AS CATHOLIC

it’s been awhile since we saw him last, he still remembered here at home.” us, which shows his deep connection with people,” ValenLocal parishioners were excited to pitch in and help zuela said. make Bishop Mulvey’s visit to Sarita a special one, accordBishop Mulvey said his travels throughout the diocese ing to Father James Foelker, OMI, pastor at Our Lady of during Lenten season hold a special meaning for him, as Guadalupe. “Our parishioners decided right away to host a luncheon for Bishop Mulvey after Mass, with less than a week to prepare,” he said, with a chuckle. “We only have approximately 35 registered families, but together we managed to get things done.” Bishop Mulvey has made an extensive effort to visit every parish and mission across the Diocese of Corpus Christi during the past six months. Just recently, he’s visited churches in Pettus, Tivoli, O’Connor Ranch, Bishop, Driscoll, Ben Bolt among others and will continue until he makes it to every parish and mission. “I enjoy visiting smaller churches I’ve never been to before,” Bishop Mulvey said. “I get to meet people and connect with them on an individual level. As bishop of a large Bishop Mulvey visits with Alex Jimenez of Riviera during a luncheon after Mass at diocese, it’s easy to get bogged down on Our Lady of Guadalupe in Sarita. administrative tasks, so I like to move from Rebecca Esparza for South Texas Catholic behind the desk once in a while. I want to meet the people I am actually serving.” During his homily at the church, Bishop Mulvey implored with parishioners to leave sin behind, especially during the Lenten season. “We must have the humility to say ‘I have sinned.’ Today’s Gospel reminds us to examine our lives and ask ourselves ‘Where do I fail in loving God and loving my neighbor?’ Forgiveness is an encounter with God’s mercy. God is love. It’s a beautiful message that is ours to give to the world,” he said. After mass, Bishop Mulvey stayed to personally greet each parishioner as they left the church. Most headed directly to the parish hall, where a delicious carne guisada lunch with all the trimmings was served. Michael Valenzuela, a first year diaconate aspirant from nearby Riviera, said although he and his family have met Bishop Mulvey before, it was wonderful to interact First year diaconate aspirant Michael Valenzuela and his family pose for a photo with with him again. Bishop Mulvey after Mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe in Sarita. “He’s very down to earth. Even though Rebecca Esparza for Sou Rebecca Esparza for South Texas Catholic

SOUTH TEX AS CATHOLIC | APRIL 2013

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Lent is known as a journey of faith. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ultimately, my ministry as bishop is with the people,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been given a great opportunity to visit with many beautiful people along the way and I look forward to many more visits across south Texas.â&#x20AC;?

St. James Parish - Bishop

Outreach to victims and survivors of sexual abuse by clergy and/or church personnel %LVKRS :P 0LFKDHO 0XOYH\ DQG WKH VWDŕ´&#x2122; RI WKH 'LRFHVH RI &RUSXV &KULVWL DUH FRPPLWWHG WR DVVLVWLQJ LQ WKH KHDOLQJ SURFHVV IRU YLFWLPV DQG VXUYLYRUV RI DEXVH Bishop Wm. Michael Mulvey visited St. James Parish in Bishop on March 3. Pictured with Bishop Mulvey (from left) are Father Ryszard A. Koziol, STD, Belinda Garza and Victoria Reyna. Sacred Heart Mission

Sacred Heart Mission - Pettus

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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 Âżnancial accountability on behalf of generous donors by instituting a Âżnancial 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 conÂżdently report Âżnancial abuse and fraud. Employees, parishioners, volunteers, vendors and other interested parties will be encouraged to report concerns they have regarding Âżnancial 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

Bishop Wm. Michael Mulvey visited Sacred Heart Mission in Pettus on Jan. 27. Bishop Mulvey concelebrated Mass with Father Joseph Varghese, priest-in-charge of Sacred Heart Mission (at right) and Father Luke Thirunelliparambil, pastor at Our Lady of Victory Parish in Beeville (at left). Also pictured is altar server Dexter Staples. To view a photo album on the visit go to diocesecc.org/Pettus. Sacred Heart Mission www.SouthTexasCatholic.com

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SOUTH TEX AS CATHOLIC | APRIL 2013

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St. John of the Cross

Parish gets new rectory, offices Alfredo E. Cardenas

O South Texas Catholic

n Sunday, March building. 10, Msgr. Louis Msgr. Kihneman congratulated FaPrince Kuruvila and parishioners Kihneman III, ther on a fine building that will meet the needs for years to come. The Vicar General and Chan- parish’s 3,100 square-foot structure, built at cost of $460,000, includes a threecellor of the Diocese of abedroom and two-car garage residence Corpus Christi, joined pa- to accommodate the resident priest visiting priests, as well as, an area rishioners at St. John of the and for a secretarial oﬃce, the pastor’s ofce, a storage room and conference Cross in Orange Grove for firoom/day chapel. The building is part of a master Mass and a blessing of the plan initiated by the parish in parish’s new rectory/office building 2010, said building committee chair-

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man Rick Svetlik. He is part of an eight member committee appointed to review the status of all buildings on the St. John of the Cross campus. Other members include Father Kuruvila, Tom Karkoska, Ernest Henderson, Don Rokohl, Joe Ortiz, Alice Wright and Diana Treviño. Svetlik said the master plan called for building the parish offices first and then the rectory but the Diocesan Building Commission advised the committee that it would be more advantageous from a cost standpoint to build both at the same time. The project was initially to be paid from a Parish Building Fund but since its APRIL 2013 | SOUTH TEX AS CATHOLIC

initiation the diocese undertook the Legacy of Faith~Future of Hope capital campaign and plans now call to use pledges from that campaign to support the existing building fund. The new building replaced the rectory completed on Dec. 29, 1926 at a cost of $1,710. Father Michael Puig of San Patricio founded St. John of the Cross 13 years earlier, on June 15, 1913. Five families gathered at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Diersing for the first Mass. Father Puig returned periodically until January 1914 when Bishop Paul Nussbaum, CP asked Father Erasmo Gloeckner, CP from Sacred Heart in Alice to establish a mission at Orange Grove. On Nov. 8, 1914, Bishop Nussbaum had a new church built with the help of the Catholic Church Extension Society at a cost of $1,191. After the blessing, Bishop Nussbaum administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to 39 children from Orange Grove, Sandia, Anna Rose and Cregg. Father Joseph Solsona came to celebrate Mass twice a month. In 1920 St. John of the Cross became a mission of St. Isidore in Fal-

Father Prince Kuruvila, Pastor of St. John of the Cross in Orange Grove, joins Msgr. Louis Kihneman III in congratulating parishioners on their new rectory and parish office buiding. Alfredo Cardenas, South Texas Catholic

furrias; in 1923, it was a mission of St. Elizabeth in Alice; and it became a full parish on Jan. 1, 1925 with Father Frank Kasper serving as its first resident pastor. The new parish had missions in Sandia, Alfred and Casa Blanca. In 1929, Father Joseph J. Hoellmann was appointed pastor and served until

his retirement at age 86 in 1955. On Sept. 8, 1948, Father Hoellmannâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;by then a monsignorâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;broke ground for a new church. Construction was suspended on July 11, 1949, when the project put the parish in financial difficulties. With the help of the diocese, work resumed and the current church was dedicated on June 10, 1951. Without any furnishings the church cost $76,840. During its early years, the faith community in Orange Grove faced many challenges from hurricanes to drought to confronting anti-Catholic bigotry from the Ku Klux Klan, but the community at St. John of the Cross kept close to their faith,

Parishioners at St. John of the Cross in Orange Grove bow their heads in thanksgiving as Msgr. Kihneman blesses their new rectory/ offices. Alfredo Cardenas, South Texas Catholic

SOUTH TEX AS CATHOLIC | APRIL 2013

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were nourished by it and supported it in return. St. John of the Cross has given the Diocese of Corpus Christi three of its children. Mary Gabriel Gajdos entered consecrated life on March 25, 1926, and made her final profession seven years later on March 25, 1933. Sister Mary Raphael Bartosch became a novice at Incarnate Word on April 9, 1928, and made her final profession on April 22, 1935. On May 18, 1939, Sister Mary Raphael’s brother, Engelbert Bartosch, was ordained a priest. Father Stanley C. Brach was appointed pastor in January 1956 and found the rectory in disrepair and quickly set out to remodel it with help from the diocese. In May 1962, Father Charles M. McNaboe replaced Father Brach as pastor and found a parish with a significant debt. His priority, as directed by Bishop Mairano S. Garriga, was to retire this debt. He soon organized the “bingo games” that put Orange Grove on the map. Every Monday evening hundreds

New rectory and office building will provide residence for priest and space for parish staff . Alfredo Cardenas, South Texas Catholic

of cars converged on Orange Grove, “doubling its population.” With the help of faithful parishioners, Father McNaboe retired the debt in less than four years.

Msgr. Kihneman blessed the new rectory and parish offices. He told parishioners they would not have to worry about this need for many years to come. Alfredo Cardenas, South Texas Catholic www.SouthTexasCatholic.com

He also bought buildings from the Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi, relocated them to the church property and transformed them into CCD classrooms and a parish hall. Central heat and air were installed at the church in 1965. Father Celestine Murray served as pastor beginning in September 1966. In 1971 the Catholic Civic Center was built to replace the old hall destroyed by Hurricane Celia. In 1974 the church was completely renovated and the sanctuary remodeled to comply with the new liturgy introduced by the Second Vatican Council. Father Seamus McGowan who served as pastor for 16 years, beginning in 1977, made additional renovations. St. John of the Cross parish continues to this day to seek to improve its church. The Master Plan adopted in 2010 calls for the religious education building to be replaced in the next five to 10 years. The estimated cost of that project is $1.5 million. For now Father Kuruvila, his staﬀ and parishioners will take a well-earned break and enjoy their new quarters. APRIL 2013 | SOUTH TEX AS CATHOLIC

Buildings rising Legacy of faith projects underway As the Diocese of Corpus Christi and its parishes continue to receive contributions from the Legacy of Faith~Future of Hope capital campaign, projects funded by the effort are going up throughout the diocese. In Kingsville construction is lagging a little behind schedule on the Newman Center dorms and Catholic Student Center, but John Bynum, Superintendent wit KWA Construction, said they would be ready for the beginning of school in the fall.

Dave Wyrwich Legacy of Faith Development Specialist for the Office of Parish Stewardship and Development

Over on Saratoga and Kostoryz in Corpus Christi, construction activity is buzzing on the St. John Vianney Home for Priests. Hernan Perez, Construction Superintendent with CLK Architects & Associates said the project would be ready for

For more information about Legacy of Faith, Future of Hope go to: www.diocesecc.org/Legacy

move in October of this year. The diocese, meanwhile, has contracted Dave Wyrwich as its new Legacy of Faith~Future of Hope Development Specialist for the Office of Parish Stewardship and Development. He will be the liaison between the diocese and parishes and will assist pastors with making sure that pledges result in contributions. Wyrwich is a member of the Corpus Christi Cathedral Parish where he serves as financial secretary and the Knights of Columbus.

Construction on dorms at the Newman Center on the campus of Texas A&M University-Kingsville is well underway (at right). Hernan Perez (below) project superintendent for the St. John Vianney Residence for Priests reviews plans as crews lay out the foundation for the apartments phase of the project. Both projects will be ready for occupancy later this year. Alfredo E. Cardenas, South Texas Catholic

SOUTH TEX AS CATHOLIC | APRIL 2013

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Vatican II

‘...not just about the Church, but the entire world’ Alfredo E. Cardenas South Texas Catholic

“

audium es Spes was meant for you, you are in the front lines,” Bishop Wm. Michael Mulvey told members of the laity at the second Vatican II Symposium sponsored by the Diocese of Corpus Christi as part of the Year of Faith.

The Second Vatican Council adopted Gaudium es Spes, the Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World in December 1965 as part of a series of charters spelling out and explaining church doctrine and its mission. In addition to Gaudium es Spes, the council also adopted Sacrosanctum Concilium, Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy (1963), Lumen Gentium, Dogmatic Constitution on the Church (1964) and Dei Verbum, Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation (November 1965). Earlier this year the diocese held a symposium on Sacrosanctum Concilium and Lumen Gentium. On March 9, some 200 faithful gathered in the St. Joseph Hall at the Corpus Christi Cathedral to hear presentations on Gaudium es Spes and Dei Verbum. Father Donald Nesti, CSSp, Director of the Center for Faith and Culture

SOUTH TEX AS CATHOLIC | APRIL 2013

Father Donald Nesti, CSSp Director of the Center for Faith and Culture at St. Thomas University, Houston

at St. Thomas University in Houston, told the audience that Gaudium es Spes was intended to “assist the faithful to live in the world, not just in liturgy.” “It’s not just about the Church, but the entire world,” Father Nesti said. “God’s covenant with us makes us unique but not separated.” Gaudium es Spes includes two parts. The first is doctrinal in nature and

Father Thomas Norris Paluch Professor of Theology at Mundelein Seminary

treats the dignity of the human person, the community of humankind, human activity throughout the world and the role of the Church in the modern world. The second part delves into the dignity of marriage and the family, proper development of the culture, economic, political and social life and fostering peace and promotion of a community of nations.

