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Texas Catholic © 2015 The Texas Catholic
December 18, 2015
The official newspaper of the Diocese of Dallas
Vol. 65, No. 9
‘A great day for the diocese’ SCHOOLS
Scenes of the season Students from Dallas Catholic schools get into the spirit of the season with annual Christmas programs and activities.
See Page 8.
WORLD
Papal trip to Mexico The Vatican announced Dec. 12 that Pope Francis will visit Mexico from Feb. 12-17. His trip will include a stop in Ciudad Juárez, the city across from El Paso.
See Page 11.
Pope appoints Msgr. Kelly as auxiliary bishop By Cathy Harasta The Texas Catholic
Msgr. John Gregory Kelly, the Vicar for Clergy for the Diocese of Dallas—home to 1.3 million Catholics—will become a bishop and serve as an Auxiliary Bishop in the diocese in which the 59-yearold Iowa native has served since his ordination to the priesthood in 1982. Dallas Bishop Kevin J. Farrell announced Pope Francis’ appointment of Bishop-elect Kelly at a news conference on Dec. 16 at the Pastoral Center. “This is such a wonderful day,” Bishop Farrell said. “It’s great for the Diocese of Dallas. “I could not think of a better person. He is such a hard-working priest…This is the pope sending a special Christmas gift to the Diocese of Dallas.” Bishop Farrell will ordain Bishop-elect Kelly as a bishop at 2 p.m. on Feb. 11, 2016, at the
RON HEFLIN/Special Contributor
Bishop Kevin J. Farrell, left, announces the appointment of Msgr. Greg Kelly, right, a diocesan priest and Vicar for Clergy, as a new Diocese of Dallas auxiliary bishop during a news conference at the Diocese of Dallas Pastoral Center on Dec. 16.
Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe in downtown Dallas. That date coincides with the day in 2002 when Bishop Farrell was ordained as a bishop, which pleased Bishop-elect Kelly, he said. He will join Auxiliary Bishop J.
Douglas Deshotel, giving the fastgrowing, nine-county diocese two auxiliary bishops for the first time since Bishop Mark J. Seitz became the Bishop of El Paso in 2013. Bishop-elect Kelly’s voice occasionally revealed his emotions as
he described his appointment as “a new grace from Christ and a new call to serve him in my love.” Bishop-elect Kelly, who learned of his appointment while he was at See NEW, Page 7
JUBILEE OF MERCY
Opening the doors to share God’s love DIOCESE
Celebrating 70 years Msgr. Thomas W. Weinzapfel will mark the 70th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood with a Mass and reception Dec. 23 at St. Pius X Catholic Church
See Page 12.
NEXT EDITION Cristo Rey Dallas
A multi-media look at how the Diocese of Dallas’ newest high school is having an impact on the life, education and faith of one its first students.
Bishop Kevin J. Farrell opened the Holy Door of Mercy at the Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe on Dec. 13, to commemorate the Jubilee Year of Mercy. Pope Francis inaugurated the Holy Year of Mercy on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception on Dec. 8 by opening the Holy Door at the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome. In Dallas, Bishop Farrell was joined by Auxiliary Bishop J. Douglas Deshotel, Msgr. Greg Kelly, now Bishop-elect Kelly, Father Rudy Garcia, rector of the cathedral, among other priests and deacons for the Mass. In his homily, Bishop Farrell told the congregation that God is merciful and that there is no sin that God is not willing to forgive.
Pastoral letter Read Bishop Kevin J. Farrell’s pastoral letter announcing the Jubilee Year of Mercy at cathdal.org.
Bishop Kevin J. Farrell blesses and opens the Holy Doors at the Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe on Dec. 13. Holy doors around the world were opened at city cathedrals, major churches and sanctuaries Dec. 13 as part of the Jubilee of Mercy. RON HEFLIN Special Contributor
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The Texas Catholic
December 18, 2015
FROM THE BISHOP Bishop Kevin J. Farrell Publisher Editor David Sedeño Managing Editor Michael Gresham Managing Editor Revista Católica Constanza Morales Business Manager Antonio Ramirez Jr. Staff Writer Cathy Harasta Staff Writer Seth Gonzales Photographer Jenna Teter Accounting Manager Leigh Harbour The oldest Catholic newspaper in Texas ©2015 The Texas Catholic THE TEXAS CATHOLIC (USPS 616620) ISSN: 0899-6296 is published biweekly, except for the months of June, July, August and December when it is published monthly by The Texas Catholic Publishing Co., 3725 Blackburn, P.O. Box 190347, Dallas, TX 75219. Subscription rates are $20 for one year, $35 for two years, $55 for three years. Periodical postage paid at Dallas, TX. Extra copies are $4.00 each; if mailed, add $1.00 per piece for handling and postage. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Texas Catholic, P.O. Box 190347, Dallas, TX 75219. TELEPHONE: 214-528-8792 FAX: 214-528-3411 WEB: www.texascatholic.com The Diocese of Dallas is comprised of 69 parishes and 5 quasi parishes in Dallas, Collin, Rockwall, Kaufman, Ellis, Navarro, Grayson, Hunt and Fannin counties.
Be the light in the world this Christmas By Bishop Kevin J. Farrell
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Publisher of The Texas Catholic
top for a moment and reflect on the Nativity scene that you have carefully arranged in your home, or the Christmas pageant that your children were in at the school. What does it really mean? Are we so used to seeing the depiction of the infant Jesus lying in a crib in a stable with Mary and Joseph, that it has become just another Christmas decoration along with the tree? Has its true meaning been lost to us?
We are not only seeing a depiction of the coming of the Prince of Peace, celebrated by shepherds and wise men from the east; we are seeing a family forced to leave its home by a Bishop government edict, a refugee Farrell family, denied the dignity of a decent place for the mother to give birth, who finally takes refuge in a stable where their newborn son’s resting place is a feeding trough for animals. He will soon be forced to flee to another country to escape a tyrant’s sword. Do we realize that it also represents the reality being lived out today by a growing number of refugees, forced to flee their home by a bloody civil war, or driven out because
JENNA TETER/The Texas Catholic
First-graders perform a nativity play Dec. 9 for parents at St. Patrick Catholic School.
of their Christian faith? Do we see the Holy Family in the seemingly endless procession of refugees trekking across Europe seeking refuge or risking death crossing the sea in rubber rafts and boats that are little more than flotsam and jetsam? Have we succumbed to the repetition of the videos so often that we have been numbed to the reality? Do we recognize the innkeeper in Bethlehem who turned Mary and Joseph away in those who would deny refuge in our city or state based on unreasoning fear? Do we see the stable in the camps where row upon row of cubicles or tents become home for families and individuals for years while awaiting a place of refuge? Are we among those who see Jesus, Mary and Joseph in those desperate people and plead for our government to replace fear with compassion and not punish the victims as if
they were the perpetrators? These refugees from the turmoil in the Middle East who are coming to the United States, to Texas, are not the enemy. They have been thoroughly investigated over years by the FBI, Department of Homeland Security and the United Nations. As Americans, as Christians, we cannot and will not refuse them refuge. In doing so, we may well be guilty of the indifference of the Bethlehem innkeeper who saw Joseph and Mary, not as people, but as a problem to be disposed of. May God bring peace to you, your loved ones and to the whole world. Bishop Kevin J. Farrell is the seventh bishop of Dallas. Read his blog at bishopkevinfarrell.org/blog.
