Dan Paulos, Artist
October 2018 Vol. 36, No. 9
Serving the multicultural people of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe www.archdiosf.org
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Cover photo: Official image of soon-to-be St. Oscar Arnulfo Romero. CNS photo/Twitter via @arzobispadoss
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Prayer Intentions OCTOBER / OCTUBRE Evangelization: The Mission of Religious That consecrated religious men and women may bestir themselves, and be present among the poor, the marginalized, and those who have no voice. Por la evangelización: La misión de los consagrados Para que los consagrados y las consagradas despierten su fervor misionero y estén presentes entre los pobres, los marginados y con los que no tienen voz.
SYNOD GATHERING YOUNG PEOPLE Pope Francis waves during a gathering with young people and members of the Synod of Bishops at the Vatican Oct. 6. (CNS photo/Alessandro Bianchi, Reuters)
Inside This Month’s Issue
2 October is Respect Life Month 4 Archbishop’s Letter: A Church That Heals 10 11th Annual Blue Mass 12 V National Encuentro 14 Canonization of the Pope Paul VI and Archbishop Oscar Romero 16 ASF Catholic Deaf Circle 17 29th Annual Native American Liturgy
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Annual Spanish Market Archbishop’s Award Celebrates 25 Years St. Joseph on the Rio Grande Nazareth Center Catholic Education D+E+I Announces Religious Studies Scholarship Catholic Charities World News Safe Environment Archbishop Wester’s Calendar Rest In Peace Cremated Remains Committal Service
President of U.S. Bishops Conference Announces Emergency Collection for 2018 Natural Disasters OCTOBER 2, 2018 - WASHINGTON— Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston and President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, has requested that dioceses across the country take up an emergency collection on behalf of those devastated by Hurricane Florence, as well as any forthcoming natural disasters this year. In a letter sent to bishops last week, Cardinal DiNardo wrote, in part: “The traditional storm season has only just begun and already we have witnessed the devastating impact of Hurricane
Florence in the Carolinas. Five days after land-fall, torrential rain was still falling, and catastrophic flooding is predicted. Already, thousands of homes, businesses, and churches have been severely damaged or destroyed.” “We offer our prayers to families who have lost loved ones or are among those injured. As is often the case, the poor are the hardest hit by these conditions, but many will have immense unmet needs. Staff of our Office for National Collections has been in touch with several bishops to learn about their situations and to offer our prayers and
Together We Can Reach Our Goal!
90%
Your donation will remain confidential, and is protected within the Annual Catholic Appeal Foundation of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, a New Mexico Non-Profit Corporation, as a separate organization. Your donation does not fund legal claims.” Visit our new ACA Website at: www.acaarchdiosf.org to donate to ACA 2018, watch Archbishop Wester’s ACA video, and much more!
People of God
Official Magazine of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe
Publisher: Most Rev. John C. Wester Editor/Photography/Design: Celine Baca Radigan cradigan@archdiosf.org
Assistant Editor/Photojournalist: Leslie M. Radigan lradigan@archdiosf.org Production: Christine Carter
Published monthly with the exception of July. The Editor reserves the right to reject, omit, or edit any article or advertising copy submitted for publication. All items submitted for consideration must be received by the 10th of the previous month. Check out Media Kit online @ www.archdiosf.org. Advertising listings do not imply Archdiocesan endorsement. Friend us on Facebook: Archdiocese of Santa Fe Official • twitter.com/ASFOfficial
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our desire to be of assistance in this time of need. “Given the patterns of recent years, it is reasonable to expect much more unpredictable weather and an increasing number of natural disasters. Therefore, I suggest we take up a special collection for the humanitarian, long-term recovery, and Church needs arising from these storms. In anticipation of more disasters awaiting us this year, I ask that we make a special appeal for the ongoing disasters of 2018 and that we each take up the collection as soon as possible so that those most in need can receive assistance quickly.” Funds will be used in response to Hurricane Florence and any other natural disasters that occur this year. Initially, funds
will be used to support the efforts of Catholic Charities USA as they reach out to provide humanitarian aid in the form of water, food, shelter, and medical care, as well as to their long-term efforts to restore communities after widespread destruction. Also, funds will go to support the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ efforts to assist with pastoral and reconstruction aid to the Church. Humanitarian funds for any future disasters impacting communities outside the US may be shared with Catholic Relief Services for their response efforts. More information about the Office of National Collections and its support of emergency relief efforts can be found at http://www.usccb.org/about/nationalcollections/index.cfm.
Special Collection: 2018 Disasters October 13 &14, 2018 This special appeal for 2018 Disasters will be used to support the efforts of Catholic Charities USA and/ or Catholic Relief Services, the official relief agencies of the U.S. Catholic Church. The funds will be used to respond to immediate emergency needs for such necessities as water, food, shelter, and medical care and aid in long-term rebuilding and recovery efforts. Here in the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, it is requested that the 2018 Disasters second collection will be taken up on the weekend of October 13 &14, 2018. The funds from this second collection will be reported and sent to the Catholic Center is the same way all second collections are reported and sent to the Catholic Center.
Special Collection World: Mission Sunday, October 20-21 Mission Sunday is celebrated in all the local churches as the feast of catholicity and universal solidarity so Christians over the world recognize their common responsibility with regard to the evangelization of the world.
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A Church That Heals “I know what you mean,” said the little old man. These poignant verses describe the integrity of the relationship between the little boy and the old man. We see elements of respect, deep sharing, authenticity, honesty, the dignity of the person and the sanctity of human life. They have a genuine concern for each other. They are experiencing in their relationship the antidote to being tossed aside and made to feel insignificant.
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ince coming to New Mexico a little over three years ago, I have come to see clearly that familia is a special reality bonding one generation to the next. This observation reminds me of one of my favorite poems called The Little Boy and the Old Man. Perhaps you have read it:
Said the little boy, “Sometimes I drop my spoon.” Said the old man, “I do that too.” The little boy whispered, “I wet my pants.” “I do that too,” laughed the little old man. Said the little boy, “I often cry.” The old man nodded, “So do I.” “But worst of all,” said the boy, “it seems Grown-ups don’t pay attention to me.” And he felt the warmth of a wrinkled old hand.
What they are commiserating about is a feeling we all know too well: a feeling of being ignored, forgotten and pushed to the side. But as we hear from the brave survivors such feelings are only a fraction of the pain and suffering endured by those who have been sexually abused. We will never know the depth and the breadth of that pain, which far exceeds that of being ignored. Although the sexual abuse crisis has many causes, at the heart of this tragedy is certainly the opposite of a healthy, respectful and caring relationship. Children and young people were not respected, their dignity not honored, their sanctity not revered. Instead of the loving and supportive relationships they deserved and expected, they were treated as objects, as less than human, and they have paid dearly for it. This lack of a proper relationship is contrary to the design of our God. St. John tells us that God is love itself. God has revealed Himself
as a trinity of persons in a unity of perfect love. This love is creative, life-giving and life-sustaining. Created in the image and likeness of God, we can bring life and healing to the Body of Christ when we act on our truest and most fundamental instincts as children of this loving God by entering into relationships with each other. Tragically, this is far from what happened to the victims of sexual abuse. That is why it is so important for us as a familia de Fe to stay together as a Church so that we can bring the healing touch of Christ to others. Our first concern in this regard must be the victims of abuse, their families and friends. Admittedly, many abuse survivors want nothing to do with the Catholic Church. Who can blame them? And yet we must, as a Church, all do whatever we can to bring healing to these, our brothers and sisters, no matter the cost and no matter the difficulty. And in the process, we must also care for one another, especially those who tend to be ignored, forgotten and pushed to the peripheries. In addition to those who have left the Church because of their being abused, it saddens me that there are some who have not been abused but who have decided that they can no longer be in communion with us. I certainly understand the strong convictions and emotions at play in this decision and I can only pray that in Christ they find
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peace in whatever path they have chosen to follow (Why Do We Stay In the Church? By Fr. Matt Malone, S.J. https://www.americamagazine.org/ faith/2018/09/05/why-do-we-staychurch). At the same time, those of us who remain faithful must renew our efforts to bring healing to those who have been harmed by abuse. We must also, in a broader way, make sure that we build up those relationships that bring healing to others, not overlooking or ignoring anyone. We are called by the Good Shepherd to go out of our way to listen, to accompany, and to suffer with those who have been abused, praying that these relationships will be the first steps of a healing process. This is what Jesus was getting at in the parable of the Good Samaritan. Unlike the priest and the Levite, the Good Samaritan noticed and entered into a relationship with the man attacked by robbers. He took risks, spent money, gave of his time, and went way out of his way to build a healing relationship with the abused victim. As a family of Faith that is what we are called to do for each other. The best way to heal is to be who we are: a communion of persons united in Christ through Baptism, who care for one another as brothers and sisters. This is Christ’s gift to us: to be members of his body, a body that heals and gives life through our relationship with Christ and each other. Although we are all sinners, Christ’s love and forgiveness enable us to be beacons of hope for each other and for the world. No one - no sexual abuse perpetrator, no priest, no lay leader nor any bishop - no one should be able to take our unity in Christ away from us. It comes from God.
