OCTOBER 2014 T H E V O L U M E 3 2, N U M B E R 9 O F F I C I A L P U B L I C A T I O N O F T H E D I O C E S E O F A U S T I N Austin’s Schoenstatt Shrine is now open replica of the original shrine, located in the valley of Schoenstatt near the city of Koblenz, Germany. The original shrine After years of prayer, hard in Germany is the movement’s work and sacriÀce, Austin’s spiritual home and center. Àrst Schoenstatt Shrine –– the The Schoenstatt Movement third one in Texas and one was founded by Father Joseph of more than 200 around the Kentenich (1885-1968), a world –– has been dedicated German-born priest who spent and is now open for visitors. three years in a concentration It is located on a quiet camp at Dachau, Germany, hilltop in West Austin with a for defying the Nazis. Father beautiful view at 225 Addie Kentenich is being considered Roy Rd., near the intersection for sainthood. of Loop 360 and Bee Cave It was at the original shrine Road. The shrine is open seven that Father Kentenich and his days a week from 9 a.m. to 8 students entered into a covp.m. It is a place of pilgrimage enant of love with Mary and and prayer. learned to see her as a bridge The Schoenstatt Shrine is leading to a deep and fervent a small white chapel dedicated love of God. The worldwide to the Virgin Mary. Inside is a movement emphasizes spiritual hand-carved altar surrounding renewal through Mary’s exa serene painting of the Blessed ample and intercession. Mother with the baby Jesus. Schoenstatt Father Jesus Every Schoenstatt Shrine is a Ferras said everyone is invited BISHOP JOE VÁSQUEZ blessed the new Schoenstatt Shrine in Austin on Sept. 13. The shrine is a replica of the original Schoenstatt near the city of Koblenz, Germany. (Photo courtesy Schoenstatt Movement) BY MICHELE CHAN SANTOS SENIOR CORRESPONDENT Visiting the Schoenstatt Shrine Periodical Postage Paid at Austin, Texas Where it is: The Schoenstatt Shrine is located at 225 Addie Roy Rd., Austin, 78746 (off of Bee Caves Road near the One World Theatre). There is parking at the shrine. Hours: Open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week. Masses: Masses are held on Sundays at 11 a.m. and on Wednesdays at 7 a.m. What to expect: It’s a small chapel with a lovely, handmade altar inside surrounding a painting of the Blessed Mother and the baby Jesus. Volunteers will be available at the site each day to answer questions. To learn more: Visit www.schoenstatt.us or on Facebook, look for Schoenstatt Movement of Austin. Austin Diocese 6225 Hwy. 290 East Austin, Texas 78723 BISHOP’S INTERVIEW Sharing joy through the Catholic Services Appeal. Page 15 to visit the shrine. He is the director of the Schoenstatt Movement in Texas and works with the youth, young adult and university branches of the movement here. “In every place where the Schoenstatt Movement develops, the shrine is a place of grace where the Blessed Mother forms and educates her children,” Father Ferras said. “The shrine is for the whole diocese. It is a place of pilgrimage dedicated to the Blessed Mother.” Bishop Joe Vásquez dedicated the shrine at a Mass on Sept. 13. The dedication Mass was a joyful and beautiful outdoor celebration with temperatures in the 60s and continuous rain. “God and Our Lady are blessing us with rain,” Bishop Vásquez said to appreciative laughter from the crowd of hundreds gathered under umbrellas and tents, wearing ponchos and rain jackets. “She is sending us wonderful blessings from Heaven.” Builder Rodney Winter, engineer Javier Barajas, building designer Cammi Klier and Greg Ruhl, chairman of the building committee, presented the bishop with the ceremonial keys to the shrine. More than 25 priests (Schoenstatt priests and diocesan priests) concelebrated the Mass. Bishop Vásquez alternated speaking Spanish and English during his homily. There were many visitors from Mexico and from South America, where the Schoenstatt Movement has an especially strong following in Argentina, Chile, Brazil and Paraguay. The movement has followers in 110 countries. “Shrines are places where pilgrims come to Ànd healing and strength,” Bishop Vásquez said. “The Christian is a pilgrim and ours is a pilgrim church. Shrines are places where we can more clearly see the presence of Jesus.” “We are united with the Schoenstatt family today,” he continued. “This is a day of joy and celebration.” See SHRINE on Page 4 FAMILY FOCUS IN ALBANIA Pilot Scouting program becomes an experience for families, not just kids. Page 3 Pope Francis focuses on peace and non-violence during trip to Albania. Page 13 ESPAÑOL Las Alcancías del Bebé ayudan a ministerios pro-vida. Página 26 2 THE MISSION OF THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT As the of¿cial newspaper for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Austin, the CATHOLIC SPIRIT is dedicated to providing information, education and formation for the Catholic community of Central Texas. This mission calls for the newspaper: • to provide readers with an understanding of our Catholic faith and traditions; • to be a primary source of information on Catholic issues relevant to the community; • to be a unifying element for faith communities, both rural and urban, throughout Central Texas; • to show respect for and appreciation of all cultural groups and traditions; • to emphasize topics af¿rming the Catholic community and life, while acknowledging the humanity of the community and examining, with courage, topics that challenge and encourage growth in the faith; • to carry a commitment to social justice that will support the renewal of the church in Central Texas. HOW TO SUBMIT INFORMATION Deadline for submission of articles or information for the CATHOLIC SPIRIT is the 10th of the month for publication in the following month’s edition. Deadline for the November issue is Oct. 10. You can submit material in any of the following ways: • E-mail to catholic-spirit@austindiocese.org. • Mail to CATHOLIC SPIRIT, 6225 Hwy. 290 E., Austin, TX 78723. For additional information, call (512) 949-2443 or e-mail us at catholic-spirit@austindiocese.org. CATHOLIC SPIRIT has unrestricted editing rights. HOW TO SUBMIT A LETTER TO THE EDITOR Readers are encouraged to express their opinions on articles published in CATHOLIC SPIRIT. Letters to the editor provide a forum of discussion for the local Catholic community. The views expressed in the letters do not necessarily represent those of the editor or the publisher of CATHOLIC SPIRIT. Letters to the editor should be limited to 250 words. Name and full address of the writer must be provided, though name will be withheld from publication on request. We reserve the right to edit or withhold all letters. Please e-mail to catholic-spirit@austindiocese.org or mail to Editor, Catholic Spirit, 6225 Hwy. 290 E., Austin, TX 78723. HOW TO SUBSCRIBE Subscription rates are $12 for one year. To subscribe, send check payable to Catholic Spirit to CATHOLIC SPIRIT, 6225 Hwy. 290 E., Austin, TX 78723. Members of a parish in the Austin Diocese may receive the newspaper for a reduced rate. Contact your parish staff for more information. ADDRESS CHANGES OR DUPLICATE MAILINGS Send all address changes to CATHOLIC SPIRIT, 6225 Hwy. 290 E., Austin, TX 78723. Please include your parish’s name and city. If receiving duplicate copies of the CATHOLIC SPIRIT, call (512) 949-2443 or e-mail catholic-spirit@austindiocese.org. STAFF Publisher: Most Rev. Joe S. Vásquez, Bishop of Austin Editor: Shelley Metcalf; (512) 949-2400, shelley-metcalf@austindiocese.org Assistant Editor: Christian R. González; (512) 949-2400, christian-gonzalez@austindiocese.org Advertising: Shelley Metcalf; (512) 949-2400, shelley-metcalf@austindiocese.org Spanish translation: Gina Dominguez Columnists: Barbara Budde, Mary Lou Gibson and Rev. Tadeusz Pacholczyk, Ph.D. Correspondents: Burnie Cook, Amy Moraczewski, Peggy Moraczewski, Enedelia Obregón, Michele Chan Santos and Mary P. Walker Catholic Spirit subscribes to Catholic News Service (CNS) and is a member of the Catholic Press Association. Copyright 2014 by the Austin Diocese. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any editorial content, photograph, art or design is prohibited without written permission of the publisher CATHOLIC SPIRIT (ISSN 0896-2715) is published 11 times annually (monthly except one issue in July/August) by the Austin Diocese. Bishop Joe S. Vásquez, publisher, 6225 Hwy. 290 E., Austin, TX 78723. Periodicals Postage Paid at Austin, Texas. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Catholic Spirit, 6225 Hwy. 290 E., Austin, Texas 78723. VOICES C ATHOLIC S PIRIT Seeking support in stillbirth, infant death Editor’s note: October is Respect Life Month, and with that in mind, I share with our readers this heart-wrenching piece from my coworker and friend. Stillbirth is a difÀcult subject to talk about, but just because it’s hard does not mean it should be minimalized or left alone. These parents need our prayers and our loving companionship during these difÀcult times. BY GINA M. DOMINGUEZ GUEST COLUMNIST I was in my third trimester of pregnancy when, as part of my work as a translator and Spanish-language editor for the Austin Diocese, I corrected a text from the USCCB about the compassion and charity expected from the members of the church toward parents who have lost a child through miscarriage. As I worked on that article I felt great compassion for those parents, and I never suspected I might need the same compassion later myself. Just a few weeks later, I woke to my normal routine. A couple of hours into my daily tasks, I realized I had not felt movement from the baby I was carrying. Worried, I told my husband and, after a few minutes of anxiety, we decided to call the doctor who suggested that I eat something sugary and lay down on my left side. I did this, but still no movement, so the nurse told me to come to the doctor’s ofÀce right away. After a thorough inspection, the doctor told me the saddest words I have ever heard: my baby’s heart had stopped. There was no warning. All the ultrasounds had looked good; all our tests had been normal, but after eight months, my pregnancy and my son’s life came to a sudden end. In those moments, my husband and my Àrst-born son, who were with me at the doctor’s ofÀce, hugged me tightly. I sat up very slowly and, at that moment, resolved to surrender my life and the life of my baby to God’s will. It was the toughest moment of my life, the moment a mother fears the most. After this painful moment, things started happening quickly. During the ride to the hospital, I couldn’t believe the day we had been dreaming about for eight months was here, but deÀnitely not in the way we dreamed it. That same night I checked into the maternity wing of the hospital. There I spent the saddest, most surreal night of my life. Having given birth once already, I knew what to expect and I feared it because I knew this time the baby would not cry, I would not take him home, take care of and nourish him. How could I go through all the physical pain of birth when my grief was so great? Only with the help of God and of our family. Our beautiful son Jorge Cristobal was born asleep at 7:41 a.m. on Dec. 28, the Feast of the Holy Innocents. I have a couple of reasons to share this. First I want to give witness to my faith in God. He never abandons us through the battles of life, even during acute moments of physical and emotional pain. My husband and I felt his grace during the time we spent at the hospital. God manifested his love for us not only through the people who took care of us there, but also by pouring strength and hope into our hearts. He sent us comforting messages through many friends, church and family members from whom we received the biggest tokens of love. And most importantly, it was God who allowed me to pay the last homage I could give my son through my physical body: to give birth to him with courage, with deep love and great dignity. Second I want to reach out to hearts. In my time of need, I didn’t know, off the top of my head, of any ministry where to Ànd Catholic people ready to deal with such a painful and difÀcult subject, to support me through such a test to my faith. I tried to look for help in different people of our Catholic community, including my own pastor, and I realized that there was much confusion on this subject and therefore, many of the people I turned to for help were not able to offer me, my husband and my son the support we needed. It was not because of a lack of charity on their part; it was because of a lack of knowledge about the subject. I am convinced that we as Catholics have, as one of our most important missions, to help those who are grieving. But in order to do that, having good intentions is not enough. We should be informed and should not be afraid of discussing the most painful subjects, such as stillbirth. We need a community of parishioners, deacons and priests educated about the inability to conceive, miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant death; about how each of these losses, though in many ways similar, also differs and merits a unique response. A Catholic woman going through what I did should know whom to call, without having to do a lot of research and without having to knock on so many doors. And we the church must come to meet her, ready to learn, ready to understand. Stillbirth is a subject that almost no one talks about because it is very sad and for some uncomfortable. Therefore few people understand the subject and are willing to talk openly about it. This too often translates into isolation and loneliness for the bereaved parents in the subsequent months when their hearts need so much help to heal. We have the tendency to believe that because we never saw the lost baby, his parents haven’t bonded with him during the pregnancy, or that the baby didn’t really exist or have his dignity. However, my son did exist in the physical world and he still exists in the spiritual one. He is as real and as loved as my living son. It is a mistake to minimize or ignore this fact and the magnitude of this type of loss. I pray God will allow us to be faithful apostles with courage and open hearts at the service of others through every suffering and stage of life. All the Holy Innocents pray for us! GINA DOMÍNGUEZ is a communications professional, translator and interpreter for the Diocese of Austin. Anyone interested in the subjects of miscarriage, stillbirth or infant death is welcome to contact her at ginadallec@gmail.com as she is interested in starting a prayer-support and awareness group for these topics for the Austin area. Correction There was an error in the front page article on Catholic schools in the September issue of the Catholic Spirit. The Sisters of Divine Providence founded the Cathedral School of St. Mary, not the Sisters of the Holy Cross. October 2014 CENTRAL TEXAS 3 Parish Scouting program focuses on families BY ENEDELIA J. OBREGÓN SENIOR CORRESPONDENT A pilot program for Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts at Sacred Heart Parish in Austin has grown to 130 Scouts, and its success is leading to the development of other such programs. Alison Tate, diocesan director of the Youth, Young Adults and Campus Ministry, said Bishop Joe Vásquez last summer asked the Diocesan Committee on Catholic Scouting and her ofÀce to pilot an initiative to increase the number of children –– especially Hispanic children –– in Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts. “Bishop is a true supporter of Scouting,” Tate said. “Scouting provides a unique opportunity for growth and provides a built-in role for families to be involved.” Tate said Scouting is not just a ministry for youth but also for parents because they serve as leaders and work closely with their children. “The diocese sees Scouting as an ally in our efforts in ministering to youth based on values, cultivating leadership and opportunities to learn about faith,” she said. She added that having parishes sponsor the troops also allows the youngsters to celebrate their Catholic identity. Parish support Father Matthew Kinney, associate pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Killeen and an Eagle Scout, serves as chaplain for the Diocesan Committee on Catholic Scouting. He said having support from the pastor “is the single most important factor” in the success of parish Scouting programs and it doesn’t just involve allowing troops to meet in parish buildings. “Scouting is youth ministry,” Father Kinney said. “It doesn’t do everything that catechesis does. But it has many of the elements of a virtue-based system that help youth become better persons.” Father Mark Hamlet, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, agreed. He fully supports the programs for one reason, “We are changing lives at the family level with parents who care.” Father Hamlet said his parish is 90 percent Hispanic and more than half are immigrants. Therefore the Scouting program had to be designed to take cultural differences into consideration. What worked for Sacred Heart Parish was reaching out to mothers. “It’s all about Mama,” Father Hamlet said. The women, who tend to be young and have large families, told him they had difÀculty coming to the many separate meetings. “They needed something for both boys and girls and for parents to give them the knowledge and courage to get involved,” he said. Father Hamlet also meets with the parish-level Scouting committee, which is comprised of Boy Scout and Girl Scout leaders, on a monthly basis. DANTE IBARRA shows the Boy Scouts at Sacred Heart Parish in Austin how a car engine works. In the last year, Sacred Heart’s Scouting program has grown tremendously. (Photo by Enedelia J. Obregón) Getting involved Gisela González, a 31-yearold mother of three, said it Carrie Manongdo Yager was “for the love of God” and is Girl Scout Service Unit Father Hamlet’s request for Director for the Walnut and parent volunteers that encourDelco-Simond service units aged her to get involved. that oversee troops in North“When he talked about east Austin, including Sacred children being successful and Heart. She said there are polearning to be leaders, I immetentially 13,000 Girl Scouts in diately thought of my daughthat area, mainly Hispanics. ter,” González said. She began Yager faced several chalwith a troop of 12 girls and lenges in helping the parish now oversees the Girl Scout and the parents launch the program. Girl Scout program: she is not “Girl Scouts will help her Áuent in Spanish, materials future,” she said. “Girl Scouts were not available in Spanteaches girls to be independent ish and she was having to and to have their own goals deal with a multi-level troop. and have the desire to reach Troop 276 has Kindergarten- them.” age Daisies to high school One of the aspects of Girl Ambassador level girls meetScouts she likes best is that ing on the same night. girls take leadership roles in “It’s not just about trainplanning their activities. ing but starting with ‘what is “As they get older the Girl Scouts?’” she said. “But I moms who are leaders are was not willing to fail.” there to make sure everyone She quickly learned that is safe, but the girls make their the online training was not own decisions,” she said. going to work because many Erika García, 31, is a single families do not have comput- mother of three, and she has ers. So they translated the little time to dedicate to ac“Jump Start” training materi- tivities outside school, so she als, calling it “Arranque” –– chose to get into Scouting. or “Start” –– and got to work. “Convivir” is the word she Yager said that Girl Scouts and other parents use to deof Central Texas now has a scribe what they do with their Latino Initiative and is spend- children in Scouting. Literally ing more resources –– includ- translated in English, “coning staff –– to reach out to vivir” means to live together, Hispanic girls and their fami- but it carries a deeper meaning lies. She meets regularly with more akin to sharing life. the leaders and Father Hamlet “I want them to learn to determine what is working independence and to value and what needs to change. themselves,” she said as her She said Father Hamlet’s daughter played with her baby support for Scouting has brother’s feet. “I want them to been contagious and families be able to do what they want responded to that. in life and to learn about good “The vision of Scouting and bad consequences.” is something that this community and Sacred Heart While parents focus on really responded to,” she said. their children’s futures, the “They got it right from the youngsters focus on the fun beginning.” Adaptations Families they have in Scouting. Camping is popular. Christy Alba, who is in Troop 276, said she enjoys making s’mores at campouts. She also is learning about being a better citizen. “We learn about helping the world –– like did you help someone or did you pick up trash,” she said. Jhovany Alba, Christy’s brother, is 11 and in Troop 408. He wants to become an Eagle Scout. He enjoys camping with his parents and earning merit badges at campouts. “We learn a lot,” Jhovany said. “You can’t learn anything watching TV.” Their father, Cubmaster Juan Alba, has seen a change in his children thanks to Scouting. He also has a son, 6, just starting out in Scouting. His wife, Carolina Resendez, is involved with Girl Scouts. “You can see how children change,” Alba said. “I know this will help them succeed. It opens a door to help them go to college.” What surprised him also was the growth in himself. Over the last year, he has taken on more responsibilities, learned to set agendas, received training, trained others and planned excursions to the Cameron Park Zoo in Waco and to the Univision studios in Austin. In 12 months they have been on eight campouts. “I have not been bored,” he said with a laugh. Giving back Erick Olvera, 13, said he wants to become an Eagle Scout because it will help him get into college. The troop has had three Hispanic Eagle Scouts so far. Cub Scout den leader Albert López said that one of the goals of the unit –– the combined group of Cub Scout dens and Boy Scout troops –– is to have more Eagle Scouts come back and help. “We’d like for them to give back to Scouting by coming back and serving,” he said. Jorge Rodríguez, assistant Scoutmaster in Troop 489, also used the word “convivir” to describe what is happening with his 13-year-old son, a Boy Scout who has achieved the rank of Star Scout, is eager to earn his Eagle rank. The elder Rodríguez left home at 17 and did not have a close relationship with his father. “I have the satisfaction of sharing this with him,” Rodríguez said. “There’s no bigger paycheck than that.” Scoutmaster Chris Krumrey has been active in Boy Scouts for 35 years –– 10 years at Sacred Heart. He said the support from the diocese and the pastor has made a huge difference in parental involvement. After the parish school closed in 2002, the Cub Scout program folded although Boy Scout Troop 249 remained active and