July 2018 - Vol.53 No.7

W W W. S O U T H T E X A S C AT H O L I C .CO M • J U LY 2018

Bishop’s

2018

STEWARDSHIP APPEAL ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF CORPUS CHRISTI

Say

yes

to

fostering formation and a deeper union with Christ The Diocese of Corpus Christi serves the spiritual and physical needs of our parishes and community through more than 30 ministries. We appreciate your generosity in sharing your blessings, so we are committed to you to be a good steward of the gifts you entrust to us.

By participating in the Bishop’s Stewardship Appeal you are saying – to forming the faithful of all ages in our diocese.

Diocese of Corpus Christi

Office of Parish Stewardship & Development P.O. Box 2620, Corpus Christi, TX 78403 • (361) 882-6191 www.diocesecc.org or email emartinez@diocesecc.org

yes

ON THE

VOL. 53 NO. 7

COVER

22

PUBLISHER Bishop Michael Mulvey, STL DD

Friends, family and members of the diocese welcome Richard Gutierrez, Ramiro “RJ” Regalado, Jr. and Santos Ruben Jones III to the diaconate at Corpus Christi Cathedral on June 3. For Deacons Gutierrez and Regalado this will be a transitional period. The next step in their formation will be ordination to the priesthood, whereas Deacon Jones is ordained to the permanent diaconate.

Adel Rivera, South Texas Catholic

MANAGING EDITOR Mary Cottingham MCottingham@diocesecc.org THEOLOGICAL CONSULTANT Ben Nguyen, JD/JCL. BNguyen@diocesecc.org OFFICE MANAGER Adel Rivera ARivera@diocesecc.org CORRESPONDENTS Luisa Buttler, Rebecca Esparza, Jessica Morrison, Omar Becerra, Dayna Worchel, Gloria Romero (translator)

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client Michael Dewar maintains the garden at Catholic Charities’ Mother Teresa 18 Former Shelter. According to Dewar, Sister Rose Madassery, SABS saved his life and now he strives to help our homeless brothers and sisters.

Rebecca Esparza for South Texas Catholic

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INSIDE

4 National collections ‘assist Church to

MESSAGE FROM THE BISHOP be an agent of peace’

NEWS FROM THE DIOCESE 15 Recognition ceremony honors exemplorary service

VOCATIONS VIDA CATÓLICA 27 5 Sister Mary Piedad Natino celebrates Caridades Católicas viaja a Aransas Pass 50 years

NEWS BRIEFS 9 Official Assignments

proveyendo ayuda y evaluando necesidades

NATIONAL 31 Archbishop Gomez ‘deeply disappointed’ that USA Act will not be debated

VATICAN CATHOLIC EDUCATION 33 13 Schools ramp up emergency protocol Pope says abortion of sick, disabled children reflects Nazi mentality

July 2018 | South Texas Catholic 3

MESSAGE FROM THE BISHOP

National collections ‘assist Church to be an agent of peace’

I

know many of you ask the reason for the numerous national collections or in many people’s words the special collections. Let me list them for you: Aid to the Church in Central & Eastern Europe; Black and Indian Missions; Catholic Campaign for Human Development; Catholic Communications Campaign; Catholic Relief Services; Catholic University of America; Church in Latin America; Catholic Home Missions Appeal; Disaster Relief; Holy Land; Peter’s Pence; Respect Life; Retired Diocesan Priests Fund; Retirement Fund for Religious; Rice Bowl and World Mission Sunday.

Each one of these has come about because of a special need in order to assist the church in its growth and in its organization in different parts of the world

and due to different circumstances.

Let us take for example the collection for the church in Eastern Europe. During the communist era, the Church was devastated. Churches were closed, convents were closed, and many buildings were destroyed–if not totally demolished. Chancery buildings, rectories for priests, convents for sisters–all of these were badly damaged.

When the possibility of reopening the life of the church in a freer society came about, obviously the bishops of the United States wanted to reach out and help. The only way to do so, as in most cases with national collections is to come to you–the people of God, the faithful and in so doing ask you to contribute the best you could to this particular need in Eastern Europe. At that time the monies were given to the national conferences such as the Catholic Conference in Poland, the Czech National Conference in Czechoslovakia, or the Czech Republic, etc.

After so many years and the needs continue, the grants given to the churches in Eastern Europe are now given through diocesan grants requested by a local bishop for a particular need. For each of the national collections listed above a committee is set up of bishops, laypeople and consultants to both visit the places where the grants are requested or to review the necessary criteria for each request.

Personally, I am now serving on the special collection for the Church in Africa. I am edified by so many efforts on the part of African Bishops’ Conferences to construct the church in a way that is both viable and responding to the greater needs of people.

The beauty of the work that we do with the collection for the Church in Africa is that we see bishops reaching across their diocesan lines in building unity and peace with other African dioceses. What we all hope for one day a united world, a peaceful world, a just world will be long in coming. However, these collections in my opinion do assist the Church as an agent of reform, an agent of peace, an agent of harmony.

Therefore, I would ask each of us in the Diocese of Corpus Christi to be cognizant that when these collections come, we do what we can. Perhaps you cannot give to all of them, but the more that we are able to give, the more we become a part of the universal Church–that we open our hearts not just to our local parish or our local diocese or our national Church, but we are a Catholic Church that reaches beyond the limits of national boundaries. We are one faith, one baptism and one body in Christ. Let us do what we can to make our contribution to a peaceful and harmonious world God bless you for all your sacrifices you do.

+Most Rev. Michael Mulvey, STL, DD Bishop of Corpus Christi 4 South Texas Catholic | July 2018

Sister Mary Piedad Natino, SSpSAP

B Contributor

efore I became a sister with the Sister Servants of the Holy Spirit of Perpetual Adoration, I felt I needed a super-power within me–the Holy Spirit to heed God’s call. I learned to pray to the Holy Spirit at every turn of event, “Come Holy Spirit.”

I was born on March 25, 1941, in the Philippines and was the last of my six siblings. I was raised like an only child because my brothers and sister were away from home pursuing their college studies or living out their lives and careers in the city and the youngest boy in the family was in the seminary.

A vocation is certainly a gift from God who plants the seed and uses his instruments to nurture the seed, and it was exactly so with my religious vocation. When I was just a child, I had my first encounter with sisters when two nuns came to our house to sell books. After that, my neighborhood friends and I enjoyed playing nuns with towels for our veil and a bag of books at hand.

My mother and many more were instrumental in nurturing the seed of religious life. When I broke the news to my family that I would be entering the convent, my mother, a prayerful woman, confided in me, saying, “Praise God! I prayed for it!”

My best friend in college entered the convent before our graduation and puzzled, “I asked her why the hurry?” She shed a light of wisdom on me by telling me that had she not decided to listen to God’s call and in turn not answered Him–she would be unhappy.

The guiding thought stayed with me, “God calls and I make the decision to heed the call.”

That’s when it dawned on me that I need a super-power within me, which is the Holy Spirit.

After my high school graduation from a public school, I went to St. Paul College of

Manila for my college studies and then I taught for two years with the sisters there.

As a teacher, I stayed in the college dormitory where I met one of my fellow teachers, who was a graduate of Holy Spirit College in Manila. Through her, I became acquainted, even friends, with several Holy Spirit Sisters.

During my first year of teaching, we had a teacher’s retreat with Father Roberto Esbroeck, CICM. I went to confession, but I could not talk. I was sobbing and filled with sorrow for my sins. The priest advised me to see him in his office and I heard from him what I did not expect. He said, “You have a vocation to the religious life to serve God and God alone. The Lord is calling you for sure and I will guide you.

Father Esbroeck became my faithful spiritual director, God’s powerful instrument.

I applied to the Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters and was accepted and I entered the convent in 1965.

I made my first profession of vows in 1968 and my perpetual vows in 1974. After 15 years of professed life, a deep-seated inner voice would say, “You can also be my contemplative.”

And I had a big ‘NO’ for that gentle invitation.

“Lord, let me not go into that process of applying again.”

My love for Jesus in the Eucharist, the God who is ever present for me and who lives with me under the same roof, physically, mystically and spiritually, and the God to whom I can entrust everyone in my human family at home and worldwide grew in leaps and bounds.

I spent time with him in our school chapel before going to bed until I got the courage to apply to the Holy Spirit Adoration Sisters, known as the Pink Sisters. In 1984, I joined them, and with them, I made my perpetual vows in 1986.

On Dec. 16 of the same year, I arrived in St Louis, Missouri and I have spent all my years July 2018 | South Texas Catholic 5

†† VOCATIONS

Sister Mary Piedad Natino is with the Sister Servants of the Holy Spirit of Perpetual Adoration, also known as the “Pink Sisters.”

She lives a contemplative life at the Blessed Sacrament Convent.

Sister Mary Piedad Natino celebrates 50 years

†† VOCATIONS

since then till now in perpetual adoration as a contemplative nun–as Holy Spirit Adoration Sister.

St. Arnold is our founder and Mother Mary Michael, Servant of God, is the co-foundress. The Divine Word Priests and Brothers, the Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters and we, the Holy Spirit Adoration Sisters make one big happy spiritual family of St. Arnold. We are all missionaries, fully intent on spreading the good news of Jesus Christ through our particular charism.

My contemplative life is leading me to the heart of my religious life–it is leading me to the heart of the one who called me to this life and this is the greatest joy of my contemplative vocation. The process of growth is never finished in a year or two, not even after 50 years.

As a golden jubilarian, I am not a ‘finished product’ yet of divine love,

but I am not a hopeless case with persevering faith and entrusting myself to Jesus and his Holy Spirit.

Every day at adoration is a big help in overcoming myself–my self-centeredness, the giant enemy of the interior life. God wants the whole of me, but my “self” is the multi-faceted enemy of total self-giving.

I can only thank God for the ways and means that our congregation provides help to nourish the interior life: the day and night adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament; the Divine Office to sanctify the hours of the day; the daily personal private prayer, the daily reading of Holy Scripture, the silence in the cloister with grand silence after night prayer, etc. Even our convent bears physical signs that God is calling his bride wholly to himself with the least or no distraction: the grille in the parlor and the cloister garden

limit our physical world to remind us that the call to belong to God is a non-stop call, with ‘no turning back.’ Our Congregation is truly a prototype of a good mother to her spiritual children.

Overwhelmed by the greatness of my religious contemplative vocation, I have all the reason to keep on moving to achieve the goal of unity with God, the Unity of a bridegroom and a bride.

I will never be alone in this task confident that Jesus and the Holy Spirit are always there for me to empower me. Yes, let everyone know that as a Golden Jubilarian, I am not God’s finished product yet, but I will keep hoping, praying with you and with the Church. Alleluia.

For you, your loved ones and for everyone, I pray, “May the Holy Triune God live in our hearts and in every heart. Amen.”

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†† VOCATIONS

Sisters’ Corner

A Community that wants to be Mary for our time Sister M. Gloria Mauricio , ISSM

F Contributor

ather Joseph Kentenich (18851968) founded the Secular Institute of the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary in 1926. The Schoenstatt Sisters, with its motherhouse in Germany, provide inspiration and leadership for the Schoenstatt Movement. Their charism is to be Mary and to work like Mary, in the world so that people may encounter Christ in and through them.

The Schoenstatt mission for the Church is “to contribute to the sanctification of the world from within (Lumen Gentium 31).”

“The origin of our family is not…a great idea,” Father Kentenich said in 1966. “It is a life process. Analogous to the origin of Christianity: a life process, a covenant of love of the Eternal Word with human nature…a covenant of love of the Triune God through his exponent, the Blessed Mother…and the Schoenstatt Family.”

Our Lady–the Mother Thrice Admirable,

Queen, and Victress of Schoenstatt–leads the order to a personal relationship with the Triune God, with its founder, and with all who have sealed that covenant of love.

The Schoenstatt Shrine in Schoenstatt, Germany provides a seal for this covenant of love.

In June 1948, during a trip to the United States, Father Kentenich came to Corpus Christi to visit Bishop Emmanuel Ledvina and promised the bishop to send sisters to his diocese. The following year, on Sept. 10, 1949, three sisters arrived in the Diocese of Corpus Christi by boat from South Africa. Two months later, three more sisters came from Germany, and later other sisters came.

