Catholic Spirit, Oct. 2019

October 2019, Vol. 37, No. 9

 The official publication of the Diocese of Austin 

En Español: Páginas 23-26

Austin donors listen for, answer the call to mission

By Carla Smith | Correspondent

It’s not uncommon to hear someone is “on a mission,” but what does that mean? For Catholics who are on a mission, what does that spiritually mean?

Mission is essentially continuing the work of Jesus and evangelizing the poor and nonbelievers. Pope Francis says, “We do not practice proselytism, but a treasure to be given, communicated and proclaimed. That is the meaning of mission.” In this role, Catholics are tasked with the mission of propagating our faith and Christian unity. We are to be dedicated to spreading the Gospel to those who Pope Francis has set October as an Extraordinary Missionary Month to foster greater awareness for missionary activity throughout the world.

On World Mission Sunday, Oct. 20, a special collection will be taken up in parishes for the propagation of the faith throughout the world. (Missio graphic)

have not heard it or those who have rejected it.

The Catholic Church celebrates World Mission Sunday on Oct. 20.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of Pope Benedict XV’s 1919 apostolic letter “Maximum Illud” on the church’s missionary activity.

In the Diocese of Austin, missionary activity is publicized in parishes through the Propagation of the Faith Missionary Cooperation Plan. The MCP supports missionary dioceses, religious congregations and lay mission groups and partners around the world.

Two years ago a priest from Tanzania spoke at St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Austin; his words moved two parishioners to the mission of changing lives in the east African country.

“I preached appealing to all who were in church that day, requesting immediate help for those in dire need, whose voice I have become,” said Father John Ludanha, who was raised in Tanzania and now works in Denver. “I can only speak on their behalf, but it is the Holy

Spirit who touches the hearts of people and moves them to give. I can’t take any credit for that; I was only an instrument of Christ.”

Two parishioners listening to Father Ludanha that day were moved to support the mission in Tanzania’s Diocese of Geita, which was participating in the MCP. They have since donated $400,000 and plan to contribute an additional $200,000. The money is going toward a water project consisting of 90 wells in 100 villages, a hospital, priest formation support and a school for girls, something near and dear to the donors’ hearts.

“We have been blessed with the opportunity to be able to send our own children to Catholic schools and value what it has provided. We felt a strong call to help Father John and the people of Geita provide this education,” said the donors who wish to remain anonymous. They also want to continue to raise awareness about the Tanzania mission’s needs.

This is the type of humble mission work and evangelization Pope Francis writes about in his 2019 World Mission Day message.

“The Church is on mission in the world,” Pope Francis writes. “As we view the world with God’s own eyes and heart ... charity compels us to go forth to the ends of the earth.”

The Austin donors believe we are all called to do missionary work, whether it be with our time, our talents or our treasures.

“We are all citizens of the world, and God calls us to help others where we can,” they said. “One of the interesting pieces of information we learned about the spiritual growth of the people in Tanzania is that much of their Catholic formation and faith education is taught by lay people.”

We are all those lay people in the

villages where we live, and we too can spread the Good News right here at home, the donors said.

Father Ludanha said answering a call to mission work is important “because it is the core of our call as disciples of Christ. We are given in order to give.”

The fact remains that most of us do not have the means to travel overseas to do missionary work or to donate large sums of money, but we can all help by praying for missions and by donating to the special collection on Oct. 20 and to those missions who participate in the MCP. The Austin donors have yet to physically see the projects they are supporting, but feel it’s not necessary.

“We don’t think you need to physically see something the Holy Spirit is strongly calling you to act upon, and we encourage people to respond to a call they hear and do what they can with what they have. Trust that the Lord will do great things,” the donors said.

On World Mission Sunday Catholics around the world are asked to recommit themselves to the church’s missionary activity through prayer and sacrifice. As Pope Francis says, our mission is part of our identity as Christians and makes us responsible for enabling all men and women to realize their vocation to be adoptive children of the Father, to recognize their personal dignity and to appreciate the intrinsic worth of every human life from conception to death.

“No one is useless or insignificant” Pope Francis writes. “Each of us is a mission to the world. I am a mission; you are a mission; every baptized man and woman is a mission.”

For more information on the Missionary Cooperative Plan, visit www. austindiocese.org/missionary-cooperative-plan. For more information on World Mission Sunday, visit www.missio.org/resources.

Bishop’s Interview

Domestic Violence

Synod on the Amazon

Español

Bishop Joe Vásquez discusses the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. PAGE 17

Escaping and preventing violence in the ‘domestic church.’ PAGE 7

There is a long list of items to discuss at the synod meeting in October. PAGE 11

Conferencia de mujeres se enfoca en amar, en sanarse a si misma. PAGE 25

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VOICES

CATHOLIC SPIRIT

THE MISSION OF THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

A REFLECTION FOR FAMILIES

As the official newspaper for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Austin, the Catholic Spirit is dedicated to providing information, education and formation for the Catholic community of Central Texas. This mission calls for the newspaper: • to provide readers with an understanding of our Catholic faith and traditions; • to be a primary source of information on Catholic issues relevant to the community; • to be a unifying element for faith communities, both rural and urban, throughout Central Texas; • to show respect for and appreciation of all cultural groups and traditions; • to emphasize topics affirming the Catholic community and life, while acknowledging the humanity of the community and examining, with courage, topics that challenge and encourage growth in the faith.

A full life isn’t necessarily a busy one

HOW TO SUBMIT INFORMATION Deadline for submission of articles or information for the Catholic Spirit is the 10th of the month for publication in the following month’s edition. Deadline for the November issue is Oct. 10.

Submit material in one of the following ways: • E-mail to catholic-spirit@austindiocese.org.

• Mail to Catholic Spirit, 6225 E US 290 HWY SVRD EB, Austin, TX 78723 Catholic Spirit has unrestricted editing rights.

HOW TO SUBSCRIBE Subscription rates are $12 for one year. To subscribe, send a check payable to Catholic Spirit to Catholic Spirit, 6225 E US 290 HWY SVRD EB, Austin, TX 78723. Members of a parish in the Austin Diocese may receive the newspaper for a reduced rate. Contact your parish staff for more information.

ADDRESS CHANGES Send all address changes to Catholic Spirit, 6225 E US 290 HWY SVRD EB, Austin, TX 78723. Please include your parish’s name and city. If receiving duplicate copies of the Catholic Spirit, call (512) 949-2443 or e-mail catholic-spirit@austindiocese.org.

STAFF Publisher: Bishop Joe S. Vásquez Editor: Shelley Metcalf Assistant Editor: Christian R. González Advertising: Shelley Metcalf Spanish translation: Gina Dominguez Columnists: Mary Lou Gibson and James B. Janknegt Correspondents: Ricardo Gandara, Enedelia J. Obregón, Carla Smith and Mary P. Walker Catholic Spirit subscribes to Catholic News Service (CNS) and is a member of the Catholic Press Association. Catholic Spirit cannot be held liable or responsible for the content of any advertisment appearing within these pages. Advertisements are solely the responsibility of each advertiser. Misleading advertising is never knowingly accepted. Complaints regarding advertising should be directed to the advertiser or to the Better Business Bureau.

Copyright 2019 by the Austin Diocese. All rights reserved.

Reproduction of any editorial content, photograph, art or design is prohibited without written permission of the publisher Catholic Spirit (ISSN 0896-2715) is published 11 times annually (monthly except one issue in July/August) by the Austin Diocese.

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POSTMASTER Send address changes to: Catholic Spirit 6225 E US 290 HWY SVRD EB Austin, Texas 78723

By Kathryn Whitaker | Guest Columnist

If you aren’t already feeling the squeeze of fall activities, I’m sure it’s coming. But, do you wish your calendar looked different?

Not that long ago, we were a slave to our calendars. It sometimes happens when you’re mothering six children, kindergarten to college. There were just so many good choices. Should we attend this birthday party, this Eagle Scout honor court, this band concert, this soccer tournament, this parish mission, this neighborhood cookout, this, this, this?

How could we possibly choose between them all?

So we said yes to everything and then huffed and puffed our way through the traffic, the late nights of homework, the messy house and empty bank account. Our validation for saying yes came from everywhere. All our friends were equally busy, slogging through their own set of calendar to-dos. Then we all gathered to drink libations on Friday night to lament just how bananas life was with kids. Well, we talked about getting together on the weekends to share how busy we were, but we were too busy to get together. We just resorted to complaining on social media. Crazy craves company, after all.

Here’s the spoiler alert: that doesn’t have to be your life. You can have a full life by doing less.

I know you’re thinking “but you don’t know my life.” The select soccer team is necessary to your fifth grader because she wants to play college sports.

The three-day-a-week music lessons are a must if your son wants to make it in the music business.

The five AP classes and dual-credit enrollment at the community college have to happen or your daughter will never get into her dream college. The 10 birthday parties you attend are because you don’t want your second grader to be socially ostracized.

The library read-aloud, the organized playgroup, and the gym classes are required for your toddler to meet social, mental and physical milestones or he will always be behind.

Did I strike a nerve? Good.

This desire to be more, achieve more and do more could stand a gut check.

Our home may not be a Benedictine monastery, but there’s some wisdom to be taken from those monks and their mantra of Otium Sanctum, “holy leisure.” Or, in the context of life as a 21st century parent, a place for rest within your soul.

I’m certainly not advocating that we shutter our doors, demand silence and pull our kids out of every available activity, all while joining hands and chanting evening vespers. I am, however, imploring all families to take a good, hard, long look at our calendars and start making some intentional decisions about the direction and mission of our families.

What in the world do we want from this life? Do we want children who are capable, kind, empathetic, faithful and generous? Then we must give them time to develop those skills rather than jamming all the extracurricular activities into every minute of their day. It starts at our dining room tables; that’s where encounter happens.

We can ask ourselves questions like: • Is this activity necessary?

• Do we feel pressured (real or perceived) to sign up for this and how does it positively or negatively impact our family?

• Is this a salvation issue or is this just us being overly invested in something that doesn’t matter in the long-term?

I know that what I’m asking is countercultural. I recognize that it is hard to say no, especially to good things. Do it anyway.

Our inner peace, our children’s souls, and our relationship with Christ are at stake. I think those are all things worth saying yes to.

Kathryn Whitaker and her husband Scott have six children and reside in Austin. They are members of St. Vincent de Paul Parish.

She recently released her debut book with Ave Maria Press, “Live Big, Love Bigger.”

OFFICIAL APPOINTMENTS Bishop Joe Vásquez has made the following appointments: • Schoenstatt Father Cristóbal Asenjo has been appointed rector of the Marian Shrine of Our Lady of Schoenstatt in Austin.

• Deacon Rey Garza has been appointed to St. Paul Parish in Austin, effective Sept. 1.

OBITUARIES Deacon Bill Scott died Sept. 10 at the age of 86. He ws ordained to the permanent diaconate in 1988, and served St. Mary Catholic Center in College Station. The Boy Scouts held a special place in his heart, and he held many leadership roles in the organization. The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Sept. 18 at St. Mary Catholic Center. He is survived by his daughters and their children.

Deacon Tom Johnson died Sept. 15 at the age of 76. He was ordained to the permanent diaconate in 2000 and served at St. Thomas More Parish in Austin. Deacon Johnson also worked at the University Catholic Center in Austin and in the Diaconal Formation Office and Facilities Office at the Austin Diocese. The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Sept. 20, burial followed at Cook-Walden Cemetery in Pflugerville. He is survived by his wife, Sue, their two children and grandchildren.

ADVISORY Please notify Gloria Villarreal at (512) 949-2482 if you know the whereabouts of any of the following people: Araceli Beltran, Jose Guillermo Kenyon, Allison Leigh Runnion and Mandy Woetzel Fuewell.

OCTOBER 2019

CENTRAL TEXAS

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Conference calls parishioners to ‘love more, separate less’

By Enedelia J. Obregón | Senior Correspondent

Christ Our Hope was the theme of a conference for those in ministries of life, charity and justice under the umbrella of pro-life activities throughout the Diocese of Austin.

The conference, which was held Aug. 24 at St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Austin, was organized by the diocesan Secretariat of Life, Charity and Justice and featured Hosffman Ospino, a professor of Hispanic Ministry and Religious Education in the School of Theology and Ministry at Boston College; and Father James Misko, diocesan vicar general.

Among the sessions in English and Spanish were topics such as respect life, mental health, growing older, restorative justice, immigration, understanding poverty and racism.

In his homily at the opening Mass, Austin Bishop Joe Vásquez said Jesus called his apostles to go out into the world. As baptized disciples of Jesus Christ, we are also called to go out as well.

Embracing immigrants Ospino said we live in a time when the church is changing, diverse and struggling to find its identity. After World War II, Catholic identity in the U.S. was mostly white and ascending to middle class following decades of anti-Catholic sentiment.

Today, the church is dealing with anti-immigrant sentiment that is very similar to the anti-Catholic sentiment many Catholics experienced early in the 20th century.

“At the heart of the change are people like me,” said Ospino, an immigrant from Colombia. “Today we have more immigrants from India, Africa and Asia.”

It can be a challenge to worship alongside those whose cultures are different, he noted. We must remember that change is a constant in this universal church. The church must embrace immigrants, he said.

“Sixty percent of Catholics younger than 18 are Latino,” Ospino said.

“And 10 percent of Catholics younger than 18 are Asian.”

Parishes not embracing immigrants are closing, especially in the northeast U.S., he said. Around 1990, there were 19,620 parishes. In 2010 there were 17,780 parishes, about the same as in 1965.

“They closed themselves off to being renewed by young people, and those young people are mainly immigrants from Latin America,” he said.

Ospino said the church today faces three major challenges: individualism, exacerbated by technology that isolates us; prejudice, including racial, social economic, religious, class and gender; disregard for the value of life, including abortion, the death penalty, euthanasia, animals and plants in the forests, and climate change that is displacing people world-wide.

“So what do we do as Roman Catholics?” Ospino asked. “We cannot retreat into our safe little corners. We cannot remain silent. That is not what God tells us to do. We cannot forego repairing and building both the church and society.”

After his keynote, Ospino said while change is often difficult, it’s important to understand the church was not built for one group.

“The church was built for the entire community –– the people of God,” he said. “For the black community, the European, the Asian, the Latin American. We built his church for anyone who has faith in Jesus Christ and wants to celebrate that.”

Engaging young people In his keynote, Father Misko challenged attendees to engage young people in parishes. He noted that in his post-synod Apostolic Exhortation “Christus Vivit,” Pope Francis tells young people that “Christ is alive!

He is our hope, and in a wonderful way he brings youth to our world, and everything he touches becomes young, new, full of life.”

Historically, it is young people who reinvigorate the church: The Blessed Virgin Mary was about 14 when she said “yes” to God and the Word was made flesh, he said.

The church by her nature is young, Father Misko said. He implored adults to treat the youth as sacred ground and to encourage them to participate in all ministries and in leadership positions within the church and the community.

Ending racism In the session on racism, DeKarlos Blackmon, the diocesan director of the Secretariat of Life, Charity and Justice, said the issue of racism is a life issue.

“It is imperative we see ourselves as

church, faithful, with no room for bigotry and racism,” he said. “It’s wonderful to be pro-life, but it’s important to understand what that truly means. We don’t segregate the lives we choose to respect. We call for the eradication of poverty and racism in our communities.

We are seeking to love more and separate less.”

We cannot turn away from this issue because racism does still exist in this country and in our church, Blackmon said. In the U.S., 56% of the prison population is black and Latino even though that demographic group is only 18.9% of the population; whites have 10 times more wealth than blacks and eight times more than Latinos. Redlining, school segregation and affordable housing are all issues still affecting people of color today from years of discrimination. Gerrymandering that suppresses minority voters is still happening today, he said.

“We cannot sit on the sidelines,” Blackmon said. “We cannot look the other way with indifference and allow our brothers and sisters to suffer.

There can be no room in our hearts for racism.”

Debunking myths In the panel on immigration, Justin Estep, director of Immigration and Legal Services at Catholic Charities of Central Texas, described the process for immigrants to obtain legal status and dispelled many of the myths surrounding asylum and immigration.

One myth: Undocumented immigrants come here to have an “anchor baby,” so they can get legal status. That is basically impossible, since a child must be 21 to petition for a parent. Also, the parent needs a waiver or “pardon” for being undoc-

Hosffman Ospino, a professor of Hispanic Ministry and Religious Education in the School of Theology and Ministry at Boston College, spoke at the Life, Charity and Justice Gathering on Aug. 24. (Photo by Enedelia J. Obregón)

umented and they must have another qualifying relative such as a husband or parent that is also a U.S. citizen, he said.

Another myth: Undocumented immigrants do not pay taxes. The IRS in 2015 received 4.4 million tax returns from workers who do not have Social Security numbers, which includes a large number of undocumented immigrants. That year they paid $23.6 billion in income taxes.