had three boys before the new recruiting efforts began. “Parents recognize the value in Scouting,” he said. The established leadership had to work through cultural barriers with the families of new recruits whose families did not speak much English and worried it would cost them too much money. “Father Mark makes sure we have what we need,” Krumrey said. “No one is turned away because they can’t afford to pay. We have alumni who help with fundraisers.” C ATHOLIC S PIRIT CENTRAL TEXAS 4 Holy Cross KPC named Council of the Year National Junior Daughter Counselor and his sister-in-law, Marlexa A. Phillips, participates in the Ladies Auxiliary. The Knights of Peter Following First Communion Claver (KPC) Council #284 next spring, Derek’s 8-year-old at Holy Cross Parish in Austin nephew will likely follow in was recently honored as the the footsteps of his family and National Council of the Year at become a junior member of the National Knights of Peter the KPC. Claver, Inc., 99th annual conSaint Peter Claver (1580vention. The July convention 1654) was a Spanish Jesuit was held in Mobile, Ala., where priest who worked in Cartethe organization was founded gena, Colombia, for 33 years more than a century ago. to help abolish slave trading. Derek J. Phillips, Grand While providing spiritual nourKnight, of Council #284, exishment to African slaves and plained, “KPC is an organizaserving the sick and dying, he tion the whole family can join. converted hundreds of thouThere is a Ladies Auxiliary and sands to Christianity. He is the a Juniors group for ages 7-18. patron saint of slaves. Children may join after they The Knights of Peter have received their First Com- Claver was founded in 1909 by munion.” KPC is a Phillips priests from the St. Joseph’s family tradition, which began Society of the Sacred Heart, with Derek’s father while rais- along with interested laymen. ing his family in Houston. Originally located in Alabama, Gene A. Phillips Sr. served the National Headquarters is as the 15th Supreme Knight of now in New Orleans, La., and the KPC and Derek’s brother, represents nearly 20,000 memGene A. Phillips Jr. is the bers whose primary goal is to current President of the Texas serve God and his church. State Conference. His mother, KPC Council #284 at Holy Elsa R. Phillips, served as past Cross Parish in Austin was BY PEGGY MORACZEWSKI CORRESPONDENT chartered in 1986, and this active council has grown to “over 40 Knights, 60 plus Ladies, and 30 plus Juniors in the Unit,” Derek Phillips said. He serves as the Grand Knight and is responsible for the entire unit. Each group may have independent activities, but they strive to work as a unit. “The main focus of our council is to serve our pastor, church and community,” he said. This year Council #284 accomplished this goal through activities such as a fan drive; donations beneÀted the Conley-Guerrero Senior Citizen Center and Blackland Neighborhood Center. They also made a Ànancial donation and assisted with Camp Cell-A-Bration, a week-long camp for children ages 6 to 14 affected with sickle cell disease. Derek Phillips attended St. Thomas High School in Houston, graduated from the University of Texas and is a CPA currently employed as a Financial Controller at Dell, Inc. He has been a member of the KPC for more than 25 THE KNIGHTS OF PETER CLAVER COUNCIL from Holy Cross Parish in Austin was honored as the National Council of the Year at the Knights of Peter Claver, Inc., 99th annual convention. Derek J. Phillips (center) was also named National Grand Knight of the Year. (Photo courtesy Derek J. Phillips) years. Surrounded by family and fellow Knights, he received his third consecutive award as the National Grand Knight of the Year at the National Knights of Peter Claver, Inc., 99th annual convention this past summer. “I try to live the life that would make St. Peter Claver proud. This would be through supporting our local priest, community involvement, and promoting civic improvements and social justice. This was instilled early in my life along with the motto from St. Thomas High of teaching me goodness, discipline and knowledge,” he said. For more information about the Knights of Peter Claver organization, visit www. kofpc.org. India Catholic Association hosts ‘Taste of India’ THE INDIA CATHOLIC ASSOCIATION (ICA) of Central Texas will host its annual “Taste of India” fundraiser Oct. 18 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at St. Thomas More Parish Hall in Austin. Taste of India features the cuisines, costumes and dances of all regions of India. Tickets are $25 each, which includes dinner. In year’s past many different charities have been supported by this fundraiser, including places in India that care for orphans and the elderly and local organizations such Mobile Loaves and Fishes and the Gabriel Project. This year Ishaprema Niketan (Home of God’s love) has been chosen as the bene¿ciary. This charity, based in the state of Goa, India, cares for abandoned and destitute elderly men and women, female children with disabilities, and children of working mothers from local slum communities. For information about Taste of India, visit www.austinica. org. For more information regarding the charity, visit www. ishaprema-niketan.org. Photos from Ishaprema Niketan (Home of God’s love) in India. of this shrine by the centennial. We have been striving for many years.” Continued from Page 1 The shrine is small (it seats The fact that the Austin about 30 people.) For large shrine was Ànished in 2014 – events like the dedication the 100th anniversary year of Mass, people gather on the the founding of the Schoenspacious, tree-shaded patio in statt Movement – is a tremen- front of the chapel. dous blessing, Father Ferras More than 500 people said. belong to the Schoenstatt “Divine Providence made Movement in the Diocese of the opening of our shrine to Austin. They belong to diffall on the 100th anniversary ferent parishes, but gather in year,” Father Ferras said. “It’s groups (family branch, univera huge, huge gift. Three shrines sity student branch, etc.) for are being dedicated this year prayer and fellowship. – ours, another in Bangalore, Many of the members India, and the third in Santiago, of the movement, who have Chile. I never imagined such a spent years working toward tremendous blessing as being the goal of this shrine, were able to accomplish the building tremendously moved by its SHRINE completion. They named the Austin shrine the “Bethlehem Cradle of Sanctity.” For Lizette Anglin, a member of Schoenstatt’s family branch, the shrine’s dedication “is the biggest dream and hope ever realized. It’s a beautiful gift to the Blessed Mother.” Marcela Pinto is the chair of the dedication event. “For me, this day represents a day to share with the Diocese of Austin all the beauty of Schoenstatt spirituality,” Pinto said. “It’s the beginning of a new stage. Now more people can grow to love the Blessed Mother as we do.” Carlos Licona is a board member with the movement. “For me, this day is proof that we can change the world. This is a gift that has to be shared with the world,” he said. Father Ferras explained, “Visiting the Shrine should feel like when you go home and see your mom. She welcomes you here. This is a place where Mary acts, and where she dwells.” THE RECENTLY BLESSED and opened Schoenstatt Shrine can hold about 30 people and sits on a hill in West Austin. The address is 225 Addie Roy Rd. (Photo courtesy Alex Quintana) October 2014 5 CENTRAL TEXAS Workshop helps Catholics discover their gifts Church, ordered as they are to her building up, to the good of men, and to the needs of the world” (799). Approximately 300 CathoAlthough we do not know lics attended the “Called and how many charisms there are, Gifted” introductory workthere are three lists in the New shop held in late August at St. Testament (Rom 12, 1 Cor 12, Thomas Aquinas Parish in Col- and Eph 4). Charisms are more lege Station. Conducted by the than talents, which may be Catherine of Siena Institute, the inherited from parents or imworkshop helped participants proved through education, traindiscern their particular spiritual ing and practice. While we can gifts, or charisms, and energized develop our charisms, God uses them to continue discovering them through us to bear results and doing God’s work in the beyond our natural abilities. In world. The attendees ranged addition, as the catechism states, from young adults to the elderly. charisms are directed outward, Presenters Mary Sharon beyond the person with the gift. Moore and Catherine Liberatore For example, a person with explained that each person, as a a talent for music may enjoy unique creation of a loving God, singing and entertaining others, is entrusted with advancing his and this talent can be used for kingdom in a special way. To good or evil purposes. However, live what Moore characterized a person gifted with the charism as “a unique life and work of of music cooperates with God love that will transform you and to use this gift in prayer, a revethe world around you,” the Holy lation of the beauty of a creative Spirit equips us with charisms, God, and to help others foster a received at baptism and relationship with God. strengthened by conÀrmation. Because charisms are acThe Catechism of the tive, Liberatore said we should Catholic Church states that expect to discover and see them “Whether extraordinary or in ourselves and others. During simple and humble, charisms are the workshop, she reminded graces of the Holy Spirit which attendees that the Holy Spirit directly or indirectly beneÀt the is always active in our lives and BY MARY P. WALKER SENIOR CORRESPONDENT to “expect the gifts.” Generally, exercising our charisms is a natural process. We do not have to struggle to express them. “How do you help others encounter Jesus? Show up! Listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit,” Moore said. The workshop went far beyond the theology of charisms. After the Friday evening session, attendees had the “homework” of taking “The Catholic Spiritual Gifts Inventory.” It is designed to help participants discern which of the 24 most common charisms they may have and how God is calling them to use these gifts. The inventory yielded both surprises and clarity. Filo Maldonado of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish experiences a sense of peace as he serves as sacristan for Mass. He was not surprised that the inventory suggested that he had the charism of service, that is to identify and do what is necessary to meet needs that further God’s purpose. Barry Veazey of St. Joseph Parish in Bryan explained that as a recent “empty nester,” he wanted to re-evaluate what God was asking of him. “I learned that what you Ànd almost effortless is a big clue about where your charisms may be,” Veazey said. Anna Kjolen, like many participants, left the workshop with as sense of joy, discovery and mission, saying, “I was really excited to learn about my charisms. Every Catholic should do this.” The presenters emphasized that while it is important to discern what our charisms are, it is also important to understand which charisms we do not have. For example, those who do not have the charism of administration, which is the gift of planning and coordinating, may actually impede God’s work if they have administrative responsibilities. In addition, they could feel frustrated by the effort. Often we may be tempted to think that a good Catholic “should” participate in a certain ministry, but in reality, that may not be what God is asking us to do. The attendees were given the suggestion that when their pastor asks them to do something and they know they do not have the charism needed, they can conÀdently say, “Father, do you want God’s results or my results?” “You don’t have to do everything. You can just be who you are,” said Ben Starnes, 24, who attended with his parents. Father Edwin Kagoo, pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, said he was glad that so many were able to attend the workshop. “If you feel joyful living out your charisms, the church grows and we grow as disciples of Christ,” he said. Laura Snyder, director of religious education at St. Stephen Parish in Salado, wanted to understand how her growing parish could maximize the charisms of all the members. “We are a small parish. I wanted to learn more about discerning gifts,” Snyder said. Attendees were also offered the opportunity for one-on-one follow up with a trained interviewer to help them further discern their gifts and God’s will for the use of these gifts. The Catherine of Siena Institute is a program of the Western Dominican Province dedicated to equipping parishes for the evangelization and formation of lay Catholics for the sake of their mission to the world. For more information, visit www. siena.org. The John Paul II Life Center’s T Th Today 4th Annual Benefit Dinner IS THE DAY! Friday, November 7, 2014 Hyatt Downtown R5 7 pm Dinner KEYNOTE Teresa Tomeo Acclaimed author, speaker and co-host of EWTN’s The Catholic View for Women. EMCEE The John Joh o n Paul II LIFE Center Jennifer Fulwiler Our three-fold mission: Popular blogger and author of Something Other than God. · Offer state-of-the-art women’s healthcare at The Vitae Clinic Dignity in Life Award · Provide sonograms and assistance to women facing unexpected pregnancies · Provide education about NaPro Technology, chaste living and more Msgr. Louis Pavlicek Dr. Tom and Mrs. Ann Bierschenk 1600 W. 38th Street, Ste. 115 Austin, Texas 78731 512.407.2900 Tickets and sponsorships available at www.jpiilifecenter.org www.jpiilifecenter.org info@jpiilifecenter.org C ATHOLIC S PIRIT CENTRAL TEXAS 6 Jesse Manibusan concert and workshop The diocesan OfÀce of Worship will present singer-songwriter and speaker Jesse Manibusan for a concert Oct. 10 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Thomas More Parish in Austin. The concert is open to youth, young adults, families, etc. Manibusan will offer a contemporary music workshop for those serving in music ministry Oct. 11 from 9 a.m. to noon at St. Thomas More Parish. Everyone is welcome to attend this fun weekend of music, prayer and renewal. To register, go to www.austindiocese.org/manibusan (group and discounted rated available). For more information, call the Worship OfÀce at (512) 949-2429. Tribunal offers advocacy training on Oct. 18 The OfÀce of Canonical and Tribunal Services will present a workshop on Advocacy Training for Nullity Oct. 18 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the diocesan Pastoral Center in Austin. This workshop will include a review of the process of petitioning for an annulment, applicable Canon Law, processes and procedures, petitions and grounds, resources, questions and answers. Laity desiring to become an advocate must be delegated by their pastor. The registration deadline is Oct. 13. A Áier and registration form is available at www.austindiocese.org under Canonical & Tribunal Services, Training and Workshops. For more information, contact the Tribunal OfÀce at (512) 949-2478. Classes for engaged couples begin Nov. 4 “Together in God’s Love,” a marriage preparation class, will begin Nov. 4 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at the diocesan Pastoral Center in Austin. Subsequent classes will be held Nov. 11, 18 and Dec. 2. Couples preparing for marriage are encouraged to register as soon as possible, as these classes Àll quickly. The classes include talks on faith, communication, sexuality and stewardship in the context of Catholic marriage. To register or for more information, contact the diocesan Family Life and Counseling OfÀce at (512) 651-6150 or sara-lockey@austindiocese.org. Marriage Encounter celebrates clergy World Priest Day is a celebration and afÀrmation of the men who commit their lives to the Lord and the church through the sacrament of Holy Orders. It is an opportunity for Catholic parishioners to thank, afÀrm and share their love and support for our priests. This year the Austin-Central Texas Area Worldwide Marriage Encounter Community will honor priests, along with deacons and seminarians, with a dinner on Oct. 22 at 6:30 p.m. at St. Thomas More Parish in Austin. Every priest, deacon and seminarian within the diocese is invited. Priests, deacons and their wives, and seminarians, should RSVP at no cost to Jose and Rachel Guzman at wwmeaustincommunity@gmail.com or (512) 291-6338. All others may purchase tickets online for $25 per person at www.austinme.org/Community_Events. Healthcare guild welcomes Bishop Vásquez The Catholic Healthcare Guild will host an evening with Bishop Joe Vásquez Oct. 16 beginning at 5:30 p.m. at Dell Children’s Medical Center Auditorium in Austin. The bishop will present “Nurturing a Compassionate Heart.” He will discuss the importance of the church community in times of struggle and stress, and how the sacraments offer grace and healing during the most difÀcult times of our lives. A reception will follow the presentation. To register to attend, visit www.2014-chcg-bishop-event.eventbrite.com. Retreat for couples struggling with infertility Sarah’s Hope & Abraham’s Promise is hosting a Healing and Educational Retreat for couples struggling with infertility Oct. 25 from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. at St. Martin de Porres Parish in Dripping Springs. An optional Adoption Information Dinner Program will be featured from 5 to 7 p.m. Come for the whole retreat or just the adoption portion. Register by Oct. 20 at www.Oct2014SHAP.eventbrite. com. For more info, contact SarahsHope@RabboniInstitute.org or call (512) 7367334. MEDICAL SERVICES DIRECTORY WEIGHT LOSS Ideal Weight Loss Medical Clinics This will be your LAST Diet No drugs 100% natural Medically monitored Lose ONLY fat Preserve lean muscle Anthony Hicks, MD, MPH 4100 Duval Rd., Bldg IV, Ste 202, Austin (512) 577-6181 12912 Hill Country Blvd, Bldg F, Ste 238, Austin (512) 470-9470 To advertise in the Catholic Spirit Medical Services Directory, call (512) 949-2443, or e-mail catholic-spirit@austindiocese.org. www.LastDietATX.com OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY OPTOMETRY ORTHODONTICS The Vitae Clinic Oak Hill Eye Care Braces for Children and Adults Jeremy Kalamarides, D.O. The Jefferson Building 1600 W. 38th St, Ste 115 Austin, TX 78731 512-458-6060 The Vitae Clinic, Inc., provides wellness, prenatal, delivery and postnatal care for women, expectant mothers and babies in accord with the teachings of the Catholic Church in conformity with the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Healthcare services. Examination & Treatment of Eye Disease Lasik Surgery Contact Lenses & Optical David W. Tybor, O.D. Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (512) 288-0444 6000 W. William Cannon Bldg A, Suite 100, Austin www.oakhilleyecare.com Michael Dillingham, D.D.S. 2 convenient locations in Austin Call (512) 836-7924 or (512) 447-5194 to schedule a complimentary consultation FAMILY PRACTICE EAR, NOSE AND THROAT FAMILY & INTERNAL MEDICINE Joseph M. C. Leary, M.D. William Stavinoha, M.D. Diplomate, American Board of Otolaryngology Pediatric and Adult Including Ear Diseases Sinus Surgery Thyroid and Neck Surgery 6811 Austin Center Blvd., Ste. 300 Austin, Texas 78731 (512) 346-8888 Dominion Family Healthcare Family Practice –– Board CertiÀed 11671 Jollyville Road #102 Austin, TX (512) 338-5088 www.stavinohamd.com Board certiÀed in Family Medicine & Internal Medicine (512) 834-9999 6301 Parmer Ln. W. Suite 102 Austin,TX 78729-6802 THYROID & ENDOCRINOLOGY October 2014 7 CENTRAL TEXAS Baby Banks help support pro-life ministries By now most Catholics have probably already seen Baby Banks, the 3-by-3-inch cardboard boxes that were distributed after Masses in late September. For more than 10 years, parishes in the Diocese of Austin have distributed the Baby Banks, which help raise funds for pro-life activities during October, which is Respect Life month. The boxes are collected the last weekend in October. Every year, the Baby Bank campaign generates about $40,000, said Marie Cehovin, director of the OfÀce of ProLife Activities and Chaste Living for the Diocese of Austin. Half of the funds collected via the Baby Banks goes to pro-life activities at the parish level, and the other half goes to the Beginning of Life Apostolates at the diocesan level – speciÀcally, the Gabriel Project Ministry, Project Rachel, the Pro-life Help Line and Sidewalk Ministry. The Baby Banks are returned both light (with a check inside) and heavy (stuffed with change often collected by children). Many religious education classes often have competitions to see how much money they can obtain for the banks. Some parishes give lapel pins (featuring tiny baby feet) to those turning in their donation boxes at the end of October. Gabriel Project Cehovin said one of the main focuses in the diocesan Pro-Life OfÀce right now is getting more Gabriel Project ministries in the parishes. The mission of the Gabriel Project is to provide emotional, material and spiritual support for pregnant women and families in need. Mary Helen Russell is the new pastoral care coordinator at the OfÀce of Pro-Life Activities and Chaste Living. She oversees the Gabriel Project Ministry, Project Rachel, the Pro-life Help Line and Sidewalk Ministry. While there are more than 125 parishes in the Diocese of Austin, only about 40 have their own Gabriel Project, Russell said. Having a Gabriel Project at a parish involves the display of a sign saying SIGNS such as this one at St. Martin de Porres Parish in Dripping Springs indicate that a parish has a Gabriel Project Ministry, which provides emotional, marterial and spiritual support for pregnant women and families in need. The Baby Banks, which have been circulated through all parishes, help raise funds for pro-life ministries, such as the Gabriel Project. (Photo courtesy Marie Cehovin) “Pregnant? Need Help? The Gabriel Project is here for you” in English and Spanish. The sign gives the number for a helpline: Call 1-877-WECARE2. Volunteers answering the helpline match each woman who calls with a volunteer “angel” in her area. The angels provide emotional, material and spiritual support for each woman. If she needs Ànancial help, the Gabriel Project works with St. Vincent de Paul Society to help women pay their bills. If she needs a place to stay, the project works closely with Annunciation Maternity Home in Georgetown and Our Lady of the Angel Maternity Shelter in Temple. Annunciation, which has a charter school, offers longterm housing to pregnant minors with or without children. Our Lady of the Angel offers housing to pregnant women with or without children on a short-term basis. The more Gabriel Projects there are spread across the diocese, the more likely it is that the helpline volunteer will have a volunteer “angel” to match with each person who calls, Russell said. The need for more Gabriel Projects is signiÀcant, particularly in rural areas. Because of House Bill 2, the number of abortion clinics