Sincerely yours in the Lord,
Most Rev. John C. Wester, Archbishop of Santa Fe
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Una Iglesia Que Sana
E leído:
ste es uno de mis poemas favoritos: “The Little Boy and the Old Man.” - El niño y el anciano. Quizás lo has
El niño dijo: “A veces sin querer tiro la cuchara”. El anciano dijo: “Yo también hago eso”. El niño susurró: “Me mojé los pantalones”. “Yo también hago eso”, sonrió el ancianito. El niño dijo: “ lloro a menudo”. El anciano asintió, “Yo también”. “Pero lo peor de todo”, dijo el niño, “es que parece que los adultos no me hacen caso “. Y sintió el calor de una mano arrugada. “Yo sé lo que quieres decir”, dijo el anciano. Estos versos conmovedores describen la integridad de la relación entre el niño y el anciano. Vemos elementos de respeto,
profundo intercambio, autenticidad, honestidad, la dignidad de la persona y la santidad de la vida humana. Ambos muestran una preocupación genuina por el otro. En su relación, están experimentando el antídoto de ser hechos a un lado y de hacerlos sentir insignificantes. Lo que se expresan mutuamente es un sentimiento que todos conocemos demasiado bien: el sentimiento de ser ignorados, olvidados y hechos a un lado. Pero tales sentimientos son solo una fracción del dolor y el sufrimiento que soportan quienes han sido abusados sexualmente. Nunca sabremos la profundidad y la magnitud de ese dolor, que supera con creces la de ser ignorado. Si bien la crisis de abuso sexual tiene muchas causas, ciertamente experimentar lo opuesto a una relación sana, respetuosa y afectuosa está en el centro de esta tragedia. Los niños y los jóvenes no fueron respetados, su dignidad no fue honrada, su santidad no fue respetada. En lugar de las relaciones amorosas y de apoyo que merecían y esperaban, fueron tratados como objetos, como menos que humanos, y ellos han pagado un alto precio por ello. Esta falta de una relación adecuada es contraria al diseño de nuestro Dios, quien San Juan define como amor en sí mismo y quien se ha revelado como una trinidad de personas en una unión de amor perfecto. Este amor es creativo, da vida y sostiene la vida. Siendo creados a la imagen y semejanza de Dios, cuando actuamos de acuerdo con nuestros instintos más
verdaderos y fundamentales como hijos de este Dios amoroso forjando relaciones entre nosotros, podemos también traer vida y sanación al Cuerpo de Cristo. Trágicamente, esto está muy lejos de lo que sucedió con las víctimas de abuso sexual. Es por esto que es tan importante que nos mantengamos unidos como Iglesia para que podamos llevar el toque de sanación de Cristo a los demás. Nuestra primera preocupación en este sentido son las víctimas de abuso, sus familiares y amigos. Es cierto que muchos sobrevivientes de abusos no quieren nada que ver con la Iglesia Católica. ¿Quién puede culparlos? Y, sin embargo, debemos, como Iglesia, hacer lo que podamos para sanar a estos, nuestros hermanos y hermanas, sin importar el costo ni la dificultad. Y en el proceso, también debemos cuidarnos unos a otros, especialmente a aquellos que tienden a ser ignorados, olvidados y empujados a las periferias. Lamentablemente, además de los que han abandonado la Iglesia porque han experimentado el abuso, hay algunos que no han sido objeto de abuso, pero que han llegado a la conclusión de que ya no pueden estar en comunión con nosotros. Ciertamente entiendo las fuertes convicciones y emociones que están en juego en esta decisión y solo puedo rezar para que encuentren la paz en el camino que elijan seguir. (Why Do We Stay In the Church? Fr. Matt Malone, S.J. https://www.americamagazine. org/faith/2018/09/05/why-do-westay-church). Al mismo tiempo, los que nos quedamos debemos
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renovar nuestros esfuerzos para brindar sanación a los que han sido lastimados por el abuso. También debemos, de una manera más amplia, asegurarnos de construir esas relaciones que brinden sanación a los demás, sin descuidar ni ignorar a nadie. Estamos llamados a salir de nuestro camino para escuchar, acompañar y sufrir con aquellos que han sido maltratados, rezando para que estas relaciones sean los primeros pasos de un proceso de curación. Esto es de lo que Jesús hablaba en la parábola del Buen Samaritano. A diferencia del sacerdote y el levita, el buen samaritano se dio cuenta y entró en una relación con el hombre atacado por ladrones. Tomó riesgos, gastó dinero, dio su tiempo y se desvió de su camino para construir una relación de curación con la víctima maltratada. Eso es lo que estamos llamados a hacer el uno por el otro. La mejor manera de sanar es ser quienes somos: una comunión de personas unidas en Cristo a través del bautismo, que se cuidan como hermanos y hermanas. Este es el regalo de Cristo para nosotros: ser miembros de su cuerpo, un cuerpo que sana y da vida a través de nuestra relación con Cristo y con los demás. Aunque todos somos pecadores, el amor y el perdón de Cristo nos permiten ser faros de esperanza para los demás y para el mundo. Nadie, ni un perpetrador de abuso sexual, ni un sacerdote, ni un líder laico, ni un obispo, nadie debería poder quitarnos esa comunión pues esta viene de Dios. Todos, en un momento u otro, necesitamos “sentir el calor de la mano de un ancianito arrugado” que transmite vida, respeto, compasión y afirmación. Ese toque suave, con la gracia de Dios, puede ser un primer paso para sanar a las personas cuya dignidad e integridad no han sido respetadas y que han sido dañadas de manera tan terrible y deplorable por el abuso sexual. De hecho, es un toque que puede tranquilizarnos a todos, curanderos heridos que sabemos lo que es ser ignorados y ser hechos a un lado. Sinceramento suyo en el Señor,
Arzobispo John C. Wester
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Respect Life Month October 2018
Respect Life Reflection
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Every Life: Cherished, Chosen, Sent
n 1531, when the indigenous peoples of Mexico were subjugated and the practice of human sacrifice was still a recent memory, the Mother of God appeared to St. Juan Diego as a pregnant native woman, now known as Our Lady of Guadalupe. s She sent him with miraculous flowers in his cloak to tell the bishop to build a church where people could receive her Son and her loving, tender care. When St. Juan Diego opened the cloak before the bishop, an image of Our Lady was revealed that remains to this day. The chapel was quickly built, millions embraced Christianity, and the Church increased its protection of the indigenous peoples. By embracing the mission entrusted to him, St. Juan Diego helped bring Christ’s transforming love to cultures gripped by oppression and death. Today, we again see the dignity of human life disregarded. Unborn children are destroyed through abortion, and ill people are encouraged and assisted to take their own lives. How do we respond? The essence of our identity is that we are created in God’s image and likeness and loved by Him. Nothing can diminish the priceless worth of any human life. Every person is cherished. God creates every person for eternal union with Himself and continually invites us to embrace a loving relationship with Him. Every person is chosen. We are called to be messengers of God’s love, treating one another as cherished and chosen by Him. In doing so, we help build a culture that respects all human life. Every person is sent. Like St. Juan Diego, let us embrace our daily mission to help others encounter God’s transforming, life-giving love. Reprinted [Excerpted] from Respect Life Program, copyright © 2018, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, D.C. All rights reserved.
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November and All Souls’ Day: A Time for Prayer and Remembrance By Carol Feeney, Project Rachel Coordinator
Praying for our faithful ovember 2nd is All Souls’ departed in Day, when Catholics come community together at the Mass to came into pray for their departed Catholic loved ones. On this day and often practice throughout the entire month of around 1030 AD when St. Odilo, November, the faithful bring names fifth abbot of Cluny monastery in and pictures of their loved ones to France began commemorating the churches and place them near the dead of his own monastery on the altar to be prayed over.
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ALL SOULS DAY Continued on page 34
2nd World Day of the Poor November 18:
“The Poor Man Cried and the Lord Heard Him.”
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ope Francis has released his message for the 2018 World Day of the Poor, which is observed throughout the world on the 33rd Sunday of ordinary time, this year, November 18, 2018. The message reflects on Psalm 34 and is titled: This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him. Pope Francis is urging all Christians to combat indifference to the suffering and marginalization of the most needy. This year’s message affirms the work of CCHD to empower and stand in solidarity with those living in poverty. Here is a pastoral aid, including a homily help and Prayers of the Faithful, for use on the World Day of the Poor. http://www. usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/poverty/upload/ world-day-of-poor-2018-pastoral-aid.pdf Read the Pope’s message here: https://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/poveri.index.html
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CCHD: Whether You’re Rich or Poor, You Deserve Life and Dignity as a Human By Rachel Baca, CCHD Intern
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s the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) Intern, I am excited to teach fellow Catholics about the rich tradition of Catholic social teaching (CST). Since October is Respect Life Month, this means our due diligence as Catholics is on fire now more than ever to protect the life and dignity of the human person, which is also the first principle of CST. At times, we can forget about those around us and only focus on ourselves. However, human lives everywhere are constantly under attack from modern societal laws and choices. Living a life in poverty can become overwhelming, and when one is struggling to make ends meet, a simple smile along with needed support, empowerment and resources can help people living in poverty of their God-given dignity. Catholics must find effective ways to fight for access to basic needs like food, shelter, healthcare, employment for those living in poverty. This is what Jesus means when He tells us in CCHD Continued on page 34
African American Catholic Community Mass October 28, 2018
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lease join the Archdiocese of Santa Fe African American Catholic Community for Mass on Sunday, October 28, 12 noon at St. Joseph on the Rio Grande Catholic Church, 5901 St. Joseph’s Dr. NW, Albuquerque. The celebrant will be Msgr. Lambert Luna. For more information, please call 505.836.3627 or 505.831.8167.
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By Deacon Steve Rangel
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he 11th Annual Blue Mass for the Archdiocese of Santa Fe was held at St. Jude Thaddeus Parish at noon on Tuesday, September 25. The Blue Mass was originally started at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Washington, DC in 1934 by a Catholic priest named Thomas Dade from the Baltimore, Maryland Archdiocese. He initiated the Catholic Police and Firemen’s Society and invited hundreds of officers to process into the Mass in their blue uniforms, thus calling it the Blue Mass. The Archdiocese of Santa Fe held their first Blue Mass in 2008 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in downtown Albuquerque as a celebration of faith honoring the dedication of law enforcement and fire-rescue personnel in our community. In the beginning, there were 50 officers and guests who attended the Blue Mass. This year it was held
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at St. Jude Thaddeus Parish on the Westside of Albuquerque with over 300 people in attendance, taking time out of their busy schedule to show their support and gratitude for all first responders and their families. We want to make sure we don’t take for granted all the protection and services we have and get to enjoy. The Blue Mass is something very dear to Archbishop John C. Wester, who wants to let the first responders know that we as a community owe them our gratitude for their willingness to serve and protect us. They put themselves in harm’s way each time they put on their uniforms and step out their doors in the performance of their duties. That is why the archbishop makes it a point to have a special Blue Mass each year for these first responders and their families, so that we never forget to honor the men and women who have served and continue to serve our communities throughout New Mexico and our nation.
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Keeping Our First Responders in Prayer
Leslie M. Radigan/ASF
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The Fifth National Encuentro: A Light that Shines and Illuminates the Way Forward By Michelle Montez, Executive Director, Pastoral Ministries Division Rocío González, Director of Hispanic Ministry Archdiocesan Co-Coordinators for the V Encuentro
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he V National Encuentro of Hispanic/Latino Ministry that took place in Grapevine, TX on September 20-23, was an historic event that affirmed the new reality of the Catholic Church and its growing Hispanic population, especially recognizing the presence of young Hispanics and their desire to be more present and active in the Life and Mission of the Church. We began the journey of the V National Encuentro of Hispanic/Latino Ministry: Missionary Disciples, Witnesses of God’s Love with a surprise video message from Pope Francis who urged the delegates to continually work towards creating a “culture of encounter that rekindles hope” (to see full message: www.youtube. com/watch?v=QXY6deHN8nk&feature=youtu.be) Over the next three days, approximately 3,200 Catholics- among them the Apostolic Nuncio for the United States, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, President of the Episcopal Conference of Catholic Bishops of the USA, three other Cardinals, more than 150 archbishops and bishops, a huge number of priests, religious and thou-
sands of laity, came together to “encounter the other”, to explore and discuss issues that impact the Church currently and in the future. The Delegation of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, consisting of 50 individuals, including Archbishop John C. Wester and Archbishop Emeritus Michael J. Sheehan, had the opportunity to share with and get to know delegates from more than 150 dioceses represented at the event. Through the inspiring words of keynote speakers, breakout sessions, panels of experts, processes of discernment at regional and interregional levels, beautiful liturgies, and community service, delegates at the V National Encuentro examined, reflected and celebrated the reality of the presence and blessing that Hispanic/ Latino People have been and are for the Church of the United States. As an intense time of consultation, the V National Encuentro provided a process to systematically hear the voices of Hispanic Latino/Catholics and those who journey with them in faith, and gather their insights, aspirations and hopes for the Catholic Church. Acknowledging the difficult times the Church is going through, the V National Encuentro was recognized as a moment of grace for the Church of the United States. Cardinal Di Nardo, President of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of the United States expressed: “Amidst this darkness, the Encuentro is a light that
shines and illuminates the way forward. The enthusiasm, the passion, the love, and the joy of the Encuentro process is a means of grace, a gift to us as we rebuild the Church.” After this monumental encounter, there is still much more to reflect, discern, process, and concretize on many levels- nationally, regionally, diocesan and parish wide. The Leadership Team of the V National Encuentro will prepare a concluding document of the dialogues that took place, listing the main priorities and challenges identified throughout the consultation process. These results will help to establish action plans that respond to the concrete needs of each region and/ or diocese. In the meantime, we will continue walking together in our journey of faith, going out to encounter others and, through Christ our Lord, becoming the Missionary Disciples, Witnesses of God’s Love for the whole Church. On the following page, are reflections of ASF delegates regarding their experience at the event.