Father Tom Norris explained that in Dei Verbum, Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation, the Second Vatican Council set out the teaching on divine revelation, “so that by hearing the message of salvation the whole world may believe...” Alfredo Cardenas, South Texas Catholic www.SouthTexasCatholic.com

NEWS OF THE DIOCESE

Some 200 of the faithful attended the second diocesan symposium on the documents of Vatican II. They heard presentations on Gaudium es Spes, the Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World and Dei Verbum, Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation. Alfredo Cardenas, South Texas Catholic

The Church, Father Nesti said, is linked to mankind and history; it is not removed from the world but is in the world. He said that in talking about the dignity of the human person, many Catholics think about abortion and euthanasia, “but the dignity of the human person goes far beyond that, in our responsibility for people in the world,” the dispossessed and the poor. Charity, he said, is the essential ministry of the Church in the world. “The world needs to be blessed through us because of God’s covenant with us, which makes us unique; but not separate. It heightens our responsibility,” Father Nesti said. The Church is a communion in its diversity; it is not an individualistic society in which “we just think about ourselves.” And we must not just reach out to fellow Catholics, or our Christian brothers, but our concerns must extend even to those who do not believe in Christ and even to the opponents of Christianity. Catholics need to engage the world responsibly through dialogue and parwww.SouthTexasCatholic.com

ticipation. The Gospels, “rooted in the Lordship of Christ and the Incarnate Word,” provide a road map on how Catholics can live in the world, Father Nesti said. The Year of Faith, Father Nesti said, “is window washing time.” Catholics need to take the window of faith, as represented by Jesus, and clean it up “so we can see the world clearly.” “We must see God clearly. We must see the human person clearly,” Father Nesti said. “You are formed by your culture but you are also formed by your faith.” Catholics should be looking to be united in Christ and be a united witness as Church. Father Nesti reminded his audience of words from Gaudium es Spes often quoted by Bishop Mulvey, that we have a responsibility to “make Church the home and school of communion.” Father Nesti told the laity that their vocation requires them to transform society. “You are the ones that have in your hands the transformation of the world. It is your job,” Father Nesti said. In Dei Verbum the Second Vatican

Watch videos and listen to podcasts of the Vatican II Symposium here: www.diocesecc.org/VIIV Read documents of Vatican II here: www.diocesecc.org/VIID Upcoming Year of Faith events: April 6-7 - St. John the Baptist Parish: Divine Mercy Sunday Holy Hour at 3 p.m. April 19 - Pax Christi Year of Faith Conference 9 a.m.-noon at OMNI Bayfront Hotel April 28 - Spiritual Evening of Reﬂection for Married Couples at Schoenstatt Center, 4343 Gaines Street, Corpus Christi APRIL 2013 | SOUTH TEX AS CATHOLIC

Council sought to set out the Church’s teaching on divine revelation, “so that by hearing the message of salvation the whole world may believe, by believing it may hope, and by hoping it may love.” The council, Father Tom Norris said, hoped to share the Good News. Father Norris, Paluch Professor of Theology at Mundelein Seminary, spoke at the symposium on Dei Verbum. “During the Year of Faith, we should study this document to learn not only what we believe but why we believe it,” Father Norris said. Revelation, he said, precedes religion and the scriptures. They are the muscles of the Christian faith but they came after revelation; indeed revelation is the source of faith, love and charity. God loved us first before we loved Him. Father Norris explained revelation using three paradigms. First he used an analogy of immigration; secondly he explained revelation as the intersection

of searches–of God for man and man for God; and in the third example he used the mystery of the cross. Every immigrant must do two things. First, the immigrant must adapt to the people and culture they are now living amongst. Second, they must bring elements of their homeland with them to minimize their homesickness. The immigration of Jesus to Earth is at the heart of Catholic faith, Father Norris said. Jesus adapted perfectly to His surroundings. He made Himself one with the people in everything except sin. At the same time, He brought with Him the life of His homeland in heaven, the life of mutual love between the Father and the Son. “He gave us a share in the life of Himself, the life of love and died to give us the life of His homeland,” Father Norris said. From time immemorial man has been in search for his origins, for the

purpose of life. In its many forms, this search has been a search for God from below, a search for communion with the divine. God too has been searching for man from above. In the fullness of time, God sent His beloved Son to fulfill this longing. “At that moment, our search from below and God’s search from above intersect, they bond and you find a God-man Jesus the messiah,” Father Norris said. Finally, Father Norris said, “Divine revelation is what we look at on the cross of Calvary.” The eternal God occupies the cross. It is the victory of life over death. “Calvary shows the depth of the love of God. The cross is a Trinitarian event,” Father Norris said. He concluded by pointing out that the “key word of the council is communion because it is the life of the Trinity.”

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(361) 289-9095 Bookstore: Ext. 309 Retreats: Ext. 321

SOUTH TEX AS CATHOLIC | APRIL 2013

April 4-7: Divine Mercy Retreat (men and women) April 7: Divine Mercy Sunday Day of Prayer 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. followed by the 1st Sunday. St. Peregrine Healing Mass at 4 p.m. in our Adoration Chapel. Confessions available all day. April 12: Benefit Golf Tournament - 8am Shotgun Start. Sponsorship Levels Available. Team Entry Fee (4 golfers) $400.00, includes Green Fees, Cart, Breakfast and Lunch. For more information Al Lujan at (361) 215-8173 or email alfredlujan@yahoo.com. Applications also available at OLCC. Thank you for your support! April 13: True Devotion Day of Prayer 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. April 18-21: Men’s Silent Retreat April 27: Day of Prayer “Deepening your life in Christ” in St. Joseph’s Beeville May 2-5: Women’s Silent Retreat May 13: Global Living Rosary at 7 p.m. in the Adoration Chapel. May 16-19: Men’s Silent Retreat June 28-30: Marriage Encounter Weekend. To sign up go to: www. mecorpuschristi.org or to request an application, email ccwwme. register@gmail.com or call 361-851-8306.

June 8: 1st Annual DOME FEST! Music Festival for the whole family with a “special guest singer”! For more information for the silent retreats, please visit www.deepprayer.org or “Come and See” Jesus in our beautiful Perpetual Adoration Chapel! www.ourladyofcc.org AND “Like” us on facebook @ “Our Lady of Corpus Christi and Cafe Veritas”

www.SouthTexasCatholic.com

The Melchizedek Project: Day of Reflection The Melchizedek Project is a discernment group for high school seniors and above who love Jesus Christ and His Church, and who are willing to talk to other like-minded men about their future. The Day of Reflection is NOT meant to convince you that priesthood is your vocation. You could very well be called to marriage or another vocation. It takes prayer and study to discover your TRUE vocation. The Day of Reflection will be led by Fr. Peter Stanley, Associate Vocation Director on Saturday, April 27, 2013 at Ss. Cyril & Methodius Parish –Works of Mercy Building (3310 South Padre Island Drive) from 10:00 am– 12:00 pm. For more information or to RSVP, please contact Amy Palomo at (361) 882-6191.

God does not call the equipped, he equips the called. Oﬃce of Vocations (361) 882-6191 www.ccpriest.com

www.SouthTexasCatholic.com

APRIL 2013 | SOUTH TEX AS CATHOLIC

DIOCESE OF CORPUS CHRISTI NEWS BRIE Advocacy Day 2013 slated for April 9 at state capitol A delegation from the Diocese of Corpus Christi will go to Austin on April 9 to take part in Catholic Faith in Action Advocacy Day. Approximately 2,500 Catholics from across the state, including some 300 from the Diocese of Corpus Christi, will descend upon Austin to meet and speak to the state senators and legislators who represent them. All 12 Texas bishops, including Bishop Wm. Michael Mulvey are scheduled to attend. Hosted by the Texas Catholic Conference, the voice for bishops in the state, Advocacy Day provides an opportunity for Catholics to promote the Church’s values of Life, Justice, Charity and Religious Freedom to the 83rd Texas Legislature. The day will start with prayers in the House and Senate, followed by a rally on the south steps of the capitol. Diocesan coordinators throughout the state continue to organize and prepare for the big day. “We hope that everyone can join the Texas bishops and the 2,000 plus Catholics from across the state, who have already committed to attending the rally,” Deacon Stephen Nolte, Advocacy Day Coordinator for the Diocese of Corpus Christi said. For more information contact Deacon Nolte at (361) 882-6191.

Father Stembler named Spiritual Chair of NCCW Father James Stembler has been named Chair of Spiritual Advisors for the National Council of Catholic Women. In the group’s 90-year history this is the first time someone from Father James Texas has received this Stembler honor. pastor of St. Gertrude Father Stembler, Parish in Kingsville pastor of St. Gertrude Parish in Kingsville, has previously served as the Corpus Christi Area Moderator, Diocesan Moderator and Province Moderator for the Galveston-Houston Archdiocese.

SOUTH TEX AS CATHOLIC | APRIL 2013

Rosalie Bohuslav (left) and Ellen Zdansky present Bishop Mulvey with two checks for priests education and priests retirement. Mary Cottingham, South Texas Catholic

KJT makes donation to priests education, retirement fund Ellen Zdansky, State Director of the Catholic Union of Texas (KJT), and Rosalie Bohuslav, local society president, presented Bishop Wm. Michael Mulvey two checks and a cookbook on March 4. One of the checks will go toward priests education and the other toward the priests retirement fund. KJT was founded in 1889 by a group of men of Czech descent. The initials “KJT” stand for the name of the society in the Czech language, “Katolicka Jednota Texaska.” Membership is open to all Christians. The KJT’s mission is to provide fraternal, financial and insurance programs for its members and to promote family relationships through fraternal activities of its societies and religious programs of the Catholic Church. Volunteerism among its societies for parish, community and civic related causes is also encouraged. For more information about KJT visit their Web site at: www.KJnet.org

Treasures of the Sea Gala

The Pax Christi Sisters are sponsoring a“Year of Faith Conference” on Friday, April 19, from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and the Annual Treasures of the Sea Gala later that evening from 5:45-11 p.m. Guest speaker is Msgr. Eduardo Chavez, PhD, www.SouthTexasCatholic.com

FS Doctor of Church history and postulator for the cause of canonization of Saint Juan Diego. The conference and Gala will be held at the Omni Bayfront Hotel on 900 N. Shoreline Blvd. in Corpus Christi. Tickets for the conference are $40 per person, includes lunch. At the Gala there will be a silent and live auction, dinner, dance and live music. Gala tickets are $100 per person. For conference tickets contact Sister Guadalupe Cervantes at (361) 241-2833 or email: sisterguadalupe@gmail.com. For those who purchase Treasures of the Sea Gala tickets there will be a 50 percent discount applied to the conference ticket purchase. For Gala tickets call Myrna Rodriguez at (361) 947-7299 or Pax Christi Sisters at (361) 241-2833. All proceeds benefit the Pax Christi Liturgical Retreat Center.

at the IWBS Convent, located at 2930 South Alameda in Corpus Christi. For information, contact Sister Anna Marie Espinosa, IWBS at (361) 774-4910.

Theology on Tap: Personal finance tips for young adults

IWBS Sisters Mary Anne Pagano (left, clockwise), Maria Elizabeth

The Diocese of Corpus Christi Young Adult and Campus Ministry will host a Theology on Tap on Tuesday, April 2, from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at Carino’s Italian Restaurant located at 1652 SPID in Corpus Christi. Tim Legamaro, President of Legamaro Financial Services, will provide financial advice for young adults from a Catholic perspective. Dinner will be provided. For more information email Adam Koll at akoll@diocesecc.org.

Five Incarnate Word sisters celebrate jubilees in 2013

Carpenter’s Ball in Alice St. Joseph Catholic School in Alice will hold its annual Carpenter’s Ball on Friday, April 19 from 6:30 p.m.- midnight at the KC Hall. The $60 per person or $400 per table of eight admission includes a sit-down dinner, give-a-ways, and dancing to music by award winning Jimmy Gonzalez Y Grupo Mazz. All proceeds will go to the school’s Guardian Angel Program, which enables the school to charge an aﬀordable tuition, while meeting the actual costs of educating each child. Contact the school at (361) 664-4642 for ticket and reserved table information.

Vocation discernment retreat The Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament will host a Vocation Discernment Retreat from April 26-28 www.SouthTexasCatholic.com

Brehony, Raquel Newman,Rose Miriam Gansle and Michelle Marie Kuntscher will celebrate their jubilees on April 29. Incarnate Word Academy

Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament will honor five Jubilarians in a Mass of Thanksgiving at St. Patrick Church, 3350 South Alameda, Corpus Christi, on Saturday, April 29, at 10 a.m. followed by a reception at the Dougherty Center, 450 Chamberlain, on the Incarnate Word campus. Incarnate Word sisters celebrating jubilees of religious profession this year are Sister Maria Elizabeth Brehony, 60 years; Sister Michelle Marie Kuntscher, 50 years; Sister Rose Miriam Gansle, 50 years; Sister Raquel Newman, 25 years; and Sister Mary Anne Pagano, 25 years.