There also is a biblical imperative, said the members of the panel. In Leviticus 19:33-34, the Lord asks the Israelites to “treat the alien who resides with you no differently than the natives born among you.”

In the Gospel of Matthew, the story of Jesus begins with the Holy Family fleeing Israel during the tyrannical rule of King Herod, seeking safety in Egypt. Then in the final judgement, Jesus says, “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.”

CENTRAL TEXAS

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CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Annual appeal kicks off the first weekend of November

By Shelley Metcalf | Editor

The Diocese of Austin kicked off the 2019-2020 Catholic Services Appeal (CSA) with a reception for donors and parishes on Sept. 21 at St. William Parish in Round Rock.

Soon all registered households will receive in their mailboxes a personal invitation from Bishop Joe Vásquez to participate in the appeal, which supports the ministries and programs that serve the more than 600,000 Catholics in Central Texas.

This year’s theme is “I am the Vine” based on this passage from the Gospel of John: “I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.”

During the kickoff reception, Bishop Vásquez said we live in a time when unity is needed, which is why he chose this particular theme for the annual appeal.

“We must stay connected to Christ if the church is going to accomplish

its mission,” the bishop said. “Jesus Christ offered himself to us so that we might become one.”

On the weekend of Nov. 2 and 3, most parishes in the diocese will offer their parishioners the opportunity to make a commitment to the CSA during Mass.

Parishes that are currently in Wave 3 of the Encountering Christ Capital Campaign will hold the CSA commitment weekend Jan. 25-26, 2020.

Lisa Rosenberger, the associate director of the CSA, said many families have a difficult time distinguishing between the Encountering Christ Capital Campaign and the Catholic Services Appeal.

“The CSA focuses on our immediate needs as a diocese; for example, much of the CSA goes to support seminarian and priestly formation,

which is an annual recurring expense,” Rosenberger said.

The capital campaign focuses on funding the longterm vision of where we want to be over the next few decades, she said.

During the kickoff reception, parishes that attended and met certain criteria were entered into a drawing that awarded more than $50,000 to nine parishes.

Santa Cruz Parish in Buda won the grand prize of $10,000 for the second year in a row. The following parishes won $5,000 each: St. Elizabeth Parish in Pflugerville, St. Mary Parish in San Saba, Sts. Cyril and Methodius Parish in Granger, St. Mary Parish in Bremond, St. Joseph Parish in Mason, St. Anthony Parish in Bryan, Our Mother of Sorrows Parish in Burnet and St. Louis Parish in Austin.

Father Jonathan Raia, the diocesan

director of Vocations, said the CSA is important because it funds the formation of the men who are studying to be priests of the Austin Diocese.

“Your gift to the CSA is helping form men for the priesthood of Jesus Christ,” he said. “The work of priestly formation is really the work of our entire church, so on behalf of our seminarians and priests, thank you for your support.”

According to the CSA material, 48% of the funds collected will go to the formation of clergy and seminarians, 18% will go to Catholic education, 16% will go to social justice programs, 8% will go to pastoral ministries and 10% will go to spiritual and worship ministries.

Last year the CSA received $5.5 million in pledges; this year the goal is $5.8 million, Rosenberger said.

“Every gift, regardless of the size, is vital to the success of the Catholic Services Appeal,” she said.

For more information and to make a pledge, visit www.austindiocese.org and click on the “Donate” button at the top of the page.

Oct. 19: An Evening with Taizè Prayer

An Evening with Taizè Prayer at Cedarbrake Catholic Retreat Center in Belton will begin with Mass at 5 p.m. followed by dinner. Taizè prayer will be presented in the chapel after dinner.

This form of prayer originated from Taizè, France, and is marked by candlelight, silence and music. The simple chants provide a way of praying when we are alone or in a group. Cost is $25 per person.

Nov. 1-3: The Spiritual Journey: An Adventure of a Lifetime

The Spiritual Journey: An Adventure of a Lifetime Retreat will be held Nov. 1-3 at Cedarbrake Catholic Retreat Center in Belton. The spiritual journey is a never-ending adventure with its own unique twists and turns. Knowing the basics of its dynamic can help us navigate the spiritual terrain. During this weekend retreat, Bev Collin and Franciscan Father Albert Haase will highlight practices and attitudes that foster a healthy and exciting spiritual journey.

Cost is $235 for a single room, $185 per person for a shared room, and $100 for commuters.

Nov. 14: Grandparents Day of Reflection

The Grandparents Day of Reflection will be held Nov. 14 at Cedarbrake Catholic Retreat Center in Belton from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Pope Francis said, “Very often it is grandparents who ensure that the most important values are passed down to their grandchildren, and many people can testify that they owe their initiation into the Christian life to their grandparents.”

Join Cheryl Maxwell as she explores the many ways in which grandparents can make a positive difference in the faith lives of their grandchildren. The cost is $40 and includes lunch.

Nov. 23: Parent Bereavement Retreat

5602 N HWY 317 Temple, TX 76502 www.cedarbrake.org cedarbrake@austindiocese.org

The Parent Bereavement Retreat will be held at Cedarbrake Catholic Retreat Center in Belton Nov. 23 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. This retreat is for parents, grandparents, guardians, foster parents and siblings. Louis A. Gamino and Franciscan Father Albert Haase will help lead this retreat. Gamino is an author, speaker and licensed psychologist at Baylor Scott & White Health. Father Haase is the chaplain at Cedarbrake. The cost is $40 and includes lunch.

To register, call the Cedarbrake office at (254) 780-2436.

CENTRAL TEXAS

OCTOBER 2019

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Women’s conference focuses on loving, healing one’s self

By Enedelia J. Obregón | Senior Correspondent

More than a thousand women attended the fourth annual diocesan Catholic Women’s Conference at St. William Parish in Round Rock in early September. The theme “Created for Love” focused on several topics, including the special role women have as daughters of God and the need for self-care and for healing in order to be instruments of God’s love on Earth.

In his homily at the opening Mass, Father James Misko, diocesan vicar general, said God created us uniquely for something.

Father Misko spoke about Oblate Father Ron Rolheiser’s notion that deep down inside us all there remains the fingerprint of God.” “In the Sistine Chapel you see God reaching out of infinite time into time and touching Adam’s finger,” Father Misko said. “The ancient ones would say this is the first love.”

Everyone has God’s fingerprint; we are all made in his likeness and image, created by love, for love and to love.

“This was the first perfect moment, the perfect finger of the Perfect One touching you and you became,” he said.

Sometimes, we cannot see that fingerprint because of many layers of sin and pain. However, Father Misko said, the sacrament of reconciliation is there to remove those layers so we can be closer to God. “The goal of life should be that you are so close to God you can’t see where you end and God begins,” he said.

Too often, we don’t love ourselves enough to believe that is possible, he said. We keep seeking ways to achieve that, going through the four stages of love in the process.

The first stage is loving yourself for your own sake; the second is loving God for your own sake; the third is loving God for God’s sake, which is where most of us remain. The fourth and most difficult is loving ourselves for God’s sake, Father Misko said.

“That is what these days of reflection are about ––- to love yourself for God’s sake and recognize that he came out of time to touch your soul into existence,” he concluded.

In her keynote address, Camer-

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on Fradd, founder and host of the podcast “Among the Lilies,” talked about life with her husband and four children in rural Georgia. She laughed with the audience as she told of the somewhat harrowing births of her children: her first-born was born via emergency C-section in Ireland and another child was born prematurely, requiring a long stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

The family attends a Byzantine parish, where she met a priest who deeply touched her life.

“Are you very good at getting out of God’s way?” he asked her, adding that God sometimes has to “re-form you, and sometimes it doesn’t feel good.”

“God uses you in spite of your weaknesses and your wounds,” he told her. “It’s precisely because of your weaknesses and brokenness that he uses you. They allow the Lord’s light to shine through them and radiate through your brokenness.”

In one of the sessions, Dokpe Ogunsanya, founder of Dupsy Enterprises, stressed the importance of self-care.

“As women, we are often busy taking care of everyone but ourselves,” she said. “You can’t give what you don’t have.”

First of all, trust God, she added.

Everyone makes mistakes. If you fall, get up. Your body is a temple of God, so eat right, exercise and laugh, which “is a great way to release stress,” she said.

Pray throughout the day. It can be while driving, or doing laundry or at any moment throughout the day.

“God is with you 24/7,” she said.

Cameron Fradd, founder and host of the “Among the Lilies” podcast, was one of the keynote speakers at the fourth annual Catholic Women’s Conference, which was held Sept. 7 at St. William Parish in Round Rock.

(Photo by Susan Perkins)

“Meditate on God’s word. Have a prayerful spirit and that will make you feel more connected to God.” Crescencia Alvarado works for the City of Austin Public Health Department. Her presentation in Spanish focused on promoting healthy lifestyles for Latinas.

Foremost is learning to live in God’s love. She shared stories about her godmother, with whom she lived for a while. Her godmother would rise before dawn, telling her that God comes to bless those who watch the sunrise.

Today, Alvarado rises at 5 a.m. daily to pray the rosary and read Scripture.

But that does not mean everything is perfect, she said.

Alvarado has educated herself on her faith, which has strengthened her work on issues of discrimination and injustice. She reminded them of Jesus’s words in Matthew 6:33, “But seek first the kingdom [of God] and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides.”

She pointed out that women have to do their part in making that possible. She concluded with a saying in Spanish, “Buenas cosas le llegan a quienes las esperan, pero las mejores cosas a quienes las hacen (Good things come to those who wait for them, but the best things to those who do them).”

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GOOD NEWS CENTRAL TEXAS

CATHOLIC SPIRIT CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Thanks to a grant from the Advancing Our Mission Encountering Endowment, Brian Atteberry has transformed his classroom at Reicher Catholic High School Diocese of Austin into a makerspace.

“These grants make a teacher’s vision possible,” said Atteberry, the Waco school’s director of technology, who used his nearly $3,000 grant for a 3D printer, a computer numerical control router and a vinyl cutter.

Now when his students design projects using sophisticated computer programs, they no longer remain digital. “They just start designing and creating and innovating,” he said. “The engineering design process just comes to life.”

A key component of educational excellence lies in equipping the Diocese of Austin’s 22 Catholic schools with the tools needed to supplement and enhance their teaching. The Advancing Our Mission Endowment provides teachers and schools with grants to upgrade technology, giving a comprehensive educational experience to the diocese’s more than 5,000 students.

Encountering Christ will direct $1 million in campaign gifts to the Advancing Our Mission Endowment. An investment of this level ensures grants may be disseminated from this endowment for many years to come.

For the 2018-19 school year, the diocese received 49 applications for Advancing Our Mission grants and awarded 34 grants ranging from $150 to $3,000.

“Our teachers appreciate the opportunity to apply for grants that enable them to provide their students with access to new programs,”

Photo courtesy of Brian Atteberry

Grants benefit teachers, schools — and especially students

CHRIST

Reicher Catholic High School’s makerspace — a modern-day shop class — features technological tools purchased with a grant from the Advancing Our Mission Endowment. said Rob Whitworth, associate superintendent of the Diocese of Austin Catholic Schools. “Some of these are programs that are simply purchased and implemented while others are the brainchild of the teacher.”

Atteberry’s long-term goal is to engage students beyond his classroom and create interest in STEM subjects and careers. “I would love to see all kids in there, just to experience creating something on the computer, then creating a physical object,” he said.

Photo courtesy of Rob Suffoletta

Donor Spotlight: Rob and Leslie Suffoletta Rob Suffoletta has made practice of keeping in touch with the many priests who have influenced his faith over the years, “to make them understand that they’re appreciated.”

He and his wife, Leslie, members of St. Theresa Parish in Austin, feel strongly about supporting priests as they get older and need a place to retire. Knowing Encountering Christ funds will be used to expand the St. John Paul II Residence for Priests helped influence their sacrificial gift to the campaign.

‘These men give decades of their life to serving us.’

“These men give decades of their life to serving us as parishioners and serving the Catholic community,” he said. “It’s important for all Catholics Rob and Leslie Suffoletta to help take care of them and provide them with housing, meals and community in their retirement, given everything that they’ve given to us.”

The Suffolettas were also inspired that Encountering Christ will benefit the education of seminarians and Catholic schoolchildren.

“These are things that have long-term value to the Catholic community,” he said. “These initiatives are going to help grow the diocese and enable people to better practice their faith.”

Campaign Update $85,000,000 $75,000,000 $60,000,000 $40,000,000 $20,000,000 $0

GOAL: $85,000,000

Total raised to date: $76,573,476 Percent of goal: 90% Number of gifts: 12,808 Cash received: $17,737,858

OCTOBER 2019

CENTRAL TEXAS

7

Domestic violence: Answering the call of those crying for help

By Enedelia J. Obregón | Senior Correspondent

October is Respect Life Month in the Catholic Church and Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the U.S. That dichotomy is a stark reminder of how much work is needed on life issues, starting at home.

In his 1981 papal exhortation “Familiaris Consortio,” St. John Paul II called families “the domestic church.”

If families are in crisis, then so is the greater church.

Renee Brown, clinical supervisor at Catholic Charities of Central Texas, said Catholics are not immune to domestic violence.

“Domestic violence can happen to anybody,” Brown said. “It happens in all economic levels, educational levels, and cultures.”

In their 2002 letter “When I Call for Help: A Pastoral Response to Domestic Violence Against Women,” the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops stated, “The person being assaulted needs to know that acting to end the abuse does not violate the marriage promises. While violence can be directed towards men, it tends to harm women and children more.”

They also stated that “violence against women, inside or outside the home, is never justified. Violence in any form — physical, sexual, psychological, or verbal — is sinful; often, it is a crime as well.”

Renee Brown, clinical supervisor at Catholic Charities of Central Texas, learning more about domestic abuse is the key to helping stop it.

(Photo by Enedelia J. Obregón)

According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, one in four women and one in nine men experience severe intimate partner physical violence, sexual violence and/or stalking.

Women are more likely to be killed at home by their abuser — usually a husband or boyfriend — rather than by a stranger. The presence of a gun in the home where there is domestic violence increases a woman’s chances of being killed by 500%.

According to the FBI’s Supplemental Homicide Reports, there were 1,809 women killed in 2016 alone; 962 of them were killed by a current or former intimate partner. That was an 11% increase from 2014.

While abusers often isolate their victims, they may still allow them to go to church. Women seeking help may first turn to a priest. Thus, priests, parish personnel and educators may be the first responders for abused women.

Brown said we may be sitting next to an abused woman or an abuser at church and not know it.

“We had one woman whose husband would only hit her in areas people couldn’t see,” Brown said. “He never hit her in the face.”

Brown said parishes need to educate parishioners about domestic violence, create a safe environment for reporting domestic violence, provide resources for parishioners in identified domestic violence relationships, and contact Child Protective Services for children who tell an adult about domestic violence in their home. Half of children in homes with domestic violence also are abused.

While it is difficult, parents and parishes can also educate young people about red flags in relationships and the myth of male privilege and teen dating violence.

Children who are around violence are more likely to repeat the pattern.

Boys will see their fathers abusing women; girls will see men abusing women and think it is a privilege that men have.

Abuse is learned. But it also is a choice, Brown said.

Red flags in relationships There are a few behaviors one can look out for in their relationship to determine if abuse or violence may occur.

Does your boyfriend/girlfriend or spouse do any of these things: • Get overly jealous? (Love is not jealous).

• Frequently check your cell phone, email or social media accounts?

• Make you feel guilty if you do things with your family or friends?

• Do mean things to animals?

• Blame you when he or she is angry?

• Accuse you of things you didn’t do?

• Embarrass you or put you down in front of your friends or in public?

• Pressure you to have sex or do things you don’t want to?

• Pinch, hit, slab, grab, push or inflict any type of physical pain?

How to get help: National Domestic Violence Hotline, 1−800−799−7233 or TTY 1−800−787−3224 or www.thehotline.org.

How to offer help: The USCCB has many resources to help priests, deacons and pastoral staffs at www.usccb.org/domestic-violence/.

“Abuse comes from a desire for power and control,” she said. “Children have no power or control. If they grow up seeing violence, once they have power and control they want that kind of power and control.”

Breaking that learned behavior is one reason providing counseling is so important for children.

For safety reasons, Brown said counselors usually see only women and their children who have left their partner. Some women do come while still in a violent situation.

“We had one woman come in during the day while her husband was at work so he wouldn’t know,” Brown said. “She couldn’t afford to leave. So we helped her find resources to help her for when she was able to leave.”

Those resources include developing a safety plan, such as having an emergency bag ready with all important papers for themselves and their children.

Women are more likely to have fewer financial resources and tend to have children whom they will not leave behind. The abuser may threaten to take away the children.

Abusers also tend to control the finances. They won’t let their spouse get a job. They may provide an allowance.

Brown has seen teenaged girls in relationships that sent up red flags.