in Texas has dropped. The OfÀce of Pro-life Activities anticipates an increase in demand for Gabriel Project services, thus the need for volunteers is greater than ever. Russell is happy to travel to any parish to help train PLAY GOLF, HELP BABIES! ome H Matern tion ity cia Ann un BY MICHELE CHAN SANTOS SENIOR CORRESPONDENT volunteers. The training sessions can take place on a Saturday or Sunday or during the week. “I can go anywhere in the diocese,” Russell said. Many times, the 50 percent share of the money from the Baby Bank campaign is enough to cover the expenses of a parish Gabriel Project for a whole year, Cehovin said. “I want to encourage parishes to have their own Gabriel Projects,” Cehovin said. “These projects make a difference –– a profound difference –– to women in these communities. Sometimes parishes think it will cost too much, or be too difÀcult. The Baby Bank campaign can fund you throughout the year, and we can train your volunteers.” To learn more about the Baby Bank campaign or starting a parish Gabriel Project, contact Mary Helen Russell at (512) 949-2488 or maryhelenrussell@austindiocese.org. BERRY CREEK COUNTRY CLUB 1:30 PM SHOTGUN START $100 PER PLAYER INFORMATION, REGISTRATION, & SPONSORSHIPS AT: CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT Monday, October 27, 2014 REGISTER TODAY! www.thematernityhome.org C ATHOLIC S PIRIT CENTRAL TEXAS 8 Reicher vs. Savio: An example of sportsmanship BY BURNIE COOK CORRESPONDENT It was a traditional Texas high school football Friday night. The weather was windy and overcast. The stands at McNeil High School’s football Àeld in Austin Àlled quickly for the game between Reicher Catholic High School in Waco and St. Dominic Savio Catholic High School in Austin. Reicher Catholic High School is currently celebrating its 60th anniversary of opening their doors, while St. Dominic Savio Catholic High School in Austin opened Àve years ago. All the fans sat on one side of the Àeld, so at times it was harder for some to decide which team they were pulling for, and perhaps no one was more torn than Orlando Florez. He is the athletic director at St. Dominic Savio High School, and a Reicher alumni who once played for current Reicher Athletic Director and Head Coach Mark Waggoner. Waggoner has coached at Reicher since 1989 and has been the school’s head football coach and athletic director since 1996. “I had the privilege of coaching Lando in 1989. From that experience I formed the opinion that Lando would be a great leader,” Waggoner said. Sportsmanship is something both men wish to instill in all their athletes – no matter what sport they play. “Sportmanship is deÀned in your attitude towards how you compete. Playing with your heart, mind and body, while being able to perform with a sense of respect for yourself, your teammates and those you compete against,” Florez said. Savio coaches Leonard Estrada and Yogi Beitia also graduated from Reicher. Estrada was impressed with the competition between the two schools. “For me having been on both sides of the sidelines … brings a tremendous pride for each school. We need more rivalries like Reicher vs. Savio as people can see the Catholic spirit and how two schools can compete and respect each other and Àll our hearts with great sportsmanship,” he said. Beitia said it was great to be a part of the “friendly competition.” “Then being able to have both teams come together afterwards and give thanks to God for the opportunity” was a great aspect of the game, he said. Morgan Daniels, the principal of St. Dominic Savio, said he hopes to establish a great new Savio tradition with a school, such as Reicher, that shares Savio’s faith and values. “Reicher has established a great sports and football tradition and we can learn a lot from their positive example. My hope is that this grows into a friendly rivalry,” he said. The atmosphere for the game was that of friendly rivalry and sportsmanship. During half-time, the Savio cheerleaders invited middle schoolers onto the Àeld to do the “Chicken Dance,” which the fans enjoyed especially when one Reicher Cougar mascot joined them. Many parents commented how wonderful and fun the game was and enjoyed the fellowship. Following the game, handshakes were exchanged at midÀeld, and both teams huddled together with words of encouragement and thanks given by Joe Gutilla, Savio’s head coach. The evening concluded with both teams praying the Our Father while players placing a hand on an opposing team member’s shoulder. It was a close game throughout but Reicher came away with the 13-6 victory. REICHER Catholic High School in Waco beat St. Dominic Savio Catholic High School in Austin in a friendly game of football on Sept. 5. (Photo courtesy St. Dominic Savio High School) Please Come Join Us for the Special Solemn Vespers on All Souls Day “Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.” Sunday, November 2nd 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Our Lady of the Rosary Cemetery OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY CEMETERY & PRAYER GARDENS 330 Berry Lane • Georgetown, Texas 78626 • www.olotr.com 512-863-8411 Celebrated by Fr. Brian McMaster Pastor, St. Helen Catholic Church, together with the Dominican Sisters Following Solemn Vespers, there will be blessings for the families with loved ones interred at Our Lady, along with our annual scattering of wildflower seeds, and refreshments of soul cakes. October 2014 9 CENTRAL TEXAS No Other School Teaches Them To SHINE Like This. Open Houses Cathedral School of St. Mary 910 San Jacinto, Austin 512.476.1480 smcschoolaustin.org Open House: Nov. 17, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Holy Family Catholic School 9400 Neenah Ave., Austin 512.246.4455 holyfamilycs.org Info Sessions: Oct. 17, Nov. 14, Dec. 5, 8:30-10 a.m., RSVP required via website Holy Trinity Catholic High School 6608 West Adams Ave., Temple 254.771.0787 holytrinitychs.org Open House: Nov. 9, 1-3 p.m. Reicher Catholic High School 2102 N. 23rd, Waco 254.752.8349 reicher.org Open House: Oct. 21, 5-8 p.m. Sacred Heart Catholic School 545 E. Pearl, LaGrange 979.968.3223 sacredheartschoollg.com Visits welcome anytime; contact school office to make an appointment. St. Austin Catholic School 1911 San Antonio, Austin 512.477.3751 staustinschool.org Open House: Nov. 23, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. St. Dominic Savio Catholic High School 9300 Neenah Ave., Austin 512.388.8846 saviochs.org Information Sessions: Oct. 17, 8:30-10 a.m.; Nov. 19, 6:30-8 p.m.; Dec. 10, 8:30-10 a.m., Open House: Nov. 9, 1-3 p.m. RSVP required and Information Sessions St. Gabriel’s Catholic School 2500 Wimberly Ln., Austin 512.327.7755 sgs-austin.org Open House: Nov. 4, 8:30-10:30 a.m., RSVP appreciated St. Mary’s Catholic School 520 Washburn St., Taylor 512.352.2313 stmarystaylor.org Visits welcome anytime; contact school office to make an appointment. St. Helen Catholic School 2700 E. University Ave., Georgetown 512.868.0744 shcslions.org Coffee with the Principal: Nov. 12, Dec. 10, 8:30 a.m. St. Mary’s Catholic School 1019 S. 7th, Temple 254.778.8141 stmarys-temple.org Visits welcome anytime; contact school office to make an appointment. St. Ignatius Martyr Catholic School 120 W. Oltorf, Austin 512.442.8547 st-ignatius.org Visits welcome anytime; contact school office to make an appointment. St. Mary’s Catholic School 507 W. Spruce, West 254.826.5991 stmaryswest.com Visits welcome anytime; contact school office to make an appointment. St. Joseph Catholic School 600 S. Coulter, Bryan 979.822.6641 stjosephbcs.org Visits welcome anytime; contact school office to make an appointment. St. Michael’s Catholic Academy 3000 Barton Creek Blvd., Austin 512.328.2323 smca.com Open House: Nov. 5, 8:30-10:30 a.m. Tell me About SMCA Lunch, Oct. 22, Noon St. Joseph Catholic School 2901 E. Rancier, Killeen 254.634.7272 stjosephschoolkilleen.org Visits welcome anytime; contact school office to make an appointment. St.Theresa’s Catholic School 4311 Small Dr., Austin 512.451.7105 st-theresa.org Visitation Day: Oct. 16, call for appointment St. Louis Catholic School 2114 St. Joseph Blvd., Austin 512.614.6622 slcsaustin.org Visits welcome anytime; contact school office to make an appointment. San Juan Diego Catholic High School 800 Herndon Ln., Austin 512.804.1935 sjdchs.org Open House: Oct. 25, Noon-2 p.m. St. Louis Catholic School 2208 N. 23rd, Waco 254.754.2041 stlouiswaco.org Visits welcome anytime; contact school office to make an appointment. Santa Cruz Catholic School 1100 Main St., Buda 512.312.2137 sccstx.org Visits welcome anytime; contact school office to make an appointment. 10 C ATHOLIC S PIRIT IN OUR WORLD Pope: Carry Gospel with you into the world BY CAROL GLATZ CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE Tuck the Gospel in your pocket and put on your walking shoes to share Christ’s love, peace and joy with the world, Pope Francis said. It is the Holy Spirit who inspires Christians to “overcome every obstacle, to conquer the temptation of being closed up in oneself –– among a chosen few” and to prevent people from believing they are “the only one destined for God’s blessing,” he said at his weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square Sept 17. The pope continued a series of talks on the nature of the Catholic Church, focusing on what it means to say the church is catholic and apostolic. The word catholic means the church is universal, he said. The church is found everywhere “and teaches the whole truth that mankind must learn regarding the heavens and the earth,” he said. One sign of the church’s universality is that it speaks every language of the world. The Gospel was translated into the world’s different languages, the pope said, so people could read it and encounter the living Word. “It’s always a good idea to carry with us a small book of the Gospels to have in your pocket or bag, and, during the day, to read a verse. It’s good for you,” he said. The reason the church is universal, in fact, is because it is missionary, he said. The Holy Spirit enabled the apostles and the whole church to “go out” and proclaim to the ends of the earth the good news of salvation and God’s love, he said. Without the presence of the Holy Spirit, a group of Christians could end up believing, “We are the chosen ones, just us,” he said. But such a group “eventually dies; Àrst their spirit dies, and then they will die as a body because they have no life, they are not able to generate life in others, in other peoples, they are not apostolic,” the pope said. “If the apostles had stayed put, there in the Cenacle,” where they shared the Last Supper with Jesus and where Jesus appeared to them after his resurrection, “without going forth to preach the Gospel, then the church would only be a church for that people, in that city, in that room. But they all headed out for the world,” he said. The church was born “heading out, meaning it is missionary,” he said. The church is apostolic because it is founded on the apostles and remains in continuity with them, he said. The pope asked people to give thanks to the Lord for inspiring so many “heroic” missionaries, who “left everything behind in order to proclaim Jesus Christ” to the world. The church has had many missionaries and “still needs many more,” he said, urging young people to follow God’s call and be courageous in bringing the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Being part of a church that is catholic and apostolic means the faithful must “take to heart the salvation of all of humanity, to not be indifferent to or removed from the fate of our brothers and sisters, but rather to be open and in solidarity with them.” It also means people should always feel “sent off” on a mission that is “in communion with the successors of the Apostles and to proclaim –– with their heart full of joy –– Christ and his love for all of humanity.” Praying for and supporting the missions Each year Catholic dioceses celebrate Mission Month during October, and this year World Mission Sunday is Oct. 19. A special collection will be taken up in all parishes Oct. 18-19 to bene¿t the Propagation of the Faith, which a Ponti¿cal Mission Society. This year’s theme for World Mission Sunday is “I Will Build My Church,” based on Matthew 16:18. During the month of October, parishes and families are invited to pray for the missions and to support them as they seek to bring the faith throughout the world. In this year’s message for World Mission Day, Pope Francis encourages everyone to help the missionary work of the church. “Today vast numbers of people still do not know Jesus Christ. For this reason, the mission ad gentes continues to be most urgent. All the members of the Church are called to participate in this mission, for the Church is missionary by her nature …”. Please learn more about the poor world missions. Through prayer and ¿nancial support, the Diocese of Austin joins in solidarity with the missionaries who help the faith to grow and allow the established missions to continue to provide pastoral care, the sacraments and the basic needs such as food, water, medical care and education to the poorest of the poor in foreign lands. To read the Message of Pope Francis for World Mission Day 2014, visit w2.vatican.va/content/ francesco/en/messages/missions/documents/papa-francesco_20140608_giornata-missionaria2014.html. Upcoming Events Dec. 5-7: Silent Advent Retreat Nov. 22: Evangelizing in the Spirit of Pope Francis with Fr. Bruce Nieli OCT. 11, OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE WITH REV. PEDRO GARCIA Join us as Father Pedro Garcia, pastor at St. Elizabeth in Pflugerville, presents on Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas. The story of Juan Diego and his encounter with Our Lady is a beautiful example of his yes to God. The reflection will begin at 9:00 a.m. and conclude at noon. Cost: $15 OCT. 18, SINGLE PARENT SPIRITUALITY RETREAT WITH REV. BARRY CUBA Come join us as Father Barry Cuba, of St. Mary’s Catholic Center in College Station, will discuss ways of keeping your spirituality alive as a busy, single parent. Reflect on the struggles and triumphs of living your faith as a single parent. Cost: $35 (incl. lunch) NOV. 19, THE GRACE OF TURNING IT OVER AND LETTING GO The eleventh step of Alcoholics Anonymous states: “Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.” This will be a faith sharing retreat with communal prayer, individual prayer and small group sharing. Cheryl “Max” Maxwell, Director for the Office of Worship, will present this day. Cost: $35 (incl. lunch) “Seek first his g p over yyou.” kingship Matthew M atthew 66:33 :33 5602 STATE HWY. 317N, TEMPLE, TX 76502 P.O. BOX 58 BELTON, TX 76513 (mailing address) TO REGISTER FOR AN EVENT: (254) 780-2436, cedarbrake@austindiocese.org or www.austindiocese.org/cedarbrake, click on “upcoming retreats” Visit us online! WEBSITE: austindiocese.org/cedarbrake FACEBOOK: facebook.com/cedarbrake October 2014 11 IN OUR WORLD Despite ‘War on Poverty,’ prosperity seems elusive Poverty.” While some skirmishes were won in that war –– senior citizens, for instance, are far from the brink of economic disaster as they had been two generations ago –– poverty persists across all demographic groups. Even among non-Hispanic whites, the most afÁuent of demographic groups, the poverty rate is 9.6 percent, or close to 10 percent. Pope Francis, talking in June to participants at an investment conference in Rome, said it was “increasingly intolerable” that the world’s Ànancial markets have the power to determine people’s fate instead of being at the service of people’s needs. He also criticized the way “the few derive immense wealth from Ànancial speculation while the many are deeply burdened by the consequences.” Here’s a snapshot of some states and their struggles with poverty: • In Texas, 4.5 million still live below the poverty line, although the poverty rate dropped to 17.5 percent, although in the Rio Grande Valley, the rate is double that. In the valley, median family income is $33,219, or 64 percent that of the state median of According to the Census $51,563. Hidalgo County set a Bureau’s new statistics, released new minimum wage for county Sept. 16, poverty in the U.S. is workers of $10.10 an hour, down, but only slightly. but Hidalgo is just one of 254 The actual number of peocounties in Texas. ple living in poverty in 2013 • Tennessee’s poverty rate is unchanged at 4.53 million, dipped from 17.9 percent to but because of continued 17.8 percent, but that’s of little population growth in the U.S., comfort to 1.1 million Tennesthe percentage of Americans seans living below the poverty living in poverty is down 0.5 line. “No matter how you meapercentage points, from 15.0 sure it, Tennessee remains in percent to 14.5 percent. the bottom 10 percent of peoSo if you think prosperity’s ple making ends meet,” Linda just around the corner, it’s an O’Neal, executive director of awfully long block the nation the Tennessee Commission on must walk to get to that corner. Children and Youth, told Pub“We’d expect poverty to lic News Service. “More than drop now that we’re in the one in four Tennessee children Àfth year of an economic relives in a family experiencing covery, right?” asked Gregory economic stress.” Acs, director of the Income • In neighboring Kenand BeneÀts Policy Center at tucky, the poverty rate took a the Urban Institute, a Washpronounced slide, from 19.4 ington think tank. percent to 18.8 percent. But Acs’ comment alludes to while child poverty nationwide the intractability of poverty and slid from 22 percent in 2012 the long, tough slog it is trying to 20 percent last year, Kento get tens of millions out of tucky’s child poverty rate is poverty, given that 50 years 25.3 percent. Some in Kenago, then-President Lyndon tucky are pressing the state to Johnson declared a “War on OK a statewide earned income tax credit for its poor; the U.S. bishops have Pastoral Associate -- Christ the King Parish in Dallas backed the Christ the King Parish in Dallas seeks a Pastoral Associate who EITC at the will be responsible for coordination of all parish marriage prepa- national level. The Urban ration, RCIA program, sacramental preparation and other duties Institute’s Acs as assigned by the pastor. Extensive pastoral experience at the said the new parish level is required; must have master’s degree in Theology; poverty Àgures working knowledge of Canon Law is preferred. This is a full-time don’t take into position with complete diocesan bene¿t package. If quali¿ed, account pre-tax send resumé with brief narrative to parishmail@ctkdallas.org. cash income, food assistance BY MARK PATTISON CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE and rental subsidies as well as tax-based assistance like EITC. An alternative Census Bureau poverty measure, called the Supplemental Poverty Measure, includes these types of assistance, but Acs said it doesn’t substantively change the poverty rate. On the other hand, the federal poverty line remains unchanged –– and probably unrealistic –– at $23,550 for a family of four. That would mean living on $452.88 a week. “While we can debate what kind of success the war on poverty has been, we haven’t eliminated poverty. We haven’t eliminated racial discrimination. We haven’t –– we still have issues, I guess, to drop any pretense of eloquence,” Acs told Catholic News Service. “It’s useful to see where we are, where we’ve come from, and how we’ve changed. But if you looked through a more pessimistic lens, we haven’t made a lot of progress,” he added. “One of the things that has probably worked against progress is the way the criminal justice system has differently impacted African-American families –– the high levels of incarceration among less-educated African-American men,” Acs said. “You can’t blithely say that ‘if we just don’t put people in jail things would be much better,’ because crime-ridden neighborhoods are a problem,” he continued, adding the question has to be asked whether “the types of crimes people were arrested for and jailed for long periods of time warrants the disruption the removal of large number of people from the economy, from their families. “With a prison record, it’s much harder Ànding a job –– not nearly as economically viable as it was before. ... and probably contributes the seeming lack of progress.” What would happen to poverty if the nation didn’t do anything to Àght it? “The overall trend in the labor market, the effects of technology and globalization, an increase in inequality, stagnation of wages, more beneÀts accruing to capital than to labor, without active anti-poverty programs one could reasonably expect that poverty would have grown worse, Acs said. “The counter-argument is that people would have worked harder if they didn’t have the safety net.” Pope Francis, in his apostolic exhortation “The Joy of the Gospel,” wrote of an “exponentially” growing gap between rich and poor, which he blamed for, among other things, environmental degradation and rising violence. He attributed the gap to the inÁuence of bad economic ideas. And what if government did, at least Àguratively, throw money at the problem? Acs said there are a limited number of experiments underway in which poor people are given sufÀcient funds for themselves and their families, but the efforts are at too early of a stage to draw conclusions about the effectiveness. Reliable, Carefree, Expertly Run Travel! Every Parent Needs a Little CPR Now and Then . . . Grand European Cruise & Tour Commemorating D-Day’s 71st Anniversary Yours Is Waiting in San Antonio! 17 Days from $1899* DECEMBER 6, 2014, 11 AM - 5 PM Parents from across the country are invited to join together, both onsite and online, to revive their own faith, become more motivated, and feel supported in the daily effort of growing faith as a family. During the Catholic Parent Revival, parents will be be treated to a day of inspiring speakers, moving music, and meaningful prayer as they breathe new life into the role that faith takes within their home, the domestic church. (CPR is a service of the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry, Inc., www.nfcym.org) www.nccym.info/program/cpr.htm www.strongcatholicfamilies.org Departs April 23, 2015. Fly into the vibrant city of Barcelona (two-nights). Enjoy a guided sightseeing tour highlighting Antoni Guadi’s most prominent works of architecture including the Sagrada Familia Church and stroll through iconic La Rambla. The following day embark on Holland America Line’s ms Eurodam for your 12-night cruise. Visit the Spanish ports of Valencia, Cartagena, Cadiz and Vigo, full of historic sites; Gibraltar, British Territory and Lisbon, Portugal. Relax for a day at sea and continue to: Portland, United Kingdom; Cherbourg, France, within reach of the D-Day landing beaches; Zeebrugge, Belgium and Copenhagen, Denmark. Disembark and enjoy a city tour where you’ll see the majestic City Hall and the cherished Little Mermaid landmark. Mass is offered daily on board ship. * PPDO. Based on inside stateroom, upgrades available. Plus $299 tax/service/government fees. Add-on airfare available. Call for Details! 