Summer 2021 - Vol. 56. No. 2 by South Texas Catholic

SERVING THE CHURCH IN THE DIOCESE OF CORPUS CHRISTI

South Texas

Catholic W W W. S O U T H T E X A S C AT H O L I C . C O M • S U M M E R 2 0 21

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INSIDE 5 | BISHOP’S MESSAGE, The Eucharist: Bishop Michael Mulvey shares an encounter with Jesus.

7 | VOCATIONS, Two seminarians, Carlos De La Rosa and Charles Silvas share their vocation stories.

11 | JESUS SAYS, Explaining the Gospel

Message: Father Brady Williams, SOLT, reflects on the words of Jesus, “Remain in me, as I remain in You.”

15 | CATHOLIC SCHOOLS, Students from St.

Anthony Catholic School in Robstown are being formed in their faith through various Catechesis of the Good Shepherd activities in their newly built atrium.

18 | FEAST OF CORPUS CHRISTI, also known

as the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, begins universally this year on Thursday, June 3, and Catholics are invited to once again gather as one body at Corpus Christi Cathedral.

21 | WOMAN OF STRENGTH, St. Juliana of

Liège, was a woman of strength and inner conviction whose role in the inception of the Feast of Corpus Christi is not widely known.

23 | SPREADING THE LIGHT, Through Holy

Friendships: FOCUS missionaries bring the Word of God to students on the Texas A&M University-Kingsville campus.

27 | ST. JOSEPH, Husband of Mary and foster

father of Jesus: St. Joseph is a good example of how to live as husbands and fathers.

29 | ORACIÓN COMUNITARIA, La Eucaristía:

El Padre José Angel Salazar desafía a los lectores a recordar el misterio de la Misa y recibir a Jesús en Comunión.

32 | NATIONAL NEWS: USCCB applauds Biden for raising limit on refugee admissions.

34 | A WORD FROM OUR HOLY FATHER: Pope Francis says, ‘A truly Christian life bears witness to Christ.’

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Liturgical Calendar VOL. 56 NO. 2 Publisher Bishop Michael Mulvey, STL DD Director of Communications Julie Stark jstark@diocesecc.org

June 2021

80 (587) Pss Prop

1 | Tue | Saint Justin, Martyr (Ninth Week in Ordinary Time) | red | Memorial | Tb 2:9-14/Mk 12:13-17 (354) Pss I

25 | Fri | Weekday | green | Gn 17:1, 9-10, 15-22/Mt 8:1-4 (375)

2 | Wed | Weekday | green/red [Saints Marcellinus and Peter, Martyrs] Tb 3:1-11a, 16-17a/Mk 12:18-27 (355)

27 | SUN | THIRTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME | green Wis 1:13-15; 2:23-24/2 Cor 8:7, 9, 13-15/ Mk 5:21-43 or 5:21-24, 35b-43 (98) Pss I

20 | Tue | Weekday | green/red [Saint Apollinaris, Bishop and Martyr] Ex 14:21—15:1/Mt 12:46-50 (396)

28 | Mon | Saint Irenaeus, Bishop and Martyr | red | Memorial | Gn 18:16-33/Mt 8:18-22 (377)

21 | Wed | Weekday | green/white [Saint Lawrence of Brindisi, Priest and Doctor of the Church] Ex 16:15, 9-15/Mt 13:1-9 (397)

3 | Thu | Saint Charles Lwanga and Companions, Martyrs | red | Memorial | Tb 6:10-11; 7:1bcde, 9-17; 8:4-9a/Mk 12:28-34 (356)

Managing Editor Mary Cottingham MCottingham@diocesecc.org

Theological Consultant Ben Nguyen, MTS, JCL/JD, D.Min (ABD) BNguyen@diocesecc.org

6 | SUN | THE MOST HOLY BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST | white (Corpus Christi) Solemnity | Ex 24:3-8/Heb 9:11-15/Mk 14:12-16, 22-26 (168) Pss Prop

Communications Specialist Elizabeth Morales Correspondents Jesse De Leon and Rebecca Esparza

7 | Mon | Weekday (Tenth Week in Ordinary Time) | green 2 Cor 1:1-7/ Mt 5:1-12 (359) Pss II

Translator/Correspondent Gloria Romero

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Calendar Items

26 | Sat | Weekday | green/white [BVM] Gn 18:1-15/Mt 8:5-17 (376)

Submit your announcements by using our online form, e-mail, 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 diocesan websites.

15 | Tue | Weekday | green | 2 Cor 8:1-9/Mt 5:43-48 (366)

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.

18 | Fri | Weekday | green | 2 Cor 11:18, 21-30/Mt 6:19-23 (369)

10 | Sat | Weekday | green/white [BVM] Gn 49:29-32; 50:15-26a/Mt 10:24-33 (388)

19 | Sat | Weekday | green/white/ white [Saint Romuald, Abbot; BVM] 2 Cor 12:1-10/Mt 6:24-34 (370)

11 | SUN | FIFTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME | green Am 7:1215/Eph 1:3-14 or 1:3-10/Mk 6:7-13 (104) Pss III

20 | SUN | TWELFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME | green Jb 38:1, 8-11/2 Cor 5:14-17/Mk 4:35-41 (95) Pss IV

12 | Mon | Weekday | green | Ex 1:814, 22/Mt 10:34—11:1 (389)

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9 | Fri | Weekday | green/red [Saint Augustine Zhao Rong, Priest, and Companions, Martyrs] Gn 46:1-7, 28-30/Mt 10:16-23 (387)

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BISHOP’S MESSAGE The Eucharist

The Word became flesh By Bishop Michael Mulvey South Texas Catholic

he Word became flesh. This central mystery of our faith is proclaimed in the prologue of St. John’s Gospel. It is also the great mystery we celebrate each Christmas. God became man. God came to us in human flesh. The Word is the person of Jesus Christ. To know the Word is to know God. It is by encountering the word that we know the person of Jesus. The Holy Spirit has been given to the entire Church and to each person through the sacraments of baptism and confirmation. Jesus told us in the Gospel of John, chapter 14, that the Spirit will teach us and remind us of all that He said. According to the Rite of Confirmation, He is the light that guides us – our helper and guide. What does all this mean to us in our daily lives? The truths of our faith are true because they can be lived or impact our daily lives. God is close to us, is present to us, lives in us through His word. We encounter Jesus in so many ways: He is present in the eucharist; he lives within us, and in those, we meet “whatever you do to the least you have done to me” (Mt 25:40), and He lives in His word. We are not people of “the Book.” We are people of the living Word. According to the Letter to the Hebrews, chapter 4, a word that is alive and active can cut through any falsehood, or any error in our life. Our tradition is filled with beautiful examples of the saints who nurtured their faith through the study of the scriptures, prayer and meditation on the Word of God. They gathered treasures in their hearts that in turn overflowed in every aspect of their life. Their lives were transformed. They experienced what St. Paul wrote, “yet I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me; insofar as I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who has loved me and given himself up for me” (Gal 2:20). It is not I who lives but Christ who lives in me. I, too, try to direct my life on the Gospel of Jesus. I do so by putting into practice one phrase of the Gospel for a month. For me, this practice started around 1977. I would like to share with you one of my earliest experiences of living the Word of God.

I was preparing a presentation in my parish on how to live the Gospel. The phrase I wanted to focus on was having loved his own, “he loved them to the end” (Jn 13:1). In my final preparations for the parish gathering, I was in the church. A lady came by and simply asked for the last Sunday’s bulletin. I indicated where she could find it pointing to the church entrances, the sacristy, etc. She went and searched for a bulletin but could not find one. I was very busy at that time but looking up, I saw a banner with the phrase “Having loved his own, he loved them to the end,” this motivated and moved me to assist the lady further. I interrupted my activities and went to help her search for the bulletin in other places, but we were not able to find one. The lady seemed satisfied that no bulletin could be found. As she began to leave, I took another glance at a banner – “Having loved His own, He loved them to the end,” and I realized that I was failing to live the words of the Gospel completely because I knew there was a bulletin in the parish office. Inside me, I felt that until she has a bulletin in her hand, I had not loved the way Jesus loves me. I called the lady back. We went together to the office and retrieved a bulletin, for which she was very grateful. I have meditated on that moment many times in my life as a priest and now as a bishop. I reflect on how I must live “He loved them to the end” in simple moments, but also in very demanding situations in my ministry as a bishop. Those words of Jesus have been branded in my soul. I am grateful to God for allowing me to encounter Him on a deeper level in His word — especially in the Gospel.

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MENSAJE DEL OBISPO La Eucaristía

El Verbo se hizo carne Por Obispo Michael Mulvey South Texas Catholic

l Verbo se hizo carne. Este misterio central de nuestra fe es proclamado en el prólogo del Evangelio de San Juan. También es el gran misterio que celebramos cada Navidad. Dios se hizo hombre. Dios vino a nosotros en carne humana. La Palabra es la persona de Jesucristo. Conocer la Palabra es conocer a Dios. Es en el encuentro con la palabra que conocemos a la persona de Jesús. Recientemente celebramos la fiesta de Pentecostés. El Espíritu Santo ha sido dado a toda la Iglesia y a cada persona a través de los sacramentos del Bautismo y la Confirmación. Jesús nos dijo en el Evangelio de Juan, capítulo 14, que el Espíritu nos enseñará y nos recordará todo lo que El dijo. Según el Rito de la Confirmación, Él es la luz que nos guía, nuestro ayudante y guía. ¿Qué significa todo esto para nosotros en nuestra vida diaria? Las verdades de nuestra fe son verdad, porque ellas pueden vivirse o impactar nuestra vida diaria. Dios está cerca de nosotros, está presente en nosotros, vive en nosotros a través de Su palabra. Encontramos a Jesús de muchas maneras: está presente en la Eucaristía; El vive dentro de nosotros, y también en aquellos que encontramos a nuestro paso “cuanto hiciste a uno solo al más pequeño de estos mis hermanos, a Mi me lo hiciste” (Mt 25, 40), y Él vive en su palabra. No somos gente de “Libro”. Somos gente de la Palabra viva. Según la Carta a los Hebreos, capítulo 4, una palabra viva y activa puede atravesar cualquier falsedad o cualquier error en nuestra vida. Nuestra tradición está llena de bellos ejemplos de los santos quienes nutrieron su fe a través del estudio de las Escrituras, la oración y la meditación en la Palabra de Dios. Reunieron tesoros en sus corazones que a su vez se desbordaron en todos los aspectos de su vida. Sus vidas se transformaron. Experimentaron lo que escribió San Pablo, “y ya no vivo yo, sino que en mi vive Cristo. Y si ahora vivo en la carne, vivo por la fe en el Hijo de Dios, el cual me amó y se entregó a sí mismo por mí” (Gal 2, 20). No soy yo quien vive, sino Cristo quien vive en mí.