Counselors explain that in a healthy relationship, both people should feel safe and comfortable

being honest and respect each other’s values and boundaries, honoring the other person’s relationships with family and friends. In unhealthy relationships, one partner feels more powerful and in control of the other.

“One girl had a boyfriend who knew all her passwords, even to her phone,” she said. Abusers often start by controlling their partners. These men, however, can do whatever they want and the victim is told she has no right to complain.

Brown also uses examples from the Red Flags in Relationships list (see box).

She said leaving an abusive relationship is difficult. One of the biggest reasons is shame. Victims often think, “How could I have been so stupid?” or “What will everybody think?” Brown said.

Years of verbal abuse, which often comes with domestic violence situations, erode a victim’s self-esteem.

“If you hear enough times that ‘nobody else will love you’ or ‘you’re fat and ugly’ or ‘you’re dumb,’ you may start believing it after a while,” Brown said. “It’s hard to ask for help.”

There is help. CCCTX offers counseling on a sliding scale basis for those who qualify. Counselors also present programs for parents and students in schools and parishes.

For more information go to www.ccctx.org and click counseling programs under the “Our Programs” header, or call (512) 651-6150.

CENTRAL TEXAS

8

CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Podcast imparts Catholic wisdom byte by byte

By Ricardo Gandara | Correspondent

Debuting this semester, Texas State University students looking to explore or reconnect with their faith, are being introduced to a bite-size 15-minute podcast called Wisdom Bytes, a nonpreachy approach aimed to reach them on their phones and laptops.

It’s the brainchild of Breanne Saldivar, the campus minister at Our Lady of Wisdom University Parish in San Marcos. “In 2019, we have to reach students where they’re at — their phones,” she said.

Testament Tuesdays (www.soundcloud.com/WisdomBytes) highlight students telling about their spiritual lives, from personal struggles to the challenges young people practicing their faith face on campus. Father Craig Fridays features Father Craig DeYoung, the pastor of the parish, who answers questions emailed to Saldivar.

Father DeYoung is a breath of fresh air, said Saldivar who hosts the podcast.

“I’m not a rapper,” the priest said after an introduction in one of the podcasts. Students email Father

DeYoung pressing questions about Catholicism. And they sometimes resort to the silly. “Does pineapple belong on pizza?” one asked. “Absolutely. Hawaiian pizza is the way to go,” Father DeYoung responded.

One of the weighty questions was “Is there a wrong way to pray?” to which the priest emphasized that the only wrong way to pray is not to pray.

“Prayer is where the heart of God speaks to the heart of man and vice-versa. Prayer is a conversation with God and adds to that relationship with God,” he responded.

Another student asked about Mass attendance. “Do you have to be at church to worship God or can I do that at home? Isn’t God everywhere?”

Father DeYoung said church attendance is an act of faith. “We can’t fulfill the command of God at home. In church, we come together and become one in Christ,” he said.

Another student addressed recreational drug use: “Is it OK to smoke weed?” The priest said, “It’s illegal and as Christians we want to uphold the law of the land.” He also reminded that God gives us the power of reason.

“We lower ourselves if we abandon the capacity of reason and act on instinct,” he said.

Father DeYoung likes the idea of invoking the wisdom of Jesus Christ through media. “It has a sense of authenticity of being Catholic. They are listening while searching for answers with their struggles,” he said.

Saldivar was at her former job at St. William Parish in Round Rock when she first noticed college students disengaged with church.

“They’d come to visit, and they were disconnected or not even Catholic anymore. I wondered, ‘what happened?’ Statistically, if students as freshmen don’t plug into a college Catholic community, we lose them.

They will get involved with alco-

hol and sex and consequently feel unworthy about returning to church,” she said.

When she began working at Our Lady of Wisdom earlier this year, she was determined to begin programs to reconnect students through campus ministry. Hence, the podcast.

The podcast idea is a testament to listening to God, Saldivar said. When she started, she had no expertise, office space, equipment or funds.

“Benefactors stepped forward, space opened up and we got some equipment,” Saldivar said. “But I didn’t know the first thing about starting a podcast.”

However her prayer was answered at a new student orientation event Saldivar attended this summer where she met Kevin McAdams of Santa Cruz Parish in Buda.

“I told him we were starting a podcast but had no idea where to begin.

He said he had 15 years’ experience in radio and offered to help set it up.

He produced the test runs and trained Luke Cohen on post production editing,” she said.

Giving a testimony on the podcast is easy for senior Josie Soehnge who is

Father Craig DeYoung and Breanne Saldivar record Wisdom Bytes at Our Lady of Wisdom University Parish in San Marcos. The podcast is geared toward college students who have questions about their faith. (Photo courtesy Breanne Saldivar)

studying international relations.

“It’s being a witness to your life.

It’s organic evangelization because we crave authenticity,” she said.

Producer Luke Cohen, a senior marketing major, enjoys hearing the testimonies.

“The stories are astonishing of how people accept God into their lives.

It’s kind of an outlet to tell relatable stories,” he said.

Saldivar’s hope is that those tuning in will eventually make their way to the campus ministry office at Our Lady of Wisdom. She also has more in mind for the future.

“It’s in God’s hands. I’d like to get a camera in the studio and put the podcast on YouTube. I’d like to do a live stream. It’s a dream,” she said.

For more information about Our Lady of Wisdom University Parish in San Marcos, visit www.txstatecatholic. org.

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9

Bishop leads Prayer for Life on Oct. 19

Upcoming retreats at Cedarbrake in Belton

Bishop Joe Vásquez will lead a Prayer Vigil for Life Oct. 19 at 8 a.m. in front of the abortion facility at 201 E. Ben White Blvd. in Austin. The bishop will pray the rosary with the participants in the 40 Days for Life Campaign, which runs through Nov. 3. 40 Days for Life is an effort to end abortion through prayer and fasting in which a peaceful all-day vigil is held in front of an abortion facility. For more information about the prayer vigil, call (512) 949-2487. For details about 40 Days for Life, visit www.40daysforlife.com.

An Evening with Taizè Prayer will be held Oct. 19 at Cedarbrake Catholic Retreat Center in Belton. The evening will begin with Mass at 5 p.m. followed by dinner. Taizè prayer will be presented in the chapel after dinner. This form of prayer originated from Taizè, France, and is marked by candlelight, silence and music. The simple chants provide a way of praying when we are alone or in a group. Cost is $25 per person.

The Spiritual Journey: An Adventure of a Lifetime Retreat will be held Nov. 1-3 at Cedarbrake. During this weekend retreat, Bev Collin and Franciscan Father Albert Haase will highlight practices and attitudes that foster a healthy and exciting experience of the spiritual journey. Cost is $235 for a single room, $185 per person for a shared room, and $100 for commuters.

The Grandparents Day of Reflection will be held Nov. 14 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Cedarbrake. Pope Francis said, “Very often it is grandparents who ensure that the most important values are passed down to their grandchildren, and many people can testify that they owe their initiation into the Christian life to their grandparents.” Join Cheryl Maxwell as she explores the many ways in which grandparents can make a positive difference in the faith lives of their grandchildren. The cost is $40 and includes lunch.

For more information or to register, visit www.austindiocese.org/cedarbrake or call (254) 780-2436.

Support for men suffering after abortion Attention men: Are you feeling regret after an abortion experience in your younger days? Do you suffer after an abortion that you could not stop? Are you married to a post-abortive woman? A support group for men suffering after abortion will be offered on five consecutive Thursdays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. beginning Oct. 3 at St. John Neumann Parish, Room 106, in Austin. For more information, email project-rachel@austindiocese.org or call Mary Helen Russell, pastoral care coordinator, at (512) 949-2488.

Health care workers invited to White Mass The 18th annual White Mass will be celebrated Oct. 17 at 6 p.m. at St. Mary Cathedral in Austin. Health care workers are invited to the Mass. A reception will follow in the Bishop’s Hall. For more information, email austincatholicmed@gmail.com.

All Soul’s Day celebration in Georgetown Bishop Joe Vásquez will celebrate an All Souls’ Day Mass Nov. 2 at 11 a.m. at St. Helen Parish in Georgetown. After the Mass, everyone is invited to Our Lady of the Rosary Cemetery and Prayer Gardens where the graves will be blessed, wildflower seeds will be scattered, and the new parish priest garden will be blessed and dedicated. For more information, visit www.olotr.com or call (512) 863-8411.

Couples invited to Marriage Encounter Married couples are invited to strengthen, renew and rekindle their sacrament of matrimony by attending the last 2019 Marriage Encounter weekend on Nov. 1-3 in Belton. The emphasis of the Marriage Encounter ministry is on communication between husband and wife, who spend a weekend together away from the distractions and the tensions of everyday life, to concentrate on each other. For more information, visit www.austinme.org or call (512) 6779963.

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OCTOBER 2019

IN OU R W ORLD

11

Amazon inhabitants hope synod will address lack of priests

By Junno Arocho Esteves | Catholic News Service

The upcoming Synod of Bishops for the Amazon will focus on the devastating effects of climate change on the environment and on indigenous communities, but it also will look at ways to meet the spiritual needs of the region’s people.

One of the big challenges in evangelization and ministry is the lack of missionaries and priests, which some people in the region believe can be resolved by the ordaining of married “viri probati,” or men of proven virtue.

The ordination of married “viri probati” would “respond to a concrete challenge in a concrete reality, for example, in the Amazon,” Spanish Bishop Rafael Cob, apostolic vicar of Puyo, told journalists in Quito Sept.

14.

The journalists were on a study trip organized by REPAM, the Pan-Amazonian Church Network, in advance of the synod Oct. 6-27.

“The Amazon is a geographically difficult region to evangelize first because of its distance, its inaccessibility,” the bishop said. But there also is a “lack of candidates who can or want to be priests with that discipline (celibacy). So, logically, the church is

looking for new methods to respond to concrete challenges.”

The synod’s 45-page working document, published by the Vatican June 17, suggested studying “the possibility of priestly ordination for elders — preferably indigenous, respected and accepted by the community — even if they have an established and stable family.”

While Pope Francis has made it clear that he did not agree with allowing “optional celibacy” for priests, he did say he was open to studying the possibility of ordaining married men for very remote locations, such as the Amazon and the Pacific islands, where Catholic communities seldom have Mass because there are no priests.

One of those remote locations is the Kichwa indigenous community of Sarayaku, located deep in the heart of the Ecuadorian Amazon region and accessible only by small plane or a four-hour canoe ride.

Franco Tulio Viteri Gualinga, former president of the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities

of the Ecuadorian Amazon and a member of the Sarayaku community, told journalists Sept. 17 that sometimes a priest or a bishop will come every two weeks or sometimes just once a month.

In the absence of a priest, a nun living in the village will lead the community in a liturgy of the word, he said.

When asked about the possibility of having an ordained married elder person in the community, Viteri said, “that’s what the church needs to do.” He cited the example of his uncle, who is a catechist in Sarayaku, as a possible candidate.

However, for 58-yearold Sister Rosa Elena Pico, ordaining married men is not the only solution in an area that is “a challenging place to evangelize.”

Sister Pico, a member of the Missionaries of Mary Co-Redemptrix, and two other sisters arrived in Sarayaku in 2017 and often lead the Liturgy of the Word in the absence of a priest.

While nearly all the area’s inhabitants identify as Catholic, many prefer to keep the church’s influence on

the Sarayaku’s culture at arm’s length, she said Sept. 18.

“Many do not want to commit to what the church demands,” Sister Pico told journalists.

One example is that out of the 1,400 members of the Sarayaku indigenous community, only six couples have received the sacrament of marriage. Many of the others, she said, believe that people who marry eventually will separate or divorce and would not be able to keep the lifelong bond of sacramental marriage.

Although she said she feels welcome in the community, she said she was asked to leave on two occasions for explaining the church’s teaching on marriage. Nevertheless, she told them she would stay “until the bishop tells me to leave.”

Sister Pico said that Christian formation, particularly among those who want to fulfill a ministry within the community, was very important in the region and that while there is a lack of priests, ordination of married “viri probati” isn’t the only solution.

“I believe that it is necessary that if there isn’t a priest, there must be somebody who should be a representative, for example, a permanent deacon who can administer the sacraments,” she said. “There should be permanent deacons in the communities.”

Integral ecology: Challenging people to broaden their focus

By Carol Glatz | Catholic News Service

Integral ecology — a phrase often used when discussing the Synod of Bishops for the Amazon — highlights not just the interconnectedness that exists among God, humanity and creation, but also recognizes how political, economic, cultural, social and religious values and decisions are interrelated and affect the way people live with one another on the planet and use its resources.

Building on previous church teachings, St. John Paul II’s concept of “human ecology” and Pope Benedict XVI’s “ecology of man,” Pope Francis has gone one step further with his vision of integral ecology.

Humanity faces not just a number of different crises isolated from one

another, but one complex crisis that manifests itself in so many different ways: the indifference and harm being done to the environment is not only about polluted land, water and air, but includes dangerous attitudes toward other human beings as well as economic practices that hurt people and the land and resources they depend on, Pope Francis said.

That one complex crisis stems from a defective anthropology that does not recognize and respect the full dignity of others, who are all part of one human family. Such a vision, blinded by greed or self-centeredness, leads to many forms of exclusion, exploitation and serious offenses against human rights and the environment.

The solution, Pope Francis said, is an integral ecology that challenges all people to broaden their focus of concern and their daily behavior to

include sustainable environmental ecology; protection of all human life; concrete acts of solidarity with the poor; ethical conduct in economic affairs; greater attention to urban planning to facilitate social relationships and give all people some contact with nature; and protection of people’s cultural heritage in an era when media saturation tends to erase distinctions.

In essence, it requires denouncing and converting from a “culture of waste,” in which people and the planet are not treated according to God’s plan.

Integral ecology requires a cultural and spiritual conversion built on a “culture of encounter.” It underlines how relationships should be based on an attitude of caring for one’s common home; one’s brothers and sisters; and one’s relationship with God, the creator.

“A sense of deep communion with the rest of nature cannot be real if our hearts lack tenderness, compassion and concern for our fellow human beings,” Pope Francis wrote in his encyclical, “Laudato Si’, on Care for Our Common Home.”

Integral ecology also requires more than words and promises. It demands practical and concrete steps each and every day by people who recognize they are co-creators and stewards of God’s creation, who preserve and improve both the natural world, human relationships and economic or global policies and practices.

“Everything is connected,” the pope wrote. “Concern for the environment thus needs to be joined to a sincere love for our fellow human beings and an unwavering commitment to resolving the problems of society.”

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CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Help unmask fake, destructive news, pope tells journalists What happens is truth gets run through a “distillery” of the publisher’s financial interests or advantages and what comes out is no longer true, he said.

Just as they can work to build a world that is more just and caring, he said journalists also can help strip away what is false and toxic.

In the internet age, “the task of a journalist is to identify credible sources, put them in context, interpret them” and give things their due importance. For example, he asked, why is it when a homeless person freezes to death on the street there is no media attention, but every news outlet will cover the stock exchange going down two points. “Something is not right here,” he said.

“Don’t be afraid to turn the news lineup upside down, to give voice to the voiceless, to tell ‘good news’ stories” that foster a friendlier society.

“Don’t tell fairytales. No. Just real good news stories,” he said.

When the pope had met earlier with members of the Dicastery for Communication, dicastery con-

sultants and the employees who work in the Vatican’s various media outlets — television, internet, radio and newspaper — he set aside his prepared remarks, saying it would defeat the purpose of communication if reading a long speech put them to sleep.

Asking instead that they read and reflect on the written remarks later, the pope said he wanted to encourage them to be true communicators motivated by love.

Communications must be about witness, he said, and witnessing one’s faith has an element of martyrdom in that the Christian vocation is being a minority in the world — that tiny bit of salt or leaven that can transform everything.

Do not give in to the temptation of giving up or closing oneself off from the world, choosing to believe the few are somehow an elite or an “elect” group of authentic Christians, he added.

“Resigning oneself to cultural defeat comes from the evil spirit, it does not come from God,” he said.

ca t edi

Saturday, November 2nd at 11:00 am

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Celebrated by Most Reverend Joe S. Vásquez, Bishop of Austin.

New Pa

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Catholic journalists need to be able to distinguish good from evil and recognize how their words can shape the world, not just describe what has happened, Pope Francis said.

Reporters also can help “unmask words that are false and destructive,” but they must make sure their sources are credible while offering the correct context, interpretation and importance of events, he said during an audience on Sept. 23.

The pope made similar appeals earlier in the day when speaking with members of the Vatican’s own media department, the Dicastery for Communication, which was holding its plenary assembly.

The Vatican department’s work in communication, he told them, must never be promotional or driven by the desire to have a bigger audience, nor must employees be tempted into feeling defeated and defensive against the wider culture.