Annual Seminarian Christmas Dinner
Estimated Catholic population:1,236,944.
Texas Catholic Publishing Co. Board of Directors Most Rev. Kevin J. Farrell Bishop of the Diocese of Dallas Publisher of The Texas Catholic Bishop J. Douglas Deshotel Vicar General Mary Edlund Chancellor Bill Keffler Chief Operating Officer Annette G. Taylor Communications Director David Sedeño Editor of The Texas Catholic
Bishop Kevin J. Farrell, center, conducts a blessing for seminarians at the annual seminarian Christmas dinner held Dec. 5 at Holy Trinity Seminary in Irving.
Thomas Swierc, 23, of Corpus Christi, left, and Darrell Segura, right, bow their heads during a blessing by Bishop Kevin J. Farrell, not pictured, at the seminarian Christmas dinner at Holy Trinity Seminary in Irving.
Daniel Wendel, 19, of Little Rock, Ark., Father James Oberle and Joey White, 20, of Houston, at the seminarian Christmas dinner Dec. 5 at Holy Trinity Seminary in Irving.
Matthew Tadyshak, 22, of Allen; Ryan Waedekin, 23, of Ennis; and Darrell Seguar, 21, of Santa Fe; at the seminarian Christmas dinner on Dec. 5.
Photos by Ben Torres/Special Contributor
VATICAN
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December 18, 2015 3
JUBILEE OF MERCY
Time for forgiveness begins, pope says as holy doors open By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY — With the opening the Holy Door at the Basilica of St. John Lateran, Pope Francis declared that the time for tenderness, joy and forgiveness had begun. As holy doors around the world were opened at city cathedrals, major churches and sanctuaries Dec. 13, the pope said this simple gesture of opening God’s house to the world serves as “an invitation to joy. The time of great pardon begins. It is the Jubilee of Mercy.” Dressed in rose vestments on Gaudete Sunday, the third Sunday of Advent, marking the joyful expectation of Christmas, the pope began the ceremony outside the basilica in front of the bronze holy door. The door depicts a bas relief of the crucified Christ looking down on Mary tenderly holding the baby Jesus, whose small foot shone like bright gold from the countless kisses and touches of visiting pilgrims. “This is the door of the Lord. Open for me the gates of justice. I will enter your house, Lord, because of your great mercy,” the pope read solemnly before climbing two marble steps and pushing open the large door. He
crossed the threshold decorated with a garland of flowers and greenery and bowed his head in silent prayer inside the darkened interior of the basilica. The church and the people of God are called to be joyful, the pope said in his brief homily. With Christmas approaching, “we cannot allow ourselves to become tired, no form of sadness is allowed even if we have reason for it with the many worries and multiple forms of violence that wound our humanity,” he said. Amid the bullying, injustice and violence wrought, “above all, by men of power, God makes it known that he himself will rule his people, that he will never leave them at the mercy of the arrogance of their leaders and that he will free them of all anguish,” the pope said. People today are called to listen to the words of the prophet Zephaniah in the day’s first reading, as he told God’s people not to be afraid or discouraged “because of doubt, impatience or suffering.” God always protects his people, he is always near, the pope said, and that is why “we must always be joyful and with our kindness offer everyone witness of the closeness and care God has for everyone.”
In Peace Day message, Pope Francis addresses death penalty, migrants VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis called for abolishing the death penalty worldwide, lifting the burden of debt on poor nations, global aid policies that respect life and revamped laws that welcome and integrate migrants. He urged individuals, communities and nations to not let indifference, information overload or pessimism discourage them from concrete efforts “to improve the world around us, beginning with our families, neighbors and places of employment.” Building peace, he said, is not accomplished by words alone, but through the grace of God, a conversion of heart, an attitude of compassion and the courage to act. The pope’s multifaceted plea came in his message for World Peace Day, Jan. 1. The message, which was delivered to world leaders by Vatican ambassadors, was released at the Vatican Dec. 15. The message, titled “Overcome Indifference and Win Peace,” contained a three-fold appeal. He asked that countries: “refrain from drawing other peoples into conflicts of wars,” which not only destroy a nation’s infrastructure and cultural heritage, but also their “moral and spiritual integrity”; forgive or make less burdensome international debt of poorer nations; and “adopt policies of cooperation which, instead of bowing before the dictatorship of
certain ideologies, will respect the values of the local populations” and not harm the “fundamental and inalienable right to life of the unborn.” Also part of building peace in the world, he said, is addressing the urgent problem of improving the living conditions of prisoners, especially those still awaiting trial. Since rehabilitation should be the aim of penal sanctions, effective alternatives to incarceration should be considered as well as the abolition of the death penalty. The pope asked government authorities to consider “the possibility of an amnesty” or pardon. The pope called on national governments to review their current laws on immigration and find ways they could “reflect a readiness to welcome migrants and to facilitate their integration” as well as respect the rights and responsibilities of all parties concerned. All nations’ leaders should also take concrete measures in alleviating the problem of a lack of housing, land and employment, the pope wrote, as well as stop discrimination against women in the workplace, which included unfair wages and precarious or dangerous working conditions. He said he hoped those who are ill could be guaranteed access to medical treatment, necessary medications and home care.
Catholic News Service
Pope Francis opens the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica to inaugurate the Jubilee Year of Mercy at the Vatican Dec. 8.
The Holy Year of Mercy is meant to be a time for people to rediscover God’s real presence in the world and his tenderness, he said. “God does not love rigidity. He is father. He is gentle. He does everything with fatherly tenderness.” As Christians are called to
cross the threshold of “the door of mercy,” they are asked to welcome and experience God’s love, which “re-creates, transforms and reforms life.” From there, people of faith must then go out and be “instruments of mercy, aware that we will be judged
by this,” the pope said. Being a Christian calls for a lifelong journey and a “more radical commitment” to be merciful like God the father, he added. Christians are asked to be joyful as they open their arms to others and give witness to “a love that goes beyond justice, a love that knows no limits. This is the love we are responsible for despite our contradictions,” and weaknesses, he said. Later in the day, the pope appeared at the window of the apostolic palace to recite the noonday Angelus with visitors in St. Peter’s Square. He focused on the day’s Gospel reading according to St. Luke, in which people in the crowd, including tax collectors and soldiers, asked St. John the Baptist “What should we do?” in order to convert and become acceptable for the coming of the Lord. St. John does not leave them waiting for an answer, the pope said, and replies with concrete instructions: to live justly, in moderation and in solidarity toward those most in need. “They are the essential values of a life that is fully human and authentically Christian,” the pope said.