The 1949 school year had already begun when the sisters arrived, so they could not take up the promised teaching positions.

Instead, they were employed in household tasks at the Cathedral rectory and worked in various parishes taking the census. Later

on, they served as teachers at Sacred Heart School in Rockport.

In 1959, 10 years after their arrival, they purchased property in Lamar from the diocese where they built a replica of the Schoenstatt Shrine, a convent house and a retreat center. From the date of their arrival in the diocese, the Schoenstatt Sisters have served in the diocese through its Schoenstatt spirituality–as teachers, in parish work, in hospitals and social work, as well as conducting retreats, workshops and group meetings for all age groups including children, youth and adults.

It is important to the sisters to foster an atmosphere of prayer and silence in their convents. Like everything they do, their prayer life tries to imitate Mary’s prayerful surrender. Their covenant relationship with Mary and their attachment to the Shrine make all their activities an offering to God. The sister’s daily spiritual exercises include morning and evening prayer, July 2018 | South Texas Catholic 7

†† VOCATIONS

Holy Mass and a half hour of meditation.

During the day they make a visit to the Blessed Sacrament and have a spiritual reading, which focuses on Schoenstatt spirituality. All their community prayers, most of them composed by Father Kentenich, have a Marian dimension. These times of “interiority” are essential to the sisters’ work and to their mission of serving others.

As an extension of their prayer times, they strive to create a prayerful atmosphere to sanctify each moment of the day. With and like Mary, they long to make each day a prayer by recognizing and fulfilling God’s will as it presents itself in the circumstances of the day. They view their prayers for those entrusted to their care as a concrete form of evangelization.

As a secular institute, the Schoenstatt Sisters distinguish intern and extern members. Extern members live alone, and intern members lead a community life.

But every Sister of Mary belongs to a house and a province and in this way participates in community life.

8 South Texas Catholic | July 2018

Where they live as a community, the mealtimes spent together offer them an opportunity to deepen their family spirit and to draw new strength from the joy in each other. The sisters also plan times for relaxation into the daily schedule. In this way, family bonds grow in which the most diverse creative abilities can unfold.

Today, the community of nearly 2,000 sisters extends to all continents, working in 29 countries with members from 35 nations. As a secular institute, they can function as a community in schools, hospitals and social welfare outreach, but also as individuals on an extern post in various fields of secular work.

In every type of work, the sisters strive to love God and people. Serving at Schoenstatt Centers, which are meant to be “places of religious and moral renewal” and oases of Christian life, is a privilege and central task. This service includes welcoming and offering a natural and spiritual home to pilgrims, as well as retreats and workshops to parishes and the branches of the Schoenstatt Movement.

Also, some sisters go to the movement’s youth, mothers and family groups to assist in their spiritual formation in keeping with Schoenstatt’s lay spirituality and pedagogy.

The Schoenstatt way of life embraced by priests and laity of every walk of life is an aid to more concretely realize the universal call to holiness which Christ makes of all his disciples.

Perhaps their most effective outreach is the Schoenstatt Rosary Campaign. An image of Our Lady of Schoenstatt sent from a Schoenstatt Shrine reaches out to everyone, including those on the periphery, promoting Christian values and providing profound encounters with Christ through Mary. In a certain sense, it is a repetition of the Visitation when Mary hurried through the hillsides to bring Christ to Elizabeth, Zachariah and their baby boy John.

Through the image of Our Lady of Schoenstatt, blessings and graces from the Schoenstatt Shrine are made available to all those who open their homes to Mary: families, schools, jails, nursing homes, hospices and hospitals.

†† NEWS BRIEFS

Father William Marquis

Father Andrew Hejdak

Father James Puthenparambil

For the good of the People of God in the Diocese of Corpus Christi, Bishop Michael Mulvey has made the following assignments: Father William Marquis, while remaining as pastor of Our Lady of Refuge Parish in Refugio, is appointed pastor of St. Therese of the Little Flower Parish in Woodsboro, effective June 27 and St. Mary Mission in Bayside, and will remain in residence at Our Lady of Refuge Parish Rectory in Refugio, effective July 1.

Father Andrew Hejdak is released as pastor of St. Therese, the Little Flower Parish in Woodsboro and St. Mary Mission in Bayside is appointed pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Gregory and will reside at Immaculate Conception Parish Rectory in Gregory, effective June 27.

Father James “Chako” Puthenparambil is released as parochial administrator of Immaculate Conception in Gregory and is being called back to his home diocese in India by Most Rev. Mar Jose Porunnedom, Bishop of the Eparchy of Mananthavady, effective June 27.

Father Ignatius Nwankwocha is released as parochial administrator of Sacred Heart in Sinton and with the permission of the

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Most Rev. Valerian M. Okeke, Archbishop of Onitsha, appointed appointed as parochial administrator of St. Theresa of the Little Flower Parish in Corpus Christi and will reside at St. Theresa of the Little Flower Parish Rectory in Corpus Christi, effective June 27.

Father Eulalio Ibay is released as pastor of Our Lady Star of the Sea in Corpus Christi and appointed as pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Sinton and reside at Sacred Heart Parish Rectory in Sinton, effective June 27.

Father Roy Jacob Kaylayil with the permission of the Most Rev. Joseph Perumthottam, Archeparchy of Changanacherry, is appointed parochial administrator of Our Lady Star of the Sea in Corpus Christi, while remaining Parochial Administrator, Holy Cross and will reside at Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish Rectory in Corpus Christi, effective June 27.

Jaime Reyna, while retaining his duties as Director of Youth Ministry, has accepted the position as coordinator for the V Encuentro Ministry, effective May 10.

Jaime Reyna

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$40 per person (includes lunch) Bring your sisters in Christ for a day to reconnect, rest and renew. www.paxchristisisterscc.org July 2018 | South Texas Catholic 9

†† NEWS BRIEFS

In Memoriam: Sister Denise Cassidy, IWBS

Sister Denise Cassidy, Sister of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament of Corpus Christi, died Monday, June 4 at Incarnate Word Convent, with her Sisters at her side.

Sister Denise had celebrated the sixtieth anniversary of her religious profession on April 14. Her Jubilee Mass was celebrated by Bishop Emeritus Edmond Carmody at Incarnate Word Convent for a smaller group, including her family from Ireland.

She was on hospice at that time but was delighted to visit with her family members, friends, and Sisters at the convent, and to bid farewell to those who would not see her again before Jesus called her home.

For years after retiring from acting principal and full-time teaching, Sister Denise continued to tutor students at Incarnate Word Academy Elementary Level, stopping when health issues forced her to retire. Sister Denise enjoyed nature walks, listening to music and books on tape, reading, knitting, crocheting, playing Canasta with the sisters, and communicating with her family in Ireland via e-mail, texting, and Skype.

Sister Denise found a great source of joy in working with her students, teaching them the fundamentals and letting them know in the process how much God loves them.

One of her final wishes in conversation with her family was to establish an endowed scholarship in her name for students at Incarnate Word Academy. Anyone wishing to donate to the “Sister Denise Cassidy Scholarship” may send the contribution to: Incarnate Word Academy Foundation, 5201 Lipes Boulevard, Corpus Christi, Texas, 78413, to the attention of Sister Martha Ann Snapka.

More volunteers needed Parishioners from Our Lady of Perpetual Help participated in Harvey Clean Up Saturday on May 12 and May 19. Two groups of 12 people (some youth) spent several hours working on clean up tasks at the direction of Rockport and Port Aransas Volunteer Centers.

“There is still much work to be done as a new hurricane season is upon us,” Deacon Richard Longoria said. “It would be fantastic if parishes can help.”

All that is needed is for a parish group to set up a table after Mass and sign up parishioners who can lend a hand on a Saturday.

“Your charity for God’s people is needed. Can you Help? No group is too small. Even if you sign up two people–it would be fantastic,” Deacon Longoria said.

The coordinating groups are Port Aransas Volunteer Center, Rockport Volunteer Center, Refugio County Volunteer Center, the Sisters at Schoenstatt Shrine, Coastal Bend Long Term Recovery Center, Mayor Sharon Scott of Bayside, Mayor Mary Canales of Tivoli who also coordinates relief work in Austwell.

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Please call Deacon Richard Longoria at (361) 446-2291 or email rlongoria@diocesecc.org to organize your volunteer group.

†† NEWS BRIEFS

Msgr. Chamberlin celebrates 50 years as a priest On June 10 Msgr. Mark Chamberlin celebrated the 50th anniversary of his priestly ordination at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Portland with many of his beloved friends and parishioners from throughout the diocese.

Msgr. Chamberlin was ordained

by Bishop Thomas J. Drury at Corpus Christi Cathedral on May 25, 1968. It is evident that he has left his mark across the Diocese of Corpus Christi and in people’s hearts with his giving spirit over the years.

Incarnate Word Academy has set up an honorary endowed scholarship in his name for his golden jubilee. Once it is established and funded at $10,000, it will become a permanent fund from which a portion of the investment earning is distributed annually to an IWA student scholarship recipient.

If you would like to make a gift to the “Msgr. Mark Chamberlin Scholarship Fund,” please send payments to: Incarnate Word Academy Foundation, 2920 S. Alameda, Corpus Christi, TX 78404, Attn: Msgr. Mark Chamberlin Scholarship.

See more photos at SouthTexasCatholic.com/news/MsgrChamberlin

From ruins, students bring Hope

Students and Chaperones from Hope College TRIO Upward Bound in Holland, Michigan clear what was left of Adelia Resendez’ demolished home in Refugio.

The group was one of several who traveled from all over the United States to give aid to residents affected by Hurricane Harvey.

One student holds what was left of a statue-the face of Jesus. The group worked at three other sites painting, removing insulation and ceilings in Port Aransas.

Coordinator Andrea Mireles, who was also one of the chaperones, said that the group worked really hard. “All of the places where we were at was an opportunity for the students and for those of us who attended to do a lot of reflecting and they were just heartfelt experiences,” she said. “it was good for all of us.”

See more photos at SouthTexasCatholic.com/news/HCTRIO

July 2018 | South Texas Catholic 11

†† CATHOLIC EDUCATION

Student gets head start with early college program Liz Riggle

Correspondent

F

or Victoria Fuentes to move forward with her dreams of becoming a doctor, without incurring a considerable amount of debt, Del Mar College’s Early College program was an answer to her prayers.

Fuentes, an incoming senior at St. John Paul II High School, has been taking dual credit courses since the beginning of her sophomore year.

Her determination to succeed so impressed the staff of the dual credit program that Fuentes was chosen to be the face of the program.

“Victoria Fuentes is the perfect example of a student who wants to succeed,” said Emily Gonzalez, an early college program coordinator for Del Mar College. “Victoria is involved in her education and is a go-getter.”

Del Mar College Dual Credit Programs are available to students at 40 area public and private high schools including St. John Paul II, Incarnate Word Academy, and homeschooled students. Students may begin dual credit classes as early as their freshmen year.

The driving force for Fuentes has been her desire to lessen the financial burden for her mother, Norma Martinez. “Most students graduate with an average of 24 college hours which saves parents a little over $20,000,” Gonzalez said.

When she graduates in May 2019, Fuentes will receive her high school diploma, her associate’s degree in Liberal Arts, and 60 hours of coursework

12 South Texas Catholic | July 2018

from Del Mar College. She will transfer these hours to Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi to continue pursuing her goal of becoming a doctor.

“All of my classes at Del Mar have been extremely rigorous,” Fuentes said.

“I have learned to manage my time and plan ahead.”

Dr. Rosemary Henry, Superintendent of Catholic Schools, is impressed by Fuentes’s drive. “It is an extraordinary expression of determination that this young woman has the motivation to succeed. I am grateful for the partnership with Del Mar College and our high schools,” Dr. Henry said.

“Del Mar College dual credit program provides a wonderful opportunity for our students to advance.”

While soft-spoken and quiet, Fuentes has a strong resolve to flourish. She is grateful to everyone who has guided her including her mother, all of the educators at Most Precious Blood Elementary School, Bishop Garriga Middle Preparatory School, St. John Paul II High School, and dual credit program staff at Del Mar College.