888-817-9538 Trav with o el Catho ther lics! 12 C ATHOLIC S PIRIT IN OUR WORLD New Jersey sister is on the path to sainthood BY AL FRANK CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE Although Sister Miriam Teresa Demjanovich was personally unassuming, the spiritual impact she had on other Sisters of Charity of St. Elizabeth was so unmistakable that they began the effort to have her canonized soon after her May 8, 1927, death in Paterson, N.J. Her cause will advance Oct. 4, when she will be declared Blessed Miriam Teresa at a beatiÀcation Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark. She will be the Àrst American to be beatiÀed in the U.S. Cardinal Angelo Amato, prefect of the Congregation for Saints’ Causes, will celebrate the Mass, joined by Newark Archbishop John J. Myers, Paterson Bishop Arthur J. Serratelli and Bishop Kurt Burnette, head of the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Passaic. The church leaders represent local churches that all claim the daughter of Slovakian immigrants –– she was born in Bayonne, baptized in the Eastern Catholic Church and educated at St. Elizabeth College in Morris Township, SISTER MIRIAM TERESA DEMJANOVICH, a Sister of Charity, will be the ¿rst American to be beati¿ed in the U.S. (CNS photo/courtesy of Sisters of Charity of St. Elizabeth) God is calling. Are you listening? The Congregation of Holy Cross has retreat programs for high school, college, and post graduate men designed to guide you along the way as you seek to hear and answer God’s call. Learn more, retreats.holycrossvocations.org where her remains are entombed in the chapel of her congregation’s motherhouse. Cardinal Amato will read the declaration of beatiÀcation near the beginning of Mass after a short biography is read and a portrait of her is unveiled. Many Sisters of Charity plan to attend the liturgy, which will include a procession with a reliquary containing locks of Sister Miriam’s reddish brown hair, cut after her death of appendicitis at age 26. Sister Miriam was known for her bad eyesight, and her intercession was invoked for Michael Mencer, a New Jersey boy who was going blind. His complete cure in 1964 was authenticated by the Vatican as having no medical explanation and was endorsed by Pope Francis in December. In general, one conÀrmed miracle is needed for beatiÀcation and a second such miracle for canonization. The youngest of seven children, Sister Miriam delayed college to care for her invalid mother, who died when “Treat”–– as Sister Miriam was called –– was 18. Because of her poor eyesight, she was rejected by the convent of contemplatives she wanted to enter before she joined a teaching community. “Miriam’s life of aligning her life to the will of God is a model for all of us,” said Sister Mary Canavan, a former general superior of the Sisters of Charity of St. Elizabeth who is the fourth sister to serve as vice postulator of Sister Miriam’s cause. “I don’t know if we need another saint in the church per se, except that her message that we all are called to holiness is signiÀcant to everyone in this troubled world, because it will take all of us to help bring about the reign of God,” Sister Mary told the New Jersey Catholic, Newark’s archdiocesan magazine. Sister Mary also noted that Sister Miriam embraced selÁessness and had an acute awareness of God’s presence in her life. Because she was baptized in the Eastern Catholic Church, her cause also is championed by the Eparchy of Passaic, which has jurisdiction over the Eastern churches from Maine to Florida. Also endorsing the cause is the Archdiocese of Newark, where Bayonne is located, and the Diocese of Paterson, whose territory includes the Chapel of the Holy Family in the Convent Station section of Morris Township, where Sister Miriam’s body is entombed. Sister Miriam was said to be aware of a special call at age 3. “Even before she entered the Sisters of Charity, she was living a saintly life,” Sister Mary said. After graduating second in her class from Bayonne High School in 1917, she cared for her mother and her Familiar with curriculum at family St. Michael’s Catholic Academy for two Experienced with learning years disabilities before bunnyjou@gmail.com enrolling at the College or 512.448.1235 Tutoring Bunny Joubert, MSW of St. Elizabeth in Convent Station. She majored in literature and graduated in 1923 with highest honors “but was in a state of perplexity as to the future,” according to a biography by Sister Mary Zita Geis, a Sister of Charity. Sister Miriam was drawn to a contemplative Carmelite community in New York but was rejected because her poor eyesight would have prevented her from helping with the sewing of the liturgical vestments the nuns made to support themselves. The Sisters of Charity hired her to teach Latin and English at the Academy of St. Aloysius in Jersey City, which closed in 2006. She left teaching to care for her ill father, who operated a shoe repair business and after he died, she entered the Sisters of Charity novitiate in 1925. In the winter of 1927, she was hospitalized several times and so, when she complained of pain just a few months later, her superiors suspected hypochondria. When she was again hospitalized, it was for acute appendicitis. She died just after taking her vows as a fully professed sister. Only after her death did conÀdantes reveal she had described having a vision Mary in her sophomore year and of walking with St. Therese, which occurred during her novitiate. On her body’s return to Convent Station from the hospital, one of the sisters cut locks of her hair. After her burial, visitors began chipping pieces from the granite cross at her grave. Sister Mary said her work on Sister Miriam’s cause has helped her to better understand the Gospel message “Many are called, but few are chosen,” which she said is embodied in Sister Miriam, an example of living a holy life. St. Mary Parish in Brenham invites you to join us as we celebrate our 24th Annual POLISH HERITAGE FESTIVAL Sunday, Oct. 26 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Serving traditional home-made Polish foods –– Sausage (Kielbasa), Rosol Z Kury, Czarnina -- from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Adult plates: $8; children: $5 Music provided by Daniel and the Country Boys Activities: live auction, cake booth, country store, games for all ages. For information, call St. Mary·s Catholic Church at (979) 836-4441. October 2014 13 IN OUR WORLD In Albania, pope stresses peace, non-violence he said, and the “more men and women are at the service of others, the greater their freedom.” Killing in the name of The pope said Albania was God is sacrilege, and religious a “land of heroes” and a “land leaders must denounce the of martyrs,” whose people use of faith to justify violence stood Àrm in the face of opand oppression, Pope Francis pression and persecution. said during a one-day visit to It withstood centuries of Albania. Ottoman rule, followed by an In a world “where an auindependence that degenerthentic religious spirit is being ated into decades of oppresperverted and where religious sive communist control. The differences are being distorted totalitarian regime founded by and exploited,” Albania is an Enver Hoxha claimed to liber“aspiring example” to everyone ate the people from the conthat peaceful coexistence is straints of all religions, turning possible, Pope Francis told Al- the country into the only athebania President Bujar Nishani ist nation in the world. and other dignitaries upon his “It promised a paradise arrival in the country Sept. 21. without God, but it left instead No one should “consider a hell with no consolation,” themselves to be the ‘armor’ of Archbishop Rrok Mirdita of God while planning and carTirana told the pope during rying out acts of violence and a morning Mass in Mother oppression,” the pope said. Teresa Square. The pope told reporters Despite the risks of torture, on the papal plane he chose to imprisonment and execution, visit the Balkan nation because people held onto their faith, the peaceful collaboration bepraying and passing on their tween its Muslim-majority pop- traditions underground. ulation and minority Catholic Hearing of such atrocities and Orthodox communities “is brought the pope to tears in a beautiful sign for the world.” one of the most moving mo“It’s a signal I want to ments of the one-day trip. send,” he said, that religion, far Tirana’s cathedral was otherfrom causing division, is the wise silent as 84-year-old Father very foundation of freedom Ernest Simoni recounted his and brotherhood. story during a vespers service. In a meeting with Muslim, Father Simoni spent nearly Christian and Catholic lead30 years in prison work camps, ers and representatives, Pope where he suffered continual Francis said “authentic reliphysical and psychological gion is a source of peace, not torture because he refused to violence” and any “distorted denounce the church. use of religion must be Àrmly When the atheist regime refuted as false.” fell in 1991, the priest immedi“To kill in the name of ately went back to his ministry, God is sacrilege. To discrimiurging feuding Christians in nate in the name of God is mountain villages to embrace inhuman,” he said. God’s love and let go of hatred The pope encouraged Aland revenge. bania’s religious communities When the priest Ànished, to continue working toward he approached the pope, who the common good. extended his arms to embrace “We need each other,” him. But the priest dropped BY CAROL GLATZ CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE to his knees to kiss the pope’s ring. Moved to tears as they embraced, the pope removed his glasses and paused a moment more as the two men rested their foreheads against each other. The pope later put aside his prepared text, saying the intense courage and humility shown by the priest and other victims of the dictatorship showed that the only way to Ànd the strength to survive such brutality was in God. During a meeting with volunteers and children at the Bethany Center, a residence for disabled and poor children, the pope said faith through charity “dislodges the mountains of indifference, of disbelief, of apathy.” Helping others is what “opens hands and hearts to what is good,” he said. “The secret to a good life is found in loving and giving oneself for love’s sake,” he said. “Goodness offers inÀnitely more than money, which only disappoints, because we have been created to receive the love of God and to offer it, not measuring everything in terms of money or power.” Before praying the Angelus in Mother Teresa Square, the pope told young people to build their future on Christ, saying “‘No’ to the idolatry of money, ‘No’ to the false freedom of individualism, ‘No’ to addiction and to violence.” He urged them instead to say, “‘Yes’ to a culture of encounter and of solidarity, ‘Yes’ to beauty,” the good and the true, and to a life lived with enthusiasm and “faithful in little things.” Jurgen Lleshaj, a young man Eagle’s Wings Retreat Center Presents its First 5K Fun Run th c. 6 De t Ɵme , y a tar s urd n Sat a.m. Ɵo 0 3 stra th i g 9: e 5 ly r . 1 ear e Nov 5 r 3 $ efo b Fea tu Me Olym red G da pic ue l to spe ist Le Silve st: oM r ak par and anz Ɵci run ano pan wi th ts To register, visit our website www.unbearablefunrun.weebly.com or www.ewrc.org. POPE FRANCIS greets a Muslim representative during a meeting with leaders of other religions at the Catholic University of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Tirana, Albania, Sept. 21. (CNS photo by Paul Haring) from the diocese of Rreshen, in northern Albania, told Catholic News Service that his faith gives him the courage to face an uncertain life because, “without God, there is nothing.” “Our parents had to pray in secret, and we learned from them there is no life without Jesus,” said Lemida Zogu, a young woman with the Rreshen diocesan youth group. Young people made up a large part of the jubilant crowds of some 300,000 who turned out to welcome the pope. Many Muslims, who make up more than half the country’s population, were in attendance as well as large groups of Catholics, who make up about 15 percent of all inhabitants. Many took buses from other parts of Albania or walked from their homes in Tirana. Security was typical for a foreign papal journey, with streets and rooftops dotted with police and the roads lined with metal barricades partitioning out the popemobile route. All cellular service, however, was jammed by authorities for several hours as an extra precaution. The Vatican repeated earlier assurances that there were no “speciÀc threats” against the pope, who rode around the main square twice before Mass in the same open-air jeep he uses at general audiences in Rome. Create Your Legacy With Us www.catholicfdn.org For more information about how to include the Catholic church in your will or estate plan, contact Scott Whitaker at (512) 949-2441 or scott-whitaker@austindiocese.org 14 C ATHOLIC S PIRIT IN OUR WORLD Prayers welcome as Synod on Family begins BY FRANCIS X. ROCCA CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE Two weeks before the start of an extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the family, the Vatican announced the formation of a special commission to reform the process of granting marriage annulments. “The work of the commission will start as soon as possible and will have as its goal to prepare a proposal of reform of the matrimonial process, with the objective of simplifying its procedure, making it more streamlined, and safeguarding the principle of the indissolubility of matrimony,” said a Vatican statement Sept. 20. The new body’s work will address what Pope Francis has identiÀed as a key challenge in the “pastoral care of marriage.” “There is the legal problem of marriage nullity, this has to be reviewed, because ecclesiastical tribunals are not sufÀcient for this,” the pope told reporters in July 2013. Pope Francis related the problem of annulments to the situation of divorced and civilly remarried Catholics, whose predicament he said exempliÀes a general need for mercy in the church today. According to church teaching, such Catholics may not receive Communion unless they obtain an annulment of their Àrst, sacramental, marriage or abstain from sexual relations, living with their new partners as “brother and sister.” A proposal to allow some divorced and civilly remarried Catholics to receive Communion without meeting either of those conditions, introduced by German Cardinal Walter JOE WOLF JODY SUPAK 245-519-1492 joe.wolf@kofc.org Killeen, Harker Heights, Copperas Cove, Granger 979-968-5332 jody.supak@kofc.org LaGrange, Giddings, Somerville, Texas A&M EDDIE MAZUREK DOUG SUPAK 512-301-1218 edwin.mazurek@ kofc.org Austin, Smithville, Blanco, Bastrop, Wimberley 979-968-5332 douglas.supak@ kofc.org Bryan-College Station, Brenham, Caldwell TED PATAKI DWAIN DUNGEN 512-983-6303 theodore.pataki@ kofc.org Cedar Park, Taylor, West Austin 979-732-1557 dwain.dungen@ kofc.org Fayetteville, Columbus LOUIS BARRON CLINT HAJOVSKY 512-750-7491 louis.barron@ kofc.org Pflugerville, Hutto, Elgin 254-295-0430 clinton.hajovsky@ kofc.org Temple, Rockdale, Hearne, Mexia DOUG DEGROOT WILLIAM JENSEN 512-294-2406 douglas.degroot@ kofc.org Georgetown, Marble Falls, Burnet 512-282-2656 william.jensen@ kofc.org Dripping Springs, South Austin PAUL LALLY JOHN SUMNER 512-541-7695 paul.lally@ kofc.org Round Rock, North Austin (254) 652-5967 john.sumner@ kofc.org Waco, West Kasper at a meeting of the world’s cardinals in February, is expected to be one of the most discussed issues at the two-week synod on the family, which opens Oct. 5. The new commission on the annulment process, which Pope Francis established Aug. 27, has 10 members, including Cardinal Francesco Coccopalmerio, president of the PontiÀcal Council for Legislative Texts, and Archbishop Luis Ladaria Ferrer, secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, has joined Pope Francis and the ofÀce for the Synod of Bishops in encouraging Catholics to pray for the work of the extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the family will take place at the Vatican Oct. 5-19. Catholics can say this prayer at www.usccb.org/ issues-and-action/marriageand-family/upload/September-28-2014-Day-of-Prayerfor-Synod.pdf and they are encouraged to pray the rosary daily during the synod. Archbishop Kurtz will be attending the synod as part of a U.S. delegation of bishops including Cardinals Timothy M. Dolan of New York and Donald W. Wuerl of Washington and Archbishop William C. Skurla of the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh. More than 250 participants, including 14 married couples from around the world, are expected to attend October’s extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the family. In addition to the 114 presidents of national bishops’ conferences, 13 heads of Eastern Catholic churches and 25 heads of Vatican congregations and councils, the pope appointed 26 synod fathers to take part as well. Almost all of the 26 papally appointed voting members are from Europe. Of these, none of the 14 cardinals, eight bishops and four priests appointed by the pope is from North America or other Englishspeaking countries. Voting synod members include ofÀcials from the Roman Curia, heads of the Eastern churches, and archbishops of churches “sui iuris,” including Byzantine Archbishop William C. Skurla of Pittsburgh. Founded by a priest Dedicated to the Church Committed to ethics Here to protect your and your family TOM SUPAK AGENCY SERVING THE AUSTIN DIOCESE Tom Supak, General Agent 979-968-9800 thomas.supak@kofc.org Call Tom to learn about career opportunities. LIFE INSURANCE DISABILITY INSURANCE LO N G - T E R M CA R E RETIREMENT ANNUITIES GOOD NEWS October 2014 15 Catholic Services Appeal: A Joy Which is Shared BISHOP JOE S. VÁSQUEZ is the ¿fth bishop of the Austin Diocese. He shepherds more than 530,000 Catholics in 25 Central Texas counties. Editor: The Diocese of Austin will kick off the annual Catholic Services Appeal at the beginning of November. Please tell us about the Catholic Services Appeal. How is it different from the other special collections that are taken up in parishes? Bishop Vásquez: Catholic Services Appeal (CSA) is our diocesanwide appeal to fund the ministries and services that we provide within the Diocese of Austin. We are blessed to have many ministries that provide for the religious needs, the spiritual needs and the human needs of people throughout our diocese. Through the CSA, we sustain religious education, Catholic schools, ministerial formation, seminarian formation and initiatives for life, peace and justice. One example of the impact of the CSA is found in the formation of our seminarians. We currently have 47 men in formation, and every year, through generous donations of our people to the CSA, the diocese is able to completely fund the education of our future priests. The CSA also helps us take care of our retired priests, ensuring that they have a place to call home and that their medical needs are met upon retirement. Many other ministries are assisted by the CSA, such as Catholic Charities of Central Texas, which every day reaches out to people in need through the Project Gabriel Life Centers, Immigration Legal Services, and disaster relief. Our diocese is one of the fastest growing dioceses in the country, with more than 70 people moving to the Austin area every day. In order for us to serve so many people we must ask all Catholics to contribute to this appeal. We need all of us to contribute so that we can take care of the growing needs throughout our diocese, which covers 25 counties in Central Texas from north of Waco to San Marcos and from College Station to Mason. Editor: The theme for this year’s CSA is “A Joy Which is Shared.” What is the inspiration behind this theme? Bishop Vásquez: The theme is based on Mark 16:15, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.” As Catholics we are called to go out to the ends of the world and proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ. By our baptism, we are invited to share in the same mission that Jesus himself did which is to go into the world and proclaim the love of God with joy and compassion. Through the Catholic Services Appeal, we can help form children, adults, ministers, priests, deacons, etc. in sharing the Good News with others. “A Joy Which is Shared” also springs from our Holy Father Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation, “The Joy of the Gospel.” “The Church which ‘goes forth’ is a community of missionary disciples who take the Àrst step, who are involved and supportive, who bear fruit and rejoice. An evangelizing community knows that the Lord has taken the initiative, he has loved us Àrst … therefore we can move forward, boldly take the initiative, go out to others, seek those who have fallen away, stand at the crossroads and welcome the outcast. Such a community has an endless desire to show mercy, the fruit of its own experience of the power of the Father’s inÀnite mercy,” the pope writes in “The Joy of the Gospel.” The Holy Father has reiterated many times that as Christians we should be people Àlled with joy because we have encountered the living Christ. And our encounter with Christ, drives us to share his love with others. The joy that is shared comes from the very heart and essence of who we are and the mission of the church. “Christians have the duty to pro- claim the Gospel without excluding anyone. Instead of seeming to impose new obligations, they should appear as people who wish to share their joy, who point to a horizon of beauty and who invite others to a delicious banquet. It is not by proselytizing that the Church grows, but by attraction,” Pope Francis writes in “The Joy of the Gospel.” Editor: How does the Catholic Services Appeal provide us with an opportunity to share the joy of the Gospel? Bishop Vásquez: First of all, it provides all Catholics with a way to contribute Ànancially. As Catholic Christians, we believe that everything we have, everything we are, and everything we will become is a gift from God. As stewards of those gifts, we are called to return a portion of our time, talent and treasure in gratitude for God’s great bounty. Giving to the CSA is one small way to realize how we have been blessed and thus take a portion of our blessings and share it with others. The Catholic Services Appeal is an expression of our solidarity with others. Through our donations and prayerful support of the CSA, we are united with our brothers and sisters in a bond of service and love. The Catholic Services Appeal gives us the opportunity to look beyond the immediate needs of our home parishes, to see the needs present in the larger community. It is also important to remember that if we are unable to donate Ànancially