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December 20, 2015 Fourth Sunday of Advent Reading 1 Mi 5:1-4a Thus says the LORD: You, Bethlehem-Ephrathah too small to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel; whose origin is from of old, from ancient times. Therefore the Lord will give them up, until the time when she who is to give birth has borne, and the rest of his kindred shall return to the children of Israel. He shall stand firm and shepherd his flock by the strength of the LORD, in the majestic name of the LORD, his God; and they shall remain, for now his greatness shall reach to the ends of the earth; he shall be peace. Reading 2 Heb 10:5-10 Brothers and sisters: When Christ came into the world, he said: “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; in holocausts and sin offerings you took no delight. Then I said, ‘As is written of me in the scroll, behold, I come to do your will, O God.’“ First he says, “Sacrifices and offerings, holocausts and sin offerings, you neither desired nor delighted in.” These are offered according to the law. Then he says, “Behold, I come to do your will.” He takes away the first to establish the second. By this “will,” we have been consecrated through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Gospel Lk 1:39-45 Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”
December 24, 2015 The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) Vigil Mass Reading 1 Is 62:1-5 For Zion’s sake I will not be silent, for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be quiet, until her vindication shines forth like the dawn and her victory like a burning torch. Nations shall behold your vindication, and all the kings your
December 18, 2015
MASS READINGS glory; you shall be called by a new name pronounced by the mouth of the LORD. You shall be a glorious crown in the hand of the LORD, a royal diadem held by your God. No more shall people call you “Forsaken,” or your land “Desolate,” but you shall be called “My Delight,” and your land “Espoused.” For the LORD delights in you and makes your land his spouse. As a young man marries a virgin, your Builder shall marry you; and as a bridegroom rejoices in his bride so shall your God rejoice in you. Reading 2 Acts 13:16-17, 22-25 When Paul reached Antioch in Pisidia and entered the synagogue, he stood up, motioned with his hand, and said, “Fellow Israelites and you others who are God-fearing, listen. The God of this people Israel chose our ancestors and exalted the people during their sojourn in the land of Egypt. With uplifted arm he led them out of it. Then he removed Saul and raised up David as king; of him he testified, ‘I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will carry out my every wish.’ From this man’s descendants God, according to his promise, has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus. John heralded his coming by proclaiming a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel; and as John was completing his course, he would say, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. Behold, one is coming after me; I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet.’” Gospel Mt 1:1-25 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham became the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers. Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar. Perez became the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab. Amminadab became the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab. Boaz became the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth. Obed became the father of Jesse, Jesse the father of David the king. David became the father of Solomon, whose mother had been the wife of Uriah. Solomon became the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asaph. Asaph became the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, Joram the father of Uzziah. Uzziah became the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah.
love of God our savior appeared, not because of any righteous deeds we had done but because of his mercy, He saved us through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he richly poured out on us through Jesus Christ our savior, so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life. Gospel Lk 2:15-20 When the angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.
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Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amos, Amos the father of Josiah. Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers at the time of the Babylonian exile. After the Babylonian exile, Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, Zerubbabel the father of Abiud. Abiud became the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor, Azor the father of Zadok. Zadok became the father of Achim, Achim the father of Eliud, Eliud the father of Eleazar. Eleazar became the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ. Thus the total number of generations from Abraham to David is fourteen generations; from David to the Babylonian exile, fourteen generations; from the Babylonian exile to the Christ, fourteen generations. Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly.
Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.” When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home. He had no relations with her until she bore a son, and he named him Jesus.
December 25, 2015 The Nativity of the Lord Mass at Dawn Reading 1 Is 62:11-12 See, the LORD proclaims to the ends of the earth: say to daughter Zion, your savior comes! Here is his reward with him, his recompense before him. They shall be called the holy people, the redeemed of the LORD, and you shall be called “Frequented,” a city that is not forsaken. Reading 2 Ti 3:4-7 Beloved: When the kindness and generous
December 27, 2015 The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph Reading 1 Sir 3:2-6, 12-14 God sets a father in honor over his children; a mother’s authority he confirms over her sons. Whoever honors his father atones for sins, and preserves himself from them. When he prays, he is heard; he stores up riches who reveres his mother. Whoever honors his father is gladdened by children, and, when he prays, is heard. Whoever reveres his father will live a long life; he who obeys his father brings comfort to his mother. My son, take care of your father when he is old; grieve him not as long as he lives. Even if his mind fail, be considerate of him; revile him not all the days of his life; kindness to a father will not be forgotten, firmly planted against the debt of your sins—a house raised in justice to you. Reading 2 Col 3:12-21 Brothers and sisters: Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection. And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
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December 18, 2015 5
MASS READINGS And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Wives, be subordinate to your husbands, as is proper in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and avoid any bitterness toward them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, so they may not become discouraged. Gospel Lk 2:41-52 Each year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to festival custom. After they had completed its days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Thinking that he was in the caravan, they journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, but not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.” And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he said to them. He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to
them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor before God and man.
January 3, 2016 The Epiphany of the Lord Reading 1 Is 60:1-6 Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you. See, darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds cover the peoples; but upon you the LORD shines, and over you appears his glory. Nations shall walk by your light, and kings by your shining radiance. Raise your eyes and look about; they all gather and come to you: your sons come from afar, and your daughters in the arms of their nurses. Then you shall be radiant at what you see, your heart shall throb and overflow, for the riches of the sea shall be emptied out before you, the wealth of nations shall be brought to you. Caravans of camels shall fill you, dromedaries from Midian and Ephah; all from Sheba shall come bearing gold and frankincense, and proclaiming the praises of the LORD. Reading 2 Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6 Brothers and sisters: You have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for your benefit, namely, that the mystery was made known to me by revelation. It was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been
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revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise in
Christ Jesus through the gospel. Gospel Mt 2:1-12 When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod,
behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, He inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet: And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel.” Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage.” After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.
A WORD TO ENKINDLE
The theology behind singing Christmas carols By Father Thomas Esposito Special to The Texas Catholic
When St. Augustine wrote that “whoever sings prays twice,” he was mindful of the essential role music has always played in the life of the church. (The quote is actually “Whoever sings well prays twice,” but with the Year of Mercy underway, ‘tis the season to pardon the vocally challenged among us!) The psalms, which at their core are hymns whose melodies have been lost, were sung in the Jerusalem Temple long before the angel chanted the first Christmas tidings to the shepherds (Luke 2:8-14). Today, mingled with holly jolly jingles about reindeer and snowmen and chestnuts roasting are hymns which deserve to be the object of our quiet prayer. If a single theme uniting the various carols is difficult to detect, one
common sentiment discernible in most of these venerable songs is, perhaps surprisingly, a sober wonder. That the cause of our joy should be the birth of a child whose coming was foretold is marvelous enough; but that this child entered our world in order to die, and thus to grant us renewed life, should rouse us to awed silence once our singing is done. Just as the book of psalms highlights the whole spectrum of human emotions, so too do Christmas carols narrate the varied responses of the heart to the grave beauty of the Christmas mystery. Some of our mostbeloved carols, such as “The First Noël” and “Angels We Have Heard On High,” were first heard in liturgical settings, and are rightly considered modern psalms of joy. Whether quoting the infancy narratives (see Matthew
2:1-14; Luke 2:1-20) or alluding to other biblical verses, these carols offer a beautiful synthesis of Christian theology. The music accompanying these Scripturelyrics guides the Christian heart upwards in gratitude to God. While many of these songs employ upbeat melodies which generate a palpable fervor as we welcome the Christ child, an equal number of carols features a calm melody, channeling our emotions to a level of prayerful amazement as we ponder the ultimate proof of God’s love for us. Saint Alphonsus Liguori, a doctor of the church, wrote more than 100 Christmas carols in his native Italian tongue. The most famous of these, a simple tune entitled “Tu scendi dalle stelle” (“You descended from the stars”), presents the wondrous sacrifice God makes to be radically near
to us in the person of Jesus: “You leave the divine breast of your Father / to come tremble on this hay.” But the truly admirable thought for St. Alphonsus is the fact that the glorious creator of the world would willingly experience such humiliation, both at his birth and later on the cross for us…and for him personally: “How much it cost you to love me!” and “O my Jesus, why suffer so for love of me?” The fundamental paradox of the Christian faith is on full display in these fascinating meditations on the manger scene: the God whom the heavens cannot contain chooses to enter our world as a helpless baby. This paradox, already perceived by the angels, shepherds and Magi, and fully revealed only at the hour of the Lord’s crucifixion, is expressed solemnly in the second verse of “What Child is This”:
“Why lies he in such mean estate / Where ox and ass are feeding? / Good Christians, fear, for sinners here / The silent word is pleading. / Nails, spears shall pierce him through, / The cross he bore for me, for you. / Hail, hail the word made flesh, / the babe, the son of Mary.” As we adore the Christ child, “the silent word” still unspeaking and not yet suffering the passion for which he came to dwell among us, let us praise him this holy season with equal amounts of faithful carols and prayerful silence.