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Yo también trato de orientar mi vida hacia el Evangelio de Jesús. Lo hago poniendo en práctica una frase del Evangelio durante un mes. Para mí, esta práctica comenzó alrededor de 1977. Quiero compartir con ustedes una de mis primeras experiencias de vivir la Palabra de Dios. Estaba preparando una presentación en mi parroquia sobre cómo vivir el Evangelio. La frase en la que quería centrarme esa noche era haber amado a los suyos, “los amó hasta el fin” (Jn 13, 1). En mis preparativos finales para la reunión parroquial, estaba en la iglesia. Una señora se acercó y simplemente pidió el boletín del domingo pasado. Le indiqué dónde podía encontrarlo señalando las entradas de la iglesia, la sacristía, etc. Fue y buscó un boletín pero no pudo encontrarlo. Estaba muy ocupado en ese momento, pero mirando hacia arriba, vi un letrero con la frase “Habiendo amado a los suyos, los amó hasta el final”, esto me motivó y conmovió a ayudar más a la dama. Interrumpí mis actividades y fui a ayudarla a buscar el boletín en otros lugares, pero no pudimos encontrar uno. La dama pareció satisfecha de que no se pudiera encontrar ningún boletín. Cuando ella comenzó a irse, eché otro vistazo al letrero: “Habiendo amado a los suyos, los amó hasta el final”, y me di cuenta de que no estaba viviendo las palabras del Evangelio por completo, porque sabía que había un boletín en la oficina parroquial. Dentro de mí, sentí que hasta que ella tuviera un boletín en la mano, yo no había amado como Jesús me ama. Llamé a la dama. Fuimos juntos a la oficina y recuperamos un boletín, por lo que ella quedó muy agradecida. He meditado sobre ese momento muchas veces en mi vida como sacerdote y ahora como obispo. Reflexiono sobre cómo debo vivir “El los amó hasta el final” en momentos sencillos, pero también en situaciones muy exigentes en mi ministerio como obispo. Esas palabras de Jesús han quedado grabadas en mi alma. Agradezco a Dios por permitirme encontrarme con Él en un nivel más profundo en Su palabra, especialmente en el Evangelio.

QUE TODOS SE AN UNO

VOCATIONS Seminarian’s corner

Two seminarians share their vocation stories By Carlos De La Rosa and Charles Silvas Contributors

Editor’s note: Bishop Michael Mulvey invites everyone to the diaconate ordination of seminarians, Carlos De La Rosa and Charles Silvas on June 5 at 10 a.m. at Corpus Christi Cathedral. Both seminarians will be completing their studies at Theological College in Washington DC and are scheduled to be ordained to the priesthood in June of 2022. These are their stories:

Carlos De La Rosa he possibility of becoming a priest has been on my heart since I was a young child. Growing up, I was very active at Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish and attended various youth events and served at the altar. I began to encounter many holy priests who shepherded me, my classmates, and my friends throughout this time – most evident when I started my studies at St. John Paul II, where many priests were on the faculty. They blessed us by being pastorally present in our lives, which involved hearing our confessions to attending retreats and sporting events. It was remarkably beneficial to hear about their experiences and how they lived out their presbyteral ministry and to see them in action. Not only hearing about their ministry but experiencing it firsthand Carlos De La Rosa was an important part of my discernment. During my sophomore class retreat, I had a very powerful and affirming experience during confession, which helped me have a deep understanding of the mercy of God. I never forgot the words of the confessor that day. He said, “Your sins don’t define you.” Those five words changed my life. I had never seen myself through this new lens of mercy. It was a new experience, but I realized it would be important later in my life.

Later, on the same day of the retreat, I realized that God had just affirmed, in a profound way, the calling which I had heard for my entire life. I realized that He was calling me to be an agent of His mercy as a priest. I heard Him call me to give up everything and follow Him so that others might also experience His mercy. From that point forward, my life has been about learning how to lose myself so that, in the light of His mercy, I can find myself for the sake of the people of God. In the fall of 2013, I entered Holy Trinity Seminary in Irving to pursue an undergraduate degree in Philosophy. In 2017, Bishop Mulvey asked me to attend Theological College, at the Catholic University of America, in Washington D.C., for graduate studies in theology. I currently reside in the district. This journey has been, thus far, an extraordinary one in which I have come to both lose and find myself through God’s mercy. The formation process to be a priest is a long and intense journey in which we are formed in many dimensions. In the human dimension, we constantly wrestle with the image we have of our own holiness and the image that God has. We constantly seek to lose our image so that we can find Christ’s image. It is this image of Christ, which is startlingly merciful and often in stark contrast to our own. I believe each year we more fully come to know and be conformed to Christ’s image so that we may image Christ the Good and Merciful Shepherd one day. Looking back on my formation thus far, it is the presbyterate in our great diocese, which has inspired me and shepherded me. I feel tremendously blessed and humbled to, very soon, be able to call the many priests who have been shepherds for me, brothers. In the Diocese of Corpus Christi, we are blessed with many good and holy priests who want nothing more than for the laity to be more deeply drawn into the sheepfold of Christ’s mercy.

Charles Silvas

am preparing to enter my final year of seminary formation at Theological College and my fourth year of theology at The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. I entered the seminary in August 2012 and look forward to being ordained a transitional deacon this June 2021, and God

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VOCATIONS Seminarian’s corner

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VOCATIONS

VINCENT CASTALDI, SEMINARIAN FOR THE ARCHDIOCESE OF NEW YORK | FOR STC

Seminarian’s corner

willing, a priest in 2022. As I reflect on my journey towards the priesthood, three themes stand out: The Eucharist, the example of good priests, and my family. There was never a time in my life when the vocation to the priesthood did not resonate within me. From a very young age, I wanted to become a priest. I always enjoyed going to Mass, where I first encountered priestly ministry. Growing up, I attended St. Joseph Church in Corpus Christi, where I was an altar server for many years. I was also fortunate to receive a Catholic education at Holy Family Elementary, Bishop Garriga Middle Preparatory School, and St. John Paul II High School. Receiving a Catholic education has allowed me another opportunity to be an altar server outside of Sunday Mass, which I enjoyed and looked forward to. While in high school, I played football, continued as an altar server, and tried my best to be faithful to daily Mass. The Mass was the primary way I learned that the priest feeds the people with the Eucharist, who are sent as witnesses to their encounter with God in their lives. When I entered seminary, I quickly learned that to “feed the people,” the priest must first be fed and nourished by his relationship with Christ in the Eucharist. During my visits to the Blessed Sacrament, I gradually received confirmation and peace from God about my vocation to the priesthood. Before the Blessed Sacrament, personal prayer continues to be an essential invitation for me to listen to God’s voice, see my own need for conversion, and allow Him to conform my heart to His. Being an active altar server in high school, I had the opportunity to serve at several diocesan events, where I met Bishop Emeritus Edmond Carmody and Father Peter Elizardo, who was master of ceremonies at the time. Both Bishop Emeritus Carmody and Father Elizardo helped guide me in my discernment, and they continue to be great mentors and support in my formation towards the priesthood. Bishop Emeritus Carmody possesses a great pastoral charity and sensitivity to the needs of the people, and Father Elizardo expresses a great pastoral zeal for the Church through his ministry. Both expressions of priestly ministry complement each other and have been very influential in my discernment and seminary formation. I am particularly grateful for their continued support, guidance, and encouragement throughout my time in seminary. My family has also had a significant role in my vocation,

Seminarians Carlos De La Rosa, at left, and Charles Silvas will be ordained to the transitional diaconate on June 5 at 10 a.m. in Corpus Christi Cathedral. Both seminarians are completing their studies at the Theological College at The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC.

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VOCATIONS Seminarian’s corner

and I am grateful for their continued support. I come from a blended family where I am the eldest of seven siblings. My family has a strong faith in God, which allowed me to grow in my faith. Specifically, my grandmothers have played an indispensable role in my vocation story. My maternal grandmother was a simple and humble woman. Her batCharles Silvas tle with Alzheimer’s disease taught me the valuable lesson of patience and the importance of staying in the present moment. Likewise, she taught me that it is possible to find joy in the simple and ordinary things in life, many of which we take for granted. More importantly, she taught me how to be empathetic. My paternal grandmother is a woman of great faith and devotion. She instilled and planted the seed of faith

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within me and brought the Gospel to life in her marriage and in the way she lives her life. As my late grandfather’s caregiver for many years, she pointed to Christ, who laid down His life for the Church and who came not to be served but to serve. Her example of love, sacrifice, and faith will continue to inspire me in my formation. I believe God has used these unique experiences, challenges, and people throughout my life to be the channel through which He forms and prepares me to serve His people. These are moments of great grace. I am always grateful for opportunities such as these to tell my vocation story. They are one way in which I believe God invites me to reflect on how He has been present and led me to this point in my life. While I do not have a grand conversion or dramatic vocation story, I have felt God calling me to be a priest from a very young age and continue to hear that call. Nevertheless, I am thankful for my vocation story. It has been accompanied by strong faith, experiences, and people who have supported my calling to the priesthood. With joy and the help of God’s grace, I eagerly look forward to ministry in and for the people of God in our diocese.