ASF V National Encuentro Delegates Archdiocese of Santa Fe, Albuquerque Avellone, Anne Becerra, Elvia Esquibel, CSSF, Sr. Edna González, Rocío Montez, Michelle Ríos, Jessica Sheehan, Archbishop Emeritus. Michael J. Wester, Archbishop John C. Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, Santa Fe Corona, Omar Donis, Rosa Linda Hernández, Selvin León, Heriberta Holy Family, Albuquerque Arvizo, Lolis Peralta, OFM, Rev. José Luis
Quezada, Beatriz Romero, OFM, Rev. Erasmo Immaculate Conception, Albuquerque Aparicio, OLVM, Sr. Teresa Sandova, Adriana Misión San Juan Diego, Los Lunas Alanís, Rev. Francisco Chávez, Rocío Enríquez, Lizeth Guzmán, Hugo Rodela, Guzmán Rosa, Emma Velásquez, José Velásquez, María Our Lady of Guadalupe, Albuquerque Medina, Jessica
Our Lady of Sorrows, Bernalillo Jiménez, Evelia Our Lady of the Annunciation, Albuquerque Wunsch, Norma Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, Albuquerque Golden, O.Praem, Rev. Graham Griesemer, Ken Medina, Cecelia Nájera, Keily Sáenz, Amelina San Martín de Porres, Albuquerque Luján, Yolanda Mendoza, Adelaida Muñoz, Lidia Sáenz de Reyes, Alma
Shrine of St. Therese, Albuquerque Carrillo, José Froilan Ramírez, Estela St. Anne, Albuquerque Buenrostro, Elizabeth Chavira, Martín Franco, Luz Virginia Valencia, Jorge St. Francis Xavier, Albuquerque Pérez, Cynthia Reyes, Mayra Valdez, José Jesús St. Helen, Portales Herrera, Dcn. Roberto Ivarbol, Iram St. Joseph on the Rio Grande, Albuquerque Madrid, Teresa
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Archbishop John C. Wester gathers with the Archdiocese of Santa Fe V National Encuentro delegates in Grapevine, TX.
Our Faith Can Sometimes Be Like a Tumbleweed By Keily Nájera, Young Adult from Holy Rosary Catholic Community in Albuquerque
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he V National Encuentro has invited me to have a stronger connection with my own parish, the archdiocese and people around the nation. I am currently speaking to many young adults in a group chat about the daily struggles and blessings we all have as Catholics. This time at the Encuentro made me reflect on my own faith and how I am called to serve. I was part of a large discussion group where young adults were the main focus. The group had archbishops and bishops in conversations with us on what we need, and want. For example, my table group talked about how we as young people want to be seriously considered for working positions within the Church, instead of just for cleaning and setting up when we are needed. Each day of the V National Encuentro, we would wake up with a good attitude, participated in prayer, listened to moving words and music that made our hearts dance. A reflection about simple things like how faith can sometimes be like a tumbleweed by how we practice or how we stay connected to God. This gathering for me brought a new perspective to how I can live by practicing my faith now and in the future. Listening to the ideas of others from all over the nation pushes us to prepare to offer and build programs so others can
Archbishop John C. Wester addresses the delegates at the V National Encuentro. receive help with not only material needs but also with emotional, and spiritual needs.
“Tú eres mi otro yo; You are my other self” By Anne Avellone, Director, Office of Social Justice and Respect Life
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had the privilege of being one of the 50 delegates from the Archdiocese of Santa Fe at the V Encuentro gathering in Grapevine, TX. It was such a blessing to me personally and to my ministry that I hope
will bear much fruit in the coming years! The faith, the joy, the commitment to the church of all present was inspiring. My experience as a non –Spanish speaker reminded me that language (and culture) differences should not stand in the way of doing ministry in the Church. It is in fact what makes us Church. Beyond the gifts of language and culture, the gift of faith in action stood out for me. As we discussed at regional and inter-regional sessions about the gifts that Hispanics bring to the Church and how best to address challenges, I grew more aware of the deep commitment to ministry, family and care for those on the margins. This was clear one of the sessions focused on how the Hispanics in the Church respond to immigration. Those gathered wanted more formation and more guidance on how to act with love. In the last break out session, which focused on best practices in selected ministerial areas, in my case, justice and peace, we discussed passionately how our faith calls us to be there “for the other”. The discussion at the tables, with the bishops and other guest speakers revolved around how many Hispanics want and need more formation in the area of Catholic social teaching and how to get involved. One speaker noted in Spanish, “Tú eres mi otro yo. You are my other self.” Indeed, this is our faith: we are called to be there for others. In fact, our salvation is dependent on how we treat each other, because the “other” is truly a reflection of ourselves. This is the greatest gift of all: we are one human family together on this journey of faith. For that gift, and this inspiring experience of V Encuentro, I am grateful!
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october 2018
The pope and the martyr: New saints offer youths a road map to holiness
By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The Catholic Church has its share of young saints who gave witness through their lives that holiness can be attained even at a young age. Others, like Blesseds Paul VI and Oscar Romero, show that the path to holiness begins early. The two will be declared saints Oct. 14 during the Synod of Bishops on young people and discernment. Although Pope Paul VI is best remembered for seeing the Second Vatican Council through to its end and helping implement its far-reaching reforms, his journey toward holiness began much earlier in life, said Father Claudio Zanardini, rector of the Basilica di Santa Maria delle Grazie in the northern Italian province of Brescia, where Blessed Paul VI celebrated his first Mass May 30, 1920. “We here in Brescia are trying -- at Pope Francis’ request -- to make Paul VI’s younger years more known. That is, how he lived his time of vocational discernment and his formation so that he can become a model for young people who are on their own path of formation,” Father Zanardini told Catholic News Service Sept. 27. Born Giovanni Battista Montini in 1897, the future pope and his brothers would attend youth meetings organized by the Oratory of St. Philip Neri in Brescia. Father Zanardini told CNS that those gatherings were a time of “spiritual and human formation” for Blessed Paul, where he built friendships and adopted the local priests’ charism of ministering to young people. Blessed Paul’s relationship with his family as well as a “deep sense of prayerfulness and an acute involvement in the social issues of his time were one of the legacies of his parents and brothers,” Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila told CNS Sept. 25. “The family atmosphere centered on faith and the common good prepared him to be a discerning person: listening to God’s word and the world; being at home in the solitude of prayer, which gave him the most profound experience of communion and the decisiveness to pursue a discerned choice,” Cardinal Tagle said. Father Zanardini told CNS that Blessed Paul’s canonization would be “a beautiful sign that he truly is a pope who still has much to say” to young men and women today. Blessed Paul VI was also remembered as a strong leader who was close to Catholics who suffered persecution, including the archbishop of San Salvador who will be declared a saint along with him: Blessed Oscar Romero. While visiting the pope on June 21, 1978, Blessed Romero wrote in his diary that Blessed Paul encouraged him to “proceed with courage, with patience, with strength, with hope.” Born in Ciudad Barrios, El Salvador, Blessed Romero entered a minor seminary at the age of 13. During his years of priestly ministry, young Romero served the poor and the suffering of his country. In 1977, Blessed Paul VI appointed him to lead the archdiocese of San Salvador during a tumultuous time when priests and religious who stood with the poor were targeted by right-wing paramilitary groups aligned with the government. Italian Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, the postulator of the Salvadoran archbishop’s cause, told CNS that Blessed Romero’s canonization is a “great opportunity to rediscover the primacy of love that must characterize, energize and excite today’s generations, today’s young
Blesseds Paul VI and Oscar Romero are two of seven new saints Pope Francis will canonize Oct. 14 at the Vatican. They are pictured in an undated photo. (CNS photo/Equipo Maiz, courtesy CAFOD, Just One World)
people.” Archbishop Paglia cited a letter sent by G. Mirna Garcia, a 17-year-old Salvadoran girl, to Blessed Romero in which she thanked him for fighting for her peoples’ rights and dignity. “In reading and listening to your homilies, I recognize that you have shown the path for our salvation,” she wrote to the archbishop. “Harder days will come and faith will sustain us in those days, the certainty that God is with us and if he is with us, nothing will be against us.” Salvadoran Mercy Sister Ana Maria Pineda, associate professor of religious studies at California’s University of Santa Clara, told CNS that her students see in Blessed Romero “the best of what they hope for in church leaders” and identify with his humanity as a person with both “gifts and limitations.” It was Archbishop Romero’s determination “to overcome his limitations in order to follow God’s call that the students most identify and find encouragement for themselves in their own struggles and challenges,” she said. Julian Filochowski, chair of the U.K.-based Archbishop Romero Trust, told CNS Sept. 27 that Blessed Romero brought an authenticity to the Gospel message in words and deeds that attracted young people in El Salvador. “He was not a populist politician dressed in a cassock. Rather a humble and self-effacing pastor seeking to love God, love the poor and love the church,” Filochowski said. “People, especially young people, can sense this,” he said, “and at such a difficult time for the hierarchical church, he stands as a shining example of authenticity in his faith, a beacon of hope radiating unconditional love for his people.”
october 2018
PEOPLE of GOD
A Treasured Relic of Bl. Óscar Romero in New Mexico
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By Felipe R. Mirabal St. Therese of the Infant Jesus
our years ago, Mr. José Vernier and his wife Lourdes, parishioners of St. Therese Church in Albuquerque, went to visit El Salvador along with their eight children who had not met their grandmother or other family members and friends. One these were the Very Rev. Msgr. Rafael Urrutia, the pastor of La Resurrección, chancellor of the Archdiocese of San Salvador and the diocesan postulator of the cause of the canonization of Blessed Óscar Romero. The monsignor generously gave the Vernier family a replica of Archbishop Romero’s miter, which contains a portion of the martyr’s clothing. The miter-reliquary contains a second-class relic that José Vernier says “its sign of encouragement with
our evangelization work. This gift gave me the courage to continue in my mission to announce the Good News with the same courage [that] Blessed Archbishop Romero demonstrated.” The relic of the holy martyr includes the official letters of provenance from Msgr. Rafael Urrutia and of the Archdiocese of San Salvador. A bishop’s miter is the liturgical hat that signifies his office. Archbishop Óscar Romero favored this particular miter. The original miter and the relic were made of white brocade decorated with red velvet that bears his episcopal motto in large golden embroidery that appropriately described his saintly life in Spanish, “Sentir con la Iglesia”—“Feel with the Church.” José Vernier felt that his pastor, Fr. Vincent Chávez was “a faithful priest devoted to Blessed Archbishop Romero and decided to give him this valuable gift. I knew from the moment which I gave him this gift, he would find an important place for it.” Greatly honored by this great gift, Fr. Chávez proudly boasts, “It is my possession now and it is a wonderful thing that here in the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, we have a major relic of San Óscar
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Romero de El Salvador, bishop and martyr.” Fr. Chávez says, “José and Lourdes Vernier and their family of eight children, are St. Therese parishioners and Catholic Missionaries who lead the Neo-Catechumenate Way in New Mexico, Arizona and west Texas.” José Vernier showed the relic to Fr. Vincent when St. Therese Parish hosted the annual Blessed Oscar Romero Commemoration on March 23, 2018 in Albuquerque. Fr. Vincent asked José and Lourdes if he could borrow the miter for veneration during the evening. When the priest returned the miter, they passed the relic on to him as a gift. Fr. Chávez decided to loan the prized relic to Archbishop John C. Wester for his private chapel “so that the presence of St. Archbishop Óscar Romero as a brave shepherd might also be with Archbishop Wester, our brave shepherd.” This relic is a reminder of the message Pope Francis preached on Holy Thursday 2013 that the Church needs “shepherds living with the smell of the sheep.” Blessed Archbishop Óscar Romero complied with his life, as he was zealously able to “Feel with the Church.”