For more information about the Del Mar Early College program visit Delmar.edu/dualcredit or call (361) 698-1634.

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†† CATHOLIC EDUCATION

Schools ramp up emergency protocol Luisa Buttler

T Correspondent

he Office of Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Corpus Christi has ramped up its efforts to keep its 18 campuses, 2,953 students, and 312 full and part-time faculty and staff safe from harm with the implementation of a standardized Emergency Operations Plan. The plan, which rolled out in the 2017-2018 school year, outlines actions to mitigate, respond and recover from emergency situations – situations not confined to a disaster like hurricanes, fires and gas leaks, but also includes dangers like shootings, other threats of bodily harm and bullying.

“Catholic schools are committed and dedicated to ensuring safe and secure Christ-centered environments,” said Dr. Rosemary Henry, Superintendent of Catholic Schools. “To save one life or to protect one from potential injury is immeasurable. We must do all we can, within our capability and human power, to learn, equip ourselves with knowledge, intervene and act swiftly.”

In the past, each school in the Diocese developed its own individual plan for

dealing with emergencies, but this recent intentional focus on school safety has brought about a multi-step standardized template for every local Catholic school to follow.

Goals 1 and 2 of the 8 step program were introduced to school employees this spring. The focus of the first goal was to implement an immediate action for security, including the creation of a School Safety Team at each campus, comprised of Educational School Advisory Council members, teachers, administrators, staff and local officials. The initial goal also included a renewed effort to secure all campus doors, to practice safety drills and to develop a proposal for utilizing an armed officer or security guard to patrol school grounds. The second goal was to integrate the “Standard Response Protocol (SRP) K-12,” a program designed by the School Safety Center at Texas State University in conjunction with the “I Love U Guys” Foundation.

“Our Diocesan Health Coordinator

researched many programs,” said Henry.

“After studying the merits, resources and curriculum, we realized this was the best fit for our schools, communities, students and staff.”

On May 1, principals, teachers, and other diocesan personnel attended a safety workshop led by the founder of the “I Love U Guys” Foundation, John-Michael Keyes. Keyes, along with his wife Ellen, designed the “I Love U Guys” program after the “I Love September 2006 U Guys” death of their daughFoundation, ter, Emily, during a John-Michael school shooting in Keyes Platte Canyon High School, located west of Denver, Colorado.

During the 2006 event when Emily and six other girls were held hostage, John-Michael text Emily the message, “R U OK?” Emily responded with the texts: “I love you guys” and “I love u guys. k?”

Emily was ultimately shot and killed by the 53-year old gunman, who then fatally turned the gun on himself.

July 2018 | South Texas Catholic 13

†† CATHOLIC EDUCATION

Keyes gave a presentation on Standard Response Protocol and the Standard Reunification Method. The Standard Response Protocol included four clear and concise action words that can be used in a variety of incidents or emergencies: Lockout, Lockdown, Evacuate and Shelter. The Standard Reunification Method introduced a practical method to unite students with parents after an evacuation or crisis. Keyes also gave a talk introducing the structure of an Incident Command System.

“For well-developed and executed plans to be embedded in a school culture, ongoing and consistent professional development must take place,” said Henry. “Engagement, training, awareness, development of standards and drill and practice are required.

Also, our students will engage in ongoing practice drills for all emergency situations. They too will come to understand that there is no substitute for preparation and planning.”

The diocese has since invited local law enforcement agencies and other emergency organizations to tour each of the campuses for consultation and suggestions for escape routes, and other safety routines. These valuable partnerships enrich safety planning and enable the Office of Catholic Schools to cultivate essential community networks, says Henry.

Goal 3 of the Emergency Operations Plan includes setting standards for the plan in a variety of different situations from bomb threats to shootings to medical emergencies, while goal 4 includes aligning each campus with an emergency structure

that is in full cooperation with local EMS, police, fire and city and county officials. Goal 5 consists of the creation of a “Safe School Alert Reporting System” which will encourage students to report problematic behaviors, such as bullying, self-harm, suicidal ideations, drug use, threats of violence, and more.

“If we attend to the wounded hearts of hurting youth, it sets a good example for all of God’s grace and compassion,” said Henry.

“We must continue to transform the struggling adolescent; the pain riddled elementary child and the forgotten middle school student into a messenger of hope, faith and most of all, love.”

The next extensive training diocese employees are slated for is on August 2. Jodee Blanco, one of the country’s pre-eminent voices on the subject of bullying, will be presenting on “Bullying Intervention and How to Save a Child in Crisis.” Blanco is a survivor, expert, activist and a New York Times best-selling author. Other topics of the upcoming training session include “Internet Crime Awareness and Internet Safety Strategies,” “Civilian Response to Active Threat Event” and “Surviving an Active Shooter Event,” “Emotional Credibility in Communication,” and “Recognizing Mental Health Issues, Depression, Self-Harm, Drugs, Boundary Issues and Threats of Violence.”

“Children are our greatest gifts,” said Henry, “They have been entrusted to our care and we are called to provide safe and secure environments for the future leaders of our city, state, country and world.”

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If you or someone you know is in need of such services, call Stephanie Bonilla, Director of the Office for Safe Environment and Child and Family Resources at: (361) 882-6191 for immediate assistance.

Office for Safe Environment and Child and Family Resources

†† NEWS FROM THE DIOCESE

Bishop Mulvey presents the Evangelii Gaudium Recognition plaque to Linda McKamie, who served as executive director of Catholic Charities and the Mother Teresa Shelter for the past 13 years. McKamie retired this year.

Ervey Martinez for South Texas Catholic

Recognition ceremony honors exemplary service Mary Cottingham

D

South Texas Catholic

uring the Evangelii Gaudium and the Hurricane Harvey Service Recognition ceremony Bishop Michael Mulvey said “we are being called to search out the poor, search out the marginalized, not to push them farther away, not to criticize them, but to be with them.

And those of you who have experienced that with a strong involvement after Hurricane Harvey, probably experienced some of that. Your faith has been put into action,” he said. “When we serve each other, when we pull down the barriers–our prejudices, our misunderstandings create–we climb.”

Bishop Mulvey presented plaques and

medals to the individuals, couples and groups who were nominated in parishes and missions throughout the Diocese of Corpus Christi on June 6 at Corpus Christi Cathedral.

For the Evangelii Gaudium Recognition, pastors from 53 parishes nominated individuals or couples from their church who exemplify the Joy of the Gospel, which is Pope Francis’ first encyclical. This year Bishop Mulvey nominated former Executive Director of Catholic Charities and Mother Teresa Shelter, Linda McKamie, for her 13 years of service to the Diocese of Corpus Christi.

In an article from the diocesan website bishop said, “Linda lives by the words of

Jesus in Matthew–25, ‘Whatever you do to the least, you do it to me.’ This–for her, is her guiding principle and truth–to seek out and see the face of Jesus in every person. Her witness will remain now and into the future,” Bishop Mulvey said. “I am grateful to Linda McKamie for her passion for serving the poor and the joy with which she did so every day.”

During the ceremony, Bishop Mulvey also recognized nominees from 21 parishes and missions who offered extraordinary assistance to those affected by Hurricane Harvey. These individuals, couples and groups were presented with the Hurricane Harvey Service Recognition medal for their efforts.

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Bishop Mulvey presents the Evangelii Gaudium Recognition plaque and certificate to Rey and Cuca Gutierrez from from St. George Parish in George West.

Ervey Martinez for South Texas Catholic

“This is the largest crowd we’ve had for this recognition and it says that through you, the numerous people who are here– others have been touched. Other’s lives have been enriched through your ministry and your service, so the more people we have here, the better it is, because it means that so many people are being served throughout our diocese,” Bishop Mulvey said.

“I personally want to thank all for your service whether you did it in the parish or during the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey you are part of a stronger church. You represent all of us, and you continue to represent all of us. The church of the future needs more lay involvement and more lay leaders.

We need you and others to work with us so that what we do can multiply and spread.

We are here to proclaim the Gospel and you are there to receive it and put it into action.

“This is the beauty of our Church. We all have roles to play in whatever small way, and whatever large way as we work together united in one another as a church–as the Body of Christ we could effectively reach so many,” Bishop Mulvey said. “We belong to each other.”

Recipients of the 2018 Evangelii 16 South Texas Catholic | July 2018

Gaudium awards from the Alice Deanery are Ramiro and Ana Baez from Sacred Heart Mission in Realitos; Francisco Jr. and Beatrice Canas from Santa Rosa de Lima Parish in Benavides; Mauro and Maria Carvajal from St. Frances of Rome Parish in Agua Dulce; Debbie Donaho from St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish; Edmundo and Rosa Maria Garcia from St. Frances de Paula Parish in San Diego; Constable Arturo Martinez from St. Mary Parish in Freer; Robert Salazar from Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Alice; Arnoldo Jr. and Diana Valadez from St. Joseph Mission in San Jose.

Recipients of the 2018 Evangelii Gaudium awards from the Beeville Deanery are Pancho and Manuela Barrera from Sacred Heart Parish in Mathis; Alex Camacho from Our Lady of Victory Parish in Beeville; Jimmy and Margaret Deleon from Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission in Pawnee; Rey and Cuca Gutierrez from St. George Parish in George West; Joe Malik from Sacred Heart Parish in Three Rivers; Ricky and Mary Martinez from Sacred Heart of Jesus in Odem; Thomas and Irma Perez from Sacred Heart Mission in Pettus; Loretta Perez from St. James the Apostle Parish in Refugio; Mike and Debbie Purdy from St. Pius X Mission in Sandia; Don and Kim Rokohl from St. John of the Cross in Orange Grove; and Mike Willow from St. Joseph Parish in Beeville.

Recipients of the 2018 Evangelii

Gaudium awards from the Corpus Christi Central Deanery are Larry Manschot from Sacred Heart Parish; Toni Medina from St. Patrick Parish; Rudy Ortiz from Corpus Christi Cathedral Parish; Jason Polasek from Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Portland; and Kevin and Clare Smith from Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish.

Recipients of the 2018 Evangelii Gaudium awards from the Corpus Christi Five Points Deanery are Joe and Gloria Alaniz from St. Peter Prince of the Apostles Parish in Corpus Christi; Daniel and Mitzi Bluntzer from St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Calallen; Philip and Rose Marie Polk from St. Patrick Mission in San Patricio; and Joe and Lydia Quitugua from St. Mary Mission in Calallen.

Recipients of the 2018 Evangelii Gaudium awards from the Corpus Christi Southside Deanery are Peter and Nancy Anzaldua from St. Pius X Parish; Lillard and Nancy Christ from St. Joseph Parish in Port Aransas; Christopher and Valerie Commons from Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish; Stephen and Mary Ellen Galvan from St. Andrew by the Sea Parish; Ted and Dora Leal from St. Philip the Apostle Parish; Rick Marcantonio from St. Paul the Apostle Parish; Deacon Frank Newchurch from Most Precious Blood Parish; and Irene Pena from St. Helena of the True Cross of Jesus Parish.

Recipients of the 2018 Evangelii Gaudium awards from the Corpus Christi Westside Deanery are Lisandro Amaya from Ss. Cyril & Methodius Parish; Jerry and Sandra Cantu from Christ the King Parish; and Mary Guerra from St. Joseph Parish.

Recipients of the 2018 Evangelii Gaudium awards from the Kingsville Deanery are James Breitenfeld from Sacred Heart Mission in Ricardo; Julie Catter and Goldia Hubert from Our Lady of Consolation in Vattmann; Teresa Esparza from Our Lady of Guadalupe in Riviera; Tomas and Sanjuanita Garcia from St. James Parish in Bishop; Rosa Linda Gutierrez from St. Martin of Tours in Kingsville; David G. Lopez Sr. from St. Joseph Parish in Kingsville; Janie Martinez from St. Theresa of the Infant Jesus Parish in Premont; Eloy and Nelissa Perez from Immaculate Conception Mission in Concepción; Ruben and Martha Soliz from Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish in Kingsville; and Robert and Diana Zavala from St. Gertrude Parish in Kingsville.