Father Thomas Esposito, O.Cist., is a theologian and monk at the Cistercian Abbey of Our Lady of Dallas in Irving. His column will appear occasionally in The Texas Catholic.
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CELEBRATING 125 YEARS
Catholics played roles in Texas history By Steve Landregan Special to The Texas Catholic
Sam Houston, the first president of the Republic of Texas, was a baptized Catholic and readily identified himself as such. Vincentian Father (later Bishop) John Timon, the first prefect apostolic of Texas, in January of 1839 wrote a letter to the archbishop of New Orleans in which he reported that he had met Sam Houston, and that “he had declared himself a Catholic.” Houston was among the many immigrants to Mexico who were required to be Catholic or to certify that they would embrace the Catholic faith. Protestantism was alien to the Spanish empire, which had been untouched by the Reformation. After it became independent, Mexico continued the prohibition. Moses Austin became Catholic when he moved to Missouri, then part of New Spain. Stephen did not move with the family, and never became Catholic. Many of the immigrants to Austin’s colony went through the certification ceremony but never intended to convert to Catholicism; others, including Houston, accepted baptism. He was baptized in the home of Adolphus Sterne,
near Nacogdoches, as soon as he arrived in Texas in order to be eligible to own land. For those wanting to be baptized, the lack of priests often made it difficult if not impossible. In 1831-32, Father Michael Muldoon was appointed Vicar for the new immigrant colonies by the Bishop of the Diocese of Nuevo León, which had jurisdiction over eastern Texas. Although the Austin colonists did not build a church for him or provide him his own residence, he befriended them and baptized many of them, who went through the ceremony only at the urging of their leaders in order to show compliance with the colonization laws. Many of those who were thus baptized later became known as “Muldoon Catholics,” meaning one who received Catholic baptism only as a legal requirement and not as a sincere declaration of Catholic faith. Both Spain and Mexico wanted Texas to be colonized by Catholics. Spain had transplanted families from the Canary Islands to establish the Villa de San Fernando, which became San Antonio. Many residents of San Antonio take pride in the fact that they are descended
from the Canary Island settlers of the 1720s. Alamo hero James Bowie married into one of the original families. Later, Mexico granted charters to Catholic empresarios to establish Catholic colonies. Martin De León established a colony at the site of the present city of Victoria in 1824. His colony was established for Mexicans but included a number of Irish who were fleeing persecution by the English. John Power and James Hewitson, both natives of Ireland, established Refugio, which was populated with many Irish Catholics. John McMullen and James McGloin founded another Irish colony at San Patricio (St. Patrick). These three Irish and Mexican colonies – Victoria, Refugio and San Patricio – were on the frontier during Texas’ war for independence. Both Irish and Mexicans were divided in their allegiances, some opting for independence and others choosing to stay part of Mexico. Large numbers of the Catholic colonists perished or were dislocated during the struggle. Eight Catholics, including men from the Catholic colonies, signed the Texas Declaration of Independence March 2, 1836.
December 18, 2015
Diocesan Time Capsule 50 Years Ago Catholic School superintendents from 15 dioceses met in Dallas on Dec. 9 with leaders of the National Catholic Education Association. The purpose of the meeting, according to Father John F. Myers—Dallas Superintendent of Schools—was to heighten the level of influence of the NCEA superintendents in American education. 25 Years Ago Bishop Dunne’s Falcon football team finished the season unbeaten with a 12-0 record and became the 1990-91 TAPPS Division 3A State Champion by defeating Nolan High School of Fort Worth 39-0 in the TAPPS playoff game Dec. 1, in Waco. It was the first time that the Falcons had an undefeated season. Dunne Coach Dewey Wakefield was named Coach of the Year for District 2. 10 Years Ago Mesquite, Texas has been known as the largest city in Texas without a Catholic Church, but that all ended with the organization of Divine Mercy Parish by Bishop Grahmann in 2002. The fledgling community reached a new milestone Dec. 3, when ground was broken for a church to accommodate the growing parish. Father Ernie Torres, pastor, said the first phase of construction would be a multipurpose building housing the church, offices and classrooms. Excerpts taken from The Texas Catholic and compiled by Steve Landregan, diocesan historian and former editor of The Texas Catholic. Landregan can be reached by email at slandregan@ cathdal.org.
The Texas Catholic www.TexasCatholic.com • www.TexasCatholicYouth.com
No matter the name, spirit guides season By Father Timothy Gollob Special to The Texas Catholic
As the great feast of Christmas rushes in on us like a tsunami, many people are crying out in despair of ever having enough gifts purchased or of placing adequate decorations to festoon their houses or of baking cookies enough for their parties and dinners. Ads blare out to come and see and buy. We are harassed to get our cyber gifts quickly. Appetizing menus of tempting foods and drinks appear in the newspapers and on the television. But amidst all this blatant propaganda, the voices of the virtuous are heard: “Put Christ back into Christmas!” Boycott Santa Claus and the stores that advertise him! My mind muses on this situation by recalling that Christ is very well represented at this holy time. There are novenas and feasts galore. Churches are filled with cribs and candles. That is an appropriate location for them. We need to do some homework. Xmas is an abbreviation for Christmas (X being a part of the Greek alphabet = Ch). An old saying states, “That is Greek to me!” But you know better now! Also Santa Claus is a morph of good St. Nicolas, who gave gifts
of money to the poor of his time. He did it in secret so our jolly St. Nick comes in the night to gift goodies to our kids. To put Christ back into Xmas is really our special task and privilege. We are the ones who need to be about getting gifts for our children and each other because Christ is the great gift of God to our world. To protect and to save our one Earth is an excellent Christmas example we give to the whole community of the human race. We need to get out into the crowds and radiate patience and love and joy. We need to attend fiestas and parties and dinners to re-cement our relationships with family and friends. We need to get rid of grudges and ancient “bad taste” memories. Make this season a joyful beginning of the Year of Mercy. Darkness does not love light, but we believe that on that first Christmas night the stars danced and the angels sang of peace. May your family dance and sing this Xmas!!!
Father Timothy Gollob is the pastor of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Oak Cliff.