During his audience with members of the Italian Catholic Union of the Press, which was celebrating its 60th anniversary, the pope urged the journalists to be “the voice of the conscience of a journalism capable of distinguishing good from evil, humane choices from inhumane ones,” because the two sides are hard to differentiate today as they are all mixed up in “a hodgepodge.”

Journalists are called to reconstruct the facts, “work toward social cohesion (and) to tell the truth at all costs” in a way that is respectful and never arrogant, he said.

“Communication needs real words in the midst of so many empty words,” the pope said.

It is a great responsibility, he said, because “your words talk about the world and shape it, your stories can create the space for freedom or for slavery, for responsibility or addiction to power.”

He said he knows reporters often would like to be able to do this, “but they have an editor behind them who says, ‘No, this can’t be published, this yes, that no.’”

Blessing

By Carol Glatz | Catholic News Service

The St. Helen Catholic School students will be assisting as Liturgical Ministers.

Music will be provided by Dr. Barry Scott Williamson Following the Mass, please join us as we proceed to Our Lady’s sacred grounds, where there will be blessings for the families with loved ones interred at Our Lady, along with our annual scattering of wildflower seeds, and refreshments of soul cakes.

330 Berry Lane • Georgetown, Texas 78626 • www.olotr.com • 512.863.8411

St. John Vianney

Patron Saint of Parish Priest

IN OU R W ORLD

OCTOBER 2019

13

Parish keeps ‘unshakable’ faith after Imelda hits Texas

By James Ramos | Catholic News Service

One hundred thirty five days later, St. Martha Catholic School flooded again.

Five weeks into the new school year, with students finally back in renovated classrooms damaged by a flood this May, Tropical Storm Imelda brought catastrophic flooding and record breaking rainfall to the southeast Texas Gulf Coast, pushing 6 inches of floodwaters into two school buildings.

Father T.J. Dolce used Facebook Live to tell the St. Martha Parish and School community, which he leads as pastor, that the “incessant rain” had indeed flooded their school again.

Last time on May 7, it was just 4 inches. School was in session that day, forcing teachers and older students to help carry younger, more frightened children through rushing floodwaters to higher ground. This time, when Imelda dropped 24 to nearly 29 inches of rain in two days north of the school, the school was already closed due to the storm Sept. 19 so the campus was empty.

While the school didn’t flood during Hurricane Harvey’s wrath in 2017 — much of the surrounding area was devastated — this time “there was no chance that the school was spared,” Father Dolce said in his video stream.

Photos posted by parish officials showed a bright pink Fisher-Price plastic chair floating on the glasslike floodwaters surface in a classroom, eerily hovering over a colorful rug with the alphabet soaked in several inches of water.

In a series of video streams, Father

Dolce beckoned for prayers, and empathized with those who flooded that day because he knew what that “helpless” feeling was like, watching how the “rain keeps coming and the waters keep rising.”

Still he focused on the strength of God in the community: “God is with us,” Father Dolce said. “Always unshakable is the faith we have in the Lord and His love for us. ... We’ve been through high waters before, we’re going to get through it again.”

He said the parish’s emergency assistance services would reactivate, just as it had during Hurricane Harvey in 2017, and the last flood in May. “We want to help as many people as we can,” he said. By the afternoon of Sept. 19, at least two north Houston parishes opened as a shelter for flood evacuees.

A photo showed the water reaching the feet of an elevated statue of Jesus Christ that stands outside the school.

“Jesus is walking on water again, unfortunately,” a parish official said.

In Beaumont, videos on social media showed several feet of water slamming cars and 18-wheelers on Interstate 10 near the east Texas city with floodwaters splashing over tall concrete barriers, seemingly bringing the Gulf of Mexico onto the highway.

High water shut down the main artery between Texas and Louisiana, snarling traffic for hours.

Members of the so-called “Cajun Navy,” a group of civilian boat-owners who rescued Texans during Harvey, assisted again with water rescues in Houston and Beaumont during Imelda.

During the height of the storm, Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale, a parishioner at Assumption Parish in

St. Luke Catholic Church 2807 Oakdale Drive, Temple

Annual Fall Festival Saturday, October 19, 2019 11:00am – 3:00pm Come celebrate the 50th Anniversary of St. Luke Catholic Church!

Please join us for food, fun, and fellowship, followed by Mass at 4:00pm.

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~ Burgers ~ French Fries ~ Sausage Wraps ~ Hot Dogs ~ Mexican & Filipino Entrees

~ Adult Games ~ Raffle ~ Silent Auction ~ Children’s Games ~ Petting Zoo ~ Face Painting ~ Whirlybird Ride ~ Bounce Houses ~ Cotton Candy ~ Balloon Animals

Enjoy music provided by Emcee Michael Craig!

SPJST Beseda Dancers at 12:00pm Live Auction @ 2:45pm for Dinner with Father John Guzaldo!

Houston, opened one of his massive furniture stores to flood evacuees, just as he did during Harvey. He sent his own delivery trucks to assist with evacuations. Flooding also forced a Beaumont hospital to evacuate its patients.

All Beaumont Catholic schools closed Sept. 19 and 20 and the Beaumont Diocese’s pastoral center also closed both days. By the afternoon of Sept. 20, at least one parish in Beaumont opened as a shelter. Four to 5 feet of water were reportedly inside Beaumont homes.

On Twitter, Beaumont’s Bishop Curtis J. Guillory asked for prayers for southeast Texas. He said the diocese was contacting clergy and religious who possibly flooded. By the afternoon, he said some parish plants had taken on water, but exact details were still unknown.

In Houston, chancery offices at the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston were closed Sept. 20. A roof collapsed at a major U.S. Postal Service distribution facility in Houston, injuring at

least three.

Imelda made landfall near Freeport with sustained 40-mph winds and gusts up to 47 mph. The storm moved slowly through Houston sagging south and then east, lashing Beaumont.

It claimed at least two lives, one in Houston, another near Beaumont.

Hundreds of homes were flooded, and more than 2,100 high water rescues and evacuations were made, civic officials said.

When more than 43 inches of rain fell near Beaumont, the storm became the seventh wettest tropical cyclone in U.S. history, fourth wettest ever to hit Texas.

A prayer posted to the Beaumont Diocese’s website said the memories of “past tragedies” like Harvey “are still so vivid.” It called for the intercession of Mary, Star of the Sea to help with “wounds (that) seem to refuse to heal.”

For details on flood relief in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, visit www.archgh.org. For details on flood relief in the Diocese of Beaumont, visit www.dioceseofbmt.org.

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14

IN OU R W ORLD

CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Bishops bring hope as they visit migrants just across border

By Rhina Guidos | Catholic News Service

Up until July, 30-year-old Ingrid had a successful career as a pharmacist in her native Nicaragua. She owned a home, where she raised her two boys, ages 12 and 8, and expected to always remain in the country she so loved.

However, political strife led her to join in nonviolent marches criticizing the government, seeking, as many Nicaraguans have done, to have a say in the country where she thought her children would grow up.

But in August, that dream came crashing down as threats against her, for participating in anti-government demonstrations, began to worry her more and more until one day she decided it was time to grab the boys and leave — for good.

“I came only with the clothes I had on,” the mother of two told Catholic News Service Sept. 24, after speaking with a delegation of bishops, staff members from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, lay ministers and others visiting the border region Sept.

23-27. “I left my entire life in Nicaragua.”

She thought she’d find some under-

standing and safety heading with her children toward the U.S., she explained, but she quickly found out she was wrong as she and her children felt the weight of the “Remain in Mexico” policy that tells asylum-seekers to wait in the neighboring country for their immigration court dates.

“It’s sad to arrive, to knock on the door and to have that door close without being heard,” she explained to the group visiting a Catholic church in Ciudad Juarez, which offered her help. The group included Bishop Mark J. Seitz of the neighboring Diocese of El Paso, Bishop Oscar Cantu of San Jose, California, Bishop Brendan J. Cahill of Victoria, as well as Father Robert Stark, regional coordinator of the Vatican’s Section on Migrant and Refugees.

She was one of many migrants the group met during the second day of a week of encounters with farmworkers, their families, asylum-seekers, refugees and other migrants in the border region near El Paso and neighboring Ciudad Juarez.

They spoke with Ingrid, whose last name is being withheld for her protection, met her children, and shared a meal with them and others as they heard the migrants’ plight.

For up-to-date information from the Diocese of Austin, visit us online On the Internet at www.austindiocese.org On Facebook search “Diocese of Austin” On Twitter, go to @AustinDiocese

But it wasn’t the only story of unwelcome they heard that day.

The group also visited Casa del Migrante, or House of the Migrant, a shelter in Ciudad Juarez, where the bishops spoke with and blessed a group of immigrants returning to their home countries after the U.S. denied them entry or they had no hope of being allowed to enter.

Nelson Lopez, admittedly a bit dejected, waited in line at the shelter with others to board a bus provided by the United Nations’ International Organization for Migration outside the shelter Sept. 24 — a free service the agency provides to migrants.

He had tried to enter the U.S. for a month before giving up. His intent was to find a job that would help him provide an education for his daughter and better living conditions for his parents in Honduras, whom he financially supports, he told CNS. “It’s difficult,” he said.

He didn’t want to return to Honduras but after a while, he lost hope of entering the U.S. and started missing his family, he said.

All of the U.S. bishops, along with Ciudad Juarez Bishop Jose Guadalupe Torres Campos, blessed the group and spoke with some of them briefly before they boarded the bus.

“I’m sorry,” El Paso’s Bishop Seitz said to the migrants in Spanish. “As Christians, as good citizens, we should be ready to welcome those who need (help), but sadly, this is not the sentiment of the U.S. government at the moment.”

Maria Luna, who volunteers with migrant ministry in the Diocese of

Bishop Oscar Cantu of San Jose, Calif., greets a child waiting for a bus at the Casa del Migrante shelter in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, on Sept. 24.

Several dozen migrants from Central America were returning to their home countries on a bus that day, after giving up on entering the U.S. (CNS photo/Tyler Orsburn)

Yakima, Washington, said some of the stories of the day had been “very sad” and she understood the reasons that had made the migrants leave home.

Earlier in the day, Bishop Cantu had, in a homily, told the group of his family’s beginnings in the U.S., in a story that sounded similar to the situation faced by some of the migrants who had not been allowed to enter.

His father left his native Mexico with a sixth-grade education and headed north to the U.S., stressing the importance of faith and education among his eight children, he said.

Having little opportunity in his native country, he told them to stay close to the church and to take advantage in the U.S. of the education and opportunities he didn’t have.

“I can imagine so many migrants saying that, wishing that for their children,” Bishop Cantu said.

He told the group to “keep the hope alive” for those trying to do the same for their children today.

“We see gross injustices, we see violence, we see a trampling of human dignity,” Bishop Cantu said. “And so the challenge for us today is to help brothers and sisters to live in hope.

For some, that hope is the American Dream ... giving to their children a better life than they have.”

IN OU R W ORLD

OCTOBER 2019

15

Discovery of fetal remains shows abortion’s ‘inhumanity’

By Catholic News Service

The discovery of the remains of over 2,200 aborted babies at the rural Illinois home of a deceased abortionist “tears off the mask of ‘choice’ and reveals the inhumanity of abortion to all of us,” said Eric Scheidler, executive director of the Chicago-based Pro-Life Action League.

“Even the most ardent defenders of abortion admit how disturbing it is to contemplate this kind of stockpiling of fetal remains,” he said after a prayer vigil outside of the Will County Coroner’s Office in Joliet Sept. 19.

“Let this be a moment for all of us to reflect on the violence and injustice of abortion, and commit ourselves to finding better solutions to our personal and societal challenges than to tolerate violence against the most innocent and vulnerable of our brothers and sisters,” Scheidler said.

The fetal remains were found Sept.

13 at the home of Dr. Ulrich “George” Klopfer, who died Sept. 3. He had performed abortions in three clinics in Indiana — Gary, Fort Wayne and

South Bend — since the 1970s but had his medical license revoked in 2016 after innumerable infractions over the years. His home was in Will County, Illinois.

After the prayer vigil, Eric Scheidler went to the Will County Sherriff’s Department for a news conference. He said local authorities announced the babies had been aborted in Indiana be-

“Let this be a moment for all of us to reflect on the violence and injustice of abortion, and commit ourselves to finding better solutions ...”

–– Eric Scheidler, Pro-Life Action League Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill Jr. and Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul are working together as Hill’s office coordinates an investigation.

The Joliet prayer vigil, coordinated

by Scheidler, drew a crowd of more than 80 people from throughout the Chicago area.

Prayers were led by Alexandra Kurator from the Diocese of Joliet; Susan Walker of Rest in His Arms, an organization that provides Christian funerals and burials for abandoned babies; Sarah Minnich of Students for Life of America; Joe Scheidler, founder and president of the Pro-Life Action League; and Deacon Joe Verdico from Ss. Peter and Paul Church in Naperville.

tween 2000 and 2002. Their remains are being transferred to the custody of the Indiana attorney general for further investigation. “(These) 2,246 bodies ... represent just a little less than the daily body count of the U.S. abortion industry,” he said in his statement at the news conference. “The shocking reality here is not that Ulrich Klopfer failed to hand these bodies over to a medical waste company to be burned up and forgotten, but that our society allowed him to kill these children in the first place.”

“When I first heard about these grisly revelations, I was in the midst of preparing for the National Day of Remembrance for Aborted Children,

coordinating nearly 200 prayer vigils at memorial sites dedicated to the unborn victims of abortion, including 44 gravesites where a tiny fraction of these children have been solemnly laid to rest,” he said.

“My first thought was that these poor children must be given a proper burial, and I’m counting on the Will County authorities to ensure that this justice is done for them,” he added.

In Indianapolis at a news conference Sept. 20, Indiana’s attorney general called Klopfer “one of the most notorious abortionists in the history of Indiana.”

From medical records found in close proximity to the remains, Hill said, “we’ve been able to ascertain that (they) are pertaining to a period of time from 2000 to 2002,” confirming what Will County authorities said.

He summarized the investigation moving forward as “trying to determine how this happened, who was involved and what, if anything, we can do about it, and what we can do going forward to prevent this from happening in the future.”

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IN OU R W ORLD

16

CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Abortion rates have dropped, but other concerns arise

By Kurt Jensen | Catholic News Service

The pro-life community is cheering a report released Sept. 18 that indicates the number and rate of abortions nationwide have fallen to their lowest levels since the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision legalized abortion on demand in 1973.

The numbers were provided by the Guttmacher Institute, which researches data on abortion. For 2017, the last year for which full numbers were available, the institute recorded 862,000 abortions. That translates to 13.5 abortions per 1,000 women ages 15-44, a rate less than half of the 1990 count.

For the previous two tallies, the numbers were 926,000 in 2014, and just over 1 million in 2011.

Between 2011 and 2017, abortion rates increased in only five states and the District of Columbia. One of the largest

drops was in Virginia, at more than 40 percent between 2011 and 2017.

But there’s no single reason for the decline, including wider legal restrictions and the closing of clinics, the report stated. “Rather, the decline in abortions appears to be related to declines in births and pregnancies overall.”

The 2011–2017 time frame “warrants particular attention because it coincided with an unprecedented wave of new abortion restrictions. During those years, “32 states enacted a total of 394 new restrictions, with the vast majority of these measures having taken effect (that is, they were not struck down by a court).”

“With the available evidence, it is impossible to pinpoint exactly which factors drove recent declines, and to what degree,” the report continued.

“However, previous Guttmacher analyses have documented that abortion restrictions ... were not the main driver of national declines in the abortion rate

in the 2008–2011 or 2011–2014 time periods.”

The institute also credited wider access to long-term contraceptive methods — including intrauterine devices — now covered by insurance through the Affordable Care Act. “The March for Life celebrates the long-term downward trend in the number of abortions and the abortion rate,” said Jeanne Mancini, president of the March for Life Education and Defense Fund, which holds an annual rally and March in Washington every January.

“Although there has been a concerning 10% increase in chemical (Mifepristone, the RU-486 pill, used by women who are 10 weeks’ pregnant or less) abortions — which are harder on women and have less medical oversight — there is an overall movement away from abortion, evidenced by consistent public opinion polls that show vast majorities want to restrict the practice.”

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Americans United for Life, took aim at the lack of current abortion statistics from government sources.

“It is stunning that 46 years after Roe v. Wade, America has no reliable national system of abortion data collection, analysis or reporting,” Forsythe said in a prepared statement.

“Ours is a dysfunctional system because basic abortion data reporting is voluntary. We call upon Congress and the White House to unite in authorizing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to track abortion data in every state — and especially states like California and Maryland, who have refused to cooperate in monitoring and regulating abortion,” he continued.

“If abortion is simply another health care or medical procedure, certainly the CDC should have the ability to track and monitor these rates consistently, so Americans are not relying on third-party nonprofits for critical public health data,” Forsythe said.

