Voice of the Southwest

Voice

of the

Southwest

The Official Publication of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Gallup | dioceseofgallup.org | Vol.52 No.3

Facing Chapter 11 Reorganization Why the decision was made, and how we can move forward

Columns 4

Bishop James S. Wall

From the Bishop

We must keep Christ as our model in facing Diocesan obligations

22

Dr. Jean Lee

Saints for Today St. Vincent de Paul, Priest

23

Fr. Tad Pacholczyk

Making Sense of Bioethics The importance of being guided by a moral compass

16

News 5

Diocese Faces Chapter 11 Reorganization

How the decision came about and what we face in the future

6

Albuquerque Abortion Bill

This November, voters have the chance to outlaw late-term abortions in Albuquerque

8

New Superintendent

20

Meet Jeanette Suter, the new Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese

10

Engaging Young People

Paul Estavillo is the new Diocesan youth evangelization coordinator

Features 11 12

Calendar of Events Around the Diocese

16

A history of Catholic life in mining villages around the foothills of Mt. Taylor in New Mexico

20

Lukachukai, Keams Canyon, and others celebrate anniversaries

13

Meet the Seminarian:

14

SEARCH Retreats

Nathaniel Block

Quarterly meetings challenge high school and college students to live as models of the Faith

2 Voice of the Southwest | dioceseofgallup.org

A look back at Cibola County

Religious Communities in the Diocese of Gallup

Monastery of Our Lady of the Desert Benedictine nuns strive to live and pray for the needs of the Diocese

24

Pope Francis:

Pray and Strive for Peace in the Middle East and Syria

23 14

Voice

of the

Southwest

Publisher

The Most Rev. Bishop James S. Wall

Editor

Suzanne Hammons

Advertising/Office Manager Ella Roanhorse

About Us The Voice of the Southwest is the flagship publication for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Gallup. Published by Bishop James S. Wall four times per year, the Voice covers news, events, and happenings throughout the Gallup diocese--which spans 55,000 square miles in northwest New Mexico and northeast Arizona.

Write To Us!

Tell us what you think! Respond to an article, provide feedback, or simply tell us what’s on your mind. Letters must be signed and should not exceed 300 words. The Voice reserves the right to edit for clarity and length. Opinions expressed and published are solely the writer’s and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinion of the editor.

Email comments to:

designoffice@dioceseofgallup.org

Write to:

Voice of the Southwest PO Box 1338, Gallup NM 87305-1338 For advertising, contact: Ella Roanhorse, 505.863.4406

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From the Editor The recent news that our Diocese must undergo Chapter 11 Reorganization was not a pleasant revelation. No one receives bad news gladly, especially when it concerns something that many people feel tied closely to - that is, Catholic life in our Diocese.

So yes, the weeks and months ahead may not necessarily be easy or entirely pleasant, but when was it ever guaranteed that the act of following Christ would be? In confronting sins that were committed long ago, or in striving to move forward in the most just possible way, it is inevitable that the going will not always be easy.

However, we should not lose focus of the greater picture. Did you know that there is plenty more happening the Diocese than the process of reorganization? There are people everywhere - priests, religious, lay people - who selflessly give witness to the good news of the Catholic faith to their communities.

These are the stories I want to highlight. Take, for instance, the nuns of the monastery near Blanco, NM

(page 20). These wonderful women dedicated their lives to praying for you and me, and offer their monastery to anyone who wants to make a retreat.

Then we have the young people who organize, support, and attend the various Search retreats of the Diocese in order to better learn to be models of Christ. (pg. 14). And take a look at the incredible work that is being done by non-profit and grassroots organizations in an effort to combat abortion in the state of New Mexico (pg. 6).

These are just a few examples.

Negative events happen no matter how much we may wish otherwise.

What matters is how we choose to address them going forward. And after all, let us remember when we do move forward to keep our sights always set on doing good, as we follow the example of Christ.

Suzanne Hammons is the Media Coordinator for the Diocese of Gallup and a 2011 graduate of Benedictine College. You can email her anytime at designoffice@ dioceseofgallup.org

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The eVoice Weekly is your resource for the latest stories, events, photos and updates about our Diocese. Delivered to your email inbox each week, the eVoice will keep you informed about Catholic life in the Diocese of Gallup. Just visit voiceofthesouthwest.org and look for the signup option on the right.

Happy reading!

Voice of the Southwest | dioceseofgallup.org

3

From the Bishop

Chapter 11 Filing Is Just, Compassionate Way of Addressing Diocesan Obligations

The following is Bishop James S. Wall’s letter to all the people of the Diocese of Gallup: “Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ Jesus: First, I would like to thank all of you for your support of the Diocese of Gallup.

Since becoming the Bishop of Gallup, I have worked to seek ways to bring healing to those who were harmed by sexual abuse.

Unfortunately, since becoming Bishop, the number of claims has continued to increase. These claims relate to events that occurred decades ago. While some of the claims relate to times when the Diocese had some insurance, many relate to times when the Diocese does not appear to have had insurance or the insurance is limited and not likely to cover the damages for which the Diocese might be found liable.

Since taking over as Bishop, I have tried to resolve these claims outside of litigation, unfortunately with limited success. I have also explored the alternatives available to the Diocese which would allow us to treat all of those who have been harmed by workers of the Church in a just, equitable and merciful manner while at the same time being able to continue the mission of the Diocese to bring the Good News of Jesus to all the people within the Diocese and to help those who are hurting and broken to find hope through the charitable work of the Church.

After considering all of the options and after consulting with advisors inside and outside the Diocese, I have determined that filing a petition for Chapter 11 Reorganization for the Diocese of Gallup is the most effective and thoughtful course to take in light of the claims from those who were harmed. The filing of this petition will begin the process of financial reorganization that is provided under Chapter 11 of the federal bankruptcy code. Under Chapter

4 Voice of the Southwest | dioceseofgallup.org

11, the Diocese will have the opportunity to present a plan of reorganization that provides for a fair and equitable way to compensate all those who suffered sexual abuse as children by workers of the Church in our Diocese - those who are currently known, those who haven’t yet made the decision to come forward, and those who might come forward in the future. Chapter 11 will provide for an orderly process by which those who have been harmed can make a claim, and for the Diocese to propose and confirm a plan that will compensate those who were harmed while, at the same time, continue its ministry and mission now and into the future. It is the purpose of the Bankruptcy Court to provide a neutral forum to all who seek protection or require resolution of disputes. In our present circumstances, we need that neutral forum with its protection and fair judgment so that we can justly and equitably compensate people who have been harmed.

Jesus Christ: to provide spiritual care, to educate children in the faith, to feed, clothe, and shelter the needy, to advocate for the least among us. We believe that continuing this mission is essential to our communities and is an expression of our very being as Roman Catholics. Given the financial circumstances of the Diocese, I have come to the conclusion that the only fair, equitable and merciful way to balance these obligations is by filing Chapter 11 Reorganization.

It is very important to me that everyone understands that I have not taken this step to avoid responsibility for what happened or to hide anything. On the contrary, I firmly believe that Chapter 11 is the most merciful and equitable way for the Diocese to address its responsibility, to continue to meet its commitment to institute programs and prevent abuse, and to continue its mission to all those who depend on the outreach of the Church. I am also available if any of you would like to meet with me individually or in a group.

In the coming weeks, the process of Chapter 11 will open our Diocese to unprecedented public scrutiny. I believe that is a good thing. We will be open and transparent in this process, and I will do my best to keep you informed as the process continues. I invite you to e-mail and write me to share your reactions to this decision and the process all along the way.

I firmly believe that the process of Chapter 11 is the best and only way that will allow us to work constructively with all those who suffered from sexual abuse. Those who have been abused deserve the Church’s respect, compassion, and love.

Most importantly, let us continue to look to the One who has the power to save, Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior. May the Holy Spirit guide our every step, so that we might be merciful, just as our Heavenly Father is merciful.

We fully realize our responsibility to heal the hurt of those who were harmed.

We also realize our responsibility to continue the mission that we have received from

As you know, the Diocese of Gallup is not the first Diocese to file, nor will it likely be the last. I hope that through this process we can meet the needs of those who have been harmed within the limited resources of the Diocese and continue to carry on the mission of the Church, which is to make the Living Christ known. I hope that all who will participate in the process can work cooperatively for an early resolution.