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JESUS SAYS

Explaining the Gospel message

I am the bread of life…”

By Father Brady Williams, SOLT Contributor

“For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him” (Jn 6:48, 55-56).

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DEPOSIT PHOTOS

am the bread of life.” Throughout the Easter season, we have been given a chance to reflect more deeply on these words of Jesus. They emphasize a central aspect of our Christian initiation and even of our daily/ weekly living as disciples of Jesus. Still, these words can almost seem causal for many of us Christians in the 21st century. When Jesus goes on to say, “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him” (Jn 6:56), many people who had followed Him up to that point turned away and ‘returned to their former way of life.’ They must have thought that he was suggesting some form of cannibalism. Nevertheless, Jesus insists that eating his flesh and drinking his blood is an essential way of remaining in him. In the Gospel of John, Jesus speaks of remaining in him on two other occasions. In chapter 5, He told unbelievers, “you do not have His word remaining in you, because you do not believe in the one whom He has sent” (Jn 5:38). Therefore, they did not recognize his authority. Later, at the Last Supper, he will tell his disciples, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want, and it will be done for you” (Jn 15:7). Secondly, again at the Last Supper, Jesus presents a beautiful image of the vine and the branches. What is particularly striking about this image is the feature of mutual remaining: “Remain in me, as I remain in you” (Jn 15:4). Reflecting on this mystical remaining, Pope Francis observed:

Without Jesus we can do nothing, like the branches without the vine. And He – may the Lord permit me to say so – without us, it seems that He can do nothing, because the branches bear the fruit, not the tree (the vine.) In this community, in this intimacy of “remaining,” which bears fruit, the Father and Jesus remain in me and I remain in Them. What comes to my mind to say is: what does the vine “need” from the branches? It is to have fruit. What is the “need,”let us say, a bit daringly, what does Jesus “need” from us? Witness. Turning back now to John 6:56, Jesus reminds us: “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.” In our reception of the most holy Eucharist, we do not only receive the Lord Jesus Christ, but he also receives us and remains in us. That remaining is to bear much fruit, which is to conform our lives more deeply in Christ. In the first centuries of the Church, two martyrs in particular vibrantly illustrate the fruit of this Eucharistic remaining. St. Ignatius of Antioch desired to be ground up like wheat by the wild beasts in the arena in order to become the ‘pure bread’ of Christ. St. Polycarp, as he was being burned on the pyre, looked “not like flesh that is burnt, but like bread that is baked” and there was the scent of frankincense in the air. For these two martyrs and other heroic Christians, partaking of the Bread of Life was the way of remaining in the Lord. This mutual remaining led to giving the ultimate witness of

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JESUS SAYS

Explaining the Gospel message

‘Yo soy el pan de vid

shedding their blood for Christ. As we begin returning safely to our parishes to celebrate the Sunday Eucharist together, I think we will again experience the power of that mutual remaining in the Lord in our personal lives and in the Church as a whole. Certainly, the Lord remained with us in his Word during the time of the pandemic when we needed to participate at Holy Mass online. Still, the words of Jesus that we have life in Him only if we eat His flesh and drink His blood should move us to seek to remain in Him in the most profound way – in holy Communion. Just as the ancient Israelites had to eat the Passover lamb in order to participate in the Lord’s saving action, likewise in the new and everlasting Covenant, unless we eat His flesh and drink His blood, we do not have life within us. Jesus invites us into this mutual remaining in the most profound way in the Eucharist, the Bread of Life. What is the fruit that we will bear? Our Holy Father says: witness. Remaining in Jesus in the Most Holy Eucharist will be a witness that without the Lord, I can do nothing.

Por el padre Brady Williams, SOLT

Contribuyente

“

o soy el pan de vida”. Estas palabas de Jesús son motivo de reflexión profunda principalmente en la temporada de Pascua. Porque ellas enfatizan un aspecto central de nuestra iniciación cristiana e incluso, de nuestro diario vivir como discípulos de Jesús. Sin embargo, estas palabras pueden parecer casi causales para muchos de los cristianos del siglo XXI. Cuando Jesús continúa diciendo: “El que come mi carne y bebe mi sangre permanece en Mí y Yo en él” (Jn 6,56), muchas de las personas que Lo han seguido hasta este punto, se alejan y regresan a su vida anterior. ‘Debieron haber pensado que El estaba sugiriendo alguna forma de canibalismo’. No obstante, Jesús insiste en que comer su carne y beber su sangre es una forma esencial de permanecer en El. En el evangelio de San Juan, Jesús habla de permanecer en El en otras dos ocasiones. La primera instancia está en el capítulo 5 en referencia a Sus palabras: “Mis palabras no permanecen en ti”, y por lo tanto, la gente no reconoció Su autoridad. Más tarde, en la Última Cena, dirá a sus discípulos: “Si permanecen en mí y mis palabras permanecen en ustedes, pidan lo que quieran y se les concederá” (Jn 15, 7). En segundo lugar, nuevamente en la Última Cena, Jesús presenta una hermosa imagen de la vid y las ramas. Lo que llama particularmente la atención de esta imagen, es el rasgo de la permanencia mutua: “Permaneced en mí, como yo permanezco en vosotros” (Jn 15, 4). Reflexionando sobre este restante místico, el Papa Francisco observó: Sin Jesús no podemos hacer nada, como las ramas sin la vid. Y Él - que el Señor me permita decir, como que sin nosotros, parece que el Señor, no puede hacer nada, porque las ramas dan el fruto, no el árbol, la vid. En esta comunidad, en esta intimidad de “permanecer”, que da fruto, el Padre y Jesús permanecen en mí y yo permanezco en Ellos. Lo que viene a mi mente es decirles: ¿qué “necesita” la vid de las ramas? Es tener fruto. ¿Qué es la “necesidad”, digámoslo así, con un poco de atrevimiento, qué “necesita” Jesús de nosotros? Testimonio. Volviendo ahora a Juan 6:56, Jesús nos recuerda: “El que come mi carne y bebe mi sangre, permanece en Mí y Yo en él”. En nuestra recepción de la Santísima Eucaristía, no solo recibimos al Señor Jesucristo, sino que El también nos recibe y permanece en nosotros. Lo que nos queda es dar mucho fruto, lo cual es conformar nuestras vidas más profundamente en Cristo. En los primeros siglos de la Iglesia, dos mártires en particular ilustran de manera vibrante el fruto de este remanente Eucarístico. San Ignacio de Antioquía deseaba ser molido como trigo por las fieras en la arena para convertirse en el “pan puro” de Cristo. San Policarpo, mientras lo quemaban en la hoguera, parecía que olía

About the Author Father Brady Williams is a member of the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity (SOLT). He completed his theological studies at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) in Rome in 2003 and was ordained to the priesthood in Corpus Christi in 2004. In 2008 he completed his Licentiate degree in liturgical theology at the Pontifical Atheneum Sant’Anselmo in Rome and was appointed as the Rector of the SOLT House of Studies (2008 – 2012). Among the many opportunities for priestly ministry, Father Williams was assistant chaplain at the University of Dallas Rome Campus (2006 – 2011) and ministered to the sick and dying as a hospital chaplain at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, MI (2012). He was assigned as Pastor of Most Holy Trinity Parish and School in Phoenix, AZ in 2012 – 2013. Currently, Father Williams serves as the SOLT General Secretary and as the Novice Servant. 12

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VER ANO 2021

QUE TODOS SE AN UNO

JESUS DIJO

Explicando el mensaje del evangelio

a ...’ “Porque mi carne es verdaderamente comida, y mi sangre es verdaderamente bebida. El que come mi carne y bebe mi sangre permanece en Mí y Yo en él”

DEPOSIT PHOTOS

(Jn 6:48, 55-56).

“no como a carne que se quema, sino como a pan recién horneado” y esa era la esencia del olor a incienso que había en el aire. Para estos dos mártires y otros cristianos heroicos, participar del Pan de Vida, era la forma de permanecer en el Señor. Esta permanencia mutua los llevó a dar el último testimonio de derramar su sangre por Cristo. A medida que comenzamos a regresar sanos y salvos a nuestras parroquias para celebrar juntos la Eucaristía dominical, creo que volveremos a experimentar el poder de esa permanencia mutua en el Señor en nuestras vidas personales y en conjunto con la Iglesia en su totalidad. Ciertamente, el Señor permaneció en nosotros con su Palabra durante el tiempo de la pandemia cuando necesitábamos participar en la Santa Misa en línea. Sin embargo,

las palabras de Jesús de que tenemos vida en Él solo si comemos Su carne y bebemos Su sangre deberían impulsarnos a buscar permanecer en Él de la manera más profunda: en la santa Comunión. Así como los antiguos israelitas tenían que comer el cordero pascual para participar en la acción salvadora del Señor, de la misma manera, a través de la Alianza nueva y eterna; a menos que comamos su carne y bebamos su sangre, no tendremos vida entre nosotros. Jesús nos invita a este mutuo permanecer de la manera más profunda en la Eucaristía, el Pan de Vida. ¿Cuál es el fruto que daremos? Nuestro Santo Padre dice: testimonio. Permanecer en Jesús en la Santísima Eucaristía serán testimonio de que sin el Señor no se puede hacer nada.

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CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

REBECCA ESPARZA | FOR STC

Grounded in Faith

Harper Bueno, 5, asks Sister Mary Meghan Roush, SOLT to light a candle, so she can say a prayer. Once Harper finished praying, the preschooler from St. Anthony School snuffed out the candle and moved on to another activity in the atrium, a newly renovated religious education room at the school.

St. Anthony School: Where Jesus is Teacher By Rebecca Esparza

Correspondent

he young children from St. Anthony Catholic School in Robstown waited restlessly to enter the newly built atrium. There was some giggling and fidgeting, typical for rambunctious and curious five-year-olds. But as they stepped into the newly designed portable building, one-by-one their demeanor immediately transformed. Each child became instantly silent. They sat down with reverence and did not steer their eyes away from Sister Mary Meghan Roush with the Society of Our Lady of

the Most Holy Trinity (SOLT), who held up laminated cards with their names. Each child took their card and found an activity to engage with in the recently redesigned atrium at St. Anthony, designed to help children learn contemplation and enjoyment of God. The atrium contains various Catechesis of the Good Shepherd activities based on parts of the liturgy such as Mass, baptism, sacraments and prayer. Children have the opportunity to participate in hands-on demonstrations while reflecting on scripture.