right now, we can commit to praying for the needs of our church on a regular basis. As we hear in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” Editor: You have mentioned how important the Catholic Services Appeal is at the diocesan level. Can you explain how it affects the local parishes? Bishop Vásquez: What we do here at the Diocese of Austin is seek to serve the needs of all people in the diocese. Our staff’s Àrst priority is to serve the parishes and schools. We have on staff personnel who work with and train youth ministers, catechists, campus ministers, prison ministers, parish social ministers, worship leaders and clergy members who work in our parishes. We seek to help our parish leaders be more effective in all that they do. We work with priests, deacons and lay ministers to help them share the joy of Christ with others. Editor: What is your prayer for the CSA? Bishop Vásquez: My prayer is that we the Catholic faithful of the Diocese of Austin will experience the joy of sharing through our participation in the Catholic Services of Appeal. May we see that we are indeed building the Kingdom of God as we share our joy with others. GOOD NEWS 16 C ATHOLIC S PIRIT Sharing God’s love halfway around the world BY ALISON TATE GUEST COLUMNIST Sitting in the front pew of a large, crowded church the day after we arrived in Kigali, Rwanda, we felt very much like outsiders. As part of the 2014 Catholic Relief Services Called to Witness delegation, myself and eight other American youth and young adult ministry leaders were participating in a Sunday Mass that was different from what we experience at our home parishes. The priest welcomed our group during announcements at the end of Mass (those are universal, it seems), saying, “Your presence shows all of us the unity of our church. This is your home because we are all God’s children.” My Àrst thought was, “What could they learn from our presence? We are here to learn from them!” I quickly realized, however, that the priest’s warm hospitality and emphasis on unity was the norm rather than the exception, as we saw it time and time again in practice during our time in Rwanda. In “Guests of God: Stewards of Divine Creation,” Monica Hellwig writes, “We are God’s guests, invited to make the most of the divine hospitality and to mediate it to one another and to the rest of creation.” As Catholics, hospitality Áows out of our love of Christ. We experienced overwhelming hospitality everywhere we went in Rwanda, whether we were in a city visiting with church ofÀcials or traveling on bumpy roads to rural villages for demonstrations of Catholic Relief Services (CRS) projects. We were met with smiles, music, dancing and the common greeting, “You are welcome,” as in, I am happy you are here. CRS has been working in Rwanda since 1960. Their mission is to increase the quality of life with projects in areas such as agriculture, nutrition, entrepreneurship, Ànancial education and peace building. CRS is unique in that they focus on the most vulnerable population, many times the rural poor who live in remote areas. The staff of CRS Rwanda, almost all of them Rwandans themselves, shared with us that this is challenging, but that service to the most vulnerable yields a greater positive impact on the life of Rwandans. CRS, as an organization, is able to be very effective in their programs and demonstrate good stewardship of their resources at the same time. They are able to positively impact the lives of hundreds of thousands of Rwandans with a staff of 30 and only six to eight percent of their budget being used for overhead expenses. The rest directly funds programming. After three to Àve years, each project is turned over to be managed by the local beneÀciaries themselves. Those who participate in CRS programs are provided with the knowledge and skills for self-reliance so that they may make their lives better for themselves, their families and their communities. The fruits of these programs are sometimes surprising, however. In one village, we met with the leaders of a Savings and Internal Lending Community (SILC). These savings-led en economic activity in their village microÀnance organizations support the and overcome poverty. creation and growth of small businessThere is a Rwandan expression, es in developing communities. “A single leaf offers no shade.” Our This group, called “Hope,” was human nature insists that we must quite successful. With the SILC progather together to do the work we are called to do, whether that is organizgram, they are able to support each ing small farms into cooperatives so other and themselves in cultivating business activities such as growing pro- that they may receive better prices for duce, raising livestock, building houses, their crops at market, or the gathering of neighbors at a Catholic parish to or selling items like personal goods and building supplies. In one year, they facilitate continued reconciliation and healing of communities torn apart by were able to save 200,000 Rwandan the genocide. francs, in two years, 800,000; and in What I learned on the trip is that no three years, they had saved 2 million matter what we do, we must respond Rwandan francs as a group. These together to God’s love for us. Gracious savings serve as capital that can then hospitality and welcoming environments be accessed by the 30 members of the are how we share God’s love with others group or lent to others. CRS provides and how we build bridges. training in areas such as money management and conÁict resolution so that they are able to manage themselves effectively. When asked about their favorite aspects of the program, they told us that the friendships that have grown between the members are the best thing that has come out of their SILC experience. They shared that in working as ALISON TATE, the diocesan director of Youth, Young a group, they are Adults and Campus Ministry, traveled with Catholic able to support Relief Services and other youth and young adult one another in ministers to Rwanda in August. (Photo by Eric Groth) business, strength- Special collection for the Holy Land totals The Holy Land Special Collection was taken up April 18 in parishes throughout the diocese. If your parish Ànds an error, call (512) 949-2423. Parish Totals Austin Central Deanery Austin, Cristo Rey $827.62 Austin, Holy Cross $620.00 Austin, Our Lady of Guadalupe $742.92 Austin, St. Austin $1,468.82 Austin, St. Ignatius $3,074.98 Austin, St. Julia $278.61 Austin, St. Mary Cathedral $778.22 Austin, San Jose $1,505.00 Austin, University Catholic Center $451.50 Austin Central Totals $9,747.67 Austin North Deanery Austin, Holy Vietnamese Martyrs $2,700.00 Austin, Sacred Heart $2,559.00 Austin, St. Albert the Great $2,421.00 Austin, St. Louis $7,963.28 Austin, St. Theresa $2,884.00 Austin, St. Thomas More $5,549.80 Austin, St. Vincent de Paul $4,073.00 Cedar Park, St. Margaret Mary $2,507.33 Lago Vista, Our Lady of the Lake $774.00 Austin North Totals $31,431.41 Austin South Deanery Austin, Our Lady of Sorrows (Dolores) $651.00 Austin, St. Andrew Kim $200.00 Austin, St. Catherine of Siena $2,844.21 Austin, St. John Neumann $1,248.65 Austin, St. Paul $1,898.00 Austin, St. Peter the Apostle $1,045.00 Austin, San Francisco Javier $395.00 Lakeway, Emmaus $2,339.10 Austin South Totals $10,620.96 Bastrop/Lockhart Deanery Bastrop, Ascension $1,987.52 Parish Totals Elgin, Sacred Heart $418.00 Luling, St. John $344.00 Martindale, Immaculate Heart $232.00 Rockne, Sacred Heart $726.25 Smithville, St. Paul $1,017.00 String Prairie, Assumption $549.00 Uhland, St.Michael $434.24 Bastrop/Lockhart Totals $5,708.01 Brenham/La Grange Deanery Brenham, St. Mary $1,699.00 Chappell Hill, St. Stanislaus $536.50 Dime Box, St. Joseph $348.00 Ellinger/Hostyn Hill, St. Mary $494.00 Burton, Sacred Heart $114.00 Fayetteville, St. John $1,259.50 Giddings, St. Margaret $1,396.67 La Grange, Sacred Heart $1,169.00 Lexington, Holy Family $155.00 Old Washington on the Brazos, St. Mary $33.00 Pin Oak, St. Mary $200.00 Somerville, St. Ann $351.75 Brenham/La Grange Totals $7,756.42 Bryan/College Station Deanery Bremond, St. Mary $550.00 Bryan, St. Anthony $695.16 Bryan, Santa Teresa $669.00 Caldwell, St. Mary $664.00 College Station, St. Thomas Aquinas $1,861.88 Franklin, St. Francis of Assisi $678.00 Frenstat, Holy Rosary $135.00 Hearne, St. Mary $837.20 Bryan/College Station Totals $6,090.24 Georgetown/Round Rock Deanery Andice, Santa Rosa $1,251.00 Parish Totals Corn Hill, Holy Trinity $1,085.00 Georgetown, St. Helen $3,408.85 Granger, Sts. Cyril and Methodius $816.00 Manor, St. Joseph $356.00 PÀugerville, St. Elizabeth $897.00 Round Rock, St. John Vianney $3,334.12 Round Rock, St. William $12,142.00 Taylor, Our Lady of Guadalupe $338.15 Taylor, St. Mary of the Assumption $1,015.75 Georgetown/Round Rock Totals $24,643.87 Killeen/Temple Deanery Belton, Christ the King $2,003.00 Burlington, St. Michael $178.00 Cameron, St. Monica $166.00 Copperas Cove, Holy Family $3,082.00 Harker Heights, St. Paul Chong Hasang $4,018.50 Killeen, St. Joseph $1,754.15 Rogers, St. Matthew $230.00 Rosebud, St. Ann $245.51 Salado, St. Stephen $479.00 Temple, Our Lady of Guadalupe $515.00 Temple, St. Luke $2,221.00 Temple, St. Mary $2,152.91 Westphalia, Visitation $600.00 Killeen/Temple Totals $17,645.07 Lampasas/Marble Falls Deanery Bertram, Holy Cross $86.00 Burnet, Our Mother of Sorrows $357.00 Goldthwaite, St. Peter $26.00 Horseshoe Bay, St. Paul the Apostle $1,166.50 Kingsland, St. Charles Borromeo $570.00 Lampasas, St. Mary $427.93 Llano, Holy Trinity $553.00 Lometa, Good Shepherd $140.00 Parish Totals Marble Falls, St. John $939.84 Mason, St. Joseph $483.00 San Saba, St. Mary $174.00 Lampasas/Marble Falls Totals $4,923.27 San Marcos Deanery Blanco, St. Ferdinand $642.00 Buda, Santa Cruz $1,983.53 Dripping Springs, St. Martin de Porres $1,598.61 Johnson City, Good Shepherd $435.00 Kyle, St. Anthony Marie de Claret $3,179.18 San Marcos, Our Lady of Wisdom $331.75 San Marcos, St. John $1,572.09 Wimberley, St. Mary $559.00 San Marcos Totals $10,301.16 Waco Deanery Elk, St. Joseph $321.00 Gatesville, Our Lady of Lourdes $293.00 Hamilton, St. Thomas $276.00 Lott, Sacred Heart $115.00 McGregor, St. Eugene $354.00 Tours, St. Martin $346.00 Waco, Sacred Heart $400.00 Waco, St. Francis on the Brazos $453.45 Waco (Hewitt), St. Jerome $1,826.27 Waco, St. John the Baptist $107.50 Waco (Bellmead), St. Joseph $700.00 Waco, St. Louis $4,625.37 Waco, St. Mary of the Assumption $1,109.40 Waco, St. Peter Catholic Center $212.26 West, Church of the Assumption $1,202.00 Waco Totals $12,341.25 Grand Totals $141,209.33 GOOD NEWS October 2014 17 Building a church that is inclusive and welcoming BY BARBARA BUDDE COLUMNIST During this liturgical year, we are reading from the Gospel of Matthew, which Scripture scholars tell us was written to a Jewish Christian community struggling with the reality of new members coming to the faith as Gentiles. This summer we heard the story of Jesus who cured the daughter of a Canaanite woman because of her faith. In that story, Jesus moved beyond his own understanding that his mission was to his Jewish brothers and sisters. We also heard the story of the landowner who paid all workers the same wages no matter when they started working –– a story about God’s gracious salvation offered to all no matter when they come to belief. Matthew’s Gospel is an invitation to all of us to see how inclusive God’s house is. Right now our bishops are inviting us to a new inclusivity through their Cultural Diversity OfÀce. Like the community the Matthew addressed, we are a church that is facing cultural changes. In many areas, including the Diocese of Austin, the majority of Catholics will be Hispanic and Spanish speaking. We are also blessed in our diocese with AfricanAmerican and African Catholics as well as Asian and Asian-American Catholics. This reality invites us, as Matthew invited his community, to expand the horizons of what our faith looks like and feels like. Now and in the future, our church communities will not be as white and European American as they were in the past. This presents both opportunities and challenges. We have the opportunity to model peaceful inclusivity to our world which is torn by religious, national and tribal conÁicts. We can demonstrate that persons can live in peace and be in communion with one another even when there are differences of language and culture among us. As thousands of women and children cross our border seeking respite from violence and crushing poverty in their home countries, our nation has shown both hatred and kindness. As a church we modeled a commitment to human life and dignity by providing assistance through parishes and Catholic Charities agencies. We can continue to show our commitment to a diverse and inclusive community by working for comprehensive immigration reform. We also face challenges. Our parishes are becoming and will become more diverse. Are we really willing to welcome others? How can we move from being communities that “have a Spanish Mass” to communities that are multi-lingual and multi-cultural? Are we committed to the Gospel and Church of Jesus which is really catholic –– universal and reÁects that in language, music and environment or do we want a church that makes us comfortable? Another great challenge we face is racism. Our country has changed laws, but as a people we have never confronted the deep underlying reality of racism, which is a vestige of slavery. The demonstrations and tensions in Ferguson, Mo., this summer reveal this deep wound. In their 1979 pastoral letter, “Brothers and Sisters to Us,” the bishops of the U.S. declare that racism is a sin and acknowledge that racism exists both in the church and in society. Therefore, it can touch and affect all of us. This is not to say that any of us in particular are racists. Rather, by naming the reality of racism as a social sin we can all examine within ourselves the underlying cultural values we have absorbed about color and race. We continue to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus to the ends of the earth, but like Matthew’s community, this offers us the opportunities to become more inclusive in our thinking and living. It also challenges us to confront any attitudes and beliefs we have absorbed from our culture that are still in need of conversion - such as racism. As we conclude this liturgical year of reading from Matthew’s Gospel, perhaps we can also read teachings from our bishops that invite us to become a truly inclusive communion and community. “Welcoming the Stranger Among Us” and “Brothers and Sisters to Us” are both available on the USCCB website at www.usccb.org. Christ has made us one through Baptism, but we still need to make that a reality in our parishes. God will give us the grace and courage we need if we ask! BARBARA BUDDE is the diocesan director of social concerns. She can be reached at (512) 949-2471 or barbara-budde@ austindiocese.org. Annual Homecoming FESTIVAL Sunday, October 19 s me Ga es z i r P nts Barbecue 11:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. me esh Polish Sausage, Beef & Trimmings - $9 Refr hes wic Barbecue chicken & beef by the pound, Sand St. Mary’s in Bremond to go at the pit. Bingo from 4 to 8 p.m. 2805 Ranch Road 2341, Burnet, TX 78611 Retreats at Eagle’s Wings November 4: Spirituality of Simplicity ̈́͵ͷǢͻǣ͵ͲǤǤȂʹǣ͵ͲǤǤ ϐǡ ǡ Ǥ Presenter: Cheryl Maxwell, ϐ Texas Pew and Church Renovators, Inc. Pew ReĮnishing Reupholstering - Kneelers bbrem@hot.rr.com 1-800-458-3518 November 22-23: Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit ̈́Ͳȋ Ȍ ϐ Ǧ Ǥ Presenters: Joe Noonan and Sherie ZebrowskiǢ December 13-14: Advent Family Retreat ȋ Ȍ Ǥ ϐ ǡǡ ǡ Ǥ Ǥ Presenter: Judy Hoelscher; ǡ Ǥ To register visit www.ewrc.org or call (512) 715-0017. Eagle’s Wings Retreat Center is a 501(c)(3) Non-Proϔit Corporation 3ULFHVVWDUWLQJDWaZLWK$LUIDUH,QFOXGHGLQWKLVSULFH 3ULFHVDUH$//,1&/86,9(Z$LUIDUHIURPDQ\ZKHUHLQWKHFRQWLQHQWDO86$ 6HYHUDOWULSVWRGLIIHUHQWGHVWLQDWLRQVWKH+RO\/DQG,WDO\)UDQFH 3RUWXJDO6SDLQ3RODQG0HGMXJRUMH/RXUGHV)DWLPD,UHODQG 6FRWODQG$XVWULD*HUPDQ\6ZLW]HUODQG*UHHFH7XUNH\&DPLQR GH6DQWLDJR9LNLQJ&UXLVHV%XGDSHVW3UDJXHHWF :HDOVRVSHFLDOL]HLQFXVWRPWULSVIRU%LVKRSV3ULHVWVDQG'HDFRQV ZZZSUR[LPRWUDYHOFRP&DOOXV_ DQWKRQ\#SUR[LPRWUDYHOFRP&DUPHOD0DQDJR FDUPHOD#SUR[LPRWUDYHOFRP([HFXWLYH'LUHFWRU GOOD NEWS 18 C ATHOLIC S PIRIT A reÁection on the Stigmatization of St. Francis BY NORMAN FARMER COLUMNIST The Stigmatization of St. Francis of Assisi (whose feast day we celebrate Oct. 4) with the wounds of Christ, which took place in the dark morning hours of Holy Cross Day (Sept. 14) in 1224, ranks high among the most beloved saints’ stories. In 1263 Bonaventure of Bagnoreggio (then minister general of the Order of Preachers) included the episode in his life of St. Francis known as the “Legenda major” (with “legenda,” in Latin, meaning a text intended for reading aloud in ecclesiastical settings). Subsequently, he wrote his meditative masterpiece, “The Soul’s Journey into God,” under the inspiration of Francis’ vision of the sixwinged seraph. The stigmatization appeared with growing frequency in Franciscan art, including this imposing 10 foot by 5 foot altarpiece painted by Giotto di Bondone in 1300 for San Francesco Church in Pisa, Italy. The masterpiece is now at the Louvre where it was taken as war booty by Napoleon’s soldiers in 1813, the greatest artist of early modern times joins with the “second founder” of the Order of Preachers, the leading mystical contemplative and theologian of his time (and subsequently a saint himself) to contemplate the mysteries of this supremely transformational event in the life of the “little poor man” of Assisi. Together, the philosopher/theologian and the discerning artist who took him for his guide to all of the details of Francis’ stigmatization, take us back and forth across the border between sensible and spiritual realities as we shift between concrete signs pointing to things and the fullness of prophetic wisdom that embraces all things (1Cor 1:22-3). As Ignatius of Loyola would teach centuries later in his Exercises, Bonaventure and Giotto invite us to “use our senses,” especially “the vision of the imagination,” and to attune ourselves to the affective atmosphere surrounding the stigmatization: looking, being present on that hillside, and entering knowingly into the fullness and bodily pain of that transformational encounter. The rocky precipices of Mt. LaVerna from which Francis’ own desire to be one with Christ soared heavenward are signs of the rocky terrain of our own self-willed hearts as we too yearn for ways to identify with Francis’ vision of the seraph that “leads our mind’s eye to amazement and admiration,” Bonaventure writes in “Soul’s Journey.” “One morning about the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross while he was praying on the mountainside, Francis saw a seraph with six Àery wings coming down from the highest point in the heavens. The vision descended swiftly and came to rest in the air near him. Then he saw the image of a Man cruciÀed in the midst of the wings, with his hands and feet stretched out and nailed to a cross. Two of the wings were raised above his head and two were stretched out in Áight, while the remaining two shielded his body. Francis was dumbfounded at the sight and his heart was Áooded with a mixture of joy and sorrow. He was overjoyed at the way Christ regarded him so graciously under the appearance of a Seraph, but the fact that he was nailed to a cross pierced his soul with a sword of compassionate sorrow. “As the vision disappeared, it left his heart ablaze with eagerness and impressed upon his body a miracu- Tax-Deferred Annuities Do Your Long-Term & Retirement Savings Plans Stack Up? 