Please continue to pray. Please pray for one another, and for those among us who have been harmed and are hurting.

Sincerely yours in Christ, The Most Rev. James S. Wall Bishop of Gallup”

Reorganization Filing: Questions and Answers The Diocese of Gallup has determined that it will file for Chapter 11 reorganization. As many of you know, unfortunately, there are priests and other workers in the Diocese who took advantage of their positions of trust and sexually abused children. As a result, a number of claims have been made against the Diocese for the harm that was caused 40 or 50 years ago. As you also know, the Diocese provides critical services to the Catholic faithful and others in need regardless of their faith and it is important that the Diocese is able to carry on its mission and ministry while at the same time dealing equitably and mercifully with those who have been harmed.

The Diocese believes the best way to accomplish these goals is through the filing of the Chapter 11. Below are a list of questions and answers that the Diocese hopes will assist you in understanding the process better and the reasons for the Diocese making this very difficult decision.

Q: What does Chapter 11 or reorganization mean? Doesn’t that really mean bankruptcy?

A: Reorganization is exactly what the name signals. While it is a case that will be filed in the United States Bankruptcy Court, it is a proceeding that allows the Diocese to equitably resolve the claims of those who were harmed by those few workers in the Church who took advantage of their positions and committed acts of sexual abuse. Reorganization allows the Diocese to continue to serve parishioners and members of our community, while at the same time provide ongoing services to the claimants. Reorganization will allow the Diocese to present a plan that pays all the claimants who have been sexually abused on an equitable basis within the limited financial resources of the Diocese. What this means is that anyone with a claim of sexual abuse that is recognized by the court will share in a fund on some type of equitable basis. On the other hand, if these claims are determined through the normal litigation process, it is a race to the courthouse and to collect and when

the assets of the Diocese are exhausted (which they will be with the first judgment), there is nothing left for any other claimants. Reorganization also allows the Diocese to address the claims of those who have already come forward, those who were harmed but have not yet come forward and those who may come forward in the future.

Q: Why is the Diocese filing Chapter 11?

Q: When will the Diocese file its plan?

A: At this point the Diocese does not have an exact date. It is hopeful that when the Chapter 11 is filed, all parties will come together quickly and agree on the terms of a plan. It is the desire of the Diocese to move the process along as quickly as possible while at the same time trying to have a negotiated plan that is acceptable to everyone.

A: The Diocese fully realizes its responsibility to heal the hurt of those who were abused. The Diocese also realizes its responsibility to continue the mission that we believe we have received from Jesus Christ: to provide spiritual care, to educate children in the faith, to feed, clothe, and shelter the needy, and to advocate for the least among us. We believe that continuing this mission is essential to our communities and is an expression of our very being as Catholics. Given the financial circumstances of the Diocese, the Diocese has come to the conclusion that the only fair, equitable and merciful way to balance these obligations is by filing a Chapter 11 Reorganization.

Q: Even though the Diocese does not know exactly what the plan will look like at this point, what is the Diocese hoping to accomplish through this?

Q: Has a Diocese ever filed for reorganization before?

Q: Are the Parishes and Schools part of the filing?

A: Yes. The first Diocese to file was the Archdiocese of Portland in 2004. Since then there have been at least 6 other Dioceses that have filed for reorganization.

A: No, the Parishes are not part of the filing. The only school that is part of the filing is Gallup Catholic School which is part of the Diocese. The other Catholic schools are either part of a Parish or are not part of the Diocese.

Q: Where will the case be filed?

A: The Chapter 11 will be filed in Albuquerque, New Mexico which is where the Bankruptcy Court for New Mexico is located.

Q: How long will the process take?

A: At this early stage there is really no way to tell. A lot will depend on whether all interested parties are able to negotiate a resolution and agree on a plan. If there are a lot of objections to the Diocese’s proposals, the process will likely take longer and be more expensive.

A: The Diocese wants to achieve a solution to the increasing number of claims that involves a fair and equitable process for all the claimants. Also, it is important that the Diocese continue to provide other services and healing to those who were harmed as well as be able to carry on the mission of the Church in the Diocese. The Chapter 11 process will allow for that and allow for future claimants to be assured that these services and compensation are available to them as well.

Q: How can we continue to be informed about the Chapter 11?

A: It is our intent to update the website on a regular basis and provide copies of important pleadings on the website. We will also periodically update this Q&A. If you have any questions, you can contact Suzanne Hammons at media@dioceseofgallup.org

Voice of the Southwest | dioceseofgallup.org

5

Albuquerque Voters Will Get Chance to Ban Late-Term Abortions Project Defending Life, a pro-life New Mexico Group, has worked tirelessly to gain voter support for an ordinance that would make abortions after 20 weeks illegal. The group obtained records showing that many women have suffered serious medical complications in Albuquerque as a result of late-term abortions, and now the city will vote on the issue in November. Operation Rescue, a national pro-life activist group, has been reporting on the progress of the ordinance.

Albuquerque, NM – The Albuquerque Journal recently released results of a poll

showing the ordinance has widespread sup-

local hospital privileges. In fact, the clinic is

port.

owned by Texas abortionist Curtis Boyd. They

that shows 54% of Albuquerque voters sup-

City Council President Dan Lewis, who

are the ones coming in to Albuquerque to

port the proposed municipal ban on abor-

says he supports the late-term abortion ban,

cause issues,” said Newman. “The Pain Ca-

tions after 20 weeks when babies are known

has indicated that he will introduce a resolu-

pable Unborn Child Protection Ordinance is

to feel pain. Only 39% opposed the ordinance.

tion at the next city council meeting to place

truly a grass-roots effort put forward by peo-

The late-term abortion ban particularly

the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection

ple who live in Albuquerque, like the Shavers.

enjoyed favor among Hispanic people who

Ordinance on a city-wide ballot on November

It is supported by pro-life groups around the

support the ordinance by 57% regardless of

19th. The election would be conducted via a

country because women from every state

party affiliation. Those who identified as Re-

mail-in ballot. That resolution is expected to

are currently traveling to Albuquerque to

publicans expressed an overwhelming 80%

be adopted by the city council.

have these dangerous abortions at the latest

Tara Shaver, of Project Defending Life acts

stages of pregnancy. The poll confirms that it

This is the first known effort to ban late-

as spokesperson for the ordinance effort.

is the out-of state abortionists who are out-

term abortions on the municipal level. Al-

She gathered documentation through open

of-step with the people of Albuquerque.”

buquerque holds the dubious distinction of

records requests that indicated ambulances

While some erroneously say the ordinance

being known as the “Late-term Capital of

were transporting women to hospital emer-

is illegal since it runs contrary to Roe v. Wade,

America” because it is the site of Southwest-

gency rooms from Southwestern Women’s

the Supreme Court ruling that decriminal-

ern Women’s Options, the largest late-term

Options at an alarming rate. Over a dozen 911

ized abortion, the fact is that Supreme Court

abortion clinic in the U.S.

support for the ordinance.

records showed women were experiencing

precedent in Planned Parenthood v. Casey

“This poll shows what we have been say-

life-threatening complications to abortions

narrowed the Roe ruling, allowing states to

ing all along, that the proposed Pain Capable

as late as 35 weeks ranging from a ruptured

regulate and even ban late-term abortions.

Unborn Child Protection Ordinance has wide

uterus to heavy hemorrhage. Southwestern

Bans similar to Albuquerque’s proposed or-

support in Albuquerque. Putting this ordi-

Women’s Options is a freestanding abortion

dinance have been passed in 11 states and

nance to a vote is the right thing to do,” said

clinic that is not equipped to handle serious

introduced at the Federal level.

Troy Newman, President of Operation Rescue.

complications that arise from the risky late

“Late-term abortion is a barbaric and dan-

abortions.

“This ordinance has a high probability of success, given the popular support in the

gerous practice that has no place in a civilized

Last month, Operation Rescue staff mem-

community, and we are confident it will pass

society. There are better, more compassion-

bers participated in a pro-life training confer-

constitutional muster if it is ever challenged,”

ate alternatives for women in the late stages

ence in Albuquerque, which was followed by

said Newman.

of pregnancy than inflicting upon them and

street protests conducted by Survivors of

their babies the brutality of abortion.”

the Abortion Holocaust. Abortion supporters

This article originally appeared on OperationRescue.com, and is being reprinted with permission.