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OCTOBER 2019

GOOD NEWS

17

BISHOP’S INTERVIEW

May our hearts be open to Christ in the Eucharist Bishop Joe S. Vásquez is the fifth bishop of the Austin Diocese, which is home to more than 530,000 Catholics.

Editor: A recent study by Pew Research found less than one third of Catholics believe in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. What is the Real Presence?

Bishop Vásquez: The church teaches that the Real Presence is the true presence of Christ in the Eucharist under the species or appearances of bread and wine. During the celebration of Mass, the elements of bread and wine become Christ, his body and blood. Through the priest’s invocation of the Holy Spirit over those elements of bread and wine, Our Risen Lord is truly present during the celebration of the Eucharist.

This lack of understanding of the Eucharist is deeply disturbing. The Real Presence is central to who we are as Catholics. The Eucharist is at the heart of what we believe. If indeed this many Catholics no longer understand the mystery of what we do at every Mass, then we who have been entrusted to teach others about the Eucharist have failed. All of us are responsible for teaching and living the mystery of the Eucharist – parents, catechists, priests and bishops. We must communicate more effectively the true presence of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the celebration of the Mass.

Editor: Transubstantiation is another word that is thrown around in the Catholic world. What does this word mean?

Bishop Vásquez: Transubstantiation is the word the church uses to describe that the bread and the wine are transformed into the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ. The appearances of bread and wine remain, that is to say the Lord on the altar may look like bread and may taste like bread but through the power of the Holy Spirit, the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Our Lord. As the Council of Trent stated in the 1500s, “by the consecration of the bread and wine there takes place a change of the whole substance of the bread into the substance of the body of Christ our Lord and of the whole substance of the

wine in the substance of his blood.”

Editor: As a priest, tell us what is it like to participate in the consecration of these gifts?

Bishop Vásquez: I have been a priest now for 35 years and even after all these years, I still feel humbled to celebrate the Mass. It is truly humbling that by invoking the Holy Spirit to come upon these elements of bread and wine they will be transformed into the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ. Sometimes as I stop to think about it, I am completely overwhelmed at how I, a sinful man, a weak man, am able to do this for the people of God. As priests we have been called not because we are holier or more special than others but because this is the way Christ intended the Eucharist to continue throughout time and history.

He chose the apostles on that holy night during the Last Supper when he gave us his body and his blood at the first Eucharist and instituted the priesthood. So those of us who have been called to this priesthood must celebrate the Eucharist worthily, with true reverence, love and devotion so the people understand that Christ is truly present.

Editor: The Eucharist is the foundation of our faith, and when we receive the Eucharist we are indeed receiving Jesus, correct?

Bishop Vásquez: Yes! The Eucharist is the greatest treasure of the church; it is beyond all value.

We must remember and understand Christ’s words in the Gospel of John (6:54), “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.” During every Mass, we are called by Christ to gather around the altar to receive his Body and Blood. It is incumbent on each of us to prepare our hearts and our bodies for this great gift through the Eucharistic fast. All Catholics abstain from food or drink, with the exception of water and medicine, for one hour before receiving holy Communion.

We share this understanding with our people by participating fully at each Mass, not out of obligation but out of anticipation of encountering Christ. We help others understand

the mystery of the Eucharist by how we conduct ourselves during the celebration of Mass. We must never take it for granted, for every celebration of the Eucharist commemorates the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, who gave himself totally to us in love. All of us can help one another strengthen our love and respect for the Eucharist.

Editor: As parents what is the best way to explain the Real Presence to our children?

Bishop Vásquez: Children learn by example. The importance we give to being at Mass and fully participating and showing reverence all communicate our belief in the Real Presence much more than our words do. We can show our children where Jesus resides in the tabernacle, and we can encourage them to participate in the Mass and explain why we genuflect, stand and kneel during the Mass. Also, we can provide a good example of how to receive the Body and Blood of Christ with reverence and gratitude.

Another way parents and catechists can help children experience the Real Presence is through exposure to adoration. Visit the church, take them to the tabernacle and pray with them. Explain to them that Jesus is present, and he longs for us to come to him in prayer.

When my mother converted to Catholicism what drew her to the church was Christ’s true presence. My father was already Catholic, so before they married, my mother received instruction from a priest to become Catholic.

During this time, she gave herself

Bishop Joe Vásquez elevates the Eucharist during a recent Mass.

The bishop discusses the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist in this month’s Bishop’s Interview. (Photo

by Shelley Metcalf)

totally and completely to her faith. She fell in love with Christ and developed a great devotion for the Eucharist. She believed wholeheartedly that when she received holy Communion, she received Jesus Christ, Lord of her life. And she passed on that devotion and love to us, her children. Similarly, parents today must share their love and passion for Christ with their children. Parents who give emphasis and importance and hold the Eucharist in high regard will find it much easier to explain the Real Presence to a child. When parents do not come to Mass frequently, it is far more difficult to convince a child of Christ’s true presence.

Editor: What is your prayer for our church?

Bishop Vásquez: I pray that we allow the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us in our faith. May the Holy Spirit open our hearts to a greater love and devotion of the Eucharist.

May our love for the Eucharist grow ever stronger each time we celebrate the Mass. May Christ give us a deep hunger and thirst for him in the Eucharist. May we cherish this precious gift always and may we desire to bring others to a deeper appreciation of the holy sacrifice of the Mass. As St. John Paul II said, the Eucharist makes the church and the church makes the Eucharist.

GOOD NEWS

18

CATHOLIC SPIRIT

SAINTS FOR OUR TIMES

Blessed Contardo Ferrini: a scholarly, holy lawyer

By Mary Lou Gibson | Columnist

Blessed Contardo Ferrini was described by one of his biographers as “that modern rarity, an internationally respected lay scholar who was also a man of profound holiness.” He was born in Milan, Italy on April 4, 1859, the son of a professor.

He had a passion for learning as a young man and was educated by three priests, one of whom taught him Hebrew, in addition to his Greek. Paul Burns writes in “Butler’s Lives of the Saints” he gained a remarkable fluency in languages, knowing Latin, Syriac and some Coptic and being at ease in German, English, Dutch, French and Spanish.

His formal education began in 1876 when he won a scholarship to study law at Borromeo College in Pavia. Father Robert McNamara writes Contardo was already convinced that

expertise in studies could fit in well with a life of prayer and good works.

In 1880 Contardo went to study in Berlin where he found an active group of Catholics involved in social and charitable work. He joined the local branch of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Burns writes that toward the end of his time in Berlin he made a vow of lifelong celibacy because he did not think he had a vocation to the priesthood.

He joined the Third Order of St. Francis and developed a spirituality based on devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, prayer and meditation. The simple Franciscan approach to God appealed to Contardo, Burns writes, because he could find God in the beauty of creation.

Early in his academic life, Contardo developed a love of poetry and also became a keen mountaineer. Father McNamara writes that he loved to climb the peaks of the nearby Alps.

About these experiences, Contardo wrote, “God also speaks to man in the clouds on the mountain tops ... and in the dazzling splendor of the unmelting snow ...”

He spent two years teaching at the University of Berlin and the history of Roman law became his specialty.

Contardo earned his doctorate in 1880. His thesis related Penal Law to Homeric poetry. He became a professor of Roman Law at Messina in 1887. Franciscan Father Don Miller writes that Contador’s speeches and papers show his understanding of the relationship of faith and science.

In 1894 Contardo returned to the University of Pavia where he remained until the end of his life. John Delaney writes in the “Dictionary of Saints” that Contardo was one of the world’s leading experts on Roman Law. He was regarded by his students and colleagues as one who lived a life of holiness in the midst of academia.

Father McNamara writes that many students attended his classes not just because of his reputation as a jurist, but because they marveled in listening to a “modern” professor who still believed in God. Later he became a canon lawyer in addition to being a civil lawyer. In 1895, he became a city councilor of Milan. Burns writes that Contardo was opposed to socialism and deplored the papal ban on Catholics taking part in Italian politics.

He caught typhoid fever while staying on Lake Maggiore and died Oct. 17, 1902. His body is venerated in the chapel of Milan’s Catholic University.

Pope Pius XII beatified Contardo in 1947 and held him up as a model of a Catholic lay person. He is the patron of universities.

Mary Lou Gibson is a freelance writer and a member of St. Austin Parish in Austin.

SPECIAL COLLECTION

World and Home Missions The special collection for World and Home Missions was taken up in parishes on Ash Wednesday. The collection assists missions in the U.S. and in Europe and Asia. Totals are listed below by deanery. To report an error, contact the diocesan Finance Office at (512) 949-2423.

PARISH TOTALS

PARISH TOTALS

PARISH TOTALS

PARISH TOTALS

AUSTIN CENTRAL DEANERY Austin, Cristo Rey Austin, Holy Cross Austin, Our Lady of Guadalupe Austin, Sacred Heart Austin, San Jose Austin, Santa Barbara Austin, St. Austin Austin, St. Ignatius Austin, St. Julia Austin, St. Mary Cathedral Austin Central Total

Lockhart, St. Mary of the Visitation Martindale, Immaculate Heart Rockne, Sacred Heart Smithville, St. Paul String Prairie, Assumption Uhland, St.Michael Bastrop/Lockhart Total

Corn Hill, Holy Trinity Georgetown, St. Helen Granger, Sts. Cyril and Methodius Hutto, St. Patrick Manor, St. Joseph Pflugerville, St. Elizabeth Round Rock, St. John Vianney Round Rock, St. William Taylor, Our Lady of Guadalupe Taylor, St. Mary of the Assumption Georgetown/Round Rock Total

Mason, St. Joseph San Saba, St. Mary Sunrise Beach, Our Lady of the Lake Lampasas/Marble Falls Total

$2,064.99 $494.00 $2,446.78 $4,021.00 $1,233.51 $946.52 $1,545.89 $1,311.00 $219.57 $1,351.92 $15,635.18

AUSTIN NORTH DEANERY Austin, Holy Vietnamese Martyrs Austin, St. Albert the Great Austin, St. Louis Austin, St. Theresa Austin, St. Thomas More Austin, St. Vincent de Paul Cedar Park, St. Margaret Mary Lago Vista, Our Lady of the Lake Austin North Total

$3,729.00 $4,500.00 $4,875.00 $4,682.08 $8,384.64 $5,782.63 $5,448.39 $1,735.00 $39,136.74

AUSTIN SOUTH DEANERY Austin, Dolores Austin, St. Andrew Kim Austin, St. Catherine of Siena Austin, St. John Neumann Austin, St. Paul Austin, St. Peter the Apostle Lakeway, Emmaus Austin South Total

$606.00 $258.00 $5,138.45 $4,863.30 $4,014.20 $2,481.00 $3,323.70 $20,684.65

BASTROP/LOCKHART DEANERY Bastrop, Ascension Elgin, Sacred Heart

$4,884.00 $1,632.95

$3,078.56 $426.00 $4,372.00 $1,763.00 $266.00 $795.14 $17,217.65

BRENHAM/LA GRANGE DEANERY Brenham, St. Mary $2,907.51 Chappell Hill, St. Stanislaus $325.00 Dime Box, St. Joseph $275.00 Ellinger/Hostyn Hill, St. Mary $584.00 Fayetteville, St. John $1,328.11 La Grange, Sacred Heart $1,831.75 Lexington, Holy Family $314.01 Old Washington on the Brazos, St. Mary $62.00 Pin Oak, St. Mary $236.00 Rockdale, St. Joseph $1,272.73 Somerville, St. Ann $182.00 Brenham/La Grange Total $9,318.11 BRYAN/COLLEGE STATION DEANERY Bremond, St. Mary $500.00 Bryan, Santa Teresa $3,176.00 Bryan, St. Anthony $1,332.00 Bryan, St. Joseph $4,229.15 Caldwell, St. Mary $1,661.70 College Station, St. Mary $3,341.22 College Station, St. Thomas Aquinas $1,425.20 Franklin, St. Francis of Assisi $614.00 Frenstat, Holy Rosary $460.00 Hearne, St. Mary $1,586.05 Bryan/College Station Total $18,325.32 GEORGETOWN/ROUND ROCK DEANERY Andice, Santa Rosa $894.00

$1,751.71 $8,108.63 $1,086.00 $679.00 $111.00 $1,007.99 $5,052.12 $13,697.00 $1,063.23 $3,572.26 $37,022.94

KILLEEN/TEMPLE DEANERY Belton, Christ the King $1,089.00 Burlington, St. Michael $166.00 Cameron, St. Monica $760.00 Copperas Cove, Holy Family $4,007.29 Cyclone, St. Joseph $445.00 Harker Heights, St. Paul Chong Hasang $4,846.45 Killeen, St. Joseph $5,336.62 Marak, Sts. Cyril and Methodius $559.00 Rogers, St. Matthew $513.25 Rosebud, St. Ann $529.70 Salado, St. Stephen $1,657.00 Temple, Our Lady of Guadalupe $778.21 Temple, St. Luke $2,923.00 Temple, St. Mary $3,270.95 Westphalia, Visitation $132.00 Killen/Temple Total $27,013.47 LAMPASAS/MARBLE FALLS DEANERY Burnet, Our Mother of Sorrows $70.00 Goldthwaite, St. Peter $223.00 Horseshoe Bay, St. Paul the Apostle $1,621.00 Kingsland, St. Charles Borromeo $992.00 Llano, Holy Trinity $559.00 Marble Falls, St. John $1,916.00

$627.50 $330.03 $145.00 $6,483.53

SAN MARCOS DEANERY Blanco, St. Ferdinand $427.00 Buda, Santa Cruz $71.00 Dripping Springs, St. Martin de Porres $2,924.37 Johnson City, Good Shepherd $399.14 Kyle, St. Anthony Marie de Claret $4,533.46 San Marcos, St. John $2,113.40 San Marcos,Our Lady of Wisdom $350.04 Wimberley, St. Mary $2,151.63 San Marcos Total $12,970.04 WACO DEANERY China Spring, St. Phillip Elk, St. Joseph Gatesville, Our Lady of Lourdes Hamilton, St. Thomas McGregor, St. Eugene Mexia, St. Mary Moody, Our Lady of San Juan Tours, St. Martin Waco (Bellmead), St. Joseph Waco (Hewitt), St. Jerome Waco, Sacred Heart Waco, St. Francis on the Brazos Waco, St. John the Baptist Waco, St. Louis Waco, St. Mary of the Assumption Waco, St. Peter Catholic Center West, Church of the Assumption Waco Total Grand Total

$115.00 $104.00 $582.55 $221.00 $248.03 $710.00 $132.27 $570.10 $982.67 $4,303.00 $2,919.28 $977.00 $378.46 $1,382.00 $1,348.86 $431.00 $1,172.05 $16,577.27 $220,384.90

GOOD NEWS

OCTOBER 2019

19

I am the Vine Yo soy la Vid

Commitment Weekend November 2-3, 2019 • Fin de Semana del CompromiSo 2-3 de Noviembre de 2019

I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. ~John 15:5

Diocese of Austin

•

Yo soy la vid y ustedes las ramas. El que permanece en mí y yo en él, ése da mucho fruto, pero sin mí, no pueden hacer nada. ~Juan 15:5

Diócesis de Austin

•

2019-2020

GOOD NEWS

20

CATHOLIC SPIRIT

FAITH THROUGH ART

Lead all souls to Heaven, especially those most in need

By James B. Janknegt | Columnist

As we prepare for the feasts of All Saints (Nov. 1) and All Souls (Nov. 2), it may behoove us all to spend more time thinking of our own eternal destination. Of course, we all desire to go to heaven, but how is our eternal destination decided? I painted the “Last Judgment” (at right) in 2008 with all of this in mind.

In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus said, “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few.”

St. Peter succinctly tells us how to enter the narrow gate in Acts 2:38, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the holy Spirit.”

The narrow gate, we discover, is found when we turn away from our sins with true contrition and a firm purpose of amendment. Entering the narrow gate, we find ourselves on a hard road.

The narrow road is lined with many temptations as described by St John: “Do not love the world or the things of the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, sensual lust, enticement for the eyes, and a pretentious life, is not from the Father but is from the world. Yet the world and its enticement are passing away. But whoever does the will of God remains forever” (1Jn 2: 15-17).

We avoid temptation by being obedient to God, by doing the work God has prepared for us to do. St. Paul tells

us in Ephesians: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from you; it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so no one may boast. For we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for the good works that God has prepared in advance, that we should live in them.”

If we enter via the narrow gate, resist temptation, and do the good work God has prepared for us to do, we will eventually arrive at the gate of eternal life. The book of Revelation describes it like this: “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more ... I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, God’s dwelling is with the human race.

He will dwell with them and they will be his people ... He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning ... The victor will inherit these gifts, and I shall be his God, and he will be my son. But as for cowards, the unfaithful, the depraved, murderers, the unchaste, sorcerers, idol-worshipers, and deceivers of every sort, their lot is in the burning pool of fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

I end this meditation with the Fatima prayer: O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who have most need of your mercy. Amen.