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CATHOLIC SCHOOLS Grounded in Faith

“Right now, our Montessori students use the atrium on a more regular basis,” said Anna Gonzalez, principal at St. Anthony School. “The long term goal is that it will be fit to receive all the children in school. We are beginning with level one of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and will eventually build up to the older grades.” Currently, the older children are utilizing the atrium as a place of spiritual meditation and reflection, she added. “It’s a time to be still and listen to our Lord through scripture and literature,” Gonzalez said. “Having religious education allows us to carry out our mission of forming the whole child. Catholic education provides each of us a daily opportunity to have God at the center of our lives,” she explained.

Sister Mary Meghan, who is in her first year as a novitiate, works at the school part-time. She knows firsthand how much the children love the atrium. “One of the boys loves it so much, he asks me everyday if he can go to the atrium,” she said. “The same boy used to throw tantrums every time we left the atrium, and I can relate…sometimes I don’t want to leave either! The atrium truly is a gift to the children and to us.” Sister Mary Meghan added that she sees her work in ensuring the children are grounded in their faith goes best by letting God lead the way. “I let the Lord teach the children to be grounded in the faith. The more I get out of the way, the easier it is for the kids to contemplate the words of Scripture and enjoy their relationship with the Lord,” she explained. Sister Maria Aurora Villagomez, SOLT also an aide

REBECCA ESPARZA | FOR STC

Sister Maria Aurora Villagomez, SOLT works with Santiago Sanchez, 4, as he traces his finger along a string illustrating where Jesus traveled. The lesson starts with the Last Supper and ends with the cross at Calvary.

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CATHOLIC SCHOOLS Grounded in Faith

at St. Anthony, led the redesign of the new Atrium, including personally completing the artwork on the walls, which creates the perfect ambiance for immersive learning and completes the religious experience. “I didn’t think I would be able to do it, but God gave us the exact materials we needed, and it happened,” she said. “We wished this for the good of His children, and He approved.” In a world that has become full of immediacy and stress, Sister Maria said the children become overwhelmed with a sense of peace once they step into the atrium. “The world is rush, rush all the time. Children want to stop and see the beauty of this world they recently came into. Children are peaceful when they are surrounded by love and peace. Before God they are naturally humble

“

in their posture and their souls,” she said. “They have such a sense of calmness once they enter the atrium, it is very special.” Sister Maria added that teaching the children to be grounded in their faith is not something she consciously sets out to accomplish, but instead, she shares her love of God with the children in a way they understand with their pure hearts. “I give the love I have for God to the children and simply invite the children to share my treasure. Faith is contagious, and it’s easy to share my faith with the children, especially when they are so open to receiving God’s love.” Editors Note: The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd teaching method is adopted by most Catholic schools to form the religious life of children.

I give the love I have for God to the children and simply invite the children to share my treasure. Faith is contagious, and it’s easy to share my faith with the children, especially when they are so open to receiving God’s love.” – Sister Maria Aurora Villagomez, SOLT

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Come celebrate our identity South Texas Catholic

“I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever, and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world” (John 6:51).

he Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, also known as the Feast of Corpus Christi, begins universally this year on Thursday, June 3, and Catholics are once again invited to gather as one body at Corpus Christi Cathedral. The Feast of Corpus Christi is a celebration of the real presence of Christ in the holy Eucharist. In 1264 Pope Urban IV issued a papal bull, “Transiturus de hoc mundo,” establishing the Feast of Corpus Christi as a universal feast of the Church, to be celebrated on the Thursday following Trinity Sunday. He commissioned St. Thomas Aquinas to compose the Office of the Mass and Liturgy of the Hours for the new feast. The international feast day celebration correlates with Holy Thursday–when Christ instituted the Eucharist at the Last Supper celebrated by the Church. But Holy Thursday precedes the Passion, which is a solemn occasion and packed with key events: the washing of the disciples’ feet and the institution of the priesthood. The Feast of Corpus Christi focuses’ on the Eucharist, the Church’s greatest treasure. This feast’s full name is “Corpus et Sanguis Christi,” or The Body and Blood of Christ. The Feast of Corpus Christi began in 13th century Liège, Belgium, when St. Juliana of Liège had a series of visions of Christ, urging that a feast be established to honor the Eucharist. St. Juliana had a full moon vision darkened in one spot. She heard a heavenly voice state that the moon was the Church, and the dark spot was a missing feast, that of a feast to honor Corpus Christi (the Blessed Sacrament). She reported the vision to the then Bishop of Liège, Jacques Pantaléon, later known as Pope Urban IV, who affirmed her vision and established the Blessed Sacrament feast in Liège. It was celebrated locally for the first time on June 5, 1249. A few years later, in 1263 near Orvieto, Italy, a priest who doubted the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist was elevating the Eucharist during consecration when it began to bleed. Many Catholics witnessed the event. The priest wrapped the bleeding 18

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Host in corporals and brought it to the Bishop of Orvieto. The bishop consulted with Pope Urban IV, to whom St. Juliana had confided her vision and affirmed her miracle. The Host and corporals remain in Orvieto for veneration to this day. The feast is special to our diocese for two reasons. First, tradition has it that the explorer Alonzo Alvarez de Pineda discovered and named the bay on the Feast of Corpus Christi in 1519. Second, in 1912, Pope Pius X named Corpus Christi a diocese–which, as Pope Pius XII told Bishop Mariano Garriga, has “the most beautiful name in the world.” The Diocese of Corpus Christi will celebrate this solemnity with holy hours, confession and a diocesan eucharistic procession. The event will begin at 11 a.m. with welcoming remarks, a proclamation by the Mayor and activities inside the Cathedral. Bishop Michael Mulvey will celebrate Mass at 12:05 p.m. Reflections, music, and adoration will follow every hour from 1-6 p.m. led by retired priests throughout the diocese. Confessions will be available in the courtyard for the Sacrament of Penance. The bishop will elevate the Blessed Sacrament at 6 p.m. and begin the eucharistic procession down Upper Broadway to Leopard, stopping to pray at a temporary altar outside the Mother Teresa Shelter on Sam Rankin. The procession will then continue down Sam Rankin to Lipan, stopping at another temporary altar to pray in front of the Nueces County Jail. The procession will end after the Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament at the last altar, outside the cathedral. Processions are expressions of culture and community as well as of faith. You are welcome to dress in traditional clothing celebrating your national or cultural identity. All parishes, altar servers, extraordinary ministers of holy Communion and members of all parish organizations are invited to carry banners representing their parish and organizations. Livestream will be available via the Diocese of Corpus Christi, KLUX and Corpus Christi Cathedral Facebook pages. For more information call Jaime Reyna at (361) 882-6191 or visit the website at feastofcc.org.

M AY T H E Y A L L B E O N E

Ven a celebrar nuestra identidad South Texas Catholic

“Yo soy el pan vivo que descendió del cielo; el que coma de este pan vivirá para siempre, y el pan que yo daré es mi carne para la vida del mundo ”(Juan 6:51).

a Solemnidad, también conocida como la Fiesta de Corpus Christi, comienza universalmente este año el jueves 3 de junio, y los católicos se reunirán una vez más como un solo cuerpo en la Catedral de Corpus Christi. La fiesta de Corpus Christi es una celebración de la presencia real de Cristo en la Santa Eucaristía. En 1264, el Papa Urbano IV emitió una bula papal, “Transiturus de hoc mundo”, estableciendo la Fiesta de Corpus Christi como una fiesta universal de la Iglesia, que se celebraría el jueves siguiente al Domingo de la Trinidad. Le encargó a Santo Tomás de Aquino, que compusiera el Oficio de la Misa y la Liturgia de las Horas para la nueva fiesta. La celebración de la Fiesta de Corpus Christi, se correlaciona directamente al Jueves Santo, cuando Cristo instituyó la Eucaristía durante la Última Cena, conmemorada por la Iglesia. Pero el Jueves Santo es el preludio de la Pasión, por eso, no es una ocasión alegre, sin embargo está repleta de acontecimientos clave, como lo son: el lavado de los pies de los discípulos y la institución del sacerdocio, mientras que la Fiesta de Corpus

Christi se centra ‘enteramente en la Eucaristía, el tesoro más grande de la Iglesia’. El nombre completo de esta fiesta es “Corpus et Sanguis Christi”, o El Cuerpo y la Sangre de Cristo. La Fiesta de Corpus Christi comenzó en el siglo XIII en Liège, Bélgica, cuando Santa Juliana de Lieja tuvo una serie de visiones de Cristo, que le pedían se estableciera, una fiesta que honrara la Eucaristía. Santa Juliana tuvo la visión de una luna llena oscurecida en un solo lugar. Ella escuchó una voz celestial que le decía: la luna simboliza a la Iglesia, y la mancha oscura significa la ausencia de una fiesta que le falta a la Iglesia, la fiesta en honor al Corpus Christi (el Santísimo Sacramento). Ella informó de la visión al entonces obispo de Liège, Jacques Pantaléon, más tarde conocido como el Papa Urbano IV, quien afirmó su visión y estableció la fiesta del Santísimo Sacramento en Liège. Se celebró localmente por primera vez el 5 de junio de 1249. Unos años más tarde, en 1263 cerca de Orvieto, Italia, un sacerdote que dudaba de la presencia real de Cristo en la Eucaristía estaba elevando la Hostia durante la consagración cuando