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The Texas Catholic
December 18, 2015 7
Texas Catholic Archive
Texas Catholic Archive
Then-Msgr. Greg Kelly speaks during his Solemn Vespers and Conferral of Papal Honor, celebrated by Bishop Kevin Farrell in May 2013 at Holy Trinity Seminary in Irving.
Then-Msgr. Greg Kelly distributes communion to Kathy Ruelas during the Chrism Mass in April 2014 at the Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe.
New role for a familiar face in the diocese (Continued from Page 1) a workshop in Indiana on Dec. 7, told the news conference about his call to the priesthood, his arrival in Texas and his spiritual growth. He blended reverence and humor as he spoke of his admiration for Pope Francis: “I’d do anything he asked me to do,” Bishop-elect Kelly said. He said that it was good news that he will remain in Dallas, where he has served in a variety of positions. Bishop-elect Kelly served as associate pastor of All Saints Catholic Church from 1982-1986. From 1986-96, he served as the chaplain at the University of Dallas in Irving. During that decade, he also served as the Director of Vocations for the Diocese of Dallas in 1995-96. From 1996-2008, Bishop-elect Kelly served as the founding pastor of St. Gabriel Catholic Church in McKinney. Since 2008, he has served as the diocese’s Vicar for Clergy, assisting priests, deacons and seminarians. Pope Benedict XVI appointed Bishop-elect Kelly as a Chaplain to His Holiness in 2013, which gave him the title of Reverend Monsignor. Bishop-elect Kelly said that while attending Sacred Heart Catholic School in Colorado Springs in the 1960s, he felt inspired by Father George Julian. Bishop-elect Kelly said that he
‘This is now my opportunity to put things in place for other people.’ — Bishop-elect Greg Kelly, discussing his new role with the Diocese of Dallas.
left college in Colorado, where he grew up, to enter Holy Trinity Seminary in Irving in the fall of 1976. The idea of a priesthood vocation had nagged at him over time, but he joked that the thought of leaving Colorado for Texas did not greatly appeal to him. He welcomed his chance to serve as St. Gabriel’s founding pastor, said Bishop-elect Kelly, a native of Le Mars, Iowa and one of the five children of Marilean Kelly and the late John Kelly. “I said, ‘This is now my opportunity to put things in place for other people,” he said after relating a story about an old man planting mangos that he would not live to see, but doing it because he had enjoyed the fruits of previous planters, and wanted to provide the same for those who would come after him. Bishop Farrell, who arrived in Dallas in 2007, said that he had not been in the diocese for long when
Born: Feb. 15, 1956, in Lemars, Iowa Parents: John and Marilean Kelly, 1 of 5 children Seminary: Holy Trinity Seminary in Irving (1976-1982) Ordained: May 15, 1982
he tapped Bishop-elect Kelly for a new assignment as Vicar for Clergy. “My popularity at St. Gabriel went below zero,” Bishop Farrell said with a smile. Bishop-elect Kelly’s voice trembled slightly as he spoke of the gifts that influenced his path, including his parents and his Irish-American and French-Canadian roots, and the intercession of Mary. He said that he looked forward to continuing his work with his brother priests and deacons. Rosemary Tarangioli, the interim director of development for Catholic Charities of Dallas, said it brought her joy to learn of Bishop-elect Kelly’s appointment. “He baptized our daughter, Mary Elizabeth, at All Saints in 1983,” Tarangioli said. “He was a young priest and so well-regarded.” Bishop-elect Kelly, who quoted St. Paul’s writings about the race and finish line, said that he didn’t know all the details about his new ministry. He drew laughter with a quip about a guy who jumped off the top of the Empire State Building, and could be heard saying on his way down, “So far, so good.”
Video coverage Additional video coverage of the Dec. 16 announcement of BishopElect Greg Kelly’s appointment at TexasCatholic.com.
Elevated to monsignor: Feb. 1, 2013 Episcopal ordination: Feb. 11, 2016 Roles within Diocese of Dallas: associate pastor of All Saints Church in Dallas from 1982-1986; Chaplain of
Bishop-Elect Greg Kelly | A Spirit of Service in the Diocese of Dallas
As Vicar for Clergy for the Diocese of Dallas, then-Msgr. Greg Kelly visits with Emilio Pozuelo at Christ the King Catholic Church in an undated photo from a Seminarian Christmas party. Bishop Kevin J. Farrell speaks during a Solemn Vespers and Conferral of Papal Honor for then-Msgr. Greg Kelly, chaplain to his holiness Pope Benedict XVI, celebrated in May 2013 at Holy Trinity Seminary in Irving. Texas Catholic Archive
University of Dallas in Irving from 1986-1996; and as founding pastor of St. Gabriel Parish in McKinney from 1996-2008. He presently serves as the Vicar for Clergy of the Diocese of Dallas.
8
DIOCESE
The Texas Catholic
December 18, 2015
Scenes of the Season
BEN TORRES/Special Contributor BISHOP LYNCH HIGH SCHOOL PHOTO
JENNA TETER/The Texas Catholic
Bishop Lynch High School students Emma Williams and Audrey Paetzel take part in a holiday dance recital at the school on Dec. 11.
First-grader Marianna Mutasha smiles during the Nativity play performance at St. Patrick Catholic School Dec. 9.
Andre Dreyer, left, Olivia Mearns and Joseph Carrillo, far right, sing Christmas songs during the Advent 2015: Lessons and Carols Christmas program at Mount St. Michael Catholic School on Dec. 6.
JENNA TETER/The Texas Catholic
The choir at The Notre Dame School performs Christmas Carols for parents and shoppers in the Dillard’s Plaza at Northpark Mall on Dec. 1.
RON HEFLIN/Special Contributor
From left, Mary, played by Lyla Woodbridge, angel by Heather Frye, Joseph by Ethan Cortez and the kings Nico Marino, Ben Western and Javier Moreno during “The Christmas Story” by St. Rita Kindergarten students in Sweeney Hall at St. Rita Catholic School on Dec. 4.
Fifth-grade students from Cistercian Preparatory School sing carols for Mary Bell at the Northgate Plaza nursing home in Irving on Dec. 11
First-graders at Holy Family of Nazareth Catholic School in Irving Mary Marquez, left, and Anthany Arebivl create Christmas cards on Dec. 10 for 8-year-old Safyre Terry, who was the only member of her family to survive a house fire in New York when she was 5 years old.
RON HEFLIN Special Contributor
MARY IMMACULATE CATHOLIC SCHOOL PHOTO
Choir students from Mary Immaculate Catholic School perform Christmas carols for the senior citizens of Farmers Branch Senior Center in Farmers Branch Dec. 7.
DIOCESE
The Texas Catholic
December 18, 2015 9
The Spirit of Giving Students, faculty and staff at Bishop Lynch High School donated nearly 7,000 pounds of food for the Catholic Charities of Dallas food program during a Thanksgiving food drive. BISHOP LYNCH HIGH SCHOOL PHOTO
Above, Bishop Kevin J. Farrell helps Deacon Bob Bonomi of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Frisco serve Thanksgiving meals to the elderly with other deacons and staff on Nov. 21. In collaboration with Catholic Charities of Dallas, Inc., the deacons served a Thanksgiving dinner to mostly Catholic Charities clients in two seatings at the Marillac Social Center. At right, Deacon George Chou of Sacred Heart of Jesus Chinese Catholic Church was among the deacons from the Diocese of Dallas who took part in the Thanksgiving dinner services. BEN TORRES/Special Contributor
Matachines from Danza de Corte Primero dance outside of the Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe during the feast day celebration for Our Lady of Guadalupe on Dec. 11 in downtown Dallas.