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FRANICS OF ASSISI receiving the stigmata by of the living Giotto de Bondone hangs in the Louvre. Catholics celGod,” Bonaventure wrote ebrate the Feast of St. Francis on Oct. 4. (Photo used as translated by with permission from Art Resource, NY) Ewert Cousins soaring mystical drama of the stigmain “The Soul’s ta within our own realm of space and Journey into God, The Tree of Life, time, while Francis’ vision of Christ The Life of St. Francis” by Paulist in the form of a seraph remains a Press. once-and-forever event in the boundThe saint and the artist thus draw less, timeless realm of the divine. us into that drama on Mt. LaVerna Thus does the painter stamp upon through our feelings, our senses, our memory an “image of eternity,” and our minds –– through words as Bonaventure writes in “Soul’s and sensible images. We join FranJourney.” cis in a direct experience with the literal in breaking of God into human NORMAN FARMER, PH.D, is Professor experience and its physical effects. Emeritus of English and Humanities Meanwhile, the three events depicted at the University of Texas. He writes below –– Pope Innocent III’s dream about the relation of sacred art to of Francis holding up the dilapidated Catholic prayer-life. Norman and his church, the pope’s approval of the wife, Cora Jane, are parishioners of Franciscan Rule, and Francis’ Sermon St. Austin Parish in Austin. preached to the birds –– ground the Pilgrimage to France, Spain & Portugal 12 days: April 13-24, 2015 Under spiritual direction of Father Justin Nguyen Hosted by Deacon Jerry Klement Cost: $3,899 per person, from Austin. Stops include Paris, Lourdes, Fatima and Santiago de Compostela. Trip includes roundtrip airfare, English speaking escort, and most meals. For more information, please contact Deacon Jerry Klement at deaconklement@saintlukesparish.org or (254) 718-0454. October 2014 GOOD NEWS 19 Reviewing, renewing the call to Catholic Action BY FATHER BRUCE NIELI, CSP GUEST COLUMNIST I pray for a return to Catholic Action. I was introduced to the term when I met Eduardo Bonnín, founder of the Cursillo Movement and a believer in Catholic Action. As a young man in 1940s Spain, Bonnín and a group of other young men, disturbed by the absence of young adults in church participation, made a pilgrimage to the shrine of St. James of Compostela, and after a profound conversion experience developed the Cursillo method of transforming society through small communities of committed Christians. As a movement, Catholic Action had its beginnings in the latter part of the 19th century, when laity proactively took measures to counteract the anticlericalism in countries like France, Italy, Spain and Belgium. As the church entered the 20th century, Catholic Action became a more organized movement in which laity, collaborating with the hierarchy, worked to bring Christ and Catholic social teachings into the greater society. The godfather of the movement, honored by both Pope Pius XI and Pope Paul VI, was Father Joseph Leo Cardijn of Belgium, founder of the Young Trade Unionists, which became the Young Christian Workers, the quintessential model for Catholic Action. Father Cardijn also designed what would become the predominant methodology of Catholic Action, summarized by three actions see (observe), judge and act. To put it simply, we see the reality around us with its problems and challenges, with the eyes of Christ. We discern a response to these problems and challenges with the mind of Christ, using Scripture and the teachings of the church. And we implement action responses as the body of Christ. Peter Maurin, co-founder (with Dorothy Day) of the Catholic Worker movement, articulated the philosophy of Catholic Action in an essay entitled “Blowing the Dynamite of the Church” where he wrote “Rome will have to do more than to play a waiting game; she will have to use some of the dynamite inherent in her message … If the Catholic Church is not today the dominant social dynamic force, it is because Catholic scholars have failed to blow the dynamite of the Church.” Father Cardijn referred to Maurin’s thought as “the purist spirit of the Gospel.” It would be this “blowing the dynamite” approach to proactive Catholicism that would characterize the highly diverse groups coming under the umbrella of Catholic Action. These included the Young Christian Workers, the Young Christian Students; the Cursillo Movement; the Legion of Mary; Sodalities; the Christian Family Movement and the various community organizing groups as well as the magazine “Commonweal.” The move to bring Catholic social teaching into the public square motivated Catholics like Msgr. John A. Ryan of Catholic University, whom many have called the prophet of the New Deal, and Paulist John J. Burke, founder of the National Catholic Welfare Conference, precursor to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The current Catholic Campaign for Human Development also began with the guiding principles of Catholic Action. A contemporary example of such a priest directly formed by Catholic Action whose inÁuence permeates current Catholicism is the Spirit-Àlled Msgr. Thomas Kleissler of Newark. In his recent autobiography “Beyond My Wildest Dreams,” Kleissler describes a boyhood experience of picking up on a rainy day in the school library a pamphlet about Father Cardijn and the Young Christian Workers. The pastoral approach of “observe, judge, act” that the future priest learned from that pamphlet, along with a life-long passion for justice and service to the poor, dominated his subsequent pastoral activities, from leadership in the Christian Family Movement, to active participation in the civil rights movement, to the co-founding of RENEW, a process has helped us connect faith to everyday life. Catholic Action helped lay the foundations for the emphasis on lay involvement in church life so prominent in the Second Vatican Council, but there has been a subsequent lull. It is once again “time to blow the lid off so the Catholic Church may again become the dominant social dynamic force,” as Maurin once wrote. Now is the time for a revival and renewal. The New Evangelization promulgated by St. John Paul II, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, and now Pope Francis, can spark such a revival and renewal. Certainly the caring witness of Pope Francis, and his magniÀcent apostolic exhortation “The Joy of the Gospel,” provide reasons for hope. Catholic Action, both as a movement and a mentality, offers opportunities to unite pro-life and pro-poor in our polarized nation. Recently I participated in a uniÀed effort to serve the immigrant children and families coming across the U.S.-Mexico border from Central America in a desperate Áight from poverty and threats from ruthless gangs and drug trafÀckers. There near the Rio Grande, at Sacred Heart Parish in McAllen, we were volunteers from all walks of life and ideologies, from faith communities, medical professions, various levels of government, the legal profession, the local food bank, and even the bus station, all working together to meet the basic humanitarian needs of God’s precious children and all coordinated by Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Brownsville. There, in a border town Àlled with a cross section of the human race, I rejoiced to see a return to Catholic Action. PAULIST FATHER BRUCE NIELI is currently in residence at St. Austin Parish in Austin. St. Paul of the Cross: A contemplative, celebrated preacher BY MARY LOU GIBSON COLUMNIST For more than 50 years, St. Paul of the Cross had one message to deliver: he would promote the love of God revealed in the Passion of Jesus. He was born Paolo Francesco Danei in 1694 in Ovada, near Genoa, Italy, the second of 16 children in a noble but impoverished family. In his early years, Paul led a very normal and pious life, but lacked much formal education because of his father’s Ànancial difÀculties. In 1714, he joined the Venetian army to Àght the Turks. When he left the army a few years later, he experienced a conversion to a life of prayer. He received some direction from priests of the Capuchin Order and was also inÁuenced by a reading of the “Treatise on the Love of God” by St. Francis de Sales. He experienced a series of visions in 1720 in which he saw Our Lady in a black habit. John Delaney writes in the “Dictionary of Saints” that Paul later said she told him to found a religious order devoted to preaching the Passion of Christ. As he wrote a rule for his religious community, he aimed to combine meditation with practical work, such as preaching and ministering to the poor and to the sick. His younger brother, John, became his Àrst companion. They were granted permission to accept novices from Pope Benedict XIII in 1725. Both brothers were ordained to the priesthood in 1727. They established their Àrst house in the mountains above Genoa. Author David Farmer writes in the “Oxford Dictionary of Saints” that Paul wanted to communicate the devotion of the Passion through mission work in parishes. Paul called his monasteries “retreats” and members were expected to celebrate the Divine OfÀce and to devote at least three hours to contemplative prayer each day. He also insisted on poverty. His main goal was to form “a man totally God-centered, totally apostolic, a man of prayer...” It became St. Paul’s lifelong conviction that God is most easily found in the Passion of Jesus Christ. “I am Paul of the Cross in whom Jesus has been cruciÀed.” Paul Burns writes in “Butler’s Lives of the Saints” that the pope persuaded Paul to modify the rule and the community received papal approval in 1741. In 1769 the title of Discalced Clerks of the Most Holy Cross and Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ was granted. The community grew and their members were soon in demand in many parts of Italy because of their ministry to the sick and dying and in reconciling sinners. Paul was an effective preacher and also had the gifts of prophecy, healing and reading secrets of the heart, according to many biographers. Richard McBrien writes in “Lives of the Saints” that the Passionists (as they began to be known) were successful because their method involved active participation by the laity. This included processions, vigils, penitential works, hymns, prayers and other forms of devotion. Delaney writes that Paul was one of the most celebrated preachers of his time. People fought to touch him and get a piece of his tunic as a relic. Paul was also a contemplative and spent long hours in prayer each day. His writings focused on matters of spirituality and produced more than 2,000 letters. A diary he wrote during a retreat in 1720 was published in 1964, according to Burns, and a work on “Mystical Death” was published in 1976. In 1765, Pope Clement XIV gave Paul (his brother, John, had died), the basilica of Sts. John and Paul. For many years Paul had been especially interested in the reconciliation of England to the Holy See. Near the end of his life, Paul founded a convent of enclosed Passionist nuns at Corneto in 1771. Paul died in Rome in 1775 at the Retreat of Sts. John and Paul. By the time of his death, the congregation had 180 fathers and brothers living in 12 retreats. Burns writes that the Passionists did not spread outside of Italy until the mid 19th century. They went Àrst to Belgium and then to England where they ministered to Irish immigrant workers. The Congregation spread to the U.S. in 1852. Paul was beatiÀed in 1852 and canonized in 1867 by Pope Pius IX. His feast on the General Roman Calendar is Oct. 19 and Oct. 20 on the Proper Calendar for Dioceses of the U.S. MARY LOU GIBis a member of St. Austin Parish in Austin. She welcomes ideas for future columns. Contact her at mgibson17@austin.rr.com. SON BULLETIN BOARD Retreats, reÁections..... Your 20 C ATHOLIC S PIRIT For Information Please send entries for this section to catholic-spirit@austindiocese.org. Catholic Scripture Study of Austin meets on Wednesdays from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at St. Louis Parish in Austin. The weekly Bible studies consist of prayer, small group discussion and guest lecturers. Register online at www. cssaustin.org. For more information, contact Rosemary Howard at (512) 345-3687. Catholic Scripture Study of Cedar Park meets on Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and Thursdays from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at St. Margaret Mary Parish in Cedar Park. The weekly Bible study consists of prayer, small group discussion and guest lecturers. For more information, contact Bob Gorski at (512) 636-2927 or bobgorski7@gmail.com. The diocesan OfÀce of Worship will present singer-songwriter and speaker Jesse Manibusan for a concert Oct. 10 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Thomas More Parish in Austin. The concert is open to youth, young adults, families, etc. Manibusan will offer a contemporary music workshop for those serving in music ministry Oct. 11 from 9 a.m. to noon at St. Thomas More Parish. Everyone is welcome to attend this fun weekend of music, prayer and renewal. To register, go to www.austindiocese. org/manibusan (group and discounted rated available). For more information, call the Worship OfÀce at (512) 949-2429. Anna Chávez will discuss unity and diversity at Theology on Tap on Oct. 7 at Fadó Irish Pub (214 W 4th St, Austin). Fellowship begins at 6 p.m. and her presentation begins at 7 p.m. Theology on Tap is a ministry for young adults between the ages of 18 and 35. For more information, contact Jennifer Kodysz at (512) 949-2467 or jennifer-kodysz@austindiocese.org. A Prepare/Enrich facilitator training will be held Oct. 11 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the diocesan Pastoral Center. This training will prepare participants to give the PREPARE premarital inventory to couples preparing for marriage and to discuss the results in a manner that has been shown to effectively reduce later marital conÁict. To register or for more information, contact the diocesan Family Life and Counseling OfÀce at (512) 651-6150 or sara-lockey@ austindiocese.org. An introductory seminar on natural family planning will be held Oct. 16 at 7 p.m. at St. Austin Parish’s Paulist Hall in Austin. Introductory seminars are structured to satisfy the Austin diocese requirement for marriage preparation for all parishes. Call (512) 474-2757 or e-mail austinfcc@ gmail.com to register. The OfÀce of Canonical and Tribunal Services will present a workshop on Advocacy Training for Nullity Oct. 18 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the diocesan Pastoral Center in Austin. This workshop will include a review of the process of petitioning for an annulment, applicable Canon Law, processes and procedures, petitions and grounds, resources, questions and answers. Laity desiring to become an advocate must be delegated by their pastor. For more information, contact the Tribunal OfÀce at (512) 949-2478. Middle School teens are invited to participate in the 2014 Middle School Youth Rally on Oct. 18 at St. Michael’s Catholic Academy in Austin. This year’s theme is “Love Everlasting.” For additional information, e-mail jennifer-kodysz@austindiocese.org or call (512) 949-2467 with questions. The India Catholic Association (ICA) of Central Texas will host its annual “Taste of India” fundraiser Oct. 18 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at St. Thomas More Parish Hall in Austin. Taste of India features the cuisines, costumes and dances of all regions of India. Tickets are $25 each, which includes dinner. For information about Taste of India, visit www.austinica.org. World Priest Day is a celebration and afÀrmation of the men who commit their lives to the Lord and the church through the sacrament of Holy Orders. This year the Austin-Central Texas Area Worldwide Marriage Encounter Community will honor priests, along with deacons and seminarians, with a dinner on Oct. 22 at 6:30 p.m. at St. Thomas More Parish in Austin. Every priest, deacon and seminarian within the diocese is invited, and invitations will be mailed to every priest. Priests, deacons and their wives, and seminarians, should RSVP at no cost to Jose and Rachel Guzman at wwmeaustincommunity@gmail.com or (512) 291-6338. All others may purchase tickets online for $25 per person at http://austinme.org/Community_Events. The OfÀce of Canonical and Tribunal Services will present a workshop on the process of completing the church required Marriage Packets Nov. 15 from 9 a.m. to noon at the diocesan Pastoral Center in Austin. This workshop will include the required documentation, Canon Law requirements and diocesan policies affecting the marriage preparation process. For more information, contact the Tribunal OfÀce at (512) 949-2478. An introductory seminar on natural family planning will be held Nov. 5 at 7 p.m. at San José Parish in Austin. Introductory seminars are structured to satisfy the Austin diocese requirement for marriage preparation for all parishes. Call (512) 474-2757 or e-mail austinfcc@gmail.com to register. Allow Scripture, song and story to inform and form our lives at the Scripture and Music retreat Oct. 4 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Cedabrake Catholic Retreat Center in Belton. Listening with the ears of the heart, we will read Scripture, listen, and participate with music and allow the Holy Spirit to be our guide. Presenters Sue Fowler and Cindy Isaacson are both retired teachers and are very active in music. The cost is $35 and includes lunch. To register, call (254) 780-2436 or e-mail cedarbrake@austindiocese.org. A day of reÁection on Our Lady of Guadalupe will be held Oct. 11 from 9 a.m. to noon at Cedarbrake Catholic Retreat Center in Belton. Father Pedro Garcia, pastor of St. Elizabeth Parish in PÁugerville, will be the presenter. The cost is $15. To register, call (254) 780-2436 or e-mail cedarbrake@austindiocese.org. An English Cursillo Weekend for women will be held Oct. 16-19. This is a three-day course in Christianity and is designed to offer people time to walk with the Lord and deepen their relationship with him. For more information or to register, contact Robin Spencer at (254) 220-3883 or robins@ hot.rr.com or Greg Ganslen at (254) 698-2594 or gganslen@hot.rr.com. A Single Parent Spirituality Retreat will be held Oct. 18 at Cedarbrake Catholic Retreat Center in Belton. Father Barry Cuba, associate pastor of St. Mary Catholic Center in College Station, will lead participants in reÁecting on the struggles and triumphs of living the faith as a single parent. The cost is $35, which includes lunch. To register, call (254) 780-2436 or e-mail cedarbrake@ austindiocese.org. “The Eucharist From Adoration to Action,” a reÁection for Catholic young adults, will be presented by the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity on two occasions. The Àrst is at St. Albert the Great Parish in Austin on Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. at Spirit and Truth (www.spiritandtruthaustin.com) and the second is at the University of Texas Catholic Center in Austin on Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. Visit http://fscc-calledtobe. org/ for more information. Sarah’s Hope & Abraham’s Promise is hosting a Healing and Educational Retreat for couples struggling with infertility Oct. 25 from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. at St. Martin de Porres Parish in Dripping Springs. An optional Adoption Information Dinner Program will be featured from 5 to 7 p.m. Come for the whole retreat or just the adoption portion. Register by Oct. 20 at www.Oct2014SHAP.eventbrite.com. For more info, contact SarahsHope@ RabboniInstitute.org or call (512) 7367334. The Spirituality of Simplicity, a day of retreat, will be held Nov. 4 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Eagle’s Wings Retreat Center in Burnet. Cheryl Maxwell, diocesan director of worship, will lead participants in discovering new ways to balance life’s various responsibilities and slow down to a more meaningful pace. The cost is $35 per person. To register visit www.ewrc.org or call (512) 715-0017. An English Cursillo Weekend for men will be held Nov. 6-9. This is a three-day course in Christianity and is designed to offer people time to walk with the Lord and deepen their relationship with him. For more information or to register, contact Robin Spencer at (254) 220-3883 or robins@ hot.rr.com or Greg Ganslen at (245) 698-2594 or gganslen@hot.rr.com. Married couples who are looking for a getaway and time to reconnect with one another are invited to a Worldwide Marriage Encounter in Spanish Nov. 7-9. This is an opportunity for husbands and wives to escape the daily distractions of life and focus on each other. To register, contact Rubén and Elvira Galván at (512) 2477604. “Together in God’s Love,” a marriage preparation course, will begin Nov. 4 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at the diocesan Pastoral Center in Austin. Subsequent classes will be held Nov. 11, 18 and Dec. 2. Couples preparing for marriage are encouraged to register as soon as possible, as these classes Àll quickly. The classes include talks on faith, communication, sexuality and stewardship in the context of Catholic marriage. To register or for more information, contact the diocesan Family Life and Counselling OfÀce at (512) 651-6150 or saralockey@austindiocese.org. Married couples who are looking for a getaway and time to reconnect with one another are invited to a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend Nov. 14-16 at the Wingate Hotel in Round Rock. The weekend begins Friday at 7:30 p.m. and ends Sunday around 4 p.m. This is an opportunity for husbands and wives to escape the daily distractions of life and focus on each other. For more information or to apply to attend, visit www.austinme. org; or contact Steve and Linda Jaramillo at (512) 677-WWME (9963) or wwmeaustin@gmail.com. Burse............ The Diocesan Council of Catholic Women has completed a burse for the Clerical Endowment Fund (CEF) in memory of Msgr. Harry Mazurkiewicz. The totals for the burse as of Aug. 31, 2014, are listed below by council. Austin Council $885.00 Brazos Valley Council $1,297.00 Central Council $1,157.00 Eastern Council $1,013.00 Northern Council $1,074.00 Southern Council $482.00 Temple Council $312.00 Previous Balance $4,627.85 Total $10,847.85 The Clerical Endowment Fund provides low-cost loans to parishes. Interest from the loans is used to educate diocesan seminarians. For information, contact Mary Ann Till at (512) 353-4943. BULLETIN BOARD Parish and community events................................. October 2014 The Knights of Columbus Council from St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Austin will host a Country Hoe-Down and Gala on Oct. 3 at 6 p.m. at Pecan Springs Ranch in Austin. For more information, contact Eddie at (512) 301-1218 or any member of KC Council #8156. The Transitus of St. Francis of Assisi will be held Oct. 3 at 6:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Austin. This solemn celebration of St. Francis’ passing from this world to the kingdom of God is re-enacted by remembering Francis’ Ànal hours thus remembering the deep spirituality of this popular saint as it has been done for decades. For more information, call (512) 478-7955. St. Mary Parish in Hearne will host its annual Fall Festival Oct. 5 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the parish grounds. Spaghetti and meatballs will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Activities include games for all ages, horseshoes, bingo and a washer tournament. A live auction will begin at 1 p.m. St. Mary Parish in Mexia will host its annual Barbecue Lunch Oct. 5 at 11 a.m. at the parish hall. For details, call (254) 562-3619. St. Matthew Parish in Rogers will hold its annual Fall Festival Oct. 5 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the parish grounds. A home-cooked meal will be served. Activities include food booths, games for children, train rides, ring toss, bingo and much more. St. Helen Parish in Georgetown will host the annual Life Chain Oct. 5 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Songs and prayer will begin at 1:30 p.m. at the Crestview Baptist Church parking lot at 2300 Williams Dr. in Georgetown. Life Chain is a peaceful and prayerful public witness of pro-life individuals standing for 90 minutes praying for our nation and for an end to abortion. For more information, contact George Lourigan at (512) 635-3329 or Julie Tefft at (512) 863-0039. St. Joseph Parish in Killeen will host its annual Fest of All Oct. 12 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the parish grounds. There will be a variety 21 of food booths, DJ music, games for all ages, a book store, cake walk, face painting and much more. The 108th annual Westphalia Picnic and Homecoming will be held Oct. 12 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Church of the Visitation Parish Hall in Westphalia. Fried chicken, sausage and all of the trimmings will be served for $8 per plate. Live Czech music by the Praha Brothers will begin at noon. There will be games for all ages and a live auction at 3 p.m. San Francisco Javier Parish in Austin will host its annual Jamaica Oct. 12 from noon to 10 p.m. on the parish grounds. Activities include games for all ages, bingo, cake walk, entertainment, food, live music and fun for the whole family. For more information, visit www.sfjcc.org or the parish ofÀce at (512) 243-1404. The ninth annual St. Margaret Mary Golf Tournament will be held Oct. 13 at 1:30 p.m. at the Lago Vista Golf Course. This event will beneÀt the Mobile Loaves & Fishes Ministry. After the golf tournament there will be a steak dinner and live auction at Benish Hall on the grounds of St. Margaret Mary Parish. Tickets for the dinner are $10 each. To be a sponsor, to volunteer for the event or to donate any items for the auction, contact Jason Ferguson at (512) 843-4473 or mlfgolf@stmargaretmary.com. Vendors and social networking groups are invited to display, inform and sell their products at the Fiesta at St. Joseph Parish in Manor on Oct. 17-18. For more information, contact the parish ofÀce at (512) 272-4004. Registration