Youth group rummage sale St. Thomas the Apostle Youth Group will hold a rummage sale on April 26-27 from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Parish Hall located at 16602 F. M. 624 Robstown. Proceeds benefit the Youth Group with 10 percent of the proceeds going to the parish. The sale will feature quality furniture, housewares, appliances, toys, sporting goods, hardware and much more. To arrange for the donation of items, call John Harris at (361) 946-9104. APRIL 2013 | SOUTH TEX AS CATHOLIC

Los dirigentes de la Federación de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe se reunieron en la escuela Catedral de Corpus Christi el 9 de marzo para revisar su programa para el próximo año. Luisa Scolari, para South Texas Catholic

Por Luisa Scolari Corresponsal

l pasado Sábado 9 de Marzo, la Virgen de Guadalupe en la Ciudad de la Federación de Sociedades México. “La evangelización empieza por uno mismo, y el ser Guadalupanas de la Diócesis Guadalupano es un llamado a servir y esparcir el Evangelio mensaje, disfrutando lo que hacen ayudando, descansar de Corpus Christi celebraron su reunión yensuDios y hacer que otros experimenten lo mismo”, dijo el López a la convocación que se reunió en la escuela anual dirigida por su Director Espiritual Padre de la Catedral. el Padre Francisco López. En el 2006, También les dijo que evangelizar no solo es leer la Biblia sino que también nos invita a convivir y compartir el grupo paso a formar parte de la Con- yconrezar, los demás, y las invitó a organizar convivencias y paseos familiares dentro de sus Parroquias. fraternidad Universal de Nuestra Señora Al pertenecer a esta Sociedad, se adquiere el compromiso de Guadalupe con sede en la Basílica de de promover la devoción a Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe

SOUTH TEX AS CATHOLIC | APRIL 2013

www.SouthTexasCatholic.com

VIDA CATÓLICA

El Padre Francisco López, Director Espiritual de las Guadalupanas, comparte sus reflexiones con el grupo. Luisa Scolari, para South Texas Catholic

patrona de las Américas, promover y practicar la caridad a través del trabajo apostólico y trabajar en unión a todos los grupos Guadalupanos del mundo. También requiere recibir y frecuentar los sacramentos de la Comunión y la Confesión y estudiar las Sagradas Escrituras y el Catecismo de la Iglesia Católica y asistir a misa los días 12 de cada mes y el 12 de Diciembre a la Basílica o a cualquier otra Iglesia dedicada a Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe. Las Sociedades Guadalupanas que pertenecen a la Diócesis de Corpus Christi realizan diferentes actividades. Apoyan y dan de comer a los necesitados en el Asilo de la Madre Teresa. Apoyan al Refugio para madres con hijos, entregando pañales y ropita para niños y bebés y en Noviembre organizan un “baby shower” para las embarazadas. También organizan la celebración del día de la Virgen de Guadalupe el 12 de Diciembre que comienza con la procesión que sale de la Iglesia de el Sagrado Corazón hacia a la Catedral, en donde se celebra una Santa Misa. Posteriormente dan un festejo en el www.SouthTexasCatholic.com

salón San Joseph en la Catedral donde se ofrece comida a todos los asistentes y participan los tradicionales danzantes, grupos de folklórico y mariachis. En el mes de Octubre apoyan con dinero y organizan una comida para los corredores participantes de la antorcha, que salen desde la Basílica de Guadalupe en la Ciudad de México y llegan a la Ciudad de Nueva York el 12 de Diciembre. La mayoría de las Guadalupanas son maestras de catecismo en la parroquia a la que pertenecen. También apoyan a su parroquia en los proyectos que se los solicitan. Asisten a rezar el Rosario afuera de la clínica de abortos para tratar de evitarlos. Presentemente están recolectando pañales, sillas de ruedas, muletas o cualquier accesorio necesario para el cuidado de adultos mayores para llevarlos a un asilo en Nuevo Laredo. Las presidentas y secretarias representantes de los grupos de Guadalupanas de las siguientes Iglesias participaron en la junta anual: Cristo Rey (Corpus Christi); Inmaculada Concepción (Taft); Nuestra Señora de

Monte Carmelo (Portland); Nuestra Señora de la Asunción (Ingleside); Sagrado Corazón (Rockport); Misión de Santa María (Calallen); Misión de Santa María (Robstown); y San Pedro, Príncipe de los Apóstoles (Calallen). “Desde pequeña siempre observaba a mi madre rezando y ella tenía un pequeño altar en donde tenía sus imágenes, y ahora yo tengo mi altar con imágenes”, dijo Elvira Rodríguez, actual presidenta de la Sociedad de Guadalupanas compartiendo su testimonio de que fue lo que la motivó a pertenecer al grupo de Guadalupanas. “En quinto a o de primaria una monjita me enseñó que cuando le rezas a la Virgen, ella te ayuda y lleva tu petición a Dios; ahora esa enseñanza que me hizo aquella monjita la he transmitido a mis nietos quienes le rezan con devoción y confían en nuestra Madre la Virgen María de Guadalupe.” “Me gusta mucho y disfruto ver la alegría de los ancianos cuando vamos a visitarlos y les cantamos las canciones que cantaban cuando podían asistir a la Iglesia y empiezan a cantar junto con nosotros”, dijo Rodríguez. APRIL 2013 | SOUTH TEX AS CATHOLIC

TambiĂŠn el SeĂąor Ross RodrĂguez nos compartiĂł su testimonio. Dijo que cuando era niĂąo sus abuelos y su madre asistĂan a misa pero sin mucha devociĂłn. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pero mi abuelo siempre mandaba comida al Padre y era yo quien se la llevaba,â&#x20AC;? dijo el. â&#x20AC;&#x153;SeguĂ asistiendo a misa de cuerpo pero no de corazĂłn, hasta que mi esposa se enfermĂł gravemente y empecĂŠ a rezar el Rosario, aprendiendo de la Virgen y me convertĂ en Guadalupano, siguien-

do su ejemplo de cuando ella dijo â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;siâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; al SeĂąor.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fui a JerusalĂŠn y eso cambiĂł mi vida y doy gracias a Dios todos los dĂas a travĂŠs de ella, porque por su intervenciĂłn ella nos lleva al hijo y a servir a Nuestro SeĂąor como el vino a servirnos a nosotrosâ&#x20AC;?, dijo el seĂąor RodrĂguez. La Sociedad de Guadalupanas invitan al pueblo a asistir el dĂa 19 de Abril, de 9 a.m. a 12 p.m. en el Hotel

Omni-Shoreline, a la conferencia dictada por MonseĂąor Eduardo ChĂĄvez, experto en el estudio de el milagro de la Virgen de Guadalupe, la morenita del Tepeyac. Si estĂĄn interesados en pertenecer al grupo de Guadalupanas, que soliciten informaciĂłn de el Grupo de Guadalupanas en la parroquia a la que asisten y ahĂ les ofrecerĂĄn informaciĂłn. O visite a el sitio Web: Diocesecc.org/ FederationOLG.

PeregrinaciĂłn a

TIERRA SANTA Y JORDANIA Andando los pasos de nuestro SeĂąor Jesus Nov. 6-17, 2013 AcompaĂąa Director Espiritual, Padre Jairo Motta de la Iglesia Sagrado CorazĂłn en Corpus Christi en una peregrinacĂon a Tierra Santa y Jordania. Al final de esta peregrinaciĂłn, usted habra rezado todos los 20 decados del santo Rosario, donde cada misterio ocurrio. Costo es de $3,190. Para mas informaciĂłn, llamar Dora Hidalgo

(361) 510-1411 Ayudenos a Prevenir el Abuso Financiero La DiĂłcesis de Corpus Christi por medio de la recomendaciĂłn del Concilio Diocesano de Finanzas y el Concilio Presbiteral han llevado su dedicaciĂłn mas allĂĄ para la buena administraciĂłn y responsabilidad Âżnanciera en nombre de donantes generosos al instituir un â&#x20AC;&#x153;hotlineâ&#x20AC;? para reportar el abuso Âżnanciero. La DiĂłcesis de Corpus Christi ha seleccionado un tercer partido independiente, La Red, para proporcionarle a usted con una manera para reportar anĂłnima y conÂżdencialmente el abuso Âżnanciero e fraude. Los empleados, los parroquianos, los voluntarios, los vendedores, y otros partidos interesados estan impulsados para reportar las preocupaciones que tengan respeto a la conducta de pĂĽca ĂŠtica Âżnanciera dentro de la DiĂłcese de Corpus Christi. Todas las investigaciones serĂĄn tradas inmediatamente y discretamente. Personas que llamen tienen el derecho de mantenerse anĂłnimas.

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SOUTH TEX AS CATHOLIC | APRIL 2013

www.SouthTexasCatholic.com

Por Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service

unque se hicieron intentos para simplificar la ce-

remonia, el papa Francisco inauguró oficialmente su ministerio como papa y obispo de Roma con una liturgia llena de simbolismo bíblico y señales

Una mujer sostiene un cartel que dice “Hola Francisco” cuando la gente se reunía para ver

de la universalidad de su

la emisión de la misa inaugural del Papa Francisco, cerca de la Catedral Metropolitana de

misión. Pero antes que los ritos solemnes comenzaran el 19 de marzo el papa Francisco, conocido por escoger el transporte público en vez de limusinas con chofer, dio su primera vuelta en el papamóvil, bendiciendo las decenas de miles de personas. Se bajó del jeep abierto usado como papamóvil para besar a un hombre severamente incapacitado. Durante su homilía el papa Francisco pidió oraciones para que él pudiera proteger la iglesia como San José protegió a María y Jesús, “discretamente, humildemente y silenciosamente pero con presencia firme y fidelidad absoluta, aun cuando él encuentre difícil entender”. “Protejamos a Cristo en nuestras vidas, de modo que podamos proteger a otros, de modo que podamos proteger la creación”, dijo el papa Francisco. Él hizo un llamado a esfuerzos especiales para proteger “el plan de Dios inscrito en la naturaleza” y para www.SouthTexasCatholic.com

Buenos Aires, Argentina, 19 de marzo. Marcos Brindicci, Reuters

protegernos los unos a los otros, especialmente a los niños, a los ancianos, a los pobres y a los enfermos. Aunque muchos cristianos reconocen el rol especial del obispo de Roma como el que preside la comunidad cristiana completa en el amor, la manera en que se ha ejercido el papado a través de los siglos es uno de los factores claves en la división actual de los cristianos. Por vez primera desde que el Gran Cisma de 1054 dividiera en Oriente y Occidente la comunidad cristiana principal, el patriarca ecuménico asistió a la Misa de instalación. El patriarca Bartolomé de Constantinopla, primero entre iguales de la Ortodoxia Oriental, se sentó en un lugar de honor cerca del altar. Catholicos Karekin II de Etchmiadzin, patriarca de la Iglesia Apostólica Armenia, también asistió a la Misa junto con otras 12 delegaciones de

iglesias ortodoxas y ortodoxas orientales, 10 comunidades anglicanas y protestantes y tres organizaciones internacionales cristianas, incluyendo el Consejo Mundial de Iglesias. Después del Padrenuestro el papa Francisco intercambió la señal de la paz con el patriarca Bartolomé y con Catholicos Karekin. El Gran Rabinato de Israel, la comunidad judía de Roma y varias organizaciones internacionales judías enviaron representantes a la ceremonia, como lo hicieron comunidades y organizaciones musulmanas, budistas, sijs, jainistas e hindúes. También presentes estuvieron representantes de 132 gobiernos, liderados por los presidentes de Italia y Argentina, la realeza reinante de seis países incluyendo el rey y la reina de Bélgica y 31 líderes de estados. El vicepresidente Joe Biden lideró la delegación estadounidense. APRIL 2013 | SOUTH TEX AS CATHOLIC

Pope Francis provides a uniqu To discern and protect the Church with Alfredo E. Cardenas South Texas Catholic

“It is a very unique moment in the life of the Church,” Bishop Wm. Michael Mulvey said about the selection of Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio as the new head of the Roman Catholic Church. Cardinal Bergoglio took the name Pope Francis, the first ever to use that name. He was also the first Jesuit and the first South American elected as pope. “It shows the Holy Spirit working in the life of the Church,” Bishop Mulvey said to local media on March 13. The bishop met with the local media hours after the white smoke rose over the Vatican. The following day, May 14, he celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving at the Cathedral. He wanted to pray with his people, the bishop said. On Tuesday, March 19, the day of the pope’s inauguration, the bishop returned to the Cathedral to celebrate a second Mass of Thanksgiving. “We’re all proud Americans today,” the bishop said in reference to Pope Francis’ South American roots. The bishop said his selection points to the vibrancy and maturity of the Church in the southern hemisphere. It may even “galvanize” the church in Europe, which faces many of the same issues that Pope Francis has had to deal with in Argentina. It was very significant that the first thing the new pope did was to ask for prayers for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. “It was a very humble act,” Bishop Mulvey said.

SOUTH TEX AS CATHOLIC | APRIL 2013

Bishop Wm. Michael Mulvey delivers homily at Mass of Thanksgiving for Pope Francis, saying the Church is embarking on a unique pilgrimage under a very pastoral, humble pope. Alfredo Cardenas, South Texas Catholic

Pope Francis, said Bishop Mulvey, is a “very simple man, very pastoral, very humble.” The world saw for the first time a pope bowing before the people and asking for their blessing and their prayers. This displayed Pope Francis’ humbleness and his ability to connect to his flock. “This speaks volumes to us for the future,” Bishop Mulvey said.