On Sacred Ground By Megan Kamerick, FOCES Delegate
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El Salvador Painting, by Pat Malcolm Pat Malcolm, an Albuquerque artist, painted the mural El Salvador Painting which now hangs at St. Therese of the Infant Jesus parish. Among the people depicted are Gloria de Rivera (bottom right) who is one of the four who started the non-profit, UCCES in 1989. Gloria was wounded in the war, went on to become a social worker and then a lawyer specializing in family law. To her left is Misael Mejia. Misael also worked for UCCES He is now a Deputado (FMLN) in the Salvadoran legislature. The little girl in red and the others are from La Pinera, one of the small villages at the foot of Guazapa and in the northern outskirts of San Salvador. UCCES first worked with the people there and in four other nearby impoverished villages. Pat incorporated several traditional Salvadoran symbols and images in this mural.
never had much interest in pilgrimages, but then I went to El Salvador in 2008. I was 14 when Archbishop Oscar Romero was assassinated and I knew a lot about him. I knew Romero had been a safe choice. His fellow bishops figured he wouldn’t make trouble. I knew in three short years he had utterly changed, transformed by the murder of his friend, Fr. Rutilio Grande, by a military death squad. Grande worked with the poorest of the poor in rural villages. I knew Romero fell in love with those same
people. This led to fiery sermons decrying the military oppression and a single bullet that pierced his heart as he said Mass. I knew all this and yet it was quite another thing to touch the place where he fell as the blood spilled from his nose and mouth. I was truly on sacred ground. To see Romero’s modest house, to see his clothing with the bloodstains, and his glasses, such a recognizable part of his visage all over the world, was beyond inspiring. Romero foresaw his own death, much as Martin Luther King did, promising “If I am killed, I shall rise SACRED GROUND continued on page 25
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october 2018
ASF Catholic Deaf Circle
By Deacon Robert Vigil, Director, Pastoral Outreach Mission Statement: To establish a unified community among Deaf Catholics while providing an ecumenical effort to provide outreach through evangelization and sacramental preparation helping to improve communication and access in all our parish communities within the Archdiocese of Santa Fe.
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e would like to welcome all deaf and hard of hearing parishioners and their families to join our Catholic Deaf Circle. We meet monthly to collaborate on ways to be more inclusive within our parishes for those struggling with hearing loss or deafness. We also look at ways to assist those needing to complete their sacraments, Eucharistic ministry to the sick and assistance with ASL interpreters. We are planning our next Deaf Circle
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Brittany Chacon Mary Jo Dawson
Ashley Dolzani Megan-Anne Launey
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Sherry Anderson Linda Atkinson Jeannie Boyd Ryan Brennan Kaelan Brennan Sophia Diaz John Hansen Rhonda Hill Frank Melendez Pam Muzzi Ryan Myers Carolyn Nasi
Brian O’Malley Carol Pinnell Melissa A. Portillo Angela Romero Dee Silva Ann Skelley, CISR Barbara Steirwalt Debra Stiles Tracy Thompson Jessica Vargas Kathy Yeager Keith Yeager
Retreat for Lent Spring 2019. Our last Deaf Circle Retreat was held this past April 2018. The theme was “The Mass” facilitated by Fr. Shawn Carey one of the few deaf priests in the US, and since June of 2012 has worked as the full-time Director of the Deaf Apostolate in the Archdiocese of Boston. He is currently also president of the board of the National Catholic Office for the Deaf (NCOD). If you have any questions regarding this type of ministry to the deaf and incarcerated, please call our Office of Pastoral Outreach. Listed are the current interpreted Masses Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary 502 4th Street in Albuquerque 1st Saturdays 5:30 p.m. Sundays 7:30 a.m. in English and 10:45 a.m. in Spanish St. Anne Church 511 Alicia St. in Santa Fe Sundays 9:00 a.m. & Saturdays 6:00 p.m. St. John the Baptist Church 1301 Osage Ave. in Santa Fe Sundays 9:00 a.m. Holy Cross Catholic Church 126 S. McCurdy Rd. in Santa Cruz Sundays 12:30 p.m.
october 2018
PEOPLE of GOD
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29th Annual Native American Liturgy Celebrated
By Alan Cherino, Native American Ministry Advisory Board Member
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he 29th Annual Native American Liturgy was celebrated in August in Santa Fe at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi. Archbishop John C. Wester was the main celebrant with Msgr. Jerome Martinez y Alire con-celebrating,
Fr. Adam Lee Ortega as master of ceremonies, Deacon John Bird serving as Deacon of the Altar and Deacon Manny Robles serving as Deacon of the Word. This liturgy is celebrated each year on the same weekend as the Annual Indian Market in Santa Fe. Native American artists are up and down every street in and around the plaza with what seems to be
hundreds – maybe thousands – of shoppers and tourists. As people browse the Native art world and enjoy the delicious food of Santa Fe, the Native American Liturgy is being prepared to come alive. The liturgy is organized through the Archdiocese of Santa Fe by the Native American Ministry Office, the Office of Worship and the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi. The liturgy is served by Native Americans from among the New Mexico pueblos. The Laguna Pueblo Eagle Dancers led the procession as they danced an opening prayer. The altar servers, lectors, Eucharistic ministers, and some of the choir members were Pueblo Natives. One reading was proclaimed in the native language by Christine Suina of Cochiti Pueblo. Myles Wade of Isleta Pueblo proclaimed the other reading in English. Many of those whom were present wore their Native clothing. In attendance at this year’s Mass were the following special guests: Sr. Kateri Mitchell, Director of the National Tekakwitha Conference Center; Pueblo officials from Isleta, Jemez, Laguna, Taos, and Ysleta del Sur (near El Paso, TX); and Ms. Norma Ang Sanchez, Consul of
Mexico. Other special attendees included Native American Ministry Advisory Board members, Pastoral Ministries Division staff of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, and Geri Rychner, former Tekakwitha Conference Board Member of Yakima, WA. On behalf of Shirley Zuni, Director of the Native American Ministry Office of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, many thanks and blessings to all who served, helped and participated to make this year’s liturgy a beautiful and wonderful celebration. Special blessings to Archbishop Wester, Deacons John Bird and Manny Robles, the Laguna Pueblo singers and Eagle Dancers (it was a great honor to have their presence and offer their dance of prayer and blessings), altar servers, lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, choirs from Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo, Jemez Pueblo and Isleta Pueblo, and a special thank you to the pastoral staff of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi. Finally, on behalf of Native American Ministry we would like to especially thank Choir Director Carmen Florez-Mansi and pianist Eric Fricke for their awesome music direction. God bless you all and we’ll see you next year!
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october 2018
Annual Spanish Market Archbishop’s Award Celebrates 25 Years By Bernadette Lucero Director/Curator Archivist, Office of Historic Artistic Patrimony & Archives For the past 25 years, the archbishops of Santa Fe have selected a recipient for the annual Spanish Market Archbishop’s Award. In July 1993, Archbishop Emertius Michael J. Sheehan initiated the annual Archbishop’s Award and the first recipient of the award was Traditional Spanish Market artist Tim Valdez. The straw applique cross entitled Penitente Cross by Tim Valdez is currently on display at the Archdiocesan Museum. This year, Archbishop John C. Wester selected Jean Anaya Moya as the recipient of the 2018 Archbishop’s Award. The archbishop’s award is awarded at the annual Traditional Spanish Market to adult market artists whose artwork portrays a religious theme in a traditional New Mexican style. Generally, the award is presented on the Santa Fe plaza bandstand following the annual Spanish Market Mass held at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi.
Recipients of the annual Archbishop’s Award from 1993 to 2018 1993 Tim Valdez- Penitente Cross, straw applique
2006 Judy Varoz Long- El Via Cruces, straw applique
1994 David Nabor Lucero- Nuestra Señora de San Juan de Los Lagos, bulto
2007 Nicolas Otero- Our Lady of Guadalupe, altar screen
1995 Charlie Sanchez- Processional Cross, straw applique
2009 Lorrie Garcia, Pescados de Hombres, bulto
1996 Felix Lopez- Jesus Cures the Blind Man, bulto 1997 Kathleen Sais Lerner- The Archangels: Raphael, Michael, and Gabriel, colcha 1998 James Cordova- Anima Hispanica, altar screen 1999 Brenda Salazar- Relicario Rosary, sterling silver 2000 Felix Lopez- Angel of Peace, Saint Gabriel, bulto 2001 Arlene Cisneros Sena- Our Lady of Guadalupe, retablo 2002 Charlie Carrillo- San Juan Diego, retablo 2003 Lorrie Garcia- Santa Maria de la Paz, bulto 2004 Victor Goler- The Crucifixion, bulto 2005 Martha Varoz Ewing- Capilla de Nuestra Señora del Rosario, straw applique
2008 Ramon Jose Lopez- Un Tesoro, a treasure book 2010 Andrew Montoya- The Battle of Good and Evil, bulto 2011 Juan Lopez- Our Lady of Guadalupe, silver filigree 2012 Joseph A. Lopez- San Juan Nepomuceno, painted relief 2013 James Cordova- El Desposorio de la Virgen, retablo 2014 Roberto E. Barela- Flight into Egypt, unpainted bulto 2015 Gilbert Montoya- Our Lady Queen of Heaven, retablo 2016 Pete Ortega- Good Shepherd, unpainted bulto 2017 Nicolas Otero- Altar screen 2017, altar screen 2018 Jean Anaya Moya- San Isidro en todo su Gloria, painted relief
october 2018
PEOPLE of GOD
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Archbishop John C. Wester Blesses the Foundation of St Joseph on the Rio Grande’s Nazareth Center
Some of the members of the “Dream Team” gather for a photograph with Archbishop John C. Wester. They are: Jim Orton, Paul Farless, Del Dixon, Monsignor Lambert Joseph Luna, Pauline Garcia, , altar server Anthony,cross bearer Art Cooper, altar server Dylan
O
On October 7, 2018, Archbishop John C. Wester blessed the foundation of the Nazareth Center at St. Joseph on the Río Grande Parish in Albuquerque. Msgr. Lambert Joseph Luna, pastor, the planning committee known as the Dream Team and many parishioners were present to celebrate this significant milestone. The Nazareth Center is the name given to the building the parish has dreamed about since 2010 and is meant to convey the life of the Holy Family in Nazareth. The center is designed so that faith formation classes for children and adults, as well as meetings of parish ministries, can occur in its rooms. The design also gives the parish the flexibility of having small social gatherings at the Nazareth Center. In 2010, the parish conducted a survey to determine what it needed to foster the growth of the community and to fulfill its mission statement which says, “We strive to make Jesus known in the local community through ministries of faith, hospitality, liturgy, compassion, and justice.” The parishioners felt that a new facility was needed and so guided by the words of the mission statement, and with the entire parish praying to follow the example of its patron, St. Joseph the Worker, the Dream Team worked for eight years to make this project a reality. The Capital Campaign and the Nazareth Center Fund have been supported by the parishioners of St. Joseph on the Rio Grande and
by friends and benefactors. Their support provided the parish with half of the funds necessary to begin construction. The Archdiocese of Santa Fe approved a line of credit to complete the Nazareth Center. Construction began in July 2018 and is expected to be completed
by July 2019. The project includes expanding the parking lot and installing landscaping, adding outside lighting, building the Nazareth Center building, adding a drop off lane for the children, building a meditation pavilion between the buildings and
improving the drainage pond on the site. Most importantly the parish hopes that the new Nazareth Center will be the fulfillment of what it has dreamed and prayed about for so many years: A home where all God’s children can gather and grow in faith.