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FIESTA DE CORPUS CHRISTI comenzó a sangrar. Muchos católicos que presenciaron el evento, dieron testimonio de ello. El sacerdote envolvió la Hostia ensangrentada en los corporales (mantas de la iglesia) y se la llevó al obispo de Orvieto. El obispo consultó con el papa Urbano IV, a quien santa Juliana le había confiado su visión y el milagro, afirmó la visión de santa Juliana. La Hostia y los corporales permanecen en Orvieto para ser venerados, hasta el día de hoy. La fiesta es especial para nuestra diócesis por dos razones. Primero, porque la tradición dice que el explorador Alonzo Álvarez de Pineda descubrió y nombró la bahía en la fiesta de Corpus Christi en 1519. Y segundo, porque el Papa Pío X, en 1912, nombró a esta área Diócesis de Corpus Christi. Mas tarde, el Papa Pío XII le dijo al Obispo Mariano Garriga, -su diócesis tiene “el nombre más bonito del mundo”-. La Diócesis de Corpus Christi quisiera honrar el día de la fiesta universal, celebrando este día, con horas santas, confesiones y una gran procesión eucarística. El evento se iniciará a las 11 a.m. con palabras de bienvenida, y una proclamación de la Alcaldesa. Se continuará con actividades dentro de la Catedral, donde El obispo Michael Mulvey celebrará misa a las 12:05 p.m. Durante cada hora de 1 a 6 de la tarde, varios sacerdotes, de la diócesis, conducirán a los fieles con reflexiones y tiempos de adoración acompañados de música. Para el Sacramento de la Penitencia; las confesiones estarán disponibles en el patio de la Catedral. El obispo elevará el Santísimo Sacramento a las 6 p.m. y comenzará la procesión Eucarística por Upper Broadway hasta Leopard, deteniéndose para orar en un altar temporal fuera del Refugio Madre Teresa en Sam Rankin. La procesión continuará luego por Sam Rankin hasta Lipan, deteniéndose en otro altar temporal para orar frente a la cárcel del condado Nueces. La procesión finalizará después de la Bendición del Santísimo Sacramento en el último altar, en las afueras de la Catedral. Las procesiones son expresiones culturales de un pueblo peregrino que camina con su comunidad de Fe. Le invitamos a participar, a vestirse con ropa tradicional que celebre su identidad nacional o cultural. Todas las parroquias, monaguillos, ministros extraordinarios de la Sagrada Comunión y miembros de todas las organizaciones parroquiales están invitados a portar pancartas y banderas que representen a su parroquia y a sus organizaciones. La transmisión en vivo estará disponible a través de las páginas de Facebook de la Diócesis de Corpus Christi, KLUX y la Catedral de Corpus Christi. Para obtener más información, llame a Jaime Reyna al (361) 882-6191 o visite feastofcc.org. 20

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ARCHIVED PHOTO

La solemnidad del Santísimo Cuerpo y Sangre de Cristo

M AY T H E Y A L L B E O N E

WOMAN OF STRENGTH St. Juliana of Liège

St. Juliana of Liège By Julie Stark

South Texas Catholic

t. Juliana of Liège, also known as St. Juliana of Cornillon, was a woman of strength and inner conviction whose role in the inception of the Feast of Corpus Christi is not widely known. Who was this saint? How did she come to be responsible for the institution of such an important feast day? Juliana was born in 1191 in the village of Retinnes in the principality of Liège, which is now Belgium. She and her twin sister Agnes were orphaned at the age of five and raised under the care of the Augustinian nuns. The convent and leprosarium of Mont Cornillon. After many years of studying under Sister Sapienza [wisdom], who oversaw her spiritual development, Juliana became an Augustinian nun. Sister Juliana was very intelligent. She memorized the writings of the Church fathers, St. Augustine and St. Bernard, in Latin, and like many in her region and generation, she had a strong devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. She loved Christ and had a deep sense of His presence, often contemplating on the words of Jesus, “And lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age” (Mt 28:20). When she was sixteen, she had her first vision, which recurred several times during eucharistic adoration. As she was a quiet and humble person, Sister Juliana kept these visions to herself. She would see the moon in its full brilliance with a dark stripe across it. During the vision, the Lord made it known to her that the moon was a symbol of the life of the Church here on earth, and the dark line was the absence of a liturgical feast. The Lord further revealed that she should plead for this special feast so that the Eucharist can be adored, increasing the faith among all people, expanding the practice of the virtues, and making reparation for offenses to the Most

Holy Sacrament. Not wanting to call attention to herself, she would keep these visions to herself for 20 years. Sister Juliana was prioress of the convent when she finally confided in two friends who shared the same devotion to the eucharistic Lord. One of them was Eva, who lived as a hermit, and the other was Isabella, who was also at the monastery at Mont-Cornillon. They were united in their love and devotion to the most holy Sacrament. They also engaged a priest, Father John Lausanne and asked him to consult with theologians about this feast. As most saints go through a period of hardship in their lives, so too did Sister Juliana. She had to endure harsh opposition from some clergy and even the superior of her monastery. Those who opposed her made her life very difficult. She left the convent of her own free will and, with several of her companions, stayed as guests in various monasteries for ten years, from 1248 -1258. Everywhere she stayed, all were amazed and affected by her humility. She never spoke ill or offered criticism for those who stood against her. Instead, she continued to be obedient and stalwart in her endeavor to spread eucharistic worship. Juliana died in 1258 at Fosses-La-Ville, Belgium. In her room where she lay, the Blessed Sacrament was exposed, and according to oral tradition relayed to her biographer, Julianna died with the last gasp of love, contemplating, honoring and adoring the Lord in the Eucharist. The Archdeacon in Liège, Jacques Pantaleon of Troyes was convinced of Juliana’s cause to institute the Feast of Corpus Christi. He would later become Pope Urban IV and instituted the Solemnity of Corpus Christi on the Thursday after the Most Holy Trinity as a feast of percept

The stained glass window, at left, is of St. Juliana of Liège in Corpus Christi Cathedral. The establishment of the Feast of Corpus Christi occurred six years after her death; it was through her faith, efforts, and perseverance that we celebrate the Feast of Corpus Christi, our city and cathedral, which bears the most beautiful name in the world. M AY T H E Y A L L B E O N E

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WOMAN OF STRENGTH St. Juliana of Liège

for the universal Church in 1264. He wrote: “Although the Eucharist is celebrated solemnly every day, we deem it fitting that at least once a year it be celebrated with greater honor and a solemn commemoration. Indeed, we grasp the other things we commemorate with our spirit and our mind, but this does not mean that

we obtain their real presence. On the contrary, in this sacramental commemoration of Christ, even though in a different form, Jesus Christ is present with us in his own substance. While he was about to ascend into Heaven he said, ‘And lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age’ (Matthew 28:20).”

As we learn about this great woman of strength and the great love she had for our Eucharistic Lord, let us all pray that our devotion to the real presence of our Lord in the Eucharist be kindled and ignite a flame of love that will burn in our hearts through the intercession of this wonderful saint. St. Juliana of Liège, pray for us. – Julie Stark Bishop Michael Mulvey and the staff of the Office for Safe Environment and Child and Family Resources are committed to assisting those who have faced abuse of any kind. For immediate assistance, support and referral information, please call Victim Assistance Coordinator Stephanie Bonilla at (361) 693-6686.

Summer 2021 Collections Peter’s Pence Collection: June 27

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support the works of the holy father through the

The Peter’s Pence collection is a gesture of solidarity through which every member of the faithful can participate in the activity of the Pope as Pastor of the universal Church. The Church is at the forefront in the world, dealing with the consequences of the coronavirus, bringing humanitarian aid and health assistance, and, through the local Churches, finding new ways to bring the comfort of the Word of God everywhere. To donate online, please visit www.peterspence.va

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Solidarity Fund for the Church in Africa: July 18 The people of Africa are joyous and faith-filled, but as the Church in Africa grows, the pastoral needs of the people also increase. From the formation of clergy to communications programs that bring the Gospel to remote territories to youth ministries that engage the next generation of disciples, the Church’s needs are wide-ranging. The Solidarity Fund is an opportunity for our parish to stand with the people of Africa. Our contributions help them face these challenges, and we support them as they build lasting foundations of missionary discipleship. Please be generous. To learn more, visit www.usccb.org/africa. We are humbled and grateful for those who continue to give during this time of uncertainty. Thank you! We are the many parts of the Body of Christ. Because of you, we are better able to serve the needs of our brothers and sisters. We understand that some may not be able to give. However, if you are able and can continue to give to your parish, please also consider giving to these worthy causes.

SUMMER 2021

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SPREADING THE LIGHT

MARY COTTINGHAM | STC

Holy friendships

FOCUS missionaries, from left, Daniel Rosa, Maria Diaz, Samantha Ayers and Juan Archila share their love of the Catholic faith with students at Texas A&M University-Kingsville.

FOCUS missionaries bring the Word of God to students on the Kingsville campus By Mary Cottingham South Texas Catholic

uring her senior year in college, Samantha Ayers encountered the poor on a FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) mission trip to Mexico City. One of the FOCUS missionaries told her that college campuses are a battlefield.

The missionary explained that in the eyes of the world, the people in Mexico had nothing–physically or materially, but what they did have was “joy.” However, on college campuses –in the eyes of the world– students have everything but what they lack is joy. It was

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SPREADING THE LIGHT Holy friendships

at that moment; Samantha knew she wanted to become a FOCUS missionary. “We can either sit on the sidelines and watch our brothers and sisters bleed out, or we can go on the field and fight,” Ayers said. Ayers is serving as team director for the FOCUS group at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. She has been a FOCUS missionary for four years, and for two of those years she has been assigned to the Kingsville campus. “We have the materials; we have Scripture; we have the sacraments. We have our baptism,” she said. This “lack of joy” is what she decided to fight for – like the love that she received through adoration, through the sacrament of confession, through Mass. “I can actually lead them, and they don’t have to be alone in their journey of life.” Ayers, along with co-missionaries Juan Archila, Maria Diaz and Daniel Rosa have a mission to share the joy and

hope of the gospel with students through accompaniment, fellowship, Bible study, holy hour, and Mass. All four are college graduates who were once inspired by FOCUS missionaries when they were students. All FOCUS missionaries receive ongoing training in Church teaching, prayer, sacred Scripture, evangelization and discipleship. The FOCUS mission statement is clear: “to encounter students in friendship where they are, inviting them into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and accompanying them as they pursue lives of virtue and excellence.” “Freedom is found in virtue. We preach chastity, sobriety, and excellence,” Rosa said. “College students are often told, ‘don’t do this, don’t do that.’ They, in turn, say, ‘what can we do?’ We have the answer – we follow the model of the Master. Jesus taught us in friendship and by having a deep

MARY COTTINGHAM | STC

Newman Center interns Anthony Skrobarczyk, left, and Ivan Parson finish up making chicken salad sandwiches in the Newman Center on Thursday, March 25. The Catholic Student Organization and FOCUS missionaries work together to provide drive through sack meals for students on campus.