Avelina Villarreal, commented on the Diocese of Corpus Christi Facebook, that she thought the pope’s request for prayer was an “awesome blessed moment of silence.” “We know what God’s message for the world to become with Pope Francis filled with the Holy Spirit on how we ought to be led to God’s www.SouthTexasCatholic.com

e moment tenderness kingdom as God wills it on earth as it is in heaven,” she said. And Villarreal was not alone in her elation. “My heart is filled with JOY over the choice of Pope Francis! Thanks be to God!” Carolyn Hebert Underbrink commented. Mary Bailey Arnold commented, “I feel his warm heart reaching out and firm conviction to the Gospel of Jesus Christ...like Jesus meeting the woman at the well...meeting us where we are, speaking to us with authority and mercy and love...wanting to quench our thirst for Truth and Life! Thank you, God, for the heart and soul and mind of Pope Francis.” “I am very happy with the election of Pope Francis,” Deacon Russel Duggins at St. Joseph Parish in Beeville said in an email. “I think that he will be a blessing to our faith and lead us into the future with grace and truth in his heart. Thanks to the Holy Spirit for His guidance and pray that He will continue to guide us to do His will and not our own.” Pope Francis’ background as cardinal of a large metropolitan archdiocese gives him the needed administrative experience, the bishop said. As a Jesuit, he is very well educated. Perhaps most important is the pastoral experience he brings, the bishop said. “What I see is a man in touch with the people. He will be a great role model. A man of the people and for the people,” Bishop Mulvey said. In his homily at his second Mass of Thanksgiving, Bishop Mulvey www.SouthTexasCatholic.com

Bishop Mulvey blogged about the new pope after he was selected. To subscribe to the bishop’s blog go to: bishopmulveyblog.diocesecc.org.

Camera crews shoot video of Bishop Mulvey as he speaks to local media on March 13, following the announcement of a new pope. Mary Cottingham, South Texas Catholic APRIL 2013 | SOUTH TEX AS CATHOLIC

commented on Pope Francis’ initial acts, which were “unusual.” The pope celebrated his first Mass as head of 1.2 billion Catholics, not at St. Peter’s Basilica, but at a neighborhood parish church. He greeted parishioners leaving church, as would their pastor. He often gave his security detail heartburn as he delved into crowds to shake hands, kiss babies and bless the infirmed. “I think we’re in for something unusual,” Bishop Mulvey said. “We’re used to great manifestations, but the Holy Father is calling us to the beauty of simplicity, the beauty of charity. He is calling us back to our roots.” Bishop Mulvey referred to Pope Francis’ own homily at his installation Mass on the Solemnity of St. Joseph. The pope spoke of elements in the life of St. Joseph that are also elements in the life of the Church. Bishop Mulvey

cited three of these elements that are “important as we move into the future.” The first is the ability to “discern God’s will,” as St. Joseph did. The bishop said it was important to be “able to hear what God wants for His Church today.” Quoting Pope Francis, Bishop Mulvey said, that “discernment requires us to be constantly attentive to God, open to the signs of God’s presence and receptive to God’s plans.” The second element in St. Joseph’s life relevant in the Church’s life is being the “great protector.” As St. Joseph protected the Holy Family, the Church must protect “all creation, showing concern for every person.” “That means protection of the person in he womb, the elderly, those in need,” Bishop Mulvey said. “It means caring for one another. To be protec-

tors of all of God’s gifts.” Our discernment of God’s will and our protection of God’s creation must be done with “tenderness,” Bishop Mulvey said, echoing the pope’s message. This is the third element in St. Joseph’s life that must be applied to the life of the Church. “Caring and protecting demands goodness,” Bishop said in quoting Pope Francis. Pope Francis, the bishop said, “Brings a spirit of service, a spirit of tender compassion, a tender protection of all people.” Tenderness is the key, tenderness in the family, tenderness in society, tenderness in our communities, tenderness in our family relationships. “He is not saying anything diﬀerent, just in a diﬀerent way; with the experience of being the pastor of a church,” Bishop Mulvey said. “He offers a new beginning.”

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Danny Lee as Elvis EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS

“A Night of Fun and Games” Guest will be entertained with a variety of Table Games hosted by professional dealers and a special performance by Danny Lee as Elvis. Tickets to our Fund Raiser are available from Sister Maxie, Beto’s Community Grocery in Kingsville and Mario’s Meat Market in Alice for $50. Included in the price are dinner, one drink ticket, $5,000 in Casino Fun Money and a dance after the rafÁe. TABLE SPONSORSHIPS are also available. Cost is $500 and includes: Reserved table for 8; dinner and 2 drinks for 8; $10,000 in Casino Fun Money per person; advertising on table and by DJ throughout the evening.

Schedule of Events: 5 p.m. ........................Doors Open 5:30 p.m. ..................Social Time 6-7:30 p.m. ...............Dinner 6:30-8 p.m. ...............Cash bar by Ticket 8 p.m. - 1 a.m...........KC Snack Bar open 8-11 p.m. ..................Gaming 8:30-10:30 p.m.........Bingo 11 p.m.......................Prize Raffle 11:45 p.m.-1 a.m. ....DJ Dance

Proceeds beneÀt the Mother Julia Chapel and Solemn House of Prayer, located at 408 E. Richard in Kingsville.

For Tickets, Contact Patsy Rios at (361) 720-0748, Jessie Rios at (361) 720-0749, Mary Ramon at (361) 739-4203 and Sister Maxie at (361) 246-0979. www.SouthTexasCatholic.com

APRIL 2013 | SOUTH TEX AS CATHOLIC

Pope Francis waves to the crowd from the window of his private apartment as he leads his first Angelus in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican March 17. L’Osservatore Romano Catholic News Service

SOUTH TEX AS CATHOLIC | APRIL 2013

www.SouthTexasCatholic.com

VATICAN

Pope Francis pledges to protect church, human dignity Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service

ope Francis formally began seph protected Mary and Jesus. his ministry as bishop of “To protect creation, to protect every man and woman, to look upon them with tenderness Rome and as pope by pledg- every and love is to open up a horizon of hope,” he told 150,000 and 200,000 people gathered uning to protect the Catholic Church, between der sunny skies in St. Peter’s Square and the nearby the dignity of each person and the streets. representatives of other Christian churches beauty of creation, just like St. Jo- andWith communities, delegations from 132 countries, www.SouthTexasCatholic.com

APRIL 2013 | SOUTH TEX AS CATHOLIC

Jewish and Muslim leaders as well as Buddhists, Hindus, Sikhs and Jains present, Pope Francis preached the Gospel, but insisted the values it espouses are essentially human, “involving everyone.” While the rites and rituals of the inauguration of his ministry as pope took place immediately before the Mass, the liturgy itself was a celebration of the feast of St. Joseph, patron of the universal church and “also the name day of my venerable predecessor,” Pope Benedict XVI, the former Joseph Ratzinger. The retired pope was not present at the liturgy, but the crowds applauded enthusiastically when Pope Francis said, “We are close to him with our prayers, full of aﬀection and gratitude.” The new pope stood at a lectern to read his homily, sticking to the text he had prepared in advance. At times

his voice was extremely soft and other times it was quite loud; he punctuated with clenched fists his remarks about the strength required to be tender and compassionate to others. “In the Gospels,” he said, “St. Joseph appears as a strong and courageous man, a working man, yet in his heart we see ggreat tenderness, which is not the vvirtue of tthe weak, but rather a sign of strength of spirit and a capacity for concern, for compassion, for genuine openness to others, for love.” “We must not be afraid of goodness, of tenderness,” Pope Francis said. The new pope said exercising the role of protector as St. Joseph did means doing so “discreetly, humbly and silently, but with an unfailing presence and utter fidelity, even when he finds it hard to understand.” The Gospels present St. Joseph as a

See complete text of Pope’s homily on page 34.

Argentina’s flag is seen as Pope Francis makes hi

Pope Francis greets a participant during his audience for journalists in Paul VI hall at the Vatican March 16. Paul Haring, Catholic News Service

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husband to Mary, “at her side in good times and bad,” and as a father who watched over Jesus, worried about him and taught him a trade, the pope said. St. Joseph responded to his call to be a protector “by being constantly attentive to God, open to the signs of God’s presence and receptive to God’s plans, and not simply his own,” the pope said. Fidelity to God’s word and God’s plan for individuals and for all of creation makes the diﬀerence, he said, calling on everyone to be sensitive and loving toward those in their care, especially toward children, the aged, the poor and the sick. www.SouthTexasCatholic.com

s way through the crowd in St. Peter’s Square before his inaugural Mass at the Vatican March 19. Paul Haring, Catholic News Service

“In the end, everything has been entrusted to our protection, and all of us are responsible for it,” he said. “Be protectors of God’s gifts.” When people fail to respect creation, when they ignore “God’s plan inscribed in nature,” or when they treat each other with disrespect, he said, “the way is opened to destruction, and hearts are hardened.” “Tragically, in every period of history there are ‘Herods’ who plot death, wreak havoc and mar the countenance of men and women,” he said. Pope Francis asked the government leaders present and all those with responsibility in the field of economics, www.SouthTexasCatholic.com

politics and social life to stand firm when destruction and death threaten human dignity, human life and the environment. He met with the heads of the government delegations after the Mass. Caring for others, he said in his homily, must begin with watching over one’s own heart, mind and actions, resisting “hatred, envy and pride” and emotions that can tear others down. Pope Francis told the people he realized his new ministry included “a certain power,” but it is the same power Jesus conferred on St. Peter, which was the “power of service” seen in Jesus’ charge to St. Peter: “Feed my

lambs. Feed my sheep.” “Let us never forget that authentic power is service and that the pope, too, when exercising power, must enter ever more fully into that service which has its radiant culmination on the cross,” he said. “He must be inspired by the lowly, concrete and faithful service which marked St. Joseph and, like him, he must open his arms to protect all of God’s people and embrace with tender aﬀection the whole of humanity, especially the poorest, the weakest, the least important,” Pope Francis said. “Only those who serve with love are able to protect,” he said. APRIL 2013 | SOUTH TEX AS CATHOLIC

32 32

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33 33

Pope Francis gestures as he leads his first Angelus from the window of his private apartment in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican March 17. Max Rossi, Reuters

Pope Francis’ homily challenges Catholics to live the Gospel message Dear Brothers and Sisters, I thank the Lord that I can celebrate this Holy Mass for the inauguration of my Petrine ministry on the solemnity of Saint Joseph, the spouse of the Virgin Mary and the patron of the universal Church. It is a significant coincidence, and it is also the name-day of my venerable predecessor: we are close to him with our prayers, full of aﬀection and gratitude. I oﬀer a warm greeting to my brother cardinals and bishops, the priests, deacons, men and women religious, and all the lay faithful. I thank the representatives of the other Churches and ecclesial Com-

munities, as well as the representatives of the Jewish community and the other religious communities, for their presence. My cordial greetings go to the Heads of State and Government, the members of the oﬃcial Delegations from many countries throughout the world, and the Diplomatic Corps. In the Gospel we heard that “Joseph did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took Mary as his wife” (Mt 1:24). These words already point to the mission which God entrusts to Joseph: he is to be the custos, the protector. The protector of whom? Of Mary and Jesus; but this protection is then extended

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to the Church, as Blessed John Paul II pointed out: “Just as Saint Joseph took loving care of Mary and gladly dedicated himself to Jesus Christ’s upbringing, he likewise watches over and protects Christ’s Mystical Body, the Church, of which the Virgin Mary is the exemplar and model” (Redemptoris Custos, 1). How does Joseph exercise his role as protector? Discreetly, humbly and silently, but with an unfailing presence and utter fidelity, even when he finds it hard to understand. From the time of his betrothal to Mary until the finding of the twelve-year-old Jesus in the Temple of Jerusalem, he is there at every moment with loving www.SouthTexasCatholic.com

care. As the spouse of Mary, he is at her side in good times and bad, on the journey to Bethlehem for the census and in the anxious and joyful hours when she gave birth; amid the drama of the flight into Egypt and during the frantic search for their child in the Temple; and later in the day-to-day life of the home of Nazareth, in the workshop where he taught his trade to Jesus. How does Joseph respond to his calling to be the protector of Mary, Jesus and the Church? By being constantly attentive to God, open to the signs of God’s presence and receptive to God’s plans, and not simply to his own. This is what God asked of David, as we heard in the first reading. God does not want a house built by men, but faithfulness to his word, to his plan. It is God himself who builds the house, but from living stones sealed by his Spirit. Joseph is a “protector” because he is able to hear God’s voice and be guided by his will; and for this reason he is all the more sensitive to the persons entrusted to his safekeeping. He can look at things realistically, he is in touch with his surroundings, he can make truly wise decisions. In him, dear friends, we learn how to respond to God’s call, readily and willingly, but we also see the core of the Christian vocation, which is Christ! Let us protect Christ in our lives, so that we can protect others, so that we can protect creation! The vocation of being a “protector”, however, is not just something

“

involving us Christians alone; it also has a prior dimension which is simply human, involving everyone. It means protecting all creation, the beauty of the created world, as the Book of Genesis tells us and as Saint Francis of Assisi showed us. It means respecting each of God’s creatures and respecting the environment in which we live. It means protecting people, showing loving concern for each and every person, especially children, the elderly, those in need, who are often the last we think about. It means caring for one another in our families: husbands and wives first protect one another, and then, as parents, they care for their children, and children themselves, in time, protect their parents. It means building sincere friendships in which we protect one another in trust, respect, and goodness. In the end, everything has been entrusted to our protection, and all of us are responsible for it. Be protectors of God’s gifts! Whenever human beings fail to live up to this responsibility, whenever we fail to care for creation and for our brothers and sisters, the way is opened to destruction and hearts are hardened. Tragically, in every period of history there are “Herods” who plot death, wreak havoc, and mar the countenance of men and women. Please, I would like to ask all those who have positions of responsibility in economic, political and social life, and all men and women of goodwill: let us be “protectors” of creation,

protectors of God’s plan inscribed in nature, protectors of one another and of the environment. Let us not allow omens of destruction and death to accompany the advance of this world! But to be “protectors”, we also have to keep watch over ourselves! Let us not forget that hatred, envy and pride defile our lives! Being protectors, then, also means keeping watch over our emotions, over our hearts, because they are the seat of good and evil intentions: intentions that build up and tear down! We must not be afraid of goodness or even tenderness! Here I would add one more thing: caring, protecting, demands goodness, it calls for a certain tenderness. In the Gospels, Saint Joseph appears as a strong and courageous man, a working man, yet in his heart we see great tenderness, which is not the virtue of the weak but rather a sign of strength of spirit and a capacity for concern, for compassion, for genuine openness to others, for love. We must not be afraid of goodness, of tenderness! Today, together with the feast of Saint Joseph, we are celebrating the beginning of the ministry of the new Bishop of Rome, the Successor of Peter, which also involves a certain power. Certainly, Jesus Christ conferred power upon Peter, but what sort of power was it? Jesus’ three questions to Peter about love are followed by three commands: feed my lambs, feed my sheep. Let us never forget that authentic power is service, and

...great tenderness...is not the virtue of the weak but...a sign of strength of spirit and a capacity for concern, for compassion, for genuine openness to others, for love. We must not be afraid of goodness, of tenderness!