Note: since this article was written, the Albuquerque City Council approved the resolution. The ban on late-term abortions in Albuquerque will now go to the polls in November. To find out how you can support pro-life legislation in New Mexico, visit defendinglife.org

Organizers used the legislative initiative

criticized the protests as “outsiders” trying to

process to get the ban on a city-wide ballot

affect city policies. However, Newman has a

after it became clear that the predominately

different take on who the “outsiders” really

pro-abortion Democratic state legislature

are.

would not act. Needing only about 12,000

“Both of the clinic’s primary abortion-

signatures of registered voters to place the

ists, Shelley Sella and Susan Robinson, fly

ordinance on the ballot, organizers gathered

in to Albuquerque from California to do the

a remarkable 27,000 signatures in 20 days,

abortions then fly out again. Neither hold

6 Voice of the Southwest | dioceseofgallup.org

Have you said your Rosary today?

October: Month of the Holy Rosary “There is no problem, I tell you, no matter how difficult it is, that we cannot resolve by the prayer of the Holy Rosary.� - Sr. Lucia of Fatima

7

Meet Jeanette Suter, the New Superintendent of Catholic Schools

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Voice of the Southwest | dioceseofgallup.org

A

s of July 2013, the Diocese of Gallup has hired a new superintendent of Catholic Schools. Jeanette Suter, a teacher and administrator from the Catholic Schools system in Fresno, California, has spent the last few weeks becoming acquainted with her new position, which includes administration duties for the 11 Catholic Schools throughout the Gallup Diocese.

I truly believe in the vocation of Catholic education,” Suter said in an interview with the Voice. “[I] want to be able to assist administrators, teachers, and faculty members of our Catholic schools in providing the best Catholic education available to as many children as possible.”

Suter comes from a long and experienced background in Catholic education. Early on she felt called to a career as an educator, dedicating her time in college to pursuing teaching.

For over two decades afterwards, her career included experience as a parish catechist, Catholic School teacher, and lately as an administrator. She received a Master’s of Education in Administration and Supervision from Marymount University last spring.

Now, she explains, the Gallup Diocese is where she felt called to come to serve due to its unique status as a mission Diocese.

“I had felt a longing to serve Christ and the Church through mission work, but never really knew how to go about it,” Suter said. “As I advanced in my years in Catholic education, I became familiar with the mission, life, and works of great holy women like St. Francis Xavier Cabrini and St. Katharine Drexel. I greatly admired their vocations and dedication to serving the immigrants and native peoples. When I learned of the position in the Diocese of Gallup, and its ties to the missions and work of St. Katharine, I began to consider the possibility that this was the way in which the Holy Spirit was moving me.”

In recent years, the Diocese has undertaken the process of returning its Catholic schools to parochial, or parish, status. Looking ahead, Suter says that this is one of her main jobs as the new superintendent.

“I have been directed by Bishop

Wall to assist the school communities in maintaining true and faithful Catholic identity, and in assisting the newly formed advisory boards in understanding their role in supporting the administration…in the endeavors of the school.”

Suter said another beginning priority is to get to know the people in the Diocese who will be working with her.

“To begin with, my goal is to get to know the administrators, faculty, staff, students, families, and communities to whom the schools of the diocese minister and serve. I want to know what their greatest accomplishments are, and in what areas of Catholic education I can best serve them in this position.”

Suter explained that there is also

the matter of attending to educational standards.

“My long-term goals for our schools include the implementation of the National Catholic School Benchmarks and Standards, the integration of the new Common Core State Standards… and joining the Western Catholic Educational Association (an accrediting agency focused on school improvement and excellence in all aspects of education and Catholic identity.”

Finally, she outlined the importance that Catholic schools have not only to the Diocese, but to the Catholic Church as a whole.

“The goals of Catholic education are to provide formation of the whole child in such a way that body, mind, heart and soul are united in the pur-

suit of academic excellence, full participation in the life of the Church…. and joyful evangelization of our fellow man,” said Suter. “We, the schools and the people of the Diocese of Gallup, need to continue to celebrate the great blessing we have in our Catholic schools, and to work to increase the number of students who are able to attend and benefit from all that our schools have to offer.”

A few additional questions for Mrs. Suter:

raphies of the saints and other morally heroic people, and their writings as well.

I am also a fan of history – reading it, watching historical documentaries, and even reading an occasional historical fiction piece from time to time. That being said, I can’t wait to learn of the stories and histories of our schools, our faculty and staff members, our families and students, and the rich and varied stories of the many Native American communities that live throughout our diocese. I would also like to share a motto that has stuck with me over the last 25 years- the motto of my Catholic high school, Presentation High School in San Jose, California, “Not words, but deeds.” While a teenager, I really didn’t appreciate it very much, daily walking over the tile on which it was emblazoned on the floor of the main entrance to the school without giving it much thought. As a Catholic educator, I have come to run that motto through my head every day, and on many days, more than once. Words can be hollow and empty…actions speak volumes.

school. Not wanting to leave my friends, and the school in which I felt comfortable, I had the one and only temper tantrum of my life…even threatening to run away to my aunt’s house across the country if they took me out of the school. To this day, I don’t know what my parents did to keep me in that school, but they did…and I thank God every day for that (I should probably thank my parents more often for that as well!). I commend the parents of our Catholic school students for making the sacrifices you do to provide a Catholic education to your children, it is well worth it! I encourage other Catholic parents in our diocese to prayerfully consider their family’s budget, and examine the items that might be rearranged to cut expenses that bring only temporary happiness to allow for enrollment of your children in Catholic school-a benefit that will last a lifetime.

Also, don’t be afraid to talk to the administrator of your local school about the tuition assistance available for families.

Lastly, I want to encourage all members of the Catholic family of the diocese of Gallup to reconsider the way in which you can support Catholic education in our schools. Giving of your time, talent, and treasure to build up the programs in our schools is a great way to serve the Church of today and the Church of tomorrow.

VoSW: How would you sum up your philosophy on the importance of Catholic education?

Suter: Catholic schools provide the most comprehensive, holistic education available to students anywhere in the world.

The goals of Catholic education are to provide formation of the whole child in such a way that body, mind, heart, and soul are united in the pursuit of academic excellence, full participation in the life of the Church through worship and the sacraments, merciful service to others, and joyful evangelization of our fellow man with a deep understanding of what it means to be part of and in service to the entire human community. Catholic schools are vital to the future of our students, our communities, our nation, and our Church.

VoSW: Is there anything you would like to add in the way of introductions to the parents, teachers, and people of the Diocese?

Suter: Having had my teaching concentration in English, I tend to love the written word. I love stories, poetry, musical lyrics, and any other inspirational slogans, sayings, quotations. I love to read biog-

It is not primarily in my words that I represent Christ, His Church, and His schools but in my actions. I have Catholic education to thank for the woman, wife, and professional educator I am today.

I also have my parents to thank for the sacrifices they made to provide me with that education. When I was a junior in high school, my father was laid off from his job, and my parents told me they might have to take me out of Catholic

Anyone seeking additional information about our schools, the enrollment process, or ways they can help is encouraged to contact the school closest to them or to contact the Office of Catholic Schools at 505-863-4406.

Find the full interview online at voiceofthesouthwest.org Voice of the Southwest | dioceseofgallup.org

9

Reaching Out to Young People

Paul Estavillo Hopes to Engage the Youth of the Diocese in a Deeper Faith Life Paul Estavillo is bursting with ideas for engaging young people throughout the Diocese of Gallup in their Catholic faith. Mr. Estavillo, whose official title is “Youth Evangelization and Catechetical Coordinator”, is now in charge of youth ministry for the Diocese.

“I coordinate mission groups in the Diocese,” said Estavillo, referring to the many youth groups who come from churches throughout the country to volunteer their time with projects such as landscaping, renovation, and assisting at shelters and homes.