Recipients of the Evangelii Gaudium awards from the Refugio Deanery are Icidro

†† NEWS FROM THE DIOCESE

and Felipa Flores from St. Paul Mission in St. Paul; John Gregorcyk from Our Lady of Refuge Parish in Refugio; Irene Jones from Our Lady of Assumption Parish in Ingleside; Patricia Kubicek from Sacred Heart Parish in Rockport; and Oscar Sturgeon from Immaculate Conception Parish in Taft.

Terry Espinoza from Catholic Charities of Corpus Christi, Inc. Office of Ministry & Life Enrichment for Persons with Disabilities is also a recipient of the 2018 Evangelii Gaudium award.

Recipients of the Hurricane Harvey Service awards from the Alice Deanery are Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court 2243 Immaculate Mary’s Heart from St. Mary Parish in Freer; and Dwight Volling from St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish.

Recipients of the Hurricane Harvey Service awards from the Beeville Deanery are Catholic Daughters of Americas Court #2422 from Sacred Heart of Jesus in Odem; High School Youth Group from Sacred Heart Parish in Mathis; Homer and Mary Garza from Sacred Heart Parish in Mathis; Knights of Columbus Council #1653 from St. Joseph Parish in Beeville; Greg Meyer, Jeff and Yvonne Meyer from St. Pius X Mission

in Sandia; Efrain and Sandra Olivarez from Sacred Heart Parish in Mathis.

Recipients of the Hurricane Harvey Service awards from the Corpus Christi Central Deanery are Knights of Columbus Council #11107 from Corpus Christi Cathedral; Sylvia Nugent (Coordinator for Works of Charity) from Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Portland; and Works of Mercy from Our Lady Star of the Sea in Corpus Christi.

Recipients of the Hurricane Harvey Service awards from the Corpus Christi Five Points Deanery are Knights of Columbus Council # 7290 from St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles in Corpus Christi Recipients of the Hurricane Harvey Service awards from the Corpus Christi Southside Deanery are Robert and Cindy Dillard from Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish; Knights of Columbus Council #10677 from St. Andrew by the Sea; Knights of Columbus Council #8170 from St. Paul the Apostle Parish; Knights of Columbus Quo Vadis Council and St. Joseph Parish Family Assistance Team from St. Joseph Parish in Port Aransas.

Recipients of the Hurricane Harvey Service awards from the Kingsville Deanery are

St. Gertrude School, Knights of Columbus Council #3389, Jean Claire Turcotte from St. Gertrude Parish; and Women of Faith Group from St. Joseph Parish.

Recipients of the Hurricane Harvey Service awards from the Refugio Deanery are Leonard Vasquez from Immaculate Conception Parish in Taft; Erma Gonzales, Janie Gonzalez, Abel Gutierrez, Knights of Columbus Council #11570, Our Lady of Guadalupe Society, Robert and Ann Marie Puig and Brian Thibodeaux from Our Lady of Assumption in Ingleside; Deb Bauer from Our Lady of Refuge in Refugio; Donald and Margie Mercier from Sacred Heart Parish in Sinton; David Vanecek from St. Paul Mission in Sinton.

Bishop Mulvey presents high school youth group from Sacred Heart Parish in Mathis with the Hurricane Harvey Service Recognition medal and certificate.

Ervey Martinez for South Texas Catholic More photos are available on SouthTexasCatholic.com/news/Recognition

July 2018 | South Texas Catholic 17

✝ NEWS FROM THE DIOCESE

From homelessness to cultiv Rebecca Esparza

T Correspondent

hree years ago, Michael Dewar was at a crossroads in his life.

A long haul truck driver for the previous 16 years, running one red light and getting a traffic ticket was enough reason for his trucking company to terminate him immediately.

“I had been traveling across the entire United States and most of Canada for 16 straight years, with no break,” recalled Dewar. “Getting that ticket in Oregon actually saved me. I had been living in my truck the entire time, only occasionally spending a night in a motel. When I lost the job, I bought a one-way bus ticket to Corpus Christi and instantly became homeless.”

A supervisor back in 2009 had mentioned Corpus Christi to Dewar and the thoughts of warm weather and beaches brought a smile to his face. It bore some resemblance to his homeland in Jamaica.

“I visited Mother Teresa Shelter and met Sister Rose–suddenly something like being homeless was not so scary. God has a way of smiling back at you and meeting Sister Rose was a blessing,” Dewar said. “Sister Rose saved my life.”

Sister Rose Madassery with the Sisters of the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and operations manager at Mother Teresa Shelter recommended Catholic Charities of Corpus Christi’s Men’s Transitional Housing to Dewar and the plan was to find a job, eventually finding a permanent home.

The Men’s Transitional Housing facility increases the likelihood a person will remain housed while gaining skills to sustain independent living. There’s room for 21 men at the house and they cannot stay for any longer than 24 months.

“But almost immediately, I became deathly ill,” he said. “If I had become that sick while on the road, it could have been tragic, not only for me but for other drivers on the road.”

After recuperating for months, Dewar inquired about any full-time jobs at the Mother Teresa Shelter. He interviewed, was hired and has worked there for two years on a variety of tasks. From maintaining the shelter’s garden, cleaning the kitchen and doing the laundry,

18 South Texas Catholic | July 2018

Dewar has done it all.

“Michael is the most caring person. If he were the richest man in the world, he would give it all to the homeless. He always goes above and beyond for the shelter,” said Irma Garza, a case manager at Mother Teresa Shelter.

“Michael has a heart of gold and loves maintaining our beautiful garden. He doesn’t have just a green thumb–it’s definitely a golden thumb,” she chuckled.

Today, Dewar is self-sufficient and proud of how far he has come.

“Growing up in Jamaica, I was very much the black sheep of the family,” he said. “My sister is a teacher and my brother is a businessman.

Our father was a dairy/beef/fish farmer and as far back as I can recall, I knew I did not want to be a farmer when I grew up.”

Dewar describes life in Jamaica as filled with adversities.

“My dad died at 69, but he probably could have lived a lot longer if he had not been a drinker and smoker. In Jamaica, there are more bars than anything else,” he said.

He married an American woman in 1986 and although the marriage ended in divorce, he is confident his ex-wife saved his life.

“If I would have stayed in Jamaica, I would have died long ago. Coming to the United States was the best thing for me. Now, for the first time in a long time, I feel like I’ve taken huge steps forward in my life. Maybe I can take more steps forward to perhaps starting another career someday,” Dewar said.

“He is a committed worker willing do anything asked. He now contributes his time and even money to the shelter,” said Sister Rose.

“I see his compassion and willingness to support our homeless brothers and sisters. We have changed Michael’s life around to such extent that he now realizes the need to help other people and change their lives, as well.”

“My faith in God is stronger than ever before, thanks to Sister Rose and all the wonderful people I’ve met in Corpus Christi. When I think about the tough times in my life, I think about the poem “Footprints” and imagine during my most difficult moments–God was carrying me the entire time.”

Michael Dewar signals a thumbs-up in the garden at the Mother Teresa Shelter.

Contributed photo

†† NEWS FROM THE DIOCESE

†† NEWS FROM THE DIOCESE

ivating new roots

July 2018 | South Texas Catholic 19

✝ NEWS FROM THE DIOCESE

Pre-Synod focus groups stress need for guidance Mary Cottingham

T

South Texas Catholic

he critical issues facing high school age youth in their daily lives are bullying, drugs and pornography.

In most cases, it’s not the schools that are to blame.

According to some teenagers, it’s the breakdown of some of their own families.

Between May and June Bishop Michael Mulvey and Jaime Reyna, Director of Youth Ministry, met with youth groups from three focus groups in the Diocese of Corpus Christi to discuss the results of the 2017 Pre-Synod survey that would help address their pastoral needs.

The 2018 Synod, “Young People, Faith and Vocational Discernment” will be occurring in Rome sometime in October. It will be a result of Pope Francis’ requests to bishops from all over the world who conducted similar surveys.

20 South Texas Catholic | July 2018

All youth groups, youth leaders and priests of the diocese were invited to attend one of three meetings near them. The meetings were at St. Therese of the Infant Jesus Parish in Premont, St. Peter Parish in Fulton and Most Precious Blood Parish in Corpus Christi.

For many youth ministers and priests who also attended the focus groups, the meetings were a revelation. “The youth shared freely,” Reyna said. “It’s one thing to see it on paper and know that it exists– it’s another when they hear the kids they serve, speak on issues with more details and in depth.”

Some of the families, who struggle, often have to deal with substance abuse and domestic violence. A teenager told Reyna that sometimes he doesn’t go to church because of problems at home. “He said he has to help take care of a family member

who’s going through a hard time rather than go to church,” Reyna said. “He is (basically) incurred to care for family members and that’s his reality,” Not everybody addressed alcohol and drugs. Some of the youth talked about their relatives and peers, whose parents let them do whatever they want. According to some of the youth, parents don’t discipline or correct their kids even when they’re wrong.

They can choose to believe in God or not, go to church or not.

“They are saying that these kids don’t even think of consequences because they don’t have them at home. That is their perception of what they feel is the problem. I asked them, ‘do you think the school system is to blame,’ and they tell me ‘no–we have some teachers that care and then we have teachers that don’t, because it’s a losing battle.’”

†† NEWS FROM THE DIOCESE

“We’re talking about divorce and drugs, and we’re talking about no discipline,” Reyna said. When he asked them to elaborate, one of the youth said, “sometimes it’s kind of hard for my mom to do this when she’s going out doing drugs–you know– she’s not there.” Another young person said, “divorce impacts many of us young people and because we do not seek help it adds to the problem.”

In some of the rural areas grandparents raising grandchildren, bullying and pornography are significant issues in their lives.

In school, kids share pornographic Web sites with other kids using their phones.

“The schools have lockdowns and school suspensions because kids have gotten out of control,” Reyna said.

“It’s almost like a war zone in some of these rural school areas when you have substance abuse–bullying and fighting is a problem and no discipline,” Reyna said. “It’s hard for schools or teachers or lay leaders to redirect them when their families don’t even know how to redirect them or teach them morals or right and wrong.”

Reyna said though some youth come

from broken families, for the Vietnamese community in Fulton that is a minimal factor. The focus group they met at St. Peter Parish in Fulton also comprised of youth from Rockport. According to Reyna the group from Rockport was a very dynamic group, and they had a lot of good content to share on the subject matters. Whereas, the group from Fulton, mostly Vietnamese, were reticent. “I kept asking questions –like about substance abuse or how did they feel when young people or young adults leave the church. Most of it wasn’t an issue for them, because of their family upbringing, their traditions,” he said.

The group from Fulton said that in their world, they have a stable family upbringing.

They don’t leave the house or stop going to church, because their families wouldn’t let them.

“Young people say that parents are giving kids so much freedom and the right to do whatever they want–and they don’t want that,” Reyna said. “If we focused on families we can probably help change the cultural identity because they share a lot of the blame.”

Many teenagers admit they go to Snapchat, Twitter and Facebook for their news.

They don’t even watch TV anymore–they prefer to get their news from social media.

According to Reyna’s findings, some kids like to choose which report they want to see, and others are looking at social media for the shock value.

Youth also say they want homilies and social media on topics that are relatable to them. They want priests and bishops to talk on social issues in their homilies.

They say the church or lay leaders dance around topics. They say, “all we want is to know the truth.” They feel by the time the church responds they’ve already found their answers elsewhere (even if it’s wrong).

Reyna said that youth groups are high in quality, if not quantity. “Youth are thankful to the church for providing things like youth group and religious education and the Newman Centers and many of them said without them they don’t know where they would be. It is a haven and a blessing that they are able to go to places like that and find support–a support system in their journey of faith.”

July 2018 | South Texas Catholic 21

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Bishop Michael Mulvey ordained three new deacons on June 3. Pictured above are, from left, Deacon Ramiro “RJ” Regalado, Jr., Bishop Mulvey, Deacon Richard Gutierrez and Deacon Santos Ruben Jones III. Adel Rivera, South Texas Catholic

Diocese welcomes three new deacons

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South Texas Catholic

ishop Michael Mulvey ordained Richard Gutierrez, Ramiro “RJ” Regalado, Jr. and Santos Ruben Jones III to the diaconate at Corpus Christi Cathedral on June 3. For Deacons Gutierrez and Regalado this will be a transitional period. The next step in their formation will be ordination to the priesthood, whereas Deacon Jones is ordained to the permanent diaconate.