PEOPLE of GOD
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Faith-Filled Education
Fostering Uniqueness
october 2018
Preparing Leaders
Archbishop’s School Fund Dinner By Elizabeth Dominick, Director, Office of Stewardship The Archdiocese of Santa Fe Catholic School’s Office celebrated their 35th Annual Archbishop’s School Fund Dinner “Promise for Our Future” on Friday, September 28 at Sandia Resort & Casino. Our Master of Ceremonies, Mr. David Romero, anchor and reporter at KRQE and alumnus of St. Pius X High School, shared his experience with Catholic schools and provided a wonderful flow to the evening. The keynote speaker was Mr. Gian Paul Gonzalez. He is the founder and executive director of the Hope+Future Foundation and Community Center, an organization dedicated to using athletics and physical fitness to share a message of hope and striving for excellence to the inner-city youth of Hudson County, NJ. He
also continues as an independent consultant for the New York Giants Player Development. Gonzalez said, “We are faced with decisions every day at which time we can decide to be fully committed, or all in.” He encouraged all at the dinner to commit, to be “All In” for our children and Catholic education. The evening included a major donor private reception, a live and silent auction, raffle baskets, dinner, and “Baseball with the Bishop” raffle. The final event of the evening was a testimonial from St. Pius X High School junior, Logan Hooks. Logan shared his story and his success which was made possible due to the generosity of others. The Catholic School’s Office thanks the many sponsors, donors, and friends of our Catholic schools who through their generous support, continue to promise a future for our children.
Promise for Our Future 5K Run/Walk
Logan Hooks, St. Pius X High School Student Speaker (11th Grade) and Gian Paul Gonzalez, Keynote Speaker
Grandparents’ Day at Our Lady of the Assumption
Luke Ward, Fourth Grader, is pictured here with his grandparents and great-grandparents, Gus & Carolyn Letto, Dennis Carpenter, Cecile Ward, Billie & George Rice.
The Archdiocese of Santa Fe Office of Catholic Schools held their 2nd Annual Promise for Our Future 5K Run/Walk. They proudly welcomed over 260 participants to the St. Pius X High School Campus for a beautiful morning. The event kicked off with an outdoor Mass celebrated by Fr. John Trambley (President, St. Pius X High School). Shortly after Mass, the runners took their place ready to run or walk, all in support of Catholic education in the Archdiocese of Santa Fe.
At OLA, we recognize the importance and influence of a grandparent. We know the relationship between a grandchild and a grandparent is a major part of a child›s development. Grandparents often times take on the roll of a parent which may include bringing students to and from school, extra-curricular activities, doctor
appointments and even paying their Catholic school tuition. Our nation celebrated National Grandparent’s Day on September 9. One hundred seventeen of OLA’s grandparents came to celebrate with their grandchildren during lunch. Some came as far as Alamogordo and Magdalena just to have lunch. We love our grandparents at OLA!
october 2018
PEOPLE of GOD
Faith-Filled Education
Fostering Uniqueness
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Preparing Leaders
Increasing Catholic Identity with the Saints at Santo Niño Regional Catholic School By Dirk Steffens, Principal, Santo Niño Regional Catholic School Santo Niño Regional Catholic School in Santa Fe serves eight parishes in the Santa Fe area. The school is going into its thirteenth year and has beautiful facilities. In his work, Architects of Catholic Culture, Timothy Cook states, “The Catholic experience of God also occurs within community, a community that is universal and inclusive, which includes the communion of saints.” This communion and community is what we all share at the school. As teachers, staff, students and parents, we are called to be like our Lord Jesus Christ, to follow and work towards perfection,
but we are also human. Humanity can never fully achieve the perfection that is Christ, but we do have models in humanity: saints. There is a saint for everyone and anyone, patron saints for sports, cooking, and just people who we admire. St. Augustine did many wrong things in his life before he became a Christian, and a great saint and defender of the faith. This year, students and teachers were challenged to change the name of their classrooms to saints. Instead of room 301, we will have room St. Benedict or St. Aquinas. Already, our hallways have painted archangels and the Guardian Angels. Now, students will attend classrooms named after saints. To reinforce their relationship with the saints and how the saints are our friends, each classroom door will have an image of the saint painted above the door and the prayer of the saint beside the door. We are not stopping at just the classrooms either. The cafeteria will have St. Pascual and the gym will have a large life size (kid friendly) image of St. Sebastian painted on the wall. In total, there will be about 30 saints painted around the school. A local artist, Doug Nava, has volunteered his time and talent to help us accomplish this quite large task. These saints painted around the school will help create that community and communion of saints. The students will be taught all about the different saints and even get to dress up like their class saint at different times of the year. The saints are our friends and the students will call upon them for their prayers and intercessions on their behalf.
San Felipe de Neri students in Albuquerque are focused on being followers of Jesus, active learners, and servants of Christ. In September, students who were exemplary models in being Followers of Jesus Who Model Christ-like Behavior were recognized at the weekly school Mass.
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PEOPLE of GOD
Blessed Oscar Romero’s Legacy Continues: A Voice for the Poor Catholic Relief Services Blessed Oscar Romero served as Archbishop of the Archdiocese of San Salvador, El Salvador, from 1977 until he was martyred for his faith, shot and killed while celebrating Mass on March 24, 1980. He was formally declared a martyr by Pope Francis in February 2015, beatified in May 2015 and will be canonized in Rome on October 14, 2018. At that time in El Salvador, political violence, disappearances and human rights violations were widespread. Many priests and religious sisters spoke out on behalf of victims, and many were murdered as a result. Blessed Oscar Romero´s friend and fellow priest, Fr. Rutilio Grande, was killed in 1977 just as Blessed Oscar Romero began serving as archbishop. Fr. Grande´s murder moved Blessed Oscar Romero to speak out even more strongly on behalf of the suffering and marginalized. Blessed Oscar Romero heard the stories of the poor, and his voice against the violence grew louder and louder. People in villages across the nation tuned in to Blessed Oscar Romero’s radio homilies, finding strength and comfort in his words. Each week he would denounce the violence and urge people to live out Christ’s Gospel message of peace and love. In his position as shepherd of the Archdiocese of San Salvador, he became what many called “the voice of the voiceless” until his death. Blessed Oscar Romero’s words echo the Catechism of the Catholic Church (no. 2448): “[Those] who are oppressed by poverty are the object of a preferential love on the part of the Church which, since her origin and in spite of the failings of many of her members, has not ceased to work for their relief, defense and liberation through numerous works of charity which remain indispensable always and
everywhere.” During this time of Blessed Oscar Romero’s canonization, Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic Church in the United States, remembers his legacy of helping people who are suffering and marginalized in El Salvador. For over 50 years, CRS has collaborated with the Catholic Church in El Salvador to alleviate hunger and help promote peace. Today, thirty-eight years after Blessed Archbishop Romero’s death, poor communities in El Salvador face a different kind of violence. Violence has grown in the past decades as street gangs and drug cartels expand their influence. Amidst the gang violence, the Church continues to stand with the poor. CRS helps at-risk youth and their families overcome violence and poverty through life skills, vocational training and job placements. CRS’ YouthBuild program has helped more than 7,000 young people gain marketable skills and realize their full potential. Blessed Archbishop Romero’s message is as relevant as ever. His example of being a voice for the voiceless, standing on the side of poor and vulnerable people remind Catholics and all people of good will to speak on behalf of others in need. Blessed Oscar Romero fearlessly denounced the violence and human rights abuses in a brutal civil war. “My disposition must be to give my life for God, whatever the end of my life may be,” said Blessed Oscar Romero. “As a Christian, I do not believe in death without resurrection. If I am murdered, I will arise again in the Salvadoran people,” said Blessed Oscar Romero. On the occasion of your canonization, Blessed Oscar Romero, pray for us! Give us the courage to speak up for the voiceless and stand with people who are vulnerable and poor!
october 2018
october 2018
Praise + + D_E+I in Fall mission the Plaza!
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October 21-24, 2018 A D+E+I Mission, with the Archdiocese of Santa fe Youth, Young Adult & Campus Ministry and San felipe de neri parish
deiabq.org
information
505.831.8212
Schedule Sunday
Monday
2 - 4 PM Old Town Plaza
7 - 8 PM San Felipe de Neri
music
music
Tuesday 11 AM - 1 PM w/Lunch [$0] San Felipe de Neri 7 - 8 PM San Felipe de Neri
Wednesday 7 - 8 PM San Felipe de Neri
Announcement! Nominations Open for Religious Studies Scholarship By Kristine J. Coffey, Chair & Trustee, Coffey D+E+I Religious Studies Scholarship Fund
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e have an exciting announcement. Back to its very founding, D+E+I’s mission has always had its focus on adult education – to build up and sustain the people of God, in order to, with prayer, reach out in justice to better this world – and celebrate it … the four pillars of the Dominican charism. Are YOU a future leader in religious studies, like theology, religious history, social justice, pastoral ministry, spirituality, scripture? This is for you. Nominate yourself. KNOW such a future leader from the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, and/or pursuing religious studies here? This is for you. Nominate them. The Coffey D+E+I Religious Studies Scholarship Fund has been established through the Catholic Foundation of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe. This fund is established to: n Promote the religious studies area with our next generation, university level students, our future leaders, n Recognize the moral compass of liberal arts students who have a strong understanding of the human condition, n Encourage appreciation of differing perspectives and willingness to accept ambiguity, n Raise up those students with a sense of values that permit them to navigate their way through that uncertainly resulting from awareness of human affairs and human rights, n Remember the life of John M. Coffey, MD, committed to the liberal arts,
ongoing advanced education and social gospel justice, including lifelong learning to bolster one’s faith and person-to-person philanthropy, n Honor the works for the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, various parishes and D+E+I by Kristine J. Coffey (D+E+I Chair 2012-2017, Vice Chair 2011- 2012, volunteer and committees’ chairs 14 years) and the philanthropic support of D+E+I by both Dr. and Mrs. Coffey over nineteen (19) year as of award formation, and n Support and affirm the leadership of Archbishop John C. Wester and the Coffeys’ commitment to their ongoing Catholic faith development. Thank you to the inaugural Scholarship Judging Committee: • Dr. Marty Hewlett, OP, Professor Emeritus, Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ; Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology, Graduate theological Union, Berkeley, CA; former interim CEO, UNM-Taos, Religious Studies faculty, UNM-Taos, D+E+I Board of Directors 2015 to present. • Kathrine Holscher, PhD, endowed Roman Catholic Chair of the University of New Mexico, Associate Professor Religious Studies and American Studies, D+E+I Board of Directors 2013 - 2018 • Richard L. Wood, PhD, Interim Provost at the University of New Mexico, former Chair of Sociology and of the Religious Studies departments, Professor Sociology, pro bono advisor to USCCB CCHD, D+E+I Board of Directors 2002002, 2013 to present Request a Nomination Form from the founding Trustee and Chair, Kristine J. Coffey at kcoffey826cpe@aol.com. Nomination deadline is January 2, 2019. Student Applications are due no later than January 15, 2019. Scholarship Fund Terms and Conditions are available from the Trustee.
