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PEOPLE OF GOD
Former Episcopal Bishop to Head New US Ordinariate for Ex-Anglicans Fr. Jeffrey N. Steenson of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe Pope Benedict XVI has established the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of Saint Peter to serve former Anglican groups and clergy in the United States who wish to become Catholic. He also named the 59-year-old Fr. Jeffrey N. Steenson of Houston, TX to lead the new structure as its ordinary. The creation of the ordinariate and the appointment of Fr. Steenson were publicized in Washington, January 2, by Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, apostolic nuncio to the United States. Similar to a diocese though national in scope, the ordinariate will be based in Houston, TX, and will include parishes and communities across the United States that will be fully Catholic, while retaining elements of their Anglican heritage and traditions. To date, over 100 clergy have applied to be ordained Catholic for the ordinariate and 1,400 individuals from 22 communities have asked to join the ordinariate. Jeffrey Steenson was born April 1, 1952 in Camp Rucker, AL and was raised on a family farm in Hillsboro, ND. A former
Episcopal bishop, he received his theological training at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Illinois and Harvard Divinity School, and a doctor of philosophy degree from Oxford University. He was ordained an Episcopal priest in 1980 and served as an assistant at a parish in Highfield, Oxford, then as rector of three parishes in the United States. He was an officer for the Episcopal Synod of America, and Canon to the Ordinary for the Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In 2004, Fr. Steenson was elected bishop of the Diocese of Rio Grande. He resigned in 2007 and was received into the Catholic Church. Fr. Steenson was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe in 2009 under the pastoral provision for married former Anglican clergy. Since that time, he has been the Carl and Lois Davis Professor in Patristic Studies at the University of St. Thomas Center for Faith and Culture in Houston. Fr. Steenson is married. He and his wife, Debra, have three adult children and one grandchild.
Former Episcopal Bishop Blesses Catholic Bishop at Ordination Mass Former Episcopal Bishop Jeffrey N. Steenson, right, blesses Archbishop Michael J. Sheehan of Santa Fe, N.M., during Steenson’s ordination to the Catholic priesthood at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Rio Rancho, N.M., Feb. 21, 2009. Father Steenson spent 24 years as an Episcopal priest and three as a bishop in New Mexico. (CNS photo/Celine Baca Radigan, Archdiocese of Santa Fe)
PAPAL VISIT TO MEXICO AND CUBA
January 2012
Pope Benedict XVI Honors Two Archdiocesan Priests
Fr. Anthony “Tony” Bolman was honored with the title of Prelate of Honor of His Holiness and is now called Monsignor Bolman! Archbishop received word late on Friday, December 16, 2011 that this honor was bestowed on November 11, 2011. Msgr. Bolman was born July 28, 1926 in Croswell, MI. His parents, Henry Tresch and Anna Bolman, are both deceased. Msgr. Bolman was ordained by Archbishop Edwin V. Byrne on May 28, 1960 at Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in Santa Fe. He served as Parochial Vicar at St. Francis Xavier in Albuquerque and at Our Lady of Sorrows in Manzano. He was named administrator of Santa Clara in Wagon Mound in 1964 and then its pastor in 1965. He has also served as pastor of St. Rita in Carrizozo, St. Rose of Lima in Santa Rosa (twice – 1969 and 1991), Our Lady of Sorrows in Bernalillo, St. Anthony in Pecos, St. Mary’s in Vaughn, Our Lady of Guadalupe in Pojoaque, Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary in Albuquerque, St. Joseph’s in Raton, St. Thomas Aquinas in Rio Rancho, and Church of the Ascension in Albuquerque. Msgr. Bolman “retired” on July 17, 1999. Since that time he has filled his time by assisting his brother priests so that they can take vacations, retreats, or at time of illness. He is a humble priest who lives to provide sacramental ministry. He also served on the Priest Personnel Board and was a member of the College of Consultors. Prior to becoming a priest, Msgr. Bolman served in World War II! We congratulate Msgr. Bolman and give thanks to God for his energy in providing the Sacraments. Fr. Bennett J. Voorhies, current pastor of Our Lady of Annunciation Parish, was honored with the title of Chaplain of His Holiness, also on November 11, 2011, which happens to be his birthday! He was born on November 11, 1957 to Bennett J. Voorhies, Jr. (deceased) and Lenore Dorothy Voorhies. Msgr. Voorhies was ordained by Pope John Paul II (now Blessed) at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City State, Rome on June 12, 1983. He is fluent in English, Italian and some French. He was ordained for the Diocese of Lafayette and served as associate pastor at Saints Peter & Paul in Scott and Sacred Heart of Jesus in Ville Platte, administrator of St. Patrick in Lafayette and pastor of St. Michael the
Archangel in Crowely. He also served as Director of Vocations for the Diocese of Lafayette. For health reasons, he asked for permission to serve in a drier climate. On January 17, 1997 he was appointed as Parochial Vicar at Santa Maria de La Paz in Santa Fe, then pastor of St. Anthony’s in Pecos. He was named Chancellor, Vicar for Priests and Moderator of the Curia for the Archdiocese of Santa Fe on June 4, 2001, following then Msgr. Joseph Pepe who had been named as Bishop of Las Vegas. When the Diocese of Lafayette was appointed a new bishop he called Fr. Voorhies to return home. He returned to Lafayette on January 3, 2005. His health again prevented him from staying in the humid climate of the Lafayette Diocese. He was named Pastor of Our Lady of the Annunciation on May 27, 2005 and then given the additional duty of Dean of Albuquerque B Deanery on June 1, 2005. He was incardinated in the Archdiocese of Santa Fe on July 12, 2006. Congratulations Msgr. Voorhies, thank you for your priestly ministry and your wonderful sense of humor. The various ranks of Monsignori are Protonotary Apostolic, Prelate of Honor of His Holiness and Chaplain of His Holiness. These are distinctions bestowed among the general ranks of Priests at the recommendation of their (Arch)bishop and it is the Vatican who decides the rank bestowed. Monsignori become part of the “papal household” and are listed in the Annuario Pontificio. We currently have 11 Monsigorni living in the archdiocese. In addition to the two newly named above, we also have Msgr. Robert Calles, now retired from the Diocese of El Paso; Msgr. Francis X. Eggert, Pastor of Our Lady of Fatima in Albuquerque; Msgr. Leo Gomez, now retired from the Diocese of Gallup; Msgr. Leo Lucero, now retired; Msgr. Lambert Joseph Luna, Vicar General of the Archdiocese and Pastor of St. Joseph on the Rio Grande in Albuquerque; Msgr. Jerome Martinez y Alire, Rector of The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in Santa Fe and Dean of the Santa Fe Deanery; Msgr. Richard Olona, Pastor of Risen Savior Catholic Community in Albuquerque; Msgr. Douglas A. Raun, Pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rio Rancho and Dean of Albuquerque A Deanery; and Msgr. Sipio A. Salas, now retired.
Holy Father’s Prayer Intentions for JANUARY 2012 General: Victims of Natural Disasters That the victims of natural disasters may receive the spiritual and material comfort they need to rebuild their lives. Mission: Dedication to Peace That the dedication of Christians to peace may bear witness to the name of Christ before all men and women of good will.
Pope Benedict XVI is scheduled to visit three cities in Mexico and two cities in Cuba March 23-28. (CNS graphic/Emily Thompson)