All three men expressed their resolve to carry out their office in accord with the mind of Christ and the Church, under the direction of the bishop.

As they lay prostrate on the altar floor, the faithful prayed the Litany of Supplication, which joins the Church on earth with the saints in heaven to beseech God on behalf of the candidates. Lying prostrate is a sign of humility and supplication that they might be showered with the gifts 22 South Texas Catholic | July 2018

of love and peace.

Through the laying on of hands by the bishop and the Prayer of Ordination, the gift of the Holy Spirit for the office of deacon was conferred on them. Immediately after the Prayer of Ordination, they were invested with the diaconal stole and dalmatic brought to the altar by their families. The investiture is an outward manifestation of the liturgical ministry they will fulfill.

The bishop handed each one of the young men the Book of Gospels, which signifies the office of the deacon to proclaim the Gospel in liturgical celebrations and to preach the faith of the Church in word and in deed.

With a fraternal kiss, the bishop sealed the deacons’ admittance into the ministry.

The bishop’s embrace was followed by a fraternal kiss from other deacons present, a sign of welcome to them in their entry

to a common ministry in their Order.

After his investiture was complete, they joined Bishop Mulvey to serve the remainder of the Mass. Among the first duties in serving the Mass, the deacons had the honor of giving their family members the Holy Communion from the cup.

Concelebrants were Bishop Emeritus Edmond Carmody, priests of the diocese and other priests involved in their formation.

Deacon Richard Gutierrez’ summer assignment will be at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Portland; Deacon Ramiro Regalado’s summer assignment will be at St. Gertrude Parish in Kingsville; and Deacon Santos Jones’ will be assigned to St. Joseph Parish in Beeville.

More photos and a personal note from each deacon is available on SouthTexasCatholic.com/news/2018Sons

†† NEWS FROM THE DIOCESE

Catholic Charities travel to Aransas Pass, providing aid, assessing needs Dayna Mazzei Worchel

T Correspondent

he south Texas sun and high humidity didn’t deter a crowd of people from gathering at St. Mary Star of the Sea Church in Aransas Pass on May 18. They were there seeking help from Catholic Charities of Corpus Christi,

who arrived in a van full of food, cleaning supplies and a staff of helpers. The team helped residents’ complete applications for assistance, and assess their needs in the wake of the hurricane last summer.

Aransas Pass, though not in the eye of Hurricane Harvey, received massive flooding, and many of its homes and

businesses were destroyed. People there and in other hard-hit towns, like Port Aransas and Rockport, are still recovering and trying to rebuild their lives.

Father James Vasquez, pastor of St. Mary Star of the Sea, carried out folding chairs and placed them for people to sit.

He said that there has been a big need

Catholic Charities of Corpus Christi, staff help residents’ complete applications for assistance, and assess their needs on May 18 at Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish.

Dayna Mazzei Worchel for South Texas Catholic

July 2018 | South Texas Catholic 23

✝ NEWS FROM THE DIOCESE

within his congregation and community for the services Catholic Charities offers.

“A lot of people are trying to get their homes in order, and they have financial burdens–a lot haven’t been able to get back to their homes,” he said.

Catholic Charities helpers gave everyone waiting in line a number and one by one assisted residents with the assessment applications.

A retired couple Tina Adams and her husband, Charles Cunningham live in an old RV with a leaky roof. They arrived early to the church for food and building

supplies. But they also brought some fresh tomatoes and peppers from their own garden to share. “We want to give back,” Adams said. “Any help we get is appreciated. We are retired, and we get disability and retirement–we are fortunate to have those checks.”

Some others who waited at St. Mary Star of the Sea had received some financial help from FEMA, but it wasn’t enough to take care of all of the damage. Friends Margaret Montemayor and Rita Ramirez, waited patiently in the heat.

Ramirez said that her house was flooded

after the storm blew out her windows.

FEMA gave her $2,000 to fix the damage, but it wasn’t enough. “I’m here for plywood and roofing material,” said Ramirez, who rode out the storm in her Aransas Pass home. “Parts of the roof blew off and flooded my home. The drainage was bad, but it’s better now.”

Montemayor also came for help with building materials. She needs roofing and sheetrock and had received $736 from FEMA. “I had to gut my house, and I’m still working on it. I have holes in my roof, and lots of damage to my trees and my fence is gone,” she said.

Aransas Pass residents Randy and Joannie Galvan hope to get building supplies for their home, which is heavily damaged.

“Bishop Mulvey said after the hurricane that we were in this for the long haul,” said Mike McClellan, Interim Executive Director of Catholic Charities of Corpus Christi, regarding community outreach.

“We are assessing needs and gathering information and will come back and come up with a plan. We are going to them, instead of them coming to us.”

Catholic Charities has already visited Port Aransas and has plans to visit Rockport to offer them the same services.

McClellan estimates the organization has helped more than 10,000 people since September 2017.

If you have been affected by Hurricane Harvey and are in immediate need of emergency assistance, contact Catholic Charities of Corpus Christi Inc. at (361) 884-0651, ext. 233, or for more information go to catholiccharities-cc.org.

Julio Dimas, Program Manager for Disaster Relief at Catholic Charities of Corpus Christi, unloads food to place in a cooler on May 19 at St. Mary Star of the Sea in Aransas Pass.

Hurricane Harvey hit in August 2017 and many are still seeking relief from its effects.

Dayna Mazzei Worchel for South Texas Catholic

†† PARISH LIFE

Clockwise from left, Roxanne Alvarado, Mary Mercado, Audrey Conde, Rosina Salas, Sylvia Cantu and Debra Castro prepare for their weekly prayer group, an extension of the Small Church Community initiative at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Corpus Christi.

Rebecca Esparza for South Texas Catholic

Small church communities share life struggles Rebecca Esparza

B Correspondent

aldemar Cardenas has joyfully served as a Eucharistic Minister since he was 24 years old.

Today, at 51, he continues his involvement with the Church through various volunteer activities, including a concept called Small Church Communities, which encourages small groups of parishioners to grow and share their faith with others in the Catholic community.

At Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Corpus

Christi, the idea to form small church communities arose from ACTS retreat participants who wanted to meet after the retreat, while learning more about the Catholic faith, the Bible and sharing life’s experiences.

“I belong to a Spanish-speaking group called San Gabriel, which was formed last year. We read Scripture, get together at different group member’s houses and share life’s struggles,” Cardenas said. “We are a group of 12 men. These small church communities are designed to remain small. Since we each share our personal thoughts, keeping

the group smaller allows each person time to share. If we were any bigger, we couldn’t keep our meetings down to an hour and a half.”

“People were coming back from an ACTS retreat and feeling disappointed there wasn’t much of a follow up afterwards, so we decided to set up small church communities to fill that void,” said Father Frank Martinez, pastor at Our Lady of Perpetual Help. “You don’t have to be part of an ACTS retreat to participate in a small church community.

Communities can be made up of readers, July 2018 | South Texas Catholic 25

†† PARISH LIFE

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, or parishioners who don’t even volunteer. Anyone is welcomed to join.”

Father Martinez said he feels the benefits of having small church communities at his parish have been remarkable.

“Our parishioners seem more connected with the Church, more engaged,” he said. “They are more in tune with what’s going on in the community and more willing to volunteer out in the general community, as well.”

Currently, the OLPH community has 18 small church communities, including 13 in English and five in Spanish. Each group decides how many times a month to meet and twice a year there are meetings where all small church communities get together.

Marisella Munoz, a parishioner at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, said she became involved in small church communities because she feels each community plays an intricate role in doing God’s work.

“We’re doing His work, His will, on His time. The level of intimacy within our small church community allows each member to learn about each other‘s difficulties, as well as each other‘s blessings.

We share the love of Christ among each other, like a family,” she said.

Munoz, community outreach ministry coordinator at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, said belonging to a small church community is not a replacement for attending church.

“We are working together in building God‘s kingdom. Becoming a small church community is simply an extension of that. We pray for each other, comfort each other and help each community member out in time of need,” she said.

For Cardenas, one of the most rewarding benefits of belonging to a small church community is the opportunity to serve God in unexpected ways.

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Debra Castro (left) and Roxanne Alvarado recite the Rosary during their weekly prayer group, “Our Lady’s Prayer Warriors.”

Rebecca Esparza for South Texas Catholic

“We’ve fed the homeless downtown, helped build a fence for one of our group member’s family, among many other community projects. We are here to serve each other as group members, as well as serve our local community as a whole,” he said.

But one of the most beautiful fruits of his involvement in small community groups has been seeing how it has inspired his wife Maggie to form her own group.

“She had her last meeting a few weeks ago,” he said proudly. “I think it is truly the Holy Spirit at work.”

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†† VIDA CATÓLICA

Una multitud acudió a la Parroquia de Santa María Estrella del Mar en Aransas Pass el 19 de Mayo, con el fin de llenar una solicitud de asistencia de Caridades Católicas de Corpus Christi. Casi 100 personas esperaban en fila, desde antes de las 9 a.m. ese día.

Dayna Mazzei Worchel para South Texas Catholic

Caridades Católicas viaja a Aransas Pass proveyendo ayuda y evaluando necesidades Dayna Mazzei Worschel, Corresponsal Gloria Romero, Traductora

N

i el sol de Sur de Tejas ni el alto nivel de humedad, detuvieron a la multitud de gente para reunirse en la parroquia “Santa Maria Estrella del Mar” en Aransas Pass el 18 de Mayo. La multitud, buscaba la ayuda de Caridades Católicas de Corpus Christi, quienes llegaron en una

camioneta llena de comida, artículos de limpieza, y personal de ayuda. El equipo asistió a los residentes para llenar las solicitudes y para evaluar sus necesidades como respuesta a la destrucción del Huracán el pasado verano.

A pesar de que el ojo del Huracán Harvey no pego en Aransas Pass si ocasionó una inundación masiva, y muchas de sus viviendas y negocios fueron destruidos.

La gente de allí y de otras partes, intensamente afectadas, como Port Aransas y Rockport continuan tratando de recuperarse para reconstruir sus vidas.

El Padre James Vazquez, Párroco de Santa Maria Estrella del Mar, llevó sillas plegables y las colocó para que la gente se sentara. Dijo que ha habido hoy, una gran necesidad para su congregación y comunidad de los servicios que Caridades July 2018 | South Texas Catholic 27

†† VIDA CATÓLICA

Católicas ofrece.

“Mucha gente esta tratando de poner sus casas en orden y tienen dificultades financieras, muchos de ellos no han podido regresar a sus casas.” Dijo el.

Los ayudantes de Caridades Católicas les dieron a cada uno de los que esperaban en fila un numero y uno por uno fue asistido en sus solicitudes de evaluación de daños.

Una pareja retirada; Tina Adams y su esposo Charles Cummingham viven en un viejo tráiler con un techo que gotea.

Ellos llegaron temprano a la iglesia por comida y artículos de construcción. Pero ellos también llevaron tomates frescos y pimientos de su jardín para compartir. “Queremos devolver los favores recibidos,” dijo Adams.

“Cualquier ayuda que obtengamos es agradecida. Estamos retirados y tenemos deshabilitad y retiro somos afortunados en contar con unos cheques.”

Otras personas que esperaron en Santa Maria Estrella del Mar han recibido algo de ayuda financiera de FEMA, pero no fue suficiente para cubrir los daños.

Las amigas, Margaret Montemayor y Rita Ramirez, esperaron pacientemente en el calor.

Ramirez dijo que su casa se inundó después de que la tormenta reventó las ventanas. FEMA le dio $2000 para arreglar el daño, pero no fue suficiente. “Estoy aquí buscando madera y material para el techo,” Dijo Ramirez, quien se quedó en su casa de Aransas Pass durante la tormenta, “Partes del techo volaron y mi casa se inundó. El drenaje estaba mal, pero esta mejor ahora.”

Montemayor también fue por ayuda con materiales de construcción. Ella necesita techo y paredes prefabricadas y ha recibido $736 de FEMA. “Yo tuve que desmantelar mi casa y todavía estoy trabajando en ello. Tengo hoyos en mi techo y muchísimo daño en mis arboles y mi barda desapareció.”