“

www.SouthTexasCatholic.com

APRIL 2013 | SOUTH TEX AS CATHOLIC

that the Pope too, when exercising power, must enter ever more fully into that service which has its radiant culmination on the Cross. He must be inspired by the lowly, concrete and faithful service which marked Saint Joseph and, like him, he must open his arms to protect all of God’s people and embrace with tender aﬀection the whole of humanity, especially the poorest, the weakest, the least important, those whom Matthew lists in the final judgment on love: the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick and those in prison (cf. Mt 25:31-46). Only those who serve with love are able to protect! In the second reading, Saint Paul speaks of Abraham, who, “hoping against hope, believed” (Rom 4:18). Hoping against hope! Today too, amid so much darkness, we need to see the light of hope and to be men and women who bring hope to others. To protect creation, to protect every man and every woman, to look upon them with tenderness and love, is to open up a horizon of hope; it is to let a shaft of light break through the heavy clouds; it is to bring the warmth of hope! For believers, for us Christians, like Abraham, like Saint Joseph, the hope that we bring is set against the horizon of God, which has opened up before us in Christ. It is a hope built on the rock which is God. To protect Jesus with Mary, to protect the whole of creation, to protect each person, especially the poorest, to protect ourselves: this is a service that the Bishop of Rome is called to carry out, yet one to which all of us are called, so that the star of hope will shine brightly. Let us protect with love all that God has given us! I implore the intercession of the Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph, Saints Peter and Paul, and Saint Francis, that the Holy Spirit may accompany my ministry, and I ask all of you to pray for me! Amen.

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Pope Francis greets religious leaders during a meeting at the Vatican March 20. The pope met with the Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Sikh and Jain delegations that had come to the Vatican for his inauguration. (CNS photo/via Reuters). L’Osservatore Romano Catholic News Service

Other faiths react positively to Pope Francis’ approach Catholic News Service

Applauding the election of Pope Francis, Orthodox leaders are stressing their hope for continued cooperation with the Catholic Church during his pontificate. “As head of the Russian church, I greet the new pontiff ’s desire to care for the poor and suﬀering. These ministries are now a priority for the Russian Orthodox Church, and they open up possibilities for cooperation and interaction,” said Russian Orthodox Patriarch KirilI of Moscow. The patriarch also stressed that Orthodox Christians and Catholics should work together to defend fellow believers in countries where they are persecuted and to aﬃrm traditional moral values in the modern world. Pope Francis said he plans renewed cooperation to further Catholic-Jewish relations and hopes to contribute to a world where all people live in harmony with the “will of the creator.” In a message to Chief Rabbi Riccardo di Segni of Rome, the pope said he “profoundly hopes to be able to contribute to the progress that JewishCatholic relations have seen starting

from the Second Vatican Council, in a spirit of renewed collaboration.” He said he also hoped to be “at the service of a world that may grow in harmony with the will of the creator.” The pope sent his “cordial greetings” to the head of Rome’s Jewish community the evening of his election March 13 and told the rabbi his installation Mass would be held March 19. The Vatican released a copy of the message to journalists March 15. Rabbi di Segni, who attended the Mass, said the pope’s reference to continuing the work begun with Vatican II was “very, very important.” Muslim leaders expressed hopes the new pope would help improve relations between Muslims and Catholics. A spokesman for Sheik Ahmad el-Tayeb, president of Al-Azhar University in Cairo, said he hoped Pope Francis’ election would help normalize relations with the world of Islam. “We are hoping for better relations with the Vatican after the election of the new pope,” said Mahmoud Azab, adviser to el-Tayeb on interfaith issues, March 13. www.SouthTexasCatholic.com

Changes in style send clear message from Pope Francis Francis X. Rocca Catholic News Service

ope Francis had been pope for less than six days when

he was formally installed March 19, but he had already made a distinctive and overwhelmingly favorable impression on the world. That is an especially remarkable accomplishment given that, until his election, the former Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio had been practically unknown to the public outside his native Argentina. His abrupt change in style from the previous pontificate has overwhelmingly charmed the press and the public. But among the hierarchy, oﬀ-the-record sentiments seem to be more mixed: admiration at the ease with which Pope Francis has assumed his new role, alongside doubts that he can or should keep up such an unconventional approach for long. The new pope made an immediate impact with his extraordinary gestures of humility: bowing and asking the crowd’s blessing on election night, paying his own hotel bill and eschewing papal regalia such as red shoes and a gold pectoral cross; and with his displays of spontaneity, such as straying from prepared texts and stopping to greet the crowd on a Rome street. www.SouthTexasCatholic.com

Pope Francis greets the crowd before celebrating his inaugural Mass in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican March 19. Paul Haring Catholic News Service

Especially within the Vatican, there are surely many who inwardly regret the clear signs that informality will be the rule in this pontificate. After all, honors and decorations are among the few worldly rewards legitimately available to those in the hierarchy. More importantly, anyone who understands the significance of appearances in Italian and thus in Vatican culture understands that Pope Francis’ changes indicate a threat to something more vital than vanity. Of the widely acknowledged priorities among the cardinal electors in the run-up to the conclave that chose Pope Francis, none was more prominent than the need to reform the Roman Curia, the church’s central administration. Sensational leaks to the press in 2012 documented corruption and mismanagement inside the Vatican, and in a speech during

the cardinals’ pre-conclave meetings, then-Cardinal Bergoglio himself is reported to have denounced the practice of ecclesiastical “careerism.” If the cardinals chose Pope Francis in part to play the role of curial reformer, they ignored a common argument that an Italian would be best prepared to deal with that largely dysfunctional culture. But as he reminded the crowd attending his first Angelus March 17, the new pope is of Italian origin. Though Argentina is a Spanish-speaking country, in other respects its culture owes as much to Italy as to any other European country. At least in terms of his heritage, Pope Francis is obviously better prepared to understand and oversee his new collaborators than his Polish and German predecessors were. As pastor of the universal church, a pope must consider how the widest possible audience will receive his gestures, statements and decisions. Pope Francis’ shows of humility and accessibility plainly underscore his avowed desire that the church be close to the poorest and least powerful, a message he reinforced explicitly in the homily at his installation Mass. To a more restricted and disproportionately powerful group of spectators, the new pope’s departures from Vatican protocol also send another, no less revolutionary message: that he knows what he thinks is right and will not hesitate to defy precedent or the instructions of others to act accordingly. APRIL 2013 | SOUTH TEX AS CATHOLIC

USCCB president congratulates newly elected Pope Francis WASHINGTON—Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), congratulated the newly elected pope, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires, Argentina. “Pope Francis stands as the figure of unity for all Catholics wherever they reside. The bishops of the United States and the people of our 195 dioceses offer prayers for our new leader and promise allegiance to him,” Cardinal Dolan said. “Intense prayer from all around the world surrounded the election of Pope Francis. The bishops of the United States

thank God for the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the inspired choice of the College of Cardinals.” Cardinal Bergoglio, 76, was elevated to the College of Cardinals on February 21, 2001, in Rome. He was born on December 17, 1936 in Buenos Aires. Ordained a priest for the Jesuits in 1969, he was ordained a bishop in 1992. He was appointed coadjutor archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1997, succeeding Cardinal Antonio Quarracino on February 28, 1998. Pope Francis becomes the 266th pope in the history of the Catholic Church, and the 265th successor of St. Peter.

Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York. Paul Haring Catholic News Service

U.S. interfaith leaders congratulate pope, look forward to leadership WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Here are excerpts of statements by U.S.based leaders of non-Christian faiths about the election of Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires, Argentina, as the new Pope Francis. -- Muzammil H. Siddiqi, religious director, Islamic Society of Orange County (Calif.), and chairman, Islamic Shura Council of Southern California: “Please convey my best wishes on my personal behalf and on behalf of the Muslim community of Southern California on the election of new Pope Francis. We wish him all the best. We hope and pray that he will continue building bridges of understanding among Catholics and Muslims and among the people of all faiths.”

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-- Satpal Singh, chairperson, World Sikh Council-America Region: “Our prayerful felicitations to the new pope and to the Catholic world. We hold His Holiness Pope Francis in prayers and look forward to his stewardship of the Catholic Church, and to his contribution to the world towards a path of ‘love and fraternity’ as he put it.” -- Rabbi Eric J. Greenberg, director, Department of Interfaith Aﬀairs, Anti-Defamation League: “We look forward to working with him to continue to foster Catholic-Jewish relations as we have with his predecessors. There is much in his record that reassures us about the future. Under his leadership in Buenos Aires, Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio made im-

portant strides in maintaining positive Catholic-Jewish relations following the transformational papacies of Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI -- pontiﬀs who launched historic reconciliation between the Catholic Church and the Jewish people.” -- Anuttama Dasa, vice chair of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness: “In these days of religious conflict in far too many places, we reach out to the church, and to Pope Francis, with open hearts, friendship and a desire to live and work together as fellow servants of God. We pray for Pope Francis’ long life and strong health. We pray that his papacy will be a time of rekindled faith and cooperation among all people of faith throughout the world.” www.SouthTexasCatholic.com

NATIONAL NEWS

Jesuits surprised that first of their brethren is elected pope Patricia Zapor Catholic News Service

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The Jesuit brethren of the new Pope Francis were as surprised as anyone when Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires, Argentina, was announced March 13 as the first Jesuit to be elected pope. One Jesuit who shares the pope’s Argentine roots and has known him since his own days as a novice, said the election of the man he first knew as Father Bergoglio is “a joy for the country.” Father Jose Funes, head of the Vatican Observatory, told Catholic News Service that the election of an Argentine Jesuit with a background in science (he studied chemistry at a trade school before entering the Jesuits) can only be good for all those interests. However, he said, “I think the pope will be focused on other priorities first.” Jesuit Father Gerard Stockhausen, executive secretary of the Jesuit Conference USA, told CNS that when Cardinal Bergoglio’s name was announced from the Vatican balcony, he didn’t realize immediately that it was a fellow member of the Society of Jesus, the religious order founded by St. Ignatius Loyola in 1534. Jesuits generally don’t seek higher oﬃces in the church, Father Stockhausen said. “There are relatively few who are bishops even. We don’t ordinarily take on those posts.”