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SPREADING THE LIGHT

MARY COTTINGHAM | STC

Holy friendships

FOCUS missionary, Daniel Rosa, left, discusses faith formation with Dennis Berry III in the St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Center at Texas A&M University-Kingsville.

spiritual life – a sacramental life. “As we see our friendships grow, we build them up as a man or a woman of God and walk them to places of healing. Walk them to the chaplain on campus. Lead them to a spiritual director, discipleship, sacred Scripture, and Bible studies. Send them out to do this process for their friends and their family and repeat the cycle, and nothing ever stops.” Young Daniel Rosa was homeschooled, and he attended both private and public schools. “My parents taught me the faith at home,” he said. “I went to CCD, and we prayed at the abortion clinics. We just stayed active. But my faith was very headstrong, and I didn’t know how to make it part of my heart – my love, till I got to college.” While working with Catholic Campus Ministry and FOCUS missionaries as an intern, Rosa fell in love with his faith. “It’s happening [to students] right now, especially after SEEK,” he said. The SEEK conference he refers to is this year’s SEEK21 at St. Gertrude Parish in Kingsville where the parish hosted 80 people in February. The youth group

and some 1,900 parishes participated in SEEK21– virtually or in person. SEEK is FOCUS’ national conference for thousands of college students everywhere to explore what they truly seek, learn about the faith, share in friendship, and experience the love, hope, and very real presence of Jesus Christ through His Church. Missionary Juan Archila attended a Catholic college in Kansas to grow his faith. He wanted to find a school where he could find “a deeper brotherhood, a deeper meaning and just overall growth and friendship. Instead, he found it through FOCUS. While working as a resident assistant in a dorm, Archila witnessed a hidden culture and cycle of drunkenness followed by confession the next day. It was especially relevant to men in his freshmen dorm. “It’s like they wanted to live a virtuous life, but at the same time, they wanted to be noticed,” he said. While looking for a way to help them, Archila encountered one of the 13 FOCUS missionaries, who helped guide him on his new mission. Maria Diaz said she was raised “culturally Catholic.”

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SPREADING THE LIGHT Holy friendships

Which meant she went through the motions of being Catholic but never really understood what that meant. She became a missionary because she had an encounter with Christ at one of the SEEK conferences in college. One of the FOCUS missionaries walked her through the faith, which gave her “profound peace and motivation to go to confession. In confession, I experienced His mercy,” she said. A desire to walk with others through the faith was born. Diaz said that being an effective missionary requires following the Book of Acts, chapter 2, verse 42: “They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers.” “This is what we teach the students as well,” said Diaz. She compared being disciples to burning coals. “If you put one of the coals aside – its fire goes out.” “We have to be together in fellowship with each other to keep the fire going – the fire of our faith,” Ayers explained. And then there’s the breaking of the bread, so we encourage

students to go to Mass – that’s where they’re going to be transformed through Jesus offering himself as a sacrifice. And then the last thing,” she said, “is prayer, our lifeline to the Lord.” Father Joseph Lopez, the pastor of St. Gertrude Parish and head chaplain at the Kingsville Newman Center, said having the FOCUS team on campus has been a blessing. “They are very well trained and work well with the Catholic Student Organization. “It has been refreshing to see young adults unafraid. They don’t hesitate to engage their peers while introducing them to our Lord,” he said. FOCUS missionaries and students involved in the Catholic Student Organizations on-campus work together. They often serve as the hands and feet of the Newman Center, meeting college students where they study, hang out and live on campus. To learn more about FOCUS visit focus.org. To learn more about the St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Center and Chapel visit newmankingsville.org.

Incarnate Word offers an online Academy option for families of students who wish to complete their courses online and at home. Through the Online Academy students have the opportunity to:

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• Participate in IWA extracurricular activities (clubs), dances, Masses, and other special events • Study high-quality, vigorous curriculum matched with courses offered at Incarnate Word Academy to maintain academic excellence • Graduate with a diploma from Incarnate Word Academy

IWA graduating classes receive millions

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ST. JOSEPH

Spouse of Mary and the foster father of Jesus

Joseph shows us how to live as husbands and fathers

“A

By Deacon Stephen Nolte Contributor

Saint Joseph is an extraordinary figure, yet at the same time one ‘so close to our own human experience.’ He did not do astonishing things, he had no unique charisms, nor did he appear special in the eyes of those who met him. He was not famous or even noteworthy: the Gospels do not report even a single word of his. Still, through his ordinary life, he accomplished something extraordinary in the eyes of God.” – Pope Francis

lmost faceless among the many people in the Gospels, St. Joseph is nevertheless a giant in the spiritual realm. From all of eternity God chose Joseph to take custody of what are arguably the two greatest treasures the world has ever known – Jesus and Mary. He did not entrust them to King David, to Elijah or to Isaiah, but it was to this quiet man, described by Matthew as just, to whom God entrusts the care of His only Son. For this reason, if no other, Christians everywhere should reflect on Joseph’s life and what it reveals. While St. Joseph is not given credit for speaking a single word in any of the Gospels, he speaks from the silence of his life with an eloquence that should overwhelm us with a divine tsunami of revelation. Joseph’s silence is not empty; it is a profound silence of words in the form of dreams and actions that indicate much contemplation. We can be assured that Joseph’s silence is fully occupied beyond himself, with the actions of God occurring through Mary. Joseph does not draw attention to himself; rather he simply does what is necessary. His strength is to be found in his obedience and willingness to act without hesitation in accordance with God’s will for him. This willingness is grounded in his deep and abiding trust in God; his silence, which can only be seen in the light of humility, a humility that springs from deep within. Genuine humility arises from knowing and acknowledging ourselves in relation to God and others. For genuine humility to exist within a person, they must

Mosaic of St. Joseph by artist Elsie Gaertner Reichanbacher can be found in the Emmanuel Chapel at Corpus Christi Cathedral.

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ST. JOSEPH

Spouse of Mary and the foster father of Jesus truly be a person of prayer and reflection that leads to this knowledge. Joseph knew what was entrusted to him, he learned of it in a dream from an angel. He had the choice to say no, but instead chose to act in compliance with the message of the angel. This helps us to understand Joseph’s relationship with God and Mary as a relationship based upon prayer. Joseph’s task is the same that is asked of every father in every family– to protect its members and to shepherd their growth, thereby protecting the integrity of the family. He carries out his task with precise obedience to the directives he receives. He does not concern himself with pride nor does he curry favor for himself. Neither does Joseph permit his knowledge of who Mary and Jesus are to fill him with a pride which would prevent him from achieving that which is entrusted to him. It is in relegating himself to being the spouse of Mary and the foster father of Jesus that Joseph finds joy and honor. This requires a great humility from him and only his willingness to stand in the background makes this possible. A father must be the defender of his wife and their family. In this sense he must also be the defender of the bond of marriage, not allowing anything to threaten to overcome it. Today marriage is assailed on every front – adultery, same sex unions, pornography, job demands and children who seek to come between their parents to get what they want without regard to the rest of the family. Joseph shows us how to live the bond of the Sacrament of Marriage as a servant leader within the family by his very actions in protecting Jesus and Mary. This is evident in the flight to Egypt and the return to Nazareth when he does not consider the personal cost to him

or his business but acts with immediacy when moving became necessary to protect the child and His mother. In the search for the child Jesus when he remained in the Temple in Jerusalem, Joseph shows the need to protect the integrity of the family from anything that would separate it; and Jesus confirmed Joseph’s and Mary’s authority when he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. God’s yardstick measures the mark of love that demands a self-sacrificing gift of self for the sole purpose of building up the object of our love, namely, the beloved to whom we give glory and honor. For Joseph the beloved is God, Mary and Jesus. For us it should be God, our spouse and our children. None of us is worthless in the eyes of God–each of us is called to participate in His life in the kingdom of heaven and has great value as such. We each have our own responsibilities, our own role at home, our own family, friends and work. It is sufficient to live our lives in relative obscurity, accomplishing the ordinary functions of life with love and humility, obedient even for the sole purpose of pleasing God. St. Joseph stands to remind us of this reality. It is in living out the tasks given to us that we proclaim and give witness to the good news of the Gospel. We do so in imitation of the saints, particularly St. Joseph. On Father’s Day, be sure to ask for St. Joseph’s intercessions; seek to fill your day with his silence to better hear God calling, and once you hear Him, go forth in obedience to respond to your calling.

Editor’s Note: Father’s Day will be celebrated on June 20, 2021 – during a year dedicated to St. Joseph. It provides an excellent opportunity to recall the life of St. Joseph. He was an exemplary role model for all fathers and husbands.