“There are also several things I want to do over the next year or so – what interests me is developing a couple Newman Centers in small colleges in the Diocese and establishing social clubs for young people. I also really want to try to get fundraising for the next World Youth Day, as soon as the Pope announces the location, and send a group from the whole Diocese.”

Estavillo is no stranger to working with young people. After serving in the Air Force for four years, and moving on to a career working in marketing computer chips in California for

25 years, he became a teacher in 2002.

Two years ago, he moved to Gallup to teach archaeology and religion at Gallup Catholic School.

“I wanted to teach at a mission school,” Estavillo said. “I had one job offer in Denver, one in California, and one in Gallup. I was going to go to Denver, but [Gallup Catholic principal] Barbara Kozeliski was very determined to hire me.”

Estavillo explains that he felt he was called to come to New Mexico.

“I was in Spain, at World Youth Day, and talking to Barbara. She told me to pray on it. So I went into the cathedral there, and felt like the Holy Spirit was leading me this way,” he explains.

“Part of it was also that my dad was raised in New Mexico and my mom in Arizona.”

After Gallup Catholic High School closed in 2013, Estavillo had planned to teach at St. Michaels, but was convinced to interview for the job with the Diocese by Fr. Matthew Keller, now the rector at Sacred Heart Cathedral.

“Fr. Matthew coordinated all the mission groups before becoming rector, and I had helped out with some

Paul Estavillo

A summer mission group works to level ground at St. Anthony School in Zuni, NM

10 Voice of the Southwest | dioceseofgallup.org

of them last summer,” Estavillo said.

“Also, I have a background in RCIA, and experience working with young people, so I was asked to interview for the job. I feel now like this is my vocation – to do God’s work here.”

Estavillo said he looks forward to meeting people from the many cultural backgrounds found throughout the Diocese.

“My dad’s family is complete Basque – sheepherders from New Mexico, and my mom’s family is Mexican, Apache and German,” said Estavillo. “So my background is of one growing up with Hispanic people. One culture that’s [new] to me is the Navajo culture, but I’m very excited to learn more.”

Asked what his biggest impression is of the Diocese after two years, Estavillo immediately responds.

“The people,” he says. “All the clerics, religious, and laypeople involved in this Diocese – they all work for the love of the Church. And it’s a very welcoming environment.”

With a grin, he offers one final thought.

“Also, I like the red chile far better than green chile.”

Calendar of Events October 19 20

Annual World Mission Collection The Church’s mission is to proclaim the salvation of Christ to the ends of the earth.

This collection helps to promote Catholic world missions.

November 01

All Saints’ Day Holy Day of Obligation Solemnity honoring all Saints, known and unknown.

03

Sacred Heart Cathedral Annual Bazaar Join us for food and fun!

Place: Sacred Heart School

515 Park Ave

Gallup, NM 87301 Time: 12 - 5pm

07 10

Diocese of Gallup Women’s Cursillo Rectora - Theresa Brophy Visit www.gallupcursillo.com for more information Place: Holbrook, AZ

09 10

Annual Campaign for Human Development Collection The Catholic Campaign for Human Development is dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty by funding community programs that encourage independence.

09 10

St. Mary’s, Bloomfield Confirmation Retreat Place: Sacred Heart Retreat Center

167 NM 602

Gallup, NM 87301 Contact: Sr. Rene Backe shrc@dioceseofgallup.org

19

Day of Opportunity to Vote to Ban Late-Term Abortions in Albuquerque Eligible voters of Albuquerque are encouraged to support a ban on city abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Many people are attracted to New Mexico for abortions because of a lack of laws and oversight.

For more info, visit www.defendinglife.org

29 01

SEARCH #163 A retreat that teaches young people to be examples of faith in everyday life.

Place: Sacred Heart Family Center

415 E. Green

Gallup, NM 87301 Contact: Mari Arreguin anacelia_15@hotmail.com

December 01

Advent Begins The time of preparation for the coming of Christ at Christmas.

07 08

Annual Religious Retirement Collection This collection helps to support, educate and assist religious institutes in the United States to care for their elderly and frail members now and in the future.

08

Feast of the Immaculate Conception Holy Day of Obligation Celebrates the conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Diocese of Gallup: Promise to Protect If you or someone you know has been abused by a priest, deacon or other employee or minister of the Catholic Church, please report this to: Diane DiPaolo Victim Assistance Coordinator 505-906-7357

Si usted o alguien que usted conoce ha sido víctima de abuso por parte de un sacerdote, diácono u otro empleado o ministro de la Iglesia Católica, favor de reportar el incidente a: Diane DiPaolo Coordinador de Asistencia para Víctimas 505-906-7357

diane.victimasstcoor.dipaolo@gmail.com

diane.victimasstcoor.dipaolo@gmail.com

We will help.

Your confidentiality will be protected.

Nosotros le ayudaremos.

Su confidencialidad será protegida.

Do Háida’bił bee hodozįįł daíigi beeádee haho’dzíí’ Catholic Church dóó éé’ neishoodii yił ndaałnishi’ igíí dóó Baa ndaałah’ igíísh doo há’ atééh’ igoo da, nínįi’ yiyiiłaah’ Dóó’ oóshlí ła’ ísh ákóbí’ diiłyąą go nił beehoozin, Akohootįįngo nił beehoozin’go baahwíí’ diłníi’ Diane DiPaolo VIctim Assistance Coordinator 505-906-7357 diane.victimasstcoor.dipaolo@gmail.com

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Around the Diocese St. Joseph Church in Keams Canyon turns 85 this year. A family with a covered wagon poses next to the church in this 1952 photo.

St. Isabel in Lukachukai celebrates its 85th anniversary this October.

In May St. Anthony’s Church in Zuni was blessed and school cafeteria dedicated, starting with a Mass celebrated by Bishop Wall

The original sketch by the architect of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Holbrook, AZ, which turns 45 in December.

Is there something noteworthy happening in your parish or community? Tell us! Send your notices to: designoffice@dioceseofgallup.org or Editor: Voice of the Southwest, 711 S. Puerco, Gallup NM, 87301

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Voice of the Southwest | dioceseofgallup.org

Nathanael Block with Bishop Wall at the 2013 Feast of Corpus Christi Mass

MEET THE Nathanael Block is the second seminarian in our series of interviews with young men studying for the priesthood for the Diocese of Gallup. Originally from Los Lunas, he is enrolled in seminary at Holy Apostles in Connecticut. He will be ordained as a deacon later this year.

Seminarian

priest, and began to talk with vocation directors to continue the discernment process. I entered the seminary when I was 18, in 2004. God kept me in His Hands, and continues to guide me into closer conformity with His Heart.

VoSW: How did you discover your vocation?

VoSW: How did you end up becoming a seminarian for the Gallup Diocese?

When I was about thirteen years old, my older sister entered the Dominican convent of the Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist. Seeing her enter, and how joyous and beautiful her vocation was made me begin to seriously discern a religious vocation myself.

I remember asking her how one discerned, and she kind of laughed and said: “Well, you expect to be serving Jesus. ASK Him!” She suggested I spend time in front of the Eucharist, especially with the intention of discerning God’s Will for my life. After a few years, I knew that I wished to be a

In the Fall of 2011, I was trying to discern God’s Will for me. My older sister happened to know Bishop Wall, because as a Pastor in the Diocese of Phoenix, he had brought her religious order to his parish. She suggested that I contact him for advice. I didn’t think much would come out of it. Much to my surprise, however, Bishop Wall went above and beyond anything I could have hoped for, even taking off an evening to meet and speak with me.

After hearing my vocation story, and sending me to meet with Father Keller, I was accepted into the Diocese. The

rest, as they say, is history.

VoSW: What are you most looking forward to about being a priest?

NB: Celebrating Mass and hearing confessions. The ability to be Christ’s hands in helping people. Both my parents were converts and so I can see a wide variety in peoples’ backgrounds and how they come to the Church.

VoSW: What in particular do you like about the Gallup Diocese?

I would have to say the people in the Diocese of Gallup: especially the priests and our Bishop. The Bishop and the Diocese gave a chance to continue formation in the seminary when others were unwilling to consider the possibility. Every Diocese has its own culture, so I’m looking forward to seeing how people here connect with each other, especially if I’m going to be their pastor.