Father Bergoglio was rector. He also served as one of the three examiners for Father Funes as a candidate to join the Jesuits. He said Pope Francis has been known to have a particular devotion to St. Joseph, and founded St. Joseph Parish near the formation house where the students regularly assisted. The Jesuit superior general, Father Adolfo Nicolas, said the election of Pope Francis “opens for the church a path full of hope.” He said in a statement that all the Jesuits accompany their brother with their prayers “and we thank him Vatican spokesman, Jesuit Father for his generosity in accepting Federico Lombardi the responsibility of guiding the church at a crucial time.” He said the choice of the name Francis “evokes for us the Holy or cardinal. To be named pope -- wow,” Father’s evangelical spirit of closeness Father Lombardi said. “Must have to the poor, his identification with been result of strong call.” simple people and his commitment Father Funes, speaking from the to the renewal of the church.” observatory’s oﬃces in Tucson, Ariz., As Jesuits, he said the distinguishsaid the Latin Americans he knows ing mark of the society is that of from Mexico and Chile reacted very companionship “bound to the Roman positively to the election of someone pontiﬀ by a special bond of love and from Argentina. service.” Thus, Father Nicolas added, “This could bring a new excitement the Jesuits “wish to express our refor the church in Latin America,” he newed availability to be sent into the said, “especially if he goes to Brazil for vineyard of the Lord.” World Youth Day” in July. In Dajabon, Dominican Republic, Father Funes first knew the future Jesuit Father Regino Martinez called pope during a month when his class it “a moment of great hope and opof novices was assigned to help out portunity for the church.” at the formation house where thenEven the Vatican spokesman, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, told reporters: “Personally, I’m a bit shocked to have a Jesuit pope. Jesuits think of themselves as servants, not authorities in church.” “Jesuits resist being named bishop

“Jesuits resist being named bishop or cardinal. To be named pope -- wow... Must have been result of strong call.”

www.SouthTexasCatholic.com

APRIL 2013 | SOUTH TEX AS CATHOLIC

He said Pope Francis as the first Latin American pope also oﬀers “an opportunity to support the work being done in the Latin American church and a show of support for Latin Americans.” Father Stockhausen said that even those Jesuits who do become cardinals “tend not to move in ‘cardinal circles,’ where they get to know each other. That’s not our world.” He acknowledged that Jesuits are generally thought of as highly educated, and “men of the world.” There’s a sayFather Jose Funes ing that goes head of the Vatican “’Francis (of AssiObservatory si) loved the countryside, Dominic loved the countryside and Ignatius loved the cities,’ we’re ‘worldly’ in the good sense of the word,” he said. Jesuits also have a reputation for being careful decisionmakers, particularly if they follow the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius, said Father Stockhausen. The exercises lead one to make decisions not out of personal interests or attachments, he said, but out of where the Spirit is leading through prayer. Jesuits around the world expressed similar joy and support at the election of the new pope. Father Francisco Jose Ruiz Perez, provincial of Spain, noted that Pope Francis spent part of his training in Alcala de Henares, Spain. Like Father Nicholas, he also cited a section of the Jesuit norms, noting, “Our church service will only be truly Christian if anchored in fidelity to the one who makes all things new, and only if united with the successor of Peter.” (Cindy Wooden in Rome and Ezra Fieser in the Dominican Republic contributed to this story)

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North Dakota bans abortions when fetal heartbeat detected BISMARCK, N.D. (CNS) -- The North Dakota Catholic Conference applauded the state Senate’s passage March 15 of a bill that would ban abortions for the purpose of sex selection or genetic abnormality and another bill that would ban abortion after the detection of a fetal heartbeat, which could be as early as six weeks. The bills were already approved by the House and now head to the desk of Gov. Jack Dalrymple. The conference, which is the public policy arm of the state’s Catholic bishops, urged the governor to sign the measures. If he does, North Dakota would become the first state to prohibit abortion for reasons of genetic abnormality. After a failed attempt to strip the genetic abnormality portion from H.B. 1305, the Senate passed the bill 27-15. H.B. 1456, the fetal heartbeat bill, passed 26-17 with no debate. The bill to prohibit abortions when the heartbeat of the unborn child is detected “does raise some new legal questions,” but the questions are without merit, said Christopher T. Dodson, executive director of the Catholic conference. “Currently, the U.S. Supreme Court only allows states to protect unborn life after the point of viability, which is when an unborn child can survive outside the womb,” he said in March 12 testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee. “The Supreme Court chose viability because it understood viability

to be a significant marker of human development. Close reflection, however, reveals that viability is not a measure of human development,” he continued. “A heartbeat, however, is a marker that actually reflects the develop-

Union urged Dalrymple to veto “this dangerous ban and to take this complex and deeply personal decision out of the hands of politicians, and put it back in the hands of a woman, her family and her doctor where it belongs.” The Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act, or H.B. 1305, bans abortions for the purpose of sex selection or genetic abnormality. The North Dakota Catholic Conference in a statement said the bill furthered “several important public interests that form the basis of a civil society.” “No matter where a person stands on abortion, we should, as a society, agree that abortion should never be used as a tool for sex-selection or the elimination of children with genetic abnormalities,” the conference statement said. “Sex-selection abortion has drastic eﬀects on society. An estimated 163 million girls are missing in the world because of sex-selection abortions,” it said, adding that these kinds of abortions are “not limited to other countries.” “Several studies have documented the practice of sex-selection abortions in the United States and Canada,” it added. Republican state Sen. Spencer Berry, who voted for both bills, was quoted as saying that “a woman’s right to choose has not been found to be absolute. This is a matter of looking at the principles and how they weigh against each other.”

“It is wrong that the courts will only allow states to protect some unborn children and not all of them.”

www.SouthTexasCatholic.com

ment of the unborn child. It is wrong that the courts will only allow states to protect some unborn children and not all of them,” Dodson said. “However, if the courts insist on only allowing protections for unborn children that are developed to a certain extent, the existence of a heartbeat provides a better basis than viability.” H.B. 1456 does not specify the time frame when a fetal heartbeat can be detected, but medical experts say it occurs about six to seven weeks into a pregnancy. The measure allows abortion to save the life of the mother but prohibits it in the cases of rape or incest. If the bill becomes law, physicians would be prosecuted for violating it, not the woman who has an abortion. If convicted a doctor could face a fine of $5,000 and a maximum sentence of five years in prison. Doctors also could lose their medical license. Opponents say if the bill becomes law they will fight it with a legal challenge. The American Civil Liberties

APRIL 2013 | SOUTH TEX AS CATHOLIC

“My duty is toGod and my patients” Archived Photo

SOUTH TEX AS CATHOLIC | APRIL 2013

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She died a martyr’s death in 1919 storm Msgr. Michael Howell Contributor

he sisters “were wakened by the wind about 4 o’clock Sunday morning and found rain leaking into the building.” As the storm approached Corpus Christi North Beach on September 1919, the bay water began to fill the front yard close to the buildings of Spohn Sanitarium and the anxious sisters went to the chapel to pray.

However, by noon the bathhouse of the sanitarium and other smaller buildings nearby began to turn over and blow away “like feathers,” Sister Paula recalled. All phone lines were down when the sisters attempted to contact the weather bureau again. The Southern Messenger, in an article published after the storm, reported the memories of the sisters who said that after the loss of those buildings it was decided it was best to move as many patients as possible to the south wing of the sanitarium, which was not so much exposed to the wind and waves. The Messenger noted, “The rocking of the building terrified the inmates who expected every moment would be their last.” Among those moving in those darkened halls was Sister Thais, one of the first to realize the impending and possibly life-threatening danger to the sisters and their patients. Born in Quebec, Canada on Aug. 15, 1868, Lea Desroche had chosen at age 19 to enter the Congregation

Sister M. Paula, CCVI one of the sisters serving at Corpus Christi on Sept. 14, 1919 recalled the event in a Sept. 11, 1960 news article that appeared in the Corpus Christi Caller-Times. The 1919 hurricane that struck Corpus Christi claimed hundreds of lives, including that of Sister M. Thais Desroche, CCVI. In 1919, there were not the many early warning systems available today and there was no way of knowing for certain how serious and deadly the storm was. In fact, by midmorning the sisters had made calls to the weather bureau to ask for the latest storm information as bay waters continued to rise and cut oﬀ all escape from North The old Spohn Sanitarium was located on Corpus Christi North Beach Beach. The sisters were told there was “no danger.” www.SouthTexasCatholic.com

Archived Photo

APRIL 2013 | SOUTH TEX AS CATHOLIC

the Corpus Christi powerhouse, Jose Hernandez, who of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word (CCVI) had been injured in an explosion the Friday before the to serve God in the medical and pastoral care of those storm and was under treatment for severe burns. Sister hospitalized. Thais and Reece had gone to serve them, and all four were For her religious name she chose “Mary Thais” and after together when the crash came–carrying them away in the her formation as a postulant and novice, she took annual raging waters. vows for six years before making perpetual vows in March Less than two hours af1897. She served from 1890ter the front of the main 1917 in hospitals–often called building was swept away the infirmaries or sanitariums–in chapel porch was carried oﬀ. New Mexico, Missouri and To read more about the history A little before 6 p.m. Msgr. cities in north Texas before Jaillet consumed whatever coming to Corpus Christi of the diocese go to a Century of hosts still remained in the in 1917. Tradition, Lifetime of Faith Web site: tabernacle and had scarcely She also served as a Conleft the chapel when that sultor in the community of www.acenturyoftradition.org wing also began to go to Corpus Christi beginning in pieces. At 8 p.m. there was 1918. This veteran of some 29 another crash, and that entire wing disappeared. Now years of medical care joined her sisters and other workers only four rooms remained. at the sanitarium to transfer patients to greater safety. The wind, changing to the west, sent the great smokeRealizing too that the first floor would soon be inundated stack of the boiler room crashing through the roof and as the waters rose, they moved about 40 patients to the ceiling where the sisters and patients had taken refuge. second floor. Sister Aloysius was sitting on the side of the bathtub in Fortunately there were no newborn babies in the hosthat room with a patient when part of the brick wall caved pital at that time, said one survivor of the storm. Some of in on them. She was blown over the side where the wall the patients had been out of surgery only a short time, but had been, but some of the bricks fell on the skirt of her were among the 51 survivors who crowded into a corner habit, pinning her so that she was left dangling outside of one of the rooms of the hospital that proved to be the of what had been the wall. Men in the room pulled her most sturdy room because it was near the boiler room and back into the remains of the room, and one of them cut chimney which were both made of brick. her skirt free from the bricks. In the chapel on the second floor of the southeast wing With two more rooms gone, the sisters and patients of the building, Msgr. Claude Jaillet recited the rosary and grouped themselves in their close quarters and awaited aid. prayers for the dying and heard confessions. At that time, One of the heroes in the midst of disaster was 18-yearSister Bruno, in going to relieve one of the sisters on duty old W. Coulter McCuistion, son of Corpus Christi phoin the north wing, was knocked down several times as she tographer George McCuistion. Coulter McCuistion was passed a connecting hallway, the windows of which had in the army, attached to the medical corps and stationed been blown out. Sister Thais had heard boards ripping in San Antonio when he came to Corpus Christi on a 72earlier in that wing and hurried to see to the patients still hour furlough shortly before the storm hit. confined there. He worked all Sunday afternoon during the storm to She was warned of the danger of the weakened strucrescue people trapped on Chaparral and Water streets, takture and the winds in the corridor, but replied, “My duty ing them to the safety of the county courthouse, which was is to God and my patients.” of brick and with multiple stories. He then swam through She and Teresa Reece, a 37-year-old native of Ireland, the old Plaza Hotel to be sure that no one was left there. opened the door to the corridor and crossed over into the Through field glasses he had seen lights from the threatened wing to care for the two remaining patients. kerosene lamps in the sanitarium Sunday night, and on Shortly after 4 p.m. they heard a terrible crash. The north Monday morning at 7 a.m. he was the first man to swim wing split open, the roof fell in and the wreckage was across the flood waters to reach the Spohn Sanitarium and swept away by the flood. the Military Service Hospital on North Beach to assure Sister Paula and Sister Frances Ignatius, who were survivors that aid was on the way. It was noon before the serving at Spohn at the time, recalled that two patients rescuers arrived. remained in that weakened wing; one was a paralyzed With a few patients and a sister in each boat, the relief man named Milton Plum and the other an employee of

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Headstone at Holy Cross Cemetery of Sister M. Thais who died in the 1919 hurricane while trying to save her patients. Archived Photo

workers rowed to the courthouse. For his efforts, young McCuistion was recommended for two Life Saving Medals, one from the United States government and the other from the Sisters of Charity. The body of Sister Thais was recovered some days later, 10 miles away, close to present-day Portland. Survivor Sister Frances Ignatius recalled that Sister Thais was found still in her black religious habit and with her rosary beads at her waist. The sisters felt she had died a martyr’s death–sacrificing her own life in the service of her patients. While the death of Sister Thais occasioned great grief among her sisters, the community found some consolation in laying her remains to rest in the consecrated ground of Holy Cross Cemetery in Corpus Christi. Though notified by their Reverend Mother Mary John and Mother Wendelinus that another corps of nurses would replace them, the surviving sisters insisted on continuing their duties. Within days the John G. Kenedy home on N. Broadway and Lipan was offered to the sisters to serve as a temporary hospital until other arrangements could be made. In time, the sisters–with the support of a grateful community–built new facilities and continued their mission of mercy for the people of south Texas. Others like Sister Thais would also give of their lives, through hours of work and tons of effort. www.SouthTexasCatholic.com

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My precious and most Sister María Begoña D. Divinagracia, OP

VOCATIONS

treasured gift

Contributor

The seed of religious vocation implanted by God in my soul in the moment when my mother conceived me, was still dormant at the moment of my birth. But as years went by this was awakened by my mother who was a devout and practical Catholic. She was a fervent devotee of our Blessed Mother and a great lover of her rosary. Every morning at 4 o’clock she would sing the “Dios te Salve María” to wake up her eight children to pray the rosary with her. Her love and devotion to our Blessed Mother was bequeathed to her children, especially to me. Every night before we went to sleep she used to tell us the stories of the saints and of what vocation they were patrons. With regards to dress, she never allowed us to wear immodest dresses. Our dresses were always with sleeves, close necked and below the knee. She would always tell us, “all who see you will see Mother Mary in you, and not only in the way you dress but also in the way you behave.” And before we left for school she used to tell us, “My

“... all who see you will see Mother Mary in you, and not only in the way you dress but also in the way you behave.” 46