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PEOPLE of GOD
october 2018
Have You Purchased Your Tickets or Table for the 15th Annual Saint Nicholas Ball? Celebrate the beginning of the Christmas season with dinner, silent and live actions, entertainment, and dancing! Proceeds will benefit Catholic Charities programs including self-sufficiency and housing assistance, early childhood education, adult basic education, immigration and citizenship legal assistance, refugee support, and senior transportation.
The 2018 Saint Nicholas Ball will be held on November 17th at the Embassy Suites
1000 Woodward Place NE, Albuquerque, NM 87102 Special discounted room rates are available . Call to reserve and mention the Saint Nicholas Ball
Entertainment by the Pink Flamingos! Last year’s event raised over $135,000! Thank you to all who made the night a success Call 505-724-4637 or check out our website: www.ccasfnm.org/snb
Affordable housing project construction underway Construction has begun on Generations at West Mesa, an affordable housing multi-family complex on 57th and Central developed by Catholic Charities and Gorman and Company with support from the City of Albuquerque, MFA, and various investors. A grand-opening is expected near the end of 2019. The complex will house 54 low income families, with a focus on grandparents raising grandchildren. Catholic Charities will assist residents with parenting/grand parenting classes, after school programs, computer trainings, senior transportation, support groups, financial counseling/education and youth/ family/elderly services.
A chance to appreciate our volunteer drivers “It is such a good feeling knowing that I can depend on your help when it is needed,” one rider in our Senior Transportation Program tells us. Volunteer drivers are the backbone that make this program possible. On August 31st, we were able to show them some much deserved appreciation with a pizza party at our offices. Drivers were able to enjoy pizza, salad, and brownies while sharing feedback about the program, watching various presentations, and winning door prizes. Volunteers help us achieve our mission to put faith in action to improve the lives of those in need. If you would like to volunteer your time and talents whether it’s to journey with a friend as a driver in our Senior Transportation Program, tutor a student in our Adult Education Program, or help one of our Centers of Excellence with office work, call Cathy AragonMarquez at 505-724-4634.
Thank you Annunciation Catholic School 7th Graders We were thrilled to receive another visit from Annunciation Catholic School 7th grade students at our Children’s Learning Center in August! Weed pulling may not be a 7th grader’s favorite activity, but these students were all ready to work to keep the playground clean and beautiful for our preschoolers. They also did a wonderful job engaging with the children enrolled in our program. Did you know… Catholic Charities Children’s Learning Center is a five-star licensed and accredited preschool program committed to giving young children ages 6 weeks to 5 years the necessary foundation for a successful transition to elementary school. The Center respects the cultural diversity of children by offering a variety of multicultural learning materials and experiences through a bilingual curriculum. We also provide after school care to children ages 5 to 12 years.
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NMOGA awards grant for 250 dictionaries for ESL Students We would like to thank the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association for providing us a $6,250 grant to purchase 250 picture dictionaries for students enrolled in our English as a Second Language classes through our Center for Educational Opportunity. Did you know… The Center for Educational Opportunity strengthens our community by helping to empower those who are marginalized due to limited education, language, cultural barriers, and immigration status. Our students come to us from all walks of life to work on attaining high school equivalency, to improve their job performance, to participate in their children’s schools, or to begin a pathway to citizenship.
Your in-kind donations help families in need “My family of five lived at Joy Junction for 2 years,” says Albert. “Catholic Charities came out to talk with us many times to help us get a home of our own. We were accepted into to their Center for Self-Sufficiency and Housing program. We were grateful just to have a place we could call our own. One day the [Catholic Charities] truck came to our apartment, and in two hours, we had a home. I put the apartment key in my hand and thought, Wow - someone cares!” Our In-Kind Donation Center provides housing setups for families supported by our programs at Catholic Charities. On average, we provide 75 setups a year, which include furniture, kitchen supplies, cleaning supplies, and food. Over the past couple months, we have been blessed to be able to provide an incredible number of setups within a short time frame. We are able to do this thanks to our wonderful volunteers and those in our community who think of us when they have furniture or household items to donate. Catholic Charities In-Kind Donation Center, located at 3600 Osuna NE #519, Albuquerque, NM 87109, is open and ready to take drop-offs on Tuesdays through Thursdays from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. For large furniture donations, you can schedule a free pickup by leaving a voicemail at 505-724-4678.
Driving 4 Dignity Whether it’s a car, truck, motorcycle, boat, or trailer, Catholic Charities graciously accepts tax deductible donations of most motor vehicles running or not with or without a title. From clunkers to hot rods, the extra vehicle you need out of your garage can help Catholic Charities improve the lives of those in need. The process is simple: u Call (505) 724-4670 u Provide your name, mailing address and the address of where the vehicle is located u You will then be contacted to schedule a FREE pick-up of your vehicle!
SACRED GROUND continued from page 15
again in the Salvadoran people.” So I was overjoyed to see his tomb is a still a gathering place. It’s in the basement of the main cathedral, where the mass of the people, the Misa Populare, takes place. The homily during our visit focused on the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. The priest told us God didn’t send his son to reassure us. Jesus came to upend the established order, to be baptized by a mere mortal. It was a powerful message that echoed Romero about where the real power of the church lies: In the people. To be in that moment, with his tomb nearby, I felt the presence of God in a way I never had before. Megan Kamerick has gone with Friends of the Children of El Salvador (FOCES) on two delegations to El Salvador and supports a student in the program.
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WORLD AND NATIONAL NEWS Amid shouts of protesters in gallery, Senate votes to confirm Kavanaugh WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Late Oct. 6, despite the interruptions of screaming protesters who had to be escorted from the gallery that oversees the Senate chamber, U.S. senators voted 50-48 to confirm Judge Brett Kavanaugh as the newest justice on the U.S. Supreme Court. He was then officially sworn in by Chief Justice John Roberts, with a ceremonial swearing-in by President Donald Trump taking place late Oct. 8 in the East Room at the White House. In an Oct. 6 statement, Kavanaugh’s high school alma mater, Jesuit-run Georgetown Preparatory School in the Washington suburb of North Bethesda, Maryland, noted how when he first accepted Trump’s nomination, Kavanaugh stated that “one of the goals of Jesuit education is the aspiration to be a ‘man or woman for others.’” “The call to public service is one of the highest manifestations of that ethic,” the school said. “Georgetown Prep congratulates Justice Kavanaugh on his confirmation and promises our prayers for him and his family as he strives to be that person for others in the service of our nation.” Kavanaugh, 53, graduated from the school in 1983 and joins another alumnus of the school on the court, Associate Justice Neil Gorsuch, who graduated in 1985. Gorsuch, who also was nominated by Trump, was confirmed in April 2017.
Bishop prays for refugees ‘left in harm’s way’ with cap on admissions WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The Trump administration’s cap of 30,000 refugees to be admitted to the United States for fiscal year 2019 will leave thousands more “in harm’s way,” said Bishop Joe S. Vasquez of Austin, Texas, who is chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Migration. He said the bishops were saddened by the low number but pledged to work with the administration to reach that goal while they continue to call for a higher number of refugees to be admitted during the next fiscal year. A “Presidential Determination on Refugee Admissions” was issued Oct. 4 as a memorandum to the U.S. State Department confirming the number of 30,000, which was first announced by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Sept. 17. The figure is one-third less than last year’s 45,000, which had been the lowest number on record. “As Christians, we believe it is our duty to welcome and help those who are persecuted, including the vulnerable such as children and religious minorities,” Bishop Vasquez said in an Oct. 6 statement. “Resettlement in our country is a way through which we live out our Gospel call to welcome the persecuted into our communities -- individuals and families with no viable options to stay where they are or return home.” He said he was “saddened” by the major reduction in resettlement to 30,000 refugees.
Christians must live the beatitudes, not just preach them, pope says VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- With songs, poetry and dance -- including hip-hop -- young people shared with Pope Francis and members of
the Synod of Bishops some of their life stories, hopes, dreams and, especially, questions. The late-afternoon gathering Oct. 6 brought more than 5,000 young people, mostly Italian high school and university students, to the Vatican audience hall. Young adults from several countries told their personal stories of finding faith; one young man recounted his teen years of crime, detention and finally jail; another spoke of his recovery from addiction; a young Italian woman spoke of volunteer work, living and working in a Syrian refugee camp in Lebanon; and another young woman talked about her current discernment as a novice in a religious order. Then the questions came: What can we do to prevent teen suicide? How do we find meaning in life? How can we fight discrimination and inequality? How can we counter fear of foreigners? What can the church do to help young Christians in countries where they are a minority? How are young people supposed to respond to their peers who ask about the sex abuse scandal and are convinced the church is “a lair of people more interested in money and power than good?” \
Church leaders must face truth of abuse, Cardinal DiNardo says ROME (CNS) -- The president of the U.S. bishops’ conference welcomed Pope Francis’ pledge to fight attempts to cover up cases of sexual abuse and to stop offering special treatment to bishops who have committed or covered up abuse. “On behalf of my brother bishops in the United States, I welcome the statement of Oct. 6 from the Holy See which outlines additional steps Pope Francis is taking to ensure the faithful are protected from the evil of sexual assault,” Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo said in a statement released Oct. 7 in Rome. The cardinal, president of the USCCB, is in Rome for the Synod of Bishops. Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles, conference vice president, also is in Rome for the synod, and the two U.S. leaders were expected to meet privately with Pope Francis Oct. 8 as questions continue over the handling of years of allegations of sexual misconduct by former Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick of Washington. In a statement Oct. 6, the Vatican said Pope Francis had ordered a thorough review of the archives of Vatican offices to study how the allegations were handled.
Pope names members for Vatican office for laity, family, life VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Less than five months after updating the statutes of the Dicastery for Laity, the Family and Life, Pope Francis named a new slate of members of the Vatican office, including U.S. law professor Helen Alvare, Archbishop Wilton Gregory of Atlanta and Cardinal Gerald Lacroix of Quebec. The Vatican announced the new members and a large group of consultants Oct. 6. Among the new dicastery members are three married couples; they come from Poland, Singapore and Germany. The new consultants to the office include: U.S. Father Robert W. Oliver, secretary of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors; and Dr. Thomas W. Hilgers, founder and director of the Pope Paul VI Institute for the Study of Human Reproduction in Omaha, Nebraska.