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What is SEARCH? “Search for Christian Maturity, mostly known as Search, came in the late 1960s from the CYO (Catholic Youth Organization) of San Francisco, CA. In May 1966 the Search for Christian Maturity was adopted by the National Catholic Youth Organization as the official retreat program for the US. In the following years the Search program was initiated in over 75 Dioceses in the US as well as in other countries, and it is one of the first youth retreats to grow out of the Cursillo movement with a peer ministry approach. Fr. Dennet and Fr. Gilbert, two Franciscan priests, brought the Search program to the Gallup Diocese in the late 60s. The Search program has 4 weekends scheduled in a year. Each one held in a different area of our vast Diocese.

“The Search is a strong program which helps

young Catholics to take up the Holy Father’s challenge, to be the future evangelizers in the Church.”

Through God’s Love, these young adults develop a spirituality of service, whether it be through giving talks, leading a discussion, cooking, cleaning, listening, sharing or praying. What better evangelizers could there be, than teens, touched by God’s love, spreading that fire to their peers. The Search provides an intense, joyful, emotional and spiritual encounter with our Lord. Young people between the ages of 16 through 20 from all over the Diocese, spend a weekend together that for many, is a life changing experience. Many teens discover the richness of our Catholic faith for the first time and realize that they are not alone in facing the difficult challenge of living a moral Christian life in this modern age.

During the Search weekend, these young adults are given an experience of Christian community. An atmosphere of openness is created on the weekend so that these young adults can let their guard down. This hopefully allows them to take an honest look at themselves along with their relationship with God. The emphasis of the weekend is not to overload these young adults with doctrine, but to try and take the things we already know and believe as Catholics, and make them come alive.”

- Mari Arreguin, SEARCH director for the Diocese of Gallup “I am Navajo, from Ft. Defiance, AZ. I was born into the Catholic Church, but didn’t grasp the meaning of being Catholic until I joined the SEARCH...I embrace my traditional and Catholic beliefs in unison, because they both make up my spiritual identity. From the way I see it, both beliefs intertwine with each other, making them stronger than they were alone. This program has certainly changed my life and the impact I have on my community and my family.”

- Shane Tsosie, SEARCH director for the Diocese of Gallup

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This summer, a retreat for those who had made a SEARCH before took place in Farmington, NM. These are some impressions from young people who attended.

“I think that [the] gentle voice that my friends and I experienced over the weekend signals a new stage in our spiritual path. Many of us, when we are first touched by God, may be likened to having a blazing flame of faith, strong and ready to go out and take the world by fire. Yet, we will all inevitably experience a gradual dimming of this flame that, if we are not careful, may die away completely. This weekend I believe gave us more fuel to kindle our flames. Yet, as I mentioned above, these flames cannot be compared to a blazing, consuming flame, but rather a more constant and gentle glow. This, I believe, is a natural progression in the spiritual journey that for many of us began at a Search weekend and that is now continuing after being strengthened at the Re-Search.” - Brie Bahe, Farmington NM “After Mass we went to the conference room and sang a bunch of songs. I thought I was going to lose my voice! We finally got to the part of the night that I had been very anxious for, adoration in front of the Blessed Sacrament. We had music playing softly and we just prayed. I felt at peace with God. It’s [something] that I wish everyone could experience.”

- David Rodriguez, Farmington NM “To me my sweet 16 meant I was finally able to make a Search.

Being a part of it myself the past several years has been a huge blessing in my life. The Fourth Day Retreat was an experience I’ll always cherish. The retreat not only allowed me to see old friends, but meet new ones, and rekindle the fire that was set ablaze at my first Search (#148). Although the weekend was shorter than others, it was a perfect way to refocus my heart on The Lord and His plan for my life.”

- Stephanie Loyosa, Bloomfield NM “The times of prayer and silence allowed me to reflect on the time I have spent since the last Search. It not only allowed me to notice the changes I have made in my Christian lifestyle, but it also allowed me to see the changes I have not yet made in order to become a better Catholic. It allowed me to reexamine my priorities in life, and it helped me to see what I still have to work on to live as God wants me to live.

“There was so much more to Re-search than just learning. I got to see old friends from past searches and meet entirely new people, who, almost immediately became my good friends due to our shared experience at search. Going to the Re-search retreat was almost like going to a family reunion. There was so much joy in just spending time with my old friends and with the Lord.”

- Ryan Stoer, Farmington NM Are you interested in deepening your faith life through SEARCH? Do you know a young person who could benefit from a retreat? Contact Mari Arreguin by email at anacelia_15@hotmail.com Voice of the Southwest | dioceseofgallup.org

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Our Lady of Sorrows in Seboyeta, built in 1820.

St. Joseph School in San Fidel, as it appeared in 1953

by Sr. Ellen Corcoran, SCSJA and Suzanne Hammons

Seboyeta, Cubero, and San Fidel: Our Lady of Sorrows, Seboyeta Located in Cibola County some 50 miles west of Albuquerque, Seboyeta is in the eastern end of the Diocese of Gallup. It is 27 miles from the local Catholic elementary school, 50 miles from the closest Catholic high school, and 107 miles to the Diocesan Pastoral Center and Sacred Heart Cathedral in Gallup.

The parish census taken in 2003 shows 95% of the 300 people living in Seboyeta to be Catholic but most demonstrate apathy toward their religion.

Seboyeta was the first village settled by the Spanish west of the Rio Grande River in 1800. There were 30 adult settlers and their families who trekked from Atrisco/ Albuquerque to the Cebolleta land grant.

Many of today’s parishioners are direct descendants of these original settlers. El canyon de Seboyeta is on the southeast flanks of La Sierra de San Mateo (Mt. Taylor). The canyon had good fertile soil and a good stream of spring water. It also offered good protection “from the elements and from the Navajos.” The trip took them five days in the early spring of 1800. Their biggest problem was crossing arroyos. The women did a lot of praying. They also talked about building a church when they got there. Someone suggested they call it: “Nuestra Senora

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de Los Dolores”: Our Lady of Sorrows.

Upon arriving they all went down on their knees to thank the Lord and Our Lady of Sorrows for bringing them safely to their new home.

The parish fiesta is celebrated on January 7th, the anniversary of its dedication.

Parishioners gather the evening before to celebrate with Vespers and then outside processing the hand-carved wooden statue of Our Lady of Sorrows around the church. The path for the procession is lighted by small bonfires shaped as crosses.

From this mission base, priests traveled as far west as Flagstaff, Arizona to celebrate sacraments with Catholics spread across the area. In 1879, the central parish was moved west to San Rafael, NM. History shows the church’s role was the center of the community and the lives of the people for many decades.

The Spring 1974 edition of Extension magazine, the official publication of the Catholic Extension Society, carried this story about the parish and its thenpastor, Fr. Robert Perez.

“Highway 66 was disappearing in our rear view mirror as we headed north on a two-lane macadam road. The sky was overcast but not threatening. Each mile took us into higher, rockier terrain that

seemed less able to support life. The air was cold and moved by 20-mile-anhour winds and there was still evidence of wind-blown snow in all of the earth’s recesses.

After traveling 13 miles from the highway, we caught our first glimpse of Seboyeta. It was a randomly arranged group of buildings on rolling ground that seemed to surround and protect the old Spanish church in its center. The town’s backyard went almost straight up in a varied pattern of rock formations.

At first glance, Seboyeta seemed to be overpowered by the size and strength of the rugged rock and mountain backdrop that leaned over it. But the closer one looked, the more the mountain and the town seemed suited to one another.

Rocks from the mountain were incorporated into Seboyeta’s retaining walls, fences and foundations. And the mountains themselves rose to protect the town from the worst of the prevailing winds.

As we moved into town the pavement disappeared and our tires were following tracks that local cars had worn into the earth. There were no street signs or house numbers to guide us so we drove in the general direction of the church. We passed a store, a restaurant and a number of pickup trucks before the church came into full view.

St. Joseph Mission in San Fidel, circa 1970

A History of Cibola Mining Villages Our Lady of Sorrows Church had roadways in front and on both sides to suggest that its claim on the town was historical. We drove up to the church and parked.