deadline is Oct.10. Join us for a weekend of carnival rides, great food, bingo, games and much more. The fourth annual St. I SMASH Street Dance will be held Oct. 18 beginning at 6:30 p.m. on the campus of St. Ignatius Martyr Parish in Austin. Featured musicians are Vallejo with Monte Warden of the Wagoneers and The Bravados. Tickets are $20 at the gate or $15 in advance. No one under the age of 12 will be admitted. For more information or to purchase tickets go to www.stismash.com. St. Helen Parish in Georgetown will host its Fall Festival Oct. 18 and 19 on the parish grounds. Festivities begin with bingo, burgers and sodas on Saturday at 5 p.m. On Sunday, activities begin at 10 a.m. and will include a meal of brisket and rotisserie chicken, a silent auction and a live auction, crafts, games for all ages, a petting zoo, a car show and more. St. Stephen Parish in Salado will host its annual Fall Festival Oct. 19 on the parish grounds. A barbecue dinner will be served from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Activities include carnival games, a cake walk, silent auction, climbing wall, face painting and more. The live auction will begin at 1 p.m. St. Mary Parish in Bremond will host its annual Homecoming Fall Festival Oct. 19 on the parish grounds. Barbecue, sausage and beef with all the trimmings will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for $9 per plate. Activities include bingo from 4 to 8 p.m., games for all ages, and much more. Youth in grades sixth through 12th are invited to “Enlisted: Called and Equipped” Oct. 22 from 6 to 9 p.m. at St. Anthony Parish in Bryan. Chris Bartlett, the youth minister at St. William Parish in Round Rock, will lead the night of talks, small groups and games designed to help youth engage in their Catholic faith. For more information, e-mail admin@collaborativecatholics.org. St. Mary of the Visitation Parish in Lockhart will host its Àrst 5K run walk –– “Running for the Heavens” –– Oct. 25 at 8 a.m. For more information, visit www.smvl.org or register online at www.runsignup.com/Race/ TX/Lockhart/StMarysinaugural5KRace. The race will begin and end at the parish. Everyone is welcome! Santa Cruz Catholic School in Buda will host a Roaring ‘20s Casino Night Oct. 25 from 6 to 10 p.m. in Deane Hall. There will be a costume contest, refreshments and a variety of games to play. For more information including sponsorship and ticket prices, Masses and prayer.............................. Bishop Joe Vásquez will celebrate the 23rd annual Red Mass Oct. 2 at 6 p.m. at St. Mary Cathedral in Austin. The Mass marks the beginning of the judicial year and invites all law makers and legal professionals. The homilist will be Father David Link, Dean Emeritus of Notre Dame Law School. For more information, contact Margaret Kappel at (512) 949-2444 or margaret-kappel@austindiocese.org. Bishop Joe Vásquez will preside at the Worldwide Children’s Eucharistic Holy Hour Oct. 3 at 7 p.m. at St. Mary Cathedral in Austin. The Holy Hour, which will be celebrated around the world in more than 140 countries, will kick off World Mission Month in the Diocese of Austin. For more information, contact Colleen Schiller at (512) 949-2446 or colleen-schiller@ austindiocese.org. The Catholic Charismatic Renewal of Austin will host its monthly healing Mass Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. at Our Lady of Wisdom University Parish in San Marcos. Everyone is invited to come and experience the healing power of Our Risen Lord Jesus through the Holy Spirit. St. Edward’s University in Austin will celebrate a major renovation for Our Lady Queen of Peace Chapel Oct. 21 at 5 p.m. on the St. Edward’s campus. Bishop Joe Vásquez will celebrate Mass, bless the new walls of the sanctuary and consecrate a new altar. Everyone is invited to join the St. Edward’s community for a reception following Mass. Solemn Vespers will be held on All Souls Day, Nov. 2, from 4 to 5 p.m. at Our Lady of the Rosary Cemetery in Georgetown. Father Brian McMaster, pastor of St. Helen Parish in Georgetown, and the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, will lead the prayer. Afterwards, a blessing of all those interred at the cemetery will be offered. For more information, visit www. olotr.com or call (512) 863-8411. Hispanic young adults are invited to Mass (in Spanish) on the last Friday of each month at 9 p.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Austin. Participants will pray the rosary beginning at 8:30 p.m. For more information contact Darlyn Montenegro at (512) 369-9813 or Victor Estrada at (512) 949-8227. contact Michelle Quintanilla at mquintanilla@sccstx.org. Cathedral School of St. Mary in Austin will host its annual Fall Festival Oct. 26 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be food, games, a silent auction, music, arts and crafts vendors and much more. St. Mary Parish in Brenham will host its 24th annual Polish Heritage Festival Oct. 26 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the parish grounds. Traditional Polish foods will be served from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for $8 per plate. Other activities include live music, a country store, live auction and games for all ages. St. Margaret Parish in Giddings will host its annual Fall Festival Oct. 26 at the Sons of Hermann Hall on Hwy. 77 South in Giddings. Dinner will be served at 11 a.m. and the auction will begin at 12:30 p.m. The fourth annual Annunciation Maternity Home Charity Golf Tournament will be held Oct. 27 at Berry Creek Country Club in Georgetown. Registration will begin at 11 a.m. and shotgun start is at 1:30 p.m. The cost is $100 per player, which includes golf, a fajita dinner and player’s bag. Sponsorship and volunteer opportunities are also available. For more information, visit www. thematernityhome.org or call Alyssia at (512) 864-7755. Catholic Daughters Court 2415 in Round Rock will host its annual Art & Crafts Show Nov. 1 at St. William Pavilion in Round Rock. Vendors will have home-made items for sale. For more information, e-mail Mary Rutherford at maryjrcda@yahoo.com. St. Mary Parish in Lampasas will host its annual Fall Festival Nov. 1 on the parish grounds. Festivities will begin at 8 a.m. St. Mary Parish Altar Society in Temple will hold its annual Turkey Dinner and Bazaar Nov. 2 at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Temple. Dinner will be served at 11 a.m. and will include turkey, dressing and all of the trimmings. Plates will be $9 each. There will also be booths featuring plants, crafts and more. An auction will begin at 12:30 p.m. The Franciscan Young Adult Festival with musician Father Stan Fortuna of Franciscan Friars of the Renewal on Nov. 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Austin. Everyone is invited to share in the joy of St. Francis. For more information, call the Sacred Heart Fraternity at (512) 478-7955. The University Catholic Center at the University of Texas in Austin will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Longhorn Awakening in conjunction with the UCC Alumni Tailgate on Nov. 8. A Mass of thanksgiving will be celebrated at the UCC’s 9 a.m. Mass on Nov. 9, with a reception to follow at Zilker Park from noon to 4 p.m. All are welcome! For more information, contact Elizabeth Bertrand at (512) 476-7351 or elizabethb@utcatholic.org. ESPAÑOL 22 C ATHOLIC S PIRIT Llamado Para Los Servicios Católicos: Un Gozo Compartido basado en Marcos 16:15, “Vayan por todo el mundo y proclamen el Evangelio a toda criatura”. Como Católicos obispo de la Diócesis estamos llamados a salir a los conÀnes de Austin. Es pastor del mundo y proclamar la Buena para casi 500,000 Nueva de Jesucristo. Por nuestro Católicos en 25 bautismo, estamos invitados a comcondados en el Centro de Texas. partir en la misión que Jesús mismo llevó a cabo la cual es ir al mundo y Editora: La Diócesis de Austin proclamar el amor de Dios con gozo lanzará el Llamado Para Los Sery compasión. A través del Llamado vicios Católicos Anual a principios Para Los Servicios Católicos, podemos de noviembre. Por favor, díganos ayudar a niños, adultos, ministros, sobre el Llamado Para Los Servidiáconos, etc. a compartir la Buena cios Católicos ¿Cómo es diferente Nueva con otros. de otras colectas especiales recogi“Un Gozo Compartido” también das en las parroquias? nace de la exhortación apostólica de Obispo Vásquez: El Llamado nuestro Santo Padre, el Papa FranPara Los Servicios Católicos (CSA cisco, “El Gozo del Evangelio”. por sus siglas en inglés) es un llamado “La Iglesia en salida es la comua lo largo de la diócesis para recabar nidad de discípulos misioneros que fondos para los ministerios y servicios primerean, que se involucran, que que otorgamos dentro de la Diócesis acompañan, que fructiÀcan y festede Austin. Somos bendecidos al tener jan. «Primerear»: sepan disculpar este muchos ministerios que proveen para neologismo. La comunidad evangelilas necesidades religiosas, espirituzadora experimenta que el Señor tomó ales y humanas de las personas a lo la iniciativa, la ha primereado en el largo de la diócesis. A través del CSA, amor (cf. 1 Jn 4,10); y, por eso, ella sustentamos la educación religiosa, las sabe adelantarse, tomar la iniciativa Escuelas Católicas, la formación minis- sin miedo, salir al encuentro, buscar a terial, la formación de seminaristas y los lejanos y llegar a los cruces de los las iniciativas por la vida, la paz y la caminos para invitar a los excluidos. justicia. Vive un deseo inagotable de brindar Un ejemplo del impacto del CSA misericordia, fruto de haber experise encuentra en la formación de mentado la inÀnita misericordia del nuestros seminaristas. Actualmente Padre,” escribe el Papa en “El Gozo tenemos 47 hombres en formación del Evangelio”. y cada año, a través de generosas El Santo Padre ha reiterado mudonaciones de nuestra gente al CSA, la chas veces que como Cristianos debediócesis es capaz de solventar comple- mos ser gente llena de gozo porque tamente la educación de nuestros hemos encontrado al Cristo viviente. futuros sacerdotes. El CSA también Y nuestro encuentro con Cristo, nos nos ayuda a cuidar de nuestros sacerlleva a compartir su amor con otros. dotes retirados, asegurando que tengan El gozo que es compartido viene del un lugar al que pueden llamar hogar mismo corazón y esencia de quienes y que sus necesidades médicas sean satisfechas después del retiro. Muchos otros ministerios son asistidos por el CSA, tales como Caridades Católicas del Centro de Texas, que cada día alcanza a la gente necesitada a través de los Centros de Vida del Proyecto Gabriel, Servicios Legales de Inmigración y el alivio durante desastres. Nuestra diócesis es una de las diócesis que crecen con más velocidad en nuestro país, con más de 70 personas mudándose a Austin cada día. Para que podamos servir a tanta gente, tenemos que pedir a todos los Católicos que contribuyan a este llamado. Necesitamos que todos nosotros contribuyamos de manera que podamos cuidar las crecientes necesidades a lo largo de nuestra diócesis, la cual cubre 25 condados en el Centro de Texas, desde el norte de Waco hasta San Marcos y de College Station a Mason. Editora: El tema del CSA de este año es “Un Gozo Compartido”. ¿Cuál fue la inspiración para este tema? Obispo Vásquez: El tema está EL OBISPO JOSE S. VASQUEZ es el quinto somos y de la misión de la iglesia. “Los Cristianos deben proclamar el Evangelio sin excluir a nadie. En lugar de parecer imponer nuevas obligaciones, deben aparecer como gente que desea compartir su gozo, quienes señalan hacia un horizonte de belleza y quienes invitan a otros a un banquete delicioso. No es por proselitismo que la Iglesia crece, sino por atracción,” escribe el Papa Francisco en “El Gozo del Evangelio”. Editora: ¿Cómo nos da el Llamado Para Los Servicios Católicos una oportunidad para compartir el gozo del Evangelio? Obispo Vásquez: Antes que nada, provee a todos los Católicos de una manera de contribuir Ànancieramente. Como Cristianos Católicos, creemos que todo lo que tenemos, todo lo que somos y todo en lo que nos convertiremos es un regalo de Dios. Como administradores de esos regalos, estamos llamados a regresar una porción de nuestro tiempo, talento y valores en agradecimiento por la gran bondad de Dios. Dar al CSA es una pequeña manera de darnos cuenta de cómo hemos sido bendecidos y entonces, tomar una porción de nuestras bendiciones y compartirla con otros. El Llamado Para Los Servicios Católicos es una expresión de solidaridad con otros. A través de nuestras donaciones y apoyo en oración al CSA, nos unimos con nuestros hermanos y hermanas con un lazo de servicio y amor. El Llamado Para Los Servicios Católicos nos da la oportunidad de ver más allá de las necesidades inmediatas de nuestras parroquias hogares, para ver las necesidades presentes en la comunidad más allá. También es importante recordar que si no podemos donar Ànancieramente ahora, podemos comprometernos a orar por las necesidades de nuestra iglesia de una manera regular. Tal como escuchamos en 1 Tesalonicenses 5:16-18, “Regocíjense siempre. Oren sin cesar. En toda circunstancia den gracias, por que esta es la voluntad de Dios para ustedes en Cristo Jesús”. Editora: Usted ha mencionado lo importante que es el Llamado Para Los Servicios Católicos en el nivel diocesano ¿Puede explicar cómo afecta a las parroquias locales? Obispo Vásquez: Lo que hacemos aquí en la Diócesis de Austin es intentar servir a las necesidades de toda la gente en la diócesis. La prioridad de nuestro personal es servir a las parroquias y escuelas. Tenemos en nuestro equipo de trabajo, personal que trabaja con, y entrena a ministros juveniles, catequistas, ministerios universitarios, ministerios para encarcelados, ministerios sociales parroquiales, líderes de culto divino y miembros del clero que trabajan en nuestras parroquias. Buscamos ayudar a los líderes de nuestras parroquias a ser más efectivos en todo lo que hacen. Trabajamos con sacerdotes, diáconos y ministerios laicos para ayudarlos a compartir el gozo de Cristo con otros. Editora: ¿Cuál es su oración para el CSA? Obispo Vásquez: Mi oración es que nosotros los Àeles Católicos de la Diócesis de Austin experimentaremos el gozo de compartir a través de nuestra participación en el Llamado Para Los Servicios Católicos. Que veamos que realmente estamos construyendo el Reino de Dios mientras compartimos nuestro gozo con otros. Fin de Semana de Compromiso Noviembre 8-9, 2014 October 2014 ESPAÑOL 23 Ninguna Otra Escuela Les Enseña a BRILLAR Así. y Casa Abierta Sesiones Informativas Cathedral School of St. Mary 910 San Jacinto, Austin 512.476.1480 smcschoolaustin.org Casa Abierta: Nov. 17, 5:30 a 7:30 p.m. Holy Family Catholic School 9400 Neenah Ave., Austin 512.246.4455 holyfamilycs.org Sesiones Informativas: Oct. 17, Nov. 14, Dec. 5, 8:30 a 10 a.m., Se requiere que confirme su asistencia a través del sitio de internet Holy Trinity Catholic High School 6608 West Adams Ave., Temple 254.771.0787 holytrinitychs.org Casa Abierta: Nov. 9, 1 a 3 p.m. Reicher Catholic High School 2102 N. 23rd, Waco 254.752.8349 reicher.org Casa Abierta: Oct. 21, 5 a 8 p.m. Sacred Heart Catholic School 545 E. Pearl, LaGrange 979.968.3223 sacredheartschoollg.com Visitantes bienvenidos en cualquier momento; contacte a la oficina escolar para hacer una cita. St. Austin Catholic School 1911 San Antonio, Austin 512.477.3751 staustinschool.org Casa Abierta: Nov. 23, 10 a.m. a 1 p.m. St. Dominic Savio Catholic High School 9300 Neenah Ave., Austin 512.388.8846 saviochs.org Sesiones informativas: Oct. 17, 8:30 a 10 a.m.; Nov. 19, 6:30 a 8 p.m.; Dec. 10, 8:30 a 10 a.m.; Casa Abierta: Nov. 9, 1 a 3 p.m. Se requiere confirmar asistencia St. Gabriel’s Catholic School 2500 Wimberly Ln., Austin 512.327.7755 sgs-austin.org Casa Abierta: Nov. 4, 8:30 a 10:30 a.m., Se apreciará que confirme su asistencia St. Mary’s Catholic School 520 Washburn St., Taylor 512.352.2313 stmarystaylor.org Visitantes bienvenidos en cualquier momento; contacte a la oficina escolar para hacer una cita. St. Mary’s Catholic School 1019 S. 7th, Temple 254.778.8141 stmarys-temple.org St. Helen Catholic School 2700 E. University Ave., Georgetown 512.868.0744 shcslions.org Café con el Director: Nov. 12, Dec. 10, 8:30 a.m. Visitantes bienvenidos en cualquier momento; contacte a la oficina escolar para hacer una cita. St. Ignatius Martyr Catholic School 120 W. Oltorf, Austin 512.442.8547 st-ignatius.org St. Mary’s Catholic School 507 W. Spruce, West 254.826.5991 stmaryswest.com Visitantes bienvenidos en cualquier momento; contacte a la oficina escolar para hacer una cita. Visitantes bienvenidos en cualquier momento; contacte a la oficina escolar para hacer una cita. St. Joseph Catholic School 600 S. Coulter, Bryan 979.822.6641 stjosephbcs.org St. Michael’s Catholic Academy 3000 Barton Creek Blvd., Austin 512.328.2323 smca.com Casa Abierta: Nov. 5, 8:30 a 10:30 a.m. Almuerzo “Cuéntame sobre el SMCA” Oct. 22 a las 12 del día Visitantes bienvenidos en cualquier momento; contacte a la oficina escolar para hacer una cita. St. Joseph Catholic School 2901 E. Rancier, Killeen 254.634.7272 stjosephschoolkilleen.org Visitantes bienvenidos en cualquier momento; contacte a la oficina escolar para hacer una cita. St.Theresa’s Catholic School 4311 Small Dr., Austin 512.451.7105 st-theresa.org Día de la Visita: Oct. 16, llame para hacer una cita St. Louis Catholic School 2114 St. Joseph Blvd., Austin 512.614.6622 slcsaustin.org San Juan Diego Catholic High School 800 Herndon Ln., Austin 512.804.1935 sjdchs.org Visitantes bienvenidos en cualquier momento; Casa Abierta: Oct. 25, 12 a 2 p.m. contacte a la oficina escolar para hacer una cita. St. Louis Catholic School 2208 N. 23rd, Waco 254.754.2041 stlouiswaco.org Santa Cruz Catholic School 1100 Main St., Buda 512.312.2137 sccstx.org Visitantes bienvenidos en cualquier momento; contacte a la oficina escolar para hacer una cita. Visitantes bienvenidos en cualquier momento; contacte a la oficina escolar para hacer una cita. 24 ESPAÑOL C ATHOLIC S PIRIT El Santuario de Schoenstatt de Austin se encuentra abierto ya santuario original en Alemania es la casa espiritual y el centro del movimiento. El Movimiento SchoenDespués de años de statt fue fundado por el Padre oración, trabajo duro y sacriJoseph Kentenich (1885Àcio, el primer santuario de 1958) un sacerdote alemán de Schoenstatt de Austin –– el origen quien pasó tres años en tercero en Texas y uno de un campo de concentración más de 200 alrededor del en Dachau, Alemania por mundo –– ha sido dedicado y desaÀar a los Nazis. El Padre se encuentra ahora abierto a Kentenich está siendo consilos visitantes. derado para la santidad. Está localizado en una Fue en el santuario origicolina callada al Oeste de nal que el Padre Kentenich y Austin con una hermosa vista sus estudiantes entraron en un en 225 Addie Roy Rd., cerca convenio de amor con María de la intersección del Loop y aprendieron a verla como el 360 y Bee Cave Road. El San- puente que lleva a un profuntuario está abierto siete días a do y ferviente amor a Dios. la semana de 9 a.m. a 8 p.m. El movimiento a nivel munEs un lugar de peregrinaje y dial, enfatiza la renovación oración. espiritual a través del ejemplo El santuario Schoenstatt es de María y de su intercesión. una capilla blanca y pequeña El Padre Schoenstatt Jesús dedicada a la Virgen María. Ferras dijo que todos están Adentro hay un altar tallado invitados a visitar el santuario. a mano alrededor de una Él es el director del Movipintura serena de la Santísima miento Schoenstatt en Texas Madre con el niño Jesús. Cada y trabaja con la juventud, los santuario Schoenstatt es una jóvenes adultos y las ramas réplica del santuario origiuniversitarias del movimiento nal, localizado en el valle de aquí. Schoenstatt cerca de la ciudad “En cada lugar donde el de Koblenz en Alemania. El Movimiento Schoenstatt se EL OBISPO JOSÉ VÁSQUEZ bendijo el nuevo Santuario Schoenstatt en Austin el 13 de septiembre. El santuario es una réplica del original Schoenstatt junto a la ciudad de Koblenz, Alemania. (Foto cortesía del Movimiento Schoenstatt). POR MICHELE CHAN SANTOS CORRESPONSAL desarrolla, el santuario es un lugar de gracias en donde la Santísima Madre forma y educa a sus hijos,” dijo el Padre Ferras. “El Santuario es para toda la diócesis. Es un lugar de peregrinación dedicado a la Santísima Madre”. El Obispo José Vásquez dedicó el santuario en una Misa el día 13 de septiembre. La Misa de dedicación fue una celebración gozosa y bella al aire libre con temperaturas en los 60 grados y lluvia continua. “Dios y Nuestra Señora nos bendicen con lluvia,” dijo el Obispo Vásquez desatando una risa apreciativa por parte de la multitud de cientos reunida bajo sombrillas y tiendas, usando ponchos e impermeables. “Ella nos está enviando maravillosas bendiciones desde el cielo”. El constructor Rodney Winter, el ingeniero Javier Barajas, el diseñador del ediÀcio Cammi Kiler y Greg Ruhl, president del comité cons-tructor, presentaron al obispo las llaves ceremoniales del santuario. Más de 25 sacerdotes (Schoenstatt y diocesanos) concelebraron la Misa. El Obispo Vásquez alternó hablando español e inglés durante su homilía. Hubo muchos visitantes de México y de Sudamérica, en donde el movimiento Schoenstatt tiene un especial empuje en Argentina, Chile, Brasil y Paraguay. El movimiento tiene seguidores en 110 países. “Los santuarios son lugares donde los peregrinos vienen a encontrar sanación y fuerza,” dijo el Obispo Vásquez. “El Cristiano es un peregrino y la nuestra es una iglesia peregrina. Los santuarios son lugares donde podemos ver más claramente la presencia de Jesús”. “Estamos unidos con la familia Schoenstatt hoy,” continuó. “Este es un día de gozo y celebración”. El hecho de que el santuario de Austin fuera terminado en 2014 –– el centésimo aniversario de la fundación del Movimiento Schoenstatt –– es una bendición tremenda, dijo el Padre Ferras. “La Divina Providencia hizo que la apertura de nuestro santuario cayera en el año del centésimo aniversario”. Dijo el Padre Ferras. “Es un gran, gran don. Tres santuarios están siendo dedicados este año—el nuestro, otro en Bangalore, India, y el tercero en Santiago de Chile. Nunca imaginé una bendición tan tremenda como el poder lograr la construcción de este santuario para los cien años. Nos hemos estado esforzando por muchos años”. El santuario es pequeño (tiene capacidad para sentar a 30 personas). Para eventos grandes como la Misa de dedicación, la gente se juntó en el espacioso patio a la sombra de los árboles, en frente de la capilla. Más de 500 personas pertenecen al Movimiento Schoenstatt en la Diócesis de Austin. Ellas pertenecen a diversas parroquias, pero se reúnen en grupos (rama familiar, rama de estudiantes universitarios, etc.) para orar y convivir en compañerismo. Muchos de los miembros del movimiento, que han pasado años trabajando para obtener este santuario estaban tremendamente conmovidos por verlo completado. Nombraron al santuario de Austin “La Cuna de Belén de la Santidad”. Para Lizette Anglin, miembro