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A PRAYER FOR HEALING VICTIMS OF ABUSE God of endless love, ever caring, ever strong, always present, always just: You gave your only Son to save us by his Blood on the Cross. Gentle Jesus, shepherd of peace, join to your own suffering the pain of all who have been hurt in body, mind, and spirit by those who betrayed the trust placed in them. Hear the cries of our brothers and sisters who have been gravely harmed, and the cries of those who love them. Soothe their restless hearts with hope,
steady their shaken spirits with faith. Grant them justice for their cause, enlightened by your truth. Holy Spirit, comforter of hearts, heal your people’s wounds and transform brokenness into wholeness. Grant us the courage and wisdom, humility and grace, to act with justice. Breathe wisdom into our prayers and labors. Grant that all harmed by abuse may find peace in justice. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
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The Impact of the Encuentro By Dr. Tim Muldoon Dr. Tim Muldoon
From September 20 to 23 this year, some 3000 delegates from the dioceses of the United States gathered outside of Dallas for a massive event which reflects an important development in the U.S. Catholic Church. The Encuentro, meaning “Encounter,” was the fifth major gathering of Hispanic Catholic leaders since the first one in 1972. Catholic Extension has been a proud supporter of several of the people who spoke at the event, and it has also supported several offices of Hispanic ministry in dioceses that sent delegates. Hispanics—the majority of whom were born in the United States—represent about 4 out of 10 U.S. Catholics today, and perhaps more significantly they represent a majority of Catholics under 18. Yet the leadership of the Church in this country remains predominantly of non-Hispanic, European descent. At present, only 10% of bishops and 3% of priests are Hispanic, though those numbers will increase slightly with the growing numbers of young Hispanic priests and seminarians. To see the real growth in Hispanic Catholic leadership, one must look at lay men and women, whose numbers are creeping toward half the total number of students in lay formation programs. That growing reality—of a Church led by young lay men and women (the average age of Hispanic Catholics is 27)—was evident at the Encuentro. The convention center was filled with the faces of young people who were nominated by their dioceses to represent the interests of the people among whom they pray, study scripture, celebrate the sacraments, and serve in their ordinary family-centered lives. I spoke with several of these leaders to learn how they perceived the impact of the Encuentro. One woman, Junuee Castro, serves as the director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries for the Diocese of Salt Lake City. She points to the ways that the Encuentro process has unfolded over the past fortyplus years as a sign of hope for the U.S. Church. Specifically, she calls attention to the theme of
missionary discipleship that was so prominent at the gathering—that is, of going out to the margins in order to embrace people from all paths of life. She reflects on her particular role of walking with young people in a mission diocese, “humbly being a prophetic voice for the most vulnerable,” encouraged by the presence of so many other young people at the Encuentro who share this vocational call. Another woman, Jessica Maciel Hernandez, serves as the coordinator of Hispanic Youth Ministry for the Diocese of Des Moines. She points to the way that the Encuentro offered members of the Hispanic community to have a voice at the national level. Many, like her, are immigrants, and she found hope in the spaces for open dialogue about immigrants’ walk of faith and building God’s kingdom. She sees richness in the faith traditions of people’s various countries of origin, and has hope for the ways that immigrants can share these traditions with other Catholics. These voices, as well as several others I encountered, used language about the Church in the United States which reminded me of the opening lines of Gaudium et Spes, the document from the Church’s Second Vatican Council some fifty years ago, which steered the world Church on a course of careful attention to people’s joys and hopes in everyday life. The Council, a gathering of all the world’s bishops, described a Church attentive to “the joys and the hopes, the griefs and the anxieties of the men and women of this age, especially those who are poor or in any way afflicted.” The delegates at the Encuentro are leaders who are immersed in joys and griefs of their friends, neighbors, and fellow Catholics, listening as they bring them all before Jesus and, in many cases, the Virgin of Guadalupe. Their model of the “poor church of the poor”—to echo a memorable phrase from Pope Francis—is one that will humbly yet powerfully shape the future of the U.S. Church. Tim Muldoon is the author of the award-winning Living Against the Grain and other books, and serves as Director of Mission Education at Catholic Extension.
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Time Again to Shop for the Best Medicare Deal
By Bob Moos/Southwest public affairs officer for the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Now’s the time for New Mexico residents with Medicare to check their health and drug coverage for 2019. Medicare’s open enrollment period runs from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7. Open enrollment is the best time to make sure your health and drug plans still meet your individual needs, especially if you’ve had any changes in your health. By now insurers should have notified you of any adjustments in your health or drug plan coverage or any changes in your out-of-pocket costs for next year. Even if you’ve been satisfied with your health and drug coverage, you may benefit from reviewing all your options. Shopping around may save you money or improve your coverage. Medicare Advantage remains a strong alternative for people who prefer to receive care through a private insurer rather than through Medicare’s original fee-forservice program. Most plans include drug coverage. The number of people buying Medicare Advantage plans is expected to grow by 11.5 percent to 22.6 million nationwide in 2019. Thirty-three percent of New Mexico residents with Medicare now opt to get their health care benefits this way. Many Advantage plans charge a separate premium on top of the Part B premium you’ll pay for Medicare’s medical insurance. Nationally, the average monthly cost for that separate Medicare Advantage premium will be $28 in 2019 -- $1.81 less than this year. New Mexico residents in Medicare’s traditional feefor-service program who want to add prescription drug coverage can choose from 27 drug plans with monthly premiums ranging from $14.50 to $126.20 – about the same premium range as a year ago. Nationally, the average premium for a basic drug plan in 2019 will drop by $1.09 to $32.50 per month. Look beyond premiums, though. The only way to determine the true cost of your drug coverage is to consider other factors like deductibles, co-payments and coinsurance. Medicare’s website – www.medicare.gov – has the best tool for helping you narrow your search for a new health or drug plan. Just click on “Find Health and Drug Plans.” After entering your ZIP code and the list of your prescriptions, you can use the “Medicare Plan Finder” tool to compare your coverage and out-of-pocket costs under different plans. The quality of a health or drug plan’s customer service should be considered, too. To help you identify the best and worst, the Plan Finder provides star ratings for each plan. The ratings range from five stars (excellent) to one star (poor); three stars are average. Higher-rated plans deliver a higher level of care, such as managing chronic conditions efficiently, screening for and preventing illnesses, and making sure people get
much-needed prescriptions. Higher-rated plans also have fewer complaints or long waits for care. Besides using Medicare.gov, you can call Medicare’s toll-free help line at 1-800-633-4227 or consult your “Medicare & You 2019 Handbook,” which you should have received in the mail in the last few weeks. One-on-one benefits counseling is also available through your State Health Insurance Assistance Program. In New Mexico, you should call 1-800-432-2080. Medicare’s drug benefit continues to improve. You’ll enjoy more savings on your prescriptions. The “doughnut hole,” or coverage gap, will go away for brand-name drugs in 2019, which means you’ll receive a 75 percent break on those drugs after you pay your annual deductible and until you reach the threshold for catastrophic coverage, when you’ll pay substantially less. The coverage gap for generic drugs will remain for only one more year and will kick in for you once you and
your drug plan have spent $3,820 in 2019. At that point, you’ll receive a 63 percent discount on your generics – a bigger discount than this past year. If you’re having difficulty affording your medications, you may qualify for extra help with your drug coverage premiums, deductibles and co-payments. The amount of help depends on your income and resources. But, generally, you’ll pay no more than $3.40 for each generic drug and $8.50 for each brand-name drug in 2019. Thirty-eight percent of New Mexico residents with Medicare’s drug coverage now get such a break. To learn more about whether you qualify for extra help, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/prescriptionhelp or call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. There’s no better time to check your Medicare health and drug coverage. Any changes you make will take effect on Jan. 1.
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Opioids, Pain Management, and Addiction: Balancing Ethical Duties By Rev. Tadeusz Pacholczyk, Ph.D. Almost two million Americans are now addicted to opioids. The National Institute on Drug Abuse notes that more than 100 people die each day in the U.S. from opioid overdoses. This unprecedented level of abuse — which involves not only heroin, but also prescription pain relievers such as OxyContin, Percocet, morphine, codeine, and fentanyl — has become a national crisis. Reportedly, about 80 percent of heroin addicts first misused prescription opioids. Yet for many patients, no pain-relieving options more effective than opioids exist. Figuring out how to use these powerful pharmacological agents in an appropriate and ethical manner is urgent and imperative. At a minimum, a three-pronged approach is required. One prong involves working with medical professionals to limit the use and availability of these drugs by modifying prescribing practices. A second involves making patients more aware of the risks of addiction and increasing their involvement in monitoring their medications and managing decisions about their care. A third involves making effective addiction treatment and outreach programs accessible to those caught in the throes of chemical dependency. With regard to reducing opioid availability, in recent years medical professionals have been seeking to establish guidelines for prescribing opiates that take into account the number of pills typically needed to get through a surgery or treatment. For example, recovery from more complex stomach surgeries might require 60 opioid pills, while an appendectomy or hernia might only require 15-20. Although prescription guidelines can be helpful, they clearly can’t be fixed in stone, as individual patients will have varying pain management needs. Some nurses recall well the days when concerns about addiction could result in under-medicated patients watching the clock and writhing in pain until the time of the next dose. Unmanaged pain is a spiritual assault on the dignity of a person, and plays right into the hands of assisted suicide advocates. Careful titration of pain medications, whether for surgery or chronic pain, also helps to avoid overmedicating patients and rendering them lethargic or semi-comatose; in terminal situations, patients still have the right to prepare for their death while fully conscious, and they should not generally be deprived of consciousness or alertness except to mitigate excruciating or otherwise uncontrollable pain. In certain cases, of course, it may not matter if a person becomes addicted to pain medications. If a patient has only a few weeks of life remaining, and he or she is experiencing intractable pain such that high doses of opioids are the most effective approach, addiction during his or her final days and hours would not generally raise ethical concerns. There are alternatives to the use of opioids that may be suitable for some patients. These include the use of less-addictive or nonaddictive drugs such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen, or anesthetics and blockers at the pain site. Cognitive behavioral See OPIOIDS on page 31
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The Search for an Indubitable Truth By Ron Rolheiser, OMI In a book, 12 Rules for Life – An Antidote to Chaos, that’s justifiably making waves in many circles today, Jordan Peterson shares about his own journey towards truth and meaning. Here’s that story: At one point in his life, while still young and finding his own path, he reached a stage where he felt agnostic, not just about the shallow Christianity he’d been raised on, but also about most everything else in terms of truth and trust. What really can we believe in? What’s ultimately to be trusted? Too humble to compare himself to one of the great minds in history, Rene Descartes, who, five hundred years ago, struggled with a similar agnosticism, Peterson nonetheless could not help but employ Descartes’ approach in trying to find a truth that you could not doubt. So, like Descartes, he set off in search off an “indubitable” (Descartes’ term), that is, to find a premise that absolutely cannot be doubted. Descartes, as we know, found his “indubitable” in his famous dictum: I think, therefore, I am! Nobody can be deceived in believing that since even to be deceived would be indisputable proof that you exist. The philosophy that Descartes then built upon the indubitable premise is left for history to judge. But history doesn’t dispute the truth of his dictum. So Peterson sets out with the same essential question: What single thing cannot be doubted? Is there something so evidently true that nobody can doubt it? For Peterson, it’s not the fact that we think which is indisputable, it’s the fact that we, all of us, suffer. That’s his indubitable truth, suffering is real. That cannot be doubted: “Nihilists cannot undermine it with skepticism. Totalitarians cannot banish it. Cynics cannot escape its reality.” Suffering is real beyond all doubt. Moreover, in Peterson’s understanding, the worst kind of suffering isn’t that which is inflicted upon us by the innate contingencies of our being and our mortality, nor by the sometimes blind brutality of nature. The worst kind of suffering is the kind that one person inflicts upon another, the kind that one part of humankind inflicts upon another part, the kind we see in the atrocities of the 20th century – Hitler, Stalin, Pol Pot, and countless others responsible for the torture, rape, suffering, and death of millions. From this indubitable premise he submits something else that too cannot be disputed: This kind of suffering isn’t just real, it’s also wrong! We can all agree that this kind of suffering is not good and that there is something that is (beyond dispute) not good. And if there’s something that is not good, then there’s something that is good. His logic: “If the worst sin is the torment of others, merely for the sake of the suffering produced – then the good is whatever is diametrically opposed to that.” What flows from this is clear: The good is whatever stops such things from happening. If this is true, and it is, then it is also clear as to what is good, and what is a good way of living: If the most terrible forms of suffering are produced by egotism, selfishness, untruthfulness, arrogance, greed, lust for power, willful cruelty, and insensitivity to others, then we are evidently called to the See SEARCH on page 31
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OPIOIDS continued from page 30 therapy, stress management and relaxation techniques can help patients learn how to modify triggers that increase pain. Specialists sometimes remind us that bringing pain down to a tolerable level should be the goal, rather than trying to eliminate it entirely, which in many cases may not even be possible. Some patients may require assistance to come to accept even a limited amount of pain. A San Diego-based pilot program to reduce the overprescription of opioids included the novel step of notifying physicians when one of their patients had died from an overdose. The San Diego medical examiner would send health care professionals a letter in this format: “This is a courtesy communication to inform you that your patient [Name, Date of Birth] died on [Date]. Prescription drug overdose was either the primary cause or contributed to the death.” In follow up studies, physicians who received these letters were found to prescribe at significantly decreased levels, and they were also less likely to start new patients on opioids at all. Researchers speculated that, like everyone else, physicians tend to assess health and safety risks differently when bad outcomes spring readily to mind. At the same time, taking steps to restrict opioid availability can backfire, with devastating consequences for chronic pain patients who may now end up being refused opioid prescriptions they need and have relied on for years. The proper use of pain medications, in the final analysis, requires a balanced approach, attending to objective indications from the patient, so clinicians can offer sufficient comfort and remediation of their pain. Patients must also take responsibility for their own pain management decisions, becoming informed about, and aware of, the challenges and risks. When the goal is to provide the lowest dose of opioids for the shortest amount of time, in direct response to the level and severity of the pain, patients are likely to have better treatment outcomes with diminished risks of addiction. Rev. Tadeusz Pacholczyk, Ph.D. earned his doctorate in neuroscience from Yale and did post-doctoral work at Harvard. He is a priest of the diocese of Fall River, MA, and serves as the Director of Education at The National Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia. See www.ncbcenter.org
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churches land when they’re at their best, it’s where the great religions of the world land when they’re at their best, and it’s where humanity lands when it’s at its best. The medieval mystic, Theresa of Avila, wrote with great depth and challenge. Her treatise on the spiritual life is now a classic and forms part of the very canon of Christian spiritual writings. In the end, she submits that during our generative years the most important question we need to challenge ourselves with is: How can I be more helpful? Jordan Peterson, with a logic and language that can be understood by everyone today, offers the same challenge.