Dijo ella.

Randy y Joannie Galvan, residentes de Aransas Pass, esperan obtener artículos de construcción para su casa que esta muy dañada.

“Como dijo el Obispo Mulvey después del huracán hemos estado estirando nuestros recursos.” Dijo Mike McClellan director ejecutivo interino de Caridades Católicas de Corpus

28 South Texas Catholic | July 2018

Dayna Mazzei Worchel para South Texas Catholic

Christi. Con respeto a llegar a la comunidad “Estamos evaluando las necesidades y reuniendo información para regresar con un plan de acción. Nosotros fuimos a ellos en vez de que ellos vengan a nosotros.”

Caridades Católicas ya visitó Port Aransas y tiene planes de visitar Rockport para ofrecerles los mismos servicios.

McClellan calcula que la organización ha ayudado a mas de 10,000 personas desde Septiembre del 2017.

Si usted ha sido afectado por el Huracán Harvey y está en necesidad inmediata de ayuda de emergencia, contacte a Caridades Católicas de Corpus Christi, Inc. Al 361-884-0651, ext.

233, o vaya a catholiccharities-cc.org por mas información.

Ayudenos a Prevenir el Abuso Financiero

Obispo Michael Mulvey y el personal de la Oficina de un Ambiente Seguro y de Servicios para Niños y Familia se comprometen a ayudar en el proceso de curación de las víctimas y sobrevivientes de abuso.

Si usted o alguien que usted conoce está en necesidad de estos servicios, llame a Stephanie Bonilla, Director de la Oficina de un Ambiente Seguro y de Servicios para Niños y Familia: (361) 882-6191 para asistencia inmediata.

Las amigas Margaret Montemayor (izquierda) y Rita Ramirez, residentes de Aransas Pass, acudieron al evento de Caridades Católicas de Corpus Christi en Santa María Estrella del Mar. Ambas, buscando ayuda en la compra de materiales de construcción para sus casas, las cuales fueron muy destruidas por el Huracán Harvey.

La Diócesis de Corpus Christi por medio de la recomendación del Concilio Diocesano de Finanzas y el Concilio Presbiteral han llevado su dedicación mas allá para la buena administración y responsabilidad nanciera en nombre de donantes generosos al instituir un “hotline” para reportar el abuso nanciero.

Oficina de un Ambiente Seguro y de Servicios para Niños y Familia

La Diócesis de Corpus Christi ha seleccionado un tercer partido independiente, La Red, para proporcionarle a usted con una manera para reportar anónima y condencialmente el abuso nanciero e fraude. Los empleados, los parroquianos, los voluntarios, los vendedores, y otros partidos interesados estan impulsados para reportar las preocupaciones que tengan respeto a la conducta de påca ética nanciera dentro de la Diócese de Corpus Christi.

Todas las investigaciones serán tradas inmediatamente y discretamente.

Personas que llamen tienen el derecho de mantenerse anónimas.

Llamada 1-877-571-9748

†† VIDA CATÓLICA

Las damas del grupo de oración llamado, “Las guerreras de oración de Nuestra Señora” o “Our Lady’s Prayer Warriors,” se han reunido cada miércoles durante los últimos tres años, en la casa de Roxanne Alvarado y su familia. El grupo es una extensión del programa de pequeñas comunidades parroquiales de Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro en Corpus Christi.

Rebecca Esparza para South Texas Catholic

Comunidades Parroquiales Pequeñas Rebecca Esparza, Corresponsal Gloria Romero, Traductora

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aldemar Cardenas ha servido alegremente como ministro de Eucaristía desde que tenia 24 años. Hoy en día tiene 51, y continúa involucrándose con la Iglesia a través de varias actividades voluntarias, incluyendo un concepto que va ganando atracción a través del país, llamado “Small Church Communities” o Comunidades pequeñas de la Iglesia. Lo cual anima a grupos pequeños

de feligreses a compartir y crecer en su Fe con otras comunidades católicas.

En la Parroquia de Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro en Corpus Christi, la idea de formar pequeñas comunidades ha crecido mediante un retiro titulado ACTS en donde quienes participan desean reunirse después del retiro para aprender más a cerca de su Fe Católica y de la Biblia, al mismo tiempo que participan de sus experiencias de vida.

-“Yo pertenezco a un grupo que habla en español, se llama San Gabriel, y se formó el año pasado. Leemos las Sagradas Escrituras, nos reunimos en las diferentes casas de los miembros del grupo y compartimos nuestras luchas y dificultades de vida.” Dijo Cardenas.

-“Somos un grupo de 12 hombres. Estas comunidades eclesiásticas están diseñadas para permanecer pequeñas. Ya que cada uno de nosotros comparte sus pensamientos July 2018 | South Texas Catholic 29

†† VIDA CATÓLICA

nosotros, como una familia,” dijo ella.

Muñoz, es coordinadora del ministerio de promoción en Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro, y dijo que pertenecer a una comunidad pequeña de la parroquia no reemplaza el asistir a la Iglesia.

“Estamos trabajando juntos en la construcción del Reino de Dios. Al convertirnos en una comunidad pequeña simplemente hacemos de ello una extensión de Su Reino.”

“Rezamos el uno por el otro, nos consolamos el uno al otro y ayudamos a cada miembro de la comunidad en tiempo de necesidad,” dijo ella.

Para Cardenas uno de los beneficios mas satisfactorios de pertenecer a una comunidad pequeña de la Iglesia es una oportunidad inesperada que se le presenta de servir a Dios.

Alimentamos a los desamparados en el centro de la ciudad, ayudamos a construir bardas para una de las familias, miembro de nuestro grupo, Eso, de entre muchos otros proyectos de nuestra comunidad.

Estamos aquí para servir los unos a los otros como miembros Diana Villareal toma la mano de Debbie Stice, durante la parte por del grupo, tanto como al servicio de nuestra comunidad como intenciones del grupo de oración semanal. Las reuniones empezaron un todo.” Dijo él. con oraciones seguidas por el Rosario. El grupo tiene una cena y “Pero uno de los frutos mas bellos que he visto por estar involudespués, una discusión sobre el estudio de un libro. crado en los grupos de comunidades pequeñas es la manera en que Rebecca Esparza para South Texas Catholic ha inspirado a mi esposa Maggie para formar su propio grupo. Ella tuvo su ultima junta hace unas semanas” dijo él orgullosamente, personales; manteniendo el grupo pequeño, permite a cada persona “yo creo verdaderamente que es obra del Espíritu Santo.” compartir tiempo. Si fuéramos un grupo mas grande, no podríamos mantener nuestras reuniones en una hora y media.”

“La gente que salía del retiro ACTS se sentía desilusionada porque no había algo con lo que pudiera continuar, por eso decidimos formar pequeñas comunidades eclesiásticas para llenar esas ausencias.” Dijo el Padre Frank Martinez, Párroco de Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro.

“Tu no necesitas ser parte de un retiro ACTS para participar en una pequeña comunidad de la Iglesia. Las comunidades también pueden formarse por lectores, ministros de Eucaristía, inclusive por feligreses que no son voluntarios en ningún ministerio. Cualquiera es bienvenido para reunirse.

El Padre Martinez dijo que el siente que los beneficios de tener esas pequeñas comunidades en su Parroquia han sido muy grandes.

“Nuestros feligreses parecen estar mas conectados con la Iglesia, mas comprometidos” dijo el. Tienen una mayor consciencia de lo que pasa en la comunidad y están deseosos de ser voluntarios activos en general.

Actualmente, la comunidad de Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro tiene 18 grupos pequeños, incluyendo 13 en ingles y 5 en español.

Cada grupo decide cuantas veces al mes se reúnen y 2 veces al año hay juntas en las cuales todas las comunidades pequeñas se reúnen.

Marisela Muñoz, una de los feligreses de Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro, dijo que ella se ha involucrado en una de estas comunidades pequeñas porque siente que cada comunidad juega Programa de Radio en Español un papel importante al hacer la obra de Dios. en KLUX 89.5 HD-1 “Estamos haciendo Su trabajo (se refiere al trabajo de Dios), y “Listen Live” en KLUX.org Su deseo, en Su tiempo. El nivel de intimidad dentro de nuestra Domingos a las 7 a.m. pequeña comunidad eclesiástica permite a cada miembro conocon el Padres Juan Fernando Gámez cerse entre si, con las dificultades de cada uno, al igual que las y José Naúl Ordóñez bendiciones. Compartimos el amor de Cristo entre cada uno de

Semillas de Esperanza

30 South Texas Catholic | July 2018

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Catholic News Agency

rchbishop Jose Gomez of Los Angeles decried the decision by House leaders to not allow debate on a bipartisan bill that would have opened a legal pathway to permanent residency for “Dreamers.”

“I am deeply disappointed that House leaders have decided not to permit debate on this bill, which represented a common sense, compassionate and bipartisan compromise,” said Archbishop Gomez in a June 13 statement.

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is an Obama-era policy that protects undocumented immigrants who were brought into the United States as children. The program prevents DACA recipients, also known as “Dreamers,” from being deported. It also provides work permits.

President Donald Trump has sought to end DACA, saying that the initial program was only an executive order that went beyond the scope of presidential powers.

Legislative efforts to include elements of DACA in an immigration law have been unsuccessful. One proposed bill, the “Uniting and Securing America (USA) Act of 2018,” had gained the endorsement of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Migration Committee.

The bipartisan bill would shield “Dreamers” from deportation and would provide for a path to citizenship for certain qualified persons. Additionally, the USA Act of 2018 would increase border security and would seek to address corruption in Central America – a major cause of “irregular migration.”

Even though the bill will not be debated, the archbishop noted that the vote was very close and expressed hope that legislation will be crafted this year. The immigration debate is a major concern

Archbishop Jose Gomez of Las Angelesdecried the decision by House leaders to not allow debate on a bipartisan bill that would have opened a legal pathway to permanent residency for “Dreamers.”

Daniel Ibanez, Catholic News Agency

in the U.S., he said, challenging lawmakers to find a solution.

A majority of Americans want “to provide the Dreamers with a path to become citizens in our country, while at the same time strengthening the security of our national borders,” Archbishop Gomez said.

“It would be unconscionable to allow another year to pass without finding a compassionate solution for these young people who did nothing wrong and want only to make their own contribution to the American dream.”

July 2018 | South Texas Catholic 31

†† NATIONAL NEWS

Archbishop Gomez ‘ deeply disappointed’ that USA Act will not be debated

†† NATIONAL NEWS

Young Catholics carry an icon of Virgin Mary and a cross during a pre-event of the World Youth Day at Icarai beach in Niteroi, Brazil on May 19, 2013. The Cross and Icon will travel across the country from Sunday, August 19 to Monday, August 27, 2018. The five stops along its U.S. journey will include, in order: Chicago, Illinois; Miami, Florida; Houston, Texas; Washington, D.C.; and Los Angeles, California.

YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP/Getty Images

World Youth Day Cross and Icon to travel around United States Judy Keane

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United States Conference of Bishops

he official World Youth Day (WYD) Cross and Marian Icon, entrusted to the youth and young adults of the world by St. John Paul II in 1984, will make a multicity tour of the United States in August 2018, the first time in twenty-five years such a coordinated journey has occurred.

The USCCB Secretariat of Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth (LMFLY), in particular its World Youth Day USA (WYDUSA) initiative, is coordinating the national tour.

The Cross and Icon will travel across the country from Sunday, August 19 to Monday, August 27, 2018. The five stops along its U.S. journey will include, in order: Chicago, Illinois; Miami, Florida; Houston, Texas; Washington, D.C.; and Los Angeles, California.

32 South Texas Catholic | July 2018

Archbishop José Domingo Ulloa Mendieta, O.S.A., Metropolitan Archbishop of Panama and host of the next international World Youth Day gathering in January 2019, extended the Latin American tour of the WYD symbols to include the United States.

Bishop Frank Caggiano of Bridgeport and WYD Episcopal Liaison for the USCCB, said, “We are grateful for this opportunity to host these incredible and unifying symbols in our country. I hope that young people and young adults will have an encounter with Christ and his mother Mary through the Cross and Icon, just as many have during World Youth Day. This summer tour is also very timely because August 2018 marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of the last time the pilgrim cross made a journey across the United States in advance of WYD 1993 in Denver.”