As churches go, this one was small. Its front yard was held in place by a rock retaining wall. The church itself was adobe and the walls were five feet thick at the bottom and tapered up to three feet thick at the top. A small double door and a circular leaded glass window were the only apertures in the front wall.

Inside, huge wooden rafters that are cradled in the side walls struggle to hold up the ceiling and roof. The floors are made of wood and they support the homemade pews that provide a seating capacity for about 100 people.

Not too many years back, there was an addition on the right rear section of the church that served as a living quarters for a priest and a stable for his horse. But time and weather caused part of the addition to crumble so the rest of it had to be torn down.

In 1975 the pastor appealed to Extension for funds to rebuild the addition.

This time, however, he wanted to include one large and one small CCD classroom, a sacristy, two rest rooms, storage rooms and one larger room to be used as a winter chapel. The winter chapel, he had

explained, was necessary because the church was heated with butane and the cost of winter heat was prohibitive.

We shut off the car’s ignition, buttoned up a heavy parka, put on leather mittens and stepped out into a cold wind.

The church’s exterior had been refinished recently so it had a clean-cut appearance.

We walked past the entrance and around to the right side to take a look at the new addition.

It has been constructed of concrete block and rock lath but was finished on the outside to match the church’s adobe walls. It was a good match.

We looked around for what might be the rectory but there were no clues so we got into the car, turned on the engine and heater and headed back to the store we passed on the way in. There, a parishioner directed us to the rectory of Fr. Rafael Perez, the resident pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows in Seboyeta.

Fr. Perez, a native of Mexico, is a young, affable and capable priest. He is bilingual as are many of his parishioners.

‘Our parish is old,’ said Fr. Perez, ‘and has its roots in early American history.

Seboyeta is an old Spanish land grant and most of our people are direct descendants of the original Spanish community.

‘Until very recent years, the Franciscans took care of our mission but a short-

age of personnel forced them to give its care to the Diocese of Gallup. Seboyeta is now a parish which has missions in nearby Bibo and Moquino and a station in Marquez.

‘Our local population is probably 95% Catholic with most non-Catholics being the transients who came here for temporary work in the mines. At one time the Mormon’s were actively proselytizing here but their efforts were in vain.

They built a church but it stands unused today.’

Fr. Perez went on to explain that the economy of Seboyeta and its surrounding communities was based on uranium mining. Many of the mine workers lived in the local towns but some commuted from as far away as Albuquerque – some 50 miles distant.

Those who live locally are exposed to hardships – especially in winter. The rough, rocky terrain does not provide fuel for heating so bottled gas is one of the few options. Its cost is extremely high so unused rooms are sealed off and not used in wintertime.

Water, too, is a problem. It is not abundant and is furnished in two ways – one is relatively pure for drinking and the other is for watering crops. The latter is used only by those few people who still try to raise crops in this rugged country.

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‘Our parish,’ noted Fr. Perez, ‘is a large one. Our nearest neigh- boring parish is at least 14 miles away. So our four churches serve Catholics over a wide area.

‘The church buildings themselves are very old. Our Lady of Sorrows here in Seboyeta was built in 1820 and has been rebuilt and repaired many times since then. We have no historical data on the churches in Bibo and Moquino but they too are adobe structures and are quite old.

‘The latest construction at Our Lady of Sorrows has been a tremendous benefit to our parishioners. It provides the CCD classrooms, the sacristy space and the winter chapel room that were so sorely

for the sole purpose of serving the local Catholics. Before he leaves he too will identify with the rocky mountainous terrain, the weather extremes and the strength of the people.

But his contribution will have been much greater than the land, the sky and the weather. His contribution will have been the Good News – the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”

Seboyeta remains a small, somewhat isolated community, located at the dead end of highway 279, 13 miles north of Historic Route 66 and I-40, surrounded by mesas, with a population of about 300. It presents intriguing contrasts with an unusual blend of old, deteriorating,

and Hermanos de Sangre (Brothers of Blood). The Penitente’s purpose was to maintain a Christian Brotherhood in order to better imitate the life and death of Jesus. Their meeting place, the Morada, served as a unit that kept the Catholic religion alive in the area by gathering people for services and prayers. Some of the religious statues and crucifixes have been preserved, but only the shell of the Morada remains.

Our Lady of Light, Cubero Cubero is located on Historic Route 66, 18 miles east of Grants. In 1940, it was home to one of the most famous eating places between Chicago and Los

“In addition to the altar Society, the ladies of Seboyeta are active in ceramics” 1974 © Extension Magazine

needed. We will be forever indebted to the Extension donors who made that addition to our church possible.’

When we asked Fr. Perez about his parish needs, he told us that his priorities were now centered on fixing his mission churches at Bibo and Moquino. Both of them were of adobe construction and showing severe signs of deterioration.

We accompanied Fr. Perez to both chapels and photographed the obvious erosion to the walls.

The cold winters, the summer sun and prevailing winds make survival in this rugged part of west central New Mexico very difficult. The people stay because it is part of their heritage. They feel a part of the terrain and take their strength from it.

Fr. Perez is here for a different reason.

He is not native to the state or the nation. He has come from a great distance

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metal-roofed adobe structures as well as a handful of substantial new residences.

Since the closing of the uranium mines, people have moved elsewhere or travel to other larger towns or local casinos to find work. Many of those who did work in the mines are now on disability.

In 1833, the Republic of Mexico, through the Governor of the Territory of New Mexico, Francisco Sarracino, granted to 62 settlers a large tract of land, about 16,490 acres in what is today Cibola County. There had previously been an Indian village in this area. The area around here served as farming and hunting lands for them. This is high desert territory at an elevation of 6,000 – 7,000 feet at the base of 11,300 foot Mt. Taylor In the early days, the Penitente (Los Hermanos) influence was very strong and had many members, including Hermanos de Luz (Brothers of Light)

Angeles. Lucille Ball and Vivian Vance had a summer home nearby. Ernest Hemingway resided in Cubero while writing The Old Man and the Sea. Our Lady of Light Catholic Church was established in 1866, in Cubero, New Mexico. The parish fiesta is celebrated on January 1st. In past years, the Fiesta celebration was very extensive, with Matechines dancing and a dinner at the home of the mayordomos, or in later years at the parish hall. The Fiesta is now celebrated with Vespers on New Year’s Eve followed by an outdoor procession around nine luminaries. The Fiesta Mass is celebrated on New Year’s Day. The initial building was constructed of 40-inch thick adobe walls and provided a refuge for local residents against Apache and Navajo raids until 1881, when the raids ceased. An abandoned cannon remained on the church grounds

for many years after. In time, the walls of the church were weakened by flash floods.

In 1921, San Fidel (four miles west) became a parish because of its central location. Cubero as well as Seboyeta, Moquino, Bibo, San Mateo, San Rafael, Grants and the Native American villages of Laguna and Acoma fell under its care. Later, parishes were established in Seboyeta, Laguna, and Acoma. Cubero remained as a mission of San Fidel.

Franciscan Friars were assigned to Our Lady of Light until 1985, when diocesan priests were assigned.

Under the direction of Fr. Adam Whethington, OFM, and with the help of many benefactors, a new church and

school Masses were celebrated in St. Joseph Church, but in recent years, the Friday morning school Mass has been celebrated in the school chapel. St. Joseph Mission School (pre-K to 8th grade) still serves 50 children from the Native American pueblos of Laguna and Acoma as well as the Spanish villages of Cubero and Seboyeta.

An article from the summer 1974 edition of Anawim magazine describes a visitor’s perspective of both the church and school in San Fidel.

“The visitor to New Mexico could turn off at Highway 40 some fifty-five miles west of Albuquerque and in to the few buildings that identify the town of San

‘Our friary or rectory here at St. Joseph’s was built to house the personnel for all of those missions. It has nine rooms on the first floor, nine on the second and three in the basement. Now it houses just three of us – 2 priests and a brother.

‘Brother Scott Obrecht, OFM and myself are assigned to St. Joseph’s here in San Fidel and to Our Lady of Light in Cubero. We share the rectory with a priest who serves a mission in Acoma.’