James B. Janknegt is a painter with multiple degrees in studio art. He and his wife live in Elgin and are active at Sacred Heart Parish where they help play music for Mass and lead the RCIA program. For more information about him and his artwork visit www.BCArtFarm.com.

EIM WORKSHOP

All clergy, religious, seminarians, employees and adult volunteers serving in a ministry requiring EIM compliance must submit an EIM Application for Ministry (one-time only) and attend an EIM Workshop at least once every three years. Go to www.eappsdb.com/austin to submit a new application or login to your existing account to find the list of workshops and to signup (use “Forgot User ID or Password?” if you don’t recall ID/password). Contact your parish EIM site administrator (insert name) if a paper EIM application or other assistance with EIM compliance matters is needed.

Workshop Notes: 1) attendees must pre-register at least 24 hours before workshop start time – walk-ins are no longer admitted, 2) arrive early - late arrivals are not admitted and 3) do not bring children to the EIM workshop. If you are a victim of sexual abuse and have concerns regarding your attendance at a workshop, contact Emily Hurlimann at (512) 949-2447 to discuss an alternative workshop arrangement.

HAVE YOU, OR HAS SOMEONE YOU KNOW, EXPERIENCED ABUSE?

Bishop Joe S. Vásquez and the Diocese of Austin are committed to providing compassionate care to persons who have experienced abuse, particularly if committed by clergy or a church representative. If you have or if someone you know has experienced such abuse, contact the diocesan Coordinator of Victim Assistance and Pastoral Support at ileana-hinojosa@austindioce.org or (512) 949-2400.

REPORT ABUSE

Report abuse of a minor, elderly adult or an adult with a disability to local law enforcement or to the Texas Abuse Hotline at www.txabusehotline.org or (800) 252-5400 and to the diocese at www.austindiocese.org/report-abuse or (512) 949-2447.

REPORT UNETHICAL BEHAVIOR

Report unethical behavior by a person serving in ministry to the diocese at www.austindiocese.org/other-concerns or (512) 949-2447.

BU LLETIN BOARD

OCTOBER 2019

Calendar of events

Mark your calendars for these events that are coming up across the Diocese of Austin. Send entries for this section to catholic-spirit@austindiocese.org.

Oct. 3: A support group for men suffering the effects of abortion will be offered on five consecutive Thursdays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at St. John Neumann Parish, Room 106, in Austin. Details: project-rachel@austindiocese. org or (512) 949-2488.

Oct. 4: Every Friday in October the rosary will be prayed at 7:30 p.m. the Marian Shrine of Our Lady of Schoenstatt. Details: www.schoenstatt.us.

Oct. 5: Bearing Fruit in the Face of Infertility, a retreat for married couples, will be held at St. Austin Parish in Austin. Register: bearingfruit2019. eventbrite.com or shap@teachmehealme.com.

Oct. 5: Annunciation Maternity Home will sponsor its ninth annual Charity Golf Tournament at White Wing Golf Club in Georgetown. Details: www. thematernityhome.org/golf-2019.

Oct. 7-10: Annual Priests’ Convocation will be held in Round Rock.

Oct. 9: Catholic Scripture Study classes are held on Wednesdays from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at St. Louis Parish in Austin. Details: www.cssaustin.org.

Oct. 15: Adoration for young professionals will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Marian Shrine of Our Lady of Schoenstatt in Austin. Details: www. facebook.com/SchoenstattAustin.

Oct. 17: The 18th annual White Mass will be celebrated at 6 p.m. at St. Mary Cathedral in Austin. Health care workers are invited to the Mass. A reception will follow in the Bishop’s Hall.

Details: austincatholicmed@gmail. com.

Oct. 17: The Maria Goretti Network, a self-help support network for those affected by abuse and their families, will meet at 7:30 p.m. at St. Elizabeth Parish in Pflugerville (room 120 in the Parish Ministry Center). Details: trina@mgoretti.org or (713) 8513708.

Oct. 19: A training session and orientation for those who would like to volunteer with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the diocesan Pastoral Center. Details: (512) 9492460.

Oct. 20: The Marian Shrine of Our Lady of Schoenstatt in Austin will celebrate its fifth anniversary at 11 a.m. Bishop Joe Vásquez will celebrate Mass, which will be followed by lunch, games, music and fun for all ages. Details: www.schoenstatt.us .

Nov. 1: Diocesan offices will be closed for All Saints Day.

Nov. 2: Bishop Joe Vásquez will celebrate an All Souls’ Day Mass at 11 a.m. at St. Helen Parish in Georgetown. After the Mass, everyone is invited to Our Lady of the Rosary Cemetery and Prayer Gardens where the graves will be blessed, wildflower seeds will be scattered, and the new parish priest garden will be blessed and dedicated. Details: www.olotr.com or (512) 863-8411.

Discernment Listed below are gatherings for those interested in religious life or the priesthood.

Oct. 12: Young women (juniors in high school to age 32) are invited to join the Dominican Sisters of Mary Mother of the Eucharist from 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for a retreat to discern whether God is calling them to religious life.

Registration fee is $30. Details: email Dominican Sister Maria Rosario at mao-tx@sistersofmary.org.

Oct. 16: A Discernment Dinner for Men will be held from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Borromeo House in Austin. Details: www.godiscalling.me.

Oct. 19: Project Miriam will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at St. Mary Cathedral in Austin. Young women open to the idea of religious life are invited to this day of prayer and fellowship.

Details: www.godiscalling.me.

Burse The Diocesan Council of Catholic Women has completed a burse for the Clerical Endowment Fund (CEF) in honor of Father Ramon Frayna, pastor of St. Mary Parish in Hearne, and Paulist Father Charles Kullman, pastor of St. Austin Parish in Austin.

The totals for the burse as of Aug. 31 are listed below by council.

Austin $1,145.00 Bastrop/Lockhart $832.00 Brenham/La Grange $400.00 Bryan/College Station $4,931.51 Georgetown/Round Rock $526.00 Killeen/Temple $477.00 Lampasas/Marble Falls $69.00 Waco $10,104.00 Previous Balance $74.54 Total $18,559.05 The Clerical Endowment Fund provides low-cost loans to parishes. Interest from the loans is used to educate diocesan seminarians. For information, contact Judy Edwards at (979) 846-0617.

21

Opportunities to reflect, retreat Listed below are retreats and days of reflection in the month ahead.

Oct. 12: Lord Teach Me to Pray, an Ignatian Prayer Series, will be offered from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Cedarbrake Catholic Retreat Center in Belton. Participants will learn how to deepen their prayer lives and how to help others deepen their prayer lives.

Details: (504) 439-5933.

Oct. 14: Feed My Faith with Father Leo Patalinghug will be held at St. Martin de Porres Parish in Dripping Springs.

Mass will be celebrated at 5:30 p.m.

Then from 6 to 8:30 p.m. in St. Dymphna Parish Hall, Father Patalinghug, a chef and evangelist, will discuss how Catholics can feed their faith and crave to learn more about the Eucharist. Register: www.stmartindp.org.

Oct. 19: An Evening with Taizè Prayer at Cedarbrake Catholic Retreat Center in Belton will begin with Mass at 5 p.m. followed by dinner. Cost is $25. Details: www.austindiocese.org/ cedarbrake or (254) 780-2436.

Nov. 1-3: The Spiritual Journey: An Adventure of a Lifetime Retreat will be held at Cedarbrake Catholic Retreat Center in Belton. During this weekend retreat, Bev Collin and Franciscan Father Albert Haase will highlight practices and attitudes that foster a healthy and exciting experience of the spiritual journey. Cost is $235 for a single room, $185 per person for a shared room, and $100 for commuters. Details: www.austindiocese.org/ cedarbrake or (254) 780-2436.

Nov. 1-3: Married couples are invited to a Marriage Encounter weekend. To register: (512) 677-9963 or wwmeaustin@gmail.com.

Nov. 15-17: A Marriage Preparation Retreat will be held at Cedarbrake Catholic Retreat Center in Belton.

The weekend includes talks on faith, communication, sexuality, and stewardship in the context of a Catholic marriage. Details: (512) 949-2470.

Official schedule

The official schedule for Bishop Joe Vásquez is listed below. Dates and times are subject to change.

Bishop Joe S. Vásquez Oct. 4: Mass, T. Don Hutto Detention Center, Taylor, 9:30 a.m.

Oct. 5: Annual Deacons’ Convocation, St. William Parish, Round Rock Oct. 6: Confirmation, St. Ferdinand Parish, Blanco, (joined by Good Shepherd, Johnson City), 11 a.m.

Oct. 7-10: Annual Priests’ Convocation, Marriott Hotel, Round Rock Oct. 11: Monthly Budget Meeting, Pastoral Center, 8:30 a.m.

V Encuentro Regional Core Team Meeting, Pastoral Center, 1 p.m.

Oct. 12: Commissioning Mass for Evangelization Ministers, St. Mary Parish, Brenham, 10:30 a.m.

Oct. 13: Confirmation, Holy Family Parish, Lexington, 10 a.m.

Oct. 15: Presbyteral Council, Pastoral Center, 10 a.m.

Blessing of “Brother’s Garden,” St. Edward’s University, Austin, 4:30 p.m.

Oct. 16: Mass at Diocesan Administrative Staff Retreat, Holy Trinity Parish, Corn Hill, 9 a.m.

Oct. 17: Diocesan Staff Lunch for Catholic Services Appeal, Pastoral Center, 12:30 p.m.

Oct. 18: Mass and Blessing of New Rosary Garden and School Visit, St. Gabriel Catholic School, Austin, 8 a.m.

Oct. 19: Prayer as Part of 40 Days for

Life, Planned Parenthood, South Austin, 8 a.m.

Project Miriam, St. Mary Cathedral, Austin, 10 a.m.

Oct. 20: Mass, Schoenstatt Shrine, Austin, 11 a.m.

Confirmation, St. Martin de Porres Parish, Dripping Springs, 5 p.m.

Oct. 22: Catholic Charities’ Meeting, Pastoral Center, 8:30 a.m.

Mass and Blessing of New Building, St. Mary Catholic Center, College Station, 5:30 p.m.

Oct. 23: Mass with Priests in Early Ministry Program, Cedarbrake, Belton, 11 a.m.

Oct. 26-28: Annual Meeting and Investiture of Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem, Albuquerque Oct. 30: Vocations Meeting, Pastoral Center, 1:30 p.m.

Oct. 31: Finance Council, Pastoral Center, 11 a.m.

Nov. 1: Mass, St. Mary Cathedral, Austin, 8:30 a.m.

Nov. 2: Mass, St. Helen Parish, Georgetown, 11 a.m.

Blessing and Dedication of New Parish Priest Garden, Our Lady of the Rosary Cemetery, Georgetown, following 11 a.m. Mass Nov. 6: Monthly Budget Meeting, Pastoral Center, 8:30 a.m.

Nov. 7: Secretariat Directors’ Meeting, Pastoral Center, 9 a.m.

Nov. 8-14: USCCB Committee Meetings and General Assembly, Baltimore

BU LLETIN BOARD

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CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Parish festivals, gatherings and other activities Listed below are family-friendly actitivies in the month ahead.

Oct. 5: San José Parish in Austin will host its annual Jamaica on the parish grounds. The day will begin with an outdoor Mass at 9 a.m. Everyone is invited.

Oct. 5: St. Mary Parish in Pin Oak will hold their annual Fall Festival. Festivities begin with Mass at 3:30 p.m. A barbecue beef and pork supper will be served; activities include a cake walk, children’s games, silent auction and live auction at 6 p.m.

Oct. 6: Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Taylor will host its annual Jamaica from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the Murphy Park Pavilion in Taylor. The day will begin with Mass at 8 a.m. There will be games, food, fun and live music.

Oct. 6: St. Mary Parish in Hearne will host its annual Fall Festival from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the parish grounds.

A meal of spaghetti and meatballs will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the PAC. Activities include music, games for all ages, a variety of food booths and live auction beginning at 1 p.m.

Oct. 6: St. Matthew in Rogers will host its annual Fall Festival from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pulled pork and sausage will be served for $10 per plate. Games start at noon; there will be a silent auction, country store and pony rides.

Oct. 12: St. Mary Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Lago Vista will host its annu-

al Oktoberfest on the parish grounds.

There will be food, fun, games and activities for all ages, a silent auction, car show, country store and more.

Details: www.stmaryoktoberfest.org.

Oct. 12: St. Mary Parish in San Saba will host its Fall Festival on the parish grounds. There will food, fun and entertainment for all ages.

Oct. 12: St. Philip in China Spring will host its Oktoberfest from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the church grounds. There will be authentic German food, a silent auction, arts and crafts, a bake sale, live music and games for all ages.

Oct. 13: Visitation Parish in Westphalia will host its 113th annual Westphalia Picnic and Homecoming on the parish grounds. Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Sausage, fried chicken, noodles and all the trimmings will be served for $10 per plate. There will be live music, a live auction beginning at 2 p.m., as well as games and activities.

Oct. 19: St. Luke Parish in Temple will hold its annual St. Lukefest from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the parish grounds.

There will be games for all ages, a silent auction, food, music and more. At 4 p.m., Mass celebrating the parish’s 50th anniversary will begin. Dinner and a program will follow the Mass.

Details: (254) 773-1561.

Oct. 19: St. Louis Parish and School in

Austin will have their annual 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament and Fun Fest on the parish grounds. There will be basketball, carnival rides, lazer tag, bumper cars, delicious food, and more. Details: www.slcsaustin.org.

Oct. 19: The Knights of Peter Claver and Ladies Auxiliary will sponsor the third annual Blue and White Scholarship Dance at 8 p.m. at the Holy Cross Parish Family Life Center in Austin.

Tickets are $25 pre-sale and $30 at the door. Details: (512) 217-9616.

Oct. 19: St. Anthony Marie de Claret Parish in Kyle will host its 110th annual Fiesta from noon to midnight on the parish grounds. There will be live music, rides and games for all ages, food and a silent auction.

Oct. 20: St. Paul Parish in Smithville will host its Festival on the parish grounds.

Barbecue chicken and sausage will be served. Live auction begins at 1 p.m.

There will be games for all ages, crafts and a general store.

Oct. 20: St. Helen Parish in Georgetown will host its Fall Festival from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the parish grounds. Festivities begin on Oct. 19 with games and concessions. Activities at the festival will include a country store, petting zoo, inflatables and games for all ages.

Oct. 20: St. Mary Parish in Bremond will host its annual Homecoming Fall

Festival on the parish grounds. Barbecued Polish sausage and beef trimmings will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for $10 per plate. There will be games for all ages, and the auction will start at 1 p.m.

Oct. 20: St. John Vianney Parish in Round Rock will host its Vianney Fest from noon to 5 p.m. on the parish grounds. There will be food, games, music, live and silent auctions, sports games and more. Details: www.sjvroundrock.org.

Oct. 27: St. Margaret Parish in Giddings will host its Fall Festival at the Silos in Giddings. Lunch will be served beginning at 11 a.m. The auction will begin at 12:30 p.m.

Oct. 27: St. Martin de Porres Parish in Dripping Springs will host its Fall Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the parish grounds. The day will be filled with food, games, vendors, a live and a silent auction and other entertainment.

Nov. 2: St. Luke Parish in Temple will host its 26th annual Craft Show from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the parish hall. There will be many vendors, a bake sale and food trucks. Details: (254) 773-1561.

Nov. 24: Christ the King Parish in Belton will celebrate its 50th Jubilee at 10:30 a.m. at the Bell County Expo Center in Belton. Bishop Joe Vásquez will celebrate Mass with the parish.

IRA Q�������� C��������� D����������� A� O���������� �� S������ A�� �� P��� �� Y��� R������� M������ D����������� If you are 70 ½ years or older you may make a Qualified Charitable Distribu�on (QCD) from your IRA to your parish, school or other church ministry without paying federal income tax.

The funds transferred will count toward your required minimum distribu�on. Transferred funds do not qualify for a charitable deduc�on but are not counted as taxable income.

Your distribu�on must come directly from the administrator of your IRA to the Diocese of Aus�n.

You cannot receive the funds first.

Please contact the administrator of your IRA with any account-specific ques�ons.

Diocese of Aus�n Stewardship & Development

For more informa�on and assistance, please do not hesitate to contact Sco� Whitaker at (512) 949-2441 or sco�-whitaker@aus�ndiocese.org.

OCTOBER 2019

ESPAÑOL

23

ENTREVISTA AL SEÑOR OBISPO

Que nuestros corazones estén abiertos a Cristo en la Eucaristía El Obispo José S. Vásquez es el quinto obispo de la Diócesis de Austin, que es el hogar de más de 530,000 Católicos.

Editora: Un estudio reciente realizado por Pew Research encontró que menos de un tercio de Católicos cree en la presencia real de Cristo en la Eucaristía. Para comenzar, ¿Qué es la Presencia Real?