The Cross has traveled around the globe

since 1984, when St. John Paul II gave it to young people. It has been part of every World Youth Day celebration beginning with the first official WYD event in Rome in 1986.

In 2002, the Cross came to Ground Zero in New York City for a brief visit to bring comfort to the nation’s young people in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. In 2003, St. John Paul II presented the world’s youth and young adults with a Marian Icon, under the title of Salus Populi Romani, which has accompanied the WYD Cross for the past fifteen years.

The USCCB is coordinating efforts with local dioceses, institutions, and pastoral leaders in each of the five hosting locations. More information about the nationwide journey of the WYD symbols will be released, as details are known, on the USCCB’s World Youth Day website, www.wydusa.org and social media channels (@wydusa).

Elise Harris

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Catholic News Agency

n a speech to a family association Saturday, Pope Francis again stressed that God’s vision of the family is between a man and a woman, and compared the abortion of children who are sick or disabled to a Nazi mentality.

“I’ve heard that it’s fashionable, or at least usual, that when in the first few months of pregnancy they do studies to see if the child is healthy or has something, the first offer is: let’s send it away,” the pope said June 16, referring to the trend of aborting sick or disabled children.

This, he said, is “the murder of children...to get a peaceful life an innocent [person] is sent away...We do the same as the Nazis to maintain the purity of the race, but with white gloves.”

“It’s an atrocity but we do the same thing,” he said, according to Italian media.

Pope Francis spoke to members of the Forum of Family Associations, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.

His words on abortion come just days after his home country of Argentina voted June 14 in favor of a bill that would legalize abortion as early as the first 14 weeks of pregnancy. The comments also come just over a month ahead of his Aug. 25-26 trip to Ireland for the World Meeting of Families, which will feature Jesuit Fr. James Martin as a keynote speaker on how to be welcoming to the LGBT community.

During his speech, Francis tossed his prepared remarks, telling participants that a prepared text “seems a bit cold,” according to Italian newspaper La Stampa.

The pope, the paper reported, said it is “painful” to think that society would accept

the killing of children simply because they are sick or disabled, but this is the current mentality.

On the family, he noted that in modern society “one speaks of different types of family,” defining the term in different ways.

“Yes, it’s true that family is an analogous word, yes one can also say ‘the family of stars,’ ‘the family of trees,’ ‘the family of animals,’” he said, but stressed that “the family in the image of God is only one, that of man and woman...marriage is a wonderful sacrament.”

Turning to his 2016 post-synodal apostolic exhortation Amoris Laetitia, Pope Francis said that some have reduced the document to “you can, you can’t,” referring to the debate surrounding access to the sacraments for the divorced and remarried in the document’s eighth chapter.

“They have understood nothing,” he said, explaining that his exhortation “does not hide problems,” but goes beyond mere case studies. To understand the text, he said, one must read chapter four on the spirituality of everyday life, which he said is the “is the core” of the document.

Francis then pointed to the emphasis placed on marriage preparation in Amoris Laetitia, saying the family “is a beautiful adventure and today, I say it with pain, we see that many times we think of starting a family, getting married, as if it were a lottery. We go and if it works, it works, if not we end it and start again.”

What is needed, he said, is “a catechumenate for marriage...men and women are needed who help young people to mature.”

And this begins with small things, such as marriage preparation, he said, adding

Pope Francis Daniel Ibanez, Catholic News Agency

that “it’s important to love each other and receive the sacrament, and then have the party you want.” However, it is never acceptable for “the second to take the place of the most important.”

He also spoke about the importance of educating one’s children, but noted that this is not easy for parents, especially in a virtual world, which “they know better than us.”

The pope also pointed to the increasing difficulty for families to spend time with their children, especially in times of social and economic crisis.

“To earn money today one has to have two jobs, the family is not considered,” he said, and encouraged parents to take up this “cross” and the excessive hours of work, while also spending time playing with their children.

“Children are the greatest gift,” he said, even when they are sick. Children, he said, must be “received as they come, as God sends them.”

July 2018 | South Texas Catholic 33

†† VATICAN

Pope says abortion of sick, disabled children reflects Nazi mentality

†† VATICAN

Pope Francis says exploiting women is a ‘sin against God’ Elise Harris

I

Catholic News Agency

n his daily homily Friday, Pope Francis issued a scathing critique of the ways in which women are often exploited and mistreated - whether it be through a revealing television ad, or when getting a job is contingent on sexual favors.

He said there is a tendency in many environments to view women as “second class” or as an object of “waste,” and called the ways in which women are at times abused and enslaved “sins against God.” The pope offered his June 15 daily Mass at the Vatican’s Santa Marta residence as a prayer “for the women who are discarded, for the women who are used, for the girls who have to sell their own dignity to have a job.”

He took his cue from the day’s Gospel reading from Matthew, in which Jesus said: “everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart” and “whoever divorces his wife (unless the marriage is unlawful) causes her to commit adultery.”

Women, he said, are “what is missing in every man in order to be the image and likeness of God.” The “doctrine on women” introduced

by Jesus in the Gospel, he said, “changed history,” because up to that moment, the woman was “second class...she couldn’t even enjoy full freedom.”

“The woman before Jesus is one thing, the woman after Jesus is another. Jesus dignified woman and put her on the same level as man,” Francis said, stressing that “both are ‘the image and likeness of God,’ both; not men first and then women a bit lower, no, both.”

“And man without woman beside him – as a mother, sister, wife, colleague, friend – that man is not the image of God.” In the Gospel a certain “desire” for women 34 South Texas Catholic | July 2018

was alluded to, the pope said, explaining that this desire is not a bygone sentiment, but is something seen in everywhere in daily activities.

“In television programs, in magazines, in newspapers, they show the woman as an object of desire, of use,” he said, comparing the publications to a “supermarket.” In order to sell a certain type of tomato, he said, using food as an example, women become an object, and are “humiliated, without clothes.”

And the problem is not distant, but it happens “where we live.” It’s enough to go to an office or a business and one will see that a woman is “the object of that disposable philosophy,” as if she were “waste material” and not a real person.

“This is a sin against God the creator,” the pope said, because “without her we men cannot be the image and likeness of God.” Francis said there is currently “a fury against women, a terrible fury, even without saying it.”

“How many girls, in order to have a job, have to sell themselves as a disposable object?

How many?” he asked, noting that this is not just a problem in faraway countries, but it happens “here in Rome.”

If one were to do a “night walk” in certain areas of Rome, he said, they would see that “many women, many migrants, and many non-migrants” are exploited as if they were in a marketplace. Men approach these women, he said, “not to say ‘good evening,’ but ‘how much do you cost?’”

Pope Francis said it would do everyone good to look at these women and think about the fact that they are “slaves of this mindset of waste.”

“Everything happens here, in Rome, it happens in every city; anonymous women, women, we can say, without an expression because the shame covers her gaze, women

Pope Francis meets with former prostitutes assisted by the Pope John XXIII Community in Rome.

LOsservatore Romano, Catholic News Agency

who do not know how to laugh” and who often do not know the joy of being mothers, he said.

But even without going to these areas, in normal daily situations “there is this awful mentality” of viewing women as “a second class object.”

“We have to reflect better,” Francis said, because entertaining this mindset toward women means “we despise the image of God, who made man and woman together in his image and likeness.”

The pope closed his homily voicing hope that the day’s Gospel passage would help Catholics to think more about “the market of women; yes, trafficking, exploitation, which we see,” but even in “the unseen market, what is done and not seen. The woman is trampled because she is a woman.”

He reminded Mass-goers that Jesus himself had a mother, and had “many women friends who followed him to help him in his ministry.” Jesus also found many women who were “despised, marginalized and discarded,” however, he raised them up with “tenderness,” and restored their dignity.

†† OUR FAITH

Love is Deep Father John Ouellette Father John Ouellette is Pastor of Saint Theresa of the Infant Jesus Parish in Premont.

T Contributor

here has been much in the news these days about individuals acting out in violent ways, bringing pain and suffering to many innocent people. School shootings, vehicles deliberately driving into crowds of people, homemade bombs on doorsteps... It seems to just go on and on. How are younger members of the Church expected to deal with so much violence? More importantly, how are you to respond in faith?

Yes it is the real question, and it has a real answer. We are to respond to violence by love; Yes love. Remember that there is a world of difference between a feeling of love and a choice to love. Jesus spoke of love to us many times as he walked his path to the cross. But, you might be surprised to hear that not once was he talking about love as a ‘feeling’. And we should be very happy about this. Because, if Jesus were only talking about the feelings of love, he would have never allowed himself to be beaten, whipped, spit on, kicked, push, shoved, insulted, nailed to a wood cross and hung there to die. No chance! He would have walked the other way.

What gave him the ability to accept all of

these things is his choice to do what he did not feel like doing. While his emotions were saying ‘this is an ugly people’, his spirit, his reason, his heart was saying, regardless of how I feel I choose to love them all; love us all. Jesus had to go deep within himself to find that true love. It was underneath the emotions and the pain. But, once he got under there, he found a wealth of love that he could tap into. It is there that he had always encountered his Father. It is where real prayer happens. He was used to going there. For him, when the violence began, he knew where he needed to go in order to take hold of that love. He chose it.

And through it, he chose us.

But, what does that teach us about dealing with violence? Well, we must first be used to going into that deep place inside our hearts where God lives. We must be comfortable with this place of love. When we see or experience the violence some will inflict, we must be ready to choose to love the violent, to pray for them, to forgive them, and to realize that our acts of love may be all there is to save them from themselves. In such times, emotions will be our enemy. So, go deep.

Peace and Joy!

July 2018 | South Texas Catholic 35

July Liturgical Calendar 1 | SUN | THIRTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME | green Wis 1:13-15; 2:23-24/2 Cor 8:7, 9, 13-15/Mk 5:2143 or 5:21-24, 35b-43 (98) Pss I

Am 9:11-15/Mt 9:14-17 (382)

Pss III

2 | Mon | Weekday | green | Am 2:610, 13-16/Mt 8:18-22 (377)

8 | SUN | FOURTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME | green Ez 2:2-5/2 Cor 12:7-10/Mk 6:1-6a (101) Pss II

16 | Mon | Weekday | green/white [Our Lady of Mount Carmel] Is 1:1017/Mt 10:34—11:1 (389)

9 | Mon | Weekday | green/red [Saint Augustine Zhao Rong, Priest, and Companions, Martyrs] Hos 2:16, 17b18, 21-22/Mt 9:18-26 (383)

17 | Tue | Weekday | green | Is 7:1-9/ Mt 11:20-24 (390)

3 | Tue | Saint Thomas, Apostle | red | Feast | Eph 2:19-22/Jn 20:24-29 (593) Pss Prop 4 | Wed | Weekday | green/white [USA: Independence Day] Am 5:1415, 21-24/Mt 8:28-34 (379) or, for Independence Day, any readings from the Lectionary for Mass (vol.

IV), the Mass “For the Country or a City,” nos. 882-886, or “For Peace and Justice,” nos. 887-891

10 | Tue | Weekday | green | Hos 8:4-7, 11-13/Mt 9:32-38 (384) 11 | Wed | Saint Benedict, Abbot | white | Memorial | Hos 10:1-3, 7-8, 12/ Mt 10:1-7 (385) 12 | Thu | Weekday | green | Hos 11:14, 8e-9/Mt 10:7-15 (386)

5 | Thu | Weekday | green/white/ white [Saint Anthony Zaccaria, Priest; USA: Saint Elizabeth of Portugal] Am 7:10-17/Mt 9:1-8 (380) 6 | Fri | Weekday | green/red [Saint Maria Goretti, Virgin and Martyr] Am 8:4-6, 9-12/Mt 9:9-13 (381) 7 | Sat | Weekday | green/white [BVM]

20 | Fri | Weekday | green/red [Saint Apollinaris, Bishop and Martyr] Is 38:1-6, 21-22, 7-8/Mt 12:1-8 (393)

13 | Fri | Weekday | green/white [Saint Henry] Hos 14:2-10/Mt 10:1623 (387) 14 | Sat | USA: Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, Virgin | white | Memorial | Is 6:1-8/Mt 10:24-33 (388)

22 | SUN | SIXTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME | green Jer 23:1-6/ Eph 2:13-18/Mk 6:30-34 (107) Pss IV

15 | SUN | FIFTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME | green Am 7:12-15/ Eph 1:3-14 or 1:3-10/Mk 6:7-13 (104)

23 | Mon | Weekday | green/white [Saint Bridget, Religious] Mi 6:1-4, 6-8/Mt 12:38-42 (395)

Help Us Prevent Financial Abuse

Ss. Cyril & Methodius

AGAPE Religious Gift Shop at Ss. Cyril & Methodius Church

All New Merchandise • A.C.T.S. • Silver Jewelry NEW HOURS: Sunday: 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. & 3-7 p.m.