SOUTH TEX AS CATHOLIC | APRIL 2013

children, everywhere you are, and whatever you say and do, remember your father and me.” Yes, we tried to honor them in our words and actions and avoided dishonoring them by our misbehavior. My mother had a special devotion to the holy souls in purgatory. As a point of fact every time there was an agonizing person in our neighborhood she was always called to pray and to prepare him or her for a holy death. I was always her companion every time she was called so much so that at the age of six I had already memorized the prayers she prayed for the dying person, “De profundis ad te clamavi Domine” and “Fidelium Deus omnium.” Once I went to my aunt’s house and I saw on her altar a large picture frame of people passing through two roads. One road was very wide and good and beautiful road and the people passing there were singing and dancing, eating and drinking but at the end the devils were waiting for them and threw them into hell. The other road was very narrow and thorny and the people passing there are all dressed in white. They could hardly pass by the road, but at the end there were the Triune God, Mother Mary, Saint Joseph and all the angels and saints awaiting them. This picture had a deep impact on me. From then on I wanted my dresses to be all white. At the age of 12 the desire to enter the convent was so strong in me that I lost my interest in other things, including my studies. I told Sisters Rosario and Angela, the

Sister María Begoña D. Divinagracia, OP

Carmelite Sisters to tell their superior to admit me to their convent. But they said I was too young to enter, that I had to finish my studies first, and then they could recommend me to their Mother General. But I did not stop. I knocked at the door of the other convents, but the oft repeated words: “You’re too young to enter. Finish first your studies.” After long years of waiting, at last I entered the convent. I wanted very much to be a contemplative nun but the Lord wanted me to be a missionary sister. Hence I was admitted to the Congregation of the Religious Missionaries of Saint Dominic and I am still here, celebrating the 50th anniversary of my religious profession, continuously imploring God to give me the grace of final perseverance until death in my precious and most treasured gift, my religious vocation; the seed He planted in my soul and was nurtured by my saintly mother. www.SouthTexasCatholic.com

Same Sex Parenting Father Tadeueusz Pacholczyk, Ph.D. Columnist

n March 3, the British newspaper The Independent ran an article citing a Cambridge University study that concluded there was

“no evidence” to support the claim that children’s masculine or feminine tendencies were affected by having gay or lesbian parents, nor were the quality of their family relationships significantly different. Entitled “Children in gay adoptions at no disadvantage: Research confirms same-sex couples are just as good at parenting as heterosexuals,” the article’s source is limited to children four to eight years of age, so that any later effects, as they passed through puberty, for example, and “came of age,” were not included. Common sense, however, begs the question: how capable would two men be at helping their adopted daughter with very female matters pertaining to growing up and maturing physically? For daughters this is often an issue requiring ongoing

support, communication and sharing. It’s not something men can just read up on in a book; it can be a delicate, personal matter, closely connected to a young woman’s sense of self-identity, and it’s reasonable to conclude that there are real advantages to the empathy shared between a mother and her daughter. Although The Independent claims this was the first study to look at how children in non-traditional families fared when compared with heterosexual households, at least two other major studies addressing the question were published during 2012; one by Mark Regnerus,

Making Sense out of

BIOETHICS a sociologist at the University of Texas at Austin, and the other by Loren Marks, a researcher at Louisiana State University. Both studies presented compelling evidence countering the claim that a child’s psychosocial growth is equally supported in lesbian and gay environments, as it would be in heterosexual parenting environments. Common sense, instead of common clichés, ought to serve as our starting point in discussions about adopting children. One of the clichés we hear is that adopting children is really just a matter of the “rights of parents.” As Phoebe

>> If adoption is going to be debated as a ‘right,’ then the rights of the child (innocent and defenseless) are the rights that must prevail. Adoption exists for the benefit of the child, not for the couple who adopts him.”

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APRIL 2013 | SOUTH TEX AS CATHOLIC

Wilson noted in an article in the New Woman: “If adoption is going to be debated as a ‘right,’ then the rights of the child (innocent and defenseless) are the rights that must prevail. Adoption exists for the benefit of the child, not for the couple who adopts him.” Same-sex couples that seek to adopt a child can doubtless be motivated by the best of intentions and by genuine compassion for the plight of an orphan. Yet Wilson goes on to explain the deeper reasons that need to motivate adoption. “A child in need of adoption is a child who is in extraordinary and abnormal circumstances: he is a child without parents,” Wilson concluded. “Adoption seeks to ‘create,’ from a social and legal point of view, a relationship similar to what would be natural for the child, meaning a family relationship: mother, father, child. This relationship would not be, for example, two fathers and a mother, or three women, or a single man because this does not exist in the natural biological filiation. The love and aﬀection of one, two or five people isn’t enough. In order for a child to develop into a well balanced and fully mature person, he needs the presence of a father and a mother.” In recent years, adults who were raised by same-sex couples have started to recount and write about some of their childhood experiences. Robert Oscar Lopez, who has described himself as a “bisexual Latino intellectual, raised by a lesbian, who experienced poverty in the Bronx as a young adult,” now works as a professor at California State University. He described the notable challenges he faced grow-

SOUTH TEX AS CATHOLIC | APRIL 2013

ing up. “Quite simply, growing up with gay parents was very difficult… When your home life is so drastically different from everyone around you, in a fundamental way striking at basic physical relations, you grow up weird…My peers learned all the unwritten rules of decorum and body language in their homes; they understood what was appropriate to say in certain settings and what wasn’t; they learned both traditionally masculine and traditionally feminine social mechanisms…I had no male figure at all to follow, and my mother and her partner were both unlike traditional fathers or traditional mothers…[B]eing strange is hard; it takes a mental toll, makes it harder to find friends, interferes with professional growth and sometimes leads one down a sodden path to self-medication in the form of alcoholism, drugs, gambling, antisocial behavior and irresponsible sex. The children of same-sex couples have a tough road ahead of them–I know, because I have been there.” A compassionate society seeks to help and assist orphaned children, but no reasonable society intentionally deprives those children of a mother or a father. That is, however, what placing them into a sa same-sex home invariably does. (Father Tadeusz Pacholczyk, Ph.D. earned his doctorate in neuroscience from Yale and did post-doctoral work at Harvard. He is a priest of the diocese of Fall River, MA, and serves as the Director of Education at The National Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia. See www.ncbcenter.org.)

The Marri The Natur George Weigel Columnist

ardinal Francis George of Chicago is, arguably, the

most intellectually accomplished bishop in the history of the American episcopate.

Earlier this year, when the Illinois legislature began to consider changing state law to “accommodate those of the same sex who wish to ‘marry’ one another” (as the cardinal put it), professor Dr. George gave the readers of his column in the Chicago archdiocesan newspaper a lesson in metaphysics—and, I suspect, a high-voltage intellectual jolt. “Sexual relations between a man and a woman are naturally and necessarily diﬀerent from sexual relations between same-sex partners,” Cardinal George wrote. “This truth is part of the common sense of the human race. It was true before the existence of either Church or state, and it will continue to be true when there is no state of Illinois and no United States of America. “A proposal to change this truth about marriage in civil law is less a threat to religion than it is an aﬀront to human reason and the common good of society. It means we are all to pretend to accept something we know is physically impossible. The legislature might just as well repeal the law of gravity.” The crucial term here is “naturally.”

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age Debate III: re of Things

“

Roman Curia last December, Pope Benedict XVI raised similar issues. We deplore the “manipulation of nature” today “where our environment is concerned,” the pope said; but when it comes to human affairs, human “nature” has become a matter of our “choice.” Which means that we no longer experience ourselves as unique composites of matter and spirit? The “matter” of our humanness is mere ephemera; we are merely, as Benedict put it, “spirit and will.” Who are the big losers, the pope asked when societies and cultures lose their grip on the reality that “man and women are complementary versions of what it means to be human”? The family is certainly a loser: for if there is no “duality of man and woman” that is accepted as the Way Things Are, than “neither is the family any longer a reality” established by anything other than our willfulness. The biggest losers, though, are children, the pope said. If children are simply a lifestyle choice in a “family” that is nothing other than a willed arrangement for mutual convenience, children lose their rightful place and

The Catholic Difference their rightful dignity. Citing the chief rabbi of France, Gilles Bernheim, Benedict argued that children are, in this bizarre new world, no longer the subject of rights. Rather, “the child has become an object to which people have a right and which they have a right to obtain.” The freedom to be creative, which finds its most awesome expression in procreation, has been reduced to the freedom to create myself, however I imagine myself to be. The marriage debate is thus about more than the legal definition of marriage, although that is serious enough. It is a debate about whether there are any givens in the human condition, or whether willfulness and self-assertion trump reality at every point. If they do, what happens to democracies built on self-evident truths? (George Weigel is Distinguished Senior Fellow of the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, D.C. His column is distributed by the Denver Catholic Register.)

If children are simply a lifestyle choice in a ‘family’ that is nothing other than a willed arrangement for mutual convenience, children lose their rightful place and their rightful dignity.

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“

And if people were shocked by the cardinal’s suggestion that a same-sex “marriage” law would be as meaningless as a statute repealing the law of gravity, it is because our philosophically-challenged culture has lost any grip on what “nature” means, beyond that physical world we venerate through such civic rituals as recycling. There is little sense of the givenness of things, in the 21st-century postmodern West. And where there is no culturally-aﬃrmed conviction that some realities simply are, there will be a parallel intuition that everything is fungible, plastic and malleable: anything can be changed by an act of will. The legal ne plus ultra (the highest point) of this cultural phenomenon came in 2007, when the Spanish government allowed Juan to become Juanita on his/her national identity card by simply declaring–absent any surgical alteration–that he was now she. Cardinal George was suggesting, correctly in my view, that same-sex “marriage” is the same, essentially incoherent denial of givenness manifest in Spain’s Law 3/2007. In his Christmas address to the

APRIL 2013 | SOUTH TEX AS CATHOLIC

I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ Son of God, born of the F Father Patrick Serna Contributor

he most famous name in the history of mankind is “Jesus Christ.”

truly man while remaining truly God. Jesus Christ is true God and true man.” (CCC 464) The Nicene Creed does not simply say that Jesus is the Son of God; it says He is the ONLY Son of God. The fact that Jesus is the ONLY Son of God the Father says volumes about Say one or both of those words, the relationship between Father and and believers as well as nonbelievSon, it says that they have a unique reers will know that reference is being lationship which cannot be compared made to the famous historical figure to any other, it says that the identity that was killed on a cross about 2000 of Jesus hinges on His sonship with years ago. First things first; the Father, and the Father’s are there anything special identity hinges on his eternal about the words “Jesus,” or relationship, BEFORE time, “Christ”? What do those with the Son. words mean? The evangelist says in The name Jesus comes John 1:18 that Jesus is the from the Hebrew name I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and “Only begotten Son who is in “Joshua” or “Jeshua,” which earth, of all things visible and invisible. I believe in one Lord the bosom of the Father,” and was not an uncommon Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, born of the Father Jesus says about Himself “Bename during biblical times. before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from fore Abraham was, I am.” (Jn Etymology tells us that true God, begotten not made, consubstantial with the Father; 8:58) We know that Abraham the name “Jesus” means through Him all things were made. For us men and for our lived hundreds of years be“God saves,” and the word salvation He came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit fore the birth of Jesus Christ, “Christ” means “messiah” was incarnate of the Virgin Mary and became man. For our so evidently, the sonship of or “anointed.” So, “Jesake He was crucified under Pontius Pilate, He suffered death Jesus did not begin with His sus” is a proper name, and and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance incarnation and birth; rather, “Christ” is a title. The two with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at this Son-Father relationship words together mean “Jethe right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to existed from BEFORE time, sus the Messiah” or “Jesus judge the living and the dead and His kingdom will have no in eternity. the Anointed.” end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord the giver of life, who As humans, we can only Every now and then, proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father understand according to you will overhear a theoland the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through what we know and how we ogy session near the barthe Prophets. I believe in one holy, Catholic, and apostolic know, from experience. As becue pit or maybe at the Church. I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I humans, every creature that mall, and one person will look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the breathes at one time did not say that only God the Faexist, and then came into exworld to come. Amen. ther is God, while Jesus istence by being “begotten,” Christ is the Son of God but not God. It is easy to be confused. After all, isn’t it complicated, to believe in three diﬀerent persons who are each God, but there is only one God? Isn’t this a contradiction in terms? The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us, “The unique and altogether singular event of the Incarnation of the Son of God does not mean that Jesus Christ is part God and part man, nor does it imply that he is the result of a confused mixture of the divine and the human. He became