A Women’s Conference

Mary: Mother of Silence Saturday, August 21, 2021

begins with 8 a.m. Mass-12 p.m. at St. Theresa Church & Parish Hall 1302 Lantana in Corpus Christi Beverages • Breakfast • Snacks • Raffle Presentations by Deacon Stephen Nolte, Monica Gatlin and Tammy Romo Alcala. who will guide us in the art of entering God’s silence in imitation of Mary as we contemplate Our Lady of Silence. Requested Donation: $10 28

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Please RSVP for Seating: Irma Rodriguez (361) 774-6660 or Norma San Miguel (361) 960-2235

ORACIÓN COMUNITARIA La Eucaristía

Bendiciones de la Comunión Por: Padre José Angel Salazar y Gloria Romero

Contribuyentes

l encuentro con el amo Jesucristo en la Eucaristía nos llama a caminar en la Luz, a renovar nuestro andar por un camino nuevo. Cada domingo, y cada Misa nos da esa oportunidad de encontrarnos con El en la Eucaristía. Lo veo como una continua invitación a un cambio, de donde surge la intención de encontrarnos con El y desear ese encuentro, todos los días de nuestra vida. Ese deseo de evolución espiritual y personal, debe enraizarse en los profundos misterios que vivimos en la Santa Misa. Es verdad que muchas veces se queda en nosotros ese sabor de lo sagrado, pero muchas otras, como que lo dejamos en el Sagrario del templo. Creo que eso sucede porque pensamos en un Dios alejado de nosotros. No capturamos ni comprendemos el sacrificio de Cristo; ni

tomamos en cuenta nuestros propios sacrificios que en nuestra humanidad, semejante a Cristo le ofrecemos al Padre. En la Eucaristía nos unimos a Cristo, y más aun, podemos ofrecer nuestras vidas y todo lo que hacemos en amor, durante la semana con el sacrificio de Jesucristo. Con esto en mente, quiero referirme a una experiencia y preocupación continua que muchos padres y abuelos me mencionan afligidos porque sus hijos se aburren en la misa y les da pereza asistir a ella. Esto pasa porque a veces nos quedamos en la rutina y nos hemos reducido al simple hecho de “ir a Misa” como a darle a Dios una hora de nuestra vida. Se nos ha olvidado acercarnos con la anticipación y misterio maravilloso del encuentro con Cristo. Es como cuando los enamorados se casan y dejan de tener interés en el misterio que se encuentra tanto en uno

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ORACIÓN COMUNITARIA La Eucaristía

como en el otro, se quedan en la rutina del matrimonio como si fuera un negocio. Si en las relaciones humanas necesitamos invertir tiempo para formar lazos de amor y confianza más aun, en nuestra relación con Dios. Sí, la comunión, que tanto deseamos, está formada no porque entramos a un templo, sino porque estamos viviendo, como dice San Pablo “en Jesucristo”. Y esta unión viene del reconocimiento de que mi vida es sagrada y forma parte de la salvación del mundo, la comprensión adquiere otro nivel espiritual, una conciencia mayor y un nuevo camino. Por nuestro Bautismo somos un sacramento; testimonio de la presencia de Jesucristo en el mundo. Si “estoy en Cristo”, en comunión con Él por la Eucaristía, cada domingo, mi vida, nuestras vidas, son parte de la ofrenda que le presento a Dios en la Eucaristía cada ocho días. La palabra eucaristía en griego quiere decir “dando gracias” y en el contexto de la oración de los judíos, es: “dando gracias a Dios”. Llegar ante el altar con una actitud agradecida hace la diferencia. Meditando en la cultura en que vivimos, me doy cuenta de que hay que tomar tiempo para reflexionar sobre todo lo que tenemos y dar gracias a Dios, a nuestros familiares y a todo… No podemos perder de vista que hay billones de personas que viven en pobreza en guerras y en hambre. Nuestro mundo está pasando por un momento histórico en que ya no miramos a los cielos para contemplar las maravillas de Dios, sino que vemos las pantallas del los televisores, celulares o computadoras y esperamos a que alguien nos diga lo que es maravilloso. En otras ocasiones, miramos los lujos del mundo o de personas que admiramos por su poder, riqueza o fama, y nos quedamos pensando que somos pobres— que nos falta mucho y se nos olvida dar gracias por “el pan de cada día” con que Dios nos bendice. Nos olvidamos de las bendiciones que Dios nos da y nos sentimos abandonados, víctimas de una pobreza que no es real, pero por sentirnos así, no tenemos ni deseo ni energía para asistir a otros. Siempre habrá alguien que tiene más, y la avaricia nos deja ciegos al servicio. Sí, ciegos a esas obras que son necesarias para vivir en gratitud por todo lo que Dios nos ha dado. ¡Vivimos en un mundo de acumulación y materialismo; y un consumismo que tiene el propósito de hacernos sentir que lo que tenemos no es suficiente! ¡Siempre nos falta algo— apoyando la obsesión de Adán y Eva en que teniéndolo todo, no les fue suficiente— y el engaño sigue; necesitamos más—y lo necesitábamos ayer! Ésta avaricia del pecado original es la lucha de nuestras 30

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vidas, y la razón por la cual no existimos en el gozo y la paz del Espíritu Santo. ¡Experimentamos la locura de la insatisfacción! Un vacío que nos consume la mente y el espíritu y nos llena de ingratitud. Entregarnos a la reflexión, meditar en el silencio y la oración son disciplinas muy necesarias para construir en nuestra vida interior, ese santuario donde podremos experimentar una comunión cotidiana con Dios. Sí, somos pecadores, pero también somos hijos e hijas de Dios, quien ha manifestado Su gracia en nuestras vidas. Un camino para llegar a una profunda comunión con Dios es prepararnos para dejar ir nuestros pecados y recibir el perdón de Dios. Ya en esa libertad, ofrecer en amor los sacrificios de la semana que unidos al sacrificio perfecto de Cristo celebramos en cada Eucaristía. De ahí brota una vida nueva y podremos iniciar nuestra semana llenos de gratitud y gracia para poder amar y servir a Jesucristo, el amo de nuestras vidas.

Semillas de Esperanza

Programa de Radio en Español en KLUX 89.5 HD-1 y “Listen Live” en KLUX.org Domingos a las 7 a.m. con los Padres Juan Fernando Gámez y José Naúl Ordóñez

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COMMUNAL PRAYER The Eucharist

Blessings of Communion By Father José Angel Salazar y Gloria Romero

T Contributor

hrough holy Communion, our encounter with Jesus Christ beckons us to walk in the light; along a new path forged by our Creator. Every Mass gives us that opportunity to meet Him in the Eucharist. I see it as a continuous invitation to change, from which arises the intention to meet Him and desire that encounter every day of our lives. This desire for spiritual and personal evolution must be rooted in the profound mysteries that we live in holy Mass. Many times, that flavor of the sacred remains in us, but we often leave it in the church’s tabernacle. Perhaps we think of a God who is far away from us. We do not grasp or understand the sacrifice of Christ, nor do we consider our sacrifices that in our Christlike humanity we offer to the Father. In holy Communion, we unite ourselves to Christ. During the week with the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we can offer our lives and everything we do in love. Many distressed parents and grandparents have expressed to me their growing concern that their children get bored at Mass or are too lazy to attend. I believe this happens because going to Mass becomes routine, and we have reduced ourselves to the simple fact of having to go to Mass rather than giving God an hour of our life. We have forgotten to approach Mass with anticipation; we have forgotten the marvelous mystery of our encounter with Christ. It is like when lovers get married and no longer have an interest in the mystery, they found in each other. They stay in the routine of marriage as if it were a business; if we need to invest time to form bonds of love and trust in human relationships, then even more, in our relationship with God. Yes, the communion, which we desire so much, is formed not because we enter a temple, but because we live, as Saint Paul says, “in Jesus Christ.” And this union comes from the recognition that my life is sacred and is part of the salvation of the world. This understanding acquires another spiritual level, a greater consciousness, and a new path. By our Baptism, we are a testimony to the presence of Jesus Christ in the world. If “I am in Christ,” in communion with Him through the Eucharist, every Sunday, my life, our lives, are part of the offering that I present to God in the Eucharist every eight days. The word eucharist in Greek means “giving thanks,” and in the context of the Jewish prayer, it is: “giving thanks

to God.” Arriving at the altar with a thankful attitude can make all the difference. We must take time to reflect on everything we have and give thanks to God, our families and everything. We cannot lose sight of the fact that there are billions of people living in poverty in wars and famine. Our world is going through a historical moment in which we no longer look to the skies to contemplate the wonders of God, but we see the screens of televisions, cell phones or computers and wait for someone to tell us what is wonderful. At other times, we look at the luxuries of the world or of people we admire for their power, wealth, or fame, and we are left thinking that we are poor—that we lack a lot, and we forget to give thanks for “the daily bread” with which God blesses us. We forget the blessings that God gives us, and we feel abandoned – victims of a poverty that is not real. Because we feel that way, we have neither the desire nor energy to assist others. There will always be someone who has more, and greed blinds us to service—blind to those works that are necessary to live in gratitude for all that God has given us. We live in a world of accumulation, materialism, and consumerism—it has the purpose of making us feel that what we have is not enough! We are always missing something—supporting Adam and Eve’s obsession that having it all was not enough—and the deception continues; we need more—and we needed it yesterday! This greed of original sin is the struggle of our lives and the reason we do not exist in the joy and peace of the Holy Spirit. We experience the insanity of dissatisfaction! An emptiness that consumes our mind and spirit, and fills us with ingratitude. Surrendering ourselves to reflection, meditating in silence, and prayer are necessary disciplines to build in our interior life, a sanctuary where we can experience a daily communion with God. Yes, we are sinners, but we are also sons and daughters of God, who has manifested His grace in our lives. One way to come into deep communion with God is to prepare ourselves to let go of our sins and receive God’s forgiveness—a freedom we offer in love for our sacrifices of the week that together with the perfect sacrifice of Christ we celebrate in each Eucharist. From there springs a new life, and we can start our week full of gratitude and grace to be able to love and serve Jesus Christ, the Master of our lives.