Monday and Wednesday: 8-11 a.m. & 3-8 p.m.

Tuesday/Thursday/Friday/Saturday: 8-11 a.m. & 3-7 p.m.

•

19 | Thu | Weekday | green | Is 26:7-9, 12, 16-19/Mt 11:28-30 (392)

21 | Sat | Weekday | green/white/ white [Saint Lawrence of Brindisi, Priest and Doctor of the Church; BVM] Mi 2:1-5/Mt 12:14-21 (394)

The Diocese of Corpus Christi at the recommendation of the Diocesan Finance Council and Presbyteral Council has furthered their commitment to good stewardship and financial accountability on behalf of generous donors by instituting a financial abuse hotline.

The Diocese of Corpus Christi has selected an independent third party, The Network, to provide you with a new way to anonymously and confidentially report financial abuse and fraud. Employees, parishioners, volunteers, vendors and other interested parties are encouraged to report concerns they have regarding financial misconduct within the Diocese of Corpus Christi. All inquiries will be treated promptly and discreetly. Callers will have the right to remain anonymous.

Call 1-877-571-9748

3210 S.P.I.D.

18 | Wed | Weekday | green/white [USA: Saint Camillus de Lellis, Priest] Is 10:5-7, 13b-16/Mt 11:25-27 (391)

(361) 854-1853

36 South Texas Catholic | July 2018

24 | Tue | Weekday | green/white [Saint Sharbel Makhlūf, Priest] Mi 7:14-15, 18-20/Mt 12:46-50 (396) 25 | Wed | Saint James, Apostle | red | Feast | 2 Cor 4:7-15/Mt 20:20-28 (605) Pss Prop 26 | Thu | Saints Joachim and Anne, Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary | white | Memorial | Jer 2:1-3, 7-8, 1213/Mt 13:10-17 (398) 27 | Fri | Weekday | green | Jer 3:1417/Mt 13:18-23 (399) 28 | Sat | Weekday | green/white [BVM] Jer 7:1-11/Mt 13:24-30 (400) 29 | SUN | SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME | green 2 Kgs 4:42-44/Eph 4:1-6/Jn 6:1-15 (110) Pss I 30 | Mon | Weekday | green/white [Saint Peter Chrysologus, Bishop and Doctor of the Church] Jer 13:1-11/Mt 13:31-35 (401) 31 | Tue | Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Priest | white | Memorial | Jer 14:1722/Mt 13:36-43 (402)

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July 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 and every Monday from 12:30-2 p.m. at Schoenstatt Movement Center in Corpus Christi. “Brushstrokes of a Father” Reading: Volume 2 Reading about Father Joseph Kentenich, Founder of the Schoenstatt Movement.

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Alzheimer’s & General Group - Support • July 3 and every first Tuesday

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of the month at St. Paul United Church of Christ (5525 Lipes) in Corpus Christi. For more information call (361) 883-3935.

• July 4 and every first Wednesday of the month at 10 a.m. at SCC River Ridge Nursing Rehab Center located at 3922 West River Dr. (off FM 624) in Corpus Christi. For more information call (361) 767-2000.

• July 10 and every second Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Woodridge Nursing & Rehab Center located at 600 So. Hillside Dr. in Beeville. For more information call (361) 358-8880.

• July 11 and every second Wednesday of the month at 12 p.m. at Lindale Center/ Caregiver SOS located on 3133 Swantner St. in Corpus Christi.

For more in Corpus Christi. For more information call (361) 826-2343.

• July 12 and every second Thursday of the month at 3 p.m. at Mirador Plaza (back side of facility) located at 5857 Timbergate Drive in Corpus Christi. For more information call (361) 883-3935.

• July 17 and every third Tuesday of the month at 9:30 a.m. at Brookdale (formerly Homewood Residence) located at 6410 Meadow Vista in Corpus Christi. For more information call (361) 9800208. Facilitator is Anita Valle.

• July 19 and every third Thursday of the month at 10:30 a.m. at Ed & Hazel Richmond Public Library Central Library, located on 110 N. Lamont Street in Aransas Pass. For more information call (361) 883-3935.

• July 24 and every fourth Tuesday of the month at 4 p.m. at Alice Public Library (401 E. Third Street) in Alice. For more information call (361) 883-3935.

• July 26 and every fourth Thursday of the month at 4:30 p.m. at Kleberg County Nursing & Rehab located on 316 General Cavazos Blvd. in Kingsville. For more information call (361) 883-3935.

Study at St. 3 Bible Patrick Church

July 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 and every Tuesday from 7-9 p.m. at St. Patrick Church, Our Lady of Knock Hall (the corner of S. Alameda and Rossiter Street.) For more information call the parish office at (361) 855-7391.

Patrick’s Altar & 5 St. Rosary Card Party

July 5 from 1-5 p.m. at St Patrick Parish Hall (3350 S. Alameda) in Corpus Christi. Bring your friends and family for an afternoon playing your favorite games while enjoying a tasty treat.

Bring your own game or deck of cards. Cost is $8 per person.

Raffle and door prizes will be available. For more information call (361) 855-7391 or email yvonnedeirio@bizstx.orr.com.

Hour followed 5 Holy by a healing Mass

July 5 and every first Thursday of the month from 5-6:30 p.m. at Sacred Heart Chapel Jesus Nazareno in Corpus Christi.

7 Blue Army Mass

July 7 and every first Saturday of the month in the Jesus Nazareno Chapel at Sacred Heart

in Corpus Christi. For more information call the church at (361) 883-6082 or email sacredheartchurch001@stx.rr.com.

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Secular Franciscan Gathering

July 7 and every first Saturday of each month from 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. at Corpus Christi Cathedral Room 4. Come and see if you are being called to a vocation as a Secular Franciscan. If you are already professed, are you looking for a local fraternity?

For more information contact Liz at (936) 344-1353 or email: ofscctx@gmail.com.

Anniversary 7 70th of Schoenstatt

Founder’s visit to CC

July 7 from 2-8 p.m. beginning with Mass concelebrated by Bishop Michael Mulvey and Father Gerold Langsch, ISP at Corpus Christi Cathedral (505 N. Upper Broadway) in Corpus Christi. We will go on pilgrimage by bus visiting each location Father Joseph Kentenich visited in 1948 and a memorial marker will be unveiled at the former Benedictine Abbey. A reception will follow at the Corpus Christi Schoenstatt Movement Center (4343 Gaines St.) in Corpus Christi. Pilgrimage Bus is $15 per person. RSVP by June 30. Call Ana De La Rosa (361) 688-2829.

Vacation 9 OLPH - Bible School 13

July 9-13 from 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish Hall. $40-$25 (additional student) includes snacks and a Vacation Bible School T-Shirt.

Theme is A Wilderness Adventure through the Sacraments.

Registration begins June 16 after weekend Masses and in the Parish Office. VBS is for students in first through fifth grade (for the School Year 2018-2019). For more information call the parish office at (361) 991-7891.

July 2018 | South Texas Catholic 37

†† JULY CALENDAR

Time and Book 2 Tea - Study: Father Joseph Kentenich’s Life

†† JULY CALENDAR

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Pax Christi Movie Night presents ‘Padre Pio’

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July 10 at 7 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Hall at the Pax Christi Institute. FREE admission. Concession available.

If you plan to visit the Padre Pio Relics in October, we recommend you see this movie. For more information call (361) 241-2833.

11 25

Bereavement Support Group

July 11, 18, 25 and every Wednesday from July 11-Aug. 29 (except Aug. 15) Sacred Heart Parish will begin a 9-week program for those who have lost loved ones: children, spouses, relatives. This program is our way of trying to help those in the process of grieving. For more information call the parish office at (361) 325-3455 or email schcfal@outlook.com.

TOUGH Retreat

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July 13-15 begins on Friday, July 13 at 6 p.m. and ends Sunday, July 15 at 5 p.m. at Pax Christi Liturgical Retreat Center (4601 Calallen Drive) in Corpus Christi.

The TOUGH Retreat is for high school age youth (grades 9-12) for both boys and girls in the Diocese of Corpus Christi. Only $75 for the whole weekend, which includes food, lodging, prayer, Reconciliation, Adoration, Holy Mass, fellowship and the opportunity to reflect on God’s Holiness for each one of us. Due to limited rooms, the deadline to register is July 14 or until filled.

Healing Mass and Prayer Service

July 11 and every second Friday of the month at 6 p.m. at Our Lady of the Rosary Church (1123 Main Drive) in Corpus Christi. Call Parish office with questions (361) 241-2004

38 South Texas Catholic | July 2018

49th Annual Schoenstatt Boys Walk

Begins July 14 at 5 a.m. at Wayside Shrine (2309 Marguerite) in Corpus Christi to July 15 at 3 p.m. at Confidentia Shrine (134 Front St.) in Rockport. For more information call (361) 992-9841 or email schcc@mygrande.net.

15 20

Deer Creek Camp

The Diocese of Corpus Christi Office of Youth Ministry is sponsoring Deer Creek Camp from July 15-20. Experience Christ centered fun. Deer Creek Camp is located in the Texas Hill Country, along the banks of the Medina River with 110 acres of playing fields. It’s for ages 7-17 yearsold. Space is limited. Register Now! For more information call Heath Garcia at (361) 8826191, ext. 687. To register go to diocesecc.org/deercreekcamp.

Saturday, July 21, 2018

Family 21 Natural Planning (NFP)

July 21 from 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

Natural Family Planning at 1426 Baldwin Blvd in Corpus Christi.

Learn to recognize the natural cycles of fertility and infertility that occur naturally in every woman. NFP allows couples to plan pregnancies while following the teachings of the Church and respecting the gift of their married love. For more information visit Diocesecc.org/nfp.

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and 26 Grandparents Relatives & other Raising Children 31 Support Group • July 26 and the last Thursday of each month from 6-7 p.m. at First United Methodist Church (900 South Shoreline Blvd.) in Corpus Christi (2nd floor–Rm #216 / parking and entrance behind church). Facilitated and presented by MCH Family Outreach. Please call if you bring your grandchild(ren).

Classes for all ages. For more information call (361) 334-2255.

• July 31 and the last Tuesday of each month from 10-11 a.m. at Greenwood Senior Center (4040 Greenwood Drive). For more information call (361) 826-1368.

28 Women’s Day Retreat

July 28 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Pax Christi Liturgical Retreat Center (4601 Calallen Dr.) in Corpus Christi. Bring your sisters in Christ for a day to reconnect, rest, renew. For more information or to register call (361) 241-5479 or director@paxchristisisterscc.org or www.paxchristisisterscc.org.

Grounded in Truth at OLCC

July 21 and every third Saturday of the month. An hour of Adoration with Praise and Worship in the OLCC Perpetual Adoration Chapel 7-8 p.m., followed by music and fellowship in Cafe Veritas (attached to Our Lady of Corpus Christi’s Bookstore) from 8-9:30 p.m. All music led by talented local musicians. Call (361) 2890807 for more information.

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To see more calendar events go to: SouthTexasCatholic.com/events To submit calendar events go to: SouthTexasCatholic.com/ send-calendar-items

July 2018 | South Texas Catholic 39

July 2018 Issue SOUTH TEXAS CATHOLIC 555 N Carancahua St, Ste 750 Corpus Christi, TX 78401-0824 (361) 882-6191