Obispo Vásquez: La Iglesia enseña que la Presencia Real es la verdadera presencia de Cristo en la Eucaristía bajo las especies o apariencias de pan y vino. Durante la celebración de la Misa, los elementos del pan y el vino se convierten en Cristo, su cuerpo y su sangre. A través de la invocación del sacerdote del Espíritu Santo sobre esos elementos de pan y vino, Nuestro Señor Resucitado está verdaderamente presente durante la celebración de la Eucaristía. Esta falta de comprensión de la Eucaristía, que es central para quienes somos Católicos, es profundamente inquietante.

La Eucaristía está en el corazón de lo que creemos. Si en verdad, tantos Católicos ya no entienden el misterio de lo que hacemos en cada Misa, entonces nosotros, a quienes se nos ha encomendado enseñar a otros sobre la Eucaristía, hemos fallado. Todos somos responsables de enseñar y vivir el misterio de la Eucaristía: padres, catequistas, sacerdotes y obispos. Debemos comunicar más efectivamente la verdadera presencia de Nuestro Señor y Salvador Jesucristo en la celebración de la Misa.

Editor: Transubstanciación es otra palabra que es mencionada en el mundo Católico ¿Qué significa esta palabra?

Obispo Vásquez: Transubstanciación es la palabra que la Iglesia usa para describir que el pan y el vino se convierten en el cuerpo, la sangre, el alma y la divinidad de Jesucristo. Las apariencias de pan y vino permanecen, es decir, el Señor en el altar puede parecer pan y puede saber a pan, pero a través del poder del Espíritu Santo, el pan y el vino se convierten en el Cuerpo y la Sangre de Nuestro Señor. Como el Concilio de Trento declaró en el siglo XVI,

“por la consagración del pan y el vino se produce un cambio de toda la sustancia del pan en la sustancia del cuerpo de Cristo nuestro Señor y de toda la sustancia del vino en la sustancia de su sangre”.

Editora: Como un sacerdote, díganos ¿cómo es participar en la consagración de estos dones?

Obispo Vásquez: He sido sacerdote por 35 años ya y aún después de todos estos años, todavía me siento humilde cuando celebro Misa. Es verdaderamente algo que te hace sentir humilde que, al invocar que venga el

carne es verdadera comida, y mi sangre es verdadera bebida. Quien come mi carne y bebe mi sangre permanece en mí y yo en él”. Durante cada Misa, Cristo nos llama a reunirnos alrededor del altar para recibir su Cuerpo y su Sangre. A cada uno de nosotros nos corresponde preparar nuestros corazones y nuestros cuerpos para este gran regalo a través del ayuno eucarístico. Todos los Católicos nos abstenemos de comer o beber, a excepción de tomar agua y medicina, durante una hora antes de recibir la Sagrada Comunión.

“Los niños aprenden con el ejemplo. La importancia que le damos a estar en la Misa y a participar plenamente, mostrando reverencia, comunica nuestra creencia en la Presencia Real mucho más que nuestras palabras.”

–– El Obispo José S. Vásquez Espíritu Santo sobre estos elementos de pan y vino, éstos serán transformados en el cuerpo, la sangre, el alma y la divinidad de Jesucristo.

Algunas veces mientras me detengo a pensar sobre ello, me siento completamente abrumado sobre cómo yo, un hombre pecador, un hombre débil, soy capaz de hacer esto para la gente de Dios.

Como sacerdotes, hemos sido llamados no por que seamos más santos o más especiales que otros, sino por que esa es la manera en que Cristo tenía la intención de que la Eucaristía continuara a lo largo del tiempo y la historia. Él escogió a los apóstoles en esa noche santa durante la Última Cena cuando nos dio su cuerpo y su sangre en la Primera Eucaristía e instituyó el sacerdocio. De manera que aquellos de nosotros que hemos sido llamados al sacerdocio debemos celebrar la Eucaristía dignamente, con verdadera reverencia, amor y devoción para que la gente entienda que Cristo está verdaderamente presente.

Editora: La Eucaristía es la base de nuestra fe, y cuando recibimos la Eucaristía estamos, en verdad, recibiendo a Jesús ¿es correcto?

Obispo Vásquez: ¡Si! La Eucaristía es el mayor tesoro de la iglesia; Está más allá de cualquier valor. Debemos recordar y comprender las palabras de Cristo en el Evangelio de Juan (6:54): “El que coma mi carne y beba mi sangre tendrá vida eterna, y yo lo resucitaré el último día. Porque mi

Compartimos este entendimiento con nuestra gente al participar completamente en cada Misa, no por obligación sino por la anticipación de encontrar a Cristo. Ayudamos a otros a comprender el misterio de la Eucaristía por cómo nos comportamos durante la celebración de la Misa.

Nunca debemos darlo por sentado, ya que cada celebración de la Eucaristía conmemora la pasión, muerte y resurrección de Jesucristo, quien se entregó totalmente a nosotros por amor. Todos podemos ayudarnos unos a otros a fortalecer nuestro amor y respeto por la Eucaristía. En el ofertorio, la comunidad parroquial lleva al altar los regalos del pan y el vino junto con nuestras oraciones, necesidades y alegrías. Ofrecemos todos estos regalos a Dios para que los pueda transformar. Presten atención a las palabras que el sacerdote reza en la consagración y la elevación de la Eucaristía, en este momento todo lo que hemos ofrecido se transforma en el mayor regalo de todos para nosotros, su Cuerpo y Sangre.

Editora: Como padres ¿Cuál es la mejor manera de explicar la Real Presencia a nuestros hijos(as)?

Obispo Vásquez: Los niños aprenden con el ejemplo. La importancia que le damos a estar en la Misa y a participar plenamente, mostrando reverencia, comunica nuestra creencia en la Presencia Real mucho más que nuestras palabras. Podemos mostrar a nuestros hijos dónde se encuentra

Jesús en el tabernáculo, y podemos alentarlos a participar en la Misa y explicarles por qué hacemos una genuflexión, nos paramos y arrodillamos durante la Misa. Además, podemos proporcionar un buen ejemplo de cómo recibir el Cuerpo y Sangre de Cristo con reverencia y gratitud. Otra forma en que los padres y los catequistas pueden ayudar a los niños a experimentar la Presencia Real es a través de la exposición a la adoración.

Visiten la iglesia, llévenlos al tabernáculo y oren con ellos. Explíquenles que Jesús está presente y que anhela que nos acerquemos a Él en oración.

Cuando mi madre se convirtió al Catolicismo, lo que la atrajo a la Iglesia fue la verdadera presencia de Cristo. Mi padre ya era Católico, así que antes de casarse, mi madre recibió instrucciones de un sacerdote para convertirse en Católica. Durante este tiempo, ella se entregó total y completamente a su fe. Se enamoró de Cristo y desarrolló una gran devoción por la Eucaristía. Ella creía de todo corazón que cuando recibió la Sagrada Comunión, recibió a Jesucristo, el Señor de su vida. Y ella nos transmitió esa devoción y amor a nosotros, sus hijos.

Del mismo modo, los padres de hoy deben compartir su amor y pasión por Cristo con sus hijos. A los padres que ponen énfasis e importancia y estiman grandemente a la Eucaristía les resultará mucho más fácil explicar la Presencia Real a un niño o niña.

Cuando los padres no vienen a Misa con frecuencia, es mucho más difícil convencer a un niño(a) de la verdadera presencia de Cristo.

Editora: ¿Cuál es su oración por nuestra Iglesia?

Bishop Vásquez: Oro por que permitamos que el Espíritu Santo sea nuestro guía y nos guíe en nuestra fe. Por que el Espíritu Santo abra nuestros corazones a un mayor amor y devoción hacia la Eucaristía. Que nuestro amor por la Eucaristía se fortalezca cada vez que celebremos la Misa. Que Cristo nos dé un hambre y una sed profundas por Él en la Eucaristía. Que podamos apreciar este precioso regalo siempre y que deseemos llevar a otros a una apreciación más profunda del santo sacrificio de la Misa. Como dijo San Juan Pablo II, la Eucaristía hace a la iglesia y la iglesia hace a la Eucaristía.

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ESPAÑOL

CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Donantes de Austin responden al llamado a la misión Por Carla Smith | Correspondensal

No es raro escuchar que alguien está “en una misión,” pero ¿qué significa eso? Para los Católicos que están en una misión, ¿qué significa eso espiritualmente?

La misión es esencialmente continuar el trabajo de Jesús y evangelizar a los pobres y no creyentes. El Papa Francisco dice: “No practicamos el proselitismo, sino un tesoro para ser dado, comunicado y proclamado. Ese es el significado de la misión”. En este papel, los Católicos tienen la misión de propagar nuestra fe y unidad cristiana. Debemos dedicarnos a difundir el Evangelio a quienes no lo han escuchado o a quienes lo han rechazado.

La Iglesia Católica celebra el Domingo Mundial de las Misiones el 20 de octubre. Este año se cumple el centenario de la carta apostólica de 1919 del Papa Benedicto XV “Máximum Illud” sobre la actividad misionera de la iglesia.

En la Diócesis de Austin, la actividad misionera se publicita en las parroquias a través del Plan de Cooperación Misionera de Propagación de la Fe (MCP por sus siglas en inglés). El MCP apoya a las diócesis misioneras, congregaciones religiosas y grupos misioneros laicos y asociados alrededor del mundo.

Hace dos años, un sacerdote de Tanzania habló en St. Vincent de Paul Parish en Austin; sus palabras llevaron a dos feligreses a la misión de cambiar vidas en el país del este de África.

“Prediqué apelando a todos los que

estaban en la iglesia ese día, solicitando ayuda inmediata para aquellos en extrema necesidad, en cuya voz me he convertido,” dijo el Padre John Ludanha, quien se crió en Tanzania y ahora trabaja en Denver.

“Solo puedo hablar en su nombre, pero es el Espíritu Santo quien toca los corazones de las personas y los mueve a dar.

No puedo tomar ningún crédito por eso; Yo solo era un instrumento de Cristo”.

Dos feligreses que escuchaban al Padre Ludanha ese día fueron movidos a apoyar a la misión en la Diócesis de Geita de Tanzania, que estaba participando en el MCP. Desde entonces han donado $400,000 y planean contribuir con $ 200,000 adicionales. El dinero se destina a un proyecto sobre el agua y consta de 90 pozos en 100 aldeas, un hospital, apoyo para la formación de sacerdotes y una escuela para niñas, algo cercano a los corazones de los donantes.

“Hemos sido bendecidos con la oportunidad de poder enviar a nuestros propios hijos a escuelas Católicas y a valorar lo que eso nos ha proporcionado.

Sentimos un fuerte llamado a ayudar al Padre John y al pueblo de Geita a proporcionar esta educación,” dijeron los donantes que desean permanecer en el anonimato. También quieren continuar

creando conciencia sobre las necesidades de la misión de Tanzania. Este es el tipo de humilde trabajo misionero y evangelización del que escribe el Papa Francisco en su mensaje del Día Mundial de la Misión 2019.

“La Iglesia está en una misión en el mundo,” escribe el Papa Francisco.

“Mientras vemos la palabra con los ojos y el corazón de Dios, la caridad nos impulsa a ir a los confines de la tierra”. Los donantes de Austin creen que todos estamos llamados a hacer trabajo misionero, ya sea con nuestro tiempo, nuestros talentos o nuestros tesoros. “Todos somos ciudadanos del mundo, y Dios nos llama a ayudar a otros dónde podamos,” dijeron. “Una de las piezas de información interesante que aprendimos sobre el crecimiento espiritual de la gente en Tanzania es que gran parte de su formación y educación Católica en la fe es impartida por laicos”.

Todos somos esos laicos en las aldeas donde vivimos, y nosotros también podemos difundir la Buena Nueva aquí en casa, dijeron los donantes. El padre Ludanha dijo que responder al llamado al trabajo misionero es importante “porque es el núcleo de nuestro llamado como discípulos de Cristo.

Somos enviados para dar”.

El hecho es que la mayoría de nosotros no tenemos los medios para viajar al extranjero para hacer trabajo misionero o para donar grandes sumas de dinero, pero todos podemos ayudar orando por las misiones y donando a la colección especial del 20 de octubre y

Niños posan enfrente de uno de los edificios escolares que los donantes de Austin ayudaron a construir en la Diócesis de Geita, Tanzania. Los donantes supieron de las necesidades de la diócesis cuando un sacerdote visitó su parroquia como parte del Plan Cooperativo Misionero. (Foto cortesía de la Diócesis de Geita)

a aquellas misiones que participan en el MCP. Los donantes de Austin aún no han visto físicamente los proyectos que están apoyando, pero sienten que no es necesario. “No creemos que necesites ver físicamente algo en lo que el Espíritu Santo te está llamando fuertemente a actuar, y alentamos a las personas a que respondan a un llamado que escuchen y hagan lo que puedan con lo que tienen”. “Confíen en que el Señor hará grandes cosas,” dijeron los donantes.

En el Domingo Mundial de las Misiones, se pide a los Católicos de todo el mundo que se comprometan de nuevo a la actividad misionera de la Iglesia mediante la oración y el sacrificio. Como dice el Papa Francisco, nuestra misión es parte de nuestra identidad como Cristianos y nos hace responsables de permitir que todos los hombres y mujeres encuentren su vocación de ser hijos adoptivos del Padre, que reconozcan su dignidad personal y aprecien el valor intrínseco de cada vida humana desde la concepción hasta la muerte. “Nadie es inútil o insignificante,” escribe el Papa Francisco. “Cada uno de nosotros está en una misión por el mundo. Estoy en una misión; estás en una misión; cada hombre y mujer bautizados están una misión”. Para obtener más información sobre el Plan Cooperativo Misionero, visite www.austindiocese. org/missionary-cooperative-plan.

ESPAÑOL

OCTOBER 2019

25

La conferencia de mujeres se enfoca en amar, en sanarse a si misma Por Enedelia J. Obregón | Corresponsal

Más de mil mujeres asistieron a la cuarta Conferencia Anual Diocesana de Mujeres Católicas en St. William Parish en Round Rock a principios de septiembre. El tema “Creadas para el amor” se centró en varios temas, incluido el papel especial que las mujeres tienen como hijas de Dios y la necesidad de cuidarse y curarse para poder ser instrumentos del amor de Dios en la Tierra.

En su homilía en la Misa de apertura, el Padre James Misko, Vicario General diocesano, dijo que Dios nos creó de manera única para algo.

El Padre Misko señaló que el padre Ron Rolheiser tenía la idea de que en el fondo de todos nosotros “queda la huella digital de Dios”. El padre es considerado uno de los más grandes escritores de la espiritualidad moderna.

“En la Capilla Sixtina se ve a Dios llegando del tiempo infinito y tocando el dedo de Adán,” dijo el Padre Misko.

“Los antiguos decían que este era el primer amor”. Todos tienen la huella digital de Dios; Todos estamos hechos a su imagen y semejanza, creados por

el amor, para el amor y para amar.

“Este fue el primer momento perfecto, el dedo perfecto del Perfecto te tocó y apareciste,” dijo. A veces, no podemos ver esa huella digital debido a muchas capas de pecado y dolor. Sin embargo, dijo el Padre Misko, el sacramento de la reconciliación está ahí para eliminar esas capas para que podamos estar más cerca de Dios.

“La meta de la vida debe ser estar tan cerca de Dios que no puedas ver dónde terminas tú y dónde comienza Dios,” dijo.

Con demasiada frecuencia, no nos amamos a nosotros mismos los suficiente para creer que es posible. Seguimos buscando maneras para lograrlo, pasando por los cuatro estados del amor durante el proceso.

El primer estado es amarte a ti mismo por tu propio amor; el segundo es amar a Dios por tu propio amor; el tercero es amar a Dios por el amor de Dios, que es en el que la mayoría nos quedamos. El cuarto y el más difícil es amarnos a nosotros mismos por el amor de Dios,” dijo el Padre Misko.

“De eso se tratan estos días de reflexión: de amarte a ti mismo por el amor de Dios y reconocer que Él salió del tiempo para tocar tu alma – y traer-

TALLER DE EIM

Todo clero, religioso, seminarista, empleado y adultos voluntarios sirviendo en un ministerio que requiera el cumplimiento con EIM debe entregar una Aplicación para el Ministerio de EIM (sólo una vez) y asistir a un taller de EIM al menos una vez cada tres año. Vaya a www. eappsdb.com/austin para enviar una nueva aplicación o para entrar a su cuenta existente para encontrar una lista de los talleres e inscribirse (Use el Inicio de “Forgot User ID or Password?” si usted no recuerda su ID/palabra clave o password). Contacte al administrador de sitio de EIM de su parroquia (inserte nombre) si necesita una aplicación de EIM en papel o cualquier otra asistencia.