Sofia De La Fuente, 3, kneels in prayer with Magdalena Galicia and Arturo De La Fuente, in front of an image of the Virgin of Guadalupe during the feast day celebration for Our Lady of Guadalupe, on Dec. 11 at the Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe.
Ursuline Academy donated a record 102,366 cans during the Intramurals Can Drive. Ursuline’s Class of 2016 donated 63,024 cans to the Catholic Charities of Dallas food pantries while other donations went to the Holy Cross Catholic Church food pantry, North Dallas Shared Ministries and Metrocrest Services. URSULINE ACADEMY PHOTO
Brenda Vera, 15, portrays the Virgin Mary during a reenactment of the first apparition of the Virgin Mary to Juan Diego, portrayed by Marco Fino, 21, during the feast day celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Dec. 11 at St. Juan Diego Catholic Church.
Paying homage on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe Photos by Ben Torres / Special to The Texas Catholic
CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF DALLAS
The Bishop’s Gala: Oh What a Night It Will Be!
I
f you are looking for a meaningful, exciting way to ring in the New Year, you don’t need to look far. On Jan. 23, 2016, the 18th Annual Bishop’s Gala will bring together more than 1,000 generous people across the Dallas community to raise funds for Catholic Charities of Dallas. The incredible evening, featuring legend Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, will center around raising awareness of the important work of Catholic Thompson Charities, with focus on helping people move out of the cycle of poverty. To honor 125 years of service to the Dallas Community, this year’s Gala event chairs are the founding members of the Angels of Charity: Kay Copp, Lou Ann Corboy, Mary Lee Duda, Peggy Galvin, Jane Hanratty, Kris Kramer, Audrey Munin, Nancy Murphy, Kay Neuhoff and Jane Schaffler. The Angels started the event more than 18 years ago in support of the programs of Catholic Charities of Dallas.
Catholic Charities of Dallas Photo
The founding members of the Angels of Charity will serve as the chairs for the 2015 Bishop’s Gala.
Longtime supporter, Jere W. Thompson will serve as Honorary Chair.
Thompson said he and his late wife, Peggy, were always happy to support the various agencies
associated with Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Dallas. In his words, “There is no
greater need than addressing the growing poverty issue in Dallas and I am honored to chair this amazing event and to see our community come together in such an impactful way.” This year, with the poverty rate in Dallas at an all-time-high of nearly 40 percent, the hope is to fuel Catholic Charities’ Financial Stability & Career Services program, which focuses on longterm solutions for the working poor. Catholic Charities has discovered that for people and families in crisis, quick fixes don’t work. The goal is to teach and empower people with financial and career knowledge to help them rise out of poverty for good. Sustainable living is the goal. The annual Bishop’s Gala is intended to be a celebration of Catholic Charities of Dallas’ successes as well, complete with video tributes, live artists, auctions and an unforgettable meal. For more information or to purchase tickets to the Bishop’s Gala, call 214-520-6590 ext. 1105, email mdunlap@ ccdallas.org or visit http://www. catholiccharitiesdallas.org/events/ gala/.
Support the mission of Catholic Charities of Dallas and have a great time!
“Oh What a Night!” January 23, 2016 | 6:00 p.m.
Chaired by The Founding Members of the Angels of Charity with Jere W. Thompson as Honorary Chair 18th Annual
Bishop’s Gala BENEFITING
Catholic Charities of Dallas
Buy tickets online: www.ccdallas.org/gala Don’t forget your winner’s choice raffle: Our raffle winner will have the choice of three trips! Buy one ticket for $50 or three raffle tickets for $100! Ticket & Underwriting information available online at www.ccdallas.org/gala or call 214.520.6590 ext. 1105.
Featuring
Frankie Valli
AND THE FOUR SEASONS
DIOCESE WORLD
The Texas Catholic
December 18, 2015 11
PAPAL VISIT TO MEXICO
Pope to visit marginalized communities By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis will visit some of the most marginalized communities in Mexico and seek to bring hope to a country deeply suffering from crime, corruption and inequality when he visits in February. The Vatican announced Dec. 12 details about the pope’s Feb. 12-17 trip to Mexico, during which he will stop in six cities, including two in the state of Chiapas and -- across from El Paso, Texas -- Ciudad Juarez, which just five years ago was considered the “murder capital of the world” as drug cartels disputed a trafficking corridor. The pope said in November that he wanted to visit cities where St. John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI never went. But he said he will stop at the capital of Mexico City to pray at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. “But if it wasn’t for Our Lady I wouldn’t” go there, he had told reporters. The pope will fly out of and return to Mexico City each day after celebrating Mass at the basilica on the second day of his trip. Over the following four days, he will visit a pediatric hospital in the capital as well as families and indigenous communities in
Catholic News Service
A group of U.S. pastors with Catholic Extension talks across the border fence near El Paso, Texas, and Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, Dec. 12, with a priest and parishioner from a Juárez parish. Pope Francis’ visit to the region in February will include a stop in Ciudad Juarez, which is known for drug-related violence.
the southernmost state of Chiapas, Mexico’s poorest state, which gained worldwide attention for the 1990s Zapatista rebellion. He will visit young people and religious in Morelia, celebrate Mass on the Mexican-U.S. border in Ciudad Juarez and visit its infamous Cereso state prison, where at least 20 people were killed during riots in 2009.
“We are certain that the presence of the Holy Father will confirm us in the faith, hope and charity and will help the church move ahead in its permanent mission,” the Mexican bishops’ conference said in a Dec. 12 statement. “It will encourage believers and nonbelievers and commit us to the construction of a just Mexico, with solidarity, reconciliation and peace,” the statement said.
POPE FRANCIS IN MEXICO Following is Pope Francis’ itinerary for his papal visit to Mexico: FRIDAY, FEB. 12 n Arrival at “Benito Juarez” International Airport in Mexico City. SATURDAY, FEB. 13 n Welcoming ceremony at the National Palace. n Meeting with representatives of civil society and the diplomatic corps. Speech by pope. n Meeting with Mexico’s bishops in the city’s cathedral. Speech by pope. n Mass in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Homily by pope. SUNDAY, FEB. 14 n Mass in the area of the “study center” of Ecatepec. Homily by pope. Pope recites Angelus. n Visit to the Federico Gomez Children’s Hospital of Mexico in Mexico City. n Meeting in the National Auditorium in Mexico City with representatives of culture. Speech by pope. MONDAY, FEB. 15 n Mass at San Cristobal de Las Casas’ sports center with the indigenous community from Chiapas. Homily by pope. n Lunch with representatives of the indigenous community and the papal entourage. n Visit to the cathedral of San Cristobal de Las Casas. n Travel to Tuxtla Gutierrez to meet with families at the Victor Manuel Reyna Stadium. Speech by pope. TUESDAY, FEB. 16 n Departure by airplane for Morelia for Mass with priests, seminarians, religious men and women, and consecrated persons. Homily by pope. n Visit to the city’s cathedral. n Meeting with young people at the Jose Maria Morelos Pavon Stadium. Speech by pope. n Departure by plane for Mexico City. WEDNESDAY, FEB. 17 n Departure by plane for Ciudad Juarez to visit to Cereso prison. Speech by pope. n Meeting with workers and employers at the Colegio de Bachilleres of the Mexican state of Chihuahua. Speech by pope. n Mass at the fairgrounds of Ciudad Juarez. Homily and greeting by pope. n Departure by plane for Rome.