St. Joseph’s mission is very important to the entire community because it operates an elementary school with grades one through six. Five teachers take care of the six grades – four Ursuline sisters and one lay teacher. The 120 students that attend St. Joseph’s come from the

“Seboyeta looks like a random group of buildings surrounding an old church at the base of a rocky mountain” 1974 © Extension Magazine hall were constructed between 1972 and 1975. The new church was dedicated by Bishop Jerome Hastrich to Our Lady of Light on May 4, 1975. In 2011 the sanctuary in the church was renovated to brighten the worship space and include some features from the original adobe church.

St. Joseph Mission, San Fidel A church was built for the people of the village of San Fidel (four miles west of Cubero) in 1892. In 1921, it became a parish because of its central location in relation to the Native American (Acoma & Laguna) villages. A large friary housed several Franciscan priests and a school was built in 1922. The friary chapel was the setting for many weddings. In 1985 the friary became the convent for the sisters staffing the school. Initially the

Fidel. There the frame building that is St. Joseph’s mission church stands as a memorial to the past. And down a dirt road and a few hundred yards north is St. Joseph’s Franciscan Mission that serves the vast areas around San Fidel.

The mission buildings are impressive in that they make a bold statement of man’s presence and his determination that the message of Christ will be heard and will endure. The buildings consist of a friary or rectory, school accommodations, school lunch room, sisters quarters and guest house. The friary and older school building are adobe structures that date back to the early 1920′s.

‘The locale in which we live,’ says Fr. Adam Wethington, OFM, pastor of St. Joseph’s, ‘is surrounded by our Spanish missions that date back to the early 1800′s. We have Indian missions too – at Acoma and Laguna.

Indian, Spanish and white communities.”

With just a few Catholics residing in San Fidel today, Mass is only celebrated in the mission church on May 1st for its Fiesta celebration of St. Joseph the Worker. There have been some baptisms and funerals, Stations of the Cross on Good Friday, and people who gather to pray.

In 1999, it was determined that there were not enough priests to cover all the missions. Cubero and Seboyeta were entrusted to the care of a pastoral administrator. Since July 2005, Sr. Ellen Corcoran, SCSJA has filled this role. She also fills the roles of parish secretary, some of the bookkeeping, DRE, catechist, liturgy & environment coordinator.

View our full gallery of images online at voiceofthesouthwest.com.

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“Be Still, and Know That I Am God”

Religious Communities in the Diocese of Gallup:

by Suzanne Hammons

Monastery of Our Lady of the Desert Anyone driving along the northwest New Mexico highway between Dulce and Blanco will eventually come upon a sign labeled “Monastery” with an arrow pointing down a dusty, unassuming road. This is the path that leads to the Monastery of Our Lady of the Desert, a community of Benedictine nuns who have established a home in the Diocese of Gallup.

The Benedictine Order is one of the oldest monastic orders in Roman Catholicism, founded by St. Benedict around 529 BC. Benedict’s sister, St. Scholastica, also followed the monastic way of life, and any of the Benedictine monasteries or abbeys around the world may be filled with either monks or nuns.

Each monastery follows The Rule of St. Benedict, a set of instructions for daily life, and yet each community is autonomous, though it may join with others to form a congregation. The purpose of the Benedictine way of life is simple: stability, conversion, and obedience. Each monk or nun takes a vow of obedience to their Abbot or Abbess and maintains the monastic way of life. Benedictines are also known for their hospitality and reception of guests, generally for those who seek to go on retreat.

At the Monastery of Our Lady of the Des-

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ert, the way of life is much the same as it is in other monasteries throughout the world. The nuns rise early, pray the Divine Office (a series of prayers consisting of offices said at various times throughout the day), go about daily chores, celebrate Mass with a chaplain, and look after the needs of any guests who may be visiting. On top of their three Benedictine vows, the nuns also “seek God through a life of prayer, silence and solitude.” According to their website, “Our way of life frees us to give glory and praise to God, intercede through prayer for the needs of the world and also offer hospitality.”

The monastery as it is now is still growing.

It was founded in 1990 but did not move to its present location in the Gallup Diocese until 2009, when the nuns were deeded with land near Gobernador, NM and started with three modest buildings. Currently it consists of a chapel, guesthouse, conference center, and living quarters, all of which sit at the base of a small mesa. The nuns hope to begin construction on a future monastery and church which would sit at the top of the mesa, turning the collection of buildings at the bottom into a retreat center.

Mother Benedicta Serna, OSB, is the current prioress. She almost immediately breaks into a kind, warm smile as she reflects on life

at the monastery, including the growth she has seen in the area of vocations.

“We have three sisters in formation,” she says. “We have a junior – she’ll be making her solemn vows on December 12, on the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, so we’re beginning to prepare for that. We also have a novice. The novitiate is a two-year program, and she’ll be completing her first year in November. [The Novitiate] involves studying the vows, monastic life, monastic history, and our constitutions. And then we have a postulant also, and that’s a year long. They come for that time, and just live with us, basically. They have to come to all the offices, Masses, prayers...it’s the same every day.” She breaks into a laugh.

“You think it would be boring, but it isn’t. It’s a routine, and it flows throughout the day, the week, the year, the seasons...you grow in it.

You grow deeper, in your own prayer life, in your own presence with God and with each other.”

Although the basic structure of the days remains the same, sometimes isolated desert life can provide unexpected surprises. Upon arrival at the monastery, we were greeted by Sister Mary, who reached into her pocket for the guesthouse keys, and brought out a canister of bear spray instead.

“Oh, that’s just in case the bear shows up

again,” she says nonchalantly, as if discussing a stray pet. “We’ve had a couple visits from him before but he doesn’t really bother us.” A bear had apparently paid a visit to the monastery one night, searching for the food that the nuns set aside for their three cats, but since Benedictine hospitality does not extend to members of the ursine family, he went away hungry, leaving two large pawprints on the window of the kitchen.

This is a rare occasion, however. Mostly what the nuns appreciate about the desert landscape of the Gallup Diocese is the time it provides for reflection and quiet. There is a deep silence here, usually broken only by soft birdsong, the sound of a shovel moving earth in the garden, or the monastery bell calling everyone to prayer. The prayers start early in the morning with Lauds (dawn prayer) at 4:30 and continue throughout the day until compline (evening prayer) at night.

“For us, the desert – it’s either something you’re attracted to or you’re called to,” said Mother Benedicta. “You know, it is isolated, and that’s what we like, it’s what we wanted, like Jesus going out to spend time in the desert. The women that come here, the guests, they want that experience. [We’re] here to pray for the needs of the people, the Bishop, the priests, the religious – there’s such a great need here. We want to be a presence of prayer for them.”

Mother Julianne Allen, who was Prioress for the community until 2004, spent some time describing the importance of the monastery’s quiet way of life.

“There’s a line in the Psalms which says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God,’” she said. “So the important thing in our lives is to have time for when we are simply putting ourselves in God’s presence.”

She describes this dedication to prayer as something that the nuns deliberately apply to their existence in the Gallup Diocese, and echoed Mother Benedicta’s desire to serve the people of the Diocese.

“Our purpose is to have a place of prayer: to pray for the Church, to pray for the Diocese, and Bishop Wall said something very nice when he first became Bishop. He said if there hadn’t been a community like ours, he would have had to look around for one for the Diocese.”

The Monastery as it is now is still growing. While there are around ten nuns at any given time, Mother Benedicta expressed her hope that the monastic life could foster vocations for young women.

“We would like to invite young women in the Diocese to come and spend time with us, to discern their vocation,” she said. “We’re hoping in the future to have vocation weekends, to see if God might be calling them to religious life as a Benedictine nun, just to come and see! I think that’s the wonderful thing about religious life, because you can come and try it – it doesn’t mean you have to stay. We just tell the women, ‘Come and see! Come and spend some time with us.’”

The buildings, too, are growing, as the most recent project, a cozy guesthouse, was recently completed, and the power for the complex is now mostly run from solar power. The nuns continue to fundraise for their biggest current dream – the new monastery building and church.

During her interview, Mother Julianne happens by chance to quote Psalm 121.

“In the Old Testament, the people at that time thought that the higher you got on the mountaintop, the closer you were to God,” she said. “There’s a Psalm that says ‘I raise my eyes to the mountains, from where shall my help come? My help shall come from the Lord, who made Heaven and Earth.”