Notas del Taller: 1) Los asistentes deben de pre-inscribirse al menos 24 horas antes de la hora de inicio del taller - ya no se admite que lleguen personas que no se hayan inscrito, 2) llegue temprano- los que lleguen tarde no son admitidos y 3) no traiga niños al taller de EIM. Si usted es una víctima de abuso sexual y tiene preocupaciones concernientes a su asistencia a un taller, contacte a Emily Hurlimann llamando al (512) 949-2477 para discutir un arreglo alternativo para el taller.

¿HA USTED, O ALGUIEN QUE USTED CONOCE, EXPERIMENTADO ABUSO?

El Obispo José Vásquez y la Diócesis de Austin están comprometidos a proveer de cuidado compasivo a personas que hayan experimentado abuso, particularmente si éste fue cometido por clero o un representante de la iglesia. Si usted, o alguien que usted conocer ha experimentado dicho abuso, contacte a la Coordinadora diocesana de Asistencia a las Víctimas y Apoyo Pastoral, escribiendo a ileana-hinojosa@ austindioce.org o llame al (512) 949-2400.

REPORTE EL ABUSO

Reporte el abuso de un menor, un adulto mayor o un adulto con una discapacidad a las autoridades locales del cumplimiento de la ley o a la Línea Directa del Abuso de Texas en www. txabusehotline.org o llamando al (800) 252-5400 y a la diócesis de Austin en www.austindiocese.org/report-abuse o llamando al (512) 949-2447.

REPORTE COMPORTAMIENTO NO ÉTICO

Reporte comportamiento no ético por parte de una paersona sirviendo en ministerio a la diócesis en www.austindiocese.org/other-concerns o llamando al (512) 949-2447.

la – a la existencia,” concluyó. En su discurso de apertura, Cameron Fradd, anfitriona fundadora del podcast, “Among the Lilies,” habló sobre la vida con su esposo y sus cuatro hijos en las zonas rurales de Georgia. Ella se rió con la audiencia al contarle sobre los nacimientos, algo desgarradores de sus hijos: su primogénito nació por cesárea de emergencia en Irlanda y otro hijo nació prematuramente, lo que requirió una larga estadía en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Neonatales.

La familia asiste a una parroquia bizantina, donde conoció a un sacerdote que tocó profundamente su vida. “¿Eres muy buena para salirte de los caminos de Dios?” Le preguntó, y agregó que Dios a veces tiene que “volver a formarte, y a veces eso no se siente bien”. “Dios te usa a pesar de tus debilidades y de tus heridas,” le dijo.

“Es precisamente por tus debilidades y por tu fragilidad que te usa. Ellos permiten que la luz del Señor brille e irradie a través de tu quebrantamiento”.

En una de las sesiones, Dokpe Ogunsanya, fundador de Dupsy Enterprises, destacó la importancia del cuidarse a si misma. “Como mujeres, a menudo estamos ocupadas cuidando a todos menos a nosotras mismas,” dijo.

“No puedes dar lo que no tienes”. En primer lugar, confía en Dios, agregó.

Todos cometemos errores. Si te caes, levántate. Tu cuerpo es un templo de Dios, así que come bien, haz ejercicio y ríe, lo cual “es una excelente manera de liberar el estrés,” dijo. Ora a lo largo del día. Puede ser mientras conduces, lavas la ropa o en cualquier momento

Cameron Fradd, fundadora y anfitriona del podcast “Among the Lilies” fue una de las oradoras principals en la cuarta Confrencia anual de Mujeres Católicas, celebrada el 7 de septiembre en St. William Parish en Round Rock. (Foto por Susan Perkins)

durante el día. “Dios está contigo las 24 horas, los 7 días de la semana,” dijo.

“Medita sobre la palabra de Dios. Ten un espíritu de oración y eso te hará sentir más conectada con Dios”.

Crescencia Alvarado trabaja para el Departamento de Salud Pública de la Ciudad de Austin. Su presentación en español se centró en promover estilos de vida saludables para las latinas.

Lo más importante es aprender a vivir en el amor de Dios. Ella compartió historias sobre su madrina, con quien vivió por un tiempo. Su madrina se levantaba antes del amanecer, diciéndole que Dios venía a bendecir a los que miran el amanecer. Hoy, Alvarado se levanta diariamente a las 5 a.m. para rezar el rosario y leer las Escrituras. Pero eso no significa que todo sea perfecto, dijo.

Alvarado se ha educado sobre su fe, lo que ha fortalecido su trabajo en temas de discriminación e injusticia.

Ella les recordó las palabras de Jesús en Mateo 6:33: “Busca primero el reino de Dios y su justicia, y por añadidura lo demás se te dará”. Señaló que las mujeres tienen que hacer su parte para que eso sea posible.

Concluyó con un dicho en español: “Las cosas buenas les llegan a quienes las esperan, pero las mejores cosas a quienes las hacen”.

26

ESPAÑOL

CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Escapando, previniendo violencia en la ‘iglesia doméstica’ Por Enedelia J. Obregón | Corresponsal

Octubre es el Mes del Respeto a la Vida en la Iglesia Católica y el Mes de la Concientización sobre la Violencia Doméstica en los Estados Unidos. Esa dicotomía es un claro recordatorio de cuánto trabajo se necesita en temas de la vida, comenzando en el hogar.

En su exhortación papal de 1981 “Familiaris Consortio,” San Juan Pablo II llamó a las familias “la iglesia doméstica”. Si las familias están en crisis, entonces también lo está la iglesia. Renee Brown, supervisora ​​clínica de Catholic Charities of Central Texas, dijo que los Católicos no son inmunes a la violencia doméstica.

“La violencia doméstica puede sucederle a cualquiera,” dijo Brown.

“Sucede en todos los niveles económicos, niveles educativos y en todas las culturas”.

En su carta de 2002 “Cuando pido ayuda: una respuesta pastoral a la violencia doméstica contra las mujeres,” la Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de Estados Unidos declaró: “La persona agredida necesita saber que actuar para poner fin al abuso no viola las promesas matrimoniales. Si bien la violencia puede dirigirse hacia los hombres, tiende a dañar más a las mujeres y los niños”.

También declararon que “la violencia contra las mujeres, dentro o fuera del hogar, nunca está justificada. La violencia en cualquier forma (física, sexual, psicológica o verbal) es pecaminosa; a menudo, también es un delito”.

Según la Coalición Nacional contra la Violencia Doméstica, una de cada cuatro mujeres y uno de cada nueve hombres experimentan violencia física severa, violencia sexual y/o acoso por parte de su pareja.

Las mujeres son más propensas a ser asesinadas en el hogar por su abusador, generalmente un esposo o novio, en lugar de un extraño. La presencia de un arma en el hogar donde hay violencia doméstica aumenta las posibilidades de que una mujer sea asesinada en un 500%.

Según los Informes Suplementarios de Homicidio del FBI, hubo 1.809 mujeres asesinadas solo en 2016; 962 de ellos fueron asesinados por un compañero íntimo actual o anterior.

Eso representó un aumento del 11% desde el 2014. Si bien los abusadores a menudo aíslan a sus víctimas, aún pueden permitirles ir a la iglesia. Las mujeres que buscan ayuda primero pueden recurrir a un sacerdote. Por lo tanto, los sacerdotes, el personal de la parroquia y los educadores pueden ser los primeros en responder a las mujeres maltratadas.

Brown dijo que podríamos estar sentados junto a una mujer maltratada o un abusador en la iglesia y no saberlo.

“Tuvimos una mujer cuyo esposo solo la golpeaba en áreas que la gente no podía ver,” dijo Brown. “Él nunca la golpeó en la cara”.

Brown dijo que las parroquias necesitan educar a los parroquianos sobre la violencia doméstica, crear un ambiente seguro para denunciar la violencia doméstica, proporcionar recursos para los feligreses en las relaciones identificadas de violencia doméstica y contactar a los Servicios de Protección Infantil para niños que le cuentan a un adulto sobre la violencia doméstica en su hogar. La mitad de los niños en hogares con violencia doméstica también son maltratados.

Si bien es difícil, los padres y las parroquias también pueden educar a los jóvenes sobre las señales de alerta en las relaciones y el mito del privilegio masculino y la violencia en el noviazgo adolescente. Los niños que están cerca de la violencia tienen más probabilidades de repetir el patrón.

Los niños verán a sus padres abusar de las mujeres; Las niñas verán a los hombres abusar de las mujeres y pensarán que es un privilegio que los hombres tienen.

El abuso es aprendido. Pero también es una opción, dijo Brown. “El abuso proviene de un deseo de poder y control,” dijo. “Los niños no tienen poder ni control. Si crecen viendo violencia, una vez que tienen poder y control quieren tener ese tipo de poder y control”.

Romper esa conducta aprendida es una de las razones por las cuales brindar asesoramiento para los niños es tan importante.

Por razones de seguridad, Brown dijo que los terapeutas generalmente solo ven a las mujeres y a sus hijos cuando éstas han dejado a su pareja.

Algunas mujeres vienen mientras todavía están en una situación violenta.

Señales de Alarma en las relaciones Existen algunos comportamientos que pueden buscarse en las relaciones para determiner si está ocurriendo abuso o violencia: ¿Tu novio / novia: • ¿Se pones demasiado celoso? (El amor no es celoso).

• ¿Verifica con frecuencia tu teléfono celular, correo electrónico u otras cuentas de redes sociales?

• ¿Te hace sentir culpable si haces cosas con tu familia o amigos?

• ¿Hace cosas crueles a animales?

• ¿Te culpa cuando él o ella está enojado?

• ¿Te acusa de cosas que no hiciste?

• ¿Te avergüenza o te humilla delante de tus amigos o en público?

• ¿Te presiona para tener relaciones sexuales o hacer cosas que no quieres?

• ¿Te pellizca, golpea, agarra, empuja o inflige algún tipo de dolor físico?

Cómo obtener ayuda: Línea directa nacional de violencia doméstica, 1−800−799−7233 o TTY 1−800−787−3224 o www.thehotline.org.

Cómo ofrecer ayuda: La USCCB tiene muchos recursos para ayudar a sacerdotes, diáconos y personal pastoral en www.usccb.org/ domestic-violence/.

“Tuvimos una mujer que vino durante el día mientras su esposo estaba en el trabajo, para que él no lo supiera,” dijo Brown. “No podía permitirse el lujo de irse. Así que la ayudamos a encontrar recursos para ayudarla cuando pudiera irse”.

Esos recursos incluyen el desarrollo de un plan de seguridad, cómo tener una bolsa de emergencia lista con todos los documentos importantes para ellas y sus hijos.

Las mujeres tienen más probabilidades de tener menos recursos financieros y tienden a tener hijos a quienes no dejarán atrás.

Los abusadores pueden amenazar con llevarse a los niños y también tienden a controlar las finanzas, no dejan que sus parejas tengan un trabajo y les dan dinero para los gastos.

Brown ha visto chicas adolescentes en relaciones que encendieron alarmas.

Los terapeutas explican que en una relación sana, ambas personas deben sentirse seguras y cómodas siendo honestas y respetando los valores y límites de cada uno, honrando las relaciones de la otra persona con familiares y amigos. En las relaciones poco saludables, una pareja se siente más poderosa y tiene el control de la otra.

“Una niña tenía un novio que conocía todas sus contraseñas, incluso

para su teléfono,” dijo. Los abusadores a menudo comienzan controlando a sus parejas. Sin embargo, estos hombres pueden hacer lo que quieran y le dicen a la víctima que no tiene derecho a quejarse.

Brown también usa ejemplos de las señales de alarma en las relaciones (vea el cuadro).

Dejar una relación abusiva es difícil. Una de las principales razones es la vergüenza. Las víctimas a menudo piensan: “¿Cómo podría haber sido tan estúpida?” o “¿Qué pensarán todos?” Dijo Brown.

Años de abuso verbal, que a menudo vienen con situaciones de violencia doméstica, erosionan la autoestima de la víctima.

“Si escuchas suficientes veces que ‘nadie más te amará’ o ‘eres gordo y feo’ o ‘eres una tonta,’ puede que comiences a creerlo después de un tiempo,” dijo Brown. “Es difícil pedir ayuda”.

Hay ayuda. CCCTX ofrece asesoramiento sobre una base de tarifa móvil para aquellos que califiquen.

Los consejeros también presentan programas para padres y estudiantes en escuelas y parroquias.

Para obtener más información, visite www.ccctx.org y haga clic en programas de asesoramiento en el encabezado “Nuestros programas”, o llame al (512) 651-6150.

SIGHTINGS

OCTOBER 2019

Austin’s KJT Society #112 held a volunteer day at Down Home Ranch in Elgin.

They also donated funds from a recent Czeck bake sale to the ranch. (Photo courtesy Sarah Vitek)

On the last Friday of each month, Pastoral Juvenil hosts a Mass at 8 p.m. Currently about a hundred Hispanic young adults attend each Mass.

Pastoral Juvenil held an Urban Mission in the neighborhoods around St. Peter Parish in Austin. Their goal was to spread the Good News in the community. (Photos courtesy Yazmin Mani)

Korean Catholics from four states gathered at Cedarbrake Catholic Retreat Center in Belton for a weekend retreat. (Photo courtesy Brian Egan)

27 High schoolers from St. Martin de Porres Parish in Dripping Springs participated in a mission trip to McAllen in July. They worked on several homes, and they volunteered at the Humanitarian Respite Center. (Photo courtesy Steve Curran)

A Mass and a potluck for homeschool families was held Aug. 30 at St. Martin de Porres Parish in Dripping Springs.

This event was sponsored by the parish’s Homeschool Ministry. (Photo courtesy Laura Zordilla) The Granger KJT #28 donated $775 to the Granger Food Pantry. The funds were earned through a hamburger fundraiser and a matching grant from the KJT home office. (Photo courtesy Angela Pavelka)

St. Patrick Parish in Hutto recently welcomed their new pastor, Father Brian Eilers, with a Mass and reception. Father Will Straten, dean of the Georgetown/Round Rock Deanery installed Father Eilers as the pastor. (Photos courtesy Denise Aponte)

The Knights of Columbus from Holy Family Parish in Copperas Cove delivered 33 backpacks filled with school supplies to the Copperas Cove Independent School District. (Photo courtesy Rodney Davenport)

The senior altar servers from St. John Vianney Parish in Round Rock were recognized for their service and given a cross to wear when they serve at the altar. (Photo courtesy Mary Beth Skinnell)

Father Payden Blevins blessed the latest home to be built by the Austin Habitat for Humanity Catholic Build. Volunteers from parishes throughout the Austin area helped to build the home. (Photo courtesy Susan Thompson) Send photos by the 10th of the month to catholic-spirit@austindiocese.org. Publication is not guaranteed.

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Austin Diocese 6225 Hwy. 290 East Austin, Texas 78723

The Catholic Daughters of the Americas #1962 in La Grange finished its third book study over the summer. The group also received a blessing from their pastor, Father Alberto Carbajal Madera on the feast of the Assumption of Mary. (Photo courtesy Debbie Greene)

For the 14th consecutive year, the Catholic Daughters Court #2415 collected school supplies for the Cameron Park Colonias in Brownsville. The supplies were donated by parishioners of St. William Parish in Round Rock, backpacks were donated by the Round Rock Express, and a van to deliver the items was donated by Nyle Maxwell. (Photos courtesy Mary Rutherford)

St. Joseph Parish in Killeen recently honored Elena Garcia on her 100th birthday.

She has served in many different parish ministries over the years. (Photo courtesy Ramon Alvarez)

CATHOLIC SPIRIT Periodical Postage Paid at Austin, Texas

Sacred Heart Parish in La Grange hosted the Catholic Heart Workcamp from July 21-26. More than 150 teens and their adult chaperones worked on local home repairs, stocking the food pantry, sorting clothes and other items at the resale shop and many other tasks. (Photos courtesy Debbie Greene) The Knights of Columbus from St. John Parish in Luling donated school supplies to local schools for students in need. (Photo courtesy Juan Rios)

Holy Family Catholic School in Austin broke ground on several new buildings in August.

(Photos courtesy Michael Gonzales Photography)

The school is adding an administration/library building, a pre-kindergarten building, a music building, a pavilion and an additional classroom building this school year.

Junior Catholic Daughters of the Americas from St. William Parish in Round Rock celebrated their 10th anniversary with Mass and a dinner. This year the court received second place for most outstanding court in Texas for 2019. (Photo courtesy Annette Sprawls)

Father Matthew Kinney installed officers of the Women’s Club at St. Louis Parish in Austin. (Photo courtesy Karen Dunlap)

Parishioners from St. John Neumann, St. Austin and St. Thomas More parishes in Austin served those seeking asylum along the Texas-Mexico border. The group served meals, clean clothing and cold water to more than 600 people. (Photo courtesy Susan Thompson) Send photos by the 10th of the month to catholic-spirit@austindiocese.org. Publication is not guaranteed.