de la rama familiar de Schoenstatt, la dedicación del santuario “es el sueño y la esperanza más grande jamás realizada. Es un hermoso regalo a la Santísima Madre”. Marcela Pinto es la presidenta de la dedicación del evento. “Para mí este día representa un día para compartir con la diócesis de Austin toda la belleza de la espiritualidad Schoenstatt,” dijo Pinto. “Es el comienzo de una nueva etapa. Ahora más gente puede crecer en el amor a la Santísima Madre como nosotros la amamos”. Carlos Licona es un miembro de la mesa directive del movimiento. “Para mí, este día es prueba de que podemos cambiar el mundo. Es un regalo que tiene que ser compartido con el mundo,” dijo. El Padre Ferras explicó, “Visitar el Santuario debe sentirse como cuando uno va a casa y ve a su mama. Ella te da la bienvenida aquí. Este es un lugar donde María actúa, y donde vive”. Para saber más, visite www.schoenstatt.us o en Facebook, busque Schoenstatt Movement of Austin. October 2014 ESPAÑOL 25 Programa Scout se enfoca en familias POR ENEDELIA J. OBREGÓN CORRESPONSAL Un programa piloto para las Niñas y Niños Scouts (Boy y Girl Scouts en inglés) en la Parroquia del Sagrado Corazón en Austin ha crecido a 130 Scouts y su éxito está llevando al desarrollo de otros programas similares. Alison Tate, directora diocesana de la OÀcina de Juventud, Jóvenes Adultos y Ministerio Universitario, dijo que el Obispo José Vásquez pidió, el pasado verano al Comité Diocesano Scout y a su oÀcina que pusiera a prueba una iniciativa para incrementar el número de niños –– especialmente hispanos- en los grupos de niños y niñas Scouts. “El obispo apoya verdaderamente el Scouting,” dijo Tate. “El hacer Scouting provee de una oportunidad única para el crecimiento y de un rol creado para que las familias se involucren”. Tate dijo que el Scouting no es solo un ministerio para jóvenes sino también para padres por que ellos sirven como líderes y trabajan de cerca con sus hijos. “La diócesis ve al Scouting como un aliado en los esfuerzos de realizar un ministerio con los jóvenes basado en valores, cultivando el liderazgo y las oportunidades para aprender sobre la fe,” dijo. Ella agregó que el tener a parroquias patrocinando a las tropas permite a los jóvenes celebrar su identidad Católica. “El Scouting es ministerio juvenil,” dijo el Padre Kinney. “No hace todo lo que la catequesis hace, pero tiene muchos de los elementos de un sistema basado en valores que ayuda a los jóvenes a convertirse en mejores personas”. El Padre Mark Hamlet, pastor de la Parroquia del Sagrado Corazón estuvo de acuerdo. Él apoya totalmente dichos programas por una razón, “Estamos cambiando vidas a nivel familiar con padres a quienes les importa”. El Padre Hamlet dijo que su parroquia es 90 por ciento hispana y más de la mitad –– de los miembros –– son inmigrantes. Por lo tanto, el programa de Scouting tuvo que ser diseñado para tomar en consideración las diferencias culturales. Lo que funcionó para la Parroquia del Sagrado Corazón fue contactar a las madres. “Se trata de la Mamá,” dijo el Padre Hamlet. Las mujeres, quienes tienden a ser jóvenes y a tener familias grandes, le dijeron que tenían diÀcultad en venir a las múltiples reuniones. “Necesitaban algo para ambos, niños y niñas y para padres que les diera el conocimiento y el valor de involucrarse,” dijo. El Padre Hamlet también se reúne con el comité de Scouting a nivel parroquial mensualmente, el cual está formado por líderes Scout masculinos y femeninos. Adaptaciones Carrie Manongdo Yager es Directora de Unidad de ServiApoyo Parroquial cio de las Girl Scouts para las El padre Matthew Kinney, unidades de servicio de Walnut pastor asociado de la Parroquia y DelcoSimond que superde St. Joseph en Killeen y un visa tropas en el Noreste de Eagle Scout (Águila), sirve como Austin, incluyendo el Sagrado capellán para el Comité DioCorazón. cesano para el Scouting CatóliElla dijo que existen potenco. Él dijo que el tener apoyo del cialmente 13,000 Chicas Scout pastor es “el factor más imporen esa área, mayoritariamente tante” del éxito de los program- hispanas. as de Scouting parroquiales y no Yager enfrentó muchos resólo involucra el permitir que tos al ayudar a la parroquia y a las tropas se reúnan en ediÀcios los padres a lanzar el programa parroquiales. de chicas Scout (Girl Scout en Próximos eventos Parejas casadas que están buscando un escape y tiempo para reconectar mutuamente están invitados al Encuentro Mundial Matrimonial en español los días 7 a 9 de noviembre. Esta es una oportunidad para los esposos y esposas de escapar de las distracciones diarias de la vida y enfocarse uno en el otro. Para registrarse, contacte a Rubén y Elvira Galván al (512) 247-7604. Jóvenes Adultos Hispanos están invitados a Misa (en español) el último viernes de cada mes a las 9 p.m. en la Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe en Austin. Los participantes rezarán el rosario a partir de las 8:30 p.m. Para mayor información contacte a Darlyn Montenegro en el (512) 369-9813 o a Víctor Estrada en el (512) 949-8227. inglés): ella no habla español con Áuidez, los materiales no estaban disponibles en español y estaba teniendo que lidiar con una tropa de múltiples niveles. La tropa 276 tiene desde Daisies, niñas en edad de Kindergarten hasta niñas de nivel preparatoriano Ambassador que se reunen durante la misma noche. “No se trata únicamente de entrenar, sino de comenzar con ¿qué son las Girl Scouts?” dijo. “Pero no estaba dispuesta a fallar”. Ella aprendió con velocidad que el entrenamiento en línea no iba a funcionar por que muchas familias no tienen computadoras. Así que tradujeron los materiales de entrenamiento del “Jump Start” al que llamaron “Arranque” en español y se pusieron a trabajar. Yager dijo que Girl Scouts del Centro de Texas ahora tiene una iniciativa Latina y está empleando más recursos –incluyendo personal- para alcanzar a las chicas hispanas y a sus familias. Ella se reúne regularmente con los líderes y el Padre Hamlet para determinar qué está funcionando y qué necesita cambiar. Ella dijo que el apoyo del Padre Hamlet por el programa Scout ha sido contagioso y las familias han respondido. “La visión del Scouting es algo a lo que esta comunidad y el Sagrado Corazón realmente respondieron,” dijo. “La entendieron bien desde el principio”. Involucrarse Gisela González de 31 años, madre de tres niños dijo que fue “por el amor de Dios” y por la petición del Padre Hamlet de padres voluntarios que se animó a involucrarse. “Cuando hablábamos sobre niños siendo exitosos y aprendiendo a ser líderes, yo inmediatamente pensaba en mi hija,” dijo González. Ella comenzó con una tropa de 12 niñas y ahora supervisa el programa Girl Scout. “El programa- Girl Scout les ayudará en su futuro, ” dijo. “Girl Scout les enseña a las niñas a ser independientes y a tener sus propias metas y el deseo de alcanzarlas”. Uno de los aspectos del programa Girl Scout que a ella le gusta más es que las chicas toman roles de liderazgo al planear actividades. “Mientras crecen, las mamás que son líderes están ahí para asegurarse de que todo mundo esté a salvo, pero las chicas toman sus propias decisiones,” dijo. Erika García, 31, es una madre soltera de tres, y tiene poco tiempo para dedicarse a actividades extra escolares, así que escogió involucrarse con el Scouting. “Convivir” es la palabra que ella y otros padres usaron para describir qué es lo que hacen con sus hijos en el Scouting. Si se traduce literalmente al inglés, “convivir” signiÀca vivir juntos pero tiene un signiÀcado más profundo, más parecido a compartir la vida. “Quiero que aprendan a ser independientes y a valorarse a si mismos,” dijo mientras su hija jugaba con los pies de su hermanito. “Quiero que puedan hacer lo que deseen en la vida y que aprendan sobre buenas y malas consecuencias”. Familias Mientras que los padres se enfocan en el futuro de sus hijos, los jóvenes se enfocan en la diversión que tienen cuando hacen Scouting. El acampar es algo popular. Christy Alba, quien está en la Tropa 276, dijo que disfruta hacer s’mores (sándwiches de galleta rellenos de bombón o malvavisco) durante los campamentos. Ella también está aprendiendo a ser una mejor ciudadana. “Aprendemos sobre ayudar al mundo –– por ejemplo, ¿ayudaste a alguien o levantaste tu basura?” dijo. Jhovany Alba, hermano de Christy, tiene 11 años y está en la Tropa 408. Él quiere convertirse en un Eagle Scout. Él disfruta acampar con sus padres y ganarse insignias de mérito en los campamentos. “Aprendemos mucho,” dijo Jhovany. “No puedes aprender nada viendo la TV.” Su padre, quien es Cubmaster, Juan Alba, ha visto un cambio en sus niños gracias al Scouting. El también tiene un hijo de 6 años que está comenzando a hacer Scouting. Su esposa, Carolina Resendez, está involucrada con las Girl Scouts. “Puedes ver cómo cambian los niños,” dijo Alba. “Sé que esto les ayudará a tener éxito. Esto abre una puerta para ayudarles a ir a la universidad”. Lo que lo sorprendió también fue su propio crecimiento. A lo largo de este año, él ha tomado más responsabilidades, ha aprendido a organizar agendas, ha recibido entrenamiento, a entrenado a otros y ha planeado excursiones al Cameron Park Zoo en Waco y a los estudios Univisión en Austin. En 12 meses él ha participado en ocho campamentos. “No me he aburrido,” dijo riéndose. Devolviendo de lo recibido Erick Olvera, de 13 años, dijo quererse convertir en un Scout Águila por que eso le ayudará a entrar a la universidad. La manada (den) ha tenido tres Eagle Scout hispanos hasta ahora. El líder Cub Scout de manada, Albert López dijo que uno de los objetivos de la unidad –– el grupo combinado de Cub Scouts dens y tropas Boy Scouts –– es que regresen más Scouts Águila para que ayuden. “No gustaría que ayudaran para devolver algo al Scouting regresando y sirviendo,” dijo. Jorge Rodríguez, Scoutmaster asistente en la Tropa 489, también usó la palabra “convivir” para describir lo que está pasando a su hijo de 13 años, un chico Scout que ha ganado el rango de Star Scout (o Estrella Scout) y está ansioso por ganarse el rango de Eagle. El señor Rodríguez salió de su casa a los 17 años y no ha tenido una relación cercana con su padre. “Tengo la satisfacción de compartir esto con él,” dijo Rodríguez. “No hay un pago mayor que eso”. El Scoutmaster Chris Krumrey ha estado activo en los Boy Scouts por 35 años – 10 años en la Parroquia del Sagrado Corazón. Él dice que el apoyo de la diócesis y su pastor han hecho una gran diferencia en el involucramiento de los padres. Después de que la escuela parroquial cerró en 2002, el programa de Cub Scout se cerró a pesar de que la Tropa de Boy Scouts 249 permaneció activa y tenía ya tres niños antes de que los nuevos esfuerzos de reclutamiento comenzaran. “Los padres reconocen el valor del Scouting,” dijo. El liderazgo establecido tuvo que funcionar a través de barreras culturales con las familias de nuevos reclutas que no hablaban mucho inglés y se preocupaban de que les iba a costar mucho dinero. “El Padre Mark se asegura de que tengamos lo que necesitamos,” dijo Krumrey. “A nadie se le rechaza porque no pueda pagar. Tenemos exalumnos que ayudan a recabar fondos”. ESPAÑOL 26 C ATHOLIC S PIRIT Las Alcancías del Bebé ayudan a ministerios pro-vida POR MICHELE CHAN SANTOS CORRESPONSAL Proyecto Gabriel Cehovin dijo que una de las muchas preocupaciones de la OÀcina Pro-Vida en este Para este momento, la momento es la creación de mayoría de los Católicos han más ministerios del Proyecto probablemente visto las AlGabriel en las parroquias. La cancías del Bebé, las cajitas de cartón de 3 pulgadas por 3 pul- misión del Proyecto Gabriel es proveer de apoyo emocional, gadas que fueron distribuidas después de las Misas al Ànal de material y espiritual a mujeres embarazadas y familias septiembre. necesitadas. Por más de 10 años, las Mary Helen Russell es la parroquias de la Diócesis de nueva coordinadora de cuidado Austin han distribuido las pastoral en la OÀcina de AcAlcancías del Bebé, las cuales ayudan a recaudar fondos para tividades Pro-Vida Y Castidad. SEÑALES como ésta en la Parroquia de Emmaus (Emaús) en Lakeway indican que las actividades pro-vida durante Ella supervisa el Ministerio del una parroquia tiene un Ministerio del Proyecto Gabriel, el cual provee de ayuda emocioel mes de octubre, el cual es el Proyecto Gabriel, el Proyecto nal, material y espiritual a mujeres embarazadas y a familias necesitadas. Las Alcancías Gabriel, la Línea de Ayuda Mes de Respeto a la Vida. Las del Bebé, las cuales han estado circulando por todas las parroquias, ayudan a recabar Pro-Vida y el Ministerio de cajas son recogidas el último fondos para los ministerios pro-vida, tales como el Proyecto Gabriel. (Foto cortesía de Banqueta. Àn de semana de octubre. Lee Malkowski) Mientras que hay más de Cada año, la campaña de 125 parroquias en la Diócesis con La Sociedad de St. Vincent poner en contacto con cada la semana. las Alcancías del Bebé gende Austin, solo alrededor de de Paul para ayudar a la mujer persona que llama, dijo Russell. “Puedo ir a cualquier parte era alrededor de $40,000 dijo a pagar sus cuentas. Si necesita La necesidad de más Proyectos de la diócesis,” dijo Russell. Marie Cehovin, directora de la 40 tienen su propio Proyecto Gabriel, dijo Russel. Tener un un lugar donde quedarse, el Gabriel es signiÀcativa, particuMuchas veces, el 50% del OÀcina de Actividades Proproyecto trabaja de cerca con la larmente en áreas rurales. dinero de la campaña de las AlVida y Castidad de la Diócesis Proyecto Gabriel en una parroquia involucra el mostrar Casa de Maternidad AnnunciaPor la House Bill 2 (procancías del Bebé es suÀciente de Austin. una señal que dice ¿Embaraztion en Georgetown y con Our puesta de ley), el número de para cubrir los gastos de todo La mitad de los fondos ada? ¿Necesitas Ayuda? El Lady of the Angel, un albergue clínicas de abortos en Texas ha un año de un Proyecto Gabriel recabados a través de las Proyecto Gabriel está aquí para de maternidad en Temple. Ancaído. La OÀcina de Actividades parroquial, dijo Cehovin. Alcancías del Bebé son destití” en inglés y en español. La nunciation, que tiene una escuela Pro-Vida y Castidad anticipa “Quiero animar a las panados a actividades pro-vida rroquias a que tengan sus proen un nivel parroquial, y la otra mitad va a los Apostolados del “Quiero animar a las parroquias a que tengan sus propios pios Proyectos Gabriel,” dijo “Estos proyectos haComienzo de la Vida en un nivel Proyectos Gabriel ... Estos proyectos hacen la diferencia Cehovin. cen la diferencia – una profunda diocesano – especíÀcamente, el Ministerio del Proyecto Gabriel, – una profunda diferencia – para las mujeres en esas diferencia – para las mujeres en esas comunidades. A veces el Proyecto Raquel, la Línea de comunidades”. las parroquias piensan que será Ayuda Pro-Vida y el Ministerio –– Marie Cehovin, directora de la O¿cina de Actividades Pro-Vida y Castidad muy costoso, o muy difícil. La de Banqueta. de la Diócesis de Austin campaña de las Alcancías del Las Alcancías del Bebé son Bebé pueden proporcionarles el regresadas de ambas maneras, tipo chárter, ofrece hogar de un incremento en la demanda dinero que necesitan para todo ligeras (con un cheque adentro) señal proporciona el número tiempo prolongado a menores de los servicios del Proyecto el año, y nosotros podemos y pesadas (rellenas de monedas de una línea de ayuda: Llame embarazadas con o sin niños. Gabriel en los primeros tiempos entrenar a los voluntarios”. con frecuencia recolectadas por al 1-877-WE-CARE2. Voluntarios que contestan la línea Our Lady of the Angel ofrece de la legislación; por lo que la Para aprender más niños). Muchas clases de eduun hogar a mujeres embarazadas necesidad de voluntarios es más sobre la campaña de las cación religiosa tienen con fre- de ayuda ayudan a contactar a con o sin niños por un tiempo grande que nunca. Alcancías del Bebé o sobre cuencia competencias para ver cada mujer que llama con un corto. Russell está dispuesta a cómo comenzar un Proyecto cuánto dinero pueden obtener “ángel” voluntario en su área. Los ángeles proveen de apoyo Mientras más Proyectos viajar a cualquier parroquia para Gabriel parroquial, contacte para las alcancías. Algunas emocional, material y espiritual Gabriel haya a lo largo de la ayudar a entrenar voluntarios. a Mary Helen Russell en el parroquias dan prendedores para cada mujer. diócesis, es más probable que Las sesiones de entrenamiento (512) 949-2488 o escríbale a (con pies de bebés) a aquellos Si ella necesita ayuda Ànanel voluntario de la línea de pueden llevarse a cabo en maryhelen-russell@ que regresan sus alcancías con sábados o domingos o durante austindiocese.org. donaciones al Ànal de octubre. ciera, el Proyecto Gabriel trabaja ayuda tendrá un “ángel” para Pastoral support for victims of sexual abuse The Diocese of Austin is committed to providing con¿dential and compassionate care to victims of sexual abuse, particularly if the abuse was committed by clergy or a church representative. If you have experienced abuse by someone representing the Catholic Church, please contact the diocesan coordinator of pastoral care at (512) 949-2400. Apoyo pastoral a las víctimas de abuso sexual La Diócesis de Austin se compromete a proporcionar ayuda con¿dencial y compasiva a las víctimas de abuso sexual, especialmente si el abuso fue cometido por el clero o un representante de la iglesia. Si usted ha sufrido abusos por parte de alguien que representa la Iglesia Católica, por favor comuníquese con el coordinador diocesano del cuidado pastoral al (512) 949-2400. How to report an incident of concern The Diocese of Austin is committed to preventing harm from happening to any of our children or vulnerable adults. If you are aware of sexual or physical abuse and/or neglect of a child or vulnerable adult, state law requires you to report that information to local law enforcement or the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services at (800) 252-5400 or www.dfps.state.tx.us. Additionally, if the suspected abuse is by clergy or an employee or volunteer of any diocesan parish, school or agency, a Notice of Concern should be submitted to the diocesan Ethics and Integrity in Ministry Of¿ce at (512) 949-2400. The l Notice of Concern can be found at www.austindiocese.org (click on the link HOW TO REPORT ABUSE). Reports may be made anonymously. Cómo reportar un caso de abuso La Diócesis de Austin está comprometida a la prevención del daño que se cause a cualquier niño o adulto vulnerable. Si usted está enterado del abuso sexual o físico y/o abandono de un niño o adulto vulnerable, la ley estatal requiere que se reporte esa información a la policía local o el Departamento de Servicios Familiares y de Protección del Estado de Texas al (800) 252-5400 o al sitio: www.dfps.state.tx.us y además, si la sospecha de abuso es por parte del clero, empleado o voluntario de cualquier parroquia, escuela u organización de la diócesis, se debe enviar un Reporte de Abuso y debe ser presentado a la O¿cina de Ética e Integridad en el Ministerio de la diócesis al (512) 949-2400. El Reporte de Abuso se encuentra en nuestra página de Internet diocesana: www.austindiocese.org ( Haga click en la liga COMO REPORTAR UN CASO DE ABUSO). Estos reportes pueden ser hechos de manera anónima. SITINGS October 2014 THE FOURTH ANNUAL Priests’ Appreciation Dinner was recently held in Austin. The dinner was co-sponsored by the St. John Paul II Life Center and Cook-Walden Funeral Homes. (Photo courtesy Alexis Schlatre) 27 BISHOP JOE VÁSQUEZ blessed and dedicated the new Religious Education Building at Good Shepherd Parish in Johnson City on Aug. 19. (Photo courtesy Margie Vasquez) THE EUCHARISTIC APOSTLES of The Divine Mercy at St. Margaret Mary Parish in Cedar Park inducted Cenacles 6 and 7 on Aug. 12 and honored their Suffering Soul Member. (Photo courtesy Barbara Bartley) THE GUADALUPANAS from Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Taylor traveled to the Basilica De Nuestra Senora De San Juan Del Valle to attend a Mass of healing and to hear a speaker on humility. (Photo courtesy Emily Salazar) THE LEGION OF MARY praesidium presented a new banner to St. Martin de Porres Parish at the Mass celebrating the Assumption of Mary on Aug. 15. (Photo courtesy Rachel Palacios) ST. THOMAS AQUINAS PARISH in College Station held its third women’s ACTS retreat July 31-Aug. 3 with 64 women and Father Edwin Kagoo participating in the retreat. (Photo courtesy of Kathy Smith) FATHER CRAIG DE YOUNG blessed a chalice and paten presented to Tillie Canga and her son in memory of Sir Knight Peter Canga who passed away last December. (Photo courtesy Joseph Panketh) BISHOP JOE VÁSQUEZ celebrated the sacrament of Con¿rmation June 20 at Sacred Heart Parish in Elgin. (Photo courtesy Shirley Martinez) KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS of the Austin Area Chapter presented Bishop Joe Vásquez with a check for $5,000 for the Retired Priests Fund. The money was raised at the Clergy and Religious Appreciation dinner. (Photo courtesy Albert Villegas) THE STUDENTS of St. Theresa Catholic School in Austin welcomed Father Larry Covington to the parish during the ¿rst few days of school. (Photo courtesy Suzanne Leggett) Send photos by the 10th of the month to catholic-spirit@austindiocese.org. 28 C ATHOLIC S PIRIT SITINGS HOLY TRINITY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL in Temple unveiled their new sign at the main entrance of campus on Aug. 13. (Photo courtesy Lindsay A. Fredenburg) KEN AND LINDA OTTE spent several months helping 11 Boy Scouts complete the Ad Altare Dei Religious Emblem program at St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Austin. (Photo courtesy Ken Otte) THE RELIGIOUS priests, sisters and brothers serving in the Austin Diocese spent time with Bishop Joe Vásquez Aug. 23 at St. Mary Cathedral in Austin. (Photo courtesy Sister Mary Lou Barba) BISHOP JOE VÁSQUEZ celebrated a Mass honoring the 25th anniversary of St. Stephen Parish in Salado on Aug. 24. After the Mass, parishioners gathered for dinner and to plant a tree in honor of the parish’s newly baptized. (Photo courtesy Joann LaCanne) A NEW CHILLER was installed and blessed at the University Catholic Center in Austin during the summer. (Photo courtesy UCC) HOLY FAMILY PARISH in Lexington hosted its ¿rst Vacation Bible School; 49 children participated. (Photo courtesy Joan Sanders) CATHOLIC NIGHT AT THE ROUND ROCK EXPRESS was held Aug. 18 at the Dell Diamond in Round Rock. (Photo courtesy RR Express) MSGR. JOHN MCCAFFREY blessed a new cruci¿x that hangs in the foyer of St. Joseph Catholic School in Bryan. It was imported from Italy and is a gift to the school from a generous, anonymous donor. (Photos courtesy Patty Blaszak) THE CATHEDRAL SCHOOL OF ST. MARY has been working with parishes in East Austin to promote Catholic education. Principal Robert LeGros rides the Capital Metro Bus with some students to make sure they get to school safely. (Photos by Esmeralda Lozano Hoang) Send photos by the 10th of the month to catholic-spirit@austindiocese.org.