SEARCH continued from page 30 opposite: selflessness, altruism, humility, truth-telling, tenderness, and sacrificing for others. Not incidentally, Peterson affirms all of this inside a chapter within which he highlights the importance of sacrifice, of delaying private gratification for a greater good long-range. His insight here parallels those of Rene Girard and other anthropologists who point out that the only way of stopping unconscious sacrifice to blind gods (which is what happened in the atrocities of Hitler and what happens in our own bitter slandering of others) is through self-sacrifice. Only when we accept at the cost of personal suffering our own contingencies, sin, and mortality will we stop projecting these on to others so to make them suffer in order to feel better about ourselves. Peterson writes as an agnostic or perhaps, more accurately, as an honest analyst, an observer of humanity, who for purposes of this book prefers to keep his faith private. Fair enough. Probably wise too. No reason to impute motives. It’s where he lands that’s important, and where he lands is on very solid ground. It’s where Jesus lands in the Sermon on the Mount, it’s where the Christian
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Seminary Burse The following parishes have sent in excess Mass stipends and other contributions collected at the Archdiocesan Finance Office for seminarian education. These receipts are for the month of September 2018. Excess Mass stipends are from multiple Mass intentions celebrated at parishes. The archdiocesan policy is for excess Mass stipends to be used for seminarian education. Parish Name/City
Amount Received
Anonymous..........................................................................................1,000.00 Our Lady of Sorrows – Bernalillo..............................................1,000.00 Our Lady of the Annunciation – Albuquerque...................1,205.00 Sacred Heart of Jesus – Espanola............................................1,200.00 San Clemente – Los Lunas....................................................... 10,000.00 St. Joseph on the Rio Grande – Albuquerque.......................670.00 St. Thomas Aquinas – Rio Rancho..............................................530.00 Total $ 15,605.00
october 2018
TV Mass Schedule The Catholic Center St. Joseph/St. Francis Chapel Over the air television Sunday at 6:30 a.m. on KRQE TV-13-2, KBIM TV-10-2, KREZ TV-6-2 and KASY-My50TVCable or satellite providers on KRQE TV-13, KBIM TV-10, KREZ TV-6, FOX 2 American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreted TV Mass donations may be sent online to www.archdiosf.org or mailed to: Vicar General’s Office/TV Mass, 4000 St. Joseph’s Pl. NW, Albuquerque, NM 87120 Check out Sunday and daily readings at www.usccb.org
Archbishop’s Schedule OCTOBER 15-18 === Catholic Extension Mission Bishop’s Conference, Chicago IL 22-25 === Priest Convocation, Drury Inn, Santa Fe 24-25 === Episcopal Meeting at Mount Angel 30 Tue 10:00am Presbyteral Council, IHM Retreat Center, Santa Fe 2:00pm Personnel Board, IHM Retreat Center, Santa Fe 31 Wed 8:30am Santo Niño Regional Catholic School Mass, Santa Fe NOVEMBER 1 Thu 1:00pm Executive Finance Committee, Catholic Center, Alb 2 Fri 11:00am Cremation Committal Service, Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Albuquerque 10-15 === USCCB General Meeting, Baltimore MD
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Pilgrimage to celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday 2019 in Poland also Prague, Budapest and Medjugorje
Extension to Lanciano, Loreto, San Giovanni, and Rome
April 25 – May 6, 2019 - $3,900 per person dbl occupancy Extension to Italy May 6 to May 10 -$1,000 additional per person
We will be in Medjugorje for Marijana’s May 2nd apparition of Our Lady The cost of the trip includes roundtrip airfare from all major US cities (including all taxes) based on the exchange rate of the Euro, room and two meals daily, and all transportation for site seeing. We will have a spiritual director and daily Mass For more details, call Scott Scaria at 860.289.2606 or cell phone 860.841.1192 or write to Poland-Medjugorje Pilgrimage, P.O. Box 281059, East Hartford, CT 06128 or visit us on the web at www.polandmej.com. The deadline for receipt of a deposit of $200 is December 7, 2018. Balance is due by January 11, 2019. Nobody can beat our price either in USA or Canada for all these places for this price. For other pilgrimages in 2019 visit our website.
Awarded Best Travel Company for three years in a row by the East Hartford Award Program
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PEOPLE of GOD
october 2018
Rest in Peace Rev. Thomas Zotter
Rev. Thomas Zotter, 70, passed away peacefully at Sunrise Hospital, Las Vegas, September 30, 2018. Fr. Tom was born February 15, 1948 to Mary E. Zotter and Albert R. Zotter in Pittsburgh, PA. He was ordained by Archbishop Robert F. Sanchez, January 9, 1976 at his parish church, St. Gabriel in Pittsburgh for the Archdiocese of Santa Fe. Fr. Tom served as a priest in the Archdiocese of Santa Fe for 34 years (assistant pastor, Our Lady of Fatima, Albuquerque; assistant pastor, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Santa Fe; pastor, Immaculate Conception, Cimarron; pastor, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Pojoaque; pastor, Queen of Heaven, Albuquerque; pastor, St, Bernadette (elevated to the Shrine of St. Bernadette),
Albuquerque). While serving at St. Bernadette, Fr. Tom took correspondent courses from the Jesuit School of Theology, Berkeley, CA and earned a Doctor of Ministry. Fr. Tom’s crowning achievement in the priesthood was the major renovation of St. Bernadette, and its subsequent elevation, to the Shrine of St. Bernadette. Tom served as Pastor of St. Bernadette from October 1, 1992 until June 30, 2010, approximately one half of his priesthood. Fr. Tom was predeceased by his beloved parents, Al and Mary Zotter. Fr. Tom is survived by his sister, Mary Jo Ferraro (Dan), Houston; and his brother, Jim Zotter (Susan); and five nieces and nephews, Liz, Lexi, and Jason Ferrari, and Michael and Karen Zotter.
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the parable of the Good Samaritan, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” How can you do that? You can write a letter to local, state, and federal governments, asking for positive healthcare reform. You can attend forums for local running officials and talk to them about issues affecting the most vulnerable in our community. We as Catholics, have to be walking, not in front or behind, but side-by-side with those who need our support. It is the call of our faith. As individuals, families, groups, and organizations, our Catholic faith provides us with the encouragement we need to show God how much we respect His people. By praying, reaching out, learning, and acting together as the Body of Christ, people of faith will respond to the call to respect life and protect the dignity of all. Learn more about how what our faith calls us to do and how you can make a difference. Schedule your interactive presentation, retreat, or reflection on CCHD, Catholic social teaching, and poverty awareness today! Contact me at 505.831.8232 or justice2@archdiosf.org.
day after the Feat of All Saints. This custom spread through Europe and was eventually adopted by the Latin Church. The Benedictine monks of Cluny were following a tradition that was ancient even to them. The practice of praying for the dead is recorded in the Old Testament Book of Second Maccabees: “And because he considered that they who had fallen asleep with godliness, had great grace laid up for them. It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins.” (2 Maccabees 12:45-46) For Catholics, praying for the dead helps our loved ones along their journey to heaven to be united with God. Christians are also privileged, as members in the Communion of Saints, to ask our deceased loved ones to intercede on our behalf. Because All Souls’ Day is celebrated around the world with prayer and remembrance, we are also connecting with the faith community. As we pray we come into communion with God, with our deceased loved ones, and with our faith community and we are no longer alone in our grief. For people who are praying for a child who died during infancy or pregnancy, there is an additional facet: grieving the loss of memories that never came to pass because the life of the child was too short. There might not be a grave site to visit, nor a photo to place near the altar. But those who have lost children can hold them in their hearts and also hold them in the community of others at the celebration of mass during this very special time of year. If you are grieving after an abortion and would like to be connected with professional help including counseling, spiritual direction and reconciliation, please call the confidential Project Rachel help line: 505.831.8238
To advertise in People of God, THE MAGAZINE contact Leslie M. Radigan at 505-831-8162 or email lradigan@archdiosf.org
Cremated Remains Committal Service November 2, 2018 All Souls’ Day In 2011, with guidance from Archbishop Michael Sheehan, the Catholic Cemetery Association introduced the Cremated Remains Committal Program. This program offers families a NO COST, perpetual care placement of cremated remains. In the weeks leading up to All Souls’ Day, families make arrangements to participate in this program, and on that day, a Memorial Service is celebrated in memory of those laid to rest. Family and friends of those individuals, as well as the Community are invited to attend. Mass is celebrated followed by a procession to the gravesite and Committal Service. If you are currently caring for a loved one’s cremated remains at home and would like more information on this year’s program, please contact Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Albuquerque or Rosario Cemetery in Santa Fe.
Schedule an appointment to speak with an advisor. Arrangements and paperwork must be completed no later than October 30, 2018. Invite family and friends to attend the service.
2018 Cremated Remains Committal Service: Friday, November 2, 2018 Mt. Calvary Cemetery Chapel in Albuquerque Celebrated by Archbishop John Wester at 10:00 a.m. www.asfcca.org
Rosario Cemetery Chapel in Santa Fe Celebrated by Rev. John Daniel at 10:00 a.m.