to this present darkness
January 16, 2016 Schedule of Events 10:00 AM Roe Memorial Rosaries
at Southwestern and Planned Parenthood
At the KBH Convention Center, Dallas:
11:30 AM Concert for Life
1:00 PM Roe Memorial Mass
VINCE LUJAN & MANUEL BRAVO of JESUS TEAM A, TORI HARRIS, and THE CROSSROADS PURSUIT
celebrated by BISHOP KEVIN FARRELL
12:30 PM Rose Procession Sponsored by the Catholic Pro-Life Committee Respect Life Ministry of the Diocese of Dallas
3:00 PM North Texas March for Life
to rally outside federal courthouse featuring former abortion facility worker JEWELS GREEN
prolifedallas.org/roe 972-267-LIFE (5433)
12 The Texas Catholic
DIOCESE
December 18, 2015
Celebrating 70 years of priesthood By Steve Landregan Special to The Texas Catholic
“When I came to St. Pius X in 1956, I found a bunch of young people right out of the military and college with new homes, new mortgages and new babies who wanted a parish community and a school, and I said, ‘let’s do it.’ ” That was in May of 1956 and the speaker was Father Tom Weinzapfel, a young Catholic priest newly assigned as pastor of the two-yearold Casa View parish. St. Pius X Catholic Church already had two pastors in its short life and the eager young families were hoping for some stability. They got it. Preaching at his first Mass as pastor, Father Tom, as he is still known, stood up and told the congregation, “You have had two pastors in two years. I intend to stay awhile.” He did. The now Msgr. Thomas Weinzapfel retired as pastor of the parish on Dec. 31, 1996, more than 40 years later. Father Tom will celebrate the 70th anniversary of his ordination on Dec. 23, and will be honored by St. Pius X Parish and Bishop Kevin J. Farrell with a Mass at 6 p.m. and reception. Born Aug. 1, 1921, in Scotland, Texas, a town founded by his
Texas Catholic Archive Photo
Msgr. Thomas W. Weinzapfel will mark the 70th anniversary of his ordination into the priesthood with a Dec. 23 Mass and reception at St. Pius X Catholic Church.
maternal grandfather, he was one of eight children of Joseph W. and Julia Meurer Weinzapfel. The family moved to Muenster when he was 2. As a teenager he remembers attending the Texas Centennial Celebration at Fair Park in 1936 and especially an outdoor field Mass celebrated before thousands by Bishop Joseph P. Lynch. He was especially impressed by the architecture of George Dahl, who designed the centennial grounds. Later, as pastor of St. Pius X, he would call on architect Dahl to design the new church. In Muenster, he attended grade
Texas Catholic Archive Photo
Msgr. Thomas W. Weinzapfel receives a gift in honor of his 25th anniversary of his ordination as a priest in December 1970.
school and the first three years of high school. His senior year was spent at Subiaco Academy in Arkansas. At the end of his senior year with the support and encouragement of his family and Father (later Bishop) Augustine Danglmayr, also from Muenster, in 1939 young Tom entered St. John Seminary in San Antonio.
Ordained six months early in 1945 by Bishop Lynch at Sacred Heart Cathedral, his first assignment was in Texarkana, Texas, as assistant pastor at Sacred Heart Church. One of his young parishioners was Michael Sheehan, who would later be ordained to the priesthood and subsequently be named Bishop of Lubbock and then Archbishop of Santa Fe.
In 1952, Father Tom was assigned as assistant pastor at St. Edward Parish in Dallas under the mentorship of Father Anthony Daly, whom he credits with having a profound effect upon his priesthood. After only a year at St. Edward, he was given his first pastorate in Valley View, where he had two mission churches at Celina and Whitesboro. Each Sunday, he celebrated Mass at all three churches. Beginning in 1952, he was recruited by the newly installed Bishop Thomas K. Gorman to assist in the revival of The Texas Catholic. During that period, he visited every parish in the diocese seeking support for the restored journal. Father Tom’s heritage at St. Pius X is more than brick and mortar—it is in a Christian Community motivated by the motto “love one another” (John 13:34) that has sponsored missionary outreach to Mexico, welcomed and provided housing and support for refugees from the Vietnamese War, and given birth to half a dozen daughter congregations. Father Tom inspired many vocations including that of one of his successors as pastor, Msgr. Lawrence Pichard, who grew up in St. Pius X Parish and served as pastor from 1999 to 2009.
The parishioners of St. Pius X Church congratulate
Msgr. Thomas W. Weinzapfel on his upcoming 70th Anniversary of Ordination and cordially invite his friends of these many years of his priesthood to join us in celebrating this event.
The celebration at St. Pius X Church will begin with Mass at 6:00 P.M. Reception immediately following in Communion Hall on Dec. 23, 2015. 3030 Gus Thomasson Road, Dallas, Texas 75228
o
Th Re
BISHOP LYNCH HIGH SCHOOL JOYFULLY CELEBRATES MONSIGNOR WEINZAPFEL ON THE 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF HIS ORDINATION!
Bishop Lynch High School | 9750 Ferguson Road | Dallas, TX 75228 | 214.324.3607 | www.bishoplynch.org
14 The Texas Catholic
DIOCESE/WORLD DIOCESE
FAITH
AFRICA
St. Bernard on Christmas By Father Roch Kereszty Special to The Texas Catholic
In his sixth homily for the Vigil of Christmas, St. Bernard suggests how we might best prepare for the coming of Christ into our hearts. He contrasts the newness of Christ with the novelties of this world. By always seeking what is new, we merely scratch our itch for more excitement, for more sensory intellectual stimulation. Yet the more we scratch this itch, the worse it becomes. The more tired and empty and old we become. When we listen for the latest gossip, the most gruesome murder, for the daily rise and fall of presidential hopefuls, our soul actually begins to hurt, like the itch we have scratched too hard. And the search for excitement just continues the next day. On the other hand, the newness of Christ renews us and makes us young again. Even after they grow old in years, the saints exude a freshness, a contagious peace and serenity. The source of this newness is Christ who is being born in them. His immortal, risen life transforms
their hearts and minds so that they come to look upon this world with his loving eyes and rediscover this world’s beauty and goodness. Father Kereszty They are firmly rooted in reality, not one day’s sensational excitement, because the source and redeemer of all creation lives and works in them. Christ longs to be born in each one of us. We only need to stop chasing after the wind, make a good confession and create some empty space and inner solitude so that Christ can take up his home with us and make us anew.
Father Roch Kereszty, O.Cist., is a theologian and monk at the Cistercian Abbey of Our Lady of Dallas in Irving...This column first appeared in the December 2015 edition of “A Letter from the Abbey,” the publication of the Cistercian Abbey of Our Lady of Dallas in Irving.