These ancient words echo the deepest desire of this monastic community: to raise themselves to the nearby mountaintop, and to continue to live and proclaim the word of God to the people of the Diocese.

Standing on the hill where the nuns hope to build a permanent monastery

The nuns of the Monastery pose for a group photo after Mass with Bishop Wall Voice of the Southwest | dioceseofgallup.org

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Saints for Today:

St. Vincent de Paul (1580-1660)

by Jean Lee, M.A., D.Min.

Immediately upon ordination as a priest, Vincent’s life was dedicated to the corporal and spiritual works of mercy, notably among the sick, the poor, and the galley prisoners in France. A unique quality characterizes Vincent de Paul’s lifetime of charity. His temperament was such that he could never turn away from a person in need, no matter what the need was. The list of trouble he sought to alleviate is astounding.

He brought food and medicine to penniless sick people, comforted convicts, and sheltered orphans, the elderly, and soldiers incapacitated by war wounds. He opened hospitals, took in abandoned babies, and taught catechism to children.

He founded an order of nuns to serve the poor and another for priests to teach and encourage religious devotion among the urban poor and country peasants.

Vincent’s first group of volunteers was made up of uppermiddle-class ladies. Well-intentioned but squeamish, the women lacked the physical stamina to working the slums. A peasant himself, Vincent learned to recruit emotionally tough, physically robust young women from the country to serve the poor.

An unexpected benefit of his ambitious programs was the renewal of religious life in seventeenth-century France. The young priests Vincent trained were so well educated in the Catholic faith, so gifted at making Christian doctrine accessible and appealing to any audience, and so exemplary in their personal lives that bishops saw the “Vincentians” (as they came to be called) as a model, and they instituted St. Vincent’s training program in their own seminaries.

Vincent’s work inspired St. Louise de Marillac, who cofounded the Daughters of Charity (also known as the Sisters of Charity). These sisters worked in hospitals and among the destitute.

In the U.S., the Sisters of Charity are known through St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, who established an American branch of that community. The Daughters of Charity is what the worldwide religious community of women is known by today. It includes both the American and French sisters as well as those all over the world.

Vincent died at the age of 80 and was buried in the St. Lazare Church in Paris. In 1712, his body was exposed and found to be in good condition except for some decay in the face. However, when the body was exhumed again, there was additional

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damage because of a flood. His bones are now encased in wax in the provincial headquarters of the Congregation of the Missions in Paris.

Frederick Ozanam was inspired by Vincent’s work and in 1832 created the St. Vincent de Paul Society. This society, made up of laymen and women, quietly performs the corporal works of mercy among the destitute in local parishes.

“It is our duty to prefer service to the poor to everything else and to offer such service as quickly as possible. If a needy person requires medicine or other help during prayer time, do whatever has to be done with peace of mind. Offer the deed to God as your prayer. Do not become upset or feel guilty because you interrupted prayer to serve the poor. God is not neglected if you leave him for such service. One of God’s works is merely interrupted so that another can be carried out. Charity is certainly greater than any rule.” —St. Vincent de Paul BIBLIOGRAPHY: Craughwell, Thomas J. “This Saint Will Change Your Life.” Philadelphia: Quirk Books, 2007.

Pennington, M. Basil, O.C.S.O. “Through the Year with the Saints.”

New York, NY: Image Books, 1988.

Trigilio, Rev. John, Ph.D, Th.D, and Rev. Kenneth Brighenti, Ph.D. “Saints for Dummies.” Hoboken, NJ: Wiley Publishing, 2010.

Jean M. Lee, M.A., D.Min., is a licensed behavioral health and substance abuse counselor, founding a nonprofit, statelicensed behavior health counseling agency and Christian gift/ book store. A Catholic revert after 32 years away from the Church, she is currently working on achieving an M.A. in Theology from the Augustine Institute, Denver, CO. She is devout in the Catholic faith, loves the saints, and lives a deeper spiritual/ religious and more joyful life since returning to the Church.

Making Sense Out of Bioethics:

With Fr. Tad Pacholczyk

Morality and the Natural Law: The Importance of Being Guided by a Moral Compass People sometimes use the phrase “moral compass” to describe the innate sense of right and wrong that human beings have.

President Obama, for example, recently mentioned in one of his speeches how we need to, “keep our own moral compass pointed in a true direction.” Although he didn’t spell out what that true direction might be, his remark nevertheless highlighted something that all can agree upon, namely, the importance of being guided by a moral compass.

Our moral compass When functioning properly, this moral compass (a.k.a. our “conscience”), not only encourages us from within to “do good and avoid evil,” but also sets off internal alarm bells when we are tempted to carry out evil acts.

Some acts, such as murder, torture, theft, and adultery will trigger those alarm bells almost universally, irrespective of time period, culture, or upbringing within a particular society.

No society erects statues to honor their greatest adulterers, or to celebrate their most prolific murderers.

When a genocidal leader is cast in marble, it is to memorialize qualities like courage or leadership, not his murderous proclivities.

The Natural Law The fact that certain actions like murder and adultery are wrong and invariably harmful, and readily perceived as such, leads to what is known as the “Natural Law.” The Natural Law signifies that we can know through our powers of reason what is right and wrong, and that our reason can thereby guide us towards an ethical life.

Becoming aware of the Natural Law through a carefully formed moral compass is an essential part of what it means to be human. Those who invoke Natural Law appeal to self-evident principles that can be known by

all humans.

Catholic teachings about morality also rely on the notion of Natural Law. The Second Vatican Council, to consider but one example, describes our moral duty this way: “Deep within his conscience man discovers a law which he has not laid upon himself but which he must obey.”

Not specifically religious The Natural Law, nonetheless, is not a specifically Christian idea, but has its origins in pre-Christian thought. A number of ancient Greek philosophers discuss the notion. Cicero, the Roman lawyer and writer (106-43 B.C.), has a famous passage wherein he describes the Natural Law: “There is in fact a true Law — namely, right reason — which is in accordance with nature, applies to all men, and is unchangeable and eternal.

By its commands it summons men to the performance of their duties; by its prohibitions it restrains them from doing wrong. To invalidate this Law by human legislation is never morally right, nor is it permissible ever to restrict its operation; and to annul it wholly is impossible.”

He also notes how the Natural Law cannot be “one thing at Rome, and another at Athens; one thing to-day, and another to-morrow; but in all times and nations this universal law must forever reign, eternal and imperishable.”

Despite its constancy and universality, the demands of the Natural Law are not easily specified or deduced, free of disputation or debate. Some people today, in fact, influenced by the hedonism and relativism of our age, would go further and outright deny the existence of the Natural Law.

Reasserting Natural Law Interestingly, though, whenever a serious crisis or threat to civilization arises, the validity of Natural Law rea-

soning tends to reassert itself. Such a resurgence occurred, for example, at the end of World War II, during the Nuremberg trials and in the prosecutions against those who had perpetrated heinous crimes against humanity.

Nazi defendants objected to being placed on trial for simply following the orders of their superiors and the laws of their country. Most of their actions were recognized as being legal under the judicial system of the Third Reich.

They were ultimately found guilty, nevertheless, of violating a higher law to which all nations and peoples are subject.

Sir Hartley Shawcross, the British prosecutor, stressed that there could be no immunity “for those who obey orders which — whether legal or not in the country where they are issued — are manifestly contrary to the very law of nature from which international law has grown.”

The prosecutors at Nuremberg built their case on the fact that, in the final analysis, the laws of man and of nations are subject to the laws of God and the Natural Law. To discern the Natural Law and thereby perceive our moral obligations requires reflection, reason, and discipline. The darkening of our reason and the weakening of our will that has subtly infected us because of sin can make it challenging, even two millennia following Cicero, to properly grasp our natural moral obligations.

The Natural Law, nevertheless, represents an essential core of universal morality, serving as a key foundation for ethics, and an antidote to the lawlessness that tempts us in every age.

Rev. Tadeusz Pacholczyk, Ph.D. earned his doctorate in neuroscience from Yale and did post-doctoral work at Harvard. He is a priest of the diocese of Fall River, MA, and serves as the Director of Education at The National Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia. See www.ncbcenter.org Voice of the Southwest | dioceseofgallup.org

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