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NATIONAL NEWS

Highlights, upcoming events and briefs

USCCB applauds Biden for raising limit on refugee admissions Catholic News Agency

Washington D.C., May 4, 2021 / 11:30 am (CNA) - The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops on Tuesday praised the Biden Administration for its decision to raise the refugee ceiling. “As a nation of immigrants, we have a moral obligation to help our brothers and sisters around the world who are in need. The updated refugee admissions cap is a step in the right direction to help those who need it most,” said Bishop Mario Dorsonville, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Washington and chair of the USCCB’s migration committee, in a statement on Tuesday. On Monday, May 3, the Biden Administration announced that it would be increasing the limit on the number of refugees admitted to the United States for the 2021 fiscal year; the new cap for refugee admissions has now been set at 62,500. Dorsonville said the bishops were “pleased” at the decision, adding that it is “a crucial step toward rebuilding the crippled Refugee Admissions Program.” “We view this number as a stepping stone toward the Administration’s stated goal of 125,000 admissions, a figure more consistent with our values and capabilities as a nation,” he said. Addressing the 40th anniversary celebration of Jesuit Refugee Services in November, Biden had announced his goal of eventually resettling 125,000 refugees. In executive actions signed on Feb. 4, he said he intended to make reforms to U.S. refugee admissions, with the goal of resettling 125,000 refugees in the 2022 fiscal year. “For decades, the United States has been a leader in

refugee resettlement,” Dorsonville said on Tuesday. “We are in the midst of the greatest forced displacement crisis of our lifetime and know that there are more than 26 million refugees worldwide and more than 47 million people who are internally displaced.” The bishop added that it was “imperative” that the United States act to “ensure the safety of these individuals and their families,” and that welcoming refugees is in line with the Church’s teaching on human dignity. “It is more important now than ever that our country continue to lead as we address this humanitarian emergency,” he said. While President Biden had previously signaled his intent to raise the refugee ceiling, he did not issue a final determination to do so during the initial weeks of his administration. The delay frustrated immigration and refugee groups, who told CNA last month they were “disappointed” at the slow pace of refugee admissions. According to the International Rescue Committee, a nonprofit that assists refugees, as of mid-April only 2,050 refugees had been admitted to the United States in the 2021 fiscal year. Biden issued a draft “Presidential Determination” in February that would have raised the refugee cap to 62,500, but he did not sign it. On April 16, about eight weeks after the draft Presidential Determination was issued, the Biden administration said it would be keeping the refugee cap at 15,000 for the current fiscal year, a number which was set by former President Donald Trump. The limit of 15,000 was the lowest-recorded number in the history of the refugee resettlement program.

El obispo Michael Mulvey y el personal de la Oficina del Medio Ambiente Seguridad y Recursos para Niños y Familias están comprometidos a ayudar a aquellos que han sufrido abusos de cualquier tipo. Para asistencia inmediata, apoyo e información de referencia, llame al Coordinador de Asistencia a Víctimas Stephanie Bonilla al (361) 693-6686. 32

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DEPOSIT PHOTOS

Highlights, upcoming events and briefs

Later that day, Press Secretary Jen Psaki clarified that “The President’s directive today has been the subject of some confusion.” and added that the president “has been consulting with his advisors to determine what number of refugees could realistically be admitted to the United States between now and October 1.” Psaki said that a new refugee cap would be announced by May 15; on Monday, Biden raised the cap. According to the UN’s refugee agency (UNHCR), the number of people forcibly displaced worldwide is nearly 80 million. There are nearly 26 million refugees around the globe, UNHCR says. The bishops and Catholic Relief Services did praise

previous actions by the Biden administration on immigration, including the lifting of a Trump-era travel ban from several Muslim-majority and African countries. Bishop Dorsonville also praised Biden’s action on April 16 to allow for prompt admission of refugees from certain geographic areas. The Obama administration had set a target for resettling 110,000 refugees in the 2017 fiscal year, but President Trump declared a halt to refugee admissions after he took office and ultimately set a limit of 50,000 refugees to be resettled that year. His administration progressively lowered the refugee cap to the initial 2021 limit of 15,000.

In the spirit of proper stewardship, the Diocese of Corpus Christi encourages the reporting of any financial abuse concerns or related issues. Report confidentially to: financialconcerns@diocesecc.org En el espíritu de una administración adecuada, la Diócesis de Corpus Christi alienta a informar cualquier inquietud de abuso financiero o problemas relacionados. Informe confidencialmente a: financialconcerns@diocesecc.org M AY T H E Y A L L B E O N E

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A WORD

DEPOSIT PHOTOS

From our Holy Father

Pope Francis: ‘A truly Christian life bears witness to Christ’ Catholic News Agency

Vatican City, May 2, 2021 / 05:30 am (CNA) - It is our task as Christians to proclaim the good news of the Gospel and to bear the good fruit of love in the world, Pope Francis said at his Regina caeli address on Sunday. “The fruit that, like the branches, we must give, bears witness to our Christian life,” the pope said May 2. “After Jesus ascended to the Father, it is the task of the disciples – it is our task – to continue to proclaim the Gospel in words and in deeds,” he added. “And they and us, disciples of Jesus, do so by bearing witness to his love: the fruit to be born is love.” Francis gave his weekly Sunday reflection from a window overlooking St. Peter’s Square. Afterward, he led the recitation of the Regina caeli, a Marian prayer said during 34

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the Easter season. The pope explained the importance of being attached to Christ, the vine, so that “we receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and in this way we can do good to our neighbor and do good to society, to the Church.” “We recognize the tree by its fruits,” he stated. “A truly Christian life bears witness to Christ.” Pope Francis’ meditation centered on the day’s Gospel reading from St. John, in which Jesus tells his disciples, “I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.” “The Lord presents himself as the true vine, and speaks of us as the branches that cannot live without being united

M AY T H E Y A L L B E O N E

A WORD

From our Holy Father to him,” the pope said, noting that Jesus used the verb “to abide,” also sometimes translated as “to remain,” seven times in the Gospel reading. Francis said to abide or remain in Jesus is not a passive activity, “letting oneself be lulled by life,” but an active and reciprocal action: “We abide in Jesus and Jesus abides in us.” “How can we do this?” he said. “Jesus says to us: ‘If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you.’” “The fruitfulness of our life depends on prayer,” he stated, explaining that in prayer we can ask Jesus for the gift of seeing the world with his eyes. This way, he said, we can “love our brothers and sisters, starting from the poorest and those who suffer the most, as he did, and to love them with his heart and to bring to the world fruits of goodness, fruits of charity, and fruits of peace.” Pope Francis explained that first of all, we need the Lord. Before we can follow God’s commandments, before we can live the beatitudes, and perform works of mercy, “it is necessary to be joined to him, to abide in him.” “We cannot be good Christians if we do not abide in Jesus. And yet with him, we can do everything,” he underlined. “With him we can do everything.” “Let us entrust ourselves to the intercession of the Virgin Mary,” he concluded. “She remained fully united to Jesus and bore much fruit. May she help us abide in Christ, in his love, in his word, to bear witness in the world to the Risen Lord.” At the end of the Regina caeli, Pope Francis sent his good wishes to Christians of the Orthodox Church and Eastern and Latin Catholic Churches, who celebrate

Easter according to the Julian calendar, which falls this year on May 2. “May the risen Lord fill them with light and peace, and comfort the communities living in particularly difficult situations. Happy Easter to them!” he said. The pope also referenced the ongoing situation in Burma, where security forces have opened fire on people protesting the military coup, resulting in injuries and deaths. He said the Church in Burma is encouraging everyone to devote one Hail Mary of their daily rosary during the month of May for peace in Burma. “Each of us turns to our mother when he or she is in need or in difficulty,” he said. “We, this month, ask our Heavenly Mother to speak to the hearts of all those responsible in Myanmar, so that they may find the courage to walk the path of encounter, reconciliation and peace.” Pope Francis also expressed his closeness to the people of Israel, where crowds at a Jewish religious festival on Mount Maron led to a crush of people resulting in 45 deaths and some 150 injuries the night of April 29 to April 30. “I assure my remembrance in prayer for the victims of this tragedy and their families,” he said. Francis also mentioned the example of Bl. José Gregorio Hernández Cisneros, who was beatified in Caracas, Venezuela on April 30. “He was a doctor, rich in science and faith. He was able to recognize the face of Christ in the sick and, as a good Samaritan, he helped them with evangelical charity. May his example help us to take care of those who suffer in body and spirit,” he said, encouraging a round of applause for the new blessed.

CALL OUR CORPUS CHRISTI OFFICE TODAY to schedule your evaluation at 361-202-8686 M AY T H E Y A L L B E O N E

SUMMER 2021

| S O U T H T E X A S C AT H O L I C

SUMMER 2021 ISSUE South Texas Catholic 555 N Carancahua St, Ste 750 Corpus Christi, TX 78401-0824 (361) 882-6191

Diocesan wide gathering in honor of the international

Feast of Corpus Christi The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ La solemnidad del Santísimo Cuerpo y Sangre de Cristo

June 3, 2021

Corpus Christi Cathedral 505 N. Upper Broadway St.

SCHEDULE | HORARIO 11:00 a.m. – 11:55 a.m. 12:05 p.m. 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Welcoming remarks and activities Palabras de bienvenida y actividades Daily Mass with Bishop Mulvey Misa diaria con el Obispo Mulvey Holy Hours (adoration, reflection & music) Horas Santas (adoración, reflexión y música) Eucharistic Procession and end with Benediction Procesión Eucarística y finalización con Bendición

Confessions available from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Confesiones disponibles a partir de la 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 pm. Parishes and Ministry groups are invited to process with their banners. You are welcome to dress in traditional clothing celebrating your national or cultural identity. Livestream available via the Diocese of Corpus Christi, KLUX and Corpus Christi Cathedral Facebook pages. Se invita a las parroquias y grupos ministeriales a caminar en procesión con sus pancartas. Le invitamos a vestirse con ropa tradicional que celebre su identidad nacional o cultural. Transmisión en vivo disponible en las páginas de Facebook de la Diócesis de Corpus Christi, KLUX y la Catedral de Corpus Christi.

For more information call | Para más información llame a (361) 882-6191 or visit FEASTO FC C .O RG

FIESTA DE

CORPUS CHRISTI 3 de junio de 2021

Summer 2021 - Vol. 56. No. 2

Articles inside

The Word became flesh

A WORD FROM OUR HOLY FATHER: Pope

NATIONAL NEWS: USCCB applauds Biden

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS Students from St

SPREADING THE LIGHT, Through Holy