December 18, 2015
Central African Catholic leader witnesses effects of papal visit By Jonathan Luxmoore Catholic News Service
OXFORD, England — A Catholic leader in the Central African Republic said Christian-Muslim ties were affected positively by Pope Francis’ Nov. 29-30 visit and his simple message of living peacefully. “No guns or grenades sounded during the visit -- and while some unfortunate incidents occurred afterward, there was no resort to open violence,” said Msgr. Cyriaque Gbate Doumalo, secretarygeneral of the bishops’ conference. “The pope came with a simple message that Christians and Muslims can fraternally live together in peace and harmony, despite what’s happened here. I think this has touched the Muslim community and given us a real chance.” He said the bishops’ conference president, Archbishop Dieudonne Nzapalainga of Bangui, had been well received Dec. 9 when he and three priests walked through the mostly Muslim neighborhood known as PK5 to “check the situation” and encourage ChristianMuslim ties. “Access to PK5 has long been blocked, but since the Holy Father’s departure, people have been coming and going freely again,” Msgr. Doumalo told CNS Dec. 11. “Our church is trying to protect and nurture the capital of dialogue and social cohesion which the pope bequeathed to us. We hope eco-
Catholic News Service
Pope Francis sits next to Imam Tidiani Moussa Naibi during a Nov. 30 meeting with the Muslim community at the Koudoukou mosque in Bangui, Central African Republic.
nomic life will now also resume, as fears and hostilities are overcome, and a definitive peace allows reconstruction in our country,” he said. Pope Francis visited Bangui’s central Koudoukou mosque, protected by armed U.N. peacekeepers, and urged Christians and Muslims to act like “brothers and sisters” and “say no to hatred, revenge and violence, particularly violence perpetrated in the name of a religion or of God.” He also visited a camp for displaced people near the mosque and rode around a Muslim neighborhood with Imam Tidiani Moussa Naibi. Intercommunal fighting in
September left many dead in PK5. After his visit, Archbishop Nzapalainga told the Jeune Afrique weekly he “walked in this neighborhood as a pilgrim of peace, inviting people to rebuild this country on the reconciliation and mercy Pope Francis offered us.” The pope has profoundly affected the Muslim community, and the Muslim youth of PK5 have laid down their weapons to speak with their Christian brothers,” he said. “If each side tried to make an effort, life could resume its course like before, when there was no reason to distinguish between Christians and Muslims.”
DIOCESE
The Texas Catholic
December 18, 2015 15
Holiday visit from the bishop Bishop Kevin J. Farrell visits with resident Mary Alcalá at the annual Mass and Christmas celebration with the Knights of Malta at St. Joseph’s Residence Dec. 6. JENNA TETER
New offices, same mission
The Texas Catholic
Above: Bishop Kevin J. Farrell blesses the new Catholic Foundation offices during a reception at the offices Dec. 3. Top right: Doug and Vicky Lattner, board chair, with Vernon Mullen. At right: Michael George, left, with Sharon and Brian Mitchell.
CLERGY ASSIGNMENTS n Father Walter T. Sidney, S.J., assigned as Rector of the Jesuit Community at Jesuit College Preparatory School, Dallas, effective January 1, 2016.
RON HEFLIN/Special Contributor
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Business Services Best Deal in 2015 still $12.50 from Keepsake Family Tree Transfer movies, VHS, Photos to DVD Make, Preserve & Enjoy Memories Call for Movie Film Quotes, too
972-466-4426 ram2325@yahoo.com
Real Estate THE WRIGHT FIRM, LLP ATTORNEYS & COUNSELORS St. Thomas Aquinas Parishioner
ATTORNEY & CPA
Estate Planning & Probate Law • Trusts • Guardianships • Business Law
214-780-9696
For Sale
www.thewrightfirmllp.com
LEARN ROSARYMAKING MAKING LEARNROSARY
Not certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization
Pray for vocations
MEETINg yoUR ToTAL EyE CARE NEEDS Professional Eye Examinations • Eye Injuries & Disease Treatment • Contact Lenses • Laser Vision Correction • Eyewear Gallery
Jonathan Cargo, O.D. 1135 Kinwest Parkway, Ste. 100 Irving, TX 75063 972-432-2020
Visit www.cargoeyecare.com Most insurance plans including medicare and medicaid accepted.
St. Ann parishioner
A private personnel service for your loved ones www.eldercarelp.com
972-279-2011 St. Joseph’s Residence, Inc. A Catholic Assisted Living Facility Serving in the Diocese for 55 years Staffed by the Bethlemite Sisters Chapel & Daily Mass 330 W. Pembroke Ave. Dallas, Texas 75208 214.948.3597
L.J. Kruger, CPA’s - PFS Personal Financial Planning Taxes • Accounting • Reports Percentage of all fees donated to National Shrine of Jude 1923 Ave. K, Plano 972-424-8113
Cemetery Sales Calvary Hill 3 treed burial plots, Lot 495, sec L, #4,5,6, for sale, call CJ at 214-232-7877, $12,000 OBO. 2 Prime crypts; Calvary Hill Cemetery. Tier B Chapel Corridor Patio Mausoleum; $5,595 for both. Contact Lots for Less 972-488-2836 ref#150 or 870-247-3669.
• Alzheimer's/Dementia Care • Personal Care • Meal Preparation • Homemaker Services • Transportation
972-239-3934
Each Home Instead Senior Care office is independently owned and operated
Patronize our advertisers
The Texas Catholic Advertising Policy Texas Catholic Advertising Policy The Texas The Catholic accepts advertising based upon the assumption that
Paul F. Wright, Jesuit Alum
Dallas & Surrounding Counties
Elderly
Elder Care LP
Attorney Jesuit, Class of ‘80 Former U.S. Bank Examiner
972-242-0924
• Wills • Probate • Litigation
Business Services
WILLIAM F. RITTER, IV
Civil and Probate Law
Personal Injury Divorce Child Custody & Support Wills, Probate, Life Planning & Trust
n Father Benjamin Cieply, LC, The Highlands School, Irving, reassigned outside the diocese, effective December 1, 2015.
LEWIS& ANY LEWIS &COMP COMPANY
Cemetery Sales
rosaryparts.com
Calvary Hill, Dallas. Holy Family Estates. Lot #6, Spaces #1-4. Private Section. Beautiful Family Plots. $38,995 for all 4. 713-828-8929.
Contactus usfor foracatalog a catalog Contact and andintroductory introductory offer. offer.
(800)342 342-2400 (800) -2400
Theadvertiser Texas Catholic accepts advertising based upon assumption that the operates his or her business with highthe ethical standards. the advertiser operates his or her business with high ethical standards. We will not knowingly accept advertising from persons or businesses We not knowingly acceptpractices. advertising from persons or possible businesses withwill questionable business However, it is not for with questionable business practices. However, it is not possible for us to investigate each business. We urge readers to get several bids us to investigate each business. We urge readers to get several bids on any project or compare prices for products, and to call the Dallas on any project or compare prices for products, and to call the Dallas Better Business Bureau at 214-220-2000. The Texas Catholic reserves Better Business Bureau at 214-220-2000. The Texas Catholic reserves the the right right to to reject reject any any and and all advertising which The Texas Catholic feels is not in keeping with all advertising which The the publication’s standards, Texas Catholic feels is not policies and principles. in keeping with the publica-