Nicene Creed

SOUTH TEX AS CATHOLIC | APRIL 2013

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t, the Only Begotten Father before all ages in one way or another. When we talk about Jesus being begotten, we must remind ourselves that He is not begotten in time, but in eternity. Even time is a creature created by God. Many think that eternity is best understood as “forever and forever,” but formally speaking such is not the case. Eternity means “outside of” or “beyond” time. Jesus is begotten by the Father in eternity, not in time. The “being begotten” of Jesus does not include a beginning wherein He at one point did not exist, and then came into existence, He ALWAYS WAS, IS, and WILL BE, with no beginning or end. When one starts to get serious about oﬃcial Christian doctrine, it is easy to get sidetracked and confused with details that seem to be pure hairsplitting. This hairsplitting, as we later discover, turns out to be fundamentally important for future elaborations and understandings we have about Jesus. For example, in 451 the Council of Chalcedon stated that Jesus Christ is a divine person with one divine nature and one divine human nature, and “... they came together in one person (prosopon) and one hypostasis.” Please note, Jesus is NOT a human person with a divine nature and human nature, He is a DIVINE person with human nature and divine nature. In attempting to understand “one Lord Jesus Christ” as stated in the Nicene Creed, one immediately realizes there are tensions and paradoxes. How can Jesus Christ be one when He is both True God AND True Man? How www.SouthTexasCatholic.com

can Jesus be the one God, when at the same time The Father is the One God but different, and the Holy Spirit is the One God but different? How is the oneness of the one Lord Jesus Christ preserved, while at the same moment in time around the world, there are millions of consecrated hosts on top of altars or in tabernacles, each of which is supposed to be the one and only Jesus Christ? Lest the reader become frustrated upon realizing that more questions are being generated than answers, it is important to realize that it has taken Mother Church more than 2000 years to develop teachings about the faith, primarily in response to questions. When the Christian attempts to enter the mysteries of God, the mysteries often become more not fewer, and more profound than not. The encounter of more mystery is not reason to lose heart, rather, it is more reason to delve deeper into what we believe as Christians. The infinite and transcendent God, who is outside of time and space, presents Himself to us as the finite God man in time and space, in the person of Jesus Christ. All paradoxes intersect in the God Man, Jesus Christ: the infinite becomes finite, the eternal becomes temporal, the ineffable becomes the Word made flesh and the Creator takes on the appearance of a creature. If you think that attempting to understand these paradoxical mysteries is a tall order, then know you are in good company. The great think tank St. Augustine was once walking on a beach, trying to

Our Catholic Faith understand the mysteries of the Blessed Trinity, as well as the infinity of God. Augustine was frustrated inasmuch as he simply could not make progress with these great mysteries about God, which we believe totally but understand inadequately. Just as our bishop saint was beating himself up for failure to understand the mysteries of the Blessed Trinity, he saw a little boy with a seashell in his hand, running back and forth from the ocean waves to a hole in the sand. “What are you doing little boy?” St. Augustine asked. “I am trying to put the ocean into that little hole,” the boy answered. St. Augustine responded, “How foolish! It is impossible to put the entire ocean into that little hole!” After saying these words, the boy vanished. Augustine’s attempt to fit the mysteries of God into his head was no diﬀerent than the little boy trying to fill the entire ocean into that little hole in the sand. Perhaps the boy could never fit the entire ocean into that little hole, but he could at least succeed at putting in a few drops. Similarly, we Christians can never succeed at understanding the limitless ocean of paradoxical mysteries that we believe about the God Man Jesus, but surely the attainment of one or two drops would be worth it. (Editor’s Note: This is the fourth installment in a continuing series on the Nicene Creed.) APRIL 2013 | SOUTH TEX AS CATHOLIC

The Sisters of Saint Ann Sister Kathleen McDonagh, IWBS Columnist

he Institute of the Sisters of Saint Ann was founded in Turin, Italy, in 1834 with the support of the Marquis and Marchioness of Barolo, Carlo Tancredi Falletti and his wife Giulia. The most important element in the spirituality of the Sisters of Saint Ann is a life lived in union with the Blessed Trinity. In addition to this Trinitarian focus of their spirituality, they want to give to the Church a religious institute that is dedicated to the instruction of needy children and young girls. Through this institute, and especially through its Trinitarian emphasis, they want to reach out to children and young people in all walks of life in such a way that the sisters of the institute are available for any and all charitable services as needed. Soon after beginning, the Institute of the Sisters of Saint Ann extended its eﬀorts beyond Italy to the missions, first of all to India, and then to 12 other countries. Among these 12 countries was the United States. At the present time, in the United States, the congregational ministries include teaching in diocesan elementary and secondary schools, giving catechetical instruction, engaging in pastoral ministry, retreat apostolates, youth groups, missions and many other apostolates. Their motivation for taking on a particular ministry is their judgment,

SOUTH TEX AS CATHOLIC | APRIL 2013

aﬃrmed by local ecclesial leaders, that there is a clear need for its contribution to the local Church in the area in which they are being invited to begin. Archbishop J. Fulton Sheen first invited the Sisters of Saint Ann to the United States. They went to Ebensberg, Pennsylvania where they began their United States ministry with a kindergarten class; and there, one of the sisters continues today to teach 2nd grade at All Saints School. There also, the congregation has a retreat center, which oﬀers retreat opportunities to various groups. Early in the 1990s, the Parochial Vicar of Most Precious Blood Parish in Corpus Christi, Father Frank Stodola, invited the Sisters of Saint Ann to come to minister in the Diocese of Corpus Christi. The congregation accepted this invitation with enthusiasm, and the first Sisters of Saint Ann arrived in Corpus Christi on Aug. 11, 1992. The pioneer sisters were Sister Anna Maria Lorenzon, SSA, Sister Emiliana Mampallil, SSA, Sister Lourdes Gunao, SSA and Sister Nenet Pula, SSA. The Episcopal Vicar for Religious, Msgr. Thomas Meany, met the sisters at the airport. With Msgr. Meany were Father Stodola, Gilbert Saenz the headmaster of Corpus Christi Academy and the Saenz family. Sister Sweeney, SSMN, welcomed the sisters at the convent. Also welcoming them was Yvette Sanchez, a teacher at Corpus Christi Academy and the cheerleaders of the Academy. Together the various groups gave praise and thanks to God for bringing the sisters safely to this new assignment, which they judged to be full of youthful hope and promise. On Aug. 28, 1992, the feast of Saint Augustine, one of the outstanding

ecclesial educators in the Church, Bishop René Gracida, officiated at the first school Mass for Corpus Christi Academy. In a brief ceremony after the Eucharistic celebration, the bishop met the sisters and gave them a hearty welcome to the diocese. The sisters ministered at Corpus Christi Academy for some years, but when the school closed–after a relatively brief period of time–the Sisters of Saint Ann relocated to Saint Joseph’s Parish in Corpus Christi where, up to the present, they reside in Saint Joseph’s Convent, 2100 Morris Street. From Saint Joseph’s Convent, the sisters minister in a variety of ways. On Sundays, they serve as Eucharistic ministers at Saint Joseph’s, the parish of their residence, and also teach religious education classes. During the week, they minister in different diocesan parishes and schools. Sister Emiliana is Director of Lay Formation at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish where she also teaches religion to seventh and eighth grade students. Sister Lucia D’Cunha, SSA teaches second grade at Saint Patrick’s Parochial School while Sister Nancy Menezes, SSA teaches third grade at Christ the King School. Their ministries show that they are in harmony with the thrust of the worldwide Sisters of Saint Ann; wherever they see a need, the sisters ministering in the Diocese of Corpus Christi will strive to meet that need. Their efforts to meet diverse needs of the Church is indeed a response which brings them great joy and a sense of fulfillment. May God continue to give them the blessings and direction, which they need to lead others to Him. www.SouthTexasCatholic.com

April 24 Wed Easter Weekday | white/red [Saint Fidelis of Sigmaringen, Priest and Martyr] Acts 12:24— 13:5a/Jn 12:44-50 (281) April 25 Thu Saint Mark, Evangelist | red | Feast | 1 Pt 5:5b-14/Mk 16:15-20 (555) Pss Prop April 26 Fri Easter Weekday | white | Acts 13:26-33/Jn 14:1-6 (283) April 27 Sat Easter Weekday | white | Acts 13:44-52/Jn 14:7-14 (284) April 28 SUN FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER | white | Acts 14:21-27/Rv 21:1-5a/Jn 13:31-33a, 34-35 (54) Pss I April 29 Mon Saint Catherine of Siena, Virgin and Doctor of the Church | white | Memorial | Acts 14:518/Jn 14:21-26 (285) April 30 Tue Easter Weekday | white/ white [Saint Pius V, Pope] Acts 14:1928/Jn 14:27-31a (286)

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APRIL 2013 | SOUTH TEX AS CATHOLIC

APRIL CALENDAR

Divine Mercy Retreat On April 4-7 at Our Lady of Corpus Christi Retreat Center on 1200 Lantana.

St. Pius X 10th Annual Golf Classic St. Pius X School is sponsoring their 10th Annual Golf Classic on Friday, April 5 at the Corpus Christi Country Club. Registration begins at 12 p.m. with a shotgun start at 1 p.m.

Divine Mercy Sunday On April 7 from 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. followed by the 1st Sunday. St. Peregrine Healing Mass at 4 p.m. in Adoration Chapel on 1200 Lantana.

Mother Julia Project Casino Night On April 6 from 5 p.m.-1 a.m. at KC Hall on 1600 N. 14th Street in Kingsville. Elvis impersonator Danny Lee will perform. There will be black Jack, bingo, craps, roulette, Texas Hold’em, DJ music, dinner, dance and a whole lot of fun. Funds raised will go toward helping the Mother Julia Project.

KJT’s District X Family Day On April 7 from 2-5 p.m. at the James and Beverly Holman residence on 11802 Up River Road on the Nueces River. There will be food, fun and ﬁshing (bring your bait and pole), Easter egg hunt (bring Easter baskets for your children), and lots of door prizes and special prizes for the Egg Hunt. There will also be a short district meeting. This is a family event and non-members are welcome. The more the merrier. Invite family and friends to enjoy the fun-ﬁlled day with us. Please RSVP for the food preparation with Ellen Zdansky at (361) 992-4501.

School of Prayer, Part I On April 8 from 7:30-9:30 p.m. at the Newman Catholic Student Center on 7002 Ocean Drive. Guest speaker Sister Anna Marie Espinosa, IWBS, gives a two-part series on prayer. For more information, please contact Adam Koll at akoll@diocesecc.org.

OLCC Beneﬁt Golf Tournament On April 12 at 8 a.m. at Oso Golf Course.

SOUTH TEX AS CATHOLIC | APRIL 2013

Sponsorship levels available. Team entry fee (four golfers) $400, includes green fees, cart, breakfast and lunch. For more information call Al Lujan at (361) 2158173 or email: alfredlujan@yahoo.com. Applications also available at OLCC.

Corpus Christi Catholic Engaged Encounter On April 13-14 beginning Saturday at 7 a.m. at Our Lady of Corpus Christi Retreat Center on 1200 Lantana St. in Corpus Christi. For more information call the Diocese of Corpus Christi Family Life Oﬃce at (361) 882-6191 or go to www. DioceseCC.org/FamilyLife or Deacon Ron Martinez at (361) 765-1124 or email: deaconron@olphcc.net.

True Devotion Day of Prayer On April 13 from 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. in Perpetual Adoration Chapel at Our Lady of Corpus Christi Campus on 1200 Lantana.

Classes at OLPH On April 15 Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish will have monthly classes entitled “A Covenant of Love with Mary” in the Parish Hall. There will be Mass beginning at 6:15 p.m., followed by a video and talk at 6:45 p.m. and a light dinner and celebration.

School of Prayer, Part 2 On April 15 from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Sister Anna Marie Espinosa, IWBS, concludes a series on prayer. For more information, contact Adam Koll at akoll@diocesecc. org.

Cursillo de hombres (Español) Cursillo de hombres se celebrará del 18 a 21 abril en el Corpus Christi Cursillo Center localizado en el 1200 Lantana en Corpus Christi. Para obtener más información, por favor llame a America Lopez, Vocal del Pre-Cursillo- mujeres, al (361) 592-1927 o americalopez@yahoo. com. Hacer un amigo, ser un amigo, y traer a un amigo a Cristo!

Men’s Silent Retreat On April 18-21 at Our Lady of Corpus Christi Retreat Center on 1200 Lantana.

True Radiance Meeting Attention all high-school aged girls. Come, join your friends or make new ones. Participate in the True Modesty Program and Fashion Show. Meetings will be held at St. Theresa Parish Hall, located at 1200 Lantana, on select Sundays at 2 p.m. Registrations will be accepted through April 21. The cost for attendance is $75, which includes seven sessions. For more information go to www.diocesecc.org/trueradiance.

Men’s Cursillo (English) On April 25-28 at the Corpus Christi Cursillo Center located at 1200 Lantana in Corpus Christi. For more information, please call Pre-Cursillo Chairperson Gloria Franco, at (361) 249-2450. Make a friend, be a friend, and bring a friend to Christ!

Annual Jamaica at the Jim Wells County Fairgrounds On Friday and Saturday, April 26-27 Our Lady of Guadalupe Church and Santo Nino de Atocha Mission will be having their Annual Jamaica at the Jim Wells County Fairgrounds. There will be roping books, live music with Marcos Orozco y Rebelde and Un Nuevo Oro, silent auction, food, games and a queen and princess contest. Cook-oﬀ begins on Saturday at 7 a.m. Roping books open at 6:30 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. on Saturday. For more information call (361) 664-2953. Free entrance and parking.

The Melchizedek Project Meeting-Day of Reﬂection On April 27 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at Ss. Cyril and Methodius Parish in the Works of Mercy Building at 3210 South Padre Island Drive in Corpus Christi. The Melchizedek Project is a discernment group for high school seniors and above who love Jesus Christ and His Church, and who are willing to talk to other likeminded men about their future. To see more calendar events go to:

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Day of Prayer On April 27 “Deepening your life in Christ” at St. Joseph’s in Beeville.

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